jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Coronavirus in Israel: 1,994 new cases, only 5.4% of tests positive

Israel has reached the goal that would allow the country to begin exiting the national lockdown , according to coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu .
In an interview with Army Radio Thursday , Gamzu pointed out that the number of new daily infections has fallen below 2,000 per day out of a minimum of 30,000 tests and the reproduction rate - the R , the number of people an infected person will infect - stands at 0.8 .
Gamzu said that at the coronavirus cabinet meeting on Thursday , which began Thursday afternoon around 1 p.m. , he will recommend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exit strategy , which would greenlight the opening of preschools and businesses that do not accept customers .
Other aspects of the first stage should include opening national parks , beaches and takeaway and removing the one-kilometer restriction on movement .
Interior Minister Arye Deri ( Shas ) said that he will push at Thursday ’ s cabinet meeting to allow more people to attend what he calls “ Jewish lifecycle ” events as morbidity continues to decline .
Deri ’ s plan includes allowing up to 200 people to attend these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so long as there is no meal or sitting .
There would be four meters between capsules .
At the event following the ceremony , he will recommend that up to 40 people in two capsules of 20 could participate .
At the meeting , ministers will also discuss a formula for handling red cities .
Gamzu and most other health officials have said that this is essential for ensuring that infection does not start to spread again as the company opens up .
The list of red cities is not final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected to be on the list : Beit Shemesh , Beitar Illit , Bnei Brak , Elad , Kiryat Malachi , Modi'in Illit , Netivot , Ofakim , Ramle , Rehasim and some Jerusalem neighborhoods .
In these areas , the infection rate is higher than in other places .
It is likely that preschools will open next week , although teachers and administrators have expressed apprehension in that the Health Ministry has not yet provided them with a detailed outline for handling their classrooms in the shadow of coronavirus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were testing all their teachers and other preschool staff on Thursday to be ready for the first day of school .
“ Preschool teachers and aides are at the forefront , ” Rishon Lezion mayor Raz Kinstlich said .
“ Their work is critical to the development of children , especially during this period.
” He said that testing will ensure that their health and the health of those around them would be maintained .
About 5.5 % of young children between the ages of newborn and nine have had coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Health Ministry .
Serological antibody tests taken by the Health Funds also showed that five to six times more children were infected than originally assumed .
The Health Ministry could use this data to argue against opening schools now .
Finally , an agreement was reached on the opening of Ben-Gurion Airport on Thursday at midnight .
The amendment stipulates that as of Friday , October 16 , 2020 , the temporary order restricting entry to the airport for those who did not meet the defined conditions will be revoked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrive at the airport up to eight hours before one ’ s scheduled departure time .
Police said that they have noticed a significant increase in people breaking restrictions in recent days - both traveling more than one kilometer from home and gathering .
Police shared on Thursday that they have administered some 31,534 tickets to people for breaking regulations in the last week ( October 8-14 ) , including 3,821 in the last 24 hours .

Less than a month after Israeli citizens were put under lockdown, the coronavirus cabinet ruled Thursday to begin lifting restrictions.Beginning on Sunday, businesses that don’t serve customers, preschools for children ages newborn to six, nature reserves, national parks, beaches, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount will open. At the same time, restaurants will be able to serve takeaway, the ban on traveling more than one kilometer from home will be lifted and people will be allowed to visit the homes of their extended family and friends.Finally, people will be able to gather in groups of 10 inside and 20 outside.The decision came against the backdrop of data from the Health Ministry showing that Israel had nearly met the goals set by the Health Ministry to open up the economy. Some 2,009 people were infected with coronavirus on Wednesday, the ministry reported, with a total of 720 people in serious condition, including 248 who were ventilated. The death toll rose to 2,121.“As of now, the lockdown has been a major success. We are seeing a decline in all data, a clear and consistent decline,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of the meeting. Nonetheless, he added, “the exit needs to be gradual, responsible, careful and controlled.”But he also warned ministers during the meeting that “there will not be any change to the outline, no loosening and no tightening. If we discover suddenly that the numbers are going up, we will stop. And, if we need to, we will take a step back. If there is opposition, speak now.”At the meeting, head of Public Health Services Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis shared data showing that Israel now stands at an average of 2,400 new cases per day out of an average of 37,000 tests. The reproduction rate is around 0.63 Health Ministry data showed, meaning that every person infect less than one other.The Health Ministry has said that if the numbers rise to over 2,000 new cases per day or the reproduction rate hits between 0.9 and one, the country will stop opening up. If the reproduction rate spikes to more than one, restrictions will be put back in place.Not all of the ministers followed Netanyahu’s rules. Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz complained that the country was exiting lockdown too quickly and Israel should wait until there were no more than 1,000 new cases per day.Minister of Culture and Sports Chili Tropper pushed to open some culture and sporting activities, and Transportation Minister Miri Regev also wondered why the country could not allow salons and beauty parlors to take clients.There was also a fight over opening the education system between Education Minister Yoav Gallant and Health Ministry deputy director-general Itamar Grotto. Gallant claimed that infections do not happen at schools, but only at weddings and other large gatherings.“Repeating that there is no connection between the infection rate and the opening of schools will not make it true,” Grotto pushed back.The Health and Education ministries were expected to meet late into the night Thursday to approve an outline for how preschools will operate. The lack of planning was reminiscent of the previous decisions to open schools – both in May and September.Teachers said that they feel unprepared to open their classrooms, with some even saying that they won’t manage to meet expectations by Sunday, and might have to delay the students’ return until later next week.“The system is not prepared to open preschools on Sunday – period,” Israeli Teachers Union head Yaffa Ben-David said in an interview with Channel 12. “The preschool teachers don’t even know what the outline is… no one spoke to us, no one included us.”She said the teachers were not told what protective measures would be needed to ensure that infection does not spread, or whether staff that lives in red cities will be allowed to come to work in green cites.“If we open like this,” she said, “to my dismay, we will meet again during the third lockdown.”The loosening of restrictions does not apply to red zones, areas in which the rate of infection is still high. A separate meeting about those areas will be held on Saturday night.The list of red cities is not final, but sources said that the following are expected to be on the list: Beit Shemesh, Beitar Illit, Bnei Brak, Elad, Kiryat Malachi, Modi’in Illit, Netivot, Ofakim, Ramle, Rehasim and some Jerusalem neighborhoods.Coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu expressed hope that some of the red cities could become orange by the time he was expected to reveal the final list after Shabbat.Many of the red cities are haredi (ultra-Orthodox). Maj.-Gen. Ronni Numa, who is responsible for oversight of the haredi community during the coronavirus crisis, said Wednesday that about 36% of newly infected people are from the haredi sector.Finance Minister Israel Katz said that he would form a special team to provide increased financial assistance to those areas, in order to facilitate their ability to get through the difficult period.Regarding “red cities that continue to stay closed, the Interior Ministry will receive a special budget for their needs... beyond the standard aid program,” he said in a statement during the cabinet meeting.MK Yakov Asher, who chairs the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee that will have to approve the exit strategy’s first steps, said he would not approve a special outline for red cities without a convincing plan.“You cannot just come and lock down a city, put roadblocks around it and go home,” he said in an interview from the Knesset. “People live there, not animals.”Head of the Ultra-Orthodox Desk in the Health Ministry Ronni Numa came to an agreement with the Committee of Yeshivas and Rabbis regarding the reopening of ultra-Orthodox yeshivas.According to the agreement, yeshivas with dormitories will be able to open on Tuesday, including in red cities, with every yeshiva student being required to take a coronavirus test and obtaining a negative result before being allowed to enter the yeshiva.They will be required to take tests before returning home at the end of the semester in the middle of December, while teaching staff will be required to undergo tests every 14 days.Students will be allowed to leave the yeshivas for dating purposes, however.During the Elul semester, 5,000 yeshiva students contracted coronavirus, and numerous yeshivas broke the guidelines established for them by the Health Ministry.Numa expressed “satisfaction” with the new agreement, noting that dozens of yeshivas that had not been involved in the Elul program had now joined, adding that yeshivas that were not part of the new agreement would require government enforcement to keep them closed.At the cabinet meeting, the ministers discussed a proposal by Interior Minister Arye Deri (Shas) to allow up to 200 people to attend “Jewish life-cycle” events in capsules of 20 people. The dialogue escalated when MK Itzik Shmuli of Labor told Deri that his plan would not work:“Have you ever seen a wedding in capsules? It won’t happen. And that was a serious source of the outbreak in the first wave,” Shmuli pressed.Deri responded: “You probably don’t understand the meaning of marriage, of its sanctification in Judaism” Shmuli replied, “Do not underestimate my faith and I will not underestimate yours. I am no less a Jew than you.”He added that “the only principle that must guide us is epidemiological. The virus does not negotiate.”Deri left the discussion in a huff. N12’s Donna Weiss said that sources close to Deri said that the minister expected Netanyahu to support his plan.“It is permitted to get married in the State of Israel,” Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said in a briefing following the meeting, in response to a question about Deri’s plan. He added that “there is no change in the position of the Health Ministry. Gatherings are the most dangerous things at the moment.”Following the meeting, politicians and industries alike began to respond to the cabinet’s decisions.Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz reminded the public that “the coronavirus is still here – and I ask each and every one of you to obey the regulations, be sure to wear a mask, social distance and maintain good hygiene. Israel’s morbidity is still high and hundreds of people lose their lives every week.”The Association of Restaurants applauded the move and said that the decision will allow 3,000 businesses and 20,000 employees to return to operations.According to Israel Police, the decision to loosen restrictions comes at the right time. They said that they had noticed a significant increase in people breaking restrictions in recent days – both by traveling more than one kilometer from home and gathering.Police shared on Thursday morning that they have issued 31,534 tickets to people for breaking regulations in the past week (October 8-14), including 3,821 in the last 24 hours.This first stage will last two weeks. If the infection rate remains stable, then the ministers will begin talking about approving the second stage of the exit strategy – which is to include non-medical treatments and alternative medicine, as well as the resumption of school for children in first through fourth grade.Jeremy Sharon contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Deri pushes to allow weddings, funerals with 200 participants


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Gamzu: We've reached goals to begin coronavirus lockdown exit plan


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Coronavirus cabinet approves Ben-Gurion Airport reopening


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Blue and White renews calls for quick work on budget

`` We call on the Prime Minister to put personal considerations aside and advance the state budget for 2021 - @ @ @ @ @ , but for the citizens of Israel , '' said Blue and White .
`` @ @ @ @ @ for politics . ''
Blue and White MK Eitan Ginzburg told the Knesset Channel on @ @ @ @ @ on a budget did not begin within two weeks , `` the result will be @ @ @ @ @ '' Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi told Army Radio on Thursday that `` If there is @ @ @ @ @ no appointments in the next week or two , we may go to the lighting @ @ @ @ @ , Governor of the Bank of Israel , told Army Radio on Thursday that `` @ @ @ @ @ be expedited immediately , both for economic reasons , and also in terms of market @ @ @ @ @ that the 2021 budget must be approved by December .
`` I believe that it @ @ @ @ @ make a budget within this year as well , '' said Yaron .

"We call on the Prime Minister to put personal considerations aside and advance the state budget for 2021 - not for Blue and White, but for the citizens of Israel," said Blue and White. "This is not the time for politics."
Blue and White MK Eitan Ginzburg told the Knesset Channel on Thursday that if a work on a budget did not begin within two weeks, "the result will be very, very clear."
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi told Army Radio on Thursday that "If there is no budget and there are no appointments in the next week or two, we may go to the lighting elections."
Amir Yaron, Governor of the Bank of Israel, told Army Radio on Thursday that "the budget approval procedure should be expedited immediately, both for economic reasons, and also in terms of market visibility."
Yaron added that the 2021 budget must be approved by December. "I believe that it is possible and necessary to make a budget within this year as well," said Yaron.
The Blue and White Party renewed calls for the Likud Party to work quickly with the party on a budget for 2021 on Thursday, with some MKs threatening elections.Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz published a tweet on Thursday calling for a budget for 2021 and quoting a former governor of the Bank of Israel who stated that it was "absurd" that there is still no budget.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Tourism Minister: While governments sign treaties, people create peace

`` Today Israel marks a new chapter in its relationship with the Arab world .
We welcome the treaties signed @ @ @ @ @ and Bahrain , '' said Farkash-Hacohen .
`` It is time to choose dialogue over @ @ @ @ @ together , not boycott each other . ''
`` As Israel 's Minister of Tourism @ @ @ @ @ – in the Emirates , Bahrain , Egypt , Jordan , Morocco and the entire @ @ @ @ @ while governments sign treaties , people create peace – and tourism is a key component @ @ @ @ @ Farkash-Hacohen .
`` When the skies open and travel resumes , come visit Jerusalem 's @ @ @ @ @ 's beaches .
Together , we can create a better , more secure and prosperous @ @ @

"Today Israel marks a new chapter in its relationship with the Arab world. We welcome the treaties signed with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain," said Farkash-Hacohen. "It is time to choose dialogue over divestment. Let us build together, not boycott each other."
"As Israel's Minister of Tourism, I turn to you – in the Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and the entire region. Remember, that while governments sign treaties, people create peace – and tourism is a key component of this," added Farkash-Hacohen. "When the skies open and travel resumes, come visit Jerusalem's ancient streets and Tel Aviv's beaches. Together, we can create a better, more secure and prosperous future."
During the Knesset discussion on the UAE-Israel peace deal, Tourism and Strategic Affairs Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen invited Arab and Muslim citizens of countries in the region to visit Israel, stressing that "while governments sign treaties, people create peace."


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--High Court to discuss confidential declarations in 'Submarines Affair'

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The High Court of Justice is set to discuss confidential declarations concerning the "Submarines Affair" on Thursday, after the state requested that the publication of parts of the declarations be banned.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Coronavirus in IDF: 1,101 infected, 4,870 in quarantine

Some 4,870 soldiers are in quarantine .

Some 4,870 soldiers are in quarantine.
Some 1,101 soldiers and staff in the IDF were infected with the novel coronavirus as of Thursday morning, with five soldiers in moderate condition and one soldier in serious condition.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Netanyahu: No hidden letters, secret elements in UAE-Israel peace deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for peace with Lebanon during Thursday ’ s historic Knesset vote to ratify the normalization deal with the United Arab Emirates that was initially signed in Washington last month .
“ Since the dawn of Zionism we have held a defensive weapon in one hand , while the other has been outstretched in peace — to anyone that wants peace , ” Netanyahu said .
“ It is said that peace is made with an enemy .
No - peace is made with someone who has ceased to be an enemy .
Peace is made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with those who remain committed to your destruction . ''
An example of such an enemy , he said , is Hezbollah , which continues to exercise de facto control in Lebanon , and whose presence makes peace with that neighboring country impossible .
Still , Netanyahu said , he saw a ray of hope in the talks that began Wednesday between Israel and Lebanon to resolve the maritime dispute between them .
This is “ something that has enormous potential economic significance ” for both countries , Netanyahu said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to complete these talks , to demarcate the maritime border . ''
He added that he hopes these negotiations mark the breach of potential for a future day , when it will possible “ to achieve true peace ” between Israel and Lebanon .
Netanyahu called the expected passage of the deal in the Knesset historic and expressed hope that more Arab countries would follow .
The Israel-UAE peace deal is part of the US brokered Abraham Accords , that also includes a normalization deal with Bahrain that has been signed but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace deals with Middle East Arab countries , a 1979 agreement with Egypt and a 1994 one with Jordan .
Opponents of the UAE deal have been concerned that not all elements have been made public , particularly with regard to military equipment such the advanced F-35 combat jet and the annexation of West Bank settlements .
Netanyahu told the Knesset that “ there are no secret annexes or hidden clauses in the UEA deal.
” He made the promise after declining to hold a closed door meeting with the Knesset Foreign Affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the deal passed in the Knesset .
The agreement is expected to pass late Thursday after a debate in which 100 MKs asked to speak .
`` The Palestinians were offered peace and turned it down time after time , '' he said .
`` If we wait for the Palestinians , we will be waiting a long time . ''
Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz used his speech to reach out to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas , saying `` the time has come to join the journey to peace and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ List announced on Wednesday that it plans to vote against the deal .
“ In principle we are in favor of peace and work for true and permanent peace , ” said Joint List MK Mtanes Shehadeh on Wednesday .
“ In our view , the agreement with the United Arab Emirates will actually alienate peace with the Palestinians and perpetuate the occupation and settlements.
” '' It is amazing that there are those here who will vote against peace , '' Netanyahu said .
MKs Bezalel Smotrich and Ofir Sofer of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Yamona faction decided to vote in favor of the deal .
Opposition leader Yair Lapid praised the UAE deal but added criticism of Netanyahu .
`` You reached a good agreement with the UAE , '' Lapid said .
`` You managed the relationship with the President of the United States well .
You failed completely when it comes to the relationship with the Democratic Party and American Jewry . ''

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jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Trump's son Barron tested positive for COVID-19, says Melania Trump

`` Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms , '' Melania Trump said in a statement .
She said she and Barron had since tested negative for the virus .
Donald Trump told a rally in Des Moines , Iowa , that Barron `` is just fine now '' and said it was an example of why schools should reopen .
`` I do n't even think he knew he had it , because they 're young and their immune systems are strong and they fight it off , '' Trump said .
`` Get the kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Melania Trump said her symptoms were `` minimal '' and that she hoped to resume her duties as first lady `` as soon as I can . ''
`` I experienced body aches , a cough and headaches , and felt extremely tired most of the time , '' she said .
`` I chose to go a more natural route in terms of medicine , opting more for vitamins and healthy food , '' Melania Trump said .
Donald Trump spent three nights in a military hospital after announcing on Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive .
To treat the virus , he received an experimental dual antibody therapy developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc and Gilead Sciences Inc 's antiviral remdesivir , as well as the steroid dexamethasone .
`` In one way I was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together , '' Melania Trump said .

"Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms," Melania Trump said in a statement. She said she and Barron had since tested negative for the virus.
Donald Trump told a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, that Barron "is just fine now" and said it was an example of why schools should reopen.
"I don't even think he knew he had it, because they're young and their immune systems are strong and they fight it off," Trump said. "Get the kids back to school," he said.
Melania Trump said her symptoms were "minimal" and that she hoped to resume her duties as first lady "as soon as I can."
"I experienced body aches, a cough and headaches, and felt extremely tired most of the time," she said.
"I chose to go a more natural route in terms of medicine, opting more for vitamins and healthy food," Melania Trump said.
Donald Trump spent three nights in a military hospital after announcing on Oct. 2 that he and Melania had tested positive.
To treat the virus, he received an experimental dual antibody therapy developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc and Gilead Sciences Inc's antiviral remdesivir, as well as the steroid dexamethasone.
"In one way I was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together," Melania Trump said.
President Donald Trump's 14-year-old son, Barron, tested positive for COVID-19 but exhibited no symptoms after both of his parents contracted the virus, first lady Melania Trump said on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--China's Sinopharm offers experimental COVID-19 vaccines to students

A division of Chinese state-run Sinopharm Group Co Ltd that is developing two COVID-19 vaccines is offering them for free to Chinese students going abroad for higher studies , the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday .
The move by China National Biotec Group Co ( CNBG ) is aimed at boosting public confidence in homegrown inoculations , the Journal reported , citing a company website and some students who applied for it .
The announcement of the company distributing vaccines to students appeared on a website where people could sign up to receive it , the newspaper reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people had taken the vaccine while an additional 93,653 had applied to be inoculated , according to the report .
The website was down starting Tuesday , the report said , adding that it was `` under maintenance . ''
CNBG did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment .
China launched a vaccine emergency use program in July , offering three experimental shots developed by a unit of state pharmaceutical giant China National Pharmaceutical Group and U.S.-listed Sinovac Biotech .
A fourth vaccine being developed by CanSino Biologics was approved for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the other hand , an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence and cloud computing company called Group 42 is nearing the end of Phase III clinical trials of a vaccine in partnership with CNBG .

A division of Chinese state-run Sinopharm Group Co Ltd that is developing two COVID-19 vaccines is offering them for free to Chinese students going abroad for higher studies, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
The move by China National Biotec Group Co (CNBG) is aimed at boosting public confidence in homegrown inoculations, the Journal reported, citing a company website and some students who applied for it.
The announcement of the company distributing vaccines to students appeared on a website where people could sign up to receive it, the newspaper reported.
The website said on Monday that 481,613 people had taken the vaccine while an additional 93,653 had applied to be inoculated, according to the report.
The website was down starting Tuesday, the report said, adding that it was "under maintenance."
CNBG did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.
China launched a vaccine emergency use program in July, offering three experimental shots developed by a unit of state pharmaceutical giant China National Pharmaceutical Group and U.S.-listed Sinovac Biotech.
A fourth vaccine being developed by CanSino Biologics was approved for use by the Chinese military in June.
On the other hand, an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence and cloud computing company called Group 42 is nearing the end of Phase III clinical trials of a vaccine in partnership with CNBG.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Biden and Democrats raised record $383 mln in Sept for White House bid

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his party raised a record-shattering $ 383 million in September for his presidential bid @ @ @ @ @ advantage over President Donald Trump ahead of the Nov. 3 election .
The campaign had @ @ @ @ @ in cash , campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon said on Twitter .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his party raised a record-shattering $383 million in September for his presidential bid, likely bolstering his financial advantage over President Donald Trump ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
The campaign had a staggering $432 million in cash, campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon said on Twitter.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Facebook shuts NZ party's page before polls over COVID-19 misinformation

Facebook shut down the page of a fringe New Zealand political party on Thursday , days before a general election , for sharing what the company called misinformation about the novel coronavirus pandemic .
The newly formed Advance NZ Party 's page was taken off because of `` repeated violations '' of Facebook 's policy on misinformation about the virus that could lead to imminent physical harm , Facebook said in a statement .
`` We have clear policies against this type of content and will enforce on these policies regardless of anyone ’ s political position or party affiliation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a cynical example of election interference by an American-owned social media outlet that has no business performing any such operation in our sovereign nation , '' party co-leader Billy Te Kahika said in a statement .
The party has stirred controversy with an anti-vaccination stance and has also called for an end to coronavirus lockdowns .
It has said the case fatality rate of the virus is `` not unlike that of seasonal influenza '' .
Advance NZ is seen getting about 1 % of the vote , according to the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have no impact on the election outcome .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern , who also leads the and Labour Party , is seeking a second term in the Oct. 17 polls on the back of her success in eliminating the coronavirus in the country of 5 million with lockdowns and social distancing .
On Tuesday , Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters ridiculed a question from another coronavirus sceptic at an election campaign event .
Peters , the leader of the New Zealand First party , was answering questions when an unidentified man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a virus that causes this disease ? ''
.
`` Here 's someone who gets up and says 'the Earth is flat ' , '' Peters responded .
`` Sorry sunshine , wrong place . ''
Peters was a king-maker in the previous election , siding with Ardern to form a coalition government .

Facebook shut down the page of a fringe New Zealand political party on Thursday, days before a general election, for sharing what the company called misinformation about the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The newly formed Advance NZ Party's page was taken off because of "repeated violations" of Facebook's policy on misinformation about the virus that could lead to imminent physical harm, Facebook said in a statement.
"We have clear policies against this type of content and will enforce on these policies regardless of anyone’s political position or party affiliation," it said.
Advance NZ said Facebook's action was "election interference".
“This is a cynical example of election interference by an American-owned social media outlet that has no business performing any such operation in our sovereign nation," party co-leader Billy Te Kahika said in a statement.
The party has stirred controversy with an anti-vaccination stance and has also called for an end to coronavirus lockdowns. It has said the case fatality rate of the virus is "not unlike that of seasonal influenza".
Advance NZ is seen getting about 1% of the vote, according to the latest opinion poll, which would mean it will have no impact on the election outcome.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who also leads the and Labour Party, is seeking a second term in the Oct. 17 polls on the back of her success in eliminating the coronavirus in the country of 5 million with lockdowns and social distancing.
On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters ridiculed a question from another coronavirus sceptic at an election campaign event.
Peters, the leader of the New Zealand First party, was answering questions when an unidentified man asked "where is your evidence that there is a virus that causes this disease?".
"Here's someone who gets up and says 'the Earth is flat'," Peters responded. "Sorry sunshine, wrong place."
Peters was a king-maker in the previous election, siding with Ardern to form a coalition government.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Cargo plane to Hong Kong makes emergency landing at Ben-Gurion Airport

An EL AL cargo plane carrying six people made an emergency landing at Ben-Gurion Airport on Thursday night, Israeli media reported.The plane, which took off for Hong Kong, reported a state of emergency shortly after takeoff and landed safely.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Biden tested negative for coronavirus on Thursday - campaign

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden tested negative for the coronavirus on Thursday , his campaign said in a @ @ @ @ @ earlier this week with a person who subsequently tested positive .

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden tested negative for the coronavirus on Thursday, his campaign said in a statement, after Biden flew earlier this week with a person who subsequently tested positive.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--73-year-old man dies in Beersheba house fire

A 73-year-old man perished in a fire that broke out in a private house on Mash'al Zevulun Street in Beersheba @ @ @ @ @ When we arrived at the scene , we saw thick smoke coming out of the @ @ @ @ @ .
Firefighters put out the fire and found a 73-year-old man unconscious , with extensive @ @ @ @ @ .
We performed medical tests , he was without signs of life and was soon @ @ @ @ @ MDA paramedic Hani Ben David .
A crime scene investigator has been called to the @ @ @ @ @ the death are being examined .


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Coronavirus in Israel: 2,009 new cases Wednesday, death toll at 2,121


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Hundreds protest in Beitar Illit against lockdown, demonstrator hit by car

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the street Thursday to protest the continued closure of the ultra-Orthodox city of Beitar Illit, according to a Walla! News report.One protester was hit by a municipal vehicle while driving past the crowd, which was caught on video. The municipality stated that "we will conduct an immediate investigation into the serious incident, the offender will be brought in for clarification and if it turns out that he was driving illegally - he will be fired."The continuation of the lockdown in Beitar Illit came as the coronavirus morbidity rate remains high in the city, and was spurred by the government's announcement on the end of the lockdown for cities with lower infection rates.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Twitter restricts Trump's campaign account from tweeting

Twitter Inc on Thursday temporarily restricted US President Donald Trump's election campaign account from tweeting, saying a video from the account about Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's son violated its rules.The video posted by the @TeamTrump account referred to a New York Post story from Wednesday that contained alleged details of Hunter Biden's business dealings with a Ukrainian energy company and said the former vice president had met with an adviser of the company."Joe Biden is a liar who has been ripping off our country for years," the video was captioned.Twitter said the video violated its rules against posting private information, adding the account may need to delete the post in order to continue tweeting."It's going to all end up in a big lawsuit and there are things that can happen that are very severe that I'd rather not see happen, but it's probably going to have to," Trump said, when asked about the move by Twitter.Twitter said on Wednesday the Post story violated its "hacked materials" policy, which bars the distribution of content obtained through hacking that contains private information or trade secrets, or puts people at risk of physical harm.Facebook Inc and Twitter took proactive steps on Wednesday to restrict dissemination of the Post story in the hours after it was published.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Harris pauses in-person campaigning after staffer diagnosed with COVID-19

US Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris will cancel her travel plans through Sunday after one of her staff members tested positive for COVID-19, the campaign said in a statement.The campaign said that Harris was last tested on Wednesday and was negative. Her communications director, Liz Allen, had tested positive.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Taiwan says Hong Kong warned off flight to Taiwan-controlled island

Hong Kong air traffic controllers on Thursday warned off a Taiwanese civilian flight flying to Taiwan-controlled islands in the South China Sea, forcing it to turn back, the island's government said.The incident, which comes at a time of rising regional tensions, occurred as a UNI Air charter flight from southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung to the Pratas Islands was approaching Hong Kong's flight information region, Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration said.Hong Kong air traffic controllers told the captain there were "dangerous activities" happening below 26,000 feet and the aircraft could not enter, so for safety reasons he decided to turn back, the administration said in a statement.Hong Kong had not issued a prior notice warning of activities that could affect flights, it added.Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The weekly charter flights to the Pratas mostly carry Taiwan government and coastguard personnel and are not open for ordinary travellers to book.The Pratas lie southeast of Hong Kong at the northern end of the South China Sea, and normally get far less attention than the more contested waters further south near the Paracel and Spratly Islands.China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up military activities near Taiwan, including drills and regular air force missions close to the Pratas, which are only lightly defended by Taiwan.The Pratas, the closest Taiwan-controlled territory to Hong Kong, have taken on extra significance since anti-government protests began in the Chinese-run city.Taiwan has intercepted at least one boat close to the Pratas carrying people fleeing from Hong Kong trying to make their way to Taiwan.Some Taiwanese officials have expressed concerns that China could seize the Pratas, in a drastic escalation of tensions that could lead to a war.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Sweden boosts military spending, expands draft amid Russia tensions

Sweden will boost military spending by around 40% over the next five years and double the numbers conscripted into the armed forces as it looks to beef up its defense amid growing tensions with Russia, the government said on Thursday.Sweden, which is not a member of NATO but enjoys close ties with the bloc, ran down its military after the end of the Cold War to save money."We have a situation where the Russian side is willing to use military means to achieve political goals," Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist told reporters. "Based on that, we have a new geo-political security situation to deal with."Hultqvist said the new proposals would mean an increase in the military budget of 27.5 billion Swedish crowns ($3.10 billion) by 2025.Increased Russian activity in the Baltic Sea region has pushed Sweden into a hasty program of rearmament, including the purchase of Patriot missiles from the United States.Last month, Sweden protested to Moscow after two warships entered its territorial waters without permission and has repeatedly complained about Russian military planes flying too close to its own aircraft and violating Swedish airspace.The government said the military budget would be increased successively between 2021 and 2025, and would fund an expansion of military personnel to around 90,000 from the current 60,000, including a new mechanized brigade with updated artillery.The navy will get an extra submarine, increasing the number to five, and the corvette fleet will be updated, while both the army and air force will get upgraded weapons systems.In addition, the draft will be expanded to 8,000 a year by 2025, up from 4,000 in 2019. Sweden ended conscription in 2010, but reintroduced compulsory military service for a limited number of men and women in 2017.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--EU, Britain sanction Russian officials over Navalny poisoning

The European Union and Britain imposed sanctions on top Russian officials close to President Vladimir Putin on Thursday in an unexpectedly robust and swift response to the August poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.Pushed by France and Germany, where Navalny was treated after collapsing on a flight from Siberia, the EU and Britain targeted six Russians and a state scientific research center accused of deploying a banned nerve agent designed for military use against the 44-year-old opposition politician."We Europeans remain committed to the fight against chemical weapons," French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters as he arrived at an EU summit. He called for talks with Moscow.The Kremlin condemned the sanctions as a deliberate and unfriendly step against Moscow and promised retaliation.Unlike the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain in 2018, when the EU took almost a year to sanction military intelligence agents, the bloc targeted officials it believes planned and helped carry out the poisoning.Despite Britain's departure from the EU, London is still coordinating some sanctions with the bloc, in part to avoid allowing those targeted to move their assets, diplomats say.Andrei Yarin, head of the presidential policy directorate, Sergei Kiriyenko, Putin's first deputy chief of staff, Sergei Menyaylo, Putin's envoy to Siberia, Alexander Bortnikov, the director of Russia's Federal Security Service and two deputy defense ministers were targeted.TRAVEL BANS AND ASSET FREEZESThe State Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology was also sanctioned."The deployment of a toxic nerve agent of the Novichok group would ... only be possible due to the failure of the Institute to carry out its responsibility to destroy the stockpiles of chemical weapons," the Official Journal said.Moscow has rejected accusations that Navalny was poisoned with a Soviet-style Novichok nerve agent in an attempt to murder him and has said there were no grounds for sanctions.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was no logic to the decision and the sanctions had harmed relations.Russian businessman Evgeny Prigozhin, who has been indicted in the United States for interfering with the 2016 U.S. elections, was also separately sanctioned by the EU, accused of breaking a United Nations arms embargo on Libya.The travel bans and asset freezes confirmed a Reuters report on Wednesday.Paris and Berlin say they have not had a credible explanation from Moscow for what the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said was Novichok in Navalny's body.In the 2018 British case of the poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, traces of Novichok were also found.Navalny is recovering in Germany.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Canada imposes additional sanctions on Belarusian officials - statement

Canada said on Thursday that it had imposed sanctions on an additional 31 officials in Belarus because of human rights violations by President Alexander Lukashenko and his government, according to a foreign ministry statement.Canada and the UK together imposed a first round of sanctions last month. Canada said these sanctions were coordinated with the United States and the European Union.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Floods kill 40 in India, damage crops

Floods kill 40 in India, damage crops

Floods brought by heavy rains and overflowing rivers across large swathes of western and southern India have killed at least 40 people since Wednesday and damaged rice, cotton and other crops, officials said.The worst affected state was Telangana, where excessive unseasonal rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday flooded its capital Hyderabad, home to major IT companies and startups such as Microsoft, Accenture, Amazon and TCS .In Telangana 30 people died, while in neighbouring western state of Maharashtra 10 people were killed because of wall collapses, electrocution and drowning in overflowing streams, officials from the two states said on Thursday.Authorities in Hyderabad declared a holiday on Thursday and asked residents to stay indoors.Daily life has been disrupted in Hyderabad as many parts of the city lost power in the flooding.Residents posted pictures on Twitter of floating cars, waterlogged homes, offices and streets.A few districts in Maharashtra state received more than 100 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours and the state, including its capital Mumbai, is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its daily forecast.The rains have damaged rice paddies in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, while cotton, soybean and pulses were damaged in Maharashtra and Karnataka, traders said."Soybean, pigeon peas and black matpe crops have been damaged just before harvesting. The quality of the harvested crop has also deteriorated," said Nitin Kalantri, a trader from Latur, in Maharashtra.Telangana and Maharashtra have so far in October received 143% and 78% more rainfall than normal respectively, according to data compiled by IMD.


jerusalempost--2020-10-15--Trump tweet gave Taliban upper hand in negotiations - Afghan official

A tweet by President Donald Trump calling for US troops to be home by Christmas has given the insurgent Taliban the upper hand in negotiations, the top Afghanistan peace official told the Financial Times newspaper.Trump posted the tweet last week, hours after his national security adviser said Washington would reduce its forces in Afghanistan to 2,500 by early next year. The Taliban has welcomed the announcement."Nobody has given any clarity," Abdullah Abdullah, the head of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation, said in an interview published by the Financial Times on Thursday.The Taliban "might see it in their advantage" and come back by force if the United States withdrew, he said.A February deal between the United States and the Taliban said foreign forces would leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counterterrorism guarantees from the Taliban, which agreed to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and a power-sharing formula with the Afghan government.This week the United States took part in airstrikes against the Taliban at the start of an offensive in southern Helmand province, during which its forces took major checkpoints and closed in on the provincial capital.Diplomats and officials have warned that rising violence is sapping the trust required for successful peace talks in Doha.In a sign that negotiations were continuing, a Taliban spokesman and an Afghan government negotiator said on Wednesday some of their negotiators had met after a pause to discuss disputed issues and "present solutions."Amnesty International's head of South Asia, Omar Waraich, said in a statement the situation could deteriorate rapidly as tens of thousands of people were trapped by the fighting.He said both sides must ensure civilians are protected and can leave the war zones safely to avert a humanitarian disaster.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Thai riot police advance towards protesters

`` Get out , '' protesters shouted at the police , who threatened to use water cannon if protesters did @ @ @

"Get out," protesters shouted at the police, who threatened to use water cannon if protesters did not disperse.
Thai police with riot shields and batons advanced towards thousands of protesters on Friday after they demonstrated for a second day in defiance of a government ban on protests, witnesses said.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Big European powers "deeply concerned" over Israeli settlement plans

France , Germany , Britain , Italy and Spain are deeply concerned at Israeli plans to build new settler homes @ @ @ @ @ the countries said in a joint statement on Friday .
`` We are deeply concerned @ @ @ @ @ the Israeli authorities to advance more than 4,900 settlement building units in the occupied West @ @ @ @ @ statement said .

Five European countries and the European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell sharply condemned Israel’s advancement and approval this week of plans for 5,288 new settler homes. The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain issued a joint statement Friday in which they called on Israel to permanently halt plans to annex portions of the West Bank, as well as settlement activity, which imperils a two-state solution.The five foreign ministers added that it was a “counterproductive move in light of the positive developments of normalization agreements reached between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.”They called for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2334 which demands that Israel return to the pre-1967 lines.The ministers spoke out after the Higher Planning Council for Judea and Samaria held its first meeting in eight months on Wednesday and Thursday, during which it approved and advanced plans for the construction of 5,288 homes, bringing the annual total of such plans to 9,333. This does not include the deposit of plans for 3,165 homes for Ma’aleh Adumim’s E1 project.The approvals took place on the sidelines of Israel’s historic Knesset vote on Thursday, by which it overwhelmingly approved a peace deal with the United Arab Emirates. It is only the third such deal that exists, following the Egyptian one made in 1979 and the Jordanian one in 1994. Bahrain has also agreed to a normalization deal with Israel, but that has not come to a vote yet.Both Arab states required Israel to suspend its plans to annex portions of the West Bank as a prerequisite for the agreements.It remains unclear if settlement construction must also be halted. The spate of new approvals has assuaged but not eliminated the fear of a settlement freeze among the Israeli Right.Borrell called on Israel to halt all settlement activity, including in east Jerusalem and particularly in the Jewish neighborhoods there of Har Homa and Givat Hamatos. He also spoke out against Ma’aleh Adumim’s E1 project.“Against the background of normalization of relations between Israel, UAE and Bahrain, Israelis and Palestinians should seize this opportunity and take urgent steps to build confidence and restore cooperation along the line of previous agreements and in full respect of international law,” Borrell said.Borrell also took the opportunity to condemn Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes.“The period from March to August 2020 also saw a spike in demolitions or confiscations of Palestinian-owned structures in the West Bank in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU reiterates its call on Israel to halt all such demolitions, including of EU-funded structures, in particular in light of the humanitarian impact of the current pandemic,” he said.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Coronavirus update: 1,608 new infections in the last day

That means that these areas will not be closed down , as originally thought .
“ Prof .
Gamzu will also recommend limiting the closure to Wednesday at midnight , estimating that if the trend continues , there will probably be no red cities in Israel ” by Thursday , the statement said .
Discussion over red zones was pushed off on Thursday , due to the likelihood of an eruption between government officials .
Finance Minister Israel Katz said that he would form a special team to provide increased financial assistance to those areas , in order to facilitate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
Regarding “ red cities that continue to stay closed , the Interior Ministry will receive a special budget for their needs ... beyond the standard aid program , ” he said in a statement during the cabinet meeting .
But MK Yakov Asher , who chairs the Knesset Constitution , Law and Justice Committee that will have to approve the exit strategy ’ s first steps , said he would not approve a special outline for red cities without a convincing plan .
“ You can not just come and lock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and go home , ” he said in an interview from the Knesset .
“ People live there , not animals.
” A city ’ s color is defined based on several factors , including the number and rate of increase of new weekly patients per 10,000 in each authority , the overall rate of infection and how many people test positive out of those who are screened for the virus .
`` The Health Minister Yuli Edelstein backs coronavirus commissioner Prof. Roni Gamzu , '' a statement from the ministry said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has been working day and night for the health of all Israeli citizens , regardless of one sector or another . ''
On Friday , Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke with 40 heads of former red cities that are now green and said , “ We will continue to stand by you and make sure you stay green.
” '' The Health Minister Yuli Edelstein backs coronavirus commissioner Prof. Roni Gamzu , '' a statement from the ministry said Friday afternoon .
`` For months , he has been working day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens , regardless of one sector or another . ''
The morbidity rate across Israel continues to decline .
On Thursday , some 1,608 people were diagnosed with the virus , the Health Ministry showed .
There were 713 in serious condition , including 247 who were intubated .
The death toll stood at 2,128 .
The Hebrew website Ynet helped unpack some of the data and showed how the rate was declining across the country , including in these red zones .
Using Health Ministry data , it showed that Jerusalem , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to date , only 8.2 % of people who were tested in the last seven days were positive .
Given the lower infection rate , the full ministerial cabinet approved on Friday morning the decisions of the coronavirus cabinet from the night before to launch the first stage of an exit strategy .
Beginning on Sunday , businesses that don ’ t serve customers , preschools for children ages newborn to six , nature reserves , national parks , beaches , the Western Wall , the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , restaurants will be able to serve takeaway , the ban on traveling more than one kilometer from home will be lifted and people will be allowed to visit the homes of their extended family and friends .
Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy said Friday that the country was moving to reduce the number of coronavirus hotels it is operating .
Although families currently in hotels will complete their stay , a letter signed by Health Ministry officials , said that the number of sick patients who will be sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send coronavirus patients to hotels will only be made in exceptional cases .
Finally , people will be able to gather in groups of 10 inside and 20 outside and professional athletes will be allowed to train.Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy said Friday that the country was moving to reduce the number of coronavirus hotels it is operating .
Although families currently in hotels will complete their stay , a letter signed by Health Ministry officials , said that the number of sick patients who will be sent to hotels will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients to hotels will only be made in exceptional cases .
In Beitar Illit the percentage positive dropped from 24 % between October 2-8 to 15 % this past week .
Also , in Bnei Brak , it dropped from 25 % to 13.6 % , Ynet showed.Given the lower infection rate , the full ministerial cabinet approved on Friday morning the decisions of the coronavirus cabinet from the night before to launch the first stage of an exit strategy .

Although the rest of the country will begin emerging from the closure on Sunday, the cities of Beitar Illit, Bnei Brak, Elad, Modi'in Illit, Rehasim and some areas of Jerusalem will remain locked down through Wednesday at midnight. However, the ministers voted to allow preschools to open in those cities. "Members of the ministerial committee expressed appreciation for the work of the mayors and residents in the red cities who followed the guidelines and significantly reduced morbidity," a joint statement by the Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry read. "In a number of red cities, morbidity remains relatively high in comparison to the national level." The statement said that over the next several days, the country will work with those cities to reduce the level of infection so that they can open up as well. Entry and exit from the cities or neighborhoods will be forbidden except for special education students, at-risk-youth or people in need of social welfare services. After a debate that took ministers until less than two hours before Shabbat, the coronavirus cabinet on Friday approved the extension of the lockdown on red zones – areas with high infection.Although the rest of the country will begin emerging from the closure on Sunday, the cities of Beitar Illit, Bnei Brak, Elad, Modi'in Illit, Rehasim and some areas of Jerusalem will remain locked down through Wednesday at midnight. However, the ministers voted to allow preschools to open in those cities."Members of the ministerial committee expressed appreciation for the work of the mayors and residents in the red cities who followed the guidelines and significantly reduced morbidity," a joint statement by the Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry read. "In a number of red cities, morbidity remains relatively high in comparison to the national level."The statement said that over the next several days, the country will work with those cities to reduce the level of infection so that they can open up as well.Entry and exit from the cities or neighborhoods will be forbidden except for special education students, at-risk-youth or people in need of social welfare services.
Coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu said Friday morning in a statement via his spokeswoman that “in light of the declining trend in morbidity data in the deep red cities, Prof. Gamzu – after consultation with professionals – decided to remove the cities of Beit Shemesh and Kiryat Malachi, as well as a number of Jerusalem neighborhoods, from the list.”
THE MAYORS of the cities opposed extending the closure. For instance, the head of the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, Avraham Rubinstein, showed that his city had undergone a significant reduction in morbidity and therefore did not warrant having its closure extended. He also demanded that the education system open. THE MAYORS of the cities opposed extending the closure. For instance, the head of the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, Avraham Rubinstein, showed that his city had undergone a significant reduction in morbidity and therefore did not warrant having its closure extended. He also demanded that the education system open. The Hebrew website Ynet reported Friday morning that the rate was declining across the country, including in these red zones. Using Health Ministry data, it showed that in Jerusalem, where the most people have been infected to date, only 8.2% of people who were tested in the last seven days were positive. After the meeting, Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz said he backed the decision, as it was made "based on the position of the professionals, who emphasized that in recent weeks the majority of the Israeli public, in all sectors, is obeying the guidelines. "We will not give up. We will continue our efforts so that we can remove the restrictions in the cities that will remain closed for the next few days, according to the data," he concluded. Gamzu and Maj.-Gen. Ronni Numa, who oversees the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) desk of the Magen Israel program, expressed satisfaction with the decision and said that "a significant change has taken place in the red cities." They called on residents of these cities and their leaders to "continue to be careful about preventing gatherings in the coming days." In Beitar Illit the percentage positive dropped from 24% between October 2-8 to 15% this past week. Also, in Bnei Brak, it dropped from 25% to 13.6%, Ynet showed.After the meeting, Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz said he backed the decision, as it was made "based on the position of the professionals, who emphasized that in recent weeks the majority of the Israeli public, in all sectors, is obeying the guidelines."We will not give up. We will continue our efforts so that we can remove the restrictions in the cities that will remain closed for the next few days, according to the data," he concluded.Gamzu and Maj.-Gen. Ronni Numa, who oversees the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) desk of the Magen Israel program, expressed satisfaction with the decision and said that "a significant change has taken place in the red cities." They called on residents of these cities and their leaders to "continue to be careful about preventing gatherings in the coming days." That means that these areas will not be closed down, as originally thought.Gamzu was also the one who recommended the lockdown only be extended until Wednesday at midnight, estimating that if the trend continues, there will probably be no red cities in Israel by Thursday.
DISCUSSION OVER red zones was pushed off on Thursday, due to the likelihood of a blow up between government officials. DISCUSSION OVER red zones was pushed off on Thursday, due to the likelihood of a blow up between government officials.
Finance Minister Israel Katz said that he would form a special team to provide increased financial assistance to those areas, in order to facilitate their ability to get through the difficult period.
The statement by the Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry said that a team of ministers led by Katz would convene on Saturday to determine a list of regulations that would protect workers who live in red zones but work outside of them from being dismissed from their jobs. The team will also examine if these cities require additional aid, through the Home Front Command, the Interior Ministry or both. Regarding “red cities that continue to stay closed, the Interior Ministry will receive a special budget for their needs... beyond the standard aid program,” he said in a statement during the cabinet meeting.The statement by the Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry said that a team of ministers led by Katz would convene on Saturday to determine a list of regulations that would protect workers who live in red zones but work outside of them from being dismissed from their jobs. The team will also examine if these cities require additional aid, through the Home Front Command, the Interior Ministry or both.
But MK Yakov Asher, who chairs the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee – which will have to approve the exit strategy’s first steps – said he would not approve a special outline for red cities without a convincing plan.
“You cannot just come and lock down a city, put roadblocks around it and go home,” he said in an interview from the Knesset. “People live there, not animals.”
A city’s color is defined based on several factors, including the number and rate of increase of new weekly patients per 10,000 in each authority, the overall rate of infection and how many people test positive out of those who are screened for the virus.
"Health Minister Yuli Edelstein backs coronavirus commissioner Prof. Roni Gamzu," a statement from the ministry said Friday afternoon. "For months, he has been working day and night for the health of all Israeli citizens, regardless of one sector or another." On Friday, Gantz spoke with 40 heads of former red cities that are now green and said, “We will continue to stand by you and make sure you stay green.”"Health Minister Yuli Edelstein backs coronavirus commissioner Prof. Roni Gamzu," a statement from the ministry said Friday afternoon. "For months, he has been working day and night for the health of all Israeli citizens, regardless of one sector or another."
THE MORBIDITY rate across Israel continues to decline. THE MORBIDITY rate across Israel continues to decline.
On Thursday, some 1,608 people were diagnosed with the virus, the Health Ministry showed. There were 713 in serious condition, including 247 who were intubated. The death toll stood at 2,128.
Beginning on Sunday, businesses that don’t serve customers, preschools for children ages newborn to six, nature reserves, national parks, beaches, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount will open. At the same time, restaurants will be able to serve takeaway, the ban on traveling more than one kilometer from home will be lifted and people will be allowed to visit the homes of their extended family and friends. "This decision is great news for many citizens who are facing many economic challenges following the coronavirus closure," Katz said in a statement. "I have acted and will continue to act as necessary – for business owners, the self-employed and employees – so that the entire economy can return to full activity." Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy said Friday that the country was moving to reduce the number of coronavirus hotels it is operating. Although families currently in hotels will complete their stay, a letter signed by Health Ministry officials said that the number of sick patients who will be sent to hotels will be reduced and the decision to send them will only be made in exceptional cases. Finally, people will be able to gather in groups of 10 inside and 20 outside and professional athletes will be allowed to train."This decision is great news for many citizens who are facing many economic challenges following the coronavirus closure," Katz said in a statement. "I have acted and will continue to act as necessary – for business owners, the self-employed and employees – so that the entire economy can return to full activity."Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy said Friday that the country was moving to reduce the number of coronavirus hotels it is operating. Although families currently in hotels will complete their stay, a letter signed by Health Ministry officials said that the number of sick patients who will be sent to hotels will be reduced and the decision to send them will only be made in exceptional cases. Given the lower infection rate, the full ministerial cabinet approved on Friday morning the decisions of the coronavirus cabinet from the night before to launch the first stage of an exit strategy.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Number of corona patients evacuated to recovery hotels will be reduced


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Israeli police hand out more than 3,500 coronavirus fines in a single day


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Red cities: Updated list where coronavirus lockdown can be extended


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--PharmaMar aims to start phase III trial of cancer drug for COVID-19

Spanish pharmaceutical company PharmaMar said on Friday a clinical trial of its cancer drug Aplidin to treat adult patients with COVID-19 had achieved its safety and efficacy goals and it aimed to start phase III trials.PharmaMar shares rose 4.4% in morning trading.The company said there was a substantial reduction in viral load and the C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients, and that 80.7% of the patients had been discharged before the 15th day of hospitalization, and 38.2% before the 8th day."With these data, the company will begin, in the next few days, conversations with the regulatory agencies to define the next phase III pivotal study for plitidepsin (Aplidin) in patients with COVID-19, who require hospitalization," PharmaMar said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 7,334 to 348,557

Germany
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases inincreased by 7,334 to 348,557, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday.The death toll rose by 24 to 9,734, the RKI data showed.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Mnuchin to lead US delegation to Israel, Bahrain, UAE Oct. 17-20

WASHINGTON - Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will lead a US delegation traveling to Israel , Bahrain and the United Arab @ @ @ @ @ the Treasury Department said in a statement on Friday .
The visit comes one month @ @ @ @ @ and Bahrain signed agreements to establish formal ties with Israel , becoming the first Arab @ @ @ @ @ a quarter-century , in deals that were denounced by Palestinian leaders .

Israeli and Bahraini officials plan to sign a normalization declaration in Manama Sunday that will launch diplomatic relations and peace between the two countries.“From tomorrow there will be full diplomatic relations between Israel and Bahrain after the joint declaration,” an Israeli official told reporters on Saturday night.The signing ceremony builds on the statement of intent between the two countries signed in Washington on September 15, which still lacks the status of a full-fledged agreement.The Israeli official referred to the document as a “joint communique,” but explained that in practice, full diplomatic relations will be in place by the end of the day Sunday. After, the signing work can begin on the establishment of embassies in both countries.The scheduled Israeli-Bahraini ceremony follows the Knesset vote Thursday to authorize Israel’s peace deal with the United Arab Emirates.Both deals were brokered by the United States as part of its Abraham Accords.US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, along with assistant to the president and special representative for international negotiations Avi Berkowitz, and US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman will participate in the ceremonies.Mnuchin and his delegation will land first in Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport . According to the US Treasury, the Americans will travel together with an Israeli delegation on the “first-ever direct commercial flight from Israel to Bahrain.”There will be both a ceremony at the airport in Bahrain when the plane lands followed by a signing ceremony in the evening.The Israeli delegation will be led by National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat.During the day, Israeli and Bahraini official will hold talks on areas on potential cooperation including investment, civil aviation, tourism, trade, science and technology, environment, communications, health, agriculture, water, energy and legal cooperation.From Manama, the US delegation will fly to Abu Dhabi, where “the first-ever Abraham Accords Business Summit” will be held. The group will then fly back to Tel Aviv, the Treasury said.Separately, the first official delegation to Israel from the UAE is expected to land in Israel Tuesday, but may remain at the airport and fly home the same day, rather than conduct a wider visit, due to coronavirus precautions, an Israeli minister said.Israel is under a second coronavirus lockdown, which it plans to begin easing in the next few days, after a surge in cases.Science and Technology Minister Izhar Shay, whose ministry is taking part in talks with the UAE delegates, said the visitors would stay for several hours under a coronavirus protocol.“Right now it looks kind of ‘touch and go.’ It’s possible that the meetings will be at the airport or close to it,” he told Tel Aviv radio station 102 FM.Officials have said the UAE delegation will involve eight or nine groups working on various areas of bilateral cooperation, as a follow-up to talks launched in Abu Dhabi during an August 31 visit by an Israeli delegation.Two other officials involved in the planning, one Israeli and the other American, said it was possible the UAE delegation visit would take place entirely at Ben-Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv. The UAE has yet to confirm the delegation visit.Reuters contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Former Mexican defense minister ordered held in US custody

LOS ANGELES - Mexican former defense minister Salvador Cienfuegos was ordered during a brief hearing in Los Angeles on Friday to remain in US custody at least until a formal hearing on his detention is held next weeek.A federal magistrate judge issued the order after attorneys for Cienfuegos, who was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday, asked for a postponement of the detention hearing.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Suspect in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor waives right to bail hearing

Adam Fox , an alleged leader in the plot that resulted in 14 arrests in the last two weeks , waived his right to a bail hearing on Friday while US Magistrate Judge Sally Berens denied bail to defendant Ty Garbin on the grounds that he posed a risk to the community .
Fox and Garbin are among six people who face federal charges for conspiring to kidnap Whitmer , a Democrat assailed by Republican President Donald Trump and right-wing extremists for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
Eight other suspects in the plot , all of them described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an anti-government militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen , face state charges in Michigan for their alleged participation in the scheme .
Mark Satawa , an attorney for Garbin , argued that his client should be permitted to be released and put under house arrest at his parents ' home , saying there was not yet sufficient evidence that Garbin posed a threat and that he had an `` admirable personal record '' with no criminal history .
`` There is nothing about a tether and being at your parents ' home that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conspiracy , '' Judge Berens said in response .
Berens presided over a second day of hearings for five suspects at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan on Friday .
She ruled that there was probable cause to support the charges and that the five men would face a trial by grand jury .
On Tuesday , Berens ordered three of the defendants - Brandon Caserta , Daniel Harris and Kaleb Franks - to be held without bail , citing the risk they posed to the community .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being transferred to Michigan from Delaware after his arrest on Oct. 8 , according to court documents .

Five men suspected of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer were being held without bail on Friday and were ordered to face a grand jury trial on federal charges that could land them in prison for life if convicted.
Adam Fox, an alleged leader in the plot that resulted in 14 arrests in the last two weeks, waived his right to a bail hearing on Friday while US Magistrate Judge Sally Berens denied bail to defendant Ty Garbin on the grounds that he posed a risk to the community.
Fox and Garbin are among six people who face federal charges for conspiring to kidnap Whitmer, a Democrat assailed by Republican President Donald Trump and right-wing extremists for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Eight other suspects in the plot, all of them described by prosecutors as members or associates of an anti-government militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen, face state charges in Michigan for their alleged participation in the scheme.
Mark Satawa, an attorney for Garbin, argued that his client should be permitted to be released and put under house arrest at his parents' home, saying there was not yet sufficient evidence that Garbin posed a threat and that he had an "admirable personal record" with no criminal history.
"There is nothing about a tether and being at your parents' home that would prevent you from leaving and continuing the conspiracy," Judge Berens said in response.
Berens presided over a second day of hearings for five suspects at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan on Friday. She ruled that there was probable cause to support the charges and that the five men would face a trial by grand jury.
On Tuesday, Berens ordered three of the defendants - Brandon Caserta, Daniel Harris and Kaleb Franks - to be held without bail, citing the risk they posed to the community.
A sixth co-defendant, Barry Croft, was being transferred to Michigan from Delaware after his arrest on Oct. 8, according to court documents.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Biden tests negative for COVID-19 -campaign

US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden tested negative on Friday for COVID-19 , his campaign said .

US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden tested negative on Friday for COVID-19, his campaign said.
"Vice President Biden underwent PCR testing for COVID-19 today and COVID-19 was not detected," a campaign statement said.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--French president Macron to visit area where teacher's throat was slit

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the Paris suburb where a teacher 's throat was slit by a man shouting @ @ @ @ @ or `` God is Greatest '' , BFM TV reported .
BFM said Macron would @ @ @ @ @ Conflans-Sainte-Honorine following an emergency meeting at the interior ministry on Friday evening .

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the Paris suburb where a teacher's throat was slit by a man shouting "Allahu Akbar", or "God is Greatest", BFM TV reported.
BFM said Macron would go to the town of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine following an emergency meeting at the interior ministry on Friday evening.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Pompeo calls Northern Cyprus move to reopen Varosha provocative

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced deep concern about Northern Cyprus ' reopening part of a beachfront resort abandoned @ @ @ @ @ in 1974 , calling it provocative and seeking its reversal , the State Department said @ @ @

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced deep concern about Northern Cyprus' reopening part of a beachfront resort abandoned since Turkey invaded the island in 1974, calling it provocative and seeking its reversal, the State Department said on Friday.
Pompeo made the comments in a call with Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, the Department said, referring to Turkish Cypriot authorities partial reopening of the beach town of Varosha, a former resort area fenced off and abandoned in no-man's land since the 1974 invasion divided the island.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--IDF confirms rocket launched from Gaza into Israeli territory

The IDF confirmed the launch of a rocket from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on Friday night.The rocket landed in an open area, sources told Israeli media.The confirmation came shortly after rocket sirens were sounded in Nativ Ha'ashara, a Gaza border community.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Man stabbed in the throat in Paris suburb, a suspect shot by police

A man died after being stabbed in the throat in the Paris suburb of Conflans St Honorine and the attacker @ @ @ @ @ French police source said on Friday .

A man died after being stabbed in the throat in the Paris suburb of Conflans St Honorine and the attacker has been shot, a French police source said on Friday.
It was not immediately clear if the attacker had died, the source said.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--US warns of 'serious consequences' if Turkey activates S-400 system

The United States has expressed to senior levels of the Turkish government that the acquisition of Russian military systems such @ @ @ @ @ , the State Department said on Friday , warning of `` potential serious consequences '' @ @ @ @ @ Turkey if it activates the system .

The United States has expressed to senior levels of the Turkish government that the acquisition of Russian military systems such as the S-400 is unacceptable, the State Department said on Friday, warning of "potential serious consequences" for its security relationship with Turkey if it activates the system.
"If confirmed, we would condemn in the strongest terms the S-400 test missile launch as incompatible with Turkey’s responsibilities as a NATO Ally and strategic partner of the United States," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Taiwan should fortify itself against future Chinese invasion -White House

While China probably is not ready to invade Taiwan for now , the island needs to `` fortify itself '' against a future attack or any bid to isolate it through nonmilitary means , such as an embargo , the White House national security adviser said on Friday .
`` I think Taiwan needs to start looking at some asymmetric and anti-access area denial strategies , '' Robert O'Brien told an online Aspen Institute forum .
`` And really fortify itself in a manner that would deter the Chinese from any sort of amphibious invasion or even a gray zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gray zone operation as one that would involve isolating Taiwan by economic measures or some kind of embargo .
Rising tensions over Taiwan have led some analysts to speculate China might be tempted to take advantage of a possibly chaotic result of the hotly contested US election to make good on a long-standing vow to reunite the island with the mainland , by force if necessary .
Asked if he was concerned that China could launch an amphibious invasion of Taiwan or employ nonmilitary means to subdue the island , O'Brien said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably at this point want or likely are prepared for an amphibious landing . ''
`` It would be a hard operation for the Chinese to do '' and Beijing would have to consider how the United States would respond , he said .
`` If we got involved , that can make that a very dangerous effort for the Chinese to engage in . ''
China could use its massive missile force to `` annihilate '' Taiwan , `` but I do n't know what they would gain from that , '' @ @ @

While China probably is not ready to invade Taiwan for now, the island needs to "fortify itself" against a future attack or any bid to isolate it through nonmilitary means, such as an embargo, the White House national security adviser said on Friday.
"I think Taiwan needs to start looking at some asymmetric and anti-access area denial strategies," Robert O'Brien told an online Aspen Institute forum. "And really fortify itself in a manner that would deter the Chinese from any sort of amphibious invasion or even a gray zone operation against them."
He described a gray zone operation as one that would involve isolating Taiwan by economic measures or some kind of embargo.
Rising tensions over Taiwan have led some analysts to speculate China might be tempted to take advantage of a possibly chaotic result of the hotly contested US election to make good on a long-standing vow to reunite the island with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Asked if he was concerned that China could launch an amphibious invasion of Taiwan or employ nonmilitary means to subdue the island, O'Brien said he did not think "the Chinese probably at this point want or likely are prepared for an amphibious landing."
"It would be a hard operation for the Chinese to do" and Beijing would have to consider how the United States would respond, he said. "If we got involved, that can make that a very dangerous effort for the Chinese to engage in."
China could use its massive missile force to "annihilate" Taiwan, "but I don't know what they would gain from that," he said.
The "entire free world" and most of the Asia-Pacific region would be "repelled" if China employed an embargo or other "gray zone" methods to isolate Taiwan and the country would end up isolating itself internationally, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Black Flag convoy protest demands inquiry into Submarine Affair

Black Flag protesters set off in a convoy of vehicles from the northern part of the country on Friday towards @ @ @ @ @ official residence in Jerusalem as they demanded an inquiry into the Submarine Affair , N12 @ @ @ @ @ one of the vehicles , a large model of a submarine can be seen .
@ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , leaving from both the northern and the southern parts of the country , @ @ @ @ @ the way .

Black Flag protesters set off in a convoy of vehicles from the northern part of the country on Friday towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem as they demanded an inquiry into the Submarine Affair, N12 reported.
On top of one of the vehicles, a large model of a submarine can be seen.
Similar protests took place last Tuesday, leaving from both the northern and the southern parts of the country, stopping in different locations along the way.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Turkey's actions in east Mediterranean regrettable - Merkel

`` We agreed that the recent unilateral measures taken by Turkey , which are of course provocative , are increasing @ @ @ @ @ , '' Merkel told reporters at an EU summit in Brussels .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` We are keen to continue along the path we have taken with @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The further development of EU-Turkey relations is in the interest of both sides @ @ @ @ @ their last summit where leaders discussed economic sanctions , the EU has so far failed @ @ @ @ @ exploring in waters disputed by Greece and Cyprus .

"We agreed that the recent unilateral measures taken by Turkey, which are of course provocative, are increasing tensions rather than easing them," Merkel told reporters at an EU summit in Brussels. "This is very regrettable and not necessary."
"We are keen to continue along the path we have taken with Turkey," she added. "The further development of EU-Turkey relations is in the interest of both sides."
Two weeks after their last summit where leaders discussed economic sanctions, the EU has so far failed to persuade Ankara to stop exploring in waters disputed by Greece and Cyprus.
Turkey's actions in the east Mediterranean, where it is pursuing natural gas exploration in contested waters, are provocative, regrettable and unnecessary, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-16--Up to 10,000 Israelis can travel to Greece per week starting Monday - report

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Starting Monday, the total number of Israelis allowed to travel to Greece per week will increase to 10,000 from the previous allotment of 5,000, N12 reported.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--Quick coronavirus testing centers to serve teachers without a referral

In a message disseminated Friday morning , the ministry said , “ We call on all teachers and assistants to come and get tested for coronavirus.
” The Home Front Command will be running the testing centers across the country throughout the weekend .
A full list can be found on the Health Ministry ’ s website .
Teachers who wanted to be tested do not need a referral from their doctor .
They do need to bring their national identity card and a recent pay slip .
The testing of teachers was considered essential , since most infection in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in them and not the students .
On Thursday evening , teachers said that they feel unprepared to open their classrooms , with some even saying that they won ’ t manage to meet expectations by Sunday , and might have to delay the students ’ return until later next week .
“ The system is not prepared to open preschools on Sunday – period , ” Israeli Teachers Union head Yaffa Ben-David said in an interview with Channel 12 .
“ The preschool teachers don ’ t even know what the outline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one included us.
” She said the teachers were not told what protective measures would be needed to ensure that infection does not spread , or whether staff that lives in red cities will be allowed to come to work in green cites .
“ If we open like this , ” she said , “ to my dismay , we will meet again during the third lockdown .
”

In a message disseminated Friday morning, the ministry said, “We call on all teachers and assistants to come and get tested for coronavirus.”
The Home Front Command will be running the testing centers across the country throughout the weekend. A full list can be found on the Health Ministry’s website.
Teachers who wanted to be tested do not need a referral from their doctor. They do need to bring their national identity card and a recent pay slip.
On Thursday night, the coronavirus cabinet voted to open preschools on Sunday as part of the first phase of the country’s exit strategy. The Health and Education ministries are expected to roll out an outline for keeping students and teachers safe before then.
The testing of teachers was considered essential, since most infection in preschools comes from the adults who work in them and not the students.
On Thursday evening, teachers said that they feel unprepared to open their classrooms, with some even saying that they won’t manage to meet expectations by Sunday, and might have to delay the students’ return until later next week.
“The system is not prepared to open preschools on Sunday – period,” Israeli Teachers Union head Yaffa Ben-David said in an interview with Channel 12. “The preschool teachers don’t even know what the outline is… no one spoke to us, no one included us.”
She said the teachers were not told what protective measures would be needed to ensure that infection does not spread, or whether staff that lives in red cities will be allowed to come to work in green cites.
“If we open like this,” she said, “to my dismay, we will meet again during the third lockdown.”
The Health Ministry is calling on all preschool teachers and aides to be screened for coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--COVID-19 case confirmed in pope's Vatican residence

A man living in the same Vatican residence as Pope Francis has tested positive for COVID-19 and gone into isolation, the Vatican said on Saturday.The man, who was not identified and did not have symptoms of the illness, left the Santa Marta residence and went into isolation along with others with whom he had had direct contact, a statement said.Someone else living in the residence - which has about 130 rooms and suites - tested positive for the coronavirus when the pandemic hit Italy in March.Pope Francis, who had part of one lung removed during an illness when he was a young man in his native Argentina, is tested regularly for COVID-19 He had a normal schedule on Saturday, receiving three people in separate private audiences and addressing a large group of Italian police.The Vatican, a tiny city-state surrounded by Rome, has been only lightly affected by the coronavirus, with about two dozen confirmed cases in total.Three Vatican residents who tested positive recently have recovered, Saturday's statement added.Four members of the Swiss Guard, the elite and colorfully dressed corps that protects the pope, tested positive for COVID-19 last week.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--Woman arrested after bodies of three children found at Vienna property

A 31-year-old woman called the police at 5.20 a.m. ( 0320 GMT ) on Saturday saying she had killed her @ @ @ @ @ herself , Vienna police said .
Officers went to an apartment in the city 's @ @ @ @ @ a woman who had self-inflicted injuries .
The bodies of three children - aged nine @ @ @ @ @ eight-month old - were found at the scene .
The eldest girl was taken to @ @ @ @ @ her were unsuccessful .
Investigations remain ongoing while officers determine if the woman is fit @ @ @ @ @ background to the incident is currently unknown , police said .

A 31-year-old woman called the police at 5.20 a.m. (0320 GMT) on Saturday saying she had killed her children and wanted to kill herself, Vienna police said.
Officers went to an apartment in the city's Donaustadt district where they arrested a woman who had self-inflicted injuries.
The bodies of three children - aged nine and three years and an eight-month old - were found at the scene. The eldest girl was taken to hospital where attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.
Investigations remain ongoing while officers determine if the woman is fit to be questioned. The background to the incident is currently unknown, police said.
Austrian police are investigating the deaths of three young girls, including a baby, at a property in Vienna.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--Malaysia reports 869 new coronavirus cases, four more deaths

The Southeast Asian country , which has imposed targeted lockdowns this month as infections surged , has had a total @ @ @ @ @ also recorded four new deaths , bringing the total number of fatalities to 180 .

The Southeast Asian country, which has imposed targeted lockdowns this month as infections surged, has had a total of 19,627 infections.
Malaysia also recorded four new deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 180.
Malaysia reported 869 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, its highest daily count so far, health authorities said.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--Israeli business magnet Michael Strauss dies at the age of 86

Strauss was the former chairman and president of Strauss Group - one of the largest food products manufacturers in Israel @

Strauss was the former chairman and president of Strauss Group - one of the largest food products manufacturers in Israel.
Israeli business magnet and industrialist Michael Strauss passed away on Saturday at the age of 86, Israeli media reported.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 39.29 million, death toll at 1,102,707

More than 39.29 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,102,707 have died @ @ @ @ @ tally .

More than 39.29 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,102,707 have died, according to a Reuters tally.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--Man rescued from Ayalon River, Ayalon Road blocked by police

The man , in his 60s , was evacuated to a nearby hospital in light condition .
Police opened an @ @ @ @ @ determine the circumstances that led to the incident .

The man, in his 60s, was evacuated to a nearby hospital in light condition.
Police opened an investigation in an effort to determine the circumstances that led to the incident.
Police blocked the northern section of Ayalon Road on Saturday morning, as efforts were made to rescue a person who drowned in the Ayalon River.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--France will react with the greatest firmness after attack - PM

`` Through one of its defenders , it is the Republic which has been struck in the heart by Islamist @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
`` In solidarity with its teachers , the State will react with @ @ @ @ @ the Republic and its citizens live , free !
We will never give up .
@ @ @

"Through one of its defenders, it is the Republic which has been struck in the heart by Islamist terrorism," Castex wrote on Twitter.
"In solidarity with its teachers, the State will react with the greatest firmness so that the Republic and its citizens live, free! We will never give up. Never."
France will react with the greatest firmness after a school teacher was beheaded on the street of a Paris suburb on Friday after he had shown his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--M16 rifle smuggle attempt foiled by security personnel in the West Bank

The suspects , two Israeli citizens and residents of the Arab town of Ar'ara , raised the security personnel 's @ @ @ @ @ discovered after searching the suspects ' car and was confiscated .
Parts of the M16 @ @ @ @ @ ' car , October 17 , 2020 .
( Defense Ministry Crossing Authority ) The @ @ @ @ @ the police for questioning .

The suspects, two Israeli citizens and residents of the Arab town of Ar'ara, raised the security personnel's suspicion. The rifle was discovered after searching the suspects' car and was confiscated.
Parts of the M16 rifle discovered in the suspects' car, October 17, 2020. (Defense Ministry Crossing Authority) The suspects were handed over to the police for questioning.
Security officers at the Beit Yatir checkpoint in the West Bank foiled on early Saturday an attempt to smuggle an M-16 rifle into Israeli territory, the IDF Spokesperson Unit's reported.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--Russia reports 14,922 new coronavirus cases, 279 deaths

Officials also said 279 people had died in the previous 24 hours , taking the official death toll to 24,002 @

Officials also said 279 people had died in the previous 24 hours, taking the official death toll to 24,002.
Russia on Saturday recorded 14,922 new coronavirus cases, pushing the national tally to 1,384,235.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--Austria's daily coronavirus cases surge past 2,000 to new record

Austria 's daily tally of new coronavirus cases has surpassed 2,000 for the first time , surging to a new @ @ @ @ @ reported on Saturday .
The tabloid , which has accurately reported the figures before their @ @ @ @ @ , said 2,317 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours .
Earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ the record of 1,050 set during the first wave in March .

Austria's daily tally of new coronavirus cases has surpassed 2,000 for the first time, surging to a new record, newspaper Kronen Zeitung reported on Saturday.
The tabloid, which has accurately reported the figures before their official publication in the past, said 2,317 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours. Earlier this month, the daily number surpassed the record of 1,050 set during the first wave in March.


jerusalempost--2020-10-17--Austrian foreign minister tests positive for COVID-19 after EU meeting

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has tested positive for the coronavirus and might have caught it at a meeting with @ @ @ @ @ Monday , a spokeswoman for his ministry said on Saturday .
Schallenberg 's infection raises @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Affairs Council was a so-called super-spreader event .
His Belgian counterpart Sophie Wilmes said @ @ @ @ @ into self-isolation with suspected symptoms .
`` It is suspected that Schallenberg might have been @ @ @ @ @ Council in Luxembourg on Monday , '' the spokeswoman said , adding that he did @ @ @ @ @ been tested as a routine measure .
Schallenberg also attended a cabinet meeting on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ masks , the spokeswoman said .
Austria 's cabinet had a scare less than two @ @ @ @ @ colleague of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz 's tested positive .
`` As a precautionary measure all @ @ @ @ @ be tested on Saturday , '' the spokeswoman said .

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has tested positive for the coronavirus and might have caught it at a meeting with his European Union counterparts on Monday, a spokeswoman for his ministry said on Saturday.
Schallenberg's infection raises the prospect that the EU Foreign Affairs Council was a so-called super-spreader event. His Belgian counterpart Sophie Wilmes said on Friday she was going into self-isolation with suspected symptoms.
"It is suspected that Schallenberg might have been infected at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday," the spokeswoman said, adding that he did not have symptoms and had been tested as a routine measure.
Schallenberg also attended a cabinet meeting on Wednesday but cabinet members wore face masks, the spokeswoman said. Austria's cabinet had a scare less than two weeks ago when a close colleague of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's tested positive.
"As a precautionary measure all members of the government will be tested on Saturday," the spokeswoman said.