jerusalempost--2020-09-30--Biden says Trump 'will step down' if he loses election

US Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday said the American people would not stand by if President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ to step down , one day after the Trump again refused to say whether he @ @ @ @ @ the Nov. 3 election .
`` The president will step down .
The American people @ @ @ @ @ .
No agency would stand for that happening , '' Biden , said at a @ @ @ @ @ He also denounced a right wing group that Trump declined to condemn in Tuesday night @ @ @ @ @ `` My message to the Proud Boys and every other white supremacist group is : @ @ @ @ @ `` The American people will decide who the next president is Period , '' Biden @ @

US Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday said the American people would not stand by if President Donald Trump loses the election and refuses to step down, one day after the Trump again refused to say whether he would accepts the results of the Nov. 3 election.
"The president will step down. The American people will not stand for it. No agency would stand for that happening," Biden, said at a campaign stop in Ohio. He also denounced a right wing group that Trump declined to condemn in Tuesday night's debate, saying: "My message to the Proud Boys and every other white supremacist group is: cease and desist."
"The American people will decide who the next president is Period," Biden added.


jerusalempost--2020-09-30--Lavrov: Moscow willing to host Azeri and Armenian counterparts for talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow was willing to host the foreign ministers of Armenia and @ @ @ @ @ ministry statement cited him as saying .
He said Russia would continue to work both @ @ @ @ @ representatives of the Minsk group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( @ @ @ @ @ the conflict between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces , which has seen the fiercest fighting @ @ @ @ @ days .

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow was willing to host the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan for talks, a ministry statement cited him as saying.
He said Russia would continue to work both independently and together with other representatives of the Minsk group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to mediate in the conflict between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces, which has seen the fiercest fighting since the mid-1990s in recent days.


jerusalempost--2020-09-30--Israeli ambassador discusses cooperation with head of WHO

Ghebreyesus congratulated Israel on joining the Covax group , an joint initiative of vaccines led by the WHO , the @ @ @ @ @ ( CEPI ) and Gavi , The Vaccine Alliance .
The director-general confirmed that he @ @ @ @ @ of the WHO European Region that will take place in Israel in 2021 .
Ghebreyesus @ @ @ @ @ the WHO 's offices in Tel Aviv when he visits .
stressed that importance that @ @ @ @ @ with the WHO , especially during the coronavirus pandemic , and suggested considering additional forms @ @ @ @ @ in the field of molecular medicine .

Meirav Eilon Shahar
Ghebreyesus congratulated Israel on joining the Covax group, an joint initiative of vaccines led by the WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.
The director-general confirmed that he will participate in a conference of the WHO European Region that will take place in Israel in 2021. Ghebreyesus is expected to also visit the WHO's offices in Tel Aviv when he visits.
Eilon Shahar stressed that importance that Israel places on its connections with the WHO, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, and suggested considering additional forms of cooperation with the WHO in the field of molecular medicine.
Israel's ambassador to United Nations institutions in Geneva,met on Wednesday with the Director-General of the World Health Organization Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.


jerusalempost--2020-09-30--100 local authorities call for Modi'in mayor to become coronavirus czar

The maor of Efrat , Oded Revivi , inititated the call to assign Bibas the coronavirus commissioner , telling local @ @ @ @ @ could carry out the Traffic Light program when the national lockdown ends .
Revivi added @ @ @ @ @ a lot of trust and are closer and more aware of the needs of their @ @ @ @ @ bridge between the people and the central government , which has lot a lost of @ @ @

The maor of Efrat, Oded Revivi, inititated the call to assign Bibas the coronavirus commissioner, telling local authorities that only local authorities could carry out the Traffic Light program when the national lockdown ends.
Revivi added that local authorities have earned a lot of trust and are closer and more aware of the needs of their residents and serve as a bridge between the people and the central government, which has lot a lost of public trust.
Some 100 heads of city and regional councils called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to assign Haim Bibas, mayor of Modi'in-Maccabim-Reut and chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, to manage the coronavirus crisis, according to Walla! news.


jerusalempost--2020-09-30--Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces fight for fourth day

On the fourth day of fighting , Azerbaijan and the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh accused each other of shelling along the line of contact that divides them .
The skirmishes have raised concerns about stability in the South Caucasus region , a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and gas to world markets , and raised fears that regional powers Russia and Turkey could be drawn in .
Some of Turkey 's NATO allies are increasingly alarmed by Ankara 's stance on Nagorno-Karabakh , a breakaway region inside Turkey 's close ally Azerbaijan that is run by ethnic Armenians but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an independent republic .
Echoing remarks by President Tayyip Erdogan , Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday Turkey would `` do what is necessary '' when asked whether Ankara would offer military support if Azerbaijan requested it .
Cavusoglu also said French solidarity with Armenia amounted to supporting Armenian occupation in Azerbaijan .
French President Emmanuel Macron , whose country is home to many people of Armenian ancestry , hit back during a visit to Latvia .
He said France was extremely concerned by `` warlike messages '' from Turkey `` which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in reconquering Nagorno-Karabakh . ''
`` And that we wo n't accept , '' he said .

On the fourth day of fighting, Azerbaijan and the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh accused each other of shelling along the line of contact that divides them.
The skirmishes have raised concerns about stability in the South Caucasus region, a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and gas to world markets, and raised fears that regional powers Russia and Turkey could be drawn in.
Some of Turkey's NATO allies are increasingly alarmed by Ankara's stance on Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway region inside Turkey's close ally Azerbaijan that is run by ethnic Armenians but is not recognized by any country as an independent republic.
Echoing remarks by President Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday Turkey would "do what is necessary" when asked whether Ankara would offer military support if Azerbaijan requested it.
Cavusoglu also said French solidarity with Armenia amounted to supporting Armenian occupation in Azerbaijan.
French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country is home to many people of Armenian ancestry, hit back during a visit to Latvia. He said France was extremely concerned by "warlike messages" from Turkey "which essentially remove any of Azerbaijan's inhibitions in reconquering Nagorno-Karabakh."
"And that we won't accept," he said.
Dozens have been reported killed and hundreds wounded in fighting since Sunday that has threatened to spill over into all-out war between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia.


jerusalempost--2020-09-30--Israel Defense Ministry transfered Iron Dome battery to the US

A symbolic event was held with the Iron Dome production line of defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems , in the presence of Defense Minister Benny Gantz , Economy Minister Amir Peretz , head of the directorate of defense research and development Dr. Dani Gold , head of the Israel Missile Defense Organization Moshe Patel , Rafael chairman Uzi Landau and Rafael CEO Yoav Har-Even .
In August 2019 , the US Army purchased two batteries off the shelf from Rafael , which included 12 launchers , two sensors , two battlement management centers and 240 interceptors .
The ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be delivered in the “ near future ” within the framework of the agreement .
The purchase was made to fill the army ’ s short-term needs for an indirect fire protection capability until a permanent solution to the problem is put in place to best protect ground maneuvering troops against an increasingly wide range of aerial threats , including short-range projectiles .
The prime contractor for the development and production of the Iron Dome is Rafael .
The MMR radar is developed by ELTA , a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( BMC ) is developed by mPrest .
While the US has its terminal high altitude area defense antiballistic missile defense system , designed to intercept and destroy short- , medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase , the American military does not have any short-range air defense solutions .
Praising the system , which is part of Israel ’ s multilayered missile defense system , which also includes the David ’ s Sling , Arrow-2 , and Arrow-3 weapons systems , Gantz said that it has “ a significant impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ strength ” of Israel ’ s defense establishment , with some 2,400 successful interceptions since 2011 .
“ I am proud that this advanced system will also protect US Army troops , ” Gantz said .
“ This is an extraordinary achievement for both the Ministry of Defense and for Israel ’ s excellent defense industries.
” Remarking on his visit to Washington last week , where he met with senior US defense and military officials , Gantz said that “ procurement and information sharing in the field of technology ” was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this agreement serves as further proof that the defense alliance [ between the US and Israel ] is based on common values and interests , which are stronger than ever , ” Gantz said .
According to Rafael executive vice president and head of air and missile defense division Pini Yungman , a series of tests and demonstrations at the White Sands testing field has been carried out by the Iron Dome system , “ tailored according to US requirements , ” that intercepted targets chosen by the US Army .
The US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the project to take components of the system to integrate them with the US military ’ s integrated battle command system .
A 2023 deadline was imposed by Congress on the US military to develop its own system or by law it will need to purchase additional Iron Dome systems from Israel .
In August , the world ’ s largest cargo plane , an Antonov AN-225 , landed at Ben-Gurion Airport carrying US military Oshkosh trucks to be fitted with Iron Dome launchers purchased by the US Army .
While the Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery as being on schedule , in March , Gen. Mike Murray , head of Army Futures Command , told the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces that “ it took us longer to acquire those [ first ] two batteries than we would have liked.
” According to Murray , the service identified several problems – including cyber vulnerabilities and operational challenges — during efforts last year to integrate elements of Iron Dome with the US Army ’ s integrated battle command system .

A year after the Defense Ministry and the US Army signed a deal for two Iron Dome missile defense batteries, the first battery has been delivered
A symbolic event was held with the Iron Dome production line of defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, in the presence of Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Economy Minister Amir Peretz, head of the directorate of defense research and development Dr. Dani Gold, head of the Israel Missile Defense Organization Moshe Patel, Rafael chairman Uzi Landau and Rafael CEO Yoav Har-Even.
In August 2019, the US Army purchased two batteries off the shelf from Rafael, which included 12 launchers, two sensors, two battlement management centers and 240 interceptors.
The ministry said that the second battery is expected to be delivered in the “near future” within the framework of the agreement.
The purchase was made to fill the army’s short-term needs for an indirect fire protection capability until a permanent solution to the problem is put in place to best protect ground maneuvering troops against an increasingly wide range of aerial threats, including short-range projectiles.
The prime contractor for the development and production of the Iron Dome is Rafael. The MMR radar is developed by ELTA, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, and the command and control system (BMC) is developed by mPrest.
The fully mobile system carries 10 kg. of explosives and can intercept an incoming projectile from four to 70 km. away. It is able to calculate when rockets will land in open areas, choosing not to intercept them, or are headed toward civilian centers. It is able to calculate when rockets will land in open areas, choosing not to intercept them, or are headed toward civilian centers.
While the US has its terminal high altitude area defense antiballistic missile defense system, designed to intercept and destroy short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase, the American military does not have any short-range air defense solutions.
Praising the system, which is part of Israel’s multilayered missile defense system, which also includes the David’s Sling, Arrow-2, and Arrow-3 weapons systems, Gantz said that it has “a significant impact on the battlefield” and reflects the “strength” of Israel’s defense establishment, with some 2,400 successful interceptions since 2011.
“I am proud that this advanced system will also protect US Army troops,” Gantz said. “This is an extraordinary achievement for both the Ministry of Defense and for Israel’s excellent defense industries.”
Remarking on his visit to Washington last week, where he met with senior US defense and military officials, Gantz said that “procurement and information sharing in the field of technology” was also discussed.
“The completion of this agreement serves as further proof that the defense alliance [between the US and Israel] is based on common values and interests, which are stronger than ever,” Gantz said.
According to Rafael executive vice president and head of air and missile defense division Pini Yungman, a series of tests and demonstrations at the White Sands testing field has been carried out by the Iron Dome system, “tailored according to US requirements,” that intercepted targets chosen by the US Army.
The US Army earmarked over $1 billion for the project to take components of the system to integrate them with the US military’s integrated battle command system. A 2023 deadline was imposed by Congress on the US military to develop its own system or by law it will need to purchase additional Iron Dome systems from Israel.
In August, the world’s largest cargo plane, an Antonov AN-225, landed at Ben-Gurion Airport carrying US military Oshkosh trucks to be fitted with Iron Dome launchers purchased by the US Army.
While the Israeli officials praised the delivery of the first battery as being on schedule, in March, Gen. Mike Murray, head of Army Futures Command, told the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces that “it took us longer to acquire those [first] two batteries than we would have liked.”
According to Murray, the service identified several problems – including cyber vulnerabilities and operational challenges — during efforts last year to integrate elements of Iron Dome with the US Army’s integrated battle command system.


jerusalempost--2020-09-30--Pompeo warns Italy over China's economic influence

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he was concerned about China 's plans to extend its economic @ @ @ @ @ Rome to be on its guard .
Looking to reassure Pompeo , Italian Foreign Minister @ @ @ @ @ joint news conference that the government understood US worries over the development of advanced 5G @ @ @ @ @ would be carefully reviewed .

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he was concerned about China's plans to extend its economic influence in Italy and warned Rome to be on its guard.
Looking to reassure Pompeo, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told a joint news conference that the government understood US worries over the development of advanced 5G technologies and said all contracts would be carefully reviewed.


jerusalempost--2020-09-30--Spike in coronavirus infections in nursing homes

He stressed that this time around , the reopening of Israel ’ s economy will be done slowly .
The cabinet met for several hours to begin discussions on what Israel will look like the day after the lockdown .
The Health Ministry presented a plan that would allow the private sector to operate at 50 % and preschools to open in phase one .
However , this time reopening will likely not be built around dates but data .
The measurement the ministry is recommending is that when the reproduction number ( R ) – the number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus to – an average of 0.8 or less then restrictions can be reduced .
When it is 0.8 to 1.1 status quo will be maintained , and when it surges above 1.1 then restrictions will be tightened .
The ministry is requesting three weeks between phase one and phase two – as opposed to the expected two – to better gauge its impact on the rate of infection .
The meeting came against the backdrop of another day of high infection .
The most recent outbreaks are among the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who become sick are more likely to experience serious symptoms or even die .
The Health Ministry will also prepare a plan for family members to visit elderly relatives who live alone and the old age pension will be moved forward by a day to the 28th of each month , when specific hours will be set aside at the Israel Post bank for only elderly customers .
Netanyahu and Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz clashed during the meeting , as the prime minister called for a stronger lockdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on convincing the public to follow the regulations , not make the regulations stricter .
“ We ’ re driving the public crazy , ” warned Gantz after Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz called to restrict the exit from homes to 100 or 200 meters .
“ You will not tell me what we are driving crazy or not , ” Netanyahu shouted at Gantz .
“ If the lockdown is not working , it is not working.
” The report was published in the morning and presented to the cabinet , hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference , expressing frustration about threats by the government to “ take away ” positions they were promised if they did not hire fast enough .
The doctors also articulated the challenges of treating coronavirus and other patients in the current climate .
“ Up until two months ago , we did not know that we would have these positions , ” Dr. Hagith Yonath , director of Internal Medicine Ward A at Sheba Medical Center , said Wednesday , adding that threatening to take the positions away if not filled “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think they are just sitting and waiting by the phone ?
I ask the government of Israel , the prime minister , finance minister , health minister – all officials : Do not play with us .
Certainly not on days like these .
Do not promise us temporary positions .
Do not threaten that if we fail to fill them immediately , they will be taken from us .
Certainly not on days like these .
Do not promise us temporary positions .
Do not threaten that if we fail to man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from us .
“ In the past year , we had to turn down a number of applications from potential residents because we lacked positions , ” she said .
“ Now , all of a sudden , there is a demand to find quality , worthy residents.Certainly not on days like these .
Do not promise us temporary positions .
Do not threaten that if we fail to man them immediately , they will be taken from us .
“ The selection of the appropriate residents for the internal medicine departments should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take several months .
I am sure we all want to choose quality doctors , ” she said .
Dr. Avishay Elis , director of the Department of Internal Medicine C at Petah Tikva ’ s Beilinson Hospital , explained that of the country ’ s 111 internal medicine wards , more than 40 % of them have been converted to coronavirus units – a total of about 50 wards and the number is increasing every day .
“ Unfortunately , politicians and the media for the most part do not understand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and consequence of the disappearance of this enormous mass in the hospital beds and staff in the internal medicine wards , ” Elis stressed .
“ Let me open your eyes : The preoccupation with the numbers of serious [ coronavirus ] patients and the deaths – it ’ s horrible and tragic – but it only reflects a partial picture , and it is not the explanation for the dramatic need to reduce infections and the extent of morbidity .
“ What is hidden from the public and decision-makers is the drastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat routine patients , ” he said .
“ Because we do not have enough doctors , because we do not have enough nurses , because we do not have enough auxiliary and paramedical staff , because we do not have enough hospital beds , because we do not have enough departments.
” Dr. Ayelet Raz Pasteur , director of the Department of Internal Medicine A at Rambam Medical Center , noted that several hospitals have been forced to release patients before they are ready because of overcrowding .
Finally , Health Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the increasing rate of infection in the ultra-Orthodox sector .
He said that their mortality rate sector is slightly below the average : 2.5 deaths per million citizens vs. 2.8 , respectively .
He said that this was due to the young average age in the ultra-Orthodox community , and the fact that large numbers of those infected in the sector are yeshiva students , who are in their late teens and early 20s .
The director-general said , however , that the mortality rate was “ on a steep increase ” since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precise data on that point , and added there was also an increase in the weekly average of severe COVID-19 cases in the ultra-Orthodox sector , something he said was “ logical ” due to the rise in infections .

It could take as much as six months to a year for the country to exit from the coronavirus closure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday during a coronavirus cabinet meeting.
He stressed that this time around, the reopening of the economy will be done slowly.
The cabinet met for several hours to begin discussions on what Israel will look like the day after the lockdown.
The Health Ministry presented a plan that would allow the private sector to operate at 50% and preschools to open in phase one. However, this time reopening will likely not be built around dates but data.
The measurement the ministry is recommending is that when the reproduction number (R) – the number of people that one infected person will pass on the virus to – reaches an average of 0.8 or less, restrictions can be reduced. When it is 0.8 to 1.1, the status quo will be maintained, and when it surges above 1.1, restrictions will be tightened.
The ministry is requesting three weeks between phase one and phase two – as opposed to the expected two – to better gauge its impact on the rate of infection.
The meeting came against the backdrop of another day of high infection.
The ministry reported 4,972 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, with a new total of 243,895 infected. Among the sick are some 821 patients who are in serious condition, including 212 who are intubated. The death toll stands at 1,552 – nearly 30 more dead in a single day.
The most recent outbreaks are among the country’s senior living facilities, where residents who become sick are more likely to experience serious symptoms or even die.
The Magen Avot v’Imahot program reported on Wednesday that there are around 200 senior living facility residents who are infected with the virus. A report by KAN News said that the infections were traced to around as many facility workers and aides. Program head Prof. Nimrod Maimon was present at the meeting, at which it was decided to double the number of coronavirus tests in nursing homes to about 20,000 tests a day.
The ministry will also prepare a plan for family members to visit elderly relatives who live alone, and the old age pension will be moved forward by a day to the 28th of each month, when specific hours will be set aside at the Israel Post bank for only elderly customers.
Another aspect of the exit strategy proposed by coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu would be to increase fines for breaking Health Ministry regulations. Among the proposed fines: increasing fines on events and parties and on opening schools from NIS 5,000 to NIS 50,000; breaking isolation from NIS 5,000 to NIS 10,000; and failing to wear a mask in a public space from NIS 500 to NIS 1,000.
Netanyahu and Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz clashed during the meeting, as the prime minister called for a stronger lockdown. Gantz stressed that the government needs to focus on convincing the public to follow the regulations, not make the regulations stricter.
“We’re driving the public crazy,” warned Gantz after Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz called to restrict the exit from homes to 100 or 200 meters.
“You will not tell me what we are driving crazy or not,” Netanyahu shouted at Gantz. “If the lockdown is not working, it is not working.”
A report by the Hebrew University showed that the percentage of moderately and seriously ill patients who have died rose during September, as the time spent in hospitalization for patients who died dropped significantly. The report stated that this indicates a possible drop in the survival ability of the health system, either due to a failure to arrive for treatment or difficulties with treatment.
The time spent in hospitalization by those who died of coronavirus plummeted from an average of 15 days to an average of 11 over the course of the past few weeks. This could be the result of overcrowded hospitals being unable to treat patients with the same quality of care.
The report was published in the morning and presented to the cabinet, hours before top internal medicine doctors held a press conference, expressing frustration about threats by the government to “take away” positions they were promised if they did not hire fast enough.
The doctors also articulated the challenges of treating coronavirus and other patients in the current climate.
“Up until two months ago, we did not know that we would have these positions,” Dr. Hagith Yonath, director of Internal Medicine Ward A at Sheba Medical Center, said Wednesday, adding that threatening to take the positions away if not filled “does not make sense.”
“In the past year, we had to turn down a number of applications from potential residents because we lacked positions,” she said. “Now, all of a sudden, there is a demand to find quality, worthy residents. Do you think they are just sitting and waiting by the phone? I ask the government of Israel, the prime minister, finance minister, health minister – all officials: Do not play with us. Certainly not on days like these. Do not promise us temporary positions. Do not threaten that if we fail to fill them immediately, they will be taken from us.
“The selection of the appropriate residents for the internal medicine departments should be done wisely, and it may take several months. I am sure we all want to choose quality doctors,” she said.
Dr. Avishay Elis, director of the department of internal medicine C at Petah Tikva’s Beilinson Hospital, explained that of the country’s 111 internal medicine wards, more than 40% of them have been converted to coronavirus units – a total of about 50 wards, and the number is increasing every day.
In three hospitals, the coronavirus wards are 100% full. In general, the coronavirus wards around the country are 85% full. Sheba announced on Wednesday that the first coronavirus ward for children in Israel would open at the hospital on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, politicians and the media for the most part do not understand the drama in the hospitals, the meaning and consequence of the disappearance of this enormous mass in the hospital beds and staff in the internal medicine wards,” Elis stressed. “Let me open your eyes: The preoccupation with the numbers of serious [coronavirus] patients and the deaths – it’s horrible and tragic – but it only reflects a partial picture, and it is not the explanation for the dramatic need to reduce infections and the extent of morbidity.
“What is hidden from the public and decision-makers is the drastic decline in the ability of hospitals to treat routine patients,” he said. “Because we do not have enough doctors, because we do not have enough nurses, because we do not have enough auxiliary and paramedical staff, because we do not have enough hospital beds, because we do not have enough departments.”
Dr. Ayelet Raz Pasteur, director of the department of internal medicine A at Rambam Medical Center, noted that several hospitals have been forced to release patients before they are ready, because of overcrowding.
Finally, Health Ministry director-general Hezi Levi spoke on Wednesday about the increasing rate of infection in the ultra-Orthodox sector. He said that the mortality rate sector is slightly below the average: 2.5 deaths per million citizens vs. 2.8, respectively.
He said that this was due to the young average age in the ultra-Orthodox community, and the fact that large numbers of those infected in the sector are yeshiva students, who are in their late teens and early 20s.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Lebanon asks Interpol to arrest Russian ship captain, owner over explosion

About two months after the explosion that injured thousands and ravaged the Lebanese capital , questions remain about why and how the cargo was abandoned in Beirut .
Authorities have blamed it on the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate , used for fertiliser but also for explosives , going up in flames after being stored in poor conditions at the port for years .
There have also been accusations of negligence against Lebanese authorities .
Nearly 20 people have been detained in Lebanon after the blast including port and customs officials .
Lebanon 's public prosecution asked Interpol to issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , state news agency NNA said on Thursday , without naming them .
Boris Prokoshev was captain of the Rhosus ship when it arrived in Beirut in 2013 , and he had identified Igor Grechushkin , a Russian businessman in Cyprus , as the owner .
A security source and a judicial source said they were the two for whom Lebanon asked for arrest warrants on Thursday .
Grechushkin , 43 , was questioned in Cyprus in August .
Attempts by Reuters to reach Grechushkin were unsuccessful .
Cyprus police spokesman Christos Andreou @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday : `` We have not received such a request . ''
Prokoshev , who is in Russia , said he had not heard anything about it and that he has not been contacted by investigators before .
He has told Reuters that 2,750 tonnes of the chemicals ended up in Beirut after the ship 's owner told him to divert to Beirut to pick up extra cargo in 2013 .
He has also said Lebanese authorities paid little attention to the ammonium nitrate , which had been stacked in the hull in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ammonium nitrate in Georgia , shipping records show , before making the unscheduled stop in Lebanon .
But it never left , becoming tangled in a legal dispute over unpaid port fees and ship defects .
Beirut port authorities impounded the vessel after it arrived in late 2013 due to outstanding debts , according to a state security report which Reuters revealed in August .
In 2014 , the ship was deemed unseaworthy and its cargo was unloaded in October and warehoused in what was known as Hangar 12 , the epicentre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the port 's breakwater in February 2018 , the report said .

About two months after the explosion that injured thousands and ravaged the Lebanese capital, questions remain about why and how the cargo was abandoned in Beirut.
Authorities have blamed it on the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate, used for fertiliser but also for explosives, going up in flames after being stored in poor conditions at the port for years.
There have also been accusations of negligence against Lebanese authorities. Nearly 20 people have been detained in Lebanon after the blast including port and customs officials.
Lebanon's public prosecution asked Interpol to issue warrants to detain the owner and captain, state news agency NNA said on Thursday, without naming them.
Boris Prokoshev was captain of the Rhosus ship when it arrived in Beirut in 2013, and he had identified Igor Grechushkin, a Russian businessman in Cyprus, as the owner. A security source and a judicial source said they were the two for whom Lebanon asked for arrest warrants on Thursday.
Russia's national Interpol bureau declined to comment.
Grechushkin, 43, was questioned in Cyprus in August. Attempts by Reuters to reach Grechushkin were unsuccessful.
Cyprus police spokesman Christos Andreou said, regarding an Interpol request on Thursday: "We have not received such a request."
Prokoshev, who is in Russia, said he had not heard anything about it and that he has not been contacted by investigators before.
He has told Reuters that 2,750 tonnes of the chemicals ended up in Beirut after the ship's owner told him to divert to Beirut to pick up extra cargo in 2013. He has also said Lebanese authorities paid little attention to the ammonium nitrate, which had been stacked in the hull in large sacks.
The Rhosus had loaded ammonium nitrate in Georgia, shipping records show, before making the unscheduled stop in Lebanon.
But it never left, becoming tangled in a legal dispute over unpaid port fees and ship defects.
Beirut port authorities impounded the vessel after it arrived in late 2013 due to outstanding debts, according to a state security report which Reuters revealed in August. In 2014, the ship was deemed unseaworthy and its cargo was unloaded in October and warehoused in what was known as Hangar 12, the epicentre of the explosion.
The ship sank near the port's breakwater in February 2018, the report said.
Lebanon has asked Interpol to issue arrest warrants for the Russian captain and owner of the ship that brought the explosive material that detonated at Beirut port in August, killing nearly 200 people, state media reported on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Trump's Supreme Court nominee advocated overturning legalized abortion

President Donald Trump 's US Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in 2006 signed on to an advertisement in an Indiana newspaper calling for the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide to be overturned , a stance certain to be scrutinized during her upcoming Senate confirmation hearings .
Her participation in the ad published in the South Bend Tribune , first reported on Thursday by the Guardian , made clear her view on the contentious issue even as Trump seeks to appeal to religious conservatives who make up an important voting bloc for him in the Nov. 3 US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a former federal prosecutor , both were among those who lent their names to the ad , which called the Roe v. Wade decision `` an exercise of raw judicial power . ''
`` It 's time to put an end to the barbaric legacy of Roe v. Wade and restore law that protects the lives of unborn children , '' the advertisement , purchased by an anti-abortion organization called St. Joseph County Right to Life , stated .
Barrett , who on Thursday continued with a series of meetings with individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearings due to start on Oct. 12 , declined to answer questions about the ad .
Democratic committee members can be expected to press her on the issue .
Trump , who in January addressed an anti-abortion rally in Washington and said `` unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House , '' promised during the 2016 presidential race to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade .
Trump has called on the Senate to confirm Barrett to replace the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Election Day .
During Tuesday 's debate , Trump objected when his Democratic challenger Joe Biden said the fate of Roe V. Wade was `` on the ballot '' in the election .
Trump told Biden , `` You do n't know her view on Roe v .
Wade . ''
A devout Catholic who earned a law degree and taught at the University of Notre Dame , a Catholic institution in South Bend , Barrett is a favorite of religious conservatives .
She was a law professor at Notre Dame at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling has been a longstanding goal of US religious conservatives .
The ruling recognized that a constitutional right to personal privacy protects a woman 's ability to obtain an abortion .
The court in 1992 reaffirmed the ruling and prohibited laws that place an `` undue burden '' on obtaining an abortion .
Conservative opponents of the ruling have argued that the case was wrongly decided .

President Donald Trump's US Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in 2006 signed on to an advertisement in an Indiana newspaper calling for the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide to be overturned, a stance certain to be scrutinized during her upcoming Senate confirmation hearings.
Her participation in the ad published in the South Bend Tribune, first reported on Thursday by the Guardian, made clear her view on the contentious issue even as Trump seeks to appeal to religious conservatives who make up an important voting bloc for him in the Nov. 3 US presidential election.
Barrett and her husband, a former federal prosecutor, both were among those who lent their names to the ad, which called the Roe v. Wade decision "an exercise of raw judicial power."
"It's time to put an end to the barbaric legacy of Roe v. Wade and restore law that protects the lives of unborn children," the advertisement, purchased by an anti-abortion organization called St. Joseph County Right to Life, stated.
Barrett, who on Thursday continued with a series of meetings with individual senators ahead of Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings due to start on Oct. 12, declined to answer questions about the ad. Democratic committee members can be expected to press her on the issue.
Trump, who in January addressed an anti-abortion rally in Washington and said "unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House," promised during the 2016 presidential race to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Trump has called on the Senate to confirm Barrett to replace the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a defender of abortion rights, by Election Day. During Tuesday's debate, Trump objected when his Democratic challenger Joe Biden said the fate of Roe V. Wade was "on the ballot" in the election. Trump told Biden, "You don't know her view on Roe v. Wade."
A devout Catholic who earned a law degree and taught at the University of Notre Dame, a Catholic institution in South Bend, Barrett is a favorite of religious conservatives. She was a law professor at Notre Dame at the time of the ad.
Overturning the ruling has been a longstanding goal of US religious conservatives. The ruling recognized that a constitutional right to personal privacy protects a woman's ability to obtain an abortion. The court in 1992 reaffirmed the ruling and prohibited laws that place an "undue burden" on obtaining an abortion. Conservative opponents of the ruling have argued that the case was wrongly decided.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--The IDF reports 1168 soldiers who have tested positive for coronavirus

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Haredim (ultra-Orthodox) make up around 40% of people diagnosed with coronavirus each day in Israel, Prof. Ronni Gamzu, the coronavirus commissioner, said on Thursday.Gamzu shared this statistic while speaking at a press briefing the same day that Israel hit 1,600 fatalities from the virus, and senior officials said that the population is not abiding by directives.Among the sick are more than 5,000 yeshiva students aged between 17 and 24, according to Roni Numa, the coronavirus coordinator for the ultra-Orthodox community. He added that 95% of them were isolated either at their yeshivas or in coronavirus hotels.However, he noted that the infection rate among those aged over 65, a high-risk group for COVID-19 complications, has doubled in the ultra-Orthodox sector and this could lead to a spike in the mortality rate among the community.The latest data shows that the rate of infections in ultra-Orthodox society over the age of 60 is more than 1.5 times higher than their rate in the population, and that the proportion of adults aged 60 from the ultra-Orthodox community who contracted the virus last week was about 5%.Ultra-Orthodox people aged over 60 account for about 3% of the population. The ultra-Orthodox make up about 12% Israel’s population.As these numbers started to circulate on Thursday, several people came to the haredi public’s defense, including head of Public Health, Sharon Alroy-Preis. Speaking to KAN News, she said that the ministry has been meeting with leading figures in the ultra-Orthodox sector “trying to see how we can get information and what assistance we can give. It is difficult to do home isolation when you are with 12 people in a 70-square-meter apartment.”Later, Interior Minister Arye Deri claimed that “there is no other community that is as disciplined as the haredi community,” in an interview with Channel 12. “I am only guilty that I did not manage to convince you that most of the haredi public listens to the directives,” he added.But Deri’s words contradicted several scenes captured on Thursday that showed haredim in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighborhood throwing stones at police officers who came to enforce directives, for example, or synagogues with worshipers packed inside. Police said they shut down three synagogues across the country that broke the regulations.“It is an injustice to the Hassidic public - locking their synagogues,” Deri stressed.Gamzu said during his briefing that the problem was not only among the haredim. There are complexities among the Arabs and the general population, he said. As such, “we must keep our finger on the pulse.”On Thursday, the Health Ministry reported that 9,013 people were diagnosed with coronavirus the day before, plus more than 5,000 additional cases were found between midnight and press time. The number of serious patients stood at 817, with 186 intubated.The IDF reported that as of Thursday, 1168 soldiers and other IDF employees have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. The report also stated that there are 12,700 IDF soldiers currently in quarantine.The numbers, Gamzu said, “did not surprise me” and were a result of communal prayers and gatherings on Rosh Hashanah. He added that there is also an increase in testing – Israel screened more than 70,000 people on Wednesday for the first time – with a goal of reaching 90,000 per day in the coming days.The commissioner defended the government’s decision to enact a closure, explaining that the infection rate spiked very quickly, from around 1,500 to 1,700 new cases per day at the start of last month to where Israel is today.“You all know I did not want this,” he stressed, but reminded that the hospitals raised a red flag and the country needed to react.However, the numbers do not yet reflect a decrease in infection and part of the reason is that the public is not adhering to the directives. There is much more traffic on the roads during this closure than the first and buses appear full. The Finance Ministry reported that the economy is operating at around 50%.“The lockdown does not really exist,” senior officials were reported as saying by Channel 12. “People are leaving their homes, making excuses and are not really afraid of getting caught. It has become a joke. We cannot manage this way.”The military has reinforced the Homefront Command with some 3,500 troops and another 3,000 reservists. An additional 1,450 troops and reservists are assisting authorities in red zones on behalf of the Homefront Command and 1,000 soldiers are assisting the Israel Police.But in a Thursday briefing, IDF Spokesperson Hidai Zilberman said, “it is difficult for me to say that assistance in enforcement is highly effective.”On Tuesday night, the Israeli military decided not to place soldiers at police checkpoints in order to help enforce the lockdown in Jerusalem.The coronavirus cabinet is expected to meet on Monday to discuss next steps based on new data. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a Facebook Live session on Thursday that, “if the closure does not seem to work well enough - we will tighten it. On Monday we will decide. It will be determined by data and not arbitrarily or whimsically. We are at war. In a difficult war against the virus.”“Without the onset of a decrease in morbidity, it is impossible to say how long [the closure] will last,” Gamzu said Thursday. “An exit date has not yet been determined.”He added that “anyone who thinks that after the holidays the closure will end and that it is OK to gather in the meantime” is mistaken. “This is not the time to endanger all of us.”While on the one hand the government is talking about a tighter lockdown, on the other there is already discussion of an exit strategy and when Israel might open up again. Blue and White and the Finance Ministry are pressuring the government to allow more of the private sector to operate and to reopen preschools.During Wednesday’s coronavirus cabinet meeting, Gamzu presented a plan that allows opening up based on data and not dates.The metric that the ministry is recommending is that when the reproduction number (R) – the number of people that one infected person will pass on the virus to – reaches an average of 0.8 or less, restrictions can be reduced. When it is 0.8 to 1.1, the status quo will be maintained, and when it rises above 1.1, restrictions will be tightened.The ministry wants a three-week gap between phase one and phase two – as opposed to the expected two weeks – to better gauge its impact on the rate of infection.Will Gamzu stay on to see his plans come to fruition?Gamzu took on the role of commissioner only through November 1.Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said that he does not “hide my view that I hope Ronni Gamzu stays after November 1. He is the right guy at the right time.”When asked by The Jerusalem Post whether he would consider extending his tenure, Gamzu replied: “If Minister Edelstein asks… Edelstein has taken on a difficult and obligatory role. He acts diligently, faithfully and honestly.”But sources in the know have said that it is unlikely that Gamzu will choose to continue.Annah Ahronheim contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Armenia says four drones shot down near Yerevan capital

Armenia has downed four drones in the provinces near Yerevan , the capital , President Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ in the city saw a glowing object in the sky amid clashes with Azerbaijan .

Armenia has downed four drones in the provinces near Yerevan, the capital, President Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday, while a Reuters witness in the city saw a glowing object in the sky amid clashes with Azerbaijan.
Four drones appeared in Armenian airspace in the provinces of Kotayk and Gegharkunik, and Armenian air defense forces have destroyed them, Pashinyan said on social media as the conflict with Azerbaijan raged for a fifth day.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Palestinian shot in head during clashes with Israeli forces - report

A Palestinian was shot in the head during clashes with Israeli forces in the Palestinian village of Sebastia, north of Nablus, on Thursday, according to Palestinian reports.It is unclear how seriously the Palestinian was injured.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Deputy Hamas head infected with coronavirus after round of int'l meetings

The Hamas official headed a delegation that met with Fatah officials in Turkey last week to discuss ending disputes between @ @ @ @ @ elections .
Arouri also met with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah as part of a delegation @ @ @ @ @ Haniyeh in recent weeks .

The Hamas official headed a delegation that met with Fatah officials in Turkey last week to discuss ending disputes between the two parties and holding elections. Arouri also met with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah as part of a delegation led by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in recent weeks.
Saleh Al-Arouri, deputy head of Hamas's political bureau, was confirmed as infected with the coronavirus on Thursday, Hamas announced in an official statement. Arouri entered quarantine after he was diagnosed.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--US fines Emirates airline $400,000 for flying over Iran

The US Transportation Department said Thursday it fined Emirates airline $400,000 for operating flights in parts of prohibited Iranian airspace in 2019.The flight was carrying the JetBlue Airways code and therefore subject to US regulations. The FAA said for 19 days in July 2019, Emirates operated flights over parts of Iranian airspace, even though the US had barred flights because of heightened military activities and increased political tensions. Emirates told the department the issue was a result of an "inadvertent oversight" but "agreed to this settlement in the interest of resolving this matter."


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Netanyahu: If coronavirus lockdown doesn't work, we'll make it stricter

On Wednesday , Netanyahu and Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz clashed during a coronavirus cabinet meeting , @ @ @ @ @ for a stronger lockdown .
Gantz stressed that the government needs to focus on convincing @ @ @ @ @ regulations , not make the regulations stricter .
“ We ’ re driving the public @ @ @ @ @ after Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz called to restrict the exit from homes to 100 or @ @ @ @ @ , Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman , Jeremy Sharon and Eve Young contributed to this report .
“ @ @ @ @ @ what we are driving crazy or not , ” Netanyahu shouted at Gantz .
“ @ @ @ @ @ working , it is not working.
” Tzvi Joffre , Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman , Jeremy Sharon @ @ @ @ @ this report .
`` On Monday we will make a decision , '' wrote Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ will be determined according to data and not stronghandedly or on a whim .
We @ @ @ @ @ difficult war against the coronavirus . ''

On Wednesday, Netanyahu and Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz clashed during a coronavirus cabinet meeting, as the prime minister called for a stronger lockdown. Gantz stressed that the government needs to focus on convincing the public to follow the regulations, not make the regulations stricter.
“We’re driving the public crazy,” warned Gantz after Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz called to restrict the exit from homes to 100 or 200 meters.
Tzvi Joffre, Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman, Jeremy Sharon and Eve Young contributed to this report. “You will not tell me what we are driving crazy or not,” Netanyahu shouted at Gantz. “If the lockdown is not working, it is not working.”Tzvi Joffre, Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman, Jeremy Sharon and Eve Young contributed to this report.
"On Monday we will make a decision," wrote Netanyahu on Facebook. "This will be determined according to data and not stronghandedly or on a whim. We are at war, a difficult war against the coronavirus."


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Coronavirus: Israel hits 1,600 dead, tops 70,000 tests in one day

Israel hit several coronavirus peaks on Thursday, the Health Ministry showed.There were 9,013 people infected on Wednesday, the Thursday evening report showed. The new patients were part of 70,012 people screened - the first time Israel took more than 70,000 tests in a single day.Moreover, the death rate hit 1,600.Of the sick, some 817 are in serious condition, including 186 who are intubated.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--2 French journalists wounded in Nagorno-Karabakh undergo surgery

The Nagorno-Karabakh region's foreign ministry said on Thursday that two French journalists working for Le Monde newspaper had been operated on by local doctors after being wounded by Azeri shelling earlier in the day.The ministry said the two journalists, who were in critical condition, would be transported to the Armenian capital Yerevan.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 34.06 million, death toll at 1,014,494

More than 34.06 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,014,494 have died @ @ @ @ @ tally.Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases @ @ @ @ @

More than 34.06 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,014,494 have died, according to a Reuters tally.Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Nine killed, 14 hospitalised in forest fires in eastern Ukraine

The fires , assisted by strong wind , threatened 31 settlements and engulfed an area of about 11,000 hectares ( @ @ @ @ @ the service said in a statement , adding that 120 people had been evacuated .
@ @ @ @ @ total of 146 fires and most of them had been extinguished .
Local agencies reported @ @ @ @ @ were damaged by fire .
Ukrainian officials have said the fires may have been caused @ @ @ @ @ area that is controlled by pro-Russian separatists , a crossing point to which was closed @ @ @ @ @

The fires, assisted by strong wind, threatened 31 settlements and engulfed an area of about 11,000 hectares (42.5 square miles), the service said in a statement, adding that 120 people had been evacuated.
Authorities said there were a total of 146 fires and most of them had been extinguished. Local agencies reported that at least 250 houses were damaged by fire.
Ukrainian officials have said the fires may have been caused by shelling from a nearby area that is controlled by pro-Russian separatists, a crossing point to which was closed due to the fire.
Nine people were killed and 14 have been hospitalized as a series of forest fires swept through part of the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, the emergency service said on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--US imposes ongoing sanctions on Lebanese individuals allied with Hezbollah

The United States will continue to impose sanctions on Lebanese individuals allied with Hezbollah or engaged in corruption , a @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , despite an agreement between Israel and Lebanon to hold US-mediated talks on @ @ @ @ @ David Schenker , Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs , told reporters that @ @ @ @ @ even after Israel and Lebanon announced earlier on Thursday they had agreed on a framework @ @ @ @ @

The United States will continue to impose sanctions on Lebanese individuals allied with Hezbollah or engaged in corruption, a senior State Department official said on Thursday, despite an agreement between Israel and Lebanon to hold US-mediated talks on their maritime border dispute.
David Schenker, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, told reporters that further sanctions remained in play even after Israel and Lebanon announced earlier on Thursday they had agreed on a framework for the coming negotiations.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Mossad Director Yossi Cohen visited Bahrain on Wednesday - report

The head of Israel ’ s foreign intelligence service Mossad met Bahrain 's heads of national intelligence and strategic security @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , Bahrain 's state news agency ( BNA ) reported .
Joseph ( @ @ @ @ @ his meetings issues of common interest and cooperation prospects among the two countries , BNA @ @ @ @

The head of Israel’s foreign intelligence service Mossad met Bahrain's heads of national intelligence and strategic security during a visit to Bahrain on Wednesday, Bahrain's state news agency (BNA) reported.
Joseph (Yossi) Cohen discussed during his meetings issues of common interest and cooperation prospects among the two countries, BNA said on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Court gives Netanyahu more time to respond to indictment

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been given an extra month and a half to respond to the indictment against him after his legal team requested an extension to the time given to them to respond to the indictment due to a pending decision on whether they will receive additional material from the investigation, according to KAN news.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--IDF commander: Yeshiva students aren't walking around infecting people

`` There are probably an isolated number of patients that we have n't succeeded in locating , but this is @ @ @ @ @ students who are spread out among Israeli society and infecting them , '' said Numa @

"There are probably an isolated number of patients that we haven't succeeded in locating, but this is not tens of thousands of students who are spread out among Israeli society and infecting them," said Numa.
Maj.-Gen.(ret.) Roni Numa, head of Central Command in the IDF and head of the haredi desk in the Israel Shield program, stressed on Thursday that the impression that thousands of yeshiva students are walking around infecting people is "incorrect."


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--France to enroll  25,000 in COVID-19 vaccines clinical trials

France called for 25,000 adult volunteers on Thursday to enrol in a series of large-scale clinical trials aimed at evaluating @ @ @ @ @ several COVID-19 vaccine candidates .
The Phase II and III trials , which could start @ @ @ @ @ , will take place at 24 hospitals across the country .
Volunteers are invited to @ @ @ @ @ currently no internationally approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19 , the illness caused by the new @ @ @ @ @ over 1 million worldwide .
France 's public research body Inserm , which is in @ @ @ @ @ did not name the vaccines that would be assessed and said it was currently holding @ @ @ @ @ it would pick the `` most promising '' candidates for the trials .
More than @ @ @ @ @ developed around the world and tested to stop the COVID-19 pandemic , with 38 in @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .

France called for 25,000 adult volunteers on Thursday to enrol in a series of large-scale clinical trials aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of several COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
The Phase II and III trials, which could start as soon as this month, will take place at 24 hospitals across the country. Volunteers are invited to register online.
There is currently no internationally approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, which has killed over 1 million worldwide.
France's public research body Inserm, which is in charge of the project, did not name the vaccines that would be assessed and said it was currently holding discussions with drugmakers, adding it would pick the "most promising" candidates for the trials.
More than 150 potential vaccines are being developed around the world and tested to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, with 38 in human trials, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Jerusalem to reduce infrastructure work during Sukkot

The Jerusalem Municipality will reduce infrastructure work during the Sukkot holiday in order to be considerate of those celebrating the holiday. Only work that is not noisy will be permitted.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Russian FM says it knows about Syrian mercenaries in Karabakh

Two Syrian rebel sources have told Reuters that Turkey is sending Syrian rebel fighters to support Azerbaijan .

Two Syrian rebel sources have told Reuters that Turkey is sending Syrian rebel fighters to support Azerbaijan.
Moscow knows about Syrian mercenaries in the Nagorno-Karabakh region independently of media reports, RIA cited Russian foreign ministry as saying on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Three Bnei Brak synagogues shut down for coronavirus violations

Three synagogues in Bnei Brak were shut down, as part of regular police activity to enforce the government's coronavirus restrictions on Thursday.The synagogues were shut down due to a large number of people gathering against regulations.In addition, everyone attending the synagogues at the time was fined and removed.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Shufersal to provide 150,000 food packages to those in quarantine

About 5,000 packages will be provided to the Defense Ministry , IDF and Home Front Command every day as part @ @ @ @ @ an option to expand the tender .
The packages provided to those in quarantine will @ @ @ @ @ soup mix , flour , sugar , pasta , grains and more .
Gluten-free packages @ @ @ @ @

About 5,000 packages will be provided to the Defense Ministry, IDF and Home Front Command every day as part of the agreement, with an option to expand the tender.
The packages provided to those in quarantine will include oil, spices, soup mix, flour, sugar, pasta, grains and more. Gluten-free packages will also be arranged.
The Shufersal grocery chain will provide about 150,000 packages of food to those in quarantine as part of a tender from the Defense Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Syria affirms opposition to normalization deals with Israel

A source in the Syrian Foreign Ministry stressed that Syria `` was and will remain against any agreements or treaties @ @ @ @ @ on its firm conviction that such agreements harm Arab causes in general , foremost among @ @ @ @ @ , which has been proven by previous experiences , that normalization and signing treaties and @ @ @ @ @ increased its arrogance and obstinacy . ''

A source in the Syrian Foreign Ministry stressed that Syria "was and will remain against any agreements or treaties with the Israeli enemy based on its firm conviction that such agreements harm Arab causes in general, foremost among which is the Palestinian cause, which has been proven by previous experiences, that normalization and signing treaties and agreements with this enemy only increased its arrogance and obstinacy." A source in the Syrian Foreign Ministry stressed that Syria "was and will remain against any agreements or treaties with the Israeli enemy based on its firm conviction that such agreements harm Arab causes in general, foremost among which is the Palestinian cause, which has been proven by previous experiences, that normalization and signing treaties and agreements with this enemy only increased its arrogance and obstinacy."
Syria affirmed that it is against any normalization agreements with Israel in the country's first official response to recently signed agreements with the UAE and Bahrain, according to the official Syrian SANA news agency.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--UAE records highest daily COVID-19 cases for second day

The Gulf Arab state had registered a record 1,100 cases in 24 hours on Wednesday .
Daily infection numbers have @ @ @ @ @ months from 164 on Aug. 3 .
Authorities have blamed people 's poor adherence to @ @ @ @ @ UAE has a high per capita rate of COVID-19 tests .
The country of around @ @ @ @ @ out 9,798,960 tests so far , the government statistics authority says .

The United Arab Emirates recorded its highest daily total of coronavirus infections on Thursday since the start of the outbreak, with 1,158 new cases.
The Gulf Arab state had registered a record 1,100 cases in 24 hours on Wednesday. Daily infection numbers have surged over the past two months from 164 on Aug. 3. Authorities have blamed people's poor adherence to social distancing measures.
The UAE has a high per capita rate of COVID-19 tests. The country of around 9.9 million people has carried out 9,798,960 tests so far, the government statistics authority says.
The UAE's nationwide tally stands at 95,348 infections and 421 deaths. The government does not disclose where in the seven emirates they occur.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Kremlin accuses CIA of working with critic Navalny

Navalny told a German magazine he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind his suspected poisoning , but said he @ @ @ @ @ he would return to Russia to resume campaigning .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters @ @ @ @ @ unacceptable , groundless and insulting , but that he was free to return to Russia @

The Kremlin accused specialists at the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency on Thursday of working with Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny and said Moscow believed he was receiving instructions from people it described as "instructors."
Navalny told a German magazine he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind his suspected poisoning, but said he was not afraid and that he would return to Russia to resume campaigning.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters the allegation by Navalny was unacceptable, groundless and insulting, but that he was free to return to Russia.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Police give 3,482 tickets for corona lockdown violations in 24 hours

Police gave 3,482 tickets for coronavirus lockdown violations since Wednesday, bringing the total of tickets to 259,049 since restrictions began.In the last week, 322 tickets were given to business owners for opening in violation of regulations, 409 tickets were given to people who were in forbidden areas and 360 tickets were given to people who broke quarantine.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Man suspected of removing people from quarantine lists for bribes

A man was arrested on suspicion that he took bribery in exchange for removing people from the Heath Ministry's list of those who must be in quarantine on Wednesday. The man works for a subcontractor of the appeals department of the Heath Ministry.Police will ask to extend his arrest on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Ichilov Hospital opens sixth coronavirus ward

Ichilov Hospital, the hospital with the most coronavirus wards in the country, opened a sixth one on Thursday. Patients from all over the country are currently treated in the facility, which is equipped with advanced technologies, according to the hospital."We are proud of our teams, who are committing so enthusiastically and professionally to the growing number of coronavirus wards and giving personal, high-level care in such poor and improvised conditions," said deputy director Prof. Gil Fire.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Poland reports record number of new daily coronavirus infections

For the past week , Poland has seen more than 1,000 new cases per day .
The authorities announced a @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .

Poland reported a record number of new daily coronavirus infections on Thursday, with the Health Ministry announcing 1,967 new cases.
For the past week, Poland has seen more than 1,000 new cases per day. The authorities announced a previous record 1,587 new infections on Friday.
Since the start of the pandemic, Poland has recorded 93,481 coronavirus infections with 2,543 deaths in total.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Russia's new coronavirus cases surge to highest since June 12

The capital of Moscow , the epicenter of the outbreak earlier this year , registered 2,424 new cases overnight , @ @ @ @ @ 169 people had died nationwide in the last 24 hours , bringing the official death @ @ @ @

Russia confirmed its highest daily tally of new coronavirus cases since June 12 on Thursday as authorities reported 8,945 new infections, pushing the national total to 1,185,231.
The capital of Moscow, the epicenter of the outbreak earlier this year, registered 2,424 new cases overnight, officials said. Authorities said 169 people had died nationwide in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 20,891.


jerusalempost--2020-10-01--Slovakia hits record tally of new COVID-19 cases for a second day

`` The situation is extremely serious and it is high time to grit our teeth and help our common cause @ @ @ @ @

Slovakia had 797 new coronavirus on Wednesday, a record daily tally for a second straight day, Prime Minister Igor Matovic said on his Facebook page on Thursday.
"The situation is extremely serious and it is high time to grit our teeth and help our common cause," Matovic wrote.
His government has introduced new measures against the virus and approved a state of emergency, effective from Thursday, after a recent spike in new coronavirus cases in the country of 5.5 million.


jerusalempost--2020-10-02--US Vice President Pence tests negative for coronavirus - spokesman

US Vice President Mike Pence has tested negative for coronavirus , his spokesman said on Friday , hours after President @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 and was under quarantine .
`` This morning , Vice President Pence and the @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in @ @ @ @ @ Devin O'Malley said on Twitter .

US Vice President Mike Pence has tested negative for coronavirus, his spokesman said on Friday, hours after President Donald Trump announced he contracted COVID-19 and was under quarantine.
"This morning, Vice President Pence and the Second Lady tested negative for COVID-19. Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery," spokesman Devin O'Malley said on Twitter.


jerusalempost--2020-10-02--Merkel: Turkey deal clears way for Belarus sanctions

Agreement on a common EU approach towards Turkey 's energy prospecting in the Mediterranean satisfies a key demand of Cyprus @ @ @ @ @ sanctions against political leaders of Belarus .
`` That we could now agree to those @ @ @ @ @ because it strengthens the hand of those who are protesting for freedom of opinion in @ @ @ @ @ journalists .

A summit of European leaders in Brussels agreed after lengthy and difficult discussions that they wanted constructive ties to Turkey while protecting the rights of fellow bloc members Cyprus and Greece in the Mediterranean, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.
Agreement on a common EU approach towards Turkey's energy prospecting in the Mediterranean satisfies a key demand of Cyprus, which had been blocking sanctions against political leaders of Belarus.
"That we could now agree to those sanction is an important signal because it strengthens the hand of those who are protesting for freedom of opinion in Belarus," she told journalists.
The EU is pushing for Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko to enter a dialogue with opposition protesters after he claimed victory in elections that most European countries regard as having been rigged


jerusalempost--2020-10-02--Jordan, Egypt, France and Germany meet to discuss MidEast peace in Amman

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Foreign affairs ministers of Egypt, France, Germany and Jordan, met in Amman to discuss continued coordination and consultation on means to advance the Middle East peace process.The meeting was attended by the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process.During the meeting, topics regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was discussed."We take note of the suspension of annexation of Palestinian lands following the announcement of the decision by the United Arab Emirates and Israel to normalize ties. This suspension should become permanent," a statement from the French consulate in Jerusalem read.


jerusalempost--2020-10-02--German regulator expects first COVID-19 vaccines to be approved early 2021

The head of Germany's vaccine regulator expects the first COVID-19 vaccines to be approved in Europe in early 2021, but cautioned it would take time before vaccinations could start."It is our clear expectation that, according to the latest surveys by the European Medicines Agency, the vaccines will receive marketing authorisation in Europe early next year," Klaus Cichutek, head of the Paul Ehrlich Institute, told a virtual press briefing on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-02--US Pompeo says reconsidering his trip to Asia

No decision has been taken yet , Pompeo told journalists on a flight from Rome to Dubrovnik in Croatia .
@ @ @ @ @ Vice President ’ s office this morning as well , '' Pompeo said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ obviously very seriously . ''
`` We are praying for the President and First Lady @ @ @ @ @ a speedy recovery , '' he said .

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday he was reconsidering his upcoming trip to Asia as a precaution after President Donald Trump and his wife tested positive to coronavirus.
No decision has been taken yet, Pompeo told journalists on a flight from Rome to Dubrovnik in Croatia.
"I spoke with the Vice President’s office this morning as well," Pompeo said. "We’re taking this obviously very seriously."
"We are praying for the President and First Lady that they’ll have a speedy recovery," he said.
Pompeo said that both he and his wife tested negative on the plane 20 minutes prior to landing in Dubrovnik. He said he last saw Trump in person on Sept. 15.


jerusalempost--2020-10-02--Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky has coronavirus

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky has coronavirus

One of the leading rabbis of the non-hassidic haredi world , Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky , 92 , has been diagnosed with coronavirus .
`` Following a change in the body temperature of the great rabbi , he was examined and found positive for coronavirus , '' his spokesperson said in a statement .
Later , The Rishon Lezion Hagari Yosef announced that it was `` a mitzvah for each and every person to pray for the complete health '' of the rabbi .
President Reuven Rivlin and Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that they , too , were praying for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netanyahu tweeted that he wishes a `` quick and complete recovery to the Torah genius , Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky . ''
It was later released that the Kretchnif rabbi of Rehovot was also diagnosed with coronavirus .
The rabbi is being treated in his home and is reportedly in stable condition .
The news comes the morning after the rabbi , along with his colleague Rabbi Gershon Edelstein , `` Together , with all the people of Israel , we pray for the speedy recovery of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky , '' said Jerusalem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosis .
`` During our holiday prayers , we should pray for the healing of Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky son of Pasha Miriam .
`` President Reuven Rivlin and Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that they , too , were praying for the rabbi , and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted that he wishes a `` quick and complete recovery to the Torah genius , Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky .
`` It was later released that the Kretchnif rabbi of Rehovot was also diagnosed with coronavirus .
The rabbi is being treated in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news comes the morning after the rabbi , along with his colleague Rabbi Gershon Edelstein , instructed that people should pray as much as possible in open spaces due to the threat of the pandemic , and that “ anyone who can help make this possible will be greatly rewarded.
” The rabbi feels good and is continuing with his usual studies , under close medical supervision , according to the statement .
The rabbi is calling on his followers to study the Talmudic tractate Brachot and to read Psalms in his honor.Later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was `` a mitzvah for each and every person to pray for the complete health '' of the rabbi .
The rabbis also explained that it is forbidden to host guests in personal sukkahs over the holiday , in line with the recommendation of the Health Ministry .
They also instructed that any time people are not with their nuclear family , they should wear masks and social distance .
“ One of the things that most protects against infection is when people wear masks , ” they wrote .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taken lightly.
” Kanievsky also released a video telling his followers to be screened for the virus during the interim days of Sukkot because it is “ pikuach nefesh , ” considered saving a life .
The coronavirus has been widespread within haredi society in Israel .

One of the leading rabbis of the non-hassidic haredi (ultra-Orthodox) world, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, 92, was diagnosed with coronavirus on Friday.“Following a change in the body temperature of the great rabbi, he was examined and found positive for coronavirus,” his spokesperson said in a statement.The rabbi feels good and is continuing with his usual studies, under close medical supervision, according to the statement. He is calling on his followers to study the Talmudic tractate Brachot and to read Psalms in his honor.The Rishon Lezion Hagari Yosef announced that it was “a mitzvah for each and every person to pray for the complete health” of the rabbi.“Together, with all the people of Israel, we pray for the speedy recovery of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky,” said Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion upon hearing about the diagnosis. “During our holiday prayers, we should pray for the healing of Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky, son of Pesha Miriam.”President Reuven Rivlin and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz said that they, too, were praying for the rabbi, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted that he wishes a “quick and complete recovery to the Torah genius, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky.”It was later revealed that the Kretchnif Rabbi of Rehovot was also diagnosed with coronavirus. The rabbi is being treated at home and is reportedly in stable condition.The news of Kanievsky's illness came the morning after the rabbi, along with his colleague Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, instructed that people should pray as much as possible in open spaces due to the threat of the pandemic, and that “anyone who can help make this possible will be greatly rewarded.”The rabbis also explained that it is forbidden to host guests in personal sukkahs over the holiday, in line with the recommendation of the Health Ministry. They also instructed that any time people are not with their nuclear family, they should wear masks and social distance.“One of the things that most protects against infection is when people wear masks,” they wrote. “The benefit is substantial and should not be taken lightly.”Kanievsky also released a video telling his followers to be screened for the virus during the interim days of Sukkot because it is pikuach nefesh – lifesaving.The coronavirus has been widespread within haredi society in Israel.Prof. Ronni Gamzu, the coronavirus commissioner, has said Thursday that haredim make up around 40% of people diagnosed with coronavirus every day in Israel. Some 5,000 yeshiva students are infected, according to Roni Numa, coronavirus coordinator for the ultra-Orthodox community.


jerusalempost--2020-10-02--Armenia says ready to engage to re-establish Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire

Armenia's foreign ministry said on Friday it was ready to engage with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to re-establish a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, where fighting has been raging since Sunday.France, Russia and the United States, co-chairs of the OSCE's Minsk Group, set up in 1992 to mediate in the conflict between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians over the mountainous enclave in the South Caucasus, called for an immediate ceasefire on Thursday. But Turkey said the three big powers should have no role in peace moves.


jerusalempost--2020-10-02--Europe key to Middle East peace process after Abraham Accord, Pompeo says

European countries have a fundamental role in supporting the Middle East peace process after the signing of the Abraham Accord, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview on Friday."I believe that European leaders have a strategic role...(also in) stemming and rejecting the Islamic Republic of Iran, which still is the greatest force of destabilization in the entire Middle Eastern region," Pompeo told Italian daily La Repubblica.He added that he hoped Palestinians would join the United States, committing to serious negotiations with Israel."(The Palestinians) must commit to dialog," Pompeo said, when asked what was needed to do so, given that the Palestinian Authority considered the agreements void.


jerusalempost--2020-10-02--Coronavirus: 7,639 new patients diagnosed - 831 in serious condition

There were 7,639 people diagnosed with coronavirus on Thursday, the Health Ministry showed Friday morning.There has been a spike in serious cases: 831.The death toll stands at 1,622.


jerusalempost--2020-10-02--US President Donald Trump tests positive for coronavirus

US President Donald Trump announced that he has tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday morning .
A white house official said Trump was feeling well , and that his doctors were optimistic about the turnout of his condition .
`` The vice president can take the reins if he has to .
The president of course will want to be very involved , and he will be .
As you know , he does not like to sit still . ''
`` I spend a lot of time with Hope , and so does the first lady .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The positive tests raise the possibility that others within Trump 's immediate circle and at the highest levels of the US government may have been exposed and have to quarantine as well .
`` Trump has been trailing behind Biden and he has clearly failed to narrow the gap after the first debate ...
I suspect markets will lean towards the view that Biden will likely win the election , '' said Naoya Oshikubo , senior economist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management .
`` What I am worried is that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he caught the virus himself . ''
Making the announcement via Twitter , Trump added that he and his wife would both be quarantined.The White House issued a new schedule for Trump 's activities on Friday that did not include his planned trip to Florida .
Trump has held regular rallies around the country to drum up enthusiasm for his candidacy against Democratic rival Joe Biden , who is ahead in national opinion polls.The first lady , Melania Trump , also took to Twitter to comment , mentioning that she and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` US Vice President Mike Pence , sent his regards to the president and the first lady .
`` Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President @ realDonaldTrump and @ FLOTUS Melania Trump .
We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery .
God bless you President Trump & our wonderful First Lady Melania , '' Pence said.Trump said on Thursday he was beginning a quarantine process after Hope Hicks , a top adviser and trusted aide , tested positive for the coronavirus.Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I wish a complete and speedy recovery to President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump from COVID-19 .
`` The son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Yair also sent his regards .
On his Twitter account he wrote : `` Sending my prayers for a speedy recovery to President Trump and First Lady Melania !
!
!
`` Futures for the S & P 500 fell 1.8 % in Asian trading after the news , extending earlier losses , while barometers of risk sentiment , such as the Australian dollar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reverberated through world media and financial markets .
Here are some more reactions : RUSSIA 'S PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN : Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday sent Trump a telegram to wish him a swift recovery after he tested positive for COVID-19 , Russian news agencies reported , citing the Kremlin .
`` I am certain that your inherent vitality , good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus , '' Putin 's telegram said , according to the Interfax news agency.BRITAIN 'S HOUSING SECRETARY ROBERT KENRICK , ON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All of us want to send our best wishes to President Trump , the first lady and the Trump family and wish them a speedy recovery , '' Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky .
`` We know what it 's like to have , in our case a prime minister who tested positive for COVID and setting aside politics we all want to see him and his wife get better soon , '' he said , referring to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who fell gravely ill after catching COVID-19 in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted his best wishes.FRANCE 'S GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN , GABRIEL ATTAL “ This demonstrates that the virus spares no one , including those who have shown skepticism .
I wish him a swift recovery.
” HU XIJIN , EDITOR IN CHIEF OF CHINA 'S GLOBAL TIMES '' President Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the COVID-19 .
The news shows the severity of the US ’ pandemic situation .
It will impose a negative impact on the image of Trump and the US , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` CHINA DAILY , THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER '' The positive test is yet another reminder that the coronavirus continues to spread , even as Trump has tried desperately to suggest it no longer poses a danger .
Since it emerged earlier this year , Trump , the White House and his campaign have played down the threat and refused to abide by basic public health guidelines — including those issued by his own administration — such as wearing masks in public and practicing social distancing .
Instead , Trump has continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of supporters .
The virus has killed more than 200,000 Americans and infected more than 7 million nationwide .
`` TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE SPOKESMAN 'S STATEMENT '' President Tsai , upon receiving the news , sent her best wishes to the US government via diplomatic channels , hoping that President Trump and his wife can recover at an early date under the professional care of the medical team.
” SHANE OLIVER , HEAD OF INVESTMENT STRATEGY , AMP CAPITAL , SYDNEY “ There might be a sympathy vote for Trump if he gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already a little bit on edge because of the upcoming election and the failure of talks to result in a new fiscal stimulus.
“ You can imagine all sorts of scenarios here .
If he tests positive and then just shows mild symptoms , it will be over in a few days .
If he gets ill and has to go to hospital , the market will be a lot more concerned .
Obviously , to the extent campaigning comes to a halt , it might increase fears that he might lose the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market prefers the incumbent to win and the general preference has been for Trump to win because he will mean lower taxes and less regulation than a Biden presidency .
`` But the whole issue around fiscal stimulus is complicated because , if Trump loses and the Democrats win and they get control of the Senate and the House , it makes fiscal stimulus assured , which will offset the impact of the tax hikes .
The market would probably be happy to see a Biden presidency with a clean sweep .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MITSUI TRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT '' Trump has been trailing behind Biden and he has clearly failed to narrow the gap after the first debate , which is the most important of the three debates .
I suspect markets will lean towards the view that Biden will likely win the election .
`` What I am worried is that he will become even more aggressive against China after he caught the virus himself , for I got the impression that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has become more anti-China after he had COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be difficult for financial markets to be in a risk-on mood . ''

US President Donald Trump announced that he has tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday morning.
Making the announcement via Twitter, Trump added that he and his wife would both be quarantined.
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
Trump's campaign manager Bill Stepien and former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway both tested positive for the coronavirus on Saturday, according to US media.
Stepien traveled to Cleveland with Trump and his staff last week for the first presidential debate, and was seen in close proximity with Hope Hicks. He also attended debate prep sessions with Conway in the same week.
A white house official said Trump was feeling well, and that his doctors were optimistic about the turnout of his condition.
"The vice president can take the reins if he has to. The president of course will want to be very involved, and he will be. As you know, he does not like to sit still."
Trump has mild symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19 but he was expected to remain on the job, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said on Friday."The American people can rest assured that we have a president that is not only on the job, will remain on the job and I'm optimistic that he'll have a very quick and speedy recovery," Meadows told reporters at the White House.US Vice President Mike Pence tested negative for the coronavirus, as did Joe and Jill Biden. Additionally, Kamala Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, also tested negative.The White House issued a new schedule for Trump's activities on Friday that did not include his planned trip to Florida. Trump has held regular rallies around the country to drum up enthusiasm for his candidacy against Democratic rival Joe Biden, who is ahead in national opinion polls.The first lady, Melania Trump, also took to Twitter to comment, mentioning that she and her husband were both "feeling good."
As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together. — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 2, 2020
"Hope Hicks , who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible! The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!" Trump said in a tweet.
"I spend a lot of time with Hope, and so does the first lady. And she's tremendous," he said.
Biden tweeted well wishes on behalf of himself and his wife, Jill. "Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family," Biden tweeted. The positive tests raise the possibility that others within Trump's immediate circle and at the highest levels of the US government may have been exposed and have to quarantine as well.Biden tweeted well wishes on behalf of himself and his wife, Jill."Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family," Biden tweeted. Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 2, 2020
Pence sent his regards to the president and the first lady."Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania Trump. We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery. God bless you President Trump & our wonderful First Lady Melania," Pence said.Trump said on Thursday he was beginning a quarantine process after Hope Hicks, a top adviser and trusted aide, tested positive for the coronavirus.Israel's Health Minister Yuli Edelstein commented: "I wish a complete and speedy recovery to President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump from COVID-19."The son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yair also sent his regards. On his Twitter account he wrote: "Sending my prayers for a speedy recovery to President Trump and First Lady Melania!!!"
Sending my prayers for a speedy recovery to President Trump and First Lady Melania!!! ❤ pic.twitter.com/8dzOgphpbT — Yair Netanyahu (@YairNetanyahu) October 2, 2020
Futures for the S&P 500 fell 1.8% in Asian trading after the news, extending earlier losses, while barometers of risk sentiment, such as the Australian dollar and Treasury yields, dipped.The announcement has reverberated through world media and financial markets. Here are some more reactions:CHINA'S PRESIDENT XI JINPINGChinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to Trump and his wife Melania on Saturday, wishing them a speedy recovery from the coronavirus, Chinese state television reported.RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN:Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday sent Trump a telegram to wish him a swift recovery after he tested positive for COVID-19, Russian news agencies reported, citing the Kremlin."I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus," Putin's telegram said, according to the Interfax news agency.BRITAIN'S HOUSING SECRETARY ROBERT KENRICK, ON BEHALF OF THE UK GOVERNMENT:"All of us want to send our best wishes to President Trump, the first lady and the Trump family and wish them a speedy recovery," Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky."We know what it's like to have, in our case a prime minister who tested positive for COVID and setting aside politics we all want to see him and his wife get better soon," he said, referring to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who fell gravely ill after catching COVID-19 in March and spent two weeks recovering.Johnson later also tweeted his best wishes.
My best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady. Hope they both have a speedy recovery from coronavirus. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 2, 2020
FRANCE'S GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN, GABRIEL ATTAL“This demonstrates that the virus spares no one, including those who have shown skepticism. I wish him a swift recovery.”HU XIJIN, EDITOR IN CHIEF OF CHINA'S GLOBAL TIMES"President Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the COVID-19. The news shows the severity of the US’ pandemic situation. It will impose a negative impact on the image of Trump and the US, and may also negatively affect his reelection."CHINA DAILY, THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER"The positive test is yet another reminder that the coronavirus continues to spread, even as Trump has tried desperately to suggest it no longer poses a danger. Since it emerged earlier this year, Trump, the White House and his campaign have played down the threat and refused to abide by basic public health guidelines — including those issued by his own administration — such as wearing masks in public and practicing social distancing. Instead, Trump has continued to hold campaign rallies that draw thousands of supporters. The virus has killed more than 200,000 Americans and infected more than 7 million nationwide."TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE SPOKESMAN'S STATEMENT"President Tsai, upon receiving the news, sent her best wishes to the US government via diplomatic channels, hoping that President Trump and his wife can recover at an early date under the professional care of the medical team.”SHANE OLIVER, HEAD OF INVESTMENT STRATEGY, AMP CAPITAL, SYDNEY“There might be a sympathy vote for Trump if he gets the coronavirus.“The market’s already a little bit on edge because of the upcoming election and the failure of talks to result in a new fiscal stimulus.“You can imagine all sorts of scenarios here. If he tests positive and then just shows mild symptoms, it will be over in a few days. If he gets ill and has to go to hospital, the market will be a lot more concerned. Obviously, to the extent campaigning comes to a halt, it might increase fears that he might lose the election."Generally speaking, the market prefers the incumbent to win and the general preference has been for Trump to win because he will mean lower taxes and less regulation than a Biden presidency."But the whole issue around fiscal stimulus is complicated because, if Trump loses and the Democrats win and they get control of the Senate and the House, it makes fiscal stimulus assured, which will offset the impact of the tax hikes. The market would probably be happy to see a Biden presidency with a clean sweep."NAOYA OSHIKUBO, SENIOR ECONOMIST, SUMITOMO MITSUI TRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT"Trump has been trailing behind Biden and he has clearly failed to narrow the gap after the first debate, which is the most important of the three debates. I suspect markets will lean towards the view that Biden will likely win the election."What I am worried is that he will become even more aggressive against China after he caught the virus himself, for I got the impression that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has become more anti-China after he had COVID-19."For the time being it will be difficult for financial markets to be in a risk-on mood."
"Trump has been trailing behind Biden and he has clearly failed to narrow the gap after the first debate ... I suspect markets will lean towards the view that Biden will likely win the election," said Naoya Oshikubo, senior economist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management. "What I am worried is that he will become even more aggressive against China after he caught the virus himself."
US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on Friday he has tested negative for COVID-19 after protectively being screened following news of President Donald Trump's positive test.
"Out of an abundance of caution I was tested for COVID-19 this morning and the result was negative. I will be testifying before Congress as scheduled," Azar wrote on Twitter.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he and his wife Susan were "keeping [Trump] and [the first lady] in our thoughts and prayers. May you both have a quick recovery. Our nation is standing strong with you!"
US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for the Senate to adopt a coronavirus testing and contact tracing program for lawmakers and others at the US Capitol following Trump's positive test.
"The Senate needs a testing and contact tracing program for senators, staff, and all who work in the Capitol complex," Schumer said in a statement.
"It is imperative that all results be made public in order to contain a possible outbreak and so we can determine the need for senators and staff to quarantine or self-isolate," he said.