jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Netanyahu after vaccine jab: 'I feel great. Go get vaccinated!'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein received the first doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine in Israel at an event that was live-streamed across Israel as part of the campaign to encourage the public to get the jab.“It’s a small shot for a person and a huge step toward the health of us all,” the prime minister said.The leaders were inoculated at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer by the prime minister’s doctor, Dr. Zvi Herman Berkowitz. Netanyahu was jabbed in the right arm. Edelstein was shot in the left arm.“This is a very big day for the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said before receiving the vaccine. “We have been experiencing for almost a year the worst pandemic that humanity has known in the last 100 years and this is the beginning of the exit. We have brought millions of vaccines to our little State of Israel and everyone needs to be vaccinated. I asked to be vaccinated first with Minister Edelstein to set a personal example.“I think if we do this together, we will beat the corona and sooner than people expect,” he later added.Edelstein spoke emotionally about how when he looked at the date — December 19 — he discovered it was the same day in 1984 that his trial took place in the USSR because of his desire to immigrate to Israel.“Today, December 19, 2020, I have the great privilege to be health minister in the Israeli government,” he said. “Friends, there are reasons for optimism.”Shortly after the two were vaccinated, they said that they felt “great.”“I am very happy” and “I think it is a real celebration, a historic evening,” Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy said in an interview with The Jerusalem Post.He recalled how in February, a dozen Israelis who had been held up on the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship arrived in Israel and were transported to Sheba – the first hospital to treat coronavirus patients.“We didn’t know what this was then,” Levy said. “This is symbolic for me that we are starting today what could be the end [of the virus] at this hospital.”He responded to those who are skeptical about being vaccinated by reminding them that the vaccines have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and that “it is not simple to be approved by the FDA.”He told the Post that the side effects of the vaccine are comparable to those of the influenza vaccine and called on the public to be inoculated.“In a physician’s life, in a director-general’s life, there are several moments that are exciting. But this is one of the most significant for me,” Yitshak Kreiss director-general of Sheba Medical Center, told the Post. “We accepted here 10 months ago the first patients when we did not know what to anticipate. We had fears and it took us a lot of time to learn this disease, to understand this is a serious disease.“We lost many patients here and we waited for the moment that would symbolize the shift in the dynamics from fighting the disease to preventing or curing the disease,” he continued. “And this was the symbolic movement.”Director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit Dr. Gili Regev-Yochay, who was among the first group to be vaccinated after the prime minister, expressed similar sentiments and said that “this is one of the most exciting times in my life.”She said that 10 months ago, she never could have believed that she would be getting inoculated.“I understand why it is important to me to be one of the first people, or I would otherwise give my place to the elderly or someone more at risk,” Regev-Yochay added. “I feel like I am a representative, and I am saying it is OK to go ahead. Don’t be afraid. This is the first step toward the end of all of this.”On Sunday, President Reuven Rivlin will be vaccinated at Hadassah-University Medical Center, and coronavirus commissioner Prof. Nachman Ash at a Maccabi health clinic in Herzliya, along with thousands of medical professionals across Israel.“I call on everyone to come and get vaccinated – and make sure first of all that your relatives who are at risk, especially older adults, do so as soon as possible,” Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz said on Friday.He, too, will be vaccinated on Sunday.A poll by the Israel Medical Association published over the weekend found that 82% of doctors intend to get vaccinated against the virus.The country’s four health funds have published their vaccination schedules in the last few days, opening up hotlines and making appointments to begin Monday for Israel’s over-60 population as well as those with underlying medical conditions that put them at risk for developing a serious case of the disease.“If indeed the Israelis are vaccinated at a rate of about 50,000 people per day from the beginning of January or a little earlier, then the vaccines will begin to affect the morbidity already in February,” wrote Prof. Eran Segal, a computational biologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in an opinion piece published by N12.According to his models, it will only take about another six or seven weeks at the current rate of infection to reach 1,000 seriously ill patients in Israel’s hospitals. But he said that around the same time, the vaccines should begin to take effect.“Once we start vaccinating at a high rate, it can be estimated that in a month and a half to two months later, we will see a very significant decrease in both mortality and severe morbidity,” Segal wrote.Although many Israelis have expressed hesitation about taking the vaccine due to its rapid development and approval process, Maccabi’s appointment line crashed Thursday night within two hours of opening because so many people wanted appointments and more than 40,000 people had reportedly already made appointments to be vaccinated in the coming days.A Haifa University survey published last week found widespread reluctance among the Israeli public to take the new coronavirus vaccine – only 20.3% of Israeli Jewish respondents and 16% of Israeli Arab respondents said that they would take the vaccine immediately.A similar number was reported by the Hebrew daily Yediot Aharonot over the weekend, which showed that 24% plan to get vaccinated immediately and 39% will “probably get vaccinated but will wait a little bit.”Kreiss said he believes that compliance to be vaccinated is going to be “tremendously higher than we think.” He said that at Sheba almost twice as many professionals as expected signed up to be inoculated.There are already about 600,000 Pfizer vaccine doses in the country. Millions more are expected by the end of the year. Levy told the Post that deliveries arrive in the country on the average of twice a week and are expected to do so for many months so that all Israelis who want can be vaccinated.Israel also has contracts with Moderna and AstraZeneca for their respective vaccine candidates. Overnight Friday Israel time, the US Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of Moderna’s novel coronavirus vaccine, mRNA-1273, for individuals over the age of 18. The Pfizer vaccine is available for people 16 and older.According to Levy, the first doses of the Moderna vaccine should arrive in Israel within the next three months.The Health Ministry said priority vaccination would go to medical teams and the elderly first. Then, populations at greater risk of infection, such as teachers, would have access to the vaccine. IDF and security officials would also be prioritized.Approximately 20 million doses of the Moderna vaccine are expected to be delivered to the US government by the end of December under Operation Warp Speed. The company said it expects to have between 100 million and 125 million doses available globally in the first quarter of 2021, including the six million doses that have been committed to the State of Israel.


jerusalempost--2020-12-19--US FAA approves use of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by pilots

The announcement follows the FAA 's Dec. 12 approval for pilots and controllers to use the vaccine from Pfizer and @ @ @ @ @ said pilots and controllers must not fly or conduct safety-related duties for 48 hours after @ @ @ @ @ said it `` will monitor the patient response to each vaccine dose and may adjust @ @ @ @ @ ensure aviation safety . ''
On Thursday , groups representing aviation unions and American Airlines @ @ @ @ @ Air Lines and other airlines , wrote all U.S. governors asking them to `` prioritize @ @ @ @ @ of the vaccine in your upcoming implementation plan . ''
The groups noted that `` @ @ @ @ @ who either encounter the traveling public frequently or are required to perform our work in @ @ @ @ @ and perform our jobs onsite . ''
Earlier this month , the FAA sent guidance @ @ @ @ @ vaccine distribution , including other facilities that may serve as alternate or diversion airports .

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Saturday it had approved the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by pilots and air traffic controllers.
The announcement follows the FAA's Dec. 12 approval for pilots and controllers to use the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech
The U.S. aviation regulator said pilots and controllers must not fly or conduct safety-related duties for 48 hours after receiving doses. The FAA said it "will monitor the patient response to each vaccine dose and may adjust this policy as necessary to ensure aviation safety."
On Thursday, groups representing aviation unions and American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and other airlines, wrote all U.S. governors asking them to "prioritize aviation frontline workers for allocation of the vaccine in your upcoming implementation plan."
The groups noted that "aviation workers are frontline workers who either encounter the traveling public frequently or are required to perform our work in close proximity to our colleagues and perform our jobs onsite."
Earlier this month, the FAA sent guidance to airports to prepare for vaccine distribution, including other facilities that may serve as alternate or diversion airports.
The FAA said that some aircraft used for vaccine shipments may be larger than the aircraft used for passenger-carrying flights that typically serve that airport and operators may opt to have extra aircraft rescue and firefighting services.


jerusalempost--2020-12-19--France reports 17,565 new confirmed COVID-19 cases overnight

There were 190 deaths , amounting to a total of 60,418 .

France reported 17,565 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours on Saturday, pushing the total of infections resulting from the new coronavirus to 2,460,555.
There were 190 deaths, amounting to a total of 60,418.


jerusalempost--2020-12-19--Moderna, McKesson and US Army general begin rolling out new COVID vaccine

Amid record coronavirus infections and deaths , Moderna has already moved vaccine supplies from its manufacturing plants to warehouses operated by distributor McKesson Corp. Workers on Saturday were packing vaccines into containers and loading them on trucks , US Army General Gustave Perna said during a news conference .
Trucks will set out on Sunday and shipments will start reaching healthcare providers as soon as Monday , he said .
Doses of vaccine must travel with security guards , including US Marshals , and will be stored in locked refrigerators .
US plans call for at-risk groups such as elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive injections first .
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved an emergency use authorization for Moderna 's vaccine , the second COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval .
The jab developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech SE was approved Dec. 11 .
Pharmaceutical services provider Catalent Inc 's facility in Bloomington , Indiana , is filling and packaging vials with Moderna vaccine and handing them to McKesson .
The company is shipping them from its facilities including those in Louisville , Kentucky and Memphis , Tennessee , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service Inc and FedEx Corp .
Pfizer organized its own distribution system .
The US government 's vaccine program , dubbed Operation Warp Speed , is in charge of logistics for Moderna 's distribution under Perna .
Perna apologized to US governors for confusion on the vaccine 's availability after the US government reduced the number of doses states would receive in the upcoming week .
States including Oregon and Washington , which are ramping up to get frontline healthcare workers vaccinated as quickly as possible , said their allocation had dropped by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he made an error estimating the number of doses that would actually be cleared by regulators for shipment , which was fewer than the number of doses produced .
He said there are no problems with Pfizer 's or Moderna 's manufacturing processes .
A spokeswoman for the US Department of Health and Human Services said 7.9 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines would be delivered nationally this week .
`` Please accept my personal apology if this was disruptive in your decision making , and in your conversations with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Perna , appealing to state governors .
The Moderna delivery system will have some of the same players as Pfizer 's but will differ in key ways .
Transportation companies UPS and FedEx are giving priority to vaccines on planes and trucks that are moving holiday gifts and other cargo .
Their drivers will handle the bulk of the last-mile Moderna vaccine deliveries .
They are going directly to vaccination sites , unlike Pfizer 's which was sent to large hubs and redistributed .
`` We added a lot of aircraft , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vaccines ) are a very small fraction of total volumes , '' said Wes Wheeler , a UPS executive in charge of vaccine shipments .
Moderna 's vaccine is available in quantities as small as 100 doses and can be stored for 30 days in standard-temperature refrigerators , while the inoculations from Pfizer come in boxes of 975 doses , must be shipped and stored at -70 Celsius ( -94 F ) , and can be held for only five days at standard refrigerator temperatures .
Initial doses were given to health professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to distribute the Pfizer vaccine to long-term care facilities are expected to start on Monday .
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel on Sunday will consider which groups should get vaccinated next .
Perna said the United States is on track to have enough doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines by the end of the year to inoculate 20 million people , as the government projected , but deliveries of those doses may continue into first week of January .
Healthcare experts forecast it will take well into 2021 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inoculated .
Both vaccines were about 95 % effective at preventing illness in clinical trials that found no serious safety issues .

US distribution of Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine began on Saturday, with more than 3,700 sites due to start receiving and administering shots as soon as Monday, vastly widening the rollout started last week by Pfizer Inc.
Amid record coronavirus infections and deaths, Moderna has already moved vaccine supplies from its manufacturing plants to warehouses operated by distributor McKesson Corp.
Workers on Saturday were packing vaccines into containers and loading them on trucks, US Army General Gustave Perna said during a news conference. Trucks will set out on Sunday and shipments will start reaching healthcare providers as soon as Monday, he said.
Doses of vaccine must travel with security guards, including US Marshals, and will be stored in locked refrigerators. US plans call for at-risk groups such as elderly people in nursing homes and medical workers to receive injections first.
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved an emergency use authorization for Moderna's vaccine, the second COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval. The jab developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech SE was approved Dec. 11.
Pharmaceutical services provider Catalent Inc's facility in Bloomington, Indiana, is filling and packaging vials with Moderna vaccine and handing them to McKesson. The company is shipping them from its facilities including those in Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis, Tennessee, which are close to air hubs for United Parcel Service Inc and FedEx Corp .
Pfizer organized its own distribution system. The US government's vaccine program, dubbed Operation Warp Speed, is in charge of logistics for Moderna's distribution under Perna.
'MY FAULT'
Perna apologized to US governors for confusion on the vaccine's availability after the US government reduced the number of doses states would receive in the upcoming week.
States including Oregon and Washington, which are ramping up to get frontline healthcare workers vaccinated as quickly as possible, said their allocation had dropped by as much as 40%.
Perna said he made an error estimating the number of doses that would actually be cleared by regulators for shipment, which was fewer than the number of doses produced.
He said there are no problems with Pfizer's or Moderna's manufacturing processes. A spokeswoman for the US Department of Health and Human Services said 7.9 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines would be delivered nationally this week.
"Please accept my personal apology if this was disruptive in your decision making, and in your conversations with the people of your great state," said Perna, appealing to state governors.
The Moderna delivery system will have some of the same players as Pfizer's but will differ in key ways.
Transportation companies UPS and FedEx are giving priority to vaccines on planes and trucks that are moving holiday gifts and other cargo. Their drivers will handle the bulk of the last-mile Moderna vaccine deliveries. They are going directly to vaccination sites, unlike Pfizer's which was sent to large hubs and redistributed.
"We added a lot of aircraft, a lot of temporary workers. (Vaccines) are a very small fraction of total volumes," said Wes Wheeler, a UPS executive in charge of vaccine shipments.
Moderna's vaccine is available in quantities as small as 100 doses and can be stored for 30 days in standard-temperature refrigerators, while the inoculations from Pfizer come in boxes of 975 doses, must be shipped and stored at -70 Celsius (-94 F), and can be held for only five days at standard refrigerator temperatures.
Initial doses were given to health professionals. Programs by pharmacies Walgreens and CVS to distribute the Pfizer vaccine to long-term care facilities are expected to start on Monday. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel on Sunday will consider which groups should get vaccinated next.
Perna said the United States is on track to have enough doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines by the end of the year to inoculate 20 million people, as the government projected, but deliveries of those doses may continue into first week of January. Healthcare experts forecast it will take well into 2021 for a significant portion of Americans to be inoculated.
Both vaccines were about 95% effective at preventing illness in clinical trials that found no serious safety issues.
Separately, US officials said Pfizer is preparing to distribute 2 million additional doses of its vaccine to locations around the country next week, with preparations for shipping beginning over the weekend.


jerusalempost--2020-12-19--US CDC reports 312,636 deaths from coronavirus

The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19 , caused by a new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ ET on Dec. 18 versus its previous report a day earlier .
The CDC figures @ @ @ @ @ reported by individual states .

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday reported 17,391,270 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 403,359 from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 2,756 to 312,636.
The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19, caused by a new coronavirus, as of 4 pm ET on Dec. 18 versus its previous report a day earlier.
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.


jerusalempost--2020-12-19--Lionel Messi equals Pele's record of 643 goals for a single club

The Argentine , 33 , hit the milestone goal with a diving header just before halftime immediately after his penalty @ @ @ @ @ Jaume Domenech .
The goal made it 1-1 in Barca 's La Liga game and @ @ @ @ @ opener .
Pele scored 643 goals in 665 competitive games for Santos , while Messi @ @ @ @ @ the tally , although he did it in 17 seasons compared to the 19 Pele @ @ @ @ @ 80 , made his Santos debut aged 15 in 1956 and left in 1974 after @ @ @ @ @ plus two Copa Libertadores crowns , South America 's equivalent of the Champions League .

Lionel Messi equalled Pele's haul of 643 goals for Santos after scoring for Barcelona against Valencia in La Liga on Saturday, matching the Brazilian great's scoring record for a single club.
The Argentine, 33, hit the milestone goal with a diving header just before halftime immediately after his penalty was saved by Valencia keeper Jaume Domenech.
The goal made it 1-1 in Barca's La Liga game and cancelled out Mouctar Diakhaby's opener.
Pele scored 643 goals in 665 competitive games for Santos, while Messi needed 748 matches to reach the tally, although he did it in 17 seasons compared to the 19 Pele needed.
Pele, now 80, made his Santos debut aged 15 in 1956 and left in 1974 after winning six Brazilian league titles plus two Copa Libertadores crowns, South America's equivalent of the Champions League.
Messi, who made his first appearance for Barcelona aged 17 in 2004, has won 10 La Liga titles with the club plus four Champions Leagues.


jerusalempost--2020-12-19--Italy reports 553 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, 16,308 new cases

There were 176,185 swabs carried out in the past day , down from a previous 179,800 the ministry said .
@ @ @ @ @ by the virus , Italy has seen 68,447 COVID-19 fatalities since its outbreak emerged in @ @ @ @ @ in Europe and the fifth-highest in the world .
It has also registered nearly 1.94 @ @ @ @ @ Patients in hospital with COVID-19 stood at 25,364 on Saturday , down by 405 from @ @ @ @ @ were 160 new admissions to intensive care units , compared with 189 on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ patients decreased by 35 to 2,784 reflecting those who died or were discharged after recovery @

Italy reported 553 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday against 674 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections decreased to 16,308 from 17,992.
There were 176,185 swabs carried out in the past day, down from a previous 179,800 the ministry said.
The first Western country hit by the virus, Italy has seen 68,447 COVID-19 fatalities since its outbreak emerged in February, the highest toll in Europe and the fifth-highest in the world. It has also registered nearly 1.94 million cases to date.
Patients in hospital with COVID-19 stood at 25,364 on Saturday, down by 405 from the day before. There were 160 new admissions to intensive care units, compared with 189 on Friday.
The number of intensive care patients decreased by 35 to 2,784 reflecting those who died or were discharged after recovery.
When Italy's second wave of the epidemic was accelerating fast in the first half of November, hospital admissions were rising by around 1,000 per day, while intensive care occupancy was increasing by about 100 per day.


jerusalempost--2020-12-19--Russia's COVID-19 deaths surpass 50,000

Russia's COVID-19 deaths surpass 50,000

Russia 's official coronavirus task force said that 585 people had died from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours , taking the country 's official death toll to 50,347 .
The country also recorded 28,209 new infections , bringing the national tally to 2,819,429 .
The authorities in Moscow , which reported 6,459 new coronavirus cases on Saturday , said they raided bars that had been in violation of an order to remain closed between 11pm and 6am until Jan. 15 to contain the virus .
Footage broadcast on local television showed city inspectors and riot police forcing open the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using a mallet and a crowbar .
The authorities said the establishment had continued to serve customers clandestinely after hours , in violation of city rules .
`` The situation remains difficult , '' Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin was quoted as saying by RIA news agency late on Friday .
`` The number of ( COVID-19 ) patients in hospitals is approaching 13,000 , many of them are seriously ill. '' Russia rolled out the Sputnik V vaccine to medics and other frontline workers in Moscow earlier this month , and more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The number of COVID-19 deaths in Russia surpassed 50,000 on Saturday as the country continues to fight stubbornly high numbers of new infections daily.
Russia's official coronavirus task force said that 585 people had died from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, taking the country's official death toll to 50,347. The country also recorded 28,209 new infections, bringing the national tally to 2,819,429.
The authorities in Moscow, which reported 6,459 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, said they raided bars that had been in violation of an order to remain closed between 11pm and 6am until Jan. 15 to contain the virus.
Footage broadcast on local television showed city inspectors and riot police forcing open the door of a bar in central Moscow using a mallet and a crowbar. The authorities said the establishment had continued to serve customers clandestinely after hours, in violation of city rules.
"The situation remains difficult," Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin was quoted as saying by RIA news agency late on Friday.
"The number of (COVID-19) patients in hospitals is approaching 13,000, many of them are seriously ill."
Russia rolled out the Sputnik V vaccine to medics and other frontline workers in Moscow earlier this month, and more than 200,000 people have already been vaccinated.
Data published this week found Sputnik V, which Russian regulators approved in August after less than two months of human testing, to be 91.4% effective.


jerusalempost--2020-12-19--Britain reports 27,052 new COVID-19 cases, 534 deaths

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The United Kingdom recorded 27,052 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday and 534 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for the virus, according to official data.


jerusalempost--2020-12-19--All countries designated red starting Sunday, Health Ministry confirms

All countries are to be designated as red destinations in order to combat the recent spike in coronavirus morbidity rates, the Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday evening.The significance of the new directive is that Israelis returning from abroad will need to enter quarantine for 14 days. Alternatively, they may choose to be tested upon return to Israel, and again, nine days later. If both tests are negative, quarantine will be shortened to 10 days.Israelis currently visiting countries that had previously been labeled as green, including the United Arab Emirates, the Seychelles and Rwanda , will be given an extra week, until December 26, to return to Israel without any isolation requirement.For nearly two weeks, Sharon Alroy-Preis, the head of public health, has been pushing for such a move. She has said that in countries like the UAE, where Israelis are flocking to in the tens of thousands, guidelines are not being followed and they are becoming infected there and bringing the virus back to Israel.Last week, The Jerusalem Post reported that dozens of Israelis were in isolation in Dubai after testing positive abroad. Hundreds are also in quarantine in Israel after learning that they returned on a flight with verified patients.“Ben-Gurion Airport, the gateway to a world, has become a loophole,” wrote Prof. Eran Segal, a computational biologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science, in an opinion piece published by N12. He said that travelers must be tested, and enforcement of isolation stepped up, adding that “social distancing restrictions must be enforced at Ben-Gurion Airport itself.”The coronavirus cabinet is expected to meet on Sunday to discuss additional restrictions on other parts of the country.The Health Ministry had been considering requiring travelers from certain countries to agree to be tested, or otherwise quarantine in a state-run coronavirus hotel. With all countries being designated red, it is unlikely that additional restrictions will be added.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Chezy Levy: Israel will be able to store 7m Pfizer vaccines by end of Jan.

Pfizer 's coronavirus vaccine , which was the first to arrive in Israel , must be kept at temperatures below @ @ @ @ @ , which can be stored at higher refrigeration tempteratures , is expected to arrive later @ @ @ @ @ received emergency use approval ( EUA ) from the US Food and Drug administration ( @ @ @ @ @ .

Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine , which was the first to arrive in Israel, must be kept at temperatures below -70C.
The Moderna vaccine, which can be stored at higher refrigeration tempteratures, is expected to arrive later, seeing as it only received emergency use approval (EUA) from the US Food and Drug administration (FDA) this past weekend.
Israel will be prepared to store 7 million coronavirus vaccines at tempteratures of -80C by the end of January, Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy said on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Moderna, McKesson and US Army general begin rolling out new COVID vaccine


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--France considering ban on flights and trains from the UK, says BFM

An official decision was expected later on Sunday , BFM said without citing sources .
Officials at the transport ministry @ @ @ @ @ comment .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and scientists announced on Saturday that a new @ @ @ @ @ the country was up to 70 % more infectious than the original version .
The @ @ @ @ @ flights carrying passengers from the United Kingdom from Sunday .

France is considering suspending flights and trains from Britain after a new coronavirus strain was detected there, BFM Television reported on Sunday.
An official decision was expected later on Sunday, BFM said without citing sources.
Officials at the transport ministry were not immediately available for comment.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and scientists announced on Saturday that a new strain of coronavirus identified in the country was up to 70% more infectious than the original version.
The Netherlands said it will ban flights carrying passengers from the United Kingdom from Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--UTJ MK Yakov Asher tests positive for coronavirus

MK Yakov Asher of the United Torah Judaism Party has tested positive for the novel coronavirus , a Knesset spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ He is reportedly feeling well and will continue to work from home.Asher , who heads @ @ @ @ @ Law and Justice Committee , announced after the diagnosis that Shas Party MK Michael Malkiel @ @ @ @ @ 's discussions this week , which Asher plans to attend remotely .

MK Yakov Asher of the United Torah Judaism Party has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a Knesset spokesperson said on Sunday morning. He is reportedly feeling well and will continue to work from home.Asher, who heads the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, announced after the diagnosis that Shas Party MK Michael Malkiel will be leading the committee's discussions this week, which Asher plans to attend remotely.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Coronavirus in Israel: 1,866 new cases diagnosed on Saturday

Israel 's Health Ministry reported on Sunday morning that 1,866 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed on Saturday out of 61,962 @ @ @ @ @ rate ) .
In addition , 447 patients are defined as being in serious condition @ @ @ @ @ intubated .
So far 3,074 people have died COVID-19 in Israel since the pandemic began @

Israel's Health Ministry reported on Sunday morning that 1,866 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed on Saturday out of 61,962 tests (3.1% positivity rate).
In addition, 447 patients are defined as being in serious condition, 110 of whom are intubated.
So far 3,074 people have died COVID-19 in Israel since the pandemic began.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Canada halts passenger flights from UK amid worries over new virus strain

Canada is halting passenger flights from the United Kingdom , according to a Transport Canada notice to pilots on Sunday , joining a growing list of countries barring British travelers to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus strain from the country .
The restrictions do not apply to cargo planes or planes landing for safety reasons , according to the notice to airmen , which said the move is `` necessary for aviation safety and the protection of the public . ''
Canadian officials , including the prime minister and health minister , met on Sunday afternoon to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is up to 70 % more transmissible than the original , Health Minister Patty Hadju tweeted .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday the new strain had led to surging infection numbers , as his government tightened its COVID-19 restrictions for London and nearby areas .
Cases continue to rise in Canada , which begun inoculations with the Pfizer vaccine earlier in the week .
Canada reported a total of 507,795 cases of COVID-19 , with 6,203 new cases on Sunday , and 14,228 deaths .
Canadian media reported Ontario , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be put in a province-wide lockdown on Dec. 24 .

Canada is halting passenger flights from the United Kingdom, according to a Transport Canada notice to pilots on Sunday, joining a growing list of countries barring British travelers to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus strain from the country.
The restrictions do not apply to cargo planes or planes landing for safety reasons, according to the notice to airmen, which said the move is "necessary for aviation safety and the protection of the public."
Canadian officials, including the prime minister and health minister, met on Sunday afternoon to discuss the new variant, which officials say is up to 70% more transmissible than the original, Health Minister Patty Hadju tweeted.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday the new strain had led to surging infection numbers, as his government tightened its COVID-19 restrictions for London and nearby areas.
Cases continue to rise in Canada, which begun inoculations with the Pfizer vaccine earlier in the week. Canada reported a total of 507,795 cases of COVID-19, with 6,203 new cases on Sunday, and 14,228 deaths.
Canadian media reported Ontario, the country's most populous province, would be put in a province-wide lockdown on Dec. 24.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Mexico's confirmed coronavirus death toll surpasses 118,200

Mexico 's health ministry on Sunday reported 6,870 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 326 more fatalities , bringing @ @ @ @ @ 1,320,545 cases and 118,202 deaths .
The government says the real number of infected people @ @ @ @ @ the confirmed cases .

Mexico's health ministry on Sunday reported 6,870 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 326 more fatalities, bringing the country's totals to 1,320,545 cases and 118,202 deaths.
The government says the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Woman in her 50s found dead in Shaked forest in the West Bank

A woman in her 50s was found dead early Monday by Magen David Adom ( MDA ) paramedics in the @ @ @ @ @ to Walla !
news .
`` When we arrived , they led us to the @ @ @ @ @ lay unconscious , we performed medical tests , she was breathless , without a pulse @ @ @ @ @ life and within a short time we had to pronounce her death , '' said @ @ @ @ @

Israel Police are investigating the cause of death of a woman in her 50s whose body was found early Monday morning in the Reihan Forest in the northern West Bank . The police and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) are reportedly evaluating whether the murder might have been a terrorist attack."We wake up to a difficult and painful event in the northern Shomron," said MK Betzalel Smotrich upon hearing the news. "We send our condolences to the family of the 14th murdered woman [this year] and ask to embrace and strengthen the residents of Tal Menashe and the entire Shomron community."The security forces will, with God's help, get their hands on the perpetrators of this terrible attack and bring them justice," the MK concluded.
The woman, Esther Hurgan, was a resident of Tel Menashe, a town near the forest. Her body was found on the side of the road in the forest, marked by signs of violence, including to her head. Her family reported her missing on Sunday. She leaves behind her husband, Benyamin, and six children. Her youngest child celebrated his bar mitzvah just three months ago.IDF soldiers were called to the scene alongside police after the body was found.The Samaria Regional Council referred to the incident as a terrorist attack , adding that Hurgan was found overnight with "her head crushed."
"A dear woman so full of kindness, goes out in the afternoon in the center of the State of Israel to exercise a minute away from her home, and is murdered by vile people in such a cruel way," said the head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan. "I ask 'what barbarians, like in the Middle Ages, what cruelty to hack the face of a 52-year-old woman with a rock in cold-blood? What evil are we facing?'"He added: "I want to say clearly to these barbarians from the Palestinian Authority in front of the whole world: you will never break us. The settlements in Samaria will flourish and grow and build together with the whole State of Israel, because you in the barbaric Palestinian Authority chose death and we chose life. You act like barbarians from the Middle Ages – and we are in 2020 and the people of Israel will win.""The late Esther Hurgan was brutally murdered when she went for a run near her home," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to the incident. "The security forces will get their hands on the killer as soon as possible and we will bring him to justice. I would like to send my deepest condolences to the family.""I send my deepest sympathies to the Horgan family on the horrific murder of Esther, of blessed memory," said Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz in response to the incident. "Israel’s security forces are working to find the despicable murderer and take him promptly into custody. We will never accept a reality in which human life becomes dispensable."
"Esther went out yesterday as she was used to, to walk in nature, which she loved so much here around the settlement," said Benyamin, Esther's husband. "No adventurous deeds, a walking trail like every normal place in the country – and she did not return. It does not suit her, so full of life and light and love for everyone, and all this is cut off in an instant. Who can do such a thing?"
"We should all be here in the settlement in the regional council, all the people of Israel, and give the appropriate Zionist answer to acts of destruction and killing with more light, more life, more construction, more creation, and more action on the ground for our children and all the people of Israel," he stressed.
"Esther raised a family for glory, loved her grandchildren and now they will have no mother, no grandmother," the bereaved husband said. "Esther will be missed by all of us, the family and everyone who knew her. Before I knew what was going on, I got messages from all sorts of people how much she touched them and how much she did. We see the great success of the family and of the community in general, and that is largely due to her."
President Reuven Rivlin commented on the murder, saying: "This is a hard, heart-breaking morning with news of the cruel murder of Esther Hurgan, who left her house yesterday and did not return. A full life of wonderful works – of home and family, of creativity and care – has been cut short by a beast in human guise. I have full faith that our security forces will get to the despicable murders and that justice will be done. I embrace Esther's family, her children and their father. We are with you in this time of such deep grief.""We start the morning with the sad news of the brutal murder of Esther Hurgan, a mother of six, last night in Samaria. It cannot be that a woman goes for a run and does not return home," said Jerusalem Affairs Minister Rafi Peretz. "I trust the security and police forces to lay hands on the perpetrator of this heinous crime, and I send my condolences to the grieving family.""The murder of Esther Hurgan, a mother of six, is heartbreaking. Such cruelty and evil," said opposition leader Yair Lapid. "I send condolences to the family and am sure that the security forces will catch the heinous killer.""My heart weeps over the murder of the late Esther Hurgan, a mother of six from Samaria – all she did was go for a run near her home," said Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman. "I send my condolences to the family and hope that the IDF and the security forces will reach those responsible for the murder soon."


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Police attacked in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood

Israel police were attacked by dozens of residents in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim early Monday , night after @ @ @ @ @ , according to the police spokesperson .

Israel police were attacked by dozens of residents in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim early Monday, night after responding to a routine incident, according to the police spokesperson.
A policeman was injured in the head after stones were thrown at him, according to the report.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--South Korea reports 926 new coronavirus cases

South Korea reported 926 new coronavirus cases , the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Monday , down @ @ @ @ @ the day before .
The recent surge in cases has confounded efforts to contain it @ @ @ @ @ short of hospital beds , prompting debate over whether the government should impose stricter social @ @ @

South Korea reported 926 new coronavirus cases, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Monday, down from a record high 1,097 the day before.
The recent surge in cases has confounded efforts to contain it and the country is running short of hospital beds, prompting debate over whether the government should impose stricter social distancing measures.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--McConnell says deal reached on $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill

Republican US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday an agreement had been reached by congressional leaders of both @ @ @ @ @ 900 billion COVID-19 relief bill .
`` More help is on the way , '' @ @ @ @ @ floor of the measure to provide assistance to address a number of coronavirus-related issues .

Republican US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday an agreement had been reached by congressional leaders of both parties on a roughly $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill.
"More help is on the way," McConnell said on the Senate floor of the measure to provide assistance to address a number of coronavirus-related issues.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Saudi Arabia suspends int'l flights and land and sea entry for a week

Saudi Arabia suspended late on Sunday all international commercial flights for a renewable week except for the foreign flights already @ @ @ @ @ be allowed to leave , state news agency SPA reported quoting an interior ministry source @ @ @ @ @ entry to the kingdom through land and sea ports will be also suspended for a @ @ @ @ @ measures come after the spread of a new strain of COVID-19 among number of countries @

Saudi Arabia suspended late on Sunday all international commercial flights for a renewable week except for the foreign flights already in the kingdom which will be allowed to leave, state news agency SPA reported quoting an interior ministry source.
The source added the entry to the kingdom through land and sea ports will be also suspended for a renewable week, and those measures come after the spread of a new strain of COVID-19 among number of countries.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Netanyahu: New bill will propose delaying dissolving Knesset

A bill proposing to postpone dissolving the Knesset will be brought to the Knesset House Committee on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.If the bill is approved, it would mean that Israel's election, if one does come, would not be in March.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Barzilai Medical Center has vaccinated 225 people on COVID vaccine day 1

Barzilai Medical Center vaccinated 225 people for the novel coronavirus on Sunday, the first day in which the Pfizer vaccine was in use in Israel.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Health Ministry updates priority list for COVID-19 vaccines

The Health Ministry has updated its recommendations and priorities for those wishing to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy announced on Sunday.Priority will now be given to breastfeeding women, pregnant women and women who are planning to get pregnant.In addition, people with allergies are advised to get the vaccine, providing they do not have allergies to the known vaccine ingredients.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Yoav Gallant: I got vaccinated to set an example for educational staff

Education Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday evening that he got vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine to set an example for Israel's educational staff."Tonight I received a coronavirus vaccine. I thank the dedicated medical staff both in Sheba and all over the country for their professional action," he said."I got vaccinated early in order to set a personal example for staff of the education system. Teaching staff should be vaccinated immediately after health care teams and the elderly to ensure learning and education continue running in optimal conditions," he said.As of Sunday, the 1,135 teaching staff were reported to have the coronavirus, according to a Health Ministry report.In addition, 5,287 students were reported to have the virus. Of those, some 2,644 of the sick students live in red in orange cities, marking about half.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Jerusalem: Border police enters Shu'afat to remove pro-Hamas sign

Residents of the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Shu'afat clashed with Border Police officers on Sunday when the security forces arrived @ @ @ @ @ , Kan reported .
Hamas , the radical Islamic group currently in control of the @ @ @ @ @ as a terrorist organization by the State of Israel .

Residents of the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Shu'afat clashed with Border Police officers on Sunday when the security forces arrived to remove a pro-Hamas sign, Kan reported.
Hamas, the radical Islamic group currently in control of the Gaza Strip, is seen as a terrorist organization by the State of Israel.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--El Al to operate first Israel-Morocco flight December 22

Israeli flag carrier El Al Airlines said on Sunday it would operate the first flight from Israel to Rabat, Morocco on December 22 and that the plane would carry a joint US-Israeli delegation.The direct flight, LY555, is expected to take six hours and follows a US-brokered deal earlier this month in which the countries agreed to normalize relations.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Coronavirus: UK records 35,928 new cases, 326 deaths

The United Kingdom recorded 35,928 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday and 326 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for the virus, based on official data.These numbers come following news of a newly discovered mutated strain of the virus in the country.Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--US surgeon general urges vigilance amid new COVID-19 strain in UK

US health officials are monitoring the new strain of COVID-19 emerging in the United Kingdom, US Surgeon General Jerrome Adams said on Sunday, adding that any mutation shows people must keep protecting themselves from the novel coronavirus while awaiting vaccination."Viruses mutate all the time," Adams told CBS News' "Face the Nation" program. "If this is a mutation that is more contagious, then that just means that we need to be that much more vigilant while we wait to be vaccinated."


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Netanyahu’s physician: COVID-19 vaccination caused no side effects

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's personal physician , Dr. Tzvi Herman Berkowicz , said that he is in “ excellent @ @ @ @ @ the first COVID-19 vaccination in Israel on Saturday evening .

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's personal physician, Dr. Tzvi Herman Berkowicz, said that he is in “excellent” physical condition after receiving the first COVID-19 vaccination in Israel on Saturday evening.
Netanyahu, according to Berkowicz, "has no symptoms or side effects."


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--WHO in touch with UK on mutated COVID-19 variant

Several European countries placed restrictions on travel to and from the United Kingdom due to concern over the new strain @ @ @ @ @ there .
`` We are in close contact with UK officials .
They will continue @ @ @ @ @ of their analysis and ongoing research .
We will update the public and member states @ @ @ @ @ and have a clearer picture of the characteristics of this variant , '' the WHO @ @

The World Health Organization is in close contact with British officials over a new COVID-19 virus variant, it said on Sunday, advising people to be on guard against spreading the disease.
Several European countries placed restrictions on travel to and from the United Kingdom due to concern over the new strain, which is spreading rapidly there.
"We are in close contact with UK officials. They will continue to share information and results of their analysis and ongoing research. We will update the public and member states as we learn more, and have a clearer picture of the characteristics of this variant," the WHO said.
"In the meantime, we advise people to take all protective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and comply with national authorities' guidance."


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Romney: Russia is Trump's 'blind spot,' hack 'extraordinarily damaging'

Republican US Senator Mitt Romney said a widespread data breach across the US government was "extraordinarily damaging" and that President Donald Trump has a "blind spot" when it comes to Russia, which US officials believe was behind the hack."We've come to recognize that the president has a blind spot when it comes to Russia," Romney said on NBC's "Meet the Press," one of a series of Sunday morning TV interviews.US officials and researchers say they believe at least half-a-dozen US government agencies have been infiltrated and thousands of companies infected with malware in what appears to be one of the biggest such hacks ever uncovered.Trump only acknowledged the hacking on Saturday almost a week after Reuters first reported it, downplaying its importance and questioning whether the Russians were to blame.Revelations of the hack come at a vulnerable time as the US government grapples with a contentious presidential transition and the coronavirus health crisis.US Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on ABC that the cyberattack could be ongoing and that officials had not yet determined its full scope.Both Warner and Romney said the United States must respond to the incident.The team of President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat, will consider several options to punish Russia over its suspected role once he takes office, from financial sanctions to cyberattacks on Russian infrastructure, people familiar with the matter say.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Edelstein: Education is worth more than money, schools should stay open

The comment came during a government discussion on how the nation should respond to the leap in COVID-19 infection rates @ @ @ @ @ new mutation of the novel coronavirus in the UK .
Health Minister Yuli Edelstein confessed @ @ @ @ @ clear we will have to enter a tight restraining [ policy ] or a lockdown @ @ @ @ @ suffer ” on Sunday.The comment came during a government discussion on how the nation should @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 infection rates and early reports about a new mutation of the novel coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ , that is money , ” he said , “ which is not equal to @ @ @ @ @ ] , which is why I prefer to keep schools open for as long as @ @ @

The comment came during a government discussion on how the nation should respond to the leap in COVID-19 infection rates and early reports about a new mutation of the novel coronavirus in the UK. Health Minister Yuli Edelstein confessed that “it’s clear we will have to enter a tight restraining [policy] or a lockdown [and] commerce will suffer” on Sunday.The comment came during a government discussion on how the nation should respond to the leap in COVID-19 infection rates and early reports about a new mutation of the novel coronavirus in the UK.
“However, that is money,” he said, “which is not equal to education [in its value], which is why I prefer to keep schools open for as long as possible.”


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Top US health official: 3rd COVID-19 vaccine could be approved next month

A third vaccine to stave off COVID-19 could get US approval as early as next month, a top US health official said on Sunday as the second vaccine began shipping out nationwide.Admiral Brett Giroir, an assistant secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services, told ABC News that data was yet to be released on the novel coronavirus vaccine from Johnson & Johnson and Janssen, but that if approved it would give the United States its third vaccine following ones from Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc.


jerusalempost--2020-12-20--Coronavirus: Iran sees lowest cases in 2 months, warns of possible surge

Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that 177 people had died in the past 24 hours , taking fatalities to 53,625 in the worst affected country in the Middle East .
Sunday 's caseload was the lowest since the 5,960 cases reported on Oct. 26 .
“ The most important cause of COVID-19 transmission in the country is due to family gatherings and parties , ” said Lari , urging people to refrain from holding the traditional extended family gatherings Sunday night in celebration of Yalda — or winter solstice .
Shops were ordered to close two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday and Sunday , and a traffic curfew was brought forward an hour to 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. in an effort to avert a resurgence during the festivities .
Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said on Saturday that there had been a decline of 50 % in daily coronavirus deaths since more stringent restrictions were imposed on Nov. 21 during a third peak of the virus .
However , officials have cautioned that the danger of resurgence looms large .
`` The current coronavirus situation in the country is fragile .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocols ) , we could witness a fourth peak , '' said senior Health Ministry official Iraj Harirchi .
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , meanwhile , speaking in a TV broadcast on Sunday , praised Iran ’ s nurses for their sacrifices in fighting the epidemic .
`` Our nurses ’ task has been more difficult during this coronavirus-inflicted year as they put their own lives at risk , ” Khamenei said on the occasion of National Nurses Day in Iran , his second televised address since Wednesday .

Iran reported 6,312 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, the lowest in nearly two months, but officials warned that the downward trend could easily be reversed and warned against too much social contact during the Yalda winter festivities.
Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that 177 people had died in the past 24 hours, taking fatalities to 53,625 in the worst affected country in the Middle East. Sunday's caseload was the lowest since the 5,960 cases reported on Oct. 26.
“The most important cause of COVID-19 transmission in the country is due to family gatherings and parties,” said Lari, urging people to refrain from holding the traditional extended family gatherings Sunday night in celebration of Yalda — or winter solstice.
Shops were ordered to close two hours earlier, at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and a traffic curfew was brought forward an hour to 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. in an effort to avert a resurgence during the festivities.
Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said on Saturday that there had been a decline of 50% in daily coronavirus deaths since more stringent restrictions were imposed on Nov. 21 during a third peak of the virus.
However, officials have cautioned that the danger of resurgence looms large.
"The current coronavirus situation in the country is fragile. If people do not comply (with health protocols), we could witness a fourth peak," said senior Health Ministry official Iraj Harirchi.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, meanwhile, speaking in a TV broadcast on Sunday, praised Iran’s nurses for their sacrifices in fighting the epidemic.
"Our nurses’ task has been more difficult during this coronavirus-inflicted year as they put their own lives at risk,” Khamenei said on the occasion of National Nurses Day in Iran, his second televised address since Wednesday.
Before this week, Khamenei had not been seen in public for weeks and rumors had surfaced in early December that his health was deteriorating.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman to close borders over new COVID strain

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Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman are closing their borders and suspending commercial flights over fears about a new coronavirus strain, the three Gulf Arab states said.Saudi Arabia shut its land and sea borders on Sunday and suspended international commercial flights for a renewable week although foreign flights already in the country can leave, the Interior Ministry said.The measures do not apply to movement of goods from countries where the new COVID-19 strain has not appeared, said a ministry statement carried on state news agency SPA.Neighboring Kuwait will suspend all commercial flights and close its land and sea borders from 11 p.m. on Monday until Jan. 1, the government communications office said. Cargo operations will continue, it added.In Oman, land, air and sea borders will be shut for one week starting Tuesday, state television reported.Several countries have cut travel ties with Britain after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a highly infectious new strain of the virus was a danger to the country.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Putin lauds AstraZeneca as it signs vaccine tie-up deal with Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hailed British drugmaker AstraZeneca's decision to test combining its own experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V shot, as Moscow said the start of clinical trials was imminent.Putin was speaking by video conference at a virtual event that saw AstraZeneca sign a memorandum of cooperation with Russia's Gamaleya Institute, which developed Sputnik V, Russia's RDIF sovereign wealth fund, and Russian drugmaker R-Pharm.Clinical trials, still under way, have shown Sputnik V has an efficacy rate of over 90%, higher than that of AstraZeneca’s own vaccine and similar to those of U.S. rivals Pfizer and Moderna.Putin praised Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca's chief executive, who had dialed in by video conference."I want to single out your pro-active stance to achieve goals that are highly important, not just for your company, but in reality and without excessive bombast or exaggeration, for humanity," said Putin.Kirill Dmitriev, the head of RDIF, told the event that clinical trials combining the Russian and British vaccines would start soon in three countries.He did not name the countries, but mentioned some of them were in the Middle East and the former Soviet Union.Dmitriev has previously said Russia believes the combination will boost the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Hilltop Youth killed in accident while fleeing police

A 19-year-old from the Hilltop Youth movement was killed after his vehicle flipped over while he was running from police @ @ @ @ @ Police arrived at the scene after receiving reports that passengers in an Israeli vehicle were @ @ @ @ @ vehicle .
The police ordered the Israeli vehicle to stop and the driver attempted to @ @ @ @ @ Near the Rimonim Junction , the vehicle flipped over , leading to the death of @ @ @ @ @ Four passengers in the car were injured lightly.The youth claimed that the car flipped because @ @ @ @ @ , according to KAN news .

The wounded Border Police officer at the protests, December 21, 2020.
Some 200 protesters gathered outside the Police National Headquarters in Jerusalem and confronted police officers while trying to breach the building on Monday evening after the death of a youth fleeing police earlier in the day.Protesters reportedly shouted "murderers" towards the officers, protesting against police brutality that they claim led to the death of Ahuvia Sandak. Some 50 protesters were arrested by police."We are here because they murdered our brother today, not because we like to block roads," cried the protesters, as reported by N12. Later into the night, a few protesters began to throw rocks and bottles at the policemen, leaving one with a head wound. He's since received medical treatment.Sandak, a 19-year-old from the Hilltop Youth movement was killed Monday morning after his vehicle flipped over while he was fleeing from police near Kokhav HaShahar in the West Bank , Israel Police reported.Police arrived at the scene after receiving reports that passengers in an Israeli vehicle were throwing rocks at a Palestinian vehicle.The police ordered the Israeli vehicle to pull over and the driver attempted to escape from the scene.The vehicle flipped over near the Rimonim Junction leading to the death of one of the passengers.The four other passengers in the car were injured lightly and claimed that the cause of the accident was police slamming into them with the police car, KAN News reported.The young man was from the West Bank settlement of Kedumim. Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir slammed police, complaining that had the 19-year-old been a Bedouin from Rahat, the officers wouldn't have chased him.Ben-Gvir, who is also a lawyer, argued that the chase was not called for since the officers on the scene allegedly knew who all the passengers in the car were. He called on the Knesset to hold an inquiry into police conduct in the West Bank.The right-wing NGO Honenu argued that the passengers were cuffed before being taken to hospital despite their injuries, N12 reported.Police denied allegations of cuffing the wounded or ramming into the civilian car, claiming that it was the "wild driving" of the person behind the wheel which led to the chase and the vehicle flipping over.MK Betzalel Smotrich (Tekuma) was removed from the scene by the police, which led to Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin slamming the officers present for allegedly violating the immunity he enjoys as a member of parliament.Levin claimed that this "badly harms the ability of an MK to carry out his public duty," adding that, in a democracy, such police action shouldn't be tolerated.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Jordan suspends flights to and from UK until Jan. 3

Jordan has suspended flights to and from the United Kingdom from today until Jan. 3 due to a new strain of the coronavirus detected in Britain, officials said on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Russia to suspend UK flights for one week due to new virus strain

Russia will suspend flights to and from Britain for one week starting from Tuesday due to a new strain of the coronavirus detected in Britain, Russia's coronavirus taskforce said on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--IDF soldier seriously injured by civilian vehicle in southern Israel

The soldier was transferred for treatment at a hospital and her family was notified .
The incident is under investigation @

The soldier was transferred for treatment at a hospital and her family was notified. The incident is under investigation.
An IDF soldier was seriously injured after she was hit by a civilian vehicle near a base in southern Israel, according to the IDF Spokespersons Unit.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Norway halts flights from Britain

Norway halts flights from Britain

Flights from Britain to Norway will be suspended with immediate effect for a minimum of 48 hours due to concerns over a new strain of coronavirus, the Norwegian health minister said in a statement on Monday.British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday that the new strain had led to spiralling infection numbers, and several European countries have since announced restrictions on travel.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Recently released Palestinian detainee hospitalized for coronavirus

Al-Akhras 's family stated that the doctors treating him believed that he had been infected with the novel coronavirus , according to the PIJ .
During his hunger strike earlier this year , the Palestinian detainee was treated at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot .
At the time , the PIJ and Hamas threatened confrontation with Israel if his situation becomes dire or he dies .
Akhras had been in administrative detention for months .
He denies being a member of PIJ and has been arrested multiple times in the past , according to the Palestinian WAFA news agency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of Islamic Jihad who poses a danger to the state , though it was unclear if the accusation was related to carrying out actual violence or some kind of recruiting or incitement relating to the group .
Administrative detention is a special status in Israel where a detainee gets to argue for their release in a judicial proceeding , but the standards of the proceeding do not offer the same protections as regular criminal trials .
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report .
The IDF referred the issue to the Shin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which clarified that at least in the past he had been directly involved in terror and had been arrested five previous times .
The Shin Bet declined to give more specifics about his current round of detention.Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report .
Al-Akhras ended his hunger strike on November 6 and was released from administrative detention by Israeli authorities on November 26 .

Akhras had been in administrative detention for months. He denies being a member of PIJ and has been arrested multiple times in the past, according to the Palestinian WAFA news agency.
Israel has said that Akhras is a member of Islamic Jihad who poses a danger to the state, though it was unclear if the accusation was related to carrying out actual violence or some kind of recruiting or incitement relating to the group.
Administrative detention is a special status in Israel where a detainee gets to argue for their release in a judicial proceeding, but the standards of the proceeding do not offer the same protections as regular criminal trials.
The IDF referred the issue to the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), which clarified that at least in the past he had been directly involved in terror and had been arrested five previous times. The Shin Bet declined to give more specifics about his current round of detention.Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--French Health Minister: Possible that new COVID variant is in France

`` It is entirely possible that the virus is circulating in France , '' Veran told Europe 1 radio .

COVID
French health minister Olivier Veran said on Monday that it was possible a new strain of thevirus was circulating in France, although recent tests had not detected it in the country.
"It is entirely possible that the virus is circulating in France," Veran told Europe 1 radio.
UK
COVID
The newvariant of thevirus appears to be 70% more transmissible, forcing new lockdown measures in Britain and travel restrictions from its European neighbors.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Denmark to halt flights from Britain on Monday morning

Flights from Britain to Denmark will be suspended for 48 hours starting Monday at 0900 GMT to limit the spread of a new strain of coronavirus, the country's transport minister said on Twitter early Monday.British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday that the new strain had led to spiraling infection numbers.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--AstraZeneca's Tagrisso gets broader US approval for lung cancer

Tagrisso has been approved in the United States for adjuvant treatment of adults patients diagnosed early enough for the tumor @ @ @ @ @ and who have a mutation of the EGFR gene , AstraZeneca said .

AstraZeneca said on Monday the U.S. medicines regulator had approved the British drugmaker's lung cancer therapy, Tagrisso, to treat another type of tumor in the lungs when diagnosed at an early stage.
Tagrisso has been approved in the United States for adjuvant treatment of adults patients diagnosed early enough for the tumor to be surgically removed, and who have a mutation of the EGFR gene, AstraZeneca said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Blue and White MKs to oppose effort to delay Knesset dispersal

MK Michal Cotler-Wunsh wrote on Twitter that elections were urgently needed .
According to KAN , Blue and White MKs Asaf Zamir , Ram Shefa and Miki Haimovitch will oppose the deal as well .
`` I supported entering the unity government out of responsibility for the citizens of Israel , '' she wrote .
`` That same responsibility requires me me now to consider the bad option of elections and compare it to the intolerable reality of a government that does not function and violates the rules of the game , including misusing Basic Laws .
The time has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are sovereign in a democracy , and ask them to make a decision .
`` According to KAN , Blue and White MKs Asaf Zamir , Ram Shefa and Miki Haimovitch will oppose the deal as well .
Sources close to Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said he was in favor of postponing the deadline to allow a final effort to resolve disputes with Likud and enable a functioning government with the current Knesset .
But fellow Blue and White ministers Avi Nissenkorn and Gabi Ashkenazi were reported to be far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benny Gantz suffered a blow on Monday , when one of his party 's Knesset members came out in support of initiating elections immediately instead of passing a bill that would lead to postponing them.Yemina MK Betzalel Smotrich stated that his party may support the bill proposed by Likud and Blue and White `` out of responsibility for the state , '' during a discussion on the bill at the Knesset House Committee .
The Yemina Party released a statement shortly afterwards stressing that it would not support the bill and would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raam party in the Joint List faction may support the bill , as MK Walid Taha stressed on Monday that elections are a `` bad thing '' for the Arab sector and the state , according to Channel 12.Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report .

A bill proposed to avoid Knesset dispersal and the fourth elections over the last two years has failed to pass on Monday night, sealing Israel's fate.
Shortly after the vote, Likud MK Michal Shir announced that she would be joining The heads of Likud and Blue-and-White thought that there would be a majority to pass the bill, but they were surprised when three Blue-and-White MKs and one Likud MK came in and voted against it. MKs Asaf Zamir, Ram Shefa and Miki Haimovich of Blue-and-White, and Michal Shir of Likud voted against the bill while Likud MK Sharren Haskel declined to come to the vote. 47 MKs voted for the bill, while 49 voted against. The 23rd Knesset will be dissolved automatically at midnight on Tuesday night.Shortly after the vote, Likud MK Michal Shir announced that she would be joining Gideon Sa'ar 's New Hope party, after voting against the bill.The heads of Likud and Blue-and-White thought that there would be a majority to pass the bill, but they were surprised when three Blue-and-White MKs and one Likud MK came in and voted against it. MKs Asaf Zamir, Ram Shefa and Miki Haimovich of Blue-and-White, and Michal Shir of Likud voted against the bill while Likud MK Sharren Haskel declined to come to the vote.
"I am at peace with my decision to do the least I can to end this embarrassing show of a stuck and conflicted government which is holding an entire country hostage for political seats, and therefore I will resign from the Knesset and join 'New Hope' led by Gideon Sa’ar," Shir said on Twitter.
Israel going to elections on March 23, after 3 Blue and White MKs and one supporter of Gideon Sa'ar in Likud vote to topple their own government by voting against the election prevention bill and defeating it in a dramatic 49 to 47 vote. — Gil Hoffman (@Gil_Hoffman) December 21, 2020 Reports also indicate that Likud MK Sharren Haskel is also joining Sa'ar's party, based on a tweet from Likud MK and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu loyalist Miki Zohar. Opposition head and chairman of the Yesh Atid-Telem party said during the debate on the bill that "“Netanyahu doesn’t care about the mutation, he only cares about the rotation.” Labor MK Merav Michaeli, who didn't join the coalition, panned Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and fellow party member Gabi Ashkenazi, along with members of her own party, Amir Peretz and Itzik Shmuli, saying in a tweet that they "have probably sat down and wrote a new platform of promises to violate, and that she intends to go to court in order to reinstate the Labor Party primaries. Reports also indicate that Likud MK Sharren Haskel is also joining Sa'ar's party, based on a tweet from Likud MK and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu loyalist Miki Zohar.On his official Twitter, Netanyahu said in response to the vote that the "Blue and White [party] withdrew from the agreements and dragged us to unnecessary choices during the corona crisis. We do not want elections and we voted against them tonight as well, but we are not afraid of elections - because we will win."Opposition head and chairman of the Yesh Atid-Telem party said during the debate on the bill that "“Netanyahu doesn’t care about the mutation, he only cares about the rotation.”Labor MK Merav Michaeli, who didn't join the coalition, panned Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and fellow party member Gabi Ashkenazi, along with members of her own party, Amir Peretz and Itzik Shmuli, saying in a tweet that they "have probably sat down and wrote a new platform of promises to violate, and that she intends to go to court in order to reinstate the Labor Party primaries.
Prior to the vote, Gantz called Netanyahu on Monday with upgraded demands for preventing a March 23 election.
The list included preventing harm to the rule of law, approving all key appointments, passing the 2020 and 2021 state budgets and closing all loopholes that would prevent Gantz from becoming prime minister next November.
The legislation, which was brought to a vote in the Knesset plenum late Monday night, would delay the deadline for passing the 2020 state budget from Tuesday night until December 31 and set the deadline for passing the 2021 state budget for January 5.
“I regret that the prime minister is preoccupied with his trial and not the public interest, and is prepared to drag the entire country into a period of uncertainty, instead of ensuring economic stability and a rehabilitation of the economy,” Gantz said.
“If Likud won’t meet our demands, we will head to elections with our head held high, having put Israel before everything else, and let the voters decide,” Gantz said at the time.
Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn of Blue and White added that “no democracy in the world would tolerate its prime minister holding its budget hostage, and Israel will not either.”
The Likud responded to Gantz’s ultimatum by saying that he had withdrawn from all his previous commitments on legal issues, in a failed attempt to seek votes for his disintegrating party.
“We’ve been working hard on preventing unnecessary elections,” Netanyahu said during a meeting with White House special advisor Jared Kushner on Monday.
“We reached agreements with Blue and White,” he said. “They made promises, good agreements that would have allowed us to prevent this round of elections. Unfortunately, due to internal pressure from within his party, Gantz decided to change his mind – and this thing is dragging the entire country to unnecessary elections during the coronavirus pandemic.”
Blue and White faced unprecedented infighting on Monday, as officials close to Gantz said Nissenkorn caused the party significant damage.
A bill that would postpone the deadline for passing the budget and prevent early elections from being initiated passed in the Knesset House Committee by a seven to five vote on Monday afternoon. Even before Gantz’s ultimatum to Netanyahu, passing the bill into law by Tuesday night’s deadline would have been a challenge, due to rebellions in Blue and White and Likud, and further complicated by MKs suffering from COVID-19. Ultimately, the bill failed to pass.
There are at least two MKs remaining in Likud who could defect to Sa’ar’s party soon, and as many as five MKs in Blue and White could end up opposing the bill.
Blue and White MK Michal Cotler-Wunsh wrote on Twitter that elections were urgently needed. She said she could not guarantee that she would run with Blue and White in the next election.
“I supported entering the unity government out of responsibility for the citizens of Israel,” she wrote. “That same responsibility requires me now to consider the bad option of elections and compare it to the intolerable reality of a government that does not function and violates the rules of the game, including misusing Basic Laws. The time has come to return to the people, who are sovereign in a democracy, and ask them to make a decision.”
Blue and White MKs Asaf Zamir, Ram Shefa and Miki Haimovich opposed the deal as well.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid reached out to his former allies in Blue and White at a meeting of his Yesh Atid faction.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Flights from Britain to Poland to be halted on Monday night

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday that the new strain had led to spiralling infection numbers .
His @ @ @ @ @ for London and nearby areas , and also reversed plans to ease restrictions over the @ @ @

Flights from Britain to Poland will be suspended starting from midnight on Monday due to concerns over a new strain of coronavirus, a Polish government spokesman said on Twitter.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday that the new strain had led to spiralling infection numbers. His government tightened its COVID-19 restrictions for London and nearby areas, and also reversed plans to ease restrictions over the Christmas period.
Countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, El Salvador, Iran and others have placed restrictions on British travellers and flights in response to Johnson's announcement.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Health Minister: 10 vaccination centers to begin operation on Tuesday

Some 10 vaccination centers will begin operating in low-income areas throughout Israel starting on Tuesday, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said late Monday night."The residents of Kiryat Gat and Safed deserve to receive a vaccination no less than the residents of Tel Aviv and Herzliya," asserted Edelstein.With a focus on the peripheral areas of Israel, centers will launch in the north and south, specifically the cities of Nahariya, Kiryat Gat, Karmiel, Eilat, Dimona, Arad, Safed, Kiryat Shmona, Shfaram and Sderot.This initiative is an attempt to kick-start the next stage of the campaign: widespread vaccination.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Gantz to enter quarantine until Saturday after meeting with a diagnosed MK

Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz will enter quarantine until Saturday, following a meeting he held on Thursday with MK Hila Shai-Vazan who was later diagnosed with the virus.According to the Health Ministry guidelines, Gantz was tested on Monday and will be tested for the virus again before completing his isolation period.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft to visit Israel on Tuesday

US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft will visit Israel on Tuesday alongside Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan, Army Radio reported on Monday.Craft spoke out against the UN Human Rights Council "egregious anti-Israel bias" when she discussed how the "responsible nations of the world" must fix the council during a speech last week.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Portuguese FM and Netanyahu discuss ongoing plan for promoting relations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva in Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem on Monday.Netanyahu and Silva discussed the ongoing plan for promoting and improving the relations between the countries.Silva concluded the meeting by congratulating Netanyahu for signing the recent Abraham Accords.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Education Min. reports 5,123 active coronavirus cases in education system

The Education Ministry published on Monday a report detailing COVID-19 morbidity rates among students in Israel's education system.According to the data, out of 512,555 kindergarten children, 581 tested positive for the virus, making up 2.32% of all patients in the population - lower than their share in the general population of 5.61%.In primary education, out of 1,072,301 students, 2,229 students tested positive, making up 8.92% of all patients in the population - also lower than their share in the general population of 11.74%.In middle schools and high schools, out of 805,779 students, 2,313 students were found to be ill, making up 9.26% of all patients in the general population - narrowly lower than their share in the population, 8.82%.Overall, the ministry reported 5,123 active coronavirus cases in students, along with another 1,112 active cases which have been found in teaching staff across the country. Some 13 schools out of 5,000 throughout the country were closed due to high morbidity rates.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Physically disabled persons to receive additional financial grant

Physically disabled persons will be transferred NIS 184 million on Tuesday by The National Insurance Institute.The grants will be deposited directly into the eligible peoples' bank accounts, and won't require any action from them.The grant is part of the physically disabled stipends law that was passed on February 2018, according to which, the disabled stipends would be increased by NIS 4.35 billion.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--45-year-old indicted for rape of 17-year-old and her disabled friend

A 45-year-old resident of Judea and Samaria was indicted on Monday for rape, indecent assault and disruption of proceedings, Ynet reported.The charges refer to assaults committed against two complainants: a 17-year-old daughter of his friend, and her 18-year-old friend, who suffers from a light disability.According to the indictment, the suspect led the 18-year-old disabled youth to his apartment, where he showed her pornographic films and then continued to rape her.


jerusalempost--2020-12-21--Haredi vigilantes assault light rail employees in Jerusalem

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox (haredi) vigilantes on Monday assaulted light rail employees and infrastructure at the Yirmiyahu-Bar-Ilan intersection in Jerusalem, N12 reported.The vigilantes reportedly broke in to the construction site and damaged equipment and fences in actions meant to display their objection to the new light rail being built in the mostly ultra-Orthodox area.Six involved individuals were reportedly arrested by police.


jerusalempost--2020-12-22--Pompeo: US ready to mediate Israel-Lebanon maritime border talks

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday said the United States is ready to keep working with Israel and Lebanon on negotiations for a maritime boundary, as the countries struggle to come to an agreement."Regrettably, despite goodwill on both sides, the parties remain far apart," Pompeo said in a statement."The United States remains ready to mediate constructive discussions and urges both sides to negotiate based on the respective maritime claims both have previously deposited at the United Nations."


jerusalempost--2020-12-22--IDF increasing security measures in West Bank in light of escalation

The IDF on Tuesday said it is increasing security measures in the West Bank The IDF “will reinforce troops in Judea and Samaria today [Tuesday] to enhance the defense of communities and roads in the region,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said.All soldiers in the Judea and Samaria Division will be under curfew until Friday, it said.On Monday, Esther Horgen was murdered near Tal Menashe, a settlement in northern Samaria.Also on Monday, a terrorist attack took place in Jerusalem’s Old City near Lions’ Gate . The suspect, a 17-year-old Palestinian from Kabatiya, near Jenin, was armed with a submachine gun and shot at police before being neutralized by Border Police officers, the police said.Meanwhile, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) forces near Ramallah accidentally fired on a vehicle as it sped toward them after a crash. There were no casualties.The Shin Bet officers thought they were being targeted by a ramming attack and fired at the vehicle. The driver was transferred to Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer after he was injured lightly in the traffic accident. He was not injured by the gunfire.Tobias Siegal contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-12-22--Coronavirus Knesset elections to cost NIS 60-65 million

Organizing elections for the Knesset amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, including ballot boxes for those in quarantine, infected patients, coronavirus hotels and nursing homes will cost Israel about NIS 60-65 million, the director-general of the Central Elections Committee, Orly Adas, stated on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-22--France condemns murder of its citizen Esther Hurgan

The French Foreign Ministry "strongly" condemned the murder of Esther Hurgan, a mother of six, whose body was found in the northern West Bank's Reihan Forest on Monday.Police have not yet determined if her death was criminally or nationally motivated.Hurgan held dual Israeli-French citizenship. "France strongly condemns the murder of one its citizens in the West Bank," the French Foreign Ministry said."We send our condolences to her family and those who were close to her," it added."The truth about this heinous crime should be brought to light and its perpetrators should be brought to justice," the Foreign Ministry stated.


jerusalempost--2020-12-22--Coalition chair requests that two MKs be declared as removed from Likud

The bill failed to pass , meaning that the Knesset will dissolve on Tuesday night and elections will be declared @

The bill failed to pass, meaning that the Knesset will dissolve on Tuesday night and elections will be declared.
Coalition chairman Miki Zohar requested that MK Michal Shir and MK Sharren Haskel be declared as removed from the Likud faction on Tuesday, after Shir announced that she would be joining Gideon Sa'ar's New Hope party and Haskel declined to come to a vote on a bill to delay the budget deadline.


jerusalempost--2020-12-22--Coronavirus in Israel: 3,594 new cases, 4.2% of tests positive

Of those infected , 472 are in serious condition and 119 are on ventilators .
The death toll stands at @ @

Of those infected, 472 are in serious condition and 119 are on ventilators. The death toll stands at 3,111.
Some 3,594 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported on Monday, with 4.2% of tests returning positive, according to a Tuesday morning update by the Health Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-12-23--Hospitals to begin vaccinating general population starting next week

In a bid to drastically increase Israel 's rate of coronavirus vaccination , Health Minister Yuli Edelstein on Wednesday ordered @ @ @ @ @ to ensure that in addition to health funds , hospitals will also join the vaccination @ @ @ @ @ , starting next week .

In a bid to drastically increase Israel's rate of coronavirus vaccination, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein on Wednesday ordered director-general Chezy Levy to work to ensure that in addition to health funds, hospitals will also join the vaccination efforts for the general population, starting next week.


jerusalempost--2020-12-23--French President Macron shows improvement after COVID-19 diagnosis

Macron has been self-isolating at Versailles , and BFM TV this week broadcast live images of him chairing a government @ @ @ @ @ link .
He has said that although he will be working at a slower pace @ @ @ @ @ will continue to tackle top-priority issues such as France 's response to the COVID pandemic @ @ @

French President Emmanuel Macron's health is showing signs of improvement after he tested positive for COVID-19 on December 17, his office said on Wednesday.
Macron has been self-isolating at Versailles, and BFM TV this week broadcast live images of him chairing a government ministerial meeting via an audiovisual link.
He has said that although he will be working at a slower pace as he recovers, he will continue to tackle top-priority issues such as France's response to the COVID pandemic and Brexit.


jerusalempost--2020-12-23--Qatar foreign minister calls for Gulf-Iran dialog, deescalation - report

Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates , Bahrain and non-Gulf state Egypt severed diplomatic , trade and travel ties @ @ @ @ @ accusations that Doha it supports terrorism , charges which Qatar denies .
Foreign Minister Sheikh @ @ @ @ @ said the Gulf crisis should be resolved by dialog , respect for sovereignty and non-interference @ @ @ @ @ states .

Qatar's foreign minister has called for a deescalation of tension in the Gulf region and for dialog between Arab countries and Iran, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and non-Gulf state Egypt severed diplomatic, trade and travel ties with Qatar in mid-2017 over accusations that Doha it supports terrorism, charges which Qatar denies.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al- hani said the Gulf crisis should be resolved by dialog, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.
Al Thani also told Doha-based Al Jazeera that talks to resolve the crisis were under way, with Saudi Arabia representing the other parties to the dispute. Riyadh said this month a solution was within reach.


jerusalempost--2020-12-23--Israel hopes for talks with 5th Muslim nation before Trump exit - minister

The White House has brokered rapprochements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates , Bahrain , Sudan and Morocco this year , with Morocco hosting an Israeli-US delegation on Tuesday to flesh out the upgrade in relations .
Asked if a fifth country could sign up before Trump steps down on Jan 20 , Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister Ofir Akunis told Ynet TV : `` We are working in that direction . ''
`` There will be an American announcement about another country that is going public with the normalization of relations with Israel and , in essence , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace accord , '' he said .
He declined to name the country but said there were two main candidates .
One is in the Gulf , he said , giving Oman as a possibility while adding that Saudi Arabia is not .
The other candidate , further to the east , is a `` Muslim country that is not small '' but is not Pakistan , Akunis said .
Indonesia , the most populous Muslim country , said last week it would not recognize Israel as long as Palestinian statehood demands remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties with Israel by of Arab states will weaken a long-standing pan-Arab position calling for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and acceptance of Palestinian statehood in return for normal relations with Arab countries .

Israel is working towards formalizing relations with a fifth Muslim country during US President Donald Trump's term, which ends next month, an Israeli government minister told Ynet TV on Wednesday.
The White House has brokered rapprochements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco this year, with Morocco hosting an Israeli-US delegation on Tuesday to flesh out the upgrade in relations.
Asked if a fifth country could sign up before Trump steps down on Jan 20, Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister Ofir Akunis told Ynet TV: "We are working in that direction."
"There will be an American announcement about another country that is going public with the normalization of relations with Israel and, in essence, with the infrastructure for an accord - a peace accord," he said.
He declined to name the country but said there were two main candidates. One is in the Gulf, he said, giving Oman as a possibility while adding that Saudi Arabia is not.
The other candidate, further to the east, is a "Muslim country that is not small" but is not Pakistan, Akunis said.
Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country, said last week it would not recognize Israel as long as Palestinian statehood demands remain unmet.
Palestinians fear the normalization of ties with Israel by of Arab states will weaken a long-standing pan-Arab position calling for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and acceptance of Palestinian statehood in return for normal relations with Arab countries.


jerusalempost--2020-12-23--Coronavirus: IDF cases on the rise with 426 testing positive

426 positive cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in the IDF on Wednesday.The 426 are in mild condition. These cases include current draftees, permanent workers, and IDF staff. Two are in moderate condition.There are 4,775 IDF members in quarantine, by Monday's count.


jerusalempost--2020-12-23--Police officer relieved of duty after Black man shot in Columbus, Ohio

The latest shooting took place as investigations continue over the Dec. 4 killing of a young Black man , Casey Christopher Goodson , triggering protests in downtown Ohio demanding transparency in the investigations .
The 47-year-old man in the latest incident , whose name was not revealed , died at Riverside Hospital on Tuesday morning , according to a statement by Columbus Department of Public Safety posted on Twitter .
The Black man was shot by a police officer , one of several who were attending to a non-emergency call , after a resident in Oberlin Drive complained about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended period and repeatedly turning it off and on , the Columbus police statement added .
It did n't say how many officers were at the scene .
`` The officer involved did not turn on their body-worn camera — which is unacceptable , '' Ginther said in a tweet late on Tuesday .
The police officer would have to turn in his badge and gun , pending the outcome of criminal and internal investigations .
`` Our community is still raw and exhausted from the killings of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jr. , right here in Columbus , '' he said .

A police officer was relieved of duty on Tuesday following his involvement in the killing of a Black man in Columbus, Ohio, according to Mayor Andrew Ginther, the second incident in which a Black man was killed by police in the city in the past month.
The latest shooting took place as investigations continue over the Dec. 4 killing of a young Black man, Casey Christopher Goodson, triggering protests in downtown Ohio demanding transparency in the investigations.
The 47-year-old man in the latest incident, whose name was not revealed, died at Riverside Hospital on Tuesday morning, according to a statement by Columbus Department of Public Safety posted on Twitter.
Updated statement from @ColumbusPolice on Tuesday's officer-involved shooting: pic.twitter.com/9E19M0iLPY — Columbus Department of Public Safety (@ColumbusSafety) December 22, 2020
The Black man was shot by a police officer, one of several who were attending to a non-emergency call, after a resident in Oberlin Drive complained about a man sitting in a car for an extended period and repeatedly turning it off and on, the Columbus police statement added. It didn't say how many officers were at the scene.
"The officer involved did not turn on their body-worn camera — which is unacceptable," Ginther said in a tweet late on Tuesday. The police officer would have to turn in his badge and gun, pending the outcome of criminal and internal investigations.
"Our community is still raw and exhausted from the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and, most recently, Casey Goodson, Jr., right here in Columbus," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-23--Gaza armed militias hold joint drills in message to Israel

Armed militias in Gaza announced on Tuesday that they will consolidate their military efforts to prepare for joint military training that will begin as soon as this Sunday.According to reports, it will include live fire drills and sending rockets towards the ocean.The military efforts are allegedly crafted to send a message to Israel, following the worsening state of the coronavirus in the Strip.


jerusalempost--2020-12-23--Trump appoints Religious Zionists of America head to Holocaust Council

US President Donald Trump appointed Religious Zionists of America co-president Martin Oliner to be a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council on Tuesday.Oliner was one of a long list of appointments Trump made on Tuesday to the council and other government authorities.A former mayor of the Village of Lawrence, New York, Oliner has written several articles in The Jerusalem Post in support of Trump.


jerusalempost--2020-12-23--Approximately 45,000 vaccines administered on Tuesday

A total of 44,657 coronavirus vaccines were administered to medical personnel and individuals over 60."Because of our campaign, tens of thousands of Israelis have already been vaccinated," said Health Minister Yuli Edelstein.Approximately 34,000 were carried out by the health funds, while about 10,000 were administered at hospitals."The demand is outrageous," assured Edelstein, "We will up the pace of vaccine administration."


jerusalempost--2020-12-23--Naftali Bennett to announce PM run

Naftali Bennett to announce PM run

Yamina leader Naftali Bennett called a press conference for 8:10pm on Wednesday night to deliver his long awaited announcement that @ @ @ @ @ minister against incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu and challengers Gideon Sa'ar and Yair Lapid .
Bennett is @ @ @ @ @ against Netanyahu 's handling of the coronavirus and other issues .
But he is not @ @ @ @ @ a Netanyahu-led government .

Yamina leader Naftali Bennett called a press conference for 8:10pm on Wednesday night to deliver his long awaited announcement that he is running for prime minister against incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu and challengers Gideon Sa'ar and Yair Lapid.
Bennett is expected to deliver an indictment against Netanyahu's handling of the coronavirus and other issues.
But he is not expected to rule out joining a Netanyahu-led government.