jerusalempost--2020-11-14--40-year-old found dead in her apartment in Hadera

MDA paramedics who reached the scene recorded her death after attending her .
Israel Police has opened an investigation regarding @ @ @ @ @ her death .

Israel Police has opened an investigation regarding the circumstances that led to her death. MDA paramedics who reached the scene recorded her death after attending her.Israel Police has opened an investigation regarding the circumstances that led to her death.
The body of a 40-year-old woman from Hadera was found in her apartment on Saturday, Israeli media reported.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--S&P reaffirms Israel AA- sovereign credit rating

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Global ratings agency S&P has kept Israel’s credit rating at AA-, labeling it as stable, despite the economic hit the country has taken from the pandemic.The AA- status was originally given in February 2019 . The two main limitations of the rating remain the relatively high debt burden and the geopolitical risks.“S&P has rated Israel’s credit rating status at a high level, and with no change even during the global coronavirus crisis, and while it has downgraded the credit rating of other developed countries,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.“We will continue to lead the Israeli economy responsibly and assist businesses, the self-employed, salaried employees and anyone affected by the coronavirus crisis.”S&P said it was due to proactive government efforts that Israel’s rating remained the way it did.The rating is “a great expression of confidence in the Israeli economy,” said Finance Minister Israel Katz.S&P predict that Israel’s economy will shrink due to financial effects of the pandemic by an average of 5% in 2020 for the first time in two decades, but will recover by more than 4.5% in 2021.Following the pandemic crisis, S&P analysts predict that the government deficit will increase to over 12% of the GDP and the net government debt ratio will stand at 73% of the GDP by 2020.Company representatives noted that despite the fiscal challenges created by the pandemic, and the fact that Israel has gone through three elections with ambiguous results over the past 18 months, they anticipate that the government will begin efforts to reduce the budget deficit starting in the second half of 2021.Under this scenario, government deficits will drop to 4% in 2022-2023, and public debt will stabilize at around 77% of the GDP.“Israel is in a good position compared to other countries who are struggling [financially] with the coronavirus crisis, due to the policy carried out in providing extensive assistance to all the various sectors in addition to maintaining budget frameworks and creating future growth engines,” Katz said.According to Katz, the Finance Ministry intends to promote a series of laws and reforms that will benefit the economy and its citizens, while continuing to formulate a budget for 2021.S&P representatives emphasized the core strengths of Israel’s credit rating, such as the rich and robust economy, strong external accounts, and benefits that develop the country from flexible monetary policy and a relatively deep pool of local savings.Unlike other countries in the region, Israel enjoys a very flexible monetary policy, which allows the Bank of Israel to support government financing needs while keeping recruitment costs under control.The Bank of Israel’s government bond purchase program, which was presented in October, could support Israel’s additional fundraising needs without significant inflation risks and exchange rates. S&P expects the government to take austerity measures in the second half of 2021.Moreover, S&P expects that the normalization agreements signed between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to contribute to economic, commercial and security cooperation between the three countries.S&P notes that in the event that fiscal conduct is stronger than their current forecasts or there is a significant improvement in the security environment in the Middle East, a positive rating action is possible.Alternatively, a negative rating may occur if the economic slowdown is deeper and longer, leading to a more significant deterioration than expected in fiscal status. Negative pressure on the rating may also be created if Israel, beyond the immediate effects associated with the pandemic, lacks a medium-term fiscal stabilization plan and net government debt continues to exceed company expectations.“The credit rating, at its highest level at the height of a global crisis and a continuous period of uncertainty, shows the strength of Israel’s economy on the eve of the crisis, the long-term fiscal commitment and the variety of channels that exist for the country to fund its activity,” said Gil Cohen, the Finance Ministry’s senior deputy accountant-general.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--Police finds missing boy from Ashkelon in good condition

Police and volunteers searched for the missing boy since Friday , when he was last seen leaving his home in @ @ @ @ @ found on Saturday , and while reports did n't indicate where he was located and @ @ @ @ @ , they did indicate that the boy was safe and sound .

Police and volunteers searched for the missing boy since Friday, when he was last seen leaving his home in Ashkelon.
He was finally found on Saturday, and while reports didn't indicate where he was located and the reasons for his disappearance, they did indicate that the boy was safe and sound.
A 9-year-old boy from Ashkelon that went missing on Friday afternoon was located and is in good condition, Israeli media reported Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--Ethiopia's rights commission says investigating Tigray mass killings

Ethiopia's human rights commission said it is sending a team of investigators to Mai Kadra in the northern Tigray region, were Amnesty International reported mass killings amid a military offensive.The commission also said in a statement late on Friday that there was a reasonable risk of "ethnic profiling" in connection with the conflict, which pits Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's troops against local forces.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--9-year-old boy from Ashkelon missing, police asks for public's help

Ariel Alhuarer was last seen leaving his home in Ashkelon .
He was wearing black trousers , a long-sleeved light @ @ @ @ @ sneakers and a kippah .
Police has asked that anyone who may know anything about @ @ @ @ @ to report the information immediately .

Ariel Alhuarer was last seen leaving his home in Ashkelon. He was wearing black trousers, a long-sleeved light blue polo shirt, black sneakers and a kippah.
Police has asked that anyone who may know anything about the missing child's whereabouts to report the information immediately.
Israel police are searching for a 9-year-old boy from Ashkelon who has been missing since Friday afternoon, Walla! reported Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--Explosions reported in two cities in Ethiopia's Amhara state

ADDIS ABABA - Two explosions went off in two different cities in Ethiopia 's Amhara state , which neighbours the @ @ @ @ @ federal troops are fighting local forces .
The explosions were reported in Bahir Dar and @ @ @ @ @ office and the state 's news service said late on Friday .
Investigations had started @ @ @ @ @ were linked to the fighting in Tigray , the Amhara communications office said , without @ @ @ @ @ .
Hundreds of people have been killed in clashes since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent @ @ @ @ @ an offensive against the well trained local troops on Nov. 4 , after accusing them @ @ @ @ @ base in the area .
The United Nations , the African Union and others are @ @ @ @ @ spread to other parts of Africa 's second most populous country and destabilise the wider @ @ @ @ @

ADDIS ABABA - Two explosions went off in two different cities in Ethiopia's Amhara state, which neighbours the northern state of Tigray where federal troops are fighting local forces.
The explosions were reported in Bahir Dar and Gondar, Amhara's communication office and the state's news service said late on Friday.
Investigations had started to establish if the explosions were linked to the fighting in Tigray, the Amhara communications office said, without giving details of any casualties.
Hundreds of people have been killed in clashes since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent the national defence force on an offensive against the well trained local troops on Nov. 4, after accusing them of attacking a federal military base in the area.
The United Nations, the African Union and others are concerned that the fighting could spread to other parts of Africa's second most populous country and destabilise the wider Horn of Africa region.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Mexico surpasses 1 million confirmed cases of coronavirus

Mexico 's health ministry reported on Saturday 5,860 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the country and 635 deaths @ @ @ @ @ to 1,003,253 cases and 98,259 dead .
Health officials have previously said the real number @ @ @ @ @ higher than the reported figures .

Mexico's health ministry reported on Saturday 5,860 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the country and 635 deaths, bringing the official totals to 1,003,253 cases and 98,259 dead.
Health officials have previously said the real number of cases is likely significantly higher than the reported figures.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--Brazil registers 38,307 new cases of coronavirus

Brazil on Saturday registered 38,307 new cases of the coronavirus , the Health Ministry said , bringing the total to @ @

Brazil on Saturday registered 38,307 new cases of the coronavirus, the Health Ministry said, bringing the total to 5,848,959.
Deaths rose by 921 to 165,658.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--US CDC reports 243,580 deaths from coronavirus

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday reported 10,690,665 cases of the novel coronavirus, an increase of 181,801 cases from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 1,364 to 243,580.The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19 as of 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 13, compared with its previous report released a day earlier.The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--Fire at COVID-19 intensive care unit in Romania kills ten

The fire broke out in one room of the intensive care unit at the Piatra Neamt county hospital and spread @ @ @ @ @ It was unclear what triggered it , officials said .
Seven people were injured and @ @ @ @ @ including the doctor on call , they said .
Prosecutors said they would open an @ @ @ @ @ of the fire , the country 's most deadly since 2015 , when a night @ @ @ @ @ burned down and 65 people died .
That blaze triggered mass protests across Romania at @ @ @ @ @ graft and lack of accountability .
Romania , which has one of the European Union @ @ @ @ @ , has reported 353,185 coronavirus cases and 8,813 deaths .
Just under 13,000 people with @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , including 1,172 in intensive care units .

A fire killed ten people on Saturday at a Romanian hospital treating coronavirus patients, the country's agency for emergency situations (ISU) said.
The fire broke out in one room of the intensive care unit at the Piatra Neamt county hospital and spread to an adjoining room. It was unclear what triggered it, officials said.
Seven people were injured and in a critical condition, including the doctor on call, they said.
Prosecutors said they would open an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, the country's most deadly since 2015, when a night club in the capital Bucharest burned down and 65 people died.
That blaze triggered mass protests across Romania at the country's culture of graft and lack of accountability.
Romania, which has one of the European Union's least developed healthcare infrastructures, has reported 353,185 coronavirus cases and 8,813 deaths.
Just under 13,000 people with COVID-19 were hospitalized across Romania on Saturday, including 1,172 in intensive care units.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--Flares fired near Lebanon border, IDF stops man who crossed into Israel

At least 10 flares were fired near Ghajar a villiage close to Har Dov Friday night, pro-Hezbollah media reported. The incident took place along the border with Lebanon.The IDF stopped a person who crossed the border in the same area, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. The person is suspected of crossing the border in the hope of finding work, according to Ynet News.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--UK reports 26,860 new COVID cases on Saturday, 462 deaths

Britain reported 26,860 new cases of coronavirus on Saturday, down from 27,301 on Friday and the lowest number since Wednesday.The daily number of new deaths reported within 28 days of a positive test rose to 462 from 376 on Friday, taking the cumulative total to 51,766.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--Coronavirus in Israel: 748 new cases on Friday

The children were originally supposed to return to school on Sunday , but increasing infection pushed off any decision on the matter .
The earliest they could return now is Tuesday.On Saturday , Education Minister Yoav Gallant released a video on his Facebook page in which he said , “ It is essential to send students back to school immediately – especially grades five , six , 11 and 12 for whom a decision was already made.
” Gallant said that “ the education system is prepared .
Our excellent teachers and principals ... know what to do .
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above the video in the post that “ for the people of Israel , the children must come first.
” Last week , the Education Ministry released its final proposal for opening schools for children through sixth grade , plus classes for students in grades 11 and 12.The new plan would put first and second graders back into their classrooms without capsules five days per week for five hours each day .
Third and fourth grades would learn without any changes , with pupils learning in set groups of up to 20 five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day.Fifth and sixth grades would learn in set groups of up to 20 students , at least three days per week for at least 14 hours each week .
No transfers will be allowed between groups .
Finally , 11th and 12th grades would learn in groups of up to 20 , at least two days per week.Against the backdrop of Sunday ’ s meeting will be the understanding that infection is climbing.The reproduction rate ( R ) rose to one on Friday , an average of the rates in the general society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.92 ) and Arab sector ( 1.07 ) – meaning that on average , each infected person is infecting one other.Levy added in his interview with KAN News that he was concerned about the increase in the reproduction rate and that Israel should be careful not to open up irresponsibly .
The Health Ministry had said that unless the reproduction rate is below 0.8 further reliefs should not be rolled out.Newly appointed coronavirus commissioner Nachman Ash and Saif visited Kafr Kassem on Saturday , where morbidity has been on the rise .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kassem is a central Arab city with a lot of traffic and “ we don ’ t want to see it become a hotbed of infection that sets the whole area on fire.
” Kafr Kassem Mayor Adel Badir said that of the city ’ s 91 sick people , some 70 caught the virus at a particular wedding .
He asked for financial assistance to get morbidity under control and requested that the government impose a night curfew on the town in order to stop illegal gatherings from taking place .

The children were originally supposed to return to school on Sunday, but increasing infection pushed off any decision on the matter. The earliest they could return now is Tuesday. On Saturday, Education Minister Yoav Gallant released a video on his Facebook page in which he said, “It is essential to send students back to school immediately – especially grades five, six, 11 and 12 for whom a decision was already made.” He wrote above the video in the post that “for the people of Israel, the children must come first.” Last week, the Education Ministry released its final proposal for opening schools for children through sixth grade, plus classes for students in grades 11 and 12. The new plan would put first and second graders back into their classrooms without capsules five days per week for five hours each day. Third and fourth grades would learn without any changes, with pupils learning in set groups of up to 20 five days per week for five hours each day. Fifth and sixth grades would learn in set groups of up to 20 students, at least three days per week for at least 14 hours each week. No transfers will be allowed between groups. Finally, 11th and 12th grades would learn in groups of up to 20, at least two days per week. Against the backdrop of Sunday’s meeting will be the understanding that infection is climbing. The reproduction rate (R) rose to one on Friday, an average of the rates in the general society (0.94), ultra-Orthodox community (0.92) and Arab sector (1.07) – meaning that on average, each infected person is infecting one other. Levy added in his interview with KAN News that he was concerned about the increase in the reproduction rate and that Israel should be careful not to open up irresponsibly. The Health Ministry had said that unless the reproduction rate is below 0.8 further reliefs should not be rolled out. Newly appointed coronavirus commissioner Nachman Ash and Saif visited Kafr Kassem on Saturday, where morbidity has been on the rise. During the trip, Ash said that Kafr Kassem is a central Arab city with a lot of traffic and “we don’t want to see it become a hotbed of infection that sets the whole area on fire.” Kafr Kassem Mayor Adel Badir said that of the city’s 91 sick people, some 70 caught the virus at a particular wedding. He asked for financial assistance to get morbidity under control and requested that the government impose a night curfew on the town in order to stop illegal gatherings from taking place. The children were originally supposed to return to school on Sunday, but increasing infection pushed off any decision on the matter. The earliest they could return now is Tuesday.On Saturday, Education Minister Yoav Gallant released a video on his Facebook page in which he said, “It is essential to send students back to school immediately – especially grades five, six, 11 and 12 for whom a decision was already made.”Gallant said that “the education system is prepared. Our excellent teachers and principals... know what to do. Let us start learning!”He wrote above the video in the post that “for the people of Israel, the children must come first.”Last week, the Education Ministry released its final proposal for opening schools for children through sixth grade, plus classes for students in grades 11 and 12.The new plan would put first and second graders back into their classrooms without capsules five days per week for five hours each day. Third and fourth grades would learn without any changes, with pupils learning in set groups of up to 20 five days per week for five hours each day.Fifth and sixth grades would learn in set groups of up to 20 students, at least three days per week for at least 14 hours each week. No transfers will be allowed between groups. Finally, 11th and 12th grades would learn in groups of up to 20, at least two days per week.Against the backdrop of Sunday’s meeting will be the understanding that infection is climbing.The reproduction rate (R) rose to one on Friday, an average of the rates in the general society (0.94), ultra-Orthodox community (0.92) and Arab sector (1.07) – meaning that on average, each infected person is infecting one other.Levy added in his interview with KAN News that he was concerned about the increase in the reproduction rate and that Israel should be careful not to open up irresponsibly. The Health Ministry had said that unless the reproduction rate is below 0.8 further reliefs should not be rolled out.Newly appointed coronavirus commissioner Nachman Ash and Saif visited Kafr Kassem on Saturday, where morbidity has been on the rise. During the trip, Ash said that Kafr Kassem is a central Arab city with a lot of traffic and “we don’t want to see it become a hotbed of infection that sets the whole area on fire.”Kafr Kassem Mayor Adel Badir said that of the city’s 91 sick people, some 70 caught the virus at a particular wedding. He asked for financial assistance to get morbidity under control and requested that the government impose a night curfew on the town in order to stop illegal gatherings from taking place.
The coronavirus cabinet is expected to reconvene Sunday to continue discussions about opening more commerce and classrooms, while at the same time implementing additional restrictions to slow the spread of infection.The Health Ministry reported 748 people were diagnosed with the novel virus on Friday – 2.1% of those screened. Moreover, some 50% of new cases are from within the Arab sector, according to Ayman Saif, head of the coronavirus response in Arab communities.On Saturday, some 294 people were in serious condition, including 130 who were intubated. The death toll stood at 2,720.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing for a night curfew. However, according to Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy, a night curfew alone will only be able to reduce the cases of coronavirus infection by about 5% because restaurants and other places of entertainment are closed anyway.In a weekend interview with KAN News, Levy said that while a night curfew has not yet been ruled out, such a move only makes sense if it is accompanied by additional measures.Levy’s comments came soon after the government convened late Thursday night a meeting of top officials at the offices of the National Security Council to discuss the possibility of such a curfew – despite health experts like Levy saying it would be ineffective. No agreement was reached.The Justice Ministry has also explained that there may be legal difficulties in enforcing a night curfew.Prof. Ronni Gamzu – who just resigned from his role as coronavirus commissioner – and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein joined Levy in his skepticism about night curfews.So did MK Yifat Shasha-Biton, head of the Knesset Coronavirus Committee, who said that “it makes no sense. If the government wants to prevent weddings or other gatherings, it should focus on courageously enforcing against these events in all sectors. There should not be collective punishment because part of the public is breaking the law.”Professor Gabi Barbash, a former Health Ministry director-general, told The Jerusalem Post: “If the government sends everyone into their houses and weddings continue because they cannot enforce against them, [a night curfew] will be a waste of time.”Other ideas that the cabinet is intending to discuss include raising fines and increasing the number of red zones. It will also reexamine returning children in fifth, sixth, 11th and 12th grades to their classrooms.


jerusalempost--2020-11-14--Johnson & Johnson, US gov't expand pact for next phase of COVID-19 vaccine

Johnson & Johnson and the US Department of Health and Human Services have expanded an agreement to support the next phase of COVID-19 vaccine candidate research and development, the company said on Saturday.Under the agreement the company will commit approximately $604 million and the HHS Department's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority will commit about $454 million to support the Phase 3 ENSEMBLE trial evaluating Janssen's investigational COVID-19 vaccine candidate as a single dose in up to 60,000 volunteers worldwide, the company said in a statement


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Police, IDF find weapons and ammunition in house in Hebron

The weapons included an M16 with 20 magazines and a pistol with eight magazines , along with dozens of weapon @ @ @ @ @ of ammunition and money .
A resident of the house was arrested .

The weapons included an M16 with 20 magazines and a pistol with eight magazines, along with dozens of weapon parts and a large amount of ammunition and money.
A resident of the house was arrested.
Israel Police and IDF soldiers found a number of weapons, ammunition, cash and weapon parts in a house in Hebron during a search on Saturday night.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Coronavirus in Israel: 286 new cases, 2.3% of tests positive

Out of those infected , 288 were in serious condition and 122 were on ventilators .
The death toll rose @ @ @ @

Out of all who are infected, 288 were in serious condition and 122 were on ventilators. The death toll rose to 2,721 overnight.
Some 286 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in Israel on Saturday, with 2.3% of tests returning positive, according to a Sunday morning update by the Health Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Brazil reports 13,371 new coronavirus cases, 216 deaths

Brazil recorded 13,371 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours , and 216 deaths from @ @ @ @ @ said on Monday .
Brazil has registered nearly 5.9 million cases of the virus since @ @ @ @ @ the official death toll has risen to 166,014 , according to ministry data .

Brazil recorded 13,371 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, and 216 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Monday.
Brazil has registered nearly 5.9 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 166,014, according to ministry data.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Lockdown declared on Qalansuwa, Bukata lockdown extended

The government's Ministerial Committee on Declaring Restricted Zones announced on Monday evening that the Arab city of Qalansuwa in northern Israel will enter lockdown, starting on Tuesday, November 17, at 08:00 a.m. and ending on Sunday, November 22, at 08:00 a.m.The committee also extended the lockdown of the Druze village of Bukata until Sunday, November 22, at 08:00 a.m.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Trump poised to settle for partial Afghan withdrawal

President Donald Trump's new Pentagon team has not yet signaled an imminent withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan, raising expectations among US officials and allies that Trump might settle for a partial reduction before leaving office.A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the military was expecting formal orders in the coming days to go down to about 2,500 troops in Afghanistan by early next year from around 4,500 currently.A NATO official also cited expectations of a 1,500 to 2,000 troop decline.Trump fired his defense secretary, Mark Esper, and appointed other top Pentagon officials last week after longstanding concerns that his priorities were not being dealt with urgently enough at the Defense Department.They included ending the 19-year-old Afghan engagement by Christmas, an ambitious target that opponents of the country's longest war welcomed but which Trump's critics warned could be reckless given ongoing militant violence plaguing Afghanistan.Afghanistan has featured in a flurry of introductory calls by acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, Esper's replacement, to US allies' defense ministers and chiefs of defense, a senior US defense official told Reuters."It was a part of many of them because it is of great importance to our NATO allies, our allies in the region and also just global security and protecting the American homeland," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.But the official, speaking after the calls with allies, suggested that Trump would not push a withdrawal faster than conditions on the ground allow.US and Afghan officials are warning of troubling levels of violence by Taliban insurgents and persistent Taliban links to al Qaeda.It was those ties that triggered US military intervention in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks, which al Qaeda carried out. Thousands of American and allied troops have died in fighting in Afghanistan since then.Some US military officials, citing US counter-terrorism priorities in Afghanistan, have privately urged Trump against going to zero at this point and want to keep US troop levels at around 4,500 for now."The president has acted appropriately in this, has never said: 'Hey, we're going to zero. Let's go tomorrow.' It has always been a conditions-based effort and that effort continues," the senior U.S. defense official said, without explicitly detailing future drawdown plans.The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.'SEE FIGHT TO THE FINISH'Over the past four years, predicting Trump's policy pronouncements has not always been easy.But US officials say he has yet to issue orders to carry that withdrawal out. On Monday the first U.S. official said the Pentagon had told commanders to start planning for the more moderate reduction to 2,500 troops.A total withdrawal now would be difficult for the US military to execute, especially given the reliance of NATO allies on the United States for logistical support, they add.The NATO official, who asked not to be named, said the belief was the United States could soon announce a drawdown to 2,500 to 3,000 troops by Christmas.National security adviser Robert O'Brien already raised such a possibility, saying last month the United States would go down to 2,500 by early 2021, in comments overshadowed by Trump's Christmas timeline.A NATO diplomat said Miller, in his introductory call with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, did not suggest a complete withdrawal but instead a reduction of troops.The senior US defense official said US withdrawals from Afghanistan had been carried out in an "educated way so as not to revisit the Iraq withdrawal that failed in 2011."Then-President Barack Obama withdrew troops against military advice, only to return them to Iraq three years later.Regardless of what Trump might do, Taliban militants, fighting against the U.S.-backed government in Kabul, have called on the United States to stick to a February agreement with the Trump administration to withdraw U.S. troops by May, subject to certain security guarantees.Violence has been rising throughout Afghanistan, with the Taliban attacking provincial capitals, in some case prompting US airstrikes.In Kabul, there is growing fear of a precipitous withdrawal that could further embolden the Taliban and undercut already sputtering peace talks, sources say.The Taliban harbored al Qaeda's leaders and the US special envoy for Afghanistan said the Taliban had not fulfilled their February accord commitment to break ties with al Qaeda."We are on the verge of defeating al Qaeda and its associates, but we must avoid our past strategic error of failing to see the fight through to the finish," wrote Miller, a former Green Beret and counter-terrorism official.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--IDF officer dies in accident while operating heavy machinery

IDF NCO Chief Warrant Officer Shachar Zada, 45, died on Monday as a result of a work accident, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit reported.Zada was reportedly killed while operating heavy machinery in a military base in central Israel.The military police has opened an investigation surrounding the circumstances that led to the accident.Zada served in the IDF Intelligence Corps. He was a resident of Holon.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Netanyahu talked with Putin about purchasing Russia's coronavirus vaccine

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday evening that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir about the possibility of Israel @ @ @ @ @ candidate .
`` I recently spoke with Putin about the possibility of purchasing an option @ @ @ @ @ .
We will discuss in coming days , '' Netanyahu said .

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday evening that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir about the possibility of Israel buying Russia's coronavirus vaccine candidate.
"I recently spoke with Putin about the possibility of purchasing an option for the Sputnik V vaccine. We will discuss in coming days," Netanyahu said.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Israel in talks with Russia over Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, PM says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday about buying Russia 's Sputnik @ @ @ @ @ `` An hour ago I spoke with Russian President Vladmir Putin regarding the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ vaccine Sputnik-V , '' Netanyahu told reporters .
`` We will discuss this in the @ @ @ @

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday about buying Russia's Sputnik V vaccine for COVID-19.
"An hour ago I spoke with Russian President Vladmir Putin regarding the possibility of purchasing an option on the vaccine Sputnik-V," Netanyahu told reporters. "We will discuss this in the coming days."


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Netanyahu, Katz announce NIS 800m ‘safety net’ plan for students

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Israel Katz announced on Monday evening the launching of a NIS 800m ‘safety net’ plan for students hard hit by the COVID-19 crisis."We promised to care for our students," Netanyahu said, "and we kept our word."Scholarships to students in need will be fast-tracked with those awaiting answers on receiving the aid to know by January 2021.Technical and Educational Colleges will also be given access to the funds to allow young people to gain skills in both sectors.The Social Equality Ministry and the National Union of Students will offer benefits to tens of thousands of students engaged in community programs.The Education Ministry will offer students who are studying to be teachers priority spots working in their day care programs. Due to the 'capsules' outlay, the ministry is recruiting thousands of teaching aids to ensure young children are able to study in small groups to prevent a third lockdown should COVID-19 infections rates go up.The Labor Ministry is also meant to offer students employment options.Universities will be granted a one-time 50% reduction in security costs, relieving some of the costs students must pay.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Coronavirus cabinet approves: Grades 5-6 to return to school next week

The coronavirus cabinet convened on Monday evening and approved the return to school of grades 5-6 in green and yellow cities, Israeli media reported.The cabinet also decided that BIG shopping centers will reopen on Tuesday in green cities.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Germany files espionage charges against Egyptian-born man

The GBA said the man , identified only as Amin K. under German privacy laws , had been working at the press office since 1999 and was hired by the Egyptian embassy in Berlin in 2010 `` at the latest '' .
The Egyptian embassy in Berlin was not immediately available for comment .
Prosecutors allege the man was instructed to assist Egypt 's General Intelligence Service ( GIS ) with assessing how Egypt was portrayed in German media , according to a statement from the Federal Public Prosecutor General .
He had also tried to assist GIS efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts were unsuccessful , the statement said , giving no further details .
In exchange for his work the suspect was promised preferential treatment for himself and his family by Egyptian authorities , according to German prosecutors .
The case was mentioned in the BfV domestic intelligence agency 's 385-page annual report , published in July .
The report said unspecified measures had been taken against the man in December .
The German government said then that the suspect did not have access to sensitive information .
The press office is headed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief spokesman , and is located about a kilometer ( half a mile ) from the Chancellery .
The GBA said the charges were filed on Nov. 6 .
( Reporting by Joseph Nasr ; Editing by Alex Richardson )

The GBA said the man, identified only as Amin K. under German privacy laws, had been working at the press office since 1999 and was hired by the Egyptian embassy in Berlin in 2010 "at the latest".
The Egyptian embassy in Berlin was not immediately available for comment.
Prosecutors allege the man was instructed to assist Egypt's General Intelligence Service (GIS) with assessing how Egypt was portrayed in German media, according to a statement from the Federal Public Prosecutor General.
He had also tried to assist GIS efforts to hire another agent in Germany but those efforts were unsuccessful, the statement said, giving no further details.
In exchange for his work the suspect was promised preferential treatment for himself and his family by Egyptian authorities, according to German prosecutors.
The case was mentioned in the BfV domestic intelligence agency's 385-page annual report, published in July. The report said unspecified measures had been taken against the man in December.
The German government said then that the suspect did not have access to sensitive information.
The press office is headed by Steffen Seibert, Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief spokesman, and is located about a kilometer (half a mile) from the Chancellery.
The GBA said the charges were filed on Nov. 6. (Reporting by Joseph Nasr; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Germany's Public Prosecutor General (GBA) said on Monday charges of espionage have been filed against an Egyptian-born German citizen who worked at the German government press office and gathered information for an Egyptian intelligence agency.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Multiple Dimona residents diagnosed with infectious Legionnaires' disease

Some eight residents of Dimona who were recently admitted to the Soroka Medical Center were diagnosed with an infectious disease caused by the Legionella bacteria, a press release from Soroka mentioned.Of those, five patients are currently hospitalized, one of whom is in critical condition, two in moderate condition and two others in light condition.The Legionella bacteria can lead to severe inflammation of the lungs and even to a multi-system failure in certain cases.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Several wounded in Iranian gas station explosion, no fatalities reported

Several people were wounded at an explosion at a gas station in Iran's capital on Monday, Iranian state media reported, but so far no fatalities have been reported.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--IDF reports only 111 active cases of coronavirus

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit reported 111 active cases of coronavirus on Monday, including soldiers and IDF civilian employees, all of whom are in light condition.As of Monday afternoon, 1,688 IDF soldiers have been quarantined.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Lebanese citizen who crossed border handed over to UNIFIL, IDF reports

An individual who crossed the Lebanese border into Israel near the village of Ghajar on Friday was handed over to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and returned to Lebanon on Monday, the IDF's Spokesperson's Unit reported.The suspect, a Lebanese citizens, was arrested by IDF troops on Friday and interrogated by security forces.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Maj.-Gen. Hertzi Halevi will be incoming Deputy Chief of Staff

Maj.-Gen. Herzi Halevi has been chosen as the incoming deputy chief of staff , replacing Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir .
Halevi , who currently serves as the head of the Southern Command and who previously served as the head of Military Intelligence , was chosen by Defense Minister Benny Gantz on the recommendation of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi .
“ Halevi is an officer with immense experience , who has performed various command and staff positions throughout the IDF , ” Gantz said .
“ As someone who has known him for decades , I am confident he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff , who will help the chief of staff and all IDF commanders lead the army in the face of dynamic challenges , on all operational fronts and in the required force build-up processes.
” Gantz thanked Maj.-Gen. Yoel Strick , who was a leading candidate for the post , saying he “ is a respected and privileged officer , who has performed command positions on the ground and General Staff , and is currently leading significant changes in the army ’ s operating concept to prepare it for the future battlefield .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contribute to the IDF and the State of Israel.
” In January , Halevi is expected to replace Zamir , who has served in the position for two years .

Maj.-Gen. Herzi Halevi has been chosen as the incoming deputy chief of staff, replacing Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir.
Halevi, who currently serves as the head of the Southern Command and who previously served as the head of Military Intelligence, was chosen by Defense Minister Benny Gantz on the recommendation of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi.
“Halevi is an officer with immense experience, who has performed various command and staff positions throughout the IDF,” Gantz said. “As someone who has known him for decades, I am confident he will be an excellent deputy chief of staff, who will help the chief of staff and all IDF commanders lead the army in the face of dynamic challenges, on all operational fronts and in the required force build-up processes.”
Gantz thanked Maj.-Gen. Yoel Strick, who was a leading candidate for the post, saying he “is a respected and privileged officer, who has performed command positions on the ground and General Staff, and is currently leading significant changes in the army’s operating concept to prepare it for the future battlefield. I am certain that he will continue to contribute to the IDF and the State of Israel.”
In January, Halevi is expected to replace Zamir, who has served in the position for two years.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Mohammad Shtayyeh most likely to replace Erekat as negotiator - report

Mohammad Shtayyeh is the person most likely to replace Saeb Erekat as chief Palestinian negotiator, following Erekat's recent death from coronavirus at Hadassah hospital, a source in Ramallah told N12.One of the reasons, according to the source, is that senior Palestinian leaders fear Shtayyeh's growing popularity as prime minister.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--New peak in coronavirus cases in Gaza with 453 new cases in 24 hours

Some 453 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in the Gaza Strip on Monday , bringing the total @ @ @ @ @ beginning of the outbreak to 10,985 , according to Palestinian media .
Since March , @ @ @ @ @ died due to the virus .
Also on Monday , 371 new cases and seven @ @ @ @ @ in the West Bank .

Some 453 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in the Gaza Strip on Monday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the outbreak to 10,985, according to Palestinian media.
Since March, 48 Palestinians in Gaza have died due to the virus.
Also on Monday, 371 new cases and seven deaths were reported among Palestinians in the West Bank.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Coronavirus fines rise by 23%, NIS 3.7 million paid just last week

In the past week , NIS 3.7 million was paid for violations .
Since the beginning of the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ have been distributed with citizens paying NIS 41 million of those fines so far .

In the past week, NIS 3.7 million was paid for violations. Since the beginning of the pandemic, NIS 219 million in fines have been distributed with citizens paying NIS 41 million of those fines so far.
A 23% increase in the payment of fines for violations of coronavirus regulations was recorded since last month, the Enforcement and Collection Authority announced on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Coronavirus in Israel: 613 new cases, 2.7% of tests positive

Of those infected , 294 were in serious condition and 130 were on respirators .

Of those infected, 294 were in serious condition and 130 were on respirators.
Some 613 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in Israel on Sunday, with the percentage of tests returning positive rising to 2.7%, according to a Monday morning update by the Health Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--Coronavirus: Mexico reports 3,269 new cases, 283 deaths

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Mexico's health ministry reported on Sunday 3,269 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the country and 283 deaths, bringing the official totals to 1,006,522 cases and 98,542 dead.Health officials have previously said the real number of cases is likely significantly higher than the reported figures.


jerusalempost--2020-11-16--MDA worker spits on picture of Jesus while administering corona test

A Magen David Adom worker spit on a picture of Jesus and the Virgin Mary in the home of Christians to whom he was administering coronavirus tests, according to Ynet.The incident was captured on security camera footage in which the man can be seen taking his protective gear off to spit on the photo. When challenged by the owner of the house, the man reportedly said that "the Torah says to turn away idolatry."Magen David Adom responded to the incident saying that it is being investigated and emphasizing that in the organization, "people of all religions work shoulder to shoulder."


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes the Philippines

An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck Mindanao in the Philippines, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said on Sunday.The quake was at a depth of 15 kilometers, it added.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Washington governor imposes sweeping restrictions amid COVID-19 surge

Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced sweeping new restrictions on gatherings and businesses on Sunday , including a ban on indoor @ @ @ @ @ , to combat a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the state .
The restrictions @ @ @ @ @ take effect Monday at 11:59 p.m. and last for one month , come as the @ @ @ @ @ has doubled in the past two weeks , Inslee told a news conference .
The @ @ @ @ @ ..means , unfortunately , the time has come to reinstate restrictions on activities statewide to @ @ @ @ @ and to save lives , '' Inslee said .
Indoor gatherings will be prohibited outside @ @ @ @ @ gatherings will be limited to five people .
Religious services and in-store retail will be @ @ @ @ @ , Inslee said , while fitness gyms must halt indoor services , and youth and @ @ @ @ @ to activities outdoors .

Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced sweeping new restrictions on gatherings and businesses on Sunday, including a ban on indoor service at restaurants and bars, to combat a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the state.
The restrictions, most of which will take effect Monday at 11:59 p.m. and last for one month, come as the average daily tally for cases has doubled in the past two weeks, Inslee told a news conference.
The spike in cases ."..means, unfortunately, the time has come to reinstate restrictions on activities statewide to preserve the public's well-being and to save lives," Inslee said.
Indoor gatherings will be prohibited outside one's household and outdoor gatherings will be limited to five people. Religious services and in-store retail will be limited to 25% occupancy, Inslee said, while fitness gyms must halt indoor services, and youth and adult sports will be restricted to activities outdoors.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--US coronavirus death toll rises to 244,810 - CDC

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) on Sunday reported 10,846,373 cases of the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ from its previous count , and said the number of deaths had risen by 1,252 @ @ @ @ @ reported its tally of COVID-19 cases as of 4 p.m .
ET on Nov. 14 @ @ @ @ @ report released a day earlier .
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported @ @ @ @

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sunday reported 10,846,373 cases of the novel coronavirus, an increase of 155,708 from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 1,252 to 244,810.
The CDC reported its tally of COVID-19 cases as of 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 14, compared with its previous report released a day earlier.
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Georgia's election recount reveals no irregularities - Biden campaign

WILMINGTON, Del. - Georgia's presidential election recount has shifted vote totals “almost imperceptibly,” offering no evidence of widespread irregularities in the battleground state for which Democrat Joe Biden has been projected to win, his campaign said on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Bahrain FM to meet with Netanyahu, Pompeo in Jerusalem this week

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani will visit Israel for the first time on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Sunday.Al-Zayani is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is set to be in Israel on Wednesday through Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Peru's interim president Manuel Merino resigns after protest deaths

LIMA - Peru 's interim president , Manuel Merino , resigned on Sunday after the country 's political parties demanded he step down or face impeachment following the deaths of two people in protests over the sudden ouster of his predecessor .
Merino had been in office for less than a week , after Peru 's Congress voted last Monday to remove Martin Vizcarra as president over bribery allegations , which he denies .
Neither Merino nor Luis Valdez , head of the Congress , said who would now be named as president .
In a televised speech at midday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress who had led the push to impeach Vizcarra , asked his Cabinet to remain in place to assist in the transition .
He said his resignation was `` irrevocable '' and called for `` peace and unity . ''
Peruvians poured onto the streets to celebrate Merino 's resignation , waving flags , chanting and banging pots .
But the announcement nonetheless plunges Peru deeper into uncertainty and legal disarray as lawmakers wrestle with who will take his place .
Thousands in Peru had staged some of the country 's largest protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marred by clashes - since Congress voted to remove Vizcarra as president .
Just minutes before Merino announced he would step down , Congress president Luis Valdez said all of the country 's political parties had agreed he should resign .
If he declined , Valdez said , lawmakers would launch impeachment proceedings .
The latest political shakeup comes as Peru , the world 's No .
2 copper producer , battles the coronavirus pandemic and what is expected to be its worst economic contraction in a century .
A tense week collapsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly peaceful demonstrations grew more intense by nightfall .
Two young protesters were killed in clashes , the public ombudsman said .
Peru 's state medical program , EsSalud , confirmed in a statement that two young men had died from gunshot wounds .
Peru 's National Human Rights coordinator said 102 people were injured and at least 41 were missing .
The Health Ministry said separately that 63 people were hospitalized after suffering injuries or inhaling tear gas .
At least nine had gunshot wounds , officials said .
After the violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who had been sworn in on Thursday , offered their resignations .
Calls on Sunday grew for the departure of Merino , who took over last Tuesday .
The national assembly of Peru 's regional governments also released a statement demanding Merino 's resignation , saying he was `` politically responsible for the acts of violence . ''
Vizcarra blamed repression by Merino 's `` illegal and illegitimate government '' for the deaths of the two protesters overnight .
`` The country will not allow the deaths of these brave young men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
On Saturday hundreds of mostly young protesters unveiled a massive Peruvian flag and sang the national anthem in Lima 's central Plaza San Martín .
But the sprawling coastal city soon echoed with sirens , shouts and chants of protesters ' demanding Merino 's removal as rallies and police response grew increasingly violent .
Peru 's Ombudsman warned on Twitter late Saturday that security forces had begun `` misusing force and throwing tear gas without justification '' against young protesters who had gathered in the city 's center .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The march is not for Vizcarra to return , it is strictly against Merino .
We are tired of corruption , of the usual politicians who divide and impose their personal interests , '' said César Anchante , a University of Lima graduate who marched in a rally Saturday .
Merino 's prime minister earlier on Saturday told reporters that Vizcarra 's removal on corruption charges by the opposition-dominated Congress had been legal .
Flores-Aráoz said Merino had no intention of caving to demands from protesters that he resign .
`` This was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We ask people for understanding .
We do n't want to descend into chaos and anarchy . ''
Merino had urged calm and promised to hold presidential elections already scheduled for April .
Vizcarra , a politically unaffiliated centrist who is popular with Peruvians , oversaw an anti-graft campaign that led to frequent clashes with Congress in a country that has a history of political upheaval and corruption .
The former president has yet to be found guilty of the corruption charges brought against him during the impeachment hearing prior to @ @ @

LIMA - Peru's interim president, Manuel Merino, resigned on Sunday after the country's political parties demanded he step down or face impeachment following the deaths of two people in protests over the sudden ouster of his predecessor.
Merino had been in office for less than a week, after Peru's Congress voted last Monday to remove Martin Vizcarra as president over bribery allegations, which he denies. Neither Merino nor Luis Valdez, head of the Congress, said who would now be named as president.
In a televised speech at midday, Merino, the former head of Congress who had led the push to impeach Vizcarra, asked his Cabinet to remain in place to assist in the transition. He said his resignation was "irrevocable" and called for "peace and unity."
Peruvians poured onto the streets to celebrate Merino's resignation, waving flags, chanting and banging pots. But the announcement nonetheless plunges Peru deeper into uncertainty and legal disarray as lawmakers wrestle with who will take his place.
Thousands in Peru had staged some of the country's largest protests in decades - mostly peaceful but increasingly marred by clashes - since Congress voted to remove Vizcarra as president.
Just minutes before Merino announced he would step down, Congress president Luis Valdez said all of the country's political parties had agreed he should resign. If he declined, Valdez said, lawmakers would launch impeachment proceedings.
The latest political shakeup comes as Peru, the world's No. 2 copper producer, battles the coronavirus pandemic and what is expected to be its worst economic contraction in a century.
A tense week collapsed into chaos late on Saturday, after mostly peaceful demonstrations grew more intense by nightfall. Two young protesters were killed in clashes, the public ombudsman said. Peru's state medical program, EsSalud, confirmed in a statement that two young men had died from gunshot wounds.
Peru's National Human Rights coordinator said 102 people were injured and at least 41 were missing. The Health Ministry said separately that 63 people were hospitalized after suffering injuries or inhaling tear gas. At least nine had gunshot wounds, officials said.
After the violence, all of Merino's Cabinet ministers, who had been sworn in on Thursday, offered their resignations. Calls on Sunday grew for the departure of Merino, who took over last Tuesday.
The national assembly of Peru's regional governments also released a statement demanding Merino's resignation, saying he was "politically responsible for the acts of violence."
Vizcarra blamed repression by Merino's "illegal and illegitimate government" for the deaths of the two protesters overnight.
"The country will not allow the deaths of these brave young men to go unpunished," Vizcarra wrote on Twitter.
FIREWORKS AND TEAR GAS
On Saturday hundreds of mostly young protesters unveiled a massive Peruvian flag and sang the national anthem in Lima's central Plaza San Martín.
But the sprawling coastal city soon echoed with sirens, shouts and chants of protesters' demanding Merino's removal as rallies and police response grew increasingly violent.
Peru's Ombudsman warned on Twitter late Saturday that security forces had begun "misusing force and throwing tear gas without justification" against young protesters who had gathered in the city's center. The agency has demanded an investigation.
"The march is not for Vizcarra to return, it is strictly against Merino. We are tired of corruption, of the usual politicians who divide and impose their personal interests," said César Anchante, a University of Lima graduate who marched in a rally Saturday.
Merino's prime minister earlier on Saturday told reporters that Vizcarra's removal on corruption charges by the opposition-dominated Congress had been legal. Flores-Aráoz said Merino had no intention of caving to demands from protesters that he resign.
"This was a constitutional change," Flores-Aráoz said. "We ask people for understanding. We don't want to descend into chaos and anarchy."
Merino had urged calm and promised to hold presidential elections already scheduled for April.
Vizcarra, a politically unaffiliated centrist who is popular with Peruvians, oversaw an anti-graft campaign that led to frequent clashes with Congress in a country that has a history of political upheaval and corruption.
The former president has yet to be found guilty of the corruption charges brought against him during the impeachment hearing prior to his ouster.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Acting Police Commissioner exposed to COVID-19 patient, enters quarantine

Acting Police Commissioner Moti Cohen entered quarantine on Sunday after being exposed to a confirmed coronavirus patient, a police statement noted.Cohen reportedly feels well and will continue working during quarantine.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Coronavirus in Israel: 286 new coronavirus patients, 11 dead

The Health Ministry reported Sunday evening that 286 people were diagnosed with coronavirus since yesterday, out of the 12,933 people who were screened.Some 304 patients were in serious condition Sunday night, including 133 intubated patients. In addition, 11 people died of the virus throughout the past day.The death toll rose to 2,732.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Two Israelis suspected of contracting mutated COVID-19 test negative

Two Israelis who recently returned from Denmark and were thought to be infected with a mutated strain of coronavirus found in minks were tested negative to the mutated strain, N13 reported on Sunday.The remaining test results of a third Israeli are expected in the next few days.


jerusalempost--2020-11-15--Two suspects approach Israeli border from Lebanon, IDF reports

IDF troops positioned near the Lebanese border identified on Sunday two suspects approaching the border from Lebanon, the IDF's Spokesperson's Unit reported.The soldiers initiated a procedure for arresting suspects that included shooting two bullets in the air. As a result, the suspects turned around and cleared the area.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--IDF finds IEDs in Israeli territory near Syria border

Engineering units neutralized the explosives which were found near where the IDF thwarted an attempt by terrorists to place explosives @ @ @ @ @ `` The IDF considers the Syrian regime responsible for any action taken in its territory @ @ @ @ @ violation of Israeli sovereignty , '' said the IDF Spokesperson 's Unit in a statement @

Engineering units neutralized the explosives, which were found near where the IDF thwarted an attempt by terrorists to place explosives about three months ago.
"The IDF considers the Syrian regime responsible for any action taken in its territory and will not allow any violation of Israeli sovereignty," said the IDF in a statement.
The IDF found improvised explosive devices (IEDs) within Israeli territory near the border with Syria in the southern Golan Heights on Tuesday, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Gaza peaks again with 486 new coronavirus cases, two deaths

Two residents of the Strip died due to the virus since Monday , bringing the death toll to 50 .

Two residents of the Strip have died due to the virus since Monday, bringing the death toll to 50.
The Gaza Strip reached a new record in the number of daily coronavirus cases as 486 were reported on Tuesday, with 11,471 people infected there since the beginning of the outbreak.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Coronavirus in Israel: 861 new cases, 1.8% of tests positive

Of those infected , 313 were in serious condition and 135 were on ventilators .
One death was reported overnight @ @ @ @ @ to 2,375 since the beginning of the outbreak .

Of all those currently infected, 313 were in serious condition and 135 were on ventilators. One death was reported overnight, bringing the death toll to 2,375 since the beginning of the outbreak.
Some 861 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in Israel on Monday, with 1.8% of tests returning positive, according to a Tuesday morning update by the Health Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Indonesia says magnitude 6.3 quake strikes off Sumatra, no tsunami alert

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia 's West Sumatra province on Tuesday , Indonesia 's meterological , @ @ @ @ @ in a tweet on its official account .
The agency said that no tsunami warning @ @ @ @ @ earthquake , which occurred more than 100 kilometres ( 62.14 miles ) from land and @ @ @ @ @ km .
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre downgraded its magnitude for the quake to 5.8 from @ @ @

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's West Sumatra province on Tuesday, Indonesia's meterological, climatology and geophysical agency said in a tweet on its official account.
The agency said that no tsunami warning had been issued for the earthquake, which occurred more than 100 kilometres (62.14 miles) from land and at a depth of 10 km.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre downgraded its magnitude for the quake to 5.8 from 6.2 initially.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--IDF jets attack several targets in Damascus, Syria

Initial reports from Syria indicate three Syrian militants killed and one injured .

IDF strikes target belonging to Syrian military in southern Syria after explosives found along Syrian border (Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
IDF strikes target belonging to IRGC Quds Force near Damascus after explosives found along Syrian border. (Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
IDF troops at the site of the exposed IEDs on the Syrian border (Credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
IDF neutralizes explosives found along Syrian border (Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Israel struck Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria early Wednesday morning in response to explosive devices found on the border the previous day.“IDF warplanes attacked military targets belonging to the Iranian Quds Force and the Syrian army tonight in Syria. The attack damaged warehouses, command posts and military complexes, and batteries of surface-to-air missiles,” the IDF said in a statement.The strikes hit eight targets from the Golan Heights to Damascus, including an Iranian military complex near Damascus International Airport, a secret military barracks which acts as a housing complex for senior Iranian officials as well as visiting delegations, a command post for Division 7 of the Syrian army which cooperates with the Quds Force, and mobile surface-to-air missile trucks which fired toward Israeli jets during the strikes.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the strikes were part of a policy that he has been “pursuing for years,” and that Israel would not allow for Iran to entrench itself in Syria, nor would it allow for any attempted attack from Syrian territory.“Whoever tries to attack us, whoever attacks us, will bleed from his head,” Netanyahu warned.Defense Minister Benny Gantz responded to the strikes on Wednesday morning, saying “I repeat to our enemies – Israel will not tolerate violations of sovereignty on any border, and will not allow dangerous escalations at any border. The Syrian regime is responsible for everything that is done in its territory.”The military added that “the attack was carried out in response to the placement of explosive charges next to the border fence between Syrian and Israeli territory by a Syrian squad acting under Iranian instruction,” the statement said.According to IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman, the antipersonnel mines discovered yesterday were planted several weeks ago by local Syrians under the command of Iranian Quds Force.The military, he said, has been following cells of the Quds Force for several months that were trying to plant explosives on the border, and has been carrying out patrols – both on foot as well as by drones and reconnaissance – to prevent attacks.Syria’s state-run SANA news agency reported that Syrian air defenses intercepted the “Israeli aggression” in the south of the country and downed a number of missiles that had been launched.Three military personnel were killed and one was wounded in the attacks; according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, some 10 personnel were killed. It isn’t clear whether the casualties were Syrian or Iranian-backed troops.Though the military is not expecting any response to the strikes, the Iron Dome has been deployed to the North, and ground troops have been placed on heightened alert.Gantz was on a tour of the Northern Command on Tuesday, where he was briefed on the regional situation and troop readiness.“We have long been prepared for the possibility of terrorist attacks in the northern sector,” he said. “The IDF has the capabilities and the determination to respond severely to any incident both on the Lebanese and Syrian fronts.... I say clearly: Syria is responsible for what occurs on its territory.”IN AUGUST, IDF troops from the Maglan reconnaissance unit foiled an attempt to place explosives along the border fence with Syria. The four-member cell was killed when the IDF force, supported by aircraft, attacked them.Following an investigation of the scene, some 25 m. from the perimeter fence inside Israeli territory, weapons and a bag containing a number of explosive devices were found. The action taken against the cell placing the explosives on the border fence was later followed by Israeli airstrikes targeting Syrian positions.“We understood that the message we sent the other side in August wasn’t fully understood,” said Zilberman on Wednesday, adding that the military wanted the other side, including the local Syrians on the Golan Heights, to understand that working with Iran is “not acceptable.“We won’t allow Iran to continue to embed themselves in Syria and especially along the border, and we won’t let the Syrians continue to let them. We are attacking against the host, and the visitor who is really not wanted,” Zilberman told reporters, calling on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force to stop the hostility on the Golan Heights.“Iranian weapons continue to enter into Syria, and Iranian forces continue to act on the Golan Heights, which is not acceptable,” he added.Israel has repeatedly warned of Iran’s aspirations of regional hegemony and has admitted to carrying out hundreds of airstrikes as part of its “war between the wars” campaign to prevent the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon and the entrenchment of its forces in Syria, where they could easily act against Israel.Although Israel usually refrains from targeting terrorist operatives to try to avoid subsequent retaliation, some strikes ascribed to the Jewish state have killed several Hezbollah operatives in southern Syria on the Golan Heights, where the group has been trying to establish a permanent military presence.According to a report by the ALMA Research and Education Center, Hezbollah’s presence in southern Syria is much larger than previously revealed, with some 58 sites in the southern Syrian provinces of Quneitra and Deraa, where the terrorist group’s Southern Command and Golan Project have been deployed.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Mainland China reports 8 new COVID-19 cases vs 15 a day earlier

Mainland China reported eight new COVID-19 cases on Nov. 17 , down from 15 cases a day earlier , the @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
The National Health Commission said in a statement that one of the @ @ @ @ @ infection reported in the city of Tianjin , which shares a border with capital Beijing @ @ @ @ @ asymptomatic cases , which China does not classify as confirmed infections , fell to five @ @ @ @ @ .
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China now stands at 86,369 @ @ @ @ @ remained unchanged at 4,634 .

Mainland China reported eight new COVID-19 cases on Nov. 17, down from 15 cases a day earlier, the country's health authority said on Wednesday.
The National Health Commission said in a statement that one of the new cases was a local infection reported in the city of Tianjin, which shares a border with capital Beijing.
The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed infections, fell to five from 12 a day earlier.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China now stands at 86,369, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,634.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Police disperse gatherings in Bnei Brak, clash with protesters

Several clashes reportedly broke out on Harav Shach street in Bnei Brak in light of increased enforcement being implemented by @ @ @ @ @ the violent incident started after police dispersed gatherings in several synagogues in the city .

Several clashes reportedly broke out on Harav Shach street in Bnei Brak in light of increased enforcement being implemented by police.Ynet reported that the violent incident started after police dispersed gatherings in several synagogues in the city.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Rockets fall inside Baghdad's Green Zone, child killed

Sirens blared from the embassy inside the zone , which houses government buildings and foreign missions .
One security source @ @ @ @ @ were fired and some of them landed nearby .
A military statement said that seven @ @ @ @ @ four that fell inside the Green Zone and three outside , which killed a child @ @ @ @ @ The military said earlier four rockets were fired from an eastern district of the capital @ @ @ @ @ more details .
Footage from the military showed a rocket launcher fixed on the back @ @ @ @ @ set on fire .

Sirens blared from the embassy inside the zone, which houses government buildings and foreign missions. One security source said at least four rockets were fired and some of them landed nearby.
A military statement said that seven Katyusha rockets were fired, four that fell inside the Green Zone and three outside, which killed a child and wounded five people.
The military said earlier four rockets were fired from an eastern district of the capital, but did not provide more details.
Footage from the military showed a rocket launcher fixed on the back of a mini-truck which was set on fire.
Four Katyusha rockets landed in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone and security officials said the attack targeted the U.S. embassy, Iraqi police and security sources said on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 55.3 million, death toll at 1,332,354

More than 55.3 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,332,354 have died @ @ @ @ @ tally .
Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the @ @ @ @ @ China in December 2019 .

More than 55.3 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,332,354 have died, according to a Reuters tally.
Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Biden COVID task force: Transition delay could compromise virus response

Medical experts advising President-elect Joe Biden on the COVID-19 pandemic fear that the federal government ’ s delay in recognizing @ @ @ @ @ could be compromising the US response to the virus , the experts said on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ co-chair of Biden ’ s COVID-19 task force , said the experts had not been @ @ @ @ @ with current administration officials or access real-time data , including on hospital bed capacity and @ @ @ @ @ Administrator Emily Murphy has not yet recognized Biden as the `` apparent winner '' of @ @ @ @ @ which is needed to release government funding for the transition .

Medical experts advising President-elect Joe Biden on the COVID-19 pandemic fear that the federal government’s delay in recognizing Biden’s election victory could be compromising the US response to the virus, the experts said on Tuesday.
Dr. David Kessler, co-chair of Biden’s COVID-19 task force, said the experts had not been able to discuss the pandemic with current administration officials or access real-time data, including on hospital bed capacity and stockpiled equipment.
General Services Administrator Emily Murphy has not yet recognized Biden as the "apparent winner" of the Nov. 3 election, which is needed to release government funding for the transition.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Ten individuals injured in car crash near Ariel

Some reports indicate two vehicles involved in the accident , with seven injured Israelis and three injured Palestinians , all @ @ @ @ @ and MDA paramedics were called to the scene .

Some reports indicate two vehicles involved in the accident, with seven injured Israelis and three injured Palestinians, all in light condition.
Police and MDA paramedics were called to the scene.
Ten people were injured in a car accident at Giti Avisar intersection near Ariel on Tuesday evening, Israeli media reported.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Coronavirus in schools: 17 schools close, 1,414 students test positive

17 schools closed their doors due to coronavirus outbreaks on Tuesday, the Education Ministry reported.In addition, 1,414 students and 336 education staff members tested positive for the novel coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Biden reiterates US support for Israel in conversation with Netanyahu

President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday, a week and a half after his victory in the presidential election became apparent.Netanyahu and Biden spoke for more than 20 minutes, and the Prime Minister’s Office said the conversation was warm.“The special relationship between the US and Israel is a fundamental part of Israel’s security and policy,” Netanyahu said.Biden in turn thanked Netanyahu for congratulating him on his apparent election win, according to his office, noting that he expects to work closely with Netanyahu in the future.Biden told Netanyahu he is deeply committed to the State of Israel and its security, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.The two agreed to meet soon to discuss matters on the agenda and the need to strengthen the alliance between the US and Israel.The Prime Minister’s Office statement called Biden president-elect, which Netanyahu had previously not done.Rivlin congratulated Biden on his election, saying he has “no doubt that under your leadership, the United States is committed to Israel’s security and success.”US-Israel “friendship is based on values that are beyond partisan politics,” Rivlin said.Biden thanked Rivlin for his congratulations and stated that he looks forward to working with Israel.Rivlin touted the friendship between the two countries on three levels: First, that the US has no stronger ally than Israel; second, the great friendship between the Israeli and American people; and third, that “the president of the United States of America has no greater friend than the president of the State of Israel, as we have proven over the years.”Rivlin also said he hoped Biden would work to build on the recently signed Abraham Accords and facilitate ties between Israel and more countries in the region.In addition, Rivlin invited Biden to Jerusalem and sent his regards to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.The statement about Netanyahu’s call came out 27 minutes after Rivlin’s office sent its statement. The Prime Minister’s Office said it was scheduled in advance and not in reaction to the president calling. A spokesman for Netanyahu was unaware of the timing and said Biden did not mention speaking to Rivlin first. The President’s Residence did not respond to inquiries about the timing of the call.The delay of a week and a half in calling Biden, when other world leaders did so much sooner – and the 12-hour delay in Netanyahu releasing a congratulatory message after news outlets called Biden’s victory on November 7 – fueled speculation that the prime minister was trying to avoid angering President Donald Trump.Netanyahu tweeted on November 8: “Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. Joe, we’ve had a long & warm personal relationship for nearly 40 years, and I know you as a great friend of Israel. I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the US and Israel.”But Netanyahu did not call Biden president-elect, which he continued to avoid in the ensuing days.In his message to the cabinet the morning after, Netanyahu said: “I have a personal, long and warm connection with Joe Biden for nearly 40 years, and I know him to be a great friend of the State of Israel.” But he again stopped short of using the term president-elect.At a press conference on Monday, Netanyahu would only say that Biden is “supposed to be appointed the next president.”Asked who won the US election by Galei Israel Radio on Tuesday, Netanyahu said: “Why do I have to express an opinion? They have their processes, their Electoral College.”“I will cooperate with the US administration, but stand up for our security,” he later said.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Pompeo welcomes Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire, urges for political solution

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday said the United States welcomed the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, but urged the warring sides, Armenia and Azerbaijan, to move ahead in pursuing a lasting political solution to the conflict.The ceasefire signed by leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on Nov. 10 halted military action in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but populated by ethnic Armenians. Some 2,000 Russian peacekeeping troops are being deployed to the region.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Ethiopia claims Tigray victories, says army marching to state capital

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia's government said on Tuesday its troops had achieved significant victories on the eastern and western fronts of its war against the leaders of Tigray and its army was marching to the region's capital Mekelle."The force of the junta is now retreating, and the army is marching to bring the TPLF (Tigray People's Liberation Front) junta to justice," said a statement from the government's task force for the Tigray conflict.Tigrayan leaders were not immediately available for comment.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Bnei Brak synagogue forced to shut after opening against coronavirus rules

A synagogue in Bnei Brak was forced to close on Tuesday after Israel Police units found it to be illegally open, despite coronavirus restrictions.The synagogue pretended to be closed, but upon closer inspection police officers found it to be housing dozens of prayer-goers. The officers then broke the group apart, facing some push-back from those in the synagogue who proceeded to throw rocks at the police vehicles, according to Israel Police.The person responsible for the synagogue reopening was fined NIS 5,000.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Netanyahu: Negotiating with Moderna for additional vaccines

Israel is in discussions to receive additional doses of the Moderna Inc. vaccine candidate, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday."We have signed a supply agreement with them for a certain amount, and we are negotiating with them over additional supplies, and I hope that following the conversation, we may complete the negotiations quickly," Netanyahu said in a video statement.The company has not revealed how many doses it committed to Israel, but its Chief Medical Officer Tal Zaks told The Jerusalem Post that it will be “a good amount in terms of immunizing those who need it the most."He noted that he had a discussion with the company's CEO Stéphane Bancel: I must tell you that their CEO was very friendly. My policy is to bring as many vaccines as possible from as many sources as possible to as many citizens as possible in as little time as possible."Netanyahu's announcement came one day after Moderna reported that an interim analysis of its Phase III clinical trial showed 95% efficacy.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--TikTok expands features, give parents more control of teenagers' accounts

Video-sharing app TikTok said on Tuesday it is giving parents more control options, including the ability to monitor what their teenagers can view on the platform.Owned by Chinese company ByteDance, Tiktok said parents will now be able to decide what content, users, hashtags, or sounds their children can search for as well as decide if the account should be public or remain private.The company is expanding on the 'Family Pairing' feature it introduced earlier this year, allowing parents to link their TikTok account to that of their teenage child.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--Republican US Senator Grassley, 87, quarantining after COVID-19 exposure

WASHINGTON- US Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the chamber's President Pro Tempore, said on Tuesday he was in quarantine after being exposed to the novel coronavirus and was awaiting test results.Grassley, 87, said in a statement that he was "feeling well and not currently experiencing any symptoms" but would follow public health guidelines and would continue to work from home. Grassley is also chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.


jerusalempost--2020-11-17--US Senate likely to vote Tuesday on Trump's Fed pick Shelton

The US Senate is likely to vote Tuesday on Republican US President Donald Trump’s pick for the Federal Reserve, former economic adviser Judy Shelton, according to a senior Senate Republican aide.A procedural vote could come in the afternoon, with a final vote on Shelton's confirmation later in the day, the aide said.Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the current Senate, and though three Republicans have indicated they oppose her nomination, she is expected to win approval.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Health Ministry to examine increasing amount of people allowed in shops

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein will propose increasing the amount of people allowed in stores and bring this to a vote in the coronavirus cabinet on Wednesday.Under the new proposal, one customer will be allowed for every seven sq. m. of floor space.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Palestinian Authority willing to change law on terrorist payments - report

As a gesture to US President-elect Joe Biden, the Palestinian Authority is willing to change the laws regarding how terrorists in Israeli jails are paid, Kan's Reshet Bet reported Wednesday.Under current Israeli law, the government deducts the funds the PA pays terrorists and their families each month from their taxes and tariffs. The Defense Ministry must present a report on the PA’s terrorist salaries each year, which totaled NIS 517.4m. in 2019.Lahav Harkov contributed to this article.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Multiple cases of rabies detected in the north of Israel

Jackals infected with rabies have been located in the north of Israel at multiple locations in the past few days, Walla! News reported Wednesday.From the beginning of the year there have been 38 reported cases of rabies compared to 17 cases in all of 2019.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Two detained, suspected of abusing their 4-month-old child

Two people from the south of Israel were detained by police on Wednesday on the suspicion that they abused their 4-month-old baby, Israeli media reported.The incident occurred the day after a four-month-old baby, who was allegedly physically abused by his parents in Ashkelon, passed away on Tuesday morning in Barzilai Medical Center.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Coronavirus in Israel: 815 new cases on Tuesday

There were 815 new coronavirus cases in Israel on Tuesday the Health Ministry announced Wednesday morning.The Health Ministry also announced they conducted 56,512 tests - around 1.5% of tests returned a positive result. Some 307 of current patients are in serious condition, with 131 intubated. The death toll is 2,735.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--India's tally of coronavirus infections exceeds 8.9 million

India recorded 38,617 new coronavirus infections , taking its tally to 8.9 million , health ministry data showed on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ 's infections are the second highest in the world after the United States , but @ @ @ @ @ September peak , despite celebrations of several major festivals that authorities had feared could trigger @ @ @ @ @ by 474 in the last 24 hours , taking the toll to 130,993 , the @ @ @

India recorded 38,617 new coronavirus infections, taking its tally to 8.9 million, health ministry data showed on Wednesday.
The south Asian nation's infections are the second highest in the world after the United States, but they have slowed from a September peak, despite celebrations of several major festivals that authorities had feared could trigger a spike.
Deaths rose by 474 in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 130,993, the ministry added.


jerusalempost--2020-11-19--Israeli Deni Avdija drafted by Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards selected Deni Avdija ninth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft Wednesday night, thrilling Israeli sports fans.Avdija’s close family and friends, who were at home in Israel due to the virtual nature of the event, jumped up with applause in the early hours of Thursday morning Israel time when the pick was announced.The 19-year-old Israeli sensation has been a featured player for Maccabi Tel Aviv and will now be taking his talents to America’s capital.Yam Madar was selected in the second round by the Boston Celtics, 47th overall, the second time two Israelis have been chosen in the same NBA draft. The last time that happened was in 2006, when Lior Eliyahu and Yotam Halperin were chosen by the Orlando Magic and the Seattle Supersonics, 44th and 53rd, respectively.The Wizards were pleasantly surprised that the 6-foot-9 Avdija was still available when they picked, as they had him rated high on their draft board.“He was definitely the highest player left on our board,” Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard said. “Our international scouts have been on this kid since he was 16. I would call him a blend player. Whoever’s out on the floor, he’s able to make plays.”WITH THE selection, Avdija becomes Israel’s first-ever lottery pick (one of the first 14 selections) and second first-rounder, joining Omri Casspi, who was selected 23rd overall in the 2009 NBA draft.Avdija will join Wizards stars Bradley Beal and John Wall (who is expected to return after an extended injury period) along with rising star Rui Hachimura. He is expected to receive plenty of playing time under Washington head coach Scott Brooks.“I love his toughness. I love his IQ... He steps on his court and competes,” Brooks said.Avdija joins a Wizards team that competed in the NBA bubble this past season, finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 25-47.“You’re waiting for every pick, and butterflies are going around in your stomach,” Avdija said at a press conference for the Israeli media following his selection. “I had no expectations, and I was ready for any situation. Being the ninth pick and in the top 10 is amazing for our country, and I’m super excited to get going.”“I had a short conversation with the Wizards, and everyone so far has shown me that it’s a great club,” he said. “The entire staff cheered for me when I was selected, and they all wanted me to feel at home. It’s a great city, the capital of the United States, and there’s the White House.”AVDIJA SAID he would do whatever is asked of him and whatever it takes to win games.“I’m not thinking about how many minutes I’ll get and how much I’ll be on the court,” he said. “But rather, I’m looking at what I can do to help the team win games. I will do everything I can to win games. This is going to be a great journey.”“My parents and my country have shown so much pride,” he added. “They are all part of me and will be with me for my entire career going forward. My message to the children of Israel is that I’ve shown them that if you work hard and you do the maximum, then you will get far in life.”Avdija intends to arrive in Washington in the coming days, and he is well aware that he will now be an unofficial ambassador for the entire country.“Am Yisrael [the nation of Israel] is the best, and I’m looking forward to representing our country,” he said. “I’ll work hard to make everyone proud.”Once he arrives in Washington, Avdija will have to self-quarantine and then head straight to training camp to get ready for the 2020/21 season, which opens on December 22.“I will give everything that I have to the club,” he said. “I know what I can do, and I’m happy Washington trusts me and believes in me. I’ll do everything that I can.”Avdija now has the opportunity to make an impact on the local Jewish communities around the Washington area and throughout North America, where he will be looked up to as a hero.“We’re one big family, and I’ll be sure that I can represent the best that I can,” he said. “I make the Jewish communities proud and everyone around me proud as well.”THERE HAD been some doubt that Madar would be chosen by one of the 30 teams after he remained in the draft and did not pull his name out a week ago. But his decision proved to be the correct one after being selected by the Celtics.The 6-foot-4 guard, who plays his club basketball with Hapoel Tel Aviv, has shown much promise since bursting onto the international scene last summer, when he featured on the Israel Under-20 squad that won the European Championship in Tel Aviv.With his deftness, quickness and all-around game, Madar continued to move up the draft pecking order over the past year and was confident that he would be selected.Madar, also 19, will stay in Israel for the time being, according to Celtics GM Danny Ainge, and won’t join the team for this coming season.“He’s a player we watched over in Israel quite a bit,” Ainge said. “We’ll see if it works out, and it will be at least another year.”Madar understands the tradition of the Celtics, one of the NBA’s most iconic teams, and is well aware of all of the great players who have come before him, including Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce and others.“It’s a great honor to be part of this organization,” he said. “I don’t know where everything will go, but it’s very exciting being with my family at this time. It has been a dream since I was a kid. It’s a dream come true, and I’m very happy.”The challenge of playing for the Celtics is something that the Beit Dagan native is relishing, as well as also representing the Jewish community of the Greater Boston area and in North America.“It will bring me more motivation, and I’ll work harder,” Madar said. “I am representing them, and I want to do that the best way I can and at the highest level. I will do everything to work the best that I can, and I’ll do what I need to do. I will know what my role is and grow from there.”


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Key US Commerce Dept official involved in China policy resigning

Hull led the Commerce Department 's Bureau of Industry and Security ( BIS ) for the past year as it @ @ @ @ @ Huawei Technologies , the telecommunications equipment maker that was put on a US trade blacklist @ @ @ @ @ and foreign policy concerns .
During his tenure , the department also strengthened US export @ @ @ @ @ 's military-civilian fusion and blacklisted video surveillance and other companies over its treatment of Uighur @ @ @ @ @ proud of what we 've been able to achieve on important national security issues , @ @ @ @ @ for industry and security , said in an interview .
`` I 've decided to @ @ @ @ @ in the private sector . ''
Hull 's last day will be Dec. 4 .
@ @ @ @ @ the new US administration takes place Jan. 20 .

Hull led the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) for the past year as it further cut off supplies to Huawei Technologies, the telecommunications equipment maker that was put on a US trade blacklist last year over national security and foreign policy concerns.
During his tenure, the department also strengthened US export controls in response to China's military-civilian fusion and blacklisted video surveillance and other companies over its treatment of Uighur Muslims.
"I'm proud of what we've been able to achieve on important national security issues," Hull, acting undersecretary for industry and security, said in an interview. "I've decided to look for the next challenge in the private sector."
Hull's last day will be Dec. 4. The turnover of power for the new US administration takes place Jan. 20.
Cordell Hull, a high-ranking official at the US Department of Commerce who helped craft US policies on exports to China, said he was leaving in early December.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Georgia recount not likely to change Biden victory -state official

WASHINGTON - A recount being conducted by Georgia is not likely to change the result that gave Democrat Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ state in the Nov. 3 US presidential election , Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're finishing up , waiting for a few more counties to get back @ @ @ @ @ the large counties - but I do n't believe at the end of the day @ @ @ @ @ results , '' Raffensperger said .

WASHINGTON - A recount being conducted by Georgia is not likely to change the result that gave Democrat Joe Biden a victory in the southern state in the Nov. 3 US presidential election, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told CNN on Wednesday.
"We're finishing up, waiting for a few more counties to get back to us - some of the large counties - but I don't believe at the end of the day it'll change the total results," Raffensperger said.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Georgia to finish election recount on Wednesday - state official

WASHINGTON - Election officials in Georgia are on track to finish a recount of the Nov. 3 US presidential election @ @ @ @ @ day on Wednesday , a senior official in the state said .
Georgia 's voting @ @ @ @ @ Sterling , said in a video call with journalists that the state aims to make @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .

WASHINGTON - Election officials in Georgia are on track to finish a recount of the Nov. 3 US presidential election by the end of the day on Wednesday, a senior official in the state said.
Georgia's voting system implementation manager, Gabriel Sterling, said in a video call with journalists that the state aims to make public results of the recount on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Pennsylvania high court to hear Trump challenge to thousands of votes

The lower Court of Common Pleas ruled on Friday against the Trump campaign which sought to invalidate 8,329 ballots in Philadelphia , the state 's biggest city , because envelopes lacked information such as printed names , the date or addresses .
The campaign has not alleged the ballots were fraudulent .
President-elect Joe Biden , the Democratic challenger , won Pennsylvania by a margin of around 82,000 votes , according to Edison Research .
A decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court would likely impact ballots across the state , although the number was unclear .
In a separate case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court decision , Nicole Ziccarelli , a Republican state senate candidate said in court papers she was seeking to invalidate 2,349 ballots in Allegheny County , which includes Pittsburgh , because envelopes lacked dates .
The Trump campaign has been fighting several lawsuits trying to overturn Pennsylvania 's election outcome , which will be critical if the president hopes to succeed in his long-shot bid to reverse the election .
The president has claimed without evidence the election was stolen but his campaign not scored a significant victory in court .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case expressed skepticism of the campaign 's request to block officials from certifying Biden 's victory in Pennsylvania .

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court said on Wednesday it would take up an appeal by President Donald Trump's campaign challenging thousands of mail-in votes cast in Philadelphia that were missing information on the return envelopes.
The lower Court of Common Pleas ruled on Friday against the Trump campaign which sought to invalidate 8,329 ballots in Philadelphia, the state's biggest city, because envelopes lacked information such as printed names, the date or addresses.
The campaign has not alleged the ballots were fraudulent.
President-elect Joe Biden, the Democratic challenger, won Pennsylvania by a margin of around 82,000 votes, according to Edison Research.
A decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court would likely impact ballots across the state, although the number was unclear.
In a separate case likely to be affected by a Supreme Court decision, Nicole Ziccarelli, a Republican state senate candidate said in court papers she was seeking to invalidate 2,349 ballots in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, because envelopes lacked dates.
The Trump campaign has been fighting several lawsuits trying to overturn Pennsylvania's election outcome, which will be critical if the president hopes to succeed in his long-shot bid to reverse the election. The president has claimed without evidence the election was stolen but his campaign not scored a significant victory in court.
On Tuesday, a federal judge overseeing a separate case expressed skepticism of the campaign's request to block officials from certifying Biden's victory in Pennsylvania.
In another Trump lawsuit, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled against the campaign on Tuesday and said Philadelphia officials acted reasonably in keeping Trump observers behind barricades and 15 feet (4.5 m) from counting tables.


jerusalempost--2020-11-18--Saudi-led coalition destroys drone launched by Yemen's Houthis

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The Saudi-Led coalition said on Wednesday that it destroyed an explosive-laden drone launched by Yemen’s Houthis towards the kingdom, according to state TV.The Saudis have accused the Houthis of using drones and missiles to attack Saudi Arabia.