jerusalempost--2020-02-23--Rocket sirens sound in southern Israel

Rocket sirens sound in southern Israel

The second barrage came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Defense Minister Naftali Bennett , IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi , head of the Shin Bet ( Israel Security Agency ) Nadav Argaman and other senior security officials held a situational assessment at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv.The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process , Nickolay Mladenov , and Egyptian intelligence are speaking with both sides to try calm the situation and prevent a further escalation , according to Palestinian reports.Former defense minister and Yisrael Beytenu party chairman Avigdor Liberman criticized the Netanyahu ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and that it undermines Israeli deterrence.
“ Just this week Israel enabled Hamas to receive payment of tens of million dollars of protection money .
Hamas received the money , waited for the Qatari envoy to leave the [ Gaza ] Strip and immediately began firing , ” he posted on Twitter.Earlier on Sunday afternoon the IDF was reported to have increased the number of Iron Dome missile defense batteries over fears the Palestinian terrorist groups in the Hamas-run enclave would fire rockets in retaliation for the death of the terrorist.A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media on Sunday showed a crowd of Palestinian youth throwing stones towards an Israeli bulldozer sent to retrieve the body of the dead terrorist .
He was identified as Muhammed Ali al-Na ’ im , 27 , a commander of PIJ ’ s military wing , al-Quds Brigade , in the Khan Yunis area.The graphic footage showed the bulldozer driving at high speed toward a group of Palestinian youth to prevent them from grabbing the body .
Several people were seen carrying one individual , but the bulldozer was seen lifting the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before it returned to Israel along with an IDF Merkava tank which had been guarding it.Defense Minister Bennett called the uproar over retrieval of the terrorist ’ s body by the IDF bulldozer “ hypocritical criticism of the left , ” and supported the IDF ’ s collection of the corpse.
“ I am sick and tired of the hypocritical criticism of the Left against the ‘ inhumanity ’ of using a bulldozer to retrieve the body of a terrorist who tried to murder Israelis .
Gentlemen , you are not human .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oron , ” he said , referring to the bodies of two fallen IDF soldiers in the hands of Hamas since Operation Protective Edge in 2014.
“ I back the IDF that killed the terrorist and retrieved the body .
This is how we should act in the face of terrorists.
” The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza was quoted by the Bethlehem-based Ma ’ an News Agency as saying that another two men were injured by IDF gunfire while trying to retrieve the body and the wounded individual.According to the IDF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Palestinians were identified approaching the fence and placing an improvised explosive device on it near the southern city of Khan Yunis .
They were fired upon by troops from the IDF ’ s Kfir Brigade “ who were deployed to the location following the detection ” of the suspects.The Israeli military said the cell affiliated with the PIJ terrorist group which had placed the explosive device near the border fence on Sunday morning was responsible for two other similar incidents in recent months near the fence.Palestinian Islamic Jihad called the incident “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ not let the occupation deal with us as it does with some Arab states .
We are placing our hands on the trigger and we will avenge the blood of the martyrs by firing on Tel Aviv.
” Last week , Bennett said that Israel would begin to “ hoard ” the bodies of Palestinian terrorists , to use as “ bargaining chips ” to pressure Hamas to release two Israeli citizens and the bodies of the two fallen IDF soldiers held by the terrorist group in the Gaza Strip.This is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that IDF troops have opened fire on Palestinians near Khan Yunis .
Last week a PIJ sniper fired towards troops stationed near the Gaza border .
Israeli security forces – both IDF and officers from the police ’ s elite counter-terrorism unit – responded with artillery fire.While the IDF said that it had “ identified a hit , ” there were no Palestinian reports of casualties.The incidents come as Israel is trying to broker a long-term ceasefire arrangement with the Hamas-run coastal enclave.On Saturday evening , Liberman revealed that Mossad director Yossi Cohen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Herzi Halevi made a secret visit to Qatar earlier this month.During the visit , which lasted less than a day , the two met with the Qatari envoy to the Gaza Strip Mohammed al-Emadi and Qatari national security adviser Mohammed Bin Ahmed al-Misnad , and reportedly “ begged ” the Qataris to keep sending money to the blockaded Gaza Strip.
“ Both the Egyptians and the Qataris are angry with Hamas , and they were going to cut all ties with them .
All of a sudden Netanyahu shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Egypt and the Qataris to continue , ” Lieberman told Channel 12 news.Qatar , which is Gaza ’ s main financial backer , sends millions of dollars to Hamas every month .
On Friday , Doha said it would be increasing aid to impoverished Gaza and will provide some 120,000 families with $ 100 by the end of February .
Another $ 24 million will be used to build a new hospital in Rafah in the south of Gaza.Over a dozen rockets and mortars as well as countless explosive balloons and condoms have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tension spiked following the release of US President Donald Trump ’ s Middle East peace plan at the end of January.In mid-February , following the launching of several projectiles into southern Israel , Jerusalem announced it would reduce the Gaza fishing zone from 15 to 10 nautical miles , and reduced the number of work permits from 2,000 to 500 for Gaza businessmen to enter Israel .
The restrictions were lifted several days later.Last week , Bennett warned that “ the lawless conduct of Hamas leadership is bringing us closer to fatal action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when or where , but no one will be immune.
“ The State of Israel does not want a war with Hamas in Gaza , but we have a commitment to the security of southern residents , ” he said .
“ Hamas faces the choice : to choose life and economic prosperity or to choose terror and pay an unbearable price.
” Tzvi Joffre contributed to this report .

The second barrage came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Naftali Bennett, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Nadav Argaman and other senior security officials held a situational assessment at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv.The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, and Egyptian intelligence are speaking with both sides to try calm the situation and prevent a further escalation, according to Palestinian reports.Former defense minister and Yisrael Beytenu party chairman Avigdor Liberman criticized the Netanyahu’s policy, calling it “disgraceful,” and that it undermines Israeli deterrence.“Just this week Israel enabled Hamas to receive payment of tens of million dollars of protection money. Hamas received the money, waited for the Qatari envoy to leave the [Gaza] Strip and immediately began firing,” he posted on Twitter.Earlier on Sunday afternoon the IDF was reported to have increased the number of Iron Dome missile defense batteries over fears the Palestinian terrorist groups in the Hamas-run enclave would fire rockets in retaliation for the death of the terrorist.A video from the scene uploaded to social media on Sunday showed a crowd of Palestinian youth throwing stones towards an Israeli bulldozer sent to retrieve the body of the dead terrorist. He was identified as Muhammed Ali al-Na’im, 27, a commander of PIJ’s military wing, al-Quds Brigade, in the Khan Yunis area.The graphic footage showed the bulldozer driving at high speed toward a group of Palestinian youth to prevent them from grabbing the body. Several people were seen carrying one individual, but the bulldozer was seen lifting the body of the deceased suspect from the ground before it returned to Israel along with an IDF Merkava tank which had been guarding it.Defense Minister Bennett called the uproar over retrieval of the terrorist’s body by the IDF bulldozer “hypocritical criticism of the left,” and supported the IDF’s collection of the corpse.“I am sick and tired of the hypocritical criticism of the Left against the ‘inhumanity’ of using a bulldozer to retrieve the body of a terrorist who tried to murder Israelis. Gentlemen, you are not human. Hamas holds the bodies of Hadar and Oron,” he said, referring to the bodies of two fallen IDF soldiers in the hands of Hamas since Operation Protective Edge in 2014.“I back the IDF that killed the terrorist and retrieved the body. This is how we should act in the face of terrorists.”The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza was quoted by the Bethlehem-based Ma’an News Agency as saying that another two men were injured by IDF gunfire while trying to retrieve the body and the wounded individual.According to the IDF’s Spokesperson’s Unit, two Palestinians were identified approaching the fence and placing an improvised explosive device on it near the southern city of Khan Yunis. They were fired upon by troops from the IDF’s Kfir Brigade “who were deployed to the location following the detection” of the suspects.The Israeli military said the cell affiliated with the PIJ terrorist group which had placed the explosive device near the border fence on Sunday morning was responsible for two other similar incidents in recent months near the fence.Palestinian Islamic Jihad called the incident “a brutal crime” and vowed to “not let the occupation deal with us as it does with some Arab states. We are placing our hands on the trigger and we will avenge the blood of the martyrs by firing on Tel Aviv.”Last week, Bennett said that Israel would begin to “hoard” the bodies of Palestinian terrorists, to use as “bargaining chips” to pressure Hamas to release two Israeli citizens and the bodies of the two fallen IDF soldiers held by the terrorist group in the Gaza Strip.This is the second time in less than a week that IDF troops have opened fire on Palestinians near Khan Yunis. Last week a PIJ sniper fired towards troops stationed near the Gaza border. Israeli security forces – both IDF and officers from the police’s elite counter-terrorism unit – responded with artillery fire.While the IDF said that it had “identified a hit,” there were no Palestinian reports of casualties.The incidents come as Israel is trying to broker a long-term ceasefire arrangement with the Hamas-run coastal enclave.On Saturday evening, Liberman revealed that Mossad director Yossi Cohen and the Head of the IDF’s Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Herzi Halevi made a secret visit to Qatar earlier this month.During the visit, which lasted less than a day, the two met with the Qatari envoy to the Gaza Strip Mohammed al-Emadi and Qatari national security adviser Mohammed Bin Ahmed al-Misnad, and reportedly “begged” the Qataris to keep sending money to the blockaded Gaza Strip.“Both the Egyptians and the Qataris are angry with Hamas, and they were going to cut all ties with them. All of a sudden Netanyahu shows up as a Hamas advocate, pressuring Egypt and the Qataris to continue,” Lieberman told Channel 12 news.Qatar, which is Gaza’s main financial backer, sends millions of dollars to Hamas every month. On Friday, Doha said it would be increasing aid to impoverished Gaza and will provide some 120,000 families with $100 by the end of February. Another $24 million will be used to build a new hospital in Rafah in the south of Gaza.Over a dozen rockets and mortars as well as countless explosive balloons and condoms have been fired towards southern Israel, as tension spiked following the release of US President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan at the end of January.In mid-February, following the launching of several projectiles into southern Israel, Jerusalem announced it would reduce the Gaza fishing zone from 15 to 10 nautical miles, and reduced the number of work permits from 2,000 to 500 for Gaza businessmen to enter Israel. The restrictions were lifted several days later.Last week, Bennett warned that “the lawless conduct of Hamas leadership is bringing us closer to fatal action against them. We will not announce when or where, but no one will be immune.“The State of Israel does not want a war with Hamas in Gaza, but we have a commitment to the security of southern residents,” he said. “Hamas faces the choice: to choose life and economic prosperity or to choose terror and pay an unbearable price.”Tzvi Joffre contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-02-23--Sick Beersheba hotel employee told to stay under quarantine in his room

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An employee at the Leonardo Hotel in Beersheba who suffered from high fever and pharyngitis was told by the Palestinian Heatlh Ministry and the Israeli Health Ministry to stay under quarantine in his room on Sunday.The 48-years-old employee was is married and a father of six children, was instructed to stay in his room and not to come in contact with any of his family members.


jerusalempost--2020-02-23--Tel Aviv, Jerusalem marathons could be canceled due to coronavirus

The possibility was raised during a situation evaluation attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Health Minister Yaacov Litzman , @ @ @ @ @ and officials from the Ministry of Health in Tel Aviv .
The Tel Aviv Municipality @ @ @ @ @ the report as of yet .

The possibility was raised during a situation evaluation attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Health Minister Yaacov Litzman, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and officials from the Ministry of Health in Tel Aviv.
The Tel Aviv Municipality has not officially responded to the report as of yet.
The Tel Aviv Marathon, expected to take place on Friday, could be canceled due to fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak which may have found its way to Israel, reported Walla! news on Sunday. The Jerusalem Marathon is also facing possible cancellation.


jerusalempost--2020-02-23--MK Orly Levy: Coronavirus engineered in Chinese lab

The coronavirus is not the result of an animal to person disease but rather is a biological weapon developed in a lab, according to MK Orly Levy, the head of the Gesher Party that is now running under the Labor-Gesher-Meretz list in the upcoming election."This is not the result of eating bat soup, but was a lab-engineered 'virus' in some form or another," she said in an interview with Army Radio.Levy added that the State of Israel is used to combating biological weapons from time immemorial and "it is impossible that life should stop because of the coronavirus."Until now, the World Health Organization has shied way from such allegations and Chinese officials have denied them.Last week, the founder and chairman of Jerusalem Venture Partners, Erel Margalit, warned that, "We have no proof that the current virus is the result of a cyberattack, although we know that it could be.”


jerusalempost--2020-02-23--Saudi-led coalition says it foiled a Houthi attack in the Red Sea

The forces destroyed an unmanned boat laden with explosives that was launched from Hodeidah province in western Yemen , coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said in a statement on Saudi state news agency SPA , without identifying the targets .
There was no immediate confirmation from the Houthi movement , which has been battling the Sunni Muslim military coalition since 2015 in a conflict that is largely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and foe Shi'ite Iran .
Yemen lies along the Bab al-Mandeb strait at the southern mouth of the Red Sea , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil tankers heading from the Middle East to Europe .
Malki said the planned attack posed a threat to regional and international security and maritime trade .
He said the use of Hodeidah for operations was a `` glaring violation '' of a U.N.-led peace deal in the disputed port city that was agreed between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis in December 2018 .
Violence rose in January , ending more than three months of unprecedented calm in the five-year-old conflict following informal ceasefire talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strikes on the Houthi-held capital Sanaa on Sunday , hitting the presidential palace and other military sites , residents told Reuters .
Malki said later that the operation on Sanaa had destroyed Houthi sites used to store ballistic missiles and drones .
The strikes were the first to hit the capital for several months , residents said , and followed attempted missile attacks by Houthi forces on Saudi cities on Friday , as the kingdom prepared for a gathering of finance ministers from the Group of 20 major economies in Riyadh .

Naval forces from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen on Sunday foiled an "imminent terrorist" attack by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in the southern Red Sea, a major commercial shipping channel, the coalition said.
The forces destroyed an unmanned boat laden with explosives that was launched from Hodeidah province in western Yemen, coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said in a statement on Saudi state news agency SPA, without identifying the targets.
There was no immediate confirmation from the Houthi movement, which has been battling the Sunni Muslim military coalition since 2015 in a conflict that is largely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and foe Shi'ite Iran.
Yemen lies along the Bab al-Mandeb strait at the southern mouth of the Red Sea, one of the most important trade routes for oil tankers heading from the Middle East to Europe.
Malki said the planned attack posed a threat to regional and international security and maritime trade. He said the use of Hodeidah for operations was a "glaring violation" of a U.N.-led peace deal in the disputed port city that was agreed between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis in December 2018.
Violence rose in January, ending more than three months of unprecedented calm in the five-year-old conflict following informal ceasefire talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
Coalition warplanes carried out several air strikes on the Houthi-held capital Sanaa on Sunday, hitting the presidential palace and other military sites, residents told Reuters.
Malki said later that the operation on Sanaa had destroyed Houthi sites used to store ballistic missiles and drones.
The strikes were the first to hit the capital for several months, residents said, and followed attempted missile attacks by Houthi forces on Saudi cities on Friday, as the kingdom prepared for a gathering of finance ministers from the Group of 20 major economies in Riyadh.
The Western-backed coalition intervened in Yemen to try to restore the internationally recognized government that was ousted from power in Sanaa in late 2014 by the Houthis, who now control most major urban centers.


jerusalempost--2020-02-23--Venice Carnival events canceled due to coronavirus outbreak

Zaia told reporters that events scheduled for Sunday in the lagoon city would continue as planned .
`` But as @ @ @ @ @ be a ban on the Venice Carnival as well as on all events , sporting @ @ @ @ @ 1 inclusive , '' he said .

The last two days of the Venice Carnival, which draws tourists from around the world, have been canceled because of an outbreak of coronavirus, the head of the Veneto region Luca Zaia said on Sunday.
Zaia told reporters that events scheduled for Sunday in the lagoon city would continue as planned. "But as of this evening there will be a ban on the Venice Carnival as well as on all events, sporting as well, until March 1 inclusive," he said.
Earlier, Zaia reported the first two cases of coronavirus in Venice as officials struggled to contain an outbreak of the disease across northern Italy.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--IDF strikes PIJ infrastructure, including underground storage complexes

Incoming rocket sirens continued to wail after Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) announced it would stop firing rockets toward Israel on Monday evening.More than 100 rockets were fired by PIJ on Monday during several barrages from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel in a second day of violence with the Iranian-backed terrorist group.“Al-Quds Brigades [Islamic Jihad’s military wing] announces that it has finished its military response to the assassination crimes in Khan Yunis and Damascus,” PIJ said in a statement. “It promises our people and nation that it will continue its struggle and that it will respond to any continued [aggression] by the occupation against our people and land.”Nevertheless, an Israeli security official said Jerusalem has received “messages from various ranks within the PIJ regarding a desire for an immediate ceasefire,” but Israel was skeptical of the claims and only would believe actions on the ground rather than words.“The IDF will continue to act until quiet is restored to the south,” the official said.Of the 100 rockets fired toward Israel, 90% were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile-defense system, the IDF said.While the majority of rockets struck open fields, some fell in residential communities. One landed near a playground in Sderot, as well as in the yard of a home. In Netivot, rocket shrapnel fell near a house.The IDF carried out retaliatory strikes against PIJ targets across the Gaza Strip throughout Monday, including a military compound in Khan Yunis used for training and to store weapons, as well as underground infrastructure and rocket launchpads used to fire rockets into Israel.Following the PIJ ceasefire announcement, an incoming rocket siren was activated around 8 p.m. in Kissufim after a mortar was fired from Gaza.One wave of rocket fire from Gaza just before 4 p.m. lasted more than 90 minutes. Sirens wailed in Ashkelon, Sderot and Netivot and surrounding communities.The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced that due to the rocket fire, the Erez crossing with Gaza would be closed, no merchants would be able to cross into Israel, and the fishing zone would be reduced to six nautical miles.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in Ariel with US Ambassador David Friedman, warned that Israel may launch a broader campaign against Hamas in Gaza if rockets are not totally stopped.“Last night, we attacked in Gaza and in Syria,” he said. “I don’t plan to let up... Beyond the hard strikes on our enemies, Hamas and Islamic Jihad need to understand: This won’t continue. If they do not completely stop, we will have to activate the plan we prepared for a broad campaign.”Netanyahu said these are not just words, and the plan goes beyond the past three IDF operations in Gaza. However, he said, war is the final option.“I am not hurrying into war,” Netanyahu said. “I know the price that our soldiers and the families of the fallen pay... Woe to Hamas and Islamic Jihad when that day comes. It’s their choice.”“We will do what it takes to bring back total security for the residents of the South,” he said.Netanyahu visited an Iron Dome battery in Ashdod, where he said: “Yesterday, we attacked on several fronts, in Syria and in Gaza, and we are continuing to strike now, with planes, tanks and helicopters. We will continue to strike until it is quiet again. We have a message to the heads of terrorist organizations: If the quiet doesn’t return, you’re next.”Defense Minister Naftali Bennett met with citizens and council heads in Sderot and the Gaza border communities on Monday.“We are not interested in a broad campaign, but we are preparing a plan, and if there is no choice, we will put it into action,” he said. “We won’t tell the enemy when and where.”UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov called on Hamas and Islamic Jihad to halt its rocket and mortar fire against Israel, which “only risk dragging Gaza into another round of hostilities with no end in sight.”In a video briefing to the UN Security Council in New York, he said: “The indiscriminate launching of rockets against civilian population centers violates international law and must end.”“The past 48 hours have once again showed us how fragile the situation in Gaza is,” Mladenov said. “Its population suffers under Hamas’s rule and Israeli closures, while militant activity forces Israeli communities to live in constant fear of the next rocket attack. No amount of humanitarian or economic support on its own will resolve either the situation in Gaza or the broader conflict. Gaza ultimately requires a political solution.”“The situation is escalating as we speak,” he said. “The UN team is in contact with Egyptian officials on the ground. We call for a cessation of rocket fire against a civilian population, which violates international law.”UN Ambassador Danny Danon contacted UNSC members ahead of the meeting, telling them that the 50-plus rockets fired into Israel “indicate a clear intention by terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip to escalate the situation. Israel is acting with determination and resolve to end the threat to its citizens. We will not hesitate to continue our defensive actions.”He called on the international community to condemn the rocket fire from Gaza and to take action against the terrorist organizations shooting at Israel.Al-Quds Brigades warned earlier on Monday that it was “ready to confront any aggression. The enemy should know that if it continues [to carry out aggression], we will respond with force.”Earlier in the day, Netanyahu spoke with Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi and Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam, updating them on the security situation. He also held a telephone security consultation with the heads of the security establishment.Shortly before a barrage of rocket fire in the early afternoon, Bennett said that Israel is “preparing a plan to fundamentally change the situation in the Gaza Strip. I really understand the situation of the people of the South. They deserve peace and security.”“We have eliminated at least six terrorists over the last day – not only in Gaza,” Bennett said during a conference in Jerusalem on Monday. “But we have also made progress in hurting the source of the problem. But deterrence is not built in a moment.”The hostilities began on Sunday when the IDF killed a PIJ terrorist who planted an explosive device and prevented Palestinians from retrieving his body. Israel then came under an intense barrage of 26 rockets, 13 of which were intercepted by Iron Dome.On Sunday night, Israel carried out retaliatory airstrikes against PIJ targets in Syria and throughout the Gaza Strip following earlier rocket fire, killing at least six terrorists.Amid fears of violence, IDF Home Front Command announced that roads, schools and the railroad line to Beersheba near the Gaza Strip would be closed.The areas and roads that are blocked are all agricultural access routes west of Route 232. Highway 4 will be closed from Zikim Junction to the intersection of Kibbutz Netiv Haasara in both directions, Route 34 from Yad Mordechai Junction to Kibbutz Nir Am and Route 232 from Kibbutz Mefalsim to Kfar Aza Junction will also be closed.In addition, Kobe Hill in Sderot, Black Arrow Memorial, Bells Hill, Nazeemite Hill and Lone Horseshoe Hill will also be prohibited. Zikim Beach is closed to the public.Israel Railways said trains between Ashkelon and Beersheba would stop operating, and the stations in Sderot, Netivot and Ofakim would be closed.Hamas and PIJ had earlier threatened to avenge the killing of a terrorist by the IDF after he tried to plant explosives along the Gaza border fence early Sunday morning.Graphic footage from the scene showed an armored IDF bulldozer driving at high speed toward a group of Palestinian youth throwing stones to prevent them from retrieving the body. Several people were seen carrying one individual, but the bulldozer was seen lifting the body of the deceased suspect from the ground before it returned to Israel along with an IDF Merkava tank that had been guarding it.The dead terrorist was identified as Muhammed Ali al-Na’im, 27, a Quds Brigade commander in the Khan Yunis area.In response to the ongoing criticism of how the IDF took the body, Bennett on Monday said his goal was not to release terrorists until the bodies of the fallen IDF soldiers are returned to Israel.“I have a goal: to bring the bodies of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul home, not by releasing murderers. I sent them both to fight in Protective Edge, and the way to get them back is by increasing the pain for Hamas.”Tovah Lazaroff contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Turkish Airlines cancels flights to four Iranian cities

The company said it cancelled flights to Mashhad , Isfahan , Tabriz and Shiraz until that date .
It also @ @ @ @ @ flights to two per day .

Turkish Airlines has cancelled its flights to four Iranian cities and decreased the frequency of flights to Tehran until Feb. 27, the company said on Monday.
The company said it cancelled flights to Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz and Shiraz until that date. It also decreased the frequency of Tehran flights to two per day.
Turkey has already closed its land border with Iran and halted incoming flights as a precaution to stop the potential spread of coronavirus, the health minister said on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--China says more than 3,000 medical staff infected by coronavirus

More than 3,000 medical staff in China have been infected by the new coronavirus that emerged in the country late last year, an official at China's National Health Commission said on Monday.Liang Wannian told reporters during a joint press briefing with the head of the World Health Organization delegation to China, Bruce Aylward, the infections have mostly occurred in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak that has killed nearly 2,600 to date in the mainland. The infections were likely due to the lack of protective gear and fatigue, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Assange put lives at risk with his crimes, lawyer for United States says

The 48-year-old is wanted by the United States on 18 criminal counts of conspiring to hack government computers and violating @ @ @ @ @ spend decades in prison if convicted .
Lawyer James Lewis , representing the United States @ @ @ @ @ said Assange had conspired with Chelsea Manning to hack Department of Defense computers .
Lewis @ @ @ @ @ unredacted material which put the lives of sources at risk .
In doing so , @ @ @ @ @ of informants , journalists , dissidents and others in Iraq and Afghanistan who had given @ @ @ @ @ its allies , Lewis said .

A lawyer for the United States told a British court on Monday that Julian Assange is wanted for crimes that put at risk the lives of people who had helped the West and that journalism is no excuse for criminality.
The 48-year-old is wanted by the United States on 18 criminal counts of conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law and could spend decades in prison if convicted.
Lawyer James Lewis, representing the United States in the extradition hearing, said Assange had conspired with Chelsea Manning to hack Department of Defense computers.
Lewis said Assange had also disseminated unredacted material which put the lives of sources at risk. In doing so, Assange had identified the names of informants, journalists, dissidents and others in Iraq and Afghanistan who had given help to the US and its allies, Lewis said.
Lewis said the defense claim that Assange might receive a jail term of 170 years was hyperbole.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Rocket alert sirens sound in Gaza border communities

Rocket alert sirens sounded in Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip on Monday afternoon, in the area of Netiv HaAssara.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Julian Assange appears at start of extradition hearing in Britain

Wearing a blue-grey suit and cleanly shaven , Assange confirmed his name and age .

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared in a British court at the start of extradition hearings on Monday.
Wearing a blue-grey suit and cleanly shaven, Assange confirmed his name and age.
Judge Vanessa Baraitser told the court that any disturbances would see people removed from court.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Family of Egyptian militant Ashmawy not notified about his reported execution

Earlier several local media and three security sources said that authorities executed Ashmawy , described as the country 's most @ @ @ @ @ he was convicted by a military court of orchestrating several attacks .
Ashmawy , a @ @ @ @ @ , was transferred to Egypt from eastern Libya last year and has been long sought @ @ @ @ @ being behind the high-profile attacks on security forces .

The family of the convicted top Egyptian militant Hisham al-Ashmawy has not been formally notified about his reported execution on Monday, his lawyer Khaled El-Masry told Reuters.
Earlier several local media and three security sources said that authorities executed Ashmawy, described as the country's most dangerous Islamist militant, after he was convicted by a military court of orchestrating several attacks.
Ashmawy, a former Egyptian special forces officer, was transferred to Egypt from eastern Libya last year and has been long sought by Cairo on charges of being behind the high-profile attacks on security forces.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Mongolia halts all flights from South Korea, blocks entry until March 2

Though Mongolia has not yet reported any confirmed cases of infection , it has already closed its schools until the @ @ @ @

Mongolia's National Emergency Commission has halted all flights from South Korea and will block entry through its borders until March 2 as it steps up its efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it said on Monday.
Though Mongolia has not yet reported any confirmed cases of infection, it has already closed its schools until the end of March.
Mongolia had previously suspended all entries through its borders from China. A suspension of coal deliveries into China is scheduled to come to an end on March 2.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--China warns against travel to US, citing unfair treatment over coronavirus

BEIJING - Beijing on Monday warned its citizens against traveling to the United States, saying that Chinese tourists have been treated unfairly in the country due to excessive prevention measures over the coronavirus outbreak.The statement from China's tourism ministry also cited the US "security situation" in its warning.China has repeatedly blamed the United States for what it considers to be an excessive reaction to the outbreak, including early curbs on visitors from China.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Netanyahu: There may be no escape from an operation in Gaza

In an interview with Jerusalem Radio, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a new military operation in Gaza may be unavoidable, following heightened tensions between Israel and Gaza-based terrorist organizations after the death of six Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) members late Sunday night in an IDF strike in Gaza and Damascus.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--WHO says no longer uses 'pandemic' category, but virus still emergency

The Geneva-based agency , which declared the H1N1 swine flu outbreak a pandemic in 2009 , declared the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ China in December a public health emergency of International concern , known as a PHEIC @ @ @ @ @

The World Health Organization (WHO) no longer has a process for declaring a pandemic, but the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak remains an international emergency, a spokesman said on Monday.
The Geneva-based agency, which declared the H1N1 swine flu outbreak a pandemic in 2009, declared the novel coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan, China in December a public health emergency of International concern, known as a PHEIC, on Jan. 30.
"There is no official category (for a pandemic)," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said. "WHO does not use the old phasing system that some people may be familiar with from 2009. Under the IHR (International Health Regulations), WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern."


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Likud officials: Netanyahu is considering declaring upcoming term as last

Likud officials reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering declaring his upcoming term to be his last, and that he needs four years in office to fulfill his vision.According to an internal poll by the party, such a declaration could bring Likud to another mandate and give a realistic chance of reaching 61 seats for the right-religious bloc.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Afghanistan identifies first confirmed coronavirus patient - health minister

Ferozuddin Feroz , the minister of public health , told a press conference in Kabul one of three suspected cases @ @ @ @ @ Western province of Herat .

Afghanistan's minister of public health said on Monday the country had identified its first case of coronavirus.
Ferozuddin Feroz, the minister of public health, told a press conference in Kabul one of three suspected cases had been confirmed in the Western province of Herat.
He announced a state of emergency in the province, which borders Iran where dozens of cases of the disease have been confirmed and eight people have died.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Coronavirus epicenter Wuhan revokes announcement easing lockdown

The city at the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak that has already killed more than 2,500 people said it would @ @ @ @ @ over its borders in order to prevent the virus from spreading further .

An announcement that the Chinese city of Wuhan would relax some of its travel restrictions and allow some people to leave was made without authorisation and has been revoked, the local government said on Monday.
The city at the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak that has already killed more than 2,500 people said it would continue to impose strict controls over its borders in order to prevent the virus from spreading further.
It said it had reprimanded the people responsible for the earlier announcement that healthy people would be allowed to leave if they had vital business.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Qatar to quarantine passengers arriving from Iran, South Korea

Qatar will ask passengers arriving from Iran and South Korea to remain in home isolation or a quarantine facility for 14 days over fears of new coronavirus outbreak, Qatar Airways said in a statement on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Iraq closes border crossing with Kuwait amid coronavirus spread

Iraq has shut its Safwan border crossing with Kuwait to travelers and trade at Kuwait's request, the local mayor told Reuters on Monday without providing a reason, amid fears over the spread of coronavirus.Kuwait said on Monday three people, including a Saudi national, who returned from Iran were infected by the new coronavirus, state news agency KUNA reported.Iraq extended on Saturday an entry ban for any non-Iraqis coming from Iran, which has so far said it had confirmed 43 cases and eight deaths. Neighboring Iraq and Iran, both home to Shi'ite Muslim majorities, share close religious, political, and trade ties.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Kuwait says three people who traveled to Iran have new coronavirus

Kuwait said on Monday three people, including a Saudi national, who returned from Iran were infected by the new coronavirus, state news agency KUNA reported.The three cases, the first in the Gulf state, were among the 700 people evacuated from the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad last week, KUNA said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Bahrain's first coronavirus case detected

The first case of the new coronavirus was detected in Bahrain, the state news agency said on Monday, citing the health ministry.The Ministry of Health added that it was a Bahraini citizen arriving from Iran.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Seven wounded in shooting at flea market in Houston, Texas

A gunman opened fire at a flea market in Houston on Sunday, wounding seven people in an area known for its Hispanic community, with a suspect being taken into custody at the scene."No one is critically wounded," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said, adding that the victims were being taken to hospitals and that some injuries may have been a result of a bullet ricochet."We believe at this point those are all minor, superficial type of wounds," Gonzalez said. "A male is detained at the scene."The shooting occurred as the Sunday market was taking place in the busy area."This evening there was a live dance going on here at this location. A lot people including children were inside the location," the Harris County Sheriff said in a briefing.The investigation was going on and there was no immediate information on the motive of the shooter, according to the sheriff, who said the shooting happened at around 7:00 p.m.A witness had reported seeing somebody with a gun in the area where weapons are not allowed, the sheriff said."It is a miracle nobody else was seriously hurt, especially the children," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Wuhan city, virus epicenter, allows people to exit for crucial operations

BEIJING/SHANGHAI - China's Wuhan, the city at the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic, said on Monday it will allow healthy people in the city to exit for crucial operations only.The comments were made on the city's official WeChat account.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--China: 409 new coronavirus cases

China: 409 new coronavirus cases

SHANGHAI/BEIJING- Mainland China had 409 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Sunday, the National Health Commission said on Monday, down from 648 reported a day earlier.The number of new deaths, however, rose to 150 from 97 over the same period, it said in a statement.The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases on the mainland is now 77,150, and 2,592 have died from the outbreak, the commission said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--New Zealand extends ban on arrivals from China on coronavirus fears

New Zealand has extended a ban on arrivals from mainland China into a fourth week to contain the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.The ban has been extended by a further eight days and would be reviewed after that, Ardern told a news conference.New Zealand so far has no confirmed cases of the virus in the country.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Four Chinese provinces lower coronavirus emergency response level

BEIJING - Four Chinese provinces Yunnan, Guangdong, Shanxi and Guizhou on Monday lowered their coronavirus emergency response measures, local health commissions said.Yunnan and Guizhou cut their emergency response measures from level I to level III, while Guangdong and Shanxi lowered their measures to level II.China has a four-tier response system for pubic health emergencies that determines what measures it will implement, with level I the most serious.Gansu province was the first to lower its measures on Friday, followed by Liaoning on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Trump administration backs off sending coronavirus patients to Alabama

The Trump administration has backed off plans to quarantine patients from the Diamond Princess cruise ship stricken with coronavirus at a federal facility in Alabama, the state's governor and a US senator said on Sunday.The news came as worry grew over the spread outside China of the sometimes fatal virus, with a spike in the number of cases found in South Korea, Iran and Italy. Experts were baffled over outbreaks with no clear link to China."I just got off the phone with the President. He told me that his administration will not be sending any victims of the Coronavirus from the Diamond Princess cruise ship to Anniston, Alabama. Thank you, @POTUS, for working with us to ensure the safety of all Alabamians," Senator Richard Shelby, a Republican from the state, said on Twitter.Alabama Governor Kay Ivey tweeted that she had thanked Trump during a separate phone call.The White House could not immediately be reached for comment. The president departed on Sunday for a trip to India for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The US Department of Health and Human Services said on Saturday that it would house American passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who had tested positive for coronavirus at a former Army base in Anniston, Alabama.It was unclear where those patients would be quarantined if the plan to house them in Alabama had been scrapped.More than 630 passengers of the Diamond Princess have been confirmed as infected with coronavirus and at least three have died. The British cruise ship, which sails primarily in Southeast Asia, is quarantined near Tokyo.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--161 new coronavirus cases in South Korea

South Korea reported 161 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected patients in the country to 763, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday.The agency also reported the seventh death from the virus


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Trump: coronavirus under control in the US, stock market looking good

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the coronavirus was under control in the United States, and added that he thought the stock market, which tumbled on Monday on worries over the fast-spreading disease, was "starting to look very good to me!""The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA," Trump, who is visiting India, said on Twitter."We are in contact with everyone and all relevant countries. CDC & World Health have been working hard and very smart. Stock Market starting to look very good to me!," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Bahrain suspends civil aviatiom flights for 48 hours

CAIRO - Bahrain civil aviation authority on Monday suspended all its flights from Dubai airport and Sharjah airport for 48 hours over coronavirus fears.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--'Mission: Impossible' Italy movie shoot delayed by coronavirus

A planned three-week shoot in Italy for Tom Cruise's new "Mission: Impossible" film has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, movie studio Paramount Pictures said on Monday.Filming was due to have started on Monday in Venice, where the final two days of the lagoon city's annual Carnival festival was canceled on Sunday. New coronavirus cases climbed above 220 on Monday as Italy shut down much of its wealthy north to curb the disease's spread."Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three week shoot in Venice, the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for Mission: Impossible 7," Paramount Pictures, a unit of ViacomCBS, said in a statement.The studio said it was allowing the film crew to return home during the delay and that it would "continue to monitor this situation" in Italy.The studio did not say when it now expects production to start.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Italian national becomes third case of coronavirus in Spain

MADRID - An Italian man has tested positive for coronavirus in Tenerife in the Canary Islands , the region 's @ @ @ @ @ .
Spanish media including El Mundo reported the man was an Italian doctor on holiday @ @ @ @ @ is currently being kept in isolation and his test results will be sent to Madrid @ @ @ @ @ as per Spain 's protocol in suspected coronavirus cases , the Canary Islands ' health @ @ @ @ @ .
He is the third person to test positive for the virus in Spain after @ @ @ @ @ on Feb. 9 and a German man on the Canary Island of La Gomera on @ @ @

MADRID - An Italian man has tested positive for coronavirus in Tenerife in the Canary Islands, the region's health authorities said on Monday.
Spanish media including El Mundo reported the man was an Italian doctor on holiday in Spain.
The man is currently being kept in isolation and his test results will be sent to Madrid for a second analysis, as per Spain's protocol in suspected coronavirus cases, the Canary Islands' health authorities said in a statement.
He is the third person to test positive for the virus in Spain after a British man in Mallorca on Feb. 9 and a German man on the Canary Island of La Gomera on Feb. 1.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Pence, Pompeo to attend AIPAC policy conference next week

US Vice President Mike Pence will attend the AIPAC policy conference next week and address the audience, the pro-Israel lobby announced on Monday night.Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, is expected to attend as well, AIPAC has announced.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--US considers response after China expels American journalists

The United States is considering a range of responses to China's "egregious act" in expelling three US journalists, a spokesman for White House National Security Council (NSC) said on Monday.Beijing said on Thursday it might take more action against the Wall Street Journal, a day after revoking the press credentials of three of the US newspaper's correspondents over a column that China said was racist."The United States condemns Beijing's expulsion of three Wall Street Journal foreign correspondents," White House NSC spokesman John Ullyot said. "The United States is considering a range of responses to this egregious act."The official was asked to comment on a Bloomberg News report saying that the United States was weighing whether to expel Chinese journalists in response. He did not specifically comment on that.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--US CDC confirms 53 coronavirus victims

US CDC confirms 53 coronavirus victims

Feb 24 - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) said on Monday there were 14 @ @ @ @ @ in the country , apart from the 39 cases among those evacuated from the Diamond @ @ @ @ @ city of Wuhan in China .
The agency said the 14 confirmed cases included two @ @ @ @ @ County and Sacramento County in California .
On Friday , the CDC reported 13 cases @ @ @ @ @ and 21 cases from among the repatriated Americans and said they were preparing for the @ @ @ @ @ the virus through US communities that would force closures of schools and businesses .

Feb 24 - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Monday there were 14 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country, apart from the 39 cases among those evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and the city of Wuhan in China.
The agency said the 14 confirmed cases included two new cases reported from Humboldt County and Sacramento County in California.
On Friday, the CDC reported 13 cases among those within the country and 21 cases from among the repatriated Americans and said they were preparing for the possibility of the spread of the virus through US communities that would force closures of schools and businesses.
US public health officials have also warned that cases among the repatriated citizens will likely increase.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--IAF aircraft sighted over western, central Lebanon - Lebanese media

Lebanon's National News Agency reported flights of IAF aircraft over the western and central regions of Lebanon on Monday evening.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Seventh coronavirus death in Italy – report

A two new deaths were reported in the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, state broadcaster RAI and the ANSA news agency reported on Monday, bringing the country's total up to seven.Reports said the sixth person was a cancer patient in the northern town of Brescia.ANSA said the seventh person to die was an 80-year-old man who had been taken to hospital last week in Lodi after suffering a heart attack. Doctors believe he caught the virus there from another patient.


jerusalempost--2020-02-24--Netanyahu cancels participation in Likud events due to Gaza rockets

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled his participation in Likud events scheduled on Monday in Tiberias and Safed due to the rocket fire from Gaza.Netanyahu is expected to hold briefings with Defense Minister Naftali Bennett and IDF chiefs instead.Israel may launch a broader campaign against Hamas in Gaza if it does not totally stop firing rockets at Israel, Netanyahu warned earlier on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Sixth Israeli tests positive for virus after returning from Italy

A 6th Israeli citizen has been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to a statment by the Israeli Ministry of Health published on Friday evening.The man lives in northern Israel and returned from Italy on February 22, and has been transferred to quarantine at Rambam Hospital.An epidemiological inquiry is being conducted and the man's full route will be published soon, according the statement.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Coronavirus risk at very high global level, says WHO's Tedros

GENEVA , - The risk of spread and impact of the coronavirus is now very high at a `` global @ @ @ @ @ Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva on Friday .
China 's 329 @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours was however the lowest there in more than a month , he said @

GENEVA, - The risk of spread and impact of the coronavirus is now very high at a "global level," World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva on Friday.
China's 329 reported cases in the past 24 hours was however the lowest there in more than a month, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Bahrain reports two new cases of coronavirus, one a Saudi national

CAIRO - Bahrain reported two new cases of coronavirus on Friday , one of them a Saudi Arabian national , @ @ @ @ @ 38 .
The health ministry said the other reported case was a Bahraini national , @ @ @ @ @ had come from Iran via indirect flights .

CAIRO - Bahrain reported two new cases of coronavirus on Friday, one of them a Saudi Arabian national, taking the total there to 38.
The health ministry said the other reported case was a Bahraini national, and that both new cases had come from Iran via indirect flights.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--British man who was on Diamond Princess ship dies in Japan

LONDON - A British man who was aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship , docked in Yokohama , Japan , @ @ @ @ @ Kyodo news reported on Friday .
Britain 's Foreign Office could not immediately be reached @ @ @

LONDON - A British man who was aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, docked in Yokohama, Japan, has died from coronavirus, Kyodo news reported on Friday.
Britain's Foreign Office could not immediately be reached for comment.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--All schools in Iran to close for three days over coronavirus concerns

DUBAI - All schools in Iran will close for three days starting from Saturday over coronavirus concerns , Iran 's @ @ @ @ @ TV .

DUBAI - All schools in Iran will close for three days starting from Saturday over coronavirus concerns, Iran's health minister announced on state TV.
"Based on assessments it was felt that there was a need for closing all the schools in the country and for this reason all the schools in the country will be closed for three days starting from tomorrow," Health Minister Saeed Namaki said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Quarantine measures taken at two Abu Dhabi hotels

DUBAI - Guests at two Abu Dhabi hotels who interacted with two Italians diagnosed with coronavirus have been placed under @ @ @ @ @ the state news agency of the United Arab Emirates WAM reported on Friday .
Other @ @ @ @ @ the two Italians on Yas island have been isolated at home , the agency said @ @ @ @ @ of Abu Dhabi , the UAE capital .

DUBAI - Guests at two Abu Dhabi hotels who interacted with two Italians diagnosed with coronavirus have been placed under quarantine in the hotels, the state news agency of the United Arab Emirates WAM reported on Friday.
Other people who also interacted with the two Italians on Yas island have been isolated at home, the agency said, citing the health department of Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital.
The two Italians were diagnosed with the disease on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--NATO calls on Russia, Syria to halt Idlib offensive

BRUSSELS - NATO 's secretary-general called on Russia and Syria on Friday to halt the offensive in Idlib and said @ @ @ @ @ the alliance 's ambassadors , that NATO stood in solidarity with Turkey .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ Syria regime to stop the attacks , to stop the indiscriminate air attacks ... we @ @ @ @ @ Syria to fully respect the international law , '' Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference @ @ @ @ @ Syria and Russia to fully engage in U.N.-led efforts to find a peaceful solution for @ @ @ @ @ ''

BRUSSELS - NATO's secretary-general called on Russia and Syria on Friday to halt the offensive in Idlib and said, after a meeting of the alliance's ambassadors, that NATO stood in solidarity with Turkey.
"We call on Russia and the Syria regime to stop the attacks, to stop the indiscriminate air attacks ... we also call on Russia and Syria to fully respect the international law," Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference.
"We call on Syria and Russia to fully engage in U.N.-led efforts to find a peaceful solution for the conflict in Syria."


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--EU: E1 construction will sever communication in West Bank

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The EU's Minister of Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, reacted to the proposed E1 settlement project in the West Bank, noting that it will close off communications between the north and the south of the West Bank, according to a statement released by the EU's Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy."Settlement construction in these areas will cut the geographic and territorial contiguity between east Jerusalem and the West Bank. Construction in E1 will sever the connection between northern and southern West Bank," the statement read."We call on both parties to engage in a dialogue and to refrain from any unilateral action that undermines the viability of the two-state solution."


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--16 Tel Aviv Marathon runners evacuated to Ichilov Hospital

16 Tel Aviv Marathon runners have been given medical attention by Magen David Adom, and transferred to Ichilov Hospital for further treatment on Friday, according to Maariv.Five runners have caught heat stroke. A woman in her 40s, and one man in his 50s are in severe condition, according to Ynet. The other three runners, are in moderate condition.One runner suffered from a heart attack, however did not lose consciousness.The remaining ten runners suffered from exhaustion and dehydration.In addition, there are a number of runners who have been treated for various ailments by MDA, the majority of which were treated for dehydration and exhaustion.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Almost 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Germany

BERLIN - There are almost 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Germany , a spokeswoman for the Health Ministry said @ @ @ @ @ number included people who were now healthy again .

BERLIN - There are almost 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Germany, a spokeswoman for the Health Ministry said on Friday, adding that number included people who were now healthy again.
Asked how many confirmed cases of coronavirus in Germany there were, she said: "At the moment in Germany we have almost 60 but it's a very dynamic situation, as we keep saying."


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Coronavirus outbreak "getting bigger" after Nigeria case - WHO

Coronavirus outbreak is `` getting bigger , '' the World Helath Organization ( WHO ) said on Friday after Nigeria @ @ @ @ @ case , reiterating its warning that the virus could reach most `` if not all @ @ @ @ @ Christian Lindmeier told a Geneva news briefing that it was looking into reports of some @ @ @ @ @ would include reviewing how were tests taken , adding : `` But in general a @ @ @ @ @ would be immune at least for a while . ''

Coronavirus outbreak is "getting bigger," the World Helath Organization (WHO) said on Friday after Nigeria confirmed sub-Saharan Africa's first case, reiterating its warning that the virus could reach most "if not all countries."
WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told a Geneva news briefing that it was looking into reports of some people getting re-infected, which would include reviewing how were tests taken, adding: "But in general a person who had coronavirus infection would be immune at least for a while."
A WHO mission to Iran - which has now reported 388 cases and 34 deaths - is supposed to start early next week, and is still being put together, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Turkey says attack on troops happened despite coordination with Russia

ANKARA - Turkey said on Friday that air strikes in Syria 's Idlib region which killed 33 of its troops @ @ @ @ @ officials on the ground , and that the attacks continued after a warning being made @ @ @ @ @ according to state media .
State-owned Anadolu news agency reported Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar @ @ @ @ @ Akar also said 309 Syrian government soldiers , which are backed which are backed by @ @ @ @ @ retaliation .

ANKARA - Turkey said on Friday that air strikes in Syria's Idlib region which killed 33 of its troops happened despite coordination with Russian officials on the ground, and that the attacks continued after a warning being made after the first strikes, according to state media.
State-owned Anadolu news agency reported Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar as making the comments. Akar also said 309 Syrian government soldiers, which are backed which are backed by Moscow, were killed in retaliation.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Second case of coronavirus confirmed in Netherlands

AMSTERDAM - A new case of coronavirus has been confirmed in the Netherlands , health officials said on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ capital Amsterdam .
The first Dutch case was confirmed in the southern city of Tilburg @ @ @ @ @ had recently traveled in Northern Italy .
The new case `` has no link to @ @ @ @ @ the National Institute for Public Health said in a statement .
Both patients are being @ @ @ @

AMSTERDAM - A new case of coronavirus has been confirmed in the Netherlands, health officials said on Friday, this time in the Dutch capital Amsterdam.
The first Dutch case was confirmed in the southern city of Tilburg late on Thursday. Both had recently traveled in Northern Italy.
The new case "has no link to the first patient," the National Institute for Public Health said in a statement. Both patients are being held in isolation.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Nigeria's first coronavirus case travelled through Lagos before detection

ABUJA - Nigeria 's first confirmed coronovirus case was not detected at airport , and travelled through Lagos before he @ @ @ @ @ a hospital , the country 's health minister said on Friday .
The Italian man @ @ @ @ @ in Nigeria from Milan on the evening of Feb. 24 , did not have symptoms @ @ @ @ @ Authorities are now working to `` meet and observe '' all those who were on @ @ @ @ @ and are also identifying all the people he met and places he visited in Lagos @ @ @ @ @ 20 million people , before reporting to the hospital .

ABUJA - Nigeria's first confirmed coronovirus case was not detected at airport, and travelled through Lagos before he took ill and went to a hospital, the country's health minister said on Friday.
The Italian man, who authorities said arrived in Nigeria from Milan on the evening of Feb. 24, did not have symptoms when the plane landed.
Authorities are now working to "meet and observe" all those who were on the flight with him, and are also identifying all the people he met and places he visited in Lagos, a city of some 20 million people, before reporting to the hospital.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Lebanon bars travel for-non residents from countries with coronavirus

BEIRUT - Lebanon halted flights for non-residents from countries with coronavirus outbreaks , including China , Iran , Italy and @ @ @ @ @ ministry said on Friday .
The decision also bars land and sea travel .
It @ @ @ @ @ residents of the country .
Lebanon has reported three cases of coronavirus over the past @ @ @ @ @ who had arrived from Iran .
The government decided on Tuesday to curb some flights @ @ @ @ @ pilgrims

BEIRUT - Lebanon halted flights for non-residents from countries with coronavirus outbreaks, including China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, the transport ministry said on Friday.
The decision also bars land and sea travel. It excludes Lebanese citizens and foreign residents of the country.
Lebanon has reported three cases of coronavirus over the past week, all of them who had arrived from Iran. The government decided on Tuesday to curb some flights and halt all flights for pilgrims


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--United Kingdom has 19 confirmed coronavirus cases

LONDON - The United Kingdom now has 19 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus after Wales identified its first case @ @ @ @ @ found in England , health authorities said on Friday .
`` The total number of @ @ @ @ @ '' the health ministry said .

LONDON - The United Kingdom now has 19 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus after Wales identified its first case and two new cases were found in England, health authorities said on Friday.
"The total number of UK cases is 19," the health ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Rabbi Berland's detention extended until next court proceedings

The district court rejected Rabbi Eliezer Berland's request to remain under house arrest, and has extended his remand in custody until the end of the next court proceedings.An indictment in his case is expected within the next few days.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--One female passenger who was on the Diamond Princess dies

TOKYO - One female passenger who was on board a virus-hit cruise liner off Japan has died , Japanese media @ @ @ @ @ the health ministry .
The woman is Japanese and in her 70s , the reports @ @ @ @ @ Princess , off Japan 's Yokohama port has seen hundreds of coronavirus infections .
If @ @ @ @ @ the fifth death from the coronavirus on the vessel .

TOKYO - One female passenger who was on board a virus-hit cruise liner off Japan has died, Japanese media reported on Friday, citing the health ministry.
The woman is Japanese and in her 70s, the reports said.
The quarantined Diamond Princess, off Japan's Yokohama port has seen hundreds of coronavirus infections. If confirmed, it would be the fifth death from the coronavirus on the vessel.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Japan's Hokkaido prefecture declares state of emergency over coronavirus

TOKYO - Japan 's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido declared a state of emergency on Friday as the number of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ to stay indoors over the weekend .
`` Hokkaido has been doing everything it can @ @ @ @ @ but the crisis is deepening , '' Governor Naomichi Suzuki said at a televised news @ @ @ @ @ The state of emergency will last until March 19 , he said .

TOKYO - Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido declared a state of emergency on Friday as the number of coronavirus cases rose, asking residents to stay indoors over the weekend.
"Hokkaido has been doing everything it can to contain the virus, but the crisis is deepening," Governor Naomichi Suzuki said at a televised news conference on Friday evening.
The state of emergency will last until March 19, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Case of coronavirus diagnosed in French city of Nice - local mayor

PARIS - A case of coronavirus has been diagnosed in the southern French city of Nice , concerning a woman @ @ @ @ @ Milan , said the mayor of Nice on his Twitter account .
`` I have @ @ @ @ @ case of coronavirus diagnosed this morning at the Nice hospital , '' wrote Mayor Christian @ @ @ @ @ .

PARIS - A case of coronavirus has been diagnosed in the southern French city of Nice, concerning a woman who had recently returned from Milan, said the mayor of Nice on his Twitter account.
"I have been informed of a first case of coronavirus diagnosed this morning at the Nice hospital," wrote Mayor Christian Estrosi on Twitter on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--South Korea coronavirus cases surge to 2,337

SEOUL- South Korea reported 571 new coronavirus cases on Friday , taking its total number of infections to 2,337 , the largest outbreak outside China where the epidemic began late last year .
The coronavirus crisis has spooked South Korea 's financial markets , led Hyundai Motor to shut down one of its plants and prompted boy band BTS to cancel its April concert .
The outbreak , which has killed 13 people in South Korea , has also dented the popularity of President Moon Jae-in , a poll showed .
More than half of South Korea 's cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church of Jesus in the southeastern city of Daegu and a hospital in Cheongdo county .
A 61-year-old woman , known as `` Patient 31 '' attended religious services at the church before testing positive on Feb. 18. , according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) said .
The government circulated a list of about 310,000 Shincheonji members to local governments for checks , vice health minister Kim Gang-lip told a briefing .
As of Thursday , health authorities had contacted 110,000 of them , 1,638 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested for the coronavirus , Kim said .
Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin said charges of criminal violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act would be brought against the church for refusing the release of a full list of its members .
South Korean boy band BTS canceled concerts in Seoul scheduled for April in Seoul , said their label , Big Hit Entertainment .
Korean Air Lines said it would measure temperatures of all passengers for flights to the United States and turn away passengers whose temperature exceeds 37.5 Celsius ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbors have tightened up entry restrictions in response to the outbreak .
Vietnam suspended visa-free entry for South Korean , its embassy in Hanoi said , and travelers from South Korea will have to quarantine themselves upon entry .
India temporarily suspended visas on arrival for South Koreans and Japanese nationals on Wednesday , South Korea 's embassy in India said .

SEOUL- South Korea reported 571 new coronavirus cases on Friday, taking its total number of infections to 2,337, the largest outbreak outside China where the epidemic began late last year.
The coronavirus crisis has spooked South Korea's financial markets, led Hyundai Motor to shut down one of its plants and prompted boy band BTS to cancel its April concert.
The outbreak, which has killed 13 people in South Korea, has also dented the popularity of President Moon Jae-in, a poll showed.
More than half of South Korea's cases are linked to a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the southeastern city of Daegu and a hospital in Cheongdo county.
A 61-year-old woman, known as "Patient 31" attended religious services at the church before testing positive on Feb. 18., according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.
The government circulated a list of about 310,000 Shincheonji members to local governments for checks, vice health minister Kim Gang-lip told a briefing.
As of Thursday, health authorities had contacted 110,000 of them, 1,638 of whom have shown symptoms and would be tested for the coronavirus, Kim said.
Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin said charges of criminal violation of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act would be brought against the church for refusing the release of a full list of its members.
South Korean boy band BTS canceled concerts in Seoul scheduled for April in Seoul, said their label, Big Hit Entertainment.
Korean Air Lines said it would measure temperatures of all passengers for flights to the United States and turn away passengers whose temperature exceeds 37.5 Celsius (99.5 Fahrenheit).
A cabin crew member tested positive for virus this week.
South Korea's neighbors have tightened up entry restrictions in response to the outbreak.
Vietnam suspended visa-free entry for South Korean, its embassy in Hanoi said, and travelers from South Korea will have to quarantine themselves upon entry.
India temporarily suspended visas on arrival for South Koreans and Japanese nationals on Wednesday, South Korea's embassy in India said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Number with coronavirus rises to 45 in Kuwait as two more cases detected

DUBAI - Kuwait confirmed two more cases of coronavirus on Friday , bringing the total number of infections to 45 @ @ @ @ @ said , reporting no death .
Those infected had either traveled to Iran or been @ @ @ @ @ there , she told a media conference in Kuwait .

DUBAI - Kuwait confirmed two more cases of coronavirus on Friday, bringing the total number of infections to 45, a Health Ministry official said, reporting no death.
Those infected had either traveled to Iran or been contaminated by people who went there, she told a media conference in Kuwait.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--EU sees risk of slide into major international conflict in Idlib

BRUSSELS - The tensions in Syria 's Idlib region could escalate into a major international conflict , the European Union @ @ @ @ @ Friday , adding that the bloc would consider all necessary measure to protect its security @ @ @ @ @ - Ongoing escalation around needs to stop urgently .
There is a risk of sliding @ @ @ @ @ military confrontation .
It is also causing unbearable humanitarian suffering and putting civilians in danger @ @ @ @ @ chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter .
`` EU calls on all sides for rapid @ @ @ @ @ of life .
The EU will consider all necessary measures to protect its security interests @ @ @ @ @ with all relevant actors , '' he added .

BRUSSELS - The tensions in Syria's Idlib region could escalate into a major international conflict, the European Union's top diplomat said on Friday, adding that the bloc would consider all necessary measure to protect its security interests.
"#Idlib - Ongoing escalation around needs to stop urgently. There is a risk of sliding into a major open international military confrontation. It is also causing unbearable humanitarian suffering and putting civilians in danger," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter.
"EU calls on all sides for rapid de-escalation and regret all loss of life. The EU will consider all necessary measures to protect its security interests. We are in touch with all relevant actors," he added.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Mexico says may have first coronavirus case from man who was in Italy

MEXICO CITY - Mexico is reviewing a suspected coronavirus infection after a man who recently arrived from Italy came up @ @ @ @ @ , the government said , in what would be the first case to be confirmed @ @ @ @ @ the second in Latin America .
Deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell Ramirez told local television @ @ @ @ @ of the second test from the 35-year-old man on Friday morning .
`` He 's @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said , noting that the man was suffering from headache , fever @ @ @ @ @ well as exhibiting respiratory symptoms .
The man had recently been in northern Italy and @ @ @ @ @ Lopez-Gatell said .
Only once the second test results were in could coronavirus infection be @ @ @ @ @ he added .
So far , Brazil is the only country in Latin America that @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus .

MEXICO CITY - Mexico is reviewing a suspected coronavirus infection after a man who recently arrived from Italy came up positive in an initial test, the government said, in what would be the first case to be confirmed in the country and only the second in Latin America.
Deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell Ramirez told local television he would announce the result of the second test from the 35-year-old man on Friday morning.
"He's not in a serious condition," he said, noting that the man was suffering from headache, fever and muscular pain, as well as exhibiting respiratory symptoms.
The man had recently been in northern Italy and was placed in isolation, Lopez-Gatell said.
Only once the second test results were in could coronavirus infection be confirmed or ruled out, he added. So far, Brazil is the only country in Latin America that has reported a case of the new coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--110 people arriving from Italy to Israel refused entry

Since Israel has placed a travel ban on foreigners entering the country from Italy due to the coronavirus outbreak, 110 passengers have been refused entry at Ben Gurion and Ramon airports, as well as Allenby International Border Crossing, according to Ynet.512 Italians have left the country, and 3 flights are due to land in Italy from Israel on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Mongolian president placed under coronavirus quarantine - report

Mongolia's President Battulga Khaltmaa and other government officials have submitted to a 14-day quarantine after returning home from their visit to China, the state news agency Montsame reported on Friday.Battulga is the first head of state to visit China since the country began implementing special measure to curb the coronavirus outbreak in January.He arrived in Beijing with Foreign Minister Tsogtbaatar Damdin and other senior government officials on Thursday, and held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.They were taken into quarantine as soon as they arrived in Mongolia as a precautionary measure, Montsame said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--NATO says to meet under Article 4 to discuss Syria at Turkey's request

ANKARA - NATO ambassadors will meet on Friday to hold consultations about developments in Syria under Article 4 of the @ @ @ @ @ 's request , NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said , after the killing of 33 @ @ @ @ @ air strike in the Idlib region .
`` Today , the # NATO Council meets @ @ @ @ @ to consult under Article 4 of NATO ’ s founding Washington Treaty on the situation @ @ @ @ @ wrote on Twitter .
Under Article 4 , an ally can request consultations if they @ @ @ @ @ political independence or security is threatened .
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had spoken to @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .

ANKARA - NATO ambassadors will meet on Friday to hold consultations about developments in Syria under Article 4 of the alliance's treaty at Turkey's request, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, after the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers in a Syrian air strike in the Idlib region.
"Today, the #NATO Council meets at Turkey’s request to consult under Article 4 of NATO’s founding Washington Treaty on the situation in Syria," Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter. Under Article 4, an ally can request consultations if they believed their territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had spoken to Stoltenberg by phone late on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Turkey says world powers must impose no-fly zone in Syria

ANKARA - Turkey said on Friday that world powers must impose a no-fly zone in Syria to protect hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ clashes , after the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers by Syrian air strikes in the @ @ @ @ @ no longer stop the nearly 4 million refugees it hosts from reaching Europe , a @ @ @ @ @ late on Thursday , as Ankara responded to the killing of its soldiers in the @ @ @ @ @ In a tweet , Turkey 's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said Russia and Iran , @ @ @ @ @ al-Assad , will lose all credibility if they do not stop hostilities in the Idlib @ @

ANKARA - Turkey said on Friday that world powers must impose a no-fly zone in Syria to protect hundreds of thousands of people displaced by clashes, after the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers by Syrian air strikes in the Idlib region.
Turkey will no longer stop the nearly 4 million refugees it hosts from reaching Europe, a senior Turkish official told Reuters late on Thursday, as Ankara responded to the killing of its soldiers in the northwestern region of Idlib.
In a tweet, Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said Russia and Iran, who back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, will lose all credibility if they do not stop hostilities in the Idlib region.


jerusalempost--2020-02-29--South Korea reports 594 new coronavirus cases, raise total to 2,931

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South Korea reported 594 new coronavirus cases, raising the country's total infections to 2,931, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-29--Mainland China reports 427 new coronavirus cases

That brings the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 79,251 .
The death toll @ @ @ @ @ China had reached 2,835 as of the end of Friday , up by 47 from @ @ @ @

Mainland China had 427 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Friday, the country's National Health Commission said on Saturday, up from 327 cases a day earlier.
That brings the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 79,251.
The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China had reached 2,835 as of the end of Friday, up by 47 from the previous day.
The central province of Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak, reported 45 new deaths, while in the provincial capital of Wuhan, 37 people died.


jerusalempost--2020-02-29--Polanski wins Cesar Award for best director, prompting walkout protest

Polanski , whose film picked up three awards out of a dozen nominations at the biggest night in French cinema @ @ @ @ @ event , saying he feared for his safety .
Controversy had swirled in past weeks @ @ @ @ @ the program and police briefly clashed with protesters ahead of the event .
Among those @ @ @ @ @ hall early was leading actress Adele Haenel , who last year said she had been @ @ @ @ @ by another director .
Polanski 's movie , which chronicles the persecution of French Jewish @ @ @ @ @ the 1890s , lost out on best film to `` Les Miserables . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ designer and best adaptation .
Polanski 's nominations had divided opinion in France , a @ @ @ @ @ movement against sexual harassment has struggled to gain traction .

Roman Polanski cast a shadow over France's Cesar Awards on Friday even as he won best directing for his film "An Officer and a Spy," with several women in the audience walking out in protest at honoring a man facing rape accusations.The French-Polish director's dozen nominations had divided opinion in France, a country where the #MeToo movement that inspired women globally to out powerful men for sexual misconduct has struggled to gain traction.Polanski, 86, whose film also picked up awards for best adaptation and best costume designer, stayed away from the event, saying he feared he would be lynched.Controversy had swirled around the inclusion in the awards program of Polanski, who fled the United States for France in the late 1970s after admitting raping a 13-year-old girl, and faces more recent allegations of sexual assault.Polanski denies the latest accusations against him.During the ceremony, the biggest night on the French cinema calendar, Polanski served as both lightning rod and punch line, with the ceremony's host quipping about pedophilia."It is the last (event) of one era and the first of another," actress Sandrine Kiberlain said.Among those who left the venue early was leading actress Adele Haenel, who last year revealed she had been sexually abused as a child by another director.Haenel told the New York Times before the ceremony that France had "missed the boat" on #MeToo and criticized the Cesar Awards for recognizing Polanski."Distinguishing Polanski is spitting in the face of all victims. It means raping women isn't that bad," she said.Protesters outside clashed with police shortly before the biggest names in French film arrived at the Pleynel concert hall, but none made it onto the red carpet. Nearby, other protesters peacefully waved placards reading "Shame on an industry that protects rapists."WRONG MESSAGE IN #METOO ERA"An Officer and a Spy" chronicles the persecution of French Jewish army officer Alfred Dreyfus in the 1890s. It lost out on best film to "Les Miserables."Polanski himself survived the Holocaust, while his mother died in a Nazi concentration camp. He shot to fame in the United States with his 1968 Hollywood film "Rosemary's Baby."Polanski's cast and production team boycotted the Cesars on Friday after Culture Minister Franck Riester said the success of a director accused of sexual violence would send the wrong signal in the #MeToo era.French photographer Valentine Monnier last year accused Polanski of raping her in 1975 when she was an 18-year-old model and actress. Polanski has denied the charge.It is the second time in five months that recognition of Polanski, who was expelled last year from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - which bestows the Oscars - has prompted disquiet.Organizers of the Venice Film Festival drew criticism for including Polanski's work in the program. It went on to take the festival's Silver Lion Grand Jury in September.The French awards come in the same week that Harvey Weinstein, once one of Hollywood’s most influential producers, was convicted of sexual assault and rape by a New York court.Several male actors tiptoed carefully around the subject of Polanski on Friday night."I hope that we will always be able to continue playing the game of seduction with each other in cinema and in real life. There, I made it, I offended no one," said actor and director Mathieu Kassovitz.Critics of the #MeToo movement in France say it is puritanical and fueled by a hated of men.Ahead of the Cesars, former French film star Brigitte Bardot rallied support for Polanski."We should be thankful that Polanski is alive and saving French cinema from mediocrity," Bardot said on Twitter. "I judge him by his talent, not his private life."


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--US warns Americans to reconsider travel to Italy due to coronavirus

Americans should reconsider travel to Italy due to a coronavirus outbreak there, the U.S. State Department said on Friday."Many cases of COVID-19 have been associated with travel to or from mainland China or close contact with a travel-related case, but sustained community spread has been reported in Italy," the department said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Tenth coronavirus case confirmed in California - county health officials

A tenth case of coronavirus has been confirmed in California, health officials from Santa Clara County said on Friday. The county's top health official said she would provide further information at a news conference later on Friday afternoon. It was the third confirmed case of coronavirus in the county, which includes the Silicon Valley tech hub.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Fmr. VP and Dem candidate Biden to deliver message at AIPAC Conference

The 47th Vice President of the United States and current candidate in the 2020 Democratic Party Primaries Joe Biden is expected to deliver a video message for the upcoming American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference set to take place from March 1st to 3rd in Washington, DC.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--US reviewing options to assist Turkey after attack in Syria

The United States is reviewing options to assist Turkey after an attack by Russian-backed Syrian government forces killed 33 Turkish soldiers in Syria's Idlib province, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday."The United States is engaging with our Turkish Allies and reviewing options to assist Turkey against this aggression as we seek to prevent further Assad regime and Russian brutality and alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Idlib," Pompeo said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--China's economy expected to rebound from coronavirus hit

The Washington-based official , who asked not to be named , said China had already taken a series of economic measures to respond to the outbreak , and would stick to a flexible monetary policy as it sought to rapidly restore normal production across the country .
`` It 's going to have a big impact in the first quarter of the year , but with the restoration of economic orders , we hope the situation should be much better from the second quarter , '' the official said .
`` If the situation does not get worse ...
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover very rapidly . ''
The outbreak has slowed in China , with 327 new cases reported on Friday , the lowest since Jan. 23 , bringing the total there to 78,800 cases and almost 2,800 deaths .
However , the disease is now spreading across the globe , with the first case reported in Nigeria on Friday and 888 people infected in Italy .
The International Monetary Fund has said the outbreak will likely lower China 's economic growth by 0.4 percentage point this year to 5.6 % and shave 0.1 percentage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to look at more dire scenarios .
The Chinese official said the coronavirus outbreak could cause `` a dramatic fall '' in the global economy if it spread to a wide range of countries , but gave no specific forecasts .
Beijing remained committed to boosting purchases of U.S. goods and services by $ 200 billion under the Phase 1 trade deal over the next two years , the official said , noting moves by China 's customs office to lift ban on beef and other products .

China's economy will take a big hit in the first quarter due to widespread work stoppages caused by the fast-spreading coronavirus, but should recover rapidly unless the outbreak worsens again, a Chinese official told Reuters on Friday.
The Washington-based official, who asked not to be named, said China had already taken a series of economic measures to respond to the outbreak, and would stick to a flexible monetary policy as it sought to rapidly restore normal production across the country.
"It's going to have a big impact in the first quarter of the year, but with the restoration of economic orders, we hope the situation should be much better from the second quarter," the official said. "If the situation does not get worse ... I believe the Chinese economy is going to recover very rapidly."
The outbreak has slowed in China, with 327 new cases reported on Friday, the lowest since Jan. 23, bringing the total there to 78,800 cases and almost 2,800 deaths. However, the disease is now spreading across the globe, with the first case reported in Nigeria on Friday and 888 people infected in Italy.
The International Monetary Fund has said the outbreak will likely lower China's economic growth by 0.4 percentage point this year to 5.6% and shave 0.1 percentage point from global growth, but it continues to look at more dire scenarios.
The Chinese official said the coronavirus outbreak could cause "a dramatic fall" in the global economy if it spread to a wide range of countries, but gave no specific forecasts.
Beijing remained committed to boosting purchases of U.S. goods and services by $200 billion under the Phase 1 trade deal over the next two years, the official said, noting moves by China's customs office to lift ban on beef and other products.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Leeds goalkeeper handed eight-game ban after racism charge

The FA said the 33-year-old Spaniard , who joined Leeds from Real Madrid last year , must also attend face-to-face @ @ @ @ @ rule E3 ( 2 ) which covers discriminatory abuse .
Casilla had denied using racially @ @ @ @ @ Media reports said the incident involved Charlton forward Jonathan Leko , who was born in @ @ @ @ @ Congo but has represented England at various age group levels .
The Spaniard said in @ @ @ @ @ that he was `` sad and devastated '' at being accused and believed firmly that @ @ @ @ @ in any walk of life .
`` I do not feel at all that the @ @ @ @ @ reflection of the incident , '' he said .

Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was banned for eight matches and fined 60,000 pounds ($77,964.00) on Friday after being found guilty of racist abuse in a Championship match against Charlton Athletic last September.
The FA said the 33-year-old Spaniard, who joined Leeds from Real Madrid last year, must also attend face-to-face education after the breach of rule E3 (2) which covers discriminatory abuse.
Casilla had denied using racially abusive or insulting words. Media reports said the incident involved Charlton forward Jonathan Leko, who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo but has represented England at various age group levels.
The Spaniard said in a statement on social media that he was "sad and devastated" at being accused and believed firmly that racism should not be tolerated in any walk of life.
"I do not feel at all that the guilty verdict is a clear reflection of the incident," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Conflicting reports on the number of coronavirus deaths in Iran

Iran 's health ministry spokesman in a tweet on Friday rejected a report by BBC Persian that at least 210 @ @ @ @ @ in the country .
The spokesman , Kianush Jahanpur , announced earlier in the day @ @ @ @ @ from coronavirus in Iran so far .
An Iranian health ministry spokesman said on Friday @ @ @ @ @ in Iran of coronavirus so far and that 388 are infected .

Iran's health ministry spokesman in a tweet on Friday rejected a report by BBC Persian that at least 210 people have died from coronavirus in the country.
The spokesman, Kianush Jahanpur, announced earlier in the day that 34 people have died from coronavirus in Iran so far.
An Iranian health ministry spokesman said on Friday that 34 people have died in Iran of coronavirus so far and that 388 are infected.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Seventh Israeli tests positive for virus after returning from Italy

A seventh Israeli citizen has been diagnosed with coronavirus , according to a statement by the Israeli Ministry of Health @ @ @ @ @ An epidemiological inquiry is being conducted and the man 's full route will be published @ @ @ @ @ .
The man lives in northern Israel and returned from Italy on February 24.An epidemiological @ @ @ @ @ the man 's full route will be published soon , according the statement .

A seventh Israeli citizen has been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to a statement by the Israeli Ministry of Health published on Friday evening.
The man lives in northern Israel and returned from Italy on February 24.An epidemiological inquiry is being conducted and the man's full route will be published soon, according the statement.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Major fire ongoing in southeastern Paris, rail station evacuated

French police said on Twitter that the railway station was being evacuated , without elaborating on the causes of the @ @ @ @ @ saw huge clouds of black smoke billowing over the station and several fire trucks were @ @ @

French police said on Twitter that the railway station was being evacuated, without elaborating on the causes of the fire.
A Reuters witness saw huge clouds of black smoke billowing over the station and several fire trucks were in the area
PARIS - A major fire was ongoing on Friday in the area of the Gare de Lyon railway station in southeastern Paris.


jerusalempost--2020-02-28--Italian coronavirus deaths rise to 21, positive cases 821

The outbreak which began last week in Italy 's northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto have made the country the @ @ @ @ @ led to draconian measures and a sharp reduction in economic activity .
Lombardy will ask @ @ @ @ @ at least another week the containment measures already implemented against the outbreak , the regional @ @ @ @

The outbreak which began last week in Italy's northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto have made the country the hardest-hit in Europe and have led to draconian measures and a sharp reduction in economic activity.
Lombardy will ask the government to maintain for at least another week the containment measures already implemented against the outbreak, the regional government said on Friday
ROME - Four more people have died in Italy from coronavirus, the civil protection agency said on Friday, bringing the total to 21, while the number of those testing positive for the illness jumped to 821 from 650 the day before.


jerusalempost--2020-03-01--Health Ministry: Returnees with fever must be checked for coronavirus

Anybody who returns to Israel from outside the country suffering from a fever will immediately be checked for coronavirus, the Health Ministry announced on Sunday, KAN reported.The Health Ministry announced earlier that a total of 5,630 Israelis are currently under quarantine after the deadly disease reached Israel via passengers from Italy and the Diamond Princess cruise ship.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-03-01--France reports total of 130 coronavirus cases in the country

France has confirmed reports of a total of 130 coronavirus cases in the country, according to the head of public health services.


jerusalempost--2020-03-01--Otzma Yehudit is not going to drop out: Ben Gvir

`` My close advisers recommended that I drop out this evening .
They told me to stay with the community @ @ @ @ @ we are in politics in order to promote the way that we believe in , @ @ @ @ @ them on the right , '' said Ben Gvir , adding that `` without this @ @ @ @ @ not be a right-wing government .
If they ca n't even declare right-wing policies , @ @ @ @ @ happen in the next government if we are not there . ''

"My close advisers recommended that I drop out this evening. They told me to stay with the community of 84,000 supporters. But we are in politics in order to promote the way that we believe in, and in order to protect them on the right," said Ben Gvir, adding that "without this Otzma Yehudit, there will not be a right-wing government. If they can't even declare right-wing policies, you can guess what will happen in the next government if we are not there."
Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir announced that his party would not be dropping out of the elections taking place tomorrow. Ben Gvir added that he had conducted negotiations with multiple different right-wing parties, including the Likud Party and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), but that none of the parties had been willing to commit to supporting the party's "ideology."


jerusalempost--2020-03-01--Qatar orders temporary restriction on Egyptian visitors due to coronavirus

Qatar discovered 2 new coronavirus cases on Sunday , bringing its total to 3 .

Qatar has imposed a temporary entrance restriction to its territories on visitors from Egypt via intermediate points because of the spread of the new coronavirus, the state news agency reported on Sunday.
Qatar discovered 2 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing its total to 3.