jerusalempost--2020-05-04--Syria's Assad warns of 'catastrophe' if coronavirus cases spike

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned on Monday that the country could face a `` real catastrophe '' if coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ .
The current low level of infections did not mean Syria had gone out of @ @ @ @ @ , '' Assad said in an address to the government committee that oversees measures to @ @ @ @ @ These figures could suddenly spike in a few days or few weeks and we would @ @ @ @ @ real catastrophe , '' he said .

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned on Monday that the country could face a "real catastrophe" if coronavirus cases spike and overwhelm health services.
The current low level of infections did not mean Syria had gone out of the "circle of danger," Assad said in an address to the government committee that oversees measures to curb the pandemic.
"These figures could suddenly spike in a few days or few weeks and we would see in front of us real catastrophe," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-04--Chile tops 20,000 cases while death, hospitalization rates plateau

Chile 's health ministry said on Monday that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases had exceeded 20,000 .
The world @ @ @ @ @ 20,643 confirmed cases , 980 more than the previous day , and 10 new deaths @ @ @ @ @ of fatalities to 270 , said Paula Daza , the health ministry subsecretary .
Chile @ @ @ @ @ 's most developed countries , has won praise for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ tests , shutting down schools and businesses soon after the first case was confirmed at @ @ @ @ @ operating rolling quarantines .

Chile's health ministry said on Monday that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases had exceeded 20,000.
The world's top copper producer has 20,643 confirmed cases, 980 more than the previous day, and 10 new deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 270, said Paula Daza, the health ministry subsecretary.
Chile, one of South America's most developed countries, has won praise for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak, conducting more than 200,000 tests, shutting down schools and businesses soon after the first case was confirmed at the start of March and operating rolling quarantines.


jerusalempost--2020-05-04--Coronavirus cases rise in Canada while death toll reaches 3,766

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Canada's total coronavirus cases rise to 59,8444 from 57,148 on May 3.Deaths reach 3,766, up from 3,606 - Public Health Agenct


jerusalempost--2020-05-04--Italy's coronavirus death toll far higher than reported

Italy 's coronavirus death toll is much higher than reported , statistics bureau ISTAT said on Monday in an analysis pointing to thousands of fatalities that have never been officially attributed to COVID-19 .
In its first report of the epidemic 's impact on Italy 's mortality rate , covering 86 % of the population , ISTAT said that from Feb. 21 , when the first COVID-19 deaths occurred , until March 31 , nationwide deaths were up 39 % compared with the average of the previous five years .
Of the 25,354 `` excess deaths , '' the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the official cause for 13,710 , leaving around 11,600 deaths unaccounted for .
These occurred overwhelmingly in the northern part of Italy most heavily hit by the virus .
The statistics bureau said it was reasonable to assume these people either died of COVID-19 without being tested or that the extra stress on the health system due to the epidemic meant they died of other causes they were not treated for .
Officially , up to May 3 , the Civil Protection Agency recorded 28,884 coronavirus deaths , the second highest toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tally only includes people who tested positive .
The agency compiles data from the regions on deaths of people who tested positive for the virus and issues them in a bulletin at 6 p.m. every day .
The agency normally manages the response to natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes .
ISTAT 's report , drawn up with Italy 's National Health Institute , confirmed the massive concentration of the epidemic in the country 's northern regions , where the vast majority of unreported deaths have also taken place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ % nationwide compared with the average of the previous five years , ISTAT said .

Italy's coronavirus death toll is much higher than reported, statistics bureau ISTAT said on Monday in an analysis pointing to thousands of fatalities that have never been officially attributed to COVID-19.
In its first report of the epidemic's impact on Italy's mortality rate, covering 86% of the population, ISTAT said that from Feb. 21, when the first COVID-19 deaths occurred, until March 31, nationwide deaths were up 39% compared with the average of the previous five years.
Of the 25,354 "excess deaths," the coronavirus was registered by the Civil Protection Agency as the official cause for 13,710, leaving around 11,600 deaths unaccounted for. These occurred overwhelmingly in the northern part of Italy most heavily hit by the virus.
The statistics bureau said it was reasonable to assume these people either died of COVID-19 without being tested or that the extra stress on the health system due to the epidemic meant they died of other causes they were not treated for.
Officially, up to May 3, the Civil Protection Agency recorded 28,884 coronavirus deaths, the second highest toll in the world after the United States. The tally only includes people who tested positive.
The agency compiles data from the regions on deaths of people who tested positive for the virus and issues them in a bulletin at 6 p.m. every day. The agency normally manages the response to natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.
ISTAT's report, drawn up with Italy's National Health Institute, confirmed the massive concentration of the epidemic in the country's northern regions, where the vast majority of unreported deaths have also taken place.
In March, deaths were up 49% nationwide compared with the average of the previous five years, ISTAT said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-04--England's COVID-19 hospital death toll has smallest rise since March

England 's COVID-19 hospital death toll rose 204 , the lowest daily increase since late March , to 21,384 , @ @ @ @ @ The health service said that three of the 204 patients who died had no known @ @ @ @

England's COVID-19 hospital death toll rose 204, the lowest daily increase since late March, to 21,384, the health service said.
The health service said that three of the 204 patients who died had no known underlying health condition.


jerusalempost--2020-05-04--Khalon slams Health Ministry for 'making government meetings worthless'

Finance Minister Moshe Khalon said during a government meeting: "The government's decisions to open up various sectors are failing due to elaborate and unclear guidelines, which are sometimes impossible to carry out, in both the economic sector and the education sector."He further added that: "It can't be that the monopolistic force of the Health Ministry will sabotage any decision that it does not approve of, making government meetings worthless"


jerusalempost--2020-05-04--Dutch confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 199 to 40,770

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose by 199 on Monday to 40,770 , with 26 new @ @ @ @ @ .
Total deaths in the country rose to 5,082 , the Netherlands Institute for Health @ @ @ @ @ its daily update .
The RIVM cautioned that it only reports confirmed cases and deaths @ @ @ @ @ higher .

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose by 199 on Monday to 40,770, with 26 new deaths, health authorities said.
Total deaths in the country rose to 5,082, the Netherlands Institute for Health (RIVM) said in its daily update. The RIVM cautioned that it only reports confirmed cases and deaths, and actual numbers are higher.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--WHO says France COVID-19 case in December 'not surprising'

`` It 's also possible there are more early cases to be found , '' WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told @ @ @ @ @ .
He encouraged other countries to check records for cases in late 2019 , saying @ @ @ @ @ a `` new and clearer picture '' of the outbreak .

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that it was "not surprising" that a report of COVID-19 had emerged in December in France, earlier than it was thought to have spread there, saying more reports of early cases were possible.
"It's also possible there are more early cases to be found," WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told a U.N. briefing in Geneva. He encouraged other countries to check records for cases in late 2019, saying this would give the world a "new and clearer picture" of the outbreak.
A French hospital which has retested old samples from pneumonia patients discovered that it treated a man who had COVID-19 as early as Dec. 27, nearly a month before the French government confirmed its first cases.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Spain reports coronavirus daily death toll of 185

The daily number of coronavirus deaths registered in Spain remained below 200 on Tuesday for a third consecutive day, the country's health ministry said, as it reported 185 deaths in 24 hours.The overall coronavirus death toll in the country rose to 25,613 on Tuesday up from 25,428, the ministry said, while the overall number of diagnosed cases rose to 219,329 up from 218,011 the day before.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Indonesia reports biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections

Yurianto reported eight new deaths , taking the total to 872 , while 2,197 have recovered .

Indonesia reported on Tuesday its biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections with 484 new cases, taking the total in the Southeast Asian country to 12,071, said health ministry official Achmad Yurianto.
Yurianto reported eight new deaths, taking the total to 872, while 2,197 have recovered.
More than 88,900 people have been tested, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--UK COVID-19 death toll rises above 30,000, highest in Europe

The Office for National Statistics said 29,648 deaths had taken place as of April 24 in England and Wales with @ @ @ @ @ .

More than 30,000 people in the United Kingdom have died with suspected COVID-19, the highest official toll yet reported in Europe, according to data published on Tuesday.
The Office for National Statistics said 29,648 deaths had taken place as of April 24 in England and Wales with COVID-19 mentioned in death certificates.
Including deaths for Scotland and Northern Ireland, the toll on this measure now exceeds 30,000. That is more than Italy, though the recording of deaths there has differed.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Malaysia reports 30 new coronavirus cases and one death

Malaysian health authorities on Tuesday reported 30 new coronavirus cases, bringing the cumulative total to 6,383 cases as the country entered the second day of relaxed curbs on movement and businesses.The health ministry also reported one new death, raising the 7total fatalities to 106.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Lebanon set to extend coronavirus shutdown until May 24

A decision is expected at a cabinet meeting later on Tuesday .

Lebanon's supreme defense council will advise the government to extend a shutdown to curb the spread of coronavirus by two weeks until May 24, a security source said after the council convened on Tuesday.
A decision is expected at a cabinet meeting later on Tuesday.
Lebanon has recorded 740 cases of the novel coronavirus and 25 deaths. The government has started to ease some restrictions, this week allowing restaurants to open but at only 30% of their capacity.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Palestinians extend coronavirus state of emergency to June 5

First announced two months ago , the state of emergency heralded a full lockdown that confined Palestinians to their homes @ @ @ @ @ .
Border crossings with Israel and Jordan were closed .
But conditions were eased last @ @ @ @ @ allowed to open in the hope of reviving the paralyzed Palestinian economy .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ tens of thousands of Palestinians laborers to resume jobs in Israel .
Mosques and educational @ @ @ @ @ authorities are still banning public congregations .
The Palestinians have reported 345 coronavirus cases and @ @ @ @ @ Bank , where some 3 million Palestinians live .
In the Gaza Strip , a @ @ @ @ @ of Abbas 's Islamist Hamas rivals , 17 cases have been reported among a population @ @ @ @ @ Hamas has shuttered Gaza 's mosques and schools and restricted large gatherings , but said @ @ @ @ @ necessary .

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has extended to June 5 a state of emergency declared in areas under his administration in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in response to the coronavirus crisis, the official news agency Wafa said on Tuesday.
First announced two months ago, the state of emergency heralded a full lockdown that confined Palestinians to their homes, except for essential travel. Border crossings with Israel and Jordan were closed.
But conditions were eased last month, with some businesses allowed to open in the hope of reviving the paralyzed Palestinian economy. On Sunday, Abbas's administration allowed tens of thousands of Palestinians laborers to resume jobs in Israel.
Mosques and educational institutions remain closed and Palestinian authorities are still banning public congregations.
The Palestinians have reported 345 coronavirus cases and two deaths in the West Bank, where some 3 million Palestinians live.
In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory under the control of Abbas's Islamist Hamas rivals, 17 cases have been reported among a population of some 2 million. Hamas has shuttered Gaza's mosques and schools and restricted large gatherings, but said a full lockdown was not necessary.
The West Bank and Gaza are 40 km (25 miles) apart and separated by Israel.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Philippines reports 14 deaths, 199 more coronavirus infections

The Philippines' health ministry on Tuesday reported 14 new coronavirus deaths and 199 additional infections.In a bulletin, the health ministry said total deaths from the outbreak have reached 637, while confirmed cases have increased to 9,684. But 93 more patients have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 1,408.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Russia reports 10,102 new coronavirus cases

The number of new coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 10,102 over the past 24 hours, compared with 10,581 the previous day. This brought Russia's nationwide tally to 155,370, the country's coronavirus crisis response center said on Tuesday.It also reported 95 new deaths from COVID-19, bringing the total death toll in Russia to 1,451.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Thailand reports one new coronavirus case, no new deaths

The new case is a 45-year-old Thai man from the southern province of Narathiwat , authorities said .
The number @ @ @ @ @ declining in the last two weeks with the exception of a cluster at an immigration @ @ @ @ @ that has seen 60 new cases in that period , said Taweesin Wisanuyothin , spokesman @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 Situation Administration .

Thailand on Tuesday reported one new coronavirus case and no new deaths, the lowest number of new infections since March 9.
The new case is a 45-year-old Thai man from the southern province of Narathiwat, authorities said.
The number of new cases have been declining in the last two weeks with the exception of a cluster at an immigration detention centre in southern Thailand that has seen 60 new cases in that period, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, spokesman for the government's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
Since Thailand's outbreak began in January, the country has seen a total of 2,988 coronavirus cases and 54 deaths. Taweesin said 2,747 patients have recovered, while 187 are still being treated in hospitals.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Rosh Pina school closed after 3 teachers contact with coronavirus patient

The school is closed `` until further notice , '' said Rosh Pina Mayor Moti Hatiel to Haaretz .
Hatiel @ @ @ @ @ city officials will enter quarantine as well as they were in a meeting with the @ @

The school is closed "until further notice," said Rosh Pina Mayor Moti Hatiel to Haaretz. Hatiel and a number of other city officials will enter quarantine as well as they were in a meeting with the teachers.
An elementary school in Rosh Pina was closed on Tuesday after three teachers entered quarantine after coming into contact with a person infected with the novel coronavirus, according to Haaretz.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: 237 Israelis dead

Coronavirus: 237 Israelis dead

There are now 237 Israelis who have died of the novel coronavirus, a report by the Health Ministry showed Tuesday morning. No additional details were released.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Suspects arrested in Jerusalem for attacking soldier, burning Israeli flag

A road in the Bet Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem was closed after oil was poured on the road to prevent @ @ @ @ @ .
The road was still closed as of Tuesday morning .
The eight suspects are @ @ @ @ @ .

A road in the Bet Israel neighborhood of Jerusalem was closed after oil was poured on the road to prevent Israel Police from conducting arrests. The road was still closed as of Tuesday morning.
The eight suspects are between the ages of 20-30-years-old.
Seven suspects were arrested in Jerusalem for causing disturbances, attacking a soldier and a municipal worker, burning an Israeli flag and causing damages in the Shmuel Hanavi area on Monday. An additional suspect was arrested after interfering with police operations.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 685 to 163,860 - RKI

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 685 to 163,860 , data from the Robert Koch Institute @ @ @ @ @ diseases showed on Tuesday .

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 685 to 163,860, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday.
The reported death toll rose by 139 to 6,831, the tally showed.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Salvadorans in government confinement protest coronavirus handling

El Salvador holds people accused of violating the mandatory home quarantine decreed by President Nayib Bukele in March even though the Supreme Court has since ordered him to not detain such people .
People in a sports center in the capital , San Salvador , said they had been in quarantine for more than 40 days ; they also said they had been tested but did not get the results .
The Salvadoran government did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment .
Pablo Perez , a 52-year-old farmer , who said he was detained for walking in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center were in good health .
He added that people there were regularly checked by doctors .
Meanwhile , in a center set up in a parking lot of a Baptist church in the capital , another group of people took to the windows and terraces to denounce overcrowding , inadequate conditions and the lack of test results .
Last week , rights groups condemned Bukele after he released startling photos of hundreds of jailed gang members stripped to underwear and pressed together in formation , part of a punishment for an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reported 13 deaths and 555 confirmed cases , has 91 containment centers ; 3,964 people are quarantined there , according to an official data .

El Salvador holds people accused of violating the mandatory home quarantine decreed by President Nayib Bukele in March even though the Supreme Court has since ordered him to not detain such people.
People in a sports center in the capital, San Salvador, said they had been in quarantine for more than 40 days; they also said they had been tested but did not get the results.
The Salvadoran government did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Pablo Perez, a 52-year-old farmer, who said he was detained for walking in the street, said people at the center were in good health. He added that people there were regularly checked by doctors.
Meanwhile, in a center set up in a parking lot of a Baptist church in the capital, another group of people took to the windows and terraces to denounce overcrowding, inadequate conditions and the lack of test results.
Riot police guarded the protests, Reuters witnesses said.
Last week, rights groups condemned Bukele after he released startling photos of hundreds of jailed gang members stripped to underwear and pressed together in formation, part of a punishment for an outbreak of violence.
El Salvador, which has reported 13 deaths and 555 confirmed cases, has 91 containment centers; 3,964 people are quarantined there, according to an official data.
At least 300 people held in two centers set up by the Salvadoran government to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus protested on Monday, demanding to be released and given the results of their tests.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--New Zealand records no new coronavirus cases for a second day

Ardern joined Australia 's coronavirus cabinet meeting on Tuesday as the neighbouring countries discuss reopening their borders to travel following @ @ @ @ @ disease .

Ardern joined Australia's coronavirus cabinet meeting on Tuesday as the neighbouring countries discuss reopening their borders to travel following their successes in containing the disease.
New Zealand recorded no new coronavirus cases for a second day in a row on Tuesday, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the outcome of her discussions with Australia on a travel bubble between the two countries would be announced later in the day.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Mexico records 1,120 new coronavirus cases, 236 deaths

Mexico registered 1,120 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday and 236 new deaths, a health official said, bringing the total in the country to 26,025 known cases and 2,507 deaths. However, Mexico has conducted a very low number of tests. The government said on Sunday that the real number of cases was above 104,000, according to a statistical model.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Saudi Arabia: Palestinian cause a 'central issue' for Arabs, Muslims

Saudi Arabia’s cabinet affirmed late on Tuesday that the Palestinian cause will remain a "central issue" for Arabs and Muslims, Saudi news agency said in a statement issued early on Wednesday.The statement added the cabinet also reviewed the results of the emergency Arab League meeting which condemned the Israeli authorities plans to annex any Palestinian land.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Brazil records 6,935 new coronavirus cases, 600 deaths

The nation has now recorded 114,715 confirmed cases of the virus and 7,921 deaths , the ministry said .
New @ @ @ @ @ from Monday evening , while deaths increased roughly 8.2 % .

There have been 6,935 new cases of the novel coronavirus in Brazil since Monday evening and 600 new deaths, the health ministry said on Tuesday.
The nation has now recorded 114,715 confirmed cases of the virus and 7,921 deaths, the ministry said. New cases increased roughly 6.4% from Monday evening, while deaths increased roughly 8.2%.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Ousted US health agency head Dr. Rick Bright to testify before House panel

Rick Bright says in the complaint filed with a government watchdog that he warned about the virus in January and was met with hostility from Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and other high-ranking officials in the agency .
`` Dr .
Bright acted with urgency to begin to address this pandemic but encountered resistance from HHS leadership , including Secretary Azar , who appeared intent on downplaying this catastrophic threat , '' reads the complaint , which was filed with the US Office of Special Counsel .
The US coronavirus death toll is the world 's highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized Trump for playing down the threat of the virus .
Bright 's lawyers argue that his removal as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority , a division of HHS , violated a federal law protecting government whistleblowers .
HHS spokeswoman Caitlin Oakley said in a statement that Bright was transferred to a job where he was entrusted to spend around $ 1 billion to develop diagnostic testing .
`` We are deeply disappointed that he has not shown up to work on behalf of the American people and lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Bright will testify before a US House of Representatives panel on May 14 , a spokeswoman for Bright said on Twitter on Tuesday .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , the top Democrat in the US Congress , called Bright 's disclosures `` very damaging . ''
`` But you know the thing is that this points to the larger issue : Where are the ethics in all of this ? ''
she told MSNBC .
`` This is not a market opportunity for business , it is a moral imperative for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last thing we need is political interference into science . ''
Bright , an expert in vaccines and therapeutics , was named to his prior post in 2016 before Trump took office as president .
HHS said last month that Bright had been moved to a public-private partnership under the National Institutes of Health .
Bright said in a statement last month that he was reassigned in part because he resisted efforts to push hydroxychloroquine and the related chloroquine as cures for COVID-19 , the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus .
Bright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has promoted the medicines as a `` panacea '' even though they `` clearly lack scientific merit . ''
Trump repeatedly touted the malaria drugs as a treatment for coronavirus though few studies suggest a possible benefit .
In his complaint , Bright says his tensions with HHS leadership predated the coronavirus .
Since 2017 he had been protesting “ cronyism and award of contracts to companies with political connections to the administration , ” the complaint says .

The ousted director of a US agency responsible for developing drugs to fight the coronavirus pandemic filed a whistleblower's complaint on Tuesday accusing President Donald Trump 's administration of retaliating when he raised concerns.
Rick Bright says in the complaint filed with a government watchdog that he warned about the virus in January and was met with hostility from Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and other high-ranking officials in the agency.
"Dr. Bright acted with urgency to begin to address this pandemic but encountered resistance from HHS leadership, including Secretary Azar, who appeared intent on downplaying this catastrophic threat," reads the complaint, which was filed with the US Office of Special Counsel.
The US coronavirus death toll is the world's highest. Democratic politicians and some Republicans have criticized Trump for playing down the threat of the virus.
Bright's lawyers argue that his removal as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, a division of HHS, violated a federal law protecting government whistleblowers.
HHS spokeswoman Caitlin Oakley said in a statement that Bright was transferred to a job where he was entrusted to spend around $1 billion to develop diagnostic testing.
"We are deeply disappointed that he has not shown up to work on behalf of the American people and lead on this critical endeavor," Oakley said.
Bright will testify before a US House of Representatives panel on May 14, a spokeswoman for Bright said on Twitter on Tuesday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the US Congress, called Bright's disclosures "very damaging."
"But you know the thing is that this points to the larger issue: Where are the ethics in all of this?" she told MSNBC. "This is not a market opportunity for business, it is a moral imperative for public health in our country. The last thing we need is political interference into science."
Bright, an expert in vaccines and therapeutics, was named to his prior post in 2016 before Trump took office as president.
HHS said last month that Bright had been moved to a public-private partnership under the National Institutes of Health.
Bright said in a statement last month that he was reassigned in part because he resisted efforts to push hydroxychloroquine and the related chloroquine as cures for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus.
Bright said in the statement that the US government has promoted the medicines as a "panacea" even though they "clearly lack scientific merit."
Trump repeatedly touted the malaria drugs as a treatment for coronavirus though few studies suggest a possible benefit.
Bright's complaint seeks his reinstatement and requests a full investigation.
In his complaint, Bright says his tensions with HHS leadership predated the coronavirus. Since 2017 he had been protesting “cronyism and award of contracts to companies with political connections to the administration,” the complaint says.
The Office of Special Counsel, an independent U.S. government agency, investigates and can prosecute abuses against federal employees.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--7 injured in residential tower fire in UAE

Seven people were treated for minor injuries from the fire in the tower in Sharjah 's Al Nahda area and @ @ @ @ @ , the media office tweeted .
Videos on social media purportedly of the fire showed @ @ @ @ @ tower engulfed in flames , which local media said was the 48-storey Abbco Tower .
@ @ @ @ @ the footage .

Firefighters brought under control a fire that broke out at a residential tower in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday night, Sharjah's government media office said.
Seven people were treated for minor injuries from the fire in the tower in Sharjah's Al Nahda area and taken to hospital for treatment, the media office tweeted.
Videos on social media purportedly of the fire showed burning debris falling from a tower engulfed in flames, which local media said was the 48-storey Abbco Tower. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.
Residents of the tower were evacuated, Sharjah media office said. It did not say whether the cause of the fire was known.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Grenade explosion in Beit Shemesh under investigation – police

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Bomb squads and police forensics teams are currently investigating a grenade explosion that occurred in Beit Shemesh on Tuesday night, the Police Spokesperson's Unit reported.After receiving reports of explosion sounds, police arrived on the scene and found remnants of a grenade.According to Israeli media reports, the explosion is suspected to have been criminal activity.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Bennett: I am ready and willing to ensure Israel be safe from pandemics

Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said on Kan news on Tuesday that he is “ ready and willing to take upon @ @ @ @ @ is safe from future pandemics by creating an authority focused on that.
” He added @ @ @ @ @ authority be created , the nation would not be forced to suffer the results of @ @ @ @ @ .
Bennett added that , to the best of his knowledge , neither Likud nor @ @ @ @ @ to take on the Health Ministry , but he and his party are willing - @ @ @ @ @ form such an anti-pandemic authority .

Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said on Kan news on Tuesday that he is “ready and willing to take upon myself to ensure this country is safe from future pandemics by creating an authority focused on that.”
He added that ,should such an authority be created, the nation would not be forced to suffer the results of massive lockdowns in the future.
Bennett added that, to the best of his knowledge, neither Likud nor Blue and White are eager to take on the Health Ministry, but he and his party are willing - if they be able to form such an anti-pandemic authority.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Coronavirus update: 238 Israelis dead, 16,289 diagnosed and 70 intubated

As of Tuesday night, 238 Israelis have died of coronavirus, according to the Health Ministry. In total 16,289 Israelis have been diagnosed with the virus, 70 of whom are currently intubated.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Monument honoring Jewish fighters in War of Independence vandalized

The monument honoring the memory of the 35 Jewish fighters whose mission it was to resupply Jewish communities in Gush @ @ @ @ @ Independence was shattered by vandals , a press release reported on Tuesday .
The monument @ @ @ @ @ of Surif , Gush Etzion regional council leader Shlomo Neeman said it is not the @ @ @ @ @ of Israel ’ s fighters is desecrated by Arab vandals.
” Neeman said he demands @ @ @ @ @ incident as a serious act of hostility and said he instructed it to be repaired @ @ @ @ @ 35 was spotted by an Arab herder during the war .
They decided to let @ @ @ @ @ kill him .
The man informed local Arab militias Jewish fighters were nearby and they @ @ @ @ @ demands law enforcement agencies view the incident as a serious act of hostility and said @ @ @ @ @ repaired immediately .
“ Stones can be broken , we can not , ” he @ @

The monument honoring the memory of the 35 Jewish fighters whose mission it was to resupply Jewish communities in Gush Etzion during the War of Independence was shattered by vandals, a press release reported on Tuesday.
The monument is near the Palestinian town of Surif, Gush Etzion regional council leader Shlomo Neeman said it is not the first time the “memory of Israel’s fighters is desecrated by Arab vandals.”
Neeman said he demands law enforcement agencies view the incident as a serious act of hostility and said he instructed it to be repaired immediately. The convoy of 35 was spotted by an Arab herder during the war. They decided to let the man go and not kill him. The man informed local Arab militias Jewish fighters were nearby and they were all killed.Neeman said he demands law enforcement agencies view the incident as a serious act of hostility and said he instructed it to be repaired immediately.
“Stones can be broken, we cannot,” he said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Jerusalem City Hall arsonist was angry over a fine – report

The man was fined NIS 475 and decided to set fire to city hall .
In a video obtained by @ @ @ @ @ checking to see if the room he later set ablaze was empty , breaking the @ @ @ @ @ and starting the fire .
Various local leaders from the Arab community of east Jerusalem @ @ @ @ @ and expressed condemnation of the man ’ s actions .
“ It is as if @ @ @ @ @ my own house after I told him not to park in my space , ” @ @ @ @ @

The man who set fire to Jerusalem City Hall on April 22 was angry for being fined after selling medical masks without a permit, N12 reported on Tuesday.
The man was fined NIS 475 and decided to set fire to city hall. In a video obtained by N12 he can be seen checking to see if the room he later set ablaze was empty, breaking the window, pouring gasoline inside and starting the fire.
Various local leaders from the Arab community of east Jerusalem met with Mayor Moshe Lion and expressed condemnation of the man’s actions.
“It is as if he would set fire to my own house after I told him not to park in my space,” one of them said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Hura restricted area status extended until Sunday

Two neighborhoods in the southern town of Hura , numbers nine and ten , will remain in lockdown until Sunday @ @ @ @ @ s Office and the Health Ministry reported in a joint statement on Tuesday .

Two neighborhoods in the southern town of Hura, numbers nine and ten, will remain in lockdown until Sunday, The Prime Minister’s Office and the Health Ministry reported in a joint statement on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Kinneret Cities Council: Swimming was approved before life guards

The Kinneret Cities Council ( KCC ) criticized the government decision to allow some marine sports in public beaches before @ @ @ @ @ to return to work , a press release reported on Tuesday .
The Director of @ @ @ @ @ Interior Minister Aryeh Deri with an urgent letter , asking him to approve the resumption @ @ @ @ @ beaches of the Sea of Galilee .
Slamming the government , Greenbaum pointed out that @ @ @ @ @ keep the beaches locked , remove members of the public who wish to swim , @ @ @ @ @ to engage in marine sports such as surfing or canoeing access to the water – @ @ @ @ @ “ How , and who , is meant to inspect people to make sure they @ @ @ @ @ ?
” he asked .
Greenbaum suggested that beaches will be allowed to slowly return @ @ @ @ @ only when life savers are allowed back to work .

The Kinneret Cities Council (KCC) criticized the government decision to allow some marine sports in public beaches before ensuring lifeguards will be able to return to work, a press release reported on Tuesday.
The Director of KCC Idan Greenbaum appealed to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri with an urgent letter, asking him to approve the resumption of lifeguarding services on the beaches of the Sea of Galilee.
Slamming the government, Greenbaum pointed out that the KCC is expected to keep the beaches locked, remove members of the public who wish to swim, but allow people who claim to engage in marine sports such as surfing or canoeing access to the water – without life savers operating.
“How, and who, is meant to inspect people to make sure they really are athletes or not?” he asked.
Greenbaum suggested that beaches will be allowed to slowly return to normal operation, but only when life savers are allowed back to work.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Vladimir Putin gives Kim Jong Un medal for ‘honoring Soviet soldiers’

The Red Army liberated North Korea from Japanese occupation in 1945 .
Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded North Korean leader @ @ @ @ @ medal for his work in “ honoring the memory of Red Army Soldiers who died @ @ @ @ @ , ” Kan 11 reported on Tuesday.The Red Army liberated North Korea from Japanese occupation @ @ @ @ @ was given to mark 75 years since the end of the World War II .
@ @ @ @ @ Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho by the Russian ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora @ @ @ @ @ medal was awarded by a special decree signed by Putin .
The USSR and the @ @ @ @ @ Japanese occupation , with the US liberating the southern part of the country , while @ @ @ @ @ .

The Red Army liberated North Korea from Japanese occupation in 1945. Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with a medal for his work in “honoring the memory of Red Army Soldiers who died in combat in North Korea,” Kan 11 reported on Tuesday.The Red Army liberated North Korea from Japanese occupation in 1945.
The medal was awarded by a special decree signed by Putin. The medal was given to mark 75 years since the end of the World War II. It was presented to North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho by the Russian ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora, reported.The medal was awarded by a special decree signed by Putin.
The USSR and the US jointly liberated Korea from Japanese occupation, with the US liberating the southern part of the country, while the USSR liberated the north.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Dutch police disperse coronavirus protest in The Hague

The mayor of The Hague on Tuesday issued a statement ordering police to break up a demonstration by around 200 people who had gathered to protest against measures ordered by the government to slow the country's coronavirus outbreak.Police said in a statement that they were "detaining demonstrators that ignore the mayor's order". Local press agency ANP said dozens had been detained.The Dutch government has banned public gatherings since mid-March, with people required to stand at least 1.5 metres apart in public spaces.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Yemen records 9 new coronavirus infections, taking total to 21

Eight cases were detected in the southern port city of Aden and another infection was recorded in Hadhramout region , @ @ @ @ @ ministry of the Houthi-controlled government in the north has not announced any infections so far @ @ @ @ @ suspected cases there had tested negative .

Yemen's internationally-recognized government announced on Tuesday nine new coronavirus cases and one death, raising total infections to 21 and three deaths, the country's supreme national emergency committee said on Twitter.
Eight cases were detected in the southern port city of Aden and another infection was recorded in Hadhramout region, it said.
The health ministry of the Houthi-controlled government in the north has not announced any infections so far. Authorities have said all suspected cases there had tested negative.


jerusalempost--2020-05-05--Afghanistan distributes free bread as prices soar amid coronavirus

More than 250,000 families in the capital Kabul started receiving ten flat 'Naan ' breads per day in the first @ @ @ @ @ President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said the bread distribution program was also taking place in @ @ @ @ @ were hitting what is already one of the poorest countries in the world , with @ @ @ @ @ population living below the poverty line .
Afghanistan 's headline inflation was an annual 12.1 @ @ @ @ @ inflation stood at 27 % , up from 11 % a month earlier , said @ @ @ @ @ at the independent Biruni Institute think-tank in Kabul , who had access to the government @ @ @ @ @ .

Afghanistan's government began distributing free bread to hundreds of thousands of people across the country this week as supplies have been disrupted during the coronavirus shutdown and prices have soared, officials and experts said.
More than 250,000 families in the capital Kabul started receiving ten flat 'Naan' breads per day in the first phase of the project.
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said the bread distribution program was also taking place in other cities as rising prices were hitting what is already one of the poorest countries in the world, with more than half of the population living below the poverty line.
Afghanistan's headline inflation was an annual 12.1% in April and food inflation stood at 27%, up from 11% a month earlier, said Omar Joya, an economist at the independent Biruni Institute think-tank in Kabul, who had access to the government's latest consumer price data.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Kremlin says US moon mining proposals need thorough legal analysis

The Kremlin on Wednesday said a US-proposed legal blueprint for mining on the moon would need to be analyzed thoroughly to check if it complies with international law.The Trump administration is drafting the proposals under a new US-sponsored international agreement called the Artemis Accords, people familiar with the proposed pact told Reuters, and that Russia, a major partner with NASA on the International Space Station, would not be an early partner.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Naftali Bennett approves thousands of housing units in Efrat

Defense Minister Naftali Bennett approved the construction of about 7,000 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Efrat in the Gush Etzion bloc south of Jerusalem on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Iran death toll from new coronavirus outbreak rises by 78 to 6,418

The death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak in Iran rose by 78 in the past 24 hours to 6,418, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Wednesday.The total number of diagnosed cases of new coronavirus in Iran, one of the countries hardest hit by the outbreak in the Middle East, has reached 101,650, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Indonesia reports 367 new coronavirus cases, 23 deaths

Twenty three more people who tested positive for the virus have died in the Southeast Asian nation , taking the @ @ @ @ @ 895 , the highest death toll in East Asia outside China .

Indonesia reported 367 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the total to 12,438, said health ministry official Achmad Yurianto.
Twenty three more people who tested positive for the virus have died in the Southeast Asian nation, taking the total number of deaths to 895, the highest death toll in East Asia outside China.
As of Wednesday, more than 92,000 people had been tested and 2,317 had recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Spain's daily death toll picks up after three days below 200

The number of daily fatalities from the coronavirus in Spain picked up on Wednesday as health authorities registered 244 deaths, up from below 200 on each of the three previous days.The health ministry said the overall coronavirus death toll rose to 25,817 on Wednesday from 25,613 the day before. The number of diagnosed coronavirus cases rose to 220,325 from 219,329 on Tuesday, the ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Philippines' coronavirus infections top 10,000

The Philippines' coronavirus infections have broken past the 10,000 mark, the health ministry said on Wednesday.In a bulletin, the health ministry reported 320 additional infections, bringing the total to 10,004. It also reported 21 new deaths, bringing the toll to 658. But 98 patients have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 1,506.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Tokyo reports 38 new coronavirus cases in fifth straight day of decline

Japan's capital of Tokyo reported 38 cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, Jiji news agency said, marking a fifth straight day of declining numbers of new infections.Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday extended a nationwide state of emergency to May 31, saying the infection rate had yet to drop enough to justify ending measures.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Russia's coronavirus cases rise by more than 10,000 for 4th straight day

It was the fourth consecutive day that cases had risen by more than 10,000 .

The number of new coronavirus cases in Russia rose by 10,559 over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide tally to 165,929, the coronavirus crisis response center said on Wednesday.
It was the fourth consecutive day that cases had risen by more than 10,000.
It also reported 86 new fatalities from COVID-19, bringing the total death toll in Russia to 1,537.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Kinneret rises by centimeter in 24 hours, further rain expected

The upper red line threshold marks 208.9 meters below sea level .
The lake is currently at the highest level @ @ @ @ @ .
Further rains are expected on Wednesday in northern and central Israel .
Temperatures will @ @ @ @ @ below average for this time of year .
In Jerusalem , the low will be @ @ @ @ @ ) and the high will be 63 F ( 17 C ) .
In Tel @ @ @ @ @ be 64 F ( 18 C ) and the high will be 68 F ( @ @ @ @ @ Beersheba , the low will be 57 F ( 14 C ) and the high @ @ @ @ @ 20 C ) .
In Haifa , the low will be 61 F ( 16 @ @ @ @ @ will be 64 F ( 18 C ) .

The upper red line threshold marks 208.9 meters below sea level. The lake is currently at the highest level it's been since 2004.
Further rains are expected on Wednesday in northern and central Israel. Temperatures will drop further and will be below average for this time of year.
In Jerusalem, the low will be 57 F (14 C) and the high will be 63 F (17 C). In Tel Aviv, the low will be 64 F (18 C) and the high will be 68 F (20 C). In Beersheba, the low will be 57 F (14 C) and the high will be 68 F (20 C). In Haifa, the low will be 61 F (16 C) and the high will be 64 F (18 C).
The Kinneret rose by another centimeter from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing the lake within 11 cm of the upper red line threshold and bringing the water level to 208.91 meters below sea level, after rain fell throughout the country on Tuesday, according to the Water Authority.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--South Korea: No signs Kim Jong Un underwent heart surgery

SEOUL - South Korea's spy agency said on Wednesday there are no signs North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has received heart surgery, the Yonhap news agency reported.Kim disappeared from state media for three weeks, sparking a flurry of speculation about his health and whereabouts, before re-emerging last Saturday.Daily NK, a Seoul-based news outlet with sources inside North Korea, reported in April that Kim was recovering from a cardiovascular procedure.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--China: Hong Kong protestors are a violent 'political virus'

China's Hong Kong affairs office on Wednesday condemned Hong Kong protesters as a "political virus" who seek independence, warning that the city will never be calm unless what it said were violent black-clad protesters were all removed.The office warned that China's central government will not sit idly by "with this recklessly demented force in place" and that China's greatest responsibility is in maintaining order and safeguarding national security.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Australian biotech firm CSL joins race for coronavirus treatment

CSL said in a statement it will test a blood plasma treatment for people with serious cases of the illness , formally called COVID-19 , by collecting blood from people who have recovered from it and concentrating their virus-fighting antibodies .
The trial puts Australia 's second most valuable company in the race to find a treatment for the illness for which there is still no verified vaccine or cure .
Nearly 3.7 million people have caught the flu-like illness since it was first reported in China late last year , of whom nearly 260,000 have died .
Australian health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CSL facility would be one of the first in the world to start development of an `` immunoglobulin that may provide benefit to seriously ill Australians in need of treatment . ''
Immunoglobulin refers to virus-fighting antibodies typically found in the blood cells of people who have recovered from a virus .
CSL , which started as a government laboratory called Commonwealth Serum Laboratories before it was privatized , said it would need blood plasma donations from about 800 people , collected by the Australian Red Cross , to produce enough immunoglobulin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill people under the trial .
Australia had recorded about 6,900 infections of the coronavirus , including 97 deaths , by Wednesday , according to government figures .
If a clinical trial succeeded , CSL said it would seek to register the product as COVID-19 Immunoglobulin with Australian regulator the Therapeutic Goods Administration to allow its supply in Australia .

Australia's biggest biotech company CSL Ltd said on Wednesday it will start trials for an antibody product to treat people with the new coronavirus, joining a global rush to find a cure for a fast-spreading and potentially fatal illness.
CSL said in a statement it will test a blood plasma treatment for people with serious cases of the illness, formally called COVID-19, by collecting blood from people who have recovered from it and concentrating their virus-fighting antibodies.
The trial puts Australia's second most valuable company in the race to find a treatment for the illness for which there is still no verified vaccine or cure. Nearly 3.7 million people have caught the flu-like illness since it was first reported in China late last year, of whom nearly 260,000 have died.
Australian health minister Greg Hunt said in the statement the CSL facility would be one of the first in the world to start development of an "immunoglobulin that may provide benefit to seriously ill Australians in need of treatment."
Immunoglobulin refers to virus-fighting antibodies typically found in the blood cells of people who have recovered from a virus.
CSL, which started as a government laboratory called Commonwealth Serum Laboratories before it was privatized, said it would need blood plasma donations from about 800 people, collected by the Australian Red Cross, to produce enough immunoglobulin to treat between 50 and 100 seriously ill people under the trial.
Australia had recorded about 6,900 infections of the coronavirus, including 97 deaths, by Wednesday, according to government figures.
If a clinical trial succeeded, CSL said it would seek to register the product as COVID-19 Immunoglobulin with Australian regulator the Therapeutic Goods Administration to allow its supply in Australia.
Shares of CSL, which has a market value of about $90 billion, were up 0.2% in late morning trade on Wednesday in a broader Australian stock market that was down 0.8%.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Palestinian Authority reports first birth by a coronavirus patient

A Palestinian coronavirus patient from Hebron gave birth on Wednesday night, marking the first birth of a child from a mother infected with the coronavirus in the Palestinian Authority, according to Palestinian media.
"تيم"... فلسطين تشهد ولادة أول طفل لأم مصابة بفيروس كورونا، حيث تقيم الأم في مركز الحجر في فندق جراند بارك بعد قدومها من الخليل إلى رام الله pic.twitter.com/aa7VFPGdJ3 — وكالة شهاب (@ShehabAgency) May 6, 2020


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Brazil reports 10,503 new coronavirus cases in record daily rise

Brazil registered a record 10,503 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours and 615 deaths, the health ministry said on Wednesday.Overall, the nation has registered 125,218 cases and 8,536 deaths due to the virus. New cases rose roughly 9.2% over the last 24 hours, while deaths increased roughly 7.8%.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Iraqi lawmakers approve government of new prime minister

Kadhimi 's picks for interior , defense , finance , electricity and other key portfolios passed during a parliament vote @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers said .

Iraq's parliament approved a majority of ministers presented by Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Wednesday, lawmakers said, ushering in a new government after months of deadlock.
Kadhimi's picks for interior, defense, finance, electricity and other key portfolios passed during a parliament vote on the cabinet, the lawmakers said.
Several ministerial candidates were rejected, however, meaning Kadhimi will begin his term without a full government.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--President Trump vetoes Iran war powers resolution

`` This was a very insulting resolution , introduced by Democrats as part of a strategy to win an election @ @ @ @ @ the Republican Party , '' Trump said in a statement released by the White House @ @ @ @ @ who voted for it played right into their hands . ''
The Senate , where @ @ @ @ @ a 53-to 47-seat majority , is expected to hold a veto-override vote as soon as @ @ @ @ @ which passed the House of Representatives in March and the Senate in April , was @ @ @ @ @ to wrest back from the White House its constitutionally guaranteed authority to declare war .
@ @ @ @ @ both houses supported the measure when it passed , but not enough to muster the @ @ @ @ @ houses to override a veto .

WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed legislation that intends to limit his ability to wage war against Iran . The bill passed both chambers of Congress with the support of a few Republican members but lacked enough votes to get a veto-proof majority.“This indefinite prohibition is unnecessary and dangerous,” the president wrote in his letter to the Senate. Trump added that the bill would have weakened the president’s authority in violation of Article II of the Constitution, and endanger the lives of American citizens and brave service members.“This joint resolution is unnecessary because it rests upon a faulty premise,” he noted, going on to say that because of his actions and policies, the United States is not engaged in the use of force against Iran. “As commander in chief, I will always defend our nation against threats to our security.”He addressed the decision to kill Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force.“The purposes of this strike were to protect United States personnel, deter Iran from conducting or supporting further attacks against United States forces and interests, degrade the ability of Iran and Quds Force-backed militias to conduct attacks, and end Iran’s strategic escalation of attacks against and threats to United States interests,” the letter read.Trump mentioned the incident on January 7, when Iran launched 16 ballistic missiles against United States and coalition forces in Iraq.“The next day, in an address to the nation, I noted that ‘Iran appears to be standing down’ and emphasized that ‘the United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it,’” the president wrote.“One day later, this resolution was introduced,” he added. “Its apparent aim was to prevent an escalation in hostilities between the United States and Iran. Yet no such escalation has occurred over the past four months, contrary to the often dire and confident predictions of many.”The president added that the bill is dangerous because “it could hinder the president’s ability to protect United States forces, allies and partners, including Israel, from the continued threat posed by Iran and Iranian-backed militias.”The Senate, where Trump’s fellow Republicans hold a 53-to-47-seat majority, is expected to hold a veto-override vote as soon as Thursday.The resolution, which passed the House of Representatives in March and the Senate in April, was the latest effort by Congress to wrest back from the White House its constitutionally guaranteed authority to declare war.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Security cabinet to meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday

It is unclear what the subject of the meeting will be , but some reports claimed that it may address @ @ @ @ @ agreement between Hamas and Israel .
The meeting also comes after the first rocket in @ @ @ @ @ the Gaza Strip into Israel and a series of airstrikes in Syria was blamed on @ @

It is unclear what the subject of the meeting will be, but some reports claimed that it may address negotiations on a prisoner swap agreement between Hamas and Israel. The meeting also comes after the first rocket in 40 days was fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel and a series of airstrikes in Syria was blamed on Israel.
Ministers were informed on Wednesday evening that the security cabinet will meet for a special meeting at 5 p.m. on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--US CDC records 22,303 new coronavirus cases, 2,523 deaths

The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19 , caused by the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ .
ET on May 5 , compared with its count a day earlier .
( @ @ @ @

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday reported 1,193,813 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 22,303 cases from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 2,523 to 70,802.
The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19, caused by the new coronavirus, as of 4 p.m. ET on May 5, compared with its count a day earlier. (https://bit.ly/2SGLijD)
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Netanyahu, Gantz announce government to be sworn in on May 13

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A maximum 11-judge panel of the High Court of Justice at close to midnight on Wednesday green-lighted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government as well as controversial aspects of the Blue and White-Likud coalition deal Despite misgivings about the "grave charges pending" in the bribery indictment against Netanyahu and aspects of the coalition deal, the justices voted unanimously that they could not intervene.Ultimately, the justices said there was a two-part test to giving Netanyahu the green light.First, they said he was not automatically disqualified by law since the Knesset law only automatically disqualifies a prime minister who was convicted and exhausted his appeals.Second, they said the court could still review the discretion of any appointment.The question then became who is appointing the prime minister.The justices ruled that the Knesset is the body that appoints the prime minister and that they must give heavy deference to such an inherently political decision.Further, the justices said it could be disastrous for an external body – such as the court – to intervene with this process absent a case much more extreme than the one before them.In theory, this second step to the legal analysis preserved the judges' role in judicial review and their theoretical ability to fire a future indicted prime minister.In practice, the justices made it clear that they were in no mood to challenge the will of the Knesset, even for a bribery charge, which is viewed as the most severe of white collar crimes.The signs were already there on Sunday that it would be hard for the petitioners to force out Netanyahu.Even then, it appeared that at least a majority of six, if not more, of the justices were leaning toward green-lighting Netanyahu. The decision is expected to come before the May 7 deadline to form a government.Movement for the Quality of Government in Israel lawyer Eliad Shraga tried on Sunday to shock the justices into ruling against Netanyahu.He said if the High Court accepted Netanyahu as prime minister, “you will have destroyed your decades of precedent of Deri-Pinhasi,” which forces ministers to resign upon indictment.Shraga also said Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit ’s attempts to defend Netanyahu were a “tortuous mix” of contradictory approaches to interpreting the law.He lashed out at Blue and White leader Benny Gantz’s lawyers, who had said the High Court has the power to fire a prime minister, but not in these specific circumstances (highlighting the three elections and coronavirus crisis).Shraga proclaimed the case against Netanyahu was “extremely grave,” saying that Mandelblit and the lawyers for the Knesset and President Reuven Rivlin were “turning bribery into normative behavior” by looking the other way so that Netanyahu could form the next government.Lawyer Daphna Holech-Lechner, representing more than 100 hi-tech officials, said on Sunday: “We are falling into a dark black hole” that is “destroying the rule of law… We have been in this situation for months with danger and awful attacks on the rule of law.”“What we saw until now is just a promo,” she added. “This is very dangerous.”“I don’t think Knesset members at the time of the amendment of the Basic Law [regarding when a prime minister must resign] ever would have imagined where we are with” the public and the Knesset endorsing a man indicted for bribery to be prime minister and Netanyahu himself refuses to resign, Holech-Lechner said.But the justices appeared unconvinced.High Court President Esther Hayut and Vice President Hanan Melcer repeatedly said on Sunday that the petitioners were making populist arguments and ignoring the explicit words of the law, which only allow ousting a prime minister after convicting and exhausting all appeals.When the law regarding ousting a prime minister for legal issues was passed, Melcer said, the Knesset even considered a stricter approach and rejected it to avoid non-elected legal officials from toppling the person chosen to run the country by the voters.Hayut explicitly referred to the Knesset’s power of selecting a prime minister as being at the heart of the legislative branch’s fundamental political powers for which it had much wider discretion than a mere administrative decision.Whereas in the case of a minister, the High Court could order the prime minister to fire them for being indicted, the justices suggested that they did not have the same obvious angle for overruling the sovereign choice of the Knesset to lead the country.Holech-Lechner said Amnon Rubinstein, who helped lead the legislation regarding ousting a prime minister some 20 years ago, has admitted that they did not foresee a situation in which the prime minister would be viable and seek to stay in office if accused of bribery.But Melcer’s retort was that if there was a problem with the law, the Knesset itself would need to fix it with an amendment, not the courts.One key moment in the hearings was when the High Court appeared to be trying to limit Netanyahu’s powers as prime minister even if they green-light him.For example, they suggested he would not be allowed to take on any additional ministerial portfolios besides being prime minister as long as he faces his trial.Also, they suggested he should be walled off from involvement in appointing law-enforcement officials. (It is unclear how this can be enforced, given that the Likud can enforce his will whether Netanyahu is physically present at decisive meetings or not.)Last week, Mandelblit had green-lighted Netanyahu despite significant misgivings regarding the bribery indictment pending against him.Mandelblit had also said despite major legal problems with other controversial aspects of the Likud-Blue and White coalition deal, the High Court of Justice should let the new government form and probe specifics only later and if concrete problems present themselves.The High Court addressed those issues on Monday.The bottom line was that Mandelblit started to plow the way forward for the two parties to form the next government with Netanyahu as prime minister and Gantz as vice prime minister.Effectively, he was stamping out opposition from Yesh Atid and other opposition factions, even as numerous comments in his legal brief made it clear that he had misgivings about large aspects of the coalition deal.Mandelblit’s opinion to the High Court came after Blue and White called on the court last week to let Netanyahu remain as prime minister due to the coronavirus crisis and to avoid unprecedented fourth elections.Likewise, Rivlin requested that the High Court reject the petitions against Netanyahu and the coalition deal and not try to drag his office into the issue since the prime minister has the support of the majority of the Knesset.Both Mandelblit and the High Court had already rejected several petitions seeking to fire Netanyahu on a variety of grounds dating back to the indictment being issued on November 21, 2019.Some of the several petitioning good-government groups had been slightly more hopeful of winning over the court this time.But Mandelblit’s siding with Netanyahu, even as he was the one who issued the indictment, was a heavy blow to their efforts.Essentially, the attorney-general said even though the law only addresses a sitting prime minister and not a transitional prime minister seeking to form a new government, the same provisions that apply to a sitting prime minister should be the lens with which an aspiring prime minister with an absolute majority of Knesset recommendations should be viewed.Despite more than 25 years of High Court precedent forcing ministers to resign upon indictment, Mandelblit said the prime minister is qualitatively different from other ministers because toppling or blocking a candidate for prime minister throws off the entire process of government formation.Regarding changes to the Basic Laws, Mandelblit said after the government is established, portions of the deal may need to be amended that conflict with Israel’s democratic structure.The attorney-general voiced concern that the deal restricts the Knesset’s powers for six months to consider issues beyond the coronavirus crisis.He also showed distaste for provisions that weakened the role of the opposition in the Knesset, such as removing them from certain committee positions as well as from the Judicial Selection Committee.Mandelblit also objected to dividing the government into two blocs and to a deal to appoint Osnat Mark to the Judicial Selection Committee even though she will only become a member of the Knesset after various Likud ministers resign their positions.But Mandelblit was ready to let these issues be dealt with at a later date so as not to undermine the deal as a whole and risk sending the country to fourth elections.Rebuking one of the petitioner’s lawyers who said that the voters had no idea that this problematic new form of government would be foisted on them, Hayut said on Monday, “the voters did not vote for a specific form of government, they voted for political parties and for the Knesset.”At the same time, the justice seemed on the warpath about some specific provisions of the deal, but the parties amended most of those provisions by Tuesday.Hayut appeared to give the coalition a big win at the opening of the hearing, suggesting that the lawyers focus “only on issues not requiring Knesset legislation.”The massive implication was that the High Court would not disqualify any of the changes to the Basic Laws required by the deal until after the Knesset successfully passes them into law.This means that the government will overwhelmingly go into effect, leaving its critics to try to slice pieces off before the High Court at a later date only after the new government is a fact on the ground.Still, several of the justices voiced opposition to the idea that the new government could give itself an unlimited corona emergency period for playing with the country’s normal legal structure.Along those lines, Hayut pressed the deal’s defenders to explain why the corona crisis prevented them from appointing a permanent police chief.The deal freezes most top officials in place during the six month coronavirus emergency period.Like Mandelblit, Justice Neal Hendel showed distaste for provisions that weakened the role of the opposition in the Knesset, such as removing them from certain committee positions as well as from the Judicial Selection Committee.At the same time, when the petitioners attacked this point, the justices suggested that however problematic it might be, there had been past rotation-unity deal eras when the opposition was given fewer roles.The basis of this, they explained, was the idea that a unity government already represents multiple viewpoints and interests in the country – in some ways allowing even more public debate than when there is a mere disempowered opposition.Yesh Atid lawyer Eliram Bakal warned on Monday that this vision “is very dangerous.” He said the justices must not let the unity government claim “there is no opposition” and that they represent all the interests of all groups in Israel.Melcer also warned that the suggested number of ministers and deputy ministers at a count of 52 was close to a point where a majority of the Knesset would be part of the cabinet, ending the idea that the executive and legislative branches are separate.The court asked for the coalition parties to clarify and fix certain legal problems which the justices had flagged within 24 hours.Petitioner lawyer Avigdor Feldman on Monday was one of the few who attacked the broad idea of the High Court waiting to rule on proposed Knesset bills until they became law.He said, “We went to sleep with one prime minister and woke up to two prime ministers,” adding that the High Court should not be so passive to wait for major new legal facts to be set and wedge them in from having to roll them back later.Both Feldman and Movement for the Quality of Government in Israel lawyer Eliad Shraga said on Monday that the justices could not ignore “the elephant in the room” that none of the changes to the law were out of an ideological belief that this would improve Israel’s governmental structure.Rather, they emphasized it was a testament to the lack of trust Blue and White had in Netanyahu and their commitment to force him out of the prime minister’s chair in October 2021.Leading into the Monday hearing, Yesh Atid MK Karin Elharar said, “the State of Israel has known many coalition deals, but we have never seen a deal that is this bad. It is a deal which weakens the Knesset, oppresses the opposition” and treats public appointments as if they are part of “someone’s personal wallet.”However, Netanyahu lawyer Michael Ravilo said on Monday that the deal that was reached was extremely sensitive and had taken so long to negotiate that the justices should not touch it, lest they risk going to fourth elections.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--IDF Major-General Tamir Yadai finishes term at Home Front Command

The head of the IDF’s Home Front Command, Major-General Tamir Yadai will finish his term commanding over the Home Front Command on May 19 after three years in the role, IDF Spokesperson reported on Wednesday.He will be replaced by Brigadier General Uri Gordin, who will be promoted to the rank of Major-General when he assumes command.Yadai will be assigned to lead the IDF’s Central Command replacing Major-General Nadav Padan in a future date which is yet to be decided upon.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Huldai to Siman Tov: City can’t prevent people from swimming, you do it

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai slammed Health Ministry Director Moshe Bar Siman Tov on Wednesday , telling him that the city can ’ t prevent people from swimming in the sea and that “ you can fish them out of the water on your own , ” N12 reported .
While Siman Tov was worried about people gathering on the beach and possibly infecting one another with COVID-19 , Huldai insisted that if the Health Ministry demands it , then it should provide lifeguards to carry out such a decision and not the city .
Other mayors present at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miriam Feirberg , Herzliya mayor Moshe Fadlon , and Haifa mayor Einat Kalisch-Rotem .
Huldai slammed the ministry in the past , saying it ordered schools to sanitize classes after each lesson , but didn ’ t offer any funding to cover the costs .
The government ruled that people who engage in sports , such as surfers , will be allowed to swim with their own personal gear while keeping social distance .
Yet it is not known how , and whom , is meant to tell apart so-called professional athletes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swim .

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai slammed Health Ministry Director Moshe Bar Siman Tov on Wednesday, telling him that the city can’t prevent people from swimming in the sea and that “you can fish them out of the water on your own,” N12 reported.
While Siman Tov was worried about people gathering on the beach and possibly infecting one another with COVID-19, Huldai insisted that if the Health Ministry demands it, then it should provide lifeguards to carry out such a decision and not the city.
Other mayors present at the debate joined Huldai, including Netanya mayor Miriam Feirberg, Herzliya mayor Moshe Fadlon, and Haifa mayor Einat Kalisch-Rotem.
Huldai slammed the ministry in the past, saying it ordered schools to sanitize classes after each lesson, but didn’t offer any funding to cover the costs.
The government ruled that people who engage in sports, such as surfers, will be allowed to swim with their own personal gear while keeping social distance. Yet it is not known how, and whom, is meant to tell apart so-called professional athletes from members of the public who wish to swim.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Donald Trump to announce new members of coronavirus task force by Monday

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would announce new members of his coronavirus task force @ @ @ @ @ focus turns to medical treatments and easing restrictions on businesses and social life .
The @ @ @ @ @ White House event honoring National Nurses Day that he thought he would be able to @ @ @ @ @ sooner , but had no idea how popular it was .

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would announce new members of his coronavirus task force by Monday, as its focus turns to medical treatments and easing restrictions on businesses and social life.
The Republican president said at a White House event honoring National Nurses Day that he thought he would be able to wind down the task force sooner, but had no idea how popular it was.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Government announces the official Lag Ba'omer bonfire line-up

For the upcoming holiday of Lag Ba'omer , three bonfires will be lit on Mount Meron .
One for Ashkenazi @ @ @ @ @ Jews and one for the Religious-Zionist community , the government reported on Wednesday .
Rabbi @ @ @ @ @ bonfire of the Religious-Zionist community , the bonfire for Ashkenazi Jews is meant to be @ @ @ @ @ Boyan Hassidic dynasty Rabbi Nachum Dov Brayer and the bonfire for Sephardi Jews is to @ @ @ @ @ Rabbi of Jerusalem Shlomo Amar .

For the upcoming holiday of Lag Ba'omer, three bonfires will be lit on Mount Meron. One for Ashkenazi Jews, one for Sephardi Jews and one for the Religious-Zionist community, the government reported on Wednesday.
Rabbi Haim Drukman will lead the bonfire of the Religious-Zionist community, the bonfire for Ashkenazi Jews is meant to be lit by head of the Boyan Hassidic dynasty Rabbi Nachum Dov Brayer and the bonfire for Sephardi Jews is to be lit by Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem Shlomo Amar.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Israeli soccer to return on May 30

Israeli soccer to return on May 30

Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev said on Wednesday that the Israeli soccer league will return to the field on @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the plan approved by the Health Ministry , players will agree to @ @ @ @ @ extent of remaining indoors at all times except for practice , matches and traveling from @ @ @ @ @ Players will have their temperature taken daily .

Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev said on Wednesday that the Israeli soccer league will return to the field on May 30, Ynet reported.
According to the plan approved by the Health Ministry, players will agree to practice social distancing to the extent of remaining indoors at all times except for practice, matches and traveling from home to those activities. Players will have their temperature taken daily.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Andrew Cuomo says some states are making a mistake by reopening

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday that he believed states reopening their economies while seeing growing rates of @ @ @ @ @ were making a mistake .
`` You have states that are opening where you are @ @ @ @ @ '' Cuomo told a daily briefing .
`` I think that 's a mistake .

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday that he believed states reopening their economies while seeing growing rates of infections from the novel coronavirus were making a mistake.
"You have states that are opening where you are still on the incline," Cuomo told a daily briefing. "I think that's a mistake.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Baltic states to create "travel bubble" as coronavirus curbs eased

VILNIUS - Latvia , Lithuania and Estonia will open their borders to each others ' citizens from May 15 , creating a Baltic `` travel bubble '' within the European Union amid an easing of pandemic restrictions , their prime ministers said on Wednesday .
`` It 's a big step towards life as normal , '' Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas wrote on Twitter .
The Baltic travel area would be first of its kind in the bloc , where most countries restricted entry to non-nationals and imposed quarantine on incoming travelers as the coronavirus spread across the continent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be free to travel within the region , but anyone entering from outside will need to self-isolate for 14 days , Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said .
`` We showed a good example by stating , very clearly , that only countries which successfully dealt with the situation can open themselves up , '' he added .
`` I think we will keep to this principle when dealing with countries where the situation is very bad , which did not take measures to control the virus spread . ''
Poland and Finland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the free travel bloc , said Skvernelis .
The European Commission has recommended that internal border controls between all member states should be lifted in a coordinated manner , once their virus situation converges sufficiently , the commission 's office in Lithuania said .
Moves to selectively open borders have emerged elsewhere .
Australia and New Zealand are working towards resuming travel between the two countries .
Lithuania , Latvia and Estonia , all major trading partners , are also taking cautious steps to re-open their economies .
`` This is a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It will not get them back to where they were , but many jobs will be saved , '' said Zydre Gaveliene , head of a tourism lobby group in Lithuania .
The region has been part of the European Union since 2004 and the European free-travel Schengen Area since 2007 .
Estonia and Lithuania closed their borders to non-citizens during the outbreak and all three nations imposed mandatory quarantines on anyone entering for non-work-related reasons .
New infections have slowed to a trickle with none of the countries reporting more than five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Estonia has recorded 55 deaths , Lithuania 48 and Latvia 17 .
`` For me personally , this means that , after the month-long stagnation , there is light at the end of the tunnel , '' Vilnius resident Gabija Narusyte , 47 , told Reuters .

VILNIUS - Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will open their borders to each others' citizens from May 15, creating a Baltic "travel bubble" within the European Union amid an easing of pandemic restrictions, their prime ministers said on Wednesday.
"It's a big step towards life as normal," Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas wrote on Twitter.
The Baltic travel area would be first of its kind in the bloc, where most countries restricted entry to non-nationals and imposed quarantine on incoming travelers as the coronavirus spread across the continent.
Citizens of the three countries will be free to travel within the region, but anyone entering from outside will need to self-isolate for 14 days, Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said.
"We showed a good example by stating, very clearly, that only countries which successfully dealt with the situation can open themselves up," he added.
"I think we will keep to this principle when dealing with countries where the situation is very bad, which did not take measures to control the virus spread."
Poland and Finland could be the next countries to join the free travel bloc, said Skvernelis.
The European Commission has recommended that internal border controls between all member states should be lifted in a coordinated manner, once their virus situation converges sufficiently, the commission's office in Lithuania said.
Moves to selectively open borders have emerged elsewhere. Australia and New Zealand are working towards resuming travel between the two countries.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, all major trading partners, are also taking cautious steps to re-open their economies.
"This is a very important stimulus for regional tourism businesses. It will not get them back to where they were, but many jobs will be saved," said Zydre Gaveliene, head of a tourism lobby group in Lithuania.
The region has been part of the European Union since 2004 and the European free-travel Schengen Area since 2007. Estonia and Lithuania closed their borders to non-citizens during the outbreak and all three nations imposed mandatory quarantines on anyone entering for non-work-related reasons.
New infections have slowed to a trickle with none of the countries reporting more than five new cases on Tuesday. In total, Estonia has recorded 55 deaths, Lithuania 48 and Latvia 17.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Donald Trump says will keep coronavirus task force indefinitely

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the White House coronavirus task force would continue its work on @ @ @ @ @ vaccines and therapeutics , a day after he said it would wind down its operations @ @ @ @ @ success , the Task Force will continue on indefinitely with its focus on SAFETY & @ @ @ @ @ .
We may add or subtract people to it , as appropriate .
The Task @ @ @ @ @ focused on Vaccines & Therapeutics , '' Trump said in a series of tweets .

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the White House coronavirus task force would continue its work on the pandemic, focusing on vaccines and therapeutics, a day after he said it would wind down its operations.
"Because of this success, the Task Force will continue on indefinitely with its focus on SAFETY & OPENING UP OUR COUNTRY AGAIN. We may add or subtract people to it, as appropriate. The Task Force will also be very focused on Vaccines & Therapeutics," Trump said in a series of tweets.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Smotrich to Arab-Israeli MKs: You invented a people a day and a half ago

Transportation Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed Arab-Israeli MKs in Knesset today and told them they “ invented a people a day and a half ago , ” a press release on behalf of his office reported on Wednesday .
Smotrich explained to those present why the Palestinian people allegedly “ never existed ” and why , in his view , a Palestinian state will never be established .
During his presentation he addressed Join List MK Osama Saadi and asked him what his surname was , when the MK answered Smotrich said : “ You see ?
From Saudi Arabia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MK Ahmad Tibi can be heard in a video of the speech laughing and pointing out that his own surname Tibi , means he comes from the city of Tayibe .
Smotrich said that the Palestinians have “ nothing , where is the Palestinian King ?
The first Palestinian coin ?
” He added that Arabs can live in Israel as long as they accept that they live in a Jewish state , to which Tibi replied by saying in jest “ thank you for this generosity.
” Mertz MK Nitzan Horovitz slammed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the minister is also the name of a town in the Ukraine , “ does this mean Smotrich should return to that country ?
” Smotrich is the name of both a town in the Western Ukraine and a river .

Transportation Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed Arab-Israeli MKs in Knesset today and told them they “invented a people a day and a half ago,” a press release on behalf of his office reported on Wednesday.
Smotrich explained to those present why the Palestinian people allegedly “never existed” and why, in his view, a Palestinian state will never be established.
During his presentation he addressed Join List MK Osama Saadi and asked him what his surname was, when the MK answered Smotrich said: “You see? From Saudi Arabia, that is where you are from.”
MK Ahmad Tibi can be heard in a video of the speech laughing and pointing out that his own surname Tibi, means he comes from the city of Tayibe.
Smotrich said that the Palestinians have “nothing, where is the Palestinian King? The first Palestinian coin?” He added that Arabs can live in Israel as long as they accept that they live in a Jewish state, to which Tibi replied by saying in jest “thank you for this generosity.”
Mertz MK Nitzan Horovitz slammed Smotrich by saying that the surname of the minister is also the name of a town in the Ukraine, “does this mean Smotrich should return to that country?”
Smotrich is the name of both a town in the Western Ukraine and a river.


jerusalempost--2020-05-06--Shaked: Annexing the West Bank is the dream of the people

Former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked slammed Meretz MK Yair Golan on Wednesday for saying that annexing the West Bank is a dream held by the religious Right that will not come to pass .
Shaked argued that this dream “ is of the people of Israel ” and that she fears that there is still a possibility this “ historic move ” will not come to pass .
She called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex , if not the entire West Bank , then Jewish settlements in it , and mentioned that at this moment Israel has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office.
” The Israeli right-wing urged Netanyahu to accept what they call the “ good part ” of the deal , the annexation , and reject what they call the “ bad part ” , the agreement to the creation of a Palestinian state .
Under the Trump administration 's `` Deal of the Century '' Israel will be free to annex roughly 30 % of the West Bank , meaning parts which are currently predominantly Jewish.The Israeli right-wing urged Netanyahu to accept what they call the “ good part ” of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they call the “ bad part ” , the agreement to the creation of a Palestinian state .

Former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked slammed Meretz MK Yair Golan on Wednesday for saying that annexing the West Bank is a dream held by the religious Right that will not come to pass.
Shaked argued that this dream “is of the people of Israel” and that she fears that there is still a possibility this “historic move” will not come to pass.
She called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex, if not the entire West Bank, then Jewish settlements in it, and mentioned that at this moment Israel has a “supportive [US] president in office.”


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--Pakistan to lift lockdown from Saturday, despite rising COVID-19 curve

Pakistan's coronavirus lockdown will be lifted on Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, despite the fact that the number of cases in the country is still accelerating.The decision is being taken because the country's large number of poor people and labourers cannot not afford to live under lockdown any more, he said on Thursday."We're deciding that we are ending this lockdown now," Khan said in a televised address. "We know that we're doing it at a time when our curve is going up.... but it is not edging up as we were expecting."Pakistan, which has undergone a five-week lockdown, has reported 24,073 coronavirus cases with 564 deaths, and recorded its highest single-day increase of 1,523 cases on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--Spain's daily coronavirus death toll falls again on Thursday

Spain's coronavirus daily death toll fell on Thursday to 213 down from 244 the day before, the health ministry reported.The overall number of coronavirus deaths rose to 26,070, up from 25,857 on Wednesday. The number of diagnosed cases of coronavirus in the country rose to 221,447 from 220,325 the previous day.


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--Black, Indian and Pakistani people more likely to die from COVID-19

Black people and those of Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnicity have a significantly higher chance of dying from COVID-19 than white people, the British statistics office said on Thursday."The risk of death involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) among some ethnic groups is significantly higher than that of those of White ethnicity," the Office for National Statistics said."Black males are 4.2 times more likely to die from a COVID-19-related death and Black females are 4.3 times more likely than White ethnicity males and females," the ONS said."People of Bangladeshi and Pakistani, Indian, and Mixed ethnicities also had statistically significant raised risk of death involving COVID-19 compared with those of White ethnicity."


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--Malaysia reports 39 new coronavirus cases; no new deaths

Malaysia reported 39 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the cumulative total to 6,467 infections.The health ministry reported no new deaths. The total number of fatalities from the outbreak stands at 107.


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--Dutch agency will review gov't performance during coronavirus

The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced a three-month roadmap toward relaxing lockdown measures announced in @ @ @ @ @ and some businesses .
The review will look at `` the preparation for a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ the measures taken , as well as the phasing out of those measures . ''

The Dutch Safety Board said on Thursday it would conduct an independent investigation and review of the country's preparedness and government performance during the coronavirus outbreak.
The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced a three-month roadmap toward relaxing lockdown measures announced in mid-March, including opening schools and some businesses.
The review will look at "the preparation for a pandemic, the crisis management and the measures taken, as well as the phasing out of those measures."


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--Coronavirus in Israel: 239 dead, 16,346 altogether confirmed cases

The Health Ministry reported on Thursday morning that altogether, 239 Israelis have died so far from the novel COVID-19 among the 16,346 altogether who were diagnosed.Of those, 5,370 are currently sick with coronavirus, 69 of which are intubated. A total of 10,737 have healed from the virus.On Wednesday, 7,832 people were tested for the virus in the country.


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--South African children face hunger as school closure halts free meals

The closure of South Africa's schools seven weeks ago halted a national feeding program providing meals to 9 million extremely poor children, filling their stomachs and helping them get through the classroom day to get an education.Now a potential hunger crisis looms.The economic hardship has been severe since President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered most citizens to stay indoors and shuttered all but essential businesses in late March."We have kids here at school who faint (from hunger)," said Shireen Valentyn, 41, a volunteer at Hoofweg primary school in the impoverished Blue Downs community in Cape Town.The school is closed for classes but is providing children and their guardians meals as part of an emergency scheme, unique to South Africa's Western Cape Province, officials said."In our kids there is a lot of hunger," Valentyn said. In the morning they queue in the cold for porridge. Later separate lines of children and adults wait with plastic lunch boxes for a midday meal of cooked butternut and tinned fish breyani.South Africa reopened some sectors of the economy on May 1 as the government sought to kickstart a stuttering economy.Schools are expected to partially reopen later this month, with students seen back in class from June 1.But there is no certainty over when the national school nutrition program will resume, piling pressure on poor families struggling to make ends meet.The education department did not respond immediately to a request for comment on the school meal program."I am also worried about the virus but there is nothing we can do because we can't stay hungry," said mother-of-two Thabisa Nete, 33, as she got a hot meal at Vuyani primary school in Cape Town's Gugulethu township.The University of Cape Town's Children's Institute said before the pandemic, a quarter of South Africa's under-fives were nutritionally stunted and 6.4 million children under 18 survived on less than $32 a month.The government had distributed over 250,000 emergency food parcels to poor families by the end of April, the social development minister said, and provided an extra 50 billion rand for social grants.But child rights activists still warn of a "hunger crisis.""There is certainly a hunger crisis ... and from the perspective of children, I would say that this is a severe implication for their ability to survive," said Nurina Ally, executive director at Equal Education Law Centre (EELC).The EELC is one of five groups lobbying Ramaphosa to immediately restart the national feeding scheme or replace it with viable alternatives like food vouchers, as some other countries have done, or substantial increases to child support grants.


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--Russia reports new record daily rise in coronavirus cases

Russia 's coronavirus taskforce said 88 people had died overnight , bringing the coronavirus death toll to 1,625 .
Moscow @ @ @ @ @ also reported a record overnight case increase of 6,703 new cases .

Russia on Thursday reported 11,231 new cases of the novel coronavirus, a record daily rise that pushed the national case total to 177,160.
Russia's coronavirus taskforce said 88 people had died overnight, bringing the coronavirus death toll to 1,625. Moscow, the worst-hit area, also reported a record overnight case increase of 6,703 new cases.
Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said on Wednesday that the case total was rising in the capital because the amount of testing had been stepped up.


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--European stocks lifted by surprise rise in Chinese exports

European shares edged higher on Thursday as a surprise rise in China's exports overshadowed another set of grim results and a warning from Air France-KLM that demand could take "several years" to recover.The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.6% by 0715 GMT, following a steady session in Asia after Beijing reported a 3.5% rise in April exports, confounding market expectations for a sharp fall, as factories restarted production after the coronavirus pandemic.Europe's miners and retailers, exposed to the health of the worlds No. 2 economy, led gains with a 1.5% rise.Air France dipped 2.7% as the group predicted operating losses to widen "significantly" in April-June quarter, with 95% of flights expected to remain grounded.However, British Airways-owner IAG rose 0.5% after saying it was planning for flights to return to service in July although passenger capacity would be about 50% lower.Britain's largest telecoms group BT tumbled 6.5% and was the biggest decliner on UK's FTSE 100 after it suspended its dividend until 2021-22 and pulled its financial outlook in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--Singapore reports 741 new coronavirus cases, taking total to 20,939

Singapore has registered 741 new coronavirus infections, its health ministry said on Thursday, taking the city-state's total number of COVID-19 cases to 20,939.The vast majority of the new cases are migrant workers living in dormitories, the health ministry said in a statement. Five are permanent residents.


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--IDF solider found after being reported as missing

An IDF solider, who had been missing since Wednesday, was found during the night.Police have been successful in persuading him to return to his home and the road has since been opened.


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--Merkel's chief of staff: Pandemic to last least for rest of year

`` We are not living after the pandemic now - rather we are living in the middle of a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ with us for a while - at least for this year and that 's being @ @ @ @ @ Braun said .
Merkel announced steps on Wednesday to ease the coronavirus lockdown in Germany @ @ @ @ @ launched an `` emergency brake '' mechanism allowing for renewed restrictions in case infections pick @ @ @

The coronavirus pandemic will last for at least the rest of this year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff told Deutschlandfunk radio on Thursday.
"We are not living after the pandemic now - rather we are living in the middle of a pandemic, one that will be with us for a while - at least for this year and that's being very optimistic," Helge Braun said.
Merkel announced steps on Wednesday to ease the coronavirus lockdown in Germany but at the same time launched an "emergency brake" mechanism allowing for renewed restrictions in case infections pick up again.


jerusalempost--2020-05-07--Opposition limited in final government formation votes

The Knesset plenum will reconvene at 9 a.m. to pass the final version of the bills required to form a government.The plenum had stopped voting at 10 p.m. after the opposition withdrew 1000 amendments in a parliamentary move to catch the coalition unprepared.The coalition then chose to go back to the committee preparing the bill and fix a clause about how many MKs would be needed to extend the government's term from three years to four or four and a half.According to the pre-existing law, it was 80, and after the bill passes, it will be 70.The opposition was limited to 400 amendments in the plenum, which is expected to enable the bills to pass by Thursday night's deadline and allow a new government to be sworn in on Wednesday.