jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Trump urges Georgia governor to call special session of state legislature

US President Donald Trump on Saturday called on Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to hold a special session of the state @ @ @ @ @ .
On Twitter , Trump responded to an earlier tweet by Kemp saying : `` @ @ @ @ @ signature verification !
Your people are refusing to do what you ask .
What are @ @ @ @ @ immediately ask for a Special Session of the Legislature .
That you can easily , @ @ @ @ @ '' The tweet was posted as Trump left the White House to head to Georgia @ @ @ @ @ senators facing January runoffs .

US President Donald Trump campaigned in Georgia on Saturday for two Republican senators at a rally that some in his party feared could end up hurting, not helping, their chances by focusing on his efforts to reverse his own election defeat.
In his first rally appearance since he lost to Democrat Joe Biden in the Nov. 3 presidential contest, the Republican Trump reminded the chanting crowd that he came to southern Georgia to persuade them to vote Republican in runoffs on Jan. 5.
But he quickly turned to his repeated claims, made without evidence, of widespread fraud in the presidential election.
"They cheated and rigged our presidential election but we'll still win it. And they are going to try to rig this election too," Trump told the crowd in Valdosta, who chanted "We love you!" and "Four More Years!"
He repeated his attacks on Republicans who have refused to back him, including Georgia's governor, Brian Kemp. Earlier on Saturday, Trump phoned Kemp and pressured the governor on Twitter to take further steps to help him overturn the election results.
The outgoing president's claims of widespread voter fraud have been rejected by state and federal officials across the country, and his campaign's numerous legal challenges have almost all failed.
Biden was the first Democratic presidential candidate to win in Georgia since 1992. Statewide recounts, including a painstaking review by hand of some 5 million ballots, turned up no significant irregularities.
The January runoffs pit two Republican senators, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, against well-funded Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, seeking to capture a state that has not elected a Democratic senator in 20 years.
The races will determine which party controls the US Senate. Democrats, who already have the majority in the House of Representatives, need to win both seats to control the Senate. If Republicans win one seat, they will retain their majority and be able to block much of Biden's legislative agenda.
Biden said he would visit Georgia to campaign for the Democratic candidates but did not give a timetable for his trip.
ATTACKING REPUBLICANS
Governor Kemp did not attend the rally due to the death in a car crash of Harrison Deal, a close family friend of the governor and staffer for Loeffler. He had an active exchange with Trump on Twitter earlier in the day, however.
"I will easily & quickly win Georgia if Governor @BrianKempGA or the Secretary of State permit a simple signature verification ... Why are these two 'Republicans' saying no?" Trump wrote on Twitter.
But you never got the signature verification! Your people are refusing to do what you ask. What are they hiding? At least immediately ask for a Special Session of the Legislature. That you can easily, and immediately, do. #Transparency https://t.co/h73ZfjrDt3 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2020
After Kemp responded that he had "publicly called for a signature audit three times," Trump said that wasn't good enough, and added in a second tweet that Kemp should immediately call a special session of the state legislature.
"Your people are refusing to do what you ask. What are they hiding?" Trump said.
In a move unprecedented in modern US history, the Trump team has tried, without success, to get Republican-controlled legislatures in battleground states won by Biden to set aside the results and declare Trump the winner.
Biden won the election with 306 Electoral College votes - more than the 270 required - to Trump's 232. The Electoral College will meet on Dec. 14 to formalize the outcome.
Trump told the Saturday rally his challenge was headed to the U.S. Supreme Court "very shortly," without elaborating. Legal experts do not see a path to the nation's highest court, however.
Richard Hasen of the UC Irvine School of Law said it was unclear what case Trump was referring to, but added: "I don't think any of these efforts stand any chance of success."
Trump's penchant for making his political rallies all about him - and now, about his claims the US electoral system is rigged - had raised concerns among some Republicans that his appearance in Georgia could end up turning voters off or making them feel there is no point in voting.
Before the rally, Matt Towery, a former Georgia Republican legislator who is now a political analyst and pollster, said Trump could help if he praised the candidates, but warned:
"If he talks about them for 10 minutes and spends the rest of the time telling everyone how terrible Brian Kemp is, then it will only exacerbate things."
When Loeffler and Perdue briefly took the stage and were handed the microphone by Trump, many in the crowd drowned out their words with chants of "Fight for Trump!"
Two pro-Trump lawyers, L. Lin Wood and Sidney Powell, have argued that Georgians should not vote in the runoff until issues from the 2020 election are resolved in the state, even after lawsuits they have filed to overturn the results have failed.
Trump said on Saturday that voters could and should refuse to accept what he called the "rigged" presidential election results while also casting ballots for Perdue and Loeffler in the runoffs.
"If you don't vote, the socialists and the communists win," he said. "We can fight for the presidency and fight to elect our two great senators, and we can do it at the same time."


jerusalempost--2020-12-05--Police extend detention of Jerusalem church arson suspect

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Police have extended the detention of the suspect behind the arson of a Catholic church in Jerusalem for an additional four days, Walla reported Saturday night.The suspect, a 50-year-old man with a history of arson and mental health issues, has been sent to psychiatric help in previous cases, though the court has reportedly refused such requests this time, according to Walla.


jerusalempost--2020-12-05--Arad schools reopen as coronavirus cabinet approves newest measures

The coronavirus cabinet approved on Saturday night the recommendation by the Health Ministry to reopen schools in Arad, even 5th-12th grades.After several evaluations, it became apparent that Arad is a "yellow" city.


jerusalempost--2020-12-05--Jordan’s King Abdullah invites Gantz to meet with him in Amman - report

Jordan’s King Abdullah invited Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz to meet with him in Amman, Israel Hayom reported on Saturday, citing Saudi media.The invitation was issued on Friday and the two are expected to meet in the coming days.


jerusalempost--2020-12-05--Protesters gather in support of man who shot alleged car thief

Approximately 50 protesters gathered in Arad on Saturday in support of a man who was indicted for shooting and killing someone who he suspected was breaking into his car, according to Walla news.


jerusalempost--2020-12-05--Britain reports 15,539 new COVID cases, 397 deaths

Britain reported 15,539 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday and 397 new deaths within 28 days of a positive test result @ @ @ @ @ previous day 's figures .

Britain reported 15,539 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday and 397 new deaths within 28 days of a positive test result, both falls on the previous day's figures.


jerusalempost--2020-12-05--Turkey's daily coronavirus deaths at record high with 196 in last 24 hours

Turkey 's daily coronavirus deaths hit a record high on Saturday , with 196 fatalities in the last 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ Ministry showed , bringing the total death toll to 14,705 .
Turkey also recorded 31,896 @ @ @ @ @ asymptomatic ones , in the last 24 hours , down from Friday 's 32,736 , @ @ @ @ @ by Ankara since the beginning of the pandemic in March .

Turkey's daily coronavirus deaths hit a record high on Saturday, with 196 fatalities in the last 24 hours, data from the Health Ministry showed, bringing the total death toll to 14,705.
Turkey also recorded 31,896 new coronavirus cases, including asymptomatic ones, in the last 24 hours, down from Friday's 32,736, the highest daily number reported by Ankara since the beginning of the pandemic in March.


jerusalempost--2020-12-05--Coronavirus in Israel: 1,506 new cases, 2.5% of tests positive

The coronavirus cabinet is expected to convene Sunday afternoon after more days of rising infection and a report by the defense establishment that Israel is at the start of a third wave.Coronavirus commissioner Nachman Ash visited Arab towns on Saturday , noting that in those communities infections are rising among the younger people , too.Also , middle schoolers will return to school on Sunday – the last students to go back to their classrooms since the High Holy Day lockdown in September.The Health Ministry reported Friday that 1,506 new cases of coronavirus were diagnosed the day before .
This was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which more than 1,000 Israelis have tested positive.
“ It is not enough to prevent further relief , ” wrote the Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center on Friday , saying that Israel should consider backtracking on some of what it has already implemented.Some 552 coronavirus patients were in the hospital , the Health Ministry reported , including 314 who are in serious condition - among them 97 who are intubated .
This represents around a 20 % increase in the number of people hospitalized in the past week .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 since November 22 .
The number of patients on ventilators also represents a significant spike.The death toll stood at 2,901.The total number of active patients as of Friday morning was 13,054 – some 1,830 from Jerusalem alone , representing 14 % of active cases.The reproduction rate , also known as the “ R , ” was 1.21 , meaning that every five infected people will infect six more.The knowledge center ’ s report showed that the spike in infection is clear and consistent and not a result of increased testing , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
The average number of new daily patients is now over 1,000 .
This includes an increase in sick people over the age of 60 , which by next week could result in a spike in serious patients or even deaths.
“ All of this indicates that we are on the verge of a third wave , ” according to the report .

Coronavirus commissioner Nachman Ash visited Arab towns on Saturday, noting that in those communities infections are rising among the younger people, too. Also, middle schoolers will return to school on Sunday – the last students to go back to their classrooms since the High Holy Day lockdown in September. The Health Ministry reported Friday that 1,506 new cases of coronavirus were diagnosed the day before. This was the ninth day in the last 10 in which more than 1,000 Israelis have tested positive. “It is not enough to prevent further relief,” wrote the Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center on Friday, saying that Israel should consider backtracking on some of what it has already implemented. Some 552 coronavirus patients were in the hospital, the Health Ministry reported, including 314 who are in serious condition - among them 97 who are intubated. This represents around a 20% increase in the number of people hospitalized in the past week. The number of patients in serious condition has surpassed 300 since November 22. The number of patients on ventilators also represents a significant spike. The death toll stood at 2,901. The reproduction rate, also known as the “R,” was 1.21, meaning that every five infected people will infect six more. The knowledge center’s report showed that the spike in infection is clear and consistent and not a result of increased testing, as some might assume; 61,537 were tested on Friday. The average number of new daily patients is now over 1,000. This includes an increase in sick people over the age of 60, which by next week could result in a spike in serious patients or even deaths. “All of this indicates that we are on the verge of a third wave,” according to the report. The coronavirus cabinet is expected to convene Sunday afternoon after more days of rising infection and a report by the defense establishment that Israel is at the start of a third wave.Coronavirus commissioner Nachman Ash visited Arab towns on Saturday, noting that in those communities infections are rising among the younger people, too.Also, middle schoolers will return to school on Sunday – the last students to go back to their classrooms since the High Holy Day lockdown in September.The Health Ministry reported Friday that 1,506 new cases of coronavirus were diagnosed the day before. This was the ninth day in the last 10 in which more than 1,000 Israelis have tested positive.“It is not enough to prevent further relief,” wrote the Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center on Friday, saying that Israel should consider backtracking on some of what it has already implemented.Some 552 coronavirus patients were in the hospital, the Health Ministry reported, including 314 who are in serious condition - among them 97 who are intubated. This represents around a 20% increase in the number of people hospitalized in the past week. The number of patients in serious condition has surpassed 300 since November 22. The number of patients on ventilators also represents a significant spike.The death toll stood at 2,901.The total number of active patients as of Friday morning was 13,054 – some 1,830 from Jerusalem alone, representing 14% of active cases.The reproduction rate, also known as the “R,” was 1.21, meaning that every five infected people will infect six more.The knowledge center’s report showed that the spike in infection is clear and consistent and not a result of increased testing, as some might assume; 61,537 were tested on Friday. The average number of new daily patients is now over 1,000. This includes an increase in sick people over the age of 60, which by next week could result in a spike in serious patients or even deaths.“All of this indicates that we are on the verge of a third wave,” according to the report.
Prof. Nachman Ash in Mashhad on December 5, 2020 (Credit: Health Ministry)
However, it does not appear that health officials will recommend any new restrictions over the Hanukkah holiday, such as a night curfew or forbidding intercity travel. It is likely that Jewish families will be encouraged to celebrate the holiday with their nuclear families only, as Ash recommended to the Christians. The cabinet will also likely discuss the mall pilot program, which ends Sunday night. Given the scenes of gathering, long lines and maskless shoppers, health officials are unlikely to recommend that it continue. In contrast, Economy Minister Amir Peretz will push for more malls to open. Peretz said in a statement Saturday night that the professionals who oversaw the pilot on behalf of his ministry found that the pilot was effective and all of the malls should be allowed to open. He said he will accept the recommendation of his ministry, however, that 40 malls should open on Monday under “significant and uncompromising enforcement” of the rules. “A mall that does not meet the guidelines, will be closed – and even closed immediately, as will stores inside the mall.” Finally, it looks like vaccines will arrive and start being administered in Israel before the end of the month, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein confirmed in an interview on N12 Saturday night. He said that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed not to vaccinate anyone until the vaccine candidates receive approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, he said that once approved, he and the prime minister are considering being the first people inoculated to prove to the country that they believe the vaccines are safe. Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy has also talked about enforcing a ban on Arab Israelis traveling to the Palestinian territories and vice versa, while maintaining closures or tight restrictions on red cities.However, it does not appear that health officials will recommend any new restrictions over the Hanukkah holiday, such as a night curfew or forbidding intercity travel. It is likely that Jewish families will be encouraged to celebrate the holiday with their nuclear families only, as Ash recommended to the Christians.The cabinet will also likely discuss the mall pilot program, which ends Sunday night. Given the scenes of gathering, long lines and maskless shoppers, health officials are unlikely to recommend that it continue.In contrast, Economy Minister Amir Peretz will push for more malls to open.Peretz said in a statement Saturday night that the professionals who oversaw the pilot on behalf of his ministry found that the pilot was effective and all of the malls should be allowed to open.He said he will accept the recommendation of his ministry, however, that 40 malls should open on Monday under “significant and uncompromising enforcement” of the rules. “A mall that does not meet the guidelines, will be closed – and even closed immediately, as will stores inside the mall.”Finally, it looks like vaccines will arrive and start being administered in Israel before the end of the month, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein confirmed in an interview on N12 Saturday night. He said that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed not to vaccinate anyone until the vaccine candidates receive approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.However, he said that once approved, he and the prime minister are considering being the first people inoculated to prove to the country that they believe the vaccines are safe.
“For every two more days in which the existing infection rate is maintained, a full day of lockdown will be required,” the report cautioned.ASH VISITED the Arab towns of Mashhad and Shfaram on Saturday, the latter which has been labeled a red zone, and addressed the growing infection specifically among the Arab sector.In contrast to the knowledge center’s report, Ash said that in that sector there is a rise in morbidity among teens and young adults.“When I entered the settlement, I saw a massive group of young people without masks, not social distancing,” Ash said, during his trip to Mashhad. “This is a problem and it is reflected in the data.“Take care of yourselves,” he urged. “It is important, because otherwise, you will infect older people.”Ash also spoke about the upcoming holidays during his visit to Shfaram, saying that this year, Christmas would have to be celebrated “differently.”“Unlike in previous years, gatherings should be reduced to nuclear families; there should not be big celebrations, no gatherings,” he instructed. “If we make sure that the virus does not spread, we will get out of it quickly – and next year we will be able to celebrate joyously again.”Finally, he also discussed the need for working with the Israel Police.“We need you to communicate, but there is no choice: We also need the police to enforce [Health Ministry] restrictions,” Ash said, noting that in Shfaram he saw that proper roadblocks were open and people were being screened and questioned on entry and exit. But he said the Police also had to step up its presence inside the town and that people should be advised not to walk freely and spread the virus.“We don’t only want the virus to not spread to neighboring towns, but also not within the city itself,” he said.For decades, there has been under-policing, negligence and discrimination by Israel Police against Arab society, Amnon Be’eri-Sulitzeanu, co-CEO of the Abraham Initiatives, told The Jerusalem Post. He said this has left the community in what some have called a state of emergency – which is becoming more apparent to the rest of the country during the coronavirus crisis.According to the most recent report by the organization, since the beginning of the year, some 85 Arab citizens have been murdered in Israel in circumstances related to violence and crime. Of those, 67 were killed using firearms – many of them illegal. The number goes up to over 100 when the murders of non-citizens are included.Already at the start of the pandemic, “there was no trust in the police and no policing for the benefit of the community,” Be’eri-Sulitzeanu said. “There was a lot of suspicion; a lot of alienation.”In the first wave, as the Home Front Command and the Police entered Arab communities to help them reduce infection, the sector at first found it refreshing and comforting. “For many of the Arabs, it was comforting,” he said. “They felt that ‘the government cares about our lives.’ But that eroded very fast.”Around 40% of new daily cases are from within the Arab sector. At 21% of the population, that means they are getting infected at nearly twice the rate of everyone else. They continue to host mass weddings and other gatherings. And when they return from red countries, many fail to isolate.The police are aware of the tension and are reluctant to confront the population – because they know that if they try to enforce against the virus, riots could erupt. The police want to stay out of trouble, Be’eri-Sulitzeanu contended.MEANWHILE, health officials are expected to raise several options for stopping the spread of the virus on Sunday. These could include forcing people to isolate in coronavirus hotels upon their return from Turkey. Until now, the ministry said, two-thirds of those returning from red states who are supposed to enter isolation don’t.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Iran prepares to raise oil exports in anticipation of Biden administration

Iran has instructed its oil ministry to prepare installations for production and sale of crude oil at full capacity within three months, state media said on Sunday, ahead of a possible easing of US sanctions after President-elect Joe Biden takes office.They quoted President Hassan Rouhani as saying that Iran exported more than two million barrels a day before U.S. President Donald Trump exited the 2015 nuclear deal with six powers in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that have hit Iran’s economy hard by sharply cutting its vital oil exports.US President-elect Joe Biden, who will take office on Jan. 20, has said that he would return to the pact and would lift sanctions if Tehran returned to "strict compliance with the nuclear deal."Rouhani said on Sunday that his country was preparing for a speedy increase of its oil production, the official IRNA news agency reported."The Oil Ministry will take all the necessary steps to prepare the oil industry’s facilities to produce and sell - proportionate to the available capacity - within the next three months," IRNA quoted Rouhani as saying.It is estimated that Iran exports less than 300,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), compared to a peak of 2.8 million bpd in 2018.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Finance Ministry: 2020 National deficit NIS 100b more than 2019 deficit

The Finance Ministry released a report estimating the government's national deficit for 2020 to stand at NIS 136.4 billion, Maariv, The Jerusalem Post's sister publication, reported.The 2020 cumulative deficit, calculated for the month of January to November, amounts to nearly NIS 100 billion more than the 2019 national deficit which was estimated to be NIS 37.3 billion.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Kuwait emir accepts post-election government resignation

Kuwait's prime minister submitted his government's resignation on Sunday in a routine procedure after parliamentary elections that took place on Saturday, state news agency KUNA said.Kuwait's emir accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah and asked the cabinet to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is appointed.Kuwaitis voted in legislative polls on Saturday, with the Gulf state's worst economic crisis in decades posing a challenge for the government's often stormy relationship with a parliament blamed for blocking reforms.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--24-yr-old woman found dead in her home, partner, 59, arrested

Magen David Adom received a report that the woman was found without signs of life in her apartment .
Police @ @ @ @ @ arrested her 59-year-old partner , and another woman , 52 , who was also living @ @ @ @ @ young woman 's body was taken to the Institute of Forensic Medicine to determine the @ @ @ @

Magen David Adom received a report that the woman was found without signs of life in her apartment.
Police arrived to the scene and arrested her 59-year-old partner, and another woman, 52, who was also living in the apartment.
The young woman's body was taken to the Institute of Forensic Medicine to determine the cause of death.
A 24-year-old woman was found dead in her apartment on Saturday night, following which her partner was arrested.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Saudi Arabia raises official January crude oil price

Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco has raised the January price for its Arab light crude to Asia to $0.30 a barrel over Oman/Dubai crude, up $0.80 from December, a company document showed.It has also set the January OSP of its Arab light crude oil to the United States at plus $0.55 a barrel over ASCI (Argus Sour Crude Index), down $0.30 a barrel from December, according to the document.Aramco also set its OSP for Arab light crude oil to Northwestern Europe to minus $1.40 a barrel to ICE Brent.Meanwhile, Iraq's oil minister praised the latest OPEC deal, saying it would help to boost oil prices over $50 a barrel. He stated that his country's 2021 budget will be based on a price of $42.Iraq is to start selling three grades of crude in January, and expects oil exports to average around 2.8 million BPD in December.He further stated that Iraq expects a deal with the Kurdistan region to hand over oil revenues, but no final agreement has yet been struck, Reuters reported.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--60 elderly from nursing homes diagnosed with coronavirus in recent days

Of the 60 , 20 were diagnosed from a nursing home in Petah Tikva , 20 from one nursing home @ @ @ @ @ a second nursing home in Jerusalem , and ten from a nursing home in Tel @ @ @ @ @ amid an unusually high morbidity rate increase of the general population over the weekend .

Of the 60, 20 were diagnosed from a nursing home in Petah Tikva, 20 from one nursing home in Jerusalem, ten from a second nursing home in Jerusalem, and ten from a nursing home in Tel Aviv.
The report comes amid an unusually high morbidity rate increase of the general population over the weekend.
Sixty elderly from four different nursing homes in Israel were diagnosed with coronavirus in recent days, Channel 13 reported


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Helicopter crashes in northern Israel

Helicopter crashes in northern Israel

Rescue services are on their way to the scene , and the cause of the crash will be investigated .

Rescue services are on their way to the scene, and the cause of the crash will be investigated.
This is a developing story.
A electric company helicopter crashed in the upper Galilee on Sunday morning, KAN News reported.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Russia reports record 29,039 new COVID-19 cases

Russia reported a record high of 29,039 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, taking the national total to 2,460,770 since the pandemic began.Authorities confirmed 457 deaths related to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, pushing the official national death toll to 43,141.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Coronavirus in Israel: 986 new cases reported in the last 24h

On Saturday, 986 new cases of coronavirus were reported, while the number of tests decreased.Some 311 coronavirus patients are in serious condition, the Health Ministry reported, and among them, 101 are intubated.So far, the death toll stands at 2,909 since the beginning of the outbreak of the pandemic.The number of patients in serious condition has surpassed 300 since November 22. The number of patients on ventilators also represents a significant spike.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Biden expected to nominate Walensky to run CDC - person familiar

US President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Rochelle Walensky, chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, to run the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person familiar with the decision said on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--24-year-old from Rahat in critical condition after being shot

MDA paramedics were rushed to the scene and evacuated the victim to the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba .

MDA paramedics were rushed to the scene and evacuated the victim to the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba.
Police are investigating the incident.
A 24-year-old man from Rahat was shot and critically injured on Sunday night, N12 reported.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Biden to pick Xavier Becerra to lead Health and Human Services - NY Times

President-elect Joe Biden has picked California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as his nominee for secretary of health and human services, the New York Times reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the transition.Becerra, a former congressman, will lead the health agency as it struggles to handle a resurgence of the coronavirus, including record infections and a daily death toll that has exceeded 2,000 in recent days, and prepares a mammoth effort to vaccinate Americans against the virus.More than 281,000 Americans have died from the COVID-19 disease, according to a Reuters tally.The choice of Becerra, 62, a Latino who also had been considered a candidate for other slots including US attorney general, came as pressure intensified on Biden to bring more diversity to his Cabinet appointments, including complaints from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus about the lack of Latinos.Biden named some top members of his health team last week, and is expected to roll out the full team this week. He has asked Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force, to stay on as chief medical adviser.He also has named Jeff Zients, an economic adviser touted for his managerial skills, as a coronavirus "czar" to oversee an unprecedented operation to distribute hundreds of millions of doses of a new vaccine, coordinating efforts across multiple federal agencies.Biden also named Vivek Murthy, a physician and former surgeon general who has gained prominence in recent months as co-chairman of Biden's advisory board dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, to return for a second go-around as surgeon general.Becerra served in Congress from 1993 to 2017 before moving back to his home state to become attorney general.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Brazil's coronavirus cases top 6.6 million, health ministry says

Brazil reported 26,363 additional confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, and 313 deaths from COVID-19, its health ministry said on Sunday.The South American country has now registered 6,603,540 cases since the pandemic began, while its official death toll has risen to 176,941, according to ministry data. Brazil has the world's third worst outbreak after the United States and India.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--'There is light at the end of the tunnel,' says Netanyahu about COVID-19

"There is light at the end of the tunnel regarding the virus," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video regarding coronavirus restrictions on Sunday."The vaccines are on their way. I'm working on it around the clock," the prime minister said. "But until they come, and also when they come, we need to work on the morbidity rate that is leading us to the third wave.""We are capable of lowering the rate. We have proved this in the past. I will not hesitate to return to some of the restrictions. The sooner we do so, the shorter the time that restrictions are necessary will be."Netanyahu ended his statement saying, "We need to work together to bring vaccines and to impose restrictions to lower the morbidity rate, but we're getting out."


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Earthquake of magnitude 6 strikes northern Chile

An earthquake of magnitude 6 struck near the coast of northern Chile, the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences said on Sunday.The quake was at a depth of 105 km (65 miles), it said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Foreign ministry committee announces ambassadors and consuls general

Orna Sagiv has been appointed Ambassador of Israel to Thailand .
Ziv Nevo Coleman has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Switzerland .
Rafael Schutz has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ has been appointed Israeli Consul General in Hong Kong .
Kobi Shoshani has been appointed @ @ @ @ @ Mumbai .
Shlomit Sufa has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Ghana .
Yiftach Kuriel has @ @ @ @ @ .
Ben Burgel has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Senegal .
Itai Bar-Dov has been @ @ @ @ @ .
Paul Hirschon has been appointed Consul General of Israel in Montreal .
Raphael Ardreich @ @ @ @ @ Israel in Sao Paulo .
All of these appointments are subject to government approval .

Orna Sagiv has been appointed Ambassador of Israel to Thailand.
Ziv Nevo Coleman has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Sweden.
Ifat Reshef has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Switzerland.
Rafael Schutz has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to the Vatican.
Amir Lati has been appointed Israeli Consul General in Hong Kong.
Kobi Shoshani has been appointed Consul General of Israel in Mumbai.
Shlomit Sufa has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Ghana.
Yiftah Curiel has been appointed Ambassador to Myanmar.
Ben Burgel has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Senegal.
Itai Bardov has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Panama.
Paul Hirschson has been appointed Consul General of Israel in Montreal.
Raphael Ardreich was appointed Consul General of Israel in Sao Paulo.
All of these appointments are subject to government approval.
Israel's Appointments Committee of the Foreign Affairs Ministry appointed the following nominees on Sunday:


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Petah Tikva to launch coronavirus vaccine complex, mayor vaccinated first

Petah Tikva Mayor Rami Greenberg has ordered city authorities to prepare for the establishment of a vaccine complex at the city's Moshava Stadium, according to Ynet. He also announced that he would be the first to be vaccinated in Petah Tikva.Clalit Health Services has informed Greenberg that in two weeks, vaccines for coronavirus are expected to be received for its patients from the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Ynet reported. The move will make Petah Tikva one of the first cities to operate a vaccine complex.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Ministerial committee declares Shfaram a restricted zone for 4 days

The Ministerial Committee for Restricted Areas on Sunday approved the Health Ministry's recommendation to declare the Arab city of Shfaram in northern Israel a restricted zone for another four days, until Thursday, December 10 at 17:00.The committee also extended the classification of Kfar Manda and Yafia as restricted zones for five more days, until Friday, December 11 at 17:00.Additionally, the committee canceled the classification of Arraba as a restricted zone.


jerusalempost--2020-12-06--Final candidates for Knesset attorney-general announced

The list of candidates for the position of attorney-general of the Knesset was published today.The four candidates left on the list are Deputy Attorney-General Raz Nazri, Finance Committee attorney Sagit Afik, Constitutional Council attorney Gore Blay and attorney Baruch Lobert.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Macron says he raised Egypt's rights record with Sisi

Macron made his remarks at a press conference with Sisi after the two leaders held talks at the Elysee Palace @ @ @ @ @ two-day visit to France , though hopes of nurturing closer ties were overshadowed by a @ @ @ @ @ record .

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday he had spoken frankly to Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi about matters of human rights in the North African country, though he gave few details.
Macron made his remarks at a press conference with Sisi after the two leaders held talks at the Elysee Palace. Sisi was making a two-day visit to France, though hopes of nurturing closer ties were overshadowed by a furore over Cairo's rights record.
Macron also said that while progress had been made in stabilising Libya, threats persisted from external actors.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Abu Dhabi Investment Office to open Israel office in weeks

ADIO announced in September it would open its first office outside the United Arab Emirates in Tel Aviv following the @ @ @ @ @ month to establish formal ties .

State-run Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) will open its office in Israel within weeks, its director general said on Monday.
ADIO announced in September it would open its first office outside the United Arab Emirates in Tel Aviv following the UAE-Israel agreement signed the same month to establish formal ties.
Asked about the new office, Tariq bin Hendi told a UAE-Israel conference in Dubai: "It's very exciting for us because we will have that office open in the next few weeks."


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Iranian official close to Khamenei denies rumors about declining health

`` By the grace of God and with the good prayers of devotees , the gentleman ( Ayatollah Khamenei ) @ @ @ @ @ is busy vigorously carrying out his plan according to his routine , '' the official @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
Fazaeli has worked in an office publishing Khamenei 's work .
His @ @ @ @ @ Iran 's semi-official Fars news agency .
The statement about Khamenei 's health appeared to @ @ @ @ @ by several news organizations , which referred to a tweet by a journalist in Arabic @ @ @ @ @ duties to his son because of his health .
Khamenei has served as supreme leader @ @ @ @ @ final say on all state matters .
His health has been the subject of speculation @ @ @

An official close to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denied rumors on social media on Monday that the 81-year-old's health was deteriorating.
"By the grace of God and with the good prayers of devotees, the gentleman (Ayatollah Khamenei) is in good health and is busy vigorously carrying out his plan according to his routine," the official, Mehdi Fazaeli, said on Twitter.
Fazaeli has worked in an office publishing Khamenei's work. His tweet was also reported by Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.
The statement about Khamenei's health appeared to be a response to reports by several news organizations, which referred to a tweet by a journalist in Arabic who said Khamenei had transferred duties to his son because of his health.
Khamenei has served as supreme leader since 1989, with the final say on all state matters. His health has been the subject of speculation for years.
A security official in Israel, which closely follows events in its enemy Iran, told Reuters: "We are aware of these rumors, and regard them as rumors only.”


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Coronavirus cmte. canceled after Health Ministry refuses to send rep.

The Coronavirus Committee meeting on Monday ended early after the Health Ministry refused to send a senior representative to the discussion on the return to operation of the sports industry.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Russia reports 28,142 new coronavirus cases, 456 deaths

Russia confirmed 28,142 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours on Monday, including 7,279 in Moscow, pushing the national tally to 2,488,912 since the pandemic began.Authorities said 456 people had died overnight, taking the official death toll to 43,597.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Six suspected supporters of Indonesian cleric killed in a clash

The incident occurred just after midnight on a highway when a police car was attacked while following a car believed @ @ @ @ @ the cleric , resulting in a shoot out , Fadil said .
The police have @ @ @ @ @ for violations of health protocols during the pandemic after large gatherings to celebrate his return @ @ @ @ @ Muslim majority country from self exile in Saudi Arabia .

Six suspected supporters of Indonesian Islamic cleric Rizieq Shihab were killed in a clash with police on Monday, Jakarta police chief Fadil Imran told reporters.
The incident occurred just after midnight on a highway when a police car was attacked while following a car believed to be carrying supporters of the cleric, resulting in a shoot out, Fadil said.
The police have been investigating the controversial cleric for violations of health protocols during the pandemic after large gatherings to celebrate his return to the world's biggest Muslim majority country from self exile in Saudi Arabia.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Coronavirus in Israel: 1,230 new cases, 3.3% of tests positive

Of those infected , 331 were in serious condition and 112 were on ventilators .
Since Sunday morning , the @ @ @ @ @ .

Of those infected, 331 were in serious condition and 112 were on ventilators. Since Sunday morning, the death toll rose to 2,917.
Some 1,230 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in Israel on Sunday, with 3.3% of tests returning positive, according to a Monday morning update by the Health Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Foreign ministry committee announces ambassadors and consuls general

Orna Sagiv has been appointed Ambassador of Israel to Thailand .
Ziv Nevo Coleman has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Switzerland .
Rafael Schutz has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ has been appointed Israeli Consul General in Hong Kong .
Kobi Shoshani has been appointed @ @ @ @ @ Mumbai .
Shlomit Sufa has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Ghana .
Yiftah Curiel has @ @ @ @ @ .
Ben Burgel has been appointed Israeli Ambassador to Senegal .
Itai Bardov has been @ @ @ @ @ .
Paul Hirschson has been appointed Consul General of Israel in Montreal .
Raphael Ardreich @ @ @ @ @ Israel in Sao Paulo .
All of these appointments are subject to government approval .


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Blue and White MK: We're interested in elections as quickly as possible

`` We will have to decide which committee will discuss the law to disperse the Knesset , '' said Ginzburg @ @ @ @ @ struggle between us and the Likud Party .
We want it to be discussed in @ @ @ @ @

"We will have to decide which committee will discuss the law to disperse the Knesset," said Ginzburg. "There is a struggle between us and the Likud Party. We want it to be discussed in the Knesset Committee."
Blue and White is interested in holding elections "as quickly as possible, as soon as possible," Blue and White faction chairman Eitan Ginzburg told Army Radio on Monday morning.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--District Court rejects police appeal, criticizes removal of protesters

The Jerusalem District Court judge , Alexander Ron , criticized the police policy of removing protesters from the sites of @ @ @ @ @ against them .
`` Distancing people instead of filing an indictment has its problems , @ @ @ @ @ It can challenge individual rights and the right to protest , '' he added .

The Jerusalem District Court judge, Alexander Ron, criticized the police policy of removing protesters from the sites of protests instead of filing indictments against them.
"Distancing people instead of filing an indictment has its problems," Ron wrote. "It can challenge individual rights and the right to protest," he added.
The Jerusalem District Court on Sunday rejected an appeal by the police over a previous court decision to dismiss its request to issue a restraining order for a protester, Walla reported.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--South Korea to buy coronavirus vaccines for 44 million people

South Korea has signed deals with four companies as part of a program that will provide coronavirus vaccines for 44 @ @ @ @ @ said on Tuesday .
The government has arranged to buy 20 million doses each from @ @ @ @ @ and Moderna , and another 4 million doses from Johnson & Johnson 's Janssen , @ @ @ @ @ cover up to 34 million people .
Additional doses for 10 million people will be @ @ @ @ @ Organization 's global vaccine project , known as COVAX .

South Korea has signed deals with four companies as part of a program that will provide coronavirus vaccines for 44 million people, the government said on Tuesday.
The government has arranged to buy 20 million doses each from AstraZeneca Inc., Pfizer, and Moderna, and another 4 million doses from Johnson & Johnson's Janssen, which together are enough to cover up to 34 million people.
Additional doses for 10 million people will be procured through the World Health Organization's global vaccine project, known as COVAX.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Mexico registers 6,399 new coronavirus cases, 357 more deaths

Mexico 's Health Ministry on Monday reported 6,399 new cases of coronavirus infection and an additional 357 fatalities , bringing @ @ @ @ @ 1,182,249 cases and 110,074 deaths .
The government says the real number of infected people @ @ @ @ @ the confirmed cases .

Mexico's Health Ministry on Monday reported 6,399 new cases of coronavirus infection and an additional 357 fatalities, bringing the country's totals to 1,182,249 cases and 110,074 deaths.
The government says the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Explosions heard in Quneitra, near the Israeli-Syrian border -report

Syria ’ s SANA news agency said at that time that the strikes , near the village of Rwihinah , @ @ @ @ @ Israeli border , and near Jabal Mane near the town of Kiswah south of Damascus @ @ @ @ @ damage.
” The strikes then hit eight targets from the Golan Heights to Damascus , @ @ @ @ @ near Damascus International Airport ; a secret military barracks that acts as a housing complex @ @ @ @ @ well as visiting delegations ; a command post for Division 7 of the Syrian army @ @ @ @ @ Quds Force ; and mobile surface-to-air missile trucks that fired toward Israeli jets during the @ @

Syria’s SANA news agency said at that time that the strikes, near the village of Rwihinah, south of Quneitra near the Israeli border, and near Jabal Mane near the town of Kiswah south of Damascus, caused “only material damage.”
The strikes then hit eight targets from the Golan Heights to Damascus, including an Iranian military complex near Damascus International Airport; a secret military barracks that acts as a housing complex for senior Iranian officials as well as visiting delegations; a command post for Division 7 of the Syrian army, which cooperates with the Quds Force; and mobile surface-to-air missile trucks that fired toward Israeli jets during the strikes.
Series of powerful explosions were heard in the southern suburbs of the Syrian city of Quneitra, near the Israeli-Syrian border, Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar news reported, quoting Syrian television.The explosions were in Israeli territory, according to Syrian TV. It is unclear what caused the reported explosions. Late November, Israel acknowledged a series of airstrikes against military targets belonging to the Iranian Quds Force and the Syrian army, in response to explosives that had been placed along the border by an Iranian terrorist cell.Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Brazil to offer COVID-19 vaccine for all at no cost, says president

Brazil 's government will offer COVID-19 vaccines to all Brazilians free of charge , once health regulator Anvisa gives it scientific and legal approval , President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday .
In a post on his Twitter account , Bolsonaro also said the economy ministry has assured him that there will be no shortage of resources to administer a vaccine to everyone who wants one .
`` Once certified by @ anvisa_oficial ( scientific guidelines and legal precepts ) , @ govbr will offer the vaccine to all , free of charge and not mandatory , '' Bolsonaro tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president of Sao Paulo 's Butantan Institute biomedical center , Dimas Covas , said all necessary data for the CoronaVac vaccine developed by China 's Sinovac Biotech Ltd has been or will soon be sent to health regulator Anvisa .
He expects Anvisa to approve it , regardless of the political storm between Bolsonaro and Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria over competing vaccines .
`` I want to think that no political problem is bigger than people 's lives , '' Covas said in an interview with GloboNews .
Doria said earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populous state plans to start vaccinating its population against COVID-19 on Jan. 25 , The federal government expects to roll out its own immunization plan at least a month later .
Doria 's ambitious timeline comes even though the Sinovac vaccine has yet to be approved by Anvisa .
Doria has frequently clashed over the vaccine with Bolsonaro , an aggressive China critic who has baselessly dismissed the Sinovac candidate as lacking credibility .
A successful early rollout would mark a significant political victory for Doria , a center-right politician who is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential elections .
Brazil has the world 's third highest coronavirus case count at more than 6.6 million , and the second heaviest death toll of more than 177,000 .

Brazil's government will offer COVID-19 vaccines to all Brazilians free of charge, once health regulator Anvisa gives it scientific and legal approval, President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday.
In a post on his Twitter account, Bolsonaro also said the economy ministry has assured him that there will be no shortage of resources to administer a vaccine to everyone who wants one.
"Once certified by @anvisa_oficial (scientific guidelines and legal precepts), @govbr will offer the vaccine to all, free of charge and not mandatory," Bolsonaro tweeted.
Bolsonaro's tweet came shortly before the president of Sao Paulo's Butantan Institute biomedical center, Dimas Covas, said all necessary data for the CoronaVac vaccine developed by China's Sinovac Biotech Ltd has been or will soon be sent to health regulator Anvisa.
He expects Anvisa to approve it, regardless of the political storm between Bolsonaro and Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria over competing vaccines.
"I want to think that no political problem is bigger than people's lives," Covas said in an interview with GloboNews.
Doria said earlier on Monday that the country's most populous state plans to start vaccinating its population against COVID-19 on Jan. 25, The federal government expects to roll out its own immunization plan at least a month later.
Doria's ambitious timeline comes even though the Sinovac vaccine has yet to be approved by Anvisa.
Doria has frequently clashed over the vaccine with Bolsonaro, an aggressive China critic who has baselessly dismissed the Sinovac candidate as lacking credibility.
A successful early rollout would mark a significant political victory for Doria, a center-right politician who is expected to run against Bolsonaro in the 2022 presidential elections.
Brazil has the world's third highest coronavirus case count at more than 6.6 million, and the second heaviest death toll of more than 177,000.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Trump admin. passed Pfizer's offer to sell more vaccine doses -NYT

Trump administration officials passed when Pfizer Inc offered in late summer to sell more vaccine doses to the United States @ @ @ @ @ reported on Monday , citing people familiar with the matter .
The drugmaker now may @ @ @ @ @ more of its vaccine to the United States until next June because of its commitments @ @ @ @ @ newspaper reported , citing sources .
Pfizer was not immediately available for comment .

President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Tuesday to ensure that priority access for COVID-19 vaccines procured by the US government is given to the American people before assisting other nations, senior administration officials said on Monday.
The Trump administration is confident it will have enough vaccine to inoculate everyone who wants a vaccine by the end of the second quarter of 2021, one official said, disputing a New York Times story that the government declined when Pfizer Inc offered in late summer to sell more vaccine doses to the United States.
Trump, who has faced sharp criticism for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, is eager to take credit for the speedy development and distribution of a vaccine.
One official said the executive order would lead to the formulation of guidelines for US government agencies to help other countries procure the vaccine once demand in the United States was met.
It was unclear why an executive order was needed to ensure that the vaccines would be distributed domestically first, though the order appeared to be designed in part to underscore Trump's "America First" philosophy ahead of the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden.
The White House is holding a summit on Tuesday to explain plans for vaccine distribution through Trump's Operation Warp Speed, which has been organizing the effort. Trump and other officials will speak.
Vaccine developers Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc will not attend.
A White House official said the companies were not coming because they had active applications pending before the US Food and Drug Administration. A senior FDA official, Dr. Peter Marks, is scheduled to address the Tuesday event.
Invitees at the meeting include drug distributors, pharmacies and logistics companies such as McKesson Corp, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc, CVS Health Corp, United Parcel Service Inc and FedEx Corp.
The New York Times reported that Pfizer may not be able to provide more of its vaccine to the United States until next June because of its commitments to other countries.
An administration official noted that Pfizer's vaccine was still in clinical trials last summer and that the government secured advanced deals to acquire multiple other vaccine candidates.
"Anyone who wanted to sell us, guaranteed without an EUA (FDA emergency use authorization) approval, hundreds of millions of doses back in July and August was just not going to get the government's money," the person added.
About 85 percent of long-term care and assisted living facilities around the country had signed up for a mobile vaccination service provided by CVS and Walgreens, the official said. The US government was concerned about cyber attacks related to the vaccine and had protected itself against them, he added.
Pfizer spokeswoman Sharon Castillo said: "The US government placed an initial order of 100 million doses for Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine, and Pfizer is ready to begin shipping initial doses soon after receiving an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA. Any additional doses beyond the 100 million are subject to a separate and mutually acceptable agreement."
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told NBC News the US government had the option to purchase an additional 500 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine but declined to say whether the administration was pursuing that option.
Representatives from Democratic President-elect Biden's transition team were not invited to the summit. Trump, a Republican who lost the Nov. 3 election to Biden, has refused to concede.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Biden expects to announce pick for defense secretary on Friday

US President-elect Joe Biden said on Monday he expects to announce his pick for US defense secretary on Friday and @ @ @ @ @ for attorney general this week as well .
Biden made the remarks in response to @ @ @ @ @ .

US President-elect Joe Biden said on Monday he expects to announce his pick for US defense secretary on Friday and that he could nominate someone for attorney general this week as well.
Biden made the remarks in response to a question from a reporter.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Sakhnin, Kfar Kanna declared restricted zones for five days

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The Ministerial Committee for the Declaration of Restricted Areas approved on Monday evening the Health Ministry's recommendation to declare Sakhnin and Kfar Kanna as restricted areas for 5 days, starting on Tuesday, December 8 at 19:00, and going until until Sunday, December 13 at 19:00.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Israel to face Scotland, Denmark, Austria in World Cup 2022 qualifiers

Israel 's national soccer team will be facing off against Denmark , Scotland , Austria , the Faroe Islands and @ @ @ @ @ of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar , the organization announced during the official @ @ @ @ @ on Monday evening .

Israel's national soccer team will be facing off against Denmark, Scotland, Austria, the Faroe Islands and Moldova in the qualifying round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the organization announced during the official draw in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday evening.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Russia scrambles fighter jet to escort NATO planes over Black Sea

Russia scrambled a Su-30 fighter jet to prevent one US and one French reconnaissance plane from crossing the Russian border, as they flew over neutral waters in the Black Sea, TASS news agency cited Russia's defense ministry as saying on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--IDF reports 186 active cases of COVID-19; 3,179 in isolation at home

The IDF reported that as of Monday morning , 186 soldiers and IDF civilian employees have been diagnosed with active @ @ @ @ @ addition , as of Sunday , some 3,179 soldiers IDF civilian employees are in home @ @

The IDF reported that as of Monday morning, 186 soldiers and IDF civilian employees have been diagnosed with active cases of COVID-19.
In addition, as of Sunday, some 3,179 soldiers IDF civilian employees are in home isolation.


jerusalempost--2020-12-07--Law to protect jobs of domestic violence victims approved for first reading

While the current iteration of the bill restricts employers for a 90-day period , Elharar and Zandberg have proposed doubling @ @ @ @ @ , while the Committee 's head , Oded Forer of Yisrael Beytenu , suggested that @ @ @ @ @ partial salary to incentivize them to keep the employees on , and help lessen the @ @ @ @ @

While the current iteration of the bill restricts employers for a 90-day period, Elharar and Zandberg have proposed doubling that number to 182 days, while the Committee's head, Oded Forer of Yisrael Beytenu, suggested that the treasury pay employers a partial salary to incentivize them to keep the employees on, and help lessen the pressure from their side.
The Committee for the Advancement of the Status of Women and Gender Equality on Monday held the first discussion of the Women's Labor Amendment Bill, which will restrict employers from dismissing employees for a period of at least 90 days if they are currently living in a battered women's shelter.The bill was proposed by MK Karin Elharar of the Yesh Atid Party and MK Tamar Zandberg of the Meretz Party.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Pfizer announces death of two trial participants

The public is likely to begin vaccinating in less than two weeks, as vaccines arrive in the country and the health funds and hospitals prepare to administer them.
Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy informed the country’s health funds on Tuesday that they should prepare for the vaccinations to begin on December 20, The Jerusalem Post confirmed.
A senior health fund official said that the hospitals and the funds will start vaccinating in small numbers at first, but are expected to begin larger-scale community vaccination right after Christmas, when a large shipment of Pfizer vaccines is supposed to arrive in Israel.
However, Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy told the Post that beginning vaccination in any place ahead of FDA approval was forbidden and added that the country had still not finalized the list of who would be prioritized to get it first.
“We hope that in the coming days, there will be FDA approval,” Levy said.
The FDA advisory panel is set to review the Pfizer vaccine on December 10.
“The vaccine is safe for every person on an individual level and for us as a company at the national level,” Gamzu wrote on Twitter. “I am proud to receive this treatment first as part of the global technological advancement. I am convinced that leading by personal example will help gain public trust so all citizens take the vaccine for their health.”
At least 110,000 doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine are expected to arrive today and medical staff at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center have signed up to be the first to be inoculated.On Tuesday, Sourasky director-general Prof. Ronni Gamzu confirmed to the Post that the hospital could begin inoculating even before the vaccine receives US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. He said he could administer the vaccine because he received permission from the director-general of MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation.
פרופ׳ רוני גמזו: ״החיסון בטוח לכל אדם ברמה האישית ולנו כחברה ברמה הלאומית. אני גאה לקבל ראשון את הטיפול הזה כחלק מהקדמה הטכנולוגית העולמית. אני משוכנע שדוגמא אישית זו תביא לאמון הציבור ואת כלל האזרחים לקבל את החיסון למען בריאותם״. pic.twitter.com/DS5gZOJgzr — בית חולים איכילוב (@tasmc1) December 8, 2020
Gamzu was the target of sharp criticism from the Israel Medical Association, whose head, Zion Hagay, said in a statement that the move was “irresponsible” and will have the opposite of its intended effect – that it will “erode public trust.”
The vaccines are supposed to arrive on a special flight via the DHL shipping company and will be transferred directly to the Teva SLE Logistic Center, where they will be stored ahead of countrywide distribution.
Pfizer vaccines are made of messenger RNA (mRNA) and must be kept at minus-70 degrees Celsius.
Israel has purchased eight million doses of the Pfizer vaccine – enough for four million people.
Last week, Levy said in a video meeting with the country’s hospital administrators that some four million doses could arrive before the end of the month. But he added that although they could come even before they are approved by the FDA, no one will be inoculated before approval.
Ahead of the FDA’s Thursday meeting on the Pfizer vaccine, the administration announced Tuesday that two trial participants had died after receiving it. One of the deceased individuals was immunocompromised, meaning the person’s immune defenses were low.
The information was obtained from documents released by the FDA on Tuesday.
The documents were released ahead of a meeting on Thursday of external experts who will debate whether emergency authorization for the vaccine should be granted.
The FDA also said on Tuesday that the data they receive are in line with emergency use authorization, raising hopes for authorization on Thursday.
At the same time, the FDA said that currently there is not enough research to guarantee the vaccine’s safety for immunocompromized groups, pregnant women and children.
Israel’s Midaat Association responded to the report on the deaths, explaining that when vaccines are administered to at-risk populations “there may be unfortunate cases. One should not infer from this about the safety of the vaccine, but welcome the transparency required from the pharma companies in the drug approval process.”
The association noted that in large trials of tens of thousands of people, death can occur without any connection to the trial, but that companies such as Pfizer are required to report those deaths.
“According to the published data, six of the participants in the experiment died, two of whom received the vaccine and four of the control group,” said Dr. Uri Lerner, the scientific director for Midaat. “After an in-depth examination, no connection was found between the experiment and the cause of death.”
Hospitals throughout the country are preparing to receive the Pfizer vaccine and inoculate their staff.
“We very much hope that we have light at the end of the tunnel,” said Health Minister Yuli Edelstein during a visit to Galilee Medical Center on Tuesday, “The success of the vaccine also depends on the response of the medical staff. I hope that thanks to your effort and the efforts we make, both in bringing the vaccines and in improving the rapid testing, we will be able to get back to routine.”
Baruch Padeh, Barzilai, Wolfson and Soroka medical centers all announced that they were ready to receive the vaccine.
Baruch Padeh held a preparatory meeting Tuesday morning and sent it’s 1,500 staff members a message, “We are all getting vaccinated.”
“We who are at the forefront of the war against coronavirus should be the first to be vaccinated,” said Erez Onn, director-general of Baruch Padeh, “so that we can continue to give professional and dedicated care… We are the ones who should serve as an example to the entire public.”
Wolfson’s Dr. Anat Angel said the vaccination process for its staff of more than 3,000 would be documented and carried out “immediately and without any delays.”
“Having succeeded well above average in previous years with staff vaccinations against influenza … I am sure, beyond doubt, we will also lead in vaccinations against coronavirus,” she said.
The hospitals said that they would receive the vaccinations and inoculate staff with their first doses right away. There would be a 21-day waiting period before administering the second dose.
Getting the vaccines to the hospitals will be handled by the Teva SLE Logistic Center, which the Knesset’s State Audit Committee visited on Tuesday.
“The eyes of the entire State of Israel are here,” said committee chairman MK Ofer Shelach during the visit. “This is the most important and extensive national project since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis.”
He said that the visit left him feeling that “the company is unusually prepared and professional. I sincerely hope that it will continue like this.”
Yossi Ofek, CEO of Teva Israel-SLE, agreed and said, “there is no room for error here. We understand the magnitude of responsibility.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke about the vaccines again on Tuesday, stressing that although they are almost here and the country is starting to hopefully see the end of the pandemic, “as in war, when we see the end of the war, we must not lose people. People will die and will be stricken with a serious disease for no reason – it is possible to prevent this.”
He called for continued social distancing, wearing masks and following the Health Ministry rules even as the first vaccines arrive.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Reuters contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--US FDA staff backs Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine

The comments were made in documents released ahead of Thursday 's meeting of outside experts to discuss whether the shot @ @ @ @ @ SE should be authorized for emergency use .
The is expected to decide on whether @ @ @ @ @ days or weeks .

FDA
US Food and Drug Administration () staff said on Tuesday that data on Pfizer Inc's coronavirus vaccine was in line with its guidance on emergency use authorization, raising hopes it could soon be available to Americans aged 16 and above.
The comments were made in documents released ahead of Thursday's meeting of outside experts to discuss whether the shot developed with German partner BioNTech SE should be authorized for emergency use.
The FDA is expected to decide on whether to authorize the vaccine within days or weeks.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Health Ministry director-general Levy answered questions about curfew

The Coronavirus Committee toured the testing laboratory at Ben-Gurion Airport Tuesday and received a briefing on the procedures for incoming and outgoing passengers.The visit follows controversy this week when it was revealed that measures for monitoring passengers returning from abroad, including countries deemed red, has been extremely lax. On Monday, the coronavirus cabinet approved the tightening of regulations for returning travelers and said that coronavirus testing will be required for all those who return to the country from abroad, and especially for those arriving from red countries. Anyone who is not tested will be required to enter a coronavirus hotel.The committee's chairman, MK Yifat Shasha-Biton, emphasized, “We must find another way to manage the crisis correctly. A way that will take all the health, mental and economic consequences into account.”During the airport visit Tuesday, Shasha-Biton suggested checking the procedure for conducting two negative tests for those entering the country, the first upon entry and the second after 5-7 days, thus shortening the isolation period, so that it would be possible to open the sky and encourage the public to be tested. The airport is prepared to accommodate many passengers, while conducting a large number of tests, all according to regulations.Amnon Shmueli, director of border control at the Population Authority, warned that there is currently no way to enforce isolation for those entering the country, even for those who announce in advance that they do not intend to enter isolation.Shoshi Eisenberg-Hertz, a lawyer who is a representative of the Health Ministry at the airport, spoke about discussions in her office to shorten the isolation period to only 10 days, while lawyer David Sprecher, who prepared an outline for procedures at the airport, claimed that the senior officials in the Health Ministry oppose its inspection and implementation.According to reports, as many as 4% of passengers returning to Israel from Turkey and Serbia are infected with the coronavirus in recent weeks.Travelers from many countries visiting Israel have complained that they were not given clear guidelines at the airport about how to handle the coronavirus isolation and testing and that when they tried to reach the Health Ministry for clarification, they could not get through.Some Israelis have complained that the fact that even travelers returning from destinations known to be red have not been carefully monitored is an outrage, given the many restrictions the government has placed on society.Comedian/actor Nadav Abuksis confronted Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy Tuesday morning on the Niv Raskin show on Channel 12, asking why flights to and from red countries are allowed, but cultural events even with small numbers of masked audience members in large halls are still forbidden. Levy said that cultural events would be permitted in the next phase of the plan for reopening the country and that enforcement of those arriving in Israel from abroad needed close monitoring.It was not clear on Tuesday morning how the night curfew proposed to begin Wednesday would impact the airport and flights.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Sourasky to vaccinate staff against COVID-19 even before FDA approval

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center will vaccinate its staff against the novel coronavirus in the coming days, the hospital confirmed, likely even before the Pfizer vaccine receives FDA approval.Around 110,000 Pfizer vaccine doses are expected in the country by the end of the week, the Health Ministry said Monday. The vaccine is only expected receive US Emergency Authorization on December 10 at the earliest.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--WHO says immune barrier from vaccines 'still far off'

`` Vaccines are a great tool , they will be very helpful , but the effect of the vaccine in @ @ @ @ @ barrier is still far off , '' said Dr. Margaret Harris in response to a @ @ @ @ @ about whether the vaccines would come in time to prevent a third wave of cases @ @ @

A World Health Organization official said on Monday that only public health measures, not vaccines, can prevent a new surge of COVID-19 cases as the first vaccines are administered in Britain.
"Vaccines are a great tool, they will be very helpful, but the effect of the vaccine in providing some kind of immune barrier is still far off," said Dr. Margaret Harris in response to a question at a Geneva briefing about whether the vaccines would come in time to prevent a third wave of cases in Europe.
"The things that must be done to prevent an increase, an uptick, a surge or whatever you want to call it are the public health measures," she added.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Efrat mayor expresses support for coronavirus curfew

While many Israelis have reacted negatively to the news of a curfew, Efrat Mayor Oded Revivi, who serves as a mentor to local governments, expressed support for the night curfew that is set to be imposed starting Wednesday."The night curfew can help freeze the situation [of the virus],” he said. “The goal is to minimize morbidity until the vaccines arrive."He continued: "Unfortunately we encounter resistance almost automatically without asking what the goal is. And if we avoid gatherings, the chances that we will gain a few more weeks without a closure will increase. The alternative is to close our eyes and gallop to a third closure – which is a pity."This is the time for social responsibility," he urged. "Each group points to the other as responsible for the outbreak. Weddings, nature parties, crowds in shopping centers, demonstrations, etc."The curfew will be in place over the holiday season, a circumstance Revivi reacted to by saying: "We all are Israelis: Jews, Arabs and Christians, secular and religious. Just before Hanukkah, Novy God, and New Year’s Eve celebrations, is the time to avoid gatherings."There is no doubt that the government can improve in terms of considerations and decision-making, but we as a public must also improve in self-discipline and social responsibility," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Poland has bought over COVID-19 vaccine 60 mln doses, PM says

Poland has bought over 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from six producers, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Tuesday."We are secured - and now is the time for a great challenge, which is the implementation of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme," he wrote in a Facebook post.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--In England, William Shakespeare receives a COVID-19 vaccine

William Shakespeare from Warwickshire in England was one of the first people to receive the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine outside a clinical trial on Tuesday.The 81-year-old had the injection at University Hospital Coventry on Tuesday, 20 miles from Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of his namesake, England's greatest dramatist and poet.Shakespeare's shot inspired Twitter users, who joked "The Taming of the Flu," "The Two Gentlemen of Corona." Some asked if Margaret Keenan was patient 1A, then was Shakespeare "Patient 2B or not 2B?."


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Russia reports 26,097 new coronavirus cases, 562 deaths

Russia confirmed 26,097 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours on Tuesday, including 5,232 in Moscow, pushing the national tally to 2,515,009.Authorities said 562 people had died overnight, taking the official death toll to 44,159.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Iran top court upholds death sentence against dissident journalist Zam

Iran's Supreme Court has upheld a death sentence against dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam for fuelling anti-government unrest in 2017 on social media, a judiciary spokesman said on Tuesday."Yes, the Supreme Court ... has upheld the sentence passed by the Revolutionary Court in this case," spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told a news conference streamed live on a judiciary website.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Britain expects next batch of Pfizer vaccine next week

`` We have a high degree of confidence in the delivery that will come next week , '' Hancock told @ @ @ @ @ he felt `` quite emotional '' seeing the pictures of the first vaccination taking place @ @ @ @ @ was starting across 70 hospitals in the UK .

Britain is confident that the next batch of the Pfizer vaccine will be delivered next week, said its health minister Matt Hancock, after Margaret Keenan became the first Briton to be vaccinated on Tuesday.
"We have a high degree of confidence in the delivery that will come next week," Hancock told Sky News.
He said he felt "quite emotional" seeing the pictures of the first vaccination taking place, adding that the programme was starting across 70 hospitals in the UK.
Britain is due to receive several million more doses of the vaccination over the course of this month, he added.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--British grandma is first in world to get Pfizer vaccine outside trial

An early riser , Keenan received the jab at her local hospital in Coventry , central England , on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ a week before turning 91 .
Britain began rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine developed by @ @ @ @ @ , the first Western country to start vaccinating its general population in what was hailed @ @ @ @ @ defeating the coronavirus .
The mass inoculation will fuel hope that the world may be @ @ @ @ @ fight against a pandemic that has crushed economies and killed more than 1.5 million , @ @ @ @ @ logistics will limit its use for now .

Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother from Britain, has become the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine outside of a trial, following its rapid clinical approval.
An early riser, Keenan received the jab at her local hospital in Coventry, central England, on Tuesday morning at 0631 GMT – a week before turning 91.
Britain began rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech on Tuesday, the first Western country to start vaccinating its general population in what was hailed as a decisive watershed in defeating the coronavirus.
The mass inoculation will fuel hope that the world may be turning a corner in the fight against a pandemic that has crushed economies and killed more than 1.5 million, although ultra-cold storage and tricky logistics will limit its use for now.
"I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against Covid-19," said Keenan.
"It's the best early birthday present I could wish for, because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year," she said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Coronavirus in Israel: 1,837 new cases, 2.8% of tests positive

Of those infected , 315 were in serious condition and 107 were on ventilators .
Since Monday morning , the @ @ @ @ @ .

Of those infected, 315 were in serious condition and 107 were on ventilators. Since Monday morning, the death toll rose to 2,924.
Some 1,837 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in Israel on Monday, with 2.8% of tests returning positive, according to a Tuesday morning update by the Health Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Turkey orders detention of 304 military personnel suspected of Gulen links

Turkey has ordered the detention of 304 military personnel in an operation targeting supporters of the Muslim preacher that Ankara says was behind a failed coup in 2016, state-owned Anadolu news agency said on Tuesday.Operations targeting the network of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen have continued under a four-year-long crackdown since the attempted coup in July 2016. Gulen denies involvement in the putsch attempt, in which about 250 people were killed.Tuesday's operation was initiated by the prosecutor's office in the western coastal province of Izmir and was spread over 50 provinces, Anadolu said.The suspects, including five colonels and 10 captains, most of them on active duty, were believed to be in contact with people with links to Gulen's network, Anadolu said.Since the coup attempt, about 80,000 people have been held pending trial and some 150,000 civil servants, military personnel and others have been sacked or suspended. More than 20,000 people had been expelled from the Turkish military alone.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Chuck Yeager, who broke sound barrier, dies aged 97

`` It is with profound sorrow , I must tell you that my life love General Chuck Yeager passed just @ @ @ @ @ said a tweet posted on Yeager 's account by his wife Victoria .

Chuck Yeager, the steely "Right Stuff" test pilot who took aviation to the doorstep of space by becoming the first person to break the sound barrier, died on Monday at the age of 97.
"It is with profound sorrow, I must tell you that my life love General Chuck Yeager passed just before 9pm ET," said a tweet posted on Yeager's account by his wife Victoria.


jerusalempost--2020-12-09--Helicopter crashes in French Alps, five killed

Five people were killed in a helicopter crash in the French Alps on Tuesday and a sixth was injured and @ @ @ @ @ French President Emmanuel Macron said .
The helicopter was carrying an air rescue crew on @ @ @ @ @ went down at an altitude of 1,800 meters ( 5,905 feet ) , local authorities @ @ @ @ @ the aircraft , which also had another pilot on board as well as two winch @ @ @ @ @ workers , was able to eject and give the alert .
Three helicopters were dispatched @ @ @ @ @ reach the accident site due to fog while rescue teams were also trying to approach @ @ @ @ @ prefecture said in a statement .
France 's air accident bureau said separately that it @ @ @ @ @ would dispatch a team to the site .

Five people were killed in a helicopter crash in the French Alps on Tuesday and a sixth was injured and fighting for his life, French President Emmanuel Macron said.
The helicopter was carrying an air rescue crew on a training mission when it went down at an altitude of 1,800 meters (5,905 feet), local authorities said.
The pilot of the aircraft, which also had another pilot on board as well as two winch operators and two mountain rescue workers, was able to eject and give the alert.
Three helicopters were dispatched but had been unable to reach the accident site due to fog while rescue teams were also trying to approach by ground, the Savoie prefecture said in a statement.
France's air accident bureau said separately that it had opened an investigation and would dispatch a team to the site.


jerusalempost--2020-12-09--US Supreme Court rejects Republican challenge to Biden's Pennsylvania win

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday handed a defeat to Republicans seeking to throw out up to 2.5 million mail-in @ @ @ @ @ try to undo President Donald Trump 's election loss , with the justices refusing to @ @ @ @ @ President-elect Joe Biden 's victory there .
The court in a brief order rejected a @ @ @ @ @ Kelly , a Trump ally , and other Pennsylvania Republicans who filed a lawsuit after @ @ @ @ @ that the state 's 2019 expansion of mail-in voting was illegal under state law .
@ @ @ @ @ pivotal states in the election , with Biden , a Democrat , defeating Trump after @ @ @ @ @ state in 2016 .
State officials had already certified the election results .
There were @ @ @ @ @ of the justices on the court , which has a 6-3 conservative majority including three @ @ @ @ @ urged the Republican-led Senate to confirm his most recent nominee , Justice Amy Coney Barrett @ @ @ @ @ she could participate in any election-related cases .

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday handed a defeat to Republicans seeking to throw out up to 2.5 million mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania as they try to undo President Donald Trump's election loss, with the justices refusing to block the state from formalizing President-elect Joe Biden's victory there.
The court in a brief order rejected a request by US congressman Mike Kelly, a Trump ally, and other Pennsylvania Republicans who filed a lawsuit after the Nov. 3 election arguing that the state's 2019 expansion of mail-in voting was illegal under state law.
Pennsylvania was one of the pivotal states in the election, with Biden, a Democrat, defeating Trump after the Republican president won the state in 2016. State officials had already certified the election results.
There were no noted dissents from any of the justices on the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority including three Trump appointees. Trump had urged the Republican-led Senate to confirm his most recent nominee, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, before Election Day so she could participate in any election-related cases.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Zalafa, Musmus and Daliyat al-Karmel declared restricted zones for 5 days

The ministers' committee for restricted zones has approved the Health Ministry's decision to declare the towns of Zalafa and Musmus, as well as Daliyat al-Karmel as restricted zones for five days.This decision is effective starting December 9 at 7 p.m. until December 14 at 7 p.m.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Biden will nominate retired General Lloyd Austin as defense secretary

President-elect Joe Biden will nominate retired General Lloyd Austin , who oversaw US forces in the Middle East under President @ @ @ @ @ his defense secretary , Biden 's transition team said in a statement on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ of military service spanning four decades , Secretary-designate Austin is a deeply experienced and highly @ @ @ @ @ with distinction in several of the Pentagon ’ s most crucial positions , '' the @ @ @ @ @ be the first Black US secretary of defense .

President-elect Joe Biden will nominate retired General Lloyd Austin, who oversaw US forces in the Middle East under President Barack Obama, to be his defense secretary, Biden's transition team said in a statement on Tuesday.
"With a distinguished record of military service spanning four decades, Secretary-designate Austin is a deeply experienced and highly decorated commander who has served with distinction in several of the Pentagon’s most crucial positions," the statement said.
Austin would be the first Black US secretary of defense.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Teen dies of stab wounds in Nazareth Hospital

A 16-year-old boy was brought to EMMS Nazareth Hospital with multiple stab wounds on Tuesday night.The doctors on call eventually called his death. Israel Police, who received the initial report, has opened an investigation.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Amit Edri exposed to confirmed patient, enters quarantine

Education Ministry director-general Amit Edri has entered quarantine after being exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday.Edri got tested that same day, and is quarantining at his home. He is currently not showing any symptoms and is feeling well.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Gov't curfew meeting pushed off to Wednesday

The cabinet approved the operation of malls , markets and museums , including the operation of small shops located in @ @ @ @ @ The number of occupants allowed in each store will depend on its size , with @ @ @ @ @ stores such as ones that sell food or hygiene products .
In stores under 150 @ @ @ @ @ one occupant per seven square meters , and in larger stores one occupant to 15 @ @ @ @ @ .
This includes malls and markets as well .
However , in Green Island cities @ @ @ @ @ be made .
In order to regulate the number of occupants inside malls , a @ @ @ @ @ up and will be operated by designated ushers .
Similarly , ushers will be appointed @ @ @ @ @ in markets and museums .

The cabinet approved the operation of malls, markets and museums, including the operation of small shops located in those businesses Tuesday evening. The number of occupants allowed in each store will depend on its size, with an exception made to essential stores such as ones that sell food or hygiene products.
In stores under 150 square meters a total of one occupant per seven square meters, and in larger stores one occupant to 15 square meters will be permitted. This includes malls and markets as well. However, in Green Island cities amendments to the ratio will be made.
In order to regulate the number of occupants inside malls, a computerized system will be set up and will be operated by designated ushers. Similarly, ushers will be appointed to ensure regulations are followed in markets and museums.
The government meeting regarding the proposed night curfew, which was supposed to take place Tuesday night, has been postponed to Wednesday and the likelihood of a night curfew being approved at the meeting seems unlikely.Following opposition from senior officials in the Health Ministry, representatives of the attorney-general made it clear to the cabinet Tuesday that without sweeping support from the Health Ministry, the night curfew would not be enforceable and it would not be legally defensible in the Supreme Court Many health officials questioned the efficacy of a night closure, including the coronavirus commissioner Nachman Ash, who has voiced objections to the idea of starting a night curfew and has contended – in line with health professionals’ opinions up until now – that the effectiveness of a night curfew is unknown.Senior Health Ministry officials speculated that Israel would face a tightening of restrictions soon, according to a report on the N12 website, to prevent large gatherings for Hanukkah, which begins Thursday and also for Christmas and New Year’s Eve later in the month. The only question, said the officials, was whether the increased regulations would be put into place this week or next.The idea of a night curfew was rolled out by Meir Ben-Shabbat, head of the National Security Council (NSC), and supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Some 1,837 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in Israel on Monday, with 2.8% of tests returning positive, according to a Tuesday morning update by the Health Ministry.Of those infected, 315 were in serious condition and 107 were on ventilators. Since Monday morning, the death toll rose to 2,924. On Tuesday, 1,233 middle school students tested positive for the coronavirus, the Health Ministry reported. Overall, 2,642 students in the Israeli public school system are currently sick with the virus. An additional 567 staff members tested positive as well.5,000 schools have closed due to infection rates, at 0.26% total.The Hebrew University of Jerusalem released a report Tuesday evaluating the possible benefits of a night curfew by looking at curfews in France and in Melbourne, Australia. They found that after 12 days of a curfew in France, the morbidity had gone down somewhat but that a lockdown was required anyway. In Melbourne, a curfew was used as part of a gradual exit from a lockdown and resulted in an infection rate of less than one.While in recent months, the morbidity rate in the ultra-Orthodox community has gone down, on Tuesday the coronavirus commissioner in the ultra-Orthodox sector, Roni Noma, said that according to data from the corona tests, it appears that the ultra-Orthodox society is tested significantly less than the general public, according to the Walla site. The general public has 77 tests per 10,000 people performed per day, compared to only 26 in the ultra-Orthodox sector. The percentage of positive tests Tuesday in the sector was 4.7% compared to 2.8% in the general public. Also, out of 1,837 people who tested positive for the virus, 140 of them, or 8%, are from ultra-Orthodox society.As the coronavirus cabinet met Monday night, in Bnei Brak, hundreds took part in a wedding in which few wore masks and there was no social distancing, with no interference from police. Increased fines for large gatherings have been proposed but have not gone into effect yet, apparently out of political considerations.The Coronavirus Committee toured the Coronavirus Laboratory at Ben-Gurion Airport Tuesday and received a briefing on the procedures for incoming and outgoing passengers.The visit follows controversy this week when it was revealed that measures for monitoring passengers returning from abroad, including countries deemed red, has been extremely lax. On Monday, the coronavirus cabinet approved the tightening of regulations for returning travelers and said that coronavirus testing will be required for all those who return to the country from abroad, and especially for those arriving from red countries. Anyone who is not tested will be required to enter a coronavirus hotel.The committee's chairman, MK Yifat Shasha-Biton, emphasized, “We must find another way to manage the crisis correctly. A way that will take all the health, mental and economic consequences into account.”During the airport visit Tuesday, Shasha-Biton suggested checking the procedure for conducting two negative tests for those entering the country, the first upon entry and the second after 5-7 days, thus shortening the isolation period, so that it would be possible to open the sky and encourage the public to be tested. The airport is prepared to accommodate many passengers, while conducting a large number of tests, all according to regulations.Amnon Shmueli, director of border control at the Population Authority, warned that there is currently no way to enforce isolation for those entering the country, even for those who announce in advance that they do not intend to enter isolation.According to reports, as many as 4% of passengers returning to Israel from Turkey and Serbia are infected with the coronavirus in recent weeks.Maayan Hoffman and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Iranians arrested in connection with Fakhrizadeh's assassination - report

Various individuals were arrested for their alleged involvement in the assasssination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Iranian officials said on Tuesday, according to Walla.The details around Fakhrizadeh's assassination are still unclear.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Health Ministry director-general: Vaccine distribution to begin on Dec. 20

Prof. Chezy Levy, director-general of the Health Ministry, told representatives of the health insurance providers that the date for the beginning of vaccine distribution will be December 20.He stated earlier this week that the vaccines are expected to arrive by the end of December.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--2,642 students test positive for coronavirus on Tuesday

1,233 middle school students tested positive for the coronavirus, the Health Ministry reported on Tuesday.Overall, 2,642 students in the Israeli public school system are currently sick with the virus. An additional 567 staff members tested positive as well.5,000 schools have closed due to infection rates, at 0.26% total.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--US to impose sanctions on Iranian official, university - US official

The official described Irlu as an official of Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps 's Quds Force and called the @ @ @ @ @ Force operations abroad , saying both would be sanctioned under US Executive Order 13224 .
@ @ @ @ @ immediately respond to a request for comment .

The United States plans to impose terrorism-related sanctions on Hasan Irlu, Iran's ambassador to the Houthis, and on Al-Mustafa International University, a U.S. official told Reuters on Tuesday.
The official described Irlu as an official of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's Quds Force and called the university a platform for Quds Force operations abroad, saying both would be sanctioned under US Executive Order 13224. The US Treasury did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--Pfizer coronavirus vaccines estimated to arrive in Israel tomorrow

The Pfizer coronavirus vaccine is expected to arrive in Israel tomorrow, Ynet reports.They are supposed to arrive on a special flight via the DHL shipping company.


jerusalempost--2020-12-08--American expands preflight testing to all US destinations with travel restrictions

American Airlines said on Tuesday it is expanding preflight COVID-19 testing for all US destinations that have travel restrictions.The test, priced at $129 which includes a medical professional virtually assisting and express shipping both ways, will be available for purchase for passengers traveling on or after Dec. 12.In collaboration with at-home testing partner LetsGetChecked, American said it will provide testing for travel to cities, states and territories currently under COVID-19 travel restrictions, including Puerto Rico.In November, the airline had expanded its at-home testing to new destinations in the Caribbean, Latin America and Hawaii.


jerusalempost--2020-12-09--Signs showcasing women defaced in Jerusalem

Anonymous vandalists defaced on Wednesday signs showcasing female soccer players at the entrance to Jerusalem, N12 reported.The exhibit was meant to promote women in public areas.


jerusalempost--2020-12-09--Hendel, Hauser to join Sa'ar party

Hendel, Hauser to join Sa'ar party

Derech Eretz MKs Zvi Hauser and Yoaz Hendel will announce at 5pm that they are leaving Blue and White for @ @ @ @ @ Gideon Sa'ar .
Hendel , who is communications minister , and Hauser , who chairs @ @ @ @ @ Defense Committee , were elected to the Knesset on the Blue and White list as @ @ @ @ @ of MK Moshe Ya'alon .
When Ya'alon decided to join Yesh Atid in the opposition @ @ @ @ @ Telem and formed Derech Eretz , which caucused with the Blue and White faction .
@ @ @ @ @ MK Naftali Bennett but did not reach an agreement with him on joining his Yamina @ @ @ @ @ when Sa'ar spoke to his committee , Hauser told Sa'ar their paths would cross again @ @

Derech Eretz MKs Zvi Hauser and Yoaz Hendel announced in a statement to the press at the Knesset that they are leaving the Blue and White faction for the new party of MK Gideon Sa'ar.
Hendel and Hauser praised Sa'ar and criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in explaining their decision.
"Being right-wing does not mean being a Bibi-ist, it means values," Hendel said
Hauser said the current government failed and must be replaced by an alternative on the Right.
Hendel, who is communications minister, and Hauser, who chairs the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, were elected to the Knesset on the Blue and White list as part of the Telem party of MK Moshe Ya'alon.
When Ya'alon decided to join Yesh Atid in the opposition, they broke off from Telem and formed Derech Eretz, which caucused with the Blue and White faction.
Hauser and Hendel negotiated with MK Naftali Bennett but did not reach an agreement with him on joining his Yamina party.
Earlier Wednesday, when Sa'ar spoke to his committee, Hauser told Sa'ar their paths would cross again soon.