jerusalempost--2020-10-20--35 children from kindergarten in Herzliya to enter quarantine -report

Some 35 children who attend a kindergarten in Herzliya will need to enter quarantine, N12 reported.According to the report, the children's parents received on Tuesday a message stating that their children were exposed to a confirmed coronavirus patient and need to enter quarantine immediately.


jerusalempost--2020-10-20--Red alert sirens activated in town surrounding Gaza Strip

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Rocket sirens were activated in several town surrounding the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit reported.The sirens were heard throughout the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council.One rocket was intercepted by an Iron Dome battery, the IDF reported.No injuries were reported.Earlier Tuesday, the IDF announced that it had exposed a terrorist tunnel that entered Israeli territory from southern Gaza Strip.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-10-20--Sudan says it has transferred compensation for US bombing victims

The payment of $ 335 million is part of a deal with the United States to get Sudan removed from its list of state sponsors of terrorism , which has been a hurdle for Khartoum as it sought debt relief and external borrowing .
Sudan has transferred the required amount , bank governor Mohamed al-Fatih Zainelabidine told a news conference. Thanks to U.S. sanctions dating back to the 1990s , Sudan has been largely cut off from international banking .
But Zainelabidine said local banks could begin restoring correspondence relations next week following the US move .
`` The Sudanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow morning , '' Acting Finance Minister Hiba Mohamed Ali warned at the conference .
`` But there will be some rapid improvements , including moral and psychological . ''
These include eliminating Sudan 's debts and commitments to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) .
`` We have prepared and are passing through a very delicate phase , and you will hear good news about it soon , '' Ali said .
After that , Sudan would apply for debt relief under the IMF and World Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HIPC ) , allowing it to combine its $ 60 billion in debts to various parties into one pool , Ali said .
Sudan has been in economic crisis for decades .
The Sudanese pound has fallen to 220 to the dollar on the black market from 50 pounds two years ago , and the country has $ 60 billion in foreign debts .
The crisis has accelerated since the overthrow of Islamist autocrat Omar al-Bashir last year .

The payment of $335 million is part of a deal with the United States to get Sudan removed from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, which has been a hurdle for Khartoum as it sought debt relief and external borrowing.
Sudan has transferred the required amount, bank governor Mohamed al-Fatih Zainelabidine told a news conference. Thanks to U.S. sanctions dating back to the 1990s, Sudan has been largely cut off from international banking. But Zainelabidine said local banks could begin restoring correspondence relations next week following the US move.
"The Sudanese economy will not feel a fundamental change tomorrow morning," Acting Finance Minister Hiba Mohamed Ali warned at the conference. "But there will be some rapid improvements, including moral and psychological."
These include eliminating Sudan's debts and commitments to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
"We have prepared and are passing through a very delicate phase, and you will hear good news about it soon," Ali said.
After that, Sudan would apply for debt relief under the IMF and World Bank programme for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), allowing it to combine its $60 billion in debts to various parties into one pool, Ali said.
Sudan has been in economic crisis for decades. The Sudanese pound has fallen to 220 to the dollar on the black market from 50 pounds two years ago, and the country has $60 billion in foreign debts. The crisis has accelerated since the overthrow of Islamist autocrat Omar al-Bashir last year.
Sudan has transferred the compensation it has agreed to pay US victims of militant attacks and their families, paving the way for its reintegration into the global economy after nearly three decades of isolation, the central bank governor said on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-20--Gov't lifts restrictions on most red cities

Lockdowns on all Israeli cities were removed Tuesday as the infection rate dropped and the government prepared to discuss the next stage of Israel’s exit strategy.The ministerial committee responsible for declaring red zones approved lifting the closures on nearly all red cities and neighborhoods on Tuesday afternoon. A joint message by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Health Ministry said that the lockdowns were lifted from the cities of Bnei Brak, Elad, Beitar Illit and Modi’in Illit, along with several neighborhoods in Jerusalem.The night before, the government agreed to lift the closure on the community of Rehasim.The only area that remains a red zone is the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood in Jerusalem.Coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu said that the decision was based on data and that the country has been witnessing a sharp decline in morbidity across all sectors in recent days.On Tuesday evening, the Health Ministry reported 1,486 new cases from the day before, with about 3.5% of those screened testing positive. There were 616 people in serious condition, including 234 who were intubated; the death toll stood at 2,278.“All sectors are declining in the number of verified patients and the rate of people testing positive,” Gamzu said during a Tuesday afternoon briefing. “We continue to examine the data on a daily basis. The situation is still looking good.”But he cautioned that it could turn at any moment. As such, he encouraged people to get tested.He announced that the health funds would start screening people for coronavirus without a doctor’s referral in all cities across the country in the coming days – although reports later in the day cautioned that the funds might not be equipped to handle such a program.“In specific cities, also in the Arab sector and in other municipalities, I am seeing a return to gathering, a return to weddings, a return to parties – we are against this,” he said.Several senior health officials have similarly warned that people are breaking regulations – and therefore, within the next week or 10 days, Israel will see a significant increase in infection. Then, they said, there won’t be any additional relief.A source in the cabinet told The Jerusalem Post’s sister paper, Maariv, that “the second stage is not close – we are not there yet.”But the data might not be the root of Israel’s failure to move to the next stage of its exit strategy.Stage two, which is supposed to start when Israel has around 1,000 new cases per day, is expected to include the following reliefs: school grades one through four to open in capsules; hairdressers, salons and beauty parlors to resume activity; and alternative medicine and related services to operate.THE CORONAVIRUS cabinet was meant to convene on Tuesday to get discussions rolling, but the meeting was pushed off until Wednesday because of a disagreement between the Health, Education and Finance ministries.Sources in the Health Ministry accused the Education Ministry of not cooperating. A senior official in the Educational Ministry said that the Health Ministry has zigzagged on its policies and is afraid to make decisions.According to the Education Ministry, on October 14, the Health Ministry approved opening first and second grades without capsules and without requiring children to wear masks; after-school programs were to be allowed to operate like they were in the preschools, with up to three groups of students coming together.Then, on October 19, the Health Ministry did an about-face and delivered an alternative program: capsules of up to 18 students, masks required and after-school programs could not be mixed.A senior official in the Education Ministry said that his ministry is not prepared to return children in grades one and two to school because of “indecision in the Health Ministry” and that “everyone there changes their minds.”He explained during a briefing Tuesday that if the Health Ministry insists on dividing first and second grade classes into capsules, it would take a minimum of five weeks to implement the directive.“We estimate it will take no less than five weeks from receiving the money” to hire teachers and implement such a strategy,” he said. “You cannot recruit before receiving funds.”He said that more than 10,000 new teachers would have to be hired countrywide.“In such a situation, in order to maintain health, one thing that can be done is that first and second graders will learn only half a week. We are preparing for all situations,” he said.The official walked the press through the decision-making history, reminding them that the Education Ministry originally presented a NIS 10 billion plan in July that would have taken two months to implement – the bulk of the challenge being recruiting teachers.The plan was presented to the prime minister and members of the coronavirus cabinet at the time, as well as senior officials in the Health Ministry. Then, a team was convened of the three ministry directors-general – Health, Finance and Education. Ultimately, they decided there was not a need for first and second grade classes to be divided and hence the Education Ministry set out to get a NIS 4 billion plan approved – and it was ratified by the government and the Knesset.Schools opened according to that plan on September first. Now, the Health Ministry has changed its outline.“We accept the new Health Ministry outline, but it has pointed implications,” he stressed.ASIDE FROM the money, there is also an issue of space.If all classes are divided, then grades five and six will need to learn somewhere else – likely in middle-school classrooms. Eventually, those students will return, and again they will need a place to study. If middle and/or high school students are asked to learn in the afternoon, there will be a violation of the wage agreements with the teachers, and this would have to be negotiated.The Finance Ministry has also said it is unwilling to spend the money required to open first and second grades in capsules.In response to hearing about the proposed plan of dividing classes, local authorities head Haim Bibas said that the proposal is “ridiculous.”“It will harm their learning, their routine and their social life, and is simply inapplicable,” Bibas said. “I call on the Education and Health ministries to reach a logical solution.”Also on Tuesday, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said that he hoped to discuss increased enforcement at the meeting this week.“There is a gap between the careful decisions of the coronavirus cabinet and what happens in reality, of violation of guidelines by educational institutions and businesses,” Edelstein said “Therefore, we will bring to the coronavirus cabinet a proposal to severely increase fines. It is impossible that someone who is doing good will have it bad and the rest will have it good.”What level of fines is the country potentially facing?Fines as much as NIS 10,000 for holding large events like weddings or for opening schools are being considered, with second-time offenders possibly being fined as much as NIS 50,000.“Enforcement must create deterrence,” Gamzu said.


jerusalempost--2020-10-20--Large earthquake strikes Iceland -Icelandic Meteorological Office

A large earthquake shook south-western Iceland on Tuesday , the Icelandic Meteorological Office said on its website .
The earthquake @ @ @ @ @ time ( 1343 GMT ) with first measurements putting it at magnitude 5.5 , the @ @ @ @ @ several aftershocks had been detected .

A large earthquake shook south-western Iceland on Tuesday, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said on its website.
The earthquake occurred at 1:43 p.m. local time (1343 GMT) with first measurements putting it at magnitude 5.5, the office said, adding that several aftershocks had been detected.
An initial measurement by the German Research Center for Geosciences, GEOFON, said the quake that hit the Atlantic island was of magnitude 5.7, but that number was later revised to 5.5.


jerusalempost--2020-10-20--US welcomes Russian offer to freeze warheads totals for nuclear pact

The last US-Russia strategic nuclear arms control pact appeared on track to win a one-year extension , as Washington on Tuesday welcomed a proposal by Moscow for such an extension if both sides freeze all nuclear warhead deployments for that period .
The apparent breakthrough , coming after months of difficult talks and two weeks before the U.S. presidential election , appeared to narrow the gap between the sides over the fate of the 2010 New START agreement , which is due to expire in February .
The demise of the treaty would lift all remaining restraints on deployments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombers that carry them , fueling a post-Cold War arms race between the world 's largest nuclear weapons powers .
The United States last week rejected a Russian offer to unconditionally extend the pact for one year , saying that any proposal that did not envisage freezing all nuclear warheads - both strategic and tactical - was a `` non-starter '' .
But a statement published by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday suggested that the two countries ' positions had moved closer .
`` Russia is proposing to extend New START by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States to make a political commitment to 'freeze ' the number of nuclear warheads held by the parties for this period , '' it said .
State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus welcomed the Russian offer , saying in a statement that the United States appreciated Russia 's `` willingness to make progress on the issue of nuclear arms control . ''
`` The United States is prepared to meet immediately to finalize a verifiable agreement .
We expect Russia to empower its diplomats to do the same , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of questions the sides would have to resolve to pave the way to a one-year New START extension : how they would verify that the other was adhering to the warhead deployment freeze .
The treaty can be extended for up to five years beyond its Feb. 5 expiration with the agreement of the U.S. and Russian presidents .
Extending the pact would mark a rare bright spot in the fraught relationship between the two countries .
Failure to do so would remove the main pillar maintaining the nuclear balance between them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Russian foreign ministry said the warhead freeze and one-year extension would be possible if Washington did not make any additional demands .
It said the extension would give the two sides time to discuss nuclear arms control in greater depth .
Moscow and Washington have been at odds over the treaty - and other arms control issues - despite several months of talks .
The United States has called for China to be included in a broader treaty that would replace New START .
But China , whose nuclear arsenal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , has rejected that proposal .

The last US-Russia strategic nuclear arms control pact appeared on track to win a one-year extension, as Washington on Tuesday welcomed a proposal by Moscow for such an extension if both sides freeze all nuclear warhead deployments for that period.
The apparent breakthrough, coming after months of difficult talks and two weeks before the U.S. presidential election, appeared to narrow the gap between the sides over the fate of the 2010 New START agreement, which is due to expire in February.
The demise of the treaty would lift all remaining restraints on deployments of strategic nuclear warheads and the missiles and bombers that carry them, fueling a post-Cold War arms race between the world's largest nuclear weapons powers.
The United States last week rejected a Russian offer to unconditionally extend the pact for one year, saying that any proposal that did not envisage freezing all nuclear warheads - both strategic and tactical - was a "non-starter".
But a statement published by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday suggested that the two countries' positions had moved closer.
"Russia is proposing to extend New START by one year and is ready together with the United States to make a political commitment to 'freeze' the number of nuclear warheads held by the parties for this period," it said.
State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus welcomed the Russian offer, saying in a statement that the United States appreciated Russia's "willingness to make progress on the issue of nuclear arms control."
"The United States is prepared to meet immediately to finalize a verifiable agreement. We expect Russia to empower its diplomats to do the same," she said.
Her statement highlighted one of a number of questions the sides would have to resolve to pave the way to a one-year New START extension: how they would verify that the other was adhering to the warhead deployment freeze.
The treaty can be extended for up to five years beyond its Feb. 5 expiration with the agreement of the U.S. and Russian presidents.
Extending the pact would mark a rare bright spot in the fraught relationship between the two countries. Failure to do so would remove the main pillar maintaining the nuclear balance between them and add yet another element of tension.
The Russian foreign ministry said the warhead freeze and one-year extension would be possible if Washington did not make any additional demands. It said the extension would give the two sides time to discuss nuclear arms control in greater depth.
Moscow and Washington have been at odds over the treaty - and other arms control issues - despite several months of talks. The United States has called for China to be included in a broader treaty that would replace New START.
But China, whose nuclear arsenal is much smaller than those of Russia and the United States, has rejected that proposal.
Last year the United States pulled out of a Cold War-era arms control pact banning ground-launched nuclear and conventional ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of between 310 and 3,400 miles (500-5,500 km), citing Russian violations denied by Moscow.


jerusalempost--2020-10-20--Dr. Gabriela Barzin, advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu, has passed away

Advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on diaspora and foreign affairs, Dr. Gabriela Barzin, passed away on Tuesday.Barzin, a member of the Likud party, held a doctorate from Harvard University and was a lecturer at the Jabotinsky Institute.


jerusalempost--2020-10-20--Gantz and Kochavi visit Gaza Division, examine current IDF activity

Defense Minister Benny Gantz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi visited the Gaza Division on Tuesday and examined the current efforts being taken by the IDF to ensure the safety of residents living in the surrounding towns.During the visit, Ganz approved operational plans presented by Gen. Herzi Halevi, commander of the southern command and Brig.-Gen. Nimrod Aloni, commander of the Gaza Division."Alongside the coronavirus efforts, I'm here at the Gaza Strip in order to closely examine current IDF activity, both regarding its intelligence gathering and defensive efforts," Gantz said. "I can assure local residents that we're doing everything in our power to provide you with some peace and quiet. Sleep well, as the IDF continues its ongoing operational activity for your protection."


jerusalempost--2020-10-20--Corona cabinet meeting postponed, reopening classrooms debates continue


jerusalempost--2020-10-20--UAE submits official request to open an embassy in Israel

The United Arab Emirates officially requested to open an embassy in Tel Aviv, during its first-ever government delegation’s visit to Israel on Tuesday.Members of the delegation gave Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi a letter from his UAE counterpart Abdullah Bin Zayed.The Emirati Foreign Minister said he “appreciate[s] the efforts you are making to promote cooperation between our countries and I have full faith in your unreserved support for opening diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi as quickly as possible.“Best wishes to both countries and both friendly nations for advancement and prosperity in the future,” Bin Zayed wrote in Arabic.Earlier, the US, Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced the establishment of a joint regional development fund based in Jerusalem.The Abraham Fund – derived from the Abraham Accords, as the peace between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain is known – will be launched with an office in Jerusalem and a $3 bn. starting trilateral investment to promote economic cooperation and prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa.US International Development Finance Corporation CEO Adam Boehler announced the fund on the tarmac at Ben-Gurion Airport, where a ceremony was held in honor of the first Emirati government delegation to Israel, led by UAE Financial Affairs Minister Obaid Humaid Al Tayer.Among the agreements Israel and the UAE signed on Tuesday was one allowing for travel between the countries without a visa, the first agreement of its kind between Israel and an Arab state.The others agreements were on protecting investments, science and technological cooperation, and regular flights between the countries.“We are making history in a way that will stand for generations,” Netanyahu said. “This meeting shows the region and the entire world the benefit of having friendly, peaceful, normal relations. Ultimately it will be so much better working together as friends.”Touting the UAE’s economic advancement and the importance of the agreements signed with Israel, Al Tayer said the Abraham Accords will “achieve prosperity and growth for our economies and our people.”


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Edelstein tells ministers to behave responsibly, learn from last lockdown

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein called on all of Israel's ministers to behave responsibly on Wednesday."For the health of the public and the Israeli economy it is expected that you will learn from the quick exit from the first lockdown," Edelstein said. "Among other reasons, this is to avoid a third lockdown that would cause vast economic damage."Edelstein also called on the Finance Ministry to grant financial aid to those hurt by the lockdowns and not "make due with pocket money."


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Iran reports highest daily coronavirus infections since February

Iran 's health ministry on Wednesday reported 5,616 new coronavirus cases for the previous 24 hours , the highest daily @ @ @ @ @ the national tally to 545,286 in the Middle East 's hardest-hit country .
Ministry spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ TV that 312 people had died from the disease in the past 24 hours , @ @ @ @ @ .

Iran's health ministry on Wednesday reported 5,616 new coronavirus cases for the previous 24 hours, the highest daily number since February, bringing the national tally to 545,286 in the Middle East's hardest-hit country.
Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that 312 people had died from the disease in the past 24 hours, bringing total fatalities to 31,346.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga to be sent to The Hague pending trial

A UN judge on Wednesday ruled that Rwandan genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga , who has been in a French jail @ @ @ @ @ sent to a detention unit in The Hague ahead of his trial .
UN prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ coffee tycoon of bankrolling and importing huge numbers of machetes for ethnic Hutu militias who @ @ @ @ @ Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda during a 100-day period in 1994 .

A UN judge on Wednesday ruled that Rwandan genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga, who has been in a French jail since May, should be sent to a detention unit in The Hague ahead of his trial.
UN prosecutors accuse the former tea and coffee tycoon of bankrolling and importing huge numbers of machetes for ethnic Hutu militias who killed hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda during a 100-day period in 1994.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Russia hopes to resolve differences on extending nuclear arms pact with US

Russia said on Wednesday it hoped to resolve its differences with the United States on extending a key nuclear arms control treaty , amid signs that the gap between the two sides is narrowing .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said work on extending the new START treaty , which expires in February , was continuing at the level of experts .
`` We hope that all differences about the issue will be overcome through dialog , '' he told reporters .
Peskov was speaking a day after the United States welcomed a proposal by Moscow to prolong new START by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freeze their stocks of all nuclear warheads for that period .
Signed in 2010 , the last US-Russia pact of its kind limits the numbers of strategic nuclear warheads , missiles and bombers each country can deploy .
A failure to extend the treaty would remove these constraints , threatening to spark a post-Cold War arms race and fuel tensions between the world 's two largest nuclear weapons powers .
Despite the optimistic signals from both sides , arms control analysts say it will be very difficult for them to negotiate detailed verification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now less than two weeks away .

Russia said on Wednesday it hoped to resolve its differences with the United States on extending a key nuclear arms control treaty, amid signs that the gap between the two sides is narrowing.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said work on extending the new START treaty, which expires in February, was continuing at the level of experts. "We hope that all differences about the issue will be overcome through dialog," he told reporters.
Peskov was speaking a day after the United States welcomed a proposal by Moscow to prolong new START by a year if both sides agreed to freeze their stocks of all nuclear warheads for that period.
Signed in 2010, the last US-Russia pact of its kind limits the numbers of strategic nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers each country can deploy.
A failure to extend the treaty would remove these constraints, threatening to spark a post-Cold War arms race and fuel tensions between the world's two largest nuclear weapons powers.
Despite the optimistic signals from both sides, arms control analysts say it will be very difficult for them to negotiate detailed verification procedures before the US presidential election, now less than two weeks away.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--EU signs supply deal with J&J on potential COVID-19 vaccine

The European Commission said on Wednesday it had signed a contract on behalf of EU states with US drugmaker Johnson @ @ @ @ @ of 400 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate .
The move follows an advance @ @ @ @ @ with Johnson & Johnson earlier in October .

The European Commission said on Wednesday it had signed a contract on behalf of EU states with US drugmaker Johnson & Johnson for the supply of 400 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
The move follows an advance purchase agreement signed by Brussels with Johnson & Johnson earlier in October.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Netanyahu calls on Blue and White to 'stop spin,' work with Likud

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Blue and White to "stop the [political] spin, come back to unity and work with us for the citizens of Israel" in a tweet on Wednesday.Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz responded on Twitter calling on Netanyahu to show that he wants to work with Blue and White. "If you really want to work for the citizens of Israel - Prove it. Present a budget, allow for appointments in key, senior positions."


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Coronavirus in the IDF: 682 infected, 1 in serious condition

There are 682 IDF soldiers and civilian employees who are positive for coronavirus as of Wednesday, according to the IDF. One soldier is in serious condition and two more are in moderate condition. All the others are in good condition.Some 3,355 soldiers are in quarantine in their homes.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Dep. interior min. on family reunification during corona: Hope and pray

No changes in policy are currently being made to allow special cases of family reunification during the coronavirus era of parents with children and spouses and partners from abroad, Deputy Interior Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur said Wednesday in response to a parliamentary query from MK Michal Cotler-Wunsh.Cotler-Wunsh (Blue and White) cited a petition signed by hundreds of people pleading to be able to be reunited with their loved ones.Ben-Tzur (Shas) said that, currently, exceptions were being made only for weddings, births, bar mitzvahs, lone soldiers and those doing National Service.“Let’s hope and pray it changes soon,” Ben-Tzur said.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Shoham resident indicted for indecent acts and sexual harassment of child

A 45-year-old woman who lives in Shoham was indicted for indecent acts and sexual harassment of a minor on Wednesday, according to the Prosecutor's Office.The woman is accused of repeatedly committing indecent acts against and harassing a friend of her daughters who is 12 years old.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Police give out 1,721 coronavirus restriction violation tickets

The police gave out 1,721 tickets for coronavirus restriction violations between Tuesday and Wednesday, according to a police spokesperson.Some 1,559 tickets were given to those who were not wearing a mask and 44 were given to those who were supposed to be in quarantine and were not.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Scores protest violence against women outside Knesset

Approximately one hundred people gathered outside the Knesset on Wednesday to protest violence against women, according to Walla! News. Protesters bore signs with the names of murdered women, after two women were found dead on the same day this week, allegedly murdered by their partners.The protest was organized by organizations including Kulan and protesters are demanding that MKs take action to prevent violence against women. "We demand actions instead of excuses and budgets instead of tweets," said protesters.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Armenian president to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh with EU, NATO

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has left for Brussels to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with NATO and European Union officials , @ @ @ @ @ .
During the visit he will meet NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg , EU foreign @ @ @ @ @ European Council President Charles Michel , it said .
Armenia expects NATO and EU leaders @ @ @ @ @ '' to stop the fighting and to `` bring to life '' a ceasefire deal @ @ @ @ @ trip follows more than three weeks of fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh , a mountain enclave that @ @ @ @ @ of Azerbaijan but is governed by ethnic Armenians .

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has left for Brussels to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with NATO and European Union officials, his office said on Wednesday.
During the visit he will meet NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and European Council President Charles Michel, it said.
Armenia expects NATO and EU leaders to do "everything possible" to stop the fighting and to "bring to life" a ceasefire deal, it said.
The trip follows more than three weeks of fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountain enclave that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but is governed by ethnic Armenians.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Ex-Likud minister Limor Livnat: Netanyahu era is over

Former education minister Limor Livnat said on Wednesday that it may be the end of the “era of Netanyahu” and that Yamina Party leader Naftali Bennett is “worthy” to be prime minister.In an interview with 103 FM, the longtime Likud MK said that “Bennett could be prime minister – as long as he leaves Bezalel Smotrich out.”Livnat went on to say that “most of the MKs in the Likud today are Netanyahu’s yes-men. They don’t criticize him, and so he promotes them according to that.”Bennett came out in favor of holding early elections for the first time on Tuesday, after months of saying that it was wrong to initiate another race.Sources close to Bennett said the reason for his change of heart is that the coronavirus lockdown is over, and it will now be possible to hold an election. The sources said it had nothing to do with recent favorable polls , including Sunday’s Channel 13 poll, which found that Yamina trails the Likud by only three seats and could form a government without Netanyahu’s party.Early elections have become increasingly likely due to a dispute between the Likud and Blue and White over the timetable for the 2021 state budget.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Girl hospitalized in critical condition with West Nile virus

An 11-year-old girl was hospitalized in critical condition at Meir Medical Center with West Nile virus, N12 reported. The girl arrived at the hospital approximately two weeks ago with a fever, rash, confusion and weakness in her right hand. Her condition is now good.There have been multiple cases of West Nile virus in the past two weeks, according to Dr. Dganit Adam who is the director of the intensive care unit. West Nile virus has been detected at multiple testing sites around Israel this year. There is no vaccine for the virus, and doctors recommend taking measure to avoid being stung by mosquitos.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--At least 15 dead in stampede near Pakistan consulate in Afghanistan

At least 15 Afghans were killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede that occurred in an open @ @ @ @ @ had gathered on Tuesday to secure visas from the Pakistan consulate in eastern Afghanistan , @ @ @ @ @ Sohrab Qaderi , a provincial council member in eastern Jalalabad city , where the incident @ @ @ @ @ people dead , 11 were women and several senior citizens were wounded .
Two other @ @ @ @ @ Afghans had congregated to collect tokens needed to apply for a visa to travel to @ @ @ @ @ Pakistan embassy were not immediately available for comment .

At least 15 Afghans were killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede that occurred in an open ground where thousands of Afghans had gathered on Tuesday to secure visas from the Pakistan consulate in eastern Afghanistan, officials said on Wednesday.
Sohrab Qaderi, a provincial council member in eastern Jalalabad city, where the incident occurred said of the 15 people dead, 11 were women and several senior citizens were wounded.
Two other provincial officials said over 3,000 Afghans had congregated to collect tokens needed to apply for a visa to travel to Pakistan.
Officials in the Pakistan embassy were not immediately available for comment.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Blue and White won't vote for sub probe

Blue and White won't vote for sub probe

Blue and White will vote against a parliamentary inquiry in the Submarine Affair while party leader Benny Gantz waits for a check of professionals in the Defense Ministry, he told Kan Radio on Wednesday morning.There will be a vote on the parliamentary probe in the Knesset on Wednesday initiated by the opposition Yesh Atid-Telem faction."The affair is grave but I don't want to participate in the opposition's politics of votes," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Coronavirus in Israel: 1,165 new cases on Tuesday

There were 1,165 new coronavirus cases in Israel on Tuesday the Health Ministry announced Wednesday morning.Some 591 of those are in serious condition, with 229 intubated.The death toll remains at 2,278.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 5,186 to 380,762 - RKI

The reported death toll rose by 26 to 9,875 , the tally showed .

The reported death toll rose by 26 to 9,875, the tally showed.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 5,186 to 380,762, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Mexico reports 522 more coronavirus deaths and 6,845 new cases

MEXICO CITY - Mexico's health ministry reported on Wednesday 6,845 additional cases of the novel coronavirus and 522 more deaths, bringing the official number of cases to 867,559 and the death toll to 87,415.Health officials have said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Sudan agrees to normalize relations with Israel -report

The report indicated that the formal and public announcement on normalization of relations between Israel and Sudan is expected to @ @ @ @ @ few days , following an expected phone call between President Donald Trump and Chairman of @ @ @ @ @ , Abdel Fattah al-Burhan .

Sudan has reportedly agreed to fully normalize relations with Israel, an initial report by Israel Hayom stated late Wednesday night.
According to the newspaper, the only mainstream outlet to publish the report so far, a political source involved in the diplomatic talks between Israel and Sudan confirmed that the countries will be normalizing relations very soon.
The report indicated that the formal and public announcement on the normalization of relations is expected to take place in the next few days, following an expected phone call between US President Donald Trump and chairman of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Earlier on Wednesday, both Regional Cooperation Minister Ofir Akunis and Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen said that they believed Israel was close to normalizing ties with Sudan.
"I have a reasonable basis to believe that the announcement will come before November 3 - that, if you'll permit me, is what I understand from my sources," Akunis told Israel's Army Radio.
Akunis said several countries were candidates to normalize relations with Israel but did not name them, saying that it was customary to let the first official word come from Washington.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that the US had begun the process of removing Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, although he could not yet specify an exact timing for completing the move.
When asked whether the decision was tied to a possible normalization of ties between Sudan and Israel, Pompeo replied: “We also are continuing to work to get every nation to recognize Israel, the rightful Jewish homeland, and to acknowledge their basic, fundamental right to exist as a country – and that certainly includes Sudan.
While Pompeo avoided connecting the removal of Sudan from the terror list with the issue of reaching normalization with Israel, several officials have stated that normalization was indeed considered a condition for the US agreeing to remove the North-East African Muslim country from the list.
Also on Wednesday, a private jet reportedly made its way from Ben-Gurion Airport to Khartoum, the second time that such a flight has ever taken place, the first being a medical aid flight from Israel to Sudan.
Reuters and Omri Nahmias contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Brazil reports 24,818 new coronavirus cases, 566 deaths

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil recorded 24,818 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, and 566 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday.Brazil has registered nearly 5.3 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 155,403, according to ministry data.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Gantz: I will be discussing important security issues with Esper

Before departing to Washington , Gantz said that he will be discussing `` very important issues relating to Israel 's @ @ @ @ @ years , '' with Esper and other US security .
He added that `` while @ @ @ @ @ , we need to remember that our enemies will not rest for one moment .
@ @ @ @ @ the terror tunnel along the Gaza Strip border and we are well aware of the @ @ @ @ @ front . ''

Before departing to Washington, Gantz said that he will be discussing "very important issues relating to Israel's security in the next few years," with Esper and other US security.
He added that "while we combat the coronavirus pandemic, we need to remember that our enemies will not rest for one moment. We saw what happened with the terror tunnel along the Gaza Strip border and we are well aware of the challenges we face on all front."


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Trump might declare leading human rights org. antisemitic - report

According to the report , among the organizations being examined by the Trump administration are Amnesty International , Human Rights @ @ @ @ @

According to the report, among the organizations being examined by the Trump administration are Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam International.
The Trump administration is considering declaring leading human rights organizations as antisemitic and demanding governments not support them, the Politico News website and Walla! News reported on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--AG confirms cancellation of vote on Netanyahu probe was legal

The Knesset ’ s interim legal adviser , Sagit Afik , ruled late Wednesday night that a controversial roll-call vote against probing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s role in the Submarine Affair was legal .
But Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin immediately canceled the vote , saying that it had been conducted improperly by his deputy , Joint List MK Mansour Abbas , and that several Likud MKs did not vote , because Coalition Chairman Miki Zohar had asked for a roll-call vote .
Abbas later told Levin that he did not hear the request and agreed that the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he asked for the roll-call vote only because he failed to bring a majority of coalition MKs to vote .
Uproar then erupted in the plenum , with opposition MKs shouting “ shame , shame ” before walking out .
The roll-call vote was then held , and only Likud , Shas and United Torah Judaism MKs participated and the proposal to investigate Netanyahu was defeated 44 to zero .
The Movement for Quality Government and Meretz said they would petition the Supreme Court to reinstate the initial vote that Levin had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red lines were crossed in the Knesset in an effort to protect Netanyahu from an investigation , proving that the prime minister has something to hide .
“ I ’ ve been a member of Knesset for eight years , and never has a vote been canceled after it has been held , ” Lapid said .
“ I ’ ve spoken to the longest-serving members of this house ; none of them remember something like this.
” He blamed Blue and White for not supporting the probe , saying he was very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s men fired on democracy from close range , and Blue and White ran away again , ” Lapid said .
Earlier , Blue and White leader Benny Gantz announced that his faction ’ s MKs would vote against the parliamentary probe while he waits for a check of professionals in the Defense Ministry .
“ The affair is grave , but I don ’ t want to participate in the opposition ’ s politics of votes , ” he said .
Blue and White MKs were not present for the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflicts of interests among judges was removed from the agenda because its sponsor , Yamina MK Bezalel Smotrich , realized he had no majority .

The Knesset’s interim legal adviser, Sagit Afik, ruled late Wednesday night that a controversial roll-call vote against probing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s role in the Submarine Affair was legal.
Netanyahu suffered a momentary blow on Wednesday, when the Knesset plenum voted 25 to 23 to initiate a parliamentary probe of his role in the scandal. Meretz faction head Tamar Zandberg, who initiated the vote, and other opposition MKs briefly celebrated the victory.
But Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin immediately canceled the vote, saying that it had been conducted improperly by his deputy, Joint List MK Mansour Abbas, and that several Likud MKs did not vote, because Coalition Chairman Miki Zohar had asked for a roll-call vote. Abbas later told Levin that he did not hear the request and agreed that the vote should have been canceled. Zohar admitted that he asked for the roll-call vote only because he failed to bring a majority of coalition MKs to vote. But Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin immediately canceled the vote, saying that it had been conducted improperly by his deputy, Joint List MK Mansour Abbas, and that several Likud MKs did not vote, because Coalition Chairman Miki Zohar had asked for a roll-call vote. Abbas later told Levin that he did not hear the request and agreed that the vote should have been canceled. Zohar admitted that he asked for the roll-call vote only because he failed to bring a majority of coalition MKs to vote.
Uproar then erupted in the plenum, with opposition MKs shouting “shame, shame” before walking out. Uproar then erupted in the plenum, with opposition MKs shouting “shame, shame” before walking out.
Zandberg Zandberg called the cancellation of the vote “a stain on Israeli democracy.” She asked the Knesset’s legal department to review the video from all angles and determine whether the roll-call vote had been requested before voting began.
The roll-call vote was then held, and only Likud, Shas and United Torah Judaism MKs participated and the proposal to investigate Netanyahu was defeated 44 to zero. The roll-call vote was then held, and only Likud, Shas and United Torah Judaism MKs participated and the proposal to investigate Netanyahu was defeated 44 to zero.
The Movement for Quality Government and Meretz said they would petition the Supreme Court to reinstate the initial vote that Levin had canceled. The Movement for Quality Government and Meretz said they would petition the Supreme Court to reinstate the initial vote that Levin had canceled.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said red lines were crossed in the Knesset in an effort to protect Netanyahu from an investigation, proving that the prime minister has something to hide.
“I’ve been a member of Knesset for eight years, and never has a vote been canceled after it has been held,” Lapid said. “I’ve spoken to the longest-serving members of this house; none of them remember something like this.” “I’ve been a member of Knesset for eight years, and never has a vote been canceled after it has been held,” Lapid said. “I’ve spoken to the longest-serving members of this house; none of them remember something like this.”
He blamed Blue and White for not supporting the probe, saying he was very disappointed with its MKs. He blamed Blue and White for not supporting the probe, saying he was very disappointed with its MKs.
“Netanyahu’s men fired on democracy from close range, and Blue and White ran away again,” Lapid said. “Netanyahu’s men fired on democracy from close range, and Blue and White ran away again,” Lapid said.
Earlier, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz announced that his faction’s MKs would vote against the parliamentary probe while he waits for a check of professionals in the Defense Ministry. Earlier, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz announced that his faction’s MKs would vote against the parliamentary probe while he waits for a check of professionals in the Defense Ministry.
“The affair is grave, but I don’t want to participate in the opposition’s politics of votes,” he said. “The affair is grave, but I don’t want to participate in the opposition’s politics of votes,” he said.
Blue and White MKs were not present for the vote. Blue and White MKs were not present for the vote.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Coronavirus update: Still less than 600 people in serious condition

After nearly six hours of intense debate , the coronavirus cabinet meeting ended on Wednesday with a decision that no decisions will be made until next week .
The ministers are expected to formally reconvene on the next stage of the country ’ s exit strategy next Monday .
The meeting should have celebrated the decline in infection across Israel : the number of daily cases has gone down , the reproduction rate is low and hospitals are seeing a decrease in serious and intubated patients .
On Wednesday , the Health Ministry reported that 1,171 people tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42,518 tests done – a rate of just 2.75 % .
As of Wednesday night , there were 596 coronavirus sufferers in serious condition with 232 on ventilators .
The death toll from the virus stood at 2,291 .
But instead of moving forward , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu started the meeting discussing how Israel might be required to halt or move backward .
He warned ministers that restrictions could be reimposed should the situation begin to worsen .
“ If we see that there is an increase again , which is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be compelled to reimpose some of the restrictions , ” the prime minister said .
“ We must first know the facts… Israel was ranked first in morbidity per capita in Europe .
We imposed a lockdown and [ our infection statistics ] came down quickly .
The other countries of Europe that did not impose lockdowns and did not impose tough restrictions went up quickly .
“ Belgium , the Czech Republic , the Netherlands – all these countries now have higher morbidity than ours – except for Germany , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I am asking for your cooperation so we can succeed.
” Soon , Netanyahu said , the steps of the plan would need to be reduced , likely from nine to five – a move that Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz has reportedly agreed to but that health officials strongly oppose .
“ At least in the first stages we need to be really careful , ” said head of Public Health Sharon Alroy-Preis on Wednesday , in a statement revealed by Channel 12 .
“ If we open retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the infection rate goes up , we won ’ t know what caused it and what to close.
” A statement by the Health Ministry and the Prime Minister ’ s Office later stated that the plan is still to base the exit strategy on data and not dates , and that there will be at least 14 days between each stage .
“ The discussion about the number of stages in the program and the content of each stage will continue next week , ” the statement said .
THE CABINET meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over opening schools .
The ministry has said that if classes resume , children will be required to learn in capsules beginning in first grade , all teachers and students will need to wear masks , and there can be no mixing of students – even on buses or in after-school programming .
The ministry presented statistics to help support its position : Some 8 % of 677,000 children who were screened for the virus tested positive .
Health officials also brought data from the serological survey – a report that was released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of children aged 0-10 have likely had coronavirus , as well as 8.1 % of 10-18-year-olds .
He called on schools to reopen , but according to the Health Ministry ’ s capsule plan .
Education Minister Yoav Gallant , however , reiterated the warning he gave earlier this week : Opening in capsules , which represents a change to the original agreement between the Health and Education ministries , would cost around NIS 6 billion and would take up to five weeks to implement from the time the money was secured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it won ’ t pay for the plan .
However , the arguments were not just about education .
Each minister in turn asked for another change in the outline .
“ All businesses should be allowed to offer ‘ takeaway ’ beginning tomorrow , ” Finance Minister Israel Katz said at the meeting .
He added that small businesses , hair salons and beauty parlors , street shops and bed and breakfasts should be allowed to resume operation on Sunday .
He suggested that the government flip stages two and three to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before resuming classes for students in grades 1-4 .
“ The Health Ministry must stop suffocating Israel ’ s businesses , ” he stressed .
“ The government is responsible for Israeli society and economy.
” Transportation Minister Miri Regev said salons and beauty parlors should be allowed to operate .
Interior Minister Arye Deri fought again to roll out a new framework for weddings , which would allow the bride and the groom each to host 20 guests in capsules .
“ All gatherings are dangerous , ” Health Minister Yuli Edelstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capsules , because we know how it will end.
” In official and leaked statements , Edelstein held his ground , stressing that the Health Ministry would not accept a single change to the original plans at this time .
He warned that the country needs to “ learn lessons ” from the first wave “ so we don ’ t have a third wave.
” He said that he was seeing a lot of ministers at the cabinet “ courageously ” pushing for this or that to open immediately .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explain what not to open , as well.
” His ministry disseminated a statement calling on ministers to “ act responsibly and stately , and certainly not out of populism .
For the sake of public health and the Israeli economy , everyone should learn from the first exit.
” The post-meeting statement said that the conflict over education would be solved next week , and that the Health Ministry would prepare a formal response to issues raised by the minister during the cabinet meeting .
Shortly before the cabinet convened , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was removed from the list of red cities and neighborhoods that were put under strict lockdown regulations because of high rates of infection .
Lockdowns on all other Israeli cities and neighborhoods were removed Tuesday by a declaration from the ministerial committee and a joint message from the Prime Minister ’ s Office and the Health Ministry as the infection rate dropped .
At the meeting , Coronavirus Project Coordinator Ronni Gamzu suggested a new designation that would identify cities on the verge of becoming red so action could be taken.•

After nearly six hours of intense debate, the coronavirus cabinet meeting ended on Wednesday with a decision that no decisions will be made until next week. The ministers are expected to formally reconvene on the next stage of the country’s exit strategy next Monday.
The meeting should have celebrated the decline in infection across Israel: the number of daily cases has gone down, the reproduction rate is low and hospitals are seeing a decrease in serious and intubated patients.
On Wednesday, the Health Ministry reported that 1,171 people tested positive for the virus the day before out of 42,518 tests done – a rate of just 2.75%. As of Wednesday night, there were 596 coronavirus sufferers in serious condition with 232 on ventilators. The death toll from the virus stood at 2,291.
The next stage of the ministry’s exit plan is supposed to start in a week and a half, when there are around 1,000 new cases per day. That stage includes opening classrooms for students in grades 1-4 and resuming alternative medicine and nonmedical treatments.
But instead of moving forward, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu started the meeting discussing how Israel might be required to halt or move backward. He warned ministers that restrictions could be reimposed should the situation begin to worsen.
“If we see that there is an increase again, which is now happening in European countries, we’ll be compelled to reimpose some of the restrictions,” the prime minister said. “We must first know the facts… Israel was ranked first in morbidity per capita in Europe. We imposed a lockdown and [our infection statistics] came down quickly. The other countries of Europe that did not impose lockdowns and did not impose tough restrictions went up quickly.
“Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands – all these countries now have higher morbidity than ours – except for Germany, which is also going up,” he said. “I am asking for your cooperation so we can succeed.”
Soon, Netanyahu said, the steps of the plan would need to be reduced, likely from nine to five – a move that Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz has reportedly agreed to but that health officials strongly oppose.
“At least in the first stages we need to be really careful,” said head of Public Health Sharon Alroy-Preis on Wednesday, in a statement revealed by Channel 12. “If we open retail and education at the same time and the infection rate goes up, we won’t know what caused it and what to close.”
A statement by the Health Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office later stated that the plan is still to base the exit strategy on data and not dates, and that there will be at least 14 days between each stage.
“The discussion about the number of stages in the program and the content of each stage will continue next week,” the statement said.
THE CABINET meeting quickly erupted into a verbal boxing match over opening schools. The ministry has said that if classes resume, children will be required to learn in capsules beginning in first grade, all teachers and students will need to wear masks, and there can be no mixing of students – even on buses or in after-school programming.
The ministry presented statistics to help support its position: Some 8% of 677,000 children who were screened for the virus tested positive. Health officials also brought data from the serological survey – a report that was released two weeks ago – showing that 5.5% of children aged 0-10 have likely had coronavirus, as well as 8.1% of 10-18-year-olds.
Shortly before the meeting, Haim Bibas , the mayor of Modi’in and chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, sent a letter to the prime minister in which he said that “it is expected that health experts will present clear data that explain the sharp change in [the ministry’s] position – and won’t turn this school year into a lost year and victimize children and parents.”
He called on schools to reopen, but according to the Health Ministry’s capsule plan.
Education Minister Yoav Gallant, however, reiterated the warning he gave earlier this week: Opening in capsules, which represents a change to the original agreement between the Health and Education ministries, would cost around NIS 6 billion and would take up to five weeks to implement from the time the money was secured.
The Finance Ministry has said that it won’t pay for the plan.
However, the arguments were not just about education. Each minister in turn asked for another change in the outline.
“All businesses should be allowed to offer ‘takeaway’ beginning tomorrow,” Finance Minister Israel Katz said at the meeting. He added that small businesses, hair salons and beauty parlors, street shops and bed and breakfasts should be allowed to resume operation on Sunday.
He suggested that the government flip stages two and three to allow businesses and retail to operate even before resuming classes for students in grades 1-4.
“The Health Ministry must stop suffocating Israel’s businesses,” he stressed. “The government is responsible for Israeli society and economy.”
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said salons and beauty parlors should be allowed to operate. Interior Minister Arye Deri fought again to roll out a new framework for weddings, which would allow the bride and the groom each to host 20 guests in capsules.
“All gatherings are dangerous,” Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said. “I will not approve capsules, because we know how it will end.”
In official and leaked statements, Edelstein held his ground, stressing that the Health Ministry would not accept a single change to the original plans at this time. He warned that the country needs to “learn lessons” from the first wave “so we don’t have a third wave.”
He said that he was seeing a lot of ministers at the cabinet “courageously” pushing for this or that to open immediately. “I suggest that they have the courage to explain what not to open, as well.”
His ministry disseminated a statement calling on ministers to “act responsibly and stately, and certainly not out of populism. For the sake of public health and the Israeli economy, everyone should learn from the first exit.”
The post-meeting statement said that the conflict over education would be solved next week, and that the Health Ministry would prepare a formal response to issues raised by the minister during the cabinet meeting.
Shortly before the cabinet convened, the final neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo in Jerusalem was removed from the list of red cities and neighborhoods that were put under strict lockdown regulations because of high rates of infection.
Lockdowns on all other Israeli cities and neighborhoods were removed Tuesday by a declaration from the ministerial committee and a joint message from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Health Ministry as the infection rate dropped.
At the meeting, Coronavirus Project Coordinator Ronni Gamzu suggested a new designation that would identify cities on the verge of becoming red so action could be taken.•


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Rome imposes nightly curfew to curb COVID-19 infections

The new rules will be effective from Friday , the source said , adding the region will also introduce some @ @ @ @ @ .
The northern region of Lombardy , around Milan , announced a similar curfew on @ @ @ @ @ p.m .

Italy's Lazio region, including the capital Rome, is set to introduce a curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. to try to curb its surging COVID-19 infections, a regional government source told Reuters on Wednesday.
The new rules will be effective from Friday, the source said, adding the region will also introduce some restrictions on schools and universities.
The northern region of Lombardy, around Milan, announced a similar curfew on Monday, starting at 11 p.m.
On Wednesday Italy reported 15,199 new coronavirus infections, its highest ever daily figure, of which 1,219 were recorded in Lazio.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Turkey says it will send troops to help Azerbaijan if requested

Earlier , Armenia 's prime minister said he saw no possibility of a diplomatic solution at this stage in the @ @ @ @ @ Turkey has vowed full solidarity with Azerbaijan and has accused Yerevan of occupying Azeri lands @ @ @ @ @ with broadcaster CNN Turk , Oktay also criticized the OSCE 's Minsk group - formed @ @ @ @ @ led by France , Russia and the United States - of trying to keep the @ @ @ @ @ , both politically and militarily .

Turkey will not hesitate to send soldiers and provide military support for Azerbaijan if such a request is made by Baku, Vice President Fuat Okaty said on Wednesday, adding there was no such request at the moment.
Earlier, Armenia's prime minister said he saw no possibility of a diplomatic solution at this stage in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan. Turkey has vowed full solidarity with Azerbaijan and has accused Yerevan of occupying Azeri lands.
Speaking in an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk, Oktay also criticized the OSCE's Minsk group - formed to mediate the conflict and led by France, Russia and the United States - of trying to keep the issue unresolved and supporting Armenia, both politically and militarily.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--France's new daily COVID-19 cases above 25,000 again

The number of people in France who have died from COVID-19 infections was up by 163 , at 34,048 , @ @ @ @ @ cases now totals 957,421 .

French health authorities reported 26,676 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, the sixth time in 12 days the daily tally stayed above the 25,000 threshold.
The number of people in France who have died from COVID-19 infections was up by 163, at 34,048, and the cumulative number of cases now totals 957,421.
The resurgence of the pandemic is such that the government will likely announce a geographical extension of a curfew, at present imposed on Paris and eight other major cities from 2100 to 0600.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Testing of Oxford vaccine will continue after volunteer dies

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Brazil health authority Anvisa said on Wednesday that trials of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and University of Oxford would continue after the death of volunteer involved in the tests.Anvisa gave no further details on the death, citing confidentiality protocols.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Volunteer in Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial has died - Brazil

Brazilian health authority Anvisa said on Wednesday that a volunteer in a clinical trial of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University has died, stating it had received data from an investigation into the matter.The Federal University of Sao Paulo, which is helping coordinate phase 3 clinical trials in Brazil, separately said that the volunteer was Brazilian.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Egypt upgrades visitor experience at Giza pyramids site

Developers late on Tuesday night opened a new restaurant , `` 9 Pyramids Lounge , '' which covers an area of 1,341 square meters and overlooks the Giza pyramids .
There will also be a fleet of new environmentally-friendly buses to guide tourists around the plateau .
`` One of the problems always faced is that people say there are no special services for tourists , that there is no cafeteria , no restaurant , nothing that can be offered to visitors , '' said Mostafa Waziri , Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities .
The new facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so as to protect the antiquities and Waziri said the open-air restaurant offered `` a panorama view that can not be matched anywhere in the world . ''
Tourism accounts for up to 15 % of Egypt 's national output .
However , officials have said previously the sector is losing around $ 1 billion each month after largely shutting down for several months from March due to the spread of coronavirus .
The changes at the plateau are part of wider efforts to develop key tourist sites in the country .
Next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is set to be the world 's largest archaeological museum , is due to open just beyond the Giza Pyramids .
Egyptian business tycoon Naguib Sawiris , the plateau 's main developer , said the 301 million Egyptian pound ( $ 19.23 million ) project is part of a greater plan to develop the UNESCO world heritage site and streamline tourists ' experience .
`` We will organize the salespeople , '' said Sawiris .
`` We will not deprive them of their income but we will put them into suitable , nice @ @ @

Egypt has unveiled new visitor facilities on the plateau outside Cairo where the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx are situated, the country's most visited heritage site and the sole remaining wonder of the ancient world.
Developers late on Tuesday night opened a new restaurant, "9 Pyramids Lounge," which covers an area of 1,341 square meters and overlooks the Giza pyramids. There will also be a fleet of new environmentally-friendly buses to guide tourists around the plateau.
"One of the problems always faced is that people say there are no special services for tourists, that there is no cafeteria, no restaurant, nothing that can be offered to visitors," said Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The new facilities are all easily taken part and reassembled so as to protect the antiquities and Waziri said the open-air restaurant offered "a panorama view that cannot be matched anywhere in the world."
Tourism accounts for up to 15% of Egypt's national output. However, officials have said previously the sector is losing around $1 billion each month after largely shutting down for several months from March due to the spread of coronavirus.
The changes at the plateau are part of wider efforts to develop key tourist sites in the country. Next year the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is set to be the world's largest archaeological museum, is due to open just beyond the Giza Pyramids.
Egyptian business tycoon Naguib Sawiris, the plateau's main developer, said the 301 million Egyptian pound ($19.23 million)project is part of a greater plan to develop the UNESCO world heritage site and streamline tourists' experience.
"We will organize the salespeople," said Sawiris. "We will not deprive them of their income but we will put them into suitable, nice places."


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--UK reports record daily total of 26,688 COVID-19 cases

A total of 26,688 coronavirus cases were reported in Britain on Wednesday, the highest daily total to date, and a further 191 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to government data.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--US will not change Syria policy to win release of Americans - Pompeo

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said the United States will not change policy toward Syria to obtain the release of U.S. journalist Austin Tice and other detained Americans."Our ask is that the Syrians release Mr. Tice, tell us what they know. They have chosen not to do that," Pompeo told a State Department news conference. "We'll continue to work for the return not only of Austin, but for every American that's held. We're not going to change American policy to do that."


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Italy's daily coronavirus cases soar to new daily record above 15,000

Tuesday saw 10,874 new cases of the highly contagious virus .
The ministry also reported 127 COVID-related deaths on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ day before but still far fewer than at the height of the pandemic in Italy @ @ @ @ @ when a daily peak of more than 900 fatalities was reached .
After declining over @ @ @ @ @ steadily accelerated in the last few months .
They are now far more widely distributed @ @ @ @ @ Italy 's first wave , but the hardest hit region is once again Lombardy , @ @ @ @ @ .

Italy has registered 15,199 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Wednesday, the highest daily tally since the start of the country's outbreak and up from a previous record of 11,705 posted on Sunday.
Tuesday saw 10,874 new cases of the highly contagious virus.
The ministry also reported 127 COVID-related deaths on Wednesday, up from 89 the day before but still far fewer than at the height of the pandemic in Italy in March and April, when a daily peak of more than 900 fatalities was reached.
After declining over the summer, infections have steadily accelerated in the last few months.
They are now far more widely distributed around the country than during Italy's first wave, but the hardest hit region is once again Lombardy, around the financial capital Milan.
On Wednesday, Lombardy accounted for 4,125 of the country's new cases, with Milan alone recording more than 1,000 infections over the last 24 hours.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Netanyahu steps out of coronavirus cabinet twice

It is unclear what security issues Gantz and Netanyahu needed to discuss .

It is unclear what security issues Gantz and Netanyahu needed to discuss. It is unclear what security issues Gantz and Netanyahu needed to discuss.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped out of the coronavirus cabinet twice on Wednesday, once to handle a "national necessity" and a second time to discuss "security issues" with Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz.The first time when Netanyahu left was to take part in a virtual panel of the World Economic Forum (WEF) together with the presidents of Columbia and Rwanada. The panel discussed the fourth industrial revolution and will be headed by the president of the WEF.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Attacker paid students to identify French teacher before beheading

The Chechen teenager who beheaded a French teacher for showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in class had paid students to identify him in front of the school, anti-terrorist public prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard told a news conference.Ricard also confirmed that contact had been established between the teenager and an angry parent at the school, northwest of Paris, who had called on social media for the teacher to be fired.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Nagorno-Karabakh says 62 more of its soldiers killed

The defense ministry of the Nagorno-Karabakh region said on Wednesday it had recorded another 62 casualties among its military, pushing the total to 834 since fighting with Azerbaijan's forces erupted on Sept. 27.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Gunmen take up to 20 hostage in Georgian bank, demand $500,000

Unidentified gunmen took up to 20 people hostage in Georgia on Wednesday, in a branch of the commercial Bank of Georgia in the town of Zugdidi, police said, according to the TV channel Mtavari.Negotiations were under way and the gunmen were demanding a sum of $500,000, the channel reported.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--Dutch coronavirus cases jump by more than 8,500, new daily record

The Netherlands hit a new record for daily coronavirus cases, with more than 8,500 infections in the 24 hours, data released by the National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) on Wednesday showed.The daily number of confirmed cases continues to rise in one of Europe's second-wave hotspots, nearly a week after the government imposed "partial lockdown" measures including the closure of bars and restaurants.


jerusalempost--2020-10-21--France bans Islamist group after killing of teacher

Samuel Paty was beheaded on Oct. 16 by an 18-year-old of Chechen origin seeking to avenge his victim 's use @ @ @ @ @ Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression .
Police shot the attacker dead .
@ @ @ @ @ over security , culture and education , '' Attal said .

France will ban an Islamist group named after the late Sheikh Yassin as part of a crackdown on militants following the murder of a French schoolteacher last week, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said on Wednesday.
Samuel Paty was beheaded on Oct. 16 by an 18-year-old of Chechen origin seeking to avenge his victim's use of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression. Police shot the attacker dead.
"This is a battle over security, culture and education," Attal said.
The banned group is named after Sheikh Yassin, a Palestinian Muslim leader and co-founder of the Hamas movement, who was assassinated in 2004. Hamas has denied any links with the French group.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Russia grants whistleblower Edward Snowden permanent residency rights

Russia has granted US whistleblower Edward Snowden permanent residency rights , the TASS news agency cited Snowden 's lawyer Anatoly @ @ @ @ @ .
Snowden fled the United States and was given asylum in Russia after he leaked @ @ @ @ @ revealed vast domestic and international surveillance operations carried out by the US National Security Agency @ @ @ @ @ , Kucherena , told TASS his client was not yet considering applying for a Russian @ @ @ @ @ Trump said in August he was considering a pardon for Snowden .

Russia has granted US whistleblower Edward Snowden permanent residency rights, his lawyer said on Thursday, a step towards Russian citizenship if he wants it.
Snowden, 37, fled the United States and was given asylum in Russia after leaking secret files in 2013 that revealed vast domestic and international surveillance operations carried out by the US National Security Agency where he was a contractor.
US authorities have for years wanted Snowden returned to the United States to face a criminal trial on espionage charges brought in 2013.
"His (Russian) residency permit was expiring and we asked to extend it," Anatoly Kucherena, his Russian lawyer, told Reuters. Kucherena said the coronavirus pandemic had made the process longer than usual.
"We submitted the documents in April and we got the permanent residency rights (on Thursday)," he said.
Separately, Kucherena told the TASS news agency that Snowden was not considering applying for a Russian passport at this stage.
US President Donald Trump said in August he was considering a pardon for Snowden.
Snowden keeps a low profile in Russia. He has praised the country's natural beauty and the warmth of its people, while using social media to criticize government policy from time to time.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Over 50 Israelis infected with corona by vacationers returning from Turkey

More than 50 people were infected with coronavirus by Israelis who returned from visiting Turkey, Kan News reported Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Gantz appoints new head of National Emergency Management Authority

Defense Minister Benny Gantz appointed Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yoram Laredo head of the National Emergency Management Authority on Thursday. The appointment was made after the roll was filled by an interim head for the past eight months.Laredo previously served as the head of the Home Front Command and was recently released from the IDF.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Afghan air strike hits religious school as Taliban mount attacks

An Afghan military air strike targeting Taliban fighters killed at least 12 people , including children , and wounded 14 in an attack that hit a religious school in the northeastern province of Takhar , provincial officials said on Thursday .
Hadi Jamal , a spokesman for an Afghan military unit confirmed the air strike on Wednesday evening but said it was `` not clear if the attack had accidentally killed civilians and children '' and an investigation had been launched .
He did not elaborate on what kind of air attack had been carried out .
Taliban fighters had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks over the past 72 hours as the insurgents mounted an offensive to overrun Baharak district in Takhar , prompting government forces to call in air support , provincial officials said .
Abdul Qayoom Hayrat , head of the provincial health department in Takhar said that ten of the dead were members of an Afghan special forces .
A Taliban spokesman , Zabiullah Mujahid , confirmed the insurgents were engaged in fighting with government forces in Takhar .
Afghanistan is suffering heightened levels of violence while talks are underway in Qatar that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of its longest war .
The United States signed an agreement with the Taliban in February to promote a negotiated end to the 19-year-old conflict , and talks between the insurgents and the US-backed government began more than a month ago , but have yet to yield any major breakthrough .

An Afghan military air strike targeting Taliban fighters killed at least 12 people, including children, and wounded 14 in an attack that hit a religious school in the northeastern province of Takhar, provincial officials said on Thursday.
Hadi Jamal, a spokesman for an Afghan military unit confirmed the air strike on Wednesday evening but said it was "not clear if the attack had accidentally killed civilians and children" and an investigation had been launched. He did not elaborate on what kind of air attack had been carried out.
Taliban fighters had killed at least 37 government troops in attacks over the past 72 hours as the insurgents mounted an offensive to overrun Baharak district in Takhar, prompting government forces to call in air support, provincial officials said.
Abdul Qayoom Hayrat, head of the provincial health department in Takhar said that ten of the dead were members of an Afghan special forces.
A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, confirmed the insurgents were engaged in fighting with government forces in Takhar.
Afghanistan is suffering heightened levels of violence while talks are underway in Qatar that could help the United States find a way out of its longest war.
The United States signed an agreement with the Taliban in February to promote a negotiated end to the 19-year-old conflict, and talks between the insurgents and the US-backed government began more than a month ago, but have yet to yield any major breakthrough.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Multiple ministers have not released declaration of wealth

Some six ministers have not yet released a declaration of wealth, Israeli NGO "Hatnuah Letohar Hamidot" said Thursday."Declaring wealth is an obligation for the ministers, who unfortunately violate it again and again. When the prime minister and alternate prime minister are late in declaring their wealth, it is no wonder that there are ministers who allow themselves to delay reporting even three months after the deadline."


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Coronavirus in Israel: 1,089 new cases on Wednesday

There were 1,089 new coronavirus cases in Israel on Wednesday the Health Ministry announced Thursday morning.Some 581 of current patients are in serious condition, with 231 intubated. The death toll is 2,292.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--IDF arrests suspects in IED incident that injured two soldiers

The IDF and Border Police arrested a number of people suspected of throwing an improvised explosive device that injured two soldiers last week, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.The arrests were made in Balata near Nablus.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--New German coronavirus cases rise by more than 10,000 for first time - RKI

BERLIN, - The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose by more than 10,000 in a single day for the first time, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday.The institute recorded 11,287 new cases in its daily update for a total of 392,049. The previous day's increase was 7,830.The reported death toll rose by 30 to 9,905, the tally showed.While Germany's infection rates are lower than in much of Europe, they have been accelerating rapidly since the onset of cooler weather, with politicians warning that stricter social distancing rules may be needed if the trend continues.Health Minister Jens Spahn tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-23--Australia's COVID-19 hotspot sees active cases fall to 4-month low

The nation 's second-most populous state , which recorded just one new infection in the past 24 hours , said there are now 100 active cases - the lowest since June 19 .
`` This is a good number .
This is a very clear sign that the strategy is working , '' Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters in Melbourne .
The active infections are a relief to state authorities amid heightened fears of a fresh cluster after a case in a school in Melbourne 's northern suburbs prompted authorities to order 800 people to self-isolate .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digits for nine consecutive days , Andrews is expected to announce on Sunday an accelerated timetable for easing restrictions in a boost to Australia 's ailing economy .
Melbourne 's roughly 5 million residents were granted more freedom to move about on Monday after a months-long lockdown , but public gatherings remain tightly limited and retailers and restaurants must operate only on take-away or delivery orders .
Australia has recorded just over 27,400 COVID-19 infections , far fewer than many other developed countries .
Victoria accounts for more than 90 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heightened alert for possible outbreaks emerging from overseas despite international borders remaining closed .
In Queensland state , authorities said on Thursday they are considering their options after two members on a freighter tested positive for COVID-19 .
The ship was blocked from docking in Brisbane after New Zealand authorities alerted Australian officials earlier this week that the vessel ’ s crew could be infected with a new strain of the virus .

Australia's Victoria state - the epicentre of the country's COVID-19 outbreak - on Friday reported that active coronavirus cases have fallen to a four-month low, paving the way for an acceleration in the easing of social distancing curbs.
The nation's second-most populous state, which recorded just one new infection in the past 24 hours, said there are now 100 active cases - the lowest since June 19.
"This is a good number. This is a very clear sign that the strategy is working," Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters in Melbourne.
The active infections are a relief to state authorities amid heightened fears of a fresh cluster after a case in a school in Melbourne's northern suburbs prompted authorities to order 800 people to self-isolate.
However, with new case numbers in single digits for nine consecutive days, Andrews is expected to announce on Sunday an accelerated timetable for easing restrictions in a boost to Australia's ailing economy.
Melbourne's roughly 5 million residents were granted more freedom to move about on Monday after a months-long lockdown, but public gatherings remain tightly limited and retailers and restaurants must operate only on take-away or delivery orders.
Australia has recorded just over 27,400 COVID-19 infections, far fewer than many other developed countries. Victoria accounts for more than 90% of the 905 deaths nationally.
States are on heightened alert for possible outbreaks emerging from overseas despite international borders remaining closed.
In Queensland state, authorities said on Thursday they are considering their options after two members on a freighter tested positive for COVID-19.
The ship was blocked from docking in Brisbane after New Zealand authorities alerted Australian officials earlier this week that the vessel’s crew could be infected with a new strain of the virus.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Over 47 mln ballots cast in US election, surpassing 2016 early turnout

Some 47.5 million Americans have turned in ballots , roughly eight times the number of early votes cast at about same point before the 2016 presidential contest , and above the 47.2 million early votes that were cast before Election Day in 2016 .
The surge comes after many states have expanded mail-in voting and in-person early voting as a safe way to vote during the coronavirus pandemic and amid voter eagerness to weigh in on the political future of Republican President Donald Trump , who is facing a stiff challenge from Democrat Joe Biden .
Biden leads Trump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial battleground states indicate a tighter race .
The high level of early voting has led Michael McDonald , the University of Florida professor who administers the US Elections Project , to predict a record turnout of about 150 million , representing 65 % of eligible voters , the highest rate since 1908 .
Trump has railed against mail-in voting , making unfounded accusations that it leads to fraud .
Experts have said such fraud is rare .
Those attacks by the president have shown signs of depressing Republican interest in voting by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of returned mail-in ballots by Republicans in states that report voter registration data by party , according to the Elections Project .

Some 47.5 million Americans have turned in ballots, roughly eight times the number of early votes cast at about same point before the 2016 presidential contest, and above the 47.2 million early votes that were cast before Election Day in 2016.
The surge comes after many states have expanded mail-in voting and in-person early voting as a safe way to vote during the coronavirus pandemic and amid voter eagerness to weigh in on the political future of Republican President Donald Trump, who is facing a stiff challenge from Democrat Joe Biden.
Biden leads Trump in national opinion polls, although surveys in crucial battleground states indicate a tighter race.
The high level of early voting has led Michael McDonald, the University of Florida professor who administers the US Elections Project, to predict a record turnout of about 150 million, representing 65% of eligible voters, the highest rate since 1908.
Trump has railed against mail-in voting, making unfounded accusations that it leads to fraud. Experts have said such fraud is rare.
Those attacks by the president have shown signs of depressing Republican interest in voting by mail. Democrats have roughly doubled the number of returned mail-in ballots by Republicans in states that report voter registration data by party, according to the Elections Project.
US voters have cast more than 47 million votes for the Nov. 3 presidential election, eclipsing total early voting from the 2016 election with 12 days to go, according to data compiled by the US Elections Project.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--US says it blacklisted Iran's ambassador to Iraq

The United States on Thursday blacklisted Iraj Masjedi, Iran's Ambassador to Iraq, saying he has for years overseen the training and support of Iraqi militia groups which are responsible for attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq."In his current capacity, Masjedi has exploited his position as the Iranian regime’s ambassador in Iraq to obfuscate financial transfers conducted for the benefit of the IRGC-QF," Treasury said in a statement, referring to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--PM Netanyahu to bring UAE, Bahrain deals for cabinet approval

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will bring the normalization agreements and understandings with the UAE and Bahrain before the cabinet on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Trump tests negative for coronavirus ahead of debate -aide

US President Donald Trump has tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday ahead of the final presidential debate against Democratic nominee former Vice President Joe Biden before the Nov. 3 election, his chief of staff Mark Meadows said.Trump was hospitalized with the highly contagious novel coronavirus days after his first debate with Biden. Participants were to have been tested for the virus before the Sept. 29 debate. The White House and Trump have repeatedly declined to say when the president last tested negative before that event.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Damascus cleric killed in car bomb - state media

Afyouni was targeted by an explosive device planted on his car in a "terrorist act," according to the report. The mufti was a senior official who was close to Syrian President Bashar Assad and helped sign most of the reconciliation deals in the Damascus area with the Assad regime, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The SANA report did not identify who the perpetrators of the attack were.
The mufti headed the International Islamic Sham Center, which qualified Imams and preachers around Syria, taught religious sciences and monitored and combated "extremist mentalities," according to SANA.
The Mufti of Damascus , Sheikh Mohammad Adnan Afyouni, was killed in a car bombing near Damascus on Thursday night, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--UAE citizens allowed to stay in Israel up to 90 days without visa

United Arab Emirates citizens will be able to stay in Israel for up to 90 days on a single visit, the Gulf power's state news agency WAM said on Thursday, after it became the first Arab nation to reach a visa-exemption agreement with Israel.Until recently, only Egypt and Jordan had full relations with Israel, but their nationals must still apply for entry permits. Some citizens of Arab states without formal ties have been admitted on a case-by-case basis for trade or pilgrimage.Diplomatic sources say the application process helps Israel screen potential security threats. Pro-Palestinian sentiment is strong in Egypt and Jordan, which see relatively few tourist or business exchanges with their neighbour Israel.Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister Ofir Akunis said security "was a weighty issue and remains a weighty issue" in the decision to grant UAE citizens the same access Israel offers Western countries with which it has visa exemption arrangements."Happily there are other means of distinguishing terrorists from people who you explicitly know are peace-seekers coming here to do business or just tour around Israel," he told Israel's Army Radio without elaborating.The UAE and Bahrain formally established relations with Israel at a Sept. 15 ceremony in the White House, becoming the first Arab states in more than a quarter of a century to break what had been a long-standing taboo in the region.The rapprochement, which has uncorked bilateral commerce, has been decried by Palestinians but cast by the Gulf states as consistent with values of coexistence and progress.An Israeli diplomat said visa exemptions are "not on the cards" with Bahrain, where a Sunni Muslim minority rules a Shi'ite majority and which has seen protests against the accord with Israel.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Minnesota activates national guard following Floyd case developments

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he has activated the Minnesota National Guard as a "precautionary step" following developments in the case of George Floyd.A judge on Thursday dismissed a lesser murder charge against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin but said he still had to face the most serious murder charge in George Floyd's death in May."In light of developments in the George Floyd case, we’ve taken the precautionary step of asking the Minnesota National Guard to prepare to help ensure safety for Minnesotans," Walz said in a statement on Thursday."I want to remind Minnesotans that today’s ruling marks a positive step in the path toward justice for George Floyd."


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--At least 10 killed in Ivory Coast town ahead of presidential election

At least 10 people have been killed in a port town in southern Ivory Coast this week, the mayor said on Thursday, as supporters and opponents of President Alassane Ouattara trade blame for rising violence ahead of the Oct. 31 election.The authorities decreed a curfew on Wednesday night in response to the killings in Dabou, which Mayor Jean-Claude Niangne said were carried out by men armed with assault rifles and machetes.He said the death toll was 10 but that it could rise as authorities search the area.Violence has broken out sporadically since August, when Ouattara announced his candidacy for a third term, a move his opponents say violates the constitution.More than 20 people have died in protests and clashes between rival supporters.The events have stoked fears about a bigger slide into violence. A disputed election a decade ago led to a civil war that killed 3,000 people.Niangne, a member of Ouattara's ruling party, said young men affiliated with the president's opponents took control of parts of Dabou earlier in the week, killing six people and wounding 40, before being pushed out on Wednesday by the police.He said weapons belonging to a national lawmaker and former mayor of the town, who is an ally of exiled opposition leader Guillaume Soro, were used by the assailants.The lawmaker, Ben Souk Sess, who is in exile in Mali, denied this and blamed the violence on youth gangs working for Niangne.Ouattara's two main challengers in the election, former President Henri Konan Bedie and Pascal Affi N'Guessan, called on their supporters last week to boycott the electoral process and prevent it from going ahead.They accuse the ruling party of manipulating the electoral process to ensure Ouattara's victory. Ouattara denies this and says he has the right to stand for re-election under a new constitution approved in 2016.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--France reports record new COVID-19 cases, at more than 40,000

French health authorities reported 41,622 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over 24 hours on Thursday, an all-time daily high that was published shortly after the government announced a broad extension of the curfew put in place a week ago in Paris and other major cities.The number of people in France who have died from COVID-19 infections was up by 162, at 34,210, and the cumulative number of cases now totals 999,043.


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--EU imposes sanctions on head of Russian military intelligence

The European Union imposed sanctions on the head of Russia's military intelligence, Igor Kostyukov, and one other official on Thursday and said they were responsible for a computer hacking attack on Germany's parliament in 2015.Russia in May denied the accusations as a "hackneyed story" and said the EU lacked evidence.The EU, in its Official Journal, said it placed sanctions on Kostyukov, head of military intelligence agency (GRU) over the attack that obtained emails from German Chancellor Angela Merkel's constituency office.The EU measures also target Dmitry Badin, accused of being the hacker who orchestrated the attack, as well as the so-called 85th Main Centre, or Centre 85, which was the unit inside the GRU used to carry it out. It is also known as the GRU Special Services division (GTsSS).


jerusalempost--2020-10-22--Russia's Putin says nearly 5,000 people killed in Nagorno-Karabakh

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Moscow believed that nearly 5,000 people had been killed in fighting between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces over the Nagorno-Karabakh region."There are a lot of casualties from both sides, more than 2,000 from each side," Putin told a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.Nagorno-Karabakh said 874 of its military personnel had been killed since Sept. 27, in addition to 37 civilians. Azerbaijan says 61 Azeri civilians have been killed and 291 wounded, but has not disclosed its military casualties.Putin also said the United States would help Russia broker a solution to the conflict.