jerusalempost--2020-04-28--US coronavirus cases approach 1 million, one-third of global infections

More than 56,000 Americans have died of the highly contagious respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the virus , an average of about 2,000 a day this month , according to the tally .
The actual number of cases is thought to be higher , with state public health officials cautioning that shortages of trained workers and materials have limited testing capacity .
About 30 % of the cases have occurred in New York state , the epicenter of the US outbreak , followed by New Jersey , Massachusetts , California and Pennsylvania .
Globally , coronavirus cases top 3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year .
The United States , with the world 's third-largest population , has five times as many cases as the next hardest-hit countries of Italy , Spain and France .
Of the top 20 most severely affected countries , the United States ranks fifth based on cases per capita , according to a Reuters tally .
The United States has about 30 cases per 10,000 people .
Spain ranks first at over 48 cases per 10,000 people , followed by Belgium , Switzerland and Italy .
US coronavirus deaths , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total number of Americans killed in the 1950-53 Korean War - 36,516 .
Coronavirus deaths total just below the 58,220 Americans killed during the Vietnam War that ended in 1975 .
The coronavirus has killed more people in the United States than the seasonal flu in recent years , except for the 2017-2018 season , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
Flu deaths range from a low of 12,000 in the 2011-2012 season to a high of 61,000 during 2017-2018 .
Coronavirus deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Spanish flu , which began in 1918 and killed 675,000 Americans , according to the CDC .
Unprecedented stay-at-home orders to try to curb the spread of the virus have hammered the economy , with the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits over the last five weeks soaring to 26.5 million .
About a dozen states are beginning to relax the stay-at-home restrictions despite the warning of health experts that premature actions could cause a surge in new cases .
A Reuters/Ipsos survey this month found that a bipartisan majority of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect themselves from the coronavirus , despite the impact on the economy .

More than 56,000 Americans have died of the highly contagious respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the virus, an average of about 2,000 a day this month, according to the tally.
The actual number of cases is thought to be higher, with state public health officials cautioning that shortages of trained workers and materials have limited testing capacity.
About 30% of the cases have occurred in New York state, the epicenter of the US outbreak, followed by New Jersey, Massachusetts, California and Pennsylvania.
Globally, coronavirus cases top 3 million since the outbreak began in China late last year. The United States, with the world's third-largest population, has five times as many cases as the next hardest-hit countries of Italy, Spain and France.
Of the top 20 most severely affected countries, the United States ranks fifth based on cases per capita, according to a Reuters tally. The United States has about 30 cases per 10,000 people. Spain ranks first at over 48 cases per 10,000 people, followed by Belgium, Switzerland and Italy.
US coronavirus deaths, the highest in the world, now exceed the total number of Americans killed in the 1950-53 Korean War - 36,516. Coronavirus deaths total just below the 58,220 Americans killed during the Vietnam War that ended in 1975.
The coronavirus has killed more people in the United States than the seasonal flu in recent years, except for the 2017-2018 season, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Flu deaths range from a low of 12,000 in the 2011-2012 season to a high of 61,000 during 2017-2018.
Coronavirus deaths in the United States fall far short of the Spanish flu, which began in 1918 and killed 675,000 Americans, according to the CDC.
Unprecedented stay-at-home orders to try to curb the spread of the virus have hammered the economy, with the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits over the last five weeks soaring to 26.5 million.
About a dozen states are beginning to relax the stay-at-home restrictions despite the warning of health experts that premature actions could cause a surge in new cases.
A Reuters/Ipsos survey this month found that a bipartisan majority of Americans want go on sheltering in place to protect themselves from the coronavirus, despite the impact on the economy.
US cases of the novel coronavirus were approaching 1 million on Tuesday, having doubled in 18 days, and made up one-third of all infections in the world, according to a Reuters tally.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Spain's daily coronavirus death toll falls to 301

Spain 's daily death toll from the coronavirus fell to 301 on Tuesday , far below record highs of three times as much in early April , which should allow the government to set a framework for regions to start phasing out one of Europe 's toughest lockdowns .
Since March 14 , most Spaniards have only been allowed out for grocery shopping or to go to the doctor , with the shutdown nearly paralyzing the economy and the labor market .
The health ministry said the total fatalities since the start of the outbreak rose to 23,822 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 331 and also well below record highs of over 900 earlier in the month .
The number of diagnosed cases rose to 210,773 from 209,465 on Monday .
Earlier on Tuesday , the National Statistics Institute said first-quarter unemployment rate rose to 14.4 % from 13.8 % in the preceding three months , even though the data only partially reflected the impact of the lockdown that began two weeks before the end of the quarter .
`` The figure of course is devastating , '' Antonio Garamendi , head of the CEOE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The important thing is to resume our activities in order to really avoid this drama that we are living . ''
According to forecasts by the Bank of Spain , the coronavirus crisis could push the unemployment rate up to 21.7 % this year , with the economy contracting as much as 12.4 % .
The cabinet was meeting on Tuesday to assess a range of parameters that should allow to further ease the restrictions in the regions with the lowest prevalence rates of the disease .
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day .
Spain recently began to soften the lockdown as it reined in the infection rate .
In the most significant step yet , on Sunday children under 14 were granted one hour of daily supervised outdoor activity .
Spaniards are expected to be allowed out to exercise alone from May 2 if the coronavirus toll continues to fall .

Spain's daily death toll from the coronavirus fell to 301 on Tuesday, far below record highs of three times as much in early April, which should allow the government to set a framework for regions to start phasing out one of Europe's toughest lockdowns.
Since March 14, most Spaniards have only been allowed out for grocery shopping or to go to the doctor, with the shutdown nearly paralyzing the economy and the labor market.
The health ministry said the total fatalities since the start of the outbreak rose to 23,822, with the daily increase coming down from Monday's 331 and also well below record highs of over 900 earlier in the month.
The number of diagnosed cases rose to 210,773 from 209,465 on Monday.
Earlier on Tuesday, the National Statistics Institute said first-quarter unemployment rate rose to 14.4% from 13.8% in the preceding three months, even though the data only partially reflected the impact of the lockdown that began two weeks before the end of the quarter.
"The figure of course is devastating," Antonio Garamendi, head of the CEOE business association, told RNE radio. "The important thing is to resume our activities in order to really avoid this drama that we are living."
According to forecasts by the Bank of Spain, the coronavirus crisis could push the unemployment rate up to 21.7% this year, with the economy contracting as much as 12.4%.
The cabinet was meeting on Tuesday to assess a range of parameters that should allow to further ease the restrictions in the regions with the lowest prevalence rates of the disease.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was due to outline the plan later in the day.
Spain recently began to soften the lockdown as it reined in the infection rate.
In the most significant step yet, on Sunday children under 14 were granted one hour of daily supervised outdoor activity. Spaniards are expected to be allowed out to exercise alone from May 2 if the coronavirus toll continues to fall.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--665 tickets given by police to people breaking coronavirus restrictions

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A total of 665 tickets were handed out by police in the past 24 hours to people who were breaking the regulations set forth by the Health Ministry to combat the spread of the coronavirus.In addition, 1,722 people were given warnings for not donning medical masks out in public.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Hezbollah head Nasrallah to speak on Friday at 9:30 p.m.

`` Hezbollah 's presence in Syria in general and in the Syrian part of the Golan Heights in particular aims @ @ @ @ @ against the State of Israel with the cooperation and care of the Syrian regime , @ @ @ @ @ that Israel `` will not tolerate this entrenchment ! ''
Earlier this month , IDF @ @ @ @ @ claimed on his Twitter account that the Syrian military is continuing to support Hezbollah and @ @ @ @ @ gain a foothold in the Syrian Golan Heights .
It is unclear what the subject @ @ @ @ @ .
It comes after an alleged Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle along the Lebanon-Syria border @ @ @ @ @ targeting sites belonging to both Iranian forces and Hezbollah .
Two days after the airstrike @ @ @ @ @ the border fence between Israel and Lebanon was damaged in three locations in an operation @ @ @ @ @ out by Hezbollah.Lebanon is also being rocked by unrest amid increasing economic issues and renewed @ @ @ @ @ marking the beginning of Ramadan last week .

"Hezbollah's presence in Syria in general and in the Syrian part of the Golan Heights in particular aims to create a terrorist infrastructure against the State of Israel with the cooperation and care of the Syrian regime," tweeted Adraee, warning that Israel "will not tolerate this entrenchment!" Earlier this month, IDF Arabic language spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed on his Twitter account that the Syrian military is continuing to support Hezbollah and allowing the terrorist group to gain a foothold in the Syrian Golan Heights.
It is unclear what the subject of his speech will be. It comes after an alleged Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle along the Lebanon-Syria border and multiple airstrikes in Syria targeting sites belonging to both Iranian forces and Hezbollah. Two days after the airstrike along the Lebanon-Syria border, the border fence between Israel and Lebanon was damaged in three locations in an operation suspected to have been carried out by Hezbollah.Lebanon is also being rocked by unrest amid increasing economic issues and renewed protests.Nasrallah delivered a religious speech marking the beginning of Ramadan last week.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Man investigated for allegedly sexually abusing coworker for four years

Israel Police opened an investigation on Tuesday into a man who allegedly sexually assaulted his coworker for four years.According to the police, the man reportedly sexually abused the woman while utilizing his position of authority over her as a manager in the workplace.His detention was extended until Thursday and the investigation is ongoing.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--COVID-19 deaths in England and Wales 35% higher than early stats showed

The death toll involving COVID-19 in England and Wales was 35 % higher than the daily figures for deaths in @ @ @ @ @ as of April 17 , according to official data that include deaths in the community @ @ @ @ @ Statistics ( ONS ) said 21,284 people overall had died as of April 17 with @ @ @ @ @ respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus , on their death certificates .
That was @ @ @ @ @ the 13,917 people who died in hospitals , as published by the government on April @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom 's total death toll beyond those reported by France and Spain as of @ @ @ @ @ Reuters calculations , though lower than Italy 's total toll .
A trebling of deaths @ @ @ @ @ and Wales within the space of a few weeks contributed to a far higher toll @ @ @ @ @ overall 7,316 people had died in care homes overall during the 16th week of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ reported in the 13th week .

The death toll involving COVID-19 in England and Wales was 35% higher than the daily figures for deaths in hospitals released by the government as of April 17, according to official data that include deaths in the community.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 21,284 people overall had died as of April 17 with mentions of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, on their death certificates.
That was some 35% higher than the 13,917 people who died in hospitals, as published by the government on April 18.
That takes the United Kingdom's total death toll beyond those reported by France and Spain as of April 17, according to Reuters calculations, though lower than Italy's total toll.
A trebling of deaths in care homes in England and Wales within the space of a few weeks contributed to a far higher toll.
The ONS said that overall 7,316 people had died in care homes overall during the 16th week of 2020, almost treble the number reported in the 13th week.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Indonesia reports 415 new coronavirus cases, eight deaths

Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto also reported eight new deaths , taking the total number of fatalities to 773 .
@ @ @ @ @ recovered .

Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto also reported eight new deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 773. He said 1,254 people have recovered.
Indonesia confirmed on Tuesday 415 new coronavirus infections, taking the total in the Southeast Asian country to 9,511.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Malaysia reports 31 new coronavirus cases, one death

The health ministry also reported one new death , bringing total fatalities to 100 .

The health ministry also reported one new death, bringing total fatalities to 100.
Malaysian health authorities on Tuesday reported 31 new coronavirus cases, raising the cumulative total to 5,851.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Philippines nears 8,000 coronavirus infections

In a bulletin , the health ministry said total deaths have increased to 530 while confirmed cases have risen to @ @ @ @ @ patients have recovered , bringing total recoveries to 975 .

In a bulletin, the health ministry said total deaths have increased to 530 while confirmed cases have risen to 7,958. But 43 more patients have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 975.
The Philippines' health ministry on Tuesday reported 19 more coronavirus deaths and 181 infections.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--UK says some children have died from syndrome linked to COVID-19

Some children in the United Kingdom with no underlying health conditions have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome which researchers believe to be linked to COVID-19 , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday .
Italian and British medical experts are investigating a possible link between the coronavirus pandemic and clusters of severe inflammatory disease among infants who are arriving in hospital with high fevers and swollen arteries .
Doctors in northern Italy , one of the world 's hardest-hit areas during the pandemic , have reported extraordinarily large numbers of children under age 9 with severe cases of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common in parts of Asia .
`` There are some children who have died who did n't have underlying health conditions , '' Hancock told LBC Radio .
`` It 's a new disease that we think may be caused by coronavirus and the COVID-19 virus , we 're not 100 % sure because some of the people who got it had n't tested positive , so we 're doing a lot of research now but it is something that we 're worried about .
`` It is rare , although it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it , the number of cases is small , '' Hancock said .
Kawasaki disease , whose cause is unknown , often afflicts children aged under 5 and is associated with fever , skin rashes , swelling of glands , and in severe cases , inflammation of arteries of the heart .
There is some evidence that individuals can inherit a predisposition to the disease , but the pattern is not clear .
Parents should be vigilant , junior British interior minister Victoria Atkins said .
`` It demonstrates just how fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is in its effect , '' Atkins told Sky News .
Professor Anne Marie Rafferty , the president of the Royal College of Nursing , said she had heard reports about the similarity between cases in infants and Kawasaki syndrome .
`` Actually there 's far too little known about it and the numbers actually at the moment are really too small , '' told Sky News .
`` But it is an alert , and it 's something that 's actually being explored and examined by a number of different researchers @ @

Some children in the United Kingdom with no underlying health conditions have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome which researchers believe to be linked to COVID-19, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday.
Italian and British medical experts are investigating a possible link between the coronavirus pandemic and clusters of severe inflammatory disease among infants who are arriving in hospital with high fevers and swollen arteries.
Doctors in northern Italy, one of the world's hardest-hit areas during the pandemic, have reported extraordinarily large numbers of children under age 9 with severe cases of what appears to be Kawasaki disease, more common in parts of Asia.
"There are some children who have died who didn't have underlying health conditions," Hancock told LBC Radio.
"It's a new disease that we think may be caused by coronavirus and the COVID-19 virus, we're not 100% sure because some of the people who got it hadn't tested positive, so we're doing a lot of research now but it is something that we're worried about.
"It is rare, although it is very significant for those children who do get it, the number of cases is small," Hancock said.
Kawasaki disease, whose cause is unknown, often afflicts children aged under 5 and is associated with fever, skin rashes, swelling of glands, and in severe cases, inflammation of arteries of the heart.
There is some evidence that individuals can inherit a predisposition to the disease, but the pattern is not clear.
Parents should be vigilant, junior British interior minister Victoria Atkins said.
"It demonstrates just how fast moving this virus is and how unprecedented it is in its effect," Atkins told Sky News.
Professor Anne Marie Rafferty, the president of the Royal College of Nursing, said she had heard reports about the similarity between cases in infants and Kawasaki syndrome.
"Actually there's far too little known about it and the numbers actually at the moment are really too small," told Sky News. "But it is an alert, and it's something that's actually being explored and examined by a number of different researchers."


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--US coronavirus deaths projected at over 74,000 by August

Late on Monday , the university 's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) model raised its projected @ @ @ @ @ by Aug. 4 , up from nearly 67,000 predicted a week ago , and 60,000 @ @ @ @ @ The figure is down from about a month ago , when it projected around 90,000 @ @ @ @ @ States .
IHME director Christopher Murray said the death toll would climb if states reopen @ @ @ @ @ Several U.S. states have eased restrictions on businesses , and more are ready to follow @ @ @ @ @ governors across the United States and subsequent decisions to slowly reopen state economies have turned @ @ @ @ @ in recent weeks as the shutdowns have hammered the nation 's economy .
US coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ , according to a Reuters tally .
The United States has by far the world @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases at more than 993,000 .
Globally , cases have topped 3 million , @ @ @ @ @ than 210,000 deaths , Reuters calculations show

Late on Monday, the university's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) model raised its projected U.S. death toll to 74,073 by Aug. 4, up from nearly 67,000 predicted a week ago, and 60,000 predicted two weeks ago.
The figure is down from about a month ago, when it projected around 90,000 COVID-19 deaths in the United States.
IHME director Christopher Murray said the death toll would climb if states reopen their economies too early.
Several U.S. states have eased restrictions on businesses, and more are ready to follow.
Stay-at-home orders issued by governors across the United States and subsequent decisions to slowly reopen state economies have turned into highly charged political issues in recent weeks as the shutdowns have hammered the nation's economy.
US coronavirus deaths surpassed 56,000 on Monday, according to a Reuters tally. The United States has by far the world's largest number of confirmed coronavirus cases at more than 993,000.
Globally, cases have topped 3 million, with a total of more than 210,000 deaths, Reuters calculations show
The US death toll from the coronavirus outbreak could exceed 74,000 by August, according to the University of Washington's predictive model, often cited by White House officials and state public health authorities.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Netanyahu: Petitions against forming gov't should be rejected outright

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded on Tuesday to the seven petitions filed against the formation of a government, stating that they must be rejected outright.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Austria loosens lockdown further, allows gatherings of up to 10 people

The rules , which include guidance that the public only leave their homes for a limited number of reasons including @ @ @ @ @ due to expire on April 30 .
Anschober told a news conference there was no @ @ @ @ @

The rules, which include guidance that the public only leave their homes for a limited number of reasons including shopping or exercise, are due to expire on April 30. Anschober told a news conference there was no need to extend them.
Austria is loosening its general lockdown rules by allowing gatherings of up to 10 people, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Condition of 11-year-old with coronavirus improves - hospital statement

The 11-year-old who was hospitalized after testing positive for the novel COVID-19 is in slightly better condition, according to Rambam Hospital in Haifa.The girl was hospitalized due to complications relating to the coronavirus. She is still hooked up to a ventilator, according to the hospital, and was put into a coma, but she was moved from the negative pressure room to the increased treatment room and has tested negative twice for the virus.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--UK asks parents to be vigilant about child inflammatory disease

`` It demonstrates just how fast moving this virus is and how unprecedented it is in its effect , '' @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The chief medical officer has said that it 's extremely rare but we @ @ @ @ @ carefully through this virus , '' she said .
Italian and British medical experts are @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic and clusters of what appears to be Kawasaki disease , a severe @ @ @ @ @ who are arriving in hospital with high fevers and swollen arteries .

"It demonstrates just how fast moving this virus is and how unprecedented it is in its effect," Victoria Atkins told Sky News.
"The chief medical officer has said that it's extremely rare but we must all be watching very carefully through this virus," she said.
Italian and British medical experts are investigating a possible link between the coronavirus pandemic and clusters of what appears to be Kawasaki disease, a severe inflammatory disease, among infants who are arriving in hospital with high fevers and swollen arteries.
Parents should be vigilant about a severe inflammatory disease among infants that some medics fear may have a link to COVID-19, a junior British interior minister said on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Japan's PM says paying close attention to reports about Kim Jong Un

Abe made the comment in a session of parliament .
Rumours and speculation over Kim 's health began after he @ @ @ @ @ at a key state holiday on April 15 .
He has since remained out of @ @

Abe made the comment in a session of parliament.
Rumours and speculation over Kim's health began after he did not appear in public at a key state holiday on April 15. He has since remained out of sight.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday he was aware of reports on the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and was paying close attention to developments.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Likud: High Court should not intervene in considerations of forming gov't

The Likud sent a response to the High Court on account of petitions filed against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being indicted, as well as his coalition agreement with the Blue and White party, according to Ynet News."This respected court does not intervene in considerations of the president, the members of Knesset and the Knesset in constitutional procedures for the establishment of a government – the executive branch of the state – whose purpose is to fulfill the will of the people as expressed in the Knesset elections," the Likud said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Thailand reports 7 new coronavirus cases, 2 new deaths

The numbers extended a trend in fewer new cases , which had been over 100 per day earlier in past @ @ @ @ @ cases , five were linked to previous cases , one had no known links to @ @ @ @ @ under investigation , said Taweesin Wisanuyothin , a spokesman for the government 's Centre for @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak began , 2,652 patients have recovered and gone home .

The numbers extended a trend in fewer new cases, which had been over 100 per day earlier in past weeks.
Of the new cases, five were linked to previous cases, one had no known links to old cases and another is under investigation, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
Since the outbreak began, 2,652 patients have recovered and gone home.
Thailand on Tuesday reported seven more coronavirus cases and two new deaths, bringing the total number of infections since the outbreak began in January to 2,938 cases and 54 fatalities.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Germany reports 1,144 new coronavirus cases, death toll rises by 163

The death toll rose by 163 to 5,913 , according to the tally .

The death toll rose by 163 to 5,913, according to the tally.
The number of Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 1,144 to 156,337, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Brazil OKs investigating allegations Bolsonaro interfered with police

Justice Celso de Mello gave the federal police 60 days to carry out the investigation requested by Brazil 's chief public prosecutor Augusto Aras following the accusations made by former justice minister Sergio Moro , who resigned on Friday .
Moro said Bolsonaro had pressed him to change the chief of the federal police and accused the president of seeking to interfere in investigations that involved family members , to the point of requesting intelligence files .
Bolsonaro called the accusations unfounded , but they have set off the worst political crisis since he took office in January last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The investigation comes at a bad moment for Bolsonaro who is facing criticism for downplaying the gravity of the coronavirus epidemic that has killed over 4,500 people in the country and virtually paralyzed Latin America 's largest economy .
Based on the results of the police investigation , the public prosecutor will have to decide whether to press charges against the president or his former minister .
An indictment of the president would have to be approved by the lower house of Congress before a trial could move ahead in the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Bolsonaro 's supporters and it is unlikely to approve an indictment .
If he is indicted , the president would be suspended and Vice President Hamilton Mourao takes over his position temporarily for up to 180 days .
If convicted in a trial , he would lose office .

A Supreme Court judge on Monday authorized an investigation of allegations that Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro tried to interfere in the work of the country's federal police force for political motives, the top court said on its website.
Justice Celso de Mello gave the federal police 60 days to carry out the investigation requested by Brazil's chief public prosecutor Augusto Aras following the accusations made by former justice minister Sergio Moro, who resigned on Friday.
Moro said Bolsonaro had pressed him to change the chief of the federal police and accused the president of seeking to interfere in investigations that involved family members, to the point of requesting intelligence files.
Bolsonaro called the accusations unfounded, but they have set off the worst political crisis since he took office in January last year and lost the far-right leader valuable allies.
The investigation comes at a bad moment for Bolsonaro who is facing criticism for downplaying the gravity of the coronavirus epidemic that has killed over 4,500 people in the country and virtually paralyzed Latin America's largest economy.
Based on the results of the police investigation, the public prosecutor will have to decide whether to press charges against the president or his former minister.
An indictment of the president would have to be approved by the lower house of Congress before a trial could move ahead in the Supreme Court. The house is however dominated by Bolsonaro's supporters and it is unlikely to approve an indictment.
If he is indicted, the president would be suspended and Vice President Hamilton Mourao takes over his position temporarily for up to 180 days. If convicted in a trial, he would lose office.
A poll conducted on Monday showed that a majority of Brazilians believe Moro's accusations are true. Forty six percent believe Bolsonaro should resign, while 50% who think he should not.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Mainland China reports 22 new coronavirus cases vs 6 a day earlier

Mainland China reported 22 new coronavirus cases for April 28 , up from 6 reported a day earlier , putting @ @ @ @ @ infections to date at 82,858 .
The National Health Commission said in a statement on @ @ @ @ @ imported cases involving travelers from overseas rose to 21 on Tuesday from 3 a day @ @ @ @ @ , involving patients infected with the virus but not showing symptoms , fell to 26 @ @ @ @ @ .
The total number of deaths in the mainland from COVID-19 remained unchanged at 4,633 @

Mainland China reported 22 new coronavirus cases for April 28, up from 6 reported a day earlier, putting its total number of COVID-19 infections to date at 82,858.
The National Health Commission said in a statement on Wednesday that the number of imported cases involving travelers from overseas rose to 21 on Tuesday from 3 a day earlier. New asymptomatic cases, involving patients infected with the virus but not showing symptoms, fell to 26 from 40 the previous day.
The total number of deaths in the mainland from COVID-19 remained unchanged at 4,633.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Mexico's registers 1,223 new coronavirus cases, 135 deaths

Mexico 's health ministry reported on Tuesday 1,223 new known coronavirus cases and 135 new deaths , bringing the total @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
The government has said the real number of infected people is significantly higher @ @ @ @ @

Mexico's health ministry reported on Tuesday 1,223 new known coronavirus cases and 135 new deaths, bringing the total to 16,752 cases and 1,569 deaths.
The government has said the real number of infected people is significantly higher than the confirmed cases.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Peru coronavirus cases surpass 30,000

Peru coronavirus cases surpass 30,000

Peru 's health ministry on Tuesday confirmed its toll of coronavirus cases had surpassed 30,000 , with 854 associated deaths @ @ @ @ @ cases represents the second highest caseload in Latin America .
The number has more than @ @ @ @ @ according to a Reuters tally .
Infections have prompted the collapse of some medical facilities @ @ @ @ @ in hallways , masks being repeatedly reused , and protests breaking out amongst medical workers @ @ @ @ @

Peru's health ministry on Tuesday confirmed its toll of coronavirus cases had surpassed 30,000, with 854 associated deaths.
Tuesday's 31,190 confirmed cases represents the second highest caseload in Latin America. The number has more than doubled in nine days, according to a Reuters tally.
Infections have prompted the collapse of some medical facilities, with bodies being kept in hallways, masks being repeatedly reused, and protests breaking out amongst medical workers concerned over their safety.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Two buildings catch fire in Kibbutz Tzora's industrial area

Two buildings caught fire in Kibbutz Tzora 's industrial area late Tuesday , leading five fire crews to come and @ @ @ @ @ fire fighter at the scene reported that one of the buildings has been completely burned @ @ @ @ @ being contained in order to stop the spread of the fire to nearby buildings .

Two buildings caught fire in Kibbutz Tzora's industrial area late Tuesday, leading five fire crews to come and extinguish the flames.
A fire fighter at the scene reported that one of the buildings has been completely burned, while the other is being contained in order to stop the spread of the fire to nearby buildings.
No injuries have been reported.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Police arrest two men rioting in Bnei Brak, violating coronavirus orders

Police arrested two men during a riot in Bnei Brak on Tuesday after forces had halted group prayers at a @ @ @ @ @ .
Public gathering , including prayers in groups larger than ten , is prohibited by @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus restrictions .

Police arrested two men during a riot in Bnei Brak on Tuesday after forces had halted group prayers at a synagogue, Kan 11 reported.
Public gathering, including prayers in groups larger than ten, is prohibited by the Health Ministry’s coronavirus restrictions.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Avigdor Liberman and his wife celebrate Independence Day at home with wine

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman and his wife Ella released a video greeting from their home in Nokdim at the @ @ @ @ @ in honor of Israel ’ s 72nd Independence Day .
They said they are watching @ @ @ @ @ and enjoying “ good wine.
” “ No coronavirus or social distancing will prevent us @ @ @ @ @ independence , ” Liberman said .

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman and his wife Ella released a video greeting from their home in Nokdim at the West Bank on Tuesday, in honor of Israel’s 72nd Independence Day.
They said they are watching the ceremony on Mount Herzl and enjoying “good wine.”
“No coronavirus or social distancing will prevent us from celebrating 72 years of independence,” Liberman said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--France coronavirus deaths approach 24,000

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told parliament France would not end its nationwide lockdown unless the number of new cases @ @ @ @ @ 3,000 per day .
The death tally has increased 1.6 % compared to Monday , @ @ @ @ @ over 24 hours .

The number of people who have died from coronavirus infection in France rose by 367 to 23,660 on Tuesday, while the number of confirmed cases was up 1,520 at 129,859, the health ministry said in a statement.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told parliament France would not end its nationwide lockdown unless the number of new cases of coronavirus infection drops below 3,000 per day.
The death tally has increased 1.6% compared to Monday, with the rate slightly slowing over 24 hours.
The number of people in hospital with the COVID-19 infection fell further to 27,484 from 28,055 on Monday and the number of people in intensive care fell to 4,387 from 4,608 on Monday. Both have been on a downward trend for at least two weeks.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--UK scientists say masks only have small effect on coronavirus spread

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British scientists advising the government have concluded that wearing a face mask has a small effect on stopping a coronavirus carrier from infecting someone else, and the evidence is weak, deputy chief scientific adviser Angela McLean said on Tuesday."There is weak evidence of a small effect in which a face mask can prevent a source of infection going from somebody who is infected to the people around them," she said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--IDF will not allow visitors into training zones during holiday

The IDF will not allow visitors into training zones during Independence Day to prevent the spread of coroanvirus among large @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson reported on Tuesday .
The army uses large stretches of land for training , @ @ @ @ @ allows visitors who wish to explore the wilderness and nature to enter .
This Independence @ @ @ @ @ will not do so and warns that entering military training grounds can be risky and @ @ @ @ @

The IDF will not allow visitors into training zones during Independence Day to prevent the spread of coroanvirus among large groups of people, IDF spokesperson reported on Tuesday.
The army uses large stretches of land for training, and during holidays it sometimes allows visitors who wish to explore the wilderness and nature to enter.
This Independence Day however, the IDF will not do so and warns that entering military training grounds can be risky and even end in death.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Trump to sign executive order on coronavirus-related liabilities

Trump said the order would have to do with the meat supply .
Administration officials and some Republicans on Capitol @ @ @ @ @ are reopening need liability protection from lawsuits employees might file if they become sick .

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will sign an executive order later in the day that addresses liability issues that have arisen from the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump said the order would have to do with the meat supply. Administration officials and some Republicans on Capitol Hill have said businesses that are reopening need liability protection from lawsuits employees might file if they become sick.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Egypt reports its highest rise yet of coronavirus cases, deaths

In total 5,042 people have been infected and 359 died since the start of the outbreak , the ministry said @ @ @ @ @ total of 1,304 have recovered .

Egypt registered 260 new infections of the novel coronavirus and 22 death, the health ministry said on Tuesday, the highest daily rise for both figures.
In total 5,042 people have been infected and 359 died since the start of the outbreak, the ministry said in a statement. A total of 1,304 have recovered.
Egypt, a country of 100 million, has closed its airports to contain the pandemic and imposed a night curfew but pushed back the starting time to 9 p.m., two hours later than initially in place.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Quest Diagnostic makes coronavirus antibody test available online

Shares of the diagnostic company were up nearly 2 % at $ 118 in early trading .
The stock is up 8 % this year through Monday close .
Each test request is reviewed and , if appropriate , an order for testing is issued by a licensed physician , the company said , adding that individuals have the opportunity to speak with a licensed physician about their results .
Unlike tests to diagnose diseases , antibody tests show who has been infected and recovered .
The body makes antibodies in response to many illnesses and infections , including other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential game changer in the battle to contain infections and offer the chance to get the economy back on track by identifying people who may have immunity to the virus and could return to their jobs .
Last week , Quest said it was launching its COVID-19 antibody test service for healthcare providers to order on behalf of patients and said it expected to perform more than 200,000 tests a day by mid-May .
Quest said on Tuesday people who buy the test online will be prompted to schedule an appointment for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service centers , and the test results will be available on the company 's patient portal MyQuest , within two days of the blood draw .
Through QuestDirect , individuals can request for the test and purchase it online for $ 119 , the company said .
The service could help individuals without any COVID-19 symptoms find out if they have been exposed to the virus and have developed antibodies to fight it .

Quest Diagnostic Inc said on Tuesday individuals can purchase its COVID-19 antibody test for themselves through its website QuestDirect at $119 without having to visit a doctor's office.
Shares of the diagnostic company were up nearly 2% at $118 in early trading. The stock is up 8% this year through Monday close.
Each test request is reviewed and, if appropriate, an order for testing is issued by a licensed physician, the company said, adding that individuals have the opportunity to speak with a licensed physician about their results.
Unlike tests to diagnose diseases, antibody tests show who has been infected and recovered. The body makes antibodies in response to many illnesses and infections, including other coronaviruses.
Antibody tests are considered a potential game changer in the battle to contain infections and offer the chance to get the economy back on track by identifying people who may have immunity to the virus and could return to their jobs.
Last week, Quest said it was launching its COVID-19 antibody test service for healthcare providers to order on behalf of patients and said it expected to perform more than 200,000 tests a day by mid-May.
Quest said on Tuesday people who buy the test online will be prompted to schedule an appointment for a blood draw at one of its patient service centers, and the test results will be available on the company's patient portal MyQuest, within two days of the blood draw.
Through QuestDirect, individuals can request for the test and purchase it online for $119, the company said.
The service could help individuals without any COVID-19 symptoms find out if they have been exposed to the virus and have developed antibodies to fight it.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Suspect behind attack on Paris police pledged allegiance to ISIS

The 29-year-old French man was arrested at the scene of the attack , which occurred in the suburb of Colombes @ @ @ @ @ and was in custody , the prosecutor said .
The two police officers were injured @ @ @ @ @ A letter containing a pledge of loyalty to Islamic State was found in the suspect @ @ @ @ @ as a knife , the department said .
It did not say if he had @ @ @ @ @ man , who has not been named , was not previously known to intelligence services @ @ @ @ @ according to the department 's statement .
The officers had been stationary and conducting routine @ @ @ @ @ by a black BMW .
Footage of the scene of the attack on the website @ @ @ @ @ showed one police motorbike sandwiched between the crumpled bonnets of a police car and the @ @ @ @ @ second bike lay strewn on the road .
France has experienced a wave of attacks @ @ @ @ @ years .

The driver who rammed his car into two police motorcyclists in a Paris suburb on Monday had pledged allegiance to Islamic State, the French anti-terror prosecutor said in a statement.
The 29-year-old French man was arrested at the scene of the attack, which occurred in the suburb of Colombes, northwest of Paris, and was in custody, the prosecutor said. The two police officers were injured and taken to hospital.
A letter containing a pledge of loyalty to Islamic State was found in the suspect's car, as well as a knife, the department said. It did not say if he had been formally charged.
The man, who has not been named, was not previously known to intelligence services as a radicalization risk, according to the department's statement.
The officers had been stationary and conducting routine checks when they were hit by a black BMW.
Footage of the scene of the attack on the website of daily newspaper Le Parisien showed one police motorbike sandwiched between the crumpled bonnets of a police car and the BMW. Debris from a second bike lay strewn on the road.
France has experienced a wave of attacks by Islamist militants in recent years.
Bombings and shootings on November 13, 2015 at the Bataclan theatre and other sites around Paris killed 130 people, and in July 2016 an Islamist militant drove a truck through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, killing 86.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Supreme Court to discuss requests to ban Netanyahu from forming coalition

The Supreme Court reported on Tuesday it would discuss appeals to prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a coalition @ @ @ @ @ unity-government deal struck with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz , KAN 11 reported .
@ @ @ @ @ on Sunday and Monday with 11 judges presiding .

The Supreme Court reported on Tuesday it would discuss appeals to prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a coalition and the legality of the unity-government deal struck with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, KAN 11 reported.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Police arrest seven Beit Shemesh residents for illegal gathering

Police arrested seven on Tuesday in Beit Shemesh where dozens of students were together studying Torah and people were gathered @ @ @ @ @ in violation of the Health Ministry ’ s orders aimed at curbing the spread of @ @ @ @ @ attempted to assault the officers by throwing stones and other objects at them .
Two @ @ @ @ @ seven of the protesters were arrested .
Police reported that after the arrests police units @ @ @ @ @ that residents were complying with health orders and called on the public to follow the @ @ @ @ @

Police arrested seven on Tuesday in Beit Shemesh where dozens of students were together studying Torah and people were gathered for prayer services, both in violation of the Health Ministry’s orders aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.
Hundreds of residents attempted to assault the officers by throwing stones and other objects at them. Two police cars were damaged and seven of the protesters were arrested.
Police reported that after the arrests police units toured the area to ensure that residents were complying with health orders and called on the public to follow the Health Ministry's orders.


jerusalempost--2020-04-28--Bennett: Enemies of Israel have not reconciled with its existence

Outgoing Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said on Tuesday afternoon that "we have not yet reached the moment in which the enemies of Israel are reconciled with the existence of a Jewish state in the land of Israel.""Unfortunately, I cannot promise that this will happen in our generation," he continued. "Even in these days, the Iranian regime... is working to try and harm the State of Israel and its citizens. Only this I can promise: The State of Israel will never place its security in the hands of others."He further explained that "we have moved from curbing Iran's establishment in Syria, to pushing it away from there, and we will not stop. We will not allow more strategic threats to grow beyond our borders without taking action. IDF soldiers and their commanders are confident and determined, and with God's help, we will win."


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Labour leader Starmer says 27,241 people have died in UK from COVID-19

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that according to his calculations 27,241 people had died in Britain from COVID-19."That makes a total to date of 27,241 recorded deaths from coronavirus and that's probably an underestimate because of the time lag," Starmer told parliament while asking foreign minister Dominic Raab about the number of deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Magnitude 6.6 earthquake strikes Baracoa, Cuba

An earthquake of magnitude 6.6 has struck 48 kilometres (km) south east of Baracoa region in Cuba, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said.The quake was at a depth of 2 km, EMSC said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Iran death toll from coronavirus outbreak reaches 5,957

The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Iran rose by 80 in the past twenty four hours to 5,957, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Wednesday.The total number of diagnosed cases of new coronavirus in Iran, one of the countries hardest hit by the outbreak in the Middle East, has reached 93,657, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Spain's daily coronavirus death toll rises to 325

Spain recorded 325 deaths from the novel coronavirus overnight, up from 301 reported the previous day, the health ministry said on Wednesday.The overall death toll from the virus, however, rose by 453 to to 24,275, it said, adding that some of the additional cases were from the previous days. The number of diagnosed cases rose by 2,144 from Tuesday to 212,917, the ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Beijing city govt to lower COVID-19 emergency response level

The decision by Beijing to lower its emergency response measures to level II from level I comes on the same @ @ @ @ @ parliament will begin its key annual session in the capital on May 22 .
The @ @ @ @ @ cases in the country have dropped sharply from the height of the epidemic in February @ @ @ @ @ parliament marks the latest signal that China 's leaders believe the country is returning to @ @

Beijing's municipal government said on Wednesday it will lower its COVID-19 emergency response level effective as of 0000 hours on Thursday, removing quarantine requirements for some people arriving from other low-risk parts of the country.
The decision by Beijing to lower its emergency response measures to level II from level I comes on the same day China announced that the parliament will begin its key annual session in the capital on May 22.
The number of new daily COVID-19 cases in the country have dropped sharply from the height of the epidemic in February, and the meeting of parliament marks the latest signal that China's leaders believe the country is returning to normal.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Russia's coronavirus case tally nears 100,000 milestone

Russia on Wednesday reported 5,841 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing its overall nationwide case tally to 99,399.The official nationwide death toll reached 972 on Wednesday after 108 people with the virus died in the last 24 hours, Russia's coronavirus crisis response center said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Worldwide coronavirus cases over 3.1 million, death toll crosses 216,600

More than 3.11 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 216,667 have died, according to a Reuters tally.Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Assistant to Pompeo welcomes Saudi announcement of ceasefire in Yemen

The United States welcomes the announcement by the Saudi-led coalition of a ceasefire in Yemen, the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV channel reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker.The Dubai-based channel also cited him saying that the government of Lebanon has to prove its commitment to reforms in order to receive economic aid.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Germany reports 1,304 more coronavirus cases, 202 more deaths

Germany on Wednesday reported 1,304 more cases of the novel coronavirus while the number of deaths rose by 202 compared to the previous day, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed.Europe's most populous country now has a total of 157,641 confirmed cases and 6,115 deaths, according to the tally.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Six flares launched over Israel-Lebanon border - Arab report

Two weeks ago , the military fired flares after receiving indications of a possible breach in the border fence between @ @ @ @ @ .
Three breaches were found in different locations along the fence .

Two weeks ago, the military fired flares after receiving indications of a possible breach in the border fence between northern Israel from southern Lebanon. Three breaches were found in different locations along the fence.
Six flares were launched by the IDF over the Israel-Lebanon border near the Shebaa Farms and Har Dov area on Wednesday night, according to the Hezbollah affiliated Al-Manar TV.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Trump: I don't believe the polls

Trump: I don't believe the polls

President Donald Trump told Reuters on Wednesday he does not believe opinion polls that show his likely Democratic presidential opponent, Joe Biden, leading in the 2020 race for the White House.During an interview in the Oval Office, the Republican president said he did not expect the election to be a referendum on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and added he was surprised the former vice president was doing well."I don't believe the polls," Trump said. "I believe the people of this country are smart. And I don't think that they will put a man in who's incompetent."Trump has criticized Biden's decades-long record as a U.S. senator and as President Barack Obama's vice president."And I don't mean incompetent because of a condition that he's got now. I mean he's incompetent for 30 years. Everything he ever did was bad. His foreign policy was a disaster," Trump said.Polls conducted this week by Reuters/Ipsos about a general election matchup showed that 44% of registered voters said they would back Biden in the Nov. 3 election, while 40% said they would support Trump.More critical for Trump, a recent poll by Reuters/Ipsos of the three key battleground states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania had Biden with a 45%-39% edge over the president. Trump's victories in those states in the 2016 election helped propel him to the White House.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--President Trump says China wants him to lose re-election race

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he believes China's handling of the coronavirus is proof that Beijing "will do anything they can" to make him lose his re-election bid.In an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office, Trump said he was looking at different options in terms of consequences for China for the virus. "I can do a lot," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Trump administration to speed coronavirus vaccine development

The Trump administration is planning to speed up development of a coronavirus vaccine with the goal of having 100 million doses ready by the end of 2020, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.The official declined to be publicly identified.Executives and other experts have previously suggested that clinical trials to guarantee a vaccine is safe and effective could take a minimum of 12 to 18 months.Several agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services announced plans earlier in April to partner with more than 15 drug companies as well as European regulators in an effort to spur development of vaccines and treatments for the disease.The latest Trump administration efforts to speed vaccine development were originally reported by Bloomberg News, citing people familiar with the matter.Called "Operation Warp Speed," the project will join private pharmaceutical companies with government agencies and the military in trying to cut the development time for a vaccine by as much as eight months, Bloomberg News said https://bloom.bg/2YgpC1j.It said a White House meeting on the project was scheduled for Wednesday.Last month, President Donald Trump directed Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to speed development of a vaccine, and administration officials have been meeting on the effort for three to four weeks, the report added.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Protests break out in Lebanon in third night of unrest

Small protests fueled by worsening economic conditions in Lebanon broke out across several cities late on Wednesday, marking a third night of unrest.Lebanon is in the throes of a deep economic crisis that has seen its currency lose more than half its value since October, soaring inflation, and spiraling unemployment.In the northern city of Tripoli protesters lobbed fireworks and stones at soldiers who pushed them back with rubber bullets. In the southern city of Sidon demonstrators set a central bank building ablaze with petrol bombs for a second night.The latest wave of unrest comes after a plunge in the value of the pound currency last week that has threatened to further hike prices in the import-dependent country.Banks that have locked savers out of their U.S. dollar accounts in a bid to preserve scarce hard currency have been primary targets in recent days, with bank fronts burned and ATMs smashed in several cities.The unrest comes as Beirut is on the verge of finalizing an economic rescue plan that will form the basis of negotiations with foreign bondholders after defaulting on its debt last month in a bid to preserve cash for vital imports.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Regev: Israel Prize ‘last bastion that first Israel has’

Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev took to Twitter on Wednesday to slam the selection of the 2020 Israel Prize @ @ @ @ @ Prize the “ last bastion first Israel has , ” Regev argued that it does @ @ @ @ @ is intended to do , “ it weakens the spirit and harms the independence of @ @ @ @ @ claimed .
“ This is why the Israeli Prize doesn ’ t interest a lot @ @ @ @ @ added .
`` First Israel '' is largely used to mean the established groups in @ @ @ @ @ Jewish people who took part in the historical creation of the country before the large @ @ @ @ @ Muslim countries arrived .
Regev ’ s tweet follows an earlier posted tweeted by Interior @ @ @ @ @ that not a single Mizrhai Jew or Arab person was awarded it this year .

Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev took to Twitter on Wednesday to slam the selection of the 2020 Israel Prize winners.
Calling the Israel Prize the “last bastion first Israel has,” Regev argued that it does the opposite of what it is intended to do, “it weakens the spirit and harms the independence of Israeli society,” she claimed.
“This is why the Israeli Prize doesn’t interest a lot of people,” she added.
"First Israel" is largely used to mean the established groups in Israeli society, usually European-oriented Jewish people who took part in the historical creation of the country before the large waves of Jewish immigration from Muslim countries arrived.
Regev’s tweet follows an earlier posted tweeted by Interior Minister Arye Deri who lamented that not a single Mizrhai Jew or Arab person was awarded it this year.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Arye Deri slams Israel Prize selection: Not a single Mizrhai Jew

Interior Minister Arye Deri slammed the selection of Israel Prize recipients on Twitter on Wednesday asking why is it that @ @ @ @ @ or Arab-Israeli was selected to win the prize .
“ Those who won the Israel @ @ @ @ @ the minister wrote , but said that the lack of Mizrhai or Arab people among @ @ @ @ @ shame.
” “ It is very sad we have not progressed , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ general .
Twitter users responded by pointing out that Shas , the party Deri leads @ @ @ @ @ among its ranks and that as a minister he was in a good position to @ @ @ @ @ .
One user noted that since the prize was established in 1953 it was given @ @ @ @ @ 6 Arab-Israelis .

Interior Minister Arye Deri slammed the selection of Israel Prize recipients on Twitter on Wednesday asking why is it that not a single Mizrhai Jew or Arab-Israeli was selected to win the prize.
“Those who won the Israel Prize deserve it,” the minister wrote, but said that the lack of Mizrhai or Arab people among the winners is a “shame.”
“It is very sad we have not progressed,” he said, meaning Israeli society in general.
Twitter users responded by pointing out that Shas, the party Deri leads, does not include women among its ranks and that as a minister he was in a good position to suggest candidates to his liking.
One user noted that since the prize was established in 1953 it was given to roughly 100 women and 6 Arab-Israelis.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Coronavirus update: 215 dead, 90 intubated and 115 in serious condition

Parents hoping to send their children to preschool on Sunday may end up being disappointed, after a study by the Gertner Institute found that opening them may be premature, despite positive new data from the Health Ministry.The number of people who have recovered from the novel coronavirus as of Wednesday outnumbered the number of people infected for the first time, according to the ministry. Some 7,386 people are infected while 8,233 have recovered.The decision of the government earlier this week to open preschool through 3rd grade was made pending the results of the study, whose findings were sent to ministers late Wednesday night after the Independence Day holiday. The first findings of the study show that children do get infected and infect others, although less so.Some senior officials are now recommending that only grade schools open, since they are more likely to be able to adhere to guidelines set by the Health Ministry.Other issues include whether students in grades 11 and 12 will ultimately attend school to prepare for their matriculation exams, as originally approved by the government; what to do about teachers who are older or have pre-existing medical conditions; and whether afterschool programs can open to accommodate working parents.Officials are expected to meet over the next 48 hours and a final decision is supposed to be made by Friday. At this stage, something extreme would have to happen for schools not to open as expected.Thousands have expressed their unwillingness to send their children to school on Sunday out of concern that the Education Ministry will not be able to guarantee the health of their children. The parents signed petitions online calling for schools to not reopen yet.“The number of sick is going down, which is good,” according to Prof. Gabi Barbash, director-general emeritus of the Health Ministry. But he told The Jerusalem Post that he is “not impressed” by the number of recovered patients.We have been battling the virus for nearly three months,” he said. “Obviously, as time goes by, more people recover.”More important is the average number of newly infected patients per day – 106 in the last 24 hours – their distribution across Israel and their condition. Some 115 patients were in serious condition on Wednesday, according to the Health Ministry, including 90 who were intubated. So far, 215 people have died from the SARS-CoV-2 virus.An 11-year-old with coronavirus who was intubated is now breathing on her own, Rambam Medical Center in Haifa has reported. At the same time, a 16-year-old with multi-systemic failure and a heart condition was admitted to the center. He tested positive for coronavirus, causing some medical personnel to enter isolation.Known coronavirus hot spots are showing positive trends. Although Jerusalem and Bnei Brak continue to have the highest infection rates – 3,421 and 2,813 respectively – the number of new patients per day is declining. Bnei Brak only saw a 1.2% increase in the number of sick patients in the last three days; Jerusalem saw a 2.9% increase.But Barbash said there are suspected red zones that are not being properly monitored and that if enough resources are not dedicated there, Israel could be surprised.“It is an illusion to think you are secure if one of these communities is not secured,” he told the Post.He mentioned east Jerusalem, a handful of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) neighborhoods and Bedouin cities and towns as potential hot spots, adding that Israel is failing to test its migrant workers.Singapore saw a rapid spread of coronavirus among migrant workers and was forced last week to quarantine 20,000 of them – people who were living in close and unhygienic quarters.“It caused a recurrence,” Barbash said, and questioned why the Health Ministry was not learning from the Asian country.To date, some 360,000 people have been screened for the novel coronavirus and 15,782 (4.4%) have tested positive. The ministry reported that it had conducted around 10,500 tests each day for the last two days, despite an ability to do 15,000 per day. The ministry defended the discrepancy, saying that people are not coming to get checked.Barbash said that the resources should be re-allocated rather than wasted.In Jerusalem, for example, a report by the municipality showed that there were 6,400 people screened between April 21 and 27, but only 1,100 (17%) in east Jerusalem. Arab Israelis make up 38% of Jerusalem’s population. So far, 150 residents of east Jerusalem have been diagnosed with the virus.Several Bedouin towns showed a sharp rise in cases in the last 72 hours: Hura, for example, showed 128% growth from 37 infected people to 66; Ararara in the Negev: zero to 17, 13% growth; Sakhnin in the north: seven to 17, 13%; and Tayibe in central Israel: nine to 47, 12%.Barbash said that he is “quite worried about the monitoring capability of the Health Ministry,” which decided to move molecular testing from Magen David Adom to the Health Funds on May 1. Although Barbash called the move “sensible,” he said that, “I would not dare to do something like that, to transfer the torch exactly when we are taking such a big step in the community and we need to continually follow up. This, in my mind, endangers the whole process.”The country was put on a 27-hour Independence Day lockdown. Police set up 43 checkpoints and patrolled the streets to ensure that the public adhered to Health Ministry guidelines. Police fined more than a thousand people for gathering illegally in public spaces, close to 150 for being in forbidden places and more than 120 who were not wearing masks.On Thursday, the restriction of doing sporting activity more than 500 meters from home is expected to be lifted, although there continues to be confusion around this point. People can leave their homes to shop, go to the hairdresser or even exercise, but there is still technically a prohibition against journeying more than 100 meters for any other reason. The Health Ministry is expected to discuss lifting travel restrictions entirely by the weekend.The government is already discussing the upcoming Lag B’Omer holiday and has announced it will limit the number of bonfires across the country, including on Mount Meron where tens of thousands of Jews traditionally flock each year to pay tribute to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai at his gravesite.The government decided that only three bonfires will be lit on Mount Meron: One each for Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews and one for the Religious-Zionist community.The government is also considering opening shopping malls under certain restrictions, including limiting the number of people per meter and requiring shoppers to download an application that will track their whereabouts so they can be informed if they come into contact with a sick person.Health and government officials will also finalize those decisions in the coming days.“We have to be very careful in the next 10 to 20 days to see what is going on and if there is a response to the steps we took,” Barbash told the Post, who said that the country has gone from “panic to complacency” and he thinks it needs to be somewhere in between.“We know we will have an increase in the number of patients,” Barbash said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--France surpasses 24,000 coronavirus deaths

According to the ministry , the number of confirmed cases now stands at 128,442 , up 1,607 over 24 hours .
The figure stood at 129,859 on Tuesday but was tweaked a day after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said that France would not end its coronavirus lockdown unless the number of new cases falls below 3,000 per day .
`` It 's a statistical readjustment linked to a change in the sampling '' , a ministry spokesman said .
The death toll has increased 1.8 % over 24 hours , versus 1.6 % on Tuesday and 1.9 % on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15,053 fatalities occurred in hospitals , a figure up 1.6 % , and 9,034 in nursing homes , up 2 % .
As Britain added nursing homes deaths to the tally from hospitals to give a total of 26,097 fatalities , it became the third-most affected country in the world behind the United States and Italy and ahead of Spain and France .
The number of people in French hospitals with the COVID-19 infection fell to 26,834 from 27,484 on Tuesday , recording a 2.4 % decline , its sharpest since a downward @ @ @ @ @ @

The number of people who have died from the coronavirus infection in France rose by 427 to 24,087 on Wednesday, with the rate of increase slightly speeding up again after slowing on Tuesday, the health ministry said in a statement.
According to the ministry, the number of confirmed cases now stands at 128,442, up 1,607 over 24 hours. The figure stood at 129,859 on Tuesday but was tweaked a day after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said that France would not end its coronavirus lockdown unless the number of new cases falls below 3,000 per day.
"It's a statistical readjustment linked to a change in the sampling", a ministry spokesman said.
The death toll has increased 1.8% over 24 hours, versus 1.6% on Tuesday and 1.9% on Monday. Out of the 24,087 total, 15,053 fatalities occurred in hospitals, a figure up 1.6%, and 9,034 in nursing homes, up 2%.
As Britain added nursing homes deaths to the tally from hospitals to give a total of 26,097 fatalities, it became the third-most affected country in the world behind the United States and Italy and ahead of Spain and France.
The number of people in French hospitals with the COVID-19 infection fell to 26,834 from 27,484 on Tuesday, recording a 2.4% decline, its sharpest since a downward trend began 15 days ago.
The number of people in intensive care fell 4.1% to 4,207, a figure almost half of the 7,148 on April 8 and down for the 21st consecutive day.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--WHO declines comment on remdesivir in COVID-19, hopes for best

GENEVA - A top World Health Organization official declined comment on Wednesday on reports that Gilead Science's remdesivir could help treat COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, but said that further data was needed."I wouldn't like to make any specific comment on that, because I haven't read those publications in detail," Dr Mike Ryan, head of the WHO's emergencies program, told an online briefing in response to a question, adding it can sometimes take a number of publications to determine a drug's efficacy."Clearly we have the randomized control trials that are underway both in the UK and US, the 'Solidarity trials' with WHO. Remdesivir is one of the drugs under observation in many of those trials. So I think a lot more data will come out," he said.Ryan added: "But we are hopeful this drug and others may prove to be helpful in treating COVID-19."


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Turkey's coronavirus death toll passes 3,000

The total number of cases rose by 2,936 to 117,589 , the data showed , the highest total outside Western @ @ @ @ @ .
A total of 44,022 people have so far recovered from the new coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
The number of tests carried out in the past 24 hours was 43,498 @ @ @ @ @ days .

The number of people who have died from COVID-19 in Turkey has risen by 89 in the last 24 hours to 3,081, Health Ministry data showed on Wednesday, continuing a downward trend.
The total number of cases rose by 2,936 to 117,589, the data showed, the highest total outside Western Europe or the United States.
A total of 44,022 people have so far recovered from the new coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease COVID-19. The number of tests carried out in the past 24 hours was 43,498, higher than in previous days.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said earlier that the number of cases in the country has peaked and was starting to decline, adding that he did not expect a second wave if measures against the outbreak were followed.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Pompeo: US will not allow Iran to buy arms after UN embargo ends

`` We ’ re not going to let that happen , '' Pompeo told reporters at a news briefing .
`` We will work with the UN Security Council to extend that prohibition on those arms sales and then in the event we ca n't get anyone else to act , the United States is evaluating every possibility about how we might do that . ''
The United States in 2018 withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal that sought to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for relief from economic sanctions .
As part of that deal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October .
A US-drafted resolution to extend the embargo has been given to Britain , France and Germany , all parties to the nuclear deal , a US official confirmed , but UN diplomats said it has not been shared with the remaining 11 UN Security Council members , including Russia and China .
Russia and China , which hold vetoes on the council and are parties to the nuclear deal , are believed to be eager to sell armaments to Iran .
`` The failures of the Iran nuclear deal are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon us ... where China , Russia , and other countries from around the world can all sell significant conventional weapon systems to the Iranians in October , Pompeo said .
`` We are urging our E3 partners to take action .
This is within their capacity to do , '' he added , referring to Britain , France and Germany , each of which has the ability to force the `` snapback '' of all UN sanctions on Iran - including the conventional arms embargo - lifted under the nuclear deal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled out of the nuclear deal , it may not be able to spark a sanctions snapback , but Pompeo on Wednesday pushed back on that argument .
`` The UN Security Council Resolution 2231 is very clear .
We do n't have to declare ourselves as a participant ...
It 's there in the language ...
It 's unambigious and the rights that accrue to participants in the UN Security Council resolution are fully available to all those participants , '' he said .
Some UN diplomats said that while legal opinions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this were split , ultimately it would be up to council members to decide whether to accept a U.S. complaint of `` significant non-performance '' by Iran .

The United States will not allow Iran to purchase conventional arms after a UN prohibition on this expires in October, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday.
"We’re not going to let that happen," Pompeo told reporters at a news briefing. "We will work with the UN Security Council to extend that prohibition on those arms sales and then in the event we can't get anyone else to act, the United States is evaluating every possibility about how we might do that."
The United States in 2018 withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal that sought to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. As part of that deal, a U.N. arms embargo on Iran expires in October.
A US-drafted resolution to extend the embargo has been given to Britain, France and Germany, all parties to the nuclear deal, a US official confirmed, but UN diplomats said it has not been shared with the remaining 11 UN Security Council members, including Russia and China. Russia and China, which hold vetoes on the council and are parties to the nuclear deal, are believed to be eager to sell armaments to Iran.
"The failures of the Iran nuclear deal are legion. One of them is now upon us... where China, Russia, and other countries from around the world can all sell significant conventional weapon systems to the Iranians in October, Pompeo said.
"We are urging our E3 partners to take action. This is within their capacity to do," he added, referring to Britain, France and Germany, each of which has the ability to force the "snapback" of all UN sanctions on Iran - including the conventional arms embargo - lifted under the nuclear deal.
Several European diplomats said since Washington has pulled out of the nuclear deal, it may not be able to spark a sanctions snapback, but Pompeo on Wednesday pushed back on that argument.
"The UN Security Council Resolution 2231 is very clear. We don't have to declare ourselves as a participant...It's there in the language...It's unambigious and the rights that accrue to participants in the UN Security Council resolution are fully available to all those participants," he said.
Some UN diplomats said that while legal opinions on whether the United States could do this were split, ultimately it would be up to council members to decide whether to accept a U.S. complaint of "significant non-performance" by Iran.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Palace with Austrian president's office evacuated after bomb threat

A police spokesman said the threat was made by email against the Hofburg , a sprawling palace complex that includes @ @ @ @ @ of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) , and temporarily @ @ @ @ @ 's lower house of parliament .
Police sealed off the area around Van der Bellen @ @ @ @ @ square that separates it from the office of the head of Austria 's government , @ @ @ @ @ `` The search was negative .
All closures can be lifted ! ''
the Vienna @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday evening .
Van der Bellen , a former leader of the left-wing Greens whose @ @ @ @ @ had been evacuated , a spokesman for his office confirmed , though he added that @ @ @ @ @ of the threat or its target .
It remains unclear who made the threat or @ @

Part of the former imperial palace in central Vienna housing Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen's office was evacuated on Wednesday after a bomb threat and the president was taken to safety, but police soon gave the all-clear.
A police spokesman said the threat was made by email against the Hofburg, a sprawling palace complex that includes reception rooms, the headquarters of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and temporarily the debating chamber of Austria's lower house of parliament.
Police sealed off the area around Van der Bellen's office, including a square that separates it from the office of the head of Austria's government, conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
"The search was negative. All closures can be lifted!" the Vienna police said on Twitter on Wednesday evening.
Van der Bellen, a former leader of the left-wing Greens whose role is largely ceremonial, had been evacuated, a spokesman for his office confirmed, though he added that he did not know details of the threat or its target.
It remains unclear who made the threat or why.
The part of the complex temporarily occupied by parliament while its main building nearby is being renovated was not evacuated, a parliament spokesman said. That area is at the opposite end of the palace.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Pompeo: US believes China's labs working on contagious pathogens

`` There are multiple labs that are continuing to conduct work , we think , on contagious pathogens inside of @ @ @ @ @ told a State Department news conference .
`` And we do n't know if they @ @ @ @ @ of security to prevent this ( coronavirus pandemic ) from happening again .
Remember this @ @ @ @ @ that we 've had a virus come out of China . ''

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said the United States believes there are many laboratories in China working on contagious pathogens, but does not know if the facilities have adequate security to prevent future pandemics.
"There are multiple labs that are continuing to conduct work, we think, on contagious pathogens inside of China today," Pompeo told a State Department news conference. "And we don't know if they are operating at a level of security to prevent this (coronavirus pandemic) from happening again. Remember this isn't the first time that we've had a virus come out of China."


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Guinea-Bissau prime minister and 3 ministers test positive for coronavirus

Nabiam , Interior Minister Botche Cande and two other ministers were diagnosed on Tuesday and have been quarantined at a @ @ @ @ @ , Health Minister Antonio Deuna told journalists .
He did not provide details of the @ @ @ @ @ , but warned the country 's rate of infection could rise .
The West African @ @ @ @ @ more than 70 cases and one death - a senior police commissioner .

Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam has tested positive for the novel coronavirus alongside three members of his cabinet, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
Nabiam, Interior Minister Botche Cande and two other ministers were diagnosed on Tuesday and have been quarantined at a hotel in the capital Bissau, Health Minister Antonio Deuna told journalists.
He did not provide details of the officials' condition or treatment, but warned the country's rate of infection could rise.
The West African nation has so far confirmed more than 70 cases and one death - a senior police commissioner.
Nabiam came third in last year's presidential election and was selected by the eventual winner, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, to be prime minister in late February.


jerusalempost--2020-04-29--Sweden's confirmed coronavirus cases surpass 20,000

Statistics compiled and reported daily by Sweden 's Public Health Agency showed 681 new cases of the disease caused by @ @ @ @ @ in China late last year , bringing the accumulated number to 20,302 .

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sweden rose past the 20,000 mark on Wednesday as the Nordic country reported 107 new deaths to put the tally at 2,462 since the outbreak began.
Statistics compiled and reported daily by Sweden's Public Health Agency showed 681 new cases of the disease caused by the new coronavirus that emerged in China late last year, bringing the accumulated number to 20,302.
Sweden has taken a less strict approach to curbing the the spread of the disease than most European countries, allowing most schools and businesses to remain open even as its mortality rate in the pandemic has run higher than those of its Nordic neighbors.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Likud, Blue and White government passes first hearing at Knesset

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The bill enabling the formation of the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White's Benny Gantz passed by a vote of 72 to 40 in its first reading in the Knesset plenum on Thursday. Netanyahu , who missed a preliminary reading of the bill last week, came to the vote wearing a mask.The vote is meant to allow the changes to the Basic Law that were set by the coalition agreement. In order for the rotation government to move forward, the bill will have to pass through a special committee and its final readings, which are expected to take place next Thursday.Members of the new coalition said quickly passing the changes and endorsing the new government was critical to exit the current crises. The government has been in a more than 17-month-long stalemate and the country is still surfacing from the crisis caused by the coronavirus Opposition MKs slammed the deal as constitutionally problematic and putting cushy ministerial jobs over the public good."For a month, Netanyahu has been negotiating, and there is no word about the coronavirus in the coalition deal," Yesh Atid-Telem leader Yair Lapid said in the plenum. "The Israeli economy is coming apart, and he is busy with who will get which portfolio, who will appoint judges and who will be in charge of the state prosecutors, and small businesses will get nothing but unending bureaucracy."Lapid hinted that his party could file a new petition to the High Court of Justice against the formation of the government due to the speed in which Likud and Blue and White are trying to pass a Basic Law. Former justice minister Ayelet Shaked, whose Yamina Party boycotted the vote due to a dispute with Netanyahu, also said the Basic Law was being passed too quickly to be legal.Some 200 activists from the left-wing Black Flag movement protested outside the Knesset during the vote while practicing social distancing. They later protested near the Supreme Court."The bullying demonstrations of the extreme Left wearing black shirts and battle cries are similar to the protests of the Fascists," the Likud said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--A-G green lights Benjamin Netanyahu to form gov’t despite indictment

Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit on Thursday green lighted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government despite significant misgivings regarding the bribery indictment pending against him .
A maximum expanded 11-panel bench of the High Court of Justice led by Chief Justice Esther Hayut will make the final decision next week following hearings on Sunday and Monday on that issue and on controversial changes to the Basic Laws that are part of the Likud-Blue and White coalition deal .
Mandelblit also said that despite major legal problems with other controversial aspects of the Likud-Blue and White coalition deal , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form and probe specifics afterwards if concrete problems present themselves .
The bottom-line is that Mandelblit has plowed the way forward for Likud and Blue and White to form the next government with Netanyahu as prime minister and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz as vice-prime minister , stamping out opposition from Yesh Atid and other opposition officials ( all while holding his nose at the whole thing ) .
Mandelblit 's opinion to the High Court comes after Blue and White called on the High Court to let Netanyahu remain as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to avoid unprecedented fourth elections.Mandelblit also said that despite major legal problems with other controversial aspects of the Likud-Blue and White coalition deal , the High Court should let the new government form and probe specifics afterwards if concrete problems present themselves .
The bottom-line is that Mandelblit has plowed the way forward for Likud and Blue and White to form the next government with Netanyahu as prime minister and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz as vice-prime minister , stamping out opposition from Yesh Atid and other opposition officials ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole thing ) .
Both Mandelblit and the High Court have already rejected several petitions seeking to fire Netanyahu on a variety of grounds dating back to the indictment being issued on November 21 , 2019 .
Some of the several petitioning good government groups have been slightly more hopeful of winning over the court this time because this is the last crunch moment where the High Court can weigh in .
But Mandelblit 's siding with Netanyahu , even as he issued the indictment , is a heavy blow to their efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had rejected most petitions as premature based on the idea that it was unknown whether Netanyahu would be tasked to form the next government .
With the deal between Netanyahu and Gantz , that issue moved from theoretical to imminent .
However , during one of the petitions , Mandelblit and the High Court did delve into aspects of the merits and gave strong hints that they would voice disapproval of Netanyahu for failing to step down voluntarily , while throwing up their hands that current Knesset law does not require forcing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netanyahu is convicted in his trial that is due to start on May 24 , the process could easily run between one to three years , depending on how quickly the Jerusalem District Court presses the case .
One other difference from prior petitions is that this time the Yesh Atid-Telem party petitioned against the coalition deal , including against the multiple changes the deal requires to the Basic Laws and the enormous number of ministries that will be created .
It is possible that Mandelblit and the High Court will allow Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more specific provisions of the Netanyahu-Gantz deal .
Still , had Mandelblit or the High Court wanted to take Netanyahu out of the political arena , their strongest chance of doing that would have been prior to the March 2 election when the Likud could have picked a new candidate .
Based on prior comments of Mandelblit ’ s office and the justices about their sensitivity to the public will during elections , it has been much less likely that either of them will seek to disqualify Netanyahu now that he also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fourth election .

Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit on Thursday green lighted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government despite significant misgivings regarding the bribery indictment pending against him.Mandelblit also said that despite major legal problems with other controversial aspects of the Likud-Blue and White coalition deal, the High Court of Justice should let the new government form and probe specifics only later and if concrete problems present themselves.A maximum expanded 11 panel bench of the High Court led by Chief Justice Esther Hayut will make the final decision next week following live televised hearings on Sunday and Monday on that issue and on controversial changes to the Basic Laws which are part of the Likud-Blue and White coalition deal.The bottom-line is that Mandelblit has plowed the way forward for Likud-Blue and White to form the next government with Netanyahu as prime minister and Gantz as vice-prime minister.Effectively, he is stamping out opposition from Yesh Atid and other opposition factions, even as numerous comments in his legal brief made it clear that he was holding his nose about large aspects of the coalition deal.Mandelblit's opinion to the High Court comes after Blue and White itself called on the High Court earlier this week to let Netanyahu remain as prime minister due to the coronavirus crisis and to avoid unprecedented fourth elections.Likewise, President Reuven Rivlin requested that the High Court reject the petitions against Netanyahu and the coalition deal and not try to drag his office into the issue since Netanyahu has the support of the majority of the Knesset.Netanyahu told Likud ministers and MKs that the High Court intervening and preventing him from forming a government was "delusional, unimaginable and would lead to additional elections." Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar accused the Court of being "drunk with power."Likud faction chairman Miki Zohar went further, saying that "if the High Court decides to overrule the 78 MKs, representing some 3 million people, who want Netanyahu to lead a unity government, it would result in a race that the Likud will win by a landslide and give the party a majority to pass the Supreme Court override bill."Yesh Atid-Telem leader Yair Lapid responded that "the bullying and the dark, criminal threats of the ruling party against the High Court are intolerable.""Every day, a new red line is crossed, worse than the day before," he said.Both Mandelblit and the High Court have already rejected several petitions seeking to fire Netanyahu on a variety of grounds dating back to the indictment being issued on November 21, 2019.Some of the several petitioning good government groups have been slightly more hopeful of winning over the court this time because this is the last crunch moment where the High Court can weigh in.But Mandelblit's siding with Netanyahu, even as he was the who issued the indictment, is a heavy blow to their efforts.Essentially, the attorney-general said that even though the law only addresses a sitting prime minister and not a transitional prime minister seeking to form a new government, the same provisions which apply to a sitting prime minister should be the lens with which an aspiring prime minister with an absolute majority of Knesset recommendations should be viewed.Despite over 25 years of High Court precedent forcing ministers to resign upon indictment, Mandelblit said that the prime minister is qualitatively different than other ministers because toppling or blocking a candidate for prime minister throws off the entire process of government formation.Along the same lines, Mandelblit said it was critical to respect the will of voters in the last election and the Knesset members they elected who form an absolute majority requesting Netanyahu.He said this is certainly true in lieu of an explicit Knesset law blocking Netanyahu from being prime minister – and there is no such explicit law.The attorney-general recognized there is a problem with letting Netanyahu be in the position of appointing key rule of law figures at a time when he is in the crosshairs of the judicial branch and has publicly attacked top law enforcement officials.Mandelblit even said it was possible that the court might be able to disqualify a future prime minister based only on an indictment, but advocated not doing so in the current unique circumstances.Crucially, to the extent that Mandelblit struggled with the negative rule of law impact of letting an indicted defendant serve as prime minister, he seemed to be swayed to stepping out of the way due to the dual crises of the coronavirus and unprecedented 18 months of political stagnation through three elections.Regarding changes to the Basic Laws, Mandelblit said that after the government is established, portions of the deal may need to be amended which conflict with Israel’s democratic structure.The attorney-general voiced concern that the deal restricts the Knesset’s powers for six months to consider issues beyond the corona crisis.He also showed distaste for provisions which weakened the role of the opposition in the Knesset, such as removing them from certain committee positions as well as from the Judicial Selection Committee.Mandelblit also objected to dividing the government into two blocs and to a deal to appoint Osnat Mark to the Judicial Selection Committee even though she will only become a member of the Knesset after various Likud ministers resign their positions.But Mandelblit was ready to let these issues be dealt with at a later date so as not to undermine the deal as a whole and risk sending the country to Fourth Elections.Until now, the High Court had rejected most petitions against Netanyahu as premature based on the idea that it was unknown whether Netanyahu would be tasked to form the next government.With the deal between Netanyahu and Gantz, that issue moved from theoretical to imminent.However, during one of the petitions, Mandelblit and the High Court did delve into aspects of the merits and gave strong hints that they would voice disapproval of Netanyahu for failing to step down voluntarily, while throwing up their hands that current Knesset law does not require forcing him out prior to conviction and exhausting all appeals.Still, had Mandelblit or the High Court wanted to take Netanyahu out of the political arena, their strongest chance at doing that would have been prior to the March 2 election when the Likud could have picked a new candidate.Based on prior comments of Mandelblit’s office and the justices about their sensitivity to the public will during elections, it has been much less likely that either of them will seek to disqualify Netanyahu now that he also has Gantz’s support to avoid a fourth election.This is essentially the position Mandelblit has taken.Even if Netanyahu is convicted in his trial due to start on May 24, the process could easily run between one to three years, depending on how quickly the Jerusalem District Court presses the case.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Iran death toll from coronavirus rises by 71 to 6,028

The death toll from the outbreak of the new coronavirus increased by 71 in the past 24 to 6,028, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Thursday.The total number of diagnosed cases of the new coronavirus in Iran, one of the Middle Eastern countries hardest hit by the outbreak, has reached 94,640, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--United Arab Emirates renew political support for Libya's Haftar

The UAE statement did not comment directly on Haftar 's declaration on Monday that his army would take power , @ @ @ @ @ agreement that has been the basis for all international peacemaking efforts .
The UAE `` @ @ @ @ @ for conducting anti-terror operations , '' a statement by the Emirati Foreign Ministry said , @ @ @ @ @ of the Turkish military intervention '' in support of the rival , Tripoli-based Government of @ @ @

The United Arab Emirates called on Thursday on all Libyan parties to commit to the U.N.-supervised political process to end the war, while at the same time saluting the eastern Libya based-army led by general Khalifa Haftar.
The UAE statement did not comment directly on Haftar's declaration on Monday that his army would take power, ripping up a 2015 political agreement that has been the basis for all international peacemaking efforts.
The UAE "commends the Libyan National Army for conducting anti-terror operations," a statement by the Emirati Foreign Ministry said, expressing "its categorical rejection of the Turkish military intervention" in support of the rival, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord.
The statement expressed the UAE's support for a political solution based on the Berlin conference, calling on "all parties to commit to the political process under the supervision of the United Nations."


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Italy PM says to ease coronavirus lockdown on basis of local conditions

In a speech to parliament , Conte said a new stimulus package to support the economy , due to be @ @ @ @ @ , would include 15 billion euros ( $ 16.3 billion ) for companies and 25 @ @ @ @ @ and the self-employed .
The lockdown imposed on March 9 will be gradually rolled back @ @ @ @ @ with local authorities `` taking account of the regions where the epidemiological situation is less @ @ @ @ @ the lower house of parliament .

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Thursday he would gradually relax the country's coronavirus lockdown taking into account differences in contagion levels in different parts of the country.
In a speech to parliament, Conte said a new stimulus package to support the economy, due to be presented in a few days, would include 15 billion euros ($16.3 billion) for companies and 25 billion directly for payroll workers and the self-employed.
The lockdown imposed on March 9 will be gradually rolled back from May 4 and agreed with local authorities "taking account of the regions where the epidemiological situation is less severe," Conte told the lower house of parliament.
However, the prime minister warned regions not to ease restrictions unilaterally, without consultations.