jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Top Pentagon official Kathryn Wheelbarger resigns

WASHINGTON - Kathryn Wheelbarger, one of the Pentagon's most prominent and respected policy officials, is resigning after three years in the job at a time when critics have accused President Donald Trump of prioritizing perceived "loyalists" for top national security posts, sources told Reuters on Thursday.Wheelbarger, who is highly regarded by national security experts in Trump's Republican Party and among Democrats, did not explain the reasoning for her departure in a copy of her resignation letter obtained by Reuters.She had been named by the White House on February 13 to a senior intelligence position but in a surprise move last week, the White House instead announced plans to nominate Bradley Hansell https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-appoint-individuals-key-administration-posts-42, a former special assistant to Trump, to become deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence.Both current and former US officials accused the White House of passing over Wheelbarger because of her past work with the late Republican Senator John McCain, a fierce Trump critic and former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.Wheelbarger handled the committee's intelligence portfolio and was well regarded by Congress."It looks like she failed the loyalty test somehow," said one former US official, speaking on condition of anonymity.A congressional source said it was disappointing that the Trump administration didn't recognize "one of its greatest assets.""She was one of the few really thoughtful, compelling voices that people really seemed to respond to," the congressional source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.In her letter, Wheelbarger said she trusted her colleagues would "continue to be guided by the U.S. Constitution and the principles of our founding, which ensure both our security and our freedom." The letter said her resignation would be effective from July 4.Invoking the constitution has become a refrain increasingly used by Pentagon leaders as former top brass voice concerns about Trump's politicization of America's military, which is meant to be apolitical.Her departure will come as Trump attempts to overcome stiff Senate opposition among Democrats to his nomination of retired Army General Anthony Tata, a strong defender of Trump on Fox News, to the Pentagon's most senior policy position.Tata has misportrayed former President Barack Obama as a Muslim and falsely accused him of being a "terrorist leader" working to benefit Iran, according to now-deleted Twitter posts seen by Reuters.Democrats, including Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the chamber's Armed Services Committee, have signaled they would oppose Tata's nomination.Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is also on the committee, called Tata "by far Trump's most unqualified & ill-suited senior defense nominee – a high bar.""An Islamophobic conspiracy theorist who called President Obama a 'terrorist leader' should not be #3 at the Pentagon," Warren said in a statement.It's unclear if Hansell's nomination will face such resistance.One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned Hansell's qualifications and said Wheelbarger appeared far more experienced for a Pentagon leadership post.Hansell, a retired Army special forces officer, had worked as senior director for transnational threats on Trump's National Security Council staff. He is currently at the Boston Consulting Group.Less than a month ago, the US Senate confirmed Representative John Ratcliffe, a staunch Trump political ally, as director of national intelligence. Ratcliffe has far less intelligence experience than any previous director of National Intelligence.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Education Minister Gallant: We won't let individuals bring about anarchy

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Education Minister Yoav Galant tweeted on Thursday that “the state of Israel and the education system face unusual days and we are all asked to get under the stretcher and do our part,” likely referring to the Teachers Union's refusal to instruct its members to teach for an extra nine days beyond the official end of the school year.Gallant added that “we won’t allow individuals to bring about anarchy in the country over petty personal ambition.”The year was disrupted because of the coronavirus pandemic, but teachers taught online during some of those weeks.The union voiced its objection to Galant’s efforts to compel teachers to teach on additional days with no extra pay and warned teachers would decline to teach unless they were paid.When saying that everyone needs to "get under the stretcher," Galant refers to a common IDF exercise in which troops carry each other on stretchers for long periods of time.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Pentagon official: North Korea still an 'extraordinary' threat to region

`` As we 've been starkly reminded in recent days , North Korea continues to present an extraordinary threat to the region and which demands our continued vigilance , '' David Helvey , the acting assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs , told reporters .
Helvey said that it was difficult to tell what North Korea would do in the coming days and weeks .
North Korea on Tuesday blew up a joint liaison office set up in a border town in 2018 to foster better ties with South Korea after threatening action if defectors continued with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reclusive North .
Destruction of the building , closed since January due to coronavirus fears , represented a major setback to South Korean President Moon Jae-in 's efforts to coax North Korea into cooperation .
It also appeared to be a further blow to US President Donald Trump 's hopes of persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and open up to the world .
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 's sister , Kim Yo Jong , on Wednesday criticized Moon for failing to implement a 2018 peace accord , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the noose of pro-US flunkeyism . ''

North Korea's activities in recent days have shown that Pyongyang continues to pose an "extraordinary" threat to the Asia-Pacific region, a senior Pentagon official said on Thursday.
"As we've been starkly reminded in recent days, North Korea continues to present an extraordinary threat to the region and which demands our continued vigilance," David Helvey, the acting assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, told reporters.
Helvey said that it was difficult to tell what North Korea would do in the coming days and weeks.
North Korea on Tuesday blew up a joint liaison office set up in a border town in 2018 to foster better ties with South Korea after threatening action if defectors continued with a campaign of sending propaganda leaflets into the reclusive North.
Destruction of the building, closed since January due to coronavirus fears, represented a major setback to South Korean President Moon Jae-in's efforts to coax North Korea into cooperation. It also appeared to be a further blow to US President Donald Trump's hopes of persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and open up to the world.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, on Wednesday criticized Moon for failing to implement a 2018 peace accord, saying Moon "put his neck into the noose of pro-US flunkeyism."
North Korea last week warned Washington to refrain from commenting on inter-Korean affairs if it wanted the Nov. 3 US presidential election to go smoothly, raising concerns it could be contemplating a return to nuclear and long-range missile testing.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Polish, US presidents to discuss cooperation over nuclear energy

The visit , unexpectedly announced by the White House on Wednesday , takes place four days before Poland 's presidential election on June 28 .
Duda , an ally of Poland 's ruling nationalist Law and Justice ( PiS ) party , has been leading in opinion polls , although some surveys show he may not win the second round of the vote .
`` We will definitely talk about cooperation between Polish companies and Polish authorities , and companies and authorities from the United States over conventional nuclear energy and its use , '' Duda told a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from coal , but aims to replace it with gas and nuclear energy in response to European Union calls to cut emissions .
Warsaw has held talks with Washington on joint nuclear project for years , but no details have been agreed .
Duda said that issues including defence and the presence of U.S. troops in Poland would also be on the agenda .
Last June , Trump agreed to send 1,000 more troops to Poland .
Reuters reported last week that the project was crumbling amid disputes over funding and where to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied by some members of Poland 's government and by the U.S. ambassador to Poland , Georgette Mosbacher .
Trump said on Monday that the United States would reduce its troops in Germany by 9,500 to 25,000 .
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said he hopes some of them will be moved to Poland .
Duda will be the first foreign leader to visit the White House since the start of the coronavirus pandemic .

Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Thursday that he would discuss cooperation with the United States on nuclear energy in talks with President Donald Trump in Washington next week.
The visit, unexpectedly announced by the White House on Wednesday, takes place four days before Poland's presidential election on June 28.
Duda, an ally of Poland's ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, has been leading in opinion polls, although some surveys show he may not win the second round of the vote.
"We will definitely talk about cooperation between Polish companies and Polish authorities, and companies and authorities from the United States over conventional nuclear energy and its use," Duda told a news conference.
Poland generates most of its electricity from coal, but aims to replace it with gas and nuclear energy in response to European Union calls to cut emissions. Warsaw has held talks with Washington on joint nuclear project for years, but no details have been agreed.
Duda said that issues including defence and the presence of U.S. troops in Poland would also be on the agenda.
Last June, Trump agreed to send 1,000 more troops to Poland. Reuters reported last week that the project was crumbling amid disputes over funding and where to garrison the troops. The report was denied by some members of Poland's government and by the U.S. ambassador to Poland, Georgette Mosbacher.
Trump said on Monday that the United States would reduce its troops in Germany by 9,500 to 25,000. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said he hopes some of them will be moved to Poland.
Duda will be the first foreign leader to visit the White House since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
"I treat it as a very important sign for Poland," Duda said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Russia lifts ban on Telegram messaging app after failing to block it

Some Russian media cast the move as a capitulation , but communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said it had acted because the app 's Russian founder , Pavel Durov , was prepared to cooperate in combating terrorism and extremism on the platform .
`` Roskomnadzor is dropping its demands to restrict access to Telegram messenger in agreement with Russia 's general prosecutor 's office , '' it said in a statement .
Durov has been at odds with Russia 's authorities over user privacy issues , with Roskomnadzor demanding that Telegram hand over certain information for it to be included on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to ban the app in April 2018 , but despite blocking IP addresses , it was unable to carry out its threat , with Telegram continuing to thrive in Russia , where it is a leading service for news channels .
Despite the ban on using the app , government departments such as the Russian Foreign Ministry and national coronavirus task-force have official channels on Telegram .
The Kremlin took note of Roskomnadzor 's decision and the reasoning for it , the TASS news agency reported , citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov @

Russia on Thursday lifted a ban on the Telegram messaging app that had failed to stop the widely-used programme operating despite being in force for more than two years.
Some Russian media cast the move as a capitulation, but communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said it had acted because the app's Russian founder, Pavel Durov, was prepared to cooperate in combating terrorism and extremism on the platform.
"Roskomnadzor is dropping its demands to restrict access to Telegram messenger in agreement with Russia's general prosecutor's office," it said in a statement.
Durov has been at odds with Russia's authorities over user privacy issues, with Roskomnadzor demanding that Telegram hand over certain information for it to be included on a government list of information distributors.
Roskomnadzor moved to ban the app in April 2018, but despite blocking IP addresses, it was unable to carry out its threat, with Telegram continuing to thrive in Russia, where it is a leading service for news channels.
Despite the ban on using the app, government departments such as the Russian Foreign Ministry and national coronavirus task-force have official channels on Telegram.
The Kremlin took note of Roskomnadzor's decision and the reasoning for it, the TASS news agency reported, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
There was no immediate reaction from Telegram or Durov.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Massive fire on Highway 90 north of Jordan Valley

A massive fire erupted north of the Jordan Valley near Highway 90 on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters from the Samaria Fire Department are working to contain the flames at the time of this writing.Due to strong winds, the fire "skips" from field to field along the highway.Police are on location redirecting traffic and back up was sent from the fire departments servicing northern Israel.Highway 90 is the longest road in the country from north to south.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--175 IDF soldiers in home quarantine after 7 diagnosed with COVID-19

Some 175 IDF soldiers were ordered to return to their homes and remain in quarantine after seven IDF soldiers they came in contact with were diagnosed as COVID-19 carriers, Army Radio reporter Tsahi Dabush tweeted on Thursday.The country is gearing up to what some health experts predict will be a second wave of the novel coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--India to join June 23 trilateral meeting with Russia, China

India 's foreign minister , Subrahmanyam Jaishankar , will join the June 23 meeting , which will be held virtually @ @ @ @ @ told reporters in New Delhi .

India will take part in a trilateral meeting with Russia and China next week, India's foreign ministry said on Thursday, days after Indian and Chinese troops clashed on a remote Himalayan border, leaving at least 20 people dead.
India's foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, will join the June 23 meeting, which will be held virtually, ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava told reporters in New Delhi.
India and China have each blamed the other for the border clash, the deadliest in several decades, which came even as both sides were attempting to resolve their weeks-long standoff in the Ladakh region.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Pakistani court convicts three men in politician's murder in London

Imran Farooq , 50 , was a founding member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement ( MQM ) but had moved to London and had not been active in the party for about two years .
He was on his way home from work in north London when he was attacked .
The three accused were members of the party .
Their motives were unclear .
Besides their life sentences , the three were each fined 1 million Pakistani rupees ( $ 6,050 ) , the prosecutor , Khawaja Mohammad Imtiaz , told reporters .
Britain gave Pakistan legal assistance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the trial , according Toby Cadman , counsel to a Pakistani government barrister , Toby Cadman .
Imtiaz said it was first trial of its kind in Pakistan .
`` There are hardly any examples in the world that an offence is committed in one country and the trial is conducted in another , '' he said .
Farooq 's death marked the start of cracks in the leadership of the MQM .
The ethnic party , which held sway for decades in Pakistan 's commercial capital , Karachi , later split @ @ @ @

A Pakistani court on Thursday sentenced three men to life in prison for their part in the assassination of a Pakistani political leader who was stabbed to death in London in 2010, a government prosecutor said.
Imran Farooq, 50, was a founding member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) but had moved to London and had not been active in the party for about two years. He was on his way home from work in north London when he was attacked.
The three accused were members of the party. Their motives were unclear.
Besides their life sentences, the three were each fined 1 million Pakistani rupees ($6,050), the prosecutor, Khawaja Mohammad Imtiaz, told reporters.
Britain gave Pakistan legal assistance, sharing evidence and having its officers testify at the trial, according Toby Cadman, counsel to a Pakistani government barrister, Toby Cadman.
Imtiaz said it was first trial of its kind in Pakistan. "There are hardly any examples in the world that an offence is committed in one country and the trial is conducted in another," he said.
Farooq's death marked the start of cracks in the leadership of the MQM. The ethnic party, which held sway for decades in Pakistan's commercial capital, Karachi, later split into several factions.
The party represents Urdu-speaking migrants from India who settled in Pakistan after the partition of the subcontinent at the end of British rule in 1947. ($1 = 165.3000 Pakistani rupees)


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--British, Australian PMs call to investigate COVID-19 outbreak origins

`` The leaders discussed the coronavirus pandemic and agreed on the need for an independent investigation through the World Health @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak , '' a spokeswoman for Johnson 's office said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ closely on this issue in the weeks and months ahead . ''

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed the need for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak with his Australian counterpart, Downing Street said on Thursday.
"The leaders discussed the coronavirus pandemic and agreed on the need for an independent investigation through the World Health Organization into the origins of the outbreak," a spokeswoman for Johnson's office said in a statement.
"They committed to coordinate closely on this issue in the weeks and months ahead."


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Health Ministry announces increase in epidemiological investigators

The Health Ministry has announced an increase of man power for performing epidemiological investigations on Friday , set to go into effect immediately .
The announcement comes after the a Health Ministry document had previously revealed a major lack in man power .
A budget has been set up by the Health Ministry allowing the hiring of 300 new people with the aim of helping current nurses , who up until now have been understaffed .
The increase in man power will also aid in speeding up current epidemiological investigations .
`` The public health system has constantly undergone a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severely impairs the State 's ability to protect citizens both from the coronavirus , and other diseases , '' they added .
`` This is a necessary step to temporarily fill the severe shortage in manpower operating the epidemiological investigations we have been warning about for months , '' said the Association for Public Health Doctors said in response to Edelstein 's announcement .
`` The public health system has constantly undergone a severe shortage of man power , which severely impairs the State 's ability to protect citizens both from the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
`` A quick separation in the chain of infection is important with dealing the rise in morbidity .
We will therefore allocate every resource needed to do so , '' said Health Minister Yuli Edelstien , under who 's guidance the Health Ministry made the decision .
Prior the announcement a document revealed by the Health Ministry revealed a lack of 170 nurses to conduct the epidemiological investigations into coronavirus cases , Israel Hayom reported on Thursday .
Currently , there are only 27 nurses from the Health Ministry conducting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the country .
Epidemiological investigations are the forefront of keeping the total number of cases in the country low .
In government-proposed exit strategies the need for epidemiological investigation , testing , and getting people into quarantine has been highlighted time and time again , yet the number of people conducting those investigations has not been enough.Currently , there are only 27 nurses from the Health Ministry conducting the investigations , stationed in seven offices positioned throughout the country .
The current man power capacity can only run a total of 1,231 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 175 investigations a day , according to the document .
The nurses running those investigations are working overtime , including nights , holidays and weekends .
The average time it takes to finish an investigation is one and a quarter days , according to Head of Public Health Services , Prof. Sigal Sadetsky who spoke about the man power challenge during a Knesset discussion earlier this week .
`` In terms of manpower , our nurses are worn out .
We 're five months into this war , this is where I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
At the time the responded that nurses from private companies were hired , but that it is not a final solution .
The current man power capacity can only run a total of 1,231 investigations done a week , an average of 175 investigations a day , according to the document .
The nurses running those investigations are working overtime , including nights , holidays and weekends.The average time it takes to finish an investigation is one and a quarter days , according to Head of Public Health Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man power challenge during a Knesset discussion earlier this week .
`` In terms of manpower , our nurses are worn out .
We 're five months into this war , this is where I demand help from the Finance Ministry , '' he said .
At the time the responded that nurses from private companies were hired , but that it is not a final solution .
In the Jerusalem regional office about 90 positions need to be filled .
Meanwhile , in the Tel Aviv regional office , which happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Bnei Brak , where one of the country 's most condensed break out took place , there 's a need for 83 positions to be filled .
`` Spots in the Health Ministry have not been updated in years .
For a long time there 's been a shortage of public health nurses and medical professionals .
It 's never too late to add manpower , and to fill the gaps , '' said an official involved in running the investigations .
`` More efficiency in the investigation system will reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will ultimately have an effect on the economy and routine of life , '' he added .

Prior to the announcement, a document revealed by the Health Ministry showed a lack of 170 nurses to conduct the epidemiological investigations into coronavirus cases, Israel Hayom reported on Thursday. Currently, there are only 27 nurses from the Health Ministry conducting the investigations, stationed in seven offices throughout the country. Prior to the announcement, a document revealed by the Health Ministry showed a lack of 170 nurses to conduct the epidemiological investigations into coronavirus cases, Israel Hayom reported on Thursday.Currently, there are only 27 nurses from the Health Ministry conducting the investigations, stationed in seven offices throughout the country.
Current personnel can only run a total of 1,231 investigations per week – an average of 175 investigations a day, according to the document. The nurses doing those investigations are working overtime, including nights, holidays and weekends. The average time it takes to finish an investigation is one and a quarter days, according to Head of Public Health Services, Prof. Sigal Sadetsky, who spoke about the manpower challenge during a Knesset discussion earlier this week. "In terms of manpower, our nurses are worn out. We're five months into this war – this is where I demand help from the Finance Ministry," he said. At the time, the Knesset responded that nurses from private companies were hired, but that it is not a complete solution. Current personnel can only run a total of 1,231 investigations per week – an average of 175 investigations a day, according to the document. The nurses doing those investigations are working overtime, including nights, holidays and weekends.The average time it takes to finish an investigation is one and a quarter days, according to Head of Public Health Services, Prof. Sigal Sadetsky, who spoke about the manpower challenge during a Knesset discussion earlier this week."In terms of manpower, our nurses are worn out. We're five months into this war – this is where I demand help from the Finance Ministry," he said. At the time, the Knesset responded that nurses from private companies were hired, but that it is not a complete solution.
In the Jerusalem regional office, about 90 positions need to be filled. Meanwhile, in the Tel Aviv regional office – which is in charge of the city of Bnei Brak, where one of the country's most condensed outbreaks took place, there are 83 positions to be filled.
"Spots in the Health Ministry have not been updated in years. For a long time there's been a shortage of public health nurses and medical professionals. It's never too late to add manpower, and to fill the gaps," said an official involved in running the investigations.
"More efficiency in the investigation system will reduce the number of cases that we have, which will ultimately have an effect on the economy and the routine of life," he added.
The Health Ministry has announced an increase of manpower for performing epidemiological investigations on Friday, set to go into effect immediately. The announcement comes after a Health Ministry document had previously revealed a major lack in manpower.Epidemiological investigations are at the forefront of keeping the total number of cases in the country low. In government-proposed exit strategies the need for epidemiological investigation, testing, and getting people into quarantine has been highlighted time and time again, yet the number of people conducting those investigations has not been enough.This led to a Friday's announcement stating that a budget has been set up by the Health Ministry allowing the hiring of 300 more people with the aim of helping current nurses, who up until now have been overworked. The increase in manpower will also aid in speeding up current epidemiological investigations."A quick separation in the chain of infection is important for dealing with the rise in morbidity. We will therefore allocate every resource needed to do so," said Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, under whose guidance the Health Ministry made the decision."This is a necessary step to temporarily fill the severe shortage in manpower operating the epidemiological investigations we have been warning about for months," said the Association for Public Health Doctors in response to Edelstein's announcement."The public health system has constantly undergone a severe shortage of manpower, which severely impairs the state's ability to protect citizens both from the coronavirus and other diseases," they added.Sarit Cooperman, one of the nurses running the investigations, wrote in a testimony that she published: "We work long nights, including on Shabbat. We are giving up on our personal lives in order to let the public live safely. If there's a second wave, the system will crash."


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Police file indictment against suspect who attacked Yehuda Glick

Israel Police filed an indictment towards the suspect who attacked former MK Yehuda Glick while he was in the area of Wadi al-Joz on June 4.In addition, they filed a request to detain the suspect until the end of official proceedings.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Palestinian Health Minister announces second coronavirus outbreak wave

The Palestinian Health Minister has announced the beginning of the second wave following a rise of 100 coronavirus cases in @ @ @ @ @ reports Ynet .
The city with the most condensed outbreak is currently Hebron .
However @ @ @ @ @ wary of the outbreak in Ramallah as many medical staff has contracted the virus making @ @ @ @ @ .

The Palestinian Health Minister has announced the beginning of the second wave following a rise of 100 coronavirus cases in the last three days, reports Ynet.
The city with the most condensed outbreak is currently Hebron. However, the Palestinian Authority is wary of the outbreak in Ramallah as many medical staff has contracted the virus making it hard to follow numbers.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--UN nuclear watchdog resolution pressures Iran over suspected sites

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s ( IAEA ) Board of Governors passed a resolution on Friday calling on Iran to grant access to two suspected former nuclear sites and answer questions about possible undeclared nuclear material.The resolution – submitted by France, Germany and the United Kingdom – was adopted by a vote of 25 to 2 with 7 abstentions. Crucially, the two countries voting against the resolution were Russia and China.The resolution could pressure Iran to let inspectors into the two sites mentioned in the IAEA’s March and early June reports and to clarify the origin of undeclared nuclear material which IAEA inspectors found at another site.A statement from the IAEA said, “The resolution stressed the importance of states complying fully with their safeguards obligations and facilitating access as required when notified by the IAEA.”Iran’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Kazem Gharib Abadi responded that Tehran completely rejects the resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors.“Iran fully rejects this resolution and will respond appropriately,” ISNA news agency quotes him as saying. Gharib Abadi added, “those who made this decision will bear responsibility for its consequences.”According to the envoy, the resolution was adopted “based on false and unfounded accusations.”“This is a completely unconstructive and political move that pushes us towards an unnecessary crisis of cooperation [between Tehran and IAEA],” the Iranian envoy said.Russian Ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov tweeted: “The IAEA BG adopted resolution calling upon Iran to provide access to 2 locations specified by [the] Agency. Russia and China voted against. While stressing the need for Tehran and IAEA to settle this problem without delay, we believe that the resolution can be counter productive.”Prior to the vote, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had said the Islamic Republic could find “an agreeable” compromise with the IAEA on the issue if the board tabled the resolution.However, it appeared that after Tehran has dragged its feet on one of the issues for four months and another issue for 12 months, that the IAEA Board of Governors has started to lose its patience.Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Friday lauded the IAEA resolution calling on the Islamic Republic to allow “immediate access to sites where suspected violations are taking place.”“We’ve known for years that Iran is concealing blatant violations of the Non-Proliferation treaty,” the former IDF Chief of Staff tweeted.Regarding the two nuclear facilities the IAEA wishes to visit and the unexplained nuclear material, The Jerusalem Post previously reported that virtually all of the evidence leading to the IAEA pressure on Iran for these issues relate to a January 2018 Mossad operation.During that operation, the Mossad successfully spirited out of Iran massive amounts of physical and electronic secret nuclear files which the regime had sought to conceal from the IAEA about its nuclear weapons program.Britain, France and Germany said on Friday they would not support US efforts to trigger the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran.“We firmly believe that any unilateral attempt to trigger UN sanctions snapback would have serious adverse consequences in the UN Security Council,” the three foreign ministers said in a joint statement after meeting in Berlin to discuss Iran.“We would not support such a decision, which would be incompatible with our current efforts to preserve the JCPoA (Iran nuclear deal).”Later on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry blasted the resolution, saying Tehran has cooperated with the body, in a statement by state media.“While Iran has the highest level of cooperation with the IAEA, the issuance of a resolution by the Board of Governors is a completely unconstructive and a disappointing step,” ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in the statement.The UN nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation Board of Governors called on Iran in the resolution earlier on Friday to stop denying the agency access to two suspected former sites and to cooperate fully with it, diplomats attending the meeting said.Reuters and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Over 300 new cases of coronavirus in Israel in last day, one more death

The Health Ministry announced on Friday morning 349 new cases of coronavirus in the last day , with one new @ @ @ @ @ in serious condition .

The government approved the opening of performance halls, concerts, plays and movie theaters under Health Ministry guidelines on Friday. As soon as they are ready, cultural institutions can open for events of up to 250 people - all of whom must be sitting down.
Attendees will be asked to wear masks at all events. There will be no intermissions.
Also, tickets must be ordered in advance and the names and contact information of all attendees must be maintained by the establishment for up to 20 days.
“The train is back, we have opened up the world of culture and weddings, and people can go back to work,” wrote Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz on his Facebook page on Friday. “We will try to live under the coronavirus routine.”
He said that Israel is living in precarious times and “if we are not careful, we will find ourselves in a much more serious condition than we were. This is the most important issue now for the State of Israel.”
The defense minister’s words came as the number of coronavirus patients hit close to 350 in a 24-hour period.
In total, as of Saturday afternoon, some 20,533 Israelis have been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to the National Security Council - an increase of 194 since 5:30 p.m. the day before, when numbers were last shared by the Health Ministry. In addition, NSC showed 4,598 actives cases, up 149 from the previous day. Some 39 patients are in serious condition, among them 29 who are intubated. One more person died, too, bringing the death toll to 305. It is logical that more and more people will test positive, as since the beginning of the month an increasing number of people are being screened. On Thursday, the Health Ministry reported testing more than 17,000 people. As in recent days, despite the government’s designation of several new red zones - areas with high infection rates - most new diagnoses were made in other cities and towns.In total, as of Saturday afternoon, some 20,533 Israelis have been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to the National Security Council - an increase of 194 since 5:30 p.m. the day before, when numbers were last shared by the Health Ministry. In addition, NSC showed 4,598 actives cases, up 149 from the previous day. Some 39 patients are in serious condition, among them 29 who are intubated.One more person died, too, bringing the death toll to 305.It is logical that more and more people will test positive, as since the beginning of the month an increasing number of people are being screened. On Thursday, the Health Ministry reported testing more than 17,000 people.
“There is an increase in the number of people infected,” Gantz continued, “numbers we have not seen since April.”
He cautioned that the public is not adhering to Health Ministry recommendations: wearing masks, social distancing and good hygiene.
“I urge you, citizens of Israel, to listen to the instructions, take care of yourself and your parents,” Gantz wrote on Facebook. “We have no interest or desire to go backwards.”
His comments came one day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel has finished opening more of the economy – at least for the time being.
Speaking Thursday at a ceremony celebrating the retirement of outgoing-Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov, Netanyahu said that, “There is no doubt that we need to stop the disease. The disease is coming back, and we have, at least for now, finished opening up the economy.”
On Friday, the Health Ministry showed that 121 doctors and 233 nurses were in isolation, in addition to 393 other health personnel.
Two preschools in the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) neighborhood of Bnei Brak were closed when a teacher was infected with coronavirus. In addition, a municipality worker tested positive, sending several of the person’s co-workers into quarantine.
Additionally, schools in Ashdod and Rehovot had to close because of infection. Moreover, a school in Mevaseret Zion, a suburb of Jerusalem, was closed after one of its students tested positive, as well.
Police are working to ensure that the public follows the rules. Overnight Thursday, Police inspected 744 businesses, including event halls, clubs and pubs, discovering and fining dozens of violators, the Police said. Some business owners were warned, and others were summoned for a hearing.
Despite a steep rise in the number of people being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus , Israeli cultural institutions can re-open as early as Friday. At the same time, the Health Ministry has committed to hiring new contact trackers in the immediate future.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Schools in Ashdod, Rehovot close due to coronavirus

Two preschools in Ashdod were closed down after a support staff member was diagnosed with the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the Chabad School in Rehovot was also closed down after a female student was positively diagnosed with the coronavirus.The Health Ministry has ordered all attending children of the schools to go into quarantine.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Russia scrambles jets to intercept US B-52 bombers over Okhotsk Sea

Russia scrambled fighter jets to intercept two US B-52 bombers flying over the Sea of Okhotsk, off Russia's far eastern coast, the Interfax news agency cited the Defence Ministry in Moscow as saying on Friday.Two days ago, Russia said the US had scrambled fighter jets to escort four Russian nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-95MS bombers as they carried out a planned flight near the US border.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Scout leader diagnosed with coronavirus, 100 children in quarantine

A scout leader from Holon was diagnosed positively with the coronavirus, according to multiple Israeli media outlets.Following the diagnosis, the Health Ministry has instructed 100 children that were in contact with the scout leader to go into quarantine.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--China charges two detained Canadians with alleged espionage

Chinese prosecutors said on Friday they have charged two detained Canadian men for alleged espionage.Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were arrested in late 2018, after Canadian authorities arrested Huawei Technologies Co's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Vancouver on a US warrant.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Klobuchar pulls back from consideration to be Biden's running mate

`` This is a moment to put a woman of color on that ticket , and there are so many incredible qualified women , '' she said in an interview on MSNBC .
`` If you want to heal this nation right now – my party , yes , but our nation – this is sure a hell of a way to do it . ''
Klobuchar said she had discussed the matter with Biden last night .
A spokesman for the Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Biden , who will take on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 election , is under pressure to pick a black woman as his understudy amid racial tensions following instances of police brutality , including the videotaped death last month of George Floyd , an unarmed black man , after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck .
Biden has already promised to pick a woman for the role , and several black candidates are on his short list , including Senator Kamala Harris and Representative Val Demings .
Some African-American leaders and activists have said that a black woman on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a crucial component of the Democratic base , that Biden is committed to addressing issues such as criminal justice reform and police misconduct .
Klobuchar 's record on police misconduct and other prosecutions came under scrutiny following her role as the top prosecutor for the Minnesota county that includes Minneapolis , where Floyd died .

"This is a moment to put a woman of color on that ticket, and there are so many incredible qualified women," she said in an interview on MSNBC. "If you want to heal this nation right now – my party, yes, but our nation – this is sure a hell of a way to do it."
Klobuchar said she had discussed the matter with Biden last night. A spokesman for the Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Biden, who will take on Republican President Donald Trump in the Nov. 3 election, is under pressure to pick a black woman as his understudy amid racial tensions following instances of police brutality, including the videotaped death last month of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.
Biden has already promised to pick a woman for the role, and several black candidates are on his short list, including Senator Kamala Harris and Representative Val Demings.
Some African-American leaders and activists have said that a black woman on the ticket would help demonstrate to black voters, a crucial component of the Democratic base, that Biden is committed to addressing issues such as criminal justice reform and police misconduct.
Klobuchar's record on police misconduct and other prosecutions came under scrutiny following her role as the top prosecutor for the Minnesota county that includes Minneapolis, where Floyd died.
US Senator Amy Klobuchar effectively pulled herself out of contention to be Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's running mate on Thursday, saying she felt that the historic moment required picking a woman of color.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--US Secretary of State Pompeo calls Bolton 'a traitor'

`` It is both sad and dangerous that John Bolton 's final public role is that of a traitor who @ @ @ @ @ sacred trust with its people , '' Pompeo , the latest in a series of @ @ @ @ @ , said in a statement .

"It is both sad and dangerous that John Bolton's final public role is that of a traitor who damaged America by violating his sacred trust with its people," Pompeo, the latest in a series of Trump allies to condemn Bolton, said in a statement.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday branded as "a traitor" former White House national security adviser John Bolton, who has accused President Donald Trump in a book of sweeping misdeeds and said he is not fit for office.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--China publishes virus genome data from latest Beijing COVID-19 outbreak

State-backed Beijing News also reported that the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention submitted the genome sequencing data for @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization , which had previously sought access to the data .

State-backed Beijing News also reported that the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention submitted the genome sequencing data for the virus to the World Health Organization, which had previously sought access to the data.
China has published the genome data for the coronavirus behind the latest COVID-19 outbreak in the capital city of Beijing, the website of state-backed National Microbiology Data Center showed on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--New Zealand police officers shot during routine traffic stop

A member of the public was hit by the vehicle as the suspect drove off , police said in a @ @ @ @ @ Cordons are in place and schools in the immediate area have been advised to lock @ @ @ @ @ Hassan , Waitemata district commander , said in a statement .
Gun crime remains relatively @ @ @ @ @ where laws have been tightened twice since a gunman killed 51 Muslim worshippers in Christchurch @ @ @ @ @ 's worst peace-time mass shooting .
The country 's lawmakers on Thursday passed legislation to @ @ @ @ @ that licence holders will be required to update as they buy or sell guns .

A member of the public was hit by the vehicle as the suspect drove off, police said in a statement on Twitter.
"Cordons are in place and schools in the immediate area have been advised to lock down," Superintendent Naila Hassan, Waitemata district commander, said in a statement.
Gun crime remains relatively rare in New Zealand, where laws have been tightened twice since a gunman killed 51 Muslim worshippers in Christchurch last year in the country's worst peace-time mass shooting.
The country's lawmakers on Thursday passed legislation to create a new firearms registry that licence holders will be required to update as they buy or sell guns.
New Zealand police were hunting for a person who shot and seriously injured two officers on Friday during a routine traffic stop before driving away in the city of Auckland.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--Mexico blows past 20,000 coronavirus deaths

Coronavirus deaths in Mexico surpassed 20,000 on Friday after the health ministry reported 647 new fatalities and 5,030 new confirmed @ @

Coronavirus deaths in Mexico surpassed 20,000 on Friday after the health ministry reported 647 new fatalities and 5,030 new confirmed cases.
Total cases now stand at 170,485, with 20,394 fatalities, though the government has said the real number of infections is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--US rejects Chinese airlines' request for additional flights

In a statement , the US Department of Transportation said the decision was made to `` maintain the parity '' @ @ @ @ @ the two countries , adding it was willing to review the decision if Chinese aviation @ @ @ @ @ US carriers .
Earlier this week , the United States and China said they would @ @ @ @ @ between the two countries .

In a statement, the US Department of Transportation said the decision was made to "maintain the parity" in scheduled passenger services between the two countries, adding it was willing to review the decision if Chinese aviation authorities adjusted their policies affecting US carriers.
Earlier this week, the United States and China said they would each allow four weekly flights between the two countries.
The US on Friday rejected a request by four Chinese airlines for additional weekly flights between the two countries, but said the decision was not meant to escalate tensions over travel restrictions in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Brazil passes 1 million coronavirus cases, nearly 50,000 deaths

Brazil on Friday passed a total of more than 1 million coronavirus cases , and nearly 50,000 deaths , according @ @ @ @ @ in a new nadir for the world 's second worst-hit country .
Brazil has recorded @ @ @ @ @ only to the United States , with 1,206 new deaths reported on Friday to take @ @ @ @ @ 48,954 , the ministry said .

Brazil on Friday passed a total of more than 1 million coronavirus cases, and nearly 50,000 deaths, according to Health Ministry data, in a new nadir for the world's second worst-hit country.
Brazil has recorded 1,032,913 confirmed cases, second only to the United States, with 1,206 new deaths reported on Friday to take the total official fatalities to 48,954, the ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Egypt calls for intervention in talks on Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam

Egypt on Friday called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene to restart talks on Ethiopia 's giant hydroelectric @ @ @ @ @ Blue Nile .
`` The Arab Republic of Egypt took this decision in light of @ @ @ @ @ place recently on the Renaissance Dam as a result of Ethiopian stances that are not @ @ @ @ @ ministry said in a statement .

Egypt on Friday called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene to restart talks on Ethiopia's giant hydroelectric dam being built on the Blue Nile.
"The Arab Republic of Egypt took this decision in light of the stalled negotiations that took place recently on the Renaissance Dam as a result of Ethiopian stances that are not positive," the foreign ministry said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--China hits back at UN rights chief on Hong Kong legislation

Earlier on Friday , Bachelet issued a statement saying that any new national security laws imposed on Hong Kong `` @ @ @ @ @ 's human rights obligations '' and international treaties protecting civil and political freedoms .
Hours @ @ @ @ @ to the U.N. in Geneva said in a statement : `` These remarks grossly interfere @ @ @ @ @ internal affairs and violate the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations @ @ @ @ @ its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition .
Solemn representations have been made to the High @ @ @ @ @ '' Legislation on national security `` falls within the sovereignty of a State '' , @ @ @

Earlier on Friday, Bachelet issued a statement saying that any new national security laws imposed on Hong Kong "must fully comply with China's human rights obligations" and international treaties protecting civil and political freedoms.
Hours later, China's mission to the U.N. in Geneva said in a statement: "These remarks grossly interfere in China's sovereignty and internal affairs and violate the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, to which China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition. Solemn representations have been made to the High Commissioner and her Office." Legislation on national security "falls within the sovereignty of a State", it added.
China said on Friday that "improper" remarks by the United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet regarding the national security legislation proposed for Hong Kong "grossly interfere in China's sovereignty and internal affairs".


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Coronavirus surge in Palestinian Authority with 65 new patients

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Friday that 65 new coronavirus patients were reported , bringing the total number of @ @ @ @ @ of the new patients were residents of the Nablus and Hebron regions .
PA officials @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday to discuss the surge in new patients and how best to address it @ @ @ @ @ al-Kaila said on Thursday that the PA is facing a second wave of the novel @ @ @ @ @ emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss the surge in new patients and how best to @ @ @

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Friday that 65 new coronavirus patients were reported, bringing the total number of patients to 860. Many of the new patients were residents of the Nablus and Hebron regions.
Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said on Thursday that the PA is facing a second wave of the novel coronavirus.PA officials will have an emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss the surge in new patients and how best to address it.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Coronavirus pandemic accelerating, warns WHO head Tedros

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The global coronavirus pandemic is accelerating, with Thursday's 150,000 new cases the highest in a single day, World Health Organization (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said."Almost half of the cases reported were from the Americas," he told a virtual briefing. "The world is in a new and dangerous phase ... the virus is still spreading fast, it is still deadly, and most people are still susceptible."


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Court rules in favor of teachers, won’t have to teach extra days

The court ruled that there was no good reason to require teachers to alter their contracts and teach the extra days “ only because of possible consequences that could be resolved in other ways.
” The Education Ministry immediately responded to the court decision , saying that he has been in touch with the Teachers ’ Union and that summer camp would start immediately on July 1 and run through August 1 for students in grades 1-4 .
Teaching staff could work at the camps for additional pay .
“ Summer school will allow students to complete any gaps created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement , noting that this alternative will also allow the economy to continue operating and help the country financially and socially .
`` The local authorities , Finance and Education ministries will convene to complete an outline for the summer school program with a sense of responsibility and vision for the good of the child and their parents , '' said Chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities Haim Bibas just before the start of Shabbat on Friday .
Bibas said that the state would fully-fund the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The local authorities , Finance and Education ministries will convene to complete an outline for the summer school program with a sense of responsibility and vision for the good of the child and their parents , '' said Chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities Haim Bibas just before the start of Shabbat on Friday .
Earlier in the day Friday , the state sought to push off the court decision until Saturday night .
However , the court , which was supposed to rule by 4 p.m. Friday ( a decision was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it had no intention of postponing the decision until the end of Saturday .
In a briefing , he explained that an agreement was struck between the Teachers ’ Union and the Finance and Education ministries to add the extra days .
Per the agreement , grades 7-10 would have ended school on July 1 .
Eleventh and 12th graders will complete their matriculation exams between June 22 and 27 .
The agreement that was signed stipulated that if , in the end , high school teachers did not agree to extend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school teachers would not either .
However , the agreement was not signed by the Teachers ’ Association , whose head Ron Erez refused to come to the negotiating table .
The Teachers ’ Union represents the younger grades and the Teachers ’ Association represents the older grades.The agreement that was signed stipulated that if , in the end , high school teachers did not agree to extend the year , the preschools and elementary school teachers would not either .
Gallant told reporters on Sunday that the Education Ministry has the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for class if a scenario arrives in which they refuse to do so , but Erez said he would take the matter to court , which he did .
“ The signed agreement enshrined the full payment of all teaching staff in the civil service and established the principle of equality among all teaching staff in the education system , ” the Teachers ’ Union said in a statement following Friday ’ s ruling .
“ I wish you and your family a pleasant vacation , ” said union head Yaffa Ben-David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for your dedicated work during this complex and dark period .
Not only did you teach , you served as anchors for many families and students and proved a significant presence in many homes in Israel .
This is not self-evident and for that you deserve great thanks .
”

Middle and high schools have ended, and preschools and elementary schools will end their year on June 30, according to a court ruling on Friday. However, free "summer school" will begin for grades 1-4 on July 1.The National Labor Court rejected the Education Ministry ’s demand to extend the school year by nine days.The court ruled that there was no good reason to require teachers to alter their contracts and teach the extra days “only because of possible consequences that could be resolved in other ways.”The Education Ministry immediately responded to the court decision, saying it has been in touch with the Teachers’ Union and that summer school would start immediately on July 1 and run through August 1 for students in grades 1-4. Teaching staff could work in the framework for additional pay.“Summer school will allow students to complete any gaps created due to the coronavirus,” Education Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement, noting that this alternative will also allow the economy to continue operating and help the country financially and socially.“The local authorities, Finance and Education ministries will convene to complete an outline for the summer school program with a sense of responsibility and vision for the good of the child and their parents,” said Chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities Haim Bibas on Friday.Bibas said the state would fully fund the program without cost to parents.Earlier in the day on Friday, the state sought to push off the court decision until Saturday night, but the court said it had no intention of postponing the decision until the end of Saturday and made its decision just before the beginning of Shabbat.Last week, Gallant announced that a decision had been reached and that elementary and preschools would remain open until July 13 to help make up the nine days of school that were missed in March, when the country shut down to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.In a briefing, he explained that an agreement was struck between the Teachers’ Union and the Finance and Education ministries to add the extra days.Per the agreement, grades 7-10 would have ended school on July 1, while 11th and 12th graders would complete their matriculation exams between June 22 and 27.However, the agreement was not signed by the Teachers’ Association, whose head Ron Erez refused to come to the negotiating table. The Teachers’ Union represents the younger grades and the Teachers’ Association represents the older grades.The agreement that was signed stipulated that if, in the end, high school teachers did not agree to extend the year, the preschools and elementary school teachers would not either.Gallant told reporters on Sunday that the Education Ministry has the “tools” to ensure that teachers show up for class if a scenario arrives in which they refuse to do so, but Erez said he would take the matter to court, which he did.“The signed agreement enshrined the full payment of all teaching staff in the civil service and established the principle of equality among all teaching staff in the education system,” the Teachers’ Union said in a statement following Friday’s ruling.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Government approves culture events to reopen at reduced capacity

The government approved the opening of performance halls , concerts , plays and movie theaters under Health Ministry guidelines on Friday .
As soon as they are ready , cultural institutions can open for events of up to 250 people - all of whom must be sitting down .
Attendees will be asked to wear masks at all events .
There will be no intermissions .
Also , tickets must be ordered in advance and the names and contact information of all attendees must be maintained by the establishment for up to 20 days .
“ The train is back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of culture and weddings , and people can go back to work , ” wrote Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz on his Facebook page on Friday .
“ We will try to live under the coronavirus routine.
” He said that Israel is living in precarious times and “ if we are not careful , we will find ourselves in a much more serious condition than we were .
This is the most important issue now for the State of Israel.
” The defense minister ’ s words came as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 350 in a 24-hour period .
Overnight Thursday , another person died , bringing the country ’ s death toll to 304 .
As in recent days , despite the government ’ s designation of several new red zones - areas with high infection rates - most new diagnoses were made in other cities and towns .
In total , as of Friday evening , some 20,339 Israelis have been diagnosed with coronavirus , including 4,449 active patients , among then 39 in serious condition .
Some 29 people are intubated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms is slowly increasing , most people with coronavirus remain younger and are less likely to end up intubated .
It is logical that more and more people will test positive , as since the beginning of the month an increasing number of people are being screened .
On Thursday , the Health Ministry reported testing more than 17,000 people .
“ There is an increase in the number of people infected , ” Gantz continued , “ numbers we have not seen since April.
” He cautioned that the public is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks , social distancing and good hygiene .
“ I urge you , citizens of Israel , to listen to the instructions , take care of yourself and your parents , ” Gantz wrote on Facebook .
“ We have no interest or desire to go backwards.
” Speaking Thursday at a ceremony celebrating the retirement of outgoing-Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov , Netanyahu said that , “ There is no doubt that we need to stop the disease .
The disease is coming back , and we have , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy.
” On Friday , the Health Ministry showed that 121 doctors and 233 nurses were in isolation , in addition to 393 other health personnel .
Two preschools in the haredi ( ultra-Orthodox ) neighborhood of Bnei Brak were closed when a teacher was infected with coronavirus .
In addition , a municipality worker tested positive , sending several of the person ’ s co-workers into quarantine .
Additionally , schools in Ashdod and Rehovot had to close because of infection .
Police are working to ensure that the public follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspected 744 businesses , including event halls , clubs and pubs , discovering and fining dozens of violators , the Police said .
Some business owners were warned , and others were summoned for a hearing .

The government approved the opening of performance halls, concerts, plays and movie theaters under Health Ministry guidelines on Friday. As soon as they are ready, cultural institutions can open for events of up to 250 people - all of whom must be sitting down.
Attendees will be asked to wear masks at all events. There will be no intermissions.
Also, tickets must be ordered in advance and the names and contact information of all attendees must be maintained by the establishment for up to 20 days.
“The train is back, we have opened up the world of culture and weddings, and people can go back to work,” wrote Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz on his Facebook page on Friday. “We will try to live under the coronavirus routine.”
He said that Israel is living in precarious times and “if we are not careful, we will find ourselves in a much more serious condition than we were. This is the most important issue now for the State of Israel.”
The defense minister’s words came as the number of coronavirus patients hit close to 350 in a 24-hour period.
In total, as of Saturday afternoon, some 20,533 Israelis have been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to the National Security Council - an increase of 194 since 5:30 p.m. the day before, when numbers were last shared by the Health Ministry. In addition, NSC showed 4,598 actives cases, up 149 from the previous day. Some 39 patients are in serious condition, among them 29 who are intubated. One more person died, too, bringing the death toll to 305. It is logical that more and more people will test positive, as since the beginning of the month an increasing number of people are being screened. On Thursday, the Health Ministry reported testing more than 17,000 people. As in recent days, despite the government’s designation of several new red zones - areas with high infection rates - most new diagnoses were made in other cities and towns.In total, as of Saturday afternoon, some 20,533 Israelis have been diagnosed with coronavirus, according to the National Security Council - an increase of 194 since 5:30 p.m. the day before, when numbers were last shared by the Health Ministry. In addition, NSC showed 4,598 actives cases, up 149 from the previous day. Some 39 patients are in serious condition, among them 29 who are intubated.One more person died, too, bringing the death toll to 305.It is logical that more and more people will test positive, as since the beginning of the month an increasing number of people are being screened. On Thursday, the Health Ministry reported testing more than 17,000 people.
“There is an increase in the number of people infected,” Gantz continued, “numbers we have not seen since April.”
He cautioned that the public is not adhering to Health Ministry recommendations: wearing masks, social distancing and good hygiene.
“I urge you, citizens of Israel, to listen to the instructions, take care of yourself and your parents,” Gantz wrote on Facebook. “We have no interest or desire to go backwards.”
His comments came one day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel has finished opening more of the economy – at least for the time being.
Speaking Thursday at a ceremony celebrating the retirement of outgoing-Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov, Netanyahu said that, “There is no doubt that we need to stop the disease. The disease is coming back, and we have, at least for now, finished opening up the economy.”
On Friday, the Health Ministry showed that 121 doctors and 233 nurses were in isolation, in addition to 393 other health personnel.
Two preschools in the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) neighborhood of Bnei Brak were closed when a teacher was infected with coronavirus. In addition, a municipality worker tested positive, sending several of the person’s co-workers into quarantine.
Additionally, schools in Ashdod and Rehovot had to close because of infection. Moreover, a school in Mevaseret Zion, a suburb of Jerusalem, was closed after one of its students tested positive, as well.
Police are working to ensure that the public follows the rules. Overnight Thursday, Police inspected 744 businesses, including event halls, clubs and pubs, discovering and fining dozens of violators, the Police said. Some business owners were warned, and others were summoned for a hearing.
Despite a steep rise in the number of people being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus , Israeli cultural institutions can re-open as early as Friday. At the same time, the Health Ministry has committed to hiring new contact trackers in the immediate future.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Iran urges social distancing as coronavirus cases top 200,000

Iran's tally of confirmed coronavirus cases topped 200,000 on Friday, as state media continued to warn about a lack of proper social distancing despite a new surge of infections.Daily deaths have exceeded 100 most of this week, for the first time in two months. The Health Ministry announced 120 deaths in the previous 24 hours, taking the total to 9,392, and 2,615 new cases for a total of 200,262.State television showed several families picnicking without masks or social distancing. Reminded about the fact that one person was dying every 12 to 15 minutes, an unidentified family father said: "My daughter was getting depressed. We really had to get out of the house."The parliamentary research center issued a report in April suggesting that the actual number of coronavirus deaths might be almost twice the official figure.State television quoted Hossein Erfani, head of the Health Ministry's contagious disease care department, as saying provinces will be allowed to decide locally to impose or suspend restrictions in the fight against the virus."Depending on whether it is high-, medium- or low-risk, each province and county will decide on imposing necessary restrictions or suspending them," Erfani said.Six of Iran's 31 provinces are currently high-risk coronavirus areas, state said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Trump warns protesters to face 'different scene' at his Oklahoma rally

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened unspecified action against any protesters at his weekend campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, saying they would be treated much differently than they have been in other cities."Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!" Trump tweeted.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Two Beni Brak kindergartens close after teacher diagnosed with COVID-19

Two kindergartens in the ultra-Orthodox city of Beni Brak were closed following a report that a kindergarten teacher was diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
The teaching staff and children are now in home quarantine .
A @ @ @ @ @ of the city was also reported to have COVID-19 and three other workers were placed @ @ @ @ @ measure .

Two kindergartens in the ultra-Orthodox city of Beni Brak were closed following a report that a kindergarten teacher was diagnosed with COVID-19, Kan tweeted on Friday. The teaching staff and children are now in home quarantine.
A secretary at the municipality office of the city was also reported to have COVID-19 and three other workers were placed in quarantine as a security measure.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--EU to extend Russia sanctions for another six months

European Union leaders agreed to extend for a further six months sanctions that have been in place against Russia since its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.Speaking after a video conference of European Union leaders, she also said Germany reserved the right to react after prosecutors this week accused Russia of ordering the killing last year of a Georgian citizen who was shot last year in broad daylight in a central Berlin park.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Gantz lauds IAEA resolution calling Iran to open its sites

The resolution , submitted by France , Germany and the United Kingdom , was adopted by a vote of 25 to 2 with 7 abstentions .
Crucially , the two countries voting against the resolution were the highly influential countries Russia and China .
The resolution could pressure Iran to let inspectors into the two sites mentioned in the IAEA 's March and early June reports and to clarify the origin of undeclared nuclear material which IAEA inspectors found at another site .
A statement from the IAEA said , `` The resolution stressed the importance of States complying fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as required when notified by the IAEA . ''
Iran ’ s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna Kazem Gharib Abadi responded that Tehran completely rejects the resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors .
`` Iran fully rejects this resolution and will respond appropriately , '' ISNA news agency quotes him as saying .
Gharib Abadi added , `` those who made this decision will bear responsibility for its consequences . ''
According to the envoy , the resolution was adopted `` based on false and unfounded accusations . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ political move that pushes us towards an unnecessary crisis of cooperation [ between Tehran and IAEA ] , '' the Iranian envoy said .
Russian Ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov wrote on his Twitter account , `` The # IAEA BG adopted resolution calling upon # Iran to provide access to 2 locations specified by Agency .
# Russia and # China voted against .
While stressing the need for Tehran and IAEA to settle this problem without delay , we believe that the resolution can be counter productive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had said that the Islamic Republic could find `` an agreeable '' compromise with the IAEA on the issue if the Board tabled the resolution .
However , it appeared that after Tehran has dragged its feet on one of the issues for four months and another issue for 12 months , that the IAEA Board of Governors has started to lose its patience .
Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Friday lauded the IAEA resolution calling on the Islamic Republic to allow `` immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking place . ''
“ We 've known for years that Iran is concealing blatant violations of the Non-Proliferation treaty , ” the former IDF Chief of Staff tweeted .
Regarding the two nuclear facilities the IAEA wishes to visit and the unexplained nuclear material , the Jerusalem Post previously reported that virtually all of the evidence leading to the IAEA pressure on Iran for these issues relate to a January 2018 Mossad operation .
Britain , France and Germany said on Friday they would not support US efforts to trigger the reimposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We firmly believe that any unilateral attempt to trigger UN sanctions snapback would have serious adverse consequences in the UN Security Council , '' the three foreign ministers said in a joint statement after meeting in Berlin to discuss Iran .
`` We would not support such a decision , which would be incompatible with our current efforts to preserve the JCPoA ( Iran nuclear deal ) . ''
Later on Friday , Iran 's Foreign Ministry blasted the resolution , saying Tehran has cooperated with the body , in a statement by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest level of cooperation with the IAEA , the issuance of a resolution by the Board of Governors is a completely unconstructive and disappointing step , '' ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in the statement .
The UN nuclear watchdog ’ s 35-nation Board of Governors called on Iran in the resolution earlier on Friday to stop denying the agency access to two suspected former sites and to cooperate fully with it , diplomats attending the meeting said .
During that operation , the Mossad successfully spirited out of Iran massive amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the regime had sought to conceal from the IAEA about its nuclear weapons program.Britain , France and Germany said on Friday they would not support US efforts to trigger the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran .
`` We firmly believe that any unilateral attempt to trigger UN sanctions snapback would have serious adverse consequences in the UN Security Council , '' the three foreign ministers said in a joint statement after meeting in Berlin to discuss Iran .
`` We would not support such a decision , which would be incompatible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JCPoA ( Iran nuclear deal ) .
`` Later on Friday , Iran 's Foreign Ministry blasted the resolution , saying Tehran has cooperated with the body , in a statement by state media .
`` While Iran has the highest level of cooperation with the IAEA , the issuance of a resolution by the Board of Governors is a completely unconstructive and disappointing step , '' ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in the statement.The UN nuclear watchdog ’ s 35-nation Board of Governors called on Iran in the resolution earlier on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two suspected former sites and to cooperate fully with it , diplomats attending the meeting said .
Reuters and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report .

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s ( IAEA ) Board of Governors passed a resolution on Friday calling on Iran to grant access to two suspected former nuclear sites and answer questions about possible undeclared nuclear material.The resolution – submitted by France, Germany and the United Kingdom – was adopted by a vote of 25 to 2 with 7 abstentions. Crucially, the two countries voting against the resolution were Russia and China.The resolution could pressure Iran to let inspectors into the two sites mentioned in the IAEA’s March and early June reports and to clarify the origin of undeclared nuclear material which IAEA inspectors found at another site.A statement from the IAEA said, “The resolution stressed the importance of states complying fully with their safeguards obligations and facilitating access as required when notified by the IAEA.”Iran’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Kazem Gharib Abadi responded that Tehran completely rejects the resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors.“Iran fully rejects this resolution and will respond appropriately,” ISNA news agency quotes him as saying. Gharib Abadi added, “those who made this decision will bear responsibility for its consequences.”According to the envoy, the resolution was adopted “based on false and unfounded accusations.”“This is a completely unconstructive and political move that pushes us towards an unnecessary crisis of cooperation [between Tehran and IAEA],” the Iranian envoy said.Russian Ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov tweeted: “The IAEA BG adopted resolution calling upon Iran to provide access to 2 locations specified by [the] Agency. Russia and China voted against. While stressing the need for Tehran and IAEA to settle this problem without delay, we believe that the resolution can be counter productive.”Prior to the vote, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had said the Islamic Republic could find “an agreeable” compromise with the IAEA on the issue if the board tabled the resolution.However, it appeared that after Tehran has dragged its feet on one of the issues for four months and another issue for 12 months, that the IAEA Board of Governors has started to lose its patience.Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Friday lauded the IAEA resolution calling on the Islamic Republic to allow “immediate access to sites where suspected violations are taking place.”“We’ve known for years that Iran is concealing blatant violations of the Non-Proliferation treaty,” the former IDF Chief of Staff tweeted.Regarding the two nuclear facilities the IAEA wishes to visit and the unexplained nuclear material, The Jerusalem Post previously reported that virtually all of the evidence leading to the IAEA pressure on Iran for these issues relate to a January 2018 Mossad operation.During that operation, the Mossad successfully spirited out of Iran massive amounts of physical and electronic secret nuclear files which the regime had sought to conceal from the IAEA about its nuclear weapons program.Britain, France and Germany said on Friday they would not support US efforts to trigger the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran.“We firmly believe that any unilateral attempt to trigger UN sanctions snapback would have serious adverse consequences in the UN Security Council,” the three foreign ministers said in a joint statement after meeting in Berlin to discuss Iran.“We would not support such a decision, which would be incompatible with our current efforts to preserve the JCPoA (Iran nuclear deal).”Later on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry blasted the resolution, saying Tehran has cooperated with the body, in a statement by state media.“While Iran has the highest level of cooperation with the IAEA, the issuance of a resolution by the Board of Governors is a completely unconstructive and a disappointing step,” ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in the statement.The UN nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation Board of Governors called on Iran in the resolution earlier on Friday to stop denying the agency access to two suspected former sites and to cooperate fully with it, diplomats attending the meeting said.Reuters and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Coordinated blasts kill four in Pakistan, including soldiers

Three consecutive explosions claimed by a little-known separatist group killed four people including two soldiers in Pakistan's southern province of Sindh on Friday, officials said.At least a dozen people were also injured.Shadowy secessionist organization the Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army, which wants the province to break from the Pakistani federation, said it carried out the attacks.One of the blasts was in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and the capital of Sindh, where a civilian died and eight others including a paramilitary soldier were injured.That explosion was outside a center for distribution of government cash handouts, and police believe the target was a vehicle of the Sindh Rangers paramilitary force parked outside.The second blast was reported in Ghotki district, 500 km north of Karachi, where two Rangers soldiers died along with a passerby, local police chief Furrukh Ali told Reuters.The third blast took place in Sindh's Larkana district, where no casualties were reported.The Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army has carried out low-intensity attacks in the past, including blowing up train tracks, but its separatist fight has been less violent than that of neighboring Balochistan province."Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army claims the responsibility of Karachi, Ghotki and Larkana attacks," it tweeted, without giving more details.The Rangers, a wing of the Pakistan Army, have been deployed around Pakistan and played a prominent role in crackdowns on militant and criminals in Karachi.Sindh's Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered an inquiry into Friday's violence.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Palestinian infant dies while waiting for heart surgery

An 8-month old Palestinian baby died as his family ’ s request to allow him access to a life-saving surgery @ @ @ @ @ as the Palestinian Authority ended its coordination with Israel , Kan tweeted on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ the Gaza Strip and the operation was due to take place in Israel .
Due @ @ @ @ @ condition , he died before the request could be approved .

An 8-month old Palestinian baby died as his family’s request to allow him access to a life-saving surgery in Israel was still processing as the Palestinian Authority ended its coordination with Israel, Kan tweeted on Friday.
The family is based in the Gaza Strip and the operation was due to take place in Israel. Due to the infant's critical condition, he died before the request could be approved.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Spain increases coronavirus death toll to over 28,000

Spain reported on Friday a total of 28,313 coronavirus deaths as of Thursday, after adjusting its database to avoid duplications and errors, a health ministry official said.The death toll series had not been updated since June 7, when Spain reported 27,136 deaths, while the country was implementing a new methodology for logging deaths and cases.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--India, China accuse each other of violating de facto border

A day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to downplay Monday 's clash , which killed at least 20 Indian soldiers and injured more than 70 , his government blamed the Chinese side for seeking to erect structures `` just across the Line of Actual Control , '' as the demarcation is known , and refusing India 's request to stop .
India will not allow any unilateral changes to the disputed border , it said in a statement .
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian accused Indian troops of a `` deliberate provocation '' in the tense Himalayan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Zhao said the Galwan Valley was on the Chinese side of the line and that Indians had since April unilaterally built roads , bridges and other facilities in the region .
The Indian troops `` crossed the Line of Actual Control '' and attacked Chinese officers and soldiers who were there for negotiation , triggering `` fierce physical conflicts , '' Zhao said .
China has not released any casualty figures for its troops .
Modi on Friday appeared to downplay the clash with Chinese troops , saying , `` Nobody has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody there now , nor have our posts been captured . ''

India and China on Saturday each traded accusations that the other had violated their shared de facto border, an area that this week became the site of the deadliest clash in half a century between the two nuclear-armed giants.
A day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to downplay Monday's clash, which killed at least 20 Indian soldiers and injured more than 70, his government blamed the Chinese side for seeking to erect structures "just across the Line of Actual Control," as the demarcation is known, and refusing India's request to stop.
India will not allow any unilateral changes to the disputed border, it said in a statement.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian accused Indian troops of a "deliberate provocation" in the tense Himalayan area.
In a series of tweets, Zhao said the Galwan Valley was on the Chinese side of the line and that Indians had since April unilaterally built roads, bridges and other facilities in the region.
The Indian troops "crossed the Line of Actual Control" and attacked Chinese officers and soldiers who were there for negotiation, triggering "fierce physical conflicts," Zhao said. China has not released any casualty figures for its troops.
Modi on Friday appeared to downplay the clash with Chinese troops, saying, "Nobody has intruded into our border, neither is anybody there now, nor have our posts been captured."
Troops remain locked in a face-off at several locations along the poorly defined Line of Action Control, despite talks between local commanders to de-escalate.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--China unveils security law for Hong Kong, city's freedoms in doubt

Beijing said the draft included a new national security office for Hong Kong to collect intelligence and handle crimes against @ @ @ @ @ Xinhua news agency reported .

Beijing announced details of a draft of new national security legislation for Hong Kong on Saturday, paving the way for the most profound change to the city's way of life since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Beijing said the draft included a new national security office for Hong Kong to collect intelligence and handle crimes against national security, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
China says the law is aimed at tackling separatist activity, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, but critics fear it will crush wide-ranging freedoms that are seen as key to Hong Kong's status as a global financial center.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--Indonesia reports 1,226 new coronavirus infections, 56 deaths

Indonesia reported 1,226 new coronavirus infections and on Saturday, taking its total number of cases to 45,029.Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said there were 56 more deaths reported, with total fatalities now at 2,429, the highest coronavirus death toll in East Asia outside of China.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--Another Israeli dies of coronavirus bringing total to 305 dead


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--Russia reports just under 8,000 new coronavirus cases

Russia on Saturday reported 7,889 new cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its nationwide case tally to 576,952 since the crisis began.The national coronavirus response centre said 161 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 8,002.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 8.67 million, death toll at 459,211

More than 8.67 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 459,211 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--2020-06-20--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 601 to 189,135 - RKI

The reported death toll rose by 11 to 8,883 , the tally showed .

The reported death toll rose by 11 to 8,883, the tally showed.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 601 to 189,135, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--Mainland China reports 27 new coronavirus cases, including 22 in Beijing

This compared with 32 confirmed cases a day earlier , 25 of which were in Beijing , where local authorities @ @ @ @ @ new outbreak at a food wholesale market .
Another seven asymptomatic COVID-19 patients , those @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus but show no symptoms , were also reported as of June 19 compared with @ @ @ @ @ China does not count these patients as confirmed cases .

This compared with 32 confirmed cases a day earlier, 25 of which were in Beijing, where local authorities are working to contain a new outbreak at a food wholesale market.
Another seven asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, those who are infected with the coronavirus but show no symptoms, were also reported as of June 19 compared with five a day earlier. China does not count these patients as confirmed cases.
Mainland China reported 27 new coronavirus cases as of the end of June 19, 22 of which were reported in the capital Beijing, China's National Health Commission said on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--US, Russian envoys to discuss arms control in Austria next week

US Special Presidential Envoy Marshall Billingslea will travel to Austria on Monday and Tuesday to discuss `` mutually agreed topics @ @ @ @ @ arms control '' with Russian Deputy Foreign Sergei Ryabkov , the US State Department said @ @ @

US Special Presidential Envoy Marshall Billingslea will travel to Austria on Monday and Tuesday to discuss "mutually agreed topics related to the future of arms control" with Russian Deputy Foreign Sergei Ryabkov, the US State Department said on Friday.
"The United States has extended an open invitation to the People's Republic of China to join these discussions, and has made clear the need for all three countries to pursue arms control negotiations in good faith," the State Department said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-21--Outdoor Trump rally abruptly canceled in Tulsa

Secret Service has moved crowd back from the overflow stage so it can be broken down .
pic.twitter.com/iIxXfnpOPn

Gathering a smaller-than-expected crowd, President Donald Trump sought to reinvigorate his reelection campaign on Saturday with a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, amid anti-racism protests in cities across the country and a still-strong coronavirus pandemic.
Trump has come under fire for his responses to the coronavirus and to the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in the custody of Minneapolis police.
He has brushed aside criticism for his decision to hold his first rally since March 2 in Tulsa, the site of the country's bloodiest outbreaks of racist violence against Black Americans some 100 years ago.
"Oklahoma and America need four more years of President Donald Trump in the White House!" Vice President Mike Pence told cheering supporters ahead of Trump's address at the 19,000-seat BOK Center arena, where many empty seats were visible.
Trump campaign officials had said prior to the event that demand far outstripped the capacity of the venue.
Hours before the rally, Trump's campaign announced six members of its advance team had tested positive for COVID-19. Only a handful of attendees wore masks inside the arena.
Oklahoma has reported a surge in new COVID-19 infections in recent days, and the state's department of health warned that attendees face an increased risk of catching the virus.
Trump and Pence canceled addresses to an expected "overflow" crowd outside the arena after "protesters interfered with supporters," Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said.
These claims were backed by Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale. Taking to Twitter, Parscale claimed that "Radical protestors, fueled by a week of apocalyptic media coverage, interfered with @realDonaldTrump supporters at the rally."They even blocked access to the metal detectors, preventing people from entering."This is despite many live feeds of the area showing no such activity by radical protesters.Many took to crediting a social media campaign that started over the popular social media app TikTok, which had sought to encourage people to buy tickets to the rally and then not attend in order to limit the crowd size.This campaign started when 51-year-old grandmother Mary Jo Laupp, who on Pete Buttigieg's campaign in Iowa last fall, posted a video on the app encouraging followers to buy tickets and not attend."All of those of us that want to see this 19,000 seat auditorium barely filled or completely empty go reserve tickets now and leave him standing alone there on the stage," she said, according to CNN. She did this due to the controversy surrounding the rally from both coronavirus and the Black Lives Matter movement.Another effort is believed to have come from the k-pop fandom, with many over social media having called on the South Korean music genre's very active online fan-base to engage in this particular form of trolling.Responding over Twitter to Parscale's claim of radical activists, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted "Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic enough to pack an arena during COVID."Shout out to Zoomers. Y’all make me so proud," she added, referring to members of Generation Z.The congresswoman then added: "KPop allies, we see and appreciate your contributions in the fight for justice too."
Television images showed a dozen or so Trump supporters in the “spillover” area watching the event on a large screen.
A small group of armed men could be seen outside the event. One of them told reporters they were there in case "antifa" protesters turned violent, using the acronym for "anti-facist."
The country's racial divide remains a political vulnerability for Trump. His "law and order" reaction to the protests triggered by Floyd's death has put him at odds with the views of most Americans.
After intense criticism, Trump postponed the rally by a day so that it did not coincide with the anniversary of the June 19 commemoration of the end of Black slavery in the United States.
On Friday, he threatened unspecified action against any "protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes" who travels to Oklahoma, a warning that his campaign said was not aimed at peaceful demonstrators. Critics accused Trump of trying to provoke conflict.
White House and Trump campaign officials had largely dismissed concerns about the rally's health safety, saying masks and hand sanitizer will be available. However, participants are required to waive their right sue if they contract the coronavirus at the event.
Strategists and former administrations officials say Trump must convince voters that his policies will pull the United States out of the recession sparked by the economic shutdown amid the outbreak.
Aaron Reich contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--11-year-old boy in Haifa attacked by wild pig, hospitalized

An 11-year-old boy in Haifa was hospitalized after being bitten by a wild pig at a city playground, Israel Hayom reported.The boy's condition was mild, by he was hospitalized and treated for rabies.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--School in Arad shuts down after confirmed COVID-19 case

A school in Arad, a city in Israel's South, announced Saturday night that it would be closed on Sunday, June 21, after a member of the school tested positive for the novel coronavirus.The decision was made by the Health and Education ministries, pending further guidance from the Health Ministry.The school advised all students and staff to isolate at home until further notice.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--IDF coronavirus infections rising at an alarming rate

The IDF is currently contemplating the decision to return to working in shifts and operational capsules , though soldiers are @ @ @ @ @ and leave their bases freely .
To date , there have been 299 soldiers and @ @ @ @ @ – all in light condition .
Of these , 233 have either been discharged or @ @ @ @ @ 2,500 soldiers are in isolation – duty , permanent and IDF employees .

The IDF is currently contemplating the decision to return to working in shifts and operational capsules, though soldiers are expected be allowed to enter and leave their bases freely.
To date, there have been 299 soldiers and employees diagnosed throughout the IDF – all in light condition. Of these, 233 have either been discharged or discharged from service. About 2,500 soldiers are in isolation – duty, permanent and IDF employees.
The number of coronavirus patients in the IDF has been increasing significantly. Between Wednesday and Saturday, the number of soldiers diagnosed with COVID-19 increased from 29 to 66 and the number of soldiers in isolation now stands at 2,500 compared to 350 at the beginning of June.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--Attorney-General Barr: Trump has fired US Attorney Berman, at his request

US Attorney-General William Barr said on Saturday that President Donald Trump had fired Geoffrey Berman, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan whose office is investigating Trump's attorney Rudolph Giuliani, after Berman publicly refused late on Friday to step down from his post.


jerusalempost--2020-06-20--French coronavirus deaths rise by 19 to 29,633

The number of deaths in France from COVID-19 has risen by 19 from Friday to stand at 29,633, the health ministry said on Saturday.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 641 to 160,093.France's coronavirus death toll is the fifth-highest in the world.