jerusalempost--2020-09-13--Coronavirus: Gov't approves - school system to stay open until Friday

The country is heading into a three-week nearly total lockdown on the eve of Rosh Hashanah , the government determined on Sunday after more than seven hours of heated debate .
The closure will go into effect at 2 p.m. on Friday and last through Simchat Torah on October 9 .
During the lockdown , the school system will remain closed , except for special education and programs for at-risk youth .
People will not be able to venture more than 500 meters from home .
Restaurants , shopping centers and businesses that offer leisure and recreational activities will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a special outline for High Holy Day prayers .
But he added , “ If we are not careful to follow these basic steps the virus will spread… Anyone who does not keep the directives is harming other people.
” Health Minister Yuli Edelstein spoke after the prime minister : `` Obviously I should be happy as someone whose offer was accepted , but that is not the case… For three months , I tried to do everything to allow us to live life alongside the coronavirus and keep the number [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health system could live with .
“ Unfortunately , that is not the case today , ” he continued .
“ Under the circumstances , we had no choice.
” '' It is nice that you are raising the red flag now , when hospitals are getting full , but you had to raise that red flag a month or two ago , '' Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said .
Water Minister Ze ’ ev Elkin accused Gamzu of `` zigzagging all the time '' and not presenting clear criteria for how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cabinet , we were told that for a lockdown to be effective , it takes three to four weeks and not two , '' Elkin said .
`` We need to say this honestly to the public . ''
Some , such as Science & Technology Minister Izhar Shay ( Blue and White ) and Economy Minister Amir Peretz ( Labor ) , fought against the closure , saying the harm to the Israeli economy will be too severe for the country to recover .
Finance Minister Israel Katz said difficult decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry did not do its job properly .
He claimed that a general closure of the Israeli economy would cause heavy damage to businesses and hundreds of thousands of other unemployed .
Peretz called for a scaled back closure : “ I support a night closure in which about 80 % of the economy remains open , ” Peretz said Saturday night .
“ Hundreds of thousands of employees and the self-employed are in existential anxiety .
The economic coronavirus pandemic is no less severe than the health pandemic.
” Minister Itzik Shmuli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he claimed it would not stand the public test .
`` I propose to better balance health and the economy and strike harder at the centers of illness and not everywhere , ” Shmuli said .
He also offered that instead of a furlough model , the government would move to a wage subsidy model .
Regional Cooperation Minister Ophir Akunis ( Likud ) also warned that a full lockdown would be `` a disaster for the Israeli economy . ''
He said the economy needed to be restored as soon as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Asaf Zamir ( Blue and White ) argued late Saturday night that “ a full closure of the entire country during the holidays is too extreme a step and has economic implications that entire industries will not recover from.
” Zamir also lashed out against “ outrageous violations ” of Health Ministry directives , from nightclub parties to weddings , and against the ministers who have failed to be role models .
“ No one is a role model here , including some of my colleagues in the Knesset and government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
But he said that he will vote against the decision to impose the closure , nevertheless .
Even before the meeting , in the morning , Housing and Construction Minister Ya'acov Litzman ( United Torah Judaism ) announced that he is resigning from the coalition , writing in his resignation letter that he believed Netanyahu intended from the start to have a full lockdown during the holidays out of a lack of appreciation for religious observance in comparison to other issues that are not being harmed in the fight against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thousands of Jews who come to synagogue once a year and this year wo n't come at all due to the lockdown , '' Litzman wrote .
`` I warned against a lockdown during the holidays in every possible forum and emphasized that if there is a need for a full lockdown , it should not wait for a rise of infection to get to this pace . ''
He said a closure should have been carried out a month ago and not during the High Holy Days .
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gamzu , the commissioner denied that this was his intention .
Litzman said that in retrospect he was proven correct .
`` That is why I can not continue to serve as a minister and I decided to resign from the government and return to the Knesset , '' he concluded .
Via the Norwegian Law , Litzman quit the Knesset and was replaced by the next candidate on the UTJ list , Eliyahu Baruchi , who will automatically leave the Knesset when Litzman 's resignation letter becomes official .
The resignation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will take effect in 48 hours .
`` I am very sorry about the decision of Minister Litzman to step down , '' Netanyahu said at the start of the meeting .
`` I really value Ya'acov Litzman , but I also respect his decision .
Nonetheless , we need to continue to make decisions on behalf of the State of Israel . ''
In addition to the battle over the lockdown , during the meeting there was also a colorful debate over whether to allow protests to continue .
`` Gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Amir Ohana ( Likud ) , `` so it should be forbidden to everyone , including protesters . ''
In response , Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn ( Blue and White ) said that the country could not stop people from protesting against it .
Minister David Amsalem ( Likud ) actually yelled at Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit for saying that demonstrations should not be stopped .
“ Take responsibility for the disease , ” Amsalem charged , “ public trust is damaged by the demonstrations . ''
Mandelblit responded : `` Demonstrations can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a matter of quantity but of quality . ''
Acting Police Commissioner Motti Cohen requested that the government design a clear outline for the demonstrations .
“ The police officer at the end should receive clear instructions , ” Cohen said .
“ It is not his job to determine who will demonstrate and who will not . ''
`` The top officials of the Ministry of Health unanimously agree that the demonstrations as they take place today are a danger to health .
Public trust is required here , and we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Minister Yoav Kish added .
Gamzu said he could design such an outline .
The vote on a lockdown came after last Thursday ’ s coronavirus cabinet meeting , at which hospital heads from throughout the country raised a red flag and said that the situation in their coronavirus units and among their staff was becoming unsustainable .
A report published Sunday by the Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center supported those statements : “ The hospitals ’ safety net has been significantly reduced , which creates a danger to the stability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of serious patients is increasing , which puts the country ’ s hospitals at risk , the report said , noting that the number of serious patients in the hospitals has increased by 51 in the last two weeks .
At the same time , the Health Ministry reported another day of high infection : Some 2,715 people tested positive on Saturday .
Israel reached a record high number of patients in serious condition with 513 patients , 139 of whom are intubated .
The death toll stands at 1,108 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word collapsing , '' Dr. Michael ( Miki ) Halberthal , the head of Rambam Medical Center , said at a cabinet meeting , according to The Jerusalem Post 's sister paper , Maariv , `` but the situation requires immediate closure . ''
However , on Sunday , several of the hospital heads nearly contradicted Halberthal , such as deputy director-general of Sheba Medical Center , Prof. Arnon Afek , who said that his hospital is not close to breaking down .
Further , the head of Rabin Medical Center also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indeed changed since mid-August , but this is not a collapse of the hospital system .
There is unnecessary anxiety .
A full closure is not required . ''
Netanyahu , however , still seemed to believe that immediate action was required .
“ Senior officials in the Health Ministry raised a red flag on Thursday , ” he said at the Sunday briefing .
“ They warned us that the number of serious patients is climbing , and the winter is getting nearer.
” He said it is not a problem of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of human wear and tear on the health system staff .
At the start of the meeting , Edelstein also expressed that the country was in a state of emergency and if the ministers made more than “ cosmetic changes ” he would withdraw any proposal from the table .
`` I will not allow the program to be negotiated , '' Edelstein stressed at the start of the meeting .
`` I say clearly at the beginning of this discussion : if the plan is not accepted , I will withdraw it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The coronavirus is neither a political or populist matter , it is a matter of life and death , '' he continued .
`` I suggest to anyone who claims otherwise , to tour coronavirus wards and see the situation for themselves . ''
He added that if the plan is withdrawn , then by next Tuesday there will be no public restrictions , the price of which would be several thousand dead .
`` I will not give in to pressure just to please such and such people , '' he stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ When I am asked , ‘ Are you sure that all the difficult things we will go through are not for nothing ?
’ I say , ‘ It depends on all of us.
’ “ If in those weeks when there are these restrictions - and we , the citizens of Israel , will not abide by the rules and we will not obey the instructions - then the situation will be in vain , ” he said .
“ But if we keep to the simple rules of wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is light at the end of the tunnel .
”

The country is heading into a three-week nearly total lockdown on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the government determined on Sunday after more than seven hours of heated debate. The closure will go into effect at 2 p.m. on Friday and last through Simchat Torah on October 9.
During the lockdown, the school system will remain closed, except for special education and programs for at-risk youth. People will not be able to venture more than 500 meters from home. Restaurants, shopping centers and businesses that offer leisure and recreational activities will be shut down.
The airport will stay open. The private sector will be allowed to continue working, so long as these businesses follow the Purple Ribbon protocol. The public sector will operate in a limited format like it did in March and April.The airport will stay open.
Finally, there will be a special outline for High Holy Day prayers.
“There are detailed regulations that the government will approve in the next two days,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained during a briefing held shortly after the vote. “I know these steps will take a heavy toll, that this is not the holiday we are used to, and that we will certainly not be able to celebrate with the whole family.”
But he added, “If we are not careful to follow these basic steps the virus will spread… Anyone who does not keep the directives is harming other people.”
Health Minister Yuli Edelstein spoke after the prime minister: "Obviously I should be happy as someone whose offer was accepted, but that is not the case… For three months, I tried to do everything to allow us to live life alongside the coronavirus and keep the number [of sick patients] at levels the health system could live with.
“Unfortunately, that is not the case today,” he continued. “Under the circumstances, we had no choice.”
Edelstein spoke from his home in Herzliya where he is in isolation - and after a lengthy meeting that was not short on accusations against the Health Ministry and coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu for not doing enough to stop the spread of the virus, and that included harsh opposition by many ministers to a closure.
"It is nice that you are raising the red flag now, when hospitals are getting full, but you had to raise that red flag a month or two ago," Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said.
Water Minister Ze’ev Elkin accused Gamzu of "zigzagging all the time" and not presenting clear criteria for how the lockdown will end.
"In the coronavirus cabinet, we were told that for a lockdown to be effective, it takes three to four weeks and not two," Elkin said. "We need to say this honestly to the public."
Some, such as Science & Technology Minister Izhar Shay (Blue and White) and Economy Minister Amir Peretz (Labor), fought against the closure, saying the harm to the Israeli economy will be too severe for the country to recover.
Finance Minister Israel Katz said difficult decisions were being made, because the Health Ministry did not do its job properly. He claimed that a general closure of the Israeli economy would cause heavy damage to businesses and hundreds of thousands of other unemployed.
Peretz called for a scaled back closure: “I support a night closure in which about 80% of the economy remains open,” Peretz said Saturday night. “Hundreds of thousands of employees and the self-employed are in existential anxiety. The economic coronavirus pandemic is no less severe than the health pandemic.”
Minister Itzik Shmuli expressed opposition to a full closure because he claimed it would not stand the public test.
"I propose to better balance health and the economy and strike harder at the centers of illness and not everywhere,” Shmuli said. He also offered that instead of a furlough model, the government would move to a wage subsidy model.
Regional Cooperation Minister Ophir Akunis (Likud) also warned that a full lockdown would be "a disaster for the Israeli economy." He said the economy needed to be restored as soon as possible after the holidays.
Similarly, Tourism Minister Asaf Zamir (Blue and White) argued late Saturday night that “a full closure of the entire country during the holidays is too extreme a step and has economic implications that entire industries will not recover from.”
Zamir also lashed out against “outrageous violations” of Health Ministry directives, from nightclub parties to weddings, and against the ministers who have failed to be role models.
“No one is a role model here, including some of my colleagues in the Knesset and government, and this is the result,” he said. But he said that he will vote against the decision to impose the closure, nevertheless.
Even before the meeting, in the morning, Housing and Construction Minister Ya'acov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) announced that he is resigning from the coalition, writing in his resignation letter that he believed Netanyahu intended from the start to have a full lockdown during the holidays out of a lack of appreciation for religious observance in comparison to other issues that are not being harmed in the fight against coronavirus.
"My heart is with the thousands of Jews who come to synagogue once a year and this year won't come at all due to the lockdown," Litzman wrote. "I warned against a lockdown during the holidays in every possible forum and emphasized that if there is a need for a full lockdown, it should not wait for a rise of infection to get to this pace."
He said a closure should have been carried out a month ago and not during the High Holy Days. He added that when he made his original plea to Gamzu, the commissioner denied that this was his intention. Litzman said that in retrospect he was proven correct.
"That is why I cannot continue to serve as a minister and I decided to resign from the government and return to the Knesset," he concluded.
Via the Norwegian Law, Litzman quit the Knesset and was replaced by the next candidate on the UTJ list, Eliyahu Baruchi, who will automatically leave the Knesset when Litzman's resignation letter becomes official.
The resignation is not final. If carried through, it will take effect in 48 hours.
"I am very sorry about the decision of Minister Litzman to step down," Netanyahu said at the start of the meeting. "I really value Ya'acov Litzman, but I also respect his decision. Nonetheless, we need to continue to make decisions on behalf of the State of Israel."
In addition to the battle over the lockdown, during the meeting there was also a colorful debate over whether to allow protests to continue.
"Gathering is gathering," charged Internal Security Minister Amir Ohana (Likud), "so it should be forbidden to everyone, including protesters."
In response, Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn (Blue and White) said that the country could not stop people from protesting against it.
Minister David Amsalem (Likud) actually yelled at Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit for saying that demonstrations should not be stopped.
“Take responsibility for the disease,” Amsalem charged, “public trust is damaged by the demonstrations."
Mandelblit responded: "Demonstrations cannot be prevented. It is not a matter of quantity but of quality."
Acting Police Commissioner Motti Cohen requested that the government design a clear outline for the demonstrations.
“The police officer at the end should receive clear instructions,” Cohen said. “It is not his job to determine who will demonstrate and who will not."
"The top officials of the Ministry of Health unanimously agree that the demonstrations as they take place today are a danger to health. Public trust is required here, and we need one rule for everyone," Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kish added.
Gamzu said he could design such an outline.
The vote on a lockdown came after last Thursday’s coronavirus cabinet meeting, at which hospital heads from throughout the country raised a red flag and said that the situation in their coronavirus units and among their staff was becoming unsustainable.
A report published Sunday by the Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center supported those statements: “The hospitals’ safety net has been significantly reduced, which creates a danger to the stability of the healthcare system.”
Furthermore, the number of serious patients is increasing, which puts the country’s hospitals at risk, the report said, noting that the number of serious patients in the hospitals has increased by 51 in the last two weeks.
At the same time, the Health Ministry reported another day of high infection: Some 2,715 people tested positive on Saturday. Israel reached a record high number of patients in serious condition with 513 patients, 139 of whom are intubated. The death toll stands at 1,108.
"I do not want to use the word collapsing," Dr. Michael (Miki) Halberthal, the head of Rambam Medical Center, said at a cabinet meeting, according to The Jerusalem Post's sister paper, Maariv, "but the situation requires immediate closure."
However, on Sunday, several of the hospital heads nearly contradicted Halberthal, such as deputy director-general of Sheba Medical Center, Prof. Arnon Afek, who said that his hospital is not close to breaking down.
Further, the head of Rabin Medical Center also contradicted Halberthal: "The trend has indeed changed since mid-August, but this is not a collapse of the hospital system. There is unnecessary anxiety. A full closure is not required."
Netanyahu, however, still seemed to believe that immediate action was required.
“Senior officials in the Health Ministry raised a red flag on Thursday,” he said at the Sunday briefing. “They warned us that the number of serious patients is climbing, and the winter is getting nearer.”
He said it is not a problem of respirators or beds, but a problem of human wear and tear on the health system staff.
At the start of the meeting, Edelstein also expressed that the country was in a state of emergency and if the ministers made more than “cosmetic changes” he would withdraw any proposal from the table.
"I will not allow the program to be negotiated," Edelstein stressed at the start of the meeting. "I say clearly at the beginning of this discussion: if the plan is not accepted, I will withdraw it and not bring alternative plans.
"The coronavirus is neither a political or populist matter, it is a matter of life and death," he continued. "I suggest to anyone who claims otherwise, to tour coronavirus wards and see the situation for themselves."
He added that if the plan is withdrawn, then by next Tuesday there will be no public restrictions, the price of which would be several thousand dead.
"I will not give in to pressure just to please such and such people," he stressed.
Later at the briefing he concluded, “When I am asked, ‘Are you sure that all the difficult things we will go through are not for nothing?’ I say, ‘It depends on all of us.’
“If in those weeks when there are these restrictions - and we, the citizens of Israel, will not abide by the rules and we will not obey the instructions - then the situation will be in vain,” he said. “But if we keep to the simple rules of wearing masks, good hygiene and social distancing… there is light at the end of the tunnel.”


jerusalempost--2020-09-13--Netanyahu to address country on possible upcoming lockdown


jerusalempost--2020-09-13--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 28.86 million, death toll at 920,194

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

More than 28.86 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 920,194 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--2020-09-13--Saudi Arabia to lift some international flight restrictions on Sept 15

Saudi Arabia will partially lift its suspension of international flights as of Sept. 15 to allow "exceptional categories" of citizens and residents to travel, the state news agency SPA said on Sunday.The kingdom will lift all travel restrictions for citizens on Jan. 1, 2021, it said.


jerusalempost--2020-09-13--UK records 3,330 more confirmed cases of COVID-19

It also reported a further five new deaths from the coronavirus .

The United Kingdom reported 3,330 confirmed new cases of COVID-19, according to government data published on Sunday, compared with 3,497 a day earlier.
It also reported a further five new deaths from the coronavirus.
Britain is to bring in a new ban on social gatherings on Monday in a bid to curb the increasing rise in infections.


jerusalempost--2020-09-13--Trump calls for 'fast trial death penalty' if wounded LA officers die

Update : The gunman walked up on the deputies and opened fire without warning or provocation .
pic.twitter.com/cBQjyKkoxJ

United States President Donald Trump called for a fast-tracked death penalty conviction for the assailant who shot two police officers in Compton, California on Sunday."One male deputy and one female deputy were ambushed as they sat in their patrol vehicle. Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds and are in critical condition. They are both currently undergoing surgery. The suspect is still at large," LA County Sheriffs said in a statement.The act, which has been shared on social media by both the president and his son, shows an unknown assailant walking up to the officers' car and opening fire before running away from the scene. The LA County Sheriffs said that the gunmen walked up and opened fire "without warning or provocation."
Update: The gunman walked up on the deputies and opened fire without warning or provocation. pic.twitter.com/cBQjyKkoxJ — LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) September 13, 2020
"Please pray for these two Sheriff Deputies. Their lives matter!!! #BlueLivesMatter," said the president's son Donald Trump Jr on Twitter.To which the president added through a tweet that "if they die, fast trial death penalty for the killer. Only way to stop this!"


jerusalempost--2020-09-13--At least 100,000 protesters gather in Belarusian capital

At least 100,000 Belarusian anti-government protesters flooded the center of Minsk on Sunday, a Reuters eyewitness said, with police detaining around 250 people, the Interfax news agency cited the Interior Ministry as saying.Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko is facing a groundswell of public anger after declaring a landslide win in last month's presidential election that his opponents say was rigged. Lukashenko denies these allegations.


jerusalempost--2020-09-13--Police arrest 18-year-old while investigating stabbing in Arab town

The stabbing victim was transferred to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in light condition .
After the stabbing , police opened @ @ @ @ @ to the detaining of the 18-year-old .
His arrest was extended from Saturday to Monday @ @ @ @ @

The stabbing victim was transferred to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in light condition.
After the stabbing, police opened an investigation, which led to the detaining of the 18-year-old. His arrest was extended from Saturday to Monday in the Haifa Court.
An 18-year-old man was arrested during police action taken following the stabbing of a 47-year-old man in the northern Arab town of Jisr az-Zarqa on Saturday night.


jerusalempost--2020-09-13--Landslides in Nepal kill 12 people, at least 21 missing

Ten people were killed and 21 are missing after a massive landslide swept away homes and people in Barahbise , @ @ @ @ @ miles ) east of Kathmandu near the border with the Tibet region of China , @ @ @ @ @ said .
Two others died in a landslide in Baglung in the northwest .
Both @ @ @ @ @ dawn and people could not escape to safety , rescuers said .
`` Rescuers are @ @ @ @ @ missing , '' Wasti told Reuters .

Landslides triggered by torrential rain swept through two villages in Nepal on Sunday, killing at least 12 people, a government official said.
Ten people were killed and 21 are missing after a massive landslide swept away homes and people in Barahbise, 100 km. (62 miles) east of Kathmandu near the border with the Tibet region of China, Nepali government official Murari Wasti said.
Two others died in a landslide in Baglung in the northwest.
Both landslides struck the villages before dawn and people could not escape to safety, rescuers said.
"Rescuers are looking for those who are missing," Wasti told Reuters.
The latest fatalities brought the death toll from landslides and flash floods in the June-September monsoon season to 314. At least 111 people remain missing and 160 have been injured, the official said.


jerusalempost--2020-09-13--Mother, 40, found dead in apartment, toddler found alive beside her

According to investigative reports , the mother died at least four days before officials found her body .
The toddler @ @ @ @ @ alive .
Sounds of the toddler crying caught the attention of a neighbor , who @ @ @ @ @ The neighbor also noticed that the toddler had not been attending the kindergarten .
The @ @ @ @ @ of the girl had died a year prior .

According to investigative reports, the mother died at least four days before officials found her body. The toddler, however, was found alive.
Sounds of the toddler crying caught the attention of a neighbor, who then notified the police. The neighbor also noticed that the toddler had not been attending the kindergarten.
The woman's partner and father of the girl had died a year prior.
A 40-year-old woman was found dead in her apartment, lying next to her three-year-old daughter in Afula, according to Maariv, The Jerusalem Post's sister publication.


jerusalempost--2020-09-13--Belarus authorities close off central square in Minsk, detain protesters

A Reuters witness saw a column of people numbering at least 10,000 moving towards Independence Square on Sunday , where the government and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko sit .
On Saturday , at least 5,000 people had marched through the city demanding the release of a jailed opposition leader , in the latest in a wave of mass protests after the Aug 9 presidential vote .
A total of 114 people were held across the country last night , of which 99 were detained in the capital , the Interior Ministry said .
Oktyabrskaya Square in central Minsk was fenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with armed law enforcement forces seen behind it , a Reuters witness said .
Independence Square was also fenced off .
Citing the Minsk police , Russian state newsagency TASS said on Sunday that detentions had started in the capital ahead of the protests due from 1100 GMT .
One protester who gave her name as Tatiana told Reuters , `` there were over 1,000 people in our group . ''
`` Soldiers rounded us up in several circles , people were selectively pulled out of the crowd and beaten , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Interior Ministry , told TASS separately that additional police and interior ministry forces were called to the streets of Minsk on Sunday to prevent the holding of what she described as an unauthorized rally .
Belarus , Russia 's closest ex-Soviet ally , has seen mass protests since the Aug 9 presidential elections , which the opposition says were rigged .
Lukashenko , who has been in power for 26 years , denies this and has said foreign powers are behind the protests .

Authorities in Belarus used barbed wire to seal off a central square in the capital Minsk and started to detain protesters as they took to the streets for another march on Sunday following the country's disputed elections last month.
A Reuters witness saw a column of people numbering at least 10,000 moving towards Independence Square on Sunday, where the government and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko sit.
On Saturday, at least 5,000 people had marched through the city demanding the release of a jailed opposition leader, in the latest in a wave of mass protests after the Aug 9 presidential vote.
A total of 114 people were held across the country last night, of which 99 were detained in the capital, the Interior Ministry said.
Oktyabrskaya Square in central Minsk was fenced off with barbed wire on Sunday, with armed law enforcement forces seen behind it, a Reuters witness said. Independence Square was also fenced off.
Citing the Minsk police, Russian state newsagency TASS said on Sunday that detentions had started in the capital ahead of the protests due from 1100 GMT.
One protester who gave her name as Tatiana told Reuters, "there were over 1,000 people in our group."
"Soldiers rounded us up in several circles, people were selectively pulled out of the crowd and beaten," she added.
Olga Chemodanova, an official at the Interior Ministry, told TASS separately that additional police and interior ministry forces were called to the streets of Minsk on Sunday to prevent the holding of what she described as an unauthorized rally.
Belarus, Russia's closest ex-Soviet ally, has seen mass protests since the Aug 9 presidential elections, which the opposition says were rigged.
Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, denies this and has said foreign powers are behind the protests.
Belarus' key opposition figures have been either jailed or forced out of the country. Lukashenko is due to visit Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin on Monday and both countries start joint military drills on Sept 14.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Complaint filed against 6 Israelis who lied about coming from 'green' state

The Population Authority filed a complaint on Monday with the police against six Israelis who falsely claimed that they had returned from a "green" country after returning from Poland, according to Channel 13.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Coronavirus in Israel: 3,182 new cases, 529 in serious condition

Of the total now infected , 529 patients are in serious condition , with 135 on ventilators .
The death @ @ @ @ @ .

Of the total now infected, 529 patients are in serious condition, with 135 on ventilators. The death toll rose to 1,126 overnight.
Some 3,182 new cases of the coronavirus were reported on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the outbreak to 156,823, according to a mid-day update by the Health Ministry on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--PM Benjamin Netanyahu lands in US ahead of UAE, Bahrain deal signing

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in Washington DC on Monday ahead of the signing of normalization deals with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Turkey does not expect EU sanctions over east Med dispute

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday that Turkey does not expect the European Union to impose sanctions on it over a dispute with Greece over territorial claims in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.The EU says it fully supports member states Greece and Cyprus in the dispute and has said it is drawing up potential sanctions if dialog does not begin. Cavusoglu repeated in the interview on NTV Turkey was open to talks without pre-conditions.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Coronavirus: More than 3,000 new cases in the last day

There were 3,1667 people diagnosed with the novel coronavirus on Sunday, the Health Ministry reported Monday morning.Some 519 people are in serious condition, including 144 who are intubated.The death toll spiked to 1,119.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Masks won't be mandatory in deal-signing ceremony in Washington -report

A White House official said on Monday night that White House personnel will be encouraging participants of the Israel-Bahrain-UAE deal-signing ceremony to wear protective masks but won't be enforcing them to do so, according to a report by Walla!."The ceremony will take place in an open lawn, and we will maintain social distancing as much as possible," the official told reporters.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--1 dead and 5 injured in a car accident near Nazareth

A 30-year-old man died and five others were injured in a car crash on Monday night, according to The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv.The accident involved three vehicles and took place on road 79 near the city of Nazareth. Paramedics on the scene provided CPR and evacuated the injured to the Rambam Health Care Campus.Among those injured is a 60-year-old in severe condition, a 75-year-old moderately injured and three others in light condition.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Two men shot near Hura, police on the scene

Israel Police announced on Monday evening that two men were shot near the entrance of the Bedouin town of Hura and required medical treatment as a result.Police forces were called to the scene and have opened an investigation surrounding the circumstances that led to the incident.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Defense, public security ministers meet to prepare for lockdown

Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Public Security Minister Amir Ohana met on Monday to discuss cooperation between the ministries in preparation for coronavirus lockdowns. The two agreed that IDF troops would continue to provide backup for police forces.The two also agreed to set up a joint task force to address thefts of arms from IDF bases and violence in firing ranges in the south.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Fire breaks out in Ramat Gan building

Fire breaks out in Ramat Gan building

A fire broke out in a building in Ramat Gan on Monday , according to Maariv .
Firefighters have rescued @ @ @ @ @ two have been treated and evacuated by Magen David Adom teams .
The fire started @ @ @ @ @ the building in a construction supplies store .
Firefighters are working to stop the flames @ @ @

A fire broke out in a building in Ramat Gan on Monday, according to Maariv. Firefighters have rescued people from the building and two have been treated and evacuated by Magen David Adom teams.
The fire started on the first floor of the building in a construction supplies store. Firefighters are working to stop the flames from spreading.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--US CDC reports 193,705 deaths from coronavirus

The CDC 's tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19 , caused by a new coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ .
ET on Sept. 13 compared with its previous report a day earlier .

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday reported 6,503,030 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 35,549 cases from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 510 to 193,705.
The CDC's tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19, caused by a new coronavirus, is as of 4 p.m. ET on Sept. 13 compared with its previous report a day earlier.
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Croatia to be removed from list of green countries

Croatia will be removed from the list of green countries on Monday , Israel Hayom reported .

Croatia will be removed from the list of green countries on Monday, Israel Hayom reported.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Coronavirus death toll climbing fast - 1,136 victims

There were 3,192 people diagnosed with the novel coronavirus in the last day, the Health Ministry said Monday night. Of the sick, 524 are in serious condition, including 142 who are intubated.The death toll is rising fast, reaching 1,136 on Monday night.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--France's new COVID-19 cases rise by more than 6,000

The Monday figure always tends to dip as there are fewer tests conducted on Sundays .
The seven-day moving average @ @ @ @ @ smoothes out reporting irregularities , stood at 8,324 , a record for a 28th day @ @ @ @ @ a low of 272 on May 27 , two weeks after the country ended its @ @ @ @

French health authorities on Monday reported 6,158 new COVID-19 infections over the past 24 hours, sharply down from Saturday's record high of 10,561 and Sunday's tally of 7,183.
The Monday figure always tends to dip as there are fewer tests conducted on Sundays.
The seven-day moving average of new infections, which smoothes out reporting irregularities, stood at 8,324, a record for a 28th day in a row, versus a low of 272 on May 27, two weeks after the country ended its two-month long lockdown.
The number of people in France who have died from COVID-19 infections rose by 34 to 30,950. The cumulative number of cases now totals 387,252.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Macy's Thanksgiving Parade to be reduced to television-only event

Macy's Inc's iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade will shift to a television-only special presentation, the company and the City of New York said on Monday.The department store chain said staging for the parade's elements would focus solely around the Herald Square area of Midtown Manhattan and would not use the traditional 2.5-mile parade route.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--UK reports 2,621 new cases of COVID-19

UK reports 2,621 new cases of COVID-19

The new cases take the cumulative total number of cases to 371,125 .

A total of 2,621 new positive cases were recorded across the United Kingdom on Monday, Public Health England said.
The new cases take the cumulative total number of cases to 371,125.
Public Health England also said nine new deaths had been reported, taking the UK total since the start of the pandemic to 41,637.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Event hall owner fined NIS 5,000 for breaking Health Ministry regulations

In the past , the event hall owner had been cited for similar offenses .
Police fined an event hall @ @ @ @ @ night for not adhering to Health Ministry regulations set in place for businesses.In the past @ @ @ @ @ had been cited for similar offenses .
The incident occurred after police visited the event @ @ @ @ @ checking to see if businesses are abiding by the purple badge standards .
Upon entering @ @ @ @ @ found that the number of people was higher than the maximum allowed amount in addition @ @ @ @ @ or observing social distancing .

In the past, the event hall owner had been cited for similar offenses. Police fined an event hall owner NIS 5,000 on Sunday night for not adhering to Health Ministry regulations set in place for businesses.In the past, the event hall owner had been cited for similar offenses.
The incident occurred after police visited the event hall during regular operational activities checking to see if businesses are abiding by the purple badge standards.
Upon entering the event hall, police found that the number of people was higher than the maximum allowed amount in addition to people not wearing masks or observing social distancing.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Israel shouldn't 'protect' former Mexican official, president says

Israel should not protect a former Mexican official believed to be residing there, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday, adding that Israel had been informed of an arrest warrant against the individual.Lopez Obrador said Tomas Zeron, an official in the previous administration who is wanted for tampering with evidence and torture in the case of 43 missing students, among other crimes, was not "politically persecuted."


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--'Hotel Rwanda' hero declines to plead to terrorism charges

Paul Rusesabagina, portrayed as a hero in a Hollywood movie about Rwanda's 1994 genocide, declined to plead to all the 13 charges facing him in court on Monday, demanding he be allowed to plead to each separate count.Rusesabagina told the court he had contributed 20,000 euros to the FLN, a militant wing of one of the leading opposition groups, and apologized for any wrongdoing that may have been caused by the movement.


jerusalempost--2020-09-14--Greece resettling stranded migrants to tent camp on Lesbos

More than 12,000 people , mostly refugees from Afghanistan , Africa and Syria , are without shelter and are having to sleep out in the open without proper sanitation after the fire tore through the Moria migrant camp last Wednesday .
Greece is now registering the migrants and testing them for the COVID-19 disease before channeling them into the temporary tent camp , government spokesman Stelios Petsas said , though a police officer said some were refusing to move to the facility .
`` We expect that in the next three to four days all will be housed , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ) roughly 12,000 homeless , '' he told reporters .
Authorities have already moved some 400 minors from the island to the Greek mainland since the blaze for possible resettlement in other European countries .
About 600 migrants have so far been resettled in the temporary tent camp and 14 of them have tested positive for COVID-19 , a government official said .
In the chaos following last week 's fire , authorities lost sight of 35 people who had tested positive , deepening fears of an outbreak among migrants sleeping closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday the government 's suspicion that the fire was started deliberately `` by migrants who wanted to blackmail the government to leave the island . ''
An investigation into the cause of the blaze is continuing .
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday that Greece would build a permanent new migrant reception center to replace the Moria facility .

Greece has resettled hundreds of migrants in a temporary new tent facility after a fire destroyed their overcrowded refugee camp on the island of Lesbos and hopes to have moved all of them this week, government officials said on Monday.
More than 12,000 people, mostly refugees from Afghanistan, Africa and Syria, are without shelter and are having to sleep out in the open without proper sanitation after the fire tore through the Moria migrant camp last Wednesday.
Greece is now registering the migrants and testing them for the COVID-19 disease before channeling them into the temporary tent camp, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said, though a police officer said some were refusing to move to the facility.
"We expect that in the next three to four days all will be housed, a bit less than the (total number of) roughly 12,000 homeless," he told reporters.
Authorities have already moved some 400 minors from the island to the Greek mainland since the blaze for possible resettlement in other European countries.
About 600 migrants have so far been resettled in the temporary tent camp and 14 of them have tested positive for COVID-19, a government official said.
In the chaos following last week's fire, authorities lost sight of 35 people who had tested positive, deepening fears of an outbreak among migrants sleeping closely together without proper sanitation.
Petsas repeated on Monday the government's suspicion that the fire was started deliberately "by migrants who wanted to blackmail the government to leave the island." An investigation into the cause of the blaze is continuing.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday that Greece would build a permanent new migrant reception center to replace the Moria facility.
Germany's Bild newspaper reported on Monday that Berlin is considering taking in thousands of refugees from Lesbos as a one-off gesture and also wants the Moria camp to be rebuilt and run by the European Union.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--UAE FM: Normalization 'way forward' for the region

He said Israel suspending its planned annexation of Palestinian land would stop the two-state solution being undermined .
Gargash said @ @ @ @ @ but `` it will not happen overnight . ''

Gargash added that the presence of the United States as a mediator of the country's deal to normalize relations with Israel assures him that the suspension of further annexation of Palestinian lands will hold.
The minister also said it was not the time to revise the Arab Peace initiative, and that it remains the cornerstone of the UAE's commitment to the Palestinian cause.
He said Israel suspending its planned annexation of Palestinian land would stop the two-state solution from being undermined. Gargash said a strategic breakthrough is needed but "it will not happen overnight."


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Migrants stranded by Lesbos fire resist new temporary camp

More than 12,000 people , mostly refugees from Afghanistan , Africa and Syria , were left without shelter , proper sanitation or access to food and water after a fire tore through the overcrowded Moria migrant camp last Wednesday .
At a temporary camp in the Kara Tepe area with 5,000 beds available , only about 1,000 people had moved in so far , according to a government official , adding that more space was being made available .
Migrants wearing masks as a precaution against the coronavirus queued outside the camp gates to receive water , food and blankets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 tests were also carried out , and at least 25 people tested positive , further complicating attempts to resettle asylum seekers .
But many thousands more were reluctant to enter the tent camp , a police official said , fearing that life there would be no better than the squalid conditions they endured in Moria and hoping to be allowed to leave the island .
Thousands of people , including women and children , spent the night in makeshift tents on a road outside the temporary camp .
`` We have informed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility , but they have refused , '' the police official said , speaking on condition of anonymity .
`` They want to leave the island . ''
Germany could take in up to 1,500 people stranded by the Moria fire , government sources said on Tuesday , in addition to 100-150 Berlin has already agreed to take in .
Only a few hundred migrants , mainly unaccompanied minors , have been moved off Lesbos .
Greek officials have said there will be no mass transfers and all asylum seekers will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one will leave Lesbos without having first entered the temporary camp , '' Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisohoidis told Skai radio .
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Saturday that no matter what , a permanent migrant reception center would be set up on Lesbos to replace the overcrowded refugee camp destroyed last week 's blaze .

Thousands of migrants stranded on Lesbos since a fire destroyed their camp last week refused to move into a new facility set up to house them on Tuesday, demanding instead that they be allowed to leave the Greek island.
More than 12,000 people, mostly refugees from Afghanistan, Africa and Syria, were left without shelter, proper sanitation or access to food and water after a fire tore through the overcrowded Moria migrant camp last Wednesday.
At a temporary camp in the Kara Tepe area with 5,000 beds available, only about 1,000 people had moved in so far, according to a government official, adding that more space was being made available.
Migrants wearing masks as a precaution against the coronavirus queued outside the camp gates to receive water, food and blankets from aid workers before they entered.
COVID-19 tests were also carried out, and at least 25 people tested positive, further complicating attempts to resettle asylum seekers.
But many thousands more were reluctant to enter the tent camp, a police official said, fearing that life there would be no better than the squalid conditions they endured in Moria and hoping to be allowed to leave the island.
Thousands of people, including women and children, spent the night in makeshift tents on a road outside the temporary camp.
"We have informed them that they must come into the facility, but they have refused," the police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "They want to leave the island."
Germany could take in up to 1,500 people stranded by the Moria fire, government sources said on Tuesday, in addition to 100-150 Berlin has already agreed to take in.
Only a few hundred migrants, mainly unaccompanied minors, have been moved off Lesbos. Greek officials have said there will be no mass transfers and all asylum seekers will have to go into the new shelter.
"No one will leave Lesbos without having first entered the temporary camp," Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisohoidis told Skai radio.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Saturday that no matter what, a permanent migrant reception center would be set up on Lesbos to replace the overcrowded refugee camp destroyed last week's blaze.
European Council President Charles Michel, who arrived in Athens on Tuesday, was expected to visit Lesbos in the evening.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Gov't paid close to NIS 6 billion in grants by August

The government paid NIS 5.58 billion in grants between May and August as part of the Finance Ministry 's Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Israel Tax Authority said Tuesday .

The government paid NIS 5.58 billion in grants between May and August as part of the Finance Ministry's Coronavirus Safety Net plan, the Israel Tax Authority said Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Tel Aviv Stock Exchange takes uptrend

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange takes uptrend

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange took an uptrend Tuesday afternoon , with the Tel Aviv-35 rising 0.6 % and the @ @ @ @ @ .
The shift in the Tel Aviv market comes as the European ones rise as @ @ @ @ @ 0.85 % , Frankfurt 0.3 % , Madrid 1.29 % and Paris rising 1.3 %

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange took an uptrend Tuesday afternoon, with the Tel Aviv-35 rising 0.6% and the Tel Aviv-125 rising 0.9%.
The shift in the Tel Aviv market comes as the European ones rise as well, with London rising 0.85%, Frankfurt 0.3%, Madrid 1.29% and Paris rising 1.3%


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Arab MK Tibi's aide tests positive for coronavirus

An advisor to MK Ahmad Tibi tested positive for coronavirus , Knesset Guard head Yosef Grif said Tuesday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ alongside all who came in contact with the aide .
According to Grif , the @ @ @ @ @ investigation in cooperation with all relevant Health Ministry officials .

An advisor to MK Ahmad Tibi tested positive for coronavirus, Knesset Guard head Yosef Grif said Tuesday morning.
Tibi has reportedly entered quarantine alongside all who came in contact with the aide. According to Grif, the Knesset will conduct an epidemiological investigation in cooperation with all relevant Health Ministry officials.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Gallant: 9,000 students will take school tests during lockdown

Around 9,000 students will take exams during lockdown , Education Minister Yoav Gallant said Tuesday morning , N12 reported .
@ @ @ @ @ a three-week lockdown on Friday at 2 p.m. local time .

Around 9,000 students will take exams during lockdown, Education Minister Yoav Gallant said Tuesday morning, N12 reported.
Israel is set to enter a three-week lockdown on Friday at 2 p.m. local time.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Germany plans to take in around 1,500 migrants from Greek islands

The agency cited politicians focused on domestic policy as saying that these would be families with children .

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer are planning to take in around 1,500 refugees from the Greek islands, German news agency dpa reported on Tuesday.
The agency cited politicians focused on domestic policy as saying that these would be families with children.
More than 12,000 people, mostly refugees from Afghanistan, Africa and Syria, were left without shelter, proper sanitation or access to food and water after a fire tore through the overcrowded Moria migrant camp on the Greek island of Lesbos last Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Indonesia reports coronavirus cases rise by 3,507 to 225,030

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

Indonesia reported on Tuesday 3,507 new coronavirus infections, taking the country's total tally to 225,030, Health Ministry data showed.The number of deaths rose by 124 to 8,965, the highest number of fatalities in Southeast Asia.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Philippines reports 3,544 novel coronavirus cases, 34 more deaths

The Philippines' health ministry on Tuesday confirmed 3,544 additional novel coronavirus infections and 34 more deaths.In a bulletin, the ministry said total infections had increased to 269,407, the highest in Southeast Asia, while confirmed deaths have reached 4,663.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Former public servant, three suspects arrested for bribery

The Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit has opened a fraud investigation , arresting and interrogating four suspects on Monday , Israel @ @ @ @ @ the four suspects is a former public servant , according to police .
Police and @ @ @ @ @ suspect the person promoted the interest of others while having a conflict of interest .
@ @ @ @ @ for bribery , fraud and breach of trust .

The Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit has opened a fraud investigation, arresting and interrogating four suspects on Monday, Israel Police said.
One of the four suspects is a former public servant, according to police. Police and the State Attorney's Office suspect the person promoted the interest of others while having a conflict of interest.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Russia reports 5,529 new coronavirus cases, 150 deaths

Russia reported 5,529 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, pushing its national tally to 1,073,849, the fourth largest in the world.Authorities said 150 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 18,785.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Fire erupts in central Beirut commercial district

The building was close to completion after years of construction .

A fire erupted in central Beirut's commercial district on Tuesday, Lebanese broadcasters reported. Broadcaster al-Jadeed said a landmark building designed by the late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid was on fire.
The building was close to completion after years of construction.


jerusalempost--2020-09-15--Former commanders of Colombia's FARC rebels apologize for kidnappings

Eight former commanders of Colombia's demobilized FARC guerrillas on Monday asked forgiveness for kidnappings committed by the rebel group during the country's armed conflict and said they regretted the grave error.It is the first time since the November 2016 peace deal between the government and the demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that a group of former commanders, including former leader Rodrigo Londono, known by nom de guerre 'Timochenko', have asked for forgiveness and accepted they had made mistakes."We are here to publicly ask forgiveness of all our victims and their families from the bottom of our hearts," the now-members of the FARC political party said in a statement. The party preserved its Spanish initials after changing its name to the Revolutionary Alternative Common Force."The kidnappings were a serious error for which we can only apologize," they said.Colombia's government and human rights groups accuse the demobilized guerrillas of having kidnapped thousands of civilians and members of the armed forces during the rebels' part in a more than 50-year conflict that has left 260,000 dead and millions displaced.The members of the FARC political party admitted kidnappings had deeply wounded those affected and damaged their legitimacy and credibility beyond repair by having deprived their victims of their dignity and freedom.The FARC leaders reiterated their commitment and willingness to testify about what took place during the conflict in court hearings and to give explanations to Colombian society.Former rebel leaders are in the process of giving testimonies in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), a court that can impose sentences restricting freedom for between five and eight years on those who acknowledge responsibility and confess to their crimes.However, those who do not take responsibility for their crimes will receive jail sentences of between 15 and 20 years.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Federal prosecutors file new charges against Lev Parnas

Federal prosecutors said on Thursday they had filed additional charges against Lev Parnas , a one-time associate of President Donald Trump 's lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , who was already facing campaign finance-related charges .
Prosecutors said they had charged Parnas and an associate , David Correia , with conspiring to defraud investors in an insurance company they operated .
Prosecutors said a superseding indictment also includes fresh campaign finance law violations .
Audrey Strauss , acting chief federal prosecutor in Manhattan , said that Parnas and David Correia , one of three co-defendants charged with Parnas in an indictment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiring to commit wire fraud in connection with their efforts to raise funds for a business they called “ Fraud Guarantee.
” Prosecutors said Parnas and Correia set up Fraud Guarantee in late 2012 , and that , `` ironically , '' they had pitched the company to potential investors as an entity that would protect investors from fraud .
In a statement , Strauss said : `` Lev Parnas and David Correia conspired in a fraud using a company called ‘ Fraud Guarantee ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud while in fact , as alleged , they misled investors as to what would be done with their money .
‘ Fraud Guarantee ’ takes on a different meaning in light of today ’ s allegations that the company was a vehicle for committing fraud , not insuring against it . ''
In addition to the wire fraud charges , the new indictment also charges Parnas , Correia and Igor Fruman , an associate of Parnas and Giuliani , with soliciting a foreign national to make donations and contributions , and charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Andrey Kukushkin , with aiding and abetting a foreign national to contribute to U.S. federal and state elections .
Joseph Bondy , a lawyer for Parnas , said : `` Lev Parnas has been on strict home confinement for nearly one year , waiting for this superseding indictment , which contains no surprises .
We are pleased that the matter can now move forward , for both Mr. Parnas and the public interest . ''
Todd Blanche , a lawyer for Fruman , said he had no comment , as did William @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawyers for the other defendant , Kukushkin , did not immediately respond to requests for comment .

Federal prosecutors said on Thursday they had filed additional charges against Lev Parnas, a one-time associate of President Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who was already facing campaign finance-related charges.
Prosecutors said they had charged Parnas and an associate, David Correia, with conspiring to defraud investors in an insurance company they operated. Prosecutors said a superseding indictment also includes fresh campaign finance law violations.
Audrey Strauss, acting chief federal prosecutor in Manhattan, said that Parnas and David Correia, one of three co-defendants charged with Parnas in an indictment the prosecutor's office issued in 2019, were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiring to commit wire fraud in connection with their efforts to raise funds for a business they called “Fraud Guarantee.”
Prosecutors said Parnas and Correia set up Fraud Guarantee in late 2012, and that, "ironically," they had pitched the company to potential investors as an entity that would protect investors from fraud.
In a statement, Strauss said: "Lev Parnas and David Correia conspired in a fraud using a company called ‘Fraud Guarantee’ that purported to insure investors against corporate fraud while in fact, as alleged, they misled investors as to what would be done with their money. ‘Fraud Guarantee’ takes on a different meaning in light of today’s allegations that the company was a vehicle for committing fraud, not insuring against it."
In addition to the wire fraud charges, the new indictment also charges Parnas, Correia and Igor Fruman, an associate of Parnas and Giuliani, with soliciting a foreign national to make donations and contributions, and charges Parnas, Fruman and a fourth man, Andrey Kukushkin, with aiding and abetting a foreign national to contribute to U.S. federal and state elections.
Joseph Bondy, a lawyer for Parnas, said: "Lev Parnas has been on strict home confinement for nearly one year, waiting for this superseding indictment, which contains no surprises. We are pleased that the matter can now move forward, for both Mr. Parnas and the public interest."
Todd Blanche, a lawyer for Fruman, said he had no comment, as did William Harrington, a lawyer for Correia. Lawyers for the other defendant, Kukushkin, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Teddy turns into Category 4 hurricane

Teddy turns into Category 4 hurricane

Teddy was located about 575 Miles ( 925 km ) northeast Of the Lesser Antilles , packing a maximum sustained @ @ @ @ @ hour ( 220 kph ) , the Miami-based weather forecaster said .

Teddy was located about 575 Miles (925 km) northeast Of the Lesser Antilles, packing a maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour (220 kph), the Miami-based weather forecaster said.
Teddy, a storm in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Nearly 1 million same-sex couple households in 2019, US Census Bureau says

The number of same-sex married and unmarried couple households in the United States reached nearly 1 million in 2019 , according to a US Census Bureau survey that broke out the statistic for the first time .
Married couples made up most ( 58 % ) of the 980,000 same-sex couple households , while 42 % were identified as unmarried partner households , according to the Census Bureau 's American Community Survey , released on Thursday .
There were nearly 123 million households in the United States last year .
The 2019 survey included revised questions designed to more accurately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Census Bureau said , allowing it to break out same-sex household statistics for the first time .
The survey found that female-couple households slightly outnumbered male-couple households among both married and unmarried people .
The number of same-sex couples nationwide is likely greater than the 980,000 tracked by the survey , which includes only those living in the same household .
The District of Columbia had the highest percentage of same-sex couple households at 2.4 % , followed by Delaware ( 1.3 % ) and Oregon at Massachusetts ( 1.2 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same-sex married people aged 16-64 was significantly higher ( 84.6 % ) than for opposite-sex married individuals ( 80.4 % ) .
Women married to a same-sex partner were much more likely to be employed than women married to a member of the opposite sex , while married men in same-sex household were less likely to be working than their peers in opposite-sex relationships .
The number of married same-sex households in the United States has increased to 568,110 from 334,829 since 2014 , the year before the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The number of same-sex married and unmarried couple households in the United States reached nearly 1 million in 2019, according to a US Census Bureau survey that broke out the statistic for the first time.
Married couples made up most (58%) of the 980,000 same-sex couple households, while 42% were identified as unmarried partner households, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, released on Thursday.
There were nearly 123 million households in the United States last year.
The 2019 survey included revised questions designed to more accurately characterize and count same-sex couple households, the Census Bureau said, allowing it to break out same-sex household statistics for the first time.
The survey found that female-couple households slightly outnumbered male-couple households among both married and unmarried people.
The number of same-sex couples nationwide is likely greater than the 980,000 tracked by the survey, which includes only those living in the same household.
The District of Columbia had the highest percentage of same-sex couple households at 2.4%, followed by Delaware (1.3%) and Oregon at Massachusetts (1.2%).
The rate of labor participation for same-sex married people aged 16-64 was significantly higher (84.6%) than for opposite-sex married individuals (80.4%).
Women married to a same-sex partner were much more likely to be employed than women married to a member of the opposite sex, while married men in same-sex household were less likely to be working than their peers in opposite-sex relationships.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Belarus to close border with Poland and Lithuania, Lukashenko says

MOSCOW - Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that Belarus had been forced to close its border with neighbors @ @ @ @ @ also to strengthen its border controls with neighboring Ukraine .
Belarus is in a political @ @ @ @ @ presidential election marred by vote-rigging allegations that led to mass demonstrations against Lukashenko , who @ @ @ @ @ 1994 .
Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller said in a text message that Poland did @ @ @ @ @ the border had really been closed .
Poland 's foreign ministry told state run news @ @ @ @ @ was operating as normal at the moment , according to information from the Polish border @ @ @ @ @ chief Rustamas Liubajevas said the border there was also operating as usual .
He said @ @ @ @ @ him they had not received any orders on border restrictions .
Lithuania was seeking more @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW - Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that Belarus had been forced to close its border with neighbors Poland and Lithuania, and also to strengthen its border controls with neighboring Ukraine.
Belarus is in a political crisis following an Aug. 9 presidential election marred by vote-rigging allegations that led to mass demonstrations against Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994.
Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller said in a text message that Poland did not have any confirmation that the border had really been closed.
Poland's foreign ministry told state run news agency PAP that the border was operating as normal at the moment, according to information from the Polish border guard.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Coronavirus in Israel: 1,169 dead, 149 intubated

Map of where Israel Police placed barriers to enforce the coronavirus lockdown ( Credit : Police Spokesperson 's Unit )

The citizens of Israel will enter the New Year in lockdown, after the government and parliament approved on Thursday a closure that will last at least two weeks. The nationwide lockdown begins at 2 p.m. on Friday.The Knesset approved an initial lockdown for two weeks, which is likely to be extended to three and possibly more.“We find ourselves before the second closure since the start of the global coronavirus pandemic,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday during a televised address. “We have determined that one of the criteria for new restrictions would be a red flag from the health system – and it was waved last week,” Netanyahu said.“So, we are imposing the closure that will begin tomorrow. We are making every effort to balance health and economic needs.”The prime minister added that in the last two days the country has seen a further increase in morbidity, as well as a rise in the number of seriously ill patients.On Thursday morning, the Health Ministry reported 4,560 new cases of the virus in the past day, and another 3,843 between midnight and press time. Some 573 people were in serious condition, including 149 who were intubated. The death toll spiked to 1,169.“I had a conversation with Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu and the other experts and asked them one question: Does this condition require us to further tighten restrictions?”He said “there will be no choice but to tighten the restrictions,” but that before making any changes to the current outline, he will discuss them with his fellow ministers. “I will not just impose a closure on the State of Israel [but] I will not hesitate to impose restrictions if necessary.”Soon before the final vote by the Knesset and the briefing, Netanyahu held an urgent meeting with Edelstein, Gamzu and a limited number of ministers and experts to discuss whether to tighten the restrictions. The meeting came after a lively debate in the Knesset that questioned the effectiveness of the upcoming lockdown if people have so much flexibility of movement.During the meeting, it was revealed, Gamzu explained that, “I do not think a long-term closure is the answer to managing coronavirus. If we were at 2,000 cases per day and we were not in the period of the High Holy Days, I would not take any step like this, but would just use the traffic-light program.“The public is not with us,” he lamented. “We have to take into account the economy. Even if I go and tell the public that there will be 1,000 dead from coronavirus a week, it will not convince them. The public is just not there.”He said he estimates that the lockdown in its current format will likely only reduce the daily number of newly infected patients to between about 3,000 to 4,000.Edelstein responded that “there will be no escape from serious restrictions.” He said that the public is asking what happens after the lockdown and “we tell them we will be able to cut the chains of infection. But we are not there. We cannot perform contact tracing on 2,000 or 3,000 people per day.”The previous day, Edelstein said in a closed-door meeting: “I consulted with all the senior officials, most of them with advanced degrees and experts in the field, and asked them whether there is a chance that the infection rate will go down under these conditions. To my great disappointment, I did not find anyone who was optimistic.”This quote was released by Channel 12.The ministers considered changing the restrictions even before Rosh Hashanah, but decided that it should wait until after the holiday. It is still unclear if they will try to tighten the directives before or after Yom Kippur. The new regulations could mean closing down synagogues and marketplaces.During Thursday’s meeting of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, Health Ministry deputy director-general Itamar Grotto tried to defend the plans. He said that he has “never seen anything” like the coronavirus and that it is a “virus that is deceiving us – and we must change our traditional means of treatment.”He said that the closure that is meant to be implemented Friday at 2 p.m. is different than the previous one because “we’ve learned since then that we can reach an open, more dynamic lockdown, similar to the model that proved itself in other countries.”As for providing the public with directives, Grotto said that “the very basic message is to stay at home. If you don’t need to leave for anything essential, stay at home. That’s the only way of ensuring the public’s safety.”Earlier in the day, Edelstein addressed the public from the Shield of Israel headquarters in Airport City in an attempt to explain the decisions that led to the expected lockdown. He said that it is easy to point fingers at different sectors or the government, but in the end, “without the public, we cannot succeed” in the fight against coronavirus.Already then, he said that the restrictions could be shortened or extended depending on the infection rate.“We are currently in a war for civil peace,” Edelstein said. “I am inundated with questions as to why we allowed the outline of prayers. The answer is that the restrictions apply during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Given this fact, we have proudly approved minyanim [prayer quorums] with all the requirements of the Purple Ribbon so that everyone who wants to pray can – they can hear the shofar or Kol Nidre, each according to their custom.”He said that the public should stop asking why prayer and protests are allowed, and instead ask themselves, “What can I do so these restrictions will work, and we will see a different infection rate?”He said the infection rate is up because schools opened on September 1, claiming that he has the data to show that there are thousands of sick students and teachers throughout the country. Edelstein stressed that the medical system is overburdened and overcapacity. Some 3,519 medical personnel are in isolation and 1,284 are sick with coronavirus.“Think how these numbers contribute to the burden on the healthcare system,” he said.Meanwhile, a team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who monitor Israel’s coronavirus infection rates daily, published a report on Thursday that predicts a significant increase in the number of coronavirus patients and the number of patients in serious and critical condition. The report also predicts a significant increase in coronavirus deaths in the coming days. They said they expected an additional 1,000 to 2,500 deaths during the course of the closure alone.“Until now, the numbers have been following optimistic models of infection as expected – and due to infections occurring primarily in the young population,” the report said. “But in recent days, there has been an increase in the number of critical patients.”During his press conference, Edelstein addressed the pushback against the 500 meters restriction, which medical experts have said has no epidemiological value. He said he agrees – but “there is a very clear socio-managerial logic in this guideline and I call on everyone to keep it. Because without it, we will all visit our families, go to the beach and parks, and the restrictions will continue.”Later, the Knesset committee voted to change the limit from 500 meters to one kilometer, which is what passed in the final vote. Eight ministers voted in favor of the lockdown and five voted against.“The extension to 1,000-meters is a right and important thing,” said MK Yaakov Asher, who chairs the Knesset committee. “There is criticism from the whole public and closure is not easy for anyone. Everyone’s lives are going to go wrong. We must take responsibility for ourselves and I call on all citizens to try to get through this together… I hope that there will be self-discipline and we will not need further restrictions.”During the meeting, several Knesset members clashed with each other and with Grotto.“Have you lost your mind? This looks nothing like a lockdown,” said MK Karin Elharrar (Yesh Atid) during the meeting. “It’s the devastation of our economy. It shouldn’t have been presented 30 hours before implementing it and entering lockdown. I’ve gone over the regulations. The most significant things closed are businesses, without having discussed any form of appropriate compensation.”The government only passed and presented the outline for the closure to the Knesset on Thursday morning.She added that the lockdown won’t decrease morbidity rates and that the police will not be able to enforce the restrictions.“The restrictions have no logic to them,” she concluded.Regarding enforcement, the Israel Police echoed Edelstein’s comments about the importance of the public showing responsibility, but said it will enforce the lockdown to the best of its ability.“We’re facing a national mission. It’s important that the public understands that while the responsibility falls on the police regarding enforcement – it falls on the public as well,” police officials told The Jerusalem Post’s sister paper Maariv.“Only by joining forces and being responsible will we be able to complete the mission and eradicate the virus,” they said.“We’re not against the citizens,” the officials added. “If someone is looking to violate the restrictions, they can definitely find ways to do so. But they won’t be able to trick the virus or the public... This is a sensitive operation, and we’re aware of that.”The Police said it has been working on special training programs over the last few days to better handle the challenge.There will be 7,000 officers deployed throughout the country to help enforce the lockdown, and 1,000 soldiers. Nearly 40 intercity roadblocks will be set up at entrances to cities, as well as dozens if not hundreds of other places across the country.Police said the focus of their work will be to stop large gatherings rather than individual perpetrators.Fines range from NIS 500 for traveling more than a kilometer for a non-approved reason to NIS 5,000 for breaking isolation.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Trump's son will sit for questioning in New York probe, after the election

NEW YORK - Lawyers for Donald Trump 's son Eric said he is willing to be questioned in connection with @ @ @ @ @ York 's attorney general involving the US president and his Trump Organization , if it @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 3 election .
In a court filing , the lawyers said Eric Trump has @ @ @ @ @ with a subpoena from New York Attorney General Letitia James , and proposed four available @ @ @ @ @ questioning .
The lawyers said the proposal reflected Eric Trump 's `` extreme travel schedule @ @ @ @ @ the election , and `` the importance of avoiding any appearance of politicizing the investigatory @ @ @ @ @ on Aug. 24 she was investigating whether Donald Trump and his company improperly manipulated the @ @ @ @ @ assets to secure loans and obtain economic and tax benefits .
She also said at @ @ @ @ @ determination any laws had been broken .
Eric Trump is an executive vice president at @ @ @ @

NEW YORK - Lawyers for Donald Trump's son Eric said he is willing to be questioned in connection with a civil probe by New York's attorney general involving the US president and his Trump Organization, if it can wait until after the Nov. 3 election.
In a court filing, the lawyers said Eric Trump has made clear he will comply with a subpoena from New York Attorney General Letitia James, and proposed four available dates after the election for questioning.
The lawyers said the proposal reflected Eric Trump's "extreme travel schedule and related unavailability" through the election, and "the importance of avoiding any appearance of politicizing the investigatory process."
James said on Aug. 24 she was investigating whether Donald Trump and his company improperly manipulated the value of the president's assets to secure loans and obtain economic and tax benefits.
She also said at the time there was no determination any laws had been broken.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Instagram, Facebook users across the globe report technical difficulties

Instagram and Facebook users across the globe reported technical issues with the applications on Thursday evening, Israeli media reported.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--IDF reports 750 active coronavirus cases

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit released a statement on Thursday evening stating that 750 soldiers and IDF civilian employees have been diagnosed with active cases of coronavirus, all of whom are in light condition.Some 11,845 additional soldiers are currently in home isolation, according to the statement.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Belarus opposition leader to address top UN rights body on Friday

GENEVA - Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will address the UN Human Rights Council by video on Friday during its urgent debate to consider a resolution brought by the European Union (EU), a statement said.Tsikhanouskaya fled her homeland for Lithuania amid a police crackdown in Belarus following the Aug. 9 presidential election, which official results said incumbent Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide.The European Union has called for close monitoring of the situation in Belarus by the U.N. rights chief Michelle Bachelet, following what the bloc calls a "fraudulent election", according to its draft resolution due to be considered at the UN forum in Geneva on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Large vehicle attempts to run over anti-Netanyahu protesters

A large vehicle attempted to run over anti-Netanyahu protesters on Thursday evening, near the Misgav Junction in northern Israel.The protesters reportedly managed to escape before being run over by the assailant. Police forces are on the scene and collecting testimonies from protesters."This is a direct result of Netanyahu's incitement. A defendant who's busy inciting against protesters cannot lead the country. He's the leader of a gang that's trying to kill his opponents," said the Black Flags movement.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Twitter slaps warning label on Trump tweet

Twitter Inc on Thursday placed a warning label on a tweet by US President Donald Trump, saying his post included potentially misleading information about the mail-in voting process."Because of the new and unprecedented massive amount of unsolicited ballots which will be sent to "voters," or wherever, this year, the Nov 3rd Election result may NEVER BE ACCURATELY DETERMINED, which is what some want. Another election disaster yesterday. Stop Ballot Madness!," Trump tweeted.The president has in recent months assailed the voting process without evidence, saying it could result in widespread fraud, although millions of Americans, including much of the military, have cast absentee ballots by mail for years without such problems.The process is seen as a way to limit exposure to the coronavirus, though the system to do so will vary from state to state.Twitter's warning label redirected users to a curated page, "Voting by mail is legal and safe, experts and data confirm," which contained more information on mail-in voting.The social network has previously attached labels to tweets posted and shared by the president, including adding fact-checking notices on his tweets.Twitter had faced fierce scrutiny from the Trump administration in May, when for the first time it prompted readers to check the facts in Trump's tweets about unsubstantiated claims of mail-in voting fraud.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Gov't considering increasing distance restriction to 1000 meters -report

MK Ya'akov Asher (United Torah Judaism) reportedly said on Thursday evening that the government is considering increasing the distance restriction from 500 to 1000 meters, according to The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv.Asher reportedly added that Health Minister Yuli Edelstein will present Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a recommendation to change the restriction to 1000 meters, and will be put up to vote in a telephone survey.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Netanyahu calls in Gamzu for last-minute, pressing meeting


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Saudi-led coalition says intercepted explosive drone headed for kingdom

DUBAI - A Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said it had intercepted and destroyed an explosive drone launched towards the kingdom on Thursday.In a statement published on Saudi state news agency SPA, a spokesman for the coalition said the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen had launched the drone at civilian targets in the southern Saudi region of Khamis Mushait, near the border with Yemen.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Education Committee demands gov't give restrictions by age groups

The Knesset's Education Committee shortened the validity of the restrictions limiting physical activities in schools and other educational institutes and demanded the government to present it by Wednesday with new regulations that consider different age groups."We must find the proper balance between keeping the public's health and maintaining the functionality of the economy. According to the data and to Prof. Gamzu's recommendation, we can allow students up to the fourth grade to continue learning," said Chairman of the Knesset's Education Committee, MK Ram Shefa.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Knesset employee tests positive for coronavirus

Head of the Knesset Guard, Sergeant-at-Arms Yosef Grif, announced on Thursday that a security guard tested positive for coronavirus.The employee last attended the Knesset on Wednesday, September 9. The Knesset guard's report indicated that anyone who had contact with the employee or was near him, was asked to stay at home until further directives were provided by the Health Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Israel, Bahrain tourism ministers speak, discuss joint ventures with UAE

JERUSALEM/DUBAI - The tourism ministers of Israel and Bahrain held a first publicly acknowledged phone call on Thursday and discussed possible ventures including three-way travel packages involving the United Arab Emirates, an Israeli statement said.The conversation between Israel's Asaf Zamir and Bahrain's Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani followed a White House ceremony on Tuesday at which their countries pledged to establish relations. The UAE and Israel also formalised ties at the same event.In an interview with a local Emirati newspaper, Zamir said he hopes tourism between Israel and the UAE could start early next year."Agreements to do with visas and tourism are at an advanced stage, and the two sides are expected to reach a deal soon," al-Ittihad newspaper quoted the Israeli minister as saying on Thursday.Emirates Flight Catering also said earlier it had signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a dedicated production facility, Kosher Arabia, for kosher food at its premises in the UAE with production beginning in January.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Black Flags movement calls on the public to join protests on Thursday

The Black Flags movement announced on Thursday via Facebook that it will be holding protests on bridges and intersections throughout the country, starting at 6:00 p.m."Bridges and intersections operation #13- A festive and furious event before the holidays," the Facebook post read."Speak to your family members and friends, speak to anyone who won't accept this reality, who's starting to understand that something serious is going on here. A reality of a dysfunctional government, which makes irrelevant decisions, of a person who hasn't won our trust, a man who doesn't have a public or moral mandate to make decisions for us."This is the time to expand the circle. We'll see you tonight on bridges and intersections!"


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Coronavirus lockdown to be enforced by 6,000 police, 1,000 soldiers

The coronavirus lockdown starting Friday will be enforced by 6,000 police officers and 1,000 IDF soldiers, according to Kan news.Barricades will be placed at entrances to cities and inside some neighborhoods. The police said that they intend to focus on enforcing restrictions on gatherings and "less on individuals."


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--BioNTech CEO expects vaccine can be fridge-stored for two weeks

RANKFURT - BioNTech expects that the experimental COVID-19 vaccine it is developing with Pfizer can be stored at refrigerator temperatures for at least two weeks, seeking to allay concerns that the compound may have to be deep-frozen.Speaking at an online media briefing on the purchase of an additional German production site, Chief Executive Ugur Sahin said tests have recently confirmed the genetic compound remains stable at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius for five days but he expects storability at those conditions to be two weeks or longer.He added that a good vaccine should have an efficacy of at least 70% to 75% for it to quell the pandemic and that was also the yardstick that BioNTech had set itself.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Alibaba Health, Sinovac in deal to make platform for vaccine inoculation

BEIJING/HONG KONG- Alibaba Health Information Technology said on Thursday it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Chinese coronavirus vaccine developer Sinovac Biotech.The two firms will jointly build a platform for coronavirus vaccine inoculation in the future, Alibaba Health said in Chinese social media platform Weibo, without giving further details.Sinovac's coronavirus vaccine candidate CoronaVac, being tested in final-stage large-scale trials in Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey, has already been given to tens of thousands of people via an emergency use program China launched in July.They include around 90% of the firm's employees and their families.The two firms will also cooperate in broader areas including online booking of vaccines and post-vaccination health condition follow-up, Alibaba Health said.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Four Israelis arrested in Bulgaria for smuggling khat

Four Israeli women have been arrested in Bulgaria for attempting to smuggle 90 kg. of khat in their luggage, according to Ynet news.The women are between the ages of 21 and 23 and were arrested in Varna.Representatives from the Israeli consulate in Sofia visited the women who are being held while the incident is under investigation, and until it is determined whether they will be charged.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Gantz: 15 yeshivas will be converted to coronavirus hotels

Fifteen yeshivas will be converted into coronavirus hotels and two additional such hotels will be opened for the ultra-Orthodox population, according to Walla news.The arrangement was determined by Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Thursday. The Defense Ministry stated that it is prepared to open more facilities as needed.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Jerusalem resident under indictment for battery of his partner

A 40-year-old resident of Jerusalem has been indicted for battery, coercion and other offenses against his partner on Thursday, according to Maariv.The indictment states that from June until August, the man threatened and beat his partner. The prosecution has asked that he be held in custody until the end of legal proceedings against him.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Islamic Jihad members arrested for attempted smuggling

Three Islamic Jihad members were arrested after attempting to smuggle cell phones into the Gilboa Prison using a drone , @ @ @ @ @ The drone and other equipment were seized during the arrest .
Two prisoners who were @ @ @ @ @

Three Islamic Jihad members were arrested after attempting to smuggle cell phones into the Gilboa Prison using a drone, according to Ynet news. The drone and other equipment were seized during the arrest. Two prisoners who were involved were also arrested.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Czech Republic's daily jump in COVID-19 cases exceeds 2,000 for first time

PRAGUE - The Czech Republic reported on Thursday more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day for the first time as it battles a surge in infections that is among the fastest in Europe.The health ministry recorded 2,139 cases of the new coronavirus on Wednesday, up from a previous record 1,675 reported for the previous day.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Galilee Medical Center reopens for new coronavirus patients

In accordance with the Health Ministry , the director of the Galilee Medical Center announced on Tuesday that the hospital @ @ @ @ @ patients after a temporary halt .
Hospital director-general Prof. Masad Barhoum said , `` We @ @ @ @ @ patients in severe condition who are in need of intubation because we are understaffed .
@ @ @ @ @ the situation in the morning and in the evening , in order to get a @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients we have and how we can treat them . ''
The sudden reversal @ @ @ @ @ due to the recovery of several patients who were later discharged from the hospital and @ @ @ @ @ personnel who were previously in isolation .

In accordance with the Health Ministry, the director of the Galilee Medical Center announced on Tuesday that the hospital will resume admitting new coronavirus patients after a temporary halt.
Hospital director-general Prof. Masad Barhoum said, "We still have difficulties with receiving patients in severe condition who are in need of intubation because we are understaffed. We will continue to assess the situation in the morning and in the evening, in order to get a better picture of how many coronavirus patients we have and how we can treat them."
The sudden reversal of the decision was possibly due to the recovery of several patients who were later discharged from the hospital and the return of some medical personnel who were previously in isolation.
Health Minister Director-General Prof. Chezy Levy approved the decision.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Coronavirus in Israel: 1,165 dead, 4,537 new cases on Wednesday

The Health Ministry announced on Thursday that Israel ’ s coronavirus death toll rose to 1,165 .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ 140 .
There are 549 patients in serious condition and 4,537 new patients have been @ @ @ @

The Health Ministry announced on Thursday that Israel’s coronavirus death toll rose to 1,165.
The number of patients on ventilators rose to 140. There are 549 patients in serious condition and 4,537 new patients have been diagnosed since Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--India's coronavirus cases jump by daily record of 97,894

BENGALURU - India reported another record jump in daily coronavirus infections with 97,894 cases in the last 24 hours, data from the health ministry showed on Thursday.With 5.12 million cases in all, India is the world's second-worst affected country, and trails only the United States, which has a caseload of around 6.6 million.Deaths, which have been relatively low so far, are showing an uptick, and the country has recorded more than 1,000 deaths every day for the last two weeks.On Thursday, the federal health ministry said 1,132 people died of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, taking total fatalities from the disease to 83,198.


jerusalempost--2020-09-17--Mexico reports 4,444 new coronavirus cases, 300 deaths

MEXICO CITY - Mexico confirmed an additional 4,444 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country and 300 more deaths on @ @ @ @ @ to 680,931 cases and 71,978 deaths .
The government has said that the actual number @ @ @ @ @ .

MEXICO CITY - Mexico confirmed an additional 4,444 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country and 300 more deaths on Wednesday, bringing the totals to 680,931 cases and 71,978 deaths.
The government has said that the actual number of cases is likely higher.


jerusalempost--2020-09-18--Trump offered to pardon Assange if he provided source Democrat emails link

US President Donald Trump offered to pardon Julian Assange if the WikiLeaks founder provided the source for the hacking of @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 US presidential election , a London court was told on Friday .
Assange @ @ @ @ @ Robinson , said she observed a meeting where former Republican US Representative Dana Rohrabacher and @ @ @ @ @ known to have close ties to the Trump campaign , made the offer .
`` @ @ @ @ @ Congressman Rohrabacher was that Mr. Assange identify the source for the 2016 election publications in @ @ @ @ @ pardon , '' Robinson said in a witness statement given to the court .

US President Donald Trump offered to pardon Julian Assange if the WikiLeaks founder provided the source for the hacking of Democratic National Committee emails before the 2016 US presidential election, a London court was told on Friday.
Assange's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, said she observed a meeting where former Republican US Representative Dana Rohrabacher and Charles Johnson, an associate known to have close ties to the Trump campaign, made the offer in 2017.
Robinson said Assange was told that Trump approved of the meeting and that Rohrabacher would later meet with the president to discuss the reaction to the proposed deal.
She said the deal was presented to Assange as a "win-win" solution that would allow him "to get on with his life" and in return would also politically benefit Trump.
"The proposal put forward by Congressman Rohrabacher was that Mr. Assange identify the source for the 2016 election publications in return for some form of pardon," Robinson said in a witness statement given to the court.
During the 2016 US presidential campaign, Wikileaks published a series of Democratic National Committee emails damaging to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton that US intelligence believes were hacked by Russia as part of its effort to influence the election.
Russia denied meddling and Trump has denied any campaign collusion with Moscow. A probe by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller did not establish that members of Trump's campaign conspired with Russia during the election.
Australian-born Assange, 49, is fighting to stop being sent to the United States, where he is charged with conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011.


jerusalempost--2020-09-18--Breslov hassidim begin evacuating the Belarus-Ukraine border

The hassidim attempted to enter the Ukraine , as part of the yearly pilgrimage to Uman , and specifically to @ @ @ @ @ of Breslov .
The Ukrainian government prohibited them from entering in order to combat the @ @ @ @

The hassidim attempted to enter the Ukraine, as part of the yearly pilgrimage to Uman, and specifically to the grave of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. The Ukrainian government prohibited them from entering in order to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Hundreds of Breslov hassidim began evacuating the Belarus-Ukraine border on Friday afternoon after being rejected from entering the country.


jerusalempost--2020-09-18--IDF arrests three suspects in attempt to cross Gaza fence into Israel

The IDF arrested three suspects following an attempt to cross the perimeter fence of the northern Gaza Strip into Israel @ @ @ @ @ who were not carrying weapons , were questioned at the scene .

The IDF arrested three suspects following an attempt to cross the perimeter fence of the northern Gaza Strip into Israel territory.
The suspects, who were not carrying weapons, were questioned at the scene.