jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Lebanon to get first batch of COVID-19 vaccines in two months

A surge in infections is straining Lebanon 's healthcare system which has been struggling amid a financial crisis and after a huge port explosion in August smashed up hospitals in Beirut .
Adding to the pressures , the economic meltdown has prompted many doctors to emigrate and raised concerns that subsidies on medicines will be removed .
Lebanon , with an estimated population of 6 million , has reported 1,210 deaths as a result of COVID-19 .
Despite the nation 's dire shortage of foreign exchange , the government expects to sign the $ 18 million deal for supplies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Hamad Hassan told Reuters on Monday .
Officials previously said Lebanon was in talks to secure 1.5 million shots of the vaccine .
The first payment of $ 4 million `` was secured '' in a meeting with the central bank and outgoing prime minister .
`` We removed this obstacle , '' the minister said , adding that the first batch of vaccines was expected to arrive eight weeks after the signing .
Lebanon has also signed up to join COVAX , a global scheme backed by the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon 's latest two-week lockdown to curb a surge in infections ended this month .
The authorities have struggled to enforce coronavirus restrictions in a country where half the nation has slipped into poverty .
As hospitals have filled up , Hassan said Lebanon aimed to add 200 more intensive care unit ( ICU ) beds in the next two months , raising the total to 700 .
He urged U.N. agencies and non-governmental organisations to help secure more vaccines for Lebanon , where refugees make up at least a quarter of the @ @

Lebanon is expected to sign a deal this week for supplies of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine and is set to receive the first batch eight weeks after that, the caretaker health minister said.
A surge in infections is straining Lebanon's healthcare system which has been struggling amid a financial crisis and after a huge port explosion in August smashed up hospitals in Beirut.
Adding to the pressures, the economic meltdown has prompted many doctors to emigrate and raised concerns that subsidies on medicines will be removed.
Lebanon, with an estimated population of 6 million, has reported 1,210 deaths as a result of COVID-19.
Despite the nation's dire shortage of foreign exchange, the government expects to sign the $18 million deal for supplies of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine this week, Health Minister Hamad Hassan told Reuters on Monday.
Officials previously said Lebanon was in talks to secure 1.5 million shots of the vaccine.
The first payment of $4 million "was secured" in a meeting with the central bank and outgoing prime minister.
"We removed this obstacle," the minister said, adding that the first batch of vaccines was expected to arrive eight weeks after the signing.
Lebanon has also signed up to join COVAX, a global scheme backed by the World Health Organization to provide vaccines to poorer countries.
Lebanon's latest two-week lockdown to curb a surge in infections ended this month. The authorities have struggled to enforce coronavirus restrictions in a country where half the nation has slipped into poverty.
As hospitals have filled up, Hassan said Lebanon aimed to add 200 more intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the next two months, raising the total to 700.
He urged U.N. agencies and non-governmental organisations to help secure more vaccines for Lebanon, where refugees make up at least a quarter of the population.
"Protecting all the communities living in Lebanon ... should be part of the same plan," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Blue and White put up Ginzburg to head Foreign Affairs, Defense Committee

Ginzburg is expected to continue to chair the Knesset committee at the same time .

Ginzburg is expected to continue to chair the Knesset committee at the same time.
The chairman of the Knesset committee, MK Eitan Ginzburg from Blue and White will be appointed on behalf of the party's chairman Benny Gantz, to replace ousted MK Zvi Hauser as head of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, The Jerusalem Post's sister paper Ma'ariv reported on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Coronavirus in the IDF: 230 in light condition, 3 in moderate condition

A spokesperson for the IDF on Tuesday reported that 233 soldiers or IDF civilian employees currently have active cases of @ @ @ @ @ whom are are classified as being in light condition , while three are classified as @ @ @ @ @ In addition , some 3,430 soldiers or IDF civilian employees are currently in home isolation @ @ @ @ @

A spokesperson for the IDF on Tuesday reported that 233 soldiers or IDF civilian employees currently have active cases of COVID-19, some 230 of whom are are classified as being in light condition, while three are classified as being in moderate condition.
In addition, some 3,430 soldiers or IDF civilian employees are currently in home isolation, the spokesperson said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Coronavirus Committee head Yifat Shasha-Biton in COVID isolation

Likud MK and head of the Knesset 's Coronavirus Committee Yifat Shasha Biton announced via Twitter on Tuesday that she @ @ @ @ @ Monday evening , in accordance with Health Ministry guidelines .
In the tweet , she @ @ @ @ @ and working from home .

Likud MK and head of the Knesset's Coronavirus Committee Yifat Shasha Biton announced via Twitter on Tuesday that she has been in isolation since Monday evening, in accordance with Health Ministry guidelines.
In the tweet, she says she is feeling well and working from home.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Petah Tikva kindergarten teacher's aide arrested for alleged child abuse

Parents filed a police complaint against the kindergarten on Tuesday morning , after watching security footage documenting alleged abuse by @ @ @ @ @ assistant at a Petah Tikva kindergarten was arrested on Tuesday for alleged physical abuse against @ @ @ @ @ filed a police complaint against the kindergarten on Tuesday morning , after watching security footage @ @ @ @ @ woman .
In the videos , she is seen seemingly aggressively laying the babies down @ @ @ @ @ according to Walla News .
Police have removed the videos from security cameras , and @ @ @ @ @ publication for the time being .

Parents filed a police complaint against the kindergarten on Tuesday morning, after watching security footage documenting alleged abuse by the woman. A teaching assistant at a Petah Tikva kindergarten was arrested on Tuesday for alleged physical abuse against minors, Israel Police reported.Parents filed a police complaint against the kindergarten on Tuesday morning, after watching security footage documenting alleged abuse by the woman.
In the videos, she is seen seemingly aggressively laying the babies down and even shaking them, according to Walla News.
Police have removed the videos from security cameras, and they have been banned from publication for the time being.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Illegal assault rifle, 3 pistols confiscated by police in Kafr Kassem

An M16 assault rifle and three pistols , all illegally owned , were confiscated during a joint raid by local @ @ @ @ @ in Kafr Kassem on Tuesday , a police spokesperson reported .
The raid comes as @ @ @ @ @ a recent spike in gun violence and illegal weapons ownership in the Arab sector .

An M16 assault rifle and three pistols, all illegally owned, were confiscated during a joint raid by local police and Border Police forces in Kafr Kassem on Tuesday, a police spokesperson reported.
The raid comes as Israel attempts to deal with a recent spike in gun violence and illegal weapons ownership in the Arab sector.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Israeli man flew from Philippines to Israel through Turkey with COVID-19

The man boarded flight TK85 from Manila to Istanbul last Tuesday morning and flight TK784 from Istanbul to Ben-Gurion Airport @ @ @ @ @ who were on either flight are requested to go into isolation until December 22 , @ @ @ @ @ regulations .

The man boarded flight TK85 from Manila to Istanbul last Tuesday morning and flight TK784 from Istanbul to Ben-Gurion Airport on Wednesday morning.
Passengers who were on either flight are requested to go into isolation until December 22, in accordance with Health Ministry regulations.
A resident of Olesh, a moshav in central Israel, boarded two Turkish Airlines flights while positive for the novel coronavirus, Israel's Health Ministry reported on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Putin congratulates Joe Biden on US election victory - Kremlin

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday congratulated Joe Biden on his victory in the US presidential election, after Biden won the state-by-state Electoral College vote that officially determines the US presidency, the Kremlin said.The Kremlin had said it would wait for the official results of the election before commenting on its outcome, even as other nations congratulated Biden on the win in the days after the November 3 vote."For my part, I am ready for interaction and contact with you," the Kremlin cited Putin as saying in a statement."Putin wished the president-elect every success and expressed confidence that Russia and the United States, which have a special responsibility for global security and stability, could, despite their differences, really help to solve the many problems and challenges facing the world," the Kremlin said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Iran's Zarif: US sanctions against Turkey 'contempt for international law'

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday condemned U.S. sanctions against Turkey over Ankara's acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems as "contempt for international law.""U.S. addiction to sanctions and contempt for international law at full display again. We strongly condemn recent U.S. sanctions against Turkey and stand with its people and government," Zarif tweeted.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Kabul's deputy governor killed in a blast in Afghanistan

Mahboobullah Mohebi , the deputy governor was traveling with his security guards when the blast occurred .
Two guards were @ @ @ @ @ No militant group has made an immediate claim of responsibility for the blast .
Last @ @ @ @ @ was shot dead in eastern Kabul while he was on his way to work .

A bomb attack in Afghanistan's capital city killed the deputy governor of Kabul on Tuesday, security officials said, adding a sticky bomb was attached to his car by unknown assailants.
Mahboobullah Mohebi, the deputy governor was traveling with his security guards when the blast occurred. Two guards were injured in the blast.
No militant group has made an immediate claim of responsibility for the blast. Last week an Afghan government prosecutor was shot dead in eastern Kabul while he was on his way to work.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--COVID commissioner warns another rise in morbidity will lead to lockdown

Israel could “easily” enter a third lockdown before the vaccines become effective, coronavirus commissioner Prof. Nachman Ash told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday when the Health Ministry reported more than 2,000 cases in a single day.
Ash said he would push for tightening restrictions as soon as possible in order to avoid such a closure. He presented the idea of “tightening restrictions” last week to the coronavirus cabinet but was turned down by the ministers, who instead, chose to open shopping malls and museums.
Since then, infection has been climbing, surging to 2,284 new cases on Monday – the highest number in two months. Some 3.2% of the 72,667 people who were screened tested positive.
There were 683 patients were being treated in the hospital at press time, including 378 who were in serious condition on Tuesday, among them 98 who were intubated. The death toll hit 3,014, ten people died on Tuesday.
The numbers represent a 28% increase in new cases since the week before, and an 11% increase in the number of people who were hospitalized.
“In the last two days, the number of patients admitted to the underground coronavirus ward at Rambam Medical Center has increased,” the hospital said Tuesday morning in a statement. “After weeks in which things were calming down and the number of inpatients were declining, we have now returned to 50 sick people.”
Likewise, at Herzog Medical Center in Jerusalem, where 70% of all coronavirus patients in the country are being treated, the number have reached 78, including 42 in serious condition. The youngest patient is 49 years old.
The virus is spreading throughout the country, including once again in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. Bnei Brak saw 146 new cases over the last day, for example, and some 6% of people who were screened there tested positive. Likewise, several ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods in Jerusalem and in Modi’in Illit turned orange.
There were 41 red cities in Israel and 48 orange, which together account for around 60% of all infections.
Last Thursday, the government decided not to increase restrictions over the Hanukkah holiday . However, the cabinet agreed that if at any point the number of coronavirus cases exceeds 2,500 a day or reaches a reproduction rate (R) of 1.32 – every three sick people infect four more – a period of “tightened restraint” will be applied.
The idea then was that the tightening would last three weeks. If the reproduction rate fell to one, or lower, by the end of that period, current restrictions would be reimposed. If the R rate rose or remained the same, the country would head into a lockdown.
“If these efforts fail and we see another increase in morbidity, we will have to completely lock down again,” Ash said.
During the period of tightened restraint, shops, malls and marketplaces would be closed. Gatherings would be limited to 10 people in closed spaces and 20 in open spaces. The education system would stay open in green and yellow cities, but would close in orange and red ones.
While the country has not yet reached the dreaded 2,500 daily infections figure, a report by the Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center said Tuesday that Israel is likely to hit that number by the end of the month.
Ash said the implication is that even when the country starts vaccinating, it is possible that morbidity will continue to rise “because the morbidity increases rapidly and the vaccine has a slow effect.”
He said that tightened restrictions at this point could last at least five weeks, and possibly until the vaccines start to take effect, which could be as late as March or April.
“There is this feeling that [coronavirus] is going to end anytime now. People have made a switch in their heads that they don’t have to hold on much longer and so they have relaxed,” Ash told the Post. “The danger is not less now than it was two weeks ago when we did not know that we would have vaccines. And until the vaccines [arrive and work] the risk is just as high.
“From what I am seeing, what I hear in the field” people are not keeping the rules. “I call on everyone to stop being complacent.”
But Ash also admitted that part of the reason for the complacency is the zigzagging of the government, which has led to a lack of public trust in regulations being put forth.
“What happened around Hanukkah was very problematic,” he said, referring to the government’s decision to enact a night curfew against health experts’ opinions. Then, at the warning of the attorney-general, the government backtracked toward new restrictions and ultimately left the status quo.
He told the Post that the ministers listen to him – but only sometimes.
“I went to the cabinet and I asked them to tighten restrictions and they opened malls, so I cannot say they listened to me,” he said. “We bring the professional opinion and we fight for it. Sometimes we are more successful and sometimes less.”
In the meantime, another 300,000 Pfizer vaccines are expected to arrive on Wednesday, Channel 12 reported. With this new shipment, the country will have 600,000 doses.
“I am in isolation, but I keep working to bring the vaccines – they are coming in the millions,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday in a video message.
Last week, the CEO of Teva SLE Logistics said that some four million Pfizer vaccines and another three million Moderna vaccines were expected at his center by January 1.
On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it found the Moderna vaccine highly effective. Israel signed with Moderna in June and is expected to be among the first to receive its vaccine.
But even as the vaccines arrive, the question remains: How many Israelis will take them?
According to a survey conducted by the University of Haifa, with Israel reportedly set to begin its COVID-19 vaccination drive next week, less than one-fifth of the Israeli public is actually willing to take a new vaccine immediately. The survey, which was overseen by Haifa University Prof. Manfred Green, also found that 7.7% of Jewish men, 29.4% of Arab men, 17.2% of Jewish women, and 41.2% of Arab women would refuse the vaccine under any circumstances.
Ash said there is concern that people will not go to be vaccinated, a challenge the country has experienced in the past, such as in 2013-2014 when there was a need to inoculate Israelis against polio.
“There are those who will be nervous and our goal is to tell them that the danger of the virus is greater than that of the vaccine – a lot greater,” Ash told the Post.
He said the key will be getting medical personnel to vaccinate.
“This is the challenge,” he stressed. “If only 50% of them get vaccinated then the public will not vaccinate either… We are doing a lot to convince them.”
At the same time, some ministers are pushing to prioritize teachers and the defense establishment – anyone who comes in contact with large parts of the public. Ash said that if enough vaccines arrive in Israel, then vaccination will be open almost immediately to anyone who wants it.
He said that it is logical to first vaccinate the elderly and those most at risk of developing serious cases of coronavirus, because then, the country should not have to lock down again, even if herd immunity – which he estimates will occur when around 60% of the population is vaccinated or has had the virus – is not yet achieved.
Hospitals are ready to get started, they have said. The Health Ministry explained that the largest hospitals will vaccinate staff first, followed by the medium and small ones.
Health funds could start vaccinating on Sunday, too, reports indicate. However, as Ash told the Post, the vaccines have not yet received Health Ministry approval.
“It should happen in the coming days,” he said. “The plan is to be ready by Sunday – but it is hard to say for certain.”
Those who do vaccinate will receive a green passport, the details of which are still being worked out, Ash said. But the passports are expected to allow people to eat at restaurants, for example, attend cultural events and travel more freely in Israel and potentially, abroad.
Ash said the passports will work alongside PCR testing for those who are ineligible to be vaccinated, such as children and pregnant women. He added that in the beginning people will likely still have to wear masks and take certain other precautions until enough people are vaccinated and their efficacy is known.
“Our lives will not be the same immediately – probably not even until the end of next year,” he told the Post. And even then, he cautioned, the virus will still be here and outbreaks now and then should be expected.
Is Ash glad he took on the role of coronavirus commissioner?
“When they came to me, I knew it was very hard and would be complicated. I can say now that it is even harder than I thought,” he said. “But I felt I could not say no. We are in a big war and someone has to fight it. It seemed like the right thing to do. I have no regrets.”
And how long will he stay in the job?
Unlike his predecessor Prof. Ronni Gamzu, he said that he did not set a deadline for leaving. He is supposed to return to teach at Ariel University in March. “But if I need to, I can stay longer,” he said. “I hope there is not a need.”


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Earthquake felt in Eilat - report

Earthquake felt in Eilat - report

An earthquake was felt in Eilat early Tuesday by residents and visitors , according to Walla !
news .

An earthquake was felt in Eilat early Tuesday by residents and visitors, according to Walla! news.
There has been no official confirmation from local authorities regarding the magnitude of the earthquake.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Institute for Biological Research can start second trial phase for vaccine

“ The scientists of the IIBR are Israel ’ s ‘ elite unit , ’ and have taken on an extremely important task – saving human lives , ” said Defense Minister Benny Gantz Monday evening in a statement .
“ I see great importance in the development of an Israeli vaccine that will continue to serve Israeli society for years to come.
” A spokesperson for Sheba told The Jerusalem Post that it will imminently start intensive screening for the Phase II trial .
“ We are working in tandem with IIBR on researching the potential of this game-changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phase II trial will be done with 1,000 healthy volunteers aged 18 and over , including senior citizens .
The aim of this phase is to complete vaccine safety precautions , determine effective dosages and further determine the vaccine ’ s effectiveness , a release explained .
The trial is being launched after a successful Phase I trial , from which data was examined by both internal and external committees .
No significant side effects were identified .
If the Phase II trial is also successful , it will enable the launch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vaccine with the participation of up to 30,000 volunteers in Israel and abroad .
Phase III is the final phase required to achieve approval for vaccination .
Earlier , the institute said it hopes to have vaccines available by summer .
According to IIBR head Dr. Shmuel Shapira , “ over-regulation ” has slowed the progress of the Brilife vaccine .
“ We should have been in Phase III , and now we will only reach it by April , ” he said last month in the Knesset .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult way .
When a [ representative of a ] prestigious regulatory institute saw what we went through , he said that what we The institute has the ability to produce 15 million doses of the vaccine candidate , if approved .
Israel has already ordered eight million doses of the Pfizer vaccine – more than 300,000 of which have arrived in Israel – as well as six million doses of Moderna ’ s vaccine candidate and 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine candidate .
The vaccine takes the vesicular stomatitis virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that it will express the spike protein of the novel coronavirus on its envelope .
Once injected , it does not cause a disease by itself ; VSV does not infect humans .
Instead , the body recognizes the spike protein that is expressed on the envelope and begins to develop an immunological response .
WITH THE various vaccines on the horizon , Israelis are still trying to figure out which regulations can be lifted and which should stay in place .
The Constitution , Law and Justice Committee approved the outline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and museums .
WITH THE various vaccines on the horizon , Israelis are still trying to figure out which regulations can be lifted and which should stay in place .
The Constitution , Law and Justice Committee approved the outline on Monday for opening malls , markets and museums .
The chairman of the committee , MK Yakov Asher of the United Torah Judaism Party , demanded that the Health Ministry speed up the process of regulating “ green passports ” and also bring an agreed wording to the barcode at the entrance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide and careful opening of the economy .
Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis , head of Public Health Services , warned against the move , saying that , “ at the moment , the morbidity indices are doubling every two weeks .
This is not a stable situation that allows us to open up.
” She also cautioned that 55 % of the country is now living in red or orange areas and that it would be a mistake to open up the country further .
She warned that Israelis returning from Dubai , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of huge parties with no virus precautions – as well as the fact that Ben-Gurion Airport has been crowded – could raise the infection rate .
But others in the health establishment were more optimistic .
With the help of vaccines , Israel would be able to return to a relatively normal routine around April , Israel ’ s coronavirus commissioner Prof. Nachman Ash said on Monday morning .
Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis , head of Public Health Services , warned against the move , saying that , “ at the moment , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is not a stable situation that allows us to open up.
” She also cautioned that 55 % of the country is now living in red or orange areas and that it would be a mistake to open up the country further .
She warned that Israelis returning from Dubai , where there have been reports in recent days of huge parties with no virus precautions – as well as the fact that Ben-Gurion Airport has been crowded – could raise the infection rate .
But others in the health establishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vaccines , Israel would be able to return to a relatively normal routine around April , Israel ’ s coronavirus commissioner Prof. Nachman Ash said on Monday morning .
“ I estimate that within a few months – in March , April – we will already have vaccinated a significant portion of Israeli residents , so that we can open up the economy , return to being active and more or less return to a normal life , ” Ash said in radio interviews with Army Radio and Kan Bet .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the restrictions on gatherings , surrounded by our families.
” The Health Ministry on Monday morning reported that 1,707 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the country on Sunday , with a positive result rate of 3.4 % .
On Monday as of 3 p.m. , there were 656 positive cases diagnosed and 383 serious cases , of which 99 were on ventilators .
The death toll stood at 3,003 .
Idan Zonshine , Lahav Harkov and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report .
Idan Zonshine , Lahav Harkov and Jerusalem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Moderna vaccine candidate is expected to be reviewed by an advisory committee of the US Food and Drug Administration for Emergency Use Authorization on December 17 .
Unlike Moderna ’ s and Pfizer ’ s vaccines , which are based on messenger RNA , Brilife is vector-based.The vaccine takes the vesicular stomatitis virus ( VSV ) and genetically engineers it so that it will express the spike protein of the novel coronavirus on its envelope .
Once injected , it does not cause a disease by itself ; VSV does not infect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spike protein that is expressed on the envelope and begins to develop an immunological response .

The Also, the health funds have said that they will begin vaccinations on December 23.The IIBR trial is set to begin within the coming days at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, and then will be expanded to other medical centers across the country.
“The scientists of the IIBR are Israel’s ‘elite unit,’ and have taken on an extremely important task – saving human lives,” said Defense Minister Benny Gantz Monday evening in a statement. “I see great importance in the development of an Israeli vaccine that will continue to serve Israeli society for years to come.”
A spokesperson for Sheba told The Jerusalem Post that it will imminently start intensive screening for the Phase II trial. “We are working in tandem with IIBR on researching the potential of this game-changing vaccine,” he said. A spokesperson for Sheba told The Jerusalem Post that it will imminently start intensive screening for the Phase II trial. “We are working in tandem with IIBR on researching the potential of this game-changing vaccine,” he said.
The Phase II trial will be done with 1,000 healthy volunteers aged 18 and over, including senior citizens. The aim of this phase is to complete vaccine safety precautions, determine effective dosages and further determine the vaccine’s effectiveness, a release explained.
The trial is being launched after a successful Phase I trial, from which data was examined by both internal and external committees. No significant side effects were identified. If the Phase II trial is also successful, it will enable the launch of a large-scale trial to test the effectiveness of the vaccine with the participation of up to 30,000 volunteers in Israel and abroad. Phase III is the final phase required to achieve approval for vaccination.
Earlier, the institute said it hopes to have vaccines available by summer. According to IIBR head Dr. Shmuel Shapira, “over-regulation” has slowed the progress of the Brilife vaccine.
“We should have been in Phase III, and now we will only reach it by April,” he said last month in the Knesset. “I think we have come a long and difficult way. When a [representative of a] prestigious regulatory institute saw what we went through, he said that what we
experienced was ‘too complex a path.’”
The institute has the ability to produce 15 million doses of the vaccine candidate, if approved. Israel has already ordered eight million doses of the Pfizer vaccine – more than 300,000 of which have arrived in Israel – as well as six million doses of Moderna’s vaccine candidate and 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine candidate. The institute has the ability to produce 15 million doses of the vaccine candidate, if approved. Israel has already ordered eight million doses of the Pfizer vaccine – more than 300,000 of which have arrived in Israel – as well as six million doses of Moderna’s vaccine candidate and 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine candidate.
The vaccine takes the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and genetically engineers it so that it will express the spike protein of the novel coronavirus on its envelope. Once injected, it does not cause a disease by itself; VSV does not infect humans. Instead, the body recognizes the spike protein that is expressed on the envelope and begins to develop an immunological response. WITH THE various vaccines on the horizon, Israelis are still trying to figure out which regulations can be lifted and which should stay in place. The Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approved the outline on Monday for opening malls, markets and museums. WITH THE various vaccines on the horizon, Israelis are still trying to figure out which regulations can be lifted and which should stay in place. The Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approved the outline on Monday for opening malls, markets and museums. The chairman of the committee, MK Yakov Asher of the United Torah Judaism Party, demanded that the Health Ministry speed up the process of regulating “green passports” and also bring an agreed wording to the barcode at the entrance to commercial places that will allow a wide and careful opening of the economy. Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, head of Public Health Services, warned against the move, saying that, “at the moment, the morbidity indices are doubling every two weeks. This is not a stable situation that allows us to open up.” Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, head of Public Health Services, warned against the move, saying that, “at the moment, the morbidity indices are doubling every two weeks. This is not a stable situation that allows us to open up.”She also cautioned that 55% of the country is now living in red or orange areas and that it would be a mistake to open up the country further. She warned that Israelis returning from Dubai, where there have been reports in recent days of huge parties with no virus precautions – as well as the fact that Ben-Gurion Airport has been crowded – could raise the infection rate. But others in the health establishment were more optimistic. With the help of vaccines, Israel would be able to return to a relatively normal routine around April, Israel’s coronavirus commissioner Prof. Nachman Ash said on Monday morning. “I estimate that within a few months – in March, April – we will already have vaccinated a significant portion of Israeli residents, so that we can open up the economy, return to being active and more or less return to a normal life,” Ash said in radio interviews with Army Radio and Kan Bet. “I hope we can celebrate this Passover without the restrictions on gatherings, surrounded by our families.” “I estimate that within a few months – in March, April – we will already have vaccinated a significant portion of Israeli residents, so that we can open up the economy, return to being active and more or less return to a normal life,” Ash said in radio interviews with Army Radio and Kan Bet. “I hope we can celebrate this Passover without the restrictions on gatherings, surrounded by our families.” The Health Ministry on Monday morning reported that 1,707 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the country on Sunday, with a positive result rate of 3.4%. On Monday as of 3 p.m., there were 656 positive cases diagnosed and 383 serious cases, of which 99 were on ventilators. The death toll stood at 3,003. Idan Zonshine, Lahav Harkov and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report. Idan Zonshine, Lahav Harkov and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report. The Moderna vaccine candidate is expected to be reviewed by an advisory committee of the US Food and Drug Administration for Emergency Use Authorization on December 17. Unlike Moderna’s and Pfizer’s vaccines, which are based on messenger RNA, Brilife is vector-based.The vaccine takes the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and genetically engineers it so that it will express the spike protein of the novel coronavirus on its envelope. Once injected, it does not cause a disease by itself; VSV does not infect humans. Instead, the body recognizes the spike protein that is expressed on the envelope and begins to develop an immunological response.
As the death toll from the coronavirus in Israel passed more than 3,000, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would be vaccinated on Saturday night and the Health Ministry announced it has approved the launch of Phase II clinical trial for the Israel Institute of Biological Research’s coronavirus vaccine candidate, known as Brilife.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Earthquake of magnitude 6.2 strikes Mindanao, Philippines -GFZ

An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 struck Mindanao in Philippines early on Wednesday , the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences @ @ @ @ @ a depth of 10 kilometers , it said .

An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 struck Mindanao in Philippines early on Wednesday, the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences said.
The quake had a depth of 10 kilometers, it said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--US security adviser returns to US to deal with Russian cyber attack

White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien on Tuesday cut short a European trip in order to return to Washington @ @ @ @ @ cyber hack , a senior administration official said .
O'Brien planned to hold national security @ @ @ @ @ the White House after his return , the official said .
He had visited Israel @ @ @ @ @ but canceled stops in Italy , Germany , Switzerland and the United Kingdom .
He @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .

White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien on Tuesday cut short a European trip in order to return to Washington to deal with a Russian cyber hack, a senior administration official said.
O'Brien planned to hold national security meetings about the incident at the White House after his return, the official said.
He had visited Israel and France on his trip but canceled stops in Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. He got back to Washington on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Gmail experiencing issues for a second time in a few days

Gmail is experiencing issues for the second time in a week, global news agencies and Downdetector have reported.Google has said they are aware of the malfunction which seems to be mostly affecting the United States, Ynet reported.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 72.26 million, death toll at 1,628,022

1,628,022 have died , according to a Reuters tally.Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since @ @ @ @ @ in China in December 2019 .

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019. 1,628,022 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.
More than 72.26 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Head of Shin Bet enters isolation after being exposed to COVID-19 patient

Head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Nadav Argaman entered quarantine on Tuesday night after an employee in his his office tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement from his office.According to the statement, Agarman is not displaying any symptoms of the virus, and will be tested for it soon. He will continue to operate the organization as necessary.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Knesset member Uzi Dayan shares prayer for healing of MK Bitan

We prayed for the recovery of MK David Bitan and all the coronavirus patients , as well as others .

We prayed for the recovery of MK David Bitan and all the coronavirus patients, as well as others.
*תפילה לרפואתו של חברנו חה"כ דוד ביטן והדלקת נר שישי בכותל המערבי* התאספנו בכותל - הח"כים עוזי דיין, פטין מולא ואופיר... Posted by Uzi Dayan עוזי דיין on Tuesday, 15 December 2020
Knesset member and former IDF general Uzi Dayan posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday to pray for the healing of MK David Bitan, who has been infected with coronavirus Dayan wrote:"We gathered at the Western Wall - MKs Uzi Dayan, Patin Mula and Ofir Sofer and our loyal attorney friends, Kobi Matza, Moshe Ben-Shoshan, Tzachi Yanuka, Moti Gindi, Sufan Abu Shehadeh, Sinai Almashli and the event initiator, Yehuda Korlinsky.May G-d heal them!Afterwards, we had the honor of participating in the sixth candle-lighting of Hanukkah with Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz. Chief Rabbi of Beer Sheva Yehuda Deri, the heads of the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization, and the children of the late Lt. Col. Dolev Keidar, the late Shlomi Assulin, and the late Major Erez Flexer.Tonight, Israel came together in the crowded plaza of the Western Wall."Read the original post in Hebrew below.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Hackers claim to have sold information on Israeli company Shirbit

The group also uploaded the CEO 's passport .
According to Walla !
News , Shirbit responded to the threat @ @ @ @ @ is an expected psychological warfare around information that has already been disseminated , and is @ @ @ @ @ campaign . ''
Shirbit added : `` Shirbit 's defense systems halted attack attempts , @ @ @ @ @ harm continued under the guidance of leading cyber experts and government officials . ''

The group also uploaded the CEO's passport.
According to Walla! News, Shirbit responded to the threat, saying: "This is an expected psychological warfare around information that has already been disseminated, and is part of an extensive awareness campaign."
Shirbit added: "Shirbit's defense systems halted attack attempts, and the effort to thwart harm continued under the guidance of leading cyber experts and government officials."


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Biden to name Democratic Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary

Buttigieg , 38 , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , who has never held federal office , @ @ @ @ @ endorsed Biden in March , helping the former vice president build momentum toward capturing their @ @ @ @ @

President-elect Joe Biden has chosen Pete Buttigieg, his former rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, to lead the US Transportation Department, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Buttigieg, 38, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who has never held federal office, dropped his presidential bid and endorsed Biden in March, helping the former vice president build momentum toward capturing their party's presidential nomination.
A spokesman for Biden's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A representative for Buttigieg also did not respond to a request for comment.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Biden says he spoke with McConnell, looks forward to working with him

US President-elect Joe Biden said on Tuesday he had spoken with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and the two of them agreed to get together soon."While we disagree on a lot of things, there are things we can work together on," Biden told reporters. "We agreed to get together sooner (rather) than later."


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Aeroflot designates seating to passengers who refuse to wear masks

Russia's flagship airline Aeroflot said on Tuesday it would designate a special seating area on its aircrafts for passengers refusing to wear medical masks.In a statement to reporters, Aeroflot spokeswoman Yulia Spivakova said: "Dedicated seats are allocated to passengers who declare their refusal to use masks after (the aircraft's) doors close."She added this was a common practice worldwide and a necessary measure.Aeroflot said on Monday that passengers would only be allowed to board its flights wearing a mask that fully covered their mouth and nose.Russia grounded international commercial flights during the coronavirus lockdown it imposed earlier this year. It has since resumed flights to some destinations, including the United Kingdom, Turkey and Tanzania.Russian commuters and shoppers are required to wear medical masks and gloves on public transport, at supermarkets and other public facilities. In practice, however, these rules are not always strictly followed and enforced.Since the start of the pandemic, Russia has reported around 2.7 million infections and nearly 48,000 deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Senior American-Israeli delegation to leave for Morocco in a week

A senior US-Israeli delegation will leave for Morocco next Tuesday to begin talks on renewing diplomatic relations, senior US administration officials told Walla! News on Tuesday. The delegation will arrive in Rabat from a direct flight from Israel.Walla! News shared the members of the delegation known thus far:The delegation will be headed by President Trump's senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat. The delegation will also include White House envoy Avi Berkowitz and White House Foreign Investment Agency chief Adam Bowler.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Pompeo expected to meet with his replacement Blinken this week

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, is expected to meet with his successor, the designated Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, this week according to sources at AP News.If held, it will be the first meeting between senior members of the current Trump administration and President-elect Joe Biden's team, whose election victory was confirmed on Monday by the Electoral College.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Shell fired at Gaza Strip was result of misunderstanding

An incident in which an IDF tank fired a shell at the Gaza strip on Monday, hitting a building, was apparently the result of a misconception on the part of the crew. According to a report by Maariv, sister newspaper to The Jerusalem Post, the soldiers had thought that an army drill was a real incident, causing them to fire the round. The incident is under investigation.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Lone Shirut Leumi volunteers to get NIS 4,500 COVID-19 grant

Lone Shirut Leumi volunteers, including ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) ones, will now be able to collect a NIS 4,500 one-time COVID-19 grant from the state, the Knesset Welfare Committee decided on Tuesday.The decision places Shirut Leumi volunteers on the same level as lone soldiers who finished their IDF service, who will also get such a grant.Lone IDF soldiers, or Shirut Leumi volunteers, are newcomers to Israel who don't have family here and are ergo more vulnerable to suffer financial hardships during the novel coronavirus economic slump.Director of the National Civic Service Authority Reuven Pinsky welcomed the move and thanked committee head Likud MK Haim Katz for his work on the issue.


jerusalempost--2020-12-15--Patient shoots wife at Shamir Medical Center, commits suicide

An oncology ward patient reportedly fatally shot his 74-year-old terminally ill wife in Shamir medical hospital on Tuesday afternoon , @ @ @ @ @ newspaper to The Jerusalem Post .
Maariv reported that he committed suicide immediately afterwards in @ @ @ @ @ .
Police arrived at the scene and are currently investigating the incident .

An oncology ward patient reportedly fatally shot his 74-year-old terminally ill wife in Shamir medical hospital on Tuesday afternoon, according to Maariv, sister newspaper to The Jerusalem Post. Maariv reported that he committed suicide immediately afterwards in front of the other patients. Police arrived at the scene and are currently investigating the incident.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Portugal says will have enough COVID-19 jabs for the whole population

Portugal will have enough coronavirus jabs to inoculate the whole population , with the distribution of the vaccines kicking off as soon as they arrive in the country , hopefully before the end of the year , the head of the vaccination task-force said .
`` It would be intolerable to have vaccines in Portugal and not use them immediately , '' vaccination chief Francisco Ramos told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday , adding that there would be three main distribution points across the country , including in the Azores and Madeira islands .
He confirmed that vaccination would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would be a big mistake to make it compulsory , '' Ramos said , adding studies showed only around 10 % of the population does not want to get vaccinated .
`` Those who refuse to take it should be respected . ''
Portugal hopes to vaccinate nearly 10 % of the population during the first phase .
Portugal , with just over 10 million people , plans to buy 22 million doses of COVID-19 shots and it has signed agreements to buy the vaccines with potential manufacturers CureVac , Pfizer-BioNTech , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and GSK .
The Pfizer-BioNTech shot is expected to arrive three days after the EU drug regulator is set to approve it on Dec. 21 , Ramos said .
Ramos said the super cold storage units needed for the shots would be set up at the three distribution points but not at the 1,200 health centers where the jabs will be given to the population .
The shots can be stored at the central storage locations for around six months and would be transported in coolers to health centers to be administered straight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can be stored for around 30 days in normal fridges .
The health centers head are ready to start vaccination and are identifying those to be vaccinated first , Ramos said .
Priority will be given to those over 50 with pre-existing conditions , frontline professionals , as well as people in care homes and intensive care units .

Portugal will have enough coronavirus jabs to inoculate the whole population, with the distribution of the vaccines kicking off as soon as they arrive in the country, hopefully before the end of the year, the head of the vaccination task-force said.
"It would be intolerable to have vaccines in Portugal and not use them immediately," vaccination chief Francisco Ramos told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday, adding that there would be three main distribution points across the country, including in the Azores and Madeira islands.
He confirmed that vaccination would be free of charge and voluntary.
"It would be a big mistake to make it compulsory," Ramos said, adding studies showed only around 10% of the population does not want to get vaccinated. "Those who refuse to take it should be respected."
Portugal hopes to vaccinate nearly 10% of the population during the first phase.
Portugal, with just over 10 million people, plans to buy 22 million doses of COVID-19 shots and it has signed agreements to buy the vaccines with potential manufacturers CureVac, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson&Johnson, Sanofi and GSK.
The Pfizer-BioNTech shot is expected to arrive three days after the EU drug regulator is set to approve it on Dec. 21, Ramos said.
Ramos said the super cold storage units needed for the shots would be set up at the three distribution points but not at the 1,200 health centers where the jabs will be given to the population.
The shots can be stored at the central storage locations for around six months and would be transported in coolers to health centers to be administered straight away, he said. There, they can be stored for around 30 days in normal fridges.
The health centers head are ready to start vaccination and are identifying those to be vaccinated first, Ramos said.
Priority will be given to those over 50 with pre-existing conditions, frontline professionals, as well as people in care homes and intensive care units.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Lapid calls for Orna Barbivai to lead Foreign Affairs, Defense Committee

Opposition Leader MK Yair Lapid recommended on Wednesday that MK Orna Barbivai replace MK Zvi Hauser as chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.This comes after Hauser was dismissed from his role by Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz as he announced that he would be leaving the Blue and White Party to join a newly-formed party led by Gideon Sa'ar.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Coronavirus outbreak in nursing home leaves 9 infected

There was a coronavirus outbreak in a Beersheba nursing home, leaving nine residents infected with the virus, media reported Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Gantz to Netanyahu: convene the coronavirus cabinet tomorrow

Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene the coronavirus cabinet Thursday saying that it is necessary in light of the increased infection rate and imminent start of vaccinations.Gantz went on to say that vaccines cannot be administered until the cabinet is presented with the order of vaccination priority and that if more restrictions are necessary, business owners must be given advanced warning.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Two ex-ministers snub judge after being charged over Beirut blast

Two former Lebanese ministers charged with negligence over a huge explosion at Beirut port in August that killed 200 people indicated on Wednesday they would not appear for questioning before the judge handling the case .
Judge Fadi Sawan charged three former ministers and the caretaker prime minister last week , sparking a fierce debate about whether the judge had the authority to charge the politicians in a nation still seeking answers about the blast .
The explosion added further strains to a country struggling with its worst crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war .
Some leading parties rebuked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslim movement Hezbollah and the Sunni group led by former Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri .
Ali Hassan Khalil , a former finance minister , and Ghazi Zeaiter , a former public works minister , who were both charged , said they had not been officially informed of Wednesday 's session , which protocol demanded .
Both are lawmakers from Amal , the Shi'ite party led by powerful Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri who is allied to Hezbollah .
Sawan could not immediately be reached for comment .
Hassan Diab , the caretaker prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to be questioned on Monday .
An official source said the judge set a new appointment for Friday but had yet to receive a response .
Diab says his conscience is clear over the matter .
Families of blast victims are increasingly frustrated that details have not emerged from an investigation since the Aug. 4 explosion caused by a huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate , which was stored in unsafe conditions .
The blast , one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history , injured thousands of people and devastated several districts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many Lebanese say they have given up hope of finding out the truth about the explosion in a country where a political elite have held power for decades amid corruption and mismanagement , while few in authority have ever been held to account .
Politicians say Sawan has been selective and overstepped his powers , while the head of the Beirut Bar Association and others say the judge has shown courage .
Khalil said he played no role in the blast case .
The Finance Ministry , which he led from 2014 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who called the charges `` a blatant violation '' , ran the Public Works Ministry in 2014 , soon after ship carrying the ammonium nitrate arrived at the port .

Two former Lebanese ministers charged with negligence over a huge explosion at Beirut port in August that killed 200 people indicated on Wednesday they would not appear for questioning before the judge handling the case.
Judge Fadi Sawan charged three former ministers and the caretaker prime minister last week, sparking a fierce debate about whether the judge had the authority to charge the politicians in a nation still seeking answers about the blast.
The explosion added further strains to a country struggling with its worst crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.
Some leading parties rebuked the judge for his action, including Shi'ite Muslim movement Hezbollah and the Sunni group led by former Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri.
Ali Hassan Khalil, a former finance minister, and Ghazi Zeaiter, a former public works minister, who were both charged, said they had not been officially informed of Wednesday's session, which protocol demanded.
Both are lawmakers from Amal, the Shi'ite party led by powerful Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri who is allied to Hezbollah.
Sawan could not immediately be reached for comment.
Hassan Diab, the caretaker prime minister whose cabinet resigned after the explosion, declined to be questioned on Monday. An official source said the judge set a new appointment for Friday but had yet to receive a response. Diab says his conscience is clear over the matter.
Families of blast victims are increasingly frustrated that details have not emerged from an investigation since the Aug. 4 explosion caused by a huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate, which was stored in unsafe conditions.
The blast, one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history, injured thousands of people and devastated several districts in the centre of the capital.
Many Lebanese say they have given up hope of finding out the truth about the explosion in a country where a political elite have held power for decades amid corruption and mismanagement, while few in authority have ever been held to account. Politicians say Sawan has been selective and overstepped his powers, while the head of the Beirut Bar Association and others say the judge has shown courage.
Khalil said he played no role in the blast case. The Finance Ministry, which he led from 2014 to early 2020, oversees customs.
Zeaiter, who called the charges "a blatant violation", ran the Public Works Ministry in 2014, soon after ship carrying the ammonium nitrate arrived at the port.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Erdogan says US sanctions will not deter Turkey's defense industry

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday US sanctions imposed on Turkey over its acquisition of Russian defense systems will fail @ @ @ @ @ their aim of deterring Ankara 's defense industry efforts .
In a televised video conference @ @ @ @ @ sanctions showed a hostile stance by the United States against its NATO ally , but @ @ @ @ @ would be overcome .

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday US sanctions imposed on Turkey over its acquisition of Russian defense systems will fail in what he said was their aim of deterring Ankara's defense industry efforts.
In a televised video conference address, Erdogan said the sanctions showed a hostile stance by the United States against its NATO ally, but that problems created by them would be overcome.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and Abu Dhabi securities exchange sign MOU

Abu Dhabi Securities exchange (ADX) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, the ADX and TASE announced in a joint statement.This is the first time an Arab exchange has entered into a commercial relationship with the State of Israel, according to the statement.The MOU aims to improve communication between the exchanges and contribute to the growth of the capital markets in Israel and the United Arab Emirates Another reason for the signing of the MOU is to improve the countries joint pursuit of opportunities for collaboration. Potential collaborations include mutual trading by each exchange's respective members, facilitating investor access to each other's markets, creating new market infrastructure technologies and sharing data that would facilitate the development of new products.Chairman of the ADX H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, and TASE Chairman Amnon Neubach signed the MOU at a virtual ceremony.Al Hammadi called the MOU "evidence of our commitment to drive value in the region through trade and commerce.""By offering companies and investors more ways of achieving their business objectives, we are supporting the vision of the peace agreement that should benefit all people across the region,” AL Hammadi went on to say.CEO of TASE, Ittai Ben Zeev called the MOU remarkable and said that its signing is "an important event and a testament to the opportunity that Israel’s capital markets represent for international investors seeking Israeli technology and high growth companies."The ADX includes trading of public joint stock companies, government bands, exchange traded funds and more. It is the Arab region's second largest market.TASE is Israel's only exchange and provides a market for shares, bonds, convertible securities and more.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Saudi Arabia receives first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines

Saudi Arabia received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday morning and will begin distributing the shots in the @ @ @ @ @ health minister said on Wednesday .
Tawfiq al-Rabiah asked citizens and residents to register to @ @ @ @ @ that the vaccine would be free to all in the country .
He did not @ @ @ @ @ been received nor which vaccine it was .
Last week , Saudi health authorities registered @ @ @ @ @ import and use in the country .

Saudi Arabia received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday morning and will begin distributing the shots in the next three days, the health minister said on Wednesday.
Tawfiq al-Rabiah asked citizens and residents to register to receive the vaccine and reiterated that the vaccine would be free to all in the country.
He did not specify how many shots had been received nor which vaccine it was. Last week, Saudi health authorities registered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for import and use in the country.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Coronavirus vaccination delayed until Monday - report

Israeli hospitals will receive coronavirus vaccines later than expected, changing the anticipated start of vaccine administration from Sunday to Monday, Ynet reported Wednesday.Hospitals will start by vaccinating their employees and large hospitals will be the first to administer vaccinations, according to Ynet.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Khamenei: US hostility toward Iran will not end with Trump's departure

Iran 's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Washington 's hostility toward the Islamic Republic would not @ @ @ @ @ Trump leaves office .
`` The hostility ( against Iran ) is not just from @ @ @ @ @ will not end when he leaves , as ( President Barack ) Obama 's America @ @ @ @ @ ... the Iranian nation , ” Khamenei was quoted as saying by his official website @

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday used his first public appearance in weeks to suggest the United States would remain hostile towards the Islamic Republic even after President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
Speaking at his first public function since rumors surfaced in early December that his health was deteriorating, Khamenei said Washington could not be trusted - a remark indicating a wary attitude towards President Donald Trump's successor.
In a meeting with organizers of events to mark the first anniversary of the killing of military commander General Qasem Soleimani in a US attack in Iraq, Khamenei said American antagonism would not disappear with the end of the Trump administration.
"My firm recommendation is not to trust the enemy," Khamenei said in remarks carried by state TV.
"The hostility (against Iran) is not just from Trump's America, which supposedly some could say would end when he leaves, as (President Barack) Obama's America also did bad things to the Iranian nation."
Biden was Obama's vice president.
Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers in 2018 and imposed new sanctions. Biden's coming to power has raised the possibility that Washington could rejoin the agreement.
Some hardline Iranian officials and lawmakers close to Khamenei have questioned President Hassan Rouhani's stand that a revival of the deal may lead to a lifting of sanctions. But Khamenei said he was not opposed to government efforts towards that end.
"If the sanctions can be lifted, we should not delay even one hour...If the sanctions can be lifted in the right, wise... and dignified way, this must be done," he said, addressing government officials.
Earlier, Rouhani said he was happy Trump was leaving office, calling him "the most lawless US president" and a "murderer" for hampering Iran’s access to COVID-19 vaccines.
"We are not overjoyed about Mr. Biden's arrival, but we are happy about Trump leaving … that such a terrorist and murderer, who does not even have mercy for coronavirus vaccines, will be gone," Rouhani said in a televised speech to the cabinet.
SANCTIONS
Iran says US sanctions are making it difficult for Iran to purchase medicine from abroad, including COVID-19 vaccines needed to contain the worst outbreak in the Middle East.
The Trump administration's sanctions targeted Iran's banking sector and its vital oil industry.
While Washington says medicines and humanitarian goods are exempt from sanctions, the sanctions have deterred some foreign banks from processing Iran's financial transactions.
On Wednesday, Defense Minister Amir Hatami said Tehran had signed arms exports deals with several countries, state media reported. He did name the countries.
TV footage showed Khamenei wearing a mask during Wednesday's meeting and sitting at the head of a large room with several attendees seated to either side, in accordance with COVID-19 social distancing protocols.
The meeting followed rumors on social media earlier this month that the 81-year-old's health was deteriorating.
Khamenei has served as supreme leader since 1989, with the final say on all state matters. His health has been the subject of speculation for years.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Taliban delegation visits Islamabad, plans for leadership meeting in Pakistan

A Taliban delegation will arrive in Pakistan 's capital on Wednesday for a three-day visit , according to official statements , as both sides in the Afghan peace process continue consultations during a break in negotiations .
The Taliban delegation , led by the militant group 's top political leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar , is set to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and the foreign minister during the visit , according to a Pakistan foreign office statement .
Two Taliban political sources in Doha told Reuters they would also hold a meeting in Pakistan among their leadership .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just before the peace talks with the Afghan government began in Doha as the United States pushed for a political settlement while it withdraws troops from the war-torn country .
After reaching an agreement on procedural ground rules this month , negotiators representing the government and the Taliban are taking a break until Jan. 5 when they will continue to work on an agenda .
Diplomatic sources told Reuters that both sides will continue to consult with their leaderships and other key players over the break .
They added that the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rises around the nation and the Afghan government calls for a ceasefire to be top of the agenda , while the Taliban says it should be discussed later .
The Taliban political sources said they would take up the issue of rising violence with their military leaders during their leadership meeting .
`` Our field commanders started carrying out more attacks and it created problems for our office in Qatar ; therefore our delegation would like to see them and discuss it with them , '' one of the sources said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but explain the problems and suggest they slow .
A Taliban spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Ashley Jackson , co-director of the Centre for the Study of Armed Groups at the London-based Overseas Development Institute , said the meeting of the wider Taliban leadership was key to moving forward .
`` The Taliban have been able to skate by making almost no concessions ... they wo n't be able to get away with that for much longer , and building up a consensus about what they 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now essential , '' she said .

A Taliban delegation will arrive in Pakistan's capital on Wednesday for a three-day visit, according to official statements, as both sides in the Afghan peace process continue consultations during a break in negotiations.
The Taliban delegation, led by the militant group's top political leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, is set to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and the foreign minister during the visit, according to a Pakistan foreign office statement.
Two Taliban political sources in Doha told Reuters they would also hold a meeting in Pakistan among their leadership.
The Taliban last visited Islamabad in August, just before the peace talks with the Afghan government began in Doha as the United States pushed for a political settlement while it withdraws troops from the war-torn country.
After reaching an agreement on procedural ground rules this month, negotiators representing the government and the Taliban are taking a break until Jan. 5 when they will continue to work on an agenda.
Diplomatic sources told Reuters that both sides will continue to consult with their leaderships and other key players over the break.
They added that the next stage will be very challenging as violence rises around the nation and the Afghan government calls for a ceasefire to be top of the agenda, while the Taliban says it should be discussed later.
The Taliban political sources said they would take up the issue of rising violence with their military leaders during their leadership meeting.
"Our field commanders started carrying out more attacks and it created problems for our office in Qatar; therefore our delegation would like to see them and discuss it with them," one of the sources said, adding they would not request attacks stop entirely but explain the problems and suggest they slow.
A Taliban spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ashley Jackson, co-director of the Centre for the Study of Armed Groups at the London-based Overseas Development Institute, said the meeting of the wider Taliban leadership was key to moving forward.
"The Taliban have been able to skate by making almost no concessions...they won't be able to get away with that for much longer, and building up a consensus about what they'll agree to - or not - is now essential," she said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Health Ministry: We will not vaccinate until we know it is safe

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"Buying the vaccine is one thing and vaccinating people is another. We will not give a vaccine to an Israeli citizen, outside of a clinical trial, before we are convinced of the safety and efficacy of the vaccine," said the head of the coronavirus vaccine team in the Health Ministry, Dr. Uri Feinstein on Wednesday."Everyone is buying the vaccine doses for 2021, this forced us to start to act very early before there was real information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine," Feinstein went on to say, explaining the Health Ministry's timeline for vaccine purchases.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Iran's Rouhani says he is happy that 'lawless' Trump is leaving office

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday he was happy that Donald Trump was leaving office , calling him `` @ @ @ @ @ '' and a `` terrorist . ''
`` We are not overjoyed about Mr. Biden @ @ @ @ @ we are happy about Trump leaving , '' Rouhani said in a televised speech to @ @ @

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday he was happy that Donald Trump was leaving office, calling him "the most lawless US president" and a "terrorist."
"We are not overjoyed about Mr. Biden’s arrival, but we are happy about Trump leaving," Rouhani said in a televised speech to the cabinet.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Iran's Supreme Leader to hold first function since health rumors - report

Iran 's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is due to hold his first public function on Wednesday since rumors surfaced @ @ @ @ @ Iranian media reported .
The media reports said Khamenei would meet organizers of events to @ @ @ @ @ the killing of Iran 's top commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone attack in @ @

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is due to hold his first public function on Wednesday since rumors surfaced of his deteriorating health, Iranian media reported.
The media reports said Khamenei would meet organizers of events to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Iran's top commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone attack in Iraq.


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--US: Recent hacking campaign hit government networks

Hackers believed to be working for Russia have been monitoring internal email traffic at the US Treasury and Commerce departments , Reuters reported earlier this week , citing people who said they feared the hacks uncovered so far may be the tip of the iceberg .
`` This is a developing situation , and while we continue to work to understand the full extent of this campaign , we know this compromise has affected networks within the federal government , '' said a joint statement issued by the FBI , the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Intelligence ( ODNI ) .
Technology company SolarWinds Corp , which was the key stepping-stone used by the hackers , said up to 18,000 of its customers had downloaded a compromised software update that allowed hackers to spy unnoticed on businesses and agencies for almost nine months .
`` Over the course of the past several days , the FBI , CISA , and ODNI have become aware of a significant and ongoing cybersecurity campaign , '' the joint statement said .
`` The FBI is investigating and gathering intelligence in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the responsible threat actors , '' the statement said .
The FBI , CISA and ODNI have formed a Cyber Unified Coordination Group to coordinate the US government 's response , it said .
White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien cut short a European trip on Tuesday and returned to Washington to deal with the attack .

The US government confirmed on Wednesday that a recent hacking campaign affected its networks and said the attack was "significant and ongoing."
Hackers believed to be working for Russia have been monitoring internal email traffic at the US Treasury and Commerce departments, Reuters reported earlier this week, citing people who said they feared the hacks uncovered so far may be the tip of the iceberg.
"This is a developing situation, and while we continue to work to understand the full extent of this campaign, we know this compromise has affected networks within the federal government," said a joint statement issued by the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
Technology company SolarWinds Corp, which was the key stepping-stone used by the hackers, said up to 18,000 of its customers had downloaded a compromised software update that allowed hackers to spy unnoticed on businesses and agencies for almost nine months.
"Over the course of the past several days, the FBI, CISA, and ODNI have become aware of a significant and ongoing cybersecurity campaign," the joint statement said.
"The FBI is investigating and gathering intelligence in order to attribute, pursue, and disrupt the responsible threat actors," the statement said.
The FBI, CISA and ODNI have formed a Cyber Unified Coordination Group to coordinate the US government's response, it said.
White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien cut short a European trip on Tuesday and returned to Washington to deal with the attack.


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--US set to unseal charges against suspect in Lockerbie bombing -source

The suspect , identified by the Wall Street Journal as Abu Agila Mohammad Masud , is a Libyan intelligence official whom the Journal reported is in custody in Libya and will be extradited to the United States to stand trial .
The case , to be unveiled in the coming days , would mark the second time Attorney General William Barr has overseen charges in connection with the bombing .
During Barr 's first stint as attorney general under President George H.W .
Bush , the Justice Department indicted two Libyan Intelligence Agency operatives - Abdel Basset Ali Al-Megrahi and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plastic bomb with a timer , hiding it inside a suitcase and planting it on an Air Malta flight .
The suitcase was eventually transferred to Pan Am Flight 103 .
`` We will not rest until all those responsible are brought to justice .
We have no higher priority , '' Barr said in 1991 , at the time the indictment was unveiled .
Parallel charges were also filed against the men in Scotland .
Since then , only one person has been brought to justice .
Megrahi was found guilty in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was freed in 2009 on compassionate release grounds and returned to Libya because he had terminal cancer .
He died in 2012 .
His release back to Libya at the time infuriated the Justice Department , which had the indictment against him pending and was still investigating the bombing .
The 32-year anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 - in which 190 Americans died - will be on Monday .

The United States is expected to soon unseal criminal charges against another suspect in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland that killed 270 people mostly Americans, according to a person familiar with the case.
The suspect, identified by the Wall Street Journal as Abu Agila Mohammad Masud, is a Libyan intelligence official whom the Journal reported is in custody in Libya and will be extradited to the United States to stand trial.
The case, to be unveiled in the coming days, would mark the second time Attorney General William Barr has overseen charges in connection with the bombing.
During Barr's first stint as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush, the Justice Department indicted two Libyan Intelligence Agency operatives - Abdel Basset Ali Al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah - for building a plastic bomb with a timer, hiding it inside a suitcase and planting it on an Air Malta flight.
The suitcase was eventually transferred to Pan Am Flight 103.
"We will not rest until all those responsible are brought to justice. We have no higher priority," Barr said in 1991, at the time the indictment was unveiled. Parallel charges were also filed against the men in Scotland.
Since then, only one person has been brought to justice.
Megrahi was found guilty in Scotland of the Lockerbie bombing in 2001. He was freed in 2009 on compassionate release grounds and returned to Libya because he had terminal cancer. He died in 2012.
His release back to Libya at the time infuriated the Justice Department, which had the indictment against him pending and was still investigating the bombing.
The 32-year anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 - in which 190 Americans died - will be on Monday.
A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on the soon-to-be-unsealed case.


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--Brazil confirmed COVID cases top 7 million

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil registered more than 70,000 additional cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday , the nation @ @ @ @ @ pushing the country 's total confirmed cases over 7 million .
The country has now @ @ @ @ @ , behind only the United States and India .

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil registered more than 70,000 additional cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, the nation's health ministry said, pushing the country's total confirmed cases over 7 million.
The country has now registered 7,040,608 total confirmed cases, behind only the United States and India.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa receives coronavirus vaccine

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was vaccinated against the coronavirus using a Sinopharm vaccine on Wednesday evening, according to Bahraini state media.This, despite the fact that Bahrain was only the second country in the world, after the United Kingdom, to aprove the Pfizer vaccine earlier this month.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Twitter bans harmful false claims about COVID-19 vaccinations

The social media company said in a blog post that users could be required to remove tweets with false claims @ @ @ @ @ used to intentionally cause harm to or control populations , including statements about vaccines that @ @ @ @ @ ''

Twitter Inc said on Wednesday that users will be required to remove new tweets that advance harmful false or misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccinations, in an expansion of its rules on coronavirus misinformation.
The social media company said in a blog post that users could be required to remove tweets with false claims that suggest vaccines are "used to intentionally cause harm to or control populations, including statements about vaccines that invoke a deliberate conspiracy."
The policy, announced the same week that the first Americans received COVID-19 vaccinations as part of a mass immunization campaign, will also apply to false claims that vaccinations are unnecessary because COVID-19 is not real or serious. It will also apply to false claims that have been widely debunked about adverse effects of receiving such vaccines.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Kochavi to be first IDF personnel to be vaccinated, 'setting an example'

As Israel prepares to begin its nationwide coronavirus vaccination effort on Sunday, the IDF has started preparing for its own vaccination process throughout the military, Israel news reported.IDF personnel are expected to start receiving vaccines towards the end of December, after defining the required logistics for transferring vaccines between bases throughout the country."In order to set a personal example and encourage soldiers to vaccinate," IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Col. Aviv Kochavi will be the first IDF personnel to receive the vaccine.After Kochavi, medical teams will receive the vaccine, followed by soldiers in risk groups, as well as combat soldiers and critical operational units. After receiving additional doses, the remaining soldiers will also be vaccinated.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Pfizer may be facing challenges manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines

`` We have recently been informed by them finally of various challenges that they might have in their manufacturing and @ @ @ @ @ whatever mechanism , that we provide them full support to ensure that they can produce @ @ @ @ @ '' Azar said .

U.S. officials are working with Pfizer Inc to help maximize production capacity for its COVID-19 vaccine after the drugmaker told them that it may be facing production challenges, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said in a Wednesday press call.
"We have recently been informed by them finally of various challenges that they might have in their manufacturing and we will ensure that by whatever mechanism, that we provide them full support to ensure that they can produce for the American people," Azar said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--US imposes sanctions over support for sale of Iranian petrochemicals

The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on companies based in China and the United Arab Emirates, accusing them of supporting the sale of Iranian petrochemicals as Washington increases pressure on Tehran even as President Donald Trump's term nears a close.The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement said it blacklisted the four entities for facilitating the export of Iranian petrochemical products by Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd., which was hit with sanctions by Washington earlier this year.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Avigdor Liberman to enter quarantine until December 18

Israel Beyteinu leader Avigdor Liberman entered quarantine on Wednesday and will remain in quarantine until December 18, The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv reported.The report indicated that Liberman had met with his son, who was recently diagnosed with coronavirus, eight days ago.Liberman himself has said that he feels well and will continue to work from home.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Bitcoin breaks above $20,000 for first time

The cryptocurrency jumped 4.5 % to move as high as $ 20,440 .

Bitcoin smashed through $20,000 for the first time on Wednesday, its highest ever.
The cryptocurrency jumped 4.5% to move as high as $20,440.
Bitcoin has gained more than 170% this year, buoyed by demand from larger investors attracted to its potential for quick gains, purported inflation-resistant qualities, and expectations it will become a mainstream payment method.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Iran says it opposes all maritime sabotage, days after Saudi boat blast

`` Iran rejects any act of sabotage against maritime safety and security and the freedom of international trade '' ISNA @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh as saying when asked about the attack .

Iran said on Wednesday it was against any act that threatened maritime safety and trade, two days after a fuel transport ship was attacked near the Saudi port of Jeddah.
"Iran rejects any act of sabotage against maritime safety and security and the freedom of international trade" ISNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh as saying when asked about the attack.


jerusalempost--2020-12-16--Telegram messaging service glitches globally

People around the world have been reporting connection issues with the instant messaging app Telegram, N12 reported.Specificlaly, there have been issues with sending and receiving messages on the popular platform. It is not yet known what the cause of the service failure is.


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--Turkey says will not reverse Russian S-400S purchase despite US sanctions

Turkey will not reverse its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems and will take reciprocal steps after evaluating U.S. sanctions imposed over the acquisition , Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday .
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions targeting fellow NATO member Turkey 's Defence Industry Directorate ( SSB ) , its chief , Ismail Demir , and three other staff for buying the S-400s .
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday the sanctions were a `` hostile attack '' against Turkey 's defense industry , and were bound to fail .
Cavusoglu said Turkey 's response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out by the defense sector , along with the foreign and justice ministries , into the impact of the sanctions .
`` We will surely take our steps in line with these , '' he told broadcaster Kanal 24 .
`` It 's not important whether the sanctions are soft or harsh , sanctions in themselves are wrong , '' he said .
`` Looking at the content of the sanctions , these are not measures that will shake us to the core or impact us very much . ''
Turkey says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it was unable to get defense systems from a NATO ally on satisfactory terms .
`` If there was to be a step back , it would have happened by now , '' Cavusoglu said .
The United States says the S-400s pose a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and to NATO 's broader defense systems .
Turkey rejects this and says S-400s will not be integrated into NATO .
Speaking to the state-owned Anadolu news agency , SSB Chairman Ismail Demir played down the impact of the measures , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and covered only a limited number of Turkish companies .
`` For instance , a company where the SSB hold a majority stake may be impacted , but there are close to no such firms .
There are no such firms on critical projects , '' he said .
The sanctions come at a delicate moment in fraught relations between Ankara and Washington as Democratic President-elect Joe Biden gears up to take office on Jan. 20 , replacing Republican incumbent Donald Trump .
Asked whether ties could normalize under Biden , Cavusoglu said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. support for Syrian Kurdish fighters , and Ankara 's request to extradite a U.S.-based cleric it accuses of organizing a 2016 coup attempt .
`` If the United States thinks strategically , they need Turkey very much .
They say this , but they must do what is necessitated by this , '' he said .

Turkey will not reverse its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems and will take reciprocal steps after evaluating U.S. sanctions imposed over the acquisition, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions targeting fellow NATO member Turkey's Defence Industry Directorate (SSB), its chief, Ismail Demir, and three other staff for buying the S-400s.
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday the sanctions were a "hostile attack" against Turkey's defense industry, and were bound to fail.
Cavusoglu said Turkey's response would be shaped by a review being carried out by the defense sector, along with the foreign and justice ministries, into the impact of the sanctions.
"We will surely take our steps in line with these," he told broadcaster Kanal 24. "It's not important whether the sanctions are soft or harsh, sanctions in themselves are wrong," he said.
"Looking at the content of the sanctions, these are not measures that will shake us to the core or impact us very much."
Turkey says it bought the S-400s out of necessity as it was unable to get defense systems from a NATO ally on satisfactory terms. "If there was to be a step back, it would have happened by now," Cavusoglu said.
The United States says the S-400s pose a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and to NATO's broader defense systems. Turkey rejects this and says S-400s will not be integrated into NATO.
Speaking to the state-owned Anadolu news agency, SSB Chairman Ismail Demir played down the impact of the measures, saying they did not affect existing contracts, and covered only a limited number of Turkish companies.
"For instance, a company where the SSB hold a majority stake may be impacted, but there are close to no such firms. There are no such firms on critical projects," he said.
The sanctions come at a delicate moment in fraught relations between Ankara and Washington as Democratic President-elect Joe Biden gears up to take office on Jan. 20, replacing Republican incumbent Donald Trump.
Asked whether ties could normalize under Biden, Cavusoglu said Washington must address Turkey's opposition to U.S. support for Syrian Kurdish fighters, and Ankara's request to extradite a U.S.-based cleric it accuses of organizing a 2016 coup attempt.
"If the United States thinks strategically, they need Turkey very much. They say this, but they must do what is necessitated by this," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--Top US general meets Taliban in Qatar

Top US general meets Taliban in Qatar

The meeting with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , General Mark Milley , comes as negotiators representing @ @ @ @ @ Taliban are taking a break until Jan. 5 when they will continue to work on @ @ @ @ @ chairman discussed the need for an immediate reduction of violence and accelerate progress towards a @ @ @ @ @ to regional stability and safeguards US national interests , '' a US military statement said

The meeting with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, comes as negotiators representing the Afghan government and the Taliban are taking a break until Jan. 5 when they will continue to work on an agenda.
"The chairman discussed the need for an immediate reduction of violence and accelerate progress towards a negotiated political solution which contributes to regional stability and safeguards US national interests," a US military statement said
The top US general met Taliban representatives this week in Qatar and urged them to reduce the level of violence and increase progress towards a political solution, the US military said on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--Putin: Russia to ramp up support for Ukraine's rebel-held east

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would ramp up its support for Ukraine 's rebel-controlled eastern Donbass region @ @ @ @ @ 2014 between pro-Moscow rebels and government forces .
Putin told his annual news conference that @ @ @ @ @ upgrade its factories , infrastructure and help it meet the social needs of local people @ @ @ @ @ .

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would ramp up its support for Ukraine's rebel-controlled eastern Donbass region where conflict broke out in 2014 between pro-Moscow rebels and government forces.
Putin told his annual news conference that Russia would help the region upgrade its factories, infrastructure and help it meet the social needs of local people whom he said faced challenges.


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--Three Palestinians arrested for stealing jewelry, money from elderly

A secret investigation has been tracking, and finally arrested Wednesday night, three residents of the Palestinian Authority, each in their 30s and 40s, on the grounds of stealing from elderly individuals living in Bat Yam and Holon.According to Israel Police, the three individuals would introduce themselves to the elderly as plumbers, asking to get inside their homes to take care of a leak from their neighbors. The first person would then ask the homeowners to leave the house, so they could do their job, thereby opening the door to the other two impersonators to come in. They would then commit the crime together.Israel Police collaborated with IDF forces to complete the arrests. They have also requested the arrests be extended in the Tel Aviv Magistrate Court.Authorities were first alerted to the issue when they got multiple complaints from few elderly individuals living in Holon and Bat Yam that their money and jewelry had been stolen.This became the group's MO, warranting police to identify a pattern, leading to their arrests.


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--Israel's mayors to get vaccinated next week

Israel's mayors will get vaccinated for the coronavirus next week to serve as a personal example for their residents to follow, the Local Authorities confirmed on Thursday, along with coronavirus commissioner Prof. Nachman Ash and the Health Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--Coronavirus cases on the rise: 2,802 test positive

On Thursday morning , the Health Ministry reported that some 2,802 people were infected with the virus the day before .
This number surpasses the daily new cases count that will put Israel into a period of restraint .
During such a period , shops , malls and marketplaces would be closed .
Gatherings would be limited to 10 people in closed spaces and 20 in open spaces .
The education system would stay open in green and yellow cities , but would close in orange and red ones .
Since yesterday , several more Jerusalem neighborhoods went from orange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , five more cities across the country became orange .
The number of people in serious condition is rising with the numbers : 400 patients are in serious condition , including 150 who are intubated .
Some 3.4 % of the more than 80,000 people screened for the virus tested positive .
Health Minister Yuli Edelstein explained at the Knesset and in interviews that the number of cases had to average out to more than 2,500 per day , which is why the new restrictions had not yet been put in place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tightened restrictions would be rolled out in about four days .
“ The daily number of diagnoses is high , ” said Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch in an interview with Army Radio on Wednesday .
But , like Edelstein , he said that no changes would be made until the weekly trend was evaluated .
Health Ministry deputy director-general Chezy Levy and Head of Public Services Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis entered quarantine after a member of their office tested positive .
Levy was already screened for the virus and had a negative result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will continue to operate as usual from his home .

The vaccines are already arriving in Israel by the hundreds of thousands, but the country faces what could be a difficult period of tightened restrictions as coronavirus cases surge.
The coronavirus cabinet is scheduled to meet on Sunday at 11 a.m. to determine the next steps.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he supports a decision made last week that if cases surpass 2,500 a day, a period of “tightened restraint” would be rolled out. However, many ministers object and think differential measures should be taken rather than sweeping steps.
Some 2,802 people were infected with the virus on Wednesday, the Health Ministry reported Thursday morning. This number surpasses the daily count of new cases that could put Israel into a period of restraint.
During such a period, shops, malls and marketplaces would be closed; gatherings would be limited to 10 people in closed spaces and 20 in open spaces; and the education system would stay open in green and yellow cities but would close in orange and red ones.
In addition, due to the challenges at Ben-Gurion Airport and how many infected returnees have been entering Israel, the Health Ministry is considering to recommend labeling all countries red. This would mean that any Israeli who enters Israel from abroad would have to isolate.
In addition, there is talk of requiring returnees from specific countries – including Ukraine, Turkey, the United States and maybe Dubai – to be required either to isolate in a state-run coronavirus hotel or agree to being tested.
According to the plan, these tightened restraints would last at least three weeks.
Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz met Thursday with Blue and White coronavirus cabinet ministers and said his party’s position is that a vote in favor of tightened restraint would be based on morbidity and mortality rates as well as a further explanation of the timeline and scope of the country’s vaccination campaign.
“The scope of the vaccines and their expected impact on morbidity levels is a critical factor in making decisions that will affect the Israeli economy and the livelihoods of millions,” he said. “We will request all relevant information before convening the cabinet.”
Although the coronavirus cabinet voted last week for the plan, it still needs to be reapproved on Sunday to go into effect.
Between Wednesday and Thursday, several more Jerusalem neighborhoods went from being orange to red. At the same time, five more cities across the country became orange.
The number of people in serious condition is rising with the numbers: Some 400 patients were in serious condition Thursday morning, including 150 who were intubated. Some 3.4% of the more than 80,000 people screened for the virus tested positive.
At last count, the death toll was at 3,033.
Some health officials believe Israel will reach 5,000 daily cases – the number required for lockdown – by the time any new restrictions go into effect. As such, the National Security Council could recommend that Israel first have a short closure even before tightening restrictions, according to media reports.
Health Ministry deputy director-general Chezy Levy and Public Health Services head Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis entered quarantine Thursday morning after a member of their office tested positive.
Levy was already screened for the virus and tested negative. He does not have any symptoms and will continue to operate as usual from home.
Later in the day, the Likud’s faction manager in the Knesset, Aliza Barashi, tested positive for coronavirus, sending all employees of the faction into quarantine until epidemiological investigations are completed.
Barashi’s positive diagnosis was made following the unusual incident involving Likud MK David Bitan’s violation of Health Ministry guidelines, reported last week, that led some 30 employees and three MKs into quarantine. In response to criticism, Bitan said he did not know he was infected, even though he had coronavirus-related symptoms.


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--Health Ministry D-G to quarantine after exposure to confirmed patient


jerusalempost--2020-12-17--Iran president says 'no doubt' US will return to nuclear deal commitments

Iran ’ s President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday he was certain the incoming US administration will return to its @ @ @ @ @ crippling sanctions on his country .
“ I have no doubt that the three-year resistance @ @ @ @ @ persuade the future American government to return to its commitments and the sanctions will be @ @ @ @ @ .
US President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and @ @ @ @ @ and imposed new sanctions .
President-elect Joe Biden 's coming to power has raised the @ @ @ @ @ the agreement .

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday he was certain the incoming US administration will return to its nuclear deal commitments and lift crippling sanctions on his country.
“I have no doubt that the three-year resistance of the Iranian people will persuade the future American government to return to its commitments and the sanctions will be broken,” Rouhani said.
US President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers in 2018 and imposed new sanctions. President-elect Joe Biden's coming to power has raised the possibility that Washington could rejoin the agreement.