jerusalempost--2020-07-04--MK Amir Ohana to enter quarantine after meeting Border Police chief

After meeting with Border Police Chief Yaakov Shabtai who tested positive for coronavirus, MK Amir Ohana decided to enter quarantine on Saturday, saying he prefers to "reduce the risk," according to Israeli media.


jerusalempost--2020-07-04--Two Assuta Ashdod Hospital staff members infected with coronavirus

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After two staff members at the Assuta Ashdod University Hospital were diagnosed with coronavirus on Saturday, the hospital said it will prevent social gatherings and events with all medical staff until further notice.The hospital decided that medical staff that were near the confirmed patients and were not found positive for the virus will be able to continue their jobs under strict guidelines and daily coronavirus tests.Dr. Erez Barenboim, general-director of the Assuta Ashdod University Hospital said that "the hospital is doing everything in its power to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and is acting out of a sense of responsibility and concern for its patients and the safety of its medical staff. We will continue to provide the best and safest treatment we can, as we've done until now."


jerusalempost--2020-07-04--Coronavirus: 599 new diagnoses since midnight, death toll spikes to 330

Moreover , the death toll rose to 330 .
The new number of patients was released as a series of restrictions were rolled out at 8 a.m. on Friday morning .
Event halls , bars , clubs and prayer houses will be limited to 50 attendees .
Any other gatherings in closed spaces are now limited to 20 people .
The Knesset is expected to approve those decisions on Sunday , making them enforceable .
During a briefing on Thursday , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the number of patients in serious condition increased by 50 % in just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to the reality of restrictions in order to flatten the curve , ” he said .
Until now , there has been a tangible difference between this wave of coronavirus and the first one , in that although the number of infected people has continued to climb each day , the number of patients in serious condition or who are intubated has remained stable and low .
Similarly , although there have been more deaths in recent days , the mortality curve is lower than in the first wave .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern on Thursday that this was changing .
Netanyahu said : “ Anyone who says , ‘ But there are no serious patients ’ – at first it really was that way , ” but he said they have begun to infect others .
“ The data is sharp and clear and leaves us with no choice .
We have to go back to the reality of restrictions to flatten the curve.
” Edelstein explained that in all of June the hospitals treated 103 patients in serious condition .
In one-and-a-half days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the most recent statistics , only 15 % of patients who are currently infected are over the age of 60 .
Also , in the spring , the number of sick patients was doubling around every three days and currently the doubling rate is around seven days .
Still , a senior parliamentary source told The Jerusalem Post that , “ This is a bad innovation of the last few days.
” He explained that Israel likely did not see a quick rise in serious cases because “ young people initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are infecting older people .
This means that there is a significant increase in hospital load and , sadly , deaths.
” There are those that have argued that the disease has “ weakened ” this time around .
`` The clinical impression I have is that the virus is changing in severity , '' he said .
`` In March and early April , the patterns were completely different .
People were coming to the emergency department with a very difficult-to-manage illness , and they needed oxygen and ventilation , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past four weeks , the picture has completely changed in terms of patterns .
There could be a lower viral load in the respiratory tract , probably due to a genetic mutation in the virus which has not yet been demonstrated scientifically .
Also , we are now more aware of the disease and able to manage it , '' he said .
Prof. Jonathan Gershoni of Tel Aviv University ’ s School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology told the Post that he disagrees .
“ I would not try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biological – that all of a sudden it is more infectious or more potent , ” Gershoni said .
“ This is simply not the case ; the virus is the same.
” On Thursday , the Health Ministry screened nearly 24,500 people for the virus – the highest number in a single day to date .
The percentage of people who tested positive is around 4.5 % .
On Friday , some 20,912 people were screened and 936 people were diagnosed with the virus – also a rate of about 4.5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Border Police , Maj.-Gen. Yaakov Shabtai , tested positive for the novel coronavirus over the weekend .
A spokesperson for the Border Police said that the commander is in stable condition and feeling well .
Furthermore , IDF Central Command commander Nadav Padan entered quarantine on Saturday after attending an event with a confirmed patient .
On Friday , an intern who works with the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee tested positive for coronavirus , the Knesset Spokesperson 's Office said .
As a result , MK Zvi Hauser entered quarantine and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee were canceled for the coming week .
This is not the first time there has been coronavirus in the Knesset .
In June , Joint List MK Sami Abu Shehadeh tested positive for coronavirus .
Around the same time , Science and Technology Minister Izhar Shay went into quarantine following an assistant receiving a positive test for COVID-19 .
And in April , Netanyahu , Mossad director Yossi Cohen , National Security Council Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and former Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov entered quarantine after then health minister Ya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
The Shin Bet ( Israel Security Agency ) surveillance program , which had been halted due to legislative challenges , has re-launched .
According to N12 , already thousands of people had been contacted and asked to enter quarantine .
`` Many of the citizens who have received these notices are asked to contact the Health Ministry hotline , '' a report by N12 ’ s Yoav Even explained .
`` Due to the heavy load of calls , waiting times were extremely long and even sometimes led to people being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notified that they have been near an infected person need to enter isolation until they are in direct contact with the Health Ministry to see if they should be exempt .
On Shabbat , Police uncovered a large party in the Ben Shemen Forest that was held without permission and without a license , according to a police spokesperson .
Hundreds of participants attended the event and did not adhere to the Health Ministry directives .
Most of the participants were under the influence of alcohol and are suspected of having been under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is suspected of organizing the party was detained for questioning .
According to the Nature and Parks Authority , some 70,000 Israelis visited national parks and nature reserves over Shabbat .
Police administered more than 3,079 fines for people not wearing masks over Shabbat and gave out several fines for businesses and restaurants operating against Health Ministry regulations .

Among the now 10,929 sick patients (17,773 of Israel’s 29,032 patients have already recovered), some 84 are in serious condition – a number that has continued to grow in the past week. Moreover, the death toll rose to 330. This milestone was reached as a series of restrictions were rolled out at 8 a.m. on Friday morning. Event halls, bars, clubs and prayer houses will be limited to 50 attendees. Any other gatherings in closed spaces are now limited to 20 people. The Knesset is expected to approve those decisions on Sunday, making them enforceable. During a briefing on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the number of patients in serious condition increased by 50% in just the last week. “We must return to the reality of restrictions in order to flatten the curve,” he said. Until now, there has been a tangible difference between this wave of coronavirus and the first one, in that although the number of infected people has continued to climb each day, the number of patients in serious condition or who are intubated has remained stable and low. Similarly, although there have been more deaths in recent days, the mortality curve is lower than in the first wave. Netanyahu said: “Anyone who says, ‘But there are no serious patients’ – at first it really was that way,” but now they have begun to infect others. “The data is sharp and clear and leaves us with no choice. We have to go back to the reality of restrictions to flatten the curve.” Edelstein explained that in all of June the hospitals treated 103 patients in serious condition. In one-and-a-half days of July, 10 are already being treated. According to the most recent statistics, only 15% of patients who are currently infected are over the age of 60. Also, in the spring, the number of sick patients was doubling around every three days and currently the doubling rate is around seven days. Still, a senior parliamentary source told The Jerusalem Post that, “This is a bad innovation of the last few days.” He explained that Israel likely did not see a quick rise in serious cases because “young people initially infected other young people, and now they are infecting older people. This means that there is a significant increase in hospital load and, sadly, deaths.” There are those who have argued that the disease has “weakened” this time around. Israel hit another coronavirus record over the weekend, as the Health Ministry reported on Friday that 1,130 people were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus the day before. The nation passed the figure of 10,000 patients for the first time since the pandemic began.Among the now 10,929 sick patients (17,773 of Israel’s 29,032 patients have already recovered), some 84 are in serious condition – a number that has continued to grow in the past week.Moreover, the death toll rose to 330.This milestone was reached as a series of restrictions were rolled out at 8 a.m. on Friday morning. Event halls, bars, clubs and prayer houses will be limited to 50 attendees. Any other gatherings in closed spaces are now limited to 20 people. The Knesset is expected to approve those decisions on Sunday, making them enforceable.During a briefing on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the number of patients in serious condition increased by 50% in just the last week.“We must return to the reality of restrictions in order to flatten the curve,” he said.Until now, there has been a tangible difference between this wave of coronavirus and the first one, in that although the number of infected people has continued to climb each day, the number of patients in serious condition or who are intubated has remained stable and low. Similarly, although there have been more deaths in recent days, the mortality curve is lower than in the first wave.However, Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein expressed concern on Thursday that this was changing.Netanyahu said: “Anyone who says, ‘But there are no serious patients’ – at first it really was that way,” but now they have begun to infect others. “The data is sharp and clear and leaves us with no choice. We have to go back to the reality of restrictions to flatten the curve.”Edelstein explained that in all of June the hospitals treated 103 patients in serious condition. In one-and-a-half days of July, 10 are already being treated.According to the most recent statistics, only 15% of patients who are currently infected are over the age of 60. Also, in the spring, the number of sick patients was doubling around every three days and currently the doubling rate is around seven days.Still, a senior parliamentary source told The Jerusalem Post that, “This is a bad innovation of the last few days.” He explained that Israel likely did not see a quick rise in serious cases because “young people initially infected other young people, and now they are infecting older people. This means that there is a significant increase in hospital load and, sadly, deaths.”There are those who have argued that the disease has “weakened” this time around.
Prof. Matteo Bassetti, head of the infectious diseases clinic at Italy’s Policlinico San Martino Hospital, told The Telegraph in a recent interview that the virus has changed
“The clinical impression I have is that the virus is changing in severity,” he said. “In March and early April, the patterns were completely different. People were coming to the emergency department with a very difficult-to-manage illness, and they needed oxygen and ventilation; some developed pneumonia.“Now, in the past four weeks, the picture has completely changed in terms of patterns. There could be a lower viral load in the respiratory tract, probably due to a genetic mutation in the virus which has not yet been demonstrated scientifically. Also, we are now more aware of the disease and able to manage it,” he said.Prof. Jonathan Gershoni of Tel Aviv University’s School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology told the Post he disagrees.“I would not try to ascribe to the virus anything new or biological – that all of a sudden it is more infectious or more potent,” Gershoni said. “This is simply not the case; the virus is the same.”The senior source also told the Post that the morbidity rate in hospitals is on the rise as well, and is often under-reported. On Friday, the Health Ministry showed that 1,700 medical personnel were in isolation.He stressed that daily testing still needs to be increased and that more contact tracers need to be hired.“We need 100,000 tests a day and that’s possible,” he said.On Thursday, the Health Ministry screened nearly 24,500 people for the virus – the highest number in a single day to date. The percentage of people who tested positive is around 4.5%. On Friday, some 20,912 people were screened and 936 people were diagnosed with the virus – also a rate of about 4.5%.The chief commander of Israel’s Border Police, Maj.-Gen. Yaakov Shabtai, tested positive for the novel coronavirus over the weekend. A spokesperson for the Border Police said the commander is in stable condition and feeling well.Last week, Shabtai attended a memorial service for the fallen soldiers of Operation Protective Edge in Gaza alongside President Reuven Rivlin, Chief Commander of the IDF Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz. However, an epidemiological investigation revealed that none of the leaders will need to enter isolation, the Health Ministry reported.Furthermore, IDF Central Command commander Nadav Padan entered quarantine on Saturday after attending an event with a confirmed patient.Eleven residents of a senior living facility in Tel Aviv were diagnosed with coronavirus on Saturday as well, the Health Ministry said.On Friday, an intern who works with the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee tested positive for coronavirus, the Knesset Spokesperson’s Office said. As a result, MK Zvi Hauser entered quarantine and all meetings of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for the coming week were canceled.This is not the first time there has been coronavirus in the Knesset. In June, Joint List MK Sami Abu Shehadeh tested positive for coronavirus. Around the same time, Science and Technology Minister Izhar Shay went into quarantine following an assistant receiving a positive test for COVID-19.And recall, in April, Netanyahu, Mossad Director Yossi Cohen, National Security Council Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and former Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov entered quarantine after Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman was diagnosed with the coronavirus.The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) surveillance program, which had been halted due to legislative challenges, has re-launched.According to N12, already thousands of people had been contacted and asked to enter quarantine.“Many of the citizens who have received these notices are asked to contact the Health Ministry hotline,” a report by N12’s Yoav Even explained. “Due to the heavy load of calls, waiting times were extremely long and even sometimes led to people being disconnected.”All people who are notified that they have been near an infected person need to enter isolation until they are in direct contact with the Health Ministry to see if they should be exempt.Police are stepping up enforcement.On Shabbat, Police uncovered a large party in the Ben Shemen Forest that was held without permission and without a license, according to a Police spokesperson. Hundreds of participants attended the event and did not adhere to the Health Ministry directives.Most of the participants were under the influence of alcohol and are suspected of having been under the influence of drugs.The 29-year-old who is suspected of organizing the party was detained for questioning.According to the Nature and Parks Authority, some 70,000 Israelis visited national parks and nature reserves over Shabbat.Police administered more than 3,079 fines for people not wearing masks over Shabbat and gave out several fines for businesses and restaurants operating against Health Ministry regulations.


jerusalempost--2020-07-04--WHO reports record daily increase in global coronavirus cases

The World Health Organization reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Saturday, with the total rising by 212,326 in 24 hours.The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil and India, according to a daily report https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports. The previous WHO record for new cases was 189,077 on June 28. Deaths remained steady at about 5,000 a day.Global coronavirus cases exceeded 11 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed more than half a million people in seven months.


jerusalempost--2020-07-04--Border Police to establish a COVID-19 testing area after chief's infection

The Israel Border Police will establish a special coronavirus testing area for its senior officers, according to Walla News.Border Police Chief Yaakov Shabtai tested positive for coronavirus on Friday. Shortly after, the Border Police announced it will be establishing a designated coronavirus testing area for testing all personnel who came in contact with Shabtai, especially senior officers in the corps who had worked alongside him in the past few weeks.In a message dispatched by Shabtai he wrote: "On Friday I learned that I am a coronavirus carrier and I would like to let everyone know that I am home, feeling well and together with the Border Police management staff, still managing the corps under the required restrictions."


jerusalempost--2020-07-04--12 diagnosed with coronavirus in Tel Aviv assisted living facility


jerusalempost--2020-07-04--Shark spotted in Eilat

Shark spotted in Eilat

Swimmers at the Village Beach in Eilat on Saturday panicked after noticing the shark's fin near the beach, according to a report by Ynet.This is the season that sharks usually swim closer to beaches, trying to reach areas with a high concentration of plankton, according to the Nature and Parks Authority, which also warned visitors from trying to block a shark or swim near one, noting that the best option would be to keep a safe distance and take a picture.It was later discovered that the shark spotted was not lethal to humans.


jerusalempost--2020-07-04--Egypt sets date for senate elections in August

Egypt will hold inaugural elections for a new second parliamentary chamber on Aug. 11-12, election commissioner Lasheen Ibrahim said on Saturday.Amendments made to Egypt's constitution last year provided for the creation of the Council of Senators, a 180-member secondary chamber that will be two-thirds elected by the public and the remainder appointed by the president."Holding elections during the pandemic that has swept the world necessitates that we take several precautionary measures to protect ourselves and society," Ibrahim said during a televised press conference.He said all polling stations will observe health guidelines, with all voters and polling staff required to wear masks, and social distancing measures will be enforced.Egypt reported 1,485 new cases of coronavirus on Friday bringing the total number of infections to 72,711, including 3,201 deaths.The poll results will be announced on Aug. 19 in the official state gazette, Ibrahim said.


jerusalempost--2020-07-04--Mexico steps up border checks to keep coronavirus at bay on July 4 holiday

Mexican officials will install health checkpoints at various entry points along its northern border this weekend, as both Mexican and U.S. officials fear a surge of crossings for the July 4 holiday could spread the coronavirus.Mexican consulates across the United States issued warnings last week on social media of the ramped-up measures scheduled for July 2 through July 5, and urged people to refrain from crossing for recreation or tourism.A ban on non-essential border travel has been in place since March in an attempt by both governments to limit coronavirus infections, yet cross-border traffic has been busy.Mexico's northern border region is home to a large population of U.S. citizens, green card holders and dual nationals who are typically free to cross back and forth.In Sonora, which has Mexico's third-highest coronavirus rate per capita and sits opposite Arizona, Governor Claudia Pavlovich said health screenings would span beaches and towns frequented by Mexicans and tourists.Neighboring Baja California, including the bustling border city of Tijuana across from San Diego, ranks fifth for most coronavirus cases per capita.Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas states have each registered at least several thousand confirmed cases, and all sit opposite Texas, which is grappling with a surge in infections including a record number of hospitalizations on Friday.U.S. Ambassador Christopher Landau last week urged people to stay put in one country or the other over the Independence Day weekend. Hundreds of thousands of people cross by land per day despite the ban on non-essential travel, he said."If U.S. citizens continue to make casual cross-border trips, the restrictions will increase, not decrease," Landau wrote on Twitter."Whichever side of the border you live on, this is NOT the time to cross to shop, eat, or visit family on the other side."


jerusalempost--2020-07-04--Head of IDF Central Command enters quarantine

Maj.-Gen. Nadav Padan, commander of the IDF Central Command, went into quarantine on Saturday after attending an event with a confirmed coronavirus patient, according to Israel Hayom.


jerusalempost--2020-07-04--Russia says China would be needed in expanded G7 summit

Russia is not in talks with Washington about its potential role at an expanded Group of Seven summit later this year, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Saturday, insisting that China should also be included in the event.His comments to TASS news agency countered those of John Sullivan, U.S. ambassador to Russia, who told RBC TV on Friday that Washington was "engaged with the Russian Foreign Ministry and with the other G7 governments about whether there is an appropriate role for Russia at the G7."U.S. President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of Russia's return to the group, which includes the world's most advanced economies, after it was expelled in the wake of its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.Trump said last month it was "common sense" to invite President Vladimir Putin to rejoin the group.Russia had been part the group, then known as the G8, since 1997.Other G7 nations, including Canada and France, have objected to Russia's return, however.Ryabkov said that the absence of China from an expanded G7 summit would make it impossible to discuss international issues."The idea of this so-called extended G7 is flawed because it's not clear how the authors of this initiative plan to address the Chinese factor," he was quoted as saying."Without China it's simply impossible to discuss any issues in the modern world."Trump in May announced he was postponing a G7 summit until September or later and expanding the list of invitees to include Australia, Russia, South Korea and India.Australia has accepted the U.S. invitation to take part.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Iran records highest daily death toll from COVID-19

Iran recorded its highest number of deaths from COVID-19 within a 24-hour period , official health ministry figures showed on @ @ @ @ @ reported on Sunday exceed the previous record from last Monday , when the health ministry @ @ @ @ @ day .
The Islamic Republic has recorded a total of 11,571 deaths and 240,438 infections @ @ @ @ @ ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said in a statement on state TV .
There have @ @ @ @ @ said .
The number of new daily infections and deaths has increased sharply in the @ @ @ @ @ lifting of restrictions that began in mid-April .

Iran recorded its highest number of deaths from COVID-19 within a 24-hour period, official health ministry figures showed on Sunday.
The 163 deaths reported on Sunday exceed the previous record from last Monday, when the health ministry reported 162 deaths in a day.
The Islamic Republic has recorded a total of 11,571 deaths and 240,438 infections from the coronavirus, health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said in a statement on state TV. There have been 201,330 recoveries, she said.
The number of new daily infections and deaths has increased sharply in the last week following the gradual lifting of restrictions that began in mid-April.
Iranians who do not wear masks will be denied state services and workplaces that fail to comply with health protocols will be shut for a week, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday as he launched new measures to try to curb the coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Sayeret Matkal commander enters quarantine

Elite IDF commando unit Sayeret Matkal commander , Colonel `` Y , '' and his deputy entered quarantine after being @ @ @ @ @ , Army Radio reported Sunday afternoon .
According to Kan , several dozen soldiers serving @ @ @ @ @ post also entered quarantine after a female officer serving in the unit tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ readiness of the unit was not harmed , '' the IDF Spokesperson 's Unit said @

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene the cabinet on Monday to continue discussions about how to handle the coronavirus outbreak that is plaguing the country. Numbers continue to climb and health experts are saying that the government has lost control of the disease.Ahead of the meeting, senior officials from the Health Ministry and the National Security Council are expected to meet through the night, to discuss the next set of restrictions. Among the ideas being considered: requiring summer camps to run in capsules of up to 15 students, limiting restaurant patrons to 20 people, and enforcing some level of gathering restrictions on beach fronts.In addition, Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein are considering putting a “coronavirus commander” in place, the Hebrew network N12 reported. This person would be in charge of overseeing the country’s response during this second wave and especially of testing and epidemiological tracking, which has continued to hold the country back.“We have lost control of the pandemic,” said Prof. Eli Waxman, who headed the panel of experts advising the National Security Council during the first wave of COVID-19, in an interview with N12. He said that if the country waits to take action any longer it could require a total lockdown again in two weeks or risk overwhelming the health system.The meeting will come a day after the Knesset Coronavirus Committee met to approve the restrictions recommended by the coronavirus cabinet and the government last week: Event halls, bars, clubs, prayer houses and private parties in open spaces will be limited to 50 attendees; any other gatherings in closed spaces will be limited to 20 people; theaters and cultural centers can still have 250 people attend.The restrictions passed with seven in support and three against and will go into effect at 8 a.m. on Monday.Some 806 people were diagnosed with coronavirus on Saturday out of 16,749 tested – a rate of 4.8%, up from 4.5% the day before, the Health Ministry reported Sunday evening.On Sunday, there were 11,677 sick patients in Israel, an increase of 719 from midnight, including 86 who are in serious condition, among them 27 who are intubated. Another person has died, bringing the total to 331.“We are in the midst of a second wave that is worse than the first,” Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch said Sunday at the committee meeting.He said that experts expect as many as 300 to 400 patients in serious condition within two weeks.On Sunday, the Health Ministry released a new chart demonstrating the differences between the ages of patients in serious condition throughout the coronavirus crisis. In March, when the outbreak began, the largest percentage of serious patients (31.3%) were between the ages of 70 and 79 and about a quarter (24.3%) were between the ages of 60 and 69. Some 88.7% of serious patients were over the age of 50.By May, almost all of such patients (97.2%) were over the age of 50.In March, only 5.2% of serious patients were between the ages of 40 and 49 while no patients in May were in that age range. In the first five days of July, however, the country is starting to see a different picture, with 12.5% of serious patients between the ages of 40 and 49.“If we do not work to reduce the incidents, we will pay a heavy price… If we do not take difficult steps now, we will find ourselves in lockdown,” the deputy director-general said. “We are trying to preserve the economy as much as possible, and stop the crowds in places where it can be ‘super-sticky’ and accelerate the mass infection.”At the same meeting, committee chairwoman Yifat Shasha-Biton said that “leadership is measured mainly during such difficult times. The government will impose these restrictions. However, we have a real moral obligation to compensate the people on which we impose them.”Earlier, Netanyahu addressed the cabinet to discuss how, in the upcoming days, the government will present a special economic plan “designed to address the financial challenge troubling freelancers, contracted employees and businesses,” as cases continue to rise and businesses are at risk of new restrictions.“We are in the midst of a very severe outbreak that is spreading across the world,” the prime minister said. “The World Health Organization marked the Middle East” as a hot spot, adding that “this outbreak will be accompanied with a rise in critical patients. We will be forced to take additional measures.”On Sunday, some 210 students in a yeshiva in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak tested positive for coronavirus – a full third of the yeshiva’s student body.Also, elite IDF commando unit Sayeret Matkal commander Colonel “Y” and his deputy entered quarantine after being exposed to a coronavirus carrier, according to Israeli media. Several dozen soldiers serving in the unit’s command post also entered quarantine after a female officer tested positive for coronavirus.“The operational readiness of the unit was not harmed,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Deputy health minister: Second wave worse, more dangerous than first

The second wave of coronavirus infections in Israel is `` worse and more dangerous than the first one , '' @ @ @ @ @ ( Likud ) said Sunday afternoon .
`` We are in a second wave that @ @ @ @ @ thatn the first one , '' Kish said at a Knesset Coronavirus Committee session .
@ @ @ @ @ long war of attrition .
A sharp rise in the rate of confirmed patients was @ @ @ @ @ May to 5 % of all tests today . ''
According to Kish , `` @ @ @ @ @ doubled in ten days .
There is a large number of new critical patients .
@ @ @ @ @ outbreak is `` spreading across the country . ''
The rate will `` rise to @ @ @ @ @ '' Kish added .


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Red Alert drill to take place in Gaza border communities

A rocket alert drill will take place in the Gaza border communitites Monday morning , the IDF Spokesperson 's Unit @ @ @ @ @ will reportedly take place between 9:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Israel time , with alarms @ @ @ @ @ In case of rocket fire , a second alarm will be sounded .
The drill @ @ @ @ @ the IDF and the Home Front Command designed to `` examine the propriety of the @ @ @ @ @ region , '' the IDF said ,

A rocket alert drill will take place in the Gaza border communitites Monday morning, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said Sunday.
The drill will reportedly take place between 9:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Israel time, with alarms sounding in 45-minute waves. In case of rocket fire, a second alarm will be sounded.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Coronavirus: 210 yeshiva students in Bnei Brak test positive

Some 210 yeshiva students in Bnei Brak tested positive for coronavirus , amounting to 30 % of the student body @ @ @ @ @ .
Israel passed 11,000 active cases over the weekend , according to Health Ministry figures @

Some 210 yeshiva students in Bnei Brak tested positive for coronavirus, amounting to 30% of the student body, Channel 13 reported Sunday.
Israel passed 11,000 active cases over the weekend, according to Health Ministry figures.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Netanyahu: Coronavirus Committee to decide on new restrictions

The Knesset Coronavirus Committee will decide on further restrictions as Israel enters a coronavirus emergency amid spreading infections , Prime @ @ @ @ @ morning .
`` In the following days , we will present a special economic plan @ @ @ @ @ challenge troubling freelancers , contracted employees and businesses , '' Netanyahu said at the Sunday @ @ @ @ @ session .
`` We are in the midst of a very severe outbreak spreading across @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) marked the Middle East [ as a hotspot ] @ @ @ @ @ continued .
`` This outbreak will be accompanied with a rise in critical patients , @ @ @ @ @ We will be forced to take additional measures beyond last week 's decisions of the @ @ @ @ @ According to Netanyahu , `` an additional assessment of the situation will be made at @ @ @ @ @ . ''


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Coronavirus: 1,286 students, teachers infected in Israel

Some 1,286 school students and education workers have tested positive for coronavirus as of Sunday morning , the Education Ministry @ @ @ @ @ ministry , some 24,052 students and school workers have been placed in quarantine as of @ @

Some 1,286 school students and education workers have tested positive for coronavirus as of Sunday morning, the Education Ministry reported.
According to the ministry, some 24,052 students and school workers have been placed in quarantine as of Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Protesters storm Lebanese-Iraqi diplomatic meeting in Beirut

Protesters stormed a meeting between an Iraqi delegation and Lebanese officials in Beirut , the Palestinian Shehab News Agency reported @ @ @ @ @ Russia Today ( RT ) reportedly showed the the protesters storming a restaurant where an @ @ @ @ @ Minister Ihsan Abdel-Jabbar was meeting with Lebanese government officials .
According to RT , the @ @ @ @ @ officials rather than the Iraqi delegation .

Protesters stormed a meeting between an Iraqi delegation and Lebanese officials in Beirut, the Palestinian Shehab News Agency reported.
A video broadcasted on Russia Today (RT) reportedly showed the the protesters storming a restaurant where an Iraqi delegation headed by Oil Minister Ihsan Abdel-Jabbar was meeting with Lebanese government officials.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Palestinian Authority extends emergency for 30 days - report

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas extended the state of emergency in the Palestinian Authority ( PA ) for 30 additional days @ @ @ @ @ .
The PA declared a national emergency last week in light of the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ will continue to take all necessary measures to address the dangers arising from the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ guarantee security and stability , '' the decree signed by Abbas said .

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas extended the state of emergency in the Palestinian Authority (PA) for 30 additional days beginning Sunday, Shehab reported.
The PA declared a national emergency last week in light of the coronavirus outbreak.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Coronavirus: 11,189 active cases in Israel, 330 dead

Some 803 Israelis tested positive for coronavirus Saturday , with the total amount of active cases rising to 11,189 , @ @ @ @ @ morning .
According to the ministry , 330 have succumbed to the deadly virus , @ @ @ @ @ condition , 29 of which are intubated .

Some 803 Israelis tested positive for coronavirus Saturday, with the total amount of active cases rising to 11,189, the Health Ministry reported Sunday morning.
According to the ministry, 330 have succumbed to the deadly virus, with 86 remaining in critical condition, 29 of which are intubated.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--UK close to securing 60 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from Sanofi/GSK

Britain is close to agreeing a £500 million ($624 million) supply deal with Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline for 60 million doses of their potential COVID-19 vaccine, The Sunday Times reported.The newspaper said that Britain was considering taking an option to buy the vaccine should it work in human trials, which are due to begin in September.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Greek PM: Greece won't accept strict EU conditions on COVID-19 aid

Greece will not accept strict European Union conditions on the use of the coronavirus emergency aid, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told The Financial Times newspaper in an interview published on Sunday."Greeks have matured a lot. And we want to do our own reforms", he was quoted as saying.A six-monthly review of economic performance carried out by the European Commission was sufficient and that there was no need for any "additional strict conditionality," he said.The prime minister told the FT that Greece had a very "aggressive reform agenda" that would focus on "the green transition", "the digital transition" and encouragements to investments in part through a privatisation programme. On Friday, while speaking in parliament, he announced new measures worth 3.5 billion euros ($4.0 billion) to support businesses hurt by a lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.Greece emerged from a decade-long debt crisis in 2018 and was hoping for strong growth in 2020. But the nationwide lockdown imposed in March to prevent coronavirus infections has turned those expectations upside down. The Greek economy is expected to shrink by about 8% to 10% this year before recovering in 2021.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Rivlin, Kochavi, Gantz will not need to enter quarantine

While Border Police Chief Yaakov Shabtai , who tested positive for the coronavirus on Saturday , was present at the @ @ @ @ @ fell during Operation Protective Edge on Thursday , President Reuven Rivlin , Alternate Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ Staff Aviv Kochavi will not be required to enter quarantine , despite being present at @ @ @ @ @ An epidemiological survey found that they had not come into contact with Shabtai.The head of @ @ @ @ @ Police Amnon Alkalai and head of the Training Academy Maj.-Gen. Avshalom Peled entered quarantine after @ @ @ @ @ , according to Maariv .

While Border Police Chief Yaakov Shabtai, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Saturday, was present at the memorial ceremony for those who fell during Operation Protective Edge on Thursday, President Reuven Rivlin, Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz and Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi will not be required to enter quarantine, despite being present at the event as well. An epidemiological survey found that they had not come into contact with Shabtai.The head of the operations division of Israel Police Amnon Alkalai and head of the Training Academy Maj.-Gen. Avshalom Peled entered quarantine after coming into contact with Shabtai, according to Maariv.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Coronavirus: Mexico reports 4,683 new cases

Mexican health authorities reported 4,683 confirmed new infections of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, pushing its tally to a total of 256,848, and 273 more deaths to a total of 30,639.Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez Gatell has repeatedly said that the actual number of both infections and associated death is probably significantly higher.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Israel attacks weapon truck convoy in Syria bound for Hezbollah - report

Israeli fighter jets attacked a truck convoy in northwestern Damascus , the capital city of Syria , The Jerusalem Post @ @ @ @ @ , citing Arab sources .
Preliminary reports stated that the trucks were carrying a shipment @ @ @ @ @ to Lebanon , bound for Hezbollah .
No injuries have been reported at this time @

Israeli fighter jets attacked a truck convoy in northwestern Damascus, the capital city of Syria, The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv reported, citing Arab sources.
Preliminary reports stated that the trucks were carrying a shipment of weapons on their way to Lebanon, bound for Hezbollah.
No injuries have been reported at this time.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Coronavirus: Brazil records 26,051 new cases, 602 deaths

Brazil recorded 26,051 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours as well as 602 deaths, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.Brazil has registered more than 1.6 million cases since the pandemic began, while cumulative deaths total 64,867, according to the ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--719 diagnosed with the coronavirus on Sunday in Israel


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Iran says it has built underground missile cities along Gulf coastline

In the Iranian rhetoric playbook, every failure must be met with an equal and opposite claim to some form of success. The failure of Iran to protect critical infrastructure, as well as a series of explosions at a missile factory and nuclear site over the last week and a half, led Tehran to point to new “missile cities” as part of its arsenal, which makes it a “nightmare” for enemies. What is a “missile city” and why is Iran talking about this now?
The comments were made Sunday by Iran naval chief R.-Adm. Alireza Tangsiri, who said Iran has “underground cities that house vessels and missiles.” The entire shoreline of southern Iran has these weapons, he asserted.
Most of these weapons systems are in the hands of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, not the regular Iranian navy. They consist of various marine forces, including units of the Basij, reports in Iranian state media claim. They include 428 flotillas along 2,200 km. of coastline. The systems are concentrated at key areas along the Persian Gulf and facing the Gulf of Oman.
Iran has carried out tests in the past with these fleets of fast boats and its missiles. Overall, the program appears linked to comments made in October 2019 by Ali Hajizadeh of the IRGC aerospace force about various underground missile sites. The missile “cities” on the coast have been constructed on the shoreline or in facilities off the coast on islands and other areas. The full details of how they are run and whether the IRGC’s navy or aerospace elements run them is not clear.
The bragging about the “missile cities” comes in the wake of a mid-June test of an Iranian cruise missile that was fired out to sea , which supposedly has a range of 280 km. Iran also said in April it had increased the range of its naval missiles to 700 km.
However, Iran shot a missile in May that mistakenly hit one of its own ships, killing more than a dozen sailors. This is the other face of Iran’s military program. In an attempt to increase capabilities and show off, Iran has made many mistakes and taken shortcuts. It shot down a Ukrainian civilian airliner in January. In early June, satellite photos also showed that Iran had reconstructed a large-scale model of a US aircraft carrier to practice destroying it.
Tehran has been increasingly aggressive at sea. It conducted a massive “toward al-Quds” drill in early 2019 using dozens of drones and watercraft. The name of the war game was meant to evoke the “path to Jerusalem,” as if Iran was striking at Israel. In fact Iran was threatening ships going through to the Persian Gulf. In May and June it mined six of those ships. It also shot down a US surveillance drone that was flying near Iran’s coastline. It harassed US ships in April, as it had done many times before.
This is the context of the “missile cities” story. Iran may feel the need to lash out, since it is under pressure from US sanctions and has appeared to suffer new setbacks to its nuclear and missile program. So Tehran lashed out in September, attacking Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq oil refineries using drones and cruise missiles.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Israel bans exportation of ventilators

Israel bans exportation of ventilators

Economy Minister Amir Peretz signed a decree banning the exportation of Israeli-made ventilators and disinfection materials needed for their operation to other countries until the end of July, citing his concern that should the nation face an emergency situation Israelis would need such machines at home.Currently, the country has 3,700 ventilators and 556 machines were produced in Israel. The government would like to reach the goal of between 5,000 to 7,000 machines in the country.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Lebanon's top Christian clerics blast politicians as hunger, hardship bite

In a sermon , Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai , the top Christian cleric , accused politicians of thinking only of their own vested interests and urged the president to take action .
`` It appears politicians want to hide their responsibility in emptying the treasury and not enact any reforms , '' he said .
Hopes of salvation through an IMF deal have retreated , with the government unwilling or unable to enact reforms , hamstrung by the conflicting agendas of sectarian leaders who do n't want to yield power or privileges .
The crisis , which has decimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass hunger , is seen as the biggest threat to Lebanon 's stability since its 1975-1990 civil war .
`` Political officials ... do not have the courage nor the freedom to meet and find ways out of the suffering , '' Rai said .
He warned this was depriving the country of help it needs from foreign donors .
Economic woes , rooted in state waste and corruption , came to the fore last year after capital inflows slowed and protests erupted against leaders in power since the war .
Lebanon 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on religious sect , with the presidency reserved for a Maronite Christian .
The largest Christian bloc , President Michel Aoun 's Free Patriotic Movement , is close to the Iran-backed Shi'ite Hezbollah movement .
Both backed the current cabinet , which took office in January .
In another sermon in a central Beirut church , Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elias Audi also lambasted the political elite on Sunday .
`` Oh respected leaders , I address whatever conscience remains in you , '' he said .
`` Do you sleep comfortably at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and die of thirst and by suicide ? ''
Earlier this week , dozens of people mourned a man who killed himself in a busy Beirut district , blaming the country 's leaders for the hardship which they said caused his death .

In a sermon, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, the top Christian cleric, accused politicians of thinking only of their own vested interests and urged the president to take action.
"It appears politicians want to hide their responsibility in emptying the treasury and not enact any reforms," he said.
Hopes of salvation through an IMF deal have retreated, with the government unwilling or unable to enact reforms, hamstrung by the conflicting agendas of sectarian leaders who don't want to yield power or privileges.
The crisis, which has decimated the local currency and raised fears of mass hunger, is seen as the biggest threat to Lebanon's stability since its 1975-1990 civil war.
"Political officials...do not have the courage nor the freedom to meet and find ways out of the suffering," Rai said. He warned this was depriving the country of help it needs from foreign donors.
Economic woes, rooted in state waste and corruption, came to the fore last year after capital inflows slowed and protests erupted against leaders in power since the war.
Lebanon's sectarian political system parcels out state posts based on religious sect, with the presidency reserved for a Maronite Christian.
The largest Christian bloc, President Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, is close to the Iran-backed Shi'ite Hezbollah movement. Both backed the current cabinet, which took office in January.
In another sermon in a central Beirut church, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elias Audi also lambasted the political elite on Sunday.
"Oh respected leaders, I address whatever conscience remains in you," he said. "Do you sleep comfortably at night while those under your care starve, and die of thirst and by suicide?"
Earlier this week, dozens of people mourned a man who killed himself in a busy Beirut district, blaming the country's leaders for the hardship which they said caused his death.
Lebanon's Christian authorities slammed politicians on Sunday for failing to remedy an economic meltdown that has left many poor, piling pressure on the country's leaders as it spirals deeper into crisis.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--IDF: Two rockets fired at Israel from Gaza Strip

Rocket alerts were heard on Sunday in the area of Kfar Maimon , Tushia and Alumim in the south of @ @ @ @ @ reported two rocket launches were spotted from the Gaza Strip .

Rocket alerts were heard on Sunday in the area of Kfar Maimon, Tushia and Alumim in the south of the country. IDF Spokesperson reported two rocket launches were spotted from the Gaza Strip.
This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Coronavirus: Death toll rises to 331; 86 people in serious condition

The coronavirus death toll in Israel continues to spike, with another person dying on Sunday. The number of dead is now 331.Moreover, the number of patients in serious condition keeps gorwing. As of Sunday evening, there are 86 people in serious condition, among them 27 on ventilators.In total, there are 11,540 active cases.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--UK COVID-19 confirmed death toll rises by 22 to 44,220

Britain 's death toll from confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen by 22 to 44,220 , the department of health said @ @ @ @ @ of deaths registered at the weekend is often lower than during the week .
Including @ @ @ @ @ the toll is over 54,000 , according to a Reuters tally .

Britain's death toll from confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen by 22 to 44,220, the department of health said on Sunday.
The number of deaths registered at the weekend is often lower than during the week. Including deaths from suspected cases, the toll is over 54,000, according to a Reuters tally.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Five Jewish settlers inured at Ma'ale Shomron clash, one Palestinian shot

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Six men, five Jewish settlers and one Palestinian, were injured near the West Bank settlement of Ma'ale Shomron on Sunday during a clash between Palestinians and settlers, N12 reported.According to an eyewitness, a settler shot and injured the Palestinian following a confrontation between the two groups. Police spokesperson reported that a group of young settlers arrived to a plot of land where a group of Palestinians had been working and the two groups began to fight. The wounded men were all taken to hospital. IDF and police forces began an investigation into the case.In the Palestinian town of Far’un in the West Bank IDF soldiers were called on the scene to prevent the illegal entry of workers into the country.


jerusalempost--2020-07-05--Death toll in Ethiopian protests after killing of singer jumps to 156

Jibril Mohammed , head of the Oromia Security and Peace Bureau , said the 156 are those who died just @ @ @ @ @ which was the worst hit by the protests .

Jibril Mohammed, head of the Oromia Security and Peace Bureau, said the 156 are those who died just in the Oromia region, which was the worst hit by the protests.
The number of people killed in protests in Ethiopia following the slaying of a popular singer has jumped to 156 from the initial tally of 80, a senior regional security official told Reuters on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Qatar coronavirus cases exceed 100,000 - health ministry

With a population of about 2.7 million people , the energy-rich Gulf state has one of the world 's highest @ @ @ @ @ cases .

With a population of about 2.7 million people, the energy-rich Gulf state has one of the world's highest per capita number of confirmed cases.
The number of coronavirus cases in Qatar exceeded 100,000 on Monday, adding 546 new cases and five deaths in the past 24 hours.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Gov't approves draft law for immediate enactment of emergency regulations

According to the amendment to the law , the Knesset Committee will discuss decisions and decide whether to approve them @ @ @ @ @ part , within seven days of the said date.An extension of up to three more @ @ @ @ @ the extent that the relevant committee does not approve the government 's decision within the @ @ @ @ @ will be brought to the Knesset plenum as soon as possible.Alongside the Knesset approval process @ @ @ @ @ into effect and will be implemented immediately upon government approval .
If the committee or @ @ @ @ @ to approve the said order or if it has not made a decision on the @ @ @ @ @ - the validity of the order will expire .

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can now make decisions on emergency coronavirus regulations by himself, with just a rubber stamp of a quick cabinet vote, following the Knesset's approval of the second and third readings of the bill early Tuesday morning.
The bill, which allows such decisions to take effect immediately, was passed into law by the Knesset plenary after many hours of deliberation that began slightly earlier in the night between Monday and Tuesday. The bill was approved hours after the Coronavirus Committee's prior approval of the bill.
According to the bill, the Knesset committee will discuss decisions made by the government and decide whether to approve them, in whole or in part, within seven days of when they passed. An extension of up to three more days is allowed.
To the extent that the relevant committee does not approve the government’s decision within the aforementioned period, the decisions will be brought to the Knesset plenum as soon as possible.
Alongside the Knesset approval process, the decisions will come into effect and will be implemented immediately upon government approval. If the committee or the Knesset plenary decides not to approve said order, or if it has not made a decision on the matter within the allotted time, the validity of the order will expire.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid told his Yesh Atid-Telem faction the proposed bill was undemocratic and would allow Netanyahu to make decisions on his own. “The big coronavirus law means we can shut down this theater and tell us all to go home,” he told the Knesset on Sunday.
“There is no longer a need for the Knesset,” he said. “There is only one branch in the land of Israel. The legislative branch is no more.”
Meretz leader Nitzan Horowitz said the bill would turn Netanyahu into a dictator and allow him to violate civil rights with no oversight.
But Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn (Blue and White) told the Knesset Law, Constitution and Justice Committee: “The bill is an attempt to balance between the need to work quickly for the citizens and the need for parliamentary oversight.”


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Vietnam reports 14 new COVID-19 cases, all imported

Vietnam's health ministry on Monday reported 14 new coronavirus infections, all among Vietnamese citizens held in quarantine upon their arrival from overseas.The Southeast Asian country has been 81 days without a domestically transmitted infection due to successful programs to contain the virus. It has yet to report any deaths from the coronavirus and has confirmed 369 cases in total, over 90% of which have recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Indonesia reports 70 new coronavirus deaths, 1,209 new cases

Indonesia reported 1,209 new coronavirus infections and 70 new deaths on Monday, its health ministry said.The case total is currently 64,958 and number of fatalities 3,241, said Achmad Yurianto, a ministry official.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Russia reports more than 6,600 new coronavirus cases

Authorities also said 135 people had died overnight , bringing Russia 's official death toll to 10,296 .
India overtook @ @ @ @ @ the country with the third highest number of infections behind the United States and Brazil @ @ @ @ @ reported caseloads .

Russia's official coronavirus case tally, the fourth largest in the world, rose to 687,862 on Monday after officials reported 6,611 new infections in the last 24 hours.
Authorities also said 135 people had died overnight, bringing Russia's official death toll to 10,296.
India overtook Russia over the weekend as the country with the third highest number of infections behind the United States and Brazil, which have the largest reported caseloads.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Hebron resident dies due to COVID-19, bring Palestinian death toll to 21

Some 8 Palestinians are in severe condition with three patients on ventilators .

Some 8 Palestinians are in severe condition with three patients on ventilators.
A 60-year-old Palestinian resident of Hebron died due to the coronavirus on Monday, bringing the death toll due to the virus among Palestinians to 21, according to Palestinian reports.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Two Jerusalem city council members infected with coronavirus

The coronavirus cabinet met Monday to determine the next steps to help stop the renewed spread of the novel coronavirus and approved a series of new restrictions effective immediately : clubs , bars , cultural shows and gyms will close and synagogue attendance at 19 people.Late Sunday night , the Health Ministry was recommending closing synagogues in their entirety .
However , the cabinet accepted the proposal of Interior Minister Arye Deri and decided to leave them open with limited attendees .
`` We are required to address the coronavirus epidemic on the ground , '' said Prime Minister Benjamin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plague is spreading - it is clear as daylight .
The numbers are rising steeply each day and with it the number of severely ill patients .
`` Today , there are about 90 severely ill patients and that doubles every day , '' he continued .
`` If we do not act now , we will have hundreds and possibly thousands of serious patients in the coming weeks ... That is why we are required to take immediate steps .
`` `` We are one step away from a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Security Council , Meir Ben-Shabbat , said during the meeting , according to the Hebrew website N12.The Health Ministry , which came to the table with a series of recommendations , said that if decisions are not made readily on Monday , then by next week the discussion will center on a total lockdown.The Health Ministry is recommending the following new restrictions : Closing cultural centers , gyms , public pools , bars and clubs ; limiting restaurants to 20 people ; shutting down summer camps for children 5th grade and up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ministry is also recommending synagogue attendance be limited to 19 participants , and that buses be limited to 20 people and be required to operate with the windows open and no air conditioning.Finally , the ministry is recommending that 30 % of public sector workers work from home.Earlier in the day , it was reported that there will be no discussion around closing yeshivot , due to pressure by Moshe Gafni ( United Torah Judaism ) , who reportedly even threatened to retire from the government if the option was discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the topic is back on the table.On Sunday , the Knesset Coronavirus Committee approved limiting event halls , bars , clubs , prayer houses and private parties in open spaces to 50 attendees ; any other gatherings in closed spaces will be limited to 20 people ; theaters and cultural centers can still have 250 people attend.The Knesset Law Committee voted seven to four on Monday morning to advance a bill pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to massively increase the fine for not wearing a mask in public from 200 to 500 @ @

Parts of the country will once again be shut down or restricted after the government announced a new set of directives on Monday. They are the first such restrictions since two months ago, when Israel thought it had defeated the virus.
Event halls, clubs, bars, gyms, public pools and cultural performances will be closed. Restaurants will be limited to seating 20 patrons inside and 30 outside. Synagogues must have no more than 19 prayer attendees.
Organized sporting events will continue to be held without fans. Hotels and tourist centers must close their bars and clubs, but their restaurants may have 20 people. Summer camps may only operate for children preschool age through fourth grade.
Buses can transport 20 people at a time with their windows open and no air-conditioning. Government offices are required to have 30% of their staff work from home.
It was still unclear at press time when these new restrictions would take effect, as the Knesset held marathon deliberations on several bills related to the impact of the coronavirus overnight Monday.
“Citizens of Israel, today was a tough government meeting, and at the end we made a decision,” Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said at a press briefing soon after the decisions were made. “Each section, each clause has an impact on the lives of many citizens – their livelihoods, leisure time and lifestyles. This should not be taken lightly.”
The equation is simple: Decrease in morbidity equals strengthening the economy; increase in morbidity equals real damage to the economy, he said.
“To save lives and to save the economy, we must flatten the curve,” Edelstein said.
At the briefing, he announced three new programs. First, he is putting in place an “emergency management authority,” which will be given the necessary tools and authority to take responsibility for the pandemic and remove the oversight and implementation of testing and contact tracing from the public health services.
“In the near future, I will announce my hiring choice,” he said.
Edelstein also apologized to the many citizens who called the Health Ministry in recent days but did not receive a response.
“I would like to announce a significant increase in manpower at the Health Ministry’s call center to answer the thousands of people who are in isolation,” he said.
The third program is that the ministry will roll out a smart system centered on artificial intelligence capable of carrying out epidemiological investigations, Edelstein said.
There were 1,057 people diagnosed with coronavirus on Tuesday out of 23,046 who were screened. In total some 31,186 Israelis have been infected with the virus. As of Tuesday, 18,131 people have recovered. There were 1,057 people diagnosed with coronavirus on Tuesday out of 23,046 who were screened. In total some 31,186 Israelis have been infected with the virus. As of Tuesday, 18,131 people have recovered. The number of patients in serious condition is 85, including 35 who are intubated. The new restrictions came on the backdrop of another spike in cases.
More people died, as well, bringing the death toll to 338.
At the afternoon meeting, several participants expressed fear that if action was not taken imminently, then next week they would discuss a full closure.
“We are a step away from a complete lockdown,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the meeting.
National Security Council Director Meir Ben-Shabbat said the infection rate requires the country to take an immediate step backward.
“We will pay for every delay with new, seriously ill patients,” he said. “The window of change is small; we cannot play around... We are one step away from a total closure.”
Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz said: “We need to take drastic measures now to prevent more drastic measures in the future.”
But the meeting was not easy, according to those close to the discussion.
A heated dialogue ensued around whether to close synagogues, N12 reported.
According to the report, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said: “Synagogues are points of infection. We are closing event halls, why not synagogues?”
Housing and Construction Minister Ya’acov Litzman said: “Two minutes have already gone by and you didn’t say, ‘Close the synagogues.’ Leave the synagogues alone.”
MK Rafi Peretz said: “Weather permits it now; we can return to outdoor prayer.”
The discussion over whether to close yeshivot was not brought to the cabinet because of a threat made in the morning by MK Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) to quit the government if the option was even discussed there.
In addition to the aforementioned restrictions, the Knesset plenum passed into law the increase in the fine for not wearing a mask in public from NIS 200 to NIS 500 by a vote of 34 to 24.
Law Committee chairman Yakov Asher (United Torah Judaism) said he wanted the fine to be raised by only NIS 100, but the National Security Council insisted on it being raised substantially to help ensure compliance.
Two members of the Jerusalem City Council were confirmed as being infected with the coronavirus in recent days, the municipality announced on Monday.
A number of employees at the municipality have been required to enter quarantine. The municipality said it would update workers who need to enter quarantine after the epidemiological investigation is completed.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--With nearly 700,000 coronavirus cases, India is third worst-hit country

Health ministry data on Monday showed more than 23,000 new cases reported in the previous 24 hours , down slightly @ @ @ @ @ of almost 25,000 .
There have been almost 20,000 deaths in India since the first @ @ @ @ @ January .
India is now the world 's third worst-affected country , behind only the @ @ @ @ @ It has seen eight times the number of cases as China , that has a @ @ @ @ @ the virus originated late last year .

India has over-taken Russia with the world's third-highest number of novel coronavirus cases, at nearly 700,000, according to the latest data, as the outbreak shows no sign of slowing.
Health ministry data on Monday showed more than 23,000 new cases reported in the previous 24 hours, down slightly from Sunday's record increase of almost 25,000.
There have been almost 20,000 deaths in India since the first case was detected there in January.
India is now the world's third worst-affected country, behind only the United States and Brazil.
It has seen eight times the number of cases as China, that has a similar-sized population and is where the virus originated late last year.
Officials said they had reversed a decision to reopen the Taj Mahal, India's most famous tourist attraction, in the city of Agra, 200 km (125 miles) southeast of New Delhi, on Monday, following a spate of new cases in the area.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 219 to 196,554

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 219 to 196,554, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Monday.The reported death toll rose by 4 to 9,016, the tally showed.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--COVID-19: Saudi Arabia announces haj health measures for domestic pilgrims

Saudi Arabia decided in June to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the haj to around 1,000 to prevent @ @ @ @ @ , after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first year in modern times @ @ @ @ @ the holiest site in Islam , will be banned during the haj this year , @ @ @ @ @ of a meter and a half between each pilgrim during the rituals including mass prayers @ @ @ @ @ circling area will be imposed , a statement by the Center for Disease Prevention and @ @ @ @ @ .

Saudi Arabia announced health protocols to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in the 2020 haj season, banning gatherings and meetings between pilgrims, the state news agency said on Monday.
Saudi Arabia decided in June to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the haj to around 1,000 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first year in modern times.
Touching the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, will be banned during the haj this year, and a social distancing space of a meter and a half between each pilgrim during the rituals including mass prayers and while in the Kaaba circling area will be imposed, a statement by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) elaborated.
Also, access to holy haj sites at Mona, Muzdalifah and Arafat will be limited to those with haj permits starting Sunday July 19 till Aug. 2 2020, and wearing masks all the time will be mandatory for both pilgrims and organizers.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Knesset plenum approves unemployment benefit bill until August

The Knesset Plenary approved the second and third reading of National Insurance bill that allows for the extension of unemployment @ @ @ @ @ 2020 as the financial crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic continues to take hold @ @ @ @ @ to apply for unemployment benefits , even if they have exhausted all of their unemployment @ @ @ @ @ eligibility ended in January or February 2020 , including if 12 months has passed since @ @ @ @

The Knesset Plenary approved the second and third reading of National Insurance bill that allows for the extension of unemployment benefits until August 16, 2020 as the financial crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic continues to take hold.
The bill allows people to apply for unemployment benefits, even if they have exhausted all of their unemployment days, or if their eligibility ended in January or February 2020, including if 12 months has passed since they became unemployed.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Anti-corruption police unit arrests man for threatening Netanyahu

Lahav 433 , the police force 's anti-corruption unit , has investigated and arrested Asher Ben-David , a man accused @ @ @ @ @ Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , reports Maariv , The Jerusalem Post 's sister publication .
Following @ @ @ @ @ out an order for Ben-David 's arrest on Monday night and set a court hearing @ @ @ @ @ 's lawyer states that despite the threats , his client did not intend to , @ @ @ @ @ the Prime Minister .

Lahav 433, the police force's anti-corruption unit, has investigated and arrested Asher Ben-David, a man accused of inciting and threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reports Maariv, The Jerusalem Post's sister publication.
Following the investigation, police sent out an order for Ben-David's arrest on Monday night and set a court hearing for Tuesday morning.
Ben-David's lawyer states that despite the threats, his client did not intend to, and is unable to hurt the Prime Minister.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--White woman who called police over black man in NYC is being prosecuted

Vance said his office has initiated a prosecution of Amy Cooper for falsely reporting an incident in the third degree @ @ @ @ @ was shown on a video that went viral .

Vance said his office has initiated a prosecution of Amy Cooper for falsely reporting an incident in the third degree.
The May 25 incident was shown on a video that went viral.
A white woman who called police to say she felt threatened by an African-American man who had asked her to leash her dog in New York's Central Park is being prosecuted over the incident, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance said on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Ramzor actor Lior Halfon hospitalized with coronavirus complications

Israeli actor Lior Halfon was hospitalized in Hadera 's Hillel Yafe Medical Center after a series of medical tests concluded @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia complications following a coronavirus infection .
`` To all my dearest friends and acquaintances @ @ @ @ @ and dismay I announce I have contracted coronavirus ( ca n't believe I 'm even @ @ @ @ @ he said following the result .
Halfon continued , `` anyone who has been in @ @ @ @ @ last two weeks , if the contact lasted for more than 1 minutes or was @ @ @ @ @ yes , a hug counts ) has to quarantine themselves as soon as possible in @ @ @ @ @ This is `` not a joke at all , unfortunately , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ , besides the punch in the gut I got when the tests came positive .
@

Israeli actor Lior Halfon was hospitalized in Hadera's Hillel Yafe Medical Center after a series of medical tests concluded he was suffering from a pneumonia complications following a coronavirus infection.
"To all my dearest friends and acquaintances, to my great surprise and dismay I announce I have contracted coronavirus (can't believe I'm even saying this)," he said following the result.
Halfon continued, "anyone who has been in contact with me over the last two weeks, if the contact lasted for more than 1 minutes or was closer than two meters (yes, a hug counts) has to quarantine themselves as soon as possible in a separate room."
This is "not a joke at all, unfortunately," he added.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Trump says schools must reopen in fall, despite pandemic

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that schools must open in the fall , as governors struggle with a @ @ @ @ @ infections and states reverse and pause attempts to reopen .
`` SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said in a Twitter post .
It was not immediately clear what actions @ @ @ @ @ schools to open .
Schools are largely under the jurisdiction of state and local governments @

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that schools must open in the fall, as governors struggle with a steady nationwide increase in coronavirus infections and states reverse and pause attempts to reopen.
"SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL!!!" Trump said in a Twitter post. It was not immediately clear what actions Trump was considering to force schools to open. Schools are largely under the jurisdiction of state and local governments.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Kenyan protesters set fire to police station after killing

The officer is now in custody , according to the report .
The police officer fired his weapon after a @ @ @ @ @ selling the counterfeit product in an open-air market in Kisii County , western Kenya , @ @ @ @ @ said .
After the shooting , protesters quickly descended on the police station , throwing @ @ @ @ @ damaging the station and nearby vehicles .
Fourteen police officers were injured and protesters dispersed @ @ @ @ @ of live and blank ammunitions were used '' , the report said .
Accusations of @ @ @ @ @ Kenya .
Since the coronavirus outbreak , multiple cases of alleged police violence towards lockdown @ @ @ @ @ In March , in the first 10 days of a curfew to curb the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ were killed , according to rights group Human Rights Watch .

The officer is now in custody, according to the report.
The police officer fired his weapon after a verbal argument with the man selling the counterfeit product in an open-air market in Kisii County, western Kenya, on Sunday, the report said.
After the shooting, protesters quickly descended on the police station, throwing rocks and setting bonfires, damaging the station and nearby vehicles.
Fourteen police officers were injured and protesters dispersed after an "unquantified number of live and blank ammunitions were used", the report said.
Accusations of police brutality are common in Kenya. Since the coronavirus outbreak, multiple cases of alleged police violence towards lockdown violators have been reported.
In March, in the first 10 days of a curfew to curb the coronavirus, at least six people were killed, according to rights group Human Rights Watch.
Kenyan protesters set a police station on fire after an officer allegedly shot and killed a man for hawking fake hand sanitizer, according to a police report seen by Reuters on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Bill for immediate enactment of emergency regulations passes 1st reading

The bill for immediate enactment of emergency regulations passed the first hearing in the Knesset on Monday evening.The bill is expected to pass second and third readings later on Monday, allowing the government to have its measures treated as effective laws in the time period it takes them to be discussed by the Knesset.Knesset could still cancel the decisions made by government. However, nothing restricts the government from making a similar decision which will become, effectively, a near-law to be discussed by the Knesset.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--China rebukes UK for "gross interference" over Hong Kong

China 's ambassador to London accused Britain on Monday of gross interference and making irresponsible remarks over Beijing 's imposition of new security legislation in Hong Kong that he said could damage future Chinese investment .
Britain has described the security law as a `` clear and serious '' violation of the 1984 Joint Declaration under which it later handed back its colony to China and said London would offer around 3 million residents a path to British citizenship .
`` The UK government keeps making irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs , '' Ambassador Liu Xiaoming told reporters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ National ( Overseas ) ( BNO ) passport holders in Hong Kong a path to British citizenship , he said : `` This move constitutes gross interference in China 's internal affairs and openly tramples on the basic norms governing international relations . ''
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab rejected Liu 's comments and said China had freely signed the Joint Declaration that guaranteed freedoms for the people of Hong Kong .
`` It 's a matter of trust and lots of countries around the world are asking this question : does China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Raab told Reuters in a pooled interview .
Liu said China would decide on its response after seeing how Britain proceeded with its passport offer , and that any future decision to ban Huawei from Britain 's 5G telecoms infrastructure would send a `` very bad message '' to Chinese companies .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson describes himself as a `` Sinophile '' , but has spoken of the need to `` stick up for our friends in Hong Kong '' .
He has also toughened his language on a provisional decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development of Britain 's 5G infrastructure , saying he would protect critical infrastructure from `` hostile state vendors '' .
Johnson has faced pressure from the United States and some British lawmakers to ban the telecommunications equipment maker on security grounds , and Britain 's media minister said on Monday the Huawei decision was not set in stone .
Liu said China wanted friendly relations with Britain but added that `` if you want to make China a hostile country , you will have to bear the consequences '' He said a U-turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's image as an open , business-friendly environment .
`` The China business community are all watching how you handle Huawei .
If you get rid of Huawei it sends out a very bad message to other Chinese businesses , '' Liu said .
Hong Kong returned to China on July 1 , 1997 , under a `` one country , two systems '' formula guaranteeing wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland , including an independent judiciary .

China's ambassador to London accused Britain on Monday of gross interference and making irresponsible remarks over Beijing's imposition of new security legislation in Hong Kong that he said could damage future Chinese investment.
Britain has described the security law as a "clear and serious" violation of the 1984 Joint Declaration under which it later handed back its colony to China and said London would offer around 3 million residents a path to British citizenship.
"The UK government keeps making irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs," Ambassador Liu Xiaoming told reporters.
On the British offer to give British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport holders in Hong Kong a path to British citizenship, he said: "This move constitutes gross interference in China's internal affairs and openly tramples on the basic norms governing international relations."
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab rejected Liu's comments and said China had freely signed the Joint Declaration that guaranteed freedoms for the people of Hong Kong.
"It's a matter of trust and lots of countries around the world are asking this question: does China live up to its international obligations?" Raab told Reuters in a pooled interview.
Liu said China would decide on its response after seeing how Britain proceeded with its passport offer, and that any future decision to ban Huawei from Britain's 5G telecoms infrastructure would send a "very bad message" to Chinese companies.
CHINESE BUSINESS COMMUNITY "WATCHING"
Prime Minister Boris Johnson describes himself as a "Sinophile", but has spoken of the need to "stick up for our friends in Hong Kong".
He has also toughened his language on a provisional decision to let Huawei be involved in the development of Britain's 5G infrastructure, saying he would protect critical infrastructure from "hostile state vendors".
Johnson has faced pressure from the United States and some British lawmakers to ban the telecommunications equipment maker on security grounds, and Britain's media minister said on Monday the Huawei decision was not set in stone.
Liu said China wanted friendly relations with Britain but added that "if you want to make China a hostile country, you will have to bear the consequences"
He said a U-turn on its Huawei decision would damage Britain's image as an open, business-friendly environment.
"The China business community are all watching how you handle Huawei. If you get rid of Huawei it sends out a very bad message to other Chinese businesses," Liu said.
Hong Kong returned to China on July 1, 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula guaranteeing wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent judiciary.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--UN says attacks by Islamist militia in Congo may be war crimes

Systematic and brutal attacks by Islamist militants in the Congo over the last 18 months may amount to war crimes @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
The Allied Democratic Forces ( ADF ) , a Ugandan armed group @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic Republic of Congo , have killed more than 1,000 civilians since the start @ @ @ @ @ a report by the UN Joint Human Rights Office .
`` In the majority of @ @ @ @ @ the modus operandi of the attacks indicate a clear intention to leave no survivors .
@ @ @ @ @ to death , '' it said .

Systematic and brutal attacks by Islamist militants in the Congo over the last 18 months may amount to war crimes, the United Nations said on Monday.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan armed group operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, have killed more than 1,000 civilians since the start of 2019, according to a report by the UN Joint Human Rights Office.
"In the majority of cases, the means and the modus operandi of the attacks indicate a clear intention to leave no survivors. Entire families have been hacked to death," it said.
The attacks "may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes", it said.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Coronavirus: 139 students, teachers test positive

Some 1,425 people in Israel 's education system have tested positive for coronavirus as of Monday afternoon , including 139 @ @ @ @ @ , Walla reported , citing the Education Ministry .
A total of some 21,293 students @ @ @ @ @ as of Monday afternoon .

Some 1,425 people in Israel's education system have tested positive for coronavirus as of Monday afternoon, including 139 who were diagnozed since Sunday, Walla reported, citing the Education Ministry.
A total of some 21,293 students and teachers have been quarantined as of Monday afternoon.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--India tallies third-highest coronavirus cases but death rate low

India on Monday overtook Russia to record the world 's third-highest number of coronavirus infections at nearly 700,000 , even as its hardest-hit state said it will allow hotels to reopen this week .
Health ministry data from the world 's second-most populous country showed more than 23,000 new cases on Monday , down slightly from Sunday 's record increase of almost 25,000 .
There have been almost 20,000 deaths in India since the first case was detected there in January .
India now trails only the United States and Brazil in the number of COVID-19 cases and it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , where the virus was first identified in late 2019 .
But its death rate per 10,000 people is still a low 0.15 , compared with 3.97 in the United States and 6.65 in the United Kingdom , according to a Reuters tally .
Mainland China stands at 0.03 .
Officials said they had reversed a decision to reopen the Taj Mahal , India 's most famous tourist attraction , in the city of Agra , on Monday , following a rise in new cases in the area .
Some other monuments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened on Monday , albeit with very few visitors .
India is pushing ahead with relaxations to its more than two-month lockdown amid grim economic forecasts .
New Delhi , along with Maharashtra , home to India 's financial capital Mumbai , and the southern state of Tamil Nadu account for about 60 % of the total coronavirus cases in the country .
Maharashtra - the worst-hit state with nearly 210,000 cases - said it would let hotels outside containment zones reopen at 33 % capacity from Wednesday and issued guidelines for staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an uptake in cases in states such as Kerala , Karnataka and Assam , which until recently had been relatively unscathed .
`` This is showing up as an urban health challenge , '' said Dr Rajib Dasgupta , a professor of community health at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi , noting it is exposing weaknesses in the public health system .

India on Monday overtook Russia to record the world's third-highest number of coronavirus infections at nearly 700,000, even as its hardest-hit state said it will allow hotels to reopen this week.
Health ministry data from the world's second-most populous country showed more than 23,000 new cases on Monday, down slightly from Sunday's record increase of almost 25,000. There have been almost 20,000 deaths in India since the first case was detected there in January.
India now trails only the United States and Brazil in the number of COVID-19 cases and it has recorded eight times as many cases as China, where the virus was first identified in late 2019.
But its death rate per 10,000 people is still a low 0.15, compared with 3.97 in the United States and 6.65 in the United Kingdom, according to a Reuters tally. Mainland China stands at 0.03.
Officials said they had reversed a decision to reopen the Taj Mahal, India's most famous tourist attraction, in the city of Agra, on Monday, following a rise in new cases in the area.
Some other monuments in and around the capital New Delhi opened on Monday, albeit with very few visitors. India is pushing ahead with relaxations to its more than two-month lockdown amid grim economic forecasts.
New Delhi, along with Maharashtra, home to India's financial capital Mumbai, and the southern state of Tamil Nadu account for about 60% of the total coronavirus cases in the country.
Maharashtra - the worst-hit state with nearly 210,000 cases - said it would let hotels outside containment zones reopen at 33% capacity from Wednesday and issued guidelines for staff and guests.
India is also seeing an uptake in cases in states such as Kerala, Karnataka and Assam, which until recently had been relatively unscathed.
"This is showing up as an urban health challenge," said Dr Rajib Dasgupta, a professor of community health at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, noting it is exposing weaknesses in the public health system.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Hong Kong details new powers under controversial China law

Hong Kong released additional details of China 's sweeping new national security law for the former British colony on Monday @ @ @ @ @ overriding authority to enter and search properties for evidence and stop people from leaving the @ @ @ @ @ to China on July 1 , 1997 , under a `` one country , two @ @ @ @ @ autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland , including an independent judiciary .

Hong Kong released additional details of China's sweeping new national security law for the former British colony on Monday, saying security forces had overriding authority to enter and search properties for evidence and stop people from leaving the city.
Hong Kong returned to China on July 1, 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula guaranteeing wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent judiciary.
But under China's new legislation, crimes of secession and sedition will be punishable by up to life in prison, stoking concerns of a much more authoritarian era in a city which has been racked by anti-China protests for the past year.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Turkey warns it will respond if EU takes fresh measures against it

France 's foreign minister said last week EU ministers would discuss Turkey on July 13 and said new sanctions on Ankara could be considered in addition to steps taken over Turkey 's drilling in the Cyprus economic zone .
`` If the EU takes additional decisions against Turkey , we will have to respond to this , '' Cavusoglu told a news conference with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Turkey 's capital .
As relations deteriorated between the bloc and Ankara , the European Union imposed a travel ban and asset freezes on two people in February for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cyprus ' maritime economic zone off the divided island .
Cavusoglu berated the EU for failing to fulfill promises and linking issues such as the Cyprus dispute and a 2016 migrant deal .
He said Turkey will not allow itself to be held hostage by Greece and Cyprus and called on the EU to be an `` honest broker '' .
Earlier this year , tens of thousands of migrants tried to cross into Greece via land and sea borders after Ankara said it would no longer stop them .
The flow has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey `` will continue to implement its decision '' .
Cavusoglu also repeated a call for France to apologise after an incident between Turkish and French warships in the Mediterranean , which prompted Paris to request a NATO investigation .
Relations between the NATO members have soured over the Libya conflict , where Turkey supports the internationally recognised government and accuses Paris of backing the eastern-based forces of Khalifa Haftar who tried to capture Tripoli .
France denies backing Haftar 's offensive on the capital , and accused Turkish warships of aggressive behaviour @

France's foreign minister said last week EU ministers would discuss Turkey on July 13 and said new sanctions on Ankara could be considered in addition to steps taken over Turkey's drilling in the Cyprus economic zone.
"If the EU takes additional decisions against Turkey, we will have to respond to this," Cavusoglu told a news conference with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Turkey's capital.
As relations deteriorated between the bloc and Ankara, the European Union imposed a travel ban and asset freezes on two people in February for their role in Turkey's drilling in Cyprus' maritime economic zone off the divided island.
Cavusoglu berated the EU for failing to fulfill promises and linking issues such as the Cyprus dispute and a 2016 migrant deal. He said Turkey will not allow itself to be held hostage by Greece and Cyprus and called on the EU to be an "honest broker".
Earlier this year, tens of thousands of migrants tried to cross into Greece via land and sea borders after Ankara said it would no longer stop them. The flow has slowed since then, but Cavusoglu said Turkey "will continue to implement its decision".
Cavusoglu also repeated a call for France to apologise after an incident between Turkish and French warships in the Mediterranean, which prompted Paris to request a NATO investigation.
Relations between the NATO members have soured over the Libya conflict, where Turkey supports the internationally recognised government and accuses Paris of backing the eastern-based forces of Khalifa Haftar who tried to capture Tripoli.
France denies backing Haftar's offensive on the capital, and accused Turkish warships of aggressive behaviour.
Turkey will respond with its own steps if the European Union imposes further sanctions on Ankara, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday after meeting the EU's top diplomat.


jerusalempost--2020-07-06--Saudi Arabia announces haj health measures for domestic pilgrims

Saudi Arabia announced health protocols to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in the 2020 haj season , banning gatherings and meetings between pilgrims , the state news agency said on Monday .
Saudi Arabia decided in June to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the haj to around 1,000 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first year in modern times .
Priority will be given to non-Saudi pilgrims who will be allotted 70 % of available slots , the ministry that oversees pilgrimages said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus , must be first-time pilgrims between 20 and 50 years old and have no chronic medical conditions .
Saudi healthcare workers and security personnel who have recovered from the novel coronavirus will be given the rest of the slots , `` in recognition of their role in caring for society at all stages of the pandemic , '' the statement said .
Touching the Kaaba , the holiest site in Islam , will be banned during the haj this year , and a social distancing space of a meter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rituals including mass prayers and while in the Kaaba circling area will be imposed , a statement by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control ( CDC ) said .

Saudi Arabia announced health protocols to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in the 2020 haj season, banning gatherings and meetings between pilgrims, the state news agency said on Monday.
Saudi Arabia decided in June to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the haj to around 1,000 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first year in modern times.
Priority will be given to non-Saudi pilgrims who will be allotted 70% of available slots, the ministry that oversees pilgrimages said in a statement. Those selected must test negative for the virus, must be first-time pilgrims between 20 and 50 years old and have no chronic medical conditions.
Saudi healthcare workers and security personnel who have recovered from the novel coronavirus will be given the rest of the slots, "in recognition of their role in caring for society at all stages of the pandemic," the statement said.
Touching the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, will be banned during the haj this year, and a social distancing space of a meter and a half between each pilgrim during the rituals including mass prayers and while in the Kaaba circling area will be imposed, a statement by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) said.
Also, access to holy haj sites at Mona, Muzdalifah and Arafat will be limited to those with haj permits starting Sunday July 19 till Aug. 2 2020, and wearing masks at all times will be mandatory for both pilgrims and organizers.