jerusalempost--2020-01-20--Australia boosts emergency funding for bushfire-affected businesses

SYDNEY - Australia on Monday boosted emergency grants and loans for small businesses hit by bushfires that have ravaged the country during the peak tourist season, as firefighters used cooler weather to prepare for a return of hazardous fire conditions.The fires have killed 29 people and millions of animals, destroyed more than 2,500 homes and razed an area roughly a third the size of Germany since September.Several days of rain and a dip in temperature have reduced the number of active fires across the country's densely populated southeast and given authorities an opportunity to focus on the recovery effort.The federal government said it would increase grants for small businesses affected by the fires to A$50,000 ($34,400) each, from A$15,000 announced earlier, and offer loans up to A$500,000, interest-free for two years."The customers come back and the businesses rebuild and the local towns and communities rebuild with their support," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told television network Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd."My priority is to get the support into the communities where it's needed."The Australian tourism industry estimates the fires which have raged throughout the December-January holiday season have cost it almost A$1 billion.The Bureau of Meteorology on Monday issued a severe thunderstorm warning for large parts of New South Wales state including bushfire-affected coastal towns."Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours," the bureau said in a statement.Firefighters had taken advantage of the milder conditions to "slow the spread of fire and build containment lines ahead of increased fire dangers," the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said in a post on its Twitter account.Hot and windy conditions would likely return to many parts of NSW later in the week, it added.The Australian Open tennis tournament was scheduled to begin in Melbourne on Monday with organizers saying they would monitor air quality after a player collapsed on court and quit a qualifying match due to bushfire smoke inhalation.


jerusalempost--2020-01-20--McConnell proposal envisions speedy impeachment trial for Trump

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U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Monday proposed rules that would execute a potentially quick impeachment trial for President Donald Trump, with no guarantee that witnesses or new evidence would be allowed.A resolution McConnell unveiled on Monday would give House Democratic prosecutors and Trump lawyers 48 hours, evenly split, to present their arguments over a maximum of four days.Under the resolution, which could face a vote as early as Tuesday, lawyers for Trump could move early in the proceedings to ask senators to dismiss all charges, a senior Republican leadership aide said, a motion that would likely fall short of the support needed to succeed.


jerusalempost--2020-01-20--Multiple rockets fall near US embassy in Baghdad

Three Katyusha rockets fell on Tuesday inside Baghdad 's Green Zone which houses government buildings and foreign missions , Iraqi @ @ @ @ @ The three rockets were launched from Zafaraniyah district outside Baghdad , the sources said , @ @ @ @ @ near the US embassy .

Three Katyusha rockets fell on Tuesday inside Baghdad's Green Zone which houses government buildings and foreign missions, Iraqi police sources told Reuters.
The three rockets were launched from Zafaraniyah district outside Baghdad, the sources said, adding that two rockets landed near the US embassy.


jerusalempost--2020-01-20--Tunisian president asks former finance minister to be PM

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday designated Elyes Fakhfakh as prime minister, a presidency statement said on Monday, after the fractured parliament this month rejected a government proposed by an earlier nominee to the post.The former finance minister now has a month to form a coalition capable of winning a confidence vote in parliament by a simple majority, or there will be another election with urgent economic decisions hanging over the country.


jerusalempost--2020-01-20--Two injured in stone-throwing attack in Gush Etzion

Two people were injured Monday evening in a stone-throwing attack near the settlement of Nokdim in Gush Etzion, Walla reported.According to Walla, the two were evacuated to Shaarei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem with light injuries.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-01-20--Bezalel Smotrich to use Netanyahu's immunity vote to annex Jordan Valley

The Sovereignty Movement welcomes the initiative of the Minister of Transport , Bezalel Smotrich , to promote the application of @ @ @ @ @ Valley at the special Knesset meeting .
However , the movement adds that sovereignty in @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the sovereignty process .
`` The word first ' should be added @ @ @ @ @ Minister Smotrich .
Sovereignty over the Jordan valley first , when the target is also @ @ @ @ @ , '' say the movement 's leaders , Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar , who @ @ @ @ @ political discourse to values and ideology , vision and Zionism . ''
The Sovereignty movement @ @ @ @ @ that the course of sovereignty can also be promoted during this period of a transitional @ @ @ @ @ no constitutional obligation to wait for the day after the elections .

The Sovereignty Movement welcomes the initiative of the Minister of Transport, Bezalel Smotrich, to promote the application of Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley at the special Knesset meeting.
However, the movement adds that sovereignty in the Jordan Valley is only the beginning of the sovereignty process.
"The word first' should be added to the move promoted by Minister Smotrich. Sovereignty over the Jordan valley first, when the target is also sovereignty over Judea and Samaria," say the movement's leaders, Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar, who welcome the return of the political discourse to values and ideology, vision and Zionism."
The Sovereignty movement mentions the opinion of jurists that the course of sovereignty can also be promoted during this period of a transitional government, and there is no constitutional obligation to wait for the day after the elections.
Transportation Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a Yamina Knesset candidate, wrote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, asking him to hold a vote on annexing the Jordan Valley when the Knesset convenes next Tuesday to vote on forming a House Committee that will reject immunity for Netanyahu.The vote would challenge Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, who supports keeping the Jordan Valley and will visit the strategic site on Tuesday.Smotrich's proposal was also seen as a threat against Netanyahu that his vote in favor of immunity could be lost if Netanyahu does not initiate the vote on the Jordan Valley."Yisrael Beytenu and Blue and White think a caretaker government can make key decisions on matters of principle, and I am in favor," Smotrich wrote Netanyahu. "Annexing the Jordan Valley is one of the most important Zionist steps that are on the agenda. If Blue and White is moving rightward, let us give them a chance to prove it."


jerusalempost--2020-01-20--Netanyahu thanks Honduras for declaring Hezbollah terrorist organization

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Honduras and Colombia For officially designating Lebanese Shia organization Hezbollah to be a terrorist group.Netanyahu and US Secretary of Mike Pompeo campaigned in recent months to have Latin American countries sanction Hezbollah.Honduras and Colombia join Argentina and Paraguay who already view Hezbollah as terrorists.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--North Korea says won't be bound by nuclear testing pledge

GENEVA - North Korea on Tuesday said that as the United States had ignored its year-end deadline for nuclear talks, it no longer felt bound by commitments, which included a halt to its nuclear testing and the firing of inter-continental ballistic missiles."We found no reason to be unilaterally bound any longer by the commitment that the other party fails to honor,"" Ju Yong Chol, a counselor at North Korea's mission to the United Nations in Geneva, told the U.N.-backed Conference on Disarmament.Speaking as the envoy from the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), he accused the United States of applying "the most brutal and inhuman sanctions," adding: "If the US persists in such hostile policy towards the DPRK there will never be the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.""If the United States tries to enforce unilateral demands and persists in imposing sanctions, North Korea may be compelled to seek a new path," Ju added.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Rivlin meets president of Georgia ahead of World Holocaust Forum

President Reuven Rivlin holds a working meeting with President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili. (Mark Neiman/GPO)
President of Israel Reuven Rivlin met with Georgia President Salome Zourabichvili on Tuesday for a work meeting.On Wednesday, international leaders will have dinner at the President's Residence ahead of the Fifth World Holocaust Forum.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Jordanian parliamentarian: We will topple the Israel gas deal

Jordanian parliamentarian, Razi Al-Wawamla spoke to Israeli news station Kan News after the parliament voted unanimously on a bill demanding the government cancel its agreement to import gas from Israel."If the government doesn't cancel Israel gas deal - we will topple it," the parliamentarian told Kan News."We have local alternatives to gas and also alternatives with neighboring countries, which allow us not to rely on Israel," Al-Wawamla told Kan News. "You (Israel) have a mental barrier with us - even if you think there is peace, the Zionist entity does not know what an agreement is. It works for itself through bloodshed, death and the killing of others."According to Kan News, the bill that was passed in the parliament is symbolic and has no impact on the agreement.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Six dead from coronavirus outbreak in China

A new virus outbreak in the city of Wuhan has spread to other parts of China, with six people confirmed dead, to the alarm of global health authorities and financial markets.Little is known about the coronavirus strain, though human-to-human transmission has been confirmed. Some experts say it may not be as deadly as some other coronavirus such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 800 people worldwide during a 2002/03 outbreak that also originated from China.KNOWN CASESAuthorities have reported six deaths, all in Wuhan city, among more than 300 confirmed cases in China, mostly in the same area.There have been five cases in the national capital Beijing.Symptoms include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing. Beyond China , Thailand has reported two cases and South Korea one, all involving Chinese travelers from Wuhan.Japan and Taiwan also confirmed one case each, both involving nationals who had been to Wuhan.LITTLE KNOWN ABOUT VIRUS ITSELFChinese health authorities are still trying to determine the origin of the virus, which has been linked to a seafood market in Wuhan. They have confirmed human-to-human transmission and that 15 medical staff in the country have been infected.The WHO says an animal source appears most likely to be the primary source of the outbreak.COUNTER-MEASURESThere is no vaccine for the new virus.Chinese authorities have stepped up monitoring and disinfection efforts ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in late January, when many of China's 1.4 billion people will travel domestically and overseas.Airport authorities in the United States as well as many Asian countries, including Japan, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea, stepped up screening of passengers from Wuhan.Singapore announced on Jan. 21 that it will quarantine individuals with pneumonia and travel history to Wuhan within 14 days before the onset of symptoms.The WHO sent directives to hospitals around the world on infection prevention and control. It has also convened an emergency committee of experts on Jan. 22 to assess whether the outbreak constitutes an international emergency.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Woman hit by vehicle in Jerusalem in serious condition

This morning a woman was in severe condition after being hit by a vehicle in Kiryat Arba near Jeruslem, Magen David Adom reported, adding that she had to be anesthetized before being sent to Sha'arei Zedek Hospital."When we arrived, we saw a woman lying on the road unconscious, suffering from lower limbs," said MDA paramedic Yaira Vingush. "We gave her advanced medical treatment that included anesthesia and CPR, and she was sent to an intensive care unit to the hospital as she was in serious condition."


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--IDF to hold training exercise for its rescue services near Haifa

The IDF plan to hold a training exercise for its training rescue services in Kibbutz Yagur outside of Haifa on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, according to Ynet.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--South Korea to deploy anti-piracy unit to the Strait of Hormuz

The anti-piracy Cheonghae unit has been stationed in the Gulf of Aden since 2009 and includes a destroyer .
Attacks @ @ @ @ @ Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran last year prompted U.S. officials to call @ @ @ @ @ planned maritime security mission .

South Korea plans to expand the deployment of a anit-piracy military unit now operating off the coast of Africa to the area around the Strait of Hormuz after the United States pressed for help to guard oil tankers, Yonhap reported on Tuesday.
The anti-piracy Cheonghae unit has been stationed in the Gulf of Aden since 2009 and includes a destroyer.
Attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran last year prompted U.S. officials to call for allies to join a planned maritime security mission.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--Russian-led strikes on rebel-held northwest Syria kill 40

They said a family of eight including six children was killed in the rural village of Kfar Taal west of government-controlled Aleppo , while another nine civilians were killed in Maardabseh in the southeast of Idlib province .
`` God take revenge on all tyrants .
There is no one else left in my family , they are all gone , '' Abu Yasser , 71 , a relative of the family wiped out in Kfar Taal , said in a voice recording sent to Reuters .
At least 22 other civilians were killed in other strikes by Russian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been hit hard since the Russian-led military campaign , supplemented by Iranian militias , began in December .
The aerial bombings in which Moscow has also deployed special forces on the ground to push deeper into rebel-held territory has left dozens of towns in ruins and knocked down hospitals and schools , rescuers and aid agencies say .
U.N. officials said last week a humanitarian crisis in the Idlib region of far northwestern Syria , the last significant rebel redoubt in Syria after almost nine years of civil war , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the run .
Another half a million people fled earlier bouts of fighting to the safety of camps near the border of Turkey , which backs some rebel factions in the northwest .
A ceasefire brokered between Turkey and Russia to end the latest offensive collapsed nearly 10 days ago when Moscow resumed heavy strikes on civilian areas in what residents said was a strategy of bringing the armed opposition to its knees by striking its popular base .
The latest offensive has brought President Bashar al-Assad 's military campaign closer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where nearly 3 million people are trapped , according to aid charities and U.N. agencies .
Moscow and Damascus deny accusations of indiscriminate bombing of civilians , saying they are fighting jihadist militants who they say have stepped up their attacks on civilians in Aleppo city in northern Syria .

Russian-led air strikes killed at least 40 people on Tuesday in northwest Syria in a major army assault backed by Iranian militias to clear out rebels that has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing toward the border with Turkey, residents and rescuers said.
They said a family of eight including six children was killed in the rural village of Kfar Taal west of government-controlled Aleppo, while another nine civilians were killed in Maardabseh in the southeast of Idlib province.
"God take revenge on all tyrants. There is no one else left in my family, they are all gone," Abu Yasser, 71, a relative of the family wiped out in Kfar Taal, said in a voice recording sent to Reuters.
At least 22 other civilians were killed in other strikes by Russian and Syrian government warplanes on rural opposition areas that have been hit hard since the Russian-led military campaign, supplemented by Iranian militias, began in December.
The aerial bombings in which Moscow has also deployed special forces on the ground to push deeper into rebel-held territory has left dozens of towns in ruins and knocked down hospitals and schools, rescuers and aid agencies say.
U.N. officials said last week a humanitarian crisis in the Idlib region of far northwestern Syria, the last significant rebel redoubt in Syria after almost nine years of civil war, had worsened with at least 350,000 civilians now on the run.
Another half a million people fled earlier bouts of fighting to the safety of camps near the border of Turkey, which backs some rebel factions in the northwest.
A ceasefire brokered between Turkey and Russia to end the latest offensive collapsed nearly 10 days ago when Moscow resumed heavy strikes on civilian areas in what residents said was a strategy of bringing the armed opposition to its knees by striking its popular base.
The latest offensive has brought President Bashar al-Assad's military campaign closer to heavily populated central areas of Idlib, where nearly 3 million people are trapped, according to aid charities and U.N. agencies.
Moscow and Damascus deny accusations of indiscriminate bombing of civilians, saying they are fighting jihadist militants who they say have stepped up their attacks on civilians in Aleppo city in northern Syria.
Syrian state television said two women and a child were killed in a rocket attack by "terrorists" - its standard term for anti-Assad rebels - on a crowded neighborhood of Aleppo.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Senate rejects second Democratic bid for documents in Trump impeachment trial

As the third impeachment trial in U.S. history began in earnest , senators voted 53-47 along party lines to block a motion from Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to subpoena State Department records and documents related to Trump 's dealings with Ukraine .
The Senate earlier voted by the same margin to block a subpoena for documents and evidence from the White House on the matter .
Democrats have called on the Senate to remove Trump from office for pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , a political rival , and then impeding the inquiry into the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on charges of abusing power and obstructing Congress , denies any wrongdoing and describes his impeachment as a partisan hoax to derail his 2020 re-election .
During early debate , Trump 's chief legal defender attacked the case as baseless and a top Democratic lawmaker said there was `` overwhelming '' evidence of wrongdoing .
With the television cameras rolling , U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts convened the proceedings and the two sides began squabbling over Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's proposed rules for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is leading Trump 's defense , attacked the foundation of the charges against the Republican president and said Democrats had not come close to meeting the U.S. Constitution 's standard for impeachment .
`` The only conclusion will be that the president has done absolutely nothing wrong , '' Cipollone said as he argued in favor of McConnell 's proposal to decide on whether to allow further witnesses or documents later in the trial .
`` There is absolutely no case , '' he said .
Democratic Representative Adam Schiff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , summarized the charges against Trump and said the president had committed `` constitutional misconduct justifying impeachment . ''
Schiff said that although the evidence against Trump was `` already overwhelming , '' further witness testimony was necessary to show the full scope of the misconduct by the president and those around him .
Democrats want a number of current and former Trump administration officials , including Trump 's former national security adviser John Bolton , to testify .
`` For all of the name-calling and fingerpointing from the president ’ s counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argument on the merits about why there should not be the documents and witnesses we requested in this trial , '' Schumer said .
Republican senators have not ruled out the possibility of further witness testimony and evidence , with likely votes later in the trial after days of opening arguments and senators ' questions .
McConnell unveiled a plan on Monday for what would be a potentially quick trial without new testimony or evidence .
It would have given Democratic prosecutors and Trump 's lawyers 48 hours , evenly split , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That plan was changed to give each side three days to give opening arguments .
The rules also will allow the House 's record of the impeachment probe admitted as evidence in the trial , as Democrats had demanded .
`` We discussed it at lunch .
It was pretty much a ( Republican ) conference consensus that made a lot more sense , '' Republican Senator Ron Johnson said .
Democrats had accused McConnell of trying to rig a trial with proposed rules they said would prevent witnesses from testifying and bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly said the rules would mirror those used in the 1999 impeachment of then-President Bill Clinton , a Democrat .

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate rejected a second Democratic bid on Tuesday to obtain documents and evidence in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, an early sign the trial could proceed along lines favorable to Trump.
As the third impeachment trial in U.S. history began in earnest, senators voted 53-47 along party lines to block a motion from Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to subpoena State Department records and documents related to Trump's dealings with Ukraine.
The Senate earlier voted by the same margin to block a subpoena for documents and evidence from the White House on the matter.
Democrats have called on the Senate to remove Trump from office for pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a political rival, and then impeding the inquiry into the matter.
Trump, who was impeached last month by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on charges of abusing power and obstructing Congress, denies any wrongdoing and describes his impeachment as a partisan hoax to derail his 2020 re-election.
During early debate, Trump's chief legal defender attacked the case as baseless and a top Democratic lawmaker said there was "overwhelming" evidence of wrongdoing.
With the television cameras rolling, U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts convened the proceedings and the two sides began squabbling over Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's proposed rules for the trial.
White House counsel Pat Cipollone, who is leading Trump's defense, attacked the foundation of the charges against the Republican president and said Democrats had not come close to meeting the U.S. Constitution's standard for impeachment.
"The only conclusion will be that the president has done absolutely nothing wrong," Cipollone said as he argued in favor of McConnell's proposal to decide on whether to allow further witnesses or documents later in the trial.
"There is absolutely no case," he said.
DEMOCRATS SEEK TESTIMONY
Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, who helped spearhead the House impeachment inquiry, summarized the charges against Trump and said the president had committed "constitutional misconduct justifying impeachment."
Schiff said that although the evidence against Trump was "already overwhelming," further witness testimony was necessary to show the full scope of the misconduct by the president and those around him.
Democrats want a number of current and former Trump administration officials, including Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton, to testify.
"For all of the name-calling and fingerpointing from the president’s counsel, we did not hear a single argument on the merits about why there should not be the documents and witnesses we requested in this trial," Schumer said.
Republican senators have not ruled out the possibility of further witness testimony and evidence, with likely votes later in the trial after days of opening arguments and senators' questions.
McConnell unveiled a plan on Monday for what would be a potentially quick trial without new testimony or evidence. It would have given Democratic prosecutors and Trump's lawyers 48 hours, evenly split, to present their arguments over four days.
That plan was changed to give each side three days to give opening arguments. The rules also will allow the House's record of the impeachment probe admitted as evidence in the trial, as Democrats had demanded.
"We discussed it at lunch. It was pretty much a (Republican) conference consensus that made a lot more sense," Republican Senator Ron Johnson said.
Democrats had accused McConnell of trying to rig a trial with proposed rules they said would prevent witnesses from testifying and bar evidence gathered by investigators. McConnell has repeatedly said the rules would mirror those used in the 1999 impeachment of then-President Bill Clinton, a Democrat.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Animated British royal comedy 'The Prince' to make debut on HBO Max

`` The Prince , '' is the brain child of Gary Janetti , creator of the outlandish animated hit show @ @ @ @ @ and groundbreaking sitcom `` Will & Grace . ''
The show was inspired by Janetti @ @ @ @ @ to a million followers , and explores the life of British royalty through the eyes @ @ @ @ @ the oldest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton .
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince @ @ @ @ @ be characters - with actors doing their voices of course .
The greenlighting of the @ @ @ @ @ Harry and his actress wife attempt to step out of the limelight and away from @ @ @ @ @ family , a move that has roiled Buckingham Palace and dominated British tabloids .
Janetti @ @ @ @ @ `` The Prince . ''
Walt Disney Co. 's 20th Century Fox Television is producing @ @ @

Animated versions of Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle will have supporting roles in a British royal family satire that will make its debut on AT&T Inc's HBO Max streaming video service, the company said on Tuesday.
"The Prince," is the brain child of Gary Janetti, creator of the outlandish animated hit show "The Family Guy" and groundbreaking sitcom "Will & Grace."
The show was inspired by Janetti's Instagram account with close to a million followers, and explores the life of British royalty through the eyes of six-year-old Prince George, the oldest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince George's parents also will be characters - with actors doing their voices of course.
The greenlighting of the animated series comes as Prince Harry and his actress wife attempt to step out of the limelight and away from their roles in the royal family, a move that has roiled Buckingham Palace and dominated British tabloids.
Janetti will write and executive produce "The Prince." Walt Disney Co.'s 20th Century Fox Television is producing the show.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--White House lawyer in Trump trial is both defender and key witness to events

Democratic lawmakers at the impeachment trial said on Tuesday that Cipollone `` played an instrumental role '' in that obstruction and argued that his representation of Trump threatens to undermine the integrity of the proceedings .
The Democratic-led House of Representatives has accused Trump of undertaking an unprecedented campaign to prevent them from probing allegations that he withheld military aid and a White House meeting to pressure Ukraine to investigate a political rival , former Vice President Joe Biden .
They have charged Trump with abuse of power and obstructing their probe , while he has proclaimed his innocence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support the obstruction charge is a widely criticized letter written by Cipollone on Oct. 8 in which he said Trump could not permit the administration to participate in the Ukraine investigation , which he described as an illegal attempt to remove a democratically elected president .
Cipollone 's letter thrust the lawyer to the forefront of the administration 's battle against the impeachment inquiry in the House of Representatives , bringing him public attention that friends and colleagues say he has long eschewed , unlike many of Trump 's lawyers .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was in a much brighter spotlight as the televised trial got under way in the Republican-led Senate , where he is helping to lead the Republican president 's defense .
The arguments and political tone in his Oct. 8 letter , uncharacteristic for a White House counsel , drew rebukes from many legal experts , including former law school classmates , who said it distorted the law for cable news consumption .
While Cipollone declined to comment for this story , Jay Sekulow , another leading member of Trump 's legal team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly what the founders had in mind in crafting a constitution that respects separation of powers . ''
In a letter to Cipollone on Tuesday , Democrats urged him to disclose the full extent of his knowledge of Trump 's Ukraine activities and said evidence suggested his office had been directly involved `` in potential efforts to conceal President Trump 's scheme from Congress and the public . ''
In a statement , the White House dismissed as `` ludicrous '' the demand that Cipollone turn over confidential information and `` absurd '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump effectively .
While Trump was at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for the Christmas holidays , Cipollone was in his second-floor White House office - where he has a photograph of his family , including his 10 children , with the president - working on his trial arguments on a yellow legal pad , according to a person familiar with his preparations .
`` He 's going to give a thoughtful , substantively sound presentation , '' U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia , who attended the conservative-leaning University of Chicago Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview .
Cipollone is `` a rare combination of law review smart and street smart , '' said Scalia , who was editor-in-chief of the law school 's legal journal when Cipollone was on staff .
On Tuesday , Cipollone took the podium at the Senate trial for the first time , calling the impeachment charges `` ridiculous '' and asserting that Trump had done `` absolutely nothing wrong . ''
Cipollone said the Democrats had no case .
`` They 're not here to steal one election , they 're here to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a reference to 2016 when Trump won the election and to November 2020 when he is seeking reelection .
Cipollone , who became White House counsel in December 2018 , was introduced to Trump by conservative television host Laura Ingraham in 2016 , when he was a partner at a boutique Washington law firm .
He helped Trump prepare to debate his then-Democratic election opponent , Hillary Clinton .
Ingraham , in an interview , described Cipollone as a devoted Catholic who is calm and methodical and a spiritual mentor to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` showboat . ''
Cipollone is the son of an Italian factory worker who named him Pasquale .
He goes to mass often , perhaps as often as every day , according to a person who knows him , and participates in the annual March for Life in Washington that protests abortion .
Jonathan Missner , managing partner of Stein Mitchell Beato & Missner , the firm Cipollone left to join the Trump administration , noted that Cipollone spent his early years in the Bronx in New York City , where he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Pat 's very loyal to his clients , '' Missner said .
In his Oct. 8 letter to the House leadership , Cipollone appeared to demonstrate that loyalty to Trump as he argued against the impeachment inquiry and went so far as to highlight Trump 's efforts to `` fix our broken immigration system '' and grow the economy .
After the letter , not a single document was produced by the White House , the State Department and other government agencies in response to 71 requests or subpoenas for records , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment inquiry .
The administration also sought to block current and former officials from testifying .
Neil Eggleston , who served as White House counsel to Democratic President Barack Obama , said Cipollone 's response arguably helped lead to the second article of impeachment , obstruction of Congress .
Eggleston said it was a mistake to announce the executive branch was not going to cooperate .
Despite his conservatism , Cipollone has friends across the aisle .
Democratic Representative Adam Smith , a former college classmate of Cipollone 's and fellow debate team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has remained friends with Cipollone despite their political differences .
`` We try to see past that , '' said Smith , who recalled that Cipollone had supported Senator Al Gore in his unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 .
When Smith , chair of the House Armed Services Committee , was working on a bill to fund the Pentagon , he said Cipollone put in a good word for him with the White House legislative team .
Smith said he obviously disagreed with Cipollone 's approach on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't talk about that . ''
Melanie Sloan , a law school classmate who describes herself as being politically progressive , described Cipollone as an `` enormously smart , honest , ethical person , '' and added that she was surprised when he went to work for Trump .
She said Cipollone had told her he did not see Trump the way she did .
`` I ca n't explain it , '' she said .
But being White House counsel was the pinnacle of a legal career , she said , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case that will etch him into history .
Scalia , the labor secretary , said he spoke to Cipollone about a week ago .
`` I said , 'You 're getting ready ? '
And he said , ' I am ready . '
''

While arguing President Donald Trump's case at this week's Senate trial, White House counsel Pat Cipollone also is defending his own role in a legal strategy that helped lead to Trump's impeachment on a charge of obstructing Congress.
Democratic lawmakers at the impeachment trial said on Tuesday that Cipollone "played an instrumental role" in that obstruction and argued that his representation of Trump threatens to undermine the integrity of the proceedings.
The Democratic-led House of Representatives has accused Trump of undertaking an unprecedented campaign to prevent them from probing allegations that he withheld military aid and a White House meeting to pressure Ukraine to investigate a political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. They have charged Trump with abuse of power and obstructing their probe, while he has proclaimed his innocence.
One of the main pieces of evidence to support the obstruction charge is a widely criticized letter written by Cipollone on Oct. 8 in which he said Trump could not permit the administration to participate in the Ukraine investigation, which he described as an illegal attempt to remove a democratically elected president.
Cipollone's letter thrust the lawyer to the forefront of the administration's battle against the impeachment inquiry in the House of Representatives, bringing him public attention that friends and colleagues say he has long eschewed, unlike many of Trump's lawyers.
On Tuesday, the camera-shy Cipollone, 53, was in a much brighter spotlight as the televised trial got under way in the Republican-led Senate, where he is helping to lead the Republican president's defense.
The arguments and political tone in his Oct. 8 letter, uncharacteristic for a White House counsel, drew rebukes from many legal experts, including former law school classmates, who said it distorted the law for cable news consumption.
While Cipollone declined to comment for this story, Jay Sekulow, another leading member of Trump's legal team, said Cipollone's arguments were "exactly what the founders had in mind in crafting a constitution that respects separation of powers."
In a letter to Cipollone on Tuesday, Democrats urged him to disclose the full extent of his knowledge of Trump's Ukraine activities and said evidence suggested his office had been directly involved "in potential efforts to conceal President Trump's scheme from Congress and the public."
In a statement, the White House dismissed as "ludicrous" the demand that Cipollone turn over confidential information and "absurd" the idea that he could not represent Trump effectively.
'RARE COMBINATION'
While Trump was at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for the Christmas holidays, Cipollone was in his second-floor White House office - where he has a photograph of his family, including his 10 children, with the president - working on his trial arguments on a yellow legal pad, according to a person familiar with his preparations.
"He's going to give a thoughtful, substantively sound presentation," U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia, who attended the conservative-leaning University of Chicago Law School with Cipollone, said in an interview.
Cipollone is "a rare combination of law review smart and street smart," said Scalia, who was editor-in-chief of the law school's legal journal when Cipollone was on staff.
On Tuesday, Cipollone took the podium at the Senate trial for the first time, calling the impeachment charges "ridiculous" and asserting that Trump had done "absolutely nothing wrong."
Cipollone said the Democrats had no case. "They're not here to steal one election, they're here to steal two elections," Cipollone said, a reference to 2016 when Trump won the election and to November 2020 when he is seeking reelection.
Cipollone, who became White House counsel in December 2018, was introduced to Trump by conservative television host Laura Ingraham in 2016, when he was a partner at a boutique Washington law firm. He helped Trump prepare to debate his then-Democratic election opponent, Hillary Clinton.
Ingraham, in an interview, described Cipollone as a devoted Catholic who is calm and methodical and a spiritual mentor to her. She said he was not a "showboat."
Cipollone is the son of an Italian factory worker who named him Pasquale. He goes to mass often, perhaps as often as every day, according to a person who knows him, and participates in the annual March for Life in Washington that protests abortion.
Jonathan Missner, managing partner of Stein Mitchell Beato & Missner, the firm Cipollone left to join the Trump administration, noted that Cipollone spent his early years in the Bronx in New York City, where he was raised to prize loyalty and trust. "Pat's very loyal to his clients," Missner said.
In his Oct. 8 letter to the House leadership, Cipollone appeared to demonstrate that loyalty to Trump as he argued against the impeachment inquiry and went so far as to highlight Trump's efforts to "fix our broken immigration system" and grow the economy.
After the letter, not a single document was produced by the White House, the State Department and other government agencies in response to 71 requests or subpoenas for records, according to the House report on the impeachment inquiry. The administration also sought to block current and former officials from testifying.
Neil Eggleston, who served as White House counsel to Democratic President Barack Obama, said Cipollone's response arguably helped lead to the second article of impeachment, obstruction of Congress. Eggleston said it was a mistake to announce the executive branch was not going to cooperate.
'I AM READY'
Despite his conservatism, Cipollone has friends across the aisle.
Democratic Representative Adam Smith, a former college classmate of Cipollone's and fellow debate team member at Fordham University in New York, has remained friends with Cipollone despite their political differences.
"We try to see past that," said Smith, who recalled that Cipollone had supported Senator Al Gore in his unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988.
When Smith, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, was working on a bill to fund the Pentagon, he said Cipollone put in a good word for him with the White House legislative team.
Smith said he obviously disagreed with Cipollone's approach on the impeachment inquiry, but "we don't talk about that."
Melanie Sloan, a law school classmate who describes herself as being politically progressive, described Cipollone as an "enormously smart, honest, ethical person," and added that she was surprised when he went to work for Trump. She said Cipollone had told her he did not see Trump the way she did. "I can't explain it," she said.
But being White House counsel was the pinnacle of a legal career, she said, and now Cipollone is about to argue a case that will etch him into history.
Scalia, the labor secretary, said he spoke to Cipollone about a week ago. "I said, 'You're getting ready?' And he said, 'I am ready.'"


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--UK's Duchess Kate begins 24-hour tour for childhood survey

The Duchess of Cambridge , as she is officially known , started the `` 5 big questions on the under 5s '' initiative in Birmingham in central England and will visit Cardiff , London and the county of Surrey , south of the British capital , on Wednesday .
The tour comes as William 's younger brother Harry flew back to Canada after sparking a crisis in the British monarchy by announcing he and his American wife Meghan wanted to reduce their royal duties and become financially independent .
The issue has dominated headlines in Britain over the last fortnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the couple will step down from their royal roles to spend most of their time in North America .
Meanwhile , William , 37 , and Kate , 38 , have continued with their official engagements , in keeping with the royals ' determination to carry on with business as usual .
On Tuesday , William attended a meeting of the United for Wildlife Taskforces , which aims to tackle the illegal trade in animal products , while Kate was at Birmingham 's Science Museum to launch the survey designed for people across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children 's early lives .
She will follow up on Wednesday by visiting a nursery for breakfast , attending a baby sensory class and then traveling to a women 's prison to talk to inmates .
The aim of the survey , which contains five short questions such as `` What do you believe is most important for children growing up in the UK today to have a happy adult life , '' will provide a vital source of information and help bring about positive , lasting change , her Kensington Palace office @ @

Britain's duchess Kate, the wife of Prince William, began a 24-hour tour on Tuesday to launch a survey of people's views on bringing up children, as the royals carry on with official duties in the wake of the rift over Prince Harry.
The Duchess of Cambridge, as she is officially known, started the "5 big questions on the under 5s" initiative in Birmingham in central England and will visit Cardiff, London and the county of Surrey, south of the British capital, on Wednesday.
The tour comes as William's younger brother Harry flew back to Canada after sparking a crisis in the British monarchy by announcing he and his American wife Meghan wanted to reduce their royal duties and become financially independent.
The issue has dominated headlines in Britain over the last fortnight and culminated in a deal which means the couple will step down from their royal roles to spend most of their time in North America.
Meanwhile, William, 37, and Kate, 38, have continued with their official engagements, in keeping with the royals' determination to carry on with business as usual.
On Tuesday, William attended a meeting of the United for Wildlife Taskforces, which aims to tackle the illegal trade in animal products, while Kate was at Birmingham's Science Museum to launch the survey designed for people across the country to give their views on children's early lives.
She will follow up on Wednesday by visiting a nursery for breakfast, attending a baby sensory class and then traveling to a women's prison to talk to inmates.
The aim of the survey, which contains five short questions such as "What do you believe is most important for children growing up in the UK today to have a happy adult life," will provide a vital source of information and help bring about positive, lasting change, her Kensington Palace office said.
"This survey will give the early-years sector valuable direction in designing and delivering services and support which reflect what matters most to people," said David Holmes, chief executive of the Family Action charity.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Explosive balloons found near Netivot

Explosive balloons found near Netivot

Explosive balloons were found near Netivot on Tuesday night, according to Walla! news.Police sappers are on their way to the scene. No injuries or damage were reported.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Senate votes to block Democrats' call for White House documents

In the first vote of this historic trial on whether Trump should be ousted from office , Senate Republicans banded @ @ @ @ @ by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer .
The partisan vote was 53-47 to kill Schumer @ @ @

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted to block, at least for now, Democrats' demand that White House documents be subpoenaed for use in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial.
In the first vote of this historic trial on whether Trump should be ousted from office, Senate Republicans banded together to stop the move by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. The partisan vote was 53-47 to kill Schumer's amendment.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Qatari envoy, medical delegation arrive in Gaza Strip - report

The Qatari envoy to Gaza, Muhammad al-Emadi, and a medical delegation entered the Gaza Strip through the Erez Crossing on Tuesday night, according to Palestinian reports.$100 grants will reportedly be given to poor families in Gaza in the coming days. Al-Emadi will follow up on Qatari projects in the Strip.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Trump admin plans to add Nigeria and six other nations to travel ban list

Some countries will face bans only on some visa categories , the Wall Street Journal reported .
The list of countries was not final and could yet change , website Politico said .
U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with the Journal that he was considering adding countries to the travel ban , but declined to state which ones .
Politico said an announcement was expected as early as Monday .
The move is likely to sour ties between the United States and the countries affected under the expanded ban .
Nigeria , for example , Africa 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a U.S. anti-terrorism partner and has a large diaspora residing in the United States .
A senior Trump administration official said that countries that failed to comply with security requirements , including biometrics , information-sharing and counter-terrorism measures , faced the risk of limitations on U.S. immigration .
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
The State Department declined to comment .
Under the current version of the ban , citizens of Iran , Libya , North Korea , Somalia , Syria and Yemen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their relatives are blocked from obtaining a large range of U.S. immigrant and non-immigrant visas .
Chad was previously covered under the ban but was removed in April 2018 .

The Trump administration is planning to add seven countries - Belarus, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania - to its travel ban list, U.S. media reports said on Tuesday.
Some countries will face bans only on some visa categories, the Wall Street Journal reported. The list of countries was not final and could yet change, website Politico said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with the Journal that he was considering adding countries to the travel ban, but declined to state which ones. Politico said an announcement was expected as early as Monday.
The move is likely to sour ties between the United States and the countries affected under the expanded ban.
Nigeria, for example, Africa's largest economy and most populous country, is a U.S. anti-terrorism partner and has a large diaspora residing in the United States.
A senior Trump administration official said that countries that failed to comply with security requirements, including biometrics, information-sharing and counter-terrorism measures, faced the risk of limitations on U.S. immigration.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The State Department declined to comment.
Under the current version of the ban, citizens of Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, as well as some Venezuelan officials and their relatives are blocked from obtaining a large range of U.S. immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
Chad was previously covered under the ban but was removed in April 2018.
Citizens of the countries can apply for waivers to the ban, but they are exceedingly rare.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Maltreated tigers and lions, rescued from Guatemala circuses, arrive in South Africa

The team from Animal Defenders International plucked the big cats from circuses in Guatemala after 18 months of persuading the @ @ @ @ @ ban on animals in circuses .
The animals were in abject condition , with some @ @ @ @ @ to prevent claw growth or their canine teeth knocked off , the group said .
@ @ @ @ @ an ADI rescue center until they were able to be relocated to the sanctuary , @ @ @ @ @ has been the toughest operation we have ever had , '' said ADI president , @ @ @ @ @ had lots of threats to ourselves , to the animals and to the operation , @ @ @ @ @ battle our way through it . ''
The cats were kept in cramped conditions with @ @ @ @ @ and `` were malnourished , they were only being fed chicken feet and they were @ @ @ @ @ Creamer said .

Twenty-one lions and tigers rescued from Guatemala arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa on Tuesday after an animal conservation and protection group said they endured years of severe confinement and maltreatment.
The team from Animal Defenders International plucked the big cats from circuses in Guatemala after 18 months of persuading the government to enforce a 2018 ban on animals in circuses.
The animals were in abject condition, with some having had their toes clipped to prevent claw growth or their canine teeth knocked off, the group said. They were cared for at an ADI rescue center until they were able to be relocated to the sanctuary, ADI said.
"This has been the toughest operation we have ever had," said ADI president, Jan Creamer. "We had lots of threats to ourselves, to the animals and to the operation, and we had to really battle our way through it."
The cats were kept in cramped conditions with little room to move, and "were malnourished, they were only being fed chicken feet and they were all poorly developed," Creamer said.
The animals are recovering at an ADI sanctuary in South Africa. The nonprofit has conducted similar operations in Bolivia, Peru and Colombia and rescued nearly 200 animals.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--French President Emmanuel Macron lands in Israel for World Holocaust Forum

Foreign Minister Israel Katz met Macron at Ben Gurion Airport and thanked him for coming .
`` The arrival of @ @ @ @ @ world symbolizes their commitment to remember the Holocaust and fight against antisemitism , '' said @ @

Foreign Minister Israel Katz met Macron at Ben Gurion Airport and thanked him for coming. "The arrival of leaders from all around the world symbolizes their commitment to remember the Holocaust and fight against antisemitism," said Katz.
French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Israel for the World Holocaust Forum marking 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp on Tuesday night.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Massive malfunctions in traffic lights in Tel Aviv due to rain

The stormy weather across the country on Tuesday led to many traffic-lights in Tel Aviv malfunctioning including at major intersections such as Arlozorov and Weitzman streets or King George and HaNeviim streers. Emergency services are on the scene attempting to repair them and direct traffic despite the malfunction.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Militants kill 36 civilians in Burkina Faso market attack -govt

OUAGADOUGOU - Thirty-six civilians were killed in Burkina Faso on Monday in what the government called a terrorist attack on a market in Sanmatenga province.Armed militants attacked people in the market of the village of Alamou before burning it to the ground, the government said in a statement on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Israelis warned not to approach ‘lost river’ due to landmines

Due to recent floods the Israeli public had been warned on Tuesday not to approach a 'lost river ' , @ @ @ @ @ in a Kan News report .
The reason is that the river lays within a @ @ @ @ @ near the Dead Sea in the south of the country and ergo is not well @ @ @ @ @ issued by the Ministry of Defense , is not to come near it as tourists @ @ @ @ @

Due to recent floods the Israeli public had been warned on Tuesday not to approach a 'lost river', a river recently made public in a Kan News report.
The reason is that the river lays within a zone used by factories located near the Dead Sea in the south of the country and ergo is not well toured.
The warning, issued by the Ministry of Defense, is not to come near it as tourists might step on landmines.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--CDC confirms first U.S. case of China coronavirus

The newly identified coronarvirus originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan , and has spread to Beijing and Shanghai @ @ @ @ @ have been infected so far and six have died , according to Chinese health officials @

A traveler from China has been diagnosed in Seattle with the Wuhan coronavirus, according to a U.S. CDC spokesman.
The newly identified coronarvirus originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, and has spread to Beijing and Shanghai. More than 300 people have been infected so far and six have died, according to Chinese health officials.
Last week, the CDC began screening travelers from China in three U.S. airports. Besides the United States, cases outside of China have been reported in South Korea, Thailand and Japan.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Hezbollah nominates two ministers in new Lebanon government -sources

Political sources and local media said the government of 20 ministers was set to be announced later on Tuesday after @ @ @ @ @ clinched an agreement on its composition .

The powerful Iran-backed group Hezbollah has nominated two ministers in Lebanon's new government including the health minister, two senior political sources told Reuters.
Political sources and local media said the government of 20 ministers was set to be announced later on Tuesday after Hezbollah and its political allies clinched an agreement on its composition.
Hezbollah, which is designated a terrorist organization by the United States, picked the health minister in the outgoing cabinet.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--McConnell vows to block any early votes on Trump trial witnesses

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday that he would move to set aside any efforts by Democrats to force an early vote on subpoenaing witnesses and documents during afternoon proceedings in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial."If any amendments are brought forward to force premature opinions on mid-trial questions, I will move to table such amendments," McConnell said in floor remarks, noting that his proposed trial resolution would postpone decisions on evidence until days into the proceedings."If a senator moves to amend the resolution in order to subpoena specific witnesses or documents, I will move to table such motions because the Senate will decide those questions later in the trial," he added.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Lebanon PM to meet president for govt announcement - al-Manar TV

BEIRUT - Lebanon's designated Prime Minister Hassan Diab is expected to go to the Baabda presidential palace "in preparation for announcing a new government," al-Manar TV said on Tuesday.Hezbollah and its political allies have agreed on a new government of 20 ministers, including economist Ghazi Wazni as finance minister, two senior political sources told Reuters earlier.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Due to 'national interest', Gamliel's Russian meeting kept under wraps

Minister for Social Equality Gila Gamliel met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov on Tuesday and said that “due to a sense of national responsibility, and at the request of Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] I will not expand on the meeting’s content.”Gamliel called Bodganov “one of the greatest friends Israel has in the world.” He in turn thanked the minister and said he is sure that the visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Israel will be “a very important step in the [further] development of the relations between our two countries.”


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--US urges China to join nuclear arms talks with Russia

GENEVA - The United States urged China on Tuesday to join trilateral nuclear arms talks with Moscow, calling Beijing's secrecy around growing stockpiles a "serious threat to strategic stability."US President Donald Trump said last year he had discussed a new accord on limiting nuclear arms with Russian President Vladimir Putin and hoped to extend that to China in what would be a major deal between the globe's top three atomic powers. But China has so far refused to take part."We think, given the fact that China's nuclear stockpile is estimated to double over the next ten years, now is the time to have that trilateral discussion," Robert Wood, US disarmament ambassador, told reporters on the opening day of the UN-backed Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.He said that Washington had discussed the potential trilateral talks in a security meeting with Russia last week and had reached an "understanding" about pursuing them. "We cannot afford to wait," he added.Asked how to go about pressuring Beijing to join, Wood said that he hoped Russia, and others, would help. "Hopefully over time and through the influence of others besides the United States, they (China) will come to the table. We think it's imperative for global security that the Chinese do that."Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week that Russia would take part in potential trilateral talks but that he "won't force China to change" its current position.China has previously said its weapons were the "lowest level" of its national security needs and not comparable to those of Russia and the United States.The United Nations is seeking the total elimination of nuclear arms but talks have been deadlocked for more than 20 years.Other talks between the five declared nuclear powers that have ratified the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) - China, United States, Russia, France and the United Kingdom - are ongoing and a meeting is planned in London next month.However, Wood said this was not the right framework for nuclear arms talks with Beijing.In his speech, China's disarmament Ambassador Li Song did not refer to its own nuclear stockpiles but called for cooperation among nuclear powers and made a thinly-veiled swipe at the Trump administration.Li called for a commitment to multilateralism, "with no exceptions, least of all the big power which shoulders a special responsibility for international peace and security and who is not expected to play the role of a 'spoiler' to our collective efforts and to withdraw from treaties."


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Germany at UNSC calls on Iran to recognize Israel

Germany and Great Britain called on Iran to officially recognize Israel during the United Nations Security Council mostly meeting on the Middle East peace process.“There is one point I want to highlight, this is an Appeal to Iran to finally recognize Israeli and to recognize the right of existence of Israel,” said German Ambassador Christoph Heusgen.“I’d like echo what the German Ambassador said about recognition of Israel,” British Ambassador Karen Pierce said.They both spoke after a speech by Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon who reached out to the Iranian people speaking of their rich history and heritage. Israel considers the Iranian people as a “partner in building a better future in the Middle East – the Iranian people,” Danon said.He called on the UNSC support the Iranian people by sanctioning the ruling regime that was oppressing them.Unfortunately the Iranian people are ruled by regime that is the “biggest threat to peace and security in the region,” said Danon.That regime is enriching uranium, supports and funds terror, shoots at innocent passengers and has lied to the international community to cover up its “fatal actions that took the lives of 176 passengers and crew aboard the Ukrainian-Air flight,” Danon said.“It is incredible to think of the great contrast between your rich history and your current regime. It is absurd that the people who invented human rights and protected the freedom of religion are ruled by a regime that tramples both,” Danon said.The Israeli Ambassador spoke for a moment in Persian to say, “ Israel is on your side.”He noted the courageous risks the protestors in Iran were taking and highlight the plight one Iranian teenagers Nikta Esfandani, age 14, who was short and killed by the Iranian regime.“She was fourteen years old. And if that wasn’t enough of a tragedy, the regime then tried to cover up her death. They first announced that there was a different cause to her death and then they forced her parents to say that she died from poisoning. It appears that all options are on the table with the regime, except for taking responsibility,” Danon said.He also referred the resignation of Gelare Jabbari, an anchor for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, who upon resigning following the downing the of the Ukrainian plane said, “forgive me for the thirteen years I told you lies.”It’s expected that by March 57 million Iranians will be living below the poverty line, but Iran has spent at least 30 billion to support Shyrian President Bashar al-Assad. “Every year it transfers seven-hundred million dollars to Hezbollah and one-hundred million dollars to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” Danon said adding that Iran has spent 100 billion on its nuclear program.“The international community must support the Iranian people. We must not allow their voices to be silenced by internet shutdowns, imprisonment and death.“More pressure must be applied on the regime. Now is the time to make sure that all sanctions and embargoes continue and to put new ones in place. It is the only way to keep the Iranian people and the entire world safe,” Danon said.US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft said that the security council had not done enough to halt Iranian terror and violence and to stop it from working to destroy Israel."Despite a long history of advocating for the obliteration of Israel and aggressively undermining regional peace and security, Iran too often escapes serious scrutiny by this body,” Craft said.Our failure to address Iran’s central role in destabilizing the region sends a powerfully damaging message to those seeking lasting peace and prosperity in the region. It only encourages further instability, which puts the peace we all seek at greater risk.“Israel has no better friend than the United States, and will I say it again today. Whether it is reminding the world of what Israel has done to make the substantive contributions to global peace and prosperity, or of what Iran is doing to frustrate efforts towards peace,” Craft said.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Netanyahu to Gantz: I shall put you to the test concerning Jordan Valley

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted on Tuesday that he is glad Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is backing the idea of annexing the Jordan Valley.“I expect yours, and Blue and White’s full support in this historical move,” he wrote, “soon I will put you to the test.”Netanyahu said he will present the Knesset with a bill to annex the Jordan Valley next week.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--Incendiary balloons spotted in the Negev

Police spotted a cluster of incendiary balloons attached to a small glider in Ramat Hovav in the Negev, Ynet reported. Police were called as it was suspected the balloons may have come from the Gaza Strip and might pose a threat. An Israel Police bomb disposal unit arrived at the scene and reported the situation n olonger poses any threat to civilians.


jerusalempost--2020-01-21--US decries Iran threat to withdraw from global nuclear treaty

GENEVA - A US envoy said on Tuesday that Iran's threat to quit the global nuclear treaty if European countries refer Tehran to the U.N. Security Council after declaring it in violation of a 2015 pact would send a "very, very negative message."Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, in remarks carried by IRNA and other Iranian news agencies on Monday, said: "If the Europeans continue their improper behavior or send Iran's file to the Security Council, we will withdraw from the NPT."Robert Wood, US disarmament ambassador, noting talks set for April on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), told reporters in Geneva: "Here we are on the eve of a review conference that Iran is threatening to walk away from."We think that Iran needs to end its malign behavior and sit down with the United States and negotiate an agreement that deals not only with the nuclear issue but also with the other issues that concern us like the ballistic missile proliferation and development and the malign activities around the world,” he said.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--White House: Oppose annexing Jordan Valley before peace plan roll out

The Trump administration has urged Israel to hold back from unilaterally annexing the Jordan Valley, recommending that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wait for the US peace plan instead.Netanyahu has spoken of Jordan Valley annexation since the summer, and it has been presumed that the Trump administration would support such a move or at the very least not oppose it.On Tuesday, Netanyahu indicated he is weighing bringing Jordan Valley annexation to the cabinet for a vote on Sunday and then to the Knesset for ratification on Tuesday, where it is expected to easily pass.A senior administration official, however, told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday the US prefers Israel wait for the Trump peace plan, often referred to as the “Deal of the Century.” Recent reports have indicated that the peace plan will be rolled out and unveiled within the coming weeks.Jared Kushner, senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, and Avi Berkowitz, special representative for international negotiations, postponed their trip to Israel and will not arrive as previously scheduled, the Post has confirmed.Israel Hayom first reported that the US peace team will not travel to Israel. Instead, the team returned to Washington on Air Force 1 together with Trump just hours before they were set to land in Tel Aviv. Trump administration official told the Post the team decided to skip the trip “after their flight was delayed due to weather conditions.”It was not immediately clear if the peace team is going to reschedule the trip, which was supposed to be a crucial step before making the decision whether to roll out the peace plan before Israel’s elections in March.The team was supposed to meet in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, as well as other potential meetings with leaders attending the World Holocaust Forum.Now, the peace plan is yet again thrown into limbo. In the last few days, Kushner and Berkowitz held meetings with Middle East officials to discuss a possible release of the document. Berkowitz also met with other Arab officials in London. It seemed like the most serious push by the peace team to roll out the plan.Kushner’s team did not provide further information about their plans regarding a possible visit to Israel and regarding the time frame to decide on the plan’s release.Netanyahu had initially said he would only act on annexation upon formation of a government. But he is under pressure from the right-wing party Yamina headed by Defense Minister Naftali Bennett to take action now. To help force the matter, the party has linked annexation with support for Netanyahu’s quest for parliamentary immunity.On Tuesday, Palestinian Authority Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour told the UN Security Council that immediate action was needed to halt pending Israeli annexation.All five European members of the council warned Israel against taking such a step: France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Estonia.UN Special Coordinator to the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov tweeted on Wednesday that “the annexation of some or all of Area C in the #WestBank, if implemented, would deal a devastating blow to the potential of reviving #Israeli #Palestinian negotiations, advancing regional #peace, and the essence of the two-state solution. #UN.”On Wednesday morning prior to reports about the White House’s objections, Netanyahu tweeted about his plans to push forward with annexation.“I will apply sovereignty on the Jordan Valley,” Netanyahu tweeted.Shas announced on Wednesday morning that it would support the measure should it come before the Knesset, which is expected to convene on Tuesday to discuss the formation of a committee to deal with the issue of parliamentary immunity for Netanyahu.“This is a historic opportunity,” Religious Affairs Minister and Shas party head Arye Deri said. “Shas will support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s initiative to apply sovereignty and calls on all parties to do so as well to secure a broad national consensus that will send a strong message to the world that Israel is united on this important issue.”Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman said his party supported the move. It had attempted unsuccessfully to advance a Knesset bill on sovereignty in Judea and Samaria in December, he said, adding that Netanyahu could use his bill.Liberman urged Netanyahu to include in his initiative places in Area C for the West Bank, such as Gush Etzion, Ma’aleh Adumim, Givat Ze’ev and Ariel.He accused Netanyahu of caring about the sovereignty issue only because it played well for him electorally and could shore up legislative support to grant him immunity. Netanyahu could have done it anytime in the last 10 years when he was in power, Liberman said.Bennett is urging Netanyahu to take action on Jordan Valley sovereignty, even though Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit has frowned on the move.Bennett tweeted: “I call on @netanyahu to bring a government vote this coming Sunday on the matter of Jordan Valley sovereignty, and then bring the order to the Knesset’s approval on Tuesday. Only tangible actions will decide the matter.”On Monday, Transportation Minister Bezalel Smotrich (Yamina) wrote to Netanyahu to ask if he would take such a step. He suggested that the vote could be held in conjunction with Tuesday’s anticipated vote on the immunity committee.Rumors that swirled last week that he might act on the matter became more acute on Tuesday when Netanyahu dropped hints about an annexation move prior to the election.He was spurred not just by Smotrich but also by a trip Blue and White Party head Benny Gantz made to the northern region of the Dead Sea. While there, Gantz told reporters he supported the inclusion of that area and the Jordan Valley within Israel’s sovereign borders but would push the matter only after elections.Gantz said he did not want to do it unilaterally, only multilaterally with an internationally agreed process. He did not address the international’s community stiff objection to Israeli sovereignty in that area.Smotrich criticized Gantz’s and Netanyahu’s need for international approval, saying on Army Radio: “It’s kind of like eating steak in coordination with vegan organizations. You don’t have to wait for international approval. You have to set facts on the ground.“If the Knesset convenes anyway, the proposal can be approved by a large majority as early as Tuesday,” he said. “We have an extraordinary window of opportunity.”On Tuesday, Netanyahu chided Gantz on twitter to prove that he really supported Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley.“I expect your full support and that of Blue and White for this historic process. I stand you to the test on this very soon,” he said.Netanyahu dropped a similar hint at a Likud campaign rally in Jerusalem on Tuesday night when he said: “We’ll apply Israeli sovereignty on the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea without delay and without any veto by [Joint List MK] Ahmad Tibi.”Should the matter come to a vote, Netanyahu likely would have the support of Bayit Yehudi, the New Right, Likud, Yisrael Beytenu, Shas and United Torah Judaism. That would give him at least 63 votes.Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--Rocket fire closes Tripoli's airport again

A plane coming from Tunis trying to land at Tripoli 's Mitiga airport had been diverted to Misrata , a @ @ @ @ @ miles ) east of Tripoli , the airport said on its website .

The only functioning airport in Libya's capital Tripoli closed on Wednesday after rockets were fired towards it, the airport said in a statement.
A plane coming from Tunis trying to land at Tripoli's Mitiga airport had been diverted to Misrata, a city about 200km (125 miles) east of Tripoli, the airport said on its website.
Mitiga had only reopened on Jan. 14 after months of closure following repeated air strikes, part of a nine-month campaign by eastern forces commanded by Khalifa Haftar to seize Tripoli from the internationally recognized government.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--Blue and White launches campaign among Ethiopian immigrants

The Blue and White party began a special campaign in the Ethiopian immigrant sector on Wednesday .
The campaign began @ @ @ @ @ defected last week from Blue and White to Likud .
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted @ @ @ @ @ launching the Likud campaign for the March 2 election on Tuesday in Jerusalem .
`` @ @ @ @ @ not for sale , '' a new Blue and White advertisement said .
`` OK @ @ @ @ @ '' The campaign , which will be headed by Blue and White MK and Ethiopian @ @ @ @ @ conduct events all over the country that will be organized by hundreds of volunteers and @ @ @ @ @ will accuse Netanyahu of making promises to Ethiopian immigrants before elections and never keeping them @

The Blue and White party began a special campaign in the Ethiopian immigrant sector on Wednesday.
The campaign began after Ethiopian-born MK Gadi Yevarkan defected last week from Blue and White to Likud. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted Yevarkan warmly at an event launching the Likud campaign for the March 2 election on Tuesday in Jerusalem.
"Bibi, Ethiopian immigrants are not for sale," a new Blue and White advertisement said. "OK, maybe only one."


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--UN envoy: annexation will deal a 'devastating blow' to the peace process

His remarks came following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's recent statements on Israel 's plans to annex the Jordan Valley @

His remarks came following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent statements on Israel's plans to annex the Jordan Valley.
UN Envoy to the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov said on Wednesday that, "if the annexation of part, or all, of Area C in the West Bank is implemented by Israel, it will deal a devastating blow to the peace process."


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--Trump at Davos says climate change not hoax

Trump , who has sparred back and forth with the teenage climate activist , made the comments in a press @ @ @ @ @ about to depart the annual World Economic Forum meeting in the Swiss ski resort .
@ @ @ @ @ beat me out on Time magazine '' - a reference to her winning the Time @ @ @ @ @ award .

U.S. President Donald Trump said he doesn't think climate change is a hoax and would have loved to have seen Greta Thunberg speak while he was at Davos.
Trump, who has sparred back and forth with the teenage climate activist, made the comments in a press briefing just before he was about to depart the annual World Economic Forum meeting in the Swiss ski resort.
He noted that Thunberg "beat me out on Time magazine" - a reference to her winning the Time 'Person of the Year' award.
He also said that she should shift her attention away from the United States to focus on "those dirtier places."


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--IDF investigates to see if 'women in tanks' pilot data was distorted

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The IDF launched an investigation into whether the results of the pilot program for the integration of women into the Armored Corps were purposely distorted to fail it.Chief Armored Corps Officer Guy Hasson met with Lt. Gen. Assaf Livni and other top commanders on Wednesday to assess the program's level success, and whether the results were skewed.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--Rouhani: Iran will never seek nuclear weapons, with or without deal

DUBAI - Iran 's president told European powers on Wednesday not to copy the United States by undermining Tehran's strained nuclear pact with world powers, and said Tehran would not seek nuclear weapons whether or not the deal survived.Britain, France and Germany launched a dispute mechanism in the 2015 nuclear deal this month, accusing Iran of violating the deal that has become increasingly frayed since Washington pulled out in 2018 and then reimposed sanctions on Tehran.The dispute mechanism could ultimately lead to the case being referred to the UN Security Council to restore UN sanctions. Iranian officials have threatened a range of steps if this should happen, including quitting the 2015 deal or even withdrawing from the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), basis for global nuclear arms control since the Cold War.Iran has gradually rolled back its commitments under the 2015 deal, arguing that it has a right to do so because European countries failed to protect it from US sanctions.This month, the escalating crisis briefly flared into a military exchange between Iran and the United States.Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on his website President.Ir on Wednesday that the United States had made a mistake by quitting the 2015 pact."Do you want to make the same mistake? ... I am emphasizing that if the Europeans make a mistake and violate the deal, they will be responsible for the consequences of their actions."US President Donald Trump says his "maximum pressure" campaign aims to drive Iran towards a broader deal that will further curb Tehran's nuclear work, end its missile program and halt proxy wars in the Middle East.The three European powers have shown greater readiness to work towards what the British prime minister dubbed a "Trump deal." France has said it might be time for a broader pact."In the current context, France is determined that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, but also that we avoid all military escalation in the region," French President Emmanuel Macron said during a trip to Israel.'COMMITTED TO THE DEAL'Iran has always insisted its nuclear program was only for peaceful purposes, pointing to monitoring of its work by the U.N. watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."With or without the nuclear deal or the IAEA's safeguards, whether our relation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog is good or bad, Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons," Rouhani said.Rouhani's chief of staff, Mahmoud Vaezi, had earlier said one of Tehran's possible responses to the crisis would be to withdraw from the 2015 deal. Rouhani said of the pact: "We do not want to destroy it and we are still committed to the deal."After months of rising tension, the crisis flared into open conflict this month. Trump ordered the killing in Baghdad of Iran's most prominent military commander on Jan. 3, prompting Tehran to launch missiles at U.S. targets in Iraq on Jan. 8.In the tense aftermath, Iran's military shot down an airliner by mistake, igniting protests at home and adding to pressure on Tehran from abroad.Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Europe had yielded to pressure from Washington by launching the dispute mechanism in the nuclear pact, the JCPOA. He has cited a threat of U.S. tariffs if European capitals did not take action."When E3 sold out remnants of #JCPOA to avoid Trump tariffs last week, I warned that it would only whet his appetite," he tweeted. "EU would do better to exert its sovereignty."European diplomats say they would have triggered the dispute mechanism regardless of any US tariff threats.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--Trump: US has plan to contain coronavirus

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum ( WEF ) annual meeting in Davos , Switzerland , Trump @ @ @ @ @ have a plan and we think it is going to be handled very well .
@ @ @ @ @ very well .
The CDC ( Center for Disease Control ) is terrific .
Very @ @ @

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States has a plan in place to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said:
"We do have a plan and we think it is going to be handled very well. We've already handled it very well. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) is terrific. Very professional..."
The death toll from a new flu-like coronavirus in China rose to nine on Wednesday with 440 confirmed cases, Chinese health officials said as authorities stepped up efforts to control the outbreak.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--UN welcomes new Lebanese government, will help with economic crisis

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the formation of a new Lebanese government on Tuesday and will work with the new premier to support reforms in the heavily indebted country grappling with an urgent economic crisis.A statement issued by Guterres' spokesperson also said the United Nations was committed to supporting "Lebanon's strengthening of its sovereignty, stability and political independence."Lebanon formed a new government under Prime Minister Hassan Diab after the Shi'ite Hezbollah movement and its allies agreed on a cabinet after weeks of wrangling over portfolios.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--Cathay: cabin crew can wear masks on mainland China flights due to virus

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd will allow cabin crew to wear a surgical mask while operating mainland China flights due to concerns over a new coronavirus, and passengers to Wuhan to change or cancel flights without charge through Feb. 15.The airline's flight attendant had on Tuesday called for permission to wear masks on all flights globally as cases have also been confirmed in the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.The coronavirus outbreak, which began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, struck as millions of Chinese prepared to travel for the Lunar New Year, heightening contagion risks.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--Airlines scour the world for scarce 737 MAX simulators

That means thousands of pilots from more than 54 airlines need to squeeze into about three dozen 737 MAX simulators around the world before they can fly the plane .
`` Boeing is recommending that all 737 MAX pilots undergo training in a 737 MAX simulator prior to flying the aircraft in commercial service , '' the company told Reuters on Tuesday evening , the first confirmation of its new policy .
On Jan. 7 , the company had recommended using a simulator but did not specify what type .
The 737 MAX has been grounded since March 2019 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to service until regulators approve software changes and training plans .
The estimated 34 737 MAX simulators in service , produced separately by CAE Inc and Textron Inc 's simulator and training division TRU , are less than a quarter of the number of older 737 NG simulators certified by U.S. and European regulators .
`` I think that what a shortage of simulators will mean is the fleet of MAXes will start flying more slowly than what the airlines would like , '' said Gudmundur Orn Gunnarsson , managing director of TRU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Icelandair and Textron 's simulator and training division .
`` In the beginning it was said that simulator training would not be needed , '' he said .
`` This changes it totally . ''
Gunnarsson said TRU Flight Training Iceland had more inquiries than usual from potential airline customers about the use of its 737 MAX simulator since Boeing 's Jan. 7 announcement .
Boeing said on Tuesday it did not expect to win approval for returning the 737 MAX to service until mid-year , longer than previous estimates , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilot training requirements .
Many airlines did not order 737 MAX simulators , assuming they could rely on the older 737 NG simulators because the types were so similar .
Simulators can cost C $ 10 million ( $ 7.64 million ) to C $ 20 million each , with the 737 MAX at the upper end , CAE said .
Hourly rates for simulator training can cost $ 500 to $ 1,000 , it said .
High demand for 737 MAX simulators has led the Montreal-company and its rival TRU to produce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line up .
`` Customers are making increasing inquiries from all over the globe , '' a TRU spokeswoman said .
South Korean low-cost carrier Eastar Jet , which does not have a 737 MAX simulator , said it had already contacted Boeing , other airlines and training centers .
`` With limited MAX simulators available , we expect carriers will likely face challenges to book slots for MAX simulators , '' said an Eastar official , who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to buy a 737 MAX simulator to help save on the costs and lost productivity of sending pilots to Singapore , Australia and the United States for training , said its chief operating officer , Paul Doherty .
The carrier uses its simulator 35 % to 42 % of the available hours to train its 70 737 pilots and had plans to sell the additional time .
Now it is getting calls from airlines thousands of miles away .
`` We have got interest ... particularly from Asia , '' Doherty said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Our focus is to really develop our own pilots and to provide the best for Fiji Airways , but we are also very happy to help other airlines that need some time .
That could be a real choke point , I think , for a lot of airlines . ''
Panamanian carrier Copa Holdings SA , the only Latin American airline with a 737 MAX simulator , said it was seeing a lot of demand , although it was not authorized to disclose the interested carriers .
Copa said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own 245 pilots .
U.S. airlines have more simulators than many of their counterparts abroad , but they also have more 737 pilots to train , which could be done in stages .
Before Boeing 's recommendations for simulator training , Southwest Airlines Co , the world 's largest 737 operator , had estimated it would take about 30 days to train all of its roughly 10,000 737 pilots on the MAX .
On Tuesday , the Dallas-based carrier said it would be premature to make cost and timing estimates before regulators approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has three simulators in various stages of FAA certification and expects to receive an additional three in late 2020 .

Airlines are scrambling to book time in 737 MAX training facilities as far afield as Fiji, Iceland and Panama, operators said, after Boeing Co recommended pilots be trained in one of the few simulators replicating the latest model.
That means thousands of pilots from more than 54 airlines need to squeeze into about three dozen 737 MAX simulators around the world before they can fly the plane.
"Boeing is recommending that all 737 MAX pilots undergo training in a 737 MAX simulator prior to flying the aircraft in commercial service," the company told Reuters on Tuesday evening, the first confirmation of its new policy.
On Jan. 7, the company had recommended using a simulator but did not specify what type.
The 737 MAX has been grounded since March 2019 after two fatal crashes and cannot return to service until regulators approve software changes and training plans.
The estimated 34 737 MAX simulators in service, produced separately by CAE Inc and Textron Inc's simulator and training division TRU, are less than a quarter of the number of older 737 NG simulators certified by U.S. and European regulators.
"I think that what a shortage of simulators will mean is the fleet of MAXes will start flying more slowly than what the airlines would like," said Gudmundur Orn Gunnarsson, managing director of TRU Flight Training Iceland, a joint venture between Icelandair and Textron's simulator and training division.
"In the beginning it was said that simulator training would not be needed," he said. "This changes it totally."
SIMULATORS SCARCE
Gunnarsson said TRU Flight Training Iceland had more inquiries than usual from potential airline customers about the use of its 737 MAX simulator since Boeing's Jan. 7 announcement.
Boeing said on Tuesday it did not expect to win approval for returning the 737 MAX to service until mid-year, longer than previous estimates, in part because regulators are working on new pilot training requirements.
Many airlines did not order 737 MAX simulators, assuming they could rely on the older 737 NG simulators because the types were so similar.
Simulators can cost C$10 million ($7.64 million) to C$20 million each, with the 737 MAX at the upper end, CAE said. Hourly rates for simulator training can cost $500 to $1,000, it said.
High demand for 737 MAX simulators has led the Montreal-company and its rival TRU to produce simulators for customers they have yet to line up.
"Customers are making increasing inquiries from all over the globe," a TRU spokeswoman said.
South Korean low-cost carrier Eastar Jet, which does not have a 737 MAX simulator, said it had already contacted Boeing, other airlines and training centers.
"With limited MAX simulators available, we expect carriers will likely face challenges to book slots for MAX simulators," said an Eastar official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.
SELLING TIME
Fiji Airways spent more than $10 million to buy a 737 MAX simulator to help save on the costs and lost productivity of sending pilots to Singapore, Australia and the United States for training, said its chief operating officer, Paul Doherty.
The carrier uses its simulator 35% to 42% of the available hours to train its 70 737 pilots and had plans to sell the additional time. Now it is getting calls from airlines thousands of miles away.
"We have got interest ... particularly from Asia," Doherty said. "We are expecting some from the U.S. Our focus is to really develop our own pilots and to provide the best for Fiji Airways, but we are also very happy to help other airlines that need some time. That could be a real choke point, I think, for a lot of airlines."
Panamanian carrier Copa Holdings SA, the only Latin American airline with a 737 MAX simulator, said it was seeing a lot of demand, although it was not authorized to disclose the interested carriers. Copa said it its top priority was to train its own 245 pilots.
U.S. airlines have more simulators than many of their counterparts abroad, but they also have more 737 pilots to train, which could be done in stages.
Before Boeing's recommendations for simulator training, Southwest Airlines Co, the world's largest 737 operator, had estimated it would take about 30 days to train all of its roughly 10,000 737 pilots on the MAX.
On Tuesday, the Dallas-based carrier said it would be premature to make cost and timing estimates before regulators approved a training package.
The airline said it has three simulators in various stages of FAA certification and expects to receive an additional three in late 2020.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--Macau confirms first new coronavirus case - Xinhua

Macau confirmed on Wednesday its first case of pneumonia linked to an outbreak of a new coronavirus strain in the central mainland China city of Wuhan, China's state news agency Xinhua said.The death toll from the new flu-like coronavirus in China rose to nine on Wednesday with 440 confirmed cases. The virus, originating in Wuhan at the end of last year, has spread to Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--China says new virus adapting and mutating

The coronavirus originated from a market with illegal widelife transactions , Gao Fu , the director-general of China 's Center @ @ @ @ @ , told a news briefing .

A new virus that has killed nine people is adapting and mutating, underscoring the challenges for health authorities in controlling the outbreak, a Chinese health official said on Wednesday.
The coronavirus originated from a market with illegal widelife transactions, Gao Fu, the director-general of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told a news briefing.
The virus, originating in the central city of Wuhan at the end of last year, has spread to Beijing and Shanghai, as well as overseas to the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--China takes more measures to protect healthcare workers in virus outbreak

Infection of medical staff in the outbreak shows there are loopholes in treatment methods , Jiao Yahui told a press @ @ @ @

China is taking more strict measures in hospitals to protect healthcare workers in the new coronavirus outbreak, and will increase training for healthcare workers nationwide, officials from the country's health commission said on Wednesday.
Infection of medical staff in the outbreak shows there are loopholes in treatment methods, Jiao Yahui told a press briefing in Beijing.
Gao Fu, head of China's Disease Control Centre, also told the briefing that authorities are still learning about the new virus, when asked to compare its deadliness to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--Father fends off mountain lion that attacked his 3-year-old son in California

The man told authorities that he and his family of six were hiking on a trail at the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Orange County on Monday when the cougar pounced , said Captain Patrick Foy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife .
`` A mountain lion came out of a tree and attacked his son right in front of him , ” Foy said .
The cougar latched on to the boy with its jaws , and the man shouted aggressively and lunged at the predator .
The man then threw his backpack at the cougar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boy and fled up a tree with the pack in its mouth , he said .
The boy sustained claw and bite wounds to his torso and neck and was treated and released from a hospital , Foy said .
Wildlife officials tracked the lion , and a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff ’ s Office shot and killed the animal , authorities said .
DNA samples taken from the dead animal and the victim confirmed that it was the cougar that attacked the child , Foy said .
Members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not want to be publicly identified , said in a statement read at a news conference that “ our little boy is fine ” and that the family “ will be back on the trail soon.
” Foy said that mountain lion attacks on humans were “ extraordinarily rare , ” noting that just 16 cougar attacks on people had been documented in California in the past 100 years .
Three of those were fatal , including one deadly attack at the same park .
The park remained closed until further notice @ @ @ @

A local sheriff's deputy has killed the mountain lion that attacked and wounded a 3-year-old child in a Southern California wilderness park before the boy's father chased the cougar off, state wildlife officials said on Tuesday.
The man told authorities that he and his family of six were hiking on a trail at the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Orange County on Monday when the cougar pounced, said Captain Patrick Foy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
"A mountain lion came out of a tree and attacked his son right in front of him,” Foy said. The cougar latched on to the boy with its jaws, and the man shouted aggressively and lunged at the predator.
The man then threw his backpack at the cougar, Foy said, which let go of the boy and fled up a tree with the pack in its mouth, he said.
The boy sustained claw and bite wounds to his torso and neck and was treated and released from a hospital, Foy said.
Wildlife officials tracked the lion, and a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed the animal, authorities said.
DNA samples taken from the dead animal and the victim confirmed that it was the cougar that attacked the child, Foy said.
Members of the boy’s family, who did not want to be publicly identified, said in a statement read at a news conference that “our little boy is fine” and that the family “will be back on the trail soon.”
Foy said that mountain lion attacks on humans were “extraordinarily rare,” noting that just 16 cougar attacks on people had been documented in California in the past 100 years.
Three of those were fatal, including one deadly attack at the same park. The park remained closed until further notice, officials said.
California has a mountain lion population of about 4,000 to 6,000, Foy added.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--China says virus cases rise to 440, with 9 deaths

China's National Health Commission said on Wednesday 440 people in 13 Chinese provinces were confirmed to be infected with a new coronavirus as of Tuesday, with nine deaths, and that there was evidence of respiratory transmission from patient to patient.The number of cases compares with the total of over 300 reported earlier as of Tuesday. Li Bin, vice minister of the commission, also told a media briefing that live animals were not allowed to enter Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the outbreak originated.


jerusalempost--2020-01-22--China says Pompeo spoke 'irresponsibly' in Costa Rica remarks

China said on Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke "irresponsibly" in remarks he made criticizing Chinese economic cooperation during a visit to Costa Rica.The Chinese embassy in Costa Rica said Pompeo's comments that Chinese cooperation produces debt dependency and erosion of sovereignty were "arbitrary and without grounds."