jerusalempost--2020-01-31--Benny Gantz: Netanyahu removed Hamas' deterrence

Gantz was responded to rockets fired by Hamas that struck southern Israel on Thursday evening .
Three rockets entered Israel @ @ @ @ @ two of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome system and one which landed in @ @ @ @ @ College in Sderot .
Gantz also responded to the injuries sustained yesterday by a mother @ @ @ @ @ injured in the panic that ensued from the sirens , saying `` I wish her @ @ @ @ @

Gantz was responded to rockets fired by Hamas that struck southern Israel on Thursday evening. Three rockets entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, two of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome system and one which landed in an open field near Sapir College in Sderot.
Gantz also responded to the injuries sustained yesterday by a mother and her baby who were injured in the panic that ensued from the sirens, saying "I wish her a speedy recovery."
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz wrote on his Twitter account on Friday morning that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "removed the deterrence" and that "southern residents became hostages to Hamas and its metrics that set their lives in check."


jerusalempost--2020-01-31--Mongolia closes border to China until March 2 to stop virus

It will give its citizens currently in China until Feb. 6 to return home , however , though non-Chinese foreign @ @ @ @ @ not be able to do so via China .
Mongolia , which is landlocked between @ @ @ @ @ not yet reported any coronavirus cases .
The government said it would work to repatriate @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , the epicenter of the outbreak .

It will give its citizens currently in China until Feb. 6 to return home, however, though non-Chinese foreign nationals traveling to Mongolia will not be able to do so via China.
Mongolia, which is landlocked between Russia and China, has not yet reported any coronavirus cases. The government said it would work to repatriate 30 Mongolian citizens now in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.
Mongolia will close all ports of entry from and into China until March 2 to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, the government said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-01-31--Plane leaves Wuhan with 83 Britons and 27 foreigners aboard

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

BEIJING - A plane carrying 83 British and 27 foreign nationals flew out on Friday from China's central city of Wuhan, the center of a virus epidemic that has killed more than 200 and infected more than 9,000, the British government said.The civilian aircraft chartered by the Foreign Office left Wuhan at 9.45 a.m., the government said in a notice on its website.It is due to arrive at 1 p.m. in Britain later on Friday, before continuing on to Spain, where the home countries of European Union citizens will take responsibility for the remaining passengers."We know how distressing the situation has been for those waiting to leave," Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, according to the notice. "We have been working round the clock to clear the way for a safe departure."


jerusalempost--2020-01-31--Coronavirus: Americans should not travel to China, says State Department

WASHINGTON , Jan 30 ( Reuters ) - The US State Department increased its travel advisory for China on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ from a fast spreading virus rose to over 200 and the World Health Organization declared @ @ @ @ @ In a notice posted on its website , the State Department said : `` Do @ @ @ @ @ to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan , China . ''

WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The US State Department increased its travel advisory for China on Thursday, as the death toll from a fast spreading virus rose to over 200 and the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency.
In a notice posted on its website, the State Department said: "Do not travel to China due to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China."


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Three explosive balloons found in southern Israel

Video released by the units show a tear gas grenade with a fuse that eventually causes the grenade to release large amounts of the gas. An explosive balloon detonated next to a home in the kibbutz of Kfar Aza on Monday evening, as explosive balloons continued to enter southern Israel, according to Ynet. No injuries or damage were reported in the incident. Soon afterwards, a road near Nahal Oz in southern Israel was closed due to explosive balloons. The units that launch explosive and incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip have warned that they will start launching balloons carrying tear gas grenades in the coming days, according to Ynet.Video released by the units show a tear gas grenade with a fuse that eventually causes the grenade to release large amounts of the gas.An explosive balloon detonated next to a home in the kibbutz of Kfar Aza on Monday evening, as explosive balloons continued to enter southern Israel, according to Ynet. No injuries or damage were reported in the incident. Soon afterwards, a road near Nahal Oz in southern Israel was closed due to explosive balloons.
Eight explosive balloons were reportedly seen in Israel on Monday.
Three balloons were reported by the Eshkol Regional Council. One detonated in the air and the other two were handled by security forces; no damage or injuries were reported. A fourth balloon was found in a field in the Merhavim Regional Council and was handled by a police sapper.
Multiple balloons were found near Sderot and Kiryat Gat, according to Israel Police. Police sappers handled the incidents. The incident next to Kiryat Gat led to a road being closed while the balloon was handled.
An explosive balloon landed near train tracks near the southern city of Netivot, forcing the train traffic in the area to stop for a short time, according to Ynet.
The Israel Police continues to stress that all cases in which a suspicious object is spotted should be reported to by calling 100.
The security coordinator for the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, Ziv Welch, used a drone to capture video of the charge on a balloon found in Netiv Ha'Asarah exploding on Sunday, according to a statement by the regional council. "It is forbidden to touch the object, and curious people should be distanced [from the scene] until Israel Police officers arrive to the scene," said the police in a statement. "Police sappers are authorized to handle suspicious objects and have professional protection equipment that is intended for this."The security coordinator for the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, Ziv Welch, used a drone to capture video of the charge on a balloon found in Netiv Ha'Asarah exploding on Sunday, according to a statement by the regional council. תיעוד: רגע הפיצוץ של בלון נפץ שנחת הבוקר באזור נתיב העשרה@Itsik_zuarets (צילום: ביטחון נתיב העשרה) pic.twitter.com/gIbducOgg2 — כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 2, 2020 "The method of capturing video of the balloon explosions allows [us] to imagine what would happen if the balloons had landed in a kindergarten, God forbid," said Itamar Revivo, head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. "Every day, we are dealing with the continuation of rocket fire [and] the launching of explosive balloons meant to lure children. It is time to take immediate and decisive action to create quiet in communities bordering the "The method of capturing video of the balloon explosions allows [us] to imagine what would happen if the balloons had landed in a kindergarten, God forbid," said Itamar Revivo, head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. "Every day, we are dealing with the continuation of rocket fire [and] the launching of explosive balloons meant to lure children. It is time to take immediate and decisive action to create quiet in communities bordering the Gaza Strip!"


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--US university in Qatar cancels Lebanese band talk after anti-gay backlash

DOHA - An American university canceled an event at its Qatar campus featuring a prominent Middle East band whose singer is openly gay, after an online backlash in the conservative Gulf Arab state sparked safety concerns.Members of Lebanese indie rock band Mashrou' Leila were scheduled to take part in a discussion about "media revolutions in the Middle East" at Northwestern University's Qatar campus on Tuesday.But after hostile online comments against Mashrou' Leila's appearance, Northwestern said it had mutually agreed with the band to move the event to its US campus."The decision to relocate was made out of abundance of caution due to several factors, including safety concerns for the band and our community," Northwestern's Director of Media Relations Jon Yates told Reuters by email.Yates said the university is committed to academic freedom both in Qatar and the United States, and that moving the event would ensure Mashrou' Leila's "ideas and art could be heard."The band's management did not respond to an emailed request for comment.Mashrou' Leila, which has garnered international acclaim for lyrics tackling sectarianism, gender equality and homophobia, has seen its events canceled elsewhere in the region following pressure from conservative groups. The band is a vocal supporter of equal rights for marginalized groups.Critics used an Arabic hashtag on Twitter to demand the event be canceled, with some accusing Mashrou' Leila and Northwestern of spreading views that are against Qatari and Islamic values. Others said they opposed same-sex relationships."This is against our cultural standards and societal norms," one Twitter account posted.Gay sex is punishable by jail in Qatar, which is the same in many Muslim-majority countries.Though conservative, Qatar, a tiny gas-rich state ruled by a one-family absolute monarchy, is perceived as progressive by Gulf standards.On social media, some criticized the decision to cancel the event as self-censorship and denying free speech. Others questioned the level of openness in the country that will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Explosive balloons fall in Palestinian village in West Bank - report

Balloons carrying a grenade landed in the Palestinian village of Majd in the southern area of the Har Hebron Regional @ @ @ @ @ Palestinian sources to Ynet .
The grenade did n't detonate and Palestinian police handled the @ @ @ @ @ located 45 kilometers from the Gaza Strip and the balloons are believed to have been @ @ @ @

Balloons carrying a grenade landed in the Palestinian village of Majd in the southern area of the Har Hebron Regional Council on Sunday, reported Palestinian sources to Ynet.
The grenade didn't detonate and Palestinian police handled the situation. The village is located 45 kilometers from the Gaza Strip and the balloons are believed to have been launched from Gaza.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Hong Kong suspends 4 more border crossings to curb spread of coronavirus

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's leader announced the closure of four more border crossings with mainland China on Monday, leaving just three checkpoints open, but stopped short of demands for the entire border to be closed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.Hong Kong has 15 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, which emerged in central China in December and has killed more than 360 people there and sent jitters through global markets.Carrie Lam, chief executive of Chinese-ruled Hong Kong, was speaking hours after more than 2,500 workers from the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) went on strike to call for the border to be shut and better protection for hospital staff, among other demands. "We should be united if we have the same goal. At this critical moment, (some people are) taking extreme means and it is inevitable it will affect the rights of patients," Lam said."Those using extreme means to try to force the government's hand will not succeed."The Hospital Authority said those using extreme means "to try to force the government and Hospital Authority’s hands will not succeed."Striking workers at the Hospital Authority building booed as they watched Lam speak, calling her a liar and chanting: "Close all borders."The medical workers, members of the newly formed union, held a press conference shortly after Lam spoke and said they planned to keep up their strike action.HAEA chairwoman Winnie Yu said she expected around 9,000 of the alliance's roughly 18,000 members to strike on Tuesday.Pro-democracy protesters have in recent months formed about 40 unions as a way to press their demands on the government and at least a dozen have come out in support of the HAEA's strike.Reflecting concerns in the broader business community, three-quarters of American business leaders polled said they wanted Hong Kong to shut the border with the mainland, according to a survey of 156 executives by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.Lam has rejected calls to shut the entire border, saying such a move would be "inappropriate and impractical" as well as "discriminatory."By making it inconvenient for people to cross the border, Lam said she hoped it would help contain the spread of the virus although she does not "rule out future measures as the situation evolves."The health scare comes after months of at times violent anti-government protests in Hong Kong triggered by fears the city's autonomy, guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" formula, is being eroded by Beijing.China denies meddling and accuses foreign governments of fomenting the unrest.The virus is expected to heap more pressure on the former British colony, which on Monday reported its economy contracted for the first time in a decade in 2019.The HAEA's five demands are for the government to close the border, distribute masks to the public, ensure that front-line medical workers have adequate supplies and protection, provide enough isolation wards for patients and guarantee no reprisals for strikers.Panic-stricken residents have emptied shelves in major supermarkets in Hong Kong, stockpiling meat, rice and cleaning products as fears escalate over the coronavirus.About 90 percent of the city's food is imported, with the bulk coming from the mainland, according to official data.Toy shop owner Lam Wa-yin, 45, said closing the border would intensify worries about supplies of staples."They've started rushing to buy supplies even before they fully close the borders," Lam said."It'll get worse if it is fully closed. Especially food. People have been rushing to buy oil, salt and rice, not to mention the face masks."


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Multiple victims shot on California bus

Multiple victims shot on California bus

A 51-year-old woman was killed and five others were injured in a shooting attack on a Greyhound bus headed from Los Angeles to San Francisco, according to American media outlets.The bus driver was able to pull over and "persuade the shooter" to get out of the bus, Sgt. Brian Pennings with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said, according to NBC News. He added that the suspect left a black handgun behind.Pennings said that the driver "handled the situation professionally and appropriately to minimize any more possible victims." According to NBC News, the driver was not injured.The shooting reportedly took place on Interstate 5 and the bus was carrying 40 people at the time of the shooting. The conditions of the five wounded range from moderate to critical, NBC News reported, adding that one was airlifted to the hospital.The passengers who were not injured were picked up by another Greyhound bus, ABC 7 reported."Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone and every family member impacted by the incident today. We are gathering details and will assist the Kern County police in every way possible during their investigation,"Greyhound wrote in a statement according to ABC 7.A suspect is in custody, according to multiple American media outlets. The motive behind the attack has not been disclosed.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--China says good communication with Taiwan on coronavirus

The Beijing government is sincere in resolving Taiwan 's concerns on the virus and `` measures taken are positive , @ @ @ @ @ Song told the WHO 's executive board in Geneva .
But Li denounced what he @ @ @ @ @ lies and excuses '' related to its inability to attend WHO meetings , where the @ @ @ @ @ a renegade province is represented by the mainland - under WHO rules .

China told the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday that it had shared full information on coronavirus with authorities in Taiwan, where there have been 10 confirmed cases, and that channels of communication across the straits were "unblocked."
The Beijing government is sincere in resolving Taiwan's concerns on the virus and "measures taken are positive," China's delegate Li Song told the WHO's executive board in Geneva.
But Li denounced what he called Taiwan's authorities "lies and excuses" related to its inability to attend WHO meetings, where the island regarded by Beijing as a renegade province is represented by the mainland - under WHO rules.
Earlier, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that China was using "the right strategy" to combat the virus, but did not refer to the Taiwan controversy. "It is time (for the world) to prepare based on the opportunity created now, which is low spread or slow spread" abroad," Tedros said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Sporting events affected due to coronavirus epidemic

* The World Athletics Indoor Championships , which had been scheduled for Nanjing from March 13-15 , were postponed until next year .
World Athletics is working with organizers to settle on a date to host the biennial event in 2021 .
* The Asian Athletics Association canceled its Feb. 12-13 indoor championships in Hangzhou .
* Australian officials are seeking to reschedule AFC Asian Champions League matches after their government imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals arriving from China .
Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG were due to play Perth Glory and Sydney FC next week .
* @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tournament involving China , Australia , Taiwan and Thailand was moved from Wuhan and rearranged to be held in Australia by the AFC .
Organizers were also forced to change the match schedule after China 's team , which arrived in Australia on Jan. 29 , was placed in quarantine in Brisbane until after Feb. 5 .
* The Chinese Football Association said domestic games at all levels would be postponed .
* The all-electric Formula E motor racing series abandoned plans for a race in Sanya on March 21 .
The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Shanghai due to host the Chinese Grand Prix on April 19 .
* The International Tennis Federation moved the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group I event featuring China , Taiwan , Indonesia , South Korea and Uzbekistan out of Dongguan to Nur-Sultan ( formerly Astana ) in Kazakhstan .
But the Feb. 4-8 event was later postponed after Kazakhstan declined to serve as substitute hosts .
* The Feb. 25 to March 1 China Masters tournament in Hainan was postponed after several players withdrew .
The BWF said it hoped the flagship Badminton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan from April 21-26 .
* The International Olympic Committee announced Jordan as hosts of the boxing qualifiers for Asia and Oceania after an event in Wuhan was canceled .
It will now take place in Amman from March 3 to 11 .
* The International Basketball Federation moved the Feb. 6-9 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers to be held in Foshan to Belgrade .
* The elite women 's LPGA golf tour canceled the March 5-8 Blue Bay tournament to be held on Hainan .
* The sixth edition of the Hong Kong Ladies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 28-March 1 , was postponed to May 8-10 .
* The Feb. 14-16 Longines Masters of Hong Kong showjumping leg was canceled .
* The first winter X-Games scheduled to be held in China , in Hebei province from Feb. 21-23 , was postponed .

The following is a list of international sports events affected by the coronavirus, which has killed over 300 people and infected more than 14,000 in China after it first emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province, late last year:
ATHLETICS
* The World Athletics Indoor Championships, which had been scheduled for Nanjing from March 13-15, were postponed until next year. World Athletics is working with organizers to settle on a date to host the biennial event in 2021.
* The Asian Athletics Association canceled its Feb. 12-13 indoor championships in Hangzhou.
SOCCER
* Australian officials are seeking to reschedule AFC Asian Champions League matches after their government imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals arriving from China.
Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG were due to play Perth Glory and Sydney FC next week.
* A four-team women's Olympic soccer qualifying tournament involving China, Australia, Taiwan and Thailand was moved from Wuhan and rearranged to be held in Australia by the AFC.
Organizers were also forced to change the match schedule after China's team, which arrived in Australia on Jan. 29, was placed in quarantine in Brisbane until after Feb. 5.
* The Chinese Football Association said domestic games at all levels would be postponed.
FORMULA E
* The all-electric Formula E motor racing series abandoned plans for a race in Sanya on March 21.
The move puts Formula One in the spotlight, with Shanghai due to host the Chinese Grand Prix on April 19.
TENNIS
* The International Tennis Federation moved the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group I event featuring China, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea and Uzbekistan out of Dongguan to Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana) in Kazakhstan.
But the Feb. 4-8 event was later postponed after Kazakhstan declined to serve as substitute hosts.
BADMINTON
* The Feb. 25 to March 1 China Masters tournament in Hainan was postponed after several players withdrew. The BWF said it hoped the flagship Badminton Asia Championships could still go ahead in Wuhan from April 21-26.
BOXING
* The International Olympic Committee announced Jordan as hosts of the boxing qualifiers for Asia and Oceania after an event in Wuhan was canceled. It will now take place in Amman from March 3 to 11.
BASKETBALL
* The International Basketball Federation moved the Feb. 6-9 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers to be held in Foshan to Belgrade.
GOLF
* The elite women's LPGA golf tour canceled the March 5-8 Blue Bay tournament to be held on Hainan.
* The sixth edition of the Hong Kong Ladies Open, scheduled to take place from Feb. 28-March 1, was postponed to May 8-10.
EQUESTRIAN
* The Feb. 14-16 Longines Masters of Hong Kong showjumping leg was canceled.
ALPINE SKIING
* Skiing's governing body canceled the Feb. 15-16 World Cup in Yanqing.
X-GAMES
* The first winter X-Games scheduled to be held in China, in Hebei province from Feb. 21-23, was postponed.
FUTSAL
* The AFC Futsal Championship that was scheduled to be held in Turkmenistan between Feb. 26 to March 8 has been postponed, with new dates to be announced when the situation stabilizes.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Police arrest two West Ham fans for alleged homophobic gestures

The two men have been released under investigation along with a third West Ham fan arrested on suspicion of common @ @ @ @ @ during the match .
`` Police made three arrests at the West Ham United v @ @ @ @ @ Olympic Stadium on Saturday , Feb. 1 , '' a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said in @ @ @ @ @ male West Ham fans were arrested on suspicion of making homophobic gestures .
One male @ @ @ @ @ fan ) was arrested on suspicion of common assault .
`` They were taken to @ @ @ @ @ they were subsequently released under investigation .
Enquiries continue . ''
West Ham said the @ @ @ @ @ life if found guilty of discriminatory behaviour .
`` West Ham United is disgusted to @ @ @ @ @ at the game against Brighton & Hove Albion , '' the club said .

Two West Ham United fans were arrested on suspicion of making homophobic gestures during Saturday's 3-3 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Olympic Stadium, the Metropolitan Police have said.
The two men have been released under investigation along with a third West Ham fan arrested on suspicion of common assault in a separate incident during the match.
"Police made three arrests at the West Ham United v Brighton football match at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 1," a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said in a statement.
"Two male West Ham fans were arrested on suspicion of making homophobic gestures. One male (also a West Ham fan) was arrested on suspicion of common assault.
"They were taken to east London police stations where they were subsequently released under investigation. Enquiries continue."
West Ham said the fans would be banned for life if found guilty of discriminatory behaviour.
"West Ham United is disgusted to hear of alleged homophobic incidents at the game against Brighton & Hove Albion," the club said.
"The matter is now with the police but anyone found guilty of acting in a discriminatory manner will be banned for life from London Stadium and from travelling with the club."


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--ISIS claims south London attack - Amaq news agency

`` The perpetrator of the attack in Streatham district in south London yesterday is a fighter of Islamic State , @ @ @ @ @ in response to calls to attack the citizens of coalition countries , '' a statement @ @ @ @ @

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a stabbing attack in south London, without giving evidence, the group's Amaq news agency said on Monday.
"The perpetrator of the attack in Streatham district in south London yesterday is a fighter of Islamic State, and carried out the attack in response to calls to attack the citizens of coalition countries," a statement carried by Amaq said.
The assailant in Sunday's attack, who was shot dead by police, had previously praised the Islamic State, shared an online al Qaeda magazine and encouraged his girlfriend to behead her parents.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--UK's Johnson vows action over early release of terrorism offenders

`` We 're bringing forward legislation to stop the system of automatic early release but the difficulty is ... how @ @ @ @ @ the cohort of people who currently qualify , '' Johnson said in a speech in @ @

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that is was time to take action over the early prison release of those convicted of terrorism offenses after an Islamist militant attacked people days after he was freed from jail.
"We're bringing forward legislation to stop the system of automatic early release but the difficulty is ... how to apply that retrospectively to the cohort of people who currently qualify," Johnson said in a speech in London.
"We do think it's time to take action to ensure that people - irrespective of the law we're bringing in - people in the current stream do not qualify automatically for early release."


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Turkey says its overnight death toll up to six in Syria's Idlib

The statement said Turkey was continuing to strike targets in that region of northwest Syria `` in legitimate self defense @ @

A Turkish soldier and a civilian member of the Turkish forces died as a result of wounds inflicted by Syrian government forces' shelling in Idlib on Monday, raising the death toll to six from four in the incident, Turkey's defense ministry said.
The statement said Turkey was continuing to strike targets in that region of northwest Syria "in legitimate self defense."


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Israeli patient with possible coronavirus symptoms reported in Bnei Berak

An Israeli patient affected by symptoms similar to those of the corona virus arrived at a clinic in Bnei Berak on Monday. The doctor referred the patient to the emergency room and alerted the Ministry of Health as required.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Weinstein defense expected to further challenge rape accuser's testimony

Jessica Mann , 34 , testified on Friday that Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel room in March 2013 .
She said she maintained some form of relationship with him for years after that .
Weinstein , 67 , has pleaded not guilty to raping Mann and to sexually assaulting another woman , Mimi Haleyi .
Since 2017 , more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct .
Weinstein , who produced films including “ The English Patient ” and “ Shakespeare in Love , ” has denied any nonconsensual sex .
The trial is widely seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement , in which women have accused powerful men in business , entertainment , media and politics of sexual misconduct .
Mann testified that she met Weinstein in late 2012 or early 2013 at a party in Los Angeles and that he told her he was interested in her as an actress .
Soon after that , Mann said , Weinstein invited her to a hotel suite and forced oral sex on her .
After that , she said , `` I entered into what I thought was going to be a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degrading from that point on , '' she said .
She said she did not have intercourse with Weinstein until he raped her at a hotel in Manhattan in 2013 .
Mann said that eventually , at a Los Angeles hotel , she told Weinstein she had a boyfriend and wanted to end the relationship .
She said Weinstein screamed at her , “ You owe me one more time , ” dragged her into a bedroom and raped her again .
Weinstein is only facing criminal charges over the alleged 2013 rape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of Weinstein 's lawyers , began her cross-examination on Friday afternoon , aggressively questioned Mann 's account and repeatedly suggested she chose to have sex with Weinstein to advance her career .
`` You were manipulating Mr. Weinstein so you ’ d get invited to fancy parties , correct ? ''
she asked .
`` I was not manipulating him , '' Mann answered .
Rotunno asked Mann whether , in 2013 , she thought Weinstein might cast her in a movie , and Mann said she did .
`` You were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to do to make that happen ? ''
Rotunno asked .

A onetime aspiring actress who has said movie producer Harvey Weinstein raped her in the course of an "extremely degrading" relationship is expected to return to Manhattan criminal court on Monday to face further cross-examination.
Jessica Mann, 34, testified on Friday that Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel room in March 2013. She said she maintained some form of relationship with him for years after that.
Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to raping Mann and to sexually assaulting another woman, Mimi Haleyi. Since 2017, more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct.
Weinstein, who produced films including “The English Patient” and “Shakespeare in Love,” has denied any nonconsensual sex.
The trial is widely seen as a milestone in the #MeToo movement, in which women have accused powerful men in business, entertainment, media and politics of sexual misconduct.
Mann testified that she met Weinstein in late 2012 or early 2013 at a party in Los Angeles and that he told her he was interested in her as an actress. Soon after that, Mann said, Weinstein invited her to a hotel suite and forced oral sex on her.
After that, she said, "I entered into what I thought was going to be a real relationship with him and it was extremely degrading from that point on," she said.
She said she did not have intercourse with Weinstein until he raped her at a hotel in Manhattan in 2013.
Mann said that eventually, at a Los Angeles hotel, she told Weinstein she had a boyfriend and wanted to end the relationship. She said Weinstein screamed at her, “You owe me one more time,” dragged her into a bedroom and raped her again.
Weinstein is only facing criminal charges over the alleged 2013 rape in New York.
Donna Rotunno, one of Weinstein's lawyers, began her cross-examination on Friday afternoon, aggressively questioned Mann's account and repeatedly suggested she chose to have sex with Weinstein to advance her career.
"You were manipulating Mr. Weinstein so you’d get invited to fancy parties, correct?" she asked.
"I was not manipulating him," Mann answered.
Rotunno asked Mann whether, in 2013, she thought Weinstein might cast her in a movie, and Mann said she did.
"You were going to continue to do whatever you had to do to make that happen?" Rotunno asked.
"I wouldn’t put it that way," Mann said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Organization of Islamic Cooperation rejects Trump peace plan

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation said on Monday it rejects US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan.The 57-member organization which held a summit to discuss the plan in Jedadh said it "calls on all member states not to engage with this plan or to cooperate with the US administration in implementing it in any form."


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Pressure over French detainees will bring no results

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has urged Iran to free the French nationals , held in prison since last @ @ @ @ @ were both unwell .
One of them is a Franco-Iranian dual national .

Pressuring Iran over two detained French citizens will not achieve results, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has urged Iran to free the French nationals, held in prison since last June, noting that they were both unwell. One of them is a Franco-Iranian dual national.
"The French citizen has had consular access and the Iranian individual has met her family several times. (The French) will not achieve results with these kinds of comments and pressure," Abbas Mousavi said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--China decries travel, visa measures taken against WHO advice on virus

In a speech to the World Health Organization 's Executive Board , which opened a six-day session in Geneva , @ @ @ @ @ international community needed to treat the new virus outbreak objectively , fairly , and not @ @ @ @ @ among the general public .

China on Monday decried some countries for denying entry to people from Hubei province, at the center of the coronavirus outbreak, and canceling of flights, as going against WHO recommendations not to take unnecessary or excessive measures.
In a speech to the World Health Organization's Executive Board, which opened a six-day session in Geneva, China's delegate said the international community needed to treat the new virus outbreak objectively, fairly, and not "deliberately create panic" among the general public.
The Chinese government will continue take a "responsible attitude" toward its people's health, rigorously implement control measures and work to halt further spread of virus, he said. It would continue to share information with the WHO, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan "as always," he added.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Russia still concerned by militant attacks in Syria's Idlib - Kremlin

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would continue to retaliate after Syrian government shelling killed four of its troops and @ @ @ @ @ a close ally of the Syrian government .

The Kremlin said on Monday it is still concerned about attacks by militants in Syria's Idlib region, where Turkish and Syrian forces have clashed in recent days.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would continue to retaliate after Syrian government shelling killed four of its troops and wounded nine. Russia is a close ally of the Syrian government.
"We still remain concerned by the activity of militant groups in this Syrian region," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Chinese cerebral palsy victim dies after caretaker quarantined for virus

`` The local government was not practical and realistic when carrying out work and failed to perform its duty , @ @ @ @ @ Discipline Inspection ( CCDI ) said in a statement .
Yan Cheng , 16 , @ @ @ @ @ , a week after his father , was put into quarantine for the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ the Hong'an town government , Yan 's father had asked his relatives , village officials @ @ @ @ @ care his son .
Yan 's story was one of the top trending stories on @ @ @ @ @ website akin to Twitter .
The Communist Party boss and town chief of Hong'an , @ @ @ @ @ been dismissed .

Chinese authorities removed two officials in Hubei province, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, over the death of a cerebral palsy patient whose father and sole caretaker was taken into quarantine.
"The local government was not practical and realistic when carrying out work and failed to perform its duty," the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a statement.
Yan Cheng, 16, was found dead on Wednesday, a week after his father, was put into quarantine for the virus.
According to the website of the Hong'an town government, Yan's father had asked his relatives, village officials and village doctors to take care his son.
Yan's story was one of the top trending stories on Sina Weibo, a microblogging website akin to Twitter.
The Communist Party boss and town chief of Hong'an, where Yan lived, have been dismissed.
The CCDI on Thursday said that it will severely punish officials who slack off on the job in fighting the new virus that is spreading across the country.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--WHO chief says no need to halt travel to beat China virus

`` We call on all countries to implement decisions that are evidence-based and consistent , '' he told the WHO @ @ @ @ @ earlier message .

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday there was no need for measures that "unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade" in trying to halt the spread of a coronavirus that has killed 361 people in China.
"We call on all countries to implement decisions that are evidence-based and consistent," he told the WHO executive board, reiterating his earlier message.
".. global connectiveness is a weakness in this outbreak but it is also our greatest strength."


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Vietnam says coronavirus epidemic to hurt farm produce exports

The government said last week that cross-border trade between Vietnam and China was `` not encouraged '' and on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ flights to and from China over coronavirus concerns .
`` Limited transport activities will hinder @ @ @ @ @ from the two countries , '' the government said in a statement .
As of @ @ @ @ @ carrying 3,500 tonnes of dragon fruit were stuck at border gates in the northern province @ @ @ @ @ government said .
Exports of milk and seafood have also faced trouble as Chinese importers @ @ @ @ @ the government added .

Vietnam's government said on Monday the coronavirus epidemic will hurt its farm produce exports to China, the Southeast Asian country's largest trading partner.
The government said last week that cross-border trade between Vietnam and China was "not encouraged" and on Sunday announced it would ban all flights to and from China over coronavirus concerns.
"Limited transport activities will hinder farm produce transactions between companies from the two countries," the government said in a statement.
As of Sunday night, 175 trucks carrying 3,500 tonnes of dragon fruit were stuck at border gates in the northern province of Lang Son, the government said.
Exports of milk and seafood have also faced trouble as Chinese importers have postponed taking deliveries, the government added.
Vietnam confirmed an additional three cases of the new coronavirus, the health ministry said, bringing the country's total to eight cases.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Iran will not have bilateral talks with US

`` Iran does not have and will not have any kind of bilateral negotiation with American and this is our @ @ @ @ @ Abbas Mousavi said in a press conference broadcast live on state TV .

Iran will not have bilateral talks with America, Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
"Iran does not have and will not have any kind of bilateral negotiation with American and this is our policy," ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in a press conference broadcast live on state TV.
"What (Iranian authorities) have emphasized is that the Americans should return to the situation before 2017 and remove the unilateral sanctions they have imposed and return to the negotiation table within the framework of 5+1."


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Russia says was not warned about Turkey's operations in Idlib

Turkish air force planes did not violate Syria 's border and no attacks on Syrian troops were recorded , the @ @ @

Russia said on Monday the Turkish military came under fire from Syrian government forces because Russia had not been warned about Turkey's operations in Syria's northwest Idlib region, the Tass news agency cited Russia's Defence Ministry as saying.
Turkish air force planes did not violate Syria's border and no attacks on Syrian troops were recorded, the ministry added.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would continue to retaliate against attacks on its forces in Idlib, after the government said four Turkish soldiers were killed and nine wounded by Syrian government shelling.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Turkey sees Syrian forces as 'targets' around its Idlib posts

`` The ( Syrian ) regime is from now on a target for us in the region after this attack @ @ @ @ @ to shield the regime or protect them because after the clear attack on our armed @ @ @ @ @ our posts are targets , '' Omer Celik said on broadcaster CNN Turk .
He @ @ @ @ @ `` acting like a terrorist organization '' and that talks would be held with Russian @ @ @ @ @ Syrian government , on the situation in the Idlib region .

Turkey will view Syrian government forces as "targets" around Turkish observation posts in Syria's northwest Idlib, a spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party said on Monday after Ankara said four of its soldiers were killed by Syrian shelling.
"The (Syrian) regime is from now on a target for us in the region after this attack. We expect Russia not to shield the regime or protect them because after the clear attack on our armed forces, regime forces around our posts are targets," Omer Celik said on broadcaster CNN Turk.
He added the Syrian government was "acting like a terrorist organization" and that talks would be held with Russian officials, who support the Syrian government, on the situation in the Idlib region.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Hamas-affiliated detainee attacks guard at Ofer Prison

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

Hamas affiliated prisoner Rabia Abu Nawas attacked and injured a guard at the Ofer Prison near Jerusalem, Channel 12 reported on Monday.According to the report, the guard was assaulted while he was checking the cells at 9 a.m. The guard sustained minor injuries and was evacuated to the hospital to for further examination.The Prison Service stated that the incident is now under control and is being handled by the authorities.The facility is located in the West Bank near Jerusalem and holds Palestinian security prisoners.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Britain vows tougher rules for terror convicts after latest London attack

Sudesh Amman , who was jailed in 2018 for `` Islamist-related terrorism offenses '' but released half way through serving his 3-year sentence , was shot dead by police when he began stabbing people on a busy London street .
`` We will announce further plans for fundamental changes to the system for dealing with those convicted of terrorism offenses , '' Johnson said .
`` My thoughts are with the injured victims and their loved ones . ''
British politicians have repeatedly called for tougher rules for terror suspects , calls that increased after a former convict killed two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot him dead near London Bridge in November .
Johnson said that since that attack , the government had `` moved quickly to introduce a package of measures to strengthen every element of our response to terrorism – including longer prison sentences and more money for the police . ''
Sunday 's attacker , Amman , had been jailed for promoting violent Islamist material and had even encouraged his girlfriend to behead her parents .
He was under surveillance at the time of the attack .
In November 2018 he pleaded guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publications , and the following month he was sentenced to more than three years in prison .
He was 17 and living at home with his mother and younger siblings when he first began committing terrorism offenses , according to authorities .
Police became aware of his activities in April 2018 and he was arrested by armed officers in a north London street a month later .
When officers examined his computers and phone , they found he had downloaded material about making explosives and carrying out terrorist attacks , according to prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his family , friends and girlfriend his extreme views and desire to carry out an attack , often focused on using a knife , prosecutors said .
In December 2017 Amman posted a picture of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi , who was killed during a U.S. raid in Syria in October , and told his brother in a message that `` the Islamic State is here to stay . ''
He also described Yazidi women as slaves and said the Koran made it permissible to rape them , and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behead her parents .

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out tougher rules for terror convicts after a man released early from a jail term for Islamist-related terrorism offenses injured two people in a stabbing spree in south London.
Sudesh Amman, who was jailed in 2018 for "Islamist-related terrorism offenses" but released half way through serving his 3-year sentence, was shot dead by police when he began stabbing people on a busy London street.
"We will announce further plans for fundamental changes to the system for dealing with those convicted of terrorism offenses," Johnson said. "My thoughts are with the injured victims and their loved ones."
British politicians have repeatedly called for tougher rules for terror suspects, calls that increased after a former convict killed two people and wounded three more before police shot him dead near London Bridge in November.
Johnson said that since that attack, the government had "moved quickly to introduce a package of measures to strengthen every element of our response to terrorism – including longer prison sentences and more money for the police."
Sunday's attacker, Amman, had been jailed for promoting violent Islamist material and had even encouraged his girlfriend to behead her parents. He was under surveillance at the time of the attack.
In November 2018 he pleaded guilty to possession of terrorist documents and disseminating terrorist publications, and the following month he was sentenced to more than three years in prison.
He was 17 and living at home with his mother and younger siblings when he first began committing terrorism offenses, according to authorities. Police became aware of his activities in April 2018 and he was arrested by armed officers in a north London street a month later.
When officers examined his computers and phone, they found he had downloaded material about making explosives and carrying out terrorist attacks, according to prosecutors.
Messages showed that he had discussed with his family, friends and girlfriend his extreme views and desire to carry out an attack, often focused on using a knife, prosecutors said.
In December 2017 Amman posted a picture of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was killed during a U.S. raid in Syria in October, and told his brother in a message that "the Islamic State is here to stay."
He also described Yazidi women as slaves and said the Koran made it permissible to rape them, and in another message he encouraged his girlfriend to behead her parents.
Police said he had shared an online al-Qaeda magazine with his family and while in a discussion about school with a sibling he wrote he would "rather blow myself up."


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Erdogan says retaliating after Syrian shelling killed Turkish troops

`` We have responded in kind to these attacks and will continue to do so , whether it is with @ @ @ @ @ We are determined to continue our operations for the security of our country , people @ @ @ @ @ , '' he told reporters in Istanbul .

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday Turkey will continue to retaliate against attacks on its forces in Syria's northwest Idlib region, after the government said four Turkish soldiers were killed and nine wounded by Syrian government shelling.
"We have responded in kind to these attacks and will continue to do so, whether it is with our artillery or mortars. We are determined to continue our operations for the security of our country, people and our brothers in Idlib," he told reporters in Istanbul.
"Those who question our determination will soon understand they made a mistake," Erdogan added.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Russia to start evacuating citizens from Wuhan, stops passenger trains to China

Russia , whose border with China is 4,300-km long ( 2,670 mile ) , had reported first two cases of @ @ @ @ @ the Siberian region of Tyumen and other in the far eastern Zabaykalsky region , both @ @ @ @ @ 's aerospace defense forces , part of the armed forces , will start evacuating Russian @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
There are more than 600 Russians there , Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana @ @ @ @ @ has already restricted direct flights to China and the Russian Railways suspended passenger trains to @ @ @ @ @ The last train from Beijing to Moscow entered Russia empty as all 136 passengers were @ @ @ @ @ , RIA news agency reported , adding that they all were Chinese nationals .
Demand @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow 's drug stores , Vedomosti newspaper said on Sunday after visiting a number @ @ @ @ @ Russian capital , with some places facing a shortage .

Russia plans to start evacuating its citizens on Monday from Wuhan, the epicenter of an epidemic in central China, and has suspended direct passenger trains to the country where the death toll from a coronavirus has increased to 361.
Russia, whose border with China is 4,300-km long (2,670 mile), had reported first two cases of the virus last week in the Siberian region of Tyumen and other in the far eastern Zabaykalsky region, both involving Chinese nationals.
Russia's aerospace defense forces, part of the armed forces, will start evacuating Russian citizens from Wuhan and Hubei on Monday. There are more than 600 Russians there, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova has said.
Moscow has already restricted direct flights to China and the Russian Railways suspended passenger trains to the country from midnight.
The last train from Beijing to Moscow entered Russia empty as all 136 passengers were taken out at Russia-China border, RIA news agency reported, adding that they all were Chinese nationals.
Demand for medical masks has increased in Moscow's drug stores, Vedomosti newspaper said on Sunday after visiting a number of places around the 12-million Russian capital, with some places facing a shortage.
In Moscow's Domodedovo airport, one of the three key hubs for international flights, border control officers were wearing masks and gloves on Sunday evening, a Reuters witness said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Naftali Bennett to fly to US and meet Secretary of Defense Mark Esper

Defense Minister Naftali Bennett will make his first official visit to the US and meet with his American counterpart Mark Esper and several other officials, Walla reported on Monday.Bennett is scheduled to leave on Tuesday. According to Walla, among the issues on the agenda are regional threats in the Middle East and Iran, its pursuit of a nuclear weapon, and its infiltration in Syria.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--US State secretary spoke with Sudan's leader, hopes to strengthen ties

US secretary Mike Pompeo said on his Twitter account that he spoke with the Chairman of Sudan's Sovereign General al-Burhan.According to him, they spoke about improving Sudan's active participation in the region and working to strengthen the ties between the two countries.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--China reports 64 new coronavirus deaths, total at 425

The death toll from a coronavirus outbreak in China rose to 425 as of the end of Monday, up by 64 from the previous day, the country's National Health Commission said on Tuesday.Of the new deaths, all were in central Hubei province, the epicenter of the virus outbreak. In the provincial capital of Wuhan, 48 people died.Across China, there were 3,235 new confirmed infections on Monday, bringing the total number so far to 20,438.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--United Airlines suspending U.S.-bound mainland China flights a day earlier

United Airlines said on Monday it will move up its temporary suspension of U.S.-bound flights from mainland China by one day to Tuesday.The airline, which is the last U.S. airline still conducting China flights, on Friday said it planned to fly its last flight from China on Wednesday because of the coronavirus outbreak.Delta Air Lines moved up its suspension of flights over the weekend. United said Monday it still plans to resume flights to and from China on March 28. American Airlines ended its flights from mainland China on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Netanyahu returns to Israel from his visit to Africa

After a session of meetings with African leaders, Sudan and Uganda among them, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in Israel, and said: "I'm proud to conclude a day full of accomplishments for our country. It's good to be back, we're moving on."


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Sinn Fein establish clear lead in opinion poll ahead of Irish election

Irish nationalists Sinn Fein have surged to the top of an opinion poll five days ahead of an election that looks set to be a major breakthrough for the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army.An Irish Times/ Ipsos MRBI poll published on Monday found support for left-wing Sinn Fein at 25%, making them a clear leader, with support for centre-right Fianna Fail at 23%. Support for governing Fine Gael was 20%.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Radio host Rush Limbaugh announces lung cancer diagnosis on air

Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh announced on Monday that he has been diagnosed with "advanced lung cancer" but plans to continue to do his program "as normally and as competently" as he can while he undergoes treatment.Limbaugh, 69, said on the air he first realized something was wrong over the weekend of his January 12 birthday, after he began experiencing shortness of breath. He said his diagnosis was confirmed on January 20 by two medical institutions.Otherwise, Limbaugh told his listeners, he was for the moment "experiencing zero symptoms."A mainstay of US talk radio and the culture wars for more than 30 years, Limbaugh said he would be absent from the broadcast for "the next couple of days as we figure out the treatment course of action and have further testing done.""But as I said, I'm going to be here as often as I can," he added. He said he hoped to return to the airwaves on Thursday.The radio host began his announcement expressing discomfort at talking about himself, then went on to say: "I have to tell you something today that I wish I didn't have to tell you.""The upshot is that I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer," he said. The shortness of breath he had thought might have been asthma turned out, he said, to be "a pulmonary problem involving malignancy." He made no mention of a prognosis.Limbaugh has been a leading voice of the political right and a nemesis of the left since launching his show in 1985 amid the Republican revolution of Ronald Reagan, a man he has called "the greatest president of the 20th century."Espousing a provocative, populist brand of social and political conservatism, Limbaugh has commanded a weekly audience of about 20 million listeners - he calls them "ditto heads" - during a three-hour daily broadcast airing on some 600 radio stations across the United States.Detractors such as liberal former Senator Al Franken - a onetime comedian who wrote a book titled "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Liar" - have criticized him as a divisive figure who routinely distorts the facts.Still, Limbaugh's success helped shape the Republican party's agenda in the media and spawn a wave of conservative commentators on radio, television and the internet, among them Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Alex Jones.Much of Limbaugh's appeal has been attributed to his brash, colorful style, and his delight in baiting liberals.He coined the term "femi-Nazis" to disparage women's rights groups and once said the "difference between Los Angeles and yogurt is that yogurt comes with less fruit."Limbaugh has experienced a variety of medical problems over the past couple of decades, including a loss of hearing reversed by a cochlear implant, as well as an addiction to prescription painkillers that landed him in rehab for several weeks in 2003.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Turkey hits back after Syrian shells kill Turkish troops

ANKARA/ISTANBUL, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Turkey said on Monday its military hit dozens of Syrian government targets after eight Turkish military personnel were killed by shelling in Idlib in northwest Syria, where fighting threatens to test ties between Ankara and Moscow.Turkey and Russia are on opposing sides in the fighting in Idlib and, though they work together elsewhere in Syria, President Tayyip Erdogan said Russian officials had been told they should "stand aside" in the conflict around Idlib.Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkish forces had hit 54 targets in Idlib in retaliation and "neutralized" 76 Syrian government soldiers, the state-owned Anadolu agency reported.He later told Turkish media that seven Turkish soldiers and one civilian working for the Turkish military had died in the shelling, and added that 13 others who were wounded were in good condition.Erdogan had earlier said the retaliatory operations included the use of F-16 fighter jets and responded to what Turkey called intense shelling of its troops in Idlib, the last big rebel stronghold after nearly nine years of war in Syria.Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Russian air power, have made large advances in Idlib, prompting Turkey to warn it may launch a military operation there unless the fighting is halted."We are determined to continue our operations for the security of our country, people and our brothers in Idlib. Those who question our determination will soon understand they made a mistake," Erdogan said in Istanbul before flying to Kiev.Speaking later in the Ukrainian capital, he said developments in Idlib had become "unmanageable."The Syrian Observatory, a war monitor based in Britain, said 13 members of the Syrian government forces had been killed in Turkish shelling. A Syrian state TV correspondent said there had been no casualties among its government forces.Erdogan accuses Russia of violating a 2017 agreement to reduce fighting in the region, and charge that Russia denies.Ankara and Moscow have also been regularly conducting joint patrols in northeastern Syria. It is not clear whether or how such cooperation would be affected by any strains in ties over Idlib but Turkish broadcaster NTV said that the patrol on Monday was canceled. Closer military ties between NATO member Turkey and Russia have meanwhile alarmed Washington and other Western allies.Turkey has in recent days sent military vehicles, trucks and other reinforcements to the region in a challenge to Damascus and its Russian backers.Rebels fighting to oust Assad, some of whom have been backed by Turkey, have also launched counter-attacks against the territorial gains by Assad's forces.SHELLING IN AREA OF SARAQEBA Turkish security official told Reuters the shelling that killed the Turkish soldiers was in the area of Saraqeb, a town 15 km (9 miles) east of Idlib city that lies at the junction of two main roads which Damascus wants to gain full control of.Turkey's defense ministry said reinforcements had been on the move around Idlib. They were meant to prevent clashes in Idlib but were hit by Syrian shelling, it said, adding that a civilian member of its forces was also killed.The Russian defense ministry said the Turkish units came under fire from Syrian government forces after moving without notifying Russia, though Turkey said it had coordinated its military movements with Moscow.Though Erdogan said fighter jets were involved in Turkey's response, the Russian defense ministry said Turkish planes had not violated Syria's border and no air strikes on Syrian troops had been recorded.A spokesman said the Kremlin remained concerned about militant groups around Seraqeb where Turkish forces were hit.The fighting in Idlib has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians. The civil defense in rebel-held territory said at least nine Syrian civilians, including four children, were killed on Monday in a Russian air strike on a van carrying displaced people near the city of Aleppo, northeast of Saraqeb.Turkey, which already hosts 3.6 million refugees from Syria, fears a new wave of migrants from Idlib. In Kiev, Erdogan said there were close to 1 million people in Idlib marching towards Turkish borders as a result of a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Two dead, one wounded in shooting at Texas university campus

Two people were killed and a third was wounded on Monday in a shooting at a residence hall on the Texas A&M University campus in Commerce, the school said on social media.The wounded person was taken to a hospital, the school said. The person's condition was not disclosed.Officials at the campus, part of the Texas A&M University system and located about 65 miles (105 km) northeast of Dallas, could not be reached for further comment.The shooting is the latest in a wave of gun violence on U.S. college and high school campuses in recent years. The bloodshed has fueled the debate over tighter restrictions on access to guns in the United States, where the Second Amendment of the Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms.In October near the Commerce campus, two people were killed and about a dozen more wounded at an off-campus Halloween party jammed with more than 750 party-goers, many of them students, authorities said."My son is safe today but tired of the nonsense on this campus!" a Facebook user named Yolanda Temple posted.On the Texas A&M campus, students and staff were initially told to shelter in place, but the order was later lifted.All classes at the campus, where 12,000 students are enrolled, were canceled for the rest of the day, ABC affiliate WFAA said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--US announces second case of person-to-person coronavirus transmission

CHICAGO - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday announced a second case of transmission of the new coronavirus within the United States and provided more detailed plans on how it will handle travelers returning from China as the country works to limit the outbreak."We expect to see more cases of person-to-person spread," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during a conference call that included confirmation of a handful of new cases, bringing the US total to 11.Messonnier offered new information on the implementation of the presidential proclamation issued on Friday suspending entry of foreign nationals who had visited China within the past 14 days into the United States, including details on quarantine plans.Exempted from that order are family members of US citizens and legal permanent residents, although they will face a 14-day quarantine if they had been in Wuhan or the Hubei province of China, the epicenter of the epidemic.The plans were not intended to catch every traveler returning from China who might have been infected."Given the nature of this virus and how it is spreading, that would be impossible," she said.Passengers will be directed to one of 11 US airports for additional health assessments. If they show virus symptoms such as fever, US citizens and those who are exempt will be transferred for medical evaluation, and will not be allowed to complete their travel plans."CDC is working with the states to determine where travelers will be quarantined," Messonnier said.Flights with US government employees being evacuated by the State department will go to military bases. They will be under federal quarantine for 14 days from when they left Wuhan.The CDC has sent additional teams to specific locations where the planes will arrive."We do not believe these people pose a risk to the communities where they are being temporarily housed. We are taking measures to minimize any exposure," Messonnier said.Those who do not have symptoms will be allowed to continue to their final destination, and will be asked to stay at home as much as possible and monitor their health for 14 days.Where people will be quarantined may differ depending on the operational plans laid out by states. Some of the designated airports have military bases nearby, while some states have planned to use hotels."It is very localized depending on the state and local considerations," Messonnier said.Of the five new cases announced on Monday, one is in Massachusetts and four more are in California. Four of the five had recently traveled to Wuhan, where the outbreak originated.One of the patients in California was infected through close contact with someone in the same household who had been infected in China. It marked the second instance of person-to-person spread of the virus in the United States after such a case was announced last week in Illinois.The agency said it is currently monitoring 82 people for potential infection with the virus.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Vatican sends masks to China to help with coronavirus outbreak

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican has sent hundreds of thousands of medical masks to China to help it deal with the coronavirus outbreak, with each bag marked with Pope Francis' coat of arms.The official Vatican News website said the initiative was carried out jointly by the office of papal charities and a missionary center in Italy for Chinese Catholics.The masks, packed in bags of 10, have been sent to Jubei, Zhejiand and Fujian provinces, Vatican News said.Pope Francis has praised China's "great commitment" to contain the coronavirus outbreak and said he was praying for the dead, the sick, and families of victims.After decades of chilly relations, ties between the Vatican and Beijing have improved since September, 2018 when they signed a pact on the naming of bishops.Conservative Catholics have objected to the pact, accusing the Vatican of having sold out to the communist government.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--WHO virus team could go to China this week, may include US

A WHO-led international team of experts could go to China as early as this week to investigate the coronavirus outbreak, as agreed between the WHO chief and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and could include US experts, a WHO spokesman said on Monday.Separately, a senior US health official told Reuters in Geneva that American medical experts could take part in the WHO-led techical mission, but that talks were still underway.China accused the United States on Monday of whipping up panic over a fast-spreading coronavirus with travel restrictions and evacuations.The death toll in China from the newly identified virus, which emerged in Wuhan, capital of the central province of Hubei, rose to 361 as of Sunday, the National Health Commission said.WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week on return from Beijing that the international mission would be composed of WHO officials and possibly consultants.Tedros, asked at the time specifically about US Health Secretary Alex Azar publicly calling for US officials to be part of a WHO-led mission, said that countries should make "bilateral arrangements."WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic, in response to a Reuters query on Monday, said: "A multidisciplinary mission of international experts to China will take place, possibly this week. Both China and WHO agreed on this mission."The mission is an international technical mission led by WHO. As such, CDC could be part of it," he said, referring to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The experts would have a range of specializations, including epidemiology, laboratories, research and development, and would work with Chinese counterparts to help guide global response efforts, he said.Colin McIff, a senior official at the US Department of Health, told Reuters in Geneva on Monday at WHO headquarters, where he attended the agency's Executive Board: "Those conversations are ongoing."I think that there will be information soon on that...Those talks are still happening, the WHO and the Chinese, and us and many others. But yes, I hope that will be settled soon, actually."Chen Xu, China's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told a news briefing last Friday where he was asked about any objection to US participation, said: "We are not intentionally denying any kind of help from any particular country."China on Monday accused the United States of spreading fear by pulling its nationals out and restricting travel instead of offering significant aid.Washington has "unceasingly manufactured and spread panic," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters on a teleconference on Monday: "We have folks ready to go to China as soon as that offer is finalized. I understand there are still negotiations in process on that. Really, we're waiting. As soon as we are allowed to go we will be there."We do have an expert already in the field as part of CDC's continuing work with China and could be there immediately. We are still waiting for that invitation," she said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Two drones downed near Syria's Hmeimim air base

BEIRUT - An air defense system at Syria's Hmeimim air base has downed two drones near the facility, Syria's Ikhbariya state TV reported on Monday, citing its correspondent.It gave no further details. The air base is currently operated by Russia, which intervened in Syria's war in 2015 in support of President Bashar al-Assad.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Iran ready to co-operate with EU to resolve nuclear deal issues

Iran is ready to co-operate with the European Union to resolve issues related to the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal , @ @ @ @ @ a meeting with the head of the EU ’ s foreign service , Josep Borrell @ @ @ @ @ , according to the ISNA news service .
`` The Islamic Republic of Iran is @ @ @ @ @ co-operation with the European Union for resolving issues and whenever the opposite side completely upholds @ @ @ @ @ return to its commitments , '' Rouhani said .

Iran is ready to co-operate with the European Union to resolve issues related to the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal, President Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with the head of the EU’s foreign service, Josep Borrell, in Tehran on Monday, according to the ISNA news service.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is still ready for interaction and co-operation with the European Union for resolving issues and whenever the opposite side completely upholds their commitments, Iran will return to its commitments," Rouhani said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--3 Gazan fishermen arrested by IDF - report

The three fishermen , Ramadan Salah , Majid Mekdad and Ali Wael Salah , were arrested off the coast of @ @ @ @ @

The three fishermen, Ramadan Salah, Majid Mekdad and Ali Wael Salah, were arrested off the coast of the southern Gaza Strip.
Three fishermen from the Gaza Strip were arrested by the IDF on Monday evening, according to Palestinian media.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Air Canada makes emergency landing after piece of landing gear falls

MADRID - A Boeing 767 aircraft flown by Air Canada was returning to Madrid airport for an emergency landing on Monday after part of its landing gear fell off and entered its engines, Spain's main pilots union said on Twitter.The union Sepla did not cite any specific sources but added that the plane would have to burn for fuel for three hours before landing.The airliner called air traffic control 30 minutes after takeoff and requested a slot for an emergency landing, an AENA spokeswoman told Reuters earlier Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-03--Chinese woman detained for hiding coronavirus contact history

BEIJING - A 36-year-old woman in China's northern municipality of Tianjin was detained by police on Monday after "deliberately concealing" her contact with someone from a coronavirus-stricken area, according to Xinhua news agency.According to the report, the woman surnamed Liu had hurt virus prevention and control work through her actions and local public security authorities took her in for "administrative detention". It was not clear whether she had since been released.The death toll in China from the newly identified virus, which emerged in Wuhan, capital of the central province of Hubei, rose to 361 as of Sunday, with more than 17,000 cases of infection.China has implemented strict transport curbs in the areas most affected by the virus and asked all those who have visited Hubei, where almost all the deaths have occurred, to isolate themselves for 14 days.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--EU's top diplomat warns against Trump Middle Eeast peace plan, annexation

EU governments reject Israeli settlements on land Israel has occupied since a 1967 war , including the West Bank , @ @ @ @ @ Heights , and Josep Borrell reiterated that position .

The European Union on Tuesday warned Israel against annexing West Bank settlements.“We are especially concerned by statements on the prospect of annexation of the Jordan Valley and other parts of the West Bank,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement issued by his office.“In line with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the EU does not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the territories occupied since 1967,” Borrell said.“Steps towards annexation, if implemented, could not pass unchallenged,” he added. He spoke after holding meetings in Iran and Jordan.Israel’s Foreign Ministry tweeted: “The fact that the High [Representative] of the EU, Josep Borrell, chose to use threatening language towards Israel, so shortly after he assumed office [and] only hours after his meetings in Iran, is regrettable [and], to say the least, odd.“Pursuing such policies [and] conduct is the best way to ensure that the EU's role in any process will be minimized,” the Foreign Ministry continued.Borrell highlighted the issue of annexation, because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is weighing whether to bring to a vote the issue of Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements prior to the March 2 election. The US has asked Netanyahu to hold off, but has said that it recognizes the Israeli right to sovereignty over the West Bank settlements, all of which are located in Area C of the West Bank.US President Donald Trump clarified his position on this when he unveiled the diplomatic portion of his peace plan, dubbed the “Deal of the Century,” at the White House last week.The plan was not based on the pre-1967 lines and fell outside the parameters of past proposal on some key points. It offered Israel 30% of the West Bank – and allowed for the application of sovereignty over that 30% in the first stages of the process.“The EU recalls its commitment to a negotiated two-state solution, based on 1967 lines, with equivalent land swaps, as may be agreed between the parties – with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition – as set out in the Council Conclusions of July 2014," Borrell said."The US initiative, as presented on 28 January, departs from these internationally agreed parameters.”The EU has long supported a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 lines, with east Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state.Borrell issued his statements two days before US special envoy Jared Kushner, the architect of the Trump administration’s peace process, is expected to brief the UN Security Council.Next Tuesday, on February 11, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to brief the Security Council, and may attempt to bring a resolution against the plan to a vote. The US, as one of the five Security Council member states with veto power, is expected to veto any such resolution.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Ukraine's last planned plane from China to arrive in Kiev

It said the plane , coming from the Chinese resort town of Sanya , was due to land at 2:28 @ @ @ @ @ .

The last planned Ukrainian flight from China before a ban over coronavirus is enforced was due to arrive in Kiev shortly with around 200 passengers on board, Ukraine International Airlines said on Tuesday.
It said the plane, coming from the Chinese resort town of Sanya, was due to land at 2:28 p.m. (1228 GMT).
Deputy director of Kiev's Boryspil airport last week said Ukraine would suspend direct flights to China over coronavirus fears from February 4.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Irish data regulator launches probe into Tinder

`` The identified issues pertain to MTCH Technology Services Limited 's ongoing processing of users ' personal data with regard @ @ @ @ @ relation to the Tinder platform , the transparency surrounding the ongoing processing , and the @ @ @ @ @ obligations with regard to data subject right ’ s requests , '' the regulator said @ @ @ @ @ European Union 's General Data Protection Regulation 's ( GDPR ) rules give regulators the @ @ @ @ @ violations of up to 4 % of a company 's global revenue or 20 million @ @ @ @ @ ) , whichever is higher .

Ireland's data protection commissioner has launched an inquiry into the processing of personal data of users of the Tinder dating app, it said on Tuesday.
"The identified issues pertain to MTCH Technology Services Limited's ongoing processing of users' personal data with regard to its processing activities in relation to the Tinder platform, the transparency surrounding the ongoing processing, and the company's compliance with its obligations with regard to data subject right’s requests," the regulator said in a statement.
The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation's (GDPR) rules give regulators the power to impose fines for violations of up to 4% of a company's global revenue or 20 million euros ($22 million), whichever is higher.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Manchester suicide bomber's brother just as guilty as he was, UK court hears

Salman Abedi , a 22-year-old Briton born to Libyan parents , blew himself up at Manchester Arena at the close of a show by the Grammy-winning U.S. pop singer .
Among the dead were seven children , the youngest aged just eight .
More than 500 people were injured .
On Tuesday , his brother Hashem Abedi , 22 , went on trial accused of helping his brother to carry out the bombing .
He denies any involvement in the attack , including charges of murder , attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion .
`` Hashem Abedi is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the offenses which are identified in the indictment ... just as surely as if he had selected the target and detonated the bomb himself , '' prosecutor Duncan Penny said .
Penny said Hashem Abedi helped his brother to get the ingredients for making the homemade bomb and together they experimented with its construction , buying items such as screws and nails to be used as shrapnel .
They stored and made the device at a separate address in Manchester and , shortly before they returned to Libya in mid-April 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to store the bomb-making equipment .
`` This explosion was the culmination of months of planning , experimentation and preparation by the two of them , '' Penny said .
`` The bomb which was detonated was self-evidently designed to kill and to maim as many people as possible . ''
Hashem Abedi was extradited to Britain from Libya in July last year after the Libyan authorities agreed to hand him over .
Islamic State said it was responsible for the attack in the immediate aftermath of the bombing , but security services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2018 , British lawmakers concluded that the MI5 security service had missed potential opportunities to prevent the bombing .

The brother of the bomber who carried out a suicide attack on an Ariana Grande concert in the English city of Manchester three years ago was just as guilty of murdering the 22 victims as his sibling, prosecutors told London's Old Bailey court on Tuesday.
Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old Briton born to Libyan parents, blew himself up at Manchester Arena at the close of a show by the Grammy-winning U.S. pop singer. Among the dead were seven children, the youngest aged just eight. More than 500 people were injured.
On Tuesday, his brother Hashem Abedi, 22, went on trial accused of helping his brother to carry out the bombing. He denies any involvement in the attack, including charges of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion.
"Hashem Abedi is just as responsible for this atrocity and for the offenses which are identified in the indictment ... just as surely as if he had selected the target and detonated the bomb himself," prosecutor Duncan Penny said.
Penny said Hashem Abedi helped his brother to get the ingredients for making the homemade bomb and together they experimented with its construction, buying items such as screws and nails to be used as shrapnel.
They stored and made the device at a separate address in Manchester and, shortly before they returned to Libya in mid-April 2017, they bought a car to be used to store the bomb-making equipment.
"This explosion was the culmination of months of planning, experimentation and preparation by the two of them," Penny said. "The bomb which was detonated was self-evidently designed to kill and to maim as many people as possible."
Hashem Abedi was extradited to Britain from Libya in July last year after the Libyan authorities agreed to hand him over.
Islamic State said it was responsible for the attack in the immediate aftermath of the bombing, but security services have always treated that claim with skepticism.
In 2018, British lawmakers concluded that the MI5 security service had missed potential opportunities to prevent the bombing.
The Abedi family emigrated to Britain during the rule of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, moving from London to the Fallowfield area of south Manchester. The brothers’ parents returned to Libya after Gaddafi was toppled in 2011.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Harvey Weinstein accuser cried on stand faces 3rd day of cross-examination

Jessica Mann , 34 , began weeping uncontrollably during Weinstein 's rape trial in Manhattan on Monday as she read @ @ @ @ @ in 2014 describing Weinstein as a `` pseudo father '' figure at the direction of @ @ @ @ @ Weinstein 's lawyers .
Mann had testified Friday that Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan @ @ @ @ @ , early in what she described as an `` extremely degrading '' relationship with him @ @ @ @ @ continued in some form for years after that .
The 67-year-old former producer has pleaded @ @ @ @ @ and to sexually assaulting another woman , Mimi Haleyi .
He faces life in prison @ @ @ @ @ sexual assault , the most serious charge .

A woman who says Harvey Weinstein raped her is expected to face her third day of cross-examination by the former Hollywood producer's lawyer on Tuesday, after the previous day was cut short when she broke down in sobs on the witness stand.
Jessica Mann, 34, began weeping uncontrollably during Weinstein's rape trial in Manhattan on Monday as she read aloud an email she wrote in 2014 describing Weinstein as a "pseudo father" figure at the direction of Donna Rotunno, one of Weinstein's lawyers.
Mann had testified Friday that Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel room in March 2013, early in what she described as an "extremely degrading" relationship with him. She said the relationship continued in some form for years after that.
The 67-year-old former producer has pleaded not guilty to raping Mann and to sexually assaulting another woman, Mimi Haleyi. He faces life in prison if found guilty of predatory sexual assault, the most serious charge.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Coronavirus sends Asia's social media censors into overdrive

At least 16 people have been arrested over coronavirus posts in Malaysia , India , Thailand , Indonesia and Hong Kong , while Singapore has used its controversial new `` fake news '' law , POFMA , to force media outlets and social media users to carry government warnings on their posts and articles saying they contain falsehoods .
`` Fortunately , we now have POFMA to deal with these fake news , '' said Lawrence Wong , one of the ministers heading a Singapore government task force to halt the spread of the virus .
Many details of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago in the Chinese city of Wuhan are unknown .
As the death toll has passed 420 , anxiety has been fueled by social media posts ranging from the bizarre to the malicious .
Posts include speculation about how the virus can be caught - through a video game according to one - or avoided - a government minister in Myanmar was rebuked for sharing a post that recommended eating more onions - to local scares of deaths or anti-Chinese attacks .
`` What I call the 'moron strain ' has created a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in turn feeding on itself , '' wrote Karim Raslan in his regionally syndicated column , noting how much greater the challenge had become for governments to manage .
At least five people were arrested and released on bail in India 's southwestern state of Kerala over WhatsApp messages , said Aadhithya R , District Police Chief of Thrissur .
Six people were arrested in Malaysia on suspicion of spreading false news .
In Vietnam , where an army of cyber-censors tracks social media comment for the communist government , at least nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to explain their actions over posts about coronavirus .
Thailand hailed the success of an `` anti-fake news center '' it set up last year .
Dozens of staff reviewed nearly 7,600 posts in four days from Jan. 25 - leading to 22 posts being highlighted as false on its website and two arrests under computer crimes laws .
`` The anti-fake news center is working intensively to verify these rumors and communicating truth to the people , '' said Digital Minister Puttipong Punnakanta .
Thailand is among countries where laws on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years despite complaints from human rights groups that they could be used to target government opponents .
Free-speech advocates are wary that the campaign against coronavirus could help governments extend their control as well as damaging the health campaign .
`` Criminalisation of speech , even if targeted at falsehoods , is highly likely to stifle the real time sharing of information that is essential during epidemics , '' said Matthew Bugher , Head of Asia Programme for free expression campaign group Article 19 .
China has long censored social media heavily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed information on the emerging virus in Wuhan - and therefore potential countermeasures .
Eight people were arrested after being accused of spreading rumors about illness in early January , but the case was dropped last week amid growing public anger over the handling of the new crisis .
Meanwhile , Tencent Holdings ' ubiquitous messaging app WeChat has added tools to help debunk virus rumors .
The official People 's Daily has also introduced a tool to help people verify reports .
Western social media companies are also stepping up action .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ down misinformation about the coronavirus - a rare departure from the usual approach to health content by the world 's biggest social network .
Taiwan has warned of punishment for spreading disinformation .
South Korean police were working with telecoms regulators to block `` false information , '' Yonhap news agency said .
Indonesian police said two people had been arrested for spreading fake news and face charges that could see them jailed for up to five years .
Hong Kong police said a shopping mall security guard was arrested for spreading false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some said the government was using its new fake news law responsibly .
`` Many examples of misinformation , confusing data and outright fake news present a clear and present danger to public safety , health and security , '' said Nicholas Fang , founder of Singapore consultancy Black Dot Research .
But not all were convinced .
Journalist and activist Kirsten Han is among those who have been given a government correction notice - in her case for sharing an article related to state executions last month rather than anything to do @ @ @

Deluged by misinformation about the new coronavirus on social media, some Asian governments are fighting back with arrests, fines and fake news laws - something free speech advocates fear will entrench measures that can also silence dissent.
At least 16 people have been arrested over coronavirus posts in Malaysia, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong, while Singapore has used its controversial new "fake news" law, POFMA, to force media outlets and social media users to carry government warnings on their posts and articles saying they contain falsehoods.
"Fortunately, we now have POFMA to deal with these fake news," said Lawrence Wong, one of the ministers heading a Singapore government task force to halt the spread of the virus.
Many details of the new flu-like coronavirus that surfaced just weeks ago in the Chinese city of Wuhan are unknown. As the death toll has passed 420, anxiety has been fueled by social media posts ranging from the bizarre to the malicious.
Posts include speculation about how the virus can be caught - through a video game according to one - or avoided - a government minister in Myanmar was rebuked for sharing a post that recommended eating more onions - to local scares of deaths or anti-Chinese attacks.
"What I call the 'moron strain' has created a global, social media-driven panic that is in turn feeding on itself," wrote Karim Raslan in his regionally syndicated column, noting how much greater the challenge had become for governments to manage.
At least five people were arrested and released on bail in India's southwestern state of Kerala over WhatsApp messages, said Aadhithya R, District Police Chief of Thrissur. Six people were arrested in Malaysia on suspicion of spreading false news.
In Vietnam, where an army of cyber-censors tracks social media comment for the communist government, at least nine people have been fined and three celebrities asked to explain their actions over posts about coronavirus.
Thailand hailed the success of an "anti-fake news center" it set up last year. Dozens of staff reviewed nearly 7,600 posts in four days from Jan. 25 - leading to 22 posts being highlighted as false on its website and two arrests under computer crimes laws.
"The anti-fake news center is working intensively to verify these rumors and communicating truth to the people," said Digital Minister Puttipong Punnakanta.
Thailand is among countries where laws on social media posts have been toughened in recent years despite complaints from human rights groups that they could be used to target government opponents.
CONTROL
Free-speech advocates are wary that the campaign against coronavirus could help governments extend their control as well as damaging the health campaign.
"Criminalisation of speech, even if targeted at falsehoods, is highly likely to stifle the real time sharing of information that is essential during epidemics," said Matthew Bugher, Head of Asia Programme for free expression campaign group Article 19.
China has long censored social media heavily and some critics say that may have delayed information on the emerging virus in Wuhan - and therefore potential countermeasures.
Eight people were arrested after being accused of spreading rumors about illness in early January, but the case was dropped last week amid growing public anger over the handling of the new crisis.
Meanwhile, Tencent Holdings' ubiquitous messaging app WeChat has added tools to help debunk virus rumors. The official People's Daily has also introduced a tool to help people verify reports.
Western social media companies are also stepping up action. Facebook Inc has said it would take down misinformation about the coronavirus - a rare departure from the usual approach to health content by the world's biggest social network.
GOVERNMENT THREATS
Taiwan has warned of punishment for spreading disinformation. South Korean police were working with telecoms regulators to block "false information," Yonhap news agency said.
Indonesian police said two people had been arrested for spreading fake news and face charges that could see them jailed for up to five years. Hong Kong police said a shopping mall security guard was arrested for spreading false news about infections.
In Singapore, some said the government was using its new fake news law responsibly.
"Many examples of misinformation, confusing data and outright fake news present a clear and present danger to public safety, health and security," said Nicholas Fang, founder of Singapore consultancy Black Dot Research.
But not all were convinced.
Journalist and activist Kirsten Han is among those who have been given a government correction notice - in her case for sharing an article related to state executions last month rather than anything to do with coronavirus.
"Just because there are relatively more justifiable uses of a #fakenews law, it doesn't mean that the law was well-drafted and can't be an instrument of abuse and oppression," she commented on Twitter.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Europe to avoid taking Iran nuclear dispute to UN, EU's top diplomat says

The European Union will extend indefinitely the time limit to resolve disputes in the Iran 2015 nuclear accord to avoid having to go to the U.N. Security Council or triggering new sanctions, the EU's top diplomat said during a visit to Tehran.Britain, France and Germany formally accused Iran on Jan. 14 of violating the terms of the 2015 arms control agreement aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear program. Violations could lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions lifted under the 2015 deal."We are in agreement not to go directly to a strict time limit which would oblige (us) to go to the Security Council," the EU's Josep Borrell told reporters during a visit to Tehran on Monday.In his remarks, broadcast on Tuesday, he said: "The willingness is not to start a process that goes to the end of JCPOA, but to keep it alive," referring to the Iran deal by its formal name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.After months of gradual steps to reduce compliance, Iran said on Jan. 6 it would scrap limits on enriching uranium.Borrell, who is chair of the Iran deal, was notified in January by Paris, London and Berlin that they had triggered the dispute mechanism, in theory starting a 15-day process to resolve issues with Iran.However, there are some questions over when the 15-day period should start because Iran has not formally recognized the consultation process, officials have said.China and Russia are also signatories to the deal signed in Vienna in 2015 and have expressed misgivings about the Europeans' decision to trigger the mechanism.All sides say they want to save the deal, which U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from in May 2018, reimposing economic sanctions on Iran.Borrell said he had agreed with Berlin, London and Paris to "continuously postpone" the 15-day limit. However, he said progress depended on maintaining the presence of the U.N. atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Iran to monitor its nuclear activities.After meeting Borrell on Monday, President Hassan Rouhani was quoted as saying that Iran is ready to cooperate with the EU on issues related to the nuclear deal.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Russia rejects appeal from former US Marine held on spying charges

Whelan , who holds U.S. , British , Canadian and Irish passports , was detained in December 2018 and accused @ @ @ @ @ the charges and says he was framed .

A Russian court on Tuesday upheld a decision to keep former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan in custody until March 29 pending trial on charges of espionage.
Whelan, who holds U.S., British, Canadian and Irish passports, was detained in December 2018 and accused of spying. He denies the charges and says he was framed.
He could face 20 years in prison if found guilty.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Russia sends first plane to evacuate citizens from China's Wuhan

A first Russian military plane took off on Tuesday to evacuate Russian citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, the RIA news agency reported citing the Defense Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Thailand confirms six new cases of coronavirus, including four Thais

Thailand confirmed six new cases of the new coronavirus on Tuesday, four of them Thai nationals and two Chinese.The four Thai people included a couple who had visited Japan and two drivers who had picked up Chinese passengers in Thailand, the health ministry said.The new cases brought the total reported in the country to 25.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Russian lawmaker: Syria's Idlib seriously straining Russia-Turkey accords

A senior Russian lawmaker said on Tuesday that Moscow was very alarmed by the situation in Syria's Idlib province and that it was putting serious strain on agreements between Russia and Turkey.Konstantin Kosachev, the chair of the Russian upper house's foreign affairs committee, made the comments on Facebook.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Two charity staff in Iran convicted of spying for CIA, jailed

`` Two ... CIA spies who were working under the cover of an organization and charitable foundation have been identified @ @ @ @ @ ten years in prison for spying and five years in prison for acting against national @ @ @ @ @ said .

Two people working for a charity have been sentenced to jail on charges of spying for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Iran's judiciary spokesman said on Tuesday.
"Two ... CIA spies who were working under the cover of an organization and charitable foundation have been identified, tried and sentenced to ten years in prison for spying and five years in prison for acting against national security," Gholamhossein Esmaili said.
The names of the individuals would not be released yet because the sentence has not been finalized, Esmaili told a press conference streamed live on the judiciary's website.