jerusalempost--2020-05-18--Duma arson murderer convicted on 3 counts of murder

The Lod District Court on Monday convicted Amiram Ben-Uliel in the 2015 Jewish terror arson murders of three Palestinians in Duma.The arson attack on the Palestinian Dawabshe family home killed 18-month-old Ali and his parents, Sa’ad and Riham, and destabilized Israeli-Arab relations throughout the region.In addition, judges Ruth Lorch, Tsvi Dotan and Dvora Atar convicted Ben-Uliel of two separate counts of attempted murder and two separate counts of arson, but acquitted Ben-Uliel of membership in a terror group.Despite that acquittal, the court also declared that Ben-Uliel had murdered the Palestinians for ideological reasons – something that could lead to a harsher sentence or to preventing lenient treatment at some later date.Asher Ohayon, the lead lawyer for Ben-Uliel, vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court, saying the court had wrongfully accepted confessions given post-torture.The court said that even though it disqualified confessions Ben-Uliel gave when the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) used enhanced interrogation on him, his confessions 36 hours later were given freely and compellingly.Furthermore, the court said it was convinced by Ben-Uliel’s voluntary physical reconstruction of the crime at the scene of the murders.In addition, the court cited Ben-Uliel’s refusal to testify in his own defense.The court wrote that, “The defendant described the scene of the crime in extreme detail in his confessions… which was later clarified to be meticulously accurate… the defendant carried out a reconstruction with great accuracy and which was close to identical to his confessions – something which rebuts the claims” that he was guessing or tipped off in the moment by the Shin Bet investigators.Ohayon responded to a question from The Jerusalem Post about the fact that the Supreme Court has been very accepting of enhanced interrogation confessions during the last three years, saying there was no parallel.He also said Ben-Uliel had been “tortured far worse than any Palestinian.”The Dawabshe family responded to the decision saying it is important for justice to be done so “no one else’s lives will be ruined” and destroyed like the three murdered Dawabshes.Supporters for Ben-Uliel yelled at the court, “How can you convict an innocent person?” and had to be silenced by security guards.The sentencing arguments hearing was set for June 9 and it is expected that the actual sentencing will occur later in the summer or the early fall.For months after the murder, the Shin Bet performed a massive manhunt and investigation, but turned up empty-handed.Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen has told the Post that he has fundamentally altered the entire approach toward Jewish terrorism against Palestinians, taking a much harder stance and investing far more resources.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-defense minister Moshe Ya’alon made frequent statements about the severity of the incident, and assured regional partners in the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Egypt and globally of their commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice.When the Shin Bet finally apprehended Ben-Uliel, then 21, the alleged murderer of the Dawabshes, as well as a minor who was accused of conspiring with him regarding the murders, the situation was viewed as so desperate that they used torture/enhanced interrogation to get the defendants to confess.This ushered in a whole new side and saga to the case, because suddenly, enhanced interrogation, administrative detention and other extreme measures were being used not only against Palestinians, as in the past, but also against Jews.Yamina MK Bezalel Smotrich and activist Itamar Ben-Gvir have accused the Shin Bet and the prosecution of massive overreaction and injustice in the treatment of Ben-Uliel and the minor.Joint List Party leader Ayman Odeh and other Arab activists have demanded that harsh justice be meted out to Ben-Uliel, if Israel is to avoid accusations that it cracks down harder on Palestinian terrorism than on Jewish terrorism.


jerusalempost--2020-05-18--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 342 to 174,697

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The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 342 to 174,697, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Monday.The tally showed deaths rose by 21 to 7,935.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--EasyJet hit by cyberattack, hackers access 9 mln customers' details

A cyber attack on British airline easyJet accessed the email and travel details of around nine million customers, as well as the credit card details of more than 2,000 of them, it said on Tuesday.The news of the late January attack means the budget airline, which has grounded most of its flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is locked in a long-running battle with its founder and biggest shareholder, could face a hefty fine. British Airways, which was hit in 2018 with the theft of hundreds of thousands of credit card details, is still appealing a fine from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) of 183.4 million pounds ($225 million)."Since we became aware of the incident, it has become clear that owing to COVID-19 there is heightened concern about personal data being used for online scams," Chief Executive Officer Johan Lundgren said. "As a result, and on the recommendation of the ICO, we are contacting those customers whose travel information was accessed and we are advising them to be extra vigilant, particularly if they receive unsolicited communications."EasyJet said it did not look like any personal information had been misused. It has engaged leading forensic experts to investigate the issue and has also notified the National Cyber Security Centre."We would like to apologise to those customers who have been affected by this incident," Lundgren said.Hackers around the world have stepped up their efforts in recent months, taking advantage of the pandemic to trick people into revealing their passwords and other sensitive data. Government officials have also warned of greater risks as people working from home create opportunities for hackers.EasyJet shares, down 64% in three months, were down 3% at 1225 GMT.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Syria's warring parties agree to Geneva talks

After nine years of conflict in Syria , Pedersen referred to `` relative calm '' in the last rebel-held enclave of Idlib as an opportunity for building confidence .
He urged the United States and Russia , who support opposing sides , to start talks and back the peace process .
`` As soon as the pandemic situation allows , they have agreed to come to Geneva and they have agreed on an agenda for the next meeting , '' Pedersen told reporters , referring to the government and opposition .
He did not give a date for the constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , and said that a virtual meeting would not be possible .
`` We need this to start somewhere , '' he said .
`` The Constitutional Committee could be that arena where confidence starts to build . ''
Pedersen is the fourth UN envoy to try to mediate peace in Syria where rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad are holding onto a last piece of territory in the northwest .
Fighting has calmed since March when Turkey , which backs some groups opposed to Assad , agreed a ceasefire with Russia @

Opposing sides in the Syrian civil war have agreed to reconvene in Geneva for negotiations on the constitution, United Nations Special Envoy Geir Pedersen said on Tuesday, saying that it could provide the arena for bridging "deep, deep mistrust."
After nine years of conflict in Syria, Pedersen referred to "relative calm" in the last rebel-held enclave of Idlib as an opportunity for building confidence. He urged the United States and Russia, who support opposing sides, to start talks and back the peace process.
"As soon as the pandemic situation allows, they have agreed to come to Geneva and they have agreed on an agenda for the next meeting," Pedersen told reporters, referring to the government and opposition.
He did not give a date for the constitutional committee, which struggled to make headway last year, and said that a virtual meeting would not be possible.
"We need this to start somewhere," he said. "The Constitutional Committee could be that arena where confidence starts to build."
Pedersen is the fourth UN envoy to try to mediate peace in Syria where rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad are holding onto a last piece of territory in the northwest.
Fighting has calmed since March when Turkey, which backs some groups opposed to Assad, agreed a ceasefire with Russia.
Pedersen said it was a "great relief" that there had not been more COVID-19 cases in the country, although warned of the risk of a wider spread. He said there had been 64 cases.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--UK COVID-19 death toll nears 43,000 as scrutiny over strategy grows

New figures for England and Wales brought the death toll to at least 42,990 , a Reuters tally showed , including earlier data from Scotland and Northern Ireland , as well recent hospital deaths in England .
Tuesday 's numbers from the Office for National Statistics painted a grim picture in care homes , more than a third of which have been stricken by the novel coronavirus .
Deaths in care homes across the United Kingdom topped 10,000 as of May 8 , although the increase has slowed over the last couple of weeks .
Comparisons with other countries are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was among those hit worst by the pandemic , which has killed more than 317,000 worldwide .
Such a high UK death toll increases the pressure on Johnson , who says the government is following scientific advice .
Opposition parties say he was slow to introduce testing and provide protective equipment to health workers , and that his policy left care homes exposed .
In March , Britain 's chief scientific adviser said keeping deaths below 20,000 would be a `` good outcome . ''
In April , Reuters reported the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily death toll announced by the government , Tuesday 's ONS figures include suspected deaths from COVID-19 .
Ministers dislike international comparisons of the death toll because Britain 's performance reflects its fast reporting of COVID-19 deaths data .
They say excess mortality - deaths from all causes that exceed the seasonal average - is more meaningful because it is internationally comparable .
But Britain is faring poorly on this measure , too .

The United Kingdom's COVID-19 death toll has reached nearly 43,000, underlining the country's status as the worst-hit in Europe and raising more questions about Prime Minister Boris Johnson's handling of the crisis.
New figures for England and Wales brought the death toll to at least 42,990, a Reuters tally showed, including earlier data from Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well recent hospital deaths in England.
Tuesday's numbers from the Office for National Statistics painted a grim picture in care homes, more than a third of which have been stricken by the novel coronavirus.
Deaths in care homes across the United Kingdom topped 10,000 as of May 8, although the increase has slowed over the last couple of weeks.
Comparisons with other countries are tricky, but the data confirmed Britain was among those hit worst by the pandemic , which has killed more than 317,000 worldwide.
Such a high UK death toll increases the pressure on Johnson, who says the government is following scientific advice. Opposition parties say he was slow to introduce testing and provide protective equipment to health workers, and that his policy left care homes exposed.
In March, Britain's chief scientific adviser said keeping deaths below 20,000 would be a "good outcome." In April, Reuters reported the government's worst-case scenario was 50,000 deaths.
Unlike the daily death toll announced by the government, Tuesday's ONS figures include suspected deaths from COVID-19.
Ministers dislike international comparisons of the death toll because Britain's performance reflects its fast reporting of COVID-19 deaths data.
They say excess mortality - deaths from all causes that exceed the seasonal average - is more meaningful because it is internationally comparable. But Britain is faring poorly on this measure, too.
Excess deaths across the UK are now close to 55,000, ONS statistician Nick Stripe told the BBC.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--WHO expects to have 'more clarity' on Trump letter later in day

Trump , in a letter posted on Twitter , threatened on Monday to permanently halt funding for the WHO if @ @ @ @ @ improvements within 30 days , and to reconsider his country 's membership of the UN @ @ @ @ @ the letter , for now I do n't have any reaction .
We are very @ @ @ @ @ agenda for the World Health Assembly , '' WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told a UN @ @ @ @ @ , reffering to its ongoing virtual assembly .

The World Health Organization (WHO) spokeswoman said on Tuesday that the agency had no immediate comment on a letter from US President Donald Trump, but expected to have "more clarity" and a reaction later in the day.
Trump, in a letter posted on Twitter, threatened on Monday to permanently halt funding for the WHO if it did not commit to improvements within 30 days, and to reconsider his country's membership of the UN agency.
"I saw the letter, for now I don't have any reaction. We are very busy trying to finalize our agenda for the World Health Assembly," WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told a UN briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, reffering to its ongoing virtual assembly.
"I am sure in the course of the day we will have more clarity and a reaction to this letter," she said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Spain lifts direct ban on flights from Italy

Spain lifted on Tuesday a ban on all direct flights and ships from Italy since March 11 during its coronavirus lockdown, according to the government gazette.Travelers from Italy will have to comply, however, with a two-week quarantine like other foreign visitors, while a state of emergency is in place.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Indonesia reports 486 new coronavirus infections, 30 deaths

Indonesia reported on Tuesday 486 new coronavirus infections, taking the total in the Southeast Asian country to 18,496, the country's COVID-19 task force reported on its official website.The task force also recorded 30 more deaths, taking the total to 1,221, while 4,467 people have recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Passenger restrictions lifted from rush hour buses

The buses affected by the new directive are those that run between 7 a.m and 8:30 a.m. and those that @ @ @ @ @ 3 p.m. in order to allow for students to arrive and return from school .
@ @ @ @ @ are enabling the return of education to routine and bringing significant relief to the parents @ @ @ @ @ Regev .

The buses affected by the new directive are those that run between 7 a.m and 8:30 a.m. and those that run between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in order to allow for students to arrive and return from school.
Regev said, "We are enabling the return of education to routine and bringing significant relief to the parents and students," said Regev.
Restrictions on the number of passengers on buses will be lifted on buses running during peak hours starting Wednesday, according to new directives announced by Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein. The decision was made for the benefit of education system students, according to Regev.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Israel to reopen restaurants, cafes May 27

Restaurants and cafes will be permitted to reopen on May 27 after an agreement was reached between the Health Ministry and the Israel Restaurants Association, Channel 12 reported.The sector has been one of the hardest hit due to measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. The government's coronavirus exit strategy, announced in early May, initially provided for the reopening of restaurants and cafes at the end of May or mid-June.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Alleged Israeli airstrike hits southern Syria - report

This would mark the first alleged Israeli airstrike reported in Syria since Defense Minister Benny Gantz took over from former @ @ @ @ @ The last airstrikes blamed on Israel in the Daraa area were reported at the beginning @ @ @ @ @ sites in the Quneitra region and Daraa in southern Syria were targeted by alleged Israeli @ @

This would mark the first alleged Israeli airstrike reported in Syria since Defense Minister Benny Gantz took over from former defense minister Naftali Bennett. This would mark the first alleged Israeli airstrike reported in Syria since Defense Minister Benny Gantz took over from former defense minister Naftali Bennett.
The last airstrikes blamed on Israel in the Daraa area were reported at the beginning of May, when multiple sites in the Quneitra region and Daraa in southern Syria were targeted by alleged Israeli airstrikes.
An alleged Israeli airstrike targeted a site belonging to the Fifth Division of the Assad regime in the city of Izra in the Daraa Governorate in southern Syria early Tuesday morning, according to a report quoted by the opposition-affiliated Halab Today TV.A correspondent for Halab Today later denied that there had been an airstrike on the site.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Malaysia reports 37 new coronavirus cases with one new death

Malaysian health authorities on Tuesday reported 37 new coronavirus cases, raising the cumulative total to 6,978 cases.The health ministry also reported one new death, bringing total fatalities to 114.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Philippines reports 224 new coronavirus infections, cases near 13,000

The Philippine health ministry on Tuesday reported six new coronavirus deaths and 224 more infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 12,942.The number of deaths was the lowest in just over two weeks, with the total now at 837, the ministry said in a bulletin. Some 114 patients had recovered, with the total number of recoveries at 2,843.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Russia reports 9,263 new coronavirus infections, total nears 300,000

The daily rise in cases was below 10,000 , a threshold that it has been above for much of May @ @ @ @ @ in a row .

Russia said on Tuesday that 9,263 new cases of the novel coronavirus had been reported in the last 24 hours, pushing its nationwide tally to 299,941.
The daily rise in cases was below 10,000, a threshold that it has been above for much of May, for the fourth day in a row.
Russia's coronavirus taskforce said 115 people had died overnight, bringing the death toll to 2,837.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--One death, no new coronavirus cases reported overnight

There are 3,074 active cases in Israel as of Tuesday morning , three less compared to Monday evening .
39 @ @ @ @ @ patients have died .
In total , 16,650 Israelis have been infected with the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .

There are 3,074 active cases in Israel as of Tuesday morning, three less compared to Monday evening. 39 patients are intubated and 277 patients have died. In total, 16,650 Israelis have been infected with the coronavirus since the beginning of the outbreak.
One coronavirus patient died, but no new cases were reported overnight Monday, according to a Tuesday morning update by the Health Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--New Zealand reports no new coronavirus cases for second straight day

The Pacific nation , home to more than 5 million , moved to `` level 2 '' last week , allowing cafes , shops and restaurants to reopen under strict social distancing rules .
`` We are only just into alert level two ; we still need to settle into the full alert level two parameters , '' Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield told a news conference in Wellington .
Bloomfield said there was `` still a long way to go '' for the country to move into alert level one , which means the virus has been contained in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , when we got zero or no cases that we can identify , that does n't mean we are out of the woods , '' Bloomfield told reporters .
Like neighboring Australia , New Zealand has so far escaped a high number of casualties .
The country has had just over 1,500 infections and 21 deaths , aided by a nationwide lockdown that lasted for more than a month .
The government 's effective response to the pandemic has buoyed the popularity of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern , with a Newshub-Reid Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most popular prime minister in a century .
New Zealand will also launch a contact-tracing app on Wednesday to help people track their movements , but the government said the data would not be shared with anyone besides the user .

New Zealand recorded no new coronavirus cases for the second straight day on Tuesday, but authorities said it was premature to discuss moving the country to "level one" in its scale of alert.
The Pacific nation, home to more than 5 million, moved to "level 2" last week, allowing cafes, shops and restaurants to reopen under strict social distancing rules.
"We are only just into alert level two; we still need to settle into the full alert level two parameters," Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield told a news conference in Wellington.
Bloomfield said there was "still a long way to go" for the country to move into alert level one, which means the virus has been contained in the country.
"Even at this point, when we got zero or no cases that we can identify, that doesn't mean we are out of the woods," Bloomfield told reporters.
Like neighboring Australia, New Zealand has so far escaped a high number of casualties. The country has had just over 1,500 infections and 21 deaths, aided by a nationwide lockdown that lasted for more than a month.
The government's effective response to the pandemic has buoyed the popularity of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, with a Newshub-Reid Research poll showing her as the country's most popular prime minister in a century.
New Zealand will also launch a contact-tracing app on Wednesday to help people track their movements, but the government said the data would not be shared with anyone besides the user.
The daily number of infections has been falling steadily over the last few weeks since peaking in early April, with the country registering only 19 new coronavirus cases in May. No cases were reported on eight separate days in May.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Thailand reports 2 new coronavirus cases, no additional deaths

The two new cases were in the south in a province bordering Malaysia , Taweesin Wisanuyothin , a spokesman for @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 Situation Administration , said at a daily briefing .
There have been 56 deaths @ @ @ @ @ January and 2,857 patients have recovered .

Thailand on Tuesday confirmed two new coronavirus cases and no additional deaths, bringing its total to 3,033 infections, a senior official said.
The two new cases were in the south in a province bordering Malaysia, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration, said at a daily briefing.
There have been 56 deaths since the outbreak began in January and 2,857 patients have recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--India coronavirus infections surge past 100,000, deaths top 3,000

India 's Health Ministry reported total cases stood at 101,139 and deaths at 3,163 .

The number of coronavirus cases in India surged past 100,000 on Tuesday, with the rate of growth of new infections showing little sign of slowing despite a strict weeks-long lockdown.
India's Health Ministry reported total cases stood at 101,139 and deaths at 3,163.
New cases have continued to rise by an average of over 4,000 each day over the past week. India officially extended its lockdown on Sunday to May 31, although several states indicated they would allow businesses to reopen.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Mexico coronavirus cases hit new daily record of 2,713

Authorities also registered 334 more fatalities , only the second time that the daily death toll has exceeded 300 .
@ @ @ @ @ 5,666 overall deaths from the virus .

Authorities also registered 334 more fatalities, only the second time that the daily death toll has exceeded 300. The country has now tallied 5,666 overall deaths from the virus.
Mexico registered 2,713 new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday, the health ministry said, its biggest daily increase yet in infections, bringing its overall tally to 54,346 cases.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--China, US coronavirus tensions spill over in UN Syria meeting

Growing tensions between China and the United States around the coronavirus pandemic publicly spilled over on Tuesday during a UN Security Council meeting on humanitarian aid operations in Syria as envoys traded barbs over global leadership .
Responding , China 's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said Beijing urged the United States to focus on global efforts to fight the virus , `` stop playing political games and really focus on saving lives and stop diverting ( from ) its own responsibilities to other countries . ''
The United States has questioned China 's transparency about the outbreak .
Last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization , accusing the UN agency of promoting Chinese `` disinformation . ''
WHO denied the accusation and China said it was transparent .
A stand-off between the Security Council veto-powers has also stymied a months-long attempt by the body to agree on a resolution backing UN chief Antonio Guterres ' call for a global ceasefire so the world can focus on the pandemic .
The virus has infected over 4.8 million people and 319,000 have died .
It first emerged in Wuhan , China late last year .
During the Syria meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the council to renew authorization for the delivery of aid through two border crossings from Turkey , describing the access as a `` lifeline for millions of civilians . ''
The council in January allowed a six-year-long cross-border aid operation to continue from two places in Turkey for six months , but dropped crossing points from Iraq and Jordan because of opposition by Russia and China .
It needs to adopt a resolution to renew approval by July 10 .

Growing tensions between China and the United States around the coronavirus pandemic publicly spilled over on Tuesday during a UN Security Council meeting on humanitarian aid operations in Syria as envoys traded barbs over global leadership.
US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft called on China "to validate its claims of global leadership in combating COVID-19 " by supporting "a resolution to allow the U.N. to combat this pandemic by delivering life-saving aid cross-border" into Syria.
Responding, China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said Beijing urged the United States to focus on global efforts to fight the virus, "stop playing political games and really focus on saving lives and stop diverting (from) its own responsibilities to other countries."
The United States has questioned China's transparency about the outbreak. Last month Washington suspended funding for the World Health Organization, accusing the UN agency of promoting Chinese "disinformation." WHO denied the accusation and China said it was transparent.
A stand-off between the Security Council veto-powers has also stymied a months-long attempt by the body to agree on a resolution backing UN chief Antonio Guterres' call for a global ceasefire so the world can focus on the pandemic.
The virus has infected over 4.8 million people and 319,000 have died. It first emerged in Wuhan, China late last year.
During the Syria meeting, UN aid chief Mark Lowcock appealed for the council to renew authorization for the delivery of aid through two border crossings from Turkey, describing the access as a "lifeline for millions of civilians."
The council in January allowed a six-year-long cross-border aid operation to continue from two places in Turkey for six months, but dropped crossing points from Iraq and Jordan because of opposition by Russia and China.
It needs to adopt a resolution to renew approval by July 10.
Craft pushed the council to re-authorize aid deliveries from the Iraq crossing point. However, Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said: "Do not waste your time on efforts to re-open the closed cross-border points."


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Eastern Libyan forces say to move 2-3 km back from Tripoli front

Eastern Libyan forces have decided to move back 2-3 kilometers ( 1.24 miles-1.86 miles ) from all front lines in @ @ @ @ @ the city to move more freely during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr , their spokesman Ahmed @ @ @ @ @

Eastern Libyan forces have decided to move back 2-3 kilometers (1.24 miles-1.86 miles) from all front lines in Tripoli to allow people in the city to move more freely during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, their spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said on Wednesday.
The Libyan National Army (LNA) will start redeploying from its positions in the city from midday on Wednesday, he added, after it suffered recent reverses in its year-long campaign to capture the city.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Brazil records 1,179 coronavirus deaths, 271,628 confirmed cases

Tuesday 's death toll was the first time Brazil has recorded more than 1,000 deaths in a day .

Tuesday's death toll was the first time Brazil has recorded more than 1,000 deaths in a day.
Brazil recorded a new daily record of 1,179 deaths from the new coronavirus on Tuesday, with a total of 17,971 total fatalities and 271,628 confirmed cases, the health ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Oral argument in ex-Trump aide Flynn's case set for July 16

Oral arguments in former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn's bid to dismiss his criminal case will be held on July 16, US District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Republicans put brakes on new coronavirus aid bill in US Congress

`` We need to assess what we 've already done , take a look at what worked and what did n't work , and we 'll discuss the way forward in the next couple of weeks , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters after President Donald Trump spoke to a Senate Republican luncheon .
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy also said he saw no need for another coronavirus bill now , but told reporters he could back lengthening the loan period for small businesses to 10 or 12 weeks from the current eight .
Senate Small Business Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could pass this week to alter the loan program helping restaurants and other small enterprises survive prolonged closings during the pandemic .
Such a measure would give businesses more time to spend money they receive under the loans , which can turn into grants .
McConnell is under pressure from the Democratic-controlled House , which passed a new , wide-ranging coronavirus bill on Friday .
Its $ 3 trillion price tag is about equal to the cost of four previous measures enacted by Congress .
Some of McConnell 's fellow Republicans are clamoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic that has killed more than 90,000 Americans and taken a heavy toll on the economy .
A bipartisan group of senators on Monday signed onto a bill to establish a $ 500 billion fund to help state and local governments , whose revenues are severely curtailed by coronavirus-related closings .
Some lawmakers also have discussed the need to revise unemployment insurance provisions with the national jobless rate spiking to 14.7 percent in April .

"We need to assess what we've already done, take a look at what worked and what didn't work, and we'll discuss the way forward in the next couple of weeks," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters after President Donald Trump spoke to a Senate Republican luncheon.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy also said he saw no need for another coronavirus bill now, but told reporters he could back lengthening the loan period for small businesses to 10 or 12 weeks from the current eight.
Senate Small Business Committee Chairman Marco Rubio said he hoped legislation could pass this week to alter the loan program helping restaurants and other small enterprises survive prolonged closings during the pandemic.
Such a measure would give businesses more time to spend money they receive under the loans, which can turn into grants.
McConnell is under pressure from the Democratic-controlled House, which passed a new, wide-ranging coronavirus bill on Friday. Its $3 trillion price tag is about equal to the cost of four previous measures enacted by Congress.
Some of McConnell's fellow Republicans are clamoring for new emergency measures to respond to a pandemic that has killed more than 90,000 Americans and taken a heavy toll on the economy.
A bipartisan group of senators on Monday signed onto a bill to establish a $500 billion fund to help state and local governments, whose revenues are severely curtailed by coronavirus-related closings.
Some lawmakers also have discussed the need to revise unemployment insurance provisions with the national jobless rate spiking to 14.7 percent in April.
Republican leaders in the US Congress said on Tuesday they were in no hurry to work on another coronavirus relief package, despite the House of Representatives' passage last week of a $3 trillion measure.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Plaintiff in Roe v. Wade abortion case says she was paid to switch sides

In a new documentary , made before her death in 2017 and due to be broadcast on Friday , McCorvey makes what she calls a `` deathbed confession . ''
`` I took their money and they took me out in front of the cameras and told me what to say , '' she says on camera .
`` I did it well too .
I am a good actress .
Of course , I 'm not acting now . ''
`` If a young woman wants to have an abortion , that ’ s no skin off my ass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it choice , '' she added .
`` AKA Jane Roe , '' will be broadcast on the FX cable channel on Friday but was made available to television journalists in advance .
It traces McCorvey 's troubled youth , how she became the poster child of abortion rights and her about-face in the 1990s when she announced she was baptized as a born-again Christian who campaigned against abortion .
The documentary was filmed in the last months of her life before her death at age 69 in 2017 in Texas .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the focus of a divisive political , legal and moral debate .
The Rev .
Robert Schenck , one of the evangelical pastors who worked with McCorvey after her conversion to Christianity in the mid-1990s , looked stunned as he was shown her interview as part of the documentary .
Schenck said the anti-abortion movement had exploited her weaknesses for its own ends and acknowledged she had been paid for her appearances on the movement 's behalf .
`` What we did with Norma was highly unethical , '' Schenck said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up . ''
In a separate blog post on Tuesday , Schenck said he hoped people would watch `` AKA Jane Roe . ''
`` You ’ ll see me express profound regret for how movement leaders ( like me ) mistreated Norma , '' he wrote in the blog .
`` Her name and photo would command some of the largest windfalls of dollars for my group and many others , but the money we gave her was modest .
More than once , I tried to make up for it with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never fair . ''

In a new documentary, made before her death in 2017 and due to be broadcast on Friday, McCorvey makes what she calls a "deathbed confession."
"I took their money and they took me out in front of the cameras and told me what to say," she says on camera. "I did it well too. I am a good actress. Of course, I'm not acting now."
"If a young woman wants to have an abortion, that’s no skin off my ass. That’s why they call it choice," she added.
"AKA Jane Roe," will be broadcast on the FX cable channel on Friday but was made available to television journalists in advance.
It traces McCorvey's troubled youth, how she became the poster child of abortion rights and her about-face in the 1990s when she announced she was baptized as a born-again Christian who campaigned against abortion.
The documentary was filmed in the last months of her life before her death at age 69 in 2017 in Texas.
The 1973 Supreme Court ruling has for decades been the focus of a divisive political, legal and moral debate.
The Rev. Robert Schenck, one of the evangelical pastors who worked with McCorvey after her conversion to Christianity in the mid-1990s, looked stunned as he was shown her interview as part of the documentary.
Schenck said the anti-abortion movement had exploited her weaknesses for its own ends and acknowledged she had been paid for her appearances on the movement's behalf.
"What we did with Norma was highly unethical," Schenck said in the documentary. "The jig is up."
In a separate blog post on Tuesday, Schenck said he hoped people would watch "AKA Jane Roe."
"You’ll see me express profound regret for how movement leaders (like me) mistreated Norma," he wrote in the blog.
"Her name and photo would command some of the largest windfalls of dollars for my group and many others, but the money we gave her was modest. More than once, I tried to make up for it with an added check, but it was never fair."
Norma McCorvey, the woman known as "Jane Roe" in the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion, said she was lying when she switched to support the anti-abortion movement, saying she had been paid to do so.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Venezuelans clamor for gasoline as US weighs response to Iran shipment

OPEC members Venezuela and Iran both are U.S. adversaries .
A Trump administration official said last week the shipment via five tankers - which are still underway to fuel-starved Venezuela - was `` unwelcome . ''
Some Venezuelan opposition politicians have criticized the shipment due to concerns over socialist President Nicolas Maduro 's ties with Iran .
But Franklin Luzardo , a restaurant wait-staff manager who during the coronavirus-related quarantine has been making ends meet doing deliveries , said getting gasoline is what matters .
`` I 'm not interested in the origin , '' Luzardo , 56 , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern Caracas , where he arrived Monday night .
`` Without gasoline , the car stops , and that 's the bread on our table . ''
Gasoline shortages have grown acute in recent months due to U.S. pressure on suppliers , part of Washington 's `` maximum pressure '' campaign on Maduro , who has overseen an economic collapse and stands accused of corruption , human rights violations and rigging his 2018 re-election .
Shortages have plagued Venezuela for years due to the collapse of the country 's 1.3-million-barrel-per-day refining network thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company Petroleos de Venezuela .
`` We should n't have had to end up importing gasoline from Iran , '' said Coromoto Alvarez , 61 , a retired nurse who arrived at a PDVSA gas station in Caracas ' La Bandera neighborhood at 3 a.m. Tuesday .
The shortages have hindered food delivery and left doctors struggling to reach hospitals .
`` I do n't care if the gasoline comes from Iran , just that we get it , '' said Carmen Rivero , a 35-year-old economist waiting at the La Bandera station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fails , people can not work . ''

OPEC members Venezuela and Iran both are U.S. adversaries. A Trump administration official said last week the shipment via five tankers - which are still underway to fuel-starved Venezuela - was "unwelcome."
Some Venezuelan opposition politicians have criticized the shipment due to concerns over socialist President Nicolas Maduro's ties with Iran.
But Franklin Luzardo, a restaurant wait-staff manager who during the coronavirus-related quarantine has been making ends meet doing deliveries, said getting gasoline is what matters.
"I'm not interested in the origin," Luzardo, 56, told Reuters Tuesday at a gas station in eastern Caracas, where he arrived Monday night. "Without gasoline, the car stops, and that's the bread on our table."
Gasoline shortages have grown acute in recent months due to U.S. pressure on suppliers, part of Washington's "maximum pressure" campaign on Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse and stands accused of corruption, human rights violations and rigging his 2018 re-election.
Shortages have plagued Venezuela for years due to the collapse of the country's 1.3-million-barrel-per-day refining network thanks to underinvestment and mismanagement by state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela.
"We shouldn't have had to end up importing gasoline from Iran," said Coromoto Alvarez, 61, a retired nurse who arrived at a PDVSA gas station in Caracas' La Bandera neighborhood at 3 a.m. Tuesday.
The shortages have hindered food delivery and left doctors struggling to reach hospitals.
"I don't care if the gasoline comes from Iran, just that we get it," said Carmen Rivero, a 35-year-old economist waiting at the La Bandera station. "Without gasoline, food distribution fails, people cannot work."
With the United States weighing a response to a gasoline shipment from Iran to Venezuela, people waiting in line outside service stations in the country's capital said they were eager to fill their tanks, regardless of how the fuel arrived.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Officials considering renewing concerts in Israel - report

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Concerts may be coming back to Israel sooner rather than later, N12 reported on Tuesday.Israeli Culture Minister Hili Trooper has been meeting with Health Minister Yuli Edelstein and examining the possibility of renewing concerts in Israel within the next 10 days, according to N12. They are reportedly looking for an agreement that would be accepted by both sides and have yet to reach a conclusion.If an agreement is reached, concerts may be coming back as soon as next weekend. This marks a significant shift from the original date marked for the return of concerts: June 14.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Police units deployed in Jerusalem ahead of Laylat al-Qadr

Police forces were deployed near the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem on Tuesday evening to prevent mass gatherings @ @ @ @ @ Kan reported .
The deployment was done after various posts on social media called on @ @ @ @ @ and pray during the night of Laylat al-Qadr .
The night is one of the @ @ @ @ @ of Ramadan and is thought to be the night during which the Quranic revelation was @ @ @ @ @ prophet of Islam Muhammad .
The night is described as the `` night of power @ @ @ @ @ '' and those who pray during it are said to have their prayers answered .

Police forces were deployed near the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem on Tuesday evening to prevent mass gatherings to honor Laylat al-Qadr, Kan reported.
The deployment was done after various posts on social media called on Muslims to reach the gates and pray during the night of Laylat al-Qadr.
The night is one of the last nights in the month of Ramadan and is thought to be the night during which the Quranic revelation was sent to humanity via the prophet of Islam Muhammad. The night is described as the "night of power" or even "destiny" and those who pray during it are said to have their prayers answered.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Two Sudanese citizens caught by IDF on northern border

The two were spotted immediately and arrested shortly , according to the IDF Spokesperson 's Unit , which said the @ @ @ @ @ .
Two Sudanese citizens attempted to infiltrate Israel from the Israel-Lebanon border on Wednesday and @ @ @ @ @ near Kibbutz Bar ’ am.The two were spotted immediately and arrested shortly , according to @ @ @ @ @ , which said the two are likely work migrants .
This is the second time @ @ @ @ @ trying to enter the country this week from the northern border .
On Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ by IDF soldiers when he infiltrated the country .
The man , Mohammed Noureddine Abdul @ @ @ @ @ Rambam Hospital in Haifa with multiple gunshot wounds and has been treated by medical staff @ @ @ @ @ was reported to be a shepherd who entered Israel by mistake .

The two were spotted immediately and arrested shortly, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, which said the two are likely work migrants. Two Sudanese citizens attempted to infiltrate Israel from the Israel-Lebanon border on Wednesday and were captured by IDF troops near Kibbutz Bar’am.The two were spotted immediately and arrested shortly, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, which said the two are likely work migrants.
This is the second time a foreign national was captured trying to enter the country this week from the northern border. On Sunday, a Syrian national was shot by IDF soldiers when he infiltrated the country.
The man, Mohammed Noureddine Abdul Azim, was flown to Rambam Hospital in Haifa with multiple gunshot wounds and has been treated by medical staff for his injuries.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Hundreds of thousands evacuated as India, Bangladesh brace for cyclone

India and Bangladesh evacuated around half a million people out of the way of the most powerful storm in a decade ahead of its landfall on Wednesday amid fears of heavy damage to houses and crops and disruption of road , rail and power links .
The authorities ' task to save lives was complicated by ongoing efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic and enforce social distancing to avoid a surge of infections .
Many thousands of migrant workers are on the roads trying to get home from big cities after a nationwide lockdown destroyed their livelihoods .
Approaching from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amphan was expected to hit the coast of eastern India and southern Bangladesh with winds gusting up to 185 kmh ( 115 mph ) - the equivalent of a category 5 hurricane .
The Indian weather department forecast a storm surge of 10- to 16-foot waves - as high as a two-story house - that could swamp mud dwellings along the coast , uproot communication towers and inundate roads and rail tracks .
There will be extensive damage to standing crops and plantations in the states of West Bengal and Odisha while large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their moorings , the weather service said in a bulletin late on Tuesday .
Authorities were hastily repurposing quarantine facilities for the looming cyclone soon after easing the world 's biggest lockdown against the virus , which in India is reported to have e infected more than 100,000 people and killed 3,163 .

India and Bangladesh evacuated around half a million people out of the way of the most powerful storm in a decade ahead of its landfall on Wednesday amid fears of heavy damage to houses and crops and disruption of road, rail and power links.
The authorities' task to save lives was complicated by ongoing efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic and enforce social distancing to avoid a surge of infections. Many thousands of migrant workers are on the roads trying to get home from big cities after a nationwide lockdown destroyed their livelihoods.
Approaching from the Bay of Bengal, super cyclone Amphan was expected to hit the coast of eastern India and southern Bangladesh with winds gusting up to 185 kmh (115 mph) - the equivalent of a category 5 hurricane.
The Indian weather department forecast a storm surge of 10- to 16-foot waves - as high as a two-story house - that could swamp mud dwellings along the coast, uproot communication towers and inundate roads and rail tracks.
There will be extensive damage to standing crops and plantations in the states of West Bengal and Odisha while large boats and ships could get torn from their moorings, the weather service said in a bulletin late on Tuesday.
Authorities were hastily repurposing quarantine facilities for the looming cyclone soon after easing the world's biggest lockdown against the virus, which in India is reported to have e infected more than 100,000 people and killed 3,163.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Lesotho PM, named as suspect in murder case, bows to pressure to quit

Lesotho 's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane bowed to pressure to resign on Tuesday , three months after police named him @ @ @ @ @ suspects in the murder of his former wife in a case that has transfixed the @ @ @ @ @ 's departure marks the end of one of Lesotho 's longest political careers , one @ @ @ @ @ , tensions with the military and a political crisis that deepened when police named him @ @ @ @ @ February .
`` The time to retire from the great theater of action , take @ @ @ @ @ office has finally arrived , '' the 80-year-old Thabane told citizens in a speech on @ @ @ @ @ All Basotho Convention ( ABC ) party , opposition figures and South African mediators had @ @ @ @ @ resign over the murder case .
Gunmen shot dead his previous wife , Lipolelo , @ @ @ @ @ , two days before he took office .

Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane bowed to pressure to resign on Tuesday, three months after police named him and his current wife as suspects in the murder of his former wife in a case that has transfixed the southern African nation.
Thabane's departure marks the end of one of Lesotho's longest political careers, one marked by exile, intrigue, tensions with the military and a political crisis that deepened when police named him as a murder suspect in February.
"The time to retire from the great theater of action, take leave from public life and office has finally arrived," the 80-year-old Thabane told citizens in a speech on Lesotho TV.
His own All Basotho Convention (ABC) party, opposition figures and South African mediators had all been pressing Thabane to resign over the murder case.
Gunmen shot dead his previous wife, Lipolelo, on June 14, 2017, two days before he took office.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Trump defends his use of unproven treatment for coronavirus

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his use of prescription malaria drug to try to ward off the novel coronavirus despite medical warnings, saying it was up to individuals to make their own decisions.Without offering any evidence, Trump told reporters during a visit to the US Capitol that he thinks hydroxychloroquine "gives you an additional level of safety," adding: "People are going to have to make up their own mind."The US Food and Drug Administration has warned about potential serious side effects with the use of the drug in COVID-19 patients.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--US charges Texas man with $5 m.-plus coronavirus loan fraud

WASHINGTON - US federal prosecutors charged a Texas man on Tuesday with fraudulently seeking $5 million in loans from an emergency program established to ease the economic strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic.Prosecutors allege in a criminal complaint that Samuel Yates, 32, of Maud, Texas, sought millions of dollars in Small Business Administration-guaranteed loans from two different banks. Yates claimed to employ over 400 people, although in reality "no employees worked for his purported business," prosecutors said in a statement."This defendant allegedly sought to steal millions of dollars in loans intended to aid legitimate small businesses grappling with the economic effects of COVID-19," the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus, said Brian Benczkowski, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.Prosecutors said charges Yates faces include violating statutes relating to wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution and making false statements to the SBA.They said Yates made two fraudulent applications to two different lenders for loans guaranteed by the SBA for COVID-19 relief through the virus-relief plan called the Paycheck Protection Program.In an application submitted to one of the lenders, Yates allegedly sought $5 million in PPP loan proceeds by fraudulently claiming to have 400 employees with an average monthly payroll of $2 million.In his second loan application, prosecutors say Yates claimed to employ over 100 individuals and was able to obtain a loan of more than $500,000.To back up these applications, prosecutors say Yates submitted a list of purported employees that he obtained from a publicly available random name generator on the internet. He also submitted forged tax documents with each application.Reuters was not immediately able to locate Yates.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Late Chinese ambassador to be honored on Wednesday

The late Chinese Ambassador to Israel Du Wei will be honored with a special ceremony on Wednesday morning at Ben-Gurion @ @ @ @ @ flown to China , the Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday .
Wei was The ceremony @ @ @ @ @ Braverman , Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yuval Rotem , Director @ @ @ @ @ Office Harel Tobi and the Chinese Deputy Chief of Mission Dai Yuming.Wei was found dead @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday morning .

The late Chinese Ambassador to Israel Du Wei will be honored with a special ceremony on Wednesday morning at Ben-Gurion Airport before his body is flown to China, the Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Coronavirus death toll rises to 278, active cases in Israel drops to 2,946

The government approved early Wednesday morning eased restrictions on social distancing and gathering in public spaces, after Health Minister Yuli Edelstein formally assumed his new role on Monday. On Tuesday, he said a series of coronavirus restrictions would be lifted by Wednesday.Parents, students and workers will have an easier time on their morning and afternoon commute, and if they want, they can also stop at the beach.Beginning Wednesday, coronavirus restrictions on the number of passengers on buses will be lifted during peak hours, in the first decision made by new Transportation Minister Miri Regev together with Edelstein. The move is meant to benefit the education system, the Transportation Ministry said in a statement.The buses affected by the new directive are those that run from 7-8:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., when children generally travel to and from school.Discussions will be held later this week to examine expansion of public transportation in general, Regev’s office said. The trains will remain closed until at least the end of the month.Also, preschools and schools will open at 7:30 a.m. starting on Wednesday.“In my tour this morning, I found that the bottleneck created at 7:55 a.m. poses a health and transportation hazard and makes it difficult for parents and educational staff,” newly appointed Education Minister Yoav Galant tweeted Tuesday night.Similarly, it was announced that museums will be permitted to operate as long as the exhibits are not interactive and require touch.Synagogues will also open Wednesday, the prime minister shared in a late-night message. Synagogues were among the top sites of infection during the early days of the pandemic. Up to 50 people can pray together, maintaining a distance of two meters. All prayer-goers must wear masks.The bathing season, which had been delayed from April 1, will start with 136 beaches opening up across the country.The beaches must maintain “Purple Ribbon” status from the Health Ministry, requiring those who want to swim or sunbathe to keep a distance of two meters from each other. Washrooms will be disinfected every hour, and showers and changing facilities will remain closed.The Health Ministry originally said beaches would open on June 1, but Interior Minister Arye Deri said opening bathing season was necessary and pushed for the Purple Ribbon compromise.According to his ministry, tens of millions of shekels were allocated to coastal authorities to operate under these restrictions.Since the number of coronavirus cases continues to decline, more places are expected to open within a week.At press time, there were 2,946 active cases of the virus in the country, including 38 patients who were intubated. At last count, 278 people had died.Restaurants and cafés will be permitted to reopen on May 27 after an agreement was reached between the Health Ministry and the Israeli Restaurants Association, the association announced via a Facebook post.The sector has been one of the hardest hit due to the measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. The government’s coronavirus exit strategy, announced in early May, initially provided for the reopening of restaurants and cafés at the end of May or mid-June.According to the agreement, published by the Health Ministry, restaurants that hold 100 customers can operate at full occupancy. Larger restaurants can operate at 85% occupancy. Tables will need to be positioned at least 1.5 meters apart, and reservations are recommended.Like businesses and beaches, restaurants will be required to maintain Purple Ribbon standards for hygiene and cleanliness.Some 14,000 restaurants, bars and cafés are expected to open, the Restaurants Association said.At the same time, many other facilities will open: swimming pools, hotels (including dining rooms and pools) and after-school activities and youth groups.Pools will be allowed to host one person per 10 square meters. Hotels will operate under strict Health Ministry hygiene guidelines similar to those of restaurants and pools.On Tuesday, banquet halls were told they could open for business on June 14. The owners of these facilities had gone on a hunger strike in protest against the restrictions, which they said had cost many of them their businesses.“As one who has been starved for extended periods of time in the past... I sought to approve the opening of the halls,” Edelstein told owners during a visit to one of the protest sites. But the coronavirus is still “out there. I ask you to guard your health,” he added.Eytan Halon contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Kochavi: The enemy spread rockets in villages, making them targets

IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi said on Tuesday that “ the enemy chose to spread missiles and rockets in @ @ @ @ @ doing so turned them into military targets.
” Kochavi was speaking during an official ceremony @ @ @ @ @ head Major-General Tamir Yadai .
“ When the Israeli home front is threatened by thousands @ @ @ @ @ will not hesitate to strike with force to thwart these threats , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ who was promoted to the rank of major-general , will lead the Home Front Command @

IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi said on Tuesday that “the enemy chose to spread missiles and rockets in its villages, and in doing so turned them into military targets.” Kochavi was speaking during an official ceremony for outgoing Home Front Command head Major-General Tamir Yadai.
“When the Israeli home front is threatened by thousands of missiles and rockets we will not hesitate to strike with force to thwart these threats,” he said.
Brigadier-General Uri Gordin, who was promoted to the rank of major-general, will lead the Home Front Command.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Forest fire near Geva Binyamin under control

The forest fire that raged near Geva Binyamin ( also known as Adam ) in the West Bank was contained @ @ @ @ @ News reported on Twitter .
Residents were evacuated from their homes as the raging fire @ @ @ @ @ day .
Israel is experiencing an intense heatwave , which is expected to last the @ @ @ @ @

The forest fire that raged near Geva Binyamin (also known as Adam) in the West Bank was contained on Tuesday evening, Kan News reported on Twitter.
Residents were evacuated from their homes as the raging fire approached the town earlier that day.
Israel is experiencing an intense heatwave, which is expected to last the rest of the week.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Canada, U.S. agree to 30-day extension of ban on non-essential travel

Canada and the United States have agreed to extend a ban on non-essential travel between the two nations by another 30 days as part of the fight against the coronavirus, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday.Trudeau made the announcement in remarks to reporters. Officials from both nations said last week it was likely that the measure would be rolled over until June 21.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Egypt to provide $6 billion in loan guarantees to help business

Central bank governor , Tarek Amer , told the agency : The decision comes during `` increased business risks in @ @ @ @ @ regards to companies and finance . ''
The loans will carry an interest rate of @ @ @ @ @ the central bank 's key overnight lending rate of 10.25 % .
The coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ 's economy , particularly with the virtual shutdown since March of the country 's tourism @ @ @ @ @ 5 % of gross domestic product , and the closure of restaurants and cafes .

Egypt's central bank will provide up to 100 billion Egyptian pounds ($6.36 billion) in loan guarantees to banks to encourage lending to businesses during the coronavirus crisis, the state news agency quoted the bank's governor as saying on Tuesday.
Central bank governor, Tarek Amer, told the agency: The decision comes during "increased business risks in the market, especially with regards to companies and finance."
The loans will carry an interest rate of 8%, well below the central bank's key overnight lending rate of 10.25%.
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on Egypt's economy, particularly with the virtual shutdown since March of the country's tourism industry, which represents about 5% of gross domestic product, and the closure of restaurants and cafes.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--United Airlines, Air Canada say air travel demand improving

The US carrier said it expects July capacity to fall 75 % from a year earlier , compared with an @ @ @ @ @ May and June capacity.Air Canada is also seeing an improvement in demand for air travel @ @ @ @ @ Financial Officer Michael Rousseau said at an online conference hosted by Wolfe Research.Rousseau said he @ @ @ @ @ travel to pick up in summer and in fall , respectively .

United
Airlines
United
Holdings Inc said on Tuesday it has seen a moderate improvement in demand for air travel so far in May in theStates and some international markets, as well as a reduction in cancellation rates.
The US carrier said it expects July capacity to fall 75% from a year earlier, compared with an about 90% decline in May and June capacity.
Air Canada is also seeing an improvement in demand for air travel and fewer cancellations, Chief Financial Officer Michael Rousseau said at an online conference hosted by Wolfe Research.Rousseau said he expects domestic leisure and business travel to pick up in summer and in fall, respectively.


jerusalempost--2020-05-19--Israel releases condolences over the death of Chinese ambassador

The government and Foreign Ministry released on Tuesday their official condolences over the death of Chinese Ambassador Du Wei Writing @ @ @ @ @ of the country , Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazy expressed “ his sincere condolences on the @ @ @ @ @ H.E .
Du Wei , the People 's Republic of China 's Ambassador.
” He @ @ @ @ @ sympathies to his family.
” Wei , 57 , was found dead in his Herzliya @ @ @ @ @ due to a heart attack .
His wife and son were not in Israel with @ @

The government and Foreign Ministry released on Tuesday their official condolences over the death of Chinese Ambassador Du Wei
Writing on behalf of the citizens of the country, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazy expressed “his sincere condolences on the sudden and tragic passing of H.E. Du Wei, the People's Republic of China's Ambassador.” He also offered his "deepest sympathies to his family.”
Wei, 57, was found dead in his Herzliya home on Sunday, allegedly due to a heart attack. His wife and son were not in Israel with him.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Knesset forms subcommittee on the killing of women

The Knesset plenum voted on Wednesday to create a special committee on recent incidents of women being murdered by their husbands and partners.After Meretz MK Tamar Zandberg proposed a parliamentary commission of inquiry on the phenomenon, a compromise was reached to instead form a subcommittee of the Knesset Committee on Advancing the Status of Women."This was a small victory on the long path toward ending the shocking phenomenon of murdering women," Zandberg said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Malaysia reports 31 new coronavirus cases; total tops 7,000

Malaysia's health ministry reported 31 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking the cumulative total to 7,009 infections.No new deaths were recorded, leaving the total number of fatalities at 114.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Russia's coronavirus infections pass 300,000, deaths near 3,000

The country 's coronavirus response center said 135 people had died in the past 24 hours , taking the death @ @ @ @ @ 2,972 .

Russia reported 8,764 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, its lowest daily rise since May 2, taking the total number of documented infections to 308,705.
The country's coronavirus response center said 135 people had died in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll from the virus to 2,972.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--China's Taiwan affairs office says reunification is natural trend

Spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said in a statement that China will never leave any room for various forms of `` Taiwan @ @ @ @ @ act of separating Taiwan from China , the official Xinhua news agency reported .

"Reunification" of Taiwan with the mainland is the natural trend of history and efforts to seek independence for the island are a dead-end, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said on Wednesday.
Spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said in a statement that China will never leave any room for various forms of "Taiwan independence" or tolerate any act of separating Taiwan from China, the official Xinhua news agency reported.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Thailand reports 1 new coronavirus case, no new deaths

There were no additional deaths reported .
The new case , a Thai citizen travelling from Bahrain , was a @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for the government 's coronavirus task force , Taweesin Wisanuyothin .

Thailand on Wednesday confirmed one new coronavirus case, bringing its total cases to 3,034.
There were no additional deaths reported. The new case, a Thai citizen travelling from Bahrain, was a detected during quarantine, said spokesman for the government's coronavirus task force, Taweesin Wisanuyothin.
There have been 56 deaths overall from coronavirus in Thailand and 2,888 patients have recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--5.1 magnitude earthquake hits Nicaraguan coast

An earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean off Nicaragua on Tuesday, causing buildings to sway near the capital Managua, but there were no immediate reports of damage.The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the 5.1 magnitude quake hit 49 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Masachapa, Nicaragua.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 797 to over 176,000 - RKI

The reported death toll rose by 83 to 8,090 , the tally showed .

The reported death toll rose by 83 to 8,090, the tally showed.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 797 to 176,007, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Taiwan pres. wants talks with China, but not on 'one country, two systems'

`` Here , I want to reiterate the words 'peace , parity , democracy , and dialogue ' .
We @ @ @ @ @ authorities ' use of 'one country , two systems ' to downgrade Taiwan and undermine @ @ @ @ @ We stand fast by this principle , '' she said in a speech .
China @ @ @ @ @ is supposed to guarantee a high degree of autonomy , to run the former British @ @ @ @ @ which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 .
It has offered it to Chinese-claimed Taiwan @ @ @ @ @ Taiwanese parties have rejected it .

"Here, I want to reiterate the words 'peace, parity, democracy, and dialogue'. We will not accept the Beijing authorities' use of 'one country, two systems' to downgrade Taiwan and undermine the cross-strait status quo. We stand fast by this principle," she said in a speech.
China uses this system, which is supposed to guarantee a high degree of autonomy, to run the former British colony of Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997. It has offered it to Chinese-claimed Taiwan too, though all major Taiwanese parties have rejected it.
Taiwan wants dialogue with China but cannot accept its proposal for "one country, two systems", President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday after being inagurated for her second and final term in office.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Burundi heads to poll amid health and violence concerns

President Pierre Nkurunziza , whose government has repeatedly been accused of rights abuses , will step down after 15 years .
His ruling CNDD-FDD party candidate , retired army general Evariste Ndayishimiye , is running against opposition leader Agathon Rwasa and five others .
The election is meant to usher in the first democratic transition in 58 years of independence for the impoverished east African nation , after widespread international criticism of its last election in 2015 , when Nkurunziza ran for a third term .
His opponents said the move violated a peace deal that ended the civil war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sparked violent protests that drove hundreds of thousands of Burundians into exile .
U.N. reports documented hundreds of killings and the torture and gang-rape of opposition activists .
Donors withdrew funding in protest .
Rwasa , like Nkurunziza a former rebel leader , warned about possible electoral fraud in his final rally on Sunday .
`` We know there is plan of election fraud , some are even intimidating people asking for their voter cards to vote for them , '' he said .
`` All of that is worthless . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` remain concerned about reports of intimidation and violent clashes between supporters of opposing sides '' , in a joint statement on Sunday .
There will be few election monitors after the government said they would have to go into a 14-day quarantine to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus .
The government expelled the national head of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) last week following public criticism that all parties were holding rallies despite the disease .
So far , the tiny East African nation has reported only 42 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains very low , however - the nation of 11 million has carried out only 633 tests , according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention .

President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose government has repeatedly been accused of rights abuses, will step down after 15 years. His ruling CNDD-FDD party candidate, retired army general Evariste Ndayishimiye, is running against opposition leader Agathon Rwasa and five others.
The election is meant to usher in the first democratic transition in 58 years of independence for the impoverished east African nation, after widespread international criticism of its last election in 2015, when Nkurunziza ran for a third term.
His opponents said the move violated a peace deal that ended the civil war and boycotted the poll. The election sparked violent protests that drove hundreds of thousands of Burundians into exile. U.N. reports documented hundreds of killings and the torture and gang-rape of opposition activists. Donors withdrew funding in protest.
The government denies accusations of rights violations.
Rwasa, like Nkurunziza a former rebel leader, warned about possible electoral fraud in his final rally on Sunday.
"We know there is plan of election fraud, some are even intimidating people asking for their voter cards to vote for them," he said. "All of that is worthless."
The U.N. and the African Union said they "remain concerned about reports of intimidation and violent clashes between supporters of opposing sides", in a joint statement on Sunday.
There will be few election monitors after the government said they would have to go into a 14-day quarantine to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
The government expelled the national head of the World Health Organization (WHO) last week following public criticism that all parties were holding rallies despite the disease.
So far, the tiny East African nation has reported only 42 coronavirus case and one death. Testing remains very low, however - the nation of 11 million has carried out only 633 tests, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Burundi holds on Wednesday its first competitive presidential election since a civil war erupted in 1993, despite simmering political violence and the new coronavirus pandemic.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--California border hospitals hit by surge in COVID-19 cases from Mexico

The surge in patients consisted of US citizens who live in Mexicali , capital of the Mexican state of Baja California , and were turned away from hospitals overrun with coronavirus cases there , said Dr. Adolphe Edward , chief executive officer of the El Centro Regional Medical Center .
Edward said his 161-bed hospital in El Centro , the main city in Imperial County about 100 miles ( 160 km ) east of San Diego , ended up with 65 COVID-19-positive patients from Monday night 's influx , while the 106-bed Pilgrims Memorial Hospital in nearby Brawley admitted 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , '' Edward said on his hospital 's Facebook page .
The emergency rooms of both hospitals have imposed a `` divert '' order requiring any additional COVID-19 cases be redirected to other medical facilities in the region , he said .
The two ERs will remain open to non-coronavirus cases , and most COVID-19 patients already admitted would remain , he said .
A spokeswoman for Pilgrims Memorial , Karina Lopez , confirmed Edward 's account , adding no one at the Brawley hospital had been turned away .
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consisting of about 175,000 residents and a local economy based largely on irrigated agriculture .
About 80 % of residents in the larger Imperial Valley , straddling both sides of the border , are Hispanic , with many considered bi-national .
An estimated 265,000 U.S. citizens and Mexicans with American `` green cards '' conferring permanent-residency status , live in Baja .
Many are retirees .
Imperial County has registered fewer than 800 known coronavirus infections and just 15 deaths to date .
Baja California , by comparison , has reported 3,458 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main medical centers in Baja 's state capital - Mexicali Hospital General and IMSS Regional Hospital 30 - are both `` saturated '' by the outbreak , Mario Cervantes , head of relief services for the Red Cross of Mexicali , told Reuters .
Some arriving ambulances have had to wait hours to deliver new patients , while others were turned away altogether , he said .
Baja health department officials said neither Mexicali hospital had exhausted its bed space , but Dr. Rafael Abril , president of the Mexicali College of Surgeons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half the IMSS hospital 's doctors were infected with COVID-19 , which could lead to staffing shortages .
US officials recently voiced concern a coronavirus outbreak in Mexico could send a wave of dual citizens over the border into the United States , putting extra strain on American hospitals .

The surge in patients consisted of US citizens who live in Mexicali, capital of the Mexican state of Baja California, and were turned away from hospitals overrun with coronavirus cases there, said Dr. Adolphe Edward, chief executive officer of the El Centro Regional Medical Center.
Edward said his 161-bed hospital in El Centro, the main city in Imperial County about 100 miles (160 km) east of San Diego, ended up with 65 COVID-19-positive patients from Monday night's influx, while the 106-bed Pilgrims Memorial Hospital in nearby Brawley admitted 28.
"Our numbers just skyrocketed last night," Edward said on his hospital's Facebook page.
The emergency rooms of both hospitals have imposed a "divert" order requiring any additional COVID-19 cases be redirected to other medical facilities in the region, he said.
The two ERs will remain open to non-coronavirus cases, and most COVID-19 patients already admitted would remain, he said.
A spokeswoman for Pilgrims Memorial, Karina Lopez, confirmed Edward's account, adding no one at the Brawley hospital had been turned away.
The two hospitals serve all of Imperial County, consisting of about 175,000 residents and a local economy based largely on irrigated agriculture.
About 80% of residents in the larger Imperial Valley, straddling both sides of the border, are Hispanic, with many considered bi-national. An estimated 265,000 U.S. citizens and Mexicans with American "green cards" conferring permanent-residency status, live in Baja. Many are retirees.
Imperial County has registered fewer than 800 known coronavirus infections and just 15 deaths to date. Baja California, by comparison, has reported 3,458 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 134 deaths.
Two main medical centers in Baja's state capital - Mexicali Hospital General and IMSS Regional Hospital 30 - are both "saturated" by the outbreak, Mario Cervantes, head of relief services for the Red Cross of Mexicali, told Reuters.
Some arriving ambulances have had to wait hours to deliver new patients, while others were turned away altogether, he said.
Baja health department officials said neither Mexicali hospital had exhausted its bed space, but Dr. Rafael Abril, president of the Mexicali College of Surgeons, told local news in April that half the IMSS hospital's doctors were infected with COVID-19, which could lead to staffing shortages.
US officials recently voiced concern a coronavirus outbreak in Mexico could send a wave of dual citizens over the border into the United States, putting extra strain on American hospitals.
The only two hospitals in Southern California's rural Imperial County were forced to close their doors to new coronavirus patients on Tuesday, after admitting scores believed stricken with the virus from across the border in Mexico, officials said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Spanish airline Globalia suspends plans to fly domestic in Brazil

Brazil 's top civil air travel regulator said on Tuesday that Spanish airline company Globalia has suspended a process to @ @ @ @ @ Latin America 's largest economy .
Juliano Noman , who heads regulator ANAC said Globalia @ @ @ @ @ process , but not canceled it altogether , amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Globalia operates @ @ @ @ @ which is based in Spain .

Brazil's top civil air travel regulator said on Tuesday that Spanish airline company Globalia has suspended a process to start operating domestic flights within Latin America's largest economy.
Juliano Noman, who heads regulator ANAC said Globalia had asked to suspend the process, but not canceled it altogether, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Globalia operates the Air Europa brand, which is based in Spain.


jerusalempost--2020-05-21--6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes central Mediterranean Sea

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jerusalempost--2020-05-20--21-year-old man hospitalized with stab wounds

A 21- year-old resident of the Arab city of Zarzir was admitted to Rambam Medical Center in severe condition after being stabbed late Wednesday night, according to police reports.Israeli police arrived at the scene of the incident to investigate the stabbing, and found that it took place amid disputes between two families of the area.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Coronavirus: Global cases surpass 5 million, South American cases rising

It represents a new phase in the virus ' spread , which initially peaked in China in February , before large-scale outbreaks followed in Europe and the United States .
Latin America accounted for around a third of the 91,000 cases reported earlier this week .
Europe and the United States each accounted for just over 20 % .
A large number of those new cases came from Brazil , which recently surpassed Germany , France and the United Kingdom to become the third-largest outbreak in the world , behind the United States and Russia .
Cases in Brazil are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only to the United States .
The first 41 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Wuhan , China , on Jan. 10 and it took the world until April 1 to reach its first million cases .
Since then , about 1 million new cases are reported every two weeks , according to a Reuters tally .
At more than 5 million cases , the virus has infected more people in under six months than the annual total of severe flu cases , which the World Health Organization estimates is around 3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has claimed over 326,000 lives , though the true number is thought to be higher as testing is still limited and many countries do not include fatalities outside of hospitals .
Over half of the total fatalities have been recorded in Europe .
Despite the continued increase in cases , many countries are opening schools and workplaces following weeks of lockdown that have stemmed the spread .
Financial markets have also been boosted slightly by promising early results from the first U.S. vaccine trial in humans .

Global coronavirus cases surpassed 5 million on Wednesday, with Latin America overtaking the United States and Europe in the past week to report the largest portion of new daily cases globally.
It represents a new phase in the virus' spread, which initially peaked in China in February, before large-scale outbreaks followed in Europe and the United States.
Latin America accounted for around a third of the 91,000 cases reported earlier this week. Europe and the United States each accounted for just over 20%.
A large number of those new cases came from Brazil, which recently surpassed Germany, France and the United Kingdom to become the third-largest outbreak in the world, behind the United States and Russia.
Cases in Brazil are now rising at a daily pace second only to the United States.
The first 41 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Wuhan, China, on Jan. 10 and it took the world until April 1 to reach its first million cases. Since then, about 1 million new cases are reported every two weeks, according to a Reuters tally.
At more than 5 million cases, the virus has infected more people in under six months than the annual total of severe flu cases, which the World Health Organization estimates is around 3 million to 5 million globally.
The pandemic has claimed over 326,000 lives, though the true number is thought to be higher as testing is still limited and many countries do not include fatalities outside of hospitals. Over half of the total fatalities have been recorded in Europe.
Despite the continued increase in cases, many countries are opening schools and workplaces following weeks of lockdown that have stemmed the spread.
Financial markets have also been boosted slightly by promising early results from the first U.S. vaccine trial in humans.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Due to coronavirus, Finance Ministry demanding shortened summer vacation

The Finance Ministry has requested that the Education Ministry shorten summer vacation by at least nine days for middle and @ @ @ @ @ light of the coronavirus epidemic , according to Maariv , The Jerusalem Post 's sister @ @ @ @ @ Ron Erez , head of the organization Hamorim Havatik ( Veteran Teachers ) , stated @ @ @ @ @ any changes to this current school year 's learning schedule .

The Finance Ministry has requested that the Education Ministry shorten summer vacation by at least nine days for middle and high school students, in light of the coronavirus epidemic, according to Maariv, The Jerusalem Post's sister publication.
In addition, Ron Erez, head of the organization Hamorim Havatik (Veteran Teachers), stated that he refuses to implement any changes to this current school year's learning schedule.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Venezuelan military to escort Iranian oil tankers

His comments came after Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said the shipment should `` alarm '' Latin America .
Both OPEC members are U.S. adversaries whose oil industries are under U.S. sanctions .
Trump administration officials say Washington is considering a response to the shipment .
The tankers - Fortune , Forest , Petunia , Faxon and Clavel - are carrying around 1.5 million barrels of fuel , and passed the Suez Canal in the first two weeks of May , Refinitiv Eikon data show .
They are expected to arrive in Venezuela between late May and early June .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone , they will be escorted by Bolivarian National Armed Forces boats and planes to welcome them in and thank the Iranian people for their solidarity and cooperation , '' Padrino said on state television , adding that the government was in touch with Iran 's defense minister .
Guaido said the fact President Nicolas Maduro 's socialist government is importing fuel shows its mismanagement of the country 's oil industry .
Venezuela 's refining network has 1.3 million barrels per day ( bpd ) of capacity , but has collapsed after years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned for the safety of Venezuelans , and of Latin America as well , due to this attempted Iranian presence on Venezuelan soil , '' said Guaido , who leads the opposition-held National Assembly and is recognized as the rightful president by dozens of countries , including the United States .
Maduro calls Guaido a U.S. puppet seeking to oust him in a coup , and blames U.S. sanctions for Venezuela 's economic woes .
Guaido said his team believed Venezuelan officials paid Iran with `` blood gold '' from informal mines in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fueled massacres as gangs battle for territory .

Venezuela's military will escort Iranian tankers bringing fuel to the gasoline-starved country as soon as they enter its exclusive economic zone, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said on Wednesday.
His comments came after Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said the shipment should "alarm" Latin America. Both OPEC members are U.S. adversaries whose oil industries are under U.S. sanctions. Trump administration officials say Washington is considering a response to the shipment.
The tankers - Fortune, Forest, Petunia, Faxon and Clavel - are carrying around 1.5 million barrels of fuel, and passed the Suez Canal in the first two weeks of May, Refinitiv Eikon data show. They are expected to arrive in Venezuela between late May and early June.
"When they enter our exclusive economic zone, they will be escorted by Bolivarian National Armed Forces boats and planes to welcome them in and thank the Iranian people for their solidarity and cooperation," Padrino said on state television, adding that the government was in touch with Iran's defense minister.
Guaido said the fact President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government is importing fuel shows its mismanagement of the country's oil industry. Venezuela's refining network has 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of capacity, but has collapsed after years of underinvestment.
"We are very concerned for the safety of Venezuelans, and of Latin America as well, due to this attempted Iranian presence on Venezuelan soil," said Guaido, who leads the opposition-held National Assembly and is recognized as the rightful president by dozens of countries, including the United States.
Maduro calls Guaido a U.S. puppet seeking to oust him in a coup, and blames U.S. sanctions for Venezuela's economic woes.
Guaido said his team believed Venezuelan officials paid Iran with "blood gold" from informal mines in Venezuela's southern jungles, which have fueled massacres as gangs battle for territory.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--IDF reports attempted shooting terror attack near Shomron Brigade

An attempted terror attack took place this afternoon close to the Arab village Huwara , near where the Shomron Brigade @ @ @ @ @ IDF reports .
Based on evidence found at the scene , a suspect pointed a @ @ @ @ @ , attempting to shoot the vehicle 's occupants .
Upon noticing the threat , the @ @ @ @ @ pursuing the suspect , leading the suspect to flee the scene .
No injuries were @ @ @ @ @ the incident .

An attempted terror attack took place this afternoon close to the Arab village Huwara, near where the Shomron Brigade was stationed, according to IDF reports.
Based on evidence found at the scene, a suspect pointed a firearm at an Israeli vehicle, attempting to shoot the vehicle's occupants. Upon noticing the threat, the driver of the vehicle began pursuing the suspect, leading the suspect to flee the scene.
No injuries were reported at the time of the incident.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Iraqi security services arrest ISIS leader - report

Iraqi security services arrested the ISIS operative who took over leading the terror group after the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Khamenei vows to 'assist any nation that fights Israel'

Iran 's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday night the Islamic Republic would support states and organizations engaging in @ @ @ @ @ of Israel .
`` We will support and assist any nation or any group anywhere @ @ @ @ @ Zionist regime , and we do not hesitate to say this , '' Khamenei said @ @ @

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday night the Islamic Republic would support states and organizations engaging in armed conflict with the State of Israel.
"We will support and assist any nation or any group anywhere who opposes and fights the Zionist regime, and we do not hesitate to say this," Khamenei said on Twitter.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Gantz speaks with Raab about ‘special’ UK-Israel relationship

Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz spoke with The UK First Secretary Dominic Raab on Wednesday over the phone about the special relationship between Israel the UK.Raab holds a similar position to Gantz as both men are the de-facto vice prime minister in their respective nations.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--IDF troops indicted for throwing stones at fellow soldier

Two soldiers were indicted by the Military Prosecution for causing injury and inappropriate behavior , the IDF Spokesperson 's Unit @ @ @ @ @ to the IDF , the two were throwing stones at a chemical toilet in September @ @ @ @ @ soldier in the head .
The injured soldier was mechanically ventilated and taken to the @ @ @ @ @ had to undergo emergency surgery .

Two soldiers were indicted by the Military Prosecution for causing injury and inappropriate behavior, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said Wednesday evening.
According to the IDF, the two were throwing stones at a chemical toilet in September 2019, injuring a fellow soldier in the head.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Coronavirus: 2,812 active cases, only 40 intubated

There are now only 2,812 active cases of coronavirus in the country, the Health Ministry reported Wednesday night, among them 40 who are intubated.So far, 279 people have died from the virus.The Health Ministry said it conducted 6,938 tests in the last 24 hours.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Ashkenazi speaks with Maas, lauds decision to outlaw Hezbollah

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi spoke with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas via phone on Wednesday and lauded the German decision to outlaw Hezbollah. Ashkenazi also expressed his hopes other EU nations will follow the German example.Ashkenazi also expressed his appreciation to the German Federal Republic for supporting Israel and speaking out in public against antisemitism.Ashkenazi also thanked Maas for Germany's help returning Israelis home during the coronavirus crisis.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Ashkenazi speaks with Lavrov on ending Iranian presence in Syria

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov via phone on Wednesday about ending Iran's presence in Syria, as well as challenges and opportunities in the international arena, according to a ministry press release.Ashkenazi congratulated Lavrov on the 75th anniversary of the Red Army defeating the Nazis and said Israel greatly values the role the Red Army had in liberating the concentration camps.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Israel Katz appoints Keren Turner Finance Ministry D-G

Turner was earlier terminated by newly-appointed Transportation Minister Miri Regev ( Likud ) while on maternity leave , making headlines @ @ @ @ @ NGOs .

Turner was earlier terminated by newly-appointed Transportation Minister Miri Regev (Likud) while on maternity leave, making headlines and sparking controversy among feminist NGOs.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Pompeo: I should have urged Trump to fire State Dept. watchdog sooner

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said he should have recommended to President Donald Trump that @ @ @ @ @ Inspector General Steve Linick `` some time ago . ''
Speaking at a State Department @ @ @ @ @ that he urged the department 's internal watchdog be fired in retaliation for internal investigations @ @ @ @ @ that the reason that he recommended Linick 's ouster would be shared with the relevant @ @

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said he should have recommended to President Donald Trump that Trump fire former State Department Inspector General Steve Linick "some time ago."
Speaking at a State Department news conference, Pompeo denied that he urged the department's internal watchdog be fired in retaliation for internal investigations he was conducting and said that the reason that he recommended Linick's ouster would be shared with the relevant people.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Rehovot elementary school teacher tests positive for coronavirus

An elementary school teacher in Rehovot tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, Kan News reported on Twitter.As of Wednesday, including the new case, there have been four infected teachers in Rehovot. Additionally, three students caught the novel coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Court rejects Netanyahu's request to skip first hearing of trial

A Jerusalem District Court three-judge panel on Wednesday unanimously rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’s request for an exemption from attending the opening of his public corruption trial that will take place on Sunday.The decision appeared to be a move by the court to indicate it is in control now that the trial is actually starting, even though “Defendant No. 1” is the country’s prime minister who victoriously just started his fifth term.Judges Rivka Friedman-Feldman, Moses Bar-Am and Oded Shaham said none of the reasons Netanyahu presented could justify his absence.In addition, defendants Shaul and Iris Elovitch, Arnon “Noni” Mozes and Netanyahu had requested that they be allowed additional defense lawyers in the main courtroom. The court had previously said each defendant could have one lawyer in the main room and additional lawyers in an adjacent room due to coronavirus social-distancing regulations.The court rejected this request as well.On Tuesday, the state prosecution and Netanyahu took shots at each other over the issue of whether he would need to attend, leading Netanyahu to ask the court to decide the dispute.At the first stage, Netanyahu sought to sound out the prosecution regarding the issue.Formally, the reply came from Tel Aviv Economic Crimes Division director Yehudit Tirosh. But important issues related to the trial likely are being cleared with Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit. The prosecution said the law requires a defendant to be present for his arraignment hearing, where he must personally plead innocent or guilty.The court had ordered Netanyahu to appear in its prior February and early May scheduling orders related to the trial, Tirosh said.A spokesman for Netanyahu on Monday night said the prime minister did not need to be present for the first hearing because it will just be a technical discussion to review discovery issues and set a schedule for witnesses.Furthermore, the spokesman said Netanyahu travels with a large security contingent that would negatively impact how many lawyers and media representatives could be present in the main courtroom, and bringing it was a waste of resources. This was especially true in light of the special, current coronavirus concerns, he said. In a motion to the court, Netanyahu said he would need five security guards in the courtroom.The Jerusalem Post requested clarification about these numbers from the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) based on past experience where the number of security guards appeared to be smaller. The agency declined to comment.The spokesman confirmed that Netanyahu would be present at more-substantive hearings, such as the opening statements and the testimony of key witnesses.Various noteworthy defendants have skipped the first technical hearing of their trials in the past. The “real” trial with witnesses will begin in three months to a year later.It was always clear that Netanyahu would have to attend whenever he is called as a witness or to be cross-examined.Cynics were inclined to say Netanyahu was seeking to avoid any pictures of himself in court this early in his new term.Tirosh rejected Netanyahu’s characterization of Sunday’s hearing as a mere technical one. It was important for the public’s faith and respect for the legal process that he attends in person, she said.Netanyahu’s lawyer Amit Hadad slammed the prosecution’s response.Even though the hearing was labeled as “an arraignment hearing,” he said, everyone knew that most of it would really be devoted to the lawyers wrestling over technical documentation and witness-related details, which sometimes leads to the actual plea of guilty or innocent even being postponed.Hadad said the prosecution’s response “did not come from proper professional motives, but rather to serve the campaign of presenting a picture of Prime Minister Netanyahu on the bench of the defendants as a continuation of the ‘anyone-but-Bibi’ campaign.”The elections are over, and Netanyahu has established a national-unity government to address serious problems like the coronavirus crisis, he said.The prosecution responded that there was no basis to attack their professionalism, and it still was unclear what legal reasons Netanyahu really thought he had to have an exemption when three other prominent defendants would need to show up in court on Sunday.Ultimately, the court sided with the prosecution without really addressing some of the cases cited by Netanyahu to support the idea that it had discretion to exempt him from attendance.As things stand, despite several media outlets requesting a live broadcast for the public, the discussion will only be broadcast on two other courtrooms via CCTV.The public corruption trial will cover cases 1000, 2000 and 4000, regarding bribery, fraud and breach of trust.


jerusalempost--2020-05-20--Man arrested for allegedly setting Religious Council buildings ablaze

Police arrested a man on Wednesday in northern Israel for allegedly attempting to set Religious Council buildings on fire in Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Petah Tikva and Kfar Saba, according to a press release.Another suspect, a woman, was held for questioning under warning.The Religious Council oversees services offered to Jewish people in Israel such as marriages, burial and kosher food.


jerusalempost--2020-05-21--PM Johnson will not face criminal probe over links to US businesswoman

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not face criminal action following allegations of misconduct over his relationship with a US tech entrepreneur, the police watchdog said on Thursday.However, the London Assembly said it would continue with its investigation into Johnson's links with Jennifer Arcuri, saying while they would examine his conduct in while he was mayor of London.