jerusalempost--2020-08-21--Likud accuses Nissenkorn, Mandelblit of making a secret deal

Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn vigorously denied accusations from the Likud Party on Friday that he was deliberately torpedoing efforts to prevent an election, due to a conspiracy with Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit.Nissenkorn, who leads Blue and White’s coalition negotiating team, has been the least willing to compromise among the party’s leaders. He has refused the Likud’s demands to form a committee on political appointments, while other figures in Bue and White were willing to give in.In an official statement, the Likud said Nissenkorn was being tough, because Mandelblit had closed a criminal case against him. The Likud said the case was initiated by then-interim state prosecutor Dan Eldad, who Nissenkorn fired and replaced with Mandelblit.“Was a case closed in return for an appointment and an appointment in return for closing a case?” the Likud asked. “Mandelblit and Nissenkorn will have to give answers to the public immediately.” Nissenkorn responded on Twitter by saying “To whoever is attempting to spread ridiculous lies and invent a scandal, you will not deter me for a single moment from defending the rule of the law. Miserable souls, your attacks only strengthen me.”Earlier Friday, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz convened all his MKs at the Kfar Hamaccabiah Hotel, where he is resting after back surgery.“We are not people of games and political maneuvers,” Gantz wrote on Facebook. “We are people of honor and hope, hard work, integrity and values.”Mandelblit's office released a statement in response to the allegations, reaffirming that Nissenkorn is not currently, nor was he ever, a suspect in any crime."Following media publications in 2017 that raised allegations regarding the worker's union elections that involved Mr. Avi Nissenkorn, it was decided in May 2017 that the police would examine the issue," the statement read. "The police reached the conclusion that there was no justification in perusing the matter further, for several reasons, including the lack of evidence and the nature of the allegations."The statement continued to say that in May Mandelblit was told that police recommended Nissenkorn not be investigated. Additionally, "it was made clear that no new relevant information came up regarding this issue since, and there was just valid reason to inquire the issue further.""The attorney-general asked to conduct another examination of the police recommendation and to verify the fact that the recommendation that was given in 2017 was still relevant at this time. A close examination revealed that the recommendation remained as it was and that there was no evidential basis that justified opening a criminal investigation today," the statement read.Tobias Siegal contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-08-21--Six states, DC file lawsuit against Postal Service over service changes

The suit , filed in U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania , is joined by California , Delaware , Maine , @ @ @ @ @

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania, is joined by California, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts and North Carolina.
Six states led by Pennsylvania on Friday sued the U.S. Postal Service and the new postmaster general, saying service changes adopted in recent weeks have harmed the ability of states "to conduct free and fair elections."


jerusalempost--2020-08-21--Russia approves trial of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine - registry filing

AstraZeneca has received regulatory approval to conduct part of a Phase III trial of its potential COVID-19 vaccine , AZD1222 @ @ @ @ @ filing in the Russian registry of clinical trials showed on Friday .
The trial will @ @ @ @ @ be handled by four medical facilities in St. Petersburg and Moscow , the registry filing @ @ @ @ @ .

AstraZeneca has received regulatory approval to conduct part of a Phase III trial of its potential COVID-19 vaccine, AZD1222, in Russia, a filing in the Russian registry of clinical trials showed on Friday.
The trial will involve 150 participants and will be handled by four medical facilities in St. Petersburg and Moscow, the registry filing, dated Friday, showed.


jerusalempost--2020-08-21--Gantz on Gaza escalation: The IDF will keep attacking those who attack us

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The IDF struck targets belonging to Hamas in the Gaza Strip during three rounds of airstrikes as 12 rockets were fired towards southern Israel from the coastal enclave on Thursday night.Of the 12 projectiles fired from the Strip, 9 were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and others landed in open fields or within Gaza.Emergency services said three people were treated for shock after an unexploded rocket fell on a house in Sderot and two others were injured while running for safety following the sirens.A house in the college town of Sderot was also severely damaged by Iron Dome rocket interceptor fragments which landed on it, destroying windows and blasting large house in the walls.In response to the rocket fire, Israeli military said that Israeli Airforce jets and helicopters struck sites belonging to Hamas in three waves, including underground facilities, a rocket-building site, and a cement facility used to provide materials to build tunnels used by the group.According to Palestinian media, at least one person was injured in the strikes targeting the sites east of Khan Younis.
הסלמה בדרום | מקורות פלסטיניים פרסמו תיעוד של אחת מתקיפות צה"ל ברצועת עזה@nurityohanan pic.twitter.com/TwGjVxXH2z — כאן חדשות (@kann_news) August 21, 2020
“The IDF takes all terror activity against Israeli territory very seriously and is prepared and ready to act as much as necessary against attempts to harm Israeli citizens and their sovereignty,” the military said in a statement, adding that “we hold Hamas responsible for all terror activity emanating from Gaza.”President Reuven Rivlin commented on Friday morning on the rocket fire saying that "Israelis living in the area around Gaza had another tough night, including serious damage to property. This morning, too, we are with them and full of appreciation for their resilience."We will not stand by while Hamas is out of control. The IDF will respond with force and determination, sortie after sortie, and will continue even if it requires patience and time," Rivlin continued. The president concluded his statement saying, "Fires, rockets and explosive balloons will not become routine. We put our faith in the IDF and its capabilities and are sure that it will not relent until quiet returns.”As a result of the major uptick in violence, Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz on Friday attended a situational briefing led by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi and commander of the Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Hertzi Halevi.After attending the evaluation, Gantz warned Hamas that the IDF would strongly retaliate."I've just finished an evaluation with the IDF chief of staff following the continued attacks on southern Israel," Gantz said. "The IDF is prepared and will keep protecting residents of the South and attacking those who attack us. We will deal a very heavy blow if need be."As part of examining possible courses of action, Kochavi "heard an intelligence briefing and approved an exercise for examining the division's alertness and preparedness for possible scenarios," according to Ynet.On Thursday the IDF is said to have deployed additional Iron Dome batteries out of concern that Palestinian groups in Gaza would increase their rocket fire towards southern Israel.The IDF has been striking targets in the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave on a nightly basis close to two weeks in response to the continued launching of incendiary balloons which have ignited hundreds of fires in southern Israel and rocket fire.On Thursday alone 42 fires broke out and on Wednesday there were 28 fires in the Sha’ar HaNegev and Eshkol regional councils. Though fire and emergency rescue services say that most of the fires were small and did not pose a danger to human life, they have destroyed hundreds of dunams of brush.On Wednesday Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that since he took office as Defense Minister, every attack from Gaza has seen a response by the Israeli military.“We have changed the equation in Gaza. Since I entered office there has been a response to every breach in our security.”Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said Israel is treating airborne incendiary attacks like rocket attacks and warned Hamas that the group would be making a “very big mistake” if it keeps up the violence, hinting that the group’s members, as well as those belonging to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, might be targeted.“We have adopted a policy under which a fire is treated as a rocket. We have, for 10 days consecutively, been striking Hamas and [other] terror groups’ infrastructure. We are also applying various sanctions in areas that are important to Hamas,” he told mayors of southern communities in a phone call. “Unfortunately, we are also preparing, as needed, for the possibility of a round, or [multiple] rounds, [of fighting]. I hope we won’t get to this.”


jerusalempost--2020-08-21--Incendiary balloons located in Kiryat Gat

A bundle of balloons with a suspicious item attached to it was located on Friday in Kiryat Gat's industrial area, according to a police statement.Police officers and sappers who were called to the scene neutralized the suspicious item, which turned out to be an explosive device. During the process, a nearby residential building was slightly damaged.The police released a statement following the incident, reminding the public to remain alert and immediately report any suspicious activity.


jerusalempost--2020-08-21--Russian officials say chemicals found body of Kremlin critic Navalny

Earlier on Friday Alexander Murakhovsky , the head doctor at the hospital treating Navalny in the city of Omsk , @ @ @ @ @ substances had been found on the 44-year-old 's clothes and fingers .
Navalny , a @ @ @ @ @ Putin , is in a serious condition after drinking tea on Thursday morning that his @ @ @ @ @ poison .

Earlier on Friday Alexander Murakhovsky, the head doctor at the hospital treating Navalny in the city of Omsk, said traces of industrial chemical substances had been found on the 44-year-old's clothes and fingers.
Navalny, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, is in a serious condition after drinking tea on Thursday morning that his allies believe was laced with poison.
Officials from the Health Ministry of a Siberian region where of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is being treated in hospital said on Friday that a police laboratory had found a chemical substance of an industrial nature on his hair and hands.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Police neutralize explosive device in a town near the Gaza Strip

Police sappers were called to a town in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council after residents identified a suspicious balloon with an item attached to it.After examining the item, police officers concluded that it was in fact an explosive device, and neutralized it.The police issued a statement following the incident, reminding the public to stay alert and report any suspicious items they encounter.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Suspected Islamist militants kill 13 in eastern Congo villages

Suspected Islamist militants killed 13 people during raids on two villages in eastern Congo , the army and a village chief said , the latest in a spate of attacks the United Nations says may constitute war crimes .
The Allied Democratic Forces ( ADF ) , a Ugandan armed group operating in North Kivu province in Democratic Republic of Congo , have killed more than 1,000 civilians since the start of 2019 , according to U.N. figures .
Militiamen tied up the victims in the villages of Kinziki-Matiba and Wikeno , 10 km east of the city of Oicha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday afternoon , said Chui Mukalangirwa , a local village chief .
`` We beg the authorities to put an end to this bloodbath , '' he said .
The army helped civilians bury the bodies and is looking at deploying more units in the area , army spokesman Antony Mwalishayi said .
The ADF has operated in the dense forests near the Ugandan border for more than three decades .
Late last year the Congo army launched a large-scale operation against them , sparking a violent backlash against civilians .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been claimed by Islamic State , although researchers and analysts say there is a lack of hard evidence linking the two groups .
The insecurity has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes and complicated Congo 's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as an Ebola epidemic that has killed more than 2,200 people .

Suspected Islamist militants killed 13 people during raids on two villages in eastern Congo, the army and a village chief said, the latest in a spate of attacks the United Nations says may constitute war crimes.
The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan armed group operating in North Kivu province in Democratic Republic of Congo, have killed more than 1,000 civilians since the start of 2019, according to U.N. figures.
Militiamen tied up the victims in the villages of Kinziki-Matiba and Wikeno, 10 km east of the city of Oicha, before killing them in the attack on Friday afternoon, said Chui Mukalangirwa, a local village chief.
"We beg the authorities to put an end to this bloodbath," he said.
The army helped civilians bury the bodies and is looking at deploying more units in the area, army spokesman Antony Mwalishayi said.
The ADF has operated in the dense forests near the Ugandan border for more than three decades. Late last year the Congo army launched a large-scale operation against them, sparking a violent backlash against civilians.
Several attacks attributed to the ADF have also been claimed by Islamic State, although researchers and analysts say there is a lack of hard evidence linking the two groups.
The insecurity has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes and complicated Congo's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as an Ebola epidemic that has killed more than 2,200 people.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Fire crews, IDF forces seek to contain blazes in South

Fire crews together with the KKL-JNF and Israel 's Nature and Parks Authority and with IDF assistance have been operating @ @ @ @ @ to contain seven fires that broke out as a result of incendiary balloons .
Most @ @ @ @ @ and not dangerous .

Fire crews together with the KKL-JNF and Israel's Nature and Parks Authority and with IDF assistance have been operating in the Gaza border communities to contain seven fires that broke out as a result of incendiary balloons.
Most of the fires were small and not dangerous.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Two men in their 30s injured by gunfire in Rahat

Two men in their 30s were injured by gunfire in the city of Rahat following a brawl that involved stone-throwing @ @ @ @ @ scene and an investigation into the incident is being conducted .

Two men in their 30s were injured by gunfire in the city of Rahat following a brawl that involved stone-throwing.
Police arrived at the scene and an investigation into the incident is being conducted.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Gulf Arab states welcome truce announcement in Libya -UAE news agency

The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) has welcomed a ceasefire announcement in Libya , the UAE news agency @ @ @ @ @ GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Mubarak al-Hajraf called on all parties `` to adhere to @ @ @ @ @ , to urgently engage in political dialogue , and to work through mediation of the @ @ @ @ @ permanent and comprehensive solution to end the fighting and conflict in Libya , '' WAM @ @ @ @ @ recognized government in Tripoli announced the ceasefire on Friday and the leader of a rival @ @ @ @ @ appealed for a halt to hostilities .

The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has welcomed a ceasefire announcement in Libya, the UAE news agency WAM reported on Saturday.
GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Mubarak al-Hajraf called on all parties "to adhere to (this) constructive step, to urgently engage in political dialogue, and to work through mediation of the United Nations to reach a permanent and comprehensive solution to end the fighting and conflict in Libya," WAM reported.
Libya's internationally recognized government in Tripoli announced the ceasefire on Friday and the leader of a rival parliament in eastern Libya also appealed for a halt to hostilities.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--17-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of involvement in Eilat rape

A 17-year old boy was arrested due to alleged involvement in the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Eilat , @ @ @ @ @ extent of his involvement , according to a Ynet report early Saturday .
Similarly , @ @ @ @ @ also detained for questions on suspicion of attempting to post the video of the rape @ @ @ @ @ of a WhatsApp photo in a group , later received by police , where the @ @ @ @ @ saying `` Share , do not skimp , '' after someone asked if there was @ @ @ @ @ .
The girl was later released on restrictive conditions following expressions of remorse for her @ @

A 17-year old boy was arrested due to alleged involvement in the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Eilat, though it remains unclear the extent of his involvement, according to a Ynet report early Saturday.
Similarly, a a 19-year-old girl was also detained for questions on suspicion of attempting to post the video of the rape online, following the circulation of a WhatsApp photo in a group, later received by police, where the girl responded to a message saying "Share, do not skimp," after someone asked if there was a video of the rape.
The girl was later released on restrictive conditions following expressions of remorse for her actions.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Ukraine reports daily record 2,328 coronavirus cases

Ukraine registered a record 2,328 cases of the new coronavirus in the past 24 hours , officials said on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ the national council of security and defense surpassed the previous single-day record of 2,134 , @ @ @ @ @ cases are at 102,971 , with 2,244 COVID-19 deaths .

Ukraine registered a record 2,328 cases of the new coronavirus in the past 24 hours, officials said on Saturday.
The data given by the national council of security and defense surpassed the previous single-day record of 2,134, reported on Thursday.
Total cases are at 102,971, with 2,244 COVID-19 deaths.
Infections have risen sharply recent days.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Gaza will respond if Israel carries out targeted assassinations - report

Terrorist factions in Gaza , among them Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad , will respond `` harshly '' if Israel @ @ @ @ @ targeted assassinations , which they consider an act of war , according to the Lebanese @ @ @ @ @ .

Terrorist factions in Gaza, among them Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, will respond "harshly" if Israel returns to a policy of targeted assassinations, which they consider an act of war, according to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar on Saturday morning.
Al-Akhbar is widely perceived as a pro-March 8th coalition publication, with Hezbollah a central partner in the coalition.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Incendiary balloon lands in Netiv HaAsara, causes fire

An incendiary balloon launched from the Gaza Strip landed in a greenhouse in Moshav Nativ HaAsara , according to an @ @ @ @ @

An incendiary balloon launched from the Gaza Strip landed in a greenhouse in Moshav Nativ HaAsara, according to an N12 report early Saturday.
The balloon caused a fire in the region.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--IDF tells Palestinians near Gaza border to leave area in fear of attack

The IDF has told Palestinians , largely farmers near the Gaza border fence , to leave the area due to @ @ @ @ @ following an overnight exchange between IDF and Hamas forces involving the launching of rockets and @ @ @ @ @ , according to a Walla !
news report early Saturday .

The IDF has told Palestinians, largely farmers near the Gaza border fence, to leave the area due to fear of an attack, following an overnight exchange between IDF and Hamas forces involving the launching of rockets and retaliatory Israeli Air Force strikes, according to a Walla! news report early Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Coronavirus: Mexico records 6,482 new cases, 644 deaths

Mexico's health ministry on Saturday reported 6,482 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 644 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 556,216 cases and 60,254 deaths.The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Saudi-led coalition in Yemen intercepted explosive-laden Houthi drone

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen intercepted and destroyed early on Sunday an explosive-laden drone over Yemeni airspace that was launched by Iran-aligned Houthis towards the kingdom, state news agency (SPA) reported quoting Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Coronavirus: Brazil records 50,032 new cases, 892 deaths

Brazil reported 50,032 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 892 deaths from the disease caused by the virus in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Saturday.Brazil has registered 3,582,362 cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll from COVID-19 has risen to 114,250, according to ministry data from the world's worst coronavirus outbreak outside the United States.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Saudi-led coalition downs drone, ballistic missile launched by Houthis

CAIRO - The Saudi-led coalition on Saturday intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone and a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthis towards Saudi Arabia's southern region, state news agency SPA reported, citing a coalition spokesman.Turki al-Maliki was quoted as saying the missile was heading towards the southern Saudi city of Jizan.Yemen has been locked in conflict since 2014 when the Iran-aligned Houthis seized Sanaa, the capital, and then much of the country's north. Fighting escalated in March 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition intervened to restore the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Despite compromise, cabinet meeting scheduled for Sunday cancelled

The cabinet meeting that was set to take place on Sunday was cancelled, despite MK Zvi Hauser's compromise proposal.In an interview with Channel 13, Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Saturday said that he estimated that if it were to take place it would be probably dedicated to discussing the handling of the coronavirus crisis.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Liberman: Netanyahu and Gantz are 'acting like children'

In a tweet posted by Yisrael Beytenyu chairman Avigdor Liberman on Saturday evening, addressing the crisis in the government coalition, he said that "when two prime ministers are acting like two children in a kindergarten, maybe it's time to remind them that we have a country to run.""Before you drag us to unnecessary elections, you have to do five things immediately: pass the budget, order a flexible furlough, sign a deal with laboratory workers to prevent a strike, approve the 'traffic light' draft for dealing with the coronavirus and to avoid lockdown during the holiday season and finally to prohibit flights to Uman," Liberman added.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Police arrest seven protesters in Jerusalem

Police arrested seven people that took part in an illegal march for allegedly disrupting public order and assaulting police officers, according to an Israel Police statement.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--350,000 Israelis did not receive 'Check for Every Citizen' grant

The National Insurance Institute (NII) announced on Saturday evening that 350,000 Israeli citizens didn't receive their grants under the "Check for Every Citizen" program, according to Walla.The grant is given to each citizen above the age of 18 and was created due to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.NII officials said that citizens can receive the money in local post offices by showing identification.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Sudan's Hamdok says government ready to cooperate with ICC over Darfur

KHARTOUM - Sudan's government is ready to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for those accused of war crimes to appear before the court, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said on Saturday, a list that includes ousted President Omar al-Bashir.The country has also come a long way towards being removed from the US state sponsors of terror list, Hamdok said in a televised address he gave on the anniversary of his ascent to office.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Hundreds protest in face of violence against women following Eilat rape

Hundreds of people across Israel protested on Saturday following the gag-rape of a 16-year-old in an Eilat hotel room, and the murder of Nura el Kabiya by her husband in Tuba Zangariyye on Thursday, according to Ynet.The protests took place at the Habima Square in Tel Aviv, Qiryat Ono bridge, Big Junction in Karmiel, Independence Square in Afula, on Katsnelson Street in Givatayim and in front the Beersheba municipality building.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Pompeo to visit Israel, UAE this week to talk peace, Iran, China

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to travel to Israel and the United Arab Emirates this week to congratulate the leaders of both countries on their agreement to normalize ties, a person familiar with the travel plans told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday night. He is also expected to discuss Iran and China during the trip.In addition, Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, Special Representative for international negotiations Avi Berkowitz, National Security Advisor Robert O’Brian, and outgoing Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook are expected to travel to Israel and the UAE at the beginning of September, the source said.The story about the peace team’s trip to the region was first reported by Axios.According to a person familiar with the plans, the four would travel to Israel and the UAE to personally congratulate the leaders of both countries on the diplomatic breakthrough to normalize relations between the sides. They are also expected to get updates on the working groups’ discussions on normalization.The peace team is also looking into possible visits in additional Arab countries – such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar – during their trip to the region.US officials and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said that the UAE was just the first of a number of Arab countries expected to sign deals with Israel. Speculation is high that the next countries to formalize ties with Israel would be Bahrain and Oman.On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said he believed Saudi Arabia would agree to a deal with Israel.On Friday Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal said his country would only consider doing so if such a deal included an agreement for a two-state solution at the pre-1967 lines with east Jerusalem as its capital.Israel has never agreed to that formula. Trump’s peace plan calls for a two-state solution in which the Palestinians receive 70% of the West Bank and neighborhoods in east Jerusalem outside the boundaries of the security barrier.In Virginia on Friday Trump spoke of how popular a deal with Israel was in the Arab world. “Everybody is saying, ‘Why haven’t you invited us?’ Okay, we’re… many countries now want to come in.”In response to the upcoming visit by Kushner to the region, PLO Executive Committee Secretary-General tweeted, "With Kushner there will not be solutions, not two states nor 22 states, its a road map to a for ever religious conflict. He gave our region to extremists in all sides in golden dish."Reuters contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Anti-Netanyahu protestors confront police

Thousands of protesters who have been regularly gathering throughout the country, most of whom have been demonstrating at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence on Balfour street in Jerusalem, began to march on Saturday night, despite their request to hold a march being rejected by Israel Police.This led to human barricades by the police, blocking those in Balfour from exiting and those coming from the march from entering.Water cannons stood poised at the ready at the entrance to the protest as demonstrators came marching in, crying out against corruption within the government which they said behaves much like the criminal underworld.People supporting a wide range of causes, from humanitarian to ecological, attended the protests and demanded the government bring about change. One such group was the Women’s March in Israel which insisted that the government act following the violent gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl during her vacation in Eilat.“We want significant change in the education system, in the judiciary system,” the Women’s March told The Jerusalem Post. “That is why this protest is very political.”Walking among protesters with signs reading “To Be or Not to Bibi,” some cried out against ecological issues in the country.“There is a direct connection between climate change and corruption within the government,” Liel Biran, a climate activist from The Green Course, told the Post. The Green Trend is an Israeli ecological movement calling to make immediate policy changes in order to prevent climate change and global warming.“The government sold our futures to tycoons who... ruin our health, safety, even the air,” he said. “We already feel climate change. Coronavirus is nothing in contrast to what will happen if things continue in this manner. We suffer a lot now and we will suffer a lot more in the future. We call on the government to stop this. Stop using oil, stop using gas, stop EastMed, stop any other gas pipelines.”“The economy is in a free-fall with about one million unemployed and a raging pandemic – and Bibi is busy dragging the country to another round of elections, because his trial is more important than the State of Israel,” the Black Flags Movement announced ahead of the march.“The defendant from Balfour doesn’t care about the Israeli nation, he doesn’t care about the unemployed, the hungry, about the dreams of entire families that are being thrown into a future of poverty.”The protesters who attended the march began by the Chords Bridge by the entrance to Jerusalem and moved all the way to Paris Square at the corner of Balfour Street. Police suggested a smaller, alternate route, but organizers refused.Police claimed they had refused the request because the path of the march disturbed “the fabric of everyday life” of those living in the region.Demonstrators nevertheless began their procession “in violation of police instructions,” according to Israel Police. “Police forces are working at the scene to prevent traffic jams,” the police spokesperson’s unit explained, referring to the attempts of the police to break up the march.Police clashed with protesters after creating a barricade to stop the march. Protesters therein attempted to walk around it, only to meet with police officers.Once the demonstrators reached Balfour Street to unite with the other protesters, however, police had formed a human barricade, effectively blocking those in Paris Square and across from the Prime Minister’s Residence from exiting and preventing those who had marched from the Chords Bridge from entering the region. Water cannons stood at the ready along the barricade as protesters grew restless.However, within the chaos was a circle of calm, with some 30 protesters meditating together in a circle. One of the meditators who goes by Assaf is a nomad currently living in Gan Haatsamut. “There are a lot of protests against and even when protesting against something, you give what you are against power,” he told the Post. “We need a positive force. We are pro-peace, pro-meditation. The problem is bigger than Netanyahu.”Meanwhile, another gaggle of protesters called on Netanyahu to retrieve Avera Mengistu, an Ethiopian man who crossed the border into Gaza. Mengistu was deemed mentally unwell, and was immediately taken captive by Hamas.“Today is his birthday,” Sigal Kook Avivi, a human rights activist for the Ethiopian community, told the Post.“The IDF saw him crossing the border and saw that he was a person of color and did nothing. This is filmed on footage the IDF has.“His family does not know if he is even alive,” she continued. “Only Netanyahu can retrieve him from Hamas through negotiations. We saw what they did for Gilad Shalit, but the Ethiopian community is alone.”Groups of Netanyahu supporters gathered outside the borders of the protests, calling at those who walked away to “go home.”“Most of the rural areas in Israel love Netanyahu,” Yosef Mamila, one of the Netanyahu supporters and a resident of Jerusalem, told the Post.“The public hates [the protesters]. They represent the minority alone. They are funded by George Soros.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Coronavirus: 1,492 people diagnosed with virus in the last day

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a "decisive meeting" about whether or not to allow thousands of Hasidim to travel to Uman in the Ukraine for Rosh Hashanah to pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.The meeting comes the day after newly appointed coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu told N12 that "Uman will bring us to lockdown," and as Israel surpassed the milestone of 100,000 total cases of the virus since the start of the pandemic.Present at the meeting, which will take place at 5:30 p.m., will be Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, Housing and Construction Minister Ya'acov Litzman, Interior Minister Arye Deri, Transportation Minister Miri Regev and representatives of the Breslov sect.Over the weekend, Israel surpassed 100,000 cases of coronavirus and 800 fatalities, the Health Ministry reported.There have been 100,856 cases since the start of the pandemic, the ministry showed Saturday night, including 22,393 who are still infected.On average, some 1,378 people are diagnosed with the virus every day, a Friday morning report by the Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center said. On Friday, 1,492 people tested positive for the virus – 5.5% of those who were screened.To bring the cases down to around 400 per day – Gamzu 's goal – would take more than 90 days, the center said.The coronavirus cabinet is set to convene on Monday to review and finalize a series of potential restrictions and closures meant to halt the spread of the virus. On Thursday, Gamzu presented two plans to the ministers for evaluation. Both plans include new restrictions and partial closures on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.However, in an interview with N12, Gamzu stressed that he still hopes to keep Israel out of lockdown over Rosh Hashanah. To do so, he said, the police will need to step up enforcement.“Enforcement [of Health Ministry directives] in Israel is not good enough,” Gamzu told N12. “We need public order.”He explained that the holidays themselves put Israel at risk due to large prayer services and family gatherings. He said his recommendation will be that Israelis celebrate the holidays with their nuclear families or minimally in smaller groups.What Gamzu does want to do is put a stop to flights by Hassidic Jews to Uman for the holiday. Already, thousands of Hasidim have booked flights and plan to make the pilgrimage.“There should be no flights to Uman – period,” Gamzu stressed in his N12 interview. “Enough!” He called on the government to “say no... This is not something holy.”Gamzu added that, “Uman will bring us to lockdown.”Last week, the commissioner sent a letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging him to enforce a ban on these celebrations this year.He has also called on the government to instruct the Airports Authority to halt flights to Ukraine during this period.Regarding schools, Gamzu stressed that the school system will open in full on September 1, despite reservations he had expressed earlier. He told N12 that his expert team was divided on the subject, but that ultimately the majority of members felt that if the outline for opening schools is adhered to – capsules, masks, learning from home in combination with in-school classes – then it could be successful. Schools in red zones, however, will be closed.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Kushner, Berkowitz expected to visit Israel, Gulf States in September


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Police arrest fourth suspect in Eilat gang-rape case

Police arrested on Saturday two more suspects, both 17 years old, in the investigation into the rape of a 16-year-old while she was vacationing in Eilat, bringing the number of those who have been detained to four.The victim is expected to confront the suspects on Sunday in court, according to N12. After continued investigations, police believe that the number of suspects is in the double digits and plan on making additional arrests very soon.Among those who were involved, police believe that some took part in the brutal act while others filmed.The victim was vacationing with a friend in Eilat and had become inebriated when she was allegedly gang-raped by a group of men. Although the original suspected number of men stood at 30, that number has slowly progressed downwards.Two other suspects who had been arrested last week were in their 20s.In addition, a 19-year-old girl from central Israel was taken to be interrogated on Friday after she wrote in a WhatsApp group to anyone who has footage of the violent incident, “Don’t skimp, share.” This was after a different member of that same chat asked if anyone has the footage.Her interrogation was on the basis of Israel Police’s suspicion that she was “soliciting abominable materials for publication” or attempting to get a hold of photos and videos of the vicious affair so as to share it online. She was released by police under restrictive conditions shortly afterwards when she claimed that she did so without thinking or having any particular intention in mind.“I felt that she did not know what was happening around her,” said the friend of the victim to the police on Friday, according to N12. “I saw a crowd of a lot of people in the area of the room.”Meanwhile, the victim is in an unstable mental condition and has been secured by police personnel around her home after her personal details began to spread on social media. This was out of concern for her well-being, as suspects and their families may be able to find and threaten her.Her friend gave testimony on Friday which police, according to Israel media, finds credible and may lead to additional arrests by the special investigative team working out of the Lachish Center, along with evidence of other men standing outside the girl’s hotel room in security footage.In the meantime, police are working through the security footage from the hotel, which, when last contacted by the media, claimed that there is no evidence that the incident occurred there, and that if it had, the management on location “would have noticed.”The hotel did not respond to the police’s claim that the footage from the security cameras proves without a doubt that the incident did occur in the hotel.The Red Sea Hotel did not respond to The Jerusalem Post’s request for comment at this time.The police is currently in possession of the full identification information of several other young men documented as having been near the scene of the crime, according to the Police Spokesperson’s Unit.The Women’s March protests, which have risen once more into the public sphere as a result of the brutal crime, plan to join the protests which are mostly directed towards crying out against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, as well as holding several independent protests around the country to identify with the victim.“This is not something that is done in a contained manner,” the Women’s March in Israel spokesperson told the Post. “When we are fighting against government protocol, it is important to add women’s issues into the discussion.”Following such occurrences like the one in Eilat, “we hear condemnations in the government all the time. There is a culture which was built that allows for these things to happen. We are acting, we are not just condemning.“We want significant change in the education system, in the judiciary system,” the Women’s March told the Post. “All of the management of these situations creates norms that allow for this to happen. That is why this protest is very political. It is very important to us to support the young girl, especially when we hear that her name has been shared and there are attacks towards her on social media.”On Sunday at 12, some of Israel’s largest companies, including IAI and Meitav Dash, will be holding strikes to mark their identification with the 16-year-old victim.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Projectile launched from Gaza at Israel lands in the strip

Rocket alert sirens sounded in southern Israeli city of Sderot on Saturday evening, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. The projectile, which was launched from Gaza towards Israel failed to make it to its target and landed in Gaza.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Incendiary balloons spark 25 fires in southern Israel

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jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Hamas leader meets Turkey's Erdogan in Istanbul

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul, according to Ynet.Haniyeh's deputy, Saleh al-Arouri, and head of Turkey's national intelligence organization Hakan Fidan, also attending the meeting, according to the report.The report did not mention the topics discussed during the meeting.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Anti-Netanyahu protesters prepare for ninth executive week of protests

Anti-Netanyahu protesters will gather on over 300 bridges and intersections across the country on Saturday afternoon, in the ninth consecutive week of the protests demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resign immediately.The Black Flags Movement, one of the protests major organizing body, said in a statement that it will continue to arrange protests until Netanyahu resigns."This is the ninth consecutive week during which the Israeli nation launches a massive protest against the dysfunction of the defendant from Balfour. The economy is in a free-fall with about one million unemployed and a raging pandemic - and Bibi is busy dragging the country to another round of elections because his trial is more important than the State of Israel."The defendant from Balfour doesn't care about the Israeli nation, he doesn't care about the unemployed, the hungry, about the dreams of entire families that are being thrown into a future of poverty."We will continue the struggle for a better future for the State of Israel," the statement read.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Belarus opposition leader to meet No. 2 US diplomat on Monday

VILNIUS - Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will meet US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun in Lithuania on Monday as part of efforts to defuse the crisis over disputed elections, her team told Reuters.The No. 2 US diplomat will stop over in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius en route to Moscow as Washington seeks a peaceful resolution to the crisis that would avert Russian intervention.In the biggest challenge to Lukashenko's 26 years in power, people have taken to the streets in many Belarusian towns, including in its capital Minsk, for nearly two weeks, protesting against the result of an August 9 election that they say was rigged to hand the president re-election.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Anti-Netanyahu protesters will not be allowed to hold parade - police

Israel Police announced on Saturday that in preparation for Saturday evening's protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, protesters submitted a request to hold a parade starting at the Chords Bridge, located near the main entrance to Jerusalem, and ending at the Prime Minister's Official Residence on Balfour Street.Police stated that it rejected the request, which would harm the daily lives of the city's residents and visitors, as the planned parade goes through the city's main entrance and exit.Alternative routes were offered to the protesters, but were rejected, according to police.


jerusalempost--2020-08-22--Lukashenko must leave sooner or later, opposition leader says

VILNIUS , Aug 22 - The people of Belarus will not allow President Alexander Lukashenko to treat them as before @ @ @ @ @ leave sooner or later , his main opponent , Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya , told Reuters in @ @ @ @ @ said she was receiving a lot of calls from international leaders , including Britain and @ @ @ @ @ she was asking them for was to support the Belarusian public and respect the country @ @ @ @ @ she felt safe in neighboring Lithuania and that she had bodyguards around her , but @ @ @ @ @ her security .
( Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius Writing by Katya Golubkova in @ @ @ @ @ )

VILNIUS, Aug 22 - The people of Belarus will not allow President Alexander Lukashenko to treat them as before and he will have to leave sooner or later, his main opponent, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, told Reuters in an interview.
She also said she was receiving a lot of calls from international leaders, including Britain and Germany, and that all she was asking them for was to support the Belarusian public and respect the country's sovereignty.
Tsikhanouskaya said she felt safe in neighboring Lithuania and that she had bodyguards around her, but declined to comment further on her security. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius Writing by Katya Golubkova in Moscow Editing by Mark Heinrich)


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Gov't employment agency reports total of 851,051 unemployed Israelis

The government employment agency announced on Sunday that since Thursday some 8,245 Israelis returned to their jobs and 1,608 signed up as unemployed, according to The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv.In total, 851,051 are currently registered as unemployed, of whom 536,906 were put on unpaid vacation.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Incendiary balloons spark 8 fires in southern Israel

Terrorists in the Gaza Strip continued to launch incendiary and explosive balloons, as Israel reportedly tightened trade restrictions on the Strip.
At least 28 fires were sparked by incendiary balloons on Sunday. A power outage was reported in Miflasim and Nir Am in the Gaza envelope on Sunday after an incendiary balloon hit an electrical pole in the area. A backup generator provided power to the two kibbutzim until the electrical line was repaired.
Palestinian media reported on Sunday that Israel had halted the entry of all goods and materials, except for food and medicine, through the Kerem Shalom Crossing. The crossing was closed to fuel and building material imports about 13 days ago.
Israeli naval vessels prevented Gaza fisherman from leaving ports along the coast of the Gaza Strip as well, as the fishing zone off the coast remains closed. Video from the Strip showed Israeli vessels relatively close to the coast. Warning shots were fired at fisherman who attempted to exit the ports, according to Palestinian reports.
Incendiary and explosive balloon launches were renewed about two weeks ago by terrorists in the Gaza Strip, with demands to lift restrictions on imports into the Strip and the fishing zone and to carry out infrastructure projects that were agreed upon in a de-escalation agreement last year.
Senior Hamas official Mushir al-Masri warned that "Gaza is going to explode if Israel does not commit itself to breaking the siege on the Gaza Strip." Al-Masri added that mediation efforts are ongoing to stop the deteriorating situation in the Strip.
The Hamas official warned that the terrorist group is "not afraid" of Israeli threats and that "there is nothing to lose in the face of the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. We are going to the maximum extent."
Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations continued efforts to reach a de-escalation agreement between Israel and Gaza, as both sides continued to refuse to budge. The Qatari envoy to the Gaza Strip Mohammed Al-Emadi is expected to visit the Strip on Tuesday, according to Palestinian reports.
While the terrorist groups in Gaza are demanding that the trade and fishing restrictions be lifted before balloon launches are halted, among other demands, Israel has demanded that the balloon launches be halted before restrictions are lifted.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Hamas official: If Israel does not lift siege, we are marching towards an explosion


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Coronavirus in Israel: 22,022 cases, death toll rises to 825

The number of coronavirus patients in Israel currently stands at 22,022, a decrease of 34, the Health Ministry announced Sunday morning.Of those, 408 people are in serious condition, with 112 on ventilators.However, the death toll rose overnight and now stands at 825 deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Health Ministry D-G expresses fear over Uman trip and unnecessary infections

Health Ministry director-general Hezi Levi said that the professional standpoint regarding any flights to Uman this year is clear: It shouldn't be allowed.Levi was addressing the controversial pilgrimage made by hasidim to Uman, Ukraine on Rosh Hashanah to the grave of hasidic Rebbe Nachman.The issue is currently under discussion by the government as travel during the coronavirus pandemic has been severly restricted, and Levi expressed his fear of unnecessary rises in morbidity rates on Sunday morning in an interview with radio station Kan Bet.Moreover, Levi said that he fears that the decisions that will be made regarding this issue won't align with Israel's national health interests.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--IDF: All civil requests near Gaza will be examined following escalation

The IDF decided on Sunday morning that following the recent escalation with Hamas, all agricultural and constructions requests near the Gaza Strip border will be examined and approved on an individual bases, according to a report by Walla!.The IDF said that there is still a valid threat of sniper attacks and rocket launches in the area.Earlier Sunday, the IDF fired warning shots towards Palestinian fishing ships that were attempting to leave the maritime border, in violation of restrictions imposed by the Defense Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--IDF soldier arrested after alleged involvement in drug deal, murder

An IDF soldier, allegedly involved in the murder of Abu Khdir, a 27-year-old from Shuafat, Jerusalem, was arrested on Sunday, according to a report by Ynet.The soldier's alleged involvement included sending his acquaintance to complete a drug deal with Abu Khdir. The police suspect that after the deal went wrong, the suspect pulled a handgun that was in his possession as part of his job in a security firm, and shot Abu Khdir who died on the spot.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--China reports 16 new COVID-19 cases, 8th day without local infections

This compared with 12 new COVID-19 cases reported a day earlier , all imported too , and marked the eighth @ @ @ @ @ transmitted cases .
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 84,967 , while @ @ @ @ @ at 4,634 .

China reported 16 new COVID-19 cases in the mainland for Aug. 23, all of which were imported infections involving travellers from overseas, the country's health authority said on Monday.
This compared with 12 new COVID-19 cases reported a day earlier, all imported too, and marked the eighth consecutive day of no locally transmitted cases.
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 84,967, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,634.
The National Health Commission said in a statement that 27 new asymptomatic COVID-19 cases - patients who are infected with the coronavirus but not exhibiting any symptoms - compared with 15 such cases reported a day earlier.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Mexico reports 3,948 new coronavirus cases, 226 more deaths

Mexico's health ministry on Sunday reported 3,948 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 226 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 560,164 cases and 60,480 deaths.The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Australia's Victoria reports lowest rise in COVID-19 cases in seven weeks

Victoria saw a surge in infections during the past several weeks in Melbourne , the state 's capital and largest @ @ @ @ @ been trending downward in recent days helped by strict lockdown measures .

Australia's second most populous state of Victoria on Monday reported 15 deaths from the new coronavirus in the last 24 hours and 116 cases, its lowest daily rise in new infections in seven weeks.
Victoria saw a surge in infections during the past several weeks in Melbourne, the state's capital and largest city, but cases have been trending downward in recent days helped by strict lockdown measures.
The state reported 17 deaths and 208 new cases on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Justice Minister enters isolation after meeting with coronavirus patient

Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn (Blue and White) enters isolation on Monday night after coming into contact with MK Pnina Tamano-Shata who was previously diagnosed with coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Brazil coronavirus cases pass 3.6 million, death toll at 114,744

Brazil reported 23,421 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 494 deaths from the disease caused by the virus in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Sunday.Brazil has registered 3,605,783 cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll from COVID-19 has risen to 114,744, according to ministry data, in the world's worst coronavirus outbreak outside the United States.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Navalny will survive 'poison attack', Bizilj tells Bild

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who is being treated in a German hospital after what his allies say was a poison attack, will survive, Jaka Bizilj, founder of the Cinema for Peace Foundation, told mass tabloid Bild."Navalny will survive poison attack, but be incapacitated for months as a politician," Bizilj, whose foundation sent the air ambulance that collected Navalny in Russia's far east, was quoted as saying by the paper.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--MK Ayelet Shaked entered isolation after meeting coronavirus patient

MK Ayelet Shaked (Yamina) entered isolation after meeting with MK Pnina Tamano-Shata (Yesh Atid) who was diagnosed earlier on Sunday with coronavirus, according to N12.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Gantz, Ashkenazi to meet with Pompeo

Gantz, Ashkenazi to meet with Pompeo

Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi will meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday morning during his visit in Israel.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Coronavirus czar exits meeting with Netanyahu, opposes travel to Uman

Coronavirus czar Prof. Roni Gamzu said Sunday that he "left the prime minister's discussion and I do not intend to change my position on the issue of Uman. I am sure the government ministers will make the right decision to prevent flights to Uman."He added that "My heart goes out to the Breslav followers, but despite the great desire to reach Rabbi Nachman's grave, preserving the lives of the citizens of Israel and their health is more important than anything else."


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Trump: Emergency authorization of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19

US President Donald Trump will announce the emergency authorization of convalescent plasma for COVID-19, a treatment that already has been given to more than 70,000 patients, the Washington Post reported https://wapo.st/2FR4Azi, citing officials familiar with the decision.The action will be highlighted at a news conference later on Sunday afternoon, the newspaper said.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Blue and White MK Pnina Tamano-Shata diagnosed with coronavirus

Blue and White MK Pnina Tamano-Shata was diagnosed with coronaviurs on Sunday.A spokesperson for the Knesset said that "The Knesset will continue an epidemiological investigation into the matter in coordination with representatives of the Ministry of Health."


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Trump administration considering fast-tracking UK COVID-19 vaccine before election

The Trump administration is considering fast-tracking an experimental COVID-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca Plc and Oxford University for use in the US ahead of the Nov. 3 elections, the Financial Times reported.One option being explored would involve the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarding “emergency use authorization” in October to the potential vaccine, which was developed by Oxford and licensed to AstraZeneca, the FT reported https://www.ft.com/content/b053f55b-2a8b-436c-8154-0e93dcdb3c1a.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--East Libyan forces dismiss ceasefire push by rivals

The eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) dismissed a ceasefire announcement by authorities in the capital, Tripoli, as a marketing stunt on Sunday, saying rival forces were mobilizing around front lines in the center of the country.Its spokesman, Ahmed Mismari, said the LNA was ready to respond to any attempted attack on its positions around the coastal city of Sirte, and Jufra, to the south.Mismari's comments were the first by the LNA after the announcement on Friday of a ceasefire and a call for the resumption of oil production by Fayez al-Sarraj, who heads the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, in the west."The initiative that Sarraj signed is for media marketing," Mismari said during a briefing for journalists. "There is a military build-up and the transfer of equipment to target our forces in Sirte.""If Sarraj wanted a ceasefire, he would have drawn his forces back, not advanced towards our units in Sirte."Mismari made no reference to a parallel ceasefire call also issued on Friday by the head of Libya's eastern-based parliament, Aguila Saleh.Saleh has gained influence compared to LNA commander Khalifa Haftar since Turkish military support for the GNA forced the LNA to retreat from a 14-month offensive on Tripoli in June.For more than five years, Libya has been divided into rival camps based in the east and west of the country.The LNA has received backing from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia, in a conflict that has become an arena for regional rivalries.There has been little fighting since June. In the past, both sides have accused each other of quickly violating truces and using them to rearm.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Coronavirus in Israel: 22,045 cases, 10 dead in the last day

A total of 22,045 people currently have coronavirus in Israel, according to the Health Ministry. In addition, 10 people have died from the illness in the past day.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Israel stops importing vehicles into Gaza Strip over incendiary balloons

Israel has stopped importing vehicles into the Gaza Strip due to the continued launch of incendiary balloons into Israel , @ @ @ @

Israel has stopped importing vehicles into the Gaza Strip due to the continued launch of incendiary balloons into Israel, according to Ynet.
This decision came following the continued launch of explosive balloons from the Gaza Strip these last weeks that caused a multitude of fires on Sunday alone. This decision came following the continued launch of explosive balloons from the Gaza Strip these last weeks that caused a multitude of fires on Sunday alone.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--No. 2 US diplomat Biegun will visit Russia, Lithuania amid Belarus crisis

US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun will travel to Lithuania, Russia and Ukraine on Aug. 24-27 to meet senior government leaders to discuss regional issues, the State Department said in a statement on Sunday.Reuters reported exclusively on Friday that Biegun would travel to the region for talks on Belarus, sources said, as Washington seeks a peaceful resolution to that country's election crisis that averts Russian intervention.The State Department statement made no mention of Belarus.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Tel Aviv court to release Holon kindergarten workers suspected of abuse

The Tel Aviv Magistrate 's Court has ordered the release on house arrest of the kindergarten teacher and five assistants

who are suspected of abusing children.
However, the house arrest sentence was postponed, to allow the police to appeal the decision.


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Flash floods in northern Turkey kill five, 12 missing

Five people were killed in flash floods in Turkey's northern Black Sea region and 12 others are missing, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday, adding that search and rescue efforts were still underway.Footage from the northern province of Giresun showed floodwaters caused by unusually heavy rainfall dragging debris and vehicles along a road, leaving them buried in mud. Residents were seen clearing streets, as construction machines lifted the debris and cleared roads.Speaking in Istanbul, Erdogan said the floods had spread to neighboring provinces as well, causing injuries in Rize and Trabzon."In the initial reports we received, we had five dead and around 12 missing as a result of heavy floods," Erdogan said. "As a state, God willing, we will overcome the damage and destruction here rapidly," he said.Earlier, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told reporters in Giresun that 133 people had so far been rescued, but that aid agencies and authorities were carrying out operations to find the missing people.Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said it had sent a team of 40 people to begin search and rescue operations after reports of heavy rainfall overnight, adding that teams in other provinces were also waiting on alert.It said in a statement that there was no acess to the Dereli district through the main road after streams ovrerflowed in Giresun, closing many roads.Speaking alongside Soylu, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said rainfall in Giresun had exceeded averages for the month of August by 1.5 times."This is the first time I'm seeing such an overflow and such a flood," Pakdemirli said." We will take all necessary measures to ensure this does not happen again."


jerusalempost--2020-08-23--Two incendiary balloons located in the Eshkol Regional Council area

Over the past hour , two cases of suspicious objects attached to balloons within the Eshkol Regional Council area have @ @ @ @ @ objects were located thanks to the vigilance of the residents who reported to the security @ @ @ @ @ to keep people away from the place .

Over the past hour, two cases of suspicious objects attached to balloons within the Eshkol Regional Council area have been reported.
The suspicious objects were located thanks to the vigilance of the residents who reported to the security personnel immediately and took care to keep people away from the place.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Eilat rape case: Two other minors detained on suspicion of involvement

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The team will formulate a plan with new procedures which will increase awareness regarding incidents of sexual violence in the hotel sector.
Two additional minors were arrested on Monday afternoon under suspicion of taking part in the alleged gang-rape of a 16-year-old in the Red Sea Hotel in Eilat, bringing up the number of men arrested for taking part in the rape to 13.The newly-arrested teens were taken in for interrogations with Israel Police.The hotel manager, Pnina Maman, was put in house arrest after bursting into tears during the court hearing, where she expressed that she herself had been raped when she was 14 and has since suffered from anxiety.The judge nevertheless expressed doubt that Maman did not know about the incident.Another suspect, a 28-year-old from Hadera, is suspected of possessing the footage of the incident. His attorney quipped that his defendant had left the room along with the victim's friend.The court ordered the release of one of the suspected rapists from the incident, as well as that of the hotel manager, into house arrest. However, the police asked to delay both decisions. The arrests of some 10 suspects were extended.As a result of the incident, Tourism Minister Assaf Zamir announced that the ministry had put together a team that deals exclusively with combating sexual assault of hotel guests in Israel.On Thursday, the manager of the hotel told N12 that there is no evidence that the incident occurred there, and that if it had, the management on location “would have noticed.”The hotel security chief said that “the girl and her friend had a hand in the affair,” according to N12.The victim was vacationing with a friend in Eilat and had become inebriated when she was allegedly gang-raped by a group of men. Although the original suspected number of men stood at 30, that number has slowly decreased.The victim is in a serious mental state following the traumatic incident, and she, along with the friend who had been with her, is being escorted by a police youth investigator.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--School year to begin on September 1 for all grades

In red zones , the opening of high schools may be delayed until after the High Holidays .

With school about to start in a week, not everyone is so confident in the plan to open them that was laid out by the education and health ministries, with the support of coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu. At the same time, with the High Holy Days only weeks away, there is still no agreement about how synagogues will operate.Health Minister Yuli Edelstein and Education Minister Yoav Gallant stressed in a statement on Monday that the school year will open as planned on September 1. The only schools that might be shuttered are high schools in red cities, their opening possibly delayed until after Sukkot. However, they said that this decision would only be finalized at the very end of the month.The ministries also agreed to synchronize reporting of coronavirus cases in school with the Health Ministry so that they could keep a careful watch on the level of infection in the country’s schools.On Sunday, there were 964 people diagnosed with coronavirus , the Health Ministry reported, plus another 1,155 between midnight and press time. Some 417 people were in serious condition, including 116 who were intubated.The death toll rose by seven on Monday, reaching 844.The coronavirus cabinet is expected to convene on Tuesday, after a meeting the day before was pushed off due to scheduling and to allow Gamzu to work with the haredim (ultra-Orthodox) to determine a plan for how synagogues could operate on the High Holy Days.The outline will likely involve determining the number of people who can pray per synagogue based on each synagogue’s size. MK Yaakov Asher (UTJ), chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, has warned that if he is not happy with the plan for synagogues, his committee may not re-approve the coronavirus regulations, which are due to expire Tuesday at midnight.Gamzu has harshly clashed with haredi leaders over the last several days amid his request that the government halt all flights to the Ukrainian city of Uman over the holidays to help prevent the spread of the disease. According to media reports, Gamzu now understands that he cannot stop all flights to the country, but he is hoping to at least stop charter flights and to work with the Ukranian government to track travelers and ensure they enter isolation upon their return to Israel.Thousands of religious hasidim and others flock to Uman on Rosh Hashanah to visit the grave of Rabbi Nahman of Breslov.BACK TO the schools: On Monday, amid pressure from the Knesset Coronavirus Committee, Health Ministry deputy director-general Itamar Grotto agreed to review the decision, with Gamzu’s expert cabinet, to require children in grades five and six to learn from home part of the week and consider allowing all elementary school students to learn in the classroom.According to the outline that was approved, students in grades five and up will learn at school two days a week in capsules of 18 students, and the rest of the week would be centered on e-learning.However, the plan upset both the committee and the Israeli National Parents Association. The association’s leadership announced that if the “hybrid” learning situation does not change, they will consider keeping their kids at home and forcing the school year to start late.At Monday’s meeting, committee chairwoman Yifat Shasha-Biton (Likud) said that “leaving fifth and sixth grade students at home is a crime.”Similarly, MK Ram Shefa (Blue and White) said that he believes the price these students will pay is “very heavy.”The committee meeting was attended by experts who said they support opening elementary schools in full because younger children have less of a chance of getting infected and infecting others. Moreover, they are less likely to become seriously ill or die if they do contract the virus.Shasha-Biton even presented a document at the meeting that was written by doctors who say that the school year could open up classes in full for all students up to age 12, the Hebrew website N12 reported.“The risk of opening in full all kindergartens, primary schools, middle and high schools is low in terms of infection rate,” the document said, “and even lower in terms of expected burden on the health system or mortality.”ACCORDING TO N12, the document further states that the health benefits of regular activity – physical and social – and the possibility of becoming immune to the virus, far outweigh the risks.The committee asked that the Health Ministry provide data to justify its decision to keep kids home three days per week.But after hearing what happened at the committee meeting, Gallant said that there would not be any reevaluation at this stage because the train had already left the station.Also, on Monday, Gallant vocally criticized the Education Committee’s decision not to vote on the payment reduction plan, which would reduce parent payments toward certain school activities. According to the Education Ministry, the delay could put certain programs at risk, such as the hot meals program, the textbook lending program and certain cultural activities.There was an argument in the Knesset State Audit Committee, too, after chairman MK Ofer Shelah (Yesh Atid) pushed back against Gallant’s plans. He expressed concern that in a previous discussion Gallant indicated that about half of Israel’s schools are not doing e-learning at all, which would render the ministry’s outline impossible to carry out.“My main concern ahead of the start of the school year is that on September 1… the plans of the Education Ministry will not materialize,” Shelah said.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Eli Rozenberg ups offer to El Al from $75 to $101 million

Hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and a sharp decline in air-travel , El Al needs funds to reimburse clients for @ @ @ @ @ operational , which is what the future sale of company stocks is meant to achieve @ @ @ @ @ as a national asset , which is why it must be owned by an Israeli @ @ @ @ @ .
Son of American businessman Kenny Rozenberg , some raised objections to Rozenberg 's offer @ @ @ @ @ son is acting on behalf of his father and bypassing the legal restrictions .
It @ @ @ @ @ will agree to buy most of such future stocks , which will be a form @ @ @ @ @ the privately controlled company to keep it going .
However , it remains unclear how @ @ @ @ @ a profit even if it rejects Rozenberg ’ s offer and accepts state aid .

Eli Rozenberg presented the Finance Ministry with an offer to buy $101 million of El Al’s stocks, up from his $75m proposal.This offer, made in a letter on Monday, would make him the potential owner of two thirds of the national airline’s stocks, Calcalist reported.Hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and a sharp decline in air travel, El Al needs funds to reimburse clients for canceled flights and to stay operational, which is what the future sale of company stocks is meant to achieve.Israel views the airline as a national asset, meaning that it must be owned by an Israeli citizen, which Rozenberg, a recent immigrant from the US, is.Son of American businessman Kenny Rozenberg, some raised objections to Rozenberg’s offer, stating their belief the son is acting on behalf of his father and bypassing the legal restrictions.It’s possible the state will agree to buy most of such future stocks, which will be a form of pouring public money into the privately controlled company to keep it going.However, it remains unclear how El Al means to turn a profit even if it rejects Rozenberg’s offer and accepts state aid.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Cultural halls may be allowed to host over 500 people

While the plan originally for cultural halls to be allowed to hold 60 % capacity , up to 100 people @ @ @ @ @ to allow larger audiences , reaching up to 1,000 people in very large venues .

While the plan originally for cultural halls to be allowed to hold 60% capacity, up to 100 people, the decision was made to allow larger audiences, reaching up to 1,000 people in very large venues.
Cultural halls may be allowed to host over 500 people for events under new coronavirus regulations, said Deputy Director-General of the Health Ministry Prof. Itamar Grotto on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Netanyahu: UAE normalization deal does not include any arms deal

The US will find a way to balance helping its military ally the United Arab Emirates without weakening Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME), Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem on Monday.The remarks came amid controversy in Israel over whether Washington will sell F-35 stealth jets to Abu Dhabi, now that Israel and the UAE have diplomatic relations.“The US has legal requirements with respect to the QME, and we will respect that,” Pompeo said. “We have a 20-plus-year security relationship with the UAE as well.”Without mentioning F-35s or any other systems by name, Pompeo said the US wants to “make sure we are delivering the equipment [the UAE] needs to defend themselves from the... threat of the Islamic Republic” of Iran.But he said he is “sure we’ll find a way” to do so while ensuring Israel’s military superiority in the Middle East.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the normalization deal with the UAE “did not include Israel’s acceptance to any arms deal. I don’t know of any arms deal that has been agreed upon but our position hasn’t changed.”The prime minister added that he reiterated his objections to Pompeo, who said he is strongly committed to maintaining Israel’s QME.“That has been true over four decades of peace with Egypt and two and a half decades of peace with Jordan. The US has stood by that and I have no doubt will continue to do so,” he said.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) lands in Israel ahead of a visit to several Middle Eastern and Gulf countries, August 24, 2020 (Credit: MATTY STERN/US EMBASSY JERUSALEM)Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz emphasized after his meeting with Pompeo the need to maintain Israel’s QME, in light of statements by White House officials that the US is considering selling F-35s to the UAE now that it has formal ties with Israel.The QME is “a necessary condition for regional stability and for Israel’s security when facing the challenges of the Middle East,” he said.A day earlier, White House special adviser Jared Kushner said on CNN that “this new peace agreement should increase the probability of [the UAE] getting [F-35s] ."In the past week, talk of the UAE purchasing the planes has raised questions as to whether the prime minister knew it would happen soon after normalization – which he denied on Monday – and criticism of Netanyahu for not informing Gantz, who is also defense minister, of the matter.Pompeo and Netanyahu also addressed the US move to trigger “snapback sanctions” on Iran, which would stop the UN arms embargo on the Islamic Republic from running out in October. The other parties to the Iran nuclear deal say the US is not authorized to do so, because it left the framework in 2018. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is a separate document from the UN Security Council resolution instituting the snapback mechanism, which states that any permanent UNSC member can trigger the continuation of sanctions.Netanyahu commended the US for having “stood up to Iranian aggression” by calling on snapback sanctions, warning that it would be “outrageous” for the world to allow the arms embargo to run out, facilitating its regime in obtaining “tanks, aircraft missiles and anti-aircraft defenses to continue its campaign of aggression in the region and the world.“It’s just absurd,” he said.Netanyahu pointed out that Gulf states are as strongly opposed to the end of the embargo as he is.“I suggest to our friends, especially our European friends at this point, that when Arabs and Israelis agree on something, it makes sense to pay attention,” he said.Pompeo said the US will “use every tool we have” to ensure Iran does not attain nuclear weapons, and he is confident they will succeed.“We think its in the best interest of the whole world. Many leaders tell me so privately. It’s time to stand up... Iran is on the cusp of having access to those weapons and the money,” he said. Last week, Pompeo specified that the leaders of the UK, France and Germany made those remarks privately.The US decision to trigger snapback sanctions on Iran is “necessary to maintain stability in the Middle East,” Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said after meeting with Pompeo. “Iran cannot be allowed to import and export arms, and all the sanctions must be brought back.”Netanyahu and Pompeo lauded the UAE-Israel deal, with the prime minister calling it “the alliance of the moderates against the radicals” and “a boon to peace and regional stability.”The prime minister expressed hope that more nations will formalize their ties with Israel, saying there may be “good news in the near future.”Pompeo’s itinerary for this week includes Sudan and Bahrain, two countries with which Israel’s ties have warmed recently and could follow in the footsteps of the UAE, which the secretary of state also plans to visit.Ashkenazi also brought up the issue of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate is coming up for a renewal vote in the Security Council. The US has threatened to veto the renewal, abolishing UNIFIL if its mandate is not changed to make it more effective in combating Hezbollah’s presence in southern Lebanon.“We cannot allow UNIFIL not to fulfil its mandate fully and effectively. The American stance on this matter is important and will lead to practical implementation” of the mandate, Ashkenazi said.Pompeo courted controversy, filming an address from an “undisclosed location” in Jerusalem, which will air at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday.The State Department said Pompeo “will address the convention in his personal capacity. No State Department resources will be used. Staff are not involved in preparing the remarks or in the arrangements for Secretary Pompeo’s appearance. The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction with this appearance.”Democratic Majority for Israel criticized Pompeo, tweeting: “By violating another vital norm – speaking to the RNC from Israel – [Pompeo] is helping [Trump] further degrade American government, just as their never-ending effort to politicize Israel damages that country. Trump and Pompeo care only about themselves, not the US, not Israel.”Jewish Democratic Council of America executive director Halie Soifer said “by arranging for Secretary Pompeo to speak to the RNC while on official travel in Jerusalem, Trump is once again using Israel to score political points.“Jewish voters see through this cheap political stunt and reject Trump’s ongoing use of Israel as a political wedge issue,” Soifer added. “The US-Israel relationship has been, and should remain, a bipartisan issue and... US taxpayers should not pay for politicized State Department activity in Israel.”


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--More facts needed to determine if Navalny was poisoned - Germany

KYIV - Germany needs more information about the case of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny before it can say whether he was poisoned as his supporters allege, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Monday in the Ukrainian capital."Many facts are missing in the case of Navalny: medical and also likely criminological," Maas said during a news conference with his Ukrainian counterpart. "We must wait for those (facts)."


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Yuval Steinitz, Tehilla Friedman enter quarantine

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz and MK Tehilla Friedman entered quarantine on Monday after they came into contact with Immigration Absorption Minister Penina Tamano-Shata, who was confirmed as infected with the coronavirus on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--UK foreign minister to meet Israeli, PA leaders to press for dialogue

LONDON - British foreign minister Dominic Raab will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this week to press for renewed dialogue between their governments to pursue a negotiated two-state solution."The UK remains committed to Israel's security and stability, and the recent normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE (United Arab Emirates) was an important moment for the region," Raab said in a statement on Monday, referring to a U.S.-sponsored deal when Israel agreed with the UAE to forge full relations."Israel's suspension of annexation is an essential step towards a more peaceful Middle East. It is important to build on this new dynamic, and ultimately only the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority can negotiate the two state solution required to secure lasting peace."


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Defense Ministry instructs staff to discuss violence against women

`` The Defense Ministry has a central role in guarding the security of the state and securing its future .
@ @ @ @ @ serve as an example and to influence the mood and behavior in Israeli society , @ @ @ @ @ Defense Ministry Amir Eshel .

"The Defense Ministry has a central role in guarding the security of the state and securing its future. I expect ministry staff to serve as an example and to influence the mood and behavior in Israeli society," said Director-General of the Defense Ministry Amir Eshel.
The Defense Ministry will stop operations for an hour-and-a-half on Tuesday to discuss violence against women.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Forest fire breaks out near Tarqumiya Crossing

A forest fire broke out near the Tarmuqiya Crossing west of Hebron on Monday, with ten firefighting teams working to prevent the blaze from spreading through the forest and reaching the crossing and nearby towns, according to Channel 12 news.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Coronavirus in Israel: 962 new cases, death toll rises to 839

Some 411 patients were in serious condition and 116 people were on ventilators .

Some 411 patients were in serious condition and 116 people were on ventilators.
Some 962 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in Israel on Sunday and two people died overnight, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the outbreak to 103,274 and the death toll to 839.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Coronavirus cabinet meeting cancelled

Coronavirus cabinet meeting cancelled

A coronavirus cabinet meeting planned for Monday was cancelled due to schedule constraints, according to a spokesperson for coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Israel to meet with officials on Monday.Gamzu is continuing discussions with haredi officials concerning regulations for synagogues.The current coronavirus restrictions expire on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Twin explosions kill 4 people, wound soldiers in Philippine south

MANILA - Twin explosions killed at least four people and wounded more than a dozen soldiers in a town on a restive island in the southern Philippines on Monday, media and a military source said.One blast took place around noon and another followed about an hour later in Jolo, the main town on Jolo island, a militarized stonghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a militant group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.An initial military report said one of the blasts was cased by a homemade bomb on a motorcycle, said an army source, who could not be named because he was not authorized to speak to media. The source said 17 soldiers were wounded.ABS-CBN news reported that the blasts took place in two separate locations, one of which was close to military vehicles. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Siberian doctors say they saved Navalny's life

MOSCOW - Doctors at the Siberian hospital that first treated Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny said on Monday they had saved his life.Navalny, a long-time opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin and campaigner against corruption, fell gravely ill on Thursday after what his allies believe was a poisoning and after two days at the Siberian hospital was flown for treatment in Germany.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--India's coronavirus cases surge to 3.1 million

MUMBAI - India reported 61,408 coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, taking its total caseload past 3.1 million, data from the federal health ministry showed.India crossed the 3 million cases milestone on Sunday, 17 days after it crossed the 2 million mark. It is the worst-affected country in Asia, and third behind Brazil and the United States globally.The number of deaths in the last 24 hours was 836, taking the total to 57,542.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 711 to 233,575

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 711 to 233,575, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Monday.The reported death toll rose by three to 9,272, the tally showed.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--IDF strikes in Gaza in response to incendiary balloon launches

Tanks and fighter planes attacked Hamas terror infrastructure on Monday night in the southern part of the Gaza Strip in response to incendiary balloon launches, according to Walla.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Finance Committee defers budget deadline extension bill by 120 days

The new deadline for passing the bill is December 23rd. As part of the negotiations, the committee agreed together with the Finance Minister on adding NIS 11 billion to the country's budget.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Tunisia announces technocratic government without politicians

Mechichi , 46 , is an independent , and he was an interior minister in the government of Elyes Fakhfakh @ @ @ @ @ allegations of a conflict of interest .

Tunisia's prime minister-designate Hichem Mechichi has announced on Monday a cabinet of independent technocrats without parties, seeking to distance the government from political conflicts and focus on reviving the ailing economy.
Mechichi, 46, is an independent, and he was an interior minister in the government of Elyes Fakhfakh who resigned in July over allegations of a conflict of interest.
Premier named the liberal economist Ali Kooli as minister of Economy, finance and investment. Kooli is CEO of Arab Banking Corporation(ABC Bank) in Tunisia.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--6 magnitude earthquake shakes buildings in Costa Rica's capital – report

The quake hit at a depth of 27 kilometers ( 17 miles ) close to the coastal city of Jaco @ @ @ @ @ A Reuters witness said the quake rattled buildings in the capital of San Jose , @ @ @ @ @ miles ) away .

A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Costa Rica's western coast on Monday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, without any initial reports of damage.
The quake hit at a depth of 27 kilometers (17 miles) close to the coastal city of Jaco, according to USGS. A Reuters witness said the quake rattled buildings in the capital of San Jose, about 66 km (41 miles) away.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--At least two people seriously injured in airstrike in Gaza - report

An airstrike in Gaza targeted a terrorist site in the east of Gaza City , according to Palestinian media .
@ @ @ @ @ least two people are seriously injured with more possible casualties.Sources in Israeli defense denied any @ @ @ @ @ stated that it was an internal incident , according to The Jerusalem Post 's sister @ @ @ @ @ the Islamic Jihad Movement is involved .

An airstrike in Gaza targeted a terrorist site in the east of Gaza City, according to Palestinian media. Some reports state that at least two people are seriously injured with more possible casualties.
Sources in Israeli defense denied any involvement in the explosion and stated that it was an internal incident, according to The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv.Some Palestinian reports that the Islamic Jihad Movement is involved.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Bill mandating companies report gender pay gap passes

A bill mandating companies report gender pay gaps passed its second and third reading in the Knesset Monday night becoming @ @ @ @ @ that big companies ( companies with more than 518 employees ) collect and publish information @ @ @ @ @ that exist .
The law applies to companies that already create salary reports and mandates @ @ @ @ @ gender in these reports .

A bill mandating companies report gender pay gaps passed its second and third reading in the Knesset Monday night becoming law. The law mandates that big companies (companies with more than 518 employees) collect and publish information on any internal pay gaps that exist.
The law applies to companies that already create salary reports and mandates that companies must now address gender in these reports.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--233 IDF soldiers sick with coronavirus

233 IDF soldiers sick with coronavirus

233 IDF soldiers are sick with coronavirus and 3,276 are in isolation as of Monday .
The number includes those @ @ @ @ @ as NCOs , officers and civilian employees .
All those sick are in light condition @

233 IDF soldiers are sick with coronavirus and 3,276 are in isolation as of Monday.
The number includes those in mandatory service as well as NCOs, officers and civilian employees. All those sick are in light condition.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--One week to go, battle continues over how to open schools

With school about to start in a week, not everyone is so confident in the plan to open them that was laid out by the education and health ministries, with the support of coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu. At the same time, with the High Holy Days only weeks away, there is still no agreement about how synagogues will operate.Health Minister Yuli Edelstein and Education Minister Yoav Gallant stressed in a statement on Monday that the school year will open as planned on September 1. The only schools that might be shuttered are high schools in red cities, their opening possibly delayed until after Sukkot. However, they said that this decision would only be finalized at the very end of the month.The ministries also agreed to synchronize reporting of coronavirus cases in school with the Health Ministry so that they could keep a careful watch on the level of infection in the country’s schools.On Sunday, there were 964 people diagnosed with coronavirus , the Health Ministry reported, plus another 1,155 between midnight and press time. Some 417 people were in serious condition, including 116 who were intubated.The death toll rose by seven on Monday, reaching 844.The coronavirus cabinet is expected to convene on Tuesday, after a meeting the day before was pushed off due to scheduling and to allow Gamzu to work with the haredim (ultra-Orthodox) to determine a plan for how synagogues could operate on the High Holy Days.The outline will likely involve determining the number of people who can pray per synagogue based on each synagogue’s size. MK Yaakov Asher (UTJ), chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, has warned that if he is not happy with the plan for synagogues, his committee may not re-approve the coronavirus regulations, which are due to expire Tuesday at midnight.Gamzu has harshly clashed with haredi leaders over the last several days amid his request that the government halt all flights to the Ukrainian city of Uman over the holidays to help prevent the spread of the disease. According to media reports, Gamzu now understands that he cannot stop all flights to the country, but he is hoping to at least stop charter flights and to work with the Ukranian government to track travelers and ensure they enter isolation upon their return to Israel.Thousands of religious hasidim and others flock to Uman on Rosh Hashanah to visit the grave of Rabbi Nahman of Breslov.BACK TO the schools: On Monday, amid pressure from the Knesset Coronavirus Committee, Health Ministry deputy director-general Itamar Grotto agreed to review the decision, with Gamzu’s expert cabinet, to require children in grades five and six to learn from home part of the week and consider allowing all elementary school students to learn in the classroom.According to the outline that was approved, students in grades five and up will learn at school two days a week in capsules of 18 students, and the rest of the week would be centered on e-learning.However, the plan upset both the committee and the Israeli National Parents Association. The association’s leadership announced that if the “hybrid” learning situation does not change, they will consider keeping their kids at home and forcing the school year to start late.At Monday’s meeting, committee chairwoman Yifat Shasha-Biton (Likud) said that “leaving fifth and sixth grade students at home is a crime.”Similarly, MK Ram Shefa (Blue and White) said that he believes the price these students will pay is “very heavy.”The committee meeting was attended by experts who said they support opening elementary schools in full because younger children have less of a chance of getting infected and infecting others. Moreover, they are less likely to become seriously ill or die if they do contract the virus.Shasha-Biton even presented a document at the meeting that was written by doctors who say that the school year could open up classes in full for all students up to age 12, the Hebrew website N12 reported.“The risk of opening in full all kindergartens, primary schools, middle and high schools is low in terms of infection rate,” the document said, “and even lower in terms of expected burden on the health system or mortality.”ACCORDING TO N12, the document further states that the health benefits of regular activity – physical and social – and the possibility of becoming immune to the virus, far outweigh the risks.The committee asked that the Health Ministry provide data to justify its decision to keep kids home three days per week.But after hearing what happened at the committee meeting, Gallant said that there would not be any reevaluation at this stage because the train had already left the station.Also, on Monday, Gallant vocally criticized the Education Committee’s decision not to vote on the payment reduction plan, which would reduce parent payments toward certain school activities. According to the Education Ministry, the delay could put certain programs at risk, such as the hot meals program, the textbook lending program and certain cultural activities.There was an argument in the Knesset State Audit Committee, too, after chairman MK Ofer Shelah (Yesh Atid) pushed back against Gallant’s plans. He expressed concern that in a previous discussion Gallant indicated that about half of Israel’s schools are not doing e-learning at all, which would render the ministry’s outline impossible to carry out.“My main concern ahead of the start of the school year is that on September 1… the plans of the Education Ministry will not materialize,” Shelah said.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Virgin Atlantic Airlines will give passengers coronavirus insurance

Virgin Atlantic Airlines will automatically insure all passengers flying between 24.8.2020 and 31.3.2012 against corona regardless of age , ticket @ @ @ @ @ to Ynet News .
The insurance will be from Allianz Assistance and cover expenses caused @ @ @ @ @ destination up until NIS 2.2 million .

Virgin Atlantic Airlines will automatically insure all passengers flying between 24.8.2020 and 31.3.2012 against corona regardless of age, ticket class or destination, according to Ynet News. The insurance will be from Allianz Assistance and cover expenses caused by coronavirus infection at the destination up until NIS 2.2 million.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Erdogan says Greece sowing chaos in Mediterranean

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday Turkey's navy will not back down as Greece sows chaos in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where the countries have overlapping resource claims and have deployed frigates in an escalating rhetorical confrontation."The ones who throw Greece in front of the Turkish navy will not stand behind them," Erdogan said after a cabinet meeting. He added Athens does not have the right to broadcast advisories known as a Navtex in areas claimed by Ankara.


jerusalempost--2020-08-24--Probable High Holy Day coronavirus rules: up to 1000 people per synagogue

In response to pressure from ultra-Orthodox ministers , the Health Ministry has created regulations that would allow people to gather @ @ @ @ @ Day prayer , according to N12 news .
The regulations would vary based on a @ @ @ @ @ of openings a synagogue has for ventilation , the amount of those infected in the @ @ @ @ @ the synagogue .
The maximum amount of people per synagogue would be capped at 1000 @ @ @ @ @ held in capsules are expected to be permitted everywhere for up to 250 people at @ @ @ @ @ Western Wall , capsules will be expanded to 50 people .
The Ultra-Orthodox ministers and @ @ @ @ @ expected to agree to this arrangement .

In response to pressure from ultra-Orthodox ministers, the Health Ministry has created regulations that would allow people to gather in synagogues for High Holy Day prayer, according to N12 news.
The regulations would vary based on a few parameters: the amount of openings a synagogue has for ventilation, the amount of those infected in the city and the size of the synagogue. The maximum amount of people per synagogue would be capped at 1000 people.
Open air services held in capsules are expected to be permitted everywhere for up to 250 people at a time. At the Western Wall, capsules will be expanded to 50 people.
The Ultra-Orthodox ministers and coronavirus commissioner Ronni Gamzu are expected to agree to this arrangement.