jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Spain's coronavirus daily death toll falls to lowest tally in six weeks

The number of fatalities related to the novel coronavirus recorded overnight in Spain fell to 268, the lowest tally in nearly six weeks, the country's health ministry said on Thursday.The overall death toll rose to 24,543 on Thursday up from 24,275 on the previous day, the ministry said. The number of cases registered in the country rose to 213,435 from 212,917 the day before.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--MK Steinitz: Too early to open the education system and kindergartens

Steinitz said that `` we need to have a clear opinion based on clear research . ''

Steinitz said that "we need to have a clear opinion based on clear research."
Energy Minister and a member of the security cabinet Yuval Steinitz said Thursday that it is too soon to open the education system and kindergartens to students, according to a Ynet report.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--China says it has no interest in meddling in US presidential election

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters during a daily briefing that the election was the internal affair of @ @ @ @ @ Beijing hoped Americans would not try to drag China into it .
`` China will @ @ @ @ @ have me lose this race , '' Trump said during an interview with Reuters on @ @ @ @ @ believes Beijing wants his Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , to win the race to @ @ @ @ @ placed on China over trade and other issues .

China has no interest in interfering in the US presidential election, it said on Thursday, following comments by US President Donald Trump that Beijing "will do anything they can" to make him lose his re-election bid in November.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters during a daily briefing that the election was the internal affair of the United States and that Beijing hoped Americans would not try to drag China into it.
"China will do anything they can to have me lose this race," Trump said during an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, adding that he believes Beijing wants his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, to win the race to ease the pressure Trump has placed on China over trade and other issues.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Russia's coronavirus case tally passes 100,000 with record daily rise

The official nationwide death toll rose to 1,073 after 101 people with the virus died in the last 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ response center said .

Russia on Thursday reported 7,099 new cases of the novel coronavirus, a record daily rise, bringing its nationwide tally to 106,498.
The official nationwide death toll rose to 1,073 after 101 people with the virus died in the last 24 hours, Russia's coronavirus crisis response center said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Britain releases 40 of 4,000 prisoners identified for early COVID release

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Britain has released 40 of a possible 4,000 prisoners that were identified for early release, after the government got a better control on the spread of the coronavirus in prisons, Justice Minister Robert Buckland said on Thursday."The picture is a much better one than presented itself to me even a month ago," he told Sky News on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Ukraine crosses 10,000 coronavirus cases: health minister

The government has put lockdown measures in place until May 11 and has said it expects the pandemic to peak @ @ @ @ @ .

Ukraine now has 10,406 confirmed coronavirus cases and 261 deaths, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov told a briefing on Thursday.
The government has put lockdown measures in place until May 11 and has said it expects the pandemic to peak in Ukraine early next month.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--70-year-old woman killed in car accident near Sde Zvi

MDA prounced the death of the woman at the scene of the accident .

MDA prounced the death of the woman at the scene of the accident.
A 70-year-old woman was killed Thursday morning in a car accident between two trucks and a private vehicle on Highway 293 near Sde Zvi in the northern Negev.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Coronavirus gov't committee extends Shin Bet powers for five days

The initial extension request of seven days submitted by the government was not accepted .

The initial extension request of seven days submitted by the government was not accepted.
The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee’s Intelligence Sub-Committee extended the Shin Bet's (Israel's internal security service) surveillance powers Thursday morning for an additional five days, according to a report released by Maariv.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Coronavirus update: 219 dead, 85 on ventilators

The number of people who are intubated due to the coronavirus continues to decline. On Thursday morning, the Health Ministry reported that the number was 85.There are 7,239 active cases of the virus in Israel - 117 in serious condition.To date, 219 people have died.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Director of Public Health: Without Shin Bet, people would break quarantine

The Director of Public Health for Israel's Health Ministry, Prof. Siegal Sadetzki, said during an Intelligence Sub-Committee hearing that "it is perfectly clear to us that without the use of the Shin Bet [Israel's internal security service], people would break quarantine and we would lose a lot patients, and therefore it is clear we are doing it for the good of the economy."


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Germany reports 1,478 new coronavirus cases, 173 more deaths

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has risen by 1,478 to 159,119, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Thursday.According to the tally, 6,288 people have died of the disease, a rise of 173 compared to Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Zayn Malik, Gigi Hadid expecting first child

Hadid , who turned 25 last week , appeared remotely on Jimmy Fallon 's `` Tonight Show '' on Thursday to give the news following rumors circulating for several days in the celebrity media .
`` We wish we could have announced it on our own terms but we are very excited and happy and grateful for everyone 's well wishes , '' said Hadid , according to an advance excerpt of the video .
Hadid and British singer Malik started dating in late 2015 and their on-off romance made them one of the most sought-after celebrity couples .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pillowtalk '' music video in 2016 and at the Met Gala in New York but announced in 2018 that they had split up .
They were spotted together again in January in New York .
Hadid on Thursday gave no details on when the baby was due but said the couple were relishing their time in lockdown due to the coronavirus .
`` It is a nice silver lining to be able to be home and be together and really experience it ( the pregnancy ) day by day , '' said Hadid @

Supermodel Gigi Hadid on Thursday confirmed she was expecting a baby with former One Direction singer Zayn Malik, saying the couple were both excited and happy.
Hadid, who turned 25 last week, appeared remotely on Jimmy Fallon's "Tonight Show" on Thursday to give the news following rumors circulating for several days in the celebrity media.
"We wish we could have announced it on our own terms but we are very excited and happy and grateful for everyone's well wishes," said Hadid, according to an advance excerpt of the video.
Hadid and British singer Malik started dating in late 2015 and their on-off romance made them one of the most sought-after celebrity couples. They appeared together in Malik's romantic "Pillowtalk" music video in 2016 and at the Met Gala in New York but announced in 2018 that they had split up.
They were spotted together again in January in New York.
Hadid on Thursday gave no details on when the baby was due but said the couple were relishing their time in lockdown due to the coronavirus.
"It is a nice silver lining to be able to be home and be together and really experience it (the pregnancy) day by day," said Hadid.
The child will be the first for both Hadid and Malik.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Trump mulls bringing ex-security adviser Flynn back into administration

The president 's comments , the latest in a string of remarks about Flynn , go beyond prior suggestions by @ @ @ @ @ could be in line for a presidential pardon .
`` I would certainly consider it @ @ @ @ @ he 's a fine man , '' Trump told reporters , without specifying which role @ @ @ @ @ .
Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements in a charge brought by then-special counsel @ @ @ @ @ now insisting he did not lie and wants to back out of the plea .
@ @ @ @ @ by the Justice Department on Wednesday showed FBI officials debated whether and when to warn @ @ @ @ @ criminal charges as they prepared for a January 2017 interview with him in the Russia @ @ @ @ @ 's predicament on `` dirty cops '' and said the documents show Flynn is a @ @

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would consider bringing former US national security adviser Michael Flynn, a key figure in the probe into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, back into his administration, adding that he was tormented by "dirty cops."
The president's comments, the latest in a string of remarks about Flynn, go beyond prior suggestions by Trump that the retired general could be in line for a presidential pardon.
"I would certainly consider it, yeah. I think he's a fine man," Trump told reporters, without specifying which role he might give to Flynn.
Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements in a charge brought by then-special counsel Robert Mueller. He is now insisting he did not lie and wants to back out of the plea.
Internal FBI documents turned over by the Justice Department on Wednesday showed FBI officials debated whether and when to warn Flynn that he could face criminal charges as they prepared for a January 2017 interview with him in the Russia probe.
Trump blamed Flynn's predicament on "dirty cops" and said the documents show Flynn is a victim.
“He’s in the process of being exonerated. If you look at those notes from yesterday, that was total exoneration," Trump said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Joe Biden to give first response to sexual assault accusation

Biden is scheduled to be interviewed about the matter on the MSNBC program `` Morning Joe , '' the cable TV network said on Twitter on Thursday .
Biden 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment about the interview .
His campaign has said the incident never occurred but he has remained silent about it .
Earlier on Wednesday , U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi , the top Democrat in Congress , gave a forceful defense of Biden , highlighting the former vice president 's long history of supporting policies to stop the abuse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some fellow Democrats urged Biden , 77 , to directly respond to the accusation .
A California woman named Tara Reade , who worked as a staff assistant in Biden 's US Senate office from December 1992 to August 1993 , has accused Biden in media interviews of pinning her against a wall in 1993 , reaching under her skirt and pushing his fingers inside her .
Biden is set to challenge Republican President Donald Trump , 73 , in the November 3 US election .
Trump has been accused by more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misconduct over the years , allegations he and his aides have denied .
`` I think he should respond , '' Trump said of Biden at a media briefing on Thursday .
`` It could be false accusations .
I know all about false accusations . ''
Pelosi , who formally endorsed Biden for president on Monday , noted that staffers who ran Biden 's Senate office have said they had no recollection of a sexual assault complaint .
`` I have complete respect for the whole # MeToo movement , '' Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is also due process and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden . ''
`` He is the personification of hope and optimism and authenticity for our country - a person of great values , '' Pelosi added .
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm Reade 's accusation and also was unable to reach Reade or a representative for her for comment .
Several news outlets that have published Reade 's account , including the New York Times and the Washington Post , have interviewed a friend who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time .
Another friend told the Times that Reade told her in 2008 about a previous traumatic incident involving Biden .
Reade 's brother also confirmed parts of Reade 's account to The Intercept and the Post .
On Monday , the Business Insider news website published an interview with a former neighbor who said Reade told her in the mid-1990s that Biden had put his fingers inside her .
Reade , 56 , told media interviewers she complained at the time about sexual harassment , though not sexual assault , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Biden campaign released a statement from one , Marianne Baker , who said she never received any report of inappropriate behavior in nearly 20 years of working for Biden .
The Post and Times interviewed the other two aides , both of whom told the newspapers they had no recollection of Reade 's complaint .
Reade was one of eight women who last year came forward to say Biden had hugged , kissed or touched them in ways that made them uncomfortable , though none accused him of sexual assault .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a podcast in March .
Some prominent Democratic women have stepped forward to defend Biden .
Others have asked him to address the accusation .
`` It ca n't appear that she 's being ignored just because it 's an inconvenient truth for certain people in the Democratic Party , '' said Nina Turner , who was national campaign co-chair for the presidential campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders , who dropped out of the race and endorsed Biden .

Presumptive Democratic US presidential nominee Joe Biden for the first time on Friday is set to personally address a former Senate aide's accusation that he sexually assaulted her in 1993 - a claim that his campaign has denied.
Biden is scheduled to be interviewed about the matter on the MSNBC program "Morning Joe," the cable TV network said on Twitter on Thursday. Biden's campaign did not respond to a request for comment about the interview. His campaign has said the incident never occurred but he has remained silent about it.
Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, gave a forceful defense of Biden, highlighting the former vice president's long history of supporting policies to stop the abuse of women.
The interview plan comes after some fellow Democrats urged Biden, 77, to directly respond to the accusation.
A California woman named Tara Reade, who worked as a staff assistant in Biden's US Senate office from December 1992 to August 1993, has accused Biden in media interviews of pinning her against a wall in 1993, reaching under her skirt and pushing his fingers inside her.
Biden is set to challenge Republican President Donald Trump, 73, in the November 3 US election. Trump has been accused by more than a dozen women of sexual assault and misconduct over the years, allegations he and his aides have denied.
"I think he should respond," Trump said of Biden at a media briefing on Thursday. "It could be false accusations. I know all about false accusations."
Pelosi, who formally endorsed Biden for president on Monday, noted that staffers who ran Biden's Senate office have said they had no recollection of a sexual assault complaint.
"I have complete respect for the whole #MeToo movement," Pelosi said at a news conference. "There is also due process and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden."
"He is the personification of hope and optimism and authenticity for our country - a person of great values," Pelosi added.
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm Reade's accusation and also was unable to reach Reade or a representative for her for comment.
Several news outlets that have published Reade's account, including the New York Times and the Washington Post, have interviewed a friend who said Reade told her about the alleged assault at the time. Another friend told the Times that Reade told her in 2008 about a previous traumatic incident involving Biden. Reade's brother also confirmed parts of Reade's account to The Intercept and the Post.
On Monday, the Business Insider news website published an interview with a former neighbor who said Reade told her in the mid-1990s that Biden had put his fingers inside her.
Reade, 56, told media interviewers she complained at the time about sexual harassment, though not sexual assault, to three of Biden's Senate aides. The Biden campaign released a statement from one, Marianne Baker, who said she never received any report of inappropriate behavior in nearly 20 years of working for Biden.
The Post and Times interviewed the other two aides, both of whom told the newspapers they had no recollection of Reade's complaint.
Reade was one of eight women who last year came forward to say Biden had hugged, kissed or touched them in ways that made them uncomfortable, though none accused him of sexual assault. Reade publicly accused him of the assault on a podcast in March.
Some prominent Democratic women have stepped forward to defend Biden. Others have asked him to address the accusation.
"It can't appear that she's being ignored just because it's an inconvenient truth for certain people in the Democratic Party," said Nina Turner, who was national campaign co-chair for the presidential campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders, who dropped out of the race and endorsed Biden.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Qatar to hand out aid money in Gaza on Saturday

Qatar will give monthly aid money to Gaza Strip residents starting Saturday and will continue to do so for the @ @ @ @ @ reported on Thursday .
The aid , which is $ 100 per family , will @ @ @ @ @ .

Qatar will give monthly aid money to Gaza Strip residents starting Saturday and will continue to do so for the next two weeks, Ynet reported on Thursday.
The aid, which is $100 per family, will be given to 100,000 families.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--IDF base southern Israel reports tear in fence, gear stolen

An IDF base in southern Israel reported on Thursday that a tear was found along its fence and a break @ @ @ @ @ initial investigation revealed that several people broke into the base , stole military grade gear @ @ @ @ @ base and escaped .
The fence was fixed and the Military Police are currently investigating @ @ @

An IDF base in southern Israel reported on Thursday that a tear was found along its fence and a break in was discovered.
An initial investigation revealed that several people broke into the base, stole military grade gear, caused damage to the base and escaped.
The fence was fixed and the Military Police are currently investigating the case.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Man arrested in Eilat for allegedly sexually abusing teenage daughter

A 41-year-old man was arrested in Eilat for allegedly sexually abusing his 14-year-old daughter , police reported on Thursday.The teenager @ @ @ @ @ ago .
After investigating the case , police arrested the man who will be held @ @ @ @ @ to be indicted .

A 41-year-old man was arrested in Eilat for allegedly sexually abusing his 14-year-old daughter, police reported on Thursday.The teenager filed the complaint two weeks ago.After investigating the case, police arrested the man who will be held until Monday and is expected to be indicted.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Republican US senators to introduce COVID-19 data privacy bill

WASHINGTON - A group of key Republican U.S. senators said Thursday they are introducing proposed legislation to address consumer privacy @ @ @ @ @ efforts to use personal data to fight the coronavirus pandemic .
Senator Roger Wicker , @ @ @ @ @ , and other key Republicans introduced the bill that would `` hold businesses accountable to @ @ @ @ @ data to fight the COVID-19 pandemic . ''
The bill would allow technology companies to @ @ @ @ @ trace the virus and help flatten the curve and stop the spread – and maintaining @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Republican Senator John Thune .

WASHINGTON - A group of key Republican U.S. senators said Thursday they are introducing proposed legislation to address consumer privacy concerns surrounding technology companies' efforts to use personal data to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Senator Roger Wicker, who chairs the Commerce Committee, and other key Republicans introduced the bill that would "hold businesses accountable to consumers if they use personal data to fight the COVID-19 pandemic." The bill would allow technology companies to develop "platforms that could trace the virus and help flatten the curve and stop the spread – and maintaining privacy protections for U.S. citizens," said Republican Senator John Thune.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--UK coronavirus death toll rises by 674 to 26,771

The country has 171,253 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus , up by 6,032 since the previous day .
The @ @ @ @ @ 5 p.m. ( 1600 GMT ) on April 29 , while the data on confirmed @ @ @ @ @ a.m. ( 0800 GMT ) on April 30 .

The country has 171,253 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, up by 6,032 since the previous day.
The death figures are as of 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) on April 29, while the data on confirmed cases are as of 9 a.m. (0800 GMT) on April 30.
LONDON - A total of 26,771 people have died of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, up by 674 in a 24-hour period, data from the health ministry showed on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Coronavirus update: 15,946 diagnosed, 222 dead, 105 in serious condition

Some 15,946 Israelis tested positive for coronavirus and 222 have died of the illness as of Thursday night, according to the Health Ministry. Currently, the country has 7,163 active cases, 105 of which are considered to be in serious condition.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Public transportation to expand evening hours next week

Until now , it has stopped early in order to reduce travel and help stop the spread of the novel @ @

Until now, it has stopped early in order to reduce travel and help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Public transportation will begin operating during evening hours beginning next week, the Health Ministry reported on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Blue and white MKs to donate 20% of their salaries

Blue and White Knesset members will donate 20 % of their salaries starting this April , according to a press @ @ @ @ @ party sent on Thursday .
In addition , party leader Benny Gantz informed the Knesset @ @ @ @ @ reside in the alternative prime minister 's residency and will continue living in his current @ @ @ @ @ was included in the coalition agreement between Blue and White and Likud and is meant @ @ @ @ @ where the prime minister who is currently not serving should reside while the other is @ @ @ @ @ will promote further cuts to ministers ' salaries , as well as those of other @ @ @ @ @ crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak , the release stated .

Blue and White Knesset members will donate 20% of their salaries starting this April, according to a press release on behalf of the party sent on Thursday.
In addition, party leader Benny Gantz informed the Knesset he has no intention to reside in the alternative prime minister's residency and will continue living in his current home.
The alternative lodging was included in the coalition agreement between Blue and White and Likud and is meant to solve the issue of where the prime minister who is currently not serving should reside while the other is in Balfour.
The party will promote further cuts to ministers' salaries, as well as those of other office holders during the financial crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the release stated.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Trump says US plans to speed development of COVID-19 vaccine

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States plans to accelerate the development of a coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ has been dubbed `` Operation Warp Speed . ''
Trump , speaking to reporters in @ @ @ @ @ he is in overall charge of the project aimed at finding a vaccine to the @ @ @ @ @ .

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States plans to accelerate the development of a coronavirus vaccine, an effort that has been dubbed "Operation Warp Speed."
Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, said he is in overall charge of the project aimed at finding a vaccine to the virus as quickly as possible.


jerusalempost--2020-04-30--Denmark says coronavirus spread has not accelerated since reopening began

The so-called R rate , which shows the average number of infections one person with the virus causes , has @ @ @ @ @ two weeks but remains below 1.0 , the institute said .
`` However , there @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 epidemic is accelerating , '' it said .

The so-called R rate, which shows the average number of infections one person with the virus causes, has increased slightly in the past two weeks but remains below 1.0, the institute said.
"However, there are no signs that the COVID-19 epidemic is accelerating," it said.
COPENHAGEN - The spread of Covid-19 in Denmark has not accelerated since the country began a gradual loosening of restrictions in mid-April, the State Serum Institute, which is responsible for preparedness against infectious diseases, said on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Presidential candidate Biden says sexual assault 'never happened'

US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Friday denied that he sexually assaulted a former Senate aide in 1993 , @ @ @ @ @ the subject after he faced intense pressure to address the allegation .
`` I want @ @ @ @ @ former staffer that I engaged in misconduct 27 years ago , '' Biden said in @ @ @ @ @ They are n't true .
This never happened . ''

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden denied on Friday that he sexually assaulted a former US Senate aide in 1993, in his first public remarks on the subject after he faced intense pressure to personally address the accusation.
"No, it is not true. I'm saying unequivocally it never, never happened," Biden told MSNBC in an interview when asked about the accusation, which his campaign had previously denied.
A California woman named Tara Reade, who worked as a staff assistant in Biden's Senate office from December 1992 to August 1993, had accused Biden in media interviews of pinning her against a wall in 1993, reaching under her skirt and pushing his fingers inside her.
Biden, 77, who will be the Democratic nominee to face Republican President Donald Trump, 73, in the Nov. 3 US election, had faced growing pressure from within and outside his party to directly address the accusation.
"This is an open book. There's nothing for me to hide," Biden said in the interview, conducted from his home in Delaware where he is self-isolating during the coronavirus outbreak.
In a statement before the interview, Biden called on the US Senate to ask the National Archives to release any personnel records that could indicate whether the aide filed a complaint against Biden at the time.
In the interview Biden said personal papers from his Senate years, which were donated to the University of Delaware and have yet to be made available to the public, do not contain any personnel files.
He said he was unaware of any complaint against him by Reade, and he had never asked anyone to sign a non-disclosure agreement. He said he would not question Reade's motive and did not know why she had made the complaint.
In the past Biden has suggested that women making accusations of sexual assault should be given the benefit of the doubt, and on Friday he said he was not being hypocritical by rejecting Reade's charges.
"Women have a right to be heard and the press should rigorously investigate claims they make. I'll always uphold that principle," he said. "But in the end, in every case, the truth is what matters."
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm Reade's accusation and also was unable to reach Reade or a representative for her comment.
"We appreciate Vice President Biden finally addressing Tara Reade's allegations," said Heather Drevna, the vice president of communications at the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, an anti-sexual violence organization. "These allegations deserve a rigorous investigation."
TRUMP ACCUSATIONS
Trump has been accused in recent years by more than a dozen women of making unwanted sexual advances. In all instances, they claimed the purported misconduct occurred years before he entered politics. Trump has denied the accusations, accusing rival Democrats and the media of a smear campaign.
In an interview on Friday with conservative radio host Dan Bongino, Trump said if the accusations were false, Biden should deny them.
"Just go out and fight it, it's one of those things," Trump said he would advise Biden. "I've been a total victim of this nonsense, false accusations."
Trump's re-election campaign accused Biden of exercising a double standard. "In a dramatic shift, Biden now says ‘believe women’ doesn’t actually mean 'believe women,'" said campaign spokeswoman Erin Perrine.
"We do not know what, if anything, was done to Tara Reade, but there cannot be one set of rules for Joe Biden and another set for everyone else."
Several news outlets that have published Reade's account, including the New York Times and the Washington Post, have interviewed a friend who said Reade told her about the alleged assault at the time. Another friend told the Times that Reade told her in 2008 about a previous traumatic incident involving Biden. Reade's brother also confirmed parts of Reade's account to The Intercept and the Post.
On Monday, the Business Insider news website published an interview with a former neighbor who said Reade told her in the mid-1990s that Biden had put his fingers inside her.
Reade, 56, told media interviewers she complained at the time about sexual harassment, though not sexual assault, to three of Biden's Senate aides. The Biden campaign released a statement from one, Marianne Baker, who said she never received any report of inappropriate behavior in nearly 20 years of working for Biden.
The Post and Times interviewed the other two aides, both of whom told the newspapers they had no recollection of Reade's complaint.
Reade was one of eight women who last year came forward to say Biden had hugged, kissed or touched them in ways that made them uncomfortable, though none accused him of sexual assault. Reade publicly accused him of the assault on a podcast in March.
Some prominent Democratic women had stepped forward to defend Biden, who was President Barack Obama's vice president, and others had asked him to address the accusation.
"It can't appear that she's being ignored just because it's an inconvenient truth for certain people in the Democratic Party," said Nina Turner, who was national campaign co-chair for the presidential campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders, who dropped out of the Democratic race and endorsed Biden.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Record ozone hole over Arctic in March now closed - UN

GENEVA - Ozone depletion over the Arctic hit a `` record level '' in March , the biggest since 2011 @ @ @ @ @ now closed , the UN World Meteorological Organization ( WMO ) said on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ northern hemisphere was driven by ozone-depleting substances still in the atmosphere and a very cold @ @ @ @ @ WMO spokeswoman Clare Nullis told a UN briefing in Geneva .
`` These two factors @ @ @ @ @ high level of depletion which was worse than we saw in 2011 .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ ... the ozone hole has closed , '' she said .
Nullis , asked whether @ @ @ @ @ had played a role , said : `` It was completely unrelated to COVID .
@

GENEVA - Ozone depletion over the Arctic hit a "record level" in March, the biggest since 2011, but the hole has now closed, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Friday.
The springtime phenomenon in the northern hemisphere was driven by ozone-depleting substances still in the atmosphere and a very cold winter in the stratosphere, WMO spokeswoman Clare Nullis told a UN briefing in Geneva.
"These two factors combined to give a very high level of depletion which was worse than we saw in 2011. It's now back to normal again ... the ozone hole has closed," she said.
Nullis, asked whether less pollution during the pandemic had played a role, said: "It was completely unrelated to COVID."


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Iran death toll from coronavirus rises by 63 to 6,091 - Health Ministry

DUBAI - Iran 's death toll from the outbreak of the new coronavirus increased by 63 in the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Friday .
The @ @ @ @ @ of the new coronavirus in the Islamic Republic , one of the Middle Eastern countries @ @ @ @ @ , has reached 95,646 , including 2,899 in critical condition , he added .

DUBAI - Iran's death toll from the outbreak of the new coronavirus increased by 63 in the past 24 hours to 6,091, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Friday.
The total number of diagnosed cases of the new coronavirus in the Islamic Republic, one of the Middle Eastern countries hardest hit by the outbreak, has reached 95,646, including 2,899 in critical condition, he added.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Spain's coronavirus death toll climbs to 24,824

Spain 's coronavirus death toll rose to 24,824 on Friday as 281 more people died from causes related to the @ @ @ @ @ ministry said .
The number of new coronavirus cases diagnosed in the country rose to @ @ @ @ @ from 213,435 the day before , the ministry said on its website .

Spain's coronavirus death toll rose to 24,824 on Friday as 281 more people died from causes related to the disease overnight, the health ministry said.
The number of new coronavirus cases diagnosed in the country rose to a total 215,216 on Friday from 213,435 the day before, the ministry said on its website.
The previous day's death toll was 268.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Indonesia reports 433 new coronavirus cases, 8 deaths

JAKARTA - Indonesia confirmed on Friday 433 new coronavirus infections , taking the total number of cases to 10,551 , @ @ @ @ @ said .
Yurianto reported eight new deaths , taking the total number of fatalities to @ @ @ @ @ have recovered .
Indonesia has tested more than 76,500 people for the virus .

JAKARTA - Indonesia confirmed on Friday 433 new coronavirus infections, taking the total number of cases to 10,551, health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said.
Yurianto reported eight new deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 800, while 1,591 people have recovered.
Indonesia has tested more than 76,500 people for the virus.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Jerusalem man indicted for setting fire to town hall

A Jerusalem resident , in his forties , was indicted for arson on Friday after he was arrested last week @ @ @ @ @ to the Jerusalem Municipality building .
Jerusalem police acted quickly and arrested the man while @ @ @ @ @ area of the building .
A police investigation revealed that the man had recieved a @ @ @ @ @ in the day , which was most likely the motive behind the arson .

A Jerusalem resident, in his forties, was indicted for arson on Friday after he was arrested last week in suspicion of setting fire to the Jerusalem Municipality building.
Jerusalem police acted quickly and arrested the man while he was still in the area of the building.
A police investigation revealed that the man had recieved a fine for 475 NIS earlier in the day, which was most likely the motive behind the arson.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Shaarei Tzedek closes coronavirus ward due to 0 patients

The coronavirus ward at Shaarei Tzedek was the first such facility to open in Jerusalem on March 9 .
Dozens @ @ @ @ @ in the past two months .
Other procedures at the medical center have returned to @ @ @ @ @ patients has dropped .

The coronavirus ward at Shaarei Tzedek was the first such facility to open in Jerusalem on March 9. Dozens of patients were treated there in the past two months. Other procedures at the medical center have returned to operations as the number of patients has dropped.
Shaarei Tzedek Medical Center in Jerusalem closed its coronavirus ward on Friday morning after the last three patients being treated there recovered and were discharged.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 1,639; deaths up 193

BERLIN - The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 1,639 to 160,758 , data from the Robert @ @ @ @ @ for infectious diseases showed on Friday .
The death toll rose by 193 to 6,481 @

BERLIN - The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 1,639 to 160,758, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday.
The death toll rose by 193 to 6,481.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--NSC recommends delaying school opening by another week

The Health Ministry announced on Friday morning that kindergartens would not return to operation on Sunday in any case .
@ @ @ @ @ decide whether the education system opens on Sunday will start at 10 a.m. on Friday @ @

The Health Ministry announced on Friday morning that kindergartens would not return to operation on Sunday in any case.
The committee meeting that will decide whether the education system opens on Sunday will start at 10 a.m. on Friday morning.
The National Security Council is recommending that the opening of the education system planned for Sunday be delayed by a week, as institutions are not prepared to operate according to the new regulations, reported Channel 12 news.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--7,023 active coronavirus cases in Israel, 223 deaths

The total number of confirmed cases in Israel since the beginning of the outbreak rose to 16,004 .

The total number of confirmed cases in Israel since the beginning of the outbreak rose to 16,004.
Israel's active coronavirus case count dropped to 7,023 on Friday morning, with 105 patients in serious condition and 83 patients on ventilators. The death toll rose to 223 overnight.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--62-year-old man from elderly home dies due to COVID-19 in Tiberias

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A 62-year-old man from an elderly home in Yavniel passed away at the Puria Medical Center in Tiberias on Friday morning after having been confirmed as infected with the novel coronavirus. He suffered from preexisting conditions.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Thailand reports six new coronavirus cases, no deaths

BANGKOK - Thailand reported six new coronavirus cases and no new death on Friday , taking its tally to 2,960 @ @ @ @ @ 54 since the outbreak began in January .
New daily infections have stayed in the @ @ @ @ @ days .
The six cases also marked the lowest new daily infections since early March @

BANGKOK - Thailand reported six new coronavirus cases and no new death on Friday, taking its tally to 2,960 infections while fatalities remained at 54 since the outbreak began in January.
New daily infections have stayed in the single digits for five consecutive days. The six cases also marked the lowest new daily infections since early March.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Russia's coronavirus case tally passes 100,000 with record daily rise

The official nationwide death toll rose to 1,073 after 101 people with the virus died in the last 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ response center said .

Russia on Thursday reported 7,099 new cases of the novel coronavirus, a record daily rise, bringing its nationwide tally to 106,498.
The official nationwide death toll rose to 1,073 after 101 people with the virus died in the last 24 hours, Russia's coronavirus crisis response center said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Britain releases 40 of 4,000 prisoners identified for early COVID release

Britain has released 40 of a possible 4,000 prisoners that were identified for early release, after the government got a better control on the spread of the coronavirus in prisons, Justice Minister Robert Buckland said on Thursday."The picture is a much better one than presented itself to me even a month ago," he told Sky News on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Spain's coronavirus daily death toll falls to lowest tally in six weeks

The number of fatalities related to the novel coronavirus recorded overnight in Spain fell to 268, the lowest tally in nearly six weeks, the country's health ministry said on Thursday.The overall death toll rose to 24,543 on Thursday up from 24,275 on the previous day, the ministry said. The number of cases registered in the country rose to 213,435 from 212,917 the day before.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Italy PM says to ease coronavirus lockdown on basis of local conditions

In a speech to parliament , Conte said a new stimulus package to support the economy , due to be @ @ @ @ @ , would include 15 billion euros ( $ 16.3 billion ) for companies and 25 @ @ @ @ @ and the self-employed .
The lockdown imposed on March 9 will be gradually rolled back @ @ @ @ @ with local authorities `` taking account of the regions where the epidemiological situation is less @ @ @ @ @ the lower house of parliament .

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Thursday he would gradually relax the country's coronavirus lockdown taking into account differences in contagion levels in different parts of the country.
In a speech to parliament, Conte said a new stimulus package to support the economy, due to be presented in a few days, would include 15 billion euros ($16.3 billion) for companies and 25 billion directly for payroll workers and the self-employed.
The lockdown imposed on March 9 will be gradually rolled back from May 4 and agreed with local authorities "taking account of the regions where the epidemiological situation is less severe," Conte told the lower house of parliament.
However, the prime minister warned regions not to ease restrictions unilaterally, without consultations.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Iran death toll from coronavirus rises by 71 to 6,028

The death toll from the outbreak of the new coronavirus increased by 71 in the past 24 to 6,028, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Thursday.The total number of diagnosed cases of the new coronavirus in Iran, one of the Middle Eastern countries hardest hit by the outbreak, has reached 94,640, he said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Blue and white MKs to donate 20% of their salaries

Blue and White Knesset members will donate 20 % of their salaries starting this April , according to a press @ @ @ @ @ party sent on Thursday .
In addition , party leader Benny Gantz informed the Knesset @ @ @ @ @ reside in the alternative prime minister 's residency and will continue living in his current @ @ @ @ @ was included in the coalition agreement between Blue and White and Likud and is meant @ @ @ @ @ where the prime minister who is currently not serving should reside while the other is @ @ @ @ @ will promote further cuts to ministers ' salaries , as well as those of other @ @ @ @ @ crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak , the release stated .

Blue and White Knesset members will donate 20% of their salaries starting this April, according to a press release on behalf of the party sent on Thursday.
In addition, party leader Benny Gantz informed the Knesset he has no intention to reside in the alternative prime minister's residency and will continue living in his current home.
The alternative lodging was included in the coalition agreement between Blue and White and Likud and is meant to solve the issue of where the prime minister who is currently not serving should reside while the other is in Balfour.
The party will promote further cuts to ministers' salaries, as well as those of other office holders during the financial crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the release stated.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Afghanistan likely facing coronavirus 'health disaster' - US watchdog

WASHINGTON - Afghanistan , beset by a poor healthcare system , malnutrition , war and other vulnerabilities , likely is facing a `` health disaster '' from the coronavirus , a watchdog report to the U.S. Congress warns .
The report released late on Thursday by Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction ( SIGAR ) John Sopko could heighten concerns among U.S. officials and lawmakers that the pandemic threatens to derail stalled U.S.-led peace efforts .
The spread of COVID-19 already has significantly impacted Afghanistan , the report said , from complicating the peace initiative to forcing border crossing closures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Afghanistan 's numerous and , in some cases , unique vulnerabilities - a weak health-care system , widespread malnutrition , porous borders , massive internal displacement , contiguity with Iran , and ongoing conflict - make it likely the country will confront a health disaster in the coming months , '' the report said .
Rising food prices in the impoverished country likely will worsen the crisis , Sopko said in a letter accompanying the report .
As the pandemic has spread , Washington has pressed the Taliban and Afghan President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militant and government prisoners as a precursor to peace talks originally set to begin on March 10 .
Kabul , however , was not a party to a Feb. 29 U.S. troop withdrawal deal between the Taliban and Washington that called for the releases .
Differences over the pace and numbers of prisoners to be freed have helped stall the peace effort , which could suffer a major blow if many prisoners were to die .
Afghanistan has confirmed nearly 2,200 coronavirus cases and 64 deaths , according to local news reports quoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NATO-led international coalition declined to make available for public release data on the number of attacks launched by the Taliban in the first three months of 2020 .
It was the first time that publication of the data has been denied since SIGAR began using them to track levels and locations of violence in 2018 , the report said .
The coalition , it said , explained that the data are `` now a critical part '' of internal U.S. government deliberations on negotiations with the Taliban , who have escalated attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 deal .
The Pentagon added that the release of the data could resume once those deliberations end , the report said .

WASHINGTON - Afghanistan, beset by a poor healthcare system, malnutrition, war and other vulnerabilities, likely is facing a "health disaster" from the coronavirus, a watchdog report to the U.S. Congress warns.
The report released late on Thursday by Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko could heighten concerns among U.S. officials and lawmakers that the pandemic threatens to derail stalled U.S.-led peace efforts.
The spread of COVID-19 already has significantly impacted Afghanistan, the report said, from complicating the peace initiative to forcing border crossing closures that have disrupted commercial and humanitarian deliveries.
"Afghanistan's numerous and, in some cases, unique vulnerabilities - a weak health-care system, widespread malnutrition, porous borders, massive internal displacement, contiguity with Iran, and ongoing conflict - make it likely the country will confront a health disaster in the coming months," the report said.
Rising food prices in the impoverished country likely will worsen the crisis, Sopko said in a letter accompanying the report.
As the pandemic has spread, Washington has pressed the Taliban and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to free thousands of at-risk militant and government prisoners as a precursor to peace talks originally set to begin on March 10.
Kabul, however, was not a party to a Feb. 29 U.S. troop withdrawal deal between the Taliban and Washington that called for the releases. Differences over the pace and numbers of prisoners to be freed have helped stall the peace effort, which could suffer a major blow if many prisoners were to die.
Afghanistan has confirmed nearly 2,200 coronavirus cases and 64 deaths, according to local news reports quoting the Health Ministry.
The report said the NATO-led international coalition declined to make available for public release data on the number of attacks launched by the Taliban in the first three months of 2020.
It was the first time that publication of the data has been denied since SIGAR began using them to track levels and locations of violence in 2018, the report said.
The coalition, it said, explained that the data are "now a critical part" of internal U.S. government deliberations on negotiations with the Taliban, who have escalated attacks on Afghan security forces since the Feb. 29 deal.
The Pentagon added that the release of the data could resume once those deliberations end, the report said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Public transportation to expand evening hours next week

Until now , it has stopped early in order to reduce travel and help stop the spread of the novel @ @

Until now, it has stopped early in order to reduce travel and help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Public transportation will begin operating during evening hours beginning next week, the Health Ministry reported on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Coronavirus update: 15,946 diagnosed, 222 dead, 105 in serious condition

Some 15,946 Israelis tested positive for coronavirus and 222 have died of the illness as of Thursday night, according to the Health Ministry. Currently, the country has 7,163 active cases, 105 of which are considered to be in serious condition.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--20-year-old stabbed during brawl in Ashkelon

A 20-year-old was stabbed during a brawl in Ashkelon on Thursday night and was left seriously injured.He was evacuated to Barzilai Hospital in town.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Trump to leave White House for the first time in a month

Trump will make the 70-mile ( 40 km ) trip to Camp David on Friday evening , according to a @ @ @ @ @ House on Thursday night .
The schedule did not indicate how long Trump would stay @ @ @ @ @ has been holding regular press events at the White House to highlight his administration 's @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Trump 's last trip away from the White House was on March 28 @ @ @ @ @ where he bid farewell to the Navy 's USNS Comfort hospital ship as it sailed @ @ @ @ @ help take the pressure off civilian hospitals .

US President Donald Trump will leave the White House on Friday for the first time in a month when he travels to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.
Trump will make the 70-mile (40 km) trip to Camp David on Friday evening, according to a schedule released by the White House on Thursday night. The schedule did not indicate how long Trump would stay at Camp David.
Trump has been holding regular press events at the White House to highlight his administration's efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump's last trip away from the White House was on March 28 to Norfolk, Virginia, where he bid farewell to the Navy's USNS Comfort hospital ship as it sailed to New York City to help take the pressure off civilian hospitals.
Trump, who faces re-election in November, said on Wednesday he would visit Arizona next week for an "industry"-related event.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Honduran president denies accusations of drug trafficking

The drug trafficking accusations against Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez are "100%" false, the president's office said on Thursday, after US prosecutors announced drug trafficking charges against a former chief of the Honduran National Police.Hernandez has not been charged with a crime, but US prosecutors and witnesses at the trial of his brother, Tony Hernandez, have implicated him in drug trafficking and taking bribes.


jerusalempost--2020-05-02--US Soccer scores victory in equal pay suit with women's team players

The U.S. women's soccer team's claims for equal pay were dismissed by a court on Friday, handing a victory to the United States Soccer Federation.Judge R. Gary Klausner of the United States District Court for the Central District of California ruled in favor of U.S. Soccer, dismissing players' claims that they were under paid in comparison with the men's national team.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Trump now says he hopes US deaths from coronavirus are under 100,000

US President Donald Trump on Friday seemingly increased his estimate of possible US deaths from the coronavirus pandemic , telling @ @ @ @ @ hopes for less than 100,000 fatalities from COVID-19 , a higher upper limit than the @ @ @ @ @ discussed on Monday .
`` Hopefully we 're going to come in below that 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ a horrible number nevertheless , '' Trump said .

US President Donald Trump on Friday seemingly increased his estimate of possible US deaths from the coronavirus pandemic, telling a White House event he hopes for less than 100,000 fatalities from COVID-19, a higher upper limit than the 60,000 to 70,000 deaths he discussed on Monday.
"Hopefully we're going to come in below that 100,000 lives lost, which is a horrible number nevertheless," Trump said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--FDA approves remdesivir for emergency use in coronavirus patients

The FDA is able to issue an emergency use authorization ( EUA ) even in cases when the drug had @ @ @ @ @ tests needed to obtain FDA approval.This is done when the drug may help treat life @ @ @ @ @ not be treated in other ways .
This is the course of action the FDA @ @ @ @ @ meant to block the activity of the novel coronavirus in cells .

The FDA is able to issue an emergency use authorization (EUA) even in cases when the drug had not passed all the needed tests needed to obtain FDA approval.This is done when the drug may help treat life threatening illnesses that currently cannot be treated in other ways.This is the course of action the FDA took with remdesivir.The drug is meant to block the activity of the novel coronavirus in cells.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Yemen records first coronavirus case in Taiz province as virus spreads

Yemen reported the first case of the novel coronavirus in a third province on Friday , raising the number of diagnosed infections to seven with two deaths in one of the world 's most vulnerable countries .
The United Nations says it fears the virus could be spreading undetected in the country where a five-year war has shattered health systems and left millions acutely malnourished .
`` A new confirmed case of coronavirus was reported , the first in ( southwestern ) governorate of Taiz , in a man in his 40s , '' the national emergency coronavirus committee said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient is receiving care at a quarantine centre and measures have been taken by the monitoring teams and the health department for those who interacted with him . ''
Yemen recorded its first case of COVID-19 in southern Hadharamout province on April 10 .
On Wednesday , it announced five infections in the southern port of Aden , with two deaths .
Yemen is already grappling with the world 's largest humanitarian crisis caused by the war between a Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi group that ousted the government from power in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Yemen reported the first case of the novel coronavirus in a third province on Friday, raising the number of diagnosed infections to seven with two deaths in one of the world's most vulnerable countries.
The United Nations says it fears the virus could be spreading undetected in the country where a five-year war has shattered health systems and left millions acutely malnourished.
"A new confirmed case of coronavirus was reported, the first in (southwestern) governorate of Taiz, in a man in his 40s," the national emergency coronavirus committee said in a Twitter post.
"The patient is receiving care at a quarantine centre and measures have been taken by the monitoring teams and the health department for those who interacted with him."
Yemen recorded its first case of COVID-19 in southern Hadharamout province on April 10. On Wednesday, it announced five infections in the southern port of Aden, with two deaths.
Yemen is already grappling with the world's largest humanitarian crisis caused by the war between a Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi group that ousted the government from power in the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--France's death toll from COVID-19 rises by 218 to 24,594

The number of people who have died from coronavirus infection in France rose by 218 to 24,594 on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ and people in ICU units continued to decline , France 's public health chief said @ @ @ @ @ said the death toll had increased 0.9 % compared with Thursday , a lower rate @ @ @ @ @ previous 24 hours .
The number of people in hospital with the COVID-19 infection fell @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , and the number of people in intensive care fell to 3,878 from @ @ @ @ @ been on a downward trend for more than two weeks .

The number of people who have died from coronavirus infection in France rose by 218 to 24,594 on Friday, while hospitalisations for the disease and people in ICU units continued to decline, France's public health chief said on Friday.
Jerome Salomon said the death toll had increased 0.9% compared with Thursday, a lower rate of increase than over the previous 24 hours.
The number of people in hospital with the COVID-19 infection fell further to 25,887 from 26,283 on Thursday, and the number of people in intensive care fell to 3,878 from 4,019. Both numbers have been on a downward trend for more than two weeks.
The disease' reproduction rate, known as the RO, in France had risen to between 0.6-0.7 on average from 0.5, Salomon told a news conference.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Coronavirus update: 225 dead, 103 in serious condition

Back to the schools : Haredi ( ultra-Orthodox ) children in grades 7 through 12 will return to school , as well as all children enrolled in special education programs .
What the framework will look like for youth-at-risk is sill under discussion .
It is still unclear what risk the move poses to parents and teachers who are older or who have underlying medical conditions , or who have children with medical conditions .
On Thursday , preschool and elementary school teachers protested in concern that the policies recommended by the Education Ministry for opening schools will leave them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many parents took to social media saying they would not send their kids to school.It is still unclear what risk the move poses to parents and teachers who are older or who have underlying medical conditions , or who have children with medical conditions .
Private daycare centers can open , as well , with up to five children.Over the course of the next week , preparations will be made with the intention of opening preschools and kindergartens by May 10 .
The Prime Minister 's Office said that students in grades 4-10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , attending school will not be mandatory , except for students learning for their matriculation exams .
The Education Ministry said it will work with the schools to obtain the tools necessary to ensure the health and safety of students and teachers.Minister of Education Rafi Peretz confirmed that he supported the decision by the Ministerial Committee and that the education system is ready to open on Sunday .
He said he expects `` hectic discussions '' with the Health Ministry in the coming weeks as they determine how best to open the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , however , called the decision disorganized.Prime Minister Benjamin `` Netanyahu is playing yo-yo with the education system , '' he said .
`` Instead of making organized decisions after serious administrative work , the most fateful decisions concerning the children , parents and teachers are made through improvisation and at the last minute . ''

Back to the schools: Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) children in grades 7 through 12 will return to school, as well as all children enrolled in special education programs. What the framework will look like for youth-at-risk is sill under discussion.
Private daycare centers can open, as well, with up to five children. At this stage, attending school will not be mandatory, except for students learning for their matriculation exams. The Education Ministry said it will work with the schools to obtain the tools necessary to ensure the health and safety of students and teachers. Minister of Education Rafi Peretz confirmed that he supported the decision by the Ministerial Committee and that the education system is ready to open on Sunday. He said he expects "hectic discussions" with the Health Ministry in the coming weeks as they determine how best to open the rest of the system. MK Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), however, called the decision disorganized. Prime Minister Benjamin "Netanyahu is playing yo-yo with the education system," he said. "Instead of making organized decisions after serious administrative work, the most fateful decisions concerning the children, parents and teachers are made through improvisation and at the last minute." It is still unclear what risk the move poses to parents and teachers who are older or who have underlying medical conditions, or who have children with medical conditions. On Thursday, preschool and elementary school teachers protested in concern that the policies recommended by the Education Ministry for opening schools will leave them at risk of contracting the virus. Many parents took to social media saying they would not send their kids to school.It is still unclear what risk the move poses to parents and teachers who are older or who have underlying medical conditions, or who have children with medical conditions. Private daycare centers can open, as well, with up to five children.Over the course of the next week, preparations will be made with the intention of opening preschools and kindergartens by May 10. The Prime Minister's Office said that students in grades 4-10 would return by June 1.At this stage, attending school will not be mandatory, except for students learning for their matriculation exams. The Education Ministry said it will work with the schools to obtain the tools necessary to ensure the health and safety of students and teachers.Minister of Education Rafi Peretz confirmed that he supported the decision by the Ministerial Committee and that the education system is ready to open on Sunday. He said he expects "hectic discussions" with the Health Ministry in the coming weeks as they determine how best to open the rest of the system.MK Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), however, called the decision disorganized.Prime Minister Benjamin "Netanyahu is playing yo-yo with the education system," he said. "Instead of making organized decisions after serious administrative work, the most fateful decisions concerning the children, parents and teachers are made through improvisation and at the last minute."
Israeli children in grades 1-3 and 11-12 can return to school on Sunday after the Cabinet approved what is considered a controversial decision to allow public school classes to resume.Schools were shuttered two months ago as the coronavirus spread throughout the country. But recent data from the Health Ministry has indicated that the virus is in decline. As of Friday evening the number of active cases in the country lowered to 6,720 in comparison to the 7,023 from the day before. Among the active cases, 103 are in serious condition, and 83 are intubated. At last count, 225 people had died.The move went against the National Security Council that said such a decision should be delayed and the Gertner Institute, which researched how quickly the virus spreads among children, and also recommended that the country wait a little longer and then open the education system in stages.By the end of March, more than 160 countries worldwide had closed schools and nearly 90% of the world’s student population was out of class. Only a handful have started to return. Health experts have expressed skepticism that Israel needs to be a pioneer on this front. On Thursday night, former Health Ministry director-general Gabi Barbash told N12 that "If it were my kid, I would not send him to school."As such, not all municipal authorities will open their city's schools on Sunday and the Education Ministry put out a statement saying that the opening of schools would be staggered.Members of Forum 15, the Israeli Forum of Self-Government Cities, expressed concern that they would unable to implement the decision safely in such a short time frame, calling the decision "irresponsible and even dangerous, despite its good intentions."The forum and nearly all its members - Ashdod, Beersheba, Haifa, Herzliya, Netanya, Ramat Gan, Rishon Lezion and Tel Aviv - said they would not open schools on Sunday.A statement explained that they were not given enough time or practical guidelines for reopening the education system and they believed that they would unable to implement the move in a safe manner."Our schools and preschools are clean and the teams are ready," Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said, "but we will not go by rules set by people who do not act responsibly."He promised parents that the schools would reopen, "but only after we take steps to ensure the children's safety."Schools in Arab communities, however, will not return to school next week, according to Kan News, which cited Arab authorities."We'll retouch on the subject after Ramadan, in about three weeks," said Joint List faction chairman Ahmad Tibi.Bnei Brak and Kiryat Malachi also said they would not open on Sunday. However, Givatayim and Holon, both members of the forum said the would open schools, although in Holon only 11th and 12th grades would resume and not 1-3.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Coronavirus quarantine in Syria's northwest looks to shield vulnerable

The center was set up last month in the countryside of Jisr al Shughour , part of the last major pocket of the country still in rebel hands after nine years of war , where nearly a million people were driven from their homes this year .
The area has yet to record its first confirmed case of the coronavirus .
But tests are scarce , medical infrastructure has crumbled , and doctors fear any outbreak in the overflowing camps for the displaced would lead to a humanitarian disaster .
The quarantine center makes it possible for Syrians to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where more than 3,000 people have died of the virus so far .
`` No one likes to be quarantined , but when you look at it as a way to save the lives of 4 million people , of course it is excellent for us , '' said Omar Al-Khaled , 27 , who arrived at the center this week from Turkey .
Fouad Moussa , the center 's 33-year-old director , said people coming from Turkey are taken by private car across the border and directly to the facility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being given a mattress and pillow .
During a visit by journalists , men under quarantine wearing medical masks were mostly playing video games on their phones on beds in a large dormitory room .
`` The number of people arriving is increasing everyday .
Each day we receive new groups , so we are requesting any support in order to set up other centers because of the growing numbers and tightness of the place , '' said Moussa .
The center has brought some peace of mind to nervous families in northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Khaled .
`` Personally , I was surprised by the capabilities of the center .
The place is sterilized four times a day , and they give us food to break our ( Ramadan ) fast ... and masks and medical gloves are distributed on a daily basis , '' said Khaled .

The center was set up last month in the countryside of Jisr al Shughour, part of the last major pocket of the country still in rebel hands after nine years of war, where nearly a million people were driven from their homes this year.
The area has yet to record its first confirmed case of the coronavirus. But tests are scarce, medical infrastructure has crumbled, and doctors fear any outbreak in the overflowing camps for the displaced would lead to a humanitarian disaster.
The quarantine center makes it possible for Syrians to return safely to the area from neighboring Turkey, where more than 3,000 people have died of the virus so far.
"No one likes to be quarantined, but when you look at it as a way to save the lives of 4 million people, of course it is excellent for us," said Omar Al-Khaled, 27, who arrived at the center this week from Turkey.
Fouad Moussa, the center's 33-year-old director, said people coming from Turkey are taken by private car across the border and directly to the facility, where they enter a sterilization room before being given a mattress and pillow.
During a visit by journalists, men under quarantine wearing medical masks were mostly playing video games on their phones on beds in a large dormitory room.
"The number of people arriving is increasing everyday. Each day we receive new groups, so we are requesting any support in order to set up other centers because of the growing numbers and tightness of the place," said Moussa.
The center has brought some peace of mind to nervous families in northern Syria welcoming back relatives from Turkey, said Khaled.
"Personally, I was surprised by the capabilities of the center. The place is sterilized four times a day, and they give us food to break our (Ramadan) fast...and masks and medical gloves are distributed on a daily basis," said Khaled.
At a quarantine center in war-torn northern Syria, doctors near the Turkish frontier are providing a first line of defense to prevent the new coronavirus from spreading to one of the world's most vulnerable populations.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Britain says has met 100,000 daily COVID-19 test target

`` In the 24 hours up to 9am on 1 May , there were 122,347 tests in the UK , @ @ @ @ @ the figures said .
That compares to 81,611 tests completed the day before .
Hancock @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 daily tests before the end of April .
The government figures showed that 73,191 @ @ @ @ @ day where there was 122,347 tests .

"In the 24 hours up to 9am on 1 May, there were 122,347 tests in the UK," a government slide presenting the figures said. That compares to 81,611 tests completed the day before.
Hancock had set a target of 100,000 daily tests before the end of April. The government figures showed that 73,191 people were tested on the day where there was 122,347 tests.
Britain has met its target of reaching 100,000 tests a day by the end of April, health minister Matt Hancock said on Friday, though the number of different people tested remained well below the total number of tests.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--WHO says has grave concerns about COVID-19 impact on weak systems

Three months after the WHO 's emergency committee first advised the WHO 's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to declare @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus , Tedros said : `` The pandemic remains a public health emergency @ @ @ @ @ Tedros said he had `` grave concerns about the potential impact '' of the disease @ @ @ @ @ accelerate in countries with weaker health systems . ''
`` As we have done clearly @ @ @ @ @ will continue to call on countries to implement a comprehensive package of measures to find @ @ @ @ @ treat every case , and trace every contact , '' Tedros told a briefing at @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the WHO would `` continue working with countries and partners to enable @ @ @ @ @ response , humanitarian relief and cargo operations , and for countries to gradually resume normal @ @ @ @

Three months after the WHO's emergency committee first advised the WHO's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to declare a public health emergency over the new coronavirus, Tedros said: "The pandemic remains a public health emergency of international concern."
Tedros said he had "grave concerns about the potential impact" of the disease "as it starts to accelerate in countries with weaker health systems."
"As we have done clearly from the beginning, we will continue to call on countries to implement a comprehensive package of measures to find, isolate, test and treat every case, and trace every contact," Tedros told a briefing at the WHO's Geneva headquarters.
He said the WHO would "continue working with countries and partners to enable essential travel needed for pandemic response, humanitarian relief and cargo operations, and for countries to gradually resume normal passenger travel."
The pandemic of COVID-19 is clearly still a global health emergency and is of particular concern as it spreads more widely in countries with weak health systems, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Italy's tally of daily coronavirus deaths dips, cases steady

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 269 on Friday , down from 285 the day before , @ @ @ @ @ , while the daily tally of new infections stood at 1,965 against 1,872 on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 now stands at 28,236 , the @ @ @ @ @ highest in the world after that of the United States .
The number of officially @ @ @ @ @ those who have died or recovered , was 207,428 , the third highest global tally @ @ @ @ @ States and Spain .
People registered as currently carrying the illness declined to 100,943 from @ @ @ @ @ were 1,578 people in intensive care on Friday against a previous 1,694 , maintaining a @ @ @ @ @ originally infected , 78,249 were declared recovered against 75,945 a day earlier .
The agency @ @ @ @ @ been tested for the virus against 1.355 million the day before , out of a @ @ @ @ @ .

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 269 on Friday, down from 285 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new infections stood at 1,965 against 1,872 on Thursday.
The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 now stands at 28,236, the agency said, the second highest in the world after that of the United States.
The number of officially confirmed cases, which includes those who have died or recovered, was 207,428, the third highest global tally behind those of the United States and Spain.
People registered as currently carrying the illness declined to 100,943 from 101,551 on Thursday.
There were 1,578 people in intensive care on Friday against a previous 1,694, maintaining a long-running decline. Of those originally infected, 78,249 were declared recovered against 75,945 a day earlier.
The agency said 1.399 million people had been tested for the virus against 1.355 million the day before, out of a population of around 60 million.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Netanyahu and Gantz meet to discuss establishment of coronavirus cabinet

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz met on Friday to discuss making progress in @ @ @ @ @ to Israeli media .
During their meeting they discussed a gradual return to a regular @ @ @ @ @ the establishment of a coronavirus cabinet that will deal with the future handling of the @ @ @ @ @ to continue to coordinate and work together next week to establish an emergency and unity @ @ @ @ @ .

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz met on Friday to discuss making progress in the coronavirus crisis, according to Israeli media.
During their meeting they discussed a gradual return to a regular routine, as well as the establishment of a coronavirus cabinet that will deal with the future handling of the virus.
The two agreed to continue to coordinate and work together next week to establish an emergency and unity government as soon as possible.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--35-year-old man moderately injured in stabbing attack in Kiryat Ekron

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A 35-year-old man is in moderate condition after being stabbed in Kiryat Ekron.Magen David Adom treated the man at the scene and brought him to the Kaplan Medical Center for further treatment.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Keep Smiling: Population Authority publishes some 'cute' news

Amid unstable and rapidly changing times, the Population and Immigration Authority has offered some happier news."Keep smiling," they wrote as they published the number of babies born, a little over 13,000 born during the month of April.More boys than girls were born this month, as the Population Authority reported just over 6,700 boys were born in comparison to almost exactly 400 girls fewer.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--US airlines mandating facial coverings for all passengers

United Airlines , Delta Air Lines Inc and American Airlines Group Inc , along with the smaller Frontier Airlines , @ @ @ @ @ equity firm Indigo Partners LLC , announced Thursday that they would require facial coverings next @ @ @ @ @ .
Some airlines , like Southwest , will provide masks if passengers forget to bring @ @ @ @ @ announce new cleaning procedures to reassure consumers .

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc and American Airlines Group Inc, along with the smaller Frontier Airlines, which is owned by private equity firm Indigo Partners LLC, announced Thursday that they would require facial coverings next month following JetBlue Airways Corp. Some airlines, like Southwest, will provide masks if passengers forget to bring them on board as they announce new cleaning procedures to reassure consumers.
The largest US airlines are moving rapidly to mandate facial coverings for all passengers, with Southwest Airlines Co and Alaska Airlines on Friday joining other major airlines in imposing the measure to address the spread of the coronavirus and convince reluctant passengers to resume flying.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Texas, Ohio join array of US states reopening their economies

Texas and Ohio pushed ahead on Friday with a phased relaxation of restrictions that US states put in place weeks ago to curb the coronavirus pandemic , as Georgia took another step toward a full restart by allowing all businesses to reopen .
With White House guidelines for reopening having expired on Thursday , half of all US states were forging ahead with a patchwork of strategies to allow businesses , from restaurants and retailers to construction and manufacturing , to emerge from a month of dormancy .
In Texas , one of the most populous US states , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and malls could resume activity on Friday while limiting capacity to 25 % of their listed occupancy , on orders of Governor Greg Abbott .
Ohio will start by allowing non-essential surgeries on Friday and then move to open construction and manufacturing on Monday , and retail shops and many consumer services on May 12 , Governor Mike DeWine said earlier this week .
States are feeling enormous pressure to reopen businesses and restore social life , despite a lack of wide-scale virus testing and other safeguards urged by health experts , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many parts of the country .
No companies are required to reopen and it was unclear how many business owners and their employees would return to work , and how many patrons would venture back into stores and restaurants .
U.S. Labor Department data released on Thursday showed some 30 million Americans had sought unemployment benefits since March 21 .
The jobless toll amounts to more than 18.4 % of the US working-age population , a level not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
States , mostly in the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have moved to relax restrictions since Georgia led the way late last week .
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said late on Thursday he was relaxing his state 's month-long shelter-in-place orders , allowing all businesses to reopen on Friday .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said late on Thursday he was concerned about states and communities `` leapfrogging '' over the first phase of federal guidelines for reopening .
`` Obviously , you could get away with that , but you 're making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told CNN .
Phase One of the White House `` Opening Up America Again '' guidelines recommends states and regions satisfy a series of criteria including a 14-day decline in cases of the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus , a robust testing program and the healthcare capacity to handle a possible surge .
They also recommend that Americans `` maximize physical distance '' and avoid social settings of more than 10 people and that employers encourage telework whenever possible and a gradual return to the workplace .
Large venues that include sit-down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and places of worship can operate under `` strict physical distancing protocols , '' the guidelines state .
The number of coronavirus cases is still climbing in many parts of the country , although peaks appear to have been reached in New York state , the epicenter of the US outbreak , and other places .
Arizona , Kansas , Minnesota , Nebraska , Pennsylvania , Virginia and Wisconsin all reported a record number of new cases on Thursday , though greater testing could account for some of the increases , revealing infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Indiana , Massachusetts , New Jersey , New Mexico , Ohio , Texas and West Virginia , posted new highs in their daily death tolls .
As of late on Thursday , the number of known infections nationwide had climbed to well over 1 million , including nearly 63,000 deaths , far exceeding the tally of American war dead from all the years of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam .

Texas and Ohio pushed ahead on Friday with a phased relaxation of restrictions that US states put in place weeks ago to curb the coronavirus pandemic, as Georgia took another step toward a full restart by allowing all businesses to reopen.
With White House guidelines for reopening having expired on Thursday, half of all US states were forging ahead with a patchwork of strategies to allow businesses, from restaurants and retailers to construction and manufacturing, to emerge from a month of dormancy.
In Texas, one of the most populous US states, all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls could resume activity on Friday while limiting capacity to 25% of their listed occupancy, on orders of Governor Greg Abbott.
Ohio will start by allowing non-essential surgeries on Friday and then move to open construction and manufacturing on Monday, and retail shops and many consumer services on May 12, Governor Mike DeWine said earlier this week.
States are feeling enormous pressure to reopen businesses and restore social life, despite a lack of wide-scale virus testing and other safeguards urged by health experts, as the outbreak appears to have waned across many parts of the country.
No companies are required to reopen and it was unclear how many business owners and their employees would return to work, and how many patrons would venture back into stores and restaurants.
U.S. Labor Department data released on Thursday showed some 30 million Americans had sought unemployment benefits since March 21. The jobless toll amounts to more than 18.4% of the US working-age population, a level not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
GEORGIA LEADS WAY
States, mostly in the South, the Midwest and mountain West, have moved to relax restrictions since Georgia led the way late last week. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said late on Thursday he was relaxing his state's month-long shelter-in-place orders, allowing all businesses to reopen on Friday.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said late on Thursday he was concerned about states and communities "leapfrogging" over the first phase of federal guidelines for reopening.
"Obviously, you could get away with that, but you're making a really significant risk," Fauci told CNN.
Phase One of the White House "Opening Up America Again" guidelines recommends states and regions satisfy a series of criteria including a 14-day decline in cases of the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus, a robust testing program and the healthcare capacity to handle a possible surge.
They also recommend that Americans "maximize physical distance" and avoid social settings of more than 10 people and that employers encourage telework whenever possible and a gradual return to the workplace.
Large venues that include sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues and places of worship can operate under "strict physical distancing protocols," the guidelines state.
The number of coronavirus cases is still climbing in many parts of the country, although peaks appear to have been reached in New York state, the epicenter of the US outbreak, and other places.
Arizona, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin all reported a record number of new cases on Thursday, though greater testing could account for some of the increases, revealing infections present but previously undetected.
Several states, including Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas and West Virginia, posted new highs in their daily death tolls.
As of late on Thursday, the number of known infections nationwide had climbed to well over 1 million, including nearly 63,000 deaths, far exceeding the tally of American war dead from all the years of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Yeshiva students break coronavirus restrictions, surround police vehicles

Police fined two yeshiva students after they were found congregating during prayers on the roof of the yeshiva, defying Health Ministry coronavirus regulations, Kan News reported.Following the fine, the students called to other young adults, and dozens surrounded around the police vehicles, not allowing the authorities to leave, as they shouted and and accused officers of prosecuting Israel.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--IDF allegedly to destroy home of terrorist from the Kfar Saba stabbing

On Friday the IDF notified the family of the 19-year old terrorist who carried out a stabbing attack in Kfar Saba on Tuesday that they plan to destroy his home, Walla news reports.Violence erupted as IDF soldiers left the area where the family lives. Stones were reportedly thrown at soldiers and tires were burned, one soldier was injured lightly in the event.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Lebanon signs request for IMF assistance -statement

Lebanon 's government on Friday signed a request for assistance from the International Monetary Fund , a statement from Prime @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` This is a historic moment in the history of Lebanon .
We @ @ @ @ @ on the path of saving Lebanon from the deep financial gap ; and it would @ @ @ @ @ of it without efficient and impactful help , '' the statement said .
Beirut passed @ @ @ @ @ Thursday and said it would be the basis for seeking IMF help .

Lebanon's government on Friday signed a request for assistance from the International Monetary Fund, a statement from Prime Minister Hassan Diab's office said.
"This is a historic moment in the history of Lebanon. We have taken the first step on the path of saving Lebanon from the deep financial gap; and it would be difficult to get out of it without efficient and impactful help," the statement said.
Beirut passed an economic rescue plan on Thursday and said it would be the basis for seeking IMF help.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Death toll in English hospitals rises 352 to 20,483

The COVID-19 death toll in English hospitals has risen by 352 from the day before to 20,483, including 18 people who did not have any known underlying health conditions, health officials said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Coronavirus patient breaks quarantine, found in car of unlicensed teen

Police caught a coronavirus patient who escaped quarantine in the car of a 15-year-old driving without a license .
The @ @ @ @ @ for suspicious activity , and soon realized that the driver looked too young to be @ @ @ @ @ the driver did not have a license , they realized that the passenger in his @ @ @ @ @ , has the coronavirus and escaped from quarantine .
The passenger with coronavirus was given @ @ @ @ @ breaking coronavirus regulations , and was returned to his home .
The 15-year-old driver was @ @ @ @ @ driving .

Police caught a coronavirus patient who escaped quarantine in the car of a 15-year-old driving without a license.
The police initially stopped the car for suspicious activity, and soon realized that the driver looked too young to be driving. After discovering that the driver did not have a license, they realized that the passenger in his car, in his mid-twenties, has the coronavirus and escaped from quarantine.
The passenger with coronavirus was given a NIS 5,000 fine for breaking coronavirus regulations, and was returned to his home. The 15-year-old driver was given court summons for unlicensed driving.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Firefighting teams working to put out fire in Kibbutz Zeitan farm

Five fire fighting teams are working to out out a fire on on the farm of Kibbutz Zeitan after a large pile of wooden pallets ignited.Crews are working to prevent the high flames moving towards nearby warehouses in the area caused by strong winds.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--India's big cities will stay under tight restrictions after lockdown ends

Indian authorities are trying to chart a path out of the world 's biggest lockdown , imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 25 , which they credit with preventing an exponential surge in coronavirus infections .
In the letter , sent by Health Secretary Preeti Sudan to regional officials and reviewed by Reuters , the authorities set out plans to map the country into red , orange and green zones , depending on the local severity of the outbreak .
India 's biggest and most economically-important cities , including New Delhi , Mumbai , Bengaluru , Chennai and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red zones , infection hotspots , and kept under strict lockdown .
To qualify as a green zone , eligible for quicker lifting of restrictions , an area would have had to report no new infections for three weeks .
The classifications would be `` dynamic '' and updated at least weekly as conditions change , Sudan wrote .
India has reported more than 35,000 cases and 1,147 confirmed deaths from the virus .
The official toll is far lower than in the United States and many European countries , although the true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a country where millions of people do not have access to sufficient healthcare .
The shutdown has pummeled India 's economy , depriving millions of day laborers of income and stranding rural migrants in cities where they can no longer afford rent or food .
The government issued an order on Friday to provide special trains for stranded migrant workers , pilgrims , tourists and students to return home .
In one of the first big efforts to help migrants return , a train departed on Friday carrying people marooned in the southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jharkhand , Reuters partner ANI reported .
An official in Maharashtra , home to financial hub Mumbai and India 's hardest-hit state with nearly a third of total cases , said some restrictions in green zones may be eased , but only if people comply with rules and infections do not surge .
`` If case loads remain low and people co-operate , more and more restrictions would be lifted .
But , if cases start rising or people create chaos , then instead of lifting , restrictions could be imposed even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , speaking on condition of anonymity as the plans are not yet final .
A second official in Maharashtra said some shops would be allowed to reopen for a few hours in orange zones , but free movement and public transport would remain curtailed .
The coronavirus has hit officials in some governments in the South Asia region , including in neighboring Pakistan , where the speaker of the National Assembly said late on Thursday that he had tested positive .

Indian authorities are trying to chart a path out of the world's biggest lockdown, imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 25, which they credit with preventing an exponential surge in coronavirus infections.
In the letter, sent by Health Secretary Preeti Sudan to regional officials and reviewed by Reuters, the authorities set out plans to map the country into red, orange and green zones, depending on the local severity of the outbreak.
India's biggest and most economically-important cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Ahmedabad, would all be classed as red zones, infection hotspots, and kept under strict lockdown.
To qualify as a green zone, eligible for quicker lifting of restrictions, an area would have had to report no new infections for three weeks. The classifications would be "dynamic" and updated at least weekly as conditions change, Sudan wrote.
India has reported more than 35,000 cases and 1,147 confirmed deaths from the virus. The official toll is far lower than in the United States and many European countries, although the true extent of infection may be higher in a country where millions of people do not have access to sufficient healthcare.
The shutdown has pummeled India's economy, depriving millions of day laborers of income and stranding rural migrants in cities where they can no longer afford rent or food.
The government issued an order on Friday to provide special trains for stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists and students to return home.
In one of the first big efforts to help migrants return, a train departed on Friday carrying people marooned in the southern state of Telangana to the eastern state of Jharkhand, Reuters partner ANI reported.
An official in Maharashtra, home to financial hub Mumbai and India's hardest-hit state with nearly a third of total cases, said some restrictions in green zones may be eased, but only if people comply with rules and infections do not surge.
"If case loads remain low and people co-operate, more and more restrictions would be lifted. But, if cases start rising or people create chaos, then instead of lifting, restrictions could be imposed even in these districts," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the plans are not yet final.
A second official in Maharashtra said some shops would be allowed to reopen for a few hours in orange zones, but free movement and public transport would remain curtailed.
The coronavirus has hit officials in some governments in the South Asia region, including in neighboring Pakistan, where the speaker of the National Assembly said late on Thursday that he had tested positive.
India's big cities will stay under tight restrictions after a nationwide lockdown ends on Sunday, while areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus will be allowed to resume some activity, according to a government letter and state-level officials.


jerusalempost--2020-05-01--Rwanda will start to ease coronavirus lockdown from Monday

Movement between provinces in the central African country will still not be allowed , while schools will also remain shut @ @ @ @ @ a government statement released late on Thursday .
`` All resumed services must adhere to @ @ @ @ @ and social distancing , '' it said .
Rwanda alongside neighboring Uganda implemented some of @ @ @ @ @ Africa to help slow the spread of the coronavirus , including shuttering all but the @ @ @ @ @ of Thursday Rwanda had 243 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and no deaths .
Under the @ @ @ @ @ allowed to open up to 7 p.m. Hotels will also be allowed to open , @ @ @ @ @ allowed on the premises in the evenings .
Bars , and churches will remained shuttered @ @ @ @ @ source of income for Rwanda , with visitors especially drawn to see its mountain gorillas @

Movement between provinces in the central African country will still not be allowed, while schools will also remain shut until September, according to a government statement released late on Thursday.
"All resumed services must adhere to health guidelines ... mask wearing and social distancing," it said.
Rwanda alongside neighboring Uganda implemented some of the strictest lockdown measures in Africa to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, including shuttering all but the most essential businesses.
As of Thursday Rwanda had 243 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and no deaths.
Under the loosened lockdown restaurants will be allowed to open up to 7 p.m. Hotels will also be allowed to open, but only guests will be allowed on the premises in the evenings. Bars, and churches will remained shuttered.
Tourism is a major source of income for Rwanda, with visitors especially drawn to see its mountain gorillas.
The Rwandan government will allow limited movement of people and allow restricted openings of businesses including restaurants and hotels from next Monday as it starts to ease its coronavirus lockdown.


jerusalempost--2020-05-02--Iran coronavirus deaths rise by 65 to 6,156

DUBAI - Iran 's death toll from new coronavirus increased by 65 in the past 24 hours to 6,156 on @ @ @ @ @ Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV .
The total number of diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ of the hardest hit Middle Eastern countries , has reached 96,448 , he said , @ @ @ @ @ critical condition .

DUBAI - Iran's death toll from new coronavirus increased by 65 in the past 24 hours to 6,156 on Saturday, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV.
The total number of diagnosed cases in Iran, one of the hardest hit Middle Eastern countries, has reached 96,448, he said, adding that 2,787 were in critical condition.


jerusalempost--2020-05-02--Spain's coronavirus death toll tops 25,000

Total cases rose to 216,582 from 215,216 on Friday .
Spain has had one of the worst outbreaks in the @ @ @ @ @ its peak and gradually easing lockdown restrictions .

Total cases rose to 216,582 from 215,216 on Friday.
Spain has had one of the worst outbreaks in the world, but is past its peak and gradually easing lockdown restrictions.
BARCELONA, May 2 (Reuters) - Spain's coronavirus death toll hit 25,100 on Saturday after 276 people died overnight, the health ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-02--Malaysia reports 105 new coronavirus cases

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia reported 105 new coronavirus cases on Saturday , bringing the total number of infections in the @ @ @ @ @ number of deaths remained at 103 , unchanged from Friday .

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia reported 105 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 6,176.
The number of deaths remained at 103, unchanged from Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-02--Russia's daily coronavirus case tally hits new high

The nationwide death toll rose to 1,222 after 57 people died in the last 24 hours , Russia 's coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ after revising the previous day 's tally .

The nationwide death toll rose to 1,222 after 57 people died in the last 24 hours, Russia's coronavirus crisis response center said, after revising the previous day's tally.
MOSCOW - Russia reported 9,623 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, its highest daily rise, bringing the total to 124,054.