Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 global info-graphic (Transparency International)
In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (21st globally, with 71 points) and Qatar (30th, with 63 points) were found to be the least corrupt, with Israel third.
The results mean Israel is falling closer to the “red line” of 50 points, below which countries are defined by the index has having “a high level of corruption,” Transparency International’s Israel chapter said in a statement.
Former judge Nili Arad, who chairs Transparency’s local chapter, said, “Israel’s low ranking in the corruption index is especially severe in 2020 when the coronavirus is raging on.” She pointed to the “lack of trust and lack of cooperation” from the public during the health and economic crisis.
New Zealand, Vietnam, Taiwan responded best to COVID: Lowy Institute
Australia’s Lowy Institute has found New Zealand, Vietnam and Taiwan mounted the best response to the pandemic in the 36 weeks after reaching 100 confirmed cases of the virus.
New Zealand scored 94.4 to top the think-tank’s performance ranking, followed by Vietnam on 90.8 and Taiwan with 86.4. Brazil was at the bottom of the ranking, with the United States fifth from bottom.
China was not included “due to a lack of publicly available data on testing”, the think-tank said. It evaluated 98 countries and territories.
Bringing it together: there are no easy answers for what kinds of countries have done better or worse with COVID. Certain types of countries aren’t doomed to failure or destined for success. Policy + health measures matter, and there’s a lot of nuance in the COVID narrative (7/8)
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Medical personnel in the coronavirus ward of Ziv Medical Center in the northern city of Safed, January 27, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri on Wednesday ordered the border crossings to Egypt and Jordan closed to both Israelis and foreigners to curb coronavirus infection rates.
The order will go into effect on Thursday morning at 6 a.m. and last through Sunday at least.
The Taba crossing with Egypt, and the Jordan River and Arava crossings with Jordan will be closed. The Allenby Crossing with Jordan, however, will remain open for West Bank residents to cross to and from Jordan.
Coronavirus live: Netanyahu aims to extend lockdown, overland border crossings to close haaretz.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from haaretz.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Israel to close all land border crossings over rapid virus spread
PM says Israel managed to hold back UK mutation, responsible for the surge in new cases, and needs to make sure other variants don t enter country; Deri confirms closure of Jordan River, Taba and Arava crossings until January 31
Matan Tzuri |
Published: 01.27.21 , 15:37
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel will cross all its land border crossings, including with Jordan and Egypt, due to the rapid spread of coronavirus caused by the UK strain of COVID-19.
Earlier this week, Israel shut down Ben Gurion Airport, grounding all flights to and from the country until January 31.