Netanyahu Says Agreed With Gantz on Unity Government: Haaretz

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his party has reached agreement with Benny Gantz’s party on an emergency unity government, Haaretz reported.

Under the agreement, Gantz would replace Netanyahu after a year and a half, the report said.

Netanyahu said in an interview with Channel 12 that no agreement had yet been signed. Gantz said later in a tweet: “Whoever wants unity doesn’t work with ultimatums, doesn’t use biased leaks and certainly doesn’t hurt democracy and citizens,” according to Haaretz.

Netanyahu said his party would retain the finance portfolio and a new justice minister would be mutually agreed upon.

Parliament to reconvene Tuesday to deal with COVID-19 measures: source

The House of Commons will convene Tuesday to deal with urgent business related to the novel coronavirus, according to a source in the prime minister’s office.

Global News has also learned that discussions are underway with the House leaders from each party to reconvene the House with the minimum number of MPs — preferably only those within driving distance of Ottawa.

There is an acknowledgement that each party will try to keep its MPs from flying.

Over 195,000 people in U.S. have been tested for coronavirus, received results: official

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – More than 195,000 people in the United States have been tested for coronavirus and received results, Assistant U.S. Secretary for Health Brett Giroir said on Saturday.

Giroir said that tally does not include data from hospital-based laboratories, for which the government will receive data this week.

“There are priorities for testing,” Giroir said, noting healthcare workers, symptomatic individuals and the elderly.

Cyprus reports its first coronavirus death – health ministry

NICOSIA, March 21 (Reuters) – Cyprus registered its first death from coronavirus on Saturday, the health ministry said, involving an individual who had underlying health issues.

No further details were made available in a health ministry statement. As of Saturday, Cyprus had 84 cases of coronavirus in the southern government controlled areas. (Reporting By Michele Kambas)

China reports 46 new coronavirus cases, all but one imported

BEIJING (REUTERS) – China on Sunday (March 22) reported 46 new cases of coronavirus, the fourth straight day of an increase, with all but one of those cases imported from overseas, according to the country’s National Health Commission.

The new cases recorded on Saturday compared with 41 reported the previous day.

China has now recorded 81,054 coronavirus cases since the start of the outbreak, and 3,261 deaths, including six on Saturday.

Victim suffers life-threatening injuries in downtown Toronto shooting, officials say

A victim was rushed to a trauma centre after a shooting in downtown Toronto Saturday evening, officials say.

Police tweeted about the incident shortly before 8 p.m.

Police said there were reports of shots fired in the area of Yonge and Gould streets and a person was located with gunshot wounds.

Toronto paramedics told Global News they rushed the victim to a trauma centre in life-threatening condition.

No suspect information has been provided.

Mexico's Navy says one of its Black Hawk helicopters crashes

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Navy said on Saturday that one of its Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Veracruz state, but it did not say whether there were any injuries or deaths.

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier In Critical Condition After Rib Fracture Leads To Pneumonia

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.) is in critical condition eight days after falling during a run and fracturing his rib, his office announced Saturday night.

DeSaulnier developed pneumonia after the “traumatic rib fracture” and is being treated at the hospital. The injury occurred on Friday, March 13. Initially, DeSaulnier was in serious but stable condition; his health has since deteriorated.

“Unfortunately, Congressman DeSaulnier’s condition has deteriorated and he is in critical condition,” said a statement released by his chief of staff, Betsy Arnold Marr. “The doctors are doing everything they can to care for the Congressman.”

DeSaulnier was tested for COVID-19 and the results were negative.

The congressman represents California’s 11th Congressional District in the wider San Francisco Bay Area.

He serves on four House committees, including the Rules, Oversight and Reform, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Education and Labor panels.

Gavin Newsom Directs $42 Million To Expand California’s Health Care System Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Saturday that he is directing more than $42 million in emergency funding to expand California’s health care system as hospitals prepare for a flood of patients amid the coronavirus crisis.

Of this amount, the state will spend $30 million to lease two medical facilities — Seton Medical Center in Daly City and St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles, Newsom said in a statement. A total of $8.6 million will be used to purchase new ventilators, IV fusion pumps, and to refurbish existing ventilators. Additionally, the state will use $2 million to secure a contract with American Medical Response to transport patients, and $1.4 million will be used to expand capacity of the state’s public health lab.

“California is mobilizing every part of government to support our health care delivery system, its workers, and those among us who are most vulnerable to COVID-19,” Newsom said in a statement.

As of Friday evening, there were 1,224 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state and 23 deaths related to the disease, according to the California Department of Public Health.

This past week, Newsom said the state started to receive medical equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile. The emergency equipment includes the following:
358,381 N95 masks
853,730 surgical masks
162,565 face shields
132,544 surgical gowns
678 coveralls
471,941 gloves