Three things for September 14
1. Israel imposes second nationwide lockdown as COVID-19 cases increase
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a surge in COVID-19 cases is forcing Israel into another countrywide lockdown.
“Our goal is to stop the increase (in cases) and lower morbidity,” Netanyahu stated. “I know that these steps come at a difficult price for all of us. This is not the holiday we are used to.”
The shutdown will begin on Friday, closing schools, restaurants, malls and hotels on what marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holiday season.
According to AP News, this marks the second time Israel is being plunged into lockdown, following a lengthy shutdown in the spring. Although the previous shutdown is credited with bringing down infection numbers, officials claim it sent unemployment numbers skyrocketing.
2. Louisiana declares state of emergency as Gulf Coast braces for HUrricane Sally
Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Hurricane Sally is expected to make landfall by early Tuesday.
“I know for a lot of people this storm seemed to come out of nowhere,” said Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. “We need everybody to pay attention to this storm. Let's take this one seriously.”
Edwards urged residents to prepare for the storm immediately, adding there are still many from southwestern Louisiana who evacuated from Hurricane Laura into New Orleans.
“I encourage all Louisianans in the storm’s path to heed the advice of their local officials as the window to prepare for this serious storm is quickly closing,” Edwards tweeted on Sunday.
Forecasters are predicting heavy rains and high winds across Middle Tennessee as the storm disperses on Thursday.
3. ByteDance picks Oracle over Microsoft for TikTok US deal
Oracle is in and Microsoft is out as ByteDance works to sell TikTok's U.S. business in time to meet President Trump's September 20 deadline.
Trump cited national security issues with the Chinese-owned app as a reason to potentially ban its use in the U.S.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said ByteDance submitted a proposal to make Oracle a "trusted technology provider" over the weekend. An Oracle spokeswoman confirmed news about the agreement, according to AP News.
The Trump administration has voiced concerns about the security of the app and the possibility of information being shared with the Chinese government, an assertion TikTok denies.
ByteDance will need approval for the deal from both the United States government and the Chinese government. There has not been an official statement from the White House on this matter.
