JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial opened on Sunday in Jerusalem, marking the first time a sitting prime minister in Israel stands a criminal trial.

As he arrived at the Jerusalem District Court, Netanyahu launched an all-out attack against the justice system, charging the trial is a conspiracy by media, police, prosecution, and leftists to oust him.

The first session of the unprecedented trial, in which Netanyahu is facing charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, opened a week after Israel's longest-serving leader was sworn in for a fifth term.(Israel-PM)

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RAMALLAH -- Palestinians in the West Bank on Sunday celebrated the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr under a strict ban on movement to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restrictions include a full lockdown on all commercial shops, except for bakeries and pharmacies, according to the spokesperson of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior Ghassan Nimer.

On Friday night, Palestinian security forces were deployed at the entrances of the West Bank cities as the ban on movement came into effect and is expected to continue until Monday night. (Palestine-Eid al-Fitr)

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BEIJING -- China's diplomacy will adapt to the new reality of regular COVID-19 response, focus on five priorities and create new highlights this year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

Wang made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual national legislative session.

In terms of priorities, China's diplomacy will fully serve domestic development, resolutely safeguard national interests, constantly deepen partnership with other countries, firmly defend multilateralism, and actively expand international cooperation in 2020, according to Wang.(China-FM-Priorities)

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TOKYO -- The Japanese government plans to fully lift the state of emergency in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Hokkaido on Monday, economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said Sunday.

The decision came as the number of new COVID-19 cases is on a declining trend and the medical system also improved.

Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama and Hokkaido were the last remaining areas under the state of emergency among the country's 47 prefectures.(Japan-COVID-19) Enditem

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