· Due to the expected storm, courts in Jerusalem and the Galil we operate on a limited schedule on Wednesday.

· MK David Rotem (Yisrael Beitenu) has announced he is retiring from Knesset.

· The Education Ministry launches its situation room in the capital ahead of the storm.

· Haifa Mayor Yonah Yahav suspends ‘blue and white’ paid parking during the expected storm.

· Yesh Atid MK Boaz Toporovsky gives police testimony in widening high-level government corruption investigation.

· Moshe Kahlon announced Jerusalem Councilwoman Rochel Azaria joins his team.

· The Health Ministry at about 11:50 announced an air pollution alert in the south due to severe sand storms.

· Egypt plans to expand its buffer zone to Rafiach to two kilometers, blaming Hamas for ongoing violence in Sinai.

· 48 candidates are vying for 9 spots in the Bayit Yehudi primaries, which will be held next Tuesday.

· Mt. Hermon ski resort is closed to visitors due to heavy fog.

· The word today is that Aryeh Deri will not run for Knesset in the upcoming elections.

· Due to the expected storm, the Government Press Office will remain closed on Thursday.

· US philanthropist Shlomo Rechnitz arrived in Israel in an effort to negotiate peace in the chareidi camp. He has already met with Aryeh Deri.

· Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein approves the decision to increase minimum wage to 5,000 NIS monthly.

· PM Netanyahu visits the Jerusalem command center to oversee preparations for snow storm.

· Limitations in place for ships in the Ports of Haifa & Ashdod due to heavy winds and expected storm.

· An Ashdod postal bank was held up by a gunman. No injuries were reported.

· Police recommend to the attorney general to file a criminal indictment against former MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer.

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)