france24--2020-12-02--Karabakh rivals adjust to life along new borders

Pomegranate grower Zhorik Grigoryan , 73 , nearly lost his pomegranate field in the fighting Pomegranate harvest is in full swing on a field Zhorik Grigoryan nearly lost in the recent fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region .
Azerbaijani forces were just 50 metres ( 150 feet ) away from the farmer 's land in the eastern Martuni district when a Moscow-brokered peace deal halted weeks of clashes over the restive region and saw the deployment of Russian peacekeepers there .
`` There is no fear .
( Armenian ) soldiers are positioned on the ceasefire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Grigoryan tells AFP , adding : `` But we are concerned about the future '' .
The 73-year-old farmer keeps a watchful eye over a dozen young men from the village of Berdashen as they fill large sacks with the dark red fruit that will be sent to the Armenian capital Yerevan to make juice and wine .
A short distance from the pomegranate field , Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers are standing guard close to a road that runs from Martuni to Aghdam , a district in the north that Armenian separatists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fresh clashes broke out between the ex-Soviet rivals over Nagorno-Karabakh , an ethnic Armenian enclave that broke from Baku 's control in a war in the 1990s .
Under the truce signed on November 9 , Azerbaijan reclaimed swathes of territory that for three decades were controlled by Armenian separatists .
Not far from the road to Aghdam , an Azerbaijani flag attached to a utility pole flutters above a makeshift guard post with only a tent and stacked tyres to protect a handful of soldiers on duty .
On the opposite side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up an equally simple camp .
The soldiers watch each other without allowing tensions to take hold .
`` There is no problem , '' says officer Mishik Grigoryan , 45 , who is in charge of the post .
`` We are ready to defend our land . ''
Some 200 metres away on a strip of concrete , Russian peacekeepers are guarding a checkpoint flanked by armoured vehicles .
The new border is marked by one-metre high wooden stakes , their tips painted in red and white .
Like many Armenians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement that saw separatists lose control of several districts surrounding Karabakh and the historic town of Shusha .
`` I am not satisfied with the outcome of the war because we have lost so many people and territories , '' Grigoryan says bitterly .
His three grandchildren were serving in the military when the war broke out .
One of them died , another is in a Yerevan hospital with injuries .
The third is still on duty .
Another small camp near the road is manned by a dozen Armenian soldiers between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who keep watch over the Azerbaijanis from behind a long earthen mound more than two metres high .
Soldier Minas says he was born in Yerevan but migrated to Crimea , a peninsula on the Black Sea that was annexed by Russia in 2014 .
Once war broke out , Minas decided to return and join the fighting .
He says he `` regrets '' the way hostilities ended but adds that it was n't an equal battle : `` It was difficult , we had no means to fight '' .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their positions on the frontline .
Many of his comrades died in the six weeks of fighting that claimed more than 4,000 lives .
Like several of his fellow soldiers Minas is yet to take off his uniform and continues his service for 35,000 drams ( 73 dollars ; 60 euros ) a month .
He hopes to get married soon but does n't know he will be able to leave his post .
Around noon , a taxi drives into their camp bringing sacks of fresh food to the young servicemen .

Berdashen (Azerbaïdjan) (AFP) –
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Pomegranate harvest is in full swing on a field Zhorik Grigoryan nearly lost in the recent fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Azerbaijani forces were just 50 metres (150 feet) away from the farmer's land in the eastern Martuni district when a Moscow-brokered peace deal halted weeks of clashes over the restive region and saw the deployment of Russian peacekeepers there.
"There is no fear. (Armenian) soldiers are positioned on the ceasefire line, Russian troops are present," Grigoryan tells AFP, adding: "But we are concerned about the future".
The 73-year-old farmer keeps a watchful eye over a dozen young men from the village of Berdashen as they fill large sacks with the dark red fruit that will be sent to the Armenian capital Yerevan to make juice and wine.
A short distance from the pomegranate field, Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers are standing guard close to a road that runs from Martuni to Aghdam, a district in the north that Armenian separatists ceded to Azerbaijan.
In late September fresh clashes broke out between the ex-Soviet rivals over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave that broke from Baku's control in a war in the 1990s.
Under the truce signed on November 9, Azerbaijan reclaimed swathes of territory that for three decades were controlled by Armenian separatists.
- New borders -
Not far from the road to Aghdam, an Azerbaijani flag attached to a utility pole flutters above a makeshift guard post with only a tent and stacked tyres to protect a handful of soldiers on duty.
On the opposite side, 15 Armenian soldiers have also set up an equally simple camp.
The soldiers watch each other without allowing tensions to take hold.
"There is no problem," says officer Mishik Grigoryan, 45, who is in charge of the post. "We are ready to defend our land."
Some 200 metres away on a strip of concrete, Russian peacekeepers are guarding a checkpoint flanked by armoured vehicles.
The new border is marked by one-metre high wooden stakes, their tips painted in red and white.
Like many Armenians, Grigoryan did not welcome the ceasefire agreement that saw separatists lose control of several districts surrounding Karabakh and the historic town of Shusha.
"I am not satisfied with the outcome of the war because we have lost so many people and territories," Grigoryan says bitterly.
His three grandchildren were serving in the military when the war broke out. One of them died, another is in a Yerevan hospital with injuries.
The third is still on duty.
- 'No means to fight' -
Another small camp near the road is manned by a dozen Armenian soldiers between the ages of 18 and 20, who keep watch over the Azerbaijanis from behind a long earthen mound more than two metres high.
Soldier Minas says he was born in Yerevan but migrated to Crimea, a peninsula on the Black Sea that was annexed by Russia in 2014.
Once war broke out, Minas decided to return and join the fighting.
He says he "regrets" the way hostilities ended but adds that it wasn't an equal battle: "It was difficult, we had no means to fight".
He talks about military drones that frequently attacked their positions on the frontline.
Many of his comrades died in the six weeks of fighting that claimed more than 4,000 lives.
Like several of his fellow soldiers Minas is yet to take off his uniform and continues his service for 35,000 drams (73 dollars; 60 euros) a month.
He hopes to get married soon but doesn't know he will be able to leave his post.
Around noon, a taxi drives into their camp bringing sacks of fresh food to the young servicemen.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Afghan army kills mastermind of Taliban car bomb attack on military base

An Afghan National Army soldier keeps watch outside of a military compound after a car bomb blast on the outskirts of Ghazni city , Afghanistan November 29 , 2020 .
Afghan forces have killed the Taliban mastermind of a suicide car bomb attack that left at least 30 security personnel dead , officials said Monday .
Hamza Waziristani was killed in an air strike overnight in the eastern province of Ghazni where the bomber struck an Afghan military base on Sunday .
`` The mastermind behind yesterday 's terrorist attack on the ( Ghazni ) base was killed along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry said in a statement .
Ministry spokesman Fawad Aman told AFP that Waziristani was a Taliban militant from the Pakistani border region of Waziristan .
The attack was one of the deadliest in months targeting government forces in Afghanistan , where violence has surged since the start of peace talks between President Ashraf Ghani 's administration and the Taliban in Qatar .
No group has claimed the attack .
The Taliban often do not comment on deadly attacks they are accused of carrying out .
The insurgents have launched near daily attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas , since signing a deal with Washington in February that paved the way for the withdrawal of foreign troops by May 2021 .
Health officials in Ghazni said 30 people died in Sunday 's attack , but the defence ministry -- which is known to downplay tolls in attacks against its forces -- said 10 were killed .
Violence has also surged in Kabul in recent weeks , with more than 50 people killed in two assaults on educational centres and a rocket attack .
The three Kabul attacks were claimed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials blamed the Taliban -- who denied any involvement .

Afghan forces have killed the Taliban mastermind of a suicide car bomb attack that left at least 30 security personnel dead, officials said Monday.
An Afghan National Army soldier keeps watch outside of a military compound after a car bomb blast on the outskirts of Ghazni city, Afghanistan, November 29, 2020.
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Hamza Waziristani was killed in an air strike overnight in the eastern province of Ghazni where the bomber struck an Afghan military base on Sunday.
"The mastermind behind yesterday's terrorist attack on the (Ghazni) base was killed along with seven other terrorists," the defence ministry said in a statement.
Ministry spokesman Fawad Aman told AFP that Waziristani was a Taliban militant from the Pakistani border region of Waziristan.
The attack was one of the deadliest in months targeting government forces in Afghanistan, where violence has surged since the start of peace talks between President Ashraf Ghani's administration and the Taliban in Qatar.
No group has claimed the attack.
The Taliban often do not comment on deadly attacks they are accused of carrying out.
The insurgents have launched near daily attacks against Afghan forces, primarily in rural areas, since signing a deal with Washington in February that paved the way for the withdrawal of foreign troops by May 2021.
Health officials in Ghazni said 30 people died in Sunday's attack, but the defence ministry -- which is known to downplay tolls in attacks against its forces -- said 10 were killed.
Violence has also surged in Kabul in recent weeks, with more than 50 people killed in two assaults on educational centres and a rocket attack.
The three Kabul attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group, but Afghan officials blamed the Taliban -- who denied any involvement.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-02--Virus forges path to new life for Israeli ultra-Orthodox Jews

A young Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man wears a facemask and a tefillin during prayers at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem in this file picture taken on October 18 , 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic For many , the pandemic has been a time of devastating isolation , but for some ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jews it has pushed them to integrate in the world outside their narrow communities .
Lockdowns and restrictions on gatherings in Israel have shaken the rhythm of ultra-Orthodox , or haredi , life -- especially the continuous cycle of communal Torah study in religious schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that disruption has had a profound impact .
Yoav , a young man who asked that his last name be withheld , said the coronavirus pandemic triggered a spiritual crisis that led him to embrace a life outside his clannish , conservative surroundings .
`` The corona gave me the opportunity to leave this world , '' he told AFP .
Removed from his daily routine of study in a yeshiva , Yoav found himself stuck at home with a father unbending on matters of religious observance .
`` The tensions were constant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years I had known that this life was not made for me and then I understood that I had to leave . ''
He had heard about Hillel , a non-profit which since 1991 has helped haredi youth seeking a different life .
He called them , moved out of his family home and has been living with 13 other young people aged 18 to 25 in the organisation 's large Jerusalem shelter .
Residents are supported by mentors from the non-profit and by social workers , who give psychological and financial assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into non-haredi society .
Young haredim `` do n't know anything about the modern world , they do n't know anything about the other sex ; you have to teach them everything , '' said Etty Eliyahu , the shelter 's director .
`` We 're here to help them find their place in the world , '' she said .
Cut off from more secular Israeli society , haredim adhere to a rigid interpretation of Judaism and an equally strict social code .
Most males study scripture throughout the day .
Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are kept apart from men outside their family until marriage , which usually takes place at a relatively young age .
Haredi women have higher workforce participation than their husbands , who typically remain dedicated to religious studies .
Hillel is generally approached each year by around 350 youngsters , mostly between the ages of 19 and 25 , but requests doubled in 2020 as the pandemic took hold , the organisation 's director , Yair Hess , told AFP .
With the closure of the yeshivot , he said , haredi youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families , creating a `` pressure cooker '' which exploded in many homes .
Rabbi Shimon Bitton , who runs a religious secondary school in central Israel , shares this view .
The seminary `` was like a protective greenhouse for these young people '' , said the 38-year-old educator .
But the Covid-19 pandemic has shaken up their daily lives , forcing some to look for work to help their families in financial difficulty .
`` They found themselves in a world they did not know and wanted to discover it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works for the transport ministry and is taking lessons in maths and English , subjects not taught in ultra-Orthodox classrooms which are separate from the regular education system .
The young people taken in by Hillel can stay four months in the shelter and then move into other accommodation it runs , for which they must pay rent .
Efrat , a 21-year-old woman also living in the Jerusalem shelter , told AFP that she wants to become a professional make-up artist to `` brighten up life '' .
She had left her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left her unemployed and unable to pay her rent .
Life back home was a `` nightmare '' , she said , on the verge of tears , without wanting to elaborate .
Her mother ordered her out of the house and she was living on the street , before being hospitalised with the diabetes she has had since childhood .
The hospital contacted Hillel , who welcomed her into the home and allowed her to discover `` a new world '' where the company of the opposite sex was not taboo .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be naive anymore , I learned to talk to men , I learned who I was and what I was able to do in life , '' she told AFP .
`` Paradoxically , the corona saved me , '' she said with a shy smile .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
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For many, the pandemic has been a time of devastating isolation, but for some ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jews it has pushed them to integrate in the world outside their narrow communities.
Lockdowns and restrictions on gatherings in Israel have shaken the rhythm of ultra-Orthodox, or haredi, life -- especially the continuous cycle of communal Torah study in religious schools known as yeshivot.
For some, that disruption has had a profound impact.
Yoav, a young man who asked that his last name be withheld, said the coronavirus pandemic triggered a spiritual crisis that led him to embrace a life outside his clannish, conservative surroundings.
"The corona gave me the opportunity to leave this world," he told AFP.
Removed from his daily routine of study in a yeshiva, Yoav found himself stuck at home with a father unbending on matters of religious observance.
"The tensions were constant," he said.
"For years I had known that this life was not made for me and then I understood that I had to leave."
He had heard about Hillel, a non-profit which since 1991 has helped haredi youth seeking a different life.
He called them, moved out of his family home and has been living with 13 other young people aged 18 to 25 in the organisation's large Jerusalem shelter.
Residents are supported by mentors from the non-profit and by social workers, who give psychological and financial assistance and offer courses to help them integrate into non-haredi society.
Young haredim "don't know anything about the modern world, they don't know anything about the other sex; you have to teach them everything," said Etty Eliyahu, the shelter's director.
"We're here to help them find their place in the world," she said.
- 'Pressure cooker' -
Cut off from more secular Israeli society, haredim adhere to a rigid interpretation of Judaism and an equally strict social code.
Most males study scripture throughout the day.
Women, who receive a broader education, are kept apart from men outside their family until marriage, which usually takes place at a relatively young age.
Haredi women have higher workforce participation than their husbands, who typically remain dedicated to religious studies.
Hillel is generally approached each year by around 350 youngsters, mostly between the ages of 19 and 25, but requests doubled in 2020 as the pandemic took hold, the organisation's director, Yair Hess, told AFP.
With the closure of the yeshivot, he said, haredi youth have spent more time than usual with their families, creating a "pressure cooker" which exploded in many homes.
Rabbi Shimon Bitton, who runs a religious secondary school in central Israel, shares this view.
The seminary "was like a protective greenhouse for these young people", said the 38-year-old educator.
But the Covid-19 pandemic has shaken up their daily lives, forcing some to look for work to help their families in financial difficulty.
"They found themselves in a world they did not know and wanted to discover it," he said.
- 'New world' -
"I've lost years, I'm finally living," Yoav said.
He now works for the transport ministry and is taking lessons in maths and English, subjects not taught in ultra-Orthodox classrooms which are separate from the regular education system.
The young people taken in by Hillel can stay four months in the shelter and then move into other accommodation it runs, for which they must pay rent.
Efrat, a 21-year-old woman also living in the Jerusalem shelter, told AFP that she wants to become a professional make-up artist to "brighten up life".
She had left her large family but returned when the pandemic left her unemployed and unable to pay her rent.
Life back home was a "nightmare", she said, on the verge of tears, without wanting to elaborate.
Her mother ordered her out of the house and she was living on the street, before being hospitalised with the diabetes she has had since childhood.
The hospital contacted Hillel, who welcomed her into the home and allowed her to discover "a new world" where the company of the opposite sex was not taboo.
"Here, I learned not to be naive anymore, I learned to talk to men, I learned who I was and what I was able to do in life," she told AFP.
"Paradoxically, the corona saved me," she said with a shy smile.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--W. Sahara flare-up spells gloom for buffer zone businesses

A bulldozer passes by a hilltop manned by Moroccan soldiers on a road between Morocco and Mauritania in Guerguerat located in the Western Sahara , on November 23 Kamal Zerfi has long run a junkyard in a no-man 's land on the far edge of the Sahara desert .
Then government soldiers came and things took a turn for the worse .
Zerfi lives in a remote outpost of the Western Sahara region claimed by both Morocco and Polisario Front pro-independence rebels who recently revived their three-decade struggle .
His auto- and scrapyard is located at the desolate truck stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the Mauritanian border , where the deployment of Moroccan soldiers has now put paid to his lucrative business .
`` They 've stripped me of my goods ! ''
protested the 42-year-old who said he had been doing good -- and , he insists , legal -- business selling cars on to Mauritania until Rabat sent in the troops on November 13 .
Western Sahara has been disputed since the end of Spanish colonial rule .
Morocco claims all of it as it own , while Polisario rebels , backed by Algeria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Rabat recently accused the rebels of blockading the road which links the desert region with Mauritania and the rest of Africa at Guerguerat .
The pro-independence movement , which says the road was built in violation of a 1991 UN-sponsored ceasefire deal , declared the truce null and void and insisted it had no choice but `` to intensify the fight for national liberation '' .
Zerfi said the rebels , whom he calls `` Apaches '' , would often block the road link , harming business in the region locals dub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern Afghanistan .
No UN forces could be seen by a visiting AFP team in the region , known as a hotspot for smuggling of all kinds .
Zerfi , from Marrakesh in southern Morocco , insists his trade is entirely legitimate due to the special status of the demilitarised zone , even if the Moroccan customs service may disagree .
License plates buried in the sand identify the origins of cars that have passed through the junkyard : France , Italy , Spain -- and Germany , the most sought after among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now that Moroccan troops have asserted control , tow trucks have taken away the cars that were in decent condition .
Spare parts and loads of rubbish , meanwhile , have been set on fire , with acrid black smoke swirling into the sky .
Some businesses in the border outpost `` have lost everything '' , said Zerfi , since Moroccan forces arrived to secure the road .
The Polisario has since declared a `` state of war '' that put an end to its 30-year-old ceasefire with Rabat in the disputed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sand wall to secure the road to the border post where Moroccan flags are now displayed .
The `` parking lots '' in Guerguerat have long served as a depot for various goods from Mauritania , providing significant income for locals .
Since the troop deployment , `` those who had deposited goods have recovered them -- but those who left them here have been left with nothing '' , said Zerfi .
Under the ceasefire deal , Morocco controls around three-quarters of the Western Sahara , including its considerable phosphate deposits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Polisario controls the rest .
In August 2016 , Morocco launched operations to `` combat smuggling , drug trafficking , and all forms of illegal trade '' in Guerguerat , sparking tensions with the Polisario .
At the time , the UN had finally convinced the two camps to evacuate the buffer zone .
The UN 's envoy for the territory , former German president Horst Kohler , quit in May of that year citing poor health and has not been replaced .

Guerguerat (AFP) –
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Kamal Zerfi has long run a junkyard in a no-man's land on the far edge of the Sahara desert. Then government soldiers came and things took a turn for the worse.
Zerfi lives in a remote outpost of the Western Sahara region claimed by both Morocco and Polisario Front pro-independence rebels who recently revived their three-decade struggle.
His auto- and scrapyard is located at the desolate truck stop of Guerguerat in a UN-patrolled buffer zone along the Mauritanian border, where the deployment of Moroccan soldiers has now put paid to his lucrative business.
"They've stripped me of my goods!" protested the 42-year-old who said he had been doing good -- and, he insists, legal -- business selling cars on to Mauritania until Rabat sent in the troops on November 13.
Western Sahara has been disputed since the end of Spanish colonial rule. Morocco claims all of it as it own, while Polisario rebels, backed by Algeria, want independence.
Trouble flared again when Rabat recently accused the rebels of blockading the road which links the desert region with Mauritania and the rest of Africa at Guerguerat.
The pro-independence movement, which says the road was built in violation of a 1991 UN-sponsored ceasefire deal, declared the truce null and void and insisted it had no choice but "to intensify the fight for national liberation".
- 'Apaches in Kandahar' -
Zerfi said the rebels, whom he calls "Apaches", would often block the road link, harming business in the region locals dub "Kandahar" after the city in southern Afghanistan.
No UN forces could be seen by a visiting AFP team in the region, known as a hotspot for smuggling of all kinds.
Zerfi, from Marrakesh in southern Morocco, insists his trade is entirely legitimate due to the special status of the demilitarised zone, even if the Moroccan customs service may disagree.
License plates buried in the sand identify the origins of cars that have passed through the junkyard: France, Italy, Spain -- and Germany, the most sought after among Mauritanian buyers, the dealer said.
Now that Moroccan troops have asserted control, tow trucks have taken away the cars that were in decent condition. Spare parts and loads of rubbish, meanwhile, have been set on fire, with acrid black smoke swirling into the sky.
- 'State of war' -
Some businesses in the border outpost "have lost everything", said Zerfi, since Moroccan forces arrived to secure the road.
The Polisario has since declared a "state of war" that put an end to its 30-year-old ceasefire with Rabat in the disputed territory.
Rabat has also built a sand wall to secure the road to the border post where Moroccan flags are now displayed.
The "parking lots" in Guerguerat have long served as a depot for various goods from Mauritania, providing significant income for locals.
Since the troop deployment, "those who had deposited goods have recovered them -- but those who left them here have been left with nothing", said Zerfi.
Under the ceasefire deal, Morocco controls around three-quarters of the Western Sahara, including its considerable phosphate deposits and access to its rich Atlantic fisheries. The Polisario controls the rest.
In August 2016, Morocco launched operations to "combat smuggling, drug trafficking, and all forms of illegal trade" in Guerguerat, sparking tensions with the Polisario.
At the time, the UN had finally convinced the two camps to evacuate the buffer zone.
The UN's envoy for the territory, former German president Horst Kohler, quit in May of that year citing poor health and has not been replaced.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--UN given 'unimpeded' aid access to Ethiopia's Tigray

Tens of thousands of Ethiopians have fled to the Um Raquba refugee camp in eastern Sudan Ethiopia has granted the United Nations full access to deliver aid to the northern region of Tigray , following weeks of lobbying amid military operations there , according to an agreement seen Wednesday by AFP .
The agreement , signed by Ethiopia 's peace minister , allows for `` unimpeded , sustained and secure access for humanitarian personnel and services to vulnerable populations in [ government ] -administered areas in Tigray and bordering areas of Amhara and Afar regions '' .
Prime Minister Abiy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prize winner , announced military operations against leaders of Tigray 's ruling party , the Tigray People 's Liberation Front ( TPLF ) , on November 4 , saying they were in response to TPLF-organised attacks on federal army camps .
Thousands have died in subsequent fighting and tens of thousands have fled into neighbouring Sudan .
The government blocked phone and internet connections and restricted access to Tigray , making it difficult to assess conditions within the region .
The UN has been warning for weeks about a possible humanitarian catastrophe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on food handouts before the fighting began , among them 96,000 Eritrean refugees .
Food , fuel and cash are in short supply , according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA ) , while the International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC ) says basic medical equipment is lacking .
A senior UN official told AFP Wednesday the aid agreement would allow the UN and humanitarian partners to administer assistance `` wherever people are in need '' .
The officials said needs assessments would begin `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our security staff '' .
On Saturday night Abiy declared military operations were `` completed '' after federal forces took control of the regional capital Mekele .
The TPLF leadership , however , has vowed to fight on and says combat continues in multiple locations .
Tigray head Debretsion Gebremichael said Tuesday that fighting persisted in at least three locations , two of which were `` around Mekele '' and another near the town of Wukro , 50 kilometres ( 30 miles ) north .
The communications blackout has made it impossible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fighting is going .
Abiy intends to establish a caretaker administration in Tigray headed by Mulu Nega , formerly a senior official at Ethiopia 's higher education ministry .
On Wednesday Mulu announced administrators had been installed in the town of Shire , located roughly 250 kilometres ( 155 miles ) northwest of Mekele , according to a report by state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate .
Analysts warn , however , that Mulu 's administration could meet resistance from the Tigrayan population .
The TPLF dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly three decades before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
Since then TPLF leaders have complained of being removed from top positions , targeted in corruption prosecutions and broadly scapegoated for the country 's woes .
Tensions escalated dramatically after Tigray went ahead with regional elections in September , defying a nationwide ban on polls because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Federal officials declared the Tigray elections `` illegal '' , while the TPLF dismissed Abiy an illegitimate ruler who no longer had authority to make decisions affecting the region .

Addis Ababa (AFP) –
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Ethiopia has granted the United Nations full access to deliver aid to the northern region of Tigray, following weeks of lobbying amid military operations there, according to an agreement seen Wednesday by AFP.
The agreement, signed by Ethiopia's peace minister, allows for "unimpeded, sustained and secure access for humanitarian personnel and services to vulnerable populations in [government]-administered areas in Tigray and bordering areas of Amhara and Afar regions".
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, last year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, announced military operations against leaders of Tigray's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), on November 4, saying they were in response to TPLF-organised attacks on federal army camps.
Thousands have died in subsequent fighting and tens of thousands have fled into neighbouring Sudan.
The government blocked phone and internet connections and restricted access to Tigray, making it difficult to assess conditions within the region.
The UN has been warning for weeks about a possible humanitarian catastrophe.
Around 600,000 people living in Tigray depended on food handouts before the fighting began, among them 96,000 Eritrean refugees.
Food, fuel and cash are in short supply, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says basic medical equipment is lacking.
A senior UN official told AFP Wednesday the aid agreement would allow the UN and humanitarian partners to administer assistance "wherever people are in need".
The officials said needs assessments would begin "as soon as we get clearance from our security staff".
- Caretaker administration -
On Saturday night Abiy declared military operations were "completed" after federal forces took control of the regional capital Mekele.
The TPLF leadership, however, has vowed to fight on and says combat continues in multiple locations.
Tigray head Debretsion Gebremichael said Tuesday that fighting persisted in at least three locations, two of which were "around Mekele" and another near the town of Wukro, 50 kilometres (30 miles) north.
The communications blackout has made it impossible to verify claims from both sides on how the fighting is going.
Abiy intends to establish a caretaker administration in Tigray headed by Mulu Nega, formerly a senior official at Ethiopia's higher education ministry.
On Wednesday Mulu announced administrators had been installed in the town of Shire, located roughly 250 kilometres (155 miles) northwest of Mekele, according to a report by state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate.
Analysts warn, however, that Mulu's administration could meet resistance from the Tigrayan population.
The TPLF dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly three decades before anti-government protests swept Abiy to power in 2018.
Since then TPLF leaders have complained of being removed from top positions, targeted in corruption prosecutions and broadly scapegoated for the country's woes.
Tensions escalated dramatically after Tigray went ahead with regional elections in September, defying a nationwide ban on polls because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Federal officials declared the Tigray elections "illegal", while the TPLF dismissed Abiy an illegitimate ruler who no longer had authority to make decisions affecting the region.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--China starts lunar drilling, eyes moon station by 2022

A Chinese space probe has begun drilling on the surface of the moon to collect lunar samples .
China hopes @ @ @ @ @ station on the moon by 2022 , and eventually send humans there .

China starts lunar drilling, eyes moon station by 2022
01:25
A Chinese space probe has begun drilling on the surface of the moon to collect lunar samples. China hopes to install a crude space station on the moon by 2022, and eventually send humans there.


france24--2020-12-02--US attorney general says no evidence of election fraud

US attorney general says no evidence of election fraud US attorney general William Barr has rejected President Donald Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ FRANCE 24 correspondent Kethevane Gorjenstani says the statement is significant because the attorney general had @ @ @ @ @ views in the aftermath of the election .
The Trump team has dismissed Barr ’ @ @ @

US attorney general says no evidence of election fraud
01:29
US attorney general William Barr has rejected President Donald Trump's claims of election-altering fraud. FRANCE 24 correspondent Kethevane Gorjenstani says the statement is significant because the attorney general had echoed the president’s views in the aftermath of the election. The Trump team has dismissed Barr’s comments.


france24--2020-12-02--Racing end Flamengo's Copa Libertadores defence in shootout win

Gabriel Arias ' penalty shootout save from Willian Arao and his stops throughout the match saw Racing past Copa Libertadores holders Flamengo Flamengo 's defence of their Copa Libertadores title has ended at the last 16 stage after the Brazilian giants crashed out on penalties at the hands of Argentine outfit Racing .
The Rio de Janeiro team came into Tuesday night 's second leg level at 1-1 following the first match in Buenos Aires , but another draw by the same scoreline at the Maracana took the tie to spot-kicks , where Racing prevailed 5-3 .
The match only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leveller in normal time from the home side 's Willian Arao after Leonardo Sigali had put Racing ahead in the 65th minute .
Flamengo should have already been out of sight when extra time came to an end , with Racing 's goalkeeper Gabriel Arias pulling off a host of top-class saves to keep his side in the tie .
Chilean Arias then made a stop from Flamengo goalscorer Arao in the subsequent shootout to see Racing through .
Flamengo were reigning champions after an incredible triumph in 2019 , in which they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holders River Plate thanks to goals from Gabigol in the 89th minute and second minute of stoppage time .

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) –
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Flamengo's defence of their Copa Libertadores title has ended at the last 16 stage after the Brazilian giants crashed out on penalties at the hands of Argentine outfit Racing.
The Rio de Janeiro team came into Tuesday night's second leg level at 1-1 following the first match in Buenos Aires, but another draw by the same scoreline at the Maracana took the tie to spot-kicks, where Racing prevailed 5-3.
The match only went to penalties after a last gasp leveller in normal time from the home side's Willian Arao after Leonardo Sigali had put Racing ahead in the 65th minute.
Flamengo should have already been out of sight when extra time came to an end, with Racing's goalkeeper Gabriel Arias pulling off a host of top-class saves to keep his side in the tie.
Chilean Arias then made a stop from Flamengo goalscorer Arao in the subsequent shootout to see Racing through.
Flamengo were reigning champions after an incredible triumph in 2019, in which they snatched the final in Lima from previous holders River Plate thanks to goals from Gabigol in the 89th minute and second minute of stoppage time.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Britain imposes tough rules for EU jobseekers

With Britain due to leave the European Union on December 31 , the country has enacted tough new rules on @ @ @ @ @ jobseekers .
FRANCE 24 ’ s chief foreign editor Robert Parsons says the country is @ @ @ @ @ to determine whether immigrants can apply for certain jobs .

Britain imposes tough rules for EU jobseekers
03:59
With Britain due to leave the European Union on December 31, the country has enacted tough new rules on immigration, including for European jobseekers. FRANCE 24’s chief foreign editor Robert Parsons says the country is moving to a points system to determine whether immigrants can apply for certain jobs.


france24--2020-12-02--Fears for tiers as England eases coronavirus lockdown

England has ended lockdown but moved directly to a three-tier system of restrictions , following a parliamentary vote on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ now live under the strictest two tiers , with only one percent of the country @ @ @ @ @ , which allows a maximum of six people for meetings whether indoors or out .

Fears for tiers as England eases coronavirus lockdown
01:41
England has ended lockdown but moved directly to a three-tier system of restrictions, following a parliamentary vote on Tuesday. Around 55 million Britons now live under the strictest two tiers, with only one percent of the country on the least-restrictive first tier, which allows a maximum of six people for meetings whether indoors or out.


france24--2020-12-02--France announces random checks to prevent skiers from crossing borders, spreading Covid-19

A worker at the Alpine ski resort of Verbier , Switzerland , checks a snow making machine on December 1 , 2020 , ahead of the resort 's official opening on December 5 , amid the Covid-19 outbreak .
France will make random border checks to stop people getting infected with Covid-19 by crossing into countries where ski resorts remain open , Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Wednesday .
The measures , also aimed at appeasing French resort operators complaining of an uneven playing field , will apply to France ’ s borders with Switzerland and Spain , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open during the festive season .
“ The goal is to avoid French citizens getting contaminated .
That will be done by installing random checks at the borders , ” Castex told BFM TV , reiterating France ’ s decision to keep its ski lifts closed at Christmas .
Germany and Italy share France ’ s position but with Austria , as well as Spain and Switzerland , leaning towards opening their ski resorts , the topic has become divisive in Europe , even though Castex hinted there was still room for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place ... a quarantine , meaning we will proceed with random checks at the borders and the possibility for authorities to order a seven-day quarantine ” , the French Prime minister said .
“ But diplomacy is still in play , the die has not been completely cast ( on a European ski agreement ) ” , Castex added .
During the first wave of infections last season , some ski centres became breeding grounds for the coronavirus , accelerating its spread across Europe .

France will make random border checks to stop people getting infected with Covid-19 by crossing into countries where ski resorts remain open, Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Wednesday.
A worker at the Alpine ski resort of Verbier, Switzerland, checks a snow making machine on December 1, 2020, ahead of the resort's official opening on December 5, amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
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The measures, also aimed at appeasing French resort operators complaining of an uneven playing field, will apply to France’s borders with Switzerland and Spain, where it is expected ski slopes will be open during the festive season.
“The goal is to avoid French citizens getting contaminated. That will be done by installing random checks at the borders,” Castex told BFM TV, reiterating France’s decision to keep its ski lifts closed at Christmas.
Germany and Italy share France’s position but with Austria, as well as Spain and Switzerland, leaning towards opening their ski resorts, the topic has become divisive in Europe, even though Castex hinted there was still room for an agreement.
“We’ll put in place ... a quarantine, meaning we will proceed with random checks at the borders and the possibility for authorities to order a seven-day quarantine”, the French Prime minister said.
“But diplomacy is still in play, the die has not been completely cast (on a European ski agreement)”, Castex added.
During the first wave of infections last season, some ski centres became breeding grounds for the coronavirus, accelerating its spread across Europe.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-02--WHO recommends masks indoors if ventilation poor

The WHO has issued new guidelines on the wearing of masks The World Health Organization on Wednesday recommended wearing facemasks when indoors with other people , if the ventilation has been deemed inadequate , in an update to its Covid-19 guidance on masks .
The new recommendations apply in areas of known or suspected cluster or community transmission of the new coronavirus .
`` WHO advises that the general public should wear a non-medical mask in indoor ( eg shops , shared workplaces , schools ) or outdoor settings where physical distancing of at least one metre can not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If indoors , unless ventilation has been assessed to be adequate , WHO advises that the general public should wear a non-medical mask , regardless of whether physical distancing of at least one metre can be maintained . ''
The UN health agency also urged people not to wear masks during vigorous physical activity , and not to use masks with valves , saying they bypassed the filtration function of the facemask .
In its fourth update on mask guidance during the pandemic -- the last was in August -- the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settings , especially in areas plagued by infection clusters or community transmission .
In such cases , the WHO recommended `` universal masking for all persons ( staff , patients , visitors , service providers and others ) within the health facility ( including primary , secondary and tertiary care levels ; outpatient care ; and long-term care facilities ) '' It also called for the wearing of masks by inpatients when physical distancing of at least one metre can not be maintained or when patients were outside of their care areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ advise anyone suspected of having Covid-19 or awaiting test results to wear a medical mask when around others .
As for face shields , WHO said they `` provide a level of eye protection only and should not be considered as an equivalent to masks '' when it came to protection against respiratory droplets .
The organisation said however that if masks were not available , or if people had difficulty wearing a non-medical mask -- for example people with cognitive , respiratory or hearing impairments -- then face shields may be considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shields are to be used , ensure proper design to cover the sides of the face and below the chin , '' the guidance said .

Geneva (AFP) –
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The World Health Organization on Wednesday recommended wearing facemasks when indoors with other people, if the ventilation has been deemed inadequate, in an update to its Covid-19 guidance on masks.
The new recommendations apply in areas of known or suspected cluster or community transmission of the new coronavirus.
"WHO advises that the general public should wear a non-medical mask in indoor (eg shops, shared workplaces, schools) or outdoor settings where physical distancing of at least one metre cannot be maintained," the new guidance says.
"If indoors, unless ventilation has been assessed to be adequate, WHO advises that the general public should wear a non-medical mask, regardless of whether physical distancing of at least one metre can be maintained."
The UN health agency also urged people not to wear masks during vigorous physical activity, and not to use masks with valves, saying they bypassed the filtration function of the facemask.
In its fourth update on mask guidance during the pandemic -- the last was in August -- the WHO called for wider use in healthcare settings, especially in areas plagued by infection clusters or community transmission.
In such cases, the WHO recommended "universal masking for all persons (staff, patients, visitors, service providers and others) within the health facility (including primary, secondary and tertiary care levels; outpatient care; and long-term care facilities)"
It also called for the wearing of masks by inpatients when physical distancing of at least one metre cannot be maintained or when patients were outside of their care areas.
More generally, the WHO continued to advise anyone suspected of having Covid-19 or awaiting test results to wear a medical mask when around others.
As for face shields, WHO said they "provide a level of eye protection only and should not be considered as an equivalent to masks" when it came to protection against respiratory droplets.
The organisation said however that if masks were not available, or if people had difficulty wearing a non-medical mask -- for example people with cognitive, respiratory or hearing impairments -- then face shields may be considered as an alternative.
"If face shields are to be used, ensure proper design to cover the sides of the face and below the chin," the guidance said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Frontrunners in race for Covid-19 vaccine

Many hope that vaccines will help society begin to return to a form of normality Dozens of companies , from biotech start-ups to Big Pharma , are in the race to develop a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine , both to meet urgent medical need and for the potential payday .
A US-German collaboration between Pfizer and BioNTech surged past a key milestone on Wednesday with Britain 's announcement that it would begin rolling out its vaccine -- the first Western country to give the green light to an immunisation drive against the coronavirus .
Its drug is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results in final stage clinical trials , raising hopes the a pandemic that has already killed nearly 1.5 million people worldwide can be tamed .
- How many in the pipeline ?
- The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has identified 49 `` candidate vaccines '' at the stage of clinical trials in humans by mid-November , up from 11 in mid-June .
Thirteen of them are at the most advanced `` Phase 3 '' stage , in which a vaccine 's effectiveness is tested on a large scale , generally on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continents .
Two frontrunner vaccines -- by Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer -- have already sought emergency use approval on both sides of the Atlantic .
Pfizer and BioNTech have reported that phase 3 trials for their mRNA vaccine showed 95 percent efficacy in preventing Covid-19 symptoms and did not produce adverse side effects among thousands of volunteers .
Britain said on Wednesday that its National Health Service will begin with 800,000 doses `` early next week '' and ramp up to `` millions '' of inoculations by the end of the year .
BioNTech/Pfizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions for other countries in the `` coming days and weeks '' , expect to roll out 1.3 billion doses by the end of next year .
US biotech firm Moderna has also said its vaccine showed almost 95 percent efficacy .
The company is on track to manufacture between 500 million to a billion doses globally in 2021 , it said .
Results from a European project led by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca were more complicated .
Across two variants in the trials with slightly different protocols , the two-dose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But in a part of the trial process that came about by mistake , a group whose first jab was a half-dose rather than a full one showed an efficacy rate of 90 percent .
In terms of logistics AstraZeneca has an advantage because its candidate can be stored at the temperature of a normal fridge .
Moderna 's vaccine on the other hand must be kept at -20 degrees Celsius , while Pfizer 's requires an even chillier -70C to remain viable .
Russia , which registered two Covid-19 vaccines before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sputnik V vaccine is 95 percent effective according to preliminary data and can be stored in an ordinary fridge .
The country has started a mass vaccination programme of its military personnel .
Meanwhile , several state-run Chinese labs are also thought to have produced some of the more promising candidate vaccines .
China has been giving experimental Covid-19 vaccines to people including state employees and essential workers heading abroad since July .
The United States and Europe this week fleshed out plans to administer Covid-19 vaccines as soon as they gain approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some methods for making a vaccine are tried-and-tested , while others remain experimental .
Inactivated traditional vaccines use a virus germ that has been killed , while others use a weakened or `` attenuated '' strain .
These vaccines work when the body treats the deactivated pathogen as if it were a real threat , producing antibodies to kill it without endangering the patient with full infection .
So-called `` sub-unit '' vaccines contain a fragment of the virus or bacteria they are derived from to produce a similar immune response .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viral DNA into cells , often hitching a lift from other virus molecules .
For example , a measles virus modified with a coronavirus protein -- the apparatus SARS-CoV-2 uses to latch on to human cells -- can by deployed to provide immunity to Covid-19 .
Both Pfizer 's and Moderna 's vaccines are based on cutting-edge technology that uses synthetic versions of molecules called messenger RNA to hack into human cells , and effectively turn them into vaccine-making factories .
Trials of two candidate vaccines -- made by Johnson & Johnson and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October over safety concerns .
But that was not necessarily bad news , Stephen Evans , a professor of pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said at the time .
`` The fact that trials are paused should indicate that there should be confidence that the whole process of monitoring the safety of trial participants is working well , '' he said .
Cases in which recovered Covid patients were infected a second time with a new strain also raise the question of how long vaccines ' protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US FDA said it would need to see two months of follow-up data after vaccination before giving emergency authorisation for any vaccine use .
`` What is different for Covid-19 vaccines is that speed of development and potential approval is much faster due to the public health emergency , '' noted the European Medicines Agency ( EMA ) .
But even that pressing need can not overcome the rules .
`` Before approval , all vaccines in the European Union are evaluated against the same high standards as any other medicine , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Paris (AFP) –
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Dozens of companies, from biotech start-ups to Big Pharma, are in the race to develop a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine, both to meet urgent medical need and for the potential payday.
A US-German collaboration between Pfizer and BioNTech surged past a key milestone on Wednesday with Britain's announcement that it would begin rolling out its vaccine -- the first Western country to give the green light to an immunisation drive against the coronavirus.
Its drug is one of several candidate vaccines that have shown promising results in final stage clinical trials, raising hopes the a pandemic that has already killed nearly 1.5 million people worldwide can be tamed.
- How many in the pipeline? -
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 49 "candidate vaccines" at the stage of clinical trials in humans by mid-November, up from 11 in mid-June.
Thirteen of them are at the most advanced "Phase 3" stage, in which a vaccine's effectiveness is tested on a large scale, generally on tens of thousands of people across several continents.
Two frontrunner vaccines -- by Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer -- have already sought emergency use approval on both sides of the Atlantic.
Pfizer and BioNTech have reported that phase 3 trials for their mRNA vaccine showed 95 percent efficacy in preventing Covid-19 symptoms and did not produce adverse side effects among thousands of volunteers.
Britain said on Wednesday that its National Health Service will begin with 800,000 doses "early next week" and ramp up to "millions" of inoculations by the end of the year.
BioNTech/Pfizer, which said they expect further regulatory decisions for other countries in the "coming days and weeks", expect to roll out 1.3 billion doses by the end of next year.
US biotech firm Moderna has also said its vaccine showed almost 95 percent efficacy.
The company is on track to manufacture between 500 million to a billion doses globally in 2021, it said.
Results from a European project led by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca were more complicated.
Across two variants in the trials with slightly different protocols, the two-dose vaccine worked 70 percent of the time.
But in a part of the trial process that came about by mistake, a group whose first jab was a half-dose rather than a full one showed an efficacy rate of 90 percent.
In terms of logistics AstraZeneca has an advantage because its candidate can be stored at the temperature of a normal fridge.
Moderna's vaccine on the other hand must be kept at -20 degrees Celsius, while Pfizer's requires an even chillier -70C to remain viable.
Russia, which registered two Covid-19 vaccines before trials finished, has said that its Sputnik V vaccine is 95 percent effective according to preliminary data and can be stored in an ordinary fridge.
The country has started a mass vaccination programme of its military personnel.
Meanwhile, several state-run Chinese labs are also thought to have produced some of the more promising candidate vaccines.
China has been giving experimental Covid-19 vaccines to people including state employees and essential workers heading abroad since July.
The United States and Europe this week fleshed out plans to administer Covid-19 vaccines as soon as they gain approval, expected in the coming weeks.
- What kind of vaccines? -
Some methods for making a vaccine are tried-and-tested, while others remain experimental.
Inactivated traditional vaccines use a virus germ that has been killed, while others use a weakened or "attenuated" strain.
These vaccines work when the body treats the deactivated pathogen as if it were a real threat, producing antibodies to kill it without endangering the patient with full infection.
So-called "sub-unit" vaccines contain a fragment of the virus or bacteria they are derived from to produce a similar immune response.
"Viral vector" varieties deliver fragments of viral DNA into cells, often hitching a lift from other virus molecules.
For example, a measles virus modified with a coronavirus protein -- the apparatus SARS-CoV-2 uses to latch on to human cells -- can by deployed to provide immunity to Covid-19.
Both Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines are based on cutting-edge technology that uses synthetic versions of molecules called messenger RNA to hack into human cells, and effectively turn them into vaccine-making factories.
- Safety first -
Trials of two candidate vaccines -- made by Johnson & Johnson and Eli Lilly -- were "paused" in October over safety concerns.
But that was not necessarily bad news, Stephen Evans, a professor of pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said at the time.
"The fact that trials are paused should indicate that there should be confidence that the whole process of monitoring the safety of trial participants is working well," he said.
Cases in which recovered Covid patients were infected a second time with a new strain also raise the question of how long vaccines' protection might last.
In October, the US FDA said it would need to see two months of follow-up data after vaccination before giving emergency authorisation for any vaccine use.
"What is different for Covid-19 vaccines is that speed of development and potential approval is much faster due to the public health emergency," noted the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
But even that pressing need cannot overcome the rules.
"Before approval, all vaccines in the European Union are evaluated against the same high standards as any other medicine," the EMA said in a statement.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Crime gangs threaten Covid-19 vaccine campaigns, Interpol warns

Criminal networks see an opportunity in the race to start Covid-19 vaccinations , Interpol warned .
Interpol on Wednesday warned authorities worldwide of the threat from organised crime groups during upcoming Covid-19 vaccination campaigns , including fake vaccines and the theft of supplies .
Distribution of three new coronavirus vaccines is set to begin soon and many people will be desperate to protect themselves as quickly as possible , offering ready targets for criminals .
`` As governments are preparing to roll out vaccines , criminal organisations are planning to infiltrate or disrupt supply chains , '' Juergen Stock , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Lyon , France , said in a statement .
`` Criminal networks will also be targeting unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures , which could pose a significant risk to their health , even their lives , '' he said .
The agency had already in July warned about the proliferation of fake Covid-19 testing kits and other medical products as countries worldwide rushed to secure supplies during the pandemic .
Its cybercrime unit recently investigated some 3,000 websites linked to online pharmacies selling illicit drugs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also used phishing techniques to try to trick people into handing over personal data , or other malicious software .
`` It is important to be vigilant , be skeptical and be safe , as offers which appear too good to be true usually are , '' the agency said .

Lyon (AFP) –
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Interpol on Wednesday warned authorities worldwide of the threat from organised crime groups during upcoming Covid-19 vaccination campaigns, including fake vaccines and the theft of supplies.
Distribution of three new coronavirus vaccines is set to begin soon and many people will be desperate to protect themselves as quickly as possible, offering ready targets for criminals.
"As governments are preparing to roll out vaccines, criminal organisations are planning to infiltrate or disrupt supply chains," Juergen Stock, head of the global policing agency based in Lyon, France, said in a statement.
"Criminal networks will also be targeting unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures, which could pose a significant risk to their health, even their lives," he said.
The agency had already in July warned about the proliferation of fake Covid-19 testing kits and other medical products as countries worldwide rushed to secure supplies during the pandemic.
Its cybercrime unit recently investigated some 3,000 websites linked to online pharmacies selling illicit drugs and other medical products, of which 1,700 also used phishing techniques to try to trick people into handing over personal data, or other malicious software.
"It is important to be vigilant, be skeptical and be safe, as offers which appear too good to be true usually are," the agency said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--England's Malan reaches highest rating in T20 history

England 's Dawid Malan is the top-ranked batsman in international Twenty20 cricket England batsman Dawid Malan has set a ranking-points @ @ @ @ @ Twenty20 cricket after smashing 173 runs in England 's 3-0 whitewash against South Africa .
@ @ @ @ @ number one in the world in September after a relentlessly consistent period of scoring in @ @ @ @ @ up with a man-of-the-series performance .
He hit a match-winning 55 on Sunday before scoring @ @ @ @ @ off just 47 balls at Newlands on Tuesday and now has 915 points in the @ @ @ @ @ Australia 's Aaron Finch held the previous record with exactly 900 points and he remains @ @ @ @ @ , behind second-placed Babar Azam of Pakistan .
Malan 's performance helped England leapfrog Australia @ @ @ @ @ the team rankings .
The Yorkshire player has been criticised for starting slowly but has @ @ @ @ @ of Eoin Morgan 's star-studded side .
He has played 19 T20 internationals and averages @ @ @ @ @ innings at a strike rate of nearly 150 runs per 100 balls .

London (AFP) –
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England batsman Dawid Malan has set a ranking-points record for batsmen in international Twenty20 cricket after smashing 173 runs in England's 3-0 whitewash against South Africa.
The 33-year-old left-hander climbed to number one in the world in September after a relentlessly consistent period of scoring in the format and has followed up with a man-of-the-series performance.
He hit a match-winning 55 on Sunday before scoring a superb 99 not out off just 47 balls at Newlands on Tuesday and now has 915 points in the International Cricket Council rankings.
Australia's Aaron Finch held the previous record with exactly 900 points and he remains third on the updated list, behind second-placed Babar Azam of Pakistan.
Malan's performance helped England leapfrog Australia to take top position in the team rankings.
The Yorkshire player has been criticised for starting slowly but has made himself an integral member of Eoin Morgan's star-studded side.
He has played 19 T20 internationals and averages an impressive 53 runs per innings at a strike rate of nearly 150 runs per 100 balls.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Colombia part company with Queiroz

Colombia part company with Queiroz

Carlos Queiroz has lost his job as coach of Colombia , with the former Real Madrid boss paying the price @ @ @ @ @ Cup qualifying losses , the country 's football federation announced on Wednesday .
Queiroz , @ @ @ @ @ in the wake of a 3-0 home loss to Uruguay and a 6-1 rout in @ @ @ @ @ defeat in four decades .
The Portuguese manager , a former assistant coach at Manchester @ @ @ @ @ arrived on the Colombia bench in February 2019 .
Aside from Real and United , @ @ @ @ @ of Sporting Lisbon , the United Arab Emirates and South Africa .
His successor has @ @ @ @ @ Colombia are down in seventh in the race to qualify for the 2022 World Cup @ @ @ @ @ , with the top four teams in the Latam region qualifying directly and the fifth @ @ @ @

Bogota (AFP) –
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Carlos Queiroz has lost his job as coach of Colombia, with the former Real Madrid boss paying the price for two expensive 2022 World Cup qualifying losses, the country's football federation announced on Wednesday.
Queiroz, 67, leaves the job in the wake of a 3-0 home loss to Uruguay and a 6-1 rout in Ecuador, Colombia's worst defeat in four decades.
The Portuguese manager, a former assistant coach at Manchester United under Alex Ferguson, arrived on the Colombia bench in February 2019.
Aside from Real and United, Queiroz has been in charge of Sporting Lisbon, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa.
His successor has yet to be named.
Colombia are down in seventh in the race to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from South America, with the top four teams in the Latam region qualifying directly and the fifth facing a play-off.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--China's #MeToo movement gets its moment in court

Zhou Xiaoxuan ( front ) rose to prominence during China 's # MeToo movement two years ago after accusing an influential broadcaster of assault A sexual harassment case against a powerful Chinese media figure began in Beijing on Wednesday , with his accuser calling it a major moment in the country 's still-young # MeToo movement .
Zhou Xiaoxuan , now 27 , sparked a social media storm in 2018 after accusing prominent television host Zhu Jun of groping and forcibly kissing her when she was an intern at state broadcaster CCTV .
China 's first-ever civil code -- passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual harassment , but many women are still reluctant to come forward and it is rare for cases like this to make it to court .
`` I 'm very nervous , '' she told AFP on Wednesday ahead of the hearing .
`` But whether we win or lose the case , it has meaning . ''
`` If we lose , it allows the questions we raised at least to remain in history .
Someone will have to give us an answer . ''
Zhou said she found herself alone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that he groped her after asking if she wanted to continue to work for the channel after her internship .
Zhu is a former host of the country 's annual Spring Festival Gala -- one of the world 's most-watched television shows -- and other major broadcast events .
He has denied the allegations , and launched his own court case accusing her of damaging his reputation .
There were several hundred supporters outside the court on Wednesday , some holding banners reading `` # MeToo '' or `` We oppose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lucy Lu , told AFP : `` No matter what happens , we think she is very brave . ''
Zhou broke down in tears as she addressed her supporters ahead of the trial , telling them : `` We may be joyous or we may run into setbacks .
But please do n't take my setbacks to heart .
`` We have to believe that even if history repeats itself , things will definitely progress , '' she said .
One 26-year-old university student surnamed Huang told AFP outside the courtroom that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual harassment .
`` There is too much pressure from different facets of society and it makes you fear speaking out , '' she said .
But there were violent scuffles outside the courtroom as supporters protested when police moved in , told the crowd to put down their banners , and dragged away and detained foreign reporters , including AFP .
A large crowd of supporters waited outside the Beijing court as the first day dragged on into the evening , despite temperatures dipping below zero degrees Celsius ( 32 Fahrenheit ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very meaningful case and hope that by waiting out here , we can convey some mental support to her as well , '' said Anna Zhang , a 22-year-old graduate student waiting outside the court .
Zhou 's case against Zhu was originally filed under the `` personality rights '' law -- covering rights relating to an individual 's health and body -- but her lawyers have asked for it to be considered under the new legislation .
She was among a wave of people who came forward in 2018 when an emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zhou initially reported the case to police , she said she was told that speaking out would affect the image of the state broadcaster where Zhu worked and hurt the feelings of those who admired him .
`` These ( experiences ) make you feel like your existence is very insignificant , '' she told AFP .
`` Actual harm inflicted on your body ca n't even compare with the other party 's illusory fame and power . ''
Many women are reluctant to speak out in China 's conservative society where victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no regrets about launching the case and says that even if it is unsuccessful , she hopes it will encourage more women to speak up .
`` Even if I had to experience this all over again , I do n't regret it .
In this process I developed an emotional connection with many women and men who had similar experiences , '' she said .
`` I think all of this is still meaningful . ''
Although China 's # MeToo movement was restrained by online censorship and tightening state control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came under fire over allegations of sexual misconduct , including the former head of the government-run Buddhist association .

Beijing (AFP) –
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A sexual harassment case against a powerful Chinese media figure began in Beijing on Wednesday, with his accuser calling it a major moment in the country's still-young #MeToo movement.
Zhou Xiaoxuan, now 27, sparked a social media storm in 2018 after accusing prominent television host Zhu Jun of groping and forcibly kissing her when she was an intern at state broadcaster CCTV.
China's first-ever civil code -- passed in May -- expanded the definition of sexual harassment, but many women are still reluctant to come forward and it is rare for cases like this to make it to court.
"I'm very nervous," she told AFP on Wednesday ahead of the hearing. "But whether we win or lose the case, it has meaning."
"If we lose, it allows the questions we raised at least to remain in history. Someone will have to give us an answer."
Zhou said she found herself alone in a dressing room with Zhu in 2014, and that he groped her after asking if she wanted to continue to work for the channel after her internship.
Zhu is a former host of the country's annual Spring Festival Gala -- one of the world's most-watched television shows -- and other major broadcast events.
He has denied the allegations, and launched his own court case accusing her of damaging his reputation.
There were several hundred supporters outside the court on Wednesday, some holding banners reading "#MeToo" or "We oppose sexual harassment".
One supporter, Lucy Lu, told AFP: "No matter what happens, we think she is very brave."
Zhou broke down in tears as she addressed her supporters ahead of the trial, telling them: "We may be joyous or we may run into setbacks. But please don't take my setbacks to heart.
"We have to believe that even if history repeats itself, things will definitely progress," she said.
One 26-year-old university student surnamed Huang told AFP outside the courtroom that she had also been a victim of sexual harassment.
"There is too much pressure from different facets of society and it makes you fear speaking out," she said.
But there were violent scuffles outside the courtroom as supporters protested when police moved in, told the crowd to put down their banners, and dragged away and detained foreign reporters, including AFP.
- High profile allegations -
A large crowd of supporters waited outside the Beijing court as the first day dragged on into the evening, despite temperatures dipping below zero degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit).
"I think it is a very meaningful case and hope that by waiting out here, we can convey some mental support to her as well," said Anna Zhang, a 22-year-old graduate student waiting outside the court.
Zhou's case against Zhu was originally filed under the "personality rights" law -- covering rights relating to an individual's health and body -- but her lawyers have asked for it to be considered under the new legislation.
She was among a wave of people who came forward in 2018 when an emerging #MeToo movement rocked China.
When Zhou initially reported the case to police, she said she was told that speaking out would affect the image of the state broadcaster where Zhu worked and hurt the feelings of those who admired him.
"These (experiences) make you feel like your existence is very insignificant," she told AFP.
"Actual harm inflicted on your body can't even compare with the other party's illusory fame and power."
Many women are reluctant to speak out in China's conservative society where victims can also face blame.
But Zhou has no regrets about launching the case and says that even if it is unsuccessful, she hopes it will encourage more women to speak up.
"Even if I had to experience this all over again, I don't regret it. In this process I developed an emotional connection with many women and men who had similar experiences," she said.
"I think all of this is still meaningful."
Although China's #MeToo movement was restrained by online censorship and tightening state control over civil society, several well-known individuals came under fire over allegations of sexual misconduct, including the former head of the government-run Buddhist association.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Chief EU Brexit negotiator Barnier says talks nearing 'make-or-break' point

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier arrives at a conference centre in central London on October 22 , 2020 to attend a new round of trade talks with the UK .
Chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned Wednesday he could not guarantee he would strike a trade deal with Britain , diplomats said , and the next few days will be crucial .
“ We are quickly approaching a make-or-break moment in the Brexit talks , ” Barnier told a video meeting of European envoys , a diplomat said , in an account of the video meeting confirmed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing in London , but as of this morning it is still unclear whether negotiators can bridge the gaps on issues like level playing field , governance and fisheries , ” Barnier said .
One senior EU diplomat said several member states would rather see negotiations , which have been stuck for months , continue past the end of Britain ’ s transition phase on December 31 even if that means there is a brief “ no deal ” period .
“ There is a worry that because of this pressure of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the diplomat said after the Barnier ’ s briefing .
“ We told him : do n't do that .
”

Chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned Wednesday he could not guarantee he would strike a trade deal with Britain, diplomats said, and the next few days will be crucial.
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier arrives at a conference centre in central London on October 22, 2020 to attend a new round of trade talks with the UK.
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“We are quickly approaching a make-or-break moment in the Brexit talks,” Barnier told a video meeting of European envoys, a diplomat said, in an account of the video meeting confirmed by other sources.
“Intensive negotiations are continuing in London, but as of this morning it is still unclear whether negotiators can bridge the gaps on issues like level playing field, governance and fisheries,” Barnier said.
One senior EU diplomat said several member states would rather see negotiations, which have been stuck for months, continue past the end of Britain’s transition phase on December 31 even if that means there is a brief “no deal” period.
“There is a worry that because of this pressure of time there is a temptation to rush,” the diplomat said after the Barnier’s briefing. “We told him: don't do that.”
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-02--Swiss startup to clear space of orbiting debris

The European Space Agency has signed a deal to clean up space junk .
Some 3000 defunct satellites , and @ @ @ @ @ continually orbit the Earth , posing a potentially catastrophic risk to spacecraft .
The technology @ @ @ @ @ will use a space claw to collect waste and steer it back into the Earth @ @ @ @

Swiss startup to clear space of orbiting debris
01:54
The European Space Agency has signed a deal to clean up space junk. Some 3000 defunct satellites, and one million pieces of debris continually orbit the Earth, posing a potentially catastrophic risk to spacecraft. The technology developed with Swiss startup ClearSpace will use a space claw to collect waste and steer it back into the Earth’s atmosphere.


france24--2020-12-03--Lebanon basketball players ditch game for better future

Basketball fast gained popularity in Lebanon after the country 's civil war , with Lebanese clubs Sagesse and Al-Riyadi racking up big wins on the regional stage Basketball player Charles Tabet was once a national hero blocking shots for Lebanon , but a crumbling economy has forced him into a new life selling cars in Michigan .
After a decade playing in his country of origin , the 33-year-old Lebanese-American last month returned to his native US state to start a new career .
`` I sold my first vehicle today , '' the 2.05-metre-tall ( 6 feet 9 inches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posting a snapshot of himself , eyes smiling above a face mask , next to a much shorter woman and her new white SUV .
Basketball was once the sporting pride of Lebanon , with the national team qualifying for several world cups and two clubs that were dominant forces in the Middle East and Asia two decades ago .
In its heyday , basketball could draw huge crowds and TV audiences in Lebanon , whose football team never made it past the Asian Cup group stages in two participations , let alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the economy in free fall , the tiny nation is now losing some of its best basketball players , who are emigrating or swapping their jerseys for business shirts .
`` It was n't an easy decision to retire , '' Tabet told AFP .
`` I 've played 10 years in Lebanon .
I 've made some great friends who I call family . ''
But `` playing basketball was how I supported myself and my family .
With the economic crisis , it 's better for me to start my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past year , players have seen the Lebanese basketball league suspended , their dollar savings trapped in the bank and buying power plummet amid the country 's worst financial crunch in decades .
`` It 's sad and not the way I wanted to retire , but I 'm excited for my next chapter in life , '' Tabet said .
Basketball fast gained popularity in Lebanon after the end of the civil war in the 1990s , with Lebanese clubs Sagesse and Al-Riyadi racking up big wins on the regional stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the national team made it to the World Cup in 2002 , 2006 and 2010 , the second time winning a game against former colonial power France .
During this golden era , Lebanese basketball attracted players from as far as the United States .
Some of the league 's `` stars '' could earn up to $ 250,000 per season , according to press reports .
But over the past year the economy has deteriorated -- sparking mass protests from last autumn -- and the novel coronavirus pandemic has brought the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanese basketball league season has been suspended since October 2019 , and four of the country 's international players have quit .
Fellow Lebanese-American Daniel Faris , 33 , has returned to the US state of New Mexico to peddle medical supplies .
Lebanese player of Armenian origin Gerard Hadidian , 25 , is off to play for an Armenian team .
And Elie Chamoun , 26 , has remained in Lebanon , but has hung up his jersey to become a management consultant .
Lebanese coach Ghassan Sarkis said the past year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players once returned from the diaspora to play in the Lebanese league , today you ca n't convince a single player to come , '' he said .
Like several others of his peers , Sarkis has thrown in the towel , and is heading to a new job in the oil-rich Gulf .
In Lebanon , the pound has lost up to 80 percent of its value against the dollar on the black market .
To make matters worse , the capital on August 4 was rocked by one of the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team captain Elie Rustom , 33 , said fellow players have been scrambling to find a plan B .
`` The game is heading from bad to worse because it 's linked to everything that 's happening in the country , so we 're all looking for a chance to leave the game , '' he said .
`` I started to work for a real estate company , on top of my investments in restaurants in Beirut . ''
He said basketball was no longer his priority .
`` I only play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's profile and remind the public that the game exists . ''
Back in the United States , Tabet was optimistic , however .
He said basketball had given him key life skills to succeed , starting at the Michigan car dealership alongside his finance director brother .
`` I believe athletes will make great business people , '' he said .
`` We are competitive , we know what hard work consists of , we are driven to succeed . ''

Beirut (AFP) –
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Basketball player Charles Tabet was once a national hero blocking shots for Lebanon, but a crumbling economy has forced him into a new life selling cars in Michigan.
After a decade playing in his country of origin, the 33-year-old Lebanese-American last month returned to his native US state to start a new career.
"I sold my first vehicle today," the 2.05-metre-tall (6 feet 9 inches) player wrote on social media, posting a snapshot of himself, eyes smiling above a face mask, next to a much shorter woman and her new white SUV.
Basketball was once the sporting pride of Lebanon, with the national team qualifying for several world cups and two clubs that were dominant forces in the Middle East and Asia two decades ago.
In its heyday, basketball could draw huge crowds and TV audiences in Lebanon, whose football team never made it past the Asian Cup group stages in two participations, let alone qualify for the World Cup.
But with the economy in free fall, the tiny nation is now losing some of its best basketball players, who are emigrating or swapping their jerseys for business shirts.
"It wasn't an easy decision to retire," Tabet told AFP. "I've played 10 years in Lebanon. I've made some great friends who I call family."
But "playing basketball was how I supported myself and my family. With the economic crisis, it's better for me to start my career in the States".
Over the past year, players have seen the Lebanese basketball league suspended, their dollar savings trapped in the bank and buying power plummet amid the country's worst financial crunch in decades.
"It's sad and not the way I wanted to retire, but I'm excited for my next chapter in life," Tabet said.
- New day jobs -
Basketball fast gained popularity in Lebanon after the end of the civil war in the 1990s, with Lebanese clubs Sagesse and Al-Riyadi racking up big wins on the regional stage.
Interest in the sport further flourished as the national team made it to the World Cup in 2002, 2006 and 2010, the second time winning a game against former colonial power France.
During this golden era, Lebanese basketball attracted players from as far as the United States.
Some of the league's "stars" could earn up to $250,000 per season, according to press reports.
But over the past year the economy has deteriorated -- sparking mass protests from last autumn -- and the novel coronavirus pandemic has brought the country to a standstill.
The 2019-2020 Lebanese basketball league season has been suspended since October 2019, and four of the country's international players have quit.
Tabet has started selling cars.
Fellow Lebanese-American Daniel Faris, 33, has returned to the US state of New Mexico to peddle medical supplies.
Lebanese player of Armenian origin Gerard Hadidian, 25, is off to play for an Armenian team.
And Elie Chamoun, 26, has remained in Lebanon, but has hung up his jersey to become a management consultant.
Lebanese coach Ghassan Sarkis said the past year had been bleak.
"While many players once returned from the diaspora to play in the Lebanese league, today you can't convince a single player to come," he said.
Like several others of his peers, Sarkis has thrown in the towel, and is heading to a new job in the oil-rich Gulf.
- 'Drive to succeed' -
In Lebanon, the pound has lost up to 80 percent of its value against the dollar on the black market.
To make matters worse, the capital on August 4 was rocked by one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history.
Lebanon's team captain Elie Rustom, 33, said fellow players have been scrambling to find a plan B.
"The game is heading from bad to worse because it's linked to everything that's happening in the country, so we're all looking for a chance to leave the game," he said.
"I started to work for a real estate company, on top of my investments in restaurants in Beirut."
He said basketball was no longer his priority.
"I only play for the national team to raise my country's profile and remind the public that the game exists."
Back in the United States, Tabet was optimistic, however.
He said basketball had given him key life skills to succeed, starting at the Michigan car dealership alongside his finance director brother.
"I believe athletes will make great business people," he said.
"We are competitive, we know what hard work consists of, we are driven to succeed."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-03--First in line for Covid vaccine? Some US health care workers say no

They can move to front of the line for a Covid-19 vaccine if they want , but some US health care workers are skeptical about taking a vaccine that was developed in record time -- even as the pandemic rages on .
Some want more time , despite assurances from experts that they trust the vaccine vetting process carried out by the US Food and Drug Administration .
`` I think I would take the vaccine later on , but right now I am a little leery of it , '' nurse Yolanda Dodson , 55 , told AFP .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City and spent the spring in the heart of the deadly fight against the virus .
Vaccine studies so far `` look promising but I do n't think there is enough data yet , '' Dodson said .
`` We have to be grateful to those who are willing to subject themselves to take that risk '' to participate in the studies , she said .
`` It is a very personal decision . ''
Diana Torres is a nurse at a Manhattan hospital who saw several of her co-workers die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She is particularly suspicious of vaccines rushed for approval under the Trump administration , which she says has handled the entire pandemic like `` some sort of joke . ''
`` This is a vaccine that was developed in less than a year and approved under the same administration and government agencies that allowed the virus to spread like a wildfire , '' Torres said .
`` They did n't have enough time and people to study the vaccine , '' she said .
`` This time around I will pass and watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical trials have shown that two vaccines -- one developed by Pfizer and BioNtech , the other by Moderna and the US National Institutes of Health -- are about 95 percent effective .
Normally the FDA requires six months of follow up , but if no adverse reactions appear in the first two months , it is rare to see anything in the next four -- and the raging pandemic has altered the risk-benefit calculations .
There were 44,000 volunteers in the Pfizer trial , and 30,000 in Moderna 's , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyzed by experts free from political pressure .
Fellow nurses commenting on Torres 's Facebook page seemed just as skeptical .
`` They failed miserably with PPE ( personal protective equipment ) and testing and now they want you to be guinea pigs for the vaccine , '' one friend wrote .
Such reservations are common among the 20 million health care workers in the United States -- the country hardest hit by the pandemic with more than 272,000 deaths -- said Marcus Plescia , chief medical examiner for the Association of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There are a lot of people who feel we do n't have enough data yet , '' he said .
And yet many of the same people are saying `` ' I 'm going to get this ( vaccine ) , but I 'm going to wait for a while . '
'' This reticence `` could end up being a really big problem , '' Plescia said , especially since hospitals will likely be unable to compel their employees to take the shots .
There is a danger when too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , get vaccinated , said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo .
`` This is the whole anti-vax movement of people who are skeptical about vaccines .
On top of that you have added skepticism about this , '' he said Wednesday .
A late October-early November Gallup poll found that just 58 percent of Americans would take a Covid-19 vaccine if one became immediately available , up from 50 percent in September .
That reluctance has led to New York and six other states creating their own commission to evaluate the vaccines ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us feel there is an ethical obligation to get vaccinated , '' said Plescia .
`` Not only are we a very important workforce , health care workers take care of people who are very vulnerable '' -- and medical professionals would hate to see them get sick .
New Jersey radiologist Mohamed Sfaxi , whose rural hospital has seen an influx of Covid patients in the last three weeks , is among those trying to convince his reluctant colleagues to get the vaccine .
`` We have people who are wary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and explain the data to them , '' said Sfaxi , 57 .
Many people he believes are worried about the new `` messenger RNA '' technology that Pfizer and Modern 's vaccines use , which hack into human cells and effectively turn them into vaccine-making factories via little strands of genetic info .
Sfaxi says some are also concerned that the vaccines were developed so quickly .
However the reason it went so quickly is simply `` because science has made progress and the whole world was focused on it , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he sees every day of patients ' lungs damaged by the novel coronavirus , Sfaxi said he plans to get vaccinated as soon as possible , with `` no hesitation . ''
Then he will test himself for antibodies on a regular basis .
`` That will allow me to see when I start to have an immune reaction ... and to have a little less anxiety , '' he said .

New York (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
They can move to front of the line for a Covid-19 vaccine if they want, but some US health care workers are skeptical about taking a vaccine that was developed in record time -- even as the pandemic rages on.
Some want more time, despite assurances from experts that they trust the vaccine vetting process carried out by the US Food and Drug Administration.
"I think I would take the vaccine later on, but right now I am a little leery of it," nurse Yolanda Dodson, 55, told AFP.
Dodson works at the Montefiore Hospital in New York City and spent the spring in the heart of the deadly fight against the virus.
Vaccine studies so far "look promising but I don't think there is enough data yet," Dodson said.
"We have to be grateful to those who are willing to subject themselves to take that risk" to participate in the studies, she said. "It is a very personal decision."
Diana Torres is a nurse at a Manhattan hospital who saw several of her co-workers die of the novel coronavirus this spring.
She is particularly suspicious of vaccines rushed for approval under the Trump administration, which she says has handled the entire pandemic like "some sort of joke."
"This is a vaccine that was developed in less than a year and approved under the same administration and government agencies that allowed the virus to spread like a wildfire," Torres said.
"They didn't have enough time and people to study the vaccine," she said.
"This time around I will pass and watch how it unfolds."
Data from clinical trials have shown that two vaccines -- one developed by Pfizer and BioNtech, the other by Moderna and the US National Institutes of Health -- are about 95 percent effective.
Normally the FDA requires six months of follow up, but if no adverse reactions appear in the first two months, it is rare to see anything in the next four -- and the raging pandemic has altered the risk-benefit calculations.
There were 44,000 volunteers in the Pfizer trial, and 30,000 in Moderna's, and the data was firewalled from the companies and analyzed by experts free from political pressure.
- 'Guinea pigs'-
Fellow nurses commenting on Torres's Facebook page seemed just as skeptical.
"They failed miserably with PPE (personal protective equipment) and testing and now they want you to be guinea pigs for the vaccine," one friend wrote.
Such reservations are common among the 20 million health care workers in the United States -- the country hardest hit by the pandemic with more than 272,000 deaths -- said Marcus Plescia, chief medical examiner for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).
"There are a lot of people who feel we don't have enough data yet," he said.
And yet many of the same people are saying "'I'm going to get this (vaccine), but I'm going to wait for a while.'"
This reticence "could end up being a really big problem," Plescia said, especially since hospitals will likely be unable to compel their employees to take the shots.
There is a danger when too few people, including health care workers, get vaccinated, said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
"This is the whole anti-vax movement of people who are skeptical about vaccines. On top of that you have added skepticism about this," he said Wednesday.
A late October-early November Gallup poll found that just 58 percent of Americans would take a Covid-19 vaccine if one became immediately available, up from 50 percent in September.
That reluctance has led to New York and six other states creating their own commission to evaluate the vaccines' safety, Cuomo said.
- 'Ethical obligation' -
"Most of us feel there is an ethical obligation to get vaccinated," said Plescia.
"Not only are we a very important workforce, health care workers take care of people who are very vulnerable" -- and medical professionals would hate to see them get sick.
New Jersey radiologist Mohamed Sfaxi, whose rural hospital has seen an influx of Covid patients in the last three weeks, is among those trying to convince his reluctant colleagues to get the vaccine.
"We have people who are wary, we have to talk to them and explain the data to them," said Sfaxi, 57.
Many people he believes are worried about the new "messenger RNA" technology that Pfizer and Modern's vaccines use, which hack into human cells and effectively turn them into vaccine-making factories via little strands of genetic info.
Sfaxi says some are also concerned that the vaccines were developed so quickly.
However the reason it went so quickly is simply "because science has made progress and the whole world was focused on it," he said.
Disturbed by the images he sees every day of patients' lungs damaged by the novel coronavirus, Sfaxi said he plans to get vaccinated as soon as possible, with "no hesitation."
Then he will test himself for antibodies on a regular basis.
"That will allow me to see when I start to have an immune reaction ... and to have a little less anxiety," he said.
© 2020 AFP