france24--2020-12-29--PSG sack Tuchel, Pochettino favourite to take over

Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday confirmed the sacking of coach Thomas Tuchel , who had been at the club since July 2018 , but did not name his successor Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday confirmed the sacking of coach Thomas Tuchel , who had been at the club since July 2018 , but did not name his successor .
`` After an in-depth analysis of its sporting situation , Paris Saint-Germain decided to terminate Thomas Tuchel 's contract , '' the French giants announced in a statement .
Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino , the ex-Tottenham coach and a former PSG player , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take over .
Tuchel , whose axing was widely reported but unconfirmed last week , managed PSG 127 times in all competitions , with 95 wins , 12 draws and 20 defeats .
His trophy haul featured two Ligue 1 titles ( 2019 , 2020 ) as well as the French Cup and French League Cup in 2020 .
The 47-year-old German also led the Parisian club to their first ever Champions League final last August , which they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich .
Despite appearing to be adept at man-managing PSG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neymar and Kylian Mbappe , Tuchel reportedly upset the Qatari-backed club after complaining about an apparent lack of recognition at leading PSG to the Champions League final .
`` I would like to thank Thomas Tuchel and his staff for all they have contributed to the club , '' said PSG chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi .
`` Thomas has put a lot of energy and passion into the job , and we will of course remember the good moments we shared together .
I wish him all the best for the future . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ final defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon , Tuchel has become the first PSG coach to leave mid-season since Antoine Kombouare was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti in December 2011 .
Tuchel departs the Parc des Princes having secured a last 16 Champions League clash with Barcelona and PSG sitting third in Ligue 1 -- a point shy of leaders Lyon -- despite being plagued by injuries , suspensions and coronavirus infections .
Should Pochettino take over , his opening match in charge will be January 6 's trip to Saint-Etienne on Ligue 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then , on February 16 , the Argentinian could face his first massive test against his compatriot Lionel Messi 's Barcelona , with the return leg on March 6 .
Pochettino was let go after five and a half years at Tottenham in the aftermath of leading the north London side to their first ever appearance in a Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019 .
Although he has yet to win any silverware the former PSG defender 's stock is high in managerial circles .
The Parisians will be keen to complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has been linked to the likes of Real Madrid , Manchester United and Barca in recent months .
Importantly , Pochettino , like Tuchel , is at ease in man-managing a dressing room crammed with a galaxy of stars .
Neymar has been at the centre of new controversy this week after Brazilian media reported that he is organising a huge New Year 's Eve party despite the coronavirus pandemic -- claims his lawyers have denied .
Pochettino is the son of a farmer from Murphy , in the north of Argentina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for detail , which coupled with his tactical acumen , devotion to an attractive style of play and his popularity amongst Parisian fans , makes him a potentially ideal fit as the new occupant of the PSG dugout .
He would have under his wing several compatriots such as Mauro Icardi , Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes .
His anticipated arrival before the winter transfer window will allow him to bring in new faces , potentially one former Spurs charge , Inter Milan 's attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen .
And looking further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pochettino may be the catalyst for six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi to start regarding PSG as potential new employers when he is free to move from the Camp Nou at the end of the season .

Paris (AFP) –
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Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday confirmed the sacking of coach Thomas Tuchel, who had been at the club since July 2018, but did not name his successor.
"After an in-depth analysis of its sporting situation, Paris Saint-Germain decided to terminate Thomas Tuchel's contract," the French giants announced in a statement.
Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino, the ex-Tottenham coach and a former PSG player, is widely reported to be the favourite to take over.
Tuchel, whose axing was widely reported but unconfirmed last week, managed PSG 127 times in all competitions, with 95 wins, 12 draws and 20 defeats.
His trophy haul featured two Ligue 1 titles (2019, 2020) as well as the French Cup and French League Cup in 2020.
The 47-year-old German also led the Parisian club to their first ever Champions League final last August, which they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich.
Despite appearing to be adept at man-managing PSG's squad of superstar players such as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, Tuchel reportedly upset the Qatari-backed club after complaining about an apparent lack of recognition at leading PSG to the Champions League final.
"I would like to thank Thomas Tuchel and his staff for all they have contributed to the club," said PSG chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi.
"Thomas has put a lot of energy and passion into the job, and we will of course remember the good moments we shared together. I wish him all the best for the future."
Less than three months on from the final defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon, Tuchel has become the first PSG coach to leave mid-season since Antoine Kombouare was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti in December 2011.
- Barca date looms -
Tuchel departs the Parc des Princes having secured a last 16 Champions League clash with Barcelona and PSG sitting third in Ligue 1 -- a point shy of leaders Lyon -- despite being plagued by injuries, suspensions and coronavirus infections.
Should Pochettino take over, his opening match in charge will be January 6's trip to Saint-Etienne on Ligue 1's resumption after the winter break.
Then, on February 16, the Argentinian could face his first massive test against his compatriot Lionel Messi's Barcelona, with the return leg on March 6.
Pochettino was let go after five and a half years at Tottenham in the aftermath of leading the north London side to their first ever appearance in a Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019.
Although he has yet to win any silverware the former PSG defender's stock is high in managerial circles.
The Parisians will be keen to complete his signing and avoid missing their man who has been linked to the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barca in recent months.
Importantly, Pochettino, like Tuchel, is at ease in man-managing a dressing room crammed with a galaxy of stars.
Neymar has been at the centre of new controversy this week after Brazilian media reported that he is organising a huge New Year's Eve party despite the coronavirus pandemic -- claims his lawyers have denied.
Pochettino is the son of a farmer from Murphy, in the north of Argentina.
He is known as a stickler for detail, which coupled with his tactical acumen, devotion to an attractive style of play and his popularity amongst Parisian fans, makes him a potentially ideal fit as the new occupant of the PSG dugout.
He would have under his wing several compatriots such as Mauro Icardi, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes.
His anticipated arrival before the winter transfer window will allow him to bring in new faces, potentially one former Spurs charge, Inter Milan's attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen.
And looking further ahead, given their Argentine ties, Pochettino may be the catalyst for six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi to start regarding PSG as potential new employers when he is free to move from the Camp Nou at the end of the season.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-29--Gaza forces fire rockets to mark Israel conflict anniversary

People watch as rockets are fired into the sea during a military drill in Gaza to mark the anniversary of the start of the 2008 conflict with Israel Palestinian armed groups staged military exercises in Gaza on Tuesday , including firing rockets into the sea , to mark the anniversary of the start of the 2008 conflict with Israel .
The demonstrations were scheduled to last several hours and involve about 10 groups in the Israeli-blockaded Palestinian enclave , said a spokesman for the Al-Quds Brigade forces , the armed wing of Islamic Jihad .
The goal of the exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to `` strengthen the skills of combatants '' and demonstrate the `` unity '' of armed groups in Gaza , added the spokesman , whose face was almost entirely covered by a traditional headscarf .
Hamas , the Islamist group that has controlled Gaza since 2007 , was also taking part .
Hamas 's Al-Aqsa TV showed rockets being fired from the strip on Tuesday into the Mediterranean Sea .
Israel 's army said a projectile device was launched from Gaza overnight Monday to Tuesday , but that it did not cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediatly retaliate to that launch with airstrikes , as it typically does when rockets fired from Gaza enter Israel .
The drills also come days after Hamas accused Israel of launching strikes that damaged a children 's hospital .
Israel , which said it carried out the weekend airstrikes in response to rocket fire from Gaza , denied that its missiles hit the hospital .
In December 2008 , Israel launched `` Operation Cast Lead '' to stop Palestinian rocket fire into Israel .
It ended with a ceasefire in January 2009 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed .
Hamas and Israel fought two further conflicts , in 2012 and 2014 .
A fragile truce has broadly held in recent months , despite rocket fire from Gaza which is generally followed by retaliatory Israeli air strikes .
Poverty rates in Gaza , which hovered around 50 percent before the coronavirus pandemic , are thought to have increased since Hamas imposed lockdown measures to limit transmission .

Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) –
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Palestinian armed groups staged military exercises in Gaza on Tuesday, including firing rockets into the sea, to mark the anniversary of the start of the 2008 conflict with Israel.
The demonstrations were scheduled to last several hours and involve about 10 groups in the Israeli-blockaded Palestinian enclave, said a spokesman for the Al-Quds Brigade forces, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad.
The goal of the exercise, the first of its kind, is to "strengthen the skills of combatants" and demonstrate the "unity" of armed groups in Gaza, added the spokesman, whose face was almost entirely covered by a traditional headscarf.
Hamas, the Islamist group that has controlled Gaza since 2007, was also taking part. Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV showed rockets being fired from the strip on Tuesday into the Mediterranean Sea.
Israel's army said a projectile device was launched from Gaza overnight Monday to Tuesday, but that it did not cross into Israeli territory.
Israel did not immediatly retaliate to that launch with airstrikes, as it typically does when rockets fired from Gaza enter Israel.
The drills also come days after Hamas accused Israel of launching strikes that damaged a children's hospital.
Israel, which said it carried out the weekend airstrikes in response to rocket fire from Gaza, denied that its missiles hit the hospital.
In December 2008, Israel launched "Operation Cast Lead" to stop Palestinian rocket fire into Israel.
It ended with a ceasefire in January 2009, after 1,440 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.
Hamas and Israel fought two further conflicts, in 2012 and 2014.
A fragile truce has broadly held in recent months, despite rocket fire from Gaza which is generally followed by retaliatory Israeli air strikes.
Poverty rates in Gaza, which hovered around 50 percent before the coronavirus pandemic, are thought to have increased since Hamas imposed lockdown measures to limit transmission.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-29--Indian film star Rajinikanth ends political bid over health fears

Tamil action megastar Rajinikanth , a bus conductor-turned actor who made his film debut in 1975 , is one of Asia 's best paid actors Indian movie superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday cancelled his plans to enter politics , saying a health scare had been `` a warning from god '' .
The announcement came a day after the 70-year-old Tamil action hero left hospital where he was treated for high blood pressure .
Rajinikanth , one of Asia 's best paid actors , set off celebrations by his fans when he announced early in December that he would be launching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring `` corruption free '' government to his home state of Tamil Nadu .
But the bus conductor-turned-actor said he could not go ahead in a long letter released on his Twitter account .
Rajinikanth , who has had several health scares , said his recent worries had been a `` warning from god '' .
`` I am sorry to let you know that I am not going to launch a political party .
`` I will serve the people in whatever ways I can , without entering electoral politics , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rajinikanth said he did not want to start such a major campaign and then leave it half finished .
Rajinikanth said in 2017 that he wanted to enter politics but then left his fans waiting until this month when he said his party would bring `` honest , transparent '' politics to Tamil Nadu .
The actor proved his political muscle in 1996 when he called on fans to oppose the Tamil Nadu government , which was then voted out of power .
Rajinikanth has carried on with his film career despite his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest movie in Hyderabad when he was taken ill last week .

Chennai (India) (AFP) –
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Indian movie superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday cancelled his plans to enter politics, saying a health scare had been "a warning from god".
The announcement came a day after the 70-year-old Tamil action hero left hospital where he was treated for high blood pressure.
Rajinikanth, one of Asia's best paid actors, set off celebrations by his fans when he announced early in December that he would be launching a political party in a bid to bring "corruption free" government to his home state of Tamil Nadu.
But the bus conductor-turned-actor said he could not go ahead in a long letter released on his Twitter account.
Rajinikanth, who has had several health scares, said his recent worries had been a "warning from god".
"I am sorry to let you know that I am not going to launch a political party.
"I will serve the people in whatever ways I can, without entering electoral politics," he wrote in the Tamil-language letter.
Rajinikanth said he did not want to start such a major campaign and then leave it half finished.
Rajinikanth said in 2017 that he wanted to enter politics but then left his fans waiting until this month when he said his party would bring "honest, transparent" politics to Tamil Nadu.
The actor proved his political muscle in 1996 when he called on fans to oppose the Tamil Nadu government, which was then voted out of power.
Rajinikanth has carried on with his film career despite his health concerns and had been shooting his latest movie in Hyderabad when he was taken ill last week.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-29--Hong Kong teen jailed for China flag insult

Chung is the first public political figure prosecuted under the new security law A Hong Kong teenager was ordered to spend to four months in prison on Tuesday for insulting China 's national flag and unlawful assembly as Beijing increasingly targets prominent activists from the financial hub .
Tony Chung , a 19-year-old who led a now-disbanded pro-democracy group , was convicted earlier this month for throwing the Chinese flag to the ground during scuffles outside Hong Kong 's legislature in May 2019 .
While serving his sentence , Chung will be waiting for trial over a charge of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life imprisonment according to the draconian national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong on 30 June .
Chung is the first public political figure prosecuted under the new security law , which Beijing described as a `` sword '' to return `` order and stability '' to the financial hub after seven months of massive , often violent pro-democracy protests last year .
He was sentenced to three months each for insulting the national flag and unlawful assembly , and told to serve four months behind bars .
The teen is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiring to publish seditious content .
Chung was arrested by plainclothes police opposite the US consulate in late October and had been remanded in custody since .
Speculation has swirled that the authorities moved on Chung because he was hoping to ask for asylum at the US consulate in Hong Kong .
An increasing number of pro-democracy activists across the political spectrum have fled Hong Kong since Beijing stepped up its crackdown on the city 's protests against China 's authoritarian rule .
Under the security law , dissenting speech instead of acts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offences like `` subversion '' and `` collusion with foreign forces '' .
The law has also toppled the legal firewall between Hong Kong 's internationally recognised common law judiciary and the opaque , Party-controlled justice system in mainland China by allowing extradition of suspects across the border for trial .
Last Sunday , China 's state TV CGTN reported that Hong Kong police had put 30 people who are not currently in Hong Kong on its wanted list for suspicion of breaching the national security law , including self-exiled activists Ted Hui @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hong Kong have either been -- jailed like Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow -- or face frequent arrests and multiple charges .
Jimmy Lai , a pro-democracy media mogul who is also charged with the national security law , has been placed under house arrest and stripped of public speech -- his Twitter account included -- as Hong Kong 's High Court granted him bail last week .
The decision , however , provoked serious criticism from China , which threatened to extradite Lai to the mainland for trial .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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A Hong Kong teenager was ordered to spend to four months in prison on Tuesday for insulting China's national flag and unlawful assembly as Beijing increasingly targets prominent activists from the financial hub.
Tony Chung, a 19-year-old who led a now-disbanded pro-democracy group, was convicted earlier this month for throwing the Chinese flag to the ground during scuffles outside Hong Kong's legislature in May 2019.
While serving his sentence, Chung will be waiting for trial over a charge of "secession", which could land him life imprisonment according to the draconian national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong on 30 June.
Chung is the first public political figure prosecuted under the new security law, which Beijing described as a "sword" to return "order and stability" to the financial hub after seven months of massive, often violent pro-democracy protests last year.
He was sentenced to three months each for insulting the national flag and unlawful assembly, and told to serve four months behind bars.
The teen is also facing separate charges of money laundering and conspiring to publish seditious content.
Chung was arrested by plainclothes police opposite the US consulate in late October and had been remanded in custody since.
Speculation has swirled that the authorities moved on Chung because he was hoping to ask for asylum at the US consulate in Hong Kong.
- Crackdown -
An increasing number of pro-democracy activists across the political spectrum have fled Hong Kong since Beijing stepped up its crackdown on the city's protests against China's authoritarian rule.
Under the security law, dissenting speech instead of acts can be alleged of vague yet severe offences like "subversion" and "collusion with foreign forces".
The law has also toppled the legal firewall between Hong Kong's internationally recognised common law judiciary and the opaque, Party-controlled justice system in mainland China by allowing extradition of suspects across the border for trial.
Last Sunday, China's state TV CGTN reported that Hong Kong police had put 30 people who are not currently in Hong Kong on its wanted list for suspicion of breaching the national security law, including self-exiled activists Ted Hui and Baggio Leung.
Prominent activists remain in Hong Kong have either been -- jailed like Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow -- or face frequent arrests and multiple charges.
Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy media mogul who is also charged with the national security law, has been placed under house arrest and stripped of public speech -- his Twitter account included -- as Hong Kong's High Court granted him bail last week.
The decision, however, provoked serious criticism from China, which threatened to extradite Lai to the mainland for trial.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-29--Paris Saint-Germain football club confirm sacking of German coach Thomas Tuchel

PSG ’ s German coach during a game at Parc des Princes in Paris , France , on December 16 , 2020 .
Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday confirmed the sacking of coach Thomas Tuchel , who had been at the club since July 2018 , but did not name his successor .
“ After an in-depth analysis of its sporting situation , Paris Saint-Germain decided to terminate Thomas Tuchel ’ s contract , ” the French giants announced in a statement .
Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino is widely reported to be the favourite to become the next PSG coach .
Tuchel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unconfirmed last week , managed PSG 127 times in all competitions , with 95 wins , 12 draws and 20 defeats .
His trophy haul featured two Ligue 1 titles ( 2019 , 2020 ) as well as the French Cup and French League Cup in 2020 .
The 47-year-old German also led the Parisian club to their first ever Champions League final last August , which they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich .
Despite appearing to be adept at man-managing PSG ’ s squad of superstar players such as Neymar and Kylian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club after complaining about an apparent lack of recognition at leading PSG to the Champions League final “ I would like to thank Thomas Tuchel and his staff for all they have contributed to the club , ” said PSG chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi .
“ Thomas has put a lot of energy and passion into the job , and we will of course remember the good moments we shared together .
I wish him all the best for the future .
”

Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday confirmed the sacking of coach Thomas Tuchel, who had been at the club since July 2018, but did not name his successor.
PSG’s German coach during a game at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, on December 16, 2020.
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“After an in-depth analysis of its sporting situation, Paris Saint-Germain decided to terminate Thomas Tuchel’s contract,” the French giants announced in a statement.
Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino is widely reported to be the favourite to become the next PSG coach.
Tuchel, whose axing was widely reported but unconfirmed last week, managed PSG 127 times in all competitions, with 95 wins, 12 draws and 20 defeats.
His trophy haul featured two Ligue 1 titles (2019, 2020) as well as the French Cup and French League Cup in 2020.
The 47-year-old German also led the Parisian club to their first ever Champions League final last August, which they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich.
Despite appearing to be adept at man-managing PSG’s squad of superstar players such as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, Tuchel reportedly upset the Qatari-backed club after complaining about an apparent lack of recognition at leading PSG to the Champions League final
“I would like to thank Thomas Tuchel and his staff for all they have contributed to the club,” said PSG chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi.
“Thomas has put a lot of energy and passion into the job, and we will of course remember the good moments we shared together. I wish him all the best for the future.”
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-29--US begins coronavirus vaccinations for troops in South Korea

US Forces Korea ( USFK ) administered initial doses of the Moderna vaccine for military and civilian healthcare workers The United States began a coronavirus vaccination campaign for its troops stationed in South Korea Tuesday as a third virus wave saw the host country record its highest daily death toll since the pandemic began .
US Forces Korea ( USFK ) administered initial doses of the Moderna vaccine for military and civilian healthcare workers , first responders and command staff across its medical treatment facilities in the country , it said in a statement .
Washington has around 28,500 troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend against the nuclear-armed North and protect US interests in north-east Asia .
Among the inoculated included USFK Commander Robert Abrams , who was pictured receiving the shot in a mask and a T-shirt emblazoned with `` # KilltheVirus '' .
The vaccination is voluntary but the USFK chief `` strongly '' encouraged American service members to receive it .
`` I want you to make an informed decision for you and your family regarding the vaccine , '' he said in the statement .
South Korea is one of the four overseas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which won emergency use authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration on December 18 .
The inoculations came as a third wave of the virus grips the Asian country , with a resurgence centred on the greater Seoul area , which has seen daily cases climb to over 1,000 several times this month despite stricter measures .
The country reported 1,046 new cases and 40 deaths on Tuesday , its highest daily toll since it first identified an infection in January .
It has reported a total of 58,725 coronavirus cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO Stephane Bancel held a video call late Monday , agreeing that the company will supply vaccine doses for 20 million South Koreans in the second quarter of 2021 , according to Moon 's office .
If the Moderna agreement is formally signed , South Korea will have enough vaccines for 56 million people , a surplus of four million on the country 's total population , it added .
It plans to launch the vaccination program in February .
South Korea has been praised as a model of how to combat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official guidelines and authorities preventing a wider outbreak with an intensive `` trace , test and treat '' approach .

Seoul (AFP) –
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The United States began a coronavirus vaccination campaign for its troops stationed in South Korea Tuesday as a third virus wave saw the host country record its highest daily death toll since the pandemic began.
US Forces Korea (USFK) administered initial doses of the Moderna vaccine for military and civilian healthcare workers, first responders and command staff across its medical treatment facilities in the country, it said in a statement.
Washington has around 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea to help it defend against the nuclear-armed North and protect US interests in north-east Asia.
Among the inoculated included USFK Commander Robert Abrams, who was pictured receiving the shot in a mask and a T-shirt emblazoned with "#KilltheVirus".
The vaccination is voluntary but the USFK chief "strongly" encouraged American service members to receive it.
"I want you to make an informed decision for you and your family regarding the vaccine," he said in the statement.
South Korea is one of the four overseas locations to receive the Moderna vaccine, which won emergency use authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration on December 18.
The inoculations came as a third wave of the virus grips the Asian country, with a resurgence centred on the greater Seoul area, which has seen daily cases climb to over 1,000 several times this month despite stricter measures.
The country reported 1,046 new cases and 40 deaths on Tuesday, its highest daily toll since it first identified an infection in January.
It has reported a total of 58,725 coronavirus cases.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel held a video call late Monday, agreeing that the company will supply vaccine doses for 20 million South Koreans in the second quarter of 2021, according to Moon's office.
If the Moderna agreement is formally signed, South Korea will have enough vaccines for 56 million people, a surplus of four million on the country's total population, it added.
It plans to launch the vaccination program in February.
South Korea has been praised as a model of how to combat the virus, with the public largely following official guidelines and authorities preventing a wider outbreak with an intensive "trace, test and treat" approach.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-29--EU's Barnier says he plans to 'serve France' after negotiating Brexit

The European Commission 's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier at the EU headquarters in Brussels , on December 24 , 2020 .
The European Union ’ s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Tuesday that he saw himself serving his home country of France in some capacity following his months of work on negotiating Britain ’ s exit from the EU .
“ I will use my energy to serve my country , ” Barnier told Franceinfo radio when asked about his future plans .
He added that France was in need of “ unity , solidarity and justice ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single market and customs union on December 31 with a trade and cooperation deal that Barnier helped to negotiate over many months .
At 69 , Barnier is a former European commissioner and French foreign minister who also secured the 1992 Winter Olympics for his country .
He did not give any details of whether his future plans might include political ambitions , but France is less than two years away from its next presidential election in which President Emmanuel Macron will be seeking re-election .
Macron 's popularity has been suffering in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September before rising to 41 percent in November .
“ I am a patriot and a European , '' Barnier said .
But he added : `` I never stopped being involved in the French political debate .
I will see where I can be useful . ''
Barnier said he was now looking to `` contribute to my political family , which needs to be rebuilt , and to the French political debate ” .
France ’ s main centre-right grouping , Les Républicains , is currently in some disarray and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centrist Macron and his new LREM ( La République En Marche ) party in the 2017 presidential election .

The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Tuesday that he saw himself serving his home country of France in some capacity following his months of work on negotiating Britain’s exit from the EU.
The European Commission's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on December 24, 2020.
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“I will use my energy to serve my country,” Barnier told Franceinfo radio when asked about his future plans.
He added that France was in need of “unity, solidarity and justice”.
Britain leaves the EU’s single market and customs union on December 31 with a trade and cooperation deal that Barnier helped to negotiate over many months. At 69, Barnier is a former European commissioner and French foreign minister who also secured the 1992 Winter Olympics for his country.
He did not give any details of whether his future plans might include political ambitions, but France is less than two years away from its next presidential election in which President Emmanuel Macron will be seeking re-election. Macron's popularity has been suffering in recent months, dipping to 38 percent in September before rising to 41 percent in November.
“I am a patriot and a European," Barnier said. But he added: "I never stopped being involved in the French political debate. I will see where I can be useful."
Barnier said he was now looking to "contribute to my political family, which needs to be rebuilt, and to the French political debate”.
France’s main centre-right grouping, Les Républicains, is currently in some disarray and has no clear leader after losing to centrist Macron and his new LREM (La République En Marche) party in the 2017 presidential election.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-30--Syria's regime auctions off land of the displaced

While Syrians displaced from their homes and farms knew it would be difficult to return , they have still been horrified to learn their land is being auctioned off by the regime Many Syrians forced from their homes by their country 's brutal , decade-old war are now shocked to discover that their family farms have been taken over by regime loyalists and cronies .
Rights groups and legal experts say local authorities in parts of northwest Syria recaptured by government forces have staged auctions to effectively `` confiscate '' fertile land and punish opponents .
One refugee , 30-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be difficult to return to the family plot in Idlib province he abandoned during an offensive a year ago by President Bashar al-Assad 's forces .
But whatever hopes he still had to return one day were all but crushed when he learnt the rights to cultivate the land had been sold off to a complete stranger .
`` What right does someone have to come and take it ? ''
the refugee , who asked to use a pseudonym , told AFP by phone from Greece where he illegally moved a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to plant lentils , barley and black cumin on the 37 acres ( 15 hectares ) of land he owns with his brothers , earning up to $ 12,000 each harvest .
He discovered through a post on social media that the rights to the land were being auctioned off .
`` We were shocked , '' he told AFP .
`` This land was left to us by our ancestors and we want to pass it down to our children . ''
Several other Syrians displaced from southern Idlib and adjacent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they too have had their plots expropriated .
Some learnt about it through social media advertisements run by the regime-affiliated Farmers ' Union in Idlib or through acquaintances still living nearby .
In October , the Farmers ' Union said that it was auctioning off the right to use and cultivate plots owned by Syrians `` who do n't reside in government-controlled areas '' .
Victims found they were being blamed for their misfortune .
The union said the original deed-holders were `` indebted '' to Syria 's Agricultural Cooperative Bank ( ACB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- including those who are now finding it impossible to settle dues from outside government-controlled territory .
The land owners who spoke to AFP all denied having outstanding payments .
`` It 's just an excuse , '' Salman said .
Other auctions are being organised by regime-linked local security committees , without any mention of outstanding debts , said opposition watchdog group The Day After and war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights .
Assad 's Russian-backed forces have over the past three years pushed deeper into Syria 's last major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest offensive in early 2020 forced nearly a million people out of their homes , according to the United Nations .
Only 235,000 have returned since a ceasefire took hold in March .
Grappling with a deep economic crisis compounded by Western sanctions , Damascus is looking to make use of fertile land to boost agricultural production .
Rights groups , including Amnesty International , have condemned the land expropriations in former rebel strongholds .
`` The land auctions exploit displacement for economic benefit , '' said Diana Semaan , Amnesty 's Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are `` seizing lands illegally and in violation of international law '' .
In November , an Aleppo security committee said it was taking bids for plots in reconquered villages , according to documents obtained by The Day After activist group and the Observatory .
Amir , a displaced 38-year-old from Aleppo , said he was informed less than two months ago by his former neighbour that authorities were taking offers for his 20 acres of land there .
Amir asked the neighbour to bid on his behalf , but he declined .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ services in the area '' won the bid , said Amir , a father of five who now makes less than $ 2 a day picking olives in Idlib .
According to judge Anwar Mejni , a member of a UN committee tasked with overseeing the drafting of a new Syria constitution , the land auctions are `` a kind of punishment '' .
`` The auctions may not transfer ownership of the land , but they violate the rights '' of original owners to access and cultivate them .
Another issue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no legal framework '' governing the auctions .
Even if the ACB indeed organised them to settle debts , he said , this `` should be done under the supervision of the judiciary '' .
Another farmer , Abu Adel , abandoned his village in Hama back in 2012 as battles raged nearby but continued to visit his plot until regime forces seized his area last year .
The 54-year-old hired people to tend to it while he is away , but in July an `` affiliate '' of a local security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an auction .
They `` are all part of the same clique '' , Abu Adel said .
`` It 's a facade . ''

Beirut (AFP) –
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Many Syrians forced from their homes by their country's brutal, decade-old war are now shocked to discover that their family farms have been taken over by regime loyalists and cronies.
Rights groups and legal experts say local authorities in parts of northwest Syria recaptured by government forces have staged auctions to effectively "confiscate" fertile land and punish opponents.
One refugee, 30-year-old Salman, said he always knew it would be difficult to return to the family plot in Idlib province he abandoned during an offensive a year ago by President Bashar al-Assad's forces.
But whatever hopes he still had to return one day were all but crushed when he learnt the rights to cultivate the land had been sold off to a complete stranger.
"What right does someone have to come and take it?" the refugee, who asked to use a pseudonym, told AFP by phone from Greece where he illegally moved a few months ago.
Salman said he used to plant lentils, barley and black cumin on the 37 acres (15 hectares) of land he owns with his brothers, earning up to $12,000 each harvest.
He discovered through a post on social media that the rights to the land were being auctioned off.
"We were shocked," he told AFP. "This land was left to us by our ancestors and we want to pass it down to our children."
- 'Exploiting displacement' -
Several other Syrians displaced from southern Idlib and adjacent Hama and Aleppo provinces told AFP that they too have had their plots expropriated.
Some learnt about it through social media advertisements run by the regime-affiliated Farmers' Union in Idlib or through acquaintances still living nearby.
In October, the Farmers' Union said that it was auctioning off the right to use and cultivate plots owned by Syrians "who don't reside in government-controlled areas".
Victims found they were being blamed for their misfortune.
The union said the original deed-holders were "indebted" to Syria's Agricultural Cooperative Bank (ACB), which offers loans to farmers -- including those who are now finding it impossible to settle dues from outside government-controlled territory.
The land owners who spoke to AFP all denied having outstanding payments.
"It's just an excuse," Salman said.
Other auctions are being organised by regime-linked local security committees, without any mention of outstanding debts, said opposition watchdog group The Day After and war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Assad's Russian-backed forces have over the past three years pushed deeper into Syria's last major opposition bastion in the northwest.
Their latest offensive in early 2020 forced nearly a million people out of their homes, according to the United Nations. Only 235,000 have returned since a ceasefire took hold in March.
Grappling with a deep economic crisis compounded by Western sanctions, Damascus is looking to make use of fertile land to boost agricultural production.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the land expropriations in former rebel strongholds.
"The land auctions exploit displacement for economic benefit," said Diana Semaan, Amnesty's Syria researcher.
Authorities, she said, are "seizing lands illegally and in violation of international law".
- 'It's a facade' -
In November, an Aleppo security committee said it was taking bids for plots in reconquered villages, according to documents obtained by The Day After activist group and the Observatory.
Amir, a displaced 38-year-old from Aleppo, said he was informed less than two months ago by his former neighbour that authorities were taking offers for his 20 acres of land there.
Amir asked the neighbour to bid on his behalf, but he declined.
"Someone who has relatives with intelligence services in the area" won the bid, said Amir, a father of five who now makes less than $2 a day picking olives in Idlib.
According to judge Anwar Mejni, a member of a UN committee tasked with overseeing the drafting of a new Syria constitution, the land auctions are "a kind of punishment".
"The auctions may not transfer ownership of the land, but they violate the rights" of original owners to access and cultivate them.
Another issue, said Mejni, is that "there is no legal framework" governing the auctions.
Even if the ACB indeed organised them to settle debts, he said, this "should be done under the supervision of the judiciary".
Another farmer, Abu Adel, abandoned his village in Hama back in 2012 as battles raged nearby but continued to visit his plot until regime forces seized his area last year.
The 54-year-old hired people to tend to it while he is away, but in July an "affiliate" of a local security committee won rights to use it in an auction.
They "are all part of the same clique", Abu Adel said. "It's a facade."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--'No stress': Cummins backs Aussie batsmen to come good

Senior batsman Steve Smith has been in poor form in the series Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins said he had `` every confidence '' Australia 's top batsmen would return to form following an underwhelming first two Tests against India .
With the series level at 1-1 heading into the third Test in Sydney , Cummins parried talk of crisis and said batters like Steve Smith -- who was named Test player of the decade this week , but has managed just 10 runs in the first two games -- would rediscover their touch .
`` Absolutely no stress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come good . ''
`` Steve 's been champion for a dozen years or so , so absolutely no stress at all .
Every batter , every player , goes through ups and downs and the great ones find a way to get back , so yeah absolutely no stress that they 'll come good , I 'm sure . ''
Australia won the first Test in Adelaide by eight wickets after India suffered their worst ever Test collapse , scoring just 36 in their second innings .
But it was India who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Test in Melbourne as their injury-depleted attack twice dismissed Australia cheaply .
With some commentators proposing wholesale changes to Australia 's top order going into the Sydney Test , Cummins said there was no panic in the camp .
`` It 's only been two Test matches , '' he said .
`` It 's too small a sample size to say people need to change the way they go about things . ''
`` It was only 12 months ago that our batters absolutely dominated '' against Pakistan and New Zealand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of opener David Warner -- who is back in training after missing the first two Tests with a groin injury -- would be a `` huge boost '' .
Despite a Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney , the next Test will start on January 7 as planned , with the teams facing some form of quarantine for the final Test in Brisbane from January 15 .

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Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins said he had "every confidence" Australia's top batsmen would return to form following an underwhelming first two Tests against India.
With the series level at 1-1 heading into the third Test in Sydney, Cummins parried talk of crisis and said batters like Steve Smith -- who was named Test player of the decade this week, but has managed just 10 runs in the first two games -- would rediscover their touch.
"Absolutely no stress," Cummins said. "They'll come good."
"Steve's been champion for a dozen years or so, so absolutely no stress at all. Every batter, every player, goes through ups and downs and the great ones find a way to get back, so yeah absolutely no stress that they'll come good, I'm sure."
Australia won the first Test in Adelaide by eight wickets after India suffered their worst ever Test collapse, scoring just 36 in their second innings.
But it was India who won by eight wickets in the second Test in Melbourne as their injury-depleted attack twice dismissed Australia cheaply.
With some commentators proposing wholesale changes to Australia's top order going into the Sydney Test, Cummins said there was no panic in the camp.
"It's only been two Test matches," he said. "It's too small a sample size to say people need to change the way they go about things."
"It was only 12 months ago that our batters absolutely dominated" against Pakistan and New Zealand, added Cummins.
He said the return of opener David Warner -- who is back in training after missing the first two Tests with a groin injury -- would be a "huge boost".
Despite a Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney, the next Test will start on January 7 as planned, with the teams facing some form of quarantine for the final Test in Brisbane from January 15.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--Weak Sauce? US relief bill may be too skimpy for restaurants

Pisticci restaurant and bar owners Michael and Vivian Forte set up a table outdoors in front of their establishment in New York Washington 's long-awaited pandemic relief package offers a lifeline to the devastated US restaurant industry , but eateries still face months of turmoil before they are clear of the coronavirus crisis .
The $ 900 billion bill that provides more funding for the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) , comes too late for the estimated 110,000 restaurants that have closed their doors permanently .
Those that survived the shutdowns and restrictions on indoor dining , can borrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would convert to grants if at least 60 percent is spent on payroll .
Despite some improvements from the original PPP that Congress approved in March , restaurants gave mixed reviews of the program and some worry the funding will fall short .
Vivian Forte , who with her husband owns Pisticci in New York City , said Monday she was `` exuberant '' the relief bill was finally enacted .
Without it she would have had to lay off the entire staff .
`` Our back is completely against the wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None of us are making any money .
We 're all in this for the staff right now . ''
But Andrew Volk , owner of the Hunt and Alpine Club in Portland , Maine , has not decided whether to seek another PPP loan .
It `` seems like a band aid , '' he told AFP .
`` We do n't know what our business is going to look like when the snow melts . ''
Nine months into the pandemic , a recent survey from the National Restaurant Association shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants have closed , and a majority expect continued furloughs and layoffs for at least the next three months .
Dimitri Fetokakis , owner of Niko Niko 's , a small Greek restaurant chain in Houston , said the crisis has forced eateries to adapt .
`` We 're just hustling , '' he said .
When in-person dining was banned in the early days of the pandemic , Niko Niko 's cut managers ' salaries by 40 percent and they joined other staff assisting with curbside pickup .
He also organized pop-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online and setting up mass-distribution sites without delivery charges .
Fetokakis said he expects to apply for a PPP for his catering business and for the downtown location that has suffered most with many people still working from home .
RayNathan 's , a North Carolina barbecue restaurant , has found it difficult to adapt as business has fluctuated , especially given the time-intensive nature of good barbeque : smoked beef brisket , for example , requires 15 hours of prep time .
`` The dining public is just a lot more emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unpredictable flows that make it difficult to know how much food to cook .
At times the restaurant has given away surplus food to food banks .
`` You 've either got waste , or you lose sales when you do n't have enough , '' he said .
Carroll said he is not sure if the restaurant will apply for another PPP .
The earlier round allowed him to avert layoffs , but the original rules mandated the money be spent within eight weeks .
Congress in June extended the deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but by then RayNathan 's had already spent most of the money , Carroll said .
The PPP also has been a source of controversy , after huge amounts went to publicly-traded companies including Shake Shack and Ruth 's Chris before the chains returned the funds , and after revelations about funds going to tenants of buildings owned by the Trump Organization and the family of Jared Kushner , President Donald Trump 's son-in-law and advisor .
Still , the program has been credited with saving millions of jobs and again became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to small businesses .
After months of grinding talks on the second round of stimulus , Congress approved $ 284 billion to fund PPP .
The program is open to all industries , but includes some features specific to restaurants .
It allows restaurants to receive loans up 3.5 times their monthly payroll , compared with 2.5 times for other industries .
Restaurants also may deduct business expenses paid with PPP loans .
Industry leaders had been championing the $ 120 billion Restaurants Act , which would provide grants that can be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-interest , 10-year loans designed to put restaurants back on solid footing for the medium-term .
The Democratic-controlled House passed the Restaurants Act and it currently lists 52 bipartisan supporters in the Senate , a majority .
But Mike Whatley , a vice president with the National Restaurant Association , said given the $ 900 billion limit , the targeted bill `` was just too much to get done . ''
But he said the PPP improvements would provide help in the interim as the industry prepares for another push in Washington next @ @

New York (AFP) –
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Washington's long-awaited pandemic relief package offers a lifeline to the devastated US restaurant industry, but eateries still face months of turmoil before they are clear of the coronavirus crisis.
The $900 billion bill that provides more funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), comes too late for the estimated 110,000 restaurants that have closed their doors permanently.
Those that survived the shutdowns and restrictions on indoor dining, can borrow up to $2 million in loans that would convert to grants if at least 60 percent is spent on payroll.
Despite some improvements from the original PPP that Congress approved in March, restaurants gave mixed reviews of the program and some worry the funding will fall short.
Vivian Forte, who with her husband owns Pisticci in New York City, said Monday she was "exuberant" the relief bill was finally enacted. Without it she would have had to lay off the entire staff.
"Our back is completely against the wall," Forte told AFP. "None of us are making any money. We're all in this for the staff right now."
But Andrew Volk, owner of the Hunt and Alpine Club in Portland, Maine, has not decided whether to seek another PPP loan.
It "seems like a band aid," he told AFP.
"We don't know what our business is going to look like when the snow melts."
- 'We're just hustling' -
Nine months into the pandemic, a recent survey from the National Restaurant Association shows more than one-sixth of the nation's restaurants have closed, and a majority expect continued furloughs and layoffs for at least the next three months.
Dimitri Fetokakis, owner of Niko Niko's, a small Greek restaurant chain in Houston, said the crisis has forced eateries to adapt.
"We're just hustling," he said.
When in-person dining was banned in the early days of the pandemic, Niko Niko's cut managers' salaries by 40 percent and they joined other staff assisting with curbside pickup.
He also organized pop-up events in the suburbs, taking orders online and setting up mass-distribution sites without delivery charges.
Fetokakis said he expects to apply for a PPP for his catering business and for the downtown location that has suffered most with many people still working from home.
RayNathan's, a North Carolina barbecue restaurant, has found it difficult to adapt as business has fluctuated, especially given the time-intensive nature of good barbeque: smoked beef brisket, for example, requires 15 hours of prep time.
"The dining public is just a lot more emotional," said co-owner Stephen Carroll of the unpredictable flows that make it difficult to know how much food to cook.
At times the restaurant has given away surplus food to food banks.
"You've either got waste, or you lose sales when you don't have enough," he said.
Carroll said he is not sure if the restaurant will apply for another PPP.
The earlier round allowed him to avert layoffs, but the original rules mandated the money be spent within eight weeks.
- Political reality -
Congress in June extended the deadline to use the funds to 24 weeks, but by then RayNathan's had already spent most of the money, Carroll said.
The PPP also has been a source of controversy, after huge amounts went to publicly-traded companies including Shake Shack and Ruth's Chris before the chains returned the funds, and after revelations about funds going to tenants of buildings owned by the Trump Organization and the family of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and advisor.
Still, the program has been credited with saving millions of jobs and again became the prime vehicle for providing government support to small businesses.
After months of grinding talks on the second round of stimulus, Congress approved $284 billion to fund PPP.
The program is open to all industries, but includes some features specific to restaurants. It allows restaurants to receive loans up 3.5 times their monthly payroll, compared with 2.5 times for other industries. Restaurants also may deduct business expenses paid with PPP loans.
Industry leaders had been championing the $120 billion Restaurants Act, which would provide grants that can be used to pay back debt as well as low-interest, 10-year loans designed to put restaurants back on solid footing for the medium-term.
The Democratic-controlled House passed the Restaurants Act and it currently lists 52 bipartisan supporters in the Senate, a majority.
But Mike Whatley, a vice president with the National Restaurant Association, said given the $900 billion limit, the targeted bill "was just too much to get done."
But he said the PPP improvements would provide help in the interim as the industry prepares for another push in Washington next year.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--Part of the world a stage with Miami poignant pandemic performance

A theater group in Miami Beach has devised a unique way of performing during the pandemic , with actors behind storefront windows and the audience watching from outside When the coronavirus pandemic began , theater director Michel Hausmann sought to devise a safe and effective way of performing .
Nine months later , he and his theater company have done it by making the world a stage -- at least part of it -- providing catharsis to performers and the public alike .
The play `` 7 Deadly Sins '' has opened in Miami Beach , outdoors and with empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of seven 10-minute acts , each about a cardinal sin : pride , greed , lust , wrath , gluttony , envy and sloth .
The year 2020 is reflected in both the play 's theme and execution .
It is staged in shops closed by the economic crisis resulting from the pandemic .
The audience is seated in the street , as the Miami climate is still pleasant in December , in groups of 12 .
People watch the acts through the store windows and listen with headphones .
`` The world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disruption this year , '' Hausmann told AFP .
`` Doing theater the conventional way is a death sentence . ''
He was seated at an outdoor cafe , sipping an espresso in front of the Colony Theatre , a 1930s building emblematic of Miami 's Art Deco architecture .
Hausmann , 39 , is the artistic director and co-founder of Miami New Drama , a non-profit theater company housed in the Colony , on the pedestrian boulevard Lincoln Road .
`` The question for us was : what do we do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the business of filling buildings with people ?
Or the business of telling live stories ? ''
he asked .
Storytelling is the obvious answer .
`` So , '' he said , `` that paradigm shift is what helps us imagine solutions . ''
The play 's acts tell diverse stories : the statue of a slave-owning politician come to life , an African-American teacher accused of cultural appropriation , a couple trapped by the virus , an ex-president who `` gluttonously '' seeks to return to power , a person who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fit of rage .
`` Is no longer home .
It no longer feels like home .
Is a place of exile , '' reads a line in the last act , written by playwright Dael Orlandersmith .
`` Place of confinement .
Prison .
No matter whether it is big/small/medium-sized .
It is a prison . ''
The act is performed by Carmen Pelaez , who also wrote the act on pride .
She told AFP that the public reacts emotionally to the return of live art , because it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanity , in communion with each other . ''
And the pandemic `` has reminded us all how fragile we are and how much we need each other , '' said the 49-year-old actress and playwright .
As if to prove her point , a young man in the audience approached the window where she had just recited her furious monologue .
He pressed a piece of paper to the glass for Pelaez to read , with the message , `` Thank you . ''
Since the start of the pandemic in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as store after store closed down .
Nearly a quarter of its 250 storefronts are shut .
`` It broke my heart , '' Hausmann said .
`` Lincoln Road is our tropical version of the Champs-Elysees . ''
He devised the concept of `` 7 Deadly Sins '' and commissioned seven playwrights to write the acts , for one or two actors each .
One is Moises Kaufman , Miami New Drama co-founder , Tony-nominated and also Venezuelan , like Hausmann .
The others are Cubans Pelaez , Rogelio Martinez and Pulitzer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Orlandersmith , Hilary Bettis and Aurin Squire .
`` But I told them that they were going to compete with the ambulance blaring , the person passing by on a skateboard , the dog barking , '' Hausmann joked .
The play , which premiered November 27 , faced unprecedented challenges in terms of lighting and sound -- not to mention Covid-19 safety protocols .
The actors rehearse over Zoom , take weekly Covid-19 tests and enter onstage without coming into contact with anyone .
Those who act together in a piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thanks to this and other artistic endeavors , Lincoln Road once more began to fill with people -- though at a distance -- in December .
Hausmann 's work `` bolsters the crucial economic recovery of our city after months of devastation and loss , '' Miami Beach mayor Dan Gelber told AFP .
`` Never have the seven deadly sins been more welcome . ''

Miami Beach (United States) (AFP) –
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When the coronavirus pandemic began, theater director Michel Hausmann sought to devise a safe and effective way of performing.
Nine months later, he and his theater company have done it by making the world a stage -- at least part of it -- providing catharsis to performers and the public alike.
The play "7 Deadly Sins" has opened in Miami Beach, outdoors and with empty storefronts as a stage.
It consists of seven 10-minute acts, each about a cardinal sin: pride, greed, lust, wrath, gluttony, envy and sloth.
The year 2020 is reflected in both the play's theme and execution. It is staged in shops closed by the economic crisis resulting from the pandemic.
The audience is seated in the street, as the Miami climate is still pleasant in December, in groups of 12. People watch the acts through the store windows and listen with headphones.
"The world of theater is experiencing a very important disruption this year," Hausmann told AFP. "Doing theater the conventional way is a death sentence."
He was seated at an outdoor cafe, sipping an espresso in front of the Colony Theatre, a 1930s building emblematic of Miami's Art Deco architecture.
Hausmann, 39, is the artistic director and co-founder of Miami New Drama, a non-profit theater company housed in the Colony, on the pedestrian boulevard Lincoln Road.
"The question for us was: what do we do, what is our business? Is it the business of filling buildings with people? Or the business of telling live stories?" he asked.
Storytelling is the obvious answer. "So," he said, "that paradigm shift is what helps us imagine solutions."
- Home is exile -
The play's acts tell diverse stories: the statue of a slave-owning politician come to life, an African-American teacher accused of cultural appropriation, a couple trapped by the virus, an ex-president who "gluttonously" seeks to return to power, a person who delivers a monologue about the pandemic in a fit of rage.
"Is no longer home. It no longer feels like home. Is a place of exile," reads a line in the last act, written by playwright Dael Orlandersmith.
"Place of confinement. Prison. No matter whether it is big/small/medium-sized. It is a prison."
The act is performed by Carmen Pelaez, who also wrote the act on pride. She told AFP that the public reacts emotionally to the return of live art, because it is what "keeps us connected to our humanity, in communion with each other."
And the pandemic "has reminded us all how fragile we are and how much we need each other," said the 49-year-old actress and playwright.
As if to prove her point, a young man in the audience approached the window where she had just recited her furious monologue. He pressed a piece of paper to the glass for Pelaez to read, with the message, "Thank you."
- How to resurrect Lincoln Road -
Since the start of the pandemic in March, Lincoln Road has become increasingly grim as store after store closed down. Nearly a quarter of its 250 storefronts are shut.
"It broke my heart," Hausmann said. "Lincoln Road is our tropical version of the Champs-Elysees."
He devised the concept of "7 Deadly Sins" and commissioned seven playwrights to write the acts, for one or two actors each.
One is Moises Kaufman, Miami New Drama co-founder, Tony-nominated and also Venezuelan, like Hausmann. The others are Cubans Pelaez, Rogelio Martinez and Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz, as well as Orlandersmith, Hilary Bettis and Aurin Squire.
"But I told them that they were going to compete with the ambulance blaring, the person passing by on a skateboard, the dog barking," Hausmann joked.
The play, which premiered November 27, faced unprecedented challenges in terms of lighting and sound -- not to mention Covid-19 safety protocols.
The actors rehearse over Zoom, take weekly Covid-19 tests and enter onstage without coming into contact with anyone.
Those who act together in a piece live together, Hausmann explained.
Slowly, thanks to this and other artistic endeavors, Lincoln Road once more began to fill with people -- though at a distance -- in December.
Hausmann's work "bolsters the crucial economic recovery of our city after months of devastation and loss," Miami Beach mayor Dan Gelber told AFP.
"Never have the seven deadly sins been more welcome."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--Love in the time of Covid: TV kisses return, despite pandemic

Colombian actress Laura Londono reads a script on her mobile telephone on the set of 'Coffee with the Scent of a Woman' Dozens of peasants wearing face masks remain immobile under the baking midday sun in a coffee plantation in central Colombia .
Suddenly a voice shouts out : `` Face masks off , we 're going to roll ! ''
Colombia 's popular daytime soap operas -- known as telenovelas in Latin America -- were forced off the screens by the coronavirus pandemic .
But after six months of silence , they are back in all their steamy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the central-western Caldas region `` Coffee with the Scent of a Woman '' is operating under strict restrictions in terms of staffing capacity , the use of masks , personal protective equipment and regular Covid-19 testing .
It 's constrained by a reduced budget and the perennial risk of being shut down again -- a far cry from the romanticism of its characters and storylines .
Social distancing is a near-impossibility in an industry that relies on close contacts , whether between actors or in their interactions with make-up or wardrobe artists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working in close proximity behind the camera .
Actors Laura Londono and William Levy , the stars of `` Coffee , '' talk to each other without masks , centimeters apart as the romance between their characters Paloma and Sebastian bubbles to the surface .
`` If we were astronauts we 'd have a different distance but we 're actors , we work with the voice and the body , '' said Katherine Velez , who plays Paloma 's mother , Carmenza .
To ensure safety , the entire production staff take Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live at the farm that doubles as the soap 's set .
Colombia has recorded more than 1.5 million coronavirus cases and over 42,000 deaths .
`` Coffee '' is a modern adaptation of a famous soap written in the 1990s by Colombian screenwriter Fernando Gaitan , who wrote the original telenovela that inspired the hugely popular `` Ugly Betty '' series in the US .
Filming was due to begin in April but the pandemic put it on hold .
`` Just 10 days before starting ... we were locked down for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giordanelli , the show 's executive producer .
Many of the 270-strong production staff had already arrived on set .
`` We were told to pack up everything and go home , but at that time it was temporary , '' said make-up artist Adriana Ortiz .
`` As the time passed things became bleak . ''
The RCN television channel that was due to screen `` Coffee '' kept paying a reduced salary during the months of lockdown .
`` We had to tighten the purse strings , '' said Ortiz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so kind to much of the arts and entertainment industry , though .
The national statistics department says more than 200,000 jobs were lost in the industry between October 2019 and the same month this year .
The national media and communications association says that television channels RCN and Caracol had to cancel 38 productions between them after Colombia imposed a lockdown in March .
Colombia started lifting lockdown restrictions in September and production companies began to gradually return to work under strict protocols .
However , the production staff are not in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go home at weekends to visit their families .
Testing everyone when they return is costly but Giordanelli said it 's a price worth paying as any positive cases could mean actors needing to stay in isolation , which would delay filming .
Director Mauricio Cruz says the testing is crucial to give confidence to actors working closely with each other .
`` Yesterday we did a kiss scene for some promotional material ... the test was the day before so ... we were very safe , '' said Cruz .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , says Velez .
But once the cameras roll `` everyone is without face masks , confident that the production has the situation under control as much as possible . ''
The world of telenovelas is rife with contradictions .
`` Since people are enclosed at home they 're watching more television ... but on the other hand , industry in general , companies , ... have stopped investing in advertisements '' due to the economic crisis inflicting the country , said Giordanelli .
It means television productions have smaller budgets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs .
The virus , though , has not only disrupted revenues and schedules , it 's also affected storylines Script writers were forced to rewrite scenes involving parties or major social events in favor of small family gatherings .

Chinchiná (Colombia) (AFP) –
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Dozens of peasants wearing face masks remain immobile under the baking midday sun in a coffee plantation in central Colombia.
Suddenly a voice shouts out: "Face masks off, we're going to roll!"
Colombia's popular daytime soap operas -- known as telenovelas in Latin America -- were forced off the screens by the coronavirus pandemic.
But after six months of silence, they are back in all their steamy and corny glory -- kisses included.
Filmed in the central-western Caldas region "Coffee with the Scent of a Woman" is operating under strict restrictions in terms of staffing capacity, the use of masks, personal protective equipment and regular Covid-19 testing.
It's constrained by a reduced budget and the perennial risk of being shut down again -- a far cry from the romanticism of its characters and storylines.
Social distancing is a near-impossibility in an industry that relies on close contacts, whether between actors or in their interactions with make-up or wardrobe artists.
There are also dozens of people working in close proximity behind the camera.
Actors Laura Londono and William Levy, the stars of "Coffee," talk to each other without masks, centimeters apart as the romance between their characters Paloma and Sebastian bubbles to the surface.
"If we were astronauts we'd have a different distance but we're actors, we work with the voice and the body," said Katherine Velez, who plays Paloma's mother, Carmenza.
To ensure safety, the entire production staff take Covid tests every Monday and most of them live at the farm that doubles as the soap's set.
Colombia has recorded more than 1.5 million coronavirus cases and over 42,000 deaths.
- 'Things became bleak' -
"Coffee" is a modern adaptation of a famous soap written in the 1990s by Colombian screenwriter Fernando Gaitan, who wrote the original telenovela that inspired the hugely popular "Ugly Betty" series in the US.
Filming was due to begin in April but the pandemic put it on hold.
"Just 10 days before starting ... we were locked down for almost six months," said Yalile Giordanelli, the show's executive producer.
Many of the 270-strong production staff had already arrived on set.
"We were told to pack up everything and go home, but at that time it was temporary," said make-up artist Adriana Ortiz. "As the time passed things became bleak."
The RCN television channel that was due to screen "Coffee" kept paying a reduced salary during the months of lockdown.
"We had to tighten the purse strings," said Ortiz, 54.
The pandemic hasn't been so kind to much of the arts and entertainment industry, though.
The national statistics department says more than 200,000 jobs were lost in the industry between October 2019 and the same month this year.
The national media and communications association says that television channels RCN and Caracol had to cancel 38 productions between them after Colombia imposed a lockdown in March.
Colombia started lifting lockdown restrictions in September and production companies began to gradually return to work under strict protocols.
However, the production staff are not in a bubble and everyone is allowed to go home at weekends to visit their families.
Testing everyone when they return is costly but Giordanelli said it's a price worth paying as any positive cases could mean actors needing to stay in isolation, which would delay filming.
- 'Safe kiss scene' -
Director Mauricio Cruz says the testing is crucial to give confidence to actors working closely with each other.
"Yesterday we did a kiss scene for some promotional material ... the test was the day before so ... we were very safe," said Cruz.
It's impossible to entirely shield the cast from the virus, says Velez.
But once the cameras roll "everyone is without face masks, confident that the production has the situation under control as much as possible."
The world of telenovelas is rife with contradictions.
"Since people are enclosed at home they're watching more television ... but on the other hand, industry in general, companies, ... have stopped investing in advertisements" due to the economic crisis inflicting the country, said Giordanelli.
It means television productions have smaller budgets while the pandemic has pushed up logistical costs.
The virus, though, has not only disrupted revenues and schedules, it's also affected storylines
Script writers were forced to rewrite scenes involving parties or major social events in favor of small family gatherings.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--US 'stands ready' to try mastermind behind Daniel Pearl murder

Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh ( C , pictured 2002 ) , who had been convicted over the 2002 killing of American journalist Daniel Parl , was ordered released on December 24 , 2020 The US Attorney General said Tuesday the United States `` stands ready '' to try a militant convicted of murdering American journalist Daniel Pearl whose release was ordered by a Pakistani court .
The decision by Sindh High Court to release the accused comes months after it sparked outrage for overturning the murder conviction and death sentence of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh , and acquitted three other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four are being held under the emergency orders of the local government while an ongoing appeal against their acquittals is heard in the Supreme Court , but defense lawyers argued against their continued detention in the south of the country .
`` We remain grateful for the Pakistani government 's actions to appeal such rulings to ensure that ( Sheikh ) and his co-defendants are held accountable , '' acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen said in a statement , calling the acquittals `` an affront to terrorism victims everywhere . ''
`` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succeed , the United States stands ready to take custody of Omar Sheikh to stand trial here , '' the statement said .
`` We can not allow him to evade justice for his role in Daniel Pearl ’ s abduction and murder . ''
Sheikh , a British-born jihadist who once studied at the London School of Economics and had been involved in previous kidnappings of foreigners , was arrested days after Pearl 's abduction and later sentenced to death by hanging .
In January 2011 , a report released by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into his death made chilling revelations , and said that the wrong men had been convicted for Pearl 's murder .
The investigation , led by Pearl 's friend and former Wall Street Journal colleague Asra Nomani and a Georgetown University professor , claimed the reporter was murdered by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed , the alleged mastermind of the September 11 , 2001 attacks , not Sheikh .
Pearl was South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal when he was abducted in Karachi in January 2002 while researching a story about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his decapitation was delivered to the US consulate nearly a month later..

Washington (AFP) –
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The US Attorney General said Tuesday the United States "stands ready" to try a militant convicted of murdering American journalist Daniel Pearl whose release was ordered by a Pakistani court.
The decision by Sindh High Court to release the accused comes months after it sparked outrage for overturning the murder conviction and death sentence of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and acquitted three other men connected to the case.
The four are being held under the emergency orders of the local government while an ongoing appeal against their acquittals is heard in the Supreme Court, but defense lawyers argued against their continued detention in the south of the country.
"We remain grateful for the Pakistani government's actions to appeal such rulings to ensure that (Sheikh) and his co-defendants are held accountable," acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen said in a statement, calling the acquittals "an affront to terrorism victims everywhere."
"If, however, those efforts do not succeed, the United States stands ready to take custody of Omar Sheikh to stand trial here," the statement said. "We cannot allow him to evade justice for his role in Daniel Pearl’s abduction and murder."
Sheikh, a British-born jihadist who once studied at the London School of Economics and had been involved in previous kidnappings of foreigners, was arrested days after Pearl's abduction and later sentenced to death by hanging.
In January 2011, a report released by the Pearl Project at Georgetown University following an investigation into his death made chilling revelations, and said that the wrong men had been convicted for Pearl's murder.
The investigation, led by Pearl's friend and former Wall Street Journal colleague Asra Nomani and a Georgetown University professor, claimed the reporter was murdered by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks, not Sheikh.
Pearl was South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal when he was abducted in Karachi in January 2002 while researching a story about Islamist militants.
A graphic video showing his decapitation was delivered to the US consulate nearly a month later..
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--Argentina's Senate on verge of historic vote to legalise abortion

People in favour of an abortion bill gather as Argentina 's Senate will vote on a measure that has the backing of the ruling party and has already passed the lower house , in Buenos Aires , Argentina December 29 , 2020 .
Argentina was on the cusp of legalising abortion on Tuesday over the objections of its influential Roman Catholic Church , with the Senate preparing to vote on a measure backed by the ruling party that has already passed in the lower house .
Passage would make Argentina the first big country in predominantly Catholic Latin America to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began at about 4 p.m. ( 1900 GMT ) , and was expected to stretch into Wednesday morning .
The vote was expected to be close .
`` Adopting a law that legalises abortion in a Catholic country as big as Argentina will energise the struggle to ensure women 's rights in Latin America , '' said Juan Pappier , a senior Americas researcher at Human Rights Watch .
`` Although there will certainly be resistance , I think it 's fair to predict that , as it occurred when Argentina legalised same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law could have a domino effect in the region , '' Pappier said .
Demonstrators both for and against the bill came from around the country to stand vigil in front of the Senate building in Buenos Aires .
`` Argentina is a pro-life country , '' one woman , who said she was from Cordoba province , told local television as she sat in a folding chair under an umbrella sheltering her from the Southern Hemisphere summer sun .
She and others who knelt in prayer nearby said they opposed changing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the change before , but this is the first time such a bill has been presented to lawmakers with support from the ruling government .
In 2018 , before center-left Peronist Alberto Fernandez was elected president , a similar bill was rejected by a slim margin .
Maria Angela Guerrero of the Campaign for Legal Abortion group , told reporters in front of the Senate she was `` cautiously optimistic '' the bill would pass this time .
Advocates say the measure is needed to protect women who would otherwise risk their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic Church is calling on senators to reject the proposal , which would allow women to end pregnancies up to the 14th week .
Argentina is the birthplace of Pope Francis .
Argentine law now allows abortion only when there is a serious risk to the health of the mother or in cases of rape .
The bill under consideration is accompanied by side legislation aimed at assisting women who want to continue their pregnancies and face severe economic or social difficulties .
Legal abortion is extremely rare in Latin America because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church .
Across the region , abortions are available on demand only in Communist Cuba , comparatively tiny Uruguay , and some parts of Mexico .
Pastor Jorge Gomez , head of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of Argentina ( Aciera ) joined his Catholic counterparts in protesting the measure .
`` I know there are unexpected pregnancies , and I respect the rights of women .
But I do n't recognise abortion as a right , '' Gomez told reporters .

Argentina passed a landmark bill legalising abortion on Wednesday over the objections of its influential Roman Catholic Church. The Senate voted by 38 in favour to 29 against with one abstention to approve a bill allowing the procedure through the 14th week of pregnancy.
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This makes Argentina the first big country in predominantly Catholic Latin America to allow abortion on demand. Senate debate began at about 4pm (7pm GMT).
"Adopting a law that legalises abortion in a Catholic country as big as Argentina will energise the struggle to ensure women's rights in Latin America," said Juan Pappier, a senior Americas researcher at Human Rights Watch.
"Although there will certainly be resistance, I think it's fair to predict that, as it occurred when Argentina legalised same sex marriage in 2010, this new law could have a domino effect in the region," Pappier said.
hundreds of women in argentina celebrating after finding out the law for legal, safe and free abortion had been approved. today we made history. #AbortoLegal2020 #EsLey 💚 pic.twitter.com/zrwkeMXOhV — 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐚 ⎊ 💚 (@poetsfilms) December 30, 2020
Demonstrators both for and against the bill came from around the country to stand vigil in front of the Senate building in Buenos Aires.
"Argentina is a pro-life country," one woman, who said she was from Cordoba province, told local television as she sat in a folding chair under an umbrella sheltering her from the Southern Hemisphere summer sun. She and others who knelt in prayer nearby said they opposed changing the law.
Argentina's Congress has rejected the change before, but this is the first time such a bill has been presented to lawmakers with support from the ruling government. In 2018, before centre-left Peronist Alberto Fernandez was elected president, a similar bill was rejected by a slim margin.
Maria Angela Guerrero of the Campaign for Legal Abortion group, told reporters in front of the Senate she was "cautiously optimistic" the bill would pass this time. Advocates say the measure is needed to protect women who would otherwise risk their lives in unregulated, illegal abortions.
04:00
The Catholic Church is calling on senators to reject the proposal, which would allow women to end pregnancies up to the 14th week. Argentina is the birthplace of the current pope, Francis.
Argentine law currently allows abortion only when there is a serious risk to the health of the mother or in cases of rape.
The bill under consideration is accompanied by side legislation aimed at assisting women who want to continue their pregnancies and face severe economic or social difficulties.
Legal abortion is extremely rare in Latin America because of the long history of opposition by the Church. Across the region, abortions are available on demand only in Communist Cuba, comparatively tiny Uruguay and some parts of Mexico.
Pastor Jorge Gomez, head of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of Argentina (Aciera) joined his Catholic counterparts in protesting the measure.
"I know there are unexpected pregnancies, and I respect the rights of women. But I don't recognise abortion as a right," Gomez told reporters.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-30--Alam, Rizwan hold Pakistan together after New Zealand strike

Fawad Alam was helping to keep Pakistan in the first Test against New Zealand Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan were riding their luck as they kept Pakistan in the first Test against New Zealand at lunch on the final day in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday .
With two sessions remaining , Pakistan were 137 for four with Alam on 48 and Rizwan 20 .
New Zealand need a further six wickets for victory while Pakistan , still 236 short of an unrealistic 373-run target , were battling to salvage a draw .
The day started promisingly for New Zealand when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive only for the ball to angle away , catch an edge and wicketkeeper BJ Watling completed the dismissal .
Azhar Ali was gone for 38 in the second over of the morning and Pakistan were 75 for four .
But that was to be New Zealand 's only success with Alam and Rizwan adding 66 while offering chances .
Alam clipped a ball just wide of Henry Nicholls at short leg , an attempted drive was edged just wide of an outstretched Tom Latham at gully , and one off the gloves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rizwan blocked a Kyle Jamieson delivery that bounced back up , hit him on the arm and deflected a hair 's breadth wide of off stump .
Pakistan captain Rizwan would also have memories of his debut Test , which was the last time Pakistan played in New Zealand four years ago .
It was the second Test in Hamilton when the tourists were 158 for one at tea on the fifth day and lost nine wickets in the final session to hand New Zealand victory .

Mount Maunganui (New Zealand) (AFP) –
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Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan were riding their luck as they kept Pakistan in the first Test against New Zealand at lunch on the final day in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday.
With two sessions remaining, Pakistan were 137 for four with Alam on 48 and Rizwan 20.
New Zealand need a further six wickets for victory while Pakistan, still 236 short of an unrealistic 373-run target, were battling to salvage a draw.
The day started promisingly for New Zealand when Trent Boult lured Azhar Ali into a drive only for the ball to angle away, catch an edge and wicketkeeper BJ Watling completed the dismissal.
Azhar Ali was gone for 38 in the second over of the morning and Pakistan were 75 for four.
But that was to be New Zealand's only success with Alam and Rizwan adding 66 while offering chances.
Alam clipped a ball just wide of Henry Nicholls at short leg, an attempted drive was edged just wide of an outstretched Tom Latham at gully, and one off the gloves fell just short of the cordon.
Rizwan blocked a Kyle Jamieson delivery that bounced back up, hit him on the arm and deflected a hair's breadth wide of off stump.
Pakistan captain Rizwan would also have memories of his debut Test, which was the last time Pakistan played in New Zealand four years ago.
It was the second Test in Hamilton when the tourists were 158 for one at tea on the fifth day and lost nine wickets in the final session to hand New Zealand victory.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-29--Death toll rises following strong earthquake in central Croatia

A search for survivors in Croatia stretched into the night Tuesday after a powerful earthquake killed at least seven people in the country 's interior , tearing down rooftops and piling bricks in the streets .
The 6.4-magnitude quake was felt as far afield as Vienna but the heavy damage was concentrated in and around Petrinja , a town of around 20,000 some 50 kilometres ( 30 miles ) south of Croatia 's capital Zagreb .
Rescue teams shovelled away debris in search of victims as night fell after the mid-day tremor , while the European Union announced that more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Andrej Plenkovic said late Tuesday that seven victims had been found so far and that there would `` probably be more '' .
Among the dead was a young girl in Petrinja , reported to be 12 years old , and at least five people in a nearby village , according to Croatian police , who said that around 20 people were injured .
Six people were rescued from the rubble with the help of dogs , Croatia 's Mountain Rescue Service said .
Many in Petrinja were afraid to return home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while damage from the quake left most of the buildings in the downtown area `` unfit for use '' , according to construction experts .
`` All the tiles in the bathroom are broken , all the dishes fell out , '' Marica Pavlovic , a 72-year-old retired meat factory worker , told AFP of the damage to her apartment .
`` Even if we wanted to , we ca n't go back in , there is no electricity , '' she said , huddled with others in a downtown park , wrapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend the night in their cars or stay with relatives in other cities , while nearly 200 took shelter in a military barracks .
In the nearby town of Sisak , also badly damaged by the quake , schools opened their sports halls to those who could not sleep at home .
The European Union 's crisis management chief , Janez Lenarcic , said the bloc was preparing aid and that he would visit Petrinja on Wednesday .
`` At the moment , mostly winter tents , electric heaters , sleeping beds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing containers '' , Lenarcic wrote on Twitter .
Petrinja 's mayor Darinko Dumbovic said a kindergarten was among the buildings that collapsed from the force of the quake .
Luckily , it was empty at the time .
`` The city is actually a huge ruin , '' Dumbovic told national radio .
`` We are saving people , we are saving lives .
We have dead people , we have missing people , injured people ... it is a catastrophe . ''
The earthquake , which hit around 1130 GMT according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petrinja and the surrounding area just a day after a smaller earthquake struck in the same vicinity , causing some damage to buildings .
Josip Horvat , a 44-year-old artist , said that when Tuesday 's tremor struck he was fixing a friend 's chimney that had been damaged the previous day .
`` I grabbed the gutter and I was just praying to God that it ends as soon as possible , '' he told AFP .
Tuesday 's quake also shook the capital Zagreb , where panicked residents gathered in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off roofs .
The tremors reverberated across neighbouring countries , including Serbia and Slovenia , which as a precaution shut down the Krsko nuclear power plant it co-owns with Croatia .
Zagreb is still rebuilding from a 5.3-magnitude quake that struck in March , the most powerful to hit the capital in decades .
The Balkan region lies on major fault lines and sees regular earthquakes .

New tremors shook Croatia early Wednesday as the Adriatic country was still picking up the pieces of a deadly earthquake that claimed at least seven lives and reduced buildings to rubble a day before.
People clean a street after an earthquake, in Petrinja, Croatia December 29, 2020.
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The new 4.8 and 4.7 magnitude quakes struck after 5.15am GMT in the same zone south of Zagreb that was badly damaged on Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Rescue teams spent the night scouring ruins in the hard-hit area around Petrinja, a town 50 kilometres from the capital, where numerous rooftops collapsed under the force of Tuesday's 6.4-magnitude quake.
But no new victims were found overnight by the country's mountain rescue service, which searched more than 80 villages in the quake-hit zone, the organisation's chief Josip Granic told reporters.
Among the dead found Tuesday was a young girl struck by falling debris on a street in Petrinja, a man who tried to resuscitate her told local media.
Five men were also killed in a nearby village, local officials said, while another man was buried beneath debris in a church in the village of Zazina, the priest told state news agency HINA.
At least 20 people were injured, Croatian police said.
Many in Petrinja spent a sleepless night in fear of aftershocks, with some opting to pass the night in cars or shelter in a nearby military barracks.
Parts of Petrinja, whose downtown was badly damaged, and the nearby town of Sisak were still without electricity Wednesday morning.
The European Union's crisis management chief, Janez Lenarcic, was due to visit Petrinja later in the day as the bloc prepared to send aid.
"At the moment, mostly winter tents, electric heaters, sleeping beds and sleeping bags are needed as well as housing containers," Lenarcic wrote on Twitter.
'A huge ruin'
Petrinja's mayor Darinko Dumbovic said a kindergarten was among the buildings that collapsed from the force of the quake. Luckily, it was empty at the time.
"The city is actually a huge ruin," Dumbovic told national radio. "We are saving people, we are saving lives. We have dead people, we have missing people, injured people... it is a catastrophe."
The earthquake, which hit around 11.30am GMT according to the USGS, rattled Petrinja and the surrounding area just a day after a smaller earthquake struck in the same vicinity, causing some damage to buildings.
Josip Horvat, a 44-year-old artist, said that when Tuesday's tremor struck he was fixing a friend's chimney that had been damaged the previous day.
"I grabbed the gutter and I was just praying to God that it ends as soon as possible," he told AFP.
Tuesday's quake also shook the capital Zagreb, where panicked residents gathered in the streets as the shocks tore the tiles off roofs.
The tremors reverberated across neighbouring countries, including Serbia and Slovenia, which as a precaution shut down the Krsko nuclear power plant it co-owns with Croatia.
Zagreb is still rebuilding from a 5.3-magnitude quake that struck in March, the most powerful to hit the capital in decades.
The Balkan region lies on major fault lines and sees regular earthquakes.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-12-29--US detects first case of fast-moving UK Covid-19 variant in Colorado

The US state of Colorado has recorded what is reportedly America 's first case of the particularly infectious coronavirus variant that emerged recently in Britain , the governor said Tuesday .
`` Today we discovered Colorado 's first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 , the same variant discovered in the UK , '' state governor Jared Polis tweeted .
He attached an official statement from his office and state health officials that said the individual is a `` male in his 20s who is currently in isolation in Elbert County and has no travel history . ''
The individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , but the situation will continue to be monitored `` very closely '' and authorities are working to identify other potential cases through contact tracing .
The Washington Post reported that the Colorado case is the first known infection of the variant virus to be recorded in the United States .
The first two variant cases on the North American continent were discovered in Canada over the weekend .
Fears have been raised by the new strain of Covid-19 , which experts say is potentially more transmissible .
More than 3,000 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK and dozens of countries in Europe and around the world , according to the EU health agency ECDC .
In South Africa , more than 300 cases of another variant have been recorded .
Three cases of that strain variant have been confirmed in Europe -- two in the UK and one in Finland -- but all three have been connected to people returning from South Africa .

The US state of Colorado has recorded what is reportedly America's first case of the particularly infectious coronavirus variant that emerged recently in Britain, the governor said Tuesday.
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"Today we discovered Colorado's first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, the same variant discovered in the UK," state governor Jared Polis tweeted.
He attached an official statement from his office and state health officials that said the individual is a "male in his 20s who is currently in isolation in Elbert County and has no travel history."
The individual had no close contacts, the statement said, but the situation will continue to be monitored "very closely" and authorities are working to identify other potential cases through contact tracing.
The Washington Post reported that the Colorado case is the first known infection of the variant virus to be recorded in the United States. The first two variant cases on the North American continent were discovered in Canada over the weekend.
Fears have been raised by the new strain of Covid-19, which experts say is potentially more transmissible.
More than 3,000 cases of the variant have already been reported in the UK and dozens of countries in Europe and around the world, according to the EU health agency ECDC.
In South Africa, more than 300 cases of another variant have been recorded. Three cases of that strain variant have been confirmed in Europe -- two in the UK and one in Finland -- but all three have been connected to people returning from South Africa.
(AFP)
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