france24--2020-09-02--Tunisia's new PM, cabinet approved to battle economic woes

Tunisia 's new Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi is a former interior minister and trained lawyer Tunisia 's parliament has approved a new technocratic government tasked with tackling deep social and economic woes in the North African country , ending weeks of uncertainty in the young democracy .
Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi was confirmed by 134-67 votes in an overnight session to lead Tunisia 's second cabinet in six months , made up of judges , academics , civil servants and private-sector executives .
The 46-year-old has pledged to revitalise the tourism-reliant economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic and to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by restarting oil and phosphate production after recent labour unrest .
`` I am proud of this support , '' Mechichi , the former interior minister , told AFP early Wednesday after the vote , vowing his government would `` move forward on economic issues '' , provided it is not bogged down by political infighting .
Tunisia 's parliament , elected last October , is deeply divided and many lawmakers were angry that Mechichi , the candidate picked in July by President Kais Saied , had bypassed the major political factions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party , the biggest bloc in parliament , had however said hours before the vote it would back Mechichi `` despite reservations '' , averting a breakdown that would have forced unpopular new elections .
Tunisia has been praised as a rare success story among the 2011 Arab Spring popular uprisings that swept the region and brought down many autocrats , among them Tunisia 's long-time president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali .
But the small Mediterranean country of about 11 million people is now mired in economic crisis , with the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in need of new assistance from the International Monetary Fund .
Mechichi 's new government will have to resume talks with the IMF , whose four-year programme expired in the spring while Tunisia struggled to complete its budget .
The new premier warned of `` dangerous indicators '' , with a debt of about 80 billion dinars ( $ 30 billion ) , and 7.5 billion dinars due to be repaid in 2020 .
The chairman of Ennahdha 's advisory board , Abdelkarim Harouni , had said Tuesday the party would back Mechichi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country '' but would then seek to `` develop and reform this government '' .
The vote is the result of a power struggle between the president , a trained jurist who had strongly intervened in building the new government , and the main parties , who were angered at being sidelined but now hope to have influence on the government .
The new defence minister , Ibrahim Bartagi , is a law professor from the university where Saied worked .
Justice Minister Mohamed Boussetta is a magistrate .
And the new interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former lawyer close to the president .
Hamza Meddeb , of political think tank the Carnegie Center , said that in the end the new government gained legitimacy by winning the support of Ennahdha and its allies , including the liberal Qalb Tounes party .
`` Mr Saied wanted a prime minister at his command , the presidency intervened a lot in the composition of the government , and Mr Mechichi ended up turning around and seeking party support to assert himself as head of government , '' Meddeb said .
Parliament speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that in the end the assembly `` showed that it was the heart of power in this country '' .
Mechichi 's new government , he said , `` can solve the economic , health and security problems , I am convinced of its success '' .
Meddeb said Ennahdha had `` found someone it hopes to compromise with '' but also cautioned that `` there 's discord at the top state level ... Saied could make life difficult for this government . ''

Tunis (AFP) –
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Tunisia's parliament has approved a new technocratic government tasked with tackling deep social and economic woes in the North African country, ending weeks of uncertainty in the young democracy.
Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi was confirmed by 134-67 votes in an overnight session to lead Tunisia's second cabinet in six months, made up of judges, academics, civil servants and private-sector executives.
The 46-year-old has pledged to revitalise the tourism-reliant economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic and to stop the "hemorrhage" of public finances by restarting oil and phosphate production after recent labour unrest.
"I am proud of this support," Mechichi, the former interior minister, told AFP early Wednesday after the vote, vowing his government would "move forward on economic issues", provided it is not bogged down by political infighting.
Tunisia's parliament, elected last October, is deeply divided and many lawmakers were angry that Mechichi, the candidate picked in July by President Kais Saied, had bypassed the major political factions in building his cabinet.
The Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, the biggest bloc in parliament, had however said hours before the vote it would back Mechichi "despite reservations", averting a breakdown that would have forced unpopular new elections.
Tunisia has been praised as a rare success story among the 2011 Arab Spring popular uprisings that swept the region and brought down many autocrats, among them Tunisia's long-time president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
But the small Mediterranean country of about 11 million people is now mired in economic crisis, with the official unemployment rate at 18 percent, and in need of new assistance from the International Monetary Fund.
Mechichi's new government will have to resume talks with the IMF, whose four-year programme expired in the spring while Tunisia struggled to complete its budget.
The new premier warned of "dangerous indicators", with a debt of about 80 billion dinars ($30 billion), and 7.5 billion dinars due to be repaid in 2020.
- 'Discord at the top' -
The chairman of Ennahdha's advisory board, Abdelkarim Harouni, had said Tuesday the party would back Mechichi "given the difficult situation of the country" but would then seek to "develop and reform this government".
The vote is the result of a power struggle between the president, a trained jurist who had strongly intervened in building the new government, and the main parties, who were angered at being sidelined but now hope to have influence on the government.
The new defence minister, Ibrahim Bartagi, is a law professor from the university where Saied worked. Justice Minister Mohamed Boussetta is a magistrate. And the new interior minister, Taoufik Charfeddine, is another former lawyer close to the president.
Hamza Meddeb, of political think tank the Carnegie Center, said that in the end the new government gained legitimacy by winning the support of Ennahdha and its allies, including the liberal Qalb Tounes party.
"Mr Saied wanted a prime minister at his command, the presidency intervened a lot in the composition of the government, and Mr Mechichi ended up turning around and seeking party support to assert himself as head of government," Meddeb said.
Parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of Ennahdha, said that in the end the assembly "showed that it was the heart of power in this country".
Mechichi's new government, he said, "can solve the economic, health and security problems, I am convinced of its success".
Meddeb said Ennahdha had "found someone it hopes to compromise with" but also cautioned that "there's discord at the top state level ... Saied could make life difficult for this government."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Lebanon PM designate bids to form crisis cabinet within two weeks

Lebanon 's newly appointed prime minister designate Mustapha Adib and the leaders of the country 's various factions have pledged to form a crisis cabinet within two weeks Lebanon 's prime minister designate Mustapha Adib started talks on forming a crisis government Wednesday , under French pressure to complete the task within two weeks to move forward with desperately needed reforms .
The consultations came after a high-profile visit by French President Emmanuel Macron during which he said political leaders had agreed a road map for reform after last month 's devastating blast in the port of Beirut .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say again and with conviction : I will not abandon you , '' Macron said in a statement as he flew out on Wednesday .
The last government resigned in the face of public anger over the August 4 explosion that killed at least 188 , wounded thousands and laid waste to entire districts of the capital .
Government formation is usually a drawn-out process in multi-confessional Lebanon where a complex political system seeks to share power between different religious groups .
But the country 's deadliest peacetime disaster has created intense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country out of its worst economic crisis in decades .
Premier designate Adib started meeting parliamentary bloc leaders , as Pope Francis warned Lebanon faced `` extreme danger that threatens the very existence of the country '' .
`` Lebanon can not be abandoned to its solitude , '' the pope said .
Lebanese lawmakers rushed to approve the nomination of the little-known 48-year-old diplomat on Monday just hours before the French president landed .
Under Lebanon 's power-sharing system , the country 's main religious communities usually agree on a new government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hariri , of the Future Movement , a party representing Sunni Muslims , requested a `` government of experts '' .
The parliamentary leader of Shiite movement Hezbollah , Mohammad Raad , called for an `` efficient , productive and cohesive government '' .
Lebanon 's worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war has seen poverty rates double to more than half the population , sent prices soaring and trapped people 's savings in the banks .
Visiting to mark the centenary of the former French protectorate , Macron strove to push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meddling in the country 's affairs .
But Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar complained the French president had behaved like the `` supreme leader of the Lebanese republic '' on his visit .
Macron promised to host two conferences in Paris in the second half of October -- one to help drum up aid and the other to discuss progress on political reforms .
He said he would be back in Lebanon in December for another follow-up .
International donors already pledged more than 250 million euros ( around $ 300 million ) in emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organised by France and the United Nations .
Macron said on Tuesday that Adib could only `` obtain legitimacy by quickly forming a mission government made up of professionals , the strongest possible team . ''
Analyst Karim Bitar said that , considering the speed with which the prime minister was nominated , Lebanon could actually have a new government within the next few weeks .
`` Everyone in Lebanon now realises that we no longer have the luxury of time , that the clock is ticking , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will lead to some forms of change in the short term because Lebanon is in such a difficult financial '' situation , but these risked being only `` cosmetic reforms '' .
`` But I very much doubt that they ... would accept the structural reforms , the systemic reforms that Lebanon desperately needs because that would mean their own disappearance ultimately . ''
A protest movement , which has taken to the streets since last October demanding the ouster of the political elite , has already rejected Adib 's nomination on principle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a political class whose alleged corruption and incompetence they blame for the explosion of a large shipment of ammonium nitrate fertiliser that had been left to languish in Beirut port for years .
Hundreds protested on Tuesday evening demanding a secular state to replace the sectarian system , with clashes erupting in the evening between some demonstrators and security forces .
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs , David Schenker , was due in Lebanon Wednesday , the State Department said .
He would `` urge Lebanese leaders to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people 's desire for transparency , accountability , and a government free of corruption . ''

Beirut (AFP) –
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Lebanon's prime minister designate Mustapha Adib started talks on forming a crisis government Wednesday, under French pressure to complete the task within two weeks to move forward with desperately needed reforms.
The consultations came after a high-profile visit by French President Emmanuel Macron during which he said political leaders had agreed a road map for reform after last month's devastating blast in the port of Beirut.
"As I leave Beirut, I want to say again and with conviction: I will not abandon you," Macron said in a statement as he flew out on Wednesday.
The last government resigned in the face of public anger over the August 4 explosion that killed at least 188, wounded thousands and laid waste to entire districts of the capital.
Government formation is usually a drawn-out process in multi-confessional Lebanon where a complex political system seeks to share power between different religious groups.
But the country's deadliest peacetime disaster has created intense pressure for swift reforms to lift the country out of its worst economic crisis in decades.
Premier designate Adib started meeting parliamentary bloc leaders, as Pope Francis warned Lebanon faced "extreme danger that threatens the very existence of the country".
"Lebanon cannot be abandoned to its solitude," the pope said.
Lebanese lawmakers rushed to approve the nomination of the little-known 48-year-old diplomat on Monday just hours before the French president landed.
- 'Behaved like supreme leader' -
Under Lebanon's power-sharing system, the country's main religious communities usually agree on a new government lineup before its announcement.
Lawmaker Bahia Hariri, of the Future Movement, a party representing Sunni Muslims, requested a "government of experts".
The parliamentary leader of Shiite movement Hezbollah, Mohammad Raad, called for an "efficient, productive and cohesive government".
Lebanon's worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war has seen poverty rates double to more than half the population, sent prices soaring and trapped people's savings in the banks.
Visiting to mark the centenary of the former French protectorate, Macron strove to push for political change without being perceived as meddling in the country's affairs.
But Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar complained the French president had behaved like the "supreme leader of the Lebanese republic" on his visit.
Macron promised to host two conferences in Paris in the second half of October -- one to help drum up aid and the other to discuss progress on political reforms.
He said he would be back in Lebanon in December for another follow-up.
International donors already pledged more than 250 million euros (around $300 million) in emergency aid, during a video conference jointly organised by France and the United Nations.
Macron said on Tuesday that Adib could only "obtain legitimacy by quickly forming a mission government made up of professionals, the strongest possible team."
- 'Clock is ticking' -
Analyst Karim Bitar said that, considering the speed with which the prime minister was nominated, Lebanon could actually have a new government within the next few weeks.
"Everyone in Lebanon now realises that we no longer have the luxury of time, that the clock is ticking," he said.
"I do think that the French pressure will lead to some forms of change in the short term because Lebanon is in such a difficult financial" situation, but these risked being only "cosmetic reforms".
"But I very much doubt that they... would accept the structural reforms, the systemic reforms that Lebanon desperately needs because that would mean their own disappearance ultimately."
A protest movement, which has taken to the streets since last October demanding the ouster of the political elite, has already rejected Adib's nomination on principle.
They allege he is too close to a political class whose alleged corruption and incompetence they blame for the explosion of a large shipment of ammonium nitrate fertiliser that had been left to languish in Beirut port for years.
Hundreds protested on Tuesday evening demanding a secular state to replace the sectarian system, with clashes erupting in the evening between some demonstrators and security forces.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, was due in Lebanon Wednesday, the State Department said.
He would "urge Lebanese leaders to implement reforms that respond to the Lebanese people's desire for transparency, accountability, and a government free of corruption."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Mauritian citizen becomes powerful voice for oil spill anger

Bruneau Laurette has channelled the anger that many Mauritians feel after the catastrophic oil spill In normal times , Bruneau Laurette spends his days providing armed escort to ships dodging pirates as they head through the Indian Ocean .
But in recent weeks , the maritime security expert has surged into a new role : the voice of a nation 's anger after an oil spill soiled the coast of his native Mauritius .
The disaster occurred after a 100,000-tonne Japanese bulk carrier , MV Wakashio , ran aground on a coral reef on July 25 .
It spewed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waters that are home to mangrove forests and endangered species and are vital for fishermen and the country 's tourist industry .
After the 300-metre ( 1,000-foot ) ship split in two , the larger piece was towed out to sea and sunk , but the smaller section remains stranded on the reef .
Public anger continues to mount .
On Saturday , in one of the country 's biggest rallies in years , tens of thousands of black-clad people took to the streets of the capital Port Louis in response to Laurette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he sees as a flawed government response .
`` The number exceeded my expectations , '' Laurette said of the crowd size during an interview with AFP .
The outspoken Laurette -- a muscular 46-year-old with a shaved head who often wears military-style garb -- has given voice to Mauritians concerned about the long-term damage caused by the spill .
`` I do n't feel anger .
My feelings are more of sadness , when I see the incompetence , '' he said .
It is still unclear why the MV Wakashio veered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laurette believes an explanation is long overdue .
He has also chastised the government for failing to recognise the gravity of the threat and for taking too long to start pumping oil from the ship , which only began leaking fuel more than a week after it ran aground .
In a crisis `` we can not carry on as we do every day , '' he said .
`` We have to adapt to the situation and evolve .
But here we have a tendency to wait and wait .
But we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why I say there was a breakdown . ''
The government has vowed to seek compensation from the owner and the insurer of the ship for `` all losses and damages '' caused by the spill as well as clean-up costs .
But Laurette says he does n't trust the government to hold to account local officials who may share in the blame .
This is why he filed his own legal complaint -- dragging two government ministers in front of a court -- saying he was `` aggrieved and afflicted '' by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complaint against the Indian captain of the ship , who was separately arrested by Mauritian authorities .
In his affidavit , Laurette described how he would go swimming in Blue Bay and take his children for picnics on the Ile aux Aigrettes -- both areas affected by the spill .
`` I also used to buy fish and seafood , oysters and crabs , from local fishermen at Mahebourg . ''
Laurette has also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth , a move praised by many Mauritians who took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who took office in 2017 , is the son of former Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth .
His critics , Laurette among them , lament the fact that a select group of families have played an outsized role in Mauritian politics .
Protesters on Saturday went beyond the oil spill to denounce corruption , inequality and a government they say is increasingly authoritarian .
`` I do n't believe he is humble enough to step down , '' Laurette told AFP , denouncing Pravind Jugnauth 's `` oversized ego '' and `` arrogance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the oil spill , the prime minister dismissed criticism of his response and refused to apologise .
But in a televised address Monday evening , he said he had `` heard '' his critics and vowed to open a public inquiry into the disaster .
`` That 's just the warming up , '' he said .
`` It has n't started yet . ''

Port Louis (Mauritius) (AFP) –
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In normal times, Bruneau Laurette spends his days providing armed escort to ships dodging pirates as they head through the Indian Ocean.
But in recent weeks, the maritime security expert has surged into a new role: the voice of a nation's anger after an oil spill soiled the coast of his native Mauritius.
The disaster occurred after a 100,000-tonne Japanese bulk carrier, MV Wakashio, ran aground on a coral reef on July 25.
It spewed more than 1,000 tonnes of oil into pristine waters that are home to mangrove forests and endangered species and are vital for fishermen and the country's tourist industry.
After the 300-metre (1,000-foot) ship split in two, the larger piece was towed out to sea and sunk, but the smaller section remains stranded on the reef.
Public anger continues to mount. On Saturday, in one of the country's biggest rallies in years, tens of thousands of black-clad people took to the streets of the capital Port Louis in response to Laurette's call for a protest over what he sees as a flawed government response.
"The number exceeded my expectations," Laurette said of the crowd size during an interview with AFP.
- Government 'breakdown' -
The outspoken Laurette -- a muscular 46-year-old with a shaved head who often wears military-style garb -- has given voice to Mauritians concerned about the long-term damage caused by the spill.
"I don't feel anger. My feelings are more of sadness, when I see the incompetence," he said.
It is still unclear why the MV Wakashio veered so close to the coast, and Laurette believes an explanation is long overdue.
He has also chastised the government for failing to recognise the gravity of the threat and for taking too long to start pumping oil from the ship, which only began leaking fuel more than a week after it ran aground.
In a crisis "we cannot carry on as we do every day," he said. "We have to adapt to the situation and evolve. But here we have a tendency to wait and wait. But we cannot do this. That's why I say there was a breakdown."
The government has vowed to seek compensation from the owner and the insurer of the ship for "all losses and damages" caused by the spill as well as clean-up costs.
But Laurette says he doesn't trust the government to hold to account local officials who may share in the blame.
This is why he filed his own legal complaint -- dragging two government ministers in front of a court -- saying he was "aggrieved and afflicted" by the massive spill.
He also filed a complaint against the Indian captain of the ship, who was separately arrested by Mauritian authorities.
In his affidavit, Laurette described how he would go swimming in Blue Bay and take his children for picnics on the Ile aux Aigrettes -- both areas affected by the spill.
"I also used to buy fish and seafood, oysters and crabs, from local fishermen at Mahebourg."
-'Hungry for justice'-
Laurette has also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, a move praised by many Mauritians who took part in Saturday's protest.
Jugnauth, who took office in 2017, is the son of former Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth.
His critics, Laurette among them, lament the fact that a select group of families have played an outsized role in Mauritian politics.
Protesters on Saturday went beyond the oil spill to denounce corruption, inequality and a government they say is increasingly authoritarian.
"I don't believe he is humble enough to step down," Laurette told AFP, denouncing Pravind Jugnauth's "oversized ego" and "arrogance".
In the first weeks after the oil spill, the prime minister dismissed criticism of his response and refused to apologise.
But in a televised address Monday evening, he said he had "heard" his critics and vowed to open a public inquiry into the disaster.
"That's just the warming up," he said. "It hasn't started yet."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Thai royal consort reclaims king's favour

A Thai royal consort who was purged for `` disloyalty '' after running afoul of the Queen has made a sudden and unexpected comeback , with the king reinstating her titles .
Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi was stripped of her rank and titles last year just three months after she became the consort , accused on national television of `` disloyalty '' and `` ambition '' to match the position of Queen Suthida .
She has not been seen in public since October , but that looks set to change .
`` Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi is not tarnished , '' said a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Royal Gazette , confirming she would once again take the honorific title of `` Chao Khun Phra '' , or noble consort .
`` Henceforth , it will be as if she had never been stripped of her military ranks or royal decorations , '' said the decision , which was dated August 29 but only came to light Wednesday .
The latest episode of palace intrigue comes as Thailand faces unprecedented protests by a pro-democracy movement calling for more transparency and reforms to the secretive royal institution .
A former royal bodyguard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consort on King Maha Vajiralongkorn 's 67th birthday in July last year -- just months after his marriage to Queen Suthida .
A qualified pilot and former army nurse , the 34-year-old Sineenat was the first woman to receive the title in nearly a century .
Her prominence at the king 's elaborate coronation ceremony in May last year stunned the Thai public .
The palace later released images of the short-haired consort in combat fatigues shooting weapons , flying a jet and preparing to parachute from a plane , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kingdom has seen near-daily rallies since mid-July , with some attracting up to 20,000 protesters , angry at the military-aligned government and calling for frank discussions about the royal family 's role .
Since ascending to the throne in 2016 , the king has taken personal control of the palace 's fortune , worth an estimated $ 60 billion , and also moved two army units under his direct command .
Protesters are demanding the scrapping of a royal defamation law -- which can see people jailed for up to 15 years per @ @

Bangkok (AFP) –
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A Thai royal consort who was purged for "disloyalty" after running afoul of the Queen has made a sudden and unexpected comeback, with the king reinstating her titles.
Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi was stripped of her rank and titles last year just three months after she became the consort, accused on national television of "disloyalty" and "ambition" to match the position of Queen Suthida.
She has not been seen in public since October, but that looks set to change.
"Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi is not tarnished," said a decision by the king published by palace mouthpiece Royal Gazette, confirming she would once again take the honorific title of "Chao Khun Phra", or noble consort.
"Henceforth, it will be as if she had never been stripped of her military ranks or royal decorations," said the decision, which was dated August 29 but only came to light Wednesday.
The latest episode of palace intrigue comes as Thailand faces unprecedented protests by a pro-democracy movement calling for more transparency and reforms to the secretive royal institution.
A former royal bodyguard, Sineenat was given the title of consort on King Maha Vajiralongkorn's 67th birthday in July last year -- just months after his marriage to Queen Suthida.
A qualified pilot and former army nurse, the 34-year-old Sineenat was the first woman to receive the title in nearly a century.
Her prominence at the king's elaborate coronation ceremony in May last year stunned the Thai public.
The palace later released images of the short-haired consort in combat fatigues shooting weapons, flying a jet and preparing to parachute from a plane, as well as holding the king's hand.
The kingdom has seen near-daily rallies since mid-July, with some attracting up to 20,000 protesters, angry at the military-aligned government and calling for frank discussions about the royal family's role.
Since ascending to the throne in 2016, the king has taken personal control of the palace's fortune, worth an estimated $60 billion, and also moved two army units under his direct command.
Protesters are demanding the scrapping of a royal defamation law -- which can see people jailed for up to 15 years per charge.
burs-rs/dhc/qan
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--China uni sparks anger by telling women to avoid 'revealing' clothes

A Chinese university 's guidelines warning women students not to wear `` revealing '' clothes on campus `` to prevent arousing temptation '' have whipped up online fury in the socially conservative country .
The recommendations were included in a 50-point safety guide issued at Guangxi University in southern China , which also urged women to avoid going out alone .
`` Do not wear clothing and skirts that are overly revealing , low-cut , exposing your waist , or showing your back , so as to prevent arousing temptation , '' the advisory note for incoming women students read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not suitable to wear high heels which restrict movement . ''
As news of the guidelines -- issued last month -- spread online this week , the university was slammed by social media users for suggesting that women were responsible for sexual assault .
On the Twitter-like Weibo platform , one user wrote : `` Why is a woman 's 'freedom of dressing ' deemed as 'temptation ' ?
It 's mainly because the hearts of some men are unclean . ''
`` I hope text in the future will say : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' . ''
`` Women have not yet been raped , but Guangxi University has prepared to slut-shame them , '' another user wrote .
The topic had over 210 million views and thousands of comments on Weibo as of Wednesday .
A member of the university staff tried to defend the guidelines on Tuesday as anger grew , pointing to a need for `` civilised etiquette '' on campus , according to Chinese news website The Paper .
`` Wear whatever you want if you are not entering the school , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying .
Other suggestions in the guide included women walking quickly through underpasses and not following strangers anywhere .
China has taken some steps towards key demands from its nascent # MeToo movement , with its first-ever civil code -- passed in May -- expanding the definition of sexual harassment .
But it remains difficult to get justice for many sexual assault crimes due to conservative attitudes and many women reluctant to come forward .

Beijing (AFP) –
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A Chinese university's guidelines warning women students not to wear "revealing" clothes on campus "to prevent arousing temptation" have whipped up online fury in the socially conservative country.
The recommendations were included in a 50-point safety guide issued at Guangxi University in southern China, which also urged women to avoid going out alone.
"Do not wear clothing and skirts that are overly revealing, low-cut, exposing your waist, or showing your back, so as to prevent arousing temptation," the advisory note for incoming women students read.
"At certain times, it is not suitable to wear high heels which restrict movement."
As news of the guidelines -- issued last month -- spread online this week, the university was slammed by social media users for suggesting that women were responsible for sexual assault.
On the Twitter-like Weibo platform, one user wrote: "Why is a woman's 'freedom of dressing' deemed as 'temptation'? It's mainly because the hearts of some men are unclean."
"I hope text in the future will say: 'Some men should please correct their thoughts'."
"Women have not yet been raped, but Guangxi University has prepared to slut-shame them," another user wrote.
The topic had over 210 million views and thousands of comments on Weibo as of Wednesday.
A member of the university staff tried to defend the guidelines on Tuesday as anger grew, pointing to a need for "civilised etiquette" on campus, according to Chinese news website The Paper.
"Wear whatever you want if you are not entering the school," the unnamed staff member was quoted as saying.
Other suggestions in the guide included women walking quickly through underpasses and not following strangers anywhere.
China has taken some steps towards key demands from its nascent #MeToo movement, with its first-ever civil code -- passed in May -- expanding the definition of sexual harassment.
But it remains difficult to get justice for many sexual assault crimes due to conservative attitudes and many women reluctant to come forward.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--BTS: South Korea's history-making K-pop septet

BTS have become one of the biggest acts in the world Trailblazing South Korean boy band BTS have shot to the top of the US charts with their first all-English song , and the socially conscious septet 's latest triumph could herald a historic cultural shift .
The group , who in seven years have become one of the biggest acts in the world , cemented their prominence in the biggest music market on Monday , becoming the first South Korean act to top the US singles chart , with `` Dynamite '' entering the Billboard Hot 100 at number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapper Psy , whose Gangnam Style was a global megahit but peaked at number two in the US .
But the entirely English lyrics of `` Dynamite '' make it radio-friendly in Anglophone countries -- bypassing a hurdle faced by another recent South Korean cultural phenomenon , the subtitled Oscar-winning movie Parasite .
Even so , the group 's Billboard feat means the era of the West `` dominating the world popular music is truly coming to an end '' , CedarBough Saeji , a visiting professor at Indiana University-Bloomington , told AFP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of creatives to consider the world and not just their local markets . ''
Like almost all K-pop groups , BTS -- or Bangtan Sonyeondan , which translates as Bulletproof Boy Scouts -- were formed by an entertainment agency .
Big Hit Entertainment assembled J-Hope , Jimin , Jin , Jungkook , RM , Suga and V through a combination of direct recruitment and auditions , and reports say the group -- who are known to be relentlessly hardworking -- went through intensive training ahead of their debut in 2013 .
Leader RM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underground hip hop scene for his rapping skills , while Jimin had been enrolled in an arts school in Busan , majoring in contemporary dance .
`` I did n't know we would be in the global spotlight like this , '' member V , who hails from Daegu , told reporters at an online briefing Wednesday , following the group 's Billboard feat .
`` After each of us moved to Seoul from our hometowns with nothing I still vividly remember singing and dancing hard in a cramped basement practice room seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since ascended to global superstardom , holding a string of sold-out shows in Los Angeles , Paris and London last year .
Their lyrics are socially conscious -- themes include societal competition and the ills of consumerism -- and they consistently engage with fans at home and abroad through social media , accumulating some 28.5 million followers on Twitter .
In 2018 BTS addressed the United Nations , urging young people to believe in their own convictions , and earlier this year they donated $ 1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount .
The fact that `` their songs often have explicit commentary about social issues facing both Korean youth and people around the world , has drawn in a lot of fans and also created a deep connection with the group '' , said Jenna Gibson , a researcher at the University of Chicago .
Group leader RM said that the light-heartedness of `` Dynamite '' , as well as elements of disco-pop that make it `` easy to sing along or hum along with '' , contributed to its historic success in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more familiar because of the language , '' he added .
According to experts the song was carefully and commercially planned to target the Billboard ranking , which blends US streaming , radio airplay and digital sales data to determine the top hits .
`` By releasing a song in English , BTS definitely appeared to be targeting radio audiences , which have been reluctant to embrace them even though they have a sizable audience on every other single platform , '' said Tamar Herman , the author of `` BTS : Blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This song very much appeared from the get-go an attempt to land atop of the Hot 100 , which has been one of BTS 's longterm goals , '' she added .
`` By releasing it amid Covid as a song aiming to comfort listeners it definitely found its audience . ''

Seoul (AFP) –
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Trailblazing South Korean boy band BTS have shot to the top of the US charts with their first all-English song, and the socially conscious septet's latest triumph could herald a historic cultural shift.
The group, who in seven years have become one of the biggest acts in the world, cemented their prominence in the biggest music market on Monday, becoming the first South Korean act to top the US singles chart, with "Dynamite" entering the Billboard Hot 100 at number one.
The feat had previously eluded rapper Psy, whose Gangnam Style was a global megahit but peaked at number two in the US.
But the entirely English lyrics of "Dynamite" make it radio-friendly in Anglophone countries -- bypassing a hurdle faced by another recent South Korean cultural phenomenon, the subtitled Oscar-winning movie Parasite.
Even so, the group's Billboard feat means the era of the West "dominating the world popular music is truly coming to an end", CedarBough Saeji, a visiting professor at Indiana University-Bloomington, told AFP.
"This will embolden a generation of creatives to consider the world and not just their local markets."
- Map of the Soul -
Like almost all K-pop groups, BTS -- or Bangtan Sonyeondan, which translates as Bulletproof Boy Scouts -- were formed by an entertainment agency.
Big Hit Entertainment assembled J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga and V through a combination of direct recruitment and auditions, and reports say the group -- who are known to be relentlessly hardworking -- went through intensive training ahead of their debut in 2013.
Leader RM was already known in the South's underground hip hop scene for his rapping skills, while Jimin had been enrolled in an arts school in Busan, majoring in contemporary dance.
"I didn't know we would be in the global spotlight like this," member V, who hails from Daegu, told reporters at an online briefing Wednesday, following the group's Billboard feat.
"After each of us moved to Seoul from our hometowns with nothing I still vividly remember singing and dancing hard in a cramped basement practice room seven years ago."
The group have since ascended to global superstardom, holding a string of sold-out shows in Los Angeles, Paris and London last year.
Their lyrics are socially conscious -- themes include societal competition and the ills of consumerism -- and they consistently engage with fans at home and abroad through social media, accumulating some 28.5 million followers on Twitter.
In 2018 BTS addressed the United Nations, urging young people to believe in their own convictions, and earlier this year they donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement, inspiring fans to contribute the same amount.
The fact that "their songs often have explicit commentary about social issues facing both Korean youth and people around the world, has drawn in a lot of fans and also created a deep connection with the group", said Jenna Gibson, a researcher at the University of Chicago.
- Radio star -
Group leader RM said that the light-heartedness of "Dynamite", as well as elements of disco-pop that make it "easy to sing along or hum along with", contributed to its historic success in the US.
"'Dynamite' is more familiar because of the language," he added.
According to experts the song was carefully and commercially planned to target the Billboard ranking, which blends US streaming, radio airplay and digital sales data to determine the top hits.
"By releasing a song in English, BTS definitely appeared to be targeting radio audiences, which have been reluctant to embrace them even though they have a sizable audience on every other single platform," said Tamar Herman, the author of "BTS: Blood, Sweat & Tears".
"This song very much appeared from the get-go an attempt to land atop of the Hot 100, which has been one of BTS's longterm goals," she added.
"By releasing it amid Covid as a song aiming to comfort listeners it definitely found its audience."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Australia coach Langer wary of 'dangerous' England

Australia coach Justin Langer said his side would be ready to face a `` dangerous '' England team after he watched them during their Twenty20 series against Pakistan .
Langer 's men face England in three T20s at Southampton , with Friday 's opener at the Ageas Bowl their first major match since March , before playing the 50-over world champions in three one-day internationals in Manchester .
England suffered a narrow five-run defeat to Pakistan in the third T20 at Old Trafford on Tuesday , a result that meant the series ended all square at 1-1 , with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference call from Australia 's training base in Southampton on Wednesday that he was wary of Eoin Morgan 's men .
`` Dangerous ... that 's what I made of England .
I 've watched the way Eoin Morgan plays , it 's exciting to watch , he just comes out and smacks it from ball one . ''
`` They 've been the best one-day team in the world for a few years now ... .
We came here two years ago and got smashed 5-0 , '' added Langer , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the chest '' of a youthful team .
`` We came here last year , won two out of three games , just did n't win the big one in the ( World Cup ) semi-final .
They are a very good cricket team , well led .
`` We know what to expect and we 'll be ready . ''
Langer took over ahead of the England tour in 2018 with Australia still reeling from the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa that resulted in year-long bans for former captain Steve Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When we came here two years ago we were at crisis point , '' he said .
`` We were copping it from everywhere and rightly so .
The team had made a terrible error in judgement in South Africa . ''
Australia are now the world 's top-ranked Test and Twenty20 side .
`` Where we 've come in two years , '' said Langer .
`` I 've talked about it over and over , we had to earn back respect internationally , we had to make Australians back home proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highlights of my coaching career was when Steve Smith walked off the ground in the last Test of last year ( at the Oval ) and got a standing ovation , he only got 20-odd runs .
`` From the hostilities we received from when we first arrived in England to seeing that moment , hopefully we 've started to earn respect back . ''
The intense Langer said the fact Australia were now having to live in a bio-secure bubble would not alter his approach to coaching .
`` At the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my success by how many invitations I get to weddings and christenings , not how many trophies we win , '' he said .
`` You can be a tough guy as much as you want but ultimately you have to care for your people .
That philosophy for me has not changed since the day I started coaching and it wo n't change until the day I finish coaching . ''

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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Australia coach Justin Langer said his side would be ready to face a "dangerous" England team after he watched them during their Twenty20 series against Pakistan.
Langer's men face England in three T20s at Southampton, with Friday's opener at the Ageas Bowl their first major match since March, before playing the 50-over world champions in three one-day internationals in Manchester.
England suffered a narrow five-run defeat to Pakistan in the third T20 at Old Trafford on Tuesday, a result that meant the series ended all square at 1-1, with a rain-marred no result.
Langer told a conference call from Australia's training base in Southampton on Wednesday that he was wary of Eoin Morgan's men.
"Dangerous... that's what I made of England. I've watched the way Eoin Morgan plays, it's exciting to watch, he just comes out and smacks it from ball one."
"They've been the best one-day team in the world for a few years now.... We came here two years ago and got smashed 5-0," added Langer, who said being whitewashed had put "hairs on the chest" of a youthful team.
"We came here last year, won two out of three games, just didn't win the big one in the (World Cup) semi-final. They are a very good cricket team, well led.
"We know what to expect and we'll be ready."
- 'Crisis point' -
Langer took over ahead of the England tour in 2018 with Australia still reeling from the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa that resulted in year-long bans for former captain Steve Smith and star batsman David Warner.
"When we came here two years ago we were at crisis point," he said. "We were copping it from everywhere and rightly so. The team had made a terrible error in judgement in South Africa."
Australia are now the world's top-ranked Test and Twenty20 side.
"Where we've come in two years," said Langer. "I've talked about it over and over, we had to earn back respect internationally, we had to make Australians back home proud of us.
"One of the highlights of my coaching career was when Steve Smith walked off the ground in the last Test of last year (at the Oval) and got a standing ovation, he only got 20-odd runs.
"From the hostilities we received from when we first arrived in England to seeing that moment, hopefully we've started to earn respect back."
The intense Langer said the fact Australia were now having to live in a bio-secure bubble would not alter his approach to coaching.
"At the end of my coaching career I'd judge my success by how many invitations I get to weddings and christenings, not how many trophies we win," he said.
"You can be a tough guy as much as you want but ultimately you have to care for your people. That philosophy for me has not changed since the day I started coaching and it won't change until the day I finish coaching."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Messi's father lands in Spain as Barca stand-off drags on

Lionel Messi 's father and agent Jorge arrived in Barcelona on Wednesday ahead of talks with the club Jorge Messi , father and agent of Lionel Messi , landed in Barcelona on Wednesday , an AFP correspondent said , ahead of talks with the club 's president Josep Maria Bartomeu about the striker 's intention to leave this summer .
Messi senior flew in from the Argentine city of Rosario , landing at the private terminal in Barcelona 's El Prat airport on Wednesday morning .
`` I do n't know anything , '' he told reporters before getting into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping to unblock the stand-off between Barca and his son , which threatens to descend into an expensive and bitter legal battle if a resolution can not be found .
The 33-year-old striker boycotted Barcelona 's first pre-season training session on Monday , as he tries to force his way out of the club he joined as a 13-year-old boy .
Messi had also failed to attend a coronavirus test at Barcelona 's training ground on Sunday .
Yet Barcelona insist their captain will only depart if his 700-million-euro ( $ 833 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stance that has been backed up by La Liga , who say that release clause still applies .
But Messi and his lawyers argue he is allowed to go for free this summer according to another clause in his contract , which they claim was triggered on August 25 when a burofax stating Messi 's intention to leave arrived at Camp Nou .
If Messi joins another club but loses in court , he could be liable to pay the 700 million euros Barcelona are owed .
Manchester City are the firm favourites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his previous success with City coach Pep Guardiola .
Inter Milan , Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested .

Barcelona (AFP) –
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Jorge Messi, father and agent of Lionel Messi, landed in Barcelona on Wednesday, an AFP correspondent said, ahead of talks with the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu about the striker's intention to leave this summer.
Messi senior flew in from the Argentine city of Rosario, landing at the private terminal in Barcelona's El Prat airport on Wednesday morning.
"I don't know anything," he told reporters before getting into a taxi.
Jorge Messi will be hoping to unblock the stand-off between Barca and his son, which threatens to descend into an expensive and bitter legal battle if a resolution cannot be found.
The 33-year-old striker boycotted Barcelona's first pre-season training session on Monday, as he tries to force his way out of the club he joined as a 13-year-old boy.
Messi had also failed to attend a coronavirus test at Barcelona's training ground on Sunday.
Yet Barcelona insist their captain will only depart if his 700-million-euro ($833 million) release clause is activated, a stance that has been backed up by La Liga, who say that release clause still applies.
But Messi and his lawyers argue he is allowed to go for free this summer according to another clause in his contract, which they claim was triggered on August 25 when a burofax stating Messi's intention to leave arrived at Camp Nou.
If Messi joins another club but loses in court, he could be liable to pay the 700 million euros Barcelona are owed.
Manchester City are the firm favourites to sign Messi, not least because of his previous success with City coach Pep Guardiola. Inter Milan, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Greenwood aiming to 'break records' after England call-up

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has set his sights on breaking records after earning his first England call-up Manchester United 's teenage forward Mason Greenwood says he wants to `` break records '' and be remembered forever .
The 18-year-old forced has earned a first England call-up after a breakthrough season at Old Trafford , where he established himself in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's first-choice attack .
No teenager has ever scored more goals in a single campaign for United than Greenwood , whose 17-goal haul in all competitions put him level with George Best , Brian Kidd and Wayne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to compete with anyone '' and all-time record Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer has already backed the forward to surpass his own 260-goal haul .
`` Obviously any young football player would want to break records -- and if you did n't , there 's something wrong , '' he said ahead of England 's Nations League matches away to Iceland and Denmark .
`` It 's always nice to have visions and goals you set in your football career and that goes for virtually any England forward , really .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best and break records and just be remembered forever , really . ''
Solskjaer , a former striker at United , has described Greenwood as the best finisher he has worked with .
`` Ole 's a big part of my game , really , '' the forward said of the United boss .
`` Obviously he 's helped me to get where I am now and he 's given me the chances to prove to everyone what I can do .
`` I am glad he 's there and he 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's talking about because he has been a good goalscorer for Man United . ''
One of the most impressive aspects of Greenwood 's game is his ability to strike the ball powerfully with both feet .
Asked which he prefers , Greenwood said with a laugh : `` I prefer to use any foot when it comes to me , but I prefer my left foot more than my right , really .
`` When I was younger I put in a lot of practice into both feet and it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greenwood also spoke about the Black Lives Matter movement and his expectation that England 's players will take a knee before the Nations League matches in Iceland and Denmark .
`` Yeah , we will more or likely be doing that because it 's obviously a big thing , '' Greenwood said .
`` Everybody notices it .
`` Everyone notices it and a lot of people watch football so it will send a good message out there for everyone and , for my part , I 'd like to see it next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well . ''

London (AFP) –
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Manchester United's teenage forward Mason Greenwood says he wants to "break records" and be remembered forever.
The 18-year-old forced has earned a first England call-up after a breakthrough season at Old Trafford, where he established himself in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first-choice attack.
No teenager has ever scored more goals in a single campaign for United than Greenwood, whose 17-goal haul in all competitions put him level with George Best, Brian Kidd and Wayne Rooney.
Greenwood said he felt "ready to compete with anyone" and all-time record Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer has already backed the forward to surpass his own 260-goal haul.
"Obviously any young football player would want to break records -- and if you didn't, there's something wrong," he said ahead of England's Nations League matches away to Iceland and Denmark.
"It's always nice to have visions and goals you set in your football career and that goes for virtually any England forward, really.
"Just go out there and do your best and break records and just be remembered forever, really."
Solskjaer, a former striker at United, has described Greenwood as the best finisher he has worked with.
"Ole's a big part of my game, really," the forward said of the United boss. "Obviously he's helped me to get where I am now and he's given me the chances to prove to everyone what I can do.
"I am glad he's there and he's a good manager. Obviously he knows what he's talking about because he has been a good goalscorer for Man United."
One of the most impressive aspects of Greenwood's game is his ability to strike the ball powerfully with both feet.
Asked which he prefers, Greenwood said with a laugh: "I prefer to use any foot when it comes to me, but I prefer my left foot more than my right, really.
"When I was younger I put in a lot of practice into both feet and it's stayed with me naturally now."
Greenwood also spoke about the Black Lives Matter movement and his expectation that England's players will take a knee before the Nations League matches in Iceland and Denmark.
"Yeah, we will more or likely be doing that because it's obviously a big thing," Greenwood said. "Everybody notices it.
"Everyone notices it and a lot of people watch football so it will send a good message out there for everyone and, for my part, I'd like to see it next season as well, to stay there as well."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-03--Typhoon Maysak lashes South Korea

Typhoon Maysak lashes South Korea

More than 2,200 people evacuated to temporary shelters and around 120,000 homes left without power throughout the night across southern parts of the country and on Jeju Island At least one person was killed and more than 2,000 people evacuated to temporary shelters in South Korea as a powerful typhoon churned across the peninsula , authorities said Thursday .
Typhoon Maysak -- named after the Cambodian word for a type of tree -- made landfall early Thursday in Busan on the southern coast , knocking down traffic lights and trees and flooding streets .
A woman was killed after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Busan , while a man in his 60s was injured when the wind toppled an outdoor refrigerator , crushing him .
More than 2,200 people evacuated to temporary shelters and around 120,000 homes left without power throughout the night across southern parts of the country and on Jeju Island .
Maysak was making its way up the eastern side of the peninsula into the Sea of Japan , known as the East Sea in Korea , packing gusts of up to 140 kilometres per hour ( 87 miles per hour ) .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will gradually weaken , '' South Korea 's Meteorological Administration said , forecasting heavy downpours and strong winds in eastern areas .
Maysak was forecast to make landfall again at around 0300 GMT at Kimchaek , North Hamgyong province .
Natural disasters tend to have a greater impact in the North due to its creaking infrastructure , and the country is vulnerable to flooding as many mountains and hills have long been deforested .
Pyongyang 's state media was on high alert , carrying live broadcasts of the situation .
`` The trait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought heavy precipitation , '' said a news reporter for Korean Central Television in its early morning newscast , standing in an inundated street in the eastern port of Wonsan .
`` The total precipitation from 21:00 on September 2 to 6:00 on September 3 is 200 millimetres ( around eight inches ) , '' he added .
Maysak is the second typhoon in a week to hit the peninsula .
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last week visited a farming region hit by Typhoon Bavi and expressed relief the damage was @ @ @ @ @ @

Busan (South Korea) (AFP) –
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At least one person was killed and more than 2,000 people evacuated to temporary shelters in South Korea as a powerful typhoon churned across the peninsula, authorities said Thursday.
Typhoon Maysak -- named after the Cambodian word for a type of tree -- made landfall early Thursday in Busan on the southern coast, knocking down traffic lights and trees and flooding streets.
A woman was killed after a strong gust shattered her apartment window in Busan, while a man in his 60s was injured when the wind toppled an outdoor refrigerator, crushing him.
More than 2,200 people evacuated to temporary shelters and around 120,000 homes left without power throughout the night across southern parts of the country and on Jeju Island.
Maysak was making its way up the eastern side of the peninsula into the Sea of Japan, known as the East Sea in Korea, packing gusts of up to 140 kilometres per hour (87 miles per hour).
"The typhoon's influence on our country will gradually weaken," South Korea's Meteorological Administration said, forecasting heavy downpours and strong winds in eastern areas.
Maysak was forecast to make landfall again at around 0300 GMT at Kimchaek, North Hamgyong province.
Natural disasters tend to have a greater impact in the North due to its creaking infrastructure, and the country is vulnerable to flooding as many mountains and hills have long been deforested.
Pyongyang's state media was on high alert, carrying live broadcasts of the situation.
"The trait of this typhoon is that it has brought heavy precipitation," said a news reporter for Korean Central Television in its early morning newscast, standing in an inundated street in the eastern port of Wonsan.
"The total precipitation from 21:00 on September 2 to 6:00 on September 3 is 200 millimetres (around eight inches)," he added.
Maysak is the second typhoon in a week to hit the peninsula.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last week visited a farming region hit by Typhoon Bavi and expressed relief the damage was "smaller than expected".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-03--Home comforts fuel Djokovic's US Open bid

Novak Djokovic said home comforts and being able to open a window were helping his bid for a fourth US Open title after he progressed to the third round Wednesday .
Most players in the quarantine bubble at Flushing Meadows are staying in two pre-approved hotels , but the world number has one opted to rent a private house instead .
`` As soon as there was a chance for us to choose to be in a house , we took it right away without thinking .
I 'm glad we did , '' he said after overcoming Britain 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner of 17 Grand Slams explained why the decision was a no-brainer .
`` Being in a hotel , you 're unable to open the window in the room .
You constantly have to be with a mask indoors , outdoors , everywhere .
`` You ca n't really go out , ( or ) spend time in the garden maybe outdoors , '' added the Serbian superstar .
Djokovic said he had taken a look at one of the hotels on offer , but suggested he would n't rank it highly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I saw the hotel .
The hotel is not in a best position in terms of having nature around .
It 's very close to the highway , '' he told reporters .
`` Look , USTA did what they could do , '' he went on .
`` Of course , they made sure they take the entire hotel for the players .
Most of them are staying there .
`` But I never spent a second thinking that I can stay in a hotel when I heard that I can have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I took it right away . ''
Players are being kept in a tightly controlled environment at Flushing Meadows in a bid to minimize the risk of coronavirus .
Those staying in hotels are shuttled between their accommodation and the tennis center while anyone in a private house must hire 24-hour security .
The security teams are obliged to inform the United States Tennis Association when players come and go from the homes .
Despite the precautionary measures , fifth seed Alexander Zverev , said he was confused to discover weddings going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I do n't know if it was four or not , but I do know there was weddings , yes , at the other hotel , which was not part of the bubble , '' he said Wednesday .
Djokovic , a three-time US Open champion , recovered from a set down to defeat Edmund 6-7 ( 5/7 ) , 6-3 , 6-4 , 6-2 .
The match lasted three hours 13 minutes inside an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium on day three of the first Grand Slam of the COVID-19 era .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the next round on Friday .

New York (AFP) –
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Novak Djokovic said home comforts and being able to open a window were helping his bid for a fourth US Open title after he progressed to the third round Wednesday.
Most players in the quarantine bubble at Flushing Meadows are staying in two pre-approved hotels, but the world number has one opted to rent a private house instead.
"As soon as there was a chance for us to choose to be in a house, we took it right away without thinking. I'm glad we did," he said after overcoming Britain's Kyle Edmund in four sets.
The winner of 17 Grand Slams explained why the decision was a no-brainer.
"Being in a hotel, you're unable to open the window in the room. You constantly have to be with a mask indoors, outdoors, everywhere.
"You can't really go out, (or) spend time in the garden maybe outdoors," added the Serbian superstar.
Djokovic said he had taken a look at one of the hotels on offer, but suggested he wouldn't rank it highly on TripAdvisor for peace and tranquility.
"I saw the hotel. The hotel is not in a best position in terms of having nature around. It's very close to the highway," he told reporters.
"Look, USTA did what they could do," he went on.
"Of course, they made sure they take the entire hotel for the players. Most of them are staying there.
"But I never spent a second thinking that I can stay in a hotel when I heard that I can have a chance to stay in a house. I took it right away."
Players are being kept in a tightly controlled environment at Flushing Meadows in a bid to minimize the risk of coronavirus.
Those staying in hotels are shuttled between their accommodation and the tennis center while anyone in a private house must hire 24-hour security.
The security teams are obliged to inform the United States Tennis Association when players come and go from the homes.
Despite the precautionary measures, fifth seed Alexander Zverev, said he was confused to discover weddings going on at one of the hotels.
"I don't know if it was four or not, but I do know there was weddings, yes, at the other hotel, which was not part of the bubble," he said Wednesday.
Djokovic, a three-time US Open champion, recovered from a set down to defeat Edmund 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
The match lasted three hours 13 minutes inside an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium on day three of the first Grand Slam of the COVID-19 era.
Djokovic will play 29th-ranked German Jan-Lennard Struff in the next round on Friday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-03--Canada's top doctor urges mask wearing during sex, no kissing

Keep your mask on while having sex , a Canadian doctor says - but how many people will follow her advice ?
Canada 's chief public health officer on Wednesday urged couples to wear masks during sex to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus .
`` Sex can be complicated in the time of Covid-19 , especially for those without an intimate partner in their household or whose sexual partner is at higher risk for Covid-19 , '' Theresa Tam said in a statement .
`` The lowest risk sexual activity during Covid-19 involves yourself alone , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a partner who is at risk or from outside their household should be `` skipping kissing and avoiding face-to-face contact or closeness ( and ) consider using a mask that covers the nose and mouth . ''
Tam said people should also limit their consumption of alcohol or `` other substances so you and your partner ( s ) are able to make safe decision . ''
She noted that there is a `` very low likelihood '' of transmission of the new coronavirus through semen or vaginal fluids .
But she still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 cases rose on Wednesday to 129,705 , including 9,171 deaths .
Almost 90 percent of the people who fell sick have recovered .

Ottawa (AFP) –
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Canada's chief public health officer on Wednesday urged couples to wear masks during sex to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
"Sex can be complicated in the time of Covid-19, especially for those without an intimate partner in their household or whose sexual partner is at higher risk for Covid-19," Theresa Tam said in a statement.
"The lowest risk sexual activity during Covid-19 involves yourself alone," she added.
But those having sex with a partner who is at risk or from outside their household should be "skipping kissing and avoiding face-to-face contact or closeness (and) consider using a mask that covers the nose and mouth."
Tam said people should also limit their consumption of alcohol or "other substances so you and your partner(s) are able to make safe decision."
She noted that there is a "very low likelihood" of transmission of the new coronavirus through semen or vaginal fluids. But she still urged condom use.
The number of Covid-19 cases rose on Wednesday to 129,705, including 9,171 deaths. Almost 90 percent of the people who fell sick have recovered.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--US suspends millions in aid to Ethiopia over Nile dam dispute

File photo : Water flows through Ethiopia 's Grand Renaissance Dam as it undergoes construction work on the river Nile in Guba Woreda , Benishangul Gumuz Region , Ethiopia , September 26 , 2019 .
On the guidance of President Donald Trump , the State Department said Wednesday the US is suspending some aid to Ethiopia over the “ lack of progress ” in the country ’ s talks with Egypt and Sudan over a massive , disputed dam project it is completing on the Nile River .
It was an unusual example of Trump ’ s direct intervention on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he hasn ’ t visited as president and rarely mentions publicly .
The dam dispute centers on two of Africa ’ s most populous and powerful nations , Ethiopia and Egypt , and some have feared it could lead to military conflict .
A State Department spokesperson told The Associated Press the decision to “ temporarily pause ” some aid to a key regional security ally “ reflects our concern about Ethiopia ’ s unilateral decision to begin to fill the dam before an agreement and all necessary dam safety measures were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many millions of dollars in aid are being affected , or for how long .
The decision was taken by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “ based on guidance from the president ” , the spokesperson said .
Ethiopia this week said it was asking the US for clarification after a media report said Pompeo had approved cutting up to $ 130 million in aid because of the dam dispute .
The report by Foreign Policy last week set off an uproar among some in Ethiopia , which sees the dam as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no immediate comment from Ethiopia ’ s government .
Ethiopia ’ s ambassador to the US , Fitsum Arega , this week tweeted that his country is determined to complete the dam , saying that “ we will pull Ethiopia out of darkness ” .
Africa ’ s largest hydroelectric dam has caused severe tensions with Egypt , which has called it an existential threat and worries that it will reduce the country ’ s share of Nile waters .
Ethiopia says the $ 4.6 billion dam will be an engine of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of poverty .
Sudan , in the middle , worries about the effects on its own dams though it stands to benefit from access to cheap electricity .
Years of talks among the countries have failed to come to an agreement .
Key remaining issues include how to handle releases of water from the dam during multi-year droughts and how to resolve future disputes .
Pope Francis recently urged Egypt , Ethiopia and Sudan to continue talks amid regional concerns about a potential military conflict .
The US earlier this year tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walked away amid accusations that Washington was siding with Egypt .
Now the three countries are reporting any progress to the African Union , which is leading negotiations .
Ethiopia had said it would fill the dam with or without a deal with Egypt and Sudan .
The dam ’ s 74 billion-cubic-meter reservoir saw its first filling in July , which Ethiopia ’ s government celebrated and attributed to heavy rains , while a startled Egypt and Sudan hurriedly sought clarification and expressed skepticism .
“ The United States previously and repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the GERD before all necessary dam safety measures were implemented created serious risks for the populations of the downstream countries , ” the State Department spokesperson said .
“ In addition , filling while negotiations were underway undermines the other parties ’ confidence in the negotiations.
” The spokesperson also said “ the United States has been increasingly concerned by the lack of progress in the negotiations of a trilateral agreement ” on the dam ’ s filling and operation , but said the US continues to work with all three countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid will continue for Ethiopia ’ s response to Covid-19 and HIV and “ certain humanitarian assistance to aid those affected by conflict , drought , displacement , and other humanitarian challenges ” .
Ethiopia in recent weeks has seen a rapid rise in confirmed Covid-19 cases and now has more than 50,000 , another challenge for a country already facing outbursts of deadly ethnic violence and growing economic pain .
A former US ambassador to Ethiopia , David Shinn , had warned against an aid cut , writing that “ playing political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to obtain Washington ’ s desired result but will probably ensure that the Ethiopian diaspora in the United States rallies against Trump .
There are sizeable Ethiopian-American communities in key states such as Georgia , Texas , and Virginia ” .

On the guidance of President Donald Trump, the State Department said Wednesday the US is suspending some aid to Ethiopia over the “lack of progress” in the country’s talks with Egypt and Sudan over a massive, disputed dam project it is completing on the Nile River.
File photo: Water flows through Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam as it undergoes construction work on the river Nile in Guba Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia, September 26, 2019.
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It was an unusual example of Trump’s direct intervention on an issue in Africa, a continent he hasn’t visited as president and rarely mentions publicly. The dam dispute centers on two of Africa’s most populous and powerful nations, Ethiopia and Egypt, and some have feared it could lead to military conflict.
A State Department spokesperson told The Associated Press the decision to “temporarily pause” some aid to a key regional security ally “reflects our concern about Ethiopia’s unilateral decision to begin to fill the dam before an agreement and all necessary dam safety measures were in place”.
It is not clear how many millions of dollars in aid are being affected, or for how long. The decision was taken by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “based on guidance from the president”, the spokesperson said.
Ethiopia this week said it was asking the US for clarification after a media report said Pompeo had approved cutting up to $130 million in aid because of the dam dispute. The report by Foreign Policy last week set off an uproar among some in Ethiopia, which sees the dam as a source of national pride.
There was no immediate comment from Ethiopia’s government. Ethiopia’s ambassador to the US, Fitsum Arega, this week tweeted that his country is determined to complete the dam, saying that “we will pull Ethiopia out of darkness”.
Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam has caused severe tensions with Egypt, which has called it an existential threat and worries that it will reduce the country’s share of Nile waters. Ethiopia says the $4.6 billion dam will be an engine of development that will pull millions of people out of poverty. Sudan, in the middle, worries about the effects on its own dams though it stands to benefit from access to cheap electricity.
Years of talks among the countries have failed to come to an agreement. Key remaining issues include how to handle releases of water from the dam during multi-year droughts and how to resolve future disputes.
Pope Francis recently urged Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to continue talks amid regional concerns about a potential military conflict.
The US earlier this year tried to mediate the discussions, but Ethiopia walked away amid accusations that Washington was siding with Egypt. Now the three countries are reporting any progress to the African Union, which is leading negotiations.
Ethiopia had said it would fill the dam with or without a deal with Egypt and Sudan. The dam’s 74 billion-cubic-meter reservoir saw its first filling in July, which Ethiopia’s government celebrated and attributed to heavy rains, while a startled Egypt and Sudan hurriedly sought clarification and expressed skepticism.
“The United States previously and repeatedly expressed its concern that commencing the filling of the GERD before all necessary dam safety measures were implemented created serious risks for the populations of the downstream countries,” the State Department spokesperson said. “In addition, filling while negotiations were underway undermines the other parties’ confidence in the negotiations.”
The spokesperson also said “the United States has been increasingly concerned by the lack of progress in the negotiations of a trilateral agreement” on the dam’s filling and operation, but said the US continues to work with all three countries on the issue.
The spokesperson said aid will continue for Ethiopia’s response to Covid-19 and HIV and “certain humanitarian assistance to aid those affected by conflict, drought, displacement, and other humanitarian challenges”.
Ethiopia in recent weeks has seen a rapid rise in confirmed Covid-19 cases and now has more than 50,000, another challenge for a country already facing outbursts of deadly ethnic violence and growing economic pain.
A former US ambassador to Ethiopia, David Shinn, had warned against an aid cut, writing that “playing political hardball with Ethiopia will not only fail to obtain Washington’s desired result but will probably ensure that the Ethiopian diaspora in the United States rallies against Trump. There are sizeable Ethiopian-American communities in key states such as Georgia, Texas, and Virginia”.
(AP)
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france24--2020-09-02--Sweet Caroline as Garcia stuns top seed Pliskova

France 's Caroline Garcia produced the biggest upset of the US Open on Wednesday , sending top seed Karolina Pliskova tumbling out of the tournament .
Garcia , the world number 50 , scored one of the biggest wins of her career with a 6-1 , 7-6 ( 7/2 ) second-round victory at Louis Armstrong Stadium .
The 26-year-old 's 1hr 33min victory sends her into a third round meeting on Friday with American 28th seed Jennifer Brady .
If she can reproduce Wednesday 's polished performance , Garcia will fancy her chances of extending her run at Flushing Meadows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fourth in the world rankings in September 2018 before a protracted slump sent her sliding down the standings in 2019 -- attacked Pliskova from the outset .
Garcia raced into a 5-0 lead after scoring two early service breaks before taking the first set .
Although Pliskova improved in the second , she was unable to find the crucial service break when it mattered , and was unable to convert a set point in the second to level the match .
In the tie break , Garcia raced into a 6-2 lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a return into the net .
`` I knew I was capable of causing problems for her , '' Garcia said .
`` I took my chances .
When she came in the second set , there was n't much more I could do .
So I had to keep calm and just play it point-by-point . ''
It was a disappointing exit for Pliskova , who had been elevated to No.1 seed after a slew of high-ranking player withdrawals due to the coronavirus .
`` I thought she played great tennis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing super aggressive , going for her shots , '' Pliskova said .
`` I maybe did n't play my best .
`` But that 's how it is sometimes .
I 'm not a robot , so I do n't have to play every day amazing . ''
Elsewhere on Wednesday , Petra Kvitova advanced to the third round with a straight sets defeat of Kateryna Kozlova of Ukraine , winning 7-6 ( 7/3 ) , 6-2 .
Czech sixth seed Kvitova , chasing a third Grand Slam crown after wins at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1hr 40min to claim her place in the last 32 .
The 30-year-old , who has never been past the quarter-finals at the US Open , will face Jessica Pegula of the United States in the third round .
Kvitova admitted she is still adjusting to the eerily quiet conditions at this year 's US Open , which is being played behind closed doors as part of a range of measures to guard against COVID-19 .
`` Everything is totally different , '' Kvitova said .
`` Sometimes you play unbelievable shot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kvitova was one of several seeds to advance safely on Wednesday .
Martic , who reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows last year in what remains her best US Open appearance , will face Russia 's Varvara Gracheva in the third round .
Mladenovic suffered a meltdown for the ages as she slid to defeat , collapsing from a 6-1 , 5-1 lead and blowing four match points along the way .
`` It is definitely the most painful match and loss I have had in my career because it 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said afterwards .
`` I was playing really good tennis there and I just could n't close it out , could n't convert my match points .
I did n't take my chances .
I just collapsed .
I had nothing left in the tank . ''
Another seed to tumble was the Czech Republic 's Marketa Vondrousova .
The out-of-sorts 12th seed was beaten 6-1 , 6-2 in little more than an hour by Belarus ' Aliaksandra Sasnovich .
Germany 's Angelique Kerber , the 2016 US Open champion , booked her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight sets win over compatriot Anna-Lena Friedsam .
The 17th seed progressed with a 6-3 , 7-6 ( 8/6 ) victory in 1hr 40min , and will now face Ann Li , who knocked out 13th seed Alison Riske 6-0 , 6-3 .

New York (AFP) –
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France's Caroline Garcia produced the biggest upset of the US Open on Wednesday, sending top seed Karolina Pliskova tumbling out of the tournament.
Garcia, the world number 50, scored one of the biggest wins of her career with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) second-round victory at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The 26-year-old's 1hr 33min victory sends her into a third round meeting on Friday with American 28th seed Jennifer Brady.
If she can reproduce Wednesday's polished performance, Garcia will fancy her chances of extending her run at Flushing Meadows.
Garcia -- whose talent propelled her to fourth in the world rankings in September 2018 before a protracted slump sent her sliding down the standings in 2019 -- attacked Pliskova from the outset.
Garcia raced into a 5-0 lead after scoring two early service breaks before taking the first set.
Although Pliskova improved in the second, she was unable to find the crucial service break when it mattered, and was unable to convert a set point in the second to level the match.
In the tie break, Garcia raced into a 6-2 lead and then completed victory when Pliskova hit a return into the net.
"I knew I was capable of causing problems for her," Garcia said. "I took my chances. When she came in the second set, there wasn't much more I could do. So I had to keep calm and just play it point-by-point."
- 'I'm not a robot' -
It was a disappointing exit for Pliskova, who had been elevated to No.1 seed after a slew of high-ranking player withdrawals due to the coronavirus.
"I thought she played great tennis in the first set. She was just playing super aggressive, going for her shots," Pliskova said. "I maybe didn't play my best.
"But that's how it is sometimes. I'm not a robot, so I don't have to play every day amazing."
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Petra Kvitova advanced to the third round with a straight sets defeat of Kateryna Kozlova of Ukraine, winning 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.
Czech sixth seed Kvitova, chasing a third Grand Slam crown after wins at Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, needed 1hr 40min to claim her place in the last 32.
The 30-year-old, who has never been past the quarter-finals at the US Open, will face Jessica Pegula of the United States in the third round.
Kvitova admitted she is still adjusting to the eerily quiet conditions at this year's US Open, which is being played behind closed doors as part of a range of measures to guard against COVID-19.
"Everything is totally different," Kvitova said. "Sometimes you play unbelievable shot and there is just three clapping."
Kvitova was one of several seeds to advance safely on Wednesday.
Croatia's Petra Martic, seeded eighth, defeated lowly ranked Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-3, 6-4.
Martic, who reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows last year in what remains her best US Open appearance, will face Russia's Varvara Gracheva in the third round.
Gracheva, ranked 102nd in the world, upset France's 30th-seeded Kristina Mladenovic 1-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-0.
Mladenovic suffered a meltdown for the ages as she slid to defeat, collapsing from a 6-1, 5-1 lead and blowing four match points along the way.
"It is definitely the most painful match and loss I have had in my career because it's a Grand Slam," a disconsolate Mladenovic said afterwards.
"I was playing really good tennis there and I just couldn't close it out, couldn't convert my match points. I didn't take my chances. I just collapsed. I had nothing left in the tank."
Another seed to tumble was the Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova. The out-of-sorts 12th seed was beaten 6-1, 6-2 in little more than an hour by Belarus' Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Germany's Angelique Kerber, the 2016 US Open champion, booked her place in the third round with a straight sets win over compatriot Anna-Lena Friedsam.
The 17th seed progressed with a 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) victory in 1hr 40min, and will now face Ann Li, who knocked out 13th seed Alison Riske 6-0, 6-3.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--US health authorities tell states to prepare for Covid-19 vaccine by November

Small bottles labbeled with a `` Vaccine COVID-19 '' sticker and a medical syringe are seen in this illustration taken taken April 10 , 2020 .
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) has asked state public health officials to prepare to distribute a potential coronavirus vaccine to high-risk groups as soon as late October or early November , documents published by the agency showed on Wednesday .
The timing of release of any vaccine has taken on political importance as US President Donald Trump seeks re-election in November , after putting substantial federal resources into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of initial planning , CDC provided states with certain planning assumptions as they work on state specific plans for vaccine distribution , including possibly having limited quantities of vaccines in October and November , ” a CDC spokeswoman told Reuters .
The New York Times had earlier reported that the CDC had contacted officials in all 50 states and five large cities with the documents .
The country ’ s top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci earlier on Wednesday said on MSNBC that based on the patient enrollment rate in COVID-19 vaccine trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data to know by November or December that one of the vaccines is safe and effective .
The documents put online by the New York Times showed that the CDC is preparing for one or two vaccines for COVID -19 to be available in limited doses as soon as late October .
The vaccines may be available free of cost first to high-risk groups including health care works , national security personnel , residents and staff at Covid-19 long-term care facilities , the agency said in the documents .
Drug developers including Moderna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are leading the race to develop a safe and effective vaccine for the respiratory illness .
The documents describe two vaccine candidates that must be stored at temperatures of -70 and -20 degrees centigrade .
Those storage requirements match profiles of candidates from Pfizer and Moderna .

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has asked state public health officials to prepare to distribute a potential coronavirus vaccine to high-risk groups as soon as late October or early November, documents published by the agency showed on Wednesday.
Small bottles labbeled with a "Vaccine COVID-19" sticker and a medical syringe are seen in this illustration taken taken April 10, 2020.
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The timing of release of any vaccine has taken on political importance as US President Donald Trump seeks re-election in November, after putting substantial federal resources into vaccine development.
“For the purpose of initial planning, CDC provided states with certain planning assumptions as they work on state specific plans for vaccine distribution, including possibly having limited quantities of vaccines in October and November,” a CDC spokeswoman told Reuters.
The New York Times had earlier reported that the CDC had contacted officials in all 50 states and five large cities with the documents.
The country’s top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci earlier on Wednesday said on MSNBC that based on the patient enrollment rate in COVID-19 vaccine trials underway, there could be enough clinical data to know by November or December that one of the vaccines is safe and effective.
The documents put online by the New York Times showed that the CDC is preparing for one or two vaccines for COVID -19 to be available in limited doses as soon as late October.
The vaccines may be available free of cost first to high-risk groups including health care works, national security personnel, residents and staff at Covid-19 long-term care facilities, the agency said in the documents.
Drug developers including Moderna Inc, AstraZeneca Plc and Pfizer Inc are leading the race to develop a safe and effective vaccine for the respiratory illness.
The documents describe two vaccine candidates that must be stored at temperatures of -70 and -20 degrees centigrade. Those storage requirements match profiles of candidates from Pfizer and Moderna.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-09-02--Brazil announces equal pay on national football teams

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar ( left ) and fellow Brazil international Marta Marta will earn the same amount for representing their country from now on , but their club salaries remain worlds apart Brazil 's football federation announced on Wednesday it will pay men and women the same amount for representing the national team , one of the few countries to make such a pledge .
`` The CBF has equalled the prize money and allowances between men 's and women 's football , which means the women players will earn the same as the men , '' said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means Brazil 's little known female players such as Marta , Formiga and Leticia Santos will receive the same fees and allowances as global superstars such as Neymar , Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino .
Australia , Norway and New Zealand are amongst the nations to previously decide to pay their men and women internationals the same amount .
In March 2019 , the US women 's team , the current world champions , sued their federation alledging discrimination over pay and conditions .
A judge dismissed their case in May this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football association CBF said its decision was communicated to the women 's team and their Swedish coach Pia Sundhage in March .
`` This is historic .
Being a part of this is very special , I 'm very grateful , '' said Sundhage , who also welcomed the news that for the first time a woman , Duda Luizelli , has been put in charge of co-ordinating the national women 's team .
Equal pay was first applied back in March when Brazil took part in the invitational Tournoi de France , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The measure will be applied to the national teams participating in the Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo next year , as well as the next men 's and women 's World Cup tournaments .
`` It will be proportionally the same as what FIFA proposes for women , that is to say , there will be no more gender difference in remuneration between men and women , '' said Caboclo , the federation president .
The men 's team is the most successful in football having won the World Cup a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won their continental championship , the Copa America , nine times , most recently on home soil in 2019 .
But the women 's team is also amongst the strongest in the game , having reached the World Cup final in 2007 and back-to-back Olympic finals in 2004 and 2008 .
The CBF said later in a statement that equal pay was `` part of the journey of transformation '' towards equality in football , the most popular sport in the country , which has 36 professional clubs .
Last year , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money for women and men .
However , when it comes to club football , the gap in pay between men and women , not just in Brazil but all over the world , remains huge .
The highest paid players in the women 's game earn six-figure salaries , while male players such as Barcelona 's Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus take home sums more than 100 times greater .

Sao Paulo (AFP) –
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Brazil's football federation announced on Wednesday it will pay men and women the same amount for representing the national team, one of the few countries to make such a pledge.
"The CBF has equalled the prize money and allowances between men's and women's football, which means the women players will earn the same as the men," said the federation's president Rogerio Caboclo.
It means Brazil's little known female players such as Marta, Formiga and Leticia Santos will receive the same fees and allowances as global superstars such as Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino.
Australia, Norway and New Zealand are amongst the nations to previously decide to pay their men and women internationals the same amount.
In March 2019, the US women's team, the current world champions, sued their federation alledging discrimination over pay and conditions.
A judge dismissed their case in May this year but the team appealed.
Brazil's football association CBF said its decision was communicated to the women's team and their Swedish coach Pia Sundhage in March.
"This is historic. Being a part of this is very special, I'm very grateful," said Sundhage, who also welcomed the news that for the first time a woman, Duda Luizelli, has been put in charge of co-ordinating the national women's team.
Equal pay was first applied back in March when Brazil took part in the invitational Tournoi de France, finishing last out of four sides.
The measure will be applied to the national teams participating in the Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo next year, as well as the next men's and women's World Cup tournaments.
"It will be proportionally the same as what FIFA proposes for women, that is to say, there will be no more gender difference in remuneration between men and women," said Caboclo, the federation president.
The men's team is the most successful in football having won the World Cup a record five times.
They have also won their continental championship, the Copa America, nine times, most recently on home soil in 2019.
But the women's team is also amongst the strongest in the game, having reached the World Cup final in 2007 and back-to-back Olympic finals in 2004 and 2008.
The CBF said later in a statement that equal pay was "part of the journey of transformation" towards equality in football, the most popular sport in the country, which has 36 professional clubs.
Last year, the Brazilian professional league also authorized equal prize money for women and men.
However, when it comes to club football, the gap in pay between men and women, not just in Brazil but all over the world, remains huge.
The highest paid players in the women's game earn six-figure salaries, while male players such as Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus take home sums more than 100 times greater.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Top seed Pliskova crashes out of US Open after Garcia upset

Top seed Karolina Pliskova was sent crashing out of the US Open on Wednesday , beaten in straight sets by @ @ @ @ @ Pliskova , elevated to the head of the field in New York after a slew @ @ @ @ @ never looked comfortable as she slipped to a 6-1 , 7-6 ( 7/2 ) loss @ @ @ @ @ Garcia , the world number 50 , will now face American 28th seed Jennifer Brady @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
It was a miserable exit for Pliskova , the 28-year-old world number three @ @ @ @ @ who was always struggling after a sluggish start .
Garcia raced into a 5-0 lead @ @ @ @ @ before taking the first set .
Although Pliskova improved in the second , she was @ @ @ @ @ service break when it mattered .
In the tie break , Garcia raced into a @ @ @ @ @ victory when Pliskova sent an unforced error into the net .

New York (AFP) –
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Top seed Karolina Pliskova was sent crashing out of the US Open on Wednesday, beaten in straight sets by France's Caroline Garcia.
Pliskova, elevated to the head of the field in New York after a slew of high-ranking player withdrawals, never looked comfortable as she slipped to a 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) loss against a confident Garcia.
Garcia, the world number 50, will now face American 28th seed Jennifer Brady in the third round on Friday.
It was a miserable exit for Pliskova, the 28-year-old world number three from the Czech Republic, who was always struggling after a sluggish start.
Garcia raced into a 5-0 lead after scoring two service breaks before taking the first set.
Although Pliskova improved in the second, she was unable to find the crucial service break when it mattered.
In the tie break, Garcia raced into a 6-2 lead and then completed victory when Pliskova sent an unforced error into the net.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--NBA hits Clippers forward Morris with $35K fine, Doncic $15K

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris was fined $ 35,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for a reckless blow to Dallas guard Luka Doncic , who was fined $ 15,000 for throwing a ball into a referee .
The punishments were handed down for incidents that took place in Sunday 's 111-97 Clippers ' victory over the Mavericks , which advanced Los Angeles into the second round of the NBA playoffs with a 4-2 win in the best-of-seven series .
Another fine of $ 5,000 was issued later Wednesday to Boston 's Marcus Smart for flopping .
Morris was fined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the head of Doncic , the amount based upon the fact Morris has been disciplined on several prior occasions for physical altercations on the court .
On the play , which took place with 67 seconds remaining in the first quarter , Morris was issued a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected from the game .
Doncic 's fine came for throwing the ball off the legs of a game official , which incurred a technical foul with 8:20 remaining in the third quarter .
The Clippers were physical on Doncic throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playmaker .
The Slovenian averaged 31.0 points , 9.8 rebounds , 8.7 assists and 1.2 steals a game for the Mavs in the playoffs .
The Clippers will open their second-round playoff series against Denver on Thursday in the spectator-less COVID-19 quarantine bubble campus at Disney World in Orlando , Florida .
Smart 's fine for violating NBA anti-flopping rules took place with 2:46 remaining in the third quarter of Boston 's 102-99 victory Tuesday over the defending champion Toronto Raptors .
The Celtics own a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven second round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Thursday .

New York (AFP) –
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Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris was fined $35,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for a reckless blow to Dallas guard Luka Doncic, who was fined $15,000 for throwing a ball into a referee.
The punishments were handed down for incidents that took place in Sunday's 111-97 Clippers' victory over the Mavericks, which advanced Los Angeles into the second round of the NBA playoffs with a 4-2 win in the best-of-seven series.
Another fine of $5,000 was issued later Wednesday to Boston's Marcus Smart for flopping.
Morris was fined more than normal for the reckless contact to the head of Doncic, the amount based upon the fact Morris has been disciplined on several prior occasions for physical altercations on the court.
On the play, which took place with 67 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Morris was issued a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected from the game.
Doncic's fine came for throwing the ball off the legs of a game official, which incurred a technical foul with 8:20 remaining in the third quarter.
The Clippers were physical on Doncic throughout the series, trying to disrupt the Dallas playmaker. The Slovenian averaged 31.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.2 steals a game for the Mavs in the playoffs.
The Clippers will open their second-round playoff series against Denver on Thursday in the spectator-less COVID-19 quarantine bubble campus at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Smart's fine for violating NBA anti-flopping rules took place with 2:46 remaining in the third quarter of Boston's 102-99 victory Tuesday over the defending champion Toronto Raptors.
The Celtics own a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven second round Eastern Conference series with game three set for Thursday.
© 2020 AFP