france24--2020-12-30--Boucher highlights challenges for bowlers in times of Covid

Kagiso Rabada is not an automatic choice for South Africa in the second Test against Sri Lanka , according to coach Mark Boucher Kagiso Rabada is not an automatic choice for South Africa in the second Test against Sri Lanka , according to coach Mark Boucher .
Rabada joined the South African bio-secure environment during the first Test after recovering from a groin strain but South Africa ’ s leading fast bowler will need to be assessed carefully before being rushed into action when the second Test starts at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday .
`` Because his name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play him but we 've got to manage his loads , '' said Boucher .
`` He ’ s coming back from injury so we will just monitor his progress . ''
Speaking after South Africa ’ s win over the Sri Lankans by an innings and 45 runs in Centurion , Boucher said the biggest challenge facing cricket teams in the times of Covid-19 was managing fast bowlers .
He said he had sympathy for opposite number Mickey Arthur who had to deal with two Sri Lankan fast bowlers breaking down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s very difficult in these times to prepare , '' he said .
`` We are having to think out of the box continuously to try and get our workloads up in order to bowl 20 overs a day .
It 's easier for batters to work on their fitness .
You can do shuttles .
But , it 's difficult to bowl 20 overs in your back garden .
`` You have to try to simulate a game situation .
You might have to bowl 10 overs in the morning and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another 10 overs , and while you are busy waiting you walk around the field , trying to simulate what you would do in a game .
`` You can ’ t put guys in cotton wool and just have them bowl six overs and think they are ready for a Test match . ''
Boucher said Sri Lanka ’ s injury woes emphasised the importance of teams having big squads at a time when it was necessary for players to be in bio-secure ‘ bubbles ’ .
He said South Africa would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order after the team piled up 621 runs in Centurion but hinted that there could be some rotation of bowlers .
`` Sometimes with bowlers you just want to play a guy for the sake of playing him because he is your top bowler .
You need to consider his workloads , from a mental side , from a physical side .
You 've got to take the emotion out of it and make a smart cricketing decision . ''
Referring specifically to Rabada , Boucher said it would be unfair to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to rush him into action if there was a high risk of him being injured , especially with Test series against Pakistan and Australia coming up over the next two months .

Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) –
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Kagiso Rabada is not an automatic choice for South Africa in the second Test against Sri Lanka, according to coach Mark Boucher.
Rabada joined the South African bio-secure environment during the first Test after recovering from a groin strain but South Africa’s leading fast bowler will need to be assessed carefully before being rushed into action when the second Test starts at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday.
"Because his name is Kagiso Rabada, we would want to play him but we've got to manage his loads," said Boucher.
"He’s coming back from injury so we will just monitor his progress."
Speaking after South Africa’s win over the Sri Lankans by an innings and 45 runs in Centurion, Boucher said the biggest challenge facing cricket teams in the times of Covid-19 was managing fast bowlers.
He said he had sympathy for opposite number Mickey Arthur who had to deal with two Sri Lankan fast bowlers breaking down during the Test.
"It’s very difficult in these times to prepare," he said.
"We are having to think out of the box continuously to try and get our workloads up in order to bowl 20 overs a day. It's easier for batters to work on their fitness. You can do shuttles. But, it's difficult to bowl 20 overs in your back garden.
"You have to try to simulate a game situation. You might have to bowl 10 overs in the morning and then come back in the afternoon and bowl another 10 overs, and while you are busy waiting you walk around the field, trying to simulate what you would do in a game.
"You can’t put guys in cotton wool and just have them bowl six overs and think they are ready for a Test match."
Boucher said Sri Lanka’s injury woes emphasised the importance of teams having big squads at a time when it was necessary for players to be in bio-secure ‘bubbles’.
He said South Africa would not tamper with their top six batting order after the team piled up 621 runs in Centurion but hinted that there could be some rotation of bowlers.
"Sometimes with bowlers you just want to play a guy for the sake of playing him because he is your top bowler. You need to consider his workloads, from a mental side, from a physical side. You've got to take the emotion out of it and make a smart cricketing decision."
Referring specifically to Rabada, Boucher said it would be unfair to the team, as well as the player, to rush him into action if there was a high risk of him being injured, especially with Test series against Pakistan and Australia coming up over the next two months.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--Japan, S. Korea run with Vietnam coal plant despite climate vows

The coal plant has come under international criticism and even divided opinion within Japan 's government Japan and South Korea are pushing ahead with a controversial coal plant in Vietnam and will provide $ 1.8 billion in loans for the project , despite having announced ambitious pledges to become carbon-neutral on their home turf .
The state-aligned Japan Bank for International Cooperation ( JBIC ) said it will lend around $ 636 million to the Vung Ang 2 project in central Vietnam , which has come under international criticism and even divided opinion within Japan 's government .
Private financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also provide loans , with the total amounting to $ 1.77 billion , JBIC said on Tuesday .
The 1,200-megawatt Vung Ang 2 plant was first proposed over a decade ago and has received investment from heavyweight firms like Mitsubishi Corporation .
Japan said in July it would tighten rules for investment in foreign coal-fired power stations on environmental grounds , but stopped short of promising to end government funding for projects or axe existing ones .
The country also recently unveiled plans to boost renewable energy and phase out petrol cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal for carbon neutrality by 2050 .
South Korea has also made a similar pledge this year .
Vung Ang 2 came under fire in May when 127 environmental groups from around 40 countries signed a petition calling on all the Japanese parties involved -- reported to include big private banks -- to pull out of the project .
`` It 's a real disappointment , '' Eri Watanabe from 350.org , which signed the May petition , told AFP on Wednesday about JBIC 's announcement .
`` It shows the Japanese government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Paris agreement and mitigating CO2 emissions , '' she said .
The Global Energy Monitor watchdog said in 2019 that Japan accounted for over $ 4.8 billion in financing for coal power plants abroad -- particularly in Indonesia , Vietnam and Bangladesh .
Japan 's Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has also raised concern over the country 's financial support for the project .
`` To me , this is wrong ... as we are facing a lot of criticism from the international community , '' he said in January .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can further contribute to decarbonisation . ''

Tokyo (AFP) –
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Japan and South Korea are pushing ahead with a controversial coal plant in Vietnam and will provide $1.8 billion in loans for the project, despite having announced ambitious pledges to become carbon-neutral on their home turf.
The state-aligned Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) said it will lend around $636 million to the Vung Ang 2 project in central Vietnam, which has come under international criticism and even divided opinion within Japan's government.
Private financial institutions and the Export-Import Bank of Korea will also provide loans, with the total amounting to $1.77 billion, JBIC said on Tuesday.
The 1,200-megawatt Vung Ang 2 plant was first proposed over a decade ago and has received investment from heavyweight firms like Mitsubishi Corporation.
Japan said in July it would tighten rules for investment in foreign coal-fired power stations on environmental grounds, but stopped short of promising to end government funding for projects or axe existing ones.
The country also recently unveiled plans to boost renewable energy and phase out petrol cars in a bid to reach its new goal for carbon neutrality by 2050. South Korea has also made a similar pledge this year.
Vung Ang 2 came under fire in May when 127 environmental groups from around 40 countries signed a petition calling on all the Japanese parties involved -- reported to include big private banks -- to pull out of the project.
"It's a real disappointment," Eri Watanabe from 350.org, which signed the May petition, told AFP on Wednesday about JBIC's announcement.
"It shows the Japanese government is not very serious about complying with the Paris agreement and mitigating CO2 emissions," she said.
The Global Energy Monitor watchdog said in 2019 that Japan accounted for over $4.8 billion in financing for coal power plants abroad -- particularly in Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
Japan's Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has also raised concern over the country's financial support for the project.
"To me, this is wrong... as we are facing a lot of criticism from the international community," he said in January. "I want to change Japanese policies to those that can further contribute to decarbonisation."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--Britain is first country to approve new AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 vaccine

Britain 's PM Boris Johnson poses for a photo with a vial of the AstraZeneca/Oxford University Covid-19 vaccine , known as AZD1222 , in Wrexham , Wales , November 30 , 2020 .
Britain on Wednesday became the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca as it battles a major winter surge driven by a new , highly contagious variant of the virus .
Britain has already ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine , and the government said it had accepted the recommendation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorisation .
The approval is a vindication for a shot seen as essential for mass immunisations in the developing world as well as in Britain , but one that has been dogged by questions about its trial data that make it unlikely to be approved very soon in the European Union or the United States .
`` The NHS ( National Health Service ) will be able to deliver these shots into people 's arms at the speed at which it can be manufactured , '' Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with this approval this morning , highly confident that we can get enough vulnerable people vaccinated by the spring that we can now see our route out of this pandemic . ''
He said hundreds of thousands of doses would be available to administer in Britain next week .
The vaccine has been found in trials to be less effective than one developed by Pfizer of the United States and BioNTech of Germany but , crucially for countries with more basic health infrastructure , can be stored and transported under normal refrigeration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -94 Fahrenheit ) .
AstraZeneca said the authorisation was for a two-dose regimen , and Hancock said the MHRA would set out more details on dosing later on Wednesday .
AstraZeneca Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said the vaccine `` has been shown to be effective , well-tolerated , simple to administer and is supplied by AstraZeneca at no profit '' .
He also told BBC radio : `` Our belief at this point is that this vaccine should be effective against the ( new , more contagious ) variant . ''
AstraZeneca 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given two full doses several weeks apart - above the 50 % usually considered adequate by regulators - but 90 % for a smaller sub-group given a half dose and then a full dose .
AstraZeneca did not specify which dose regime had been approved , but researchers said approval was the most important thing .
`` To get out of this debacle , there is no alternative to having a significant majority of the population carrying a high level of neutralising antibodies .
With today ’ s announcement that comes within our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professor of immunology at Imperial College London .
`` I suspect this will speed things by several months .
An immune population by the spring starts to look feasible . ''
The pandemic has already killed 1.7 million people around the world , sown chaos through the global economy and upended normal life for billions since it began in Wuhan , China , a year ago .
Britain and South Africa in particular are grappling with new variants of the coronavirus , which the government and scientists say are more contagious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights and blocking trade .

Britain on Wednesday became the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca as it battles a major winter surge driven by a new, highly contagious variant of the virus.
Britain's PM Boris Johnson poses for a photo with a vial of the AstraZeneca/Oxford University Covid-19 vaccine, known as AZD1222, in Wrexham, Wales, November 30, 2020.
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Britain has already ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine, and the government said it had accepted the recommendation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to grant emergency authorisation.
The approval is a vindication for a shot seen as essential for mass immunisations in the developing world as well as in Britain, but one that has been dogged by questions about its trial data that make it unlikely to be approved very soon in the European Union or the United States.
"The NHS (National Health Service) will be able to deliver these shots into people's arms at the speed at which it can be manufactured," Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News.
"I am also now, with this approval this morning, highly confident that we can get enough vulnerable people vaccinated by the spring that we can now see our route out of this pandemic."
He said hundreds of thousands of doses would be available to administer in Britain next week.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the approval a "triumph for British science".
The vaccine has been found in trials to be less effective than one developed by Pfizer of the United States and BioNTech of Germany but, crucially for countries with more basic health infrastructure, can be stored and transported under normal refrigeration, rather than at -70 degrees Celsius (-94 Fahrenheit).
Trial questions
AstraZeneca said the authorisation was for a two-dose regimen, and Hancock said the MHRA would set out more details on dosing later on Wednesday.
AstraZeneca Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said the vaccine "has been shown to be effective, well-tolerated, simple to administer and is supplied by AstraZeneca at no profit".
He also told BBC radio: "Our belief at this point is that this vaccine should be effective against the (new, more contagious) variant."
AstraZeneca's late-stage trials showed 62% for participants given two full doses several weeks apart - above the 50% usually considered adequate by regulators - but 90% for a smaller sub-group given a half dose and then a full dose.
AstraZeneca did not specify which dose regime had been approved, but researchers said approval was the most important thing.
"To get out of this debacle, there is no alternative to having a significant majority of the population carrying a high level of neutralising antibodies. With today’s announcement that comes within our grasp," said Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London.
"I suspect this will speed things by several months. An immune population by the spring starts to look feasible."
The pandemic has already killed 1.7 million people around the world, sown chaos through the global economy and upended normal life for billions since it began in Wuhan, China, a year ago.
Britain and South Africa in particular are grappling with new variants of the coronavirus, which the government and scientists say are more contagious. Many countries have responded by banning passenger flights and blocking trade.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-30--Israel gives hero's welcome to American spy Jonathan Pollard

A file photo shows Jonathan Pollard , an American convicted of spying for Israel , leaving a New York court following his release from prison on November 20 , 2015 Jonathan Pollard , an American jailed in the United States in 1985 for spying for Israel , landed in the Jewish state Wednesday to a hero 's welcome led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .
Pollard , 66 , served 30 years in prison for passing on classified documents when he served as a US Navy intelligence analyst , and had been confined to the United States under his parole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of Israeli lobbying to allow Pollard , a Jewish American , to leave , the US Justice Department removed the terms and conditions last month .
Pollard and his wife Esther arrived in Israel before dawn Wednesday and were seen walking off a plane toward a waiting Netanyahu , who raised his hand in welcome , in a video distributed by the prime minister 's office .
Pollard , with a kippa scullcap and a long white beard , then removed his face mask , got down on his hands and knees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esther following suit .
Netanyahu and Pollard said traditional Jewish blessings before the premier handed an Israeli identity card to the old spy , who was granted citizenship in 1995 .
`` You 're home , '' the Israeli premier told the two .
Pollard 's arrival was widely celebrated , with President Reuven Rivlin and other politicians sending welcome tweets .
The authority in charge of Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv released a recording of the pilot requesting permission to land .
The Pollards flew in on a private jet owned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which touched down just before 3 am , said transport sector journalist Itay Blumental .
Pollard said he and Esther were `` ecstatic to be home at last after 35 years , and we thank the people and the prime minister of Israel for bringing us home '' .
`` We hope to become productive citizens as soon and as quickly as possible and to get on with our lives here . ''
The former spy and his wife then went into quarantine , after which they plan to move to a home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who represented Pollard , told army radio .
Israel on Sunday imposed its third nationwide lockdown to contain the novel coronavirus .
Current restrictions compel anyone entering the country to spend at least 10 days in a government-selected hotel .
Pollard as a US Navy intelligence analyst in the 1980s made contact with an Israeli colonel in New York and began sending US secrets to Israel in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars .
Pollard passed thousands of crucial US documents to Israel which , when it was revealed , strained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intelligence from Pollard helped Israel plan an October 1985 raid on the Palestinian Liberation Organisation 's Tunis headquarters , which killed around 60 people , according to CIA documents declassified in 2012 .
He was arrested in 1985 and sentenced to life in prison two years later , despite pleading guilty in a deal which his attorneys had expected would lead to a more lenient sentence .
After his release in 2015 , he was kept in the United States by parole rules and not allowed to travel to Israel , the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while behind bars .
Pollard remained subject to a curfew , had to wear a wrist monitor , and was prohibited from working for any company whose computer system lacked special US government monitoring software .
Israel repeatedly pressured Washington to allow him to move to the Jewish state .
The US intelligence community has reportedly remained deeply opposed to granting Pollard the early release .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
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Jonathan Pollard, an American jailed in the United States in 1985 for spying for Israel, landed in the Jewish state Wednesday to a hero's welcome led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Pollard, 66, served 30 years in prison for passing on classified documents when he served as a US Navy intelligence analyst, and had been confined to the United States under his parole terms since his 2015 release.
After years of Israeli lobbying to allow Pollard, a Jewish American, to leave, the US Justice Department removed the terms and conditions last month.
Pollard and his wife Esther arrived in Israel before dawn Wednesday and were seen walking off a plane toward a waiting Netanyahu, who raised his hand in welcome, in a video distributed by the prime minister's office.
Pollard, with a kippa scullcap and a long white beard, then removed his face mask, got down on his hands and knees and kissed the Israeli ground, with Esther following suit.
Netanyahu and Pollard said traditional Jewish blessings before the premier handed an Israeli identity card to the old spy, who was granted citizenship in 1995.
"You're home," the Israeli premier told the two.
- 'Ecstatic to be home' -
Pollard's arrival was widely celebrated, with President Reuven Rivlin and other politicians sending welcome tweets.
The authority in charge of Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv released a recording of the pilot requesting permission to land.
The Pollards flew in on a private jet owned by Jewish-American casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, which touched down just before 3 am, said transport sector journalist Itay Blumental.
Pollard said he and Esther were "ecstatic to be home at last after 35 years, and we thank the people and the prime minister of Israel for bringing us home".
"We hope to become productive citizens as soon and as quickly as possible and to get on with our lives here."
The former spy and his wife then went into quarantine, after which they plan to move to a home in Jerusalem, Israeli lawyer Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, who represented Pollard, told army radio.
Israel on Sunday imposed its third nationwide lockdown to contain the novel coronavirus. Current restrictions compel anyone entering the country to spend at least 10 days in a government-selected hotel.
- Crucial intelligence -
Pollard as a US Navy intelligence analyst in the 1980s made contact with an Israeli colonel in New York and began sending US secrets to Israel in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars.
Pollard passed thousands of crucial US documents to Israel which, when it was revealed, strained relations between the two close allies.
Intelligence from Pollard helped Israel plan an October 1985 raid on the Palestinian Liberation Organisation's Tunis headquarters, which killed around 60 people, according to CIA documents declassified in 2012.
He was arrested in 1985 and sentenced to life in prison two years later, despite pleading guilty in a deal which his attorneys had expected would lead to a more lenient sentence.
After his release in 2015, he was kept in the United States by parole rules and not allowed to travel to Israel, the home of his wife whom he had married while behind bars.
Pollard remained subject to a curfew, had to wear a wrist monitor, and was prohibited from working for any company whose computer system lacked special US government monitoring software.
Israel repeatedly pressured Washington to allow him to move to the Jewish state. The US intelligence community has reportedly remained deeply opposed to granting Pollard the early release.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--European Union leaders formally sign post-Brexit UK trade deal

Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel having just signed the post-Brexit agreement on December 30 , 2020 in Brussels .
EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel signed the post-Brexit trade deal agreed with Britain in a brief ceremony on Wednesday .
The texts were then to be flown to London in a British Royal Air Force jet for the signature of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson , on the eve of Britain 's departure from the EU single market .
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday , Johnson vowed that Britain would work closely with the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect from January 1 , as MPs debated the two sides ' mammoth trade pact .
`` With this bill we are going to be a friendly neighbour , the best friend and ally the EU could have , '' he told parliament .
London and Brussels will work `` hand in glove whenever our values and interests coincide , while fulfilling the sovereign wish of the British people to live under their own sovereign laws made by their own sovereign parliament '' .
The government intends to ram all stages of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill through the Commons and the House of Lords in one day , before the EU trade deal takes effect at 11pm GMT on Thursday .
At that hour – midnight in Brussels – the UK will be entirely out of the EU , following an 11-month transition period in place since Brexit took legal effect and more than four years after Britons voted to leave in a divisive referendum .
The agreement averted the prospect of a cliff-edge separation that would have seen quotas and tariffs slapped on all cross-Channel trade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , which has hit Britain harder than most .
But not everything in the trade deal was well received in the UK .
For one , British fishermen accused the government of selling them out .
Secondly , services , which account for 80 percent of the UK economy , were largely omitted , and the City of London faces an anxious wait to learn on what basis it can continue dealing with the Europe Union in the future .
But a faction of arch-Brexiteers in Johnson 's ruling Conservative party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday , and the main opposition Labour party signalled its reluctant backing , ensuring the legislation will pass .
Despite misgivings among some of his own MPs , who plan to abstain in Wednesday 's vote , Labour leader Keir Starmer said neutrality was not an option given the stakes for Britain as it unwinds nearly five decades of integration with the European mainland .
`` But the consequences of it are yours , and yours alone , '' he said , addressing Johnson 's government .
`` We will hold you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are in power . ''
Indeed , the full consequences of the agreement will only play out in the coming months , and UK businesses will still be grappling with the kind of customs red tape they have avoided for decades in trading across the Channel .
From January 1 , there will no longer be free movement of people from Britain to the EU or vice versa .
The UK government is pulling out of the European student exchange programme , Erasmus , that has benefited tens of thousands of young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU deal , musicians are not covered by exemptions allowing for free passage of short-term business visitors , sparking warnings that continental tours by UK bands will become unviable .
The many British owners of European holiday homes are finding that unless they apply for residency permits , they will face limits on how often they can visit their properties .
And Britons will face new bureaucracy if they want to take their pets with them to the EU .
Under the compressed legislative calendar , the European Parliament will only debate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pending that , EU member states gave their green light on Monday for the accord to take provisional effect before Thursday 's deadline .

EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel signed the post-Brexit trade deal agreed with Britain in a brief ceremony on Wednesday.
Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel having just signed the post-Brexit agreement on December 30, 2020 in Brussels.
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The texts were then to be flown to London in a British Royal Air Force jet for the signature of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on the eve of Britain's departure from the EU single market.
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Johnson vowed that Britain would work closely with the European Union after this Brexit deal takes full effect from January 1, as MPs debated the two sides' mammoth trade pact.
"With this bill we are going to be a friendly neighbour, the best friend and ally the EU could have," he told parliament.
London and Brussels will work "hand in glove whenever our values and interests coincide, while fulfilling the sovereign wish of the British people to live under their own sovereign laws made by their own sovereign parliament".
The government intends to ram all stages of the 85-page European Union (Future Relationship) Bill through the Commons and the House of Lords in one day, before the EU trade deal takes effect at 11pm GMT on Thursday.
At that hour – midnight in Brussels – the UK will be entirely out of the EU, following an 11-month transition period in place since Brexit took legal effect and more than four years after Britons voted to leave in a divisive referendum.
The agreement averted the prospect of a cliff-edge separation that would have seen quotas and tariffs slapped on all cross-Channel trade, exacerbating strains in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit Britain harder than most.
Consequences taking shape
But not everything in the trade deal was well received in the UK. For one, British fishermen accused the government of selling them out. Secondly, services, which account for 80 percent of the UK economy, were largely omitted, and the City of London faces an anxious wait to learn on what basis it can continue dealing with the Europe Union in the future.
But a faction of arch-Brexiteers in Johnson's ruling Conservative party gave their blessing to the EU agreement on Tuesday, and the main opposition Labour party signalled its reluctant backing, ensuring the legislation will pass.
Despite misgivings among some of his own MPs, who plan to abstain in Wednesday's vote, Labour leader Keir Starmer said neutrality was not an option given the stakes for Britain as it unwinds nearly five decades of integration with the European mainland.
"But the consequences of it are yours, and yours alone," he said, addressing Johnson's government. "We will hold you to account for it, every second you are in power."
Indeed, the full consequences of the agreement will only play out in the coming months, and UK businesses will still be grappling with the kind of customs red tape they have avoided for decades in trading across the Channel.
From January 1, there will no longer be free movement of people from Britain to the EU or vice versa.
The UK government is pulling out of the European student exchange programme, Erasmus, that has benefited tens of thousands of young people over the years.
Under the EU deal, musicians are not covered by exemptions allowing for free passage of short-term business visitors, sparking warnings that continental tours by UK bands will become unviable.
The many British owners of European holiday homes are finding that unless they apply for residency permits, they will face limits on how often they can visit their properties.
And Britons will face new bureaucracy if they want to take their pets with them to the EU.
Under the compressed legislative calendar, the European Parliament will only debate the Brexit deal after the New Year.
Pending that, EU member states gave their green light on Monday for the accord to take provisional effect before Thursday's deadline.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-12-30--New Zealand 'inspiration' Wagner hailed for defying broken toes

Neil Wagner ( C ) took the crucial wicket of Fawad Alam ( L ) on the final day Fast bowler Neil Wagner was hailed as an `` inspiration '' on Wednesday after he shrugged off the pain of two broken toes to help bowl New Zealand to victory in the first Test .
A Shaheen Afridi yorker fractured two toes in Wagner 's right foot during New Zealand 's first innings but , surviving on painkilling injections and grit , he bowled 21 overs in Pakistan 's first innings and 28 in the second for a match haul of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alam for 102 during a marathon 11-over spell late on the fifth day to snuff out Pakistan 's hopes of a surprise victory .
New Zealand eventually won by 101 runs , 27 balls from the close .
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said it was an incredible performance , although Wagner 's heart was well known within the team .
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said : `` I just told him he 's mad .
He 's a different guy .
`` His attitude is everything , his aggression is very beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he had `` huge respect '' for Wagner .
`` I said that to him -- that 's what it means to play for your nation , '' Azhar said .
`` I think he 's showing that and he 's an inspiration , everyone knows he 's got not one , but two , broken toes and he 's fighting for his team .
`` He was giving 100 percent and maybe more than that , so I have a huge respect for him . ''
Williamson said trying to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ painkillers wore off was a unique situation .
`` People talk about the size of his heart in terms of what he ( normally ) does on the cricket field but to have a couple of broken toes , and he 's in a lot of pain and going off to get injections and numbing his foot , and we 're trying to use him , '' Williamson said .
`` It was very , very special from 'Wags ' , one the team appreciated .
We needed him out there and he @ @ @

Mount Maunganui (New Zealand) (AFP) –
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Fast bowler Neil Wagner was hailed as an "inspiration" on Wednesday after he shrugged off the pain of two broken toes to help bowl New Zealand to victory in the first Test.
A Shaheen Afridi yorker fractured two toes in Wagner's right foot during New Zealand's first innings but, surviving on painkilling injections and grit, he bowled 21 overs in Pakistan's first innings and 28 in the second for a match haul of four wickets.
Wagner crucially removed Fawad Alam for 102 during a marathon 11-over spell late on the fifth day to snuff out Pakistan's hopes of a surprise victory. New Zealand eventually won by 101 runs, 27 balls from the close.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said it was an incredible performance, although Wagner's heart was well known within the team.
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said: "I just told him he's mad. He's a different guy.
"His attitude is everything, his aggression is very beautiful."
Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali also said he had "huge respect" for Wagner.
"I said that to him -- that's what it means to play for your nation," Azhar said.
"I think he's showing that and he's an inspiration, everyone knows he's got not one, but two, broken toes and he's fighting for his team.
"He was giving 100 percent and maybe more than that, so I have a huge respect for him."
Williamson said trying to get the most out of Wagner before the painkillers wore off was a unique situation.
"People talk about the size of his heart in terms of what he (normally) does on the cricket field but to have a couple of broken toes, and he's in a lot of pain and going off to get injections and numbing his foot, and we're trying to use him," Williamson said.
"It was very, very special from 'Wags', one the team appreciated. We needed him out there and he delivered."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-31--US bans palm oil imports from second Malaysian firm

Sime Darby Plantation has faced allegations that its workers on palm oil estates are abused The United States has banned imports from a Malaysian palm oil giant whose products are found in numerous household goods over concerns that its workers face a litany of abuse .
The move against Sime Darby Plantation , one of the world 's biggest producers , marks the second time the US has blocked shipments from a palm oil company in the Southeast Asian nation in recent months .
Palm oil is a common ingredient in items ranging from processed foods to cosmetics , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world 's supply .
But activists have long claimed that low-paid workers on plantations face abuse , and also blame the industry for driving destruction of rainforests to make way for plantations .
Announcing the ban late Wednesday , US Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) said there was evidence Sime Darby workers face abuses including sexual and physical violence , withholding of wages and restrictions on movement .
The ban `` demonstrates how essential it is for Americans to research the origins of the everyday products that they purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A. Morgan .
The decision , which came into force Wednesday , means that all Sime Darby palm oil and palm oil products from Malaysia are banned from entering US ports .
The company , which supplies major firms like Nestle and Unilever , runs a network of sprawling plantations , and employs migrant workers from countries including Indonesia and Bangladesh .
Earlier this year , anti-trafficking group Liberty Shared had petitioned the CBP to ban imports from Sime Darby over concerns about labour abuse .
In October , the US banned imports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FGV Holdings , following a lengthy probe that found indications its workers faced abuse .
Sime Darby did not respond to requests for comment .
On its website , the company says it believes `` we have a responsibility to respect , support and uphold fundamental human rights . ''

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) –
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The United States has banned imports from a Malaysian palm oil giant whose products are found in numerous household goods over concerns that its workers face a litany of abuse.
The move against Sime Darby Plantation, one of the world's biggest producers, marks the second time the US has blocked shipments from a palm oil company in the Southeast Asian nation in recent months.
Palm oil is a common ingredient in items ranging from processed foods to cosmetics, with Malaysia and neighbouring Indonesia producing 85 percent of the world's supply.
But activists have long claimed that low-paid workers on plantations face abuse, and also blame the industry for driving destruction of rainforests to make way for plantations.
Announcing the ban late Wednesday, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said there was evidence Sime Darby workers face abuses including sexual and physical violence, withholding of wages and restrictions on movement.
The ban "demonstrates how essential it is for Americans to research the origins of the everyday products that they purchase," said CBP acting commissioner Mark A. Morgan.
The decision, which came into force Wednesday, means that all Sime Darby palm oil and palm oil products from Malaysia are banned from entering US ports.
The company, which supplies major firms like Nestle and Unilever, runs a network of sprawling plantations, and employs migrant workers from countries including Indonesia and Bangladesh.
Earlier this year, anti-trafficking group Liberty Shared had petitioned the CBP to ban imports from Sime Darby over concerns about labour abuse.
In October, the US banned imports from another Malaysian palm oil producer, FGV Holdings, following a lengthy probe that found indications its workers faced abuse.
Sime Darby did not respond to requests for comment. On its website, the company says it believes "we have a responsibility to respect, support and uphold fundamental human rights."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-31--Hope for Libya's war amputees after long wait

Patients wait for a consultation at a centre for artificial limbs in the Libyan port city of Misrata For Radwan Jibril , wounded in a bastion of Libya 's 2011 revolution , losing his leg became `` inevitable '' and he had a prosthetic replacement , but thousands of other amputees are still waiting .
An orthopaedic centre is finally scheduled to open in March to provide prostheses to amputees in the North African country riven by conflict for the past decade .
Jibril , like so many others , was hit by shrapnel in his western hometown of Misrata @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the revolt that brought down longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi .
`` Despite several medical stays abroad , amputation was inevitable because the injury had been so badly treated .
It was all a big shock , '' he said .
`` I was fitted with a prosthesis in Italy but it took a long time to get used to it , '' said the 38-year-old Libyan , who sports a light beard .
With the support of family , he has opened a fishmonger 's where he serves customers as best as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he told AFP , shuffling from stall to stall with one leg stiff .
Now , he feels `` like a new man again '' .
His prosthesis , however , is starting to wear out , and `` with hundreds , if not thousands , waiting their turn , it wo n't be easy '' to have it serviced , he said .
Mohamad al-Nouri , 28 , had a hand amputated because of an injury while fighting in 2019 in the ranks of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital by forces of eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar .
He was fitted with an artificial hand but is waiting to go to Germany for a permanent prosthesis .
`` I do n't think I can go back to the cafe where I worked ...
I still need a lot of time to regain my confidence , '' said the young man .
A national centre for prostheses , being established in the port city of Misrata , already has a patient waiting list of more than 3,000 amputees , said its director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we hope to be able to provide prostheses to all amputees in Libya , '' said Haddad .
`` This will help them get their lives back , together with psychological and physical support , '' he said .
With Libya 's health sector left in tatters by multiple conflicts since the revolution , war-wounded Libyans are often sent abroad for treatment , at the expense of the state .
The centre , to be housed in a brand new building , will save the government a `` significant sum '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A team of Hungarian specialists are to train technicians and run a rehabilitation service for a year , '' Haddad said .
In the face of `` growing demand for help from amputees '' , a partnership has been formed with Misrata University 's physical rehabilitation department that was set up with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the GNA .
Since 2016 , about 1,000 patients with prostheses have been treated at the university by Libyan technicians trained abroad .
Badreddine Moftah said he chose to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many amputees since 2011 '' .
He had a one-year internship in Germany and returned home to practise the profession .
Despite the rudimentary equipment in the university lab , Moftah painstakingly builds plaster sockets to cover the stumps of amputees , as students watch .

Misrata (Libya) (AFP) –
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For Radwan Jibril, wounded in a bastion of Libya's 2011 revolution, losing his leg became "inevitable" and he had a prosthetic replacement, but thousands of other amputees are still waiting.
An orthopaedic centre is finally scheduled to open in March to provide prostheses to amputees in the North African country riven by conflict for the past decade.
Jibril, like so many others, was hit by shrapnel in his western hometown of Misrata, which endured a devastating siege during the revolt that brought down longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
"Despite several medical stays abroad, amputation was inevitable because the injury had been so badly treated. It was all a big shock," he said.
"I was fitted with a prosthesis in Italy but it took a long time to get used to it," said the 38-year-old Libyan, who sports a light beard.
With the support of family, he has opened a fishmonger's where he serves customers as best as he can with "this foreign body", he told AFP, shuffling from stall to stall with one leg stiff.
Now, he feels "like a new man again".
His prosthesis, however, is starting to wear out, and "with hundreds, if not thousands, waiting their turn, it won't be easy" to have it serviced, he said.
- Five-year target -
Mohamad al-Nouri, 28, had a hand amputated because of an injury while fighting in 2019 in the ranks of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNA) against an abortive assault on the capital by forces of eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar.
He was fitted with an artificial hand but is waiting to go to Germany for a permanent prosthesis.
"I don't think I can go back to the cafe where I worked... I still need a lot of time to regain my confidence," said the young man.
A national centre for prostheses, being established in the port city of Misrata, already has a patient waiting list of more than 3,000 amputees, said its director Al-Sadeq al-Haddad.
"In five years, we hope to be able to provide prostheses to all amputees in Libya," said Haddad.
"This will help them get their lives back, together with psychological and physical support," he said.
With Libya's health sector left in tatters by multiple conflicts since the revolution, war-wounded Libyans are often sent abroad for treatment, at the expense of the state.
The centre, to be housed in a brand new building, will save the government a "significant sum" of money, said its director.
"A team of Hungarian specialists are to train technicians and run a rehabilitation service for a year," Haddad said.
- 'So many amputees' -
In the face of "growing demand for help from amputees", a partnership has been formed with Misrata University's physical rehabilitation department that was set up with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the GNA.
Since 2016, about 1,000 patients with prostheses have been treated at the university by Libyan technicians trained abroad.
Badreddine Moftah said he chose to become an ortho-prosthetist "after having met so many amputees since 2011".
He had a one-year internship in Germany and returned home to practise the profession.
Despite the rudimentary equipment in the university lab, Moftah painstakingly builds plaster sockets to cover the stumps of amputees, as students watch.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-31--US imposes new tariffs on French, German products in Airbus-Boeing spat

The decision is the latest twist in the 16-year trade battle over aircraft subsidies that turned increasingly sour under the protectionist instincts of US President Donald Trump The United States announced Wednesday that it will impose additional tariffs on French and German products as part of a long-running dispute over subsidies for aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing .
The tariffs are on `` aircraft manufacturing parts from France and Germany , certain non-sparkling wine from France and Germany , and certain cognac and other grape brandies from France and Germany , '' which will be added to the list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement from the US Trade Representative .
It said the move was in retaliation to tariffs imposed by the European Union which it considers unfair .
The decision is the latest twist in the 16-year trade battle over aircraft subsidies that turned increasingly sour under the protectionist instincts of US President Donald Trump , and comes despite hopes for a trade truce following Joe Biden 's election .
The EU was authorized this year by the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) to levy additional customs duties on American products .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the method of calculation chosen , which , according to the Trump administration , has led to an excessive amount of customs duties levied on American products .
`` In implementing its tariffs ... the EU used trade data from a period in which trade volumes had been drastically reduced due to the horrific effects on the global economy from the Covid-19 virus , '' the USTR statement said .
`` The result of this choice was that Europe imposed tariffs on substantially more products than would have been covered if it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States explained to the EU the distortive effect of its selected time period , the EU refused to change its approach , '' the statement said .
As a result the US `` is forced to change its reference period to the same period used by the European Union , '' it continued .
The aviation feud predates Trump , but Washington quickly embraced the opportunity to impose $ 7.5 billion in tariffs against Europeans after also being cleared to do so by the WTO last year .
Washington imposed punitive tariffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as wine , cheese and olive oil and put a 15 percent tariff on Airbus planes in March .

Washington (AFP) –
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The United States announced Wednesday that it will impose additional tariffs on French and German products as part of a long-running dispute over subsidies for aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing.
The tariffs are on "aircraft manufacturing parts from France and Germany, certain non-sparkling wine from France and Germany, and certain cognac and other grape brandies from France and Germany," which will be added to the list of products taxed since 2019, according to a statement from the US Trade Representative.
It said the move was in retaliation to tariffs imposed by the European Union which it considers unfair.
The decision is the latest twist in the 16-year trade battle over aircraft subsidies that turned increasingly sour under the protectionist instincts of US President Donald Trump, and comes despite hopes for a trade truce following Joe Biden's election.
The EU was authorized this year by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to levy additional customs duties on American products.
But Washington believes it has been penalized by the method of calculation chosen, which, according to the Trump administration, has led to an excessive amount of customs duties levied on American products.
"In implementing its tariffs... the EU used trade data from a period in which trade volumes had been drastically reduced due to the horrific effects on the global economy from the Covid-19 virus," the USTR statement said.
"The result of this choice was that Europe imposed tariffs on substantially more products than would have been covered if it had utilized a normal period. Although the United States explained to the EU the distortive effect of its selected time period, the EU refused to change its approach," the statement said.
As a result the US "is forced to change its reference period to the same period used by the European Union," it continued.
The aviation feud predates Trump, but Washington quickly embraced the opportunity to impose $7.5 billion in tariffs against Europeans after also being cleared to do so by the WTO last year.
Washington imposed punitive tariffs of 25 percent on iconic EU products such as wine, cheese and olive oil and put a 15 percent tariff on Airbus planes in March.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-31--US imposes new tariffs on wines, other EU imports over Airbus-Boeing spat

Cognacs and other brandies from France and Germany , along with certain wines , are among the EU exports targeted .
It 's the latest step in a 16-year dispute over subsidies to European aircraft company Airbus and its US-based rival Boeing .
U.S. trade officials said on Wednesday they were increasing tariffs on certain European Union products , including aircraft-related parts and wines from France and Germany , amid an ongoing civil aircraft dispute between Washington and Brussels .
In a statement , the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said it was adding tariffs on aircraft manufacturing parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cognacs and other brandies from France and Germany .
The USTR did not say when the tariffs would take effect but noted that additional details would be “ forthcoming.
” The new tariffs are the latest action in the 16-year U.S.-EU dispute over civil aviation subsidies involving European aircraft company Airbus SE and its U.S.-based rival Boeing Co .
The USTR said on Wednesday the EU had unfairly calculated tariffs against the United States allowed by a September World Trade Organization ruling in the ongoing dispute : “ The EU needs to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Representatives for the European Union could not be immediately reached for comment on the USTR action .

The United States announced Wednesday that it will impose additional tariffs on French and German products as part of a long-running dispute over subsidies for aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing.
Cognacs and other brandies from France and Germany, along with certain wines, are among the EU exports targeted. It's the latest step in a 16-year dispute over subsidies to European aircraft company Airbus and its US-based rival Boeing.
Advertising Read more
The tariffs are on “aircraft manufacturing parts from France and Germany, certain non-sparkling wine from France and Germany, and certain cognac and other grape brandies from France and Germany,” which will be added to the list of products taxed since 2019, according to a statement from the US Trade Representative.
It said the move was in retaliation to tariffs imposed by the European Union which it considers unfair.
The decision is the latest twist in the 16-year trade battle over aircraft subsidies that turned increasingly sour under the protectionist instincts of US President Donald Trump, and comes despite hopes for a trade truce following Joe Biden’s election.
The EU was authorized this year by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to levy additional customs duties on American products.
But Washington believes it has been penalized by the method of calculation chosen, which, according to the Trump administration, has led to an excessive amount of customs duties levied on American products.
“In implementing its tariffs... the EU used trade data from a period in which trade volumes had been drastically reduced due to the horrific effects on the global economy from the Covid-19 virus,” the USTR statement said.
“The result of this choice was that Europe imposed tariffs on substantially more products than would have been covered if it had utilized a normal period. Although the United States explained to the EU the distortive effect of its selected time period, the EU refused to change its approach,” the statement said.
As a result the US “is forced to change its reference period to the same period used by the European Union,” it continued.
The US also deplored an EU decision to exclude the UK from its calculations, which it argued unfairly increased the tariffs.
The feud over European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and its American competitor Boeing is the longest and most complicated ever handled by the WTO.
The aviation feud predates Trump, but Washington quickly embraced the opportunity to impose $7.5 billion in tariffs against Europeans after also being cleared to do so by the WTO last year.
Washington imposed punitive tariffs of 25 percent on iconic EU products such as wine, cheese and olive oil and put a 15 percent tariff on Airbus planes in March.
In retaliation, the EU has been imposing customs duties on $4 billion of American exports since the beginning of November.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-31--California identifies second US case of highly contagious Covid-19 variant

Emergency medical technicians ( EMTs ) and healthcare workers treat patients outside the emergency room at the Community Hospital of Huntington Park during a surge in positive coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) cases in Huntington Park , California , U.S. December 29 , 2020 .
California on Wednesday announced the nation ’ s second confirmed case of the new and apparently more contagious variant of the coronavirus , offering a strong indication that the infection is spreading more widely in the United States .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced the infection found in Southern California during an online conversation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
“ I don ’ t think Californians should think that this is odd .
It ’ s to be expected , ” Fauci said .
Newsom did not provide any details about the person who was infected .
The announcement came 24 hours after word of the first reported U.S. variant infection , which emerged in Colorado .
That person was identified Wednesday as a Colorado National Guardsman who had been sent to help out at a nursing home struggling with an outbreak .
Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have it too .
The cases triggered a host of questions about how the version circulating in England arrived in the U.S. and whether it is too late to stop it now , with top experts saying it is probably already spreading elsewhere in the United States .
“ The virus is becoming more fit , and we ’ re like a deer in the headlights , ” warned Dr. Eric Topol , head of Scripps Research Translational Institute .
He noted that the U.S. does far less genetic sequencing of virus samples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and thus was probably slow to detect this new mutation .
The two Guard members had been dispatched Dec. 23 to work at the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in the small town of Simla , in a mostly rural area about 90 miles outside Denver , said Dr. Rachel Herlihy , state epidemiologist .
They were among six Guard members sent to the home .
Nasal swab samples taken from the two as part of the Guard ’ s routine coronavirus testing were sent to the state laboratory , which began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was announced in Britain earlier this month , Herlihy said .
Samples from staff and residents at the nursing home are also being screened for the variant at the lab , but so far no evidence of it has been found , she said .
The Colorado case announced Tuesday involves a man in his 20s who had not traveled recently , officials said .
He has mild symptoms and is isolating at his home near Denver , while the person with the suspected case is isolating at a Colorado hotel while further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .
The nursing home said it is working closely with the state and is also looking forward to beginning vaccinations next week .
Several states , including California , Massachusetts and Delaware , are also analyzing suspicious virus samples for the variant , said Dr. Greg Armstrong , who directs genetic sequencing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
He said the CDC is working with a national lab that gets samples from around the country to broaden that search , with results expected within days .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s vaccination drive against COVID-19 , which has killed more than 340,000 people in the U.S. Britain is seeing infections soar and hospitalizations climb to their highest levels on record .
The variant has also been found in several other countries .
Scientists have found no evidence that it is more lethal or causes more severe illness , and they believe the vaccines now being dispensed will be effective against it .
But a faster-spreading virus could swamp hospitals with seriously ill patients .
The discovery overseas led the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelers arriving from Britain to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test .
But U.S. health officials said the Colorado patient ’ s lack of travel history suggests the new variant is already spreading in this country .
Topol said it is too late for travel bans .
“ We ’ re behind in finding it .
Colorado is likely one of many places it ’ s landed here , ” he said .
“ It ’ s all over the place .
How can you ban travel from everywhere ?
” Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to determine its spread .
Researchers estimate the variant is 50 % to 70 % more contagious , said Dr. Eric France , Colorado ’ s chief medical officer .
“ Instead of only making two or three other people sick , you might actually spread it to four or five people , ” France said .
“ That means we ’ ll have more cases in our communities .
Those number of cases will rise quickly and , of course , with more cases come more hospitalizations.
” London and southeast England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month because of the variant , and dozens of countries banned flights from Britain .
France also briefly barred trucks from Britain before allowing them back in , provided the drivers got tested for the virus .
New versions of the virus have been seen almost since it was first detected in China a year ago .
It is common for viruses to undergo minor changes as they reproduce and move through a population .
The fear is that mutations at some point will become significant enough to defeat the vaccines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contagious COVID-19 variant that is driving the country ’ s latest spike of cases , hospitalizations and deaths .

California on Wednesday announced the nation’s second confirmed case of the new and apparently more contagious variant of the coronavirus, offering a strong indication that the infection is spreading more widely in the United States.
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and healthcare workers treat patients outside the emergency room at the Community Hospital of Huntington Park during a surge in positive coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Huntington Park, California, U.S. December 29, 2020.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the infection found in Southern California during an online conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
“I don’t think Californians should think that this is odd. It’s to be expected,” Fauci said.
Newsom did not provide any details about the person who was infected.
The announcement came 24 hours after word of the first reported U.S. variant infection, which emerged in Colorado. That person was identified Wednesday as a Colorado National Guardsman who had been sent to help out at a nursing home struggling with an outbreak. Health officials said a second Guard member may have it too.
The cases triggered a host of questions about how the version circulating in England arrived in the U.S. and whether it is too late to stop it now, with top experts saying it is probably already spreading elsewhere in the United States.
“The virus is becoming more fit, and we’re like a deer in the headlights,” warned Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute. He noted that the U.S. does far less genetic sequencing of virus samples to discover variants than other developed nations, and thus was probably slow to detect this new mutation.
The two Guard members had been dispatched Dec. 23 to work at the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in the small town of Simla, in a mostly rural area about 90 miles outside Denver, said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist. They were among six Guard members sent to the home.
Nasal swab samples taken from the two as part of the Guard’s routine coronavirus testing were sent to the state laboratory, which began looking for the variant after its spread was announced in Britain earlier this month, Herlihy said. Samples from staff and residents at the nursing home are also being screened for the variant at the lab, but so far no evidence of it has been found, she said.
The Colorado case announced Tuesday involves a man in his 20s who had not traveled recently, officials said. He has mild symptoms and is isolating at his home near Denver, while the person with the suspected case is isolating at a Colorado hotel while further genetic analysis is done on his sample, officials said.
The nursing home said it is working closely with the state and is also looking forward to beginning vaccinations next week.
Several states, including California, Massachusetts and Delaware, are also analyzing suspicious virus samples for the variant, said Dr. Greg Armstrong, who directs genetic sequencing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He said the CDC is working with a national lab that gets samples from around the country to broaden that search, with results expected within days.
The discovery in Colorado has added urgency to the nation’s vaccination drive against COVID-19, which has killed more than 340,000 people in the U.S.
Britain is seeing infections soar and hospitalizations climb to their highest levels on record. The variant has also been found in several other countries.
Scientists have found no evidence that it is more lethal or causes more severe illness, and they believe the vaccines now being dispensed will be effective against it. But a faster-spreading virus could swamp hospitals with seriously ill patients.
The discovery overseas led the CDC to issue rules on Christmas Day requiring travelers arriving from Britain to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. But U.S. health officials said the Colorado patient’s lack of travel history suggests the new variant is already spreading in this country.
Topol said it is too late for travel bans.
“We’re behind in finding it. Colorado is likely one of many places it’s landed here,” he said. “It’s all over the place. How can you ban travel from everywhere?”
Colorado public health officials are conducting contact tracing to determine its spread.
Researchers estimate the variant is 50% to 70% more contagious, said Dr. Eric France, Colorado’s chief medical officer.
“Instead of only making two or three other people sick, you might actually spread it to four or five people,” France said. “That means we’ll have more cases in our communities. Those number of cases will rise quickly and, of course, with more cases come more hospitalizations.”
London and southeast England were placed under strict lockdown measures earlier this month because of the variant, and dozens of countries banned flights from Britain. France also briefly barred trucks from Britain before allowing them back in, provided the drivers got tested for the virus.
New versions of the virus have been seen almost since it was first detected in China a year ago. It is common for viruses to undergo minor changes as they reproduce and move through a population. The fear is that mutations at some point will become significant enough to defeat the vaccines.
South Africa has also discovered a highly contagious COVID-19 variant that is driving the country’s latest spike of cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-30--Lewis Hamilton knighted in UK honours list

Lewis Hamilton has been knighted in Britain 's traditional New Year Honours list after equalling Michael Schumacher 's record of seven Formula One world titles .
The list recognises outstanding achievements in various fields including showbusiness , sport and politics , as well as the contributions of a larger number of everyday citizens .
There are many awards this year for those seeking solutions to the problems posed by coronavirus as the pandemic drags on .
Hamilton , 35 , surpassed Schumacher 's record number of career race wins during a stellar season in 2020 that was shortened due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British lawmakers last month called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to recommend the driver for a knighthood .
Hamilton , who lives in Monaco , has faced scrutiny in the past over his tax arrangements but has insisted he pays a substantial amount of tax in Britain .
The Mercedes driver has become an outspoken supporter of equality , diversity and the environment this year and made several strong human rights statements related to democracy and racism .
Former Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Rob Burrow has been made an Member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Burrow , 38 , was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December last year .
His MBE is in recognition of services to his sport but also for raising MND awareness .
Burrow said : `` ( The year ) 2020 has taught us all to appreciate the gifts we have and it is my honour and privilege to accept this award on behalf of all the MND community .
`` I hope it gives people hope that we are not ignored and the drive for more research and support to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also included in the list are former footballers Jimmy Greaves and Ron Flowers , who are the last surviving members of England 's 1966 World Cup-winning squad to be honoured .
They have been made MBEs .
Bob Champion , who won the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti while recovering from cancer , has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his charitable work at the Bob Champion Cancer Trust .
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter , whose team completed a domestic-European double last season , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the British Empire , while the team 's captain , Joe Simmonds , is made an MBE .

London (AFP) –
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Lewis Hamilton has been knighted in Britain's traditional New Year Honours list after equalling Michael Schumacher's record of seven Formula One world titles.
The list recognises outstanding achievements in various fields including showbusiness, sport and politics, as well as the contributions of a larger number of everyday citizens.
There are many awards this year for those seeking solutions to the problems posed by coronavirus as the pandemic drags on.
Hamilton, 35, surpassed Schumacher's record number of career race wins during a stellar season in 2020 that was shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A group of British lawmakers last month called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to recommend the driver for a knighthood.
Hamilton, who lives in Monaco, has faced scrutiny in the past over his tax arrangements but has insisted he pays a substantial amount of tax in Britain.
The Mercedes driver has become an outspoken supporter of equality, diversity and the environment this year and made several strong human rights statements related to democracy and racism.
Former Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Rob Burrow has been made an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Burrow, 38, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December last year. His MBE is in recognition of services to his sport but also for raising MND awareness.
Burrow said: "(The year) 2020 has taught us all to appreciate the gifts we have and it is my honour and privilege to accept this award on behalf of all the MND community.
"I hope it gives people hope that we are not ignored and the drive for more research and support to end MND will not stop."
Also included in the list are former footballers Jimmy Greaves and Ron Flowers, who are the last surviving members of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad to be honoured. They have been made MBEs.
Bob Champion, who won the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti while recovering from cancer, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his charitable work at the Bob Champion Cancer Trust.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter, whose team completed a domestic-European double last season, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, while the team's captain, Joe Simmonds, is made an MBE.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--Atletico extend La Liga lead after Real slip at Elche

Luis Suarez 's winning goal against Getafe was his eighth of the season Atletico Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga on Wednesday after Luis Suarez fired them to a 1-0 win over Getafe while Real Madrid could only draw 1-1 at Elche .
Suarez struck in the 20th minute with a superb header from Yannick Carrasco 's cross to move Diego Simeone 's Atletico up to 35 points , two ahead of local rivals Madrid after they were pegged back by a Fidel Chaves penalty following Luka Modric 's early opener .
Real Sociedad , Sevilla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points back , with Barcelona 10 behind Atletico in sixth after their 1-1 draw with Eibar on Tuesday .
Atletico have also played two fewer matches than reigning champions Madrid after a win emblematic of Simeone 's reign on his 500th match as coach of the club .
`` When I got on the plane to come here I thought that when I left the club ( as a player ) that I always wanted to come back , '' said Simeone , who is in his 10th year as Atletico coach .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saul Niguez ) who wanted to get the club out of the bad patch it was in , and I have a relationship with them that goes beyond football . ''
Uruguay forward Suarez 's eighth goal of the season was a good as it got for Atletico , who despite fielding a full-strength line-up did not impress in a match of little incident at the Wanda Metropolitano .
However Atletico 's third straight win keeps them top of the pile after a fraught last few days in which Diego Costa was allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the end of February for betting breaches .
Zinedine Zidane 's Madrid knew that whatever happened in the late fixture they would trail Atletico going into the new year , but they looked on course for a routine win at struggling Elche when Modric opened the scoring in the 20th minute .
Croatian Modric pounced to place a perfect header in the top corner after Marco Asensio 's longe range shot thumped back out off the bar , the second time Madrid had hit the woodwork in the early minutes .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine minutes before the break when referee Jorge Figueroa Vazquez pointed to the spot for what he thought was a Ivan Marcone handball , but the awarding was cancelled following a VAR check .
Elche then got a spot-kick of their own five minutes into the second half when Daniel Carvajal was caught tearing at Antonio Barragan 's shirt , with Fidel stepping up to stroke home the leveller .
Lucas Boye then hit the post for the hosts before home keeper Edgar Badia made two superb stops deny Carvajal and Sergio Ramos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have kept them level on points with their capital city rivals but never materialised .
Earlier Granada moved to within two points of the Champions League places after beating Valencia 2-1 in a feisty match where three players were sent off in six second-half minutes .
Jorge Molina 's powerful header two minutes from time keeps Granada in seventh place on 24 points , two behind fourth-placed Sevilla , Sociedad and Villarreal .
Valencia 's seventh league defeat of the season leaves them level on 15 points with Real Valladolid , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Javi Gracia 's side have n't won a La Liga match in their last seven attempts and had their task made harder when Jason and Goncalo Guedes were sent off within three minutes of each other midway through the second half .
Granada 's Domingos Duarte was then shown a straight red card three minutes later after he cynically hacked down Manu Vallejo as he attempted to burst through on goal with the scores still level .
Molina punished the beleaguered away side by thumping home Alberto Soro 's cross .

Madrid (AFP) –
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Atletico Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga on Wednesday after Luis Suarez fired them to a 1-0 win over Getafe while Real Madrid could only draw 1-1 at Elche.
Suarez struck in the 20th minute with a superb header from Yannick Carrasco's cross to move Diego Simeone's Atletico up to 35 points, two ahead of local rivals Madrid after they were pegged back by a Fidel Chaves penalty following Luka Modric's early opener.
Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Villarreal are all a further seven points back, with Barcelona 10 behind Atletico in sixth after their 1-1 draw with Eibar on Tuesday.
Atletico have also played two fewer matches than reigning champions Madrid after a win emblematic of Simeone's reign on his 500th match as coach of the club.
"When I got on the plane to come here I thought that when I left the club (as a player) that I always wanted to come back," said Simeone, who is in his 10th year as Atletico coach.
"I found men (Koke, Saul Niguez) who wanted to get the club out of the bad patch it was in, and I have a relationship with them that goes beyond football."
Uruguay forward Suarez's eighth goal of the season was a good as it got for Atletico, who despite fielding a full-strength line-up did not impress in a match of little incident at the Wanda Metropolitano.
However Atletico's third straight win keeps them top of the pile after a fraught last few days in which Diego Costa was allowed to leave and Kieran Trippier was banned until the end of February for betting breaches.
- Madrid flop at Elche -
Zinedine Zidane's Madrid knew that whatever happened in the late fixture they would trail Atletico going into the new year, but they looked on course for a routine win at struggling Elche when Modric opened the scoring in the 20th minute.
Croatian Modric pounced to place a perfect header in the top corner after Marco Asensio's longe range shot thumped back out off the bar, the second time Madrid had hit the woodwork in the early minutes.
The away side thought they had a penalty nine minutes before the break when referee Jorge Figueroa Vazquez pointed to the spot for what he thought was a Ivan Marcone handball, but the awarding was cancelled following a VAR check.
Elche then got a spot-kick of their own five minutes into the second half when Daniel Carvajal was caught tearing at Antonio Barragan's shirt, with Fidel stepping up to stroke home the leveller.
Lucas Boye then hit the post for the hosts before home keeper Edgar Badia made two superb stops deny Carvajal and Sergio Ramos as Madrid pushed for a win that would have kept them level on points with their capital city rivals but never materialised.
- Granada in Euro hunt -
Earlier Granada moved to within two points of the Champions League places after beating Valencia 2-1 in a feisty match where three players were sent off in six second-half minutes.
Jorge Molina's powerful header two minutes from time keeps Granada in seventh place on 24 points, two behind fourth-placed Sevilla, Sociedad and Villarreal.
Valencia's seventh league defeat of the season leaves them level on 15 points with Real Valladolid, who are third-from-bottom in the relegation zone.
Javi Gracia's side haven't won a La Liga match in their last seven attempts and had their task made harder when Jason and Goncalo Guedes were sent off within three minutes of each other midway through the second half.
Granada's Domingos Duarte was then shown a straight red card three minutes later after he cynically hacked down Manu Vallejo as he attempted to burst through on goal with the scores still level.
Molina punished the beleaguered away side by thumping home Alberto Soro's cross.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--New Year festivities expose Brazilians to pandemic surge

A woman celebrates at the traditional New Year 's fireworks show at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil in 2019 .
With not so many people following restrictions and authorities ' orders and counter-orders to limit crowds during the end of the year holidays , Brazilians will have a difficult time avoiding a brutal worsening of the coronavirus pandemic , analysts warn In a country used to throngs of people seeing in the New Year in packed beaches and bars , Brazilians face the threat of a surge in coronavirus cases at the end of 2020 , analysts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second largest number of Covid-19 deaths in the world with more than 192,000 , but worse may yet come with mixed messages emanating from authorities ahead of the New Year .
The South American country `` could register a greater increase ( in deaths and cases ) than it had during the worst moment '' of the pandemic , said Luiz Gustavo de Almeida , a microbiologist at the University of Sao Paulo .
`` The pandemic peak was between May and July , which was when there was n't a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now there are many cases and people are acting as if there was n't a pandemic . ''
It 's the middle of summer in the southern hemisphere and temperatures are high with beaches often crammed .
In recent days , numerous videos have been shared on social media showing revellers enjoying a night out throughout the country , mostly without wearing face masks .
Television channels have even shown live images of police closing bars full of customers , notably in Sao Paulo .
It 's the largest city in Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses to close from January 1-3 .
In Rio de Janeiro , which traditionally hosts a mega party with spectacular fireworks on the world renowned Copacabana beach on New Year 's Eve , local authorities have said they will erect barriers and police road blocks to prevent people from reaching the beaches on December 31 .
However , not every region is singing from the same song sheet .
In Manaus in the north , authorities caved to pressure from businesses and allowed them to stay open on Christmas Eve .
Streets were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city teetering on the brink of saturation due to the pandemic .
Deep in the Amazon jungle , Manaus is once again faced with its public cemeteries struggling to deal with new burials as hearses line up outside entrances waiting to bring in coffins .
Nightmare scenes such as these have n't been seen since the peak of the first coronavirus wave in Brazil .
- `` We need to educate ' - It 's this context that explains the indignation that met rumors that superstar footballer Neymar was planning to hold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his luxury mansion in Rio de Janeiro state for 500 guests .
Brazil is on the brink of repeating `` the same thing as in Europe at the end of summer '' when a general relaxing of attitudes led to a new spike in infections , said De Almeida .
`` We need to educate people to observe social distancing with a lot of information and transparency , '' said Natalia Pasternak , president of the Cuestion de Ciencia ( Question of Science ) institute .
`` Covid is a societal issue and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
However there is much resistance to restrictions amongst Brazilians , fueled in part by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro who has consistently downplayed the pandemic 's threat .
`` I think the media exaggerates and some authorities lie .
Look how long we 've been in this , we can not continue to put our lives on hold for a disease , '' said Maria Rocha , who runs a clothing store in Sao Paulo .
For Julio Croda , an infectious diseases specialist at the Oswaldo Cruz foundation , respite will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil is `` very late '' in beginning to immunize its people .
In Latin America , Mexico , Argentina , Chile and Costa Rica have already started vaccinating their populations but Brazil does not even have a start date .
Brazil has announced plans to buy 360 million vaccine doses , including 210 million of the AstraZeneca/Oxford jab that will be produced locally by the Oswaldo Cruz foundation .
Brasilia will also buy 70 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine .
Yet no laboratory has yet presented an authorization request to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no vaccination campaign can begin .
To vaccinate an entire population `` you need political will , planning and logistics .
I 've not seen any of that so far , '' said Pasternak .

Sao Paulo (AFP) –
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In a country used to throngs of people seeing in the New Year in packed beaches and bars, Brazilians face the threat of a surge in coronavirus cases at the end of 2020, analysts warn.
Brazil has already recorded the second largest number of Covid-19 deaths in the world with more than 192,000, but worse may yet come with mixed messages emanating from authorities ahead of the New Year.
The South American country "could register a greater increase (in deaths and cases) than it had during the worst moment" of the pandemic, said Luiz Gustavo de Almeida, a microbiologist at the University of Sao Paulo.
"The pandemic peak was between May and July, which was when there wasn't a lot of movement and we looked after ourselves more. Now there are many cases and people are acting as if there wasn't a pandemic."
It's the middle of summer in the southern hemisphere and temperatures are high with beaches often crammed.
In recent days, numerous videos have been shared on social media showing revellers enjoying a night out throughout the country, mostly without wearing face masks.
Television channels have even shown live images of police closing bars full of customers, notably in Sao Paulo.
It's the largest city in Brazil and authorities there have ordered non essential businesses to close from January 1-3.
In Rio de Janeiro, which traditionally hosts a mega party with spectacular fireworks on the world renowned Copacabana beach on New Year's Eve, local authorities have said they will erect barriers and police road blocks to prevent people from reaching the beaches on December 31.
However, not every region is singing from the same song sheet.
In Manaus in the north, authorities caved to pressure from businesses and allowed them to stay open on Christmas Eve.
Streets were teaming with people despite hospitals in the city teetering on the brink of saturation due to the pandemic.
Deep in the Amazon jungle, Manaus is once again faced with its public cemeteries struggling to deal with new burials as hearses line up outside entrances waiting to bring in coffins.
Nightmare scenes such as these haven't been seen since the peak of the first coronavirus wave in Brazil.
- "We need to educate' -
It's this context that explains the indignation that met rumors that superstar footballer Neymar was planning to hold a private New Year's Eve party at his luxury mansion in Rio de Janeiro state for 500 guests.
Brazil is on the brink of repeating "the same thing as in Europe at the end of summer" when a general relaxing of attitudes led to a new spike in infections, said De Almeida.
"We need to educate people to observe social distancing with a lot of information and transparency," said Natalia Pasternak, president of the Cuestion de Ciencia (Question of Science) institute.
"Covid is a societal issue and the solution can only come from society."
However there is much resistance to restrictions amongst Brazilians, fueled in part by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro who has consistently downplayed the pandemic's threat.
"I think the media exaggerates and some authorities lie. Look how long we've been in this, we cannot continue to put our lives on hold for a disease," said Maria Rocha, who runs a clothing store in Sao Paulo.
- Vaccine delays -
For Julio Croda, an infectious diseases specialist at the Oswaldo Cruz foundation, respite will come from a vaccine but he says Brazil is "very late" in beginning to immunize its people.
In Latin America, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Costa Rica have already started vaccinating their populations but Brazil does not even have a start date.
Brazil has announced plans to buy 360 million vaccine doses, including 210 million of the AstraZeneca/Oxford jab that will be produced locally by the Oswaldo Cruz foundation.
Brasilia will also buy 70 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
Yet no laboratory has yet presented an authorization request to the health regulatory body Anvisa. Without one, no vaccination campaign can begin.
To vaccinate an entire population "you need political will, planning and logistics. I've not seen any of that so far," said Pasternak.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--NHL's oldest player Chara signs one-year Capitals deal

Slovakian defenseman Zdeno Chara , the National Hockey League 's oldest player at age 43 , signed a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday and will start his 23rd league season next month Slovakian defenseman Zdeno Chara , the National Hockey League 's oldest player at 43 , signed a one-year free agent deal Wednesday with the Washington Capitals after 14 seasons with the Boston Bruins .
Chara , who was the longest tenured NHL captain by having the role for Boston since 2006 , will begin his 23rd NHL campaign when the league 's shortened season opens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boston Bruins have informed me that they plan to move forward with their many younger and talented players and I respect their decision , '' Chara posted on Instagram .
`` Unfortunately , my time as the proud captain of the Bruins has come to an end . ''
Five-time All-Star Chara , who turns 44 in March , signed for $ 795,000 after scoring five goals and setting up nine more in 68 games last season .
The massive 6-foot-9 ( 2.06m ) and 250-pound ( 113kg ) blueliner -- the tallest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and won the Norris Trophy as the top NHL defenseman in 2008-09 .
`` We are extremely pleased , '' Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said .
`` We feel his experience and leadership will strengthen our blueline and our team . ''
Chara , who had four seasons each with the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators before joining the Bruins , has scored 205 goals with 451 assists in 1,553 career NHL games .
The Bruins will play the Capitals eight times this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Washington with Chara making his return to Boston on March 3 , although spectators are not expected to be allowed at games due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
`` As I begin this next chapter , I want the people of Boston to know how proud I was to be a Bruin and how grateful I am for all of the support over the years , '' Chara wrote .
`` 'Thank you ' does not seem adequate to express my sincere gratitude .
I will always be a Bruin .
I @ @ @ @ @ @

Washington (AFP) –
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Slovakian defenseman Zdeno Chara, the National Hockey League's oldest player at 43, signed a one-year free agent deal Wednesday with the Washington Capitals after 14 seasons with the Boston Bruins.
Chara, who was the longest tenured NHL captain by having the role for Boston since 2006, will begin his 23rd NHL campaign when the league's shortened season opens in January.
"Recently, the Boston Bruins have informed me that they plan to move forward with their many younger and talented players and I respect their decision," Chara posted on Instagram.
"Unfortunately, my time as the proud captain of the Bruins has come to an end."
Five-time All-Star Chara, who turns 44 in March, signed for $795,000 after scoring five goals and setting up nine more in 68 games last season.
The massive 6-foot-9 (2.06m) and 250-pound (113kg) blueliner -- the tallest player in NHL history -- helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and won the Norris Trophy as the top NHL defenseman in 2008-09.
"We are extremely pleased," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. "We feel his experience and leadership will strengthen our blueline and our team."
Chara, who had four seasons each with the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators before joining the Bruins, has scored 205 goals with 451 assists in 1,553 career NHL games.
The Bruins will play the Capitals eight times this season, the first of them January 30 at Washington with Chara making his return to Boston on March 3, although spectators are not expected to be allowed at games due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"As I begin this next chapter, I want the people of Boston to know how proud I was to be a Bruin and how grateful I am for all of the support over the years," Chara wrote. "'Thank you' does not seem adequate to express my sincere gratitude. I will always be a Bruin. I will always love Boston."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-30--Liverpool miss chance to open gap in Newcastle stalemate

Liverpool squandered the chance to open up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League in the final English top-flight match of 2020 after Newcastle held them to a goalless draw on Wednesday .
The 0-0 draw at St James ' Park means the champions go into the New Year with a three-point lead over Manchester United , having played a game more .
Nathaniel Phillips was handed a Premier League start for Liverpool , with Jurgen Klopp 's defensive resources having been further depleted .
With Joel Matip having joined long-term absentees Virgil van Dijk and Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was included along with former Magpies midfielder James Milner in two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with West Brom as Matip and Georginio Wijnaldum made way .
Newcastle started brightly , with Callum Wilson forcing two saves from keeper Alisson Becker inside the opening 12 minutes and giving as good as they got for much of the half .
However , Liverpool might have taken the lead 11 minutes before the break when Mohamed Salah stabbed wide having seemingly done the hard work .
And it took a fine reaction save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in stoppage time and ensure the sides headed back to the dressing rooms with the scores still level .
Liverpool , who enjoyed nearly three-quarters of possession during the match , continued to press in the second period but could not find a breakthrough , with Darlow coming to the home side 's rescue in the dying minutes .
Klopp 's men finish 2020 on 33 points after 16 games , three clear of United , who have 30 points after 15 matches .

Newcastle (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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Liverpool squandered the chance to open up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League in the final English top-flight match of 2020 after Newcastle held them to a goalless draw on Wednesday.
The 0-0 draw at St James' Park means the champions go into the New Year with a three-point lead over Manchester United, having played a game more.
Nathaniel Phillips was handed a Premier League start for Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp's defensive resources having been further depleted.
With Joel Matip having joined long-term absentees Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez on the casualty list, Phillips was included along with former Magpies midfielder James Milner in two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with West Brom as Matip and Georginio Wijnaldum made way.
Newcastle started brightly, with Callum Wilson forcing two saves from keeper Alisson Becker inside the opening 12 minutes and giving as good as they got for much of the half.
However, Liverpool might have taken the lead 11 minutes before the break when Mohamed Salah stabbed wide having seemingly done the hard work.
And it took a fine reaction save from Karl Darlow to deny Roberto Firmino in stoppage time and ensure the sides headed back to the dressing rooms with the scores still level.
Liverpool, who enjoyed nearly three-quarters of possession during the match, continued to press in the second period but could not find a breakthrough, with Darlow coming to the home side's rescue in the dying minutes.
Klopp's men finish 2020 on 33 points after 16 games, three clear of United, who have 30 points after 15 matches.
© 2020 AFP