france24--2020-12-18--Saints eye Brees return, divisional crown

Drew Brees is available for the New Orleans Saints after a month-long injury layoff Drew Brees could return from a month-long injury absence on Sunday as the New Orleans Saints look to clinch their divisional crown with a heavyweight NFL showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs .
The Saints will claim the NFC South for a fourth straight year if they defeat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in what could well turn out to be a sneak preview of this season 's Super Bowl .
New Orleans ( 10-3 ) are already assured of a playoff berth and will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the reigning Super Bowl champions who have already wrapped up the AFC West title .
The Saints , who would also seal the division if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to Atlanta , are wrestling with whether or not to play veteran quarterback Brees , who is fit again after suffering rib and lung injuries in November .
Brees was removed from injured reserve list this week , and Saints coach Sean Payton has not ruled out bringing the 41-year-old back this weekend .
`` We have n't ruled anything out just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Payton said .
`` He 's someone we 're not gon na just hurry back and put him in the game .
The significance of the injuries are such that you 've got ta make sure he can function and feel confident .
`` It 's just functionality , strength , throwing , without soreness , there 's a process .
Last week with the trainers he had one throwing day .
Then yesterday , the same way .
So , it 's really ( feeling ) asymptomatic , feeling good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an asset and play well . ''
The Saints head into Sunday 's game on the back of a shock loss to the crisis-ridden Philadelphia Eagles last week .
New Orleans are one of several teams who can win their respective divisional titles this weekend as the playoff picture takes shape .
The Buffalo Bills ( 10-3 ) will win their first AFC East title in 25 years if they take care of business against the Denver Broncos in one of two fixtures taking place on Saturday .
The in-form Bills , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josh Allen at quarterback this season , served notice of their quality last Sunday with a 26-15 defeat of the Pittsburgh Steelers .
Allen , who was not even born the last time Buffalo won the AFC East , says that the Bills will not be content with merely winning the division .
`` `` It 's not an end-all be-all , we won the AFC East , lets celebrate , '' Allen said .
`` That was our goal from the start .
That 's the easiest way to get to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's no small task I 'll tell you that .
`` It 's a step in the right direction and we have to keep continuing to work hard . ''
The Steelers ( 11-2 ) are looking to bounce back from last week 's loss to Buffalo with a victory over divisional rivals Cincinnati next Monday .
A win for Pittsburgh would clinch the AFC North .
Last week 's defeat was the Steelers ' second straight following a 23-17 reverse to Washington the previous week .
Those back-to-back losses have punctured the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11-0 start to the season .
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger insisted there was no need for Steelers fans to panic .
`` The season is not over , '' Roethlisberger said this week .
`` I want everyone out there to just take a deep breath .
I know it 's kind of crazy right now , but we 've got time . ''
Elsewhere this weekend , both the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks can punch their playoff tickets from the NFC West with wins over the New York Jets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) should have little difficulty mopping up the woeful 0-13 Jets at SoFi Stadium but the Seahawks have the trickier task on the road against the resurgent Washington Football Team .
Washington moved to the top of the NFC East last week with a 23-15 defeat of the San Francisco 49ers , their fourth straight victory following wins over Pittsburgh , Dallas and Cincinnati .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Drew Brees could return from a month-long injury absence on Sunday as the New Orleans Saints look to clinch their divisional crown with a heavyweight NFL showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Saints will claim the NFC South for a fourth straight year if they defeat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in what could well turn out to be a sneak preview of this season's Super Bowl.
New Orleans (10-3) are already assured of a playoff berth and will take the division with victory over the Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl champions who have already wrapped up the AFC West title.
The Saints, who would also seal the division if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to Atlanta, are wrestling with whether or not to play veteran quarterback Brees, who is fit again after suffering rib and lung injuries in November.
Brees was removed from injured reserve list this week, and Saints coach Sean Payton has not ruled out bringing the 41-year-old back this weekend.
"We haven't ruled anything out just because we don't have to," Payton said.
"He's someone we're not gonna just hurry back and put him in the game. The significance of the injuries are such that you've gotta make sure he can function and feel confident.
"It's just functionality, strength, throwing, without soreness, there's a process. Last week with the trainers he had one throwing day. Then yesterday, the same way. So, it's really (feeling) asymptomatic, feeling good, strong and like he'd functioned and be an asset and play well."
The Saints head into Sunday's game on the back of a shock loss to the crisis-ridden Philadelphia Eagles last week.
New Orleans are one of several teams who can win their respective divisional titles this weekend as the playoff picture takes shape.
- Buffalo to end drought? -
The Buffalo Bills (10-3) will win their first AFC East title in 25 years if they take care of business against the Denver Broncos in one of two fixtures taking place on Saturday.
The in-form Bills, who have flourished with the rapidly maturing Josh Allen at quarterback this season, served notice of their quality last Sunday with a 26-15 defeat of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Allen, who was not even born the last time Buffalo won the AFC East, says that the Bills will not be content with merely winning the division.
""It's not an end-all be-all, we won the AFC East, lets celebrate," Allen said. "That was our goal from the start. That's the easiest way to get to the playoffs by winning your division -- it's no small task I'll tell you that.
"It's a step in the right direction and we have to keep continuing to work hard."
The Steelers (11-2) are looking to bounce back from last week's loss to Buffalo with a victory over divisional rivals Cincinnati next Monday. A win for Pittsburgh would clinch the AFC North.
Last week's defeat was the Steelers' second straight following a 23-17 reverse to Washington the previous week.
Those back-to-back losses have punctured the feel-good mood around Pittsburgh which followed their 11-0 start to the season.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger insisted there was no need for Steelers fans to panic.
"The season is not over," Roethlisberger said this week. "I want everyone out there to just take a deep breath. I know it's kind of crazy right now, but we've got time."
Elsewhere this weekend, both the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks can punch their playoff tickets from the NFC West with wins over the New York Jets and Washington Redskins.
The Rams (9-4) should have little difficulty mopping up the woeful 0-13 Jets at SoFi Stadium but the Seahawks have the trickier task on the road against the resurgent Washington Football Team.
Washington moved to the top of the NFC East last week with a 23-15 defeat of the San Francisco 49ers, their fourth straight victory following wins over Pittsburgh, Dallas and Cincinnati.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-17--344 Nigerian schoolboys released after mass kidnapping

Parents wait outside the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara , in northwest Nigeria on December 16 , 2020 .
Boko Haram claimed the abduction of hundreds of schoolboys from the school , more than 300 of whom have since been released More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were released on Thursday after being abducted in an attack claimed by Boko Haram , officials said , although it was unclear if any more remained with their captors .
The assault last Friday on a rural school in Kankara , Katsina state in northwest Nigeria , was initially blamed on criminal gangs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But on Tuesday Boko Haram , the brutal jihadist group behind the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014 , claimed responsibility for the raid .
After a six-day ordeal , local officials said the boys had been released .
`` 344 are now with the security agencies and will be moved to Katsina this night , '' state governor Aminu Bello Masari said .
In an interview with state channel NTA , the governor added : `` I think we have recovered most of the boys , it 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were released , `` will be given proper medical attention and care before being reunited with their families , '' he added .
`` This is a huge relief to the entire country & international community , '' President Muhammadu Buhari said on Twitter .
It remained unclear , however , if all the abducted schoolboys had been released , amid ongoing uncertainty over the number taken in the first place .
In a video released by Boko Haram Thursday , a distraught teenager said he was among 520 students kidnapped .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the children , '' a security source told AFP Thursday , saying the schoolboys were left in the forest after negotiations with the government .
`` The children are being gathered in the town of Tsafe in Zamfara state and nearby Yankara in Katsina state . ''
`` The actual number of freed children will only be known after a head count when they arrive ( in the state capital ) Katsina .
Any figures given are a conjecture , '' the same source added .
Sources had previously told AFP that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well known criminal in the region , Awwalun Daudawa , in collaboration with Idi Minorti and Dankarami , two other crime chiefs with strong local followings , acting on behalf of Boko Haram .
Experts recently warned that jihadists -- operating in the northeast of the country , hundreds of kilometres ( miles ) from where Friday 's attack occurred -- were attempting to forge an alliance with criminal gangs in the northwest .
President Buhari 's official spokesman Garba Shehu said on Twitter `` the northwest now presents a challenge which his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` It is unfortunate that the bandits and terrorists continue to get weapons even under the circumstances of the border closure .
We are going to dare them . ''
Many parents of the missing students in Kankara said they had long feared an attack , given escalating violence in the region .
`` Our children told us armed men would come up to the school fence but they never breached the fence ... until last Friday , '' Hauwa ' u Isah , mother of an abducted child said .
Around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northwest since 2011 , according to the International Crisis Group ( ICG ) think tank .
# BringBackOurBoys started trending on social media earlier this week , in reference to a similar hashtag after the Chibok kidnappings .
Small protests to push for the boys ' release took place in Katsina on Thursday as Buhari was visiting the state .
`` Why we are here today is because we want to tell the federal government that what they are doing is not enough , '' protester Jamilu Aliyu Turanci said .

Kankara (Nigeria) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were released on Thursday after being abducted in an attack claimed by Boko Haram, officials said, although it was unclear if any more remained with their captors.
The assault last Friday on a rural school in Kankara, Katsina state in northwest Nigeria, was initially blamed on criminal gangs who have terrorised the region for years.
But on Tuesday Boko Haram, the brutal jihadist group behind the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014, claimed responsibility for the raid.
After a six-day ordeal, local officials said the boys had been released.
"344 are now with the security agencies and will be moved to Katsina this night," state governor Aminu Bello Masari said.
In an interview with state channel NTA, the governor added: "I think we have recovered most of the boys, it's not all of them."
Those who were released, "will be given proper medical attention and care before being reunited with their families," he added.
"This is a huge relief to the entire country & international community," President Muhammadu Buhari said on Twitter.
It remained unclear, however, if all the abducted schoolboys had been released, amid ongoing uncertainty over the number taken in the first place.
In a video released by Boko Haram Thursday, a distraught teenager said he was among 520 students kidnapped.
"No one can give the exact number of the children," a security source told AFP Thursday, saying the schoolboys were left in the forest after negotiations with the government.
"The children are being gathered in the town of Tsafe in Zamfara state and nearby Yankara in Katsina state."
"The actual number of freed children will only be known after a head count when they arrive (in the state capital) Katsina. Any figures given are a conjecture," the same source added.
- Alliance of 'bandits and terrorists' -
Sources had previously told AFP that the raid was carried out by a well known criminal in the region, Awwalun Daudawa, in collaboration with Idi Minorti and Dankarami, two other crime chiefs with strong local followings, acting on behalf of Boko Haram.
Experts recently warned that jihadists -- operating in the northeast of the country, hundreds of kilometres (miles) from where Friday's attack occurred -- were attempting to forge an alliance with criminal gangs in the northwest.
President Buhari's official spokesman Garba Shehu said on Twitter "the northwest now presents a challenge which his administration is determined to deal with."
"It is unfortunate that the bandits and terrorists continue to get weapons even under the circumstances of the border closure. We are going to dare them."
Many parents of the missing students in Kankara said they had long feared an attack, given escalating violence in the region.
"Our children told us armed men would come up to the school fence but they never breached the fence... until last Friday," Hauwa'u Isah, mother of an abducted child said.
Around 8,000 people have been killed in the northwest since 2011, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank.
#BringBackOurBoys started trending on social media earlier this week, in reference to a similar hashtag after the Chibok kidnappings.
Small protests to push for the boys' release took place in Katsina on Thursday as Buhari was visiting the state.
"Why we are here today is because we want to tell the federal government that what they are doing is not enough," protester Jamilu Aliyu Turanci said.
"Mr President has failed us."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-17--Hamilton set to extend stay at Mercedes

Hamilton set to extend stay at Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton is set to announce he is signing a new contract at Mercedes Formula One team Mercedes all but confirmed on Thursday that British world champion Lewis Hamilton would continue to drive for them next season .
A post on the team 's official Twitter page shortly before 1000 GMT carried the hashtag `` announce '' accompanied by the `` coming soon '' and `` pen '' emojis along with a quote from Hamilton expressing his desire to stay with Mercedes .
The 35-year-old won a record-equalling seventh Formula One title last month , six of which have come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2013 .
The quote read : `` I plan to be here next year .
I want to be here next year .
I think we as a team have more to do together and more to achieve , both in the sport but even more outside it . ''
Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher 's championship haul with his seventh title and already has more race wins , pole positions and podiums that any other driver in the sport 's history .
After finishing third at the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his future to be resolved before Christmas .

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Formula One team Mercedes all but confirmed on Thursday that British world champion Lewis Hamilton would continue to drive for them next season.
A post on the team's official Twitter page shortly before 1000 GMT carried the hashtag "announce" accompanied by the "coming soon" and "pen" emojis along with a quote from Hamilton expressing his desire to stay with Mercedes.
The 35-year-old won a record-equalling seventh Formula One title last month, six of which have come since his switch from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013.
The quote read: "I plan to be here next year. I want to be here next year. I think we as a team have more to do together and more to achieve, both in the sport but even more outside it."
Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher's championship haul with his seventh title and already has more race wins, pole positions and podiums that any other driver in the sport's history.
After finishing third at the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi last weekend, Hamilton said he wanted his future to be resolved before Christmas.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-17--Mexico unveils tribute to Mormon massacre victims

This November 5 , 2019 photo shows relatives looking at a burned car that had been carrying some of the nine Mormon women and children who were gunned down Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday inaugurated a monument in honor of nine Mormon women and children killed in a massacre last year in the country 's north .
Lopez Obrador promised to punish those responsible for the murders as he unveiled a statue paying tribute to the victims in Bavispe in Sonora state .
`` This memorial will be a permanent tribute to the victims ... We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're going to keep going until the whole truth is known and justice served , '' Lopez Obrador told members of the Mormon community present .
The three women and six children from a breakaway Mormon community with dual US-Mexican nationality were on a remote road in a lawless region between the states of Chihuahua and Sonora when gunmen attacked their cars , a crime that sparked outrage on both sides of the border .
The government has arrested 17 people but has more than 15 outstanding arrest warrants and believes more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack .
Authorities believe the attack was the result of a mistake between drug-trafficking groups in the area .
But the killings increased the pressure on the government to show it was doing more to tackle brutal violence by drug cartels .
Mormon families of US origin that settled in the north of Mexico at the end of the 19th century have been critical of Lopez Obrador over the massacre .
There have also been protests in the US while President Donald Trump threatened to designate Mexican drug cartels as terror groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexican affairs .
Lopez Obrador defended Trump , though , saying he had `` always been very respectful of our sovereignty . ''
Since December 2006 when the Mexican government launched an anti-drug operation , there have been more than 300,000 violent deaths , the majority linked to criminal gangs , according to official figures .

Mexico City (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday inaugurated a monument in honor of nine Mormon women and children killed in a massacre last year in the country's north.
Lopez Obrador promised to punish those responsible for the murders as he unveiled a statue paying tribute to the victims in Bavispe in Sonora state.
"This memorial will be a permanent tribute to the victims... We have arrested those responsible for this crime and we're going to keep going until the whole truth is known and justice served," Lopez Obrador told members of the Mormon community present.
The three women and six children from a breakaway Mormon community with dual US-Mexican nationality were on a remote road in a lawless region between the states of Chihuahua and Sonora when gunmen attacked their cars, a crime that sparked outrage on both sides of the border.
The government has arrested 17 people but has more than 15 outstanding arrest warrants and believes more than 40 people took part in the attack.
Authorities believe the attack was the result of a mistake between drug-trafficking groups in the area.
But the killings increased the pressure on the government to show it was doing more to tackle brutal violence by drug cartels.
Mormon families of US origin that settled in the north of Mexico at the end of the 19th century have been critical of Lopez Obrador over the massacre.
There have also been protests in the US while President Donald Trump threatened to designate Mexican drug cartels as terror groups, leading to fears of Washington meddling in Mexican affairs.
Lopez Obrador defended Trump, though, saying he had "always been very respectful of our sovereignty."
Since December 2006 when the Mexican government launched an anti-drug operation, there have been more than 300,000 violent deaths, the majority linked to criminal gangs, according to official figures.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-17--US expert panel endorses Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use

The committee overwhelmingly voted that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh its risks in people aged 18 and older , in a decision that will likely allow its official US authorisation in the coming days .
A panel of outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday overwhelmingly endorsed emergency use of Moderna Inc ’ s coronavirus vaccine , virtually assuring a second option for protecting against COVID-19 for a pandemic-ravaged nation .
The committee voted 20-0 with one abstention that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh its risks in people aged 18 and older , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar vaccine from Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech SE , leading to an FDA emergency use authorization ( EUA ) a day later .
The FDA is expected to grant the EUA as early as late Thursday or Friday , providing another ray of hope to a nation that has lost more than 300,000 lives to COVID-19 – including a one-day high of 3,580 deaths on Wednesday – while record numbers of patients threaten to overwhelm U.S. hospitals and healthcare workers .
“ To go from having a ( genetic ) sequence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two vaccines available in December is a remarkable achievement , ” said Dr. James Hildreth , chief executive of Meharry Medical College , who voted to recommend the vaccine for emergency use .
The one abstention came from Dr. Michael Kurilla , who works at the National Institutes of Health and felt blanket authorization for those 18 and older was too broad .
“ I ’ m not convinced that for all of those age groups the benefits do actually outweigh the risk .
And I would prefer to see it more targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and life threatening COVID disease , ” he said .
The Moderna vaccine is set to begin distribution as soon as the FDA gives the green light .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told CNBC on Thursday that 5.9 million doses have been allotted for states and large cities and were ready to ship nationwide .
The vaccines are not a panacea , however , as they will take months to roll out to a nation where the virus is running rampant and public health measures such as social distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the population .
Unlike Pfizer ’ s vaccine , which comes with complex distribution challenges due to its need to be shipped and stored at -70 Celsius ( -94 F ) , Moderna ’ s vaccine does not require specialized ultra-cold freezers or vast quantities of dry ice , making it easier to supply rural and remote areas .
The company said on Thursday it has expanded the handling guidance for the vaccine to allow it to be moved locally in a liquid state at standard refrigerated temperatures .
In some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the only practical way to move it to clinics or remote locations .
U.S. officials have said they expect to have 40 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines by the end of the year - enough to inoculate 20 million people .
Both vaccines were about 95 % effective at preventing illness in pivotal clinical trials with no serious safety issues .
The first wave of doses are expected to be earmarked for healthcare workers who treat COVID-19 patients and vulnerable residents and staff of nursing homes .
Documents prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meeting , said a two-dose regimen of the Moderna vaccine was highly effective in preventing COVID-19 and did not raise any specific safety issues .
Perhaps even more significant , as hospital intensive care units fill to capacity across the country , there were no cases of severe COVID-19 among those who got the vaccine in the trial versus 30 such cases in the placebo group .
The vaccine , based on the new technology of synthetic messenger RNA ( mRNA ) , is administered in two shots about 28 days apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mRNA vaccine .
The United States in August entered a $ 1.5 billion pact with Moderna to acquire 100 million doses of its vaccine .
About 20 million doses are expected to be delivered this month , with the rest of the initial purchase coming in the first quarter of next year .
Last week , Moderna agreed to deliver an additional 100 million doses in the second quarter .
In the global race to produce highly effective vaccines against the coronavirus that emerged in central China late last year , the Massachusetts-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of some much larger rivals such as AstraZeneca Plc and Johnson & Johnson .
An emergency meeting of a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel is expected to follow the FDA ’ s authorization of Moderna ’ s vaccine with its official recommendation of its use for the U.S. public .
Following that , state and local public health authorities will begin administering the first doses .

A panel of outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday overwhelmingly endorsed emergency use of Moderna Inc’s coronavirus vaccine, virtually assuring a second option for protecting against COVID-19 for a pandemic-ravaged nation.
The committee overwhelmingly voted that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh its risks in people aged 18 and older, in a decision that will likely allow its official US authorisation in the coming days.
Advertising Read more
The committee voted 20-0 with one abstention that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh its risks in people aged 18 and older, one week after the same panel backed a similar vaccine from Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech SE, leading to an FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) a day later.
The FDA is expected to grant the EUA as early as late Thursday or Friday, providing another ray of hope to a nation that has lost more than 300,000 lives to COVID-19 – including a one-day high of 3,580 deaths on Wednesday – while record numbers of patients threaten to overwhelm U.S. hospitals and healthcare workers.
“To go from having a (genetic) sequence of a virus in January to having two vaccines available in December is a remarkable achievement,” said Dr. James Hildreth, chief executive of Meharry Medical College, who voted to recommend the vaccine for emergency use.
The one abstention came from Dr. Michael Kurilla, who works at the National Institutes of Health and felt blanket authorization for those 18 and older was too broad.
“I’m not convinced that for all of those age groups the benefits do actually outweigh the risk. And I would prefer to see it more targeted towards people at high risk of serious and life threatening COVID disease,” he said.
03:10
The Moderna vaccine is set to begin distribution as soon as the FDA gives the green light. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told CNBC on Thursday that 5.9 million doses have been allotted for states and large cities and were ready to ship nationwide.
The vaccines are not a panacea, however, as they will take months to roll out to a nation where the virus is running rampant and public health measures such as social distancing and mask wearing are being rejected by large parts of the population.
Easier to transport and store
Unlike Pfizer’s vaccine, which comes with complex distribution challenges due to its need to be shipped and stored at -70 Celsius (-94 F), Moderna’s vaccine does not require specialized ultra-cold freezers or vast quantities of dry ice, making it easier to supply rural and remote areas.
The company said on Thursday it has expanded the handling guidance for the vaccine to allow it to be moved locally in a liquid state at standard refrigerated temperatures. In some cases, Moderna said, this could be the only practical way to move it to clinics or remote locations.
U.S. officials have said they expect to have 40 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines by the end of the year - enough to inoculate 20 million people. Both vaccines were about 95% effective at preventing illness in pivotal clinical trials with no serious safety issues.
The first wave of doses are expected to be earmarked for healthcare workers who treat COVID-19 patients and vulnerable residents and staff of nursing homes.
Documents prepared by FDA scientists and released ahead of the meeting, said a two-dose regimen of the Moderna vaccine was highly effective in preventing COVID-19 and did not raise any specific safety issues.
Perhaps even more significant, as hospital intensive care units fill to capacity across the country, there were no cases of severe COVID-19 among those who got the vaccine in the trial versus 30 such cases in the placebo group.
The vaccine, based on the new technology of synthetic messenger RNA (mRNA), is administered in two shots about 28 days apart. The Pfizer/BioNTech shot is also an mRNA vaccine.
The United States in August entered a $1.5 billion pact with Moderna to acquire 100 million doses of its vaccine.
About 20 million doses are expected to be delivered this month, with the rest of the initial purchase coming in the first quarter of next year. Last week, Moderna agreed to deliver an additional 100 million doses in the second quarter.
In the global race to produce highly effective vaccines against the coronavirus that emerged in central China late last year, the Massachusetts-based biotech company has reached the finish line ahead of some much larger rivals such as AstraZeneca Plc and Johnson & Johnson.
An emergency meeting of a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel is expected to follow the FDA’s authorization of Moderna’s vaccine with its official recommendation of its use for the U.S. public.
Following that, state and local public health authorities will begin administering the first doses.
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-12-17--Overdose deaths in US rise during Covid-19

An officer from the US Customs and Border Protection , Trade and Cargo Division finds oxycodone pills in a parcel at John F. Kennedy Airport 's US Postal Service facility on June 24 , 2019 in New York The Covid-19 pandemic has fuelled a rise in fatal drug overdoses in the United States , officials said Thursday , stressing that essential medical services have to remain accessible despite coronavirus disruptions .
More than 81,000 drug overdose deaths were recorded in the US in the year to May , the highest number ever in a 12-month period , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC ) .
It said the latest data showed an acceleration of overdose deaths since the pandemic took hold at the start of the year .
`` The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with substance use disorder hard , '' said CDC director Robert Redfield .
`` As we continue the fight to end this pandemic , it 's important to not lose sight of different groups being affected in other ways .
We need to take care of people suffering from unintended consequences . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opioid overdoses -- both prescription and non-prescription -- since 1999 .
Corporate drugmakers such as Purdue Pharma have been taken to court on criminal charges over their drives to push unnecessary sales of prescription opioids , which stoked a nationwide addiction crisis .
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been the primary cause of the recent increase in overdose deaths , the CDC said .
On Wednesday , Canada said it had also seen a jump in opioid deaths this year .
Experts said opioid users faced increased risk in part because of unemployment and @ @ @ @ @

Washington (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The Covid-19 pandemic has fuelled a rise in fatal drug overdoses in the United States, officials said Thursday, stressing that essential medical services have to remain accessible despite coronavirus disruptions.
More than 81,000 drug overdose deaths were recorded in the US in the year to May, the highest number ever in a 12-month period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It said the latest data showed an acceleration of overdose deaths since the pandemic took hold at the start of the year.
"The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with substance use disorder hard," said CDC director Robert Redfield.
"As we continue the fight to end this pandemic, it's important to not lose sight of different groups being affected in other ways. We need to take care of people suffering from unintended consequences."
More than 500,000 Americans have died of opioid overdoses -- both prescription and non-prescription -- since 1999.
Corporate drugmakers such as Purdue Pharma have been taken to court on criminal charges over their drives to push unnecessary sales of prescription opioids, which stoked a nationwide addiction crisis.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been the primary cause of the recent increase in overdose deaths, the CDC said.
On Wednesday, Canada said it had also seen a jump in opioid deaths this year.
Experts said opioid users faced increased risk in part because of unemployment and homelessness during the pandemic.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-17--Roma beat 10-man Torino to join third-placed Juve in Serie A

Roma move level on points with third-placed Juventus in the Serie A table .
Roma moved level on points with champions Juventus in third place in Serie A on Thursday with a 3-1 win over 10-man Torino .
Torino had a mountain to climb after Wilfried Singo was sent off after 14 minutes in Rome following two yellow cards in seven minutes .
Roma followed on from their 5-1 win over Bologna last weekend and are level on 24 points with Juventus -- four points adrift of leaders AC Milan .
After Singo 's dismissal the hosts piled on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mkhitaryan opening the scoring after 27 minutes in the Stadio Olimpico .
Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic had pushed out a Gianluca Mancini long-range effort , but Leonardo Spinazzola sent the ball back with Mkhitaryan 's follow-up hitting the post and bouncing into the net .
Jordan Veretout converted a penalty before the break after a foul on Edin Dzeko .
Simone Edera rattled the woodwork for Torino after an hour but the visitors hopes diminished when Lorenzo Pellegrini added a third after 68 minutes .
Torino captain Andrea Belotti pulled a goal back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending the ball wide minutes later .
Marco Gianpaolo 's Torino fell to their eighth defeat this season , as they sit second bottom of the table with 30 goals conceded in 12 games .

Milan (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Roma moved level on points with champions Juventus in third place in Serie A on Thursday with a 3-1 win over 10-man Torino.
Torino had a mountain to climb after Wilfried Singo was sent off after 14 minutes in Rome following two yellow cards in seven minutes.
Roma followed on from their 5-1 win over Bologna last weekend and are level on 24 points with Juventus -- four points adrift of leaders AC Milan.
After Singo's dismissal the hosts piled on the pressure and it paid off with Henrikh Mkhitaryan opening the scoring after 27 minutes in the Stadio Olimpico.
Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic had pushed out a Gianluca Mancini long-range effort, but Leonardo Spinazzola sent the ball back with Mkhitaryan's follow-up hitting the post and bouncing into the net.
Jordan Veretout converted a penalty before the break after a foul on Edin Dzeko.
Simone Edera rattled the woodwork for Torino after an hour but the visitors hopes diminished when Lorenzo Pellegrini added a third after 68 minutes.
Torino captain Andrea Belotti pulled a goal back after 73 minutes with substitute Federico Bonazzoli sending the ball wide minutes later.
Marco Gianpaolo's Torino fell to their eighth defeat this season, as they sit second bottom of the table with 30 goals conceded in 12 games.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-17--Comeback kings Man Utd maintain perfect Premier League away record

Manchester United mounted yet another rescue mission on Thursday , beating Sheffield United 3-2 to win their sixth consecutive Premier League away match of the season .
The Blades took a shock lead through David McGoldrick after a horrendous error by returning goalkeeper Dean Henderson but two goals from Marcus Rashford and a Anthony Martial strike turned the tables .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's Jekyll-and-Hyde team have won just a single match at Old Trafford this season but have taken all 18 points on the road to climb to sixth in the table .
But that is only half the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to come from behind in all six of those away games .
The home side started brightly as Manchester United struggled to find their rhythm and it was no surprise when the home side scored just their sixth league goal of the season in the fifth minute .
Henderson , in the United goal in place of David de Gea , was caught in possession by Oliver Burke , who scrambled the ball to McGoldrick to tap home .
The home side had a golden chance to double their lead but John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henderson 's right-hand post .
Manchester United started to find their stride as the half wore on , with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba pulling the strings from midfield .
They were level in the 26th minute when Rashford bent his run to stay onside , instantly controlling Victor Lindelof 's long ball with his right foot before lashing home .
Seven minutes later United were ahead .
The impressive Pogba picked out Martial on the right of the penalty box .
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale failed to deal with the ball , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poked home .
The visitors , also boasting Mason Greenwood in a multi-pronged attack , looked dangerous every time they swept forward but Sheffield United had attempts of their own through Burke and McGoldrick .
Manchester United extended their lead early in the second half .
Pogba cut out a misplaced throw-in , turned smartly and produced a lovely pirouette to start a break from deep in the United half .
Referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue when Greenwood was fouled in the middle of a fine team move that ended with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who should have done better .
United appeared to be in cruise control but McGoldrick headed home from a corner in the 87th minute to make life uncomfortable and Henderson had to dive to his right to keep out a shot by Lys Mousset .
But the visitors clung on for the win .
Earlier , Aston Villa and Burnley played out a 0-0 draw .
Villa are in 11th place while the point lifted Sean Dyche 's men out of the bottom three .

Sheffield (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Manchester United mounted yet another rescue mission on Thursday, beating Sheffield United 3-2 to win their sixth consecutive Premier League away match of the season.
The Blades took a shock lead through David McGoldrick after a horrendous error by returning goalkeeper Dean Henderson but two goals from Marcus Rashford and a Anthony Martial strike turned the tables.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Jekyll-and-Hyde team have won just a single match at Old Trafford this season but have taken all 18 points on the road to climb to sixth in the table.
But that is only half the story for United, who have been forced to come from behind in all six of those away games.
The home side started brightly as Manchester United struggled to find their rhythm and it was no surprise when the home side scored just their sixth league goal of the season in the fifth minute.
Henderson, in the United goal in place of David de Gea, was caught in possession by Oliver Burke, who scrambled the ball to McGoldrick to tap home.
The home side had a golden chance to double their lead but John Fleck put his left-foot shot wide of Henderson's right-hand post.
Manchester United started to find their stride as the half wore on, with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba pulling the strings from midfield.
They were level in the 26th minute when Rashford bent his run to stay onside, instantly controlling Victor Lindelof's long ball with his right foot before lashing home.
Seven minutes later United were ahead. The impressive Pogba picked out Martial on the right of the penalty box.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale failed to deal with the ball, which bounced kindly for the Frenchman, who poked home.
The visitors, also boasting Mason Greenwood in a multi-pronged attack, looked dangerous every time they swept forward but Sheffield United had attempts of their own through Burke and McGoldrick.
Manchester United extended their lead early in the second half.
Pogba cut out a misplaced throw-in, turned smartly and produced a lovely pirouette to start a break from deep in the United half.
Referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue when Greenwood was fouled in the middle of a fine team move that ended with Rashford firing underneath a diving Ramsdale, who should have done better.
United appeared to be in cruise control but McGoldrick headed home from a corner in the 87th minute to make life uncomfortable and Henderson had to dive to his right to keep out a shot by Lys Mousset. But the visitors clung on for the win.
Earlier, Aston Villa and Burnley played out a 0-0 draw. Villa are in 11th place while the point lifted Sean Dyche's men out of the bottom three.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-17--Russia handed two-year doping ban in 'catastrophic blow to clean sport'

Russia are barred from next year 's Tokyo Summer Olympics or the Beijing Winter Olympics of 2022 Sport 's highest court on Thursday banned Russia from the international stage for two years , including the Tokyo Olympics next year and 2022 Beijing Winter Games , but the halving of the initial punishment was blasted as `` a catastrophic blow to clean athletes and the integrity of sport '' .
The Court of Arbitration for Sport 's ruling cut a four-year ban for systematic doping imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency ( WADA ) .
`` This Panel has imposed consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the non-compliance ... and to ensure that the integrity of sport against the scourge of doping is maintained , '' said CAS in its judgement .
The statement added : `` The consequences which the Panel has decided to impose are not as extensive as those sought by WADA .
`` This should not , however , be read as any validation of the conduct of RUSADA ( Russia 's anti-doping watchdog ) or the Russian authorities . ''
The ban runs until December 16 , 2022 , so includes football 's World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days later .
Under the decision Russians will still be allowed to compete , but only as neutrals if they can prove no connection to doping .
`` USADA acknowledges the devastating decision ... in the Russia case that hands WADA and clean athletes a significant loss , '' US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive officer Travis Tygart said .
`` At this stage in this sordid Russian state-sponsored doping affair , now spanning close to a decade , there is no consolation in this weak , watered-down outcome , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clean athletes , the integrity of sport , and the rule of law '' .
Tygart added in an interview with AFP that the CAS ruling was a `` tragedy '' for the global fight against drug cheats , slamming the decision as a `` weak and loophole-riddled outcome . ''
The Global Athlete body said : `` The fact that Russian Athletes can compete as 'Neutral Athletes from Russia ' is another farcical facade that makes a mockery of the system . ''
`` If athletes from Russia can still compete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia has not been banned ; they have simply been rebranded . ''
However , Mikhail Bukhanov , acting head of Russia 's anti-doping agency RUSADA , said : `` Today 's results are a victory for Russia . ''
`` The court decided not to accept the theses that WADA demanded .
Of course , this is a significant precedent , '' he added .
The CAS verdict followed a four-day arbitration hearing between WADA and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency ( RUSADA ) at a secret location last month .
The showdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place following WADA 's decision last year to declare RUSADA non-compliant after the Russian body was accused of manipulating drug testing data .
WADA President Witold Banka hailed the ruling from the Lausanne-based CAS .
`` WADA is pleased to have won this landmark case , '' Banka said adding that the verdict has `` clearly upheld our findings that the Russian authorities brazenly and illegally manipulated the Moscow Laboratory data in an effort to cover up an institutionalised doping scheme . ''
Russia considered its ban to be legally indefensible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time as a `` politically motivated '' ruling that `` contradicted '' the Olympic Charter .
The Russian saga erupted in 2016 when Grigory Rodchenkov , the former head of Moscow 's anti-doping laboratory , blew the whistle over state-backed doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics hosted in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi .
Rodchenkov 's lawyer slammed the halving of Russia 's sporting ban , describing the ruling as `` nonsensical . ''
In a statement , Jim Walden said the CAS decision to cut Russia 's ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribunal was `` unwilling and unable to meaningfully deal with systematic and long-standing criminality by Russia . ''
After Rodchenkov 's bombshell accusations and barely two weeks before the 2016 Rio Olympics in July that year , WADA called for Russia to be banned from those Games .
The IOC , however , stopped short of an outright ban and said individual federations would decide whether to allow Russian athletes to compete .
In 2017 , the IOC banned the Russian Olympic Committee from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games , but allowed clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitors .
In September 2018 , WADA controversially lifted its ban on RUSADA , despite not having been granted access to its doping-tainted Moscow laboratory .
Russia finally handed over lab data to WADA in January 2019 .
In yet another twist , in September last year WADA gave Russia three weeks to explain `` inconsistencies '' in the data .
Sport 's global doping policeman then hit Russia with the four-year ban over the manipulated data last December .
Athletics ' global governing body meanwhile has given the Russian federation until March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight doping and be reinstated to the sport , or face expulsion .
While Thursday 's CAS verdict was of paramount importance to Russia , WADA also had plenty on the line .
The organisation , founded in 1999 , has been criticised by US lawmakers over its handling of the scandal and failure to implement governance reforms .
The US as a result has threatened to pull its annual $ 2.7 million financing .
Thursday 's announcement was being awaited with interest by the International Olympic Committee and sports federations who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight months before the Tokyo Olympics .

Lausanne (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Sport's highest court on Thursday banned Russia from the international stage for two years, including the Tokyo Olympics next year and 2022 Beijing Winter Games, but the halving of the initial punishment was blasted as "a catastrophic blow to clean athletes and the integrity of sport".
The Court of Arbitration for Sport's ruling cut a four-year ban for systematic doping imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
"This Panel has imposed consequences to reflect the nature and seriousness of the non-compliance...and to ensure that the integrity of sport against the scourge of doping is maintained," said CAS in its judgement.
The statement added: "The consequences which the Panel has decided to impose are not as extensive as those sought by WADA.
"This should not, however, be read as any validation of the conduct of RUSADA (Russia's anti-doping watchdog) or the Russian authorities."
The ban runs until December 16, 2022, so includes football's World Cup finals in Qatar which ends two days later.
Under the decision Russians will still be allowed to compete, but only as neutrals if they can prove no connection to doping.
- 'Catastrophic blow' -
The CAS decision sparked widespread condemnation.
"USADA acknowledges the devastating decision...in the Russia case that hands WADA and clean athletes a significant loss," US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive officer Travis Tygart said.
"At this stage in this sordid Russian state-sponsored doping affair, now spanning close to a decade, there is no consolation in this weak, watered-down outcome," he added.
He called it "a catastrophic blow to clean athletes, the integrity of sport, and the rule of law".
Tygart added in an interview with AFP that the CAS ruling was a "tragedy" for the global fight against drug cheats, slamming the decision as a "weak and loophole-riddled outcome."
The Global Athlete body said: "The fact that Russian Athletes can compete as 'Neutral Athletes from Russia' is another farcical facade that makes a mockery of the system."
"If athletes from Russia can still compete, it is not a sanction. Russia has not been banned; they have simply been rebranded."
However, Mikhail Bukhanov, acting head of Russia's anti-doping agency RUSADA, said: "Today's results are a victory for Russia."
"The court decided not to accept the theses that WADA demanded. Of course, this is a significant precedent," he added.
The CAS verdict followed a four-day arbitration hearing between WADA and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) at a secret location last month.
The showdown, in front of three CAS judges took place following WADA's decision last year to declare RUSADA non-compliant after the Russian body was accused of manipulating drug testing data.
WADA President Witold Banka hailed the ruling from the Lausanne-based CAS.
"WADA is pleased to have won this landmark case," Banka said adding that the verdict has "clearly upheld our findings that the Russian authorities brazenly and illegally manipulated the Moscow Laboratory data in an effort to cover up an institutionalised doping scheme."
Russia considered its ban to be legally indefensible.
Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the decision at the time as a "politically motivated" ruling that "contradicted" the Olympic Charter.
The Russian saga erupted in 2016 when Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of Moscow's anti-doping laboratory, blew the whistle over state-backed doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics hosted in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
- 'Nonsensical' -
Rodchenkov's lawyer slammed the halving of Russia's sporting ban, describing the ruling as "nonsensical."
In a statement, Jim Walden said the CAS decision to cut Russia's ban from four years to two showed the tribunal was "unwilling and unable to meaningfully deal with systematic and long-standing criminality by Russia."
After Rodchenkov's bombshell accusations and barely two weeks before the 2016 Rio Olympics in July that year, WADA called for Russia to be banned from those Games.
The IOC, however, stopped short of an outright ban and said individual federations would decide whether to allow Russian athletes to compete.
In 2017, the IOC banned the Russian Olympic Committee from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, but allowed clean Russian athletes to take part as neutral competitors.
A total of 168 Russians eventually competed.
- Doping-tainted -
In September 2018, WADA controversially lifted its ban on RUSADA, despite not having been granted access to its doping-tainted Moscow laboratory.
Russia finally handed over lab data to WADA in January 2019.
In yet another twist, in September last year WADA gave Russia three weeks to explain "inconsistencies" in the data.
Sport's global doping policeman then hit Russia with the four-year ban over the manipulated data last December.
Athletics' global governing body meanwhile has given the Russian federation until March next year to produce a comprehensive plan to fight doping and be reinstated to the sport, or face expulsion.
While Thursday's CAS verdict was of paramount importance to Russia, WADA also had plenty on the line.
The organisation, founded in 1999, has been criticised by US lawmakers over its handling of the scandal and failure to implement governance reforms.
The US as a result has threatened to pull its annual $2.7 million financing.
Thursday's announcement was being awaited with interest by the International Olympic Committee and sports federations who were expecting clear directives from CAS, eight months before the Tokyo Olympics.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-18--Defending champion Kilde claims first victory of season

Kilde celebrates his first win of the season Reigning overall World Cup champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde powered to his first @ @ @ @ @ Friday with super-G victory in Val Gardena .
The Norwegian edged out Switzerland 's Mauro @ @ @ @ @ with veteran Kjetil Jansrud completing the podium .
Marco Odermatt finished ninth to move above @ @ @ @ @ of the overall standings , with the Frenchman skipping this race .
Kilde , wearing @ @ @ @ @ from Caviezel -- who was bidding for a second straight super-G triumph after winning in @ @ @ @ @ with a brilliant run .
It was the 28-year-old 's fifth World Cup success and @ @ @ @ @ a disappointing weekend in France , where he finished 12th in the super-G and fourth @ @ @ @ @ was 0.21 seconds slower in making it two Norwegians in the top three .
The @ @ @ @ @ podium finishes at Val Gardena since 2011 .

Val Gardena (Italy) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Reigning overall World Cup champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde powered to his first win of the season on Friday with super-G victory in Val Gardena.
The Norwegian edged out Switzerland's Mauro Caviezel by 0.12 seconds, with veteran Kjetil Jansrud completing the podium.
Marco Odermatt finished ninth to move above Alexis Pinturault at the top of the overall standings, with the Frenchman skipping this race.
Kilde, wearing bib 13, snatched victory from Caviezel -- who was bidding for a second straight super-G triumph after winning in Val d'Isere last week -- with a brilliant run.
It was the 28-year-old's fifth World Cup success and helped him bounce back from a disappointing weekend in France, where he finished 12th in the super-G and fourth in a downhill.
Jansrud was 0.21 seconds slower in making it two Norwegians in the top three.
The 35-year-old now has seven super-G podium finishes at Val Gardena since 2011.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-18--Macron contracts Covid-19, Alvin Ailey goes virtual and the essentials of a French holiday feast

French President Emmanuel Macron 's Covid-19 diagnosis prompted several EU leaders who had been in contact with him to go into isolation just a week before Christmas .
FRANCE 24 travelled to Tunisia , where 10 years ago a fruit vendor 's self-immolation launched the Arab Spring ; the famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater begins a new season completely online ; and why are the French so sceptical about vaccines ?
Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19 , the Élysée Palace announced Thursday , prompting other French and EU leaders to self-isolate after coming into contact with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 : Bars , restaurants and dining with friends among high-risk activities , French study finds Spending time in a bar or restaurant increases the risk of catching Covid-19 , French researchers said Thursday , while having guests over for dinner also plays a key role in transmission .
Covid-19 : No return to ‘ normal ’ life until autumn 2021 , French government adviser says The public will probably not see a return to “ normal ” post-coronavirus life before autumn 2021 , the president of France 's Scientific Council , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , said on Friday .
Widow of January 2015 Paris attacker sentenced to 30 years in prison A French court found guilty 14 accomplices of the French Islamist militants behind the January 2015 jihadist attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish supermarket in Paris .
From foie gras to bûche de Noël : The essentials of a French holiday feast Christmas is coming , the goose is getting fat , as the song goes – unless you live in France , where it might be a guinea fowl or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With Covid-19 playing Scrooge this year and the World Health Organization recommending limiting holiday gatherings to the nuclear family ( with masks on ) , what is there to look forward to if not a mouthwatering feast ?
Ousting of councillor prompts concern over silencing sexual assault victims in Japan A rural Japanese town voted its sole female councillor out of her seat after she accused its mayor of sexual assault .
The public referendum over whether she had damaged the town ’ s reputation highlighted the backlash against women who come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France emerged from its second Covid-19 lockdown with new daily infections still high above the government 's 5,000-a-day objective .
An 8pm-to-6am curfew remains in effect and cultural venues are still closed , sparking anger across the sector .
Children romped in thick , bubbly sea foam that covered parts of beaches on Australia ’ s Gold Coast for two days .
The foam is mostly made up of decaying organic matter and occurs naturally , but this time appeared in larger than usual quantities amid a bout of extreme ocean weather .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save the Great Barrier Reef ?
A fertilisation technique dubbed “ coral IVF ” that involves the collection of coral sperm and eggs has shown signs it could restore some of the damage to Australia 's Great Barrier Reef , which has lost over half its coral in the past three decades due to global warming , pollution and other threats .
’ Tis the season to watch virtual dance and music shows from your sofa .
The famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater began its completely online new season called “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new pieces choreographed and performed during the pandemic with Covid-19 and social distancing in mind .
Associate artistic director Matthew Rushing spoke to FRANCE 24 .
How the music industry coped with Covid-19 and what we 're looking forward to in 2021 Our music critics take a look back at the highs and lows of 2020 , when Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions hit the music world hard .
How have artists coped ?
What were the big hits and our favourite interviews ?
And what are we looking forward to in 2021 ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines ?
France is getting ready to roll out a nationwide Covid-19 vaccination campaign – but more than 50 percent of the French say they have no intention of getting the jab .
It may seem paradoxical , but the country that saw Louis Pasteur ’ s pioneering discoveries in immunology is also one of the world ’ s most sceptical when it comes to vaccines .
Where does this attitude come from and what are public health officials doing about it ?
Tunisia still faces major economic challenges , a decade after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 years since Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire to protest police harassment , sparking the Tunisian revolution and the Arab Spring .
Tunisia 's economy remains extremely fragile , with hundreds of thousands of graduates without work and the Covid-19 pandemic making matters worse .
Our correspondents travelled to several regions and found that the revolution 's demands for social justice , employment and dignity remain largely unfulfilled .
Since the EU banned the use of various dangerous pesticides in its member states , agrochemical giants have continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 80,000 tonnes left the EU in 2018 , with the US , Brazil , Ukraine and Morocco the top destinations .
The irony is that these countries then export food products back to Europe .
An investigation by Greenpeace and Swiss NGO Public Eye revealed the scale of the trade .
Ending the stigma of miscarriage : Why do people shy away from talking publicly about it ?
Very few people talk openly about miscarriage , and yet around one in four women will experience one .
We look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special edition focusing on reproductive health and speak to Finnish journalist Pihla Hintikka , the author of a feminist guide to pregnancy .
When France deployed troops to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014 , most of them served in Kapisa .
The province had a reputation of being the worst place to be sent : Of the 89 French soldiers who died in Afghanistan , two-thirds died in Kapisa fighting the Taliban alongside the Afghan army .
YOU ARE HERE Each region of France is proud of its own local soup .
Cabbage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Auvergne region , simple and satisfying , has passed down through the generations – old photos and poems even testify to its importance .
In the southwest region of Béarn a thick garbure is served at any time of the day .
Cyberpunk 2077 : Can seizure risks be avoided in video games ?
After a journalist suffered an epileptic seizure while playing the video game Cyberpunk 2077 , which uses rapidly blinking lights and other animations , we take a look at issues with the game .
And from tactile gloves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drones , how will the soldiers of the future be equipped ?
Windsurfing and rugby in Baghdad : New sports pique Iraqis ’ interest Iraq ’ s capital may not be known as a hub of sporting excellence , but that could be about to change .
A new generation keen to have fun and embrace new challenges is emerging from the chaos of war .
But it ’ s not always plain sailing , as our Baghdad correspondents discovered .

WEEK IN REVIEW
French President Emmanuel Macron's Covid-19 diagnosis prompted several EU leaders who had been in contact with him to go into isolation just a week before Christmas. FRANCE 24 travelled to Tunisia, where 10 years ago a fruit vendor's self-immolation launched the Arab Spring; the famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater begins a new season completely online; and why are the French so sceptical about vaccines?
Advertising Read more
ARTICLES
French President Emmanuel Macron tests positive for Covid-19
Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19, the Élysée Palace announced Thursday, prompting other French and EU leaders to self-isolate after coming into contact with the French president over the past week.
Covid-19: Bars, restaurants and dining with friends among high-risk activities, French study finds
Spending time in a bar or restaurant increases the risk of catching Covid-19, French researchers said Thursday, while having guests over for dinner also plays a key role in transmission.
Covid-19: No return to ‘normal’ life until autumn 2021, French government adviser says
The public will probably not see a return to “normal” post-coronavirus life before autumn 2021, the president of France's Scientific Council, which is advising the government on the Covid-19 pandemic, said on Friday.
Pedestrians walk down a street in Nantes in western France on December 16, 2020. © Loic Venance, AFP
Widow of January 2015 Paris attacker sentenced to 30 years in prison
A French court found guilty 14 accomplices of the French Islamist militants behind the January 2015 jihadist attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish supermarket in Paris.
From foie gras to bûche de Noël: The essentials of a French holiday feast
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, as the song goes – unless you live in France, where it might be a guinea fowl or a wild boar putting on the weight. With Covid-19 playing Scrooge this year and the World Health Organization recommending limiting holiday gatherings to the nuclear family (with masks on), what is there to look forward to if not a mouthwatering feast?
Ousting of councillor prompts concern over silencing sexual assault victims in Japan
A rural Japanese town voted its sole female councillor out of her seat after she accused its mayor of sexual assault. The public referendum over whether she had damaged the town’s reputation highlighted the backlash against women who come forward with allegations of sexual abuse.
France’s culture sector mobilises over continued closures as Covid-19 lockdown lifts
France emerged from its second Covid-19 lockdown with new daily infections still high above the government's 5,000-a-day objective. An 8pm-to-6am curfew remains in effect and cultural venues are still closed, sparking anger across the sector.
Le théâtre vide de la Sinne à Mulhouse, le 29 octobre 2020 SEBASTIEN BOZON AFP/Archives
VIDEO REPORTS
Sea foam swamps Australian beaches amid spell of extreme weather
Children romped in thick, bubbly sea foam that covered parts of beaches on Australia’s Gold Coast for two days. The foam is mostly made up of decaying organic matter and occurs naturally, but this time appeared in larger than usual quantities amid a bout of extreme ocean weather.
‘Coral IVF’: A way to save the Great Barrier Reef?
A fertilisation technique dubbed “coral IVF” that involves the collection of coral sperm and eggs has shown signs it could restore some of the damage to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, which has lost over half its coral in the past three decades due to global warming, pollution and other threats.
A researcher distributes coral larvae on a section of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. © Great Barrier Reef Foundation / Reuters / France 24
TV SHOWS ONLINE
ENCORE!
Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Company debuts first online season
’Tis the season to watch virtual dance and music shows from your sofa. The famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater began its completely online new season called “Ailey Forward” in December, with new pieces choreographed and performed during the pandemic with Covid-19 and social distancing in mind. Associate artistic director Matthew Rushing spoke to FRANCE 24.
ENCORE © FRANCE 24
How the music industry coped with Covid-19 and what we're looking forward to in 2021
Our music critics take a look back at the highs and lows of 2020, when Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions hit the music world hard. How have artists coped? What were the big hits and our favourite interviews? And what are we looking forward to in 2021?
FRENCH CONNECTIONS
Why are the French so sceptical about vaccines?
France is getting ready to roll out a nationwide Covid-19 vaccination campaign – but more than 50 percent of the French say they have no intention of getting the jab. It may seem paradoxical, but the country that saw Louis Pasteur’s pioneering discoveries in immunology is also one of the world’s most sceptical when it comes to vaccines. Where does this attitude come from and what are public health officials doing about it?
FOCUS
Tunisia still faces major economic challenges, a decade after the revolution
It's been almost exactly 10 years since Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire to protest police harassment, sparking the Tunisian revolution and the Arab Spring. Tunisia's economy remains extremely fragile, with hundreds of thousands of graduates without work and the Covid-19 pandemic making matters worse. Our correspondents travelled to several regions and found that the revolution's demands for social justice, employment and dignity remain largely unfulfilled.
Focus © france24
Exporting banned pesticides: the EU’s double-dealing tactics?
Since the EU banned the use of various dangerous pesticides in its member states, agrochemical giants have continued to produce them in Europe for legal export. More than 80,000 tonnes left the EU in 2018, with the US, Brazil, Ukraine and Morocco the top destinations. The irony is that these countries then export food products back to Europe. An investigation by Greenpeace and Swiss NGO Public Eye revealed the scale of the trade.
THE 51 PERCENT
Ending the stigma of miscarriage: Why do people shy away from talking publicly about it?
Very few people talk openly about miscarriage, and yet around one in four women will experience one. We look at how to end this stigma in a special edition focusing on reproductive health and speak to Finnish journalist Pihla Hintikka, the author of a feminist guide to pregnancy.
REVISITED
Afghanistan: The French legacy in Kapisa province
When France deployed troops to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014, most of them served in Kapisa. The province had a reputation of being the worst place to be sent: Of the 89 French soldiers who died in Afghanistan, two-thirds died in Kapisa fighting the Taliban alongside the Afghan army.
YOU ARE HERE
Winter warmers: Discovering typical French soups
Each region of France is proud of its own local soup. Cabbage soup from the village of Queyrières in the Auvergne region, simple and satisfying, has passed down through the generations – old photos and poems even testify to its importance. In the southwest region of Béarn a thick garbure is served at any time of the day.
You Are Here © France 24
TECH 24
Cyberpunk 2077: Can seizure risks be avoided in video games?
After a journalist suffered an epileptic seizure while playing the video game Cyberpunk 2077, which uses rapidly blinking lights and other animations, we take a look at issues with the game. And from tactile gloves to stealth technologies and from lasers to drones, how will the soldiers of the future be equipped?
MIDDLE EAST MATTERS
Windsurfing and rugby in Baghdad: New sports pique Iraqis’ interest
Iraq’s capital may not be known as a hub of sporting excellence, but that could be about to change. A new generation keen to have fun and embrace new challenges is emerging from the chaos of war. But it’s not always plain sailing, as our Baghdad correspondents discovered.
MIDDLE EAST MATTERS © FRANCE24
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-12-18--VP Pence prepares for jab as Moderna vaccine nears US approval

The US has already kicked off a mass vaccination drive US Vice President Mike Pence prepared to roll up his sleeve for a public coronavirus jab on Friday as the country neared approval of a second vaccine and several European leaders quarantined ahead of the Christmas holidays .
Pence 's move comes as inoculation efforts unfurl across the globe , with officials mounting campaigns to quash skepticism about the record-fast development of the jabs .
The vice president 's public injection is an effort to `` build confidence among the American people '' about the safety of the vaccines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be held at the White House , the event caps the country 's first week of a mass immunization program against a virus that has killed more than 300,000 Americans .
Worldwide , at least 1.66 million people have died from Covid-19 and more than 74 million cases have been diagnosed , according to an AFP count .
The Moderna shot is now expected to become the second vaccine allowed in a Western country after a panel of US experts recommended emergency use approval , a week after greenlighting the Pfizer/BioNtech jab .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lining up for on-camera injections to counter small but often vocal anti-vaccination movements .
President-elect Joe Biden , 78 , has announced plans to take a vaccine in public soon , while 68-year-old Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would take the domestically-produced Sputnik V jab as soon as it is approved for his age group .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also plans to get a public injection on Saturday .
The European Union is facing heavy pressure to approve vaccines after Britain and the United States have already administered tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have begun efforts with their own vaccines .
The bloc intends to start its inoculations with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine before the end of the year .
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen described it as `` Europe 's moment '' in the battle against the virus as the continent became the first region to pass half a million deaths .
Greece 's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared he and other party leaders would be among the first to get a jab `` to demonstrate our confidence in science '' .
Elsewhere , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to isolate after French President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for coronavirus .
Following recent contact with Macron , European Council chief Charles Michel and the prime ministers of Spain , Portugal and Luxembourg went into quarantine .
It comes as the continent battles a winter surge that has caused almost 37,000 deaths over the past seven days , the highest weekly toll since the start of the pandemic .
Several European countries are hardening restrictions as fears grow of an explosion in cases after the Christmas holidays .
Germany has been reporting record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus has slipped .
Yet German business confidence nevertheless rose in December , a survey showed Friday , likely reflecting optimism about vaccines .
In China at least one million people have already received shots from vaccine candidates approved for `` emergency use '' .
After focusing on priority groups , the country plans to widen its program to the public in southwestern Sichuan province early next year , health officials said .
China 's five coronavirus vaccines are in the final stages of development -- but none has received official approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to be published .
Elsewhere , Africa was bracing for a second wave as new virus cases emerge in the east , north and south .
In total the continent of more than 1.2 billion people has registered over 57,000 deaths , with the latest victim former president of Burundi Pierre Buyoya .
He died at age 71 on Thursday just weeks after resigning as the African Union 's special envoy to Mali and the Sahel .
Yet the epidemic has still not been as destructive in the continent as experts feared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population , cross-immunity derived from previous epidemics and a lower population density in some countries .
Latin America , however , is still seeing hard days , with Brazil and Mexico logging the highest number of new deaths after the United States .
Despite warnings against large Christmas celebrations , Mexico 's capital was still churning out pinatas for the holiday season .
`` By tradition , you can not close the door to God .
Even if online , we will go forward , '' she told AFP .

Washington (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
US Vice President Mike Pence prepared to roll up his sleeve for a public coronavirus jab on Friday as the country neared approval of a second vaccine and several European leaders quarantined ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Pence's move comes as inoculation efforts unfurl across the globe, with officials mounting campaigns to quash skepticism about the record-fast development of the jabs.
The vice president's public injection is an effort to "build confidence among the American people" about the safety of the vaccines, the White House said.
Due to be held at the White House, the event caps the country's first week of a mass immunization program against a virus that has killed more than 300,000 Americans.
Worldwide, at least 1.66 million people have died from Covid-19 and more than 74 million cases have been diagnosed, according to an AFP count.
The Moderna shot is now expected to become the second vaccine allowed in a Western country after a panel of US experts recommended emergency use approval, a week after greenlighting the Pfizer/BioNtech jab.
Other leaders around the world are also lining up for on-camera injections to counter small but often vocal anti-vaccination movements.
President-elect Joe Biden, 78, has announced plans to take a vaccine in public soon, while 68-year-old Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would take the domestically-produced Sputnik V jab as soon as it is approved for his age group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also plans to get a public injection on Saturday.
- EU isolating -
The European Union is facing heavy pressure to approve vaccines after Britain and the United States have already administered tens of thousands of shots while China and Russia have begun efforts with their own vaccines.
The bloc intends to start its inoculations with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine before the end of the year.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen described it as "Europe's moment" in the battle against the virus as the continent became the first region to pass half a million deaths.
Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared he and other party leaders would be among the first to get a jab "to demonstrate our confidence in science".
Elsewhere, a raft of European politicians were forced to isolate after French President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for coronavirus.
Following recent contact with Macron, European Council chief Charles Michel and the prime ministers of Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg went into quarantine.
It comes as the continent battles a winter surge that has caused almost 37,000 deaths over the past seven days, the highest weekly toll since the start of the pandemic.
Several European countries are hardening restrictions as fears grow of an explosion in cases after the Christmas holidays.
Germany has been reporting record high infections as its early mastery over the virus has slipped.
Yet German business confidence nevertheless rose in December, a survey showed Friday, likely reflecting optimism about vaccines.
- China widens vaccination -
In China at least one million people have already received shots from vaccine candidates approved for "emergency use".
After focusing on priority groups, the country plans to widen its program to the public in southwestern Sichuan province early next year, health officials said.
China's five coronavirus vaccines are in the final stages of development -- but none has received official approval and the results of late-stage trials have yet to be published.
Elsewhere, Africa was bracing for a second wave as new virus cases emerge in the east, north and south.
In total the continent of more than 1.2 billion people has registered over 57,000 deaths, with the latest victim former president of Burundi Pierre Buyoya.
He died at age 71 on Thursday just weeks after resigning as the African Union's special envoy to Mali and the Sahel.
Yet the epidemic has still not been as destructive in the continent as experts feared, possibly because of Africa's youthful population, cross-immunity derived from previous epidemics and a lower population density in some countries.
Latin America, however, is still seeing hard days, with Brazil and Mexico logging the highest number of new deaths after the United States.
Despite warnings against large Christmas celebrations, Mexico's capital was still churning out pinatas for the holiday season.
"By tradition, you cannot close the door to God. Even if online, we will go forward," she told AFP.
burs-ssm/txw
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-18--French scientist Delfraissy sees no return to post-Covid-19 normal before autumn 2021

French scientist Delfraissy sees no return to post-Covid-19 normal before autumn 2021 The French population will probably not return to @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 life before autumn 2021 , a senior government scientific adviser said on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ which continues to circulate strongly while we are just coming out of a second lockdown @ @ @ @ @ also told BFM television .

French scientist Delfraissy sees no return to post-Covid-19 normal before autumn 2021
00:36
The French population will probably not return to a "normal" post Covid-19 life before autumn 2021, a senior government scientific adviser said on Friday. "We have a virus which continues to circulate strongly while we are just coming out of a second lockdown," immunologist Jean-François Delfraissy also told BFM television.


france24--2020-12-18--World Cup downhill champion Suter kicks off defence with win

Switzerland 's Corinne Suter started the defence of her World Cup downhill title with an impressive victory in Val d'Isere @ @ @ @ @ Sofia Goggia .
The 26-year-old Suter , who claimed both the downhill and super-G globes @ @ @ @ @ in the first downhill of the campaign by just 0.11 seconds .
American Breezy Johnson @ @ @ @ @ a second further back in third , claiming her first-ever podium finish on the circuit @ @ @ @ @ Suter 's third career World Cup win after one in each of the speed events @ @ @ @ @ only picked up her first points of the season last weekend in Courchevel with a @ @ @ @ @ slalom , after the two super-G races scheduled for Saint Moritz earlier this month were @ @ @ @ @ conditions .
Thursday 's race was suspended for around 20 minutes after a nasty fall @ @ @ @ @ who missed a turn and crashed into the net at full speed .
She was @ @ @ @ @

Val-d'Isère (France) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Switzerland's Corinne Suter started the defence of her World Cup downhill title with an impressive victory in Val d'Isere on Thursday, edging out Sofia Goggia.
The 26-year-old Suter, who claimed both the downhill and super-G globes last season, beat Goggia in the first downhill of the campaign by just 0.11 seconds.
American Breezy Johnson was only nine hundredths of a second further back in third, claiming her first-ever podium finish on the circuit.
It was the injury-plagued Suter's third career World Cup win after one in each of the speed events earlier this year.
She only picked up her first points of the season last weekend in Courchevel with a 20th-placed finish in a giant slalom, after the two super-G races scheduled for Saint Moritz earlier this month were cancelled due to poor weather conditions.
Thursday's race was suspended for around 20 minutes after a nasty fall for Austrian Nicole Schmidhofer, who missed a turn and crashed into the net at full speed. She was evacuated on a stretcher.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-18--Tackling in children's rugby 'should be banned', say British academics

A group of British academics has warned about the dangers of tackling at youth level Tackling in children 's rugby should be banned to prevent potentially devastating head injuries , a group of academics at British universities said on Friday , calling for government intervention on the issue .
It comes as a group of ex-professionals pursue legal action against a number of the sport 's governing bodies for alleged negligence over concussion-related health problems .
Academics from Oxford Brookes , Newcastle and Winchester universities have written an open letter to all four chief medical officers in the UK calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children .
`` Concern about injuries and traumatic brain injury in youth sport is of growing international concern , including in rugby union and rugby league , '' the letter said .
It points to efforts in the United States and Britain to ban or limit heading of the ball in football .
The letter refers to research by the Rugby Football Union ( RFU ) that they say highlights the lack of evidence for any `` discernible physical health benefits '' from full contact rugby compared with non-contact forms of the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young players under the age of 18 are particularly vulnerable to concussive injuries because of the maturing and the dynamic neurophysiological state of the adolescent brain , '' the letter said .
`` The situation whereby the RFU determine the rules of play for children including in schools can not continue , '' the academics added .
`` We are concerned that in failing to act to protect children from the tackle in the school game and by allowing the sport 's governing bodies to decide what , if any , information to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children to significant risk . ''
A group of nine former professional players , including England 's 2003 World Cup winning hooker Steve Thompson , are involved in a lawsuit against the game 's authorities .
A pre-action letter of claim was on Thursday delivered to World Rugby , the RFU and the Welsh Rugby Union .
Oxford Brookes lecturer in sport and coaching science Adam White said urgent action was necessary to protect youngsters playing the game .
`` Over the last few weeks we have heard the terrible news of ex-professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of concussions and sub-concussions on their brains , '' he said .
`` We must now do everything we can to protect our children from suffering from the same mistakes . ''
There are also concerns over the high rate of dementia suffered by former footballers .
Restrictions have been put in place to stop children aged 11 and under heading footballs during training in England , Scotland and Northern Ireland .
However , there is a growing body of present and former footballers arguing that the age limit should be raised to @ @

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Tackling in children's rugby should be banned to prevent potentially devastating head injuries, a group of academics at British universities said on Friday, calling for government intervention on the issue.
It comes as a group of ex-professionals pursue legal action against a number of the sport's governing bodies for alleged negligence over concussion-related health problems.
Academics from Oxford Brookes, Newcastle and Winchester universities have written an open letter to all four chief medical officers in the UK calling for an end to tackling for school-aged children.
"Concern about injuries and traumatic brain injury in youth sport is of growing international concern, including in rugby union and rugby league," the letter said.
It points to efforts in the United States and Britain to ban or limit heading of the ball in football.
The letter refers to research by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) that they say highlights the lack of evidence for any "discernible physical health benefits" from full contact rugby compared with non-contact forms of the game.
"It is now well-established that young players under the age of 18 are particularly vulnerable to concussive injuries because of the maturing and the dynamic neurophysiological state of the adolescent brain," the letter said.
"The situation whereby the RFU determine the rules of play for children including in schools cannot continue," the academics added.
"We are concerned that in failing to act to protect children from the tackle in the school game and by allowing the sport's governing bodies to decide what, if any, information to collect, the British government is exposing children to significant risk."
A group of nine former professional players, including England's 2003 World Cup winning hooker Steve Thompson, are involved in a lawsuit against the game's authorities.
A pre-action letter of claim was on Thursday delivered to World Rugby, the RFU and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Oxford Brookes lecturer in sport and coaching science Adam White said urgent action was necessary to protect youngsters playing the game.
"Over the last few weeks we have heard the terrible news of ex-professional players who are suffering with the effects of concussions and sub-concussions on their brains," he said.
"We must now do everything we can to protect our children from suffering from the same mistakes."
There are also concerns over the high rate of dementia suffered by former footballers.
Restrictions have been put in place to stop children aged 11 and under heading footballs during training in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
However, there is a growing body of present and former footballers arguing that the age limit should be raised to 16.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-18--Brexit deadlock: EU-UK trade talks face 'last attempt' to fix fish

The European Union 's chief negotiator said Friday that the bloc and the United Kingdom are starting a “ last @ @ @ @ @ post-Brexit trade deal , with EU fishing rights in British waters the most notable remaining @ @ @ @ @ and costly changeover on New Year .

Brexit deadlock: EU-UK trade talks face 'last attempt' to fix fish
01:56
The European Union's chief negotiator said Friday that the bloc and the United Kingdom are starting a “last attempt" to clinch a post-Brexit trade deal, with EU fishing rights in British waters the most notable remaining obstacle to avoid a chaotic and costly changeover on New Year.


france24--2020-12-18--EU's Barnier says: just hours left for a Brexit trade deal

EU 's Barnier says : just hours left for a Brexit trade deal Britain and European Union have just hours @ @ @ @ @ narrow path to a trade deal that would prevent the most turbulent finale to the @ @ @ @ @ two weeks ' time , EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday .
FRANCE @ @ @ @ @ us more .

EU's Barnier says: just hours left for a Brexit trade deal
02:09
Britain and European Union have just hours left to navigate the very narrow path to a trade deal that would prevent the most turbulent finale to the Brexit crisis in less than two weeks' time, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday. FRANCE 24's James André tells us more.


france24--2020-12-18--US transition: Biden taps Deb Haaland as first Native American to run Interior

US transition : Biden taps Deb Haaland as first Native American to run Interior US President-elect Joe Biden has chosen @ @ @ @ @ as the first Native American interior secretary , US media reported Thursday , in a @ @ @ @ @ department 's often troubled ties with indigenous tribes .

US transition: Biden taps Deb Haaland as first Native American to run Interior
01:47
US President-elect Joe Biden has chosen congresswoman Deb Haaland to serve as the first Native American interior secretary, US media reported Thursday, in a move that could recast the department's often troubled ties with indigenous tribes.


france24--2020-12-18--Hundreds shrug off pandemic for Ikea's new India store

Ikea 's newest Indian store , on the outskirts of Mumbai , which comes two years after its first outlet opened in the southern city of Hyderabad Hundreds of masked shoppers defied pandemic fears to visit Ikea 's second Indian store , which opened Friday , as the Swedish giant tries to lure the country 's burgeoning middle class with minimalist design and a dash of local masala .
The company is betting big on the vast but complex market of 1.3 billion people , mixing Swedish functionality with locally sourced Indian wares .
Its latest store , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after its first outlet opened in the southern city of Hyderabad , but amid vastly changed circumstances with social distancing norms requiring customers to register in advance before visiting .
With an area equivalent to 10 football fields , the new flagship houses a 1,000-seater restaurant as well as the largest children 's section of any Ikea store worldwide and can accommodate up to 10,000 people .
For the foreseeable future however , only about 2,500 customers will be allowed to visit daily .
`` It has been beyond our expectations , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying customer slots for the next two weeks were already filled .
The canteen serves Ikea 's signature meatballs but without beef or pork in deference to local religious practice , as well as local favourites such as biryani .
With coronavirus cases nearing 10 million in India -- but with economic activity returning to normal -- Ikea plans to open two smaller stores in the financial capital by the end of next year .
`` This is not a sprint ... it 's a marathon '' , said Budhraja .

Mumbai (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Hundreds of masked shoppers defied pandemic fears to visit Ikea's second Indian store, which opened Friday, as the Swedish giant tries to lure the country's burgeoning middle class with minimalist design and a dash of local masala.
The company is betting big on the vast but complex market of 1.3 billion people, mixing Swedish functionality with locally sourced Indian wares.
Its latest store, on the outskirts of Mumbai, comes two years after its first outlet opened in the southern city of Hyderabad, but amid vastly changed circumstances with social distancing norms requiring customers to register in advance before visiting.
With an area equivalent to 10 football fields, the new flagship houses a 1,000-seater restaurant as well as the largest children's section of any Ikea store worldwide and can accommodate up to 10,000 people.
For the foreseeable future however, only about 2,500 customers will be allowed to visit daily.
"It has been beyond our expectations," deputy store manager Preeti Budhraja told AFP, saying customer slots for the next two weeks were already filled.
The canteen serves Ikea's signature meatballs but without beef or pork in deference to local religious practice, as well as local favourites such as biryani.
With coronavirus cases nearing 10 million in India -- but with economic activity returning to normal -- Ikea plans to open two smaller stores in the financial capital by the end of next year.
"This is not a sprint... it's a marathon", said Budhraja.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-18--Russia doping case: Moscow banned for two years in landmark ruling

Russia doping case : Moscow banned for two years in landmark ruling Russia 's ban from international sport was halved @ @ @ @ @ and its athletes were cleared to compete as neutrals , drawing condemnation from athletes and @ @ @ @ @ Court of Arbitration for Sport cut the initial four-year ban imposed by the World Anti-Doping @ @ @ @ @ of proportionality '' and the `` need to effect cultural change and encourage the next @ @ @ @ @ .

Russia doping case: Moscow banned for two years in landmark ruling
01:50
Video by: Yinka OYETADE
Russia's ban from international sport was halved to two years on Thursday and its athletes were cleared to compete as neutrals, drawing condemnation from athletes and anti-doping advocates. The Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport cut the initial four-year ban imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, citing "matters of proportionality" and the "need to effect cultural change and encourage the next generation of Russian athletes".