france24--2020-11-24--What you need to know about minks and the coronavirus

The first case of a mink being infected with virus , and a mink farm worker subsequently being infected , was registered in the Netherlands in April Farmed for their soft fur , minks are the only animal proven to both contract the new coronavirus and reinfect humans , thereby compromising efforts to stop the spread of the virus .
While the small creatures have n't played a major role in the spread of the virus so far , alarm bells were recently sounded in Denmark .
When did minks start getting infected ?
The first case of a mink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS-CoV-2 , and a mink farm worker subsequently being infected , was registered in the Netherlands in April , according to a recent report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDC ) .
`` It has been established that human-to-mink and mink-to-human transmission can occur , '' the ECDC wrote .
Since then , mink infections have been reported in a number of other countries , including Denmark , France , Italy , Spain , Sweden and the United States .
In Denmark , the world 's biggest exporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit by mink infections , more than 280 mink farms were contaminated and the minks culled .
A total of 373 people in Denmark have been infected with one of several mutated mink strains , according to the most recent tally last week .
While several animals , such as cats , can become infected with the new coronavirus , they are currently not known to reinfect people .
Why minks then ?
According to the French Agency for Food , Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety , minks are more likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to get a heavy viral load in their crowded cages and therefore be more infectious .
What danger does all this pose to humans ?
The mutated mink strains are no more contagious or dangerous to humans than other strains of the virus , according to the ECDC .
But scientists have warned that minks could become a viral source that could both easily infect people and lead to new mutations .
The ECDC has urged member states to beef up testing at mink farms .
In most of the affected countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slaughtered .
Some countries , such as Ireland , have decided to cull their stocks even though they have not registered any cases .
Why did Denmark sound the alarm ?
RNA viruses like the novel coronavirus that first appeared in China at the end of 2019 regularly mutate without any major consequences .
But in early November , experts from Denmark 's infectious disease institute SSI identified a new mink strain , dubbed `` Cluster 5 '' , that had infected 12 people in August and September .
The strain has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' spike protein , which it uses to enter cells .
This concerned experts because changes in this region could affect the immune system 's ability to detect the infection , as many vaccines train the immune system to block the spike protein .
As a result , any future vaccine against Covid-19 could be less effective on this strain .
Following the discovery , the Danish government , which had already ordered infected farms to cull their animals , announced the slaughter of all of the country 's 15 to 17 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the 280,000 people living in the regions where the human cases of `` Cluster 5 '' had occurred .
Authorities last week announced that no new cases of `` Cluster 5 '' had been detected in minks or people since mid-September , and said the strain was `` most likely '' extinct .
Scientists remain cautious about the real danger the mutation posed to vaccines .
It `` could ... have an impact on the effectiveness of developed vaccine candidates '' , but `` investigations and studies are ongoing to clarify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ECDC noted .
What does this mean for the mink industry ?
The slaughter of all minks in Denmark and the Netherlands means the industry -- which provides pelts to fashion houses -- will never recover , according to farmers who say it takes more than 10 years to cultivate minks with top quality fur .
Even before the virus , the sector had struggled in recent years with growing opposition to wearing fur .
Some countries have already banned mink farming , while several major fashion houses such as Chanel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` fur prices dropping sharply as a result .
In fact fur farming has n't been a profitable business for years , '' Joh Vinding , head of animal rights association Anima , told AFP .
According to Statistics Denmark , mink pelt exports fell by 63 percent between 2013 and 2019 , to 4.9 billion kroner ( 657 millions euros , $ 782 million ) .
China is the world 's biggest market for furs .

Copenhagen (AFP) –
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Farmed for their soft fur, minks are the only animal proven to both contract the new coronavirus and reinfect humans, thereby compromising efforts to stop the spread of the virus.
While the small creatures haven't played a major role in the spread of the virus so far, alarm bells were recently sounded in Denmark.
When did minks start getting infected?
The first case of a mink being infected with the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and a mink farm worker subsequently being infected, was registered in the Netherlands in April, according to a recent report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
"It has been established that human-to-mink and mink-to-human transmission can occur," the ECDC wrote.
Since then, mink infections have been reported in a number of other countries, including Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United States.
In Denmark, the world's biggest exporter of mink pelts and the country hardest hit by mink infections, more than 280 mink farms were contaminated and the minks culled.
A total of 373 people in Denmark have been infected with one of several mutated mink strains, according to the most recent tally last week.
While several animals, such as cats, can become infected with the new coronavirus, they are currently not known to reinfect people.
Why minks then? According to the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, minks are more likely to reinfect humans because the animals are more likely to get a heavy viral load in their crowded cages and therefore be more infectious.
What danger does all this pose to humans?
The mutated mink strains are no more contagious or dangerous to humans than other strains of the virus, according to the ECDC.
But scientists have warned that minks could become a viral source that could both easily infect people and lead to new mutations.
The ECDC has urged member states to beef up testing at mink farms.
In most of the affected countries, minks at contaminated farms have been slaughtered. Some countries, such as Ireland, have decided to cull their stocks even though they have not registered any cases.
Why did Denmark sound the alarm?
RNA viruses like the novel coronavirus that first appeared in China at the end of 2019 regularly mutate without any major consequences.
But in early November, experts from Denmark's infectious disease institute SSI identified a new mink strain, dubbed "Cluster 5", that had infected 12 people in August and September.
The strain has a mutation in the gene encoding the coronavirus' spike protein, which it uses to enter cells. This concerned experts because changes in this region could affect the immune system's ability to detect the infection, as many vaccines train the immune system to block the spike protein.
As a result, any future vaccine against Covid-19 could be less effective on this strain.
Following the discovery, the Danish government, which had already ordered infected farms to cull their animals, announced the slaughter of all of the country's 15 to 17 million minks.
It also imposed strict restrictions on the 280,000 people living in the regions where the human cases of "Cluster 5" had occurred.
Authorities last week announced that no new cases of "Cluster 5" had been detected in minks or people since mid-September, and said the strain was "most likely" extinct.
Scientists remain cautious about the real danger the mutation posed to vaccines.
It "could... have an impact on the effectiveness of developed vaccine candidates", but "investigations and studies are ongoing to clarify the extent of these possible implications," the ECDC noted.
What does this mean for the mink industry?
The slaughter of all minks in Denmark and the Netherlands means the industry -- which provides pelts to fashion houses -- will never recover, according to farmers who say it takes more than 10 years to cultivate minks with top quality fur.
Even before the virus, the sector had struggled in recent years with growing opposition to wearing fur.
Some countries have already banned mink farming, while several major fashion houses such as Chanel and Gucci have stopped using fur, with "fur prices dropping sharply as a result. In fact fur farming hasn't been a profitable business for years," Joh Vinding, head of animal rights association Anima, told AFP.
According to Statistics Denmark, mink pelt exports fell by 63 percent between 2013 and 2019, to 4.9 billion kroner (657 millions euros, $782 million).
China is the world's biggest market for furs.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--Afghanistan war: More than 26,000 children killed or maimed since 2005

Afghanistan war : More than 26,000 children killed or maimed since 2005 Between 2005 and 2019 , at least 26,025 @ @ @ @ @ maimed in Afghanistan – an average of five children every single day over the past @ @ @ @ @ reveal the appalling cost of the decades long conflict to children in Afghanistan , as @ @ @ @ @ for increased humanitarian funding ahead of this week ’ s donor conference in Geneva .

Afghanistan war: More than 26,000 children killed or maimed since 2005
01:28
Between 2005 and 2019, at least 26,025 children have been killed or maimed in Afghanistan – an average of five children every single day over the past 14 years These new figures reveal the appalling cost of the decades long conflict to children in Afghanistan, as Save the Children joins calls for increased humanitarian funding ahead of this week’s donor conference in Geneva.


france24--2020-11-24--Pakistan's lonely elephant Kaavan packs trunk for Cambodia

Friends threw a farewell party for Kaavan , Pakistan 's only Asian elephant , before it heads to Cambodia With music , treats and balloons , friends of Pakistan 's only Asian elephant threw a farewell party for the creature ahead of its relocation to Cambodia following years of campaigning by animal rights activists .
The plight of Kaavan , an overweight , 35-year-old bull elephant , has drawn international condemnation and highlighted the woeful state of Islamabad 's zoo , where conditions are so bad that a judge in May ordered all the animals to be moved .
Kaavan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday , said Saleem Shaikh , a spokesman for Pakistan 's ministry of climate change , following months of veterinary care and a special training regime to habituate the elephant to a huge metal crate he will travel in .
But before flying out , the capital 's animal lovers said goodbye , with performances from local bands who serenaded Kaavan ahead of the mammoth move .
`` We want to wish him a happy retirement , '' said Marion Lombard , the deputy mission leader for Four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has spearheaded the relocation effort .
The Islamabad Zoo , where Kaavan has lived for decades since arriving from Sria Lanka , was decorated with balloons for the occasion and banners wishing the animal well .
`` We will miss you Kaavan , '' read one of the signs .
Kaavan 's plight was given a boost over the years by American pop icon Cher , who publicly campaigned for the elephant 's relocation and called the decision to move him one of the `` greatest moments '' of her life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kaavan was kept in substandard conditions or chained , claiming instead the creature was pining for a new mate after his partner died in 2012 .
But Kaavan 's behaviour -- including signs of distress such as continual head-bobbing -- raised concerns of mental illness .
Activists also said Kaavan was not properly sheltered from Islamabad 's searing summer temperatures , which can rise above 40 degrees Celsius ( 100 Fahrenheit ) .
Kaavan 's mate Saheli , who also arrived from Sri Lanka , died in 2012 .

Islamabad (AFP) –
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With music, treats and balloons, friends of Pakistan's only Asian elephant threw a farewell party for the creature ahead of its relocation to Cambodia following years of campaigning by animal rights activists.
The plight of Kaavan, an overweight, 35-year-old bull elephant, has drawn international condemnation and highlighted the woeful state of Islamabad's zoo, where conditions are so bad that a judge in May ordered all the animals to be moved.
Kaavan is set to be flown to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday, said Saleem Shaikh, a spokesman for Pakistan's ministry of climate change, following months of veterinary care and a special training regime to habituate the elephant to a huge metal crate he will travel in.
But before flying out, the capital's animal lovers said goodbye, with performances from local bands who serenaded Kaavan ahead of the mammoth move.
"We want to wish him a happy retirement," said Marion Lombard, the deputy mission leader for Four Paws International -- an animal welfare group that has spearheaded the relocation effort.
The Islamabad Zoo, where Kaavan has lived for decades since arriving from Sria Lanka, was decorated with balloons for the occasion and banners wishing the animal well.
"We will miss you Kaavan," read one of the signs.
Kaavan's plight was given a boost over the years by American pop icon Cher, who publicly campaigned for the elephant's relocation and called the decision to move him one of the "greatest moments" of her life.
Zoo officials have in the past denied Kaavan was kept in substandard conditions or chained, claiming instead the creature was pining for a new mate after his partner died in 2012.
But Kaavan's behaviour -- including signs of distress such as continual head-bobbing -- raised concerns of mental illness.
Activists also said Kaavan was not properly sheltered from Islamabad's searing summer temperatures, which can rise above 40 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit).
Kaavan's mate Saheli, who also arrived from Sri Lanka, died in 2012.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--The Biden administration: Cabinet starts to take form

The Biden administration : Cabinet starts to take form Democratic President-elect Joe Biden will begin naming members of his Cabinet @ @ @ @ @ with deep foreign policy experience to key posts in line with his pledge to restore @ @ @ @ @ standing as a world leader .
Some of the appointees also reflect Biden 's promise @ @ @ @ @ reflects the diversity of the United States .

The Biden administration: Cabinet starts to take form
01:45
Video by: Solange MOUGIN
Democratic President-elect Joe Biden will begin naming members of his Cabinet this week, appointing experts with deep foreign policy experience to key posts in line with his pledge to restore America's global ties and standing as a world leader. Some of the appointees also reflect Biden's promise to build an administration that reflects the diversity of the United States.


france24--2020-11-24--Afghan president calls for support but donors likely to cut aid

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani urged the international community to keep supporting Afghanistan on Tuesday even as he acknowledged that donors are likely to cut aid under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic .
Ghani 's call came in a virtual address to a global donor conference in Geneva , with Afghanistan beset by violence between the Taliban and government forces , rampant corruption and an imminent withdrawal of US troops .
`` The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown us all into a state of global uncertainty , '' Ghani said from Kabul .
`` We ask our international partners to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources -- aid -- will continue to be critical to our growth for the foreseeable future . ''
Donor nations meet every four years to pledge aid to Afghanistan , which is almost entirely reliant on foreign assistance despite years of promised reforms and attempts to grow the economy .
The World Bank said in a report earlier this year that Afghanistan 's economy is set to contract by between 5.5 percent and 7.4 percent in 2020 due to the pandemic , exacerbating poverty and leading to a sharp decline in government revenues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised $ 15.2 billion ( 12.8 billion euros ) , but the 2020 donor conference could see less aid pledged as countries battle to recover from the pandemic .
And the conference aims to secure gains made over the last 19 years by tying new donations to joint political commitments -- with consequences if they are not met .
Concerns are high that advances , especially in the area of women 's rights , could be lost as the Taliban unleashes further violence .
`` Afghans have made remarkable progress in achieving their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , minorities , and children , '' said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres , as he called for an immediate , unconditional ceasefire .
`` These rights must be the foundations for a peaceful future .
It is essential that they remain anchored in law and protected in practice . ''
The Taliban and the Afghan government have been engaged in peace talks in Qatar since September 12 but no progress has been announced so far .
`` Our commitment to negotiations with the Taliban remains firm , '' Ghani said .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since a US-Taliban deal in February paved the way for the withdrawal of foreign forces by May 2021 .
`` Plans to achieve peace did not materialise as imagined .
Suffering and killing continues to plague Afghans on a daily basis .
It is unbearable , '' he said .
The United States announced last week that another 2,000 US troops will exit Afghanistan by January 15 -- less than a week before Joe Biden is set to take over as president -- leaving just 2,500 behind .
`` The Western donors should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a military strategy to a donor and financial and economic strategy .
That 's where the leverage to maintain the gains of the last 19 years will be , '' said Finnish ambassador Janne Taalas , who is co-chairing the conference .
Support for Kabul from donor nations sends an important message to the Taliban in peace negotiations , experts say .
`` Although the amount pledged is important , what 's more significant is the donors providing their support to Afghanistan , '' Nishank Motwani , deputy director at the Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The largely virtual Geneva conference also considered tackling corruption , aid effectiveness , safeguarding human rights and reintegrating returning refugees .
UN Refugees chief Filippo Grandi , who recently returned from Afghanistan , said there were up to 300,000 more internally displaced people this year due to conflict , adding to the millions of Afghan IDPs .
Meanwhile up to 40 percent of refugees arriving in Greece from the east were Afghans .
`` If violence continues , as we have seen during the weekend , if peace talks fail , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he told the conference .

Geneva (AFP) –
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Afghan President Ashraf Ghani urged the international community to keep supporting Afghanistan on Tuesday even as he acknowledged that donors are likely to cut aid under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ghani's call came in a virtual address to a global donor conference in Geneva, with Afghanistan beset by violence between the Taliban and government forces, rampant corruption and an imminent withdrawal of US troops.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown us all into a state of global uncertainty," Ghani said from Kabul.
"We ask our international partners to help us do more with less... Financial resources -- aid -- will continue to be critical to our growth for the foreseeable future."
Donor nations meet every four years to pledge aid to Afghanistan, which is almost entirely reliant on foreign assistance despite years of promised reforms and attempts to grow the economy.
The World Bank said in a report earlier this year that Afghanistan's economy is set to contract by between 5.5 percent and 7.4 percent in 2020 due to the pandemic, exacerbating poverty and leading to a sharp decline in government revenues.
The previous 2016 conference in Brussels raised $15.2 billion (12.8 billion euros), but the 2020 donor conference could see less aid pledged as countries battle to recover from the pandemic.
And the conference aims to secure gains made over the last 19 years by tying new donations to joint political commitments -- with consequences if they are not met.
Concerns are high that advances, especially in the area of women's rights, could be lost as the Taliban unleashes further violence.
- UN ceasefire call -
"Afghans have made remarkable progress in achieving their human rights -- particularly those of women, minorities, and children," said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as he called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.
"These rights must be the foundations for a peaceful future. It is essential that they remain anchored in law and protected in practice."
The Taliban and the Afghan government have been engaged in peace talks in Qatar since September 12 but no progress has been announced so far.
"Our commitment to negotiations with the Taliban remains firm," Ghani said.
But he said violence had "skyrocketed" since a US-Taliban deal in February paved the way for the withdrawal of foreign forces by May 2021.
"Plans to achieve peace did not materialise as imagined. Suffering and killing continues to plague Afghans on a daily basis. It is unbearable," he said.
- Military to economic shift -
The United States announced last week that another 2,000 US troops will exit Afghanistan by January 15 -- less than a week before Joe Biden is set to take over as president -- leaving just 2,500 behind.
"The Western donors should see this -- that we are shifting from a military strategy to a donor and financial and economic strategy. That's where the leverage to maintain the gains of the last 19 years will be," said Finnish ambassador Janne Taalas, who is co-chairing the conference.
Support for Kabul from donor nations sends an important message to the Taliban in peace negotiations, experts say.
"Although the amount pledged is important, what's more significant is the donors providing their support to Afghanistan," Nishank Motwani, deputy director at the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, told AFP.
The largely virtual Geneva conference also considered tackling corruption, aid effectiveness, safeguarding human rights and reintegrating returning refugees.
UN Refugees chief Filippo Grandi, who recently returned from Afghanistan, said there were up to 300,000 more internally displaced people this year due to conflict, adding to the millions of Afghan IDPs.
Meanwhile up to 40 percent of refugees arriving in Greece from the east were Afghans.
"If violence continues, as we have seen during the weekend, if peace talks fail, there will be no return" of refugees, he told the conference.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--Covid-19: EU strikes deal with Moderna for up to 160 million vaccine doses

The European Commission on Nov. 24 , 2020 announced it reached a deal with US biotech firm Moderna for the supply of its Covid-19 vaccine .
The European Union has reached a deal with US biotech firm Moderna for the supply of up to 160 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate , the president of the European Commission said on Tuesday .
The deal will be formally approved by the EU executive on Wednesday , said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen .
`` According to the results of clinical trials , this vaccine could be highly effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indeed proven as safe and effective , every member state will receive it at the same time on a pro rata basis , '' said von der Leyen said .
Last week , Moderna said its experimental vaccine was 94.5 % effective in preventing Covid-19 , based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial .
In August , the EU 's executive Commission , which co-leads talks with vaccine makers on behalf of member states , said preliminary talks with Moderna had been concluded with the aim of signing a contract for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its vaccine , with the option of buying another 80 million .

The European Union has reached a deal with US biotech firm Moderna for the supply of up to 160 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, the president of the European Commission said on Tuesday.
The European Commission on Nov. 24, 2020 announced it reached a deal with US biotech firm Moderna for the supply of its Covid-19 vaccine.
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The deal will be formally approved by the EU executive on Wednesday, said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
"According to the results of clinical trials, this vaccine could be highly effective against Covid-19. Once the vaccine is indeed proven as safe and effective, every member state will receive it at the same time on a pro rata basis," von der Leyen said.
Last week, Moderna said its experimental vaccine was 94.5% effective in preventing Covid-19, based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial.
In August, the EU's executive Commission, which co-leads talks with vaccine makers on behalf of member states, said preliminary talks with Moderna had been concluded with the aim of signing a contract for the supply of 80 million doses of its vaccine, with the option of buying another 80 million.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-11-24--An exclusive look inside a Tigray town scarred by Ethiopian conflict

An exclusive look inside a Tigray town scarred by Ethiopian conflict In the Tigray town of Humera , rubble still @ @ @ @ @ power is still cut and civilians are trying to recover from the shelling and shooting @ @ @ @ @ region in the first days of the country 's grisly internal conflict .
As fighting @ @ @ @ @ government and the leaders of the northern region Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has given the @ @ @ @ @ hours to surrender ahead of a threatened all-out assault on Tigray 's capital , Mekele @

An exclusive look inside a Tigray town scarred by Ethiopian conflict
01:19
In the Tigray town of Humera, rubble still lines city streets, the power is still cut and civilians are trying to recover from the shelling and shooting that slammed Ethiopia's Tigray region in the first days of the country's grisly internal conflict. As fighting escalates between Ethiopia's federal government and the leaders of the northern region Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has given the leaders of the region 72 hours to surrender ahead of a threatened all-out assault on Tigray's capital, Mekele.


france24--2020-11-24--Real Sociedad's David Silva sidelined by hamstring strain

David Silva has helped Real Sociedad to the top in La Liga Real Sociedad midfielder David Silva faces a spell @ @ @ @ @ his left hamstring , the Spanish league leaders said on Tuesday .
Silva , 34 @ @ @ @ @ 10 league matches for La Real following his summer arrival from Manchester City on a @ @ @ @ @ international picked up the injury during Sunday 's 1-0 win at Cadiz , a result @ @ @ @ @ points clear at the top of La Liga .
The club did not give a @ @ @ @ @ reports in Spain suggested Silva could be ruled out for around two weeks .
He @ @ @ @ @ League tie away to AZ Alkmaar and the visit of Villarreal in La Liga on @ @

Madrid (AFP) –
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Real Sociedad midfielder David Silva faces a spell on the sidelines after injuring his left hamstring, the Spanish league leaders said on Tuesday.
Silva, 34, has started eight of 10 league matches for La Real following his summer arrival from Manchester City on a free transfer.
The Spain international picked up the injury during Sunday's 1-0 win at Cadiz, a result that moved his side three points clear at the top of La Liga.
The club did not give a timeline for his return although reports in Spain suggested Silva could be ruled out for around two weeks.
He will miss Thursday's Europa League tie away to AZ Alkmaar and the visit of Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--Paris migrant camp dismantled: Police used tear gas against asylum seekers

Authorities have removed a new camp just a week after hundreds of migrants were left homeless in the French capital @ @ @ @ @ to drive the inhabitants out and decried an `` illegal occupation of public space .
@ @ @ @ @ NGO Utopia 56 was present .

Paris migrant camp dismantled: Police used tear gas against asylum seekers
06:12
Authorities have removed a new camp just a week after hundreds of migrants were left homeless in the French capital. Police used tear gas to drive the inhabitants out and decried an "illegal occupation of public space." Nikolaï Posner, of NGO Utopia 56 was present.


france24--2020-11-24--India's love affair with coal cools as pressure grows on sector

Funding for coal projects in India has plunged for the second straight year , new figures showed Tuesday , as the world 's second biggest coal importer weans itself off the dirty fuel .
Research was released showing a drop in investment days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the country 's commitment to exceeding its targets under the Paris climate agreement .
India has the world 's fourth-largest reserves of the fossil fuel and its cities are often shrouded in coal-induced smog , but Modi on Sunday told a virtual G20 summit that the South Asian giant was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped 82 percent last year following a 90-percent decline in 2018 , the Delhi-based Centre for Financial Accountability said in a report .
The authors , who analysed 50 loans to 43 coal-fired and renewable projects in India last year , said there was also a `` significant drop '' in state financing for coal .
Lending to renewable developments contracted by six percent but it made up 95 percent of total investment in energy , the group said .
`` A significant drop in project finance to coal means that financial institutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reputational risk in investing in coal , '' the group 's executive director Joe Athialy said .
Modi told the G20 summit hosted by Saudi Arabia that India was `` not only meeting our Paris Agreement targets , but also exceeding them '' .
He said the vast nation of 1.3 billion people had adopted low-carbon and climate-resilient development practices .
India was among the world 's biggest investors in renewables last year , ploughing $ 9.3 billion into the sector , according to a report jointly issued by the UN Environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest funding report comes weeks after a subdued response to the country 's first round of coal mining auctions , which were announced earlier this year by Modi in a bid to boost the coronavirus-hit economy .
Only half of 38 mines were auctioned , and all went to domestic players despite the government now permitting 100 percent foreign direct investment .
`` Commercial mining has been opened at a time when the world is transitioning away from coal as a fossil fuel to cleaner energy sources , '' India Ratings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Globally , the funding sources to fossil fuel have declined as large financial institutions and equity investors have stayed away from the sector . ''

New Delhi (AFP) –
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Funding for coal projects in India has plunged for the second straight year, new figures showed Tuesday, as the world's second biggest coal importer weans itself off the dirty fuel.
Research was released showing a drop in investment days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the country's commitment to exceeding its targets under the Paris climate agreement.
India has the world's fourth-largest reserves of the fossil fuel and its cities are often shrouded in coal-induced smog, but Modi on Sunday told a virtual G20 summit that the South Asian giant was "exceeding" its targets.
Coal financing dropped 82 percent last year following a 90-percent decline in 2018, the Delhi-based Centre for Financial Accountability said in a report.
The authors, who analysed 50 loans to 43 coal-fired and renewable projects in India last year, said there was also a "significant drop" in state financing for coal.
Lending to renewable developments contracted by six percent but it made up 95 percent of total investment in energy, the group said.
"A significant drop in project finance to coal means that financial institutes are beginning to realise the associated financial and reputational risk in investing in coal," the group's executive director Joe Athialy said.
Modi told the G20 summit hosted by Saudi Arabia that India was "not only meeting our Paris Agreement targets, but also exceeding them".
He said the vast nation of 1.3 billion people had adopted low-carbon and climate-resilient development practices.
India was among the world's biggest investors in renewables last year, ploughing $9.3 billion into the sector, according to a report jointly issued by the UN Environment Programme and Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
The latest funding report comes weeks after a subdued response to the country's first round of coal mining auctions, which were announced earlier this year by Modi in a bid to boost the coronavirus-hit economy.
Only half of 38 mines were auctioned, and all went to domestic players despite the government now permitting 100 percent foreign direct investment.
"Commercial mining has been opened at a time when the world is transitioning away from coal as a fossil fuel to cleaner energy sources," India Ratings and Research said in a note last week.
"Globally, the funding sources to fossil fuel have declined as large financial institutions and equity investors have stayed away from the sector."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--Coronavirus pandemic in Spain: Comprehensive vaccination program to begin in January

Coronavirus pandemic in Spain : Comprehensive vaccination program to begin in January Spain will begin a comprehensive coronavirus vaccination programme @ @ @ @ @ Pedro Sanchez said on Sunday .
He said Spain and Germany were the first European @ @ @ @ @ complete vaccination plan in place .
FRANCE 24 's Sarrah Morris tells us more .

Coronavirus pandemic in Spain: Comprehensive vaccination program to begin in January
03:36
Spain will begin a comprehensive coronavirus vaccination programme in January, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Sunday. He said Spain and Germany were the first European Union countries to have a complete vaccination plan in place. FRANCE 24's Sarrah Morris tells us more.


france24--2020-11-24--China lunar mission: Spacecraft sets off on moon sample quest

China hailed as a success its pre-dawn launch on Tuesday of a robotic spacecraft to bring back rocks from the @ @ @ @ @ by any country to retrieve lunar surface samples since the 1970s , a mission underscoring @ @ @ @ @ FRANCE 24 's Charles Pellegrin tells us more .

China lunar mission: Spacecraft sets off on moon sample quest
01:07
China hailed as a success its pre-dawn launch on Tuesday of a robotic spacecraft to bring back rocks from the moon in the first bid by any country to retrieve lunar surface samples since the 1970s, a mission underscoring Chinese ambitions in space. FRANCE 24's Charles Pellegrin tells us more.


france24--2020-11-24--Saudi Aramco says Huthi strike tore large hole in oil tank

An employee at the Saudi Aramco oil facility in Jeddah on Tuesday stands near a tank that was damaged in a strike a day earlier Saudi Aramco said Tuesday that a strike by Yemen 's Huthi rebels on its plant in Jeddah tore a hole in an oil tank , triggering an explosion and fire that was however quickly extinguished .
The Iran-backed Huthis said they had fired a Quds-2 missile Monday in retaliation for Saudi Arabia 's role at the head of a military coalition that supports the government in Yemen 's long conflict .
Aramco took reporters Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the storage tank was visible , with the top rim fire-blackened and a railings above buckled from the heat .
`` Unfortunately the facility was hit yesterday by a projectile , by a hostile attack .
As you know Aramco has been a target of such hostile attacks , '' said Abdullah al-Ghamdi , manager of the North Jeddah Bulk Plant .
The roof of the tank suffered `` major damage '' with a hole measuring two metres ( six feet ) across , he said .
`` It was a big fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was controlled . ''
The manager said that distribution from the plant , which provides refined products including jet fuel to the country 's west , was restored within three hours even though the damaged tank -- one of 13 -- remained out of action .
`` The fire was extinguished in a very short time , it only took about 40 minutes to put out a major fire in a major tank like this , '' he said , confirming there had been no casualties .
Yemen has been locked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital Sanaa in 2014 and went on to seize much of the north .
A Saudi-led military coalition intervened to support the internationally recognised government in 2015 .
Tens of thousands of people , mostly civilians , have been killed and millions displaced in what the United Nations has called the world 's worst humanitarian disaster .
Britain 's Middle East Minister James Cleverly condemned the latest strike , saying it threatened to derail efforts to end the war which has devastated a country that was already the poorest on the Arabian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end Yemen 's dire humanitarian crisis is for the parties to cease their hostilities and get round the negotiating table , '' he said in a tweet .
Saudi Arabia has been targeted with dozens of ballistic missile and drone attacks since the start of last year , including a devastating and unprecedented strike on Aramco 's facilities in the country 's east .
Washington and Riyadh held Iran responsible for that attack .
Ghamdi likened Monday 's incident to the September 2019 assault on the Abqaiq processing plant and Khurais oil field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ output and caused turmoil on global energy markets .
`` What happened yesterday was another hostile attack , similar to what happened at Khurais and Abqaiq , '' he said .
`` However , this will only demonstrate that Aramco 's resilience to such hostile attack will remain , and demonstrate the reliability of our energy supply '' within and outside the kingdom , he added .
Huthi aerial assaults have mostly targeted southern provinces along their shared border .
Jeddah however lies some 600 kilometres ( 370 miles ) from the frontier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States deliberates tagging the rebels a `` terrorist organisation '' , a move that has drawn concern from humanitarian agencies who say it could cripple aid delivery and tip the country into famine .
The Huthis have reacted angrily to the prospect , saying President Donald Trump had no right to make the ruling after failing to win a second term .
However , his national security advisor Robert O'Brien said during a visit to Manila on Monday that the US was `` keeping all our options open '' .
`` Right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Iranians , to stop attacking neighbours and stop attacking people within Yemen and engage in a good-faith peace process with the other stakeholders in Yemen , '' he said .
Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said the targeting of Aramco was a `` full-fledged war crime '' that affected not only Saudi Arabia but energy security and the global economy as well .
The strike underlined the need for the Huthis to be designated as a terrorist organisation and for action from the global community to halt Iran 's interference , he @ @ @ @ @

Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) –
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Saudi Aramco said Tuesday that a strike by Yemen's Huthi rebels on its plant in Jeddah tore a hole in an oil tank, triggering an explosion and fire that was however quickly extinguished.
The Iran-backed Huthis said they had fired a Quds-2 missile Monday in retaliation for Saudi Arabia's role at the head of a military coalition that supports the government in Yemen's long conflict.
Aramco took reporters Tuesday to the distribution facility where damage to the storage tank was visible, with the top rim fire-blackened and a railings above buckled from the heat.
"Unfortunately the facility was hit yesterday by a projectile, by a hostile attack. As you know Aramco has been a target of such hostile attacks," said Abdullah al-Ghamdi, manager of the North Jeddah Bulk Plant.
The roof of the tank suffered "major damage" with a hole measuring two metres (six feet) across, he said. "It was a big fire, it was a big explosion but it was controlled."
The manager said that distribution from the plant, which provides refined products including jet fuel to the country's west, was restored within three hours even though the damaged tank -- one of 13 -- remained out of action.
"The fire was extinguished in a very short time, it only took about 40 minutes to put out a major fire in a major tank like this," he said, confirming there had been no casualties.
Yemen has been locked in conflict since the rebels took control of the capital Sanaa in 2014 and went on to seize much of the north. A Saudi-led military coalition intervened to support the internationally recognised government in 2015.
Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and millions displaced in what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian disaster.
Britain's Middle East Minister James Cleverly condemned the latest strike, saying it threatened to derail efforts to end the war which has devastated a country that was already the poorest on the Arabian Peninsula.
"The only way to end Yemen's dire humanitarian crisis is for the parties to cease their hostilities and get round the negotiating table," he said in a tweet.
- Terrorist tag looms -
Saudi Arabia has been targeted with dozens of ballistic missile and drone attacks since the start of last year, including a devastating and unprecedented strike on Aramco's facilities in the country's east.
Washington and Riyadh held Iran responsible for that attack.
Ghamdi likened Monday's incident to the September 2019 assault on the Abqaiq processing plant and Khurais oil field which temporarily halved the kingdom's crude output and caused turmoil on global energy markets.
"What happened yesterday was another hostile attack, similar to what happened at Khurais and Abqaiq," he said.
"However, this will only demonstrate that Aramco's resilience to such hostile attack will remain, and demonstrate the reliability of our energy supply" within and outside the kingdom, he added.
Huthi aerial assaults have mostly targeted southern provinces along their shared border. Jeddah however lies some 600 kilometres (370 miles) from the frontier.
The latest attack occurred as the United States deliberates tagging the rebels a "terrorist organisation", a move that has drawn concern from humanitarian agencies who say it could cripple aid delivery and tip the country into famine.
The Huthis have reacted angrily to the prospect, saying President Donald Trump had no right to make the ruling after failing to win a second term.
However, his national security advisor Robert O'Brien said during a visit to Manila on Monday that the US was "keeping all our options open".
"Right now we encourage the Huthis to expel the Iranians, to stop attacking neighbours and stop attacking people within Yemen and engage in a good-faith peace process with the other stakeholders in Yemen," he said.
Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said the targeting of Aramco was a "full-fledged war crime" that affected not only Saudi Arabia but energy security and the global economy as well.
The strike underlined the need for the Huthis to be designated as a terrorist organisation and for action from the global community to halt Iran's interference, he said in a tweet.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--English Football League chief hails 'lifeline' for virus-hit clubs

English Football League chairman Rick Parry says the government 's decision to allow fans back into grounds is a `` lifeline '' for lower-league clubs who have struggled to survive during the coronavirus pandemic .
Up to 4,000 people can return to outdoor sports stadiums in parts of England classified as at low risk from Covid-19 from December 2 , a decision that affects football , rugby , horse racing and other sports .
Parry told the BBC he was looking forward to getting fans back in more substantial numbers but it was a `` welcome start '' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( third and fourth tiers ) it could be very significant , '' he said .
`` It 's not just the money , it 's a very welcome return to an atmosphere , and if we get 4,000 at League Two level it would be very welcome .
It can be a very welcome lifeline . ''
The EFL is considering moving some of its fixtures scheduled for December 1 to the following day in order to get fans in .
`` Some clubs will still have safety officers on furlough , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise , '' he said .
`` We were n't really expecting anything before Christmas .
There 's a lot of work to do quite quickly and it 's really important that we get this right . ''
Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling , whose side play in League Two , said it was vital that fans felt safe when they returned .
`` It takes a lot of people and a lot of logistics and we want to plan it perfectly , '' he told Sky Sports News .
Premier League chiefs welcomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a return to bigger crowds would ease the sport 's financial problems .
Three of the biggest clubs -- Liverpool , Manchester United and Manchester City -- are located in regions under the strictest `` tier-three '' conditions , so it remains to be seen whether they will be allowed to admit fans .

London (AFP) –
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English Football League chairman Rick Parry says the government's decision to allow fans back into grounds is a "lifeline" for lower-league clubs who have struggled to survive during the coronavirus pandemic.
Up to 4,000 people can return to outdoor sports stadiums in parts of England classified as at low risk from Covid-19 from December 2, a decision that affects football, rugby, horse racing and other sports.
Parry told the BBC he was looking forward to getting fans back in more substantial numbers but it was a "welcome start".
"At League One and League Two level (third and fourth tiers) it could be very significant," he said. "It's not just the money, it's a very welcome return to an atmosphere, and if we get 4,000 at League Two level it would be very welcome. It can be a very welcome lifeline."
The EFL is considering moving some of its fixtures scheduled for December 1 to the following day in order to get fans in.
Parry admits that clubs face some logistical hurdles.
"Some clubs will still have safety officers on furlough, it's taken everyone a bit by surprise," he said.
"We weren't really expecting anything before Christmas. There's a lot of work to do quite quickly and it's really important that we get this right."
Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling, whose side play in League Two, said it was vital that fans felt safe when they returned.
"It takes a lot of people and a lot of logistics and we want to plan it perfectly," he told Sky Sports News.
Premier League chiefs welcomed Monday's announcement but made it clear only a return to bigger crowds would ease the sport's financial problems.
Three of the biggest clubs -- Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City -- are located in regions under the strictest "tier-three" conditions, so it remains to be seen whether they will be allowed to admit fans.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-26--Hundreds face life in prison in trial over Turkey's 2016 coup

Crowds and soldiers faced off in major Turkish cities including capital Ankara during the 2016 coup attempt A Turkish court will hand down verdicts Thursday to nearly 500 suspects in one of the main trials stemming from the bloody 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
Fethullah Gulen , a US-based Muslim preacher who was once an Erdogan ally , is accused of ordering the failed putsch .
His movement has been proscribed as a terrorist group by Ankara , although he strongly denies all charges .
In total , 251 people died and over 2,000 were injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment of Erdogan 's rule and Turkey 's contemporary politics .
Thursday 's trial revolves around events at the Akinci air force base near Ankara .
The then chief of staff general Hulusi Akar -- now the defence minister -- and other top commanders were held hostage at the base for one night before their rescue on the morning of July 16 .
The trial of 475 disgruntled air force pilots and other suspects linked to the base began in August 2017 in the country 's largest courtroom , which sits inside a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are charged with crimes including murder , attempting to violate the constitutional order and attempting to assassinate Erdogan .
Guilty verdicts will result in life in jail .
Prosecutors accuse them of choreographing the coup bid from the base , where Turkish officials believe they gave orders for jets to bomb state buildings .
The parliament was hit three times by F-16 fighter jets , as was the road near the presidential palace and the headquarters of the special forces and the Ankara police .
Erdogan was on vacation in southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed 68 people in the capital and injured more than 200 .
Nine civilians also died during an attempt to stop the plotters at the entrance to the base .
Gulen , Adil Oksuz , a theology lecturer whom officials claim was a key coordinator of what was happening on the ground , and four others are being tried in absentia .
Oksuz was detained shortly after the coup bid but was then released and is on the run .
Another 365 are in pre-trial detention , the Anadolu state news agency said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assisting Oksuz and is among four suspects facing 79 aggravated life sentences over their alleged management of the coup bid .
An aggravated life sentence has tougher terms of detention and replaced the death penalty after it was abolished in 2004 as part of Turkey 's drive to join the European Union .
The plot failed and was stamped out quickly , but its legacy haunts Turkey to this day .
A fierce government crackdown that followed has muzzled the media and seen tens of thousands arrested in nationwide raids .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and judges , were sacked or suspended because of their suspected links to Gulen .
These arrests continue , although they are less comprehensive than in the first years after the coup bid .
Despite the large number of suspects , it is not the biggest coup-related trial .
Some 521 suspects are on trial in a case focused on the presidential guard 's activities .
The trial is taking place in the specially-built courtroom for coup-related cases , with space for 1,800 people .
Since the trial began , 385 witnesses have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been 289 trials into the failed overthrow of Erdogan and 10 continue , Anadolu reported .
More than 2,500 aggravated and standard life sentences have been issued by Turkish courts , with judges convicting 4,154 coup suspects since July 2016 .

Ankara (AFP) –
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A Turkish court will hand down verdicts Thursday to nearly 500 suspects in one of the main trials stemming from the bloody 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Fethullah Gulen, a US-based Muslim preacher who was once an Erdogan ally, is accused of ordering the failed putsch. His movement has been proscribed as a terrorist group by Ankara, although he strongly denies all charges.
In total, 251 people died and over 2,000 were injured in what has turned into the defining moment of Erdogan's rule and Turkey's contemporary politics.
Thursday's trial revolves around events at the Akinci air force base near Ankara.
The then chief of staff general Hulusi Akar -- now the defence minister -- and other top commanders were held hostage at the base for one night before their rescue on the morning of July 16.
The trial of 475 disgruntled air force pilots and other suspects linked to the base began in August 2017 in the country's largest courtroom, which sits inside a prison complex in Sincan, Ankara province.
They are charged with crimes including murder, attempting to violate the constitutional order and attempting to assassinate Erdogan. Guilty verdicts will result in life in jail.
Prosecutors accuse them of choreographing the coup bid from the base, where Turkish officials believe they gave orders for jets to bomb state buildings.
The parliament was hit three times by F-16 fighter jets, as was the road near the presidential palace and the headquarters of the special forces and the Ankara police.
Erdogan was on vacation in southern Turkey at the time.
The bombs killed 68 people in the capital and injured more than 200. Nine civilians also died during an attempt to stop the plotters at the entrance to the base.
Gulen, Adil Oksuz, a theology lecturer whom officials claim was a key coordinator of what was happening on the ground, and four others are being tried in absentia.
Oksuz was detained shortly after the coup bid but was then released and is on the run.
Another 365 are in pre-trial detention, the Anadolu state news agency said.
- 2,500 life sentences -
Businessman Kemal Batmaz is accused of assisting Oksuz and is among four suspects facing 79 aggravated life sentences over their alleged management of the coup bid.
An aggravated life sentence has tougher terms of detention and replaced the death penalty after it was abolished in 2004 as part of Turkey's drive to join the European Union.
The plot failed and was stamped out quickly, but its legacy haunts Turkey to this day.
A fierce government crackdown that followed has muzzled the media and seen tens of thousands arrested in nationwide raids.
More than 100,000 public sector employees, including teachers and judges, were sacked or suspended because of their suspected links to Gulen.
These arrests continue, although they are less comprehensive than in the first years after the coup bid.
Despite the large number of suspects, it is not the biggest coup-related trial. Some 521 suspects are on trial in a case focused on the presidential guard's activities.
The trial is taking place in the specially-built courtroom for coup-related cases, with space for 1,800 people.
Since the trial began, 385 witnesses have given testimony in 515 hearings.
There have been 289 trials into the failed overthrow of Erdogan and 10 continue, Anadolu reported.
More than 2,500 aggravated and standard life sentences have been issued by Turkish courts, with judges convicting 4,154 coup suspects since July 2016.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-26--Mexican protesters decry violence against women

Mexican protesters demanded justice for victims of femicides on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Demonstrators marched through the Mexican capital on Wednesday and scuffled with police during an angry protest at widespread violence against women in the Latin American nation .
Around 10 women are killed every day in Mexico and activists accuse the government of not doing enough to tackle the problem .
Holding banners , flags and placards , thousands of protesters demanded justice for the many victims of femicides on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job , we support each other as women , '' said 22-year-old student Ana Karen Resendiz .
`` We look for a way to move forward and to stay well and alive . ''
Protesters marched to the city 's main square where some faced off with riot police trying to stop them defacing the walls of the presidential palace and the cathedral with paint .
Around 3,800 women are killed each year in Mexico , while six in 10 women have suffered some form of aggression in the past decade , Interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a historical debt to women , especially to victims of violence , and we can not allow impunity , '' she said .
`` Machismo kills , destroys the lives of women and limits our country 's development , '' Sanchez added , speaking at President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador 's daily press conference .
Lopez Obrador for his part said that `` conditions of poverty and economic inequality have led to these phenomena of aggression and violence against women . ''
Only half of all femicides in Mexico lead to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as high as 98 percent , according to the report presented at the news conference .
Protests against gender violence have multiplied in the past year in the capital and other parts of the country .
Last month a police crackdown on a protest in the resort city of Cancun against the murder of a local woman left several people injured and sparked national outcry .

Mexico City (AFP) –
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Demonstrators marched through the Mexican capital on Wednesday and scuffled with police during an angry protest at widespread violence against women in the Latin American nation.
Around 10 women are killed every day in Mexico and activists accuse the government of not doing enough to tackle the problem.
Holding banners, flags and placards, thousands of protesters demanded justice for the many victims of femicides on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
"Although the state doesn't do its job, we support each other as women," said 22-year-old student Ana Karen Resendiz.
"We look for a way to move forward and to stay well and alive."
Protesters marched to the city's main square where some faced off with riot police trying to stop them defacing the walls of the presidential palace and the cathedral with paint.
Around 3,800 women are killed each year in Mexico, while six in 10 women have suffered some form of aggression in the past decade, Interior Minister Olga Sanchez said.
"We have a historical debt to women, especially to victims of violence, and we cannot allow impunity," she said.
"Machismo kills, destroys the lives of women and limits our country's development," Sanchez added, speaking at President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's daily press conference.
Lopez Obrador for his part said that "conditions of poverty and economic inequality have led to these phenomena of aggression and violence against women."
Only half of all femicides in Mexico lead to a convictions and in some regions impunity is as high as 98 percent, according to the report presented at the news conference.
Protests against gender violence have multiplied in the past year in the capital and other parts of the country.
Last month a police crackdown on a protest in the resort city of Cancun against the murder of a local woman left several people injured and sparked national outcry.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-26--Virus forges path to new life for Israeli ultra-Orthodox Jews

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

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


france24--2020-11-26--Virus hogs centre stage as Greece's theatres wait in the wings

Director Savvas Stroumpos is confident that theatre lovers will return : `` They need it '' '' Obviously very few will survive , '' says actor Yiannis Yiaramazidis , staring at the empty stage of the small theatre where he works in downtown Athens .
With small theatres and cinemas closed , concert halls dark , and tours and premieres cancelled because of coronavirus restrictions , Greece 's live entertainment scene , already weakened by a decade-long economic crisis , is walking a tightrope .
Yiaramazidis , 36 , is particularly worried about new regulations brought on by the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay actors for rehearsals .
He is no stranger to job insecurity , as his income from acting was already not enough to make ends meet before the pandemic , and he always supplemented it with part-time work .
`` This will now become the new standard , '' says Yiaramazidis after rehearsing his part in a play based on a Franz Kafka novel under the direction of Savvas Stroumpos .
The troupe hopes to be able to return to the stage in March , but the only way to achieve this goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` very weird '' situation , says Yiaramazidis as he gathers his things to make way for the next actor .
The system is preferable to rehearsal by video link , says Stroumpos , who has also modified some scenes that required close contact between the actors .
His Attis theatre can accommodate an audience of only a couple of dozen people , so the new restrictions are a heavy burden .
While the performing arts are suffering across Europe and beyond , they are especially hard hit in Greece , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live entertainment scene is one of myriad mini-theatres like the Attis and small independent concert halls .
Many may have to bow out for good .
`` The majority of our members are struggling to survive , either because they have not received any state aid , or because this is too little anyway , '' Kostas Stavropoulos , secretary of the Panhellenic Music Association , told AFP .
A regular pay cheque is a rarity for Greece 's performers , who have been underpaid and often without insurance for decades because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Without a regulated labour framework since the country 's series of EU bailouts -- three between 2008 and 2015 -- many artists were left in limbo when the coronavirus pandemic broke out , invisible to the state and ineligible for financial aid .
`` The situation is deteriorating day by day and things will be worse when the confinement ends , '' Stavropoulos says .
After the first lockdown , hundreds of venues were wiped out and those that were able to reopen did so under precarious working conditions .
Culture Minister Lina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some artists to get state aid as many work in the `` shadow economy '' .
Anna Lianopoulou , a 34-year-old actress and dancer , is struggling to survive on monthly unemployment benefit of 360 euros ( $ 430 ) after her contract was not renewed in May .
`` What makes me furious is that the government has done nothing to prepare us for a second wave '' , she says .
`` All that interested them was to reopen to tourism .
For art , there was no plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the renewed lockdown , says Phaidon Moustakas .
His cinema in central Athens reopened for just three weeks , selling around 20 tickets , before it had to shut down again early this month .
`` The very concept of choosing to watch a film in a closed cinema will become very fragile , even when we return to normality , '' he warns .
But Stroumpos is more sanguine about the future , saying he is `` absolutely convinced that people will go back to the theatre '' .
`` They need @ @ @

Athens (AFP) –
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"Obviously very few will survive," says actor Yiannis Yiaramazidis, staring at the empty stage of the small theatre where he works in downtown Athens.
With small theatres and cinemas closed, concert halls dark, and tours and premieres cancelled because of coronavirus restrictions, Greece's live entertainment scene, already weakened by a decade-long economic crisis, is walking a tightrope.
Yiaramazidis, 36, is particularly worried about new regulations brought on by the pandemic such as one allowing producers to not pay actors for rehearsals.
He is no stranger to job insecurity, as his income from acting was already not enough to make ends meet before the pandemic, and he always supplemented it with part-time work.
"This will now become the new standard," says Yiaramazidis after rehearsing his part in a play based on a Franz Kafka novel under the direction of Savvas Stroumpos.
The troupe hopes to be able to return to the stage in March, but the only way to achieve this goal is to rehearse one by one -- a "very weird" situation, says Yiaramazidis as he gathers his things to make way for the next actor.
The system is preferable to rehearsal by video link, says Stroumpos, who has also modified some scenes that required close contact between the actors.
His Attis theatre can accommodate an audience of only a couple of dozen people, so the new restrictions are a heavy burden.
While the performing arts are suffering across Europe and beyond, they are especially hard hit in Greece, with its economy dominated by micro-businesses.
The live entertainment scene is one of myriad mini-theatres like the Attis and small independent concert halls.
Many may have to bow out for good.
"The majority of our members are struggling to survive, either because they have not received any state aid, or because this is too little anyway," Kostas Stavropoulos, secretary of the Panhellenic Music Association, told AFP.
- 'No plan for art' -
A regular pay cheque is a rarity for Greece's performers, who have been underpaid and often without insurance for decades because of the country's grinding financial crisis.
Without a regulated labour framework since the country's series of EU bailouts -- three between 2008 and 2015 -- many artists were left in limbo when the coronavirus pandemic broke out, invisible to the state and ineligible for financial aid.
"The situation is deteriorating day by day and things will be worse when the confinement ends," Stavropoulos says. After the first lockdown, hundreds of venues were wiped out and those that were able to reopen did so under precarious working conditions.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni told parliament that it was impossible for some artists to get state aid as many work in the "shadow economy".
Anna Lianopoulou, a 34-year-old actress and dancer, is struggling to survive on monthly unemployment benefit of 360 euros ($430) after her contract was not renewed in May.
"What makes me furious is that the government has done nothing to prepare us for a second wave", she says. "All that interested them was to reopen to tourism. For art, there was no plan."
Small cinemas are also suffering under the renewed lockdown, says Phaidon Moustakas. His cinema in central Athens reopened for just three weeks, selling around 20 tickets, before it had to shut down again early this month.
"The very concept of choosing to watch a film in a closed cinema will become very fragile, even when we return to normality," he warns.
But Stroumpos is more sanguine about the future, saying he is "absolutely convinced that people will go back to the theatre".
"They need it."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-26--Azeris celebrate as troops enter second district returned by Armenia

Some people in Kalbajar have burned their homes rather than leave them for Azerbaijani forces to take over Azerbaijani soldiers and military trucks rolled into the district of Kalbajar on Wednesday , reclaiming the second of three regions Armenia is handing back under a deal that ended weeks of fighting .
Images released by Azerbaijan ’ s defence ministry showed troops deploying into the district overnight , some scanning for landmines on snow-covered roads .
The district is among those being handed back by Armenia after it agreed to a peace deal ending six weeks of clashes over the disputed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karabakh and the territory of Armenia , was initially scheduled for handover on November 15 but Azerbaijan pushed back the deadline for humanitarian reasons .
Armenia agreed to hand back three districts around Karabakh – Aghdam , Kalbajar and Lachin – as part of the deal that stopped an Azerbaijani offensive that had reclaimed swathes of territory lost to Armenian separatists in a 1990s war .
Aghdam was ceded on November 20 and Lachin is to be handed over by December 1 .
Near the village of Cherektar on the edges of Kalbajar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checkpoint with stacks of tyres blocking the road .
Holding a Kalashnikov rifle and with a white cross drawn on the front of his camouflage uniform , 20-year-old soldier Armen Shakhnazaryan said it was a shame for Armenia to lose the district .
“ We have a lot of churches here , ” Shakhnazaryan told AFP .
“ Our ancestors , our elders and our friends are buried here.
” In a televised address on Wednesday , Azerbaijan ’ s President Ilham Aliyev congratulated his people , saying Kalbajar had been “ liberated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the district including churches and mosques were considered “ historical treasures ” by mainly Muslim Azerbaijan and would be preserved .
Azerbaijanis who fled the region nearly 30 years ago are expected to return as Armenians left en masse .
In the days before the handover , Kalbajar residents packed all they could take , determined to leave nothing for their longtime foes .
Locals collected electric cables , loaded parts of a hydroelectric power station into a truck and even cut down trees to take with them as they left .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gas station in the village of Getavan in a district bordering Kalbajar – said he will not leave even if it was “ very dangerous ” to stay .
“ Never in my life could I imagine that life could change like this ...
But we have lived here and will live here , ” Vanyan told AFP .
Clashes between the ex-Soviet rivals over Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in late September , reigniting a long-simmering conflict over the mountainous region .
The ethnic Armenian enclave broke away from Azerbaijani control in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was never internationally recognised .
The peace deal was reached after Azerbaijan ’ s military overwhelmed Armenian separatist forces and threatened to advance on Karabakh ’ s main city Stepanakert .
Under the agreement , Armenia is losing control of seven districts seized during the post-Soviet war in the 1990s , which killed 30,000 people and displaced many Azerbaijanis that used to live there .
The separatists are retaining control over most of Karabakh ’ s Soviet-era territory and some 2,000 Russian peacekeepers have deployed along frontline areas and to protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenia .
Other Armenians have meanwhile been returning to Karabakh itself .
Russia said on Wednesday it had helped more than 15,000 people to return from Armenia after they had fled the fighting , which left thousands dead including more than 100 civilians .
Moscow ’ s role in halting the fighting has stolen the spotlight from France and the United States , who together with Russia form the so-called Minsk Group of negotiators that brokered an unstable ceasefire in the 1990s .
The three countries attempted three separate ceasefires during the recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of violations .
Azerbaijan ’ s prosecutor general meanwhile said Wednesday the country was investigating allegations of war crimes against both sides .
Videos circulated on social media during the fighting that allegedly showed executions of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani troops and Armenian soldiers defiling the bodies of Azerbaijani servicemen .
“ There are many fake videos .
But we must say frankly that there also are videos which could be authentic , ” Kamran Aliyev told AFP in an interview .
“ Azerbaijan is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to such facts .
”

Azerbaijani soldiers and military trucks rolled into the district of Kalbajar on Wednesday, reclaiming the second of three regions Armenia is handing back under a deal that ended weeks of fighting.
Some people in Kalbajar have burned their homes rather than leave them for Azerbaijani forces to take over
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Images released by Azerbaijan’s defence ministry showed troops deploying into the district overnight, some scanning for landmines on snow-covered roads.
The district is among those being handed back by Armenia after it agreed to a peace deal ending six weeks of clashes over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Kalbajar, wedged between Karabakh and the territory of Armenia, was initially scheduled for handover on November 15 but Azerbaijan pushed back the deadline for humanitarian reasons.
Armenia agreed to hand back three districts around Karabakh – Aghdam, Kalbajar and Lachin – as part of the deal that stopped an Azerbaijani offensive that had reclaimed swathes of territory lost to Armenian separatists in a 1990s war.
Aghdam was ceded on November 20 and Lachin is to be handed over by December 1.
Near the village of Cherektar on the edges of Kalbajar, Armenian soldiers were setting up a checkpoint with stacks of tyres blocking the road.
Holding a Kalashnikov rifle and with a white cross drawn on the front of his camouflage uniform, 20-year-old soldier Armen Shakhnazaryan said it was a shame for Armenia to lose the district.
“We have a lot of churches here,” Shakhnazaryan told AFP. “Our ancestors, our elders and our friends are buried here.”
Kalbajar ‘liberated’
In a televised address on Wednesday, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev congratulated his people, saying Kalbajar had been “liberated”.
He said historic monuments in the district including churches and mosques were considered “historical treasures” by mainly Muslim Azerbaijan and would be preserved.
Azerbaijanis who fled the region nearly 30 years ago are expected to return as Armenians left en masse.
In the days before the handover, Kalbajar residents packed all they could take, determined to leave nothing for their longtime foes.
Locals collected electric cables, loaded parts of a hydroelectric power station into a truck and even cut down trees to take with them as they left.
But 22-year-old Gevorg Vanyan – who works at a gas station in the village of Getavan in a district bordering Kalbajar – said he will not leave even if it was “very dangerous” to stay.
“Never in my life could I imagine that life could change like this... But we have lived here and will live here,” Vanyan told AFP.
Clashes between the ex-Soviet rivals over Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in late September, reigniting a long-simmering conflict over the mountainous region.
The ethnic Armenian enclave broke away from Azerbaijani control in the 1990s war and declared independence, though this was never internationally recognised.
The peace deal was reached after Azerbaijan’s military overwhelmed Armenian separatist forces and threatened to advance on Karabakh’s main city Stepanakert.
Under the agreement, Armenia is losing control of seven districts seized during the post-Soviet war in the 1990s, which killed 30,000 people and displaced many Azerbaijanis that used to live there.
The separatists are retaining control over most of Karabakh’s Soviet-era territory and some 2,000 Russian peacekeepers have deployed along frontline areas and to protect the Lachin corridor, which connects Karabakh with Armenia.
Other Armenians have meanwhile been returning to Karabakh itself.
Russia said on Wednesday it had helped more than 15,000 people to return from Armenia after they had fled the fighting, which left thousands dead including more than 100 civilians.
Azerbaijan probing war crimes
Moscow’s role in halting the fighting has stolen the spotlight from France and the United States, who together with Russia form the so-called Minsk Group of negotiators that brokered an unstable ceasefire in the 1990s.
The three countries attempted three separate ceasefires during the recent fighting, all of which collapsed as Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of violations.
Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general meanwhile said Wednesday the country was investigating allegations of war crimes against both sides.
Videos circulated on social media during the fighting that allegedly showed executions of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani troops and Armenian soldiers defiling the bodies of Azerbaijani servicemen.
“There are many fake videos. But we must say frankly that there also are videos which could be authentic,” Kamran Aliyev told AFP in an interview. “Azerbaijan is a law-based state and we are reacting to such facts.”
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-26--Europe's Christmas ski season threatened by virus as cases pass 60 mn

A woman wearing a face mask walks down a street in central Moscow on November 25 , 2020 , as cases continue to climb globally Germany announced Wednesday that it will push for Europe to ban ski holidays in a bid to curb coronavirus infections , while cases of Covid-19 reached a new peak of more than 60 million globally .
The prospect of a cold , dark Christmas behind closed doors without the classic fresh air-filled sojourn on the slopes stretched before Europeans as Americans faced their own holiday gloom on the eve of a subdued Thanksgiving .
US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver a vaccine as he appealed for his `` weary '' countrymen to dig deep .
`` There is real hope , tangible hope .
So hang on .
Do n't let yourself surrender to the fatigue , '' Biden said in a televised Thanksgiving address .
`` You will get your lives back .
Life is going to return to normal .
That will happen .
This will not last forever . ''
Biden spoke as a tally of official sources compiled by AFP showed that 60,014,291 infections leading to 1,415,258 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus emerged in China late last year .
The number of infections -- roughly equivalent to the population of Italy -- likely only reflects a fraction of the actual total , as many countries lack testing capacity .
Rising cases have seen countries around the world impose new restrictions in recent weeks , though some -- such as France and the United Kingdom -- have begun cautiously opening back up again .
Germany , however , announced Wednesday that it will extend its virus curbs until 2021 and plans to seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ski slopes until January 10 .
The statement from Chancellor Angela Merkel dovetailed with French plans announced one day earlier to shutter ski resorts through the year 's end .
Infected tourists at ski resorts helped spread the virus across Europe earlier this year .
`` I will say this openly that it wo n't be easy , but we will try , '' Merkel said .
The move put Berlin and Paris on a collision course with resort operators and holiday hotspot Austria ahead of the crucial Christmas season .
In non-EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are open -- although police have been spotted patrolling to ensure that skiers respect anti-Covid measures such as wearing masks and social distancing .
In the US , travel appeared to be down the night before Thanksgiving , when Americans usually criss-cross the country to be with family and friends for the carbs-laden feast marking one of their most important national holidays .
With more than 150,000 cases daily in the US , which has the world 's highest death toll of more than 259,000 , health authorities had for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the annual holiday -- but stopped short of issuing an outright ban .
In recent days images on social media of crowded airports fueled concerns Americans were not taking the warnings seriously .
But one day before Thursday 's celebrations , officials and passengers in Los Angeles noted an eerie quiet compared to previous years .
`` The plane was basically empty .
There was only a handful of people there , '' Nathan Peterson , a student arriving in LA from Utah on Wednesday , told AFP .
`` On a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there would be a lot of traffic behind me .
Typically , we have a quarter of a million passengers ... coming through here , '' airport spokesman Charles Pannunzio said .
US food banks on the other hand have seen long queues in recent days as the economy continues to stagger under the pandemic .
`` We are ready to feed 4,000 .
Me and my crew , we worked constantly at this , just to make sure that whoever did n't have was able to have a nice Thanksgiving meal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , head chef at the Los Angeles mission .
With the end of 2020 in sight , the virus continued to batter the global economy .
Britain is expected to see its greatest annual slump in more than three centuries , with the government forecasting the economy will shrink 11.3 percent on coronavirus fallout .
Finance minister Rishi Sunak unveiled plans to slash the foreign aid budget to help mend the battered finances , prompting one minister to quit and defying impassioned calls to protect the world 's poorest people .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal world .
While in Denmark a rushed cull of minks over concerns about a coronavirus mutation has left the country facing a new horror , as cadavers of the animals re-emerge from the earth , lifted by pressure from gases released by the decomposition .
Photos and videos of the macabre phenomenon have set social media abuzz , with one Twitter user dubbing 2020 `` the year of the zombie mutant killer minks '' .

Berlin (AFP) –
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Germany announced Wednesday that it will push for Europe to ban ski holidays in a bid to curb coronavirus infections, while cases of Covid-19 reached a new peak of more than 60 million globally.
The prospect of a cold, dark Christmas behind closed doors without the classic fresh air-filled sojourn on the slopes stretched before Europeans as Americans faced their own holiday gloom on the eve of a subdued Thanksgiving.
US President-elect Joe Biden cited accelerating plans to deliver a vaccine as he appealed for his "weary" countrymen to dig deep.
"There is real hope, tangible hope. So hang on. Don't let yourself surrender to the fatigue," Biden said in a televised Thanksgiving address.
"You will get your lives back. Life is going to return to normal. That will happen. This will not last forever."
Biden spoke as a tally of official sources compiled by AFP showed that 60,014,291 infections leading to 1,415,258 deaths have been recorded around the world since the new coronavirus emerged in China late last year.
The number of infections -- roughly equivalent to the population of Italy -- likely only reflects a fraction of the actual total, as many countries lack testing capacity.
Rising cases have seen countries around the world impose new restrictions in recent weeks, though some -- such as France and the United Kingdom -- have begun cautiously opening back up again.
Germany, however, announced Wednesday that it will extend its virus curbs until 2021 and plans to seek a deal with European partners to close ski slopes until January 10.
The statement from Chancellor Angela Merkel dovetailed with French plans announced one day earlier to shutter ski resorts through the year's end. Infected tourists at ski resorts helped spread the virus across Europe earlier this year.
"I will say this openly that it won't be easy, but we will try," Merkel said.
The move put Berlin and Paris on a collision course with resort operators and holiday hotspot Austria ahead of the crucial Christmas season.
In non-EU member Switzerland, however, skis resorts are open -- although police have been spotted patrolling to ensure that skiers respect anti-Covid measures such as wearing masks and social distancing.
- 'Ready to feed 4,000' -
In the US, travel appeared to be down the night before Thanksgiving, when Americans usually criss-cross the country to be with family and friends for the carbs-laden feast marking one of their most important national holidays.
With more than 150,000 cases daily in the US, which has the world's highest death toll of more than 259,000, health authorities had for the first time ever called for Americans not to travel for the annual holiday -- but stopped short of issuing an outright ban.
In recent days images on social media of crowded airports fueled concerns Americans were not taking the warnings seriously.
But one day before Thursday's celebrations, officials and passengers in Los Angeles noted an eerie quiet compared to previous years.
"The plane was basically empty. There was only a handful of people there," Nathan Peterson, a student arriving in LA from Utah on Wednesday, told AFP.
"On a normal Wednesday morning before Thanksgiving out here, there would be a lot of traffic behind me. Typically, we have a quarter of a million passengers ... coming through here," airport spokesman Charles Pannunzio said.
US food banks on the other hand have seen long queues in recent days as the economy continues to stagger under the pandemic.
"We are ready to feed 4,000. Me and my crew, we worked constantly at this, just to make sure that whoever didn't have was able to have a nice Thanksgiving meal this year," said David Thomas, head chef at the Los Angeles mission.
- 'Zombie mutant killer minks' -
With the end of 2020 in sight, the virus continued to batter the global economy.
Britain is expected to see its greatest annual slump in more than three centuries, with the government forecasting the economy will shrink 11.3 percent on coronavirus fallout.
Finance minister Rishi Sunak unveiled plans to slash the foreign aid budget to help mend the battered finances, prompting one minister to quit and defying impassioned calls to protect the world's poorest people.
And the pandemic began heaping new pressure on the animal world.
While in Denmark a rushed cull of minks over concerns about a coronavirus mutation has left the country facing a new horror, as cadavers of the animals re-emerge from the earth, lifted by pressure from gases released by the decomposition.
Photos and videos of the macabre phenomenon have set social media abuzz, with one Twitter user dubbing 2020 "the year of the zombie mutant killer minks".
burs-st/bgs
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-26--In Brazil, Pfizer begins process to register Covid-19 vaccine

Aerial view of the burial site reserved for Covid-19 victims at the Nossa Senhora Aparecida cemetery in Manaus , in Brazil 's Amazon rainforest Pfizer gave the office of Brazil 's health regulators results of the tests of their Covid-19 vaccine , a necessary step to approve and register the vaccine , the US-based pharmaceutical said Wednesday .
`` This is an important step so that the vaccine can be available in Brazil , '' Pfizer said in a statement in Portuguese .
Brazil , with a population of 212 million , has the highest Covid-19 death rate in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has recorded more than six million novel coronavirus cases since the pandemic began .
The clinical results of the Phase 3 study of the BNT162b2 vaccine , developed by Pfizer and the German pharmaceutical BioNTech , began in July and involved 43,661 participants in 150 places around the world .
In Brazil there were 2,900 volunteers , the companies said .
Representatives of Pfizer and Brazil 's National Health Oversight Agency ( ANVISA ) met Wednesday to begin the process of presenting the results .
To streamline the process , ANVISA said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results as they become available .
Pfizer said it expects to present information related to the vaccine in stages , including data showing its `` 95 percent efficiency rate seven days after taking the second dose , as demonstrated in the Phase 2 clinical trial , '' the statement read .
`` Pfizer will make available all of the necessary data for evaluation , and will collaborate with ANVISA so that the process moves smoothly and as quickly as possible , '' Marjori Dulcine , Pfizer 's medical director in Brazil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been under evaluation for weeks in the European Union , Australia , Canada , Japan and the United Kingdom , the companies said earlier .
Brazil 's health ministry also agreed to buy 100 million doses of a different vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University .
The health ministry said that over the past week officials have met with representatives of five pharmaceutical labs -- Pfizer , Janssen , Bharat Biotech , Moderna and the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) -- `` with the goal of diversifying actions '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The regional government of Sao Paulo -- home to the country 's most populous city -- has signed an agreement with the Chinese laboratory SinoVac to purchase six million doses of the CoronaVac vaccine , and to buy material to produce another 40 million doses locally .

Sao Paulo (AFP) –
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Pfizer gave the office of Brazil's health regulators results of the tests of their Covid-19 vaccine, a necessary step to approve and register the vaccine, the US-based pharmaceutical said Wednesday.
"This is an important step so that the vaccine can be available in Brazil," Pfizer said in a statement in Portuguese.
Brazil, with a population of 212 million, has the highest Covid-19 death rate in the world after the United States. It has recorded more than six million novel coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.
The clinical results of the Phase 3 study of the BNT162b2 vaccine, developed by Pfizer and the German pharmaceutical BioNTech, began in July and involved 43,661 participants in 150 places around the world. In Brazil there were 2,900 volunteers, the companies said.
Representatives of Pfizer and Brazil's National Health Oversight Agency (ANVISA) met Wednesday to begin the process of presenting the results.
To streamline the process, ANVISA said that the labs developing the vaccines can present the results as they become available.
Pfizer said it expects to present information related to the vaccine in stages, including data showing its "95 percent efficiency rate seven days after taking the second dose, as demonstrated in the Phase 2 clinical trial," the statement read.
"Pfizer will make available all of the necessary data for evaluation, and will collaborate with ANVISA so that the process moves smoothly and as quickly as possible," Marjori Dulcine, Pfizer's medical director in Brazil, said in the statement.
The vaccine has been under evaluation for weeks in the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom, the companies said earlier.
Brazil's health ministry also agreed to buy 100 million doses of a different vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
The health ministry said that over the past week officials have met with representatives of five pharmaceutical labs -- Pfizer, Janssen, Bharat Biotech, Moderna and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) -- "with the goal of diversifying actions" to help handle the Covid-19 pandemic.
The regional government of Sao Paulo -- home to the country's most populous city -- has signed an agreement with the Chinese laboratory SinoVac to purchase six million doses of the CoronaVac vaccine, and to buy material to produce another 40 million doses locally.
© 2020 AFP