france24--2020-12-08--Drones, wars, genocide: Tainted legacy of Nobel Peace laureates

Civilians have fled Ethiopia in droves and the UN has warned of a large-scale humanitarian crisis A `` champion of peace '' does n't normally threaten to show no mercy before carrying out an attack that sparks a humanitarian crisis .
Yet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is not the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate to go to war .
Officially , the guns in Tigray have been silenced : On November 28 , Abiy , who won the 2019 Peace Prize , declared victory after three weeks of fighting in the northern region .
The exact death toll is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( ICG ) has estimated several thousand were killed .
Civilians have fled the country in droves and the UN has warned of a large-scale humanitarian crisis .
`` Whatever the rights and wrongs of the current confrontation , it is certain that his reputation as peacemaker will be severely damaged , '' the Financial Times wrote in an editorial on November 11 .
`` For the Nobel committee there is a lesson here .
When in doubt : wait . ''
Such patience would also have been a good idea on several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years before Abiy , Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize just nine months after taking office as US president -- according to his recent autobiography even he was asking : `` For what ? ''
Days before accepting his award in Oslo , Obama decided to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan .
In his acceptance speech , he defended the right to go to war , a word he uttered 35 times -- compared with 29 times for the word peace .
`` To say that force is sometimes necessary is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a recognition of history ; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason , '' he said .
Not only did Obama fail to put an end to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan during his two mandates , but he also stepped up controversial drone strikes .
In 2016 , US forces hit seven countries with more than 26,000 bombs -- or three bombs an hour -- according to the Council on Foreign Relations think tank .
Former Nobel Committee secretary Geir Lundestad once told AFP the expectations placed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It was impossible for anyone to meet ( the ) expectations , '' he said .
In 1973 , the Peace Prize was awarded to US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and North Vietnamese leader Le Duc Tho for negotiating an armistice .
The peace did not hold and Le Duc Tho , who orchestrated the final offensive against South Vietnam two years later , declined his half of the prize .
Kissinger also offered to return his half , in vain , and his legacy is one of a cynic guided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect for rights .
`` Not only did he continue the war in Vietnam but he gave the green light to Indonesia for the invasion of East Timor , '' recalls Norwegian historian and Nobel expert Asle Sveen , referring to the 1975-76 invasion and annexation of the former Portuguese colony .
Kissinger is also known for bolstering the power of South American dictators who were friendly to the US .
Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin shared the 1978 Nobel with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat for their Camp David peace deal signed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also tainted with blood , according to Sveen .
`` Begin went on to , among other things , order the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and the ( siege ) of Beirut , and that indirectly led to the massacre of Palestinians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps , '' Sveen says .
A number of other Peace Prize laureates have also seen their aura fade over time , without necessarily having been particularly belligerent .
Aung San Suu Kyi stands out in that category .
Her passivity as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rohingya -- termed a genocide by UN investigators -- has led to numerous calls for her 1991 award to be revoked .
The Nobel statutes do not allow for that and the prize committee normally refrains from commenting on developments regarding a country or person that has won the prize .
And yet , that 's exactly what it did in a rare move on November 16 , when it said it was `` deeply concerned '' about developments in Ethiopia and appealed for an end to the fighting -- though it still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This year , the committee seems to have gone with a safer and more consensual pick : the World Food Programme , which will accept its prize on Thursday .

Oslo (AFP) –
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A "champion of peace" doesn't normally threaten to show no mercy before carrying out an attack that sparks a humanitarian crisis. Yet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is not the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate to go to war.
Officially, the guns in Tigray have been silenced: On November 28, Abiy, who won the 2019 Peace Prize, declared victory after three weeks of fighting in the northern region.
The exact death toll is not known but the International Crisis Group (ICG) has estimated several thousand were killed. Civilians have fled the country in droves and the UN has warned of a large-scale humanitarian crisis.
Abiy's aura has been tarnished.
"Whatever the rights and wrongs of the current confrontation, it is certain that his reputation as peacemaker will be severely damaged," the Financial Times wrote in an editorial on November 11.
"For the Nobel committee there is a lesson here. When in doubt: wait."
Such patience would also have been a good idea on several other occasions, historians note.
Ten years before Abiy, Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize just nine months after taking office as US president -- according to his recent autobiography even he was asking: "For what?"
- Three bombs an hour -
Days before accepting his award in Oslo, Obama decided to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. In his acceptance speech, he defended the right to go to war, a word he uttered 35 times -- compared with 29 times for the word peace.
"To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism -- it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason," he said.
Not only did Obama fail to put an end to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan during his two mandates, but he also stepped up controversial drone strikes.
In 2016, US forces hit seven countries with more than 26,000 bombs -- or three bombs an hour -- according to the Council on Foreign Relations think tank.
Former Nobel Committee secretary Geir Lundestad once told AFP the expectations placed on Obama were "totally unrealistic".
"It was impossible for anyone to meet (the) expectations," he said.
In 1973, the Peace Prize was awarded to US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and North Vietnamese leader Le Duc Tho for negotiating an armistice.
The peace did not hold and Le Duc Tho, who orchestrated the final offensive against South Vietnam two years later, declined his half of the prize.
Kissinger also offered to return his half, in vain, and his legacy is one of a cynic guided by US foreign policy aims rather than respect for rights.
"Not only did he continue the war in Vietnam but he gave the green light to Indonesia for the invasion of East Timor," recalls Norwegian historian and Nobel expert Asle Sveen, referring to the 1975-76 invasion and annexation of the former Portuguese colony.
Kissinger is also known for bolstering the power of South American dictators who were friendly to the US.
- Nobel and 'genocide' -
Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin shared the 1978 Nobel with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat for their Camp David peace deal signed that year. But Begin's hands are also tainted with blood, according to Sveen.
"Begin went on to, among other things, order the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and the (siege) of Beirut, and that indirectly led to the massacre of Palestinians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps," Sveen says.
A number of other Peace Prize laureates have also seen their aura fade over time, without necessarily having been particularly belligerent.
Aung San Suu Kyi stands out in that category.
Her passivity as the military cracked down on Myanmar's Muslim Rohingya -- termed a genocide by UN investigators -- has led to numerous calls for her 1991 award to be revoked.
The Nobel statutes do not allow for that and the prize committee normally refrains from commenting on developments regarding a country or person that has won the prize.
And yet, that's exactly what it did in a rare move on November 16, when it said it was "deeply concerned" about developments in Ethiopia and appealed for an end to the fighting -- though it still defended its choice of 2019 laureate.
This year, the committee seems to have gone with a safer and more consensual pick: the World Food Programme, which will accept its prize on Thursday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-08--C. African town finds Muslim-Christian peace after years of war

In the crowded alleys of Bambari 's Kidjigira market , customers of all faiths brush together as steam rises from hanging cooking pots and flies swarm around them .
At last , people are not afraid .
Until recently , the marketplace remained a no man 's land separating the Muslim and Christian districts of Bambari , a town at the epicentre of civil war in the Central African Republic ( CAR ) from 2013 to 2017 .
Today , three weeks before presidential and parliamentary elections in a tense climate , the town at the heart of one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emblem of reconciliation between communities that tore one another apart .
International donors and humanitarian agencies have concentrated their efforts on Bambari since 2017 , treating the town as a `` pilot project '' for the rest of a divided , landlocked nation .
But despite the millions that have been spent , unemployment and poverty persist and uncertainties weigh heavy on the future .
Two thirds of the CAR 's territory is still occupied and controlled by armed groups .
Bambari was long split in two and ravaged by fighting between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alliance that toppled President Francois Bozize in 2013 , and the largely Christian and animist anti-balaka militias , claiming to defend their communities .
Sporadic fighting between militias prevails in many parts of the CAR , in spite of a peace accord signed by 14 armed groups and the government in 2019 .
Militia forces regularly attack civilians , carrying out atrocities that heighten the insecurity .
Bambari buildings ruined by decades of abandon by the state and the years of conflict are today getting a fresh coat of paint .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cohabitation , but it 's fragile because it also depends on the economy , '' says Jeannot Nguernendji , president of Bambari 's Peace Committee , in his newly refurbished office .
In a report late last month , the World Bank urged the next government to diversify an economy that is heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture to `` address the fragility trap and escape the vicious circle of violence '' .
At the end of 2018 , the CAR ranked in 188th place out of 189 in the United Nations ' Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the population lived below the international poverty threshold of $ 1.90 per day .
In Bambari as across the country , the streets are still full of young people who live from hand to mouth .
`` If you see a young man who throws himself into the rebellion , it 's for lack of a job , '' said Ousmane , a trader in a dusty bazaar in the Muslim quarter where goods from the capital have piled up .
`` The few projects initiated by NGOs have slightly reduced the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional classes , but the unemployment remains , '' said Bambari mayor Abel Matchipata .
Apart from the national sugar company and a few local mobile phone branches , `` there are no big companies here , '' he added .
Bambari can be proud of its three kilometres ( two miles ) of newly paved road , but the main users are motorcycle taxis and humanitarian vehicles .
Goods trucks owned by traders are a rare sight .
Ultimately , the non-governmental organisations remain the main providers of jobs , but places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff come from the capital Bangui .
`` The NGOs launch a lot of projects but there is no mechanism to enable them to last , '' said peace committee president Nguernendji .
Some organisations dependent on donor funds devise schemes that are sometimes divorced from reality in order simply `` to survive '' , said one of their managers , asking not to be named .
This practice leads to astonishing sights , like a Covid-19 awareness campaign for small children in a country where almost none of the adults wear masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loudspeakers cruising Bambari streets to inform citizens of World Toilet Day -- November 19 -- meeting with general indifference .
A number of projects , however , do have concrete results , ranging from support for small businesses , well drilling , the renovation of property , solar panels , sanitation and the distribution of food .
But now that security has been restored , there is a lurking risk of dependence on international aid .
In and around Bambari , displaced people see little urgency in leaving sites run by NGOs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance offered by UN agencies .
On the banks of the Ouakka river , an agro-pastoral centre established by the International Organization for Migration provides one of the rare opportunities for young people to escape idleness and learn how to cultivate the land .
But of 165 beneficiaries who joined the scheme , many have given up , discouraged by the hard toil in the fields , according to the director .
`` People are unaware .
They just want what 's given to them , '' said Ousmane .

Bambari (Central African Republic) (AFP) –
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In the crowded alleys of Bambari's Kidjigira market, customers of all faiths brush together as steam rises from hanging cooking pots and flies swarm around them.
At last, people are not afraid. Until recently, the marketplace remained a no man's land separating the Muslim and Christian districts of Bambari, a town at the epicentre of civil war in the Central African Republic (CAR) from 2013 to 2017.
Today, three weeks before presidential and parliamentary elections in a tense climate, the town at the heart of one of the world's poorest countries could be an emblem of reconciliation between communities that tore one another apart.
International donors and humanitarian agencies have concentrated their efforts on Bambari since 2017, treating the town as a "pilot project" for the rest of a divided, landlocked nation.
But despite the millions that have been spent, unemployment and poverty persist and uncertainties weigh heavy on the future.
Two thirds of the CAR's territory is still occupied and controlled by armed groups.
Bambari was long split in two and ravaged by fighting between Muslim former members of the Seleka, an alliance that toppled President Francois Bozize in 2013, and the largely Christian and animist anti-balaka militias, claiming to defend their communities.
Sporadic fighting between militias prevails in many parts of the CAR, in spite of a peace accord signed by 14 armed groups and the government in 2019.
Militia forces regularly attack civilians, carrying out atrocities that heighten the insecurity.
Bambari buildings ruined by decades of abandon by the state and the years of conflict are today getting a fresh coat of paint.
- 'For lack of a job' -
"We rejoice in the return of peaceful cohabitation, but it's fragile because it also depends on the economy," says Jeannot Nguernendji, president of Bambari's Peace Committee, in his newly refurbished office.
In a report late last month, the World Bank urged the next government to diversify an economy that is heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture to "address the fragility trap and escape the vicious circle of violence".
At the end of 2018, the CAR ranked in 188th place out of 189 in the United Nations' Human Development Index, while 71 percent of the population lived below the international poverty threshold of $1.90 per day.
In Bambari as across the country, the streets are still full of young people who live from hand to mouth.
"If you see a young man who throws himself into the rebellion, it's for lack of a job," said Ousmane, a trader in a dusty bazaar in the Muslim quarter where goods from the capital have piled up.
"The few projects initiated by NGOs have slightly reduced the number of job seekers. Some have attended professional classes, but the unemployment remains," said Bambari mayor Abel Matchipata.
Apart from the national sugar company and a few local mobile phone branches, "there are no big companies here," he added.
Bambari can be proud of its three kilometres (two miles) of newly paved road, but the main users are motorcycle taxis and humanitarian vehicles. Goods trucks owned by traders are a rare sight.
Ultimately, the non-governmental organisations remain the main providers of jobs, but places are expensive and most of the qualified staff come from the capital Bangui.
- 'A lot of projects' -
"The NGOs launch a lot of projects but there is no mechanism to enable them to last," said peace committee president Nguernendji.
Some organisations dependent on donor funds devise schemes that are sometimes divorced from reality in order simply "to survive", said one of their managers, asking not to be named.
This practice leads to astonishing sights, like a Covid-19 awareness campaign for small children in a country where almost none of the adults wear masks.
Or like a 4x4 fitted with loudspeakers cruising Bambari streets to inform citizens of World Toilet Day -- November 19 -- meeting with general indifference.
A number of projects, however, do have concrete results, ranging from support for small businesses, well drilling, the renovation of property, solar panels, sanitation and the distribution of food.
But now that security has been restored, there is a lurking risk of dependence on international aid.
In and around Bambari, displaced people see little urgency in leaving sites run by NGOs to return to their homes, despite the assistance offered by UN agencies.
On the banks of the Ouakka river, an agro-pastoral centre established by the International Organization for Migration provides one of the rare opportunities for young people to escape idleness and learn how to cultivate the land.
But of 165 beneficiaries who joined the scheme, many have given up, discouraged by the hard toil in the fields, according to the director. "People are unaware. They just want what's given to them," said Ousmane.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-08--Sputnik vaccine aims to bolster Russia's geopolitical influence

The developers of Sputnik V have not published original data from the trial despite requests from scientists .
Russia has sought to assert itself on the world stage through arms sales and energy exports , but the coronavirus pandemic has given Moscow another tool to win influence abroad : a vaccine .
President Vladimir Putin 's announcement in August that Russia had registered the world 's first coronavirus vaccine , Sputnik V , was met with raised eyebrows .
Scientists at home and abroad raised concerns that the jab had yet to complete mass trials and that crucial data about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The developers have since claimed that the jab has an efficacy of above 95 percent according to preliminary data from phase 3 trials , but the full data has yet to be disclosed as the trials are ongoing .
But analysts said the jab was about geopolitics as well as public health , designed to reaffirm the underlying message of Putin 's two-decade rule : Russia is back .
`` It 's a way for him to prove that Russia is capable of developing complex technologies and being at the top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said analyst Tatiana Stanovaya , founder of the R.Politik centre , a political consultancy .
Putin wants to show that Russia is at the `` forefront of this pandemic and even more successful than developed countries , '' she said .
After the disintegration of the Soviet Union , which for decades had sought to rival the West in science and technology , Russia found itself lacking a developed pharmaceutical industry .
The Kremlin has since tried to ease the country 's dependency on Western labs through an import substitution programme .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first designed exclusively in ( post-Soviet ) Russia , '' said former French ambassador in Moscow Jean de Gliniasty , describing it as `` a point of national pride '' .
`` This symbolises the return of Russia to the top leagues in pharmaceutics , '' said Gliniasty , now a Russia specialist at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs ( IRIS ) .
Russia `` will try to derive maximum benefit in terms of soft power , '' he told AFP .
The name chosen for the vaccine speaks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world 's first satellite launched by the USSR in 1957 and recalls a Russian accomplishment that was a historic setback for its Cold War rival , the United States .
Ignoring accusations by Britain of Russian-linked hackers targeting vaccine research , Moscow has said it is open to cooperation with Western countries and has proposed a partnership with the UK-based AstraZeneca and Oxford University which have developed their own inoculation .
But so far it is mainly allies that have volunteered to join forces on the vaccine roll-out .
India , Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for clinical trials and other Kremlin-friendly governments have pre-ordered more than one billion doses of the jab .
But ultimately , Stanovaya said , there remains a question mark over whether or not the vaccine was actually effective since Russia was seen as using it primarily for geopolitical clout .
`` To have geopolitical dividends you need a successful product first , '' she warned .
Russia has also hurried the vaccine along in the hopes of avoiding a second lockdown that would further damage the economy .
While European countries have recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from introducing sweeping measures and instead pinned its hopes on the quick arrival of the vaccine .
Russia announced earlier this month that 1.2 billion doses of Sputnik V had been pre-ordered worldwide .
But authorities have indicated that only two million doses will be produced in the country by the end of 2020 -- well below what is needed to protect some 145 million Russians when two doses are required per person .
Putin acknowledged in late October that Russia was facing production problems and said the country was `` ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia since confirmed an agreement with the Indian pharmaceutical group Hetero for the production of over 100 million doses per year .
Nathalie Ernoult , the co-director of the IRIS Global Health think-tank , said Russia 's lack of production capacity was one clear way to forge mutually beneficial relationships with other countries .
If Russia were to share the Sputnik V formula with other countries , this would increase its own production capacity and at the same time `` would respond to an appetite of a certain number of countries to work @ @ @ @

Moscow (AFP) –
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Russia has sought to assert itself on the world stage through arms sales and energy exports, but the coronavirus pandemic has given Moscow another tool to win influence abroad: a vaccine.
President Vladimir Putin's announcement in August that Russia had registered the world's first coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V, was met with raised eyebrows.
Scientists at home and abroad raised concerns that the jab had yet to complete mass trials and that crucial data about the vaccine had not been made public.
The developers have since claimed that the jab has an efficacy of above 95 percent according to preliminary data from phase 3 trials, but the full data has yet to be disclosed as the trials are ongoing.
But analysts said the jab was about geopolitics as well as public health, designed to reaffirm the underlying message of Putin's two-decade rule: Russia is back.
"It's a way for him to prove that Russia is capable of developing complex technologies and being at the top of the world's scientific elite," said analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the R.Politik centre, a political consultancy.
Putin wants to show that Russia is at the "forefront of this pandemic and even more successful than developed countries," she said.
- 'National pride' -
After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, which for decades had sought to rival the West in science and technology, Russia found itself lacking a developed pharmaceutical industry.
The Kremlin has since tried to ease the country's dependency on Western labs through an import substitution programme.
The Sputnik vaccine "is one of the first designed exclusively in (post-Soviet) Russia," said former French ambassador in Moscow Jean de Gliniasty, describing it as "a point of national pride".
"This symbolises the return of Russia to the top leagues in pharmaceutics," said Gliniasty, now a Russia specialist at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS).
Russia "will try to derive maximum benefit in terms of soft power," he told AFP.
The name chosen for the vaccine speaks for itself.
Sputnik V is named after the world's first satellite launched by the USSR in 1957 and recalls a Russian accomplishment that was a historic setback for its Cold War rival, the United States.
Ignoring accusations by Britain of Russian-linked hackers targeting vaccine research, Moscow has said it is open to cooperation with Western countries and has proposed a partnership with the UK-based AstraZeneca and Oxford University which have developed their own inoculation.
But so far it is mainly allies that have volunteered to join forces on the vaccine roll-out.
India, Venezuela and Belarus have said they will partner for clinical trials and other Kremlin-friendly governments have pre-ordered more than one billion doses of the jab.
But ultimately, Stanovaya said, there remains a question mark over whether or not the vaccine was actually effective since Russia was seen as using it primarily for geopolitical clout.
"To have geopolitical dividends you need a successful product first," she warned.
Russia has also hurried the vaccine along in the hopes of avoiding a second lockdown that would further damage the economy.
While European countries have recently reimposed virus restrictions, Russia held back from introducing sweeping measures and instead pinned its hopes on the quick arrival of the vaccine.
- Production strains -
Russia announced earlier this month that 1.2 billion doses of Sputnik V had been pre-ordered worldwide.
But authorities have indicated that only two million doses will be produced in the country by the end of 2020 -- well below what is needed to protect some 145 million Russians when two doses are required per person.
Putin acknowledged in late October that Russia was facing production problems and said the country was "ready to work with our foreign partners".
Russia since confirmed an agreement with the Indian pharmaceutical group Hetero for the production of over 100 million doses per year.
Nathalie Ernoult, the co-director of the IRIS Global Health think-tank, said Russia's lack of production capacity was one clear way to forge mutually beneficial relationships with other countries.
If Russia were to share the Sputnik V formula with other countries, this would increase its own production capacity and at the same time "would respond to an appetite of a certain number of countries to work towards autonomy".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-08--How ghosts of Germany's past are shaping its vaccine strategy

Deciding who will get coronavirus innoculations first in Germany is a sensitive subject owing to practices by Nazi and communist dictatorships in the past As Germany gears up to inoculate its population against the coronavirus , ethics experts have been given a prominent say over who goes first in a country still scarred by memories of the Nazi or communist dictatorships deciding who gets to live or die .
Companies including the German firm BioNTech have filed for the general usage of their Covid-19 vaccines , but authorities have repeatedly warned there wo n't be enough doses this winter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million inhabitants .
But leaving the decision of who would be first in the vaccination queue to bureaucrats or scientists alone is a sensitive one in Germany .
Chancellor Angela Merkel 's government has therefore roped in the German Ethics Council , an independent body that provides expert ethical advice on scientific and moral issues , to decide how immunisation will be rolled out , likely from early next year .
`` There is a great aversion in Germany , linked of course to experiences with the totalitarian regimes up to 1989 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by state authorities , '' said Wolfram Henn , a genetics specialist at Saarland University and a member of the Ethics Council .
`` That is why the government , and in particular Chancellor Merkel and Health Minister Jens Spahn , were keen to be able to present neutral scientific arguments in favour of ( vaccine ) allocation , '' Henn told AFP .
Some protesters against coronavirus restrictions have already compared themselves to victims of the Nazis while the leader of the far-right AfD party Alexander Gauland had labelled Merkel 's government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drew widespread condemnation .
The 26 members of the Ethics Council , who are experts in the fields of science , law , theology and economics , have been working alongside scientists to come up with a strategy .
They presented their recommendations in a joint paper with scientists from the Leopoldina institute and the vaccine committee at the Robert Koch Institute ( RKI ) disease control centre in November .
The report recommends prioritising older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions -- especially those in care homes -- followed by medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and teachers .
The experts considered both `` ethical and epidemiological criteria '' , according to Henn .
Care home residents were chosen partly because `` they are the individuals who have suffered most in recent months '' , he said .
`` It is a moral duty to take special care of them , and at the same time the health system ... is best protected by shielding those people from infection who are most likely to need intensive care , '' Henn said .
Germany was praised for its handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but has been hit hard by the second , with case numbers and deaths consistently high in recent weeks .
Total case numbers breached the one-million mark in late November , while the number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care has soared from around 360 in early October to more than 4,000 .
Alarm has also grown in recent days over rising infections in care homes .
With Merkel describing vaccines as the `` light at the end of the tunnel '' , a lot of hope rests on the jabs .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We must solve a problem , and to do so we work through certain criteria as best we can , '' Henn said .
`` You can feel the burden of responsibility , that is quite clear .
This is an enormous scientific responsibility , not only for ethics experts but also for the scientific community . ''

Berlin (AFP) –
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As Germany gears up to inoculate its population against the coronavirus, ethics experts have been given a prominent say over who goes first in a country still scarred by memories of the Nazi or communist dictatorships deciding who gets to live or die.
Companies including the German firm BioNTech have filed for the general usage of their Covid-19 vaccines, but authorities have repeatedly warned there won't be enough doses this winter to go around in the country of 80 million inhabitants.
But leaving the decision of who would be first in the vaccination queue to bureaucrats or scientists alone is a sensitive one in Germany.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's government has therefore roped in the German Ethics Council, an independent body that provides expert ethical advice on scientific and moral issues, to decide how immunisation will be rolled out, likely from early next year.
"There is a great aversion in Germany, linked of course to experiences with the totalitarian regimes up to 1989, to the regulation or allocation of goods by state authorities," said Wolfram Henn, a genetics specialist at Saarland University and a member of the Ethics Council.
"That is why the government, and in particular Chancellor Merkel and Health Minister Jens Spahn, were keen to be able to present neutral scientific arguments in favour of (vaccine) allocation," Henn told AFP.
- 'Corona-dictatorship' -
Some protesters against coronavirus restrictions have already compared themselves to victims of the Nazis while the leader of the far-right AfD party Alexander Gauland had labelled Merkel's government a "corona-dictatorship" -- claims that drew widespread condemnation.
The 26 members of the Ethics Council, who are experts in the fields of science, law, theology and economics, have been working alongside scientists to come up with a strategy.
They presented their recommendations in a joint paper with scientists from the Leopoldina institute and the vaccine committee at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) disease control centre in November.
The report recommends prioritising older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions -- especially those in care homes -- followed by medical staff and other frontline workers such as police and teachers.
The experts considered both "ethical and epidemiological criteria", according to Henn.
Care home residents were chosen partly because "they are the individuals who have suffered most in recent months", he said.
- 'Playing God' -
"It is a moral duty to take special care of them, and at the same time the health system... is best protected by shielding those people from infection who are most likely to need intensive care," Henn said.
Germany was praised for its handling of the first wave of the pandemic but has been hit hard by the second, with case numbers and deaths consistently high in recent weeks.
Total case numbers breached the one-million mark in late November, while the number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care has soared from around 360 in early October to more than 4,000.
Alarm has also grown in recent days over rising infections in care homes.
With Merkel describing vaccines as the "light at the end of the tunnel", a lot of hope rests on the jabs.
"Nobody in science wants to play God. We must solve a problem, and to do so we work through certain criteria as best we can," Henn said.
"You can feel the burden of responsibility, that is quite clear. This is an enormous scientific responsibility, not only for ethics experts but also for the scientific community."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-08--Love of wind sports takes flight in northern Iraq

The Korek mountain , about 120 kilometres ( 75 miles ) northeast of the Iraqi Kurdish capital Arbil , has become a hotspot for paragliding Hazem Amin inhaled deeply and ran towards the cliff edge .
His parachute swept up smoothly , floating him above the scrubby plains , jagged mountains and quaint villages of northern Iraq .
The Korek mountain , about 120 kilometres ( 75 miles ) northeast of the Iraqi Kurdish capital Arbil , has become a hotspot for paragliding -- the newly found sport of wind enthusiasts .
`` It 's a magical sport .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off , '' said Amin , a 30-year-old member of the Arbil Aeroclub .
Speaking in his native Kurdish , Amin told AFP he completed an intensive paragliding course with the club two years ago and has been hooked ever since .
`` This kind of sport needs courage , physical strength and a lot of mental concentration , '' he said , as he prepared his harness , triple-checked his parachute and donned a helmet .
`` There 's adventure , danger and fun all at once . ''
The Arbil Aeroclub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 40 members , including trainers and solo jumpers -- among them , a growing number of women .
While traditional sports usually receive backing from the Iraqi state , the relatively new activity of paragliding is fuelled by passion , said Ali al-Atrushi , a Kurdish businessman and one of the club 's founders .
`` Our love for this sport pushed us to establish this club , without any government support .
All we got from the state was the licence , '' he said .
Atrushi said the founders have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 paragliders and safety gear -- dishing out up to $ 5,000 for each -- as well as one hot air balloon .
On weekend afternoons , cars can be seen driving up to a 2,000-metre ( 6,500-foot ) plateau in the village of Rawanduz that serves as a flight deck for paragliders .
They usually take off facing west to catch the sunset and then glide down towards green pastures .
Most of the imported parachutes are rainbow-coloured , but at least one features the colours of the autonomous Kurdish flag -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a yellow sun .
Five years ago , he took a month-long paragliding course with the club and was impressed with their professionalism and commitment to international standards .
`` The training goes on for 30 days .
You start with ground training , then move to hills , then to the mountains , '' he said .
Abbas loved the sensation of flying so much he wanted to share it with others and kept working with the club until he became an instructor himself .
`` The hardest thing is taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on your own , you can do the rest solo . ''
Rawez Mustafa , one of four women who have joined the club , now has four solo flights under her belt .
`` I 've loved this sport since I was a little girl .
I dreamt of it , of taking off into the sky and enjoying the beautiful views , '' the 27-year-old teacher said .
`` Now my dream has come true , and I hope the club can accept even more female members . ''
Arbil 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq , but it seems to be the most successful .
Founding member Haydar al-Saidi , who began flying in 1994 with Baghdad 's Fernas Aeroclub , said that wind quality was better in the Arbil region .
`` There were many factors that encouraged us to start the club ( in Arbil ) , including the great flying wind , the mountain heights and the passionate people , '' the 52-year-old said .
Clubs have also opened in Duhok , Sulaimaniyah and Halabja in the Kurdish autonomous region but they are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A team from the Arbil Aeroclub even scored third place in a regional competition in Morocco in 2018 .
`` The way these activities in the Kurdish region developed so quickly and noticeably will hopefully contribute to an Iraqi national team that can take part in international events , '' he said .

Rawanduz (Iraq) (AFP) –
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Hazem Amin inhaled deeply and ran towards the cliff edge. His parachute swept up smoothly, floating him above the scrubby plains, jagged mountains and quaint villages of northern Iraq.
The Korek mountain, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) northeast of the Iraqi Kurdish capital Arbil, has become a hotspot for paragliding -- the newly found sport of wind enthusiasts.
"It's a magical sport. I feel so happy as I'm taking off," said Amin, a 30-year-old member of the Arbil Aeroclub.
Speaking in his native Kurdish, Amin told AFP he completed an intensive paragliding course with the club two years ago and has been hooked ever since.
"This kind of sport needs courage, physical strength and a lot of mental concentration," he said, as he prepared his harness, triple-checked his parachute and donned a helmet.
"There's adventure, danger and fun all at once."
The Arbil Aeroclub, founded in 2008, has more than 40 members, including trainers and solo jumpers -- among them, a growing number of women.
While traditional sports usually receive backing from the Iraqi state, the relatively new activity of paragliding is fuelled by passion, said Ali al-Atrushi, a Kurdish businessman and one of the club's founders.
"Our love for this sport pushed us to establish this club, without any government support. All we got from the state was the licence," he said.
Atrushi said the founders have paid out of their own pockets for 30 paragliders and safety gear -- dishing out up to $5,000 for each -- as well as one hot air balloon.
- 'Dream come true' -
On weekend afternoons, cars can be seen driving up to a 2,000-metre (6,500-foot) plateau in the village of Rawanduz that serves as a flight deck for paragliders.
They usually take off facing west to catch the sunset and then glide down towards green pastures.
Most of the imported parachutes are rainbow-coloured, but at least one features the colours of the autonomous Kurdish flag -- red and green stripes on either side of a yellow sun.
Car window repairman Mohammad Abbas, 35, spends his weekends here.
Five years ago, he took a month-long paragliding course with the club and was impressed with their professionalism and commitment to international standards.
"The training goes on for 30 days. You start with ground training, then move to hills, then to the mountains," he said.
Abbas loved the sensation of flying so much he wanted to share it with others and kept working with the club until he became an instructor himself.
"The hardest thing is taking off. When you can do that on your own, you can do the rest solo."
Rawez Mustafa, one of four women who have joined the club, now has four solo flights under her belt.
"I've loved this sport since I was a little girl. I dreamt of it, of taking off into the sky and enjoying the beautiful views," the 27-year-old teacher said.
"Now my dream has come true, and I hope the club can accept even more female members."
- Wind and passion -
Arbil's Aeroclub isn't the oldest one in Iraq, but it seems to be the most successful.
Founding member Haydar al-Saidi, who began flying in 1994 with Baghdad's Fernas Aeroclub, said that wind quality was better in the Arbil region.
"There were many factors that encouraged us to start the club (in Arbil), including the great flying wind, the mountain heights and the passionate people," the 52-year-old said.
Clubs have also opened in Duhok, Sulaimaniyah and Halabja in the Kurdish autonomous region but they are not as popular as the one in Arbil.
A team from the Arbil Aeroclub even scored third place in a regional competition in Morocco in 2018.
"The way these activities in the Kurdish region developed so quickly and noticeably will hopefully contribute to an Iraqi national team that can take part in international events," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-08--US targets more Chinese officials, moves to welcome Hong Kong residents

Supporters show signs for Hong Kong pro-democracy activists Agnes Chow , Ivan Lam and Joshua Wong outside a court on December 2 , 2020 after the three were given jail time The United States on Monday imposed new sanctions on Chinese officials over the clampdown on Hong Kong and took a step toward welcoming in residents of the city , as US leaders across the political spectrum voiced outrage at Beijing .
President Donald Trump 's administration has been using its waning days to ramp up pressure on China , a rare point of unity with President-elect Joe Biden who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line , if not always the same bellicose tone .
In its latest move , the Trump administration said it was freezing any US assets and barring travel to the United States of 14 vice chairs of the Standing Committee of the National People 's Congress , which spearheaded a tough new security law in Hong Kong .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was holding Beijing accountable for its `` unrelenting assault against Hong Kong 's democratic processes . ''
The Trump administration , however , stopped short of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zhanshu , sometimes described as a right-hand man of President Xi Jinping , who has forged an on-again , off-again friendship with Trump .
The United States has already slapped sanctions on Hong Kong 's pro-Beijing leader , Carrie Lam , and has declared that it no longer will treat the financial hub separate from China .
While Lam has sought to play down the effect of US moves , she acknowledged in a recent interview that she relies on `` piles of cash '' as she can no longer maintain a bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treasury Department , which has broad influence over dollar-denominated transactions .
The House of Representatives voted unanimously Monday to make it easier for residents of Hong Kong to live in the United States , following similar steps by Britain and Canada .
Representative Tom Malinowski , a member of Biden 's Democratic Party who led the Hong Kong act , said that welcoming people was more powerful than deciding to `` slap a few sanctions '' on Chinese officials .
`` The best way to win against a dictatorship is to pit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of theirs , to hold up the glaring contrast between our free , open and self-confident democracy against the weakness of the oppressive , closed and fearful system that the Communist Party has imposed on the Chinese people , including now in Hong Kong , '' Malinwowski said on the House floor .
`` It 's actually much more than a humanitarian gesture -- it 's one of the best ways to deter China from crushing Hong Kong , '' Malinowski said .
Hong Kong residents would enjoy so-called Temporary Protected Status for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states such as Syria who can not be deported and will have the right to work in the United States .
The move still needs approval by the Senate but it has support across party lines -- unlike a previous bid by Democrats to extend the status to Venezuelans , which was effectively blocked by Trump 's Republicans .
The Trump administration has described decades of efforts to engage China to be a failure and the US intelligence chief , John Ratcliffe , last week called Beijing `` the greatest threat to democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , Pompeo terminated five Beijing-funded exchange programs , calling them propaganda tools , and said the State Department would limit the validity of visas for any members of the Chinese Communist Party and their family members -- a decision that could affect hundreds of millions of people .
China 's rubber-stamp parliament pushed through the draconian new security law in June despite international warnings that it was violating a promise to allow a separate system in Hong Kong made before Britain handed over its colony in 1997 .
Through the law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests that rocked Hong Kong last year .
On Monday , police cited the law to make arrests over a small unofficial graduation rally last month at the Chinese University of Hong Kong , where masked students waved banners and chanted slogans that included , `` Liberate Hong Kong , Revolution of Our Times . ''
Li Kwai-wah , a senior officer in Hong Kong 's new national security unit , told reporters that three had been arrested for unlawful assembly and `` inciting secession , '' a crime under the law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ assembly , added Li , who is among a group of senior Hong Kong and Chinese officials that were earlier sanctioned by the United States .
Also in November , pro-democracy lawmakers resigned en masse from Hong Kong 's Legislative Council after the disqualification of four of their colleagues .

Washington (AFP) –
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The United States on Monday imposed new sanctions on Chinese officials over the clampdown on Hong Kong and took a step toward welcoming in residents of the city, as US leaders across the political spectrum voiced outrage at Beijing.
President Donald Trump's administration has been using its waning days to ramp up pressure on China, a rare point of unity with President-elect Joe Biden who has signalled he will maintain a tough line, if not always the same bellicose tone.
In its latest move, the Trump administration said it was freezing any US assets and barring travel to the United States of 14 vice chairs of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which spearheaded a tough new security law in Hong Kong.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was holding Beijing accountable for its "unrelenting assault against Hong Kong's democratic processes."
The Trump administration, however, stopped short of punishing the committee's chairman, Li Zhanshu, sometimes described as a right-hand man of President Xi Jinping, who has forged an on-again, off-again friendship with Trump.
The United States has already slapped sanctions on Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader, Carrie Lam, and has declared that it no longer will treat the financial hub separate from China.
While Lam has sought to play down the effect of US moves, she acknowledged in a recent interview that she relies on "piles of cash" as she can no longer maintain a bank account due to pressure from the US Treasury Department, which has broad influence over dollar-denominated transactions.
- Welcoming Hong Kong residents -
The House of Representatives voted unanimously Monday to make it easier for residents of Hong Kong to live in the United States, following similar steps by Britain and Canada.
Representative Tom Malinowski, a member of Biden's Democratic Party who led the Hong Kong act, said that welcoming people was more powerful than deciding to "slap a few sanctions" on Chinese officials.
"The best way to win against a dictatorship is to pit the strength of our system against the weakness of theirs, to hold up the glaring contrast between our free, open and self-confident democracy against the weakness of the oppressive, closed and fearful system that the Communist Party has imposed on the Chinese people, including now in Hong Kong," Malinwowski said on the House floor.
"It's actually much more than a humanitarian gesture -- it's one of the best ways to deter China from crushing Hong Kong," Malinowski said.
Hong Kong residents would enjoy so-called Temporary Protected Status for five years, joining citizens of conflict-ridden states such as Syria who cannot be deported and will have the right to work in the United States.
The move still needs approval by the Senate but it has support across party lines -- unlike a previous bid by Democrats to extend the status to Venezuelans, which was effectively blocked by Trump's Republicans.
The Trump administration has described decades of efforts to engage China to be a failure and the US intelligence chief, John Ratcliffe, last week called Beijing "the greatest threat to democracy worldwide."
In other steps last week, Pompeo terminated five Beijing-funded exchange programs, calling them propaganda tools, and said the State Department would limit the validity of visas for any members of the Chinese Communist Party and their family members -- a decision that could affect hundreds of millions of people.
- Curbing dissent -
China's rubber-stamp parliament pushed through the draconian new security law in June despite international warnings that it was violating a promise to allow a separate system in Hong Kong made before Britain handed over its colony in 1997.
Through the law, China has largely succeeded in stamping out protests that rocked Hong Kong last year.
On Monday, police cited the law to make arrests over a small unofficial graduation rally last month at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where masked students waved banners and chanted slogans that included, "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times."
Li Kwai-wah, a senior officer in Hong Kong's new national security unit, told reporters that three had been arrested for unlawful assembly and "inciting secession," a crime under the law.
Five others were also arrested for unlawful assembly, added Li, who is among a group of senior Hong Kong and Chinese officials that were earlier sanctioned by the United States.
Also in November, pro-democracy lawmakers resigned en masse from Hong Kong's Legislative Council after the disqualification of four of their colleagues.
burs-sct/jm
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-08--English FA probes booing of players taking a knee

The Football Association announced on Monday that it is investigating following the booing of players taking a knee at two English Football League games at the weekend .
A number of fans at the match in the second-tier Championship between Millwall and Derby and at Colchester 's League Two home clash with Grimsby booed the players ' anti-racism gesture before kick-off .
`` The FA can confirm that investigations are under way into crowd-related incidents at both The Den and JobServe Community Stadium on Saturday 5 December 2020 , '' English football 's governing body said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Derby boss Wayne Rooney to condemn their `` disgraceful and mindless behaviour '' .
And Colchester owner Robbie Cowling , whose side play in the fourth tier , has told supporters who want to boo players taking a knee they are not welcome at the club .
`` Those taking the knee , and supporting the taking of the knee , not only show their willingness to support the drive to eradicate racial oppression but force it to be a talking point even when it 's uncomfortable , '' he said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` a sad indictment of the lack of understanding and empathy for the players ' fight against racism and discrimination '' .
It urged London-based Millwall to `` act swiftly to identify the section of the crowd who booed the players '' .
Players from Millwall and Queens Park Rangers will stand arm-in-arm with each other in a show of solidarity for football ’ s fight against discrimination ahead of kick-off at The Den on Tuesday The two teams will hold a banner to show their collective commitment towards ongoing efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Millwall believe that this gesture , which the club hopes to repeat with other visiting teams in the coming weeks and months , will help to unify people throughout society in the battle to root out all forms of discrimination , '' the club said in a statement .

London (AFP) –
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The Football Association announced on Monday that it is investigating following the booing of players taking a knee at two English Football League games at the weekend.
A number of fans at the match in the second-tier Championship between Millwall and Derby and at Colchester's League Two home clash with Grimsby booed the players' anti-racism gesture before kick-off.
"The FA can confirm that investigations are under way into crowd-related incidents at both The Den and JobServe Community Stadium on Saturday 5 December 2020," English football's governing body said in a statement.
The booing from Millwall fans led interim Derby boss Wayne Rooney to condemn their "disgraceful and mindless behaviour".
And Colchester owner Robbie Cowling, whose side play in the fourth tier, has told supporters who want to boo players taking a knee they are not welcome at the club.
"Those taking the knee, and supporting the taking of the knee, not only show their willingness to support the drive to eradicate racial oppression but force it to be a talking point even when it's uncomfortable," he said.
The Professional Footballers' Association described the booing as "a sad indictment of the lack of understanding and empathy for the players' fight against racism and discrimination".
It urged London-based Millwall to "act swiftly to identify the section of the crowd who booed the players".
Players from Millwall and Queens Park Rangers will stand arm-in-arm with each other in a show of solidarity for football’s fight against discrimination ahead of kick-off at The Den on Tuesday
The two teams will hold a banner to show their collective commitment towards ongoing efforts to rid the game of racism.
"Millwall believe that this gesture, which the club hopes to repeat with other visiting teams in the coming weeks and months, will help to unify people throughout society in the battle to root out all forms of discrimination," the club said in a statement.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-07--UN urges Russia to end 'temporary occupation' of Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin ( 2nd L ) accompanied by Transport Minister Yevgeny Ditrikh ( L ) meets with road workers during a ceremony to launch a traffic of the Tavrida federal highway , in Crimea , on August 27 , 2020 The UN General Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution urging Russia to end its `` temporary occupation '' of Crimea , which Moscow took over in 2014 , `` without delay . ''
The resolution on the militarization of the peninsula of Crimea , the port of Sevastopol and parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 17 voting against and 62 abstaining .
The resolution is non-binding but has political significance .
It was put forward by 40 countries , including Britain , France , Germany and the Baltic states , as well the United States , Australia , Canada and Turkey .
The resolution `` urges the Russian Federation , as the occupying Power , immediately , completely and unconditionally to withdraw its military forces from Crimea and end its temporary occupation of the territory of Ukraine without delay . ''
Facing the `` continuing destabilization of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation of advanced weapon systems , including nuclear-capable aircraft and missiles , weapons , ammunition and military personnel to the territory of Ukraine , '' the resolution called on Russia to stop all such transfers `` without delay . ''
Fighting between Ukrainian troops and forces backed by Russia has left more than 13,000 dead since 2014 , when Russia annexed Crimea and pro-Russian forces in the east of Ukraine rebelled against Kiev .
At the UN Security Council , tensions between Russia and western countries over the conflict remain in sharp focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting last week by Moscow on the 2015 Minsk accords between Ukraine and Russia , which were sponsored by France and Germany .
Berlin and Paris sparked Russian fury by boycotting the meeting , described by European countries as an international platform offered to the Donbass separatists , several of whom had been invited to speak by Moscow .

United Nations (United States) (AFP) –
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The UN General Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution urging Russia to end its "temporary occupation" of Crimea, which Moscow took over in 2014, "without delay."
The resolution on the militarization of the peninsula of Crimea, the port of Sevastopol and parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov was adopted by 63 countries, with 17 voting against and 62 abstaining.
The resolution is non-binding but has political significance. It was put forward by 40 countries, including Britain, France, Germany and the Baltic states, as well the United States, Australia, Canada and Turkey.
The resolution "urges the Russian Federation, as the occupying Power, immediately, completely and unconditionally to withdraw its military forces from Crimea and end its temporary occupation of the territory of Ukraine without delay."
Facing the "continuing destabilization of Crimea owing to transfers by the Russian Federation of advanced weapon systems, including nuclear-capable aircraft and missiles, weapons, ammunition and military personnel to the territory of Ukraine," the resolution called on Russia to stop all such transfers "without delay."
Fighting between Ukrainian troops and forces backed by Russia has left more than 13,000 dead since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and pro-Russian forces in the east of Ukraine rebelled against Kiev.
At the UN Security Council, tensions between Russia and western countries over the conflict remain in sharp focus, as was shown by an informal meeting last week by Moscow on the 2015 Minsk accords between Ukraine and Russia, which were sponsored by France and Germany.
Berlin and Paris sparked Russian fury by boycotting the meeting, described by European countries as an international platform offered to the Donbass separatists, several of whom had been invited to speak by Moscow.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-07--NASA outlines science goals for future astronauts on Moon

NASA outlined the scientific priorities for the Artemis III astronauts on the Moon The US space agency NASA published a voluminous report on Monday outlining the scientific priorities for the Artemis III astronauts it intends to send to the Moon in 2024 .
One of the goals will be to bring back a total of 85 kilograms ( 187 pounds ) of lunar samples , both from the surface and sub-surface , more than the average 64 kilograms brought back by Apollo mission members between 1969 and 1972 .
`` The Moon holds vast scientific potential and astronauts are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Thomas Zurbuchen , associate administrator for NASA 's Science Mission Directorate .
`` This report helps outline a path forward toward the compelling science we can now contemplate doing on the lunar surface in conjunction with human explorers , '' Zurbuchen said .
The Artemis I mission , scheduled to take place before the end of 2021 , will involve a test of the Space Launch System and an unmanned Orion spacecraft .
Artemis II will see a crewed test flight sent into orbit in 2023 but will not involve an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ III is to send astronauts , including the first woman , to the Moon in 2024 .
In the 188-page report , NASA set seven scientific objectives for the Artemis III mission including understanding planetary processes .
The astronauts will only have a maximum of six and a half days on the Moon and the report provides a resource for mission planners who will be developing their surface activities .
Among the recommendations from the experts is establishing a real-time data and video link to a science support team on the ground which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also suggested the development of lighter scientific instruments which are capable of carrying out more than one investigation or measurement .
In addition , they said NASA should consider pre-positioning science assets in the vicinity of the Artemis III landing site .
`` This could consist of an inert cache of tools/instruments to be accessed by crew upon arrival , and/or one or more instrumented landers or rovers for environmental monitoring , '' they said .
NASA 's eventual goal is to establish an Artemis Base Camp on the Moon before the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would require tens of billions of dollar of funding and the green light from President-elect Joe Biden and Congress .

Washington (AFP) –
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The US space agency NASA published a voluminous report on Monday outlining the scientific priorities for the Artemis III astronauts it intends to send to the Moon in 2024.
One of the goals will be to bring back a total of 85 kilograms (187 pounds) of lunar samples, both from the surface and sub-surface, more than the average 64 kilograms brought back by Apollo mission members between 1969 and 1972.
"The Moon holds vast scientific potential and astronauts are going to help us enable that science," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
"This report helps outline a path forward toward the compelling science we can now contemplate doing on the lunar surface in conjunction with human explorers," Zurbuchen said.
The Artemis I mission, scheduled to take place before the end of 2021, will involve a test of the Space Launch System and an unmanned Orion spacecraft.
Artemis II will see a crewed test flight sent into orbit in 2023 but will not involve an actual landing on the Moon.
Artemis III is to send astronauts, including the first woman, to the Moon in 2024.
In the 188-page report, NASA set seven scientific objectives for the Artemis III mission including understanding planetary processes.
The astronauts will only have a maximum of six and a half days on the Moon and the report provides a resource for mission planners who will be developing their surface activities.
Among the recommendations from the experts is establishing a real-time data and video link to a science support team on the ground which can back up the astronauts.
They also suggested the development of lighter scientific instruments which are capable of carrying out more than one investigation or measurement.
In addition, they said NASA should consider pre-positioning science assets in the vicinity of the Artemis III landing site.
"This could consist of an inert cache of tools/instruments to be accessed by crew upon arrival, and/or one or more instrumented landers or rovers for environmental monitoring," they said.
NASA's eventual goal is to establish an Artemis Base Camp on the Moon before the end of the decade, an ambitious plan that would require tens of billions of dollar of funding and the green light from President-elect Joe Biden and Congress.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-07--Toronto's Spanish midfielder Pozuelo named MLS MVP

Spanish midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo of Toronto FC was named Major League Soccer 's 2020 Most Valuable Player on Monday Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo was on Monday named Major League Soccer 's 2020 Most Valuable Player after scoring nine goals and setting up 10 others for the Canadian squad .
The 29-year-old Spaniard led the league with five game-winning goals and in chances created with 70 for Toronto , which went 13-5-5 for the second-best record in the MLS season , a game behind the Philadelphia Union .
`` It means a lot to me , '' Pozuelo said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it shows how important Toronto is , how important the season was .
And I 'm very proud ... it 's something that takes a lot of work to get here . ''
Pozuelo , in his second MLS campaign , scored four goals and assisted on two others in September as part of a four-match scoring streak .
Toronto was forced to play much of its season out of East Hartford , Connecticut , after the Covid-19 pandemic forced an early season shutdown in March and travel issues prevented playing matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first player in club history to start every regular-season match .
`` We had a difficult year .
We did n't play in Toronto , so it was difficult to be away from the family , '' Pozuelo said .
`` We adapted to this situation , and individually myself , I think I played really good games but because my teammates help me to do this . ''
Pozuelo became the second Spaniard to win the MLS MVP award , after New York City FC 's David Villa in 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the award after Sebastian Giovinco in 2015 .
Toronto , the 2017 league playoff champions , were eliminated by Nashville in the opening post-season match .
In voting results , Pozuelo dominated voting with 48.19 percent from a media panel and 37.72 percent from coaches but was edged in voting by players , 22.77 percent to 20.15 percent , by MLS Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi of Los Angeles FC .
Overall , Pozuelo won with 35.35 percent of the vote compared to 17.80 percent for Uruguayan forward Rossi .

New York (AFP) –
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Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo was on Monday named Major League Soccer's 2020 Most Valuable Player after scoring nine goals and setting up 10 others for the Canadian squad.
The 29-year-old Spaniard led the league with five game-winning goals and in chances created with 70 for Toronto, which went 13-5-5 for the second-best record in the MLS season, a game behind the Philadelphia Union.
"It means a lot to me," Pozuelo said. "We need this award a lot because it shows how important Toronto is, how important the season was. And I'm very proud... it's something that takes a lot of work to get here."
Pozuelo, in his second MLS campaign, scored four goals and assisted on two others in September as part of a four-match scoring streak.
Toronto was forced to play much of its season out of East Hartford, Connecticut, after the Covid-19 pandemic forced an early season shutdown in March and travel issues prevented playing matches in Canada.
Nevertheless, Pozuelo became the first player in club history to start every regular-season match.
"We had a difficult year. We didn't play in Toronto, so it was difficult to be away from the family," Pozuelo said. "We adapted to this situation, and individually myself, I think I played really good games but because my teammates help me to do this."
Pozuelo became the second Spaniard to win the MLS MVP award, after New York City FC's David Villa in 2016, and the second Toronto FC player to take the award after Sebastian Giovinco in 2015.
Toronto, the 2017 league playoff champions, were eliminated by Nashville in the opening post-season match.
In voting results, Pozuelo dominated voting with 48.19 percent from a media panel and 37.72 percent from coaches but was edged in voting by players, 22.77 percent to 20.15 percent, by MLS Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi of Los Angeles FC.
Overall, Pozuelo won with 35.35 percent of the vote compared to 17.80 percent for Uruguayan forward Rossi.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-07--Ings penalty fires Southampton to fifth in Premier League

Danny Ings scored the winner from the penalty spot as Southampton beat Brighton 2-1 Danny Ings returned from injury to score a controversial winner from the penalty spot as Southampton came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 on Monday and climb to fifth in the Premier League .
Brighton took the lead from the spot , with Pascal Gross sending goalkeeper Alex McCarthy the wrong way after James Ward-Prowse handled the ball in the area .
Ralph Hasenhuttl 's men then found the equaliser just before the half-time whistle with Ward-Prowse making up for his earlier error to pick out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corner .
Then , with nine minutes remaining , substitute Ings fired home on his return from injury after Southampton were awarded a controversial penalty , with Brighton players claiming the foul took place outside the area .
Brighton started brightly in front of 2,000 supporters -- back in the stadium for the first time in nine months .
They took the lead in the 26th minute when referee David Coote pointed to the spot after a Danny Welbeck cross hit the raised arms of Ward-Prowse .
Gross fired in the penalty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Seagulls a goal ahead .
The home side looked to get forward at every opportunity while Southampton struggled to get going .
Against the run of play , Saints struck the equaliser just before the break .
Ward-Prowse continued his impressive record from set-pieces , crossing the ball from a corner for Vestergaard to head past Mat Ryan .
At the start of the second half , Tariq Lamptey looked to get forward down the right before playing the ball back to Gross , who fired over the bar .
With 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought down by Solly March .
The referee initially awarded a free-kick before a lengthy VAR intervention changed the decision to a penalty .
Ings made no mistake and his side held on for the victory .

Brighton (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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Danny Ings returned from injury to score a controversial winner from the penalty spot as Southampton came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 on Monday and climb to fifth in the Premier League.
Brighton took the lead from the spot, with Pascal Gross sending goalkeeper Alex McCarthy the wrong way after James Ward-Prowse handled the ball in the area.
Ralph Hasenhuttl's men then found the equaliser just before the half-time whistle with Ward-Prowse making up for his earlier error to pick out Jan Vestergaard, who headed home the corner.
Then, with nine minutes remaining, substitute Ings fired home on his return from injury after Southampton were awarded a controversial penalty, with Brighton players claiming the foul took place outside the area.
Brighton started brightly in front of 2,000 supporters -- back in the stadium for the first time in nine months.
They took the lead in the 26th minute when referee David Coote pointed to the spot after a Danny Welbeck cross hit the raised arms of Ward-Prowse.
Gross fired in the penalty, sending McCarthy the wrong way to put the Seagulls a goal ahead.
The home side looked to get forward at every opportunity while Southampton struggled to get going.
Against the run of play, Saints struck the equaliser just before the break. Ward-Prowse continued his impressive record from set-pieces, crossing the ball from a corner for Vestergaard to head past Mat Ryan.
At the start of the second half, Tariq Lamptey looked to get forward down the right before playing the ball back to Gross, who fired over the bar.
With 13 minutes to go, Kyle Walker-Peters was brought down by Solly March. The referee initially awarded a free-kick before a lengthy VAR intervention changed the decision to a penalty.
Ings made no mistake and his side held on for the victory.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-07--Egyptian president in France : Macron rejects calls to get tough on humain rights

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france24--2020-12-07--Breakdancing, surfing among four sports to win Paris 2024 Olympics spots

Breakdancer Carlos Cruz practises at a kiosk in Alameda Park in Mexico City on August 18 , 2020 .
Breakdancing , surfing , skateboarding and sports climbing won a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics when the International Olympic Committee ratified their inclusion on Monday , IOC President Thomas Bach said .
The Paris 2024 organising committee had last year proposed the four sports for inclusion and was waiting on a final review by the IOC 's Executive Board .
Surfing , climbing and skateboarding are already part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics , having been proposed along with karate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisers have said they want to deliver a programme that is in keeping with the times and will attract a new and younger audience .
Under new IOC rules first introduced for the Tokyo Games , Olympic host cities can hand-pick sports and propose them for inclusion in those Games if they are popular in that country and add to the Games ’ appeal .
The IOC also trimmed the overall events for Paris by 10 to 329 compared to the Tokyo Games next year , while increasing mixed gender events from 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
`` With this programme , we are making the Olympic Games Paris 2024 fit for the post-corona world , '' Bach said .
`` We are further reducing the cost and complexity of hosting the Games . ''
`` There is also a strong focus on youth , '' he added .
The IOC also capped the total athlete quota to exactly 10,500 .
The recent summer Olympics had seen an increase to more than 11,000 .
There will also be exactly 50 % men and 50 % women athletes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Tokyo .
`` While we will achieve gender equality already at the upcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 , we will see for the first time in Olympic history the participation of the exact same number of female athletes as male athletes , '' Bach said .
`` It 's a nice reference to the 1900 Paris Olympics , when it was the first time that women were at the Games , '' Jean-Philippe Gatien , sports director for Paris 2024 , told reporters at the Paris 2024 headquarters on Monday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do with those Games .
It will be Games that are young , urban and creatives . ''
The IOC is desperate to refresh the Games ’ sports programme to remain relevant to sponsors , broadcasters and younger fans .

Breakdancing, surfing, skateboarding and sports climbing won a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics when the International Olympic Committee ratified their inclusion on Monday, IOC President Thomas Bach said.
Breakdancer Carlos Cruz practises at a kiosk in Alameda Park in Mexico City on August 18, 2020.
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The Paris 2024 organising committee had last year proposed the four sports for inclusion and was waiting on a final review by the IOC's Executive Board.
Surfing, climbing and skateboarding are already part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, having been proposed along with karate by the Japanese hosts.
Paris Games organisers have said they want to deliver a programme that is in keeping with the times and will attract a new and younger audience.
Now it’s official ✅
Breaking will be in #Paris2024 Olympic Games for the first time in history !
B-Boy, B-Girls, get ready to show the world how spectacular and great you are 👊#RoadToParis2024 pic.twitter.com/pghWNeZFX2 — Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) December 7, 2020
Under new IOC rules first introduced for the Tokyo Games, Olympic host cities can hand-pick sports and propose them for inclusion in those Games if they are popular in that country and add to the Games’ appeal.
The IOC also trimmed the overall events for Paris by 10 to 329 compared to the Tokyo Games next year, while increasing mixed gender events from 18 in Tokyo to 22 in four years time.
"With this programme, we are making the Olympic Games Paris 2024 fit for the post-corona world," Bach said. "We are further reducing the cost and complexity of hosting the Games."
"There is also a strong focus on youth," he added.
Breaking news ✅@olympics just approved the inclusion of the 4 new sports for #Paris2024 Olympic Games !
Breaking, climbing, skateboarding and surfing… We are happy to welcome you ! #RoadToParis2024 pic.twitter.com/EQsGNeokMj — Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) December 7, 2020
The IOC also capped the total athlete quota to exactly 10,500. The recent summer Olympics had seen an increase to more than 11,000. There will also be exactly 50% men and 50% women athletes in Paris, up from 48.8% women in Tokyo.
"While we will achieve gender equality already at the upcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, we will see for the first time in Olympic history the participation of the exact same number of female athletes as male athletes," Bach said.
The @Paris2024 sports programme has been approved. It includes these main features:
- 100% gender equality
- Four additional sports: Skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and breaking
- More youth-focused events
- 10,500 athletes and 329 events#StrongerTogether — Olympics (@Olympics) December 7, 2020
"It's a nice reference to the 1900 Paris Olympics, when it was the first time that women were at the Games," Jean-Philippe Gatien, sports director for Paris 2024, told reporters at the Paris 2024 headquarters on Monday.
"It suits perfectly what we want to do with those Games. It will be Games that are young, urban and creatives."
The IOC is desperate to refresh the Games’ sports programme to remain relevant to sponsors, broadcasters and younger fans.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-07--All Black great McCaw voted rugby's player of the decade

Richie McCaw , who led New Zealand to world cup victory 2011 and repeated the feat in 2015 , was named rugby union 's men 's player of the decade Double World Cup winner Richie McCaw and Olympic medallist and women 's Six Nations champion Jessy Tremouliere were named players of the decade on Monday by World Rugby .
Rugby fans voted New Zealander Portia Woodman and Fijian Jerry Tuwai the sevens players of the decade .
Ireland 's Jamie Heaslip and Woodman scored the tries of the decade .
In addition to the two awards she won , Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feature on both the sevens and 15s player of the decade lists The awards were announced in an online ceremony .
The best players and the men 's try of the decade were chosen from the annual winners from the years between 2010 and 2019 .
World Rugby said it received 394,795 votes .
Because New Zealanders Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter each won the men 's award twice in the decade there were eight men 's candidates .
Former All Blacks skipper McCaw also edged two New Zealand forwards in Kieran Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thierry Dusautoir , Ireland 's fly-half Johnny Sexton and Springbok forward Pieter-Steph du Toit .
McCaw , a flanker who retired in 2015 and won the last of his three player-of-the-year awards in 2010 , led New Zealand to victory in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups .
He held the record for most Test appearances until he was overtaken by Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones in October .
There were also eight candidates for the women 's award , although a women 's player of the year was only instituted in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player of the year in 2018 , beat three Englishwomen and three New Zealanders as well as Canadian Magali Hall .
No 8 Heaslip finished off an Irish move that went the length and width of the field against Italy in the 2016 Six Nations for a try that beat efforts by a stellar collection of backs including Chris Ashton , Bryan Habana , Barrett , Julian Savea and TJ Perenara as well as hulking lock Retallick who threw a huge dummy to fool Wallaby defenders for the 2018 try of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected two teams of the decade .
The men 's team was dominated by New Zealand and contained no French or English players .

Paris (AFP) –
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Double World Cup winner Richie McCaw and Olympic medallist and women's Six Nations champion Jessy Tremouliere were named players of the decade on Monday by World Rugby.
Rugby fans voted New Zealander Portia Woodman and Fijian Jerry Tuwai the sevens players of the decade. Ireland's Jamie Heaslip and Woodman scored the tries of the decade.
In addition to the two awards she won, Black Fern Woodman was the only player to feature on both the sevens and 15s player of the decade lists
The awards were announced in an online ceremony. The best players and the men's try of the decade were chosen from the annual winners from the years between 2010 and 2019. World Rugby said it received 394,795 votes.
Because New Zealanders Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter each won the men's award twice in the decade there were eight men's candidates.
Former All Blacks skipper McCaw also edged two New Zealand forwards in Kieran Read and Brodie Retallick, former France captain Thierry Dusautoir, Ireland's fly-half Johnny Sexton and Springbok forward Pieter-Steph du Toit.
McCaw, a flanker who retired in 2015 and won the last of his three player-of-the-year awards in 2010, led New Zealand to victory in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. He held the record for most Test appearances until he was overtaken by Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones in October.
There were also eight candidates for the women's award, although a women's player of the year was only instituted in 2015. France full-back Tremouliere, who was player of the year in 2018, beat three Englishwomen and three New Zealanders as well as Canadian Magali Hall.
No 8 Heaslip finished off an Irish move that went the length and width of the field against Italy in the 2016 Six Nations for a try that beat efforts by a stellar collection of backs including Chris Ashton, Bryan Habana, Barrett, Julian Savea and TJ Perenara as well as hulking lock Retallick who threw a huge dummy to fool Wallaby defenders for the 2018 try of the year.
A panel of rugby greats also selected two teams of the decade.
The men's team was dominated by New Zealand and contained no French or English players.
Men's team of the Decade (15-1)
Ben Smith (NZL); George North (WAL), Brian O'Driscoll (IRL), Ma'a Nonu (NZL), Bryan Habana (RSA); Dan Carter (NZL), Conor Murray (IRL); Sergio Parisse (ITA), Richie McCaw (NZL), David Pocock (AUS); Sam Whitelock (NZL), Brodie Retallick (NZL); Owen Franks (NZL), Bismarck du Plessis (RSA), Tendai Mtawarira (RSA)
Women's team of the decade (15-1)
Danielle Waterman (ENG); Lydia Thompson (ENG), Emily Scarratt (ENG), Kelly Brazier (NZL), Portia Woodman (NZL); Katy Daley-Mclean (ENG), Kendra Cocksedge (NZL); Safi N'Diaye (FRA), Maggie Alphonsi (ENG), Linda Itunu (NZL); Tamara Taylor (ENG), Eloise Blackwell (NZL); Sophie Hemming (ENG), Fiao'o Faamausili (NZL), Rochelle Clark (ENG)
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-08--Pulev says he can stop Joshua v Fury heavyweight showdown

Kubrat Pulev is confident he can derail plans for an all-British undisputed heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury by defeating Joshua in London on Saturday .
The 39-year-old Bulgarian , the mandatory challenger for Joshua 's IBF title , is in London after their planned bout in June was postponed due to the coronavirus .
He was due to face the former Olympic champion in 2017 but withdrew with an injury .
Pulev believes he can expose Joshua 's flaws at Wembley Arena , where the British boxer 's WBA and WBO titles will also be on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mistakes from Anthony , '' said Pulev , who boasts a 28-1 record .
`` A lot of bad sides to him .
I think these mistakes , and the bad sides , stay .
`` The most important thing is how I perform on Saturday night .
When I am good , I beat him well .
Right now I feel very good , strong and powerful . ''
Joshua , 31 , has not fought since he outpointed Andy Ruiz Jr in December last year .
Pulev , whose only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Wladimir Klitschoko in 2014 , said Saturday 's bout with Joshua was not just for himself and looked forward to a future fight against WBC belt holder Fury .
`` This fight is not only for me , '' said Pulev .
`` This fight isn ’ t just for boxing .
It is for all of Bulgaria .
Nobody from my country has ever been heavyweight champion of the world . ''
`` I think after this fight I ’ m going to fight with Tyson Fury , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t believe that the Joshua v Fury fight is going to happen because I will win on Saturday night .
`` I think the world needs a new world champion like me .
I am the new world champion .
I am coming . ''

London (AFP) –
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Kubrat Pulev is confident he can derail plans for an all-British undisputed heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury by defeating Joshua in London on Saturday.
The 39-year-old Bulgarian, the mandatory challenger for Joshua's IBF title, is in London after their planned bout in June was postponed due to the coronavirus.
He was due to face the former Olympic champion in 2017 but withdrew with an injury.
Pulev believes he can expose Joshua's flaws at Wembley Arena, where the British boxer's WBA and WBO titles will also be on the line.
"We see a lot of mistakes from Anthony," said Pulev, who boasts a 28-1 record. "A lot of bad sides to him. I think these mistakes, and the bad sides, stay.
"The most important thing is how I perform on Saturday night. When I am good, I beat him well. Right now I feel very good, strong and powerful."
Joshua, 31, has not fought since he outpointed Andy Ruiz Jr in December last year.
Pulev, whose only defeat came in a world title fight against Wladimir Klitschoko in 2014, said Saturday's bout with Joshua was not just for himself and looked forward to a future fight against WBC belt holder Fury.
"This fight is not only for me," said Pulev. "This fight isn’t just for boxing. It is for all of Bulgaria. Nobody from my country has ever been heavyweight champion of the world."
"I think after this fight I’m going to fight with Tyson Fury," he added. "It will be good. I don’t believe that the Joshua v Fury fight is going to happen because I will win on Saturday night.
"I think the world needs a new world champion like me. I am the new world champion. I am coming."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-08--US military rejects 'one-sided' report on Afghan civilian deaths

The US military in Afghanistan has rejected as `` one-sided '' a report that found civilian casualties caused by American and coalition air strikes soared after Washington relaxed its rules of engagement The US military in Afghanistan on Tuesday rejected a `` one-sided '' report that found civilian casualties caused by American and coalition air strikes soared after Washington relaxed its rules of engagement .
The number of civilians killed annually in the strikes increased by 330 percent from 2016 to 2019 as the US escalated attacks on the Taliban , according to the Costs of War Project at Brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Washington loosening the criteria for strikes as it reduced the number of US troops on the ground .
Airstrikes killed 700 civilians last year –- the highest toll since the war began in 2001-2002 -- with the Afghan Air Force now `` harming more Afghan civilians than at any time in its history '' , said Neta C. Crawford , co-director of the project .
But Colonel Sonny Leggett , spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan , said the analysis was `` one-sided '' , and relied on disputed data that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ISIS '' .
Leggett also defended Afghan security forces , saying they had taken an `` extraordinary amount of effort and care '' to prevent civilian casualties .
The US eased back on air strikes after agreeing a peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020 , but Afghan forces have filled the breach even as they entered talks with the insurgents .
While total deaths from air strikes have fallen this year , casualties from Kabul 's forces have accelerated in recent months , the report said .
Crawford said some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured in Afghan air strikes in the first six months of this year .
In the next three , despite Afghan-Taliban talks in Doha , the toll intensified -- with 70 civilians killed and 90 injured .

Kabul (AFP) –
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The US military in Afghanistan on Tuesday rejected a "one-sided" report that found civilian casualties caused by American and coalition air strikes soared after Washington relaxed its rules of engagement.
The number of civilians killed annually in the strikes increased by 330 percent from 2016 to 2019 as the US escalated attacks on the Taliban, according to the Costs of War Project at Brown University.
The report linked the increase to Washington loosening the criteria for strikes as it reduced the number of US troops on the ground.
Airstrikes killed 700 civilians last year –- the highest toll since the war began in 2001-2002 -- with the Afghan Air Force now "harming more Afghan civilians than at any time in its history", said Neta C. Crawford, co-director of the project.
But Colonel Sonny Leggett, spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, said the analysis was "one-sided", and relied on disputed data that "ignores civilian casualties caused by the Taliban and ISIS".
Leggett also defended Afghan security forces, saying they had taken an "extraordinary amount of effort and care" to prevent civilian casualties.
The US eased back on air strikes after agreeing a peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020, but Afghan forces have filled the breach even as they entered talks with the insurgents.
While total deaths from air strikes have fallen this year, casualties from Kabul's forces have accelerated in recent months, the report said.
Crawford said some 86 Afghan civilians were killed and 103 injured in Afghan air strikes in the first six months of this year.
In the next three, despite Afghan-Taliban talks in Doha, the toll intensified -- with 70 civilians killed and 90 injured.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-08--Armenia opposition launches 'disobedience' drive to unseat PM

Protesters have since staged near daily demonstrations in Yerevan , urging the resignation of Armenia 's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Armenian protesters on Tuesday blocked streets in the capital Yerevan , launching a `` civil disobedience '' campaign to force Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to quit over a controversial peace agreement with Azerbaijan .
Shouting `` Armenia without Nikol '' and `` Traitor '' , opposition supporters blocked traffic across the capital and paralysed the city 's subway .
Police detained dozens of demonstrators .
In a fresh blow to the embattled premier , the influential head of Armenia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday called for Pashinyan 's resignation `` to avoid tragic developments '' and pointed to `` mounting tensions in society '' .
Last week , 17 opposition parties said Pashinyan had until Monday to step down and proposed that former prime minister Vazgen Manukyan take over his duties .
Pashinyan , 45 , has been under huge pressure since agreeing on November 9 to a Moscow-brokered deal with Azerbaijan that ended six weeks of fierce fighting over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Several thousand people have died in the conflict .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the disputed enclave and seven adjacent districts of Azerbaijan controlled by Armenian separatists since the 1990s .
The decision sparked fury in Armenia , where demonstrators stormed and ransacked government buildings and briefly took control of Pashinyan 's residence while he went into hiding .
+ Some 10,000 demonstrators rallied in central Yerevan on Saturday in the protest movement 's biggest protest so far .
Pashinyan , whose wife and son were at the front during the conflict , has said he has no plans to quit and the peace deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karabakh 's survival .
Even though the ethnic Armenian enclave lost swathes of territory , it will see its future guaranteed by nearly 2,000 Russian peacekeepers deployed for a renewable five-year mandate .
The Armenian authorities last month said they had thwarted a plot to assassinate the prime minister .

Yerevan (AFP) –
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Armenian protesters on Tuesday blocked streets in the capital Yerevan, launching a "civil disobedience" campaign to force Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to quit over a controversial peace agreement with Azerbaijan.
Shouting "Armenia without Nikol" and "Traitor", opposition supporters blocked traffic across the capital and paralysed the city's subway. Police detained dozens of demonstrators.
In a fresh blow to the embattled premier, the influential head of Armenia's Apostolic Church, Catholicos Garegin, on Tuesday called for Pashinyan's resignation "to avoid tragic developments" and pointed to "mounting tensions in society".
Last week, 17 opposition parties said Pashinyan had until Monday to step down and proposed that former prime minister Vazgen Manukyan take over his duties.
Pashinyan, 45, has been under huge pressure since agreeing on November 9 to a Moscow-brokered deal with Azerbaijan that ended six weeks of fierce fighting over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Several thousand people have died in the conflict.
Under the agreement, Yerevan ceded to Baku parts of the disputed enclave and seven adjacent districts of Azerbaijan controlled by Armenian separatists since the 1990s.
The decision sparked fury in Armenia, where demonstrators stormed and ransacked government buildings and briefly took control of Pashinyan's residence while he went into hiding.
+ Some 10,000 demonstrators rallied in central Yerevan on Saturday in the protest movement's biggest protest so far.
Pashinyan, whose wife and son were at the front during the conflict, has said he has no plans to quit and the peace deal was Armenia's only option, ensuring Karabakh's survival.
Even though the ethnic Armenian enclave lost swathes of territory, it will see its future guaranteed by nearly 2,000 Russian peacekeepers deployed for a renewable five-year mandate.
The Armenian authorities last month said they had thwarted a plot to assassinate the prime minister.
© 2020 AFP