france24--2020-11-18--US, Britain say China breached Hong Kong deal by ousting lawmakers

Pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmakers tell a news conference on November 11 , 2020 that they will resign in solidarity with four colleagues disqualified by the city 's pro-Beijing authorities The United States , Britain , Australia , Canada and New Zealand on Wednesday jointly accused China of violating its commitments by ousting pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong 's legislature .
The foreign ministers of the five allies said that China was going against its 1984 promise to Britain that it would preserve autonomy in the financial hub after the then colony 's handover in 1997 .
`` China 's action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligations under the legally binding , UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration , '' the nations said in a joint statement , reiterating individual remarks .
The foreign ministers said that the latest move appeared to be part of a `` concerted campaign to silence all critical voices '' in the financial hub .
`` For the sake of Hong Kong 's stability and prosperity , it is essential that China and the Hong Kong authorities respect the channels for the people of Hong Kong to express their legitimate concerns and opinions , '' they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week disqualified four lawmakers in the legislature , only half of whose seats are directly elected , prompting the mass resignation of their colleagues in solidarity .
China earlier this year imposed a tough security law aimed at curbing dissent in Hong Kong , which last year saw massive and sometimes destructive pro-democracy protests .

Washington (AFP) –
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The United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand on Wednesday jointly accused China of violating its commitments by ousting pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong's legislature.
The foreign ministers of the five allies said that China was going against its 1984 promise to Britain that it would preserve autonomy in the financial hub after the then colony's handover in 1997.
"China's action is a clear breach of its international obligations under the legally binding, UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration," the nations said in a joint statement, reiterating individual remarks.
The foreign ministers said that the latest move appeared to be part of a "concerted campaign to silence all critical voices" in the financial hub.
"For the sake of Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, it is essential that China and the Hong Kong authorities respect the channels for the people of Hong Kong to express their legitimate concerns and opinions," they said.
Hong Kong's pro-Beijing authorities last week disqualified four lawmakers in the legislature, only half of whose seats are directly elected, prompting the mass resignation of their colleagues in solidarity.
China earlier this year imposed a tough security law aimed at curbing dissent in Hong Kong, which last year saw massive and sometimes destructive pro-democracy protests.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-18--What are clinical trials and how do they work?

To find out whether experimental Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective , researchers design clinical trials involving thousands of volunteers , divided into groups that receive either the drug under investigation or a placebo .
Data from such trials have shown that two vaccines -- one developed by Pfizer and BioNtech , the other by Moderna and the US National Institutes of Health -- are about 95 percent effective .
Here 's a look at how trials work : American pharmaceutical Pfizer itself has led and financed a clinical trial of its vaccine involving almost 44,000 people in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa , Brazil and Argentina .
Volunteers who are accepted receive two doses 21 days apart and get regular follow-up .
The Moderna-NIH vaccine is given 28-days-apart at locations across the US on some 30,000 volunteers , in a trial part funded by the taxpayer .
The trials are `` blinded '' meaning neither the volunteers nor the health care providers know who gets the medicine and who gets a saline solution placebo .
- How do we know if the vaccines worked ?
- Volunteers have not been deliberately infected with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a challenge trial , was considered but deemed too risky given that there are n't any Covid-19 treatments that are proven as highly-effective .
Instead volunteers are expected to go about their lives as normal , and are given the same advice about mask use , distancing and hand washing as everyone else .
Over the course of time , a certain number naturally become infected , and since they 're getting regular follow-up , the trial investigators quickly find out .
If the vaccine is effective , the number of people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be lower than the number of people who get ill in the placebo group .
The aim is to find a difference great enough to exclude the possibility it occurred by chance .
Statistical methods come into play to achieve a predetermined level of certainty .
It 's worth noting that the primary goal is to prevent people from getting sick , with good vaccines also protecting people from severe illness .
Stopping people from getting infected at all , and thus being able to transmit the virus forward , is a secondary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of the US government 's Operation Warp Speed , said Wednesday he expects the vaccines will achieve these goals too , though at a lower efficacy rate .
The only way of knowing whether a vaccine works is by providing a `` control '' , which is a demonstration of what would happen in its absence .
Of course , different people have different risk profiles in terms of their ages , underlying conditions , and how much risky behavior they engage in .
That 's why the trials need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eliminate confounding factors .
To ensure scientific rigor is upheld , the data is firewalled from the companies and analyzed by experts in a `` data and safety monitoring board '' whose membership is kept secret to prevent political pressure .
Over the course of a trial , these committees will lift the hood on the data that 's been collected so far and see which patients belonged to which group .
They can then inform the manufacturer in case of conclusive results and the manufacturer can then use the data , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a marketing authorization .
The boards also closely monitor safety , looking at the frequency and severity of side-effects , a key factor in determining regulatory approval .
Pfizer 's efficacy analysis featured 170 people who fell sick with Covid-19 in the seven days following the second dose , which might seem like a small number of people compared to the total trial participants ( 44,000 ) .
But it 's enough to say the result is statistically significant with a high-degree of certainty .
That 's because 162 people who fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only eight were in the vaccine group -- a difference so great it 's extremely improbable to come about by chance .
An efficacy of 95 percent signifies that the risk of catching Covid-19 is reduced by 95 percent in the vaccinated group compared to the placebo group .
They will all be transferred to the vaccine arm -- but it is still being decided when that will happen , said Slaoui .
The Pfizer and Moderna trials will therefore lose their `` control '' groups , but the participants will still be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how long immunity lasts and whether there are longer-term safety effects .
It will also make it harder to recruit new people to ongoing trials for vaccines that are n't yet as close to applying for approval .

Washington (AFP) –
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To find out whether experimental Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective, researchers design clinical trials involving thousands of volunteers, divided into groups that receive either the drug under investigation or a placebo.
Data from such trials have shown that two vaccines -- one developed by Pfizer and BioNtech, the other by Moderna and the US National Institutes of Health -- are about 95 percent effective.
Here's a look at how trials work:
- Who leads clinical trials? -
American pharmaceutical Pfizer itself has led and financed a clinical trial of its vaccine involving almost 44,000 people in the United States, Germany, Turkey, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina.
Volunteers who are accepted receive two doses 21 days apart and get regular follow-up.
The Moderna-NIH vaccine is given 28-days-apart at locations across the US on some 30,000 volunteers, in a trial part funded by the taxpayer.
The trials are "blinded" meaning neither the volunteers nor the health care providers know who gets the medicine and who gets a saline solution placebo.
- How do we know if the vaccines worked? -
Volunteers have not been deliberately infected with the virus. This option, known as a challenge trial, was considered but deemed too risky given that there aren't any Covid-19 treatments that are proven as highly-effective.
Instead volunteers are expected to go about their lives as normal, and are given the same advice about mask use, distancing and hand washing as everyone else.
Over the course of time, a certain number naturally become infected, and since they're getting regular follow-up, the trial investigators quickly find out.
If the vaccine is effective, the number of people who fall sick in the vaccine group should be lower than the number of people who get ill in the placebo group.
The aim is to find a difference great enough to exclude the possibility it occurred by chance. Statistical methods come into play to achieve a predetermined level of certainty.
It's worth noting that the primary goal is to prevent people from getting sick, with good vaccines also protecting people from severe illness.
Stopping people from getting infected at all, and thus being able to transmit the virus forward, is a secondary goal for Moderna.
Moncef Slaoui, chief of the US government's Operation Warp Speed, said Wednesday he expects the vaccines will achieve these goals too, though at a lower efficacy rate.
- Why have a placebo? -
The only way of knowing whether a vaccine works is by providing a "control", which is a demonstration of what would happen in its absence.
Of course, different people have different risk profiles in terms of their ages, underlying conditions, and how much risky behavior they engage in.
That's why the trials need to be scaled to tens of thousands of people to eliminate confounding factors.
- Who analyzes the data? -
To ensure scientific rigor is upheld, the data is firewalled from the companies and analyzed by experts in a "data and safety monitoring board" whose membership is kept secret to prevent political pressure.
Over the course of a trial, these committees will lift the hood on the data that's been collected so far and see which patients belonged to which group.
They can then inform the manufacturer in case of conclusive results and the manufacturer can then use the data, if it's favorable, to apply for a marketing authorization.
The boards also closely monitor safety, looking at the frequency and severity of side-effects, a key factor in determining regulatory approval.
- 95 percent efficacy? -
Pfizer's efficacy analysis featured 170 people who fell sick with Covid-19 in the seven days following the second dose, which might seem like a small number of people compared to the total trial participants (44,000).
But it's enough to say the result is statistically significant with a high-degree of certainty.
That's because 162 people who fell ill were on the placebo, and only eight were in the vaccine group -- a difference so great it's extremely improbable to come about by chance.
An efficacy of 95 percent signifies that the risk of catching Covid-19 is reduced by 95 percent in the vaccinated group compared to the placebo group.
- Placebo group get vaccine? -
They will all be transferred to the vaccine arm -- but it is still being decided when that will happen, said Slaoui.
The Pfizer and Moderna trials will therefore lose their "control" groups, but the participants will still be followed for two more years to determine how long immunity lasts and whether there are longer-term safety effects.
It will also make it harder to recruit new people to ongoing trials for vaccines that aren't yet as close to applying for approval.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-18--NFL bumps up Covid-19 protocols for remainder of the season

The National Football League has stepped up its pandemic protocols with tougher restrictions going into effect on Saturday to try and mitigate the spread of coronavirus .
The stricter measures , which will last until the end of the season , include forcing players to wear masks during practice sessions , a strict 15-minute time limit per person in the dressing room , and making sure all players and coaches have a negative test from the previous day before being allowed into the club 's facilities .
`` It has been said many times that our 2020 season can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year is normal , '' NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a memo to all the teams on Wednesday .
`` Flexibility and adaptability have been critical to our success to date and we must continue with that approach . ''
The league also said in the memo that 28 of the 32 teams have already been slapped with temporary stricter measures for Covid-19 reasons .
Of those 28 , a total of 16 had been on them more than once .
`` The upcoming holidays , beginning with Thanksgiving next week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to address now , '' Goodell said in the memo .
`` Because we have a highly sophisticated program of daily testing , we know when the virus enters our facilities , which underscores the importance of contact tracing and other steps to minimize close contacts within a facility . ''
Other protocols include : all meetings held virtually unless outdoors or with pre-approval for indoors ; locker room usage discouraged on non-game days ; meals served on a grab-and-go basis ; limits of 10 players in the weight room at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test results announced by the league earlier this week , 95 players and 175 team personnel had tested positive through November 14 since monitoring began in August .
Teams across the league have continued to report cases of Covid-19 despite safety protocols put in place this season .
On Wednesday , the Las Vegas Raiders placed seven more players on the Covid-19 reserve list , four days before the team is due to host the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs .
Eleven Raiders players are now on the Covid list , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles Rams also confirmed a Covid-19 case -- the first positive case found by the team this season .
The Rams said Wednesday the team had placed tight end Kendall Blanton , defensive back Jake Gervase and wide receiver J.J. Koski — COVID-19 reserve list .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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The National Football League has stepped up its pandemic protocols with tougher restrictions going into effect on Saturday to try and mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
The stricter measures, which will last until the end of the season, include forcing players to wear masks during practice sessions, a strict 15-minute time limit per person in the dressing room, and making sure all players and coaches have a negative test from the previous day before being allowed into the club's facilities.
"It has been said many times that our 2020 season cannot be 'normal' because nothing about this year is normal," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a memo to all the teams on Wednesday.
"Flexibility and adaptability have been critical to our success to date and we must continue with that approach."
The league also said in the memo that 28 of the 32 teams have already been slapped with temporary stricter measures for Covid-19 reasons. Of those 28, a total of 16 had been on them more than once.
"The upcoming holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving next week, will introduce new risks of exposure that we need to address now," Goodell said in the memo.
"Because we have a highly sophisticated program of daily testing, we know when the virus enters our facilities, which underscores the importance of contact tracing and other steps to minimize close contacts within a facility."
Other protocols include: all meetings held virtually unless outdoors or with pre-approval for indoors; locker room usage discouraged on non-game days; meals served on a grab-and-go basis; limits of 10 players in the weight room at one time.
According to the latest test results announced by the league earlier this week, 95 players and 175 team personnel had tested positive through November 14 since monitoring began in August.
Teams across the league have continued to report cases of Covid-19 despite safety protocols put in place this season.
On Wednesday, the Las Vegas Raiders placed seven more players on the Covid-19 reserve list, four days before the team is due to host the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Eleven Raiders players are now on the Covid list, although
In a separate development, the Los Angeles Rams also confirmed a Covid-19 case -- the first positive case found by the team this season. The Rams said Wednesday the team had placed tight end Kendall Blanton, defensive back Jake Gervase and wide receiver J.J. Koski — COVID-19 reserve list.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-18--US senators seek to stop sale of advanced jets to UAE

Three US senators on Wednesday launched a bid to block the sale of top-of-the-line F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates , voicing concern over the deal seen as a reward for the nation 's recognition of Israel .
Even if the three can persuade a majority in Congress to oppose the $ 23 billion package , lawmakers would face an uphill climb to override a veto by outgoing President Donald Trump .
Senator Chris Murphy , a Democrat close to President-elect Joe Biden , said that the UAE violated terms of previous sales , pointing to reports that weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered in war-ravaged Libya and Yemen .
`` I support the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates , but nothing in that agreement requires us to flood the region with more weapons and facilitate a dangerous arms race , '' Murphy said in a statement .
He sponsored the resolution with Robert Menendez , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , and Rand Paul , a Republican who is generally supportive of Trump but is critical of US military interventions .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale , hailing the UAE normalization with Israel and casting the sale as part of efforts against mutual adversary Iran .
The UAE had long requested the F-35s , which have stealth capacity and can be deployed for precision bombing , intelligence gathering and air-to-air combat .
Israel had considered its own F-35 fleet to be vital to its own strategic edge over Arab nations but dropped its opposition to the US sale as it saw the advantage of normalized ties .
Congress last year tried to block a major arms package for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to muster the two-thirds majority to override Trump 's vetoes .

Washington (AFP) –
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Three US senators on Wednesday launched a bid to block the sale of top-of-the-line F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates, voicing concern over the deal seen as a reward for the nation's recognition of Israel.
Even if the three can persuade a majority in Congress to oppose the $23 billion package, lawmakers would face an uphill climb to override a veto by outgoing President Donald Trump.
Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat close to President-elect Joe Biden, said that the UAE violated terms of previous sales, pointing to reports that weapons sent to the US ally have been discovered in war-ravaged Libya and Yemen.
"I support the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, but nothing in that agreement requires us to flood the region with more weapons and facilitate a dangerous arms race," Murphy said in a statement.
He sponsored the resolution with Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Rand Paul, a Republican who is generally supportive of Trump but is critical of US military interventions.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week formally informed Congress of the sale, hailing the UAE normalization with Israel and casting the sale as part of efforts against mutual adversary Iran.
The UAE had long requested the F-35s, which have stealth capacity and can be deployed for precision bombing, intelligence gathering and air-to-air combat.
Israel had considered its own F-35 fleet to be vital to its own strategic edge over Arab nations but dropped its opposition to the US sale as it saw the advantage of normalized ties.
Congress last year tried to block a major arms package for Saudi Arabia and the UAE but failed to muster the two-thirds majority to override Trump's vetoes.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--Delhi quadruples mask fines as virus cases soar

A medical worker collects a swab sample from a bus passenger at the Inter State Terminal in New Delhi Officials in India 's capital on Thursday quadrupled the fines dished out for people not wearing face masks as coronavirus cases soar in the megacity , overwhelming hospitals and graveyards even as the government resists calls for another lockdown .
The penalty hike to 2,000 rupees ( $ 27 ) announced by New Delhi 's chief minister came as India 's total coronavirus caseload neared nine million , the second-highest in the world .
`` At times when words alone do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a bit tougher , '' chief minister Arvind Kejriwal told a news conference , also tweeting that the city of 20 million was on a `` war footing '' .
India imposed one of the world 's strictest lockdowns in March , but the restrictions dealt a severe blow to the economy and the government has since eased restrictions .
Few people wear masks -- particularly outside major cities -- and in recent weeks shoppers have thronged markets in preparations for a series of religious festivals .
In Delhi , almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for not wearing masks , 370,000 for ignoring social distancing rules and 3,500 for spitting .
This week the number of cases in the metropolis passed half a million , with a record rise in daily cases and deaths .
Over 90 percent of Delhi intensive case beds with ventilators were occupied as on Thursday , a government mobile app showed .
The problem has been exacerbated by choking haze and pollution which grips the city this time each year .
`` My father 's oxygen saturation level dipped ... and we rushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no beds available , '' Delhi resident Rajeev Nigam told AFP .
`` We ran all night from one hospital to another but it was the same story everywhere , '' he said , attacking the `` unprepared '' city government which is working to increase the number of hospital beds .
Kejriwal this week announced that the number of guests at weddings would be cut to 50 and asked the central government for authority to close down markets if they become virus `` hotspots '' .
`` I only have space left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I have no idea , '' Mohammed Shamim , a gravedigger at one of Delhi 's biggest cemeteries , told AFP .

New Delhi (AFP) –
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Officials in India's capital on Thursday quadrupled the fines dished out for people not wearing face masks as coronavirus cases soar in the megacity, overwhelming hospitals and graveyards even as the government resists calls for another lockdown.
The penalty hike to 2,000 rupees ($27) announced by New Delhi's chief minister came as India's total coronavirus caseload neared nine million, the second-highest in the world.
"At times when words alone don't do the trick, we have to get a bit tougher," chief minister Arvind Kejriwal told a news conference, also tweeting that the city of 20 million was on a "war footing".
India imposed one of the world's strictest lockdowns in March, but the restrictions dealt a severe blow to the economy and the government has since eased restrictions.
Few people wear masks -- particularly outside major cities -- and in recent weeks shoppers have thronged markets in preparations for a series of religious festivals.
In Delhi, almost 500,000 people have been fined since June for not wearing masks, 370,000 for ignoring social distancing rules and 3,500 for spitting.
This week the number of cases in the metropolis passed half a million, with a record rise in daily cases and deaths.
Over 90 percent of Delhi intensive case beds with ventilators were occupied as on Thursday, a government mobile app showed.
The problem has been exacerbated by choking haze and pollution which grips the city this time each year.
"My father's oxygen saturation level dipped... and we rushed to the nearby hospital but there were no beds available," Delhi resident Rajeev Nigam told AFP.
"We ran all night from one hospital to another but it was the same story everywhere," he said, attacking the "unprepared" city government which is working to increase the number of hospital beds.
Kejriwal this week announced that the number of guests at weddings would be cut to 50 and asked the central government for authority to close down markets if they become virus "hotspots".
"I only have space left for about 50-60 burials. Then what? I have no idea," Mohammed Shamim, a gravedigger at one of Delhi's biggest cemeteries, told AFP.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--Man City boss Guardiola signs new contract

Pep Guardiola has ended speculation over his Manchester City future after signing a new two-year contract extension on Thursday .
Guardiola was due to be out of contract at the end of this season and it had been suggested the Spaniard might be ready to leave City .
But the 49-year-old has now agreed to stay at the Etihad Stadium until at least 2023 .
`` Manchester City are pleased to announce that Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year deal with the club , '' a statement on City 's website said .
Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Premier League and his new deal will extend what is already his longest stay at any club .
He has won two Premier League titles , three League Cups and the FA Cup with City , although winning the club 's first Champions League crown has proved elusive so far .
`` Ever since I arrived at Manchester City I have been made to feel so welcome in the club and in the city itself - from the players , the staff , the supporters , the people of Manchester and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Since then we have achieved a great deal together , scored goals , won games and trophies , and we are all very proud of that success .
`` Having that kind of support is the best thing any manager can have .
I have everything I could possibly want to do my job well and I am humbled by the confidence the owner , chairman , Ferran ( Soriano ) and Txiki ( Begiristain ) have shown in me to continue for two more years after this season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue improving and evolving and I am very excited about helping Manchester City do that . ''

London (AFP) –
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Pep Guardiola has ended speculation over his Manchester City future after signing a new two-year contract extension on Thursday.
Guardiola was due to be out of contract at the end of this season and it had been suggested the Spaniard might be ready to leave City.
But the 49-year-old has now agreed to stay at the Etihad Stadium until at least 2023.
"Manchester City are pleased to announce that Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year deal with the club," a statement on City's website said.
Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola is midway through his fifth campaign with the Premier League and his new deal will extend what is already his longest stay at any club.
He has won two Premier League titles, three League Cups and the FA Cup with City, although winning the club's first Champions League crown has proved elusive so far.
"Ever since I arrived at Manchester City I have been made to feel so welcome in the club and in the city itself - from the players, the staff, the supporters, the people of Manchester and the chairman and owner," Guardiola said.
"Since then we have achieved a great deal together, scored goals, won games and trophies, and we are all very proud of that success.
"Having that kind of support is the best thing any manager can have. I have everything I could possibly want to do my job well and I am humbled by the confidence the owner, chairman, Ferran (Soriano) and Txiki (Begiristain) have shown in me to continue for two more years after this season.
"The challenge for us is to continue improving and evolving and I am very excited about helping Manchester City do that."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--US to label exports from West Bank settlements as Israeli: Pompeo

Produce from Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank , like this bottle of wine named for US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , will now be labelled as Israeli when exported to the United States The US will label exports from Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank as Israeli , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Thursday , in Washington 's latest move backing Israel 's authority over the Palestinian territory .
`` All producers within areas where Israel exercises the relevant authorities ... will be required to mark goods as 'Israel ' , 'Product of Israel ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exporting to the United States , '' Pompeo said in a statement .
He said the new guidelines apply `` most notably '' to Area C , the large part of the West Bank where Israel retains full civil and military control and where much of the settler population lives .
Area C also includes the strategic Jordan Valley and many Palestinian communities , areas that Israel considers to be disputed territory .
Pompeo 's announcement seems to imply that even Palestinian exports from Area C should be tagged as Israeli products .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic and administrative framework of Israel and their goods should be treated accordingly , '' he said .
President Donald Trump 's top envoy also announced new guidelines for exports from West Bank areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority .
Such products will be marked `` West Bank , '' while goods from Gaza , controlled by the Islamist group Hamas , will be marked `` Gaza '' .
That decision effectively means that the Trump administration no longer recognises products as coming from the Palestinian Territories .
Pompeo said the move was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank are politically and administratively separate and should be treated accordingly.
`` The Palestinians view the Trump administration as blatantly pro-Israeli and have cut ties with Washington .
President-elect Joe Biden has said he will restore a more traditional approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , in part by opposing Israeli settlements .
Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem , there are currently about 450,000 Jewish settlers living in the West Bank , alongside more than 2.7 million Palestinians .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
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The US will label exports from Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank as Israeli, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Thursday, in Washington's latest move backing Israel's authority over the Palestinian territory.
"All producers within areas where Israel exercises the relevant authorities... will be required to mark goods as 'Israel', 'Product of Israel', or 'Made in Israel' when exporting to the United States," Pompeo said in a statement.
He said the new guidelines apply "most notably" to Area C, the large part of the West Bank where Israel retains full civil and military control and where much of the settler population lives.
Area C also includes the strategic Jordan Valley and many Palestinian communities, areas that Israel considers to be disputed territory.
Pompeo's announcement seems to imply that even Palestinian exports from Area C should be tagged as Israeli products.
"Area C producers operate within the economic and administrative framework of Israel and their goods should be treated accordingly," he said.
President Donald Trump's top envoy also announced new guidelines for exports from West Bank areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority.
Such products will be marked "West Bank," while goods from Gaza, controlled by the Islamist group Hamas, will be marked "Gaza".
That decision effectively means that the Trump administration no longer recognises products as coming from the Palestinian Territories.
Pompeo said the move was necessary because "Gaza and the West Bank are politically and administratively separate and should be treated accordingly. "
The Palestinians view the Trump administration as blatantly pro-Israeli and have cut ties with Washington.
President-elect Joe Biden has said he will restore a more traditional approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in part by opposing Israeli settlements.
Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, there are currently about 450,000 Jewish settlers living in the West Bank, alongside more than 2.7 million Palestinians.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--Top court gives France three months to show climate efforts

Damien Careme , centre , at climate change protest in Paris last year .
While Grande-Synthe 's mayor , he petitioned the Council of State over what he called the government 's `` climate inaction '' In a ruling hailed as `` historic '' by environmental activists , France 's top administrative court on Thursday gave the government a three-month deadline to show it is taking action to meet its commitments on global warming .
The French government , which brokered the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change , was hauled before the Council of State by Grande-Synthe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly exposed to the effects of climate change .
The Council , which rules on disputes over public policies , said that `` while France has committed itself to reducing its emissions by 40 percent in 2030 compared to 1990 levels , it has , in recent years , regularly exceeded the 'carbon budgets ' it had set itself . ''
It also noted that President Emmanuel Macron 's government had , in an April decree , at the height of the first wave of Covid-19 infections , deferred much of the reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final ruling on the matter , the Council gave the government three months to justify `` how its refusal to take additional measures is compatible with the respect of the reduction path chosen in order to achieve the targets set for 2030 . ''
Corinne Lepage , a former environment minister and a lawyer for the town of Grande-Synthe , hailed the decision as `` historic '' .
The ruling means that `` policies must be more than nice commitments on paper , '' she said .
Despite Macron 's headline 2017 promise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' -- a swipe at global-warming denier US President Donald Trump and his pledge to `` make America great again '' -- France is far off track to meet its commitments under the 2015 treaty .
France 's High Council on Climate , an independent body tasked with advising the government on how to reduce carbon emissions , said in a report this year that emissions had fallen by only 0.9 percent in 2019 .
That left France `` far from the 3 percent annual reduction expected from 2025 onwards to remain on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
In January 2019 , Damien Careme , then the Greens mayor of Grande-Synthe , petitioned the Council of State over what he called the government 's `` climate inaction '' .
Careme said his town of 23,000 people , which is built on land reclaimed from the sea , risked being flooded by rising ocean levels .
The town 's case was backed by the cities of Paris and Grenoble , as well as several environmental NGOs including Oxfam France , Greenpeace France and L'Affaire du Siecle ( The Case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision , Greenpeace and L'Affaire du Siecle called it a `` historic breakthrough for the environment '' , noting that France 's climate objectives , and its path to achieving them , had `` become binding '' .
Macron 's centrist government did not immediately react to the ruling .
In 2018 , the popular climate campaigner Nicolas Hulot quit as Maron 's environment minister over what he saw as the president 's failure to aggressively pursue green initiatives .
The case is the latest in a series taken by climate campaigners against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Council of State , reflecting the global interest in the issue , it published its decision in both French and English .
The ruling comes as activists warn that the decline in emissions seen in many big economies in 2019 risked being negated by new investments in fossil fuels in countries aiming to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic .
The 2020 Climate Transparency Report , compiled by 14 think-tanks and NGOs , said that `` by providing unconditional support to fossil fuels , governments recovery responses risk reversing , instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Paris (AFP) –
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In a ruling hailed as "historic" by environmental activists, France's top administrative court on Thursday gave the government a three-month deadline to show it is taking action to meet its commitments on global warming.
The French government, which brokered the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, was hauled before the Council of State by Grande-Synthe, a low-lying northern coastal town that is particularly exposed to the effects of climate change.
The Council, which rules on disputes over public policies, said that "while France has committed itself to reducing its emissions by 40 percent in 2030 compared to 1990 levels, it has, in recent years, regularly exceeded the 'carbon budgets' it had set itself."
It also noted that President Emmanuel Macron's government had, in an April decree, at the height of the first wave of Covid-19 infections, deferred much of the reduction efforts beyond 2020.
Before issuing a final ruling on the matter, the Council gave the government three months to justify "how its refusal to take additional measures is compatible with the respect of the reduction path chosen in order to achieve the targets set for 2030."
Corinne Lepage, a former environment minister and a lawyer for the town of Grande-Synthe, hailed the decision as "historic".
The ruling means that "policies must be more than nice commitments on paper," she said.
- Far off track -
Despite Macron's headline 2017 promise to "make our planet great again" -- a swipe at global-warming denier US President Donald Trump and his pledge to "make America great again" -- France is far off track to meet its commitments under the 2015 treaty.
France's High Council on Climate, an independent body tasked with advising the government on how to reduce carbon emissions, said in a report this year that emissions had fallen by only 0.9 percent in 2019.
That left France "far from the 3 percent annual reduction expected from 2025 onwards to remain on track for carbon neutrality," it said.
In January 2019, Damien Careme, then the Greens mayor of Grande-Synthe, petitioned the Council of State over what he called the government's "climate inaction".
Careme said his town of 23,000 people, which is built on land reclaimed from the sea, risked being flooded by rising ocean levels.
The town's case was backed by the cities of Paris and Grenoble, as well as several environmental NGOs including Oxfam France, Greenpeace France and L'Affaire du Siecle (The Case of the Century).
Welcoming Thursday's decision, Greenpeace and L'Affaire du Siecle called it a "historic breakthrough for the environment", noting that France's climate objectives, and its path to achieving them, had "become binding".
Macron's centrist government did not immediately react to the ruling.
In 2018, the popular climate campaigner Nicolas Hulot quit as Maron's environment minister over what he saw as the president's failure to aggressively pursue green initiatives.
- Climate justice -
The case is the latest in a series taken by climate campaigners against governments worldwide.
In a rare move for the Council of State, reflecting the global interest in the issue, it published its decision in both French and English.
The ruling comes as activists warn that the decline in emissions seen in many big economies in 2019 risked being negated by new investments in fossil fuels in countries aiming to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.
The 2020 Climate Transparency Report, compiled by 14 think-tanks and NGOs, said that "by providing unconditional support to fossil fuels, governments recovery responses risk reversing, instead of locking in, positive pre-Covid trends."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--Ian Botham's grandson to make Wales debut against Georgia

England cricket legend Ian Botham 's grandson , James , will make his debut for Wales in Saturday 's Autumn Nations Cup match against Georgia as coach Wayne Pivac picked an experimental side with an eye on the future .
James Botham , a former Wales Under-20 international who plays for Cardiff Blues , is the son of Liam Botham , the son of Ian , and himself a former professional cricket , rugby union and rugby league player , who appeared for Cardiff in the 1990s .
Botham is one of three uncapped players named by Pivac for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors at Parc y Scarlets , Llanelli .
Scrum-half Kieran Hardy and centre Johnny Williams will also earn their first caps in a game Pivac will be desperate to win after six successive defeats , their worst run since 2012 .
Full-back Liam Williams to one side , the Wales backline is an experimental one , with fly-half Callum Sheedy and winger Louis Rees-Zammit both making their first starts for their country .
Johnny Williams partners Nick Tompkins in the midfield with Rees-Zammit , New Zealand-born Johnny McNicholl and Liam Williams comprising the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones , Elliot Dee and Samson Lee are named with Jake Ball and Seb Davies packing down in the second-row .
Botham debuts in the backrow alongside captain Justin Tipuric and Aaron Wainwright .
`` Saturday is a huge opportunity for the players and for us as a squad looking ahead to the future and to RWC 2023 , '' said Pivac .
`` As we have said all along , the Autumn Nations Cup is a great platform for us to give opportunities to players , to build depth and experience .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the new caps and the players making their first starts , they have trained well and deserve this opportunity to represent their country . ''
Sam Parry , Nicky Smith and Leon Brown provide the front-row cover on the bench with Cory Hill and James Davies completing the forward contingent .
Rhys Webb , uncapped Ioan Lloyd and Jonah Holmes provide the back-line cover .

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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England cricket legend Ian Botham's grandson, James, will make his debut for Wales in Saturday's Autumn Nations Cup match against Georgia as coach Wayne Pivac picked an experimental side with an eye on the future.
James Botham, a former Wales Under-20 international who plays for Cardiff Blues, is the son of Liam Botham, the son of Ian, and himself a former professional cricket, rugby union and rugby league player, who appeared for Cardiff in the 1990s.
Botham is one of three uncapped players named by Pivac for the match which will take place behind closed doors at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli.
Scrum-half Kieran Hardy and centre Johnny Williams will also earn their first caps in a game Pivac will be desperate to win after six successive defeats, their worst run since 2012.
Full-back Liam Williams to one side, the Wales backline is an experimental one, with fly-half Callum Sheedy and winger Louis Rees-Zammit both making their first starts for their country.
Johnny Williams partners Nick Tompkins in the midfield with Rees-Zammit, New Zealand-born Johnny McNicholl and Liam Williams comprising the back-three.
An experienced front-row of Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee and Samson Lee are named with Jake Ball and Seb Davies packing down in the second-row.
Botham debuts in the backrow alongside captain Justin Tipuric and Aaron Wainwright.
"Saturday is a huge opportunity for the players and for us as a squad looking ahead to the future and to RWC 2023," said Pivac.
"As we have said all along, the Autumn Nations Cup is a great platform for us to give opportunities to players, to build depth and experience.
"It’s a great honour for the new caps and the players making their first starts, they have trained well and deserve this opportunity to represent their country."
Sam Parry, Nicky Smith and Leon Brown provide the front-row cover on the bench with Cory Hill and James Davies completing the forward contingent. Rhys Webb, uncapped Ioan Lloyd and Jonah Holmes provide the back-line cover.
Team (15-1)
Liam Williams; Johnny McNicholl, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric (capt), James Botham; Seb Davies, Jake Ball; Samson Lee, Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones
Replacements: Sam Parry, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Davies, Rhys Webb, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--Villa boss Smith wants more evidence in five-sub row

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith wants more evidence to prove players are at risk from serious injury before he supports the reintroduction of five substitutions in the Premier League .
Several Premier League bosses including Manchester United 's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer , Liverpool 's Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City 's Pep Guardiola have criticised the decision to stop the five-sub rule being continued in England amid a hectic fixture schedule .
The option for more replacements during matches was brought following the coronavirus lockdown last season in a bid to prevent injuries .
All the other major European leagues and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the Premier League clubs voted to keep it at three .
Smith , who has seen Jack Grealish and John McGinn each play three times in a week for England and Scotland respectively , has not seen any negative impact on his players yet .
`` We had a meeting yesterday and we spoke at length about each manager 's individual feelings , '' Smith said on Thursday .
`` I can only go from my football club , and if player welfare becomes an issue then it 's a no-brainer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at the fixture scheduling .
`` At the moment , I 'm not seeing any trends from my players that suggest player welfare is an issue .
`` I speak to my players all the time .
I want the best for them and I want to look after them .
That 's what we 're doing . ''

London (AFP) –
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Aston Villa manager Dean Smith wants more evidence to prove players are at risk from serious injury before he supports the reintroduction of five substitutions in the Premier League.
Several Premier League bosses including Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola have criticised the decision to stop the five-sub rule being continued in England amid a hectic fixture schedule.
The option for more replacements during matches was brought following the coronavirus lockdown last season in a bid to prevent injuries.
All the other major European leagues and the Champions League now allow five subs, but the Premier League clubs voted to keep it at three.
Smith, who has seen Jack Grealish and John McGinn each play three times in a week for England and Scotland respectively, has not seen any negative impact on his players yet.
"We had a meeting yesterday and we spoke at length about each manager's individual feelings," Smith said on Thursday.
"I can only go from my football club, and if player welfare becomes an issue then it's a no-brainer and you have to increase substitutions or look at the fixture scheduling.
"At the moment, I'm not seeing any trends from my players that suggest player welfare is an issue.
"I speak to my players all the time. I want the best for them and I want to look after them. That's what we're doing."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--Coronavirus: Latest global developments

Coronavirus: Latest global developments

A medical worker wearing protective gear collects a swab sample from a passenger at a bus terminal in New Delhi .
Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis : The death toll in the US , the world 's worst affected country , tops the quarter of a million mark .
At least 1,751 new deaths were recorded there in the last 24 hours .
Overall , the virus has killed at least 1,350,275 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December , according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100GMT on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 582,654 new cases recorded worldwide in the previous 24 hours .
The second worst-affected country is Brazil with 167,455 deaths followed by India with 131,578 , Mexico with 99,528 and the United Kingdom with 53,274 .
Health officials report 23,610 new infections and 463 virus-related deaths in the last 24 hours , both record highs since the start of Russia 's outbreak .
Total infections now stand at 2.02 million -- the fifth-highest in the world -- with 34,850 people dead .
In Japan , a company is testing a robot that uses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people not wearing masks or standing too close together in queues .
It politely asks them to put on a mask , or to move further apart , and bows in thanks when the customer obliges .
Japan is on `` maximum alert '' after logging a record 2,000 daily infections with nearly 500 in the capital Tokyo alone , though no immediate restrictions are planned .
New York 's public schools will close to battle a sharp rise in infections , its mayor announces .
Phase 2 trials of a leading vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and AstraZeneca shown it safely produces a robust immune response in healthy older people , while producing fewer side effects than in younger people .
The World Health Organization 's emergencies director warns vaccines wo n't arrive in time to defeat the second wave of the pandemic and should not be seen as a `` unicorn '' magic solution .
Denmark 's health ministry says a mutated version of the virus detected in minks that raised concerns about the effectiveness of a future vaccine has likely been eradicated .
Uruguay 's football federation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football team 's training camp , bringing the number of positive cases to 11 .
Travel restrictions could make it impossible for Australian Open players to take part in crucial warm-up events , a scenario Brazilian doubles specialist Bruno Soares describes as `` physically very dangerous '' .
The US National Football League says it will require masks during practice sessions , a strict 15-minute time limit in the dressing room and a negative test for all players and coaches before being allowed into a club 's facilities .
Previously untouched , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who flew into the country tested positive in isolation .
In the past two months , Vanuatu , the Solomon and the Marshall Islands have lost their virus-free status .
Kiribati , Micronesia , Nauru , Palau , Tonga , and Tuvalu are believed to still be free of the virus .

Paris (AFP) –
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Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:
- US deaths top 250,000 -
The death toll in the US, the world's worst affected country, tops the quarter of a million mark.
At least 1,751 new deaths were recorded there in the last 24 hours.
Overall, the virus has killed at least 1,350,275 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100GMT on Thursday.
There were 11,013 new deaths and 582,654 new cases recorded worldwide in the previous 24 hours.
The second worst-affected country is Brazil with 167,455 deaths followed by India with 131,578, Mexico with 99,528 and the United Kingdom with 53,274.
- 2 million Russia cases -
Health officials report 23,610 new infections and 463 virus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, both record highs since the start of Russia's outbreak. Total infections now stand at 2.02 million -- the fifth-highest in the world -- with 34,850 people dead.
- Mask robocop -
In Japan, a company is testing a robot that uses a camera and laser scanner to detect people not wearing masks or standing too close together in queues. It politely asks them to put on a mask, or to move further apart, and bows in thanks when the customer obliges.
Japan is on "maximum alert" after logging a record 2,000 daily infections with nearly 500 in the capital Tokyo alone, though no immediate restrictions are planned.
- NYC schools close -
New York's public schools will close to battle a sharp rise in infections, its mayor announces.
- Shot for seniors? -
Phase 2 trials of a leading vaccine candidate developed by Britain's Oxford university and AstraZeneca shown it safely produces a robust immune response in healthy older people, while producing fewer side effects than in younger people.
- No unicorns -
The World Health Organization's emergencies director warns vaccines won't arrive in time to defeat the second wave of the pandemic and should not be seen as a "unicorn" magic solution.
- Mink mutation managed -
Denmark's health ministry says a mutated version of the virus detected in minks that raised concerns about the effectiveness of a future vaccine has likely been eradicated.
- Uruguay stricken -
Uruguay's football federation reports seven new cases in the national football team's training camp, bringing the number of positive cases to 11.
- Tennis trouble -
Travel restrictions could make it impossible for Australian Open players to take part in crucial warm-up events, a scenario Brazilian doubles specialist Bruno Soares describes as "physically very dangerous".
- NFL crackdown -
The US National Football League says it will require masks during practice sessions, a strict 15-minute time limit in the dressing room and a negative test for all players and coaches before being allowed into a club's facilities.
- Pacific no more -
Previously untouched, the Pacific island nation of Samoa confirms a man who flew into the country tested positive in isolation.
In the past two months, Vanuatu, the Solomon and the Marshall Islands have lost their virus-free status. Kiribati, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Tonga, and Tuvalu are believed to still be free of the virus.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--FIFA announce reforms to protect pregnant footballers

FIFA plans to introduce a series of measures to protect pregnant footballers including mandatory maternity leave `` of at least 14 weeks '' , the sport 's world governing body announced on Thursday .
`` We want to see more women play football but in the same time have a family , '' Sarai Bareman , FIFA 's chief women 's football officer , explained to journalists .
The body said it would put a series of reforms forward for approval by the FIFA Council next month , making them immediately applicable across all of its 211 member federations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ players guaranteed a minimum two-thirds of their contracted salary , while FIFA indicated a wish to make it harder for clubs to part company with pregnant players , saying `` no female player should ever suffer a disadvantage as a result of becoming pregnant '' .
`` The idea is to protect female players before , during and after child birth , '' said Emilio Garcia , FIFA 's chief legal and compliance officer .
Under the proposals , if a player is laid off after becoming pregnant , clubs responsible face financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Clubs must also reintegrate female players and provide `` adequate medical and physical support '' after they have given birth .
In a statement , FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the reforms were necessary at a time when women 's football is growing , insisting the sport needed to `` adopt a regulatory framework that is appropriate and suitable to the needs of the women 's game . ''
Previously , cases of female players returning to competition at the top level after giving birth have been rare , although US World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a baby in May this year and has since returned to the sport , signing for English club Tottenham Hotspur .

Lausanne (AFP) –
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FIFA plans to introduce a series of measures to protect pregnant footballers including mandatory maternity leave "of at least 14 weeks", the sport's world governing body announced on Thursday.
"We want to see more women play football but in the same time have a family," Sarai Bareman, FIFA's chief women's football officer, explained to journalists.
The body said it would put a series of reforms forward for approval by the FIFA Council next month, making them immediately applicable across all of its 211 member federations.
The mandatory 14-week maternity leave would see players guaranteed a minimum two-thirds of their contracted salary, while FIFA indicated a wish to make it harder for clubs to part company with pregnant players, saying "no female player should ever suffer a disadvantage as a result of becoming pregnant".
"The idea is to protect female players before, during and after child birth," said Emilio Garcia, FIFA's chief legal and compliance officer.
Under the proposals, if a player is laid off after becoming pregnant, clubs responsible face financial as well as "sporting" punishments.
Clubs must also reintegrate female players and provide "adequate medical and physical support" after they have given birth.
In a statement, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the reforms were necessary at a time when women's football is growing, insisting the sport needed to "adopt a regulatory framework that is appropriate and suitable to the needs of the women's game."
Previously, cases of female players returning to competition at the top level after giving birth have been rare, although US World Cup-winning star Alex Morgan, 31, had a baby in May this year and has since returned to the sport, signing for English club Tottenham Hotspur.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--US Presidential election recount: Georgia officials say result not likely to change

US Presidential election recount : Georgia officials say result not likely to change The US presidential election battleground state of @ @ @ @ @ to affirm Joe Biden 's victory over President Donald Trump after a painstaking recount , @ @ @ @ @ to Trump 's efforts to cling on to power .

US Presidential election recount: Georgia officials say result not likely to change
02:00
The US presidential election battleground state of Georgia is expected on Thursday to affirm Joe Biden's victory over President Donald Trump after a painstaking recount, which would deal another setback to Trump's efforts to cling on to power.


france24--2020-11-19--Pompeo starts unprecedented tour of West Bank settlement, Golan

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was Thursday set to make the first visit by an American top diplomat to @ @ @ @ @ a stop in a West Bank Jewish settlement that infuriated Palestinians .
FRANCE 24 's @ @ @ @ @ tells us more .

Pompeo starts unprecedented tour of West Bank settlement, Golan
04:30
Video by: Philip TURLE
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was Thursday set to make the first visit by an American top diplomat to the Israel-occupied Golan Heights after a stop in a West Bank Jewish settlement that infuriated Palestinians. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Philip Turle tells us more.


france24--2020-11-19--How long Covid-19 survivors are protected from the disease?

How long Covid-19 survivors are protected from the disease ?
While Pfizer and BioNTech said a completed analysis of their @ @ @ @ @ protected 95 percent of people against the disease , a new study shows that if @ @ @ @ @ , you will probably have immunity for six months .

How long Covid-19 survivors are protected from the disease?
01:19
While Pfizer and BioNTech said a completed analysis of their experimental Covid-19 vaccine found it protected 95 percent of people against the disease, a new study shows that if you have contracted the virus, you will probably have immunity for six months.


france24--2020-11-19--Germany fans want Loew gone after debacle in Spain

Ferran Torres ( R ) scored a hat-trick for Spain in the 6-0 rout of Germany on Tuesday Germany fans want to show national team coach Joachim Loew a red card with former players also suggesting the 60-year-old should step aside amid the fall-out of their historic thrashing in Spain .
Loew 's Germany offered little resistance as they were trounced 6-0 in Tuesday 's Nations League tie .
It was the Germans ' heaviest competitive defeat , matching a 6-0 friendly defeat to Austria in 1931 .
Loew held crisis talks with German FA president Fritz Keller in Munich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left on his contract , he is expected to coach Germany through to next June 's European championships .
However , in a survey commissioned by AFP subsidiary SID , 84.0 percent of 1,100 German fans asked want Loew and team director Oliver Bierhoff to step aside .
Just 13.3 percent want to stick with the pair , who masterminded Germany 's 2014 World Cup triumph .
Either Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp or Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick - Loew 's assistant coach at Brazil 2014 - are the candidates German fans most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two years after the 2018 World Cup when Germany failed to get out of their group , the historic rout by Spain was the latest set-back for Loew 's side .
Lothar Matthaeus , who captained West Germany to the 1990 World Cup title , says Loew should have stepped down in 2014 .
After 14-years as Germany coach , Loew `` seems weary .
His public statements are no longer confident as they were - and his team reflects that on the field , '' said Matthaeus .
After 3-3 draws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Matthaeus says defeat to Spain was just part of Germany 's downward trend .
`` It 's the overall picture that is most alarming . ''
Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann says Loew 's team lacks leaders .
`` He always had outstanding teams and players who solved problems inside the dressing room on their own .
Now he seems helpless , '' Hamann told Sky .
`` He feels that he is no longer reaching the team as he did perhaps three years ago .
`` And if this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeper than everyone wants to admit . ''
Hamann says the German FA are now paying the price for presenting Loew with an improved contract extension just before the Russia 2018 finals .
`` It was complacent that before the 2018 World Cup , no thought was given to the idea that something could go wrong and Loew 's contract was extended . ''

Berlin (AFP) –
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Germany fans want to show national team coach Joachim Loew a red card with former players also suggesting the 60-year-old should step aside amid the fall-out of their historic thrashing in Spain.
Loew's Germany offered little resistance as they were trounced 6-0 in Tuesday's Nations League tie.
It was the Germans' heaviest competitive defeat, matching a 6-0 friendly defeat to Austria in 1931.
Loew held crisis talks with German FA president Fritz Keller in Munich on Wednesday, but with two years left on his contract, he is expected to coach Germany through to next June's European championships.
However, in a survey commissioned by AFP subsidiary SID, 84.0 percent of 1,100 German fans asked want Loew and team director Oliver Bierhoff to step aside.
Just 13.3 percent want to stick with the pair, who masterminded Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph.
Either Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp or Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick - Loew's assistant coach at Brazil 2014 - are the candidates German fans most want to see take over.
More than two years after the 2018 World Cup when Germany failed to get out of their group, the historic rout by Spain was the latest set-back for Loew's side.
Lothar Matthaeus, who captained West Germany to the 1990 World Cup title, says Loew should have stepped down in 2014.
After 14-years as Germany coach, Loew "seems weary. His public statements are no longer confident as they were - and his team reflects that on the field," said Matthaeus.
After 3-3 draws against Switzerland and Turkey already this season, Matthaeus says defeat to Spain was just part of Germany's downward trend.
"It's the overall picture that is most alarming."
Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann says Loew's team lacks leaders.
"He always had outstanding teams and players who solved problems inside the dressing room on their own. Now he seems helpless," Hamann told Sky.
"He feels that he is no longer reaching the team as he did perhaps three years ago.
"And if this is the case, the problems are deeper than everyone wants to admit."
Hamann says the German FA are now paying the price for presenting Loew with an improved contract extension just before the Russia 2018 finals.
"It was complacent that before the 2018 World Cup, no thought was given to the idea that something could go wrong and Loew's contract was extended."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--'Pompeo' wine made legally, Israeli settler says

Israeli winemaker Yaakov Berg holds a bottle of his red blend named after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Psagot Winery in the occupied West Bank north of Jerusalem Israeli winemaker Yaakov Berg captured attention by naming his red bled after US Secretary Mike Pompeo , but he said the tag on the label 's top right corner -- # madeinlegality -- is as important as the name .
Berg 's immaculately-furnished Psagot Winery sits on a hilltop in the occupied West Bank , with a stunning panoramic view overlooking the Palestinian village of Mukhmas .
For much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is located in Palestinian territory illegally seized by the Jewish settlers .
Pompeo went to the winery on Thursday , becoming the first top American diplomat to visit a West Bank settlement on a tour that has outraged the Palestinians .
Berg spoke to AFP the day before Pompeo 's visit , as his staff organised flowers , set tables in the restaurant and decorated the cobble-stoned property with US and Israeli flags .
Berg exports his products to Europe and has waged an unsuccessful legal campaign against guidelines on labelling products identifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When Pompeo announced last year that President Donald Trump 's staunchly pro-Israeli administration no longer considered Jewish settlements in the West Bank illegal , Berg saw it as historic announcement that will entrench the US envoy `` in the history of the Jewish people '' .
Pompeo 's support will ensure he is remembered by Jews `` 100 years from now , '' Berg said .
`` I felt like we need to honour him , to thank him , to really show some appreciation , '' Berg said about the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For Berg , the # madeinlegality label affixed to his Pompeo blend is not a branding gimmick but a statement about `` morality '' .
`` We are not thieves .
We did n't ( steal ) this land , '' he told AFP , categorically rejecting the notion that his winery is on land where Israelis do not belong .
According to the Israeli anti-occupation organisation Peace Now , the Psagot Winery is on `` stolen land '' , taken incrementally from the Palestinians who owned it .
`` A significant portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is made come from plundered soil , '' Peace Now said .
It called Pompeo 's visit `` a last pathetic attempt to undermine the prospects for peace by normalising the settlements '' .
President-elect Joe Biden has said his administration will restore US opposition to settlements .
Berg , like Pompeo , was not prepared to acknowledge Trump 's election defeat .
`` We have been hoping that he will be elected to a second ( term ) , '' he said .
`` Let 's wait and see . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US hostility to settlements under Biden , Berg argued that from his perspective , Trump 's approach had clearly worked .
`` We have peace , we have quiet , '' he said .
`` We have our Palestinian neighbours and we believe we can live together . ''
Berg insisted that any peace process that relies on Jews leaving Judea and Samaria , the term many Israelis use for the West Bank , is doomed to fail .
`` We are here forever , '' he said .
`` We have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically to here for 2,000 years ... We did n't conquer .
We just came to our homeland . ''

Psagot Winery (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) –
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Israeli winemaker Yaakov Berg captured attention by naming his red bled after US Secretary Mike Pompeo, but he said the tag on the label's top right corner -- #madeinlegality -- is as important as the name.
Berg's immaculately-furnished Psagot Winery sits on a hilltop in the occupied West Bank, with a stunning panoramic view overlooking the Palestinian village of Mukhmas.
For much of the international community, the winery is located in Palestinian territory illegally seized by the Jewish settlers.
Pompeo went to the winery on Thursday, becoming the first top American diplomat to visit a West Bank settlement on a tour that has outraged the Palestinians.
Berg spoke to AFP the day before Pompeo's visit, as his staff organised flowers, set tables in the restaurant and decorated the cobble-stoned property with US and Israeli flags.
Berg exports his products to Europe and has waged an unsuccessful legal campaign against guidelines on labelling products identifying their origin as territories occupied by Israel.
When Pompeo announced last year that President Donald Trump's staunchly pro-Israeli administration no longer considered Jewish settlements in the West Bank illegal, Berg saw it as historic announcement that will entrench the US envoy "in the history of the Jewish people".
Pompeo's support will ensure he is remembered by Jews "100 years from now," Berg said.
"I felt like we need to honour him, to thank him, to really show some appreciation," Berg said about the decision to name a wine after him.
For Berg, the #madeinlegality label affixed to his Pompeo blend is not a branding gimmick but a statement about "morality".
"We are not thieves. We didn't (steal) this land," he told AFP, categorically rejecting the notion that his winery is on land where Israelis do not belong.
- 'Plundered soil' -
According to the Israeli anti-occupation organisation Peace Now, the Psagot Winery is on "stolen land", taken incrementally from the Palestinians who owned it.
"A significant portion of the grapes from which the wine is made come from plundered soil," Peace Now said.
It called Pompeo's visit "a last pathetic attempt to undermine the prospects for peace by normalising the settlements".
President-elect Joe Biden has said his administration will restore US opposition to settlements.
Berg, like Pompeo, was not prepared to acknowledge Trump's election defeat.
"We have been hoping that he will be elected to a second (term)," he said. "Let's wait and see."
But, asked about the prospects of renewed US hostility to settlements under Biden, Berg argued that from his perspective, Trump's approach had clearly worked.
"We have peace, we have quiet," he said. "We have our Palestinian neighbours and we believe we can live together."
Berg insisted that any peace process that relies on Jews leaving Judea and Samaria, the term many Israelis use for the West Bank, is doomed to fail.
"We are here forever," he said. "We have been praying to come back to Israel and specifically to here for 2,000 years ... We didn't conquer. We just came to our homeland."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--Flying bottles, airport redtape, blaring music part of African football DNA

Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ( R ) had to sleep on an airport floor in the Gambia before an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier this week .
'Dirty tricks ' are an unfortunate part of the African football DNA with bottle-hurling spectators , airport redtape and blaring music among methods used to intimidate visiting teams .
The issue came to the fore this week when a Gabon squad including Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were forced to sleep on the floor at a Gambian airport before an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier .
Gambia say the visitors did not comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were treated `` inhumanely '' to weaken them ahead of a top-of-the-table clash .
Gabon lost the match 2-1 after a howler by goalkeeper Anthony Mfa Mezui gifted Gambia a goal and the teams now share first place with two matchdays remaining .
The Confederation of African Football ( CAF ) have ordered a probe into an incident which cast the sport in a bad light after Aubameyang tweeted footage of players sleeping on a hard floor .
Here , AFP Sport highlights some of the 'tricks ' used by hosts to physically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it will help them win matches .
What happened to Gabon is commonplace with various tactics used to delay the departure of teams to their accommodation .
For example , if an English-speaking side arrives in a French or Arabic-speaking country without an interpreter , they are easy prey .
Airport officials who understand English suddenly can not speak one word of the language when problems arise over passports , visas or other documentation .
These issues are often deliberately created with the aim of delaying the visitors indefinitely , causing extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terminal expecting to see a modern , air-conditioned coach that will transport them to the hotel , they may get a rude awakening .
Clubs have relayed horror stories of ancient , barely-functioning vehicles with insufficient seating , no air conditioning and windows that do not open , creating an oven-like atmosphere .
As if that is not sufficient 'punishment ' , the driver may choose a much longer route than necessary , adding to the discomfort of the sweltering delegation .
Then , adding insult to injury , some vehicles break down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport to arrive and continue the journey .
This is a key 'battleground ' for those determined to make life as unpleasant as possible for visiting national teams and clubs .
There have been endless tales of long delays at reception , lifts not working , and rooms full of cockroaches with just a trickle of cold water , or none at all .
Television sets sometimes do not work , nor do landline telephones , and the aim is to make life extremely frustrating , leaving many footballers already thinking of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side visiting west Africa complained of four adults being allocated to each double bed , female prostitutes banging repeatedly on doors demanding money and blaring music disturbing sleep .
Footballers already fed up after airport delays , inadequate transport and undesirable accommodation , just want to start training .
But 'dirty tricks ' operators have more shocks in store , starting with another needlessly long journey in a vehicle with no air conditioning and closed windows .
When they eventually arrive at the training ground -- sometimes a sandy patch with no markings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entrance gate has gone missing .
By the time he arrives , darkness has set in and there are not floodlights so the much-needed training session has to be cancelled .
Coaches rarely talk about crowd intimidation less they be accused of making excuses for their own inadequacies after a loss .
But Pitso Mosimane , the South African recently appointed coach of African and Egyptian giants Al Ahly after turning Pretoria outfit Mamelodi Sundowns into domestic powerhouses , has spoken out .
`` When we were playing Entente Setif in Algeria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players ran next to the touchline and bottles were dropping all around him from the stands .
`` It is all about intimidation .
Before we played Egyptian club Zamalek in the 2016 CAF Champions League final many of us received death threats via Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . ''

Johannesburg (AFP) –
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'Dirty tricks' are an unfortunate part of the African football DNA with bottle-hurling spectators, airport redtape and blaring music among methods used to intimidate visiting teams.
The issue came to the fore this week when a Gabon squad including Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were forced to sleep on the floor at a Gambian airport before an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Gambia say the visitors did not comply with coronavirus-related health regulations while Gabon insist they were treated "inhumanely" to weaken them ahead of a top-of-the-table clash.
Gabon lost the match 2-1 after a howler by goalkeeper Anthony Mfa Mezui gifted Gambia a goal and the teams now share first place with two matchdays remaining.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have ordered a probe into an incident which cast the sport in a bad light after Aubameyang tweeted footage of players sleeping on a hard floor.
Here, AFP Sport highlights some of the 'tricks' used by hosts to physically and mentally upset opponents in the belief that it will help them win matches.
Airports
What happened to Gabon is commonplace with various tactics used to delay the departure of teams to their accommodation.
For example, if an English-speaking side arrives in a French or Arabic-speaking country without an interpreter, they are easy prey.
Airport officials who understand English suddenly cannot speak one word of the language when problems arise over passports, visas or other documentation.
These issues are often deliberately created with the aim of delaying the visitors indefinitely, causing extreme frustration.
Transport
As teams leave the airport terminal expecting to see a modern, air-conditioned coach that will transport them to the hotel, they may get a rude awakening.
Clubs have relayed horror stories of ancient, barely-functioning vehicles with insufficient seating, no air conditioning and windows that do not open, creating an oven-like atmosphere.
As if that is not sufficient 'punishment', the driver may choose a much longer route than necessary, adding to the discomfort of the sweltering delegation.
Then, adding insult to injury, some vehicles break down and it can take hours for alternate transport to arrive and continue the journey.
Hotels
This is a key 'battleground' for those determined to make life as unpleasant as possible for visiting national teams and clubs.
There have been endless tales of long delays at reception, lifts not working, and rooms full of cockroaches with just a trickle of cold water, or none at all.
Television sets sometimes do not work, nor do landline telephones, and the aim is to make life extremely frustrating, leaving many footballers already thinking of the flight or drive home.
A Zimbabwean side visiting west Africa complained of four adults being allocated to each double bed, female prostitutes banging repeatedly on doors demanding money and blaring music disturbing sleep.
Training
Footballers already fed up after airport delays, inadequate transport and undesirable accommodation, just want to start training.
But 'dirty tricks' operators have more shocks in store, starting with another needlessly long journey in a vehicle with no air conditioning and closed windows.
When they eventually arrive at the training ground -- sometimes a sandy patch with no markings -- the groundsman with the keys to the entrance gate has gone missing.
By the time he arrives, darkness has set in and there are not floodlights so the much-needed training session has to be cancelled.
Crowds
Coaches rarely talk about crowd intimidation less they be accused of making excuses for their own inadequacies after a loss.
But Pitso Mosimane, the South African recently appointed coach of African and Egyptian giants Al Ahly after turning Pretoria outfit Mamelodi Sundowns into domestic powerhouses, has spoken out.
"When we were playing Entente Setif in Algeria, one of my (Sundowns) players ran next to the touchline and bottles were dropping all around him from the stands.
"It is all about intimidation. Before we played Egyptian club Zamalek in the 2016 CAF Champions League final many of us received death threats via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-19--Australia war crimes report: Special Forces suspected of killing 39 unarmed Afghans

Australia 's elite special forces `` unlawfully killed '' 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners , including summary executions as part @ @ @ @ @ to evidence in a searing military inquiry now being referred to a special war crimes @ @

Australia war crimes report: Special Forces suspected of killing 39 unarmed Afghans
01:38
Australia's elite special forces "unlawfully killed" 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners, including summary executions as part of initiation rituals, according to evidence in a searing military inquiry now being referred to a special war crimes prosecutor.


france24--2020-11-20--Pfizer/BioNTech to seek emergency approval for virus vaccine Friday

The annnouncement came after the companies said trials of the vaccine showed it was 95 percent effective Pfizer and its partner BioNTech confirmed they will apply Friday for emergency use authorization for their coronavirus vaccine , becoming the first to do so in the US or Europe as the pandemic rages around the world .
The vaccine has been developed with breathtaking speed -- just 10 months after the genetic code of the novel coronavirus was first sequenced .
The announcement had been expected for several days , after the companies said that a completed study of trials of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in protecting people from infection .
The announcement also confirms what BioNTech 's CEO told AFP Thursday .
`` Filing in the US represents a critical milestone in our journey to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to the world and we now have a more complete picture of both the efficacy and safety profile of our vaccine , giving us confidence in its potential , '' Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said .
The vaccine has been under evaluation for weeks in the European Union , Australia , Canada , Japan and the United Kingdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies will be ready to distribute the vaccine candidate within hours after authorization , '' their statement said .
The Food and Drug Administration has not said how long it will take to study the vaccine data , but the government expects to give the green light for the vaccine in the first two weeks of December .
The European Union could also move quickly on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine , perhaps as soon as the second half of December , according to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen .
Hot on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed by another biotech firm , Moderna , which says its product is also about 95 percent effective .
The speed with which these vaccines have been developed as the pandemic wreaks havoc around the world has no precedent .
Over the past decade , the vaccines authorized in the US have taken an average of eight years to develop .
The US government says it plans to vaccinate more than 20 million people in December , and then another 25-30 million per month .
Adding to the encouraging 95 percent efficiency data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that efficacy was found to be consistent across all age-groups -- a primary concern for a disease that hits the elderly the hardest -- as well as genders and ethnicities .
Pfizer and BioNTech say 170 people fell sick in an ongoing clinical trial of almost 44,000 people -- 162 of whom were in a placebo group and eight of whom received the two-dose medicine .
Out of the 170 patients who became sick , 10 developed severe Covid-19 -- nine in the placebo group and one in the vaccine group .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well tolerated , with most side-effects short-lived and either mild or moderate .
About four percent experienced severe fatigue and two percent got severe headaches after their second dose .
Older patients had fewer and milder side-effects .
Both vaccines use mRNA ( messenger ribonucleic acid ) technology to deliver genetic material to the body that makes human cells create a protein from the virus .
This trains the immune system to be ready to attack if it encounters SARS-CoV-2 .
There are important differences between the two vaccines .
Pfizer 's needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( - 94 degrees Fahrenheit ) while Moderna 's only needs -20 degrees Celsius ( -4 Fahrenheit ) , more akin to a regular freezer .
On the other hand , the Pfizer-BioNTech doses are much smaller -- 30 micrograms to Moderna-NIH 's 100 micrograms -- probably lowering production costs per dose .

Washington (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Pfizer and its partner BioNTech confirmed they will apply Friday for emergency use authorization for their coronavirus vaccine, becoming the first to do so in the US or Europe as the pandemic rages around the world.
The vaccine has been developed with breathtaking speed -- just 10 months after the genetic code of the novel coronavirus was first sequenced.
The announcement had been expected for several days, after the companies said that a completed study of trials of the product showed it was 95 percent effective in protecting people from infection. The announcement also confirms what BioNTech's CEO told AFP Thursday.
"Filing in the US represents a critical milestone in our journey to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to the world and we now have a more complete picture of both the efficacy and safety profile of our vaccine, giving us confidence in its potential," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said.
The vaccine has been under evaluation for weeks in the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom, the companies said.
"The companies will be ready to distribute the vaccine candidate within hours after authorization," their statement said.
The Food and Drug Administration has not said how long it will take to study the vaccine data, but the government expects to give the green light for the vaccine in the first two weeks of December.
The European Union could also move quickly on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, perhaps as soon as the second half of December, according to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Hot on the heels of these companies is a vaccine developed by another biotech firm, Moderna, which says its product is also about 95 percent effective.
- New mRNA technology -
The speed with which these vaccines have been developed as the pandemic wreaks havoc around the world has no precedent. Over the past decade, the vaccines authorized in the US have taken an average of eight years to develop.
The US government says it plans to vaccinate more than 20 million people in December, and then another 25-30 million per month.
Adding to the encouraging 95 percent efficiency data for the Pfizer product is the fact that efficacy was found to be consistent across all age-groups -- a primary concern for a disease that hits the elderly the hardest -- as well as genders and ethnicities.
Pfizer and BioNTech say 170 people fell sick in an ongoing clinical trial of almost 44,000 people -- 162 of whom were in a placebo group and eight of whom received the two-dose medicine.
Out of the 170 patients who became sick, 10 developed severe Covid-19 -- nine in the placebo group and one in the vaccine group.
The new data showed the vaccine was generally well tolerated, with most side-effects short-lived and either mild or moderate.
About four percent experienced severe fatigue and two percent got severe headaches after their second dose. Older patients had fewer and milder side-effects.
Both vaccines use mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) technology to deliver genetic material to the body that makes human cells create a protein from the virus.
This trains the immune system to be ready to attack if it encounters SARS-CoV-2.
There are important differences between the two vaccines.
Pfizer's needs to be stored at -70 degrees Celsius (- 94 degrees Fahrenheit) while Moderna's only needs -20 degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit), more akin to a regular freezer.
On the other hand, the Pfizer-BioNTech doses are much smaller -- 30 micrograms to Moderna-NIH's 100 micrograms -- probably lowering production costs per dose.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-20--Rome bar bans virus talk

Rome bar bans virus talk

Cristina Mattioli , manager of the Feeling bar , put up one poster banning virus talk and another offering other ideas for conversation .
The message is clear from the hand-written poster above the counter -- all talk of coronavirus , lockdowns or virology is strictly forbidden .
In this little bar on the outskirts of Rome , the manager hopes to give her clients a brief respite from the global pandemic while they drink their coffee .
`` We 've been talking about the same thing for months , so we chose to lighten the atmosphere , '' Cristina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told AFP .
As the first European country hit by the pandemic , Italy has been under the shadow of Covid-19 for longer than most , and endured one of the toughest lockdowns .
After a heady few weeks over the summer where life almost returned to normal , the pandemic again dominates everything , with deaths mounting each day .
`` It 's not at all about denial , or not understanding the difficulty of what the world is going through , but just about giving yourself a break , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' - She said most customers in the bar , adorned with wooden boxes filled with tea on the walls and offering a tempting array of sandwiches and pastries , have reacted positively to the ban .
Bruna Piazza , a regular who comes in to buy lottery tickets , thinks it 's a great idea .
`` We 're fed up with talking about Covid , we ca n't take it anymore , everywhere we go we only talk about Covid , '' the 58-year-old said .
`` I 'm happy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd rather talk about the weather , or celebrities . ''
Coronavirus is ever present , from the hand sanitiser to the masks worn by everyone not eating and drinking .
The cafe itself has to shut early , at 6pm , under government orders designed to stem infection rates .
To help distract people , Mattioli has put up another poster offering ideas for conversation , including history and culture .
`` It 's a wise initiative , I would even say indispensable , '' adds hairdresser Maurizio Ciocari , another regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it , you have to solve the problem , not talk about it . ''
As a rock ' n'roll fan with the long hair to match , the 63-year-old says he easily finds other things to discuss : `` We talk about everything .
Me , I love music . ''
And what happens if clients start inadvertently discussing exponential curves or a potential vaccine ?
`` No sanctions , but I show them the posters , '' Mattioli , 35 , says with a smile .
It seems she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have heard about the initiative and come in to congratulate her .
`` Another cafe manager in Trentino ( in northern Italy ) has also made similar posters , although she asked my permission first , '' she adds with pride .

Rome (AFP) –
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The message is clear from the hand-written poster above the counter -- all talk of coronavirus, lockdowns or virology is strictly forbidden.
In this little bar on the outskirts of Rome, the manager hopes to give her clients a brief respite from the global pandemic while they drink their coffee.
"We've been talking about the same thing for months, so we chose to lighten the atmosphere," Cristina Mattioli, manager of the Feeling bar, told AFP.
As the first European country hit by the pandemic, Italy has been under the shadow of Covid-19 for longer than most, and endured one of the toughest lockdowns.
After a heady few weeks over the summer where life almost returned to normal, the pandemic again dominates everything, with deaths mounting each day.
"It's not at all about denial, or not understanding the difficulty of what the world is going through, but just about giving yourself a break," Mattioli said.
- 'Anything but that' -
She said most customers in the bar, adorned with wooden boxes filled with tea on the walls and offering a tempting array of sandwiches and pastries, have reacted positively to the ban.
Bruna Piazza, a regular who comes in to buy lottery tickets, thinks it's a great idea.
"We're fed up with talking about Covid, we can't take it anymore, everywhere we go we only talk about Covid," the 58-year-old said.
"I'm happy to talk about anything except that, I'd rather talk about the weather, or celebrities."
Coronavirus is ever present, from the hand sanitiser to the masks worn by everyone not eating and drinking. The cafe itself has to shut early, at 6pm, under government orders designed to stem infection rates.
To help distract people, Mattioli has put up another poster offering ideas for conversation, including history and culture.
"It's a wise initiative, I would even say indispensable," adds hairdresser Maurizio Ciocari, another regular.
"You have to stop talking about it, you have to solve the problem, not talk about it."
As a rock'n'roll fan with the long hair to match, the 63-year-old says he easily finds other things to discuss: "We talk about everything. Me, I love music."
And what happens if clients start inadvertently discussing exponential curves or a potential vaccine?
"No sanctions, but I show them the posters," Mattioli, 35, says with a smile.
It seems she is on to something -- two new customers have heard about the initiative and come in to congratulate her.
"Another cafe manager in Trentino (in northern Italy) has also made similar posters, although she asked my permission first," she adds with pride.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-20--Pfizer/BioNTech to seek emergency use approval for virus vaccine Friday

The annnouncement came after the companies said trials of the vaccine showed it was 95 percent effective Pfizer and its partner BioNTech confirmed they will apply Friday for emergency use authorization for their coronavirus vaccine , becoming the first to do so in the US as the pandemic rages around the world .
The announcement had been expected for several days after the companies said that a completed study of trials of the product showed it was 95 percent effective in protecting people from infection .
The announcement also confirms what BioNTech 's CEO told AFP Thursday .
`` Filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our journey to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to the world and we now have a more complete picture of both the efficacy and safety profile of our vaccine , giving us confidence in its potential , '' Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said .
The vaccine has been under evaluation for weeks in the European Union , Australia , Canada , Japan and the United Kingdom , the companies said .
`` The companies will be ready to distribute the vaccine candidate within hours after authorization , '' their statement said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how long it will take to study the vaccine data , but the government expects to give the green light for the vaccine in the first two weeks of December .
The European Union could also move quickly on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine , perhaps as soon as the second half of December , according to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen .
Hot on the heels of these companies is a vaccine developed by another biotech firm , Moderna , which says its product is also about 95 percent effective .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed as the pandemic wreaks havoc around the world has no precedent .
Over the past decade , the vaccines authorized in the US have taken an average of eight years to develop .
The US government says it plans to vaccinate more than 20 million people in December , and then another 25-30 million per month .

Washington (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Pfizer and its partner BioNTech confirmed they will apply Friday for emergency use authorization for their coronavirus vaccine, becoming the first to do so in the US as the pandemic rages around the world.
The announcement had been expected for several days after the companies said that a completed study of trials of the product showed it was 95 percent effective in protecting people from infection.
The announcement also confirms what BioNTech's CEO told AFP Thursday.
"Filing in the US represents a critical milestone in our journey to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to the world and we now have a more complete picture of both the efficacy and safety profile of our vaccine, giving us confidence in its potential," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said.
The vaccine has been under evaluation for weeks in the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom, the companies said.
"The companies will be ready to distribute the vaccine candidate within hours after authorization," their statement said.
The Food and Drug Administration has not said how long it will take to study the vaccine data, but the government expects to give the green light for the vaccine in the first two weeks of December.
The European Union could also move quickly on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, perhaps as soon as the second half of December, according to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Hot on the heels of these companies is a vaccine developed by another biotech firm, Moderna, which says its product is also about 95 percent effective.
The speed with which these vaccines have been developed as the pandemic wreaks havoc around the world has no precedent. Over the past decade, the vaccines authorized in the US have taken an average of eight years to develop.
The US government says it plans to vaccinate more than 20 million people in December, and then another 25-30 million per month.
© 2020 AFP