france24--2020-08-27--NHL postpones playoff games over police shooting in Wisconsin

The National Hockey League postponed playoff games scheduled for Thursday and Friday in solidarity with other North American sports leagues protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin .
The New York Islanders were scheduled to play the Philadelphia Flyers in Toronto and the Vegas Golden Knights were to face the Vancouver Canucks in Edmonton .
`` After much discussion , NHL Players believe that the best course of action would be to take a step back and not play tonight 's and tomorrow 's games as scheduled , '' the league said in a statement .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will reschedule those four games beginning Saturday and adjust the remainder of the Second Round schedule accordingly . ''
The NHL went ahead with Stanley Cup playoff games in its coronavirus quarantine bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton on Wednesday as the NBA and WNBA called a halt to play and Major League Soccer clubs and a scattering of Major League Baseball teams also opted not to take the field .
The league held a `` moment of reflection '' before Wednesday 's game between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lighting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a founding member of the player-based Hockey Diversity Alliance , said he was `` disheartened '' by the league 's response , and on Thursday the NHL listened to the urgings of Alliance members .
`` We @ TheOfficialHDA have formally requested the @ NHL to suspend all playoff games today , '' members of the group tweeted .
`` We strongly feel this sends a clear message that human rights take priority over sports . ''
Hours later , the NHL and the players union made their response official .
`` Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , painful experiences , '' their joint statement said .
`` The NHL and NHLPA recognize that much work remains to be done before we can play an appropriate role in a discussion centered on diversity , inclusion and social justice .
`` We understand that the tragedies involving Jacob Blake , George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and others require us to recognize this moment .
We pledge to work to use our sport to influence positive change in society . ''

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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The National Hockey League postponed playoff games scheduled for Thursday and Friday in solidarity with other North American sports leagues protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.
The New York Islanders were scheduled to play the Philadelphia Flyers in Toronto and the Vegas Golden Knights were to face the Vancouver Canucks in Edmonton.
"After much discussion, NHL Players believe that the best course of action would be to take a step back and not play tonight's and tomorrow's games as scheduled," the league said in a statement.
"The NHL supports the Players' decision and will reschedule those four games beginning Saturday and adjust the remainder of the Second Round schedule accordingly."
The NHL went ahead with Stanley Cup playoff games in its coronavirus quarantine bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton on Wednesday as the NBA and WNBA called a halt to play and Major League Soccer clubs and a scattering of Major League Baseball teams also opted not to take the field.
The league held a "moment of reflection" before Wednesday's game between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lighting.
But Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba, a founding member of the player-based Hockey Diversity Alliance, said he was "disheartened" by the league's response, and on Thursday the NHL listened to the urgings of Alliance members.
"We @TheOfficialHDA have formally requested the @NHL to suspend all playoff games today," members of the group tweeted. "We strongly feel this sends a clear message that human rights take priority over sports."
Hours later, the NHL and the players union made their response official.
"Black and Brown communities continue to face real, painful experiences," their joint statement said. "The NHL and NHLPA recognize that much work remains to be done before we can play an appropriate role in a discussion centered on diversity, inclusion and social justice.
"We understand that the tragedies involving Jacob Blake, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others require us to recognize this moment. We pledge to work to use our sport to influence positive change in society."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-27--New Amazon health wristband gauges happiness

Amazon unveiled Halo , a wristband that takes on Apple Watch and Fitbit wristwear that provide people with insights about activity levels , sleep patterns and more that could be used to make healthy lifestyle decisions Amazon on Thursday unveiled a wristband that goes beyond simply tracking activity to gauging how happy a person is by the sound of their voice .
Amazon Halo combines data gathered by a sensor-packed wristband with artificial intelligence tools to provide wearers with feedback regarding their physical and mental health , the internet titan said .
`` Despite the rise in digital health services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have not seen a corresponding improvement in population health in the US , '' Amazon Halo 's principal medical officer Dr Maulik Majmudar said in a release .
`` We are using Amazon ’ s deep expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning to offer customers a new way to discover , adopt , and maintain personalized wellness habits . ''
People in the US were invited to request early access to Amazon Halo , which was priced at $ 65 and included six months ' membership access to AI-powered analytics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be $ 4 , according to the Seattle-based company .
Amazon Halo takes on Apple Watch and Fitbit wristwear that provide people with insights about activity levels , sleep patterns and more that could be used to make healthy lifestyle decisions .
Halo can discern intensity of activity , distinguishing walking from running , and reliably assess a wearer 's level of body fat , according to Amazon .
With the help of microphones in the wristbands , a Tone feature is designed to analyze `` the positivity and energy '' in someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sad , tired or excited they sound , the company said .
`` You might see that in the morning you sounded calm , delighted , and warm , '' Majmudar said .
`` Tone results may reveal that a difficult work call led to less positivity in family discussions , an indication of the impact of stress on social well-being . ''
To protect privacy , speech samples are analyzed on a wearer 's smartphone -- which syncs to their Halo wristband -- and then deleted after the process , Majmudar said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by pressing a button on the wristband , he added .
Amazon Halo apps have been tailored for smartphones powered by Apple and Google-backed Android software , according to Amazon .

San Francisco (AFP) –
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Amazon on Thursday unveiled a wristband that goes beyond simply tracking activity to gauging how happy a person is by the sound of their voice.
Amazon Halo combines data gathered by a sensor-packed wristband with artificial intelligence tools to provide wearers with feedback regarding their physical and mental health, the internet titan said.
"Despite the rise in digital health services and devices over the last decade, we have not seen a corresponding improvement in population health in the US," Amazon Halo's principal medical officer Dr Maulik Majmudar said in a release.
"We are using Amazon’s deep expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning to offer customers a new way to discover, adopt, and maintain personalized wellness habits."
People in the US were invited to request early access to Amazon Halo, which was priced at $65 and included six months' membership access to AI-powered analytics.
Monthly cost of membership after that will be $4, according to the Seattle-based company.
Amazon Halo takes on Apple Watch and Fitbit wristwear that provide people with insights about activity levels, sleep patterns and more that could be used to make healthy lifestyle decisions.
Halo can discern intensity of activity, distinguishing walking from running, and reliably assess a wearer's level of body fat, according to Amazon.
With the help of microphones in the wristbands, a Tone feature is designed to analyze "the positivity and energy" in someone's voice to asses how happy, sad, tired or excited they sound, the company said.
"You might see that in the morning you sounded calm, delighted, and warm," Majmudar said.
"Tone results may reveal that a difficult work call led to less positivity in family discussions, an indication of the impact of stress on social well-being."
To protect privacy, speech samples are analyzed on a wearer's smartphone -- which syncs to their Halo wristband -- and then deleted after the process, Majmudar said.
People can turn off Halo microphones by pressing a button on the wristband, he added.
Amazon Halo apps have been tailored for smartphones powered by Apple and Google-backed Android software, according to Amazon.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-27--'I was scared for my life,' says Maguire of Greece arrest

Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire said on Thursday he was `` scared '' for his life and thought he was the victim of a kidnapping when he was arrested on a Greek holiday island .
The 27-year-old United captain was given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days after being found guilty of repeated bodily harm , attempted bribery , violence against public employees and insult after his arrest on Mykonos .
However , Maguire told BBC Sport that plain-clothed police officers , who he says did not identify themselves , pulled over his group 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hit him in his legs .
Maguire said he tried to run away because he had no idea who the men were .
`` They hit me a lot on the legs .
I was in that much of a panic .
Fear .
Scared for my life , '' he said .
The central defender said his `` conscience is clear '' .
`` I do n't wish it on anybody .
Obviously the situation has made it difficult for one of the biggest clubs in the world , so I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through this , but I did nothing wrong , '' he added .
`` I found myself in a situation where it could have happened to anybody and anywhere . ''
On Wednesday , Maguire 's legal team lodged an appeal against the verdict .
Under Greek law , the appeal nullifies the original conviction so there will be a full retrial .
Maguire 's brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty on a range of charges and sentenced to 13 months in prison , suspended for three years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to media reports , a fight started at a nightclub over claims Maguire 's younger sister Daisy had been injected with what the defence said was a suspected drug .
`` My initial thought , I thought we were getting kidnapped .
We got down on our knees , we put our hands in the air , they just started hitting us , '' Maguire added .
`` They were hitting my leg saying my career 's over : 'No more football .
You wo n't play again ' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no chance these are police or I do n't know who they are so I tried to run away . ''
Maguire said he had attempted to take his sister to a hospital because she appeared to be losing consciousness having been approached by two men .
He also denied attempting to bribe the police .
When asked about the allegation , he replied : `` No , for sure .
As soon as I saw that statement , it 's just ridiculous . ''
England manager Gareth Southgate withdrew Maguire from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Iceland and Denmark next month , having initially selected him on Tuesday .

London (AFP) –
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Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire said on Thursday he was "scared" for his life and thought he was the victim of a kidnapping when he was arrested on a Greek holiday island.
The 27-year-old United captain was given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days after being found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult after his arrest on Mykonos.
However, Maguire told BBC Sport that plain-clothed police officers, who he says did not identify themselves, pulled over his group's minibus, threw him off the vehicle and hit him in his legs.
Maguire said he tried to run away because he had no idea who the men were.
"They hit me a lot on the legs. I was in that much of a panic. Fear. Scared for my life," he said.
The central defender said his "conscience is clear".
"I don't wish it on anybody. Obviously the situation has made it difficult for one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I regret putting the fans and the club through this, but I did nothing wrong," he added.
"I found myself in a situation where it could have happened to anybody and anywhere."
On Wednesday, Maguire's legal team lodged an appeal against the verdict.
Under Greek law, the appeal nullifies the original conviction so there will be a full retrial.
Maguire's brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty on a range of charges and sentenced to 13 months in prison, suspended for three years.
The three men denied all the charges.
According to media reports, a fight started at a nightclub over claims Maguire's younger sister Daisy had been injected with what the defence said was a suspected drug.
"My initial thought, I thought we were getting kidnapped. We got down on our knees, we put our hands in the air, they just started hitting us," Maguire added.
"They were hitting my leg saying my career's over: 'No more football. You won't play again'.
"And at this point I thought there is no chance these are police or I don't know who they are so I tried to run away."
Maguire said he had attempted to take his sister to a hospital because she appeared to be losing consciousness having been approached by two men.
He also denied attempting to bribe the police.
When asked about the allegation, he replied: "No, for sure. As soon as I saw that statement, it's just ridiculous."
England manager Gareth Southgate withdrew Maguire from his squad for the Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark next month, having initially selected him on Tuesday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-27--NBA postpones games as players vote to return

NBA playoff games were called off for a second straight day on Thursday following a boycott by the Milwaukee Bucks but the league is optimistic of restarting games by the weekend after players voted to continue the season .
After a day of drama inside the NBA 's Orlando `` bubble '' on Wednesday , the fate of the season had been left hanging in the balance following the Bucks ' no-show in protest at the police shooting of African American Jacob Blake in Kenosha , Wisconsin on Sunday .
The NBA was forced to postpone all three playoff games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Milwaukee .
At a meeting involving players from all teams late Wednesday , LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers , and the Los Angeles Clippers , voted to abandon the season .
However a more conciliatory mood emerged at a further players meeting early Thursday , with teams reaching agreement to continue .
James and the Lakers were reportedly `` on board '' with the decision .
In a statement following an NBA Board of Governors meeting , the league said games could resume as early as Friday .
`` NBA playoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be played as scheduled , '' league executive vice-president Mike Bass said .
`` We are hopeful to resume games either Friday or Saturday . ''
A video conference call , involving players from the 13 teams in Orlando along with representatives from the National Basketball Players Association , the league office and NBA Labor Relations Committee Chairman and basketball legend Michael Jordan , will be held later Thursday to discuss next steps .
Milwaukee 's dramatic boycott on Wednesday sent shockwaves around US sport , and prompted an array of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Major League Baseball games were called off before they were due to begin while Major League Soccer postponed five of six games taking place .
In tennis , the ATP and WTA Tours announced that Thursday 's play at the Western & Southern Open in New York had been called off , with the event resuming on Friday .
The WNBA women 's basketball league also postponed its slate of games on Thursday for a second day running .
Several NFL teams meanwhile also halted training camps on Thursday as they build towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` How can you hear the pain Black people are going through and dismiss it as nothing ? ''
Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joey Burrow said on Twitter .
`` How can you hear the pain and respond with anything other than ' I stand with you ' ? ''
he added .
Milwaukee 's demonstration of athlete activism drew support from former US Olympic sprinter John Carlos .
Carlos -- who along with teammate Tommie Smith was barred from the 1968 Mexico Olympics after their iconic black power salute on the medal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest chapter in `` a history of black people fighting for the same causes , the same situations . ''
`` I admire , respect and cherish the vision of those young individuals to take the initiative , to say life is valued far greater than trophies and championships and anything with basketball , '' Carlos told USA Today .
But there was a predictably cool response to the NBA activism from Donald Trump .
The US leader , who has repeatedly sparred with African-American athletes since taking office , accused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know much about the NBA protest .
I know their ratings have been very bad because I think people are a little tired of the NBA , '' Trump said in Washington .
`` They 've become like a political organization , and that 's not a good thing . ''
Meanwhile Lakers superstar James took to Twitter to urge voters to turn out in November 's presidential elections .
`` Change does n't happen with just talk !
!
It happens with action and needs to happen NOW ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial equality have reverberated across basketball following the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May .
The NBA 's coronavirus-halted season resumed last month in Florida against the backdrop of nationwide protests following Floyd 's death .
NBA teams have knelt in protest during the pre-match playing of the US national anthem , while the words `` Black Lives Matter '' have been painted onto each court staging games in Florida .
Players , many of whom took part in protests against Floyd 's killing , have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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NBA playoff games were called off for a second straight day on Thursday following a boycott by the Milwaukee Bucks but the league is optimistic of restarting games by the weekend after players voted to continue the season.
After a day of drama inside the NBA's Orlando "bubble" on Wednesday, the fate of the season had been left hanging in the balance following the Bucks' no-show in protest at the police shooting of African American Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday.
The NBA was forced to postpone all three playoff games on Wednesday following the unprecedented boycott by Milwaukee.
At a meeting involving players from all teams late Wednesday, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Clippers, voted to abandon the season.
However a more conciliatory mood emerged at a further players meeting early Thursday, with teams reaching agreement to continue. James and the Lakers were reportedly "on board" with the decision.
In a statement following an NBA Board of Governors meeting, the league said games could resume as early as Friday.
"NBA playoff games for today (Thursday) will not be played as scheduled," league executive vice-president Mike Bass said.
"We are hopeful to resume games either Friday or Saturday."
A video conference call, involving players from the 13 teams in Orlando along with representatives from the National Basketball Players Association, the league office and NBA Labor Relations Committee Chairman and basketball legend Michael Jordan, will be held later Thursday to discuss next steps.
- 'Hearing the pain' -
Milwaukee's dramatic boycott on Wednesday sent shockwaves around US sport, and prompted an array of other professional leagues to follow suit.
Three Major League Baseball games were called off before they were due to begin while Major League Soccer postponed five of six games taking place.
In tennis, the ATP and WTA Tours announced that Thursday's play at the Western & Southern Open in New York had been called off, with the event resuming on Friday.
The WNBA women's basketball league also postponed its slate of games on Thursday for a second day running.
Several NFL teams meanwhile also halted training camps on Thursday as they build towards the start of their new season.
"How can you hear the pain Black people are going through and dismiss it as nothing?" Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joey Burrow said on Twitter.
"How can you hear the pain and respond with anything other than 'I stand with you'?" he added.
Milwaukee's demonstration of athlete activism drew support from former US Olympic sprinter John Carlos.
Carlos -- who along with teammate Tommie Smith was barred from the 1968 Mexico Olympics after their iconic black power salute on the medal podium -- said Wednesday's protests were the latest chapter in "a history of black people fighting for the same causes, the same situations."
"I admire, respect and cherish the vision of those young individuals to take the initiative, to say life is valued far greater than trophies and championships and anything with basketball," Carlos told USA Today.
- NBA 'playing politics' -
But there was a predictably cool response to the NBA activism from Donald Trump.
The US leader, who has repeatedly sparred with African-American athletes since taking office, accused the league of playing politics.
"I don't know much about the NBA protest. I know their ratings have been very bad because I think people are a little tired of the NBA," Trump said in Washington.
"They've become like a political organization, and that's not a good thing."
Meanwhile Lakers superstar James took to Twitter to urge voters to turn out in November's presidential elections.
"Change doesn't happen with just talk!! It happens with action and needs to happen NOW!" James wrote on Twitter.
Demands for racial equality have reverberated across basketball following the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May.
The NBA's coronavirus-halted season resumed last month in Florida against the backdrop of nationwide protests following Floyd's death.
NBA teams have knelt in protest during the pre-match playing of the US national anthem, while the words "Black Lives Matter" have been painted onto each court staging games in Florida.
Players, many of whom took part in protests against Floyd's killing, have been allowed to wear jerseys bearing social justice messages.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-27--Trump to announce deal to buy 150 mn rapid COVID tests

US President Donald Trump will announce on Thursday a deal for 150 million rapid COVID-19 tests as he eyes a return to normal life ahead of November 's elections , White House officials told AFP .
The purchase from Abbott Laboratories is part of a $ 750 million deal with the company , a senior administration official said .
It comes a day after the Food and Drug Administration granted emergency approval for a rapid test made by the Illinois-based firm that is billed as costing $ 5 and giving results in 15 minutes .
`` This is a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain open , get Americans back to work and kids back to school , '' White House communications director Alyssa Farah said .
`` The Trump Administration is proud to partner with Abbott labs to make this purchase possible to help the American people . ''
CNBC reported Trump will debut the deal in a speech Thursday accepting his party 's nomination for a second term on the final night of the Republican National Convention .
Abbott did not respond to a request for comment .
The United States is home to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 180,000 deaths and 5.8 million cases , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Trump is up against former vice president Joe Biden in what is expected to be a tough re-election contest in November , with voters weighing the impact from the COVID-19 outbreak that 's also caused tens of millions of job losses and a sharp economic downturn .
Expanding testing is seen as key to controlling the spread of the coronavirus , and Abbott said on Wednesday the test called BinaxNOW , which is about the size of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the first seven days of symptom onset .
It will be coupled with a free app called NAVICA that will let people display their recent testing results upon demand .
`` BinaxNOW and the NAVICA app give us an affordable , easy-to-use , scalable test , and a complementary digital health tool to help us have a bit more normalcy in our daily lives , '' Abbott CEO Robert B. Ford said in a statement .

Washington (AFP) –
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US President Donald Trump will announce on Thursday a deal for 150 million rapid COVID-19 tests as he eyes a return to normal life ahead of November's elections, White House officials told AFP.
The purchase from Abbott Laboratories is part of a $750 million deal with the company, a senior administration official said.
It comes a day after the Food and Drug Administration granted emergency approval for a rapid test made by the Illinois-based firm that is billed as costing $5 and giving results in 15 minutes.
"This is a major development that will help our country to remain open, get Americans back to work and kids back to school," White House communications director Alyssa Farah said.
"The Trump Administration is proud to partner with Abbott labs to make this purchase possible to help the American people."
CNBC reported Trump will debut the deal in a speech Thursday accepting his party's nomination for a second term on the final night of the Republican National Convention.
Abbott did not respond to a request for comment.
The United States is home to the world's worst coronavirus outbreak, with more than 180,000 deaths and 5.8 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Trump is up against former vice president Joe Biden in what is expected to be a tough re-election contest in November, with voters weighing the impact from the COVID-19 outbreak that's also caused tens of millions of job losses and a sharp economic downturn.
Expanding testing is seen as key to controlling the spread of the coronavirus, and Abbott said on Wednesday the test called BinaxNOW, which is about the size of a credit card, is 97 percent sensitive within the first seven days of symptom onset.
It will be coupled with a free app called NAVICA that will let people display their recent testing results upon demand.
"BinaxNOW and the NAVICA app give us an affordable, easy-to-use, scalable test, and a complementary digital health tool to help us have a bit more normalcy in our daily lives," Abbott CEO Robert B. Ford said in a statement.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-27--Tour de France shrouded in COVID-19 uncertainty as teams gather for Nice start

Already delayed , the Tour de France sets off Saturday shrouded in uncertainty , flying in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and the imponderable question of how many of the 176 riders will avoid infection and endure three exceptionally tough weeks of racing to reach the finish in Paris .
If the rolling roadshow gets that far .
Staging cycling ’ s premier race when COVID-19 infections are rising again in France represents both a health risk and an embodiment of French President Emmanuel Macron ’ s insistence that the country must learn to function as normally as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steer the Tour to the cobbles of Paris ’ Champs-Elysées avenue on Sept. 20 could cast further doubt on the feasibility of holding other sporting mega-events , including the Tokyo Olympics postponed to next year , while the coronavirus remains untamed .
A key question posed by pushing ahead with the race will be whether it would have been wiser and safer to simply cancel it .
“ Is the Tour adding to the human community experience this year ?
Or hurting it ?
That ’ s what needs answering , ” Jonathan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First team , told The Associated Press .
“ If we choose to take on the risk of living life , then I suppose we might have to take the risk of letting events go forward that make life worth living , like the Tour .
Is that responsible for the community at large ?
I think there are many opinions .
Many.
” Amid the pandemic , the usually boisterous celebration of cycling that for decades has drawn packed throngs of cheering roadside spectators promises to be a strange and more subdued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its 117-year history out of its traditional July slot to a September month when many fans will be back at school or at work after summer vacations .
Sealed off from the outside world Riders who in more carefree times were habitually besieged by admirers congregating outside their team buses and hotels are expected to be largely sealed off from the outside world , except while out on the roads .
Organizers are beseeching spectators to wear face masks , but wo n't be able to prevent them from turning out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and villages , starting in the Mediterranean city of Nice on Saturday .
Masks will be obligatory for spectators at stage starts and finishes , and have become mandatory outdoors in a growing number of cities and towns as French infection rates have ticked upward over the summer .
“ If you love the Tour , if you love the champions , wear a mask , '' race director Christian Prudhomme said .
“ Not only will this not be the year to collect an autograph , but you should n't ask for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riders will say ‘ Hello ’ from afar .
That is n't to say that they 're not nice .
All in all , it will be like Wimbledon : You do n't get ( Roger ) Federer 's autograph in the morning.
” To try to keep the coronavirus from infecting the peloton of riders as it negotiates the clockwise , 3,484-kilometer ( 2,165-mile ) route , organizers aim to shield the 22 teams inside what they call a “ race bubble '' — opened only to riders and staff who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including this week at a mobile laboratory in Nice .
The Tour 's COVID-19 protocol , detailed in a 17-page document distributed to teams and obtained by the AP , says teams will be expelled if two of their riders or staff test positive for the virus or show strong symptoms of infection .
Race organizers say that scenario will be reserved only for two or more cases within a seven-day span .
The threat of expulsion is making riders and managers even edgier than usual on the eve of the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only about infection but also about the reliability of virus testing .
The German team Bora-Hansgrohe is among those expressing concern , after one if its riders first tested positive and then tested negative Tuesday , prompting the withdrawal of its entire squad from the one-day Bretagne Classic race .
Bora team manager Ralph Denk appealed for immediate changes to cycling 's testing regimen to combat false positives .
`` We are talking about athletes who have prepared for a race for weeks or months and then might not be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding , ” he said .
When Tour teams arrived in Nice , some were surprised to discover that they were sharing their designated hotel with ordinary guests , raising doubts about how hermetically sealed the race bubble will be .
As Tour riders , wearing face masks , were presented to a thin crowd at the traditional pre-race unveiling in Nice on Thursday , the Lotto Soudal squad became the first to announce coronavirus exclusions .
It said it was sending home two mechanics and two rider support staff .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the team called a `` suspicious result . ''
The other two staffers being sent home were their roommates .
On top of COVID-19 concerns , riders will contend with one of the most unrelenting Tour routes in memory , with an usually high total of 29 tough climbs .
They 'll scale all five of France ’ s mountain ranges : the Alps , the Massif Central , the Pyrénées , the Jura and the Vosges .
Uphill slogs come as soon as Stage 2 on Sunday , in a first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 1,500 meters ( 4,920 feet ) and higher .
An uphill time trial on the penultimate stage before Paris will decide the standings among contenders chasing podium places and the winner 's prize of 500,000 euros ( $ 590,000 ) .
Defending champion Egan Bernal from Colombia is the only previous winner in a field stripped of four-time champion Chris Froome and 2018 victor Geraint Thomas , both omitted by Bernal ’ s Ineos team , leaving him as its sole leader .
Principal among Bernal 's rivals could be Primoz Roglic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , and Tom Dumoulin , the Dutch runner-up that year who is now Roglic 's teammate at Jumbo-Visma .
But with the pandemic having forced riders to train indoors on stationary bikes and with scant racing in this year of tumult , the readiness of top contenders is one of many uncertainties in a Tour unlike any other .

Already delayed, the Tour de France sets off Saturday shrouded in uncertainty, flying in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and the imponderable question of how many of the 176 riders will avoid infection and endure three exceptionally tough weeks of racing to reach the finish in Paris. If the rolling roadshow gets that far.
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Staging cycling’s premier race when COVID-19 infections are rising again in France represents both a health risk and an embodiment of French President Emmanuel Macron’s insistence that the country must learn to function as normally as possible with the virus.
Failure to safely steer the Tour to the cobbles of Paris’ Champs-Elysées avenue on Sept. 20 could cast further doubt on the feasibility of holding other sporting mega-events, including the Tokyo Olympics postponed to next year, while the coronavirus remains untamed. A key question posed by pushing ahead with the race will be whether it would have been wiser and safer to simply cancel it.
“Is the Tour adding to the human community experience this year? Or hurting it? That’s what needs answering,” Jonathan Vaughters, boss of the EF Education First team, told The Associated Press. “If we choose to take on the risk of living life, then I suppose we might have to take the risk of letting events go forward that make life worth living, like the Tour. Is that responsible for the community at large? I think there are many opinions. Many.”
Amid the pandemic, the usually boisterous celebration of cycling that for decades has drawn packed throngs of cheering roadside spectators promises to be a strange and more subdued affair, moved for the first time in its 117-year history out of its traditional July slot to a September month when many fans will be back at school or at work after summer vacations.
Sealed off from the outside world
Riders who in more carefree times were habitually besieged by admirers congregating outside their team buses and hotels are expected to be largely sealed off from the outside world, except while out on the roads. Organizers are beseeching spectators to wear face masks, but won't be able to prevent them from turning out to watch as riders speed through their towns and villages, starting in the Mediterranean city of Nice on Saturday. Masks will be obligatory for spectators at stage starts and finishes, and have become mandatory outdoors in a growing number of cities and towns as French infection rates have ticked upward over the summer.
“If you love the Tour, if you love the champions, wear a mask," race director Christian Prudhomme said. “Not only will this not be the year to collect an autograph, but you shouldn't ask for autographs or ask for selfies. The riders will say ‘Hello’ from afar. That isn't to say that they're not nice. All in all, it will be like Wimbledon: You don't get (Roger) Federer's autograph in the morning.”
La présentation des équipes a eu lieu ce soir place Masséna!
The teams presentation took place tonight on the Masséna plaza!#NiceCyclingParadise #TDF2020 @VilledeNice @LeTour pic.twitter.com/0IO8pSITZf — Nice Cycling Paradise (@CyclingNice) August 27, 2020
To try to keep the coronavirus from infecting the peloton of riders as it negotiates the clockwise, 3,484-kilometer (2,165-mile) route, organizers aim to shield the 22 teams inside what they call a “race bubble" — opened only to riders and staff who have twice tested negative in the race run-up, including this week at a mobile laboratory in Nice.
The Tour's COVID-19 protocol, detailed in a 17-page document distributed to teams and obtained by the AP, says teams will be expelled if two of their riders or staff test positive for the virus or show strong symptoms of infection. Race organizers say that scenario will be reserved only for two or more cases within a seven-day span. The threat of expulsion is making riders and managers even edgier than usual on the eve of the biggest event on cycling's calendar, anxious not only about infection but also about the reliability of virus testing.
The German team Bora-Hansgrohe is among those expressing concern, after one if its riders first tested positive and then tested negative Tuesday, prompting the withdrawal of its entire squad from the one-day Bretagne Classic race. Bora team manager Ralph Denk appealed for immediate changes to cycling's testing regimen to combat false positives.
"We are talking about athletes who have prepared for a race for weeks or months and then might not be allowed to start the event due to a false finding,” he said.
First coronavirus exclusions
When Tour teams arrived in Nice, some were surprised to discover that they were sharing their designated hotel with ordinary guests, raising doubts about how hermetically sealed the race bubble will be.
As Tour riders, wearing face masks, were presented to a thin crowd at the traditional pre-race unveiling in Nice on Thursday, the Lotto Soudal squad became the first to announce coronavirus exclusions. It said it was sending home two mechanics and two rider support staff. One of them tested positive Wednesday, another had what the team called a "suspicious result." The other two staffers being sent home were their roommates.
On top of COVID-19 concerns, riders will contend with one of the most unrelenting Tour routes in memory, with an usually high total of 29 tough climbs. They'll scale all five of France’s mountain ranges: the Alps, the Massif Central, the Pyrénées, the Jura and the Vosges. Uphill slogs come as soon as Stage 2 on Sunday, in a first for the race, with two ascents to 1,500 meters (4,920 feet) and higher.
An uphill time trial on the penultimate stage before Paris will decide the standings among contenders chasing podium places and the winner's prize of 500,000 euros ($590,000).
Defending champion Egan Bernal from Colombia is the only previous winner in a field stripped of four-time champion Chris Froome and 2018 victor Geraint Thomas, both omitted by Bernal’s Ineos team, leaving him as its sole leader. Principal among Bernal's rivals could be Primoz Roglic, a Slovenian who finished 4th in 2018, and Tom Dumoulin, the Dutch runner-up that year who is now Roglic's teammate at Jumbo-Visma.
But with the pandemic having forced riders to train indoors on stationary bikes and with scant racing in this year of tumult, the readiness of top contenders is one of many uncertainties in a Tour unlike any other.
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-27--Tense title climax looms after Sundowns edge Chiefs

Uruguayan Gaston Sirino ( R ) scored the only goal in a top-of-the-table South African Premiership clash with leaders Kaizer Chiefs in Soweto Thursday Title-holders Mamelodi Sundowns edged leaders Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in Soweto Thursday to draw level on 53 points at the top of the South African Premiership table .
Chiefs remain top on goal difference ( plus 21/plus 16 ) , but German coach Ernst Middendorp was dejected at full-time knowing his side once held a 10-point lead in the richest African league .
The result sets up a tense climax to a season halted for five months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with South Africa having the fifth most Covid-19 cases in the world .
Chiefs face Bidvest Wits , Chippa United and Baroka in their run-in while Sundowns meet Baroka , Polokwane City and Black Leopards in a season that ends on September 5 .
Uruguayan Gaston Sirino scored the only goal on 34 minutes behind closed doors at Orlando Stadium in Soweto to throw the title chase wide open .
He fired past Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi for this third league goal of the season after being set up by a brilliant back-heel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mosimane rejected the view of the South African media that the Soweto showdown was the title decider .
`` Chiefs are still top of the table and goal difference could decide which club becomes champions , '' he said .
`` People say that we should win our remaining three matches comfortably because they are against three of the last four clubs in the table .
`` These clubs are fighting for survival and will prove very tough opponents .
I would rather face teams whose Premiership status is secure .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the air and from set pieces and dealt well with those situations .
`` It was nerve racking in the closing stages defending a one-goal lead , but that was our fault as we had sufficient chances to have scored at least twice more . ''
Chiefs lacked their first-choice forwards with Serb Samir Nurkovic suspended and Colombian Leonardo Castro injured , and off-form Zimbabwean Khama Billiat was dropped .
Middendorp gambled by picking rarely used Keletso Sifama as a wide midfielder and the move backfired with the ineffective teenager taken off at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has scored only once in the Premiership this season and wasted a late chance to equalise when he headed over from close range .
`` We spent virtually the entire second half camped in Sundowns ' half and did not take several great scoring chances , '' lamented Middendorp .
`` Now we must prepare for our next match against Wits , who are unbeaten in six games since the league restarted . ''
Chiefs have won a record 53 domestic trophies , but their last success came five years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fourth-place Wits and mid-table Bloemfontein Celtic preserved their unbeaten records since the restart by drawing 1-1 at the University of Pretoria .
Both goals came from first half penalties with Keegan Ritchie giving Wits an early lead that Celtic captain Ndumiso Mabena cancelled .

Soweto (South Africa) (AFP) –
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Title-holders Mamelodi Sundowns edged leaders Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in Soweto Thursday to draw level on 53 points at the top of the South African Premiership table.
Chiefs remain top on goal difference (plus 21/plus 16), but German coach Ernst Middendorp was dejected at full-time knowing his side once held a 10-point lead in the richest African league.
The result sets up a tense climax to a season halted for five months from March due to the coronavirus pandemic with South Africa having the fifth most Covid-19 cases in the world.
Chiefs face Bidvest Wits, Chippa United and Baroka in their run-in while Sundowns meet Baroka, Polokwane City and Black Leopards in a season that ends on September 5.
Uruguayan Gaston Sirino scored the only goal on 34 minutes behind closed doors at Orlando Stadium in Soweto to throw the title chase wide open.
He fired past Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi for this third league goal of the season after being set up by a brilliant back-heel from Themba Zwane.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane rejected the view of the South African media that the Soweto showdown was the title decider.
"Chiefs are still top of the table and goal difference could decide which club becomes champions," he said.
"People say that we should win our remaining three matches comfortably because they are against three of the last four clubs in the table.
"These clubs are fighting for survival and will prove very tough opponents. I would rather face teams whose Premiership status is secure.
- 'Nerve racking' -
"We knew Chiefs would be a threat in the air and from set pieces and dealt well with those situations.
"It was nerve racking in the closing stages defending a one-goal lead, but that was our fault as we had sufficient chances to have scored at least twice more."
Chiefs lacked their first-choice forwards with Serb Samir Nurkovic suspended and Colombian Leonardo Castro injured, and off-form Zimbabwean Khama Billiat was dropped.
Middendorp gambled by picking rarely used Keletso Sifama as a wide midfielder and the move backfired with the ineffective teenager taken off at half-time.
His place went to Billiat, who has scored only once in the Premiership this season and wasted a late chance to equalise when he headed over from close range.
"We spent virtually the entire second half camped in Sundowns' half and did not take several great scoring chances," lamented Middendorp.
"Now we must prepare for our next match against Wits, who are unbeaten in six games since the league restarted."
Chiefs have won a record 53 domestic trophies, but their last success came five years ago when they were crowned champions.
Meanwhile, fourth-place Wits and mid-table Bloemfontein Celtic preserved their unbeaten records since the restart by drawing 1-1 at the University of Pretoria.
Both goals came from first half penalties with Keegan Ritchie giving Wits an early lead that Celtic captain Ndumiso Mabena cancelled.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-27--Veteran Caputo among three newcomers in Mancini's Nations League squad

Sassuolo forward Francesco Caputo has been called up to the Italy squad for the first time .
Francesco Caputo was one of three newcomers named in Italy coach Roberto Mancini 's 37-man squad named on Thursday for next month 's Nations League matches against Bosnia and the Netherlands .
The Azzurri return after ten months against Bosnia in Florence on September 4 and the Netherlands on September 7 in Amsterdam .
Captain Giorgio Chiellini is back after more than a year 's absence , in a line-up which includes Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni and Sassuolo pair Manuel Locatelli and Caputo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 33 , was included after the best season of his career with 21 league goals .
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho and Brescia 's Sandro Tonali were named but their presence will depend on assessments after coronavirus quarantine .
Mancini will be looking to pick up where his side left off with a 9-1 Euro 2020 qualifying win over Armenia last November .
Italy are on an 11-match winning streak ahead of the next two months in which they will play eight games .
The matches in Italy will be play behind closed doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) on Thursday publishing a 77-page health protocol .
The maximum number of people allowed in stadiums will be 500 .
All players and staff will undergo coronavirus tests upon joining the team who will meet up at Italy 's training camp in Coverciano , near Florence on Saturday .
The players will be kept in isolation in their hotel rooms awaiting the results .
*The call-up is suspended pending the outcome of assessments at the end of the isolation period

Milan (AFP) –
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Francesco Caputo was one of three newcomers named in Italy coach Roberto Mancini's 37-man squad named on Thursday for next month's Nations League matches against Bosnia and the Netherlands.
The Azzurri return after ten months against Bosnia in Florence on September 4 and the Netherlands on September 7 in Amsterdam.
Captain Giorgio Chiellini is back after more than a year's absence, in a line-up which includes Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni and Sassuolo pair Manuel Locatelli and Caputo, for the first time.
Caputo, 33, was included after the best season of his career with 21 league goals.
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho and Brescia's Sandro Tonali were named but their presence will depend on assessments after coronavirus quarantine.
Mancini will be looking to pick up where his side left off with a 9-1 Euro 2020 qualifying win over Armenia last November.
Italy are on an 11-match winning streak ahead of the next two months in which they will play eight games.
The matches in Italy will be play behind closed doors with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Thursday publishing a 77-page health protocol.
The maximum number of people allowed in stadiums will be 500.
All players and staff will undergo coronavirus tests upon joining the team who will meet up at Italy's training camp in Coverciano, near Florence on Saturday.
The players will be kept in isolation in their hotel rooms awaiting the results.
Italy squad:
Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Cagliari), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), Alex Meret (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Torino)
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Lazio), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Cristiano Biraghi (Inter), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Mattia Caldara (Atalanta), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Danilo D’Ambrosio (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Luca Pellegrini (Juventus), Leonardo Spinazzola (Roma)
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Giacomo Bonaventura (without a club), Gaetano Castrovilli (Fiorentina), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Jorginho* (Chelsea/ENG), Roberto Gagliardini (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Stefano Sensi (Inter), Sandro Tonali* (Brescia), Nicolo Zaniolo (Roma)
Strikers: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Francesco Caputo (Sassuolo), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Stephan El Shaarawy (Shanghai Shenua/CHM), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Moise Kean (Everton/ENG), Kevin Lasagna (Udinese), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna).
*The call-up is suspended pending the outcome of assessments at the end of the isolation period
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-27--WHO opens door to change for global public health alerts

The WHO has been criticised for failing to respond fast enough as the virus spread from Wuhan , China The WHO said Thursday it was setting up a committee to consider changing the rules on declaring an international health emergency , following criticism of its Covid-19 pandemic response .
The World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern ( PHEIC ) over the new coronavirus on January 30 -- at which time the respiratory disease had infected fewer than 100 people outside China , and claimed no lives beyond its borders .
But under the current International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and response for health emergencies , there are no lower , intermediate levels of alarm beneath a full PHEIC , either on a global or regional scale .
The WHO has faced accusations -- notably from Washington -- of mishandling the pandemic , and waiting too long to sound the alarm .
WHO experts had met on January 22 and 23 , but at that point did not conclude that the outbreak merited the high state of alert of a full PHEIC .
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been an `` acid test '' for countries as well as for the IHR .
Now the WHO will set up a review committee into the global regulations to see whether any changes should be made , Tedros said .
He added that even before the coronavirus pandemic , emergencies such as the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo had exposed flaws in the IHR .
Such emergencies showed that `` some elements of the IHR may need review -- including the binary nature of the ( alert ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries have also called for a more nuanced system , for example with three levels of alert , or regional alarms .
The committee will be comprised of independent experts .
Tedros hopes the committee will present a progress report to the World Health Assembly -- the WHO 's decision-making body , made up of member states -- in November , and a full report to the assembly in May .
`` WHO is committed to ending the pandemic , and to working with all countries to learn from it , and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , safer , fairer world that we want , '' he said .
The committee is separate from the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response , set up to evaluate the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
The IPPR is being headed by former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf .

Geneva (AFP) –
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The WHO said Thursday it was setting up a committee to consider changing the rules on declaring an international health emergency, following criticism of its Covid-19 pandemic response.
The World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) over the new coronavirus on January 30 -- at which time the respiratory disease had infected fewer than 100 people outside China, and claimed no lives beyond its borders.
But under the current International Health Regulations (IHR) governing preparedness and response for health emergencies, there are no lower, intermediate levels of alarm beneath a full PHEIC, either on a global or regional scale.
The WHO has faced accusations -- notably from Washington -- of mishandling the pandemic, and waiting too long to sound the alarm.
WHO experts had met on January 22 and 23, but at that point did not conclude that the outbreak merited the high state of alert of a full PHEIC.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference on Thursday that the Covid-19 pandemic had been an "acid test" for countries as well as for the IHR.
Now the WHO will set up a review committee into the global regulations to see whether any changes should be made, Tedros said.
He added that even before the coronavirus pandemic, emergencies such as the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo had exposed flaws in the IHR.
Such emergencies showed that "some elements of the IHR may need review -- including the binary nature of the (alert) mechanism," Tedros said.
Several countries have also called for a more nuanced system, for example with three levels of alert, or regional alarms.
The committee will be comprised of independent experts.
Tedros hopes the committee will present a progress report to the World Health Assembly -- the WHO's decision-making body, made up of member states -- in November, and a full report to the assembly in May.
"WHO is committed to ending the pandemic, and to working with all countries to learn from it, and to ensure that together we build the healthier, safer, fairer world that we want," he said.
The committee is separate from the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, set up to evaluate the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The IPPR is being headed by former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-27--Tour de France on coronavirus red alert as teams gather for Nice start

Caleb Ewan is the man to beat in the 2020 Tour de France sprints Tour de France 'Grand Depart ' host city Nice scrambled to impose tighter health protocols on Thursday as the region was reclassified as a Covid-19 'red zone ' while four members of one team were sent home after positive pre-race tests .
With contenders mulling the likely sprint finish on the Mediterranean city 's celebrated seafront Promenade des Anglais , it was announced only a few dozen fans could get to see the race start on Saturday .
Authorities in the chic seaside town decided Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only host 1,000 spectators , leaving the vast downtown Place Massena almost deserted for the show with thousands of fans packed outside large blacked out barriers .
Fines of 135 euros were dished out to anyone without a protective face mask in Nice 's terrace-lined squares and along the beachfront walkways .
The Alpes-Maritimes region where Nice is situated was reclassified as a Covid-19 red zone , along with 18 other French departments in a decision from French Prime Minister Jean Castex .
On Thursday evening , Belgian team Lotto said it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of them tested 'non-negative ' for their PCR nasal swab Covid-19 tests .
Any team that has two riders test positive will be expelled from the Tour .
There was an `` undeniable resurgence '' of the Covid-19 epidemic throughout France , Castex told a press conference , with 39 positive tests per 100,000 population -- four times the level of a month ago , and rising in all age groups .
`` We knew it was coming , '' regional prefect Bernard Gonzalez said .
`` We are shifting from tight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said , flanked by Nice mayor Christian Estrosi and Tour de France organiser Christian Prudhomme .
Saturday 's Promenade des Anglais start line will allow just 100 spectators , reserved for municipality staff `` who worked so hard to get this to happen '' Gonzalez said .
There will also be no camper vans or pop-up villages on the summits in the mountains behind Nice on stage two .
`` People should stay home and watch on television , '' Gonzalez said , without going as far as banning people from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone involved in the Tour -- riders and the rest of the caravan -- have undergone nasal tests for coronavirus symptoms .
`` It 's unpleasant ( the nasal swab ) but necessary .
We are all here ready to race after all , '' Astana 's Colombian captain Miguel Angel Lopez told AFP .
The Nice mayor went even further .
`` Inside the Tour is where you are most protected from the spread of the virus , '' said Estrosi .
The Tour de France , however , appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football 's Euros failed , in getting their event staged in 2020 , albeit late and in reduced circumstances .
The mountainous 21-day race starts Saturday with a run around the outskirts of Nice but avoids the low Alps behind it until stage two , meaning the first stage should end in a mass bunch sprint .
The winner of stage one will wear the overall leader 's yellow jersey , but in the long term will be targeting the green jersey awarded to the best sprinter .
Lotto-Soudal 's Australian sprinter Caleb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 1.65m ) , is a red hot favourite to win the opener .
`` I feel more pressure than last year at the start of my first Tour de France , '' says Ewan who won three stages including the clincher on the Champs-Elysees in 2019 .
`` I 've stepped up again another level and I 'm ready to take up the challenge on Saturday , '' said the affable 26-year-old .
`` Stage one is not too hard for me .
`` The conditions may be rainy and lower temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man from New South Wales , who lives down the coast from Nice in Monaco .
Temperatures Saturday are expected to be around 26C with frequent showers .

Nice (France) (AFP) –
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Tour de France 'Grand Depart' host city Nice scrambled to impose tighter health protocols on Thursday as the region was reclassified as a Covid-19 'red zone' while four members of one team were sent home after positive pre-race tests.
With contenders mulling the likely sprint finish on the Mediterranean city's celebrated seafront Promenade des Anglais, it was announced only a few dozen fans could get to see the race start on Saturday.
Authorities in the chic seaside town decided Thursday's team parade and fan park could only host 1,000 spectators, leaving the vast downtown Place Massena almost deserted for the show with thousands of fans packed outside large blacked out barriers.
Fines of 135 euros were dished out to anyone without a protective face mask in Nice's terrace-lined squares and along the beachfront walkways.
The Alpes-Maritimes region where Nice is situated was reclassified as a Covid-19 red zone, along with 18 other French departments in a decision from French Prime Minister Jean Castex.
On Thursday evening, Belgian team Lotto said it had sent four of their entourage home after two of them tested 'non-negative' for their PCR nasal swab Covid-19 tests.
Any team that has two riders test positive will be expelled from the Tour.
There was an "undeniable resurgence" of the Covid-19 epidemic throughout France, Castex told a press conference, with 39 positive tests per 100,000 population -- four times the level of a month ago, and rising in all age groups.
"We knew it was coming," regional prefect Bernard Gonzalez said.
"We are shifting from tight conditions, to very tight conditions," he said, flanked by Nice mayor Christian Estrosi and Tour de France organiser Christian Prudhomme.
Saturday's Promenade des Anglais start line will allow just 100 spectators, reserved for municipality staff "who worked so hard to get this to happen" Gonzalez said.
There will also be no camper vans or pop-up villages on the summits in the mountains behind Nice on stage two.
"People should stay home and watch on television," Gonzalez said, without going as far as banning people from gathering in their thousands by the roadside.
Anyone involved in the Tour -- riders and the rest of the caravan -- have undergone nasal tests for coronavirus symptoms.
"It's unpleasant (the nasal swab) but necessary. We are all here ready to race after all," Astana's Colombian captain Miguel Angel Lopez told AFP.
The Nice mayor went even further.
"Inside the Tour is where you are most protected from the spread of the virus," said Estrosi.
- Outsprinting Covid-19 -
The Tour de France, however, appears to be succeeding where the Tokyo Olympics and football's Euros failed, in getting their event staged in 2020, albeit late and in reduced circumstances.
The mountainous 21-day race starts Saturday with a run around the outskirts of Nice but avoids the low Alps behind it until stage two, meaning the first stage should end in a mass bunch sprint.
The winner of stage one will wear the overall leader's yellow jersey, but in the long term will be targeting the green jersey awarded to the best sprinter.
Lotto-Soudal's Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan, who stands at 5ft 5in (1.65m), is a red hot favourite to win the opener.
"I feel more pressure than last year at the start of my first Tour de France," says Ewan who won three stages including the clincher on the Champs-Elysees in 2019.
"I've stepped up again another level and I'm ready to take up the challenge on Saturday," said the affable 26-year-old.
"Stage one is not too hard for me.
"The conditions may be rainy and lower temperatures suit me better," said the man from New South Wales, who lives down the coast from Nice in Monaco.
Temperatures Saturday are expected to be around 26C with frequent showers.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-28--Sudan to launch mass polio vaccination after outbreak

Vaccination programmes like this one in Nigeria in 2017 eradicated wild poliovirus in Africa but vaccine-derived polio still poses a threat in many countries Sudan is preparing a mass vaccination campaign against polio after an outbreak , the UN said Friday , days after the declaration of the eradication of wild poliovirus in Africa .
On Tuesday , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) celebrated the announcement that Africa was free of cases of the wild virus that causes the crippling disease , a landmark in a decades-long campaign to eradicate it .
The 13 cases in Sudan are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place in rare cases when the weakened virus in the vaccine mutates , a problem in countries with low immunisation rates and poor sanitation , health experts say .
`` This is the first polio outbreak in Sudan in more than a decade , and has affected nine states across the country , '' the UN 's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA ) in Sudan said .
The first case was recorded on August 9 , and areas affected include the war-ravaged western region of Darfur , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus have been confirmed , '' it added .
The Sudanese health ministry , alongside UN agencies , is planning to vaccinate five million children aged under five .
`` Although Africa was recently declared free of the wild poliovirus ... vaccine-derived polio persists and poses a threat to many countries , '' the statement said .
`` Neighbouring Ethiopia , Central African Republic and Chad also reported cases , which puts more risks on Sudan , especially in the Darfur region , due to border movements . ''
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been massively effective against polio around the world .
Vaccine-derived outbreaks are stopped by using the same health tactics as eradicated wild polio .
That includes the intense monitoring of populations and ensuring high vaccination coverage .
Poliomyelitis -- the medical term for polio -- is an acutely infectious and contagious virus which attacks the spinal cord and causes irreversible paralysis in children .
It is typically spread in the faeces of an infected person and is picked up through contaminated water or food .

Khartoum (AFP) –
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Sudan is preparing a mass vaccination campaign against polio after an outbreak, the UN said Friday, days after the declaration of the eradication of wild poliovirus in Africa.
On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated the announcement that Africa was free of cases of the wild virus that causes the crippling disease, a landmark in a decades-long campaign to eradicate it.
The 13 cases in Sudan are derived from a vaccine, which can take place in rare cases when the weakened virus in the vaccine mutates, a problem in countries with low immunisation rates and poor sanitation, health experts say.
"This is the first polio outbreak in Sudan in more than a decade, and has affected nine states across the country," the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan said.
The first case was recorded on August 9, and areas affected include the war-ravaged western region of Darfur, it said.
"At least 13 cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus have been confirmed," it added.
The Sudanese health ministry, alongside UN agencies, is planning to vaccinate five million children aged under five.
"Although Africa was recently declared free of the wild poliovirus... vaccine-derived polio persists and poses a threat to many countries," the statement said.
"Neighbouring Ethiopia, Central African Republic and Chad also reported cases, which puts more risks on Sudan, especially in the Darfur region, due to border movements."
An oral vaccine given to young children has been massively effective against polio around the world.
Vaccine-derived outbreaks are stopped by using the same health tactics as eradicated wild polio.
That includes the intense monitoring of populations and ensuring high vaccination coverage.
Poliomyelitis -- the medical term for polio -- is an acutely infectious and contagious virus which attacks the spinal cord and causes irreversible paralysis in children.
It is typically spread in the faeces of an infected person and is picked up through contaminated water or food.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-28--Arteta fears virus spike could damage Premier League season

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta fears the spike in Premier League players contracting coronavirus is a sign the forthcoming season might be damaged by the pandemic .
Several top-flight players have tested positive for COVID-19 since returning from holiday ahead of the Premier League campaign 's opening matches on September 12 .
Manchester United star Paul Pogba and Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele were left out of the France squad after positive tests this week .
Arteta was the first Premier League figure to get the virus in March , just days before the 2019-20 term was halted until June .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FA Cup final victory against Chelsea .
But , talking ahead of Saturday 's Community Shield clash with Liverpool , Arteta warned the season could be put at risk if cases continue to climb .
He believes clubs will have to plan for losing players to the virus in the coming months .
Asked if the increased positive results were a sign the season is on a knife-edge , the 38-year-old said : `` Yes , and I think we are going to have many more cases in the future unfortunately .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then that player tests positive , and that positive was a false positive .
`` We are trying to get used to it , get around it , and trying to manage the situation as well as we can .
`` There is not much we can do and we know that there are some uncertainties we can not control at the moment . ''
It is understood the Premier League is not expecting there to be any need to delay the start of the 2020-21 season .
Should clubs feel there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to a virus outbreak , the protocol is that they should approach the league 's board concerning a possible postponement , and issues will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis .
The number of positive cases when the season resumed in June were minimal given players had been training and operating inside of a bubble .
That is different this time round as players travelled abroad on holiday in the off-season before reporting for pre-season duties , the hope being now squads are reassembled , the number of cases will once @ @ @ @

London (AFP) –
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Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta fears the spike in Premier League players contracting coronavirus is a sign the forthcoming season might be damaged by the pandemic.
Several top-flight players have tested positive for COVID-19 since returning from holiday ahead of the Premier League campaign's opening matches on September 12.
Manchester United star Paul Pogba and Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele were left out of the France squad after positive tests this week.
Arteta was the first Premier League figure to get the virus in March, just days before the 2019-20 term was halted until June.
The Spaniard recovered fully and led Arsenal to FA Cup final victory against Chelsea.
But, talking ahead of Saturday's Community Shield clash with Liverpool, Arteta warned the season could be put at risk if cases continue to climb.
He believes clubs will have to plan for losing players to the virus in the coming months.
Asked if the increased positive results were a sign the season is on a knife-edge, the 38-year-old said: "Yes, and I think we are going to have many more cases in the future unfortunately.
"You are just planning to do something and then that player tests positive, and that positive was a false positive.
"We are trying to get used to it, get around it, and trying to manage the situation as well as we can.
"There is not much we can do and we know that there are some uncertainties we cannot control at the moment."
It is understood the Premier League is not expecting there to be any need to delay the start of the 2020-21 season.
Should clubs feel there is an issue with fulfilling a fixture due to a virus outbreak, the protocol is that they should approach the league's board concerning a possible postponement, and issues will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
The number of positive cases when the season resumed in June were minimal given players had been training and operating inside of a bubble.
That is different this time round as players travelled abroad on holiday in the off-season before reporting for pre-season duties, the hope being now squads are reassembled, the number of cases will once again drop off.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-28--US defence chief says China 'destabilising' Pacific

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper ( pictured in Washington on March 4 , 2020 ) accused China of 'destabilising ' the Pacific region US Defense Secretary Mark Esper accused China of `` destabilising '' the Pacific region Friday on a whistle-stop trip to the tiny island nation of Palau .
The visit , which lasted barely three hours , comes as Washington attempts to counter Beijing 's efforts to gain influence in the sparsely populated but strategically important Pacific island nations .
Esper said the United States and Palau shared values of freedom `` where all countries respect the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all nations '' .
`` This is especially important today , as we continue work alongside our allies and partners to protect that international system that is under threat from China and its ongoing destabilising activities in the region , '' he said .
Beijing has enjoyed recent success in the Pacific , persuading the Solomon Islands and Kiribati last year to switch diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China .
That left Palau as one of Taiwan 's four remaining allies in the Pacific and only 15 worldwide .
The nation of 22,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 930 miles ) east of the Philippines , has retained strong ties to Taiwan and the United States under Palau President Tommy Remengesau , despite pressure from China to switch .
Remengesau said China had employed `` aggressive moves '' in the region but he understood why it had won over some island nations .
`` It 's no secret that they are loaning money and putting money into the economies of many Pacific island nations , '' he told reporters .
`` That has an impact on how people view the relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China effectively banned its tourists from visiting Palau in 2018 , severing a major income stream in a move seen as retribution over ties with Taiwan , which Beijing sees as part of its territory to be brought back into the fold .
Esper said he and Remengesau had discussed the need to respect `` sovereignty of nations of all sizes '' .
While Palau is an independent nation , it has no military and the US is responsible for its defence under an agreement with Washington .
Under the deal , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although it currently has no troops stationed there .
A US military radar facility is planned but construction was suspended because of the Covid-19 pandemic , with Palau keen to retain its virus-free status .
Remengesau welcomed US efforts to boost its military presence in Indo-Pacific region .
`` It gives us those of us in Palau a great sense of security and a sense of stability heading into the future , '' he said .

Koror (Palau) (AFP) –
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US Defense Secretary Mark Esper accused China of "destabilising" the Pacific region Friday on a whistle-stop trip to the tiny island nation of Palau.
The visit, which lasted barely three hours, comes as Washington attempts to counter Beijing's efforts to gain influence in the sparsely populated but strategically important Pacific island nations.
Esper said the United States and Palau shared values of freedom "where all countries respect the rules and norms for peace and prosperity of all nations".
"This is especially important today, as we continue work alongside our allies and partners to protect that international system that is under threat from China and its ongoing destabilising activities in the region," he said.
Beijing has enjoyed recent success in the Pacific, persuading the Solomon Islands and Kiribati last year to switch diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China.
That left Palau as one of Taiwan's four remaining allies in the Pacific and only 15 worldwide.
The nation of 22,000, which lies about 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) east of the Philippines, has retained strong ties to Taiwan and the United States under Palau President Tommy Remengesau, despite pressure from China to switch.
Remengesau said China had employed "aggressive moves" in the region but he understood why it had won over some island nations.
"It's no secret that they are loaning money and putting money into the economies of many Pacific island nations," he told reporters.
"That has an impact on how people view the relationship with those who help them."
China effectively banned its tourists from visiting Palau in 2018, severing a major income stream in a move seen as retribution over ties with Taiwan, which Beijing sees as part of its territory to be brought back into the fold.
Esper said he and Remengesau had discussed the need to respect "sovereignty of nations of all sizes".
While Palau is an independent nation, it has no military and the US is responsible for its defence under an agreement with Washington.
Under the deal, the US military has access to the islands, although it currently has no troops stationed there.
A US military radar facility is planned but construction was suspended because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with Palau keen to retain its virus-free status.
Remengesau welcomed US efforts to boost its military presence in Indo-Pacific region.
"It gives us those of us in Palau a great sense of security and a sense of stability heading into the future," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-28--Chelsea sign former PSG captain Thiago Silva

Frank Lampard 's Chelsea makeover gathered pace on Friday with the free transfer signing of former Paris Saint Germain captain Thiago Silva .
Silva , 35 , has agreed an initial one-year contract with the Premier League club , who have the option of extending the deal by a further season .
`` I am so happy to be joining Chelsea .
I am delighted to be a part of Frank Lampard 's exciting squad for next season and I 'm here to challenge for honours , '' Silva told Chelsea 's website .
`` See you soon Chelsea fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stamford Bridge very soon . ''
Silva 's eight years in Paris ended with the 1-0 Champions League final defeat against Bayern Munich in Lisbon last weekend .
The former AC Milan centre-back represents a departure from Chelsea 's usual protocol of focusing major signings yet to reach their peak .
But Lampard moved quickly to bolster a defence that conceded more Premier League goals than any other team in the top 10 .
Silva won seven Ligue 1 titles with PSG and will be expected to provide experience and leadership at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are delighted to be able to add a player of Thiago Silva 's proven world-class credentials to our squad , '' Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said .
`` Having performed at the highest level for many years , we have no doubt his experience and quality will complement the many exciting talents we already have here .
`` Thiago will be an excellent fit and we hope he can add some new trophies to his impressive list of honours . ''
Silva is the latest new arrival at Stamford Bridge as Lampard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top-flight last season , 33 points behind champions Liverpool , and lost the FA Cup final against Arsenal .
Lampard has already signed Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell , Leipzig striker Timo Werner , Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech and former Nice defender Malang Sarr .
Chelsea are also expected to sign Bayer Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz shortly in a £90 million ( $ 119 million ) deal that would take their total spend in the summer window to a Premier League record £230 million .
Lampard 's new recruits could make their debuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brighton on September 14 .

London (AFP) –
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Frank Lampard's Chelsea makeover gathered pace on Friday with the free transfer signing of former Paris Saint Germain captain Thiago Silva.
Silva, 35, has agreed an initial one-year contract with the Premier League club, who have the option of extending the deal by a further season.
"I am so happy to be joining Chelsea. I am delighted to be a part of Frank Lampard's exciting squad for next season and I'm here to challenge for honours," Silva told Chelsea's website.
"See you soon Chelsea fans, I look forward to playing at Stamford Bridge very soon."
Silva's eight years in Paris ended with the 1-0 Champions League final defeat against Bayern Munich in Lisbon last weekend.
The former AC Milan centre-back represents a departure from Chelsea's usual protocol of focusing major signings yet to reach their peak.
But Lampard moved quickly to bolster a defence that conceded more Premier League goals than any other team in the top 10.
Silva won seven Ligue 1 titles with PSG and will be expected to provide experience and leadership at the heart of Lampard's defence.
"We are delighted to be able to add a player of Thiago Silva's proven world-class credentials to our squad," Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said.
"Having performed at the highest level for many years, we have no doubt his experience and quality will complement the many exciting talents we already have here.
"Thiago will be an excellent fit and we hope he can add some new trophies to his impressive list of honours."
Silva is the latest new arrival at Stamford Bridge as Lampard rebuilds a side that finished fourth in the top-flight last season, 33 points behind champions Liverpool, and lost the FA Cup final against Arsenal.
Lampard has already signed Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, Leipzig striker Timo Werner, Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech and former Nice defender Malang Sarr.
Chelsea are also expected to sign Bayer Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz shortly in a £90 million ($119 million) deal that would take their total spend in the summer window to a Premier League record £230 million.
Lampard's new recruits could make their debuts in Chelsea's Premier League opener at Brighton on September 14.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-28--F-35 hiccup on road to Israel-UAE accord

A file photo taken on December 26 , 2018 of an Israeli Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jet , during a graduation ceremony of Israeli air force pilots at the Hatzerim Air Force base in Israel 's Negev desert Amidst all the diplomatic back-slapping , the Israel-UAE accord faces its first hiccup : the possible sale of American F-35s to Abu Dhabi that could challenge the Israeli technological edge in the Middle East .
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed `` our wonderful friend ( US Secretary of State ) Mike '' Pompeo to his Jerusalem office on Monday at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the American-backed August 13 accord .
After a show of common ground on the perceived threat from Iran , the arch-foe of both countries , the Israeli leader turned the focus on US arms sales to the United Arab Emirates .
Israel and the UAE say they want to promote trade , especially the sale of Emirati oil to Israel and Israeli technology to the UAE , establish direct air links and boost tourism .
Netanyahu has denied reports that the UAE deal hinges on the sale of US F-35 stealth warplanes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a move that could reduce Israel 's strategic edge in the region .
`` This deal did not include Israel 's acceptance of any arms deal , '' he said Monday .
Ever since the 1960s , the United States has guaranteed to maintain Israel 's `` qualitative military edge '' in the region .
The policy was enhanced two years ago with a law that Washington must ensure , when selling weapons to another country in the Middle East , that Israel retains the ability to defend itself if the arms were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel has already received a first consignment of F-35s , a fighter also coveted by Gulf powers including the UAE .
Abu Dhabi `` has indicated that it wants the F-35 .
I think the first time was six years ago , so this is something on the table , '' the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs , Anwar Gargash , told US think tank the Atlantic Council .
`` Now the whole idea of , you know , a state of belligerency or war with Israel will no longer exist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... easier , '' he said .
For Yoel Guzansky , a senior analyst at Israel 's Institute for National Security Studies , there is no doubt of the importance of the F-35s .
`` I absolutely think that without the F-35 , the possibility of buying it , they ( the Emiratis ) would n't sign the ( normalisation ) agreement , '' he told AFP .
`` This is a big hurdle to the fulfilment of the agreement , '' he said .
In Israel itself , the political class is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-of-the-art multi-role combat aircraft by the Jewish state 's closest ally .
`` Let me remind you that the US sold Turkey and Iran , before the ( 1979 Islamic ) revolution , very sophisticated weaponry , and now these countries are hostile towards Israel , '' said Guzansky .
`` The UAE is not hostile but things might happen .
Maybe the regime will fall , '' he said , also pointing to concerns over espionage by neighbouring Iran , which has a large expatriate community in the UAE .
Experts believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satisfaction of both Israel and the UAE , and ultimately Saudi Arabia , a longtime customer of US armaments .
`` Although this is not really public , from what I understand arrangements are being made that the version that the Arab country gets is not the absolute latest version , '' said Joshua Teitelbaum , a Gulf specialist at Israel 's Bar-Ilan University .
`` I think there are certain arrangements in all these cases that in the end Israel is satisfied , '' he said , referring to past behind-the-scenes accords @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia and Israel .
Standing alongside Netanyahu , Pompeo said Washington has ways to service its Arab and Jewish allies at the same time .
`` The United States has a legal requirement with respect to ( Israel 's ) qualitative military edge .
We will continue to honour that , '' he said .
But Washington would `` continue to make sure that we 're delivering them ( the UAE ) the equipment that they need to secure and defend their own people '' against Iran .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
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Amidst all the diplomatic back-slapping, the Israel-UAE accord faces its first hiccup: the possible sale of American F-35s to Abu Dhabi that could challenge the Israeli technological edge in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed "our wonderful friend (US Secretary of State) Mike" Pompeo to his Jerusalem office on Monday at the start of a regional tour inspired by the American-backed August 13 accord.
After a show of common ground on the perceived threat from Iran, the arch-foe of both countries, the Israeli leader turned the focus on US arms sales to the United Arab Emirates.
Israel and the UAE say they want to promote trade, especially the sale of Emirati oil to Israel and Israeli technology to the UAE, establish direct air links and boost tourism.
Netanyahu has denied reports that the UAE deal hinges on the sale of US F-35 stealth warplanes to the Emirates, saying he opposes a move that could reduce Israel's strategic edge in the region.
"This deal did not include Israel's acceptance of any arms deal," he said Monday.
Ever since the 1960s, the United States has guaranteed to maintain Israel's "qualitative military edge" in the region.
The policy was enhanced two years ago with a law that Washington must ensure, when selling weapons to another country in the Middle East, that Israel retains the ability to defend itself if the arms were to fall into the wrong hands.
- 'Should be easier' -
Israel has already received a first consignment of F-35s, a fighter also coveted by Gulf powers including the UAE.
Abu Dhabi "has indicated that it wants the F-35. I think the first time was six years ago, so this is something on the table," the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, told US think tank the Atlantic Council.
"Now the whole idea of, you know, a state of belligerency or war with Israel will no longer exist. So I think it should be... easier," he said.
For Yoel Guzansky, a senior analyst at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, there is no doubt of the importance of the F-35s.
"I absolutely think that without the F-35, the possibility of buying it, they (the Emiratis) wouldn't sign the (normalisation) agreement," he told AFP.
"This is a big hurdle to the fulfilment of the agreement," he said.
In Israel itself, the political class is divided over the possible sale of the state-of-the-art multi-role combat aircraft by the Jewish state's closest ally.
"Let me remind you that the US sold Turkey and Iran, before the (1979 Islamic) revolution, very sophisticated weaponry, and now these countries are hostile towards Israel," said Guzansky.
"The UAE is not hostile but things might happen. Maybe the regime will fall," he said, also pointing to concerns over espionage by neighbouring Iran, which has a large expatriate community in the UAE.
- 'Certain arrangements' -
Experts believe a deal can be struck to the satisfaction of both Israel and the UAE, and ultimately Saudi Arabia, a longtime customer of US armaments.
"Although this is not really public, from what I understand arrangements are being made that the version that the Arab country gets is not the absolute latest version," said Joshua Teitelbaum, a Gulf specialist at Israel's Bar-Ilan University.
"I think there are certain arrangements in all these cases that in the end Israel is satisfied," he said, referring to past behind-the-scenes accords on the sale of American F-15s to Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Standing alongside Netanyahu, Pompeo said Washington has ways to service its Arab and Jewish allies at the same time.
"The United States has a legal requirement with respect to (Israel's) qualitative military edge. We will continue to honour that," he said.
But Washington would "continue to make sure that we're delivering them (the UAE) the equipment that they need to secure and defend their own people" against Iran.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-28--India battles black market in used gloves and masks

Police say 35 tonnes of gloves used at hospitals were ready to be sold Indian police are battling a booming black market in used face masks and surgical gloves scavenged in some cases from hospital refuse tips , as people scramble for cheap coronavirus protection .
Police in the western city of Navi Mumbai said Friday that one gang had recovered 3.8 million pieces of refurbished single-use surgical gloves that were washed , dried and packed ready for sale .
`` They sourced nearly 35 tonnes of used gloves from different hospitals and were preparing to sell it to dealers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subhash Nikam told AFP .
`` They had managed to sell 6,000 to 10,000 pieces and were in touch with several buyers for the rest of the consignment , '' he said .
The four accused are facing initial charges of cheating and endangering lives by spreading a communicable disease .
Demand for personal protection equipment has soared in the country of 1.3 billion people , which on Friday saw the official tally of coronavirus infections hit 3.4 million with over 60,000 deaths .
Many experts say that with India not testing enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the real toll could be considerably higher .
Several antibody tests have borne this out .
Many Indians though can not afford proper PPE and use cheap alternatives including a handkerchief or scarf wrapped around the mouth and nose .
Health authorities in the eastern state of Bihar said they too have busted several gangs in recent months involved in selling used facemasks collected from hospital dump-yards .
Thousands of masks have been seized that were washed and repacked before being sold to dealers across cities at cheap prices , the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raids in the state after receiving tip-offs about the sale of used facemasks , ” an official from Bihar 's health ministry said .
The illegal business is at a very small scale , he added , but poses a serious health hazard at a time when the country is reeling under the pandemic .
The virus spread had also fuelled a market for sub-standard sanitisers .
India had briefly faced a shortage of personal protection equipment before it imposed an export ban to meet the rising domestic demand , including from front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic India had a huge market for discarded medical equipment , including disposable syringes that have been long blamed for spread of infections like HIV and hepatitis .

New Delhi (AFP) –
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Indian police are battling a booming black market in used face masks and surgical gloves scavenged in some cases from hospital refuse tips, as people scramble for cheap coronavirus protection.
Police in the western city of Navi Mumbai said Friday that one gang had recovered 3.8 million pieces of refurbished single-use surgical gloves that were washed, dried and packed ready for sale.
"They sourced nearly 35 tonnes of used gloves from different hospitals and were preparing to sell it to dealers at throwaway prices," investigating officer Subhash Nikam told AFP.
"They had managed to sell 6,000 to 10,000 pieces and were in touch with several buyers for the rest of the consignment," he said.
The four accused are facing initial charges of cheating and endangering lives by spreading a communicable disease.
Demand for personal protection equipment has soared in the country of 1.3 billion people, which on Friday saw the official tally of coronavirus infections hit 3.4 million with over 60,000 deaths.
Many experts say that with India not testing enough people and many deaths not properly recorded, the real toll could be considerably higher. Several antibody tests have borne this out.
- Cheap alternative -
Many Indians though cannot afford proper PPE and use cheap alternatives including a handkerchief or scarf wrapped around the mouth and nose.
Health authorities in the eastern state of Bihar said they too have busted several gangs in recent months involved in selling used facemasks collected from hospital dump-yards.
Thousands of masks have been seized that were washed and repacked before being sold to dealers across cities at cheap prices, the official said.
"We have conducted several raids in the state after receiving tip-offs about the sale of used facemasks,” an official from Bihar's health ministry said.
The illegal business is at a very small scale, he added, but poses a serious health hazard at a time when the country is reeling under the pandemic.
The virus spread had also fuelled a market for sub-standard sanitisers.
India had briefly faced a shortage of personal protection equipment before it imposed an export ban to meet the rising domestic demand, including from front line coronavirus workers.
Even before the pandemic India had a huge market for discarded medical equipment, including disposable syringes that have been long blamed for spread of infections like HIV and hepatitis.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-28--Bottas edges Hamilton as Mercedes top opening Belgian practice

Birthday boost : Valtteri Bottas was fastest in the first session at Spa-Francorchamps , ahead of the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix .
Valtteri Bottas outpaced team-mate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton by less than a tenth of a second as Mercedes topped Friday 's opening free practice for this weekend 's Belgian Grand Prix .
On his 31st birthday , the Finn maintained his habit of being quickest in the first session for a third straight event , with a best lap in one minute and 44.493 seconds to pip the six-time champion by 0.069sec .
Max Verstappen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third for Red Bull ahead of the Racing Points of Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll with Alex Albon sixth in the second Red Bull .
Esteban Ocon was seventh for Renault ahead of Carlos Sainz in the leading McLaren , his Renault team-mate Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris in the second McLaren .
On a cool day , last year 's winner Charles Leclerc and his Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel were unable to impress as they wound up only 14th and 15th with their opening-session laps .
Verstappen was quickest in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions , the Dutchman showing the early potential of his Red Bull around the majestic Ardennes circuit before the two Mercedes men showed their power .
Hamilton took top spot .
He was succeeded by Albon , demonstrating stronger form than during some recent sessions .
The 'black arrows ' responded , Bottas marking his birthday by outpacing Albon and the defending world champion .
On a disappointing day for Ferrari , their engine customer teams were also in difficulties with both Haas drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen had power unit problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alfa Romeo 's Antonio Giovinazzi .

Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) (AFP) –
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Valtteri Bottas outpaced team-mate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton by less than a tenth of a second as Mercedes topped Friday's opening free practice for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.
On his 31st birthday, the Finn maintained his habit of being quickest in the first session for a third straight event, with a best lap in one minute and 44.493 seconds to pip the six-time champion by 0.069sec.
Max Verstappen, just 0.081 off the pace, was third for Red Bull ahead of the Racing Points of Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll with Alex Albon sixth in the second Red Bull.
Esteban Ocon was seventh for Renault ahead of Carlos Sainz in the leading McLaren, his Renault team-mate Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris in the second McLaren.
On a cool day, last year's winner Charles Leclerc and his Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel were unable to impress as they wound up only 14th and 15th with their opening-session laps.
Verstappen was quickest in the early stages of a session run in overcast conditions, the Dutchman showing the early potential of his Red Bull around the majestic Ardennes circuit before the two Mercedes men showed their power.
Hamilton took top spot. He was succeeded by Albon, demonstrating stronger form than during some recent sessions. The 'black arrows' responded, Bottas marking his birthday by outpacing Albon and the defending world champion.
On a disappointing day for Ferrari, their engine customer teams were also in difficulties with both Haas drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen had power unit problems and failed to set times along with Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi.
str/pb
© 2020 AFP