france24--2020-12-14--US takes Sudan off sponsors of terror blacklist

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ( L ) greets Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok ( R ) in Khartoum during a visit to Sudan 's capital in August The United States has formally removed Sudan from its state sponsors of terrorism blacklist , its Khartoum embassy said Monday , less than two months after the East African nation pledged to normalise ties with Israel .
The move opens the way for aid , debt relief and investment to a country going though a rocky political transition and struggling under a severe economic crisis exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic .
US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was delisting Sudan , 27 years after Washington first put the country on its blacklist for harbouring Islamist militants .
`` The congressional notification period of 45 days has lapsed and the Secretary of State has signed a notification stating rescission of Sudan 's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation , '' the US embassy said on Facebook , adding that the measure `` is effective as of today '' .
In response to the move , Sudan 's army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan -- who doubles as the head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest executive authority -- offered his `` congratulations to the Sudanese people '' .
`` It was a task accomplished ... in the spirit of the December revolution '' , he said on Twitter , referring to a landmark month in 2018 when protests erupted against dictator Omar al-Bashir .
Bashir was deposed by the military in April 2019 , four months into the demonstrations against his iron-fisted rule and 30 years after an Islamist backed coup had brought him to power .
Sudan 's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok also welcomed Washington 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that it means `` our beloved country ... ( is ) relieved from the international and global siege '' provoked by Bashir 's behaviour .
The removal of the designation `` contributes to reforming the economy , attracting investments and remittances of our citizens abroad through official channels '' and creates new job opportunities for youth , the premier said .
As part of a deal , Sudan agreed to pay $ 335 million to compensate survivors and victims ' families from the twin 1998 al-Qaeda attacks on US embassies in Kenya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the jihadist group on the USS Cole off Yemen 's coast .
Those attacks were carried out after Bashir had allowed then al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden sanctuary in Sudan .
Sudan in October became the third Arab country in as many months to pledge that it would normalise relations with Israel , after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain .
The transitional government 's pledge came amid a concerted campaign by the Trump administration to persuade Arab nations to recognise the Jewish state , and it has been widely perceived as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sudan from its terror blacklist .
But unlike the UAE and Bahrain , Sudan has yet to agree a formal deal with Israel , amid wrangling within the fractious transitional power structure over the move .
The first major evidence of engagement between Sudan 's interim authorities and Israel came in February , when Burhan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Uganda .
In late November , a spokesman for the Sovereign Council , comprised of military and civilian figures , confirmed that an Israeli delegation had visited Khartoum earlier in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , council spokesman Mohamed al-Faki Suleiman had said `` we did not announce it at the time because it was not a major visit or of a political nature '' .
Sudan 's transition has lately displayed signs of internal strain .
Burhan last week blasted the transitional institutions , formed in August 2019 after months of further street protests demanding the post-Bashir military share power with civilians .
`` The transitional council has failed to respond to the aspirations of the people and of the revolution , '' Burhan charged while also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump sent his notice to remove Sudan from the terror blacklist to Congress on October 26 .
Under US law , a country exits the list after 45 days unless Congress objects , which it has not .
Families of victims of the September 11 , 2001 attacks had called on lawmakers to reject the State Department 's proposal , saying they want to pursue legal action against Sudan .

Khartoum (Sudan) (AFP) –
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The United States has formally removed Sudan from its state sponsors of terrorism blacklist, its Khartoum embassy said Monday, less than two months after the East African nation pledged to normalise ties with Israel.
The move opens the way for aid, debt relief and investment to a country going though a rocky political transition and struggling under a severe economic crisis exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
US President Donald Trump had announced in October that he was delisting Sudan, 27 years after Washington first put the country on its blacklist for harbouring Islamist militants.
"The congressional notification period of 45 days has lapsed and the Secretary of State has signed a notification stating rescission of Sudan's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation," the US embassy said on Facebook, adding that the measure "is effective as of today".
In response to the move, Sudan's army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan -- who doubles as the head of the Sovereign Council, the country's highest executive authority -- offered his "congratulations to the Sudanese people".
"It was a task accomplished... in the spirit of the December revolution", he said on Twitter, referring to a landmark month in 2018 when protests erupted against dictator Omar al-Bashir.
Bashir was deposed by the military in April 2019, four months into the demonstrations against his iron-fisted rule and 30 years after an Islamist backed coup had brought him to power.
- 'Global siege lifted' -
Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok also welcomed Washington's move in a post on Facebook, noting that it means "our beloved country... (is) relieved from the international and global siege" provoked by Bashir's behaviour.
The removal of the designation "contributes to reforming the economy, attracting investments and remittances of our citizens abroad through official channels" and creates new job opportunities for youth, the premier said.
As part of a deal, Sudan agreed to pay $335 million to compensate survivors and victims' families from the twin 1998 al-Qaeda attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and a 2000 attack by the jihadist group on the USS Cole off Yemen's coast.
Those attacks were carried out after Bashir had allowed then al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden sanctuary in Sudan.
Sudan in October became the third Arab country in as many months to pledge that it would normalise relations with Israel, after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The transitional government's pledge came amid a concerted campaign by the Trump administration to persuade Arab nations to recognise the Jewish state, and it has been widely perceived as a quid pro quo for Washington removing Sudan from its terror blacklist.
But unlike the UAE and Bahrain, Sudan has yet to agree a formal deal with Israel, amid wrangling within the fractious transitional power structure over the move.
- Cracks in transition -
The first major evidence of engagement between Sudan's interim authorities and Israel came in February, when Burhan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Uganda.
In late November, a spokesman for the Sovereign Council, comprised of military and civilian figures, confirmed that an Israeli delegation had visited Khartoum earlier in the month.
Seeking to downplay the visit, council spokesman Mohamed al-Faki Suleiman had said "we did not announce it at the time because it was not a major visit or of a political nature".
Sudan's transition has lately displayed signs of internal strain. Burhan last week blasted the transitional institutions, formed in August 2019 after months of further street protests demanding the post-Bashir military share power with civilians.
"The transitional council has failed to respond to the aspirations of the people and of the revolution," Burhan charged while also lauding the integrity of the military.
Trump sent his notice to remove Sudan from the terror blacklist to Congress on October 26. Under US law, a country exits the list after 45 days unless Congress objects, which it has not.
Families of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks had called on lawmakers to reject the State Department's proposal, saying they want to pursue legal action against Sudan.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--EU's Barnier sees 'some progress' in Brexit talks

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday signalled `` some progress '' in talks on a post-Brexit trade deal @ @ @ @ @ but differences remain on key sticking points .
FRANCE 24 's International Affairs Editor Philip @ @ @

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france24--2020-12-14--Singapore approves Pfizer-BioNTech virus vaccine

Singapore has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine and is also going to ease virus curbs from December 28 Singapore has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine , and expects to receive the first shipments of the shots by the end of December , the prime minister said Monday .
The city-state joins a handful of other countries around the world , including Britain and the United States , which have approved the jab .
Singapore hopes to have enough vaccines for its 5.7 million population by the third quarter of 2021 , Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a televised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those at most risk , such as health care workers , the elderly and vulnerable .
Vaccination would be voluntary , Lee said , but he was `` strongly '' encouraging people to get the shot .
`` Because when you get yourself vaccinated , you are not just protecting yourself .
You are also doing your part to protect others , especially your loved ones , '' he said .
Lee also announced a further easing of virus curbs from December 28 as Singapore 's outbreak slows markedly , with weeks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people who can gather outside their homes and the number of visitors a household can host will be raised from five to eight , he said .
The number of people allowed in shopping malls , places of worship and attractions such as museums will also be raised .
Singapore initially kept Covid-19 in check through rigorous contact tracing but the virus later swept through dormitories housing low-paid migrant workers , prompting authorities to implement a partial lockdown .
Many businesses and schools were allowed re-open in June but Monday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for months .
But Lee warned the situation was volatile and urged residents to continue to keep their guard up .
`` This is absolutely not the time to relax and let our guard down , or to hold a big party imagining the problem has disappeared , '' he said .
Singapore has reported more than 58,000 cases and 29 deaths .
While the city-state 's borders remain closed to most international visitors , life has slowly been returning to normal for many .

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Singapore has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, and expects to receive the first shipments of the shots by the end of December, the prime minister said Monday.
The city-state joins a handful of other countries around the world, including Britain and the United States, which have approved the jab.
Singapore hopes to have enough vaccines for its 5.7 million population by the third quarter of 2021, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a televised address.
Priority will be given to those at most risk, such as health care workers, the elderly and vulnerable.
Vaccination would be voluntary, Lee said, but he was "strongly" encouraging people to get the shot.
"Because when you get yourself vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself. You are also doing your part to protect others, especially your loved ones," he said.
Lee also announced a further easing of virus curbs from December 28 as Singapore's outbreak slows markedly, with weeks of barely any local transmissions.
The maximum number of people who can gather outside their homes and the number of visitors a household can host will be raised from five to eight, he said.
The number of people allowed in shopping malls, places of worship and attractions such as museums will also be raised.
Singapore initially kept Covid-19 in check through rigorous contact tracing but the virus later swept through dormitories housing low-paid migrant workers, prompting authorities to implement a partial lockdown.
Many businesses and schools were allowed re-open in June but Monday's announcement is the biggest easing of curbs for months.
But Lee warned the situation was volatile and urged residents to continue to keep their guard up.
"This is absolutely not the time to relax and let our guard down, or to hold a big party imagining the problem has disappeared," he said.
Singapore has reported more than 58,000 cases and 29 deaths.
While the city-state's borders remain closed to most international visitors, life has slowly been returning to normal for many.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--US government says agencies hit by massive cyberattack

Numerous US government departments , including the Treasury , were hit by cyberattacks The US government issued an emergency directive to federal agencies in the wake of a major cyberattack , as multiple media outlets reported at least two departments -- including the Treasury -- had been targeted by hackers with ties to Russia .
In a statement Sunday , the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) said it had ordered federal agencies to immediately stop using SolarWinds Orion IT products following reports that hackers had used a recent update to gain access to internal communications .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Management Products poses unacceptable risks to the security of federal networks , '' said CISA Acting Director Brandon Wales .
`` Tonight ’ s directive is intended to mitigate potential compromises within federal civilian networks ... we urge all our partners—in the public and private sectors—to assess their exposure to this compromise and to secure their networks , '' he added .
The US government earlier Sunday admitted its computer networks had been hit by a cyberattack .
`` We have been working closely with our agency partners regarding recently discovered activity on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told AFP .
`` CISA is providing technical assistance to affected entities as they work to identify and mitigate any potential compromises . ''
IT company SolarWinds over the weekend admitted that hackers had exploited a backdoor in an update of some of its software released between March and June .
`` We have been advised this attack was likely conducted by an outside nation state and intended to be a narrow , extremely targeted , and manually executed attack , as opposed to a broad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its website .
The hacks are part of a wider campaign that also hit major cybersecurity firm FireEye , which said its own defenses had been breached by sophisticated attackers who stole tools used to test customers ' computer systems .
FireEye said it suspected the attack was state-sponsored , and warned it could have affected numerous high profile targets across the globe .
`` Victims have included government , consulting , technology , telecom and extractive entities in North America , Europe , Asia and the Middle East , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users to what it described as a sophisticated campaign aimed at `` high value targets '' in government and cybersecurity and which it said represented `` nation-state activity at significant scale . ''
US media reports said the FBI was investigating a group working for the Russian foreign intelligence service , SVR , and that breaches had been taking place for months .
`` The United States government is aware of these reports and we are taking all necessary steps to identify and remedy any possible issues related to this situation , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia 's embassy in the US hit back late Sunday against what it said were the `` unfounded '' media claims that the Kremlin was involved in the attacks .
`` Malicious activities in the information space contradicts the principles of the Russian foreign policy , national interests and our understanding of interstate relations , '' the embassy said in a statement on its official Facebook page .
`` Russia does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain . ''

Washington (AFP) –
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The US government issued an emergency directive to federal agencies in the wake of a major cyberattack, as multiple media outlets reported at least two departments -- including the Treasury -- had been targeted by hackers with ties to Russia.
In a statement Sunday, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said it had ordered federal agencies to immediately stop using SolarWinds Orion IT products following reports that hackers had used a recent update to gain access to internal communications.
"The compromise of SolarWinds' Orion Network Management Products poses unacceptable risks to the security of federal networks," said CISA Acting Director Brandon Wales.
"Tonight’s directive is intended to mitigate potential compromises within federal civilian networks... we urge all our partners—in the public and private sectors—to assess their exposure to this compromise and to secure their networks," he added.
The US government earlier Sunday admitted its computer networks had been hit by a cyberattack.
"We have been working closely with our agency partners regarding recently discovered activity on government networks," a spokesperson for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told AFP.
"CISA is providing technical assistance to affected entities as they work to identify and mitigate any potential compromises."
IT company SolarWinds over the weekend admitted that hackers had exploited a backdoor in an update of some of its software released between March and June.
"We have been advised this attack was likely conducted by an outside nation state and intended to be a narrow, extremely targeted, and manually executed attack, as opposed to a broad, system-wide attack," the firm said on its website.
The hacks are part of a wider campaign that also hit major cybersecurity firm FireEye, which said its own defenses had been breached by sophisticated attackers who stole tools used to test customers' computer systems.
FireEye said it suspected the attack was state-sponsored, and warned it could have affected numerous high profile targets across the globe.
"Victims have included government, consulting, technology, telecom and extractive entities in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East," the firm said.
Microsoft also alerted its users to what it described as a sophisticated campaign aimed at "high value targets" in government and cybersecurity and which it said represented "nation-state activity at significant scale."
US media reports said the FBI was investigating a group working for the Russian foreign intelligence service, SVR, and that breaches had been taking place for months.
"The United States government is aware of these reports and we are taking all necessary steps to identify and remedy any possible issues related to this situation," National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said.
Russia's embassy in the US hit back late Sunday against what it said were the "unfounded" media claims that the Kremlin was involved in the attacks.
"Malicious activities in the information space contradicts the principles of the Russian foreign policy, national interests and our understanding of interstate relations," the embassy said in a statement on its official Facebook page.
"Russia does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--Liverpool mourn death of former manager Houllier

Premier League champions Liverpool said they were `` deeply saddened '' by the loss of treble-winning manager , Gerard Houllier @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
Paris Saint-Germain and Lens confirmed the death of Houllier , who managed @ @ @ @ @ .
He was also France national coach from 1992 to 1993 .
The Frenchman led @ @ @ @ @ League Cup , FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2000/01 and returned the club to @ @ @ @ @ The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Gerard ’ s family and @ @ @ @ @ club said in a statement .
`` Rest in peace , Gerard Houllier 1947-2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ who recovered from life-saving heart surgery during the 2001/02 campaign to return to the dugout @ @ @ @ @ a second League Cup triumph .
He left the following year after overseeing 307 matches @ @ @ @ @ as a modern force .

London (AFP) –
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Premier League champions Liverpool said they were "deeply saddened" by the loss of treble-winning manager, Gerard Houllier after his death was announced on Monday.
Paris Saint-Germain and Lens confirmed the death of Houllier, who managed Liverpool from 1998 to 2004. He was also France national coach from 1992 to 1993.
The Frenchman led Liverpool to a treble of League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2000/01 and returned the club to the Champions League.
"The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Gerard’s family and many friends," the club said in a statement. "Rest in peace, Gerard Houllier 1947-2020."
Houllier, 73, who recovered from life-saving heart surgery during the 2001/02 campaign to return to the dugout, later guided Liverpool to a second League Cup triumph.
He left the following year after overseeing 307 matches and successfully re-establishing the club as a modern force.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-15--Hooper wins John Eales Medal as Australia's top player

Australia 's Michael Hooper , seen here running with the ball against New Zealand in Brisbane last month , has won the John Eales Medal for the third time Michael Hooper was named Australian rugby union 's best player by his peers Tuesday , taking out his third John Eales Medal despite a poor season by the Wallabies under his captaincy .
The 29-year-old flanker , who is heading for a six-month stint with Japanese Top League side Toyota Verblitz in the new year , won back the award from wing Marika Koroibete , who came second .
Veteran prop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of scrum-half Nic White and versatile back Reece Hodge .
`` Michael is an incredible rugby player , an outstanding captain and an excellent leader on-and-off the field , '' said Rugby Australia interim chief Rob Clarke .
`` The way he conducts himself is a credit to him and the values he lives his life by , and we congratulate him on his achievement . ''
The awards capped a disappointing coronavirus-shortened Test season for Australia under new coach Davie Rennie , which ended with just one win and three draws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's captaincy questioned in the media , forcing him to defend his tactics and leadership .
In other awards Queensland Reds prop Taniela Tupou , known as `` Tongan Thor '' , was named Australian Super Rugby player of the year while teammate and back-row forward Harry Wilson won the Rookie of the Year .

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Michael Hooper was named Australian rugby union's best player by his peers Tuesday, taking out his third John Eales Medal despite a poor season by the Wallabies under his captaincy.
The 29-year-old flanker, who is heading for a six-month stint with Japanese Top League side Toyota Verblitz in the new year, won back the award from wing Marika Koroibete, who came second.
Veteran prop James Slipper was third in the voting ahead of scrum-half Nic White and versatile back Reece Hodge.
"Michael is an incredible rugby player, an outstanding captain and an excellent leader on-and-off the field," said Rugby Australia interim chief Rob Clarke.
"The way he conducts himself is a credit to him and the values he lives his life by, and we congratulate him on his achievement."
The awards capped a disappointing coronavirus-shortened Test season for Australia under new coach Davie Rennie, which ended with just one win and three draws from six internationals.
It saw Hooper's captaincy questioned in the media, forcing him to defend his tactics and leadership.
In other awards Queensland Reds prop Taniela Tupou, known as "Tongan Thor", was named Australian Super Rugby player of the year while teammate and back-row forward Harry Wilson won the Rookie of the Year.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-15--Iraqis shed masks as economic pain overshadows virus fear

In a war-scarred country burdened by rising job losses and deepening poverty , a majority of citizens seem to have shrugged off the global public health crisis While much of the world fears Covid-19 , Iraqis have mostly stopped wearing facemasks as they worry more about the pandemic 's economic impact than the virus itself .
In a war-scarred country burdened by rising job losses and deepening poverty , a majority of citizens seem to have shrugged off the global public health crisis .
In one Baghdad pharmacy , cartons of surgical masks , transparent face shields and disinfectant bottles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at slashed prices .
`` There 's a general sense that the pandemic has died down and that has led to being people negligent , '' said Nafea Firas , 23 , who works at the pharmacy in the capital 's Zayuna district .
Most Iraqis ' minds are now far more focussed on the economic hardship caused by plummeting oil revenues and huge delays in payments of state salaries and pensions .
The poverty rate has jumped from 20 percent to 31.7 percent this year , said a recent joint study by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the World Bank .
Meanwhile infection rates and deaths have indeed fallen , according to health ministry data , in an encouraging trend epidemiologists struggle to explain .
Out of 30,000 tests on December 12 , only about 1,000 were positive , down from over 5,000 in a single day in September .
The daily death toll fell to 16 from about 70 three months ago .
As Iraq worries less about the coronavirus , most people who entered Firas 's pharmacy ignored a sign asking them to cover their faces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A rare customer who did wear a mask , a retired soldier , told AFP that `` when I walk the streets with my wife and we 're both wearing masks , people look at us as if we 're doing something wrong '' .
Iraq recorded its first Covid-19 cases in February and imposed a full lockdown the following month , with airports , land borders , schools , government offices and all public gathering places shuttered until the summer .
Authorities announced a 50,000 dinar ( about $ 35 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was barely enforced .
At the same time , the government has struggled with its worst financial crisis in decades , as oil prices fell sharply .
The state was no longer able to pay its employees or pensioners on time , leaving the livelihoods of entire families hanging in the balance .
Firas , at the pharmacy , said he favours enforcing mask use with fines but acknowledged that `` the state would n't be able to impose it , particularly in the lower-income neighbourhoods .
`` And fines would hurt vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that large families simply could not afford the masks , disinfectant spray and other hygiene products , even at their reduced prices .
`` Abiding by all these hygiene protocols would require financial capabilities that the poor simply do n't have , '' he told AFP .
Efforts to help the poor have meanwhile been hampered by Iraq 's infamous bureaucracy .
Some 200,000 sets of masks and gloves have been stuck at a southern Iraqi port since August due to paperwork delays at the customs authority , a senior official from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told AFP .
`` These are to protect the people who ca n't afford buying masks or gloves -- the most in need , who live in crowded places where physical distancing or water and soap are not available enough , '' the official said .
Firas recalled similar delays in the early days of the pandemic .
He told AFP there were only two groups of people in Iraq who were known to be committed to use of the medical masks .
First , anti-government protesters who hit the streets last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tear gas fired by security forces .
`` I used to carry hundreds of masks and distribute them in Tahrir Square , '' Firas said .
The other group , he said , were families with young children who doubled down on hygiene protocols as Iraqi schools reopened in late November after a two-month closure , causing a temporary rise in mask sales .
`` At least parents are concerned about the health of their kids , '' he said .

Baghdad (AFP) –
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While much of the world fears Covid-19, Iraqis have mostly stopped wearing facemasks as they worry more about the pandemic's economic impact than the virus itself.
In a war-scarred country burdened by rising job losses and deepening poverty, a majority of citizens seem to have shrugged off the global public health crisis.
In one Baghdad pharmacy, cartons of surgical masks, transparent face shields and disinfectant bottles have piled up despite being on sale at slashed prices.
"There's a general sense that the pandemic has died down and that has led to being people negligent," said Nafea Firas, 23, who works at the pharmacy in the capital's Zayuna district.
Most Iraqis' minds are now far more focussed on the economic hardship caused by plummeting oil revenues and huge delays in payments of state salaries and pensions.
The poverty rate has jumped from 20 percent to 31.7 percent this year, said a recent joint study by the United Nations children's agency UNICEF and the World Bank.
Meanwhile infection rates and deaths have indeed fallen, according to health ministry data, in an encouraging trend epidemiologists struggle to explain.
Out of 30,000 tests on December 12, only about 1,000 were positive, down from over 5,000 in a single day in September. The daily death toll fell to 16 from about 70 three months ago.
As Iraq worries less about the coronavirus, most people who entered Firas's pharmacy ignored a sign asking them to cover their faces, or a disinfectant dispenser at the door.
A rare customer who did wear a mask, a retired soldier, told AFP that "when I walk the streets with my wife and we're both wearing masks, people look at us as if we're doing something wrong".
- 'Vulnerable hurt most' -
Iraq recorded its first Covid-19 cases in February and imposed a full lockdown the following month, with airports, land borders, schools, government offices and all public gathering places shuttered until the summer.
Authorities announced a 50,000 dinar (about $35) fine for unmasked commuters, but it was barely enforced.
At the same time, the government has struggled with its worst financial crisis in decades, as oil prices fell sharply.
The state was no longer able to pay its employees or pensioners on time, leaving the livelihoods of entire families hanging in the balance.
Firas, at the pharmacy, said he favours enforcing mask use with fines but acknowledged that "the state wouldn't be able to impose it, particularly in the lower-income neighbourhoods.
"And fines would hurt vulnerable people more."
A Baghdad grocer said that large families simply could not afford the masks, disinfectant spray and other hygiene products, even at their reduced prices.
"Abiding by all these hygiene protocols would require financial capabilities that the poor simply don't have," he told AFP.
- Masks against teargas -
Efforts to help the poor have meanwhile been hampered by Iraq's infamous bureaucracy.
Some 200,000 sets of masks and gloves have been stuck at a southern Iraqi port since August due to paperwork delays at the customs authority, a senior official from the International Federation of the Red Cross told AFP.
"These are to protect the people who can't afford buying masks or gloves -- the most in need, who live in crowded places where physical distancing or water and soap are not available enough," the official said.
Firas recalled similar delays in the early days of the pandemic.
He told AFP there were only two groups of people in Iraq who were known to be committed to use of the medical masks.
First, anti-government protesters who hit the streets last year donned the masks to protect themselves from tear gas fired by security forces.
"I used to carry hundreds of masks and distribute them in Tahrir Square," Firas said.
The other group, he said, were families with young children who doubled down on hygiene protocols as Iraqi schools reopened in late November after a two-month closure, causing a temporary rise in mask sales.
"At least parents are concerned about the health of their kids," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-15--California wants pandemic cases info from Amazon

The state of California has accused Amazon of failing to adequately comply with subpoenas demanding details about coronavirus cases and protocols at its facilities California on Monday accused Amazon of failing to adequately comply with subpoenas demanding details about coronavirus cases and protocols at its facilities here .
State attorney general Xavier Becerra filed a petition calling on a California judge to order the e-commerce colossus to provide the information being sought , according to his office .
`` It 's critical to know if these workers are receiving the protections on the job that they are entitled to under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to Amazon employees in California .
`` Amazon has delayed responding adequately to our investigative requests long enough . ''
The petition to the court argues that the e-commerce giant has not provided information being sought as part of an investigation into Amazon 's coronavirus protocols and the status of COVID-19 cases at its facilities .
Subpoenas were issued by the California department of justice four months ago , according to Becerra .
`` We 're puzzled by the Attorney General 's sudden rush to court because we 've been working cooperatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their demands do n't line up with the facts , '' Amazon said in response to an AFP inquiry .
`` The bottom line is that we 're a leader in providing COVID-19 safety measures for our employees – we 've invested billions of dollars in equipment and technology , including building on-site testing for employees and providing personal protective equipment . ''
Information sought by state attorneys included Amazon sick leave policies and cleaning procedures , as well as raw data on the number of infections and deaths at their facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen sales , and pressure on its logistics network to deliver , soar during the pandemic as people shop online to reduce health risk .

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California on Monday accused Amazon of failing to adequately comply with subpoenas demanding details about coronavirus cases and protocols at its facilities here.
State attorney general Xavier Becerra filed a petition calling on a California judge to order the e-commerce colossus to provide the information being sought, according to his office.
"It's critical to know if these workers are receiving the protections on the job that they are entitled to under the law," Becerra said, referring to Amazon employees in California.
"Amazon has delayed responding adequately to our investigative requests long enough."
The petition to the court argues that the e-commerce giant has not provided information being sought as part of an investigation into Amazon's coronavirus protocols and the status of COVID-19 cases at its facilities.
Subpoenas were issued by the California department of justice four months ago, according to Becerra.
"We're puzzled by the Attorney General's sudden rush to court because we've been working cooperatively for months and their claims of noncompliance with their demands don't line up with the facts," Amazon said in response to an AFP inquiry.
"The bottom line is that we're a leader in providing COVID-19 safety measures for our employees – we've invested billions of dollars in equipment and technology, including building on-site testing for employees and providing personal protective equipment."
Information sought by state attorneys included Amazon sick leave policies and cleaning procedures, as well as raw data on the number of infections and deaths at their facilities in the state.
Seattle-based Amazon has seen sales, and pressure on its logistics network to deliver, soar during the pandemic as people shop online to reduce health risk.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-15--'Hope': Burned out health workers buoyed by vaccine

As an anesthesiologist in a slammed emergency department , Raymond Pla has to handle Covid patients ' ventilators , one of the riskiest jobs in the pandemic .
On Monday he was one of five front line workers at George Washington University Hospital to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine .
A single word captured what it meant to him : `` Hope . ''
The doctor might have felt excited to be among the first in the world to get injected with molecules of synthetic messenger ribonucleic acid ( mRNA ) , the cutting-edge technology proven to be 95 percent effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus ' stark toll -- 300,000 fatalities in the US alone -- that just did n't feel right .
`` Excitement , in my personal view , does n't give the appropriate amount of deference and respect and honor to the sacrifice of my colleagues in health care , some of whom have gotten sick , some of whom have died , '' said the visibly emotional 52-year-old .
A distant light is glimmering at the end of the tunnel , but in the spring the situation appeared bleak to inundated health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't have a lot of hope back then there would be a vaccine by the end of the year . ''
Pla and his colleagues said they felt honored as the first recipients , a group chosen through an algorithm that assessed risk levels .
They also want to use their platforms to encourage others to follow their lead .
Shylee Stewart , a 26-year-old registered nurse in the labor and delivery department , said the vaccine was `` beneficial '' given how many Covid-positive patients with unknown status come through , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department planned to get shots .
She encouraged ordinary people to `` do your research ; make sure you make the right decision for yourself . ''
`` Nine times out of 10 , that decision is to get vaccinated , '' she said .
Her message comes at a time of growing vaccine skepticism , not only in the United States but across much of the developed world .
A new poll by NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist College found that 61 percent of Americans say they 'll choose to get the coronavirus vaccine if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent who said they would n't .
An unmasked anti-vaxxer heckler interrupted Monday 's press interviews with those being vaccinated , but the surveys show that overall national confidence is increasing , highlighting the importance of such events .
Pla , a Black physician , said he felt an added level of responsibility toward his community and other racial minorities , who have been let down by a history of unethical medical research , along with medicine 's institutional racism that persists today .
He said it would be vital to be `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word '' in the weeks and months ahead .
Health care workers worldwide were dealt a brutal year , and while the vaccine should mark a turning point in the long fight , it 's not yet time to let loose , said emergency doctor Sean Chester .
`` It 's been a long time coming -- we 've been through a lot , as health care workers but also as Americans .
You know , we 've really been through the wringer with Covid , '' the 32-year-old said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` kind of burned out . ''
Chester said he was now starting to see as many cases as he did in spring .
`` Even though I 'm getting the vaccine , I 'm not going to change my social distancing , I 'm not going to stop using the PPE ( personal protective equipment ) , '' he said , adding he had canceled his Thanksgiving and Christmas travel plans because of the grim winter surge .
Current research suggests that while the vaccines will prevent illness , they might not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry the virus and spread it to others .

Washington (AFP) –
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As an anesthesiologist in a slammed emergency department, Raymond Pla has to handle Covid patients' ventilators, one of the riskiest jobs in the pandemic.
On Monday he was one of five front line workers at George Washington University Hospital to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
A single word captured what it meant to him: "Hope."
The doctor might have felt excited to be among the first in the world to get injected with molecules of synthetic messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), the cutting-edge technology proven to be 95 percent effective in preventing Covid-19.
But given the coronavirus' stark toll -- 300,000 fatalities in the US alone -- that just didn't feel right.
"Excitement, in my personal view, doesn't give the appropriate amount of deference and respect and honor to the sacrifice of my colleagues in health care, some of whom have gotten sick, some of whom have died," said the visibly emotional 52-year-old.
A distant light is glimmering at the end of the tunnel, but in the spring the situation appeared bleak to inundated health care workers like Pla: "I didn't have a lot of hope back then there would be a vaccine by the end of the year."
- Leading the way -
Pla and his colleagues said they felt honored as the first recipients, a group chosen through an algorithm that assessed risk levels.
They also want to use their platforms to encourage others to follow their lead.
Shylee Stewart, a 26-year-old registered nurse in the labor and delivery department, said the vaccine was "beneficial" given how many Covid-positive patients with unknown status come through, adding that most of the nurses in her department planned to get shots.
She encouraged ordinary people to "do your research; make sure you make the right decision for yourself."
"Nine times out of 10, that decision is to get vaccinated," she said.
Her message comes at a time of growing vaccine skepticism, not only in the United States but across much of the developed world.
A new poll by NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist College found that 61 percent of Americans say they'll choose to get the coronavirus vaccine if it is made available, against 32 percent who said they wouldn't.
An unmasked anti-vaxxer heckler interrupted Monday's press interviews with those being vaccinated, but the surveys show that overall national confidence is increasing, highlighting the importance of such events.
Pla, a Black physician, said he felt an added level of responsibility toward his community and other racial minorities, who have been let down by a history of unethical medical research, along with medicine's institutional racism that persists today.
He said it would be vital to be "going out into the community and spreading the word" in the weeks and months ahead.
- Not time to relax -
Health care workers worldwide were dealt a brutal year, and while the vaccine should mark a turning point in the long fight, it's not yet time to let loose, said emergency doctor Sean Chester.
"It's been a long time coming -- we've been through a lot, as health care workers but also as Americans. You know, we've really been through the wringer with Covid," the 32-year-old said, adding that everyone was "anxious" and "kind of burned out."
Chester said he was now starting to see as many cases as he did in spring.
"Even though I'm getting the vaccine, I'm not going to change my social distancing, I'm not going to stop using the PPE (personal protective equipment)," he said, adding he had canceled his Thanksgiving and Christmas travel plans because of the grim winter surge.
Current research suggests that while the vaccines will prevent illness, they might not eliminate the possibility that people could still carry the virus and spread it to others.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-15--Cartoon cat helps keep Tunisia's revolutionary flame alight

Willis the cat from Tunis has become an icon of the revolution that sparked the Arab Spring uprisings across the Middle East that toppled several longtime dictators When Tunisia 's embattled dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali delivered a last-ditch speech promising new freedoms to a country in revolt , Nadia Khiari sketched her cat delivering the same address to a group of mice .
The next day , on January 14 , 2011 , Ben Ali fled into exile , forced out by weeks of unprecedented mass protests against his rule .
Ten years later , the cat remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alter-ego Willis from Tunis has become an icon of the revolution .
`` I decided to use this character to tell the story of what was happening in my country , '' said Khiari , a painter and lecturer in fine arts .
Pouncing on Tunisia 's unprecedented new freedoms , she began posting bitter and witty political cartoons on Facebook , all featuring cats .
`` For me as an artist , it was a true revolution , because from one day to the next I was able to express myself freely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , initially just family and friends , has grown to over 55,000 followers today .
In November she published her latest Willis from Tunis book , a selection of her best work over the decade since the uprising .
Tunisia 's revolution , with its demands for `` work , freedom and national dignity '' , sparked a string of revolts across the Arab world .
The North African country has since been praised for its democratic transition .
But many Tunisians , disillusioned by economic woes , official corruption and pitiful public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- apart from to right to say what they think .
In one of Khiari 's cartoons from 2018 , Willis lies silently on the floor , a boot stamped on his face .
`` Before the revolution , '' reads the caption .
The next frame shows the same cat under the same boot , but letting out a scream : `` AAAAIIIE ! ''
The caption reads : `` Today , happily we have freedom of expression . ''
Khiari says she has always enjoyed drawing , but Ben Ali 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag .
Before the protests against his rule , she had hinted at political subjects in the titles of her paintings , but `` a satirical picture as such , a political cartoon -- no , never , '' she said .
Today , she no longer pussyfoots around tough subjects .
Instead , she takes regular swipes at Tunisia 's post-revolt political class , seen by many as just as corrupt as Ben Ali 's regime .
`` Hide your wallet , '' one of her cartoon cats tells another as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tunis .
`` There are lots of robberies in this area . ''
This Thursday will mark 10 years since Tunisian fruit seller Mohamed Bouazizi , 26 , set fire to himself , sparking the uprising .
Ahead of the anniversary , Tunisia has seen protests demanding jobs and investment in long-marginalised regions , amid an economic crisis amplified by the coronavirus pandemic .
Thousands of medics from crumbling public hospitals protested last week to demand the health minister 's resignation , after a young doctor plunged to his death in a hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed on official corruption and indifference .
In this environment , Khiari 's cartoons have struck a chord .
`` The government fights corruption , '' reads the title of another of her cartoons , showing a cat in suit and tie sitting behind a desk .
`` If you want to speed up the process , '' the cat purrs with a wide grin , `` that can be arranged . ''
Khiari says that while the media describes Tunisia as a `` laboratory of democracy '' , the messy reality is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But , she told AFP at a chic art and craft boutique she runs with her husband , the revolution did sweep away `` lots of taboos . ''
`` We talk about religious questions .
We talk about sexual questions , homosexuals , women 's bodies , power , '' she said .
She regularly tackles themes of women 's rights and gender inequality in her work .
In one cartoon , a female kitten asks why her brother gets more pocket money than herself .
`` It 's to prepare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother replies .
Khiari is on the board of Cartooning for Peace , set up by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and French cartoonist Plantu to `` fight with humour for the respect of cultures and freedoms '' .
That is an ongoing battle in Tunisia , where press freedom watchdog RSF says the climate for the media and journalists has worsened since the election of a new president , Kais Saied , in October 2019 .
For Khiari , that means the fight that began a decade ago is far from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us again have never ended , never , because freedom of expression bothers ( some people ) , '' she said .
`` So unfortunately it 's a struggle every day to preserve that freedom of expression . ''

Tunis (AFP) –
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When Tunisia's embattled dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali delivered a last-ditch speech promising new freedoms to a country in revolt, Nadia Khiari sketched her cat delivering the same address to a group of mice.
The next day, on January 14, 2011, Ben Ali fled into exile, forced out by weeks of unprecedented mass protests against his rule.
Ten years later, the cat remains in rude health, and his cartoon alter-ego Willis from Tunis has become an icon of the revolution.
"I decided to use this character to tell the story of what was happening in my country," said Khiari, a painter and lecturer in fine arts.
Pouncing on Tunisia's unprecedented new freedoms, she began posting bitter and witty political cartoons on Facebook, all featuring cats.
"For me as an artist, it was a true revolution, because from one day to the next I was able to express myself freely," she said.
Her audience, initially just family and friends, has grown to over 55,000 followers today.
In November she published her latest Willis from Tunis book, a selection of her best work over the decade since the uprising.
Tunisia's revolution, with its demands for "work, freedom and national dignity", sparked a string of revolts across the Arab world.
The North African country has since been praised for its democratic transition.
But many Tunisians, disillusioned by economic woes, official corruption and pitiful public services, say they have gained little -- apart from to right to say what they think.
In one of Khiari's cartoons from 2018, Willis lies silently on the floor, a boot stamped on his face.
"Before the revolution," reads the caption.
The next frame shows the same cat under the same boot, but letting out a scream: "AAAAIIIE!"
The caption reads: "Today, happily we have freedom of expression."
- Growing corruption -
Khiari says she has always enjoyed drawing, but Ben Ali's fall let her creativity out of the bag.
Before the protests against his rule, she had hinted at political subjects in the titles of her paintings, but "a satirical picture as such, a political cartoon -- no, never," she said.
Today, she no longer pussyfoots around tough subjects. Instead, she takes regular swipes at Tunisia's post-revolt political class, seen by many as just as corrupt as Ben Ali's regime.
"Hide your wallet," one of her cartoon cats tells another as they walk towards the government's headquarters in Tunis.
"There are lots of robberies in this area."
This Thursday will mark 10 years since Tunisian fruit seller Mohamed Bouazizi, 26, set fire to himself, sparking the uprising.
Ahead of the anniversary, Tunisia has seen protests demanding jobs and investment in long-marginalised regions, amid an economic crisis amplified by the coronavirus pandemic.
Thousands of medics from crumbling public hospitals protested last week to demand the health minister's resignation, after a young doctor plunged to his death in a hospital lift shaft.
The tragedy was widely blamed on official corruption and indifference.
In this environment, Khiari's cartoons have struck a chord.
"The government fights corruption," reads the title of another of her cartoons, showing a cat in suit and tie sitting behind a desk.
"If you want to speed up the process," the cat purrs with a wide grin, "that can be arranged."
- Taboos swept away -
Khiari says that while the media describes Tunisia as a "laboratory of democracy", the messy reality is closer to that of a building site.
But, she told AFP at a chic art and craft boutique she runs with her husband, the revolution did sweep away "lots of taboos."
"We talk about religious questions. We talk about sexual questions, homosexuals, women's bodies, power," she said.
She regularly tackles themes of women's rights and gender inequality in her work.
In one cartoon, a female kitten asks why her brother gets more pocket money than herself.
"It's to prepare you for later on," her mother replies.
Khiari is on the board of Cartooning for Peace, set up by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and French cartoonist Plantu to "fight with humour for the respect of cultures and freedoms".
That is an ongoing battle in Tunisia, where press freedom watchdog RSF says the climate for the media and journalists has worsened since the election of a new president, Kais Saied, in October 2019.
For Khiari, that means the fight that began a decade ago is far from over.
"The attempts to silence us again have never ended, never, because freedom of expression bothers (some people)," she said.
"So unfortunately it's a struggle every day to preserve that freedom of expression."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-15--Most in Japan oppose holding Olympics in 2021: polls

A majority of Japan 's public continues to oppose holding the coronavirus-postponed Olympics next year A majority of Japanese people oppose holding the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics next year , favouring a further delay or outright cancellation of the massive event , new polling showed Tuesday .
The new data shows public sentiment has shifted little since the summer , when surveys in Japan also found only a minority backing plans to hold the Games next year , despite the imminent arrival of new vaccines .
A poll released Tuesday by national broadcaster NHK found just 27 percent of respondents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 32 percent backing cancellation and 31 percent favouring a further postponement .
The remaining respondents said they were unsure or gave no answer .
Olympic organisers and Japanese officials have ruled out any further delay of the Games , which are the first in history to be postponed during peacetime .
They have insisted Tokyo 2020 can be held even if the pandemic is not under control by the new opening date of July 23 , 2021 .
But the Japanese public do not appear convinced .
A poll published on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 percent favouring a cancellation and nearly 30 percent a further delay .
And a Kyodo news agency poll published December 6 also found a total of 61.2 percent opposed to holding the Games next year .
The figure comes with just over seven months to go until the postponed Games are scheduled to open .
The start of vaccination campaigns in some parts of the world has boosted the confidence of organisers that the Games can go ahead , though innoculation will not be mandatory for athletes or spectators .
But even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , new waves of the virus are surging in many places , including Japan , which has seen a comparatively low toll from the outbreak , recording fewer than 2,600 deaths so far .
Postponing the Games and devising coronavirus countermeasures has proved a logistical nightmare for organisers , and carries a steep price tag .
The delay and health measures will add at least an extra $ 2.4 billion to the existing $ 13 billion budget for the Games .
Organisers are due to release an updated budget later this month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hotly disputed , with an audit report last year estimating the national government spent nearly 10 times its original budget between 2013-2018 .
Organisers countered that the estimate included items not directly related to the Games .

Tokyo (AFP) –
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A majority of Japanese people oppose holding the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics next year, favouring a further delay or outright cancellation of the massive event, new polling showed Tuesday.
The new data shows public sentiment has shifted little since the summer, when surveys in Japan also found only a minority backing plans to hold the Games next year, despite the imminent arrival of new vaccines.
A poll released Tuesday by national broadcaster NHK found just 27 percent of respondents support holding the Games next year, with 32 percent backing cancellation and 31 percent favouring a further postponement.
The remaining respondents said they were unsure or gave no answer.
Olympic organisers and Japanese officials have ruled out any further delay of the Games, which are the first in history to be postponed during peacetime.
They have insisted Tokyo 2020 can be held even if the pandemic is not under control by the new opening date of July 23, 2021.
But the Japanese public do not appear convinced.
A poll published on Monday by the Jiji press agency similarly found 21 percent favouring a cancellation and nearly 30 percent a further delay.
And a Kyodo news agency poll published December 6 also found a total of 61.2 percent opposed to holding the Games next year.
The figure comes with just over seven months to go until the postponed Games are scheduled to open.
The start of vaccination campaigns in some parts of the world has boosted the confidence of organisers that the Games can go ahead, though innoculation will not be mandatory for athletes or spectators.
But even as the vaccines are being rolled out, new waves of the virus are surging in many places, including Japan, which has seen a comparatively low toll from the outbreak, recording fewer than 2,600 deaths so far.
Postponing the Games and devising coronavirus countermeasures has proved a logistical nightmare for organisers, and carries a steep price tag.
The delay and health measures will add at least an extra $2.4 billion to the existing $13 billion budget for the Games.
Organisers are due to release an updated budget later this month, but their figures for the cost have been hotly disputed, with an audit report last year estimating the national government spent nearly 10 times its original budget between 2013-2018.
Organisers countered that the estimate included items not directly related to the Games.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-15--Machu Picchu closes again, over local train dispute

Just six weeks after it reopened following an almost eight-month closure during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic , Machu Picchu has had to close again over a local train service dispute The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu , the crown jewel of Peru 's tourist sites , closed its doors Monday for an indefinite period for security reasons amid protests by locals over train services , officials said .
`` Due to the announced stoppages in the Machu Picchu district and in order to safeguard the integrity of its visitors , the citadel of Machu Picchu will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is restored , '' said a statement issued by the Directorate of Culture of Cusco , the nearest city .
The surprise measure came just six weeks after the tourist hotspot reopened following an almost eight-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The suspension is expected to last until the end of protests by residents of the towns of Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo against the railway companies that offer local train service .
The local communities are demanding cheaper fares and more frequent trains on the route between Cusco and Machu Picchu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of transport for tourists visiting the citadel , but it is also widely used by the inhabitants of the area , where only two companies operate : Inca Rail and Peru Rail .
The protests began peacefully last Wednesday but escalated over the weekend with an occupation of the tracks , which sparked clashes with the police and threats to occupy the citadel .
Despite the protests , the site of Machu Picchu remained open over the weekend .
Machu Picchu had increased its capacity by 40 percent on December 1 to 1,116 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening , as Covid-19 infections slowed in Peru .
Before the pandemic , between 2,000 and 3,000 people entered the citadel every day , and in high season , up to 5,000 .
In March , on the last day of visits , 2,500 people entered .
Since Machu Picchu reopened , admission was to have remained free until December 31 .
Visitors must comply with health and safety protocols for the coronavirus , such as wearing a mask .
Machu Picchu ( which means `` Old Mountain '' in Quechua ) is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1983 , it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , and in 2007 , it was chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World in a worldwide online survey .
The citadel , built in the 15th century , was `` discovered '' by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in July 1911 , although some locals knew of its existence .

Lima (AFP) –
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The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the crown jewel of Peru's tourist sites, closed its doors Monday for an indefinite period for security reasons amid protests by locals over train services, officials said.
"Due to the announced stoppages in the Machu Picchu district and in order to safeguard the integrity of its visitors, the citadel of Machu Picchu will not be open from December 14 until this situation is restored," said a statement issued by the Directorate of Culture of Cusco, the nearest city.
The surprise measure came just six weeks after the tourist hotspot reopened following an almost eight-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The suspension is expected to last until the end of protests by residents of the towns of Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo against the railway companies that offer local train service.
The local communities are demanding cheaper fares and more frequent trains on the route between Cusco and Machu Picchu. The train is the only means of transport for tourists visiting the citadel, but it is also widely used by the inhabitants of the area, where only two companies operate: Inca Rail and Peru Rail.
The protests began peacefully last Wednesday but escalated over the weekend with an occupation of the tracks, which sparked clashes with the police and threats to occupy the citadel.
Despite the protests, the site of Machu Picchu remained open over the weekend. Machu Picchu had increased its capacity by 40 percent on December 1 to 1,116 daily visitors, a month after its reopening, as Covid-19 infections slowed in Peru.
Before the pandemic, between 2,000 and 3,000 people entered the citadel every day, and in high season, up to 5,000.
In March, on the last day of visits, 2,500 people entered. Since Machu Picchu reopened, admission was to have remained free until December 31.
Visitors must comply with health and safety protocols for the coronavirus, such as wearing a mask.
Machu Picchu (which means "Old Mountain" in Quechua) is considered the jewel of Peruvian tourism. In 1983, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and in 2007, it was chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World in a worldwide online survey.
The citadel, built in the 15th century, was "discovered" by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in July 1911, although some locals knew of its existence.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--Trump announces departure of Attorney General Bill Barr

US Attorney General Bill Barr was accused of using the Justice Department to help Donald Trump , but he refused to back up the president 's evidence-free claims of election fraud President Donald Trump on Monday announced that Attorney General Bill Barr , who angered him by contradicting his claims of having been the victim of mass fraud in the US election , is leaving office .
`` Just had a very nice meeting with Attorney General Bill Barr at the White House , '' Trump , who is set to step down after losing the November 3 election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very good one ... .
Bill will be leaving just before Christmas to spend the holidays with his family . ''
A senior White House official said `` Barr resigned on his own accord .
He was n't pushed out or forced to resign .
It was a very amicable meeting . ''
Barr , Trump 's second attorney general , was heavily criticized by Democrats for what they said was his unethical behavior to shield Trump during a probe by special counsel Robert Mueller into the president 's Russia connections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrupt despicable Attorney General in US history , '' House Democrat Bill Pascrell tweeted .
However , Barr angered Trump around the time of the presidential election for failing , in the eyes of the president , to use the Justice Department to help his campaign or to back up Trump 's claims of fraud .
Trump had long hoped that a Justice Department investigation into the allegedly political roots of the Russia probe would help him damage his Democratic opponent Joe Biden before Election Day .
When Barr made clear that nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fumed publicly that he would be `` very disappointed . ''
He became angry with Barr again after the election , which Trump has sought to overturn , claiming without evidence that Biden only won because of fraud .
Barr told The Associated Press that `` we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election '' -- an assessment that put a gaping hole in Trump 's still ongoing disinformation campaign .
Trump has also fumed over the revelation that the Justice Department decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the election an investigation it is conducting into the business dealings of Biden 's son Hunter Biden .
Again , Trump had been hoping for Barr to supply damaging news to help him win a second term .
Trump announced that Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen , `` an outstanding person , '' will take over Barr 's job in an acting capacity .
Trump , who is set to leave office on January 20 , already fired an attorney general , Jeff Sessions , in 2018 .
In that case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Russia investigation , leading to the appointment of Mueller .

Washington (AFP) –
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President Donald Trump on Monday announced that Attorney General Bill Barr, who angered him by contradicting his claims of having been the victim of mass fraud in the US election, is leaving office.
"Just had a very nice meeting with Attorney General Bill Barr at the White House," Trump, who is set to step down after losing the November 3 election, tweeted.
"Our relationship has been a very good one.... Bill will be leaving just before Christmas to spend the holidays with his family."
A senior White House official said "Barr resigned on his own accord. He wasn't pushed out or forced to resign. It was a very amicable meeting."
Barr, Trump's second attorney general, was heavily criticized by Democrats for what they said was his unethical behavior to shield Trump during a probe by special counsel Robert Mueller into the president's Russia connections.
"Good riddance to the worst most corrupt despicable Attorney General in US history," House Democrat Bill Pascrell tweeted.
However, Barr angered Trump around the time of the presidential election for failing, in the eyes of the president, to use the Justice Department to help his campaign or to back up Trump's claims of fraud.
Trump had long hoped that a Justice Department investigation into the allegedly political roots of the Russia probe would help him damage his Democratic opponent Joe Biden before Election Day.
When Barr made clear that nothing of the sort was forthcoming, Trump fumed publicly that he would be "very disappointed."
He became angry with Barr again after the election, which Trump has sought to overturn, claiming without evidence that Biden only won because of fraud.
Barr told The Associated Press that "we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election" -- an assessment that put a gaping hole in Trump's still ongoing disinformation campaign.
Trump has also fumed over the revelation that the Justice Department decided not to make public in the run-up to the election an investigation it is conducting into the business dealings of Biden's son Hunter Biden.
Again, Trump had been hoping for Barr to supply damaging news to help him win a second term.
Trump announced that Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen, "an outstanding person," will take over Barr's job in an acting capacity.
Trump, who is set to leave office on January 20, already fired an attorney general, Jeff Sessions, in 2018.
In that case, Sessions had angered Trump by recusing himself in the Russia investigation, leading to the appointment of Mueller.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--Trump announces Attorney General Barr will leave his job 'just before Christmas'

FILE PHOTO : U.S. Attorney General William Barr delivers remarks at the Securities and Exchange Commission 's ( SEC ) Criminal Coordination Conference at the Securities and Exchange Commission building in Washington , U.S. , October 3 , 2019 .
US President Donald Trump on Monday said Attorney General Bill Barr , who contradicted his claims that the November 3 election was marred by fraud , would leave office after doing an `` outstanding job . ''
`` Just had a very nice meeting with Attorney General Bill Barr at the White House , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... Bill will be leaving just before Christmas to spend the holidays with his family . ''
Trump said that Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen will become acting attorney general .
Barr , in a letter to Trump , said he would leave his post on Dec. 23 .
The letter came shortly after Barr had briefed the president about the Justice Department 's review into the Trump campaign 's allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 election .
In it , Barr pledged the allegations `` would continue to be pursued .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ praised what he called Trump 's historic record , saying he had helped boost the economy , strengthen the military and curb illegal immigration .
Barr 's fate in the waning days of the Trump administration had been in question since he said last week that a Justice Department investigation had found no sign of major fraud in the November election , contradicting Trump 's false claims .
Trump 's legal team had accused Barr of failing to conduct a proper inquiry .

U.S. Attorney General William Barr will step down next week, he said on Monday, shortly after the Electoral College confirmed President Donald Trump's loss to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden.
US Attorney General William Barr delivers remarks at the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Criminal Coordination Conference at the Securities and Exchange Commission building in Washington, U.S., October 3, 2019.
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Barr, who had angered Trump by not supporting his incorrect claims that the Nov. 3 election result had been tainted by widespread fraud, said he would leave office on Dec. 23, a little less than a month before Biden is sworn in on Jan. 20.
Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen will take over as acting attorney general after Barr's departure, Trump said.
"Our relationship has been a very good one, he has done an outstanding job!" Trump said of Barr on Twitter.
A White House official told Reuters that Barr resigned on his own accord.
Trump lashed out at Barr on Twitter over the weekend after the Wall Street Journal reported that Barr knew earlier this year about an investigation into Biden's son Hunter's taxes.
Trump retweeted a comment from radio host Todd Starnes saying Barr should be fired for not disclosing the probe during the campaign. "A big disappointment!" Trump said in his tweet.
Barr's fate in the waning days of the Trump administration had been in question since he said earlier this month that a Justice Department investigation had found no sign of major fraud in the election, contradicting Trump's claims.
Trump's legal team accused Barr of failing to conduct a proper inquiry into the allegations.
Barr's resignation letter was released shortly after he briefed the president about the Justice Department's review into the Trump campaign's voter fraud claims. In it, Barr pledged the allegations "would continue to be pursued."
The White House official said Barr's meeting with Trump was amicable.
In the letter, Barr also praised what he called Trump's historic record, saying he had helped boost the economy, strengthen the military and curb illegal immigration.
"I am proud to have played a role in the many successes and unprecedented achievements you have delivered for the American people," Barr wrote.
Biden beat Trump by 306 to 232 votes in the state-by-state Electoral College that chooses the president, as well as by more than 7 million ballots in the popular vote.
Despite that, Trump has refused to concede and continues to promote his baseless voting fraud allegations, which have been repeatedly rejected by state and federal officials.
Trump has pursued a series of legal challenges in numerous states, but he has not managed to prevail in any of them.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a long-shot lawsuit by Texas that was backed by Trump and a number of other states seeking to throw out voting results in four states, dealing what is seen as the fatal blow in his quest to undo his election loss.
Core Trump supporter
Barr has long been a staunch Trump ally, drawing scorn from Democrats and many of the department's own career prosecutors who have accused him of putting Trump's personal interests ahead of those of the country.
"William Barr was willing to do the President’s bidding on every front but one. Barr refused to play along with President Trump’s nonsensical claims to have won the election," Democratic House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in a statement.
"Whomever Joe Biden chooses as the new Attorney General will have a tremendous amount of work to do to repair the integrity of the Department of Justice," Nadler added.
Prior to the 2020 election, Barr repeated Trump's unfounded claims that mail-in ballots could be subject to fraud, and he also intervened in several high-profile criminal cases in ways that benefited Trump's political allies such as Michael Flynn and Roger Stone.
In May 2019, Barr tapped federal prosecutor John Durham to investigate Obama-era intelligence and law enforcement officials for possible crimes in connection with their early stage probe into whether Trump's 2016 presidential campaign colluded with the Russian government.
On Dec. 1, Barr disclosed he had elevated Durham to the role of special counsel in October so that he could continue his criminal investigation - a move that will make it politically difficult for Biden to remove him from the post until the probe has concluded.
Noah Bookbinder, a former federal prosecutor who is now executive director for the progressive advocacy group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, said on Monday that Barr "has done tremendous damage to the Department of Justice and to the American people's very faith in our justice system.
"It is beyond ironic that Barr seems to have been pushed out for not going quite far enough to abuse his position for Trump's benefit, however unconscionably far he did go," Bookbinder's statement said. "The reason may be ridiculous, but good riddance.”
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-14--US Electoral College confirms Joe Biden's victory over Trump

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden gestures as he exits Penn Medicine Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , U.S. , December 12 , 2020 .
Democrat Joe Biden on Monday won the state-by-state Electoral College vote that formally determines the U.S. presidency , all but ending President Donald Trump 's floundering campaign to overturn his loss in the Nov. 3 election .
California , the most populous state , delivered its 55 electoral votes to Biden on Monday afternoon , officially putting the former vice president over the 270 votes needed to secure the White House .
Based on November 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes to the Republican Trump 's 232 .
Earlier in the day , electors in several major battleground states where Trump has unsuccessfully sought to reverse the outcome - Arizona , Georgia , Michigan , Nevada , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - also voted for Biden , who is set to take office on Jan. 20 alongside running mate Kamala Harris .
Traditionally a formality , the Electoral College vote - set for Monday by federal law - assumed outsized significance because of Trump 's unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud .
Biden planned a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday ( 0030 GMT on Tuesday ) to mark the occasion and call on Americans to `` turn the page '' on the Trump era .
`` The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago , '' he was expected to say , according to excerpts released by his transition team .
`` And we now know that nothing — not even a pandemic — or an abuse of power — can extinguish that flame .
`` In this battle for the soul of America , democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no chance that Monday 's voting would negate Biden 's victory and , with Trump 's legal campaign to reverse the results failing , the president 's dim hopes of clinging to power rest with persuading Congress not to accept Monday 's electoral vote during a Jan. 6 special session - an effort that is virtually certain to fail .
Once in office , Biden faces the challenging task of fighting the coronavirus pandemic , reviving the U.S. economy and rebuilding relations frayed with U.S. allies abroad by Trump 's `` America First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the electors ' meeting there , the state 's Democratic secretary of state , Katie Hobbs , said Trump 's claims of fraud had `` led to threats of violence against me , my office , and those in this room today , '' echoing similar reports of threats and intimidation in other states .
`` While there will be those who are upset their candidate did n't win , it is patently un-American and unacceptable that today 's event should be anything less than an honored tradition held with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
A group of Trump supporters called on Facebook for protests all day on Monday outside the state Capitol in Lansing , Michigan , one of the hardest-fought states where Trump lost .
But by early afternoon only a handful had gathered , including Bob Ray , 66 , a retired construction worker .
He held a sign that read : `` order a forensic audit , '' `` save America '' and `` stop communism . ''
Under a complicated system dating back to the 1780s , a candidate becomes U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the popular vote but through the Electoral College system , which allots electoral votes to the 50 states and the District of Columbia largely based on the size of their population .
Electors are typically party loyalists who represent the winning candidate in their state , with the exception of Maine and Nebraska , which allocate some of their Electoral College votes based on which candidate won each of the states ' congressional districts .
While there are sometimes a handful of `` rogue '' electors who vote for someone other than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the vast majority rubber-stamp the results .
Trump said late last month he would leave the White House if the Electoral College voted for Biden , but has since pressed on with his unprecedented campaign to overturn his defeat .
On Monday , he repeated a series of unsupported claims of electoral fraud .
`` Swing States that have found massive VOTER FRAUD , which is all of them , CAN NOT LEGALLY CERTIFY these votes as complete & correct without committing a severely punishable crime , '' he wrote on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislators to appoint their own electors , essentially ignoring the will of the voters , but lawmakers largely dismissed the idea .
`` I fought hard for President Trump .
Nobody wanted him to win more than me , '' Lee Chatfield , Republican speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives , said in a statement .
`` But I love our republic , too .
I ca n't fathom risking our norms , traditions and institutions to pass a resolution retroactively changing the electors for Trump . ''
Once the Electoral College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining gambit would be to persuade Congress not to certify the count on Jan. 6 .
Any attempt to block a state 's results , and thus change the overall U.S. tally , must earn majority approval from both chambers of Congress that day .
Democrats control the House of Representatives , while enough Republicans in the Senate have acknowledged Biden 's victory to ensure any challenge would likely fail .
In 2016 , Trump won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton by nearly 3 million votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when some Democratic activists called for electors to `` go rogue '' against Trump .
In the end , seven electors broke ranks , an unusually high number but still far too few to sway the outcome .

President-elect Joe Biden delivered a forceful rebuke on Monday to President Donald Trump's attacks on the legitimacy of his victory, hours after winning the state-by-state Electoral College vote that officially determines the U.S. presidency.
US President-elect Joe Biden gestures as he exits Penn Medicine Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, December 12, 2020.
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"In this battle for the soul of America, democracy prevailed," Biden said in a prime-time speech from his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. "Now it's time to turn the page, as we've done throughout our history – to unite, to heal."
00:30
Monday's vote, typically a formality, assumed outsized significance in light of Trump's extraordinary effort to subvert the process due to what he has falsely alleged was widespread voter fraud in the Nov. 3 election.
California, the most-populous U.S. state, put Biden over the 270 votes needed to win the Electoral College when its 55 electors unanimously cast ballots for him and his running mate, Kamala Harris. Biden and Harris - the first woman, first Black person and first Asian American to become vice president-elect - will be sworn in on Jan. 20.
In a roughly 13-minute speech, Biden, the Democratic former vice president, called for unity while voicing confidence that the country's democratic institutions had held in the face of Trump's attempts to reverse the election outcome.
"The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago," Biden said. "We now know that not even a pandemic or an abuse of power can extinguish that flame."
Biden emphasised that Trump and his allies filed "dozens and dozens" of legal challenges to the vote totals without success, including a Texas lawsuit that asked the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate four states' results. The court, including three Trump appointees, rejected the bid with no dissents last week.
01:30
He also noted that his 306-232 margin in the Electoral College was the same as Trump's 2016 victory, which the Republican described as a "landslide."
Under a complicated system dating back to the 1780s, a candidate becomes U.S. president not by winning the popular vote but through the Electoral College system, which allots electoral votes to the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on congressional representation.
In 2016, Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton despite losing the national popular vote by nearly 3 million ballots. Biden won the popular vote in November by more than 7 million votes.
Electors are typically party loyalists who are unlikely to break ranks, and few observers had expected Monday's vote to alter the election's outcome. With Trump's legal challenges floundering, the president's dim hopes of clinging to power rest in persuading Congress not to certify the Electoral College vote in a special Jan. 6 session - an effort all but certain to fail.
Trump had also pressured Republican lawmakers in battleground states that Biden won, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan, to set aside the vote totals and appoint their own competing slates of electors. But lawmakers largely dismissed the notion.
"I fought hard for President Trump. Nobody wanted him to win more than me," Lee Chatfield, Republican speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, said in a statement. "But I love our republic, too. I can't fathom risking our norms, traditions and institutions to pass a resolution retroactively changing the electors for Trump."
Threats of violence
Some Trump supporters had called for protests on social media, and election officials had expressed concern about the potential for violence amid the president's heated rhetoric. But Monday's vote proceeded smoothly, with no major disruptions.
In Arizona, at the beginning of the electors' meeting there, the state's Democratic secretary of state, Katie Hobbs, said Trump's claims of fraud had "led to threats of violence against me, my office and those in this room today," echoing similar reports of threats and intimidation in other states.
"While there will be those who are upset their candidate didn't win, it is patently un-American and unacceptable that today's event should be anything less than an honored tradition held with pride and in celebration," Hobbs said.
In Lansing, Michigan, where Trump supporters on Facebook had urged protesters to gather outside the state Capitol, only a handful showed up. Bob Ray, 66, a retired construction worker, held a sign that read: "Order a forensic audit," "save America" and "stop communism."
Electors received a police escort to and from the building. One elector, Marseille Allen, told MSNBC she wore a bulletproof vest at the urging of family and friends.
A small group of Republicans who claimed to be electors for their party sought to gain access to the Capitol building as the proceedings were getting under way but were refused entry by police.
They asked for a slate to be delivered to Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but the officer at the door told them he would not deliver the paperwork and that they should contact officials independently.
Trump said late last month he would leave the White House if the Electoral College voted for Biden, but he has since shown little interest in conceding. On Monday, he repeated a series of unsupported claims.
"Swing States that have found massive VOTER FRAUD, which is all of them, CANNOT LEGALLY CERTIFY these votes as complete & correct without committing a severely punishable crime," he wrote on Twitter.
Trump's sole remaining gambit is to convince Congress to reject the results in January.
Under federal law, any member of Congress may object to a particular state's electoral count during the Jan. 6 session. Each chamber of Congress must then debate the challenge before voting by simple majority on whether to sustain it.
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is sure to reject any such challenge, while senior Republicans in the Senate on Monday dismissed the idea of overturning the result.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-14--Juve awaiting Dybala response on contract offer, says Agnelli

Dybala celebrates with coach Andrea Pirlo ( L ) after scoring his first league goal in five months Juventus president Andrea Agnelli said Monday the Italian champions were awaiting an answer from Argentina forward Paulo Dybala on a contract offer which would make him `` among the 20 highest paid footballers in Europe '' .
Dybala scored his first Serie A goal in five months on Sunday during a 3-1 win over Genoa , telling journalists afterwards he had received no news on an extension to his current deal which expires in June 2022 .
`` So many things that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relation to my contract , '' he said .
Agnelli insisted on Monday the 27-year-old , who suffered with coronavirus for six weeks earlier this year , `` has already received an offer that places him among the 20 highest paid in Europe '' .
`` We are calmly awaiting an answer , '' Agnelli said during an awards ceremony in Turin .
`` The positive news is the return to scoring .
Paulo had a tough time after the coronavirus , with a slow recovery .
`` I was delighted to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's reciprocated .
We see Paulo as a future captain of the team .
Already now he often wears the armband .
`` He knows he has the offer , we are waiting serenely for an answer . ''
Dybala joined Juventus from Palermo in 2015 and has scored 97 goals for the club , winning eight major trophies , including five Serie A titles .
He has often been linked with a move away in recent months and was reportedly close to signing for Premier League sides Manchester United and Tottenham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting for one ( response ) on the pitch , his ambition is to be among the top five ( players ) in the world , and we want to support him .
He is still not there and he knows this , '' added Agnelli .

Milan (AFP) –
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Juventus president Andrea Agnelli said Monday the Italian champions were awaiting an answer from Argentina forward Paulo Dybala on a contract offer which would make him "among the 20 highest paid footballers in Europe".
Dybala scored his first Serie A goal in five months on Sunday during a 3-1 win over Genoa, telling journalists afterwards he had received no news on an extension to his current deal which expires in June 2022.
"So many things that aren't true have been said in relation to my contract," he said.
Agnelli insisted on Monday the 27-year-old, who suffered with coronavirus for six weeks earlier this year, "has already received an offer that places him among the 20 highest paid in Europe".
"We are calmly awaiting an answer," Agnelli said during an awards ceremony in Turin.
"The positive news is the return to scoring. Paulo had a tough time after the coronavirus, with a slow recovery.
"I was delighted to hear his declaration of love for Juve, it's reciprocated. We see Paulo as a future captain of the team. Already now he often wears the armband.
"He knows he has the offer, we are waiting serenely for an answer."
Dybala joined Juventus from Palermo in 2015 and has scored 97 goals for the club, winning eight major trophies, including five Serie A titles.
He has often been linked with a move away in recent months and was reportedly close to signing for Premier League sides Manchester United and Tottenham last year.
"We are also waiting for one (response) on the pitch, his ambition is to be among the top five (players) in the world, and we want to support him. He is still not there and he knows this," added Agnelli.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--Cech battles 'cold feet' to make winning return with Chelsea reserves

Cech won four Premier League titles during his first spell with Chelsea Petr Cech returned to the pitch 18 months after retiring to help Chelsea 's reserve team beat Tottenham 's under-23 side on Monday despite conceding two early goals and grappling with nerves .
Chelsea 's second string returned to the top of Premier League 2 after coming back from 2-0 down on 17 minutes to win 3-2 with three second-half goals .
`` For the first 20 minutes , I struggled to find the automatic movements I had been used to , '' the 38-year-old goalkeeper said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sport Invest .
`` But I adjusted to the pace of the game after 20 minutes and then I felt OK , '' added Cech , who has worked as Chelsea 's technical director since his original retirement from top-level football in May 2019 .
Cech was registered in the Blues ' Premier League squad in October as a precaution in case coronavirus restrictions hit coach Frank Lampard 's goalkeeping options .
`` The game fulfilled its goal because this is exactly what I needed in case there is an emergency and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Cech .
`` It put me back on track as I could get back to the rhythm of the competition .
`` I enjoyed the second half because I started to read the game like I used to and I felt well . ''
Cech , who kept a record 202 clean sheets in his 15 Premier League seasons with Chelsea and Arsenal , admitted he was nervous before the game .
`` I have been working hard for a few months , but I have n't played a game for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the game , '' said Cech , who had managed a single training session with the team on Sunday .
`` You lose the rhythm and you do n't know what to expect from yourself .
Even though I knew I was ready , I got cold feet . ''

Prague (AFP) –
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Petr Cech returned to the pitch 18 months after retiring to help Chelsea's reserve team beat Tottenham's under-23 side on Monday despite conceding two early goals and grappling with nerves.
Chelsea's second string returned to the top of Premier League 2 after coming back from 2-0 down on 17 minutes to win 3-2 with three second-half goals.
"For the first 20 minutes, I struggled to find the automatic movements I had been used to," the 38-year-old goalkeeper said in an interview mediated by his Czech agent Sport Invest.
"But I adjusted to the pace of the game after 20 minutes and then I felt OK," added Cech, who has worked as Chelsea's technical director since his original retirement from top-level football in May 2019.
Cech was registered in the Blues' Premier League squad in October as a precaution in case coronavirus restrictions hit coach Frank Lampard's goalkeeping options.
"The game fulfilled its goal because this is exactly what I needed in case there is an emergency and I have to play in the Premiership," said Cech.
"It put me back on track as I could get back to the rhythm of the competition.
"I enjoyed the second half because I started to read the game like I used to and I felt well."
Cech, who kept a record 202 clean sheets in his 15 Premier League seasons with Chelsea and Arsenal, admitted he was nervous before the game.
"I have been working hard for a few months, but I haven't played a game for 18 months so I was naturally nervous before the game," said Cech, who had managed a single training session with the team on Sunday.
"You lose the rhythm and you don't know what to expect from yourself. Even though I knew I was ready, I got cold feet."
© 2020 AFP