france24--2020-09-08--UN reports 42 virus cases among Syria staff, families

A mural in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria urges people to protect themselves from the virus as part of a campaign by the UN childre 's fund UNICEF and the World Health Organization More than 40 members of UN staff and their families have caught coronavirus in Syria , a UN official told AFP Tuesday , warning the illness was spreading in the war-torn country .
There were about 200 people including `` staff and dependents , spouses , children , parents , who have displayed symptoms of Covid-19 , '' said Jens Laerke , spokesman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Humanitarian Affairs .
`` From these 200 , there are 42 staff and dependents who have been confirmed positive with Covid-19 , '' he added , speaking to AFP from Geneva , without specifying the nationalities of the infected personnel .
Three people had had to be medically evacuated , but most of the others had only `` mild '' symptoms .
The suspected cases were self-isolating for a 14-day period , he said , adding the virus had sickened people working in different UN agencies across the country .
`` It caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen a very significant rise , or increase , in the level of Covid-19 in Syria , '' Laerke said .
`` We believe community transmission is widespread , and that the actual cases exceeds those that are officially recorded . ''
Since the start of the pandemic , Syria has officially recorded 3,229 cases of Covid-19 , with 137 deaths registered in zones controlled by the Damascus government , according to health ministry figures .
But in the past weeks , doctors and activists have voiced concerns on social networks of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
Human Rights Watch said last week that frontline staff battling the novel coronavirus in government-held areas were dying in growing numbers for want of personal protective equipment '' It is bewildering that as the obituaries for doctors and nurses responding to the Covid-19 pandemic pile up , official numbers tell a story at odds with the reality on the ground , '' said HRW researcher Sara Kayyali .
Nine years of civil war have battered Syria 's healthcare system , with hospitals damaged by bombing , vital equipment lacking and doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government now controls most of the country , but the northwest remains in rebel hands while the northeast is controlled by US-backed Kurdish forces .
The Syrian health ministry recently admitted it did not always have the capacity to carry out large-scale testing across different provinces .

Beirut (AFP) –
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More than 40 members of UN staff and their families have caught coronavirus in Syria, a UN official told AFP Tuesday, warning the illness was spreading in the war-torn country.
There were about 200 people including "staff and dependents, spouses, children, parents, who have displayed symptoms of Covid-19," said Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
"From these 200, there are 42 staff and dependents who have been confirmed positive with Covid-19," he added, speaking to AFP from Geneva, without specifying the nationalities of the infected personnel.
Three people had had to be medically evacuated, but most of the others had only "mild" symptoms. The suspected cases were self-isolating for a 14-day period, he said, adding the virus had sickened people working in different UN agencies across the country.
"It caught us at a time where we have seen a very significant rise, or increase, in the level of Covid-19 in Syria," Laerke said.
"We believe community transmission is widespread, and that the actual cases exceeds those that are officially recorded."
Since the start of the pandemic, Syria has officially recorded 3,229 cases of Covid-19, with 137 deaths registered in zones controlled by the Damascus government, according to health ministry figures.
But in the past weeks, doctors and activists have voiced concerns on social networks of a possible explosion in the number of virus cases.
Human Rights Watch said last week that frontline staff battling the novel coronavirus in government-held areas were dying in growing numbers for want of personal protective equipment
"It is bewildering that as the obituaries for doctors and nurses responding to the Covid-19 pandemic pile up, official numbers tell a story at odds with the reality on the ground," said HRW researcher Sara Kayyali.
Nine years of civil war have battered Syria's healthcare system, with hospitals damaged by bombing, vital equipment lacking and doctors wounded or forced to flee fighting.
The government now controls most of the country, but the northwest remains in rebel hands while the northeast is controlled by US-backed Kurdish forces.
The Syrian health ministry recently admitted it did not always have the capacity to carry out large-scale testing across different provinces.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-09--Osaka gets 'revenge' against Rogers to reach US Open semi-finals

Fourth seed Naomi Osaka overcame unseeded Shelby Rogers in straight sets to reach the US Open semi-finals on Tuesday and declared it `` revenge '' for earlier defeats .
The Japanese 2018 US Open champion brushed aside the 27-year-old American 6-3 , 6-4 , in 1hr 20min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium .
Osaka , 22 , will play 28th-seeded American Jennifer Brady on Thursday for a place in the final .
Despite going into the last-eight match as favorite , the world number 9 Osaka said she was apprehensive about playing the 93rd-ranked Rogers because she had failed to beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honestly , I just felt like she had the upper hand because I 've never beaten her , '' Osaka said .
`` And those memories are stuck in my head so I consider this a little bit of revenge , '' she added .
Osaka said a defeat to Rogers in 2017 on clay in Charleston had left `` a really bad aftertaste in my mouth . ''
`` I 'm really glad I was able to have a much better positive attitude today , '' she explained .
Osaka , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court wearing a facemask emblazoned with the name of George Floyd , the unarmed black man whose death in police custody in May sparked nationwide protests .
The 2019 Australian Open champion is wearing different masks honoring victims of racial injustice and police brutality throughout the tournament .
She has already donned face coverings bearing the names of Breonna Taylor , Elijah McClain , Ahmaud Arbery and Trayvon Martin .

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Fourth seed Naomi Osaka overcame unseeded Shelby Rogers in straight sets to reach the US Open semi-finals on Tuesday and declared it "revenge" for earlier defeats.
The Japanese 2018 US Open champion brushed aside the 27-year-old American 6-3, 6-4, in 1hr 20min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Osaka, 22, will play 28th-seeded American Jennifer Brady on Thursday for a place in the final.
Despite going into the last-eight match as favorite, the world number 9 Osaka said she was apprehensive about playing the 93rd-ranked Rogers because she had failed to beat her in three previous outings.
"Honestly, I just felt like she had the upper hand because I've never beaten her," Osaka said.
"And those memories are stuck in my head so I consider this a little bit of revenge," she added.
Osaka said a defeat to Rogers in 2017 on clay in Charleston had left "a really bad aftertaste in my mouth."
"I'm really glad I was able to have a much better positive attitude today," she explained.
Brady, 25, earlier ousted 23rd seed Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-2.
Osaka, of Haitian and Japanese heritage, walked onto the court wearing a facemask emblazoned with the name of George Floyd, the unarmed black man whose death in police custody in May sparked nationwide protests.
The 2019 Australian Open champion is wearing different masks honoring victims of racial injustice and police brutality throughout the tournament.
She has already donned face coverings bearing the names of Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery and Trayvon Martin.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-09--Pandemic threatens lives of millions of children: UN

A UNICEF survey across 77 countries found 68 percent reported at least some disruption in child health checks and immunisations due to the COVID-19 pandemic Disruptions to health services due to the pandemic are putting millions of additional lives at risk worldwide , the United Nations said Wednesday , warning that Covid-19 could reverse decades of progress in reducing child mortality .
The past 30 years have seen remarkable strides forward in preventing or treating causes of infant deaths including premature births and pneumonia .
New mortality estimates published by the UN 's children 's fund UNICEF , the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that 2019 saw the lowest number of global under-five deaths on record .
Last year around 5.2 million children died due to preventable illness , compared with 12.5 million in 1990 .
But it warned that the pandemic risked undoing all this by cutting routine child and maternal health services .
A UNICEF survey across 77 countries found 68 percent reported at least some disruption in child health checks and immunisations .
Henrietta Fore , UNICEF executive director , said that children and mothers particularly in low- and middle-income countries were being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clog national infrastructure .
`` The global community has come too far towards eliminating preventable child deaths to allow the pandemic to stop us in our tracks , '' she said .
`` Without urgent investments to re-start disrupted health systems and services , millions of children under five , especially newborns , could die . ''
Neo-natal care in developing nations is relatively inexpensive and can profoundly affect child survival rates .
For example , women who receive care by professional midwives are 16 percent less likely to lose their baby and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birth , according to the WHO .
Modelling conducted earlier this year by Johns Hopkins University found that almost 6,000 additional children could die every single day if Covid-19 healthcare disruptions continue in the medium term .
The survey found that seven countries had child mortality rates of more than 50 deaths in 1000 live births last year .
In Afghanistan , where 1 in 17 children die before their fifth birthday , the ministry of health reported a `` significant reduction '' in visits to health facilities , UNICEF said .
Much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear of contracting Covid-19 .
But there are profound risks for mothers and babies avoiding healthcare facilities that have nothing to do with the coronavirus .
John Wilmoth , director of the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs , said that the report showed that the world had made significant progress on reducing child mortality over the last 30 years .
`` It also draws attention to the need to redress the vast inequities in a child 's prospects for survival and good health , '' he said @

Paris (AFP) –
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Disruptions to health services due to the pandemic are putting millions of additional lives at risk worldwide, the United Nations said Wednesday, warning that Covid-19 could reverse decades of progress in reducing child mortality.
The past 30 years have seen remarkable strides forward in preventing or treating causes of infant deaths including premature births and pneumonia.
New mortality estimates published by the UN's children's fund UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the World Bank Group found that 2019 saw the lowest number of global under-five deaths on record.
Last year around 5.2 million children died due to preventable illness, compared with 12.5 million in 1990.
But it warned that the pandemic risked undoing all this by cutting routine child and maternal health services.
A UNICEF survey across 77 countries found 68 percent reported at least some disruption in child health checks and immunisations.
Henrietta Fore, UNICEF executive director, said that children and mothers particularly in low- and middle-income countries were being denied access to healthcare as Covid-19 cases clog national infrastructure.
"The global community has come too far towards eliminating preventable child deaths to allow the pandemic to stop us in our tracks," she said.
"Without urgent investments to re-start disrupted health systems and services, millions of children under five, especially newborns, could die."
Neo-natal care in developing nations is relatively inexpensive and can profoundly affect child survival rates.
For example, women who receive care by professional midwives are 16 percent less likely to lose their baby and 24 percent less likely to experience pre-term birth, according to the WHO.
Modelling conducted earlier this year by Johns Hopkins University found that almost 6,000 additional children could die every single day if Covid-19 healthcare disruptions continue in the medium term.
- 'Vast inequality' -
The survey found that seven countries had child mortality rates of more than 50 deaths in 1000 live births last year.
In Afghanistan, where 1 in 17 children die before their fifth birthday, the ministry of health reported a "significant reduction" in visits to health facilities, UNICEF said.
Much of the disruption may be down to fear of contracting Covid-19. But there are profound risks for mothers and babies avoiding healthcare facilities that have nothing to do with the coronavirus.
John Wilmoth, director of the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said that the report showed that the world had made significant progress on reducing child mortality over the last 30 years.
"It also draws attention to the need to redress the vast inequities in a child's prospects for survival and good health," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-09--AstraZeneca pauses Oxford Covid-19 vaccine trial after participant falls ill

An employee is seen at the Federal University of Sao Paulo ( Unifesp ) where the trials of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine are conducted , in Sao Paulo , Brazil , June 24 , 2020 .
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Tuesday it had `` voluntarily paused '' a randomised clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine in what it called a routine action after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness .
The company , which is developing the drug alongside the University of Oxford , is a frontrunner in the global race for a Covid-19 vaccine .
`` As part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine , our standard review process was triggered and we voluntarily paused vaccination to allow review of safety data by an independent committee , '' a spokesperson said .
`` This is a routine action which has to happen whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials , while it is investigated , ensuring we maintain the integrity of the trials . ''
It added that in large trials , illnesses will sometimes happen by chance but must be reviewed independently .
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single event to minimise any potential impact on the trial timeline , '' the spokesperson added .
It was not immediately clear where the patient was , or the nature and severity of their illness .
Holds during clinical trials are not uncommon , but this is thought to be the first time it has happened for a Covid-19 vaccine trial .
AstraZeneca is one of nine companies currently in late-stage Phase 3 trials for their vaccine candidates .
In the US , the company began enrolling 30,000 volunteers across dozens of sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called AZD1222 , uses a weakened version of a common cold causing adenovirus that has been engineered to code for the spike protein that the novel coronavirus uses to invade cells .
After vaccination , this protein is produced inside the human body , which primes the immune system to attack the coronavirus if the person is later infected .

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Tuesday it had "voluntarily paused" a randomised clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine in what it called a routine action after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness.
An employee is seen at the Federal University of Sao Paulo (Unifesp) where the trials of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine are conducted, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 24, 2020.
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The company, which is developing the drug alongside the University of Oxford, is a frontrunner in the global race for a Covid-19 vaccine.
"As part of the ongoing randomised, controlled global trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine, our standard review process was triggered and we voluntarily paused vaccination to allow review of safety data by an independent committee," a spokesperson said.
"This is a routine action which has to happen whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials, while it is investigated, ensuring we maintain the integrity of the trials."
It added that in large trials, illnesses will sometimes happen by chance but must be reviewed independently.
"We are working to expedite the review of the single event to minimise any potential impact on the trial timeline," the spokesperson added.
It was not immediately clear where the patient was, or the nature and severity of their illness.
Holds during clinical trials are not uncommon, but this is thought to be the first time it has happened for a Covid-19 vaccine trial.
AstraZeneca is one of nine companies currently in late-stage Phase 3 trials for their vaccine candidates.
In the US, the company began enrolling 30,000 volunteers across dozens of sites on August 31.
The vaccine, called AZD1222, uses a weakened version of a common cold causing adenovirus that has been engineered to code for the spike protein that the novel coronavirus uses to invade cells.
After vaccination, this protein is produced inside the human body, which primes the immune system to attack the coronavirus if the person is later infected.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-09-09--Players brace for 'sizzling' desert heat at ANA Inspiration

Players at this weekend 's ANA Inspiration in California may be allowed to use golf carts as officials aim to mitigate the threat of scorching triple-digit temperatures and poor air quality .
The rescheduled second women 's major of 2020 tees off at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage on Thursday after the coronavirus forced postponement from its original April 2-5 slot .
The date change means players will have to contend with the ferocious late summer temperatures typical in the southern California desert enclave , where the mercury touched 120 Fahrenheit ( 48.9 degrees Celsius ) on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributing to poor air quality , it has left LPGA Tour officials pondering the rare step of allowing players to use carts at Mission Hills this week .
Tour officials have already granted caddies the right to use push carts or carts during tournament play .
`` We 're continuing to monitor both the AQI ( air quality index ) and the temperature very closely , '' said LPGA Tour official Heather Daly-Donofrio .
`` If it becomes clear from our medical team ... the high temperatures and the AQI converge to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for walking , we have not ruled out carts for players on tournament days .
`` In general we 've heard from our players that they want to walk , that it 's a major championship , and of course in major championships you want to walk .
`` But what 's most important right now is the health and safety of our athletes and our caddies . ''
LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan said player safety would be paramount , as it had been all through a season disrupted by the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be challenged by the heat , '' Whan said .
`` We did n't expect to be challenged by both heat and air quality .
`` We 'll keep an open mind how we can address that to make sure that in the year 2020 where health has been a priority , that we 're not going to take a backseat on health as it relates to this year . ''
Players meanwhile are bracing for a gruelling ordeal in the desert heat .
Former world number one Lydia Ko , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had taken by surprise by the temperatures .
`` I normally think like 70s is perfect , 80s is like nice , 90s it 's getting hot and 100 you 're like , whoa , and then I 'm like , this is like three digits and it 's over 110 , '' she said .
`` It 's very hot .
It 's hot that you touch like the door handle of your car and it 's kind of on the slight sizzling point . ''
World number 25 Austin Ernst said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towel around her neck while her caddie would take advantage of being able to use a golf cart during tournament play .
`` I 'll have a sun umbrella and we 're going to put a cooler in the cart , have some snacks in there so you can always manage it as best you can , '' Ernst said .
`` I think you have to drink a lot of water .
You have to drink more than you think you do . ''
Although reigning champion Ko Jin-young of South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her title this week , LPGA Tour officials say the field , which boasts eight of the world 's top 10 players , will be the strongest of any event assembled since the coronavirus shutdown .
Also missing from the field is Germany 's Sophia Popov , who won last month 's Women 's British Open in Scotland .
Her exemption for winning the title does not begin until next year and the LPGA did not issue her a special invitation .

Palm Springs (United States) (AFP) –
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Players at this weekend's ANA Inspiration in California may be allowed to use golf carts as officials aim to mitigate the threat of scorching triple-digit temperatures and poor air quality.
The rescheduled second women's major of 2020 tees off at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage on Thursday after the coronavirus forced postponement from its original April 2-5 slot.
The date change means players will have to contend with the ferocious late summer temperatures typical in the southern California desert enclave, where the mercury touched 120 Fahrenheit (48.9 degrees Celsius) on Sunday.
With smoke from blazing wildfires also contributing to poor air quality, it has left LPGA Tour officials pondering the rare step of allowing players to use carts at Mission Hills this week.
Tour officials have already granted caddies the right to use push carts or carts during tournament play.
"We're continuing to monitor both the AQI (air quality index) and the temperature very closely," said LPGA Tour official Heather Daly-Donofrio.
"If it becomes clear from our medical team ... the high temperatures and the AQI converge to a point where we feel that's unhealthy for walking, we have not ruled out carts for players on tournament days.
"In general we've heard from our players that they want to walk, that it's a major championship, and of course in major championships you want to walk.
"But what's most important right now is the health and safety of our athletes and our caddies."
LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan said player safety would be paramount, as it had been all through a season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Obviously we're going to be challenged by the heat," Whan said. "We didn't expect to be challenged by both heat and air quality.
"We'll keep an open mind how we can address that to make sure that in the year 2020 where health has been a priority, that we're not going to take a backseat on health as it relates to this year."
- 'Sizzling point' -
Players meanwhile are bracing for a gruelling ordeal in the desert heat.
Former world number one Lydia Ko, the 2016 ANA Inspiration winner, said she had taken by surprise by the temperatures.
"I normally think like 70s is perfect, 80s is like nice, 90s it's getting hot and 100 you're like, whoa, and then I'm like, this is like three digits and it's over 110," she said.
"It's very hot. It's hot that you touch like the door handle of your car and it's kind of on the slight sizzling point."
World number 25 Austin Ernst said she planned to play with a wet towel around her neck while her caddie would take advantage of being able to use a golf cart during tournament play.
"I'll have a sun umbrella and we're going to put a cooler in the cart, have some snacks in there so you can always manage it as best you can," Ernst said.
"I think you have to drink a lot of water. You have to drink more than you think you do."
Although reigning champion Ko Jin-young of South Korea will not be in California to defend her title this week, LPGA Tour officials say the field, which boasts eight of the world's top 10 players, will be the strongest of any event assembled since the coronavirus shutdown.
Also missing from the field is Germany's Sophia Popov, who won last month's Women's British Open in Scotland. Her exemption for winning the title does not begin until next year and the LPGA did not issue her a special invitation.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--AstraZeneca pauses Covid-19 vaccine trial after unexplained illness

A general view of Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is pictured in Macclesfield in northwest England Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Tuesday it had `` voluntarily paused '' a randomized clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine in what it called a routine action after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness .
The company , which is developing the drug alongside the University of Oxford , is a frontrunner in the global race for a Covid-19 vaccine .
`` As part of the ongoing randomized , controlled global trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine , our standard review process was triggered and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety data by an independent committee , '' a spokesperson said .
`` This is a routine action which has to happen whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials , while it is investigated , ensuring we maintain the integrity of the trials . ''
It added that in large trials , illnesses will sometimes happen by chance but must be reviewed independently .
`` We are working to expedite the review of the single event to minimise any potential impact on the trial timeline , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear where the patient was , or the nature and severity of their illness .
Holds during clinical trials are not uncommon , but this is thought to be the first time it has happened for a Covid-19 vaccine trial .
AstraZeneca is one of nine companies currently in late-stage Phase 3 trials for their vaccine candidates .
In the US , the company began enrolling 30,000 volunteers across dozens of sites on August 31 .
The vaccine , called AZD1222 , uses a weakened version of a common cold causing adenovirus that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spike protein that the novel coronavirus uses to invade cells .
After vaccination , this protein is produced inside the human body , which primes the immune system to attack the coronavirus if the person is later infected .

Washington (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Tuesday it had "voluntarily paused" a randomized clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine in what it called a routine action after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness.
The company, which is developing the drug alongside the University of Oxford, is a frontrunner in the global race for a Covid-19 vaccine.
"As part of the ongoing randomized, controlled global trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine, our standard review process was triggered and we voluntarily paused vaccination to allow review of safety data by an independent committee," a spokesperson said.
"This is a routine action which has to happen whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials, while it is investigated, ensuring we maintain the integrity of the trials."
It added that in large trials, illnesses will sometimes happen by chance but must be reviewed independently.
"We are working to expedite the review of the single event to minimise any potential impact on the trial timeline," the spokesperson added.
It was not immediately clear where the patient was, or the nature and severity of their illness.
Holds during clinical trials are not uncommon, but this is thought to be the first time it has happened for a Covid-19 vaccine trial.
AstraZeneca is one of nine companies currently in late-stage Phase 3 trials for their vaccine candidates.
In the US, the company began enrolling 30,000 volunteers across dozens of sites on August 31.
The vaccine, called AZD1222, uses a weakened version of a common cold causing adenovirus that has been engineered to code for the spike protein that the novel coronavirus uses to invade cells.
After vaccination, this protein is produced inside the human body, which primes the immune system to attack the coronavirus if the person is later infected.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--Australia match-winner Marsh relishing T20 finisher role

Mitchell Marsh on his way to an unbeaten 39 in Australia 's five-wicket win over England in the 3rd T20 at Southampton Mitchell Marsh said he had `` loved finishing off the game for the boys '' as he marked his return to competitive cricket by seeing Australia to a five-wicket win over England in the third Twenty20 international at Southampton on Tuesday .
Australia still lost the three-match series 2-1 but this victory ensured they regained top spot in the global T20 rankings from arch-rivals England .
Set just 146 to win , Australia were cruising at 86-2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the series opener , Australia then saw leg-spinner Adil Rashid remove Glenn Maxwell , skipper Aaron Finch and star batsman Steve Smith in 11 balls .
But Marsh , with a career-best 39 not out at this level , and Western Australia team-mate Ashton Agar ( 16 not out ) shared an unbroken partnership of 47 as the tourists won with three balls to spare .
Finishing a T20 innings has proved a problem for an Australia side packed with top-order talent .
But all-rounder Marsh could be the man to fill that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Cup in India .
`` I 've played in this role for most of my career even though for the ( Perth ) Scorchers I bat a bit higher up the order and have a bit more time to get in , '' player of the match Marsh told reporters .
It was his first senior appearance since a one-day international against New Zealand at Sydney in March after the coronavirus pandemic upended the global cricket calendar .
`` I loved tonight , loved finishing off the game for the boys and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 28-year-old added .
`` It 's a hard spot to bat .
Finishing the game you find yourself in different situations .
`` I was thinking about it tonight , just loving the experience of that again , getting out there and having that feeling of being under pressure -- that 's why we play . ''
Marsh , who might have been twice out for under 10 , said starting his innings against Rashid -- who took an impressive 3-21 , had been tough .
`` Adil Rashid 's a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a long period of time for England and he 's one of the best spinners in the world in white-ball cricket .
Marsh 's view was endorsed by stand-in England captain Moeen Ali , who said : `` Adil is an amazing bowler for us .
When he is bowling like that he is the best in the world . ''
England 's modest total of 145-6 on Tuesday may have owed something to the fact they were without four frontline batsmen .
Both regular captain Eoin Morgan and opener Jason Roy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on compassionate leave in New Zealand with his ill father and player of the series Jos Buttler was allowed to miss this match to spend time with his family after 10 weeks in the bio-secure bubble .
In their absence , opener Jonny Bairstow 's 55 was the only England innings of note on Tuesday .
`` When missing four world-class players , four players who are in our ( best ) team , it 's a big miss , '' said Moeen .
`` I would n't say it was too far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough team , but obviously we were short with the bat .
`` We have learnt that we have a top bowling attack and when Stokesy , Jos , Morgs and Jason come back in , we will have a formidable side . ''
England , however , might still have won had they not missed several chances in a sloppy fielding display .
`` We saw in the first game that if you put Australia under pressure , you push back , they crumble , '' said Moeen .
`` Even with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we take those chances I feel we could have won the game for sure . ''
England , the 50-over world champions , and Australia now head north to Manchester for a three-match one-day international series starting on Friday .
It will be the first time they have played an ODI since England beat Australia in the semi-finals of last year 's World Cup .

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Mitchell Marsh said he had "loved finishing off the game for the boys" as he marked his return to competitive cricket by seeing Australia to a five-wicket win over England in the third Twenty20 international at Southampton on Tuesday.
Australia still lost the three-match series 2-1 but this victory ensured they regained top spot in the global T20 rankings from arch-rivals England.
Set just 146 to win, Australia were cruising at 86-2.
But having suffered a dramatic collapse in the series opener, Australia then saw leg-spinner Adil Rashid remove Glenn Maxwell, skipper Aaron Finch and star batsman Steve Smith in 11 balls.
But Marsh, with a career-best 39 not out at this level, and Western Australia team-mate Ashton Agar (16 not out) shared an unbroken partnership of 47 as the tourists won with three balls to spare.
Finishing a T20 innings has proved a problem for an Australia side packed with top-order talent.
But all-rounder Marsh could be the man to fill that role ahead of next year's T20 World Cup in India.
"I've played in this role for most of my career even though for the (Perth) Scorchers I bat a bit higher up the order and have a bit more time to get in," player of the match Marsh told reporters.
It was his first senior appearance since a one-day international against New Zealand at Sydney in March after the coronavirus pandemic upended the global cricket calendar.
- 'World-class' Rashid -
"I loved tonight, loved finishing off the game for the boys and contributing to a great win," the 28-year-old added. "It's a hard spot to bat. Finishing the game you find yourself in different situations.
"I was thinking about it tonight, just loving the experience of that again, getting out there and having that feeling of being under pressure -- that's why we play."
Marsh, who might have been twice out for under 10, said starting his innings against Rashid -- who took an impressive 3-21, had been tough.
"Adil Rashid's a great bowler. He's got great numbers over a long period of time for England and he's one of the best spinners in the world in white-ball cricket.
"He bowled beautifully again tonight."
Marsh's view was endorsed by stand-in England captain Moeen Ali, who said: "Adil is an amazing bowler for us. When he is bowling like that he is the best in the world."
England's modest total of 145-6 on Tuesday may have owed something to the fact they were without four frontline batsmen.
Both regular captain Eoin Morgan and opener Jason Roy were injured, Ben Stokes was still on compassionate leave in New Zealand with his ill father and player of the series Jos Buttler was allowed to miss this match to spend time with his family after 10 weeks in the bio-secure bubble.
In their absence, opener Jonny Bairstow's 55 was the only England innings of note on Tuesday.
"When missing four world-class players, four players who are in our (best) team, it's a big miss," said Moeen.
"I wouldn't say it was too far -- I thought we had a good enough team, but obviously we were short with the bat.
"We have learnt that we have a top bowling attack and when Stokesy, Jos, Morgs and Jason come back in, we will have a formidable side."
England, however, might still have won had they not missed several chances in a sloppy fielding display.
"We saw in the first game that if you put Australia under pressure, you push back, they crumble," said Moeen. "Even with a low score like that... if we take those chances I feel we could have won the game for sure."
England, the 50-over world champions, and Australia now head north to Manchester for a three-match one-day international series starting on Friday.
It will be the first time they have played an ODI since England beat Australia in the semi-finals of last year's World Cup.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--Californians airlifted from fires as dangerous winds arrive

The Creek Fire has ripped through more than 140,000 acres and is zero percent contained Dangerous dry winds whipped up California 's record-breaking wildfires and ignited new blazes Tuesday , as hundreds were evacuated by helicopter and tens of thousands were plunged into darkness by power outages across the western United States .
The arrival of strong gusts after the Labor Day weekend 's unprecedented temperatures saw most of California placed under severe weather warnings , with 14,000 firefighters battling 25 major wildfires across the country 's most populous state .
`` We 're dealing with challenges we have n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California governor Gavin Newsom .
More than 170,000 Californians were left without electricity as utility company PG & E enacted a `` last resort '' shutoff across large swathes of the state due to the extreme wildfire threat .
In northwestern Washington state , 330,000 acres burned in just 24 hours -- more than in any of the last 12 fire seasons , Governor Jay Inslee said .
`` These fires are extraordinary .
They are doing things we 've never seen before as to how fast they spread , '' said Inslee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to high winds and fire in his state .
Helicopters operating at the rapidly spreading Creek Fire near Fresno in central California airlifted 362 people -- including 148 on Tuesday -- to safety , as overnight hazardous smoky conditions cleared , the California National Guard told AFP .
Rescue officials were on standby after concluding the evacuations of all known residents and tourists in the area , but a spokeswoman warned the operation `` is not completely over . ''
Multiple homes were engulfed by flames in the nearby Tollhouse area overnight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire surrounding campsites around the popular holiday spot Mammoth Pool Reservoir .
The Creek Fire has ripped through more than 140,000 acres and was zero percent contained Tuesday .
Meanwhile , new blazes erupted in northern California , pummeled by intense winds .
`` Multiple new fast-moving & dangerous fires have broken out this morning in addition to existing ones , '' tweeted University of California Los Angeles scientist Daniel Swain .
`` Strong offshore wind pattern is just arriving , & will affect new ( and ) existing fires for rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bear Fire jumped its containment lines during fierce winds and was spreading at an `` extreme rate '' comparable to the nearby 2018 Camp Fire -- the deadliest in modern California history -- Swain added .
Further south , another inferno -- the Bobcat Fire -- threatened the fringes of greater Los Angeles .
Evacuations were in progress from the closed Angeles National Forest , just north of the metropolis , with more than 8,500 acres ( 3,400 hectares ) on fire in the blaze that broke out Sunday .
Wildfires spread rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record 121-degree Fahrenheit ( 49 degrees Celsius ) temperature recorded in Los Angeles county .
Santa Ana winds arriving Tuesday were expected to strengthen through to Wednesday morning , with gusts of 55 miles ( 88 kilometers ) per hour .
`` Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior , new fire starts are likely , weather conditions are worsening , and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire , '' said Randy Moore , regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Region .
They came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on many of the lightning-caused fires in Northern California that ignited last month .
California has now seen more than 2.2 million acres burn in wildfires this year -- an annual record , with nearly four months of fire season still to come .
There have been eight deaths and more than 3,300 structures destroyed .
The small town of Malden in Washington was nearly totally razed , with 80 percent of its buildings including the fire station , post office and city hall `` completely burned to the ground , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The scale of this disaster really ca n't be expressed in words , '' said Sheriff Brett Myers .
`` The fire will be extinguished but a community has been changed for a lifetime .
I just hope we do n't find the fire took more than homes and buildings .
I pray everyone got out in time . ''
Governor Inslee is due to visit Thursday , and said the town `` looked like a bomb had gone off . ''

Tollhouse (United States) (AFP) –
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Dangerous dry winds whipped up California's record-breaking wildfires and ignited new blazes Tuesday, as hundreds were evacuated by helicopter and tens of thousands were plunged into darkness by power outages across the western United States.
The arrival of strong gusts after the Labor Day weekend's unprecedented temperatures saw most of California placed under severe weather warnings, with 14,000 firefighters battling 25 major wildfires across the country's most populous state.
"We're dealing with challenges we haven't seen in modern times," said California governor Gavin Newsom.
More than 170,000 Californians were left without electricity as utility company PG&E enacted a "last resort" shutoff across large swathes of the state due to the extreme wildfire threat.
In northwestern Washington state, 330,000 acres burned in just 24 hours -- more than in any of the last 12 fire seasons, Governor Jay Inslee said.
"These fires are extraordinary. They are doing things we've never seen before as to how fast they spread," said Inslee. Another 100,000 people lost power due to high winds and fire in his state.
Helicopters operating at the rapidly spreading Creek Fire near Fresno in central California airlifted 362 people -- including 148 on Tuesday -- to safety, as overnight hazardous smoky conditions cleared, the California National Guard told AFP.
Rescue officials were on standby after concluding the evacuations of all known residents and tourists in the area, but a spokeswoman warned the operation "is not completely over."
Multiple homes were engulfed by flames in the nearby Tollhouse area overnight, while videos on social media showed the fire surrounding campsites around the popular holiday spot Mammoth Pool Reservoir.
The Creek Fire has ripped through more than 140,000 acres and was zero percent contained Tuesday.
Meanwhile, new blazes erupted in northern California, pummeled by intense winds.
"Multiple new fast-moving & dangerous fires have broken out this morning in addition to existing ones," tweeted University of California Los Angeles scientist Daniel Swain.
"Strong offshore wind pattern is just arriving, & will affect new (and) existing fires for rest of day into tomorrow."
The three-week-old Bear Fire jumped its containment lines during fierce winds and was spreading at an "extreme rate" comparable to the nearby 2018 Camp Fire -- the deadliest in modern California history -- Swain added.
- 80 percent of town destroyed -
Further south, another inferno -- the Bobcat Fire -- threatened the fringes of greater Los Angeles.
Evacuations were in progress from the closed Angeles National Forest, just north of the metropolis, with more than 8,500 acres (3,400 hectares) on fire in the blaze that broke out Sunday.
Wildfires spread rapidly over the holiday weekend, which saw a record 121-degree Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) temperature recorded in Los Angeles county.
Santa Ana winds arriving Tuesday were expected to strengthen through to Wednesday morning, with gusts of 55 miles (88 kilometers) per hour.
"Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior, new fire starts are likely, weather conditions are worsening, and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire," said Randy Moore, regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Region.
They came as overstretched firefighters were finally gaining ground on many of the lightning-caused fires in Northern California that ignited last month.
California has now seen more than 2.2 million acres burn in wildfires this year -- an annual record, with nearly four months of fire season still to come.
There have been eight deaths and more than 3,300 structures destroyed.
The small town of Malden in Washington was nearly totally razed, with 80 percent of its buildings including the fire station, post office and city hall "completely burned to the ground," the local sheriff said in a statement.
"The scale of this disaster really can't be expressed in words," said Sheriff Brett Myers. "The fire will be extinguished but a community has been changed for a lifetime. I just hope we don't find the fire took more than homes and buildings. I pray everyone got out in time."
Governor Inslee is due to visit Thursday, and said the town "looked like a bomb had gone off."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--Hull withdraws from ANA Inspiration after COVID positive

England 's Charley Hull withdrew from this week 's rescheduled LPGA ANA Inspiration golf major in California on Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19 .
Hull , the world number 28 , said she had pulled out of the second women 's major of the year after learning of the positive test early Tuesday .
`` As part of the LPGA TOUR 's Covid-19 testing process , I was informed this morning that I tested positive for Covid-19 and I have withdrawn from the ANA Inspiration , '' Hull said on Twitter .
`` I did n't feel great yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lag , the heat and my asthma playing up .
`` I now realise I have some mild symptoms which feel similar to having a cold and I am self-isolating and working with Tour on contact tracing .
`` I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from what is one of my favourite events of the year but wish everyone the best of luck at this week 's tournament and look forward to when I can return to playing on Tour . ''
The 24-year-old has a solid record in the ANA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the event since 2014 .
The tournament at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage tees off on Thursday .
The tournament is usually in late March/early April but was rescheduled to September this year due to the coronavirus pandemic .

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England's Charley Hull withdrew from this week's rescheduled LPGA ANA Inspiration golf major in California on Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19.
Hull, the world number 28, said she had pulled out of the second women's major of the year after learning of the positive test early Tuesday.
"As part of the LPGA TOUR's Covid-19 testing process, I was informed this morning that I tested positive for Covid-19 and I have withdrawn from the ANA Inspiration," Hull said on Twitter.
"I didn't feel great yesterday but I put it down to jet lag, the heat and my asthma playing up.
"I now realise I have some mild symptoms which feel similar to having a cold and I am self-isolating and working with Tour on contact tracing.
"I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from what is one of my favourite events of the year but wish everyone the best of luck at this week's tournament and look forward to when I can return to playing on Tour."
The 24-year-old has a solid record in the ANA Inspiration, posting three top 10 finishes in the event since 2014.
The tournament at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage tees off on Thursday. The tournament is usually in late March/early April but was rescheduled to September this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--Trump extends oil drilling moratorium off Florida coast

President Donald Trump , normally an enthusiastic proponent of the oil industry , on Tuesday announced he was extending a 10-year moratorium on drilling off the coast of Florida , a gesture aimed at bolstering his support in the battleground state ahead of November 's election .
`` In a few moments I will sign a presidential order extending the moratorium on offshore drilling on Florida ’ s Gulf Coast and expanding it to Florida ’ s Atlantic Coast as well as the coast of Georgia and South Carolina , '' Trump said at an event in Jupiter , Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern Gulf of Mexico , which had been due to expire in 2022 , will now run until 2032 and be extended to the Atlantic coast of Florida , Georgia and South Carolina .
`` After many conversations with @ realDonaldTrump on the importance of keeping FL 's coastlines pristine , I 'm glad he 's extending the moratorium for another 10 years , '' said Florida senator Rick Scott , a former Republican governor of the state , on Twitter .
Trump 's Democratic rival for the White House , Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` just months ago , Donald Trump was planning to allow oil and gas drilling off the coast of Florida .
Now , with 56 days until the election , he conveniently says that he changed his mind .
Unbelievable . ''
The decision contrasts sharply with earlier actions taken by the Trump administration , which in mid-August approved a move that will open the way for oil and gas drilling in a pristine wildlife reserve in Alaska that is home to polar bears .
In 2018 , the White House said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waters up to oil and gas drilling , a decision that was met with opposition in numerous states and that is still being challenged in the courts .
Florida will be a key battleground state in the November election .
In 2016 , Trump won it by a thin margin thanks to senior citizens , but this year Biden has a very narrow edge on the incumbent .

Jupiter (United States) (AFP) –
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President Donald Trump, normally an enthusiastic proponent of the oil industry, on Tuesday announced he was extending a 10-year moratorium on drilling off the coast of Florida, a gesture aimed at bolstering his support in the battleground state ahead of November's election.
"In a few moments I will sign a presidential order extending the moratorium on offshore drilling on Florida’s Gulf Coast and expanding it to Florida’s Atlantic Coast as well as the coast of Georgia and South Carolina," Trump said at an event in Jupiter, Florida.
The moratorium on drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which had been due to expire in 2022, will now run until 2032 and be extended to the Atlantic coast of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
"After many conversations with @realDonaldTrump on the importance of keeping FL's coastlines pristine, I'm glad he's extending the moratorium for another 10 years," said Florida senator Rick Scott, a former Republican governor of the state, on Twitter.
Trump's Democratic rival for the White House, Joe Biden, was quick to point out that "just months ago, Donald Trump was planning to allow oil and gas drilling off the coast of Florida. Now, with 56 days until the election, he conveniently says that he changed his mind. Unbelievable."
The decision contrasts sharply with earlier actions taken by the Trump administration, which in mid-August approved a move that will open the way for oil and gas drilling in a pristine wildlife reserve in Alaska that is home to polar bears.
In 2018, the White House said it would open almost all of US coastal waters up to oil and gas drilling, a decision that was met with opposition in numerous states and that is still being challenged in the courts.
Florida will be a key battleground state in the November election. In 2016, Trump won it by a thin margin thanks to senior citizens, but this year Biden has a very narrow edge on the incumbent.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--Banned Farrell to miss European Champions Cup quarter-final

England captain Owen Farrell will miss title-holders Saracens ' European Champions Cup quarter-final later this month after he received a @ @ @ @ @ a dangerous tackle against Wasps last weekend .
Farrell was sent off for the first @ @ @ @ @ , playing for Saracens in the English Premiership , he was dismissed on the hour @ @ @ @ @ challenge on teenage replacement back Charlie Atkinson on Saturday .
At that stage the scores @ @ @ @ @ ground in north London were level , but Farrell 's red card paved the way @ @ @ @ @ .
The 18-year-old Atkinson was knocked out and will not train for at last two @ @ @ @ @ .
With bans in rugby union applying across all competitions , Farrell is now set @ @ @ @ @ clash against Irish province Leinster on September 19 .

London (AFP) –
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England captain Owen Farrell will miss title-holders Saracens' European Champions Cup quarter-final later this month after he received a five-match ban on Tuesday for a dangerous tackle against Wasps last weekend.
Farrell was sent off for the first time in his career when, playing for Saracens in the English Premiership, he was dismissed on the hour mark for a head high challenge on teenage replacement back Charlie Atkinson on Saturday.
At that stage the scores at Saracens' Allianz Park ground in north London were level, but Farrell's red card paved the way for Wasps' 28-18 win.
The 18-year-old Atkinson was knocked out and will not train for at last two weeks because of concussion protocols.
With bans in rugby union applying across all competitions, Farrell is now set to miss Saracens' last-eight clash against Irish province Leinster on September 19.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--Alexander Zverev beats Borna Coric to reach US Open semi-finals

Fifth seed Alexander Zverev defeated Borna Coric in four sets to reach the US Open semi-finals on Tuesday .
The German overcame the 27th-seeded Croatian 1-6 , 7-6 ( 7/5 ) , 7-6 ( 7/1 ) , 6-3 in 3hr 25min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium .
Zverev , seeking a maiden Grand Slam title , will play either 12th seed Canadian Denis Shapovalov or Spain 's 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta for a place in the final .
The 23-year-old Zverev said he stepped on the gas after finding himself a set down , and 4-2 behind in the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe a little bit more aggressive because if I would have played the way I played it 's not the level for a quarter-final match of a Grand Slam , '' he said .
`` I just started playing better .
I was a little bit more consistent and as well , my serve got better .
`` I thought to myself I 'm down 6-1 , 4-2 , I have nothing to lose at the moment , '' Zverev added .
Zverev performed well when kept his first serves in play .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23-year-old Coric could only make five .
The world number seven struggled with consistency at times , however .
He hit 12 double faults , ten more than Coric .
Zverev won 76 percent of first serve points compared to just 41 percent on his second serve .
The German hit far more winners than the Croatian though , 52 to 37 .
It was a close contest , with Zverev accumulating 136 points in total , just four more than Coric .
The disqualification of top seed Novak Djokovic on Sunday blew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide open .
His departure means the US Open will crown a first-time Grand Slam winner on Sunday .
In Wednesday 's quarter-final matches , second seed Dominic Thiem plays Australia 's Alex de Minaur and third seed Daniil Medvedev takes on Russian compatriot Andrey Rublev .

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Fifth seed Alexander Zverev defeated Borna Coric in four sets to reach the US Open semi-finals on Tuesday.
The German overcame the 27th-seeded Croatian 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 in 3hr 25min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Zverev, seeking a maiden Grand Slam title, will play either 12th seed Canadian Denis Shapovalov or Spain's 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta for a place in the final.
The 23-year-old Zverev said he stepped on the gas after finding himself a set down, and 4-2 behind in the second set.
"I just started playing maybe a little bit more aggressive because if I would have played the way I played it's not the level for a quarter-final match of a Grand Slam," he said.
"I just started playing better. I was a little bit more consistent and as well, my serve got better.
"I thought to myself I'm down 6-1, 4-2, I have nothing to lose at the moment," Zverev added.
Zverev performed well when kept his first serves in play. He smashed 18 aces, while the 23-year-old Coric could only make five.
The world number seven struggled with consistency at times, however.
He hit 12 double faults, ten more than Coric.
Zverev won 76 percent of first serve points compared to just 41 percent on his second serve.
The German hit far more winners than the Croatian though, 52 to 37.
It was a close contest, with Zverev accumulating 136 points in total, just four more than Coric.
The disqualification of top seed Novak Djokovic on Sunday blew the men's competition at Flushing Meadows wide open.
His departure means the US Open will crown a first-time Grand Slam winner on Sunday.
In Wednesday's quarter-final matches, second seed Dominic Thiem plays Australia's Alex de Minaur and third seed Daniil Medvedev takes on Russian compatriot Andrey Rublev.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--Ronaldo at the double, France see off Croatia in World Cup final repeat

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning brace to take him to 101 international goals for Portugal in a 2-0 victory over 10-man Sweden in the Nations League on Tuesday , while France won a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final 4-2 over Croatia .
Ronaldo broke the mythical 100-goal mark on the stroke of half-time , the 35-year-old Juventus attacker curling in a free-kick from 25 yards over the wall and into the far left corner beyond Sweden 's stranded goalkeeper Robin Olsen for a memorable milestone in his trophy-laden career .
The bonus second goal , and his 101st @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward cutting back inside the Swedish defence and producing a deft finish into the far corner from 20 yards .
After making his first senior international appearance as an 18-year-old in 2003 , Ronaldo notched up his first goal for Portugal in a 2-1 defeat by eventual winners Greece at Euro 2004 .
Ronaldo , capped 165 times by Portugal , is second only to Iran 's Ali Daei , on 109 , in the list of top men 's international goal scorers .
Incredibly for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals have come in friendly matches , and his nine hat-tricks all came in FIFA or UEFA tournaments or qualifying games .
At the Stade de France north of Paris , Eduardo Camavinga became France 's youngest international in 96 years as les Bleus won a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final over Croatia .
Midfielder Camavinga , aged 17 years and nine months , replaced Ngolo Kante in the second half and is only surpassed by Julien Verbrugghe , aged 16 years and 10 months in 1906 , and Maurice Gastiger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1914 .
Deschamps made seven changes from Saturday 's win over Sweden in Solna with Wissam Ben Yedder and Anthony Martial leading the attack after Kylian Mbappe contracted Covid-19 .
Antoine Griezmann , Dayot Upamecano , Olivier Giroud as well as an own goal from the visitors ' goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic secured a repeat result from Russia two years ago after Dejan Lovren had opened the scoring for Croatia , Wolfsburg 's Josip Brekalo adding their second in the 55th minute .
The result sees Didier Deschamps ' World Cup winners second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portugal .
FIFA 's number one ranked side Belgium , led superbly by Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne , handed Iceland a 5-1 drubbing to follow up on their 2-0 win over Denmark .
The Islanders actually opened the scoring through an 11th-minute deflected shot from Holmbert Fridjonsson .
But a reshuffled Red Devils outfit hit back almost immediately through Axel Witsel in the 13th minute , before a Michy Batshuayi double ( 17 , 70 ) coupled with goals from Dries Mertens ( 50 ) and new cap Jeremy Doku ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of sight .
Belgium 's win moves them to the top of League A Group 2 ahead of their trip next month to England , who were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw away to Denmark in Copenhagen on Tuesday .
Gareth Southgate 's preparation for the game was thrown into turmoil when Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood were sent home after breaching coronavirus protocols following Saturday 's 1-0 victory in Iceland .
Southgate can use that distraction and a lack of match fitness ahead of the start to the Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Three Lions ' lack of sharpness going forward , in sharp contrast to their free-scoring form in qualifying for Euro 2020 prior to the coronavirus shutdown .
Leeds ' Kalvin Phillips and Wolves captain Connor Coady were handed their international debuts , but clear chances were few and far between .
The best opportunities to break the deadlock for both sides came in the final 10 minutes as firstly Christian Eriksen blazed over from Yussuf Poulsen 's cushioned header .
At the other end , his former Tottenham teammate Harry Kane thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stoppage time as he rounded Kaspar Schmeichel and fired goalwards only for Mathias Jorgensen to make a brilliant goal-line clearance .

Paris (AFP) –
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Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning brace to take him to 101 international goals for Portugal in a 2-0 victory over 10-man Sweden in the Nations League on Tuesday, while France won a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final 4-2 over Croatia.
Ronaldo broke the mythical 100-goal mark on the stroke of half-time, the 35-year-old Juventus attacker curling in a free-kick from 25 yards over the wall and into the far left corner beyond Sweden's stranded goalkeeper Robin Olsen for a memorable milestone in his trophy-laden career.
The bonus second goal, and his 101st, came in the 72nd minute, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward cutting back inside the Swedish defence and producing a deft finish into the far corner from 20 yards.
After making his first senior international appearance as an 18-year-old in 2003, Ronaldo notched up his first goal for Portugal in a 2-1 defeat by eventual winners Greece at Euro 2004.
Ronaldo, capped 165 times by Portugal, is second only to Iran's Ali Daei, on 109, in the list of top men's international goal scorers.
Incredibly for Ronaldo, just 17 of his 100 goals have come in friendly matches, and his nine hat-tricks all came in FIFA or UEFA tournaments or qualifying games.
At the Stade de France north of Paris, Eduardo Camavinga became France's youngest international in 96 years as les Bleus won a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final over Croatia.
Midfielder Camavinga, aged 17 years and nine months, replaced Ngolo Kante in the second half and is only surpassed by Julien Verbrugghe, aged 16 years and 10 months in 1906, and Maurice Gastiger, at 17 years and 4 months in 1914.
Deschamps made seven changes from Saturday's win over Sweden in Solna with Wissam Ben Yedder and Anthony Martial leading the attack after Kylian Mbappe contracted Covid-19.
Antoine Griezmann, Dayot Upamecano, Olivier Giroud as well as an own goal from the visitors' goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic secured a repeat result from Russia two years ago after Dejan Lovren had opened the scoring for Croatia, Wolfsburg's Josip Brekalo adding their second in the 55th minute.
The result sees Didier Deschamps' World Cup winners second on goal difference in Group A behind Portugal.
- Belgians thrash Iceland -
FIFA's number one ranked side Belgium, led superbly by Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, handed Iceland a 5-1 drubbing to follow up on their 2-0 win over Denmark.
The Islanders actually opened the scoring through an 11th-minute deflected shot from Holmbert Fridjonsson.
But a reshuffled Red Devils outfit hit back almost immediately through Axel Witsel in the 13th minute, before a Michy Batshuayi double (17, 70) coupled with goals from Dries Mertens (50) and new cap Jeremy Doku (80) combined to put the game out of sight.
Belgium's win moves them to the top of League A Group 2 ahead of their trip next month to England, who were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw away to Denmark in Copenhagen on Tuesday.
Gareth Southgate's preparation for the game was thrown into turmoil when Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood were sent home after breaching coronavirus protocols following Saturday's 1-0 victory in Iceland.
Southgate can use that distraction and a lack of match fitness ahead of the start to the Premier League season on Saturday as excuses for the Three Lions' lack of sharpness going forward, in sharp contrast to their free-scoring form in qualifying for Euro 2020 prior to the coronavirus shutdown.
Leeds' Kalvin Phillips and Wolves captain Connor Coady were handed their international debuts, but clear chances were few and far between.
The best opportunities to break the deadlock for both sides came in the final 10 minutes as firstly Christian Eriksen blazed over from Yussuf Poulsen's cushioned header.
At the other end, his former Tottenham teammate Harry Kane thought he had notched the winner deep in stoppage time as he rounded Kaspar Schmeichel and fired goalwards only for Mathias Jorgensen to make a brilliant goal-line clearance.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--Frenchman who wanted to stream his death accepts palliative care

Alain Cocq has had nine operations in four years A terminally ill Frenchman who planned to live stream his death on social media has accepted palliative care after refusing food and medication for over three days .
Alain Cocq , 57 , had earlier announced he was refusing all food , drink and medicine after French President Emmanuel Macron turned down his request for euthanasia .
Cocq , who suffers from a rare genetic condition which causes the walls of his arteries to stick together , said he believed he had less than a week to live and would broadcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which said it would block a livestream .
`` I am sorry but I needed a some serenity to depart in peace , '' his spokeswoman quoted him as saying .
He was hospitalised on Monday , lawyer Sophie Medjeberg , who is acting as his spokeswoman , told AFP .
`` He is suffering too much , it was too hard .
He still wants to go but without suffering .
It was too difficult , '' she said on Tuesday .
Medjeberg said she did not know if the doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could lead to a coma which could be irreversible or send him back home with a mobile unit for palliative care '' .
The main hospital in the northeastern city of Dijon , where Cocq has been admitted , was not immediately available for comment .
Medjeberg said Cocq was delirious , foaming at the mouth and had blood in his stool .
He has had nine operations in four years .
Cocq had written to Macron asking to be given a substance that would allow him to die in peace but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not allowed under French law .
Cocq has used his plight to draw attention to the situation of terminally ill patients in France who are not allowed to die in line with their wishes .
`` Because I am not above the law , I am not able to comply with your request , '' Macron said in a letter to Cocq , which the patient published on his Facebook page .
`` I can not ask anyone to go beyond our current legal framework ...
Your wish is to request active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permitted in our country . ''
In order to show France the `` agony '' caused by the law in its current state , Cocq planned to broadcast the end of his life -- which he believed would come in `` four to five days '' -- on his Facebook page Cocq said he has been in a `` terminal phase '' for 34 years .

Lyon (AFP) –
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A terminally ill Frenchman who planned to live stream his death on social media has accepted palliative care after refusing food and medication for over three days.
Alain Cocq, 57, had earlier announced he was refusing all food, drink and medicine after French President Emmanuel Macron turned down his request for euthanasia.
Cocq, who suffers from a rare genetic condition which causes the walls of his arteries to stick together, said he believed he had less than a week to live and would broadcast his death from Saturday morning on Facebook, which said it would block a livestream.
"I am sorry but I needed a some serenity to depart in peace," his spokeswoman quoted him as saying.
He was hospitalised on Monday, lawyer Sophie Medjeberg, who is acting as his spokeswoman, told AFP.
"He is suffering too much, it was too hard. He still wants to go but without suffering. It was too difficult," she said on Tuesday.
Medjeberg said she did not know if the doctors would resort to "deep sedation that could lead to a coma which could be irreversible or send him back home with a mobile unit for palliative care".
The main hospital in the northeastern city of Dijon, where Cocq has been admitted, was not immediately available for comment.
Medjeberg said Cocq was delirious, foaming at the mouth and had blood in his stool. He has had nine operations in four years.
Cocq had written to Macron asking to be given a substance that would allow him to die in peace but the president wrote back to him explaining this was not allowed under French law.
Cocq has used his plight to draw attention to the situation of terminally ill patients in France who are not allowed to die in line with their wishes.
"Because I am not above the law, I am not able to comply with your request," Macron said in a letter to Cocq, which the patient published on his Facebook page.
"I cannot ask anyone to go beyond our current legal framework... Your wish is to request active assistance in dying which is not currently permitted in our country."
In order to show France the "agony" caused by the law in its current state, Cocq planned to broadcast the end of his life -- which he believed would come in "four to five days" -- on his Facebook page
Cocq said he has been in a "terminal phase" for 34 years.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--Teenager Camavinga breaks France record in Croatia World Cup final victory repeat

Eduardo Camavinga became France 's youngest international in 96 years as les Bleus won a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final in a 4-2 Nations League victory over Croatia on Tuesday .
Midfielder Camavinga , aged 17 years and nine months , replaced Ngolo Kante at the Stade de France in the second half and is only surpassed by Julien Verbrugghe , aged 16 years and 10 months in 1906 , and Maurice Gastiger , at 17 years and 4 months in 1914 .
Didier Deschamps ' World Cup winners are second on goal difference in Group A behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ronaldo crossed the 100-goal mark for his country .
Deschamps made seven changes from Saturday 's win in Solna with Wissam Ben Yedder and Anthony Martial leading the attack after Kylian Mbappe contracted Covid-19 .
Antoine Griezmann , Dayot Upamecano , Olivier Giroud as well as an own goal from the visitors ' goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic secured a repeat result from Russia two years ago .
Former Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren opened the scoring for the visitors in a near-empty ground due to the coronavirus pandemic with a half-volleyed effort inside the hosts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour of play .
Griezmann , who missed a penalty in the weekend 's victory , equalised with two minutes of the first half remaining by side-footing home Martial 's low cross .
Manchester United 's Martial was involved in the next les Bleus goal a minute into injury time .
Dominik Livakovic fumbled Martial 's attempt into his goal after Ben Yedder 's dangerous ball .
The sides were equal once again 10 minutes into the second half as Chelsea 's Mateo Kovacic split the home side 's defence in half with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brekalo held up possession well before sliding his effort past Hugo Lloris .
Camavinga 's historic moment came 27 minutes from time as he substitued Chelsea 's Kante .
Deschamps ' side claimed all three points with two goals in the final 25 minutes .
Upamecano claimed the third goal , and his first in international football , with a header from a Griezmann corner .
Chelsea 's Giroud then converted a 77th-minute penalty for the fourth before France closed out the game .

Paris (AFP) –
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Eduardo Camavinga became France's youngest international in 96 years as les Bleus won a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final in a 4-2 Nations League victory over Croatia on Tuesday.
Midfielder Camavinga, aged 17 years and nine months, replaced Ngolo Kante at the Stade de France in the second half and is only surpassed by Julien Verbrugghe, aged 16 years and 10 months in 1906, and Maurice Gastiger, at 17 years and 4 months in 1914.
Didier Deschamps' World Cup winners are second on goal difference in Group A behind Portugal who beat Sweden 2-0 as Cristiano Ronaldo crossed the 100-goal mark for his country.
Deschamps made seven changes from Saturday's win in Solna with Wissam Ben Yedder and Anthony Martial leading the attack after Kylian Mbappe contracted Covid-19.
Antoine Griezmann, Dayot Upamecano, Olivier Giroud as well as an own goal from the visitors' goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic secured a repeat result from Russia two years ago.
Former Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren opened the scoring for the visitors in a near-empty ground due to the coronavirus pandemic with a half-volleyed effort inside the hosts' box after a quarter of an hour of play.
Griezmann, who missed a penalty in the weekend's victory, equalised with two minutes of the first half remaining by side-footing home Martial's low cross.
Manchester United's Martial was involved in the next les Bleus goal a minute into injury time.
Dominik Livakovic fumbled Martial's attempt into his goal after Ben Yedder's dangerous ball.
The sides were equal once again 10 minutes into the second half as Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic split the home side's defence in half with a tidy through ball.
Substitute Josip Brekalo held up possession well before sliding his effort past Hugo Lloris.
Camavinga's historic moment came 27 minutes from time as he substitued Chelsea's Kante.
Deschamps' side claimed all three points with two goals in the final 25 minutes.
Upamecano claimed the third goal, and his first in international football, with a header from a Griezmann corner.
Chelsea's Giroud then converted a 77th-minute penalty for the fourth before France closed out the game.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-08--Charlie Hebdo attack survivor recalls 'horror' at trial

Courtroom sketch made Sept. 2 , 2020 , at a Paris courthouse shows the 14 accused in the Charlie Hebdo case and their lawyers .
The French cartoonist forced by the attackers of the Charlie Hebdo weekly to let them into its offices said Tuesday that she had been traumatised by feelings of guilt , as she recalled the horror of the January 2015 massacre .
Corinne Rey , 38 , known as Coco , had gone outside on January 7 , 2015 , for a cigarette when the brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi approached her and forced her to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office as they brandished a Kalashnikov .
`` I had a sense of dread , '' she said , her voice shaking with emotion .
`` I was in distress , I could not think anymore , '' she told the trial of 14 suspected accomplices in the January 7-9 attacks on the magazine and a Jewish supermarket that left claimed 17 lives .
`` I knew it was a Kalashnikov , '' she said , recalling the long climb up the stairs before entering the offices of Charlie Hebdo , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
`` I was devastated , as if dispossessed of myself , I could no longer do anything .
I moved towards the code keypad and I typed it in , '' she recalled .
`` I felt that the terrorists were approaching their goal , I felt them growing excited next to me . ''
Entering the offices , the attackers shot at Simon Fieschi , the administrator of the weekly 's website .
Rey said she ran to hide under a desk .
`` After the shots , there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought they were going to finish off the job with all the ones they had n't killed . ''
But after killing 10 people inside the office , the attackers left , leaving behind a vision of `` horror . ''
`` I saw the legs of Cabu .
Wolinski was not moving .
I saw Charb -- the side of his face was extremely pale .
Riss was wounded and he told me , 'Coco , do n't worry ' . ''
Jean Cabut , known as Cabu , 76 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Charb '' Charbonnier , 47 , were among France 's most celebrated cartoonists .
All lost their lives in the massacre .
Laurent Sourisseau , known as Riss , was shot and wounded but survived .
He is now Charlie Hebdo 's director .
`` This is the talent that was killed that day , they were models for me , '' Rey said .
`` They were extremely kind people , who had a talent for being funny ...
It 's not easy to be funny , but they were able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Five years later , Rey said she still struggles with the memories of the attacks as well as sensations of impotence and even guilt .
`` It took me a long time to understand that I am not the guilty one .
The only culprits are the Islamist terrorists .
The Kouachis and those who helped them , '' she told the court .
Sigolene Vinson , a former lawyer turned legal correspondent for the newspaper was in the newsroom on the day of the attack .
She told the court how when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she exchanged looks with Charb .
`` I think that Charb understood , '' she said .
She recalled the terrible silence after the gunfire , and then the sound of steps coming towards her , where she had taken refuge against a wall .
`` I understood the killer had seen me and the he was following me .
I thought 'It 's my turn ' . ''
But Cherif Kouachi told her he was sparing her because he did not kill women .
She described the carnage around her in graphic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over bodies , she said : `` A finger rose up from the back of the room : 'No , me , I 'm not dead ' .
It was Riss , '' she said .
Investigative journalist Laurent Leger told the court it was only because he had thrown himself under a table that he survived .
`` I was incredibly lucky , '' he said .
The trial , which began on September 2 , is expected to continue until November , reopening one of the post painful chapters in France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected accomplices of the attackers , who were killed by police in the aftermath of the massacre .
Defiant as ever , Charlie Hebdo last week republished cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that had sparked anger across the Islamic world , drawing fresh condemnation from states including Iran , Pakistan and Turkey .

The French cartoonist forced by the attackers of the Charlie Hebdo weekly to let them into its offices said Tuesday that she had been traumatised by feelings of guilt, as she recalled the horror of the January 2015 massacre.
Courtroom sketch made Sept. 2, 2020, at a Paris courthouse shows the 14 accused in the Charlie Hebdo case and their lawyers.
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Corinne Rey, 38, known as Coco, had gone outside on January 7, 2015, for a cigarette when the brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi approached her and forced her to tap in the entry code for the office as they brandished a Kalashnikov.
"I had a sense of dread," she said, her voice shaking with emotion.
"I was in distress, I could not think anymore," she told the trial of 14 suspected accomplices in the January 7-9 attacks on the magazine and a Jewish supermarket that left claimed 17 lives.
"I knew it was a Kalashnikov," she said, recalling the long climb up the stairs before entering the offices of Charlie Hebdo, with the Kouachi brothers "armed to the teeth".
"I was devastated, as if dispossessed of myself, I could no longer do anything. I moved towards the code keypad and I typed it in," she recalled. "I felt that the terrorists were approaching their goal, I felt them growing excited next to me."
'Silence of death'
Entering the offices, the attackers shot at Simon Fieschi, the administrator of the weekly's website. Rey said she ran to hide under a desk.
"After the shots, there was silence, a silence of death... I thought they were going to finish off the job with all the ones they hadn't killed."
But after killing 10 people inside the office, the attackers left, leaving behind a vision of "horror."
"I saw the legs of Cabu. Wolinski was not moving. I saw Charb -- the side of his face was extremely pale. Riss was wounded and he told me, 'Coco, don't worry'."
Jean Cabut, known as Cabu, 76, Georges Wolinski, 80, and Stephane "Charb" Charbonnier, 47, were among France's most celebrated cartoonists. All lost their lives in the massacre.
Laurent Sourisseau, known as Riss, was shot and wounded but survived. He is now Charlie Hebdo's director.
"This is the talent that was killed that day, they were models for me," Rey said. "They were extremely kind people, who had a talent for being funny ... It's not easy to be funny, but they were able to do it very well."
Five years later, Rey said she still struggles with the memories of the attacks as well as sensations of impotence and even guilt.
"It took me a long time to understand that I am not the guilty one. The only culprits are the Islamist terrorists. The Kouachis and those who helped them," she told the court.
I thought, 'It's my turn'
Sigolene Vinson, a former lawyer turned legal correspondent for the newspaper was in the newsroom on the day of the attack.
She told the court how when they heard the first two shots, she exchanged looks with Charb. "I think that Charb understood," she said.
She recalled the terrible silence after the gunfire, and then the sound of steps coming towards her, where she had taken refuge against a wall.
"I understood the killer had seen me and the he was following me. I thought 'It's my turn'."
But Cherif Kouachi told her he was sparing her because he did not kill women.
She described the carnage around her in graphic detail.
Then, as she stepped over bodies, she said: "A finger rose up from the back of the room: 'No, me, I'm not dead'. It was Riss," she said.
Investigative journalist Laurent Leger told the court it was only because he had thrown himself under a table that he survived.
"I was incredibly lucky," he said.
The trial, which began on September 2, is expected to continue until November, reopening one of the post painful chapters in France's history.
Those on trial are suspected accomplices of the attackers, who were killed by police in the aftermath of the massacre.
Defiant as ever, Charlie Hebdo last week republished cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that had sparked anger across the Islamic world, drawing fresh condemnation from states including Iran, Pakistan and Turkey.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-09-09--12 candidates vie with Conde for Guinea's presidency

Alpha Conde this year pushed through a revamped constitution that opponents say was crafted to reset the term counter A dozen candidates have filed bids to contest upcoming elections in Guinea against President Alpha Conde , who is seeking a controversial third term , the constitutional court said Wednesday .
The court is now vetting the list after Tuesday 's midnight deadline for submitting applications , its chief of staff , Ibrahima Sory Toure told AFP .
The October 18 poll has been overshadowed by a bitter row over Conde 's future .
Conde , an 82-year-old two-term president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponents say was crafted to reset the term counter .
He last week ended months of speculation by confirming that he would seek a third time in office , despite protests in which dozens have been killed .
The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution ( FNDC ) , an umbrella grouping of parties , labour unions and civil society groups , has been campaigning against the revision which it has denounced as a constitutional coup .
The group was scheduled to meet on Wednesday to decide whether it will participate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided over whether to boycott the vote .
Former premier and leading opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo , 68 , has decided to run after boycotting the March constitutional referendum .
Protests against Conde 's suspected re-election plan erupted in October last year but met with a ruthless crackdown , and several dozen people have died .
Under Guinea 's constitution , presidents may only serve two terms .
But according to analysts , the new constitution could reset the presidential term counter and enable him to run a third time -- an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Guinean People ( RPG ) party .
Conde is a former opposition figure who was jailed under previous regimes in Guinea , a country rich in minerals but plagued by entrenched poverty and a history of instability .
Hopes of a new political dawn flowered when Conde became Guinea 's first democratically elected president in 2010 , but critics say he has become increasingly authoritarian .

Conakry (AFP) –
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A dozen candidates have filed bids to contest upcoming elections in Guinea against President Alpha Conde, who is seeking a controversial third term, the constitutional court said Wednesday.
The court is now vetting the list after Tuesday's midnight deadline for submitting applications, its chief of staff, Ibrahima Sory Toure told AFP.
The October 18 poll has been overshadowed by a bitter row over Conde's future.
Conde, an 82-year-old two-term president, has pushed through a revamped constitution that opponents say was crafted to reset the term counter.
He last week ended months of speculation by confirming that he would seek a third time in office, despite protests in which dozens have been killed.
The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), an umbrella grouping of parties, labour unions and civil society groups, has been campaigning against the revision which it has denounced as a constitutional coup.
The group was scheduled to meet on Wednesday to decide whether it will participate in the election.
The opposition is divided over whether to boycott the vote.
Former premier and leading opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo, 68, has decided to run after boycotting the March constitutional referendum.
Protests against Conde's suspected re-election plan erupted in October last year but met with a ruthless crackdown, and several dozen people have died.
Under Guinea's constitution, presidents may only serve two terms.
But according to analysts, the new constitution could reset the presidential term counter and enable him to run a third time -- an argument invoked by Conde and his Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) party.
Conde is a former opposition figure who was jailed under previous regimes in Guinea, a country rich in minerals but plagued by entrenched poverty and a history of instability.
Hopes of a new political dawn flowered when Conde became Guinea's first democratically elected president in 2010, but critics say he has become increasingly authoritarian.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-09--Pope sports a face mask for the first time in public

Pope Francis quickly removed his face mask as he emerged from his car Pope Francis was seen Wednesday for the first time wearing a protective face mask as he attended his second traditional general audience before a limited public presence after a six-month suspension .
The pontiff -- known for a fondness for close personal contact -- however quickly removed the mask as he emerged from the car carrying him to the audience , which was suspended in February over the coronavirus pandemic .
But he shunned his usual practice of shaking hands and kissing babies as some 500 faithful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the Vatican .
At his second meeting since suspending general audiences on February 26 , the crowd thronged behind a barrier and some even lowered their masks to greet the leader of the Roman Catholic Church .
The pope shook hands with prelates attending the audience and , smiling , then turned to the crowd , urging them not to shake hands and to return to their seats in order to `` avoid contagion '' .
Francis focused on the socio-economic impact of the pandemic which he said was `` without barriers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which people should have more solidarity with their neighbours .
Pope Francis , whose birth name is Jorge Bergoglio , has shown little fear for his health since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic early this year .
Before Wednesday he had never appeared with a mask and had continued to receive visitors within the Apostolic Palace -- albeit fewer groups than before .
Last Thursday he shook hands with a group of French actors committed to defending the environment .
The group was exempted from wearing face masks and included the actress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it difficult to wear a mask that restricted his breathing , a member of his entourage said Wednesday .
When he was 21 Jorge Bergoglio suffered from acute pleurisy and surgeons removed part of his right lung , according to his biographer Austen Ivereigh .
This forced him to give up his dream of becoming a Jesuit missionary in Japan and he also had to give up playing football .

Vatican City (AFP) –
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Pope Francis was seen Wednesday for the first time wearing a protective face mask as he attended his second traditional general audience before a limited public presence after a six-month suspension.
The pontiff -- known for a fondness for close personal contact -- however quickly removed the mask as he emerged from the car carrying him to the audience, which was suspended in February over the coronavirus pandemic.
But he shunned his usual practice of shaking hands and kissing babies as some 500 faithful filled a courtyard at the Apostolic Palace inside the Vatican.
At his second meeting since suspending general audiences on February 26, the crowd thronged behind a barrier and some even lowered their masks to greet the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The pope shook hands with prelates attending the audience and, smiling, then turned to the crowd, urging them not to shake hands and to return to their seats in order to "avoid contagion".
Francis focused on the socio-economic impact of the pandemic which he said was "without barriers".
He advocated a society in which people should have more solidarity with their neighbours.
Pope Francis, whose birth name is Jorge Bergoglio, has shown little fear for his health since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic early this year.
Before Wednesday he had never appeared with a mask and had continued to receive visitors within the Apostolic Palace -- albeit fewer groups than before.
Last Thursday he shook hands with a group of French actors committed to defending the environment. The group was exempted from wearing face masks and included the actress Juliette Binoche.
The 83-year-old pontiff found it difficult to wear a mask that restricted his breathing, a member of his entourage said Wednesday.
When he was 21 Jorge Bergoglio suffered from acute pleurisy and surgeons removed part of his right lung, according to his biographer Austen Ivereigh.
This forced him to give up his dream of becoming a Jesuit missionary in Japan and he also had to give up playing football.
© 2020 AFP