france24--2020-11-25--'I represent the nobodies': Maradona, the 'barrio' boy in Naples

Tributes are paid to Maradona outside Napoli 's San Paolo stadium on Wednesday after the death of the Argentine great Few places will mourn the death of Diego Maradona as much as Naples , the downtrodden , gritty Italian city that clasped the troubled Argentine to its heart at his time of need and was repaid with the best years of perhaps the greatest footballer to ever play the game .
Buildings around Naples are adorned with depictions of the man who took Napoli to the top of the Italian game and beyond and became an icon and spokesman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and loathed in equal measure by the rest of Italy .
`` I feel like I represented a part of Italy that did n't count for anything , '' he said in 'Diego Maradona ' , the 2019 Asif Kapadia documentary about his life in Naples .
So deep was 'barrio boy ' Maradona 's attachment to Naples that he called Napoli 's first ever league title , won a year after he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup , the `` greatest triumph '' of his career .
Surrounded by jubilant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stadio San Paolo , he explained why : `` I won this one at my home . ''
Maradona 's achievements at Napoli , who had been also-rans until he arrived in 1984 following a difficult two-year spell at Barcelona , cemented his position as the greatest player of his generation and , in many peoples ' eyes , make him the best ever .
Another league title in 1990 -- pipping Arrigo Sacchi 's great AC Milan -- the 1989 UEFA Cup and an Italian Cup also arrived during Maradona 's seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age that has never come close to being repeated since .
Maradona 's 115 goals in all competitions was a club record that stood for 26 years and his heroics came at a time when Serie A was the world 's strongest , richest league , where the likes of Michel Platini and Zico strutted their stuff in front of bulging , bouncing stadiums .
He fled in disgrace in 1991 , a failed drugs test , an unrecognised son and a billion-lira tax dispute all left back in Naples , where his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women were almost as famous as his magical displays on the pitch .
Courted by criminals , the King of Spain and even the Pope , Maradona became a quasi-religious figure in Naples .
He brought joy to a desperately poor city blighted by bloody conflicts between the competing clans of the powerful Camorra organised crime network , one of whom Maradona would get to know very well .
Indeed the 1984 signing of a genuine superstar by Napoli -- who were heavily in debt and had finished 11th the previous season -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a chunk of the world record $ 10.48 million fee that brought him to Italy came from the Camorra 's deep pockets .
The opening question in his first press conference came from a reporter who asked a confused Maradona whether he knew about the Camorra and its `` influence on football '' and was immediately ejected by livid club owner Corrado Ferlaino .
`` I never asked for anything from the Camorra , they gave me the security of knowing that nothing was going to happen to my two children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Italian TV station Canale 5 .
However his access to drugs and women came thanks to the infamous Giuliano clan , who immediately befriended Maradona , furnished his burgeoning cocaine habit and went to great lengths to make sure they were photographed partying with the world 's most famous footballer .
Maradona himself admitted that every week he would binge from Sunday night until Wednesday , beginning an intense detox programme each Thursday that would get him ready for the following weekend 's match .
It took Napoli two years to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honours , and when the title came in 1987 it caused such wild celebrations that stories of a summer-long party became as famous as the triumph itself .
In reality the city came to a standstill for around a week .
To this day Neapolitans name their sons after a football god they 've only seen play on old VHS players and YouTube .
Another title arrived three years later before it all began to fall apart , not long after he and the Argentine national team enraged Italy by dumping the 'Azzurri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the semi-finals -- in Naples of all places .
His problems had begun some time before .
He had tired of the suffocating attention Naples afforded him and in 1989 had signed terms with Marseille , only for Ferlaino to put a stop to the transfer at the last minute .
`` After a four-hour meeting , Ferlaino said that if we won the UEFA Cup I could leave , but we won it , and he blocked the move anyway , '' Maradona said in 2009 .
However after the 1990 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure in Italy and his support network slowly melted away .
In February 1991 police announced he had been caught on wiretaps asking for cocaine and prostitutes from a mob figure .
A trumped-up drugs trafficking charge soon followed .
The failed drugs test that finished him off came after a match with Bari two months later , and an unprecedented worldwide ban from the game until June 1992 left him scuttling back to Buenos Aires , never to reach the same heights again .

Naples (Italy) (AFP) –
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Few places will mourn the death of Diego Maradona as much as Naples, the downtrodden, gritty Italian city that clasped the troubled Argentine to its heart at his time of need and was repaid with the best years of perhaps the greatest footballer to ever play the game.
Buildings around Naples are adorned with depictions of the man who took Napoli to the top of the Italian game and beyond and became an icon and spokesman for Neapolitans, whose chaotic city was feared and loathed in equal measure by the rest of Italy.
"I feel like I represented a part of Italy that didn't count for anything," he said in 'Diego Maradona', the 2019 Asif Kapadia documentary about his life in Naples.
So deep was 'barrio boy' Maradona's attachment to Naples that he called Napoli's first ever league title, won a year after he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup, the "greatest triumph" of his career.
Surrounded by jubilant fans on the pitch of Napoli's Stadio San Paolo, he explained why: "I won this one at my home."
Maradona's achievements at Napoli, who had been also-rans until he arrived in 1984 following a difficult two-year spell at Barcelona, cemented his position as the greatest player of his generation and, in many peoples' eyes, make him the best ever.
Another league title in 1990 -- pipping Arrigo Sacchi's great AC Milan -- the 1989 UEFA Cup and an Italian Cup also arrived during Maradona's seven years in southern Italy, a golden age that has never come close to being repeated since.
Maradona's 115 goals in all competitions was a club record that stood for 26 years and his heroics came at a time when Serie A was the world's strongest, richest league, where the likes of Michel Platini and Zico strutted their stuff in front of bulging, bouncing stadiums.
He fled in disgrace in 1991, a failed drugs test, an unrecognised son and a billion-lira tax dispute all left back in Naples, where his penchant for late-night parties, cocaine and women were almost as famous as his magical displays on the pitch.
- Camorra links -
Courted by criminals, the King of Spain and even the Pope, Maradona became a quasi-religious figure in Naples. He brought joy to a desperately poor city blighted by bloody conflicts between the competing clans of the powerful Camorra organised crime network, one of whom Maradona would get to know very well.
Indeed the 1984 signing of a genuine superstar by Napoli -- who were heavily in debt and had finished 11th the previous season -- immediately raised eyebrows, with persistent rumours that a chunk of the world record $10.48 million fee that brought him to Italy came from the Camorra's deep pockets.
The opening question in his first press conference came from a reporter who asked a confused Maradona whether he knew about the Camorra and its "influence on football" and was immediately ejected by livid club owner Corrado Ferlaino.
"I never asked for anything from the Camorra, they gave me the security of knowing that nothing was going to happen to my two children," Maradona insisted in a 2017 interview to Italian TV station Canale 5.
However his access to drugs and women came thanks to the infamous Giuliano clan, who immediately befriended Maradona, furnished his burgeoning cocaine habit and went to great lengths to make sure they were photographed partying with the world's most famous footballer.
Maradona himself admitted that every week he would binge from Sunday night until Wednesday, beginning an intense detox programme each Thursday that would get him ready for the following weekend's match.
- Things fall apart -
It took Napoli two years to provide Maradona with teammates capable of challenging for honours, and when the title came in 1987 it caused such wild celebrations that stories of a summer-long party became as famous as the triumph itself.
In reality the city came to a standstill for around a week. To this day Neapolitans name their sons after a football god they've only seen play on old VHS players and YouTube.
Another title arrived three years later before it all began to fall apart, not long after he and the Argentine national team enraged Italy by dumping the 'Azzurri' out of the 1990 World Cup in the semi-finals -- in Naples of all places.
His problems had begun some time before. He had tired of the suffocating attention Naples afforded him and in 1989 had signed terms with Marseille, only for Ferlaino to put a stop to the transfer at the last minute.
"After a four-hour meeting, Ferlaino said that if we won the UEFA Cup I could leave, but we won it, and he blocked the move anyway," Maradona said in 2009.
However after the 1990 World Cup he had become a hate figure in Italy and his support network slowly melted away. In February 1991 police announced he had been caught on wiretaps asking for cocaine and prostitutes from a mob figure. A trumped-up drugs trafficking charge soon followed.
The failed drugs test that finished him off came after a match with Bari two months later, and an unprecedented worldwide ban from the game until June 1992 left him scuttling back to Buenos Aires, never to reach the same heights again.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-25--Referee who missed 'Hand of God' hails 'genius' Maradona

Maradona scored the 'Goal of the Century ' in the game against England Tunisian former referee Ali Bin Nasser , who officiated the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in which Diego Maradona scored his famous double against England , hailed the Argentinian as a `` genius '' following his death , aged 60 , on Wednesday .
Bin Nasser admitted that he doubted the validity of Maradona 's infamous 'Hand of God ' goal , but said the football legend 's second strike in the game was a `` masterpiece '' .
In the 51st minute of a politically-charged last-eight clash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falklands War , Maradona outjumped England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net to give his country the lead .
`` I did n't see the hand , but I had a doubt , '' Bin Nasser , the first Tunisian to referee a World Cup quarter-final , told AFP .
`` You can see the pictures -- I stepped back to take the advice of my assistant , Bulgarian ( Bogdan ) Dochev , and when he said it was good , I gave the goal . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go-to man for FIFA in tough matches , and that world football 's governing body gave him a high rating for his performance in the game .
`` I had already refereed a match between the USSR and China in 1985 , I was the man of difficult missions for FIFA , '' Bin Nasser said .
`` FIFA gave me a 9.4 on this game , I did what I had to do , but there was confusion -- Dochev later indicated that he had seen two arms , and he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Maradona 's . ''
Argentina secured their place in the semi-finals of a tournament they would go on to win when Maradona put them two goals ahead with a strike later voted the 'Goal of the Century ' .
The then-Napoli star evaded six England players ' attempts to either tackle or foul him during a mesmerising run from the halfway line , before prodding into an empty net .
`` I was ready to whistle for a dangerous foul on Maradona , '' remembered Bin Nasser of a goal which proved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled one back for England .
`` I thought after 50 yards of effort they were going to bring him down .
`` I was proud to participate in that masterpiece . ''
Maradona visited Bin Nasser 29 years later while shooting an advertisement in Tunisia , giving him a T-shirt bearing the words `` To my eternal friend Ali '' .
`` We had a good time , I told him that that day , it was not Argentina who won , but him , Maradona .
`` He was a genius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referee , I did not allow myself to close my eyes even for a second when following him , because he was capable of anything . ''

Tunis (AFP) –
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Tunisian former referee Ali Bin Nasser, who officiated the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in which Diego Maradona scored his famous double against England, hailed the Argentinian as a "genius" following his death, aged 60, on Wednesday.
Bin Nasser admitted that he doubted the validity of Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal, but said the football legend's second strike in the game was a "masterpiece".
In the 51st minute of a politically-charged last-eight clash in Mexico, four years after the Falklands War, Maradona outjumped England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net to give his country the lead.
"I didn't see the hand, but I had a doubt," Bin Nasser, the first Tunisian to referee a World Cup quarter-final, told AFP.
"You can see the pictures -- I stepped back to take the advice of my assistant, Bulgarian (Bogdan) Dochev, and when he said it was good, I gave the goal."
The 76-year-old said he believed he was a go-to man for FIFA in tough matches, and that world football's governing body gave him a high rating for his performance in the game.
"I had already refereed a match between the USSR and China in 1985, I was the man of difficult missions for FIFA," Bin Nasser said.
"FIFA gave me a 9.4 on this game, I did what I had to do, but there was confusion -- Dochev later indicated that he had seen two arms, and he didn't know if it was Shilton's or Maradona's."
Argentina secured their place in the semi-finals of a tournament they would go on to win when Maradona put them two goals ahead with a strike later voted the 'Goal of the Century'.
The then-Napoli star evaded six England players' attempts to either tackle or foul him during a mesmerising run from the halfway line, before prodding into an empty net.
"I was ready to whistle for a dangerous foul on Maradona," remembered Bin Nasser of a goal which proved to be the winner after Gary Lineker pulled one back for England.
"I thought after 50 yards of effort they were going to bring him down.
"I was proud to participate in that masterpiece."
Maradona visited Bin Nasser 29 years later while shooting an advertisement in Tunisia, giving him a T-shirt bearing the words "To my eternal friend Ali".
"We had a good time, I told him that that day, it was not Argentina who won, but him, Maradona.
"He was a genius, a football legend. As a referee, I did not allow myself to close my eyes even for a second when following him, because he was capable of anything."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-25--Pandemic or not, people must stay active: WHO

Adults should aim for two-and-a-half to five hours of activity per week and children an hour per day , the WHO recommends The coronavirus pandemic is no excuse for not getting enough exercise , the World Health Organization said Wednesday , warning that even before the crisis many were getting too little physical activity .
In an update of its physical activity guidelines , the UN health agency stressed that exercise was vital to physical and mental health , while sedentary behaviour can have serious repercussions .
`` WHO urges everyone to continue to stay active through the Covid-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health promotion Ruediger Krech told reporters .
`` If we do not remain active , we run the risk of creating another pandemic of ill-health as a result of sedentary behaviour . ''
There are still no clear statistics on what impact the pandemic has had on physical activity , but lockdowns , movement restrictions , gym closures and other measures have clearly forced many people to stay home and have disrupted regular activities and exercise routines .
This is worrying considering that even before the crisis , data shows the vast majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not active enough , with dire repercussions for global health .
The WHO estimates that pushing more people to get off the sofa or office chair to move about more could avert up to five million deaths each year .
`` Being physically active is critical for health and well-being -- it can help to add years to life , and life to years , '' WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement .
Regular physical activity is key to preventing and helping to manage heart disease , type-2 diabetes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety , reduce cognitive decline , improve memory and boost overall brain health .
To reap such benefits , the UN health agency recommends that adults get at least two-and-a-half to five hours of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week , while children and adolescents should on average move at least an hour a day .
But it warned that its statistics showed that a full quarter of all adults and 80 percent of adolescents do not meet those targets .
This , it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behaviour -- included in the WHO guidelines for the first time -- has been linked to a range of harmful health effects .
Globally , this inactivity is estimated to cost $ 54 billion in direct health care and another $ 14 billion in lost productivity each year , the WHO said .
But the good news is that doing any kind of physical activity can counter the negative effects of sitting still for too long .
Krech stressed that the guidelines showed `` the benefits of activities you can do every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether at home , in transit or at work . ''
The WHO stressed that living an active life was good for everyone , regardless of their physical ability .
The guidelines encourage women to maintain physical activity throughout pregnancy and post-delivery , and also stress the benefits of physical activity for people living with disabilities .
Older adults were meanwhile advised to add activities that emphasise balance and coordination , as well as muscle strength , to help prevent falls .
`` Any duration of physical activity is beneficial .
But more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fiona Bull , in charge of the WHO 's physical activity unit , said wearable trackers could be a good tool to get people moving more .
`` Monitoring how active you are is very good feedback for the individual , '' she told reporters , adding that the WHO was looking into ways of making such trackers more globally available .
`` We tend to underestimate how much time we spend sedentary . ''

Geneva (AFP) –
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The coronavirus pandemic is no excuse for not getting enough exercise, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, warning that even before the crisis many were getting too little physical activity.
In an update of its physical activity guidelines, the UN health agency stressed that exercise was vital to physical and mental health, while sedentary behaviour can have serious repercussions.
"WHO urges everyone to continue to stay active through the Covid-19 pandemic," the agency's head of health promotion Ruediger Krech told reporters.
"If we do not remain active, we run the risk of creating another pandemic of ill-health as a result of sedentary behaviour."
There are still no clear statistics on what impact the pandemic has had on physical activity, but lockdowns, movement restrictions, gym closures and other measures have clearly forced many people to stay home and have disrupted regular activities and exercise routines.
This is worrying considering that even before the crisis, data shows the vast majority of young people and many adults were not active enough, with dire repercussions for global health.
The WHO estimates that pushing more people to get off the sofa or office chair to move about more could avert up to five million deaths each year.
- 'Every move counts' -
"Being physically active is critical for health and well-being -- it can help to add years to life, and life to years," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.
"Every move counts."
Regular physical activity is key to preventing and helping to manage heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and cancer.
It has also been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduce cognitive decline, improve memory and boost overall brain health.
To reap such benefits, the UN health agency recommends that adults get at least two-and-a-half to five hours of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week, while children and adolescents should on average move at least an hour a day.
But it warned that its statistics showed that a full quarter of all adults and 80 percent of adolescents do not meet those targets.
This, it said, is deeply concerning, since sedentary behaviour -- included in the WHO guidelines for the first time -- has been linked to a range of harmful health effects.
- 'Part of everyday life' -
Globally, this inactivity is estimated to cost $54 billion in direct health care and another $14 billion in lost productivity each year, the WHO said.
But the good news is that doing any kind of physical activity can counter the negative effects of sitting still for too long.
Krech stressed that the guidelines showed "the benefits of activities you can do every day as part of your everyday life, whether at home, in transit or at work."
The WHO stressed that living an active life was good for everyone, regardless of their physical ability.
The guidelines encourage women to maintain physical activity throughout pregnancy and post-delivery, and also stress the benefits of physical activity for people living with disabilities.
Older adults were meanwhile advised to add activities that emphasise balance and coordination, as well as muscle strength, to help prevent falls.
"Any duration of physical activity is beneficial. But more is always better," Krech said.
Fiona Bull, in charge of the WHO's physical activity unit, said wearable trackers could be a good tool to get people moving more.
"Monitoring how active you are is very good feedback for the individual," she told reporters, adding that the WHO was looking into ways of making such trackers more globally available.
"We tend to underestimate how much time we spend sedentary."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-25--Biden urges a cautious Thanksgiving as Trump rages on against election loss

US President-elect Joe Biden called for an end to the `` grim season of division '' in his Thanksgiving address at the Queen Theatre in Wilmington , Delaware , on November 25 , 2020 .
On a day of grace and grievance , President-elect Joe Biden summoned Americans on Wednesday to join in common purpose against the coronavirus pandemic and their political divisions while the man he will replace stoked the fading embers of his campaign to “ turn the election over.
” Biden , in a Thanksgiving-eve address to the nation , put the surging pandemic front and center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers ” of the federal government and to “ change the course of the disease ” once in office .
But for that to work , he said , Americans must step up for their own safety and that of their fellow citizens .
“ This is the moment when we need to steel our spines , redouble our efforts and recommit ourselves to this fight , ” Biden said .
“ Each of us has a responsibility in our own lives to do what we can to slow the virus.
” President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic in recent days even as it has achieved record heights , remained fixated on his election defeat .
He sent his lawyer Rudy Giuliani and other members of his legal team to meet Pennsylvania Republican state senators in Gettysburg .
Inside a hotel near the hallowed battlefields of civil war , they again aired complaints about the election and repeated allegations of Democratic malfeasance that have already disintegrated under examination by courts .
“ We have to turn the election over , ” Trump said from the Oval Office , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This was an election that we won easily , ” he said .
“ We won it by a lot.
” In fact , the election gave Biden a clear mandate , and no systemic fraud has been uncovered .
Judge after judge has dismissed the Trump campaign ’ s accusations as baseless , and the transition to Biden ’ s presidency is fully underway .
Nevertheless , Trump repeated : “ This election has to be turned around.
” Trump had been expected to appear in person in Gettysburg , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal team tested positive for the coronavirus .
Few at the meeting wore masks .
Altogether , the forum heard — and cheered — yet another declaration from a U.S. president seeking to reverse a democratic election and the voters ’ will because he wants to stay in power .
The setting was about a mile from the scene of Pickett ’ s Charge , where Union troops repelled a desperate Confederate attack in July 1863 and helped turn the tide of the Civil War .
> > Former CIA director Leon Panetta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security ’ The president followed up by pardoning former national security adviser Michael Flynn , the second Trump associate convicted in the Russia probe to be granted clemency by Trump .
The pardon was part of a broader effort to undo the results of an investigation that for years has shadowed Trump ’ s administration and yielded criminal charges against a half dozen associates .
The pardon voids the criminal case against Flynn just as a federal judge was deciding whether to grant a Justice Department request to dismiss the prosecution despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lying to the FBI about his Russia contacts .
For his part , Biden has largely projected serenity as the necessary elements of a presidential transition — money , access to office space and more — were held at bay for nearly three weeks by Trump ’ s machinations and a delayed ascertainment by the General Services Administration that he had won the election .
On Wednesday , he addressed Trump ’ s raw tactics only in passing .
“ Our democracy was tested this year , ” Biden said , “ but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the task.
” “ In America , we have full and fair and free elections , and then we honor the results , ” he said .
“ The people of this nation and the laws of the land won ’ t stand for anything else.
” And he offered an optimistic vision , calling on Americans to “ dream again ” and predicting that “ the 21st century is going to be an American century.
” Biden pledged more virus testing , more protective gear and clearer guidance for businesses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Until vaccines are distributed , he said , masks , social distancing and limits in the size of gatherings “ are our most effective tools to combat the virus.
” Biden ’ s remarks came as COVID-19 cases are surging nationwide .
Hospitalizations , deaths and the testing positivity rate were also up sharply as the nation headed into Thanksgiving , and public health experts have warned that the large family gatherings expected for the holiday are likely to extend and exacerbate the surge .
He has formed a coronavirus advisory board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts , and plans to establish a COVID-19 coordinator in the White House to lead his administration ’ s response .
This week , however , Biden focused beyond the crisis stateside and unveiled his national security team on Tuesday , including his nominees for secretary of state , director of national intelligence and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations .
Drawing implicit contrasts with Trump , Biden said the team “ reflects the fact that America is back , ready to lead the world , not retreat from it.
” He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as treasury secretary in the coming weeks .
In urging Americans to be vigilant in their Thanksgiving plans , Biden said Wednesday he was taking precautions of his own , eschewing his traditional large family gathering and spending the holiday instead with just his wife , daughter and son-in-law .
He ’ s traveling with his wife , Jill , to Rehoboth Beach , the small Delaware beach town where the two have a vacation home .
That ’ s where they ’ ll host their family for Thanksgiving dinner .
Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rehoboth before returning to Wilmington for further work on the transition .
Trump will forgo his usual plans to celebrate Thanksgiving at his private club in Florida and will instead remain at the White House .

On a day of grace and grievance, President-elect Joe Biden summoned Americans on Wednesday to join in common purpose against the coronavirus pandemic and their political divisions while the man he will replace stoked the fading embers of his campaign to “turn the election over.”
US President-elect Joe Biden called for an end to the "grim season of division" in his Thanksgiving address at the Queen Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 25, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Biden, in a Thanksgiving-eve address to the nation, put the surging pandemic front and center, pledging to tap the “vast powers” of the federal government and to “change the course of the disease” once in office. But for that to work, he said, Americans must step up for their own safety and that of their fellow citizens.
“This is the moment when we need to steel our spines, redouble our efforts and recommit ourselves to this fight,” Biden said. “Each of us has a responsibility in our own lives to do what we can to slow the virus.”
00:35
President Donald Trump, who has scarcely mentioned the pandemic in recent days even as it has achieved record heights, remained fixated on his election defeat.
He sent his lawyer Rudy Giuliani and other members of his legal team to meet Pennsylvania Republican state senators in Gettysburg. Inside a hotel near the hallowed battlefields of civil war, they again aired complaints about the election and repeated allegations of Democratic malfeasance that have already disintegrated under examination by courts.
“We have to turn the election over,” Trump said from the Oval Office, where he joined the meeting by speakerphone.
“This was an election that we won easily,” he said. “We won it by a lot.” In fact, the election gave Biden a clear mandate, and no systemic fraud has been uncovered. Judge after judge has dismissed the Trump campaign’s accusations as baseless, and the transition to Biden’s presidency is fully underway.
Nevertheless, Trump repeated: “This election has to be turned around.”
Trump had been expected to appear in person in Gettysburg, but did not after another member of his legal team tested positive for the coronavirus. Few at the meeting wore masks.
Altogether, the forum heard — and cheered — yet another declaration from a U.S. president seeking to reverse a democratic election and the voters’ will because he wants to stay in power. The setting was about a mile from the scene of Pickett’s Charge, where Union troops repelled a desperate Confederate attack in July 1863 and helped turn the tide of the Civil War.
>> Former CIA director Leon Panetta: ‘Donald Trump is damaging US national security’
The president followed up by pardoning former national security adviser Michael Flynn, the second Trump associate convicted in the Russia probe to be granted clemency by Trump.
The pardon was part of a broader effort to undo the results of an investigation that for years has shadowed Trump’s administration and yielded criminal charges against a half dozen associates. The pardon voids the criminal case against Flynn just as a federal judge was deciding whether to grant a Justice Department request to dismiss the prosecution despite Flynn’s own guilty plea to lying to the FBI about his Russia contacts.
For his part, Biden has largely projected serenity as the necessary elements of a presidential transition — money, access to office space and more — were held at bay for nearly three weeks by Trump’s machinations and a delayed ascertainment by the General Services Administration that he had won the election. On Wednesday, he addressed Trump’s raw tactics only in passing.
01:35
“Our democracy was tested this year,” Biden said, “but the people of this nation are up to the task.”
“In America, we have full and fair and free elections, and then we honor the results,” he said. “The people of this nation and the laws of the land won’t stand for anything else.”
And he offered an optimistic vision, calling on Americans to “dream again” and predicting that “the 21st century is going to be an American century.”
00:23
Biden pledged more virus testing, more protective gear and clearer guidance for businesses and schools to reopen when he becomes president. Until vaccines are distributed, he said, masks, social distancing and limits in the size of gatherings “are our most effective tools to combat the virus.”
Biden’s remarks came as COVID-19 cases are surging nationwide. Hospitalizations, deaths and the testing positivity rate were also up sharply as the nation headed into Thanksgiving, and public health experts have warned that the large family gatherings expected for the holiday are likely to extend and exacerbate the surge.
He has formed a coronavirus advisory board of scientists, doctors and public health experts, and plans to establish a COVID-19 coordinator in the White House to lead his administration’s response.
This week, however, Biden focused beyond the crisis stateside and unveiled his national security team on Tuesday, including his nominees for secretary of state, director of national intelligence and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Drawing implicit contrasts with Trump, Biden said the team “reflects the fact that America is back, ready to lead the world, not retreat from it.” He’s also expected to name Janet Yellen as treasury secretary in the coming weeks.
In urging Americans to be vigilant in their Thanksgiving plans, Biden said Wednesday he was taking precautions of his own, eschewing his traditional large family gathering and spending the holiday instead with just his wife, daughter and son-in-law.
He’s traveling with his wife, Jill, to Rehoboth Beach, the small Delaware beach town where the two have a vacation home. That’s where they’ll host their family for Thanksgiving dinner. Biden is expected to stay through the weekend in Rehoboth before returning to Wilmington for further work on the transition.
Trump will forgo his usual plans to celebrate Thanksgiving at his private club in Florida and will instead remain at the White House.
(AP)
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france24--2020-11-25--Holders Bayern, Man City through to Champions League last 16 as Liverpool beaten

Robert Lewandowski scored the opener as Bayern Munich beat Salzburg 3-1 on Wednesday to progress to the Champions League last 16 Robert Lewandowski set Bayern Munich on the way to a 3-1 Champions League win over Salzburg on Wednesday as the holders joined Manchester City in qualifying for the last 16 with two group games to spare , while Liverpool went down to defeat and Marseille are now the owners of an unwanted record .
On a night when clubs marked news of the death of Diego Maradona by holding a minute 's silence in memory of the Argentine before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a record-extending 15th straight win in the competition .
Lewandowski scored the opener just before half-time at an empty Allianz Arena , his 14th goal of the season and also his 71st altogether in the Champions League , leaving him level with Real Madrid great Raul in third place on the all-time list behind Cristiano Ronaldo ( 131 ) and Lionel Messi ( 118 ) .
Kingsley Coman scored Bayern 's second and then crossed for Leroy Sane to head in their third , before Mergim Berisha pulled a goal back for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent off for Bayern , but they have a maximum 12 points and are guaranteed to advance as Group A winners , while Atletico Madrid sit second but continue to toil in Europe this season after being held 0-0 at home by Lokomotiv Moscow .
Pep Guardiola 's City earlier secured progress as Phil Foden swept in from a Raheem Sterling back-heel to secure a 1-0 win away to Olympiakos in Greece , their fourth win out of four in Group C. City had 21 attempts on goal and their bluntness in attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if their European progress provides a tonic to their mediocre Premier League form .
`` It will come , we would love to do more , but one day it will come and will break everything , '' said Guardiola , whose side now just need a point from their final two matches to top the group .
Second-place Porto are on the brink of joining them in qualifying after a 2-0 win at Marseille , which was the French side 's 13th consecutive defeat in the competition stretching over three campaigns going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanusi gave Porto the lead six minutes before half-time and Sergio Oliveira scored a second-half penalty after on-loan Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic had been sent off for the Portuguese side .
Marseille , who had defender Leonardo Balerdi sent off , can not now qualify for the last 16 .
`` We have hit rock-bottom , '' said Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas .
Six-time European champions Liverpool are not yet sure of progressing to the next round after going down 2-0 to Atalanta at Anfield .
Three weeks after beating the same side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a weakened starting line-up , and Josip Ilicic put Atalanta in front on the hour mark before German international Robin Gosens got the second goal .
`` A deserved defeat in a difficult game , '' was how Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp summed up the game .
Liverpool are top of Group D on nine points , two points clear of Atalanta and Ajax , who were 3-1 winners at home to Midtjylland .
Second-half goals by Ryan Gravenberch , Noussair Mazraoui and David Neres boosted Ajax 's hopes , with Awer Mabil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Danes who had captain Erik Sviatchenko sent off late on and are yet to register a point .
Ajax go to Liverpool next week .
Meanwhile , Inter Milan are on the brink of being eliminated in the group stage after Arturo Vidal was sent off as they went down 2-0 at home to Real Madrid .
Eden Hazard gave the visitors an early lead from the penalty spot at San Siro for his first Champions League goal in a Real shirt , and Vidal was sent off before the break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in quick succession .
A Rodrygo shot went in off Achraf Hakimi in the second half to make it 2-0 , and Real are now on course to qualify from Group B after losing 3-2 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in their first game .
Shakhtar lost 4-0 to Borussia Moenchengladbach , with Lars Stindl scoring a penalty and Nico Elvedi , Breel Embolo and Oscar Wendt also on target to keep the Germans on top of the group .
Barcelona , Juventus , Chelsea and Sevilla punched their tickets to the knockout @ @ @ @

Paris (AFP) –
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Robert Lewandowski set Bayern Munich on the way to a 3-1 Champions League win over Salzburg on Wednesday as the holders joined Manchester City in qualifying for the last 16 with two group games to spare, while Liverpool went down to defeat and Marseille are now the owners of an unwanted record.
On a night when clubs marked news of the death of Diego Maradona by holding a minute's silence in memory of the Argentine before all Champions League games, Bayern eased to a record-extending 15th straight win in the competition.
Lewandowski scored the opener just before half-time at an empty Allianz Arena, his 14th goal of the season and also his 71st altogether in the Champions League, leaving him level with Real Madrid great Raul in third place on the all-time list behind Cristiano Ronaldo (131) and Lionel Messi (118).
Kingsley Coman scored Bayern's second and then crossed for Leroy Sane to head in their third, before Mergim Berisha pulled a goal back for the Austrian champions.
Marc Roca was sent off for Bayern, but they have a maximum 12 points and are guaranteed to advance as Group A winners, while Atletico Madrid sit second but continue to toil in Europe this season after being held 0-0 at home by Lokomotiv Moscow.
Pep Guardiola's City earlier secured progress as Phil Foden swept in from a Raheem Sterling back-heel to secure a 1-0 win away to Olympiakos in Greece, their fourth win out of four in Group C.
City had 21 attempts on goal and their bluntness in attack is a source of concern, even if their European progress provides a tonic to their mediocre Premier League form.
"It will come, we would love to do more, but one day it will come and will break everything," said Guardiola, whose side now just need a point from their final two matches to top the group.
- Unlucky 13 for Marseille -
Second-place Porto are on the brink of joining them in qualifying after a 2-0 win at Marseille, which was the French side's 13th consecutive defeat in the competition stretching over three campaigns going back to 2011-12.
The Nigerian Zaidu Sanusi gave Porto the lead six minutes before half-time and Sergio Oliveira scored a second-half penalty after on-loan Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic had been sent off for the Portuguese side.
Marseille, who had defender Leonardo Balerdi sent off, cannot now qualify for the last 16.
"We have hit rock-bottom," said Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas.
Six-time European champions Liverpool are not yet sure of progressing to the next round after going down 2-0 to Atalanta at Anfield.
Three weeks after beating the same side 5-0 in Italy, Liverpool struggled with a weakened starting line-up, and Josip Ilicic put Atalanta in front on the hour mark before German international Robin Gosens got the second goal.
"A deserved defeat in a difficult game," was how Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp summed up the game.
Liverpool are top of Group D on nine points, two points clear of Atalanta and Ajax, who were 3-1 winners at home to Midtjylland.
Second-half goals by Ryan Gravenberch, Noussair Mazraoui and David Neres boosted Ajax's hopes, with Awer Mabil getting a consolation from the penalty spot for the Danes who had captain Erik Sviatchenko sent off late on and are yet to register a point. Ajax go to Liverpool next week.
- Hazard on target for Real -
Meanwhile, Inter Milan are on the brink of being eliminated in the group stage after Arturo Vidal was sent off as they went down 2-0 at home to Real Madrid.
Eden Hazard gave the visitors an early lead from the penalty spot at San Siro for his first Champions League goal in a Real shirt, and Vidal was sent off before the break after seeing two yellow cards for dissent in quick succession.
A Rodrygo shot went in off Achraf Hakimi in the second half to make it 2-0, and Real are now on course to qualify from Group B after losing 3-2 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in their first game.
Shakhtar lost 4-0 to Borussia Moenchengladbach, with Lars Stindl scoring a penalty and Nico Elvedi, Breel Embolo and Oscar Wendt also on target to keep the Germans on top of the group.
Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea and Sevilla punched their tickets to the knockout phase on Tuesday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-25--Australian scholar Kylie Moore-Gilbert freed after two years in Iranian jail

An image grab from footage obtained from Iranian state television on November 25 , 2020 shows Australian-British academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert , who was serving a 10-year prison sentence for spying , during her release in Iran .
Freed Australian-British academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert on Thursday said her release from jail in Iran ended a “ long and traumatic ordeal , ” thanking those who campaigned for her freedom .
Moore-Gilbert said the support she received while detained “ had meant the world to me ” and praised the government for “ working tirelessly ” on her behalf , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry .
The academic said she had “ nothing but respect , love and admiration ” for Iran and its people – despite spending two years and three months in prison on spying charges that she has strenuously denied .
“ It is with bittersweet feelings that I depart your country , despite the injustices which I have been subjected to , ” she said .
“ I came to Iran as a friend and with friendly intentions , and depart Iran with those sentiments not only still intact , but strengthened.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hunger strike to protest imprisonment She said she now faces a “ challenging period of adjustment ” .
Moore-Gilbert , a lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne who is in her early 30s , had been serving a 10-year sentence for spying .
Iran confirmed her arrest in September 2019 but it had long been believed she was detained a year earlier .
The Islamic republic said Wednesday she had been released in a prisoner exchange but there was no immediate confirmation of the identity of the three Iranians reportedly @ @

An Australian-British lecturer jailed for spying by Iran has been released after two “traumatic” years, part of a swap for three Iranian prisoners reportedly linked to a botched Bangkok bomb plot.
An image grab from footage obtained from Iranian state television on November 25, 2020 shows Australian-British academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who was serving a 10-year prison sentence for spying, during her release in Iran.
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Middle East scholar Kylie Moore-Gilbert said leaving Iran was “bittersweet” despite the “injustices” she had endured during more than 800 days detained in some of Iran’s toughest prisons.
“I came to Iran as a friend and with friendly intentions,” she said, praising the “warm-hearted, generous and brave” Iranian people.
After what she called a “long and traumatic ordeal”, the University of Melbourne Islamic studies lecturer said she faced a “challenging period of adjustment” at home in Australia.
The 33-year-old was arrested by Iran’s hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2018, after attending an academic conference in the holy city of Qom in central Iran. She was later charged with espionage and sentenced to ten years in jail.
The first images of a freed Moore-Gilbert emerged from Iranian state television late Wednesday, sparking elation from friends and family who had campaigned for her freedom and maintain her innocence.
“We are relieved and ecstatic,” the family said in a statement. “We cannot convey the overwhelming happiness that each of us feel at this incredible news.”
In footage broadcast by Iran’s Irib news agency from Tehran airport, Moore-Gilbert was seen wearing a headscarf and a face mask, accompanied by the Australian ambassador.
Seemingly aware of the camera, she removed the mask to confirm her identity.
The outlet also showed a video of three unidentified men—one of them in a wheelchair—draped in Iranian flags and being met by officials, including deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
There was no immediate confirmation of the identity of the trio, but they were said to be part of a prisoner swap.
The Sydney Morning Herald named the three as Mohammad Khazaei, Masoud Sedaghat Zadeh and Saeed Moradi. All three were being held in Thailand after a failed plot to assassinate Israeli diplomats in 2012. Moradi lost both legs in a botched explosion.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison would only say that Australia had not released any prisoners.
He added that he had spoken to Moore-Gilbert and confirmed she would receive health and psychological support on her return.
“She is an amazing Australian who has gone through an ordeal that we can only imagine and it will be a tough transition for her,” he said at a virtual press conference.
00:30
Prison letters
Letters smuggled out of prison told of Moore-Gilbert’s deep psychological and legal struggles.
She wrote that the first 10 months she spent in a wing of Tehran’s notorious Evin prison had “gravely damaged” her mental health.
“I am still denied phone calls and visitations, and I am afraid that my mental and emotional state may further deteriorate if I remain in this extremely restrictive detention ward,” she said.
She also recounted rejecting Tehran’s offer to work as a spy.
“I am not a spy. I have never been a spy and I have no interest to work for a spying organisation in any country.”
>> Detained academics in Iran on hunger strike to protest imprisonment
She said she had been shown two different draft decisions to her appeal—one for a 13-month sentence, another confirming the original sentence of 10 years.
She was eventually transferred to the general women’s section of Evin prison, where British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was held until being granted temporary leave because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband said she was “really happy” when he told her about Moore-Gilbert’s release.
Throughout Moore-Gilbert’s internment, friends and family had become increasingly critical of Australia’s diplomatic approach.
Australian foreign minister Marise Payne said the release followed “determined work” and described the case as “complex and sensitive”.
The US State Department welcomed Moore-Gilbert’s release but said “she should never have been imprisoned,” accusing Iran of “hostage diplomacy”.
British foreign secretary Dominic Raab, in a tweet, called on Iran to “release all the remaining British dual nationals” detained in the country.
I welcome news that Kylie Moore-Gilbert has been able to return to Australia and her family. I call on the Iranian government to release all the remaining dual British nationals arbitrarily detained and allow them to reunite with their loved ones. — Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) November 25, 2020
Iran, which has tense relations with the West, has over the years arrested several foreign nationals, often on accusations of spying.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-25--Off the pistes: Germany seeks to keep EU ski resorts shut

Ski resorts in non-EU member Switzerland are open and operators are hoping for an influx of tourists over Christmas .
Germany will seek a deal with European partners to close ski slopes through to early January due to coronavirus , setting it on a collision course with resort operators and Austria ahead of the crucial Christmas holiday season .
`` I will say this openly that it wo n't be easy , but we will try , '' Chancellor Angela Merkel said after marathon talks Wednesday with the leaders of Germany 's 16 states on extending current restrictions in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay at home over the year 's end festive season , the states and federal government agreed to `` work at the European side , to not allow ski tourism until January 10 '' .
Germany 's call dovetailed with France 's plans , coming a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said his country 's ski resorts will be shuttered through year 's end .
Macron had also said he would consult with European partners to coordinate start dates for the winter season .
But key player Austria has already voiced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koestinger saying that she `` did not see any benefits to the calls for closure of ski resorts '' .
`` Winter holidays in Austria will be safe .
Our companies have already drawn up comprehensive safety concepts for ski holidays , '' she told Germany 's Funke newspaper group .
In France , ski resorts were also up in arms over Macron 's plans .
`` The president had perhaps made a precipitous announcement and it is very prejudicial for the economy of the Alps , '' said Jean-Luc Boch , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ANMSM .
In Germany meanwhile , regional authorities in southern Bavaria state said on Tuesday they would keep the Alpine slopes there shut through the holiday season to combat Covid-19 transmission .
Many German and foreign holidaymakers flock to Bavaria over the winter break to enjoy its pristine ski slopes .
But Bavaria 's state premier Markus Soeder said current infection rates meant `` we just ca n't have the classic ski holidays '' .
He also warned Germans against simply crossing the border to ski in Austria , as they would face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbouring country is classed as a coronavirus risk zone .
`` I would prefer to have a common agreement on a European level : no ski lifts open , no ( ski ) holidays anywhere , '' said Soeder .
`` If we want to keep the borders open we need a clear agreement on skiing .
Otherwise things will get difficult . ''
The goal , said Soeder , was to avoid `` a second Ischgl '' .
The Austrian ski resort of Ischgl gained notoriety earlier this year after it became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there helped spread the virus across Europe .
In non-EU member Switzerland , however , skis resorts are open , although police have been spotted patrolling lift departures areas to ensure that skiiers respect anti-Covid measures such as wearing masks and social distancing .
Cable car windows are left open to ensure ventilation and hand gel is widely available .
The Swiss industry is hoping for an influx of European tourists over Christmas after Switzerland recently lifted quarantine requirements for people arriving from most of the continent .

Berlin (AFP) –
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Germany will seek a deal with European partners to close ski slopes through to early January due to coronavirus, setting it on a collision course with resort operators and Austria ahead of the crucial Christmas holiday season.
"I will say this openly that it won't be easy, but we will try," Chancellor Angela Merkel said after marathon talks Wednesday with the leaders of Germany's 16 states on extending current restrictions in Europe's biggest economy.
While urging Germans to stay at home over the year's end festive season, the states and federal government agreed to "work at the European side, to not allow ski tourism until January 10".
Germany's call dovetailed with France's plans, coming a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said his country's ski resorts will be shuttered through year's end.
Macron had also said he would consult with European partners to coordinate start dates for the winter season.
But key player Austria has already voiced opposition, with Austrian tourism minister Elisabeth Koestinger saying that she "did not see any benefits to the calls for closure of ski resorts".
"Winter holidays in Austria will be safe. Our companies have already drawn up comprehensive safety concepts for ski holidays," she told Germany's Funke newspaper group.
In France, ski resorts were also up in arms over Macron's plans.
"The president had perhaps made a precipitous announcement and it is very prejudicial for the economy of the Alps," said Jean-Luc Boch, who heads the national association of mountain stations ANMSM.
- 'Agreement needed' -
In Germany meanwhile, regional authorities in southern Bavaria state said on Tuesday they would keep the Alpine slopes there shut through the holiday season to combat Covid-19 transmission.
Many German and foreign holidaymakers flock to Bavaria over the winter break to enjoy its pristine ski slopes.
But Bavaria's state premier Markus Soeder said current infection rates meant "we just can't have the classic ski holidays".
He also warned Germans against simply crossing the border to ski in Austria, as they would face a 10-day quarantine upon return since the neighbouring country is classed as a coronavirus risk zone.
"I would prefer to have a common agreement on a European level: no ski lifts open, no (ski) holidays anywhere," said Soeder.
"If we want to keep the borders open we need a clear agreement on skiing. Otherwise things will get difficult."
The goal, said Soeder, was to avoid "a second Ischgl".
The Austrian ski resort of Ischgl gained notoriety earlier this year after it became an early Covid-19 hotspot and infected tourists there helped spread the virus across Europe.
In non-EU member Switzerland, however, skis resorts are open, although police have been spotted patrolling lift departures areas to ensure that skiiers respect anti-Covid measures such as wearing masks and social distancing.
Cable car windows are left open to ensure ventilation and hand gel is widely available.
The Swiss industry is hoping for an influx of European tourists over Christmas after Switzerland recently lifted quarantine requirements for people arriving from most of the continent.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-25--Real Madrid back on track after win over 10-man Inter

Real Madrid closed in on the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday with a 2-0 win that pushed 10-man Inter Milan to the brink of elimination from the competition .
Eden Hazard put Real ahead after just seven minutes at the San Siro as Zinedine Zidane 's side brushed off the absence of captain Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema .
Antonio Conte 's Inter played over an hour a man down after Arturo Vidal was sent off after half an hour .
The Chilean midfielder had argued for a penalty after going down under pressure from Real defenders but instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Substitute Rodrygo came off the bench and forced Inter 's Achraf Hakimi to divert the ball into his own net against his former club , doubling Real 's lead on 59 minutes .
Real , the record 13-time European champions , move second in Group B with seven points from four games , one point behind Borussia Moenchengladbach , with Inter Milan bottom with just two points .
`` The team performed really well to assure ourselves of three very important points , '' said Hazard .
`` There are two group games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the points we can get .
Scoring was important to me but far more important was winning . ''
`` The situation is difficult , but there is always hope , '' said Inter Milan captain Samir Handanovic of his side 's hopes of reaching the last 16 .
`` We must move from words to actions . ''
A minute 's silence took place before kick-off in honour of former Argentina and Napoli legend Diego Maradona , who died Wednesday aged 60 .

Milan (AFP) –
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Real Madrid closed in on the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday with a 2-0 win that pushed 10-man Inter Milan to the brink of elimination from the competition.
Eden Hazard put Real ahead after just seven minutes at the San Siro as Zinedine Zidane's side brushed off the absence of captain Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema.
Antonio Conte's Inter played over an hour a man down after Arturo Vidal was sent off after half an hour.
The Chilean midfielder had argued for a penalty after going down under pressure from Real defenders but instead received two yellow cards for dissent.
Substitute Rodrygo came off the bench and forced Inter's Achraf Hakimi to divert the ball into his own net against his former club, doubling Real's lead on 59 minutes.
Real, the record 13-time European champions, move second in Group B with seven points from four games, one point behind Borussia Moenchengladbach, with Inter Milan bottom with just two points.
"The team performed really well to assure ourselves of three very important points," said Hazard.
"There are two group games left to win now and we need all the points we can get. Scoring was important to me but far more important was winning."
"The situation is difficult, but there is always hope," said Inter Milan captain Samir Handanovic of his side's hopes of reaching the last 16.
"We must move from words to actions."
A minute's silence took place before kick-off in honour of former Argentina and Napoli legend Diego Maradona, who died Wednesday aged 60.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-26--Schoolgirls urge world to follow Scotland on free period products

Many girls miss school because they can not afford or access sanitary products A group of schoolgirls who started a campaign to educate fellow pupils about period poverty want more countries to follow Scotland 's example and make sanitary products free .
The Scottish parliament this week unanimously passed a groundbreaking law to make tampons and sanitary napkins free in all public buildings -- making Scotland the first country in the world to do so .
`` I think we all felt elated that we had contributed to such a big change for the world , '' said Elle-Rose Fotheringham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Stenhousemuir , central Scotland .
She told AFP she hoped `` many more '' countries would follow Scotland 's example .
`` There are women all over the world who need free access to feminine hygiene products .
This is definitely a necessity . ''
Fotheringham formed the group `` Lady Business '' with fellow pupils Meredith Rae , Tilly O'Donnell and Abby Reid after writing an article on period poverty for her school newspaper .
The four made it their mission to spread the word about the problem , addressing school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scottish parliament .
They also topped up containers of period products in the school lavatories which were initially vandalised .
That ended once the girls ' message sank in .
Rae , 16 , said she felt enormous relief when the bill was passed .
`` We 've worked so hard to get to this point , '' she said .
`` We 've been doing it so long that now getting it passed was relieving for us . ''
According to a May 2019 survey of 1,000 teenage girls in Britain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had missed school because of their periods .
One in 14 of these said they missed school because they could not afford or access sanitary products , the study by hygiene services company PHS Group indicated .
Globally , campaigners say the issue has a direct effect on girls ' education , with a knock-on impact on work opportunities , thus deepening gender inequality .
The `` Lady Business '' girls had to battle to overcome the stigma around menstruation at school , despite indications of broad support for tackling period poverty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not something that needs to be so taboo , '' Rae said .
`` Since starting this we have worked and we have done assemblies , we 've worked in classrooms and we 've really seen a shift in attitudes with people , especially with younger boys and maybe even older teachers . ''
Lawmaker Monica Lennon , who introduced the bill , said Scotland 's parliament had agreed that `` no one should have to worry where their next tampon , pad or reusable is coming from '' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to consign period poverty to history but we have the chance to be the first , '' she said , praising `` Lady Business '' during her speech .
While the legislation is `` world-leading '' , Scottish schools should also offer education to pupils to end the stigma of periods , she added .
The law goes further than existing provisions for free period products in schools in England , Scotland and Wales , and than measures elsewhere in the world such as the reduction or elimination of sales tax on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparing to study at university .
Both hope younger children at the school will fight on to speak without embarrassment or shame about menstruation .
Lucy Clark , 13 , who recently joined Lady Business , said she is ready to pick up the fight to get people talking .
`` Maybe younger children find it like , 'eww , that 's disgusting ! '
, but I just think that it 's natural , '' she said .
`` Girls ca n't help that .
They need products to be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Stenhousemuir (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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A group of schoolgirls who started a campaign to educate fellow pupils about period poverty want more countries to follow Scotland's example and make sanitary products free.
The Scottish parliament this week unanimously passed a groundbreaking law to make tampons and sanitary napkins free in all public buildings -- making Scotland the first country in the world to do so.
"I think we all felt elated that we had contributed to such a big change for the world," said Elle-Rose Fotheringham, 17, from Larbert High School in Stenhousemuir, central Scotland.
She told AFP she hoped "many more" countries would follow Scotland's example. "There are women all over the world who need free access to feminine hygiene products. This is definitely a necessity."
Fotheringham formed the group "Lady Business" with fellow pupils Meredith Rae, Tilly O'Donnell and Abby Reid after writing an article on period poverty for her school newspaper.
The four made it their mission to spread the word about the problem, addressing school assemblies and holding a rally outside the Scottish parliament.
They also topped up containers of period products in the school lavatories which were initially vandalised. That ended once the girls' message sank in.
Rae, 16, said she felt enormous relief when the bill was passed.
"We've worked so hard to get to this point," she said. "We've been doing it so long that now getting it passed was relieving for us."
According to a May 2019 survey of 1,000 teenage girls in Britain, more than half (52 percent) had missed school because of their periods.
One in 14 of these said they missed school because they could not afford or access sanitary products, the study by hygiene services company PHS Group indicated.
Globally, campaigners say the issue has a direct effect on girls' education, with a knock-on impact on work opportunities, thus deepening gender inequality.
- 'World-leading' -
The "Lady Business" girls had to battle to overcome the stigma around menstruation at school, despite indications of broad support for tackling period poverty.
"It was frustrating... because obviously it is not something that needs to be so taboo," Rae said.
"Since starting this we have worked and we have done assemblies, we've worked in classrooms and we've really seen a shift in attitudes with people, especially with younger boys and maybe even older teachers."
Lawmaker Monica Lennon, who introduced the bill, said Scotland's parliament had agreed that "no one should have to worry where their next tampon, pad or reusable is coming from".
"Scotland will not be the last country to consign period poverty to history but we have the chance to be the first," she said, praising "Lady Business" during her speech.
While the legislation is "world-leading", Scottish schools should also offer education to pupils to end the stigma of periods, she added.
The law goes further than existing provisions for free period products in schools in England, Scotland and Wales, and than measures elsewhere in the world such as the reduction or elimination of sales tax on the items.
Fotheringham and Rae are now preparing to study at university. Both hope younger children at the school will fight on to speak without embarrassment or shame about menstruation.
Lucy Clark, 13, who recently joined Lady Business, said she is ready to pick up the fight to get people talking.
"Maybe younger children find it like, 'eww, that's disgusting!', but I just think that it's natural," she said.
"Girls can't help that. They need products to be able to be healthy and be happy."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-26--Ethiopia-Tigray conflict: Ethiopian PM rejects international 'interference' in crisis

Ethiopia 's prime minister is rejecting growing international consensus for dialogue and a hatl to deadly fighting in the Tigray @ @ @ @ @ saying his country will handle the conflict on its own as 72-hour surrender ultimatum runs @ @ @ @ @ 24 's Armen Georgian explains .

Ethiopia-Tigray conflict: Ethiopian PM rejects international 'interference' in crisis
03:35
Ethiopia's prime minister is rejecting growing international consensus for dialogue and a hatl to deadly fighting in the Tigray region as 'unwelcome', saying his country will handle the conflict on its own as 72-hour surrender ultimatum runs out on Wednesday. FRANCE 24's Armen Georgian explains.


france24--2020-11-26--'Vidas Negras Importam':  Killing of black man on eve of Brazil's Black Consciousness Day sparks pro

'Vidas Negras Importam ' : Killing of black man on eve of Brazil 's Black Consciousness Day sparks protests The @ @ @ @ @ after being beaten by supermarket security guards in the city of Porto Alegre on the @ @ @ @ @ has sparked outrage across Brazil .
The protests echoes this past year 's demonstrations in @ @ @ @ @ 's Pierre Le Duff and Laura Damabe report from Porto Alegre .

'Vidas Negras Importam': Killing of black man on eve of Brazil's Black Consciousness Day sparks protests
02:19
The death of a black man after being beaten by supermarket security guards in the city of Porto Alegre on the eve of Black Consciousness Day has sparked outrage across Brazil. The protests echoes this past year's demonstrations in the US. FRANCE 24's Pierre Le Duff and Laura Damabe report from Porto Alegre.


france24--2020-11-26--Napoli pays tribute to Maradona, 'captain of the angels'

The city of Naples mourned Diego Maradona , who became a hero by leading Napoli to two Italian league titles A cry goes up outside the San Paolo Stadium in Naples , where since daybreak Thursday tearful mourners have been laying candles and messages for football great Diego Maradona .
`` Diego , Diego , Diego ! ''
chants the crowd which gathered where scarves and shirts in Napoli 's blue and white have been hung on the fence , transforming it into a makeshift shrine to the city 's adopted `` king '' .
`` Hear our voices , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 77 , famed among fans as the stadium 's resident `` poet '' , as applause goes up and grown men in face masks in the team 's colours openly weep .
Buildings around the southern Italian city are adorned with depictions of the man who dragged Napoli to the top of the Italian game and became an icon for Neapolitans , whose chaotic city was feared and loathed by the rest of Italy .
Maradona played for the then-unfashionable Napoli between 1984 and 1991 , after joining following an increasingly unhappy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also lifted the 1989 UEFA Cup , Napoli 's only European trophy .
He was still Napoli 's record goalscorer until three years ago .
`` He was our Sunday warrior , '' 46-year old Fernando Carfora , whose apartment building sports a mural of Maradona , told AFP .
`` Maradona did n't play with his feet , he played with his head .
Nobody scored Maradona 's goals , '' he said .
`` We could n't wait for him to play , ( Sunday ) was a day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were all sad . ''
Courted by criminals , the King of Spain and even the Pope , Maradona became a quasi-religious figure in Naples .
He brought joy to a desperately poor city blighted by bloody conflicts between the competing clans of the powerful Camorra organised crime network , one of whom Maradona would get to know well .
Maradona 's penchant for late-night parties , cocaine and women were almost as famous as his magical displays on the pitch .
But on Thursday many of the pictures and letters being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from adoring children .
Fathers and sons performed the sign of the cross in front of blown-up photos capturing the footballing wizard as he ran wildly down the pitch after scoring , his arms raised in triumph .
Others stopped to pray in front of the red candles .
`` My only wish now is to know that he is happy among the angels , maybe they wanted a captain !
And he will take them to victory as only he knows how , '' Giampiero said .
So deep was Maradona 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's first ever league title , won a year after he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup , the `` greatest triumph '' of his career .
His achievements at Napoli , who had been also-rans until he arrived in 1984 , cemented his position as the greatest player of his generation and , to many observers , make him the best ever .
`` I remember the Naples-Juventus game of '86 , '' said local theatre actor Ciro Cocozza , 51 .
`` There was an explosion in the stadium when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us fans , and even the Juve fans were applauding , '' he added .
`` It was an amazing feeling '' .

Naples (Italy) (AFP) –
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A cry goes up outside the San Paolo Stadium in Naples, where since daybreak Thursday tearful mourners have been laying candles and messages for football great Diego Maradona.
"Diego, Diego, Diego!" chants the crowd which gathered where scarves and shirts in Napoli's blue and white have been hung on the fence, transforming it into a makeshift shrine to the city's adopted "king".
"Hear our voices, hear our hearts," shouts Rosario, 77, famed among fans as the stadium's resident "poet", as applause goes up and grown men in face masks in the team's colours openly weep.
Buildings around the southern Italian city are adorned with depictions of the man who dragged Napoli to the top of the Italian game and became an icon for Neapolitans, whose chaotic city was feared and loathed by the rest of Italy.
Maradona played for the then-unfashionable Napoli between 1984 and 1991, after joining following an increasingly unhappy spell at Spanish glamour club Barcelona.
He also lifted the 1989 UEFA Cup, Napoli's only European trophy. He was still Napoli's record goalscorer until three years ago.
"He was our Sunday warrior," 46-year old Fernando Carfora, whose apartment building sports a mural of Maradona, told AFP.
"Maradona didn't play with his feet, he played with his head. Nobody scored Maradona's goals," he said.
"We couldn't wait for him to play, (Sunday) was a day of celebration. When he wasn't playing we were all sad."
- 'Captain of the angels' -
Courted by criminals, the King of Spain and even the Pope, Maradona became a quasi-religious figure in Naples.
He brought joy to a desperately poor city blighted by bloody conflicts between the competing clans of the powerful Camorra organised crime network, one of whom Maradona would get to know well.
Maradona's penchant for late-night parties, cocaine and women were almost as famous as his magical displays on the pitch.
But on Thursday many of the pictures and letters being left for him outside the stadium were from adoring children.
Fathers and sons performed the sign of the cross in front of blown-up photos capturing the footballing wizard as he ran wildly down the pitch after scoring, his arms raised in triumph.
Others stopped to pray in front of the red candles.
"My only wish now is to know that he is happy among the angels, maybe they wanted a captain! And he will take them to victory as only he knows how," Giampiero said.
So deep was Maradona's attachment to Naples that he called Napoli's first ever league title, won a year after he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup, the "greatest triumph" of his career.
His achievements at Napoli, who had been also-rans until he arrived in 1984, cemented his position as the greatest player of his generation and, to many observers, make him the best ever.
"I remember the Naples-Juventus game of '86," said local theatre actor Ciro Cocozza, 51.
"There was an explosion in the stadium when Maradona scored. There were 80,000 of us fans, and even the Juve fans were applauding," he added.
"It was an amazing feeling".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-26--Diego Maradona 1960-2020: 3 days of mourning begin in Buenos Aires

Tributes poured in Wednesday as the world reacted to the death of Argentine football superstar Diego # Maradona at 60 @ @ @ @ @ coaches , club owners and politicians paying their respects to one of the game ’ @ @ @ @ @

Diego Maradona 1960-2020: 3 days of mourning begin in Buenos Aires
01:30
Tributes poured in Wednesday as the world reacted to the death of Argentine football superstar Diego #Maradona at 60, with fellow footballers, coaches, club owners and politicians paying their respects to one of the game’s greatest ever players.


france24--2020-11-26--Indonesian man collapses during flogging for child rape

A man grimaces as he is flogged in Aceh , Indonesia , after being found guilty of raping a child An Indonesian man collapsed as he was flogged nearly 150 times Thursday for raping a child in conservative Aceh province , where public whipping is a common punishment for violating Islamic law .
The 19-year-old grimaced and cried out as a masked sharia officer lashed his back with a rattan stick in the town of Idi .
He pleaded for the punishment to stop and was briefly treated by doctors before the flogging restarted .
The man was arrested earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raped the victim , whose age was not revealed .
He was sentenced to 146 lashes , a particularly high number reserved for the most serious crimes .
`` The maximum sentence is meant to be a deterrent , '' Ivan Nanjjar Alavi , an official from the East Aceh prosecutor 's office , told reporters .
Aceh , on the western tip of Sumatra , is the only region in Muslim-majority Indonesia to impose Islamic law under an autonomy deal with the central government that ended a long-running separatist insurgency .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21-year-old man were whipped 100 times each for having sex with underage partners .
Aceh 's public whippings -- widely criticised by rights groups -- can attract hundreds of spectators , but crowds have dwindled in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
The province allows whipping for a range of charges -- including gambling , adultery , drinking alcohol , and having gay or pre-marital sex .
It has wide support among Aceh 's mostly Muslim population .

East Aceh (Indonesia) (AFP) –
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An Indonesian man collapsed as he was flogged nearly 150 times Thursday for raping a child in conservative Aceh province, where public whipping is a common punishment for violating Islamic law.
The 19-year-old grimaced and cried out as a masked sharia officer lashed his back with a rattan stick in the town of Idi.
He pleaded for the punishment to stop and was briefly treated by doctors before the flogging restarted.
The man was arrested earlier this year on charges he molested and raped the victim, whose age was not revealed.
He was sentenced to 146 lashes, a particularly high number reserved for the most serious crimes.
"The maximum sentence is meant to be a deterrent," Ivan Nanjjar Alavi, an official from the East Aceh prosecutor's office, told reporters.
Aceh, on the western tip of Sumatra, is the only region in Muslim-majority Indonesia to impose Islamic law under an autonomy deal with the central government that ended a long-running separatist insurgency.
Also on Thursday, a 40-year-old and a 21-year-old man were whipped 100 times each for having sex with underage partners.
Aceh's public whippings -- widely criticised by rights groups -- can attract hundreds of spectators, but crowds have dwindled in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The province allows whipping for a range of charges -- including gambling, adultery, drinking alcohol, and having gay or pre-marital sex.
It has wide support among Aceh's mostly Muslim population.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-26--French PM warns against 'lowering guard' in fight to curb Covid-19

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said Thursday that France appears to be taming the latest wave of Covid-19 infections but cautioned the French not to lower their guard amid a second lockdown .
Prime Minister Jean Castex made the comments at a press briefing in Paris on Thursday where he sought to reassure the French public that while progress had been made to reduce the Covid-19 infection rate there would be no `` premature '' lifting of the latest lockdown measures .
Castex said the R rate , which measures the spread of a virus per each person infected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same level France reached at the end of an initial three-month lockdown in the spring .
An R rate of 1.0 means that each infected person is spreading the virus to one other person , keeping community-wide infection rates steady .
`` Your efforts are paying dividends , '' Castex said .
`` Pressure from the pandemic is easing and it is easing more in France than in other European nations . ''
However , the prime minister warned against complacency .
`` We can not lower our guard .
Our objective is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more normal life , to allow you to spend the holiday season with your loved ones while minimising the risk of a resurgence of the virus , ” Castex said .
French Health Minister Olivier Véran , who also addressed the briefing , struck a note of optimism in saying the government 's target of reducing new virus infections to 5,000 per day could be reached as early as the second week of December .
However , he said the second wave was not yet over , referring to recent figures showing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to intensive care every six minutes .
President Emmanuel Macron this week announced a phased lifting of the lockdown to begin on Saturday with the re-opening of non-essential shops and then theatres , museums and cinemas in mid-December if trends continue to improve .
Stores must restrict numbers to one client for every 8 square metres of shop floor , introduce one-way movement where possible and ventilate their premises , the government said .
Bars and restaurants will stay closed until January 20 .
The finance ministry said the expanded financial support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A leading government adviser said mass inoculations would be needed for France to return to some sort of normality in the autumn of 2021 – something that might prove difficult in a country where scepticism of vaccines runs strong .
The government is under pressure from some economic sectors to accelerate the easing of restrictions , in particular from the hospitality and ski industries .
Households are also feeling the pain .
French and German consumer confidence sank in November as coronavirus restrictions crushed any prospect of a quick reboot in the @ @ @ @ @ @

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said Thursday that France appears to be taming the latest wave of Covid-19 infections but cautioned the French not to lower their guard amid a second lockdown.
Advertising Read more
Prime Minister Jean Castex made the comments at a press briefing in Paris on Thursday where he sought to reassure the French public that while progress had been made to reduce the Covid-19 infection rate there would be no "premature" lifting of the latest lockdown measures.
Castex said the R rate, which measures the spread of a virus per each person infected, was now at 0.65 countrywide, the same level France reached at the end of an initial three-month lockdown in the spring. An R rate of 1.0 means that each infected person is spreading the virus to one other person, keeping community-wide infection rates steady.
"Your efforts are paying dividends," Castex said. "Pressure from the pandemic is easing and it is easing more in France than in other European nations."
However, the prime minister warned against complacency.
"We cannot lower our guard. Our objective is to allow a gradual return to a more normal life, to allow you to spend the holiday season with your loved ones while minimising the risk of a resurgence of the virus,” Castex said.
French Health Minister Olivier Véran, who also addressed the briefing, struck a note of optimism in saying the government's target of reducing new virus infections to 5,000 per day could be reached as early as the second week of December. However, he said the second wave was not yet over, referring to recent figures showing that in France a Covid-19 patient was admitted to intensive care every six minutes.
President Emmanuel Macron this week announced a phased lifting of the lockdown to begin on Saturday with the re-opening of non-essential shops and then theatres, museums and cinemas in mid-December if trends continue to improve.
Stores must restrict numbers to one client for every 8 square metres of shop floor, introduce one-way movement where possible and ventilate their premises, the government said.
Bars and restaurants will stay closed until January 20.
The finance ministry said the expanded financial support for businesses would cost €3.5 billion in December.
A leading government adviser said mass inoculations would be needed for France to return to some sort of normality in the autumn of 2021 – something that might prove difficult in a country where scepticism of vaccines runs strong.
The government is under pressure from some economic sectors to accelerate the easing of restrictions, in particular from the hospitality and ski industries.
Households are also feeling the pain. French and German consumer confidence sank in November as coronavirus restrictions crushed any prospect of a quick reboot in the eurozone's two biggest economies.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-11-26--Coronavirus pandemic: Covid pushing more in France into poverty

Coronavirus pandemic : Covid pushing more in France into poverty As many as one million people could be plunged into @ @ @ @ @ Charities have also been impacted .
Here is a closer look at the economic damage @ @ @ @ @ France .

Coronavirus pandemic: Covid pushing more in France into poverty
02:13
Video by: Pauline GODART
As many as one million people could be plunged into poverty by the pandemic. Charities have also been impacted. Here is a closer look at the economic damage wrought by the coronavirus in France.


france24--2020-11-26--Ethiopia-Tigray conflict: UN warns of 'humanitarian disaster'

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday ordered Ethiopia 's army to launch a final offensive against Tigray 's dissident leaders @ @ @ @ @ , saying the deadline for surrender had expired .
The threatened assault and fear for @ @ @ @ @ accelerated diplomatic efforts this week to mediate , with the UN Security Council holding its @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .

Ethiopia-Tigray conflict: UN warns of 'humanitarian disaster'
01:31
Video by: Andrew HILLIAR
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday ordered Ethiopia's army to launch a final offensive against Tigray's dissident leaders in their regional capital Mekele, saying the deadline for surrender had expired. The threatened assault and fear for Mekele's half million inhabitants accelerated diplomatic efforts this week to mediate, with the UN Security Council holding its first meeting on the crisis on Tuesday.


france24--2020-11-26--Diego Maradona dies at 60: Naples pays tribute to Argentine football legend

The Mayor of Naples proposed on Wednesday that the Stadio San Paolo be renamed in honour of the city 's @ @ @ @ @ # Maradona .
Maradona led Napoli to their only two league titles in 1987 and @ @ @ @ @ in the working class city , where fans poured into the streets after hearing of @ @ @ @ @ 's Seema Gupta tells us more .

Diego Maradona dies at 60: Naples pays tribute to Argentine football legend
03:41
Video by: Seema GUPTA
The Mayor of Naples proposed on Wednesday that the Stadio San Paolo be renamed in honour of the city's beloved Argentine footballer, Diego #Maradona. Maradona led Napoli to their only two league titles in 1987 and 1990, becoming a legend in the working class city, where fans poured into the streets after hearing of his death. FRANCE 24's Seema Gupta tells us more.


france24--2020-11-26--America celebrates scaled-back Thanksgiving as Covid-19 surges

Americans awoke on Thursday to celebrate a Thanksgiving Day transformed by the coronavirus pandemic , with the Macy 's parade @ @ @ @ @ and many families resigned to meeting on video for turkey dinner .
FRANCE 24 's @ @ @ @ @ .

America celebrates scaled-back Thanksgiving as Covid-19 surges
01:29
Americans awoke on Thursday to celebrate a Thanksgiving Day transformed by the coronavirus pandemic, with the Macy's parade limited to a television-only event and many families resigned to meeting on video for turkey dinner. FRANCE 24's Kethevane Gorjestani tells us more.


france24--2020-11-26--Pakistanis join final trials for China-made vaccine

Thousands of Pakistanis have volunteered to take part in the final-stage trial of a Chinese vaccine for Covid-19 Thousands of volunteers are flocking to research hospitals across Pakistan to join final-stage clinical trials of a Chinese-made vaccine for the coronavirus .
It is the first time Pakistan has participated in such a trial , which comes amid a string of positive vaccine announcements by Western pharmaceutical companies this month .
The vaccine is being developed by CanSinoBio and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology China .
`` I have volunteered myself for a noble cause that will help humanity , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital , where hundreds of participants are being paid about $ 50 for their trouble .
Others should `` step forward and take part in this noble cause which will save lives , '' he added .
For years , China has focused much of its attention in Pakistan on mammoth development projects , bankrolling the construction of roads , power plants and a strategic port .
Beijing has now tapped one of its closest allies to participate in the vaccine trials , despite Pakistan 's chequered history with inoculation campaigns .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the accuracy and efficacy of the vaccine in two to three months , '' Ejaz Ahmad Khan , the principal researcher overseeing the trial in Pakistan , told AFP .
Officials said Pakistan has already inoculated about 7,000 of the 10,000 participants expected to receive a jab .
The trials come with intensive care wards across the country nearing capacity as a second , deadlier wave of the coronavirus spreads and officials struggle to counter public indifference to the pandemic .
The country has confirmed more than 382,000 cases including over 7,800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February .
Less than a year after the coronavirus that has claimed 1.4 million lives began spreading across the globe , a number of highly promising Covid-19 vaccines are on the cusp of release .
Four separate drug makers have recently announced that their vaccines are effective for most people .
Due to lingering suspicions over vaccines , Pakistan is one of just two countries where polio continues to spread , sparking fears that a new drive to inoculate the population against the coronavirus will fail .
The Chinese vaccine is also undergoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on humans -- in several other nations including China , Russia , Chile , Argentina and Saudi Arabia .

Islamabad (AFP) –
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Thousands of volunteers are flocking to research hospitals across Pakistan to join final-stage clinical trials of a Chinese-made vaccine for the coronavirus.
It is the first time Pakistan has participated in such a trial, which comes amid a string of positive vaccine announcements by Western pharmaceutical companies this month.
The vaccine is being developed by CanSinoBio and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology China.
"I have volunteered myself for a noble cause that will help humanity," said a volunteer at Islamabad's Shifa hospital, where hundreds of participants are being paid about $50 for their trouble.
Others should "step forward and take part in this noble cause which will save lives," he added.
For years, China has focused much of its attention in Pakistan on mammoth development projects, bankrolling the construction of roads, power plants and a strategic port.
Beijing has now tapped one of its closest allies to participate in the vaccine trials, despite Pakistan's chequered history with inoculation campaigns.
"We hope to have some findings ready about the accuracy and efficacy of the vaccine in two to three months," Ejaz Ahmad Khan, the principal researcher overseeing the trial in Pakistan, told AFP.
Officials said Pakistan has already inoculated about 7,000 of the 10,000 participants expected to receive a jab.
The trials come with intensive care wards across the country nearing capacity as a second, deadlier wave of the coronavirus spreads and officials struggle to counter public indifference to the pandemic.
The country has confirmed more than 382,000 cases including over 7,800 deaths since the virus arrived in late February.
Less than a year after the coronavirus that has claimed 1.4 million lives began spreading across the globe, a number of highly promising Covid-19 vaccines are on the cusp of release.
Four separate drug makers have recently announced that their vaccines are effective for most people.
Due to lingering suspicions over vaccines, Pakistan is one of just two countries where polio continues to spread, sparking fears that a new drive to inoculate the population against the coronavirus will fail.
The Chinese vaccine is also undergoing phase 3 trials -- or large-scale testing on humans -- in several other nations including China, Russia, Chile, Argentina and Saudi Arabia.
© 2020 AFP