france24--2020-11-07--Real's Hazard and Casemiro test positive for coronavirus

Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard ( in white ) has tested positive for coronavirus along with teammate Casemiro Real Madrid 's Belgian forward Eden Hazard and his Brazilian teammate Casemiro have both tested positive for coronavirus , the La Liga club announced on Saturday .
`` Real Madrid informs that our players , Casemiro and Eden Hazard , have tested positive in the Covid-19 tests undertaken yesterday , Friday , in the morning , '' the club said in a statement .
`` All of the other first-team players and coaching staff , as well as the club employees who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in yesterday 's tests .
`` Meanwhile , all of them , apart from Casemiro and Hazard , once again tested negative in the antigen tests taken this morning . ''
Neither player will feature in the side to take on Valencia on Sunday .
Nor will they be able to join up with their respective national teams during the coming international window as both are required to go into isolation .
It marks another setback for Hazard who missed the start of the season owing to a series of ankle injuries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Champions League meeting with Borussia Munchengladbach on October 27 .
On Monday , ahead of their match against Inter Milan , Madrid announced that Brazilian central defender Eder Militao had also tested positive for coronavirus .

Madrid (AFP) –
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Real Madrid's Belgian forward Eden Hazard and his Brazilian teammate Casemiro have both tested positive for coronavirus, the La Liga club announced on Saturday.
"Real Madrid informs that our players, Casemiro and Eden Hazard, have tested positive in the Covid-19 tests undertaken yesterday, Friday, in the morning," the club said in a statement.
"All of the other first-team players and coaching staff, as well as the club employees who work directly with the squad tested negative in yesterday's tests.
"Meanwhile, all of them, apart from Casemiro and Hazard, once again tested negative in the antigen tests taken this morning."
Neither player will feature in the side to take on Valencia on Sunday. Nor will they be able to join up with their respective national teams during the coming international window as both are required to go into isolation.
It marks another setback for Hazard who missed the start of the season owing to a series of ankle injuries. He only returned to the Madrid line-up for the Champions League meeting with Borussia Munchengladbach on October 27.
On Monday, ahead of their match against Inter Milan, Madrid announced that Brazilian central defender Eder Militao had also tested positive for coronavirus.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--Iran daily virus infections exceed 9,000

Iranians walk next to a sign advising people to wear masks as they shop in Tajrish square in the capital Tehran on November 1 , 2020 as the country continues to face rising cases of infections and deaths from coronavirus Iran on Saturday announced a new record of more than 9,000 new cases of Covid-19 infections in the Middle East 's worst hit country , as the government imposed new restrictions .
The latest official figure of 9,450 positive novel coronavirus cases in a 24-hour period comes after a consistent daily count of more than 8,000 in the past six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stands at 673,250 , the health ministry announced .
The virus has also claimed another 423 lives in the Islamic republic , raising the total number of victims to 37,832 .
The number of infections and deaths have kept rising and hit several new highs since September , prompting officials to announce new restrictions .
On Saturday , President Hassan Rouhani outlined a new list of measures during a meeting with the Covid-19 taskforce meeting .
Speaking in a televised speech Rouhani said under the new measures non-essential businesses such as malls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close from 6 pm for a month starting Tuesday .
This would apply to the capital Tehran , province capitals and `` cities with high populations '' , he added .
The rising toll has brought a number of health experts and officials to call for a lockdown in the capital as a minimum measure .
Iran has not imposed a full lockdown since it was hit by Covid-19 in February , with Rouhani arguing the country 's sanctions-hit economy can not afford to be shut down for an extended period .

Tehran (AFP) –
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Iran on Saturday announced a new record of more than 9,000 new cases of Covid-19 infections in the Middle East's worst hit country, as the government imposed new restrictions.
The latest official figure of 9,450 positive novel coronavirus cases in a 24-hour period comes after a consistent daily count of more than 8,000 in the past six days.
Iran's virus caseload now stands at 673,250, the health ministry announced.
The virus has also claimed another 423 lives in the Islamic republic, raising the total number of victims to 37,832.
The number of infections and deaths have kept rising and hit several new highs since September, prompting officials to announce new restrictions.
On Saturday, President Hassan Rouhani outlined a new list of measures during a meeting with the Covid-19 taskforce meeting.
Speaking in a televised speech Rouhani said under the new measures non-essential businesses such as malls, small retailers, cinemas and gyms would close from 6 pm for a month starting Tuesday.
This would apply to the capital Tehran, province capitals and "cities with high populations", he added.
The rising toll has brought a number of health experts and officials to call for a lockdown in the capital as a minimum measure.
Iran has not imposed a full lockdown since it was hit by Covid-19 in February, with Rouhani arguing the country's sanctions-hit economy cannot afford to be shut down for an extended period.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--French PM Jean Castex presides over tribute to victims of church attack in Nice

Nine days after a terrorist wielding a knife killed three people at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Nice , French Prime Minister Jean Castex presided over a national tribute to the victims of the attack .
The October 29 murders were a blow to a nation already on edge after the murder of teacher Samuel Paty in retaliation for showing his students caricatures of the Prophet Muhammed during a class on free speech just a week earlier .
French President Emmanuel Macron deemed Paty ’ s killing an attack on the French republic itself .
Castex began the tribute with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uniformed soldiers stood erect in the southern sun , the Mediterranean Sea glittering through pines behind them .
He spoke of the lives of the three victims , Nadine Devillers , 60 , Vincent Loquès , 55 , and Simone Barreto Silva , 44 , and concluded by pinning the National Medal of Recognition of Victims of Terrorism to the red velvet cushions that stood in front of large photos of each of the deceased .
The three were killed when a young Tunisian man carrying a copy of the Quran attacked worshippers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouted , `` Allahu Akbar '' , or God is greatest , even after he had been detained .
He was wounded by police and taken to the hospital in life-threatening condition after his arrest .
“ Terrorism attacks what we are , what constitutes our identity , our freedom , our culture and , lastly , our lives , ” said Castex .
“ We know the enemy .
Not only is he identified but he has a name : It is radical Islamism , a political ideology that disfigures the Muslim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dogma and its commands… We will not allow the the France that we love to be disfigured .
”

Nine days after a terrorist wielding a knife killed three people at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Nice, French Prime Minister Jean Castex presided over a national tribute to the victims of the attack.
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The October 29 murders were a blow to a nation already on edge after the murder of teacher Samuel Paty in retaliation for showing his students caricatures of the Prophet Muhammed during a class on free speech just a week earlier. French President Emmanuel Macron deemed Paty’s killing an attack on the French republic itself.
Castex began the tribute with a minute of silence, as he and uniformed soldiers stood erect in the southern sun, the Mediterranean Sea glittering through pines behind them. He spoke of the lives of the three victims, Nadine Devillers, 60, Vincent Loquès, 55, and Simone Barreto Silva, 44, and concluded by pinning the National Medal of Recognition of Victims of Terrorism to the red velvet cushions that stood in front of large photos of each of the deceased.
The three were killed when a young Tunisian man carrying a copy of the Quran attacked worshippers in the church. The assailant had shouted, "Allahu Akbar", or God is greatest, even after he had been detained. He was wounded by police and taken to the hospital in life-threatening condition after his arrest.
“Terrorism attacks what we are, what constitutes our identity, our freedom, our culture and, lastly, our lives,” said Castex. “We know the enemy. Not only is he identified but he has a name: It is radical Islamism, a political ideology that disfigures the Muslim religion by diverting its texts, its dogma and its commands… We will not allow the the France that we love to be disfigured.”
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france24--2020-11-07--Australia bounce back from record defeat to stun All Blacks

Australia 's Jordan Petaia ( top ) tackles New Zealand 's Jordie Barrett during the Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane Australia pulled off an unlikely win Saturday as they bounced back from a record loss to beat New Zealand 24-22 in a thrilling Tri Nations Test match in Brisbane .
With both teams reduced to 14 men in the first half following red cards for New Zealand 's Ofa Tuungafasi and Australia 's debutant Lachlan Swinton for high tackles , the Wallabies dug deep to come from behind to stun the All Blacks .
After being smashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wallabies were given little chance of turning the tables on the All Blacks , who had already secured the Bledisloe Cup with a game to spare .
But they finished the stronger of the two teams and sealed the win when replacement prop Taniela Tupou crashed over with five minutes left to put the home side 24-15 ahead .
But there was still time for All Blacks to cross with two minutes remaining when Tupou Vaai scored next to the posts and Jordie Barret converted to reduce the gap to 24-22 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win .
`` I 'm really proud of the guys , we 've been working hard for a lot of weeks , '' said Wallabies coach Dave Rennie , who was enjoyed his first win since taking charge of Australia .
`` We knew we were better than last week and showed a lot of character tonight .
We know we get still be better , we can be tidier and finish off the game without putting the coaches through the wringer .
`` But they 're a good bunch of boys , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we got a result tonight . ''
The Wallabies got away to a blistering start in front of over 36,000 fans when winger Tom Wright scored with his first touch in Test rugby .
A perfectly placed chip kick from flyhalf Reece Hodge fell perfectly for fullback Tom Banks , who then found Wright with a clever flick pass .
The All Blacks struck back only six minutes later when winger Rieko Ioane crossed in the corner after 29 phases to level the scores at 5-5 .
Hodge put the Wallabies back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute before the All Blacks were rocked by Tuungafasi 's red card when the big prop was adjudged to have hit Wright in the head with a high tackle .
After weathering a storm from the Australians , the All Blacks drew level at 8-8 when Micheal Hooper was penalised for entering the ruck from the side right in front of the posts and Jordie Barrett made no mistake with the penalty .
But from the ensuing kick-off Swinton smashed Sam Whitelock with a shoulder to the head and referee Nic Berry had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second red card of the match .
The Wallabies were rocked once again when winger Marika Koroibete was shown a yellow card right on half-time for a professional foul but they held on and went into the break with the scores level .
They then took the lead against the odds 10 minutes after the restart with a second Hodge penalty , and when Koroibete returned to the field the Wallabies were ahead 11-8 But that lead lasted just two minutes as Codie Taylor crashed over at the back of a driving maul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line-out five metres out .
Jordie Barrett converted from out wide to make it 15-11 to the All Blacks .
A third Hodge penalty following a dominant Australian scrum got the Wallabies to within a point at 15-14 .
Then with 13 minutes to go , the All Blacks were down to 13 when Scott Barrett was shown a yellow card for a cynical foul , batting the ball away illegally to stop an attack while lying on the ground .
The Wallabies took full advantage with another Hodge penalty before Tupou 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted a response after last week and we got it , '' said a delighted Rennie .
`` Good to get a result like that as it helps with belief . ''

Brisbane (Australia) (AFP) –
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Australia pulled off an unlikely win Saturday as they bounced back from a record loss to beat New Zealand 24-22 in a thrilling Tri Nations Test match in Brisbane.
With both teams reduced to 14 men in the first half following red cards for New Zealand's Ofa Tuungafasi and Australia's debutant Lachlan Swinton for high tackles, the Wallabies dug deep to come from behind to stun the All Blacks.
After being smashed 43-5 in Sydney last weekend, the Wallabies were given little chance of turning the tables on the All Blacks, who had already secured the Bledisloe Cup with a game to spare.
But they finished the stronger of the two teams and sealed the win when replacement prop Taniela Tupou crashed over with five minutes left to put the home side 24-15 ahead.
But there was still time for All Blacks to cross with two minutes remaining when Tupou Vaai scored next to the posts and Jordie Barret converted to reduce the gap to 24-22, but the Wallabies held on for a deserved win.
"I'm really proud of the guys, we've been working hard for a lot of weeks," said Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, who was enjoyed his first win since taking charge of Australia .
"We knew we were better than last week and showed a lot of character tonight. We know we get still be better, we can be tidier and finish off the game without putting the coaches through the wringer.
"But they're a good bunch of boys, they're working hard and great that we got a result tonight."
The Wallabies got away to a blistering start in front of over 36,000 fans when winger Tom Wright scored with his first touch in Test rugby.
A perfectly placed chip kick from flyhalf Reece Hodge fell perfectly for fullback Tom Banks, who then found Wright with a clever flick pass.
The All Blacks struck back only six minutes later when winger Rieko Ioane crossed in the corner after 29 phases to level the scores at 5-5.
- Two red cards -
Hodge put the Wallabies back in front with a penalty in the 21st minute before the All Blacks were rocked by Tuungafasi's red card when the big prop was adjudged to have hit Wright in the head with a high tackle.
After weathering a storm from the Australians, the All Blacks drew level at 8-8 when Micheal Hooper was penalised for entering the ruck from the side right in front of the posts and Jordie Barrett made no mistake with the penalty.
But from the ensuing kick-off Swinton smashed Sam Whitelock with a shoulder to the head and referee Nic Berry had an easy decision to show him the second red card of the match.
The Wallabies were rocked once again when winger Marika Koroibete was shown a yellow card right on half-time for a professional foul but they held on and went into the break with the scores level.
They then took the lead against the odds 10 minutes after the restart with a second Hodge penalty, and when Koroibete returned to the field the Wallabies were ahead 11-8
But that lead lasted just two minutes as Codie Taylor crashed over at the back of a driving maul after Whitelock secured good ball at the line-out five metres out.
Jordie Barrett converted from out wide to make it 15-11 to the All Blacks.
A third Hodge penalty following a dominant Australian scrum got the Wallabies to within a point at 15-14.
Then with 13 minutes to go, the All Blacks were down to 13 when Scott Barrett was shown a yellow card for a cynical foul, batting the ball away illegally to stop an attack while lying on the ground.
The Wallabies took full advantage with another Hodge penalty before Tupou's match-winning try.
"We said we wanted a response after last week and we got it," said a delighted Rennie. "Good to get a result like that as it helps with belief."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--Biden vows virus action on 'day one' as Europe suffers under second wave

The pandemic has been cited as a factor in the delay in US election results , with a deluge of millions of ballots mailed by citizens not willing to risk infection by voting in person The United States reported record new coronavirus cases for the third day in a row , as Joe Biden vowed to act against the pandemic on `` day one '' if he wins the presidential election in the world 's worst-hit nation .
Global infections have surged past 49 million and Europe has become the new pandemic epicenter in recent weeks with more than 300,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global total .
More than 127,000 new infections were reported in the US on Friday , the third straight day of record cases , as votes from the bitterly fought election were still being counted .
No winner has been declared but Biden promised he would not waste time in addressing the pandemic if he is victorious .
`` I want everyone , everyone to know on day one we 're going to put our plan to control this virus into action , '' the Democrat said .
The infection figures came as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bout of Covid-19 in October and has been widely criticized over his handling of the crisis , trailed his Democratic challenger in the vote count .
US cases are fast approaching 10 million , with more than 236,000 deaths , and the pandemic has hammered the world 's biggest economy , leaving millions jobless .
Trump has been a vocal opponent of lockdown measures , citing their impact on the economy , and has repeatedly clashed with his own government 's experts over coronavirus policy .
Unlike Biden , Trump held massive campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , insisting the US was `` rounding the turn '' despite the virus surges .
Senior members of his administration have contracted the virus recently with Trump 's chief of staff Mark Meadows the latest to test positive , media said late Friday .
The pandemic has been cited as one of the factors for the delay in US election results , with state authorities deluged with millions of ballots mailed by citizens not willing to risk infection by voting in person .
Across the Atlantic , Greece became the latest European nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reeling from a second , relentless coronavirus wave .
Under the measures , which came into force before daybreak , Greeks can only leave home if they receive authorization to a mobile phone request .
Essential shops can stay open , including supermarkets and pharmacies .
On the first day of the second lockdown Athens woke to checks on vehicle movements and doubled fines for not wearing masks , up to 300 euros .
But hairdressers have been allowed to stay open for two more days and they were booked out .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that what I see in the mirror every morning during lockdown wo n't cause me sadness , '' said Petrina , ahead of her Sunday appointment .
The measures follow the imposition of restrictions in Italy , France , Ireland and Britain , while Switzerland is also being hit hard by the virus .
Germany reported record daily figures on Saturday with 23,399 new cases and 130 deaths .
Thousands of demonstrators were expected to gather in Leipzig on Saturday to protest against mask-wearing and new curbs to halt the virus spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures Saturday too , closing most shopping centers .
The government is also shutting cinemas , theatres , galleries and other cultural institutions and making hotels available for business travellers only .
Governments are also exploring mass testing as a way to curb the pandemic .
In England , Liverpool on Friday began the country 's first city-wide coronavirus testing program .
All 500,000 residents will be offered repeat tests , even if asymptomatic , under a pilot scheme that could be rolled out nationwide if successful .
Britain on Saturday banned entry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a mutated version of the coronavirus linked to mink farms was found in humans .
With populations growing increasingly weary of lockdowns , protests have broken out in some countries .
Demonstrators and the police have clashed in parts of Italy and the Czech Republic in recent weeks .
Giorgio Gori , the mayor of Bergamo -- the epicenter of Italy 's coronavirus crisis earlier this year -- said `` there is more tiredness and more distrust around '' than during the first lockdown , after people protested outside his home .

Washington (AFP) –
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The United States reported record new coronavirus cases for the third day in a row, as Joe Biden vowed to act against the pandemic on "day one" if he wins the presidential election in the world's worst-hit nation.
Global infections have surged past 49 million and Europe has become the new pandemic epicenter in recent weeks with more than 300,000 deaths -- nearly a quarter of the global total.
More than 127,000 new infections were reported in the US on Friday, the third straight day of record cases, as votes from the bitterly fought election were still being counted.
No winner has been declared but Biden promised he would not waste time in addressing the pandemic if he is victorious.
"I want everyone, everyone to know on day one we're going to put our plan to control this virus into action," the Democrat said.
The infection figures came as President Donald Trump, who survived a bout of Covid-19 in October and has been widely criticized over his handling of the crisis, trailed his Democratic challenger in the vote count.
US cases are fast approaching 10 million, with more than 236,000 deaths, and the pandemic has hammered the world's biggest economy, leaving millions jobless.
Trump has been a vocal opponent of lockdown measures, citing their impact on the economy, and has repeatedly clashed with his own government's experts over coronavirus policy.
Unlike Biden, Trump held massive campaign rallies ahead of the November 3 vote, insisting the US was "rounding the turn" despite the virus surges.
Senior members of his administration have contracted the virus recently with Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows the latest to test positive, media said late Friday.
The pandemic has been cited as one of the factors for the delay in US election results, with state authorities deluged with millions of ballots mailed by citizens not willing to risk infection by voting in person.
- 'More distrust'
Across the Atlantic, Greece became the latest European nation to enter lockdown Saturday with the continent reeling from a second, relentless coronavirus wave.
Under the measures, which came into force before daybreak, Greeks can only leave home if they receive authorization to a mobile phone request. Essential shops can stay open, including supermarkets and pharmacies.
On the first day of the second lockdown Athens woke to checks on vehicle movements and doubled fines for not wearing masks, up to 300 euros.
The capital's main shopping throughfare Ermou street was quiet.
But hairdressers have been allowed to stay open for two more days and they were booked out.
"I want to have my hair done so that what I see in the mirror every morning during lockdown won't cause me sadness," said Petrina, ahead of her Sunday appointment.
The measures follow the imposition of restrictions in Italy, France, Ireland and Britain, while Switzerland is also being hit hard by the virus.
Germany reported record daily figures on Saturday with 23,399 new cases and 130 deaths.
Thousands of demonstrators were expected to gather in Leipzig on Saturday to protest against mask-wearing and new curbs to halt the virus spreading across Germany.
Poland was imposing fresh measures Saturday too, closing most shopping centers. The government is also shutting cinemas, theatres, galleries and other cultural institutions and making hotels available for business travellers only.
Governments are also exploring mass testing as a way to curb the pandemic.
In England, Liverpool on Friday began the country's first city-wide coronavirus testing program. All 500,000 residents will be offered repeat tests, even if asymptomatic, under a pilot scheme that could be rolled out nationwide if successful.
Britain on Saturday banned entry to all non-resident foreigners coming from Denmark after a mutated version of the coronavirus linked to mink farms was found in humans.
With populations growing increasingly weary of lockdowns, protests have broken out in some countries. Demonstrators and the police have clashed in parts of Italy and the Czech Republic in recent weeks.
Giorgio Gori, the mayor of Bergamo -- the epicenter of Italy's coronavirus crisis earlier this year -- said "there is more tiredness and more distrust around" than during the first lockdown, after people protested outside his home.
The latest aid package would total 2.5 billion euros ($3.0 billion), media reported Saturday.
burs/bp/tgb
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--Bomb attack kills former Afghan TV presenter

Former TV journalist Yama Siawash was known for his hard-hitting interview style A former Afghan television presenter and two other civilians were killed in a Kabul bombing on Saturday , in an attack officials blamed on a group linked to the Taliban .
Yama Siawash was killed when a bomb attached to his vehicle exploded near his home in the Afghan capital , police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz told journalists .
The murder of Siawash comes amid a rise in violence across the country even as the Taliban and Afghan government engage in peace talks in Qatar to end the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently joined Afghanistan 's central bank as an adviser , used to be a prominent political and current affairs presenter with Tolo News , the country 's biggest private TV channel , known for his hard-hitting interview style .
No group claimed responsibility for the attack , but the interior ministry blamed the Haqqani network , a group linked to the Taliban .
`` Such targeted attacks and explosions of sticky bombs is the continuation of crimes by Haqqani network and the Taliban , '' Tariq Arian , spokesman for the ministry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haqqani network as a terrorist group .
Siawash 's death drew immediate condemnation from senior Afghan officials and foreign diplomats .
`` I am shocked at the killing of former Tolo News anchor Yama Siawash , '' Ross Wilson , US charge d'affaires in Kabul , said on Twitter .
`` This attack is an assault on freedom of the press , one of Afghanistan 's core democratic principles . ''
Abdullah Abdullah , who heads the country 's overall peace and reconciliation process , also said Siawash 's murder targeted freedom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unforgivable and unforgettable crime , '' he said in a statement .
The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee , a panel set up by media networks to oversee security for journalists in the country , called for `` identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators '' of the attack .
President Ashraf Ghani ordered an investigation into the murders , the presidential palace said .
Targeted killings of prominent figures , including journalists , clerics , politicians and rights activists , have become more common in recent months amid growing violence in the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghafari , one of Afghanistan 's first female mayors , was gunned down in front of his house in Kabul .
His assassination was condemned by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who had awarded Ghafari with the International Women of Courage award earlier this year .
US watchdog Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction ( SIGAR ) said in a report this week that violent attacks in the country had surged by 50 percent during three months to September when compared to the previous quarter .
Dozens of people were killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in brutal attacks that also left scores wounded .
On Monday , a deadly raid by militants on Kabul University left 22 people dead , many of them students .
The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack but the government blamed the Haqqani network .
The attack on the university came just days after a suicide bombing near an educational centre killed 24 people .
That attack was also claimed by IS .

Kabul (AFP) –
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A former Afghan television presenter and two other civilians were killed in a Kabul bombing on Saturday, in an attack officials blamed on a group linked to the Taliban.
Yama Siawash was killed when a bomb attached to his vehicle exploded near his home in the Afghan capital, police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz told journalists.
The murder of Siawash comes amid a rise in violence across the country even as the Taliban and Afghan government engage in peace talks in Qatar to end the country's grinding war.
Siawash, who recently joined Afghanistan's central bank as an adviser, used to be a prominent political and current affairs presenter with Tolo News, the country's biggest private TV channel, known for his hard-hitting interview style.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the interior ministry blamed the Haqqani network, a group linked to the Taliban.
"Such targeted attacks and explosions of sticky bombs is the continuation of crimes by Haqqani network and the Taliban," Tariq Arian, spokesman for the ministry, told reporters.
Washington has listed the Haqqani network as a terrorist group.
Siawash's death drew immediate condemnation from senior Afghan officials and foreign diplomats.
"I am shocked at the killing of former Tolo News anchor Yama Siawash," Ross Wilson, US charge d'affaires in Kabul, said on Twitter.
"This attack is an assault on freedom of the press, one of Afghanistan's core democratic principles."
Abdullah Abdullah, who heads the country's overall peace and reconciliation process, also said Siawash's murder targeted freedom of expression in Afghanistan.
"This is an unforgivable and unforgettable crime," he said in a statement.
- Targeted killings -
The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, a panel set up by media networks to oversee security for journalists in the country, called for "identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators" of the attack.
President Ashraf Ghani ordered an investigation into the murders, the presidential palace said.
Targeted killings of prominent figures, including journalists, clerics, politicians and rights activists, have become more common in recent months amid growing violence in the country.
On Thursday, the father of Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan's first female mayors, was gunned down in front of his house in Kabul.
His assassination was condemned by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who had awarded Ghafari with the International Women of Courage award earlier this year.
US watchdog Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in a report this week that violent attacks in the country had surged by 50 percent during three months to September when compared to the previous quarter.
Dozens of people were killed in less than two weeks in Kabul in brutal attacks that also left scores wounded.
On Monday, a deadly raid by militants on Kabul University left 22 people dead, many of them students.
The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack but the government blamed the Haqqani network.
The attack on the university came just days after a suicide bombing near an educational centre killed 24 people. That attack was also claimed by IS.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--Iran urges next US administration to learn from sanctions

An Iranian man walks past a mural painted on the outer walls of the former American embassy in Tehran , as the US awaits the final results of the presidential election .
Iran 's President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday he hoped the next US administration will have learnt that sanctions can not make Tehran bow to American policy .
US President Donald Trump , who appears to be on the verge of having lost Tuesday 's election to challenger Joe Biden , has applied a `` maximum pressure '' policy and punishing sanctions against Iran since his 2018 withdrawal from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We hope the three-year experience will be a lesson for America 's next administration to abide by laws and regulations and return to its commitments , '' Rouhani said in a televised speech .
`` Our people have faced economic terrorism for the past three years . ''
Rouhani said Iran would `` continue its resistance and patience until the other side bows before laws and regulations '' .
The Islamic republic hoped that `` those imposing sanctions realise their path was wrong and that they will not achieve their goals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they will focus on the policies of the next US administration rather than who becomes president .
Tehran has also stressed that a possible US return to the nuclear agreement would have to be accompanied by compensation for damages caused by the withdrawal and a `` guarantee '' it will not be repeated .
Iran 's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that the US election would have `` no effect '' on Tehran 's policies towards Washington .
Biden has said he plans to embark on a `` credible path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he wins the presidency and raised the possibility of returning to the 2015 nuclear deal , negotiated when he was vice president under Barack Obama .
The policy of `` maximum pressure has reached its end , and contrary to Trump 's expectations , Iran has not crumbled '' , government spokesman Ali Rabiei wrote Saturday in the state daily Iran .
`` Whatever administration comes to power ... ( it ) has no ( more ) sanctions left to impose , '' he said .
Rabiei called on the next US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structure which Trump created '' and return to a `` reasonable policy '' .
Most of Iran 's daily newspapers covered the US presidential election on their Saturday front pages .
`` Spectacular America ! ''
mocked the ultraconservative Kayhan , saying `` the country which calls itself the global role model of democracy has entered a period of political , security and social instability '' .
Aftab-e Yazd , a reformist paper , however , predicted `` less surprises in foreign policy and things will be more predictable '' without Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not equal being positive , '' it added .

Tehran (AFP) –
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Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday he hoped the next US administration will have learnt that sanctions cannot make Tehran bow to American policy.
US President Donald Trump, who appears to be on the verge of having lost Tuesday's election to challenger Joe Biden, has applied a "maximum pressure" policy and punishing sanctions against Iran since his 2018 withdrawal from a landmark nuclear agreement with Iran.
"We hope the three-year experience will be a lesson for America's next administration to abide by laws and regulations and return to its commitments," Rouhani said in a televised speech.
"Our people have faced economic terrorism for the past three years."
Rouhani said Iran would "continue its resistance and patience until the other side bows before laws and regulations".
The Islamic republic hoped that "those imposing sanctions realise their path was wrong and that they will not achieve their goals in any way".
Iranian officials have said they will focus on the policies of the next US administration rather than who becomes president.
Tehran has also stressed that a possible US return to the nuclear agreement would have to be accompanied by compensation for damages caused by the withdrawal and a "guarantee" it will not be repeated.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that the US election would have "no effect" on Tehran's policies towards Washington.
Biden has said he plans to embark on a "credible path to return to diplomacy" with Iran if he wins the presidency and raised the possibility of returning to the 2015 nuclear deal, negotiated when he was vice president under Barack Obama.
The policy of "maximum pressure has reached its end, and contrary to Trump's expectations, Iran has not crumbled", government spokesman Ali Rabiei wrote Saturday in the state daily Iran.
"Whatever administration comes to power ... (it) has no (more) sanctions left to impose," he said.
Rabiei called on the next US president to "attempt to dismantle the structure which Trump created" and return to a "reasonable policy".
Most of Iran's daily newspapers covered the US presidential election on their Saturday front pages.
"Spectacular America!" mocked the ultraconservative Kayhan, saying "the country which calls itself the global role model of democracy has entered a period of political, security and social instability".
Aftab-e Yazd, a reformist paper, however, predicted "less surprises in foreign policy and things will be more predictable" without Trump.
"Of course, being predictable does not equal being positive," it added.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--Six countries reported coronavirus on mink farms, WHO says

Denmark has ordered the slaughter of all of the country 's minks , estimated at up to 17 million Denmark and the United States are among six countries that have reported new coronavirus cases linked to mink farms , the World Health Organization said .
Italy , the Netherlands , Spain and Sweden are the other nations to have discovered SARS-CoV-2 in minks , WHO said in a statement .
Denmark has imposed strict measures on the north of the country after warning that a mutation of the virus had jumped from minks to humans and infected 12 people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effectiveness of any future vaccine and has ordered the slaughter of all the estimated 15-17 million minks in the country .
Britain on Saturday banned entry to all non-resident foreigners coming from Denmark after the mutation linked to mink farms was found in humans .
Scientists say virus mutations are common and often harmless , and this one does n't cause a more severe illness in humans .
But Danish health authorities have expressed concern this strain , known as `` Cluster 5 '' , is not inhibited by antibodies to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which they fear could threaten the efficacy of vaccines that are being developed across the globe .
`` Initial observations suggest that the clinical presentation , severity and transmission among those infected are similar to that of other circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses , '' the WHO statement said on Friday .
`` However , this variant ... the 'cluster 5 ' variant , had a combination of mutations , or changes that have not been previously observed .
The implications of the identified changes in this variant are not yet well understood , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preliminary findings indicated this mink-associated variant has `` moderately decreased sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies '' .
WHO called for further studies to verify the preliminary findings and `` to understand any potential implications of this finding in terms of diagnostics , therapeutics and vaccines in development '' .
`` Although the virus is believed to be ancestrally linked to bats , its origin and intermediate host ( s ) of SARS-CoV-2 have not yet been identified , '' WHO noted .
Since June 2020 , 214 human cases of COVID-19 have been identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmed minks , including 12 cases with a unique variant , reported on 5 November .

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Denmark and the United States are among six countries that have reported new coronavirus cases linked to mink farms, the World Health Organization said.
Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden are the other nations to have discovered SARS-CoV-2 in minks, WHO said in a statement.
Denmark has imposed strict measures on the north of the country after warning that a mutation of the virus had jumped from minks to humans and infected 12 people.
Copenhagen has warned the mutation could threaten the effectiveness of any future vaccine and has ordered the slaughter of all the estimated 15-17 million minks in the country.
Britain on Saturday banned entry to all non-resident foreigners coming from Denmark after the mutation linked to mink farms was found in humans.
Scientists say virus mutations are common and often harmless, and this one doesn't cause a more severe illness in humans.
But Danish health authorities have expressed concern this strain, known as "Cluster 5", is not inhibited by antibodies to the same degree as the normal virus, which they fear could threaten the efficacy of vaccines that are being developed across the globe.
"Initial observations suggest that the clinical presentation, severity and transmission among those infected are similar to that of other circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses," the WHO statement said on Friday.
"However, this variant... the 'cluster 5' variant, had a combination of mutations, or changes that have not been previously observed. The implications of the identified changes in this variant are not yet well understood," WHO warned.
The UN agency said preliminary findings indicated this mink-associated variant has "moderately decreased sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies".
WHO called for further studies to verify the preliminary findings and "to understand any potential implications of this finding in terms of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines in development".
"Although the virus is believed to be ancestrally linked to bats, its origin and intermediate host(s) of SARS-CoV-2 have not yet been identified," WHO noted.
Since June 2020, 214 human cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Denmark with SARS-CoV-2 variants associated with farmed minks, including 12 cases with a unique variant, reported on 5 November.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--Heavy fighting near key town in Karabakh

Azerbaijan appears to be closing in on the strategic town of Shusha , home to an Armenian cathedral that has been damaged in the fighting Armenia reported Saturday that `` fierce combat '' with Azerbaijani forces took place overnight near the town of Shusha , a key stronghold in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region .
After weeks of heavy fighting over the mountainous province , Azerbaijan appears to be closing in on the strategic town , 15 kilometres ( nine miles ) from Karabakh 's main city Stepanakert .
The hilltop town of Shusha is located on a main road that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the territory of Armenia , which backs the separatists fighting for Karabakh 's independence .
Armenian defence ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan reported `` especially intensive and fierce combat '' overnight outside Shusha , adding that numerous attacks from Azerbaijan were thwarted .
Armenia also said that throughout the night there was regular shelling on Shusha , home to an iconic Armenian cathedral that was damaged in attacks last month .
The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry rejected this claim saying the information of shelling on Shusha is `` completely untrue '' .
Clashes broke out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over control of Karabakh , a region that proclaimed its independence from Baku during a war in the 1990s .
The recent flare-up has been the worst in decades , killing more than 1,000 people , including civilians , although the death toll is believed to be much higher .
The fighting has continued despite several attempts by Russia , France and the United States to help reach a lasting ceasefire .
Those three countries make up the Minsk group of mediators which helped broker a truce between the ex-Soviet rivals in 1994 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution to the long-simmering conflict .
Both sides have accused the other of targeting civilian areas and the United Nations this week decried indiscriminate attacks that could amount to `` war crimes '' .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has appealed to ally Russia for military support , while Azerbaijan has won the backing of Turkey , which is accused of sending mercenaries to Karabakh to fight against the separatists .

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Armenia reported Saturday that "fierce combat" with Azerbaijani forces took place overnight near the town of Shusha, a key stronghold in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
After weeks of heavy fighting over the mountainous province, Azerbaijan appears to be closing in on the strategic town, 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Karabakh's main city Stepanakert.
The hilltop town of Shusha is located on a main road that links the unrecognised republic's capital with the territory of Armenia, which backs the separatists fighting for Karabakh's independence.
Armenian defence ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan reported "especially intensive and fierce combat" overnight outside Shusha, adding that numerous attacks from Azerbaijan were thwarted.
Armenia also said that throughout the night there was regular shelling on Shusha, home to an iconic Armenian cathedral that was damaged in attacks last month.
The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry rejected this claim saying the information of shelling on Shusha is "completely untrue".
Clashes broke out late September between Azerbaijan and Armenia-backed separatists over control of Karabakh, a region that proclaimed its independence from Baku during a war in the 1990s.
The recent flare-up has been the worst in decades, killing more than 1,000 people, including civilians, although the death toll is believed to be much higher.
The fighting has continued despite several attempts by Russia, France and the United States to help reach a lasting ceasefire.
Those three countries make up the Minsk group of mediators which helped broker a truce between the ex-Soviet rivals in 1994 but are yet to find a lasting solution to the long-simmering conflict.
Both sides have accused the other of targeting civilian areas and the United Nations this week decried indiscriminate attacks that could amount to "war crimes".
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has appealed to ally Russia for military support, while Azerbaijan has won the backing of Turkey, which is accused of sending mercenaries to Karabakh to fight against the separatists.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--'Gladiator' skippers prepare for ultimate test on high seas

A time for reflection for French sailor Kevin Escoffier and the other 32 skippers preparing to set off on Sunday at the start of the 9th Vendee Globe Britain 's Alex Thomson said that the 33 skippers who start the ninth edition of the Vendee Globe race on Sunday will feel like `` gladiators '' as they slide out of the channel at Les Sables-d'Olonne and on to the high seas .
The approximately 24,296 nautical miles solo non-stop round-the-world race gets underway at 1202 GMT on Sunday with forecasters suggesting that weather conditions will be `` beautiful '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place without the usual gallery of thousands of spectators lining the harbour walls but Thomson , who came third in 2012 and second four years ago , is still preparing for the goosebumps .
`` You feel like a gladiator when you go down this channel , '' he said .
`` I feel sorry for competitors who have never experienced this before , '' said Thomson whose boat Hugo Boss is one of the pre-race favourites .
The stress levels have been increased this year in the build-up to the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skippers to take a late coronavirus test which could see them prevented from starting .
Isabelle Joschke , one of six women on the start line , said it was like `` the sword of Damocles '' .
Thomson said he had taken around 20 tests in total .
`` When we were able to sail again after confinement , we adopted a very strict policy regarding our way of operating , not just for me but for the team too , '' he said .
`` It was hard for the members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Fortunately all 33 skippers tested negative and were given the green light on Saturday to start the race .
Further good news for all of the competitors in a record field is that the race promises to start in glorious conditions .
`` We should leave in beautiful conditions with a south-easterly wind ... with 12 to 15 knots of wind more or less south-easterly , '' race meteorologist Christian Dumard told a press conference .
`` The situation will get a little trickier in the evening since the first competitors will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coast of Ireland in the second part of the night . ''
Even though this race will not end until late January , there is the same excitement and nerve-jangling for the skippers as at the start of any great sporting challenge .
`` These are very intense moments , the heart rate is up , we have a lot of adrenaline , '' said French skipper Charlie Dalin .
`` The moment when you go from being surrounded by your team to all alone on board is quite special .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one by one , you feel that it becomes more and more what it is all about .
Suddenly , it 's silence , you ca n't talk to anyone anymore .
`` You just hear the sound of the sails , the sound of the wind and the countdown of the stopwatch before the start . ''

Les Sables-d'Olonne (France) (AFP) –
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Britain's Alex Thomson said that the 33 skippers who start the ninth edition of the Vendee Globe race on Sunday will feel like "gladiators" as they slide out of the channel at Les Sables-d'Olonne and on to the high seas.
The approximately 24,296 nautical miles solo non-stop round-the-world race gets underway at 1202 GMT on Sunday with forecasters suggesting that weather conditions will be "beautiful".
Due to the coronavirus the start will take place without the usual gallery of thousands of spectators lining the harbour walls but Thomson, who came third in 2012 and second four years ago, is still preparing for the goosebumps.
"You feel like a gladiator when you go down this channel," he said. "I feel sorry for competitors who have never experienced this before," said Thomson whose boat Hugo Boss is one of the pre-race favourites.
The stress levels have been increased this year in the build-up to the start by the need for all of the skippers to take a late coronavirus test which could see them prevented from starting.
Isabelle Joschke, one of six women on the start line, said it was like "the sword of Damocles".
Thomson said he had taken around 20 tests in total.
"When we were able to sail again after confinement, we adopted a very strict policy regarding our way of operating, not just for me but for the team too," he said.
"It was hard for the members of the team and their families."
Fortunately all 33 skippers tested negative and were given the green light on Saturday to start the race.
Further good news for all of the competitors in a record field is that the race promises to start in glorious conditions.
"We should leave in beautiful conditions with a south-easterly wind... with 12 to 15 knots of wind more or less south-easterly," race meteorologist Christian Dumard told a press conference.
"The situation will get a little trickier in the evening since the first competitors will meet a depression which is off the coast of Ireland in the second part of the night."
Even though this race will not end until late January, there is the same excitement and nerve-jangling for the skippers as at the start of any great sporting challenge.
"These are very intense moments, the heart rate is up, we have a lot of adrenaline," said French skipper Charlie Dalin.
"The moment when you go from being surrounded by your team to all alone on board is quite special.
"When you see them jump into the water one by one, you feel that it becomes more and more what it is all about. Suddenly, it's silence, you can't talk to anyone anymore.
"You just hear the sound of the sails, the sound of the wind and the countdown of the stopwatch before the start."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Rennie realistic, but 'excited', after Wallabies stun All Blacks

New Zealand captain Sam Cane tackles Noah Lolesio during the Wallabies stunning victory in Brisbane .
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie says he will not be getting carried away with the win Coach Dave Rennie insisted he would n't be getting carried away after the Wallabies stunned the All Blacks , but admitted to being excited by where he might take his new-look team .
In a major shock , Australia edged New Zealand 24-22 Saturday in a breathless Tri Nations clash at Brisbane , just a week after an embarrassing 43-5 bloodbath in Sydney .
It restored some credibility to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sydney performance , with Rennie 's gamble on three debutants and moving Reece Hodge from his usual wing or fullback position to flyhalf playmaker paying off .
Australia had already lost the Bledisloe Cup for an 18th straight year before Saturday , but managed to emerge from the four-game series with a win , a draw and two losses .
Rennie , who took over from Michael Cheika after last year 's World Cup , said it was crushing to miss out again on the trans-Tasman trophy and they must build on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us is that if we work hard enough for each other we can get results against anyone , '' he said .
`` But it does n't count for much unless we back it up against Argentina in a couple of weeks . ''
While the win does n't paper over the cracks exposed in the past two Tests , Rennie was encouraged by the debuts of winger Tom Wright , who scored a try with his first touch in international rugby , and Lachie Swinton , despite the hulking flanker being sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're trying to grow our game .
There 's a lot of stuff we have n't had time to do because of the ( Covid ) situation , so ( I 'm ) excited about where we can take this team , '' said Rennie .
`` But we 're not going to get carried away .
It was a great performance , but we 've got to keep building on that . ''
Young prop Angus Bell also made an impact off the bench in his first game .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we expect that , we want to make that the norm , '' skipper Michael Hooper said of the newcomers .
`` We make no bones about where we want to go as a team and those guys are going to be a big driving factor in that .
`` So bottling that feeling and pushing each other and demanding more out of each other , which the young guys have brought and vice-versa from the top-down , is going to be important to go where want to go . ''
Australian media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Herald saying : `` First win of new Wallabies era points to brighter future , '' while The Australian called the victory `` one of the great turnarounds of Australian rugby '' .
The Wallabies have a week 's break before resuming Tri Nations action against Argentina while New Zealand must regroup to face the Pumas on Saturday in Sydney , their fifth Test since October 11 .
Coach Ian Foster called the Brisbane defeat `` messy '' , with the All Blacks also reduced to 14 men in the first half after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offence as Swinton .
`` It 's not nice losing .
It was a game we still had a chance in over the last part , '' he told reporters .
`` We just had to hold some composure , but we just gave up too many soft penalties really -– one with a yellow card and another two or three to give kickable penalties .
`` We 've got to learn from that . ''
Captain Sam Cane credited Australia for showing more passion at a ground where they have traditionally done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their last seven Tests at Suncorp Stadium .
`` It 's a bit of a reality check .
We 'll have a hard look at ourselves and have to get a lot better next week , '' he said .

Brisbane (Australia) (AFP) –
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Coach Dave Rennie insisted he wouldn't be getting carried away after the Wallabies stunned the All Blacks, but admitted to being excited by where he might take his new-look team.
In a major shock, Australia edged New Zealand 24-22 Saturday in a breathless Tri Nations clash at Brisbane, just a week after an embarrassing 43-5 bloodbath in Sydney.
It restored some credibility to a side widely flayed for their error-strewn Sydney performance, with Rennie's gamble on three debutants and moving Reece Hodge from his usual wing or fullback position to flyhalf playmaker paying off.
Australia had already lost the Bledisloe Cup for an 18th straight year before Saturday, but managed to emerge from the four-game series with a win, a draw and two losses.
Rennie, who took over from Michael Cheika after last year's World Cup, said it was crushing to miss out again on the trans-Tasman trophy and they must build on Saturday's win.
"What it tells us is that if we work hard enough for each other we can get results against anyone," he said.
"But it doesn't count for much unless we back it up against Argentina in a couple of weeks."
While the win doesn't paper over the cracks exposed in the past two Tests, Rennie was encouraged by the debuts of winger Tom Wright, who scored a try with his first touch in international rugby, and Lachie Swinton, despite the hulking flanker being sent off for a high tackle.
"We're trying to grow our game. There's a lot of stuff we haven't had time to do because of the (Covid) situation, so (I'm) excited about where we can take this team," said Rennie.
"But we're not going to get carried away. It was a great performance, but we've got to keep building on that."
Young prop Angus Bell also made an impact off the bench in his first game.
- 'Driving factor' -
"It's a good start for them and we expect that, we want to make that the norm," skipper Michael Hooper said of the newcomers.
"We make no bones about where we want to go as a team and those guys are going to be a big driving factor in that.
"So bottling that feeling and pushing each other and demanding more out of each other, which the young guys have brought and vice-versa from the top-down, is going to be important to go where want to go."
Australian media were impressed, with the Sydney Morning Herald saying: "First win of new Wallabies era points to brighter future," while The Australian called the victory "one of the great turnarounds of Australian rugby".
The Wallabies have a week's break before resuming Tri Nations action against Argentina while New Zealand must regroup to face the Pumas on Saturday in Sydney, their fifth Test since October 11.
Coach Ian Foster called the Brisbane defeat "messy", with the All Blacks also reduced to 14 men in the first half after Ofa Tu'ungafasi was red-carded for the same offence as Swinton.
"It's not nice losing. It was a game we still had a chance in over the last part," he told reporters.
"We just had to hold some composure, but we just gave up too many soft penalties really -– one with a yellow card and another two or three to give kickable penalties.
"We've got to learn from that."
Captain Sam Cane credited Australia for showing more passion at a ground where they have traditionally done well. The Wallabies have now won their last seven Tests at Suncorp Stadium.
"It's a bit of a reality check. We'll have a hard look at ourselves and have to get a lot better next week," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Austria's Muslims wary of backlash after attack

Vienna attack hero Osama Abu El Hosna has been hailed for his courage When Osama Abu El Hosna found himself under a hail of bullets during the shooting rampage in Vienna , he heroically risked his life to save a policeman at the scene .
But while Hosna has been lauded for his courage , other Muslims say they are now scared to walk the streets of the city they call home as they fear a backlash against their community .
Monday 's attack was carried out by an Islamic State supporter who had been convicted and imprisoned for trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hosna 's own story is testament to the Islamophobia present in many parts of Austrian society -- and which has been fanned by right-wing politicians .
In the majority Catholic country , half of Austrians believe mosques should not be tolerated and say they have a negative image of Muslims , according to a 2019 study by the University of Salzburg .
Muslims make up eight percent of the population , one of the highest proportions in the European Union .
The far-right Freedom Party ( FPOe ) openly uses Islamophobic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in government between late 2017 and May last year .
According to the Dokustelle group , which documents anti-Muslim harassment and racism , incidents targeting Muslims went up from 309 in 2017 to 1,051 in 2019 .
The NGO also reports an increase in anti-Muslim incidents in the wake of the Vienna attack , including buildings being defaced with slurs .
`` So many women have been calling because they are too afraid to go outside , because they get harassed for wearing a headscarf , '' said Dokustelle founder Elif Adam .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ - Addressing hundreds of Muslims gathered for Friday prayers at the Islamic Centre Vienna which houses the city 's main mosque , the imam condemned any form of violence as contradicting the principles of Islam , and urged parents to watch out for extremists trying to radicalise their children .
Prayers at mosques across Austria were offered for the victims of the attack , carried out by a 20-year-old jihadist with dual Austrian and Macedonian nationality .
`` Anyone who is doing such an act is not acceptable , and we can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Ahmed Al Mofareh , the director of the Islamic Centre Vienna , told AFP .
The gunman `` did n't understand our religion but I am worried that this will rebound on us , '' worshipper Ahmed , who did not want to give his surname , told AFP on his way out of the mosque .
Hosna 's proud father Khalid said it was his son 's actions that were the true reflection of Islamic values .
`` Our culture , our religion and doctrine say we have to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's the least we can do for Austria . ''
Osama himself , 23 , proudly sports a sew-on police patch gifted to him by colleagues of the injured officer he helped save .
Despite being urged by another police officer to run and save himself , Hosna pressed his grey T-shirt onto the gunshot wound on the injured policeman 's thigh and helped drag him to an ambulance .
He identified himself and those being shot at as fellow Muslims and tried to speak to the attacker in Arabic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
TV stations across the world have contacted the young man , who recently got engaged , to recall the events .
The family is originally from the Gaza Strip and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has called Osama to congratulate him .
- 'They did n't want us ' - But they are no strangers to discrimination .
Osama himself recalls quitting his job as an electrician because he was bullied for having the same first name as late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden .
The family of 11 were also featured in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the family combined their income and savings to buy a home in the small village of Weikendorf , about an hour from Vienna .
The mayor , however , objected , citing the `` different cultures of the Islamic and the Western world '' which `` are far apart in terms of values , customs and traditions '' .
It took a year-long legal battle to finally purchase the house .
But in the end , the family decided to rent it out and instead stay in an apartment in Vienna -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` did n't want us because we are a Muslim family '' , Abu El Hosna said .
Still , his father said , they do n't want to judge the entire community by the actions of a few individuals .
`` There are radicals everywhere , '' he said .

Vienna (AFP) –
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When Osama Abu El Hosna found himself under a hail of bullets during the shooting rampage in Vienna, he heroically risked his life to save a policeman at the scene.
But while Hosna has been lauded for his courage, other Muslims say they are now scared to walk the streets of the city they call home as they fear a backlash against their community.
Monday's attack was carried out by an Islamic State supporter who had been convicted and imprisoned for trying to join the IS group in Syria.
Hosna's own story is testament to the Islamophobia present in many parts of Austrian society -- and which has been fanned by right-wing politicians.
In the majority Catholic country, half of Austrians believe mosques should not be tolerated and say they have a negative image of Muslims, according to a 2019 study by the University of Salzburg.
Muslims make up eight percent of the population, one of the highest proportions in the European Union.
The far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) openly uses Islamophobic and racist imagery, including during its spell in government between late 2017 and May last year.
According to the Dokustelle group, which documents anti-Muslim harassment and racism, incidents targeting Muslims went up from 309 in 2017 to 1,051 in 2019.
The NGO also reports an increase in anti-Muslim incidents in the wake of the Vienna attack, including buildings being defaced with slurs.
"So many women have been calling because they are too afraid to go outside, because they get harassed for wearing a headscarf," said Dokustelle founder Elif Adam.
- 'It may rebound on us' -
Addressing hundreds of Muslims gathered for Friday prayers at the Islamic Centre Vienna which houses the city's main mosque, the imam condemned any form of violence as contradicting the principles of Islam, and urged parents to watch out for extremists trying to radicalise their children.
Prayers at mosques across Austria were offered for the victims of the attack, carried out by a 20-year-old jihadist with dual Austrian and Macedonian nationality.
"Anyone who is doing such an act is not acceptable, and we cannot consider him as a friend of Islam," Ahmed Al Mofareh, the director of the Islamic Centre Vienna, told AFP.
The gunman "didn't understand our religion but I am worried that this will rebound on us," worshipper Ahmed, who did not want to give his surname, told AFP on his way out of the mosque.
Hosna's proud father Khalid said it was his son's actions that were the true reflection of Islamic values.
"Our culture, our religion and doctrine say we have to help others," he told AFP. "It's the least we can do for Austria."
Osama himself, 23, proudly sports a sew-on police patch gifted to him by colleagues of the injured officer he helped save.
Despite being urged by another police officer to run and save himself, Hosna pressed his grey T-shirt onto the gunshot wound on the injured policeman's thigh and helped drag him to an ambulance.
He identified himself and those being shot at as fellow Muslims and tried to speak to the attacker in Arabic in an attempt to stop the shooting spree.
TV stations across the world have contacted the young man, who recently got engaged, to recall the events.
The family is originally from the Gaza Strip and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has called Osama to congratulate him.
- 'They didn't want us' -
But they are no strangers to discrimination.
Osama himself recalls quitting his job as an electrician because he was bullied for having the same first name as late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
The family of 11 were also featured in media reports last year.
Back then, the family combined their income and savings to buy a home in the small village of Weikendorf, about an hour from Vienna.
The mayor, however, objected, citing the "different cultures of the Islamic and the Western world" which "are far apart in terms of values, customs and traditions".
It took a year-long legal battle to finally purchase the house.
But in the end, the family decided to rent it out and instead stay in an apartment in Vienna -- for fear of living among people who "didn't want us because we are a Muslim family", Abu El Hosna said.
Still, his father said, they don't want to judge the entire community by the actions of a few individuals.
"There are radicals everywhere," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Arce assumes Bolivia presidency with Morales shadow looming large

Bolivia is a starkly divided society between east and west , and between cities and the countryside Leftist economist Luis Arce assumes the Bolivian presidency on Sunday facing the challenge of uniting a polarized society and reactivating an economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic .
But perhaps his biggest challenge , according to analysts , will be to demonstrate that he really is in charge , and not simply a puppet being manipulated by former president Evo Morales , the dominant figure in the Movement for Socialism ( MAS ) party .
Arce must `` consolidate his own legitimacy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with such an aggressive media as Evo Morales , '' political scientist Ximena Costa told AFP .
She said that from the first day , Arce will have to prove that Morales is not the true power behind the new government .
And he 'll have to do so while juggling numerous other difficulties .
`` The challenges for the next government are the reconciliation of a country in conflict and finding the solution to multiple crises , '' political analyst Carlos Cordero told AFP .
Bolivia 's politics are hugely polarized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the countryside .
And there are accusations of resurging racism and courts that serve the government rather than justice .
Morales drew great praise from at home and abroad for presiding over Bolivia 's `` economic miracle '' -- with Arce as his finance and economy minister -- as the country 's GDP increased from $ 9.5 billion to $ 40.8 billion a year and poverty reduced from 60 percent to 37 percent .
But he was often lambasted for his authoritarian style .
It was that character trait that some said led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a defeat in a referendum to change the constitution , to twice stand for unconstitutional re-elections .
`` Despite Luis Arce being a Morales minister for many years , there is hope that he will lead a government that does n't return to the past , that is n't an authoritarian government like that of Evo Morales , '' said Cordero .
The Catholic Church has urged Arce to build bridges .
`` Let 's get rid of the ideologies that divide us , that confront and overwhelm us with fake polemics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggles .
Let 's build a united society that respects our diversity , '' the Catholic Church said in a statement . '
One difficulty Arce will face even before trying to unify the country will be to overcome internal divisions within MAS , between moderates and others hoping to bring Morales back to power .
That internal struggle was evident in wranglings over when Morales would return from exile in Argentina -- where he 's been for a year since resigning as president and fleeing the country following three weeks of protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He wo n't attend Arce 's inauguration , but will return to Bolivia on Monday .
The return of Morales will be `` a headache for the new government , '' said Costa .
It wanted `` to establish an internal agreement ( within MAS ) so that Evo Morales would n't return to the country for some time as that would weaken the new government , wear them down and make them look like puppets and not leaders , '' said Costa .
The other major challenge is to rescue the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arce , 57 , could pull off another miracle but last time Bolivia benefited from high prices for primary raw materials .
This time the new administration is faced with an economy projected to shrink by more than six percent this year , with a fiscal deficit of nine percent , increasing debt , diminishing tax revenue and dwindling reserves .

La Paz (AFP) –
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Leftist economist Luis Arce assumes the Bolivian presidency on Sunday facing the challenge of uniting a polarized society and reactivating an economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic.
But perhaps his biggest challenge, according to analysts, will be to demonstrate that he really is in charge, and not simply a puppet being manipulated by former president Evo Morales, the dominant figure in the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party.
Arce must "consolidate his own legitimacy in the face of a figure as strong and with such an aggressive media as Evo Morales," political scientist Ximena Costa told AFP.
She said that from the first day, Arce will have to prove that Morales is not the true power behind the new government.
And he'll have to do so while juggling numerous other difficulties.
"The challenges for the next government are the reconciliation of a country in conflict and finding the solution to multiple crises," political analyst Carlos Cordero told AFP.
Bolivia's politics are hugely polarized between east and west, cities and the countryside.
And there are accusations of resurging racism and courts that serve the government rather than justice.
Morales drew great praise from at home and abroad for presiding over Bolivia's "economic miracle" -- with Arce as his finance and economy minister -- as the country's GDP increased from $9.5 billion to $40.8 billion a year and poverty reduced from 60 percent to 37 percent. But he was often lambasted for his authoritarian style.
It was that character trait that some said led him to ignore the constitution, and a defeat in a referendum to change the constitution, to twice stand for unconstitutional re-elections.
"Despite Luis Arce being a Morales minister for many years, there is hope that he will lead a government that doesn't return to the past, that isn't an authoritarian government like that of Evo Morales," said Cordero.
The Catholic Church has urged Arce to build bridges.
"Let's get rid of the ideologies that divide us, that confront and overwhelm us with fake polemics, racism, nationalism, regionalism and power struggles. Let's build a united society that respects our diversity," the Catholic Church said in a statement.'
- 'Headache for new government' -
One difficulty Arce will face even before trying to unify the country will be to overcome internal divisions within MAS, between moderates and others hoping to bring Morales back to power.
That internal struggle was evident in wranglings over when Morales would return from exile in Argentina -- where he's been for a year since resigning as president and fleeing the country following three weeks of protests at his controversial re-election late last year.
He won't attend Arce's inauguration, but will return to Bolivia on Monday.
The return of Morales will be "a headache for the new government," said Costa.
It wanted "to establish an internal agreement (within MAS) so that Evo Morales wouldn't return to the country for some time as that would weaken the new government, wear them down and make them look like puppets and not leaders," said Costa.
The other major challenge is to rescue the economy.
There are high hopes that Arce, 57, could pull off another miracle but last time Bolivia benefited from high prices for primary raw materials.
This time the new administration is faced with an economy projected to shrink by more than six percent this year, with a fiscal deficit of nine percent, increasing debt, diminishing tax revenue and dwindling reserves.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Scientists on guard over 'mutant' mink coronavirus

More than 15 million minks are slated to be culled in Denmark Coronavirus transmission from minks to humans does not necessarily mean the disease will become more dangerous , but scientists are on their guard in the wake of an astounding announcement from Denmark .
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Wednesday that the country will kill more than 15 million minks and that a variant of the SARS-Cov-2 virus that had been transmitted from the animals to 12 people could impact a vaccine 's effectiveness .
Global media reacted with shock , especially given the high level of fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has claimed more than 1.2 million lives in less than a year .
Specialists are not convinced however that the danger is much greater and are waiting for more evidence .
`` I really wish that the trend of science by press release would stop , '' commented Angela Rasmussen , a virologist at Columbia University in New York .
`` There 's no reason why the genomic data could n't be shared , which would allow the scientific community to evaluate these claims , '' she added on Twitter .
Viruses such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late last year mutate constantly and new variants are not necessarily worse than the previous ones .
So far , no study has shown newer SARS-Cov-2 variants to be more contagious or dangerous than their predecessors .
The contamination of minks is not new either , with breeders in several countries , including the Netherlands , Spain , Sweden and the United States reporting cases .
A few cases of humans being infected by minks have also been reported .
Denmark has been specific in describing how the different strain of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the information from Danish authorities , this virus is neither more pathogenic , nor more virulent , '' specialist Gilles Salvat at the French health agency Anses told AFP .
There is concern however that a variant `` emerges like a second virus and dominates the population , '' he noted .
`` Coming up with a vaccine for one strain is already complicated , and if we have to do it for two , four or six strains it is even more complicated , '' the specialist noted .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a `` precaution '' .
Francois Balloux , who teaches at University College London , agreed , telling AFP : `` This measure is entirely justifiable from a health perspective to eliminate the transmission source of a serious virus . ''
He nonetheless also felt that `` evoking the risk that mink could generate a second pandemic seems excessive and counter-productive in the current fearful climate . ''
Balloux noted that similar mutations exist within the population already and have not spread .
`` We know this virus with the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmitted to humans and did not spread widely , '' the professor said .
All the same , it was not `` completely impossible '' that the new strain `` could spread and render vaccines less effective , '' he acknowledged .
Meanwhile , `` the true implication of the changes in the spike protein have not yet been evaluated by the international scientific community and are thus unclear , '' remarked James Wood , head of veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge .
`` It is too early to say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity to fail , '' he told the Science Media Centre .
Cases have also been noted of contamination by the Covid-19 virus from cats , dogs and even lions and tigers at the New York zoo .
But at this point , `` the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low , '' according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
Dogs and cats are dead-ends from an epidemiologist 's point of view , Salvat explained , because `` they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not multiply it enough to be contagious . ''
French authorities have nonetheless urged Covid patients to `` avoid all contact '' with their pets , especially ferrets , which belong to the same family as minks .
Virologist Rasmussen expressed concern about the chances of the coronavirus being spread by wild cats .
`` Cats are susceptible to infection and there are millions of feral cats in the US ( and millions more globally ) .
If cats become an established reservoir , we may be stuck with SARS-CoV-2 for years to @ @ @ @ @ @

Paris (AFP) –
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Coronavirus transmission from minks to humans does not necessarily mean the disease will become more dangerous, but scientists are on their guard in the wake of an astounding announcement from Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Wednesday that the country will kill more than 15 million minks and that a variant of the SARS-Cov-2 virus that had been transmitted from the animals to 12 people could impact a vaccine's effectiveness.
Global media reacted with shock, especially given the high level of fear already caused by the Covid-19 epidemic that has claimed more than 1.2 million lives in less than a year.
Specialists are not convinced however that the danger is much greater and are waiting for more evidence.
"I really wish that the trend of science by press release would stop," commented Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University in New York.
"There's no reason why the genomic data couldn't be shared, which would allow the scientific community to evaluate these claims," she added on Twitter.
Viruses such as the one that emerged in China late last year mutate constantly and new variants are not necessarily worse than the previous ones.
So far, no study has shown newer SARS-Cov-2 variants to be more contagious or dangerous than their predecessors.
The contamination of minks is not new either, with breeders in several countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United States reporting cases.
A few cases of humans being infected by minks have also been reported.
Denmark has been specific in describing how the different strain of the virus jumped from mink to man.
"According to the information from Danish authorities, this virus is neither more pathogenic, nor more virulent," specialist Gilles Salvat at the French health agency Anses told AFP.
There is concern however that a variant "emerges like a second virus and dominates the population," he noted.
"Coming up with a vaccine for one strain is already complicated, and if we have to do it for two, four or six strains it is even more complicated," the specialist noted.
He considered the decision to cull Danish mink to be a "precaution".
- 'Justifiable from health perspective' -
Francois Balloux, who teaches at University College London, agreed, telling AFP: "This measure is entirely justifiable from a health perspective to eliminate the transmission source of a serious virus."
He nonetheless also felt that "evoking the risk that mink could generate a second pandemic seems excessive and counter-productive in the current fearful climate."
Balloux noted that similar mutations exist within the population already and have not spread.
"We know this virus with the same mutations emerged on mink farms, was transmitted to humans and did not spread widely," the professor said.
All the same, it was not "completely impossible" that the new strain "could spread and render vaccines less effective," he acknowledged.
Meanwhile, "the true implication of the changes in the spike protein have not yet been evaluated by the international scientific community and are thus unclear," remarked James Wood, head of veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge.
"It is too early to say that the change will cause either vaccines or immunity to fail," he told the Science Media Centre.
Cases have also been noted of contamination by the Covid-19 virus from cats, dogs and even lions and tigers at the New York zoo.
But at this point, "the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low," according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dogs and cats are dead-ends from an epidemiologist's point of view, Salvat explained, because "they can provisionally host the virus, but cannot multiply it enough to be contagious."
French authorities have nonetheless urged Covid patients to "avoid all contact" with their pets, especially ferrets, which belong to the same family as minks.
Virologist Rasmussen expressed concern about the chances of the coronavirus being spread by wild cats.
"Cats are susceptible to infection and there are millions of feral cats in the US (and millions more globally). If cats become an established reservoir, we may be stuck with SARS-CoV-2 for years to come," she warned.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Winter rains in Beirut finish off blast-ravaged homes

The Beirut port explosion , which authorities say was caused by a huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate that caught fire , killed more than 200 people and damaged or destroyed around 70,000 homes Norma Mnassakh was leaving her apartment in the Lebanese capital when a cloud of dust suddenly billowed from the Ottoman-era building next door .
The abandoned home with its popular ground-floor ice cream shop had been severely damaged in the colossal August 4 explosion at the nearby Beirut port .
Now , heavy rainfall has just about finished off the job .
`` I was born and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I know every single piece of it , '' the woman in her fifties told AFP , only hours after the building partially caved in .
`` But I 'm losing all the sights that I grew up with , '' she added , as chunks of rubble lay strewn on the sidewalk .
Rmeil 24 , in Beirut 's Ashrafieh district , is among a handful of structures damaged in the blast that collapsed this week with the start of heavy rains and wind .
At least 90 other heritage homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caretaker culture minister Abbas Mortada told AFP .
The port explosion , which authorities say was caused by a huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate that caught fire , killed more than 200 people and damaged or destroyed around 70,000 homes .
Now , the weather is worsening that destruction .
Carla , a 52-year-old who grew up near the Rmeil 24 building , said Lebanon 's history was on the line .
`` This is our heritage , '' she said .
`` It 's such a shame for it to be lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little , too late - The Rmeil 24 building has been abandoned for more than 40 years .
But its ground floor continued to house the Hanna Mitri ice cream shop -- one of the capital 's most prized traditional parlours , beloved by tourists and locals alike .
The Beirut gem , which has since reopened in a new location , was forced to shut after the explosion caused the shop 's ceiling to crumble .
Heavy rainfall on Thursday night accentuated the `` cavities in the roof '' of Rmeil 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of the building , said Yasmine Makaroun , an architect from the Association for Protecting Natural Sites and Old Buildings in Lebanon ( APSAD ) .
The worst could have been prevented if the landowner had n't delayed access to the site while the weather was favourable , she told AFP .
`` We could have started the first rescue interventions ... and we could probably have partially saved it , '' she said .
The cash-strapped Lebanese government , which is grappling with the country 's worst economic crisis in decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect heritage buildings from collapse .
But Western donors have pledged to bypass the government after allegations of corruption and mismanagement , instead channelling funds directly to local and international organisations spearheading the reconstruction effort .
Caretaker culture minister Mortada said international assistance had been underwhelming .
`` We are not seeing the required level of interest ... from international organisations , '' he told AFP .
And `` as a ministry , we have a gap in capacity , '' especially regarding personnel , he added .
In the Gemmayzeh neighbourhood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked to remove the remains of a building where Chilean rescue workers in September thought they had detected a human heartbeat beneath the wreckage .
The building was severely damaged in the explosion , and rains on Wednesday finished it off .
Workers outnumbered pedestrians , who walked nervously past several buildings along the street that looked like they could collapse at any moment .
Just over a kilometre ( less than a mile ) away , the working-class Karantina district adjacent to the port was already a wasteland of debris before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- the first such casualty to the winter weather .
Security forces watched on as construction workers fortified the walls of another building at risk of collapse in the hard-hit neighbourhood .
All around , the entrances to old homes were cordoned off with yellow and red tape .
Signs warned people against entering .
Staring up at a gutted building overlooking the devastated port , one Syrian refugee who asked not to be identified lamented his lost home .
`` There is nothing we can say , '' he told AFP .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Beirut (AFP) –
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Norma Mnassakh was leaving her apartment in the Lebanese capital when a cloud of dust suddenly billowed from the Ottoman-era building next door.
The abandoned home with its popular ground-floor ice cream shop had been severely damaged in the colossal August 4 explosion at the nearby Beirut port.
Now, heavy rainfall has just about finished off the job.
"I was born and raised here. This neighbourhood is home. I know every single piece of it," the woman in her fifties told AFP, only hours after the building partially caved in.
"But I'm losing all the sights that I grew up with," she added, as chunks of rubble lay strewn on the sidewalk.
Rmeil 24, in Beirut's Ashrafieh district, is among a handful of structures damaged in the blast that collapsed this week with the start of heavy rains and wind.
At least 90 other heritage homes could bite the dust this winter, caretaker culture minister Abbas Mortada told AFP.
The port explosion, which authorities say was caused by a huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate that caught fire, killed more than 200 people and damaged or destroyed around 70,000 homes.
Now, the weather is worsening that destruction.
Carla, a 52-year-old who grew up near the Rmeil 24 building, said Lebanon's history was on the line.
"This is our heritage," she said.
"It's such a shame for it to be lost in this way."
- Too little, too late -
The Rmeil 24 building has been abandoned for more than 40 years.
But its ground floor continued to house the Hanna Mitri ice cream shop -- one of the capital's most prized traditional parlours, beloved by tourists and locals alike.
The Beirut gem, which has since reopened in a new location, was forced to shut after the explosion caused the shop's ceiling to crumble.
Heavy rainfall on Thursday night accentuated the "cavities in the roof" of Rmeil 24, leading to the "partial destruction" of the building, said Yasmine Makaroun, an architect from the Association for Protecting Natural Sites and Old Buildings in Lebanon (APSAD).
The worst could have been prevented if the landowner hadn't delayed access to the site while the weather was favourable, she told AFP.
"We could have started the first rescue interventions... and we could probably have partially saved it," she said.
The cash-strapped Lebanese government, which is grappling with the country's worst economic crisis in decades, is relying on foreign assistance to protect heritage buildings from collapse.
But Western donors have pledged to bypass the government after allegations of corruption and mismanagement, instead channelling funds directly to local and international organisations spearheading the reconstruction effort.
Caretaker culture minister Mortada said international assistance had been underwhelming.
"We are not seeing the required level of interest... from international organisations," he told AFP.
And "as a ministry, we have a gap in capacity," especially regarding personnel, he added.
- Winter wasteland -
In the Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, just across from the port, labourers worked to remove the remains of a building where Chilean rescue workers in September thought they had detected a human heartbeat beneath the wreckage.
The building was severely damaged in the explosion, and rains on Wednesday finished it off.
Workers outnumbered pedestrians, who walked nervously past several buildings along the street that looked like they could collapse at any moment.
Just over a kilometre (less than a mile) away, the working-class Karantina district adjacent to the port was already a wasteland of debris before the rain brought a building down on Wednesday -- the first such casualty to the winter weather.
Security forces watched on as construction workers fortified the walls of another building at risk of collapse in the hard-hit neighbourhood.
All around, the entrances to old homes were cordoned off with yellow and red tape. Signs warned people against entering.
Staring up at a gutted building overlooking the devastated port, one Syrian refugee who asked not to be identified lamented his lost home.
"There is nothing we can say," he told AFP.
"We can only turn to God."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Migrants on Mexican-US border celebrate Biden win

Flag-waving migrants on the Mexican-US border on Saturday welcomed Joe Biden 's presidential election win and voiced hope that Donald Trump 's defeat would bring greater respect for human rights .
`` We 're celebrating the victory of Biden and the departure of Donald Trump , '' said pastor Gustavo Banda , who heads a migrant shelter in Tijuana across the frontier from San Diego in California .
`` We 're hoping that this new presidency will truly respect human rights , '' he told AFP .
With Biden in the White House , Banda expressed optimism that `` families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) will no longer be separated and children will no longer be caged '' in US immigration facilities .
`` And that the migrants in our city achieve their hopes of a better life when they arrive in the United States , '' he added .
Trump branded Mexican migrants `` rapists '' and drug dealers during his 2016 election campaign and vowed to build a wall along the border .
His `` zero tolerance '' policy launched in 2018 saw thousands of children separated from their parents at the frontier , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before the government backed down .
Surrounded by migrants from Haiti and Central America and US flags , Banda took up a symbolic position near the border crossing where thousands of US citizens or legal residents pass each day .
Biden supporters waved the Stars and Stripes and some motorists honked their horns in celebration .
Around 1,200 kilometers ( 750 miles ) to the east in Ciudad Juarez , Cuban migrant Pedro Ruiz expressed his joy at Trump 's defeat .
`` I wanted Biden to win because he clearly said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire asylum system , '' the 51-year-old said .
Ruiz said he left Cuba four years ago `` due to political repression '' and has been in a shelter in Ciudad Juarez for 19 months .
Migrants living in the city 's shelters learned about the election results by television or through their cell phones , largely isolated from the outside world due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Under an agreement between Mexico and the United States in January 2019 , asylum seekers must wait in Mexico for their applications to be processed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migration , mainly from Central America , has been a problem for decades , it has escalated since the end of 2018 when thousands of people headed for the United States in migrant caravans .
The mass flight from poverty and violence forced Mexico to tighten its border controls under threat of trade sanctions from Washington .

Tijuana (Mexico) (AFP) –
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Flag-waving migrants on the Mexican-US border on Saturday welcomed Joe Biden's presidential election win and voiced hope that Donald Trump's defeat would bring greater respect for human rights.
"We're celebrating the victory of Biden and the departure of Donald Trump," said pastor Gustavo Banda, who heads a migrant shelter in Tijuana across the frontier from San Diego in California.
"We're hoping that this new presidency will truly respect human rights," he told AFP.
With Biden in the White House, Banda expressed optimism that "families (who enter the United States illegally) will no longer be separated and children will no longer be caged" in US immigration facilities.
"And that the migrants in our city achieve their hopes of a better life when they arrive in the United States," he added.
Trump branded Mexican migrants "rapists" and drug dealers during his 2016 election campaign and vowed to build a wall along the border.
His "zero tolerance" policy launched in 2018 saw thousands of children separated from their parents at the frontier, a tactic apparently meant to frighten the families, before the government backed down.
Surrounded by migrants from Haiti and Central America and US flags, Banda took up a symbolic position near the border crossing where thousands of US citizens or legal residents pass each day.
Biden supporters waved the Stars and Stripes and some motorists honked their horns in celebration.
Around 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) to the east in Ciudad Juarez, Cuban migrant Pedro Ruiz expressed his joy at Trump's defeat.
"I wanted Biden to win because he clearly said that he's going to restore the entire asylum system," the 51-year-old said.
Ruiz said he left Cuba four years ago "due to political repression" and has been in a shelter in Ciudad Juarez for 19 months.
Migrants living in the city's shelters learned about the election results by television or through their cell phones, largely isolated from the outside world due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Under an agreement between Mexico and the United States in January 2019, asylum seekers must wait in Mexico for their applications to be processed in the United States.
Although illegal migration, mainly from Central America, has been a problem for decades, it has escalated since the end of 2018 when thousands of people headed for the United States in migrant caravans.
The mass flight from poverty and violence forced Mexico to tighten its border controls under threat of trade sanctions from Washington.
© 2020 AFP