france24--2020-11-21--Tottenham show title credentials against toothless Man City

Happy Spurs : Tottenham players celebrate Giovani Lo Celso 's ( second left ) second goal in a 2-0 win over Manchester City Tottenham displayed their Premier League title credentials as goals from Son Heung-min and Giovani Lo Celso exposed Manchester City 's defensive frailties in a 2-0 win that took Jose Mourinho 's men top of the table on Saturday .
Spurs have not won an English top-flight title in 60 years , but showed defensive resilience to frustrate City 's domination of possession and their clinical counter-attacking was reminiscent of Mourinho 's title-winning sides in two spells at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points ahead of Chelsea , who they face next weekend at Stamford Bridge .
Defeat leaves City already eight points off the leaders , albeit with a game in hand , down in 10th with just three wins from their opening eight games .
Pep Guardiola ended speculation over his future by committing to a new contract as City boss until 2023 this week .
The Catalan has won eight league titles at Barcelona , Bayern Munich and City , but Guardiola now faces a challenge he has never had before in rebuilding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club .
For the sixth consecutive league game City failed to score more than once with little sign of Guardiola 's men rediscovering the cutting edge of the free-scoring sides that won back-to-back titles in 2017/18 and 2018/19 .
Tottenham 's title challenge will be fully tested with Arsenal , Liverpool and Leicester also to come before Christmas , but they could not have made a better start to that daunting run as City 's defensive problems on the counter-attack were exposed again .
Spurs could not believe their luck after just five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top from Tanguy Ndombele caught Joao Cancelo sleeping and Son had the pace and precise finish under Ederson to register his sixth goal in 11 games against City .
The game then settled into the familiar pattern of now 24 clashes between Mourinho and Guardiola as Mourinho 's men defended their lead deep and waited for the chance to counter again .
City could even have found themselves 2-0 down inside 14 minutes as Harry Kane tapped home Son 's cross but had strayed offside .
The visitors had 66 percent of possession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranks of Spurs defence .
Gabriel Jesus inadvertently deflected Kevin De Bruyne 's low shot wide before Jesus did tee up Aymeric Laporte to slot home , but the goal was ruled out for handball by the Brazilian after a VAR review .
Two more De Bruyne efforts were desperately blocked inside the Spurs box early in the second period before the hosts landed the knockout blow with another simple counter-attack .
Kane was afforded plenty of time and space to collect a loose ball in midfield and drive forward before feeding Lo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field a minute and with his first two touches , controlled and then slotted the ball low beyond the advancing Ederson .
Mourinho characteristically stoked his rivalry with Guardiola pre-match by claiming Raheem Sterling would start despite withdrawing from England duty due to injury .
Sterling was only fit enough for a place on the bench and by the time he and Phil Foden were summoned , the game was gone for City as they continued to play in front of Spurs without any penetration .

London (AFP) –
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Tottenham displayed their Premier League title credentials as goals from Son Heung-min and Giovani Lo Celso exposed Manchester City's defensive frailties in a 2-0 win that took Jose Mourinho's men top of the table on Saturday.
Spurs have not won an English top-flight title in 60 years, but showed defensive resilience to frustrate City's domination of possession and their clinical counter-attacking was reminiscent of Mourinho's title-winning sides in two spells at Chelsea.
Victory moved Tottenham moved two points ahead of Chelsea, who they face next weekend at Stamford Bridge.
Defeat leaves City already eight points off the leaders, albeit with a game in hand, down in 10th with just three wins from their opening eight games.
Pep Guardiola ended speculation over his future by committing to a new contract as City boss until 2023 this week.
The Catalan has won eight league titles at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, but Guardiola now faces a challenge he has never had before in rebuilding a second title-winning side at the same club.
For the sixth consecutive league game City failed to score more than once with little sign of Guardiola's men rediscovering the cutting edge of the free-scoring sides that won back-to-back titles in 2017/18 and 2018/19.
Tottenham's title challenge will be fully tested with Arsenal, Liverpool and Leicester also to come before Christmas, but they could not have made a better start to that daunting run as City's defensive problems on the counter-attack were exposed again.
Spurs could not believe their luck after just five minutes when one simple ball over the top from Tanguy Ndombele caught Joao Cancelo sleeping and Son had the pace and precise finish under Ederson to register his sixth goal in 11 games against City.
The game then settled into the familiar pattern of now 24 clashes between Mourinho and Guardiola as Mourinho's men defended their lead deep and waited for the chance to counter again.
City could even have found themselves 2-0 down inside 14 minutes as Harry Kane tapped home Son's cross but had strayed offside.
The visitors had 66 percent of possession but struggled to break down the mass ranks of Spurs defence.
Gabriel Jesus inadvertently deflected Kevin De Bruyne's low shot wide before Jesus did tee up Aymeric Laporte to slot home, but the goal was ruled out for handball by the Brazilian after a VAR review.
Two more De Bruyne efforts were desperately blocked inside the Spurs box early in the second period before the hosts landed the knockout blow with another simple counter-attack.
Kane was afforded plenty of time and space to collect a loose ball in midfield and drive forward before feeding Lo Celso, who had barely been on the field a minute and with his first two touches, controlled and then slotted the ball low beyond the advancing Ederson.
Mourinho characteristically stoked his rivalry with Guardiola pre-match by claiming Raheem Sterling would start despite withdrawing from England duty due to injury.
Sterling was only fit enough for a place on the bench and by the time he and Phil Foden were summoned, the game was gone for City as they continued to play in front of Spurs without any penetration.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--Ethiopian military warns of 'decisive' assault on Tigray capital, tells civilians to flee

Ethiopian refugees who fled fighting in the Tigray region gather at the Village 8 border reception centre in Sudan 's eastern Gedaref State on November 20 , 2020 .
Ethiopia 's military on Sunday threatened a `` decisive '' assault on the capital of the dissident Tigray region as it seeks to oust the local government , warning the city 's half a million civilians to flee and warning that the onslaught would show `` no mercy '' .
Ethiopia 's military on Sunday threatened an all-out assault on Mekele , capital of the dissident Tigray region and seat of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dislodge , warning civilians to flee while they still can .
`` The next decisive battle is to surround Mekele with tanks , '' Dejene Tsegaye , a military spokesman , told state broadcasters on Sunday , threatening a siege of the city .
He added a warning for Mekele 's half a million residents : `` Save yourself .
A directive has been communicated for you to dissociate yourself from this junta , after that there will be no mercy . ''
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed -- last year 's Nobel Peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Tigray People 's Liberation Front ( TPLF ) on November 4 , accusing its forces of attacking two federal military camps in the region and the party of defying his government and seeking to destabilise it .
A communications blackout in the region has made claims from both sides in the conflict difficult to verify , but hundreds of people are reported to have been killed while tens of thousands have fled the fighting into neighbouring Sudan .
Abiy 's government has claimed the capture of a string of towns in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Aksum and the town of Edega Hamus , 100 kilometres ( 60 miles ) north of Mekele .
`` Defence forces have controlled Edaga Hamus city , which is on the road from Adigrat to Mekele , '' the Ethiopia State of Emergency Fact Check , a government agency , said Sunday .
`` The defence force are currently marching on the campaign 's last goal , Mekele city . ''
The TPLF claimed Saturday that civilians had been killed during a `` heavy bombardment '' of Adigrat town by the Ethiopian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government insists it does not target civilians .
The TPLF led the overthrow of Mengistu Hailemariam , head of Ethiopia 's military Derg regime , in 1991 and dominated the country 's politics until Abiy became prime minister in 2018 .
The party continues to rule Tigray , one of 10 regional states under Ethiopia 's system of ethnic federalism whereby regions are delineated by ethnicity and language .
TPLF leaders have complained of being sidelined by Abiy and blamed for the country 's woes .
The bitter feud with the central government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections this year in defiance of a national postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Abiy has spurned all calls for peace , including from the African Union -- which plans to send three former national presidents as special envoys in the coming days -- the US and the UN which has warned of a looming humanitarian disaster .
His government regards the TPLF as a criminal administration and appears intent on winning the military battle rather than negotiating .
Military action has already spread beyond Tigray 's borders with the TPLF firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbouring Eritrea to the north , which it accuses of supporting the Ethiopian government , and the city of Bahir Dar to the southwest .
The campaign has seen warplanes bombing Tigray and heavy fighting , while Amnesty International has documented a gruesome massacre in which `` scores , and likely hundreds , of people were stabbed or hacked to death '' in the southwestern town of Mai-Kadra .
The UN has called for the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow aid agencies access , and has said it is preparing for as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the coming months .

Ethiopia's military on Sunday threatened a "decisive" assault on the capital of the dissident Tigray region as it seeks to oust the local government, warning the city's half a million civilians to flee and warning that the onslaught would show "no mercy".
Ethiopian refugees who fled fighting in the Tigray region gather at the Village 8 border reception centre in Sudan's eastern Gedaref State on November 20, 2020.
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Ethiopia's military on Sunday threatened an all-out assault on Mekele, capital of the dissident Tigray region and seat of the local government it is seeking to dislodge, warning civilians to flee while they still can.
"The next decisive battle is to surround Mekele with tanks," Dejene Tsegaye, a military spokesman, told state broadcasters on Sunday, threatening a siege of the city.
He added a warning for Mekele's half a million residents: "Save yourself. A directive has been communicated for you to dissociate yourself from this junta, after that there will be no mercy."
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday gave Tigrayan regional forces 72 hours to surrender before the military begins an offensive on the regional capital of Mekelle.
"We urge you to surrender peacefully within 72 hours, recognising that you are at the point of no return," Abiy said in a Twitter message on Sunday evening.
Tigrayan forces could not immediately be reached for comment.
Dear fellow Ethiopians, pic.twitter.com/3H9XXSiFM7 — Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) November 22, 2020
Ahmed first launched a military campaign against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) on November 4, accusing its forces of attacking two federal military camps in the region and the party of defying his government and seeking to destabilise it.
Communications blackout
A communications blackout in the region has made claims from both sides in the conflict difficult to verify, but hundreds of people are reported to have been killed while tens of thousands have fled the fighting into neighbouring Sudan.
Abiy's government has claimed the capture of a string of towns in recent days, including the ancient city of Aksum and the town of Edega Hamus, 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Mekele.
"Defence forces have controlled Edaga Hamus city, which is on the road from Adigrat to Mekele," the Ethiopia State of Emergency Fact Check, a government agency, said Sunday. "The defence force are currently marching on the campaign's last goal, Mekele city."
The TPLF claimed Saturday that civilians had been killed during a "heavy bombardment" of Adigrat town by the Ethiopian Defence Forces (EDF). The government insists it does not target civilians.
Allies to bitter enemies
The TPLF led the overthrow of Mengistu Hailemariam, head of Ethiopia's military Derg regime, in 1991 and dominated the country's politics until Abiy became prime minister in 2018.
The party continues to rule Tigray, one of 10 regional states under Ethiopia's system of ethnic federalism whereby regions are delineated by ethnicity and language.
TPLF leaders have complained of being sidelined by Abiy and blamed for the country's woes. The bitter feud with the central government led the TPLF to hold their own elections this year in defiance of a national postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Abiy has spurned all calls for peace, including from the African Union -- which plans to send three former national presidents as special envoys in the coming days -- the US and the UN which has warned of a looming humanitarian disaster.
His government regards the TPLF as a criminal administration and appears intent on winning the military battle rather than negotiating.
Military action has already spread beyond Tigray's borders with the TPLF firing rockets at Asmara, the capital of neighbouring Eritrea to the north, which it accuses of supporting the Ethiopian government, and the city of Bahir Dar to the southwest.
The campaign has seen warplanes bombing Tigray and heavy fighting, while Amnesty International has documented a gruesome massacre in which "scores, and likely hundreds, of people were stabbed or hacked to death" in the southwestern town of Mai-Kadra.
The UN has called for the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow aid agencies access, and has said it is preparing for as many as 200,000 refugees to flee unrest in the coming months.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-11-22--German FM slams corona protesters for Nazi victim comparisons

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Sunday lashed out at anti-mask protesters comparing themselves to Nazi victims , accusing them of trivialising the Holocaust and `` making a mockery '' of the courage shown by resistance fighters .
The harsh words came after a young woman took to the stage at a protest against coronavirus restrictions in Hanover Saturday saying she felt `` just like Sophie Scholl '' , the German student executed by the Nazis in 1943 for her role in the resistance .
A video of the speech has already been viewed more than a million times on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the speaker .
`` Anyone today comparing themselves to Sophie Scholl or Anne Frank is making a mockery of the courage it took to stand up to the Nazis , '' Maas tweeted .
`` It trivialises the Holocaust and shows an unbearable forgetting of history .
Nothing connects the corona protests with the resistance fighters .
Nothing ! ''
In the clip , a steward is seen interrupting the woman on stage to hand over his orange high-visibility vest , saying her words amounted to `` minimising the Holocaust '' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonsense , '' he is heard saying before being escorted away .
The young woman , who identified herself as 22-year-old Jana , then bursts into tears before dropping her microphone and leaving the stage .
In another incident last week , an 11-year-old girl addressed an anti-mask demo in the western city of Karlsruhe , likening herself to Jewish teenager Anne Frank because she had had to celebrate her birthday quietly to avoid the neighbours hearing that they had invited friends over .
Frank , whose diary written while in hiding in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was eventually betrayed and perished in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945 .
The comparison drew outrage , with Karlsruhe police calling it `` inappropriate and tasteless '' .
Germany has long prided itself on confronting its Nazi past and acknowledging its `` eternal responsibility '' for the Holocaust , in which six million Jews were murdered .
The far-right AfD party has in recent years however challenged Germany 's remembrance culture , senior figures openly calling for the country to stop atoning for Nazi crimes .
Government measures introduced to halt the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests in Germany , drawing in people from the far-left , conspiracy theorists and right-wing extremists who claim the curbs infringe on their civil rights .
At a protest in Berlin last Wednesday , police took the unusual step of using water cannon to disperse thousands of demonstrators after they ignored warnings to put on face coverings to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission .
Several hundred people gathered in Berlin again on Sunday for another anti-corona protest .

Frankfurt am Main (AFP) –
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German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Sunday lashed out at anti-mask protesters comparing themselves to Nazi victims, accusing them of trivialising the Holocaust and "making a mockery" of the courage shown by resistance fighters.
The harsh words came after a young woman took to the stage at a protest against coronavirus restrictions in Hanover Saturday saying she felt "just like Sophie Scholl", the German student executed by the Nazis in 1943 for her role in the resistance.
A video of the speech has already been viewed more than a million times on social media, with many sharply condemning the speaker.
"Anyone today comparing themselves to Sophie Scholl or Anne Frank is making a mockery of the courage it took to stand up to the Nazis," Maas tweeted.
"It trivialises the Holocaust and shows an unbearable forgetting of history. Nothing connects the corona protests with the resistance fighters. Nothing!"
In the clip, a steward is seen interrupting the woman on stage to hand over his orange high-visibility vest, saying her words amounted to "minimising the Holocaust".
"I'm not working security for such nonsense," he is heard saying before being escorted away.
The young woman, who identified herself as 22-year-old Jana, then bursts into tears before dropping her microphone and leaving the stage.
- 'Inappropriate and tasteless' -
In another incident last week, an 11-year-old girl addressed an anti-mask demo in the western city of Karlsruhe, likening herself to Jewish teenager Anne Frank because she had had to celebrate her birthday quietly to avoid the neighbours hearing that they had invited friends over.
Frank, whose diary written while in hiding in the Netherlands has been read by millions, was eventually betrayed and perished in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945.
The comparison drew outrage, with Karlsruhe police calling it "inappropriate and tasteless".
Germany has long prided itself on confronting its Nazi past and acknowledging its "eternal responsibility" for the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were murdered.
The far-right AfD party has in recent years however challenged Germany's remembrance culture, senior figures openly calling for the country to stop atoning for Nazi crimes.
Government measures introduced to halt the spread of the coronavirus have triggered large protests in Germany, drawing in people from the far-left, conspiracy theorists and right-wing extremists who claim the curbs infringe on their civil rights.
At a protest in Berlin last Wednesday, police took the unusual step of using water cannon to disperse thousands of demonstrators after they ignored warnings to put on face coverings to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
Several hundred people gathered in Berlin again on Sunday for another anti-corona protest.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--Germany's 'eternal chancellor' Angela Merkel marks 15 years in office

German Chancellor Angela Merkel leads the weekly cabinet meeting on November 4 , 2020 , at the Chancellery in Berlin .
In power so long she has been dubbed Germany 's `` eternal chancellor '' , Angela Merkel marked 15 years at the helm of Europe 's top economic power on Sunday with her popularity intact and public trust in her leadership reaching new heights .
Merkel , 66 , has said she will step down as chancellor when her current mandate runs out in 2021 with plans to leave politics altogether .
As she finishes out her fourth term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for longest-serving post-war leader , leaving an entire generation of young Germans with no recollection of another chancellor .
Calls for her to stand for yet another mandate can now be heard , however , spurred by the confidence engendered by her steady handling of the Covid-19 outbreak in Germany , where infection levels and deaths have remained lower than those of most European partners .
The vast majority of Germans say they trust her `` hammer and dance '' strategy of tighter and looser restrictions based on rising or falling infection levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` among the most difficult decisions of my time in office '' .
For many the pragmatic and unflappable Merkel has served as a welcome counterweight to some of the brasher autocrats of global politics – from Brazil 's Jair Bolsonaro to US President Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin in Russia – and many have looked to her as the true `` leader of the free world '' during the Trump era .
A Pew Research Center poll last month showed large majorities in most Western countries having `` confidence in Merkel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
With the coronavirus crisis raging around the world , the pandemic has played to her strengths as a crisis manager with a head for science-based solutions .
A trained quantum chemist raised behind the Iron Curtain , Merkel has long been in sync with her change-averse electorate as a guarantor of stability and prosperity .
Her major policy shifts have reflected the wishes of a changing society – among them phasing out nuclear power after the 2011 Fukushima disaster – and shifted her CDU party firmly to the political centre .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ German borders open to more than 1 million asylum seekers seemed set to determine her legacy .
Singer-songwriter Wolf Biermann said Merkel `` showed the world the friendly face of human rationality '' when she chose not to use `` barbed wire , clubs , water cannon , machine guns and tanks to chase away thousands of desperate refugees on the German border '' .
While many Germans were on board with the move , fears of an influx of immigration also emboldened a new far-right party , Alternative for Germany ( AfD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hard-line European leaders such as Hungary 's Viktor Orban accused her of `` moral imperialism '' with her welcoming stance .
And five years on , the European Union appears no closer to a unified policy on migration .
Time magazine named Merkel `` Person of the year '' in 2015 , calling her `` Europe ’ s most powerful leader '' as she helped lead Europe through the Greek bankruptcy to the refugee crisis to the response to the November attacks in Paris .
`` Not once or twice but three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wonder whether Europe could continue to exist , not culturally or geographically but as a historic experiment in ambitious statecraft , '' the magazine wrote .
`` ... Each time Merkel stepped in . ''
During the eurozone crisis Berlin championed spending cuts in return for international bailout loans for debt-mired countries .
But angry protesters dubbed her Europe 's `` austerity queen '' and caricatured her in Nazi garb .
The woman once known as the `` climate chancellor '' for pushing renewable energy now faces a mass movement of young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet its own climate commitments .
Merkel , now the EU 's and G7 's most senior leader , started as a contemporary of George W. Bush , Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac when she became Germany 's youngest – and first female – chancellor in 2005 .
Born Angela Dorothea Kasner on July 17 , 1954 , in the port city of Hamburg , she was the daughter of a Lutheran clergyman and a school teacher .
Her father moved the family to a small-town parish in the communist German Democratic Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when most people were headed the other way .
A top student , she excelled in mathematics and Russian , which has helped her maintain the dialogue with the other veteran on the world stage , Russia 's Putin , who was a KGB officer in Dresden when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 .
Merkel kept the name of her first husband , whom she married in 1977 and divorced five years later .
`` My heritage shaped me , for example , the longing for freedom during my life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the 30th anniversary of reunification .
After the fall of the Berlin Wall , Merkel , who was working in a chemistry lab , joined a pro-democracy group that would merge with Kohl 's Christian Democrats .
The Protestant from the East would later be elected leader of a party until then dominated by Western Catholic patriarchs .
Now , in turbulent times of multiple global crises , the post-Merkel period looks uncertain .
A leadership battle has dragged on for months , prolonged by the coronavirus outbreak , with the outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpredictable .

In power so long she has been dubbed Germany's "eternal chancellor", Angela Merkel marked 15 years at the helm of Europe's top economic power on Sunday with her popularity intact and public trust in her leadership reaching new heights.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel leads the weekly cabinet meeting on November 4, 2020, at the Chancellery in Berlin.
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Merkel, 66, has said she will step down as chancellor when her current mandate runs out in 2021 with plans to leave politics altogether.
As she finishes out her fourth term she will tie Helmut Kohl's record for longest-serving post-war leader, leaving an entire generation of young Germans with no recollection of another chancellor.
Calls for her to stand for yet another mandate can now be heard, however, spurred by the confidence engendered by her steady handling of the Covid-19 outbreak in Germany, where infection levels and deaths have remained lower than those of most European partners.
The vast majority of Germans say they trust her "hammer and dance" strategy of tighter and looser restrictions based on rising or falling infection levels, a decision that she has called "among the most difficult decisions of my time in office".
04:20
Political counterweight
For many the pragmatic and unflappable Merkel has served as a welcome counterweight to some of the brash authoritarians and populists of global politics – from Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro to US President Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin in Russia – and many have looked to her as the true "leader of the free world" during the Trump era.
A Pew Research Center poll last month showed large majorities in most Western countries having "confidence in Merkel to do the right thing regarding world affairs".
With the coronavirus crisis raging around the world, the pandemic has played to her strengths as a crisis manager with a head for science-based solutions. A trained quantum chemist raised behind the Iron Curtain, Merkel has long been in sync with her change-averse electorate as a guarantor of stability and prosperity.
Her major policy shifts have reflected the wishes of a changing society – among them phasing out nuclear power after the 2011 Fukushima disaster – and shifted her CDU party firmly to the political centre.
Merkel's bold 2015 move to keep German borders open to more than 1 million asylum seekers seemed set to determine her legacy. Singer-songwriter Wolf Biermann said Merkel "showed the world the friendly face of human rationality" when she chose not to use "barbed wire, clubs, water cannon, machine guns and tanks to chase away thousands of desperate refugees on the German border".
While many Germans were on board with the move, fears of an influx of immigration also emboldened a new far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has upended national politics.
Hard-line European leaders such as Hungary's Viktor Orban accused her of "moral imperialism" with her welcoming stance.
And five years on, the European Union appears no closer to a unified policy on migration.
From crisis to crisis
Time magazine named Merkel "Person of the year" in 2015, calling her "Europe’s most powerful leader" as she helped lead Europe through the Greek bankruptcy to the refugee crisis to the response to the November attacks in Paris. "Not once or twice but three times this year there has been reason to wonder whether Europe could continue to exist, not culturally or geographically but as a historic experiment in ambitious statecraft," the magazine wrote. "... Each time Merkel stepped in."
During the eurozone crisis Berlin championed spending cuts in return for international bailout loans for debt-mired countries. But angry protesters dubbed her Europe's "austerity queen" and caricatured her in Nazi garb.
The woman once known as the "climate chancellor" for pushing renewable energy now faces a mass movement of young voters pressing her to make sure Germany meet its own climate commitments.
Merkel, now the EU's and G7's most senior leader, started as a contemporary of George W. Bush, Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac when she became Germany's youngest – and first female – chancellor in 2005.
Born Angela Dorothea Kasner on July 17, 1954, in the port city of Hamburg, she was the daughter of a Lutheran clergyman and a school teacher. Her father moved the family to a small-town parish in the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR) to the East at a time when most people were headed the other way.
A top student, she excelled in mathematics and Russian, which has helped her maintain the dialogue with the other veteran on the world stage, Russia's Putin, who was a KGB officer in Dresden when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.
Merkel kept the name of her first husband, whom she married in 1977 and divorced five years later.
"My heritage shaped me, for example, the longing for freedom during my life in the GDR," she said on the 30th anniversary of reunification.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Merkel, who was working in a chemistry lab, joined a pro-democracy group that would merge with Kohl's Christian Democrats. The Protestant from the East would later be elected leader of a party until then dominated by Western Catholic patriarchs.
Now, in turbulent times of multiple global crises, the post-Merkel period looks uncertain. A leadership battle has dragged on for months, prolonged by the coronavirus outbreak, with the outcome of Germany's political future still highly unpredictable.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-11-22--Kyrgyz protest over proposed constitution empowering president

Japarov has spoken in favour of the constitution and is widely believed to be its driving force Hundreds took to the streets in Kyrgyzstan Sunday to protest a proposed constitution that critics say would empower the presidency and damage freedom of speech .
Constitutional amendments currently undergoing public discussion would return cabinet-forming powers to the president and allow incumbent leaders to run for office .
Initiators say the draft constitution should be put to a referendum on January 10 , the same day that the ex-Soviet country is holding presidential elections .
In October , Sooronbay Jeenbekov became the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political unrest -- this time over a disputed parliamentary vote .
Disarray in the Central Asian country has caused concern for key allies Russia and China .
Several hundred protesters who gathered in the centre of the capital Bishkek held up signs decrying a `` Khanstitution '' -- a reference to the absolutist rulers who dominated Central Asia for centuries .
Some chanted against Sadyr Japarov , who this month resigned as acting president and prime minister to compete in a presidential election set for January 10 , which he is tipped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the constitution and is widely believed to be its driving force .
He called naysayers `` shameless fools '' in a statement relayed via media on Friday , and promised to `` unmask the true opponent '' of the changes next week .
Daniyar Amanaliyev , a businessman who attended the Sunday protest , told AFP that the aim of the constitutional reform was to `` push the educated people out of the country and leave only those who are toadying to the new khan . ''
Banur Abdiyeva a 53-year-old who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitution a `` rollback '' to the era of the country 's first two presidents , both of whom were overthrown .
Nobody has admitted to authoring the proposed constitution as of yet , Abdiyeva noted .
Constitutional changes passed after an uprising in 2010 had limited Kyrgyz presidents to a single six-year term in office , while strengthening the powers of the parliament .
The proposed constitution would reverse those stipulations and introduce a new people 's assembly to which parliament and the government should report .
International rights groups including Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have raised concerns over the document .
The Norwegian Helsinki Committee warned Friday that a proposed amendment that would allow the banning of publications offending `` the morals and culture of the people of Kyrgyzstan '' could `` seriously violate that same people 's right to freedom of speech '' .
Populist Japarov has been accused of using his supporters to force Jeenbekov 's resignation and bully the parliament .
Prior to the uproar triggered by alleged vote-buying campaigns Japarov was serving a jail sentence for hostage-taking .
That conviction was squashed after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while the results of the parliamentary vote were annulled .
Fresh parliamentary polls are expected to take place next year , but no date has been set .
Talant Mamytov , a Japarov loyalist , is serving as the country 's acting president in the period leading up to January 's presidential election .
Votes in mountainous Kyrgyzstan are traditionally more competitive than in the other ex-Soviet `` stans '' -- Kazakhstan , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan .

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) (AFP) –
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Hundreds took to the streets in Kyrgyzstan Sunday to protest a proposed constitution that critics say would empower the presidency and damage freedom of speech.
Constitutional amendments currently undergoing public discussion would return cabinet-forming powers to the president and allow incumbent leaders to run for office.
Initiators say the draft constitution should be put to a referendum on January 10, the same day that the ex-Soviet country is holding presidential elections.
In October, Sooronbay Jeenbekov became the third Kyrgyz leader since independence to resign over political unrest -- this time over a disputed parliamentary vote.
Disarray in the Central Asian country has caused concern for key allies Russia and China.
Several hundred protesters who gathered in the centre of the capital Bishkek held up signs decrying a "Khanstitution" -- a reference to the absolutist rulers who dominated Central Asia for centuries.
Some chanted against Sadyr Japarov, who this month resigned as acting president and prime minister to compete in a presidential election set for January 10, which he is tipped to win.
Japarov has spoken in favour of the constitution and is widely believed to be its driving force.
He called naysayers "shameless fools" in a statement relayed via media on Friday, and promised to "unmask the true opponent" of the changes next week.
Daniyar Amanaliyev, a businessman who attended the Sunday protest, told AFP that the aim of the constitutional reform was to "push the educated people out of the country and leave only those who are toadying to the new khan."
Banur Abdiyeva a 53-year-old who also works in business called the proposed constitution a "rollback" to the era of the country's first two presidents, both of whom were overthrown.
Nobody has admitted to authoring the proposed constitution as of yet, Abdiyeva noted.
- Rights groups concerned -
Constitutional changes passed after an uprising in 2010 had limited Kyrgyz presidents to a single six-year term in office, while strengthening the powers of the parliament.
The proposed constitution would reverse those stipulations and introduce a new people's assembly to which parliament and the government should report.
International rights groups including Human Rights Watch and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee have raised concerns over the document.
The Norwegian Helsinki Committee warned Friday that a proposed amendment that would allow the banning of publications offending "the morals and culture of the people of Kyrgyzstan" could "seriously violate that same people's right to freedom of speech".
Populist Japarov has been accused of using his supporters to force Jeenbekov's resignation and bully the parliament.
Prior to the uproar triggered by alleged vote-buying campaigns Japarov was serving a jail sentence for hostage-taking.
That conviction was squashed after he was carried from jail by supporters, while the results of the parliamentary vote were annulled.
Fresh parliamentary polls are expected to take place next year, but no date has been set.
Talant Mamytov, a Japarov loyalist, is serving as the country's acting president in the period leading up to January's presidential election.
Votes in mountainous Kyrgyzstan are traditionally more competitive than in the other ex-Soviet "stans" -- Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--World's deepest diving pool opens in Poland

Deepspot has 8,000 cubic metres of water -- more than 20 times the amount in an ordinary 25-metre pool .
A 45.5-metre ( 150-foot ) deep diving pool with artificial underwater caves and Mayan ruins , the world 's deepest such structure , opened near Warsaw this weekend .
The complex , named Deepspot , even includes a small wreck for scuba and free divers to explore .
It has 8,000 cubic metres of water -- more than 20 times the amount in an ordinary 25-metre pool .
Unlike regular swimming pools , Deepspot can open despite coronavirus restrictions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that offers courses .
A hotel with rooms from which guests will be able to watch divers at a depth of five metres is also planned .
`` It 's the world 's deepest pool , '' Deepspot director Michal Braszczynski , a 47-year-old diving enthusiast , told AFP at the opening on Saturday .
The current holder of the Guinness world record is in Montegrotto Terme in Italy and is 42 metres deep .
The Blue Abyss pool planned to open in Britain in 2021 will be 50 metres deep .
Around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , including eight seasoned divers who hoped to pass an exam to become instructors .
`` There are no magnificent fish or coral reefs here so it is no substitute for the sea but it is definitely a good place to learn and to train in order to dive safely in open water , '' said Przemyslaw Kacprzak , a 39-year-old diving instructor .
`` And it 's fun !
It 's like a kindergarten for divers ! ''
Jerzy Nowacki , a 30-year-old forestry officer and diving novice , said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went down five metres but you can see all the way to the bottom -- the wreck , the caves -- it 's magnificent ! ''
Braszczynski said the pool `` will also be used by the fire brigade and the army .
There are many scenarios for training and we can also test different equipment '' .
Some 5,000 cubic metres of concrete were used over the two years it took to build the pool and it cost around 40 million zloty ( 8.9 million euros , $ 10.6 million ) .

MSZCZONOW (Poland) (AFP) –
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A 45.5-metre (150-foot) deep diving pool with artificial underwater caves and Mayan ruins, the world's deepest such structure, opened near Warsaw this weekend.
The complex, named Deepspot, even includes a small wreck for scuba and free divers to explore.
It has 8,000 cubic metres of water -- more than 20 times the amount in an ordinary 25-metre pool.
Unlike regular swimming pools, Deepspot can open despite coronavirus restrictions in Poland because it is a training centre that offers courses.
A hotel with rooms from which guests will be able to watch divers at a depth of five metres is also planned.
"It's the world's deepest pool," Deepspot director Michal Braszczynski, a 47-year-old diving enthusiast, told AFP at the opening on Saturday.
The current holder of the Guinness world record is in Montegrotto Terme in Italy and is 42 metres deep.
The Blue Abyss pool planned to open in Britain in 2021 will be 50 metres deep.
Around a dozen customers came on the first day, including eight seasoned divers who hoped to pass an exam to become instructors.
"There are no magnificent fish or coral reefs here so it is no substitute for the sea but it is definitely a good place to learn and to train in order to dive safely in open water," said Przemyslaw Kacprzak, a 39-year-old diving instructor.
"And it's fun! It's like a kindergarten for divers!"
Jerzy Nowacki, a 30-year-old forestry officer and diving novice, said: "For my first time, we went down five metres but you can see all the way to the bottom -- the wreck, the caves -- it's magnificent!"
Braszczynski said the pool "will also be used by the fire brigade and the army. There are many scenarios for training and we can also test different equipment".
Some 5,000 cubic metres of concrete were used over the two years it took to build the pool and it cost around 40 million zloty (8.9 million euros, $10.6 million).
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--G20 to back 'equitable' access to coronavirus vaccine

Saudi Arabia hosts a G20 summit in a first for an Arab nation , with the virtual forum dominated by efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and the worst global recession in decades G20 leaders will pledge to `` spare no effort '' in ensuring the equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines worldwide and reaffirm support for debt-laden poor countries , according to a draft communique seen by AFP Sunday .
The leaders also struck a unified tone on supporting `` multilateral '' trade as well as the global fight against climate change , but the closing document lacks firm details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual summit hosted by Riyadh .
The two-day gathering that began Saturday comes as international efforts intensify for a large-scale rollout of coronavirus vaccines after a breakthrough in trials , and as EU and other leaders call for G20 nations to plug a $ 4.5-billion funding shortfall .
`` We have mobilised resources to address the immediate financing needs in global health to support the research , development , manufacturing and distribution of safe and effective Covid-19 diagnostics , therapeutics and vaccines , '' the draft document said .
`` We will spare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equitable access for all people , consistent with members ' commitments to incentivise innovation . ''
The communique offered no details on how the effort will be funded .
There could be changes in the final version of the document , which will be released later Sunday by the Saudi hosts .
In a comment echoed by other world leaders , French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday the coronavirus crisis was `` a test for the G20 '' , stressing there `` will be no effective response to the pandemic unless it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have contributed more than $ 21 billion to combat the pandemic , which has infected 56 million people globally and left 1.3 million dead , and injected $ 11 trillion to `` safeguard '' the virus-battered world economy , summit organisers said .
But the group 's leaders face mounting pressure to help stave off possible credit defaults across developing nations .
G20 nations have extended a debt service suspension initiative ( DSSI ) for developing countries until June next year , but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pushed for a commitment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The draft communique , however , did not offer a firm commitment .
G20 finance ministers will examine the recommendation when the IMF and World Bank meet next spring `` if the economic and financial situation requires '' an extension by another six months , it said .
On trade , the club of the world 's richest nations also emphasised that supporting a multilateral system `` is now as important as ever '' .
`` We strive to realise the goal of a free , fair , inclusive , non-discriminatory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and investment environment , and to keep our markets open , '' the communique said .
Ahead of the summit , European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she hoped the US will adopt a more multilateralist stance under the incoming administration of Joe Biden .
US President Donald Trump 's robust `` America first '' trade policy has rankled world leaders .
Von der Leyen also added that she expected consensus and a `` new momentum from the new US administration '' on climate change , and a reversal of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Differences within the G20 group surfaced at last year 's summit in the Japanese city of Osaka as the United States demanded the insertion of a separate paragraph on issues such as environmental protection .
But under the Saudi chairmanship , G20 leaders projected a unified stance , with the draft communique reiterating support for tackling `` pressing '' environmental challenges .

Riyadh (AFP) –
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G20 leaders will pledge to "spare no effort" in ensuring the equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines worldwide and reaffirm support for debt-laden poor countries, according to a draft communique seen by AFP Sunday.
The leaders also struck a unified tone on supporting "multilateral" trade as well as the global fight against climate change, but the closing document lacks firm details on many of the issues dominating the virtual summit hosted by Riyadh.
The two-day gathering that began Saturday comes as international efforts intensify for a large-scale rollout of coronavirus vaccines after a breakthrough in trials, and as EU and other leaders call for G20 nations to plug a $4.5-billion funding shortfall.
"We have mobilised resources to address the immediate financing needs in global health to support the research, development, manufacturing and distribution of safe and effective Covid-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines," the draft document said.
"We will spare no effort to ensure their affordable and equitable access for all people, consistent with members' commitments to incentivise innovation."
The communique offered no details on how the effort will be funded.
There could be changes in the final version of the document, which will be released later Sunday by the Saudi hosts.
In a comment echoed by other world leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday the coronavirus crisis was "a test for the G20", stressing there "will be no effective response to the pandemic unless it is a global response".
G20 nations have contributed more than $21 billion to combat the pandemic, which has infected 56 million people globally and left 1.3 million dead, and injected $11 trillion to "safeguard" the virus-battered world economy, summit organisers said.
But the group's leaders face mounting pressure to help stave off possible credit defaults across developing nations.
G20 nations have extended a debt service suspension initiative (DSSI) for developing countries until June next year, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pushed for a commitment to extend it until the end of 2021.
The draft communique, however, did not offer a firm commitment.
G20 finance ministers will examine the recommendation when the IMF and World Bank meet next spring "if the economic and financial situation requires" an extension by another six months, it said.
- Closing ranks on climate -
On trade, the club of the world's richest nations also emphasised that supporting a multilateral system "is now as important as ever".
"We strive to realise the goal of a free, fair, inclusive, non-discriminatory, transparent, predictable, and stable trade and investment environment, and to keep our markets open," the communique said.
Ahead of the summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she hoped the US will adopt a more multilateralist stance under the incoming administration of Joe Biden.
US President Donald Trump's robust "America first" trade policy has rankled world leaders.
Von der Leyen also added that she expected consensus and a "new momentum from the new US administration" on climate change, and a reversal of Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate accord.
Differences within the G20 group surfaced at last year's summit in the Japanese city of Osaka as the United States demanded the insertion of a separate paragraph on issues such as environmental protection.
But under the Saudi chairmanship, G20 leaders projected a unified stance, with the draft communique reiterating support for tackling "pressing" environmental challenges.
burs-ac/sls/fz
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--Thomson struggles in Vendee Globe as boat has 'structural' problem

British skipper Alex Thomson has slipped to third in the Vendee after suffering a 'structural issue ' with his Imoca 60 Hugo Boss Welsh skipper Alex Thomson slipped to third in the Vendee Globe overnight after his boat Hugo Boss suffered a `` possible structural issue on board '' , race organisers announced on Sunday .
Thomson , who is reported to be safe , was lying second behind Thomas Ruyant , heading south-east around 800 miles east of Rio de Janeiro , when his team alerted the organisers to the problem .
Thomson , who led the solo round-the-world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week , cut his speed from around 16 knots to six .
`` Thomson and his team , together with their appointed naval architects and structural engineers , are now working together to assess the extent of the structural issue and to determine a repair programme and timeline , '' the Welshman 's team said in their statement .
`` Thomson is safe and well onboard , and in regular dialogue with the team . ''
Thomson lost considerable ground on Ruyant 's LinkedOut and gave up second place when Charlie Dalin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after midnight GMT ) '' For Alex I hope it 's not too bad and the extent of the damage is limited , '' said Dalin .
`` Above all , I hope that this does not mean the end of the Vendee Globe for him .
We have a great race with him , and this trio we are in is very stimulating . ''
French skipper Ruyant leads the race which started two weeks ago in Brittany .
He is 38.5 nautical miles ahead of compatriot Dalin and 73.1nm in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are all in the new generation of 'foilers ' -- boats equipped with foils which help lift the boat so that it is virtually flying across the top of the waves -- are racing in light , variable winds .
`` I have the impression that I am reliving a doldrums passage but it is even more bizarre , '' said Dalin .
`` I found some pretty strange variable winds , sudden changes in direction and force , I really did n't expect that .
I even got gusts from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday ) , the sea is flatter and there is a beautiful starry sky , it is beautiful . ''
So far in the competition , there has only been one abandonment , that of Nicolas Troussel after a dismasting on Monday off Cape Verde .
Jeremie Beyou , also in a 'foiler ' had to return to the start to repair his boat Charal before setting off again on Tuesday .
The finishers will complete approximately 24,296 nautical miles around the globe before they finish back in France at some point in @ @

Paris (AFP) –
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Welsh skipper Alex Thomson slipped to third in the Vendee Globe overnight after his boat Hugo Boss suffered a "possible structural issue on board", race organisers announced on Sunday.
Thomson, who is reported to be safe, was lying second behind Thomas Ruyant, heading south-east around 800 miles east of Rio de Janeiro, when his team alerted the organisers to the problem.
Thomson, who led the solo round-the-world race by 90 nautical miles earlier in the week, cut his speed from around 16 knots to six.
"Thomson and his team, together with their appointed naval architects and structural engineers, are now working together to assess the extent of the structural issue and to determine a repair programme and timeline," the Welshman's team said in their statement.
"Thomson is safe and well onboard, and in regular dialogue with the team."
Thomson lost considerable ground on Ruyant's LinkedOut and gave up second place when Charlie Dalin passed him in his boat Apivia just after midnight GMT)
"For Alex I hope it's not too bad and the extent of the damage is limited," said Dalin.
"Above all, I hope that this does not mean the end of the Vendee Globe for him. We have a great race with him, and this trio we are in is very stimulating."
French skipper Ruyant leads the race which started two weeks ago in Brittany. He is 38.5 nautical miles ahead of compatriot Dalin and 73.1nm in front of Thomson.
The breakaway trio, who are all in the new generation of 'foilers' -- boats equipped with foils which help lift the boat so that it is virtually flying across the top of the waves -- are racing in light, variable winds.
"I have the impression that I am reliving a doldrums passage but it is even more bizarre," said Dalin.
"I found some pretty strange variable winds, sudden changes in direction and force, I really didn't expect that. I even got gusts from the north-west yesterday.
"This morning (Sunday), the sea is flatter and there is a beautiful starry sky, it is beautiful."
So far in the competition, there has only been one abandonment, that of Nicolas Troussel after a dismasting on Monday off Cape Verde.
Jeremie Beyou, also in a 'foiler' had to return to the start to repair his boat Charal before setting off again on Tuesday.
The finishers will complete approximately 24,296 nautical miles around the globe before they finish back in France at some point in January.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--US approves Regeneron Covid-19 antibody treatment given to Trump

The US Food And Drug Administration headquarters in White Oak , Maryland , on July 20 , 2020 .
A Covid-19 antibody therapy used to treat President Donald Trump was approved by the US drug regulator on Saturday for people who are n't yet hospitalized by the disease but are at high risk .
The green light for drugmaker Regeneron came after REGEN-COV2 , a combination of two lab-made antibodies , was shown to reduce Covid-19-related hospitalizations or emergency room visits in patients with underlying conditions .
`` Authorizing these monoclonal antibody therapies may help outpatients avoid hospitalization and alleviate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Stephen Hahn , commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) .
Leonard Schleifer , Regeneron 's president and CEO , added the move was `` an important step in the fight against COVID-19 , as high-risk patients in the United States will have access to a promising therapy early in the course of their infection . ''
Regeneron 's antibody treatment is the second synthetic antibody treatment to receive an emergency use approval ( EUA ) from the FDA after a similar therapy developed by Eli Lilly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The human immune system naturally develops infection-fighting proteins called antibodies -- but because not everyone mounts an adequate response , companies like Regeneron and Lilly have manufactured lab-made solutions .
They work by binding to a surface protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and stopping it from invading human cells .
The FDA said the data supporting Regeneron 's EUA came from a clinical trial in 799 non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19 .
For patients who were at high risk because of a variety of underlying conditions -- from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalization and emergency room visits occurred in three percent of patients who received the intravenous treatment .
This compared to nine percent in placebo-treated patients .
Patients treated with the drug also had lower levels of virus remaining compared to those on the placebo .
The company said it expects to have doses ready for 80,000 patients ready by the end of November and approximately 300,000 patients in total by the end of January 2021 .
These will be available to US patients at no out-of-pocket cost under the terms of a US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the US and globally , that means access will not be widespread .
The US has added more than 360,000 new Covid-19 cases in the past two days alone .
The recommended dose is 1,200 milligrams of each of the two antibodies , for a total of 2,400 milligrams , in a single infusion .
Regeneron has received more than $ 450 million from the US government for its Covid-19 drug development efforts under Operation Warp Speed .
So-called monoclonal antibodies are a relatively new class of drug seen as highly promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed by Regeneron against the Ebola virus received full FDA approval , the next step after an EUA .
In the case of Covid-19 , Regeneron first found two antibodies that were highly effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus , one from a mouse whose immune system was modified to be human-like , the other from a human .
They then harvested the immune cells that made those antibodies and grew them in a lab , in order to create a mass treatment .
Covid-19 vaccines , like those developed by Pfizer and Moderna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make its own antibodies so they are prepared when they encounter the virus .

A Covid-19 antibody therapy used to treat President Donald Trump was approved by the US drug regulator on Saturday for people who aren't yet hospitalized by the disease but are at high risk.
The US Food And Drug Administration headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, on July 20, 2020.
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The green light for drugmaker Regeneron came after REGEN-COV2, a combination of two lab-made antibodies, was shown to reduce Covid-19-related hospitalizations or emergency room visits in patients with underlying conditions.
"Authorizing these monoclonal antibody therapies may help outpatients avoid hospitalization and alleviate the burden on our health care system," said Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Leonard Schleifer, Regeneron's president and CEO, added the move was "an important step in the fight against COVID-19, as high-risk patients in the United States will have access to a promising therapy early in the course of their infection."
Regeneron's antibody treatment is the second synthetic antibody treatment to receive an emergency use approval (EUA) from the FDA after a similar therapy developed by Eli Lilly was granted the status on November 9.
Today, we issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for two monoclonal antibodies to be administered together for the treatment of mild to moderate #COVID19 in high-risk adults and pediatric patients age 12 and older. https://t.co/BJWrhdoIiA pic.twitter.com/6ZguTcGdsx — U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) November 22, 2020
The human immune system naturally develops infection-fighting proteins called antibodies -- but because not everyone mounts an adequate response, companies like Regeneron and Lilly have manufactured lab-made solutions.
They work by binding to a surface protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and stopping it from invading human cells.
The FDA said the data supporting Regeneron's EUA came from a clinical trial in 799 non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19.
For patients who were at high risk because of a variety of underlying conditions -- from obesity to old age to diabetes -- hospitalization and emergency room visits occurred in three percent of patients who received the intravenous treatment.
This compared to nine percent in placebo-treated patients.
Patients treated with the drug also had lower levels of virus remaining compared to those on the placebo.
80,000 doses
The company said it expects to have doses ready for 80,000 patients ready by the end of November and approximately 300,000 patients in total by the end of January 2021.
These will be available to US patients at no out-of-pocket cost under the terms of a US government program.
But with cases surging across the US and globally, that means access will not be widespread. The US has added more than 360,000 new Covid-19 cases in the past two days alone.
The recommended dose is 1,200 milligrams of each of the two antibodies, for a total of 2,400 milligrams, in a single infusion.
Regeneron has received more than $450 million from the US government for its Covid-19 drug development efforts under Operation Warp Speed.
The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for our investigational antibody cocktail to treat mild to moderate #COVID19 in certain high-risk patients 12 years and older. Learn more: https://t.co/yNfOFPyLI0 pic.twitter.com/0QGBnddiVC — Regeneron (@Regeneron) November 22, 2020
So-called monoclonal antibodies are a relatively new class of drug seen as highly promising.
Last month, an antibody drug developed by Regeneron against the Ebola virus received full FDA approval, the next step after an EUA.
In the case of Covid-19, Regeneron first found two antibodies that were highly effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, one from a mouse whose immune system was modified to be human-like, the other from a human.
They then harvested the immune cells that made those antibodies and grew them in a lab, in order to create a mass treatment.
Covid-19 vaccines, like those developed by Pfizer and Moderna, work by training the immune system to make its own antibodies so they are prepared when they encounter the virus.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-22--Burkina Faso goes to the polls in shadow of jihadist threat

Kabore ( C ) can avoid a run-off by winning more than 50 percent of the vote in Sunday 's first round The people of Burkina Faso began voting in a general election Sunday in the shadow of a growing jihadist insurgency , and with opposition candidates warning of a `` massive fraud '' at the polls .
President Roch Marc Christian Kabore is expected to win re-election , his supporters talking up his chances of an outright victory in the first round of voting .
But no votes in the presidential and parliamentary polls will be cast in one-fifth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain outside the state 's control and jihadist attacks strike almost daily .
The violence has forced one million people -- five percent of the 20 million population -- from their homes in the last two years and at least 1,200 have been killed since 2015 .
The security crisis has dominated the campaign and an undisclosed number of troops have been deployed for polling day in the landlocked West African country , one of the world 's poorest .
Most of the 12 opposition candidates running against Kabore have criticised the incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However political scientist Drissa Traore said Kabore remains `` the big favourite against an opposition which has not managed to unite behind a single candidate '' .
The president 's two main challengers are 2015 's runner-up , veteran opposition leader Zephirin Diabre , and Eddie Komboigo , standing for the party of former president Blaise Compaore .
Compaore , who was ousted by a popular uprising in 2014 after 27 years in power , is now in exile but some voters are nostalgic for his regime .
Diabre told reporters on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orchestrated by those in power to carry out a massive fraud '' so as to give Kabore a first-round victory .
`` We will not accept results marred by irregularity , '' added Diabre , surrounded at a press conference by five of the other 11 opposition candidates , including Komboigo .
The head of the president 's party , Simon Compaore , rejected Diabre 's `` allegations '' .
Kabore did not need `` any kind of fraud to the win the elections '' , he said .
Kabore can avoid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vote in Sunday 's first round -- as he did in the last election in 2015 .
The three leading candidates all wrapped up their campaigns on Friday , Komboigo telling a rally in the capital Ouagadougou that Compaore would `` return with all honours '' .
Kabore meanwhile filled Ouagadougou 's largest stadium with tens of thousands of supporters wearing his ruling party 's orange colours .
The campaigning ran alongside continued bloodshed and the fear of jihadist attacks on voting day was growing .
Fourteen soldiers were killed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Islamic State group earlier this month , one of the deadliest attacks on the military in the five-year insurgency .
Days later , the IS propaganda arm published a picture of two jihadists killing a man wearing an army uniform -- but the military denied there had been a new attack .
Jihadist violence in the north -- as in neighbouring Sahel states Mali and Niger -- has become intertwined with clashes between ethnic groups .
The Fulani community has in particular been targeted for recruitment by jihadists , and attacks regularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of violence .
Humanitarian groups have condemned massacres of Fulani civilians by pro-government militias or the army .
Almost all of Kabore 's challengers have called for dialogue with the jihadists to be explored -- a suggestion Kabore has emphatically rejected .
Around 6.5 million people are eligible to vote in Sunday 's election , but not in nearly 1,500 of the country 's 8,000 villages , nor in 22 of more than 300 communes , because of the security risks .

Ouagadougou (AFP) –
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The people of Burkina Faso began voting in a general election Sunday in the shadow of a growing jihadist insurgency, and with opposition candidates warning of a "massive fraud" at the polls.
President Roch Marc Christian Kabore is expected to win re-election, his supporters talking up his chances of an outright victory in the first round of voting.
But no votes in the presidential and parliamentary polls will be cast in one-fifth of the country, where large swathes remain outside the state's control and jihadist attacks strike almost daily.
The violence has forced one million people -- five percent of the 20 million population -- from their homes in the last two years and at least 1,200 have been killed since 2015.
The security crisis has dominated the campaign and an undisclosed number of troops have been deployed for polling day in the landlocked West African country, one of the world's poorest.
Most of the 12 opposition candidates running against Kabore have criticised the incumbent's failure to stem the bloodshed.
However political scientist Drissa Traore said Kabore remains "the big favourite against an opposition which has not managed to unite behind a single candidate".
- 'Massive fraud' -
The president's two main challengers are 2015's runner-up, veteran opposition leader Zephirin Diabre, and Eddie Komboigo, standing for the party of former president Blaise Compaore.
Compaore, who was ousted by a popular uprising in 2014 after 27 years in power, is now in exile but some voters are nostalgic for his regime.
Diabre told reporters on Saturday that "there is a huge operation orchestrated by those in power to carry out a massive fraud" so as to give Kabore a first-round victory.
"We will not accept results marred by irregularity," added Diabre, surrounded at a press conference by five of the other 11 opposition candidates, including Komboigo.
The head of the president's party, Simon Compaore, rejected Diabre's "allegations". Kabore did not need "any kind of fraud to the win the elections", he said.
Kabore can avoid a run-off by winning more than 50 percent of the vote in Sunday's first round -- as he did in the last election in 2015.
The three leading candidates all wrapped up their campaigns on Friday, Komboigo telling a rally in the capital Ouagadougou that Compaore would "return with all honours".
Kabore meanwhile filled Ouagadougou's largest stadium with tens of thousands of supporters wearing his ruling party's orange colours.
- Campaigning and bloodshed -
The campaigning ran alongside continued bloodshed and the fear of jihadist attacks on voting day was growing.
Fourteen soldiers were killed in an ambush in the north claimed by the Islamic State group earlier this month, one of the deadliest attacks on the military in the five-year insurgency.
Days later, the IS propaganda arm published a picture of two jihadists killing a man wearing an army uniform -- but the military denied there had been a new attack.
Jihadist violence in the north -- as in neighbouring Sahel states Mali and Niger -- has become intertwined with clashes between ethnic groups.
The Fulani community has in particular been targeted for recruitment by jihadists, and attacks regularly spark reprisal attacks, continuing the cycle of violence.
Humanitarian groups have condemned massacres of Fulani civilians by pro-government militias or the army.
Almost all of Kabore's challengers have called for dialogue with the jihadists to be explored -- a suggestion Kabore has emphatically rejected.
Around 6.5 million people are eligible to vote in Sunday's election, but not in nearly 1,500 of the country's 8,000 villages, nor in 22 of more than 300 communes, because of the security risks.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--Protesters set fire to Guatemala's Congress to demand president resign

A protester celebrates the burning of the Guatemalan Congress building , on November 21 , 2020 , in Guatemala City .
Hundreds of Guatemalans partly burned the Congress building Saturday in a protest demanding the resignation of President Alejandro Giammattei , following the passage of a budget that has sparked outrage in the impoverished Central American nation .
The flames in the legislative building could be seen from the street in Guatemala City , and a spokesman for the Red Cross told journalists the group had treated several people for smoke inhalation .
Police arrested more than 20 people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of them in a serious condition .
A separate , peaceful , protest took place in front of the old government palace in the historic center of the capital , not far from Congress , also urging Giammattei to resign .
Carrying the national flag and banners that said `` No more corruption , '' `` Giammattei out , '' and `` They messed with the wrong generation , '' the protesters filled the central square in Guatemala City in front of the old palace .
In a tweet , Giammattei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vowed legal repercussions .
`` I reiterate that you have the right to demonstrate according to the law .
But we can not allow vandalism of public or private property , '' he posted .
`` Whoever is proven to have participated in these criminal acts will fall under the full weight of the law . ''
The widespread discontent and indignation in Guatemala against Giammattei 's administration and Congress are caused by a lack of resources for battling the coronavirus pandemic , as well as the new budget .
Guatemala 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this week approved an almost $ 13 billion budget , the largest in the country 's history .
Most of the funds will go to infrastructure tied to big business , sparking outrage in a country where poverty is widespread and half of children under five years old are malnourished .
Analysts have also warned that a third of the budget will need to be financed by debt .
The country 's Congress has also approved $ 3.8 billion to fight the coronavirus pandemic , but less than 15 percent of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president said Friday night he had asked the president to resign with him .
`` For the good of the country , I asked him that we present our resignations together , '' Guillermo Castillo said in a message posted on social media .
He also reportedly told the president that `` things are not right , '' and admitted to tensions between himself and the head of state .
Giammattei , a 64-year-old doctor , swept to power in January promising to clean up corruption and fight organized crime .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over his handling of the coronavirus , particularly deficiencies in the country 's hospitals .
He has also publicly sparred with his vice president , who in May revealed the two had privately clashed over the best response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
According to official data , 118,417 people have been infected by the coronavirus , and 4,074 have died .

Hundreds of Guatemalans partly burned the Congress building Saturday in a protest demanding the resignation of President Alejandro Giammattei, following the passage of a budget that has sparked outrage in the impoverished Central American nation.
A protester celebrates the burning of the Guatemalan Congress building, on November 21, 2020, in Guatemala City.
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The flames in the legislative building could be seen from the street in Guatemala City, and a spokesman for the Red Cross told journalists the group had treated several people for smoke inhalation.
Police arrested more than 20 people and almost 50 were sent to hospital injured, one of them in a serious condition.
A separate, peaceful, protest took place in front of the old government palace in the historic center of the capital, not far from Congress, also urging Giammattei to resign.
Carrying the national flag and banners that said "No more corruption," "Giammattei out," and "They messed with the wrong generation," the protesters filled the central square in Guatemala City in front of the old palace.
In a tweet, Giammattei denounced the attack on the Congress, and vowed legal repercussions.
"I reiterate that you have the right to demonstrate according to the law. But we cannot allow vandalism of public or private property," he posted.
"Whoever is proven to have participated in these criminal acts will fall under the full weight of the law."
Reitero que se tiene el derecho de manifestar conforme la ley. Pero tampoco podemos permitir que se vandalice con la propiedad pública o privada. Al que se le compruebe su participación en estos hechos delictivos les caerá todo el peso de la ley. — Alejandro Giammattei (@DrGiammattei) November 21, 2020
The widespread discontent and indignation in Guatemala against Giammattei's administration and Congress are caused by a lack of resources for battling the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the new budget.
Guatemala's Congress, dominated by conservative pro-government parties, this week approved an almost $13 billion budget, the largest in the country's history.
Most of the funds will go to infrastructure tied to big business, sparking outrage in a country where poverty is widespread and half of children under five years old are malnourished.
Analysts have also warned that a third of the budget will need to be financed by debt.
The country's Congress has also approved $3.8 billion to fight the coronavirus pandemic, but less than 15 percent of those funds have been invested.
Giammattei's vice president said Friday night he had asked the president to resign with him.
"For the good of the country, I asked him that we present our resignations together," Guillermo Castillo said in a message posted on social media.
He also reportedly told the president that "things are not right," and admitted to tensions between himself and the head of state.
Giammattei, a 64-year-old doctor, swept to power in January promising to clean up corruption and fight organized crime.
But his presidency has been dominated by controversy over his handling of the coronavirus, particularly deficiencies in the country's hospitals.
He has also publicly sparred with his vice president, who in May revealed the two had privately clashed over the best response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to official data, 118,417 people have been infected by the coronavirus, and 4,074 have died.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-22--Al-Qaeda in North Africa appoints new leader to replace Droukdel

An image grab taken from a video uploaded on YouTube by Al Andalus on May 6 , 2013 reportedly shows a picture of Abu Obaida al-Annabi .
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb ( AQIM ) has chosen a new leader to replace Abdelmalek Droukdel , who was killed in June by French forces , the SITE monitoring group reported Saturday .
Algerian Abu Obaida Yusuf al-Annabi , the head of AQIM 's `` Council of Dignitaries '' , was named as Droukdel 's successor , SITE said .
Al-Annabi has been on the American `` international terrorist '' blacklist since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Extremism Project .
He has regularly appeared in the group 's propaganda videos , and in 2013 famously demanded that Muslims retaliate against France 's intervention in Mali .
AQIM also confirmed the death of Swiss national Beatrice Stoeckli , who was abducted in Timbuktu while working as a missionary in 2016 .
It blamed her death on an attempt by `` French crusaders '' to free her .
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb emerged from a group started in the late 1990s by radical Algerian Islamists , who in 2007 pledged allegiance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on troops and civilians across the Sahel region , including a 2016 attack on an upmarket hotel and restaurant in Burkina Faso that killed 30 people , mainly Westerners .
France has more than 5,000 troops deployed in its anti-jihadist Barkhane force in the Sahel .

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has chosen a new leader to replace Abdelmalek Droukdel, who was killed in June by French forces, the SITE monitoring group reported Saturday.
An image grab taken from a video uploaded on YouTube by Al Andalus on May 6, 2013 reportedly shows a picture of Abu Obaida al-Annabi.
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Algerian Abu Obaida Yusuf al-Annabi, the head of AQIM's "Council of Dignitaries", was named as Droukdel's successor, SITE said.
Al-Annabi has been on the American "international terrorist" blacklist since September 2015, according to the Counter Extremism Project.
He has regularly appeared in the group's propaganda videos, and in 2013 famously demanded that Muslims retaliate against France's intervention in Mali.
AQIM also confirmed the death of Swiss national Beatrice Stoeckli, who was abducted in Timbuktu while working as a missionary in 2016.
It blamed her death on an attempt by "French crusaders" to free her.
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb emerged from a group started in the late 1990s by radical Algerian Islamists, who in 2007 pledged allegiance to Osama Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network.
The group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on troops and civilians across the Sahel region, including a 2016 attack on an upmarket hotel and restaurant in Burkina Faso that killed 30 people, mainly Westerners.
France has more than 5,000 troops deployed in its anti-jihadist Barkhane force in the Sahel.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-22--Afghan VP vows to track down Kabul attackers

Residents inspect a damaged house in Khair Khana after the rocket attack on Kabul Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh vowed Sunday to track down those responsible for a rocket attack on the capital that killed at least 10 people , even as the Islamic State group claimed to have fired the salvo .
The rockets struck several densely populated districts of Kabul Saturday -- including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone that houses embassies and foreign firms .
The attack came hours before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to meet with negotiators from the Taliban and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of progress in talks between the two warring groups .
`` We will find out the networks who facilitated in transporting the materials ( rockets ) used in the attack , '' Saleh said on his Facebook page after a meeting with security officials .
Saleh said the attack left 10 people dead and another 51 wounded .
Several buildings were damaged , including the Iranian embassy and a medical complex .
Although the attack was claimed by IS , officials blamed the Taliban .
They have denied involvement .
It was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IS in less than a month .
Two previous attacks targeted educational centres and killed nearly 50 people , mostly students .
The Taliban and Afghan government have been engaged in peace talks in Doha since September 12 , but violence on the ground continues unabated .
In the past six months the Taliban have carried out 53 suicide attacks and detonated 1,250 explosive devices that have left 1,210 civilians dead and 2,500 wounded , the interior ministry said this week .

Kabul (AFP) –
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Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh vowed Sunday to track down those responsible for a rocket attack on the capital that killed at least 10 people, even as the Islamic State group claimed to have fired the salvo.
The rockets struck several densely populated districts of Kabul Saturday -- including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone that houses embassies and foreign firms.
The attack came hours before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to meet with negotiators from the Taliban and Afghan government in Qatar, amid signs of progress in talks between the two warring groups.
"We will find out the networks who facilitated in transporting the materials (rockets) used in the attack," Saleh said on his Facebook page after a meeting with security officials.
Saleh said the attack left 10 people dead and another 51 wounded.
Several buildings were damaged, including the Iranian embassy and a medical complex.
Although the attack was claimed by IS, officials blamed the Taliban. They have denied involvement.
It was the third attack in the capital claimed by IS in less than a month.
Two previous attacks targeted educational centres and killed nearly 50 people, mostly students.
The Taliban and Afghan government have been engaged in peace talks in Doha since September 12, but violence on the ground continues unabated.
In the past six months the Taliban have carried out 53 suicide attacks and detonated 1,250 explosive devices that have left 1,210 civilians dead and 2,500 wounded, the interior ministry said this week.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--Burkina Faso votes in presidential election in the shadow of jihadist violence

Electoral workers transport ballot boxes on their motorcycles as they arrive to prepare a polling station ahead of the presidential and legislative elections , in Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso , on November 21 , 2020 .
Polls opened in Burkina Faso on Sunday for a presidential election that is likely to be dominated by concerns over the jihadist violence that has cost more than 2,000 lives this year alone and will prevent hundreds of thousands from voting due to the security risks .
Around 6.5 million people will vote in Sunday 's election .
But nearly 1,500 of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 300 communes will not be able to vote because of the security risks ; the electoral commission says polling stations will remain shut across much of the north and east for fear of violence .
At least 400,000 people , or nearly 7 percent of the electorate , will be unable to cast their votes .
President Roch Kaboré is seeking a second five-year term , campaigning on achievements including free health care for children under the age of 5 and paving some of the red dirt roads that snake across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge in attacks by groups with links to al Qaeda or the Islamic State group has eclipsed everything else .
Three weeks after Kaboré 's inauguration , al Qaeda ’ s regional branch attacked a hotel and a café in Burkina Faso 's capital , Ouagadougou , killing 32 people .
Kaboré faces stiff opposition from former finance minister Zéphirin Diabré , who was the runner-up in 2015 , and Eddie Komboigo , leader of the party of Blaise Compaoré , who served as president for 27 years and was overthrown in 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has n't managed the security situation .
The north has been forgotten , there is no government authority there , '' said Tiadiane Bonkoungou , who sells blankets and drapes at a market stall in Ouagadougou .
Analysts expect a tight race that could go to a second round if no candidate wins more than 50 percent .
Provisional results of the first round are expected by midweek .

Polls closed in Burkina Faso on Sunday after a presidential and parliamentary election dominated by the threat of Islamist violence that prevented voting in hundreds of villages.
People line up to vote in Burkina Faso's presidential and legislative elections in Ouagadougou on November 22, 2020.
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President Roch Kabore is seeking a second five-year term, campaigning on achievements such as free healthcare for children under the age of five and paving some of the red dirt roads that snake across the arid West African country.
But a surge in attacks by groups with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State has eclipsed everything. The violence has cost more than 2,000 lives this year alone.
Three weeks after Kaboré's inauguration, al Qaeda’s regional branch attacked a hotel and a café in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, killing 32 people.
At least 400,000 people, or nearly 7 percent of the electorate, were unable to cast their votes.
"There are a number of polling stations that had opened in the East and in other regions that had to close because of threats," said Electoral Commission Chairman Newton Ahmed Barry.
"Individuals have banned people from taking part in the vote," he added during a mid-day assessment, although he felt that "on the whole ... everything is going well".
Kaboré faces stiff opposition from former finance minister Zéphirin Diabré, who was the runner-up in 2015, and Eddie Komboigo, leader of the party of Blaise Compaoré, who served as president for 27 years and was overthrown in 2014.
"I like Kaboré but he hasn't managed the security situation. The north has been forgotten, there is no government authority there," said Tiadiane Bonkoungou, who sells blankets and drapes at a market stall in Ouagadougou.
Analysts expect a tight race that could go to a second round if no candidate wins more than 50 percent. Provisional results of the first round are expected by midweek.
Continued bloodshed
Campaigning ran alongside continued bloodshed and there was fear of jihadist attacks on voting day. Fourteen soldiers were killed in an ambush in the north claimed by the Islamic State group earlier this month, one of the deadliest attacks on the military in the five-year insurgency.
Video: Burkina Faso: Thousands of internally displaced face disenfranchisement from presidential vote
Jihadist violence in the north – as in neighbouring Sahel states Mali and Niger – has become intertwined with clashes between ethnic groups.
The Fulani community has in particular been targeted for recruitment by jihadists, and attacks regularly spark reprisal attacks, continuing the cycle of violence. Humanitarian groups have condemned massacres of Fulani civilians by pro-government militias or the army.
Almost all of Kaboré's challengers have called for dialogue with the jihadists to be explored – a suggestion Kaboré has emphatically rejected.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
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france24--2020-11-22--Saints quarterback Brees has 11 broken ribs: report

Drew Brees ' rib and lung injuries have turned out to be more serious than first thought with it being revealed on Saturday that the New Orleans Saints star has 11 fractured ribs , US media reported .
That number is up from the original diagnosis of five broken ribs for quarterback Brees , who also has a collapsed lung , US sports broadcaster ESPN reported .
Additional tests showed Brees has eight broken ribs on the left side and three on the right .
Brees exited last week 's win against the San Francisco 49ers at halftime with what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered in a second-quarter sack by Kentavius Street that was ruled roughing the passer .
Doctors also think he might have sustained some of his injuries in an earlier game but continued to play .
The Saints officially placed Brees on their injured list on Friday .
He was originally expected to miss three games but the latest medical update could see him stay out longer .
Brees , 40 , is the NFL 's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes .
But the Saints went 5-0 without their star signal-caller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torn ligament in his throwing hand .
The Saints , who top the NFC South Division at 7-2 , host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday .
Taysom Hill will get the starting nod at quarterback ahead of Jameis Winston .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Drew Brees' rib and lung injuries have turned out to be more serious than first thought with it being revealed on Saturday that the New Orleans Saints star has 11 fractured ribs, US media reported.
That number is up from the original diagnosis of five broken ribs for quarterback Brees, who also has a collapsed lung, US sports broadcaster ESPN reported. Additional tests showed Brees has eight broken ribs on the left side and three on the right.
Brees exited last week's win against the San Francisco 49ers at halftime with what the Saints called a rib injury, suffered in a second-quarter sack by Kentavius Street that was ruled roughing the passer. Doctors also think he might have sustained some of his injuries in an earlier game but continued to play.
The Saints officially placed Brees on their injured list on Friday. He was originally expected to miss three games but the latest medical update could see him stay out longer.
Brees, 40, is the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes. But the Saints went 5-0 without their star signal-caller last season as he recovered from a torn ligament in his throwing hand.
The Saints, who top the NFC South Division at 7-2, host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Taysom Hill will get the starting nod at quarterback ahead of Jameis Winston.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--The women who served as a deadly duo for the Taliban

Muzghan ( pictured in this confession video ) and her aunt Nasreen walked free from jail in September after confessing to being members of the Taliban 's ultra-violent Haqqani network Female assassins who lured an Afghan security official to his death with promises of sex before shooting him and dumping his body at a cemetery are among thousands of Taliban criminals freed as part of a fragile peace plan .
While the ultra-conservative Islamists ban women from many areas of life –- often forcing them to stay home and barring them from most jobs -- they are not above using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aunt Nasreen walked free from jail in September after confessing to being members of the Taliban 's ultra-violent Haqqani network .
The two women had been on death row after several killings , including the murder of an Afghan intelligence agent at their home .
They had used Nasreen 's daughter as bait `` under the pretext of selling her body '' , on the orders of a Taliban commander , a security official told AFP .
The pair then shot the man with a pistol fitted with a silencer and crammed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left in the local graveyard , case files say .
Court documents seen by AFP show the two were prolific killers -- adept not only at setting the deadly `` honeytrap '' but also at brute murders -- including of their own relatives .
Two men from their family who worked as policemen died at the women 's hands -- one was poisoned and the other killed when they planted a `` sticky bomb '' under the seat of his car .
It is not uncommon for relatives to take opposing sides in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 arrest , the pair also worked with other people including Muzghan 's husband to carry out a deadly grenade and shooting raid on a Sufi shrine , and another on a police station , their rap list adds .
`` I was arrested for murder , kidnapping and cooperating with the Haqqani network , '' Muzghan said in a video authorities made prior to her release .
`` I will not join this group again . ''
It is vanishingly rare for women to take part in attacks for the Taliban , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcing women to wear burqas and sometimes executing those accused of adultery .
Of more than 5,000 Taliban prisoners released under a prisoner swap that the insurgents made a precondition to peace talks with the Afghan government , only five were women .
Cases like theirs are `` almost unheard '' of , analyst Ashley Jackson from the Overseas Development Institute think tank said .
`` The Taliban 's norms and ideology firmly relegate women to the domestic sphere , '' she told AFP .
`` To allow them to take part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in waging the war , would go against core ideological tenets of the movement . ''
The prisoner swap , which also saw the Taliban free about 1,000 Afghan security forces , garnered international condemnation when it emerged insurgents who had killed foreign troops were being released .
Kabul has said many of the freed insurgents went straight back to the battlefield .
Nasreen and Muzghan were among a final batch of 400 of the most dangerous prisoners to be released .
Though the Taliban insisted on their freedom , spokesman Zabihullah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of Taliban families '' arrested during US operations .
`` Of course , women members of ( insurgent ) families cooperate ... but women are not included , recruited or ordered to take part in operations , '' he told AFP .
A third woman prisoner released in the swap was Nargis , an Iranian national who became an Afghan citizen and a police officer after marrying a local man .
She was convicted of killing a US police trainer in Kabul in 2012 , in what officials say was the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said two other women from insurgent families were among the released prisoners and all have now returned to their homes .

Kabul (AFP) –
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Female assassins who lured an Afghan security official to his death with promises of sex before shooting him and dumping his body at a cemetery are among thousands of Taliban criminals freed as part of a fragile peace plan.
While the ultra-conservative Islamists ban women from many areas of life –- often forcing them to stay home and barring them from most jobs -- they are not above using them as killers.
Muzghan and her aunt Nasreen walked free from jail in September after confessing to being members of the Taliban's ultra-violent Haqqani network.
The two women had been on death row after several killings, including the murder of an Afghan intelligence agent at their home.
They had used Nasreen's daughter as bait "under the pretext of selling her body", on the orders of a Taliban commander, a security official told AFP.
The pair then shot the man with a pistol fitted with a silencer and crammed his corpse into a metal box that they left in the local graveyard, case files say.
Court documents seen by AFP show the two were prolific killers -- adept not only at setting the deadly "honeytrap" but also at brute murders -- including of their own relatives.
Two men from their family who worked as policemen died at the women's hands -- one was poisoned and the other killed when they planted a "sticky bomb" under the seat of his car.
It is not uncommon for relatives to take opposing sides in Afghanistan's long-running conflict.
Before their 2016 arrest, the pair also worked with other people including Muzghan's husband to carry out a deadly grenade and shooting raid on a Sufi shrine, and another on a police station, their rap list adds.
"I was arrested for murder, kidnapping and cooperating with the Haqqani network," Muzghan said in a video authorities made prior to her release.
"I will not join this group again."
- 'Ordinary' family members -
It is vanishingly rare for women to take part in attacks for the Taliban, notorious for banning school for girls, forcing women to wear burqas and sometimes executing those accused of adultery.
Of more than 5,000 Taliban prisoners released under a prisoner swap that the insurgents made a precondition to peace talks with the Afghan government, only five were women.
Cases like theirs are "almost unheard" of, analyst Ashley Jackson from the Overseas Development Institute think tank said.
"The Taliban's norms and ideology firmly relegate women to the domestic sphere," she told AFP.
"To allow them to take part in, or admit that they played a role in waging the war, would go against core ideological tenets of the movement."
The prisoner swap, which also saw the Taliban free about 1,000 Afghan security forces, garnered international condemnation when it emerged insurgents who had killed foreign troops were being released.
Kabul has said many of the freed insurgents went straight back to the battlefield.
Nasreen and Muzghan were among a final batch of 400 of the most dangerous prisoners to be released.
Though the Taliban insisted on their freedom, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the women were "ordinary members of Taliban families" arrested during US operations.
"Of course, women members of (insurgent) families cooperate... but women are not included, recruited or ordered to take part in operations," he told AFP.
A third woman prisoner released in the swap was Nargis, an Iranian national who became an Afghan citizen and a police officer after marrying a local man.
She was convicted of killing a US police trainer in Kabul in 2012, in what officials say was the first insider attack by a woman.
Taliban officials said two other women from insurgent families were among the released prisoners and all have now returned to their homes.
© 2020 AFP