france24--2020-08-29--England give first call-ups to Maitland-Niles and Coady

Arsenal 's Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been called up by England Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Wolves defender Conor Coady received their first England call-ups on Saturday .
England manager Gareth Southgate named his squad for September 's Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark on Tuesday .
But Southgate was forced to withdraw Manchester United 's Harry Maguire from the group hours later following the defender 's guilty verdict in a Greek court case .
Maguire will appeal against the suspended prison sentence , but for now he remains out of the England squad .
Southgate has strengthened his options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time .
Wolves captain Coady has been a mainstay during their impressive two years back in the Premier League , helping the side to back-to-back seventh-placed finishes .
Maitland-Niles ' call-up made it a 23rd birthday to remember after he was voted man of the match in Arsenal 's Community Shield win against Liverpool at Wembley earlier in the day .
The pair will join the England squad at their St George 's Park training camp on Monday , but there could yet be further changes .
Manchester United forward Marcus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ankle issue , while there are reports that the coronavirus is impacting a number of England 's players .
England face Iceland in Reykjavik on September 5 before playing Denmark in Copenhagen three days later .

London (AFP) –
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Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Wolves defender Conor Coady received their first England call-ups on Saturday.
England manager Gareth Southgate named his squad for September's Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark on Tuesday.
But Southgate was forced to withdraw Manchester United's Harry Maguire from the group hours later following the defender's guilty verdict in a Greek court case.
Maguire will appeal against the suspended prison sentence, but for now he remains out of the England squad.
Southgate has strengthened his options by bringing in Coady and Maitland-Niles for the first time.
Wolves captain Coady has been a mainstay during their impressive two years back in the Premier League, helping the side to back-to-back seventh-placed finishes.
Maitland-Niles' call-up made it a 23rd birthday to remember after he was voted man of the match in Arsenal's Community Shield win against Liverpool at Wembley earlier in the day.
The pair will join the England squad at their St George's Park training camp on Monday, but there could yet be further changes.
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is believed to be suffering with an ankle issue, while there are reports that the coronavirus is impacting a number of England's players.
England face Iceland in Reykjavik on September 5 before playing Denmark in Copenhagen three days later.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-29--UAE formally ends Israel boycott amid US-brokered deal

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ( L ) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bump elbows ahead of making a joint statement to the press after meeting in Jerusalem , on August 24 , 2020 .
- Pompeo arrived in Israel kicking off a five-day visit to the Middle East which will take him to Sudan , the United Arab Emirates , and Bahrain , focusing on Israel 's normalising of ties with the UAE and pushing other Arab states to follow suit .
The ruler of the United Arab Emirates issued a decree Saturday formally ending the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal to normalize relations between the two countries .
The announcement now allows trade and commerce between the UAE , home to oil-rich Abu Dhabi and skyscraper-studded Dubai , and Israel , home to a thriving diamond trade , pharmaceutical companies and tech start-ups .
The announcement further cements the Aug 13 deal opening up relations between the two nations , which required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians .
But Palestinians so far have criticized the accord as undercutting one of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace negotiations .
The state-run WAM news agency said the decree formally ending the boycott came on the orders of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan , the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Emirates ' leader .
WAM said the new decree allows Israelis and Israeli firms to do business in the UAE , a U.S.-allied federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula .
It also allows for the purchase and trade of Israeli goods .
“ The decree of the new law comes within the UAE ’ s efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” WAM said .
It lays out “ a road map toward launching joint cooperation , leading to bilateral relations by stimulating economic growth and promoting technological innovation.
” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the decree .
“ This is an important step toward advancing peace and prosperity in the region , '' he said .
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said in a statement the UAE decision “ is an important step towards peace , which will yield substantial economic and commercial achievements for both people while strengthening the stability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Israeli firms had signed deals with Emirati counterparts .
But the repeal of the law widens the likelihood of other joint ventures , such as in aviation or in banking and finance .
Dubai International Airport , home to the long-haul carrier Emirates , has been the world 's busiest for international travel for years .
The Dubai International Financial Center also hosts major firms who trade in the hours between Asian and European markets .
Dubai already has a major gold market and growing diamond trade .
Emirati firms likely also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some already had even before the deal — with the cybersecurity firm DarkMatter reportedly hiring Israeli military-trained hackers .
On Monday , the first direct commercial flight by Israel 's flagship carrier El Al is expected in Abu Dhabi , carrying U.S. and Israeli officials including President Donald Trump 's son-in-law , Jared Kushner .
Telephone calls already can be made between the nations .
The decree formally eliminates a 1972 law on the UAE 's books since just after the country 's formation .
That law mirrored the widely held stance by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Israel would only come after the Palestinians had an independent state of their own .
Hanan Ashrawi , a senior Palestinian official , criticized the UAE 's decree Saturday as undercutting the efforts of the Boycott , Divest and Sanctions movement targeting Israel .
Israel has accused BDS activists of seeking to delegitimize its existence .
`` While ( hashtag ) BDS is proving to be an effective tool of peaceful resistance & responsible , ethical investment & consumer responsibility to hold Israel to account , this happens ! ''
Ashrawi wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militant group governing the Gaza Strip since seizing it in 2007 , has reiterated its rejection of the UAE-Israel deal and the ending of the boycott .
The decree “ boosts the normalization with the Israeli occupation and legitimizes it on the Palestinian land , '' Hamas official Bassem Naim said .
The decree shows the UAE 's eagerness to advance ties and maximize its potential benefits such as trade amid an economic slowdown , said Elham Fakhro , the senior Gulf analyst at the International Crisis Group .
“ The decision sends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to its decision to normalize relations with Israel , ” Fakhro said .
“ It does also raise questions about possible repercussions for anyone in the country calling for the boycott of Israeli goods , now that doing so contradicts the state policy . ''
The UAE is becoming the third Arab nation after Egypt and Jordan to currently have diplomatic relations with Israel .
However , while widespread public distrust of Israel persists in those nations , the UAE never fought a war against Israel , nor did it have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the UAE has held quiet talks with Israel and allowed Israelis with second passports into the country for trade and talks .
Opening ties may also help the Emirates access advanced American weaponry , like the F-35 fighter jet that right now only Israel flies in the Mideast .
Sheikh Khalifa has ruled the UAE since 2004 .
He suffered a stroke on Jan. 24 , 2014 , and underwent emergency surgery .
He has been rarely seen since in public , though state media typically publishes images of him around Islamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , has served as the UAE 's day-to-day ruler since Sheikh Khalifa 's stroke .
Sheikh Mohammed has focused on increasing the Emirates ' military might amid his suspicions of Iran — an enmity shared by Israel .
While Sheikh Khalifa holds the title of president , the UAE is governed by autocratic sheikhs .
Abu Dhabi , as the country 's oil-rich capital , has grown increasingly powerful since the UAE 's founding in 1971 despite each sheikhdom largely governing its own affairs .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mideast in recent days by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who hoped to build on the UAE-Israel deal .
The accord also came as a major foreign policy win to Trump as he campaigns ahead of the November election against Democratic candidate Joe Biden .
Both Israel and the UAE have viewed the Republican president as an ally .

The ruler of the United Arab Emirates issued a decree Saturday formally ending the country's boycott of Israel amid a U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations between the two countries.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bump elbows ahead of making a joint statement to the press after meeting in Jerusalem, on August 24, 2020. - Pompeo arrived in Israel kicking off a five-day visit to the Middle East which will take him to Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, focusing on Israel's normalising of ties with the UAE and pushing other Arab states to follow suit.
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The announcement now allows trade and commerce between the UAE, home to oil-rich Abu Dhabi and skyscraper-studded Dubai, and Israel, home to a thriving diamond trade, pharmaceutical companies and tech start-ups.
The announcement further cements the Aug 13 deal opening up relations between the two nations, which required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians. But Palestinians so far have criticized the accord as undercutting one of its few bargaining chips with Israelis in moribund peace negotiations.
The state-run WAM news agency said the decree formally ending the boycott came on the orders of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Emirates' leader.
WAM said the new decree allows Israelis and Israeli firms to do business in the UAE, a U.S.-allied federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. It also allows for the purchase and trade of Israeli goods.
“The decree of the new law comes within the UAE’s efforts to expand diplomatic and commercial cooperation with Israel,” WAM said. It lays out “a road map toward launching joint cooperation, leading to bilateral relations by stimulating economic growth and promoting technological innovation.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the decree. “This is an important step toward advancing peace and prosperity in the region," he said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said in a statement the UAE decision “is an important step towards peace, which will yield substantial economic and commercial achievements for both people while strengthening the stability in the region."
Already, some Israeli firms had signed deals with Emirati counterparts. But the repeal of the law widens the likelihood of other joint ventures, such as in aviation or in banking and finance.
Dubai International Airport, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates, has been the world's busiest for international travel for years. The Dubai International Financial Center also hosts major firms who trade in the hours between Asian and European markets. Dubai already has a major gold market and growing diamond trade.
Emirati firms likely also want to access Israeli technological know-how. Some already had even before the deal — with the cybersecurity firm DarkMatter reportedly hiring Israeli military-trained hackers.
On Monday, the first direct commercial flight by Israel's flagship carrier El Al is expected in Abu Dhabi, carrying U.S. and Israeli officials including President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Telephone calls already can be made between the nations.
The decree formally eliminates a 1972 law on the UAE's books since just after the country's formation. That law mirrored the widely held stance by Arab nations at that time that recognition of Israel would only come after the Palestinians had an independent state of their own.
Hamas lambasts deal
Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, criticized the UAE's decree Saturday as undercutting the efforts of the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement targeting Israel. Israel has accused BDS activists of seeking to delegitimize its existence.
"While (hashtag)BDS is proving to be an effective tool of peaceful resistance & responsible, ethical investment & consumer responsibility to hold Israel to account, this happens!" Ashrawi wrote on Twitter.
Hamas, the Islamic militant group governing the Gaza Strip since seizing it in 2007, has reiterated its rejection of the UAE-Israel deal and the ending of the boycott.
The decree “boosts the normalization with the Israeli occupation and legitimizes it on the Palestinian land," Hamas official Bassem Naim said.
The decree shows the UAE's eagerness to advance ties and maximize its potential benefits such as trade amid an economic slowdown, said Elham Fakhro, the senior Gulf analyst at the International Crisis Group.
“The decision sends a clear message that the UAE is committed to its decision to normalize relations with Israel,” Fakhro said. “It does also raise questions about possible repercussions for anyone in the country calling for the boycott of Israeli goods, now that doing so contradicts the state policy."
The UAE is becoming the third Arab nation after Egypt and Jordan to currently have diplomatic relations with Israel. However, while widespread public distrust of Israel persists in those nations, the UAE never fought a war against Israel, nor did it have a historic Jewish population.
In recent years, the UAE has held quiet talks with Israel and allowed Israelis with second passports into the country for trade and talks. Opening ties may also help the Emirates access advanced American weaponry, like the F-35 fighter jet that right now only Israel flies in the Mideast.
Sheikh Khalifa has ruled the UAE since 2004. He suffered a stroke on Jan. 24, 2014, and underwent emergency surgery. He has been rarely seen since in public, though state media typically publishes images of him around Islamic holidays.
Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has served as the UAE's day-to-day ruler since Sheikh Khalifa's stroke. Sheikh Mohammed has focused on increasing the Emirates' military might amid his suspicions of Iran — an enmity shared by Israel.
While Sheikh Khalifa holds the title of president, the UAE is governed by autocratic sheikhs. Abu Dhabi, as the country's oil-rich capital, has grown increasingly powerful since the UAE's founding in 1971 despite each sheikhdom largely governing its own affairs.
The decree comes after a trip through the Mideast in recent days by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who hoped to build on the UAE-Israel deal.
The accord also came as a major foreign policy win to Trump as he campaigns ahead of the November election against Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Both Israel and the UAE have viewed the Republican president as an ally.
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-29--Djokovic rallies past Raonic to win US Open tuneup title

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic rallied to defeat Canada 's Milos Raonic 1-6 , 6-3 , 6-4 in Saturday 's ATP Western & Southern Open final , remaining unbeaten this year only two days before his first US Open match .
The 33-year-old Serbian star won his 80th career title , improving to 23-0 in 2020 and 11-0 all-time against Raonic , while capturing his 35th ATP Masters Series crown , matching Rafael Nadal 's all-time record .
Djokovic is set to launch his quest for a fourth US Open title and 18th career Grand Slam crown against Bosnia and Herzegovina 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arthur Ashe Stadium .
The victory gives Djokovic a double career sweep of all nine ATP Masters Series titles while Raonic has gone winless in 63 Masters Series starts .
The US Open tuneup event , usually played in Cincinnati , was moved to New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic and played inside the same quarantine bubble at the National Tennis Center where the US Open will be staged .
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka won the WTA title by walkover when Japan 's Naomi Osaka withdrew from the final with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not the way we wanted it , '' said Azarenka .
`` It 's not easy times in the world right now but we 're here and we 're trying to do our best . ''
In the third set , Raonic broke to lead 2-0 when Djokovic sent a forehand long , but Djokovic broke back at love , Raonic netting a backhand on the final point , and broke again in the fifth game , seizing a 3-2 edge when the Canadian netted a forehand .
Djokovic held serve from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours when Raonic netted a forehand .
Raonic , who dropped his serve only twice this week before the final , took the first set on an ace after 30 minutes .
Djokovic saved a break point in the second game on a service winner but Raonic broke through in the fourth game and Djokovic double faulted away another break to hand the Canadian a 5-1 lead .
In the second set , Djokovic got his first break-point chance of the match in the sixth game when Raonic sent a forehand long and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seize a 4-2 edge .
Djokovic then held at love and again in the ninth game to claim the set from 0-30 when Raonic netted a forehand .
Azarenka took her biggest victory since the 2016 Miami Open and her first since a break to become a mother .
`` It has been a long time since I felt like I wanted to play and go after every point and I 'm very thankful for that , '' Azarenka said .
`` I 've been going through a lot of personal things .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try .
I worked really hard .
I 'm glad it 's paying off . ''
The 31-year-old Belrussian captured the 2012 and 2013 Australian Opens and lost the same years in the US Open final .

New York (AFP) –
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Top-ranked Novak Djokovic rallied to defeat Canada's Milos Raonic 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Saturday's ATP Western & Southern Open final, remaining unbeaten this year only two days before his first US Open match.
The 33-year-old Serbian star won his 80th career title, improving to 23-0 in 2020 and 11-0 all-time against Raonic, while capturing his 35th ATP Masters Series crown, matching Rafael Nadal's all-time record.
Djokovic is set to launch his quest for a fourth US Open title and 18th career Grand Slam crown against Bosnia and Herzegovina's 107th-ranked Damir Dzumhur on Monday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The victory gives Djokovic a double career sweep of all nine ATP Masters Series titles while Raonic has gone winless in 63 Masters Series starts.
The US Open tuneup event, usually played in Cincinnati, was moved to New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic and played inside the same quarantine bubble at the National Tennis Center where the US Open will be staged.
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka won the WTA title by walkover when Japan's Naomi Osaka withdrew from the final with a left hamstring injury.
"It's not the way we wanted it," said Azarenka. "It's not easy times in the world right now but we're here and we're trying to do our best."
In the third set, Raonic broke to lead 2-0 when Djokovic sent a forehand long, but Djokovic broke back at love, Raonic netting a backhand on the final point, and broke again in the fifth game, seizing a 3-2 edge when the Canadian netted a forehand.
Djokovic held serve from there to claim the crown after two hours when Raonic netted a forehand.
Raonic, who dropped his serve only twice this week before the final, took the first set on an ace after 30 minutes. Djokovic saved a break point in the second game on a service winner but Raonic broke through in the fourth game and Djokovic double faulted away another break to hand the Canadian a 5-1 lead.
In the second set, Djokovic got his first break-point chance of the match in the sixth game when Raonic sent a forehand long and capitalized with a backhand crosscourt winner to seize a 4-2 edge. Djokovic then held at love and again in the ninth game to claim the set from 0-30 when Raonic netted a forehand.
- Azarenka revitalized -
Azarenka took her biggest victory since the 2016 Miami Open and her first since a break to become a mother.
"It has been a long time since I felt like I wanted to play and go after every point and I'm very thankful for that," Azarenka said.
"I've been going through a lot of personal things. I wanted to give myself an opportunity to try. I worked really hard. I'm glad it's paying off."
The 31-year-old Belrussian captured the 2012 and 2013 Australian Opens and lost the same years in the US Open final.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-29--'Stupid' to ignore Tour truce, says Ineos rider Rowe

That hurt !
Groupama-FDJ rider Thibaut Pinot and Team Sunweb rider Marc Hirschi crash to the ground Ineos rider Luke Rowe said Saturday that the decision to call a truce on the rain-lashed and treacherous opening stage of the Tour de France was the right move and blasted a rival as `` stupid '' for ignoring it .
The stage , which started and ended on Nice 's Promenade des Anglais , was won by Norway 's Alexander Kristoff .
However , it was marred by so many crashes that it became a lottery before agreement was reached to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Whilst you want to race and put on the best show , you could see how many crashes there were and that was with the three descents at a very careful speed , '' said Rowe , who was thrown off last year 's Tour for a punch .
In the absence of previous winners Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas , 30-year-old Rowe from Cardiff might not be the key rider at Ineos .
However , he is an influential voice even if rivals may not want to hear him .
Rowe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Astana team had not co-operated with the truce .
`` As a result their leader was left on his back .
They made themselves look pretty stupid , '' said Rowe .
The Tour de France should have been held in June , but the two-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic means more poor weather is expected .
`` Most teams had like four of their riders hit the ground , '' said Rowe .
`` The problem was it has n't rained for two , three months , then it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think half the teams had around half of their team who hit the ground today . ''
Accidents in cycling have been headline events in recent weeks .
Belgian rookie Remco Evenepoel plunged head first into a ravine at the Tour of Lombardy while sprinter Fabio Jakobsen said he felt `` lucky to be alive '' after a horror crash at the Tour of Poland .
`` We got this riders organisation with a couple of guys in each team and we spoke about it last night , how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Rowe .
His team leader and defending Tour champion Egan Bernal looked calm and relaxed after the stage .
`` It was a really dangerous race but I 'm okay , it was quite stressful .
There were a tremendous amount of falls and you really had to concentrate , '' said the 23-year-old .
Bora-Hansgrohe rider Peter Sagan , fifth on Saturday , said `` the last mile was crazy '' .
`` Actually the last five was entirely with a headwind .
Everyone was nervous .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , with a headwind , are always a lottery , '' said the former world champion .
Ireland 's Sam Bennett of the Deceuninck team , who was fourth , said the truce was the correct decision .
`` It was a dangerous day with the road so slippery , '' he said .
`` I was fine on the climb , the problem was that we went slow and neutralised the descent .
Others were able to get into the peloton .
`` But I think it was a good decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if when you have made an effort , you want the race to continue . ''

Nice (France) (AFP) –
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Ineos rider Luke Rowe said Saturday that the decision to call a truce on the rain-lashed and treacherous opening stage of the Tour de France was the right move and blasted a rival as "stupid" for ignoring it.
The stage, which started and ended on Nice's Promenade des Anglais, was won by Norway's Alexander Kristoff.
However, it was marred by so many crashes that it became a lottery before agreement was reached to slow the pace to avoid further damage.
"Whilst you want to race and put on the best show, you could see how many crashes there were and that was with the three descents at a very careful speed," said Rowe, who was thrown off last year's Tour for a punch.
In the absence of previous winners Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, 30-year-old Rowe from Cardiff might not be the key rider at Ineos.
However, he is an influential voice even if rivals may not want to hear him.
Rowe claimed Colombian rider Miguel Angel Lopez and his Astana team had not co-operated with the truce.
Lopez crashed heavily into a traffic sign.
"As a result their leader was left on his back. They made themselves look pretty stupid," said Rowe.
The Tour de France should have been held in June, but the two-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic means more poor weather is expected.
"Most teams had like four of their riders hit the ground," said Rowe.
"The problem was it hasn't rained for two, three months, then it rains and it was literally like ice.
"I think half the teams had around half of their team who hit the ground today."
Accidents in cycling have been headline events in recent weeks.
Belgian rookie Remco Evenepoel plunged head first into a ravine at the Tour of Lombardy while sprinter Fabio Jakobsen said he felt "lucky to be alive" after a horror crash at the Tour of Poland.
"We got this riders organisation with a couple of guys in each team and we spoke about it last night, how we can look after each other when needed," said Rowe.
His team leader and defending Tour champion Egan Bernal looked calm and relaxed after the stage.
"It was a really dangerous race but I'm okay, it was quite stressful. There were a tremendous amount of falls and you really had to concentrate," said the 23-year-old.
Bora-Hansgrohe rider Peter Sagan, fifth on Saturday, said "the last mile was crazy".
"Actually the last five was entirely with a headwind. Everyone was nervous. It was a huge mess. All sprints like that, with a headwind, are always a lottery," said the former world champion.
Ireland's Sam Bennett of the Deceuninck team, who was fourth, said the truce was the correct decision.
"It was a dangerous day with the road so slippery," he said.
"I was fine on the climb, the problem was that we went slow and neutralised the descent. Others were able to get into the peloton.
"But I think it was a good decision to do everything to be safe even if when you have made an effort, you want the race to continue."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-30--Confirmed global coronavirus cases top 25 million

Passengers with face masks arrive in the main train station in Frankfurt , Germany , on August 27 , 2020 .
Global coronavirus infections soared past 25 million on Sunday , as countries around the world further tightened restrictions to try to stop the rampaging pandemic .
A million additional cases have been detected globally roughly every four days since mid-July , according to an AFP tally , with India on Sunday setting the record for the highest single-day rise in cases with 78,761 .
The surge in India , home to 1.3 billion people , came as the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help ease pressure on the reeling economy .
The Reuters news agency 's running tally also saw world coronavirus cases surpass the 25 million mark on Sunday .
Even nations such as New Zealand and South Korea , which had previously brought their outbreaks largely under control , are now battling new clusters of infections .
On the other side of the world , Latin America – the worst-hit region – was still struggling with its first wave , with Covid-19 deaths in Brazil crossing 120,000 , second only to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stabilised now , but at a very dangerous level : nearly 1,000 deaths and 40,000 cases per day '' , said Christovam Barcellos , a researcher at public health institute Fiocruz .
`` And Brazil still is n't past the peak . ''
The official number of global coronavirus cases is now at least five times the number of severe influenza illnesses recorded annually , according to World Health Organization data .
Around the world , there have been more than 840,000 deaths , considered a lagging indicator given the two-week incubation period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upper range of 290,000 to 650,000 annual deaths linked to influenza .
With no vaccine or effective treatment available yet , governments have been forced to resort to some form of social distancing and lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus .
Masks will become mandatory from Monday on public transport and flights in New Zealand , which went more than 100 days without local transmission before the current cluster emerged .
And tightened virus curbs kicked in on Sunday in South Korea , which is also battling fresh clusters – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to half the country 's population .
Despite the grim numbers , there has been steady opposition to lockdowns and social distancing measures in many parts of the world , often because of their crushing economic cost .
But resistance has also come from the extreme right and left of the political spectrum , as well as conspiracy theorists and anti-vaccine campaigners .
In Berlin on Saturday , around 18,000 people gathered to march against coronavirus restrictions – but police later stopped the rally because many were not respecting social distancing measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slogans against Chancellor Angela Merkel often used by the far-right Alternative for Germany ( AfD ) party .
Many carried placards promoting widely debunked conspiracy theories about vaccines , face masks and 5G communications .
Similar protests were held in London and Zurich , where some carried signs supporting the far-right QAnon movement , which promotes bizarre theories about Satan-worshipping cabals and `` deep state '' plots – without any credible evidence .
The pandemic has upended economies and societies around the world , and halted most large gatherings – from sport and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tour de France set off from the French Riviera on Saturday , two months later than planned and with the French sport minister not ruling out the cancellation of the event because of the coronavirus .
Under the Tour rules , a team with two positive tests in its entourage would be expelled .
A virus testing cell will travel with the teams throughout the race .
The world 's top sport , culture and music events are struggling with the challenge of hosting spectators while reducing the risk of virus transmission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New York , once among the world 's biggest coronavirus hotspots .
Visitors raised their arms , clapped and lined up to get tickets as New York 's Metropolitan Museum of Art reopened its doors to the public in a festive atmosphere after a six-month closure .
Tracy-Ann Samuel , who came with her daughters aged four and nine , said she could n't wait to again be `` surrounded by beautiful art '' .
`` It means that there is some semblance of normalcy , '' Samuel said .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York history for over 150 years ...
So this is a big first step . ''
The global pace of new infections has steadied a little .
It has taken about three weeks for the caseload to jump by 5 million cases to 25 million .
That compared with the 19 , 24 and 39 days it took , respectively , to add 5 million cases to the 20 million , 15 million and 10 million marks .
The rate of new daily cases has slowed to around 1.2 percent over August so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July , 1.8 percent in June , 2.1 percent in May , 4.6 percent in April and 7.7 percent in March .
Health experts stress that official data almost certainly underreports both infections and deaths , particularly in countries with limited testing capacity .
While Covid-19 's trajectory still falls far short of the 1918 Spanish flu , which infected an estimated 500 million people , killing at least 10 percent of patients , experts worry the available data is underplaying the true impact of the pandemic .

Global coronavirus infections soared past 25 million on Sunday, as countries around the world further tightened restrictions to try to stop the rampaging pandemic.
Passengers with face masks arrive in the main train station in Frankfurt, Germany, on August 27, 2020.
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A million additional cases have been detected globally roughly every four days since mid-July, according to an AFP tally, with India on Sunday setting the record for the highest single-day rise in cases with 78,761.
The surge in India, home to 1.3 billion people, came as the government further eased lockdown restrictions on the weekend to help ease pressure on the reeling economy.
The Reuters news agency's running tally also saw world coronavirus cases surpass the 25 million mark on Sunday.
Even nations such as New Zealand and South Korea, which had previously brought their outbreaks largely under control, are now battling new clusters of infections.
On the other side of the world, Latin America – the worst-hit region – was still struggling with its first wave, with Covid-19 deaths in Brazil crossing 120,000, second only to the United States.
Brazil's curve "has stabilised now, but at a very dangerous level: nearly 1,000 deaths and 40,000 cases per day", said Christovam Barcellos, a researcher at public health institute Fiocruz.
"And Brazil still isn't past the peak."
The official number of global coronavirus cases is now at least five times the number of severe influenza illnesses recorded annually, according to World Health Organization data.
Around the world, there have been more than 840,000 deaths, considered a lagging indicator given the two-week incubation period of the virus. That has exceeded the upper range of 290,000 to 650,000 annual deaths linked to influenza.
With no vaccine or effective treatment available yet, governments have been forced to resort to some form of social distancing and lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus.
Masks will become mandatory from Monday on public transport and flights in New Zealand, which went more than 100 days without local transmission before the current cluster emerged.
And tightened virus curbs kicked in on Sunday in South Korea, which is also battling fresh clusters – including in the greater Seoul region, home to half the country's population.
'Anti-corona' rallies in Europe
Despite the grim numbers, there has been steady opposition to lockdowns and social distancing measures in many parts of the world, often because of their crushing economic cost.
But resistance has also come from the extreme right and left of the political spectrum, as well as conspiracy theorists and anti-vaccine campaigners.
01:43
In Berlin on Saturday, around 18,000 people gathered to march against coronavirus restrictions – but police later stopped the rally because many were not respecting social distancing measures.
Protesters waved German flags and shouted slogans against Chancellor Angela Merkel often used by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Many carried placards promoting widely debunked conspiracy theories about vaccines, face masks and 5G communications.
Similar protests were held in London and Zurich, where some carried signs supporting the far-right QAnon movement, which promotes bizarre theories about Satan-worshipping cabals and "deep state" plots – without any credible evidence.
'A big first step'
The pandemic has upended economies and societies around the world, and halted most large gatherings – from sport and music to religion and politics.
The Tour de France set off from the French Riviera on Saturday, two months later than planned and with the French sport minister not ruling out the cancellation of the event because of the coronavirus.
🎤 🇳🇴 - @Kristoff87 - @TeamUAEAbuDhabi
A perfect day for the Norwegian 💛
"Je vais porter le @MaillotJauneLCL, c'est un rêve !"
Un jour parfait pour le Norvégien 💛#TDF2020 pic.twitter.com/KpFkw0hoJe — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) August 29, 2020
Under the Tour rules, a team with two positive tests in its entourage would be expelled. A virus testing cell will travel with the teams throughout the race.
The world's top sport, culture and music events are struggling with the challenge of hosting spectators while reducing the risk of virus transmission.
But there was some cheer on Saturday in New York, once among the world's biggest coronavirus hotspots.
Visitors raised their arms, clapped and lined up to get tickets as New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art reopened its doors to the public in a festive atmosphere after a six-month closure.
The day is heeeeeeere! Friends, art-lovers, New Yorkers—welcome back. The Met reopens today at 10 am. ❤

Are you headed to The Met this weekend? Tag us in your photos and tell us about your Museum visit!

📸: @taylorehill pic.twitter.com/bPsLkU8iaI — The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum) August 29, 2020
Tracy-Ann Samuel, who came with her daughters aged four and nine, said she couldn't wait to again be "surrounded by beautiful art".
"It means that there is some semblance of normalcy," Samuel said.
"The Met has been a part of New York history for over 150 years ... So this is a big first step."
Underreporting
The global pace of new infections has steadied a little. It has taken about three weeks for the caseload to jump by 5 million cases to 25 million. That compared with the 19, 24 and 39 days it took, respectively, to add 5 million cases to the 20 million, 15 million and 10 million marks.
The rate of new daily cases has slowed to around 1.2 percent over August so far. That compared with 1.7 percent in July, 1.8 percent in June, 2.1 percent in May, 4.6 percent in April and 7.7 percent in March.
Health experts stress that official data almost certainly underreports both infections and deaths, particularly in countries with limited testing capacity.
While Covid-19's trajectory still falls far short of the 1918 Spanish flu, which infected an estimated 500 million people, killing at least 10 percent of patients, experts worry the available data is underplaying the true impact of the pandemic.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-30--Trump supporters clash with Black Lives Matter protesters in Portland

A Black Lives Matter protester scuffles with attendees of a pro-Trump rally during an event held to show support for the president on August 29 , 2020 in Clackamas , Oregon .
Clashes erupted Saturday in Portland , Oregon , between supporters of President Donald Trump and Black Lives Matter protesters , police said .
One person was shot and killed but it was not clear whether his death was directly linked to the unrest .
One person was shot and killed late Saturday in Portland , Oregon , as a large caravan of President Donald Trump supporters and Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
It wasn ’ t clear if the shooting was linked to fights that broke out as a caravan of about 600 vehicles was confronted by protesters in the city ’ s downtown .
An Associated Press freelance photographer heard three gunshots and then observed police medics working on the body of the victim , who appeared to be a white man .
The freelancer said the man was wearing a hat bearing the insignia of Patriot Prayer , a right-wing group whose members have frequently clashed with protesters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not release any additional details and were at the scene investigating late Saturday .
“ Portland Police officers heard sounds of gunfire from the area of Southeast 3rd Avenue and Southwest Alder Street .
They responded and located a victim with a gunshot wound to the chest .
Medical responded and determined that the victim was deceased , ” the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement .
Portland has been the site of nightly protests for more than three months since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested by local and federal law enforcement since late May .
The caravan arrived downtown just as a protest planned for Saturday was getting underway .
Police made several arrests before the shooting and advised residents to avoid the city core .
The chaotic scene came two days after Trump invoked Portland as a liberal city overrun with violence in a speech at the Republican National Convention as part of his “ law and order ” re-election campaign theme .
The caravan marked the third Saturday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city .
Trump and other speakers at this week 's convention evoked a violent , dystopian future if Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden wins in November and pointed to Portland as a cautionary tale for what would be in store for Americans .
The pro-Trump rally 's organizer , who coordinated a similar caravan in Boise , Idaho , earlier in the week , said in a video posted on Twitter Saturday afternoon that attendees should only carry concealed weapons and the route was being kept secret for safety reasons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ day at a suburban mall and drove as a group to the heart of Portland .
As they arrived in the city , protesters attempted to stop them by standing in the street and blocking bridges .
Videos from the scene showed sporadic fighting , as well as Trump supporters firing paintball pellets at opponents and using bear spray as counter-protesters threw things at the Trump caravan .
The shooting happened shortly before 9 p.m. Pacific , several hours after the caravan began arriving in Portland .
The Black Lives Matter demonstrations usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some protesters have called for reductions in police budgets while the city ’ s mayor and some in the Black community have decried the violence , saying it ’ s counterproductive .
Early Saturday morning , fires set outside a police union building that is a frequent site for protests prompted police to declare a riot .
An accelerant was used to ignite a mattress and other debris that was laid against the door of the Portland Police Association building , police said in a statement .
At least one dumpster had also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby .
The commotion followed a sit-in in the lobby of the Portland mayor ’ s condominium building Friday night .

Clashes erupted Saturday in Portland, Oregon, between supporters of President Donald Trump and Black Lives Matter protesters, police said. One person was shot and killed but it was not clear whether his death was directly linked to the unrest.
A Black Lives Matter protester scuffles with attendees of a pro-Trump rally during an event held to show support for the president on August 29, 2020 in Clackamas, Oregon.
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One person was shot and killed late Saturday in Portland, Oregon, as a large caravan of President Donald Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter protesters clashed in the streets, police said.
It wasn’t clear if the shooting was linked to fights that broke out as a caravan of about 600 vehicles was confronted by protesters in the city’s downtown.
An Associated Press freelance photographer heard three gunshots and then observed police medics working on the body of the victim, who appeared to be a white man. The freelancer said the man was wearing a hat bearing the insignia of Patriot Prayer, a right-wing group whose members have frequently clashed with protesters in Portland in the past.
Police did not release any additional details and were at the scene investigating late Saturday.
“Portland Police officers heard sounds of gunfire from the area of Southeast 3rd Avenue and Southwest Alder Street. They responded and located a victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. Medical responded and determined that the victim was deceased,” the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement.
Portland has been the site of nightly protests for more than three months since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Many of them end in vandalism and violence, and hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested by local and federal law enforcement since late May. The caravan arrived downtown just as a protest planned for Saturday was getting underway. Police made several arrests before the shooting and advised residents to avoid the city core.
The chaotic scene came two days after Trump invoked Portland as a liberal city overrun with violence in a speech at the Republican National Convention as part of his “law and order” re-election campaign theme. The caravan marked the third Saturday in a row that Trump supporters have rallied in the city.
Trump and other speakers at this week's convention evoked a violent, dystopian future if Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden wins in November and pointed to Portland as a cautionary tale for what would be in store for Americans.
The pro-Trump rally's organizer, who coordinated a similar caravan in Boise, Idaho, earlier in the week, said in a video posted on Twitter Saturday afternoon that attendees should only carry concealed weapons and the route was being kept secret for safety reasons.
The caravan had gathered earlier in the day at a suburban mall and drove as a group to the heart of Portland. As they arrived in the city, protesters attempted to stop them by standing in the street and blocking bridges.
Videos from the scene showed sporadic fighting, as well as Trump supporters firing paintball pellets at opponents and using bear spray as counter-protesters threw things at the Trump caravan.
The shooting happened shortly before 9 p.m. Pacific, several hours after the caravan began arriving in Portland.
The Black Lives Matter demonstrations usually target police buildings and federal buildings. Some protesters have called for reductions in police budgets while the city’s mayor and some in the Black community have decried the violence, saying it’s counterproductive.
Early Saturday morning, fires set outside a police union building that is a frequent site for protests prompted police to declare a riot.
An accelerant was used to ignite a mattress and other debris that was laid against the door of the Portland Police Association building, police said in a statement. At least one dumpster had also been set on fire in the street nearby.
The commotion followed a sit-in in the lobby of the Portland mayor’s condominium building Friday night.
(AP)
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france24--2020-08-30--Half of Lebanese could face food shortages: UN

Lebanon relies on imports for 85 percent of its food needs and the annihilation of the grain silos in the August 4 monster blast at the Beirut port could worsen an already alarming situation More than half of Lebanon 's population risk facing a food crisis in the aftermath of a Beirut port blast that compounded the country 's many woes , a UN agency said Sunday .
`` More than half of the country 's population is at risk of failing to access their basic food needs by the year 's end , '' the UN Economic and Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Immediate measures should be taken to prevent a food crisis , '' ESCWA executive secretary Rola Dashti said .
Lebanon 's government , she said , must prioritise the rebuilding of silos at the Beirut port , the country 's largest grain storage .
Lebanon was mired in an economic collapse even before the cataclysmic August 4 cataclysmic blast at Beirut 's port , which killed 188 people , wounded thousands and destroyed swathes of the capital .
Lebanon defaulted on its debt , while the local currency has plummeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poverty rates have soared , on top of a spike in the number of coronavirus cases .
`` The yearly average inflation rate is expected to be more than 50 percent in 2020 , compared with 2.9 percent in 2019 , '' ESCWA said in a statement .
Lebanon relies on imports for 85 percent of its food needs and the annihilation of the silos at the Beirut port could worsen an already alarming situation , aid agencies and experts have said .
ESCWA said increased transaction costs of food imports could lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To prevent a crisis , authorities must set a ceiling for food prices and encourage direct sales from local producers to consumers , Dashti added She also urged the international community to `` expand food security programmes targeting refugees and host communities '' to help defuse `` potential social tensions '' .
Earlier this month , ESCWA said more than 55 percent of the Lebanese are `` trapped in poverty and struggling for bare necessities '' .

Beirut (AFP) –
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More than half of Lebanon's population risk facing a food crisis in the aftermath of a Beirut port blast that compounded the country's many woes, a UN agency said Sunday.
"More than half of the country's population is at risk of failing to access their basic food needs by the year's end," the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) said.
"Immediate measures should be taken to prevent a food crisis," ESCWA executive secretary Rola Dashti said.
Lebanon's government, she said, must prioritise the rebuilding of silos at the Beirut port, the country's largest grain storage.
Lebanon was mired in an economic collapse even before the cataclysmic August 4 cataclysmic blast at Beirut's port, which killed 188 people, wounded thousands and destroyed swathes of the capital.
Lebanon defaulted on its debt, while the local currency has plummeted in value on the black market and poverty rates have soared, on top of a spike in the number of coronavirus cases.
"The yearly average inflation rate is expected to be more than 50 percent in 2020, compared with 2.9 percent in 2019," ESCWA said in a statement.
Lebanon relies on imports for 85 percent of its food needs and the annihilation of the silos at the Beirut port could worsen an already alarming situation, aid agencies and experts have said.
ESCWA said increased transaction costs of food imports could lead to a further rise in prices.
To prevent a crisis, authorities must set a ceiling for food prices and encourage direct sales from local producers to consumers, Dashti added
She also urged the international community to "expand food security programmes targeting refugees and host communities" to help defuse "potential social tensions".
Earlier this month, ESCWA said more than 55 percent of the Lebanese are "trapped in poverty and struggling for bare necessities".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-30--Lotto's Gilbert out of Tour with knee fracture

Lotto Soudal 's Philippe Gilbert broke his knee on the rain-slick roads around Nice on stage 1 Belgian veteran Philippe Gilbert is out of the Tour de France having fractured a knee in one of the dozens of falls that marked a slapdash stage 1 run around the rain-slick roads of Nice .
His loss is a double blow to the Lotto Soudal team as another senior rider , John Degenkolb , was judged to have been too slow by the race referees and was disqualified .
Gilbert is a former world champion and has won multiple major one-day races @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tour de France yellow jersey .
`` What a disappointment for us , '' said Gilbert , one of Belgium 's best loved sports stars .
The Lotto captain joined the team this season and his loss damages the team 's Tour efforts , but Gilbert reserved his anger for the treatment of his teammate Degenkolb .
`` John gave everything , but got zero respect from the commissaires , '' he said .
`` With the rain and all crashes , at least he deserved more respect . ''
Several riders have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , and the Astana captain Miguel Angel Lopez was criticised for racing too aggressively , gamely attacking downhill in the rain before smashing face first into a sign post .
But 2011 Tour de France champion Britain 's Bradley Wiggins told any moaners to toughen up .
`` Racing is becoming more competitive and riders are willing to take more risks in order to get that win .
It ’ s a tough sport , if you don ’ t like it , probably retire , '' he said on British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was won by Norwegian veteran Alexander Kristoff , who is unlikely however to hold his overall lead over the two category 1 mountains in Sunday 's foray into the low Alps .

Nice (France) (AFP) –
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Belgian veteran Philippe Gilbert is out of the Tour de France having fractured a knee in one of the dozens of falls that marked a slapdash stage 1 run around the rain-slick roads of Nice.
His loss is a double blow to the Lotto Soudal team as another senior rider, John Degenkolb, was judged to have been too slow by the race referees and was disqualified.
Gilbert is a former world champion and has won multiple major one-day races and had the honour of wearing the Tour de France yellow jersey.
"What a disappointment for us," said Gilbert, one of Belgium's best loved sports stars.
The Lotto captain joined the team this season and his loss damages the team's Tour efforts, but Gilbert reserved his anger for the treatment of his teammate Degenkolb.
"John gave everything, but got zero respect from the commissaires," he said. "With the rain and all crashes, at least he deserved more respect."
Several riders have complained about the race being too dangerous on Saturday, and the Astana captain Miguel Angel Lopez was criticised for racing too aggressively, gamely attacking downhill in the rain before smashing face first into a sign post.
But 2011 Tour de France champion Britain's Bradley Wiggins told any moaners to toughen up.
"Racing is becoming more competitive and riders are willing to take more risks in order to get that win. It’s a tough sport, if you don’t like it, probably retire," he said on British television.
Stage 1 of the tour was won by Norwegian veteran Alexander Kristoff, who is unlikely however to hold his overall lead over the two category 1 mountains in Sunday's foray into the low Alps.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-30--Senior French military officer under investigation for 'security breach'

French Defence Minister Florence Parly ( C ) on a visit to a military air base in Jordan on August 28 , 2020 .
French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said on Sunday that an investigation had been launched into a senior French officer stationed with NATO who is suspected of being behind a `` security breach '' .
French media reported the officer is believed to have transmitted sensitive documents to Russia .
According to Europe 1 radio , a French lieutenant colonel based in Italy and stationed with NATO is suspected of having transmitted sensitive documents to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry had informed prosecutors about the case .
She did not elaborate on what the officer was suspected of having done .
`` What I can confirm is that a senior officer is facing legal proceedings for a security breach , '' Florence Parly told Europe 1 radio , CNews and Les Echos newspaper .
`` We have implemented all the necessary safeguards , '' Parly said .
The man was arrested by DGSI intelligence service as he was about to leave for Italy at the end of his holidays in France , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Paris , according to Europe 1 .

French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said on Sunday that an investigation had been launched into a senior French officer who is suspected of being behind a "security breach". According to French media and a judicial source, the officer is believed to have transmitted sensitive documents to a "foreign power", possibly Russia.
French Defence Minister Florence Parly (C) on a visit to a military air base in Jordan on August 28, 2020.
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Europe 1 radio reported that a French lieutenant colonel based in Italy and stationed with NATO is suspected of having transmitted sensitive documents to the Russian secret services.
Parly said her ministry had informed prosecutors about the case. She did not elaborate on what the officer was suspected of having done.
"What I can confirm is that a senior officer is facing legal proceedings for a security breach," Florence Parly told Europe 1 radio, CNews and Les Echos newspaper.
"We have implemented all the necessary safeguards," Parly said.
A judicial source later confirmed that a senior officer had been indicted on charges involving "intelligence with a foreign power that undermines the fundamental interests of the nation".
He is being prosecuted for "delivering information to a foreign power" as well as "collecting information harming the fundamental interests of the nation with a view to delivering them to a foreign power" and "compromising the secrecy of national defence", the source said.
The man was arrested by DGSI intelligence service as he was about to leave for Italy at the end of his holidays in France and is being held at a prison in Paris, according to Europe 1.
The official speaks Russian and was seen in Italy with a man identified as an agent of the GRU, the Russian military intelligence service, Europe 1 reported.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-08-30--Messi anonymous as Barca players gather for pre-season tests

A boy wearing a Lionel Messi shirt waits for the Argentinian to arrive for coronavirus tests at Barcelona 's training @ @ @ @ @ Messi was not seen attending Barcelona 's training ground for coronavirus tests on Sunday morning @ @ @ @ @ will boycott pre-season to force his way out of the club .
Barca 's new @ @ @ @ @ players entered through the front entrance to the Ciutat Esportiva but Messi was not among @ @ @ @ @ journalists at Sant Joan Despi .
Messi was due for testing at 10.15am , claimed @ @ @ @ @ , but had already instructed the club through his lawyers that he would not be @ @ @ @ @ a coronavirus test , Messi will be unable to attend Koeman 's first pre-season training @ @ @ @ @ the start of the new La Liga season less than two weeks away .

Barcelona (AFP) –
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Lionel Messi was not seen attending Barcelona's training ground for coronavirus tests on Sunday morning, raising the possibility he will boycott pre-season to force his way out of the club.
Barca's new coach Ronald Koeman and first-team players entered through the front entrance to the Ciutat Esportiva but Messi was not among them, according to AFP journalists at Sant Joan Despi.
Messi was due for testing at 10.15am, claimed reports in the Spanish press, but had already instructed the club through his lawyers that he would not be taking part.
Without passing a coronavirus test, Messi will be unable to attend Koeman's first pre-season training session on Monday, with the start of the new La Liga season less than two weeks away.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-30--German govt condemns 'unacceptable' attempt to storm Reichstag

The Reichstag , where German deputies meet , has a powerful symbolic role in the country The German government Sunday slammed the `` unacceptable '' behaviour of protesters during a mass rally against coronavirus restrictions in which hundreds were arrested and an attempt was made to storm the Reichstag parliament building .
The Reichstag is the `` symbolic centre of our democracy '' , Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told Sunday 's edition of the Bild newspaper .
`` It is unacceptable to see extremists and trouble-makers use it for their own ends . ''
Police said some 38,000 people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Berlin on Saturday to protest restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus , such as the wearing of masks and social distancing .
Late Saturday , several hundred protesters broke through barriers and a police cordon to climb the steps leading to the entrance to the Reichstag .
They were narrowly prevented from entering the building by police , who used pepper spray and arrested several people .
Police initially appeared overwhelmed , as only a handful of officers were there to block the crowd .
`` We can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these weaknesses in the deployment that were exploited , in this case to cross the security barriers in order to reach the steps of the Reichstag , '' said local police spokesman Thilo Cablitz .
Images of the incident at the iconic building shocked Germany .
The Reichstag , where German deputies meet , has a powerful symbolic role in the country .
The building , with its famous dome , was burnt down by the Nazis in 1933 in an act aimed at destroying what remained of German democracy between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' is a `` characteristic of the good functioning of society , '' said Seehofer .
But `` freedom of assembly reaches its limits when public rules are trampled on . ''
About 300 people were arrested in scuffles with police , in front of the Reichstag but also outside the Russian embassy not far from there in the city centre , where protesters pelted police with bottles .
Berlin city authorities had initially decided not to allow the Saturday demonstration to go ahead , fearing that the protesters would not keep a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) apart or comply with face mask requirements .
The ban sparked outrage from organisers and their supporters who flooded social media with angry messages vowing to protest anyway , with some even calling for violence .
But on the eve of the demo , Berlin 's administrative court sided with the demonstrators , saying there was no indication that organisers would `` deliberately ignore '' social distancing rules and endanger public health .
Protesters waved German flags and shouted `` Merkel must go !
`` , a chant often used by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party against Chancellor Angela Merkel .
Some carried the flag of the German Reich which was used up until 1919 .
`` To see the flags of the Empire in front of the parliament is shameful , '' tweeted Foreign Minister Heiko Maas .
The rally came as coronavirus cases continue to rise in Germany , with daily new infection numbers reaching highs not seen since April .
Merkel and the leaders of Germany 's 16 federal states on Thursday introduced tougher coronavirus restrictions to curb the pandemic , including a minimum 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people caught not wearing face masks where one is compulsory .

Berlin (AFP) –
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The German government Sunday slammed the "unacceptable" behaviour of protesters during a mass rally against coronavirus restrictions in which hundreds were arrested and an attempt was made to storm the Reichstag parliament building.
The Reichstag is the "symbolic centre of our democracy", Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told Sunday's edition of the Bild newspaper.
"It is unacceptable to see extremists and trouble-makers use it for their own ends."
Police said some 38,000 people, double the number expected, had gathered in Berlin on Saturday to protest restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus, such as the wearing of masks and social distancing.
Late Saturday, several hundred protesters broke through barriers and a police cordon to climb the steps leading to the entrance to the Reichstag.
They were narrowly prevented from entering the building by police, who used pepper spray and arrested several people.
Police initially appeared overwhelmed, as only a handful of officers were there to block the crowd.
"We cannot be present everywhere and it is precisely these weaknesses in the deployment that were exploited, in this case to cross the security barriers in order to reach the steps of the Reichstag," said local police spokesman Thilo Cablitz.
Images of the incident at the iconic building shocked Germany.
The Reichstag, where German deputies meet, has a powerful symbolic role in the country.
The building, with its famous dome, was burnt down by the Nazis in 1933 in an act aimed at destroying what remained of German democracy between the two world wars.
"Plurality of opinions" is a "characteristic of the good functioning of society," said Seehofer. But "freedom of assembly reaches its limits when public rules are trampled on."
- 'Merkel must go' -
About 300 people were arrested in scuffles with police, in front of the Reichstag but also outside the Russian embassy not far from there in the city centre, where protesters pelted police with bottles.
Berlin city authorities had initially decided not to allow the Saturday demonstration to go ahead, fearing that the protesters would not keep a distance of 1.5 metres (five feet) apart or comply with face mask requirements.
The ban sparked outrage from organisers and their supporters who flooded social media with angry messages vowing to protest anyway, with some even calling for violence.
But on the eve of the demo, Berlin's administrative court sided with the demonstrators, saying there was no indication that organisers would "deliberately ignore" social distancing rules and endanger public health.
Protesters waved German flags and shouted "Merkel must go!", a chant often used by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party against Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Some carried the flag of the German Reich which was used up until 1919.
"To see the flags of the Empire in front of the parliament is shameful," tweeted Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
The rally came as coronavirus cases continue to rise in Germany, with daily new infection numbers reaching highs not seen since April.
Merkel and the leaders of Germany's 16 federal states on Thursday introduced tougher coronavirus restrictions to curb the pandemic, including a minimum 50 euro ($59) fine for people caught not wearing face masks where one is compulsory.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-30--India sets new world record with 78,761 virus cases in one day

India has recorded the world 's biggest daily increase in coronavirus infections , with 78,761 new cases reported on August 30 , 2020 India on Sunday set a coronavirus record when it reported 78,761 new infections in 24 hours -- the world 's highest single-day rise -- even as it continued to open up the economy .
Home to 1.3 billion people , India is already the world 's third-most infected nation with more than 3.5 million cases , behind the US and Brazil .
It has also reported more than 63,000 deaths , according to the official health ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record on July 17 with 77,638 daily infections , according to an AFP tally .
In his regular monthly radio address on Sunday , Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not comment on the milestone but called on Indians to observe health safety measures .
`` It is important that every citizen is healthy and happy and we defeat coronavirus completely together , '' Modi said in Hindi .
`` Corona ( virus ) can only be defeated when you remain safe , when you fulfil the resolve of keeping a safe distance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Experts warn that while a ramp up in testing in recent months was encouraging , more needed to be done to capture the scale of the pandemic in the world 's second-most populous nation .
The virus has badly hit megacities such as financial hub Mumbai and the capital New Delhi , but is now also surging in smaller cities and rural areas .
`` Testing per million in India at 30,000 remains the second lowest in top 10 ( virus-infected ) countries .
Mexico is lowest at about 10,000 , '' virologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trust/DBT India Alliance , told AFP Sunday .
`` We are still finding one positive in every 11 to 12 tests .
This number should be one in 20 simply and means that testing is still sub-optimal and the outbreak is growing . ''
Doctor Hemant Shewade , a Bangalore-based community medicine expert , added that India also needed to focus on reducing deaths -- the fourth-highest in the world according to a tally by John Hopkins University .
The government collects fatality numbers from positive cases but not from suspected infections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picture of the epidemic is not being reflected in the official toll , he said .
`` It is a small subset like the tip of the iceberg , '' Shewade , who has been analysing India 's official toll data , told AFP of the government 's decision to focus only on positive cases recorded within the official health system .
`` We should develop mechanisms to capture suspected Covid-19 deaths ...
Even after doing this , a continuous triangulation of data with routine death surveillance should be done at district levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case record came a day after the government further eased its coronavirus lockdown , in place since late March , to boost the struggling economy .
Millions have lost their jobs since the start of the lockdown , with the poor particularly hard hit .
The Home Affairs Ministry said gatherings of up to 100 people would be allowed with face masks and social distancing at cultural , entertainment , sports and political events from next month .
Metro train services would also resume `` in a graded manner '' in major cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet teachers on a voluntary basis on school premises if needed , according to the new guidelines .

New Delhi (AFP) –
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India on Sunday set a coronavirus record when it reported 78,761 new infections in 24 hours -- the world's highest single-day rise -- even as it continued to open up the economy.
Home to 1.3 billion people, India is already the world's third-most infected nation with more than 3.5 million cases, behind the US and Brazil.
It has also reported more than 63,000 deaths, according to the official health ministry toll.
The US set the previous record on July 17 with 77,638 daily infections, according to an AFP tally.
In his regular monthly radio address on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not comment on the milestone but called on Indians to observe health safety measures.
"It is important that every citizen is healthy and happy and we defeat coronavirus completely together," Modi said in Hindi.
"Corona(virus) can only be defeated when you remain safe, when you fulfil the resolve of keeping a safe distance of two yards and wearing masks."
Experts warn that while a ramp up in testing in recent months was encouraging, more needed to be done to capture the scale of the pandemic in the world's second-most populous nation.
The virus has badly hit megacities such as financial hub Mumbai and the capital New Delhi, but is now also surging in smaller cities and rural areas.
- Low testing rates -
"Testing per million in India at 30,000 remains the second lowest in top 10 (virus-infected) countries. Mexico is lowest at about 10,000," virologist Shahid Jameel, who heads the Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance, told AFP Sunday.
"We are still finding one positive in every 11 to 12 tests. This number should be one in 20 simply and means that testing is still sub-optimal and the outbreak is growing."
Doctor Hemant Shewade, a Bangalore-based community medicine expert, added that India also needed to focus on reducing deaths -- the fourth-highest in the world according to a tally by John Hopkins University.
The government collects fatality numbers from positive cases but not from suspected infections, raising concerns among scientists that the true picture of the epidemic is not being reflected in the official toll, he said.
"It is a small subset like the tip of the iceberg," Shewade, who has been analysing India's official toll data, told AFP of the government's decision to focus only on positive cases recorded within the official health system.
"We should develop mechanisms to capture suspected Covid-19 deaths... Even after doing this, a continuous triangulation of data with routine death surveillance should be done at district levels and state levels."
The daily case record came a day after the government further eased its coronavirus lockdown, in place since late March, to boost the struggling economy.
Millions have lost their jobs since the start of the lockdown, with the poor particularly hard hit.
The Home Affairs Ministry said gatherings of up to 100 people would be allowed with face masks and social distancing at cultural, entertainment, sports and political events from next month.
Metro train services would also resume "in a graded manner" in major cities.
Schools remain closed but students can meet teachers on a voluntary basis on school premises if needed, according to the new guidelines.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-30--French magazine’s depiction of lawmaker as a slave in chains sparks outrage

Lawmaker Danielle Obono at the National Assembly in Paris on March 3 , 2020 .
An ultra-conservative French magazine prompted outrage on Saturday by portrayed a Black female lawmaker as a slave in chains , earning condemnation nationwide as well as from French President Emmanuel Macron .
The French presidency said Macron called Danielle Obono from the far-left party France Unbowed and `` expressed his clear condemnation of any form of racism '' .
The magazine Valeurs Actuelles ( roughly translated as Current Values ) , which caters to readers on the right and far right , showed Obono in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck to illustrate a seven-page story .
Obono tweeted in response that apparently people can still write `` racist sh*t '' illustrated by images of a French MP depicted as a slave .
`` The extreme right – odious , stupid and cruel .
In brief , like itself , '' she added .
Prime Minister Jean Castex said it was a `` revolting publication that deserves clear condemnation '' and told Obono that she had the government 's support .
`` I share the indignation of lawmaker Obono , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even hateful speech is legal , although worthy of condemnation .
`` One is free to write a putrid novel within the limits fixed by the law .
One is free to hate it .
I hate it . ''
The anti-racism body SOS Racisme deplored a rise in hate speech against African and Arab politicians and said it was mulling what legal measures could be taken to counter this .
The magazine , however , denied it was racist , saying the story concerning Obono was `` a work of fiction ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from France 's far-right National Rally party ( formerly the National Front ) , Wallerand de Saint-Just , said the story was `` in absolute bad taste '' .
France saw a series of anti-racism protests in June and July – including demonstrations against its history of colonialism and police brutality – in part inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd 's death in the United States .
France has also had its own high-profile cases of Black and Arab men who have died in police custody , notably Cedric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 , died in July 2016 following his arrest in circumstances that remain unclear .
Chouviat , 42 , died two days after he was stopped by police in January for a traffic violation , an incident that quickly escalated .
Three officers have since been charged .
Chouviat could be heard in video footage saying , `` I 'm suffocating '' seven times as police hold him down > > ‘ Black and treated as such ’ : France ’ s anti-racism protests expose myth of colour-blind Republic Macron , seen as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year when he gave an interview to Valeurs Actuelles and praised it as a `` good magazine '' .
He has pledged to root out racism but also said France would not take down statues of figures linked to the colonial era or the slave trade despite recent calls from protesters and anti-racism activists to do so .

An ultra-conservative French magazine prompted outrage on Saturday by portrayed a Black female lawmaker as a slave in chains, earning condemnation nationwide as well as from French President Emmanuel Macron.
Lawmaker Danielle Obono at the National Assembly in Paris on March 3, 2020.
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The French presidency said Macron called Danielle Obono from the far-left party France Unbowed and "expressed his clear condemnation of any form of racism".
The magazine Valeurs Actuelles (roughly translated as Current Values), which caters to readers on the right and far right, showed Obono in chains with an iron collar on her neck to illustrate a seven-page story.
Obono tweeted in response that apparently people can still write "racist sh*t" illustrated by images of a French MP depicted as a slave.
"The extreme right – odious, stupid and cruel. In brief, like itself," she added.
Il paraît 'Qu'on-Peut-Pu-Rien-Dire' #BienPensance. Heureusement on peut encore écrire de la merde raciste dans un torchon illustrée par les images d'une députée française noire africaine repeinte en esclave...
L'extrême-droite, odieuse, bête et cruelle. Bref, égale à elle-même. pic.twitter.com/EupKSXZ207 — Députée Obono (@Deputee_Obono) August 28, 2020
Prime Minister Jean Castex said it was a "revolting publication that deserves clear condemnation" and told Obono that she had the government's support.
"I share the indignation of lawmaker Obono," he said.
Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti noted that even hateful speech is legal, although worthy of condemnation. "One is free to write a putrid novel within the limits fixed by the law. One is free to hate it. I hate it."
The anti-racism body SOS Racisme deplored a rise in hate speech against African and Arab politicians and said it was mulling what legal measures could be taken to counter this.
The magazine, however, denied it was racist, saying the story concerning Obono was "a work of fiction ... but never nasty".
An official from France's far-right National Rally party (formerly the National Front), Wallerand de Saint-Just, said the story was "in absolute bad taste".
France saw a series of anti-racism protests in June and July – including demonstrations against its history of colonialism and police brutality – in part inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd's death in the United States.
France has also had its own high-profile cases of Black and Arab men who have died in police custody, notably Cedric Chouviat and Adama Traoré. Traoré, 24, died in July 2016 following his arrest in circumstances that remain unclear. Chouviat, 42, died two days after he was stopped by police in January for a traffic violation, an incident that quickly escalated. Three officers have since been charged.
Chouviat could be heard in video footage saying, "I'm suffocating" seven times as police hold him down
>> ‘Black and treated as such’: France’s anti-racism protests expose myth of colour-blind Republic
Macron, seen as a political centrist, raised eyebrows last year when he gave an interview to Valeurs Actuelles and praised it as a "good magazine".
He has pledged to root out racism but also said France would not take down statues of figures linked to the colonial era or the slave trade despite recent calls from protesters and anti-racism activists to do so.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-08-30--James sombre after losing Black Panther and Black Mamba in 2020

LeBron James described 2020 as the worst year of his life on Saturday , with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar losing two of his black heroes just seven months apart .
James honoured actor Chadwick Boseman prior to the Lakers game five first-round playoff contest against Portland by folding his arms across his chest in the Wakanda salute from the Black Panther movie .
Boseman , star of the ground-breaking superhero blockbuster , died at the age of 43 this week after a battle with cancer .
His death comes seven months after former Laker icon Kobe Bryant died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Black Panther and the Black Mamba in the same year , we can all agree that 2020 is the ( expletive ) year ... in my 35 years , there is no question , '' said James .
James also talked Saturday about stepping up his leadership both on and off the court in the NBA 's pandemic bubble , using his platform to ignite social justice change in communities across the United States .
`` It is great to be back on the floor .
But more important it is good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan and execute it and put into action right away , '' said James , who scored 36 points as the Lakers reached the second round of the playoffs with a 131-122 win in over the Trail Blazers .
James this week helped negotiate the NBA 's restart after the players decided to boycott three days of playoff games following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Wisconsin .
He was part of an initiative Saturday to get Staples Center and other NBA arenas designated as polling stations for the US presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no fan of US President Donald Trump , has spoken out numerous times since the Black Lives Matter protests started that change can happen when Americans use their right to vote .
`` Having NBA arenas for polling sites is unbelievable , '' James said .
`` November is just around the corner and we all understand how important that is . ''
James said the players did consider not playing any more games this season , but added he was confident throughout the talks that they could work out a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some doubt , '' James said .
`` It is great that we put together a plan .
We are going to execute it .
That is what we have been able to do the last few days .
`` With solidarity we stood with our brothers from Milwaukee .
We stood with them as a league . ''
James said one of the problems with the way the NBA 's bubble was set up is that they are dealing with a busier game schedule than normal .
`` We had a mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` When the playoffs started .
We were playing every other day .
`` When we are trying to create ( social justice ) change we ca n't lose site of what the main thing is .
This was an opportunity to take a deep breath .
`` It was the moment to just exhale and say what are we really doing and are we really trying to create change . ''
James , who is a father , admitted he has thought about leaving the bubble environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so because of reasons other than political ones .
`` I have had numerous nights and days , thinking about leaving the bubble .
Everyone has .
But not because of what has transpired .
`` It crossed my mind for sure . ''

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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LeBron James described 2020 as the worst year of his life on Saturday, with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar losing two of his black heroes just seven months apart.
James honoured actor Chadwick Boseman prior to the Lakers game five first-round playoff contest against Portland by folding his arms across his chest in the Wakanda salute from the Black Panther movie.
Boseman, star of the ground-breaking superhero blockbuster, died at the age of 43 this week after a battle with cancer. His death comes seven months after former Laker icon Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash.
"To lose the Black Panther and the Black Mamba in the same year, we can all agree that 2020 is the (expletive) year ... in my 35 years, there is no question," said James.
James also talked Saturday about stepping up his leadership both on and off the court in the NBA's pandemic bubble, using his platform to ignite social justice change in communities across the United States.
"It is great to be back on the floor. But more important it is good to have a (social justice) plan and execute it and put into action right away," said James, who scored 36 points as the Lakers reached the second round of the playoffs with a 131-122 win in over the Trail Blazers.
James this week helped negotiate the NBA's restart after the players decided to boycott three days of playoff games following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Wisconsin.
He was part of an initiative Saturday to get Staples Center and other NBA arenas designated as polling stations for the US presidential election this year.
James, who is no fan of US President Donald Trump, has spoken out numerous times since the Black Lives Matter protests started that change can happen when Americans use their right to vote.
"Having NBA arenas for polling sites is unbelievable," James said. "November is just around the corner and we all understand how important that is."
James said the players did consider not playing any more games this season, but added he was confident throughout the talks that they could work out a deal with the owners.
"There was some doubt," James said. "It is great that we put together a plan. We are going to execute it. That is what we have been able to do the last few days.
"With solidarity we stood with our brothers from Milwaukee. We stood with them as a league."
James said one of the problems with the way the NBA's bubble was set up is that they are dealing with a busier game schedule than normal.
"We had a mission. That mission was lost in translation," he said. "When the playoffs started. We were playing every other day.
"When we are trying to create (social justice) change we can't lose site of what the main thing is. This was an opportunity to take a deep breath.
"It was the moment to just exhale and say what are we really doing and are we really trying to create change."
James, who is a father, admitted he has thought about leaving the bubble environment in Orlando, Florida, but more so because of reasons other than political ones.
"I have had numerous nights and days, thinking about leaving the bubble. Everyone has. But not because of what has transpired.
"It crossed my mind for sure."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-30--Masks and tears: Shiites mark Ashura in Iraq's Karbala despite virus

A Shiite Muslim worshipper commemorates the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammad 's grandson Imam Hussein at his shrine in the Iraqi city of Karbala Thousands of tearful Shiite pilgrims wearing gloves and face masks flooded Iraq 's holy city of Karbala Sunday to mark Ashura , one of the largest Muslim gatherings since the Covid-19 pandemic started .
Ashura , on the 10th day of the mourning month of Muharram , commemorates the killing of the Prophet Mohammed 's grandson Hussein at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD -- the defining moment of Islam 's confessional schism .
Typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world flock to the golden-domed shrine where Hussein 's remains are buried , to pray and cry , shoulder-to-shoulder .
But with coronavirus numbers spiking across the globe , this year 's commemoration is subdued .
Small clusters of pilgrims gathered in the vast courtyards outside the main mosque , wearing the customary mourning colour of black and the new addition of medical masks and gloves .
Wading through the crowds were teams of shrine employees spraying disinfectant mist through long , thin hoses or distributing masks to any bare-faced visitor .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must first have their temperatures taken at grey gates that resemble metal detectors .
Inside , signs on the carpet floor indicate the proper distance that should be kept between worshippers as they pray .
Huge rolls of nylon sheets prevent people from kissing the walls , a habitual sign of reverence .
But in the enclave where Imam Hussein is buried , pilgrims press their unmasked faces up against the ornate grille separating them from the mausoleum .
Many visitors are crying or sniffling , wiping their faces with bare hands -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which they could make the virus spread .
There were notably fewer pilgrims this year as authorities in Iraq , other Shiite-majority countries and the United Nations urged people to mark the holiday at home .
Neighbouring Iran , which usually sends tens of thousands of pilgrims to Karbala , is the hardest-hit Middle Eastern country with over 21,000 coronavirus deaths .
Tehran banned the usual Ashura marches , indoor ceremonies , musical performances and banquets , instead broadcasting the various religious rituals on state television .
Even Iran 's supreme leader , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to images published by his office that showed him wearing a mask in the vast , empty mosque at his residence .
In Afghanistan and Pakistan , health authorities have reported a fall in new virus cases but security remained a top concern , as Ashura has often been tainted by mass violence targeting Shiite Muslims .
Many have opted for scaled-down family gatherings but some processions leading up to Ashura saw thousands turn out , and larger crowds are expected on Sunday .
`` It 's not possible that anyone would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Israr Hussain Shah , a Shiite devotee in the Pakistani capital Islamabad .
`` Rather people come to heal and protect themselves , whether that 's a virus of faith or a sickness , '' he said .
In crisis-hit Lebanon , which has seen a severe coronavirus spike this month , powerful Shiite movements Hezbollah and Amal scrapped large Ashura processions .
They asked the faithful to follow sermons online and through Hezbollah-linked media channels .
Iraq has the second-highest regional toll with close to 7,000 deaths .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Iraq were rising at an `` alarming rate '' and said Iraq should take action to end the community outbreak `` at all costs '' .
`` Mass assemblies of people should not take place at this stage , '' the WHO said .
All of Iraq 's provinces had seen a steady spike in cases , with Karbala logging a record-high 336 cases on August 21 , the day that Muharram began .
The province had been closed to non-residents for months but two days before Ashura , authorities lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , some opted for a quiet ceremony at home , including Abu Ali in the packed Baghdad district of Sadr City .
`` My children , grandchildren and I go to Karbala every year , but this year we were afraid of corona , '' he said .
`` Imam Hussein would n't want us to throw ourselves into an inferno , '' he said .

Karbala (Iraq) (AFP) –
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Thousands of tearful Shiite pilgrims wearing gloves and face masks flooded Iraq's holy city of Karbala Sunday to mark Ashura, one of the largest Muslim gatherings since the Covid-19 pandemic started.
Ashura, on the 10th day of the mourning month of Muharram, commemorates the killing of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson Hussein at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD -- the defining moment of Islam's confessional schism.
Typically, millions of Shiites from around the world flock to the golden-domed shrine where Hussein's remains are buried, to pray and cry, shoulder-to-shoulder.
But with coronavirus numbers spiking across the globe, this year's commemoration is subdued.
Small clusters of pilgrims gathered in the vast courtyards outside the main mosque, wearing the customary mourning colour of black and the new addition of medical masks and gloves.
Wading through the crowds were teams of shrine employees spraying disinfectant mist through long, thin hoses or distributing masks to any bare-faced visitor.
To be allowed into the shrine, people must first have their temperatures taken at grey gates that resemble metal detectors.
Inside, signs on the carpet floor indicate the proper distance that should be kept between worshippers as they pray.
Huge rolls of nylon sheets prevent people from kissing the walls, a habitual sign of reverence.
- Praying alone -
But in the enclave where Imam Hussein is buried, pilgrims press their unmasked faces up against the ornate grille separating them from the mausoleum.
Many visitors are crying or sniffling, wiping their faces with bare hands -- oblivious that this is one way in which they could make the virus spread.
There were notably fewer pilgrims this year as authorities in Iraq, other Shiite-majority countries and the United Nations urged people to mark the holiday at home.
Neighbouring Iran, which usually sends tens of thousands of pilgrims to Karbala, is the hardest-hit Middle Eastern country with over 21,000 coronavirus deaths.
Tehran banned the usual Ashura marches, indoor ceremonies, musical performances and banquets, instead broadcasting the various religious rituals on state television.
Even Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prayed alone, according to images published by his office that showed him wearing a mask in the vast, empty mosque at his residence.
In Afghanistan and Pakistan, health authorities have reported a fall in new virus cases but security remained a top concern, as Ashura has often been tainted by mass violence targeting Shiite Muslims.
Many have opted for scaled-down family gatherings but some processions leading up to Ashura saw thousands turn out, and larger crowds are expected on Sunday.
"It's not possible that anyone would be infected with the virus," said Israr Hussain Shah, a Shiite devotee in the Pakistani capital Islamabad.
"Rather people come to heal and protect themselves, whether that's a virus of faith or a sickness," he said.
- 'An inferno' -
In crisis-hit Lebanon, which has seen a severe coronavirus spike this month, powerful Shiite movements Hezbollah and Amal scrapped large Ashura processions.
They asked the faithful to follow sermons online and through Hezbollah-linked media channels.
Iraq has the second-highest regional toll with close to 7,000 deaths.
Last week, the World Health Organization warned that Covid-19 cases in Iraq were rising at an "alarming rate" and said Iraq should take action to end the community outbreak "at all costs".
"Mass assemblies of people should not take place at this stage," the WHO said.
All of Iraq's provinces had seen a steady spike in cases, with Karbala logging a record-high 336 cases on August 21, the day that Muharram began.
The province had been closed to non-residents for months but two days before Ashura, authorities lifted restrictions to allow fellow Iraqis to enter.
Still, some opted for a quiet ceremony at home, including Abu Ali in the packed Baghdad district of Sadr City.
"My children, grandchildren and I go to Karbala every year, but this year we were afraid of corona," he said.
"Imam Hussein wouldn't want us to throw ourselves into an inferno," he said.
© 2020 AFP