france24--2020-10-31--Greece latest to renew virus lockdown, England may follow

There have been sometimes violent protests against virus restrictions Greece became the latest country to announce a partial lockdown Saturday to combat soaring coronavirus infections , and news reports suggested England may soon follow as other countries faced growing protests over restrictions .
Portugal is also considering tighter restrictions as the infections hit record numbers there , while Slovakia launched an ambitious programme to test its entire population .
The novel coronavirus has killed at least 1,189,892 people since emerging in China last December , according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP Saturday .
At least 45,650,850 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest 24-hour reports from Friday , the countries with the most new deaths were the United States with 919 , followed by India with 551 and France with 545 .
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared a partial coronavirus lockdown in a televised address Saturday .
`` We must act now , before intensive care units buckle under the strain of lives in danger , '' he said .
`` The virus is attacking in waves , and we need to quickly adapt . ''
The new lockdown will close restaurants and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major cities from Tuesday .
The rest of the country will have to abide by an overnight curfew in addition to the compulsory use of masks even outdoors , Mitsotakis said .
According to reports in several British news outlets , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also considering a fresh lockdown across England from next week .
Johnson is expected to announce on Monday stringent new rules closing all but `` essential '' stores , while keeping schools , colleges and universities open , The Times said .
The Daily Telegraph was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss the situation over the weekend with senior advisers and ministers and hold a cabinet meeting on Sunday to sign off on any final decisions .
More than 46,000 people have died of the virus in Britain -- more than any other European country .
The devolved governments in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland have already reimposed partial lockdowns to try to cut their surging rates .
Last month , the government 's scientific advisers recommended a two-week national `` circuit-breaker '' lockdown over the half-term school holidays this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government delay has cost both lives and livelihoods , '' London Mayor Sadiq Khan , of the main opposition Labour party , tweeted .
`` We must act now to protect both . ''
Some countries that have already reintroduced lockdowns , at varying degrees of severity , are now facing a backlash from disgruntled citizens .
Protesters clashed with police in central Barcelona , Spain on Friday after hundreds gathered to denounce new coronavirus restrictions , including a curfew and a ban on leaving the city over the holiday weekend .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for calm Saturday after violent clashes late Friday between police and protesters there .
In Portugal , government ministers were meeting Saturday to consider whether or not to introduce new measures to curb the tide of infections there , as daily cases reached a record 4,656 cases Friday and 40 deaths .
Meanwhile Slovakia on Saturday began an ambitious programme to screen its entire population for the virus .
Some 45,000 medical workers , army and police are being deployed to carry out the tests in the EU member state of 5.4 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing points .
`` The world will be watching , '' Prime Minister Igor Matovic said this week , suggesting that the operation would save hundreds of lives .
But the Slovak Association of General Practitioners has criticised it as ill-conceived , pointing out that crowding into testing sites went against anti-infection protocols .
And the United States reported a second consecutive record for daily infections , with more than 94,000 cases Friday , as the presidential election battle entered its final days .

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Greece became the latest country to announce a partial lockdown Saturday to combat soaring coronavirus infections, and news reports suggested England may soon follow as other countries faced growing protests over restrictions.
Portugal is also considering tighter restrictions as the infections hit record numbers there, while Slovakia launched an ambitious programme to test its entire population.
The novel coronavirus has killed at least 1,189,892 people since emerging in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP Saturday. At least 45,650,850 cases have been registered.
Based on the latest 24-hour reports from Friday, the countries with the most new deaths were the United States with 919, followed by India with 551 and France with 545.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared a partial coronavirus lockdown in a televised address Saturday. "We must act now, before intensive care units buckle under the strain of lives in danger," he said.
"The virus is attacking in waves, and we need to quickly adapt." The new lockdown will close restaurants and other leisure activities in Athens and other major cities from Tuesday.
The rest of the country will have to abide by an overnight curfew in addition to the compulsory use of masks even outdoors, Mitsotakis said.
- England may return to lockdown -
According to reports in several British news outlets, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also considering a fresh lockdown across England from next week.
Johnson is expected to announce on Monday stringent new rules closing all but "essential" stores, while keeping schools, colleges and universities open, The Times said.
The Daily Telegraph was more circumspect, suggesting that Johnson was to discuss the situation over the weekend with senior advisers and ministers and hold a cabinet meeting on Sunday to sign off on any final decisions.
More than 46,000 people have died of the virus in Britain -- more than any other European country.
The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have already reimposed partial lockdowns to try to cut their surging rates.
Last month, the government's scientific advisers recommended a two-week national "circuit-breaker" lockdown over the half-term school holidays this week, but Johnson rejected the move.
"Government delay has cost both lives and livelihoods," London Mayor Sadiq Khan, of the main opposition Labour party, tweeted. "We must act now to protect both."
Some countries that have already reintroduced lockdowns, at varying degrees of severity, are now facing a backlash from disgruntled citizens.
Protesters clashed with police in central Barcelona, Spain on Friday after hundreds gathered to denounce new coronavirus restrictions, including a curfew and a ban on leaving the city over the holiday weekend.
And in Italy the mayor of Florence appealed for calm Saturday after violent clashes late Friday between police and protesters there.
- Portugal considers tighter measures -
In Portugal, government ministers were meeting Saturday to consider whether or not to introduce new measures to curb the tide of infections there, as daily cases reached a record 4,656 cases Friday and 40 deaths.
Meanwhile Slovakia on Saturday began an ambitious programme to screen its entire population for the virus.
Some 45,000 medical workers, army and police are being deployed to carry out the tests in the EU member state of 5.4 million people, collecting swabs at around 5,000 testing points.
"The world will be watching," Prime Minister Igor Matovic said this week, suggesting that the operation would save hundreds of lives.
But the Slovak Association of General Practitioners has criticised it as ill-conceived, pointing out that crowding into testing sites went against anti-infection protocols.
And the United States reported a second consecutive record for daily infections, with more than 94,000 cases Friday, as the presidential election battle entered its final days.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--F1 fears lockdowns may hit end of season races

Coronavirus concerns : Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said he was worried for the rest of this season and for next season Formula One fears that further Covid-19 lockdowns across Europe could hit the sport as Lewis Hamilton heads towards a record-equalling seventh world title , his Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said .
Speaking ahead of this weekend 's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix , the third race to be held in Italy in an extraordinary coronavirus-affected season , Wolff said developments were worrying .
`` The situation is becoming more difficult , '' he said at the Autodromo Enzo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ F1 does not put anyone in danger as we stay in our microcosm , but we also can not ignore that the number of cases in various countries is growing rapidly .
`` At some point , the leaders of these countries may decide to close the borders which may affect our plans . ''
Wolff was also concerned about F1 's provisional plans for an unprecedented 23-race season next year .
`` As of now , Chase Carey ( F1 chief executive ) has assured us that the schedule remains in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he also said that , against the backdrop of a progressing pandemic , no one knows what the situation will be in a week -- let alone a month . ''

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Formula One fears that further Covid-19 lockdowns across Europe could hit the sport as Lewis Hamilton heads towards a record-equalling seventh world title, his Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said.
Speaking ahead of this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the third race to be held in Italy in an extraordinary coronavirus-affected season, Wolff said developments were worrying.
"The situation is becoming more difficult," he said at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on Friday. "F1 does not put anyone in danger as we stay in our microcosm, but we also cannot ignore that the number of cases in various countries is growing rapidly.
"At some point, the leaders of these countries may decide to close the borders which may affect our plans."
Wolff was also concerned about F1's provisional plans for an unprecedented 23-race season next year.
"As of now, Chase Carey (F1 chief executive) has assured us that the schedule remains in place," he said. "But he also said that, against the backdrop of a progressing pandemic, no one knows what the situation will be in a week -- let alone a month."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Renault boss hits back at plans to block Alonso testing

Alonso at Imola on Saturday with the Renault team Renault team chief Cyril Abiteboul hit back on Saturday at rival teams ' moves to block Fernando Alonso from testing with the French outfit at Abu Dhabi in December .
The test is scheduled for young drivers , but Renault hoped that after his long absence from Formula One , Alonso would be allowed to join them .
At a meeting of the F1 Commission last Monday , however , teams raised objections which left Abiteboul frustrated in his plan to help ease the two-time champion Spaniard back into action .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he told the Autosport website of Renault 's rivals .
`` But most teams are more pragmatic .
We just need to hope the FIA ( International Motoring Federation ) will be – Renault does so much for young drivers . ''
Alonso , 39 , has not raced a F1 car one since the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with McLaren at the end of his 17th season .
The Spaniard won his titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault , and will rejoin the team for the 2021 season when @ @ @ @ @ @

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Renault team chief Cyril Abiteboul hit back on Saturday at rival teams' moves to block Fernando Alonso from testing with the French outfit at Abu Dhabi in December.
The test is scheduled for young drivers, but Renault hoped that after his long absence from Formula One, Alonso would be allowed to join them.
At a meeting of the F1 Commission last Monday, however, teams raised objections which left Abiteboul frustrated in his plan to help ease the two-time champion Spaniard back into action.
"It was the usual stuff," he told the Autosport website of Renault's rivals. "But most teams are more pragmatic. We just need to hope the FIA (International Motoring Federation) will be – Renault does so much for young drivers."
Alonso, 39, has not raced a F1 car one since the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with McLaren at the end of his 17th season.
The Spaniard won his titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, and will rejoin the team for the 2021 season when it will compete as Alpine.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Greek PM declares partial coronavirus lockdown

Eateries , cafes , clubs , cinemas , museums and gyms in worst-hit areas will be shut from Tuesday Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday declared a one-month partial coronavirus lockdown , shutting restaurants and other leisure activities in Athens and other major cities from next week .
`` We must act now , before intensive care units buckle under the strain of lives in danger , '' Mitsotakis said in a televised address .
`` The virus is attacking in waves , and we need to quickly adapt . ''
Greece has registered over 37,000 coronavirus cases since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Accelerating from August onwards , the virus has caused 620 deaths to date .
Another 128 people are in intensive care .
The prime minister said eateries , cafes , clubs , cinemas , museums and gyms in worst-hit areas would close down from Tuesday , but retail businesses and schools would remain open , to soften the blow to the economy .
Hotels , hair salons and food delivery will also be allowed to operate .
University classes will be held remotely , and half the workforce in the private and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` A total lockdown would hurt the economy and society , '' Mitsotakis said .
In addition to the capital , the toughest restrictions apply to most major cities in northern Greece including Thessaloniki , Larissa and Ioannina .
The rest of the country will have to abide by an overnight curfew from midnight to 5:00 am , in addition to the compulsory use of masks even outdoors , Mitsotakis said .
But in contrast to a nationwide lockdown imposed in March , movement between regions is not restricted for now , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar to those adopted in France and Germany , and were aimed at saving the Christmas shopping season .
`` I wanted to avoid this message .
But conditions demand it , '' he said .
The government has earmarked nearly 1.5 billion euros ( $ 1.8 billion ) in support for businesses during the latest lockdown , the PM said .
The government had already declared a night curfew from 00:30 am to 0500 am in Athens , Thessaloniki and other areas on October 22 .
That followed localised lockdowns in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month .
Greece 's March lockdown succeeded in slowing the spread of the virus to single digits daily , but the economy gradually reopened from May onwards to salvage part of the summer tourism season that is vital to the country 's economy .

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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday declared a one-month partial coronavirus lockdown, shutting restaurants and other leisure activities in Athens and other major cities from next week.
"We must act now, before intensive care units buckle under the strain of lives in danger," Mitsotakis said in a televised address.
"The virus is attacking in waves, and we need to quickly adapt."
Greece has registered over 37,000 coronavirus cases since February, including nearly 1,700 on Friday. Accelerating from August onwards, the virus has caused 620 deaths to date.
Another 128 people are in intensive care.
The prime minister said eateries, cafes, clubs, cinemas, museums and gyms in worst-hit areas would close down from Tuesday, but retail businesses and schools would remain open, to soften the blow to the economy.
Hotels, hair salons and food delivery will also be allowed to operate.
University classes will be held remotely, and half the workforce in the private and public sectors will work from home.
"A total lockdown would hurt the economy and society," Mitsotakis said.
In addition to the capital, the toughest restrictions apply to most major cities in northern Greece including Thessaloniki, Larissa and Ioannina.
The rest of the country will have to abide by an overnight curfew from midnight to 5:00 am, in addition to the compulsory use of masks even outdoors, Mitsotakis said.
But in contrast to a nationwide lockdown imposed in March, movement between regions is not restricted for now, he added.
Mitsotakis said the measures were similar to those adopted in France and Germany, and were aimed at saving the Christmas shopping season.
"I wanted to avoid this message. But conditions demand it," he said.
The government has earmarked nearly 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in support for businesses during the latest lockdown, the PM said.
The government had already declared a night curfew from 00:30 am to 0500 am in Athens, Thessaloniki and other areas on October 22.
That followed localised lockdowns in the northern regions of Kozani and Kastoria earlier this month.
Greece's March lockdown succeeded in slowing the spread of the virus to single digits daily, but the economy gradually reopened from May onwards to salvage part of the summer tourism season that is vital to the country's economy.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Mission accomplished: All Blacks thrash Wallabies to retain Bledisloe Cup

New Zealand scored six tries in Sydney A ruthless All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup for an 18th straight year in record-breaking style Saturday , blitzing a young Australian team 43-5 to reinforce their trans-Tasman dominance .
After winning 27-7 in Auckland , which followed a tense 16-16 draw in Wellington , they accomplished their mission in Sydney by their biggest ever winning margin against the Wallabies , with one match of the series to go next week .
Richie Mo'unga bagged 23 points to ensure bragging rights went to New Zealand coach Ian Foster , who like his opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first Bledisloe Cup tournament .
`` It 's more than a relief , it 's exciting .
It 's a lot of feelings but I 'm just really proud of the group and excited about what 's ahead , '' said All Blacks captain Sam Cane , adding that the team would celebrate with `` a few fizzies '' .
While the match was the third Bledisloe fixture , it was also the first of the Tri Nations also featuring Argentina -- rebranded from the Rugby Championship after world champions South Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25,000 fans at a wet ANZ Stadium , below the 38,000 allowed under coronavirus rules , the All Blacks overwhelmed the Wallabies in a breathtaking first half that saw two yellow cards , four tries and two disallowed tries .
A ragged Australia was fortunate to only be down 26-0 at the break and there was no way back for Rennie 's men despite lifting their game in the second stanza .
While the Wallabies cut down on missed tackles , New Zealand were physically too strong and again exposed the frailties of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed the calming presence of experienced backs Matt To'omua and James O'Connor , who were both out with injuries .
The opening 10 minutes was action-packed with Filipo Daugunu yellow-carded for tackling All Blacks dangerman Caleb Clarke in the air .
Australia paid the price with New Zealand prop Karl Tu'inukuafe powering over for his maiden Test try on four minutes .
Jordie Barrett joined Daugunu on the sidelines for elbowing Wallabies fullback Dane Haylett-Petty in the face , before All Blacks hooker Dane Coles had a try disallowed on review for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defending and only a top-class tackle from Marika Koroibete on the line prevented Clarke stretching New Zealand 's lead .
But the All Blacks were red-hot and Mo'unga scored a brilliant individual try , beating three players , to pile more pressure on .
He then bagged another , sprinting almost half the length of the field after a Beauden Barrett chip , before Coles finally got the try he deserved after a superb rolling maul from the forwards allowed him to dot down in the corner .
Australia looked dejected stomping off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to work and they were far more disciplined at the start of the second period .
And in a hopeful sign for the future , 20-year-old debutant Noah Lolesio romped over for a try a minute after the restart following a barnstorming run from Jordan Petaia , who is also 20 .
The game slowed down with conditions heavy and after several botched Australian attacks , man-of-the match Mo'unga booted a penalty and Reiko Ioane darted over for their fifth try .
Jordie Barrett rubbed salt in their wounds with another try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first time since 2009 the All Blacks had wrapped up the Bledisloe series on Australian soil and proved sweet revenge for their last game in Australia , when they were whalloped 47-26 in Perth .

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A ruthless All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup for an 18th straight year in record-breaking style Saturday, blitzing a young Australian team 43-5 to reinforce their trans-Tasman dominance.
After winning 27-7 in Auckland, which followed a tense 16-16 draw in Wellington, they accomplished their mission in Sydney by their biggest ever winning margin against the Wallabies, with one match of the series to go next week.
Richie Mo'unga bagged 23 points to ensure bragging rights went to New Zealand coach Ian Foster, who like his opposite number Dave Rennie is in charge for his first Bledisloe Cup tournament.
"It's more than a relief, it's exciting. It's a lot of feelings but I'm just really proud of the group and excited about what's ahead," said All Blacks captain Sam Cane, adding that the team would celebrate with "a few fizzies".
While the match was the third Bledisloe fixture, it was also the first of the Tri Nations also featuring Argentina -- rebranded from the Rugby Championship after world champions South Africa pulled out.
In front of just 25,000 fans at a wet ANZ Stadium, below the 38,000 allowed under coronavirus rules, the All Blacks overwhelmed the Wallabies in a breathtaking first half that saw two yellow cards, four tries and two disallowed tries.
A ragged Australia was fortunate to only be down 26-0 at the break and there was no way back for Rennie's men despite lifting their game in the second stanza.
While the Wallabies cut down on missed tackles, New Zealand were physically too strong and again exposed the frailties of their defensive wall.
And they badly missed the calming presence of experienced backs Matt To'omua and James O'Connor, who were both out with injuries.
- Desperate defending -
The opening 10 minutes was action-packed with Filipo Daugunu yellow-carded for tackling All Blacks dangerman Caleb Clarke in the air.
Australia paid the price with New Zealand prop Karl Tu'inukuafe powering over for his maiden Test try on four minutes.
Jordie Barrett joined Daugunu on the sidelines for elbowing Wallabies fullback Dane Haylett-Petty in the face, before All Blacks hooker Dane Coles had a try disallowed on review for a knock on.
The Wallabies were desperately defending and only a top-class tackle from Marika Koroibete on the line prevented Clarke stretching New Zealand's lead.
But the All Blacks were red-hot and Mo'unga scored a brilliant individual try, beating three players, to pile more pressure on.
He then bagged another, sprinting almost half the length of the field after a Beauden Barrett chip, before Coles finally got the try he deserved after a superb rolling maul from the forwards allowed him to dot down in the corner.
Australia looked dejected stomping off at half-time but Rennie's pep talk appeared to work and they were far more disciplined at the start of the second period.
And in a hopeful sign for the future, 20-year-old debutant Noah Lolesio romped over for a try a minute after the restart following a barnstorming run from Jordan Petaia, who is also 20.
The game slowed down with conditions heavy and after several botched Australian attacks, man-of-the match Mo'unga booted a penalty and Reiko Ioane darted over for their fifth try.
Jordie Barrett rubbed salt in their wounds with another try as the clock ticked down.
It was the first time since 2009 the All Blacks had wrapped up the Bledisloe series on Australian soil and proved sweet revenge for their last game in Australia, when they were whalloped 47-26 in Perth.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Hamilton shades Verstappen in Imola's only practice session

Lewis Hamilton topped the times ahead of Max Verstappen in Saturday morning 's first , and final , practice at this weekend ’ s two-day Emilio Romagna Grand Prix .
Series leader and six-time world champion Hamilton clocked a best lap of one minute and 14.726 seconds on soft tyres in his Mercedes , beating the Dutchman ’ s Red Bull by two-tenths .
Hamilton ’ s Mercedes team-mate and nearest title rival Valtteri Bottas was third , nearly half a second off the pace , ahead of Pierre Gasly of Alpha Tauri and Ferrari ’ s Charles Leclerc .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocon were sixth and seventh ahead of Daniil Kvyat in the second Alpha Tauri , Alex Albon in the second Red Bull and Lance Stroll of Racing Point .
On a dry blue-skied morning at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari , the sun burned off early low mist with the temperatures rising from 15 and 18 degrees , for air and track , at the start .
The compressed session represented Formula One ’ s first return to action at the historic track since 2006 and the start of a truncated two-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical for the teams in seeking to do four hours ‘ normal ’ practice work on qualifying and race set-up in just 90 minutes .
Several drivers had fast lap times deleted for exceeding track limits as they pushed in search of more speed on an ‘ old school ’ circuit surrounded by trees and rolling parkland in central Italy .
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel , in the second Ferrari , continued his season-long travails as he wound up 12th , six-tenths slower than Leclerc .

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Lewis Hamilton topped the times ahead of Max Verstappen in Saturday morning's first, and final, practice at this weekend’s two-day Emilio Romagna Grand Prix.
Series leader and six-time world champion Hamilton clocked a best lap of one minute and 14.726 seconds on soft tyres in his Mercedes, beating the Dutchman’s Red Bull by two-tenths.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate and nearest title rival Valtteri Bottas was third, nearly half a second off the pace, ahead of Pierre Gasly of Alpha Tauri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
The Renaults of Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon were sixth and seventh ahead of Daniil Kvyat in the second Alpha Tauri, Alex Albon in the second Red Bull and Lance Stroll of Racing Point.
On a dry blue-skied morning at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the sun burned off early low mist with the temperatures rising from 15 and 18 degrees, for air and track, at the start.
The compressed session represented Formula One’s first return to action at the historic track since 2006 and the start of a truncated two-day event.
That made the practice session critical for the teams in seeking to do four hours ‘normal’ practice work on qualifying and race set-up in just 90 minutes.
Several drivers had fast lap times deleted for exceeding track limits as they pushed in search of more speed on an ‘old school’ circuit surrounded by trees and rolling parkland in central Italy.
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, in the second Ferrari, continued his season-long travails as he wound up 12th, six-tenths slower than Leclerc.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Iraq reopens Tahrir Square, epicentre of revolt in Baghdad

Iraq 's Lieutenant General Qais al-Muhammadawi ( C ) oversaw the reopening of Al-Jumhuriya bridge in Baghdad after it had been blocked off during anti-government protests Iraqi authorities reopened Baghdad 's Tahrir Square and Al-Jumhuriyah bridge on Saturday , symbolically ending more than a year of demonstrations in epicentres of an anti-government protest movement .
Protester tents have been dismantled at the Tahrir roundabout , now again circled by cars , and the towering concrete walls used to close off the Al-Jumhuriyah bridge across the Tigris River have been removed .
Tahrir Square and its massive Freedom Monument was at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together hundreds of thousands of Iraqis in October 2019 , paralysing the capital and southern Iraq for months .
The Al-Jumhuriyah bridge leading to the highly fortified Green Zone -- where government offices , parliament and the US embassy are housed -- was a hotspot of clashes during the protests .
Clashes with security forces during the revolt left around 600 people dead and 30,000 wounded , the vast majority demonstrators .
`` The reopening of these places does not mean the revolt is over , '' said Kamal Jabar , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` October Revolution '' .
`` The protesters have lost a battle , but the movement endures and is now working to set up political organisations , '' he told AFP .
The movement had called for jobs , basic services , a total overhaul of the ruling class and an end to corruption .
But it lost momentum and then ground to a halt in the spring due to an outbreak of tensions between arch-foes the United States and Iran on Iraqi soil and the Covid-19 pandemic .
The protests helped usher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but he has yet to deliver on any major reforms .
Lockdown measures imposed to stem the virus and the fall in oil prices precipitated Iraq 's tumble into its worst economic downturn and doubled the country 's poverty rate to 40 percent .
Amid the crisis , public pressure mounted to reopen Tahrir Square and Al-Jumhuriyah bridge to ease traffic in Baghdad -- a city of 10 million inhabitants -- and to revive trade in the centre of the Arab world 's second most populated capital .

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Iraqi authorities reopened Baghdad's Tahrir Square and Al-Jumhuriyah bridge on Saturday, symbolically ending more than a year of demonstrations in epicentres of an anti-government protest movement.
Protester tents have been dismantled at the Tahrir roundabout, now again circled by cars, and the towering concrete walls used to close off the Al-Jumhuriyah bridge across the Tigris River have been removed.
Tahrir Square and its massive Freedom Monument was at the heart of the movement that brought together hundreds of thousands of Iraqis in October 2019, paralysing the capital and southern Iraq for months.
The Al-Jumhuriyah bridge leading to the highly fortified Green Zone -- where government offices, parliament and the US embassy are housed -- was a hotspot of clashes during the protests.
Clashes with security forces during the revolt left around 600 people dead and 30,000 wounded, the vast majority demonstrators.
"The reopening of these places does not mean the revolt is over," said Kamal Jabar, one of the figures of the movement dubbed the "October Revolution".
"The protesters have lost a battle, but the movement endures and is now working to set up political organisations," he told AFP.
The movement had called for jobs, basic services, a total overhaul of the ruling class and an end to corruption.
But it lost momentum and then ground to a halt in the spring due to an outbreak of tensions between arch-foes the United States and Iran on Iraqi soil and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The protests helped usher in Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi in May, but he has yet to deliver on any major reforms.
Lockdown measures imposed to stem the virus and the fall in oil prices precipitated Iraq's tumble into its worst economic downturn and doubled the country's poverty rate to 40 percent.
Amid the crisis, public pressure mounted to reopen Tahrir Square and Al-Jumhuriyah bridge to ease traffic in Baghdad -- a city of 10 million inhabitants -- and to revive trade in the centre of the Arab world's second most populated capital.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Nebraska: Life as a Democrat in the 'reddest' corner of America

Bill and Delores Schatz at their home near Seward , Nebraska , USA , on October 29 , 2020 .
In the third in our series of reports on America 's forgotten voters , we are in Nebraska 's third congressional district where Donald Trump won 74 percent of the vote in 2016 , making it one of the `` reddest '' parts of the country .
For the region 's few Democrats , merely expressing their political views can be daring .
Unlike most other states , Nebraska splits its electoral votes between congressional districts and the third district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America .
It has n't backed a Democrat at the polls since 1936 and ranks low on the list of priorities for both presidential candidates .
For Jessica Manley , chair of the Democratic Party in Seward County , within the 3rd , this means her job can be a challenge .
`` It 's a great place to raise a family , however it 's not a great place to maybe voice a different opinion , '' she told FRANCE 24 .
`` You just kind of know who you can talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to about certain issues , especially political issues . ''
Nevertheless , some are unafraid to publicly display their party allegiance .
But doing so can be risky , as Bill and Delores Schatz found out after putting up a sign reading `` Dump Trump '' outside their home .
`` We were in the house , it was about 10.45 at night , and we heard two loud bangs and I came out with a flashlight and somebody had shot at the sign with a shotgun , '' said Bill .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It scared me , '' added Delores .
`` They make me a little nervous because they are armed people . ''
Click on the video player above to watch the full report .

On The Ground
In the third in our series of reports on America's forgotten voters, we are in Nebraska's third congressional district where Donald Trump won 74 percent of the vote in 2016, making it one of the "reddest" parts of the country. For the region's few Democrats, merely expressing their political views can be daring.
Bill and Delores Schatz at their home near Seward, Nebraska, USA, on October 29, 2020.
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Unlike most other states, Nebraska splits its electoral votes between congressional districts and the third district is possibly the most pro-Republican part of America. It hasn't backed a Democrat at the polls since 1936 and ranks low on the list of priorities for both presidential candidates.
For Jessica Manley, chair of the Democratic Party in Seward County, within the 3rd, this means her job can be a challenge.
"It's a great place to raise a family, however it's not a great place to maybe voice a different opinion," she told FRANCE 24.
"You just kind of know who you can talk to and who you can't talk to about certain issues, especially political issues."
Nevertheless, some are unafraid to publicly display their party allegiance. But doing so can be risky, as Bill and Delores Schatz found out after putting up a sign reading "Dump Trump" outside their home.
"We were in the house, it was about 10.45 at night, and we heard two loud bangs and I came out with a flashlight and somebody had shot at the sign with a shotgun," said Bill.
"Kaboom! Very loud, very loud. It scared me," added Delores. "They make me a little nervous because they are armed people."
Click on the video player above to watch the full report.
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france24--2020-10-31--England set for another virus lockdown: reports

Other parts of the UK have already imposed more restrictions to slow infections British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering imposing a new lockdown across England within days following warnings his localised restrictions strategy has failed to curb soaring coronavirus rates , reports said Saturday .
Johnson is expected to announce on Monday the stringent new rules closing all but `` essential '' stores , while keeping schools , colleges and universities open , The Times said .
The measures could come into effect as early as Wednesday and last until December 1 , though no final decisions have yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is set to discuss the situation over the weekend with senior advisers and ministers and hold a cabinet meeting on Sunday to sign off on any final decisions , the Daily Telegraph reported .
The prospect of another nationwide lockdown comes after top scientific advisers said the virus was spreading significantly faster than their most dire predictions .
Documents released Friday from an October 8 meeting of the government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) included warnings that infections and hospitalisations were `` exceeding the reasonable worst-case scenario planning levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July , had predicted 85,000 more people could die during the winter wave of the pandemic .
Meanwhile , in its weekly study of Covid-19 prevalence also published Friday , the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) said it `` continued to rise steeply '' , with the number of people infected increasing to around one in 100 nationwide .
The pandemic has hit Britain harder than any other country in Europe , more than 46,000 people having died within 28 days of testing positive and the country set to cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some European countries and the devolved governments in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland have already reimposed partial lockdowns to try to cut their surging rates .
Johnson 's government , which is responsible for health policy in England only , has so far resisted the move , fearing the economic fallout .
Instead it has persevered with a localised response system that relies on three tiers of Covid-19 alert .
Only at the highest level are pubs and bars closed and indoor socialising banned .
More than 11 million people -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- are set to be under the tightest measures from Monday , including the northern cities of Liverpool , Manchester and Leeds .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab insisted Friday the government would continue its tactic of `` targeted '' local restrictions in virus hotspots .
`` The arbitrariness of a blanket approach would be far worse , '' he argued .
But with transmission rates soaring , the strategy has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks .
Calum Semple , a SAGE member , said Saturday the virus was now `` running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age groups .
Last month SAGE recommended a two-week national `` circuit-breaker '' lockdown over the half-term school holidays this week .
Johnson rejected the move .
His critics are now arguing that his decision has resulted in the need for an even longer lockdown now .
`` Government delay has cost both lives and livelihoods , '' London mayor Sadiq Khan , of the main opposition Labour party , wrote on Twitter .
`` We must act now to protect both . ''
Earlier this year , Johnson was criticised for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locking down Britain even as the number of positive cases and deaths spiralled across Europe .
He eventually imposed a national lockdown in late March , shutting all non-essential shops and schools , and forcing millions to work from home to cut transmission rates .
The stay-at-home measures were lifted in June as cases dwindled , with Johnson declaring in July the country could see `` a more significant return to normality from November ... possibly in time for Christmas '' .

London (AFP) –
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering imposing a new lockdown across England within days following warnings his localised restrictions strategy has failed to curb soaring coronavirus rates, reports said Saturday.
Johnson is expected to announce on Monday the stringent new rules closing all but "essential" stores, while keeping schools, colleges and universities open, The Times said.
The measures could come into effect as early as Wednesday and last until December 1, though no final decisions have yet been reached, it added.
Johnson is set to discuss the situation over the weekend with senior advisers and ministers and hold a cabinet meeting on Sunday to sign off on any final decisions, the Daily Telegraph reported.
The prospect of another nationwide lockdown comes after top scientific advisers said the virus was spreading significantly faster than their most dire predictions.
Documents released Friday from an October 8 meeting of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) included warnings that infections and hospitalisations were "exceeding the reasonable worst-case scenario planning levels".
The worst-case scenario, made in July, had predicted 85,000 more people could die during the winter wave of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, in its weekly study of Covid-19 prevalence also published Friday, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said it "continued to rise steeply", with the number of people infected increasing to around one in 100 nationwide.
The pandemic has hit Britain harder than any other country in Europe, more than 46,000 people having died within 28 days of testing positive and the country set to cross the 1 million case threshold on Saturday.
Some European countries and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have already reimposed partial lockdowns to try to cut their surging rates.
- 'Lives and livelihoods' -
Johnson's government, which is responsible for health policy in England only, has so far resisted the move, fearing the economic fallout.
Instead it has persevered with a localised response system that relies on three tiers of Covid-19 alert. Only at the highest level are pubs and bars closed and indoor socialising banned.
More than 11 million people -- about a fifth of England's population -- are set to be under the tightest measures from Monday, including the northern cities of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab insisted Friday the government would continue its tactic of "targeted" local restrictions in virus hotspots. "The arbitrariness of a blanket approach would be far worse," he argued. But with transmission rates soaring, the strategy has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks.
Calum Semple, a SAGE member, said Saturday the virus was now "running riot" across the country in all age groups.
Last month SAGE recommended a two-week national "circuit-breaker" lockdown over the half-term school holidays this week. Johnson rejected the move.
His critics are now arguing that his decision has resulted in the need for an even longer lockdown now.
"Government delay has cost both lives and livelihoods," London mayor Sadiq Khan, of the main opposition Labour party, wrote on Twitter. "We must act now to protect both."
Earlier this year, Johnson was criticised for a slow response to the outbreak, delaying locking down Britain even as the number of positive cases and deaths spiralled across Europe.
He eventually imposed a national lockdown in late March, shutting all non-essential shops and schools, and forcing millions to work from home to cut transmission rates.
The stay-at-home measures were lifted in June as cases dwindled, with Johnson declaring in July the country could see "a more significant return to normality from November... possibly in time for Christmas".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Crowds celebrate Pride in virus-free Taiwan

LGBT rights activists march on the streets of Taipei during Taiwan 's annual Gay Pride Parade Tens of thousands of revellers joined a gay pride rally through the streets of Taiwan 's capital on Saturday in a colourful celebration of equality made possible by the island 's successful vanquishing of the coronavirus .
Taiwan is at the vanguard of the burgeoning gay rights movement in Asia and became the first place in the region to allow same-sex marriage in May 2019 after a bruising political fight .
It has also achieved remarkable success against the coronavirus , recording more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single local infection .
As a result there are few of the social distancing measures currently in place across much of the globe , allowing crowds to gather on the island .
Rainbow coloured flags and balloons were carried through Taipei under blue skies on Saturday afternoon .
Drag queen Wu Po-sung was wearing a hand-crafted red `` wedding banquet '' dress -- the traditional colour of marriage in Taiwan -- complete with table settings .
`` Gay marriage is now in its second year , '' Wu told AFP .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of my friends ' wedding banquets and that 's why I am dressed like a wedding banquet . ''
Saturday 's parade came a day after two same-sex couples joined a mass wedding hosted by the military for the first time in another gay rights landmark in Asia .
Over 4,000 gay couples have registered their marriages since the law change took effect last year when Taiwan became the first place in the region to allow same-sex nuptials .
Taiwanese LGBT groups held a smaller pride march in June -- the traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities around the world who were unable to celebrate because of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Organisers estimated a turnout of 130,000 on Saturday -- the 18th Pride march in Taipei -- down from last year 's record 200,000 participants , when many international visitors were still able to travel to the island .
Taiwan is home to a thriving LGBT community and its capital is due to host Asia 's Gay Games next year .
But the issue has caused deep divisions on the island , especially among conservative religious groups and older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considerable risk in pushing for gay marriage .
But she won a second term in January with a landslide .
Taiwan 's gay marriage law still contains restrictions not faced by heterosexual couples , including on adoption and foreign marriages .
Currently Taiwanese people can only marry foreigners from countries that also have gay marriage laws .
`` Taiwan is Asia 's first , which means most of our neighbouring countries do not recognise same-sex marriages , '' Chien Chi-chieh , the secretary-general of the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Taiwanese has a partner from South Korea , Japan , Hong Kong , China , Malaysia , Vietnam , Philippines , they all ca n't get married .
There 's a huge number of couples like that in Taiwan , '' she added .

Taipei (AFP) –
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Tens of thousands of revellers joined a gay pride rally through the streets of Taiwan's capital on Saturday in a colourful celebration of equality made possible by the island's successful vanquishing of the coronavirus.
Taiwan is at the vanguard of the burgeoning gay rights movement in Asia and became the first place in the region to allow same-sex marriage in May 2019 after a bruising political fight.
It has also achieved remarkable success against the coronavirus, recording more than 200 days in a row without a single local infection.
As a result there are few of the social distancing measures currently in place across much of the globe, allowing crowds to gather on the island.
Rainbow coloured flags and balloons were carried through Taipei under blue skies on Saturday afternoon.
Drag queen Wu Po-sung was wearing a hand-crafted red "wedding banquet" dress -- the traditional colour of marriage in Taiwan -- complete with table settings.
"Gay marriage is now in its second year," Wu told AFP. "I was hoping to be able to attend all of my friends' wedding banquets and that's why I am dressed like a wedding banquet."
Saturday's parade came a day after two same-sex couples joined a mass wedding hosted by the military for the first time in another gay rights landmark in Asia.
Over 4,000 gay couples have registered their marriages since the law change took effect last year when Taiwan became the first place in the region to allow same-sex nuptials.
Taiwanese LGBT groups held a smaller pride march in June -- the traditional pride month -- in solidarity with gay communities around the world who were unable to celebrate because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Organisers estimated a turnout of 130,000 on Saturday -- the 18th Pride march in Taipei -- down from last year's record 200,000 participants, when many international visitors were still able to travel to the island.
Taiwan is home to a thriving LGBT community and its capital is due to host Asia's Gay Games next year.
But the issue has caused deep divisions on the island, especially among conservative religious groups and older generations.
President Tsai Ing-wen took a considerable risk in pushing for gay marriage. But she won a second term in January with a landslide.
Taiwan's gay marriage law still contains restrictions not faced by heterosexual couples, including on adoption and foreign marriages.
Currently Taiwanese people can only marry foreigners from countries that also have gay marriage laws.
"Taiwan is Asia's first, which means most of our neighbouring countries do not recognise same-sex marriages," Chien Chi-chieh, the secretary-general of the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights, told AFP.
"So, if a Taiwanese has a partner from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, they all can't get married. There's a huge number of couples like that in Taiwan," she added.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--France seeks to uncover Nice attacker's links

Police block access to the Notre-Dame de l'Assomption Basilica in Nice where a knife-wielding young Tunisian killed three people in an attack the authorities are treating as an act of `` Islamist terror '' French authorities were on Saturday seeking to ascertain if a young Tunisian suspected of killing three people in a knife rampage inside a Nice church had outside help as police arrested a third man who could have been associated with him .
Brahim Issaoui , 21 , only arrived in Europe from Tunisia last month and , according to prosecutors , killed the sexton , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attack in the Notre-Dame Basilica on Thursday morning .
The attack , which the government has described as an act of `` Islamist terror '' sent a shockwave across France , a country already on edge after the beheading this month of a teacher who showed a class a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed .
Issaoui was shot by police multiple times and is currently in a grave condition in hospital .
Investigators have been unable to question him and his precise motivations remain unclear .
French police are currently holding three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation , which is focusing on two telephones found on the suspect after the attack .
A first man , 47 , was detained on Thursday evening after being seen next to the attacker on surveillance footage the day before the attack .
The second individual , suspected of contacting Issaoui the day before the attack , was held on Friday .
Police said Saturday a third man , aged 33 , was arrested after being present when the home of the second suspect was raided .
Early on Thursday morning , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 60 , and the sexton Vincent Loques , 55 , inside the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice , investigators say .
A Brazilian mother , Simone Barreto Silva , who was stabbed several times , took refuge in a nearby restaurant but died of her wounds there .
Investigators believe Issaoui arrived illegally in Europe on Italy 's Mediterranean island of Lampedusa on September 20 .
He then arrived at the mainland Italian port of Bari on October 9 before coming to Nice just one or two days before the attack .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shock over the October 16 beheading by a suspected Islamist radical from Russia 's region of Chechnya of teacher Samuel Paty outside Paris .
The teacher had shown a class a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed in the wake of the controversy generated by the reprinting by satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo of the caricatures to mark the beginning of the trial of suspects over the massacre of its staff in January 2015 .
Even before that attack , President Emmanuel Macron had promised a tough new campaign against Islamist radicalism nationwide which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
Nice 's right-wing mayor Christian Estrosi told Europe 1 radio that he wanted to see a change in the constitution in order to `` wage war '' against what he termed `` Islamo-fascism '' .
Protests erupted Friday in Afghanistan , Pakistan , Bangladesh , Mali , Mauritania and Lebanon , the latest in a string of mass rallies denouncing France .
Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned that French citizens face a security risk `` wherever they are '' in the wake of the attack , saying alerts had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Issaoui 's hometown of Sfax in central Tunisia , his family told AFP they struggled to believe he had carried out the attack .
`` It 's not normal , '' said Issaoui 's brother Yassine .
But relatives said he had turned to religion and isolated himself in the past two years .
`` He prayed ... ( and ) went from home to work and back , not mixing with others or leaving the house , '' said his mother , crying as she clutched a passport photo of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Paris (AFP) –
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French authorities were on Saturday seeking to ascertain if a young Tunisian suspected of killing three people in a knife rampage inside a Nice church had outside help as police arrested a third man who could have been associated with him.
Brahim Issaoui, 21, only arrived in Europe from Tunisia last month and, according to prosecutors, killed the sexton, a Brazilian woman and a French woman in the attack in the Notre-Dame Basilica on Thursday morning.
The attack, which the government has described as an act of "Islamist terror" sent a shockwave across France, a country already on edge after the beheading this month of a teacher who showed a class a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed.
Issaoui was shot by police multiple times and is currently in a grave condition in hospital.
Investigators have been unable to question him and his precise motivations remain unclear.
French police are currently holding three people under arrest for questioning in the investigation, which is focusing on two telephones found on the suspect after the attack.
A first man, 47, was detained on Thursday evening after being seen next to the attacker on surveillance footage the day before the attack.
The second individual, suspected of contacting Issaoui the day before the attack, was held on Friday.
Police said Saturday a third man, aged 33, was arrested after being present when the home of the second suspect was raided.
- Global threat to France -
Early on Thursday morning, the attacker cut the throat of Nadine Devillers, 60, and the sexton Vincent Loques, 55, inside the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice, investigators say.
A Brazilian mother, Simone Barreto Silva, who was stabbed several times, took refuge in a nearby restaurant but died of her wounds there.
Investigators believe Issaoui arrived illegally in Europe on Italy's Mediterranean island of Lampedusa on September 20. He then arrived at the mainland Italian port of Bari on October 9 before coming to Nice just one or two days before the attack.
The attack came with France still in shock over the October 16 beheading by a suspected Islamist radical from Russia's region of Chechnya of teacher Samuel Paty outside Paris.
The teacher had shown a class a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed in the wake of the controversy generated by the reprinting by satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo of the caricatures to mark the beginning of the trial of suspects over the massacre of its staff in January 2015.
Even before that attack, President Emmanuel Macron had promised a tough new campaign against Islamist radicalism nationwide which had aroused controversy and condemnation from Muslims around the world.
Nice's right-wing mayor Christian Estrosi told Europe 1 radio that he wanted to see a change in the constitution in order to "wage war" against what he termed "Islamo-fascism".
Protests erupted Friday in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mali, Mauritania and Lebanon, the latest in a string of mass rallies denouncing France.
Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned that French citizens face a security risk "wherever they are" in the wake of the attack, saying alerts had been sent to all French nationals abroad.
In Issaoui's hometown of Sfax in central Tunisia, his family told AFP they struggled to believe he had carried out the attack.
"It's not normal," said Issaoui's brother Yassine.
But relatives said he had turned to religion and isolated himself in the past two years.
"He prayed... (and) went from home to work and back, not mixing with others or leaving the house," said his mother, crying as she clutched a passport photo of the young man in a white hoodie.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Slovakia to test entire population for coronavirus in global first

People at a café in Bratislava , Slovakia , on May 6 , 2020 , amid the Covid-19 pandemic .
Slovakia on Saturday begins a programme to screen its entire population for coronavirus with antigen tests in what would be a global first , but critics have said the plan is poorly thought out .
Some 45,000 medical workers , army and police are being deployed to carry out the tests in the EU member state of 5.4 million people , collecting swabs at around 5,000 testing points .
`` The world will be watching , '' Prime Minister Igor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the measure would save `` hundreds of lives '' .
Antigen tests give quick results -- sometimes within minutes -- but are not seen as being as reliable as the PCR test for which nasal swabs have to be sent to a lab for analysis .
Participation in the testing is not mandatory but anyone who is not able to produce a negative test certificate if stopped by police could get a heavy fine .
Anyone who tests positive has to go immediately into quarantine for 10 days .
`` This will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matovic said , hinting that virus restrictions could be eased once testing is complete or reinforced if the programme is not carried out in full .
Slovakia would be the first country of its size to undergo nationwide testing , although mass testing has taken place in entire Chinese cities .
Smaller European states such as Luxembourg and Monaco have also announced mass testing programmes .
Like other countries , Slovakia has seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases although it is below the EU average .
On Friday it reported a record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total to 55,091 .
The death toll currently stands at 212 .
The government is hoping to complete the nationwide testing over two days and carry out another round of mass tests next weekend .
But it has struggled to find medical workers to staff all the testing sites and has been forced to offer cash bonuses for doctors .
During pilot testing in four high-risk regions last weekend , people had to queue for up to two hours in some cases .
The Slovak Association of General Practitioners has criticised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill-prepared .
The association said that the `` mass concentration of millions of people '' at testing sites `` is at odds with the recommendations of infectious disease experts to reduce public contacts and mobility as much as possible '' .
Many ordinary people -- like Radovan Babincak , an unemployed man living in the capital Bratislava -- want to stay away .
`` The government and the prime minister are threatening people , '' the 40-year-old told AFP .
Anton Dubovsky , a 67-year-old petrol station operator , said he and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am not convinced this testing is a good idea at all , '' he said .

Slovakia on Saturday begins a programme to screen its entire population for coronavirus with antigen tests in what would be a global first, but critics have said the plan is poorly thought out.
People at a café in Bratislava, Slovakia, on May 6, 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Some 45,000 medical workers, army and police are being deployed to carry out the tests in the EU member state of 5.4 million people, collecting swabs at around 5,000 testing points.
"The world will be watching," Prime Minister Igor Matovic said earlier this week, adding that the measure would save "hundreds of lives".
Antigen tests give quick results -- sometimes within minutes -- but are not seen as being as reliable as the PCR test for which nasal swabs have to be sent to a lab for analysis.
Participation in the testing is not mandatory but anyone who is not able to produce a negative test certificate if stopped by police could get a heavy fine.
Anyone who tests positive has to go immediately into quarantine for 10 days.
"This will be our road to freedom," Matovic said, hinting that virus restrictions could be eased once testing is complete or reinforced if the programme is not carried out in full.
Slovakia would be the first country of its size to undergo nationwide testing, although mass testing has taken place in entire Chinese cities.
Smaller European states such as Luxembourg and Monaco have also announced mass testing programmes.
Government 'threatening people'
Like other countries, Slovakia has seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases although it is below the EU average.
On Friday it reported a record of 3,363 new daily infections, bringing the total to 55,091. The death toll currently stands at 212.
The government is hoping to complete the nationwide testing over two days and carry out another round of mass tests next weekend.
But it has struggled to find medical workers to staff all the testing sites and has been forced to offer cash bonuses for doctors.
During pilot testing in four high-risk regions last weekend, people had to queue for up to two hours in some cases.
The Slovak Association of General Practitioners has criticised the government's plan, saying it is ill-prepared.
The association said that the "mass concentration of millions of people" at testing sites "is at odds with the recommendations of infectious disease experts to reduce public contacts and mobility as much as possible".
Many ordinary people -- like Radovan Babincak, an unemployed man living in the capital Bratislava -- want to stay away.
"The government and the prime minister are threatening people," the 40-year-old told AFP.
Anton Dubovsky, a 67-year-old petrol station operator, said he and his son would not go.
"I am not convinced this testing is a good idea at all," he said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-10-31--Third man detained over deadly church stabbing in Nice

Candles and flowers are seen near the Notre-Dame church in tribute to the victims of a deadly knife attack in Nice , France , October 30 , 2020 .
A third man has been detained for questioning in connection with the knife attack on a church in the southern French city of Nice that left three people dead , a legal source said Saturday .
The man , 33 , was present during a police search late Friday at the home of a second man who was also detained for questioning as he was believed to have been in contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are trying to clarify what his role is in all this , '' the source added .
The suspect in Nice , who was shot and hospitalised in a critical condition , has been identified as a 21-year-old Tunisian man who arrived in Europe a little over a month before the attack , according to French investigators .
President Emmanuel Macron has called the deadly stabbing an `` Islamist terrorist attack '' and announced increased surveillance of churches by France 's Sentinelle military patrols , to be bolstered to 7,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would also be boosted , he said .
`` Quite clearly , it is France that is being attacked , '' the president added , vowing the country `` will not give up on our values '' .
The attack took place at a time of growing anger among Muslims in many countries over the issue of French cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad , which they deem insulting and blasphemous .
It occurred almost two weeks after Samuel Paty , a school teacher in a Paris suburb , was beheaded by an 18-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such cartoons in a class on freedom of expression .
France , home to Europe 's largest Muslim community and hit by a string of militant attacks in recent years , has defended the right to publish such cartoons .
Macron has insisted France will not compromise on its basic freedoms of belief and expression .

A third man has been detained for questioning in connection with the knife attack on a church in the southern French city of Nice that left three people dead, a legal source said Saturday.
Candles and flowers are seen near the Notre-Dame church in tribute to the victims of a deadly knife attack in Nice, France, October 30, 2020.
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The man, 33, was present during a police search late Friday at the home of a second man who was also detained for questioning as he was believed to have been in contact with the attacker, the source said.
"We are trying to clarify what his role is in all this," the source added.
The suspect in Nice, who was shot and hospitalised in a critical condition, has been identified as a 21-year-old Tunisian man who arrived in Europe a little over a month before the attack, according to French investigators.
President Emmanuel Macron has called the deadly stabbing an "Islamist terrorist attack" and announced increased surveillance of churches by France's Sentinelle military patrols, to be bolstered to 7,000 troops from 3,000.
Security at schools would also be boosted, he said.
"Quite clearly, it is France that is being attacked," the president added, vowing the country "will not give up on our values".
The attack took place at a time of growing anger among Muslims in many countries over the issue of French cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, which they deem insulting and blasphemous.
It occurred almost two weeks after Samuel Paty, a school teacher in a Paris suburb, was beheaded by an 18-year-old Chechen. Paty had shown his pupils such cartoons in a class on freedom of expression.
France, home to Europe's largest Muslim community and hit by a string of militant attacks in recent years, has defended the right to publish such cartoons. Macron has insisted France will not compromise on its basic freedoms of belief and expression.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-31--Armenia PM asks Putin to start talks on providing security amid Karabakh war

Each side has accused the other of targetting civilians Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin `` urgent '' consultations on providing security amid a conflict with Azerbaijan after fresh talks failed to agree a ceasefire .
Pasninyan sent the letter to Putin after Armenia and Azerbaijan failed to agree a fresh ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during talks in Geneva on Friday and as fighting continued overnight and Saturday morning .
The announcement , released by the Armenian foreign ministry , raised fears of an escalation in fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sucking Yerevan 's ally Russia and Turkey , which backs Baku , into the conflict .
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been engaged in fierce fighting for more than a month over Nagorno-Karabakh , a region of Azerbaijan controlled by Armenian separatists in the wake of the break-up of the Soviet Union .
The flare-up of the conflict has left more than a thousand dead , with world powers so far unable to persuade either side to stop fighting .
Russia has a military base in Armenia and has a defence treaty with Yerevan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has asked the Russian president to begin urgent consultations with the aim of determining the kind and amount of aid which the Russian Federation can provide Armenia to ensure its security , '' the foreign ministry in Yerevan said in a statement .
Russia has previously said that its defence pact with Armenia does not extend to the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
But Pashinyan in his letter to Putin said that hostilities were getting closer to Armenia 's borders and reiterated that Azerbaijan 's ally Turkey was backing Baku , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help , invoking the two countries ' close ties and a 1997 treaty on friendship , cooperation and mutual assistance .
Armenian officials did not provide further details when reached by AFP .
`` One step closer to a wider war ?
, '' tweeted Carey Cavanaugh , a former US ambassador and co-chair of the OSCE Minsk group .
Armenian political analyst Hakob Badalyan told AFP that he did not rule out that Pashinyan 's plea for help was `` for now a political step to stress Russia 's role in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide to the Azerbaijani president , told AFP Baku would not comment .
On Friday , mediators from France , Russia and the US said in a statement from Geneva that the warring sides had committed to `` not deliberately target civilian populations or non-military objects in accordance with international humanitarian law '' .
But the defence ministry of the Karabakh separatist leadership on Saturday accused Azerbaijan of violating the Geneva agreements and targeting the main city Stepanakert and the strategically important town of Shusha .
The ministry said there were `` wounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied targeting the Karabakh main city .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a bitter conflict over Karabakh since Armenian separatists backed by Yerevan seized control of the mountainous province in a 1990s war that left 30,000 people dead .
The current clashes broke out on September 27 and fighting has persisted despite the repeated international attempts to secure a ceasefire .
The warring sides have three times agreed to ceasefires during recent talks mediated by Russia , France and the United States but the truces have all quickly fallen apart .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been reported dead since the fighting began , but the actual death toll is believed to be substantially higher .

Yerevan (AFP) –
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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin "urgent" consultations on providing security amid a conflict with Azerbaijan after fresh talks failed to agree a ceasefire.
Pasninyan sent the letter to Putin after Armenia and Azerbaijan failed to agree a fresh ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during talks in Geneva on Friday and as fighting continued overnight and Saturday morning.
The announcement, released by the Armenian foreign ministry, raised fears of an escalation in fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Some observers are concerned it risks sucking Yerevan's ally Russia and Turkey, which backs Baku, into the conflict.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been engaged in fierce fighting for more than a month over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of Azerbaijan controlled by Armenian separatists in the wake of the break-up of the Soviet Union.
The flare-up of the conflict has left more than a thousand dead, with world powers so far unable to persuade either side to stop fighting.
Russia has a military base in Armenia and has a defence treaty with Yerevan.
"The prime minister of Armenia has asked the Russian president to begin urgent consultations with the aim of determining the kind and amount of aid which the Russian Federation can provide Armenia to ensure its security," the foreign ministry in Yerevan said in a statement.
Russia has previously said that its defence pact with Armenia does not extend to the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
But Pashinyan in his letter to Putin said that hostilities were getting closer to Armenia's borders and reiterated that Azerbaijan's ally Turkey was backing Baku, according to the statement.
He requested Moscow's help, invoking the two countries' close ties and a 1997 treaty on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance.
- 'Closer to wider war?' -
Armenian officials did not provide further details when reached by AFP.
"One step closer to a wider war?," tweeted Carey Cavanaugh, a former US ambassador and co-chair of the OSCE Minsk group.
Armenian political analyst Hakob Badalyan told AFP that he did not rule out that Pashinyan's plea for help was "for now a political step to stress Russia's role in this region".
Hikmet Hajiyev, an aide to the Azerbaijani president, told AFP Baku would not comment.
On Friday, mediators from France, Russia and the US said in a statement from Geneva that the warring sides had committed to "not deliberately target civilian populations or non-military objects in accordance with international humanitarian law".
But the defence ministry of the Karabakh separatist leadership on Saturday accused Azerbaijan of violating the Geneva agreements and targeting the main city Stepanakert and the strategically important town of Shusha.
The ministry said there were "wounded among civilians" in Shusha. Baku denied targeting the Karabakh main city.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a bitter conflict over Karabakh since Armenian separatists backed by Yerevan seized control of the mountainous province in a 1990s war that left 30,000 people dead.
The current clashes broke out on September 27 and fighting has persisted despite the repeated international attempts to secure a ceasefire.
The warring sides have three times agreed to ceasefires during recent talks mediated by Russia, France and the United States but the truces have all quickly fallen apart.
More than 1,200 people from both sides have been reported dead since the fighting began, but the actual death toll is believed to be substantially higher.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-01--All Blacks 'excited' about future after record Wallabies drubbing

The All Blacks produced a masterclass to crush the Wallabies All Blacks skipper Sam Cane is excited about where his new-look team can go after a dazzling masterclass against a `` diabolical '' Wallabies sent a chilling warning to world rugby .
The New Zealanders ran in six tries to one in the bonus point 43-5 rout at Sydney on Saturday -- their highest winning margin against Australia , eclipsing a 43-6 victory in 1996 .
It kicked off their Tri Nations campaign in style and sealed the trans-Tasman Bledisloe Cup for an 18th straight year , building on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard-fought 27-7 triumph at Auckland .
The failure to win in Wellington sparked murmurs about how the team would fare under new coach Ian Foster and Cane , who took over from Steve Hansen and Kieran Read respectively after last year 's World Cup .
But after three games of their stewardship , concerns have been put to bed with the All Blacks back to their ruthless best and the prospect of better to come .
`` I 'm just so proud of the work we 've put in over the last five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment , '' said Cane .
`` It feels like we 've improved every single week and I 'm really excited about where this group can go . ''
Foster was equally effusive , noting : `` We 're building something here . ''
New Zealand were electric in the opening half , exploiting Australia 's defensive frailties in scoring four tries with another two disallowed .
But they eased up immediately after half-time when Australia scored their only try , an aspect Foster said needed to be fixed ahead of the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There 's a few areas to work on , we 'll go away and analyse it but I think in the third quarter we got caught a little bit early , '' he said .
`` The Wallabies certainly came out of the shed ( in the second-half ) a little bit stronger and motivated and we did n't .
`` And I think we saw that at Eden Park too , in the last quarter when we took the foot off the pedal , so we 've got to address that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outstanding player for New Zealand , grabbing two tries , setting up Jordie Barrett 's late score and kicking 13 points for a match haul of 23 .
Karl Tu'inukuafe , Dane Coles , and Rieko Ioane also crossed for the All Blacks .
It capped a horror show by a Wallabies side missing key playmakers James O'Connor and Matt To'omua , with Australian media laying in the boot Sunday , variously branding their performance `` diabolical '' , `` dreadful '' and `` humiliating '' .
`` Look , all I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to keep working hard , we think we 've got some good kids coming through , '' said coach Dave Rennie .
`` We need to respond immediately , and the plan is you 'll see that next week . ''
Foster was graceful when asked about the Australian effort .
`` I know it 's a tough result for them but I thought we saw a lot of determination and attitude out of them , particularly in that third quarter , '' he said .
`` It showed there is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixtures are always going to be as tough as ever . ''

Sydney (AFP) –
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All Blacks skipper Sam Cane is excited about where his new-look team can go after a dazzling masterclass against a "diabolical" Wallabies sent a chilling warning to world rugby.
The New Zealanders ran in six tries to one in the bonus point 43-5 rout at Sydney on Saturday -- their highest winning margin against Australia, eclipsing a 43-6 victory in 1996.
It kicked off their Tri Nations campaign in style and sealed the trans-Tasman Bledisloe Cup for an 18th straight year, building on a disappointing 16-16 draw in Wellington before a hard-fought 27-7 triumph at Auckland.
The failure to win in Wellington sparked murmurs about how the team would fare under new coach Ian Foster and Cane, who took over from Steve Hansen and Kieran Read respectively after last year's World Cup.
But after three games of their stewardship, concerns have been put to bed with the All Blacks back to their ruthless best and the prospect of better to come.
"I'm just so proud of the work we've put in over the last five to six weeks building up to this moment," said Cane. "It feels like we've improved every single week and I'm really excited about where this group can go."
Foster was equally effusive, noting: "We're building something here."
New Zealand were electric in the opening half, exploiting Australia's defensive frailties in scoring four tries with another two disallowed.
But they eased up immediately after half-time when Australia scored their only try, an aspect Foster said needed to be fixed ahead of the final Bledisloe game in Brisbane next weekend.
"There's a few areas to work on, we'll go away and analyse it but I think in the third quarter we got caught a little bit early," he said.
- 'Diabolical, dreadful, humiliating' -
"The Wallabies certainly came out of the shed (in the second-half) a little bit stronger and motivated and we didn't.
"And I think we saw that at Eden Park too, in the last quarter when we took the foot off the pedal, so we've got to address that."
Fly-half Richie Mo'unga was the outstanding player for New Zealand, grabbing two tries, setting up Jordie Barrett's late score and kicking 13 points for a match haul of 23.
Karl Tu'inukuafe, Dane Coles, and Rieko Ioane also crossed for the All Blacks.
It capped a horror show by a Wallabies side missing key playmakers James O'Connor and Matt To'omua, with Australian media laying in the boot Sunday, variously branding their performance "diabolical", "dreadful" and "humiliating".
"Look, all I'm going to say is, we're going to keep working hard, we think we've got some good kids coming through," said coach Dave Rennie.
"We need to respond immediately, and the plan is you'll see that next week."
Foster was graceful when asked about the Australian effort.
"I know it's a tough result for them but I thought we saw a lot of determination and attitude out of them, particularly in that third quarter," he said.
"It showed there is something building there that will guarantee the next fixtures are always going to be as tough as ever."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-01--Usyk eyes Joshua fight after ending Chisora's hopes

Ukraine 's Oleksandr Usyk extended his undefeated record with a unanimous points win over Dereck Chisora on Saturday , ending @ @ @ @ @ last shot at a world heavyweight title bout .
Eight years after losing to Vitali @ @ @ @ @ to become heavyweight champion , Chisora struggled against 2012 Olympic gold medallist Usyk .
The @ @ @ @ @ cruiserweight champion , has won all 18 of his professional fights .
He now becomes @ @ @ @ @ of Anthony Joshua 's belts after his 117-112 , 115-113 and 115-113 win .

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Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk extended his undefeated record with a unanimous points win over Dereck Chisora on Saturday, ending the British fighter's possible last shot at a world heavyweight title bout.
Eight years after losing to Vitali Klitschko in his only attempt to become heavyweight champion, Chisora struggled against 2012 Olympic gold medallist Usyk.
The Ukrainian, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, has won all 18 of his professional fights.
He now becomes the mandatory challenger for one of Anthony Joshua's belts after his 117-112, 115-113 and 115-113 win.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Farrell targets Autumn Nations Cup triumph after England win Six Nations

England captain Owen Farrell quickly set his sights on an Autumn Nations Cup triumph just moments after his side won the Six Nations Championship on Saturday .
Farrell led England to a 34-5 win in Rome that took them to the top of the standings in northern hemisphere rugby union 's premier international competition nearly a year to the day since their World Cup final defeat by South Africa in Japan .
France and Ireland both still had a chance to be crowned champions when they faced off in Saturday 's final match of the coronavirus-delayed tournament .
But France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won a third Six Nations title in five seasons under Eddie Jones .
`` It 's a massive achievement for us as a group to win the Six Nations in the strangest year and circumstances , '' said Farrell in a Rugby Football Union statement .
The Covid-19 pandemic halted the tournament for more than seven months and England had to shake off additional rust on Saturday after breaches of health protocols involving Barbarians players saw last week 's planned warm-up fixture at Twickenham cancelled .
`` We 've worked really hard in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get ready for the Italy game , '' said fly-half Farrell after a match where scrum-half Ben Youngs marked his 100th Test for England with two tries .
`` We knew what we had to do and we kept our focus and got the result , '' he added .
The Autumn Nations Cup , a replacement for traditional end-of-year tours of Europe by rugby union 's southern hemisphere giants , starts in a fortnight .
`` This is a great group of players , we really think we can continue to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Farrell .
`` We 're turning our attentions now to the Autumn Nations Cup , we want consistent success and we 're working hard to be better in each and every game . ''
Both Farrell and Jones paid tribute to England 's fans who , in common with their counterparts across the Championship , had to watch Saturday 's behind closed doors matches on television , with spectators largely barred from grounds as a precaution against the spread of Covid-19 .
`` I 'm very proud of all the players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach Jones , who also guided England to successive Six Nations titles in 2016 and 2017 .
`` They 've reacted superbly to the changing situations in the past couple of weeks and remained focused on the goal of winning the Six Nations , '' the former Wallaby and Japan boss added .
`` We 'd also like to thank all of our supporters .
It 's strange not having fans in the stadium and we know it 's a tough time for the country , but we felt your support throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Rome (AFP) –
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England captain Owen Farrell quickly set his sights on an Autumn Nations Cup triumph just moments after his side won the Six Nations Championship on Saturday.
Farrell led England to a 34-5 win in Rome that took them to the top of the standings in northern hemisphere rugby union's premier international competition nearly a year to the day since their World Cup final defeat by South Africa in Japan.
France and Ireland both still had a chance to be crowned champions when they faced off in Saturday's final match of the coronavirus-delayed tournament.
But France's 35-27 win in Paris meant England won a third Six Nations title in five seasons under Eddie Jones.
"It's a massive achievement for us as a group to win the Six Nations in the strangest year and circumstances," said Farrell in a Rugby Football Union statement.
The Covid-19 pandemic halted the tournament for more than seven months and England had to shake off additional rust on Saturday after breaches of health protocols involving Barbarians players saw last week's planned warm-up fixture at Twickenham cancelled.
"We've worked really hard in training over the past few weeks to get ready for the Italy game," said fly-half Farrell after a match where scrum-half Ben Youngs marked his 100th Test for England with two tries.
"We knew what we had to do and we kept our focus and got the result," he added.
The Autumn Nations Cup, a replacement for traditional end-of-year tours of Europe by rugby union's southern hemisphere giants, starts in a fortnight.
- 'Consistent success' -
"This is a great group of players, we really think we can continue to get better and achieve more for England," said Farrell.
"We're turning our attentions now to the Autumn Nations Cup, we want consistent success and we're working hard to be better in each and every game."
Both Farrell and Jones paid tribute to England's fans who, in common with their counterparts across the Championship, had to watch Saturday's behind closed doors matches on television, with spectators largely barred from grounds as a precaution against the spread of Covid-19.
"I'm very proud of all the players and staff," said veteran Australian coach Jones, who also guided England to successive Six Nations titles in 2016 and 2017.
"They've reacted superbly to the changing situations in the past couple of weeks and remained focused on the goal of winning the Six Nations," the former Wallaby and Japan boss added.
"We'd also like to thank all of our supporters. It's strange not having fans in the stadium and we know it's a tough time for the country, but we felt your support throughout the campaign and it does make a difference."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Smith sees green shoots in young Italy's performance

Italy flanker Abraham Steyn ( R ) catches the ball in a line out next to England flanker Sam Underhill during the Six Nations in Rome .
Franco Smith praised `` a good starting point '' for his young Italy who pushed Six Nations champions England in the first half before falling to a 34-5 defeat and collecting a fifth wooden spoon in a row in Rome on Saturday .
England claimed the title for the seventh time and first since 2017 after their five-try bonus-point victory over the Italians in an empty Stadio Olimpicio .
Smith took over following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Italy failed to progress past the World Cup pool stage .
The former Springbok has overseen five Six Nations defeats this year with 178 points conceded and two games with no points at all against Wales and Scotland .
Italy 's last win in the tournament was against Scotland in Edinburgh in February 2015 , while at home the Azzurri have not won since March 2013 , when they beat Ireland in Rome .
`` We approached these last two matches with an almost new squad , with a lot of young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith of games against Ireland and England after the seven-month coronavirus lockdown .
`` We presented a different performance in terms of attitude often putting England in difficulty .
`` With a little more luck we could have scored a couple of tries in the first half .
`` With such a performance we can hope for the future .
I 'm not happy with the result , it 's clear .
`` But we have seen something that gives us confidence in our work in view of the next matches . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 42-0 rout in Wales in February , it was not one-way traffic .
The visitors stepped on the accelerator after the break with the score 10-5 , after English-born Jake Polledri had scored a try for the hosts .
The Gloucester flanker , however , turned from hero to villain when he was sin binned for the start of the second-half .
England immediately took advantage of the extra man with Ben Youngs touching down for his second try of the game , with three more to follow from Jamie George , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was a very strange , very difficult Six Nations tournament , '' said Smith .
`` At the beginning of the year , I had found a team halfway there , we needed to build a new group , a new game , a new philosophy .
`` Unfortunately , this was interrupted .
Physically , we see that we are behind other teams because we spent a long time in Italy .
`` But we made too many technical mistakes , there was not enough continuity in our attack phases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a shame . ''
For Italy , a 27th consecutive defeat in the tournament gives them a 10th wooden spoon in 21 editions .
`` The result is n't nice to see , '' said captain Luca Bigi .
`` But there was a change of direction from the Ireland game ( 50-17 ) . ''
`` The attitude that was seen on the pitch is the one that we will take away from this tournament . ''

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Franco Smith praised "a good starting point" for his young Italy who pushed Six Nations champions England in the first half before falling to a 34-5 defeat and collecting a fifth wooden spoon in a row in Rome on Saturday.
England claimed the title for the seventh time and first since 2017 after their five-try bonus-point victory over the Italians in an empty Stadio Olimpicio.
Smith took over following Conor O'Shea's resignation in November 2019 after Italy failed to progress past the World Cup pool stage.
The former Springbok has overseen five Six Nations defeats this year with 178 points conceded and two games with no points at all against Wales and Scotland.
Italy's last win in the tournament was against Scotland in Edinburgh in February 2015, while at home the Azzurri have not won since March 2013, when they beat Ireland in Rome.
"We approached these last two matches with an almost new squad, with a lot of young people, little experience," said Smith of games against Ireland and England after the seven-month coronavirus lockdown.
"We presented a different performance in terms of attitude often putting England in difficulty.
"With a little more luck we could have scored a couple of tries in the first half.
"With such a performance we can hope for the future. I'm not happy with the result, it's clear.
"But we have seen something that gives us confidence in our work in view of the next matches."
- 'Strange, difficult' -
Unlike the 17-0 defeat to Scotland or the 42-0 rout in Wales in February, it was not one-way traffic.
The visitors stepped on the accelerator after the break with the score 10-5, after English-born Jake Polledri had scored a try for the hosts.
The Gloucester flanker, however, turned from hero to villain when he was sin binned for the start of the second-half.
England immediately took advantage of the extra man with Ben Youngs touching down for his second try of the game, with three more to follow from Jamie George, Tom Curry and Henry Slade.
"It was a very strange, very difficult Six Nations tournament," said Smith.
"At the beginning of the year, I had found a team halfway there, we needed to build a new group, a new game, a new philosophy.
"Unfortunately, this was interrupted. Physically, we see that we are behind other teams because we spent a long time in Italy.
"But we made too many technical mistakes, there was not enough continuity in our attack phases, when we have had chances, it's a shame."
For Italy, a 27th consecutive defeat in the tournament gives them a 10th wooden spoon in 21 editions.
"The result isn't nice to see," said captain Luca Bigi.
"But there was a change of direction from the Ireland game (50-17)."
"The attitude that was seen on the pitch is the one that we will take away from this tournament."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-31--Elite sport in England exempt from fresh lockdown

Elite sport will be allowed to continue behind closed doors in England despite a new national lockdown Elite sport will continue to be allowed behind closed doors despite a new month-long lockdown being imposed across England by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday .
The strict series of measures reintroduced to try and curb rising coronavirus infection rates will begin from Thursday , November 5 and last until December 2 .
Pubs and restaurants will shut unless serving takeaway food , while all leisure and entertainment venues and non-essential shops will close .
However , Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoy an exemption to play behind closed doors .
`` Travel to a place of work will be permitted , '' he tweeted .
`` This includes ( but not exhaustive ) elite sport played behind closed doors . ''
The 2019/20 Premier League season was suspended for three months between March and June during the first UK lockdown to bring the virus under control .
Rugby , tennis and horse racing are among the other sports that will benefit from high-profile events being allowed to continue behind closed doors .
The season-ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal , are due to be played in London 's O2 from November 15-22 .
`` Following the British Prime Minister 's announcement , the ATP Finals will continue as planned behind closed doors , '' said an ATP statement .
`` We will continue to work with all the relevant authorities both at national and local level to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to ensure the safety of all those involved in the tournament . ''
Rugby 's Autumn Nations Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Six Nations joined by Georgia and Fiji for a four-week tournament from November 13 that will replace the normal November internationals .

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Elite sport will continue to be allowed behind closed doors despite a new month-long lockdown being imposed across England by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday.
The strict series of measures reintroduced to try and curb rising coronavirus infection rates will begin from Thursday, November 5 and last until December 2.
Pubs and restaurants will shut unless serving takeaway food, while all leisure and entertainment venues and non-essential shops will close.
However, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed that elite sport will continue to enjoy an exemption to play behind closed doors.
"Travel to a place of work will be permitted," he tweeted. "This includes (but not exhaustive) elite sport played behind closed doors."
The 2019/20 Premier League season was suspended for three months between March and June during the first UK lockdown to bring the virus under control.
Rugby, tennis and horse racing are among the other sports that will benefit from high-profile events being allowed to continue behind closed doors.
The season-ending ATP Tour finals, which will feature the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, are due to be played in London's O2 from November 15-22.
"Following the British Prime Minister's announcement, the ATP Finals will continue as planned behind closed doors," said an ATP statement.
"We will continue to work with all the relevant authorities both at national and local level to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to ensure the safety of all those involved in the tournament."
Rugby's Autumn Nations Cup will see the countries that normally compete in the Six Nations joined by Georgia and Fiji for a four-week tournament from November 13 that will replace the normal November internationals.
© 2020 AFP