france24--2020-12-03--Safe trip? Aboard the revamped Boeing 737 MAX' 1st public flight

An exterior view of an American Airlines B737 MAX is seen at Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport in Dallas , Texas on December 2 , 2020 , as the carrier made its first non-test flight with it after a 20-month grounding following two fatal crashes That question was very much on the minds of the 87 passengers on the revamped Boeing 737 MAX 's first public flight Wednesday following a 20-month grounding after two fatal crashes .
US authorities last month gave the green light for the plane to return to service after upgrades in the wake of the two calamities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotional American Airlines voyage between Dallas , Texas and Tulsa , Oklahoma was intended to reassure the public before American resumes commercial service on the jet on December 29 .
The trip began with American flight attendants reviewing security procedures before distributing bottled water .
As he welcomed passengers , pilot Pete Gamble testified to the plane 's safety and reliability .
`` The systems changes , the scrutiny the airplanes are going through , plus the training that we 've enforced , has really brought back the confidence level , '' Gamble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the scrutiny .
It did . ''
Before flying the MAX , each American pilot is required to undertake a two-hour training course on a computer tablet , followed by an hour of flight simulator training , followed then by two hours with a colleague when pilots react to different flying scenarios .
Aside from some turbulence along the way , Wednesday 's 50-minute flight to Tulsa proceeded uneventfully .
Throughout , passengers donning face masks because of the coronavirus and separated by a seat due to social distancing betrayed no obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in aviation will see no obvious markers of the MAX .
The seats give only the numbers 737 , though the wheel labels the jet as a `` 73-8x . ''
American has said that all customers who buy tickets on the plane will be notified of flights employing the MAX .
The carrier will provide alternative trips to passengers who do n't want to fly on the plane .
`` Safety is our number one priority , '' said American Chief Operating Officer David Seymour .
`` There are no exceptions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 34-year veteran at American Airlines , is overseeing the process of readying the jets so they can return to the skies .
Steele said he has always loved the Boeing 737 MAX and was present when the giant US carrier received its first MAX jets .
All the jets must go through four days of intense work before being cleared for service .
Teams work 24 hours a day at a warehouse on two planes at a time to check the pressure on the tires , the hydraulic systems , the motors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ update plane software systems in the cockpit and modify plane cables .
All of these steps are mandated by the US Federal Aviation Administration , which last month authorized the plane to return to service under strict protocols .
`` We started the very same day , '' Steele said .
Around 20 MAX planes have already been cleared for the tarmac .
Maintenance crews were on hand `` to make sure that this aircraft is ready for your family , for my family , all of our loved ones , to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who manages base maintenance .
Staff people check the humidity in the plane 's fuel tanks and install pillows in the motors to prevent animals from getting in .
Pilots repeat the mantra : There is no risk to flying on the 737 MAX .
The MAX ' first commercial flight in 20 months is scheduled for Miami and New York on December 29 .

Tulsa (United States) (AFP) –
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Will this plane land safely?
That question was very much on the minds of the 87 passengers on the revamped Boeing 737 MAX's first public flight Wednesday following a 20-month grounding after two fatal crashes.
US authorities last month gave the green light for the plane to return to service after upgrades in the wake of the two calamities that killed 346 people.
Wednesday's promotional American Airlines voyage between Dallas, Texas and Tulsa, Oklahoma was intended to reassure the public before American resumes commercial service on the jet on December 29.
The trip began with American flight attendants reviewing security procedures before distributing bottled water.
As he welcomed passengers, pilot Pete Gamble testified to the plane's safety and reliability.
"The systems changes, the scrutiny the airplanes are going through, plus the training that we've enforced, has really brought back the confidence level," Gamble said.
"It needed to go through the scrutiny. It did."
Before flying the MAX, each American pilot is required to undertake a two-hour training course on a computer tablet, followed by an hour of flight simulator training, followed then by two hours with a colleague when pilots react to different flying scenarios.
Aside from some turbulence along the way, Wednesday's 50-minute flight to Tulsa proceeded uneventfully.
Throughout, passengers donning face masks because of the coronavirus and separated by a seat due to social distancing betrayed no obvious anxiety.
The everyday passenger not steeped in aviation will see no obvious markers of the MAX. The seats give only the numbers 737, though the wheel labels the jet as a "73-8x."
American has said that all customers who buy tickets on the plane will be notified of flights employing the MAX. The carrier will provide alternative trips to passengers who don't want to fly on the plane.
"Safety is our number one priority," said American Chief Operating Officer David Seymour. "There are no exceptions."
- Strict regimen -
In Tulsa, Roger Steele, a 34-year veteran at American Airlines, is overseeing the process of readying the jets so they can return to the skies.
Steele said he has always loved the Boeing 737 MAX and was present when the giant US carrier received its first MAX jets.
All the jets must go through four days of intense work before being cleared for service.
Teams work 24 hours a day at a warehouse on two planes at a time to check the pressure on the tires, the hydraulic systems, the motors and other plane parts.
Staff also update plane software systems in the cockpit and modify plane cables.
All of these steps are mandated by the US Federal Aviation Administration, which last month authorized the plane to return to service under strict protocols.
"We started the very same day," Steele said.
Around 20 MAX planes have already been cleared for the tarmac.
Maintenance crews were on hand "to make sure that this aircraft is ready for your family, for my family, all of our loved ones, to get on board," said Erik Olund, who manages base maintenance.
Staff people check the humidity in the plane's fuel tanks and install pillows in the motors to prevent animals from getting in.
Pilots repeat the mantra: There is no risk to flying on the 737 MAX.
The MAX' first commercial flight in 20 months is scheduled for Miami and New York on December 29.
jum-jmb/dw
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-03--O'Connor back to bolster Australia against rattled Argentina

James O'Connor ( L ) was sidelined for more than a month by injury Fit-again James O'Connor was reinstated as chief Wallabies playmaker Thursday , with Reece Hodge shifted to fullback as Australia look to end the year on a high against a rattled Argentina in the Tri Nations .
O'Connor was sidelined for more than a month by leg and foot injuries , missing three Tests , with coach Dave Rennie trying out Hodge and Noah Lolesio at fly-half with mixed results .
`` It 's great to have James back in the team this weekend , he brings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group and has been working really hard to get his body right to be able to get back on the field , '' said Rennie .
`` Reece has done a great job for us at number 10 over the past two games and we 're confident he 'll put in another good performance for us on Saturday night from fullback . ''
With O'Connor returning , the versatile Hodge replaces Tom Banks at fullback , which means he will have started for the Wallabies in every position across the backline except scrum-half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sydney on Saturday , needing to win by an improbable 101 points to overtake New Zealand and claim the Tri Nations silverware .
They will face a Pumas side in disarray after skipper Pablo Matera , second-rower Guido Petti and replacement hooker Santiago Socino were suspended this week over racist tweets .
Argentina name their team later Thursday .
Rennie kept faith with young centres Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia , while wings Tom Wright and Marika Koroibete fill out the backline with Nic White again at scrum-half .
Among the forwards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Taniela Tupou with the pack otherwise unchanged from the team that drew 15-15 with Argentina a fortnight ago .
`` The side has worked really hard over the last 10 weeks or so and built a strong connection and I know as a full squad we are really keen to put together a performance that reflects that , '' Rennie added .

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Fit-again James O'Connor was reinstated as chief Wallabies playmaker Thursday, with Reece Hodge shifted to fullback as Australia look to end the year on a high against a rattled Argentina in the Tri Nations.
O'Connor was sidelined for more than a month by leg and foot injuries, missing three Tests, with coach Dave Rennie trying out Hodge and Noah Lolesio at fly-half with mixed results.
"It's great to have James back in the team this weekend, he brings a lot of experience to a young group and has been working really hard to get his body right to be able to get back on the field," said Rennie.
"Reece has done a great job for us at number 10 over the past two games and we're confident he'll put in another good performance for us on Saturday night from fullback."
With O'Connor returning, the versatile Hodge replaces Tom Banks at fullback, which means he will have started for the Wallabies in every position across the backline except scrum-half.
Australia face a daunting task in Sydney on Saturday, needing to win by an improbable 101 points to overtake New Zealand and claim the Tri Nations silverware.
They will face a Pumas side in disarray after skipper Pablo Matera, second-rower Guido Petti and replacement hooker Santiago Socino were suspended this week over racist tweets.
Argentina name their team later Thursday.
Rennie kept faith with young centres Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia, while wings Tom Wright and Marika Koroibete fill out the backline with Nic White again at scrum-half.
Among the forwards, Allan Alaalatoa returns at tight-head prop ahead of Taniela Tupou with the pack otherwise unchanged from the team that drew 15-15 with Argentina a fortnight ago.
"The side has worked really hard over the last 10 weeks or so and built a strong connection and I know as a full squad we are really keen to put together a performance that reflects that," Rennie added.
Australia (15-1)
Reece Hodge; Tom Wright, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete; James O'Connor, Nic White; Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (capt), Ned Hanigan; Matt Philip, Rob Simmons; Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Scott Sio
Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon, Irae Simone, Tom Banks
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-03--Amazon in talks to buy podcast publisher Wondery: report

Amazon is reportedly interested in acquiring the podcasting group Wondery to expand its streaming media portfolio Internet giant Amazon is in talks to buy podcast publisher Wondery , which serves up hit audio shows `` Dr. Death '' and `` Serial , '' the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday .
West Hollywood-based Wondery boasts being the world 's largest independent podcast publisher , and has reportedly also explored the potential for acquisition with Apple and Sony Music Entertainment .
Industry tracker Podtrac ranked Wondery as being the fourth most listened to podcast publisher in the US in November , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tuning in to audio programs it hosts .
Podcasts have boomed in popularity , with people tuning in to hear compelling real or scripted stories as well as interviews .
Launched in 2016 , Wondery has won audiences for shows such as Dr. Death , Dirty John , Business Wars , The Shrink Next Door , and Gladiator .
Wondery is seeking $ 300 million or more from a suitor , according to US media reports .
Amazon and Wondery both declined comment on the report .
Word that Wondery is open to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hernan Lopez defends himself against federal criminal charges over alleged bribes paid for broadcasting rights to major soccer tournaments while he worked as a Fox executive .
Amazon , which already offers some podcasts through its music app , is facing increased scrutiny from antitrust enforcers for its growing dominance over key sectors of the economy as it expands in retail and streaming media .

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Internet giant Amazon is in talks to buy podcast publisher Wondery, which serves up hit audio shows "Dr. Death" and "Serial," the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
West Hollywood-based Wondery boasts being the world's largest independent podcast publisher, and has reportedly also explored the potential for acquisition with Apple and Sony Music Entertainment.
Industry tracker Podtrac ranked Wondery as being the fourth most listened to podcast publisher in the US in November, with slightly more than 9 million people tuning in to audio programs it hosts.
Podcasts have boomed in popularity, with people tuning in to hear compelling real or scripted stories as well as interviews.
Launched in 2016, Wondery has won audiences for shows such as Dr. Death, Dirty John, Business Wars, The Shrink Next Door, and Gladiator.
Wondery is seeking $300 million or more from a suitor, according to US media reports.
Amazon and Wondery both declined comment on the report.
Word that Wondery is open to being bought comes as its chief executive Hernan Lopez defends himself against federal criminal charges over alleged bribes paid for broadcasting rights to major soccer tournaments while he worked as a Fox executive.
Amazon, which already offers some podcasts through its music app, is facing increased scrutiny from antitrust enforcers for its growing dominance over key sectors of the economy as it expands in retail and streaming media.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-03--Twitter bans content which 'dehumanizes' based on race, ethnicity

Twitter is expanding its rules on hateful content by banning comments that dehumanize people onthe basis of race or ethnicity Twitter said Wednesday it was expanding its definition of hateful content to ban language which `` dehumanizes '' people on the basis of race , ethnicity or national origin .
The move announced by the messaging platform is the latest to refine its definition of abusive and harmful content which has led to a backlash against social networks .
Twitter said the latest update is based on feedback since it published expanded rules on hateful content in 2019 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freely on Twitter , abuse , harassment and hateful conduct continue to have no place on our service , '' a blog post from the Twitter safety team said .
`` Today , we are further expanding our hateful conduct policy to prohibit language that dehumanizes people on the basis of race , ethnicity , or national origin . ''
Twitter said it would remove offending tweets when they are reported , and offered examples such as describing a particular ethnic group as `` scum '' or `` leeches . ''
`` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we may temporarily lock or suspend the account , '' the company said .
Twitter and Facebook both stepped up enforcement of policies against harmful and hateful content during the US election campaign , in many cases limiting the reach of comments by President Donald Trump .

Washington (AFP) –
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Twitter said Wednesday it was expanding its definition of hateful content to ban language which "dehumanizes" people on the basis of race, ethnicity or national origin.
The move announced by the messaging platform is the latest to refine its definition of abusive and harmful content which has led to a backlash against social networks.
Twitter said the latest update is based on feedback since it published expanded rules on hateful content in 2019.
"While we encourage people to express themselves freely on Twitter, abuse, harassment and hateful conduct continue to have no place on our service," a blog post from the Twitter safety team said.
"Today, we are further expanding our hateful conduct policy to prohibit language that dehumanizes people on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin."
Twitter said it would remove offending tweets when they are reported, and offered examples such as describing a particular ethnic group as "scum" or "leeches."
"If an account repeatedly breaks the Twitter rules, we may temporarily lock or suspend the account," the company said.
Twitter and Facebook both stepped up enforcement of policies against harmful and hateful content during the US election campaign, in many cases limiting the reach of comments by President Donald Trump.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-03--Trump floats idea of 2024 White House run

Donald Trump -- seen here at a campaign rally in Arizona in October 2020 -- may launch a 2024 run on the same day that Joe Biden takes the oath of office Still irate and bitter one month after his election defeat to Joe Biden , Donald Trump is openly musing about a second run at the US presidency in 2024 .
Refusing to accept defeat , Trump 's lawyers and supporters continued Wednesday to file lawsuits and even call for extraordinary intervention , such as martial law , to force a new vote .
And Trump released an extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that he was robbed of victory in a `` rigged '' election .
But at a White House Christmas party on Tuesday , the president suggested he might have lost this battle , but would not retire quietly as a one-term president .
`` It 's been an amazing four years .
We are trying to do another four years .
Otherwise , I 'll see you in four years , '' he told guests .
The comment was perhaps the closest the 74 year old Trump has come to admitting his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's win has failed .
All six contested states have now certified their tallies , and the national count gives Biden nearly seven million more votes than Trump , an insurmountable four percentage-point margin .
On Tuesday Attorney General Bill Barr declared that the Justice Department had found no significant evidence of fraud in the election .
Biden meanwhile continued to prepared for taking office on January 20 , telling The New York Times in an interview how he plans to revive the economy .
`` I want to make sure we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America first , '' Biden said .
Trump still refuses to publicly concede his defeat on November 3 , forcing him from office after one term .
He has remained shuttered in the White House , limiting his public appearances , and apparently holding few official meetings , while issuing furious tweets about alleged election fraud .
But according to media reports he is preparing his exit , holding discussions about issuing preemptive pardons for his three adult children -- Don Jr , Eric and Ivanka -- for Ivanka 's husband Jared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rudy Giuliani .
On Wednesday he released on Twitter a formal address on the election .
`` This may be the most important speech I 've ever made , '' he began .
He recited a litany of complaints about the election , saying the Democrats used the Covid-19 crisis to force widespread use of mailed ballots , which he said were fraudulently manipulated to support Biden .
`` This election was rigged , everybody knows it , '' he said .
`` It is statistically impossible that the person , me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` We have so much evidence , '' Trump said .
Supporters continued to fight against the results .
Giuliani appeared before Michigan 's state legislature Wednesday to present his claims of irregularities .
In Georgia , another lawyer tied to the Trump campaign , Sidney Powell , spoke to a rally of supporters claiming their votes were not counted .
But Barr 's statement , in a break with the president , Tuesday went far to undermine their claims .
`` To date , we have not seen fraud on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outcome in the election , '' he said .
- Someone 's going to get shot ' - The campaign to delay and litigate the election results , though , was turning in discomfiting directions .
In Georgia , which still faces another vote on two hotly-contested US Senate seats in early January , officials said Trump 's rhetoric was dangerous , stoking potential violence against officials .
`` Someone 's going to get hurt .
Someone 's going to get shot .
Someone 's going to get killed .
It 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sterling said Tuesday .
And two prominent retired three-star generals , including Trump 's former national security advisor Michael Flynn , chillingly called for Trump to declare martial law and have the military supervise a new election .
Trump 's immediate plans were to head to Georgia on Saturday to campaign beside the two Republican Senate candidates , key to the party retaining control of the US Senate .
But beyond that , when he might openly accept his loss , or map out his post-presidency plans , remained unknown .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility with his close aides of launching his 2024 campaign on January 20 , the day Biden is to be inaugurated as president .
In theory , nothing prevents another run .
The US Constitution restricts presidents to two four-year terms , but does not require they be consecutive .
But only one president did so : Grover Cleveland , in the late 19th century .
The real estate tycoon faces the challenge of losing the center of attention , and his grip on the Republican Party , as Washington turns to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support among voters , who could continue to rally behind him and make him a continuing force in Republican politics .

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Still irate and bitter one month after his election defeat to Joe Biden, Donald Trump is openly musing about a second run at the US presidency in 2024.
Refusing to accept defeat, Trump's lawyers and supporters continued Wednesday to file lawsuits and even call for extraordinary intervention, such as martial law, to force a new vote.
And Trump released an extraordinary 46 minute video in which he again claimed that he was robbed of victory in a "rigged" election.
But at a White House Christmas party on Tuesday, the president suggested he might have lost this battle, but would not retire quietly as a one-term president.
"It's been an amazing four years. We are trying to do another four years. Otherwise, I'll see you in four years," he told guests.
The comment was perhaps the closest the 74 year old Trump has come to admitting his quixotic, month-long quest to reverse Biden's win has failed.
All six contested states have now certified their tallies, and the national count gives Biden nearly seven million more votes than Trump, an insurmountable four percentage-point margin.
On Tuesday Attorney General Bill Barr declared that the Justice Department had found no significant evidence of fraud in the election.
Biden meanwhile continued to prepared for taking office on January 20, telling The New York Times in an interview how he plans to revive the economy.
"I want to make sure we're going to fight like hell by investing in America first," Biden said.
- 'So much evidence' -
Trump still refuses to publicly concede his defeat on November 3, forcing him from office after one term.
He has remained shuttered in the White House, limiting his public appearances, and apparently holding few official meetings, while issuing furious tweets about alleged election fraud.
But according to media reports he is preparing his exit, holding discussions about issuing preemptive pardons for his three adult children -- Don Jr, Eric and Ivanka -- for Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner, and his own personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.
On Wednesday he released on Twitter a formal address on the election.
"This may be the most important speech I've ever made," he began.
He recited a litany of complaints about the election, saying the Democrats used the Covid-19 crisis to force widespread use of mailed ballots, which he said were fraudulently manipulated to support Biden.
"This election was rigged, everybody knows it," he said.
"It is statistically impossible that the person, me, who led the charge, lost."
"We have so much evidence," Trump said.
Supporters continued to fight against the results. Giuliani appeared before Michigan's state legislature Wednesday to present his claims of irregularities.
In Georgia, another lawyer tied to the Trump campaign, Sidney Powell, spoke to a rally of supporters claiming their votes were not counted.
But Barr's statement, in a break with the president, Tuesday went far to undermine their claims.
"To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election," he said.
- Someone's going to get shot' -
The campaign to delay and litigate the election results, though, was turning in discomfiting directions.
In Georgia, which still faces another vote on two hotly-contested US Senate seats in early January, officials said Trump's rhetoric was dangerous, stoking potential violence against officials.
"Someone's going to get hurt. Someone's going to get shot. Someone's going to get killed. It's not right," voting system manager Gabriel Sterling said Tuesday.
And two prominent retired three-star generals, including Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn, chillingly called for Trump to declare martial law and have the military supervise a new election.
- Trump headed to Georgia -
Trump's immediate plans were to head to Georgia on Saturday to campaign beside the two Republican Senate candidates, key to the party retaining control of the US Senate.
But beyond that, when he might openly accept his loss, or map out his post-presidency plans, remained unknown.
According to NBC News, Trump has discussed the possibility with his close aides of launching his 2024 campaign on January 20, the day Biden is to be inaugurated as president.
In theory, nothing prevents another run. The US Constitution restricts presidents to two four-year terms, but does not require they be consecutive.
But only one president did so: Grover Cleveland, in the late 19th century.
The real estate tycoon faces the challenge of losing the center of attention, and his grip on the Republican Party, as Washington turns to the Biden administration.
Yet he retains strong support among voters, who could continue to rally behind him and make him a continuing force in Republican politics.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-03--Thomas takes center stage at final PGA event of season

World number three Justin Thomas is the top ranked player in the field at the Mayakoba Classic at the El Camaleon Golf Club in Mexico Justin Thomas is the only top 10 player in the field and a heavy favorite to win the Mayakoba Golf Classic , the final event of the USPGA Tour 's 2020 season .
World No .
3 Thomas became the frontrunner when Dustin Johnson , who is ranked No .
1 , decided not to take part in the event at El Camaleon Golf Club .
Thomas , who has two wins in 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Masters and has five straight top-15 finishes .
When he looks back at his year , Thomas likes what he sees but says it could have been even better .
`` I was , you know , probably four or five rounds away from having another historic year , but it doesn ’ t mean that ca n't happen next year , '' he said .
`` I still see no reason why someone ca n't win eight , nine , 10 , 11 times in a season .
I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people ( think ) it probably ca n't happen .
But , like I said , I was a couple rounds away in a short season from winning five or six times . ''
One of Thomas 's biggest challengers will be four-time major winner Brooks Koepka , who is coming off another injury break .
Koepka finished runner-up to Thomas at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational .
Former winner Harris English is also in the field .
English has played solid golf this season finishing in the top 20 in 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed solo fifth at this event last year .
Daniel Berger has also been a consistent player in 2020 .
Berger , who did not qualify for the Masters , has placed in the top 10 in seven of his last nine events .
The Mayakoba has been like a second home for 44-year-old Pat Perez .
A long-time regular in this tournament , he won in 2016 for one of his three career victories .
The home country favorite is Mexico 's Abraham Ancer who is coming off a strong performance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win in his home country for the first time .
Americans Tony Finau and Rickie Fowler are also in the field .

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Justin Thomas is the only top 10 player in the field and a heavy favorite to win the Mayakoba Golf Classic, the final event of the USPGA Tour's 2020 season.
World No. 3 Thomas became the frontrunner when Dustin Johnson, who is ranked No. 1, decided not to take part in the event at El Camaleon Golf Club.
Thomas, who has two wins in 2020, is coming off a fourth place finish at the Masters and has five straight top-15 finishes.
When he looks back at his year, Thomas likes what he sees but says it could have been even better.
"I was, you know, probably four or five rounds away from having another historic year, but it doesn’t mean that can't happen next year," he said.
"I still see no reason why someone can't win eight, nine, 10, 11 times in a season. I know it's not likely and a lot of people (think) it probably can't happen. But, like I said, I was a couple rounds away in a short season from winning five or six times."
One of Thomas's biggest challengers will be four-time major winner Brooks Koepka, who is coming off another injury break. Koepka finished runner-up to Thomas at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.
Former winner Harris English is also in the field. English has played solid golf this season finishing in the top 20 in 12 of his last 17 tournaments. He placed solo fifth at this event last year.
Daniel Berger has also been a consistent player in 2020. Berger, who did not qualify for the Masters, has placed in the top 10 in seven of his last nine events.
The Mayakoba has been like a second home for 44-year-old Pat Perez. A long-time regular in this tournament, he won in 2016 for one of his three career victories.
The home country favorite is Mexico's Abraham Ancer who is coming off a strong performance in the Masters. Ancer is seeking to win in his home country for the first time.
Americans Tony Finau and Rickie Fowler are also in the field.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-03--'Next year we have to do it': Neymar keen for Messi reunion

Reunited ?
Lionel Messi ( left ) and Neymar ( right ) played together for three seasons at Barcelona Neymar dropped a bombshell on Wednesday as he followed up scoring twice for Paris Saint-Germain in their 3-1 Champions League win over Manchester United by revealing his desire to reunite with Lionel Messi next season .
The Brazilian enjoyed four successful seasons alongside the six-time Ballon d'Or winner at Barcelona before making a world record 222 million euro ( $ 264m ) move to the French capital in 2017 .
`` It 's what I most want , to enjoy being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Neymar , whose contract at PSG runs until 2022 , told ESPN .
`` I want to play with him for sure , next year we have to do it . ''
Neymar was heavily linked with a return to Barcelona in 2019 , but the Catalan giants were unable to fund an acceptable offer for PSG .
Barca have had to agree salary cuts worth 122 million euros in players ' salaries this season to help offset the financial hole left by the coronavirus pandemic and are highly unlikely to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year .
Instead , it is Messi who could be on the move as the Argentine is out of contract at the end of the season and publicly expressed his desire to leave in August .
Then Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu would not free Messi from the final year of his deal at the Camp Nou , but Bartomeu has since resigned with new presidential elections scheduled for January 24 .
Manchester City were the favourites to land Messi 's signature earlier this year , but PSG could be an alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of this season .
`` He can play in my position , there is no problem , '' Neymar joked .
`` Take me out . ''
Neymar 's partnership with Kylian Mbappe is yet to deliver PSG 's first ever Champions League title , but the French champions should have another shot in this season 's knockout stages after a vital victory in Manchester .
Thomas Tuchel 's men are now level on points with United and RB Leipzig with one game in Group H to come .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they host already-eliminated Istanbul Basaksehir next week , while United travel to Germany needing a point to reach the last 16 .

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Neymar dropped a bombshell on Wednesday as he followed up scoring twice for Paris Saint-Germain in their 3-1 Champions League win over Manchester United by revealing his desire to reunite with Lionel Messi next season.
The Brazilian enjoyed four successful seasons alongside the six-time Ballon d'Or winner at Barcelona before making a world record 222 million euro ($264m) move to the French capital in 2017.
"It's what I most want, to enjoy being with him on the field again," Neymar, whose contract at PSG runs until 2022, told ESPN.
"I want to play with him for sure, next year we have to do it."
Neymar was heavily linked with a return to Barcelona in 2019, but the Catalan giants were unable to fund an acceptable offer for PSG.
Barca have had to agree salary cuts worth 122 million euros in players' salaries this season to help offset the financial hole left by the coronavirus pandemic and are highly unlikely to be in a position to bring Neymar back next year.
Instead, it is Messi who could be on the move as the Argentine is out of contract at the end of the season and publicly expressed his desire to leave in August.
Then Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu would not free Messi from the final year of his deal at the Camp Nou, but Bartomeu has since resigned with new presidential elections scheduled for January 24.
Manchester City were the favourites to land Messi's signature earlier this year, but PSG could be an alternative for a player who will turn 34 at the end of this season.
"He can play in my position, there is no problem," Neymar joked. "Take me out."
Neymar's partnership with Kylian Mbappe is yet to deliver PSG's first ever Champions League title, but the French champions should have another shot in this season's knockout stages after a vital victory in Manchester.
Thomas Tuchel's men are now level on points with United and RB Leipzig with one game in Group H to come.
But PSG are in the driving seat as they host already-eliminated Istanbul Basaksehir next week, while United travel to Germany needing a point to reach the last 16.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Pandemics, climate change 'intensify' global health threats

While climate-linked phenomena such as tropical storms remain for now problems overwhelmingly faced by developing nations , the authors said that extreme heat was already inflicting devastating damage to health in wealthier countries From small island states to urbanised powerhouses , every country on Earth faces `` multiplying and intensifying '' threats to human health as climate change renders future pandemics and system collapses ever more likely , a major study concluded on Thursday .
A deadly mix of extreme heat , air pollution and intense farming are combining to produce the `` worst outlook for public health our generation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lancet 's fifth annual report on the links between health and climate .
The assessment showed that the last two decades have seen a 54 percent increase in heat-related deaths among older people , with extreme heatwaves claiming close to 300,000 lives in 2018 alone .
While climate-linked phenomena such as tropical storms remain for now problems overwhelmingly faced by developing nations , the authors said extreme heat was already inflicting devastating damage to health in wealthier countries .
During 2018 , France alone experienced 8,000 heat-related deaths among over-65s , inflicting an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GDP that year , the report found .
`` The threats to human health are multiplying and intensifying due to climate change and unless we change course our healthcare systems are at risk of being overwhelmed in the future , '' said Ian Hamilton , executive director of the Lancet Countdown report .
Heat and drought are driving sharp increases in human exposure to wildfires , with 128 countries seeing an increase in the population injured , killed or displaced by blazes since the early 2000s , the report found .
It said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fossil fuel , farming and transport emissions could threaten to displace up to 565 million people by 2100 , in turn exposing them to a range of health problems .
With more than nine million deaths attributable to poor diet each year , the expert panel behind the report found that mortality linked to excess red meat consumption had risen 70 percent in just three decades .
Excess red meat eating was behind at least 13,000 deaths in France in 2017 , out of nearly 90,000 deaths that year attributable to poor diet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , intensive agriculture , air travel and lifestyles powered by fossil fuels would render future pandemics such as Covid-19 far more likely .
They called for urgent action to mitigate emissions in order to stave off the worst effects of climate change and reduce its impact as a health threat multiplier .
`` Now is the time for all of us to take the environmental determinants of health more seriously , '' said The Lancet 's Editor-in-Chief Richard Horton .
`` We must address the climate emergency , protect biodiversity , and strengthen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depends . ''
The report comes near the five-year anniversary of the Paris climate accord , which enjoins nations to limit global temperature rises to well below 2 Degrees Celsius ( 3.6 Fahrenheit ) above pre-industrial levels through sweeping emissions cuts .
The agreement also envisages a safer warming cap of 1.5C .
While lockdowns and travel restrictions are likely to mean that greenhouse gas emissions fall in 2020 , there are fears that fossil fuels will be lent on by governments to power their pandemic recoveries .
The Lancet panel called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery '' to deliver near- and long-term health and economic benefits .
It said that the health benefits from lower levels of air pollution and fewer extreme weather events as well as improved diets alone would more than pay for the costs of climate mitigation .
`` With trillions being invested globally in economic support and stimulus there is a genuine opportunity to deliver a triple win -- one that improves public health , creates a sustainable economy and protects the environment , '' said Maria Neira , director of the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organization .
`` Failure to tackle these converging crises will lock in huge amounts of fossil fuels ... condemning the world to a future of climate-induced health shocks . ''

Paris (AFP) –
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From small island states to urbanised powerhouses, every country on Earth faces "multiplying and intensifying" threats to human health as climate change renders future pandemics and system collapses ever more likely, a major study concluded on Thursday.
A deadly mix of extreme heat, air pollution and intense farming are combining to produce the "worst outlook for public health our generation has seen", according to the Lancet's fifth annual report on the links between health and climate.
The assessment showed that the last two decades have seen a 54 percent increase in heat-related deaths among older people, with extreme heatwaves claiming close to 300,000 lives in 2018 alone.
While climate-linked phenomena such as tropical storms remain for now problems overwhelmingly faced by developing nations, the authors said extreme heat was already inflicting devastating damage to health in wealthier countries.
During 2018, France alone experienced 8,000 heat-related deaths among over-65s, inflicting an economic cost equivalent to 1.3 percent of GDP that year, the report found.
"The threats to human health are multiplying and intensifying due to climate change and unless we change course our healthcare systems are at risk of being overwhelmed in the future," said Ian Hamilton, executive director of the Lancet Countdown report.
Heat and drought are driving sharp increases in human exposure to wildfires, with 128 countries seeing an increase in the population injured, killed or displaced by blazes since the early 2000s, the report found.
It said that projected sea level rises caused by fossil fuel, farming and transport emissions could threaten to displace up to 565 million people by 2100, in turn exposing them to a range of health problems.
With more than nine million deaths attributable to poor diet each year, the expert panel behind the report found that mortality linked to excess red meat consumption had risen 70 percent in just three decades.
Excess red meat eating was behind at least 13,000 deaths in France in 2017, out of nearly 90,000 deaths that year attributable to poor diet.
The authors warned that continued urbanisation, intensive agriculture, air travel and lifestyles powered by fossil fuels would render future pandemics such as Covid-19 far more likely.
They called for urgent action to mitigate emissions in order to stave off the worst effects of climate change and reduce its impact as a health threat multiplier.
"Now is the time for all of us to take the environmental determinants of health more seriously," said The Lancet's Editor-in-Chief Richard Horton.
"We must address the climate emergency, protect biodiversity, and strengthen the natural systems on which our civilisation depends."
- 'Align recoveries' -
The report comes near the five-year anniversary of the Paris climate accord, which enjoins nations to limit global temperature rises to well below 2 Degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels through sweeping emissions cuts.
The agreement also envisages a safer warming cap of 1.5C.
While lockdowns and travel restrictions are likely to mean that greenhouse gas emissions fall in 2020, there are fears that fossil fuels will be lent on by governments to power their pandemic recoveries.
The Lancet panel called for an "aligning of climate and pandemic recovery" to deliver near- and long-term health and economic benefits.
It said that the health benefits from lower levels of air pollution and fewer extreme weather events as well as improved diets alone would more than pay for the costs of climate mitigation.
"With trillions being invested globally in economic support and stimulus there is a genuine opportunity to deliver a triple win -- one that improves public health, creates a sustainable economy and protects the environment," said Maria Neira, director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization.
"Failure to tackle these converging crises will lock in huge amounts of fossil fuels... condemning the world to a future of climate-induced health shocks."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Neymar puts Man Utd to the sword as Dortmund advance and Giroud scores four

Neymar celebrates after scoring his second and Paris Saint-Germain 's third goal in their Champions League win away to Manchester United on Wednesday Neymar 's brace helped Paris Saint-Germain to a vital 3-1 win over Manchester United on Wednesday that took the French club to within touching distance of the Champions League last 16 , while Borussia Dortmund secured their qualification for the next round and Olivier Giroud scored all four goals in Chelsea 's 4-0 thumping of Sevilla .
PSG could have been on the brink of elimination from Group H with a defeat at Old Trafford but Neymar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sixth minute and the world 's most expensive player sealed their victory in stoppage time .
In between , Marcus Rashford 's shot went in off Danilo Pereira to bring United level in the first half , and Edinson Cavani hit the bar against his former club .
Marquinhos prodded the French champions back in front midway through the second half and the game appeared up for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side when Fred was sent off for a second yellow , having been fortunate to escape a red card early on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial as it gives PSG the head-to-head advantage following United 's 2-1 win in Paris in October .
`` We had some big chances , big moments and that 's the difference when you get to the big games , '' said Solskjaer .
There is a three-way tie on nine points at the top of the group with RB Leipzig right in contention after Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth scored in injury time to give them a 4-3 victory at Istanbul Basaksehir .
Irfan Can Kahveci 's superb hat-trick looked to have rescued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back from 3-1 down to draw level .
Yussuf Poulsen , Nordi Mukiele and Dani Olmo also scored for Leipzig .
It all means PSG now need only draw at home to Basaksehir next week to qualify .
`` We have almost qualified , which means we have not qualified yet .
That is the reality .
Being almost pregnant does not mean you are pregnant , '' said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel .
United also only require a point when they visit Leipzig , but will be out if they lose , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go through .
Dortmund secured their progress after a 1-1 draw at home to Lazio in Group F , despite losing Erling Braut Haaland to a leg injury .
Raphael Guerreiro put the Germans in front but Ciro Immobile 's penalty against his old side brought Lazio level .
Lazio will join Dortmund in the next round if they avoid defeat against Club Brugge next week .
The Belgians are two points back and still in contention after beating Zenit Saint-Petersburg 3-0 , with teenage Belgian international Charles De Ketelaere putting them ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noa Lang also scoring .
The performance of the evening came from Giroud , as the France striker scored all four goals in Chelsea 's 4-0 win away to Sevilla .
On just his second start this season , Giroud produced two lovely finishes before heading in to make it 3-0 and then winning and converting a late penalty .
The 34-year-old is the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the competition since Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas in 1965 for Real Madrid against Feyenoord .
Both teams were already through but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Group E. '' Amazing solo performance from Olivier .
Delighted with him , delighted with the team , '' Chelsea manager Frank Lampard , the last Chelsea player to score four goals in a game in 2010 , told BT Sport .
In the same group , Marcus Berg 's goal gave Krasnodar a 1-0 win over Rennes , meaning the Russians will play in the Europa League in the new year .
History was made in Turin as France 's Stephanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a men 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kiev 3-0 .
The game was also notable for Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his 750th career goal , his record-extending 132nd in the Champions League .
Federico Chiesa and Alvaro Morata also scored for Juve , who had already qualified from Group G before the game , along with Barcelona .
The Catalans kept up their perfect record and stayed on course to win the group by beating Ferencvaros 3-0 in Budapest without the rested Lionel Messi .
Antoine Griezmann and Martin Braithwaite netted before Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty .

Paris (AFP) –
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Neymar's brace helped Paris Saint-Germain to a vital 3-1 win over Manchester United on Wednesday that took the French club to within touching distance of the Champions League last 16, while Borussia Dortmund secured their qualification for the next round and Olivier Giroud scored all four goals in Chelsea's 4-0 thumping of Sevilla.
PSG could have been on the brink of elimination from Group H with a defeat at Old Trafford but Neymar put last season's runners-up ahead in the sixth minute and the world's most expensive player sealed their victory in stoppage time.
In between, Marcus Rashford's shot went in off Danilo Pereira to bring United level in the first half, and Edinson Cavani hit the bar against his former club.
Marquinhos prodded the French champions back in front midway through the second half and the game appeared up for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side when Fred was sent off for a second yellow, having been fortunate to escape a red card early on.
Neymar's late clincher could prove crucial as it gives PSG the head-to-head advantage following United's 2-1 win in Paris in October.
"We had some big chances, big moments and that's the difference when you get to the big games," said Solskjaer.
There is a three-way tie on nine points at the top of the group with RB Leipzig right in contention after Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth scored in injury time to give them a 4-3 victory at Istanbul Basaksehir.
Irfan Can Kahveci's superb hat-trick looked to have rescued a draw for Basaksehir as they came back from 3-1 down to draw level. Yussuf Poulsen, Nordi Mukiele and Dani Olmo also scored for Leipzig.
It all means PSG now need only draw at home to Basaksehir next week to qualify.
"We have almost qualified, which means we have not qualified yet. That is the reality. Being almost pregnant does not mean you are pregnant," said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel.
United also only require a point when they visit Leipzig, but will be out if they lose, while the Germans would in that case go through.
Dortmund secured their progress after a 1-1 draw at home to Lazio in Group F, despite losing Erling Braut Haaland to a leg injury.
Raphael Guerreiro put the Germans in front but Ciro Immobile's penalty against his old side brought Lazio level.
Lazio will join Dortmund in the next round if they avoid defeat against Club Brugge next week.
The Belgians are two points back and still in contention after beating Zenit Saint-Petersburg 3-0, with teenage Belgian international Charles De Ketelaere putting them ahead, Hans Vanaken adding a penalty and Noa Lang also scoring.
- 'Amazing solo performance' by Giroud -
The performance of the evening came from Giroud, as the France striker scored all four goals in Chelsea's 4-0 win away to Sevilla.
On just his second start this season, Giroud produced two lovely finishes before heading in to make it 3-0 and then winning and converting a late penalty.
The 34-year-old is the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the competition since Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas in 1965 for Real Madrid against Feyenoord.
Both teams were already through but the win allowed Chelsea to secure top spot in Group E.
"Amazing solo performance from Olivier. Delighted with him, delighted with the team," Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, the last Chelsea player to score four goals in a game in 2010, told BT Sport.
In the same group, Marcus Berg's goal gave Krasnodar a 1-0 win over Rennes, meaning the Russians will play in the Europa League in the new year.
- Frappart history, Ronaldo reaches 750 -
History was made in Turin as France's Stephanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a men's Champions League game when Juventus beat Dynamo Kiev 3-0.
The game was also notable for Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his 750th career goal, his record-extending 132nd in the Champions League.
Federico Chiesa and Alvaro Morata also scored for Juve, who had already qualified from Group G before the game, along with Barcelona.
The Catalans kept up their perfect record and stayed on course to win the group by beating Ferencvaros 3-0 in Budapest without the rested Lionel Messi. Antoine Griezmann and Martin Braithwaite netted before Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--Giscard d'Estaing: France's modernising president

Former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing ( pictured June 2019 ) , was elected in 1974 and quickly ushered through a spree of radical reforms , legalising abortion , liberalising divorce and reducing the voting age to 18 Former president Valery Giscard d'Estaing , who has died aged 94 , brought a wind of change to French politics during his seven-year mandate , breaking with the conservatism that dominated after World War II .
Elected in 1974 at the age of 48 , the centrist leader known to most French people simply as Giscard or VGE quickly ushered through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , liberalising divorce and reducing the voting age to 18 .
With a more relaxed presidential style than his predecessors Charles de Gaulle and Georges Pompidou , he was seen in public playing at soccer and the accordion .
He also hosted garbage collectors to breakfast and invited himself to dinner at the homes of ordinary citizens .
Giscard involved his family in his political appearances , had the blue and red of France 's `` tricolore '' flag toned down , and the Marseillaise national anthem slowed down .
An economic liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outward-looking than his predecessors , being an ardent pro-European and champion of increased integration .
It was at his initiative that leaders of the world 's richest countries first met in 1975 , an event that evolved into the annual summits of the Group of Seven ( G7 ) club .
Born to a well-to-do French family , Giscard was firmly part of the elite .
Tall and slender and with an elegant , aristocratic manner , he studied at France 's elite Ecole Polytechnique and the National Administration School .
Aged just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and took part in the World War II liberation of Paris from its Nazi occupiers in 1944 .
He then served for eight months in Germany and Austria in the run-up to the capitulation of the Third Reich .
He launched his political career in 1959 , becoming finance minister in 1969 .
In 1966 he founded the Independent Republicans party , which eventually became the Union for French Democracy ( UDF ) -- a formation of disparate centre-right parties .
He emerged as the centre-right leader in the run up to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven-year mandate , Giscard launched far-reaching infrastructure modernisation projects , like the high-speed TGV train , and committed France to nuclear power .
He forged a powerful Franco-German alliance with Social Democratic Chancellor Helmut Schmidt -- the pair spearheading the European Economic and Monetary Union that laid the groundwork for an eventual single currency .
Symbolically , he had been born in the German city of Koblenz while it was under French occupation in the aftermath of World War I .
But his term was also buffeted by the 1970s shock rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was during Giscard 's term that in January 1979 the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ousted Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi from power .
Just over a week before , Giscard had hosted his West German , US and British counterparts for a summit on the French territory of Guadeloupe at which they agreed the shah was set to fall .
Giscard 's October 1976 visit to Tehran for talks with the shah remains to this day the last visit by a French head of state to Iran .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he had personally received diamonds , while finance minister , from brutal Central African Republic dictator Jean-Bedel Bokassa .
Despite his denials , the scandal cast a shadow over his bid for a second term which he lost to the Socialist Francois Mitterrand in 1981 by more than one million votes .
It was a blow to Giscard , who wrote in 2006 : `` What I feel , is not humiliation but something more serious : frustration at a job unfinished . ''
He remained active in centrist politics , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament .
He also served as a European parliamentarian ( 1989-1993 ) and in 2001 was selected by European leaders to lead work on the bloc 's constitutional treaty -- which was then rejected by 55 percent of French voters .
In 2004 , after losing his legislative seat , Giscard ended his active political career .
- 'The Princess and the President ' - The death of Mitterrand in 1996 followed by the passing of the socialist 's successor Jacques Chirac in 2019 left Giscard as by far France 's oldest surviving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penchant for writing racy novels , including the 2009 `` The Princess and the President '' that recounts a romance between a French leader and a British princess .
It was so evocative of the late Princess Diana that it sparked speculation about real-life inspiration .
In 2003 he became the first former head of state to be named to the French Academy , reserved for the country 's literary elite -- a recognition more of his writing in political and analytical books than his fiction .
Giscard married in 1952 Anne-Aymone de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the French resistance who died in a Nazi concentration camp .
The couple had two daughters and two sons .
Increasingly frail , he last appeared in public in September 2019 at the funeral of Chirac in Paris .
In May 2020 , French prosecutors opened an investigation after claims by a German reporter that he had repeatedly touched her behind at his Paris office after an interview in 2018 .
But Giscard strongly denied the allegations , describing them as `` grotesque '' .

Paris (AFP) –
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Former president Valery Giscard d'Estaing, who has died aged 94, brought a wind of change to French politics during his seven-year mandate, breaking with the conservatism that dominated after World War II.
Elected in 1974 at the age of 48, the centrist leader known to most French people simply as Giscard or VGE quickly ushered through a spree of radical reforms, legalising abortion, liberalising divorce and reducing the voting age to 18.
With a more relaxed presidential style than his predecessors Charles de Gaulle and Georges Pompidou, he was seen in public playing at soccer and the accordion.
He also hosted garbage collectors to breakfast and invited himself to dinner at the homes of ordinary citizens.
Giscard involved his family in his political appearances, had the blue and red of France's "tricolore" flag toned down, and the Marseillaise national anthem slowed down.
An economic liberal with pro-US leanings, he was more outward-looking than his predecessors, being an ardent pro-European and champion of increased integration.
It was at his initiative that leaders of the world's richest countries first met in 1975, an event that evolved into the annual summits of the Group of Seven (G7) club.
- TGVs and nuclear power -
Born to a well-to-do French family, Giscard was firmly part of the elite.
Tall and slender and with an elegant, aristocratic manner, he studied at France's elite Ecole Polytechnique and the National Administration School.
Aged just 18, he joined the French resistance and took part in the World War II liberation of Paris from its Nazi occupiers in 1944. He then served for eight months in Germany and Austria in the run-up to the capitulation of the Third Reich.
He launched his political career in 1959, becoming finance minister in 1969.
In 1966 he founded the Independent Republicans party, which eventually became the Union for French Democracy (UDF) -- a formation of disparate centre-right parties.
He emerged as the centre-right leader in the run up to his election in 1974.
During his single seven-year mandate, Giscard launched far-reaching infrastructure modernisation projects, like the high-speed TGV train, and committed France to nuclear power.
He forged a powerful Franco-German alliance with Social Democratic Chancellor Helmut Schmidt -- the pair spearheading the European Economic and Monetary Union that laid the groundwork for an eventual single currency.
Symbolically, he had been born in the German city of Koblenz while it was under French occupation in the aftermath of World War I.
- 'A job unfinished' -
But his term was also buffeted by the 1970s shock rise in oil prices, rising unemployment and inflation.
It was during Giscard's term that in January 1979 the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ousted Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi from power.
Just over a week before, Giscard had hosted his West German, US and British counterparts for a summit on the French territory of Guadeloupe at which they agreed the shah was set to fall.
Giscard's October 1976 visit to Tehran for talks with the shah remains to this day the last visit by a French head of state to Iran.
His reputation was tarnished by claims in 1979 that he had personally received diamonds, while finance minister, from brutal Central African Republic dictator Jean-Bedel Bokassa.
Despite his denials, the scandal cast a shadow over his bid for a second term which he lost to the Socialist Francois Mitterrand in 1981 by more than one million votes.
It was a blow to Giscard, who wrote in 2006: "What I feel, is not humiliation but something more serious: frustration at a job unfinished."
He remained active in centrist politics, however, regaining a seat in the French parliament.
He also served as a European parliamentarian (1989-1993) and in 2001 was selected by European leaders to lead work on the bloc's constitutional treaty -- which was then rejected by 55 percent of French voters.
In 2004, after losing his legislative seat, Giscard ended his active political career.
- 'The Princess and the President' -
The death of Mitterrand in 1996 followed by the passing of the socialist's successor Jacques Chirac in 2019 left Giscard as by far France's oldest surviving leader.
In retirement he gained a penchant for writing racy novels, including the 2009 "The Princess and the President" that recounts a romance between a French leader and a British princess. It was so evocative of the late Princess Diana that it sparked speculation about real-life inspiration.
In 2003 he became the first former head of state to be named to the French Academy, reserved for the country's literary elite -- a recognition more of his writing in political and analytical books than his fiction.
Giscard married in 1952 Anne-Aymone de Brantes, the daughter of an officer in the French resistance who died in a Nazi concentration camp.
The couple had two daughters and two sons.
Increasingly frail, he last appeared in public in September 2019 at the funeral of Chirac in Paris.
In May 2020, French prosecutors opened an investigation after claims by a German reporter that he had repeatedly touched her behind at his Paris office after an interview in 2018.
But Giscard strongly denied the allegations, describing them as "grotesque".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--PSG beats Manchester United, dodging early Champions League knockout

Paris St Germain 's Marquinhos celebrates scoring the team ’ s second goal against Manchester United in their Champions League match in Manchester , December 2 , 2020 .
Neymar scored twice to lead Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-1 victory at 10-man Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday , leaving both teams ’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage uncertain heading into their final group games .
manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær was left to rue not bringing off Fred after he escaped with only a booking for a first-half head butt .
The midfielder was sent off in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card after his challenge on former United midfielder Ander Herrera just after United had gone 2-1 down when Marquinhos scored .
“ Fred played really disciplined in the second half , ” Solskjær said .
“ He was lucky to stay on in the first half.
” Marcus Rashford had equalized in the 32nd minute after Neymar had taken only six minutes to put last season ’ s beaten finalists in front .
The Brazilian struck again in stoppage time at an empty Old Trafford .
“ This is good for our confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re still in the competition and very happy.
” While United remains top of Group H , PSG and Leipzig are only behind on goal difference .
United only needs a point in Leipzig on Tuesday when PSG hosts Istanbul Basaksehir , which is six points behind the top three .
Losing to United in the Group H opener in Paris had put the heat on Thomas Tuchel , who has picked up two points from the last two French league games .
“ We earned our luck today by hard work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It ’ s not the most easy time for us .
We don ’ t play at the highest level.
” The visitors did at the start in Manchester when Kylian Mbappé ’ s deflected shot bounced into the path of Neymar to score from the near post .
It took David de Gea ’ s save , palming away Alessandro Florenzi ’ s shot , to prevent the deficit from growing bigger for United .
Good fortune came in the form of Fred not being sent off for pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a VAR review .
“ To give a yellow card I was very surprised , ” Tuchel said .
“ It says he touched him but not hard enough for a red card ?
” After the reprieve , United drew level when Anthony Martial ’ s shot was parried by Kaylor Navas and Rashford ’ s strike deflected off Danilo past the goalkeeper for his sixth goal in five European games .
Fortunately again for United , Paredes was booked rather than Fred , who stepped on the PSG midfielder ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompt Solskjær to substitute Fred at the break .
United had chances to go in front after the break when Martial lifted a shot over and Edinson Cavani tried to chip Navas .
“ It could perhaps have been completely different if they had scored , ” Herrera said .
“ But we have players who can kill a match.
” PSG was back in front in the 69th .
De Gea pushed Mitchel Bakker ’ s low shot wide but from the resulting corner Herrera passed to Abdou Diallo , who squared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knock the ball under the goalkeeper .
It was then a less contentious challenge on Herrera from Fred that earned the second yellow card .
This time there was no VAR review , even as Fred lingered .
The game was getting away from United and it was killed off when Neymar began a move around the halfway line that led to the third goal .
The Brazilian sent a long-range pass to Mbappe and Rafinha then teed up Neymar to sidefoot into an open net .
“ Their goals were scrappy goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ box , ” United captain Harry Maguire said .
“ I feel we deserved something .
”

Neymar scored twice to lead Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-1 victory at 10-man Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving both teams’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage uncertain heading into their final group games.
Paris St Germain's Marquinhos celebrates scoring the team’s second goal against Manchester United in their Champions League match in Manchester, December 2, 2020.
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United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær was left to rue not bringing off Fred after he escaped with only a booking for a first-half head butt.
The midfielder was sent off in the 70th minute for a second yellow card after his challenge on former United midfielder Ander Herrera just after United had gone 2-1 down when Marquinhos scored.
“Fred played really disciplined in the second half,” Solskjær said. “He was lucky to stay on in the first half.”
Marcus Rashford had equalized in the 32nd minute after Neymar had taken only six minutes to put last season’s beaten finalists in front. The Brazilian struck again in stoppage time at an empty Old Trafford.
“This is good for our confidence,” Marquinhos said. “We’re still in the competition and very happy.”
While United remains top of Group H, PSG and Leipzig are only behind on goal difference. United only needs a point in Leipzig on Tuesday when PSG hosts Istanbul Basaksehir, which is six points behind the top three.
Losing to United in the Group H opener in Paris had put the heat on Thomas Tuchel, who has picked up two points from the last two French league games.
“We earned our luck today by hard work, by good mentality,” Tuchel said. “It’s not the most easy time for us. We don’t play at the highest level.”
The visitors did at the start in Manchester when Kylian Mbappé’s deflected shot bounced into the path of Neymar to score from the near post.
It took David de Gea’s save, palming away Alessandro Florenzi’s shot, to prevent the deficit from growing bigger for United.
Good fortune came in the form of Fred not being sent off for pushing his head toward Leandro Paredes, despite a VAR review.
“To give a yellow card I was very surprised,” Tuchel said. “It says he touched him but not hard enough for a red card?”
After the reprieve, United drew level when Anthony Martial’s shot was parried by Kaylor Navas and Rashford’s strike deflected off Danilo past the goalkeeper for his sixth goal in five European games.
Fortunately again for United, Paredes was booked rather than Fred, who stepped on the PSG midfielder’s foot.
That still didn’t prompt Solskjær to substitute Fred at the break.
United had chances to go in front after the break when Martial lifted a shot over and Edinson Cavani tried to chip Navas.
“It could perhaps have been completely different if they had scored,” Herrera said. “But we have players who can kill a match.”
PSG was back in front in the 69th.
De Gea pushed Mitchel Bakker’s low shot wide but from the resulting corner Herrera passed to Abdou Diallo, who squared across the six-yard box for Marquinhos to knock the ball under the goalkeeper.
It was then a less contentious challenge on Herrera from Fred that earned the second yellow card. This time there was no VAR review, even as Fred lingered.
The game was getting away from United and it was killed off when Neymar began a move around the halfway line that led to the third goal.
The Brazilian sent a long-range pass to Mbappe and Rafinha then teed up Neymar to sidefoot into an open net.
“Their goals were scrappy goals, a ricochet and pinball around the box,” United captain Harry Maguire said. “I feel we deserved something.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-12-02--Ex-French president Giscard d'Estaing dies of Covid at 94

Former French president Valery Giscard d'Estaing , who led his country into a new modern era and onto a firmly pro-European path , died late Wednesday of Covid-19 , his family said .
Giscard , who had been in hospital several times in the last months for heart problems , died `` surrounded by his family '' at the family home in the Loire region , the entourage said .
`` His state of health had worsened and he died as a consequence of Covid-19 , '' the family said in a statement sent to AFP , adding that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to his wishes .
He made one of his last public appearances on September 30 last year for the funeral of another former president , Jacques Chirac , who had been his prime minister .
Giscard became the youngest ever president at 48 in 1974 , beating his Socialist rival Francois Mitterrand , to whom he then lost after his seven-year term in 1981 in a failed re-election bid .
His presidency marked a clear break from the Gaullist conservatism of postwar France which had been dominated by Charles de Gaulle himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In France he is remembered for his radical reform drive which included the legalisation of abortion , the liberalisation of divorce and lowering the voting age to 18 .
In Europe , he helped drive moves towards a monetary union , in close cooperation with his German counterpart chancellor Helmut Schmidt with whom he became friends .
`` For Valery Giscard d'Estaing , Europe was to be a French ambition and France a modern nation .
Respect , '' said Michel Barnier , the EU 's chief Brexit negotiator .
He `` succeeded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' added former French president Nicolas Sarkozy .
Like Schmidt , he was also a firm believer in strong ties with the US .
It was at his initiative that leaders of the world 's richest countries first met in 1975 , an event that evolved into the annual summits of the Group of Seven ( G7 ) club .
With a more relaxed presidential style than his predecessors , he was sometimes seen in public playing soccer , or the accordion .
He also hosted garbage collectors to breakfast and invited himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens .
Giscard involved his family in his political appearances , had the blue and red of France 's `` tricolore '' flag toned down , and the Marseillaise national anthem slowed down .
Born to a well-to-do French family , Giscard was firmly part of the elite .
Tall and slender and with an elegant , aristocratic manner , he studied at France 's elite Ecole Polytechnique and the National Administration School .
Aged just 18 , he joined the French resistance and took part in the World War II liberation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He then served for eight months in Germany and Austria in the run-up to the capitulation of the Third Reich .
He launched his political career in 1959 , becoming finance minister in 1969 .

Paris (AFP) –
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Former French president Valery Giscard d'Estaing, who led his country into a new modern era and onto a firmly pro-European path, died late Wednesday of Covid-19, his family said.
Giscard, who had been in hospital several times in the last months for heart problems, died "surrounded by his family" at the family home in the Loire region, the entourage said.
"His state of health had worsened and he died as a consequence of Covid-19," the family said in a statement sent to AFP, adding that his funeral would take place in intimate circumstances according to his wishes.
He made one of his last public appearances on September 30 last year for the funeral of another former president, Jacques Chirac, who had been his prime minister.
Giscard became the youngest ever president at 48 in 1974, beating his Socialist rival Francois Mitterrand, to whom he then lost after his seven-year term in 1981 in a failed re-election bid.
His presidency marked a clear break from the Gaullist conservatism of postwar France which had been dominated by Charles de Gaulle himself, and his successor Georges Pompidou.
In France he is remembered for his radical reform drive which included the legalisation of abortion, the liberalisation of divorce and lowering the voting age to 18.
In Europe, he helped drive moves towards a monetary union, in close cooperation with his German counterpart chancellor Helmut Schmidt with whom he became friends.
"For Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Europe was to be a French ambition and France a modern nation. Respect," said Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator.
He "succeeded in modernising political life in France," added former French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
Like Schmidt, he was also a firm believer in strong ties with the US.
It was at his initiative that leaders of the world's richest countries first met in 1975, an event that evolved into the annual summits of the Group of Seven (G7) club.
- New style president -
With a more relaxed presidential style than his predecessors, he was sometimes seen in public playing soccer, or the accordion.
He also hosted garbage collectors to breakfast and invited himself to dinner at the homes of ordinary citizens.
Giscard involved his family in his political appearances, had the blue and red of France's "tricolore" flag toned down, and the Marseillaise national anthem slowed down.
Born to a well-to-do French family, Giscard was firmly part of the elite.
Tall and slender and with an elegant, aristocratic manner, he studied at France's elite Ecole Polytechnique and the National Administration School.
Aged just 18, he joined the French resistance and took part in the World War II liberation of Paris from its Nazi occupiers in 1944. He then served for eight months in Germany and Austria in the run-up to the capitulation of the Third Reich.
He launched his political career in 1959, becoming finance minister in 1969.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-02--US embassy in Baghdad draws down diplomats: Iraq officials

Washington has been outraged by the dozens of rocket attacks and roadside bombs targeting its embassy in Baghdad and other US military installations across Iraqyea The American embassy in Baghdad has partially withdrawn its staff due to security concerns , two senior Iraqi officials told AFP late Wednesday .
Washington has been outraged by the dozens of rocket attacks and roadside bombs targeting its mission and other US military installations across Iraq over the last year .
The partial withdrawal appears to be the result of fresh security concerns , one Iraqi official told AFP .
`` It 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US side .
They could come back -- it 's just a security blip , '' the senior source said , speaking on condition of anonymity in order to talk to the press .
`` We knew ahead of time and top diplomatic staff including the ambassador are staying , so this is not a rupture of diplomatic ties . ''
A second top official confirmed it was an effort to `` minimise risk . ''
Neither could say how many of the several hundred diplomats based at the embassy had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson declined to comment on the withdrawal but said the safety of US officials , citizens and facilities in Iraq `` remains our highest priority '' .
The spokesperson said US ambassador Matthew Tueller was still in Iraq and that the embassy `` continues to operate '' .
Washington has blamed the rocket and roadside bomb attacks on pro-Iran hardline groups in Iraq and has retaliated twice by bombing one of those factions , Kataeb Hezbollah .
When the attacks continued , the US issued an ultimatum to Iraq , threatening to fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran-aligned factions to agree to a `` truce '' in mid-October , and the attacks swiftly stopped .
On November 17 , a volley of rockets hit several Baghdad neighbourhoods , killing one girl .
Top Iraqi and Western officials said at the time that they expected the truce to hold , but said Washington was still drawing up withdrawal plans .
One Western official told AFP in late November that the US was studying three options , including a partial withdrawal .
`` They 're exploring drawing down the embassy to just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the official said .
Iraqi and Western officials see a turbulent few weeks ahead of the White House handover from President Donald Trump , who has pursued a `` maximum pressure '' policy against Iran that has also squeezed its allies next door in Iraq .
They did not rule out last-minute military action by the Trump administration on Iranian interests in Iraq .
`` There 's a feeling that there are a few weeks left to go ( before Trump leaves office ) and who knows what could happen , '' @ @ @ @ @

Baghdad (AFP) –
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The American embassy in Baghdad has partially withdrawn its staff due to security concerns, two senior Iraqi officials told AFP late Wednesday.
Washington has been outraged by the dozens of rocket attacks and roadside bombs targeting its mission and other US military installations across Iraq over the last year.
The partial withdrawal appears to be the result of fresh security concerns, one Iraqi official told AFP.
"It's a minor drawdown based on security reservations from the US side. They could come back -- it's just a security blip," the senior source said, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to talk to the press.
"We knew ahead of time and top diplomatic staff including the ambassador are staying, so this is not a rupture of diplomatic ties."
A second top official confirmed it was an effort to "minimise risk."
Neither could say how many of the several hundred diplomats based at the embassy had been pulled out.
A US State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the withdrawal but said the safety of US officials, citizens and facilities in Iraq "remains our highest priority".
The spokesperson said US ambassador Matthew Tueller was still in Iraq and that the embassy "continues to operate".
Washington has blamed the rocket and roadside bomb attacks on pro-Iran hardline groups in Iraq and has retaliated twice by bombing one of those factions, Kataeb Hezbollah.
When the attacks continued, the US issued an ultimatum to Iraq, threatening to fully close down its embassy.
That prompted Iran-aligned factions to agree to a "truce" in mid-October, and the attacks swiftly stopped.
On November 17, a volley of rockets hit several Baghdad neighbourhoods, killing one girl.
Top Iraqi and Western officials said at the time that they expected the truce to hold, but said Washington was still drawing up withdrawal plans.
One Western official told AFP in late November that the US was studying three options, including a partial withdrawal.
"They're exploring drawing down the embassy to just the ambassador and key diplomatic staff," the official said.
Iraqi and Western officials see a turbulent few weeks ahead of the White House handover from President Donald Trump, who has pursued a "maximum pressure" policy against Iran that has also squeezed its allies next door in Iraq.
They did not rule out last-minute military action by the Trump administration on Iranian interests in Iraq.
"There's a feeling that there are a few weeks left to go (before Trump leaves office) and who knows what could happen," the Western official said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-03--Premier League, EFL agree £250-million virus rescue deal

The Premier League and the English Football League have agreed a bailout for lower-league clubs The Premier League and the @ @ @ @ @ agreed a £250-million rescue package to ease the financial pressure on lower-league clubs during the @ @ @ @ @ said clubs in League One and League Two -- the third and fourth tiers -- @ @ @ @ @ million ( $ 67 million ) .
The Premier League will provide a further financial @ @ @ @ @ secure a £200-million loan facility for clubs in the second-tier Championship .
It follows months @ @ @ @ @ governing bodies .
`` Our over-arching aim throughout this process has been to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ financial impact of the pandemic , '' said EFL chairman Rick Parry .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ now reached a resolution on behalf of our clubs and as we have maintained throughout @ @ @ @ @ and clarity following months of uncertainty . ''

London (AFP) –
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The Premier League and the English Football League on Thursday agreed a £250-million rescue package to ease the financial pressure on lower-league clubs during the coronavirus pandemic.
The EFL said clubs in League One and League Two -- the third and fourth tiers -- would receive grants worth £50 million ($67 million).
The Premier League will provide a further financial commitment to help the EFL secure a £200-million loan facility for clubs in the second-tier Championship.
It follows months of negotiations between the two governing bodies.
"Our over-arching aim throughout this process has been to ensure that all EFL clubs survive the financial impact of the pandemic," said EFL chairman Rick Parry.
"I am pleased that we have now reached a resolution on behalf of our clubs and as we have maintained throughout this will provide much-needed support and clarity following months of uncertainty."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-03--After mocking experts, UK needs them for Covid vaccine rollout

British leaders who ridiculed expert opinion over Brexit are now turning to the professionals to sell their message on Covid vaccination -- above all a football-loving scientist of Vietnamese heritage who has a mania for metaphors .
Jonathan Van-Tam , deputy chief medical officer for England , took to the airwaves on Thursday to reassure the public that Britain 's world-first introduction of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is perfectly safe .
The government 's decision to wheel out the 56-year-old avuncular professor spoke to his emergence as a trusted face during the pandemic , as England has see-sawed through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curbs on social life .
He is the British equivalent of leading US scientist Anthony Fauci .
They are both unafraid to speak truth to power , and prefer homespun language to jargon .
And like Fauci , Van-Tam has not always been in official favour this year .
Alone among the government 's scientific advisers appearing at then-daily televised news conferences , he made clear his displeasure in late May after Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's top aide Dominic Cummings flagrantly breached lockdown .
Johnson 's refusal to fire the unrepentant Cummings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political messaging surrounding lockdown , and Van-Tam was clear that stay-at-home rules `` apply to all '' .
He disappeared from the airwaves after that .
Prior to the falling out , as the government prepared to lift a three-month lockdown in June , the professor had urged the public to `` follow the guidance but do n't tear the pants out of it '' .
Van-Tam has re-emerged in recent weeks alongside Johnson , no stranger to colourful metaphors himself , countering anti-vaxxer misinformation after Pfizer and BioNTech reported their vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 virus .
News of that breakthrough , he said last month , was like scoring the first penalty in a shootout after a football cup match : `` You have n't won the cup yet , but what it does is it tells you that the goalkeeper can be beaten . ''
At other times Van-Tam 's public health metaphors have embraced public transport , from planes to trains , but his love of soccer runs particularly deep .
He grew up in the eastern English town of Boston and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his hometown club , who play in the sparsely attended , low-quality nether regions of the English football league pyramid .
His father , a mathematics teacher , was born in French Vietnam and his grandfather served as prime minister under the colonial regime in the 1950s , earning the moniker Tiger of Cai Lay for his bloody suppression of anti-French communist rebels .
Since graduating in medicine in 1987 , Van-Tam has spent most of his career in academia and public health , apart from a stint in the pharmaceutical private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2004 , he became head of the UK government 's Pandemic Influenza Office , and in the years since has taken a leading role in preparing for the kind of outbreak that has convulsed Britain and the world since the coronavirus emerged in China a year ago .
The government 's reliance now on the likes of Van-Tam is a far cry from when Johnson and his allies were drumming up support to take Britain out of the European Union in the run-up to the June 2016 Brexit referendum .
Most notoriously , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` people in this country have had enough of experts '' , as he dismissed economists who were warning of the financial pain that Brexit would cause .
Replaying the Brexit card , some British ministers have strayed into anti-EU jingoism after London beat Brussels to approving the Pfizer/BioNTech jab .
Van-Tam , however , was at pains to stress the international nature of scientific collaboration .
And he publicly clashed with Johnson in stressing that the pandemic should encourage long-term behavioural changes , like wearing masks , even after vaccines are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feelings inside Whitehall over the testy exchange , the Politico news site reported .
`` JVT is undoubtedly one of the best communicators around -- he is going to take questions directly from the public to address people 's practical concerns , '' it quoted a health ministry source as saying .
`` We want to reach key audiences who are n't necessarily tuned in to daily news . ''

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
British leaders who ridiculed expert opinion over Brexit are now turning to the professionals to sell their message on Covid vaccination -- above all a football-loving scientist of Vietnamese heritage who has a mania for metaphors.
Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, took to the airwaves on Thursday to reassure the public that Britain's world-first introduction of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is perfectly safe.
The government's decision to wheel out the 56-year-old avuncular professor spoke to his emergence as a trusted face during the pandemic, as England has see-sawed through a year of full lockdowns followed by region-by-region curbs on social life.
He is the British equivalent of leading US scientist Anthony Fauci. They are both unafraid to speak truth to power, and prefer homespun language to jargon.
And like Fauci, Van-Tam has not always been in official favour this year.
Alone among the government's scientific advisers appearing at then-daily televised news conferences, he made clear his displeasure in late May after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's top aide Dominic Cummings flagrantly breached lockdown.
Johnson's refusal to fire the unrepentant Cummings did much to undermine public trust in the political messaging surrounding lockdown, and Van-Tam was clear that stay-at-home rules "apply to all". He disappeared from the airwaves after that.
Prior to the falling out, as the government prepared to lift a three-month lockdown in June, the professor had urged the public to "follow the guidance but don't tear the pants out of it".
- Beating the goalie -
Van-Tam has re-emerged in recent weeks alongside Johnson, no stranger to colourful metaphors himself, countering anti-vaxxer misinformation after Pfizer and BioNTech reported their vaccine was up to 95 percent effective against the Covid-19 virus.
News of that breakthrough, he said last month, was like scoring the first penalty in a shootout after a football cup match: "You haven't won the cup yet, but what it does is it tells you that the goalkeeper can be beaten."
At other times Van-Tam's public health metaphors have embraced public transport, from planes to trains, but his love of soccer runs particularly deep.
He grew up in the eastern English town of Boston and is a "devout" season ticket holder of his hometown club, who play in the sparsely attended, low-quality nether regions of the English football league pyramid.
His father, a mathematics teacher, was born in French Vietnam and his grandfather served as prime minister under the colonial regime in the 1950s, earning the moniker Tiger of Cai Lay for his bloody suppression of anti-French communist rebels.
Since graduating in medicine in 1987, Van-Tam has spent most of his career in academia and public health, apart from a stint in the pharmaceutical private sector in the early 2000s.
In 2004, he became head of the UK government's Pandemic Influenza Office, and in the years since has taken a leading role in preparing for the kind of outbreak that has convulsed Britain and the world since the coronavirus emerged in China a year ago.
- Tuning in to experts -
The government's reliance now on the likes of Van-Tam is a far cry from when Johnson and his allies were drumming up support to take Britain out of the European Union in the run-up to the June 2016 Brexit referendum.
Most notoriously, Johnson's fellow Brexiteer Michael Gove said that "people in this country have had enough of experts", as he dismissed economists who were warning of the financial pain that Brexit would cause.
Replaying the Brexit card, some British ministers have strayed into anti-EU jingoism after London beat Brussels to approving the Pfizer/BioNTech jab. Van-Tam, however, was at pains to stress the international nature of scientific collaboration.
And he publicly clashed with Johnson in stressing that the pandemic should encourage long-term behavioural changes, like wearing masks, even after vaccines are rolled out.
There were no hard feelings inside Whitehall over the testy exchange, the Politico news site reported.
"JVT is undoubtedly one of the best communicators around -- he is going to take questions directly from the public to address people's practical concerns," it quoted a health ministry source as saying.
"We want to reach key audiences who aren't necessarily tuned in to daily news."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-03--Israel could head to elections as ‘Netanyahu-Gantz power-sharing deal at heart of dispute’

Israel could head to elections as ‘ Netanyahu-Gantz power-sharing deal at heart of dispute ’ Seven months after establishing a @ @ @ @ @ Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz ’ s differences are levelling divorce level over the country @ @ @ @ @ Israel could now face its 4th general election in two years , as the Parliament @ @ @ @ @ dissolve itself .
“ At the heart of the dispute is actually their power-sharing agreement @ @ @ @ @ refuse to share his power with Benny Gantz ” , FRANCE 24 ’ s Irris @ @ @ @ @

Israel could head to elections as ‘Netanyahu-Gantz power-sharing deal at heart of dispute’
01:15
Seven months after establishing a coalition, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz’s differences are levelling divorce level over the country’s 2021 budget. Israel could now face its 4th general election in two years, as the Parliament passed a preliminary movement to dissolve itself. “At the heart of the dispute is actually their power-sharing agreement, as Netanyahu seems to refuse to share his power with Benny Gantz”, FRANCE 24’s Irris Makler reports from Jerusalem.


france24--2020-12-03--California Covid-19 cases skyrocket as LA expected to run out of hospital beds by Christmas

California Covid-19 cases skyrocket as LA expected to run out of hospital beds by Christmas The second wave of the @ @ @ @ @ in the United States , as the country broke its own record for deaths and @ @ @ @ @ dying in the past 24 hours .
100,000 Americans are now hospitalised due to a @ @ @ @ @ US is now counting on the vaccine to tackle infections , the situation is particularly @ @ @ @ @ its biggest city , Los Angeles , could run out of hospital beds by Christmas @

California Covid-19 cases skyrocket as LA expected to run out of hospital beds by Christmas
01:41
Video by: Selina SYKES
The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is getting worse in the United States, as the country broke its own record for deaths and hospitalisations, with 3,000 people dying in the past 24 hours. 100,000 Americans are now hospitalised due to a coronavirus infection. While the US is now counting on the vaccine to tackle infections, the situation is particularly bad in California, where its biggest city, Los Angeles, could run out of hospital beds by Christmas.


france24--2020-12-03--Floods kill nine in southern Thailand

Floods kill nine in southern Thailand

Security forces wade through flood waters in Surat Thani province in southern Thailand Flash floods have claimed at least nine lives in southern Thailand and affected half a million people , officials said Thursday as the region braced for even more rain .
The deaths all came in Nakhon Si Thammarat province , where a state of emergency has been declared .
The youngest victim was just five years old .
Scores of homes have been damaged and more than half a million people from 210,000 households are affected .
Almost 150,000 hectares of farmland is under water .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve seen here in 50 years , '' Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Kraisorn Visitwong told AFP .
`` We 've had floods in certain parts of our province every year , but never this volume and the currents never this strong .
We ca n't even use our boats . ''
The main airport remained open to flights but was surrounded by water .
Military vehicles were ferrying passengers to the terminal .
Six other provinces -- Narathiwat , Songkhla , Pattani , Surat Thani , Chumphon and Phatthalung -- were also experiencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier and was expected to continue over the coming days as a strong monsoon sits over the Gulf of Thailand and a low-pressure system in the Strait of Malacca .

Bangkok (AFP) –
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Flash floods have claimed at least nine lives in southern Thailand and affected half a million people, officials said Thursday as the region braced for even more rain.
The deaths all came in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, where a state of emergency has been declared. The youngest victim was just five years old.
Scores of homes have been damaged and more than half a million people from 210,000 households are affected.
Almost 150,000 hectares of farmland is under water.
"This year is the worst we’ve seen here in 50 years," Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Kraisorn Visitwong told AFP.
"We've had floods in certain parts of our province every year, but never this volume and the currents never this strong. We can't even use our boats."
The main airport remained open to flights but was surrounded by water. Military vehicles were ferrying passengers to the terminal.
Six other provinces -- Narathiwat, Songkhla, Pattani, Surat Thani, Chumphon and Phatthalung -- were also experiencing flooding.
Heavy rain began a week earlier and was expected to continue over the coming days as a strong monsoon sits over the Gulf of Thailand and a low-pressure system in the Strait of Malacca.
© 2020 AFP