france24--2020-10-14--Tens of thousands flee Taliban attacks in southern Afghanistan as peace talks stall

Afghan internally displaced people with their belongings flee from Nadali district to Lashkar Gah during the ongoing clashes between Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces , in Helmand province on October 12 , 2020 .
Tens of thousands of people in southern Afghanistan have fled their homes following days of heavy fighting between the Taliban and security forces , officials said Wednesday , as violence continues to soar despite ongoing peace talks .
Taliban militants launched a series of attacks on the city of Lashkar Gah in restive Helmand province on Sunday night , prompting the US to call in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fighting triggered an exodus by local residents who crammed onto motorcycles , taxis and buses .
“ More than 5,100 families or 30,000 people ... have fled the fighting so far , ” Sayed Mohammad Ramin , director of the refugees department in Helmand , told AFP .
“ Some families are still living in the open in the streets in Lashkar Gah , we don ’ t have tents to give them.
” Local resident Hekmatullah said he was forced to flee after a mortar hit his neighbour ’ s house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting was so intense that I did not have time to take any extra clothes .
I only took my family , ” said Attaullah Afghan , a farmer who fled with his family of 12 .
Fighting was ongoing in at least four districts on Wednesday , Afghan officials said , adding that security forces have repelled repeated Taliban assaults in the area .
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said thousands had fled and called on Taliban fighters and security forces “ to take all feasible measures to protect civilians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave ” the area .
A collision between two helicopters early on Wednesday in Helmand ’ s Nawa district also killed at least nine people , according to Omar Zhwak , a spokesperson for the provincial governor .
The defence ministry said they were investigating the incident .
Helmand – a Taliban stronghold – is where international forces fought some of the bloodiest campaigns of Afghanistan ’ s 19-year war .
Under a deal the Taliban signed with Washington in February , the insurgents are not supposed to hit urban areas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The US committed to pulling all foreign troops from the country by next May in return for Taliban security pledges and an agreement to begin peace talks with the Afghan government in Qatar .
Talks began last month between the Taliban and Afghan government in Doha but appear to be stalled as the two sides have struggled to establish a basic framework for negotiations .

Tens of thousands of people in southern Afghanistan have fled their homes following days of heavy fighting between the Taliban and security forces, officials said Wednesday, as violence continues to soar despite ongoing peace talks.
Afghan internally displaced people with their belongings flee from Nadali district to Lashkar Gah during the ongoing clashes between Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces, in Helmand province on October 12, 2020.
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Taliban militants launched a series of attacks on the city of Lashkar Gah in restive Helmand province on Sunday night, prompting the US to call in air strikes to defend Afghan forces.
The fighting triggered an exodus by local residents who crammed onto motorcycles, taxis and buses.
“More than 5,100 families or 30,000 people... have fled the fighting so far,” Sayed Mohammad Ramin, director of the refugees department in Helmand, told AFP.
“Some families are still living in the open in the streets in Lashkar Gah, we don’t have tents to give them.”
Local resident Hekmatullah said he was forced to flee after a mortar hit his neighbour’s house, killing two women.
“The fighting was so intense that I did not have time to take any extra clothes. I only took my family,” said Attaullah Afghan, a farmer who fled with his family of 12.
Fighting was ongoing in at least four districts on Wednesday, Afghan officials said, adding that security forces have repelled repeated Taliban assaults in the area.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said thousands had fled and called on Taliban fighters and security forces “to take all feasible measures to protect civilians, inc. safe paths for those wishing to leave” the area.
A collision between two helicopters early on Wednesday in Helmand’s Nawa district also killed at least nine people, according to Omar Zhwak, a spokesperson for the provincial governor.
The defence ministry said they were investigating the incident.
Helmand – a Taliban stronghold – is where international forces fought some of the bloodiest campaigns of Afghanistan’s 19-year war.
Under a deal the Taliban signed with Washington in February, the insurgents are not supposed to hit urban areas and are meant to keep violence down.
The US committed to pulling all foreign troops from the country by next May in return for Taliban security pledges and an agreement to begin peace talks with the Afghan government in Qatar.
Talks began last month between the Taliban and Afghan government in Doha but appear to be stalled as the two sides have struggled to establish a basic framework for negotiations.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-10-14--US approves Regeneron's antibody treatment for Ebola

Regeneron 's drug Inmazeb was shown to significantly reduce the mortality rate of Ebola in a clinical trial The United States on Wednesday approved a lab-made antibody treatment against the Ebola virus developed by the biotech firm Regeneron after it was shown to significantly reduce the mortality rate in a clinical trial .
The drug was developed using the same technology platform that the company used to produce its experimental therapy against Covid-19 , which President Donald Trump received after contracting the coronavirus .
Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) Commissioner Stephen Hahn said : `` Today 's action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to public health threats -- both domestically and abroad -- on the basis of science and data . ''
The drug , called Inmazeb , is administered intravenously and is a mixture or `` cocktail '' of three monoclonal antibodies that bind to a surface protein ( called the glycoprotein ) of the Zaire ebolavirus to prevent it from invading human cells .
`` We are incredibly proud that the FDA has approved Inmazeb , '' added George Yancopoulos , president and chief scientific officer of New York state-based Regeneron .
Inmazeb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients , roughly half of whom received the drug while the other half received a control drug .
Of the patients who received Inmazeb , 33.8 percent died after 28 days , compared to 51 percent of the 153 patients who received a control drug .
The study was carried out in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2018 and reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019 .
The most common side effects were fever , chills , fast heart rate and fast breathing -- but these are also common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA said patients who receive Inmazeb should avoid getting a live Ebola vaccine at the same time , since the drug will weaken the vaccine 's efficacy .
Ervebo , the first vaccine for the prevention of Ebola virus disease , was approved by the FDA in December 2019 .
Monoclonal antibodies are a relatively new class of drugs that are best known for treating certain types of cancer and autoimmune disease .
Human immune systems produce antibodies , which are infection-fighting protein molecules , and vaccines teach our bodies to be prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pathogens .
Inmazeb is based on three highly effective antibodies against the Ebola virus that were discovered by infecting mice with genetically modified human-like immune systems .
The host immune cells that produced these molecules were then cultured in a lab to produce the desired antibodies en masse .

Washington (AFP) –
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The United States on Wednesday approved a lab-made antibody treatment against the Ebola virus developed by the biotech firm Regeneron after it was shown to significantly reduce the mortality rate in a clinical trial.
The drug was developed using the same technology platform that the company used to produce its experimental therapy against Covid-19, which President Donald Trump received after contracting the coronavirus.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn said: "Today's action demonstrates the FDA's ongoing commitment to responding to public health threats -- both domestically and abroad -- on the basis of science and data."
The drug, called Inmazeb, is administered intravenously and is a mixture or "cocktail" of three monoclonal antibodies that bind to a surface protein (called the glycoprotein) of the Zaire ebolavirus to prevent it from invading human cells.
"We are incredibly proud that the FDA has approved Inmazeb," added George Yancopoulos, president and chief scientific officer of New York state-based Regeneron.
Inmazeb was studied in 382 adult and pediatric patients, roughly half of whom received the drug while the other half received a control drug.
Of the patients who received Inmazeb, 33.8 percent died after 28 days, compared to 51 percent of the 153 patients who received a control drug.
The study was carried out in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2018 and reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019.
The most common side effects were fever, chills, fast heart rate and fast breathing -- but these are also common symptoms of Ebola virus infection.
The FDA said patients who receive Inmazeb should avoid getting a live Ebola vaccine at the same time, since the drug will weaken the vaccine's efficacy.
Ervebo, the first vaccine for the prevention of Ebola virus disease, was approved by the FDA in December 2019.
Monoclonal antibodies are a relatively new class of drugs that are best known for treating certain types of cancer and autoimmune disease.
Human immune systems produce antibodies, which are infection-fighting protein molecules, and vaccines teach our bodies to be prepared to make the right ones for particular pathogens.
Inmazeb is based on three highly effective antibodies against the Ebola virus that were discovered by infecting mice with genetically modified human-like immune systems.
The host immune cells that produced these molecules were then cultured in a lab to produce the desired antibodies en masse.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-14--BTS' management agency set to soar on stock market debut

Shares in the management agency of K-pop sensation BTS were expected to rocket on their stock market debut Thursday , making an instant multi-billionaire of its chairman and boosting the seven band members ' own fortunes .
The initial public offering of shares in Big Hit Entertainment saw staggering demand , with the public section oversubscribed no fewer than 607 times and applicants receiving only a tiny fraction of their requests .
The firm 's centrepiece asset BTS have risen to global stardom in recent years , cementing their prominence in the world 's biggest music market in August with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US Billboard Hot 100 .
At the IPO price of 135,000 won ( $ 118 ) per share , Big Hit would have a market capitalisation of 4.8 trillion won -- well over $ 4 billion , and more than Hanjin Kal , the holding company for the conglomerate that includes the South 's flag-carrier Korean Air .
Big Hit founder and CEO Bang Si-hyuk is worth $ 1.4 billion at the IPO price , according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index , and is retaining a stake of more than 36 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boosts the band members ' own wealth -- Bang gave each of them more than 68,000 shares in August , worth around $ 8 million at the IPO price and totalling 1.4 percent of the company .
Analysts expect the shares to rocket as soon as the market opens .
`` Considering all the information about the firm now available , the IPO price could be the lowest price we will ever see , '' Park Sung-ho of Yuanta Securities told AFP .
Earlier this year , his company estimated Big Hit 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accumulated debt -- at two to three trillion won , he said .
It has since raised it to 10 trillion won after assessing its business models including licensing sales , he added .
But there is one inescapable hurdle looming for the newly listing agency : mandatory military service for all seven boy band members , who made their debut in 2013 .
South Korea requires all able-bodied men to serve in uniform to defend it against security threats from the nuclear-armed North .
Under the existing conscription laws BTS member Jin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 , will have to report for duty by the end of 2021 .
The other six members , born between 1993 and 1997 , will have to follow in the coming years .
South Korea is currently debating exemptions for stars such as BTS , who have been at the forefront of the Korean Wave cultural phenomenon in recent years and are estimated to generate billions for the country 's economy .
But no such dispensations have so far been granted to pop stars , and if they are forced to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Big Hit 's finances : BTS were responsible for 97 percent of its revenues last year , according to the IPO prospectus .
It is looking to expand activities such as `` contents licensing sales '' that do not require the artists ' `` direct participation '' to try to cushion the blow .
But it acknowledged their time off-camera `` could have a negative impact on the company 's profitability and growth '' .

Seoul (AFP) –
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Shares in the management agency of K-pop sensation BTS were expected to rocket on their stock market debut Thursday, making an instant multi-billionaire of its chairman and boosting the seven band members' own fortunes.
The initial public offering of shares in Big Hit Entertainment saw staggering demand, with the public section oversubscribed no fewer than 607 times and applicants receiving only a tiny fraction of their requests.
The firm's centrepiece asset BTS have risen to global stardom in recent years, cementing their prominence in the world's biggest music market in August with their all-English track "Dynamite" topping the US Billboard Hot 100.
At the IPO price of 135,000 won ($118) per share, Big Hit would have a market capitalisation of 4.8 trillion won -- well over $4 billion, and more than Hanjin Kal, the holding company for the conglomerate that includes the South's flag-carrier Korean Air.
Big Hit founder and CEO Bang Si-hyuk is worth $1.4 billion at the IPO price, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, and is retaining a stake of more than 36 percent of the firm.
The flotation also boosts the band members' own wealth -- Bang gave each of them more than 68,000 shares in August, worth around $8 million at the IPO price and totalling 1.4 percent of the company.
Analysts expect the shares to rocket as soon as the market opens.
"Considering all the information about the firm now available, the IPO price could be the lowest price we will ever see," Park Sung-ho of Yuanta Securities told AFP.
Earlier this year, his company estimated Big Hit's enterprise value -- its market capitalisation plus accumulated debt -- at two to three trillion won, he said.
It has since raised it to 10 trillion won after assessing its business models including licensing sales, he added.
- Military impact -
But there is one inescapable hurdle looming for the newly listing agency: mandatory military service for all seven boy band members, who made their debut in 2013.
South Korea requires all able-bodied men to serve in uniform to defend it against security threats from the nuclear-armed North.
Under the existing conscription laws BTS member Jin -- real name Kim Seok-jin -- aged 27, will have to report for duty by the end of 2021.
The other six members, born between 1993 and 1997, will have to follow in the coming years.
South Korea is currently debating exemptions for stars such as BTS, who have been at the forefront of the Korean Wave cultural phenomenon in recent years and are estimated to generate billions for the country's economy.
But no such dispensations have so far been granted to pop stars, and if they are forced to leave the stage it could blow a hole in Big Hit's finances: BTS were responsible for 97 percent of its revenues last year, according to the IPO prospectus.
Big Hit acknowledged their anticipated absence as a "risk factor".
It is looking to expand activities such as "contents licensing sales" that do not require the artists' "direct participation" to try to cushion the blow.
But it acknowledged their time off-camera "could have a negative impact on the company's profitability and growth".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-14--MLS postpones Chicago-Minnesota over suspected virus case

Major League Soccer announced Wednesday that Chicago 's match at Minnesota on Wednesday had been postponed due to a suspected Covid-19 positive among the Minnesota team delegation after United had a match last weekend postponed due to multiple positive tests Minnesota United 's Major League Soccer match against the Chicago Fire was postponed on Wednesday due to a suspected Covid-19 positive among the Minnesota team delegation .
The postponement was made to allow for more testing and evaluation , MLS said in a statement .
The delay to an unspecified date came only minutes before the teams were to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of clubs battling for playoff spots .
At 5-8 with four drawn , the visiting Fire sit ninth in the Eastern Conference on 19 points , one ahead of Atlanta United for the last playoff spot in the 14-team East .
Minnesota remained 6-5-5 for 23 points , the Loons holding down fifth in the Western Conference , one point behind Los Angeles FC for the last home berth in next month 's opening round of the playoffs .
The Loons also had a home match against Dallas postponed last weekend after multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Chicago-Minnesota contest was n't the only one postponed on Wednesday .
Colorado 's planned match against Seattle on Wednesday had already been delayed after an outbreak that has seen five Colorado players and 12 staffers test positive .
The Rapids have had six matches in all postponed , one of them twice , and are n't scheduled to play again until October 24 at Kansas City .
They have n't played since winning 5-0 over San Jose on September 23 .

New York (AFP) –
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Minnesota United's Major League Soccer match against the Chicago Fire was postponed on Wednesday due to a suspected Covid-19 positive among the Minnesota team delegation.
The postponement was made to allow for more testing and evaluation, MLS said in a statement.
The delay to an unspecified date came only minutes before the teams were to have stepped onto the field for a clash of clubs battling for playoff spots.
At 5-8 with four drawn, the visiting Fire sit ninth in the Eastern Conference on 19 points, one ahead of Atlanta United for the last playoff spot in the 14-team East.
Minnesota remained 6-5-5 for 23 points, the Loons holding down fifth in the Western Conference, one point behind Los Angeles FC for the last home berth in next month's opening round of the playoffs.
The Loons also had a home match against Dallas postponed last weekend after multiple positive Covid-19 tests on the squad.
The Chicago-Minnesota contest wasn't the only one postponed on Wednesday. Colorado's planned match against Seattle on Wednesday had already been delayed after an outbreak that has seen five Colorado players and 12 staffers test positive.
The Rapids have had six matches in all postponed, one of them twice, and aren't scheduled to play again until October 24 at Kansas City. They haven't played since winning 5-0 over San Jose on September 23.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-14--Germany tightens Covid-19 restrictions, and Merkel warns more may be needed

German Chancellor Angela Merkel ( center ) , Bavaria 's State Premier Markus Soeder ( right ) and Berlin 's mayor Michael Mueller arrive to give a press conference after a meeting of states ' leaders on the coronavirus situation in Berlin on October 14 , 2020 .
Germany will introduce tougher measures on gatherings and mask-wearing to fight a surge in coronavirus infections , Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday after talks with the heads of Germany ’ s 16 federal states .
Europe ’ s biggest economy will begin imposing limits on people gathering at events as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new infections in an area reach 35 per 100,000 in seven days , earlier than under the previous yardstick used of 50 per 100,000 .
“ I am convinced that what we do now in these days and weeks will be decisive for the question of how we come through this pandemic , ” Merkel said .
“ We can see that ... infection rates are rising and that we have a very high infection rate in some regions , ” she added .
“ We must therefore prevent an uncontrolled or exponential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 35 new infections per 100,000 people over seven days , masks will become mandatory in all places where people have close contact for an extended period .
The number of people allowed to gather will also be limited to 25 in public and 15 in private spaces .
“ We have decided on this prophylactic number of 35 because we have seen some examples of how fast the increase happens from 35 to 50 , ” Merkel said .
Once a threshold of 50 new infections per 100,000 is exceeded , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limiting private gatherings to 10 people or two households , and the closure of restaurants after 11:00 pm ( 2100 GMT ) .
The fraught talks lasting eight hours were intended to establish a more unified approach amid concerns that Germany ’ s federal system is leading to a confusing patchwork of regulations .
But a particular sticking point was a ban agreed last week on domestic travellers from so-called risk zones from staying in hotels or holiday apartments .
With some state premiers seeking to overturn the ban , Merkel said talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after autumn school vacation on November 8 .
Instead , they agreed simply to urge citizens to avoid “ domestic travel in and out of areas ” where new infection have topped 50 per 100,000 people something which would qualify them as risk zones .
Merkel has in recent days repeatedly voiced alarm about contagion increasing again , urging the country not to squander its early success in keeping numbers manageable .
She has prioritised keeping schools open , so that students do not lose more education time , and ensuring that most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But new infections continued to rise Wednesday , pushing past 5,000 cases in 24 hours—a level not seen since a lockdown imposed on Europe ’ s biggest economy in the spring .
Even more curbs could be imposed if the upwards trajectory of new infections is maintained , Merkel warned .
“ We will see if what we ’ ve done today is enough , ” she said after Wednesday ’ s decisions .
“ That ’ s why my worry is still not gone after today .
”

Germany will introduce tougher measures on gatherings and mask-wearing to fight a surge in coronavirus infections, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday after talks with the heads of Germany’s 16 federal states.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center), Bavaria's State Premier Markus Soeder (right) and Berlin's mayor Michael Mueller arrive to give a press conference after a meeting of states' leaders on the coronavirus situation in Berlin on October 14, 2020.
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Europe’s biggest economy will begin imposing limits on people gathering at events as well as mandatory mask wearing at crowded places when new infections in an area reach 35 per 100,000 in seven days, earlier than under the previous yardstick used of 50 per 100,000.
“I am convinced that what we do now in these days and weeks will be decisive for the question of how we come through this pandemic,” Merkel said.
“We can see that ... infection rates are rising and that we have a very high infection rate in some regions,” she added.
“We must therefore prevent an uncontrolled or exponential increase.”
If an area records more than 35 new infections per 100,000 people over seven days, masks will become mandatory in all places where people have close contact for an extended period.
The number of people allowed to gather will also be limited to 25 in public and 15 in private spaces.
“We have decided on this prophylactic number of 35 because we have seen some examples of how fast the increase happens from 35 to 50,” Merkel said.
Once a threshold of 50 new infections per 100,000 is exceeded, even tougher restrictions will apply.
These include limiting private gatherings to 10 people or two households, and the closure of restaurants after 11:00 pm (2100 GMT).
Hotel ban
The fraught talks lasting eight hours were intended to establish a more unified approach amid concerns that Germany’s federal system is leading to a confusing patchwork of regulations.
But a particular sticking point was a ban agreed last week on domestic travellers from so-called risk zones from staying in hotels or holiday apartments.
With some state premiers seeking to overturn the ban, Merkel said talks over the subject would be postponed until after autumn school vacation on November 8.
Instead, they agreed simply to urge citizens to avoid “domestic travel in and out of areas” where new infection have topped 50 per 100,000 people something which would qualify them as risk zones.
Merkel has in recent days repeatedly voiced alarm about contagion increasing again, urging the country not to squander its early success in keeping numbers manageable.
She has prioritised keeping schools open, so that students do not lose more education time, and ensuring that most of the economy can keep running.
But new infections continued to rise Wednesday, pushing past 5,000 cases in 24 hours—a level not seen since a lockdown imposed on Europe’s biggest economy in the spring.
Even more curbs could be imposed if the upwards trajectory of new infections is maintained, Merkel warned.
“We will see if what we’ve done today is enough,” she said after Wednesday’s decisions.
“That’s why my worry is still not gone after today.”
(AFP)
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france24--2020-10-14--'Last party' for Dutch as new virus lockdown starts

People enjoy a last drink in bars before a partial lockdown in The Hague Dutch people drank and danced to pumping techno music Wednesday in the final minutes before all bars , restaurants and cannabis `` coffeeshops '' closed as part of a partial coronavirus lockdown .
Many of the revellers who flocked to terrace cafes in a main square in The Hague said that they backed the measures , which took effect at 10:00 pm ( 2000 GMT ) , but that they wanted to party first .
`` It 's the last night before the lockdown , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special night for us , '' house painter Simon Karelse , 19 , told AFP in Plein , the main nightlife area in The Hague .
Karelse said the new coronavirus rules were `` good .
It 's also for my grandparents , so it 's important for us .
I have trust in the government , they have a vision where to go , and I trust them . ''
After months when the Netherlands apparently got away with some of Europe 's laxest regulations , Prime Minister Mark Rutte on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into semi-lockdown , its strictest measures since March .
Virus cases hit a record of more than 7,000 on Tuesday , making the Netherlands the country with the third highest infection rate compared to its population , after Belgium and the Czech republic .
In Plein square , one cafe had set up a huge marquee where dozens of people , all closely packed together , jumped up and down to a thumping dance music soundtrack beneath pink lights .
Huge cheers went up as someone shouted out `` Ai n't no party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sound system .
Emerging from the tent , DJ Dena , 21 , said the crowds were in high spirits because `` it 's the last evening ... we have enjoyment for the last night . ''
`` It 's a shame ... we hope it 's just four weeks but I have bad feelings , '' he said , adding that people in creative industries `` have no job left if there 's three or four weeks to survive . ''
Rutte has said the partial lockdown -- under which mask-wearing has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but schools remain open -- will be reviewed after two weeks , but is expected to last at least four .
In a quiet street around the corner from Plein , one of the Netherlands ' famed `` coffeeshops '' was doing some final , albeit quiet business selling cannabis before it also had to close .
Like restaurants , coffeeshops can sell their wares for takeaway only , but must stop at 8:00 pm .
Supermarkets and shops are meanwhile barred from selling alcohol after the same time .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police trucks rolled through the square and officers entered several bars to speak to the owners .
Two police on horseback also patrolled the area .
The atmosphere was mostly peaceful apart from a few chants against the police .
`` My friend and I decided to go to the cafe to have a nice time , because we do n't know how long this will last , '' said Dana Kim , 21 , a Korean design student who has been studying in the Netherlands for last three years .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us than there usually are on a Wednesday evening . ''
But Kim said the Dutch partial lockdown was `` a bit too much '' , and said the Netherlands ' handling of the virus compared unfavourably with her home country .
`` I think it could have been handled better , if they were all wearing masks in public places and all that .
Because in Korea where I 'm from , places are not closed , but we are keeping social distance and all that . ''

The Hague (AFP) –
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Dutch people drank and danced to pumping techno music Wednesday in the final minutes before all bars, restaurants and cannabis "coffeeshops" closed as part of a partial coronavirus lockdown.
Many of the revellers who flocked to terrace cafes in a main square in The Hague said that they backed the measures, which took effect at 10:00 pm (2000 GMT), but that they wanted to party first.
"It's the last night before the lockdown, the last time to party. It's a special night for us," house painter Simon Karelse, 19, told AFP in Plein, the main nightlife area in The Hague.
Karelse said the new coronavirus rules were "good. It's also for my grandparents, so it's important for us. I have trust in the government, they have a vision where to go, and I trust them."
After months when the Netherlands apparently got away with some of Europe's laxest regulations, Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Tuesday announced that the country would go into semi-lockdown, its strictest measures since March.
Virus cases hit a record of more than 7,000 on Tuesday, making the Netherlands the country with the third highest infection rate compared to its population, after Belgium and the Czech republic.
In Plein square, one cafe had set up a huge marquee where dozens of people, all closely packed together, jumped up and down to a thumping dance music soundtrack beneath pink lights.
Huge cheers went up as someone shouted out "Ain't no party like an alcoholic party" over the sound system.
- 'Bad feelings' -
Emerging from the tent, DJ Dena, 21, said the crowds were in high spirits because "it's the last evening... we have enjoyment for the last night."
"It's a shame... we hope it's just four weeks but I have bad feelings," he said, adding that people in creative industries "have no job left if there's three or four weeks to survive."
Rutte has said the partial lockdown -- under which mask-wearing has been made compulsory in indoor public spaces, but schools remain open -- will be reviewed after two weeks, but is expected to last at least four.
In a quiet street around the corner from Plein, one of the Netherlands' famed "coffeeshops" was doing some final, albeit quiet business selling cannabis before it also had to close.
Like restaurants, coffeeshops can sell their wares for takeaway only, but must stop at 8:00 pm. Supermarkets and shops are meanwhile barred from selling alcohol after the same time.
As the 10:00 pm shut-off neared on Wednesday, police trucks rolled through the square and officers entered several bars to speak to the owners. Two police on horseback also patrolled the area.
The atmosphere was mostly peaceful apart from a few chants against the police.
"My friend and I decided to go to the cafe to have a nice time, because we don't know how long this will last," said Dana Kim, 21, a Korean design student who has been studying in the Netherlands for last three years.
"There are way more people out here like us than there usually are on a Wednesday evening."
But Kim said the Dutch partial lockdown was "a bit too much", and said the Netherlands' handling of the virus compared unfavourably with her home country.
"I think it could have been handled better, if they were all wearing masks in public places and all that. Because in Korea where I'm from, places are not closed, but we are keeping social distance and all that."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-14--Patriots pull Newton from virus list ahead of Denver visit

Cam Newton was removed from the NFL 's Covid-19 reserve list on Wednesday by the New England Patriots and the @ @ @ @ @ to play Sunday against Denver .
The 31-year-old run-pass threat , the NFL 's 2015 @ @ @ @ @ been on the Covid-19 inactive list since October 3 , which caused him to miss @ @ @ @ @ two nights later at reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City .
Newton is likely to @ @ @ @ @ 2-2 ) on Thursday and could be back on the field when the Broncos ( @ @ @ @ @ in a game postponed from last Sunday after other multiple Patriots positive tests .
New @ @ @ @ @ as Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham combined to toss three interceptions and produce the Patriots @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
Newton has completed 62-of-91 passes for 714 yards and two touchdowns and run @ @ @ @ @ and four touchdowns .

New York (AFP) –
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Cam Newton was removed from the NFL's Covid-19 reserve list on Wednesday by the New England Patriots and the star quarterback is on pace to play Sunday against Denver.
The 31-year-old run-pass threat, the NFL's 2015 Most Valuable Player, has been on the Covid-19 inactive list since October 3, which caused him to miss the Patriots' 26-10 loss two nights later at reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City.
Newton is likely to practice with the Patriots (2-2) on Thursday and could be back on the field when the Broncos (1-3) visit on Sunday in a game postponed from last Sunday after other multiple Patriots positive tests.
New England struggled offensively without Newton as Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham combined to toss three interceptions and produce the Patriots' fewest points since December 2018.
Newton has completed 62-of-91 passes for 714 yards and two touchdowns and run 35 times for 149 yards and four touchdowns.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-14--Southgate backs Maguire but demands England learn from red card woes

England defender Harry Maguire was sent off against Denmark Gareth Southgate warned England to learn from their disciplinary woes after giving Harry Maguire his `` full support '' following the Manchester United defender 's dismissal in Wednesday 's 1-0 defeat against Denmark .
Southgate 's side suffered their first defeat for a year as Maguire was sent off for two first half bookings before Christian Eriksen 's penalty sealed the Nations League points for Denmark .
Adding to the growing sense that Southgate is struggling to keep his players under control , Chelsea right-back Reece James marred his first England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final whistle for confronting referee Jesus Gil .
Following hot on the heels of Kyle Walker 's dismissal against Iceland in September , England have had three players sent off in a calendar year for the first time .
The rash of red cards comes amid off-field issues in which England players have shown questionable judgement this year .
Maguire was given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days in prison after being found guilty of repeated bodily harm , attempted bribery and violence against public employees on the Greek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conviction was nullified after he appealed , but the 27-year-old 's incident was followed by Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood being sent home from Iceland after breaching coronavirus protocols by inviting local women back to the England hotel .
Tammy Abraham , Jadon Sancho and Ben Chilwell missed last week 's friendly against Wales after ignoring social distancing rules to attend a party .
It is an alarming sequence and Southgate conceded England 's players had only themselves to blame .
`` It 's an obvious question we 're going to be asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions off the pitch , '' he said .
`` Of course there have been things that have n't been right .
We have addressed them .
`` The reds for Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire here , one yellow justified , one not so sure .
`` We 've got to learn from it because if you go down to 10 , historically that means we 're out , especially if you 're doing it for an hour .
`` We talked all the time about discipline because we knew it cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's needless red card extended a woeful start to the season for the centre-back and put England on course for their first home defeat since 2018 .
Despite Maguire 's latest meltdown , Southgate made it clear the United captain could count on his backing .
`` For me he is a top player , a massive part of what we do and he is going through a period where a lot of stick is coming his way , '' Southgate said .
`` He has our full support and I know his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have total belief in him .
`` He has been getting all sorts for a while from people who should know better . ''
Insisting Maguire would not be phased by his troubles , Southgate added : `` None of us want to be part of that storm .
His profile has changed over the last couple of years because of the club he plays at .
`` He is having one of those periods where things are going against him but things will turn . ''
On James ' rush of blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lesson he 's got to learn .
It 's ended up something that should n't have happened but for the overall week he 's made a positive impression . ''
After the boost of defeating top ranked Belgium on Sunday , this tepid display was a step back for England .
Southgate again sent out a cautious line-up with two holding midfielders and three centre-backs , while in-form Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish was left out .
The England boss defended his selection , saying : `` I was very proud of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excellent with 11 men and causing them all sorts of problems down our right-hand side .
`` The sending off alters everything and the penalty .
I do n't see the foul at all . ''

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Gareth Southgate warned England to learn from their disciplinary woes after giving Harry Maguire his "full support" following the Manchester United defender's dismissal in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat against Denmark.
Southgate's side suffered their first defeat for a year as Maguire was sent off for two first half bookings before Christian Eriksen's penalty sealed the Nations League points for Denmark.
Adding to the growing sense that Southgate is struggling to keep his players under control, Chelsea right-back Reece James marred his first England start when he was sent off after the final whistle for confronting referee Jesus Gil.
Following hot on the heels of Kyle Walker's dismissal against Iceland in September, England have had three players sent off in a calendar year for the first time.
The rash of red cards comes amid off-field issues in which England players have shown questionable judgement this year.
Maguire was given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days in prison after being found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence against public employees on the Greek island of Mykonos in August.
The conviction was nullified after he appealed, but the 27-year-old's incident was followed by Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood being sent home from Iceland after breaching coronavirus protocols by inviting local women back to the England hotel.
Tammy Abraham, Jadon Sancho and Ben Chilwell missed last week's friendly against Wales after ignoring social distancing rules to attend a party.
It is an alarming sequence and Southgate conceded England's players had only themselves to blame.
"It's an obvious question we're going to be asked. We've put ourselves in unnecessary positions off the pitch," he said.
"Of course there have been things that haven't been right. We have addressed them.
"The reds for Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire here, one yellow justified, one not so sure.
"We've got to learn from it because if you go down to 10, historically that means we're out, especially if you're doing it for an hour.
"We talked all the time about discipline because we knew it cost us in other tournaments."
- 'Top player' -
Maguire's needless red card extended a woeful start to the season for the centre-back and put England on course for their first home defeat since 2018.
Despite Maguire's latest meltdown, Southgate made it clear the United captain could count on his backing.
"For me he is a top player, a massive part of what we do and he is going through a period where a lot of stick is coming his way," Southgate said.
"He has our full support and I know his club will be the same. We have total belief in him.
"He has been getting all sorts for a while from people who should know better."
Insisting Maguire would not be phased by his troubles, Southgate added: "None of us want to be part of that storm. His profile has changed over the last couple of years because of the club he plays at.
"He is having one of those periods where things are going against him but things will turn."
On James' rush of blood, Southgate said: "That's a lesson he's got to learn. It's ended up something that shouldn't have happened but for the overall week he's made a positive impression."
After the boost of defeating top ranked Belgium on Sunday, this tepid display was a step back for England.
Southgate again sent out a cautious line-up with two holding midfielders and three centre-backs, while in-form Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish was left out.
The England boss defended his selection, saying: "I was very proud of the performance. I thought we were excellent with 11 men and causing them all sorts of problems down our right-hand side.
"The sending off alters everything and the penalty. I don't see the foul at all."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-14--Maguire off on bad night for England in Nations League, Mbappe gets France winner

Harry Maguire was sent off in the first half as England lost 1-0 at home to Denmark in the Nations League England 's prospects of returning to the finals of the Nations League suffered a big hit as Gareth Southgate 's side lost 1-0 at home to Denmark on Wednesday , while Kylian Mbappe gave World Cup holders France a 2-1 victory in Croatia and Portugal won without Cristiano Ronaldo .
Harry Maguire was sent off for England in the first half at Wembley for two clumsy yellow cards , and Christian Eriksen then converted a 35th-minute penalty on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Danes ahead .
They held on to inflict a first home defeat on England in two years , with the hosts also having young Chelsea full-back Reece James sent off for dissent after the final whistle .
`` He is a top player , he is a massive part of what we do , '' Southgate said in defence of Maguire , who has struggled for Manchester United since his involvement in a brawl on the Greek island of Mykonos in August .
`` He is having a period where is having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he is big enough to deal with that . ''
England got to the four-team finals of the inaugural Nations League last year but their chances of getting there again this time are very much in the balance with Belgium two points ahead of Southgate 's team and the Danes atop League A , Group 2 .
Belgium won 2-1 in Iceland on Wednesday with Romelu Lukaku scoring twice .
They host England in Brussels on November 15 .
In Zagreb , Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe missed an open goal early on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute as France beat Croatia 2-1 in their latest re-run of the 2018 World Cup final .
Antoine Griezmann had put France ahead with Nikola Vlasic equalising in the second half for Croatia before around 7,000 fans .
Les Bleus have still never lost to Croatia and are level with Portugal on 10 points at the top of League A , Group 3 .
Portugal , winners of the inaugural Nations League , shrugged off the absence of Ronaldo because of a positive Covid-19 test as they beat Sweden 3-0 in Lisbon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Silva for the opener then scored two of his own , one either side of half-time .
`` This team will always be better with Cristiano , but they showed they can still compete , '' said Portugal coach Fernando Santos .
Meanwhile , the prolific Robert Lewandowski scored a brace as Poland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 in Warsaw .
Karol Linetty got the other goal and Poland are top of Group A , a point above Italy and two ahead of the Netherlands .
The Dutch came from behind to draw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donny van de Beek netting for Frank de Boer 's side after Lorenzo Pellegrini put Italy ahead .
Below the top tier , Scotland continued their tentative revival by beating the Czech Republic 1-0 at an empty Hampden thanks to an early goal by Newcastle United 's Ryan Fraser .
After edging Israel on penalties to reach the Euro qualifying play-off final , Scotland beat Slovakia 1-0 at the weekend .
They are now unbeaten in eight matches and are four points clear of the Czechs at the top of League B , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel who came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in Slovakia with a hat-trick from PSV Eindhoven 's Eran Zahavi .
In Group 4 , Wales won 1-0 in Bulgaria with a late Jonny Williams goal .
They are unbeaten in eight competitive games , and Ryan Giggs ' side are top with 10 points , a point ahead of Finland .
Stephen Kenny is still waiting for his first win as Republic of Ireland manager after a 1-0 defeat in Finland left his side out of contention for top spot in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fredrik Jensen scored the only goal , as he did when the sides met last month in Dublin .
Also in League B , Northern Ireland kept Erling Braut Haaland quiet enough but a second-half Stuart Dallas own goal gave Norway a 1-0 win in Oslo in Group 1 .
Turkey came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Serbia in Group 3 , which is topped by Russia who were held 0-0 by Hungary in Moscow .

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England's prospects of returning to the finals of the Nations League suffered a big hit as Gareth Southgate's side lost 1-0 at home to Denmark on Wednesday, while Kylian Mbappe gave World Cup holders France a 2-1 victory in Croatia and Portugal won without Cristiano Ronaldo.
Harry Maguire was sent off for England in the first half at Wembley for two clumsy yellow cards, and Christian Eriksen then converted a 35th-minute penalty on the occasion of his 100th cap to put the Danes ahead.
They held on to inflict a first home defeat on England in two years, with the hosts also having young Chelsea full-back Reece James sent off for dissent after the final whistle.
"He is a top player, he is a massive part of what we do," Southgate said in defence of Maguire, who has struggled for Manchester United since his involvement in a brawl on the Greek island of Mykonos in August.
"He is having a period where is having a lot of stick thrown his way and he is big enough to deal with that."
England got to the four-team finals of the inaugural Nations League last year but their chances of getting there again this time are very much in the balance with Belgium two points ahead of Southgate's team and the Danes atop League A, Group 2.
Belgium won 2-1 in Iceland on Wednesday with Romelu Lukaku scoring twice. They host England in Brussels on November 15.
In Zagreb, Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe missed an open goal early on but got the winner in the 79th minute as France beat Croatia 2-1 in their latest re-run of the 2018 World Cup final.
Antoine Griezmann had put France ahead with Nikola Vlasic equalising in the second half for Croatia before around 7,000 fans.
Les Bleus have still never lost to Croatia and are level with Portugal on 10 points at the top of League A, Group 3.
- Doubles for Jota, Lewandowski -
Portugal, winners of the inaugural Nations League, shrugged off the absence of Ronaldo because of a positive Covid-19 test as they beat Sweden 3-0 in Lisbon.
Liverpool's Diogo Jota set up Bernardo Silva for the opener then scored two of his own, one either side of half-time.
"This team will always be better with Cristiano, but they showed they can still compete," said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.
Meanwhile, the prolific Robert Lewandowski scored a brace as Poland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 in Warsaw. Karol Linetty got the other goal and Poland are top of Group A, a point above Italy and two ahead of the Netherlands.
The Dutch came from behind to draw 1-1 with Italy in Bergamo, with Donny van de Beek netting for Frank de Boer's side after Lorenzo Pellegrini put Italy ahead.
- Scotland continue revival -
Below the top tier, Scotland continued their tentative revival by beating the Czech Republic 1-0 at an empty Hampden thanks to an early goal by Newcastle United's Ryan Fraser.
After edging Israel on penalties to reach the Euro qualifying play-off final, Scotland beat Slovakia 1-0 at the weekend.
They are now unbeaten in eight matches and are four points clear of the Czechs at the top of League B, Group 2, and five ahead of Israel who came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in Slovakia with a hat-trick from PSV Eindhoven's Eran Zahavi.
In Group 4, Wales won 1-0 in Bulgaria with a late Jonny Williams goal.
They are unbeaten in eight competitive games, and Ryan Giggs' side are top with 10 points, a point ahead of Finland.
Stephen Kenny is still waiting for his first win as Republic of Ireland manager after a 1-0 defeat in Finland left his side out of contention for top spot in that group.
Before 8,000 fans in Helsinki, Fredrik Jensen scored the only goal, as he did when the sides met last month in Dublin.
Also in League B, Northern Ireland kept Erling Braut Haaland quiet enough but a second-half Stuart Dallas own goal gave Norway a 1-0 win in Oslo in Group 1.
Turkey came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Serbia in Group 3, which is topped by Russia who were held 0-0 by Hungary in Moscow.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-14--Dallas own goal costs Northern Ireland in Norway

Erling Braut Haaland ( left ) failed to fire in Norway 's 1-0 win over Northern Ireland Stuart Dallas ' own goal condemned Northern Ireland to a 1-0 Nations League defeat in Norway despite keeping Erling Braut Haaland quiet in Oslo .
Haaland ran riot with two goals and an assist when the Norwegians won 5-1 in Belfast last month .
But a much-changed side from Ian Baraclough made the hosts work much harder for the three points this time around with a Martin Odegaard corner that span in off the arm of substitute Dallas the only goal separating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next month 's Euro 2020 qualifying play-off final against Slovakia , Baraclough made 10 changes from the team that lost to Austria on Sunday .
Norway by contrast thrashed Romania 4-0 at the weekend with Haaland scoring a hat-trick .
The Borussia Dortmund wonder kid was kept much quieter on Wednesday , although he saw an early effort cleared off the line .
Dallas was one of a number of Baraclough 's more experienced players introduced after the break .
The Leeds man was unfortunate to see the ball deflect in off him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Victory keeps Norway level on nine points alongside Austria in League B Group 1 , while Northern Ireland await their first Nations League win after eight games .

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Stuart Dallas' own goal condemned Northern Ireland to a 1-0 Nations League defeat in Norway despite keeping Erling Braut Haaland quiet in Oslo.
Haaland ran riot with two goals and an assist when the Norwegians won 5-1 in Belfast last month.
But a much-changed side from Ian Baraclough made the hosts work much harder for the three points this time around with a Martin Odegaard corner that span in off the arm of substitute Dallas the only goal separating the sides.
With focus already firmly on next month's Euro 2020 qualifying play-off final against Slovakia, Baraclough made 10 changes from the team that lost to Austria on Sunday.
Norway by contrast thrashed Romania 4-0 at the weekend with Haaland scoring a hat-trick.
The Borussia Dortmund wonder kid was kept much quieter on Wednesday, although he saw an early effort cleared off the line.
Dallas was one of a number of Baraclough's more experienced players introduced after the break.
The Leeds man was unfortunate to see the ball deflect in off him from Real Madrid midfielder Odegaard's delivery.
Victory keeps Norway level on nine points alongside Austria in League B Group 1, while Northern Ireland await their first Nations League win after eight games.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-14--Italy lose top spot after 1-1 Dutch stalemate

Lorenzo Pellegrini scored but Italy were held 1-1 by the Netherlands in Bergamo .
Italy lost top spot in their Nations League group after a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Bergamo on Wednesday .
The 'Azzurri ' had won 1-0 in Amsterdam last month but have now been held in three of their last four matches , including Sunday 's goalless draw against Poland in Gdansk .
Roberto Mancini 's side drop to second in their group on six points , one behind the Poles who beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 .
The Netherlands are third with five points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two group games left in November .
Italy broke through after quarter of an hour with Nicolo Barella splitting the Dutch defence with a pass for Lorenzo Pellegrini , who made no mistake from close range .
But Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek drew the Dutch level less than 10 minutes later when he fired home on the rebound from Memphis Depay 's shot .
Ciro Immobile missed two chances to put the hosts ahead with goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen denying the Lazio striker shortly before Van de Beek struck , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Italian national team was playing in Bergamo for the first time in 14 years , the match also a tribute to a region devastated by the coronavirus pandemic .
Only 1,000 spectators were allowed into Atalanta 's Gewiss Stadium , including 243 mayors from the Bergamo province and front-line health workers who have grappled with the pandemic .

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Italy lost top spot in their Nations League group after a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Bergamo on Wednesday.
The 'Azzurri' had won 1-0 in Amsterdam last month but have now been held in three of their last four matches, including Sunday's goalless draw against Poland in Gdansk.
Roberto Mancini's side drop to second in their group on six points, one behind the Poles who beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0.
The Netherlands are third with five points with all still to play for with two group games left in November.
Italy broke through after quarter of an hour with Nicolo Barella splitting the Dutch defence with a pass for Lorenzo Pellegrini, who made no mistake from close range.
But Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek drew the Dutch level less than 10 minutes later when he fired home on the rebound from Memphis Depay's shot.
Ciro Immobile missed two chances to put the hosts ahead with goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen denying the Lazio striker shortly before Van de Beek struck, and again just after the hour mark.
The Italian national team was playing in Bergamo for the first time in 14 years, the match also a tribute to a region devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.
Only 1,000 spectators were allowed into Atalanta's Gewiss Stadium, including 243 mayors from the Bergamo province and front-line health workers who have grappled with the pandemic.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-15--Experts slam 'dangerous fallacy' of virus herd immunity

The World Health Organization has warned for months that herd immunity strategies would not work to control the new coronavirus Proponents of allowing the new coronavirus to circulate among populations in the hope of achieving herd immunity are promoting a `` dangerous fallacy '' devoid of scientific proof , dozens of health experts said Thursday .
In an open letter published in The Lancet medical journal , more than 80 specialists from universities across the world said that the only effective way of limiting excess deaths during the pandemic was to control the disease 's spread .
The letter comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that senior Trump administration officials had voiced support for an online declaration advocating herd immunity which gathered more than 9,000 signatories worldwide .
As a second Covid-19 wave batters Europe , several countries have reintroduced controls on movement and implemented regionalised lockdowns .
The authors of Thursday 's letter said that the social and economic impacts of confinement had led to `` widespread demoralisation and diminishing trust '' in government measures to get a handle on the virus .
The second wave has also led to a renewed interest in so-called herd immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak among people considered to be at low risk of death or serious illness from the virus .
The health experts listed numerous flaws in the concept .
Firstly , `` uncontrolled transmission in younger people risks significant morbidity and mortality across the whole population , '' the letter said .
This would have a catastrophic human and financial cost , besides overwhelming healthcare systems .
The authors also noted that it is possible to become reinfected with Covid-19 .
Herd immunity offers no guarantee that those who caught the virus would remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time .
This would present a risk to vulnerable populations for `` the indefinite future '' , the authors said .
Such a strategy would result in `` recurrent epidemics '' of Covid-19 similar to those caused by numerous infectious diseases before vaccines were invented .
`` It would also place an unacceptable burden on the economy and healthcare workers , many of whom have died from Covid-19 or experienced trauma as a result of having to practise disaster medicine , '' they wrote .
The World Health Organization has been warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was impossible without untold casualties .
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the concept was `` unethical '' .
`` The vast majority of people in most countries remain susceptible to this virus , '' he said .
`` Letting the virus circulate unchecked therefore means allowing unnecessary infections , suffering and death . ''
WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan warned back in May that any country pursuing herd immunity were making `` a really dangerous calculation '' .

Paris (AFP) –
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Proponents of allowing the new coronavirus to circulate among populations in the hope of achieving herd immunity are promoting a "dangerous fallacy" devoid of scientific proof, dozens of health experts said Thursday.
In an open letter published in The Lancet medical journal, more than 80 specialists from universities across the world said that the only effective way of limiting excess deaths during the pandemic was to control the disease's spread.
The letter comes after numerous US media this week reported that senior Trump administration officials had voiced support for an online declaration advocating herd immunity which gathered more than 9,000 signatories worldwide.
As a second Covid-19 wave batters Europe, several countries have reintroduced controls on movement and implemented regionalised lockdowns.
The authors of Thursday's letter said that the social and economic impacts of confinement had led to "widespread demoralisation and diminishing trust" in government measures to get a handle on the virus.
The second wave has also led to a renewed interest in so-called herd immunity, which suggests allowing a large uncontrolled outbreak among people considered to be at low risk of death or serious illness from the virus.
The health experts listed numerous flaws in the concept.
Firstly, "uncontrolled transmission in younger people risks significant morbidity and mortality across the whole population," the letter said.
This would have a catastrophic human and financial cost, besides overwhelming healthcare systems.
The authors also noted that it is possible to become reinfected with Covid-19.
Herd immunity offers no guarantee that those who caught the virus would remain immune to it for any meaningful length of time.
This would present a risk to vulnerable populations for "the indefinite future", the authors said.
- 'Disaster medicine' -
Such a strategy would result in "recurrent epidemics" of Covid-19 similar to those caused by numerous infectious diseases before vaccines were invented.
"It would also place an unacceptable burden on the economy and healthcare workers, many of whom have died from Covid-19 or experienced trauma as a result of having to practise disaster medicine," they wrote.
The World Health Organization has been warning for months that herd immunity for Covid-19 was impossible without untold casualties.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the concept was "unethical".
"The vast majority of people in most countries remain susceptible to this virus," he said.
"Letting the virus circulate unchecked therefore means allowing unnecessary infections, suffering and death."
WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan warned back in May that any country pursuing herd immunity were making "a really dangerous calculation".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-15--'I will only play Grand Slams from now on' jokes Kvitova

Petra Kvitova reached the semi-finals of the French Open where she lost to Sofia Kenin Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova jokingly suggested she might only play Grand Slams in the future after ending a `` very , very successful '' Grand Slam season on Thursday .
The 30-year-old world number eight reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open and the last-16 phase at the US Open before losing in the semi-finals of the French Open last week .
`` I guess I will only play Grand Slams from now on , '' a smiling Kvitova told reporters in Prague , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season in years .
`` I 'll just get ready and go to a Grand Slam , '' chuckled the left-handed big hitter , who switched from the US Open hardcourt to the French Open clay without playing a single tournament in between .
`` The season looked doomed , but it turned out a very , very successful one at Grand Slams , '' Kvitova said about the year heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic which had torn up the tournament calendar .
`` Unfortunately , Wimbledon was cancelled .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because Wimbledon is very special , '' added Kvitova , who won the tournament in 2011 and 2014 .
`` But I 'm looking forward to next season and Wimbledon in particular . ''
`` I hope next season wo n't be as tough as this year , that things will calm down and that the world will get back to normal at least a bit , '' she added .
Kvitova said she was now planning to rest and then train in Dubai before leaving for the Australian Open , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental improvement from the virus-plagued season .
`` We did n't play tournaments for three months and the motivation was really poor , I did n't really feel like training ... but I could get ready for the important events , '' Kvitova said .
`` I guess I just set my head right , I made myself work hard to win each point , and even when I was n't playing well , I could find a way out , '' she added .
It marks a remarkable resurgence from Kvitova who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand when she fought off a knife-wielding burglar at her home in 2016 .
`` Since 2017 , I 've been grateful for being able to play at this level .
I call this my second career , '' Kvitova said .
`` Even if I had n't reached the French Open semi-finals , I 'd still be here and be happy . ''
`` Sometimes there are more important things in your life than just hitting the ball . ''

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Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova jokingly suggested she might only play Grand Slams in the future after ending a "very, very successful" Grand Slam season on Thursday.
The 30-year-old world number eight reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open and the last-16 phase at the US Open before losing in the semi-finals of the French Open last week.
"I guess I will only play Grand Slams from now on," a smiling Kvitova told reporters in Prague, looking back at her best Grand Slam season in years.
"I'll just get ready and go to a Grand Slam," chuckled the left-handed big hitter, who switched from the US Open hardcourt to the French Open clay without playing a single tournament in between.
"The season looked doomed, but it turned out a very, very successful one at Grand Slams," Kvitova said about the year heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic which had torn up the tournament calendar.
"Unfortunately, Wimbledon was cancelled. I'm still sad, it's a pity, because Wimbledon is very special," added Kvitova, who won the tournament in 2011 and 2014.
"But I'm looking forward to next season and Wimbledon in particular."
"I hope next season won't be as tough as this year, that things will calm down and that the world will get back to normal at least a bit," she added.
Kvitova said she was now planning to rest and then train in Dubai before leaving for the Australian Open, where she will be looking to use her mental improvement from the virus-plagued season.
"We didn't play tournaments for three months and the motivation was really poor, I didn't really feel like training... but I could get ready for the important events," Kvitova said.
"I guess I just set my head right, I made myself work hard to win each point, and even when I wasn't playing well, I could find a way out," she added.
It marks a remarkable resurgence from Kvitova who suffered a career-threatening injury to her playing hand when she fought off a knife-wielding burglar at her home in 2016.
"Since 2017, I've been grateful for being able to play at this level. I call this my second career," Kvitova said.
"Even if I hadn't reached the French Open semi-finals, I'd still be here and be happy."
"Sometimes there are more important things in your life than just hitting the ball."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-15--Italy shocked at discovery of foetus graves bearing women's names

he discovery of the named graves last month by a woman who had undergone an abortion provoked outrage from women 's rights groups and the women involved Small crosses made of wood and metal fill Lot 108 of Flaminio Cemetery in Rome , some painted white , some askew or fallen to the ground , all carrying female names .
They are not the names of the foetuses buried in the graves , but rather the names of the women who chose to have lawful abortions .
The discovery of the named graves last month by a woman who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's rights groups and the women involved , who denounced the public exposure of personal medical choices .
`` To think that someone appropriated her body , that a rite was performed , that she was buried with a cross and my name on it , was like reopening a wound , '' Francesca , one of the many women affected , told AFP .
The group Differenza Donna ( Woman Difference ) said it had been contacted by about 100 women who underwent abortions at hospitals in the city .
The activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week and have petitioned the public prosecutor 's office to open an investigation .
Italy 's privacy watchdog has also opened a probe into the practice , which appears for now to be a bureaucratic procedure gone awry .
The scandal first came to light last month after a woman who had an abortion -- at a hospital different from the one used by Francesca -- discovered her name on a cross at the cemetery and posted on Facebook , a message that soon went viral .
Elisa Ercoli , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest slap in the face for women in the majority Catholic country , calling it an `` ugly , authoritarian act '' .
Abortion within the first 90 days of pregnancy has been legal in Italy since 1978 , but the law allows for conscientious objectors among medical professionals .
Seven out of 10 gynaecologists in the country refuse to carry out the procedure , complicating access to abortions for women in some areas .
Ercoli told AFP the group had found crosses bearing women 's names from 2017 to 2020 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been going on since at least 2005 .
A similar practice was subsequently discovered at a cemetery in the northern city of Brescia .
A national law from 1990 calls for foetuses less than 20 weeks old to be incinerated by the hospitals .
But hospitals can entrust foetuses aborted after 20 weeks to cemetery services for burial even without the consent of family members .
While hospital permits required for transport and burial of the foetuses can include women 's personal data , those records are supposed to be kept confidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street cleaning agency AMA , which also manages the capital 's cemeteries , said after the first woman posted on Facebook that the foetus was buried `` after specific input from the hospital where the intervention took place '' .
AMA had `` no role in such decisions '' , it said .
AMA did not respond to AFP 's requests for more detail .
A regional councillor has already proposed clearer procedures from hospital to cemetery , blaming legal ambiguity for allowing `` discretionary choices '' .
Francesca , who did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she chose to undergo an abortion last September in the sixth month of pregnancy after learning her child had a serious heart defect .
She said she remembered signing papers given to her at the hospital as her contractions became stronger just before her delivery , but said she did not read them .
After the abortion , Francesca said she asked about what would happen to the foetus three times , without receiving any answers , adding that it was not only a shock to discover the grave but also to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not correspond to her beliefs .
In Italy , children are automatically given their father 's last name upon birth .
`` But if a woman has an abortion , her name and surname are included , '' Francesca noted .
`` Finding my name on the cross was a sign of punishment for me . ''

Rome (AFP) –
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Small crosses made of wood and metal fill Lot 108 of Flaminio Cemetery in Rome, some painted white, some askew or fallen to the ground, all carrying female names.
They are not the names of the foetuses buried in the graves, but rather the names of the women who chose to have lawful abortions.
The discovery of the named graves last month by a woman who had undergone an abortion provoked outrage from women's rights groups and the women involved, who denounced the public exposure of personal medical choices.
"To think that someone appropriated her body, that a rite was performed, that she was buried with a cross and my name on it, was like reopening a wound," Francesca, one of the many women affected, told AFP.
"I feel betrayed by the institutions."
The group Differenza Donna (Woman Difference) said it had been contacted by about 100 women who underwent abortions at hospitals in the city.
The activists are scheduled to meet the health minister next week and have petitioned the public prosecutor's office to open an investigation.
Italy's privacy watchdog has also opened a probe into the practice, which appears for now to be a bureaucratic procedure gone awry.
- 'Ugly act' -
The scandal first came to light last month after a woman who had an abortion -- at a hospital different from the one used by Francesca -- discovered her name on a cross at the cemetery and posted on Facebook, a message that soon went viral.
Elisa Ercoli, president of Differenza Donna, described the discovery as the latest slap in the face for women in the majority Catholic country, calling it an "ugly, authoritarian act".
Abortion within the first 90 days of pregnancy has been legal in Italy since 1978, but the law allows for conscientious objectors among medical professionals.
Seven out of 10 gynaecologists in the country refuse to carry out the procedure, complicating access to abortions for women in some areas.
Ercoli told AFP the group had found crosses bearing women's names from 2017 to 2020 at the cemetery and learnt that the practice has been going on since at least 2005.
A similar practice was subsequently discovered at a cemetery in the northern city of Brescia.
A national law from 1990 calls for foetuses less than 20 weeks old to be incinerated by the hospitals.
But hospitals can entrust foetuses aborted after 20 weeks to cemetery services for burial even without the consent of family members.
While hospital permits required for transport and burial of the foetuses can include women's personal data, those records are supposed to be kept confidential.
Rome's municipal waste disposal and street cleaning agency AMA, which also manages the capital's cemeteries, said after the first woman posted on Facebook that the foetus was buried "after specific input from the hospital where the intervention took place".
AMA had "no role in such decisions", it said.
AMA did not respond to AFP's requests for more detail.
- 'Sign of punishment' -
A regional councillor has already proposed clearer procedures from hospital to cemetery, blaming legal ambiguity for allowing "discretionary choices".
Francesca, who did not want to provide her last name, said she chose to undergo an abortion last September in the sixth month of pregnancy after learning her child had a serious heart defect.
She said she remembered signing papers given to her at the hospital as her contractions became stronger just before her delivery, but said she did not read them.
After the abortion, Francesca said she asked about what would happen to the foetus three times, without receiving any answers, adding that it was not only a shock to discover the grave but also to see the cross, which she said did not correspond to her beliefs.
In Italy, children are automatically given their father's last name upon birth.
"But if a woman has an abortion, her name and surname are included," Francesca noted.
"Finding my name on the cross was a sign of punishment for me."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-15--Ivory Coast begins presidential election campaigning amid violent demonstrations

Campaigning begins in Ivory Coast Thursday for the October 31 presidential election , with incumbent Alassane Ouattara seeking a controversial @ @ @ @ @ is pushing for civil disobedience amid violent demonstrations .
FRANCE 24 's Sam Bradpiece tells @ @ @

Ivory Coast begins presidential election campaigning amid violent demonstrations
01:20
Video by: Sam BRADPIECE
Campaigning begins in Ivory Coast Thursday for the October 31 presidential election, with incumbent Alassane Ouattara seeking a controversial third term while the opposition is pushing for civil disobedience amid violent demonstrations. FRANCE 24's Sam Bradpiece tells us more.


france24--2020-10-15--Nine rescuers dead after Vietnam landslide; heavy rains continue

A woman pushes her scooter along a flooded road in Quang Dien district in central Vietnam 's Hue province Nine members of a rescue team have been found dead after a bid to save workers from a hydropower plant engulfed by a landslide in central Vietnam , authorities said Thursday .
Severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy rain pounding the region have killed at least 40 people in the past week , officials said , with more bad weather on the way .
An official government website said 17 workers at a hydro station had gone missing following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been recovered .
A rescue team of 13 ran into difficulties , however , and nine members had been found dead .
Images on state media showed hundreds of soldiers with excavators digging through thick mud to look for those still missing .
Two storms in a week have brought devastating rains to parts of central and northern Vietnam , triggering landslides in mountainous areas .
In rural areas of Thua Thien Hue province , people whose homes had been badly damaged , or in some cases still partially submerged , faced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people have been affected by the downpours and more than 200,000 homes flooded .
`` We have been sleeping on a boat for the last five nights , '' Phan Gia Quang told AFP at his home in Quang Dien district , where murky brown water pooled around his sofa .
`` We are worried .
If the storm comes here , we only have the boat to stay on and no way to make our situation better , '' he added , as he made a pot of tea on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badly hit by floods , with the northwest worst affected .
Thirteen people have been killed , including five children , according to the national community for disaster management .
More than 190,000 people have been affected and more than 12,000 evacuated .

Hue (Vietnam) (AFP) –
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Nine members of a rescue team have been found dead after a bid to save workers from a hydropower plant engulfed by a landslide in central Vietnam, authorities said Thursday.
Severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy rain pounding the region have killed at least 40 people in the past week, officials said, with more bad weather on the way.
An official government website said 17 workers at a hydro station had gone missing following a landslide. Another worker's body had been recovered.
A rescue team of 13 ran into difficulties, however, and nine members had been found dead.
Images on state media showed hundreds of soldiers with excavators digging through thick mud to look for those still missing.
Two storms in a week have brought devastating rains to parts of central and northern Vietnam, triggering landslides in mountainous areas.
In rural areas of Thua Thien Hue province, people whose homes had been badly damaged, or in some cases still partially submerged, faced the prospect of further downpours.
Almost a million people have been affected by the downpours and more than 200,000 homes flooded.
"We have been sleeping on a boat for the last five nights," Phan Gia Quang told AFP at his home in Quang Dien district, where murky brown water pooled around his sofa.
"We are worried. If the storm comes here, we only have the boat to stay on and no way to make our situation better," he added, as he made a pot of tea on his wooden boat.
Cambodia has also been badly hit by floods, with the northwest worst affected.
Thirteen people have been killed, including five children, according to the national community for disaster management.
More than 190,000 people have been affected and more than 12,000 evacuated.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-15--Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: The question of religion in the fighting

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict : The question of religion in the fighting Christian Armenia against Muslim Azerbaijan ?
To try and better @ @ @ @ @ conflict , France 24 in Baku examined the issue of religion .
Azeris have a @ @ @ @ @ , and strongly refute suggestions that this is in any way a religious battle .
@ @ @ @ @ Trent reports .

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: The question of religion in the fighting
01:37
Video by: Catherine NORRIS TRENT
Christian Armenia against Muslim Azerbaijan? To try and better understand the roots of this conflict, we examined the role of religion. Azeris have a very particular relationship with Islam, and strongly refute suggestions that this is in any way a religious battle. FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris-Trent reports.


france24--2020-10-15--French ministers' home raided in Covid-19 handling probe, FRANCE 24's Christopher Moore reports

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france24--2020-10-15--Hundreds of fighters head home in Yemen prisoner exchange

A Red Cross plane sits on the tarmac in Yemen 's government-held city of Seiyun , waiting to ferry home combatants released as part of a landmark prisoner swap A landmark prisoner exchange between the government and Huthi rebels began Thursday , with hundreds of combatants heading home on flights criss-crossing Yemen and Saudi Arabia .
The swap is a rare sign of progress in the process to end the conflict which broke out six years ago in Yemen , where the Huthis still control much of the north despite the intervention of Saudi Arabia and its allies since 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the returning fighters arrived to a red-carpet welcome , greeted by a military band and and senior officials standing together with family members .
`` Death to America , Death to Israel , '' they shouted , the slogan of the Huthis who have battled the government and the might of the Saudi-led coalition .
The warring sides agreed to exchange 1,081 prisoners under a deal struck in Switzerland last month , the largest number since the start of the war in 2014 .
The International Committee of the Red Cross , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex two-day operation , said that five planes had so far delivered more than 300 combatants to cities in Yemen and Saudi Arabia .
They travelled between Sanaa , the government-held city of Seiyun , and the Saudi city of Abha , it said .
UN Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths , who attended last month 's talks in Switzerland , hailed the successful start of the operation .
`` Today 's release operation , led by the ICRC , is another sign that peaceful dialogue can deliver , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under UN auspices to discuss the release of all conflict-related prisoners and detainees . ''
The ICRC said its teams were stationed at the airports involved in the transfer , and had kitted out the detainees with clothes , hygiene supplies and money for their transport home .
`` The ICRC has been conducting one-on-one interviews and medical checks with the detainees to be sure they want to be transported home and are healthy enough to do so , '' a spokeswoman said .
An AFP correspondent watched the first planes depart from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headed for the city of Abha in neighbouring Saudi Arabia with released prisoners of war from the ranks of the coalition that supports the Yemeni government , rebel officials said .
Those on board included 15 Saudis and four Sudanese .
The Yemeni government and the Iran-backed rebels resolved to swap some 15,000 detainees as part of a peace deal brokered by the UN in Sweden back in 2018 .
The two sides have since undertaken sporadic prisoner exchanges , but this week 's swap is the first large-scale handover since the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executed , with God 's help , on the scheduled dates today and tomorrow , '' Abdel Kader Mortaza , the rebel official in charge of prisoner affairs , said in a tweet earlier Thursday .
The exchange comes after the release Wednesday of two Americans held captive in Yemen , in an apparent swap for some 240 Huthi supporters who were allowed to return home after being stranded in neighbouring Oman .
The rebels also sent back the remains of a third American who died in captivity .
The fate of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oman for medical treatment in what was supposed to be a confidence-building move during the 2018 talks in Sweden , had become a major grievance for the rebels and a symbol of the deep distrust between the two sides .

Sanaa (AFP) –
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A landmark prisoner exchange between the government and Huthi rebels began Thursday, with hundreds of combatants heading home on flights criss-crossing Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
The swap is a rare sign of progress in the process to end the conflict which broke out six years ago in Yemen, where the Huthis still control much of the north despite the intervention of Saudi Arabia and its allies since 2015.
In the rebel-held capital of Sanaa, the returning fighters arrived to a red-carpet welcome, greeted by a military band and and senior officials standing together with family members.
"Death to America, Death to Israel," they shouted, the slogan of the Huthis who have battled the government and the might of the Saudi-led coalition.
The warring sides agreed to exchange 1,081 prisoners under a deal struck in Switzerland last month, the largest number since the start of the war in 2014.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which is handling the logistics of the complex two-day operation, said that five planes had so far delivered more than 300 combatants to cities in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
They travelled between Sanaa, the government-held city of Seiyun, and the Saudi city of Abha, it said.
- Positive sign -
UN Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths, who attended last month's talks in Switzerland, hailed the successful start of the operation.
"Today's release operation, led by the ICRC, is another sign that peaceful dialogue can deliver," he said.
"I hope the parties will soon reconvene under UN auspices to discuss the release of all conflict-related prisoners and detainees."
The ICRC said its teams were stationed at the airports involved in the transfer, and had kitted out the detainees with clothes, hygiene supplies and money for their transport home.
"The ICRC has been conducting one-on-one interviews and medical checks with the detainees to be sure they want to be transported home and are healthy enough to do so," a spokeswoman said.
An AFP correspondent watched the first planes depart from the capital.
One of them was headed for the city of Abha in neighbouring Saudi Arabia with released prisoners of war from the ranks of the coalition that supports the Yemeni government, rebel officials said.
Those on board included 15 Saudis and four Sudanese.
The Yemeni government and the Iran-backed rebels resolved to swap some 15,000 detainees as part of a peace deal brokered by the UN in Sweden back in 2018.
The two sides have since undertaken sporadic prisoner exchanges, but this week's swap is the first large-scale handover since the war began.
"The transaction will be executed, with God's help, on the scheduled dates today and tomorrow," Abdel Kader Mortaza, the rebel official in charge of prisoner affairs, said in a tweet earlier Thursday.
The exchange comes after the release Wednesday of two Americans held captive in Yemen, in an apparent swap for some 240 Huthi supporters who were allowed to return home after being stranded in neighbouring Oman.
The rebels also sent back the remains of a third American who died in captivity.
The fate of the 240 Yemenis, who had travelled to Oman for medical treatment in what was supposed to be a confidence-building move during the 2018 talks in Sweden, had become a major grievance for the rebels and a symbol of the deep distrust between the two sides.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-15--UK fishermen hopeful of netting late deal in EU trade talks

A European Union summit on Thursday and Friday will attempt to unlock stalled talks , with London weighed down by @ @ @ @ @ fishing agreement .
Brussels insists its vessels must continue to enjoy unfettered access to UK @ @ @ @ @ transition phase that ends on December 31 .
Britain wants this access limited significantly and @ @ @ @ @ in its waters to be renegotiated annually .

UK fishermen hopeful of netting late deal in EU trade talks
01:28
A European Union summit on Thursday and Friday will attempt to unlock stalled talks, with London weighed down by wrangling over a key future fishing agreement. Brussels insists its vessels must continue to enjoy unfettered access to UK waters even after a post-Brexit transition phase that ends on December 31. Britain wants this access limited significantly and has called for fishing rights in its waters to be renegotiated annually.


france24--2020-10-15--France's Macron announces curfew in Paris and 8 other cities to curb Covid-19 infections rise

France 's Macron announces curfew in Paris and 8 other cities to curb Covid-19 infections rise France 's Macron announces @ @ @ @ @ other cities to curb Covid-19 infections rise


france24--2020-10-15--Africa at 'pivotal moment' as virus cases rise: WHO

Over the past month , there has been a seven percent average increase in weekly Covid-19 cases across Africa Africa faces `` a pivotal moment '' in its fight against the coronavirus as cases and deaths rise after eased lockdowns and travel curbs , the regional director of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) warned Thursday .
Over the past month , there has been a seven percent average increase in weekly Covid-19 cases across the continent and an eight percent average increase in weekly deaths , according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention ( Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at a pivotal moment in the pandemic in Africa .
While the continent has experienced a downward trend in its epidemic curve during the past three months , this decline has plateaued , '' Matshidiso Moeti , the WHO 's Africa director , told a press conference .
Despite early worries that the pandemic would devastate the region , the African Union 's 55 member states have so far recorded around 1.6 million cases , representing just 4.2 percent of the global total , according to the Africa CDC .
Its roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global total .
Many countries imposed punishing lockdowns and restricted travel for extended periods , measures they would be hard-pressed to reinstate in response to a resurgence , said John Nkengasong , the Africa CDC 's director .
`` We are seeing what is going on in Europe as they ease their lockdown , how the numbers of new cases have increased and several countries are considering a second lockdown .
We can not afford that , '' Nkengasong said .
`` We can not allow this virus to erode the gains we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months since the beginning of the pandemic . ''
South Africa accounts for nearly half the continent 's cases .
North African countries Morocco , Tunisia and Libya have also reported sizeable increases in recent weeks .
Compared to the beginning of the pandemic , African countries `` are now in a much better position to tackle the new challenges Covid-19 is throwing our way , '' Moeti said , citing sharp increases in testing facilities and ventilators .
But she expressed concern about how rising cases in Europe could affect the continent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connection between Africa and Europe and we also do know that the importation in virtually all the African countries did happen from Europe , '' she said .
`` So we are concerned about this uptick in Europe at the same time as we are opening up for business travellers , for tourists coming to Africa . ''

Addis Ababa (AFP) –
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Africa faces "a pivotal moment" in its fight against the coronavirus as cases and deaths rise after eased lockdowns and travel curbs, the regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Thursday.
Over the past month, there has been a seven percent average increase in weekly Covid-19 cases across the continent and an eight percent average increase in weekly deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
"Indeed, we are at a pivotal moment in the pandemic in Africa. While the continent has experienced a downward trend in its epidemic curve during the past three months, this decline has plateaued," Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO's Africa director, told a press conference.
Despite early worries that the pandemic would devastate the region, the African Union's 55 member states have so far recorded around 1.6 million cases, representing just 4.2 percent of the global total, according to the Africa CDC.
Its roughly 39,000 deaths represent 3.6 percent of the global total.
Many countries imposed punishing lockdowns and restricted travel for extended periods, measures they would be hard-pressed to reinstate in response to a resurgence, said John Nkengasong, the Africa CDC's director.
"We are seeing what is going on in Europe as they ease their lockdown, how the numbers of new cases have increased and several countries are considering a second lockdown. We cannot afford that," Nkengasong said.
"We cannot allow this virus to erode the gains we have made over the last couple of months since the beginning of the pandemic."
South Africa accounts for nearly half the continent's cases.
North African countries Morocco, Tunisia and Libya have also reported sizeable increases in recent weeks.
Compared to the beginning of the pandemic, African countries "are now in a much better position to tackle the new challenges Covid-19 is throwing our way," Moeti said, citing sharp increases in testing facilities and ventilators.
But she expressed concern about how rising cases in Europe could affect the continent.
"We know the very close connection between Africa and Europe and we also do know that the importation in virtually all the African countries did happen from Europe," she said.
"So we are concerned about this uptick in Europe at the same time as we are opening up for business travellers, for tourists coming to Africa."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-15--SUVs targeted in new French 'weight tax'

Sport utility vehicles have proved popular , to the ire of environmentalists .
France will impose a new weight tax on heavy cars and sport utility vehicles as part of a plan to get automakers to reduce CO2 emissions , Environment Minister Barbara Pompili said Thursday .
`` The weight tax that we 're creating sends a strong and necessary message to take into account the environmental impact of the heaviest vehicles , '' Pompili said on Twitter .
`` The heavier cars get , the more materials and energy they consume , with more pollution , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a disproportionate share of public space .
Her office said that the tax , part of the 2021 budget , would apply to vehicles weighing more than 1,800 kilogrammes ( 4,000 pounds ) , at a rate of 10 euros for every additional kilogramme .
It will not apply to electric cars .
The move might not be enough for critics , since the largest SUVs make up only a small fraction of the French market , where the average car weighs around 1,200 kilos .
The best-selling SUVs from Peugeot or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well below 1,800 kilos .
Only German models from BMW or Audi , which have seen only a few thousand sales in France so far this year according to the CCFA industry group , would be impacted , as well as some large luxury sedans .
France already levies high taxes on gas-guzzling vehicles that produce large amounts of carbon emissions , with the maximum amount increased earlier this year to 20,000 euros ( $ 23,400 ) .
A weight tax was among the 150 proposals generated from the `` Citizens ' Convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emmanuel Macron , who has promised bold action on tackling climate change .
The convention had pushed for a tax on cars weighing 1,400 kilogrammes or more , `` but this still is a step in the right direction , '' said Gregoire Fraty , one of the participants .
SUVs , which have soared in popularity in recent years , have come under heavy fire from climate change activists .
The WWF reported this month that they had become the second-biggest source for the increase of greenhouse gas emissions in France between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the airline industry .
`` The 4.3 million sold in France in that decade have the same carbon footprint as 25 million electric compact cars , '' it said .
French officials blame heavier cars for the slowdown in progress on cutting emissions since 2016 .
The average weight of diesel cars has risen seven percent since 2010 , and gasoline cars 14 percent , the equivalent of around 100 kilogrammes ( 220 pounds ) per vehicle , according to the French government .
The weight tax `` is meant to encourage people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but also to encourage the industry to take its entire ecological footprint into account and not just emissions , '' a ministry source told AFP .

Paris (AFP) –
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France will impose a new weight tax on heavy cars and sport utility vehicles as part of a plan to get automakers to reduce CO2 emissions, Environment Minister Barbara Pompili said Thursday.
"The weight tax that we're creating sends a strong and necessary message to take into account the environmental impact of the heaviest vehicles," Pompili said on Twitter.
"The heavier cars get, the more materials and energy they consume, with more pollution," she said, adding that bigger cars also took up a disproportionate share of public space.
Her office said that the tax, part of the 2021 budget, would apply to vehicles weighing more than 1,800 kilogrammes (4,000 pounds), at a rate of 10 euros for every additional kilogramme.
It will not apply to electric cars.
The move might not be enough for critics, since the largest SUVs make up only a small fraction of the French market, where the average car weighs around 1,200 kilos.
The best-selling SUVs from Peugeot or Renault, for example, also weigh well below 1,800 kilos.
Only German models from BMW or Audi, which have seen only a few thousand sales in France so far this year according to the CCFA industry group, would be impacted, as well as some large luxury sedans.
France already levies high taxes on gas-guzzling vehicles that produce large amounts of carbon emissions, with the maximum amount increased earlier this year to 20,000 euros ($23,400).
A weight tax was among the 150 proposals generated from the "Citizens' Convention on Climate" set up by President Emmanuel Macron, who has promised bold action on tackling climate change.
The convention had pushed for a tax on cars weighing 1,400 kilogrammes or more, "but this still is a step in the right direction," said Gregoire Fraty, one of the participants.
SUVs, which have soared in popularity in recent years, have come under heavy fire from climate change activists.
The WWF reported this month that they had become the second-biggest source for the increase of greenhouse gas emissions in France between 2008 and 2018, second only to the airline industry.
"The 4.3 million sold in France in that decade have the same carbon footprint as 25 million electric compact cars," it said.
French officials blame heavier cars for the slowdown in progress on cutting emissions since 2016.
The average weight of diesel cars has risen seven percent since 2010, and gasoline cars 14 percent, the equivalent of around 100 kilogrammes (220 pounds) per vehicle, according to the French government.
The weight tax "is meant to encourage people to avoid very large and heavy models, but also to encourage the industry to take its entire ecological footprint into account and not just emissions," a ministry source told AFP.
© 2020 AFP