france24--2020-12-22--Tokyo Olympics unveil final budget of $15.9 billion

Tokyo 2020 could be the most expensive Summer Games ever , according to some estimates , with a pandemic delay and virus countermeasures swelling the budget The coronavirus-delayed Tokyo Olympics will cost at least 1.64 trillion yen ( $ 15.9 billion ) , organisers said Tuesday , unveiling a final budget swollen by the unprecedented postponement and a raft of pandemic measures .
The extra costs -- up 294 billion yen ( $ 2.8 billion ) from figures released a year ago -- come as officials work to build enthusiasm for the first Games postponed in peacetime .
A poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japanese oppose holding the Tokyo Games next year , favouring a further delay or outright cancellation of the massive event , and the latest budget could make the Tokyo Games the most expensive Summer Olympics in history .
Organisers , who have ruled out another delay and insist the Games can be held next year , defended the increased costs .
`` Whether you see this budget as expensive or not depends on how you look at it , '' said Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto .
`` You can look at it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perspective .
If you look at it purely in terms of cost , it does n't make sense .
But if you look at it as a positive investment , I think there are areas where it can be identified as such . ''
Organisers have tried to scale back elements of the Games in a bid to save money , scrapping athlete welcome ceremonies and scrimping on the all-important `` look '' of the event .
But these savings -- along with an expected 76 billion yen ( $ 735 million ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments -- have been outweighed by a plethora of extra costs , from rebooking venues and transport to retaining the huge organising committee staff .
Organisers increased the service budget of the Games to 731 billion yen ( $ 7.1 billion ) , with extra money allotted for the opening and closing ceremonies , but the International Olympic Committee has agreed to cover the costs of moving the marathon and race-walking to northern Sapporo to beat Tokyo 's summer heat .
A 96 billion yen ( $ 929 million ) budget will cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an infection control centre in the Olympic Village -- part of a blueprint announced earlier this month along with plans to regularly test athletes and ban cheering in venues .
A study published earlier this year by Oxford University warned that the Tokyo Games could become the most expensive Summer Olympics ever .
The study calculated that the 2012 London Games was the most costly to date , with a $ 14.96 billion price tag eclipsed only by the eye-watering $ 21.89 billion spent on the Sochi Winter Games in 2014 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event during a pandemic , and if we are able to do that , it would mean that we can co-exist with Covid-19 , '' said Muto .
`` We would be able to provide a model for living with the virus , and I think in that sense this event can be a meaningful one . ''
A poll released last week by Japanese national broadcaster NHK found just 27 percent of respondents support holding the Games next year , with 32 percent backing cancellation and 31 percent favouring a further postponement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koike told AFP last week she can see `` no circumstances '' under which the Games will be cancelled , despite rising infections in Japan .

Tokyo (AFP) –
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The coronavirus-delayed Tokyo Olympics will cost at least 1.64 trillion yen ($15.9 billion), organisers said Tuesday, unveiling a final budget swollen by the unprecedented postponement and a raft of pandemic measures.
The extra costs -- up 294 billion yen ($2.8 billion) from figures released a year ago -- come as officials work to build enthusiasm for the first Games postponed in peacetime.
A poll last week showed that a majority of Japanese oppose holding the Tokyo Games next year, favouring a further delay or outright cancellation of the massive event, and the latest budget could make the Tokyo Games the most expensive Summer Olympics in history.
Organisers, who have ruled out another delay and insist the Games can be held next year, defended the increased costs.
"Whether you see this budget as expensive or not depends on how you look at it," said Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto.
"You can look at it from a cost perspective or an investment perspective. If you look at it purely in terms of cost, it doesn't make sense. But if you look at it as a positive investment, I think there are areas where it can be identified as such."
Organisers have tried to scale back elements of the Games in a bid to save money, scrapping athlete welcome ceremonies and scrimping on the all-important "look" of the event.
But these savings -- along with an expected 76 billion yen ($735 million) in extra revenue from sponsors and insurance payments -- have been outweighed by a plethora of extra costs, from rebooking venues and transport to retaining the huge organising committee staff.
Organisers increased the service budget of the Games to 731 billion yen ($7.1 billion), with extra money allotted for the opening and closing ceremonies, but the International Olympic Committee has agreed to cover the costs of moving the marathon and race-walking to northern Sapporo to beat Tokyo's summer heat.
A 96 billion yen ($929 million) budget will cover virus countermeasures, including the creation of an infection control centre in the Olympic Village -- part of a blueprint announced earlier this month along with plans to regularly test athletes and ban cheering in venues.
- 'Living with the virus' -
A study published earlier this year by Oxford University warned that the Tokyo Games could become the most expensive Summer Olympics ever.
The study calculated that the 2012 London Games was the most costly to date, with a $14.96 billion price tag eclipsed only by the eye-watering $21.89 billion spent on the Sochi Winter Games in 2014.
"We are trying to hold a global event during a pandemic, and if we are able to do that, it would mean that we can co-exist with Covid-19," said Muto.
"We would be able to provide a model for living with the virus, and I think in that sense this event can be a meaningful one."
A poll released last week by Japanese national broadcaster NHK found just 27 percent of respondents support holding the Games next year, with 32 percent backing cancellation and 31 percent favouring a further postponement.
Still, Tokyo's governor Yuriko Koike told AFP last week she can see "no circumstances" under which the Games will be cancelled, despite rising infections in Japan.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-22--Iraq inks preliminary deal for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Iraq has seen a remarkable reduction in new coronavirus cases in recent weeks but authorities are still scrambling to secure vaccines as they become available Iraq has signed a preliminary deal to receive 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine in early 2021 , the health ministry said .
The country has been among the hardest-hit in the Middle East , with more than 580,000 reported cases although numbers have dropped dramatically in recent weeks .
Health ministry spokesman Seif al-Badr told state television late Monday that Iraq had `` formally signed a preliminary deal with Pfizer ... which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
`` Iraq has reserved its share of these vaccines , '' he said , with troops and the elderly prioritised for vaccinations .
Each person requires two injections of the vaccine so the order will cover just 750,000 of Iraq 's 40 million people .
President Barham Saleh has said Iraq aims to provide the jab for free to its citizens .
Badr did not put a price tag on the deal .
Western officials in Iraq told AFP that Washington had been urging Baghdad to choose Pfizer-BioNTech over other options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at -70 degrees Celsius ( -94 degrees Fahrenheit ) , a temperature much lower than standard freezers and which forced the company to develop special containers for transport .
Iraq is one of the hottest countries in the world and has a dilapidated power generation network that results in daily cuts to mains supply .
`` The issues of transportation and financial transactions are still being worked out , '' Badr said , adding that Iraq had the necessary equipment to safely distribute the vaccine .
He said Iraq was still in talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a worldwide network created to ensure equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines .
Iraq has committed $ 170 million to be among the first countries to receive the vaccine , according to the World Health Organization .
The country has seen a remarkable reduction in Covid-19 cases and deaths in recent weeks even as testing ramps up .
On Monday , out of more than 35,000 tests , just 1,200 tested positive for Covid-19 cases and 13 people died .
The encouraging numbers have coincided with a lifting of all lockdown measures , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less and ignoring social distancing .
But Badr insisted the danger had not passed .
`` A vaccine is not a magic solution , '' he told state media .

Baghdad (AFP) –
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Iraq has signed a preliminary deal to receive 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine in early 2021, the health ministry said.
The country has been among the hardest-hit in the Middle East, with more than 580,000 reported cases although numbers have dropped dramatically in recent weeks.
Health ministry spokesman Seif al-Badr told state television late Monday that Iraq had "formally signed a preliminary deal with Pfizer... which will arrive in stages early next year".
"Iraq has reserved its share of these vaccines," he said, with troops and the elderly prioritised for vaccinations.
Each person requires two injections of the vaccine so the order will cover just 750,000 of Iraq's 40 million people.
President Barham Saleh has said Iraq aims to provide the jab for free to its citizens.
Badr did not put a price tag on the deal.
Western officials in Iraq told AFP that Washington had been urging Baghdad to choose Pfizer-BioNTech over other options.
Pfizer's vaccine must be stored at -70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees Fahrenheit), a temperature much lower than standard freezers and which forced the company to develop special containers for transport.
Iraq is one of the hottest countries in the world and has a dilapidated power generation network that results in daily cuts to mains supply.
"The issues of transportation and financial transactions are still being worked out," Badr said, adding that Iraq had the necessary equipment to safely distribute the vaccine.
He said Iraq was still in talks to receive more vaccines through Covax, a worldwide network created to ensure equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.
Iraq has committed $170 million to be among the first countries to receive the vaccine, according to the World Health Organization.
The country has seen a remarkable reduction in Covid-19 cases and deaths in recent weeks even as testing ramps up.
On Monday, out of more than 35,000 tests, just 1,200 tested positive for Covid-19 cases and 13 people died.
The encouraging numbers have coincided with a lifting of all lockdown measures, and people across the country are wearing masks less and ignoring social distancing.
But Badr insisted the danger had not passed.
"A vaccine is not a magic solution," he told state media.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Masks block 99.9% of large Covid-linked droplets: study

Large respiratory droplets are thought to be the main driver of SARS-CoV-2 transmission .
Illustration by Banksy Face masks reduce the risk of spreading large Covid-linked droplets when speaking or coughing by up to 99.9 percent , according to a lab experiment with mechanical mannequins and human subjects , researchers said Wednesday .
A woman standing two metres ( yards ) from a coughing man without a mask will be exposed to 10,000 times more such droplets than if he were wearing one , even if he is only 50 centimetres away , they reported in the journal Royal Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more doubt whatsoever that face masks can dramatically reduce the dispersion of potentially virus-laden droplets , '' senior author Ignazio Maria Viola , an expert in applied fluid dynamics at the University of Edinburgh 's School of Engineering , told AFP .
Large respiratory droplets -- which act like projectiles before being pulled toward the ground by gravity -- are thought to be the main driver of SARS-CoV-2 transmission , he noted .
Smaller ones , sometimes called aerosol droplets , can remain suspended in the air for longer periods .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from micro-scale to millimetre-scale , '' Maria Viola said by phone .
`` Some of the droplets will drop faster than others '' depending on temperature , humidity and especially air speed , he said .
The study focused on particles larger than 170 microns in diameter -- roughly two to four times the width of a human hair .
Aerosol particles , which tend to follow currents in the air , are generally described as smaller than 20 or 30 microns .
Intermediate size droplets can behave either way , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask , you are mitigating the virus transmission by an order of magnitude -- 10 times less , '' Maria Viola said .
`` In our study , for the larger droplets we measure , we 're talking about 99.9 percent less . ''
According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) in Seattle , Washington , 55,000 lives could be saved in the United States over the next four months if a policy of universal mask use were adopted .
The Institute 's modellers -- who accurately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US would top 224,000 by November 1 -- project 561,000 deaths on current trends by April 1 , 2021 .
Universal mask-wearing would reduce the global death toll by 400,000 over the same period , from 2.9 million to 2.5 million , they calculate .
To date , the virus has claimed about 1.7 million lives .
Earlier this month , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) updated its Covid-19 guidance on masks to recommend they be worn indoors in the presence of other people if ventilation is inadequate .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or suspected community transmission .
Masks serve primarily to reduce the emissions of virus-laden droplets by people when they cough , sneeze , sing , talk or simply breathe , but they can also help prevent the inhalation of droplets by the person wearing them .
`` Cloth masks not only effectively block most large droplets -- 20-30 microns and larger -- but they can also block the exhalation of fine droplets and particles , also often referred to as aerosols , '' according to the CDC .

Paris (AFP) –
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Face masks reduce the risk of spreading large Covid-linked droplets when speaking or coughing by up to 99.9 percent, according to a lab experiment with mechanical mannequins and human subjects, researchers said Wednesday.
A woman standing two metres (yards) from a coughing man without a mask will be exposed to 10,000 times more such droplets than if he were wearing one, even if he is only 50 centimetres away, they reported in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
"There is no more doubt whatsoever that face masks can dramatically reduce the dispersion of potentially virus-laden droplets," senior author Ignazio Maria Viola, an expert in applied fluid dynamics at the University of Edinburgh's School of Engineering, told AFP.
Large respiratory droplets -- which act like projectiles before being pulled toward the ground by gravity -- are thought to be the main driver of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, he noted.
Smaller ones, sometimes called aerosol droplets, can remain suspended in the air for longer periods.
"We continuously exhale a whole range of droplets, from micro-scale to millimetre-scale," Maria Viola said by phone.
"Some of the droplets will drop faster than others" depending on temperature, humidity and especially air speed, he said.
The study focused on particles larger than 170 microns in diameter -- roughly two to four times the width of a human hair.
Aerosol particles, which tend to follow currents in the air, are generally described as smaller than 20 or 30 microns.
Intermediate size droplets can behave either way, the study found.
- Universal mask wearing -
"If you wear a mask, you are mitigating the virus transmission by an order of magnitude -- 10 times less," Maria Viola said.
"In our study, for the larger droplets we measure, we're talking about 99.9 percent less."
According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in Seattle, Washington, 55,000 lives could be saved in the United States over the next four months if a policy of universal mask use were adopted.
The Institute's modellers -- who accurately predicted in mid-July that Covid-19 deaths in the US would top 224,000 by November 1 -- project 561,000 deaths on current trends by April 1, 2021.
Universal mask-wearing would reduce the global death toll by 400,000 over the same period, from 2.9 million to 2.5 million, they calculate. To date, the virus has claimed about 1.7 million lives.
Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its Covid-19 guidance on masks to recommend they be worn indoors in the presence of other people if ventilation is inadequate.
The guidelines apply especially in areas of known or suspected community transmission.
Masks serve primarily to reduce the emissions of virus-laden droplets by people when they cough, sneeze, sing, talk or simply breathe, but they can also help prevent the inhalation of droplets by the person wearing them.
"Cloth masks not only effectively block most large droplets -- 20-30 microns and larger -- but they can also block the exhalation of fine droplets and particles, also often referred to as aerosols," according to the CDC.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Pandemic dashes Christmas hopes for Michelin-starred chef

Pascal Aussignac , a Michelin-starred French chef based in London , had been counting on delivering Christmas dinners to recoup his restaurants ' losses after a year blighted by the pandemic .
Then everything fell apart in the space of just a few days .
`` I 've got 50 capons and ducks stuck in France ; they 'll never arrive in time for Christmas dinner because we should have stuffed them ( already ) , '' he told AFP .
Restaurants in London were forced to close unexpectedly last week in the middle of the crucial holiday season as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` no-deal '' Brexit would make matters even worse for Aussignac 's restaurants , imposing customs duties and quotas on the local French produce that is his speciality .
Then a snap decision on Sunday by a number of countries including France to halt travel to and from Britain caused a fresh crisis .
Trucks full of food from France have been left stranded on the other side of the Channel .
Aussignac had to break the news to his customers that he would only have stuffing to sell them for their Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English poultry , '' he explained , adding they would have to cook the birds themselves .
Some customers did not appreciate this development and made their feelings known , he said .
`` But this is beyond our control .
We are all victims of the situation , '' said the restaurateur , who has worked in London for 22 years .
Even if Aussignac ends up not having to pay for the delayed poultry , he is still disheartened by the loss of hoped-for income from the festive meals .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include a cocktail bar and a fish and chip restaurant -- were already in the red .
They had suffered , like the rest of Britain 's hospitality industry , from a first lockdown that stretched from late March to early July , a second in November and the third which began in mid-December because of a new strain of the virus deemed highly contagious by the British authorities .
`` They 've really clipped our wings , '' Aussignac said , sitting in his flagship Club Gascon restaurant with its marble-panelled walls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of social distancing measures he had only been able to serve 22 diners here , instead of the usual 46 .
That drop in numbers forced him lay off staff .
In an attempt to cover part of the fixed outgoings and salaries not covered by the government compensation scheme , which is capped at 80 percent , Aussignac turned to takeaway sales .
The tables of his Bar Gascon were piled with paper bags ready for delivery .
The amount of the order stapled to each one ranged from £30 for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a feast of foie gras and fine wines .
The shift to delivery has also been tricky .
`` We did n't have the appropriate packaging , we had trouble with changing the way food is plated , as it risked getting damaged en route , not to mention the fact that the food cools down during delivery '' .
Like many other chefs , Aussignac has started hosting cooking classes on Zoom to supplement his income .
He also sub-leases the kitchen of his shuttered Comptoir Gascon restaurant to a start-up called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soy paste .
After Christmas , the chef plans to update his menu : `` I 'll make duck a l'orange , a smoked chestnut and salsify veloute and a cheese cake made of Brillat-Savarin ( a soft French cheese ) , '' Aussignac said .
These dishes will be made with stocks of duck breasts and duck confit he brought over from France earlier , anticipating probable disruption from January because of Brexit .
Otherwise , he will be relying on suppliers in the UK .
Another impact of Brexit is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU to work in restaurant kitchens and front of house .
`` British people do n't work in the hospitality sector , '' Aussignac said .
`` I have become a British citizen but the company that I have dedicated two decades of my life to is no longer safe here and I fear for the future , '' he said .
`` 2021 could turn out to be worse than 2020 .
Are we going to survive ?
That 's the big question . ''

London (AFP) –
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Pascal Aussignac, a Michelin-starred French chef based in London, had been counting on delivering Christmas dinners to recoup his restaurants' losses after a year blighted by the pandemic.
Then everything fell apart in the space of just a few days.
"I've got 50 capons and ducks stuck in France; they'll never arrive in time for Christmas dinner because we should have stuffed them (already)," he told AFP.
Restaurants in London were forced to close unexpectedly last week in the middle of the crucial holiday season as strict coronavirus restrictions were imposed.
A "no-deal" Brexit would make matters even worse for Aussignac's restaurants, imposing customs duties and quotas on the local French produce that is his speciality.
Then a snap decision on Sunday by a number of countries including France to halt travel to and from Britain caused a fresh crisis.
Trucks full of food from France have been left stranded on the other side of the Channel.
Aussignac had to break the news to his customers that he would only have stuffing to sell them for their Christmas meal.
"They have to find English poultry," he explained, adding they would have to cook the birds themselves.
Some customers did not appreciate this development and made their feelings known, he said.
"But this is beyond our control. We are all victims of the situation," said the restaurateur, who has worked in London for 22 years.
Even if Aussignac ends up not having to pay for the delayed poultry, he is still disheartened by the loss of hoped-for income from the festive meals.
The accounts of his six premises -- which include a cocktail bar and a fish and chip restaurant -- were already in the red.
They had suffered, like the rest of Britain's hospitality industry, from a first lockdown that stretched from late March to early July, a second in November and the third which began in mid-December because of a new strain of the virus deemed highly contagious by the British authorities.
"They've really clipped our wings," Aussignac said, sitting in his flagship Club Gascon restaurant with its marble-panelled walls and empty turquoise velvet armchairs.
Because of social distancing measures he had only been able to serve 22 diners here, instead of the usual 46. That drop in numbers forced him lay off staff.
In an attempt to cover part of the fixed outgoings and salaries not covered by the government compensation scheme, which is capped at 80 percent, Aussignac turned to takeaway sales.
The tables of his Bar Gascon were piled with paper bags ready for delivery. The amount of the order stapled to each one ranged from £30 for two duck burgers to several hundred pounds for a feast of foie gras and fine wines.
The shift to delivery has also been tricky.
"We didn't have the appropriate packaging, we had trouble with changing the way food is plated, as it risked getting damaged en route, not to mention the fact that the food cools down during delivery".
Like many other chefs, Aussignac has started hosting cooking classes on Zoom to supplement his income. He also sub-leases the kitchen of his shuttered Comptoir Gascon restaurant to a start-up called Pro Tempeh that makes an Indonesian-style fermented soy paste.
After Christmas, the chef plans to update his menu: "I'll make duck a l'orange, a smoked chestnut and salsify veloute and a cheese cake made of Brillat-Savarin (a soft French cheese)," Aussignac said.
These dishes will be made with stocks of duck breasts and duck confit he brought over from France earlier, anticipating probable disruption from January because of Brexit. Otherwise, he will be relying on suppliers in the UK.
Another impact of Brexit is that there are fewer people coming from the EU to work in restaurant kitchens and front of house.
"British people don't work in the hospitality sector," Aussignac said.
"I have become a British citizen but the company that I have dedicated two decades of my life to is no longer safe here and I fear for the future," he said.
"2021 could turn out to be worse than 2020. Are we going to survive? That's the big question."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--France lifts ban on UK goods and travel, though adds testing caveat

France lifts ban on UK goods and travel , though adds testing caveat France has lifted its temporary ban on @ @ @ @ @ , opening the ferry crossing to thousands of trucks stranded at Dover .
However , @ @ @ @ @ negative Covid-19 test .

France lifts ban on UK goods and travel, though adds testing caveat
01:43
France has lifted its temporary ban on goods from the United Kingdom, opening the ferry crossing to thousands of trucks stranded at Dover. However, drivers must now present a negative Covid-19 test.


france24--2020-12-23--Macron doing better after contracting Covid-19, says Élysée Palace

Emmanuel Macron at a ministerial meeting held via videoconference on December 21 , 2020 .
French President Emmanuel Macron 's health is showing signs of improvement after he tested positive for Covid-19 on December 17 , the Élysée Palace said on Wednesday .
Macron tested positive for the virus on Thursday , showing symptoms of fatigue , coughing and muscle aches .
The president , who self-confined in an official residence near Paris from where he is running meetings remotely , had promised daily updates on his health .
He is now `` showing signs of improvement '' , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All previous daily updates had said that the 43-year old president was in a `` stable '' condition .
The French authorities are concerned that the holiday period could see a new spike in infections , after the country 's total Covid-19 death toll went above 60,000 last week .
Authorities said late Tuesday that nearly 12,000 new cases had been reported in the previous 24 hours , and 386 deaths .
A vaccination campaign is to start on Sunday , with health workers and older people among the first to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The EU gave the green light for the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Monday , paving the way for the first inoculations to start across 27 countries soon after Christmas .

French President Emmanuel Macron's health is showing signs of improvement after he tested positive for Covid-19 on December 17, the Élysée Palace said on Wednesday.
Emmanuel Macron at a ministerial meeting held via videoconference on December 21, 2020.
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Macron tested positive for the virus on Thursday, showing symptoms of fatigue, coughing and muscle aches.
The president, who self-confined in an official residence near Paris from where he is running meetings remotely, had promised daily updates on his health.
He is now "showing signs of improvement", the Élysée Palace said, without giving details.
All previous daily updates had said that the 43-year old president was in a "stable" condition.
The French authorities are concerned that the holiday period could see a new spike in infections, after the country's total Covid-19 death toll went above 60,000 last week.
Authorities said late Tuesday that nearly 12,000 new cases had been reported in the previous 24 hours, and 386 deaths.
A vaccination campaign is to start on Sunday, with health workers and older people among the first to get Covid-19 shots, the government said.
The EU gave the green light for the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Monday, paving the way for the first inoculations to start across 27 countries soon after Christmas.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-23--Dubai rolls out Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination campaign

Dubai ruler and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum receives an injection of a Covid-19 vaccine during third-stage trials in November Dubai launched its Covid-19 vaccination programme Wednesday with a senior citizen and a nurse among the first to be inoculated using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine , the government said .
The UAE -- which is made up of seven emirates including the capital Abu Dhabi and Dubai -- approved the emergency registration of the vaccine on Tuesday , the same day the first batch arrived from abroad , the official WAM news agency reported .
Dubai `` begins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dubai Media Office tweeted , along with pictures of men and women receiving the jab .
It added that the first phase of the rollout will target citizens and residents over the age of 60 , adults with chronic diseases , people with special needs as well as frontline and other key workers .
Along with the elderly man and nurse , a paramedic , a police officer and a driver were among the first to receive the jab in Dubai , which has said vaccination will be `` free of charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first batch arrived on an Emirates cargo flight from Brussels on Tuesday , WAM said .
`` It has been our honour to transport these vaccines free of charge on our flight , '' the airline 's chairman and chief executive , Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum , said in a statement .
The Dubai Media Office said that vaccinations will be available at six health authority facilities .
Earlier this month , the United Arab Emirates had already approved the vaccine developed by Chinese drugs giant Sinopharm , which it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced by US pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech -- which proved to be 95 percent effective in late-stage clinical trials -- is administered in two doses , 21 days apart .
The vaccine must be stored at -70 degrees Celsius ( -94 degrees Fahrenheit ) , a temperature much lower than standard freezers and which forced the company to develop special containers for transport .
Taking part in the vaccination campaign remains voluntary in the UAE , but officials have encouraged the population to be inoculated .
Two vaccines have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sinopharm project and Russia 's Sputnik-V , named after the Soviet-era satellite .
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum said in November that he had received an experimental coronavirus vaccine , joining other top UAE officials to take part in the trials .
The UAE has so far recorded more than 197,000 cases of the novel coronavirus , including 645 deaths .

Dubai (AFP) –
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Dubai launched its Covid-19 vaccination programme Wednesday with a senior citizen and a nurse among the first to be inoculated using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the government said.
The UAE -- which is made up of seven emirates including the capital Abu Dhabi and Dubai -- approved the emergency registration of the vaccine on Tuesday, the same day the first batch arrived from abroad, the official WAM news agency reported.
Dubai "begins Covid-19 vaccination 'Pfizer-BioNTech' campaign", the Dubai Media Office tweeted, along with pictures of men and women receiving the jab.
It added that the first phase of the rollout will target citizens and residents over the age of 60, adults with chronic diseases, people with special needs as well as frontline and other key workers.
Along with the elderly man and nurse, a paramedic, a police officer and a driver were among the first to receive the jab in Dubai, which has said vaccination will be "free of charge" for all citizens and residents.
The first batch arrived on an Emirates cargo flight from Brussels on Tuesday, WAM said.
"It has been our honour to transport these vaccines free of charge on our flight," the airline's chairman and chief executive, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said in a statement.
The Dubai Media Office said that vaccinations will be available at six health authority facilities.
Earlier this month, the United Arab Emirates had already approved the vaccine developed by Chinese drugs giant Sinopharm, which it said was 86 percent effective.
The vaccine produced by US pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech -- which proved to be 95 percent effective in late-stage clinical trials -- is administered in two doses, 21 days apart.
The vaccine must be stored at -70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees Fahrenheit), a temperature much lower than standard freezers and which forced the company to develop special containers for transport.
Taking part in the vaccination campaign remains voluntary in the UAE, but officials have encouraged the population to be inoculated.
Two vaccines have undergone third-phase trials in the UAE -- the Sinopharm project and Russia's Sputnik-V, named after the Soviet-era satellite.
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum said in November that he had received an experimental coronavirus vaccine, joining other top UAE officials to take part in the trials.
The UAE has so far recorded more than 197,000 cases of the novel coronavirus, including 645 deaths.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Messi's record untouchable, predicts Lineker

Lionel Messi 's all-time goalscoring record for one club will never be broken , former England and Barcelona forward Gary Lineker has predicted .
Messi beat Pele 's record of 643 goals for one club when he scored Barcelona 's third goal , and the 644th of his Barca career , in the 3-0 win against Valladolid on Tuesday .
Records are there to be broken , as Messi has proved , but Lineker says this one is untouchable .
`` To beat Messi ’ s 644 goal record , someone will have to score an average of 43 goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one club , '' Lineker , now a BBC presenter , tweeted alongside an incredulous icon .
`` This is a record that no one thought would ever be beaten .
It will never be beaten again . ''
The 33-year-old Argentina star rewrote the history books on Tuesday when he collected Pedri 's neat backheel and struck the ball past goalkeeper Jordi Masip in the 65th minute .
Messi scored his first goal for Barca in 2005 .
His has beaten the total Pele amassed for Brazilian club Santos from 1956 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football I never thought I would break any records .
And even less the one I achieved today , '' Messi posted on Instagram .
`` I can only thank all those who helped me over the years , my teammates , my family , my friends and all those who support me every day . ''
Messi 's latest career landmark comes in the wake of his failed pre-season bid to quit Barca after they were thrashed 8-2 by eventual winners Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-fnals .
That showdown between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner has been put to one side as he continues to excel on the pitch , although he said in an interview this week that he had had a `` very bad time '' this summer .
`` I see Messi happy .
He is working hard , and he is a very important part of our attacking game , '' said Barca coach Ronald Koeman after Tuesday 's win .
Messi now has his sights on Pele 's record for most international goals by a South American .
He has 71 compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unlike Pele though , he is yet to win a World Cup .
Messi 's Argentina side lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final .

Madrid (AFP) –
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Lionel Messi's all-time goalscoring record for one club will never be broken, former England and Barcelona forward Gary Lineker has predicted.
Messi beat Pele's record of 643 goals for one club when he scored Barcelona's third goal, and the 644th of his Barca career, in the 3-0 win against Valladolid on Tuesday.
Records are there to be broken, as Messi has proved, but Lineker says this one is untouchable.
"To beat Messi’s 644 goal record, someone will have to score an average of 43 goals a season for 15 years....for one club," Lineker, now a BBC presenter, tweeted alongside an incredulous icon.
"This is a record that no one thought would ever be beaten. It will never be beaten again."
The 33-year-old Argentina star rewrote the history books on Tuesday when he collected Pedri's neat backheel and struck the ball past goalkeeper Jordi Masip in the 65th minute.
Messi scored his first goal for Barca in 2005. His has beaten the total Pele amassed for Brazilian club Santos from 1956 to 1974.
"When I started playing football I never thought I would break any records. And even less the one I achieved today," Messi posted on Instagram.
"I can only thank all those who helped me over the years, my teammates, my family, my friends and all those who support me every day."
Messi's latest career landmark comes in the wake of his failed pre-season bid to quit Barca after they were thrashed 8-2 by eventual winners Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-fnals.
That showdown between the club and the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has been put to one side as he continues to excel on the pitch, although he said in an interview this week that he had had a "very bad time" this summer.
"I see Messi happy. He is working hard, and he is a very important part of our attacking game," said Barca coach Ronald Koeman after Tuesday's win.
Messi now has his sights on Pele's record for most international goals by a South American. He has 71 compared to Pele's 77 for Brazil.
Unlike Pele though, he is yet to win a World Cup. Messi's Argentina side lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Ronaldo, Bonucci apologise for 'worst' Juventus of season

Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonardo Bonucci on Wednesday apologised to Juventus fans for the `` worst '' performance of the season as the Italian champions ' fell to their first Serie A defeat this term against lowly Fiorentina .
The 'Bianconeri ' played most of the match a man down after Juan Cuadrado was sent off after quarter of an hour in their Allianz Stadium , losing 3-0 to the Tuscany side who are 15th after ending an eight-match winless run .
`` The worst Juventus of this first part of the season .
I apologise to the fans in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is nothing to add , '' defender Bonucci wrote on Instagram .
Ronaldo blasted `` a far from acceptable result '' as the Portuguese star failed to add to his Serie A-leading tally of 12 league goals so far .
`` Yesterday , with a poor performance and a far from acceptable result we closed our scheduled games for 2020 , a special year in many ways , '' said the five-time Ballon d'Or winner on Instagram .
`` But this is no excuse for anything .
We know that we have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play better and to win in a more consistent way .
`` We are Juventus !
And we simply can not accept anything less than excellence on the pitch !
`` I hope this short stoppage may help us to come back stronger and more united than ever , because the season is still far from over and in the end we believe that we will , once again , celebrate with our fans .
`` Believe in us , trust our team as much as we trust you , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The defeat came hours after the nine-time reigning Serie A champions learned they must play the match against Napoli which was cancelled on October 4 after the southerners decided not to travel to Turin because of coronavirus cases .
Napoli won their appeal to the Italian Olympic Committee ( CONI ) after being handed a 3-0 defeat and a one-point deduction .
As a result Juventus , who had started the day with 27 points , finished it with 24 .
Juventus are fourth in Serie A , equal on points with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adrift of AC Milan , with the three playing their final game before Christmas on Wednesday .
Andrea Pirlo 's Juventus have won just six of their 13 league games this season , with six draws and one defeat .
They next play at home against Udinese on January 3 .

Milan (AFP) –
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonardo Bonucci on Wednesday apologised to Juventus fans for the "worst" performance of the season as the Italian champions' fell to their first Serie A defeat this term against lowly Fiorentina.
The 'Bianconeri' played most of the match a man down after Juan Cuadrado was sent off after quarter of an hour in their Allianz Stadium, losing 3-0 to the Tuscany side who are 15th after ending an eight-match winless run.
"The worst Juventus of this first part of the season. I apologise to the fans in my name, first of all. There is nothing to add," defender Bonucci wrote on Instagram.
Ronaldo blasted "a far from acceptable result" as the Portuguese star failed to add to his Serie A-leading tally of 12 league goals so far.
"Yesterday, with a poor performance and a far from acceptable result we closed our scheduled games for 2020, a special year in many ways," said the five-time Ballon d'Or winner on Instagram.
"Empty stadiums, COVID protocols, postponed games, long stoppages and a very tight calendar.
"But this is no excuse for anything. We know that we have to give more of ourselves, in order to play better and to win in a more consistent way.
"We are Juventus! And we simply cannot accept anything less than excellence on the pitch!
"I hope this short stoppage may help us to come back stronger and more united than ever, because the season is still far from over and in the end we believe that we will, once again, celebrate with our fans.
"Believe in us, trust our team as much as we trust you, and we will deliver! Fino Alla Fine!"
The defeat came hours after the nine-time reigning Serie A champions learned they must play the match against Napoli which was cancelled on October 4 after the southerners decided not to travel to Turin because of coronavirus cases.
Napoli won their appeal to the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) after being handed a 3-0 defeat and a one-point deduction.
As a result Juventus, who had started the day with 27 points, finished it with 24.
Juventus are fourth in Serie A, equal on points with Napoli and Roma, and seven points adrift of AC Milan, with the three playing their final game before Christmas on Wednesday.
Andrea Pirlo's Juventus have won just six of their 13 league games this season, with six draws and one defeat.
They next play at home against Udinese on January 3.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--India's IT hub imposes night curfew over new virus strain fears

A passenger arriving from Britain is hugged by a relative at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad before the ban on UK arrivals was imposed India 's Karnataka state , home to the nation 's vibrant technology hub , has imposed a night curfew in a bid to stave off the new fast-spreading coronavirus strain sweeping Britain .
The southern state has banned gatherings and non-essential travel from 10 pm to 6 am until January 2 , Chief Minister B.S .
Yediyurappa said Wednesday .
`` I request the public to cooperate to prevent the spread of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
India is the world 's second most-infected nation behind the United States , with more than 10 million cases and over 146,000 deaths .
A new strain of coronavirus that emerged in Britain in the past week has prompted dozens of countries to ban travellers from the UK and step up local measures .
Travellers to Karnataka , of which the IT hub of Bangalore is the capital , will be tested on arrival unless they have been cleared 72 hours before departure .
The western state of Maharashtra , home to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curfew on Tuesday .

Bangalore (India) (AFP) –
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India's Karnataka state, home to the nation's vibrant technology hub, has imposed a night curfew in a bid to stave off the new fast-spreading coronavirus strain sweeping Britain.
The southern state has banned gatherings and non-essential travel from 10 pm to 6 am until January 2, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said Wednesday.
"I request the public to cooperate to prevent the spread of the new Covid strain," Yediyurappa told reporters.
India is the world's second most-infected nation behind the United States, with more than 10 million cases and over 146,000 deaths.
A new strain of coronavirus that emerged in Britain in the past week has prompted dozens of countries to ban travellers from the UK and step up local measures.
Travellers to Karnataka, of which the IT hub of Bangalore is the capital, will be tested on arrival unless they have been cleared 72 hours before departure.
The western state of Maharashtra, home to financial capital Mumbai, imposed a similar curfew on Tuesday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--How will Brexit rules affect the Premier League?

The Premier League remains confident its international appeal will not be affected by Brexit The Premier League has become the world 's richest league based on its staggering global appeal , with millions tuning in to watch the best talent from around the globe week by week .
But a change of rules as a result of Brexit means English clubs will not have the same freedom to hoover up the best of European football 's young players .
From January 1 , a points-based system will be in place , meaning players from the European Union will now need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GBE ) , subjecting them to the same criteria as other overseas players .
Points will be awarded on the basis of the number of international appearances made , as well as club appearances in domestic and continental competitions and the standard of the club and league the player is coming from .
Getting a GBE will not be a problem for the vast majority of the Premier League 's big-money arrivals but the changes will have a bigger effect on the recruitment of youth players and further down the football pyramid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ confident earlier this month when the English top-flight , the Football Association and the English Football League announced post-Brexit arrangements .
`` Continuing to be able to recruit the best players will see the Premier League remain competitive and compelling and the solution will complement our player development philosophy of the best foreign talent alongside the best homegrown players , '' he said .
The same rules will also apply to managers and coaches based on the level they have previously worked at .
For example , under the new criteria , Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been granted a GBE , having spent most of his coaching career in Norway .
However , players and coaches who do not automatically qualify for a work permit can appeal to a panel of experts for an exemption .
As with much surrounding Brexit , however , the rules will be constantly reviewed .
- No new Fabregas or Pogba - Britain 's withdrawal from the EU means Premier League clubs will no longer benefit from an exception to world governing body FIFA 's rules on the signing of minors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but makes an exception for movement within the European Economic Area .
That allowed Cesc Fabregas and Paul Pogba to move to England as 16-year-olds in the past but this will now no longer be possible .
One way of getting around the new rules is for British-based clubs to have a link to a feeder or associate club in Europe .
Manchester City 's network of clubs under the City Football Group ( CFG ) umbrella is the most high-profile example .
CFG has stakes in lower-league sides in Spain , France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Power own Belgian club Leuven while Sheffield United 's Saudi chief , Prince Abdullah , has an ownership stake in Belgian side Beerschot and is closing in on French Ligue 2 side Chateauroux .
These clubs could be used to 'park ' young EU players until they turn 18 and also help build up the requisite number of appearances to obtain a GBE .
The Football Association 's key objective in coming to an agreement with the Premier League and English Football League was to create more opportunities for young British players .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ League clubs can sign will be restricted to three in the upcoming January transfer window and thereafter be capped at six per season .
Speaking about the overall agreement , the FA 's CEO Mark Bullingham said : `` Despite having different starting perspectives on how Brexit should impact football , this is another example of how the football authorities can work effectively together for the greater good of the game . ''
He added : `` We will also discuss improvements to the player pathway for the mutual benefit of football clubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The limits on signing young players from overseas will have a particular impact on EFL and Scottish league clubs , where a far higher degree of imports from Europe will not meet the criteria for a GBE .
Celtic manager Neil Lennon said he thought the rules would make a clear difference .
`` We 're probably looking at the British market more than anything else ( for new players ) , '' he said .
`` I think it 's going to be difficult after the end of the year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

London (AFP) –
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The Premier League has become the world's richest league based on its staggering global appeal, with millions tuning in to watch the best talent from around the globe week by week.
But a change of rules as a result of Brexit means English clubs will not have the same freedom to hoover up the best of European football's young players.
From January 1, a points-based system will be in place, meaning players from the European Union will now need to gain a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), subjecting them to the same criteria as other overseas players.
Points will be awarded on the basis of the number of international appearances made, as well as club appearances in domestic and continental competitions and the standard of the club and league the player is coming from.
Getting a GBE will not be a problem for the vast majority of the Premier League's big-money arrivals but the changes will have a bigger effect on the recruitment of youth players and further down the football pyramid.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters sounded confident earlier this month when the English top-flight, the Football Association and the English Football League announced post-Brexit arrangements.
"Continuing to be able to recruit the best players will see the Premier League remain competitive and compelling and the solution will complement our player development philosophy of the best foreign talent alongside the best homegrown players," he said.
The same rules will also apply to managers and coaches based on the level they have previously worked at. For example, under the new criteria, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would not have been granted a GBE, having spent most of his coaching career in Norway.
However, players and coaches who do not automatically qualify for a work permit can appeal to a panel of experts for an exemption.
As with much surrounding Brexit, however, the rules will be constantly reviewed.
- No new Fabregas or Pogba -
Britain's withdrawal from the EU means Premier League clubs will no longer benefit from an exception to world governing body FIFA's rules on the signing of minors.
FIFA bans all overseas transfers for under-18s but makes an exception for movement within the European Economic Area. That allowed Cesc Fabregas and Paul Pogba to move to England as 16-year-olds in the past but this will now no longer be possible.
- Connected clubs -
One way of getting around the new rules is for British-based clubs to have a link to a feeder or associate club in Europe.
Manchester City's network of clubs under the City Football Group (CFG) umbrella is the most high-profile example. CFG has stakes in lower-league sides in Spain, France and Belgium.
Leicester's owners King Power own Belgian club Leuven while Sheffield United's Saudi chief, Prince Abdullah, has an ownership stake in Belgian side Beerschot and is closing in on French Ligue 2 side Chateauroux.
These clubs could be used to 'park' young EU players until they turn 18 and also help build up the requisite number of appearances to obtain a GBE.
- Boost for British players -
The Football Association's key objective in coming to an agreement with the Premier League and English Football League was to create more opportunities for young British players.
The number of overseas under-21 players Premier League clubs can sign will be restricted to three in the upcoming January transfer window and thereafter be capped at six per season.
Speaking about the overall agreement, the FA's CEO Mark Bullingham said: "Despite having different starting perspectives on how Brexit should impact football, this is another example of how the football authorities can work effectively together for the greater good of the game."
He added: "We will also discuss improvements to the player pathway for the mutual benefit of football clubs and homegrown talent in this country."
The limits on signing young players from overseas will have a particular impact on EFL and Scottish league clubs, where a far higher degree of imports from Europe will not meet the criteria for a GBE.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon said he thought the rules would make a clear difference.
"We're probably looking at the British market more than anything else (for new players)," he said. "I think it's going to be difficult after the end of the year to get players in from the continent."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--UN says seized C.African town under peacekeepers' control

Portuguese peacekeeping troops headed out on Tuesday towards Boali , a town on the key RN1 highway where rebels had clashed with security forces The Central African Republic 's fourth-largest town , which was seized by rebels Tuesday ahead of elections this weekend , is back in the hands of United Nations peacekeepers and national security forces , the UN said .
`` The situation in Bambari is under control , '' Abdoulaziz Fall , spokesman for the UN 's peacekeeping force in the CAR , told a press conference in the capital Bangui on Wednesday .
`` The civilians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups have been pushed back into the bush . ''
The attacks followed government accusations at the weekend that ex-president Francois Bozize was plotting a coup with armed groups ahead of presidential and legislative elections next Sunday .
At the CAR 's request , Russia and Rwanda have sent `` hundreds '' of military personnel to support the troubled country , the government says , an account confirmed by those countries .
Members of a militia called Unity for Peace in Central Africa ( UPC ) overran the town on Tuesday after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MINUSCA , sources said .
Its mayor said on Tuesday that civilians had not been attacked , but the police station , gendarmerie and some homes had been ransacked .
The CAR is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world , experiencing only rare moments of peace since it became independent from France in 1960 .
On Saturday , the government said three armed groups had formed and alliance and were advancing on highways to Bangui in a plot fomented by Bozize .
MINUSCA said late Sunday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But on Tuesday armed groups attacked the road arteries , notably at Boali , a town 60 kilometres ( 37 miles ) from the capital , prompting an exodus by women and children , sources there said .
Several pickup trucks arrived in Bangui later , laden with wounded , AFP reporters saw .
`` There was some panic among the public ( in Bangui ) this morning , '' General Driss Oukaddour , commander of MINUSCA 'S Bangui Joint Task Force , told AFP on Wednesday .
But , he insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in charge of the situation . ''
Bozize , who denies the government 's allegations , came to power in a coup in 2003 before he himself was overthrown in 2013 , in a conflict that largely mirrored the CAR 's sectarian divisions .
The 74-year-old former general slipped back into the country in December 2019 after years in exile , sparking fears of a comeback .
He retains a large following , especially among the Gbaya ethnic group , the country 's largest , and has many supporters in the army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday 's elections by the CAR 's top court as he is the target of a 2014 arrest warrant for alleged murder and torture and is under UN sanctions .
His absence has left incumbent Faustin-Archange Touadera , 63 , as clear frontrunner in the 17-strong field of presidential candidates .
But Touadera 's government remains weak and the armed forces are poorly-equipped and -trained and remain heavily dependent on MINUSCA .
Despite a peace deal between the government and armed groups in February 2019 , the country remains wracked by violence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ territory , deriving income from mining and forced payments at roadblocks and on traders .
Thousands of people have died in the last seven years , and nearly a quarter of the population of 4.7 million have fled their homes .

Bangui (Central African Republic) (AFP) –
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The Central African Republic's fourth-largest town, which was seized by rebels Tuesday ahead of elections this weekend, is back in the hands of United Nations peacekeepers and national security forces, the UN said.
"The situation in Bambari is under control," Abdoulaziz Fall, spokesman for the UN's peacekeeping force in the CAR, told a press conference in the capital Bangui on Wednesday.
"The civilians are starting to return. The armed groups have been pushed back into the bush."
The attacks followed government accusations at the weekend that ex-president Francois Bozize was plotting a coup with armed groups ahead of presidential and legislative elections next Sunday.
At the CAR's request, Russia and Rwanda have sent "hundreds" of military personnel to support the troubled country, the government says, an account confirmed by those countries.
Bambari is located 380 kilometres (240 miles) northeast of Bangui.
Members of a militia called Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC) overran the town on Tuesday after a two-hour firefight with the UN peacekeeping force MINUSCA, sources said.
Its mayor said on Tuesday that civilians had not been attacked, but the police station, gendarmerie and some homes had been ransacked.
The CAR is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world, experiencing only rare moments of peace since it became independent from France in 1960.
On Saturday, the government said three armed groups had formed and alliance and were advancing on highways to Bangui in a plot fomented by Bozize. MINUSCA said late Sunday that the advance had been halted or rolled back.
But on Tuesday armed groups attacked the road arteries, notably at Boali, a town 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the capital, prompting an exodus by women and children, sources there said.
Several pickup trucks arrived in Bangui later, laden with wounded, AFP reporters saw.
"There was some panic among the public (in Bangui) this morning," General Driss Oukaddour, commander of MINUSCA'S Bangui Joint Task Force, told AFP on Wednesday.
But, he insisted, "Bangui is calm, we are in charge of the situation."
- Weak government -
Bozize, who denies the government's allegations, came to power in a coup in 2003 before he himself was overthrown in 2013, in a conflict that largely mirrored the CAR's sectarian divisions.
The 74-year-old former general slipped back into the country in December 2019 after years in exile, sparking fears of a comeback.
He retains a large following, especially among the Gbaya ethnic group, the country's largest, and has many supporters in the army.
Bozize has been barred from contesting Sunday's elections by the CAR's top court as he is the target of a 2014 arrest warrant for alleged murder and torture and is under UN sanctions.
His absence has left incumbent Faustin-Archange Touadera, 63, as clear frontrunner in the 17-strong field of presidential candidates.
But Touadera's government remains weak and the armed forces are poorly-equipped and -trained and remain heavily dependent on MINUSCA.
Despite a peace deal between the government and armed groups in February 2019, the country remains wracked by violence.
Militias hold sway over two-thirds of the territory, deriving income from mining and forced payments at roadblocks and on traders.
Thousands of people have died in the last seven years, and nearly a quarter of the population of 4.7 million have fled their homes.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Myanmar ethnic group sentences child murderer to death

Shan State is unofficially autonomous under an uneasy agreement with the Myanmar military A minority ethnic group that unofficially controls a swathe of eastern Myanmar has sentenced a man to death for the kidnap , rape and murder of a six-year-old girl .
An official from the Shan State Progress Party said Wednesday the death penalty was `` the only option '' for the 30-year-old , who assaulted the girl before throwing her body off a cliff .
Shan State is home to several armed ethnic groups who are allowed unofficial autonomy in an uneasy agreement with Myanmar 's military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golden triangle -- including Thailand and Laos -- that is frequently described as lawless , and where huge quantities of the world 's heroin , speed and crystal meth are produced .
`` This is the lesson to give to the people , so they don ’ t commit the same crime in the future , '' said party spokesman Sai Than Aung .
`` The girl ’ s parents demanded we give him the death sentence -- just like he did to their daughter . ''
Yangon-based lawyer and women ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime was abhorrent , but said the death penalty was a severe punishment .
`` There 's scope with the death penalty that it can be handed to an innocent person and injustice can be carried out , '' she said .
Non-governmental organisations say child rape is common in Myanmar , and Hla Hla Yee called for a ramp-up in child protection and sex education programs -- particularly targeting online pornography .
`` People here don ’ t have sex education knowledge , so they target the kids around them , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an estimated third of Myanmar 's territory .
Parts of Shan state are controlled by ethnic armed groups and its civilian and legal administration sits outside the broader government jurisdiction .

Yangon (AFP) –
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A minority ethnic group that unofficially controls a swathe of eastern Myanmar has sentenced a man to death for the kidnap, rape and murder of a six-year-old girl.
An official from the Shan State Progress Party said Wednesday the death penalty was "the only option" for the 30-year-old, who assaulted the girl before throwing her body off a cliff.
Shan State is home to several armed ethnic groups who are allowed unofficial autonomy in an uneasy agreement with Myanmar's military.
The region is part of the golden triangle -- including Thailand and Laos -- that is frequently described as lawless, and where huge quantities of the world's heroin, speed and crystal meth are produced.
"This is the lesson to give to the people, so they don’t commit the same crime in the future," said party spokesman Sai Than Aung.
"The girl’s parents demanded we give him the death sentence -- just like he did to their daughter."
Yangon-based lawyer and women’s rights activist Hla Hla Yee said the crime was abhorrent, but said the death penalty was a severe punishment.
"There's scope with the death penalty that it can be handed to an innocent person and injustice can be carried out," she said.
Non-governmental organisations say child rape is common in Myanmar, and Hla Hla Yee called for a ramp-up in child protection and sex education programs -- particularly targeting online pornography.
"People here don’t have sex education knowledge, so they target the kids around them," she said.
Marginalised ethnic groups control an estimated third of Myanmar's territory.
Parts of Shan state are controlled by ethnic armed groups and its civilian and legal administration sits outside the broader government jurisdiction.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Over half of Chinese adults now overweight: official

China 's rapid economic growth has profoundly changed eating habits , with figures Wednesday revealing more than half of adults are now overweight More than half of adults in China are now overweight , official figures showed Wednesday , with increasingly sedentary lifestyles among the country 's growing middle class translating to expanding waistlines .
China has experienced rapid economic growth in recent decades that has profoundly changed eating habits -- massively popular online delivery apps make cheap , calorie-rich meals available to city dwellers at all hours .
That growth now means that more than 50 percent of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a National Health Commission report published Wednesday , out of which 16.4 percent are considered obese .
That proportion is nearly double the 29 percent of adults classified as overweight or obese in 2002 .
Many adults in China now `` exercise too little , are under too much pressure , and have an unhealthy work schedule , '' Wang Dan , a nutritionist in the northeastern city of Harbin , told AFP .
Chinese children are also increasingly overweight , the report revealed , with 20 percent of 6 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to 16 % in 2012 .
Being overweight is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease , diabetes and cancer .
The worst-affected country in Asia remains Malaysia , where around 65 % are overweight or obese , according to the WHO in 2019 .
Adult obesity is on the rise across the world , in both prosperous regions as well as areas where people are unable to afford healthy diets of fruits , vegetables and protein-rich foods .

Beijing (AFP) –
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More than half of adults in China are now overweight, official figures showed Wednesday, with increasingly sedentary lifestyles among the country's growing middle class translating to expanding waistlines.
China has experienced rapid economic growth in recent decades that has profoundly changed eating habits -- massively popular online delivery apps make cheap, calorie-rich meals available to city dwellers at all hours.
That growth now means that more than 50 percent of people are overweight for the first time, according to a National Health Commission report published Wednesday, out of which 16.4 percent are considered obese.
That proportion is nearly double the 29 percent of adults classified as overweight or obese in 2002.
Many adults in China now "exercise too little, are under too much pressure, and have an unhealthy work schedule," Wang Dan, a nutritionist in the northeastern city of Harbin, told AFP.
Chinese children are also increasingly overweight, the report revealed, with 20 percent of 6 to 17-year-olds now heavier than the healthy limit compared to 16% in 2012.
Being overweight is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.
The worst-affected country in Asia remains Malaysia, where around 65% are overweight or obese, according to the WHO in 2019.
Adult obesity is on the rise across the world, in both prosperous regions as well as areas where people are unable to afford healthy diets of fruits, vegetables and protein-rich foods.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Coronavirus forces Rotherham to postpone Championship match

Rotherham United seen here playing Manchester City in the FA Cup in 2019 have had to postpone a second successive Championship match due to several players testing positive for coronavirus Rotherham 's Championship game with Middlesbrough became on Wednesday the latest match to be postponed due to coronavirus after the second tier side informed the English Football League that some of their players had tested positive .
Rotherham 's previous match against fellow strugglers Derby County was postponed due to one case of Covid-19 in their squad .
However , on Wednesday they issued a statement saying they could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had contracted the virus .
Fellow second tier side Millwall had announced on Monday they would be postponing their next two matches due to several playing staff testing positive .
`` Following a number of further positive cases of Covid-19 confirmed last night ( Tuesday ) within the Rotherham United first-team squad , we have reluctantly -- but with the safety of our players and staff at the forefront of our minds -- informed the EFL and our opponents , Middlesbrough , that we will be unable to fulfil our Boxing Day ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
The club added they hoped to make a decision on future fixtures later on Wednesday .
The EFL will now look into the matter , with rearranged fixtures set to be confirmed `` in due course '' .
The EFL , though , have been criticised for not conducting testing often enough .
Paul Lambert manager of third tier Ipswich told the BBC the scarcity of Covid-19 testing in the EFL is `` putting people 's lives at risk '' after he tested positive for the virus .
Lambert is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had a positive Covid test and as a result they have postponed their next two matches .
The EFL has competition-wide testing at different times throughout the season with the next round scheduled for the week commencing January 4 .
`` It 's the protocols that have worried me more than anything else , '' said Lambert on Tuesday .
`` I think you 're putting people 's lives at risk by not getting them tested regularly .
It 's been shocking .
`` I know friends in Bundesliga 3 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they 've been tested over 50 times since they 've been back in pre-season .
`` Without our owner ( Marcus Evans ) , who has paid for two out of his own pocket , we 'd have been down to about six testings which is nowhere near enough . ''
Prior to Lambert 's comments , the EFL said it would be `` reviewing and strengthening '' coronavirus protocols over the festive spell `` to help minimise transmission risk '' and that players and staff showing symptoms would continue to be @ @

London (AFP) –
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Rotherham's Championship game with Middlesbrough became on Wednesday the latest match to be postponed due to coronavirus after the second tier side informed the English Football League that some of their players had tested positive.
Rotherham's previous match against fellow strugglers Derby County was postponed due to one case of Covid-19 in their squad.
However, on Wednesday they issued a statement saying they could not play Middlesbrough on Saturday as other players had contracted the virus.
Fellow second tier side Millwall had announced on Monday they would be postponing their next two matches due to several playing staff testing positive.
"Following a number of further positive cases of Covid-19 confirmed last night (Tuesday) within the Rotherham United first-team squad, we have reluctantly -- but with the safety of our players and staff at the forefront of our minds -- informed the EFL and our opponents, Middlesbrough, that we will be unable to fulfil our Boxing Day (Saturday) fixture," read their statement.
The club added they hoped to make a decision on future fixtures later on Wednesday.
The EFL will now look into the matter, with rearranged fixtures set to be confirmed "in due course".
The EFL, though, have been criticised for not conducting testing often enough.
Paul Lambert manager of third tier Ipswich told the BBC the scarcity of Covid-19 testing in the EFL is "putting people's lives at risk" after he tested positive for the virus.
Lambert is one of eight people at the club to have had a positive Covid test and as a result they have postponed their next two matches.
The EFL has competition-wide testing at different times throughout the season with the next round scheduled for the week commencing January 4.
"It's the protocols that have worried me more than anything else," said Lambert on Tuesday.
"I think you're putting people's lives at risk by not getting them tested regularly. It's been shocking.
"I know friends in Bundesliga 3, which is the equivalent of League One, and they've been tested over 50 times since they've been back in pre-season.
"Without our owner (Marcus Evans), who has paid for two out of his own pocket, we'd have been down to about six testings which is nowhere near enough."
Prior to Lambert's comments, the EFL said it would be "reviewing and strengthening" coronavirus protocols over the festive spell "to help minimise transmission risk" and that players and staff showing symptoms would continue to be tested.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--UN retakes rebel-held town in run-up to election in Central African Republic

Members of the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA in the Central African Republic near Boali on December 22 , 2020 .
The Central African Republic 's fourth-largest town , which was seized by rebels on Tuesday ahead of elections this weekend , is in the hands of United Nations peacekeepers and national security forces , the UN said .
`` The situation in Bambari is under control , '' Abdoulaziz Fall , spokesman for the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA , told a press conference in the CAR capital Bangui on Wednesday .
`` The civilians are starting to return .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bush . ''
The attacks followed government accusations at the weekend that ex-president Francois Bozize was plotting a coup with armed groups ahead of presidential and legislative elections next Sunday .
At the CAR 's request , Russia and Rwanda have sent `` hundreds '' of military personnel to support the troubled country , the government says , an account confirmed by those countries .
Members of a militia called Unity for Peace in Central Africa ( UPC ) overran the town on Tuesday after a two-hour firefight with MINUSCA , sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that civilians had not been attacked , but the police station , gendarmerie and some homes had been ransacked .
The CAR is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world , experiencing only rare moments of peace since it became independent from France in 1960 .
Bozize came to power in a coup in 2003 before he himself was overthrown in 2013 , in a conflict that largely mirrored the CAR 's sectarian divisions .
The 74-year-old former general slipped back into the country in December 2019 after years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comeback .
Bozize retains a large following , especially among the Gbaya ethnic group , the country 's largest , and has many supporters in the army .
He denies the allegations of an attempted coup .
He has been barred from contesting Sunday 's elections by the CAR 's top court as he is the target of a 2014 arrest warrant for alleged murder and torture and is under UN sanctions .
His absence has left the incumbent , Faustin-Archange Touadera , 63 , as the clear frontrunner in the 17-strong field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government remains weak and the armed forces are poorly-equipped and -trained and remain heavily dependent on MINUSCA .
Despite a peace deal between the government and armed groups in February 2019 , the country remains wracked by violence .
Militias hold sway over two-thirds of the territory , deriving income from mining and forced payments at roadblocks and on traders .
Thousands of people have died in the last seven years , and nearly a quarter of the population of 4.7 million have fled their homes .

UN troops and forces of the Central African Republic retook control of the CAR's fourth-largest town after it was seized by rebels just days ahead of weekend elections. France sent warplanes over the country late Wednesday, with French President Emmanuel Macron condemning attempts to "destabilise" the country.
Members of the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA in the Central African Republic near Boali on December 22, 2020.
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The Central African Republic's fourth-largest town, which was seized by rebels on Tuesday ahead of elections this weekend, is in the hands of United Nations peacekeepers and national security forces, the UN said.
"The situation in Bambari is under control," Abdoulaziz Fall, spokesman for the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA, told a press conference in the CAR capital Bangui on Wednesday.
"The civilians are starting to return. The armed groups have been pushed back into the bush."
The attacks followed government accusations at the weekend that ex-president Francois Bozize was plotting a coup with armed groups ahead of presidential and legislative elections next Sunday.
At the CAR's request, Russia and Rwanda have sent "hundreds" of military personnel to support the troubled country, the government said, an account confirmed by those countries.
Bambari is located 380 kilometres (240 miles) northeast of Bangui.
Members of a militia called Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC) overran the town on Tuesday after a two-hour firefight with MINUSCA, sources said.
Its mayor said on Tuesday that civilians had not been attacked, but the police station, gendarmerie and some homes had been ransacked.
The CAR is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world, experiencing only rare moments of peace since it became independent from France in 1960.
Bozize came to power in a coup in 2003 before he himself was overthrown in 2013, in a conflict that largely mirrored the CAR's sectarian divisions.
The 74-year-old former general slipped back into the country in December 2019 after years in exile, sparking fears of a comeback.
Bozize retains a large following, especially among the Gbaya ethnic group, the country's largest, and has many supporters in the army.
He denies the allegations of an attempted coup.
He has been barred from contesting Sunday's elections by the CAR's top court as he is the target of a 2014 arrest warrant for alleged murder and torture and is under UN sanctions.
His absence has left the incumbent, Faustin-Archange Touadera, 63, as the clear frontrunner in the 17-strong field of presidential candidates.
But Touadera's government remains weak and the armed forces are poorly-equipped and -trained and remain heavily dependent on MINUSCA.
Despite a peace deal between the government and armed groups in February 2019, the country remains wracked by violence.
Militias hold sway over two-thirds of the territory, deriving income from mining and forced payments at roadblocks and on traders.
Thousands of people have died in the last seven years, and nearly a quarter of the population of 4.7 million have fled their homes.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-23--With goal-scoring record beaten, is Messi now greater than Pele?

With goal-scoring record beaten , is Messi now greater than Pele ?
Barcelona ’ s superstar footballer Lionel Messi has @ @ @ @ @ for goal-scoring at a single club , notching 644 goals .
Nicolas Jucha , journalist @ @ @ @ @ Pele will still remain the greater player in the eyes of some for winning three @ @ @

With goal-scoring record beaten, is Messi now greater than Pele?
03:10
Barcelona’s superstar footballer Lionel Messi has beaten Pele’s record for goal-scoring at a single club, notching 644 goals. Nicolas Jucha, journalist for So Foot, says Pele will still remain the greater player in the eyes of some for winning three World Cups.


france24--2020-12-24--Foreigners shake up Egypt's belly dancing scene

A Mexican dancer performs during a Cairo festival -- foreign belly dancers have dominated the Egyptian scene in recent years At a Cairo wedding hall , Russian belly dancer Anastasia Biserova shimmied to the dance floor in a bright , high-slit skirt and an elaborately sequined bra top .
She swirled her diaphanous pink shawl and glided through the hall as a band pumped out music , while the crowd broke into rapturous applause -- all captured in a video posted online .
`` There is no country around the world that appreciates belly dancing like Egypt , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a growing trend to invite foreign belly dancers to weddings , nightclubs and other events . ''
Biserova came to Cairo more than four years ago and has built a solid name for herself .
Belly dancers from Eastern Europe , Russia , Latin America and elsewhere have dominated the scene in recent years in Egypt -- long regarded as the birthplace of belly dancing .
But the North African country has seen its community of homegrown dancers shrink , largely due to the profession 's increasing notoriety as the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half-century -- and to a broadening crackdown on freedoms .
The profession took a further hit as Egypt 's novel coronavirus outbreak forced the temporary suspension of large weddings and the shuttering of nightclubs -- though many dancers continued to enthral audiences with online videos .
Belly dancer Maria Lurdiana Alves Tejas said it took her some time to come to terms with Egyptians ' conflicted view of her profession .
The Brazilian , known as Lurdiana , said she had performed to enthusiastic crowds at weddings and nightclubs , and had even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are some who do not see me as a professional -- or ( who think ) that I did not have a proper education and am only doing this to show my body for money , '' she said .
`` It was very difficult and sad because I spent years learning . ''
Egypt 's belly dancing scene thrived last century , when icons like Samia Gamal and Tahya Carioca rose to fame on the silver screen .
But researchers say Egyptian society has largely seen the dance as entertainment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a profession .
`` This view was bolstered by popular culture , and movies which depicted belly dancers as coquettes , prostitutes or home wreckers , '' said Shaza Yehia , author of a 2019 book on the history of the dance .
Arabic terms for dancers -- raqasat and awalem -- now often bear offensive and racy connotations .
Recently , authorities have targeted dancers , pop divas and social media influencers who have posted videos online .
Often loosely worded charges against them have included violating `` family values '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not been spared in the crackdown .
In 2018 , Russian belly dancer Ekaterina Andreeva -- known as Johara -- was briefly arrested for donning a costume deemed too revealing , after a video of her performance circulated widely .
According to Yehia and other researchers , belly dancing in Egypt is believed to have especially flourished during the 19th century .
`` Performers at the time were called 'awalem ' , or the knowledgeable , in reference to their ample knowledge in the arts of singing and dancing , '' Yehia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part shaped by Westerners during colonial times , she added .
Some even argue that the term `` belly dance '' , or `` danse du ventre '' , was originally coined by the French .
`` Foreign writers and painters portrayed their own fantasies about Eastern belly dancers , '' Yehia said .
`` These views stirred imaginations in the West , which later sought to turn them into reality . ''
International dance moves were incorporated into the Oriental dance , and costumes altered to appeal to popular tastes .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' gauzy skirts and glittery bra tops as too revealing , and often accuse them of being `` vulgar '' and `` overtly sexual '' .
Dancers performing to classical Arabic music have also become a rarity , instead usually preferring popular electro street music , known as mahraganat -- a genre with fast beats and improvised vocals that purists view as overstepping moral boundaries .
Despite the apparent contradictions , foreign belly dancers in Egypt say coming to the country was the right choice .
`` Foreigners have to come here to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Ukrainian belly dancer Alla Kushnir .
`` Egypt is simply the land of belly dancing . ''

Cairo (AFP) –
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At a Cairo wedding hall, Russian belly dancer Anastasia Biserova shimmied to the dance floor in a bright, high-slit skirt and an elaborately sequined bra top.
She swirled her diaphanous pink shawl and glided through the hall as a band pumped out music, while the crowd broke into rapturous applause -- all captured in a video posted online.
"There is no country around the world that appreciates belly dancing like Egypt," she later told AFP.
"Here, there is a growing trend to invite foreign belly dancers to weddings, nightclubs and other events."
Biserova came to Cairo more than four years ago and has built a solid name for herself.
Belly dancers from Eastern Europe, Russia, Latin America and elsewhere have dominated the scene in recent years in Egypt -- long regarded as the birthplace of belly dancing.
But the North African country has seen its community of homegrown dancers shrink, largely due to the profession's increasing notoriety as the country has become more conservative over the last half-century -- and to a broadening crackdown on freedoms.
The profession took a further hit as Egypt's novel coronavirus outbreak forced the temporary suspension of large weddings and the shuttering of nightclubs -- though many dancers continued to enthral audiences with online videos.
- Conflicted views –
Belly dancer Maria Lurdiana Alves Tejas said it took her some time to come to terms with Egyptians' conflicted view of her profession.
The Brazilian, known as Lurdiana, said she had performed to enthusiastic crowds at weddings and nightclubs, and had even taught at gym classes.
"But there are some who do not see me as a professional -- or (who think) that I did not have a proper education and am only doing this to show my body for money," she said.
"It was very difficult and sad because I spent years learning."
Egypt's belly dancing scene thrived last century, when icons like Samia Gamal and Tahya Carioca rose to fame on the silver screen.
But researchers say Egyptian society has largely seen the dance as entertainment, to be watched but never taken up as a profession.
"This view was bolstered by popular culture, and movies which depicted belly dancers as coquettes, prostitutes or home wreckers," said Shaza Yehia, author of a 2019 book on the history of the dance.
Arabic terms for dancers -- raqasat and awalem -- now often bear offensive and racy connotations.
Recently, authorities have targeted dancers, pop divas and social media influencers who have posted videos online.
Often loosely worded charges against them have included violating "family values" or "public decency".
Foreigners have not been spared in the crackdown.
In 2018, Russian belly dancer Ekaterina Andreeva -- known as Johara -- was briefly arrested for donning a costume deemed too revealing, after a video of her performance circulated widely.
- 'Stirred imaginations' –
According to Yehia and other researchers, belly dancing in Egypt is believed to have especially flourished during the 19th century.
"Performers at the time were called 'awalem', or the knowledgeable, in reference to their ample knowledge in the arts of singing and dancing," Yehia said.
Its modern-day manifestation was in part shaped by Westerners during colonial times, she added.
Some even argue that the term "belly dance", or "danse du ventre", was originally coined by the French.
"Foreign writers and painters portrayed their own fantasies about Eastern belly dancers," Yehia said.
"These views stirred imaginations in the West, which later sought to turn them into reality."
International dance moves were incorporated into the Oriental dance, and costumes altered to appeal to popular tastes.
Now, conservatives and traditionalists view belly dancers' gauzy skirts and glittery bra tops as too revealing, and often accuse them of being "vulgar" and "overtly sexual".
Dancers performing to classical Arabic music have also become a rarity, instead usually preferring popular electro street music, known as mahraganat -- a genre with fast beats and improvised vocals that purists view as overstepping moral boundaries.
Despite the apparent contradictions, foreign belly dancers in Egypt say coming to the country was the right choice.
"Foreigners have to come here to fully understand, perform and practise," said Ukrainian belly dancer Alla Kushnir.
"Egypt is simply the land of belly dancing."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-24--Warriors' Green to miss Christmas Day game v Bucks

Golden State Warriors Draymond Green will miss a second straight game to start the NBA season with a foot injury Golden State forward Draymond Green will miss the Warriors ' Christmas Day game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks , Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday .
A right foot injury had already sidelined Green for the Warriors ' season opener , a blowout loss to the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday .
Green had missed all of training camp and the team 's pre-season games after testing positive for coronavirus .
He practiced with the team on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play .
Rookie center James Wiseman , the second overall selection in the NBA draft , scored 19 points and pulled down six rebounds in an encouraging NBA debut for the Warriors on Tuesday .
But the Warriors clearly could have done with the veteran leadership of Green in the 125-99 loss to the Nets .
Wiseman got the start in his first NBA game , but Kerr said he would continue to experiment with starting lineups .
`` Everything is fluid right now , everything is a possibility , '' Kerr said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rotation , we don ’ t have a semblance of an identity .
`` That 's what we 're trying to build .
So , I think it 's important to reward guys now if they play well . ''

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Golden State forward Draymond Green will miss the Warriors' Christmas Day game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday.
A right foot injury had already sidelined Green for the Warriors' season opener, a blowout loss to the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday.
Green had missed all of training camp and the team's pre-season games after testing positive for coronavirus. He practiced with the team on Wednesday but hasn't yet been cleared to play.
Rookie center James Wiseman, the second overall selection in the NBA draft, scored 19 points and pulled down six rebounds in an encouraging NBA debut for the Warriors on Tuesday.
But the Warriors clearly could have done with the veteran leadership of Green in the 125-99 loss to the Nets.
Wiseman got the start in his first NBA game, but Kerr said he would continue to experiment with starting lineups.
"Everything is fluid right now, everything is a possibility," Kerr said. "We don’t have a rotation, we don’t have a semblance of an identity.
"That's what we're trying to build. So, I think it's important to reward guys now if they play well."
© 2020 AFP