france24--2020-09-14--Prince William, Al Gore to lead free TED talks on climate

Britain 's Prince William will be one speaker at free TED talks on climate change The prestigious TED talks series is to hold its first-ever free live event next month , with Prince William and other prominent figures calling for action on climate change , the group announced Monday .
Known for thought-provoking speeches recorded at exclusive events , the nonprofit behind TED will stream the five-hour special called `` Countdown '' on its YouTube channel on October 10 .
The line-up of speakers also includes European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen , teenage climate activist Xiye Bastida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president Al Gore .
`` The moment to act on climate change has been upon us for too long , and now is the time to unite all levels of society -- business leaders , courageous political actors , scientists and individuals -- to get to net-zero emissions before 2050 , '' said TED head Chris Anderson .
Since starting as an intimate gathering in California 36 years ago , TED has grown into a global media platform with a stated devotion to `` ideas worth spreading . ''
TED has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which speakers strive to give `` the talk of their lives '' in 18 minutes .
Hundreds of smaller `` TEDx '' events are planned around the world to encourage local action on climate change .
US President Donald Trump triggered outrage on Monday by suggesting global warming will reverse itself and dismissing climate change as a cause of ferocious fires engulfing swaths of the US West .
Google chief Sundar Pichai also announced Monday that the internet colossus is ramping up efforts to cut down carbon emissions by aiming to run its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of this decade .
The California-based company is already offsetting its emissions with carbon credits .
`` This is our biggest sustainability moonshot yet , with enormous practical and technical complexity , '' Pichai said in a blog .
`` The science is clear : The world must act now if we ’ re going to avert the worst consequences of climate change . ''

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The prestigious TED talks series is to hold its first-ever free live event next month, with Prince William and other prominent figures calling for action on climate change, the group announced Monday.
Known for thought-provoking speeches recorded at exclusive events, the nonprofit behind TED will stream the five-hour special called "Countdown" on its YouTube channel on October 10.
The line-up of speakers also includes European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, teenage climate activist Xiye Bastida, actor Chris Hemsworth, and former US vice president Al Gore.
"The moment to act on climate change has been upon us for too long, and now is the time to unite all levels of society -- business leaders, courageous political actors, scientists and individuals -- to get to net-zero emissions before 2050," said TED head Chris Anderson.
Since starting as an intimate gathering in California 36 years ago, TED has grown into a global media platform with a stated devotion to "ideas worth spreading."
TED has a massive following for its trademark presentations in which speakers strive to give "the talk of their lives" in 18 minutes.
Hundreds of smaller "TEDx" events are planned around the world to encourage local action on climate change.
US President Donald Trump triggered outrage on Monday by suggesting global warming will reverse itself and dismissing climate change as a cause of ferocious fires engulfing swaths of the US West.
Google chief Sundar Pichai also announced Monday that the internet colossus is ramping up efforts to cut down carbon emissions by aiming to run its entire business on renewable energy by the end of this decade.
The California-based company is already offsetting its emissions with carbon credits.
"This is our biggest sustainability moonshot yet, with enormous practical and technical complexity," Pichai said in a blog. "The science is clear: The world must act now if we’re going to avert the worst consequences of climate change."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-14--Chelsea's Werner expects to be fit in time for Liverpool clash

Timo Werner insisted he will be fit to face Liverpool on Sunday after Chelsea 's new striker finished their 3-1 win at Brighton with an ice pack on his thigh .
Werner marked his Premier League debut by winning a penalty that Jorginho converted to put Chelsea ahead , but the Germany star took a whack on his leg as he was tripped by Brighton keeper Mat Ryan in the incident .
The 24-year-old close-season signing from Leipzig was able to play the entire 90 minutes despite the knock and was one of Chelsea 's standout performers .
When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the icing on his injury , Werner said he expected to be fine for the visit of Premier League champions Liverpool .
`` The knee of the goalkeeper hit me directly in the muscle and it went very hard , '' Werner told Sky Sports .
`` The rest of the game it hurt a lot .
I could n't do some movements because the muscle went very hard , but at the end I 'm happy that we won .
`` I do n't care about this .
In one week it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good game today , we did well , and I 'm happy I won the penalty because it was important for our game . ''
Werner 's pace and astute movement made him a handful for Brighton 's defence even with the injury .
One of the most prolific strikers in the Bundesliga in recent years , Werner admitted it was a fascinating challenge to adapt to the different demands of the Premier League .
`` The game is totally different .
There is more space but you come out in the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brighton gave us a lot of problems , '' he said .
`` I played against three massive defenders , you do n't have that in Germany .
Happy to be here and I think it was a good first game for me and the team .
`` The second game will become harder because it is Liverpool .
I tried and did my best and got an assist for the team .
`` We had a lot of players not in the rhythm now but I think we will get better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together . ''

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Timo Werner insisted he will be fit to face Liverpool on Sunday after Chelsea's new striker finished their 3-1 win at Brighton with an ice pack on his thigh.
Werner marked his Premier League debut by winning a penalty that Jorginho converted to put Chelsea ahead, but the Germany star took a whack on his leg as he was tripped by Brighton keeper Mat Ryan in the incident.
The 24-year-old close-season signing from Leipzig was able to play the entire 90 minutes despite the knock and was one of Chelsea's standout performers.
When he was interviewed after the final whistle with the icing on his injury, Werner said he expected to be fine for the visit of Premier League champions Liverpool.
"The knee of the goalkeeper hit me directly in the muscle and it went very hard," Werner told Sky Sports.
"The rest of the game it hurt a lot. I couldn't do some movements because the muscle went very hard, but at the end I'm happy that we won.
"I don't care about this. In one week it will be good. We did a good game today, we did well, and I'm happy I won the penalty because it was important for our game."
Werner's pace and astute movement made him a handful for Brighton's defence even with the injury.
One of the most prolific strikers in the Bundesliga in recent years, Werner admitted it was a fascinating challenge to adapt to the different demands of the Premier League.
"The game is totally different. There is more space but you come out in the second half and the game was totally different. Brighton gave us a lot of problems," he said.
"I played against three massive defenders, you don't have that in Germany. Happy to be here and I think it was a good first game for me and the team.
"The second game will become harder because it is Liverpool. I tried and did my best and got an assist for the team.
"We had a lot of players not in the rhythm now but I think we will get better and better when we play more games together."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-14--Facing impeachment, Peru's Vizcarra goes on the offensive

Congress voted on September 11 , 2020 to open impeachment proceedings against Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra over accusations he incited aides to lie to anti-graft investigators Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra pushed back against his opponents on Monday days ahead of an impeachment vote , accusing Congress chief Manuel Merino of `` conspiracy '' by trying to secure military assurances for a bid to succeed him .
The government at the same time filed a lawsuit with the country 's top court to block the vote due on Friday .
Vizcarra went on television to insist he was victim of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put him and his minority government at loggerheads with Congress .
`` Why has the president of Congress communicated with top military officials , and even planned pseudo-cabinets who would take over ? ''
Vizcarra asked .
Merino , in line to take over should the president be impeached Friday , admitted that he had contacted the generals , but only `` to assure them Congress would act in a responsible manner and within a Constitutional framework . ''
Congress voted late Friday to open impeachment proceedings against Vizcarra for `` moral incapacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lie to anti-graft investigators .
Vizcarra 's opponents need 87 votes in the 130-member legislature to oust him .
Vizcarra , in power since 2018 , came under fire after leaked audio recordings in which he is heard telling aides to hide details from congressional investigators of his office 's controversial hiring of a popular singer as a paid cultural advisor .
In his televised address Monday , the 57-year-old president apologized for the crisis -- which comes as the South American country suffers the world 's highest number of deaths per capita @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had done nothing wrong .
The political crisis further rattled an economy which has already seen second-quarter GDP slashed by 30 percent due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I offer my sincerest apologies .
There is no crime or anything illicit in what has been spread . ''
He said he had ordered `` an exhaustive review of the control and security systems of the Presidential Office , '' where the audio was surreptitiously recorded in May .
The leaks were `` a betrayal by someone in my immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It makes me sad and , in addition to the disappointment , I regret to say that this is a situation of a personal nature that has transcended the political scene and been taken advantage of by obscure characters . ''
Vizcarra has clashed repeatedly with the congress over attempts to pass anti-corruption measures , as well as judicial and political safeguards , including a recent reform banning convicted criminals from standing for election .
The Justice Minister earlier announced it was filing a suit with the Constitutional Court to block the impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present a lawsuit by the executive against the Congress , '' on the grounds the legislature had exceeded its power in seeking to remove Vizcarra , Justice Ministry lawyer Luis Alberto Huerta told reporters in Lima .
Eloy Espinosa Saldana , one of seven judges on the Constitutional Court , told Peru 's America TV the court has `` the power to block the impeachment process if we consider that there are elements or indications of a violation of jurisdictions '' of the Congress .
Fourteen people are currently under investigation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prosecutors searched a number of homes at the weekend , including two members of Vizcarra 's staff with whom he speaks on the leaked tapes .
The presidents of Bolivia , Colombia and Ecuador -- part of a regional political grouping with Peru called the Andean Community -- have backed Vizcarra , calling on lawmakers to avoid impeaching him in the midst of an economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic .

Lima (AFP) –
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Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra pushed back against his opponents on Monday days ahead of an impeachment vote, accusing Congress chief Manuel Merino of "conspiracy" by trying to secure military assurances for a bid to succeed him.
The government at the same time filed a lawsuit with the country's top court to block the vote due on Friday.
Vizcarra went on television to insist he was victim of a conspiracy after an anti-corruption crusade that has put him and his minority government at loggerheads with Congress.
"Why has the president of Congress communicated with top military officials, and even planned pseudo-cabinets who would take over?" Vizcarra asked.
"That is conspiracy, gentlemen."
Merino, in line to take over should the president be impeached Friday, admitted that he had contacted the generals, but only "to assure them Congress would act in a responsible manner and within a Constitutional framework."
Congress voted late Friday to open impeachment proceedings against Vizcarra for "moral incapacity" over accusations he incited aides to lie to anti-graft investigators.
Vizcarra's opponents need 87 votes in the 130-member legislature to oust him.
- Leaked audio tapes -
Vizcarra, in power since 2018, came under fire after leaked audio recordings in which he is heard telling aides to hide details from congressional investigators of his office's controversial hiring of a popular singer as a paid cultural advisor.
In his televised address Monday, the 57-year-old president apologized for the crisis -- which comes as the South American country suffers the world's highest number of deaths per capita from the coronavirus -- but insisted he had done nothing wrong.
The political crisis further rattled an economy which has already seen second-quarter GDP slashed by 30 percent due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
"I offer my sincerest apologies. There is no crime or anything illicit in what has been spread."
He said he had ordered "an exhaustive review of the control and security systems of the Presidential Office," where the audio was surreptitiously recorded in May.
The leaks were "a betrayal by someone in my immediate environment," he said.
"It makes me sad and, in addition to the disappointment, I regret to say that this is a situation of a personal nature that has transcended the political scene and been taken advantage of by obscure characters."
Vizcarra has clashed repeatedly with the congress over attempts to pass anti-corruption measures, as well as judicial and political safeguards, including a recent reform banning convicted criminals from standing for election.
- Legal challenge -
The Justice Minister earlier announced it was filing a suit with the Constitutional Court to block the impeachment vote.
"We have proceeded to present a lawsuit by the executive against the Congress," on the grounds the legislature had exceeded its power in seeking to remove Vizcarra, Justice Ministry lawyer Luis Alberto Huerta told reporters in Lima.
Eloy Espinosa Saldana, one of seven judges on the Constitutional Court, told Peru's America TV the court has "the power to block the impeachment process if we consider that there are elements or indications of a violation of jurisdictions" of the Congress.
Fourteen people are currently under investigation in the probe that has ensnared the president.
Prosecutors searched a number of homes at the weekend, including two members of Vizcarra's staff with whom he speaks on the leaked tapes.
The presidents of Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador -- part of a regional political grouping with Peru called the Andean Community -- have backed Vizcarra, calling on lawmakers to avoid impeaching him in the midst of an economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-14--Scientists find gas on Venus linked to life on Earth

Conditions on Venus are often described as `` hellish '' with daytime temperatures hot enough to melt lead and an atmosphere comprised almost entirely of carbon dioxide The atmosphere of Venus contains a gas that on Earth can be attributed to living organisms , scientists said Monday , a discovery the head of NASA called `` the most significant development yet '' in the hunt for extraterrestrial life .
Conditions on our planetary neighbour are often described as hellish with daytime temperatures hot enough to melt lead and an atmosphere comprised almost entirely of carbon dioxide .
However , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a flammable gas that on Earth often occurs from the breakdown of organic matter .
They used telescopes in Hawaii and Chile 's Atacama Desert to observe Venus ' upper cloud deck , around 60 kilometres ( 45 miles ) from the surface .
Writing in Nature Astronomy , the team stressed the presence of phosphine did not prove the presence of life on Venus .
But , as the clouds swirling about its broiling surface are highly acidic and therefore destroy phosphine very quickly , the research did show that something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted several modelling calculations in a bid to explain the new phosphine production .
They concluded that their research provided evidence `` for anomalous and unexplained chemistry '' on Venus .
Lead author Jane Greaves , from Cardiff University 's School of Physics and Astronomy told AFP that the presence of phosphine alone was not proof of life on Earth 's next door neighbour .
`` I do n't think we can say that -- even if a planet was abundant in phosphorus , it might lack something else important to life -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be too hot , too dry , '' she said .
Greaves added that it was the first time phosphine had been found on a rocky planet other than Earth .
The breakthrough was hailed by NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine , who tweeted , `` it 's time to prioritize Venus . ''
`` Life on Venus ?
The discovery of phosphine , a byproduct of anaerobic biology , is the most significant development yet in building the case for life off Earth , '' he wrote .
The bulk of current efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Mars , which is known to have once contained all the necessary ingredients to support carbon-based organisms .
The US and China recently sent rovers to the Red Planet , while the UAE sent an atmospheric probe .
Reacting to the study , Alan Duffy , an astronomer from Swinburne University and Lead Scientist of The Royal Institution of Australia , said it while it was tempting to believe that the phosphine was produced by lifeforms , `` we have to rule out all possible other non-biological means of producing it '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most exciting signs of the possible presence of life beyond Earth I have ever seen '' .
Thomas Zurbuchen , associate administrator of NASA 's Science Mission Directorate , which has conducted several fly-bys of Venus , called Monday 's research `` intriguing '' .
`` As with an increasing number of planetary bodies , Venus is proving to be an exciting place of discovery , though it had not been a significant part of the search for life , '' he tweeted .
He added that the planet was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASA 's next four candidate missions under its Discovery Program , as well as Europe 's proposed EnVision mission , in which NASA is a partner .
Venus , which rotates in the opposite direction to Earth and where a day lasts 243 times longer , is a subject of intense interest among astronomers .
It is so close and of such similar size to our home planet that some experts believe it serves as a warning of the dangers of runaway climate change .
Previous studies have unearthed tantalising clues suggesting Venus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent lava flows .

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The atmosphere of Venus contains a gas that on Earth can be attributed to living organisms, scientists said Monday, a discovery the head of NASA called "the most significant development yet" in the hunt for extraterrestrial life.
Conditions on our planetary neighbour are often described as hellish with daytime temperatures hot enough to melt lead and an atmosphere comprised almost entirely of carbon dioxide.
However, a team of experts detected traces of phosphine, a flammable gas that on Earth often occurs from the breakdown of organic matter.
They used telescopes in Hawaii and Chile's Atacama Desert to observe Venus' upper cloud deck, around 60 kilometres (45 miles) from the surface.
Writing in Nature Astronomy, the team stressed the presence of phosphine did not prove the presence of life on Venus.
But, as the clouds swirling about its broiling surface are highly acidic and therefore destroy phosphine very quickly, the research did show that something was creating it anew.
The researchers conducted several modelling calculations in a bid to explain the new phosphine production.
They concluded that their research provided evidence "for anomalous and unexplained chemistry" on Venus.
Lead author Jane Greaves, from Cardiff University's School of Physics and Astronomy told AFP that the presence of phosphine alone was not proof of life on Earth's next door neighbour.
"I don't think we can say that -- even if a planet was abundant in phosphorus, it might lack something else important to life -- some other element, or conditions might be too hot, too dry," she said.
Greaves added that it was the first time phosphine had been found on a rocky planet other than Earth.
The breakthrough was hailed by NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine, who tweeted, "it's time to prioritize Venus."
"Life on Venus? The discovery of phosphine, a byproduct of anaerobic biology, is the most significant development yet in building the case for life off Earth," he wrote.
The bulk of current efforts to look for past extraterrestrial life focus on Mars, which is known to have once contained all the necessary ingredients to support carbon-based organisms.
The US and China recently sent rovers to the Red Planet, while the UAE sent an atmospheric probe.
- 'Exciting' -
Reacting to the study, Alan Duffy, an astronomer from Swinburne University and Lead Scientist of The Royal Institution of Australia, said it while it was tempting to believe that the phosphine was produced by lifeforms, "we have to rule out all possible other non-biological means of producing it".
He called the finding "one of the most exciting signs of the possible presence of life beyond Earth I have ever seen".
Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, which has conducted several fly-bys of Venus, called Monday's research "intriguing".
"As with an increasing number of planetary bodies, Venus is proving to be an exciting place of discovery, though it had not been a significant part of the search for life," he tweeted.
He added that the planet was the focus of two out of four of NASA's next four candidate missions under its Discovery Program, as well as Europe's proposed EnVision mission, in which NASA is a partner.
Venus, which rotates in the opposite direction to Earth and where a day lasts 243 times longer, is a subject of intense interest among astronomers.
It is so close and of such similar size to our home planet that some experts believe it serves as a warning of the dangers of runaway climate change.
Previous studies have unearthed tantalising clues suggesting Venus has active volcanoes, including signs of recent lava flows.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-14--Five things we learned from the Premier League's return

Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick as Liverpool beat Leeds 4-3 on the first day of Premier League action The Premier League began with a bang this weekend as Liverpool launched their title defence with a pulsating 4-3 win over new boys Leeds .
Arsenal and Leicester both recorded impressive 3-0 victories but Jose Mourinho was left fuming after he tasted defeated on the opening day of a league campaign for the first time in his career .
Big-spending Chelsea eased to a 3-1 win at Brighton , but Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made another blunder .
AFP Sport picks out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend of the season .
The return of Leeds to the Premier League after a 16-year absence , and with the mercurial Marcelo Bielsa at the helm , was highly anticipated and it did not disappoint .
The new boys were two minutes away from taking points off the champions until Mohamed Salah completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to ensure Liverpool emerged victorious at an empty Anfield .
`` Leeds are special , '' said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp , in the knowledge that other title contenders will struggle to beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scoreline suggests , improvements will be needed at the back but Leeds will remain true to Bielsa 's philosophy in trying to impose themselves on the opposition and on the evidence of their opening salvo , there should be no fear of dropping back down to the second tier .
The biggest surprise of the Premier League 's return came with the lack of controversy caused by VAR as new interpretations of how to use the technology largely led to more sensible decisions .
Southampton 's Kyle Walker-Peters saw a red card @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moss came to the sidelines himself to assess a replay .
Newcastle 's Jeff Hendrick was not penalised after the ball struck his arm , which was by his side , during the Magpies ' 2-0 win at West Ham thanks to a more generous interpretation of the handball rule for defenders .
Mikel Arteta 's Arsenal have made a habit of upsetting the odds , defeating Manchester City and Chelsea on their way to winning the FA Cup last season and beating Liverpool twice in recent months .
Those victories were earned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the counter-attack , with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the main dangerman .
Before Saturday 's trip to Fulham there were questions over how the Gunners would deal with sides who would not open up against them but Arteta 's men responded with an emphatic 3-0 win at Craven Cottage .
New signing Willian had a major role to play in all three goals , scored by Alexandre Lacazette , Aubameyang and another debutant , Gabriel Magalhaes , as Arsenal laid down a marker in their bid to finish in the top four .
Ancelotti gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both turned to multiple Champions League-winning coaches in the middle of last season to revive their fortunes , but both will be judged on what they achieve this season .
On the opening weekend , Carlo Ancelotti got the better of Jose Mourinho as Everton won away from home against traditional top-six opposition for the first time since 2013 .
New signings Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure gave the Toffees the dynamism and grit they have badly missed in recent seasons in midfield , while James Rodriguez showed glimpses of the quality that once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most in-demand players .
Spurs , by contrast , look lacklustre , with Mourinho labelling his players `` lazy '' out of possession and showing little sign of halting their slide since reaching the Champions League final just over a year ago .
As Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga allowed Leandro Trossard 's long-range shot to slip through his weak attempted save , Blues boss Frank Lampard must have had a familiar sinking feeling .
Despite Trossard 's equaliser for Brighton , Lampard 's expensively revamped side went on to win 3-1 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kepa has conceded 19 Premier League goals from outside the area -- more than any other keeper .
The Spaniard , the world 's most expensive keeper , was dropped by Lampard twice last season after a series of costly blunders .
Although Kepa started the new campaign in the team , he might not have his place for much longer as a move for Rennes ' Edouard Mendy is reportedly close to completion .

London (AFP) –
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The Premier League began with a bang this weekend as Liverpool launched their title defence with a pulsating 4-3 win over new boys Leeds.
Arsenal and Leicester both recorded impressive 3-0 victories but Jose Mourinho was left fuming after he tasted defeated on the opening day of a league campaign for the first time in his career.
Big-spending Chelsea eased to a 3-1 win at Brighton, but Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made another blunder.
AFP Sport picks out five things we learned from the opening weekend of the season.
'Special' Leeds a welcome addition
The return of Leeds to the Premier League after a 16-year absence, and with the mercurial Marcelo Bielsa at the helm, was highly anticipated and it did not disappoint.
The new boys were two minutes away from taking points off the champions until Mohamed Salah completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to ensure Liverpool emerged victorious at an empty Anfield.
"Leeds are special," said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, in the knowledge that other title contenders will struggle to beat Bielsa's men this season.
As the scoreline suggests, improvements will be needed at the back but Leeds will remain true to Bielsa's philosophy in trying to impose themselves on the opposition and on the evidence of their opening salvo, there should be no fear of dropping back down to the second tier.
Sensible VAR
The biggest surprise of the Premier League's return came with the lack of controversy caused by VAR as new interpretations of how to use the technology largely led to more sensible decisions.
Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters saw a red card downgraded to a yellow after referee Jon Moss came to the sidelines himself to assess a replay.
Newcastle's Jeff Hendrick was not penalised after the ball struck his arm, which was by his side, during the Magpies' 2-0 win at West Ham thanks to a more generous interpretation of the handball rule for defenders.
Arsenal show top-four promise
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have made a habit of upsetting the odds, defeating Manchester City and Chelsea on their way to winning the FA Cup last season and beating Liverpool twice in recent months.
Those victories were earned through defensive discipline and a threat on the counter-attack, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the main dangerman.
Before Saturday's trip to Fulham there were questions over how the Gunners would deal with sides who would not open up against them but Arteta's men responded with an emphatic 3-0 win at Craven Cottage.
New signing Willian had a major role to play in all three goals, scored by Alexandre Lacazette, Aubameyang and another debutant, Gabriel Magalhaes, as Arsenal laid down a marker in their bid to finish in the top four.
Ancelotti gets the better of Mourinho
Everton and Tottenham both turned to multiple Champions League-winning coaches in the middle of last season to revive their fortunes, but both will be judged on what they achieve this season.
On the opening weekend, Carlo Ancelotti got the better of Jose Mourinho as Everton won away from home against traditional top-six opposition for the first time since 2013.
New signings Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure gave the Toffees the dynamism and grit they have badly missed in recent seasons in midfield, while James Rodriguez showed glimpses of the quality that once made him one of the world's most in-demand players.
Spurs, by contrast, look lacklustre, with Mourinho labelling his players "lazy" out of possession and showing little sign of halting their slide since reaching the Champions League final just over a year ago.
Kepa blunders again
As Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga allowed Leandro Trossard's long-range shot to slip through his weak attempted save, Blues boss Frank Lampard must have had a familiar sinking feeling.
Despite Trossard's equaliser for Brighton, Lampard's expensively revamped side went on to win 3-1.
But since he joined Chelsea in 2018, Kepa has conceded 19 Premier League goals from outside the area -- more than any other keeper.
The Spaniard, the world's most expensive keeper, was dropped by Lampard twice last season after a series of costly blunders.
Although Kepa started the new campaign in the team, he might not have his place for much longer as a move for Rennes' Edouard Mendy is reportedly close to completion.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-14--As Oregon fires burn, smoggy air suffocates Portland residents

The air quality in Portland as fires burn across the state of Oregon is dismal The deadly fires spreading across three western US states are causing record-breaking pollution and a spate of health woes , from headaches and coughs to impaired vision , that have residents worried about the long-term consequences .
Portland , the largest city in Oregon , has been blanketed for days by a dense smog that has sent pollution meters soaring .
On Monday , the city ranked second-worst on IQAir 's live global air quality ratings lists , only behind Vancouver , to the north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the smoke from fires in neighboring Washington state .
Seattle , San Francisco and Los Angeles are all ranked among the 10 worst .
`` It 's bad .
It can get so smoky , it looks like fog .
Sometimes , it 's so smoky you can hardly breathe , '' says 55-year-old Lorain Magee , who is wearing a cloth face mask .
Magee , who is disabled , says she has suffered headaches , nausea , and blurry vision .
To try to limit her exposure , she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Charlie , who is also having a hard time with the choking smog .
`` He has been wheezing , sometimes he hyperventilates and chokes himself because he ca n't breathe , '' she explains .
Multnomah County , which includes Portland , on Monday warned residents about the `` hazardous '' air quality across the city 's metro area .
`` NO ONE should be outside , '' the county tweeted , calling on workers who must be outside to wear N95 face masks , take breaks and drink plenty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's health officer , advises residents in a video message : `` If you can smell smoke , you 're inhaling fine particles deep into your lungs . ''
But the pollution does not keep everyone inside , or from exercising .
Jamal is out jogging with a respirator mask .
`` I 'm training for a marathon next year so I just keep going .
The mask is helping a little bit , '' explains the 36-year-old African-American man , who has an athletic build .
`` It 's a little harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledging he would not advise others to exercise in the thick air .
Jamal says his throat has been scratchy and his nose clogged up in recent days .
The foul air is a nightmare for local businesses which , after months of stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus crisis , are now struggling to get customers through the doors when many just want to stay home .
Christopher Payne , who owns the Kingsland Kitchen in downtown Portland , gazes out at his empty patio .
`` Last weekend , we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a table .
The difference is huge , '' he laments .
`` This week has been so trying on us .
I hope that the rain will clear things and we can start to turn the next corner from next weekend onwards . ''
Rain is indeed in the forecast for early Tuesday , but the overall weather conditions are not expected to improve appreciably until week 's end , local meteorologists predict .

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The deadly fires spreading across three western US states are causing record-breaking pollution and a spate of health woes, from headaches and coughs to impaired vision, that have residents worried about the long-term consequences.
Portland, the largest city in Oregon, has been blanketed for days by a dense smog that has sent pollution meters soaring.
On Monday, the city ranked second-worst on IQAir's live global air quality ratings lists, only behind Vancouver, to the north in Canada -- which has fallen victim to the smoke from fires in neighboring Washington state.
Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles are all ranked among the 10 worst.
"It's bad. It can get so smoky, it looks like fog. Sometimes, it's so smoky you can hardly breathe," says 55-year-old Lorain Magee, who is wearing a cloth face mask.
Magee, who is disabled, says she has suffered headaches, nausea, and blurry vision.
To try to limit her exposure, she is only going outside to walk her dog, Charlie, who is also having a hard time with the choking smog.
"He has been wheezing, sometimes he hyperventilates and chokes himself because he can't breathe," she explains.
Multnomah County, which includes Portland, on Monday warned residents about the "hazardous" air quality across the city's metro area.
"NO ONE should be outside," the county tweeted, calling on workers who must be outside to wear N95 face masks, take breaks and drink plenty of water.
- 'Not fearful' -
Jennifer Vines, the county's health officer, advises residents in a video message: "If you can smell smoke, you're inhaling fine particles deep into your lungs."
But the pollution does not keep everyone inside, or from exercising. Jamal is out jogging with a respirator mask.
"I'm training for a marathon next year so I just keep going. The mask is helping a little bit," explains the 36-year-old African-American man, who has an athletic build.
"It's a little harder to breathe," he admits, acknowledging he would not advise others to exercise in the thick air. Jamal says his throat has been scratchy and his nose clogged up in recent days.
The foul air is a nightmare for local businesses which, after months of stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus crisis, are now struggling to get customers through the doors when many just want to stay home.
Christopher Payne, who owns the Kingsland Kitchen in downtown Portland, gazes out at his empty patio.
"Last weekend, we had 80 chairs outside, and people waiting for a table. The difference is huge," he laments.
"This week has been so trying on us. I hope that the rain will clear things and we can start to turn the next corner from next weekend onwards."
Rain is indeed in the forecast for early Tuesday, but the overall weather conditions are not expected to improve appreciably until week's end, local meteorologists predict.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-14--Nishikori finds feet on Rome clay with first win in a year

Kei Nishikori of Japan advanced to the second round of the Italian Open in Rome Japan 's Kei Nishikori got his first win in a year at the Italian Open on Monday with former Rome semi-finalists Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic also easing into the second round of the clay-court tournament .
Nishikori needed six match points to get past Spain 's Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4 , 7-6 ( 7/3 ) in two hours behind closed doors at the Foro Italico for his first win since reaching the 2019 US Open third round .
`` It 's been a long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said the 30-year-old , who reached three Grand Slam quarter-finals in 2019 before undergoing elbow surgery .
`` I still do n't have confidence but little by little I 'm getting better . ''
Nishikori will next meet either three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka , or Italian qualifier Lorenzo Musetti , as he builds his fitness towards the French Open later this month .
The Japanese player skipped the US hard court tour , opting to warm up on clay at Kitzbuehel , Austria last week .
`` It sucks missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year is going to be a little bit strange anyways , '' he said .
`` I wanted to come back for the US Open and Cincinnati , but I felt like I was n't ready for playing five sets , so I chose to play last week in Austria .
`` I 'm not rushing myself to be 100 % .
For me , I think this year is going to be one by one , one match at a time .
`` I think slowly I 'm getting recovered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm happy to be here in Rome .
`` Today was much better than last match last week .
I would say twice better . ''
Top seeds Novak Djokovic , a four-time Rome winner , and defending champion Rafael Nadal , winner nine times , have first round byes in a tournament rescheduled from May due to the coronavirus pandemic .
They will begin their campaigns on Wednesday .
Elsewhere 15th seed Dimitrov , a 2014 Rome semi-finalist , saw off Italian wild card Gianluca Mager 7-5 , 6-1 .
Bulgarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first set to win seven straight games and next meets either Yoshihito Nishioka or Kitzbuehel champion Miomir Kecmanovic .
Cilic , who lost to Alexander Zverev in the Rome semi-finals two years ago , battled past Kazakhstan 's Alexander Bublik 6-7 ( 4/7 ) , 6-2 , 6-4 for a second round meeting with sixth seed David Goffin .
France 's Benoit Paire , who was removed from the US Open after testing positive for Covid-19 , lost his opener 6-2 , 6-1 to Italian teen Jannik Sinner .
The 19-year-old Sinner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour to advance following a nervy performance by the 24th-ranked French player .
Next Gen ATP Finals champion Sinner will play third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the next round .
US Open quarter-finalist Borna Coric eased past 14th seed Cristian Garin 6-4 , 6-4 , while Frenchman Ugo Humbert defeated two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson 6-3 , 7-6 ( 7/5 ) in his Rome debut .
He will try to upset seventh seeded Italian Fabio Fognini in the second round .
In the women 's tournament , US Open quarter-finalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard court to clay with the 11th seed disposing of Taiwan 's Hsieh Su-Wei 6-3 , 6-1 .
`` My serve was better in the second set , which made all the difference , '' said the Belgian .
Italian wildcard Jasmine Paolini eased past Latvia 's Anastasija Sevastova 6-2 , 6-3 to earn a second round clash with top seed Simona Halep of Romania .
Second seed Karolina Pliskova opens her title defence against fellow Czech Barbora Strycova who strolled past Russian Veronika Kudermetova 6-3 , 6-3 .

Rome (AFP) –
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Japan's Kei Nishikori got his first win in a year at the Italian Open on Monday with former Rome semi-finalists Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic also easing into the second round of the clay-court tournament.
Nishikori needed six match points to get past Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) in two hours behind closed doors at the Foro Italico for his first win since reaching the 2019 US Open third round.
"It's been a long time since the US Open last year," said the 30-year-old, who reached three Grand Slam quarter-finals in 2019 before undergoing elbow surgery.
"I still don't have confidence but little by little I'm getting better."
Nishikori will next meet either three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, or Italian qualifier Lorenzo Musetti, as he builds his fitness towards the French Open later this month.
The Japanese player skipped the US hard court tour, opting to warm up on clay at Kitzbuehel, Austria last week.
"It sucks missing Grand Slam, big tournaments, but this year is going to be a little bit strange anyways," he said.
"I wanted to come back for the US Open and Cincinnati, but I felt like I wasn't ready for playing five sets, so I chose to play last week in Austria.
"I'm not rushing myself to be 100%. For me, I think this year is going to be one by one, one match at a time.
"I think slowly I'm getting recovered. It will take some time, but I'm happy to be here in Rome.
"Today was much better than last match last week. I would say twice better."
- Nadal, Djokovic set for return -
Top seeds Novak Djokovic, a four-time Rome winner, and defending champion Rafael Nadal, winner nine times, have first round byes in a tournament rescheduled from May due to the coronavirus pandemic. They will begin their campaigns on Wednesday.
Elsewhere 15th seed Dimitrov, a 2014 Rome semi-finalist, saw off Italian wild card Gianluca Mager 7-5, 6-1.
Bulgarian Dimitrov pulled ahead from 5-5 in the first set to win seven straight games and next meets either Yoshihito Nishioka or Kitzbuehel champion Miomir Kecmanovic.
Cilic, who lost to Alexander Zverev in the Rome semi-finals two years ago, battled past Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4 for a second round meeting with sixth seed David Goffin.
France's Benoit Paire, who was removed from the US Open after testing positive for Covid-19, lost his opener 6-2, 6-1 to Italian teen Jannik Sinner.
The 19-year-old Sinner, ranked 81, needed just over an hour to advance following a nervy performance by the 24th-ranked French player.
Next Gen ATP Finals champion Sinner will play third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the next round.
US Open quarter-finalist Borna Coric eased past 14th seed Cristian Garin 6-4, 6-4, while Frenchman Ugo Humbert defeated two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) in his Rome debut.
He will try to upset seventh seeded Italian Fabio Fognini in the second round.
In the women's tournament, US Open quarter-finalist Elise Mertens showed no problems switching from hard court to clay with the 11th seed disposing of Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei 6-3, 6-1.
"My serve was better in the second set, which made all the difference," said the Belgian.
Italian wildcard Jasmine Paolini eased past Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova 6-2, 6-3 to earn a second round clash with top seed Simona Halep of Romania.
Second seed Karolina Pliskova opens her title defence against fellow Czech Barbora Strycova who strolled past Russian Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-3.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-14--I.Coast court clears president's third-term bid as fresh violence erupts

The Ivory Coast 's constitutional court 's president Kone Mamadou ( C ) cleared President Ouattara 's bid for a third term Ivory Coast 's top court on Monday cleared the path for President Alassane Ouattara to seek a contentious third term , as protests turned violent in several cities and fears grew of a repeat of the conflict that claimed 3,000 lives in the West African country a decade ago .
The constitutional council also barred former president Laurent Gbagbo and former rebel leader turned prime minister Guillaume Soro from standing in next month 's presidential election .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the October 31 presidential election .
In the economic capital Abidjan , protesters torched a bus in the working-class district of Yopougon , an AFP photographer said , after scuffles broke out earlier in the day between security forces and youths .
The district is thought to be a fiefdom of exiled former president Gbagbo , whose supporters had filed an application for him to run in the vote .
It was Gbagbo 's refusal to concede defeat to Ouattara after the 2010 election that sparked the bloody conflict in the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stability and prosperity in the region .
In the centre-west city of Bangolo , demonstrators set fire to a mining truck and other vehicles on Monday , according to a resident who requested anonymity , who added that gendarmes dispersed them with tear gas .
Witnesses said security forces took down barricades set up by protesters on several roads in the west of the former French colony .
Around 15 people have died in violence since Ouattara , 78 , announced last month that he would run for a third term .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ouattara and his supporters argue that a 2016 constitutional tweak reset the clock .
The president had previously committed to not running again , but he changed his mind after the sudden death of his anointed successor , prime minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly , from a heart attack in July .
The electoral commission has said that anyone convicted of a crime will be disqualified from running for the top office and barred Soro from running as he was sentenced in April to 20 years in prison for `` concealment of embezzlement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been sentenced in absentia to a 20-year term over the looting of the local branch of the Central Bank of West African States during the 2010-11 crisis .
Former president Henri Konan Bedie , who has been cleared to stand in next month 's election , is expected to be the opposition 's mean flagbearer , after his PDCI party nominated the 86-year-old as its candidate on Saturday .
At a rally attended by tens of thousands of supporters in the capital Yamoussoukro , Bedie pledged if elected to work for `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as the release of all political , civilian and military prisoners from the post-election crisis '' .
Bedie is seeking to return to the presidency after he was ousted in the country 's first coup in 1999 .

Abidjan (AFP) –
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Ivory Coast's top court on Monday cleared the path for President Alassane Ouattara to seek a contentious third term, as protests turned violent in several cities and fears grew of a repeat of the conflict that claimed 3,000 lives in the West African country a decade ago.
The constitutional council also barred former president Laurent Gbagbo and former rebel leader turned prime minister Guillaume Soro from standing in next month's presidential election.
It cleared only four of the 44 candidates for the October 31 presidential election.
In the economic capital Abidjan, protesters torched a bus in the working-class district of Yopougon, an AFP photographer said, after scuffles broke out earlier in the day between security forces and youths.
The district is thought to be a fiefdom of exiled former president Gbagbo, whose supporters had filed an application for him to run in the vote.
It was Gbagbo's refusal to concede defeat to Ouattara after the 2010 election that sparked the bloody conflict in the former French colony, formerly a beacon of stability and prosperity in the region.
In the centre-west city of Bangolo, demonstrators set fire to a mining truck and other vehicles on Monday, according to a resident who requested anonymity, who added that gendarmes dispersed them with tear gas.
Witnesses said security forces took down barricades set up by protesters on several roads in the west of the former French colony.
Around 15 people have died in violence since Ouattara, 78, announced last month that he would run for a third term.
Although the constitution limits presidents to two terms, Ouattara and his supporters argue that a 2016 constitutional tweak reset the clock.
The president had previously committed to not running again, but he changed his mind after the sudden death of his anointed successor, prime minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, from a heart attack in July.
The electoral commission has said that anyone convicted of a crime will be disqualified from running for the top office and barred Soro from running as he was sentenced in April to 20 years in prison for "concealment of embezzlement of public funds".
Gbagbo has been sentenced in absentia to a 20-year term over the looting of the local branch of the Central Bank of West African States during the 2010-11 crisis.
Former president Henri Konan Bedie, who has been cleared to stand in next month's election, is expected to be the opposition's mean flagbearer, after his PDCI party nominated the 86-year-old as its candidate on Saturday.
At a rally attended by tens of thousands of supporters in the capital Yamoussoukro, Bedie pledged if elected to work for "the unconditional return of all exiles, as well as the release of all political, civilian and military prisoners from the post-election crisis".
Bedie is seeking to return to the presidency after he was ousted in the country's first coup in 1999.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-14--Big-spending Chelsea start with win at Brighton

Chelsea striker Timo Werner made his debut in the win at Brighton Chelsea kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 3-1 win at Brighton on Monday as Timo Werner made a confident debut following Frank Lampard 's spending spree .
Blues boss Lampard has spent around £200 million ( $ 257 million ) on a host of new signings and the early returns on his lavish investment were promising .
Germany striker Werner , a £53 million recruit from Leipzig , won the penalty that Jorginho converted to put Chelsea ahead .
Kai Havertz , who made a £70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't quite so impactful , but Lampard will be confident there are better days to come from the young Germany forward .
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was guilty of another mistake when Leandro Trossard equalised for Brighton .
But Reece James ' superb strike put Chelsea back in front before Kurt Zouma 's deflected effort sealed the points .
It was an encouraging opening to the campaign for Lampard , who has accepted he is under pressure to deliver a title challenge after spending more than any other club so far in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points behind champions Liverpool in fourth last season before a disappointing FA Cup final defeat against Arsenal , but they are primed to improve if Lampard can gel his new signings .
Lampard 's other expensive recruits , former Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech and ex-Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell , were both sidelined by injuries , while Thiago Silva was n't available as he returns to training following his free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain .
The historians among Chelsea 's fanbase will have noted this was the third time they have started a Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the Blues going on to win the title on the previous occasions in 2014-15 and 2016-17 .
The only frustration for Lampard was Kepa 's howler .
The world 's most expensive keeper was already under pressure to improve after an error-strewn season and with Chelsea having spoken to Rennes about Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy , his days as first choice might be numbered .
Werner was Chelsea 's central striker while Havertz lined up on the right flank in the three-man attack .
It was Werner who showed all his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 23rd minute .
Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate surrendered possession with a wayward pass and Jorginho fed Werner , who raced through on goal and was brought down by Mat Ryan as he rounded the Albion keeper .
Jorginho stepped up to take the penalty and Chelsea 's captain sent Ryan the wrong way with his trademark hop before shooting .
Kepa 's panicked flap at a corner would have done nothing to win over Lampard , but he did keep out Alzate 's long-range drive with a good save before half-time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the often-injured former Liverpool midfielder lasted just 45 minutes before limping off .
Although Chelsea were n't as fluid as Lampard would have liked , Werner was a real threat with his astute movement and he accelerated away from Lewis Dunk for a shot that Ryan saved at his near post .
Brighton were on top at the start of the second half and Aaron Connolly volleyed into the side-netting from Solly March 's cross .
Graham Potter 's side equalised in the 54th minute when Trossard 's 20-yard shot slipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kepa 's blunder is likely to push him closer to another spell on the sidelines after he was dropped last season .
But it was n't fatal for Chelsea as James restored their lead just 100 seconds later with a stunning 30-yard blast .
The right-back 's first Premier League goal was almost cancelled out when Dunk headed wide from close range .
But Chelsea 's luck was in and they sealed the points in the 66th minute .
Zouma met James ' corner with a volley that took a heavy deflection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trickled into the net .

Brighton (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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Chelsea kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 3-1 win at Brighton on Monday as Timo Werner made a confident debut following Frank Lampard's spending spree.
Blues boss Lampard has spent around £200 million ($257 million) on a host of new signings and the early returns on his lavish investment were promising.
Germany striker Werner, a £53 million recruit from Leipzig, won the penalty that Jorginho converted to put Chelsea ahead.
Kai Havertz, who made a £70 million switch from Bayer Leverkusen, wasn't quite so impactful, but Lampard will be confident there are better days to come from the young Germany forward.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was guilty of another mistake when Leandro Trossard equalised for Brighton.
But Reece James' superb strike put Chelsea back in front before Kurt Zouma's deflected effort sealed the points.
It was an encouraging opening to the campaign for Lampard, who has accepted he is under pressure to deliver a title challenge after spending more than any other club so far in the summer transfer window.
Chelsea finished 33 points behind champions Liverpool in fourth last season before a disappointing FA Cup final defeat against Arsenal, but they are primed to improve if Lampard can gel his new signings.
Lampard's other expensive recruits, former Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech and ex-Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, were both sidelined by injuries, while Thiago Silva wasn't available as he returns to training following his free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
The historians among Chelsea's fanbase will have noted this was the third time they have started a Premier League campaign with a Monday night victory, with the Blues going on to win the title on the previous occasions in 2014-15 and 2016-17.
The only frustration for Lampard was Kepa's howler.
The world's most expensive keeper was already under pressure to improve after an error-strewn season and with Chelsea having spoken to Rennes about Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy, his days as first choice might be numbered.
- Classy Werner -
Werner was Chelsea's central striker while Havertz lined up on the right flank in the three-man attack.
It was Werner who showed all his class as Chelsea took the lead in the 23rd minute.
Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate surrendered possession with a wayward pass and Jorginho fed Werner, who raced through on goal and was brought down by Mat Ryan as he rounded the Albion keeper.
Jorginho stepped up to take the penalty and Chelsea's captain sent Ryan the wrong way with his trademark hop before shooting.
Kepa's panicked flap at a corner would have done nothing to win over Lampard, but he did keep out Alzate's long-range drive with a good save before half-time.
Adam Lallana was making his Brighton debut, but the often-injured former Liverpool midfielder lasted just 45 minutes before limping off.
Although Chelsea weren't as fluid as Lampard would have liked, Werner was a real threat with his astute movement and he accelerated away from Lewis Dunk for a shot that Ryan saved at his near post.
Brighton were on top at the start of the second half and Aaron Connolly volleyed into the side-netting from Solly March's cross.
Graham Potter's side equalised in the 54th minute when Trossard's 20-yard shot slipped under Kepa's weak attempted save.
Kepa's blunder is likely to push him closer to another spell on the sidelines after he was dropped last season.
But it wasn't fatal for Chelsea as James restored their lead just 100 seconds later with a stunning 30-yard blast.
The right-back's first Premier League goal was almost cancelled out when Dunk headed wide from close range.
But Chelsea's luck was in and they sealed the points in the 66th minute.
Zouma met James' corner with a volley that took a heavy deflection of Adam Webster to wrong-foot Ryan as it trickled into the net.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Froome's struggles continue far from the Tour de France

Far from the Tour de France , Chris Froome 's struggles to return to full race fitness continued on the Italian roads of the Tirreno-Adriatico with the British rider just inside the top 100 in his final stage race before his bid for a third Vuelta a Espana title next month .
The four-time Tour de France winner insisted he had `` several years of cycling '' ahead of him after his recovery from last year 's career-threatening Criterium du Dauphine accident .
But the 35-year-old slipped to 91st position in the `` Race between two seas '' which finished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner Simon Yates , with Froome 's Ineos teammate Geraint Thomas in second .
Ineos dropped Froome and Thomas , who won the Tour in 2018 , from this year 's race , opting for defending champion Egan Bernal , who is now effectively out of the overall standings in the final week .
Froome , who moves to Israel Start-Up Nation in 2021 , believes he `` could have played a role '' in the Tour , but understood the decision .
`` I think it made a lot more sense for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pressure right now , obviously with where I am at trying to get back to my old level , '' Froome told Eurosport .
A little over a year after a serious fall in France left him with multiple fractures -- neck , femur , hip , elbow , ribs -- Froome had already struggled in August on the Tour de l'Ain ( 41st ) and the Dauphine ( 71st ) .
He came to Italy to find his legs in the eight-stage warm-up for the Vuelta a Espana , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on October 20 .
Thomas will target the Giro d'Italia in early October .
Froome saw the Tirreno-Adriatico as the `` ideal race '' with a mix of flat , mountain stages and a final time-trial .
But three days from the finish and coming out of the mountain stages which could have allowed him to stand out , he fell out of the top 100 .
On Friday , the day of the highest mountain stage , with a summit finish , he crossed the line among the last , in 150th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clocked 80th best in the time-trial .
`` Obviously having had the time off from the Dauphine last year and through the corona situation this year , I ’ ve been very light on racing , '' he said .
Froome has said he will skip the world championships but may compete in the one-day classic Liege-Bastogne-Liege on October 4 before the Vuelta .
But with such performances , it remains to be seen whether Ineos will maintain its choice of having Froome as their team leader in Spain .
`` What is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of this season knowing that I have made the progression that I ’ ve needed to get back to my old self again , so that I can start next season really with a clear slate and get straight back into it , '' said Froome .
`` The Vuelta is definitely a key part of that but I don ’ t think the Vuelta is necessarily the be-all and end-all either . ''
His ambition remains a fifth Tour de France in his new team ’ s colours next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've obviously got a massive will to be back there next year and certainly with a new team a bit of a new challenge in that sense , '' he said .
`` Hoping I ’ ll be back to my best next year . ''
His new team , contacted by AFP , refused to comment on his current performance : `` Chris Froome is an Ineos runner until January 1 , '' a spokesperson said .
Froome , meanwhile , who would be the oldest ever winner since Firmin Lambot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , dismissed talk he was finished : `` I am firmly convinced otherwise . ''

Rome (AFP) –
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Far from the Tour de France, Chris Froome's struggles to return to full race fitness continued on the Italian roads of the Tirreno-Adriatico with the British rider just inside the top 100 in his final stage race before his bid for a third Vuelta a Espana title next month.
The four-time Tour de France winner insisted he had "several years of cycling" ahead of him after his recovery from last year's career-threatening Criterium du Dauphine accident.
But the 35-year-old slipped to 91st position in the "Race between two seas" which finished on Monday, over an hour behind winner Simon Yates, with Froome's Ineos teammate Geraint Thomas in second.
Ineos dropped Froome and Thomas, who won the Tour in 2018, from this year's race, opting for defending champion Egan Bernal, who is now effectively out of the overall standings in the final week.
Froome, who moves to Israel Start-Up Nation in 2021, believes he "could have played a role" in the Tour, but understood the decision.
"I think it made a lot more sense for me to not be under that amount of pressure right now, obviously with where I am at trying to get back to my old level," Froome told Eurosport.
A little over a year after a serious fall in France left him with multiple fractures -- neck, femur, hip, elbow, ribs -- Froome had already struggled in August on the Tour de l'Ain (41st) and the Dauphine (71st).
He came to Italy to find his legs in the eight-stage warm-up for the Vuelta a Espana, which he won in 2011 and 2017, starting on October 20.
Thomas will target the Giro d'Italia in early October.
Froome saw the Tirreno-Adriatico as the "ideal race" with a mix of flat, mountain stages and a final time-trial.
But three days from the finish and coming out of the mountain stages which could have allowed him to stand out, he fell out of the top 100.
On Friday, the day of the highest mountain stage, with a summit finish, he crossed the line among the last, in 150th place. On the final day he clocked 80th best in the time-trial.
"Obviously having had the time off from the Dauphine last year and through the corona situation this year, I’ve been very light on racing," he said.
- 'Massive will' -
Froome has said he will skip the world championships but may compete in the one-day classic Liege-Bastogne-Liege on October 4 before the Vuelta.
But with such performances, it remains to be seen whether Ineos will maintain its choice of having Froome as their team leader in Spain.
"What is most important is that I get to the end of this season knowing that I have made the progression that I’ve needed to get back to my old self again, so that I can start next season really with a clear slate and get straight back into it," said Froome.
"The Vuelta is definitely a key part of that but I don’t think the Vuelta is necessarily the be-all and end-all either."
His ambition remains a fifth Tour de France in his new team’s colours next year when he will be 36.
"I've obviously got a massive will to be back there next year and certainly with a new team a bit of a new challenge in that sense," he said.
"Hoping I’ll be back to my best next year."
His new team, contacted by AFP, refused to comment on his current performance: "Chris Froome is an Ineos runner until January 1," a spokesperson said.
Froome, meanwhile, who would be the oldest ever winner since Firmin Lambot in 1922 if he does win next year, dismissed talk he was finished: "I am firmly convinced otherwise."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Russell-Townsend relationship in a 'better place' before Autumn Nations Cup return

Scotland 's Finn Russell said his relationship with head coach Gregor Townsend has improved since the influential fly-half missed the Six Nations after the pair fell out and hopes to play in the Autumn Nations Cup .
Russell , 27 , who won the last of his 49 Test caps during last year 's Rugby World Cup , said they had continued to speak since making amends during the height of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We 're in a much better place than it was which is great .
If selected I 'm looking forward to getting back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months I 'll be back in the Scotland camp , '' he told AFP on Monday 30 minutes after another conversation with Townsend .
`` During lockdown we spoke once a month or every few weeks .
When we were chatting about October games with what the plans would be with me being in France and things like that with complications , '' Russell said .
The Racing 92 playmaker , who is the Top 14 's leading assist maker with three in two matches this season , said he would need an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning home to prepare for the tournament later this year .
`` Gregor mentioned there might be some different rules for sports players for travelling in and out .
I 'll have to see what the plan is with that , '' he said .
`` We get tested every week over here so if I 'm travelling back I 'll just have to be very cautious on the flights with who I 'm mixing with obviously , '' he added .
Townsend 's men will face Italy , France and Fiji in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancelled autumn internationals , after finishing their postponed Six Nations campaign against Wales on October 31 .
Wayne Pivac 's side are in a separate pool along with England , Ireland and Georgia , who have replaced Japan , with a play off round on December 5-6 to decide the final rankings .
`` I 've had a quick look at how it will map out .
It 's going to be different to the usual November Tests but it will be good to play against different teams , get a few more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It will be full-on for the players , a lot of Test matches in a short period of time but it should be good , '' he added .
Russell , who signed a contract extension for an undisclosed length with Racing over the summer , is set to come up against club team-mates including Virimi Vakatawa , Camille Chat and Bernard Le Roux on les Bleus duty later this year .
`` We 've not spoken about it .
It 's only recently the matches have come out so it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of rugby to be played here first , '' he said .
`` Like we saw with Japan who had to pull out because of Covid reasons , a lot can change but we all need to get in the teams first , '' he added .

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Scotland's Finn Russell said his relationship with head coach Gregor Townsend has improved since the influential fly-half missed the Six Nations after the pair fell out and hopes to play in the Autumn Nations Cup.
Russell, 27, who won the last of his 49 Test caps during last year's Rugby World Cup, said they had continued to speak since making amends during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
"We're in a much better place than it was which is great. If selected I'm looking forward to getting back in there. So hopefully in a few months I'll be back in the Scotland camp," he told AFP on Monday 30 minutes after another conversation with Townsend.
"During lockdown we spoke once a month or every few weeks. When we were chatting about October games with what the plans would be with me being in France and things like that with complications," Russell said.
The Racing 92 playmaker, who is the Top 14's leading assist maker with three in two matches this season, said he would need an exemption to avoid a 14-day quarantine when returning home to prepare for the tournament later this year.
"Gregor mentioned there might be some different rules for sports players for travelling in and out. I'll have to see what the plan is with that," he said.
"We get tested every week over here so if I'm travelling back I'll just have to be very cautious on the flights with who I'm mixing with obviously," he added.
- 'Full-on' schedule -
Townsend's men will face Italy, France and Fiji in the new competition, which replaced the cancelled autumn internationals, after finishing their postponed Six Nations campaign against Wales on October 31.
Wayne Pivac's side are in a separate pool along with England, Ireland and Georgia, who have replaced Japan, with a play off round on December 5-6 to decide the final rankings.
"I've had a quick look at how it will map out. It's going to be different to the usual November Tests but it will be good to play against different teams, get a few more games in there," he said.
"It will be full-on for the players, a lot of Test matches in a short period of time but it should be good," he added.
Russell, who signed a contract extension for an undisclosed length with Racing over the summer, is set to come up against club team-mates including Virimi Vakatawa, Camille Chat and Bernard Le Roux on les Bleus duty later this year.
"We've not spoken about it. It's only recently the matches have come out so it's still very fresh, there's a lot of rugby to be played here first," he said.
"Like we saw with Japan who had to pull out because of Covid reasons, a lot can change but we all need to get in the teams first," he added.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Grealish boosts Villa by signing new contract

Aston Villa will aim to build a top team around captain Jack Grealish after he signed a new five-year contract with the Premier League club Aston Villa are planning to build a `` top team '' around England international Jack Grealish after he signed a new five-year contract on Tuesday .
The 25-year-old playmaker and club captain had been linked with a move away from the Premier League side during the transfer window .
However , Grealish laid those fears to rest by announcing the new contract with the club he has been with since he was eight years old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this commitment to Villa , '' said Grealish in a club statement .
`` It is my club , my home and I am very happy here .
`` The owners have made it very clear to me how ambitious they are and how they want to build Aston Villa .
`` There are exciting times ahead and I am very glad to be part of it . ''
Grealish , who made his first appearance for England against Denmark last week , has signed a contract until 2025 .
Christian Purslow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will permit last season 's League Cup finalists to invest in better quality players .
`` Jack is an emblem of our owner 's vision for Aston Villa , '' said Purslow .
`` He joined our club as a local boy and has developed into one of the country 's finest players finally becoming a full England international last week .
`` We are determined to build a top team around him and are delighted he is extending his contract and committing himself to the club he loves . ''

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Aston Villa are planning to build a "top team" around England international Jack Grealish after he signed a new five-year contract on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old playmaker and club captain had been linked with a move away from the Premier League side during the transfer window.
However, Grealish laid those fears to rest by announcing the new contract with the club he has been with since he was eight years old.
"I am delighted to make this commitment to Villa," said Grealish in a club statement.
"It is my club, my home and I am very happy here.
"The owners have made it very clear to me how ambitious they are and how they want to build Aston Villa.
"There are exciting times ahead and I am very glad to be part of it."
Grealish, who made his first appearance for England against Denmark last week, has signed a contract until 2025.
Christian Purslow, Villa's chief executive, said this will permit last season's League Cup finalists to invest in better quality players.
"Jack is an emblem of our owner's vision for Aston Villa," said Purslow.
"He joined our club as a local boy and has developed into one of the country's finest players finally becoming a full England international last week.
"We are determined to build a top team around him and are delighted he is extending his contract and committing himself to the club he loves."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Leeds success has Hollywood star crowing

Leeds United 's return to the Premier League after 16 years has delighted lifelong fan Oscar winning actor Russell Crowe Leeds United 's return to the Premier League after a 16 year hiatus has pleased no one more than Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe .
The 56-year-old star has followed the club since he was a boy growing up in New Zealand .
Crowe -- whose love of rugby league led him to buy Aussie side The South Sydney Rabbitohs -- has been able to play a role too of sorts in narrating a documentary on the club .
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note as Marcelo Bielsa 's side lost in the play-offs .
However , in a fairytale Hollywood ending two further episodes followed this past campaign and saw Bielsa guide them to the Championship title and the riches of the Premier League .
`` I 've loved Leeds all my life , '' said Crowe , who won the Best Actor Oscar in 2001 for blockbuster Gladiator .
`` I used to come home from playing sport when I was a kid to sit down and watch Match of the Day with my brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` After years of pain , seeing the white army marching on together back to the Premier League where they should be has given me nothing but pleasure .
`` To be able to help tell the incredible story of the past two seasons through Take Us Home has been a real honour . ''
Leeds began their campaign in a thrilling 4-3 defeat to champions Liverpool which like many of Crowe 's films kept the spectators on the edge of their seats to the end .

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Leeds United's return to the Premier League after a 16 year hiatus has pleased no one more than Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe.
The 56-year-old star has followed the club since he was a boy growing up in New Zealand.
Crowe -- whose love of rugby league led him to buy Aussie side The South Sydney Rabbitohs -- has been able to play a role too of sorts in narrating a documentary on the club.
The first season in 2018/19 ended on a low note as Marcelo Bielsa's side lost in the play-offs.
However, in a fairytale Hollywood ending two further episodes followed this past campaign and saw Bielsa guide them to the Championship title and the riches of the Premier League.
"I've loved Leeds all my life," said Crowe, who won the Best Actor Oscar in 2001 for blockbuster Gladiator.
"I used to come home from playing sport when I was a kid to sit down and watch Match of the Day with my brother, and I was just hooked.
"After years of pain, seeing the white army marching on together back to the Premier League where they should be has given me nothing but pleasure.
"To be able to help tell the incredible story of the past two seasons through Take Us Home has been a real honour."
Leeds began their campaign in a thrilling 4-3 defeat to champions Liverpool which like many of Crowe's films kept the spectators on the edge of their seats to the end.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Jailed Algerian journalist Khaled Drareni awaits appeal verdict

The verdict in the appeal of jailed Algerian journalist Khaled Drareni against his three-year prison term was set to be @ @ @ @ @ , incarcerated since 29 March , has become a symbol of the press freedom , @ @ @ @ @ rocked the international community .

Jailed Algerian journalist Khaled Drareni awaits appeal verdict
01:38
The verdict in the appeal of jailed Algerian journalist Khaled Drareni against his three-year prison term was set to be delivered Tuesday. The journalist, incarcerated since 29 March, has become a symbol of the press freedom, in a case that has rocked the international community.


france24--2020-09-15--England cricket body to cut 62 jobs as a result of Covid-19

In spite of staging 18 international matches this summer , English cricket has lost over £100 million , prompting a swathe of job cuts The England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB ) is to cut 62 jobs because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic , the governing body announced Tuesday .
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said in a statement that such measures would have been `` unthinkable '' seven months ago but had been forced on the board by the coronavirus .
Harrison said English cricket has already lost more than £100 million ( $ 129 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure that could rise to £200 million next year if the pandemic continues to have an effect next season .
Proposals to reduce costs include a 20 percent cut of the workforce budget -- a move that equates to the loss of 62 positions .
Although all the 18 men 's international matches scheduled for this season are set to be played , the board has still incurred heavy losses at a time when those fixtures and nearly all major county games have had to be played behind closed doors as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay cuts back in April , with Harrison himself taking a 25 percent reduction in his salary and other employees seeing their wages reduced on a sliding scale from 10-20 percent .
But these cuts , which are in place until the end of October , have not been enough to stave off job losses .
`` The Covid-19 pandemic has left cricket facing its most significant challenge of the modern era , '' said Harrison .
`` There is also deep uncertainty about the future , and it is vital we take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial sustainability of cricket in England and Wales . ''
Harrison added the ECB would need to become a `` leaner and more agile organisation '' , saying savings would only be possible `` by reducing our headcount '' .
`` These proposals include a 20 percent reduction in our workforce budget , which will equate to the removal of 62 roles from our structure . ''
Harrison did not specify the areas in which the cuts would be made but said `` every part of the ECB is affected by these changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will begin imminently '' .
ECB chiefs had hoped this season would see them capitalising on the boost provided by England 's victory on home soil in the 2019 men 's World Cup and the subsequent drawn Ashes series .
`` Seven months ago , sharing a message of this nature was unthinkable , '' said Harrison .
`` The position we had created to come together as a game and grow cricket on the back of a remarkable year in 2019 was truly game-changing .
`` Our ambition and energy are unchanged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to look significantly different to what we originally planned for . ''

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is to cut 62 jobs because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the governing body announced Tuesday.
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said in a statement that such measures would have been "unthinkable" seven months ago but had been forced on the board by the coronavirus.
Harrison said English cricket has already lost more than £100 million ($129 million, 108 million euros) -- a figure that could rise to £200 million next year if the pandemic continues to have an effect next season.
Proposals to reduce costs include a 20 percent cut of the workforce budget -- a move that equates to the loss of 62 positions.
Although all the 18 men's international matches scheduled for this season are set to be played, the board has still incurred heavy losses at a time when those fixtures and nearly all major county games have had to be played behind closed doors as a result of the pandemic.
The ECB instituted pay cuts back in April, with Harrison himself taking a 25 percent reduction in his salary and other employees seeing their wages reduced on a sliding scale from 10-20 percent.
But these cuts, which are in place until the end of October, have not been enough to stave off job losses.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has left cricket facing its most significant challenge of the modern era," said Harrison.
"There is also deep uncertainty about the future, and it is vital we take more steps now to ensure the future financial sustainability of cricket in England and Wales."
Harrison added the ECB would need to become a "leaner and more agile organisation", saying savings would only be possible "by reducing our headcount".
"These proposals include a 20 percent reduction in our workforce budget, which will equate to the removal of 62 roles from our structure."
Harrison did not specify the areas in which the cuts would be made but said "every part of the ECB is affected by these changes" and that a collective consultation "will begin imminently".
ECB chiefs had hoped this season would see them capitalising on the boost provided by England's victory on home soil in the 2019 men's World Cup and the subsequent drawn Ashes series.
"Seven months ago, sharing a message of this nature was unthinkable," said Harrison.
"The position we had created to come together as a game and grow cricket on the back of a remarkable year in 2019 was truly game-changing.
"Our ambition and energy are unchanged, but how we get there now needs to look significantly different to what we originally planned for."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Messi joins exclusive club of sporting billionaires

Lionel Messi may have had to stay put at Barcelona but the Argentine legend did succeed in joining one new club this year -- the one reserved for sporting billionaires , according to Forbes magazine .
The Argentine striker 's career earnings of over one billion dollars ( 840 million euros ) places the six-time Ballon d'Or winner in a group of mega-wealthy sports figures containing just Tiger Woods , Floyd Mayweather and his great rival on the pitch , Cristiano Ronaldo .
Forbes said that in 2020 Messi was the best paid footballer in the world with an income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salary ( $ 92 million for the 2020/2021 season ) and $ 34 million from sponsors and other sources .
The 33-year-old knocked Juventus forward Ronaldo ( $ 117 million ) off the top of the football salary chart with Paris Saint-Germain 's Neymar ( $ 96 million ) in third place .
Forbes ' top 10 earning players made a combined $ 570 million this season , a jump of 11 percent despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic to European leagues and the global economy .
Michael Jordan is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basketball legend 's fortune has largely come after retirement through his longstanding contract with Nike and acquisition of NBA franchise Charlotte Hornets .
Messi remains at Barcelona this season after conceding defeat in his attempt to leave without triggering his 700-million euro release .

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Lionel Messi may have had to stay put at Barcelona but the Argentine legend did succeed in joining one new club this year -- the one reserved for sporting billionaires, according to Forbes magazine.
The Argentine striker's career earnings of over one billion dollars (840 million euros) places the six-time Ballon d'Or winner in a group of mega-wealthy sports figures containing just Tiger Woods, Floyd Mayweather and his great rival on the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Forbes said that in 2020 Messi was the best paid footballer in the world with an income of $126 million from his Barca salary ($92 million for the 2020/2021 season) and $34 million from sponsors and other sources.
The 33-year-old knocked Juventus forward Ronaldo ($117 million) off the top of the football salary chart with Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar ($96 million) in third place.
Forbes' top 10 earning players made a combined $570 million this season, a jump of 11 percent despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic to European leagues and the global economy.
Michael Jordan is also in the billionaire's club but the basketball legend's fortune has largely come after retirement through his longstanding contract with Nike and acquisition of NBA franchise Charlotte Hornets.
Messi remains at Barcelona this season after conceding defeat in his attempt to leave without triggering his 700-million euro release.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Langer says Australia 'could have talked more' about taking a knee

Australia coach Justin Langer has admitted his side could have given more thought to taking a knee during their tour of England following criticism from West Indies great Michael Holding .
England and West Indies cricketers adopted the gesture at the start of each of their three Tests in July to show their support for the campaign to fight racial injustice .
The practice was repeated during England 's one-day matches against Ireland but not in subsequent series against Pakistan and Australia .
Holding , an outstanding fast bowler in the successful West Indies teams of the 1970s and 1980s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aaron Finch of making `` lame '' statements over ending the practice of taking a knee .
But England fast bowler Jofra Archer said Holding did not know what was going on behind the scenes and had not `` done his research '' , with the Barbados-born quick insisting the team and officials remained committed to the Black Lives Matter movement .
Langer , however , suggested Holding may have had a point , saying in a conference call on Tuesday : `` When Mikey says what he says , it 's certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking a knee , to be completely honest , we could have talked more about it perhaps leading up to the first game .
`` There was so much going on leading up to us getting here , maybe we should have talked more about it . ''
The former Australia opening batsman added : `` What we do talk about within the team , was that we want to have a response that is sustained and powerful , and that it can go not just in one action but a sustained period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer but throughout time .
`` I just hope if it looked like there was a lack of respect , it was n't the intention of our team .
We were very aware of it . ''
Langer was speaking ahead of Wednesday 's third and deciding one-day international against England at Old Trafford .
Australia star batsman Steve Smith has yet to feature after missing the first two games after being hit on the head during practice last Thursday .
Australia have repeatedly insisted Smith has been rested purely as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Langer said Smith would be back in the nets on Tuesday and was `` tracking in the right direction '' when it came to playing against England in the tour finale .

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Australia coach Justin Langer has admitted his side could have given more thought to taking a knee during their tour of England following criticism from West Indies great Michael Holding.
England and West Indies cricketers adopted the gesture at the start of each of their three Tests in July to show their support for the campaign to fight racial injustice.
The practice was repeated during England's one-day matches against Ireland but not in subsequent series against Pakistan and Australia.
Holding, an outstanding fast bowler in the successful West Indies teams of the 1970s and 1980s, accused England bosses and Australia captain Aaron Finch of making "lame" statements over ending the practice of taking a knee.
But England fast bowler Jofra Archer said Holding did not know what was going on behind the scenes and had not "done his research", with the Barbados-born quick insisting the team and officials remained committed to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Langer, however, suggested Holding may have had a point, saying in a conference call on Tuesday: "When Mikey says what he says, it's certainly worth listening to. In terms of taking a knee, to be completely honest, we could have talked more about it perhaps leading up to the first game.
"There was so much going on leading up to us getting here, maybe we should have talked more about it."
The former Australia opening batsman added: "What we do talk about within the team, was that we want to have a response that is sustained and powerful, and that it can go not just in one action but a sustained period. Not just throughout this series and the summer but throughout time.
"I just hope if it looked like there was a lack of respect, it wasn't the intention of our team. We were very aware of it."
Langer was speaking ahead of Wednesday's third and deciding one-day international against England at Old Trafford.
Australia star batsman Steve Smith has yet to feature after missing the first two games after being hit on the head during practice last Thursday.
Australia have repeatedly insisted Smith has been rested purely as a precaution despite passing two concussion tests.
Langer said Smith would be back in the nets on Tuesday and was "tracking in the right direction" when it came to playing against England in the tour finale.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Algerian journalist Khaled Drareni jailed for two years on appeal

Protesters call for Khaled Drareni 's release outside Algiers court house on September 8 , 2020 .
Algerian journalist Khaled Drareni received a two-year prison term at his appeal hearing on Tuesday , in a trial rights groups have called a test of press freedom in a country recently rocked by anti-government protests .
Drareni , 40 , an editor at the Casbah Tribune news site and correspondent for French-language channel TV5 Monde , had been sentenced to three years in jail in August for his coverage of Algeria 's anti-government protests .
The journalist was arrested on March 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering ” and “ endangering national unity ” after covering demonstrations by the “ Hirak ” protest movement .
Weekly protests rocked Algeria for more than a year and only came to a halt in March due to the novel coronavirus crisis .
The Algerian judiciary has stepped up prosecutions and convictions of journalists , activists , political opponents and bloggers in recent months .
Some journalists have been accused of sowing discord , threatening national interests and being on the payroll of “ foreign parties ” with several in prison and trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Borders ( RSF ) , which had called for Drareni 's release , condemned Tuesday 's verdict .
`` We are outraged by the blind stubbornness of the Algerian judges who have just condemned ( Drareni ) to 2 years in prison , '' RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire tweeted after the verdict was announced .
`` Khaled 's detention proves the regime locks itself into a logic of absurd , unfair and violent repression . ''
Drareni was tried along with Samir Benlarbi and Slimane Hamitouche , two figures of the protest movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same charges , Benlarbi and Hamitouche were sentenced to four months in prison and released on time served .

Algerian journalist Khaled Drareni received a two-year prison term at his appeal hearing on Tuesday, in a trial rights groups have called a test of press freedom in a country recently rocked by anti-government protests.
Protesters call for Khaled Drareni's release outside Algiers court house on September 8, 2020.
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Drareni, 40, an editor at the Casbah Tribune news site and correspondent for French-language channel TV5 Monde, had been sentenced to three years in jail in August for his coverage of Algeria's anti-government protests.
The journalist was arrested on March 29 on charges of “inciting an unarmed gathering” and “endangering national unity” after covering demonstrations by the “Hirak” protest movement.
Weekly protests rocked Algeria for more than a year and only came to a halt in March due to the novel coronavirus crisis.
The Algerian judiciary has stepped up prosecutions and convictions of journalists, activists, political opponents and bloggers in recent months.
Some journalists have been accused of sowing discord, threatening national interests and being on the payroll of “foreign parties” with several in prison and trials under way.
01:17
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which had called for Drareni's release, condemned Tuesday's verdict.
"We are outraged by the blind stubbornness of the Algerian judges who have just condemned (Drareni) to 2 years in prison," RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire tweeted after the verdict was announced.
"Khaled's detention proves the regime locks itself into a logic of absurd, unfair and violent repression."
Drareni was tried along with Samir Benlarbi and Slimane Hamitouche, two figures of the protest movement known as "Hirak".
Facing the same charges, Benlarbi and Hamitouche were sentenced to four months in prison and released on time served.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-09-15--Navalny posts picture from Berlin hospital, says he can breathe on his own

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny poses with his family at Berlin 's Charite hospital in this picture posted on his Instagram account on September 15 , 2020 .
Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny shared a picture from his hospital bed on Tuesday with the message that he was now able to breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month .
`` Hi , this is Navalny .
I miss you all , '' he wrote in the caption to his Instagram followers .
`` I can still hardly do anything , but yesterday I could breathe all day on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Navalny , 44 , was flown to Berlin for treatment at the Charite hospital two days after falling ill on a domestic flight in Russia on August 20 .
A German military lab determined that Navalny was poisoned with Novichok , the same class of Soviet-era agent that Britain said was used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury , England , in 2018 .
On Monday , the German government said tests by labs in France and Sweden backed up its findings .
The Kremlin has bristled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other leaders to answer questions about the poisoning , denying any official involvement .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the West of using the incident as a pretext to introduce new sanctions against Moscow .
French President Emmanuel Macron ’ s office said he had expressed “ deep concern over the criminal act ” that targeted Navalny in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday .
The Kremlin said Putin , for his part , “ underlined the impropriety of unfounded accusations against the Russian side ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hand over analyses and samples linked to the incident .
Moscow has repeatedly refuted accusations that Russia was involved in Navalny 's poisoning .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Moscow remained open to clearing up what happened to Navalny but that it needed access to the information on his case .
He said Moscow did not understand why Russia was not being given the same access as the French and Swedish laboratories that were allowed to re-test Navalny 's medical samples .
In a Twitter post on Tuesday , Navalny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader plans to return to Russia .
`` No other options were ever considered , '' she said in response to questions from journalists .

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny shared a picture from his hospital bed on Tuesday with the message that he was now able to breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny poses with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital in this picture posted on his Instagram account on September 15, 2020.
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"Hi, this is Navalny. I miss you all," he wrote in the caption to his Instagram followers. "I can still hardly do anything, but yesterday I could breathe all day on my own. Actually on my own."
Navalny, 44, was flown to Berlin for treatment at the Charite hospital two days after falling ill on a domestic flight in Russia on August 20.
A German military lab determined that Navalny was poisoned with Novichok, the same class of Soviet-era agent that Britain said was used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England, in 2018.
On Monday, the German government said tests by labs in France and Sweden backed up its findings.
The Kremlin has bristled at calls from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders to answer questions about the poisoning, denying any official involvement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the West of using the incident as a pretext to introduce new sanctions against Moscow.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said he had expressed “deep concern over the criminal act” that targeted Navalny in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
The Kremlin said Putin, for his part, “underlined the impropriety of unfounded accusations against the Russian side” and reiterated Russia’s demand for Germany to hand over analyses and samples linked to the incident.
Moscow has repeatedly refuted accusations that Russia was involved in Navalny's poisoning.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Moscow remained open to clearing up what happened to Navalny but that it needed access to the information on his case. He said Moscow did not understand why Russia was not being given the same access as the French and Swedish laboratories that were allowed to re-test Navalny's medical samples.
In a Twitter post on Tuesday, Navalny spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh confirmed that the opposition leader plans to return to Russia. "No other options were ever considered," she said in response to questions from journalists.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, REUTERS)
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