france24--2020-08-23--Mali junta wants military rule for three years, agrees to free president

Colonel Ismael Wague , the junta 's spokesman walks out after the meeting with ECOWAS mediators in Bamako , Mali August 23 , 2020 .
The junta that seized power in Mali wants a military-led transitional body to rule for three years , and has accepted that ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita return home , sources in a visiting West African delegation said Sunday .
`` The junta has affirmed that it wants a three-year transition to review the foundations of the Malian state .
This transition will be directed by a body led by a soldier , who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a source in the ECOWAS delegation in capital Bamako told AFP .
`` The government will also be predominantly composed of soldiers '' under the junta 's proposal , the source said on condition of anonymity .
The source added that the junta has agreed to `` free president Keita '' , who has been detained along with other political leaders since the coup on Tuesday , and he `` will be able to return to his home '' in Bamako .
`` And if he wants to travel abroad for treatment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ECOWAS source said .
Prime minister Boubou Cisse , who has been detained with Keita at a military base outside the capital where the coup began , would be moved to a secure residence in the city , the source said .
A junta official confirmed to AFP the decisions on the fate of Keita and Cisse , as well as that `` the three-year transition would have a military president and a government mostly composed of soldiers '' .
The coup followed months of protests calling for Keita to resign as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's brutal Islamist insurgency and collapsing economy .
While it was met by international condemnation , thousands of opposition supporters celebrated the president 's ouster in the streets of Bamako .
The junta has said it `` completed the work '' of the protesters and has vowed to stage elections `` within a reasonable time '' .
However Mali 's neighbours have called for Keita to be reinstated , saying the purpose of the visit by the delegation from the regional ECOWAS bloc was to help `` ensure the immediate return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military junta led by Colonel Assimi Goita and mediators from West Africa 's regional bloc led by Nigeria 's former president , Goodluck Jonathan , met behind closed doors all day on Sunday .
`` We have been able to agree on a number of points but not yet on all the discussions , '' Jonathan told reporters on Sunday night after negotiations that lasted around nine hours .
A spokesman for the military junta , Colonel Ismael Wague , said : `` We reached compromise on certain aspects and the negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Keita on Tuesday has been condemned abroad , but celebrated by many in a country battling an Islamist insurgency and months of political unrest following a disputed legislative election in March .
The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) , weary of prolonged instability in Mali and the potential for similar power grabs in the region , have taken a hard line on the coup .
It suspended Mali from its decision-making institutions , shut borders and halted financial flows with the country .

Negotiations between envoys from the ECOWAS West African regional bloc and Mali's new military rulers stalled on Monday over how to return the country to civilian rule.
Colonel Ismael Wague, the junta's spokesman, walks out after the meeting with ECOWAS mediators in Bamako, Mali, August 23, 2020.
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West African envoys resumed talks with Mali's new military rulers on Monday as the junta denied it had decided on a three-year blueprint for restoring civilian rule.
Colonel Ismael Wague, spokesman for the rebel officers who seized power last Tuesday, insisted that the transition remained undecided as the third day of talks with the regional bloc ECOWAS got underway.
"I want to make clear at this stage of discussions with the ECOWAS mediation team that nothing has been decided," he said at the defence ministry in Bamako.
"At no point have we talked about military-majority government," he said.
"Any decision relating to the scale of the transition, the transition president, the formation of the government will be done among Malians" and be followed by "mass consultation," he said.
ECOWAS flew a high-level mission to Bamako on Saturday led by former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, four days after mutinying troops seized power and detained 75-year-old President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
The coup sent shockwaves among Mali's neighbours, which fear that the country - already beset by a jihadist insurgency and moribund economy - could spiral into chaos.
A source in the visiting delegation on Sunday said the junta "has affirmed that it wants a three-year transition to review the foundations of the Malian state. This transition will be directed by a body led by a soldier, who will also be head of state.
"The government will also be predominantly composed of soldiers" under the proposal, the source said on condition of anonymity.
Additionally, a junta official confirmed to AFP that "the three-year transition would have a military president and a government mostly composed of soldiers."
04:30
ECOWAS reaction
This timeframe contrasts with the junta's vow, within hours of taking over on August 18, that elections would be held within a "reasonable" timeframe.
Many Malians took to social media on Monday to attack the transition scheme.
It also compares starkly with demands by the 15-nation ECOWAS - the Economic Community of West African States - for the "immediate return of constitutional order."
The bloc's leaders are to confer in a virtual summit on Wednesday as to how to proceed, mindful of Mali's last coup in 2012, which led to a regional revolt that metastasised into a jihadist insurgency.
They have already decided to close Mali's borders and issued threats to impose sanctions against the coup leaders.
The bloc has already intervened in several crises in West Africa, including The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Keita was elected in 2013 after running a campaign in which he pitched himself as a unifying force in a fractured country.
He was re-elected for a second term in 2018 but failed to make headway against the jihadists, and the ethnic unrest they ignited in the centre of the country further damaged an already sickly economy.
An outcry over the results of long-delayed legislative elections in April cemented his unpopular reputation, and in June a protest movement was born aimed at forcing him to resign.
ECOWAS has stood by Keita and called for him to be restored to office, although this demand has been eclipsed since the start of the talks by the issue of his detention.
Jonathan met Keita on Saturday and said he seemed "very fine".
The ECOWAS and junta sources said on Monday that Mali's new rulers had agreed to free the ousted president and that he would be able to return to his home in Bamako.
The coup leaders say they are holding 17 leaders at a barracks about 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the city after releasing two others last week.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-23--Mali junta wants three-year military rule, agrees to free president

Mali 's new strongman , Colonel Assimi Goita , and his junta have proposed a military-led transitional body to rule for three years The junta that seized power in Mali wants a military-led transitional body to rule for three years and has agreed to release ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita , a source in a visiting West African delegation said Sunday .
`` The junta has affirmed that it wants a three-year transition to review the foundations of the Malian state .
This transition will be directed by a body led by a soldier , who will also be head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ECOWAS delegation in capital Bamako told AFP .
`` The government will also be predominantly composed of soldiers '' under the junta 's proposal , the source said on condition of anonymity .
The source added that the junta has agreed to `` free president Keita '' , who has been detained along with other political leaders since the coup on Tuesday , and he `` will be able to return to his home '' in Bamako .
`` And if he wants to travel abroad for treatment , that is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Prime minister Boubou Cisse , who has been detained with Keita at a military base outside the capital where the coup began , would be moved to a secure residence in the city , the source said .
A junta official confirmed to AFP the decisions on the fate of Keita and Cisse , as well as that `` the three-year transition would have a military president and a government mostly composed of soldiers '' .
The coup followed months of protests calling for Keita to resign as public discontent with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutal Islamist insurgency and collapsing economy .
While it was met by international condemnation , thousands of opposition supporters celebrated the president 's ouster in the streets of Bamako .
The junta has said it `` completed the work '' of the protesters and has vowed to stage elections `` within a reasonable time '' .
However Mali 's neighbours have called for Keita to be reinstated , saying the purpose of the visit by the delegation from the regional ECOWAS bloc was to help `` ensure the immediate return of constitutional order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's second in eight years , and has heightened concern over regional stability as its jihadist insurgency that now threatens neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso .

Bamako (AFP) –
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The junta that seized power in Mali wants a military-led transitional body to rule for three years and has agreed to release ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, a source in a visiting West African delegation said Sunday.
"The junta has affirmed that it wants a three-year transition to review the foundations of the Malian state. This transition will be directed by a body led by a soldier, who will also be head of state," a source in the ECOWAS delegation in capital Bamako told AFP.
"The government will also be predominantly composed of soldiers" under the junta's proposal, the source said on condition of anonymity.
The source added that the junta has agreed to "free president Keita", who has been detained along with other political leaders since the coup on Tuesday, and he "will be able to return to his home" in Bamako.
"And if he wants to travel abroad for treatment, that is not a problem," the ECOWAS source said.
Prime minister Boubou Cisse, who has been detained with Keita at a military base outside the capital where the coup began, would be moved to a secure residence in the city, the source said.
A junta official confirmed to AFP the decisions on the fate of Keita and Cisse, as well as that "the three-year transition would have a military president and a government mostly composed of soldiers".
The coup followed months of protests calling for Keita to resign as public discontent with the government grew over the country's brutal Islamist insurgency and collapsing economy.
While it was met by international condemnation, thousands of opposition supporters celebrated the president's ouster in the streets of Bamako.
The junta has said it "completed the work" of the protesters and has vowed to stage elections "within a reasonable time".
However Mali's neighbours have called for Keita to be reinstated, saying the purpose of the visit by the delegation from the regional ECOWAS bloc was to help "ensure the immediate return of constitutional order".
Tuesday's coup was Mali's second in eight years, and has heightened concern over regional stability as its jihadist insurgency that now threatens neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-23--PSG fans at Parc des Princes beamback left disappointed amid police clashes

Paris Saint-Germain fans back their team while watching the Champions League final at the Parc des Princes The 5,000 Paris Saint-Germain fans who gathered at the Parc des Princes on Sunday to cheer on their team in the Champions League final were left disappointed as they fell to Bayern Munich .
Supporters lit flares and belted out their favourite chants together behind the goal as they watched PSG lose 1-0 to Bayern Munich on a big screen at the stadium in the French capital .
Social distancing to protect against the coronavirus went out of the window inside and outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrate their team 's first ever triumph in Europe 's top club competition were left without a party to go to .
`` We are disappointed but we were n't dreadful , '' PSG fan Anne Vaneson told AFP .
`` In the first half , we were on a level playing field but we paid for a dip in performance in the first 20 minutes of the second half . ''
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said that she hoped for `` mature celebrations '' should PSG triumph over Bayern , after supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over RB Leipzig in the semi-finals .
However there were scuffles between fans and police outside the ground throughout the game , with youngsters armed with fireworks targeted with tear gas by police .
Dustbins and in one case a vehicle were set on fire by youths angered by their team 's defeat , while police vans were pelted with bottles .
Police said that they had to clear away 100 people who had gathered at the Porte de Saint-Cloud area of the French capital near the Parc des Princes .

Paris (AFP) –
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The 5,000 Paris Saint-Germain fans who gathered at the Parc des Princes on Sunday to cheer on their team in the Champions League final were left disappointed as they fell to Bayern Munich.
Supporters lit flares and belted out their favourite chants together behind the goal as they watched PSG lose 1-0 to Bayern Munich on a big screen at the stadium in the French capital.
Social distancing to protect against the coronavirus went out of the window inside and outside the ground as fans who hoped to celebrate their team's first ever triumph in Europe's top club competition were left without a party to go to.
"We are disappointed but we weren't dreadful," PSG fan Anne Vaneson told AFP.
"In the first half, we were on a level playing field but we paid for a dip in performance in the first 20 minutes of the second half."
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said that she hoped for "mature celebrations" should PSG triumph over Bayern, after supporters clashed with police following their 3-0 win over RB Leipzig in the semi-finals.
However there were scuffles between fans and police outside the ground throughout the game, with youngsters armed with fireworks targeted with tear gas by police.
Dustbins and in one case a vehicle were set on fire by youths angered by their team's defeat, while police vans were pelted with bottles.
Police said that they had to clear away 100 people who had gathered at the Porte de Saint-Cloud area of the French capital near the Parc des Princes.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-23--Neymar's tears and golf's 'Lord of the Rings': Who said what in sport this weekend

It ended in tears for Neymar after Sunday 's Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon Who said what in sport this weekend : '' It 's an incredible feeling , lots of happiness and a bit of sadness for Paris . ''
-- Paris-born Kingsley Coman after scoring the goal that gave Bayern Munich a 1-0 win over PSG , his boyhood club , in the Champions League final .
`` We want Neymar and Kylian to score but we ca n't ask for it all the time . ''
-- PSG coach Thomas Tuchel on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force who were unable to find a way past Bayern .
Neymar ended the game with a yellow card and in floods of tears .
`` Walking down 18th was strange with no crowds .
But it was so beautiful .
I thought it looked like Lord of the Rings . ''
-- German golfer Sophia Popov on the scene at Royal Troon where she won the Women 's British Open on Sunday .
`` He 's the GOAT ( Greatest of All Time ) is n't he ?
The GOAT of bowling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England 's Dominic Bess on James Anderson edging closer to 600 Test match wickets during the final Test against Pakistan .
`` Football without supporters is not football . ''
-- Shanghai SIPG 's Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira after the Chinese Super League allowed fans to attend games for the first time since the lockdown .
`` One of my biggest things from moving to L.A. was business stuff .
I just feel like there 's more chances to do things there as opposed to - no offence Florida because I love you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time - but no one really wants to take the flight to Boca Raton sometimes . ''
-- Tennis star Naomi Osaka on her move to California '' I have to lift my game so much because I do n't want him to think , oh , I never want to hit with her again .
She totally sucked . ''
-- Serena Williams after practising with Stefanos Tsitsipas in New York ahead of the relocated Cincinnati Open .
`` Yet again the jumps are getting messed with .
IT DOESNT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to bang my head against the wall . ''
-- Britain 's Greg Rutherford , the 2012 Olympic long jump champion , blasts the new-look event at the Stockholm Diamond League .
`` I love it .
It 's like a school trip , because we are all in the same hotel .
They have an outdoor area with a big screen , tables and stuff , so we all get our dinner there , even though they do n't let us sit more than two in one table . ''
-- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 'bubble ' in New York '' I saw the chequered flag and no one was around me and I was like ' I 'm going to win ' .
It was sweet .
Super cool . ''
-- Miguel Oliveira on winning the Styrian MotoGP with a daring double overtake on the last bend .
It 's Portugal 's first win in the elite division of the sport and a maiden victory for the KTM Tech-3 team .

Paris (AFP) –
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Who said what in sport this weekend:
"It's an incredible feeling, lots of happiness and a bit of sadness for Paris."
-- Paris-born Kingsley Coman after scoring the goal that gave Bayern Munich a 1-0 win over PSG, his boyhood club, in the Champions League final.
"We want Neymar and Kylian to score but we can't ask for it all the time."
-- PSG coach Thomas Tuchel on his 400-million-euro ($472 million) strike force who were unable to find a way past Bayern. Neymar ended the game with a yellow card and in floods of tears.
"Walking down 18th was strange with no crowds. But it was so beautiful. I thought it looked like Lord of the Rings."
-- German golfer Sophia Popov on the scene at Royal Troon where she won the Women's British Open on Sunday.
"He's the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) isn't he? The GOAT of bowling and England's greatest."
-- England's Dominic Bess on James Anderson edging closer to 600 Test match wickets during the final Test against Pakistan.
"Football without supporters is not football."
-- Shanghai SIPG's Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira after the Chinese Super League allowed fans to attend games for the first time since the lockdown.
"One of my biggest things from moving to L.A. was business stuff. I just feel like there's more chances to do things there as opposed to - no offence Florida because I love you and I've been living there for a long time - but no one really wants to take the flight to Boca Raton sometimes."
-- Tennis star Naomi Osaka on her move to California
"I have to lift my game so much because I don't want him to think, oh, I never want to hit with her again. She totally sucked."
-- Serena Williams after practising with Stefanos Tsitsipas in New York ahead of the relocated Cincinnati Open.
"Yet again the jumps are getting messed with. IT DOESNT WORK! (It) makes me want to bang my head against the wall."
-- Britain's Greg Rutherford, the 2012 Olympic long jump champion, blasts the new-look event at the Stockholm Diamond League.
"I love it. It's like a school trip, because we are all in the same hotel. They have an outdoor area with a big screen, tables and stuff, so we all get our dinner there, even though they don't let us sit more than two in one table."
-- Greek tennis player Maria Sakkari on life in the 'bubble' in New York
"I saw the chequered flag and no one was around me and I was like 'I'm going to win'. It was sweet. Super cool."
-- Miguel Oliveira on winning the Styrian MotoGP with a daring double overtake on the last bend. It's Portugal's first win in the elite division of the sport and a maiden victory for the KTM Tech-3 team.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-23--Japan's Sato holds off Kiwi Dixon to win second Indy 500 crown

Japan 's Takuma Sato held off Scott Dixon over the final 20 laps Sunday to capture the 104th Indianapolis 500 , taking his second Indy 500 victory after his first front-row start .
The 43-year-old from Tokyo , who also won in 2017 , kept New Zealand 's Dixon at bay down the stretch before a crash by Spencer Pigot with five laps remaining brought out yellow flags and the race finished under slow-speed caution conditions .
`` It 's unbelievable , '' Sato said .
`` It 's great .
I 'm proud to win again . ''
Sato @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row one , drove his Honda-powered Dallara across the finish line after 200 laps around the 2 1/2-mile ( 4km ) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval just ahead of Dixon and American Graham Rahal in third in a ceremonial finish .
Ten minutes earlier , Dixon was racing just behind Sato on the same straightaway desperately trying to pass him but unable to get by .
`` I knew Scott was coming right through , '' Sato said .
`` Coming out of turn four he was screaming .
I just held him off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 1986 Indy 500 winner , was worried when the winner came upon slower traffic with nine laps remaining .
`` Takuma ran hard all day long , '' the elder Rahal said .
`` I was worried when he ran into that traffic but he got through it pretty good .
And then the accident .
Who knows what would have happened the last five laps ? ''
That 's the haunting question facing Dixon , who led 111 laps but settled for his third runner-up finish at Indy after 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming under caution .
`` It 's definitely a hard one to swallow for sure , '' Dixon said .
`` It 's hard when it slips away like that .
`` Congratulations to Sato .
He drove his pants off today . ''
Sato , the first Asian driver to win the Indy 500 , waved the Japanese flag on the winner 's platform .
`` I hope this gives a little boost for their energy , '' Sato said .
`` Thanks for the support . ''
The oval classic was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to COVID-19 concerns that delayed the start of the season until June and prevented spectators from attending .
The race hung on a knife 's edge after Sato passed slower traffic but any closing drama was ended when US racer Pigot crashed in the fourth turn and skidded into the end of the barrier at the edge of the track where pit row begins .
Pigot was hospitalized and the race was finished under caution rather than halted and restarted as Dixon hoped might happen .
`` Fuel mileage , I ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it , '' Dixon said .
`` They just decided to go and run it .
`` I thought they were going to throw a red flag .
We would have had an interesting five laps . ''
Dixon led after a restart with 28 laps remaining but a few laps later , Sato made the crucial pass on the outside on the front straightaway and Dixon could never overtake him .
`` We had the mindset and the fuel to get to the end , '' Dixon said .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happens . ''
Pole-sitter Marco Andretti settled for 13th with two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso of Spain finishing 21st and 2019 winner Simon Pagenaud of France in 22nd .
Dixon passed pole-sitter Marco Andretti on the outside of the first turn of the race and dominated early .
A crash by Spanish rookie Alex Palau sent leaders to the pits on lap 125 , with Dixon out first .
Rossi nudged Sato as both tried to exit pit row .
Rossi , the 2016 Indy 500 winner , was penalized and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for what the chief steward ruled `` an unsafe release . ''
`` I do n't even want to talk about the penalty , '' Rossi said .
`` I 'm going to have a long talk with somebody about that .
It 's obviously frustrating . ''
Fast-charging Rossi crashed 12 laps later on the outside of turn two .
`` We were never planning on being that far back .
We just lost it , '' Rossi said .
`` A lot of dirty air back there . ''

Washington (AFP) –
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Japan's Takuma Sato held off Scott Dixon over the final 20 laps Sunday to capture the 104th Indianapolis 500, taking his second Indy 500 victory after his first front-row start.
The 43-year-old from Tokyo, who also won in 2017, kept New Zealand's Dixon at bay down the stretch before a crash by Spencer Pigot with five laps remaining brought out yellow flags and the race finished under slow-speed caution conditions.
"It's unbelievable," Sato said. "It's great. I'm proud to win again."
Sato, who started from the outside of row one, drove his Honda-powered Dallara across the finish line after 200 laps around the 2 1/2-mile (4km) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval just ahead of Dixon and American Graham Rahal in third in a ceremonial finish.
Ten minutes earlier, Dixon was racing just behind Sato on the same straightaway desperately trying to pass him but unable to get by.
"I knew Scott was coming right through," Sato said. "Coming out of turn four he was screaming. I just held him off."
Sato car owner Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indy 500 winner, was worried when the winner came upon slower traffic with nine laps remaining.
"Takuma ran hard all day long," the elder Rahal said. "I was worried when he ran into that traffic but he got through it pretty good. And then the accident. Who knows what would have happened the last five laps?"
That's the haunting question facing Dixon, who led 111 laps but settled for his third runner-up finish at Indy after 2007 and 2012 -- all three of them coming under caution.
"It's definitely a hard one to swallow for sure," Dixon said. "It's hard when it slips away like that.
"Congratulations to Sato. He drove his pants off today."
Sato, the first Asian driver to win the Indy 500, waved the Japanese flag on the winner's platform.
"I hope this gives a little boost for their energy," Sato said. "Thanks for the support."
The oval classic was moved from its usual late May date due to COVID-19 concerns that delayed the start of the season until June and prevented spectators from attending.
The race hung on a knife's edge after Sato passed slower traffic but any closing drama was ended when US racer Pigot crashed in the fourth turn and skidded into the end of the barrier at the edge of the track where pit row begins.
Pigot was hospitalized and the race was finished under caution rather than halted and restarted as Dixon hoped might happen.
"Fuel mileage, I can't see how they were going to make it," Dixon said. "They just decided to go and run it.
"I thought they were going to throw a red flag. We would have had an interesting five laps."
Dixon led after a restart with 28 laps remaining but a few laps later, Sato made the crucial pass on the outside on the front straightaway and Dixon could never overtake him.
"We had the mindset and the fuel to get to the end," Dixon said. "But you let it slip and that's what happens."
Pole-sitter Marco Andretti settled for 13th with two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso of Spain finishing 21st and 2019 winner Simon Pagenaud of France in 22nd.
- Rossi undone by penalty -
Dixon passed pole-sitter Marco Andretti on the outside of the first turn of the race and dominated early.
A crash by Spanish rookie Alex Palau sent leaders to the pits on lap 125, with Dixon out first.
Rossi nudged Sato as both tried to exit pit row. Rossi, the 2016 Indy 500 winner, was penalized and sent to the back of the field for what the chief steward ruled "an unsafe release."
"I don't even want to talk about the penalty," Rossi said. "I'm going to have a long talk with somebody about that. It's obviously frustrating."
Fast-charging Rossi crashed 12 laps later on the outside of turn two.
"We were never planning on being that far back. We just lost it," Rossi said. "A lot of dirty air back there."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-23--PSG boss Tuchel backs Neymar and Mbappe after final loss

Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel defended his 400 million euro strike force of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe after they were unable to find a way past Bayern Munich in their 1-0 Champions League final loss on Sunday .
PSG 's Qatari owners spent a combined 402 million euros ( $ 474m ) on the pair in 2017 to win this competition .
However , they struggled to impose themselves on the German giants who have now won Europe 's top prize on six occasions .
Neymar , the world 's most expensive footballer , ended the night with a yellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We want Neymar and Kylian to score but we ca n't ask for it all the time , '' said Tuchel .
`` I am proud because 'Ney ' still had a match with an incredible capacity , he showed his mentality .
`` For Kylian it was difficult , he suffered a serious injury , missed a lot of training .
It was a miracle that he was with us at all . ''
Mbappe had a great chance to score but shot straight at goalkeeper Manuel Neuer just before half-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for whom PSG was his boyhood club , grabbed the only goal in the second half .
`` I am convinced that if we had scored the first goal , we 'd win the game 1-0 , '' added Tuchel .
`` I had the impression that the first goal would decide the fate of this final . ''
He added : `` We have to keep this quality to continue on this road . ''
But will he still be in charge when PSG open their new season in the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I do n't know anything else . ''
PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi insisted the Champions League remains within their grasp .
`` I am very proud of my players , '' said the Qatari .
`` We had a great season , a great tournament here .
Nobody thought we would go to the final .
We were very close to winning , we did everything to win , but that 's football .
We will work next season to win the Champions League because that is our goal . ''
PSG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was tough to take but insisted the mega-rich French club can not put their achievements `` in the trash '' .
`` We have built something important .
We have to stay together and start the next dream next week , '' said Spanish international Herrera of a team who have won seven of the last eight Ligue 1 titles .
`` At the moment , it feels like crap , honestly .
But we have to think about it , we have done something important , something important for the club , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no words .
Tomorrow we 'll think about what we did , the squad we built , the things we did together . ''
Herrera , signed from Manchester United in 2019 , said he was encouraged by what he saw in the final as PSG `` created lots of chances , more than them . ''
He also hoped that the club 's cash-rich but potentially impatient owners from Qatar wo n't press the panic button now that their European dream has been shattered .
`` We are not going to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 31-year-old .

Lisbon (AFP) –
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Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel defended his 400 million euro strike force of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe after they were unable to find a way past Bayern Munich in their 1-0 Champions League final loss on Sunday.
PSG's Qatari owners spent a combined 402 million euros ($474m) on the pair in 2017 to win this competition.
However, they struggled to impose themselves on the German giants who have now won Europe's top prize on six occasions.
Neymar, the world's most expensive footballer, ended the night with a yellow card and in floods of tears.
"We want Neymar and Kylian to score but we can't ask for it all the time," said Tuchel.
"I am proud because 'Ney' still had a match with an incredible capacity, he showed his mentality.
"For Kylian it was difficult, he suffered a serious injury, missed a lot of training. It was a miracle that he was with us at all."
Mbappe had a great chance to score but shot straight at goalkeeper Manuel Neuer just before half-time.
As it was, Kingsley Coman, for whom PSG was his boyhood club, grabbed the only goal in the second half.
"I am convinced that if we had scored the first goal, we'd win the game 1-0," added Tuchel.
"I had the impression that the first goal would decide the fate of this final."
He added: "We have to keep this quality to continue on this road."
But will he still be in charge when PSG open their new season in the coming week?
"I have a contract, I don't know anything else."
- 'Proud' PSG -
PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi insisted the Champions League remains within their grasp.
"I am very proud of my players," said the Qatari.
"We had a great season, a great tournament here. Nobody thought we would go to the final.
We were very close to winning, we did everything to win, but that's football. We will work next season to win the Champions League because that is our goal."
PSG midfielder Ander Herrera admitted losing the final was tough to take but insisted the mega-rich French club cannot put their achievements "in the trash".
"We have built something important. We have to stay together and start the next dream next week," said Spanish international Herrera of a team who have won seven of the last eight Ligue 1 titles.
"At the moment, it feels like crap, honestly. But we have to think about it, we have done something important, something important for the club, for our supporters.
"There are no words. Tomorrow we'll think about what we did, the squad we built, the things we did together."
Herrera, signed from Manchester United in 2019, said he was encouraged by what he saw in the final as PSG "created lots of chances, more than them."
He also hoped that the club's cash-rich but potentially impatient owners from Qatar won't press the panic button now that their European dream has been shattered.
"We are not going to put this in the trash," said the 31-year-old.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-23--Flick delights at 'crazy' growth of treble-winners Bayern Munich

The Bayern Munich squad throw head coach Hansi Flick in the air after winning the Champions League final .
Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick hailed the `` crazy '' development of his treble-winning team in the ten months since he took charge after the German giants won Sunday 's Champions League final .
Bayern won the European title for the sixth time in the club 's history with a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain .
The squad celebrated by launching Flick into the air after lifting the trophy which was sealed with a second-half header from winger Kingsley Coman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the other end , Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was outstanding to deny a string of chances by PSG stars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe .
`` I am proud of the team .
When I saw the headlines in November , all I read was that nobody is afraid of Bayern anymore , '' said Flick , who took charge when Niko Kovac was sacked .
`` The development since then has been crazy .
`` We deserved to win , because of the second half .
`` You could already see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January that something big was growing .
`` The team just has this overwhelming will to win . ''
This is Flick 's first job in Germany 's top flight yet in his first season he has steered Bayern to an eighth Bundesliga title , lifted the German Cup and now the Champions League .
He has emulated legendary Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes who landed the only other treble in the club 's history in 2013 .
Having been assistant coach to Joachim Loew when Germany won the 2014 World Cup , Flick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football and wished Bayern fans could have been in Lisbon .
`` It 's a pity that the fans could n't be here with us today , perhaps they can come back again in the future , but a game like this without supporters is not the football that we know , '' admitted Flick .
Bayern captain Neuer , one of four survivors from the 2013 team , was delighted after capping a fine display by lifting the trophy .
`` The joy was huge - that was what we deserved and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really hard work . ''
admitted the Germany goalkeeper .
The 34-year-old as singled out for praise by Bayern team-mate Thomas Mueller , another survivor from the 2013 side .
`` That is crazy , there is no secret to the way we played , we had enormous quality and a great spirit , the boys were all ready to suffer for each other , '' said Mueller .
`` The mentality is superb and we have Manuel Neuer in goal , he showed he is number one . ''
Even PSG 'S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praising Neuer .
`` Manuel Neuer was again incredible , he has been in good form for weeks and week and weeks , '' admitted Tuchel .
`` He 's back to his best - unfortunately for us . ''

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Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick hailed the "crazy" development of his treble-winning team in the ten months since he took charge after the German giants won Sunday's Champions League final.
Bayern won the European title for the sixth time in the club's history with a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
The squad celebrated by launching Flick into the air after lifting the trophy which was sealed with a second-half header from winger Kingsley Coman, a product of the PSG academy.
At the other end, Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was outstanding to deny a string of chances by PSG stars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
"I am proud of the team. When I saw the headlines in November, all I read was that nobody is afraid of Bayern anymore," said Flick, who took charge when Niko Kovac was sacked.
"The development since then has been crazy.
"We deserved to win, because of the second half.
"You could already see in training at our winter camp in January that something big was growing.
"The team just has this overwhelming will to win."
This is Flick's first job in Germany's top flight yet in his first season he has steered Bayern to an eighth Bundesliga title, lifted the German Cup and now the Champions League.
He has emulated legendary Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes who landed the only other treble in the club's history in 2013.
Having been assistant coach to Joachim Loew when Germany won the 2014 World Cup, Flick has now achieved the pinnacle of domestic football and wished Bayern fans could have been in Lisbon.
"It's a pity that the fans couldn't be here with us today, perhaps they can come back again in the future, but a game like this without supporters is not the football that we know," admitted Flick.
Bayern captain Neuer, one of four survivors from the 2013 team, was delighted after capping a fine display by lifting the trophy.
"The joy was huge - that was what we deserved and what we wished for. It was really hard work." admitted the Germany goalkeeper.
The 34-year-old as singled out for praise by Bayern team-mate Thomas Mueller, another survivor from the 2013 side.
"That is crazy, there is no secret to the way we played, we had enormous quality and a great spirit, the boys were all ready to suffer for each other," said Mueller.
"The mentality is superb and we have Manuel Neuer in goal, he showed he is number one."
Even PSG'S German coach Thomas Tuchel could not resist praising Neuer.
"Manuel Neuer was again incredible, he has been in good form for weeks and week and weeks," admitted Tuchel.
"He's back to his best - unfortunately for us."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-23--PSG old boy Coman comes back to haunt former club

Kingsley Coman ( L ) heads in the winning goal for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final Kingsley Coman spent a decade at Paris Saint-Germain , coming up through the club 's academy and making four senior appearances , but it was his goal which condemned the French giants to defeat in Sunday 's Champions League final .
The 24-year-old Coman headed the only goal in Bayern Munich 's 1-0 victory in Lisbon , inflicting a devastating blow on his boyhood club in their first appearance in the final of European football 's premier competition .
Coman 's match-winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most painful of all , of the stream of talented academy products to leave in recent years , including Adrien Rabiot and current Lyon striker Moussa Dembele .
Teenager Tanguy Kouassi also snubbed the capital club in favour of Bayern this summer , while France Under-21 winger Moussa Diaby left for Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal last summer .
Coman undoubtedly has few regrets over his departure as a raw teenager in 2014 , winning two Serie A titles with Juventus before a trophy-laden spell in Germany .
In all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- five more with Bayern and two while at PSG .
`` It 's an incredible feeling , lots of happiness and a bit of sadness for Paris , they had a great run , '' Coman told French broadcaster RMC Sport after Bayern were crowned Europe 's top team for a six time .
`` My heart was 100 percent Bayern because I 'm 100 percent professional but I 'm not going to lie , to see Presnel ( Kimpembe ) like that , to see our team like that , gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Coman 's compassion towards Kimpembe in particular stems from their time at PSG , where the pair formed a strong friendship after joining the club in their youth .
They lived together for a year while part of the academy and even go on holiday with each other .
The pacy winger has endured his fair share of injury troubles and missed much of 2018 after twice rupturing ankle ligaments , ruling him out of the World Cup squad in Russia as a result .
While convalescing from the second of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he even mentioned the possibility of retiring were injuries to continue to plague him .
He again missed time this season , starting just half of Bayern 's 34 Bundesliga games and was no guarantee to start the final after playing bit-part roles in their wins here over Barcelona and Lyon .
Bayern coach Hansi Flick gambled Coman could be the difference maker , and was rewarded handsomely .
`` He 's a former Parisian , he will undoubtedly have a little extra motivation and I chose him for his speed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start Coman ahead of Ivan Perisic .
Under contract in Bavaria until 2023 , Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has tipped Coman to `` become a true great at Bayern in the future '' .
Sunday 's goal and his role in the club 's sixth European triumph -- and second treble after 2013 -- will ensure he is forever remembered fondly in Munich and leave PSG to ponder what might have been .

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Kingsley Coman spent a decade at Paris Saint-Germain, coming up through the club's academy and making four senior appearances, but it was his goal which condemned the French giants to defeat in Sunday's Champions League final.
The 24-year-old Coman headed the only goal in Bayern Munich's 1-0 victory in Lisbon, inflicting a devastating blow on his boyhood club in their first appearance in the final of European football's premier competition.
Coman's match-winning turn served PSG another reminder, this the most painful of all, of the stream of talented academy products to leave in recent years, including Adrien Rabiot and current Lyon striker Moussa Dembele.
Teenager Tanguy Kouassi also snubbed the capital club in favour of Bayern this summer, while France Under-21 winger Moussa Diaby left for Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal last summer.
Coman undoubtedly has few regrets over his departure as a raw teenager in 2014, winning two Serie A titles with Juventus before a trophy-laden spell in Germany. In all, he has nine league winners' medals -- five more with Bayern and two while at PSG.
"It's an incredible feeling, lots of happiness and a bit of sadness for Paris, they had a great run," Coman told French broadcaster RMC Sport after Bayern were crowned Europe's top team for a six time.
"My heart was 100 percent Bayern because I'm 100 percent professional but I'm not going to lie, to see Presnel (Kimpembe) like that, to see our team like that, gave me a little bit of heartache."
- Injury nightmares -
Coman's compassion towards Kimpembe in particular stems from their time at PSG, where the pair formed a strong friendship after joining the club in their youth. They lived together for a year while part of the academy and even go on holiday with each other.
The pacy winger has endured his fair share of injury troubles and missed much of 2018 after twice rupturing ankle ligaments, ruling him out of the World Cup squad in Russia as a result.
While convalescing from the second of his ankle setbacks in the autumn of 2018, he even mentioned the possibility of retiring were injuries to continue to plague him.
He again missed time this season, starting just half of Bayern's 34 Bundesliga games and was no guarantee to start the final after playing bit-part roles in their wins here over Barcelona and Lyon.
Bayern coach Hansi Flick gambled Coman could be the difference maker, and was rewarded handsomely.
"He's a former Parisian, he will undoubtedly have a little extra motivation and I chose him for his speed," said Flick of his decision to start Coman ahead of Ivan Perisic.
Under contract in Bavaria until 2023, Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has tipped Coman to "become a true great at Bayern in the future".
Sunday's goal and his role in the club's sixth European triumph -- and second treble after 2013 -- will ensure he is forever remembered fondly in Munich and leave PSG to ponder what might have been.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-23--Rising star Davies 'hungry' for even more Bayern success

Alphonso Davies promised on Sunday that Bayern Munich would continue their quest for domination after being crowned European champions for the sixth time .
Canadian Davies , who is still only 19 years old , ended an incredible breakout season by getting his hands on the Champions League trophy after playing only his eighth game in the competition .
And he said the Bavarian giants ' younger players wanted to follow in the footsteps of the club 's numerous legends by continuing to win the game 's top honours .
`` As a young kid coming in you want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player in this side is hungry to win titles , because they 've seen their idols do it , '' Davies told British broadcaster BT Sport .
Born in a Ghanaian refugee camp before his parents emigrated to Canada , Davies joined Bayern in 2018 and has made the left-back position his own since making his first Bundesliga start in October .
He is now a key member of the second Bayern team to win a treble of Bundesliga , German Cup and Champions League titles .
`` Growing up in cold Edmonton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champions League with a great club like Bayern is just everything you can ask for , '' Davies added .
`` It just goes to show that anybody , if you set your mind to it , you can do anything .
I 'm happy that I 'm here with the Champions League medal around my neck and the trophy by my side . ''

Lisbon (AFP) –
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Alphonso Davies promised on Sunday that Bayern Munich would continue their quest for domination after being crowned European champions for the sixth time.
Canadian Davies, who is still only 19 years old, ended an incredible breakout season by getting his hands on the Champions League trophy after playing only his eighth game in the competition.
And he said the Bavarian giants' younger players wanted to follow in the footsteps of the club's numerous legends by continuing to win the game's top honours.
"As a young kid coming in you want to keep that tradition going. Every young player in this side is hungry to win titles, because they've seen their idols do it," Davies told British broadcaster BT Sport.
Born in a Ghanaian refugee camp before his parents emigrated to Canada, Davies joined Bayern in 2018 and has made the left-back position his own since making his first Bundesliga start in October.
He is now a key member of the second Bayern team to win a treble of Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League titles.
"Growing up in cold Edmonton, coming to Europe and winning the Champions League with a great club like Bayern is just everything you can ask for," Davies added.
"It just goes to show that anybody, if you set your mind to it, you can do anything. I'm happy that I'm here with the Champions League medal around my neck and the trophy by my side."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-23--Brazil's Bolsonaro threatens to punch reporter in the mouth

Known as the `` Tropical Trump , '' President Jair Bolsonaro is a divisive figure , condemned as racist , sexist , homophobic and dictatorial by his critics , but adored as a `` Messiah '' -- his middle name -- by his base Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Sunday threatened to punch a reporter repeatedly in the mouth after being asked about his wife 's links to an alleged corruption scheme .
`` I so want to pound your mouth with punches , '' the far-right president said when a reporter from O Globo , posed the question .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that met Bolsonaro after his regular Sunday visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Brasilia .
The president ignored protests from other journalists after the remarks and left without making further comments .
The O Globo reporter asked about a report in the magazine Crusoe linking First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro to Fabrício Queiroz , a retired police officer , friend of the president , and former adviser to her son Flavio Bolsonaro , who is now a senator .
Queiroz and Flavio Bolsonaro are under investigation for a scheme that allegedly swindled pay from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a regional lawmaker in Rio de Janeiro , and before Jair Bolsonaro became president in January 2019 .
According to the magazine , Queiroz deposited funds in Michelle Bolsonaro 's bank account between 2011 and 2016 .
The first lady has said nothing about the case .
Soon after the president 's outburst O Globo issued a statement repudiating his `` aggression ... towards a journalist from our newspaper that was carrying out his job in a professional manner . ''
Such intimidation `` shows that Jair Bolsonaro does not acknowledge the duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable to the public . ''

Sao Paulo (AFP) –
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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Sunday threatened to punch a reporter repeatedly in the mouth after being asked about his wife's links to an alleged corruption scheme.
"I so want to pound your mouth with punches," the far-right president said when a reporter from O Globo, posed the question.
The reporter was part of a group that met Bolsonaro after his regular Sunday visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Brasilia. The president ignored protests from other journalists after the remarks and left without making further comments.
The O Globo reporter asked about a report in the magazine Crusoe linking First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro to Fabrício Queiroz, a retired police officer, friend of the president, and former adviser to her son Flavio Bolsonaro, who is now a senator.
Queiroz and Flavio Bolsonaro are under investigation for a scheme that allegedly swindled pay from government employees when the younger Bolsonaro was a regional lawmaker in Rio de Janeiro, and before Jair Bolsonaro became president in January 2019.
According to the magazine, Queiroz deposited funds in Michelle Bolsonaro's bank account between 2011 and 2016.
The first lady has said nothing about the case.
Soon after the president's outburst O Globo issued a statement repudiating his "aggression ... towards a journalist from our newspaper that was carrying out his job in a professional manner."
Such intimidation "shows that Jair Bolsonaro does not acknowledge the duty of a public servant ... to be accountable to the public."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-23--Japan's Sato holds off Kiwi Dixon to win second Indy 500

Japan 's Takuma Sato held off Scott Dixon over the final 20 laps Sunday to capture the 104th Indianapolis 500 , taking his second Indy 500 victory after his first front-row start .
The 43-year-old from Tokyo , who also won in 2017 , kept New Zealand 's Dixon at bay down the stretch before a crash by Spencer Pigot with five laps remaining brought out yellow flags and the race finished under slow-speed caution conditions .
`` It 's unbelievable , '' Sato said .
`` It 's great .
I 'm proud to win again . ''
Sato @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row one , drove his Honda-powered Dallara across the finish line after 200 laps around the 2 1/2-mile ( 4km ) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval just ahead of Dixon and American Graham Rahal in third in a ceremonial finish .
Rahal led 111 laps but settled for his third runner-up finish at Indy , all of them coming under caution .
`` It 's definitely a hard one to swallow for sure , '' Dixon said .
`` It 's hard when it slips away like that .
`` Congratulations to Sato .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The oval classic was moved from its usual late May date due to COVID-19 concerns that delayed the start of the season until June and prevented spectators from attending .

Washington (AFP) –
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Japan's Takuma Sato held off Scott Dixon over the final 20 laps Sunday to capture the 104th Indianapolis 500, taking his second Indy 500 victory after his first front-row start.
The 43-year-old from Tokyo, who also won in 2017, kept New Zealand's Dixon at bay down the stretch before a crash by Spencer Pigot with five laps remaining brought out yellow flags and the race finished under slow-speed caution conditions.
"It's unbelievable," Sato said. "It's great. I'm proud to win again."
Sato, who started from the outside of row one, drove his Honda-powered Dallara across the finish line after 200 laps around the 2 1/2-mile (4km) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval just ahead of Dixon and American Graham Rahal in third in a ceremonial finish.
Rahal led 111 laps but settled for his third runner-up finish at Indy, all of them coming under caution.
"It's definitely a hard one to swallow for sure," Dixon said. "It's hard when it slips away like that.
"Congratulations to Sato. He drove his pants off today."
The oval classic was moved from its usual late May date due to COVID-19 concerns that delayed the start of the season until June and prevented spectators from attending.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-23--US authorises use of blood plasma treatment for Covid-19 patients

Phlebotomist Jenee Wilson takes apart an aphaeresis kit after processing a convalescent plasma donation from a recovered coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) patient at the Central Seattle Donor Center of Bloodworks Northwest during the outbreak in Seattle , Washington , U.S. April 17 , 2020 .
American authorities announced on Sunday an emergency authorisation for doctors to use blood plasma from recovered coronavirus patients as a treatment against the disease that has killed over 176,000 in the US .
The move by the Food and Drug Administration comes as President Donald Trump faces intense pressure to curb the contagion that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clouded his once-promising prospects for re-election in November .
The plasma is believed to contain powerful antibodies that can help fight off the disease faster and help protect people from being seriously hurt by it .
`` This product may be effective in treating Covid-19 and ... the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product , '' FDA said in a statement .
While the treatment has already been used on patients in the United States and other nations , the extent of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some have warned that it could carry side effects .
`` Convalescent plasma probably works -- though it still needs to be proven in clinical trials -- but not as a rescue treatment for people who are already severely ill , '' said Len Horovitz , a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City .
He said that plasma would likely work much better right after a person was exposed to the virus , when the body is trying to neutralise the infection -- the problem being that plasma supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to get enough to treat everyone in early stages of the disease .
Trump told reporters the therapy shows `` an incredible rate of success '' and `` will save countless lives '' , but this went much further than his own health officials ' cautious welcome of the treatment .
Challenged by a reporter to explain the apparent contradiction , Trump passed the question to one of his experts , then ended the press conference .
The FDA already allowed convalescent plasma transfusions for coronavirus patients under certain conditions , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Washington Post said that over 70,000 virus patients in the US have received such a transfusion .
Trump has been widely criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the US , which remains the world leader in infections and fatalities .
He faces a tough re-election battle against Democratic challenger Joe Biden , with no effective treatment or vaccine expected before the vote on November 3 .

American authorities announced on Sunday an emergency authorisation for doctors to use blood plasma from recovered coronavirus patients as a treatment against the disease that has killed over 176,000 in the US.
Phlebotomist Jenee Wilson takes apart an aphaeresis kit after processing a convalescent plasma donation from a recovered coronavirus (COVID-19) patient at the Central Seattle Donor Center of Bloodworks Northwest during the outbreak in Seattle, Washington, U.S. April 17, 2020.
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The move by the Food and Drug Administration comes as President Donald Trump faces intense pressure to curb the contagion that has hobbled the world's largest economy and clouded his once-promising prospects for re-election in November.
The plasma is believed to contain powerful antibodies that can help fight off the disease faster and help protect people from being seriously hurt by it.
"This product may be effective in treating Covid-19 and... the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product," FDA said in a statement.
While the treatment has already been used on patients in the United States and other nations, the extent of its effectiveness is still debated by experts and some have warned that it could carry side effects.
"Convalescent plasma probably works -- though it still needs to be proven in clinical trials -- but not as a rescue treatment for people who are already severely ill," said Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
Trump faces tough campaign
He said that plasma would likely work much better right after a person was exposed to the virus, when the body is trying to neutralise the infection -- the problem being that plasma supplies are limited, meaning it would be difficult to get enough to treat everyone in early stages of the disease.
Trump told reporters the therapy shows "an incredible rate of success" and "will save countless lives", but this went much further than his own health officials' cautious welcome of the treatment.
Challenged by a reporter to explain the apparent contradiction, Trump passed the question to one of his experts, then ended the press conference.
The FDA already allowed convalescent plasma transfusions for coronavirus patients under certain conditions, such as clinical trials and gravely ill people.
The Washington Post said that over 70,000 virus patients in the US have received such a transfusion.
Trump has been widely criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, which remains the world leader in infections and fatalities.
He faces a tough re-election battle against Democratic challenger Joe Biden, with no effective treatment or vaccine expected before the vote on November 3.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-08-23--Bayern defeat PSG to become European champions for sixth time

Bayern Munich became kings of Europe for the sixth time on Sunday as Kingsley Coman 's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Lisbon , completing a fantastic season for the German giants and leaving their opponents still searching for the trophy they covet more than anything .
It was often a cagey final , with a bit of needle , but chances too , especially before former PSG player Coman appeared at the back post to head in Joshua Kimmich 's inviting 59th-minute cross and wrap up a treble for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and German Cup .
PSG will regret not taking any of the chances that were offered up to them on a surreal occasion at an empty Estadio da Luz , but it is an extraordinary success for Hansi Flick , who was only appointed last November to replace the sacked Niko Kovac .
`` I am proud of the team .
When I started in November , all the headlines were about 'no more respect for Bayern ' , but the way the team has developed has been sensational , '' he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good forwards , but we deserved to win the final . ''
However , the outcome might have been different had Kylian Mbappe done better than shoot straight at Manuel Neuer just before half-time .
The World Cup-winning forward had spoken of his determination to go down in his country 's history by helping PSG become just the second French winners of European football 's greatest prize .
But they will have to wait for the chance to match Marseille , winners in 1993 .
`` We gave all our heart on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your team , but you ca n't control the result , '' PSG coach Thomas Tuchel told French broadcaster RMC .
- The one that got away - PSG 's Qatari owners spent a combined 402 million euros ( $ 474m ) on Neymar and Mbappe in 2017 to win this competition .
Yet in the end it was one who got away from Paris who denied them .
Coman was born in Paris and started his career at PSG , but left aged 18 in 2014 for Juventus , sensing he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put .
`` It is an extraordinary feeling .
I 'm so happy but I 'm also a bit sad for Paris , '' Coman said .
The winger had been on the bench in the semi-final against Lyon but was promoted to the starting line-up for the final .
Now he may not be welcome back in his home city again .
Bayern were last European champions in 2013 .
Their tally of six victories puts them back level with Liverpool , winners last year .
Only Real Madrid and AC Milan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended the season with 21 straight wins and are unbeaten in 30 matches .
They deserved to be crowned in a full stadium .
However , only a few hundred invitees were inside Benfica 's ground to see the denouement of the 'Final Eight ' , at the end of a competition so long delayed by the coronavirus pandemic .
The strangest of finals pitted together two clubs who have taken very different routes to becoming part of Europe 's elite , with Bayern the traditional German powerhouse and PSG transformed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and off the pitch right now they are almost perfectly balanced , and that translated into the kind of proper match-up on the field that neither side often experiences these days .
Bayern almost opened the scoring midway through the first half when Lewandowski -- looking for his 56th goal of the season -- turned and shot against the post .
He also came close with a header that was saved by Keylor Navas , but PSG should have punished them at the other end in the first half .
Neymar was denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mbappe , while Mbappe contrived to fire straight at the goalkeeper after David Alaba gifted him possession in the box .
Alaba earlier saw his central defensive colleague , Jerome Boateng , limp out injured .
The giant Niklas Suele replaced him and helped contain the Paris attack as Bayern saw out their lead .
They had broken the deadlock just before the hour mark in a move that began with a sprayed Thiago Alcantara pass forward , and ended with Coman arriving from the left to head in Kimmich 's delivery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ card for chopping down Lewandowski , and a runners-up medal , while Bayern celebrated .

Lisbon (AFP) –
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Bayern Munich became kings of Europe for the sixth time on Sunday as Kingsley Coman's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Lisbon, completing a fantastic season for the German giants and leaving their opponents still searching for the trophy they covet more than anything.
It was often a cagey final, with a bit of needle, but chances too, especially before former PSG player Coman appeared at the back post to head in Joshua Kimmich's inviting 59th-minute cross and wrap up a treble for a team who had already won the Bundesliga and German Cup.
PSG will regret not taking any of the chances that were offered up to them on a surreal occasion at an empty Estadio da Luz, but it is an extraordinary success for Hansi Flick, who was only appointed last November to replace the sacked Niko Kovac.
"I am proud of the team. When I started in November, all the headlines were about 'no more respect for Bayern', but the way the team has developed has been sensational," he told Sky Germany.
"PSG have really good forwards, but we deserved to win the final."
However, the outcome might have been different had Kylian Mbappe done better than shoot straight at Manuel Neuer just before half-time.
The World Cup-winning forward had spoken of his determination to go down in his country's history by helping PSG become just the second French winners of European football's greatest prize.
But they will have to wait for the chance to match Marseille, winners in 1993.
"We gave all our heart on the field. You can expect that from your team, but you can't control the result," PSG coach Thomas Tuchel told French broadcaster RMC.
- The one that got away -
PSG's Qatari owners spent a combined 402 million euros ($474m) on Neymar and Mbappe in 2017 to win this competition. Yet in the end it was one who got away from Paris who denied them.
Coman was born in Paris and started his career at PSG, but left aged 18 in 2014 for Juventus, sensing he wouldn't get regular football if he stayed put.
"It is an extraordinary feeling. I'm so happy but I'm also a bit sad for Paris," Coman said.
The winger had been on the bench in the semi-final against Lyon but was promoted to the starting line-up for the final.
Now he may not be welcome back in his home city again.
Bayern were last European champions in 2013. Their tally of six victories puts them back level with Liverpool, winners last year. Only Real Madrid and AC Milan have won more.
- Not Neymar's night -
Flick's team ended the season with 21 straight wins and are unbeaten in 30 matches. They deserved to be crowned in a full stadium.
However, only a few hundred invitees were inside Benfica's ground to see the denouement of the 'Final Eight', at the end of a competition so long delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The strangest of finals pitted together two clubs who have taken very different routes to becoming part of Europe's elite, with Bayern the traditional German powerhouse and PSG transformed by the Qatari takeover of 2011.
But on and off the pitch right now they are almost perfectly balanced, and that translated into the kind of proper match-up on the field that neither side often experiences these days.
Bayern almost opened the scoring midway through the first half when Lewandowski -- looking for his 56th goal of the season -- turned and shot against the post.
He also came close with a header that was saved by Keylor Navas, but PSG should have punished them at the other end in the first half.
Neymar was denied by Neuer after being set up by Mbappe, while Mbappe contrived to fire straight at the goalkeeper after David Alaba gifted him possession in the box.
Alaba earlier saw his central defensive colleague, Jerome Boateng, limp out injured. The giant Niklas Suele replaced him and helped contain the Paris attack as Bayern saw out their lead.
They had broken the deadlock just before the hour mark in a move that began with a sprayed Thiago Alcantara pass forward, and ended with Coman arriving from the left to head in Kimmich's delivery.
Neymar ended the game with a yellow card for chopping down Lewandowski, and a runners-up medal, while Bayern celebrated.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-24--Libya strongman labels GNA ceasefire announcement a stunt

In this photo taken on June 18 , 2020 , pro-Haftar forces gather in the eastern city of Benghazi , reportedly on their way to back up fighters near the city of Sirte A spokesman for eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar has slammed a ceasefire announcement by the rival Government of National Accord ( GNA ) as a media stunt , accusing it of preparing a new offensive .
Libya 's warring rival administrations announced separately on Friday that they would cease all hostilities and hold nationwide elections , drawing praise from the UN , the EU and several Arab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visits by top foreign diplomats to Libya in recent weeks , and came after a series of agreements and pledges that , however , have failed to be implemented .
Friday 's statements were signed by Fayez al-Sarraj , head of the UN-recognised GNA , based in the capital Tripoli , and Aguila Saleh , speaker of the eastern-based parliament backed by Haftar .
However , Haftar 's spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari said late Sunday in video message that the GNA statement is `` media marketing ...
The truth is what is happening on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive to seize Tripoli from the GNA in April 2019 , but was beaten back .
Fighting has stalled around the central Mediterranean port of Sirte , the gateway to Libya 's eastern oil fields and export terminals , and to the key Al-Jufra airbase to the south .
Turkey and Qatar have backed the GNA , while the United Arab Emirates , Egypt and Russia support Haftar , who is also suspected of receiving French backing .
Mesmari , showing a map of the region around Sirte , charged that `` pro-GNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sirte and Al-Jufra and then advance towards the 'oil crescent ' '' further east .
`` In the past 24 hours , we have observed Turkish ships and frigates advance towards Sirte , '' he added , warning that `` we will retaliate against any hostile act '' .
Sirte lies roughly halfway between Tripoli in the west and Libya 's second city Benghazi in the east .
Later on Saudi television channel Al-Hadath , Mesmari appeared to tone down his remarks , denying Haftar 's side had rejected the ceasefire but claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written by Ankara '' .
Haftar made no mention of the statement from parliament speaker Saleh .
Oil-rich Libya was thrown into chaos after veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi was ousted in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising .
Rival administrations and militias have been vying for power ever since , increasingly drawing in foreign countries and threatening the region 's stability .
Last week , before the ceasefire announcement , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned of a `` deceptive calm '' in Libya and that outside powers were `` continuing to massively arm the @ @ @

Benghazi (Libya) (AFP) –
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A spokesman for eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar has slammed a ceasefire announcement by the rival Government of National Accord (GNA) as a media stunt, accusing it of preparing a new offensive.
Libya's warring rival administrations announced separately on Friday that they would cease all hostilities and hold nationwide elections, drawing praise from the UN, the EU and several Arab countries.
The surprise declaration followed multiple visits by top foreign diplomats to Libya in recent weeks, and came after a series of agreements and pledges that, however, have failed to be implemented.
Friday's statements were signed by Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the UN-recognised GNA, based in the capital Tripoli, and Aguila Saleh, speaker of the eastern-based parliament backed by Haftar.
However, Haftar's spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari said late Sunday in video message that the GNA statement is "media marketing... The truth is what is happening on the ground".
Haftar launched an offensive to seize Tripoli from the GNA in April 2019, but was beaten back.
Fighting has stalled around the central Mediterranean port of Sirte, the gateway to Libya's eastern oil fields and export terminals, and to the key Al-Jufra airbase to the south.
Turkey and Qatar have backed the GNA, while the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia support Haftar, who is also suspected of receiving French backing.
- Threat to 'retaliate' -
Mesmari, showing a map of the region around Sirte, charged that "pro-GNA forces intend to attack our units in Sirte and Al-Jufra and then advance towards the 'oil crescent'" further east.
"In the past 24 hours, we have observed Turkish ships and frigates advance towards Sirte," he added, warning that "we will retaliate against any hostile act".
Sirte lies roughly halfway between Tripoli in the west and Libya's second city Benghazi in the east.
Later on Saudi television channel Al-Hadath, Mesmari appeared to tone down his remarks, denying Haftar's side had rejected the ceasefire but claiming the GNA's statement had been "written by Ankara".
Haftar made no mention of the statement from parliament speaker Saleh.
Oil-rich Libya was thrown into chaos after veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi was ousted in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising.
Rival administrations and militias have been vying for power ever since, increasingly drawing in foreign countries and threatening the region's stability.
Last week, before the ceasefire announcement, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned of a "deceptive calm" in Libya and that outside powers were "continuing to massively arm the country".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-24--Virus-hit Indian resort turns pool into fish farm

The pool at the Aveda Resort now houses thousands of pearl spot fish A luxury resort in southern India has turned its swimming pool into a fish farm to stop the business sinking amid the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Normally the 150-metre ( 500-feet ) pool at the Aveda Resort in Kerala state is packed with European tourists .
Now thousands of pearl spot fish are causing the splash .
The complex was forced to shut in March when a nationwide coronavirus lockdown was ordered .
Few hotels have been allowed to reopen since .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many boast a pool with 7.5 million litres of water , which can be put to alternative use .
`` We have had zero revenues , so in June , we put around 16,000 two-month-old pearl spot fish in the pool , '' Aveda 's general manager Jyotish Surendran told AFP .
The fish , which takes about eight months to reach full size , is a popular ingredient in dishes in southern India and the Middle East .
`` We plan to harvest by November and will export to the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four tonnes of pearl spots growing in the swimming pool could be worth $ 40,000 on the market .
The makeshift farm would not cover the losses from the pandemic , which has driven many hotels to bankruptcy , said the hotel boss .
But Surendran was hopeful that the money would help cover basic bills so the business can keep running until tourists return .
And the Aveda plans to keep faith with the pearl spot even when business resumes .
`` We ca n't continue with this farm in the pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternative land where we can build up this knowledge for bigger projects , '' he said .

Kochi (India) (AFP) –
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A luxury resort in southern India has turned its swimming pool into a fish farm to stop the business sinking amid the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Normally the 150-metre (500-feet) pool at the Aveda Resort in Kerala state is packed with European tourists. Now thousands of pearl spot fish are causing the splash.
The complex was forced to shut in March when a nationwide coronavirus lockdown was ordered. Few hotels have been allowed to reopen since.
Of those which are still shuttered, not many boast a pool with 7.5 million litres of water, which can be put to alternative use.
"We have had zero revenues, so in June, we put around 16,000 two-month-old pearl spot fish in the pool," Aveda's general manager Jyotish Surendran told AFP.
The fish, which takes about eight months to reach full size, is a popular ingredient in dishes in southern India and the Middle East.
"We plan to harvest by November and will export to the Middle East," Surendran said, predicting about four tonnes of pearl spots growing in the swimming pool could be worth $40,000 on the market.
The makeshift farm would not cover the losses from the pandemic, which has driven many hotels to bankruptcy, said the hotel boss.
But Surendran was hopeful that the money would help cover basic bills so the business can keep running until tourists return.
And the Aveda plans to keep faith with the pearl spot even when business resumes.
"We can't continue with this farm in the pool, but we are trying to find alternative land where we can build up this knowledge for bigger projects," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-24--Troubled Olympic flame diverted to Tokyo museum

The Olympic flame has had a difficult journey so far this year The Olympic flame will go on display at a Tokyo museum in September , organisers said Monday , after the coronavirus pandemic forced them to scrap the torch relay and put the Games on hold .
The flame , which arrived in Japan for the nationwide relay in March , will be available for public viewing from September 1 to November 1 at Tokyo 's Olympic museum , officials said .
The symbolic flame , lit in an elaborate ceremony at the ancient Greek site of Olympia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Games by a year .
It has had a troubled journey so far , after even the lighting ceremony was held without spectators to avoid the spread of the virus .
The Greek leg of the torch relay was then cancelled when large crowds mobbed Hollywood actor Gerard Butler as he lit a cauldron in the town of Sparta .
The flame arrived to a muted welcome ceremony in northern Japan with a few dozen officials and guests , after plans to invite 200 schoolchildren were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ axed , the flame was put on display in Fukushima prefecture -- an area devastated by the 2011 tsunami and nuclear meltdown .
But just after one week , it was removed from public view as coronavirus cases climbed in the country .
The flame is destined to light the Olympic cauldron when the delayed Games open on July 23 , 2021 .
However , top officials have spoken openly about the possibility of cancelling them altogether as the pandemic continues to rage .

Tokyo (AFP) –
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The Olympic flame will go on display at a Tokyo museum in September, organisers said Monday, after the coronavirus pandemic forced them to scrap the torch relay and put the Games on hold.
The flame, which arrived in Japan for the nationwide relay in March, will be available for public viewing from September 1 to November 1 at Tokyo's Olympic museum, officials said.
The symbolic flame, lit in an elaborate ceremony at the ancient Greek site of Olympia, has been mired in uncertainty since the historic decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Games by a year.
It has had a troubled journey so far, after even the lighting ceremony was held without spectators to avoid the spread of the virus.
The Greek leg of the torch relay was then cancelled when large crowds mobbed Hollywood actor Gerard Butler as he lit a cauldron in the town of Sparta.
The flame arrived to a muted welcome ceremony in northern Japan with a few dozen officials and guests, after plans to invite 200 schoolchildren were abandoned.
When the torch relay was axed, the flame was put on display in Fukushima prefecture -- an area devastated by the 2011 tsunami and nuclear meltdown.
But just after one week, it was removed from public view as coronavirus cases climbed in the country.
The flame is destined to light the Olympic cauldron when the delayed Games open on July 23, 2021. However, top officials have spoken openly about the possibility of cancelling them altogether as the pandemic continues to rage.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-24--US approves plasma to treat virus, global death toll above 800,000

Governments around the world are ramping up efforts to contain the deadly coronavirus pandemic The United States announced an emergency authorization to use blood plasma from recovered coronavirus patients as a treatment for the disease , which has killed more than 800,000 people around the world .
Many governments around the world are renewing efforts -- including the reimposition of lockdowns -- to contain the virus , which has infected well over 24 million people .
The United States remains the hardest-hit country with more than 176,000 fatalities , and President Donald Trump is under intense pressure to curb the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an incredible rate of success '' and `` will save countless lives '' , Trump claimed on Sunday -- but that went much further than his own health officials ' cautious welcome of the treatment .
Plasma is believed to contain powerful antibodies that can help fight COVID-19 faster , and has already been used on patients in the United States and other countries .
But the extent of its effectiveness is still being debated by experts and some have warned it could carry side effects .
When challenged by a reporter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the treatment and the caution among experts , Trump passed the question to one of his experts and then ended the press conference .
Trump will attempt to galvanize support at the Republican convention , which starts Monday , as he faces anger over the pandemic and the ensuing economic turmoil ahead of the November presidential election .
In the polls , he is badly trailing Democratic challenger Joe Biden , who slammed the president for `` walking away '' as the virus ravaged the United States .
Breakneck efforts to develop a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world , but until one is available , social distancing measures remain among the few weapons against the virus .
New Zealand on Monday extended the lockdown of its biggest city to Sunday as it battled a small but persistent outbreak .
Auckland went into lockdown on August 12 , a day after the virus re-emerged in the city and ended New Zealand 's run of 102 days without local transmission .
European nations have also tightened border restrictions , wary of new virus clusters .
Strict border controls came into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrivals from just a handful of countries able to enter without virus restrictions .
Norway had already tightened its border controls on Saturday , while South Korea imposed social distancing measures nationwide on Sunday to fight its latest outbreak .
Indonesian authorities have banned foreign tourists from Bali , a popular holiday destination , for the rest of 2020 -- scrapping plans to open up the island from next month .
- ' I do n't have money to bury her ' - The pandemic has devastated the global economy , and policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in large groups of people have impacted everything from sport and religious services to music concerts and elections .
It caused the unprecedented delay of the summer Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo to next year .
The International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons warned in an interview with AFP that , for the Paralympics to go ahead next year , a guarantee of zero cases was needed .
Some major world sports have resumed but with no spectators .
There was no roar as Bayern Munich on Sunday won the Champions League final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football -- in an empty , 65,000-capacity Lisbon stadium .
At least 13 young people suffocated in a crush during a raid at a nightclub in Peru 's capital Lima over the weekend , with people trying to escape through a single exit .
`` I found out that my daughter died , asphyxiated , this morning , '' Gregoria Velasquez , mother of 26-year-old Maryori Salcedo Velasquez , told the America Television channel .
`` I do n't have money to bury her . ''

Washington (AFP) –
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The United States announced an emergency authorization to use blood plasma from recovered coronavirus patients as a treatment for the disease, which has killed more than 800,000 people around the world.
Many governments around the world are renewing efforts -- including the reimposition of lockdowns -- to contain the virus, which has infected well over 24 million people.
The United States remains the hardest-hit country with more than 176,000 fatalities, and President Donald Trump is under intense pressure to curb the contagion.
The plasma therapy shows "an incredible rate of success" and "will save countless lives", Trump claimed on Sunday -- but that went much further than his own health officials' cautious welcome of the treatment.
Plasma is believed to contain powerful antibodies that can help fight COVID-19 faster, and has already been used on patients in the United States and other countries.
But the extent of its effectiveness is still being debated by experts and some have warned it could carry side effects.
When challenged by a reporter to explain the contradiction between his confidence in the treatment and the caution among experts, Trump passed the question to one of his experts and then ended the press conference.
Trump will attempt to galvanize support at the Republican convention, which starts Monday, as he faces anger over the pandemic and the ensuing economic turmoil ahead of the November presidential election.
In the polls, he is badly trailing Democratic challenger Joe Biden, who slammed the president for "walking away" as the virus ravaged the United States.
- Extended lockdowns -
Breakneck efforts to develop a vaccine or effective treatments are under way around the world, but until one is available, social distancing measures remain among the few weapons against the virus.
New Zealand on Monday extended the lockdown of its biggest city to Sunday as it battled a small but persistent outbreak.
Auckland went into lockdown on August 12, a day after the virus re-emerged in the city and ended New Zealand's run of 102 days without local transmission.
European nations have also tightened border restrictions, wary of new virus clusters.
Strict border controls came into effect in Finland on Monday, with arrivals from just a handful of countries able to enter without virus restrictions.
Norway had already tightened its border controls on Saturday, while South Korea imposed social distancing measures nationwide on Sunday to fight its latest outbreak.
Indonesian authorities have banned foreign tourists from Bali, a popular holiday destination, for the rest of 2020 -- scrapping plans to open up the island from next month.
- 'I don't have money to bury her' -
The pandemic has devastated the global economy, and policies to reduce the high risk of transmission in large groups of people have impacted everything from sport and religious services to music concerts and elections.
It caused the unprecedented delay of the summer Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo to next year.
The International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons warned in an interview with AFP that, for the Paralympics to go ahead next year, a guarantee of zero cases was needed.
Some major world sports have resumed but with no spectators.
There was no roar as Bayern Munich on Sunday won the Champions League final -- the biggest game in European club football -- in an empty, 65,000-capacity Lisbon stadium.
At least 13 young people suffocated in a crush during a raid at a nightclub in Peru's capital Lima over the weekend, with people trying to escape through a single exit.
"I found out that my daughter died, asphyxiated, this morning," Gregoria Velasquez, mother of 26-year-old Maryori Salcedo Velasquez, told the America Television channel.
"I don't have money to bury her."
burs-qan/kma
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-24--Analysis: Lukashenko defiant as Belarusian protests grow

Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Minsk again on Sunday , calling for Belarusian President Alexander @ @ @ @ @ Protests have been ongoing for two weeks since the country ’ s elections that many @ @ @ @ @ 24 international affairs editor Robert Parsons says while the turnout is significant , a tipping @ @ @ @ @ reached .

Analysis: Lukashenko defiant as Belarusian protests grow
03:27
Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Minsk again on Sunday, calling for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to step down. Protests have been ongoing for two weeks since the country’s elections that many say were rigged. FRANCE 24 international affairs editor Robert Parsons says while the turnout is significant, a tipping point has not yet been reached.


france24--2020-08-24--S.Africa's Ramaphosa rebukes minister for attacking Zambian leader

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has `` strongly reprimanded '' his finance minister for challenging the Zambian leader to explain his decision to sack that country 's central bank governor , the presidency said Monday .
In a surprise move , Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Saturday fired his respected central bank governor .
Denny Kalyalya .
No reason was given for the removal of the governor , who had been credited with bringing stability to the economy .
`` Presidents in Africa must stop this nonsense of waking up in the morning and fire a Central Bank Governor !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not some fiefdoms of yours !
Your personal property ?
!
No ! ''
tweeted Mboweni on Saturday .
`` That Governor was a good fella .
Why do we do these things as Africans .
The President of Zambia must give us the reasons why he dismissed the Governor – or else hell is on its way .
I will mobilize ! ''
On Sunday he wrote that his tweets had landed him in hot water , but vowed to not give up .
`` Looks like I am in trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bank of Zambia Governor !
I stand by my statement .
Central Bank independence is key .
Not negotiable .
Let all central bankers speak out ! ''
He has since deleted the tweets .
A statement from the South African presidency said Ramaphosa `` strongly reprimanded '' Mboweni following his comments .
He assured the Zambian government that the minister 's `` unfortunate remarks do not reflect the views of the South African government '' and the `` issue is being addressed to ensure that such an incident does not occur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive director , Kalyalya 's tenure was due to end in 2023 .
He was replaced by a deputy secretary to the cabinet , Christopher Mvunga .
Zambian Information Minister Dora Siliya expressed surprise at Mboweni 's `` immature and improper criticism of a sovereign decision by Zambia '' .
She urged Mboweni to rather focus on coronavirus `` problems facing '' South Africa .
At nearly 610,000 cases and over 13,000 deaths , South Africa has recorded the highest numbers of coronavirus infections on the continent , accounting for more than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has recorded 10,831 cases , of which 279 have been fatal .

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has "strongly reprimanded" his finance minister for challenging the Zambian leader to explain his decision to sack that country's central bank governor, the presidency said Monday.
In a surprise move, Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Saturday fired his respected central bank governor. Denny Kalyalya.
No reason was given for the removal of the governor, who had been credited with bringing stability to the economy.
South African Finance Minister Tito Mboweni reacted angrily, demanding an explanation.
"Presidents in Africa must stop this nonsense of waking up in the morning and fire a Central Bank Governor! You cannot do that. This is not some fiefdoms of yours! Your personal property?! No!" tweeted Mboweni on Saturday.
"That Governor was a good fella. Why do we do these things as Africans. The President of Zambia must give us the reasons why he dismissed the Governor – or else hell is on its way. I will mobilize!"
On Sunday he wrote that his tweets had landed him in hot water, but vowed to not give up.
"Looks like I am in trouble about my statement on the dismissal of the Bank of Zambia Governor! I stand by my statement. Central Bank independence is key. Not negotiable. Let all central bankers speak out!"
He has since deleted the tweets.
A statement from the South African presidency said Ramaphosa "strongly reprimanded" Mboweni following his comments.
He assured the Zambian government that the minister's "unfortunate remarks do not reflect the views of the South African government" and the "issue is being addressed to ensure that such an incident does not occur again".
A former World Bank executive director, Kalyalya's tenure was due to end in 2023.
He was replaced by a deputy secretary to the cabinet, Christopher Mvunga.
Zambian Information Minister Dora Siliya expressed surprise at Mboweni's "immature and improper criticism of a sovereign decision by Zambia".
She urged Mboweni to rather focus on coronavirus "problems facing" South Africa.
At nearly 610,000 cases and over 13,000 deaths, South Africa has recorded the highest numbers of coronavirus infections on the continent, accounting for more than half of Africa's total tally.
Zambia has recorded 10,831 cases, of which 279 have been fatal.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-24--Canada demands answers from Iran after Ukraine jet downing report

Iran admitted that its forces accidentally shot down the Kiev-bound Boeing 737-800 aircraft , killing all 176 people on board , including 55 Canadians Canada said it was demanding answers from Iran over the mistaken downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet after Tehran 's `` limited '' initial report failed to explain why it fired missiles at the plane .
Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran 's main airport on January 8 .
Iran admitted days later that its forces had accidentally shot down the Kiev-bound Boeing 737-800 , killing all 176 people on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian government said Sunday it had received a copy of the Iranian report on the cockpit voice recorders .
`` This preliminary report only provides limited and selected information regarding this tragic event , '' Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Transport Minister Marc Garneau said in a statement .
`` The report only mentions what transpired after the first missile strike but not the second and only confirms information that we already know . ''
`` We expect the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide an answer on important questions of why the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and why the air space was open , '' they added .
`` These are the questions that Canada , Canadians and most importantly , the families of the innocent victims need answered . ''
Iranian officials on Sunday said the cockpit voice recorder showed the pilots were still alive after the first of two missiles hit the plane .
Iran , which has no means of decoding the black boxes , sent them to France for analysis in mid-July , nearly six months after the disaster .
An association of the victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` ridiculous display of deceit and obscurantism '' and called for those responsible for the missile strike to be brought to justice , Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya news said .
`` This shameful display was devoid of any answers to concerns and questions that suggest the missile strike may have been intentional , '' the association said in a statement on Monday quoted by Al-Arabiya .
At the time of the incident , Tehran 's air defenses had been on high alert in case the United States retaliated against Iranian strikes hours earlier on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strikes were carried out in response to the killing of a top Iranian general , Qasem Soleimani , in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport .

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Canada said it was demanding answers from Iran over the mistaken downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet after Tehran's "limited" initial report failed to explain why it fired missiles at the plane.
Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran's main airport on January 8.
Iran admitted days later that its forces had accidentally shot down the Kiev-bound Boeing 737-800, killing all 176 people on board, including 55 Canadians.
The Canadian government said Sunday it had received a copy of the Iranian report on the cockpit voice recorders.
"This preliminary report only provides limited and selected information regarding this tragic event," Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Transport Minister Marc Garneau said in a statement.
"The report only mentions what transpired after the first missile strike but not the second and only confirms information that we already know."
"We expect the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide an answer on important questions of why the missiles were launched in the first place and why the air space was open," they added.
"These are the questions that Canada, Canadians and most importantly, the families of the innocent victims need answered."
Iranian officials on Sunday said the cockpit voice recorder showed the pilots were still alive after the first of two missiles hit the plane.
Iran, which has no means of decoding the black boxes, sent them to France for analysis in mid-July, nearly six months after the disaster.
An association of the victims' families slammed the Iranian report as a "ridiculous display of deceit and obscurantism" and called for those responsible for the missile strike to be brought to justice, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya news said.
"This shameful display was devoid of any answers to concerns and questions that suggest the missile strike may have been intentional," the association said in a statement on Monday quoted by Al-Arabiya.
At the time of the incident, Tehran's air defenses had been on high alert in case the United States retaliated against Iranian strikes hours earlier on American troops stationed in Iraq.
Those strikes were carried out in response to the killing of a top Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani, in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport.
© 2020 AFP