france24--2020-10-09--NFL moves Titans-Bills to Tuesday, Patriots play Monday

Two NFL games planned for Sunday were rescheduled Thursday by the league due to Covid-19 outbreaks , with Tennessee now facing Buffalo on Tuesday and New England to host Denver on Monday Two of Sunday 's planned NFL games were rescheduled Thursday due to Covid-19 outbreaks , with the Tennessee Titans facing Buffalo on Tuesday and the New England Patriots playing Denver on Monday .
The league announced the moves after the Titans ' training facility remained closed following another positive player test , Tennessee 's third of the week with a total of 22 players and staff testing positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patriots facility was closed Wednesday and Thursday after star quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore tested positive for Covid-19 .
New England 's game last week at Kansas City was moved to Monday while the Titans game against Pittsburgh was rescheduled for October 25 .
`` These scheduling decisions were made to ensure the health and safety of players , coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts , '' the league stated in the announcement .
The Titans ( 3-0 ) are hopeful they can return to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to face the Bills ( 4-0 ) in a battle of unbeatens .
Tennessee has been unable to have a practice workout in their facility since it closed 10 days ago .
If more positive tests are returned by the Titans , it could jeopardize the game being played at all .
The Bills were set to face Kansas City next Thursday night but that game is expected to be reset for October 18 if Buffalo is forced to play on Tuesday .
The host Patriots ( 2-2 ) and Denver ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of next Monday 's regularly scheduled game between the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans .

New York (AFP) –
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Two of Sunday's planned NFL games were rescheduled Thursday due to Covid-19 outbreaks, with the Tennessee Titans facing Buffalo on Tuesday and the New England Patriots playing Denver on Monday.
The league announced the moves after the Titans' training facility remained closed following another positive player test, Tennessee's third of the week with a total of 22 players and staff testing positive in the past two weeks.
The Patriots facility was closed Wednesday and Thursday after star quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore tested positive for Covid-19.
New England's game last week at Kansas City was moved to Monday while the Titans game against Pittsburgh was rescheduled for October 25.
"These scheduling decisions were made to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts," the league stated in the announcement.
The Titans (3-0) are hopeful they can return to their facility for workouts by the weekend in order to face the Bills (4-0) in a battle of unbeatens.
Tennessee has been unable to have a practice workout in their facility since it closed 10 days ago.
If more positive tests are returned by the Titans, it could jeopardize the game being played at all.
The Bills were set to face Kansas City next Thursday night but that game is expected to be reset for October 18 if Buffalo is forced to play on Tuesday.
The host Patriots (2-2) and Denver (1-3) will play and finish ahead of next Monday's regularly scheduled game between the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-09--US imposes new sanctions on Iranian banks, swiping at Europe in the process

The United States on Thursday slapped fresh sanctions on Iran ’ s financial sector , targeting 18 banks in an effort to further choke off Iranian revenues as Washington ramps up pressure on Tehran weeks ahead of the U.S. election .
The move freezes any U.S. assets of those blacklisted and generally bars Americans from dealing with them , while extending secondary sanctions to those who do business with them .
This means foreign banks risk losing access to the U.S. market and financial system .
The Treasury Department said in a statement the prohibitions did not apply to transactions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine or medical devices to Iran , saying it understood the need for humanitarian goods .
However , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the United States of targeting Iran ’ s ability to pay for basic necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ U.S .
regime wants to blow up our remaining channels to pay for food & medicine , ” Zarif said on Twitter .
“ Conspiring to starve a population is a crime against humanity.
” Iranian Central Bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati dismissed the sanctions as political propaganda and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rather than having any economic effect , the American move is for U.S. domestic propaganda and political purposes , and shows the falsity of the human rights and humanitarian claims of U.S. leaders , ” Hemmati said in a statement .
Analysts said the secondary sanctions may further deter European and other foreign banks from working with Iran , even for permitted humanitarian transactions .
“ It ’ s like a punch in the face to the Europeans , who have gone out of their way to indicate to the Americans that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanitarian assistance or humanitarian trade going to Iran , ” said Elizabeth Rosenberg of the Center for a New American Security think tank .
“ They also want ... to make it very difficult for any future president to be able to unwind these measures and engage in nuclear diplomacy , ” Rosenberg added , alluding to the possibility that Democratic candidate Joe Biden could defeat Republican President Donald Trump in the Nov. 3 U.S. election .
Biden , who was vice president when the Obama administration negotiated the nuclear accord , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran first resumed compliance with it .
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have soared since Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal struck by his predecessor and began re-imposing U.S. sanctions that had been eased under the accord .
The sanctions Trump has reinstated target everything from oil sales to shipping and financial activities .
While they exempt food , medicine and other humanitarian supplies , many foreign banks are already deterred from doing business with the Islamic Republic – including for humanitarian deals .
Washington ’ s latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 major Iranian banks , which were designated under authorities including U.S. Executive Order 13902 , which allows the Treasury Department to target entire sectors of the Iranian economy .
It named them as Amin Investment Bank , Bank Keshavarzi Iran , Bank Maskan , Bank Refah Kargaran , Bank-e Shahr , Eghtesad Novin Bank , Gharzolhasaneh Resalat Bank , Hekmat Iranian Bank , Iran Zamin Bank , Karafarin Bank , Khavarmianeh Bank , Mehr Iran Credit Union Bank , Pasargad Bank , Saman Bank , Sarmayeh Bank , Tosee Taavon Bank , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The United States on Thursday slapped fresh sanctions on Iran’s financial sector, targeting 18 banks in an effort to further choke off Iranian revenues as Washington ramps up pressure on Tehran weeks ahead of the U.S. election.
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The move freezes any U.S. assets of those blacklisted and generally bars Americans from dealing with them, while extending secondary sanctions to those who do business with them. This means foreign banks risk losing access to the U.S. market and financial system.
The Treasury Department said in a statement the prohibitions did not apply to transactions to sell agricultural commodities, food, medicine or medical devices to Iran, saying it understood the need for humanitarian goods.
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the United States of targeting Iran’s ability to pay for basic necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“U.S. regime wants to blow up our remaining channels to pay for food & medicine,” Zarif said on Twitter. “Conspiring to starve a population is a crime against humanity.”
Amid Covid19 pandemic, U.S. regime wants to blow up our remaining channels to pay for food & medicine.
Iranians WILL survive this latest of cruelties.
But conspiring to starve a population is a crime against humanity. Culprits & enablers—who block our money—WILL face justice. pic.twitter.com/n0fnXPNik8 — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) October 8, 2020
Iranian Central Bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati dismissed the sanctions as political propaganda and played down their practical impact.
“Rather than having any economic effect, the American move is for U.S. domestic propaganda and political purposes, and shows the falsity of the human rights and humanitarian claims of U.S. leaders,” Hemmati said in a statement.
Analysts said the secondary sanctions may further deter European and other foreign banks from working with Iran, even for permitted humanitarian transactions.
“It’s like a punch in the face to the Europeans, who have gone out of their way to indicate to the Americans that they view it as being extremely threatening to humanitarian assistance or humanitarian trade going to Iran,” said Elizabeth Rosenberg of the Center for a New American Security think tank.
“They also want ... to make it very difficult for any future president to be able to unwind these measures and engage in nuclear diplomacy,” Rosenberg added, alluding to the possibility that Democratic candidate Joe Biden could defeat Republican President Donald Trump in the Nov. 3 U.S. election.
Biden, who was vice president when the Obama administration negotiated the nuclear accord, has said he would rejoin the deal if Iran first resumed compliance with it.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have soared since Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal struck by his predecessor and began re-imposing U.S. sanctions that had been eased under the accord.
The sanctions Trump has reinstated target everything from oil sales to shipping and financial activities. While they exempt food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies, many foreign banks are already deterred from doing business with the Islamic Republic – including for humanitarian deals.
Washington’s latest move targeted what the Treasury described as 18 major Iranian banks, which were designated under authorities including U.S. Executive Order 13902, which allows the Treasury Department to target entire sectors of the Iranian economy.
It named them as Amin Investment Bank, Bank Keshavarzi Iran, Bank Maskan, Bank Refah Kargaran, Bank-e Shahr, Eghtesad Novin Bank, Gharzolhasaneh Resalat Bank, Hekmat Iranian Bank, Iran Zamin Bank, Karafarin Bank, Khavarmianeh Bank, Mehr Iran Credit Union Bank, Pasargad Bank, Saman Bank, Sarmayeh Bank, Tosee Taavon Bank, Tourism Bank and Islamic Regional Cooperation Bank.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-09--Former Lebanese PM Hariri says he is ‘definitely a candidate’ to head next government

Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri , pictured in August 2020 , said he `` will not close the door on the only hope left for Lebanon to stem this collapse '' .
Lebanon ’ s former prime minister Saad Hariri Thursday said he was a possible candidate to head a new government to stem the country ’ s economic collapse after a massive port blast .
French President Emmanuel Macron last month extracted a pledge from all political sides in the former French protectorate to back speedy government formation as part of a roadmap out of the crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am definitely a candidate ” to head the next government , Hariri said during a live interview on the MTV television channel .
I “ will not close the door on the only hope left for Lebanon to stem this collapse , ” he said .
The country is mired in its worst economic crunch in decades , and still reeling from a massive explosion at Beirut ’ s port on August 4 that killed more than 200 people , wounded thousands and ravaged large parts of the capital .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on naming a new premier on Thursday next week .
Hariri said he was ready to start making phone calls during the coming week “ if all political teams still agree on the programme ” discussed with Macron .
The former premier stepped down under street pressure last autumn after mass protests erupted demanding the overhaul of a political class accused of being inept and corrupt .
The government that followed , headed by Hassan Diab , resigned in the wake of the huge Beirut blast .
The next premier designate , Mustapha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks after being nominated , after his efforts to hammer out a cabinet were blocked by the country ’ s two main Shiite political parties—Hezbollah and Amal—seeking to keep the finance ministry under their control .
Forming a government can drag on for months in multi-confessional Lebanon , where a power-sharing agreement seeks to maintain a fragile balance between all sides .
But Hariri said all political sides had agreed with Macron , who visited Beirut twice in the wake of the blast , to set aside their differences for six months to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Every political side can invent a problem to government formation , ” Hariri said .
“ But if the political parties really want to stem the collapse and rebuild Beirut , they must follow the French initiative , ” he said .

Lebanon’s former prime minister Saad Hariri Thursday said he was a possible candidate to head a new government to stem the country’s economic collapse after a massive port blast.
Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri, pictured in August 2020, said he "will not close the door on the only hope left for Lebanon to stem this collapse".
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French President Emmanuel Macron last month extracted a pledge from all political sides in the former French protectorate to back speedy government formation as part of a roadmap out of the crisis, but efforts so far have failed.
“I am definitely a candidate” to head the next government, Hariri said during a live interview on the MTV television channel.
I “will not close the door on the only hope left for Lebanon to stem this collapse,” he said.
The country is mired in its worst economic crunch in decades, and still reeling from a massive explosion at Beirut’s port on August 4 that killed more than 200 people, wounded thousands and ravaged large parts of the capital.
President Michel Aoun is to hold parliamentary consultations on naming a new premier on Thursday next week.
Hariri said he was ready to start making phone calls during the coming week “if all political teams still agree on the programme” discussed with Macron.
The former premier stepped down under street pressure last autumn after mass protests erupted demanding the overhaul of a political class accused of being inept and corrupt.
The government that followed, headed by Hassan Diab, resigned in the wake of the huge Beirut blast.
The next premier designate, Mustapha Adib, last month bowed out just weeks after being nominated, after his efforts to hammer out a cabinet were blocked by the country’s two main Shiite political parties—Hezbollah and Amal—seeking to keep the finance ministry under their control.
Forming a government can drag on for months in multi-confessional Lebanon, where a power-sharing agreement seeks to maintain a fragile balance between all sides.
But Hariri said all political sides had agreed with Macron, who visited Beirut twice in the wake of the blast, to set aside their differences for six months to save the country from further deterioration.
“Every political side can invent a problem to government formation,” Hariri said.
“But if the political parties really want to stem the collapse and rebuild Beirut, they must follow the French initiative,” he said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-10-09--Mo'unga the top 10 for All Blacks against Australia

New Zealand flyhalf Richie Mo'unga retains the role he played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Richie Mo'unga won the nod to start at flyhalf with Beauden Barrett at fullback for Sunday 's Test against Australia in Wellington , but new coach Ian Foster stressed that did not mean the arrangement was permanent .
Foster opted for experience when naming his maiden All Blacks side on Friday , retaining the same roles for Mo'unga and Barrett that they played in last year 's failed World Cup campaign .
Barrett is a double World Player of the year as a flyhalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position , while his brother Jordie was the form fullback in Super Rugby Aotearoa this year .
But Foster said he wanted Mo'unga and both Barretts on the field and solved the problem by naming Jordie on the right wing .
`` It 's a selection for this Test , '' Foster stressed .
`` Beauden still wants to play 10 and we also know how influential he can be at 15 ...
Probably the form 15 in the country is Jordie , and he 's playing and I think you will find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyway so you feel like we 've got the best of both worlds . ''
While Foster , who took over from Steve Hansen following last year 's World Cup in Japan , has opted to start with established All Blacks , he has included three debutants in the reserves .
He said the balance of the match-day 23 was based on what he wanted , and not influenced by what he expected from the Wallabies .
`` Our way is to pick a group we think can play our game well and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the side of some players who have got a little bit of experience under pressure when the structure starts to break up , '' he said .
The newcomers include Tupou Vaa ’ i , the 20-year-old Taranaki lock who will back up Sam Whitelock and Patrick Tuipulotu in the middle row , Hoskins Sotutu is the replacement loose forward and Caleb Clarke , a son of former All Black Eroni Clarke , is the outside back reserve .
If Clarke takes the field , it will complete the 20th set of father-and-son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the experienced front row of props Joe Moody and Ofa Tuungafasi with 50-Test hooker Codie Taylor in the middle .
In the loose forwards , captain Sam Cane is at seven , Shannon Frizell gets the nod at blindside flanker , while Ardie Savea starts at number eight .
Outside the halves , Aaron Smith and Mo'unga , Jack Goodhue and Rieko Ioane fill the centres with George Bridge on the left wing .
Foster said he had kept an open mind about selections .
`` We really wanted to see how players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were coming back into the environment and so there were a number of positions that we wanted to keep an open mind about , '' he said .
`` It 's a Bledisloe series and both teams will be determined to put a marker down .
For us , it 's about getting our basics right and focussing on our set piece and momentum , and then letting the guys use their skillsets around the structure . ''
The Bledisloe Cup is contested annually between New Zealand and Australia and has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 18 years .

Wellington (AFP) –
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Richie Mo'unga won the nod to start at flyhalf with Beauden Barrett at fullback for Sunday's Test against Australia in Wellington, but new coach Ian Foster stressed that did not mean the arrangement was permanent.
Foster opted for experience when naming his maiden All Blacks side on Friday, retaining the same roles for Mo'unga and Barrett that they played in last year's failed World Cup campaign.
Barrett is a double World Player of the year as a flyhalf and has stated that is his preferred position, while his brother Jordie was the form fullback in Super Rugby Aotearoa this year.
But Foster said he wanted Mo'unga and both Barretts on the field and solved the problem by naming Jordie on the right wing.
"It's a selection for this Test," Foster stressed.
"Beauden still wants to play 10 and we also know how influential he can be at 15... Probably the form 15 in the country is Jordie, and he's playing and I think you will find him in the back field a lot anyway so you feel like we've got the best of both worlds."
While Foster, who took over from Steve Hansen following last year's World Cup in Japan, has opted to start with established All Blacks, he has included three debutants in the reserves.
He said the balance of the match-day 23 was based on what he wanted, and not influenced by what he expected from the Wallabies.
"Our way is to pick a group we think can play our game well and you clearly see we've gone down the side of some players who have got a little bit of experience under pressure when the structure starts to break up," he said.
- 'Put a marker down' -
The newcomers include Tupou Vaa’i, the 20-year-old Taranaki lock who will back up Sam Whitelock and Patrick Tuipulotu in the middle row, Hoskins Sotutu is the replacement loose forward and Caleb Clarke, a son of former All Black Eroni Clarke, is the outside back reserve.
If Clarke takes the field, it will complete the 20th set of father-and-son All Blacks.
The starting pack features the experienced front row of props Joe Moody and Ofa Tuungafasi with 50-Test hooker Codie Taylor in the middle.
In the loose forwards, captain Sam Cane is at seven, Shannon Frizell gets the nod at blindside flanker, while Ardie Savea starts at number eight.
Outside the halves, Aaron Smith and Mo'unga, Jack Goodhue and Rieko Ioane fill the centres with George Bridge on the left wing.
Foster said he had kept an open mind about selections.
"We really wanted to see how players adapted and fitted in and how comfortable they were coming back into the environment and so there were a number of positions that we wanted to keep an open mind about," he said.
"It's a Bledisloe series and both teams will be determined to put a marker down. For us, it's about getting our basics right and focussing on our set piece and momentum, and then letting the guys use their skillsets around the structure."
The Bledisloe Cup is contested annually between New Zealand and Australia and has been held by the All Blacks for the past 18 years.
New Zealand (15-1)
Beauden Barrett; Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge; Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell; Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu; Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves: Dane Coles, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaai, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-08--Hurricane Delta strengthens to Category 3 on US approach

Hurricane Delta gained strength Thursday as it churned across the western Gulf of Mexico towards the United States , threatening to batter part of the Louisiana coast still recovering from a separate storm just weeks ago .
After lashing Mexico 's Caribbean coastline , Delta , now a Category 3 storm , is located 345 miles ( 555 kilometers ) south of Louisiana and packing winds of 115 miles an hour , the US National Hurricane Center said in its 2100 GMT bulletin .
The NHC warned that `` life-threatening storm surge '' was expected along portions of the northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm is predicted to make landfall in the afternoon or evening .
Delta had earlier slammed into the Yucatan Peninsula in southeast Mexico as a Category 2 storm , toppling trees and ripping down power lines .
It weakened as it crossed the land , but gained strength again in the open waters of the Gulf .
Mexico 's Yucatan region appeared to have escaped major destruction and there were no reports of deaths .
Many along the Louisiana coastline have yet to recover from Hurricane Laura , which struck in late August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale .
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards urged residents to be extremely careful with Delta , and announced that 2,400 National Guard personnel had been mobilized to aid locals .
In the city of Lake Charles , where torn planks of wood , uprooted trees and debris from Laura still litter the streets , Shannon Fuselier drilled plywood over the windows of a friend 's home as protection from flying debris .
Many neighborhood houses are covered with tarps from previous hurricane damage , and the home Fuselier was working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fallen tree and smashed windows during Laura .
`` The branches and leaves do n't do that much damage , '' said Fuselier , 56 .
`` It 's pieces of metal , steel , frames of other peoples windows , signs from people 's stores , nails . ''
Fuselier said that she was staying because she did n't think the storm was strong enough for her to flee .
Edwards has already warned that Delta could sweep up old debris and hurl it like a missile .
Some 8,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struck , and on Thursday there was a traffic jam in both directions on the highway out of Lake Charles .
Terry Lebine had already evacuated to the town of Alexandria , some 100 miles ( 150 kilometers ) to the north , during the previous hurricane , and was ready to head out again .
`` It 's exhausting , '' she told AFP .
`` ...
I 've got my mother , she 's 81 years old and not in the best of health .
Right after we went back home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again for Delta .
We were home a good 2-3 weeks . ''
Delta is the 26th named storm of an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season .
As the ocean surface warms due to climate change hurricanes become more powerful -- and scientists say there will likely be an increase in powerful Category 4 and 5 storms .

Lake Charles (United States) (AFP) –
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Hurricane Delta gained strength Thursday as it churned across the western Gulf of Mexico towards the United States, threatening to batter part of the Louisiana coast still recovering from a separate storm just weeks ago.
After lashing Mexico's Caribbean coastline, Delta, now a Category 3 storm, is located 345 miles (555 kilometers) south of Louisiana and packing winds of 115 miles an hour, the US National Hurricane Center said in its 2100 GMT bulletin.
The NHC warned that "life-threatening storm surge" was expected along portions of the northern Gulf Coast on Friday, where the storm is predicted to make landfall in the afternoon or evening.
Delta had earlier slammed into the Yucatan Peninsula in southeast Mexico as a Category 2 storm, toppling trees and ripping down power lines.
It weakened as it crossed the land, but gained strength again in the open waters of the Gulf.
Mexico's Yucatan region appeared to have escaped major destruction and there were no reports of deaths.
- Battered US Gulf -
Many along the Louisiana coastline have yet to recover from Hurricane Laura, which struck in late August as a strong Category 4 storm on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards urged residents to be extremely careful with Delta, and announced that 2,400 National Guard personnel had been mobilized to aid locals.
In the city of Lake Charles, where torn planks of wood, uprooted trees and debris from Laura still litter the streets, Shannon Fuselier drilled plywood over the windows of a friend's home as protection from flying debris.
Many neighborhood houses are covered with tarps from previous hurricane damage, and the home Fuselier was working on had already suffered roof damage from a fallen tree and smashed windows during Laura.
"The branches and leaves don't do that much damage," said Fuselier, 56. "It's pieces of metal, steel, frames of other peoples windows, signs from people's stores, nails."
Fuselier said that she was staying because she didn't think the storm was strong enough for her to flee.
Edwards has already warned that Delta could sweep up old debris and hurl it like a missile.
Some 8,000 people were evacuated from the region when Laura struck, and on Thursday there was a traffic jam in both directions on the highway out of Lake Charles.
Terry Lebine had already evacuated to the town of Alexandria, some 100 miles (150 kilometers) to the north, during the previous hurricane, and was ready to head out again.
"It's exhausting," she told AFP. "...I've got my mother, she's 81 years old and not in the best of health. Right after we went back home after Laura, we have to leave again for Delta. We were home a good 2-3 weeks."
Delta is the 26th named storm of an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season.
As the ocean surface warms due to climate change hurricanes become more powerful -- and scientists say there will likely be an increase in powerful Category 4 and 5 storms.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-08--Rennie rings changes as Wallabies enter new era

Filipo Daugunu , the top try-scorer in the Super Rugby AU competition , will earn a maiden Test cap on the wing New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie named three debutants Friday in a revamped team to play the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington this weekend .
Rennie did not shy away from big selection calls for his first match in charge , benching veteran lock Rob Simmons and including Queensland Reds trio Filipo Daugunu , Hunter Paisami , Harry Wilson .
The starting XV features 13 changes from the Wallabies ' last outing , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Cup quarter-finals last October that prompted Michael Cheika 's departure .
The only survivors from that mauling are captain Michael Hooper , playing his 100th Test , and winger Marika Koroibete .
Rennie 's team , who hope to win Australia 's first Bledisloe series since 2002 , have a strong emphasis on youth while retaining experienced players in key positions .
`` I 've been impressed with how quickly the squad has come together -- there 's a good group of men here and the last three weeks has given us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more about each other , '' Rennie said .
`` We need to demonstrate that brotherhood and connection on Sunday . ''
Veteran playmaker James O'Connor was named as fly-half , edging promising youngster Noah Lolesio , who will have the chance to make his international debut off the bench .
O'Connor will partner Nic White in the halves , while Daugunu earns a maiden Test cap on the wing , with fellow Fijian Marika Korobiete running the opposite sideline .
Daugunu was the top try-scorer in the Super Rugby AU competition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rookie Paisami lines up alongside Matt Toomua in the centres , with rising star Jordan Petaia lacking match fitness after returning from injury .
Tom Banks , who was snubbed by Cheika at last year 's World Cup , returns at fullback to complete the back line .
Number eight Wilson joins flankers Hooper and Pete Samu in the back row , while Rennie opted for a locking combination of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Matt Philip .
Philip has not played a Test since 2017 and his return from the international wilderness forces Test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taniela Tupou and James Slipper and hooker Folau Fainga ' a make up a menacing-looking front row .

Wellington (AFP) –
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New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie named three debutants Friday in a revamped team to play the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington this weekend.
Rennie did not shy away from big selection calls for his first match in charge, benching veteran lock Rob Simmons and including Queensland Reds trio Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Harry Wilson.
The starting XV features 13 changes from the Wallabies' last outing, the 40-16 demolition by England in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals last October that prompted Michael Cheika's departure.
The only survivors from that mauling are captain Michael Hooper, playing his 100th Test, and winger Marika Koroibete.
Rennie's team, who hope to win Australia's first Bledisloe series since 2002, have a strong emphasis on youth while retaining experienced players in key positions.
"I've been impressed with how quickly the squad has come together -- there's a good group of men here and the last three weeks has given us a chance to work hard and learn more about each other," Rennie said.
"We need to demonstrate that brotherhood and connection on Sunday."
Veteran playmaker James O'Connor was named as fly-half, edging promising youngster Noah Lolesio, who will have the chance to make his international debut off the bench.
O'Connor will partner Nic White in the halves, while Daugunu earns a maiden Test cap on the wing, with fellow Fijian Marika Korobiete running the opposite sideline.
Daugunu was the top try-scorer in the Super Rugby AU competition, crossing the line six times.
Fellow rookie Paisami lines up alongside Matt Toomua in the centres, with rising star Jordan Petaia lacking match fitness after returning from injury.
Tom Banks, who was snubbed by Cheika at last year's World Cup, returns at fullback to complete the back line.
Number eight Wilson joins flankers Hooper and Pete Samu in the back row, while Rennie opted for a locking combination of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Matt Philip.
Philip has not played a Test since 2017 and his return from the international wilderness forces Test centurion Simmons onto the bench.
Props Taniela Tupou and James Slipper and hooker Folau Fainga'a make up a menacing-looking front row.
Australia (15-1)
Tom Banks; Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Matt Toomua, Marika Korobiete; James O'Connor, Nic White; Pete Samu, Michael Hooper (capt), Harry Wilson; Matt Philip, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto; Taniela Tupou, Folau Fainga'a, James Slipper.
Replacements: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Reece Hodge.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-08--Virus stalking NFL ahead of week five games

The NFL is tackling its first serious test over Covid-19 after two teams reported multiple coronavirus cases The NFL headed into week five of the 2020 season under a cloud of uncertainty as Covid-19 threatens to further disrupt a schedule already impacted by the first major outbreak of the disease .
After a relatively smooth start to the season , where league safety protocols appeared to be working , the coronavirus has struck back with a vengeance in the past fortnight with two teams suffering multiple infections .
The most serious outbreak has swept through the Tennessee Titans , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , raising the prospect that the team will be required to scratch Sunday 's fixture with the Buffalo Bills .
The New England Patriots , meanwhile , were nervously waiting to see if they have additional cases after a positive test for quarterback Cam Newton last week was followed by positives for cornerback Stephon Gilmore and tackle Bill Murray .
The Patriots were somewhat controversially cleared to take to the field to face the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend despite Newton 's positive case .
Gilmore , who played in the game which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was seen embracing Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes after the contest .
The outbreaks have left the Titans and the Patriots forced to work remotely , with both team facilities shut down .
There was no word as yet , however , as to whether the Titans ' game against the Bills will go-ahead , along with the Patriots ' scheduled fixture against the Denver Broncos .
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Thursday the health and safety of his players remained paramount .
`` There 's nothing more important than the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That 's priority No .
1 .
`` When we feel like it 's safe for everyone to come back , then we 'll do that .
I 'm sure you have a lot of questions , and I have a lot of questions .
`` This is really more of a medical situation than a football situation , so we 'll work through the decisions and input from the people in the medical field .
`` We have a lot of questions on our end , but for right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed and we 're going to work virtually to prepare for Denver and just take it day by day .
`` I feel like we did everything that we could control .
I think we did everything properly with the extra planes , the extra buses , the same-day travel , etcetera , etcetera .
There 's multiple things we could list there . ''
The Titans meanwhile could face sanctions from the NFL if it is determined the team knowingly broke league safety protocols .
According to reports , a group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Nashville high school last week , a day after being warned not to gather for in-person activities at the team 's training facility or any other location .
That could potentially leave the Titans open to severe punishment .
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell warned in a memo sent to all 32 franchises this week that the league was ready to force teams to forfeit games or be docked draft picks if they were found to have breached safety protocols which resulted in fixtures being postponed .
`` Protocol violations that result in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or otherwise impacting other teams will result in additional financial and competitive discipline , including the adjustment or loss of draft choices or even the forfeit of a game , '' Goodell wrote .
`` Simply put , compliance is mandatory . ''
The unease stalking the league has overshadowed a slate of games where five of the six remaining unbeaten teams are due to be in action -- unless the Bills game with the Titans , who are both undefeated , is postponed .
The Pittsburgh Steelers ( 3-0 ) take on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Chiefs , who improved to 4-0 with Monday 's win over New England , are due to host the Las Vegas Raiders .
The Seattle Seahawks ( 4-0 ) , meanwhile , host the 1-3 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday hoping to make it five wins out of five .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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The NFL headed into week five of the 2020 season under a cloud of uncertainty as Covid-19 threatens to further disrupt a schedule already impacted by the first major outbreak of the disease.
After a relatively smooth start to the season, where league safety protocols appeared to be working, the coronavirus has struck back with a vengeance in the past fortnight with two teams suffering multiple infections.
The most serious outbreak has swept through the Tennessee Titans, who confirmed a 23rd positive case on Thursday, raising the prospect that the team will be required to scratch Sunday's fixture with the Buffalo Bills.
The New England Patriots, meanwhile, were nervously waiting to see if they have additional cases after a positive test for quarterback Cam Newton last week was followed by positives for cornerback Stephon Gilmore and tackle Bill Murray.
The Patriots were somewhat controversially cleared to take to the field to face the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend despite Newton's positive case.
Gilmore, who played in the game which was moved from last Sunday to Monday, was seen embracing Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes after the contest.
The outbreaks have left the Titans and the Patriots forced to work remotely, with both team facilities shut down.
There was no word as yet, however, as to whether the Titans' game against the Bills will go-ahead, along with the Patriots' scheduled fixture against the Denver Broncos.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Thursday the health and safety of his players remained paramount.
"There's nothing more important than the health of the team," Belichick said. "That's priority No. 1.
- 'A lot of questions' -
"When we feel like it's safe for everyone to come back, then we'll do that. I'm sure you have a lot of questions, and I have a lot of questions.
"This is really more of a medical situation than a football situation, so we'll work through the decisions and input from the people in the medical field.
"We have a lot of questions on our end, but for right now, yesterday and today, we're closed and we're going to work virtually to prepare for Denver and just take it day by day.
"I feel like we did everything that we could control. I think we did everything properly with the extra planes, the extra buses, the same-day travel, etcetera, etcetera. There's multiple things we could list there."
The Titans meanwhile could face sanctions from the NFL if it is determined the team knowingly broke league safety protocols.
According to reports, a group of Titans players held an unauthorised practice at a Nashville high school last week, a day after being warned not to gather for in-person activities at the team's training facility or any other location.
That could potentially leave the Titans open to severe punishment.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell warned in a memo sent to all 32 franchises this week that the league was ready to force teams to forfeit games or be docked draft picks if they were found to have breached safety protocols which resulted in fixtures being postponed.
"Protocol violations that result in virus spread requiring adjustments to the schedule or otherwise impacting other teams will result in additional financial and competitive discipline, including the adjustment or loss of draft choices or even the forfeit of a game," Goodell wrote. "Simply put, compliance is mandatory."
The unease stalking the league has overshadowed a slate of games where five of the six remaining unbeaten teams are due to be in action -- unless the Bills game with the Titans, who are both undefeated, is postponed.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday while Mahomes and the Chiefs, who improved to 4-0 with Monday's win over New England, are due to host the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Seattle Seahawks (4-0), meanwhile, host the 1-3 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday hoping to make it five wins out of five.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-08--Malaysia's Tan matches Lincicome for Women's PGA Championship lead

Malaysia 's Kelly Tan birdied three of her first four holes in shooting a three-under par 67 to match American Brittany Lincicome for the lead after Thursday 's opening round of the Women 's PGA Championship .
World number 189 Tan , seeking her first LPGA victory , sank three birdie putts from 25 feet and beyond to help offset two bogeys in a tough opening round at Aronimink in Newtown Square , Pennsylvania .
`` Ball-striking was really good today , '' Tan said .
`` I just feel like I was hitting to the right spot , giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few nice 20 to 30-footers . ''
Lincicome managed four birdies against a lone bogey as she chases a third major victory after the 2009 and 2015 ANA Inspiration titles .
`` Very happy , '' Lincicome said .
`` Today it was kind of trusting my process , fairways and greens , being aggressive , do n't leave the putts short , and kind of just attack the golf course , and it kind of worked , which is really scary because this golf course was not easy .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times . ''
A third-place pack on 68 included New Zealand 's Lydia Ko , Sweden 's Linnea Strom , Spain 's Carlota Ciganda , Mexico 's Gaby Lopez and Americans Danielle Kang and Cydney Clanton .
Unheralded Tan , 26 , produced her best LPGA finish with a share of fourth as a rookie at the 2014 Marathon Classic and did n't crack the top 10 again until August when she shared ninth in the Marathon in only the second event back after a coronavirus shutdown in February .
`` I try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a little goal and try to achieve them and build confidence from there , '' Tan said .
`` My ball-striking has been really good and I think that has been a key and it has been giving me a lot of confidence going into the next day . ''
Her goal for round one was to stay calm and wait for opportunities .
`` Just stay patient , take those 30- , 50-footers if you have to , '' she said .
`` It was really hard on some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consideration .
I think I did that really well , and I 'm really proud about that . ''
Tan opened at the 10th hole and made a 25-foot birdie putt then added a seven-footer for birdie at 11 and 30-foot birdie putts at the 13th and 18th holes .
She made bogeys at the first and fourth but answered with a six-foot birdie putt at the seventh .
`` It 's a major championship .
You 're going to make bogeys , '' she said .
`` I just look at it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 'm not a robot .
I 'm not going to hit it to a perfect spot every time .
Just keep telling myself to keep giving myself chances and I did that very well coming home .
`` This is a tough golf course , and I just feel like I hit it to the right spots .
I could be aggressive on my putts and just really nice to see those long ones go in .
Lincicome birdied the second , took a bogey at the par-3 fifth , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ par-4 11th and par-3 17th to claim a share of the lead , missing only one green in regulation all day despite tricky winds .
`` Just trying to be aggressive , '' she said .
`` We left a few putts short coming in .
It was just tempo with the swing today and trying to swing slow . ''

New York (AFP) –
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Malaysia's Kelly Tan birdied three of her first four holes in shooting a three-under par 67 to match American Brittany Lincicome for the lead after Thursday's opening round of the Women's PGA Championship.
World number 189 Tan, seeking her first LPGA victory, sank three birdie putts from 25 feet and beyond to help offset two bogeys in a tough opening round at Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
"Ball-striking was really good today," Tan said. "I just feel like I was hitting to the right spot, giving myself those uphill looks, and made a few nice 20 to 30-footers."
Lincicome managed four birdies against a lone bogey as she chases a third major victory after the 2009 and 2015 ANA Inspiration titles.
"Very happy," Lincicome said. "Today it was kind of trusting my process, fairways and greens, being aggressive, don't leave the putts short, and kind of just attack the golf course, and it kind of worked, which is really scary because this golf course was not easy. It was really windy. It was cold at times."
A third-place pack on 68 included New Zealand's Lydia Ko, Sweden's Linnea Strom, Spain's Carlota Ciganda, Mexico's Gaby Lopez and Americans Danielle Kang and Cydney Clanton.
Unheralded Tan, 26, produced her best LPGA finish with a share of fourth as a rookie at the 2014 Marathon Classic and didn't crack the top 10 again until August when she shared ninth in the Marathon in only the second event back after a coronavirus shutdown in February.
"I try to tell myself that every day I have a little goal and try to achieve them and build confidence from there," Tan said. "My ball-striking has been really good and I think that has been a key and it has been giving me a lot of confidence going into the next day."
Her goal for round one was to stay calm and wait for opportunities.
"Just stay patient, take those 30-, 50-footers if you have to," she said. "It was really hard on some of the holes to take the flag out of consideration. I think I did that really well, and I'm really proud about that."
- 'I'm in a good spot' -
Tan opened at the 10th hole and made a 25-foot birdie putt then added a seven-footer for birdie at 11 and 30-foot birdie putts at the 13th and 18th holes. She made bogeys at the first and fourth but answered with a six-foot birdie putt at the seventh.
"It's a major championship. You're going to make bogeys," she said. "I just look at it as those things are going to happen. I'm not a robot. I'm not going to hit it to a perfect spot every time. Just keep telling myself to keep giving myself chances and I did that very well coming home.
"This is a tough golf course, and I just feel like I hit it to the right spots. I could be aggressive on my putts and just really nice to see those long ones go in.
"I think I'm in a good spot."
Lincicome birdied the second, took a bogey at the par-3 fifth, then added birdies at the par-5 ninth, par-4 11th and par-3 17th to claim a share of the lead, missing only one green in regulation all day despite tricky winds.
"Just trying to be aggressive," she said. "We left a few putts short coming in. It was just tempo with the swing today and trying to swing slow."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-08--Argentina becomes first country to approve genetically modified wheat

The scientific commission of Argentina 's agriculture ministry said it had approved a drought-resistant variety of wheat in the world 's fourth-largest exporter of the crop Argentina has become the first country to approve the growth and consumption of genetically modified wheat , the country 's agriculture ministry announced Thursday .
The ministry 's scientific commission said in a statement released in Buenos Aires that it had approved a drought-resistant variety of wheat in the world 's fourth-largest exporter of the crop .
`` This is the first approval in the world for drought-tolerant genetic transformation in wheat , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CONICET ) said in a statement .
However , experts expressed concern about the growth and marketing of genetically modified crops ( GMOs ) , citing difficulties in marketing such produce to consumers concerned about their effect on health and the environment .
CONICET said the genetic modifications to Argentina 's wheat crop would have to be approved in Brazil , historically the country 's biggest export market , to be commercially viable .
Some 45 percent of Argentina 's wheat exports in 2019 went to Brazil .
Other key markets are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government approval is due to be published on Thursday or Friday in the official Gazette .
The drought-resistant HB4 wheat variety was developed by Argentine biotechnology company Bioceres , working with the National University and CONICET .
`` Approval of our HB4 wheat in Argentina represents a groundbreaking milestone for the entire global value chain of this important crop , given the substantial yield increases and significant environmental benefits that our technology offers , '' said Bioceres CEO Federico Trucco .
`` Now we must go out into the world and convince people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to generate markets for this wheat , which represents an evolutionary leap . ''
Trucco admitted that winning approval from Brazil , the country 's key export market , could prove difficult .
`` The first country we have to convince is Brazil , and it may be hard work , '' he said .
Experts in the Winter Cereals Committee of the National Seeds Institute expressed concern over the government greenlighting of the project .
In a letter released Thursday , they warned that no country approved the use of transgenic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by local and/or foreign consumers of products made with transgenic crops and the difficulty of keeping GMO and non-GMO production separate . ''
They said eventual approval by the Brazilian government `` does not guarantee that mills , bakeries and individual consumers will agree to buy our GMO wheat and if they do , there is not guarantee that they will do so without a price discount . ''
The experts acknowledged the modified HB4 trait was a scientific advance and could make an important contribution to soybeans , maize and other crops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wheat . ''
In a decade of field trials for the HB4 wheat varieties returned an average 20 percent yield improvement in drought situations .
Severe droughts have increased in frequency as climate change worsens .
The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange said last month that wheat yields are being cut in half in areas of Argentina that have been devastated by drought .

Buenos Aires (AFP) –
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Argentina has become the first country to approve the growth and consumption of genetically modified wheat, the country's agriculture ministry announced Thursday.
The ministry's scientific commission said in a statement released in Buenos Aires that it had approved a drought-resistant variety of wheat in the world's fourth-largest exporter of the crop.
"This is the first approval in the world for drought-tolerant genetic transformation in wheat," the National Commission for Science and Technology (CONICET) said in a statement.
However, experts expressed concern about the growth and marketing of genetically modified crops (GMOs), citing difficulties in marketing such produce to consumers concerned about their effect on health and the environment.
CONICET said the genetic modifications to Argentina's wheat crop would have to be approved in Brazil, historically the country's biggest export market, to be commercially viable.
Some 45 percent of Argentina's wheat exports in 2019 went to Brazil.
Other key markets are Indonesia, Chile and Kenya.
Formal government approval is due to be published on Thursday or Friday in the official Gazette.
The drought-resistant HB4 wheat variety was developed by Argentine biotechnology company Bioceres, working with the National University and CONICET.
"Approval of our HB4 wheat in Argentina represents a groundbreaking milestone for the entire global value chain of this important crop, given the substantial yield increases and significant environmental benefits that our technology offers," said Bioceres CEO Federico Trucco.
"Now we must go out into the world and convince people that this is super good and be able to generate markets for this wheat, which represents an evolutionary leap."
Trucco admitted that winning approval from Brazil, the country's key export market, could prove difficult.
"The first country we have to convince is Brazil, and it may be hard work," he said.
- Experts concern -
Experts in the Winter Cereals Committee of the National Seeds Institute expressed concern over the government greenlighting of the project.
In a letter released Thursday, they warned that no country approved the use of transgenic wheat varieties "due to the non-acceptance by local and/or foreign consumers of products made with transgenic crops and the difficulty of keeping GMO and non-GMO production separate."
They said eventual approval by the Brazilian government "does not guarantee that mills, bakeries and individual consumers will agree to buy our GMO wheat and if they do, there is not guarantee that they will do so without a price discount."
The experts acknowledged the modified HB4 trait was a scientific advance and could make an important contribution to soybeans, maize and other crops, "but for now, not to wheat."
In a decade of field trials for the HB4 wheat varieties returned an average 20 percent yield improvement in drought situations.
Severe droughts have increased in frequency as climate change worsens.
The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange said last month that wheat yields are being cut in half in areas of Argentina that have been devastated by drought.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-08--Russia invites leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan for urgent peace talks

“ The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia are being invited to Moscow on October 9 , ” said Russian President Vladimir Putin , pictured in this August 11 , 2020 file photo .
Russian President Vladimir Putin invited the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan to visit Moscow for peace talks Friday and said fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh should be halted for humanitarian reasons .
Putin ’ s invitation came as there appeared to be no end in sight for nearly two weeks of fighting between Azerbaijan and ethic Armenian separatists that has claimed hundreds of lives .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being invited to Moscow on October 9 , ” Putin said in a statement released by the Kremlin .
“ The President of Russia is issuing a call to halt the fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh on humanitarian grounds in order to exchange dead bodies and prisoners , ” the Kremlin added .
Yerevan has so far ruled out any talks between the two countries ’ top diplomats as long as clashes are ongoing .
Earlier talks were held in Geneva but expectations were low and no statements were likely from the negotiations which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenian participation .
Azerbaijan ’ s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov was to meet diplomats from France , Russia and the United States , who make up the “ Minsk Group ” that has sought a solution to the Karabakh conflict since the 1990s .
Armenia on Thursday accused Azerbaijan of shelling a historic cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Armenia said several journalists were injured in strikes on the cathedral after an initial bombardment left rubble strewn across the floor , pews knocked over and a layer of dust coating the interior from parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been hit .
“ There is no military , nothing strategic here , how can you target a church ?
” said local resident Simeon , who lives nearby .
Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in bitter fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh , an Azerbaijani region controlled by Armenians who declared an unrecognised breakaway statelet after the fall of the USSR and emerged victorious from the war that followed .
Hundreds including civilians have been killed in the current fighting , the worst since a 1994 ceasefire , with both sides doubling down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region .
Defence officials in Azerbaijan and Armenia said fighting continued into Thursday , with both sides claiming to have inflicted heavy losses and accusing the other of shelling civilian areas .
There was a gaping hole in the roof of the Ghazanchetsots ( Holy Saviour ) Cathedral , AFP journalists reported , after Armenia ’ s defence ministry accused Azerbaijan of targeting a cherished site for the Armenian Apostolic Church .
A section of the cathedral ’ s metal roof collapsed and fell to the ground outside .
Baku denied its forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that unlike Armenia , “ the Azerbaijani army does not target historical , cultural , or especially religious , buildings and monuments.
” Explosions and sirens sounded in Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s regional capital Stepanakert as the city continued to face regular shelling early Thursday , AFP journalists said .
Heavy bombardments have levelled many homes since fighting erupted late last month and Stepanakert is pockmarked with unexploded ordnance and wide craters from shelling .
Alongside the new bombardments in Stepanakert , Azerbaijan said Armenian shelling on several villages near the frontline had left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a resident of Shukurbeyli near the border with Karabakh , said his village was subjected to Armenian shelling on a daily basis .
“ See for yourself , ” he said .
“ A neighbour ’ s house was destroyed.
” “ May God grant our soldiers , officers , and commanders health .
We rely on them , ” he told AFP .
Armenia ’ s rights ombudsman Artak Beglaryan told AFP on Wednesday that the renewed fighting has displaced around half of Karabakh ’ s 140,000 residents and forced some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their homes .
The fighting in one of the most combustible frozen conflicts resulting from the fall of the Soviet Union reignited on September 27 , with Azerbaijan insisting the region must return to its control .
Dozens of civilians have been confirmed killed in the fighting and the Armenian side has acknowledged more than 300 military deaths .
Azerbaijan has not admitted to any fatalities among its troops .
International leaders have repeatedly called for an immediate halt to the fighting but there are no signs yet of the conflict abating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan has sown fears in the West that the conflict could spiral into a full-blown war embroiling Ankara with Moscow , which has a military treaty with Armenia .
Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the world leaders to denounce the reported deployment of pro-Turkish fighters from Syria and Libya to Karabakh .
Iran on Wednesday warned of “ terrorists ” who had joined the conflict from abroad .
Azerbaijan announced Thursday that it was recalling its ambassador to Athens following reports that Greek citizens were joining Armenian forces in Karabakh @

Russia said Friday that Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed to meet in Moscow for negotiations on ending the fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, after President Vladimir Putin called for talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured in this August 11, 2020 file photo, has invited the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia to Moscow on October 9.
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"Baku and Yerevan have confirmed their participation in the consultations in Moscow," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP.
"Active preparations are under way," she said, with the talks expected to take place later on Friday and involve the two countries' foreign ministers.
Putin’s invitation came as there appeared to be no end in sight for nearly two weeks of fighting between Azerbaijan and ethic Armenian separatists that has claimed hundreds of lives.
“The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia are being invited to Moscow on October 9,” Putin said in a statement released by the Kremlin.
“The President of Russia is issuing a call to halt the fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh on humanitarian grounds in order to exchange dead bodies and prisoners,” the Kremlin added.
Yerevan has so far ruled out any talks between the two countries’ top diplomats as long as clashes are ongoing.
Earlier talks were held in Geneva but expectations were low and no statements were likely from the negotiations which were being conducted behind closed doors—and without Armenian participation.
03:01
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov was to meet diplomats from France, Russia and the United States, who make up the “Minsk Group” that has sought a solution to the Karabakh conflict since the 1990s.
Armenia on Thursday accused Azerbaijan of shelling a historic cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia said several journalists were injured in strikes on the cathedral after an initial bombardment left rubble strewn across the floor, pews knocked over and a layer of dust coating the interior from parts of the building’s limestone walls that had been hit.
“There is no military, nothing strategic here, how can you target a church?” said local resident Simeon, who lives nearby.
03:33
Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in bitter fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region controlled by Armenians who declared an unrecognised breakaway statelet after the fall of the USSR and emerged victorious from the war that followed.
Hundreds including civilians have been killed in the current fighting, the worst since a 1994 ceasefire, with both sides doubling down on entrenched positions over who should control the region.
Defence officials in Azerbaijan and Armenia said fighting continued into Thursday, with both sides claiming to have inflicted heavy losses and accusing the other of shelling civilian areas.
There was a gaping hole in the roof of the Ghazanchetsots (Holy Saviour) Cathedral, AFP journalists reported, after Armenia’s defence ministry accused Azerbaijan of targeting a cherished site for the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Thousands forced to flee
A section of the cathedral’s metal roof collapsed and fell to the ground outside.
Baku denied its forces were behind the first attack, saying that unlike Armenia, “the Azerbaijani army does not target historical, cultural, or especially religious, buildings and monuments.”
Explosions and sirens sounded in Nagorno-Karabakh’s regional capital Stepanakert as the city continued to face regular shelling early Thursday, AFP journalists said.
Heavy bombardments have levelled many homes since fighting erupted late last month and Stepanakert is pockmarked with unexploded ordnance and wide craters from shelling.
Alongside the new bombardments in Stepanakert, Azerbaijan said Armenian shelling on several villages near the frontline had left people dead and wounded.
Alamshar Hasanov, a resident of Shukurbeyli near the border with Karabakh, said his village was subjected to Armenian shelling on a daily basis.
“See for yourself,” he said. “A neighbour’s house was destroyed.”
“May God grant our soldiers, officers, and commanders health. We rely on them,” he told AFP.
Armenia’s rights ombudsman Artak Beglaryan told AFP on Wednesday that the renewed fighting has displaced around half of Karabakh’s 140,000 residents and forced some 90 percent of its women and children from their homes.
The fighting in one of the most combustible frozen conflicts resulting from the fall of the Soviet Union reignited on September 27, with Azerbaijan insisting the region must return to its control.
Threat of international conflict
Dozens of civilians have been confirmed killed in the fighting and the Armenian side has acknowledged more than 300 military deaths. Azerbaijan has not admitted to any fatalities among its troops.
International leaders have repeatedly called for an immediate halt to the fighting but there are no signs yet of the conflict abating.
Turkey’s strong backing for Azerbaijan has sown fears in the West that the conflict could spiral into a full-blown war embroiling Ankara with Moscow, which has a military treaty with Armenia.
Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the world leaders to denounce the reported deployment of pro-Turkish fighters from Syria and Libya to Karabakh. Iran on Wednesday warned of “terrorists” who had joined the conflict from abroad.
Azerbaijan announced Thursday that it was recalling its ambassador to Athens following reports that Greek citizens were joining Armenian forces in Karabakh.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-10-08--Lebanon's ex-PM Hariri says candidate to head next government

Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri , pictured August 2020 , said he `` will not close the door on the only hope left for Lebanon to stem this collapse '' Lebanon 's former prime minister Saad Hariri Thursday said he was a possible candidate to head a new government to stem the country 's economic collapse after a massive port blast .
French President Emmanuel Macron last month extracted a pledge from all political sides in the former French protectorate to back speedy government formation as part of a roadmap out of the crisis , but efforts so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate '' to head the next government , Hariri said during a live interview on the MTV television channel .
I `` will not close the door on the only hope left for Lebanon to stem this collapse , '' he said .
The country is mired in its worst economic crunch in decades , and still reeling from a massive explosion at Beirut ’ s port on August 4 that killed more than 200 people , wounded thousands and ravaged large parts of the capital .
President Michel Aoun is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premier on Thursday next week .
Hariri said he was ready to start making phone calls during the coming week `` if all political teams still agree on the programme '' discussed with Macron .
The former premier stepped down under street pressure last autumn after mass protests erupted demanding the overhaul of a political class accused of being inept and corrupt .
The government that followed , headed by Hassan Diab , resigned in the wake of the huge Beirut blast .
The next premier designate , Mustapha Adib , last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after his efforts to hammer out a cabinet were blocked by the country 's two main Shiite political parties -- Hezbollah and Amal -- seeking to keep the finance ministry under their control .
Forming a government can drag on for months in multi-confessional Lebanon , where a power-sharing agreement seeks to maintain a fragile balance between all sides .
But Hariri said all political sides had agreed with Macron , who visited Beirut twice in the wake of the blast , to set aside their differences for six months to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Every political side can invent a problem to government formation , '' Hariri said .
`` But if the political parties really want to stem the collapse and rebuild Beirut , they must follow the French initiative , '' he said .

Beirut (AFP) –
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Lebanon's former prime minister Saad Hariri Thursday said he was a possible candidate to head a new government to stem the country's economic collapse after a massive port blast.
French President Emmanuel Macron last month extracted a pledge from all political sides in the former French protectorate to back speedy government formation as part of a roadmap out of the crisis, but efforts so far have failed.
"I am definitely a candidate" to head the next government, Hariri said during a live interview on the MTV television channel.
I "will not close the door on the only hope left for Lebanon to stem this collapse," he said.
The country is mired in its worst economic crunch in decades, and still reeling from a massive explosion at Beirut’s port on August 4 that killed more than 200 people, wounded thousands and ravaged large parts of the capital.
President Michel Aoun is to hold parliamentary consultations on naming a new premier on Thursday next week.
Hariri said he was ready to start making phone calls during the coming week "if all political teams still agree on the programme" discussed with Macron.
The former premier stepped down under street pressure last autumn after mass protests erupted demanding the overhaul of a political class accused of being inept and corrupt.
The government that followed, headed by Hassan Diab, resigned in the wake of the huge Beirut blast.
The next premier designate, Mustapha Adib, last month bowed out just weeks after being nominated, after his efforts to hammer out a cabinet were blocked by the country's two main Shiite political parties -- Hezbollah and Amal -- seeking to keep the finance ministry under their control.
Forming a government can drag on for months in multi-confessional Lebanon, where a power-sharing agreement seeks to maintain a fragile balance between all sides.
But Hariri said all political sides had agreed with Macron, who visited Beirut twice in the wake of the blast, to set aside their differences for six months to save the country from further deterioration.
"Every political side can invent a problem to government formation," Hariri said.
"But if the political parties really want to stem the collapse and rebuild Beirut, they must follow the French initiative," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-08--DC United dumps Olsen as coach amid woeful MLS campaign

Major League Soccer doormat DC United relieved Ben Olsen of head coaching duties on Thursday after 10 years in the post , naming assistant coach Chad Ashton as an interim manager .
United own the worst record in the 26-team league at 2-9 with five drawn for 11 points , two adrift of FC Cincinnati and three behind Inter Miami .
`` It is now time for a change , '' said Olsen in a statement .
`` It 's the right move .
The club needs a new face and this is the right time for the club and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different direction . ''
Olsen and the club he has spent two decades with are in talks to find him another role within the organization .
`` Ben has been a fabric of the DC United organization for more than two decades , including his role as head coach for the last 10 years , and we are forever grateful for his contributions and leadership , '' said United chief executive officer Jason Levien .
United has scored a league-low 12 goals in 16 matches and comes off a 4-1 drubbing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 4-0 loss to Atlanta on Saturday .
DC United has five losses and two draws since last winning 1-0 over the New York Red Bulls on September 2 .
The 43-year-old American helped the US squad win the 2005 Gold Cup and played as a midfielder on the 2006 US World Cup team .
Olsen played 11 seasons for DC United , winning MLS titles in 1999 and 2004 , and took over as coach in 2010 , leading the club to the playoffs in five of the past six seasons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United welcomed England 's Wayne Rooney in 2018 as they opened a new 20,000-seat home stadium but he returned to his homeland a year ago , scoring 23 goals in 48 MLS matches but cutting his contract short by two years to join Derby County as United began to flounder .
`` I spent the last 22 years waking up every morning thinking about how I could try to make this club better , '' Olsen said .
`` I definitely didn ’ t get everything right , but I know I always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help this club achieve success ...
I 'm very much looking forward to my next chapter . ''

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Major League Soccer doormat DC United relieved Ben Olsen of head coaching duties on Thursday after 10 years in the post, naming assistant coach Chad Ashton as an interim manager.
United own the worst record in the 26-team league at 2-9 with five drawn for 11 points, two adrift of FC Cincinnati and three behind Inter Miami.
"It is now time for a change," said Olsen in a statement. "It's the right move. The club needs a new face and this is the right time for the club and also for me personally to move in a different direction."
Olsen and the club he has spent two decades with are in talks to find him another role within the organization.
"Ben has been a fabric of the DC United organization for more than two decades, including his role as head coach for the last 10 years, and we are forever grateful for his contributions and leadership," said United chief executive officer Jason Levien.
United has scored a league-low 12 goals in 16 matches and comes off a 4-1 drubbing by New York City FC on Wednesday and a 4-0 loss to Atlanta on Saturday.
DC United has five losses and two draws since last winning 1-0 over the New York Red Bulls on September 2.
The 43-year-old American helped the US squad win the 2005 Gold Cup and played as a midfielder on the 2006 US World Cup team.
Olsen played 11 seasons for DC United, winning MLS titles in 1999 and 2004, and took over as coach in 2010, leading the club to the playoffs in five of the past six seasons and a 2013 US Open Cup crown.
United welcomed England's Wayne Rooney in 2018 as they opened a new 20,000-seat home stadium but he returned to his homeland a year ago, scoring 23 goals in 48 MLS matches but cutting his contract short by two years to join Derby County as United began to flounder.
"I spent the last 22 years waking up every morning thinking about how I could try to make this club better," Olsen said.
"I definitely didn’t get everything right, but I know I always gave everything I had to try to help this club achieve success... I'm very much looking forward to my next chapter."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-08--US says climate change doesn't threaten snow-dwelling wolverines

A wolverine is pictured during its first public appearance at the Animal Park of Sainte-Croix in Rhodes , eastern France US wildlife officials said Thursday they were withdrawing a proposal to protect wolverines after finding the rare snow-dwelling predators are n't as threatened by climate change as previously thought .
The move was condemned by conservation groups , who said it was a result of the Trump administration 's denial of climate science , and that extra measures were badly needed to save the estimated 300 or so wolverines left in the contiguous United States .
The Fish and Wildlife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` reflects the latest and best available science , including improvements to our understanding of the biology and behavior of the species , as well as advances in snow and climate modeling . ''
In 2016 , a court ruled the FWS must consider further its decision to drop proposed protections that the agency itself first put forward in 2013 .
`` In the time since our original proposal , the science on wolverine has been greatly advanced thanks to the work of state wildlife agencies and researchers in the U.S. and around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noreen Walsh .
The FWS said Thursday it had recorded 86 photographic detections of the animals through camera-trapping and 157 hair samples between 2016-17 , and determined it was n't as rare as thought , even though it could n't make an estimate for actual population size .
It added that climate modeling indicated snow cover was n't receding as rapidly as thought in certain areas , snow cover is n't as critical for the species to build dens , and that wolverines in the lower 48 states are connected to populations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Timothy Preso , an attorney with Earthjustice , part of a coalition that intends to sue the government , told AFP the FWS announcement amounted to `` smoke and mirrors . ''
`` What they did was a one year snapshot of where there was wolverine occupancy detected by remote cameras , and they do n't know whether that was numerous individuals , or one individual traversing an area . ''
`` What we know is that climate change is literally melting the wolverine habitat out from under it , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Trump administration 's hostility to climate science .
What 's more , he said , the fact that the species is more abundant in Canada and Alaska is n't a good rationale for not protecting it in the contiguous United States , he said .
Wolverines , which resemble small bears and have bushy tails , once roamed the northern US , but their population has been decimated by trapping , poisoning and habitat loss that started in the 19th century .
The largest member of the weasel family , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idaho , Montana , Washington , Wyoming and northeast Oregon , and are at risk from climate change because they dig their dens in declining snowpack to birth and raise their young .
Signed in 1973 , the Endangered Species Act is credited with saving iconic American species such as the gray wolf , bald eagle and grizzly bear .
It protects listed species from being killed or harmed , protects their habitats , and creates plans to restore healthy populations , among other things .

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US wildlife officials said Thursday they were withdrawing a proposal to protect wolverines after finding the rare snow-dwelling predators aren't as threatened by climate change as previously thought.
The move was condemned by conservation groups, who said it was a result of the Trump administration's denial of climate science, and that extra measures were badly needed to save the estimated 300 or so wolverines left in the contiguous United States.
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said its decision "reflects the latest and best available science, including improvements to our understanding of the biology and behavior of the species, as well as advances in snow and climate modeling."
In 2016, a court ruled the FWS must consider further its decision to drop proposed protections that the agency itself first put forward in 2013.
"In the time since our original proposal, the science on wolverine has been greatly advanced thanks to the work of state wildlife agencies and researchers in the U.S. and around the world," said FWS official Noreen Walsh.
The FWS said Thursday it had recorded 86 photographic detections of the animals through camera-trapping and 157 hair samples between 2016-17, and determined it wasn't as rare as thought, even though it couldn't make an estimate for actual population size.
It added that climate modeling indicated snow cover wasn't receding as rapidly as thought in certain areas, snow cover isn't as critical for the species to build dens, and that wolverines in the lower 48 states are connected to populations in Canada and Alaska where they can migrate.
But Timothy Preso, an attorney with Earthjustice, part of a coalition that intends to sue the government, told AFP the FWS announcement amounted to "smoke and mirrors."
"What they did was a one year snapshot of where there was wolverine occupancy detected by remote cameras, and they don't know whether that was numerous individuals, or one individual traversing an area."
"What we know is that climate change is literally melting the wolverine habitat out from under it," he added, attributing the new decision to the Trump administration's hostility to climate science.
What's more, he said, the fact that the species is more abundant in Canada and Alaska isn't a good rationale for not protecting it in the contiguous United States, he said.
Wolverines, which resemble small bears and have bushy tails, once roamed the northern US, but their population has been decimated by trapping, poisoning and habitat loss that started in the 19th century.
The largest member of the weasel family, they now exist only in small populations in Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming and northeast Oregon, and are at risk from climate change because they dig their dens in declining snowpack to birth and raise their young.
Signed in 1973, the Endangered Species Act is credited with saving iconic American species such as the gray wolf, bald eagle and grizzly bear.
It protects listed species from being killed or harmed, protects their habitats, and creates plans to restore healthy populations, among other things.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-08--French, Italian captives freed with top politician in Mali

Sophie Petronin pictured working with children in Africa in an undated photo circulated by a group of supporters seeking her release Mali announced Thursday the release of an elderly French aid worker , two Italian captives and a top Malian politician , who were all believed to have been held by jihadists .
French President Emmanuel Macron immediately voiced `` immense relief '' at the release of the woman , the last French hostage in the world , and expressed France 's continued support for Mali in its fight against an Islamist insurgency .
The presidency tweeted Thursday that Frenchwoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politician Soumaila Cisse , 70 , were on their way to the capital Bamako following their release .
The announcement came after several days of uncertainty about the status of the pair , sparked after the government released over 100 suspected and convicted jihadists .
In an unexpected development , the prime minister 's office also announced Thursday that two Italian nationals named Nicola Chiacchio and Pier Luigi Maccalli had been freed .
Petronin was abducted by gunmen on December 24 , 2016 , in the northern city of Gao , where she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She was the last French national held hostage in the world .
Cisse , a 70-year-old former opposition leader and three-time presidential candidate , was kidnapped on March 25 while campaigning in his home region of Niafounke , in central Mali , ahead of parliamentary elections .
Chiacchio , a priest , was abducted in neighbouring Niger in 2018 .
Nicola Chiacchio went missing in northern Mali in 2019 while on a solo bicycle trip , according to Italian media .
Italy 's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte , Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release of the Italians who Di Maio said were well .
Conte thanked the intelligence services and the foreign office .
Mali 's government on Thursday gave no indication of the circumstances of the hostages ' release , nor did it provide information on the health of the former captives .
There have long been concerns about Petronin 's health while in captivity , however .
She had appeared in two videos broadcast by the al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist alliance GSIM after her capture .
But the last video , in 2018 , showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triggered alarm among her family memebers who pressured Macron to negotiate with her captors .
France 's president several times said that his services were working `` tirelessly '' for her release .
`` To her family , to her loved ones , I send a message of sympathy , '' Macron tweeted on Thursday .
`` To the Malian authorities , thank you .
The fight against terrorism in the Sahel continues '' .
Mali 's former colonial power France has 5,100 soldiers deployed across the Sahel as part of its anti-jihadist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern Mali in 2012 , a brutal jihadist insurgency has spread to the centre of the country as well as Burkina Faso and Niger .
Thousands of soldiers and civilians have died in the conflict and hundreds of thousands have had to flee their homes .
Kidnappings are also common .
-'We had to'- Very few details have been released about how Mali secured the hostages ' release .
One of the hostage negotiators , who requested anonymity , told AFP that the talks remained difficult up to the end , however .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's office said that the four hostages had been held by the Group to Support Islam and Muslims ( GSIM ) .
The alliance comprises several jihadist groups aligned to al-Qaeda , and has claimed responsibility for some of the biggest attacks in the Sahel .
Mali released over 100 jihadist prisoners to the volatile centre of the country over the weekend , and in the northern town of Tessalit , a security official told AFP this week .
The rare mass release sparked immediate speculation on social media that the government was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cisse .
Both the Malian and French governments declined to comment on the affair over the following days , despite intense media interest .
French officials , in particular , cited the need to maintain discretion .
There had been little or no speculation about the release of the Italian hostages , however , despite the broadcast of a hostage video featuring the pair in March this year .
The prisoner release came with an interim government due to govern Mali for 18 months before staging elections after a military junta overthrew president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kidnapping of former opposition leader Cisse was one of the factors that fuelled popular protests which led to the ouster of Keita over his perceived inability to crush the Islamist insurgency .
The intermediary involved in the negotiations told AFP on Thursday that releasing the jihadists was necessary .
`` Yes , terrorists were released , '' he said .
`` We had to obtain the release , '' he added .
Several other hostages remain detained by militant groups in the Sahel .

Bamako (AFP) –
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Mali announced Thursday the release of an elderly French aid worker, two Italian captives and a top Malian politician, who were all believed to have been held by jihadists.
French President Emmanuel Macron immediately voiced "immense relief" at the release of the woman, the last French hostage in the world, and expressed France's continued support for Mali in its fight against an Islamist insurgency.
The presidency tweeted Thursday that Frenchwoman Sophie Petronin, 75, and Mali politician Soumaila Cisse, 70, were on their way to the capital Bamako following their release.
The announcement came after several days of uncertainty about the status of the pair, sparked after the government released over 100 suspected and convicted jihadists.
In an unexpected development, the prime minister's office also announced Thursday that two Italian nationals named Nicola Chiacchio and Pier Luigi Maccalli had been freed.
Petronin was abducted by gunmen on December 24, 2016, in the northern city of Gao, where she worked for a children's charity.
She was the last French national held hostage in the world.
Cisse, a 70-year-old former opposition leader and three-time presidential candidate, was kidnapped on March 25 while campaigning in his home region of Niafounke, in central Mali, ahead of parliamentary elections.
Chiacchio, a priest, was abducted in neighbouring Niger in 2018. Nicola Chiacchio went missing in northern Mali in 2019 while on a solo bicycle trip, according to Italian media.
-'Emaciated and fatigued'-
Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini and Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio all hailed the release of the Italians who Di Maio said were well.
Conte thanked the intelligence services and the foreign office.
Mali's government on Thursday gave no indication of the circumstances of the hostages' release, nor did it provide information on the health of the former captives.
There have long been concerns about Petronin's health while in captivity, however.
She had appeared in two videos broadcast by the al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist alliance GSIM after her capture.
But the last video, in 2018, showed her looking emaciated and fatigued, and triggered alarm among her family memebers who pressured Macron to negotiate with her captors.
France's president several times said that his services were working "tirelessly" for her release.
"To her family, to her loved ones, I send a message of sympathy," Macron tweeted on Thursday.
"To the Malian authorities, thank you. The fight against terrorism in the Sahel continues".
Mali's former colonial power France has 5,100 soldiers deployed across the Sahel as part of its anti-jihadist Operation Barkhane.
After first emerging in northern Mali in 2012, a brutal jihadist insurgency has spread to the centre of the country as well as Burkina Faso and Niger.
Thousands of soldiers and civilians have died in the conflict and hundreds of thousands have had to flee their homes. Kidnappings are also common.
-'We had to'-
Very few details have been released about how Mali secured the hostages' release.
One of the hostage negotiators, who requested anonymity, told AFP that the talks remained difficult up to the end, however.
On Thursday, Mali's prime minister's office said that the four hostages had been held by the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM).
The alliance comprises several jihadist groups aligned to al-Qaeda, and has claimed responsibility for some of the biggest attacks in the Sahel.
Mali released over 100 jihadist prisoners to the volatile centre of the country over the weekend, and in the northern town of Tessalit, a security official told AFP this week.
The rare mass release sparked immediate speculation on social media that the government was conducting a prisoner swap for Petronin and Cisse.
Both the Malian and French governments declined to comment on the affair over the following days, despite intense media interest.
French officials, in particular, cited the need to maintain discretion.
There had been little or no speculation about the release of the Italian hostages, however, despite the broadcast of a hostage video featuring the pair in March this year.
The prisoner release came with an interim government due to govern Mali for 18 months before staging elections after a military junta overthrew president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August.
The kidnapping of former opposition leader Cisse was one of the factors that fuelled popular protests which led to the ouster of Keita over his perceived inability to crush the Islamist insurgency.
The intermediary involved in the negotiations told AFP on Thursday that releasing the jihadists was necessary.
"Yes, terrorists were released," he said. "We had to obtain the release," he added.
Several other hostages remain detained by militant groups in the Sahel.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-09--Sordo grabs lead in Rally of Sardinia

Sordo grabs lead in Rally of Sardinia

Dani Sordo grabbed the lead in the Rally of Sardinia on Friday morning Spaniard Dani Sordo took the lead in the Rally of Sardinia by winning the second and fourth stages on Friday morning .
The Hyundai driver overtook Finn Teemu Suninen in an M-Sport Ford with Frenchman Sebastien Ogier of Toyota third .
Sordo , who has not finished in the top 10 this season but won in Italy last year , grabbed the lead when he was fastest by 9.4sec on the fourth stage , the last one on the morning loop .
`` It 's good !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is really nice to drive '' .
Sordo leads Suninen by 7.5sec and Ogier by 18.6sec .
The rally is the penultimate leg of the abbreviated World Rally Championship and Ogier is second in the standings to his British team-mate Elfyn Evans for the title .
`` I think so far it is working well , '' said Ogier after the fourth stage .
`` So we have to keep going .
The car is working pretty well . ''
Evans is fourth .
Reigning champion Ott Tanak , who is third in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after battling a mechanical issue in his Hyundai .

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Spaniard Dani Sordo took the lead in the Rally of Sardinia by winning the second and fourth stages on Friday morning.
The Hyundai driver overtook Finn Teemu Suninen in an M-Sport Ford with Frenchman Sebastien Ogier of Toyota third.
Sordo, who has not finished in the top 10 this season but won in Italy last year, grabbed the lead when he was fastest by 9.4sec on the fourth stage, the last one on the morning loop.
"It's good!" he said. "The car is really nice to drive".
Sordo leads Suninen by 7.5sec and Ogier by 18.6sec.
The rally is the penultimate leg of the abbreviated World Rally Championship and Ogier is second in the standings to his British team-mate Elfyn Evans for the title.
"I think so far it is working well," said Ogier after the fourth stage. "So we have to keep going. The car is working pretty well."
Evans is fourth. Reigning champion Ott Tanak, who is third in the overall standings, lost 1min 49.6sec after battling a mechanical issue in his Hyundai.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-09--'Jed': Last Polish woman to reach French Open final

Iga Swiatek is the first Polish woman to reach the French Open final since Jadwiga Jedrzejowska in 1939 For 19-year-old Iga Swiatek the French Open final on Saturday is a breakthough but 81 years ago she had a Polish predecessor , Jadwiga Jedrzejowska , who played for the title at Roland Garros .
Here are five things we know about Jedrzejowska -- known as `` Jed '' -- the most outstanding Polish player of the interwar period : Jedrzejowska was born on October 15 , 1912 in Krakow in southern Poland , the daughter of a worker .
The family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fascinated by the sport from an early age .
When she was 10 , her father made her first racket .
According to a biography on the website of Polish Radio , she remembered keeping it under her pillow , the way other girls her age kept dolls .
Her female rivals refused to play against her as women 's tennis was a high-society sport .
As a result , she trained mostly with men and became Polish champion at the age of 20 .
Because her name was judged too difficult to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the English-speaking world as `` Jed '' or `` Ja-Ja '' .
In Poland , her nickname was `` Jadzia '' or `` Ya-dzha '' .
King Gustav V of Sweden , who had played with her on the French Riviera before the war , tried to get her out of war-torn Poland in 1941 .
She turned down the offer , and refused an invitation from Poland 's Nazi occupiers to move to Germany .
Before the war , she met Charlie Chaplin in the United States , upbraiding him for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The two later became fast friends and they corresponded until his death in 1977 .
She reached the final of Wimbledon in 1937 but lost against a far more experienced rival , Britain 's Dorothy Round .
She remembered she was `` afraid to win '' and cried in the cloakroom , although she received a hero 's welcome when she returned to Poland .
She lost the 1939 French Open final to Simonne Mathieu but won the doubles title by teaming up with Mathieu against Yugoslav players Alice Florian and Hella @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hitler 's invasion of Poland signalled the start of World War II .
She continued playing after the war and made it to the mixed doubles final of the French Open in 1947 .
She married an engineer , Alfred Gallert , and was involved with tennis for the rest of her life .
She died in Katowice in southern Poland in 1980 -- at the outset of the Solidarity movement which brought down Poland 's post-war communist regime .

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For 19-year-old Iga Swiatek the French Open final on Saturday is a breakthough but 81 years ago she had a Polish predecessor, Jadwiga Jedrzejowska, who played for the title at Roland Garros.
Here are five things we know about Jedrzejowska -- known as "Jed" -- the most outstanding Polish player of the interwar period:
- Humble beginnings -
Jedrzejowska was born on October 15, 1912 in Krakow in southern Poland, the daughter of a worker. The family lived near tennis courts and she was fascinated by the sport from an early age.
When she was 10, her father made her first racket. According to a biography on the website of Polish Radio, she remembered keeping it under her pillow, the way other girls her age kept dolls.
Her female rivals refused to play against her as women's tennis was a high-society sport. As a result, she trained mostly with men and became Polish champion at the age of 20.
- Nicknames -
Because her name was judged too difficult to pronounce,Jedrzejowska was commonly referred to in the English-speaking world as "Jed" or "Ja-Ja".
In Poland, her nickname was "Jadzia" or "Ya-dzha".
- High-society friends -
King Gustav V of Sweden, who had played with her on the French Riviera before the war, tried to get her out of war-torn Poland in 1941. She turned down the offer, and refused an invitation from Poland's Nazi occupiers to move to Germany.
Before the war, she met Charlie Chaplin in the United States, upbraiding him for being too critical of a tennis match.
The two later became fast friends and they corresponded until his death in 1977.
- One Grand Slam -
She reached the final of Wimbledon in 1937 but lost against a far more experienced rival, Britain's Dorothy Round. She remembered she was "afraid to win" and cried in the cloakroom, although she received a hero's welcome when she returned to Poland.
She lost the 1939 French Open final to Simonne Mathieu but won the doubles title by teaming up with Mathieu against Yugoslav players Alice Florian and Hella Kovac. Just a few weeks later, Hitler's invasion of Poland signalled the start of World War II.
- Return to French Open -
She continued playing after the war and made it to the mixed doubles final of the French Open in 1947. She married an engineer, Alfred Gallert, and was involved with tennis for the rest of her life.
She died in Katowice in southern Poland in 1980 -- at the outset of the Solidarity movement which brought down Poland's post-war communist regime.
© 2020 AFP