france24--2020-08-17--Lukaku, Martinez fire five-star Inter into Europa League final

Deadly duo : Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez both scored twice in Inter 's 5-0 thrashing of Shakhtar Donetsk Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez both scored twice as Inter Milan stormed into a first European final in 10 years with a 5-0 thrashing of Shakhtar Donetsk in Dusseldorf .
Danilo D'Ambrosio was also on target for Antonio Conte 's men , who will face Sevilla in Friday 's final in Cologne .
The Italian giants have endured a lean decade since winning the Champions League in 2010 , but closed the gap on Juventus at the top of Serie A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first season in charge and are now one win away from a first trophy in nine years .
Martinez and Lukaku 's prolific partnership has been the source of much of Inter 's success and they took their tally to a combined 54 for the season .
After a slow start , Martinez rose highest to power home Nicolo Barella 's cross to open the scoring on 19 minutes .
Shakhtar are one of European football 's great survivors as the Ukrainian champions continue to thrive despite not playing a match in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to a war in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian-backed separatists .
Luis Castro 's men had scored 14 goals in five Europa League games since dropping into the competition form the Champions League , but their talented array of Brazilian forwards barely laid a glove on a characteristically well-organised Conte defence .
At the other end Martinez was always lively and only a brilliant save from 36-year-old Andriy Pyatov denied him a classy second as he won the ball 30 yards from goal and immediately lobbed the ball goalwards early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one golden chance to level when Mykola Matviyenko 's cross picked out Junior Moraes , but the Brazilian-born Ukrainian international 's header was too close to Samir Handanovic .
Two minutes later , Inter landed the killer blow when D'Ambrosio met Marcelo Brozovic 's corner with a powerful header .
Lukaku extended his run of scoring in now 10 straight Europa League games , but the Belgian was made to wait as Pyatov got down well to save his first big sight of goal .
Martinez showed the way with by finding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gave Pyatov no time to set himself after Shakhtar were caught in possession inside their own half for his 21st goal of the season .
Lukaku then got in on the act 12 minutes from time as this time Martinez played provider before his strike partner slotted low into the far corner .
Five minutes later the former Manchester United striker had his 33rd goal of the campaign by accelerating away from a slow Shakhtar backline before firing through Pyatov 's legs .

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Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez both scored twice as Inter Milan stormed into a first European final in 10 years with a 5-0 thrashing of Shakhtar Donetsk in Dusseldorf.
Danilo D'Ambrosio was also on target for Antonio Conte's men, who will face Sevilla in Friday's final in Cologne.
The Italian giants have endured a lean decade since winning the Champions League in 2010, but closed the gap on Juventus at the top of Serie A to just one point in Conte's first season in charge and are now one win away from a first trophy in nine years.
Martinez and Lukaku's prolific partnership has been the source of much of Inter's success and they took their tally to a combined 54 for the season.
After a slow start, Martinez rose highest to power home Nicolo Barella's cross to open the scoring on 19 minutes.
Shakhtar are one of European football's great survivors as the Ukrainian champions continue to thrive despite not playing a match in their home city of Donetsk for six years due to a war in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian-backed separatists.
Luis Castro's men had scored 14 goals in five Europa League games since dropping into the competition form the Champions League, but their talented array of Brazilian forwards barely laid a glove on a characteristically well-organised Conte defence.
At the other end Martinez was always lively and only a brilliant save from 36-year-old Andriy Pyatov denied him a classy second as he won the ball 30 yards from goal and immediately lobbed the ball goalwards early in the second half.
Shakhtar had one golden chance to level when Mykola Matviyenko's cross picked out Junior Moraes, but the Brazilian-born Ukrainian international's header was too close to Samir Handanovic.
Two minutes later, Inter landed the killer blow when D'Ambrosio met Marcelo Brozovic's corner with a powerful header.
Lukaku extended his run of scoring in now 10 straight Europa League games, but the Belgian was made to wait as Pyatov got down well to save his first big sight of goal.
Martinez showed the way with by finding the bottom corner with a brilliant quick hit that gave Pyatov no time to set himself after Shakhtar were caught in possession inside their own half for his 21st goal of the season.
Lukaku then got in on the act 12 minutes from time as this time Martinez played provider before his strike partner slotted low into the far corner.
Five minutes later the former Manchester United striker had his 33rd goal of the campaign by accelerating away from a slow Shakhtar backline before firing through Pyatov's legs.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Suspects charged in the long-unsolved murder of rap star Jam Master Jay

The coffin of Run-DMC 's Jam Master Jay , the rapper born Jason Mizell , is carried out of a Queens Cathedral after his funeral on November 5 , 2002 Two people have been charged in connection with the murder of hip hop innovator Jam Master Jay of the seminal group Run-DMC , an infamous New York slaying that 's gone unsolved for 18 years .
On Monday , prosecutors announced the 10-count indictment against the alleged suspects Ronald Washington -- who is already in federal custody -- and Karl Jordan Jr , who was arrested Sunday .
The charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 , 2002 , when the pioneering rap music star Jason `` Jay '' Mizell was fatally shot in the head at his studio in Queens .
The artist was 37 years old and a father of three .
Jordan Jr , 36 , pleaded not guilty to all counts Monday in a teleconferenced arraignment .
Washington , 56 , will be arraigned at a later date .
Both defendants face charges of murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking , and firearms-related murder .
Jordan also faces several additional narcotics distribution counts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ years to life in prison , or the death penalty .
`` They walked in and they murdered him in cold blood , '' said Acting United States Attorney Seth DuCharme in announcing the charges .
`` For the crime of murder , the passage of time offers you no escape . ''
According to court documents , the motive was linked to Mizell 's acquisition of cocaine that was intended for distribution in Maryland by a group including Washington and Jordan .
An internal dispute resulted in Mizell cutting Washington out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to the murder plot .
The killing was particularly shocking given the reputation of Run-DMC , a 1980s-era hip hop group known for hits including `` It 's Tricky '' and `` Christmas In Hollis . ''
The trio regularly railed against violent gang culture , which in the early 1990s became associated with rap music .
Over the years , investigators had explored a number of possible motives -- including that the fatal shooting involved a grudge against fellow Queens-born rapper 50 Cent , who was Jam Master Jay 's protege @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jam Master Jay 's murder followed a string of executions of rappers in the 1990s , including the notorious shootings of superstars Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G .
Along with LL Cool J and Public Enemy , Run-DMC were trailblazers of new school hip hop -- a sound characterized by rock elements , aggressive boasting and sociopolitical commentary -- and its outgrowth golden era hip hop , which included eclectic sampling .
They also established a new , enduring rap aesthetic incorporating street culture , a departure from the flashy , disco-inflected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their single `` My Adidas '' off their hit album `` Raising Hell '' led to a massive endorsement deal with athletic brand Adidas , kicking off today 's inextricable link between hip hop culture and sneakers .
And the `` Walk This Way '' remake off the same album propelled rap into the mainstream , with Run-DMC and Aerosmith performing a groundbreaking rap-rock version of the latter 's 1970s hit .
All heralding from the Hollis neighborhood of Queens , Run-DMC included its DJ -- Jam Master Jay -- and the MCs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Simmons and Darryl McDaniels , or `` DMC . ''
Prior to his death , Mizell became particularly influential in New York as a local cultivator of talent , working with young aspiring rappers and founding a DJ Academy .

New York (AFP) –
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Two people have been charged in connection with the murder of hip hop innovator Jam Master Jay of the seminal group Run-DMC, an infamous New York slaying that's gone unsolved for 18 years.
On Monday, prosecutors announced the 10-count indictment against the alleged suspects Ronald Washington -- who is already in federal custody -- and Karl Jordan Jr, who was arrested Sunday.
The charges are linked to the events of October 30, 2002, when the pioneering rap music star Jason "Jay" Mizell was fatally shot in the head at his studio in Queens. The artist was 37 years old and a father of three.
Jordan Jr, 36, pleaded not guilty to all counts Monday in a teleconferenced arraignment. Washington, 56, will be arraigned at a later date.
Both defendants face charges of murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking, and firearms-related murder. Jordan also faces several additional narcotics distribution counts.
If convicted, each defendant faces 20 years to life in prison, or the death penalty.
"They walked in and they murdered him in cold blood," said Acting United States Attorney Seth DuCharme in announcing the charges.
"For the crime of murder, the passage of time offers you no escape."
According to court documents, the motive was linked to Mizell's acquisition of cocaine that was intended for distribution in Maryland by a group including Washington and Jordan.
An internal dispute resulted in Mizell cutting Washington out of the deal, which according to prosecutors led to the murder plot.
The killing was particularly shocking given the reputation of Run-DMC, a 1980s-era hip hop group known for hits including "It's Tricky" and "Christmas In Hollis." The trio regularly railed against violent gang culture, which in the early 1990s became associated with rap music.
Over the years, investigators had explored a number of possible motives -- including that the fatal shooting involved a grudge against fellow Queens-born rapper 50 Cent, who was Jam Master Jay's protege. That theory was later dropped.
Jam Master Jay's murder followed a string of executions of rappers in the 1990s, including the notorious shootings of superstars Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.
- Hip hop pioneers -
Along with LL Cool J and Public Enemy, Run-DMC were trailblazers of new school hip hop -- a sound characterized by rock elements, aggressive boasting and sociopolitical commentary -- and its outgrowth golden era hip hop, which included eclectic sampling.
They also established a new, enduring rap aesthetic incorporating street culture, a departure from the flashy, disco-inflected attire of the group's predecessors.
Their single "My Adidas" off their hit album "Raising Hell" led to a massive endorsement deal with athletic brand Adidas, kicking off today's inextricable link between hip hop culture and sneakers.
And the "Walk This Way" remake off the same album propelled rap into the mainstream, with Run-DMC and Aerosmith performing a groundbreaking rap-rock version of the latter's 1970s hit.
All heralding from the Hollis neighborhood of Queens, Run-DMC included its DJ -- Jam Master Jay -- and the MCs who dropped rhymes, Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl McDaniels, or "DMC."
Prior to his death, Mizell became particularly influential in New York as a local cultivator of talent, working with young aspiring rappers and founding a DJ Academy.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Pakistan's Waqar wants to 'stay on longer' after bad light delays in second Test

'Stay out longer ' - Pakistan great Waqar Younis says bad light should be less of an issue in Tests Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis said he wanted to see teams `` staying out there a bit longer '' after bad light blighted the second Test against England at Southampton .
Monday saw a match where a draw had long appeared an inevitable end with England still in their first innings at 110-4 as they replied to Pakistan 's 236 .
Only 134.3 overs were bowled in total , with the whole of Saturday 's third day washed out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can delay play , many pundits were scathing about the repeated stoppages for bad light at a ground where the floodlights were in use .
While some observers suggested a pink ball , as happens in day/night Tests , could be used to aid greater visibility , fast-bowling great Waqar suggested greater flexibilty from the match officials was the best way of maximising playing time .
`` I feel unless light gets really bad , we can stay out there a bit longer , '' said Waqar .
`` But I 'm generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Test cricket as possible , '' he added after a result that left Pakistan still 1-0 down in a three-match series ahead of the third Test , also at Southampton , starting Friday .
`` It 's the oldest and most traditional format .
What we need to be careful of is which kind of cricket ball is used . ''
Waqar added : `` I do n't yet know how a Dukes pink ball is going to behave in this country .
If conditions are overcast and the lights are on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It can work , but we 'd need further trials in England . ''
- 'Do as we 're told ' - Meanwhile England captain Joe Root , although sympathetic to the position on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Michael Gough found themselves in at the Ageas Bowl , said changes must be made `` somewhere , somehow '' to help prevent future Tests being so disrupted by bad light .
`` I think it 's hard to blame the umpires here , '' said Root , with the officials in the firing line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before 1500 GMT .
`` There 's something bigger that needs looking at higher up the chain , '' he added .
`` I think it needs to be addressed somewhere , somehow .
`` I do n't think I 've ever seen a game be affected by bad light as much as this .
I 'm not exactly sure what the answers are to be honest .
`` But until those things change from the ICC ( International Cricket Council ) , the umpires have to follow the rules in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do as we are told . ''
Root insisted his side `` do n't want to be sat watching , we want to be involved in exciting Test cricket and make an impact on the world stage '' .
But he added : `` If you 're facing someone really quick it can feel a bit more dangerous -- in the field , square of the wicket is where you feel most vulnerable .
`` Similarly the umpires might feel in danger if someone crunches a pull shot or hits one straight back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to be able to see and make the right decisions on the field . ''

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis said he wanted to see teams "staying out there a bit longer" after bad light blighted the second Test against England at Southampton.
Monday saw a match where a draw had long appeared an inevitable end with England still in their first innings at 110-4 as they replied to Pakistan's 236.
Only 134.3 overs were bowled in total, with the whole of Saturday's third day washed out.
But while there is an understanding rain can delay play, many pundits were scathing about the repeated stoppages for bad light at a ground where the floodlights were in use.
While some observers suggested a pink ball, as happens in day/night Tests, could be used to aid greater visibility, fast-bowling great Waqar suggested greater flexibilty from the match officials was the best way of maximising playing time.
"I feel unless light gets really bad, we can stay out there a bit longer," said Waqar.
"But I'm generally in favour of changing as little in Test cricket as possible," he added after a result that left Pakistan still 1-0 down in a three-match series ahead of the third Test, also at Southampton, starting Friday.
"It's the oldest and most traditional format. What we need to be careful of is which kind of cricket ball is used."
Waqar added: "I don't yet know how a Dukes pink ball is going to behave in this country. If conditions are overcast and the lights are on, maybe it'll do too much. It can work, but we'd need further trials in England."
- 'Do as we're told' -
Meanwhile England captain Joe Root, although sympathetic to the position on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Michael Gough found themselves in at the Ageas Bowl, said changes must be made "somewhere, somehow" to help prevent future Tests being so disrupted by bad light.
"I think it's hard to blame the umpires here," said Root, with the officials in the firing line after calling off play on Sunday shortly before 1500 GMT.
"There's something bigger that needs looking at higher up the chain," he added. "I think it needs to be addressed somewhere, somehow.
"I don't think I've ever seen a game be affected by bad light as much as this. I'm not exactly sure what the answers are to be honest.
"But until those things change from the ICC (International Cricket Council), the umpires have to follow the rules in front of them and as players we have to do as we are told."
Root insisted his side "don't want to be sat watching, we want to be involved in exciting Test cricket and make an impact on the world stage".
But he added: "If you're facing someone really quick it can feel a bit more dangerous -- in the field, square of the wicket is where you feel most vulnerable.
"Similarly the umpires might feel in danger if someone crunches a pull shot or hits one straight back at them.
"They've also got to be able to see and make the right decisions on the field."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Evenepoel back in Belgium after Tour of Lombardy ravine plunge

Evenepoel being stretchered out of the ravine after Saturday 's plunge from a bridge Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel was flown home from Italy on Monday to continue his recovery from a fractured pelvis suffered in his spectacular season-ending Tour of Lombardy crash .
Despite facing weeks flat on his back convalescing the 20-year-old had an upbeat message for his fans after his transferral to a hospital in Herentals .
`` Hi everyone , I just want say I 'm doing very well for the moment , '' he said in a video posted on his Deceuninck-QuickStep team 's twitter feed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we have no rush to plan a good comeback , '' he added .
Evenepoel started Saturday 's one-day classic as the big favourite after four stage-race wins this year .
But his bid to climb the Lombardy podium ended dramatically when he lost control on the steep descent from the Colma di Sormano that leads to the finish at Lake Como , hitting a bridge wall and plunging six metres into a ravine .
His team doctor Yvan Vanmol told Belgian 's RTBF that `` recovery from a fractured pelvis will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We suppose six weeks of total rest , resting flat on the bed , with another few weeks on top of that before he can start cycling again . ''
`` For the moment we do n't believe an operation will be necessary , '' added Vanmol .

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Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel was flown home from Italy on Monday to continue his recovery from a fractured pelvis suffered in his spectacular season-ending Tour of Lombardy crash.
Despite facing weeks flat on his back convalescing the 20-year-old had an upbeat message for his fans after his transferral to a hospital in Herentals.
"Hi everyone, I just want say I'm doing very well for the moment," he said in a video posted on his Deceuninck-QuickStep team's twitter feed.
"Unfortunately my season is over but we have no rush to plan a good comeback," he added.
Evenepoel started Saturday's one-day classic as the big favourite after four stage-race wins this year.
But his bid to climb the Lombardy podium ended dramatically when he lost control on the steep descent from the Colma di Sormano that leads to the finish at Lake Como, hitting a bridge wall and plunging six metres into a ravine.
His team doctor Yvan Vanmol told Belgian's RTBF that "recovery from a fractured pelvis will obviously take a lot of time.
"We suppose six weeks of total rest, resting flat on the bed, with another few weeks on top of that before he can start cycling again."
"For the moment we don't believe an operation will be necessary," added Vanmol.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--'Keep your paws crossed!' US National Zoo giant panda pregnant

Ultrasound of the giant panda Mei Xiang , who the National Zoo announced is pregnant Mei Xiang , the female giant panda at the National Zoo in Washington , is pregnant and could give birth in the next few days , the zoo announced on Monday .
`` Keep your paws crossed ! ''
the US capital 's zoo said on its Twitter feed .
It said that veterinarians had detected a fetus during an ultrasound of the 22-year-old giant panda .
`` Her fetus was kicking + swimming in the amniotic fluid , and its spine + blood flow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We hope to have a healthy cub in the coming days ! ''
`` In the middle of a pandemic , this is a joyful moment we can all get excited about , '' Don Neiffer , the zoo 's chief veterinarian , said in a statement .
Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated on March 22 with frozen semen from the zoo 's male panda , Tian Tian .
Mei Xiang has given birth to three surviving cubs , all of which were sent to China under a cooperative breeding agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zoos around the world -- a program dubbed `` panda diplomacy . ''
Once young pandas reach the age of four , they are repatriated to breed with other pandas at sanctuaries in China .
The animals are considered `` vulnerable '' to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature .
The National Zoo 's panda enclosure is currently closed to visitors , but 24-hour `` panda cams '' are in use to observe their behavior .

Washington (AFP) –
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Mei Xiang, the female giant panda at the National Zoo in Washington, is pregnant and could give birth in the next few days, the zoo announced on Monday.
"Keep your paws crossed!" the US capital's zoo said on its Twitter feed.
It said that veterinarians had detected a fetus during an ultrasound of the 22-year-old giant panda.
"Her fetus was kicking + swimming in the amniotic fluid, and its spine + blood flow were visible," the zoo said. "We hope to have a healthy cub in the coming days!"
"In the middle of a pandemic, this is a joyful moment we can all get excited about," Don Neiffer, the zoo's chief veterinarian, said in a statement.
Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated on March 22 with frozen semen from the zoo's male panda, Tian Tian.
Mei Xiang has given birth to three surviving cubs, all of which were sent to China under a cooperative breeding agreement with Beijing.
China lends pandas to zoos around the world -- a program dubbed "panda diplomacy."
Once young pandas reach the age of four, they are repatriated to breed with other pandas at sanctuaries in China.
The animals are considered "vulnerable" to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The National Zoo's panda enclosure is currently closed to visitors, but 24-hour "panda cams" are in use to observe their behavior.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Barcelona sack Setien, Koeman favourite to take charge

Quique Setien was sacked as Barcelona coach after barely six months in charge Barcelona have sacked Quique Setien as coach , the club confirmed on Monday , with Ronald Koeman the frontrunner to be his replacement .
`` The new coach will be announced in the coming days as part of a wide ranging restructuring of the first team , '' Barca said on Twitter .
Setien was only appointed in January but has paid the price for Barca surrendering the La Liga title to Real Madrid and then being humiliated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting at Camp Nou , which lasted almost six hours and saw Koeman emerge as the favoured choice to take charge .
The club also announced next year 's presidential elections , scheduled for June , will be brought forward to March 15 .
Angry supporters had hoped they would be held immediately but that possibility was ruled out , meaning under-fire president Josep Maria Bartomeu will continue .
`` After analysing all the options , the Board considers that this ( March 15 ) is the most viable date for holding these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The Board understands that the immediate call for elections is not feasible considering the league will begin on the weekend of September 12 and due to the economic and social framework caused by the Covid-19 crisis . ''
Setien 's successor will still be under pressure to deliver quickly given a new board next year could install their own coach , with Xavi Hernandez linking himself to rival presidential candidate Victor Font .
Koeman has been in charge of the Dutch national team since 2018 and is due to lead them at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Cup in 2022 .
Mauricio Pochettino was also considered but his previous comments dismissing Barca due to his links with rivals Espanyol have counted against him .
Koeman and his agent were negotiating a two-year contract on Monday night , according to reports in Spain , with the second year dependent on the outcome of the presidential elections .
He enjoys hero-status at Barcelona after starring for them as a player under Johan Cruyff and scoring the winning goal in the 1992 European Cup final .
But his coaching career has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a club in crisis , with one of his first tasks to persuade captain Lionel Messi not to depart .
Shortly before the board meeting began on Monday , sources at Barcelona insisted the club had not heard anything from Messi about wanting to leave .
But the 33-year-old has grown increasingly frustrated in recent months and a report from Esporte Interativo on Sunday claimed he has made up his mind to find a new club this summer .
Gerard Pique said he would depart if it was necessary and it remains to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to requirements .
Any recovery might be focused on youth , with Ansu Fati , Riqui Puig and Frenkie de Jong leading the next generation .
Koeman will know the scale of the challenge at Barcelona , where an ageing team ended up lost under Setien , who failed to convince the players of his methods .
Setien oversaw 16 wins , four draws and five defeats from his 25 games in charge .
Despite the occasional high-scoring win and some eye-catching spells of the possession football he craves , Barcelona were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before the three-month suspension , they lost the Clasico to Real Madrid and after it , they drew against Sevilla , Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid .
After defeat by Osasuna effectively handed Madrid the title , Messi vented his frustration , pointedly saying the team had been a mess since January , which was when Setien was appointed .
Setien , meanwhile , admitted he had never managed a dressing room like Barca 's and few place the blame for the club 's decline at his feet .
Most of the fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the board , who have alienated the dressing room and made too many mistakes in the transfer market .
There was no mention of sporting director Eric Abidal in the club 's statements and it appears he will continue for now .
Abidal drew public criticism from Messi in February after suggesting the players were responsible for the sacking of Ernesto Valverde .
He is also believed to have been key to the appointment of Setien .

Madrid (AFP) –
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Barcelona have sacked Quique Setien as coach, the club confirmed on Monday, with Ronald Koeman the frontrunner to be his replacement.
"The new coach will be announced in the coming days as part of a wide ranging restructuring of the first team," Barca said on Twitter.
Setien was only appointed in January but has paid the price for Barca surrendering the La Liga title to Real Madrid and then being humiliated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
His exit was finalised during an emergency board meeting at Camp Nou, which lasted almost six hours and saw Koeman emerge as the favoured choice to take charge.
The club also announced next year's presidential elections, scheduled for June, will be brought forward to March 15.
Angry supporters had hoped they would be held immediately but that possibility was ruled out, meaning under-fire president Josep Maria Bartomeu will continue.
"After analysing all the options, the Board considers that this (March 15) is the most viable date for holding these elections," the statement continued.
"The Board understands that the immediate call for elections is not feasible considering the league will begin on the weekend of September 12 and due to the economic and social framework caused by the Covid-19 crisis."
Setien's successor will still be under pressure to deliver quickly given a new board next year could install their own coach, with Xavi Hernandez linking himself to rival presidential candidate Victor Font.
Koeman has been in charge of the Dutch national team since 2018 and is due to lead them at the postponed European Championship next year and the World Cup in 2022.
Mauricio Pochettino was also considered but his previous comments dismissing Barca due to his links with rivals Espanyol have counted against him.
Koeman and his agent were negotiating a two-year contract on Monday night, according to reports in Spain, with the second year dependent on the outcome of the presidential elections.
He enjoys hero-status at Barcelona after starring for them as a player under Johan Cruyff and scoring the winning goal in the 1992 European Cup final.
But his coaching career has been mixed and he would arrive at a club in crisis, with one of his first tasks to persuade captain Lionel Messi not to depart.
- Messi future uncertain -
Shortly before the board meeting began on Monday, sources at Barcelona insisted the club had not heard anything from Messi about wanting to leave.
But the 33-year-old has grown increasingly frustrated in recent months and a report from Esporte Interativo on Sunday claimed he has made up his mind to find a new club this summer.
Gerard Pique said he would depart if it was necessary and it remains to be seen which players are considered surplus to requirements.
Any recovery might be focused on youth, with Ansu Fati, Riqui Puig and Frenkie de Jong leading the next generation.
Koeman will know the scale of the challenge at Barcelona, where an ageing team ended up lost under Setien, who failed to convince the players of his methods.
Setien oversaw 16 wins, four draws and five defeats from his 25 games in charge.
Despite the occasional high-scoring win and some eye-catching spells of the possession football he craves, Barcelona were also ponderous, disjointed and defensively weak.
Before the three-month suspension, they lost the Clasico to Real Madrid and after it, they drew against Sevilla, Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid.
After defeat by Osasuna effectively handed Madrid the title, Messi vented his frustration, pointedly saying the team had been a mess since January, which was when Setien was appointed.
Setien, meanwhile, admitted he had never managed a dressing room like Barca's and few place the blame for the club's decline at his feet.
Most of the fans' fury is directed at Bartomeu and the board, who have alienated the dressing room and made too many mistakes in the transfer market.
There was no mention of sporting director Eric Abidal in the club's statements and it appears he will continue for now.
Abidal drew public criticism from Messi in February after suggesting the players were responsible for the sacking of Ernesto Valverde. He is also believed to have been key to the appointment of Setien.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-18--PSG readies to face Leipzig in high-stakes semi-final

Paris football fans are gearing up for the semi-final between PSG and German club Leipzig , in Lisbon , with @ @ @ @ @ first appearance at a Champions League final .
For the first time this year , @ @ @ @ @ tournament is playing its quarter- and semi-final rounds as a straight knockout .

PSG readies to face Leipzig in high-stakes semi-final
01:25
Paris football fans are gearing up for the semi-final between PSG and German club Leipzig, in Lisbon, with both clubs vying for their first appearance at a Champions League final. For the first time this year, due to coronavirus fears the tournament is playing its quarter- and semi-final rounds as a straight knockout.


france24--2020-08-18--In symbolic first, Israeli fighter pilots train in Germany

Two aerial tributes will be the highlight of two weeks of manoeuvres that will see Israeli air forces train on German soil for the first time Israeli and German fighter pilots on Tuesday carried out their first joint military exercises in Germany , honouring Holocaust victims and the 11 Israelis slain at the 1972 Munich Olympics .
A formation of fighter aircraft , including Israeli Air Force F-16s and Eurofighter jets from the German Luftwaffe , began the commemorations with an overfly of the Fuerstenfeldbruck airbase near Munich to mark the Olympic massacre .
They then carried out an aerial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Dachau .
The exercises are the highlight of two weeks of manoeuvres that will see Israeli air forces train on German soil for the first time .
Because of the coronavirus pandemic , it is the only training mission the Israeli Air Force ( IAF ) is conducting abroad this year .
Luftwaffe chief Ingo Gerhartz in a statement called the joint exercise `` a sign of our friendship today '' .
He said it was also a reminder that Germany has an enduring responsibility `` to fight anti-Semitism with the utmost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The IAF said the mission , which runs until August 28 , will give its pilots a chance to practise in unfamiliar surroundings and will include simulated dogfights , air-to-ground battles and missile threats .
Israeli pilots will also take part in aerial manoeuvres with Germany and other NATO members during the deployment .
Germany and Israel have stepped up military cooperation in recent years , with the Luftwaffe taking part in joint exercises in the Israeli Negev desert in 2019 .
But the landmark Israeli visit to Germany is heavy with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli Olympic team were killed in a shootout in Munich after being taken hostage by Palestinian militants .
The gunmen had earlier already shot dead an Israeli coach and athlete at the Olympic Village .
They were murdered `` by a common enemy of Israel and Germany : terror '' , an Israeli air force officer who asked to be identified only as `` Major T '' told AFP .
The German and Israeli jets then flew low over the Dachau site , which was built in 1933 and served as a model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40,000 Jews were killed at Dachau during World War II .
The flyover will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Dachau to be attended by IAF commander Amikam Norkin and his German counterpart Gerhartz , as well as German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and the Israeli ambassador to Germany , Jeremy Issacharoff .
An Israeli officer , the grandson of a Dachau survivor , will give a speech .
It will be `` a very moving event for everyone '' , said Major T , whose own grandfather was a Holocaust survivor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an upsurge in anti-Semitic and far-right violence , 75 years after the defeat of the Nazi regime .
In the eastern city of Halle last year , a neo-Nazi shot dead two people after trying but failing to storm a synagogue .
The attack prompted Chancellor Angela Merkel to say Germany needed `` to do more '' to protect Jewish people .
In June , Kramp-Karrenbauer ordered the partial dissolution of Germany 's elite KSK commando force after revelations that some of its members harboured neo-Nazi sympathies .

Frankfurt am Main (AFP) –
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Israeli and German fighter pilots on Tuesday carried out their first joint military exercises in Germany, honouring Holocaust victims and the 11 Israelis slain at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
A formation of fighter aircraft, including Israeli Air Force F-16s and Eurofighter jets from the German Luftwaffe, began the commemorations with an overfly of the Fuerstenfeldbruck airbase near Munich to mark the Olympic massacre.
They then carried out an aerial tribute above the former Nazi concentration camp at Dachau.
The exercises are the highlight of two weeks of manoeuvres that will see Israeli air forces train on German soil for the first time.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it is the only training mission the Israeli Air Force (IAF) is conducting abroad this year.
Luftwaffe chief Ingo Gerhartz in a statement called the joint exercise "a sign of our friendship today".
He said it was also a reminder that Germany has an enduring responsibility "to fight anti-Semitism with the utmost consistency" because of its Nazi past.
- 'Very moving' -
The IAF said the mission, which runs until August 28, will give its pilots a chance to practise in unfamiliar surroundings and will include simulated dogfights, air-to-ground battles and missile threats.
Israeli pilots will also take part in aerial manoeuvres with Germany and other NATO members during the deployment.
Germany and Israel have stepped up military cooperation in recent years, with the Luftwaffe taking part in joint exercises in the Israeli Negev desert in 2019.
But the landmark Israeli visit to Germany is heavy with history.
Nine members of the 1972 Israeli Olympic team were killed in a shootout in Munich after being taken hostage by Palestinian militants.
The gunmen had earlier already shot dead an Israeli coach and athlete at the Olympic Village.
They were murdered "by a common enemy of Israel and Germany: terror", an Israeli air force officer who asked to be identified only as "Major T" told AFP.
The German and Israeli jets then flew low over the Dachau site, which was built in 1933 and served as a model for other concentration camps.
More than 40,000 Jews were killed at Dachau during World War II.
The flyover will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Dachau to be attended by IAF commander Amikam Norkin and his German counterpart Gerhartz, as well as German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and the Israeli ambassador to Germany, Jeremy Issacharoff.
An Israeli officer, the grandson of a Dachau survivor, will give a speech.
It will be "a very moving event for everyone", said Major T, whose own grandfather was a Holocaust survivor.
The homage comes as Germany grapples with an upsurge in anti-Semitic and far-right violence, 75 years after the defeat of the Nazi regime.
In the eastern city of Halle last year, a neo-Nazi shot dead two people after trying but failing to storm a synagogue.
The attack prompted Chancellor Angela Merkel to say Germany needed "to do more" to protect Jewish people.
In June, Kramp-Karrenbauer ordered the partial dissolution of Germany's elite KSK commando force after revelations that some of its members harboured neo-Nazi sympathies.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-18--Stop partying through pandemic, Goa minister says

Foreign tourists can not travel to India but Goa is home to a substantial number of foreign residents The Indian resort state of Goa is cracking down on revellers throwing illegal , drug-fuelled parties as coronavirus cases climb in the tourist hotspot , a government minister said Tuesday .
The coastal region has long been a magnet for backpackers and other travellers drawn to its scenic beaches and easygoing vibe , but the pandemic has meant that large get-togethers are now banned .
Lots of bars and restaurants are also unable to operate after many workers fled the state for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict lockdown in late March .
The partying has not stopped , however -- including in private villas , stone quarries and at secret locations in the jungle involving thousands of dollars ' worth of drugs , according to local media .
Goa 's Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar warned revellers on Tuesday that the good times are over .
`` These parties are happening illegally ... police are looking into it '' , he told AFP .
`` We are asking people to be vigilant and if they come to know about any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , '' he added .
`` There are guest houses and villas that are operating illegally , '' he said , accusing owners of renting out their homes to visitors without informing the authorities .
In a recent case , police busted an underground rave at a private villa on Saturday , seizing drugs worth 900,000 rupees ( $ 12,000 ) and arresting 23 people , including foreign nationals , according to a report in the Hindustan Times newspaper .
`` All aspects of the party are being investigated .
Where did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they arrange the party , who arranged it , '' said Shobhit Saxena , police narcotics superintendent .
The police has `` zero tolerance for such cases and gives priority to public health and safety especially in these times '' , he told AFP .
Foreign tourists can not travel to India but Goa is home to a substantial number of foreign residents including many Russians , Israelis and Britons .
Earlier this month an all-night rave fuelled by alcohol and drugs descended into a brawl with knives and bottles , while last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested for throwing a large party .
Goa , home to around 1.8 million people , has registered nearly 12,000 coronavirus cases so far , with the vast majority of infections recorded over the past month .

Panaji (India) (AFP) –
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The Indian resort state of Goa is cracking down on revellers throwing illegal, drug-fuelled parties as coronavirus cases climb in the tourist hotspot, a government minister said Tuesday.
The coastal region has long been a magnet for backpackers and other travellers drawn to its scenic beaches and easygoing vibe, but the pandemic has meant that large get-togethers are now banned.
Lots of bars and restaurants are also unable to operate after many workers fled the state for their home villages when India imposed a strict lockdown in late March.
The partying has not stopped, however -- including in private villas, stone quarries and at secret locations in the jungle involving thousands of dollars' worth of drugs, according to local media.
Goa's Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar warned revellers on Tuesday that the good times are over.
"These parties are happening illegally... police are looking into it", he told AFP.
"We are asking people to be vigilant and if they come to know about any such case, they should inform the police," he added.
"There are guest houses and villas that are operating illegally," he said, accusing owners of renting out their homes to visitors without informing the authorities.
In a recent case, police busted an underground rave at a private villa on Saturday, seizing drugs worth 900,000 rupees ($12,000) and arresting 23 people, including foreign nationals, according to a report in the Hindustan Times newspaper.
"All aspects of the party are being investigated. Where did the drugs come from? How did they arrange the party, who arranged it," said Shobhit Saxena, police narcotics superintendent.
The police has "zero tolerance for such cases and gives priority to public health and safety especially in these times", he told AFP.
Foreign tourists cannot travel to India but Goa is home to a substantial number of foreign residents including many Russians, Israelis and Britons.
Earlier this month an all-night rave fuelled by alcohol and drugs descended into a brawl with knives and bottles, while last month a Russian hotel owner was reportedly arrested for throwing a large party.
Goa, home to around 1.8 million people, has registered nearly 12,000 coronavirus cases so far, with the vast majority of infections recorded over the past month.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-18--Court finds no evidence of direct Hezbollah, Syrian involvement in Hariri assassination

Court finds no evidence of direct Hezbollah , Syrian involvement in Hariri assassination The high-profile investigation into the assassination of @ @ @ @ @ Hariri has found no evidence of involvement from Hezbollah or Syrian leadership .
FRANCE 24 @ @ @ @ @ tense atmosphere in Beirut in the lead-up to the much anticipated trial .

Court finds no evidence of direct Hezbollah, Syrian involvement in Hariri assassination
04:10
The high-profile investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has found no evidence of involvement from Hezbollah or Syrian leadership. FRANCE 24 correspondent Clovis Casali describes a tense atmosphere in Beirut in the lead-up to the much anticipated trial.


france24--2020-08-18--Long 'lost' elephant shrew found in Horn of Africa

The elusive , insect-eating creature is neither an elephant nor a shrew For half a century scientists feared that the Somali elephant shrew had vanished from the face of the Earth .
No one had seen so much as a whisker .
But the tiny mammal with its probing trunk-like nose was quietly thriving in the arid , rocky landscape of the Horn of Africa , researchers said Tuesday .
The elusive , insect-eating creature is neither an elephant nor a shrew .
It is a sengi -- a distant relation to aardvarks , elephants and manatees -- the size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that allow it to run at speeds of nearly 30 kilometres ( 20 miles ) an hour .
The Somali sengi has been lost to science since the 1970s , leaving just the 39 preserved specimens held in the world 's natural history museums as the only physical evidence that it ever existed .
The Global Wildlife Conservation group even included it on its `` 25 most wanted lost species '' list .
But during an expedition last year scientists found the animals still roaming the wild , discovering that the Somali sengi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The research mission was looking for different kinds of sengis in Djibouti , the small Horn of Africa coastal nation that borders Somalia , Ethiopia and Eritrea .
The team set up more than 1,250 traps filled with peanut butter , oatmeal and yeast extract in 12 areas in Djibouti , buoyed by speaking to local communities , where people could readily recognise the animals from photographs .
`` Our interviews with local nomadic and pastoralist people indicated that they see sengis regularly and we were consistently told the same common name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houssein Rayaleh , of Association Djibouti Nature , who was on the team .
The conservationist said he too had seen sengis during his 21 years doing fieldwork in the country .
But no one knew whether they were the long-lost Somali sengi .
`` Without formal documentation , the species of the sengis in Djibouti was unknown , '' Rayaleh told AFP .
The team also included global elephant shrew expert Galen Rathburn , who had been studying the creatures for decades but had never seen a live Somali sengi , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duke University Lemur Center .
`` So when he opened the first trap and looked over at me , and he had seen the cute tufted furry tail of the animal and he looked at me and said ' I ca n't believe it , I 've never seen one before ' , '' Heritage told AFP .
Rathbun died of cancer shortly after the expedition .
The researchers collected twelve specimens of the mammal .
Their findings prove that the Somali sengi `` is currently extant '' and lives far beyond the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a study published in the journal PeerJ .
The team , which plans a new expedition to learn more about the species , believes the sengi could be living across Somalia , Djibouti and Ethiopia .
And while they can not estimate the size of the population , they believe the sengi is thriving .
`` All the local people knew about this , so it could not be rare in any way , '' said Heritage , the lead author of the study .
`` And its habitats are not threatened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very arid environment where there is no foreseeable future for agriculture . ''
As a result , researchers recommended that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) reappraise its classification for the Somali sengi on its list of vulnerable creatures , from `` Data Deficient '' to `` Least Concern '' .
`` Usually when we rediscover lost species , we find just one or two individuals and have to act quickly to try to prevent their imminent extinction , '' said Robin Moore of Global Wildlife Conservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include Jackson 's climbing salamander in Guatemala , the Wallace 's giant bee in Indonesia , and the silver-backed chevrotain -- a deer-like species the size of a rabbit -- in Vietnam .
Moore said this raises hope for those species still thought to be `` lost '' , including the Ilin Island cloudrunner , a cloud rat from a single island in the Philippines .

Paris (AFP) –
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For half a century scientists feared that the Somali elephant shrew had vanished from the face of the Earth. No one had seen so much as a whisker.
But the tiny mammal with its probing trunk-like nose was quietly thriving in the arid, rocky landscape of the Horn of Africa, researchers said Tuesday.
The elusive, insect-eating creature is neither an elephant nor a shrew.
It is a sengi -- a distant relation to aardvarks, elephants and manatees -- the size of a mouse, with powerful legs that allow it to run at speeds of nearly 30 kilometres (20 miles) an hour.
The Somali sengi has been lost to science since the 1970s, leaving just the 39 preserved specimens held in the world's natural history museums as the only physical evidence that it ever existed.
The Global Wildlife Conservation group even included it on its "25 most wanted lost species" list.
But during an expedition last year scientists found the animals still roaming the wild, discovering that the Somali sengi is not confined to Somalia at all.
The research mission was looking for different kinds of sengis in Djibouti, the small Horn of Africa coastal nation that borders Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The team set up more than 1,250 traps filled with peanut butter, oatmeal and yeast extract in 12 areas in Djibouti, buoyed by speaking to local communities, where people could readily recognise the animals from photographs.
"Our interviews with local nomadic and pastoralist people indicated that they see sengis regularly and we were consistently told the same common name (Wali sandheer)," said Houssein Rayaleh, of Association Djibouti Nature, who was on the team.
The conservationist said he too had seen sengis during his 21 years doing fieldwork in the country.
But no one knew whether they were the long-lost Somali sengi.
"Without formal documentation, the species of the sengis in Djibouti was unknown," Rayaleh told AFP.
The team also included global elephant shrew expert Galen Rathburn, who had been studying the creatures for decades but had never seen a live Somali sengi, according to researcher Steven Heritage, of the Duke University Lemur Center.
"So when he opened the first trap and looked over at me, and he had seen the cute tufted furry tail of the animal and he looked at me and said 'I can't believe it, I've never seen one before'," Heritage told AFP. Rathbun died of cancer shortly after the expedition.
The researchers collected twelve specimens of the mammal.
Their findings prove that the Somali sengi "is currently extant" and lives far beyond the boundaries of Somalia, the researchers said in a study published in the journal PeerJ.
- 'Least Concern' -
The team, which plans a new expedition to learn more about the species, believes the sengi could be living across Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia.
And while they cannot estimate the size of the population, they believe the sengi is thriving.
"All the local people knew about this, so it could not be rare in any way," said Heritage, the lead author of the study.
"And its habitats are not threatened by agriculture and human development, in a very arid environment where there is no foreseeable future for agriculture."
As a result, researchers recommended that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reappraise its classification for the Somali sengi on its list of vulnerable creatures, from "Data Deficient" to "Least Concern".
"Usually when we rediscover lost species, we find just one or two individuals and have to act quickly to try to prevent their imminent extinction," said Robin Moore of Global Wildlife Conservation.
Other species rediscovered in recent years include Jackson's climbing salamander in Guatemala, the Wallace's giant bee in Indonesia, and the silver-backed chevrotain -- a deer-like species the size of a rabbit -- in Vietnam.
Moore said this raises hope for those species still thought to be "lost", including the Ilin Island cloudrunner, a cloud rat from a single island in the Philippines.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-18--Lukaku, Lautaro lead Inter back among the European elite

Deadly duo : Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez both scored twice in Inter 's 5-0 thrashing of Shakhtar Donetsk Romelu Lukaku did his bit but there will be no reunion between the Belgian and Manchester United in the Europa League final .
Lukaku 's Inter Milan will be in Friday 's final in Cologne after he and strike partner Lautaro Martinez took their combined tally for the season to 54 goals , each scoring twice in a 5-0 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk .
A day earlier , United had 20 attempts on goal but only found the net once , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2-1 to Sevilla .
United might have been able to use Lukaku 's predatory instincts , but it is hard to argue with the striker 's belief that his 75 million euro ( $ 89 million , £68 million ) move to Milan last summer has worked out well for all parties .
United recouped most of the £75 million they paid Everton for Lukaku in 2017 and have rebuilt with the more flexible attacking trio of Marcus Rashford , Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood who themselves combining for 62 goals .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I think Manchester United now has made space for the younger players to come through so I think it was a bit of a win-win situation for both of us , '' he told Sky Sports .
Lukaku 's 33-goal debut season in Italy has taken Inter back to a European final for the first time in 10 years , while Antonio Conte 's men finished the Serie A season just a point behind perennial champions Juventus .
`` Only I know what I went through to get him here , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lure Lukaku to Chelsea before the striker chose to join United .
Lukaku 's double in the closing stages in Dusseldorf on Monday extended his record of scoring in 10 consecutive Europa League games and took him to within one of matching Brazilian idol Ronaldo 's debut 34-goal season for Inter in 1997/98 - the last time the Nerazzurri won the UEFA Cup .
`` Romelu is doing something extraordinary , '' added Conte .
`` But he is supported by the team .
`` I 'm happy for him because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thank the team for putting him in a position to express himself in a way he has never expressed himself in the past . ''
In Martinez , Lukaku has the perfect foil .
The pair , nicknamed `` LuLa '' in the Italian press , quickly forged a deadly partnership .
`` The guy is really a beast , '' said Lukaku on an Instagram Live during football 's shutdown for the coronavirus pandemic .
`` He is doing so well , he keeps improving , I love him '' .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the San Siro , scoring just six Serie A goals , but Conte and Lukaku 's arrival has helped turn the 22-year-old into one of European football 's hottest properties .
Barcelona were keen to unite Martinez with compatriot Lionel Messi as Luis Suarez 's successor , but could not afford the 111 million euro buyout clause that expired in July .
`` I 've always said Romelu was a rough diamond that needed polishing .
Lautaro Martinez is the same , '' said Conte .
Martinez 's double in Dusseldorf took his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making him and Lukaku the first pair of Inter strikers to each reach 20 goals in a season since Adriano and Obafemi Martins in 2004/05 .
It was not quite enough to reel in Juventus , but after the lean decade that followed the treble triumph of Jose Mourinho 's side in 2010 , `` LuLa '' are leading Inter back among the European elite .

Cologne (Germany) (AFP) –
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Romelu Lukaku did his bit but there will be no reunion between the Belgian and Manchester United in the Europa League final.
Lukaku's Inter Milan will be in Friday's final in Cologne after he and strike partner Lautaro Martinez took their combined tally for the season to 54 goals, each scoring twice in a 5-0 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk.
A day earlier, United had 20 attempts on goal but only found the net once, from the penalty spot, in losing 2-1 to Sevilla.
United might have been able to use Lukaku's predatory instincts, but it is hard to argue with the striker's belief that his 75 million euro ($89 million, £68 million) move to Milan last summer has worked out well for all parties.
United recouped most of the £75 million they paid Everton for Lukaku in 2017 and have rebuilt with the more flexible attacking trio of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood who themselves combining for 62 goals.
"I think I made the right decision and I think Manchester United now has made space for the younger players to come through so I think it was a bit of a win-win situation for both of us," he told Sky Sports.
Lukaku's 33-goal debut season in Italy has taken Inter back to a European final for the first time in 10 years, while Antonio Conte's men finished the Serie A season just a point behind perennial champions Juventus.
"Only I know what I went through to get him here," Conte said, who had previously tried to lure Lukaku to Chelsea before the striker chose to join United.
Lukaku's double in the closing stages in Dusseldorf on Monday extended his record of scoring in 10 consecutive Europa League games and took him to within one of matching Brazilian idol Ronaldo's debut 34-goal season for Inter in 1997/98 - the last time the Nerazzurri won the UEFA Cup.
"Romelu is doing something extraordinary," added Conte. "But he is supported by the team.
"I'm happy for him because he deserves it, but he has to thank the team for putting him in a position to express himself in a way he has never expressed himself in the past."
In Martinez, Lukaku has the perfect foil. The pair, nicknamed "LuLa" in the Italian press, quickly forged a deadly partnership.
"The guy is really a beast," said Lukaku on an Instagram Live during football's shutdown for the coronavirus pandemic. "He is doing so well, he keeps improving, I love him".
The Argentine struggled in his first season at the San Siro, scoring just six Serie A goals, but Conte and Lukaku's arrival has helped turn the 22-year-old into one of European football's hottest properties.
Barcelona were keen to unite Martinez with compatriot Lionel Messi as Luis Suarez's successor, but could not afford the 111 million euro buyout clause that expired in July.
"I've always said Romelu was a rough diamond that needed polishing. Lautaro Martinez is the same," said Conte.
Martinez's double in Dusseldorf took his tally for the season to 21, making him and Lukaku the first pair of Inter strikers to each reach 20 goals in a season since Adriano and Obafemi Martins in 2004/05.
It was not quite enough to reel in Juventus, but after the lean decade that followed the treble triumph of Jose Mourinho's side in 2010, "LuLa" are leading Inter back among the European elite.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-18--Libya unity govt signs military accord with Qatar, Turkey

Prime Minister of Libya 's UN-recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) Fayez al-Sarraj ( C ) meets with Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar ( R ) , and his Qatari conterpart Khaled bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah ( L ) in the capital Tripoli Qatar and Turkey have signed an accord to send military advisers and instructors for the armed forces of Libya 's Government of National Accord , the UN-recognised GNA said .
`` We have reached an agreement with Turkish Foreign Minister Hulusi Akar and Qatar 's ( minister ) Khaled bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah on tripartite cooperation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said the GNA 's deputy defence minister , Salah al-Namrouch .
Both Sheikh Khaled , Qatar 's minister of state for defence , and Akar were in Tripoli on Monday for meetings with the GNA 's military and for talks on three-way military cooperation .
Under the accord between the three countries , Turkey and Qatar will send military advisers and provide training at their military academies for Libyan cadets , Namrouch said .
Also visiting Tripoli on Monday , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned that Libya faces a `` deceptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the coastal city of Sirte .
Outside powers are `` continuing to massively arm the country '' , said Maas , whose government has tried to broker peace in the war-torn North African country .
`` In Libya at the moment we are observing a deceptive calm , '' he told journalists in Tripoli , seat of the GNA .
Libya has been in chaos since a Western-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 .
Eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive in April 2019 to seize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting , the Turkish-backed pro-GNA forces expelled Haftar 's troops from much of western Libya and pushed them eastwards to Sirte , a gateway to Libya 's rich oil fields and export terminals .
While the GNA has also been supported by Qatar , Haftar has had the backing of the United Arab Emirates , Egypt , Saudi Arabia and Russia .

Tripoli (AFP) –
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Qatar and Turkey have signed an accord to send military advisers and instructors for the armed forces of Libya's Government of National Accord, the UN-recognised GNA said.
"We have reached an agreement with Turkish Foreign Minister Hulusi Akar and Qatar's (minister) Khaled bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah on tripartite cooperation to build a military institute for training," said the GNA's deputy defence minister, Salah al-Namrouch.
Both Sheikh Khaled, Qatar's minister of state for defence, and Akar were in Tripoli on Monday for meetings with the GNA's military and for talks on three-way military cooperation.
Under the accord between the three countries, Turkey and Qatar will send military advisers and provide training at their military academies for Libyan cadets, Namrouch said.
Also visiting Tripoli on Monday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned that Libya faces a "deceptive calm" since fighting stalled in June around the coastal city of Sirte.
Outside powers are "continuing to massively arm the country", said Maas, whose government has tried to broker peace in the war-torn North African country.
"In Libya at the moment we are observing a deceptive calm," he told journalists in Tripoli, seat of the GNA.
Libya has been in chaos since a Western-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.
Eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive in April 2019 to seize Tripoli.
After 14 months of fierce fighting, the Turkish-backed pro-GNA forces expelled Haftar's troops from much of western Libya and pushed them eastwards to Sirte, a gateway to Libya's rich oil fields and export terminals.
While the GNA has also been supported by Qatar, Haftar has had the backing of the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-18--Lebanon tribunal says no evidence Hezbollah leadership involved in Hariri murder

Four Hezbollah members are on trial in absentia in the Netherlands over the huge Beirut suicide bombing in 2005 that killed former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri , pictured here on a billboard in the Lebanese capital There is no evidence that Hezbollah 's leadership or the Syrian government were involved in the 2005 bombing that killed former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri , the Special Tribunal for Lebanon said on Tuesday .
The UN-backed tribunal is reading the verdict in the trial of four Hezbollah members charged with conspiracy to kill Hariri and 21 others .
`` The trial chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah may have had motives to eliminate Mr. Hariri and his political allies , however there is no evidence that the Hezbollah leadership had any involvement in Mr. Hariri 's murder and there is no direct evidence of Syrian involvement , '' said Judge David Re , reading a summary of the court 's 2,600-page decision .
The verdicts were delayed by nearly two weeks as a mark of respect for victims of another devastating explosion — the massive Beirut port blast that killed around 180 people and injured thousands more on August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from economic and social malaise even deeper into crisis .
Tuesday 's verdicts threaten to compound tensions in the tiny country .
Hariri was Lebanon ’ s most prominent Sunni politician at the time of his Feb. 14 , 2005 assassination , while the Iran-backed Hezbollah is a Shiite Muslim group .
The trial centred on the alleged roles of four Hezbollah members in the suicide truck bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others and wounded 226 people .
Prosecutors based their case largely on data from mobile phones allegedly used by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During the trial , which started in 2014 and spanned 415 days of hearings , the tribunal in Leidschendam , near The Hague , heard evidence from 297 witnesses .
Initially , five suspects were tried , all of them Hezbollah members .
Charges against one of the group ’ s top military commanders , Mustafa Badreddine , were dropped after he was killed in Syria in 2016 .
The remaining suspects are Salim Ayyash , also known as Abu Salim ; Assad Sabra , Hassan Oneissi , who changed his name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merhi .
They were charged with offenses including conspiracy to commit a terrorist act .
When the trial opened in January 2014 , a scale model of the blast scene stood on a table in the centre of the courtroom and a prosecutor told judges that explosives packed into a Mitsubishi truck detonated to create “ a man-made hell ” .
The assassination was seen by many in Lebanon as the work of Syria , a charge Damascus denies .
Some Lebanese see the tribunal as an impartial way of uncovering the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah — which denies involvement — calls it an Israeli plot to tarnish the group .
Hariri ’ s son Saad , himself a former prime minister , was attending the day-long delivery of the judgment .

There is no evidence that Hezbollah's leadership or the Syrian government were involved in the 2005 bombing that killed former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon found on Tuesday. But the tribunal found main defendant Salim Ayyash, a member of Hezbollah, guilty of involvement in Hariri's death.
Presiding Judge David Re, Judge Janet Nosworthy and Judge Micheline Braidy at the UN-backed Lebanon tribunal during the verdict in the 2005 bombing that killed former PM Rafik al-Hariri seen on August 18, 2020.
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"The trial chamber is of the view that Syria and Hezbollah may have had motives to eliminate Mr. Hariri and his political allies, however there is no evidence that the Hezbollah leadership had any involvement in Mr. Hariri's murder and there is no direct evidence of Syrian involvement," said Judge David Re, reading a summary of the court's 2,600-page decision.
But the UN-backed tribunal in Leidschendam on the outskirts of The Hague found Salim Ayyash guilty of involvement in the suicide truck bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others on February 14, 2005. Another 226 people were injured in the huge blast, which took place outside a seaside hotel in Beirut.
A hearing will be held at a later date to determine Ayyash's sentence. As the court has no death sentence, the maximum sentence is life imprisonment.
There was insufficient evidence against three other Hezbollah members charged as accomplices in the bombing and they were acquitted, the tribunal said.
Prime minister Hariri's death set the stage for years of confrontation between Lebanon's rival political forces, notably with Iran-backed Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah. Hariri, a billionaire who had led efforts to rebuild Beirut following the 1975-1990 civil war, was Lebanon’s most prominent Sunni politician at the time of his assassination. He had close ties with the West and Sunni Gulf Arab allies, and was seen as a threat to Iranian and Syrian influence in Lebanon.
The verdicts were delayed by nearly two weeks as a mark of respect for victims of another devastating explosion – the massive Beirut port blast that killed around 180 people and injured thousands more on August 4, plunging a nation already reeling from economic and social malaise even deeper into crisis.
The court ruling threatens to compound the political tensions in the country.
Mobile phones
The trial centred on the alleged roles of four Hezbollah members in the suicide truck bombing that killed Hariri. Prosecutors based their case largely on data from mobile phones allegedly used by the plotters to plan and execute the bombing. The four men, who were charged with offences including conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, were tried in absentia.
The judges said Tuesday they were "satisfied beyond reasonable doubt" that main suspect Ayyash was most likely the user of mobile phones used to scope out Hariri ahead of the attack, the key argument of the prosecution case.
They were also satisfied that the 56-year-old Ayyash "had associations with Hezbollah".
Judges said there was not enough evidence to convict Assad Sabra, 43, Hussein Oneissi, 46, and Hassan Habib Merhi, 54, over the blast,
But they said evidence linked phones to the alleged mastermind of the bombing, Hezbollah commander Mustafa Badreddine, who was indicted by the court but is believed to have been killed in the Damascus area in May 2016.
'Man-made hell'
During the trial, which spanned 415 days of hearings, the tribunal heard evidence from 297 witnesses.
When it opened in January 2014, a scale model of the blast scene stood on a table in the centre of the courtroom and a prosecutor told judges that explosives packed into a Mitsubishi truck detonated to create “a man-made hell”.
The assassination was seen by many in Lebanon at the time as the work of Syria, a charge Damascus denies.
Some Lebanese saw the tribunal as an impartial way of uncovering the truth about Hariri’s slaying while Hezbollah – which denies involvement – called it an Israeli plot to tarnish the group.
Hariri’s son Saad Hariri, himself a former prime minister, attended the day-long delivery of the judgment. He said his family accepts the ruling on his father's death.
"The court has ruled, and in the name of the family of the late prime minister Rafik Hariri and on behalf of the families of the martyrs and victims, we accept the court's ruling," he said outside the court.
"Today, we have all discovered the truth," he said.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS, AP and AFP)
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france24--2020-08-18--De Gea shrugs off criticism, says he is still safe pair of hands

David de Gea had a disastrous game against Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinal David de Gea says he has faith in his abilities despite a torrent of criticism in recent months and questions over whether he should remain Manchester United 's first choice goalkeeper .
The 29-year-old Spanish international 's position has come under increasing pressure due to the form shown by Dean Henderson on loan at Premier League rivals Sheffield United .
The 23-year-old Englishman is believed to have told United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he will seek a move away if he is not given the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sign Henderson as they seek to offload Kepa Arrizabalaga .
His understudy Willy Caballero is 39 .
De Gea , though , sounded a defiant note following United 's 2-1 loss to Spanish side Sevilla in the Europa League semi-finals .
Solskjaer showed his faith in De Gea in selecting him for the Sevilla clash ahead of Sergio Romero , who usually played in the Europa League .
De Gea has been at United since 2011 and signed new and improved terms with them until at least 2023 last September .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year on four occasions but last season was a trying one for him reaching a nadir with two glaring errors in their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea .
`` No , I trust in myself , '' De Gea told the Press Association news agency .
`` I showed my qualities all the years , so I just keep available for the manager .
`` I 'm always ready to play and try to help the team as always , as I did always . ''
De Gea said that despite losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost to Manchester City in the League Cup -- saw definite progress at the club under Solskjaer .
`` I think we improved already this season , ” said de Gea .
`` We were 14 points behind the third position in the Premier League ( at one point ) .
`` We finished third ( securing a place in next season 's Champions League ) at the end . ''
However , de Gea believes that to make the leap from semi-finalists to trophy winners , the club needs to add new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their play .
`` Maybe we need a bit of experience , more experience in the team , '' he said .
`` Let 's keep improving , let 's keep fighting for this club and let 's try to win trophies next season . ''

London (AFP) –
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David de Gea says he has faith in his abilities despite a torrent of criticism in recent months and questions over whether he should remain Manchester United's first choice goalkeeper.
The 29-year-old Spanish international's position has come under increasing pressure due to the form shown by Dean Henderson on loan at Premier League rivals Sheffield United.
The 23-year-old Englishman is believed to have told United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he will seek a move away if he is not given the number one spot.
Chelsea are reportedly keen to sign Henderson as they seek to offload Kepa Arrizabalaga. His understudy Willy Caballero is 39.
De Gea, though, sounded a defiant note following United's 2-1 loss to Spanish side Sevilla in the Europa League semi-finals.
Solskjaer showed his faith in De Gea in selecting him for the Sevilla clash ahead of Sergio Romero, who usually played in the Europa League.
De Gea has been at United since 2011 and signed new and improved terms with them until at least 2023 last September.
He has been United's player of the year on four occasions but last season was a trying one for him reaching a nadir with two glaring errors in their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea.
"No, I trust in myself," De Gea told the Press Association news agency.
"I showed my qualities all the years, so I just keep available for the manager.
"I'm always ready to play and try to help the team as always, as I did always."
De Gea said that despite losing in three semi-finals last season -- they lost to Manchester City in the League Cup -- saw definite progress at the club under Solskjaer.
"I think we improved already this season,” said de Gea.
"We were 14 points behind the third position in the Premier League (at one point).
"We finished third (securing a place in next season's Champions League) at the end."
However, de Gea believes that to make the leap from semi-finalists to trophy winners, the club needs to add new faces who bring a more streetwise approach to their play.
"Maybe we need a bit of experience, more experience in the team," he said.
"Let's keep improving, let's keep fighting for this club and let's try to win trophies next season."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-18--Afghan presidential compound hit in rocket attack on capital

Several rockets struck the capital of Afghanistan as the country marked the 101st anniversary of its independence Six members of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani 's honour guard were wounded Tuesday when a rocket struck his palace compound , two officials told AFP .
The rocket was one of a salvo launched into central Kabul just as officials were gathering in the capital to commemorate Afghanistan 's 101st independence day .
Ghani had finished speaking outside the famous Arg Palace to mark the event when a rocket landed in the sprawling compound and wounded six members of his honour guard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anonymity .
The president had already wrapped up his ceremonial duties and was not affected .
The interior ministry did not immediately comment on the incident , but spokesman Tareq Arian earlier said 14 rockets were fired out of two vehicles in the capital , mostly hitting civilian homes .
`` Unfortunately , 10 civilians including four children and one woman have been wounded , '' Arian said .
Two suspects were arrested , he added .
The Arg Palace is located in a highly fortified area of the capital that also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire '' alarms could be heard blaring from the US embassy .
Ghani 's swearing-in ceremony on March 9 was also interrupted by rocket fire near the palace .
No serious injuries were reported at the time .
In August 2018 , multiple rockets were fired in Kabul , including at the presidential palace , where Ghani was making a speech .
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility .
No group immediately claimed Tuesday 's rocket attack , which came as the Afghan government and the Taliban are poised to begin peace talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bomb blasts on the roads , not rockets to hit our houses , '' said Habib Rahman , whose house was struck by one of the rockets .
Negotiations are set to start once Kabul completes the release of about 400 Taliban prisoners as approved last week by a traditional gathering of thousands of prominent Afghans .
Afghan authorities have so far released 80 Taliban prisoners , but insist that the remaining 320 will be freed after the militants release some Afghan soldiers held captive by them .
Officials said the delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also due to opposition from Paris and Canberra because some of the inmates are accused of killing French and Australian citizens and soldiers .
The Taliban , in a statement issued to mark independence day , vowed to continue their struggle `` with all our might towards regaining our sovereignty and establishing an Islamic government in our homeland '' .
Afghanistan was never a part of Britain 's empire but it became officially independent from British influence in August 1919 .

Kabul (AFP) –
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Six members of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's honour guard were wounded Tuesday when a rocket struck his palace compound, two officials told AFP.
The rocket was one of a salvo launched into central Kabul just as officials were gathering in the capital to commemorate Afghanistan's 101st independence day.
Ghani had finished speaking outside the famous Arg Palace to mark the event when a rocket landed in the sprawling compound and wounded six members of his honour guard, two palace officials told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The president had already wrapped up his ceremonial duties and was not affected.
The interior ministry did not immediately comment on the incident, but spokesman Tareq Arian earlier said 14 rockets were fired out of two vehicles in the capital, mostly hitting civilian homes.
"Unfortunately, 10 civilians including four children and one woman have been wounded," Arian said. Two suspects were arrested, he added.
The Arg Palace is located in a highly fortified area of the capital that also houses several embassies, and "incoming fire" alarms could be heard blaring from the US embassy.
Ghani's swearing-in ceremony on March 9 was also interrupted by rocket fire near the palace. No serious injuries were reported at the time.
In August 2018, multiple rockets were fired in Kabul, including at the presidential palace, where Ghani was making a speech. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility.
No group immediately claimed Tuesday's rocket attack, which came as the Afghan government and the Taliban are poised to begin peace talks.
"We were expecting suicide attacks and bomb blasts on the roads, not rockets to hit our houses," said Habib Rahman, whose house was struck by one of the rockets.
Negotiations are set to start once Kabul completes the release of about 400 Taliban prisoners as approved last week by a traditional gathering of thousands of prominent Afghans.
Afghan authorities have so far released 80 Taliban prisoners, but insist that the remaining 320 will be freed after the militants release some Afghan soldiers held captive by them.
Officials said the delay in releasing the remaining Taliban prisoners was also due to opposition from Paris and Canberra because some of the inmates are accused of killing French and Australian citizens and soldiers.
The Taliban, in a statement issued to mark independence day, vowed to continue their struggle "with all our might towards regaining our sovereignty and establishing an Islamic government in our homeland".
Afghanistan was never a part of Britain's empire but it became officially independent from British influence in August 1919.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-18--FC Barcelona sacks manager, but fans not assuaged

Heads of FC Barcelona are making serious changes in the wake of a humiliating defeat to Bayern Munich on Friday @ @ @ @ @ manager Quique Setien , and star player Lionel Messi is said to be considering jumping @ @

FC Barcelona sacks manager, but fans not assuaged
01:40
Heads of FC Barcelona are making serious changes in the wake of a humiliating defeat to Bayern Munich on Friday. The board has sacked manager Quique Setien, and star player Lionel Messi is said to be considering jumping ship.


france24--2020-08-18--France orders masks to be worn at work to contain spike in infections

French workers will be required to wear face masks in workplaces to contain an alarming risen in Covid-19 infections , the government announced on Tuesday .
Labour Minister Elisabeth Borne said face coverings will be required in collective spaces and during meetings , though people will be able to take them off in private offices .
The new rule will apply `` to all work areas that are enclosed and shared '' , such as `` meeting rooms , corridors , changing rooms and open spaces '' , Borne told AFP .
France ’ s High Council for Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend as the country ’ s daily infection count jumped past 3,000 for the first time since May .
While masks are routinely worn in many Asian countries and increasingly required in public places elsewhere because of the coronavirus pandemic , government-mandated mask requirements at work are relatively rare .
Unions have pushed for more virus protections , and workers at the Louvre Museum , Amazon France and other sites walked off the job earlier this year out of concern that their employers weren ’ t doing enough to protect them .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask all day , particularly in professions that require heavy physical activity or phone discussions where masks can make it complicated to communicate .
And employers worry about how to enforce eventual mask requirements and provide enough masks .
At least a quarter of the 1,013 virus clusters that have emerged since France ended its strict virus lockdown in May were traced to workplaces , according to the national health agency .
Family vacation gatherings , dance parties and other summer events have also led to outbreaks .
France reported 493 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , sharply down from a caseload of above 3,000 each on the two previous days , but hospitalisations for the respiratory disease rose for a third day in a row .
The seven-day moving average of new infections , which smoothes out reporting irregularities , stood at 2,322 , above the 2,000 threshold for the fourth day in a row — a sequence unseen since April 20 , when France was in the midst of one of Europe 's strictest lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus .
Paris and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have once again been declared `` red zones '' of infection and have expanded areas where mask-wearing is mandatory .
While France 's virus infection rate is now among the highest in Europe , the government is determined not to return to a full lockdown that would further hobble the continent 's second-largest economy .

Face masks will need to be worn "systematically" in workplaces starting in September to contain an alarming rise in Covid-19 infections, the French government announced on Tuesday.
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When people return to work in September after the summer holidays, the use of masks will be made "systematic" in all indoor work spaces, including meeting rooms, corridors and open-plan offices, Labour Minister Élisabeth Borne told AFP on Tuesday.
Borne met labour and business representatives Tuesday to discuss the new measure, which she said was based on the advice of the government's public health council.
France’s High Council for Public Health recommended obligatory masks in all workplaces this weekend as the country’s daily infection count jumped past 3,000 for the first time since May.
While masks are routinely worn in many Asian countries and increasingly required in public places elsewhere because of the coronavirus pandemic, government-mandated mask requirements at work are relatively rare.
Unions have pushed for more virus protections, and workers at the Louvre Museum, Amazon France and other sites walked off the job earlier this year out of concern that their employers weren’t doing enough to protect them.
France has already made mask-wearing obligatory on public transport and in enclosed shared public spaces such as shops and government offices, but has left their use in offices to the discretion of employers until now.
This was criticised in an open letter by a group of medical experts published in the newspaper Libération that compared the virus accumulating in the air of enclosed rooms to cigarette smoke.
"And the more the virus accumulates in the air – either because of a long exposure time or because of a large number of excreters – the more we risk contamination," they said.
The experts urged the government to make masks compulsory in all confined spaces, offices and classrooms and to "unambiguously encourage" remote working.
Red zones
At least a quarter of the 1,013 virus clusters that have emerged since France ended its strict virus lockdown in May were traced to workplaces, according to the national health agency. Family vacation gatherings, dance parties and other summer events have also led to outbreaks.
France reported 493 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours on Monday, sharply down from a caseload of above 3,000 each on the two previous days, but hospitalisations for the respiratory disease rose for a third day in a row.
The seven-day moving average of new infections, which smoothes out reporting irregularities, stood at 2,322, above the 2,000 threshold for the fourth day in a row – a sequence unseen since April 20, when France was in the midst of one of Europe's strictest lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus.
Paris and Marseille, France's two largest cities, have once again been declared "red zones" of infection and have expanded areas where mask-wearing is mandatory.
While France's virus infection rate is now among the highest in Europe, the government is determined not to return to a full lockdown that would further hobble the continent's second-largest economy.
(FRANCE 24 with AP and AFP)
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france24--2020-08-18--WHO warns people under 50 driving virus spread in Asia-Pacific

The WHO has warned that people under the age of 50 are driving the spread of the coronavirus in the Asia-Pacific region Coronavirus cases in Asia-Pacific countries are now being driven by people under the age of 50 who may not know they are infected , the World Health Organization said Tuesday , warning of a `` new phase '' in the pandemic .
Many have mild or no COVID-19 symptoms and risk infecting the elderly and other vulnerable populations , the WHO 's Western Pacific regional director Takeshi Kasai told a virtual briefing .
`` The epidemic is changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 40s are increasingly driving the threat , '' Kasai said .
`` Many are unaware they 're infected with very mild symptoms or none at all .
`` What we are observing is not simply a resurgence .
I believe it 's a signal that we 've entered a new phase of the pandemic in the Asia-Pacific ( region ) . ''
WHO data on the current phase of the contagion showed around two-thirds of Japan 's infections were among those aged under 40 .
More than half of the caseloads in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that age group .
`` We must redouble efforts to stop the virus from moving into vulnerable communities , '' Kasai said .
Some countries that had brought their outbreaks under control -- such as New Zealand , Vietnam and South Korea -- have detected new clusters , forcing governments to reimpose painful lockdowns on cities and tighten social distancing rules .
But Kasai said the use of targeted interventions in the region was encouraging because it reduced the economic and social impact of containment measures and was more sustainable .
He warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain `` as long as the virus is circulating and we do n't have immunity to it '' .

Manila (AFP) –
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Coronavirus cases in Asia-Pacific countries are now being driven by people under the age of 50 who may not know they are infected, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, warning of a "new phase" in the pandemic.
Many have mild or no COVID-19 symptoms and risk infecting the elderly and other vulnerable populations, the WHO's Western Pacific regional director Takeshi Kasai told a virtual briefing.
"The epidemic is changing. People in their 20s, 30s and 40s are increasingly driving the threat," Kasai said.
"Many are unaware they're infected with very mild symptoms or none at all.
"What we are observing is not simply a resurgence. I believe it's a signal that we've entered a new phase of the pandemic in the Asia-Pacific (region)."
WHO data on the current phase of the contagion showed around two-thirds of Japan's infections were among those aged under 40.
More than half of the caseloads in the Philippines and Australia were also in that age group.
"We must redouble efforts to stop the virus from moving into vulnerable communities," Kasai said.
Some countries that had brought their outbreaks under control -- such as New Zealand, Vietnam and South Korea -- have detected new clusters, forcing governments to reimpose painful lockdowns on cities and tighten social distancing rules.
But Kasai said the use of targeted interventions in the region was encouraging because it reduced the economic and social impact of containment measures and was more sustainable.
He warned, however, that the challenge will remain "as long as the virus is circulating and we don't have immunity to it".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-18--Google rallies YouTubers against Australian news payment plan

Google has urged YouTubers around the world to complain to Australian authorities as it ratchets up its campaign against a plan to force digital giants to pay for news content .
Alongside pop-ups warning `` the way Aussies use Google is at risk '' , which began appearing for Australian Google users on Monday , the tech titan also urged YouTube creators worldwide to complain to the nation 's consumer watchdog .
`` The YouTube you know and love is at risk in Australia , '' the company tweeted from its YouTube Creators account Monday , also encouraging those outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the body behind the plan .
The landmark measures would include fines worth millions of dollars for non-compliance and would force transparency around the closely guarded algorithms which tech firms use to rank content .
YouTube 's boss in the region Gautam Anand , following a similar letter from the managing director of Google in Australia , wrote a message to the platform 's creators and artists .
`` My primary focus is supporting you and your work to build a thriving creator ecosystem , '' Anand said .
The proposal would create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow big news businesses to demand larger shares of money from the platform -- taking funds away from smaller creators , he warned .
`` The imbalances created by this proposed law could potentially affect all types of Australian creators , far beyond those who focus on news : from vloggers , to educational creators , to music artists and beyond . ''
The legislation will initially focus on Facebook and Google -- two of the world 's richest and most powerful companies -- but could eventually apply to any digital platform .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world , as regulators increasingly train their focus on the rapidly changing sector .
News media worldwide have suffered in the digital economy , where big tech firms overwhelmingly capture advertising revenue .
The crisis has been exacerbated by the coronavirus-triggered economic collapse , with dozens of Australian newspapers closed and hundreds of journalists sacked in recent months .
Unlike other countries ' so-far unsuccessful efforts to force the platforms to pay for news , the Australian initiative relies on competition law rather than copyright regulations .
The Australian Competition and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government 's code of conduct , hit back at Google 's open letter saying it `` contains misinformation '' .
The consumer watchdog said the digital giant would `` not be required '' to share additional user data with the news media or charge Australians to use its free services `` unless it chooses to do so '' .
`` The draft code will allow Australian news businesses to negotiate for fair payment for their journalists ' work that is included on Google services , '' it said in a statement .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is expected to be introduced this year .

Sydney (AFP) –
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Google has urged YouTubers around the world to complain to Australian authorities as it ratchets up its campaign against a plan to force digital giants to pay for news content.
Alongside pop-ups warning "the way Aussies use Google is at risk", which began appearing for Australian Google users on Monday, the tech titan also urged YouTube creators worldwide to complain to the nation's consumer watchdog.
"The YouTube you know and love is at risk in Australia," the company tweeted from its YouTube Creators account Monday, also encouraging those outside of Australia to email their concerns to the body behind the plan.
The landmark measures would include fines worth millions of dollars for non-compliance and would force transparency around the closely guarded algorithms which tech firms use to rank content.
YouTube's boss in the region Gautam Anand, following a similar letter from the managing director of Google in Australia, wrote a message to the platform's creators and artists.
"My primary focus is supporting you and your work to build a thriving creator ecosystem," Anand said.
The proposal would create an "uneven playing field" and allow big news businesses to demand larger shares of money from the platform -- taking funds away from smaller creators, he warned.
"The imbalances created by this proposed law could potentially affect all types of Australian creators, far beyond those who focus on news: from vloggers, to educational creators, to music artists and beyond."
The legislation will initially focus on Facebook and Google -- two of the world's richest and most powerful companies -- but could eventually apply to any digital platform.
- Virus crisis -
Australia's proposals are being closely watched around the world, as regulators increasingly train their focus on the rapidly changing sector.
News media worldwide have suffered in the digital economy, where big tech firms overwhelmingly capture advertising revenue.
The crisis has been exacerbated by the coronavirus-triggered economic collapse, with dozens of Australian newspapers closed and hundreds of journalists sacked in recent months.
Unlike other countries' so-far unsuccessful efforts to force the platforms to pay for news, the Australian initiative relies on competition law rather than copyright regulations.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which is drafting the government's code of conduct, hit back at Google's open letter saying it "contains misinformation".
The consumer watchdog said the digital giant would "not be required" to share additional user data with the news media or charge Australians to use its free services "unless it chooses to do so".
"The draft code will allow Australian news businesses to negotiate for fair payment for their journalists' work that is included on Google services," it said in a statement.
It has strong support from local media outlets and is expected to be introduced this year.
© 2020 AFP