france24--2020-09-30--Bairstow loses Test deal as England look to future

England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow lost his Test central contract on Thursday but Ollie Pope , Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley have been rewarded for impressive performances by being added to the red-ball retainer list .
The move by the England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB ) was not unexpected as Bairstow , 31 , has played just one of the past 12 Test matches since the 2019 Ashes .
The World Cup winner has been handed a specialist limited-overs deal , with Pope , Crawley and Sibley all promoted after scoring their maiden Test centuries over the past year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a key part of England 's plans to retain the Ashes , has also been named in the white-ball only list .
There are a dozen names in each group , with just five -- Joe Root , Ben Stokes , Jos Buttler , Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes -- appearing in both .
On the 2019/2020 terms , red-ball deals were understood to be worth around £650,000 ( $ 835,000 ) before bonuses , with white-ball contracts worth about £275,000 , but the hefty financial impact of Covid-19 means there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ECB estimates the pandemic has already cost the game £100 million , with further losses likely , and is currently undergoing a round of redundancies .
Dom Bess , Chris Jordan , Dawid Malan and Jack Leach have been awarded `` increment '' contracts , which top up their county pay .
Bess played all six Test matches this summer but has yet to nail down his role as an established first-choice spinner , a role which Leach will also compete for .
Malan is top of the world rankings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is only a regular pick in that format .

London (AFP) –
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England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow lost his Test central contract on Thursday but Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley have been rewarded for impressive performances by being added to the red-ball retainer list.
The move by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was not unexpected as Bairstow, 31, has played just one of the past 12 Test matches since the 2019 Ashes.
The World Cup winner has been handed a specialist limited-overs deal, with Pope, Crawley and Sibley all promoted after scoring their maiden Test centuries over the past year.
Fast bowler Mark Wood, thought to be a key part of England's plans to retain the Ashes, has also been named in the white-ball only list. There are a dozen names in each group, with just five -- Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes -- appearing in both.
On the 2019/2020 terms, red-ball deals were understood to be worth around £650,000 ($835,000) before bonuses, with white-ball contracts worth about £275,000, but the hefty financial impact of Covid-19 means there is uncertainty over this year's payments.
The ECB estimates the pandemic has already cost the game £100 million, with further losses likely, and is currently undergoing a round of redundancies.
Dom Bess, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan and Jack Leach have been awarded "increment" contracts, which top up their county pay.
Bess played all six Test matches this summer but has yet to nail down his role as an established first-choice spinner, a role which Leach will also compete for.
Malan is top of the world rankings in T20 cricket but, like Jordan, is only a regular pick in that format.
England contracts for 2020/21:
Test and white-ball: Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.
Test only: James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Sam Curran.
White-ball only: Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Curran, Eoin Morgan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Mark Wood.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--Pentagon chief arrives in Tunisia on North Africa tour

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper , seated second from the left , meets with his Tunisian counterpart Ibrahim Bartagi , seated to his right , in the capital Tunis US Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived Wednesday in Tunisia , his first stop on a North Africa tour where he was set to reaffirm US engagement in the Maghreb region .
As the raging conflict in neighbouring Libya has attracted foreign jihadists and world powers backing rival sides , Washington has increasingly cooperated with the Tunisian military , particularly on counter-terror operations .
Esper was set to meet President Kais @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivering a speech at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage , where over 2,800 American soldiers were buried , most of them killed during World War II .
Washington in 2015 classified Tunisia as a Major Non-NATO Ally , allowing for reinforced military cooperation .
Since 2011 , it has invested more than $ 1 billion in the Tunisian military , according to Washington 's Africa command , Africom .
The US armed forces organised a military air display in March on the southern island of Djerba .
Tunisia in 2016 denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed the US to operate drones from its territory for missions in Libya against the Islamic State group .
But a court martial in 2017 in a case of sexual harassment by an American officer , reported in the US defence press , publicly confirmed the presence of an American squadron operating drones from within a Tunisian base in the northern region of Bizerte .
This May , the head of Africom said the US would send more troops to the country in light of the deteriorating situation in Libya , triggering an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was only deploying `` a small training unit '' that would not engage in combat missions , and the Tunisian government said there were no plans for an American base in the country .
Esper , during his Tunisia visit , was due to warn of growing Russian and Chinese influence on the continent , according to a US official speaking before the trip .
The other goal of the visit was to reinforce ties and discuss the threat of jihadists such as the Islamic State group , the official said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Algeria on Thursday , becoming the first US defense secretary to do so since Donald Rumsfeld in 2006 .
Esper will then head to Morocco , the other US Major Non-NATO Ally in the Maghreb region .

Tunis (AFP) –
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US Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived Wednesday in Tunisia, his first stop on a North Africa tour where he was set to reaffirm US engagement in the Maghreb region.
As the raging conflict in neighbouring Libya has attracted foreign jihadists and world powers backing rival sides, Washington has increasingly cooperated with the Tunisian military, particularly on counter-terror operations.
Esper was set to meet President Kais Saied and Defence Minister Ibrahim Bartagi before delivering a speech at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, where over 2,800 American soldiers were buried, most of them killed during World War II.
Washington in 2015 classified Tunisia as a Major Non-NATO Ally, allowing for reinforced military cooperation.
Since 2011, it has invested more than $1 billion in the Tunisian military, according to Washington's Africa command, Africom.
The US armed forces organised a military air display in March on the southern island of Djerba.
Tunisia in 2016 denied a Washington Post report that it had allowed the US to operate drones from its territory for missions in Libya against the Islamic State group.
But a court martial in 2017 in a case of sexual harassment by an American officer, reported in the US defence press, publicly confirmed the presence of an American squadron operating drones from within a Tunisian base in the northern region of Bizerte.
This May, the head of Africom said the US would send more troops to the country in light of the deteriorating situation in Libya, triggering an outcry in Tunisia.
Africom later clarified that it was only deploying "a small training unit" that would not engage in combat missions, and the Tunisian government said there were no plans for an American base in the country.
Esper, during his Tunisia visit, was due to warn of growing Russian and Chinese influence on the continent, according to a US official speaking before the trip.
The other goal of the visit was to reinforce ties and discuss the threat of jihadists such as the Islamic State group, the official said.
Esper was set to visit neighbouring Algeria on Thursday, becoming the first US defense secretary to do so since Donald Rumsfeld in 2006.
Esper will then head to Morocco, the other US Major Non-NATO Ally in the Maghreb region.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--Sonic boom from fighter jet rattles Paris

The French air force said the jet was authorised to travel at supersonic speed A thunderous noise that panicked residents of Paris Wednesday was caused by the sonic boom of a fighter jet breaking the sound barrier , police in the French capital said .
The military said the jet had been scrambled to go to the aid of another aircraft that had lost radio contact , and was authorised to travel at supersonic speed .
`` A very loud noise was heard in Paris and in the Paris region .
It was not an explosion , it was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Paris police said on Twitter , urging people to stop calling emergency phone lines .
The noise , which was heard all over the city and neighbouring suburbs and shook windows , rattled Parisians already on edge after a knife attack outside the former offices of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo last week that the government has called an act of terror .
`` A Rafale , carrying out an intervention to assist an aircraft that had lost contact , was authorised to break the sound barrier to reach the aircraft in difficulty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told AFP .
No detail was given on the type of aircraft or the nature of its difficulty .
The spokesman said the fighter emitted its sonic boom over the east of Paris .
Wednesday 's incident led to confusion , with people taking to social media to ask about the noise that many noted came without any smoke or other traces of damage .
It was clearly heard during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros , where star player Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and his German opponent Dominik Koepfer paused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noise echoed around the stadium .
Last Friday , two people were wounded in an attack by a man wielding a meat cleaver outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo in central Paris .
The assault came three weeks into the trial of suspected accomplices in the January 2015 attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket .
Seventeen people were killed in the three-day spree of violence in 2015 , including Charlie Hebdo staff and a policewoman .
The bloodshed heralded a wave of Islamist violence in France that has left 258 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high terror alert .

Paris (AFP) –
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A thunderous noise that panicked residents of Paris Wednesday was caused by the sonic boom of a fighter jet breaking the sound barrier, police in the French capital said.
The military said the jet had been scrambled to go to the aid of another aircraft that had lost radio contact, and was authorised to travel at supersonic speed.
"A very loud noise was heard in Paris and in the Paris region. It was not an explosion, it was a fighter jet crossing the sound barrier," Paris police said on Twitter, urging people to stop calling emergency phone lines.
The noise, which was heard all over the city and neighbouring suburbs and shook windows, rattled Parisians already on edge after a knife attack outside the former offices of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo last week that the government has called an act of terror.
"A Rafale, carrying out an intervention to assist an aircraft that had lost contact, was authorised to break the sound barrier to reach the aircraft in difficulty," a French air force spokesman told AFP.
No detail was given on the type of aircraft or the nature of its difficulty. The spokesman said the fighter emitted its sonic boom over the east of Paris.
Wednesday's incident led to confusion, with people taking to social media to ask about the noise that many noted came without any smoke or other traces of damage.
It was clearly heard during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, where star player Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and his German opponent Dominik Koepfer paused in astonishment and apparent worry as the noise echoed around the stadium.
Last Friday, two people were wounded in an attack by a man wielding a meat cleaver outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo in central Paris.
The assault came three weeks into the trial of suspected accomplices in the January 2015 attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket.
Seventeen people were killed in the three-day spree of violence in 2015, including Charlie Hebdo staff and a policewoman.
The bloodshed heralded a wave of Islamist violence in France that has left 258 people dead. The nation remains on high terror alert.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--Belgium finally gets new PM, 16 months after vote

Alexander De Croo is from the Open VLD party , which has often been part of governing coalitions Flemish liberal leader Alexander De Croo will be Belgium 's new prime minister at the head of a seven-party coalition government , it was announced Wednesday -- 16 months after an inconclusive election .
De Croo 's French-speaking socialist rival Paul Magnette confirmed that the parties had chosen the 44-year-old finance minister as premier .
He is to be sworn in on Thursday by Belgium 's king .
By choosing a Flemish leader , the incoming government hopes to balance the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from mainly French-speaking parties , with the main Dutch-speaking groups in opposition .
`` We flipped a coin and it came down to Alexander and it 's an excellent choice , '' Magnette joked at the end of the press conference to present the outcome of the negotiations .
Belgium has had no governing majority for 21 months since the collapse of former leader Charles Michel 's government , and it has been 493 days since federal elections failed to resolve the crisis .
Leaders from seven parties met until the early hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a government programme and cabinet line-up to be presented to King Philippe .
De Croo will replace French-speaking liberal leader Sophie Wilmes who has served as acting premier during the coronavirus epidemic but never wielded a parliamentary majority .
The new coalition will bring together two socialist parties -- one French-speaking , and one Flemish -- two liberal parties and two sets of greens .
The CD & V , a party of Flemish Christian democrats will also join , but the larger Flemish nationalist N-VA , which was in government between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belgium 's parliament is expected to meet on Thursday to endorse the new government .
The country has been governed by a minority coalition since December 2018 , when the N-VA abruptly left Michel 's government during a row about immigration .
The legislative election of May 2019 saw gains by various green and fringe groupings , further fragmenting the political landscape and making it harder to build a majority around the traditional parties .
Ideological differences between the parties are complicated by Belgium 's north-south split between French and Dutch speaking regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nationalist far-right Vlaams Belang staged a protest near Brussels to denounce what they dubbed `` this anti-Flemish and left-wing government '' .
Belgium has a history of political instability , and went without a government for 541 days in 2010 and 2011 , but political scientist Dave Sinardet said De Croo could be the right choice .
`` It 's symbolically important to have a Flemish prime minister , given that the new government will come under the most fire from Flanders and the two biggest Flemish parties are in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ De Croo 's party , the Open VLD , is a pivot point in Belgian politics and has frequently been part of governing coalitions and the new premier has been a minister since 2012 .
The former business leader , who switched to politics in 2009 , is the first Dutch-speaker to take over 16 Rue de la Loi -- the prime minister 's official residence -- after nine years of French-speakers .
But he is bilingual and served as deputy prime minister under socialist Elio Di Rupo from 2012 to 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 2014 to 2019 , and Wilmes .
He has variously served as a minister for finance , pensions and international development .

Brussels (AFP) –
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Flemish liberal leader Alexander De Croo will be Belgium's new prime minister at the head of a seven-party coalition government, it was announced Wednesday -- 16 months after an inconclusive election.
De Croo's French-speaking socialist rival Paul Magnette confirmed that the parties had chosen the 44-year-old finance minister as premier. He is to be sworn in on Thursday by Belgium's king.
By choosing a Flemish leader, the incoming government hopes to balance the fact that its parliamentary base will be drawn from mainly French-speaking parties, with the main Dutch-speaking groups in opposition.
"We flipped a coin and it came down to Alexander and it's an excellent choice," Magnette joked at the end of the press conference to present the outcome of the negotiations.
Belgium has had no governing majority for 21 months since the collapse of former leader Charles Michel's government, and it has been 493 days since federal elections failed to resolve the crisis.
Leaders from seven parties met until the early hours on Wednesday before coming to an agreement on a government programme and cabinet line-up to be presented to King Philippe.
De Croo will replace French-speaking liberal leader Sophie Wilmes who has served as acting premier during the coronavirus epidemic but never wielded a parliamentary majority.
The new coalition will bring together two socialist parties -- one French-speaking, and one Flemish -- two liberal parties and two sets of greens.
- 'Anti-Flemish'? -
The CD&V, a party of Flemish Christian democrats will also join, but the larger Flemish nationalist N-VA, which was in government between 2014 and 2018 will leave power.
Belgium's parliament is expected to meet on Thursday to endorse the new government.
The country has been governed by a minority coalition since December 2018, when the N-VA abruptly left Michel's government during a row about immigration.
The legislative election of May 2019 saw gains by various green and fringe groupings, further fragmenting the political landscape and making it harder to build a majority around the traditional parties.
Ideological differences between the parties are complicated by Belgium's north-south split between French and Dutch speaking regions.
Last weekend, several thousand supporters of the nationalist far-right Vlaams Belang staged a protest near Brussels to denounce what they dubbed "this anti-Flemish and left-wing government".
Belgium has a history of political instability, and went without a government for 541 days in 2010 and 2011, but political scientist Dave Sinardet said De Croo could be the right choice.
"It's symbolically important to have a Flemish prime minister, given that the new government will come under the most fire from Flanders and the two biggest Flemish parties are in the opposition," he told AFP.
De Croo's party, the Open VLD, is a pivot point in Belgian politics and has frequently been part of governing coalitions and the new premier has been a minister since 2012.
The former business leader, who switched to politics in 2009, is the first Dutch-speaker to take over 16 Rue de la Loi -- the prime minister's official residence -- after nine years of French-speakers.
But he is bilingual and served as deputy prime minister under socialist Elio Di Rupo from 2012 to 2014, then with the French-speaking liberals Michel, from 2014 to 2019, and Wilmes.
He has variously served as a minister for finance, pensions and international development.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--Serena Williams withdraws from French Open due to Achilles injury

Serena Williams is pictured in her first round match at Roland-Garros in Paris on September 28 , 2020 .
Saying she is “ struggling to walk , ” Serena Williams ended her latest bid for a 24th Grand Slam title and withdrew from the French Open before her second-round match Wednesday because of an injured Achilles heel .
Williams hurt herself during her semifinal loss at the U.S. Open three weeks ago and said she hasn ’ t had “ enough time to properly heal ” and needs “ four to six weeks of sitting , doing nothing.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 39-year-old American was supposed to head out onto Court Philippe Chatrier to face Tsvetana Pironkova .
Williams said it is “ more than likely ” she will not play another tournament in 2020 .
She said she tried warming up for the match but knew she wasn ’ t able to compete .
She spoke to coach Patrick Mouratoglou and , she said , “ We kind of both thought about it and we decided it wasn ’ t the best for me to try and play today.
” This is Williams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tournament since a second-round loss in Paris in 2014 .
She also pulled out of the French Open in 2018 prior to what would have been a fourth-round match against Maria Sharapova , citing a pulled muscle in her chest .
That was Williams ’ first major tournament back on tour after having a baby .
She would go on to reach the finals at four of the next six Slams , losing each time , as she tries to add to her professional-era record of 23 major singles trophies and equal Margaret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month in New York , Williams made it to the semifinals before bowing out 1-6 , 6-3 , 6-3 against Victoria Azarenka .
It was in the third set of that match that Williams stretched her Achilles during a point and then leaned over , clutched at her lower left leg and asked for a trainer .
She took a medical timeout for a tape job and continued to play but was unable to pull off a win .
Now the question becomes when the world will see Williams compete next .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ six weeks of sitting and doing nothing , ” she said Wednesday .
“ At least two weeks of just sitting down .
”

Saying she is “struggling to walk”, Serena Williams ended her latest bid for a 24th Grand Slam title and withdrew from the French Open before her second-round match Wednesday because of an injured Achilles tendon.
Serena Williams is pictured in her first round match at Roland-Garros in Paris on September 28, 2020.
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Williams hurt herself during her semifinal loss at the US Open three weeks ago and said she hasn’t had “enough time to properly heal” and needs “four to six weeks of sitting, doing nothing”.
The sudden announcement came roughly an hour before the 39-year-old American was supposed to head out onto Court Philippe Chatrier to face Tsvetana Pironkova.
Williams said it is “more than likely” she will not play another tournament in 2020.
She said she tried warming up for the match but knew she wasn’t able to compete. She spoke to coach Patrick Mouratoglou and, she said, “We kind of both thought about it and we decided it wasn’t the best for me to try and play today.”
This is Williams’ earliest exit at any Grand Slam tournament since a second-round loss in Paris in 2014.
She also pulled out of the French Open in 2018 prior to what would have been a fourth-round match against Maria Sharapova, citing a pulled muscle in her chest.
That was Williams’ first major tournament back on tour after having a baby.
She would go on to reach the finals at four of the next six Slams, losing each time, as she tries to add to her professional-era record of 23 major singles trophies and equal Margaret Court’s all-era mark.
Earlier this month in New York, Williams made it to the semifinals before bowing out 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 against Victoria Azarenka.
It was in the third set of that match that Williams stretched her Achilles during a point and then leaned over, clutched at her lower left leg and asked for a trainer. She took a medical timeout for a tape job and continued to play but was unable to pull off a win.
Now the question becomes when the world will see Williams compete next.
“I think I need four to six weeks of sitting and doing nothing,” she said Wednesday. “At least two weeks of just sitting down.”
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-09-30--European carmakers' leather use fuelling deforestation: NGO

The Ayoreo Totobiegosode are said to be the only indigenous people living in voluntary isolation in the Americas outside the Amazon rainforest Some of Europe 's biggest car giants including BMW and Jaguar Land Rover use leather linked to deforestation in South America , threatening the most vulnerable tribes , environmental NGO Earthsight said Wednesday .
The region 's forests are being destroyed faster than any others in the world , it noted .
`` Our investigation highlights the urgent need for EU and UK legislation mandating car companies and other industries to conduct proper due diligence , '' Earthsight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grand Theft Chaco '' .
However , it revealed that trade groups linked to the automotive industry have lobbied the European Union and German governments to water down or scrap proposed new laws to require companies to clean up their supply chains .
`` If they are to avoid being branded hypocrites , the car giants must now come out in public support of meaningful regulations , '' Earthsight added .
`` If they do n't , it is essential European lawmakers stand firm against lobbying to the contrary . ''
The NGO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegally cleared forest inhabited by the Ayoreo Totobiegosode , said to be the only indigenous people living in voluntary isolation in the Americas outside the Amazon rainforest .
During undercover visits , it found Paraguayan tanneries which supply Italian counterparts bragging that they provide leather for a number of famous cars , including BMW models and the Range Rover Evoque .
BMW told the NGO that it had `` no information '' that its Latin American leather supply chains were `` affected by the problems presented '' but that it was `` exploring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The firm , which owns the Mini and Rolls Royce brands , added that its `` medium-term strategy '' is to phase out leather from the region altogether .
Jaguar Land Rover said : `` We take allegations of unlawful or unethical behaviour within our supply chain extremely seriously and have taken immediate action to investigate the points you have raised with the relevant suppliers . ''
Earthsight noted that it was easiest to trace the leather being used by BMW because the German automaker had shown `` more concern over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their competitors '' .
But the NGO found no car firm was able to trace all of its leather back to ranches , which it said was essential if links to human rights and environmental abuses are to be avoided .
Alongside Paraguay , the auto industry is among the largest consumers of hides from Brazil , where cattle are the largest deforestation driver , it said .
Earthsight said the leather industry lags far behind other sectors , such as palm oil and cocoa , in the steps being taken to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Brazilian ranchers is bulldozing a UNESCO reserve inhabited by an indigenous Indian tribe with no prior contact with the outside world , an native rights group said Monday .
Survival International said the UNESCO bioreserve in Paraguay 's Chaco region is home to the only uncontacted indigenous tribe in South America outside of the Amazon -- the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode .
`` The Totobiegosode 's land is being destroyed as we speak , '' said Stephen Corry , director of Survival International .
`` Given that their land falls within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a part in stopping this destruction and pressing for the recognition of their land rights . ''
The group says a Paraguayan government representative and two relatives of the tribe attempted to enter the region , but were barred by employees of the ranchers ' company , Yaguarete Pore S.A .
Survival International said the reserve was intended to protect both the Indian group but also species including the jaguar , `` an irony given that a Spanish language translation of that word , yaguarete , is the name of the company bulldozing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that thousands of hectares of the reserve have been destroyed , even though the company has had its license to operate there withdrawn by the Paraguayan government , Survival International said .
UNESCO biospheres are designated under the United Nation 's agency 's `` Man and Biosphere Program , '' and are intended to promote conservation and sustainable development .
There are over 500 designated sites in over 100 countries , according to UNESCO .
The Chaco region in Paraguay was designated in 2005 .

London (AFP) –
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Some of Europe's biggest car giants including BMW and Jaguar Land Rover use leather linked to deforestation in South America, threatening the most vulnerable tribes, environmental NGO Earthsight said Wednesday.
The region's forests are being destroyed faster than any others in the world, it noted.
"Our investigation highlights the urgent need for EU and UK legislation mandating car companies and other industries to conduct proper due diligence," Earthsight said in a lengthy report titled "Grand Theft Chaco".
However, it revealed that trade groups linked to the automotive industry have lobbied the European Union and German governments to water down or scrap proposed new laws to require companies to clean up their supply chains.
"If they are to avoid being branded hypocrites, the car giants must now come out in public support of meaningful regulations," Earthsight added.
"If they don't, it is essential European lawmakers stand firm against lobbying to the contrary."
The NGO's investigation identified cattle ranches that have illegally cleared forest inhabited by the Ayoreo Totobiegosode, said to be the only indigenous people living in voluntary isolation in the Americas outside the Amazon rainforest.
- Undercover visits -
During undercover visits, it found Paraguayan tanneries which supply Italian counterparts bragging that they provide leather for a number of famous cars, including BMW models and the Range Rover Evoque.
BMW told the NGO that it had "no information" that its Latin American leather supply chains were "affected by the problems presented" but that it was "exploring options for extending traceability systems further".
The firm, which owns the Mini and Rolls Royce brands, added that its "medium-term strategy" is to phase out leather from the region altogether.
Jaguar Land Rover said: "We take allegations of unlawful or unethical behaviour within our supply chain extremely seriously and have taken immediate action to investigate the points you have raised with the relevant suppliers."
Earthsight noted that it was easiest to trace the leather being used by BMW because the German automaker had shown "more concern over the source of their leather than most of their competitors".
But the NGO found no car firm was able to trace all of its leather back to ranches, which it said was essential if links to human rights and environmental abuses are to be avoided.
Alongside Paraguay, the auto industry is among the largest consumers of hides from Brazil, where cattle are the largest deforestation driver, it said.
Earthsight said the leather industry lags far behind other sectors, such as palm oil and cocoa, in the steps being taken to consider its handling of commodities.
jj/ar/gd
A group of Brazilian ranchers is bulldozing a UNESCO reserve inhabited by an indigenous Indian tribe with no prior contact with the outside world, an native rights group said Monday.
Survival International said the UNESCO bioreserve in Paraguay's Chaco region is home to the only uncontacted indigenous tribe in South America outside of the Amazon -- the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode.
"The Totobiegosode's land is being destroyed as we speak," said Stephen Corry, director of Survival International.
"Given that their land falls within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, we hope that UNESCO can play a part in stopping this destruction and pressing for the recognition of their land rights."
The group says a Paraguayan government representative and two relatives of the tribe attempted to enter the region, but were barred by employees of the ranchers' company, Yaguarete Pore S.A.
Survival International said the reserve was intended to protect both the Indian group but also species including the jaguar, "an irony given that a Spanish language translation of that word, yaguarete, is the name of the company bulldozing the reserve."
Satellite photos show that thousands of hectares of the reserve have been destroyed, even though the company has had its license to operate there withdrawn by the Paraguayan government, Survival International said.
UNESCO biospheres are designated under the United Nation's agency's "Man and Biosphere Program," and are intended to promote conservation and sustainable development.
There are over 500 designated sites in over 100 countries, according to UNESCO. The Chaco region in Paraguay was designated in 2005.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--French police file terror charges over Paris meat cleaver attack

A man who wounded two people in a meat cleaver attack in Paris last week near the former offices of @ @ @ @ @ , has been charged with attempted murder with relation to a terrorist enterprise .
The @ @ @ @ @ himself as 25-year-old Pakistani-born Zaheer Hassan Mehmood , has admitted he lied to police when @ @ @ @ @ and had entered the country as a minor , the lead prosecutor in the case @ @

French police file terror charges over Paris meat cleaver attack
01:40
A man who wounded two people in a meat cleaver attack in Paris last week near the former offices of satirical weekly newpaper Charlie Hebdo, has been charged with attempted murder with relation to a terrorist enterprise. The suspect, who has identified himself as 25-year-old Pakistani-born Zaheer Hassan Mehmood, has admitted he lied to police when he said he was 18 and had entered the country as a minor, the lead prosecutor in the case said.


france24--2020-09-30--India acquits 32 over historic mosque demolition

An Indian court has acquitted all 32 people charged over the razing of the 16th century Babri mosque .
The @ @ @ @ @ 1992 sparked violence between Hindus and Muslims that left two thousand dead .
FRANCE 24 @ @ @ @ @ decision was not surprising given the country 's current political climate .

India acquits 32 over historic mosque demolition
03:24
An Indian court has acquitted all 32 people charged over the razing of the 16th century Babri mosque. The demolition of the mosque in 1992 sparked violence between Hindus and Muslims that left two thousand dead. FRANCE 24 correspondent Sreya Banerjee says the decision was not surprising given the country's current political climate.


france24--2020-09-30--Hopes fade for girl buried in Indian garbage dump

The search continues for Neha Vasava , who was buried under a garbage heap The search for a 12-year-old girl buried under a huge garbage heap in western India entered its fifth day Wednesday , with hopes fading fast of finding her alive .
Neha Vasava was on top of a 25-30 metre ( 80-100 feet ) mountain of refuse at Ahmedabad 's biggest rubbish dump -- where she and her family eke out a living -- when it collapsed on Saturday evening .
Rescuers have since been sifting through tonnes of stinking garbage and braving feral dogs that roam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acres ( 32 hectares ) .
An estimated four million Indians -- many of them children -- work in filthy , dangerous conditions , as `` ragpickers '' , sorting through trash for metal and other materials to sell .
`` The chance of her being alive is negligible , but we will continue the search till we find her , '' fire officer Naitik Bhatt said Wednesday .
He said six earthmovers had been deployed in the frantic search , which had been made more difficult by a spell of rain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ buried there was rain because of which more garbage could have fallen from the top , '' Bhatt told AFP .
A six-year-old boy , who was scavenging with Vasava , was rescued shortly after the collapse .
Nearly 3,500 tonnes of waste from Ahmedabad city is dumped at the site every day .
The dump , called Mount Pirana by locals because of its height , is home to several hundred impoverished families who live in shanties without piped water or sewage systems .
`` We earn our bread by selling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mahesh , a ragpicker , told AFP .
`` We are lucky if we get picked up by some contractor for labour work ...
Otherwise the only option we have is to sell the scrap , '' added the 30-year-old , who was working without any protective gear .
According to UNICEF , well over 41 million children aged under 12 are forced to work in South Asia .
India 's coronavirus lockdown is thought to have pushed more children into working after their parents fell into poverty , experts say .

Ahmedabad (India) (AFP) –
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The search for a 12-year-old girl buried under a huge garbage heap in western India entered its fifth day Wednesday, with hopes fading fast of finding her alive.
Neha Vasava was on top of a 25-30 metre (80-100 feet) mountain of refuse at Ahmedabad's biggest rubbish dump -- where she and her family eke out a living -- when it collapsed on Saturday evening.
Rescuers have since been sifting through tonnes of stinking garbage and braving feral dogs that roam the area, spread over some 80 acres (32 hectares).
An estimated four million Indians -- many of them children -- work in filthy, dangerous conditions, as "ragpickers", sorting through trash for metal and other materials to sell.
"The chance of her being alive is negligible, but we will continue the search till we find her," fire officer Naitik Bhatt said Wednesday.
He said six earthmovers had been deployed in the frantic search, which had been made more difficult by a spell of rain.
"A few hours after she got buried there was rain because of which more garbage could have fallen from the top," Bhatt told AFP.
A six-year-old boy, who was scavenging with Vasava, was rescued shortly after the collapse.
Nearly 3,500 tonnes of waste from Ahmedabad city is dumped at the site every day.
The dump, called Mount Pirana by locals because of its height, is home to several hundred impoverished families who live in shanties without piped water or sewage systems.
"We earn our bread by selling the scrap we collect from the dump," Mahesh, a ragpicker, told AFP.
"We are lucky if we get picked up by some contractor for labour work... Otherwise the only option we have is to sell the scrap," added the 30-year-old, who was working without any protective gear.
According to UNICEF, well over 41 million children aged under 12 are forced to work in South Asia.
India's coronavirus lockdown is thought to have pushed more children into working after their parents fell into poverty, experts say.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--Serena withdraws from French Open with Achilles injury

Serena Williams believes the key to levelling the all-time Grand Slam record of 24 titles is to play like Serena Williams Serena Williams withdrew from the French Open on Wednesday ahead of her second round match with an Achilles injury , as the American 's bid for a 24th Grand Slam title suffered another blow .
The 39-year-old Williams , a three-time winner at Roland Garros , had arrived in Paris carrying an Achilles injury that prompted her to skip the Rome tune-up event .
`` The Achilles did n't have enough time to heal after the US Open , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to walk and that is a tell-tale sign that I should try to recover . ''
The injury likely means she will miss the rest of 2020 leaving the Australian Open in 2021 as her next chance to equal Margaret Court 's all-time majors record .
`` I need four to six weeks of sitting and doing nothing , '' she said .
`` It 's more than likely that I wo n't play another tournament this year . ''
Her decision to pull out handed Bulgaria 's Tsvetana Pironkova a walkover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major since the last of her 23 titles at Melbourne in 2017 .
Later on Wednesday , Rafael Nadal looks to build on a promising start to his quest to match Roger Federer 's 20 Slam titles when he plays American outsider Mackenzie McDonald .
Top seed and women 's favourite Simona Halep also puts her 15-match winning streak on the line as she targets another run at a second French Open crown in three years .
Nadal needs one more major to pull level with long-time rival Federer and owns an astonishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his triumph on debut in 2005 .
The Spaniard showed little trouble in handling the heavier conditions in his opening win over Egor Gerasimov at a tournament postponed four months by the coronavirus pandemic .
However , the 34-year-old is wary of an untimely slip-up having made serene progress on his return to action in Rome before running aground in the quarter-finals .
`` Six months without playing a single tennis match is not easy , '' said 12-time French Open winner Nadal , who touched down in Paris without a clay title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I said in Rome when I played the first two matches well , I said , 'Okay , do n't believe things are going to be like this . '
`` I know how difficult are the comebacks .
I had to stop playing tennis for more than two months , so situation is difficult .
It 's normal , some up and downs . ''
A first-time opponent again awaits Nadal in the 236th-ranked McDonald , whose lone tour win this season came against Yusutaka Uchiyama at Delray Beach in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ashleigh Barty skipping the event over Covid-19 concerns , world number two Halep appears well set for a tilt at a third major .
She battles fellow Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu on Court Suzanne Lenglen , having been spared the grim weather by playing under the new retractable roof in her opener .
Halep has won each of her past three tournaments , resuming the interrupted season with titles on clay in Prague and Rome following her victory at Dubai in February .
US Open champion Dominic Thiem plays American qualifier Jack Sock , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second round while 2015 French Open winner Stan Wawrinka takes on Dominik Koepfer following his mauling of Andy Murray .
Third seed Elina Svitolina faces Renata Zarazua , Mexico 's first representative in the main draw of a Slam in 20 years , with Victoria Azarenka meeting Anna Karolina Schmiedlova .
Alexander Zverev , the runner-up to Thiem in New York , will go up against Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the final match scheduled on Court Philippe Chatrier .

Paris (AFP) –
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Serena Williams withdrew from the French Open on Wednesday ahead of her second round match with an Achilles injury, as the American's bid for a 24th Grand Slam title suffered another blow.
The 39-year-old Williams, a three-time winner at Roland Garros, had arrived in Paris carrying an Achilles injury that prompted her to skip the Rome tune-up event.
"The Achilles didn't have enough time to heal after the US Open," said Williams.
"I was struggling to walk and that is a tell-tale sign that I should try to recover."
The injury likely means she will miss the rest of 2020 leaving the Australian Open in 2021 as her next chance to equal Margaret Court's all-time majors record.
"I need four to six weeks of sitting and doing nothing," she said. "It's more than likely that I won't play another tournament this year."
Her decision to pull out handed Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova a walkover and left Williams searching for a first major since the last of her 23 titles at Melbourne in 2017.
Later on Wednesday, Rafael Nadal looks to build on a promising start to his quest to match Roger Federer's 20 Slam titles when he plays American outsider Mackenzie McDonald.
Top seed and women's favourite Simona Halep also puts her 15-match winning streak on the line as she targets another run at a second French Open crown in three years.
Nadal needs one more major to pull level with long-time rival Federer and owns an astonishing 94-2 record in Paris going back to his triumph on debut in 2005.
The Spaniard showed little trouble in handling the heavier conditions in his opening win over Egor Gerasimov at a tournament postponed four months by the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the 34-year-old is wary of an untimely slip-up having made serene progress on his return to action in Rome before running aground in the quarter-finals.
- Nadal on his guard -
"Six months without playing a single tennis match is not easy," said 12-time French Open winner Nadal, who touched down in Paris without a clay title to his name for the first time.
"I said in Rome when I played the first two matches well, I said, 'Okay, don't believe things are going to be like this.'
"I know how difficult are the comebacks. I had to stop playing tennis for more than two months, so situation is difficult. It's normal, some up and downs."
A first-time opponent again awaits Nadal in the 236th-ranked McDonald, whose lone tour win this season came against Yusutaka Uchiyama at Delray Beach in February.
With women's defending champion Ashleigh Barty skipping the event over Covid-19 concerns, world number two Halep appears well set for a tilt at a third major.
She battles fellow Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu on Court Suzanne Lenglen, having been spared the grim weather by playing under the new retractable roof in her opener.
Halep has won each of her past three tournaments, resuming the interrupted season with titles on clay in Prague and Rome following her victory at Dubai in February.
US Open champion Dominic Thiem plays American qualifier Jack Sock, a former top 10 player, in the second round while 2015 French Open winner Stan Wawrinka takes on Dominik Koepfer following his mauling of Andy Murray.
Third seed Elina Svitolina faces Renata Zarazua, Mexico's first representative in the main draw of a Slam in 20 years, with Victoria Azarenka meeting Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
Alexander Zverev, the runner-up to Thiem in New York, will go up against Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the final match scheduled on Court Philippe Chatrier.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--Macron condemns Turkey’s ‘bellicose’ statements on Nagorno-Karabakh fighting

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday condemned what he called Turkey 's `` reckless and dangerous '' statements backing Azerbaijan in its bid to take back the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Ankara said on Tuesday it was `` fully ready '' to help Azerbaijan recover Nagorno-Karabakh , as armed conflict escalated with neighbouring Armenia over the region .
`` I have noted Turkey 's political statements which I think are reckless and dangerous , '' Macron told reporters in Latvia 's capital Riga during a visit to the Baltic EU state .
`` France remains extremely concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last hours , which essentially remove any inhibitions from Azerbaijan in what would be a reconquest of northern Karabakh .
That we will not accept , '' he added .
He also appeared to voice support for Yerevan : `` I say to Armenia and to the Armenians , France will play its role . ''
But Macron also said it was too soon to speak of a regional conflict .
He said he would discuss the tensions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday evening and US President Donald Trump on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Council of EU leaders .
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked for decades in a territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh and have blamed each other for sparking fierce clashes that erupted on Sunday and have since caused nearly 100 confirmed deaths .
The two sides have so far defied calls for a ceasefire .
Ankara has backed Azerbaijan in the conflict and on Tuesday the Armenian defence ministry said a Turkish F-16 jet flying in support of Baku 's forces had downed an Armenian SU-25 warplane .
Ankara fiercely denied the claim .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark a major escalation after three days of heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over Nagorno-Karabakh .
And the UN Security Council called on both sides for an immediate end to the fighting .
Russia also called on Turkey , which views Azerbaijan as its close ally and Armenia as its historic foe , to stop proclaiming support for Azerbaijan and to work toward a diplomatic solution to the escalation , the deadliest since 2016 .
> > Is Turkey a brother in arms or just extending its footprint into Nagorno-Karabakh ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers not to interfere in fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh , and condemned a `` serious escalation '' that threatens regional stability .

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday condemned what he called Turkey's "reckless and dangerous" statements backing Azerbaijan in its bid to take back the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
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Ankara said on Tuesday it was "fully ready" to help Azerbaijan recover Nagorno-Karabakh, as armed conflict escalated with neighbouring Armenia over the region.
"I have noted Turkey's political statements which I think are reckless and dangerous," Macron told reporters in Latvia's capital Riga during a visit to the Baltic EU state.
"France remains extremely concerned about the bellicose comments that Turkey made in the last hours, which essentially remove any inhibitions from Azerbaijan in what would be a reconquest of northern Karabakh. That we will not accept," he added.
He also appeared to voice support for Yerevan: "I say to Armenia and to the Armenians, France will play its role."
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu promptly responded to Macron’s comments in an interview with state-run Anadolu news agency in which he said that French solidarity with Armenia amounted to supporting Armenian "occupation" of the region.
Fighting broke out between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the disputed separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27. © France24 / Studio graphique
Despite the escalation, Macron said it was too soon to speak of a regional conflict.
He said he would discuss the tensions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday evening and US President Donald Trump on Thursday before reporting on the situation to the European Council of EU leaders.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked for decades in a territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh and have blamed each other for sparking fierce clashes that erupted on Sunday and have since caused nearly 100 confirmed deaths.
UN calls for end to fighting
The two sides have so far defied calls for a ceasefire.
Ankara has backed Azerbaijan in the conflict and on Tuesday the Armenian defence ministry said a Turkish F-16 jet flying in support of Baku's forces had downed an Armenian SU-25 warplane. Ankara fiercely denied the claim.
Direct Turkish military action against Armenia would mark a major escalation after three days of heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over Nagorno-Karabakh.
And the UN Security Council called on both sides for an immediate end to the fighting.
Russia also called on Turkey, which views Azerbaijan as its close ally and Armenia as its historic foe, to stop proclaiming support for Azerbaijan and to work toward a diplomatic solution to the escalation, the deadliest since 2016.
>> Is Turkey a brother in arms or just extending its footprint into Nagorno-Karabakh?
The European Union on Monday warned regional powers not to interfere in fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, and condemned a "serious escalation" that threatens regional stability.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-09-30--'Struggling to walk' Serena Williams withdraws from French Open

Serena Williams feels the strain during her first round win over Kristie Ahn Serena Williams withdrew from Roland Garros on @ @ @ @ @ bid for a 24th Grand Slam title suffered another blow .
The 39-year-old three-time champion @ @ @ @ @ the tournament carrying an Achilles tendon injury .
She had been due to face Bulgaria @ @ @ @ @ second round later Wednesday .
`` The Achilles did n't have enough time to heal @ @ @ @ @ '' said Williams .
`` I was struggling to walk and that is a tell-tale @ @ @ @ @ to recover . ''
The injury likely means she will miss the rest of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ 2021 as her next chance to equal Margaret Court 's all-time majors record .
`` @ @ @ @ @ weeks of sitting and doing nothing , '' she said .
`` It 's more @ @ @ @ @ n't play another tournament this year . ''

Paris (AFP) –
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Serena Williams withdrew from Roland Garros on Wednesday as the American's bid for a 24th Grand Slam title suffered another blow.
The 39-year-old three-time champion in Paris had arrived at the tournament carrying an Achilles tendon injury.
She had been due to face Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova in the second round later Wednesday.
"The Achilles didn't have enough time to heal after the US Open," said Williams.
"I was struggling to walk and that is a tell-tale sign that I should try to recover."
The injury likely means she will miss the rest of 2020 leaving the Australian Open in 2021 as her next chance to equal Margaret Court's all-time majors record.
"I need four to six weeks of sitting and doing nothing," she said.
"It's more than likely that I won't play another tournament this year."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--First man cured of HIV dies of cancer: charity

The first person to be cured of HIV , Timothy Ray Brown -- known as the `` Berlin Patient '' -- has died after a battle with cancer , the International Aids Society ( IAS ) announced Wednesday .
Brown made medical history and became a symbol of hope for the tens of millions of people living with the virus that causes AIDS when he was cured more than a decade ago .
He had been living with a recurrence of leukaemia for several months and received hospice care at his home in Palm Springs , California .
`` On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IAS sends its condolences to Timothy ’ s partner , Tim , and his family and friends , '' said IAS President Adeeba Kamarulzaman .
`` We owe Timothy and his doctor , Gero Hutter , a great deal of gratitude for opening the door for scientists to explore the concept that a cure for HIV is possible . ''
Brown was diagnosed with HIV while was studying in Berlin in 1995 .
A decade later , he was diagnosed with leukaemia , a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Free University of Berlin used a stem cell transplant from a donor who had a rare genetic mutation that gave him natural resistance to HIV , hoping it may wipe out both diseases .
It took two painful and dangerous procedures , but it was a success : in 2008 Brown was declared free of the two ailments , and was initially dubbed `` the Berlin Patient '' at a medical conference to preserve his anonymity .
Two years later , he decided to break his silence and went on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and interviews and starting his own foundation .
`` I am living proof that there could be a cure for AIDS , '' he told AFP in 2012 .
`` It 's very wonderful , being cured of HIV . ''
Ten years after Brown was cured , a second HIV sufferer -- dubbed `` the London Patient '' -- was revealed to be in remission 19 months after undergoing a similar procedure .
The patient , Adam Castillejo , is currently HIV-free .
In August a California woman was reported to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-retroviral treatment .
It is thought she may be the first person to be cured of HIV without undergoing the risky bone marrow treatment .
Sharon Lewin , president-elect of the IAS and director of the Doherty Institute in Melbourne , Australia , praised Brown as a `` champion and advocate '' of a cure for HIV .
`` It is the hope of the scientific community that one day we can honour his legacy with a safe , cost-effective and widely accessible strategy to achieve HIV remission and curs using gene edition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .

Paris (AFP) –
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The first person to be cured of HIV, Timothy Ray Brown -- known as the "Berlin Patient" -- has died after a battle with cancer, the International Aids Society (IAS) announced Wednesday.
Brown made medical history and became a symbol of hope for the tens of millions of people living with the virus that causes AIDS when he was cured more than a decade ago.
He had been living with a recurrence of leukaemia for several months and received hospice care at his home in Palm Springs, California.
"On behalf of all its members... the IAS sends its condolences to Timothy’s partner, Tim, and his family and friends," said IAS President Adeeba Kamarulzaman.
"We owe Timothy and his doctor, Gero Hutter, a great deal of gratitude for opening the door for scientists to explore the concept that a cure for HIV is possible."
Brown was diagnosed with HIV while was studying in Berlin in 1995. A decade later, he was diagnosed with leukaemia, a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
To treat his leukaemia, his doctor at the Free University of Berlin used a stem cell transplant from a donor who had a rare genetic mutation that gave him natural resistance to HIV, hoping it may wipe out both diseases.
It took two painful and dangerous procedures, but it was a success: in 2008 Brown was declared free of the two ailments, and was initially dubbed "the Berlin Patient" at a medical conference to preserve his anonymity.
Two years later, he decided to break his silence and went on to become a public figure, giving speeches and interviews and starting his own foundation.
"I am living proof that there could be a cure for AIDS," he told AFP in 2012. "It's very wonderful, being cured of HIV."
- 'Champion' -
Ten years after Brown was cured, a second HIV sufferer -- dubbed "the London Patient" -- was revealed to be in remission 19 months after undergoing a similar procedure.
The patient, Adam Castillejo, is currently HIV-free. In August a California woman was reported to have no traces of HIV despite not using anti-retroviral treatment.
It is thought she may be the first person to be cured of HIV without undergoing the risky bone marrow treatment.
Sharon Lewin, president-elect of the IAS and director of the Doherty Institute in Melbourne, Australia, praised Brown as a "champion and advocate" of a cure for HIV.
"It is the hope of the scientific community that one day we can honour his legacy with a safe, cost-effective and widely accessible strategy to achieve HIV remission and curs using gene edition or techniques that boost immune control," she said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--French court to rule on transfer of Rwandan genocide suspect

French court to rule on transfer of Rwandan genocide suspect A French court is due to decide whether to transfer @ @ @ @ @ a UN court , over alleged crimes linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide .
Kabuga @ @ @ @ @ Parisian suburb in May after 26 years on the run .

French court to rule on transfer of Rwandan genocide suspect
01:31
A French court is due to decide whether to transfer Rwandan businessman Felicien Kabuga to a UN court, over alleged crimes linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Kabuga was tracked down to a Parisian suburb in May after 26 years on the run.


france24--2020-09-30--Aston Villa sign Chelsea's Barkley on loan

Aston Villa have announced the signing of midfielder Ross Barkley on a season-long loan from Chelsea .
The 26-year-old had @ @ @ @ @ Lampard 's side this season , scoring once .
Villa manager Dean Smith said : @ @ @ @ @ Ross 's quality is a real coup for our club and I am certain he @ @ @ @ @ our team . ''
The England international has been at Stamford Bridge since joining from @ @ @ @ @ He will be unavailable for Thursday 's League Cup visit of Stoke , having already @ @ @ @ @ Chelsea this season .
Smith 's side have won their opening two Premier League games @ @ @ @ @ debut against Liverpool on Sunday .

London (AFP) –
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Aston Villa have announced the signing of midfielder Ross Barkley on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
The 26-year-old had made three appearances for Frank Lampard's side this season, scoring once.
Villa manager Dean Smith said: "Capturing a player of Ross's quality is a real coup for our club and I am certain he will thrive here and improve our team."
The England international has been at Stamford Bridge since joining from Everton in January 2018.
He will be unavailable for Thursday's League Cup visit of Stoke, having already played in the competition for Chelsea this season.
Smith's side have won their opening two Premier League games and Barkley could make his debut against Liverpool on Sunday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-01--DNA from Neanderthals can make Covid more severe

People infected with Covid-19 who carry a specific snippet of genetic coding bequeathed by Neanderthals are three times more likely to need mechanical ventilation Covid-19 patients with a snippet of Neanderthal DNA that crossed into the human genome some 60,000 years ago run a higher risk of severe complications from the disease , researchers have reported .
People infected with the new coronavirus , for example , who carry the genetic coding bequeathed by our early human cousins are three times more likely to need mechanical ventilation , according to a study published Wednesday in Nature .
There are many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in intensive care and other have only light symptoms , or none at all .
Advanced age , being a man , and pre-existing medical problems can all increase the odds of a serious outcome .
But genetic factors can also play a role , as the new findings makes clear .
`` It is striking that the genetic heritage from Neanderthals has such tragic consequences during the current pandemic , '' said co-author Svante Paabo , director of the department of genetics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initiative revealed that a genetic variant in a particular region of chromosome 3 -- one of 23 chromosomes in the human genome -- is associated with more severe forms of the disease .
That same region was known to harbour genetic code of Neanderthal origins , so Paabo and co-author Hugo Zeberg , also from Max Planck , decided to look for a link with Covid-19 .
They found that a Neanderthal individual from southern Europe carried an almost identical genetic segment , which spans some 50,000 so-called base pairs , the primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Neanderthals found in southern Siberia , along with a specimen from another early human species that also wandered Eurasia , the Denisovans , did not carry the telltale snippet .
Modern humans and Neanderthals could have inherited the gene fragment from a common ancestor some half-million years ago , but it is far more likely to have entered the homo sapiens gene pool through more recent interbreeding , the researchers concluded .
The potentially dangerous string of Neanderthal DNA is not evenly distributed today across the globe , the study showed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and about half the population across South Asia , with the highest proportion -- 63 percent -- found in Bangladesh .
This could help explain why individuals of Bangladeshi descent living in Britain are twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as the general population , the authors speculate .
In East Asia and Africa the gene variant is virtually absent .
About two percent of DNA in non-Africans across the globe originate with Neanderthals , earlier studies have shown .
Denisovan remnants are also widespread but more sporadic , comprising less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asians and Native Americans , and about five percent of aboriginal Australians and the people of Papua New Guinea .

Paris (AFP) –
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Covid-19 patients with a snippet of Neanderthal DNA that crossed into the human genome some 60,000 years ago run a higher risk of severe complications from the disease, researchers have reported.
People infected with the new coronavirus, for example, who carry the genetic coding bequeathed by our early human cousins are three times more likely to need mechanical ventilation, according to a study published Wednesday in Nature.
There are many reasons why some people with Covid-19 wind up in intensive care and other have only light symptoms, or none at all.
Advanced age, being a man, and pre-existing medical problems can all increase the odds of a serious outcome.
But genetic factors can also play a role, as the new findings makes clear.
"It is striking that the genetic heritage from Neanderthals has such tragic consequences during the current pandemic," said co-author Svante Paabo, director of the department of genetics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.
Recent research by the Covid-19 Host Genetics Initiative revealed that a genetic variant in a particular region of chromosome 3 -- one of 23 chromosomes in the human genome -- is associated with more severe forms of the disease.
That same region was known to harbour genetic code of Neanderthal origins, so Paabo and co-author Hugo Zeberg, also from Max Planck, decided to look for a link with Covid-19.
- Unevenly distributed -
They found that a Neanderthal individual from southern Europe carried an almost identical genetic segment, which spans some 50,000 so-called base pairs, the primary building blocks of DNA.
Tellingly, two Neanderthals found in southern Siberia, along with a specimen from another early human species that also wandered Eurasia, the Denisovans, did not carry the telltale snippet.
Modern humans and Neanderthals could have inherited the gene fragment from a common ancestor some half-million years ago, but it is far more likely to have entered the homo sapiens gene pool through more recent interbreeding, the researchers concluded.
The potentially dangerous string of Neanderthal DNA is not evenly distributed today across the globe, the study showed.
Some 16 percent of Europeans carry it, and about half the population across South Asia, with the highest proportion -- 63 percent -- found in Bangladesh.
This could help explain why individuals of Bangladeshi descent living in Britain are twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as the general population, the authors speculate.
In East Asia and Africa the gene variant is virtually absent.
About two percent of DNA in non-Africans across the globe originate with Neanderthals, earlier studies have shown.
Denisovan remnants are also widespread but more sporadic, comprising less than one percent of the DNA among Asians and Native Americans, and about five percent of aboriginal Australians and the people of Papua New Guinea.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-01--MLB plans to allow some 11,500 fans at World Series in Texas

Major League Baseball announced plans Wednesday to allow some 11,500 fans to attend National League Championship Series and World Series games in Arlington , Texas .
MLB said in a statement that 10,550 fans would be spread throughout the Texas Rangers ' new Globe Life Field near Dallas with 950 more attending in luxury suites .
`` Major League Baseball has received the appropriate approvals to host fans in the ballpark and will implement fan health and safety protocols in conjunction with state and local regulations , '' MLB said .
The ballpark that opened for the 2020 pandemic-hit season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances would seat more than 40,000 .
But game one of the NLCS on Monday , October 12 , will be the first time fans will have a chance to attend a game there , or indeed to attend any game of the MLB season .
After the scheduled March start of the season was delayed by the pandemic , a shortened 60-game regular season played out in clubs ' home ballparks without spectators .
The expanded 16-team playoffs have opened with teams playing in their own parks , but both league championship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on October 20 will be played in neutral venues .
It will be the first neutral site World Series in modern baseball history .
Tickets in the seating bowl will be sold in groups of four contiguous seats , called pods .
Individuals may purchase a limit of one pod per NLCS and World Series game .
Seats within each pod can not be broken apart for sale and each pod will be a minimum of six feet from each other .
No seats will be sold within 20 feet of where a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the dugouts or in the bullpen .
Masks will be mandatory for all fans except when actively eating or drinking at their ticketed seats .
Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the ballpark .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Major League Baseball announced plans Wednesday to allow some 11,500 fans to attend National League Championship Series and World Series games in Arlington, Texas.
MLB said in a statement that 10,550 fans would be spread throughout the Texas Rangers' new Globe Life Field near Dallas with 950 more attending in luxury suites.
"Major League Baseball has received the appropriate approvals to host fans in the ballpark and will implement fan health and safety protocols in conjunction with state and local regulations," MLB said.
The ballpark that opened for the 2020 pandemic-hit season features a retractable roof and in normal circumstances would seat more than 40,000.
But game one of the NLCS on Monday, October 12, will be the first time fans will have a chance to attend a game there, or indeed to attend any game of the MLB season.
After the scheduled March start of the season was delayed by the pandemic, a shortened 60-game regular season played out in clubs' home ballparks without spectators.
The expanded 16-team playoffs have opened with teams playing in their own parks, but both league championship series and the World Series that starts on October 20 will be played in neutral venues.
It will be the first neutral site World Series in modern baseball history.
Tickets in the seating bowl will be sold in groups of four contiguous seats, called pods. Individuals may purchase a limit of one pod per NLCS and World Series game. Seats within each pod cannot be broken apart for sale and each pod will be a minimum of six feet from each other.
No seats will be sold within 20 feet of where a player can be located on the field, in the dugouts or in the bullpen. Masks will be mandatory for all fans except when actively eating or drinking at their ticketed seats.
Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the ballpark.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-01--Hong Kong marks China anniversary as Beijing tightens grip

A police source told AFP that 6,000 police officers had been drafted in to stop any protests Thousands of riot police were stationed across Hong Kong on Thursday to stamp out any large democracy rallies as the restless financial hub marked China 's National Day under the shadow of a growing crackdown on dissent .
The People 's Republic of China celebrates its founding on October 1 with a holiday and carefully choreographed festivities .
But in Hong Kong , it has become a day of grievance for those worried about authoritarian Beijing 's encroachment on freedoms .
Helicopters flying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the harbour as city leader Carrie Lam and senior mainland officials attended a ceremony in an exhibition centre ringed by police and security barriers .
Last year the 70th anniversary brought fierce clashes between protesters and police during seven straight months of democracy demonstrations that swept Hong Kong .
Authorities denied permission for a protest march this year , citing security concerns and an anti-coronavirus ban on more than four people gathering in public .
A police source told AFP that 6,000 police officers had been drafted in to stop any protests -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for days when the force expects demonstrations to occur .
On messaging forums used by protesters some have called for evening flash-mob rallies since the official march was banned .
But it is unclear whether any mass gatherings will materialise .
Close to the exhibition centre where the ceremony was taking place , four members of the opposition League of Social Democrats shouted slogans such as `` End one party rule '' , surrounded by some 40 police officers .
Police officers were seen searching cars at a major harbour tunnel on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city .
This week police said they had arrested five people on suspicion of inciting others to protest and commit violent acts .
`` If you break the law , police will bring you to justice no matter what remote corner of the Earth you flee to , '' police chief Chris Tang said .
The rally application was made by the Civil Human Rights Front -- a coalition that organised record-breaking democracy marches last year .
The group is calling for the release of 12 Hong Kongers in mainland Chinese custody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flee protest-linked prosecutions .
Those 12 were trying to escape to Taiwan by boat but were intercepted by the Chinese coastguard and have since disappeared into the mainland 's opaque judicial system .
For most of this year , protest has been all but impossible in Hong Kong .
On the rare occasions when demonstrations do bubble up , riot police and plain-clothes officers within the crowds move quickly -- on one day last month nearly 300 people were arrested .
Over the last 16 months more than 10,000 have been detained during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with trials .
Many prominent protest leaders are being prosecuted .
`` Even if they try to arrest us , prosecute us and lock us up in prison , there is no reason for us to surrender , '' the city 's most high-profile activist , Joshua Wong , told reporters on Wednesday as he appeared for a court hearing for one of three prosecutions he faces .
The crackdown has been aided by a sweeping national security law that China imposed on the city in June .
The broadly worded legislation criminalised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chill seeping into the city and allowed mainland China 's security apparatus to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time .
It has led to sanctions by the United States and condemnation by many other Western nations .
But Beijing and Hong Kong authorities say it is needed to restore stability .
`` The national security law will absolutely stop rabble-rousers in Hong Kong from having their capricious way , '' the Liaison Office , which represents China 's government in Hong Kong , said on Tuesday .
`` We firmly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in enforcing the law decisively to ensure that the vast majority of residents enjoy a joyful and harmonious festival . ''

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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Thousands of riot police were stationed across Hong Kong on Thursday to stamp out any large democracy rallies as the restless financial hub marked China's National Day under the shadow of a growing crackdown on dissent.
The People's Republic of China celebrates its founding on October 1 with a holiday and carefully choreographed festivities.
But in Hong Kong, it has become a day of grievance for those worried about authoritarian Beijing's encroachment on freedoms.
Helicopters flying the Chinese and Hong Kong flags buzzed the harbour as city leader Carrie Lam and senior mainland officials attended a ceremony in an exhibition centre ringed by police and security barriers.
Last year the 70th anniversary brought fierce clashes between protesters and police during seven straight months of democracy demonstrations that swept Hong Kong.
Authorities denied permission for a protest march this year, citing security concerns and an anti-coronavirus ban on more than four people gathering in public.
A police source told AFP that 6,000 police officers had been drafted in to stop any protests -- double the contingency usually placed on reserve for days when the force expects demonstrations to occur.
On messaging forums used by protesters some have called for evening flash-mob rallies since the official march was banned. But it is unclear whether any mass gatherings will materialise.
Close to the exhibition centre where the ceremony was taking place, four members of the opposition League of Social Democrats shouted slogans such as "End one party rule", surrounded by some 40 police officers.
Police officers were seen searching cars at a major harbour tunnel on Thursday morning and maintained a high presence throughout the city.
This week police said they had arrested five people on suspicion of inciting others to protest and commit violent acts.
"If you break the law, police will bring you to justice no matter what remote corner of the Earth you flee to," police chief Chris Tang said.
- New security law -
The rally application was made by the Civil Human Rights Front -- a coalition that organised record-breaking democracy marches last year.
The group is calling for the release of 12 Hong Kongers in mainland Chinese custody who were caught last month trying to flee protest-linked prosecutions.
Those 12 were trying to escape to Taiwan by boat but were intercepted by the Chinese coastguard and have since disappeared into the mainland's opaque judicial system.
For most of this year, protest has been all but impossible in Hong Kong.
On the rare occasions when demonstrations do bubble up, riot police and plain-clothes officers within the crowds move quickly -- on one day last month nearly 300 people were arrested.
Over the last 16 months more than 10,000 have been detained during protests, and the courts are crammed with trials. Many prominent protest leaders are being prosecuted.
"Even if they try to arrest us, prosecute us and lock us up in prison, there is no reason for us to surrender," the city's most high-profile activist, Joshua Wong, told reporters on Wednesday as he appeared for a court hearing for one of three prosecutions he faces.
The crackdown has been aided by a sweeping national security law that China imposed on the city in June.
The broadly worded legislation criminalised expressing certain opinions, deepened the political chill seeping into the city and allowed mainland China's security apparatus to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time.
It has led to sanctions by the United States and condemnation by many other Western nations.
But Beijing and Hong Kong authorities say it is needed to restore stability.
"The national security law will absolutely stop rabble-rousers in Hong Kong from having their capricious way," the Liaison Office, which represents China's government in Hong Kong, said on Tuesday.
"We firmly support the city's government and police in enforcing the law decisively to ensure that the vast majority of residents enjoy a joyful and harmonious festival."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--Armenia and Azerbaijan reject calls for ceasefire as deaths mount

An ethnic Armenian soldier fires an artillery piece during fighting with Azerbaijan 's forces in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh , in this handout picture released September 29 , 2020 .
Armenia and Azerbaijan vowed to keep fighting and rejected international calls for negotiations Wednesday as clashes over the disputed Nagorny Karabakh region raged for a fourth day .
In the breakaway province 's capital Stepanakert , two explosions were heard around midnight as sirens sounded .
Residents said the city had been attacked by drones .
Streets were dark with public lighting shut off , although some shops were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities said came under fire when fresh violence erupted Sunday .
Moscow said Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron had called for a `` complete '' halt to fighting in Karabakh and said they were ready to intensify diplomatic efforts to help solve the conflict .
`` Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron called on the warring sides to halt fire completely and as soon as possible , de-escalate tensions and show maximum restraint , '' the Kremlin said .
In a telephone call , the two leaders expressed `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group -- Russia , France and the US -- that would call for an `` immediate '' end to fighting and start of talks , it added .
Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are engaged in the heaviest fighting in years over Karabakh , an ethnic Armenian province that broke away from Azerbaijan in the 1990s when the Soviet Union collapsed .
The confirmed death toll surpassed 100 people including civilians Wednesday , with both sides claiming to have inflicted heavy losses on the other .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure for a ceasefire , sparking fears the conflict could escalate into all-out war and draw in regional powers like Turkey and Russia .
`` We need to prepare for a long-term war , '' Karabakh separatist leader Arayik Harutyunyan said Wednesday .
Moscow , which has a military pact with Armenia but also good ties with Azerbaijan , has repeatedly called for an end to the fighting and on Wednesday offered to host negotiations .
In separate phone conversations with his counterparts from both ex-Soviet countries , Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organise a meeting .
But neither leader showed signs of being ready for talks .
Azerbaijan 's President Ilham Aliyev promised his military would keep fighting until Armenian troops withdraw fully from Karabakh .
If `` the Armenian government fulfils the demand , fighting and bloodshed will end , and peace will be established in the region , '' he said while visiting wounded soldiers .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said it was not `` very appropriate '' to speak of negotiations `` at a time of intensive hostilities '' .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men gathered outside a recruitment office to join the fight .
`` We must act to defend our homeland against the aggressor , '' said Kamo , a 32-year-old factory worker .
`` This is our land .
We will die before we abandon it . ''
There has been no let-up in the fighting since the weekend , with both sides reporting new civilian casualties Wednesday .
Azerbaijan 's defence ministry said its forces have killed 2,300 Karabakh separatist troops and `` destroyed 130 tanks , 200 artillery units , 25 anti-aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-tank units , 55 military vehicles '' .
Armenia claimed that Azerbaijan had lost 130 troops while another 200 were wounded .
Karabakh 's defence ministry , for its part , said Azerbaijani forces `` continued artillery shelling '' along the frontline .
The two sides have accused each other of targeting civilian areas , including some away from Karabakh .
Yerevan claims that Turkey , a longstanding ally of Azerbaijan , is providing direct military support for Baku .
It said on Tuesday that a Turkish F-16 flying in support of Baku @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warplane , but Ankara and Baku denied the claim .
`` The real enemy is Turkey , '' Harutyunyan said .
There have been reports of Turkey sending fighters from Syria , where Ankara is allied with some rebel groups , to join the Azerbaijani side .
Azerbaijan for its part also claimed Armenia was deploying foreign fighters .
`` Mercenaries from Middle Eastern countries are fighting against us alongside Armenian forces , '' Aliyev 's foreign policy adviser , Hikmet Khadjiyev , told AFP .
Russia 's foreign ministry said that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria and Libya '' were being deployed to the conflict zone .
It said it was `` deeply concerned '' but did not say who was responsible or lay any blame .
`` We are definitely very close to seeing a large-scale war , possibly even on a regional scale , '' said Olesya Vartanyan of the International Crisis Group .
Karabakh 's declaration of independence from Azerbaijan sparked a war in the early 1990s that claimed 30,000 lives , but it is still not recognised as independent by any country , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have largely stalled since a 1994 ceasefire agreement .

Armenia and Azerbaijan vowed to keep fighting and rejected international calls for negotiations Wednesday as clashes over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region raged for a fourth day.
An ethnic Armenian soldier fires an artillery piece during fighting with Azerbaijan's forces in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, in this handout picture released on September 29, 2020.
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In the breakaway province's capital Stepanakert, two explosions were heard around midnight as sirens sounded. Residents said the city had been attacked by drones.
Streets were dark with public lighting shut off, although some shops were open in the city, which local authorities said came under fire when fresh violence erupted Sunday.
Moscow said Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron had called for a "complete" halt to fighting in Karabakh and said they were ready to intensify diplomatic efforts to help solve the conflict.
"Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron called on the warring sides to halt fire completely and as soon as possible, de-escalate tensions and show maximum restraint," the Kremlin said.
In a telephone call, the two leaders expressed "readiness" to see a statement made on behalf of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group -- Russia, France and the US -- that would call for an "immediate" end to fighting and start of talks, it added.
Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are engaged in the heaviest fighting in years over Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian province that broke away from Azerbaijan in the 1990s when the Soviet Union collapsed.
Fighting broke out between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the disputed separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27. © France24 / Studio graphique
The confirmed death toll surpassed 100 people including civilians Wednesday, with both sides claiming to have inflicted heavy losses on the other.
Baku and Yerevan have ignored mounting international pressure for a ceasefire, sparking fears the conflict could escalate into all-out war and draw in regional powers like Turkey and Russia.
"We need to prepare for a long-term war," Karabakh separatist leader Arayik Harutyunyan said Wednesday.
Moscow, which has a military pact with Armenia but also good ties with Azerbaijan, has repeatedly called for an end to the fighting and on Wednesday offered to host negotiations.
Russia 'ready' for meeting
In separate phone conversations with his counterparts from both ex-Soviet countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's "readiness" to organise a meeting.
But neither leader showed signs of being ready for talks.
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev promised his military would keep fighting until Armenian troops withdraw fully from Karabakh.
If "the Armenian government fulfils the demand, fighting and bloodshed will end, and peace will be established in the region," he said while visiting wounded soldiers.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said it was not "very appropriate" to speak of negotiations "at a time of intensive hostilities".
In the Armenian capital Yerevan, dozens of men gathered outside a recruitment office to join the fight.
"We must act to defend our homeland against the aggressor," said Kamo, a 32-year-old factory worker. "This is our land. We will die before we abandon it."
There has been no let-up in the fighting since the weekend, with both sides reporting new civilian casualties Wednesday.
Armenia has recorded 104 military deaths and 23 civilians killed.
Azerbaijan's defence ministry said its forces have killed 2,300 Karabakh separatist troops and "destroyed 130 tanks, 200 artillery units, 25 anti-aircraft units, five ammunition depots, 50 anti-tank units, 55 military vehicles".
Armenia claimed that Azerbaijan had lost 130 troops while another 200 were wounded.
"Armenian armed forces destroyed 29 tanks and armoured vehicles," a defence ministry spokesman said.
'Real enemy'
Karabakh's defence ministry, for its part, said Azerbaijani forces "continued artillery shelling" along the frontline.
The two sides have accused each other of targeting civilian areas, including some away from Karabakh.
Yerevan claims that Turkey, a longstanding ally of Azerbaijan, is providing direct military support for Baku.
It said on Tuesday that a Turkish F-16 flying in support of Baku's forces had downed an Armenian SU-25 warplane, but Ankara and Baku denied the claim.
The Karabakh separatist leader reiterated claims Turkey was involved.
"The real enemy is Turkey," Harutyunyan said.
01:50
There have been reports of Turkey sending fighters from Syria, where Ankara is allied with some rebel groups, to join the Azerbaijani side.
Azerbaijan for its part also claimed Armenia was deploying foreign fighters.
"Mercenaries from Middle Eastern countries are fighting against us alongside Armenian forces," Aliyev's foreign policy adviser, Hikmet Khadjiyev, told AFP.
Russia's foreign ministry said that "fighters of illegal armed groups including from Syria and Libya" were being deployed to the conflict zone.
It said it was "deeply concerned" but did not say who was responsible or lay any blame.
'Close to large-scale war'
"We are definitely very close to seeing a large-scale war, possibly even on a regional scale," said Olesya Vartanyan of the International Crisis Group.
Karabakh's declaration of independence from Azerbaijan sparked a war in the early 1990s that claimed 30,000 lives, but it is still not recognised as independent by any country, including Armenia.
Talks to resolve the conflict have largely stalled since a 1994 ceasefire agreement.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-09-30--Seagram heiress jailed for bankrolling sex cult

Segram drinks heiress Clare Bronfman arrives at federal court in Brooklyn with her lawyers to hear her sentence of 81 months in jail for bankrolling a sex cult The heiress of the Canadian drinks empire Seagram was sentenced to more than six years in prison by a New York court Wednesday after pleading guilty in a sex trafficking scandal linked to a cult .
The 81-month sentence handed down to Clare Bronfman , 41 , was seen as particularly stiff , since prosecutors had themselves only called for five years of incarceration .
Bronfman pleaded guilty last year to credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf of `` self-help '' group Nxivm , whose founder Keith Raniere was found guilty in June 2019 of having kept between 15 and 20 sex slaves for years .
Prosecutors said that Bronfman spent tens of millions of dollars supporting the group , known as Nxivm -- pronounced `` Nexium . ''
`` There can be little doubt that Raniere would not have been able to commit the crimes with which he was convicted were it not for powerful allies like Bronfman , '' the prosecution said .
Her defense had hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and had called for a three-year suspended sentence .
Her lawyers said that even though she had pleaded guilty to credit card fraud and harboring illegal immigrants for the group , she did not know about the sexual abuse committed by Raniere in a group parallel to Nxivm called DOS , which was made up of `` masters '' and `` slaves . ''
They said she only knew of the beneficial side of the Albany , New York-based organization , which purported to teach classes for women 's self-empowerment .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that broke in 2018 , Bronfman was the first to learn her sentence .
Prosecutors have requested life in prison for Raniere , who will find out his sentence on October 27 .
Four others have pleaded guilty , including actress Allison Mack from the series `` Smallville , '' who admitted to two counts of racketeering in April 2019 .
The dramatic story has been the subject of two screen adaptions : HBO 's recently released `` The Vow '' docu-series and `` Escaping the Nxivm Cult , '' a 2019 Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mother working to save her daughter from the organization .

New York (AFP) –
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The heiress of the Canadian drinks empire Seagram was sentenced to more than six years in prison by a New York court Wednesday after pleading guilty in a sex trafficking scandal linked to a cult.
The 81-month sentence handed down to Clare Bronfman, 41, was seen as particularly stiff, since prosecutors had themselves only called for five years of incarceration.
Bronfman pleaded guilty last year to credit card fraud and harboring illegal immigrants on behalf of "self-help" group Nxivm, whose founder Keith Raniere was found guilty in June 2019 of having kept between 15 and 20 sex slaves for years.
Prosecutors said that Bronfman spent tens of millions of dollars supporting the group, known as Nxivm -- pronounced "Nexium."
"There can be little doubt that Raniere would not have been able to commit the crimes with which he was convicted were it not for powerful allies like Bronfman," the prosecution said.
Her defense had hoped she would be able to avoid jail time and had called for a three-year suspended sentence.
Her lawyers said that even though she had pleaded guilty to credit card fraud and harboring illegal immigrants for the group, she did not know about the sexual abuse committed by Raniere in a group parallel to Nxivm called DOS, which was made up of "masters" and "slaves."
They said she only knew of the beneficial side of the Albany, New York-based organization, which purported to teach classes for women's self-empowerment.
Of the six people charged in the scandal that broke in 2018, Bronfman was the first to learn her sentence.
Prosecutors have requested life in prison for Raniere, who will find out his sentence on October 27.
Four others have pleaded guilty, including actress Allison Mack from the series "Smallville," who admitted to two counts of racketeering in April 2019.
The dramatic story has been the subject of two screen adaptions: HBO's recently released "The Vow" docu-series and "Escaping the Nxivm Cult," a 2019 Lisa Robinson film focused on the testimony of a mother working to save her daughter from the organization.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-30--Liverpool stars back Williams after social media abuse

Liverpool stars including Virgil van Dijk have backed Neco Williams after the young defender received social media abuse .
Williams was criticised online after losing possession in the build-up to Lincoln 's first goal during Liverpool 's 7-2 League Cup win last week .
The 19-year-old Wales international has since stopped using his official Twitter account .
But Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders said on Wednesday the highly-rated Williams knows he has the backing of his team-mates , including Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold .
Speaking ahead of Thursday 's League Cup fourth round tie against Arsenal , Lijnders said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comment on social media .
`` The only thing I can say is abuse is wrong - through social media , on the street , it is wrong .
Second , you are not a Liverpool supporter if you do n't support .
`` Trent ( Alexander-Arnold ) spoke with him ( Williams ) , Virgil spoke with him , Robbo ( Andrew Robertson ) spoke with him - so it 's not only Jurgen or me .
`` It 's how we take care of each other and that 's what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing in for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp at the press conference , added : `` Neco is a doer , and doers make mistakes .
We do n't want safe play , a player who does n't take risks .
`` Our game is based on everyone taking the initiative from each position , and that is what we want .
`` One of the most important lessons for each young boy who is coming through , each player , is that it is a weakness if you can get caught up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealt with it really well , to be honest . ''

London (AFP) –
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Liverpool stars including Virgil van Dijk have backed Neco Williams after the young defender received social media abuse.
Williams was criticised online after losing possession in the build-up to Lincoln's first goal during Liverpool's 7-2 League Cup win last week.
The 19-year-old Wales international has since stopped using his official Twitter account.
But Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders said on Wednesday the highly-rated Williams knows he has the backing of his team-mates, including Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Speaking ahead of Thursday's League Cup fourth round tie against Arsenal, Lijnders said: "It is not for me to comment on social media.
"The only thing I can say is abuse is wrong - through social media, on the street, it is wrong. Second, you are not a Liverpool supporter if you don't support.
"Trent (Alexander-Arnold) spoke with him (Williams), Virgil spoke with him, Robbo (Andrew Robertson) spoke with him - so it's not only Jurgen or me.
"It's how we take care of each other and that's what makes us different."
Lijnders, standing in for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp at the press conference, added: "Neco is a doer, and doers make mistakes. We don't want safe play, a player who doesn't take risks.
"Our game is based on everyone taking the initiative from each position, and that is what we want.
"One of the most important lessons for each young boy who is coming through, each player, is that it is a weakness if you can get caught up in praise and criticism. I think he dealt with it really well, to be honest."
© 2020 AFP