france24--2020-09-23--Australia's Westpac to pay record fine for money-laundering

Westpac was accused in 2019 of breaching money-laundering and counter-terrorism regulations 23 million times Australia 's Westpac bank has agreed to pay a record AU $ 1.3 billion ( US $ 923 million ) fine for more than 23 million breaches of money-laundering laws , the bank and regulators announced Thursday .
`` I would like to apologise sincerely for the bank 's failings , '' Peter King , Westpac 's chief executive , said in announcing the fine , the largest civil penalty in Australian history .
The fine , agreed between Westpac and AUSTRAC , Australia 's financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a federal court .
AUSTRAC said the proposed fine `` reflects the seriousness and magnitude of compliance failings by Westpac '' , one of the country 's biggest banks .
The fine exceeded the provision of $ 900 million Westpac budgeted earlier this year to cover the expected penalty .
The regulator accused Westpac in November 2019 of wholesale breaches of money-laundering and counter-terrorism regulations 23 million times , involving more than US $ 7 billion dollars in funds .
Among the most damaging allegations against Westpac , the regulator accused bank executives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some international transfers were being used to fund child exploitation .
AUSTRAC said the bank had been aware of heightened risks associated with frequent small payments destined for Southeast Asia since 2013 and had been `` specifically briefed '' on the risks with respect to one of its money transfer channels in June 2016 .
Westpac 's chief executive , Brian Hartzer , subsequently resigned over the scandal , handing over to King , the bank 's chief financial officer at the time .
The company chairman , Lindsay Maxsted , also stepped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had beefed up its financial crime monitoring capabilities and undertaken a `` reassessment of our culture , governance and accountability '' to prevent future breaches .
`` We are determined to continually lift our financial crime standards , comply with our obligations and uphold our customer , community and regulatory expectations , '' he said in a statement .
Australia 's largest lender , the Commonwealth Bank ( CBA ) , paid a fine of Aus $ 700 million in 2018 after AUSTRAC found it had failed to report on 53,500 transactions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world 's most profitable , is facing an array of challenges .
The country 's four biggest banks -- CBA , Westpac , National Australia Bank ( NAB ) and ANZ -- were the target of a royal commission that in 2019 exposed rampant malpractice across the sector .
It found banks had charged fees to dead people and to others for no services at all , used aggressive sales tactics and provided poor advice that led to significant financial upheaval for clients .
All the banks have reported significant hits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars to wronged customers .

Sydney (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Australia's Westpac bank has agreed to pay a record AU$1.3 billion (US$923 million) fine for more than 23 million breaches of money-laundering laws, the bank and regulators announced Thursday.
"I would like to apologise sincerely for the bank's failings," Peter King, Westpac's chief executive, said in announcing the fine, the largest civil penalty in Australian history.
The fine, agreed between Westpac and AUSTRAC, Australia's financial intelligence watchdog, must be approved by a federal court.
AUSTRAC said the proposed fine "reflects the seriousness and magnitude of compliance failings by Westpac", one of the country's biggest banks.
The fine exceeded the provision of $900 million Westpac budgeted earlier this year to cover the expected penalty.
The regulator accused Westpac in November 2019 of wholesale breaches of money-laundering and counter-terrorism regulations 23 million times, involving more than US$7 billion dollars in funds.
Among the most damaging allegations against Westpac, the regulator accused bank executives of "indifference" to evidence that some international transfers were being used to fund child exploitation.
AUSTRAC said the bank had been aware of heightened risks associated with frequent small payments destined for Southeast Asia since 2013 and had been "specifically briefed" on the risks with respect to one of its money transfer channels in June 2016.
Westpac's chief executive, Brian Hartzer, subsequently resigned over the scandal, handing over to King, the bank's chief financial officer at the time.
The company chairman, Lindsay Maxsted, also stepped down.
King on Thursday said Westpac had beefed up its financial crime monitoring capabilities and undertaken a "reassessment of our culture, governance and accountability" to prevent future breaches.
"We are determined to continually lift our financial crime standards, comply with our obligations and uphold our customer, community and regulatory expectations," he said in a statement.
Australia's largest lender, the Commonwealth Bank (CBA), paid a fine of Aus$700 million in 2018 after AUSTRAC found it had failed to report on 53,500 transactions.
Australia's banking industry, one of the world's most profitable, is facing an array of challenges.
The country's four biggest banks -- CBA, Westpac, National Australia Bank (NAB) and ANZ -- were the target of a royal commission that in 2019 exposed rampant malpractice across the sector.
It found banks had charged fees to dead people and to others for no services at all, used aggressive sales tactics and provided poor advice that led to significant financial upheaval for clients.
All the banks have reported significant hits to profits as they reimburse hundreds of millions of dollars to wronged customers.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--Atletico Madrid announce signing of Luis Suarez from Barcelona

Teammates no more : Luis Suarez struck up a strong friendship with Lionel Messi at Barcelona , but the Urugayan 's transfer to Atletico Madrid has been confirmed Atletico Madrid announced the signing of Barcelona forward Luis Suarez late on Wednesday , confirming the Uruguayan striker is set to continue playing in La Liga rather than joining Juventus in Italy .
Barcelona said that Atletico had agreed to pay six million euros for Suarez , who left his last training session in tears on Wednesday having been told over the summer that he was no longer required by new coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liverpool in 2014 , Suarez has won a host of trophies , including the 2015 Champions League and four Liga titles .
He leaves as the club 's third highest scorer with 198 goals behind Cesar Rodriguez ( 232 ) and Lionel Messi ( 634 ) .
The move to Barcelona 's La Liga rivals follows a failed attempt to join Juventus .
Juve coach Andrea Pirlo disclosed last week a deal was unlikely because of delays in the Uruguayan 's bid to get an Italian passport .
On Tuesday , prosecutors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass his Italian language test with the aid of examiners suspected of helping him .
The exit of the 33-year-old from Camp Nou comes as Koeman attempts to reshape Barcelona .
As well as Suarez , the Dutchman has shown the exit to Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic , while French defender Samuel Umtiti is also set to leave .
Spanish television channel Gol showed Suarez wiping away tears with his sleeve as he drove off after saying his last goodbyes to teammates at Barcelona 's Sant Joan Despi training centre .

Madrid (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Atletico Madrid announced the signing of Barcelona forward Luis Suarez late on Wednesday, confirming the Uruguayan striker is set to continue playing in La Liga rather than joining Juventus in Italy.
Barcelona said that Atletico had agreed to pay six million euros for Suarez, who left his last training session in tears on Wednesday having been told over the summer that he was no longer required by new coach Ronald Koeman.
Since joining Barca from Liverpool in 2014, Suarez has won a host of trophies, including the 2015 Champions League and four Liga titles.
He leaves as the club's third highest scorer with 198 goals behind Cesar Rodriguez (232) and Lionel Messi (634).
The move to Barcelona's La Liga rivals follows a failed attempt to join Juventus.
Juve coach Andrea Pirlo disclosed last week a deal was unlikely because of delays in the Uruguayan's bid to get an Italian passport.
On Tuesday, prosecutors in Perugia said they suspected Suarez of cheating to pass his Italian language test with the aid of examiners suspected of helping him.
The exit of the 33-year-old from Camp Nou comes as Koeman attempts to reshape Barcelona.
As well as Suarez, the Dutchman has shown the exit to Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic, while French defender Samuel Umtiti is also set to leave.
Spanish television channel Gol showed Suarez wiping away tears with his sleeve as he drove off after saying his last goodbyes to teammates at Barcelona's Sant Joan Despi training centre.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--US athletes decry charges in Breonna Taylor shooting

US sports figures who have used their platforms to back the Black Lives Matter movement and call for police reform reacted with dismay to the charges filed Wednesday in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor .
Taylor , an emergency room technician , was shot dead after three plainclothes policemen turned up at her door in the middle of the night to execute a search warrant .
A grand jury in Louisville , Kentucky charged detective Brett Hankison with three counts of `` wanton endangerment '' over shots fired into adjoining apartments .
Neither Hankison nor the two officers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged in direct connection with her death .
`` Something was done , but it was n't enough .
Most guys thought it was definitely not enough , '' Los Angeles Lakers guard Danny Green told reporters after the team trained in the NBA 's quarantine bubble in Orlando , Florida .
Messages backing the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for police reform have been a hallmark of the league 's return to play in the wake of a coronavirus hiatus .
The playoffs were halted in the bubble for three days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin , refused to take to the court and players on other teams backed their move .
Green said NBA players would continue to try to find ways to promote the cause of racial justice and police reform .
`` It 's a tough one .
We 're still trying to make the proper steps ... What happened today was n't enough .
We felt , and I 'm sure most people around the country felt the same . ''
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Athletic after his NBA team trained on Wednesday in California .
`` It 's just so demoralizing .
It 's so discouraging , '' said Kerr .
`` I just keep thinking about the generation of American kids of any color .
Is this way the way we want to raise them ?
Is this the country we want to live in ?
There 's just so much violence and it 's demoralizing when we ca n't be accountable or hold anyone to account for it . ''
Megan Rapinoe , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who earned FIFA 's 2019 Women 's Ballon d'Or after starring for the World Cup-winning United States called the decision `` devastating . ''
`` My heart is with the family of Breonna Taylor right now , '' Rapinoe said on social media .
`` My god .
This is devastating and unfortunately not surprising .
Black and brown folx in this country deserve so much more . ''

Miami (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
US sports figures who have used their platforms to back the Black Lives Matter movement and call for police reform reacted with dismay to the charges filed Wednesday in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.
Taylor, an emergency room technician, was shot dead after three plainclothes policemen turned up at her door in the middle of the night to execute a search warrant.
A grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky charged detective Brett Hankison with three counts of "wanton endangerment" over shots fired into adjoining apartments.
Neither Hankison nor the two officers who fired the shots that killed Taylor were charged in direct connection with her death.
"Something was done, but it wasn't enough. Most guys thought it was definitely not enough," Los Angeles Lakers guard Danny Green told reporters after the team trained in the NBA's quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida.
Messages backing the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for police reform have been a hallmark of the league's return to play in the wake of a coronavirus hiatus.
The playoffs were halted in the bubble for three days after Milwaukee Bucks players, shocked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin, refused to take to the court and players on other teams backed their move.
Green said NBA players would continue to try to find ways to promote the cause of racial justice and police reform.
"It's a tough one. We're still trying to make the proper steps... What happened today wasn't enough. We felt, and I'm sure most people around the country felt the same."
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr spoke about the grand jury decision to The Athletic after his NBA team trained on Wednesday in California.
"It's just so demoralizing. It's so discouraging," said Kerr. "I just keep thinking about the generation of American kids of any color. Is this way the way we want to raise them? Is this the country we want to live in? There's just so much violence and it's demoralizing when we can't be accountable or hold anyone to account for it."
Dismayed reaction wasn't limited to the NBA.
Megan Rapinoe, the trailblazing World Cup star and feminist icon who earned FIFA's 2019 Women's Ballon d'Or after starring for the World Cup-winning United States called the decision "devastating."
"My heart is with the family of Breonna Taylor right now," Rapinoe said on social media. "My god. This is devastating and unfortunately not surprising. Black and brown folx in this country deserve so much more."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--UN, Britain to co-host climate summit on December 12

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres , see here , and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will co-host a global climate summit on December 12 , 2020 The United Nations and Britain will co-host a global climate summit on December 12 , the fifth anniversary of the landmark Paris Agreement , the world body said Wednesday .
The announcement came days after Chinese President Xi Jinping told the UN that the world 's largest greenhouse gas polluter would peak emissions in 2030 and attempt to go carbon neutral by 2060 , a move hailed by environmentalists .
`` We have champions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city , corporation and country , '' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said .
`` But the climate emergency is fully upon us , and we have no time to waste .
The answer to our existential crisis is swift , decisive , scaled up action and solidarity among nations . ''
The world remains off-track to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century , which scientists say is crucial to prevent runaway warming that would leave vast swathes of the planet inhospitable to life .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will co-host a landmark global event convening global leaders ... to rally much greater climate action and ambition , '' the statement said .
The two were to address the issue at a climate roundtable meeting hosted by Guterres on Thursday .
National governments will be invited to present more ambitious and high-quality climate plans at the summit , which would involve government leaders , as well as the private sector and civil society .
According to the UN , the December 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United Nations Climate Change Conference ( COP 26 ) to be held in Glasgow in November 2021 .

United Nations (United States) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The United Nations and Britain will co-host a global climate summit on December 12, the fifth anniversary of the landmark Paris Agreement, the world body said Wednesday.
The announcement came days after Chinese President Xi Jinping told the UN that the world's largest greenhouse gas polluter would peak emissions in 2030 and attempt to go carbon neutral by 2060, a move hailed by environmentalists.
"We have champions and solutions all around us, in every city, corporation and country," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.
"But the climate emergency is fully upon us, and we have no time to waste. The answer to our existential crisis is swift, decisive, scaled up action and solidarity among nations."
The world remains off-track to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, which scientists say is crucial to prevent runaway warming that would leave vast swathes of the planet inhospitable to life.
"In light of this urgency, the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will co-host a landmark global event convening global leaders... to rally much greater climate action and ambition," the statement said.
The two were to address the issue at a climate roundtable meeting hosted by Guterres on Thursday.
National governments will be invited to present more ambitious and high-quality climate plans at the summit, which would involve government leaders, as well as the private sector and civil society.
According to the UN, the December 12 summit is intended to increase momentum ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) to be held in Glasgow in November 2021.
Recent data shows greenhouse gas concentrations reaching record levels, worsening extreme events including unprecedented wildfires hurricanes droughts and floods.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--Amazon city of Manaus may have reached 'herd immunity': study

A preliminary study estimates that the Brazilian city of Manaus , which was devastated by the coronavirus pandemic , may have reached 'herd immunity' The Brazilian city of Manaus , which was devastated by the coronavirus pandemic , may have suffered so many infections that its population now benefits from `` herd immunity , '' according to a preliminary study .
Published on the website medRxiv , the study analyzed infection data with mathematical modeling to estimate that 66 percent of the population had antibodies to the new coronavirus in Manaus , where the pandemic 's passage was as fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sufficiently high to have reached the threshold of herd immunity , in which enough members of a population are immune to a disease that it can no longer spread effectively , said the study 's authors , a group of 34 Brazilian and international researchers .
`` The unusually high infection rate suggests that herd immunity played a significant role in determining the size of the epidemic , '' they wrote in the study , which has yet to undergo peer review .
`` All signs indicate that it was the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus that brought about the reduction in the number of new cases and deaths in Manaus , '' the study 's coordinator , University of Sao Paulo medical professor Ester Sabino , told the Sao Paulo State Research Support Foundation ( Fapesp ) , which helped fund the study .
Situated in the Amazon rainforest , Manaus was the scene of gruesome images of overrun hospitals , mass graves and corpses piled in refrigerator trucks when the pandemic was at its peak there in May .
But deaths in the city of 2.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , to an average of just 3.6 per day over the past 14 days .
Manaus is now one of the cities reopening fastest from lockdown in Brazil , the country with the second-highest death toll worldwide , after the United States , with nearly 139,000 people killed .
That includes schools , businesses , nightlife and its famed opera house .
However , health experts cautioned that attempting to reach herd immunity was a dangerous path for policy makers .
`` Community immunity via natural infection is not a strategy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to control an outbreak and is paying for that in lives lost , '' tweeted Florian Krammer , professor of microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York .
Other experts cautioned that immunity to the virus may be short-lived .
If it were a country , it would have the second-highest mortality rate in the world , at 100.7 deaths per 100,000 population .

Sao Paulo (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The Brazilian city of Manaus, which was devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, may have suffered so many infections that its population now benefits from "herd immunity," according to a preliminary study.
Published on the website medRxiv, the study analyzed infection data with mathematical modeling to estimate that 66 percent of the population had antibodies to the new coronavirus in Manaus, where the pandemic's passage was as fast as it was brutal.
That may be sufficiently high to have reached the threshold of herd immunity, in which enough members of a population are immune to a disease that it can no longer spread effectively, said the study's authors, a group of 34 Brazilian and international researchers.
"The unusually high infection rate suggests that herd immunity played a significant role in determining the size of the epidemic," they wrote in the study, which has yet to undergo peer review.
"All signs indicate that it was the very fact of being so exposed to the virus that brought about the reduction in the number of new cases and deaths in Manaus," the study's coordinator, University of Sao Paulo medical professor Ester Sabino, told the Sao Paulo State Research Support Foundation (Fapesp), which helped fund the study.
Situated in the Amazon rainforest, Manaus was the scene of gruesome images of overrun hospitals, mass graves and corpses piled in refrigerator trucks when the pandemic was at its peak there in May.
But deaths in the city of 2.2 million people have fallen dramatically in recent weeks, to an average of just 3.6 per day over the past 14 days.
Manaus is now one of the cities reopening fastest from lockdown in Brazil, the country with the second-highest death toll worldwide, after the United States, with nearly 139,000 people killed.
That includes schools, businesses, nightlife and its famed opera house.
However, health experts cautioned that attempting to reach herd immunity was a dangerous path for policy makers.
"Community immunity via natural infection is not a strategy, it's a sign that a government failed to control an outbreak and is paying for that in lives lost," tweeted Florian Krammer, professor of microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
Other experts cautioned that immunity to the virus may be short-lived.
Manaus has registered 2,462 deaths from Covid-19.
If it were a country, it would have the second-highest mortality rate in the world, at 100.7 deaths per 100,000 population.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--NASA chief warns Congress about Chinese space station

A Long March 5B rocket lifts off from the Wenchang launch site on China 's southern in May ; Chinese state media reported the `` successful '' launch , a major test of its ambitions to operate a permanent space station and send astronauts to the Moon NASA chief Jim Bridenstine told lawmakers Wednesday it was crucial for the US to maintain a presence in Earth 's orbit after the International Space Station is decommissioned so that China does not gain a strategic advantage .
The first parts of the ISS were launched in 1998 and it has been continuously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which serves as a space science lab and is a partnership between the US , Russia , Japan , Europe and Canada , is currently expected to be operated until 2030 .
`` I 'll tell you one thing that has me very concerned -- and that is that a day is coming when the International Space Station comes to the end of its useful life , '' said Bridenstine .
`` In order to be able to have the United States of America have a presence in low Earth orbit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes next , '' he added .
To that end , NASA has requested $ 150 million for the 2021 fiscal year to help develop the commercialization of low Earth orbit , defined as 2,000 km ( 1,200 miles ) or less from the planet 's surface .
`` We want to see a public-private partnership where NASA can deal with commercial space station providers , so that we can keep a permanent uninterrupted human presence in low Earth orbit , '' said Bridenstine .
`` I do n't think it 's in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another International Space Station -- I do think it 's in the interest of the nation to support commercial industry , where NASA is a customer . ''
Bridenstine warned the lawmakers this was critical to maintain US space supremacy in the face of a planned Chinese space station that Beijing hopes will be operational by 2022 .
The station is named Tiangong , meaning Heavenly Palace , and in June Chinese state media announced it was partnering with 23 entities from 17 countries to carry out scientific experiments on board .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as France , Germany and Japan , as well as Kenya and Peru , according to Xinhua news agency .
`` China is rapidly building what they call the 'Chinese International Space Station , ' and they 're rapidly marketing that space station to all of our international partners , '' said Bridenstine .
`` It would be a tragedy , if , after all of his time , and all of this effort , we were to abandon low Earth orbit and cede that territory . ''
He explained that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for scientific advances , from innovations in pharmaceuticals to printing 3D human organs to the creation of artificial retinas to treat people with macular degeneration .
Bridenstine said that it was therefore necessary to fund NASA to pay companies to set up a space station , where it would be one of several customers in order to drive down its own costs .
This , he added , was vital to `` ultimately not cede that territory to another country that does n't have our interests at heart . ''

Washington (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
NASA chief Jim Bridenstine told lawmakers Wednesday it was crucial for the US to maintain a presence in Earth's orbit after the International Space Station is decommissioned so that China does not gain a strategic advantage.
The first parts of the ISS were launched in 1998 and it has been continuously lived in since 2000.
The station, which serves as a space science lab and is a partnership between the US, Russia, Japan, Europe and Canada, is currently expected to be operated until 2030.
"I'll tell you one thing that has me very concerned -- and that is that a day is coming when the International Space Station comes to the end of its useful life," said Bridenstine.
"In order to be able to have the United States of America have a presence in low Earth orbit, we have to be prepared for what comes next," he added.
To that end, NASA has requested $150 million for the 2021 fiscal year to help develop the commercialization of low Earth orbit, defined as 2,000 km (1,200 miles) or less from the planet's surface.
"We want to see a public-private partnership where NASA can deal with commercial space station providers, so that we can keep a permanent uninterrupted human presence in low Earth orbit," said Bridenstine.
"I don't think it's in the interest of the nation to build another International Space Station -- I do think it's in the interest of the nation to support commercial industry, where NASA is a customer."
Bridenstine warned the lawmakers this was critical to maintain US space supremacy in the face of a planned Chinese space station that Beijing hopes will be operational by 2022.
The station is named Tiangong, meaning Heavenly Palace, and in June Chinese state media announced it was partnering with 23 entities from 17 countries to carry out scientific experiments on board.
These countries included both developed and developing countries, such as France, Germany and Japan, as well as Kenya and Peru, according to Xinhua news agency.
"China is rapidly building what they call the 'Chinese International Space Station,' and they're rapidly marketing that space station to all of our international partners," said Bridenstine.
"It would be a tragedy, if, after all of his time, and all of this effort, we were to abandon low Earth orbit and cede that territory."
He explained that the microgravity of ISS offered great potential for scientific advances, from innovations in pharmaceuticals to printing 3D human organs to the creation of artificial retinas to treat people with macular degeneration.
Bridenstine said that it was therefore necessary to fund NASA to pay companies to set up a space station, where it would be one of several customers in order to drive down its own costs.
This, he added, was vital to "ultimately not cede that territory to another country that doesn't have our interests at heart."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--France presses at UN for new Lebanon government

A Lebanese protester holds a banner that reads in Arabic `` Your highness the murderer '' in a September 2020 protest demanding progress in an investigation into a deadly port blast France on Wednesday urged international pressure to form a new government in Lebanon , as frustration grows with the pace of reform in the wake of the giant Beirut port explosion .
`` The political forces have still not succeeded in agreeing to form a government , '' French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a videoconference meeting on Lebanon on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therefore needed from us to push Lebanese officials to respect their commitments , '' he added .
`` These convergent efforts must continue as long as necessary , '' he said .
The meeting gathered members of the international support group for Lebanon including UN chief Antonio Guterres , World Bank head David Malpass and world powers including France , Germany , Britain , Italy , the United States , Russia , China , the European Union and the Arab League .
President Emmanuel Macron , who has visited the former French colony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had repeatedly urged the Lebanese not to waste any more time in forming a government .
Prime minister-designate Mustapha Adib is under pressure to form a fresh cabinet as soon as possible so it can undertake long-sought economic reforms .
But Adib 's efforts to form a government have been effectively blocked by the two main Shiite groups in Lebanon 's usual power-sharing arrangement -- Amal and Hezbollah .
The August 4 explosion of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate at the Beirut port killed more than 190 people , wounded thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The disaster sparked new protests over corruption and mismanagement , prompting the previous cabinet to step down .
France is counseling pragmatism to break through the impasse but it has limited room to maneuver .
The United States and Saudi Arabia are cautious about the French initiative as they are seeking to sideline Hezbollah , which is aligned with their enemy Iran .
France , however , said it enjoyed support from Italy which agreed on the need for a new government to be installed quickly and undertake reforms .
`` Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international financial support .
On the other hand , if they are put in place , we will spare no efforts , '' Le Drian said .
In addition to the port blast , Aoun said Lebanon was in `` unprecedented crisis '' from Covid-19 and the influx of displaced Syrians whose numbers are now equal one-third of Lebanon 's population .
`` Lebanon repeats its call on donor countries to honor their pledges and find a mechanism to follow up on their commitments , '' Aoun said in a virtual address .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial contributions and provide direct assistance to Lebanese governmental institutions and host communities . ''
An international conference in Paris in April 2018 promised $ 11 billion for Lebanon , but on the condition of reforms that have yet to be put in place .
Aoun said Monday that Lebanon was headed to `` hell '' unless it can form a new cabinet .
Efforts gathered some steam Tuesday as Saad Hariri , a Sunni former prime minister , called for an independent Shiite politician to run the finance ministry .
France hailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hariri .
A UN tribunal recently found a Hezbollah member guilty for the murder of his father , former prime minister Rafic Hariri .
Observers believe Hezbollah and Amal are insisting on the finance ministry because the militant movements are facing pressure from US sanctions .

United Nations (United States) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
France on Wednesday urged international pressure to form a new government in Lebanon, as frustration grows with the pace of reform in the wake of the giant Beirut port explosion.
"The political forces have still not succeeded in agreeing to form a government," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a videoconference meeting on Lebanon on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
"Strong and convergent pressures are therefore needed from us to push Lebanese officials to respect their commitments," he added.
"These convergent efforts must continue as long as necessary," he said.
The meeting gathered members of the international support group for Lebanon including UN chief Antonio Guterres, World Bank head David Malpass and world powers including France, Germany, Britain, Italy, the United States, Russia, China, the European Union and the Arab League.
President Emmanuel Macron, who has visited the former French colony twice in the wake of the explosion, had repeatedly urged the Lebanese not to waste any more time in forming a government.
Prime minister-designate Mustapha Adib is under pressure to form a fresh cabinet as soon as possible so it can undertake long-sought economic reforms.
But Adib's efforts to form a government have been effectively blocked by the two main Shiite groups in Lebanon's usual power-sharing arrangement -- Amal and Hezbollah.
The August 4 explosion of hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate at the Beirut port killed more than 190 people, wounded thousands and ravaged large parts of the capital.
The disaster sparked new protests over corruption and mismanagement, prompting the previous cabinet to step down.
- 'Unprecedented crisis' -
France is counseling pragmatism to break through the impasse but it has limited room to maneuver.
The United States and Saudi Arabia are cautious about the French initiative as they are seeking to sideline Hezbollah, which is aligned with their enemy Iran.
France, however, said it enjoyed support from Italy which agreed on the need for a new government to be installed quickly and undertake reforms.
"Without reforms, there will not be any international financial support. On the other hand, if they are put in place, we will spare no efforts," Le Drian said.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun, addressing the General Assembly, appealed for urgent assistance.
In addition to the port blast, Aoun said Lebanon was in "unprecedented crisis" from Covid-19 and the influx of displaced Syrians whose numbers are now equal one-third of Lebanon's population.
"Lebanon repeats its call on donor countries to honor their pledges and find a mechanism to follow up on their commitments," Aoun said in a virtual address.
"The latter need to double their financial contributions and provide direct assistance to Lebanese governmental institutions and host communities."
An international conference in Paris in April 2018 promised $11 billion for Lebanon, but on the condition of reforms that have yet to be put in place.
Aoun said Monday that Lebanon was headed to "hell" unless it can form a new cabinet.
Efforts gathered some steam Tuesday as Saad Hariri, a Sunni former prime minister, called for an independent Shiite politician to run the finance ministry.
France hailed as "courageous" the statement by Hariri. A UN tribunal recently found a Hezbollah member guilty for the murder of his father, former prime minister Rafic Hariri.
Observers believe Hezbollah and Amal are insisting on the finance ministry because the militant movements are facing pressure from US sanctions.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--California to ban sale of gasoline-powered cars by 2035

Motor vehicles are seen on the 101 freeway in Los Angeles , California on September 17 , 2019 ; an order by Governor Gavin Newsom will require all cars sold in the state to be zero-emission from 2035 California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered all passenger vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035 to fight climate change and smog-fouled air .
The transportation sector causes more than half of California 's carbon pollution , and parts of the state are vexed by some of the most toxic air in the country , according to the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades , we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe , '' Newsom said in a release .
`` Our cars should n't make wildfires worse -- and create more days filled with smoky air .
Cars should n't melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines . ''
The order was described as an aggressive effort to move the state further away from reliance on climate changing fossil fuels .
Regulations will be developed to mandate that all in-state sales of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year 2035 , and that all medium- and heavy-duty trucks be emission-free by 2045 `` where feasible . ''
The order wo n't prevent California residents from owning gasoline-powered cars or selling used models , according to the governor 's office .
It does call for partnerships with private businesses to speed up creation of charging networks for electric cars and stations for non-polluting fuels such as hydrogen .
California is a major car market , but devastating wildfires have become frequent occurences as climate change leaves trees and brush tinder-dry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ states have burned more than five million acres ( two million hectares ) this year , killed dozens of people and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes .
California-based Tesla on Tuesday said it is slashing battery costs to speed a global shift to renewable energy , and could have a $ 25,000 self-driving model available in three years or so .

San Francisco (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered all passenger vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035 to fight climate change and smog-fouled air.
The transportation sector causes more than half of California's carbon pollution, and parts of the state are vexed by some of the most toxic air in the country, according to the governor's office.
"For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe," Newsom said in a release.
"Our cars shouldn't make wildfires worse -- and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn't melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines."
The order was described as an aggressive effort to move the state further away from reliance on climate changing fossil fuels.
Regulations will be developed to mandate that all in-state sales of new passenger cars and trucks be zero-emission by the year 2035, and that all medium- and heavy-duty trucks be emission-free by 2045 "where feasible."
The order won't prevent California residents from owning gasoline-powered cars or selling used models, according to the governor's office.
It does call for partnerships with private businesses to speed up creation of charging networks for electric cars and stations for non-polluting fuels such as hydrogen.
California is a major car market, but devastating wildfires have become frequent occurences as climate change leaves trees and brush tinder-dry.
Infernos across California, Oregon and Washington states have burned more than five million acres (two million hectares) this year, killed dozens of people and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.
California-based Tesla on Tuesday said it is slashing battery costs to speed a global shift to renewable energy, and could have a $25,000 self-driving model available in three years or so.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--Protests erupt in US over charges filed in Breonna Taylor shooting

Angry protesters demanded justice in the US city of Louisville on Wednesday after charges were filed against only one policeman involved in the controversial fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor , the 26-year-old black woman whose name has become a rallying cry of the Black Lives Matter movement .
Detective Brett Hankison , who was fired in June , was charged by a grand jury with three counts of `` wanton endangerment '' over shots he fired into apartments adjoining Taylor 's home .
But neither Hankison nor the two officers who fired the shots that killed Taylor were charged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of demonstrators took to the streets of Louisville , the largest city in Kentucky , following the announcement , and Ben Crump , a lawyer for the Taylor family , condemned the grand jury decision as `` outrageous and offensive . ''
Police in riot gear were seen making several arrests .
A state of emergency and a 9:00 pm curfew has been declared by the mayor of the city , which has a population of 600,000 , with much of downtown closed to traffic .
Some downtown business owners boarded up their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grand jury decision .
Taylor , an emergency room technician , was shot dead after three plainclothes policemen turned up at her door in the middle of the night to execute a search warrant .
Taylor 's boyfriend , who was in bed with her , grabbed a gun and exchanged fire with the officers .
He later said he thought they were criminals .
The officers , who had not activated their body cameras as required , shot Taylor multiple times , killing her .
A police sergeant was wounded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not fired the fatal shots and the two other officers who opened fire had done so in self-defense .
He said Hankison was charged with three counts of `` wanton endangerment '' over shots he fired into adjoining apartments .
He could face five years in prison for each count if convicted .
`` This is a tragedy , '' Cameron said .
`` I know that not everyone will be satisfied with the charges reported today .
`` Every person has an idea of what they think justice is . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
`` This is outrageous and offensive to Breonna Taylor 's memory , '' he said in a statement .
`` It 's yet another example of no accountability for the genocide of persons of color by white police officers .
`` If Hankison 's behavior constituted wanton endangerment of the people in the apartments next to hers , then it should also be considered wanton endangerment of Breonna , '' Crump said .
`` In fact , it should have been ruled wanton murder . ''
The American Civil Liberties Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not accountability and not close to justice . ''
`` This is the manifestation of what the millions of people who have taken to the streets to protest police violence already know : Modern policing and our criminal legal system are rotten to the core , '' the ACLU said .
Cameron , the attorney general , also addressed reports that the police officers had executed a `` no-knock '' search warrant on Taylor 's home , bursting in without warning .
`` They did knock and announce , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness . ''
The city of Louisville settled a wrongful death suit with Taylor 's family for $ 12 million last week .
The civil settlement reflected the public pressure and emotion surrounding her death , which came about two months before that of George Floyd , a black man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis .
Floyd 's death triggered protests across the United States against racial injustice and police brutality .
Cameron appealed for calm and Louisville police chief Robert Schroeder said the authorities would not tolerate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` We are prepared to meet any challenge we may face , '' Schroeder said , calling for demonstrators to protest `` peacefully and lawfully . ''

Louisville (United States) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Angry protesters demanded justice in the US city of Louisville on Wednesday after charges were filed against only one policeman involved in the controversial fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old black woman whose name has become a rallying cry of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Detective Brett Hankison, who was fired in June, was charged by a grand jury with three counts of "wanton endangerment" over shots he fired into apartments adjoining Taylor's home.
But neither Hankison nor the two officers who fired the shots that killed Taylor were charged in direct connection with her death.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky, following the announcement, and Ben Crump, a lawyer for the Taylor family, condemned the grand jury decision as "outrageous and offensive."
Police in riot gear were seen making several arrests.
A state of emergency and a 9:00 pm curfew has been declared by the mayor of the city, which has a population of 600,000, with much of downtown closed to traffic.
Some downtown business owners boarded up their shops in anticipation of unrest sparked by the grand jury decision.
Taylor, an emergency room technician, was shot dead after three plainclothes policemen turned up at her door in the middle of the night to execute a search warrant.
Taylor's boyfriend, who was in bed with her, grabbed a gun and exchanged fire with the officers. He later said he thought they were criminals.
The officers, who had not activated their body cameras as required, shot Taylor multiple times, killing her. A police sergeant was wounded.
- 'A tragedy' -
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Hankison had not fired the fatal shots and the two other officers who opened fire had done so in self-defense.
He said Hankison was charged with three counts of "wanton endangerment" over shots he fired into adjoining apartments. He could face five years in prison for each count if convicted.
"This is a tragedy," Cameron said. "I know that not everyone will be satisfied with the charges reported today.
"Every person has an idea of what they think justice is."
Crump expressed disappointment on behalf of the family.
"This is outrageous and offensive to Breonna Taylor's memory," he said in a statement. "It's yet another example of no accountability for the genocide of persons of color by white police officers.
"If Hankison's behavior constituted wanton endangerment of the people in the apartments next to hers, then it should also be considered wanton endangerment of Breonna," Crump said.
"In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder."
The American Civil Liberties Union condemned the grand jury charges as "not accountability and not close to justice."
"This is the manifestation of what the millions of people who have taken to the streets to protest police violence already know: Modern policing and our criminal legal system are rotten to the core," the ACLU said.
Cameron, the attorney general, also addressed reports that the police officers had executed a "no-knock" search warrant on Taylor's home, bursting in without warning.
"They did knock and announce," he said. "That information was corroborated by another witness."
The city of Louisville settled a wrongful death suit with Taylor's family for $12 million last week.
The civil settlement reflected the public pressure and emotion surrounding her death, which came about two months before that of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis.
Floyd's death triggered protests across the United States against racial injustice and police brutality.
Cameron appealed for calm and Louisville police chief Robert Schroeder said the authorities would not tolerate any "violence or destruction of property."
"We are prepared to meet any challenge we may face," Schroeder said, calling for demonstrators to protest "peacefully and lawfully."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--Virus-struck holders Al Hilal out of Asian Champions League

Shabab Al-Ahli players return to the changing rooms after match called off The coronavirus-hit holders Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia were kicked out of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday after being unable to field a sufficient number of players against Shabab Al Ahli of the UAE .
Al Hilal were `` deemed to have withdrawn from the competition '' after failing to name the required 13 players for their AFC Champions League ( West ) Group B match in Doha .
The Asian Football Confederation said in a statement that under the `` special rules applicable to AFC Competitions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giants , who had already qualified for the last 16 , will not be able to take any further part in the competition .
`` All matches played by Al Hilal , who named only 11 players , are considered null and void '' the AFC said .
As a result , Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai progress to the Round of 16 from Group B .
Competition regulations allowed for 35 players to be registered by each club , but Al Hilal registered 30 of which only 27 travelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition .
Al Hilal and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation ( SAFF ) had asked for the postponement of the match against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai , citing an AFC rule allowing for a delay `` in exceptional circumstances '' .
But their request was turned down as a postponement `` would have a huge negative impact on the current match schedule of the AFC Champions League ( West ) '' .
Al Hilal played Iran 's Shahr Khodro on Sunday despite 15 of their players testing positive for coronavirus , after Asia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
The Saudi team had `` asked the Asian Football Confederation to postpone '' the match at Qatar 's Al Janoub stadium after tests showed that ten players had `` been infected with Covid-19 '' , adding to five players who had already tested positive .
According to AFC rules , Al Hilal were still able to play the match as 14 of their players were available , including two goalkeepers .
For the record , Pakhtakor defeated Iran ’ s Shahr Khodro 1-0 on Wednesday and topped the group with 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on seven .
Shahr Khodro lost all their matches while Al Hilal also finished pointless following the AFC ’ s decision to void their results .
Al Hilal won the title beating Uruwa Red Diamonds of Japan in the final last year .
Earlier , Iran 's Esteghlal booked their last-16 spot with a 3-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia 's Al Ahli .
The convincing win saw Esteghlal finish second ahead of Iraq 's Al Shorta on goal difference in Group A after both teams were level on five points .
Al Ahli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended up Group A winners with six points despite their defeat .
Teams in the group played only four matches each instead of the usual six after the UAE 's Al Wahda were considered withdrawn following several Covid-19 positive tests before they travelled to Qatar .
Esteghlal required a two-goal victory margin to make the cut and they did so with some flair at the Al Janoub Stadium , one of the new venues in Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup .
After a few missed chances , Mehdi Ghaedi put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a powerful shot from the edge of the box following a pass from Farshid Esmaeli on the left flank .
Ghaedi , who was a constant source of menace for Al Ahli , was in the thick of the action once again in the 38th minute , but this time as provider .
The 57kg forward sent a perfect cross from the right flank for Mehdi Karimi , who got past his marker and headed home .
Malian forward Cheick Diabete then headied home a chip from the edge of the box by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ahli got their best chance late in the match but Esteghlal goalkeeper Sayed Hosain foiled a powerful 30-yarder from substitute Husain al-Mogahwi .

Doha (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The coronavirus-hit holders Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia were kicked out of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday after being unable to field a sufficient number of players against Shabab Al Ahli of the UAE.
Al Hilal were "deemed to have withdrawn from the competition" after failing to name the required 13 players for their AFC Champions League (West) Group B match in Doha.
The Asian Football Confederation said in a statement that under the "special rules applicable to AFC Competitions during the Covid-19 pandemic" the Saudi giants, who had already qualified for the last 16, will not be able to take any further part in the competition.
"All matches played by Al Hilal, who named only 11 players, are considered null and void" the AFC said.
As a result, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai progress to the Round of 16 from Group B.
Competition regulations allowed for 35 players to be registered by each club, but Al Hilal registered 30 of which only 27 travelled to Doha in the beginning of the competition.
Al Hilal and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) had asked for the postponement of the match against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, citing an AFC rule allowing for a delay "in exceptional circumstances".
But their request was turned down as a postponement "would have a huge negative impact on the current match schedule of the AFC Champions League (West)".
Al Hilal played Iran's Shahr Khodro on Sunday despite 15 of their players testing positive for coronavirus, after Asia's football body refused to postpone the game.
The Saudi team had "asked the Asian Football Confederation to postpone" the match at Qatar's Al Janoub stadium after tests showed that ten players had "been infected with Covid-19", adding to five players who had already tested positive.
According to AFC rules, Al Hilal were still able to play the match as 14 of their players were available, including two goalkeepers.
For the record, Pakhtakor defeated Iran’s Shahr Khodro 1-0 on Wednesday and topped the group with 10 points while Shabab Al Ahli were second on seven.
Shahr Khodro lost all their matches while Al Hilal also finished pointless following the AFC’s decision to void their results.
Al Hilal won the title beating Uruwa Red Diamonds of Japan in the final last year.
- Esteghlal progress -
Earlier, Iran's Esteghlal booked their last-16 spot with a 3-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli.
The convincing win saw Esteghlal finish second ahead of Iraq's Al Shorta on goal difference in Group A after both teams were level on five points.
Al Ahli had qualified for the knockouts earlier and ended up Group A winners with six points despite their defeat.
Teams in the group played only four matches each instead of the usual six after the UAE's Al Wahda were considered withdrawn following several Covid-19 positive tests before they travelled to Qatar.
Esteghlal required a two-goal victory margin to make the cut and they did so with some flair at the Al Janoub Stadium, one of the new venues in Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
After a few missed chances, Mehdi Ghaedi put the Iranians ahead in the 29th minute with a powerful shot from the edge of the box following a pass from Farshid Esmaeli on the left flank.
Ghaedi, who was a constant source of menace for Al Ahli, was in the thick of the action once again in the 38th minute, but this time as provider.
The 57kg forward sent a perfect cross from the right flank for Mehdi Karimi, who got past his marker and headed home.
Malian forward Cheick Diabete then headied home a chip from the edge of the box by Karimi in the 54th minute.
Al Ahli got their best chance late in the match but Esteghlal goalkeeper Sayed Hosain foiled a powerful 30-yarder from substitute Husain al-Mogahwi.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--Havertz hat-trick helps Chelsea hit six, Arsenal edge out Leicester in League Cup

Hat-trick Havertz : Kai Havertz scored his first goals for Chelsea with three in a 6-0 League Cup win over Barnsley Kai Havertz scored his first goals for Chelsea with a hat-trick in a 6-0 thrashing of Barnsley as Arsenal also booked their place in the League Cup fourth round with a more hard-fought 2-0 win at Leicester .
Havertz had struggled to make an impact in his first two Premier League games since sealing a reported £71 million ( $ 94 million ) move from Bayer Leverkusen as the most expensive signing of Chelsea 's £200 million spending spree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21-year-old German was one of just three players to retain his place from Sunday 's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool by Frank Lampard and that decision reaped its reward on a confidence-boosting night for the Blues .
Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell also made their Chelsea debuts , while Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley made the most of rare starts to get their names on the scoresheet .
Abraham pounced on loose pass deep in the Barnsley half to slam home the opener before Havertz 's calm finish opened his Chelsea account .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up perfectly to convert his second and Barkley then drove home on his weaker left foot .
Havertz was due to be replaced by Chilwell 25 minutes from time but just completed his hat-trick in time by rounding Brad Collins before tapping into an empty net before Olivier Giroud completed the scoring .
Chelsea will face either Tottenham or Leyton Orient in the last 16 with the outcome of that tie yet to be decided after the match was postponed on Tuesday due to a number of coronavirus cases among the Orient players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tie of the night as Christian Fuchs 's own goal broke the deadlock at the King Power .
Eddie Nketiah added a late second for the Gunners , who could face Liverpool at Anfield twice in three days next week should the Premier League champions progress past Lincoln on Thursday .
Everton continued their fine start to the season with a 5-2 win at League One Fleetwood despite two howlers from England number one goalkeeper Jordan Pickford .
Carlo Ancelotti 's men looked to be cruising into the last 16 when Richarlison 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead .
However , Pickford 's attempted clearance was charged down for Mark Duffy to pull a goal back .
Alex Iwobi restored Everton 's two-goal advantage before another Pickford mistake gave Joey Barton 's men life again as he flapped Callum Camps 's shot into his own goal .
Goals from Bernard and Moise Kean finally ended the tie as a contest , but Pickford 's place for both Ancelotti and Gareth Southgate will come under increased scrutiny in the coming weeks .
Newcastle thrashed League Two Morecombe 7-0 with Joelinton scoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Isaac Hayden and Jamaal Lascelles were also on the scoresheet for Steve Bruce 's men .
Fulham , Brighton and Burnley progressed 2-0 over Championship opposition in Sheffield Wednesday , Preston and Millwall respectively .
Stoke were the only non-Premier League side to go through on the night as they also beat lower league opposition in Gillingham 1-0 .

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Kai Havertz scored his first goals for Chelsea with a hat-trick in a 6-0 thrashing of Barnsley as Arsenal also booked their place in the League Cup fourth round with a more hard-fought 2-0 win at Leicester.
Havertz had struggled to make an impact in his first two Premier League games since sealing a reported £71 million ($94 million) move from Bayer Leverkusen as the most expensive signing of Chelsea's £200 million spending spree in the transfer market.
But the 21-year-old German was one of just three players to retain his place from Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool by Frank Lampard and that decision reaped its reward on a confidence-boosting night for the Blues.
Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell also made their Chelsea debuts, while Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley made the most of rare starts to get their names on the scoresheet.
Abraham pounced on loose pass deep in the Barnsley half to slam home the opener before Havertz's calm finish opened his Chelsea account.
A brilliant unselfish flick from Abraham teed Havertz up perfectly to convert his second and Barkley then drove home on his weaker left foot.
Havertz was due to be replaced by Chilwell 25 minutes from time but just completed his hat-trick in time by rounding Brad Collins before tapping into an empty net before Olivier Giroud completed the scoring.
Chelsea will face either Tottenham or Leyton Orient in the last 16 with the outcome of that tie yet to be decided after the match was postponed on Tuesday due to a number of coronavirus cases among the Orient players.
Arsenal won the only all-Premier League tie of the night as Christian Fuchs's own goal broke the deadlock at the King Power.
Eddie Nketiah added a late second for the Gunners, who could face Liverpool at Anfield twice in three days next week should the Premier League champions progress past Lincoln on Thursday.
Everton continued their fine start to the season with a 5-2 win at League One Fleetwood despite two howlers from England number one goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Carlo Ancelotti's men looked to be cruising into the last 16 when Richarlison's double gave them a deserved 2-0 half-time lead.
However, Pickford's attempted clearance was charged down for Mark Duffy to pull a goal back.
Alex Iwobi restored Everton's two-goal advantage before another Pickford mistake gave Joey Barton's men life again as he flapped Callum Camps's shot into his own goal.
Goals from Bernard and Moise Kean finally ended the tie as a contest, but Pickford's place for both Ancelotti and Gareth Southgate will come under increased scrutiny in the coming weeks.
Newcastle thrashed League Two Morecombe 7-0 with Joelinton scoring twice.
Miguel Almiron, Jacob Murphy, Isaac Hayden and Jamaal Lascelles were also on the scoresheet for Steve Bruce's men.
Fulham, Brighton and Burnley progressed 2-0 over Championship opposition in Sheffield Wednesday, Preston and Millwall respectively.
Stoke were the only non-Premier League side to go through on the night as they also beat lower league opposition in Gillingham 1-0.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--Brazil's meat giant JBS launches anti-deforestation plan

Burnt areas of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil 's Rondonia state in August 2019 -- meat processing giant JBS has said it will work to ensure its cattle do not come from deforested regions after being accused of fueling destruction of the Amazon The world 's biggest meat processing company , Brazil 's JBS , announced a plan Wednesday to ensure by 2025 that cows it purchases are not raised on deforested land , after facing accusations of fueling destruction of the Amazon .
The company also said it was launching a fund to promote the preservation of the rainforest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 45 million ) over five years and a total funding goal of one billion reais , to be raised partly through donations .
`` We at JBS are assuming our obligation to carry out the necessary transformation of our supply chain , '' chief executive Gilberto Tomazoni told an online news conference .
`` We know how important the rainforest is in addressing climate change . ''
JBS has repeatedly been accused of `` cattle laundering , '' in which animals from ranches that are blacklisted for illegally clearing Amazon land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental record to dodge a sales ban .
The company says it has eradicated deforestation from its direct supply chain , but admits it is currently unable to verify cattle supplied to its suppliers by third-party ranches .
The new initiative revolves around a digital `` green platform '' using blockchain technology that will require JBS suppliers to provide full tracing information on all cattle by the end of 2025 .
But some investors said the plan was not enough .
`` While blockchain solutions need time to develop , 2025 is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pedersen , head of responsible investments at Nordea Asset Management , which announced in July it was pulling out of JBS over deforestation concerns .
`` There are other measures that can be effective before that , for instance stricter controls so that cattle are not bought from owners of approved farms , if they also own farms on disputed land . ''
Jeanett Bergan of Norwegian fund KLP said `` only time and data will tell '' how effective the measure is .
`` We have to see the detailed evidence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have led to the company becoming a major global divestment target , '' she said .
Brazil faces mounting pressure , including from international investors and trading partners , to slow surging deforestation .
Last year , the first under far-right President Jair Bolsonaro , deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon increased 85.3 percent , to an area nearly the size of Lebanon .

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The world's biggest meat processing company, Brazil's JBS, announced a plan Wednesday to ensure by 2025 that cows it purchases are not raised on deforested land, after facing accusations of fueling destruction of the Amazon.
The company also said it was launching a fund to promote the preservation of the rainforest with a contribution of 250 million reais ($45 million) over five years and a total funding goal of one billion reais, to be raised partly through donations.
"We at JBS are assuming our obligation to carry out the necessary transformation of our supply chain," chief executive Gilberto Tomazoni told an online news conference.
"We know how important the rainforest is in addressing climate change."
JBS has repeatedly been accused of "cattle laundering," in which animals from ranches that are blacklisted for illegally clearing Amazon land are transferred to ones with a clean environmental record to dodge a sales ban.
The company says it has eradicated deforestation from its direct supply chain, but admits it is currently unable to verify cattle supplied to its suppliers by third-party ranches.
The new initiative revolves around a digital "green platform" using blockchain technology that will require JBS suppliers to provide full tracing information on all cattle by the end of 2025.
But some investors said the plan was not enough.
"While blockchain solutions need time to develop, 2025 is a long way away," said Eric Pedersen, head of responsible investments at Nordea Asset Management, which announced in July it was pulling out of JBS over deforestation concerns.
"There are other measures that can be effective before that, for instance stricter controls so that cattle are not bought from owners of approved farms, if they also own farms on disputed land."
Jeanett Bergan of Norwegian fund KLP said "only time and data will tell" how effective the measure is.
"We have to see the detailed evidence in practice, not least given the controversies that have led to the company becoming a major global divestment target," she said.
Brazil faces mounting pressure, including from international investors and trading partners, to slow surging deforestation.
Last year, the first under far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon increased 85.3 percent, to an area nearly the size of Lebanon.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-23--Former 'world's heaviest man' defeats coronavirus

Mexican Juan Pedro Franco , seen here exercising in his home in 2018 , was once the world 's heaviest man A Mexican who was once the world 's heaviest man has beaten the coronavirus , helped -- he believes -- by several years of dieting , exercise and stomach-reduction surgery that saw him shed hundreds of kilos .
Juan Pedro Franco used to weigh 595 kilos ( 1,310 pounds ) -- more than the average male polar bear and enough to be certified by Guinness World Records in 2017 .
The 36-year-old now weighs around 208 kilos , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease made his battle against the virus particularly grueling .
`` It 's a very aggressive disease .
I had a headache , body ache , breathing difficulty , a fever .
I was a very high-risk person , '' Franco told AFP from his home in the central state of Aguascalientes .
Mexico , which has the world 's fourth-highest Covid-19 death toll , has the highest obesity rate on the planet among children and the second-highest among adults .
A quarter of the more than 74,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus were overweight .
Many of the dead suffered from at least one underlying condition such as hypertension , diabetes and obesity , often associated with a poor diet and lack of exercise .
`` Patients who are diabetic , have hypertension and heart disease are more susceptible to serious complications '' from the virus , said Jose Antonio Castaneda , the doctor who headed the team that treated Franco 's obesity .
`` Their chances of pulling through are very slim , '' he added .
His patient , who was once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was an exception .
Franco , who lost his 66-year-old mother to Covid-19 , believes that his weight loss treatment -- including three operations -- helped him to survive because his diabetes and hypertension are now under control .

Mexico City (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
A Mexican who was once the world's heaviest man has beaten the coronavirus, helped -- he believes -- by several years of dieting, exercise and stomach-reduction surgery that saw him shed hundreds of kilos.
Juan Pedro Franco used to weigh 595 kilos (1,310 pounds) -- more than the average male polar bear and enough to be certified by Guinness World Records in 2017.
The 36-year-old now weighs around 208 kilos, but his history of diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease made his battle against the virus particularly grueling.
"It's a very aggressive disease. I had a headache, body ache, breathing difficulty, a fever. I was a very high-risk person," Franco told AFP from his home in the central state of Aguascalientes.
Mexico, which has the world's fourth-highest Covid-19 death toll, has the highest obesity rate on the planet among children and the second-highest among adults.
A quarter of the more than 74,000 Mexicans who have died after catching the virus were overweight.
Many of the dead suffered from at least one underlying condition such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity, often associated with a poor diet and lack of exercise.
"Patients who are diabetic, have hypertension and heart disease are more susceptible to serious complications" from the virus, said Jose Antonio Castaneda, the doctor who headed the team that treated Franco's obesity.
"Their chances of pulling through are very slim," he added.
His patient, who was once too heavy to get out of bed, was an exception.
Franco, who lost his 66-year-old mother to Covid-19, believes that his weight loss treatment -- including three operations -- helped him to survive because his diabetes and hypertension are now under control.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Worlds 'new goal' for Tour winner Pogacar

Slovenia 's Team UAE Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar won the Tour de France on his first attempt Road cycling 's world championships start this week with Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar eyeing the crown days after crossing the finishing line on the Champs-Elysees .
This year 's worlds have been shortened to four races from Thursday to Sunday and moved from Switzerland to Imola in Italy because of local Covid-19 restrictions .
UAE Team Emirates ' Pogacar , who became the Tour 's youngest champion since 1904 aged 21 , will be joined by the man he pipped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colours for Sunday 's 258.2km race which starts and ends on the Enzo e Dino Ferrari automobile circuit .
`` Now that I won Tour de France , for sure I need to find new goals , '' Pogacar said after last weekend 's win in the French capital .
`` I will try to defend my Tour de France title but next is the World Championships , so this is my goal in the coming days .
`` In the future , I just want to be at my best and try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two members of the Arkea-Samic team have been targeted in a doping investigation since the end of the Grand Boucle but rider Nairo Quintana is set to feature for Colombia this weekend .
Thomas will be making his first appearances at the event and expects plenty of competition over the relatively flat 31.7km run .
`` I 'd like to think I 'll be fighting for a medal .
I 've never ridden a worlds time trial , '' he told his Watts Occuring podcast .
`` I think Filippo Gana .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wout Van Aert , he 's got to be up there .
He 's not slowing down .
Tom Dumoulin , I think he 'll be up there fighting for medals .
`` It 's really short for worlds , and it 's not too lumpy either , it 's only around 200 metres of climbing .
It 's right up Gana 's street .
I 'm looking forward to it , '' he added .
On Thursday the USA 's Chloe Dygert defends her women 's title against the clock in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Yorkshire last September .
The Netherlands ' Annemiek van Vleuten is considering competing in Saturday 's road race despite fracturing her wrist in last week 's Giro Rosa .

Imola (Italy) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Road cycling's world championships start this week with Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar eyeing the crown days after crossing the finishing line on the Champs-Elysees.
This year's worlds have been shortened to four races from Thursday to Sunday and moved from Switzerland to Imola in Italy because of local Covid-19 restrictions.
UAE Team Emirates' Pogacar, who became the Tour's youngest champion since 1904 aged 21, will be joined by the man he pipped to the yellow jersey Primoz Roglic in Slovenia colours for Sunday's 258.2km race which starts and ends on the Enzo e Dino Ferrari automobile circuit.
"Now that I won Tour de France, for sure I need to find new goals," Pogacar said after last weekend's win in the French capital.
"I will try to defend my Tour de France title but next is the World Championships, so this is my goal in the coming days.
"In the future, I just want to be at my best and try to win again," he added.
Two members of the Arkea-Samic team have been targeted in a doping investigation since the end of the Grand Boucle but rider Nairo Quintana is set to feature for Colombia this weekend.
Friday's men's time trial pits 2018 Giro d'Italia champion Tom Dumoulin against former Tour winner Geraint Thomas.
Thomas will be making his first appearances at the event and expects plenty of competition over the relatively flat 31.7km run.
"I'd like to think I'll be fighting for a medal. I've never ridden a worlds time trial," he told his Watts Occuring podcast.
"I think Filippo Gana. He's going really well. But Wout Van Aert, he's got to be up there. He's not slowing down. Tom Dumoulin, I think he'll be up there fighting for medals.
"It's really short for worlds, and it's not too lumpy either, it's only around 200 metres of climbing. It's right up Gana's street. I'm looking forward to it," he added.
On Thursday the USA's Chloe Dygert defends her women's title against the clock in her first race since winning the rainbow jersey in Yorkshire last September.
The Netherlands' Annemiek van Vleuten is considering competing in Saturday's road race despite fracturing her wrist in last week's Giro Rosa.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Breonna Taylor cop charged with endangering her neighbours: Civil rights outrage over grand jury dec

Breonna Taylor cop charged with endangering her neighbours: Civil rights outrage over grand jury decision

Breonna Taylor cop charged with endangering her neighbours : Civil rights outrage over grand jury decision Sacked police officer faces @ @ @ @ @ .
He shot into neighbours apartment as police mistakenly shot Breonna Taylor

Page not found
The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.


france24--2020-09-24--Former Australia batsman Dean Jones dies of heart attack

Jones , part of Australia 's World Cup-winning side in 1987 , was one of the country 's most popular cricketers Former Australia batsman and cricket commentator Dean Jones , who had been covering the ongoing Indian Premier League from Mumbai , has died of a heart attack , his employer Star India said Thursday .
`` It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing away of Mr. Dean Mervyn Jones , '' the broadcaster said in a statement .
`` He died of a sudden cardiac arrest .
We express our deep condolences to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in this difficult time . ''
Jones , who played 52 Tests and 164 one-day internationals in the 1980s and 1990s , winning the World Cup in 1987 , was one of Australia 's most popular cricketers .
In 1986 , he famously struck 210 in the blistering heat of Chennai during cricket 's second-ever tied Test .
He coached in the Pakistan Super League and was also a widely travelled commentator .
`` Shocked to hear about the tragic loss of Dean Jones .
Praying for strength and courage to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's skipper Virat Kohli on Twitter .
`` Really shocking to lose a colleague and a dear friend -- Dean Jones .
Gone so young .
Condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace , '' tweeted India 's head coach Ravi Shastri .
Star India called Jones `` one of the great ambassadors of the game '' and praised him for his involvement with the sport 's development across cricket-mad South Asia .
`` He was passionate about discovering new talent and nurturing young cricketers ...
He will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his millions of fans across the globe . ''
Jones attracted controversy in 2006 during a series in Sri Lanka when he described South African batsman Hashim Amla , a Muslim , as looking `` like a terrorist '' due to his long beard .
He was sacked by Ten Sports as a commentator for the remark , for which he later apologised .

Mumbai (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Former Australia batsman and cricket commentator Dean Jones, who had been covering the ongoing Indian Premier League from Mumbai, has died of a heart attack, his employer Star India said Thursday.
"It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing away of Mr. Dean Mervyn Jones," the broadcaster said in a statement.
"He died of a sudden cardiac arrest. We express our deep condolences to his family and stand ready to support them in this difficult time."
Jones, who played 52 Tests and 164 one-day internationals in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the World Cup in 1987, was one of Australia's most popular cricketers.
In 1986, he famously struck 210 in the blistering heat of Chennai during cricket's second-ever tied Test.
He coached in the Pakistan Super League and was also a widely travelled commentator.
"Shocked to hear about the tragic loss of Dean Jones. Praying for strength and courage to his family and friends," said India's skipper Virat Kohli on Twitter.
"Really shocking to lose a colleague and a dear friend -- Dean Jones. Gone so young. Condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace," tweeted India's head coach Ravi Shastri.
Star India called Jones "one of the great ambassadors of the game" and praised him for his involvement with the sport's development across cricket-mad South Asia.
"He was passionate about discovering new talent and nurturing young cricketers... He will be sorely missed by everyone at Star and his millions of fans across the globe."
Jones attracted controversy in 2006 during a series in Sri Lanka when he described South African batsman Hashim Amla, a Muslim, as looking "like a terrorist" due to his long beard.
He was sacked by Ten Sports as a commentator for the remark, for which he later apologised.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Madrid rushes to complete pandemic hospital as Covid-19 second wave takes hold

Madrid has requested urgent help to hire hundreds of foreign doctors to reinforce hospitals in the Spanish capital and police @ @ @ @ @ fines , as the coronavirus pandemic ’ s second wave hits the city hard .
@ @ @ @ @ a quarter of new Covid-19 cases in Spain , where the number of daily deaths @ @ @ @ @ levels not seen since May .
FRANCE 24 ’ s Madrid correspondent Sarah Morris tells @ @ @ @ @ being built at top speed in the city that will specialize in pandemics , the @ @ @ @ @ in Spain .
The goal is for the €50-million facility , with its 1,000 beds @ @ @ @ @ November to help take on some of the burden of Covid-19 ’ s second wave @ @ @ @ @ new hospital as an expensive and unnecessary project that it will ultimately siphon away staff @ @ @ @ @ watch the report by FRANCE 24 's Sarah Morris and Anaïs Guérard , click on @ @ @ @ @

On the ground
Madrid has requested urgent help to hire hundreds of foreign doctors to reinforce hospitals in the Spanish capital and police to enforce quarantines and issue fines, as the coronavirus pandemic’s second wave hits the city hard. Madrid accounts for more than a quarter of new Covid-19 cases in Spain, where the number of daily deaths and infections is now at levels not seen since May.
Advertising Read more
FRANCE 24’s Madrid correspondent Sarah Morris tells us about a new hospital being built at top speed in the city that will specialize in pandemics, the first facility of its kind in Spain. The goal is for the €50-million facility, with its 1,000 beds, to be ready by November to help take on some of the burden of Covid-19’s second wave.
But some say the new hospital as an expensive and unnecessary project that it will ultimately siphon away staff from other facilities.
To watch the report by FRANCE 24's Sarah Morris and Anaïs Guérard, click on the video player above.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-09-24--Boris Becker pleads not guilty to charges over bankruptcy

Boris Becker has denied a series of criminal charges over his bankruptcy German tennis great Boris Becker pleaded not guilty at a British court on Thursday to a series of criminal charges relating to his bankruptcy as he was told he could face seven years in jail .
The six-time Grand Slam winner , who was declared bankrupt in June 2017 , is accused of not complying with obligations to disclose information .
Becker , who wore a black face mask and cap , pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of failing to disclose money and property between May 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who lives in London , is being prosecuted by the Insolvency Service .
Bankruptcy issues were considered at hearings in the High Court in London .
Becker , smartly dressed in a suit and red tie , was conditionally bailed to next appear in court for a preliminary hearing on October 22 .
The German took the tennis world by storm as a 17-year-old as he became the then youngest-ever men 's Grand Slam champion at Wimbledon in 1985 , defending his trophy the following year .
Nicknamed `` Boom Boom '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four majors and 49 singles titles in all , amassing $ 25 million in prize money .
Becker also enjoyed a successful spell from 2014 until 2016 as coach of Serbia 's world number one Novak Djokovic .

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
German tennis great Boris Becker pleaded not guilty at a British court on Thursday to a series of criminal charges relating to his bankruptcy as he was told he could face seven years in jail.
The six-time Grand Slam winner, who was declared bankrupt in June 2017, is accused of not complying with obligations to disclose information.
Becker, who wore a black face mask and cap, pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of failing to disclose money and property between May 2017 and June 2017.
The 52-year-old, who lives in London, is being prosecuted by the Insolvency Service. Bankruptcy issues were considered at hearings in the High Court in London.
Becker, smartly dressed in a suit and red tie, was conditionally bailed to next appear in court for a preliminary hearing on October 22.
The German took the tennis world by storm as a 17-year-old as he became the then youngest-ever men's Grand Slam champion at Wimbledon in 1985, defending his trophy the following year.
Nicknamed "Boom Boom", he went on to win a further four majors and 49 singles titles in all, amassing $25 million in prize money.
Becker also enjoyed a successful spell from 2014 until 2016 as coach of Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--French Open faces possible Covid-lawsuit amid tight health rules and new crowd limit

The French Open is set to begin on September 27 amid strict sanitary rules due to the Covid-19 pandemic A Bosnian competitor of this year ’ s French Open has threatened to sue organisers of the claycourt major following his forced withdrawal over what he claims was a “ false positive Covid test ” .
The backlash comes as Roland Garros chiefs prepared to drastically cut crowd capacity to 1,000 fans a day .
Having been pushed back four months to September to avoid the worst of the Covid pandemic , the French Open at Roland Garros faces a potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fresh tightening of its health safety rules .
The French Open was bracing Thursday to cut its crowd capacity once again to as low as 1,000 a day after the French Health minister Olivier Véran announced new measures against the deadly pandemic .
French tennis officials had already reduced the maximum number of fans to 5,000 ten days ago , down from the 11,500 limit set during summer .
Before Covid , the French Open venue was able to host as many as 50,000 fans per day .
`` To date , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the organisation of the tournament , '' said a French Tennis Federation spokesman .
The new limit was announced as strict health protocols came under the spotlight after Bosnian player Damir Dzumhur threatened to launch a lawsuit against the organisers of the tournament after what he reckons was a `` false positive '' Covid-19 test .
Dzumhur , a former top 30 player now ranked 114th , was made to withdraw after his coach Petar Popovic , with whom he shared a hotel room , tested positive .
`` We 're sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trainer has anti-bodies , '' Dzumhur wrote on Instagram .
`` He was not allowed to take a second test .
I am devastated . ''
Back in Serbia , Popovic took two Covid tests - one in the nose , another in the throat - that came back negative .
The coach told French newspaper L'Equipe that it was a `` scandal '' and had `` Nadal been in our shoes , he would have had the right to a second or third test '' .
A lawyer is already looking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equipe .
The strict health regulations are being enforced to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection at the French Open , said tournament organisers .
All competitors are tested upon their arrival .
A second test is carried out 72 hours later , and then another every five days based on a player 's progression in the tournament .
Coaches are also required to wear a face mask during training sessions , according to Sven Groeneveld , who is accompanying Japanese competitor Taro Daniel .
Players and their entourage are staying at two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from travelling anywhere other than to and from the tournament site and their accommodation .
Those overseeing the health rules are acting on them without hesitation .
`` On Sunday , a competitor was stuck in a traffic jam 500 metres from his hotel because of the Tour de France .
He called to know if he could exit the car to go back on foot to his hotel .
We refused , '' Dr Bernard Montalvan , who is in charge of the Covid protocols at Roland Garros , told the AFP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the French Tennis Federation said that five players due to take part in the men 's qualifier had been denied a place .
Two had tested positive while three others had been in contact with a coach who had also returned a positive test .
A female player set to feature in the qualifying phase had been stood down following a positive Covid-19 test .
As the Bosnian team prepared its lawsuit , the tournament 's health official said that all competitors had signed a contract outlining the conditions of play and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` To us , only nasal tests matter ( ... ) If a coach who has tested positive sleeps in the same room as his player , then the player will be considered at risk .
That 's why we have advised coaches and players not to share the same room , '' explained Dr Bernard Montalvan .
Concerns have been expressed over how tightly controlled the conditions of the game have become , with some competitors saying the safety measures are taking a toll on the athletes ' mental health .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been stuck in their room for 30 hours .
We feel helpless in that situation , '' French tennis player Alyzé Cornet told BFM television .
`` This is really distressing ( ... ) Players have to cope with anxiety . ''
This article was translated from the original in French .

A Bosnian competitor of this year’s French Open has threatened to sue organisers of the claycourt major following his forced withdrawal over what he claims was a “false positive Covid test”. The backlash comes as Roland Garros chiefs prepared to drastically cut crowd capacity to 1,000 fans a day.
The French Open is set to begin on September 27 amid strict sanitary rules due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Advertising Read more
Having been pushed back four months to September to avoid the worst of the Covid pandemic, the French Open at Roland Garros faces a potential lawsuit from a disgruntled Bosnian competitor and a fresh tightening of its health safety rules.
The French Open was bracing Thursday to cut its crowd capacity once again to as low as 1,000 a day after the French Health minister Olivier Véran announced new measures against the deadly pandemic. French tennis officials had already reduced the maximum number of fans to 5,000 ten days ago, down from the 11,500 limit set during summer. Before Covid, the French Open venue was able to host as many as 50,000 fans per day.
"To date, we have no confirmation on the conditions of the organisation of the tournament," said a French Tennis Federation spokesman.
The new limit was announced as strict health protocols came under the spotlight after Bosnian player Damir Dzumhur threatened to launch a lawsuit against the organisers of the tournament after what he reckons was a "false positive" Covid-19 test.
Dzumhur's coach: "It's a huge scandal. They wouldn't have done it to a top player"
Says he contracted the virus in July, had 20 tests in the past 35 days, all negative, including 1st test in Paris, 2nd one was inconclusive but he was denied another test.https://t.co/pIoC6sHI1l — Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) September 20, 2020
Dzumhur, a former top 30 player now ranked 114th, was made to withdraw after his coach Petar Popovic, with whom he shared a hotel room, tested positive.
"We're sure it was a false positive because my trainer has anti-bodies," Dzumhur wrote on Instagram. "He was not allowed to take a second test. I am devastated."
Back in Serbia, Popovic took two Covid tests - one in the nose, another in the throat - that came back negative. The coach told French newspaper L'Equipe that it was a "scandal" and had "Nadal been in our shoes, he would have had the right to a second or third test". A lawyer is already looking at the case, according to L’Equipe.
Strict health rules
The strict health regulations are being enforced to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection at the French Open, said tournament organisers.
All competitors are tested upon their arrival. A second test is carried out 72 hours later, and then another every five days based on a player's progression in the tournament. Coaches are also required to wear a face mask during training sessions, according to Sven Groeneveld, who is accompanying Japanese competitor Taro Daniel.
Players and their entourage are staying at two specific hotels, and have been barred from travelling anywhere other than to and from the tournament site and their accommodation.
Those overseeing the health rules are acting on them without hesitation.
"On Sunday, a competitor was stuck in a traffic jam 500 metres from his hotel because of the Tour de France. He called to know if he could exit the car to go back on foot to his hotel. We refused," Dr Bernard Montalvan, who is in charge of the Covid protocols at Roland Garros, told the AFP news agency.
‘Helpless’ competitors
On Sunday night, the French Tennis Federation said that five players due to take part in the men's qualifier had been denied a place. Two had tested positive while three others had been in contact with a coach who had also returned a positive test. A female player set to feature in the qualifying phase had been stood down following a positive Covid-19 test.
As the Bosnian team prepared its lawsuit, the tournament's health official said that all competitors had signed a contract outlining the conditions of play and the consequences of a positive coronavirus test.
"To us, only nasal tests matter (...) If a coach who has tested positive sleeps in the same room as his player, then the player will be considered at risk. That's why we have advised coaches and players not to share the same room," explained Dr Bernard Montalvan.
Concerns have been expressed over how tightly controlled the conditions of the game have become, with some competitors saying the safety measures are taking a toll on the athletes' mental health.
"I have heard of players who have been stuck in their room for 30 hours. We feel helpless in that situation," French tennis player Alyzé Cornet told BFM television. "This is really distressing (...) Players have to cope with anxiety."
This article was translated from the original in French.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-09-24--Poverty, joblessness drives wildlife poaching in S.Africa: study

Most people convicted for wildlife poaching and trafficking in South Africa commit the crimes due to poverty and joblessness , a study by an international wildlife conservation group has shown .
A report published Thursday and compiled after interviews with 73 convicted wildlife offenders incarcerated in South Africa 's jails , concluded that 70 percent of them were forced into crime just to make a living .
`` A variety of reasons led offenders to become involved in illegal wildlife trade , one frequent motivation being a desire to provide for their families given the lack of viable legal economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study respondent told TRAFFIC : `` I just wanted to give my children a better life than I had '' .
Another said he just wanted to send his `` first born to school so that he could get education .
I wanted him to have the opportunity which I was denied as a child '' .
`` If I were working , I would not have gone and done this , '' regreted another respondent .
Yet others took the risk just to keep up with well-to-do friends .
`` My friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving cars and I wished to be like them , '' said another , adding `` so I ended up doing illegal things .
I was fooled , and I regret what I did . ''
Seventy-four percent of the surveyed offernders were serving sentences for rhino-related offences and the rest for crimes linked to abalone and cycad trafficking .
South Africa , which for years has battled a scourge of rhino poaching fuelled by insatiable demand for their horns in Asia , is also facing high unemployment levels of more than 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been poached for their horn in the past decade in South Africa , according to TRAFFIC .

Johannesburg (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Most people convicted for wildlife poaching and trafficking in South Africa commit the crimes due to poverty and joblessness, a study by an international wildlife conservation group has shown.
A report published Thursday and compiled after interviews with 73 convicted wildlife offenders incarcerated in South Africa's jails, concluded that 70 percent of them were forced into crime just to make a living.
"A variety of reasons led offenders to become involved in illegal wildlife trade, one frequent motivation being a desire to provide for their families given the lack of viable legal economic alternatives," said TRAFFIC.
One study respondent told TRAFFIC: "I just wanted to give my children a better life than I had".
Another said he just wanted to send his "first born to school so that he could get education. I wanted him to have the opportunity which I was denied as a child".
"If I were working, I would not have gone and done this," regreted another respondent.
Yet others took the risk just to keep up with well-to-do friends.
"My friends... used to poach. They were driving cars and I wished to be like them," said another, adding "so I ended up doing illegal things. I was fooled, and I regret what I did."
Offences committed included poaching, transporting, processing, storing and selling the illegally-gotten wildlife commodities.
Seventy-four percent of the surveyed offernders were serving sentences for rhino-related offences and the rest for crimes linked to abalone and cycad trafficking.
South Africa, which for years has battled a scourge of rhino poaching fuelled by insatiable demand for their horns in Asia, is also facing high unemployment levels of more than 30 percent.
At least 8,200 rhino have been poached for their horn in the past decade in South Africa, according to TRAFFIC.
sn/ri
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-24--Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong arrested again, vows to fight on

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong arrested again , vows to fight on Prominent Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong was arrested @ @ @ @ @ a protest at the height of the city 's pro- # democracy unrest last year @ @ @ @ @ continue resisting # China 's crackdown on dissent .
FRANCE 24 's Olivier Farry tells @ @ @ @ @ # JoshuaWong

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong arrested again, vows to fight on
00:46
Prominent Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong was arrested Thursday for taking part in a protest at the height of the city's pro-#democracy unrest last year, but he vowed to continue resisting #China's crackdown on dissent. FRANCE 24's Olivier Farry tells us more. #HongKong #JoshuaWong


france24--2020-09-24--The show will go on: City of Paris saves historic theater from closure

The show will go on : City of Paris saves historic theater from closure The Lavoir Moderne Parisien # theater @ @ @ @ @ cultural venue .
A former public wash house founded in the 19th century and described @ @ @ @ @ one of # France ’ s most famous writers , it ’ s also a @ @ @ @ @ financial troubles , and then the # coronavirus , had threatened to shutter the theater @ @ @ @ @ # Paris bought the venue , saving it from that fate—and ensuring the show will @ @ @

The show will go on: City of Paris saves historic theater from closure
02:05
The Lavoir Moderne Parisien #theater is more than just a cultural venue. A former public wash house founded in the 19th century and described by Emile #Zola, one of #France’s most famous writers, it’s also a historic site. Years of financial troubles, and then the #coronavirus, had threatened to shutter the theater. But the city of #Paris bought the venue, saving it from that fate—and ensuring the show will go on.