france24--2020-09-26--South Africans take knee, vow to reject racism as season reopens

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi ( C ) holds the Rugby World Cup trophy during a victory parade through Soweto last November .
Several players took a knee and the national body recommitted to fighting racism as rugby restarted in South Africa Saturday after a six-month suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Bulls defeated the Sharks 49-28 and the Stormers overcame the Lions 34-21 behind closed doors in warm-up matches between the four Super Rugby teams from the republic .
South African Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa recently criticised eight South Africans with English club Sale Sharks for not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter movement .
A few Lions did make the gesture in support of racial justice at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria and the Sharks wore 'We say no to racism ' t-shirts before the kick-off .
Before both matches a set of principles in which South African rugby rejects discrimination and racism was read over the public address system and included in the TV broadcast .
The credo began by stating `` South African rugby is committed to an environment where all are welcome , irrespective of race , colour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the painful inequalities of our country 's past -- and its present -- and that they must be eradicated .
`` We must maintain and continuously improve an environment that is fair and respectful , where people from different backgrounds feel accepted and valued .
`` Ours is a sport for all , where we celebrate diversity and inclusion and are committed to a better future for all .
`` As South Africans , we have proved that we are stronger together .
We will not be divided , '' it concluded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ races in South Africa , only whites were allowed to represent the national team , the Springboks , for 90 years from its inception in 1891 .
In 1981 , Errol Tobias became the first black Springbok when he played against Ireland in Cape Town .
Progress toward a multi-racial national team has been tortuous , though , with only one black , now deceased Chester Williams , in the 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning team .
Two blacks , JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana , were in the 2007 Springboks side that became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgency in 2018 under new national coach Rassie Erasmus and last year six black starters helped South Africa win the World Cup a third time .
Among them was Siya Kolisi , who overcame years living amid poverty to become the first black Test captain of the Springboks .
In Pretoria , Kolisi was among the five try scorers for the Stormers against the Lions and said it was `` one of the toughest rugby matches I have played '' .
`` Training alone , then in small groups for many months has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rubbish to my team-mates , '' said the loose forward .
The Bulls made a whirlwind start under new coach Jake White , who masterminded the Springboks ' 2007 World Cup victory , scoring 35 unanswered points within 32 minutes .
A much better second-half showing from the Sharks yielded three tries , but it was hard to believe this was the side that topped the five-nation Super Rugby standings last March .

Pretoria (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Several players took a knee and the national body recommitted to fighting racism as rugby restarted in South Africa Saturday after a six-month suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Bulls defeated the Sharks 49-28 and the Stormers overcame the Lions 34-21 behind closed doors in warm-up matches between the four Super Rugby teams from the republic.
South African Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa recently criticised eight South Africans with English club Sale Sharks for not taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
A few Lions did make the gesture in support of racial justice at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria and the Sharks wore 'We say no to racism' t-shirts before the kick-off.
Before both matches a set of principles in which South African rugby rejects discrimination and racism was read over the public address system and included in the TV broadcast.
The credo began by stating "South African rugby is committed to an environment where all are welcome, irrespective of race, colour, creed or gender.
"We acknowledge the painful inequalities of our country's past -- and its present -- and that they must be eradicated.
"We must maintain and continuously improve an environment that is fair and respectful, where people from different backgrounds feel accepted and valued.
"Ours is a sport for all, where we celebrate diversity and inclusion and are committed to a better future for all.
"As South Africans, we have proved that we are stronger together. We will not be divided," it concluded.
- Tobias first black Springbok -
Although rugby has been played by all races in South Africa, only whites were allowed to represent the national team, the Springboks, for 90 years from its inception in 1891.
In 1981, Errol Tobias became the first black Springbok when he played against Ireland in Cape Town.
Progress toward a multi-racial national team has been tortuous, though, with only one black, now deceased Chester Williams, in the 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning team.
Two blacks, JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana, were in the 2007 Springboks side that became world champions.
Racial transformation finally gathered urgency in 2018 under new national coach Rassie Erasmus and last year six black starters helped South Africa win the World Cup a third time.
Among them was Siya Kolisi, who overcame years living amid poverty to become the first black Test captain of the Springboks.
In Pretoria, Kolisi was among the five try scorers for the Stormers against the Lions and said it was "one of the toughest rugby matches I have played".
"Training alone, then in small groups for many months has been extremely challenging. I missed talking rubbish to my team-mates," said the loose forward.
The Bulls made a whirlwind start under new coach Jake White, who masterminded the Springboks' 2007 World Cup victory, scoring 35 unanswered points within 32 minutes.
A much better second-half showing from the Sharks yielded three tries, but it was hard to believe this was the side that topped the five-nation Super Rugby standings last March.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Al Ahli of Saudi, Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor into Asian Champions League quarters

Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia defeated Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 4-3 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League on Saturday Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia defeated Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 4-3 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League on Saturday .
They were joined in the last eight by Uzbek giants Pakhtakor , who bounced back from a goal down to edge out Iran ’ s Esteghlal 2-1 in a late match .
After 120 minutes of frenetic action produced a 1-1 draw at the air-conditioned Al Janoub Stadium , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proved lucky in the shootout which saw Shabab Al Ahli 's Ahmed Khalil and Abdullah al-Naqbi misfiring from the spot .
Talismanic Syrian striker Omar al-Somah had scored the equaliser for the Saudi side from a penalty in the second half , but watched in agony as his shot hit the post in the tie-breaker .
But that did n't matter as Naqbi of Shabab also missed , sparking celebrations in the Al Ahli camp bench .
The Saudis were up and about from the outset and could hae gone ahead early in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a fine corner from German World Cupper Marko Marin slammed into the crossbar .
Salman al-Muwashar who was lurking nearby fired in the rebound but was adjudged offside .
Shabab Al Ahli got their act together and Azizjon Ganiev tested the Saudis with a fine run from the right in the 26th minute but his fine effort was thwarted by goalkeeper Mohamed al-Owais .
Owais foiled another Ganiev effort a minute later but was not lucky a third time as the Uzbek midfielder this time decided to go for a long-ranger .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 28th minute , Ganiev took some time to line up his shot before unleashing a powerful drive from 27 yards that took a slight deflection from Abdulbaset al-Hindi and beat Owais all ends up .
Ganiev , however , went from hero to villain early in the second half by bringing down Muwashar in the box and Somah made no mistake from the spot to restore parity .
Both sides missed several chances after that with the match eventually going to penalties .
Also at the Al Janoub Stadium , Pakhtakor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karimi had put the Iranians ahead with a curling free-kick from just outside the box in the 32nd minute after Mehdi Ghaedi was fouled by Khojiakbar Alidjonov .
The enterprising Uzbeks were not dispirited in the least and largely controlled proceedings with 64 percent ball possession .
They got back into the match in style , Serbian striker Dragan Ceran producing a strong header from close off a cross from Alidjanov two minutes before half-time .
And it took them less than two minutes after the break to get ahead , Swiss forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the box following a great move featuring a series of passes on the right flank .
Late in the match , Esteghlal had their last chance to restore parity , but Malian forward Cheick Diabate inexplicably sent the ball wide after beating his marker and having the goal all to himself .

Doha (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia defeated Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 4-3 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League on Saturday.
They were joined in the last eight by Uzbek giants Pakhtakor, who bounced back from a goal down to edge out Iran’s Esteghlal 2-1 in a late match.
After 120 minutes of frenetic action produced a 1-1 draw at the air-conditioned Al Janoub Stadium, it was twice runners-up Al Ahli who proved lucky in the shootout which saw Shabab Al Ahli's Ahmed Khalil and Abdullah al-Naqbi misfiring from the spot.
Talismanic Syrian striker Omar al-Somah had scored the equaliser for the Saudi side from a penalty in the second half, but watched in agony as his shot hit the post in the tie-breaker.
But that didn't matter as Naqbi of Shabab also missed, sparking celebrations in the Al Ahli camp bench.
The Saudis were up and about from the outset and could hae gone ahead early in the game but Somah's powerful header from a fine corner from German World Cupper Marko Marin slammed into the crossbar.
Salman al-Muwashar who was lurking nearby fired in the rebound but was adjudged offside.
Shabab Al Ahli got their act together and Azizjon Ganiev tested the Saudis with a fine run from the right in the 26th minute but his fine effort was thwarted by goalkeeper Mohamed al-Owais.
Owais foiled another Ganiev effort a minute later but was not lucky a third time as the Uzbek midfielder this time decided to go for a long-ranger.
After receiving a pass from Mohamed Juma in the 28th minute, Ganiev took some time to line up his shot before unleashing a powerful drive from 27 yards that took a slight deflection from Abdulbaset al-Hindi and beat Owais all ends up.
Ganiev, however, went from hero to villain early in the second half by bringing down Muwashar in the box and Somah made no mistake from the spot to restore parity.
Both sides missed several chances after that with the match eventually going to penalties.
Also at the Al Janoub Stadium, Pakhtakor fought their way past Esteghlal after Ali Karimi had put the Iranians ahead with a curling free-kick from just outside the box in the 32nd minute after Mehdi Ghaedi was fouled by Khojiakbar Alidjonov.
The enterprising Uzbeks were not dispirited in the least and largely controlled proceedings with 64 percent ball possession.
They got back into the match in style, Serbian striker Dragan Ceran producing a strong header from close off a cross from Alidjanov two minutes before half-time.
And it took them less than two minutes after the break to get ahead, Swiss forward Eren Derdiyok drilling a half-volley from just inside the box following a great move featuring a series of passes on the right flank.
Late in the match, Esteghlal had their last chance to restore parity, but Malian forward Cheick Diabate inexplicably sent the ball wide after beating his marker and having the goal all to himself.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Iran FM demands protection for diplomatic missions in Iraq

A handout picture provided by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on September 26 , 2020 shows Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif ( R ) welcoming his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein at the foreign ministry in Tehran Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif on Saturday called for the protection of diplomatic installations in Iraq as he hosted his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Tehran .
The top diplomats also discussed the US killing in Baghdad of top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani in January , and bilateral cooperation between the two neighbours .
Zarif , in an English-language tweet , said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' in Iraq , adding that he had underlined to Hussein the `` imperative of protection of diplomatic posts '' .
They also `` reviewed practical steps to further enhance bilateral cooperation '' and `` discussed ( the ) US terrorist murder of our hero General Soleimani '' .
His comments come more than a week after three separate attacks targeted Western diplomatic or military installations in Iraq .
On September 15 , an improvised explosive device targeted a British embassy vehicle just outside the high-security Green Zone in Baghdad that houses diplomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katyusha rockets targeted the US embassy in the Green Zone , an Iraqi security source said at the time .
And the previous day two explosive devices targeted a US-led coalition equipment convoy , the Iraqi military had said .
Iraqi intelligence sources have blamed similar attacks on a small group of Iran-backed paramilitary factions .
Iranian diplomatic missions in Iraq were attacked last year amid anti-government protests and charges that Tehran is propping up the government in Baghdad .
The last attack occurred in November 2019 when anti-government demonstrators torched the Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Najaf .
Soleimani was killed in January in an American drone air strike near Baghdad airport , alongside top Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis .
Days later , Iran launched a volley of missiles at Iraqi bases housing US and other coalition troops .
The Zarif-Hussein talks come three days after the US granted Iraq a 60-day extension to a sanctions waiver , allowing it to import Iranian gas for its crippled power grids .
The US blacklisted Iran 's energy industry in late 2018 , but has since granted its ally Baghdad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off country-wide blackouts .
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also met Hussein and reiterated Iran 's opposition to the presence of foreign troops in the region .
`` The presence of US armed forces in the region , whether in Iraq , Afghanistan , or southern Persian Gulf countries is detrimental to regional security and stability , '' Rouhani said .
It was the duty of `` every country where Americans are present '' to try to remove them , he added .
Following Soleimani 's killing , Iraq 's parliament called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops in Iraq .
`` We consider what the Iraqi parliament and representatives of the people of this country have approved in this regard is respected by the Iraqi people and has our support , '' Rouhani said .
In early September , the US announced a sharp cut to troop numbers in Iraq from 5,200 military personnel to just 3,000 .

Tehran (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif on Saturday called for the protection of diplomatic installations in Iraq as he hosted his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Tehran.
The top diplomats also discussed the US killing in Baghdad of top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani in January, and bilateral cooperation between the two neighbours.
Zarif, in an English-language tweet, said they discussed "attacks on Iranian diplomatic premises" in Iraq, adding that he had underlined to Hussein the "imperative of protection of diplomatic posts".
They also "reviewed practical steps to further enhance bilateral cooperation" and "discussed (the) US terrorist murder of our hero General Soleimani".
His comments come more than a week after three separate attacks targeted Western diplomatic or military installations in Iraq.
On September 15, an improvised explosive device targeted a British embassy vehicle just outside the high-security Green Zone in Baghdad that houses diplomatic missions.
Hours before that, two Katyusha rockets targeted the US embassy in the Green Zone, an Iraqi security source said at the time.
And the previous day two explosive devices targeted a US-led coalition equipment convoy, the Iraqi military had said.
Iraqi intelligence sources have blamed similar attacks on a small group of Iran-backed paramilitary factions.
Iranian diplomatic missions in Iraq were attacked last year amid anti-government protests and charges that Tehran is propping up the government in Baghdad.
The last attack occurred in November 2019 when anti-government demonstrators torched the Iranian consulate in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf.
Soleimani was killed in January in an American drone air strike near Baghdad airport, alongside top Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
Days later, Iran launched a volley of missiles at Iraqi bases housing US and other coalition troops.
The Zarif-Hussein talks come three days after the US granted Iraq a 60-day extension to a sanctions waiver, allowing it to import Iranian gas for its crippled power grids.
The US blacklisted Iran's energy industry in late 2018, but has since granted its ally Baghdad a series of temporary waivers to stave off country-wide blackouts.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also met Hussein and reiterated Iran's opposition to the presence of foreign troops in the region.
"The presence of US armed forces in the region, whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, or southern Persian Gulf countries is detrimental to regional security and stability," Rouhani said.
It was the duty of "every country where Americans are present" to try to remove them, he added.
Following Soleimani's killing, Iraq's parliament called on the government to end the presence of foreign troops in Iraq.
"We consider what the Iraqi parliament and representatives of the people of this country have approved in this regard is respected by the Iraqi people and has our support," Rouhani said.
In early September, the US announced a sharp cut to troop numbers in Iraq from 5,200 military personnel to just 3,000.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Israelis protest against Netanyahu despite virus lockdown

Israeli demonstrators marched on the streets of Jerusalem in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's residence on Saturday despite a nationwide virus lockdown Thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem late Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , a day after the country tightened its lockdown aimed at stemming surging coronavirus cases .
Long processions of cars carrying people from throughout the country caused traffic jams in the city , with hundreds of small protests held at bridges and junctions nationwide .
Israel began a second nationwide lockdown on September 18 in a bid to bring down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per capita .
On Friday , restrictions were tightened further , including limiting international travel and attending indoor prayers .
But lawmakers blocked a government proposal that would have limited protest gatherings by ruling people could only demonstrate in groups of 20 and within a kilometre of their residence .
Netanyahu , in a video issued Saturday night , slammed `` the populist decision in parliament to cancel the limitations the government imposed after we saw the rise in the infections . ''
Protesters on Saturday said the government attempt to block them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets .
`` I came here for the very reason that they tried to shoot down the protest , '' said Adi , a 48-year-old father of three from Tel Aviv , demonstrating outside Netanyahu 's official residence .
`` The people here are the last chance for Israel to be free and democratic , '' he told AFP .
Netanyahu is on trial for bribery , fraud and breach of trust .
He denies wrongdoing .
Israeli law does not force a prime minister to step down after being indicted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no economic aid , '' said Shoshanna , a 34-year-old woman from Jerusalem .
`` So the least I can do is to come to the protest . ''
Israel has recorded over 225,000 infections and 1,417 deaths out of a population of nine million , with more than 8,200 new cases on Friday alone .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem late Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day after the country tightened its lockdown aimed at stemming surging coronavirus cases.
Long processions of cars carrying people from throughout the country caused traffic jams in the city, with hundreds of small protests held at bridges and junctions nationwide.
Israel began a second nationwide lockdown on September 18 in a bid to bring down the world's highest coronavirus infection rate per capita.
On Friday, restrictions were tightened further, including limiting international travel and attending indoor prayers.
But lawmakers blocked a government proposal that would have limited protest gatherings by ruling people could only demonstrate in groups of 20 and within a kilometre of their residence.
Netanyahu, in a video issued Saturday night, slammed "the populist decision in parliament to cancel the limitations the government imposed after we saw the rise in the infections."
Protesters on Saturday said the government attempt to block them was one motivation they came out on the streets.
"I came here for the very reason that they tried to shoot down the protest," said Adi, a 48-year-old father of three from Tel Aviv, demonstrating outside Netanyahu's official residence.
"The people here are the last chance for Israel to be free and democratic," he told AFP.
Netanyahu is on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies wrongdoing.
Israeli law does not force a prime minister to step down after being indicted.
"They shut everything down but with no economic aid," said Shoshanna, a 34-year-old woman from Jerusalem. "So the least I can do is to come to the protest."
Israel has recorded over 225,000 infections and 1,417 deaths out of a population of nine million, with more than 8,200 new cases on Friday alone.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--Empty seats and dreary weather as French Open gets off to muted start

Victoria Azarenka , of Belarus , faced off against Montenegro 's Danka Kovinic in a nearly empty court during the first round of the French Open on September 27 , 2020 Gone are the queues of spectators and gone is the sun as the French Open kicked off in underwhelming fashion on Sunday with persistent drizzle and a chill wind sweeping the almost-empty Roland Garros grounds .
Play started at 1100 local time ( 0900 GMT ) on court Philippe Chatrier under the new retractable roof with Belgian 11th seed David Goffin playing Italian Jannik Sinner in front of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the other two main courts - Suzanne Lenglen and Simonne Mathieu - after 15 minutes , with former world number one Victoria Azarenka fuming about the conditions .
`` It 's ridiculous , it 's too cold , '' she said as her first-round match against Montenegro 's Danka Kovinic was interrupted .
Azarenka walked on court wearing a pink puffer jacket under grey skies with only a couple of dozen spectators brave enough to sit in the windswept stands .
She resumed playing after a 45-minute interruption , wearing tights and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smiles , however , after an emphatic 6-1 6-2 victory in which only nine spectators witnessed the final point .
`` I 'm happy I managed to finish early now I can watch the others play , '' she said in a coutside interviewer .
On the grounds , alleys were almost deserted as little groups of fans milled around aimlessly .
Some stewards wore rain boots as they waited to check credentials in front of the courts ' gates .
The claycourt Grand Slam was moved from its usual May-June spot to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and only 1,000 spectators are allowed on site each day after organisers had initially hoped to welcome 20,000 - about half the normal capacity .
`` I do n't know what I 'm doing here , it 's freezing , I 'm not sure I 'll see a lot of play today apart from those on central court , '' said Yannick , a 22-year-old student who was among the few people to keep his ticket following a draw after the capacity was cut from 5,000 to 1,000 this week .
Rain is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 days .
The tournament is being held amid a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in France with players and guests being submitted to a mandatory coronavirus test before being sent to two hotels , which they can only leave to play at Roland Garros or practise in the neighbouring Jean Bouin stadium .

Gone are the queues of spectators and gone is the sun as the French Open kicked off in underwhelming fashion on Sunday with persistent drizzle and a chill wind sweeping the almost-empty Roland Garros grounds.
Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, faced off against Montenegro's Danka Kovinic in a nearly empty court during the first round of the French Open on September 27, 2020
Advertising Read more
Play started at 1100 local time (0900 GMT) on court Philippe Chatrier under the new retractable roof with Belgian 11th seed David Goffin playing Italian Jannik Sinner in front of a few dozen spectators.
Matches were suspended on the other two main courts - Suzanne Lenglen and Simonne Mathieu - after 15 minutes, with former world number one Victoria Azarenka fuming about the conditions.
"It's ridiculous, it's too cold," she said as her first-round match against Montenegro's Danka Kovinic was interrupted.
Azarenka walked on court wearing a pink puffer jacket under grey skies with only a couple of dozen spectators brave enough to sit in the windswept stands.
She resumed playing after a 45-minute interruption, wearing tights and a wind jacket.
Azarenka was all smiles, however, after an emphatic 6-1 6-2 victory in which only nine spectators witnessed the final point.
"I'm happy I managed to finish early now I can watch the others play," she said in a coutside interviewer.
On the grounds, alleys were almost deserted as little groups of fans milled around aimlessly.
Some stewards wore rain boots as they waited to check credentials in front of the courts' gates.
The claycourt Grand Slam was moved from its usual May-June spot to Sept. 27-Oct. 11 amid the COVID-19 crisis and only 1,000 spectators are allowed on site each day after organisers had initially hoped to welcome 20,000 - about half the normal capacity.
"I don't know what I'm doing here, it's freezing, I'm not sure I'll see a lot of play today apart from those on central court," said Yannick, a 22-year-old student who was among the few people to keep his ticket following a draw after the capacity was cut from 5,000 to 1,000 this week.
Rain is forecast at Roland Garros for the next 10 days.
The tournament is being held amid a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in France with players and guests being submitted to a mandatory coronavirus test before being sent to two hotels, which they can only leave to play at Roland Garros or practise in the neighbouring Jean Bouin stadium.
(REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-09-27--Belarus opposition holds 'people's inauguration' protest

Belarus police on Sunday arrested several people before an opposition march in support of protest figure Svetlana Tikhanovskaya days after the country 's leader was secretly sworn in despite historic protests .
The opposition movement calling for an end to the regime of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko has kept up a wave of large-scale demonstrations every Sunday since his disputed win of an August 9 election .
Protesters began congregating in the capital Minsk at around 2 pm local time ( 1100 GMT ) and police said `` several '' people had been arrested ahead of the march .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the protest , AFP journalists reported , and the Palace of Independence , Lukashenko 's residence , was heavily guarded by riot police and barriers .
Videos on social media showed armoured vehicles and water cannon being deployed to the capital 's streets .
Central squares and shopping centres where protesters have sought refuge from violent police detentions during earlier rallies were also closed , AFP journalists reported .
Tikhanovskaya , who claimed victory over Lukashenko in the election and has taken shelter in neighbouring Lithuania , has rallied support from European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nexta Live , which has been mobilising protesters and has more than 2 million subscribers , urged Belarusians to take to the streets for a symbolic `` people 's inauguration of the real president '' Tikhanovskaya .
Sunday 's march comes a day after riot police in balaclavas detained 150 people at women 's rallies where protesters chanted `` Sveta the president '' .
- Strongman 'has to go ' - Lukashenko has dismissed opposition calls for his resignation and sought help from Russia 's President Vladimir Putin , who has promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.5 billion loan .
Authorities have jailed or forced out of the country many of Tikhanovskaya 's allies who formed the leadership of the Coordination Council that is seeking new elections and the transfer of power .
One of her campaign partners , Maria Kolesnikova , has been imprisoned and charged with undermining national security .
Lukashenko , who has ruled ex-Soviet Belarus for 26 years , has also accused various Western countries and NATO of supporting protesters or trying to destabilise the country .
He put his military on high alert after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games with several other ex-Soviet countries including Russia next month in what is being touted as a show of force against NATO .
European leaders have said they do not recognise the Lukashenko 's re-election and promised to impose sanctions on Belarus for rigging the vote and waging a post-election crackdown on peaceful demonstrations .
The UK said this week it was coordinating with the United States and Canada on sanctions after EU penalties were stalled by Cyprus .
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday was scheduled to visit the Baltic states of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have expanded their own sanctions on Minsk along with Estonia .
On Sunday , he told the French weekly the Journal du Dimanche he was impressed with the courage of protesters and that it was clear that Lukashenko `` has to go '' .

Minsk (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Belarus police on Sunday arrested several people before an opposition march in support of protest figure Svetlana Tikhanovskaya days after the country's leader was secretly sworn in despite historic protests.
The opposition movement calling for an end to the regime of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko has kept up a wave of large-scale demonstrations every Sunday since his disputed win of an August 9 election.
Protesters began congregating in the capital Minsk at around 2 pm local time (1100 GMT) and police said "several" people had been arrested ahead of the march.
Several metro stations in central Minsk were closed before the protest, AFP journalists reported, and the Palace of Independence, Lukashenko's residence, was heavily guarded by riot police and barriers.
Videos on social media showed armoured vehicles and water cannon being deployed to the capital's streets.
Central squares and shopping centres where protesters have sought refuge from violent police detentions during earlier rallies were also closed, AFP journalists reported.
Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory over Lukashenko in the election and has taken shelter in neighbouring Lithuania, has rallied support from European leaders.
The top opposition Telegram channel, Nexta Live, which has been mobilising protesters and has more than 2 million subscribers, urged Belarusians to take to the streets for a symbolic "people's inauguration of the real president" Tikhanovskaya.
Sunday's march comes a day after riot police in balaclavas detained 150 people at women's rallies where protesters chanted "Sveta the president".
- Strongman 'has to go' -
Lukashenko has dismissed opposition calls for his resignation and sought help from Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who has promised military backup if needed and a $1.5 billion loan.
Authorities have jailed or forced out of the country many of Tikhanovskaya's allies who formed the leadership of the Coordination Council that is seeking new elections and the transfer of power.
One of her campaign partners, Maria Kolesnikova, has been imprisoned and charged with undermining national security.
Lukashenko, who has ruled ex-Soviet Belarus for 26 years, has also accused various Western countries and NATO of supporting protesters or trying to destabilise the country.
He put his military on high alert after the vote and Belarus will host war games with several other ex-Soviet countries including Russia next month in what is being touted as a show of force against NATO.
European leaders have said they do not recognise the Lukashenko's re-election and promised to impose sanctions on Belarus for rigging the vote and waging a post-election crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.
The UK said this week it was coordinating with the United States and Canada on sanctions after EU penalties were stalled by Cyprus.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday was scheduled to visit the Baltic states of Latvia and Lithuania, which border Belarus and have expanded their own sanctions on Minsk along with Estonia.
On Sunday, he told the French weekly the Journal du Dimanche he was impressed with the courage of protesters and that it was clear that Lukashenko "has to go".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--British minister urges Premier League to give financial aid to smaller clubs

The logo of the English Premier League is pictured on a match ball The British minister with responsibility for sport has urged the Premier League to give financial support to cash-strapped Football League clubs in a bid to ease the financial damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
The English Football League says its teams will lose £200 million ( $ 255 million ) this season while matches are played behind closed doors due to the pandemic .
Having already lost £50 million last season after the lockdown forced spectators out of stadiums , there are fears some clubs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could go out of business without financial help .
Britain 's Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden believes it is the wealthy Premier League that should step in with a bailout package rather than the government .
`` We stand ready to support clubs because they are such an important part of our local community , '' he told Sky News .
`` The first thing we need to look to is the Premier League and I 've been in contact with them this week .
`` We 're all agreed the Premier League needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're having intensive discussions with the EFL over how they can support those clubs .
`` I have been speaking with the Premier League and I was very clear that we expect the Premier League to support the EFL . ''
Premier League chiefs were frustrated by Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's decision to scrap the planned reintroduction of fans from October 1 after a recent spike in coronavirus cases .
Dowden said the Premier League will meet on Tuesday to discuss the way forward now that the government has effectively ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In his Sky News interview he added : `` The direction is clear , we understand the Premier League needs to play its part .
`` I 'm in close consultation with them and I 'm hopeful they will be able to reach a deal and provide that level of support . ''
Asked if crowds would return by the end of the season , Dowden replied : `` I would desperately love that to happen and we keep the situation under constant review .
`` We are also investigating the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubs who have done a fantastic job until now .
`` If it 's all possible of course I would like it to happen , but , in this rapidly moving situation with the virus , we just need to exercise a little bit of caution which is what we 've done in relation to October 1 . ''

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The British minister with responsibility for sport has urged the Premier League to give financial support to cash-strapped Football League clubs in a bid to ease the financial damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The English Football League says its teams will lose £200 million ($255 million) this season while matches are played behind closed doors due to the pandemic.
Having already lost £50 million last season after the lockdown forced spectators out of stadiums, there are fears some clubs in the three divisions below the Premier League could go out of business without financial help.
Britain's Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden believes it is the wealthy Premier League that should step in with a bailout package rather than the government.
"We stand ready to support clubs because they are such an important part of our local community," he told Sky News.
"The first thing we need to look to is the Premier League and I've been in contact with them this week.
"We're all agreed the Premier League needs to step up to the plate and they're having intensive discussions with the EFL over how they can support those clubs.
"I have been speaking with the Premier League and I was very clear that we expect the Premier League to support the EFL."
Premier League chiefs were frustrated by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to scrap the planned reintroduction of fans from October 1 after a recent spike in coronavirus cases.
Dowden said the Premier League will meet on Tuesday to discuss the way forward now that the government has effectively ruled out any fans attending matches until March.
In his Sky News interview he added: "The direction is clear, we understand the Premier League needs to play its part.
"I'm in close consultation with them and I'm hopeful they will be able to reach a deal and provide that level of support."
Asked if crowds would return by the end of the season, Dowden replied: "I would desperately love that to happen and we keep the situation under constant review.
"We are also investigating the use of new technology, working with the clubs who have done a fantastic job until now.
"If it's all possible of course I would like it to happen, but, in this rapidly moving situation with the virus, we just need to exercise a little bit of caution which is what we've done in relation to October 1."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--Hamilton on brink of equalling Schumacher's 'untouchable' record

Lewis Hamilton can equal Michael Schumacher 's record of 91 Grand Prix wins in Sunday ’ s Russian Grand Prix to cement his status as one of Formula One 's all-time greats .
The six-time champion , who has hoovered up six of the nine races in his matchless Mercedes this year , starts from pole position after posting the fastest time in a troubled and incident-hit qualifying session on Saturday .
Aside from his genius as a driver one of Hamilton 's hallmarks is his ability to remain centred and calm in the face of chaos and drama .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayhem at the crash-littered Tuscan Grand Prix a fortnight ago , and again in qualifying on Saturday .
Just when a red-flagged crash and a void lap time looked set to keep him out of the top 10 shoot-out he kept his focus to emerge with a stunning pole .
But he starts the race on 'soft ' tyres and faces the longest run to the first corner of any track on the calendar – a challenge that he said makes it very difficult for him to stay on top on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s young tyro Dutchman Max Verstappen alongside him on the front row of the grid and his 'black arrows ’ team-mate Valtteri Bottas behind him in third place .
The two of them will be expected to attack and slipstream Hamilton on the rush to the first corner , a tactic that brought Bottas his maiden win for Mercedes in 2017 .
In a mood of high expectation at the Olympic Park circuit , with a track temperature of more than 40 degrees , the race will also see the first significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 era , the organisers having sold 30,000 tickets .
Hamilton has won four times before at the Sochi Autodrom where Mercedes have won all six previous races since 2014 .
But his record-equalling bid faced distractions and problems on Sunday morning shortly before the start .
Hamilton made a practice start outside a designated area in the pit lane exit and this was reported to the stewards in the minutes before the drivers joined for their anti-racism gesture in which Hamilton 'took a knee ' .
The Briton 's minor error @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sport ’ s ruling body the International Motoring Federation ( FIA ) to revise their rules and bar him from wearing a t-shirt carrying a message on the podium .
Hamilton wore a black t-shirt carrying the message 'Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor ' at the Tuscan Grand Prix two weeks earlier .
On the back , his shirt had a photograph of Taylor , killed by police in Louisville in March , with 'Say Her Name ' .
The Briton and his Mercedes crew prepared as usual in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculation about the stewards ’ possible sanctions against Hamilton for his practice start .
Hamilton took a knee as usual , wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt , together with the majority of the drivers and appeared to remain unperturbed by the incident .
Earlier this week , he said he expected the FIA to act on the issue of drivers ’ attire during official ceremonies .
Hamilton , F1 's first black champion , has led the sport 's response to the Black Lives Matter movement and has pledged to increase F1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday he said : `` I do n't know what it means to me… Of course , there 's so much else going on in the world , but , of course , it 's an honour . ''

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Lewis Hamilton can equal Michael Schumacher's record of 91 Grand Prix wins in Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix to cement his status as one of Formula One's all-time greats.
The six-time champion, who has hoovered up six of the nine races in his matchless Mercedes this year, starts from pole position after posting the fastest time in a troubled and incident-hit qualifying session on Saturday.
Aside from his genius as a driver one of Hamilton's hallmarks is his ability to remain centred and calm in the face of chaos and drama.
He showed that brilliantly when rising above the mayhem at the crash-littered Tuscan Grand Prix a fortnight ago, and again in qualifying on Saturday.
Just when a red-flagged crash and a void lap time looked set to keep him out of the top 10 shoot-out he kept his focus to emerge with a stunning pole.
But he starts the race on 'soft' tyres and faces the longest run to the first corner of any track on the calendar – a challenge that he said makes it very difficult for him to stay on top on the opening lap.
Hamilton has Red Bull’s young tyro Dutchman Max Verstappen alongside him on the front row of the grid and his 'black arrows’ team-mate Valtteri Bottas behind him in third place.
The two of them will be expected to attack and slipstream Hamilton on the rush to the first corner, a tactic that brought Bottas his maiden win for Mercedes in 2017.
- Distractions -
In a mood of high expectation at the Olympic Park circuit, with a track temperature of more than 40 degrees, the race will also see the first significant crowd at a major sports event in the Covid-19 era, the organisers having sold 30,000 tickets.
Hamilton has won four times before at the Sochi Autodrom where Mercedes have won all six previous races since 2014.
But his record-equalling bid faced distractions and problems on Sunday morning shortly before the start.
Hamilton made a practice start outside a designated area in the pit lane exit and this was reported to the stewards in the minutes before the drivers joined for their anti-racism gesture in which Hamilton 'took a knee'.
The Briton's minor error of judgement followed an earlier move by the sport’s ruling body the International Motoring Federation (FIA) to revise their rules and bar him from wearing a t-shirt carrying a message on the podium.
Hamilton wore a black t-shirt carrying the message 'Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor' at the Tuscan Grand Prix two weeks earlier. On the back, his shirt had a photograph of Taylor, killed by police in Louisville in March, with 'Say Her Name'.
The Briton and his Mercedes crew prepared as usual in the pre-race period, but there was considerable speculation about the stewards’ possible sanctions against Hamilton for his practice start.
Hamilton took a knee as usual, wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt, together with the majority of the drivers and appeared to remain unperturbed by the incident.
Earlier this week, he said he expected the FIA to act on the issue of drivers’ attire during official ceremonies.
Hamilton, F1's first black champion, has led the sport's response to the Black Lives Matter movement and has pledged to increase F1's diversity.
Asked about the record on Thursday he said: "I don't know what it means to me… Of course, there's so much else going on in the world, but, of course, it's an honour."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--Italian teen Sinner crushes Goffin on Roland Garros debut

Jannik Sinner won for just the second time in the main draw of a Grand Slam Italian teenager Jannik Sinner demolished Belgian 11th seed David Goffin 7-5 , 6-0 , 6-3 in the first round of the French Open on Sunday .
The 19-year-old Sinner , last year 's NextGen champion , reeled off 11 games in succession as he defeated Goffin for the second time in as many meetings .
Sinner , making his first appearance in the Roland Garros main draw , recorded just his second Grand Slam win having also reached round two at the Australian Open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slice of history at the first player to triumph under the new retractable roof on Court Philippe Chatrier on a chilly , rainswept opening day of the tournament .
`` I 'm very happy .
It 's a real honour .
It 's my first time here and I think it 's great to have the roof , especially as I think it 's going to be useful the whole week , '' said Sinner .
The 74th-ranked Sinner , who recently beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in Rome , will play French qualifier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a place in the third round .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Italian teenager Jannik Sinner demolished Belgian 11th seed David Goffin 7-5, 6-0, 6-3 in the first round of the French Open on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Sinner, last year's NextGen champion, reeled off 11 games in succession as he defeated Goffin for the second time in as many meetings.
Sinner, making his first appearance in the Roland Garros main draw, recorded just his second Grand Slam win having also reached round two at the Australian Open in January.
He also carved out a slice of history at the first player to triumph under the new retractable roof on Court Philippe Chatrier on a chilly, rainswept opening day of the tournament.
"I'm very happy. It's a real honour. It's my first time here and I think it's great to have the roof, especially as I think it's going to be useful the whole week," said Sinner.
The 74th-ranked Sinner, who recently beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in Rome, will play French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi or Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori for a place in the third round.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--'Sitting duck' Azarenka wins Roland Garros opener in 'ridiculous' cold

Wrapping up a second round spot : Victoria Azarenka serves to Montenegro 's Danka Kovinic Former world number one Victoria Azarenka reached the French Open second round Sunday despite being forced to `` sit like a duck '' in the `` ridiculous '' rain and cold of Roland Garros .
The 31-year-old 10th seed eased past Danka Kovinic , the world number 74 from Montenegro , 6-1 , 6-2 .
Azarenka , the runner-up at the recent US Open , needed just over an hour to secure her win in a tie played out on a crowd-free Court Suzanne Lenglen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had been unhappy earlier in the tie when rain fell steadily , adding to the misery of playing in 10 degrees ( 50F ) .
`` This is getting a little ridiculous .
It 's eight degrees .
I 'm not waiting , '' said Azarenka , refusing to hang around courtside `` sitting like ducks '' as the supervisor came out to inspect conditions .
`` It 's too cold .
I live in Florida , I 'm used to hot weather . ''
After just 15 minutes , play was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her composure when the match resumed even if she did complete it wearing black leggings and a tracksuit top .
She will face 40-year-old Venus Williams or Anna Karolina Schmiedlova for a place in the last 32 .
`` I am glad to get it finished so I can watch the others struggle in this weather and rain , '' said Azarenka .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka reached the French Open second round Sunday despite being forced to "sit like a duck" in the "ridiculous" rain and cold of Roland Garros.
The 31-year-old 10th seed eased past Danka Kovinic, the world number 74 from Montenegro, 6-1, 6-2.
Azarenka, the runner-up at the recent US Open, needed just over an hour to secure her win in a tie played out on a crowd-free Court Suzanne Lenglen due to coronavirus restrictions.
However, she had been unhappy earlier in the tie when rain fell steadily, adding to the misery of playing in 10 degrees (50F).
"This is getting a little ridiculous. It's eight degrees. I'm not waiting," said Azarenka, refusing to hang around courtside "sitting like ducks" as the supervisor came out to inspect conditions.
"It's too cold. I live in Florida, I'm used to hot weather."
After just 15 minutes, play was suspended.
However, the Belarusian regained her composure when the match resumed even if she did complete it wearing black leggings and a tracksuit top.
She will face 40-year-old Venus Williams or Anna Karolina Schmiedlova for a place in the last 32.
"I am glad to get it finished so I can watch the others struggle in this weather and rain," said Azarenka.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--Lebanon says 9 IS-linked suspects killed in hunt for 'terrorists'

The Lebanese army and security forces have been tracking down Islamist suspects after deadly attacks in northern Lebanon Lebanese police have killed nine suspected members of the Islamic State group in the hunt for `` terrorists '' linked to several deadly attacks , including on soldiers , a security source said Sunday .
Saturday 's operation came more than a month after the army and security forces launched a manhunt for suspects in the August 21 killing of two municipal policemen and the son of the mayor of the northern village of Kaftoun .
Police intelligence units raided a house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where `` suspects linked to the IS '' jihadist group had been holed up , `` killing all the terrorists inside '' , the Internal Security Forces ( ISF ) said in a statement .
A security source said `` at least nine members of the group were killed '' .
But the source said the death toll could rise as more bodies could be buried under the rubble of the house , part of which was blown up during the police operation .
The ISF statement said the `` terrorist cell '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspects .
It added that three had been arrested in previous raids .
Following the August murders in Kaftoun , the army and police launched operations to track down the assailants .
On September 14 , the army said four soldiers were killed while attempting to arrest suspected `` terrorist '' Khaled al-Tallawi at his north Lebanon home , though he was eventually shot dead .
Meanwhile , two Lebanese soldiers were killed overnight in an attack on an army post in the locality of Arman-Minyeh , also in the north of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Two soldiers were killed , in addition to one terrorist , '' it said in a statement .
An attacker `` riding a motorbike tried to enter the army post , and army members confronted him , killing him instantly '' , it added .
They found grenades and an explosives belt on him , the last of which it said `` he had intended to detonate inside the post '' .
Wadi Khaled and the Arman-Miniyeh region are near second city Tripoli , which has been rocked by violence involving Islamists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fallout from the conflict in Syria .

Beirut (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Lebanese police have killed nine suspected members of the Islamic State group in the hunt for "terrorists" linked to several deadly attacks, including on soldiers, a security source said Sunday.
Saturday's operation came more than a month after the army and security forces launched a manhunt for suspects in the August 21 killing of two municipal policemen and the son of the mayor of the northern village of Kaftoun.
Police intelligence units raided a house in the northern region of Wadi Khaled where "suspects linked to the IS" jihadist group had been holed up, "killing all the terrorists inside", the Internal Security Forces (ISF) said in a statement.
A security source said "at least nine members of the group were killed".
But the source said the death toll could rise as more bodies could be buried under the rubble of the house, part of which was blown up during the police operation.
The ISF statement said the "terrorist cell" was made up of more than 15 suspects. It added that three had been arrested in previous raids.
Following the August murders in Kaftoun, the army and police launched operations to track down the assailants.
On September 14, the army said four soldiers were killed while attempting to arrest suspected "terrorist" Khaled al-Tallawi at his north Lebanon home, though he was eventually shot dead.
Meanwhile, two Lebanese soldiers were killed overnight in an attack on an army post in the locality of Arman-Minyeh, also in the north of the country, the army said Sunday.
"Two soldiers were killed, in addition to one terrorist," it said in a statement.
An attacker "riding a motorbike tried to enter the army post, and army members confronted him, killing him instantly", it added.
They found grenades and an explosives belt on him, the last of which it said "he had intended to detonate inside the post".
Wadi Khaled and the Arman-Miniyeh region are near second city Tripoli, which has been rocked by violence involving Islamists over the years, including as part of the fallout from the conflict in Syria.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--Paris goes car-free for a day amid surge in cycling due to coronavirus

This year ’ s car-free day in Paris comes amid a surge in cycling in the French capital , as a growing number of commuters choose to ride a bike instead of taking public transportation out of fear of the coronavirus .
Parisians have taken to their bikes in droves since the end of France ’ s lockdown on May 11 with residents taking advantage of the extra 50 kilometres of bike lanes set up as a public health measure .
Milena has been cycling to work every day since the end of lockdown .
It takes her a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north of Paris to the bookshop where she works in the city centre .
Cycling in the French capital isn ’ t without it ’ s difficulties however .
On her commute , she sometimes encounters narrow streets , vehicles parked on bike lanes and cyclists who run red lights .
“ I respect traffic lights .
Sometimes I get the impression that I ’ m getting in the way of other cyclists when I stop.
” Others say the new bike lanes are a positive development – but don ’ t go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satisfactory when every street will be fit for cycling – like in the Netherlands or Denmark , ” said Stein van Oosternen , spokesperson for Ile-de-France ’ s bike collective .
Click on the player above to watch the report in full .

ON THE GROUND
This year’s car-free day in Paris comes amid a surge in cycling in the French capital, as a growing number of commuters choose to ride a bike instead of taking public transportation out of fear of the coronavirus.
Advertising Read more
Parisians have taken to their bikes in droves since the end of France’s lockdown on May 11 with residents taking advantage of the extra 50 kilometres of bike lanes set up as a public health measure.
Milena has been cycling to work every day since the end of lockdown. It takes her a little over 20 minutes to get from the north of Paris to the bookshop where she works in the city centre.
Cycling in the French capital isn’t without it’s difficulties however. On her commute, she sometimes encounters narrow streets, vehicles parked on bike lanes and cyclists who run red lights.
“I respect traffic lights. Sometimes I get the impression that I’m getting in the way of other cyclists when I stop.”
Others say the new bike lanes are a positive development – but don’t go far enough.
“It will be satisfactory when every street will be fit for cycling – like in the Netherlands or Denmark,” said Stein van Oosternen, spokesperson for Ile-de-France’s bike collective.
Click on the player above to watch the report in full.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-09-27--Lebanon reels after efforts to form government collapse

`` My country did this '' , reads grafitti daubed on walls near the site of a colossal August 4 blast in Beirut that killed 190 people and ravaged large parts of the Lebanese capital Lebanon was left reeling Sunday without the slightest prospect of ending multiple crises , after its premier-designate stepped down following the failure of talks to form a government , despite international pressure .
Mustapha Adib 's resignation on Saturday ended efforts to hammer out a reformist government in the wake of a colossal August 4 explosion in Beirut that killed 190 people , injured thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Political parties had pledged in early September , during a visit to Lebanon by French President Emmanuel Macron , to form within two weeks a cabinet of independent ministers tasked with ending the country 's economic malaise .
`` As the efforts to form a government reached their final phase , it became apparent to me that this consensus ... was no longer there , '' Adib said on Saturday .
Under the Lebanese constitution , the president must now hold further talks to nominate another prime minister to form a government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks dragging out and even failing .
`` I do n't expect a government anytime soon , '' said Sami Atallah , who heads the Lebanese Centre for Policy Studies .
`` There was a chance , there was a lot of pressure to form a government and it did n't happen , '' he said , adding there was a `` bigger problem '' of geopolitical tensions , especially between the United States and Iran .
Adib 's efforts were hampered by the claims of two Shiite formations , the Iran-backed Hezbollah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by parliament speaker Nabih Berri , who demanded the finance portfolio .
According to observers , the Shiite allies dug in their heels after recent US sanctions imposed on a minister of the Amal party and two companies affiliated with Hezbollah .
Adib 's decision to step aside 26 days after his appointment has left the people of Lebanon feeling as though they are back to square one .
`` The page of Mustapha Adib has turned , '' the French-language L'Orient-Le Jour newspaper declared on Sunday .
It described the return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leap into the unknown , even a highway to hell '' .
Earlier this week , Lebanese President Michel Aoun warned the country was headed to `` hell '' unless all political parties stepped up and facilitated the formation of a government .
The Arabic-language newspaper Annahar warned of `` grave repercussions '' , and said all eyes were on Macron , who is due to hold a news conference on Sunday evening .
Even before the devastating Beirut port blast , the country was already mired in its worst economic crisis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced the government .
Following the August 4 blast , the country 's worst peacetime disaster , the government stepped down and Abid was appointed to form a new one .
Many are worried the country is headed from bad to worse .
On the night of Saturday to Sunday , two soldiers and an alleged `` terrorist '' were killed in the latest episode of a weeks-long manhunt over a murder last month .
The country 's novel coronavirus infection figures are also on the rise , with more than 35,000 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The UN envoy to Lebanon , Jan Kubis , on Saturday reacted with disbelief : `` Such a degree of irresponsibility , when the fate of Lebanon and its people is at stake ! ''
`` Politicians , have you really scuppered this unique chance created by France ? ''
Analyst Karim Bitar said Lebanon was expected to have a rough patch ahead .
`` Even if Lebanon is not hell-bound , we will probably witness ... the weakening of public institutions , a worsening of the economic crisis ... and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Beirut (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Lebanon was left reeling Sunday without the slightest prospect of ending multiple crises, after its premier-designate stepped down following the failure of talks to form a government, despite international pressure.
Mustapha Adib's resignation on Saturday ended efforts to hammer out a reformist government in the wake of a colossal August 4 explosion in Beirut that killed 190 people, injured thousands and ravaged large parts of the capital.
Political parties had pledged in early September, during a visit to Lebanon by French President Emmanuel Macron, to form within two weeks a cabinet of independent ministers tasked with ending the country's economic malaise.
"As the efforts to form a government reached their final phase, it became apparent to me that this consensus... was no longer there," Adib said on Saturday.
Under the Lebanese constitution, the president must now hold further talks to nominate another prime minister to form a government, but it is a process that risks dragging out and even failing.
"I don't expect a government anytime soon," said Sami Atallah, who heads the Lebanese Centre for Policy Studies.
"There was a chance, there was a lot of pressure to form a government and it didn't happen," he said, adding there was a "bigger problem" of geopolitical tensions, especially between the United States and Iran.
Adib's efforts were hampered by the claims of two Shiite formations, the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, and its ally Amal, led by parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who demanded the finance portfolio.
According to observers, the Shiite allies dug in their heels after recent US sanctions imposed on a minister of the Amal party and two companies affiliated with Hezbollah.
- 'Into the unknown' -
Adib's decision to step aside 26 days after his appointment has left the people of Lebanon feeling as though they are back to square one.
"The page of Mustapha Adib has turned," the French-language L'Orient-Le Jour newspaper declared on Sunday.
It described the return to the drawing board as "a leap into the unknown, even a highway to hell".
Earlier this week, Lebanese President Michel Aoun warned the country was headed to "hell" unless all political parties stepped up and facilitated the formation of a government.
The Arabic-language newspaper Annahar warned of "grave repercussions", and said all eyes were on Macron, who is due to hold a news conference on Sunday evening.
Even before the devastating Beirut port blast, the country was already mired in its worst economic crisis in decades and mass protests that toppled and replaced the government.
Following the August 4 blast, the country's worst peacetime disaster, the government stepped down and Abid was appointed to form a new one.
Many are worried the country is headed from bad to worse.
On the night of Saturday to Sunday, two soldiers and an alleged "terrorist" were killed in the latest episode of a weeks-long manhunt over a murder last month.
The country's novel coronavirus infection figures are also on the rise, with more than 35,000 cases recorded since February, including 340 deaths.
The UN envoy to Lebanon, Jan Kubis, on Saturday reacted with disbelief: "Such a degree of irresponsibility, when the fate of Lebanon and its people is at stake!"
"Politicians, have you really scuppered this unique chance created by France?"
Analyst Karim Bitar said Lebanon was expected to have a rough patch ahead.
"Even if Lebanon is not hell-bound, we will probably witness... the weakening of public institutions, a worsening of the economic crisis... and a wave of emigration," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--Schalke sack Wagner after worst start in the Bundesliga

Schalke have fired David Wagner as head coach after 18 matches without a win Schalke 04 announced on Sunday they have sacked head coach David Wagner after going 18 league games without a win , which includes the worst to a start to a season in Bundesliga history .
After 15 months in charge , time finally ran out for the 48-year-old former Huddersfield manager following Saturday 's 3-1 defeat at home to Werder Bremen which left Schalke without a league victory since January .
Having kicked off 2020/21 with a humiliating 8-0 loss at Bayern Munich last weekend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with one scored in two defeats is the worst start to a season in the league 's history .
`` We hoped that we could turn things around .
Unfortunately , the first two matches did not produce the necessary performances and results , '' said Schalke 's sports director Jochen Schneider .
`` We have therefore decided to take the path of a new start in terms of personnel , '' he added .
`` Despite the disappointing results , this decision was anything but easy for us . ''
Wagner seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat , saying : `` I am the main person responsible , as a coach you need results and we are n't getting them . ''
His successor is expected to be announced soon , with former RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick -- who has already coached Schalke in two stints -- among the best-known candidates linked to the vacant job .
Having won promotion to the Premier League in 2017/18 with Huddersfield , Wagner returned to Germany with an enhanced reputation when he was unveiled as head coach of Gelsenkirchen-based Schalke in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December in Germany 's top-flight , but crashed dramatically in 2020 conceding 48 goals and earning just six points in a disastrous end to last season .
The cash-strapped Royal Blues have deep financial problems off the pitch and the coronavirus pandemic , with a loss of matchday revenue due to games played behind closed doors , has added to their debts .

Berlin (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Schalke 04 announced on Sunday they have sacked head coach David Wagner after going 18 league games without a win, which includes the worst to a start to a season in Bundesliga history.
After 15 months in charge, time finally ran out for the 48-year-old former Huddersfield manager following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at home to Werder Bremen which left Schalke without a league victory since January.
Having kicked off 2020/21 with a humiliating 8-0 loss at Bayern Munich last weekend, Schalke's record of 11 goals conceded with one scored in two defeats is the worst start to a season in the league's history.
"We hoped that we could turn things around. Unfortunately, the first two matches did not produce the necessary performances and results," said Schalke's sports director Jochen Schneider.
"We have therefore decided to take the path of a new start in terms of personnel," he added.
"Despite the disappointing results, this decision was anything but easy for us."
Wagner seemed resigned to his fate after Saturday's defeat, saying: "I am the main person responsible, as a coach you need results and we aren't getting them."
His successor is expected to be announced soon, with former RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick -- who has already coached Schalke in two stints -- among the best-known candidates linked to the vacant job.
Having won promotion to the Premier League in 2017/18 with Huddersfield, Wagner returned to Germany with an enhanced reputation when he was unveiled as head coach of Gelsenkirchen-based Schalke in May 2019.
Schalke lay third last December in Germany's top-flight, but crashed dramatically in 2020 conceding 48 goals and earning just six points in a disastrous end to last season.
The cash-strapped Royal Blues have deep financial problems off the pitch and the coronavirus pandemic, with a loss of matchday revenue due to games played behind closed doors, has added to their debts.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--Roland Garros starts in shadow of coronavirus and 'ridiculous' cold

Roland Garros got underway in the `` ridiculous '' cold of Paris on Sunday still in the grip of the coronavirus which organisers had hoped they would escape by unilaterally pushing back the clay court Grand Slam event by four months .
Play started with the tournament 's new retractable roof closed over Court Philippe Chatrier .
Outside on the eerily quiet grounds of an event limited to just 1,000 fans it was a different story as temperatures dropped to a shivering 10 degrees ( 50F ) .
Only 15 minutes of play was possible before heavy rain brought a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent US Open runner-up Victoria Azarenka complaining over the bitterly cold conditions .
`` We are sitting like ducks , '' the two-time major winner raged after just three games of her opener against Danka Kovinic of Montenegro .
`` It 's too cold , it 's eight degrees , I live in Florida .
This is getting a little ridiculous .
I 'm not waiting , '' she said before storming off to seek shelter deep inside Court Suzanne Lenglen .
Opening day sees 2018 champion Simona Halep start her bid for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicks off her 23rd French Open .
Andy Murray takes on fellow three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in the day 's marquee tie in a rematch of their epic 2017 semi-final duel .
However , it will be an eerily unfamiliar tournament , even for defending champion Rafael Nadal , chasing a 13th Paris title , and 2016 winner and world number one Novak Djokovic , as well as Serena Williams , pursuing an elusive 24th major .
A resurgence of Covid-19 cases has cut attendance to just 1,000 spectators a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people watched the two-week tournament on site .
Organisers had hoped to welcome 20,000 fans a day but in the space of just a few weeks , that figure was quickly downsized to 11,500 , then 5,000 before the French government slashed it to a 1,000 maximum .
`` Tens of millions of euros have gone up in smoke , '' said French Tennis Federation ( FFT ) marketing chief Stephane Morel as he mourned the loss of ticket income .
Players , meanwhile , have been confined to two tournament hotels with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's at the hotels where they undergo Covid-19 testing , a source of controversy and recrimination in the build-up .
Last weekend , five players due to take part in men 's qualifying were stood down .
Two had tested positive while three others had been in contact with coach Petar Popovic who also tested positive .
Popovic told L'Equipe it was a `` scandal '' and had `` ( Rafael ) Nadal been in our shoes , he would have had the right to a second or third test '' .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was `` outraged and frustrated '' after being withdrawn following one failed Covid-19 test which he claimed fell between a steady stream of negative results .
Inside the grounds of Roland Garros , situated in the prosperous western district of Paris , there are further signs of the effect of the pandemic which pushed the event back from its traditional May-June slot .
Normally bustling shops , food outlets and other commercial stalls have been shuttered .
Everyone at the tournament , including players if they are not in action or in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dot the site .
On court Sunday , Halep , the top seed in the absence of world number one Ashleigh Barty , who opted not to defend her title on health grounds , takes on Spain 's Sara Sorribes Tormo , ranked at 70 .
Wimbledon champion Halep is the favourite especially with US Open champion Naomi Osaka missing through injury .
Former world number one Murray tackles 2015 champion Wawrinka in his first appearance in Paris in three years .
In 2017 , the Swiss prevailed in a five-set semi-final , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Murray 's lengthy battle with a hip injury which pushed him to the brink of retirement .
The day after sister Serena celebrated her 39th birthday , 40-year-old Venus Williams , who made her debut in Paris in 1997 , takes on Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia .
Nadal , bidding to win a 13th Roland Garros and move level with the absent Roger Federer on a record 20 majors , plays Monday .
However , the 34-year-old Spanish star says this year 's tournament will be his `` most difficult ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new Wilson ball being used , claiming it 's too heavy and potentially dangerous .
Djokovic , chasing an 18th major , will get underway on Tuesday boasting a record in 2020 of 31 wins and just one loss due to his US Open default when he swiped a ball away in frustration and struck a line judge .
The 33-year-old Serb faces Sweden 's Mikael Ymer in the first round .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Roland Garros got underway in the "ridiculous" cold of Paris on Sunday still in the grip of the coronavirus which organisers had hoped they would escape by unilaterally pushing back the clay court Grand Slam event by four months.
Play started with the tournament's new retractable roof closed over Court Philippe Chatrier.
Outside on the eerily quiet grounds of an event limited to just 1,000 fans it was a different story as temperatures dropped to a shivering 10 degrees (50F).
Only 15 minutes of play was possible before heavy rain brought a suspension with former world number one and recent US Open runner-up Victoria Azarenka complaining over the bitterly cold conditions.
"We are sitting like ducks," the two-time major winner raged after just three games of her opener against Danka Kovinic of Montenegro.
"It's too cold, it's eight degrees, I live in Florida. This is getting a little ridiculous. I'm not waiting," she said before storming off to seek shelter deep inside Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Opening day sees 2018 champion Simona Halep start her bid for a third major while 40-year-old Venus Williams kicks off her 23rd French Open.
Andy Murray takes on fellow three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in the day's marquee tie in a rematch of their epic 2017 semi-final duel.
However, it will be an eerily unfamiliar tournament, even for defending champion Rafael Nadal, chasing a 13th Paris title, and 2016 winner and world number one Novak Djokovic, as well as Serena Williams, pursuing an elusive 24th major.
A resurgence of Covid-19 cases has cut attendance to just 1,000 spectators a day. In 2019, more than 500,000 people watched the two-week tournament on site.
Organisers had hoped to welcome 20,000 fans a day but in the space of just a few weeks, that figure was quickly downsized to 11,500, then 5,000 before the French government slashed it to a 1,000 maximum.
- 'Millions up in smoke' -
"Tens of millions of euros have gone up in smoke," said French Tennis Federation (FFT) marketing chief Stephane Morel as he mourned the loss of ticket income.
Players, meanwhile, have been confined to two tournament hotels with tight restrictions on their movements.
It's at the hotels where they undergo Covid-19 testing, a source of controversy and recrimination in the build-up.
Last weekend, five players due to take part in men's qualifying were stood down.
Two had tested positive while three others had been in contact with coach Petar Popovic who also tested positive.
Popovic told L'Equipe it was a "scandal" and had "(Rafael) Nadal been in our shoes, he would have had the right to a second or third test".
On Friday, veteran Spaniard Fernando Verdasco said he was "outraged and frustrated" after being withdrawn following one failed Covid-19 test which he claimed fell between a steady stream of negative results.
Inside the grounds of Roland Garros, situated in the prosperous western district of Paris, there are further signs of the effect of the pandemic which pushed the event back from its traditional May-June slot.
Normally bustling shops, food outlets and other commercial stalls have been shuttered.
Everyone at the tournament, including players if they are not in action or in practice, is masked. Hand sanitisers dot the site.
On court Sunday, Halep, the top seed in the absence of world number one Ashleigh Barty, who opted not to defend her title on health grounds, takes on Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo, ranked at 70.
Wimbledon champion Halep is the favourite especially with US Open champion Naomi Osaka missing through injury.
Former world number one Murray tackles 2015 champion Wawrinka in his first appearance in Paris in three years.
- Venus at 40 -
In 2017, the Swiss prevailed in a five-set semi-final, a match so gruelling that it contributed to Murray's lengthy battle with a hip injury which pushed him to the brink of retirement.
The day after sister Serena celebrated her 39th birthday, 40-year-old Venus Williams, who made her debut in Paris in 1997, takes on Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia.
Nadal, bidding to win a 13th Roland Garros and move level with the absent Roger Federer on a record 20 majors, plays Monday.
However, the 34-year-old Spanish star says this year's tournament will be his "most difficult ever".
He has also complained about the new Wilson ball being used, claiming it's too heavy and potentially dangerous.
Nadal starts against Egor Gerasimov, the 83rd-ranked Belarusian.
Djokovic, chasing an 18th major, will get underway on Tuesday boasting a record in 2020 of 31 wins and just one loss due to his US Open default when he swiped a ball away in frustration and struck a line judge.
The 33-year-old Serb faces Sweden's Mikael Ymer in the first round.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--'It's too cold': French Open start hit by bleak weather

A member groundstaff stands among the empty seats on the opening day of Roland Garros Victoria Azarenka walked off court three games into her French Open first round match complaining of the chilly conditions on a rainswept start to a tournament delayed four months by the coronavirus pandemic .
The Belarusian 10th seed led Danka Kovinic 2-1 before play was paused on Court Suzanne Lenglen after just 15 minutes amid gusting winds and temperatures of around 10 degrees ( 50F ) .
`` This is getting a little ridiculous .
It 's eight degrees .
I 'm not waiting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around `` sitting like ducks '' as the supervisor came out to inspect conditions .
`` It 's too cold .
I live in Florida , I 'm used to hot weather . ''
She added : `` You guys are joking right ?
You do n't see what 's happening ?
You guys are not playing , so you have no idea .
`` It 's raining for like 15 minutes and we 're playing , who cares ?
You ca n't hold your racket because it 's so wet . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ court , play largely continued elsewhere at Roland Garros including on Philippe Chatrier under new the retractable roof .
The roof on the showpiece court has 11 metal and canvas sections , weighing 350 tons each for a total area of 10,000 square metres .
It can cover the sport 's most famous clay court in 15 minutes , while allowing air to pass through the sides .
The roof cost 55 million euros ( $ 64 million ) and brings the French Open into line with the other three majors .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dreary forecast for the first week , vastly different to the warmer conditions in the tournament 's traditional May-June time slot .
David Goffin , the 11th seed from Belgian , took on Italian teenager Jannik Sinner in the first match on Chatrier .
Opening day will also see 2018 champion Simona Halep start her bid for a third Grand Slam , while Andy Murray plays fellow three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka in a rematch of their epic 2017 semi-final .
A resurgence of Covid-19 cases means that only 1,000 spectators will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2019 , more than 500,000 people watched the two-week tournament on site .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Victoria Azarenka walked off court three games into her French Open first round match complaining of the chilly conditions on a rainswept start to a tournament delayed four months by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Belarusian 10th seed led Danka Kovinic 2-1 before play was paused on Court Suzanne Lenglen after just 15 minutes amid gusting winds and temperatures of around 10 degrees (50F).
"This is getting a little ridiculous. It's eight degrees. I'm not waiting," said Azarenka, refusing to hang around "sitting like ducks" as the supervisor came out to inspect conditions.
"It's too cold. I live in Florida, I'm used to hot weather."
She added: "You guys are joking right? You don't see what's happening? You guys are not playing, so you have no idea.
"It's raining for like 15 minutes and we're playing, who cares? You can't hold your racket because it's so wet."
Despite the interruption on the second show court, play largely continued elsewhere at Roland Garros including on Philippe Chatrier under new the retractable roof.
The roof on the showpiece court has 11 metal and canvas sections, weighing 350 tons each for a total area of 10,000 square metres.
It can cover the sport's most famous clay court in 15 minutes, while allowing air to pass through the sides.
The roof cost 55 million euros ($64 million) and brings the French Open into line with the other three majors.
It could play a key role with a dreary forecast for the first week, vastly different to the warmer conditions in the tournament's traditional May-June time slot.
David Goffin, the 11th seed from Belgian, took on Italian teenager Jannik Sinner in the first match on Chatrier.
Opening day will also see 2018 champion Simona Halep start her bid for a third Grand Slam, while Andy Murray plays fellow three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka in a rematch of their epic 2017 semi-final.
A resurgence of Covid-19 cases means that only 1,000 spectators will be allowed into the grounds each day.
In 2019, more than 500,000 people watched the two-week tournament on site.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--16 dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in Chinese coal mine

Exhausted rescue workers outside the Songzao mine near Chongqing Sixteen workers died and one is in a critical condition after being trapped underground in a coal mine in southwest China on Sunday , reported state broadcaster CCTV .
A conveyor belt caught fire in the early hours of the morning , state news agency Xinhua cited the government as saying , which produced dangerous levels of carbon monoxide .
Medics are fighting to save the life of the remaining survivor , CCTV reported .
The cause of the accident is still under investigation , said the Qijiang district government on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Songzao Coal Mine , is owned by state energy firm Chongqing Energy and located just outside the city of Chongqing .
Mining accidents are common in China , where the industry has a poor safety record and regulations are often weakly enforced .
At least 14 miners were killed in a coal and gas blast last December at a mine in southwestern Guizhou province .
In December 2018 , seven miners were killed in Chongqing after the connecting segment of a skip broke and fell down a shaft .
In October the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern Shandong province after pressure inside a mine caused rocks to fracture and break , blocking the tunnel and trapping the workers .
Only one miner was rescued alive .

Beijing (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Sixteen workers died and one is in a critical condition after being trapped underground in a coal mine in southwest China on Sunday, reported state broadcaster CCTV.
A conveyor belt caught fire in the early hours of the morning, state news agency Xinhua cited the government as saying, which produced dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Medics are fighting to save the life of the remaining survivor, CCTV reported.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, said the Qijiang district government on social media platform Weibo.
The facility, Songzao Coal Mine, is owned by state energy firm Chongqing Energy and located just outside the city of Chongqing.
Mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record and regulations are often weakly enforced.
At least 14 miners were killed in a coal and gas blast last December at a mine in southwestern Guizhou province.
In December 2018, seven miners were killed in Chongqing after the connecting segment of a skip broke and fell down a shaft.
In October the same year, 21 miners died in eastern Shandong province after pressure inside a mine caused rocks to fracture and break, blocking the tunnel and trapping the workers. Only one miner was rescued alive.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-27--Armenia, Azerbaijan in clashes over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region

In this image taken from footage released by the Armenian Defense Ministry on September 27 , 2020 , an Azerbaijani military vehicle can be seen in flames at the contact line of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region .
Armenia has declared martial law and total military mobilisation following clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh , an Armernian separatist region in Azerbaijan that has long been a point of conflict between the two countries .
`` The government has decided to declare martial law and a total mobilisation , '' Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday .
Tensions rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over clashes in which Yerevan said Azeri forces shelled the region of Nagorno-Karabakh and Baku accused Armenian forces of shelling Azeri military and civilian positions .
Casualties were unclear but Armenia 's defence ministry said an unspecified number of civilians had been killed by Azerbaijan 's forces .
The two countries have long been at odds over Azerbaijan ’ s breakaway , mainly ethnic Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh which declared independence during a conflict that broke out as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 .
Though a ceasefire was agreed in 1994 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of attacks around Nagorno-Karabakh and along the separate Azeri-Armenian frontier .
Armenia 's defence ministry said its troops had destroyed three tanks and shot down two helicopters and three unmanned aerial vehicles in response to an attack on civilian targets including the regional capital of Stepanakert .
`` Our response will be proportionate , and the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan bears full responsibility for the situation , '' the ministry said in a statement .
The Armenian foreign ministry also said there would be an `` appropriate military and political response '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying it had `` complete advantage over the enemy on the front . ''
Hikmet Hajiyev , a senior adviser to Aliyev , accused Armenian forces of launching `` deliberate and targeted '' attacks along the front line .
Azerbaijan 's defence ministry said Armenia had attacked civilian settlements and military positions along the `` contact line '' , '' a heavily-mined no-man's-land that separates the Armenian-backed forces from Azeri troops in the region .
It said some civilians had been killed `` as a result of the intensive shelling '' by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaliatory measures .
It said Azerbaijan 's army launched a `` counter-offensive operation along the entire front to suppress the combat activity of the armed forces of Armenia and ensure the safety of the civilian population '' .

Armenia has declared martial law and total military mobilisation following clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armernian separatist region in Azerbaijan that has long been a point of conflict between the two countries.
In this image taken from footage released by the Armenian Defense Ministry on September 27, 2020, an Azerbaijani military vehicle can be seen in flames at the contact line of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Advertising Read more
"The government has decided to declare martial law and a total mobilisation," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Earlier, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev vowed to secure “victory” over Armenian forces.
Tensions rose between Armenia and Azerbaijan on Sunday morning over clashes in which Yerevan said Azeri forces shelled the region of Nagorno-Karabakh and Baku accused Armenian forces of shelling Azeri military and civilian positions.
The breakaway province of Nagorno-Karabakh is inside Azerbaijan, but it is run by ethnic Armenians.
04:15
In Sunday's clashes, Armenian right activists said an ethnic Armenian woman and child had been killed. Azerbaijan said an unspecified number of its civilians had been killed. Sixteen Armenian fighters from the Nagorno-Karabakh forces were killed and more than 100 wounded, officials from the breakaway enclave said.
Armenia said Azeri forces had attacked civilian targets including Nagorno-Karabakh's capital, Stepanakert, and promised a "proportionate response".
In a televised statement, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on the international community to ensure that Turkey does not involve itself in the conflict.
Turkey, an Azeri ally, had earlier sharply criticised Armenia after clashes between Armenian and Azeri forces broke out in the morning, saying Yerevan was an obstacle to peace and vowing to continue its support for Baku.
The two countries have long been at odds over Azerbaijan’s breakaway, mainly ethnic Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh which declared independence during a conflict that broke out as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
The current situation amid clashes between #Azerbaijan and #NagornoKarabakh. (Not an exhaustive map, consists of main areas mentioned in official Azeri, NK and Armenian statements up to now) pic.twitter.com/uv87KS262E — Nagorno Karabakh Observer (@NKobserver) September 27, 2020
International diplomacy
The clashes prompted a flurry of diplomacy to prevent a new flare-up of a decades-old conflict between majority Christian Armenia and mainly Muslim Azerbaijan, with Russia calling for an immediate ceasefire and Pope Francis leading calls for talks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, whose country has mediated between former Soviet republics Armenia and Azerbaijan, spoke by phone to the Armenian, Azeri and Turkish foreign ministers.
Turkey said Armenia must immediately cease what it said was hostility towards Azerbaijan that will "throw the region into fire", and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter that Ankara would continue to show solidarity with Azerbaijan.
05:00
Iran called for an end to the fighting and said it was is ready "to use all of its capacities to establish ceasefire and start talks between the two sides".
Erdogan urged the Armenian people to "take hold of their future against their leadership that is dragging them to catastrophe and those using it like puppets".
France also urged the sides to end hostilities and immediately restart dialogue. The pope appealed to Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve their differences through negotiations, saying he was praying for peace.
At least 200 people were killed in a flare-up of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in April 2016. There are frequent skirmishes and at least 16 were reported killed in clashes in July.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-09-27--Virus curfew to be lifted in Australia as global deaths near a million

Many people in Wuhan , where the coronavirus first emerged , are still wearing masks despite there being no new cases since May An overnight curfew in Australia 's second-largest city will be lifted this week , officials said Sunday , even as the global coronavirus toll inched towards one million dead .
Despite the number of infections worldwide passing 32 million -- with the US state of New York reporting a fresh spike -- more than 10,000 anti-lockdown protesters demonstrated in central London ahead of the re-imposition of restrictions there .
In more positive news , residents of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus emerged last year -- reported a hesitant return to normalcy , while the French Open got underway at Roland Garros in Paris .
In Australia , Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said Melbourne residents would be free from Monday to leave their homes for work , exercise , shop for essentials , or provide care after active cases in the state fell below 400 for the first time since June 30 .
The relaxation of the curfew , imposed August 2 , comes after 16 new infections and two deaths were reported Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within five kilometres ( about three miles ) of their homes , and fines for breaching other restrictions will be increased to almost Aus $ 5,000 ( $ 3,515 ) .
Andrews said several other restrictions , including on religious services and childcare centres , will also be lifted .
It was a different story in the UK , now battling to contain a mounting second wave , as thousands marched in London on Saturday against coronavirus restrictions .
At least 10 people were arrested as police moved in with batons to disperse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Square .
This week Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's government imposed a ban on gatherings of more than six people and ordered pubs and restaurants to close at 10 pm in a bid to slow the spread of the virus , which has claimed 42,000 lives in the country so far -- making it the worst-affected nation in Europe .
In New York state -- once the epicentre of the US outbreak -- new infections rose for the first time since June to above 1,000 a day , local officials said .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on six million on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on people to keep wearing face masks in public .
`` They are potent tools to save the life of every citizen , '' he said .
Health ministry figures showed that the total number of cases had risen to 5,992,532 .
India is expected to take over the United States -- which has reported more than seven million cases so far -- as the worst-hit country in the next few weeks .
In Paris , a limited number of spectators will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in months as the French Open starts -- four months later than scheduled .
It will be an eerily unfamiliar tournament as a resurgence of the virus means only 1,000 spectators will be allowed into the grounds each day .
For residents of Wuhan , where the coronavirus first emerged late last year , life is already back to normal .
There have been 50,340 confirmed cases and 3,869 deaths in Wuhan , according to the official figures -- the majority of mainland China 's toll -- but no new infections since May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deeply know that a happy life is not easy to come by , '' said a woman named Wang .

Melbourne (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
An overnight curfew in Australia's second-largest city will be lifted this week, officials said Sunday, even as the global coronavirus toll inched towards one million dead.
Despite the number of infections worldwide passing 32 million -- with the US state of New York reporting a fresh spike -- more than 10,000 anti-lockdown protesters demonstrated in central London ahead of the re-imposition of restrictions there.
In more positive news, residents of the Chinese city of Wuhan -- where the virus emerged last year -- reported a hesitant return to normalcy, while the French Open got underway at Roland Garros in Paris.
In Australia, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said Melbourne residents would be free from Monday to leave their homes for work, exercise, shop for essentials, or provide care after active cases in the state fell below 400 for the first time since June 30.
The relaxation of the curfew, imposed August 2, comes after 16 new infections and two deaths were reported Sunday.
People will still be confined to within five kilometres (about three miles) of their homes, and fines for breaching other restrictions will be increased to almost Aus$5,000 ($3,515).
Andrews said several other restrictions, including on religious services and childcare centres, will also be lifted.
- Anti-lockdown protests-
It was a different story in the UK, now battling to contain a mounting second wave, as thousands marched in London on Saturday against coronavirus restrictions.
At least 10 people were arrested as police moved in with batons to disperse more than 10,000 protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square.
This week Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government imposed a ban on gatherings of more than six people and ordered pubs and restaurants to close at 10 pm in a bid to slow the spread of the virus, which has claimed 42,000 lives in the country so far -- making it the worst-affected nation in Europe.
In New York state -- once the epicentre of the US outbreak -- new infections rose for the first time since June to above 1,000 a day, local officials said.
In India, meanwhile, infections closed in on six million on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on people to keep wearing face masks in public.
"They are potent tools to save the life of every citizen," he said.
Health ministry figures showed that the total number of cases had risen to 5,992,532.
India is expected to take over the United States -- which has reported more than seven million cases so far -- as the worst-hit country in the next few weeks.
- Back to normal? -
In Paris, a limited number of spectators will watch live tennis for the first time in months as the French Open starts -- four months later than scheduled.
It will be an eerily unfamiliar tournament as a resurgence of the virus means only 1,000 spectators will be allowed into the grounds each day.
For residents of Wuhan, where the coronavirus first emerged late last year, life is already back to normal.
There have been 50,340 confirmed cases and 3,869 deaths in Wuhan, according to the official figures -- the majority of mainland China's toll -- but no new infections since May.
"The people have experienced tragedy and deeply know that a happy life is not easy to come by," said a woman named Wang.
burs-rbu/fox
© 2020 AFP