france24--2020-10-01--Thousands of US-bound migrants surge into Guatemala

Honduran migrants , part of a caravan heading to the US , walk alongside an army truck in Entre Rios , Guatemala , after crossing the border on October 1 , 2020 Thousands of mostly Honduran migrants bound for the United States surged across the border into Guatemala on Thursday , just weeks before a tense American presidential election where immigration is a key issue .
Carrying backpacks and plastic bags , the migrants pushed past two lines of Guatemalan soldiers at the Entre Rios border crossing and continued north -- defying the risks and restrictions linked to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some 3,000 people had crossed the border without submitting to a Covid-19 test , required for foreigners entering the country .
Many were not wearing masks against the spread of infection .
`` We 're not thinking about the pandemic , it 's the last thing on our minds , '' 20-year-old Jefrey Amaya told AFP , part of a group of young people from El Negrito , in Honduras ' Yoro department .
Amaya said he had joined the caravan after seeing a message on social media .
Soldiers handed out water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applauded the troops for allowing them to pass .
Dozens of migrants hitched a ride on the back of a large flatbed truck as they headed toward Mexico .
In recent years , thousands of Central American migrants traveling in large groups have crossed into Mexico , with the aim of reaching the US border .
The caravan is headed north just a month before the US presidential election , in which President Donald Trump -- whose hard line against migrants is a central plank of his policy platform -- is seeking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with steep US tariffs if it does not do more to stop a surge of undocumented migrants , and President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has since deployed some 26,000 troops to the country 's borders in response .
Trump 's administration on Thursday announced the US will admit a record low of 15,000 refugees in the coming year .
His Democratic rival in the November 3 election , Joe Biden , has pledged to raise the refugee cap to 125,000 , saying that welcoming the persecuted is in line with US values .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday night from Honduras ' second city San Pedro Sula .
Honduran Red Cross officials said 1,200 people left in a first group , joined a few hours later by around 2,000 more , walking north to the Guatemalan border .
Guatemala opened its borders last week after a six-month closure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , which has hit Central American countries hard .
Some of the migrants said they recognized the risks of catching the coronavirus while on the move , but were prepared to take the risk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence in Honduras .
Monica Toruno , 36 , had joined the caravan with her wheelchair-bound six-year-old son and a niece .
She said she was forced to leave Honduras because of unemployment and violence .
`` I never thought I would subject my son to this , but I lost my job because of the coronavirus , and I 'm afraid of staying , '' Toruno said .
`` We are going in search of the American dream , no one will stop us .
Either we die here from Covid-19 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing nothing to create jobs , '' another migrant , 27-year-old Miguel Artiga , told AFP .
The vast majority of the migrants on the move are young men .
Few women and children were seen .
According to the government of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez , 31,022 Hondurans had been deported back to their home country as of last week , most of them from Mexico and the United States , with the remainder from Guatemala .

Entre-Ríos (Guatemala) (AFP) –
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Thousands of mostly Honduran migrants bound for the United States surged across the border into Guatemala on Thursday, just weeks before a tense American presidential election where immigration is a key issue.
Carrying backpacks and plastic bags, the migrants pushed past two lines of Guatemalan soldiers at the Entre Rios border crossing and continued north -- defying the risks and restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
Guatemalan Migration Institute officials said some 3,000 people had crossed the border without submitting to a Covid-19 test, required for foreigners entering the country.
Many were not wearing masks against the spread of infection.
"We're not thinking about the pandemic, it's the last thing on our minds," 20-year-old Jefrey Amaya told AFP, part of a group of young people from El Negrito, in Honduras' Yoro department.
Amaya said he had joined the caravan after seeing a message on social media.
Soldiers handed out water to passing migrants, some of whom applauded the troops for allowing them to pass.
Dozens of migrants hitched a ride on the back of a large flatbed truck as they headed toward Mexico.
- Open border -
In recent years, thousands of Central American migrants traveling in large groups have crossed into Mexico, with the aim of reaching the US border.
The caravan is headed north just a month before the US presidential election, in which President Donald Trump -- whose hard line against migrants is a central plank of his policy platform -- is seeking a second term.
Trump has threatened Mexico with steep US tariffs if it does not do more to stop a surge of undocumented migrants, and President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has since deployed some 26,000 troops to the country's borders in response.
Trump's administration on Thursday announced the US will admit a record low of 15,000 refugees in the coming year.
His Democratic rival in the November 3 election, Joe Biden, has pledged to raise the refugee cap to 125,000, saying that welcoming the persecuted is in line with US values.
The latest migrant caravan set off on Wednesday night from Honduras' second city San Pedro Sula.
Honduran Red Cross officials said 1,200 people left in a first group, joined a few hours later by around 2,000 more, walking north to the Guatemalan border.
- Virus risk -
Guatemala opened its borders last week after a six-month closure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which has hit Central American countries hard.
Some of the migrants said they recognized the risks of catching the coronavirus while on the move, but were prepared to take the risk to escape from high levels of poverty and violence in Honduras.
Monica Toruno, 36, had joined the caravan with her wheelchair-bound six-year-old son and a niece. She said she was forced to leave Honduras because of unemployment and violence.
"I never thought I would subject my son to this, but I lost my job because of the coronavirus, and I'm afraid of staying," Toruno said.
"We are going in search of the American dream, no one will stop us. Either we die here from Covid-19 or we die of hunger. Governments are doing nothing to create jobs," another migrant, 27-year-old Miguel Artiga, told AFP.
The vast majority of the migrants on the move are young men. Few women and children were seen.
According to the government of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, 31,022 Hondurans had been deported back to their home country as of last week, most of them from Mexico and the United States, with the remainder from Guatemala.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-01--Top Mexican court backs referendum on prosecuting ex-presidents

Mexican activists collect signatures in support of a referendum on prosecuting five former presidents Mexico 's Supreme Court on Thursday endorsed President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador 's push for a referendum on whether to prosecute five of his predecessors over allegations including corruption .
Lopez Obrador 's proposed `` people 's consultation '' targets Carlos Salinas , Ernesto Zedillo , Vicente Fox , Felipe Calderon and Enrique Pena Nieto , whose terms in power stretched from 1988 to 2018 .
The left-wing populist , who came to power in 2018 vowing to curb rampant graft , has accused them of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , monumental losses to the treasury , privatization of public property and widespread corruption . ''
Under Mexican law , the president has the right to request a referendum , and it is up to the Supreme Court to decide whether it is constitutional .
His proposal was approved by six of the court 's 11 judges , one of whom tried unsuccessfully to have it declared unconstitutional , saying it risked violating the presumption of innocence .
`` It is not for us to be a closed door , but rather the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major national decisions , '' said Supreme Court president Arturo Zaldivar .
Lopez Obrador has overseen a series of referendums since taking office on controversial issues including his `` Maya Train '' railroad project and canceling a partially finished airport for Mexico City .
`` We must not be afraid of the people , and we must enforce democracy , '' Lopez Obrador said Thursday ahead of the court 's announcement .

Mexico City (AFP) –
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Mexico's Supreme Court on Thursday endorsed President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's push for a referendum on whether to prosecute five of his predecessors over allegations including corruption.
Lopez Obrador's proposed "people's consultation" targets Carlos Salinas, Ernesto Zedillo, Vicente Fox, Felipe Calderon and Enrique Pena Nieto, whose terms in power stretched from 1988 to 2018.
The left-wing populist, who came to power in 2018 vowing to curb rampant graft, has accused them of presiding over "excessive concentration of wealth, monumental losses to the treasury, privatization of public property and widespread corruption."
Under Mexican law, the president has the right to request a referendum, and it is up to the Supreme Court to decide whether it is constitutional.
His proposal was approved by six of the court's 11 judges, one of whom tried unsuccessfully to have it declared unconstitutional, saying it risked violating the presumption of innocence.
"It is not for us to be a closed door, but rather the bridge that allows citizens to participate in major national decisions," said Supreme Court president Arturo Zaldivar.
Lopez Obrador has overseen a series of referendums since taking office on controversial issues including his "Maya Train" railroad project and canceling a partially finished airport for Mexico City.
"We must not be afraid of the people, and we must enforce democracy," Lopez Obrador said Thursday ahead of the court's announcement.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-01--Crocs share price jumps on Justin Bieber speculation

All it took was a photo on Justin Bieber 's Instagram of Crocs shoes and the caption `` Soon '' @ @ @ @ @ 's stock jumping Thursday on speculation of a future collaboration with the Canadian pop star @ @ @ @ @ wearing the plastic clogs in public .
But after a post showing a pair afloat @ @ @ @ @ 148 million followers , and a dose of online speculation , the markets appeared to @ @ @ @ @ Inc. jumped over 12 percent over the day 's trading , before finishing nearly six @ @ @ @ @ .
The shoemaking company has not made any announcements regarding Bieber and did not immediately @ @ @ @ @ comment .
That said , the brand has worked with celebrities before , including the @ @ @ @ @ pair done in collaboration with Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny .

New York (AFP) –
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All it took was a photo on Justin Bieber's Instagram of Crocs shoes and the caption "Soon", to send the company's stock jumping Thursday on speculation of a future collaboration with the Canadian pop star.
Bieber is regularly seen wearing the plastic clogs in public.
But after a post showing a pair afloat in a pool to his 148 million followers, and a dose of online speculation, the markets appeared to take notice.
Crocs, Inc. jumped over 12 percent over the day's trading, before finishing nearly six percent up on Wall Street.
The shoemaking company has not made any announcements regarding Bieber and did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
That said, the brand has worked with celebrities before, including the release this week of a pair done in collaboration with Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-01--Messi and Fati inspire 10-man Barca to victory over Celta

Old head : Barcelona captain Lionel Messi celebrated after his run ended with Vigo defender Lucas Olaza scoring an own goal Barcelona 's new double-act delivered again as Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati led them to a 3-0 victory at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Thursday , despite Clement Lenglet being sent off in the first half .
After scoring twice in Barca 's opening game of the season , Fati fired struck early at a blustery Balaidos , only for Lenglet to collect a second yellow card in the 42nd minute for pulling back Denis Suarez .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's side were undeterred and Messi made the lead more comfortable shortly after half-time , his weaving run and shot diverted in for an own-goal by Lucas Olaza .
Celta hit the crossbar but never really threatened a comeback and when the ball spilled loose after another Messi dash in injury-time , Sergi Roberto made sure of the points .
`` We did a great job , '' said Koeman .
`` I 'm very proud of this team , we worked hard , played with a lot of discipline with a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best chances .
I 'm very , very happy . ''
Victory makes it two wins out of two for Barcelona , who began by thrashing Villarreal 4-0 on Sunday yet this was arguably a more impressive performance , and not just because of the numerical disadvantage .
Fati dazzled again .
The 17-year-old continued his brilliant start to the season with another smart finish and he offered the kind of pace and penetration that this team so often lacked last term .
Philippe Coutinho , meanwhile , looked back to the Coutinho @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central attacking position in Koeman 's 4-2-3-1 system , the Brazilian was aggressive without the ball and adventurous with it He was unlucky not to score in the second half when his shot cannoned back off the post .
Perhaps most encouraging for Koeman was seeing the likes of Fati and Coutinho shine on a night when , in truth , Messi was not at his best , even if his display included two superb runs , both of which led to goals .
Koeman welcomed Messi saying this week he wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' with the club while good performances like these are perhaps most likely to convince the Argentinian the club is moving forward .
Celta , who only just escaped relegation last season , may not have offered the stiffest examination but they have an excellent record at home against Barca , who could easily have caved after Lenglet 's red card .
Lenglet will be suspended for the game against his former club Sevilla on Sunday .
Fati opened the scoring in the 11th minute after Coutinho played a quick pass following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ball to roll across his body , Fati manoeuvred it away from Joseph Aidoo and with the outside of his right foot , steered inside the corner .
Gerard Pique was lucky not to be sent off , spared because Suarez was offside , but Lenglet paid the price for planting a hand on Suarez 's shoulder as he looked to pull away .
Messi helped to make it two after half-time , darting away from three Celta defenders before his shot took a cruel deflection off Olaza and crept inside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again after Coutinho 's shot came back to him off the woodwork and in the 95th minute , it was the 33-year-old 's run and shot that fell to the feet of Sergi , who smashed in for a third .

Madrid (AFP) –
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Barcelona's new double-act delivered again as Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati led them to a 3-0 victory at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Thursday, despite Clement Lenglet being sent off in the first half.
After scoring twice in Barca's opening game of the season, Fati fired struck early at a blustery Balaidos, only for Lenglet to collect a second yellow card in the 42nd minute for pulling back Denis Suarez.
But even down to 10, Ronald Koeman's side were undeterred and Messi made the lead more comfortable shortly after half-time, his weaving run and shot diverted in for an own-goal by Lucas Olaza.
Celta hit the crossbar but never really threatened a comeback and when the ball spilled loose after another Messi dash in injury-time, Sergi Roberto made sure of the points.
"We did a great job," said Koeman. "I'm very proud of this team, we worked hard, played with a lot of discipline with a man less and even then we made the best chances. I'm very, very happy."
Victory makes it two wins out of two for Barcelona, who began by thrashing Villarreal 4-0 on Sunday yet this was arguably a more impressive performance, and not just because of the numerical disadvantage.
Fati dazzled again. The 17-year-old continued his brilliant start to the season with another smart finish and he offered the kind of pace and penetration that this team so often lacked last term.
Philippe Coutinho, meanwhile, looked back to the Coutinho of old. Deployed in a more central attacking position in Koeman's 4-2-3-1 system, the Brazilian was aggressive without the ball and adventurous with it He was unlucky not to score in the second half when his shot cannoned back off the post.
Perhaps most encouraging for Koeman was seeing the likes of Fati and Coutinho shine on a night when, in truth, Messi was not at his best, even if his display included two superb runs, both of which led to goals.
- Red card -
Koeman welcomed Messi saying this week he wanted to put an end to his "disagreements" with the club while good performances like these are perhaps most likely to convince the Argentinian the club is moving forward.
Celta, who only just escaped relegation last season, may not have offered the stiffest examination but they have an excellent record at home against Barca, who could easily have caved after Lenglet's red card.
Lenglet will be suspended for the game against his former club Sevilla on Sunday.
Fati opened the scoring in the 11th minute after Coutinho played a quick pass following a poor clearance from Jeison Murillo. Allowing the ball to roll across his body, Fati manoeuvred it away from Joseph Aidoo and with the outside of his right foot, steered inside the corner.
Gerard Pique was lucky not to be sent off, spared because Suarez was offside, but Lenglet paid the price for planting a hand on Suarez's shoulder as he looked to pull away.
Messi helped to make it two after half-time, darting away from three Celta defenders before his shot took a cruel deflection off Olaza and crept inside the post.
He thought he had scored again after Coutinho's shot came back to him off the woodwork and in the 95th minute, it was the 33-year-old's run and shot that fell to the feet of Sergi, who smashed in for a third.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-01--Jealousy-free Lakers thriving with James-Davis double act

LeBron James believes an absence of locker-room jealousy is the key to his successful partnership with Anthony Davis as the Los Angeles Lakers bear down on a record-equaling 17th NBA championship .
Davis joined the Lakers last year from the New Orleans Pelicans , and has played a crucial role in guiding the team back to the NBA Finals for the first time in 10 years after missing the playoffs in 2018-2019 .
On Wednesday , Davis excelled with 34 points , nine rebounds and five assists as the Lakers demolished the Miami Heat 116-98 in a game-one blowout .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 13 rebounds and nine assists in a dominant performance against his former team to open the best-of-seven series .
The James-Davis double act has provided the Lakers with the team 's most potent axis since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were leading the team to three consecutive NBA titles between 2000 and 2002 .
But while Bryant and O'Neal 's relationship was undercut with tension , James says his partnership with Davis could n't be more different .
`` We 're not jealous of each other , '' James said on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best thing .
In professional sports , you have guys that join forces to become alpha males .
That 's what they call them .
`` Two guys that have been dominant in a specific sport on their own respective teams , and they get together and they talk about how dominant they can be and they talk about this is going to be this and that .
`` I believe jealousy creeps in a lot .
And that is the absolute contrary of what we are .
We know who we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We want the best , seriously , every single day , both on and off the floor , for one another . ''
Davis , 27 , agreed , saying he had never once considered the possibility that locker room envy could destabilize the Lakers locker room .
`` The thought never crossed my mind when the trade happened , '' Davis said .
`` I 'm not jealous of him .
He 's not jealous of me .
I think it shows on the court .
`` When you 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to win as bad as both of us want to , the rest of it goes away and just takes care of itself . ''
Davis said a free flow of ideas and opinions characterized his partnership with James .
`` We hold each other accountable , '' Davis said .
`` When we watch film or even during the course of a game , if I did something wrong , he tells me .
`` If he does something wrong , I tell him .
I think that 's what makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one another to make reads , to make calls .
`` We 're able to talk to one another .
Some guys on some teams are afraid to jump on the star player .
Our team , a guy can tell a guy something , and we know it 's coming from a great place and we know it 's coming from a guy who wants to win .
Davis , however , does admit to envying James 's three NBA championship rings .
`` I want a ring , and he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That would be the one thing for sure that I would be jealous about ... Hopefully I do n't have to be envious of that much longer . ''

Orlando (AFP) –
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LeBron James believes an absence of locker-room jealousy is the key to his successful partnership with Anthony Davis as the Los Angeles Lakers bear down on a record-equaling 17th NBA championship.
Davis joined the Lakers last year from the New Orleans Pelicans, and has played a crucial role in guiding the team back to the NBA Finals for the first time in 10 years after missing the playoffs in 2018-2019.
On Wednesday, Davis excelled with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists as the Lakers demolished the Miami Heat 116-98 in a game-one blowout.
James, meanwhile, added 25 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists in a dominant performance against his former team to open the best-of-seven series.
The James-Davis double act has provided the Lakers with the team's most potent axis since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were leading the team to three consecutive NBA titles between 2000 and 2002.
But while Bryant and O'Neal's relationship was undercut with tension, James says his partnership with Davis couldn't be more different.
"We're not jealous of each other," James said on Thursday. "I think that's the best thing. In professional sports, you have guys that join forces to become alpha males. That's what they call them.
"Two guys that have been dominant in a specific sport on their own respective teams, and they get together and they talk about how dominant they can be and they talk about this is going to be this and that.
- 'Jealousy creeps in' -
"I believe jealousy creeps in a lot. And that is the absolute contrary of what we are. We know who we are. We know what we're about. We want the best, seriously, every single day, both on and off the floor, for one another."
Davis, 27, agreed, saying he had never once considered the possibility that locker room envy could destabilize the Lakers locker room.
"The thought never crossed my mind when the trade happened," Davis said. "I'm not jealous of him. He's not jealous of me. I think it shows on the court.
"When you've got two guys who are very selfless and want to win as bad as both of us want to, the rest of it goes away and just takes care of itself."
Davis said a free flow of ideas and opinions characterized his partnership with James.
"We hold each other accountable," Davis said. "When we watch film or even during the course of a game, if I did something wrong, he tells me.
"If he does something wrong, I tell him. I think that's what makes it work, knowing that we trust one another to make reads, to make calls.
"We're able to talk to one another. Some guys on some teams are afraid to jump on the star player. Our team, a guy can tell a guy something, and we know it's coming from a great place and we know it's coming from a guy who wants to win.
Davis, however, does admit to envying James's three NBA championship rings.
"I want a ring, and he has three of them," Davis said. "That would be the one thing for sure that I would be jealous about... Hopefully I don't have to be envious of that much longer."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-01--Fires spike in Brazil's Amazon, scientists say

A member of an Indigenous group fights a forest fire in Brazil , which has seen an increase in wildfires over last year The number of forest fires in Brazil 's Amazon increased sharply in September , figures released Thursday show , fueling growing criticism of President Jair Bolsonaro 's environmental policies .
The National Institute of Space Research ( INPE ) said satellite imagery showed an increase of 61 percent in the number of fires in September , compared to the same period last year .
Satellites used by the institute detected 32,017 outbreaks last month in the Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month in 2019 .
In the first nine months of the year , the total number of fires increased by 14 percent over the same period in 2019 , the INPE said .
Despite the data from INPE , a world-renowned public body , Bolsonaro has continued to denounce a campaign of `` disinformation '' about the Pantanal and the Amazon .
On Wednesday , Bolsonaro -- an ally of US President Donald Trump -- lashed out at US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden for `` disastrous and unnecessary '' comments on destruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first presidential debate that if elected in November , he would raise $ 20 billion to help Brazil to `` stop tearing down '' the Amazon , threatening `` significant economic consequences '' if it did not .
Later , in a video address to a UN biodiversity summit , Bolsonaro said Brazil was `` firm in its commitment to sustainable development and preserving our environmental wealth . ''
He accused `` certain non-governmental organizations '' of perpetrating `` environmental crimes '' to stain the country 's image .
Most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegally deforested areas , even though the government banned all burning for four months from July .
Further south , in the Pantanal -- the world 's largest wetlands -- the number of fires have almost tripled to 8,106 , making September 2020 the worst month since the INPE began compiling statistics on the fires in 1998 .
`` Brazil is in flames .
From the Amazon to the Pantanal , the environmental heritage of all Brazilians is being reduced to ashes , '' Christiane Mazzetti of Greenpeace in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Bolsonaro government , which despite the predictions of drought in the Pantanal , has not used the necessary means of fire protection , '' she said .
The situation in the Pantanal , straddling Brazil , Paraguay and Bolivia , has been exacerbated by the worst drought in half a century .
The fires have ravaged 23 percent of the Brazilian part of the Pantanal , acording to data collected by scientists at the Laboratory for the Application of Environmental Satellites ( LASA ) .
The wildfires that devastated the rainforest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcing Bolsonaro onto the defensive .
He ultimately deployed the army to the Amazon to fight the fires .
So far this year , despite an increase in fires , the deforestation rate is down by about five percent .
But Brazil is coming under increasing pressure from allies , trading partners , international investors and powerful voices in the business world over the scale of the deforestation .
In June , 29 global investment firms managing nearly $ 4 trillion in assets sent an open letter to Bolsonaro , urging him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the rainforest .
Environmental destruction by Brazilian agribusiness firms is also threatening a long-sought trade deal between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc , of which Brazil is a member .

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) –
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The number of forest fires in Brazil's Amazon increased sharply in September, figures released Thursday show, fueling growing criticism of President Jair Bolsonaro's environmental policies.
The National Institute of Space Research (INPE) said satellite imagery showed an increase of 61 percent in the number of fires in September, compared to the same period last year.
Satellites used by the institute detected 32,017 outbreaks last month in the Amazon, compared to 19,925 in the same month in 2019.
In the first nine months of the year, the total number of fires increased by 14 percent over the same period in 2019, the INPE said.
Despite the data from INPE, a world-renowned public body, Bolsonaro has continued to denounce a campaign of "disinformation" about the Pantanal and the Amazon.
On Wednesday, Bolsonaro -- an ally of US President Donald Trump -- lashed out at US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden for "disastrous and unnecessary" comments on destruction of the rainforest.
Biden said during the first presidential debate that if elected in November, he would raise $20 billion to help Brazil to "stop tearing down" the Amazon, threatening "significant economic consequences" if it did not.
- Bolsonaro backlash -
Later, in a video address to a UN biodiversity summit, Bolsonaro said Brazil was "firm in its commitment to sustainable development and preserving our environmental wealth."
He accused "certain non-governmental organizations" of perpetrating "environmental crimes" to stain the country's image.
Most of the Amazon fires consist of agricultural burning on illegally deforested areas, even though the government banned all burning for four months from July.
Further south, in the Pantanal -- the world's largest wetlands -- the number of fires have almost tripled to 8,106, making September 2020 the worst month since the INPE began compiling statistics on the fires in 1998.
"Brazil is in flames. From the Amazon to the Pantanal, the environmental heritage of all Brazilians is being reduced to ashes," Christiane Mazzetti of Greenpeace in a statement.
"The is a consequence of the policy of the Bolsonaro government, which despite the predictions of drought in the Pantanal, has not used the necessary means of fire protection," she said.
The situation in the Pantanal, straddling Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, has been exacerbated by the worst drought in half a century.
The fires have ravaged 23 percent of the Brazilian part of the Pantanal, acording to data collected by scientists at the Laboratory for the Application of Environmental Satellites (LASA).
- Growing investor pressure -
The wildfires that devastated the rainforest last year triggered an international outcry, forcing Bolsonaro onto the defensive. He ultimately deployed the army to the Amazon to fight the fires.
So far this year, despite an increase in fires, the deforestation rate is down by about five percent.
But Brazil is coming under increasing pressure from allies, trading partners, international investors and powerful voices in the business world over the scale of the deforestation.
In June, 29 global investment firms managing nearly $4 trillion in assets sent an open letter to Bolsonaro, urging him to change policies blamed for accelerating the destruction of the rainforest.
Environmental destruction by Brazilian agribusiness firms is also threatening a long-sought trade deal between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc, of which Brazil is a member.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Thiem, Svitolina into French Open last 16 as Nadal expects tougher task

Dominic Thiem has made the final in Paris each of the past two years US Open winner Dominic Thiem swept into the last 16 at Roland Garros on Friday along with women 's third seed Elina Svitolina while Rafael Nadal anticipated a stiffer challenge after serene progress in his first two matches at the tournament .
Former champion Simona Halep faces a fascinating rematch with Amanda Anisimova , the American teenager who knocked her out of last year 's competition .
Thiem broke down early resistance from Norway 's Casper Ruud to secure an impressive 6-4 , 6-3 , 6-1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 2015 French Open winner Stan Wawrinka .
`` I 'm very happy .
It was a great match and I did n't do any mistakes , '' said Thiem , the runner-up to Nadal the past two years .
`` The conditions are very nice to play in under the roof - no wind and the court is perfect . ''
Wawrinka , the 16th seed , goes up against the lone Frenchman remaining in the draw , Hugo Gaston , the world number 239 .
Two-time quarter-finalist Svitolina ensured she will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris with a 6-4 , 7-5 win over Russia 's Ekaterina Alexandrova , the 27th seed .
Ukrainian Svitolina is full of confidence after capturing her 15th career WTA at Strasbourg last weekend .
`` It 's always really nice to have another chance to go deep in the tournament , '' said Svitolina .
`` It 's a little bit different without the crowd , so you start to treasure every match and every Grand Slam you play . ''
Polish teenager Iga Swiatek dismissed former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard 6-3 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 16 , matching her best result at a Grand Slam .
Later on Wednesday , 12-time champion Nadal meets 74th-ranked Italian Stefano Travaglia , who is through to the last 32 of a Grand Slam for the first time .
Unsurprisingly , Nadal has yet to drop a set in Paris against opponents with a combined ranking of 319 , but the Spaniard knows tougher examinations await in his pursuit of Roger Federer 's record 20 major titles .
`` I 've won two matches in three sets .
When you win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it means you do n't make many mistakes and manage to make a difference , '' said Nadal .
`` It 's a good thing .
I know in the next round more is going to be asked of me and I need to be ready for that . ''
Halep 's status as the women 's favourite was reinforced following the withdrawal of Serena Williams , on top of the absence of world number one and defending champion Ashleigh Barty , as well as US Open winner Naomi Osaka .
The Romanian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but is well aware of the threat posed by her upcoming opponent .
Anisimova , who turned 19 in August , became the first player born in the 2000s to reach the last four at a major when she defeated Halep in the quarter-finals last year .
`` I 'm going to talk with the coach , I know it 's going to be tough because she 's hitting the ball strong and flat , so it 's going to be tough , '' said Halep .
`` I remember the match from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did n't play what I wanted , so I will do some changes and I will just try to play better and to take my chance . ''
Sixth seed Alexander Zverev tackles Italian qualifier Marco Cecchinato , who famously beat Novak Djokovic on his way to a semi-final appearance at Roland Garros in 2018 .
Zverev was again taken to five sets in round two -- 31 percent of his Grand Slam matches have now gone the distance , compared to just nine percent for Nadal .
Kiki Bertens will attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win over Sara Errani after which the Dutch fifth seed departed the court in a wheelchair .
Former finalist Errani accused Bertens of faking injury during a three-hour clash which left her in cramps and the Italian screaming an obscenity .

Paris (AFP) –
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US Open winner Dominic Thiem swept into the last 16 at Roland Garros on Friday along with women's third seed Elina Svitolina while Rafael Nadal anticipated a stiffer challenge after serene progress in his first two matches at the tournament.
Former champion Simona Halep faces a fascinating rematch with Amanda Anisimova, the American teenager who knocked her out of last year's competition.
Thiem broke down early resistance from Norway's Casper Ruud to secure an impressive 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 victory and set up a possible showdown with 2015 French Open winner Stan Wawrinka.
"I'm very happy. It was a great match and I didn't do any mistakes," said Thiem, the runner-up to Nadal the past two years.
"The conditions are very nice to play in under the roof - no wind and the court is perfect."
Wawrinka, the 16th seed, goes up against the lone Frenchman remaining in the draw, Hugo Gaston, the world number 239.
Two-time quarter-finalist Svitolina ensured she will stick around for the second week in Paris with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova, the 27th seed.
Ukrainian Svitolina is full of confidence after capturing her 15th career WTA at Strasbourg last weekend.
"It's always really nice to have another chance to go deep in the tournament," said Svitolina.
"It's a little bit different without the crowd, so you start to treasure every match and every Grand Slam you play."
Polish teenager Iga Swiatek dismissed former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-2 to seal a return to the last 16, matching her best result at a Grand Slam.
Later on Wednesday, 12-time champion Nadal meets 74th-ranked Italian Stefano Travaglia, who is through to the last 32 of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Unsurprisingly, Nadal has yet to drop a set in Paris against opponents with a combined ranking of 319, but the Spaniard knows tougher examinations await in his pursuit of Roger Federer's record 20 major titles.
"I've won two matches in three sets. When you win like this it's not bad, it means you don't make many mistakes and manage to make a difference," said Nadal.
"It's a good thing. I know in the next round more is going to be asked of me and I need to be ready for that."
- Painful memory spurs on Halep -
Halep's status as the women's favourite was reinforced following the withdrawal of Serena Williams, on top of the absence of world number one and defending champion Ashleigh Barty, as well as US Open winner Naomi Osaka.
The Romanian is riding a career-best 16-match winning streak but is well aware of the threat posed by her upcoming opponent.
Anisimova, who turned 19 in August, became the first player born in the 2000s to reach the last four at a major when she defeated Halep in the quarter-finals last year.
"I'm going to talk with the coach, I know it's going to be tough because she's hitting the ball strong and flat, so it's going to be tough," said Halep.
"I remember the match from last year, I remember also that I didn't play what I wanted, so I will do some changes and I will just try to play better and to take my chance."
Sixth seed Alexander Zverev tackles Italian qualifier Marco Cecchinato, who famously beat Novak Djokovic on his way to a semi-final appearance at Roland Garros in 2018.
Zverev was again taken to five sets in round two -- 31 percent of his Grand Slam matches have now gone the distance, compared to just nine percent for Nadal.
Kiki Bertens will attempt to move on her from her stormy win over Sara Errani after which the Dutch fifth seed departed the court in a wheelchair.
Former finalist Errani accused Bertens of faking injury during a three-hour clash which left her in cramps and the Italian screaming an obscenity.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Markets fall in response to Trump diagnosis

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france24--2020-10-02--'Beacon of light' of Iraq's Yazidis dies at 87

Iraqi Yazidis burn incense at the funeral of their revered spiritual leader Baba Sheikh Khurto Hajji Ismail Iraq 's Yazidi minority paid its last respects to its spiritual leader on Friday as tributes poured in for the cleric , who guided his flock through the horrors of Islamic State group occupation and its aftermath .
Baba Sheikh Khurto Hajji Ismail died late Thursday at the age of 87 , his office said .
The funeral was held the very next day in accordance with Yazidi tradition , marking the start of a week 's mourning after which his son will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yazidi men and women turned out in traditional dress for the funeral procession in the town of Sheikhan , north of Iraq 's second city Mosul .
Tributes poured in for Sheikh Baba , whose pragmatic leadership is credited with helping the community to avoid collapse after the massacres , forced marriage and sex slavery of jihadist rule .
Yazidis are born into their faith and must marry within it -- conversions are not permitted and traditionally those who marry outside are excommunicated .
But after thousands of Yazidi women were abducted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunni Muslim fighters , Baba Sheikh preached compassion for those who survived , arguing that they should not be treated as outcasts for the horrors they had endured .
Nadia Murad , 26 , who was subjected to life a sex slave under IS and won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work highlighting the horrors of the group 's rule , said the community had lost a `` beacon of light '' , who `` treated Yazidi survivors with love & respect '' .
The Iraqi government paid tribute to a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` brotherhood and friendship '' .
The Yazidis , who are nearly all Kurdish-speaking , form a minority within a minority and have faced repeated bouts of persecution throughout their 4,000-year history .
Their faith is monotheistic but they believe God entrusted the world to seven angels , drawing accusations of `` devil worship '' from followers of other faiths .
But they have clung on in two isolated enclaves inside Iraq , one around Sheikhan in the Nineveh Plain and one in the Sinjar Mountains of the northwest .
When IS marched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountains in 2014 , there were 550,000 Yazidis nationwide out of a worldwide total of 1.5 million , including neighbouring countries and the diaspora .
Three years later , thousands had died and nearly 100,000 had fled abroad .
More than 6,400 Yazidi women were kidnapped , of whom barely half survived to return home , according to Kurdish authorities .
The fate of many of the rest may never be known .
Thousands more were displaced inside Iraq and authorities have struggled to persuade them to return to their ancestral homes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have a secular leader or prince .
The current prince , Hazem Tahsin Bek , took up the post in July last year .

Sheikhan (Irak) (AFP) –
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Iraq's Yazidi minority paid its last respects to its spiritual leader on Friday as tributes poured in for the cleric, who guided his flock through the horrors of Islamic State group occupation and its aftermath.
Baba Sheikh Khurto Hajji Ismail died late Thursday at the age of 87, his office said.
The funeral was held the very next day in accordance with Yazidi tradition, marking the start of a week's mourning after which his son will be anointed as successor.
Hundreds of Yazidi men and women turned out in traditional dress for the funeral procession in the town of Sheikhan, north of Iraq's second city Mosul.
Tributes poured in for Sheikh Baba, whose pragmatic leadership is credited with helping the community to avoid collapse after the massacres, forced marriage and sex slavery of jihadist rule.
Yazidis are born into their faith and must marry within it -- conversions are not permitted and traditionally those who marry outside are excommunicated.
But after thousands of Yazidi women were abducted by IS and forcibly married off to its Sunni Muslim fighters, Baba Sheikh preached compassion for those who survived, arguing that they should not be treated as outcasts for the horrors they had endured.
Nadia Murad, 26, who was subjected to life a sex slave under IS and won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work highlighting the horrors of the group's rule, said the community had lost a "beacon of light", who "treated Yazidi survivors with love & respect".
The Iraqi government paid tribute to a "man of peace" who had preached "brotherhood and friendship".
The Yazidis, who are nearly all Kurdish-speaking, form a minority within a minority and have faced repeated bouts of persecution throughout their 4,000-year history.
Their faith is monotheistic but they believe God entrusted the world to seven angels, drawing accusations of "devil worship" from followers of other faiths.
But they have clung on in two isolated enclaves inside Iraq, one around Sheikhan in the Nineveh Plain and one in the Sinjar Mountains of the northwest.
When IS marched into the Yazidi villages of the Sinjar Mountains in 2014, there were 550,000 Yazidis nationwide out of a worldwide total of 1.5 million, including neighbouring countries and the diaspora.
Three years later, thousands had died and nearly 100,000 had fled abroad.
More than 6,400 Yazidi women were kidnapped, of whom barely half survived to return home, according to Kurdish authorities. The fate of many of the rest may never be known.
Thousands more were displaced inside Iraq and authorities have struggled to persuade them to return to their ancestral homes.
Alongside their spiritual leader, the Yazidis also have a secular leader or prince. The current prince, Hazem Tahsin Bek, took up the post in July last year.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Anger from Moscow, Minsk as EU sanctions Belarus


france24--2020-10-02--Leicester sign promising French defender Fofana

Leicester signed promising French defender Wesley Fofana from St Etienne on Friday in a deal worth a reported £32 million ( $ 41 million ) .
Fofana agreed a five-year contract with Leicester after the Premier League club ended their interest in Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski .
The 19-year-old will arrive at the King Power Stadium subject to international clearance .
`` I 'm very happy to be here .
I 've watched Leicester closely since they won the title and they 're a top club in the Premier League , '' Fofana told Leicester 's website .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the players and the manager here , which is one of the main reasons I came .
I ca n't wait to get started . ''
Fofana urged St Etienne to let him leave for Leicester after an opening bid was rejected last month and he has finally got his wish to join Brendan Rodgers ' side .
Fofana made his debut for St Etienne in May 2019 and has made 26 appearances in all competitions for Les Verts .
He has also been named in France 's Under-21s squad for this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Slovakia .
Fofana was part of the St Etienne side which reached last season 's final of the Coupe de France , where they lost 1-0 to Paris Saint Germain .
He played four times in Ligue 1 this season , helping his team keep three clean sheets .
Fofana becomes Leicester 's second signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Belgian international full-back Timothy Castagne .
After the disappointment of narrowly missing out on a place in the Champions League last season , the Foxes have made a stunning start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men have won all three Premier League games to sit top of the table , including a 5-2 thrashing of Manchester City last weekend .

London (AFP) –
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Leicester signed promising French defender Wesley Fofana from St Etienne on Friday in a deal worth a reported £32 million ($41 million).
Fofana agreed a five-year contract with Leicester after the Premier League club ended their interest in Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski.
The 19-year-old will arrive at the King Power Stadium subject to international clearance.
"I'm very happy to be here. I've watched Leicester closely since they won the title and they're a top club in the Premier League," Fofana told Leicester's website.
"I know I will learn a lot from the players and the manager here, which is one of the main reasons I came. I can't wait to get started."
Fofana urged St Etienne to let him leave for Leicester after an opening bid was rejected last month and he has finally got his wish to join Brendan Rodgers' side.
Fofana made his debut for St Etienne in May 2019 and has made 26 appearances in all competitions for Les Verts.
He has also been named in France's Under-21s squad for this month's Euro 2021 qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Slovakia.
Fofana was part of the St Etienne side which reached last season's final of the Coupe de France, where they lost 1-0 to Paris Saint Germain.
He played four times in Ligue 1 this season, helping his team keep three clean sheets.
Fofana becomes Leicester's second signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Belgian international full-back Timothy Castagne.
After the disappointment of narrowly missing out on a place in the Champions League last season, the Foxes have made a stunning start to the new campaign.
Rodgers' men have won all three Premier League games to sit top of the table, including a 5-2 thrashing of Manchester City last weekend.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Germany coach Loew selects huge squad for October internationals

Germany head coach Joachim Loew has selected a 29-man squad for their three October internationals Germany head coach Joachim Loew on Friday nominated a 29-man squad - including five from European champions Bayern Munich - for October internationals against Turkey , Switzerland and Ukraine .
The Germans twice threw away the lead last month in 1-1 draws against both Spain and Switzerland in the Nations League .
`` We 've selected an expanded squad that gives us enough options for the three games , '' explained Loew .
He said he intends to divide his squad into two separate groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Turkey in Cologne next Wednesday .
The second , including many of his first-choice stars , will be used for Nations League games against Ukraine in Kiev , then against Switzerland back in Cologne .
Real Madrid star Toni Kroos has been selected even though he has a thigh injury .
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been left out after testing positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago .
`` The players will arrive in two stages and we basically plan with two different teams , '' Loew added .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Toni Kroos , will only join us later and start training on Wednesday .
`` I am not planning to use them for the game against Turkey . ''
Loew has included two newcomers in midfielders Mahmoud Dahoud from Borussia Dortmund and Moenchengladbach 's Jonas Hofmann .
Germany captain Manuel Neuer , as well as fellow Bayern stars Joshua Kimmich , Serge Gnabry , Niklas Suele and Leon Goretzka have been included .
Loew has admitted to an `` uneasy feeling '' about the away game a week on Saturday in Kiev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Germans intend to spend 36-hours in the Ukraine , taking only the matchday squad to Kiev .

Berlin (AFP) –
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Germany head coach Joachim Loew on Friday nominated a 29-man squad - including five from European champions Bayern Munich - for October internationals against Turkey, Switzerland and Ukraine.
The Germans twice threw away the lead last month in 1-1 draws against both Spain and Switzerland in the Nations League.
"We've selected an expanded squad that gives us enough options for the three games," explained Loew.
He said he intends to divide his squad into two separate groups, the first for the home friendly against Turkey in Cologne next Wednesday.
The second, including many of his first-choice stars, will be used for Nations League games against Ukraine in Kiev, then against Switzerland back in Cologne.
Real Madrid star Toni Kroos has been selected even though he has a thigh injury.
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been left out after testing positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago.
"The players will arrive in two stages and we basically plan with two different teams," Loew added.
"The players from Munich and Leipzig as well as Toni Kroos, will only join us later and start training on Wednesday.
"I am not planning to use them for the game against Turkey."
Loew has included two newcomers in midfielders Mahmoud Dahoud from Borussia Dortmund and Moenchengladbach's Jonas Hofmann.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer, as well as fellow Bayern stars Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Niklas Suele and Leon Goretzka have been included.
Loew has admitted to an "uneasy feeling" about the away game a week on Saturday in Kiev amid the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the Germans intend to spend 36-hours in the Ukraine, taking only the matchday squad to Kiev.
Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Bernd Leno (Arsenal/ENG), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defence: Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Robin Gosens (Atalanta/ITA), Marcel Halstenberg, Benjamin Henrichs, Lukas Klostermann (all RB Leipzig), Robin Koch (Leeds United/ENG), Antonio Ruediger (Chelsea/ENG), Nico Schulz (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Stark (Hertha Berlin), Niklas Suele (Bayern Munich), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Brandt, Mahmoud Dahoud (both Borussia Dortmund), Julian Draxler (Paris St. Germain), Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka (both Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/ESP), Florian Neuhaus (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Suat Serdar (Schalke 04)
Strikers: Luca Waldschmidt (Benfica/POR), Timo Werner (Chelsea/ENG)
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--India gang-rape victim's family get protection over reprisal fears

A court in India has ordered police to protect the family of a woman allegedly gang-raped and killed by four high-caste men , as her brother said they feared reprisals over the accusations .
The 19-year-old woman was attacked in mid-September and died this week , sparking outrage and shining the spotlight again on sexual violence in India , particularly attacks against women of a lower caste .
With her home village in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh barricaded by hundreds of police , the victim 's brother on Thursday told Indian television they were frightened .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They can do anything to us .
We do n't trust the police or the administration .
Our fears have increased now , '' he said .
`` We 're on their radar more than ever before .
They wo n't let us live .
We might have to leave the village .
We do n't trust politicians . ''
The state 's high court on Thursday ordered authorities to `` ensure that no coercion , influence or pressure is exerted upon the family members of the deceased in any manner , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for reportedly cremating the young woman in the middle of the night -- against the family 's wishes and religious custom -- after her body was brought back from the New Delhi hospital where she died from her injuries on Tuesday .
`` As it is , the deceased victim was treated with extreme brutality by the perpetrators of the crime , and what is alleged to have happened thereafter , if true , amounts to perpetuating the misery of the family and rubbing salt in their wounds , '' the judges said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 , summoning both police and the victim 's family .
The late-night cremation further stoked accusations that local police were protecting the alleged culprits -- who have been arrested on charges of gang-rape and murder -- and their well-connected , high-caste families .
On Thursday the local police issued a statement saying that according to a forensic report `` no rape was committed '' .
The findings , confirming those of a preliminary medical report and a postmortem , `` exposed the conspiracy of those who tried to push the state into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quoted local police official Prashant Kumar as saying .
This contradicts statements from both the victim and her mother , and also findings from the Delhi hospital when she was admitted , media reports said .
Experts cast doubt on the forensic test cited by the police , saying it was conducted too long -- eight days -- after the attack .
Mishika Singh , a lawyer and activist , told AFP that the findings were `` in no way conclusive proof to say rape was not committed '' .
`` Ignoring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis of a non-conclusive forensic report goes to show the murky investigation being done by the police , '' Singh said .
The young woman 's death comes months after four men were hanged for the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a student on a bus in New Delhi , in a case that came to symbolise India 's problems with sexual violence .
The latest incident -- and another gang-rape and murder this week in the same area -- has sparked days of protests and candle-lit marches as well as condemnation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An average of 87 rapes were reported in India every day last year , according to data released Tuesday by the National Crime Records Bureau , but large numbers are thought to go unreported .

New Delhi (AFP) –
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A court in India has ordered police to protect the family of a woman allegedly gang-raped and killed by four high-caste men, as her brother said they feared reprisals over the accusations.
The 19-year-old woman was attacked in mid-September and died this week, sparking outrage and shining the spotlight again on sexual violence in India, particularly attacks against women of a lower caste.
With her home village in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh barricaded by hundreds of police, the victim's brother on Thursday told Indian television they were frightened.
"We're not safe in this village. They can do anything to us. We don't trust the police or the administration. Our fears have increased now," he said.
"We're on their radar more than ever before. They won't let us live. We might have to leave the village. We don't trust politicians."
The state's high court on Thursday ordered authorities to "ensure that no coercion, influence or pressure is exerted upon the family members of the deceased in any manner, by anyone."
It sharply criticised police for reportedly cremating the young woman in the middle of the night -- against the family's wishes and religious custom -- after her body was brought back from the New Delhi hospital where she died from her injuries on Tuesday.
"As it is, the deceased victim was treated with extreme brutality by the perpetrators of the crime, and what is alleged to have happened thereafter, if true, amounts to perpetuating the misery of the family and rubbing salt in their wounds," the judges said.
They set a hearing for October 12, summoning both police and the victim's family.
- 'Not rape' -
The late-night cremation further stoked accusations that local police were protecting the alleged culprits -- who have been arrested on charges of gang-rape and murder -- and their well-connected, high-caste families.
On Thursday the local police issued a statement saying that according to a forensic report "no rape was committed".
The findings, confirming those of a preliminary medical report and a postmortem, "exposed the conspiracy of those who tried to push the state into a caste turmoil", the statement quoted local police official Prashant Kumar as saying.
This contradicts statements from both the victim and her mother, and also findings from the Delhi hospital when she was admitted, media reports said.
Experts cast doubt on the forensic test cited by the police, saying it was conducted too long -- eight days -- after the attack.
Mishika Singh, a lawyer and activist, told AFP that the findings were "in no way conclusive proof to say rape was not committed".
"Ignoring the dying declaration of the victim on the basis of a non-conclusive forensic report goes to show the murky investigation being done by the police," Singh said.
The young woman's death comes months after four men were hanged for the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a student on a bus in New Delhi, in a case that came to symbolise India's problems with sexual violence.
The latest incident -- and another gang-rape and murder this week in the same area -- has sparked days of protests and candle-lit marches as well as condemnation from politicians, activists and Bollywood stars.
An average of 87 rapes were reported in India every day last year, according to data released Tuesday by the National Crime Records Bureau, but large numbers are thought to go unreported.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Nigerian schools to reopen on Oct 12 after virus decline

Nigeria is moving to reopen schools after shutting them in March in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus Nigerian schools are to reopen fully on October 12 following a decline in new coronavirus cases in the country , the education minister announced on Friday .
Africa 's most populous nation shut down schools in March , in a bid to curb the spread of the virus .
Last month , authorities allowed a partial reopening of schools for graduating students as they moved to ease measures imposed in the wake of the pandemic .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of 700 in July and August , have come down to 200 , Education minister Adamu Adamu said .
In light of this decline , Adamu told reporters in the capital Abuja that `` all 104 Unity Colleges '' could reopen .
The government has also directed states and private schools to work out the modalities for reopening , but advised them to comply with COVID-19 safety and health guidelines .
`` Let me warn that any school owner that does not comply with these guidelines and an outbreak occurs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure , '' Adamu said .
Nigeria has made wearing face masks compulsory , and advised citizens to maintain social distancing and continue washing hands with soap or sanitisers .
The virus has so far infected 59,001 and claimed 1,112 lives out of a population of 200 million , according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control .

Abuja (AFP) –
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Nigerian schools are to reopen fully on October 12 following a decline in new coronavirus cases in the country, the education minister announced on Friday.
Africa's most populous nation shut down schools in March, in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Last month, authorities allowed a partial reopening of schools for graduating students as they moved to ease measures imposed in the wake of the pandemic.
The number of new daily infections, which peaked at an average of 700 in July and August, have come down to 200, Education minister Adamu Adamu said.
In light of this decline, Adamu told reporters in the capital Abuja that "all 104 Unity Colleges" could reopen.
The government has also directed states and private schools to work out the modalities for reopening, but advised them to comply with COVID-19 safety and health guidelines.
"Let me warn that any school owner that does not comply with these guidelines and an outbreak occurs in the school due to negligence, risks closure," Adamu said.
Nigeria has made wearing face masks compulsory, and advised citizens to maintain social distancing and continue washing hands with soap or sanitisers.
The virus has so far infected 59,001 and claimed 1,112 lives out of a population of 200 million, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Analysis: emboldened Azerbaijan takes fight to Armenia's capital

Fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh territory showed no sign of relenting Friday , with reports Azerbaijani forces were attacking close to @ @ @ @ @ .
FRANCE 24 ’ s chief foreign affairs editor Robert Parsons explains Azerbaijan feels emboldened @ @ @ @ @ Turkey ’ s support .

Analysis: emboldened Azerbaijan takes fight to Armenia's capital
03:53
Fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh territory showed no sign of relenting Friday, with reports Azerbaijani forces were attacking close to Armenia’s capital Yerevan. FRANCE 24’s chief foreign affairs editor Robert Parsons explains Azerbaijan feels emboldened by its military hardware and Turkey’s support.


france24--2020-10-02--Trump unable to escape virus as term comes to a close

US President Donald Trump , pictured at the White House on October 1 , 2020 , has been berated for playing down the pandemic threat The Covid-19 crisis had already haunted Donald Trump 's first term in office , as his scatter-gun response placed him increasingly at odds with the science .
Then he tested positive , a month before the election .
The US president announced in the small hours of Friday that he and First Lady Melania Trump would be going into quarantine after they were both found to have contracted the novel coronavirus .
Hours earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides who is also close to the first lady , had received news of her own positive test .
The coronavirus , which emerged late last year in China and early in 2020 the US , has upended Donald Trump 's presidency , casting him into a dangerous moment in his battle with Democratic rival Joe Biden over who will occupy the White House for the coming four years .
Trump first mentioned the new coronavirus in public on January 22 , 2020 , during a visit to the World Economic Forum in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it totally under control .
It 's one person coming in from China .
It 's going to be just fine , '' he said at the time .
The populist Republican has consistently downplayed the threat posed by the pandemic , saying on numerous occasions that the virus would disappear as the weather warmed .
`` Typically , it will go away in April , '' he said in February .
According to The Washington Post , which analyzed the president 's statements , he said 34 times that the virus would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak spread rapidly , forcing state governors and local authorities across the country to impose lockdowns .
By mid-March , the US had ground to a standstill , with schools closed and links to the rest of the world drastically reduced .
The economy soon collapsed and with it one of the president 's main arguments for re-election .
During his first debate Tuesday with Biden , Trump maintained that he had built `` the greatest economy in history . ''
But he was harking back to pre-pandemic conditions that no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , Trump has promoted unproven remedies for Covid-19 such as hydroxychloroquine , an anti-malarial drug which doctors say has proved ineffective against the coronavirus .
He backed the drug with the full force of the federal government , announcing on March 28 from the White House that it had been given emergency authorization .
Trump even announced at the end of May that he himself had embarked on a preventive course of the therapeutic .
`` I 'm taking it , hydroxychloroquine , right now , yeah .
Couple of weeks ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he declared .
The Food and Drug Administration 's emergency approval would later be revoked , but Trump remained an ardent promoter of the treatment on the world stage .
The episode was emblematic of the president 's confused messaging on the outbreak .
Amid the repeated promises of a vaccine , the far-fetched remedies and the rush to reopen the economy , Trump left the actual management of the fightback to individual states , dooming any chance of a unified national response .
In early April , health authorities recommended that masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House that Trump immediately undercut by insisting he himself would not wear one .
The billionaire former reality TV star has even gone as far as piling mockery on those who do follow the advice to mask up , including Biden .
Trump did n't appear masked in public until July 11 but has rarely been seen covered up since .
He has been excoriated for his stewardship of a crisis that has so far led to almost 208,000 deaths in the United States , among 7.2 million registered cases .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of the world 's population -- is the worst-hit nation , accounting for more than 20 percent of the global death toll .
In stark contrast to the cautious , by-the-book Biden , who has spent much of the election season at home in Delaware , Trump decided to continue actively campaigning and has basked in large crowds of devoted supporters in a series of rallies .
He was in Minnesota on Wednesday .
An event scheduled for Friday in Florida has been canceled , and appearances scheduled for Saturday in battleground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the wayside , too .
Tests carried out regularly on the 74-year-old president had so far come back negative .
Until his late night tweet when he made the announcement the stunned the world : `` Tonight , @ FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19 . ''

Washington (AFP) –
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The Covid-19 crisis had already haunted Donald Trump's first term in office, as his scatter-gun response placed him increasingly at odds with the science. Then he tested positive, a month before the election.
The US president announced in the small hours of Friday that he and First Lady Melania Trump would be going into quarantine after they were both found to have contracted the novel coronavirus.
Hours earlier, Hope Hicks, one of his top aides who is also close to the first lady, had received news of her own positive test.
The coronavirus, which emerged late last year in China and early in 2020 the US, has upended Donald Trump's presidency, casting him into a dangerous moment in his battle with Democratic rival Joe Biden over who will occupy the White House for the coming four years.
- Downplaying the threat -
Trump first mentioned the new coronavirus in public on January 22, 2020, during a visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
"We have it totally under control. It's one person coming in from China. It's going to be just fine," he said at the time.
The populist Republican has consistently downplayed the threat posed by the pandemic, saying on numerous occasions that the virus would disappear as the weather warmed.
"Typically, it will go away in April," he said in February.
According to The Washington Post, which analyzed the president's statements, he said 34 times that the virus would disappear on its own.
Instead, the outbreak spread rapidly, forcing state governors and local authorities across the country to impose lockdowns.
By mid-March, the US had ground to a standstill, with schools closed and links to the rest of the world drastically reduced.
The economy soon collapsed and with it one of the president's main arguments for re-election.
During his first debate Tuesday with Biden, Trump maintained that he had built "the greatest economy in history." But he was harking back to pre-pandemic conditions that no longer hold.
- Disorganized management -
Since the beginning of the crisis, Trump has promoted unproven remedies for Covid-19 such as hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug which doctors say has proved ineffective against the coronavirus.
He backed the drug with the full force of the federal government, announcing on March 28 from the White House that it had been given emergency authorization.
Trump even announced at the end of May that he himself had embarked on a preventive course of the therapeutic.
"I'm taking it, hydroxychloroquine, right now, yeah. Couple of weeks ago, I started taking it," he declared.
The Food and Drug Administration's emergency approval would later be revoked, but Trump remained an ardent promoter of the treatment on the world stage.
The episode was emblematic of the president's confused messaging on the outbreak.
Amid the repeated promises of a vaccine, the far-fetched remedies and the rush to reopen the economy, Trump left the actual management of the fightback to individual states, dooming any chance of a unified national response.
In early April, health authorities recommended that masks be worn in an announcement at the White House that Trump immediately undercut by insisting he himself would not wear one.
The billionaire former reality TV star has even gone as far as piling mockery on those who do follow the advice to mask up, including Biden.
Trump didn't appear masked in public until July 11 but has rarely been seen covered up since.
He has been excoriated for his stewardship of a crisis that has so far led to almost 208,000 deaths in the United States, among 7.2 million registered cases.
The US -- home to less than five percent of the world's population -- is the worst-hit nation, accounting for more than 20 percent of the global death toll.
- Contrast with Biden -
In stark contrast to the cautious, by-the-book Biden, who has spent much of the election season at home in Delaware, Trump decided to continue actively campaigning and has basked in large crowds of devoted supporters in a series of rallies.
He was in Minnesota on Wednesday. An event scheduled for Friday in Florida has been canceled, and appearances scheduled for Saturday in battleground state of Wisconsin look likely to fall be the wayside, too.
Tests carried out regularly on the 74-year-old president had so far come back negative.
Until his late night tweet when he made the announcement the stunned the world: "Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--US defence chief visits Morocco to boost security ties

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper pictured Thursday in Algeria , the previous stop of his North Africa tour which started in Tunisia US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper visited Morocco on Friday , the final stop on a North Africa tour aimed at beefing up cooperation against jihadists in war-torn Libya and the Sahel .
The Pentagon chief was to sign a military cooperation deal with the kingdom , which along with Tunisia is seen by Washington as a major ally in the region destabilised by years of conflict in Libya and Mali .
In Morocco , Esper was due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defence Minister Abdellatif Loudiyi and Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita .
The goal is to reinforce cooperation between the United States and Morocco , which already hosts an annual US military exercise called African Lion , cancelled this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
The US is Morocco 's top arms supplier , selling it combat aircraft , ships , tanks and armoured vehicles .
Esper also signed a 10-year military cooperation deal with Tunis on Wednesday , hailing their collaboration over the conflict in Libya .
On Thursday , Esper visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , becoming the first US defence chief to do so since Donald Rumsfeld almost 15 years ago .
Algeria is trying to mediate in war-ravaged Libya and Mali .
The last senior US official to visit Morocco was Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who met Bourita in December to discuss efforts to isolate Iran , as well as the conflicts rocking North Africa .
Morocco has in recent weeks hosted talks between rival sides in Libya in support of United Nations efforts to find a political solution to the fighting raging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moamer Kadhafi .
Its foreign minister also visited Mali last month , meeting transitional president Bah Ndaw and his deputy Colonel Assimi Goita , leader of a military coup the overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August .

Rabat (AFP) –
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US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper visited Morocco on Friday, the final stop on a North Africa tour aimed at beefing up cooperation against jihadists in war-torn Libya and the Sahel.
The Pentagon chief was to sign a military cooperation deal with the kingdom, which along with Tunisia is seen by Washington as a major ally in the region destabilised by years of conflict in Libya and Mali.
In Morocco, Esper was due to meet army chief Abdelfattah Louarak, Defence Minister Abdellatif Loudiyi and Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
The goal is to reinforce cooperation between the United States and Morocco, which already hosts an annual US military exercise called African Lion, cancelled this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The US is Morocco's top arms supplier, selling it combat aircraft, ships, tanks and armoured vehicles.
Esper also signed a 10-year military cooperation deal with Tunis on Wednesday, hailing their collaboration over the conflict in Libya.
On Thursday, Esper visited Algeria, an ally of Russia and China, becoming the first US defence chief to do so since Donald Rumsfeld almost 15 years ago.
Algeria is trying to mediate in war-ravaged Libya and Mali.
The last senior US official to visit Morocco was Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who met Bourita in December to discuss efforts to isolate Iran, as well as the conflicts rocking North Africa.
Morocco has in recent weeks hosted talks between rival sides in Libya in support of United Nations efforts to find a political solution to the fighting raging since the 2011 fall of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
Its foreign minister also visited Mali last month, meeting transitional president Bah Ndaw and his deputy Colonel Assimi Goita, leader of a military coup the overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Trump's positive test highlights risks of cavalier approach

US President Donald Trump is in quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus .
The president had made a habit of @ @ @ @ @ and consistently downplayed the risks of contracting Covid-19 .

Trump's positive test highlights risks of cavalier approach
01:44
US President Donald Trump is in quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus. The president had made a habit of not wearing a mask, and consistently downplayed the risks of contracting Covid-19.


france24--2020-10-02--Honda to withdraw from Formula One at end of 2021 season

Honda 's decision to quit Formula One leaves Red Bull looking for a new engine supplier Honda said Friday it will withdraw from Formula One at the end of the 2021 season as part of the car industry 's move away from internal combustion engines .
The Red Bull and Alpha Tauri teams use power units made by the Japanese manufacturer .
Honda said its industry was undergoing a `` once-in-one-hundred-years period of great transformation '' and it was pursuing `` carbon neutrality by 2050 '' using `` future power-unit and energy technologies , including fuel-cell vehicle and battery technologies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its fans , Honda will work together with Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri to continue competing with its utmost effort and strive for more victories all the way to the end of the 2021 season , '' said the Honda statement .
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said : `` The shifting focus within the automotive industry has led to Honda 's decision to re-deploy their resources and we understand and respect the reasoning behind this .
`` Their decision presents obvious challenges for us as a team but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength in depth we are well prepared and equipped to respond effectively , as we have proven in the past . ''
The decision leaves Red Bull looking for a new engine supplier , a situation it will need to resolve quickly to prevent its in-demand Dutch driver Max Verstappen seeking a new challenge at another team .
Honda 's glory years in Formula One came in the 1980s with McLaren and the defining rivalry of that era time between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna , who each spent five years at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 2006 and 2008 ended largely in failure as it recorded a single victory , with Jenson Button at the wheel at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix .
Honda later left the sport , returning in 2015 but struggled for three years working with McLaren .
The company transferred its attention to Red Bull 's junior team Toro Rosso for 2018 and then Red Bull for 2019 , and have won a total of five races over the last two years .
But they have been unable to sustain a challenge to Mercedes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport this season .
Honda 's decision leaves Formula One reliant on three engine companies -- Renault , Mercedes and Ferrari .
The Japanese giant 's commitment to new technology also underlines the dilemma faced by the sport as it seeks to deal with the challenge of the evolution of the wider auto industry towards greener solutions .

Paris (AFP) –
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Honda said Friday it will withdraw from Formula One at the end of the 2021 season as part of the car industry's move away from internal combustion engines.
The Red Bull and Alpha Tauri teams use power units made by the Japanese manufacturer.
Honda said its industry was undergoing a "once-in-one-hundred-years period of great transformation" and it was pursuing "carbon neutrality by 2050" using "future power-unit and energy technologies, including fuel-cell vehicle and battery technologies".
"To fulfill the expectations of its fans, Honda will work together with Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri to continue competing with its utmost effort and strive for more victories all the way to the end of the 2021 season," said the Honda statement.
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said: "The shifting focus within the automotive industry has led to Honda's decision to re-deploy their resources and we understand and respect the reasoning behind this.
"Their decision presents obvious challenges for us as a team but we have been here before and with our strength in depth we are well prepared and equipped to respond effectively, as we have proven in the past."
The decision leaves Red Bull looking for a new engine supplier, a situation it will need to resolve quickly to prevent its in-demand Dutch driver Max Verstappen seeking a new challenge at another team.
Honda's glory years in Formula One came in the 1980s with McLaren and the defining rivalry of that era time between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, who each spent five years at the team.
Its move into team ownership between 2006 and 2008 ended largely in failure as it recorded a single victory, with Jenson Button at the wheel at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Honda later left the sport, returning in 2015 but struggled for three years working with McLaren.
The company transferred its attention to Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso for 2018 and then Red Bull for 2019, and have won a total of five races over the last two years.
But they have been unable to sustain a challenge to Mercedes who have increased their stranglehold on the sport this season.
Honda's decision leaves Formula One reliant on three engine companies -- Renault, Mercedes and Ferrari.
The Japanese giant's commitment to new technology also underlines the dilemma faced by the sport as it seeks to deal with the challenge of the evolution of the wider auto industry towards greener solutions.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Macron unveils separatism bill aimed at promoting secularism

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday outlined new legislation aimed at groups considered hostile to France and French values .
The @ @ @ @ @ , though critics say it is a bid to court the far right and ostracise @ @

Macron unveils separatism bill aimed at promoting secularism
49:05
President Emmanuel Macron on Friday outlined new legislation aimed at groups considered hostile to France and French values. The anti-separatism bill has widespread support, though critics say it is a bid to court the far right and ostracise Muslims.


france24--2020-10-02--Analysis: Macron bill specifically targets Islamic separatism

French President Emmanuel Macron has revealed details of a long-awaited anti-separatism bill , which includes a ban on home-schooling in @ @ @ @ @ for any institution seeking public funds to sign a charter on secularism .
FRANCE 24 @ @ @ @ @ editor Marc Perelman , says Macron specifically addressed Islamic separatism .
The bill will now @ @ @ @ @ December .

Analysis: Macron bill specifically targets Islamic separatism
07:48
French President Emmanuel Macron has revealed details of a long-awaited anti-separatism bill, which includes a ban on home-schooling in most cases, and requirements for any institution seeking public funds to sign a charter on secularism. FRANCE 24’s French political affairs editor Marc Perelman, says Macron specifically addressed Islamic separatism. The bill will now be presented to cabinet in December.


france24--2020-10-03--Mission Impossible? Enable and Dettori bid for Arc immortality

Enable , ridden by Frankie Dettori , will bid on Sunday to achieve what the Italian jockey labels the `` impossible '' and become the first horse to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe three times .
Only eight horses have won the race twice and few have attempted to win it three times .
The last one to try , Treve , finished fourth in 2015 .
If successful in defying her 14 rivals at Longchamp racecourse , the John Gosden-trained superstar will be the first six-year-old to win the marquee race .
Sadly , if history is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 spectators due to coronavirus restrictions .
Four of Enable 's opponents will come from the Aidan O'Brien stable , though the heavy rain in Paris has ruled out Love , his formidable Epsom Oaks winner , who was vying with Enable for favouritism .
Dettori admits no other horse has taken him to such emotional highs in his extraordinary career .
The 49-year-old decided that Enable still had the class to go for the Arc after she won a record third King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go for three Arcs , '' he said .
Dettori knows this is the last roll of the dice for him and his `` favourite girl '' and hopes it ends happily unlike last year , when Waldgeist denied her victory .
`` Last year 's Arc day was the longest two hours of my riding career , make no mistake , '' he said .
`` I had the disappointment of the Arc but unfortunately that was only the third race on the card and I had rides in the following races @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon . ''
Gosden says Enable is a `` phenomenal athlete '' but he believes her mental strength could prove to be more important .
She refuses to crack even when trailing .
Gosden , who with Dettori is bidding for a fourth win in the Arc in six runnings , says the unknown factor is whether her finishing speed has been blunted .
`` Enable will be running in her fourth Arc , which is remarkable really , '' said Gosden .
`` Like those old boxers , she has taken a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at training camp and it depends if they 've lost any of their old speed . ''
Gosden is not worried about the ground for Enable but that is a factor for his other entrant , the legendary stayer Stradivarius .
The three-time Ascot Gold Cup winner , also six years old , will be ridden by Frenchman Olivier Peslier , who has won the race four times .
`` He ( Stradivarius ) is battle-hardened , he has maturity on his side and he knows his own mind , '' Gosden told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like bottomless ground . ''
O'Brien 's best hopes of winning a third Arc probably lie with Mogul and his shock Epsom Derby winner Serpentine .
Mogul is the chosen ride of his stable jockey Ryan Moore after they won the Group One Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp last month , with Serpentine fourth .
However , the 50-year-old Irishman saw enough in Serpentine 's performance to give him confidence .
`` At this stage we do n't know how the ground will be exactly but hopefully he ( Serpentine ) will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of the home contenders , Francis-Henry Graffard 's German Derby winner In Swoop and the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Raabihah look the likeliest to pose a threat to the Gosden and O'Brien camps .
Japan dreams of winning the race but the form this season of their one runner Deirdre suggests their wait will go on .
For a sport facing tough times due to the financial impact of the pandemic , a victory for Enable would be a shot in the arm .
`` We really need to cherish these special horses , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racing world will get to do so one more time .

Paris (AFP) –
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Enable, ridden by Frankie Dettori, will bid on Sunday to achieve what the Italian jockey labels the "impossible" and become the first horse to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe three times.
Only eight horses have won the race twice and few have attempted to win it three times. The last one to try, Treve, finished fourth in 2015.
If successful in defying her 14 rivals at Longchamp racecourse, the John Gosden-trained superstar will be the first six-year-old to win the marquee race.
Sadly, if history is made it will only be witnessed by 1,000 spectators due to coronavirus restrictions.
Four of Enable's opponents will come from the Aidan O'Brien stable, though the heavy rain in Paris has ruled out Love, his formidable Epsom Oaks winner, who was vying with Enable for favouritism.
Dettori admits no other horse has taken him to such emotional highs in his extraordinary career.
The 49-year-old decided that Enable still had the class to go for the Arc after she won a record third King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July.
"We have to try the impossible and go for three Arcs," he said.
Dettori knows this is the last roll of the dice for him and his "favourite girl" and hopes it ends happily unlike last year, when Waldgeist denied her victory.
"Last year's Arc day was the longest two hours of my riding career, make no mistake," he said.
"I had the disappointment of the Arc but unfortunately that was only the third race on the card and I had rides in the following races. It felt like a very long afternoon."
Gosden says Enable is a "phenomenal athlete" but he believes her mental strength could prove to be more important. She refuses to crack even when trailing.
- 'Special horses' -
Gosden, who with Dettori is bidding for a fourth win in the Arc in six runnings, says the unknown factor is whether her finishing speed has been blunted.
"Enable will be running in her fourth Arc, which is remarkable really," said Gosden.
"Like those old boxers, she has taken a while to get up to full fitness at training camp and it depends if they've lost any of their old speed."
Gosden is not worried about the ground for Enable but that is a factor for his other entrant, the legendary stayer Stradivarius.
The three-time Ascot Gold Cup winner, also six years old, will be ridden by Frenchman Olivier Peslier, who has won the race four times.
"He (Stradivarius) is battle-hardened, he has maturity on his side and he knows his own mind," Gosden told AFP. "He just would not like bottomless ground."
O'Brien's best hopes of winning a third Arc probably lie with Mogul and his shock Epsom Derby winner Serpentine.
Mogul is the chosen ride of his stable jockey Ryan Moore after they won the Group One Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp last month, with Serpentine fourth.
However, the 50-year-old Irishman saw enough in Serpentine's performance to give him confidence.
"At this stage we don't know how the ground will be exactly but hopefully he (Serpentine) will be OK," said O'Brien.
Of the home contenders, Francis-Henry Graffard's German Derby winner In Swoop and the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Raabihah look the likeliest to pose a threat to the Gosden and O'Brien camps.
Japan dreams of winning the race but the form this season of their one runner Deirdre suggests their wait will go on.
For a sport facing tough times due to the financial impact of the pandemic, a victory for Enable would be a shot in the arm.
"We really need to cherish these special horses," said Dettori.
On Sunday afternoon the racing world will get to do so one more time.
pi/jw/pb
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-03--NBA commissioner says 2021 pause for Olympics unlikely

A USA basketball team stocked with NBA talent collects the gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics .
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says it 's not clear how the postponed Tokyo Games will mesh with a delayed 2021 NBA season NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Friday he thinks it 's unlikely the league will pause a delayed 2021 season to allow player to compete in a postponed Tokyo Olympics .
`` We 'll consider it , '' Silver said in a courtside interview with NBA TV before the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat clashed in game two of the NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Orlando , Florida .
`` I think it 's unlikely at the end of the day that if we start late that we would stop for the Olympics . ''
The league 's 2020 season was upended by the coronavirus pandemic , shutting down in March and resuming in late July -- more than a month after the NBA title would have normally been decided .
Silver has already said the 2020-21 campaign wo n't start before Christmas , which means it will run through the scheduled July 23 , 2021 start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponed because of the pandemic by a year .
`` It 's not just a function of stopping just for the period that they would be competing over in Tokyo , '' Silver said .
`` They would require a training camp and they require rest afterwards . ''
Silver was confident a decision not to pause for the Games would be weathered well by the United States , but he acknowledged that it could be tougher on other countries whose top players compete in the NBA .
`` I am a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because some of their stars play in our league and their absence would make a huge difference for those national teams , '' he said .
`` Having said that , I can only say these are such extraordinary circumstances that even if we set out to plan for the Olympics how can they even know what the world is going to be like next summer and whether they can go forward ?
`` I think during these extraordinary times all the conventional rules are off the table and everybody 's just going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Miami (AFP) –
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NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Friday he thinks it's unlikely the league will pause a delayed 2021 season to allow player to compete in a postponed Tokyo Olympics.
"We'll consider it," Silver said in a courtside interview with NBA TV before the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat clashed in game two of the NBA Finals in the league's quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida.
"I think it's unlikely at the end of the day that if we start late that we would stop for the Olympics."
The league's 2020 season was upended by the coronavirus pandemic, shutting down in March and resuming in late July -- more than a month after the NBA title would have normally been decided.
Silver has already said the 2020-21 campaign won't start before Christmas, which means it will run through the scheduled July 23, 2021 start of the Tokyo Games -- which were postponed because of the pandemic by a year.
"It's not just a function of stopping just for the period that they would be competing over in Tokyo," Silver said. "They would require a training camp and they require rest afterwards."
Silver was confident a decision not to pause for the Games would be weathered well by the United States, but he acknowledged that it could be tougher on other countries whose top players compete in the NBA.
"I am a bit worried about some of the international teams because some of their stars play in our league and their absence would make a huge difference for those national teams," he said.
"Having said that, I can only say these are such extraordinary circumstances that even if we set out to plan for the Olympics how can they even know what the world is going to be like next summer and whether they can go forward?
"I think during these extraordinary times all the conventional rules are off the table and everybody's just going to have to make certain accommodations."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-03--Antarctic Peninsula at warmest in decades: study

The year 2020 is the hottest in the Antarctic Peninsula in the past three decades , a study by the University of Santiago de Chile out Friday found .
Between January and August , temperatures reached between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius ( 35.6 and 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit ) on the peninsula , which is the northernmost part of mainland Antarctica , according to researchers at the Chilean Air Force 's Frei Base on King George Island .
Those temperatures are `` more than 2 degrees Celsius over typical values , '' climatologist Raul Cordero said in a statement released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
`` In the far northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula , the average maximum temperature so far this year has been above 0 degrees .
This had not happened for 31 years , '' Cordero added .
He called that fact `` alarming , '' since it could indicate that the rapid rate of ocean warming observed in the area at the end of the 20th century is resuming .
The high Southern Hemisphere winter temperatures are in contrast , however , with those registered between August and September , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 1970 .
The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of Antarctica , where there are scientific and military bases from several countries , including Argentina , Chile and Britain .

Santiago (AFP) –
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The year 2020 is the hottest in the Antarctic Peninsula in the past three decades, a study by the University of Santiago de Chile out Friday found.
Between January and August, temperatures reached between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius (35.6 and 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit) on the peninsula, which is the northernmost part of mainland Antarctica, according to researchers at the Chilean Air Force's Frei Base on King George Island.
Those temperatures are "more than 2 degrees Celsius over typical values," climatologist Raul Cordero said in a statement released by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH).
"In the far northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, the average maximum temperature so far this year has been above 0 degrees. This had not happened for 31 years," Cordero added.
He called that fact "alarming," since it could indicate that the rapid rate of ocean warming observed in the area at the end of the 20th century is resuming.
The high Southern Hemisphere winter temperatures are in contrast, however, with those registered between August and September, which reached -16.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest since 1970.
The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of Antarctica, where there are scientific and military bases from several countries, including Argentina, Chile and Britain.
© 2020 AFP