france24--2020-09-25--IMF raises Colombia's credit line to $17.2 bn

Colombia has had a Flexible Credit Line ( FCL ) since May 2009 , and the IMF board has renewed it every two years , providing the country with money that could be deployed to head off a crisis The International Monetary Fund on Friday announced it had raised by $ 6.5 billion a credit line offered to Colombia to about $ 17.2 billion , aiming to help the country cope with the economic effects of Covid-19 .
`` The augmentation was approved in light of Colombia 's continued qualification with very strong institutional policy frameworks , track record of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against a backdrop of higher external risks and a larger than expected adverse impact from Covid-19 pandemic , '' the Washington-based crisis lender said in a statement .
Colombia has had a Flexible Credit Line ( FCL ) since May 2009 , and the IMF board has renewed it every two years , providing the country with money that could be deployed to head off a crisis .
The latest renewal in May was for $ 10.8 billion , but deputy IMF managing director Antoinette Sayeh said in a statement that Colombia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country is set for its worst recession on record .
`` The augmentation of access under the current FCL arrangement will help Colombia manage heightened external risks , protect ongoing efforts to effectively respond to the pandemic , continue to integrate migrants from Venezuela , foster inclusive growth and reduce external vulnerabilities , '' she said .
IMF mission chief for Colombia Hamid Faruqee said the country 's economy is expected to shrink 8.2 percent this year , worse than the 2.5 percent drop originally forecast .
`` We do expect growth to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GDP increasing four percent next year .
Colombia is one of five countries that have received an FCL , along with Chile , Mexico , Peru and Poland , which exited the arrangement in late 2017 .
None of the countries have drawn on the funds , the IMF said .

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The International Monetary Fund on Friday announced it had raised by $6.5 billion a credit line offered to Colombia to about $17.2 billion, aiming to help the country cope with the economic effects of Covid-19.
"The augmentation was approved in light of Colombia's continued qualification with very strong institutional policy frameworks, track record of economic performance and policy implementation, and against a backdrop of higher external risks and a larger than expected adverse impact from Covid-19 pandemic," the Washington-based crisis lender said in a statement.
Colombia has had a Flexible Credit Line (FCL) since May 2009, and the IMF board has renewed it every two years, providing the country with money that could be deployed to head off a crisis.
The latest renewal in May was for $10.8 billion, but deputy IMF managing director Antoinette Sayeh said in a statement that Colombia's downturn was deeper than expected and the country is set for its worst recession on record.
"The augmentation of access under the current FCL arrangement will help Colombia manage heightened external risks, protect ongoing efforts to effectively respond to the pandemic, continue to integrate migrants from Venezuela, foster inclusive growth and reduce external vulnerabilities," she said.
IMF mission chief for Colombia Hamid Faruqee said the country's economy is expected to shrink 8.2 percent this year, worse than the 2.5 percent drop originally forecast.
"We do expect growth to rebound," he said, predicting GDP increasing four percent next year.
Colombia is one of five countries that have received an FCL, along with Chile, Mexico, Peru and Poland, which exited the arrangement in late 2017.
None of the countries have drawn on the funds, the IMF said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--Australia PM on not sharing vaccine: History will be 'severe judge'

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison , seen here in March 2020 , has demanded universal sharing of a Covid-19 vaccine Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday insisted that any nation that develops a Covid-19 vaccine share it universally , warning that history will be a `` severe judge '' if not .
Morrison made the strongly worded appeal at the United Nations as the United States , the historic ally of Australia , resists global efforts to collaborate on a vaccine .
`` When it comes to a vaccine , Australia 's view is very clear -- whoever finds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morrison said in a message to the virtual UN General Assembly recorded in front of the iconic Sydney Opera House .
`` This is a global responsibility and it 's a moral responsibility for a vaccine to be shared far and wide , '' he said .
`` Some might see short-term advantage or even profit , but I assure you , to anyone who may think along those lines -- humanity will have a very long memory and be a very , very severe judge . ''
Morrison vowed that Australia will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and voiced support for Covax , the UN initiative that aims to have two billion doses of a vaccine ready for universal distribution by late 2021 .
The United States , China and Russia -- which , to wide skepticism , has already unveiled its own vaccine -- have shunned Covax .
President Donald Trump 's administration has given notice that the United States will pull out of the World Health Organization , calling it biased toward China , and has refused to promise to share Covid research , fearing theft of intellectual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sharp difference from Trump , Morrison credited the efforts of the WHO in containing Covid-19 .
But Australia has joined the United States in pushing for an investigation into the origins of Covid , news of which was initially suppressed when cases surfaced in China late last year .
`` We must do all we can to understand what happened for no other purpose than to prevent it from happening again , '' Morrison said .
Australia 's call for an investigation has contributed to a sharp deterioration in relations with China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the United States .
Australia , with its geographic isolation and strict measures , has enjoyed more success than most Western countries in containing Covid-19 .
Morrison has advocated mandatory vaccinations once a vaccine is available .

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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday insisted that any nation that develops a Covid-19 vaccine share it universally, warning that history will be a "severe judge" if not.
Morrison made the strongly worded appeal at the United Nations as the United States, the historic ally of Australia, resists global efforts to collaborate on a vaccine.
"When it comes to a vaccine, Australia's view is very clear -- whoever finds the vaccine must share it," Morrison said in a message to the virtual UN General Assembly recorded in front of the iconic Sydney Opera House.
"This is a global responsibility and it's a moral responsibility for a vaccine to be shared far and wide," he said.
"Some might see short-term advantage or even profit, but I assure you, to anyone who may think along those lines -- humanity will have a very long memory and be a very, very severe judge."
Morrison vowed that Australia will share a vaccine if it discovers it and voiced support for Covax, the UN initiative that aims to have two billion doses of a vaccine ready for universal distribution by late 2021.
The United States, China and Russia -- which, to wide skepticism, has already unveiled its own vaccine -- have shunned Covax.
President Donald Trump's administration has given notice that the United States will pull out of the World Health Organization, calling it biased toward China, and has refused to promise to share Covid research, fearing theft of intellectual property from US pharmaceutical companies.
In a sharp difference from Trump, Morrison credited the efforts of the WHO in containing Covid-19.
But Australia has joined the United States in pushing for an investigation into the origins of Covid, news of which was initially suppressed when cases surfaced in China late last year.
"We must do all we can to understand what happened for no other purpose than to prevent it from happening again," Morrison said.
Australia's call for an investigation has contributed to a sharp deterioration in relations with China, whose ties have also soured dramatically with the United States.
Australia, with its geographic isolation and strict measures, has enjoyed more success than most Western countries in containing Covid-19.
Morrison has advocated mandatory vaccinations once a vaccine is available.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--Deal on paid sick leave for all Canadians should avert snap elections

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , pictured June 25 , 2020 , struck a deal on new benefits to help Canadians through a second Covid-19 wave Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday reached a deal with the opposition leftist New Democrats on paid sick leave for all Canadian workers during the pandemic , avoiding possible snap elections .
The minority Liberal government earlier this week had in a so-called throne speech proposed sweeping new measures to help Canadians weather a second Covid-19 wave .
But its agenda and a bill to enact key parts of it faced possible defeat in parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withheld their support and the New Democratic Party ( NDP ) made demands for increased social spending to prop up the government .
With the defeat of the bill -- and its agenda -- the government would have fallen .
In a last-ditch effort to gain NDP support , the Liberals boosted a weekly benefit for those unable to work during the Covid-19 outbreak , including to care for children or relatives .
And it agreed to NDP demands for the two week paid sick leave for workers who must isolate after being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange , the NDP said it would back the bill as well as support the government 's agenda in a confidence vote that is expected to follow in the coming weeks .
`` If this agreement is reflected in the bill , '' NDP leader Jagmeet Singh told a news conference , `` we will support the bill , and we will also support the throne speech . ''
The bill is to be presented to parliament on Monday .
Singh would not disclose the specific amendments to it , except to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than thousands '' more Canadians will have access to paid sick leave .
Singh called the agreement a `` historic moment '' and `` a major victory for Canadian workers . ''
`` People who are worried about getting sick in this pandemic will now know when this legislation passes , that there will be paid sick leave for them , '' he said .
Liberal House of Commons leader Pablo Rodriguez also touted the agreement with the NDP , saying in a Twitter message the bill `` will deliver the help that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entering the second wave and millions of Canadians are still struggling to make ends meet , '' he said .
`` It 's by working together that we will get through this pandemic . ''

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday reached a deal with the opposition leftist New Democrats on paid sick leave for all Canadian workers during the pandemic, avoiding possible snap elections.
The minority Liberal government earlier this week had in a so-called throne speech proposed sweeping new measures to help Canadians weather a second Covid-19 wave.
But its agenda and a bill to enact key parts of it faced possible defeat in parliament, as the Tories and Bloc Quebecois withheld their support and the New Democratic Party (NDP) made demands for increased social spending to prop up the government.
With the defeat of the bill -- and its agenda -- the government would have fallen.
In a last-ditch effort to gain NDP support, the Liberals boosted a weekly benefit for those unable to work during the Covid-19 outbreak, including to care for children or relatives.
And it agreed to NDP demands for the two week paid sick leave for workers who must isolate after being exposed to the new coronavirus.
In exchange, the NDP said it would back the bill as well as support the government's agenda in a confidence vote that is expected to follow in the coming weeks.
"If this agreement is reflected in the bill," NDP leader Jagmeet Singh told a news conference, "we will support the bill, and we will also support the throne speech."
The bill is to be presented to parliament on Monday.
Singh would not disclose the specific amendments to it, except to say Liberal concessions will mean "millions rather than thousands" more Canadians will have access to paid sick leave.
Singh called the agreement a "historic moment" and "a major victory for Canadian workers."
"People who are worried about getting sick in this pandemic will now know when this legislation passes, that there will be paid sick leave for them," he said.
Liberal House of Commons leader Pablo Rodriguez also touted the agreement with the NDP, saying in a Twitter message the bill "will deliver the help that Canadians need."
"We are entering the second wave and millions of Canadians are still struggling to make ends meet," he said. "It's by working together that we will get through this pandemic."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--'Big Four' accounting firm sees upside to climate change

The Czech Republic 's GDP could rise 25 percent by 2100 even under extreme global warming , according to a report from accounting giant Deloitte .
One of the world 's 'Big Four ' accounting firms released a report this week concluding that extreme , `` business-as-usual '' climate change will benefit a third of the world 's economies over the course of the 21st century .
Published online in Czech , the analysis from Deloitte 's Prague office said that countries in colder latitudes such as Canada , Norway and Russia `` should benefit the most from rising temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for example , would likely rise 25 percent by 2100 `` in the fastest warming scenarios , '' according to a summary of the report .
The findings -- based on the relationship between average annual temperatures and GDP -- fly in the face of most research on the long-term economic impacts of climate change .
Recent studies in peer-reviewed journals show the world economy taking a huge hit from global warming by century 's end , shrinking up to 20 percent by 2100 if greenhouse gases continue unabated .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year that per capita GDP would drop more than seven percent .
`` Calculating the effects of climate change purely on the basis of changes in mean temperature or rainfall altering GDP is naive and misleading , '' said Tim Lenton , a professor at the Global System Institute at the University of Exeter , commenting on the Deloitte report .
`` Climate change is the most profound risk management problem humanity has ever faced . ''
Gernot Wagner , an associate professor in climate economics at New York University , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from extreme weather events such as heatwaves and flooding , not changes in average temperature .
`` This is an example of a seemingly logical 'study ' that is also perfectly insane , '' he said .
A team of researchers from the Charles University Environment Centre in Prague also slammed the Deloitte analysis , pointing out in a lengthly rebuttal that the Czech Republic 's open export economy is dependent on developments in world markets , something ignored in the report .
`` Climate is a global phenomenon , '' noted Wagner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the Czech Republic . ''
Surprisingly , the report finds that the most extreme UN climate scenario -- which sees the planet heating four degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels by 2100 -- would benefit the Czech Republic more than a rise of 2C .
In either scenario , some 70 countries would see `` positive effects '' , while 125 will experience negative ones , it found .
The conclusions would seem to be at odds with objectives and positions laid out by Deloitte Global earlier this month .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is needed to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement , '' Deloitte Global associate director and head of media relations Steve Dutton told AFP .
The 2015 treaty calls for capping global warming at `` well below '' 2C , and 1.5C if possible .
In a press release , Deloitte announced earlier this month a commitment `` to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 for our own operations . ''
Contacted by AFP , Deloitte 's director for the Czech Republic , David Marek , said his office stands by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled in more than $ 45 billion for the fiscal year ending in May 2019 .

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One of the world's 'Big Four' accounting firms released a report this week concluding that extreme, "business-as-usual" climate change will benefit a third of the world's economies over the course of the 21st century.
Published online in Czech, the analysis from Deloitte's Prague office said that countries in colder latitudes such as Canada, Norway and Russia "should benefit the most from rising temperatures."
The Czech Republic's GDP, for example, would likely rise 25 percent by 2100 "in the fastest warming scenarios," according to a summary of the report.
The findings -- based on the relationship between average annual temperatures and GDP -- fly in the face of most research on the long-term economic impacts of climate change.
Recent studies in peer-reviewed journals show the world economy taking a huge hit from global warming by century's end, shrinking up to 20 percent by 2100 if greenhouse gases continue unabated.
In a more conservative estimate, the IMF said last year that per capita GDP would drop more than seven percent.
"Calculating the effects of climate change purely on the basis of changes in mean temperature or rainfall altering GDP is naive and misleading," said Tim Lenton, a professor at the Global System Institute at the University of Exeter, commenting on the Deloitte report.
"Climate change is the most profound risk management problem humanity has ever faced."
- 'Perfectly insane' -
Gernot Wagner, an associate professor in climate economics at New York University, said the big risks from global warming come from extreme weather events such as heatwaves and flooding, not changes in average temperature.
"This is an example of a seemingly logical 'study' that is also perfectly insane," he said.
A team of researchers from the Charles University Environment Centre in Prague also slammed the Deloitte analysis, pointing out in a lengthly rebuttal that the Czech Republic's open export economy is dependent on developments in world markets, something ignored in the report.
"Climate is a global phenomenon," noted Wagner. "No country is an island, including the Czech Republic."
Surprisingly, the report finds that the most extreme UN climate scenario -- which sees the planet heating four degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels by 2100 -- would benefit the Czech Republic more than a rise of 2C.
In either scenario, some 70 countries would see "positive effects", while 125 will experience negative ones, it found.
The conclusions would seem to be at odds with objectives and positions laid out by Deloitte Global earlier this month.
The company "believes that urgent and immediate action is needed to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement," Deloitte Global associate director and head of media relations Steve Dutton told AFP.
The 2015 treaty calls for capping global warming at "well below" 2C, and 1.5C if possible.
In a press release, Deloitte announced earlier this month a commitment "to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 for our own operations."
Contacted by AFP, Deloitte's director for the Czech Republic, David Marek, said his office stands by the findings.
Deloitte's worldwide operations pulled in more than $45 billion for the fiscal year ending in May 2019.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--Cadets among 22 dead in 'shock' Ukraine military plane crash

The site of the air force plane crash in eastern Ukraine At least 22 people including military cadets were killed and two others were seriously injured on Friday when a Ukranian air force plane crashed near Kharkiv in the east of the country , the interior ministry said .
Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko confirmed the death toll to AFP , describing the incident as a `` shock '' , and saying that the cause of the crash was being investigated .
Footage of the crash released by officials on social media showed the smouldering remains of the Antonov-26 transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead ] were students '' of the Kharkiv National Air Force University , the air force said in a statement .
There were 27 people on board , 20 cadets and seven crew , it added .
Twenty-two have been confirmed dead , two are injured and `` the search for three more people continues '' , the emergency services said .
The injured are in a `` critical '' condition , regional governor Oleksiy Kucher said on Facebook .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the crash as a `` terrible tragedy '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kharkiv region on Saturday .
`` We are urgently creating a commission to investigate all the circumstances and causes of the tragedy , '' he wrote on Facebook .
The plane crashed at around 8:50 pm local time ( 17:50 GMT ) , two kilometres ( 1.2 miles ) from the Chuhuiv military air base , the emergency services said .
In photos released by the emergency services , firefighters in helmets and reflective clothing sprayed aircraft debris with jets of water .
The body of the plane burst into flames on landing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blaze after an hour .
The town of Chuhuiv is around 30 kilometres southeast of Kharkiv and 100 kilometres west of the front line where government forces are fighting pro-Russian separatists .
The presidency said that according to preliminary information the transport plane crashed during a training flight .
The EU 's top diplomat Josep Borrell sent his condolences on behalf of the bloc .
`` My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives , '' he tweeted .
Several military planes have crashed in Ukraine during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilot was killed in December 2018 after his Su-27 fighter crashed during landing in the Zhytomyr region .
Two months earlier , the same model of fighter crashed in a neighbouring region during the Clear Sky 2018 joint military exercises between Ukraine and NATO countries , killing the American and Ukranian pilots on board .
In 2002 , a Su-27 fell into the crowd at an airshow in Lviv in the western Ukraine killing 77 people and injuring 165 others .
The Antonov-26 is a light transport aircraft designed in Ukraine during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long and has a wingspan of 29 metres and can fly at a cruising speed of 440 kilometres per hour .
In 2014 , Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was downed killing 298 people over an area of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists .
Moscow has denied the findings of international investigators that a Russian BUK missile hit the Malaysian Airlines flight .

Chuguiv (Ukraine) (AFP) –
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At least 22 people including military cadets were killed and two others were seriously injured on Friday when a Ukranian air force plane crashed near Kharkiv in the east of the country, the interior ministry said.
Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko confirmed the death toll to AFP, describing the incident as a "shock", and saying that the cause of the crash was being investigated.
Footage of the crash released by officials on social media showed the smouldering remains of the Antonov-26 transport plane.
"Most of [the dead] were students" of the Kharkiv National Air Force University, the air force said in a statement.
There were 27 people on board, 20 cadets and seven crew, it added.
Twenty-two have been confirmed dead, two are injured and "the search for three more people continues", the emergency services said.
The injured are in a "critical" condition, regional governor Oleksiy Kucher said on Facebook.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the crash as a "terrible tragedy" and said he would travel to the Kharkiv region on Saturday.
"We are urgently creating a commission to investigate all the circumstances and causes of the tragedy," he wrote on Facebook.
The plane crashed at around 8:50 pm local time (17:50 GMT), two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the Chuhuiv military air base, the emergency services said.
In photos released by the emergency services, firefighters in helmets and reflective clothing sprayed aircraft debris with jets of water.
- Training flight -
The body of the plane burst into flames on landing and firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze after an hour.
The town of Chuhuiv is around 30 kilometres southeast of Kharkiv and 100 kilometres west of the front line where government forces are fighting pro-Russian separatists.
The presidency said that according to preliminary information the transport plane crashed during a training flight.
The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell sent his condolences on behalf of the bloc.
"My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives," he tweeted.
Several military planes have crashed in Ukraine during training flights in recent years.
A pilot was killed in December 2018 after his Su-27 fighter crashed during landing in the Zhytomyr region.
Two months earlier, the same model of fighter crashed in a neighbouring region during the Clear Sky 2018 joint military exercises between Ukraine and NATO countries, killing the American and Ukranian pilots on board.
In 2002, a Su-27 fell into the crowd at an airshow in Lviv in the western Ukraine killing 77 people and injuring 165 others.
The Antonov-26 is a light transport aircraft designed in Ukraine during the Soviet era.
It is 24 metres long and has a wingspan of 29 metres and can fly at a cruising speed of 440 kilometres per hour.
In 2014, Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was downed killing 298 people over an area of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
Moscow has denied the findings of international investigators that a Russian BUK missile hit the Malaysian Airlines flight.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--Pacquiao camps says McGregor fight being considered

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao 's camp say they are considering a possible fight against Conor McGregor Manny Pacquiao is mulling a possible fight with Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor as he plots his return to the ring , representatives for the Filipino boxing icon told AFP on Friday .
Sean Gibbons , president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions , told AFP in an email a fight between the eight-division world champion and McGregor would be a `` tremendous global event . ''
Pacquiao , 41 , has not fought since claiming the WBA welterweight crown with a stunning victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July last year .
A bout against McGregor , who fought welterweight king Floyd Mayweather in a money-spinning 2017 fight , would guarantee Pacquiao another lucrative payday .
Pacquiao has successfully combined a political career in the Philippines , where he is an elected senator , while continuing to box at the highest level .
Gibbons said that the two camps were a `` long way '' from agreeing a fight , but confirmed `` it is ( definitely ) one of the fights being considered for the Senator 's return in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought up on a few occasions for Senator Pacquiao and Conor McGregor to fight , '' Gibbons said , adding that McGregor had shown in his fight with Mayweather he was capable of challenging `` the best boxers in the world . ''
Earlier Friday , McGregor , who has a long history of making outlandish claims on social media , had said on Twitter he was `` boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East . ''
`` It will be a true honour to have faced two of the greatest boxers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
In a report on ESPN , meanwhile , McGregor 's manager Audie Attar said serious talks about a Pacquiao fight were under way , with a possible December or January date in the Middle East under consideration .

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Manny Pacquiao is mulling a possible fight with Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor as he plots his return to the ring, representatives for the Filipino boxing icon told AFP on Friday.
Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, told AFP in an email a fight between the eight-division world champion and McGregor would be a "tremendous global event."
Pacquiao, 41, has not fought since claiming the WBA welterweight crown with a stunning victory over Keith Thurman in Las Vegas in July last year.
A bout against McGregor, who fought welterweight king Floyd Mayweather in a money-spinning 2017 fight, would guarantee Pacquiao another lucrative payday.
Pacquiao has successfully combined a political career in the Philippines, where he is an elected senator, while continuing to box at the highest level.
Gibbons said that the two camps were a "long way" from agreeing a fight, but confirmed "it is (definitely) one of the fights being considered for the Senator's return in 2020."
"The idea has been brought up on a few occasions for Senator Pacquiao and Conor McGregor to fight," Gibbons said, adding that McGregor had shown in his fight with Mayweather he was capable of challenging "the best boxers in the world."
Earlier Friday, McGregor, who has a long history of making outlandish claims on social media, had said on Twitter he was "boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East."
"It will be a true honour to have faced two of the greatest boxers of the modern era," he added.
In a report on ESPN, meanwhile, McGregor's manager Audie Attar said serious talks about a Pacquiao fight were under way, with a possible December or January date in the Middle East under consideration.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--150 US chefs and restaurateurs urge votes for Joe Biden

In many US cities such as New York , restaurants can only use outdoor dining areas due to the Covid-19 pandemic More than 150 US chefs and restaurateurs this week signed a letter urging public support for Democratic White House candidate Joe Biden , saying their industry faces an `` existential crisis '' due to President Donald Trump 's mismanagement of the Covid-19 pandemic .
`` The Trump administration blew the pandemic response , '' reads the open letter .
`` Now , the industry is expected to lose an estimated $ 240 billion by the end of this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on financial life support . ''
Since the start of the crisis `` the restaurant industry has begged this administration for support ...
Yet , at every turn , the President has mishandled the response . ''
Trump `` has proven his unfitness to hold the office of the presidency .
He has failed the restaurant industry , our employees , our customers , and the stakes are too high to continue down this path ... We need to elect Joe Biden '' as the next US president , the letter read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide the names of people who signed the letter .
But according to the specialty magazine Eater , more than 150 chefs and restaurateurs have signed the document , including chef Elizabeth Falkner , pastry chef Duff Goldman , New York chef and cookbook author Anita Lo , and Nina Compton of the restaurant Compere Lapin in New Orleans .
Some , like Falkner , are active on Twitter and were already participating in Biden campaign fundraisers .
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a gut punch to the US restaurant and hospitality industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York and Los Angeles , restaurants can only open outdoor dining areas .
New York has authorized theaters to reopen on September 30 , but at only at one quarter capacity , as is the case in Chicago .
A recent study by the New York City Hospitality Alliance found that nearly nine in ten restaurants could no longer fully pay their rent .

New York (AFP) –
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More than 150 US chefs and restaurateurs this week signed a letter urging public support for Democratic White House candidate Joe Biden, saying their industry faces an "existential crisis" due to President Donald Trump's mismanagement of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The Trump administration blew the pandemic response," reads the open letter. "Now, the industry is expected to lose an estimated $240 billion by the end of this year, and many restaurants and small businesses are on financial life support."
Since the start of the crisis "the restaurant industry has begged this administration for support ... Yet, at every turn, the President has mishandled the response."
Trump "has proven his unfitness to hold the office of the presidency. He has failed the restaurant industry, our employees, our customers, and the stakes are too high to continue down this path ... We need to elect Joe Biden" as the next US president, the letter read.
Biden's campaign did not immediately provide the names of people who signed the letter.
But according to the specialty magazine Eater, more than 150 chefs and restaurateurs have signed the document, including chef Elizabeth Falkner, pastry chef Duff Goldman, New York chef and cookbook author Anita Lo, and Nina Compton of the restaurant Compere Lapin in New Orleans.
Some, like Falkner, are active on Twitter and were already participating in Biden campaign fundraisers.
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a gut punch to the US restaurant and hospitality industries.
In many cities, including New York and Los Angeles, restaurants can only open outdoor dining areas.
New York has authorized theaters to reopen on September 30, but at only at one quarter capacity, as is the case in Chicago.
A recent study by the New York City Hospitality Alliance found that nearly nine in ten restaurants could no longer fully pay their rent.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--Japan PM Suga 'determined' to hold Olympics despite pandemic

Japan 's new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga , seen here at his first press conference on September 16 , 2020 , has vowed to go ahead with the Olympic Games despite uncertainties over the coronavirus pandemic Japan is `` determined '' to host the postponed Olympic Games in 2021 despite the coronavirus pandemic , the country 's newly elected prime minister told the United Nations General Assembly on Friday .
`` In the summer of next year , Japan is determined to host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games as proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic , '' Yoshihide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since taking office last week .
`` I will continue to spare no effort in order to welcome you to Games that are safe and secure , '' added Suga in the video message .
The march of the coronavirus around the globe forced the historic decision to delay the Games earlier this year .
But with continued spikes in infection worldwide , there are ongoing questions about whether the event will be possible next year .
Organizers and Olympic officials have insisted the Games will go on , with International Olympic Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this has to happen , '' citing athletes who would be devastated by a cancellation .
But medical experts have warned that the massive international event could be difficult to hold if the pandemic is not under control by next summer .
And enthusiasm for the Games appears to have waned in Japan , with polls over the summer finding just one in four Japanese want to see them happen , and most backing either a further postponement or outright cancellation .
Organizers and officials are discussing a long and complex list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it possible to hold the Games , even if a vaccine is not available .
These are expected to include rigorous and repeated testing of athletes , and potentially mandatory vaccinations , if a vaccine is available by then .
The postponement has also created a variety of logistical headaches and extra costs .
Organizers are combing through hundreds of proposed cost-saving measures , including potentially scaling back the traditionally flashy opening and closing ceremonies .

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Japan is "determined" to host the postponed Olympic Games in 2021 despite the coronavirus pandemic, the country's newly elected prime minister told the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.
"In the summer of next year, Japan is determined to host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games as proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic," Yoshihide Suga said in his first international address since taking office last week.
"I will continue to spare no effort in order to welcome you to Games that are safe and secure," added Suga in the video message.
The march of the coronavirus around the globe forced the historic decision to delay the Games earlier this year.
But with continued spikes in infection worldwide, there are ongoing questions about whether the event will be possible next year.
Organizers and Olympic officials have insisted the Games will go on, with International Olympic Committee vice president John Coates saying Friday "this has to happen," citing athletes who would be devastated by a cancellation.
But medical experts have warned that the massive international event could be difficult to hold if the pandemic is not under control by next summer.
And enthusiasm for the Games appears to have waned in Japan, with polls over the summer finding just one in four Japanese want to see them happen, and most backing either a further postponement or outright cancellation.
Organizers and officials are discussing a long and complex list of possible coronavirus countermeasures that they hope will make it possible to hold the Games, even if a vaccine is not available.
These are expected to include rigorous and repeated testing of athletes, and potentially mandatory vaccinations, if a vaccine is available by then.
The postponement has also created a variety of logistical headaches and extra costs.
Organizers are combing through hundreds of proposed cost-saving measures, including potentially scaling back the traditionally flashy opening and closing ceremonies.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--Boeing 737 MAX could get EU clearance 'by year's end'

Boeing 's troubled 737 MAX airliner , grounded for 18 months after two deadly accidents , could receive certification to fly again in Europe `` by the end of the year , '' the EU 's air safety chief said Friday .
The statement signaled a light at the end of the tunnel for Boeing after the lengthy grounding .
The Federal Aviation Administration also sent positive signs Friday about the embattled plane , saying the agency 's chief planned a test flight next week , further boosting shares .
The two crashes , by Lion Air in October 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed 346 lives and badly dented Boeing 's reputation and that of the FAA .
Now `` for the first time in a year and a half , I can see we 're in sight of the end of the work on the MAX , '' European Aviation Safety Agency ( EASA ) chief Patrick Ky told reporters in a video press conference .
`` We 're starting to look at how we can get the MAX back in service by the end of the year . ''
Early September certification flights by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June .
But the aircraft must still overcome several hurdles , including in pilot training , before authorities give their green light .
`` We continue to follow the lead of global regulators on the process they have laid out for the safe return of the 737 MAX to commercial service , '' Boeing said in a statement .
`` We appreciate the rigorous scrutiny that the regulatory authorities are rightly applying at every step of their review and they will determine the schedule for return to service . ''
In Ky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about simultaneous '' permission from the EASA and FAA , it will be up to individual nations and airlines to give the go-ahead for 737 MAX flights to resume .
Ky said that renewed certification from China , the first country to ground the aircraft , would `` certainly '' take a little longer as the Chinese regulator had yet to envisage resumption of flight tests .
But he added that a training review at London 's Gatwick airport to help pilots adapt to new procedures had gone well and that a report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` two to three weeks . ''
The FAA , along with EASA and regulators from Canada and Brazil , concluded the joint assessment of Boeing 's proposed training earlier this week .
The plan will be put out for public comment in the `` near future , '' an FAA spokesman said .
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and his deputy , Dan Elwell , will undertake the training next week in Seattle .
Dickson is also scheduled to undertake a test flight .
The FAA is reviewing public comments on an airworthiness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane for return to passenger service until it is satisfied that all of the known issues have been adequately , '' the FAA spokesman said .
A US Congressional report published earlier this month called the earlier crashes `` the horrific culmination of a series of faulty technical assumptions by Boeing 's engineers , a lack of transparency on the part of Boeing 's management , and grossly insufficient oversight by the FAA . ''
Boeing 's board of directors is also under increased scrutiny for its oversight of the planemaker ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former Boeing officials and board members are named in a recent lawsuit that depicts the board as passive toward operational problems on earlier Boeing models and overly trusting of former chief executive Dennis Muilenburg 's explanations for the disasters .
The board , including Muilenburg 's successor David Calhoun , ignored `` serious safety-related red flags , '' resulting in an `` epochal corporate governance catastrophe , '' said the suit , which was filed in June in a Delaware court and spotlighted in a Wall Street Journal article on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying it `` presents a one-sided and misleading picture '' of the company 's governance Shares of Boeing rocketed higher Friday , leading the Dow with 6.8 percent gain to $ 156.03 .

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Boeing's troubled 737 MAX airliner, grounded for 18 months after two deadly accidents, could receive certification to fly again in Europe "by the end of the year," the EU's air safety chief said Friday.
The statement signaled a light at the end of the tunnel for Boeing after the lengthy grounding. The Federal Aviation Administration also sent positive signs Friday about the embattled plane, saying the agency's chief planned a test flight next week, further boosting shares.
The two crashes, by Lion Air in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines in March 2019, claimed 346 lives and badly dented Boeing's reputation and that of the FAA.
Now "for the first time in a year and a half, I can see we're in sight of the end of the work on the MAX," European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) chief Patrick Ky told reporters in a video press conference.
"We're starting to look at how we can get the MAX back in service by the end of the year."
Early September certification flights by EASA followed June testing by the FAA in June.
But the aircraft must still overcome several hurdles, including in pilot training, before authorities give their green light.
"We continue to follow the lead of global regulators on the process they have laid out for the safe return of the 737 MAX to commercial service," Boeing said in a statement.
"We appreciate the rigorous scrutiny that the regulatory authorities are rightly applying at every step of their review and they will determine the schedule for return to service."
In Ky's view, even with "just about simultaneous" permission from the EASA and FAA, it will be up to individual nations and airlines to give the go-ahead for 737 MAX flights to resume.
Ky said that renewed certification from China, the first country to ground the aircraft, would "certainly" take a little longer as the Chinese regulator had yet to envisage resumption of flight tests.
But he added that a training review at London's Gatwick airport to help pilots adapt to new procedures had gone well and that a report evaluating that review would be ready in "two to three weeks."
- Boeing board is sued -
The FAA, along with EASA and regulators from Canada and Brazil, concluded the joint assessment of Boeing's proposed training earlier this week. The plan will be put out for public comment in the "near future," an FAA spokesman said.
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and his deputy, Dan Elwell, will undertake the training next week in Seattle. Dickson is also scheduled to undertake a test flight.
The FAA is reviewing public comments on an airworthiness directive and "will not approve the plane for return to passenger service until it is satisfied that all of the known issues have been adequately," the FAA spokesman said.
A US Congressional report published earlier this month called the earlier crashes "the horrific culmination of a series of faulty technical assumptions by Boeing's engineers, a lack of transparency on the part of Boeing's management, and grossly insufficient oversight by the FAA."
Boeing's board of directors is also under increased scrutiny for its oversight of the planemaker ahead of the crashes.
Nearly two dozen current and former Boeing officials and board members are named in a recent lawsuit that depicts the board as passive toward operational problems on earlier Boeing models and overly trusting of former chief executive Dennis Muilenburg's explanations for the disasters.
The board, including Muilenburg's successor David Calhoun, ignored "serious safety-related red flags," resulting in an "epochal corporate governance catastrophe," said the suit, which was filed in June in a Delaware court and spotlighted in a Wall Street Journal article on Friday.
Boeing said it will fight the suit, saying it "presents a one-sided and misleading picture" of the company's governance
Shares of Boeing rocketed higher Friday, leading the Dow with 6.8 percent gain to $156.03.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-25--Germany presses Russia to release UN report on Libya arms

A photo released in July 2020 by the US military purports to show an improvised explosive device brought to the Libyan capital Tripoli by the Wagner Group , a Russian-backed private military contractor Germany on Friday pressed Russia and China in vain to allow the release of an interim UN report on violations of the arms embargo on Libya that faulted Moscow-linked fighters .
Germany called a closed-door Security Council meeting to seek the publication of the report , saying it wanted to shine a light on the flood of arms that have gone into Libya .
`` We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who blatantly violate the arms embargo , '' Guenter Sautter , Germany 's deputy ambassador to the United Nations , told reporters .
Germany has called a high-level meeting on October 5 at the United Nations to take up Libya , where a fragile ceasefire has raised hopes of ending nearly a decade of bloodshed .
But diplomats said that Friday 's meeting failed to secure the release of the interim report , which unlike final findings are not generally made public .
Russia and China renewed their opposition to releasing it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a diplomat said on condition of anonymity .
The two powers stayed firm , `` blocking the publication of the interim report without having been able to name any compelling argument for this position , '' another diplomat said .
The document , seen by AFP , found numerous violations by the Wagner Group , a Russian military contractor reputed to be close to the Kremlin .
It pointed to rising arms shipments at the time both to strongman Khalifa Haftar -- who is backed by Russia , Egypt , Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UN-recognized government that has support from Turkey .
`` The arms embargo remains totally ineffective .
In the cases of those member-states directly supporting the parties to the conflict the violations are extensive , blatant and with complete disregard for the sanctions measures , '' it said .
Germany also hoped Friday to secure agreement on a UN envoy for Libya to replace Ghassan Salame , who stepped down in March citing health reasons .
But African nations objected to the nomination of Nickolay Mladenov , a Bulgarian who is currently the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are against nobody .
We want an African , '' an African diplomat said .
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier named former Ghanaian minister Hanna Serwaa Tetteh for the role but the United States objected , saying that the position should be split in two between a political envoy and a boss for the UN mission .
The UN-backed government and Haftar-linked parliament in eastern Libya last month reached a ceasefire and are looking to hold elections next year .
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 when a Western-backed uprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embargo report points to violations by the United Arab Emirates , Jordan , Egypt , Syria , Russia , Qatar and Turkey .
Asked about the report by AFP in a discussion with several journalists , the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates , Anwar Gargash , rejected the accusations and said his country would not comment on a report it had not read .
`` We categorically deny these .
Our position is very clear , especially since the Berlin conference ( in January ) , of the necessity of a @ @ @ @ @ @

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Germany on Friday pressed Russia and China in vain to allow the release of an interim UN report on violations of the arms embargo on Libya that faulted Moscow-linked fighters.
Germany called a closed-door Security Council meeting to seek the publication of the report, saying it wanted to shine a light on the flood of arms that have gone into Libya.
"We need to name and blame and shame those who blatantly violate the arms embargo," Guenter Sautter, Germany's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters.
Germany has called a high-level meeting on October 5 at the United Nations to take up Libya, where a fragile ceasefire has raised hopes of ending nearly a decade of bloodshed.
But diplomats said that Friday's meeting failed to secure the release of the interim report, which unlike final findings are not generally made public.
Russia and China renewed their opposition to releasing it, with Moscow attacking the experts behind it, a diplomat said on condition of anonymity.
The two powers stayed firm, "blocking the publication of the interim report without having been able to name any compelling argument for this position," another diplomat said.
The document, seen by AFP, found numerous violations by the Wagner Group, a Russian military contractor reputed to be close to the Kremlin.
It pointed to rising arms shipments at the time both to strongman Khalifa Haftar -- who is backed by Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- and the UN-recognized government that has support from Turkey.
"The arms embargo remains totally ineffective. In the cases of those member-states directly supporting the parties to the conflict the violations are extensive, blatant and with complete disregard for the sanctions measures," it said.
- Stalemate on new envoy -
Germany also hoped Friday to secure agreement on a UN envoy for Libya to replace Ghassan Salame, who stepped down in March citing health reasons.
But African nations objected to the nomination of Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian who is currently the UN envoy for the Middle East.
"We are against nobody. We want an African," an African diplomat said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier named former Ghanaian minister Hanna Serwaa Tetteh for the role but the United States objected, saying that the position should be split in two between a political envoy and a boss for the UN mission.
The UN-backed government and Haftar-linked parliament in eastern Libya last month reached a ceasefire and are looking to hold elections next year.
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 when a Western-backed uprising toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
The arms embargo report points to violations by the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Russia, Qatar and Turkey.
Asked about the report by AFP in a discussion with several journalists, the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Anwar Gargash, rejected the accusations and said his country would not comment on a report it had not read.
"We categorically deny these. Our position is very clear, especially since the Berlin conference (in January), of the necessity of a ceasefire," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Mustapha Adib, Lebanon's short-lived PM-designate

A file photo from July 18 , 2013 shows Mustapha Adib , taking up his post as Lebanon 's ambassador to Berlin Mustapha Adib , a little-known diplomat tasked with forming a new crisis government to save Lebanon from the brink , resigned Saturday after less than a month as premier designate .
Adib was named on August 31 to replace Hassan Diab , whose government resigned in the aftermath of the deadly August 4 blast at Beirut 's port .
Until then , he had been Lebanon 's ambassador to Germany since 2013 .
The 48-year-old was born in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Sunni Muslim , making him eligible for the prime minister 's post under Lebanon 's sectarian-based power-sharing system .
His biography on the Berlin embassy website presents him as an academic who holds a PhD in law and political science .
It says he has conducted `` research and expert work in the areas of both human and state security , parliamentary oversight of the security sector , decentralisation and local democracy , and electoral laws '' .
From 2000 to 2004 , he served as an adviser to Najib Mikati , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his nomination .
In 2011 , then-premier Mikati appointed Adib as his chief of cabinet .
Former premiers Saad Hariri and Fouad Siniora also threw their weight behind Adib , after two other candidates were reportedly rejected by the dominant Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah and its political allies .
An acquaintance from Tripoli , who asked not to be named , described Adib as `` calm , courteous and diplomatic '' .
`` He is not a man of confrontation , '' the acquaintance said .
Mohammed Dhayby , 40 , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adib taught at the Lebanese University 's law faculty in Tripoli in 2000-2001 , he was just 28 .
`` He was a timid professor at the time , and if he had n't been wearing a suit , we would n't have believed he was a university professor at all . ''
Opposition groups representing the protest movement that erupted last year to demand the wholesale removal of a political class seen as corrupt and incompetent had rejected Adib 's nomination before it was even confirmed .
Activists on social media were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had promised to lead Lebanon 's first government of technocrats when he took office in January but showed no ability to break from his political sponsors .
Lebanon Rises Up -- Germany , a Facebook page representing Lebanese activists in Germany , told AFP that Adib was a product of the past and could not embody change .
It claimed that Adib himself , who was not a career diplomat when he was appointed to Berlin by a Mikati government , owed his job to the former prime minister and to Lebanon @ @ @ @

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Mustapha Adib, a little-known diplomat tasked with forming a new crisis government to save Lebanon from the brink, resigned Saturday after less than a month as premier designate.
Adib was named on August 31 to replace Hassan Diab, whose government resigned in the aftermath of the deadly August 4 blast at Beirut's port.
Until then, he had been Lebanon's ambassador to Germany since 2013.
The 48-year-old was born in the northern city of Tripoli and is a Sunni Muslim, making him eligible for the prime minister's post under Lebanon's sectarian-based power-sharing system.
His biography on the Berlin embassy website presents him as an academic who holds a PhD in law and political science.
It says he has conducted "research and expert work in the areas of both human and state security, parliamentary oversight of the security sector, decentralisation and local democracy, and electoral laws".
From 2000 to 2004, he served as an adviser to Najib Mikati, a billionaire former prime minister who backed his nomination.
In 2011, then-premier Mikati appointed Adib as his chief of cabinet.
Former premiers Saad Hariri and Fouad Siniora also threw their weight behind Adib, after two other candidates were reportedly rejected by the dominant Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah and its political allies.
- 'Timid professor' -
An acquaintance from Tripoli, who asked not to be named, described Adib as "calm, courteous and diplomatic".
"He is not a man of confrontation," the acquaintance said.
Mohammed Dhayby, 40, one of his former students, said that when Adib taught at the Lebanese University's law faculty in Tripoli in 2000-2001, he was just 28.
"He was a timid professor at the time, and if he hadn't been wearing a suit, we wouldn't have believed he was a university professor at all."
Opposition groups representing the protest movement that erupted last year to demand the wholesale removal of a political class seen as corrupt and incompetent had rejected Adib's nomination before it was even confirmed.
Activists on social media were quick to compare Adib to Diab, who had promised to lead Lebanon's first government of technocrats when he took office in January but showed no ability to break from his political sponsors.
Lebanon Rises Up -- Germany, a Facebook page representing Lebanese activists in Germany, told AFP that Adib was a product of the past and could not embody change.
It claimed that Adib himself, who was not a career diplomat when he was appointed to Berlin by a Mikati government, owed his job to the former prime minister and to Lebanon's sectarian quotas.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Russian athletics body given 5-month extension for anti-doping plan

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe granted Russia an extended deadline but warned it still faced expulsion from the sport if it failed to meet it Athletics ' global governing body said Saturday it had given the Russian federation an additional five months to produce a comprehensive plan to fight doping and be reinstated to the sport or face expulsion .
World Athletics had originally given the Russian federation ( RUSAF ) until the end of this month to come up with the plan but it has now set a new deadline of March 1 , 2021 .
World Athletics said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` RUSAF currently does not have the resources available to produce a detailed and appropriate plan for reinstatement '' .
The new deadline is less than five months before the start of the Tokyo Olympics , raising fresh doubts about Russian athletes ' participation in the Games .
Russia has been suspended from track and field since November 2015 after the World Anti-Doping Agency ( WADA ) found evidence of widespread drug use .
In 2018 , the Russian federation submitted falsified documents to justify the whereabouts of world indoor high jump champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading to the eventual departure of senior officials .
World Athletics fined Russia $ 5 million plus costs of $ 1.31 million , which the federation paid in August , but the global body also made its reinstatement conditional on the federation , now under new leadership , setting out a roadmap showing it has `` a culture of zero tolerance for doping '' .
World Athletics said on Saturday that while RUSAF had submitted a draft plan that was `` better than what has come before '' it was still `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting the new deadline .
The organisation 's anti-doping Taskforce said in a statement : `` This failure appears to be due not to a lack of willingness but rather a lack of know-how and resources .
`` There is currently a void at RUSAF -- they have no board , no senior management , and very few experienced staff .
They need to fill that void urgently with people who share the vision to change the culture of the organisation and the sport , and who have the skills to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned : `` If an adequate plan is not completed by then , the ( World Athletics ) Council will once again consider the matter of RUSAF ’ s expulsion . ''
To assist RUSAF , World Athletics has appointed Dr Margarita Pakhnotskaya , the former Deputy Director-General of the Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA , as one of two experts based in Russia .

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Athletics' global governing body said Saturday it had given the Russian federation an additional five months to produce a comprehensive plan to fight doping and be reinstated to the sport or face expulsion.
World Athletics had originally given the Russian federation (RUSAF) until the end of this month to come up with the plan but it has now set a new deadline of March 1, 2021.
World Athletics said it was granting Russia more time because "RUSAF currently does not have the resources available to produce a detailed and appropriate plan for reinstatement".
The new deadline is less than five months before the start of the Tokyo Olympics, raising fresh doubts about Russian athletes' participation in the Games.
Russia has been suspended from track and field since November 2015 after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of widespread drug use.
In 2018, the Russian federation submitted falsified documents to justify the whereabouts of world indoor high jump champion Danil Lysenko after the breached anti-doping rules, leading to the eventual departure of senior officials.
World Athletics fined Russia $5 million plus costs of $1.31 million, which the federation paid in August, but the global body also made its reinstatement conditional on the federation, now under new leadership, setting out a roadmap showing it has "a culture of zero tolerance for doping".
World Athletics said on Saturday that while RUSAF had submitted a draft plan that was "better than what has come before" it was still "seriously deficient", so it was setting the new deadline.
The organisation's anti-doping Taskforce said in a statement: "This failure appears to be due not to a lack of willingness but rather a lack of know-how and resources.
"There is currently a void at RUSAF -- they have no board, no senior management, and very few experienced staff. They need to fill that void urgently with people who share the vision to change the culture of the organisation and the sport, and who have the skills to do so."
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe warned: "If an adequate plan is not completed by then, the (World Athletics) Council will once again consider the matter of RUSAF’s expulsion."
To assist RUSAF, World Athletics has appointed Dr Margarita Pakhnotskaya, the former Deputy Director-General of the Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA, as one of two experts based in Russia.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Lebanon PM designate bows out from forming new cabinet

Since his nomination late last month , Lebanon 's premier-designate Mustapha Adib has been under immense pressure to quickly form a new government to carry out the necessary reforms to unlock billions of dollars in foreign aid Lebanon 's premier-designate stepped down Saturday , saying he had been unable to form a reform-minded government to lift the country out of its worst economic crisis in decades .
Lebanon 's last government resigned in the aftermath of a colossal blast in Beirut port on August 4 that killed more than 190 people , wounded thousands and ravaged swathes of the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mustapha Adib has been under pressure to form a new cabinet as soon as possible to carry out the necessary reforms to unlock billions of dollars in foreign aid .
`` I excuse myself from continuing the task of forming the government , '' Adib said in a televised speech .
`` I apologise to the Lebanese people ... for my inability to realise its aspirations for a reformist team , '' he said .
Government formation usually takes months in multi-confessional Lebanon , which has operated a power-sharing arrangement ever since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consensus among the main parties on major decisions .
Adib 's efforts to come up with a new line-up have been effectively blocked by the two main parties representing Lebanon 's large Shiite community -- Amal and Hezbollah .
The two parties have refused to budge on their demand to keep the finance ministry under their control , a position analysts say is linked to recent US sanctions against a former minister from Amal , as well as Hezbollah-linked businesses .
Adib , a little-known 48-year-old former ambassador , was named just hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second visit to the country since the August 4 blast , pressing for the speedy formation of a reformist government .
Macron said he had secured commitments from all of Lebanon 's political parties to help Adib form a new cabinet within a fortnight , but that deadline came and went .
Adib said it had become clear he no longer had support from all political forces .
`` As the efforts to form a government reached their final phase , it became apparent to me that this consensus ... was no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the criteria I had determined was bound to fail . ''
President Michel Aoun accepted Adib 's resignation and was set to `` take the appropriate measures according to the requirements of the constitution '' , the president 's office said .
`` The initiative launched by French President Emmanuel Macron is still ongoing and still receives my full support , '' it quoted Aoun as saying .
Even before last month 's blast , Lebanon was already mired in its worst economic crisis since the civil war and battling the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in value , and poverty rates have doubled to more than half the country 's population .
Just Wednesday , as frustrations grew over the delay in forming a new government , France urged the international community to apply strong and unified pressure on Lebanon .
Aoun had warned on Monday the country was headed to `` hell '' if competing political forces did not step up and help Adib form a new cabinet .
After the August 4 explosion , it emerged the Lebanese authorities had known about the huge stockpile of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dockside , but had not moved it .
The port blast has rekindled public anger against Lebanon 's entrenched political elite , with protesters accusing politicians across the board of incompetence and corruption .

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Lebanon's premier-designate stepped down Saturday, saying he had been unable to form a reform-minded government to lift the country out of its worst economic crisis in decades.
Lebanon's last government resigned in the aftermath of a colossal blast in Beirut port on August 4 that killed more than 190 people, wounded thousands and ravaged swathes of the capital.
Since his nomination on August 31, Mustapha Adib has been under pressure to form a new cabinet as soon as possible to carry out the necessary reforms to unlock billions of dollars in foreign aid.
"I excuse myself from continuing the task of forming the government," Adib said in a televised speech.
"I apologise to the Lebanese people... for my inability to realise its aspirations for a reformist team," he said.
Government formation usually takes months in multi-confessional Lebanon, which has operated a power-sharing arrangement ever since a devastating 1975-90 civil war that requires consensus among the main parties on major decisions.
Adib's efforts to come up with a new line-up have been effectively blocked by the two main parties representing Lebanon's large Shiite community -- Amal and Hezbollah.
The two parties have refused to budge on their demand to keep the finance ministry under their control, a position analysts say is linked to recent US sanctions against a former minister from Amal, as well as Hezbollah-linked businesses.
Adib, a little-known 48-year-old former ambassador, was named just hours before French President Emmanuel Macron made his second visit to the country since the August 4 blast, pressing for the speedy formation of a reformist government.
- 'Bound to fail' -
Macron said he had secured commitments from all of Lebanon's political parties to help Adib form a new cabinet within a fortnight, but that deadline came and went.
Adib said it had become clear he no longer had support from all political forces.
"As the efforts to form a government reached their final phase, it became apparent to me that this consensus... was no longer there and that forming one according to the criteria I had determined was bound to fail."
President Michel Aoun accepted Adib's resignation and was set to "take the appropriate measures according to the requirements of the constitution", the president's office said.
"The initiative launched by French President Emmanuel Macron is still ongoing and still receives my full support," it quoted Aoun as saying.
Even before last month's blast, Lebanon was already mired in its worst economic crisis since the civil war and battling the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Lebanese pound has plummeted in value, and poverty rates have doubled to more than half the country's population.
Just Wednesday, as frustrations grew over the delay in forming a new government, France urged the international community to apply strong and unified pressure on Lebanon.
Aoun had warned on Monday the country was headed to "hell" if competing political forces did not step up and help Adib form a new cabinet.
After the August 4 explosion, it emerged the Lebanese authorities had known about the huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate fertiliser that exploded on the dockside, but had not moved it.
The port blast has rekindled public anger against Lebanon's entrenched political elite, with protesters accusing politicians across the board of incompetence and corruption.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Rossi moves to Yamaha's satellite team for 2021 season

Valentino Rossi has won seven MotoGP world titles but is lagging behind in the overall standings this season Valentino Rossi has signed a one-year contract extension with Yamaha which will see him move to the manufacturer 's satellite team for the 2021 season , the MotoGP outfit announced on Saturday .
`` Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has signed a one-year renewal agreement with Grand Prix racing legend Valentino Rossi , '' Yamaha said in a statement .
`` The nine-time World Champion will be participating in the 2021 MotoGP World Championship as a fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yamaha Sepang Racing Team . ''
Considered one of the greatest motorcyclists of all time , 41-year-old Italian has won the world championship seven times , with four of those titles coming with Yamaha .
`` I am very happy to continue riding in 2021 and to do it with the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team , '' Rossi said in a statement .
`` In the first half of the year I made my choice and I talked with Yamaha , who agreed with me .
They told me even if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Factory Team , the factory bike and the factory support were guaranteed . ''
Rossi currently rides for Yamaha 's factory team alongside Maverick Vinales but is currently ninth in the overall standings , 26 points behind championship leader and fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso .
Spaniard Vinales is one point behind Dovizioso , level on 83 with Frenchman Fabio Quartararo who rides for the Yamaha-SRT team .
Quartararo will take Rossi 's place at Yamaha 's factory team next season after agreeing the move back in January , which had prompted questions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Valentino Rossi has signed a one-year contract extension with Yamaha which will see him move to the manufacturer's satellite team for the 2021 season, the MotoGP outfit announced on Saturday.
"Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has signed a one-year renewal agreement with Grand Prix racing legend Valentino Rossi," Yamaha said in a statement.
"The nine-time World Champion will be participating in the 2021 MotoGP World Championship as a fully supported Factory Yamaha rider for the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team."
Considered one of the greatest motorcyclists of all time, 41-year-old Italian has won the world championship seven times, with four of those titles coming with Yamaha.
"I am very happy to continue riding in 2021 and to do it with the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team," Rossi said in a statement.
"In the first half of the year I made my choice and I talked with Yamaha, who agreed with me. They told me even if there was no place for me in the Factory Team, the factory bike and the factory support were guaranteed."
Rossi currently rides for Yamaha's factory team alongside Maverick Vinales but is currently ninth in the overall standings, 26 points behind championship leader and fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso.
Spaniard Vinales is one point behind Dovizioso, level on 83 with Frenchman Fabio Quartararo who rides for the Yamaha-SRT team.
Quartararo will take Rossi's place at Yamaha's factory team next season after agreeing the move back in January, which had prompted questions about Rossi's future in the sport.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Italy avoids Europe's dramatic virus uptick, but for how long?

Can Italy keep the number of new infections low when many other European countries are struggling with a surge The first Western country to be struck by the devastating coronavirus pandemic , Italy is today an outlier in Europe with limited new cases compared with neighbours .
The question is why , and will it last .
While France reported a record 16,096 new Covid-19 infections on Thursday and Spain over 10,000 , Italy 's number has for weeks remained below 2,000 .
It has carried out fewer tests -- some 120,000 per day , versus France 's 180,000 -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difference in new infections .
Experts largely point to the success of a severe and lengthy lockdown , combined with a collective trauma .
Horrific memories of coffins stacked up as cemeteries in the north overflowed and intensive-care beds ran out appear to have ensured Italians stick diligently to the rules , many even wearing masks in situations where it is not obligatory .
`` The epidemic hit Italy earlier ... and it immediately put in place a very tough containment plan , '' Professor Massimo Andreoni , an infectious disease expert at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AFP .
The lockdown enforced in early March was not lifted until May , and that much more gradually than elsewhere , he said .
Massimo Galli , infectious diseases chief at Milan 's Sacco hospital , agreed , telling Saturday 's Corriere della Sera daily `` that radical intervention , a longer and stricter lockdown , produced a sort of protection effect '' .
The World Health Organization held Italy up as an example this week , praising its `` clear government advice , strong public support to reduce transmission '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , Britain 's Boris Johnson suggested that infections were higher in his country than in Italy or Germany because the British were `` freedom-loving '' .
Italian President Sergio Matarella shot back that Italians also loved freedom but `` we also behave responsibly '' .
Masks are mandatory in all crowded public spaces between 6pm-6am local time -- a precaution welcomed by tourists such as Swedish Louis Tietjens , who said he felt `` very safe here in Italy '' as he visited Rome 's Trevi Fountain .
Rome 's Fiumicino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world to receive five stars from the Skytrax rating agency for its management of Covid-19 , which praised its temperature controls , masks , abundant hand gel and physical distancing .
The country is also running `` Covid-free '' flights between Rome and Milan for those who test negative .
Businesses say they are trying to go the extra mile to prevent contagion in their stores or restaurants .
- 'Fear of the other ' - At the Green Tea restaurant in central Rome , just steps away from the Pantheon , owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures taken at the door , are given hand gel , and provide their details so they can be traced if necessary .
Many schools reopened mid-September , and since then some 400 have reported at least one case of coronavirus , the Sole 24 Ore daily said .
Pupils with any suspect symptoms are obliged to take a coronavirus test before re-admittance .
Hospitals and research institutes have noted a rise in depression and mental health disturbances , which may also play a part in limiting contagion .
Psychologist Gloria Volpato , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst-hit area , told AGI news agency Saturday she had seen a rise in particular of a `` fear of the other '' , with all contacts seen as potential contagion risks .
The smallest uptick in the infection numbers was being watched closely .
The biggest concern now is the reopening of schools this week in five southern regions that had delayed their start dates , as well as the recent admission of fans to football stadiums across Italy -- though only 1,000 are allowed in per match .
`` We 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the next month ) , and whether Italy succeeds in maintaining these low levels or if she 'll join the levels of France and Spain , '' Andreoni said .

Rome (AFP) –
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The first Western country to be struck by the devastating coronavirus pandemic, Italy is today an outlier in Europe with limited new cases compared with neighbours.
The question is why, and will it last.
While France reported a record 16,096 new Covid-19 infections on Thursday and Spain over 10,000, Italy's number has for weeks remained below 2,000.
It has carried out fewer tests -- some 120,000 per day, versus France's 180,000 -- but not enough to explain the sharp difference in new infections.
Experts largely point to the success of a severe and lengthy lockdown, combined with a collective trauma.
Horrific memories of coffins stacked up as cemeteries in the north overflowed and intensive-care beds ran out appear to have ensured Italians stick diligently to the rules, many even wearing masks in situations where it is not obligatory.
"The epidemic hit Italy earlier... and it immediately put in place a very tough containment plan," Professor Massimo Andreoni, an infectious disease expert at Rome's Tor Vergata hospital, told AFP.
- 'Radical intervention' -
The lockdown enforced in early March was not lifted until May, and that much more gradually than elsewhere, he said.
Massimo Galli, infectious diseases chief at Milan's Sacco hospital, agreed, telling Saturday's Corriere della Sera daily "that radical intervention, a longer and stricter lockdown, produced a sort of protection effect".
The World Health Organization held Italy up as an example this week, praising its "clear government advice, strong public support to reduce transmission" and information-sharing.
In a virus-induced diplomatic spat this week, Britain's Boris Johnson suggested that infections were higher in his country than in Italy or Germany because the British were "freedom-loving".
Italian President Sergio Matarella shot back that Italians also loved freedom but "we also behave responsibly".
Masks are mandatory in all crowded public spaces between 6pm-6am local time -- a precaution welcomed by tourists such as Swedish Louis Tietjens, who said he felt "very safe here in Italy" as he visited Rome's Trevi Fountain.
Rome's Fiumicino International Airport was the first in the world to receive five stars from the Skytrax rating agency for its management of Covid-19, which praised its temperature controls, masks, abundant hand gel and physical distancing.
The country is also running "Covid-free" flights between Rome and Milan for those who test negative.
Businesses say they are trying to go the extra mile to prevent contagion in their stores or restaurants.
- 'Fear of the other' -
At the Green Tea restaurant in central Rome, just steps away from the Pantheon, owner Giacomo Rech explained how clients have their temperatures taken at the door, are given hand gel, and provide their details so they can be traced if necessary.
Many schools reopened mid-September, and since then some 400 have reported at least one case of coronavirus, the Sole 24 Ore daily said. Pupils with any suspect symptoms are obliged to take a coronavirus test before re-admittance.
Hospitals and research institutes have noted a rise in depression and mental health disturbances, which may also play a part in limiting contagion.
Psychologist Gloria Volpato, who works in Bergamo, Italy's worst-hit area, told AGI news agency Saturday she had seen a rise in particular of a "fear of the other", with all contacts seen as potential contagion risks.
The smallest uptick in the infection numbers was being watched closely.
The biggest concern now is the reopening of schools this week in five southern regions that had delayed their start dates, as well as the recent admission of fans to football stadiums across Italy -- though only 1,000 are allowed in per match.
"We'll be able to see the impact (over the next month), and whether Italy succeeds in maintaining these low levels or if she'll join the levels of France and Spain," Andreoni said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Hamilton back on top ahead of Bottas in Sochi practice

Lewis Hamilton is trying to equal Michael Schumacher 's record of 91 career Grand Prix wins Lewis Hamilton bounced back to top the times with a scorching lap ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in Saturday 's third and final free practice at the Russian Grand Prix .
The runaway series leader and six-time champion had been outpaced by the Finn in both sessions on Friday , but he responded with a convincing show of speed .
Hamilton is bidding to equal seven-time champion Michael Schumacher 's record of 91 career Grand Prix wins in Sunday ’ s race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 era to take place in front of a significant crowd .
The Russian organisers claim to have sold 30,000 tickets for spectators at the Olympic Park circuit , created around the facilities built for the 2014 Winter Olympics .
Hamilton clocked a best lap of 1min 33.279sec to beat Bottas by seven-tenths with Carlos Sainz third for McLaren , eight-tenths off the pace .
Esteban Ocon was fourth for Renault ahead of Sergio Perez of Racing Point and Max Verstappen in the leading Red Bull .
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was seventh ahead of Lance stroll in the second Racing Point , local hero Daniil Kvyat of Alpha Tauri and Daniel Ricciardo in the second Renault .
The session was run in warm and dry conditions at the Black Sea resort with an air temperature of 26 degrees Celsius ( 79 degrees Fahrenheit ) and the track at 39 degrees Celsius .
After a slow start , Norris was quickest before the usual suspects joined the fray and Ricciardo , the Briton ’ s future team-mate at McLaren , trimmed the best time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickest in both sessions on Friday , in 1:35.183 .
Hamilton ’ s first effort lifted him to third , but seven-tenths off the Finn ’ s pace .
Both drivers ran wide on their soft tyres , proving that the track remained slippery and challenging .
Both improved , but Hamilton remained two-tenths adrift of his ‘ black arrows ’ team-mate as Romain Grosjean complained bitterly on Haas team radio that “ there ’ s nothing I can do with that car , boys – nothing I can do !
” Midway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Turn 15 in his Alpha Tauri .
He avoided damaging his car , just stopping before the barriers as Max Verstappen , on his first run after half an hour , split the Mercedes by going second .
Bottas was clearly in the mood and he improved again by two-tenths with 16 minutes remaining .
This gave him a two-tenths gap to Verstappen and four-tenths to Hamilton with Monza victor Gasly in fourth .
But Hamilton responded with the first lap of the weekend inside 1:34 as he clocked his rapid 1:33.279 @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) –
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Lewis Hamilton bounced back to top the times with a scorching lap ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in Saturday's third and final free practice at the Russian Grand Prix.
The runaway series leader and six-time champion had been outpaced by the Finn in both sessions on Friday, but he responded with a convincing show of speed.
Hamilton is bidding to equal seven-time champion Michael Schumacher's record of 91 career Grand Prix wins in Sunday’s race, the first major sports event of the Covid-19 era to take place in front of a significant crowd.
The Russian organisers claim to have sold 30,000 tickets for spectators at the Olympic Park circuit, created around the facilities built for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Hamilton clocked a best lap of 1min 33.279sec to beat Bottas by seven-tenths with Carlos Sainz third for McLaren, eight-tenths off the pace.
Esteban Ocon was fourth for Renault ahead of Sergio Perez of Racing Point and Max Verstappen in the leading Red Bull.
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, in his final year with Ferrari, was seventh ahead of Lance stroll in the second Racing Point, local hero Daniil Kvyat of Alpha Tauri and Daniel Ricciardo in the second Renault.
The session was run in warm and dry conditions at the Black Sea resort with an air temperature of 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit) and the track at 39 degrees Celsius.
After a slow start, Norris was quickest before the usual suspects joined the fray and Ricciardo, the Briton’s future team-mate at McLaren, trimmed the best time followed by Bottas, who had been quickest in both sessions on Friday, in 1:35.183.
Hamilton’s first effort lifted him to third, but seven-tenths off the Finn’s pace. Both drivers ran wide on their soft tyres, proving that the track remained slippery and challenging.
Both improved, but Hamilton remained two-tenths adrift of his ‘black arrows’ team-mate as Romain Grosjean complained bitterly on Haas team radio that “there’s nothing I can do with that car, boys – nothing I can do!”
Midway through the session, Pierre Gasly spun at Turn 15 in his Alpha Tauri. He avoided damaging his car, just stopping before the barriers as Max Verstappen, on his first run after half an hour, split the Mercedes by going second.
Bottas was clearly in the mood and he improved again by two-tenths with 16 minutes remaining. This gave him a two-tenths gap to Verstappen and four-tenths to Hamilton with Monza victor Gasly in fourth.
But Hamilton responded with the first lap of the weekend inside 1:34 as he clocked his rapid 1:33.279 to usurp Bottas at the top.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Quartararo fastest in Catalonia MotoGP practice

Fabio Quartararo was fastest in practice for the Catalonia MotoGP Fabio Quartararo topped the times in the free practice runs for this weekend 's Catalan MotoGP on Saturday as the young gun tries to get his championship charge back on track .
Frenchman Quartararo was 0.044sec faster than last week 's winner in Italy , Maverick Vinales , with the Yamaha pair both just one point behind leader Andrea Dovizioso in the overall standings heading into Sunday 's race at the Montmelo circuit near Barcelona .
Dovizioso finished 13th in practice , 0.545sec behind 21-year-old Quartararo , whose last win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July , the last race in Spain .
Joan Mir , who is four points behind Ducati rider Dovizioso in the championship table , was 10th fastest in practice , 0.444sec back .
The top 10 riders will take part in Saturday afternoon 's second qualifying round , which will decide the top 12 places on the starting grid .
The other racers will ride in the first qualifying round , from which the top two make it to Q2 .
Results after the three free practice sessions at the Catalonia MotoGP at @ @ @ @ @

Barcelona (AFP) –
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Fabio Quartararo topped the times in the free practice runs for this weekend's Catalan MotoGP on Saturday as the young gun tries to get his championship charge back on track.
Frenchman Quartararo was 0.044sec faster than last week's winner in Italy, Maverick Vinales, with the Yamaha pair both just one point behind leader Andrea Dovizioso in the overall standings heading into Sunday's race at the Montmelo circuit near Barcelona.
Dovizioso finished 13th in practice, 0.545sec behind 21-year-old Quartararo, whose last win came at the Andalusian Grand Prix in July, the last race in Spain.
Joan Mir, who is four points behind Ducati rider Dovizioso in the championship table, was 10th fastest in practice, 0.444sec back.
The top 10 riders will take part in Saturday afternoon's second qualifying round, which will decide the top 12 places on the starting grid.
The other racers will ride in the first qualifying round, from which the top two make it to Q2.
Results after the three free practice sessions at the Catalonia MotoGP at the 4.627km Montmelo circuit:
1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) 1min 39.418sec, 2. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) at 0.044sec, 3. Miguel Oliveira (POR/KTM-Tech3) 0.089, 4. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 0.284, 5. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati-Avintia) 0.291, 6. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 0.338, 7. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) 0.356, 8. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 0.418, 9. Brad Binder (AFS/KTM) 0.423, 10. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 0.444
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Lebanon PM designate recuses himself from forming new cabinet

Since his nomination late last month , Lebanon 's premier-designate Mustapha Adib has been under immense pressure to quickly form a new government to carry out the necessary reforms to unlock billions of dollars in foreign aid Lebanon 's premier-designate recused himself from forming a new cabinet Saturday as international pressure mounts for a reform-minded administration to replace the government that resigned after a deadly August port blast .
`` I excuse myself from continuing the task of forming the government , '' Mustapha Adib said in a televised speech , apologising to the Lebanese people for his `` inability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team '' to save the country .
Lebanon 's last government resigned in the aftermath of the colossal blast in Beirut port on August 4 that killed more than 190 people , wounded thousands and ravaged swathes of the capital .
Since his nomination on August 31 , Adib has been under pressure to form a new cabinet as soon as possible , so it can carry out the necessary reforms to unlock billions of dollars in foreign aid .
Adib 's efforts to come up with a new line-up have been effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon 's large Shiite community -- Amal and Hezbollah .
The two parties have refused to budge on their demand to keep the finance ministry under their control , a position analysts say is linked to recent US sanctions against a former minister from Amal , as well as Hezbollah-linked businesses .
Even before last month 's blast , Lebanon was already mired in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war and battling the novel coronavirus pandemic .

Beirut (AFP) –
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Lebanon's premier-designate recused himself from forming a new cabinet Saturday as international pressure mounts for a reform-minded administration to replace the government that resigned after a deadly August port blast.
"I excuse myself from continuing the task of forming the government," Mustapha Adib said in a televised speech, apologising to the Lebanese people for his "inability to realise its aspirations for a reformist team" to save the country.
Lebanon's last government resigned in the aftermath of the colossal blast in Beirut port on August 4 that killed more than 190 people, wounded thousands and ravaged swathes of the capital.
Since his nomination on August 31, Adib has been under pressure to form a new cabinet as soon as possible, so it can carry out the necessary reforms to unlock billions of dollars in foreign aid.
Adib's efforts to come up with a new line-up have been effectively blocked by the two main parties representing Lebanon's large Shiite community -- Amal and Hezbollah.
The two parties have refused to budge on their demand to keep the finance ministry under their control, a position analysts say is linked to recent US sanctions against a former minister from Amal, as well as Hezbollah-linked businesses.
Even before last month's blast, Lebanon was already mired in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war and battling the novel coronavirus pandemic.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-26--Death toll climbs to 23 from Ukraine military plane crash

The cause of the crash is being investigated The death toll climbed to 23 on Saturday from the crash of a Ukrainian air force plane carrying mostly cadets in the east of the country , emergency services said .
The Antonov-26 transport plane was carrying 20 cadets and seven crew when it crashed late Friday two kilometres ( about one mile ) from the Chuguiv military air base near the city of Kharkiv .
One more body was found under the charred remains of the plane early Saturday , the emergency services said , bringing the number of victims to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The search for two more people continues , '' the services said in a statement .
The cause of the crash is being investigated .
Ukraine 's SBU security service said it was a training flight but the cadets of the Kharkiv National Air Force University were not involved in piloting the plane .
It said in a statement that according to the initial information the officer who was piloting reported the failure of one of the engines , and seven minutes later the plane hit the ground .
Ukraine 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane likely caught the ground with its wing '' and caught fire after that .
`` The flight recorder is now in the plane , after analysing the information that is recorded there , it will be possible to draw conclusions , '' the defence ministry quoted Taran as saying .
The body of the plane burst into flames on landing and firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze after an hour .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , who earlier described the crash as a `` terrible tragedy '' , is due in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region , which borders Russia in the northeast , has declared Saturday a day of mourning .
Many grieving Ukrainians mourned the victims of the tragedy on social media .
`` We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the cadets , officers , and crew killed and injured in the An-26 plane crash , '' US embassy in Ukraine wrote on Facebook .

Kiev (AFP) –
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The death toll climbed to 23 on Saturday from the crash of a Ukrainian air force plane carrying mostly cadets in the east of the country, emergency services said.
The Antonov-26 transport plane was carrying 20 cadets and seven crew when it crashed late Friday two kilometres (about one mile) from the Chuguiv military air base near the city of Kharkiv.
One more body was found under the charred remains of the plane early Saturday, the emergency services said, bringing the number of victims to 23. Two people were also injured.
"The search for two more people continues," the services said in a statement.
The cause of the crash is being investigated.
Ukraine's SBU security service said it was a training flight but the cadets of the Kharkiv National Air Force University were not involved in piloting the plane.
It said in a statement that according to the initial information the officer who was piloting reported the failure of one of the engines, and seven minutes later the plane hit the ground.
Ukraine's Defence Minister Andriy Taran said "the plane likely caught the ground with its wing" and caught fire after that.
"The flight recorder is now in the plane, after analysing the information that is recorded there, it will be possible to draw conclusions," the defence ministry quoted Taran as saying.
The body of the plane burst into flames on landing and firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze after an hour.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who earlier described the crash as a "terrible tragedy", is due in the Kharkiv region on Saturday.
The region, which borders Russia in the northeast, has declared Saturday a day of mourning.
Many grieving Ukrainians mourned the victims of the tragedy on social media.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the cadets, officers, and crew killed and injured in the An-26 plane crash," US embassy in Ukraine wrote on Facebook.
dg/wdb
© 2020 AFP