france24--2020-10-06--Trump reverses course on Covid-19 relief, calling off stimulus talks with Democrats

President Donald Trump on Tuesday called an abrupt end to negotiations with Democrats over additional Covid-19 relief , delaying action until after the election despite ominous warnings from his own Federal Reserve chairman about the deteriorating conditions in the economy .
Trump tweeted that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was “ not negotiating in good faith ” and said he ’ s asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to direct all his focus before the election into confirming his US Supreme Court nominee , Amy Coney Barrett .
“ I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business , ” Trump tweeted .
The unexpected turn could be a blow to Trump ’ s reelection prospects and comes as his administration and campaign are in turmoil .
Trump is quarantining in the White House with a case of Covid , and the latest batch of opinion polls shows him significantly behind former Vice President Joe Biden with the election four weeks away .
The collapse means that Trump and down-ballot Republicans will face reelection without delivering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-election batch of $ 1,200 direct payments , or “ Trump checks , ” to most individuals — even as the national jobless rate is about 8 % with millions facing the threat of eviction .
One endangered Republican , Maine Sen. Susan Collins , said “ waiting until after the election to reach an agreement on the next Covid-19 relief package is a huge mistake.
” “ Make no mistake : if you are out of work , if your business is closed , if your child ’ s school is shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your community , Donald Trump decided today that none of that — none of it — matters to him , ” Biden said in a statement released by his campaign .
Trump ’ s move came immediately after he spoke with the top GOP leaders in Congress , who had been warily watching talks between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Pelosi .
Many Senate Republicans had signaled they would not be willing to go along with any stimulus legislation that topped $ 1 trillion , and GOP aides had been privately dismissive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just on Saturday , tweeting from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , Trump said , “ OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS .
WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE.
” But any Pelosi-sponsored agreement of close to $ 2 trillion raised the potential of a GOP revolt if it came to a vote .
Last week , the White House said it was backing a $ 400 per week pandemic jobless benefit and dangled the possibility of a Covid-19 relief bill of $ 1.6 trillion .
But that offer was rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hard line in the talks , including insisting on repeal of a $ 254 billion GOP business tax break passed in the March package as a way to finance additional relief .
Pelosi had spoken with Mnuchin earlier Tuesday .
After Trump ’ s tweets spiking the negotiations , Pelosi said Trump was “ unwilling to crush the virus ” and “ refuses to give real help to poor children , the unemployed , and America ’ s hard working families.
” Trump broke off talks after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains fragile seven months into coronavirus pandemic without further economic stimulus .
Stocks dropped suddenly on Wall Street after Trump ordered a stop to negotiations .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average swung instantly from a gain of about 200 points to a loss of about 300 points .
Powell , in remarks before the National Association for Business Economics , made clear that too little support “ would lead to a weak recovery , creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses.
” Trump cited Pelosi ’ s demands for state and local governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the talks .
Pelosi and Mnuchin were far apart on that issue — with Trump offering $ 250 billion while Pelosi was holding out for more than $ 400 billion .
And Pelosi was asking for a higher weekly jobless benefit and refundable tax credits for the working poor , among other provisions .
Early rounds of Covid relief passed by overwhelming margins as the economy went into lockdown in March .
After that , Trump and many of his GOP allies focused more on loosening social and economic restrictions as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid .
Still , the decision to halt negotiations could be politically risky with just four weeks to go before Election Day .
While the stock market has clawed much of its way back after cratering in the early weeks of the crisis , unemployment stands at 7.9 % , and the nearly 10 million jobs that remain lost since the start of the pandemic exceed the number that the nation shed during the entire 2008-09 Great Recession .
White House officials did not immediately respond to a request for further explanation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to halt negotiations .
Tim Murtaugh , a Trump campaign spokesman , pushed back against the notion that breaking off negotiations could hurt the president at the ballot box .
“ Nancy Pelosi , Chuck Schumer , and Congressional Democrats have not been honest brokers , ” Murtaugh said .
“ They would rather have a political issue to help Joe Biden than act to help Americans .
It ’ s despicable.
” While Trump said he ’ ll immediately restart talks in November if he wins reelection , a Biden victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further stimulus until February .
The economy has recovered more quickly than most economists had expected , so far , largely because of the stimulus Congress approved in a $ 2 trillion package in March .
The $ 1,200 stimulus checks , supplemental $ 600 unemployment benefits each week , and aid to small businesses boosted household incomes and enabled many low-income Americans to pay bills and rent and maintain their overall spending , according to data from Opportunity Insights .
But the recovery has slowed and certain sectors such as restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad shape , shedding jobs and risking permanent realignment .
Without more stimulus , economists expect growth will slow significantly in the final three months of the year .
“ You ’ re going to see quite a significant drag on growth , ” said Gregory Daco , chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics , a consulting firm .
It “ would really risk a double-dip recession .
”

President Donald Trump on Tuesday called an abrupt end to negotiations with Democrats over additional Covid-19 relief, delaying action until after the election despite ominous warnings from his own Federal Reserve chairman about the deteriorating conditions in the economy.
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Trump tweeted that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was “not negotiating in good faith” and said he’s asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to direct all his focus before the election into confirming his US Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett.
“I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business,” Trump tweeted.
The unexpected turn could be a blow to Trump’s reelection prospects and comes as his administration and campaign are in turmoil. Trump is quarantining in the White House with a case of Covid, and the latest batch of opinion polls shows him significantly behind former Vice President Joe Biden with the election four weeks away.
The collapse means that Trump and down-ballot Republicans will face reelection without delivering aid to voters — such as a pre-election batch of $1,200 direct payments, or “Trump checks,” to most individuals — even as the national jobless rate is about 8% with millions facing the threat of eviction. One endangered Republican, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, said “waiting until after the election to reach an agreement on the next Covid-19 relief package is a huge mistake.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden slammed Trump’s move.
“Make no mistake: if you are out of work, if your business is closed, if your child’s school is shut down, if you are seeing layoffs in your community, Donald Trump decided today that none of that — none of it — matters to him,” Biden said in a statement released by his campaign.
Make no mistake: if you are out of work, if your business is closed, if your child’s school is shut down, if you are seeing layoffs in your community, Donald Trump decided today that none of that matters to him. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 6, 2020
Trump’s move came immediately after he spoke with the top GOP leaders in Congress, who had been warily watching talks between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Pelosi. Many Senate Republicans had signaled they would not be willing to go along with any stimulus legislation that topped $1 trillion, and GOP aides had been privately dismissive of the prospects for a deal.
Just on Saturday, tweeting from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Trump said, “OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS. WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE.” But any Pelosi-sponsored agreement of close to $2 trillion raised the potential of a GOP revolt if it came to a vote.
Last week, the White House said it was backing a $400 per week pandemic jobless benefit and dangled the possibility of a Covid-19 relief bill of $1.6 trillion. But that offer was rejected by Pelosi, who continued to take a hard line in the talks, including insisting on repeal of a $254 billion GOP business tax break passed in the March package as a way to finance additional relief.
Pelosi had spoken with Mnuchin earlier Tuesday. After Trump’s tweets spiking the negotiations, Pelosi said Trump was “unwilling to crush the virus” and “refuses to give real help to poor children, the unemployed, and America’s hard working families.”
Trump broke off talks after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned earlier Tuesday that the economic recovery remains fragile seven months into the coronavirus pandemic without further economic stimulus.
02:13
Stocks dropped suddenly on Wall Street after Trump ordered a stop to negotiations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average swung instantly from a gain of about 200 points to a loss of about 300 points.
Powell, in remarks before the National Association for Business Economics, made clear that too little support “would lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses.”
Trump cited Pelosi’s demands for state and local governments as a key reason for pulling out of the talks. Pelosi and Mnuchin were far apart on that issue — with Trump offering $250 billion while Pelosi was holding out for more than $400 billion. And Pelosi was asking for a higher weekly jobless benefit and refundable tax credits for the working poor, among other provisions.
Early rounds of Covid relief passed by overwhelming margins as the economy went into lockdown in March. After that, Trump and many of his GOP allies focused more on loosening social and economic restrictions as the key to recovery instead of more taxpayer-funded aid.
Still, the decision to halt negotiations could be politically risky with just four weeks to go before Election Day. While the stock market has clawed much of its way back after cratering in the early weeks of the crisis, unemployment stands at 7.9%, and the nearly 10 million jobs that remain lost since the start of the pandemic exceed the number that the nation shed during the entire 2008-09 Great Recession.
White House officials did not immediately respond to a request for further explanation of the timing of the president’s decision to halt negotiations.
Tim Murtaugh, a Trump campaign spokesman, pushed back against the notion that breaking off negotiations could hurt the president at the ballot box.
“Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Congressional Democrats have not been honest brokers,” Murtaugh said. “They would rather have a political issue to help Joe Biden than act to help Americans. It’s despicable.”
McConnell told reporters on Capitol Hill he supported Trump’s decision.
While Trump said he’ll immediately restart talks in November if he wins reelection, a Biden victory could mean the economy would go without further stimulus until February.
The economy has recovered more quickly than most economists had expected, so far, largely because of the stimulus Congress approved in a $2 trillion package in March. The $1,200 stimulus checks, supplemental $600 unemployment benefits each week, and aid to small businesses boosted household incomes and enabled many low-income Americans to pay bills and rent and maintain their overall spending, according to data from Opportunity Insights.
But the recovery has slowed and certain sectors such as restaurants, hotels, theaters and airlines remain in bad shape, shedding jobs and risking permanent realignment. Without more stimulus, economists expect growth will slow significantly in the final three months of the year.
“You’re going to see quite a significant drag on growth,” said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, a consulting firm. It “would really risk a double-dip recession.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-10-06--Texas grand jury indicts Netflix over movie 'Cuties'

The film `` Cuties , '' directed by French-Senegalese director Maimouna Doucoure , has landed Netflix with an indictment in the state of Texas for allegedly depicting young children in a lewd manner Netflix has been indicted in the conservative southern US state of Texas for screening the French film `` Cuties , '' which has been accused of hypersexualizing young girls and depicting children in a lewd manner .
Statements by Republican lawmakers and an online campaign against the film have tapped into concern over child sexual molestation , making the movie political leverage in the battle to re-elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service became the subject of a grand jury hearing in Tyler County , east of Houston , in the middle of September , and a local elected official revealed Tuesday that the same jury issued an indictment .
`` Cuties , '' directed by French-Senegalese director Maimouna Doucoure and released online in early September , follows the story of a rebellious 11-year-old Parisian girl called Amy .
Amy , also of French-Senegalese descent , joins a dance group started by three other girls from her neighborhood that sometimes performs provocative moves .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law that forbids “ the lewd exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of an unclothed , partially clothed , or clothed child . ''
A guilty verdict in Texas could lead to a prison term , although analysts said a fine and being forced to pull the film would be a more likely outcome .
The jury decided the film had `` no serious literary , artistic , political , or scientific value . ''
Netflix defended the film .
A spokesperson told AFP the movie is a `` social commentary against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that the charge is `` without merit . ''
In September , Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz , who had not seen the film , called on the Justice Department to investigate whether it had broken any laws banning child pornography .
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined two other state attorney generals in a letter asking Netflix to withdraw the film from its hugely popular streaming platform .
The controversy around `` Cuties '' has mobilized the conservative American right in Texas and beyond in the run-up to the November 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play it up as a sign of two contrasting visions of society , the traditional Christian values of the Republicans and the more iconoclastic , liberal approach of the Democrats .
`` Cuties , '' called `` Mignonnes '' in French , earned director Doucoure an award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival .
In a Washington Post op-ed , Doucoure said her film was about the objectification of women and children , and the pressure pre-teen girls feel to be pretty and sexy .

Houston (AFP) –
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Netflix has been indicted in the conservative southern US state of Texas for screening the French film "Cuties," which has been accused of hypersexualizing young girls and depicting children in a lewd manner.
Statements by Republican lawmakers and an online campaign against the film have tapped into concern over child sexual molestation, making the movie political leverage in the battle to re-elect Republican President Donald Trump.
The streaming service became the subject of a grand jury hearing in Tyler County, east of Houston, in the middle of September, and a local elected official revealed Tuesday that the same jury issued an indictment.
"Cuties," directed by French-Senegalese director Maimouna Doucoure and released online in early September, follows the story of a rebellious 11-year-old Parisian girl called Amy.
Amy, also of French-Senegalese descent, joins a dance group started by three other girls from her neighborhood that sometimes performs provocative moves.
The Texas grand jury indicted Netflix under a law that forbids “the lewd exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of an unclothed, partially clothed, or clothed child."
A guilty verdict in Texas could lead to a prison term, although analysts said a fine and being forced to pull the film would be a more likely outcome.
The jury decided the film had "no serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value."
Netflix defended the film. A spokesperson told AFP the movie is a "social commentary against the sexualization of young girls," adding that the charge is "without merit."
In September, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who had not seen the film, called on the Justice Department to investigate whether it had broken any laws banning child pornography.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined two other state attorney generals in a letter asking Netflix to withdraw the film from its hugely popular streaming platform.
The controversy around "Cuties" has mobilized the conservative American right in Texas and beyond in the run-up to the November 3 election. The Trump campaign has tried to play it up as a sign of two contrasting visions of society, the traditional Christian values of the Republicans and the more iconoclastic, liberal approach of the Democrats.
"Cuties," called "Mignonnes" in French, earned director Doucoure an award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.
In a Washington Post op-ed, Doucoure said her film was about the objectification of women and children, and the pressure pre-teen girls feel to be pretty and sexy.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-06--French MPs vote to return stolen artefacts to Benin, Senegal

An expert report commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2018 counted some 90,000 African works in French museums -- most of them at the Quai Branly , pictured here French lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously voted to return prized artefacts to Benin and Senegal more than a century after they were looted by colonial forces and hauled back to Paris to be displayed in museums .
The pieces include a royal throne and statues taken by the French army during a war in Benin -- then the wealthy African kingdom of Dahomey -- as well a sabre once wielded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today Senegal .
After 49 MPs in the National Assembly , the lower house of parliament , voted Tuesday night in favour of the bill -- with none voting against -- it will now head to the Senate .
If approved , France will officially restore to Benin 26 items from the Treasure of Behanzin , looted during the 1892 pillaging of the palace of Abomey .
They include the throne of King Glele -- a centrepiece of the 70,000-odd African objects held at the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac museum in Paris .
Senegal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to have belonged to Omar Saidou Tall , an important 19th century military and religious figure in West Africa .
The pieces are officially held by the Army Museum in Paris , but are on long-term loan to Dakar , where they have been exhibited since last November .
Former culture minister Franck Riester said the return of the artefacts was part of a `` strengthened desire for cooperation '' with the two francophone West African countries .
He spoke to the assembly because current Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot was isolating after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
Ahead of the vote , Bachelot insisted the bill was `` not an act of repentance or reparation , nor a condemnation of the French cultural model '' .
President Emmanuel Macron pledged shortly after his election in 2017 to look into the restitution of African cultural treasures .
Benin 's President Patrice Talon has previously said he was `` not satisfied '' even while welcoming `` small steps '' being taken by France .
`` To approve a specific law to hand back 26 artefacts is strictly the minimum , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arguing for a law that gave `` global restitution based on a precise inventory '' .
Last month five activists went on trial in Paris for trying to seize an African funeral staff from the Quai Branly , France 's pre-eminent indigenous art museum , in a bid to put new pressure on Macron to return more items .
An expert report commissioned by Macron in 2018 counted some 90,000 African works in French museums , most of them at the Quai Branly .
Britain has also faced calls to return artefacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria , while museums in Belgium and Austria house tens of thousands of African pieces .

Paris (AFP) –
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French lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously voted to return prized artefacts to Benin and Senegal more than a century after they were looted by colonial forces and hauled back to Paris to be displayed in museums.
The pieces include a royal throne and statues taken by the French army during a war in Benin -- then the wealthy African kingdom of Dahomey -- as well a sabre once wielded by a 19th-century Muslim sheik in what is today Senegal.
After 49 MPs in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, voted Tuesday night in favour of the bill -- with none voting against -- it will now head to the Senate.
If approved, France will officially restore to Benin 26 items from the Treasure of Behanzin, looted during the 1892 pillaging of the palace of Abomey.
They include the throne of King Glele -- a centrepiece of the 70,000-odd African objects held at the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac museum in Paris.
Senegal will get back a sword and scabbard said to have belonged to Omar Saidou Tall, an important 19th century military and religious figure in West Africa.
The pieces are officially held by the Army Museum in Paris, but are on long-term loan to Dakar, where they have been exhibited since last November.
Former culture minister Franck Riester said the return of the artefacts was part of a "strengthened desire for cooperation" with the two francophone West African countries.
He spoke to the assembly because current Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot was isolating after coming into contact with a positive coronavirus case.
Ahead of the vote, Bachelot insisted the bill was "not an act of repentance or reparation, nor a condemnation of the French cultural model".
- 'Strictly the minimum' -
President Emmanuel Macron pledged shortly after his election in 2017 to look into the restitution of African cultural treasures.
Benin's President Patrice Talon has previously said he was "not satisfied" even while welcoming "small steps" being taken by France.
"To approve a specific law to hand back 26 artefacts is strictly the minimum," he told the magazine Young Africa, arguing for a law that gave "global restitution based on a precise inventory".
Last month five activists went on trial in Paris for trying to seize an African funeral staff from the Quai Branly, France's pre-eminent indigenous art museum, in a bid to put new pressure on Macron to return more items.
An expert report commissioned by Macron in 2018 counted some 90,000 African works in French museums, most of them at the Quai Branly.
Britain has also faced calls to return artefacts, notably the Elgin Marbles to Greece and the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, while museums in Belgium and Austria house tens of thousands of African pieces.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-06--Poland’s Swiatek powers into French Open semi-finals alongside Argentina’s Podoroska

Poland 's Iga Swiatek celebrates after winning her quarter-final match against Italy 's Martina Trevisan at the French Open – Roland Garros , Paris , France , October 6 , 2020 .
Polish teenager Iga Swiatek recovered from a nervy start to outclass Italian qualifier Martina Trevisan 6-3 6-1 and move into the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday .
The 19-year-old , who thrashed Romania ’ s top seed Simona Halep on Sunday to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final , looked tight as she trailed 3-1 after a long wait to get on court but then took charge with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first Polish woman to reach the French Open semi-finals since Jadwiga Jedrzejowska was runner-up in 1939 .
Former Wimbledon junior champion Swiatek won eight games in a row to move within three games of victory before tricky left-hander Trevisan stopped the rot with a break of serve .
However , a crushing forehand winner by Swiatek in the following game resumed the onslaught and she romped to her fifth straight-sets victory in a row on the Paris clay .
“ It was pretty hard at the beginning because it was hard to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I played all my other matches at 11am so it was like playing in the middle of the night , ” she said on Court Philippe Chatrier .
Swiatek has a free-flowing game but initially it was 159th-ranked Trevisan , who knocked out American sensation Coco Gauff , 20th seed Maria Sakkari and fifth seed Kiki Bertens on her run to the last eight , who settled quickest .
But once Swiatek loosened up her opponent was always on the back foot , although the Italian did have a couple of break points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 5-3 .
Swiatek saved those and brought up a third set point with a superb topspin lob and converted it when Trevisan made an error .
The pattern continued into the second set and although Trevisan hung in gamely she was no match for one of the game ’ s most exciting talents .
Had Trevisan won she would have set up an unlikely semi-final against Argentina ’ s Nadia Podoroska which would have guaranteed a qualifier reaching a Grand Slam final for the first time in the professional era .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruthlessly brought her dream run to an abrupt halt in just over an hour .
“ I ’ m really happy anyway , ” Trevisan said .
“ Today was a really tough match .
She ’ s a rising player , so she has a lot of positive energy .
Today I close a very important chapter of my life .
Tomorrow other chapters will begin .
I ’ m just happy.
” Swiatek is also through to the doubles quarter-finals with American partner Nicole Melichar .

Polish teenager Iga Swiatek recovered from a nervy start to outclass Italian qualifier Martina Trevisan 6-3 6-1 and move into the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday.
Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates after winning her quarter-final match against Italy's Martina Trevisan at the French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France, October 6, 2020.
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The 19-year-old, who thrashed Romania’s top seed Simona Halep on Sunday to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final, looked tight as she trailed 3-1 after a long wait to get on court but then took charge with some aggressive hitting.
She is the first Polish woman to reach the French Open semi-finals since Jadwiga Jedrzejowska was runner-up in 1939.
Former Wimbledon junior champion Swiatek won eight games in a row to move within three games of victory before tricky left-hander Trevisan stopped the rot with a break of serve.
However, a crushing forehand winner by Swiatek in the following game resumed the onslaught and she romped to her fifth straight-sets victory in a row on the Paris clay.
“It was pretty hard at the beginning because it was hard to get used to the conditions, and also I played all my other matches at 11am so it was like playing in the middle of the night,” she said on Court Philippe Chatrier.
“But I’m pretty happy with my performance.”
Swiatek has a free-flowing game but initially it was 159th-ranked Trevisan, who knocked out American sensation Coco Gauff, 20th seed Maria Sakkari and fifth seed Kiki Bertens on her run to the last eight, who settled quickest.
But once Swiatek loosened up her opponent was always on the back foot, although the Italian did have a couple of break points when the teenager served for the opener at 5-3.
Swiatek saved those and brought up a third set point with a superb topspin lob and converted it when Trevisan made an error.
The pattern continued into the second set and although Trevisan hung in gamely she was no match for one of the game’s most exciting talents.
Had Trevisan won she would have set up an unlikely semi-final against Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska which would have guaranteed a qualifier reaching a Grand Slam final for the first time in the professional era.
It was not to be though as Swiatek ruthlessly brought her dream run to an abrupt halt in just over an hour.
“I’m really happy anyway,” Trevisan said. “Today was a really tough match. She’s a rising player, so she has a lot of positive energy. Today I close a very important chapter of my life. Tomorrow other chapters will begin. I’m just happy.”
Swiatek is also through to the doubles quarter-finals with American partner Nicole Melichar.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-06--Nearly 40 nations demand China respect Uighur human rights

Chinese flags are seen along a road leading to a facility believed to be a re-education camp where mostly Muslim ethnic minorities are detained , on the outskirts of Hotan in the country 's Xinjiang region in May 2019 The US , Japan and many EU nations joined a call on Tuesday urging China to respect the human rights of minority Uighurs , and also expressing concern about the situation in Hong Kong .
`` We call on China to respect human rights , particularly the rights of persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities , especially in Xinjiang and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christoph Heusgen , who led the initiative during of a meeting on human rights .
Among the 39 signatory countries were the United States , most of the EU member states including Albania and Bosnia , as well as Canada , Haiti , Honduras , Japan , Australia and New Zealand .
`` We are gravely concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and the recent developments in Hong Kong , '' the declaration said .
`` We call on China to allow immediate , meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Human Rights , '' it added .
Immediately afterward , the envoy for Pakistan stood up and read out a statement signed by 55 countries , including China , denouncing any use of the situation in Hong Kong as an excuse for interference in China 's internal affairs .
Addressing Germany , the United States and Britain , Chinese ambassador Zhang Jun criticized what he called their `` hypocritical '' attitude and demanded that the three countries `` put away your arrogance and prejudice , and pull back from the brink , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watch praised the fact that so many countries had signed on to the declaration `` despite China 's persistent threats and intimidation tactics against those who speak out . ''
In 2019 , a similar text drafted by Britain only garnered 23 signatures .
Western diplomats have said that China is piling on more pressure each year to dissuade UN member states from signing such statements , threatening to block the renewal of peacekeeping missions for some countries or preventing others from building new embassy facilities in China .
On Monday , China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a joint declaration calling for an end to US sanctions which they said violate human rights during the struggle to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
Last month , the Australian Strategic Policy Institute ( ASPI ) said it had identified more than 380 `` suspected detention facilities '' in the Xinjiang region , where China is believed to have held more than one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim Turkic-speaking residents .
In the United States , the House of Representatives passed a bill at the end of September that aims to ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Uighur people are so widespread that all goods from the region should be considered made with slave labor .

United Nations (United States) (AFP) –
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The US, Japan and many EU nations joined a call on Tuesday urging China to respect the human rights of minority Uighurs, and also expressing concern about the situation in Hong Kong.
"We call on China to respect human rights, particularly the rights of persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities, especially in Xinjiang and Tibet," said German UN ambassador Christoph Heusgen, who led the initiative during of a meeting on human rights.
Among the 39 signatory countries were the United States, most of the EU member states including Albania and Bosnia, as well as Canada, Haiti, Honduras, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
"We are gravely concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and the recent developments in Hong Kong," the declaration said.
"We call on China to allow immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for independent observers including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights," it added.
Immediately afterward, the envoy for Pakistan stood up and read out a statement signed by 55 countries, including China, denouncing any use of the situation in Hong Kong as an excuse for interference in China's internal affairs.
Addressing Germany, the United States and Britain, Chinese ambassador Zhang Jun criticized what he called their "hypocritical" attitude and demanded that the three countries "put away your arrogance and prejudice, and pull back from the brink, now."
The organization Human Rights Watch praised the fact that so many countries had signed on to the declaration "despite China's persistent threats and intimidation tactics against those who speak out."
In 2019, a similar text drafted by Britain only garnered 23 signatures.
Western diplomats have said that China is piling on more pressure each year to dissuade UN member states from signing such statements, threatening to block the renewal of peacekeeping missions for some countries or preventing others from building new embassy facilities in China.
On Monday, China led a group of 26 countries in a joint declaration calling for an end to US sanctions which they said violate human rights during the struggle to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Last month, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) said it had identified more than 380 "suspected detention facilities" in the Xinjiang region, where China is believed to have held more than one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim Turkic-speaking residents.
In the United States, the House of Representatives passed a bill at the end of September that aims to ban imports from Xinjiang, contending that abuses of the Uighur people are so widespread that all goods from the region should be considered made with slave labor.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-06--Tuna value dropping, industry must plan ahead: report

Only a long-term , science-based approach can keep revenue high without depleting tuna stocks past the threshold of sustainability Tuna is holding steady as a $ 40 billion-a-year business , but commercial fisheries worldwide are hauling in bigger catches of dwindling value , threatening the long-term survival of some species , according to a new report .
`` Fisheries caught 500,000 more metric tons in 2018 than in 2012 , but were paid $ 500 million less in dock value , '' study co-author Grantly Galland , an officer with The Pew Charitable Trusts ' international fisheries group , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry through regional management bodies adopt long-term strategies , everything from supermarket tuna to $ 100-a-portion sashimi could wind up in short supply , the report warned .
Crashing populations of skipjack , bigeye , yellowfin and bluefin would also jeopardise livelihoods and disrupt ecosystems in which the top-level predators play a critical role .
Only a long-term , science-based approach , the report suggests , can keep revenue high without depleting stocks past the threshold of sustainability .
The new assessment pulls together global data -- total catch , along with value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seven main species of tuna found in the world 's oceans .
Skipjack , a staple of supermarket tuna , accounted for 58 percent of all tuna landed in 2018 by weight , and 40 percent of value at the final point of sale .
The three million tonnes harvested that year was 20 percent more than in 2012 .
But it ultimately only brought in only six percent more in sales .
Yellowfin -- the second most important tuna species , both by total weight and revenue -- saw a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in catch from 2012 to 2018 , but only a two percent hike in earnings .
For Atlantic bluefin tuna -- 25 times more valuable by weight than skipjack , and especially prized by connoisseurs in Japan -- the gap grew even larger , with catches increasing over that six-year period by 200 percent , but total revenue up only 22 percent .
The same gleaming , fatty bluefin fish that fetched nearly $ 70,000 a tonne in 2012 sold for only half that in 2018 .
`` The tuna business is incredibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who directs Pew 's international fisheries work .
`` But now we can conclusively see that catching more fish does not necessarily result in greater economic value . ''
Bigeye tuna catches declined from 2012 to 2018 by 20 percent , but end value sales went down even more .
Commercial tuna fleets are overseen by RFMOs , or regional fisheries management organisations , that solicit assessments from scientific committees on fish stock and , when they are needed , advice on quota levels .
But historically , RFMOs have tended to ignore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists have deemed the maximum sustainable yield .
Only after stocks of eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin fell so low as to trigger a vote in 2010 under a UN treaty on whether to restrict trade did the relevant RFMO , afraid it would lose control of their $ 2 billion industry , take decisive action .
In less than a decade , stock levels improved significantly .
This time RFMOs should get out ahead of the problem , if only out of self-interest , the report said .
`` Implementing a modernised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategies , would eliminate an ineffective cycle of managers prioritising short-term profits over the long-term value , '' Nickson said .
It would also ensure more economic security for the millions of people who rely on the tuna industry for jobs and food , she added .
The world 's top tuna fishing nations are Indonesia , which landed more than 550,000 tonnes in 2018 , followed by Japan ( 370,000 tonnes ) and five nations that caught around 300,000 tonnes each : Papua New Guinea , Taiwan , Spain , Ecuador and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in eighth place , with about 240,000 tonnes .

Paris (AFP) –
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Tuna is holding steady as a $40 billion-a-year business, but commercial fisheries worldwide are hauling in bigger catches of dwindling value, threatening the long-term survival of some species, according to a new report.
"Fisheries caught 500,000 more metric tons in 2018 than in 2012, but were paid $500 million less in dock value," study co-author Grantly Galland, an officer with The Pew Charitable Trusts' international fisheries group, told AFP.
Unless governments that regulate the industry through regional management bodies adopt long-term strategies, everything from supermarket tuna to $100-a-portion sashimi could wind up in short supply, the report warned.
Crashing populations of skipjack, bigeye, yellowfin and bluefin would also jeopardise livelihoods and disrupt ecosystems in which the top-level predators play a critical role.
Only a long-term, science-based approach, the report suggests, can keep revenue high without depleting stocks past the threshold of sustainability.
The new assessment pulls together global data -- total catch, along with value from dock to diner table -- for the seven main species of tuna found in the world's oceans.
Skipjack, a staple of supermarket tuna, accounted for 58 percent of all tuna landed in 2018 by weight, and 40 percent of value at the final point of sale.
The three million tonnes harvested that year was 20 percent more than in 2012.
But it ultimately only brought in only six percent more in sales.
Yellowfin -- the second most important tuna species, both by total weight and revenue -- saw a similar pattern, with a 15 percent increase in catch from 2012 to 2018, but only a two percent hike in earnings.
For Atlantic bluefin tuna -- 25 times more valuable by weight than skipjack, and especially prized by connoisseurs in Japan -- the gap grew even larger, with catches increasing over that six-year period by 200 percent, but total revenue up only 22 percent.
The same gleaming, fatty bluefin fish that fetched nearly $70,000 a tonne in 2012 sold for only half that in 2018.
"The tuna business is incredibly valuable," said Amanda Nickson, who directs Pew's international fisheries work.
"But now we can conclusively see that catching more fish does not necessarily result in greater economic value."
- 'Maximum sustainable yield' -
Bigeye tuna catches declined from 2012 to 2018 by 20 percent, but end value sales went down even more.
Commercial tuna fleets are overseen by RFMOs, or regional fisheries management organisations, that solicit assessments from scientific committees on fish stock and, when they are needed, advice on quota levels.
But historically, RFMOs have tended to ignore this advice, setting quotas above what scientists have deemed the maximum sustainable yield.
Only after stocks of eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin fell so low as to trigger a vote in 2010 under a UN treaty on whether to restrict trade did the relevant RFMO, afraid it would lose control of their $2 billion industry, take decisive action.
In less than a decade, stock levels improved significantly.
This time RFMOs should get out ahead of the problem, if only out of self-interest, the report said.
"Implementing a modernised fisheries management system, known as harvest strategies, would eliminate an ineffective cycle of managers prioritising short-term profits over the long-term value," Nickson said.
It would also ensure more economic security for the millions of people who rely on the tuna industry for jobs and food, she added.
The world's top tuna fishing nations are Indonesia, which landed more than 550,000 tonnes in 2018, followed by Japan (370,000 tonnes) and five nations that caught around 300,000 tonnes each: Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Spain, Ecuador and South Korea.
The United States is in eighth place, with about 240,000 tonnes.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-06--Rock legend Eddie Van Halen dies after long battle with cancer

Eddie Van Halen , the guitar virtuoso whose group is considered one of the greatest rock bands of all time , died on Tuesday following a long battle with cancer , his son announced .
`` I ca n't believe I 'm having to write this , but my father , Edward Lodewijk Van Halen , has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning , '' Wolf Van Halen wrote in a message on Twitter with a picture of the rocker who was 65 .
`` He was the best father I could ever ask for , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've shared with him on and off stage was a gift .
`` My heart is broken and I do n't think I 'll ever fully recover from this loss .
I love you so much , Pop . ''
Born in the Netherlands and raised in California , Van Halen founded the rock group with his older brother Alex in the early 1970s and quickly earned a fan base .
He was famous for what became known as `` finger tapping '' -- playing the guitar with two hands , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his guitars , including one named Frankenstein which he pieced together from part of other instruments .
Among the group 's classics are `` Jump , '' `` Panama , '' `` Runnin ' with the Devil , '' and the guitar solo `` Eruption . ''
`` Ed 's a once- or twice-in-a-century kind of guy .
There 's Hendrix and there 's Eddie Van Halen , '' friend and guitarist Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains said during Grammy weekend in January 2019 .
`` Those two guys tilted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Halen has sold more than 75 million albums and has more number one hits on the mainstream US rock chart than any other artist , according to the band 's label .
The group 's album `` 1984 '' was to be the band 's high point , giving them their only number one single `` Jump . ''
The creative tension within the band boiled over during the `` 1984 '' tour , with Eddie Van Halen and original frontman David Lee Roth falling out .
Roth left the band in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eddie Van Halen was reportedly the rocker 's outside work that included providing the lead-in guitar for Michael Jackson 's 1983 smash hit `` Beat It . ''
However , Van Halen announced a reunion tour in 2007 with Roth performing with the group for the first time in 22 years .
Another tour planned in 2012 had to be cancelled after Eddie Van Halen had to undergo emergency surgery .
But the band reunited again in 2015 for an extensive North American tour .
Eddie Van Halen was known to have health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for years .
He underwent hip surgery in 1999 and had part of his tongue removed in 2000 after being diagnosed with cancer , likely because of heavy smoking .
Although he was declared cancer free following the surgery , the American tabloid news site TMZ reported earlier this year that he had been going to Germany for throat cancer treatment .
His drug abuse and heavy drinking contributed to his 2007 divorce from TV actress Valerie Bertinelli after 16 years of marriage .
`` I was an alcoholic , and I needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a 2015 interview with Billboard magazine .
`` I did n't drink to party .
Alcohol and cocaine were private things to me .
I would use them for work .
The blow keeps you awake and the alcohol lowers your inhibitions .
I 'm sure there were musical things I would not have attempted were I not in that mental state . ''
Tributes from some of the biggest names in the music world poured in Tuesday following news of his death .
`` I 'm just devastated to hear the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend Eddie Van Halen .
He fought a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end .
Eddie was one of a very special kind of person , a really great friend .
Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again , '' Black Sabbath 's Tony Iommi tweeted .
`` Sad to hear Eddie Van Halen has passed away .
A guitar innovator with a fierce spirit of musical and technical exploration .
Prayers and thoughts with his family and friends , '' Yusuf/Cat Stevens tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet that `` guitars are gently weeping everywhere .
Shred In Power Eddie Van Halen . ''
The rocker is survived by his second wife Janie Liszewski and his son , as well as his first wife Bertinelli .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Eddie Van Halen, the guitar virtuoso whose group is considered one of the greatest rock bands of all time, died on Tuesday following a long battle with cancer, his son announced.
"I can't believe I'm having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning," Wolf Van Halen wrote in a message on Twitter with a picture of the rocker who was 65.
"He was the best father I could ever ask for," he added. "Every moment I've shared with him on and off stage was a gift.
"My heart is broken and I don't think I'll ever fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Pop."
Born in the Netherlands and raised in California, Van Halen founded the rock group with his older brother Alex in the early 1970s and quickly earned a fan base.
He was famous for what became known as "finger tapping" -- playing the guitar with two hands, like a piano.
He was also known for his guitars, including one named Frankenstein which he pieced together from part of other instruments.
Among the group's classics are "Jump," "Panama," "Runnin' with the Devil," and the guitar solo "Eruption."
"Ed's a once- or twice-in-a-century kind of guy. There's Hendrix and there's Eddie Van Halen," friend and guitarist Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains said during Grammy weekend in January 2019. "Those two guys tilted the world on its axis."
Van Halen has sold more than 75 million albums and has more number one hits on the mainstream US rock chart than any other artist, according to the band's label.
The group's album "1984" was to be the band's high point, giving them their only number one single "Jump."
- 'Didn't drink to party' -
The creative tension within the band boiled over during the "1984" tour, with Eddie Van Halen and original frontman David Lee Roth falling out. Roth left the band in April 1985.
One of his gripes with Eddie Van Halen was reportedly the rocker's outside work that included providing the lead-in guitar for Michael Jackson's 1983 smash hit "Beat It."
However, Van Halen announced a reunion tour in 2007 with Roth performing with the group for the first time in 22 years.
Another tour planned in 2012 had to be cancelled after Eddie Van Halen had to undergo emergency surgery.
But the band reunited again in 2015 for an extensive North American tour.
Eddie Van Halen was known to have health problems that would interfere with his work for years.
He underwent hip surgery in 1999 and had part of his tongue removed in 2000 after being diagnosed with cancer, likely because of heavy smoking.
Although he was declared cancer free following the surgery, the American tabloid news site TMZ reported earlier this year that he had been going to Germany for throat cancer treatment.
His drug abuse and heavy drinking contributed to his 2007 divorce from TV actress Valerie Bertinelli after 16 years of marriage.
"I was an alcoholic, and I needed alcohol to function," he said in a 2015 interview with Billboard magazine.
- 'Guitars weeping everywhere' -
"I didn't drink to party. Alcohol and cocaine were private things to me. I would use them for work. The blow keeps you awake and the alcohol lowers your inhibitions. I'm sure there were musical things I would not have attempted were I not in that mental state."
Tributes from some of the biggest names in the music world poured in Tuesday following news of his death.
"I'm just devastated to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend Eddie Van Halen. He fought a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end. Eddie was one of a very special kind of person, a really great friend. Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again," Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi tweeted.
"Sad to hear Eddie Van Halen has passed away. A guitar innovator with a fierce spirit of musical and technical exploration. Prayers and thoughts with his family and friends," Yusuf/Cat Stevens tweeted.
Songwriter Diane Warren said in a tweet that "guitars are gently weeping everywhere. Shred In Power Eddie Van Halen."
The rocker is survived by his second wife Janie Liszewski and his son, as well as his first wife Bertinelli.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--Turkish Cypriot FM quits in protest at move to reopen ghost resort

The Turkish army has sealed off the ghost resort of Varosha since 1974 , but its beach area is set to reopen on Thursday in a move that has sparked anger and controversy Turkish Cypriot foreign minister Kudret Ozersay has announced his resignation in protest at the nationalist prime minister 's decision to reopen the Greek Cypriot resort of Varosha , a sealed-off ghost town since 1974 , just days before a presidential election .
Ozersay 's People 's Party , the third largest in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state 's parliament , also pulled out of the governing coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he announced late on Tuesday .
Speaking after Tuesday talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , Turkish Cypriot prime minister Ersin Tatar announced that the coastal section of Varosha would reopen on Thursday .
The move was condemned by Tatar 's opponents as a ploy to shore up his nationalist base ahead of Sunday 's election and an act of interference by Ankara in Turkish Cypriot affairs .
`` It is unacceptable that Tatar ignored the will of his coalition partner and the Turkish Cypriot people , '' Ozersay said .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mustafa Akinci in Sunday 's election , which was delayed from April by the coronavirus pandemic .
Akinci too strongly criticised the announcement from Ankara , calling it a `` shame for our democracy '' and `` interference in our elections '' .
The president , who is the only Turkish Cypriot official to have international status as leader of the island 's minority community , has long had difficult relations with Ankara , the only government which recognises the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state .
In February , Turkey accused him of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospect of annexation by Ankara as horrible .
Akinci represents the Turkish Cypriot side in currently dormant UN-backed talks on ending the island 's decades-long division .
The return of Varosha to its Greek Cypriot former inhabitants has been a central part of every UN-backed proposal to reunify the island .
In its heyday in the early 1970s , the resort was a favoured haunt of celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton .
But the Turkish invasion of 1974 , launched in response to a Greek Cypriot coup seeking to annex the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort district and the wider city of Famagusta of its Greek Cypriot residents and property owners .
It has been sealed off by the Turkish army ever since .
The Turkish Cypriots have long considered unilaterally reopening Varosha as a means of jump-starting talks .
But they have previously always held back in the face of opposition from the island 's internationally recognised government and the international community .
Cyprus government spokesman Kyriakos Kousios described the move as `` a pre-election stunt created in Ankara , on the eve of an election for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc was `` very concerned '' about Tuesday 's announcement and stressed the `` urgency of restoring confidence and not of creating greater divisions . ''
Akinci is the favourite going into Sunday 's election , which is likely to be decided in a second-round runoff between himself and Tatar .
Former prime minister Tufan Erhurman of the centre-left Turkish Republican Party , the second largest in parliament , is also standing , alongside minor party candidates and independents .

Nicosia (AFP) –
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Turkish Cypriot foreign minister Kudret Ozersay has announced his resignation in protest at the nationalist prime minister's decision to reopen the Greek Cypriot resort of Varosha, a sealed-off ghost town since 1974, just days before a presidential election.
Ozersay's People's Party, the third largest in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state's parliament, also pulled out of the governing coalition, depriving it of its majority, he announced late on Tuesday.
Speaking after Tuesday talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Cypriot prime minister Ersin Tatar announced that the coastal section of Varosha would reopen on Thursday.
The move was condemned by Tatar's opponents as a ploy to shore up his nationalist base ahead of Sunday's election and an act of interference by Ankara in Turkish Cypriot affairs.
"It is unacceptable that Tatar ignored the will of his coalition partner and the Turkish Cypriot people," Ozersay said.
Both Tatar and Ozersay are challenging dovish incumbent Mustafa Akinci in Sunday's election, which was delayed from April by the coronavirus pandemic.
Akinci too strongly criticised the announcement from Ankara, calling it a "shame for our democracy" and "interference in our elections".
The president, who is the only Turkish Cypriot official to have international status as leader of the island's minority community, has long had difficult relations with Ankara, the only government which recognises the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state.
In February, Turkey accused him of being "dishonest" after he described the prospect of annexation by Ankara as horrible.
Akinci represents the Turkish Cypriot side in currently dormant UN-backed talks on ending the island's decades-long division.
- Haunt of celebrities -
The return of Varosha to its Greek Cypriot former inhabitants has been a central part of every UN-backed proposal to reunify the island.
In its heyday in the early 1970s, the resort was a favoured haunt of celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
But the Turkish invasion of 1974, launched in response to a Greek Cypriot coup seeking to annex the whole island to Greece, emptied the resort district and the wider city of Famagusta of its Greek Cypriot residents and property owners.
It has been sealed off by the Turkish army ever since.
The Turkish Cypriots have long considered unilaterally reopening Varosha as a means of jump-starting talks.
But they have previously always held back in the face of opposition from the island's internationally recognised government and the international community.
Cyprus government spokesman Kyriakos Kousios described the move as "a pre-election stunt created in Ankara, on the eve of an election for a new Turkish Cypriot leader".
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc was "very concerned" about Tuesday's announcement and stressed the "urgency of restoring confidence and not of creating greater divisions."
Akinci is the favourite going into Sunday's election, which is likely to be decided in a second-round runoff between himself and Tatar.
Former prime minister Tufan Erhurman of the centre-left Turkish Republican Party, the second largest in parliament, is also standing, alongside minor party candidates and independents.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--Stolen $300m Mao scroll found 'cut in half': Hong Kong police

Someone handling the poetry scroll cut it in half after judging it `` too difficult to display '' , police said A stolen poetry scroll written by Mao Zedong and valued at hundreds of millions of dollars has been recovered , Hong Kong police said Wednesday -- but not before it was cut in half .
Officers said someone handling the thieved artefact had given it the chop after judging it `` too difficult to display '' .
The calligraphy scroll -- worth an estimated US $ 300 million -- was the most valuable item taken in a brazen robbery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Chinese collector Fu Chunxiao .
The gang of three made off with a hoard of treasures worth , according to Fu , an estimated HK $ 5 billion ( $ 645 million ) that included antique stamps and revolutionary items from mainland China in what is believed to be the city 's biggest heist by value .
On Wednesday , police announced they had recovered the Mao scroll and two bronze coins .
But the scroll had suffered devastating damage .
`` Someone claimed that ( the scroll ) was too difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it was cut in half , '' Senior Superintendent Tony Ho told reporters .
Police said one person was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods , another for burglary and the third for assisting a criminal .
The robbery itself was remarkably simple .
The thieves walked into the 16-storey residential building , prised open an iron gate and burst through a wooden door to get inside the apartment , before making off via the same route with the goods , police said at the time .
On Wednesday investigators said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them track down a taxi driver who helped them identify key suspects and locations .
Police believe they have identified the remaining two thieves , who are currently at large .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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A stolen poetry scroll written by Mao Zedong and valued at hundreds of millions of dollars has been recovered, Hong Kong police said Wednesday -- but not before it was cut in half.
Officers said someone handling the thieved artefact had given it the chop after judging it "too difficult to display".
The calligraphy scroll -- worth an estimated US$300 million -- was the most valuable item taken in a brazen robbery last month targeting the Hong Kong apartment of Chinese collector Fu Chunxiao.
The gang of three made off with a hoard of treasures worth, according to Fu, an estimated HK$5 billion ($645 million) that included antique stamps and revolutionary items from mainland China in what is believed to be the city's biggest heist by value.
On Wednesday, police announced they had recovered the Mao scroll and two bronze coins. But the scroll had suffered devastating damage.
"Someone claimed that (the scroll) was too difficult to display because it was too long so it was cut in half," Senior Superintendent Tony Ho told reporters.
Police said one person was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, another for burglary and the third for assisting a criminal.
The robbery itself was remarkably simple.
The thieves walked into the 16-storey residential building, prised open an iron gate and burst through a wooden door to get inside the apartment, before making off via the same route with the goods, police said at the time.
On Wednesday investigators said earlier appeals for public information had helped them track down a taxi driver who helped them identify key suspects and locations.
Police believe they have identified the remaining two thieves, who are currently at large.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--Coronavirus pandemic: New restrictions imposed across Europe as cases surge

Coronavirus pandemic : New restrictions imposed across Europe as cases surge Countries across # Europe are seeing a resurgence in @ @ @ @ @ slowing outbreaks early in the year .
Some countries are seeing higher case numbers than @ @ @ @ @ France , the UK , Poland , the Netherlands and Spain are likely dealing with @ @ @ @ @ have started taking action to curb it .

Coronavirus pandemic: New restrictions imposed across Europe as cases surge
03:59
Countries across #Europe are seeing a resurgence in #Covid-19 cases after successfully slowing outbreaks early in the year. Some countries are seeing higher case numbers than earlier in the year. France, the UK, Poland, the Netherlands and Spain are likely dealing with the much-feared second wave and have started taking action to curb it.


france24--2020-10-07--Unique vine 'greenhouses' found by 91-year-old nature volunteer

Nobuyuki Nagaoka was intrigued by the strange leaf 'greenhouses ' and sought advice from scientists An unusual vine discovered by a 91-year-old volunteer nature guide in Japan has a `` unique '' way of using its leaves to curl around its fruits to envelop them in a protective microclimate , scientists said on Wednesday .
The cucurbitaceous vine , a type found in East Asia , is an oddity because while leaves come in all shapes and sizes and perform a crucial role in photosynthesis , they are rarely associated with reproduction .
But a new study published in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Biological Sciences found that the vine had specialised leaves able to enclose fruit and enhance seed production in colder conditions .
The research was co-authored by Nobuyuki Nagaoka , the 91-year-old guide at Yamagata Prefectural Natural Museum Park , who first spotted the leaf behaviour in 2008 and has observed it every autumn since .
Intrigued by the strange leaf `` greenhouses '' , he looked online for information about the vine , said co-author of the study Shoko Sakai , a professor at the Center for Ecological Research at Kyoto University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had an article about this plant .
He saw the article and sent me a letter in 2008 , '' Sakai told AFP .
He said initially when he saw a picture of the leaf enclosure he thought `` it was a maldeveloped or pest-infected shoot '' .
But `` when we read subsequent observation records he sent to us , it became clear that this was an interesting phenomenon worth further investigation , '' he said , adding that it was only when the researchers examined the real thing that they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I saw it , I was excited to find out that they were indeed leaves , '' Sakai said .
The researchers looked at plants at different altitudes at the foot of Mount Gassan , in the southern part of the Dewa Mountains , in an area partly within Yamagata park .
They describe the vine as a slender , annual plant that often inhabits the edges of deciduous forests with disturbances like roads , rivers or mountains .
It can either be hermaphrodite or male and produces small , white flowers pollinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into fruits , each with a single seed .
The study , which also included experts from Japan 's Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute , reported `` for the first time , a unique function of leaves that enclose immature fruits in an annual vine '' .
They noted some leaves on hermaphrodite plants that were undeveloped in summer `` expanded and overlapped with each other '' to create a sort of cocoon around immature fruit .
The study found that these specialised `` enclosure leaves '' are produced towards the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microclimate of up to 4.6 degrees Celsius warmer than was recorded around fruit where the leaves had been plucked off .
Removing the leaf enclosures negatively affected the survival and growth of the vine 's fruit , although they were unable to identify the mechanism , said the authors .
They also found that the leaves grew thicker protective layers in colder areas and said the results suggest that the vine enclosures allow the plant to produce seeds under the cold weather the plant encounters at the end of its life .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photosynthetic ability and were different in greenness and structure from others .
Previous research has described some functions of leaves that aid reproduction , such as the plant Saururus chinensis , whose leaves can temporarily turn white to attract pollinators .
But the study said such traits were likely `` in conflict with traits that promote photosynthesis , the primary function of leaves '' .
`` Plants produce many leaves in their lifetime .
Size , shape , and thickness among the leaves are often very diverse within an individual , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been viewed in terms of photosynthesis .
`` In this study , we found that some leaves play more important roles in reproduction rather than photosynthesis . ''
The research was Nagaoka 's first scientific paper , Sakai said , adding that he was still guiding tours at the park and observing vines .
`` I think he should be proud of his paper , but he is very humble , '' he added .

Paris (AFP) –
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An unusual vine discovered by a 91-year-old volunteer nature guide in Japan has a "unique" way of using its leaves to curl around its fruits to envelop them in a protective microclimate, scientists said on Wednesday.
The cucurbitaceous vine, a type found in East Asia, is an oddity because while leaves come in all shapes and sizes and perform a crucial role in photosynthesis, they are rarely associated with reproduction.
But a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences found that the vine had specialised leaves able to enclose fruit and enhance seed production in colder conditions.
The research was co-authored by Nobuyuki Nagaoka, the 91-year-old guide at Yamagata Prefectural Natural Museum Park, who first spotted the leaf behaviour in 2008 and has observed it every autumn since.
Intrigued by the strange leaf "greenhouses", he looked online for information about the vine, said co-author of the study Shoko Sakai, a professor at the Center for Ecological Research at Kyoto University.
"Our newsletter published in 1998 had an article about this plant. He saw the article and sent me a letter in 2008," Sakai told AFP.
He said initially when he saw a picture of the leaf enclosure he thought "it was a maldeveloped or pest-infected shoot".
But "when we read subsequent observation records he sent to us, it became clear that this was an interesting phenomenon worth further investigation," he said, adding that it was only when the researchers examined the real thing that they could confirm what it was.
"When I saw it, I was excited to find out that they were indeed leaves," Sakai said.
- Cold-weather protection -
The researchers looked at plants at different altitudes at the foot of Mount Gassan, in the southern part of the Dewa Mountains, in an area partly within Yamagata park.
They describe the vine as a slender, annual plant that often inhabits the edges of deciduous forests with disturbances like roads, rivers or mountains.
It can either be hermaphrodite or male and produces small, white flowers pollinated from August to September and later develop into fruits, each with a single seed.
The study, which also included experts from Japan's Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, reported "for the first time, a unique function of leaves that enclose immature fruits in an annual vine".
They noted some leaves on hermaphrodite plants that were undeveloped in summer "expanded and overlapped with each other" to create a sort of cocoon around immature fruit.
The study found that these specialised "enclosure leaves" are produced towards the end of the growing season and produced a microclimate of up to 4.6 degrees Celsius warmer than was recorded around fruit where the leaves had been plucked off.
Removing the leaf enclosures negatively affected the survival and growth of the vine's fruit, although they were unable to identify the mechanism, said the authors.
They also found that the leaves grew thicker protective layers in colder areas and said the results suggest that the vine enclosures allow the plant to produce seeds under the cold weather the plant encounters at the end of its life.
- Scientific first -
These enclosure leaves were found to have less photosynthetic ability and were different in greenness and structure from others.
Previous research has described some functions of leaves that aid reproduction, such as the plant Saururus chinensis, whose leaves can temporarily turn white to attract pollinators.
But the study said such traits were likely "in conflict with traits that promote photosynthesis, the primary function of leaves".
"Plants produce many leaves in their lifetime. Size, shape, and thickness among the leaves are often very diverse within an individual," said Sakai, adding that previously this had been viewed in terms of photosynthesis.
"In this study, we found that some leaves play more important roles in reproduction rather than photosynthesis."
The research was Nagaoka's first scientific paper, Sakai said, adding that he was still guiding tours at the park and observing vines.
"I think he should be proud of his paper, but he is very humble," he added.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--Coronavirus in France: Health workers concerns about hospital capacity to handle second wave

Coronavirus in France : Health workers concerns about hospital capacity to handle second wave Concern is growing about # hospital @ @ @ @ @ infection wave , as admissions have started to rise again after being contained during # @ @ @ @ @ # SecondWave

Coronavirus in France: Health workers concerns about hospital capacity to handle second wave
01:33
Video by: Shirli SITBON
Concern is growing about #hospital capacity to handle a new infection wave, as admissions have started to rise again after being contained during #France's March-May lockdown. #SecondWave


france24--2020-10-07--Ronaldo, Juve internationals reported for breaking coronavirus isolation

Paulo Dybala ( L ) and Cristiano Ronaldo ( R ) have been reported to prosecutors for breaking isolation .
Cristiano Ronaldo and other top Juventus players could face legal action for rejoining their national teams despite coronavirus rules after two positive cases at the Italian champions , local health authorities in Turin said on Wednesday .
As well as the Portuguese star , several South Americans including Paulo Dybala , Juan Cuadrado , Danilo and Rodrigo Bentancur also left the Juventus team hotel without awaiting test results this week , according to Italian media reports .
`` The club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the place of isolation and therefore we will notify the competent authority , that is the prosecutor , of what happened , '' said Roberto Testi , a director of the health authority in the Piedmont region , quoted by the Ansa news agency .
The entire Juventus team and staff were isolating from Saturday , a procedure that does not prevent them from training or playing , but prohibits contact with the outside .
Both virus case at the club were among the team 's non-playing staff .
Several other internationals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to leave as soon as they get the all clear , including France 's Adrien Rabiot , Italians Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci , Wales ' Aaron Ramsey and Poland 's Wojciech Szczesny .

Milan (AFP) –
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Cristiano Ronaldo and other top Juventus players could face legal action for rejoining their national teams despite coronavirus rules after two positive cases at the Italian champions, local health authorities in Turin said on Wednesday.
As well as the Portuguese star, several South Americans including Paulo Dybala, Juan Cuadrado, Danilo and Rodrigo Bentancur also left the Juventus team hotel without awaiting test results this week, according to Italian media reports.
"The club itself told us that some players had left the place of isolation and therefore we will notify the competent authority, that is the prosecutor, of what happened," said Roberto Testi, a director of the health authority in the Piedmont region, quoted by the Ansa news agency.
The entire Juventus team and staff were isolating from Saturday, a procedure that does not prevent them from training or playing, but prohibits contact with the outside.
Both virus case at the club were among the team's non-playing staff.
Several other internationals called up to their national sides will be able to leave as soon as they get the all clear, including France's Adrien Rabiot, Italians Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, Wales' Aaron Ramsey and Poland's Wojciech Szczesny.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--Dictator's disciple and Hitler admirer convicted in Greek trial

Former MP and leader of Golden Dawn party , Nikolaos Michaloliakos , faces up to 15 years in jail The founder of Greece 's neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn Nikos Michaloliakos , who was handed a criminal conviction in a landmark five-year trial verdict on Wednesday , is a dictator 's disciple , Hitler admirer , and one of the longest-running party leaders in the country .
The 62-year-old mathematician and Holocaust denier rode a wave of popular anger over austerity to steer his once-fringe party to third place in 2015 elections .
He now faces a prison sentence of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday said he had ran Golden Dawn as a criminal organisation that preyed on political opponents and migrants .
Since the trial began in 2015 , prosecutors had sought to prove that the openly xenophobic and anti-Semitic group operated under a military-style leadership that encouraged intimidation beatings -- and even killings .
The probe began after a party militant murdered anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas in 2013 .
A disgraced former officer cadet and devotee of Greek dictator George Papadopoulos , Michaloliakos spent time in prison in the late 1970s in connection to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case to court in November , he said the charges were `` the result of a political plot '' to stem his party 's popularity .
`` There is no criminal organisation ...
I gave no order to murder .
It 's all a pack of lies , '' he told the court .
When prosecutors questioned him on his party 's ideology and operations , Michaloliakos denied that Golden Dawn operated combat squads .
The party 's adherence to military-style discipline was `` a figure of speech '' , he insisted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence , '' he said , noting that even the French national anthem `` talks about the blood of enemies spilling in the streets '' .
According to the prosecutors , Golden Dawn set up militia of men dressed in black who patrolled the streets .
Wednesday 's sentencing was also for the beating of Egyptian fishermen in 2012 and communist trade unionists in 2013 .
Initially handpicked by ex-dictator Papadopoulos to lead the youth of far-right group EPEN after the junta fell , Nikos Michaloliakos founded Golden Dawn in the mid-1980s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders in Greece .
Michaloliakos ' first elected post was as an Athens municipal councillor in 2010 , where he attended sessions with bodyguards and was filmed taunting a left-wing opponent with fascist salutes .
At the time of its inception and for years thereafter , Golden Dawn glorified Adolf Hitler and the warrior ethos of Nazi Germany in its party publications .
One of the party 's older texts called Hitler a `` visionary of new Europe '' .
`` Faith in the words of the Fuehrer , and faith in victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight goes on , the future is ours , '' the text read .
This rhetoric was later toned down as the party adjusted its message to better suit Greek voter concerns with austerity and illegal immigration .
Even so , in a May 2012 interview Michaloliakos effectively denied the Holocaust , saying : `` There were no crematoria , it 's a lie .
Or gas chambers . ''
In 2013 , he mocked black Greek NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo , likening him to a `` chimpanzee '' .
After a wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of party members ' homes uncovered firearms and other weapons , as well as Nazi and fascist memorabilia .
Much of that came from the home of deputy leader Christos Pappas , where police found swastika flags , two German army helmets and bottles stamped with images of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini .
Formerly on the fringe of Greek politics , Golden Dawn went from 19,000 votes a few years ago to over 426,000 in June 2012 after pledging to `` scour the country '' clean of illegal immigrants .
Many of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the party 's voters were `` the equivalent of 30-40 army divisions '' .
At the height of its power in 2013 , the party whose slogan is `` Blood , Honour , Golden Dawn '' topped 10 percent in surveys , making it the third most popular party in the country .
Denying any neo-Nazi affiliation and portraying themselves as anti-corruption nationalists , Golden Dawn attacked mainstream parties as `` traitors '' and `` thieves '' .
They tapped into widespread anger towards the string of conservative and socialist governments that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2010 .
They also capitalised on a perceived rise in the crime rate , which they blamed on migrants .
Michaloliakos called illegal immigration a `` wound '' for Greece .
His wife Eleni Zaroulia , who joined him in parliament in 2012 , described immigrants as `` sub-humans '' in a speech to the chamber , saying they had `` invaded '' the country bringing `` all sorts of diseases '' .
To widespread dismay , Zaroulia nearly landed a parliament job earlier this month before authorities blocked the move .

Athens (AFP) –
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The founder of Greece's neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn Nikos Michaloliakos, who was handed a criminal conviction in a landmark five-year trial verdict on Wednesday, is a dictator's disciple, Hitler admirer, and one of the longest-running party leaders in the country.
The 62-year-old mathematician and Holocaust denier rode a wave of popular anger over austerity to steer his once-fringe party to third place in 2015 elections.
He now faces a prison sentence of up to 15 years after a court on Wednesday said he had ran Golden Dawn as a criminal organisation that preyed on political opponents and migrants.
Since the trial began in 2015, prosecutors had sought to prove that the openly xenophobic and anti-Semitic group operated under a military-style leadership that encouraged intimidation beatings -- and even killings.
The probe began after a party militant murdered anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas in 2013.
A disgraced former officer cadet and devotee of Greek dictator George Papadopoulos, Michaloliakos spent time in prison in the late 1970s in connection to a spate of bombing attacks.
Making his case to court in November, he said the charges were "the result of a political plot" to stem his party's popularity.
- 'Pack of lies' -
"There is no criminal organisation... I gave no order to murder. It's all a pack of lies," he told the court.
When prosecutors questioned him on his party's ideology and operations, Michaloliakos denied that Golden Dawn operated combat squads. The party's adherence to military-style discipline was "a figure of speech", he insisted.
"I did not exhort anyone to violence," he said, noting that even the French national anthem "talks about the blood of enemies spilling in the streets".
According to the prosecutors, Golden Dawn set up militia of men dressed in black who patrolled the streets.
Wednesday's sentencing was also for the beating of Egyptian fishermen in 2012 and communist trade unionists in 2013.
Initially handpicked by ex-dictator Papadopoulos to lead the youth of far-right group EPEN after the junta fell, Nikos Michaloliakos founded Golden Dawn in the mid-1980s, making him one of the longest-serving party leaders in Greece.
Michaloliakos' first elected post was as an Athens municipal councillor in 2010, where he attended sessions with bodyguards and was filmed taunting a left-wing opponent with fascist salutes.
At the time of its inception and for years thereafter, Golden Dawn glorified Adolf Hitler and the warrior ethos of Nazi Germany in its party publications.
- Hitler a 'visionary' -
One of the party's older texts called Hitler a "visionary of new Europe".
"Faith in the words of the Fuehrer, and faith in victory, grows in our hearts. The fight goes on, the future is ours," the text read.
This rhetoric was later toned down as the party adjusted its message to better suit Greek voter concerns with austerity and illegal immigration.
Even so, in a May 2012 interview Michaloliakos effectively denied the Holocaust, saying: "There were no crematoria, it's a lie. Or gas chambers."
In 2013, he mocked black Greek NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo, likening him to a "chimpanzee".
After a wave of arrests in 2013, a search of party members' homes uncovered firearms and other weapons, as well as Nazi and fascist memorabilia.
Much of that came from the home of deputy leader Christos Pappas, where police found swastika flags, two German army helmets and bottles stamped with images of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.
Formerly on the fringe of Greek politics, Golden Dawn went from 19,000 votes a few years ago to over 426,000 in June 2012 after pledging to "scour the country" clean of illegal immigrants.
Many of its voters were police officers.
Michaloliakos later said the party's voters were "the equivalent of 30-40 army divisions".
At the height of its power in 2013, the party whose slogan is "Blood, Honour, Golden Dawn" topped 10 percent in surveys, making it the third most popular party in the country.
Denying any neo-Nazi affiliation and portraying themselves as anti-corruption nationalists, Golden Dawn attacked mainstream parties as "traitors" and "thieves".
They tapped into widespread anger towards the string of conservative and socialist governments that brought Greece to the brink of bankruptcy in 2010.
They also capitalised on a perceived rise in the crime rate, which they blamed on migrants.
Michaloliakos called illegal immigration a "wound" for Greece. His wife Eleni Zaroulia, who joined him in parliament in 2012, described immigrants as "sub-humans" in a speech to the chamber, saying they had "invaded" the country bringing "all sorts of diseases".
To widespread dismay, Zaroulia nearly landed a parliament job earlier this month before authorities blocked the move.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--Sale miss playoffs as virus forces cancellation of Premiership match

Sale 's Premiership match with Worcester was called off after more players tested positive for coronavirus Sale 's final-round English Premiership match against Worcester on Wednesday has been called off after a new clutch of Sale players tested positive for coronavirus .
The match was originally due to be played on Sunday but was postponed after 16 players and three backroom staff from the title-chasing Sharks tested positive last week .
The Premiership said in a statement that an additional six players and two staff from the club had tested positive for Covid-19 after a new round of testing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Limited ) panel met on Wednesday and in light of the new positive tests , which takes the club 's total to 27 , decided to cancel the game .
Sale 's quest to reach the play-offs is now over after they were forced to forfeit the game , with a 20-0 win awarded to Worcester .
Saturday 's semi-finals will see Wasps host Bristol while Bath travel to Exeter .
Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs said : `` We know everyone at Sale Sharks will be devastated , and we share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
`` But we ca n't jeopardise the health of any players , staff or management at any of our clubs . ''
The club said in a statement : `` This is devastating for Sale Sharks , the players and staff , with Covid-19 denying the club the chance to challenge for the Premiership title at the final hurdle . ''
But they made another strong rebuttal of reports suggesting the outbreak was the result of a drinking session as the squad celebrated victory in the Premiership Rugby Cup final last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting our players acted irresponsibly by partying and socialising throughout Manchester after our Premiership Rugby Cup victory are completely inaccurate and untrue , '' the statement said .
`` Health and safety has always been our top priority throughout the return of professional rugby in England and we have an important role to play in supporting the Premiership Rugby players that have tested positive for this terrible virus . ''
The club have been the focus of an investigation by the Rugby Football Union , which revealed on Wednesday that it had `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The RFU is undertaking a full and thorough investigation and is working closely with Public Health England , '' a statement said .
`` A summary of findings will be published in due course and we will consider if there are any learnings for all clubs .
`` The RFU has concerns about how this situation has developed and will be making recommendations to PRL and the PGB ( Professional Game Board ) to avoid future uncertainty for clubs and players as well as protecting the reputation of the game .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the last match in the league , left the Sharks fifth in the final table , three points behind fourth-placed Bath while Worcester finished ninth .

London (AFP) –
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Sale's final-round English Premiership match against Worcester on Wednesday has been called off after a new clutch of Sale players tested positive for coronavirus.
The match was originally due to be played on Sunday but was postponed after 16 players and three backroom staff from the title-chasing Sharks tested positive last week.
The Premiership said in a statement that an additional six players and two staff from the club had tested positive for Covid-19 after a new round of testing on Tuesday.
A PRL (Premiership Rugby Limited) panel met on Wednesday and in light of the new positive tests, which takes the club's total to 27, decided to cancel the game.
Sale's quest to reach the play-offs is now over after they were forced to forfeit the game, with a 20-0 win awarded to Worcester.
Saturday's semi-finals will see Wasps host Bristol while Bath travel to Exeter.
Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs said: "We know everyone at Sale Sharks will be devastated, and we share their disappointment that their season ends this way.
"But we can't jeopardise the health of any players, staff or management at any of our clubs."
The club said in a statement: "This is devastating for Sale Sharks, the players and staff, with Covid-19 denying the club the chance to challenge for the Premiership title at the final hurdle."
But they made another strong rebuttal of reports suggesting the outbreak was the result of a drinking session as the squad celebrated victory in the Premiership Rugby Cup final last month.
"Reports over the weekend suggesting our players acted irresponsibly by partying and socialising throughout Manchester after our Premiership Rugby Cup victory are completely inaccurate and untrue," the statement said.
"Health and safety has always been our top priority throughout the return of professional rugby in England and we have an important role to play in supporting the Premiership Rugby players that have tested positive for this terrible virus."
The club have been the focus of an investigation by the Rugby Football Union, which revealed on Wednesday that it had "concerns" over the situation at Sale.
"The RFU is undertaking a full and thorough investigation and is working closely with Public Health England," a statement said.
"A summary of findings will be published in due course and we will consider if there are any learnings for all clubs.
"The RFU has concerns about how this situation has developed and will be making recommendations to PRL and the PGB (Professional Game Board) to avoid future uncertainty for clubs and players as well as protecting the reputation of the game."
The cancellation of what would have been the last match in the league, left the Sharks fifth in the final table, three points behind fourth-placed Bath while Worcester finished ninth.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--H2 defendants guilty, 1 acquitted, over Westgate attack in Kenya

Defendants Hassan Hussein Mustafa ( left ) , Liban Abdullahi Omar ( centre ) and Mohamed Ahmed Abdi ( right ) have their handcuffs removed for Wednesday 's verdict A Kenyan court found two men guilty on Wednesday for their part in aiding Al-Shabaab gunmen who attacked the Westgate mall in Nairobi in 2013 , killing 67 people .
After a trial that began in January 2014 , Magistrate Francis Andayi found that Mohamed Ahmed Abdi and Hassan Hussein Mustafa conspired with and assisted the four attackers , who died in a siege claimed by the Somalia-based Al-Qaeda-aligned group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was acquitted of all charges and immediately allowed to leave the dock .
It was unclear whether the magistrate would hand down sentences immediately or at a later hearing .
The convicted pair `` had constant communication with the attackers , '' the pattern of which `` betrays the fact that they may have been just friends , '' said Andayi .
Although there was no specific evidence that they had provided material help , the judge said he was satisfied `` their communication with the attackers was giving support to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for conspiracy .
At midday on September 21 , 2013 , a four-man commanded team raided the upscale Westgate shopping mall in the Kenyan capital , throwing grenades and firing indiscriminately on shoppers and business owners .
A four-day siege ensued during which Kenyan security forces launched a series of assaults to retake the mall and subdue the attackers .
The attack was claimed by Al-Shabaab in retaliation for Kenya 's military intervention in southern Somalia in 2011 .
Kenyan troops are part of the African Union Mission to Somalia ( AMISOM ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongholds in the war-torn nation .

Nairobi (AFP) –
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A Kenyan court found two men guilty on Wednesday for their part in aiding Al-Shabaab gunmen who attacked the Westgate mall in Nairobi in 2013, killing 67 people.
After a trial that began in January 2014, Magistrate Francis Andayi found that Mohamed Ahmed Abdi and Hassan Hussein Mustafa conspired with and assisted the four attackers, who died in a siege claimed by the Somalia-based Al-Qaeda-aligned group.
The third accused, Liban Abdullahi Omar, was acquitted of all charges and immediately allowed to leave the dock.
It was unclear whether the magistrate would hand down sentences immediately or at a later hearing.
The convicted pair "had constant communication with the attackers," the pattern of which "betrays the fact that they may have been just friends," said Andayi.
Although there was no specific evidence that they had provided material help, the judge said he was satisfied "their communication with the attackers was giving support to their endeavours" and justified the guilty verdict for conspiracy.
At midday on September 21, 2013, a four-man commanded team raided the upscale Westgate shopping mall in the Kenyan capital, throwing grenades and firing indiscriminately on shoppers and business owners.
A four-day siege ensued during which Kenyan security forces launched a series of assaults to retake the mall and subdue the attackers.
The attack was claimed by Al-Shabaab in retaliation for Kenya's military intervention in southern Somalia in 2011.
Kenyan troops are part of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), which helped drive Al-Shabaab from key strongholds in the war-torn nation.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Armenia says 21 more killed in fighting with Azerbaijan

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict : Armenia says 21 more killed in fighting with Azerbaijan # Ethnic Armenian officials in the enclave of @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday that 21 more servicemen had been killed in fighting with # Azerbaijan , bringing @ @ @ @ @ to 244 since war broke out on September 27 .
FRANCE 24 's Gulliver Cragg @ @ @ @

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Armenia says 21 more killed in fighting with Azerbaijan
01:46
Video by: Gulliver CRAGG
#Ethnic Armenian officials in the enclave of Nagorno-#Karabakh said on Tuesday that 21 more servicemen had been killed in fighting with #Azerbaijan, bringing its total military death toll to 244 since war broke out on September 27. FRANCE 24's Gulliver Cragg reports from Yerevan.


france24--2020-10-07--France pick five uncapped players for autumn tests

France head coach Fabien Galthie called up five uncapped players for the autumn internationals France coach Fabien Galthie on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ his 31-man squad to prepare to face Wales later this month .
Galthie 's men @ @ @ @ @ on October 24 as a warm-up match ahead of a Six Nations fixture against Ireland @ @ @ @ @ Cup which has replaced the scheduled November tests cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ centre Olivier Klemenczak have been rewarded for their performances as Racing 92 reached the European @ @ @ @ @ lock Killian Geraci , Toulouse No .
8 Selevasio Tolofua and La Rochelle winger Arthur @ @ @ @ @ newcomers .
Retiere replaces Damian Penaud who suffered an ankle injury training with club Clermont @ @ @

Marcoussis (France) (AFP) –
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France coach Fabien Galthie on Wednesday named five uncapped players in his 31-man squad to prepare to face Wales later this month.
Galthie's men host Wayne Pivac's side on October 24 as a warm-up match ahead of a Six Nations fixture against Ireland and the newly-created Autumn Nations Cup which has replaced the scheduled November tests cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Prop Georges-Henri Colombe Reazel and centre Olivier Klemenczak have been rewarded for their performances as Racing 92 reached the European Champions Cup final.
Lyon lock Killian Geraci, Toulouse No. 8 Selevasio Tolofua and La Rochelle winger Arthur Retiere are also the international newcomers.
Retiere replaces Damian Penaud who suffered an ankle injury training with club Clermont last week.
Squad
Forwards: Cyril Baille (Toulouse) Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Camille Chat (Racing 92), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Demba Bamba (Lyon), Georges-Henri Colombe Reazel (Racing 92), Bernard Le Roux (Racing 92), Paul Willemse (Montpellier), Killian Geraci (Lyon), Romain Taofifenua (Toulon), Charles Ollivon (Toulon - captain), Francois Cros (Toulouse), Cameron Woki (Bordeaux-Begles), Dylan Cretin (Lyon), Gregory Aalldritt (La Rochelle), Selevasio Tolofua (Toulouse)
Backs: Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Baptiste Serin (Toulon), Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Begles), Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier), Gael Fickou (Stade Francais), Olivier Klemenczak (Racing 92), Vincent Rattez (Montpellier), Arthur Retiere (La Rochelle), Teddy Thomas (Racing 92), Anthony Bouthier (Montpellier), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse)
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--'We believe in our President': Azerbaijan's national pride and fervour for the conflict

'We believe in our President ' : Azerbaijan 's national pride and fervour for the conflict As the conflict in @ @ @ @ @ our reporters on the Azerbaijan side went to meet people living on that side of @ @ @ @ @ an insight into the national pride and fervour for the conflict , which helps to @ @ @ @ @ back what they view as occupied territory .
FRANCE 24 's Catherine Norris Trent , @ @ @ @ @ Asad report .

'We believe in our President': Azerbaijan's national pride and fervour for the conflict
02:09
As the conflict in Nagorno-#Karabakh continues, our reporters on the Azerbaijan side went to meet people living on that side of the frontline, and got an insight into the national pride and fervour for the conflict, which helps to explain this drive to take back what they view as occupied territory. FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris Trent, Ludovic de Foucaud and Hussein Asad report.


france24--2020-10-07--Germany's World Cup hero Goetze joins PSV Eindhoven

German World Cup final hero Mario Goetze , who was a free agent after Borussia Dortmund allowed him to leave @ @ @ @ @ contract with PSV Eindhoven .
Goetze , scorer of the extra-time goal that gave Germany @ @ @ @ @ in Brazil in 2014 , made only five Bundesliga starts at Dortmund last season .
@ @ @ @ @ offer him a new contract and , at 28 , he became a free agent @ @ @ @ @ after the transfer window shut and after reported negotiations with Hertha Berlin went nowhere .
@ @ @ @ @ career at Borussia and moved to Bayern Munich in 2013 but was allowed to return @ @ @ @ @ .
He won the last of his 63 Germany caps in 2017 .

Berlin (AFP) –
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German World Cup final hero Mario Goetze, who was a free agent after Borussia Dortmund allowed him to leave, has signed a two-year contract with PSV Eindhoven.
Goetze, scorer of the extra-time goal that gave Germany a 1-0 victory over Argentina in Brazil in 2014, made only five Bundesliga starts at Dortmund last season.
The club decided not to offer him a new contract and, at 28, he became a free agent which meant he could sign after the transfer window shut and after reported negotiations with Hertha Berlin went nowhere.
The attacking midfielder started his career at Borussia and moved to Bayern Munich in 2013 but was allowed to return to Dortmund after three seasons. He won the last of his 63 Germany caps in 2017.
© 2020 AFP