france24--2020-09-01--France’s Charlie Hebdo to republish Mohammed cartoons at start of terror trial

Portraits of Bernard Maris , Georges Wolinski , Tignous , Charb and Cabu , who were killed in the 2015 attack on Charlie Hebdo , painted on the side of a building in Paris near the site of the attack .
French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo , the target of a massacre by Islamist gunmen in 2015 , said Tuesday it was republishing hugely controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed to mark the start of the trial this week of alleged accomplices in the attack .
`` We will never lie down .
We will never give up , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in an editorial to go with the republication of the cartoons in its latest edition .
Twelve people , including some of France 's most celebrated cartoonists , were killed on January 7 , 2015 , when brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi went on a gun rampage at the paper 's offices in Paris .
The perpetrators were killed in the wake of the massacre but 14 alleged accomplices in the attacks , which also targeted a Jewish supermarket , will go on trial in Paris on Wednesday .
The cover of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen cartoons first published by the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten in 2005 -- and then reprinted by Charlie Hebdo in 2006 -- which unleashed a storm of anger across the Muslim world .
In the centre of the cover is a cartoon of the prophet drawn by its cartoonist Jean Cabut , known as Cabu , who lost his life in the massacre .
`` All of this , just for that , '' the front-page headline says .
Its editorial team wrote that now was the right time to republish the cartoons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial opens .
`` We have often been asked since January 2015 to print other caricatures of Mohammed , '' it said .
`` We have always refused to do so , not because it is prohibited -- the law allows us to do so -- but because there was a need for a good reason to do it , a reason which has meaning and which brings something to the debate . ''
The paper 's willingness to cause offence has made it a champion of free speech for many in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a line too often .
But the massacre united the country in grief with the slogan # JeSuisCharlie ( I Am Charlie ) going viral .

French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, the target of a massacre by Islamist gunmen in 2015, republished on Wednesday hugely controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed to mark the start of the trial of alleged accomplices to the attack.
This picture taken on September 1, 2020 in Paris shows covers of French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo reading "All of this, just for that," to be published on September 2 to mark this week's start of the trial for 14 accused in January 2015 jihadist attacks in Paris.
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"We will never lie down. We will never give up," director Laurent "Riss" Sourisseau wrote in an editorial to go with the cartoons in the latest edition.
"The hatred that struck us is still there and, since 2015, it has taken the time to mutate, to change its appearance, to go unnoticed and to quietly continue its ruthless crusade," he said.
Twelve people, including some of France's most celebrated cartoonists, were killed on January 7, 2015, when brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi went on a gun rampage at the paper's offices in Paris.
The perpetrators were killed in the wake of the massacre but 14 alleged accomplices in the attacks, which also targeted a Jewish supermarket, will go on trial in Paris on Wednesday.
The latest Charlie Hebdo cover shows a dozen cartoons first published by the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten in 2005 – and then reprinted by the French weekly in 2006, unleashing a storm of anger across the Muslim world.
In the centre of the cover is a cartoon of the prophet drawn by cartoonist Jean Cabut, known as Cabu, who lost his life in the massacre.
"All of this, just for that," the front-page headline says.
'The right to blaspheme'
The editorial team wrote that now was the right time to republish the cartoons and that it was "essential" as the trial opens.
"We have often been asked since January 2015 to print other caricatures of Mohammed," it said.
"We have always refused to do so, not because it is prohibited – the law allows us to do so – but because there was a need for a good reason to do it, a reason which has meaning and which brings something to the debate."
The paper's willingness to cause offence over a range of controversial issues has made it a champion of free speech for many in France, while others argue it has crossed a line too often.
But the massacre united the country in grief, with the slogan #JeSuisCharlie (I Am Charlie) going viral.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday it was not his place to pass judgment on the decision by Charlie Hebdo to republish the cartoons, saying France has freedom of expression.
But Macron, speaking on a visit to Lebanon, said it was incumbent on French citizens to show civility and respect for each other, and avoid a "dialogue of hate".
"A thousand bravos," Zineb El Rhazoui, a former journalist for the weekly, said on Twitter, calling the republication of the cartoons a victory "for the right to blasphemy".
The former director of Charlie Hebdo, Philippe Val, also hailed a "remarkable idea" for defending freedom of thought and expression in the face of "terror".
In a nuanced response, the president of the French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM), Mohammed Moussaoui, urged people to "ignore" the cartoons, while condemning violence.
"The freedom to caricature is guaranteed for all, the freedom to love or not to love (the caricatures) as well. Nothing can justify violence," he told AFP.
The suspects, who go on trial from 0800 GMT on Wednesday, are accused of providing various degrees of logistical support to the killers.
The trial had been delayed several months with most French courtrooms closed over the coronavirus epidemic.
The court in Paris will sit until November 10 and, in a first for a terror trial, proceedings will be filmed for archival purposes given public interest.
National anti-terror prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard dismissed the idea that it was just "little helpers" going on trial since the three gunmen were now dead.
"It is about individuals who are involved in the logistics, the preparation of the events, who provided means of financing, operational material, weapons, a residence," he told France Info radio on Monday.
"All this is essential to the terrorist action."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-09-01--Kohli says didn't miss cricket much during long coronavirus break

Indian skipper Virat Kohli , who also captains the Royal Challengers Bangalore , is in the UAE training for the virus-delayed start of the IPL India skipper Virat Kohli has said he did not miss cricket as much as he expected during the months-long break caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Kohli , who also captains Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore , recently started training in the United Arab Emirates for the virus-delayed start of the glitzy Twenty20 tournament on September 19 .
`` When I had our practice session yesterday , it is ( when ) I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Kohli said during an interview posted on RCB 's YouTube channel on Tuesday .
`` When I was heading towards the practice session , I felt nervous , bit jittery , but I was OK .
Honestly , I did n't miss the game as much as I thought I might .
`` Maybe because I 'd been going on for nine , 10 years before that and this was the only break I was ever going to get ( which was ) that long . ''
Kohli and his wife Anushka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced they were expecting their first child in January .
`` The best thing was Anushka and myself were at home .
We never got so much to spend together since we started seeing each other ( in 2013 ) , '' Kohli said .
`` Just being in your own home with the one you love , you could n't ask for anything better .
We just made the most of the whole time . ''
Kohli , one of the top batsmen in the world in all formats of the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Bangalore teammates throughout the 53-day tournament .
The competition is expected to be played behind closed doors , and Kohli said it will be an unusual setting .
`` It is going to be strange , it is going to be new .
Just the echo of ( the ) ball hitting the bat , I have n't experienced that since Ranji Trophy cricket back in 2010 , '' the 31-year-old said , referring to India 's domestic first-class championship .
But Kohli appeared confident that the players would adapt rapidly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the field doing what we do best , '' he said .
`` So I think the instincts will kick in and the crowd factor will diminish quite quickly once we get into the action . ''

New Delhi (AFP) –
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India skipper Virat Kohli has said he did not miss cricket as much as he expected during the months-long break caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Kohli, who also captains Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore, recently started training in the United Arab Emirates for the virus-delayed start of the glitzy Twenty20 tournament on September 19.
"When I had our practice session yesterday, it is (when) I realised how long it has been," Kohli said during an interview posted on RCB's YouTube channel on Tuesday.
"When I was heading towards the practice session, I felt nervous, bit jittery, but I was OK. Honestly, I didn't miss the game as much as I thought I might.
"Maybe because I'd been going on for nine, 10 years before that and this was the only break I was ever going to get (which was) that long."
Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma, a Bollywood star, recently announced they were expecting their first child in January.
"The best thing was Anushka and myself were at home. We never got so much to spend together since we started seeing each other (in 2013)," Kohli said.
"Just being in your own home with the one you love, you couldn't ask for anything better. We just made the most of the whole time."
Kohli, one of the top batsmen in the world in all formats of the game, will remain in a bio-bubble with his Bangalore teammates throughout the 53-day tournament.
The competition is expected to be played behind closed doors, and Kohli said it will be an unusual setting.
"It is going to be strange, it is going to be new. Just the echo of (the) ball hitting the bat, I haven't experienced that since Ranji Trophy cricket back in 2010," the 31-year-old said, referring to India's domestic first-class championship.
But Kohli appeared confident that the players would adapt rapidly to the situation.
"We are... on the field doing what we do best," he said.
"So I think the instincts will kick in and the crowd factor will diminish quite quickly once we get into the action."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Blatter's turn to face Swiss prosecutor over Platini payment

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter was facing questioning Tuesday by a Swiss prosecutor over a payment of two million Swiss francs ( $ 2.2 million ) made to former UEFA boss Michel Platini in 2011 .
The 84-year-old arrived around at 09:00 am at the headquarters of the Public Ministry of the Confederation ( MPC ) in Bern , where Platini , the former head of European football , had been questioned the day before by prosecutor Thomas Hildbrand .
`` This is the moment when we start to talk about this dossier which has lasted for five years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked questions , so I am happy to be able to give information on it , '' said Blatter as he arrived .
The investigation , which was set up in 2015 , is looking into the payment Platini received from FIFA in 2011 for an advisory job completed in 2002 , on suspicion of `` complicity in unfair management , embezzlement and forgery '' .
Platini said in June when he was added by Hildbrand to the investigation that the Swiss Attorney General 's office had `` confirmed in writing in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 65-year-old former French football great now has the status of `` accused '' alongside Blatter .
Blatter , who led the global football body from 1998 to 2015 , told AFP the payment was above board .
`` It was back pay for work done by Michel Platini .
The sum was validated by the finance commission .
It can not be a criminal offence , '' said Blatter .
FIFA deemed the sum a `` disloyal payment '' and suspended Blatter and Platini from all football-related activities , which prevented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another term as president in 2016 .
Two other former FIFA executives , Frenchman Jerome Valcke , the former secretary-general , and German Markus Kattner , the former financial director , are being investigated on `` suspicion of unfair management '' , the OAG has said .
Kattner will be questioned on September 4 .

Bern (Switzerland) (AFP) –
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Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter was facing questioning Tuesday by a Swiss prosecutor over a payment of two million Swiss francs ($2.2 million) made to former UEFA boss Michel Platini in 2011.
The 84-year-old arrived around at 09:00 am at the headquarters of the Public Ministry of the Confederation (MPC) in Bern, where Platini, the former head of European football, had been questioned the day before by prosecutor Thomas Hildbrand.
"This is the moment when we start to talk about this dossier which has lasted for five years, and about which I have never been asked questions, so I am happy to be able to give information on it," said Blatter as he arrived.
The investigation, which was set up in 2015, is looking into the payment Platini received from FIFA in 2011 for an advisory job completed in 2002, on suspicion of "complicity in unfair management, embezzlement and forgery".
Platini said in June when he was added by Hildbrand to the investigation that the Swiss Attorney General's office had "confirmed in writing in May 2018" that his case was closed.
The 65-year-old former French football great now has the status of "accused" alongside Blatter.
Blatter, who led the global football body from 1998 to 2015, told AFP the payment was above board.
"It was back pay for work done by Michel Platini. The sum was validated by the finance commission. It cannot be a criminal offence," said Blatter.
FIFA deemed the sum a "disloyal payment" and suspended Blatter and Platini from all football-related activities, which prevented the former UEFA chief from running for another term as president in 2016.
Two other former FIFA executives, Frenchman Jerome Valcke, the former secretary-general, and German Markus Kattner, the former financial director, are being investigated on "suspicion of unfair management", the OAG has said.
Kattner will be questioned on September 4.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Masks the subject as virus-wary schools reopen across Europe

Students were masked as they headed back to class in Strasbourg , eastern France Millions of students headed back to class in France , Belgium and England on Tuesday as European schools cautiously reopened amid rising coronavirus cases in several countries , with face masks often mandatory .
Officials have drawn fire from parents and teachers worried that strict social distancing and other protective measures will not be enough to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 .
But many governments insist that the greater risk is young people losing out on crucial in-person lessons , and that keeping kids at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a burden on working parents .
`` I do not underestimate how challenging the last few months have been , but I do know how important it is for children to be back in school , not only for their education but for their development and well-being , '' Britain 's Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said .
The UN 's education agency UNESCO warned that just half the roughly 900 million primary and secondary students restarting school from August to October will actually be allowed back in classrooms .
`` Several generations are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which concern hundreds of millions of students and have lasted many months , '' the agency 's director general Audrey Azoulay said in a statement late Monday .
In France , some 12.4 million students returned Tuesday , with masks required for all teachers as well as students over 11 .
`` It does n't bother me to wear a mask , even if it does feel a little weird , '' said Marie , who was starting her first year of middle school in the southern French city of Marseille .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How can we connect with children when half your face is hidden behind a mask ? ''
said Julie Siata , who teaches English at another Marseille school .
Pupils also returned Tuesday in Belgium , which has suffered one of the highest rates of coronavirus deaths in Europe .
Masks are required for those aged 12 and older , and must be kept in a protective case or pouch .
`` You ca n't risk having the mask contaminated when taking it off to eat , '' said Martin , soon to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school in Brussels , adding that he was `` stressed '' about the new protective measures .
In England and Wales , where openings as well as start times are being staggered this week to avoid crowds on public transport and playgrounds , teachers are urging parents to avoid lingering with other parents after drop-offs .
The British government has faced a storm of criticism over reopening schools , after reversing course last week to announce that face masks would be recommended after all to stem a rise in new Covid-19 cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ did many in Scotland which has control of its school system .
Masks will also be compulsory in Greece , where children are expected to return to school on Monday , while Spain will require all students 6 and older to wear masks when classes resume next week .
Children in Spain should also maintain a distance of 1.5 metres ( 5 feet ) from each other , and are being urged to wash their hands at least five times a day .
`` I believe fathers , mothers , and the education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and daughters , that school employees , will be much safer in schools than in other places , '' Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told Cadena Ser radio .
`` But there is no zero risk , '' he acknowledged , as Spain also reported an alarming surge in the number of coronavirus cases in recent weeks .
In Italy , where the virus first struck in Europe , concerns are growing that school reopenings set for September 14 could prove too risky despite masks and staggered opening and cafeteria times .
Three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back openings to the end of this month .

Paris (AFP) –
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Millions of students headed back to class in France, Belgium and England on Tuesday as European schools cautiously reopened amid rising coronavirus cases in several countries, with face masks often mandatory.
Officials have drawn fire from parents and teachers worried that strict social distancing and other protective measures will not be enough to prevent a second wave of Covid-19.
But many governments insist that the greater risk is young people losing out on crucial in-person lessons, and that keeping kids at home for distance learning puts too big a burden on working parents.
"I do not underestimate how challenging the last few months have been, but I do know how important it is for children to be back in school, not only for their education but for their development and well-being," Britain's Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said.
The UN's education agency UNESCO warned that just half the roughly 900 million primary and secondary students restarting school from August to October will actually be allowed back in classrooms.
"Several generations are facing the threat of school closures, which concern hundreds of millions of students and have lasted many months," the agency's director general Audrey Azoulay said in a statement late Monday.
In France, some 12.4 million students returned Tuesday, with masks required for all teachers as well as students over 11.
"It doesn't bother me to wear a mask, even if it does feel a little weird," said Marie, who was starting her first year of middle school in the southern French city of Marseille.
But many teachers were less enthusiastic. "How can we connect with children when half your face is hidden behind a mask?" said Julie Siata, who teaches English at another Marseille school.
- 'No zero risk' -
Pupils also returned Tuesday in Belgium, which has suffered one of the highest rates of coronavirus deaths in Europe.
Masks are required for those aged 12 and older, and must be kept in a protective case or pouch.
"You can't risk having the mask contaminated when taking it off to eat," said Martin, soon to be 13, as he headed to school in Brussels, adding that he was "stressed" about the new protective measures.
In England and Wales, where openings as well as start times are being staggered this week to avoid crowds on public transport and playgrounds, teachers are urging parents to avoid lingering with other parents after drop-offs.
The British government has faced a storm of criticism over reopening schools, after reversing course last week to announce that face masks would be recommended after all to stem a rise in new Covid-19 cases.
German schools reopened last month, as did many in Scotland which has control of its school system.
Masks will also be compulsory in Greece, where children are expected to return to school on Monday, while Spain will require all students 6 and older to wear masks when classes resume next week.
Children in Spain should also maintain a distance of 1.5 metres (5 feet) from each other, and are being urged to wash their hands at least five times a day.
"I believe fathers, mothers, and the education community can be sure that their sons and daughters, that school employees, will be much safer in schools than in other places," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told Cadena Ser radio.
"But there is no zero risk," he acknowledged, as Spain also reported an alarming surge in the number of coronavirus cases in recent weeks.
In Italy, where the virus first struck in Europe, concerns are growing that school reopenings set for September 14 could prove too risky despite masks and staggered opening and cafeteria times.
Three regions in southern Italy have already pushed back openings to the end of this month.
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© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--2 dead as Mauritius oil spill clean-up boats collide

The spill was declared an ecological disaster for the Indian Ocean archipelago , and a massive clean-up operation was launched The prime minister of Mauritius said Tuesday two sailors were dead and two others missing after a tugboat assisting in a major oil spill clean-up off the Indian Ocean island collided with a barge .
A search was under way for the missing crew after the accident late Monday as the boats returned from where a tanker crashed into a reef in late July , leaking more than 1,000 tonnes of oil into the island 's picturesque waters .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the tugboat crew , while two others are still missing , '' Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said after visiting rescued sailors in hospital .
`` We are doing everything we can to locate them , with all our means and with the help of fishermen in the area .
On behalf of the government , I extend my sympathies to the family . ''
The spill was declared an ecological disaster for the Indian Ocean archipelago , and a massive clean-up operation was launched to scrub the pristine coastline and azure seas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tugboat and an unmanned barge which it was towing occurred off the northeast coast as the boats were returning from the spill site where the MV Wakashio ran aground , the barge operator Taylor Smith Group said .
The eight crew aboard the stricken tug abandoned ship , the Mauritius Ports Authority said , adding there were rough seas at the time .
Four were later rescued and taken to shore , officials said .
Jugnauth said the tug was transporting some fuel at the time `` but there is no risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister promised an investigation into the accident .
He faces growing anger over his administration 's handling of the oil spill , which has caused untold ecological damage to a protected coastline that sustains the island 's economy .
An estimated 75,000 people marched at the weekend in the capital Port Louis , many dressed in black and demanding answers from the government in the biggest public demonstration in 40 years .
The washing ashore of some 47 dead melon-headed whales in recent days only spurred further outrage , with environmental groups blaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities have said no traces of hydrocarbons were found on the animals or in their respiratory system , however the results from autopsies have yet to be released .
It is still unclear why the Wakashio was so close to shore when the accident occurred .
Jugnauth has commissioned a formal investigation and promised a full and transparent inquiry .
Critics say the government was too slow to act when the Japanese-owned ship carrying 4,000 tonnes of fuel aboard ran aground off Pointe d'Esny , an ecological jewel fringed by idyllic beaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mauritius and its 1.3 million inhabitants depend crucially on the sea for food and ecotourism .
The bulker later split in two and was towed to open waters and sunk , in a move criticised by some marine conservation groups .

Port Louis (Mauritius) (AFP) –
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The prime minister of Mauritius said Tuesday two sailors were dead and two others missing after a tugboat assisting in a major oil spill clean-up off the Indian Ocean island collided with a barge.
A search was under way for the missing crew after the accident late Monday as the boats returned from where a tanker crashed into a reef in late July, leaking more than 1,000 tonnes of oil into the island's picturesque waters.
"It is tragic that we lost two of the tugboat crew, while two others are still missing," Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said after visiting rescued sailors in hospital.
"We are doing everything we can to locate them, with all our means and with the help of fishermen in the area. On behalf of the government, I extend my sympathies to the family."
The spill was declared an ecological disaster for the Indian Ocean archipelago, and a massive clean-up operation was launched to scrub the pristine coastline and azure seas of thick sludge.
The collision between the tugboat and an unmanned barge which it was towing occurred off the northeast coast as the boats were returning from the spill site where the MV Wakashio ran aground, the barge operator Taylor Smith Group said.
The eight crew aboard the stricken tug abandoned ship, the Mauritius Ports Authority said, adding there were rough seas at the time.
Four were later rescued and taken to shore, officials said.
- 'No risk of a leak' -
Jugnauth said the tug was transporting some fuel at the time "but there is no risk of a leak". The prime minister promised an investigation into the accident.
He faces growing anger over his administration's handling of the oil spill, which has caused untold ecological damage to a protected coastline that sustains the island's economy.
An estimated 75,000 people marched at the weekend in the capital Port Louis, many dressed in black and demanding answers from the government in the biggest public demonstration in 40 years.
The washing ashore of some 47 dead melon-headed whales in recent days only spurred further outrage, with environmental groups blaming the oil spill for their mysterious deaths.
Authorities have said no traces of hydrocarbons were found on the animals or in their respiratory system, however the results from autopsies have yet to be released.
It is still unclear why the Wakashio was so close to shore when the accident occurred. Jugnauth has commissioned a formal investigation and promised a full and transparent inquiry.
Critics say the government was too slow to act when the Japanese-owned ship carrying 4,000 tonnes of fuel aboard ran aground off Pointe d'Esny, an ecological jewel fringed by idyllic beaches, colourful reefs and protected wetlands.
Mauritius and its 1.3 million inhabitants depend crucially on the sea for food and ecotourism.
The bulker later split in two and was towed to open waters and sunk, in a move criticised by some marine conservation groups.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Iran nuclear deal parties meet amid US pressure

Iran has agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit two sites suspected of hosting undeclared activity in the early 2000s The signatories to the faltering Iran nuclear deal kicked off a meeting in Vienna on Tuesday as the United States is bidding to restore international sanctions on the Islamic republic and extend an arms embargo .
Britain , France , Germany , China and Russia are struggling to save the landmark 2015 accord with Iran , which has been progressively stepping up its nuclear activities since last year .
Tehran insists it is entitled to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief for Iran 's agreement to scale back its nuclear programme -- following the US withdrawal from the accord in 2018 and the reimposition of sanctions .
In a boost to Tuesday 's talks , the Iranian atomic energy last week agreed to allow inspectors of the UN nuclear watchdog to visit two sites suspected of having hosted undeclared activity in the early 2000s .
International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) head Rafael Grossi had travelled to Iran on his first trip since taking up the top post last year and after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from any site visits are , however , expected to take three months , according to a diplomat familiar with the matter , so `` it risks being a problem then with the Iranians '' if anything undeclared and nuclear-related is found .
Mikhail Ulyanov , Russia 's Ambassador to International Organisations in Vienna , noted Monday on Twitter that `` nuclear deal participants have a lot of topics to discuss '' .
The meeting is chaired by EU senior official Helga Schmid with representatives from Britain , China , France , Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fitzpatrick , an associate fellow of the International Institute for Strategic Studies ( IISS ) , said last week 's agreement on access kept `` Iran generally in line with the rest of the world , against an isolated United States '' .
The United Nations last week blocked the US bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran , while Washington also failed to rally enough support to extend an arms embargo set to start to lapse from October .
But Fitzpatrick pointed out that `` Iran 's nuclear activities remain of deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to non-proliferation '' .
Iran reportedly recently transferred advanced centrifuges used to enrich uranium from a pilot facility into a new hall at its main Natanz nuclear fuel plant , which was hit by sabotage in July .
An IAEA assessment published in June said Iran 's stockpile of enriched uranium was almost eight times the limit fixed in the accord .
The level of enrichment is still far below what would be needed for a nuclear weapon , but EU parties to the deal have urged Iran 's full compliance .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Iran 's nuclear activities , is expected to issue a fresh report ahead of a meeting of member states to discuss the dossier later this month .

Vienna (AFP) –
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The signatories to the faltering Iran nuclear deal kicked off a meeting in Vienna on Tuesday as the United States is bidding to restore international sanctions on the Islamic republic and extend an arms embargo.
Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia are struggling to save the landmark 2015 accord with Iran, which has been progressively stepping up its nuclear activities since last year.
Tehran insists it is entitled to do so under the deal -- which swapped sanctions relief for Iran's agreement to scale back its nuclear programme -- following the US withdrawal from the accord in 2018 and the reimposition of sanctions.
In a boost to Tuesday's talks, the Iranian atomic energy last week agreed to allow inspectors of the UN nuclear watchdog to visit two sites suspected of having hosted undeclared activity in the early 2000s.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi had travelled to Iran on his first trip since taking up the top post last year and after months of calling for access.
Results from any site visits are, however, expected to take three months, according to a diplomat familiar with the matter, so "it risks being a problem then with the Iranians" if anything undeclared and nuclear-related is found.
- US 'isolated' -
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Ambassador to International Organisations in Vienna, noted Monday on Twitter that "nuclear deal participants have a lot of topics to discuss".
The meeting is chaired by EU senior official Helga Schmid with representatives from Britain, China, France, Germany, Iran and Russia attending.
Mark Fitzpatrick, an associate fellow of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), said last week's agreement on access kept "Iran generally in line with the rest of the world, against an isolated United States".
The United Nations last week blocked the US bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran, while Washington also failed to rally enough support to extend an arms embargo set to start to lapse from October.
But Fitzpatrick pointed out that "Iran's nuclear activities remain of deep concern to those states that are dedicated to non-proliferation".
Iran reportedly recently transferred advanced centrifuges used to enrich uranium from a pilot facility into a new hall at its main Natanz nuclear fuel plant, which was hit by sabotage in July.
An IAEA assessment published in June said Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium was almost eight times the limit fixed in the accord.
The level of enrichment is still far below what would be needed for a nuclear weapon, but EU parties to the deal have urged Iran's full compliance.
The IAEA, which regular updates its members on Iran's nuclear activities, is expected to issue a fresh report ahead of a meeting of member states to discuss the dossier later this month.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Turkey extends Mediterranean gas exploration mission

Turkey deployed the Oruc Reis research vessel and warships to the disputed waters on August 10 and prolonged the mission twice President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday played up Turkey 's military might after extending a Mediterranean gas exploration mission that has pitted it against Greece and the rest of the EU .
Turkey 's push into disputed waters has raised the stakes in the energy-rich but volatile region , reviving long-standing hostilities between the two neighbours .
Greece accuses Turkey of violating its sovereignty , while Ankara says its NATO ally is pursuing a `` maximalist '' approach that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union is watching the conflict with growing concern , with Germany spearheading efforts to get the sides to temper the rhetoric and settle their differences through talks .
Turkey deployed the Oruc Reis research vessel and warships to the disputed waters on August 10 and prolonged the mission twice .
Greece responded by staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates not far from smaller ones Turkey conducted between Cyprus and Crete last week .
Turkey 's most recent extension of the mission was until Tuesday , raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast-escalating conflict that includes deals the two countries struck with war-torn Libya and Egypt .
But in a message on NAVTEX , the international maritime navigational telex system , Turkey said late Monday the seismic vessel 's stay in the eastern Mediterranean would be extended until September 12 .
The Turkish message said the Oruc Reis was being accompanied by Turkey 's two other auxiliary vessels , the Cengiz Han and the Ataman .
Showing no sign of compromise , Erdogan said Turkey would not be intimidated by Greece 's alliance with European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even if hostile fronts unite , they can not stop the rise of Turkey , '' Erdogan said .
`` It 's laughable now to use as bait a country ( Greece ) which could not even fight its way out of a paper bag against a regional and global power like Turkey , '' Erdogan said in a speech at his palace in Ankara .
Erdogan said attempts to deny Turkey 's right to the Mediterranean 's `` riches '' were `` an example of modern colonialism '' .
Ankara 's relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strains over issues including migration and Turkey 's decision to convert Byzantine-era churches into mosques including the Istanbul landmark Hagia Sophia .
Images published in the media last week showing Greek soldiers arriving on the island of Kastellorizo , known as Meis in Turkish , appear to have opened another front in the dispute .
The island is only two kilometres ( 1.2 miles ) from Turkey 's ancient seaside town of Kas in the Antalya province .
The Oruc Reis mission is being conducted near that island , with the navy also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further to the east this month .
Turkey accused Greece of trying to `` arm the island '' despite a 1947 peace treaty that established its demilitarised status .
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Greece appeared to be arming its security personnel on the islands beyond the limits established by international law .
`` You can have police and gendarmerie officers for internal security ... without heavy weaponry , but there is a limit , '' Cavusoglu told reporters .
`` If there is a militarisation that goes beyond that , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But a Greek official said soldiers had already been stationed on the island and the photos were from a `` routine troop rotation '' .
The EU has repeatedly urged Turkey to stop the exploration activities and threatened to slap sanctions on Ankara if it refused to solve the dispute through talks .

Ankara (AFP) –
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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday played up Turkey's military might after extending a Mediterranean gas exploration mission that has pitted it against Greece and the rest of the EU.
Turkey's push into disputed waters has raised the stakes in the energy-rich but volatile region, reviving long-standing hostilities between the two neighbours.
Greece accuses Turkey of violating its sovereignty, while Ankara says its NATO ally is pursuing a "maximalist" approach that offers no room for talks.
The European Union is watching the conflict with growing concern, with Germany spearheading efforts to get the sides to temper the rhetoric and settle their differences through talks.
Turkey deployed the Oruc Reis research vessel and warships to the disputed waters on August 10 and prolonged the mission twice.
Greece responded by staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates not far from smaller ones Turkey conducted between Cyprus and Crete last week.
Turkey's most recent extension of the mission was until Tuesday, raising the possibility of a respite in a fast-escalating conflict that includes deals the two countries struck with war-torn Libya and Egypt.
But in a message on NAVTEX, the international maritime navigational telex system, Turkey said late Monday the seismic vessel's stay in the eastern Mediterranean would be extended until September 12.
The Turkish message said the Oruc Reis was being accompanied by Turkey's two other auxiliary vessels, the Cengiz Han and the Ataman.
Showing no sign of compromise, Erdogan said Turkey would not be intimidated by Greece's alliance with European military powers such as France.
"Even if hostile fronts unite, they cannot stop the rise of Turkey," Erdogan said.
"It's laughable now to use as bait a country (Greece) which could not even fight its way out of a paper bag against a regional and global power like Turkey," Erdogan said in a speech at his palace in Ankara.
Erdogan said attempts to deny Turkey's right to the Mediterranean's "riches" were "an example of modern colonialism".
- 'Greece will lose' -
Ankara's relations with Athens have deteriorated sharply, with strains over issues including migration and Turkey's decision to convert Byzantine-era churches into mosques including the Istanbul landmark Hagia Sophia.
Images published in the media last week showing Greek soldiers arriving on the island of Kastellorizo, known as Meis in Turkish, appear to have opened another front in the dispute.
The island is only two kilometres (1.2 miles) from Turkey's ancient seaside town of Kas in the Antalya province.
The Oruc Reis mission is being conducted near that island, with the navy also scheduling a series of live fire exercises further to the east this month.
Turkey accused Greece of trying to "arm the island" despite a 1947 peace treaty that established its demilitarised status.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Greece appeared to be arming its security personnel on the islands beyond the limits established by international law.
"You can have police and gendarmerie officers for internal security... without heavy weaponry, but there is a limit," Cavusoglu told reporters.
"If there is a militarisation that goes beyond that, it will be Greece who loses."
But a Greek official said soldiers had already been stationed on the island and the photos were from a "routine troop rotation".
The EU has repeatedly urged Turkey to stop the exploration activities and threatened to slap sanctions on Ankara if it refused to solve the dispute through talks.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Totti hopes to rejoin Roma 'sooner or later'

Roma legend Francesco Totti has hinted that he would be keen to return to his former club in some capacity following a recent change of owner Roma legend Francesco Totti believes that `` sooner or later '' he will reconnect with the club which has just changed owners , he told Italian daily La Repubblica in an interview published on Tuesday .
Totti , 43 , spent 24 years at the club as a player before moving upstairs to the boardroom .
He resigned as a director in June 2019 , however , after falling out with US owner James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticised for keeping him out of decisions .
But the sale this summer of the club to another American businessman , Dan Friedkin , could lay the foundations for a reconciliation between the ex-captain , who has since become a players ' agent , and his long-standing club .
`` It is natural to think that sooner or later Roma and I will meet again , '' he told La Reppublica .
`` But I am not fixing the moment , and above all I am not waiting for it to happen by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Friedkin had understood quickly the essentials of running a club .
`` In Rome , the owner must be physically present , '' he said .
`` The announcement that his son Ryan will come to live here is a move in the right direction .
`` Pallotta made mistakes because he made decisions on reported information . ''
Totti said he had not been in contact with the new bosses but said he was ready to `` have a coffee '' with them .

Rome (AFP) –
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Roma legend Francesco Totti believes that "sooner or later" he will reconnect with the club which has just changed owners, he told Italian daily La Repubblica in an interview published on Tuesday.
Totti, 43, spent 24 years at the club as a player before moving upstairs to the boardroom.
He resigned as a director in June 2019, however, after falling out with US owner James Pallotta and with management, who he criticised for keeping him out of decisions.
But the sale this summer of the club to another American businessman, Dan Friedkin, could lay the foundations for a reconciliation between the ex-captain, who has since become a players' agent, and his long-standing club.
"It is natural to think that sooner or later Roma and I will meet again," he told La Reppublica.
"But I am not fixing the moment, and above all I am not waiting for it to happen by sitting idly at home."
Totti said Friedkin had understood quickly the essentials of running a club.
"In Rome, the owner must be physically present," he said.
"The announcement that his son Ryan will come to live here is a move in the right direction.
"Pallotta made mistakes because he made decisions on reported information."
Totti said he had not been in contact with the new bosses but said he was ready to "have a coffee" with them.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Jackie Chan's luxury Beijing condos up for auction in ownership row

Martial arts star Jackie Chan has seen his reputation nosedive in his native Hong Kong due to his pro-Beijing stance Two luxury Beijing apartments seized from martial arts film star Jackie Chan will be put up for auction for around $ 10 million due to an ownership dispute , according to court documents seen by AFP .
The action star , 66 , best known for hit movies `` Rush Hour '' and `` Police Story '' , sparked controversy in 2013 when he joined China 's top political advisory body despite being born in Hong Kong , where his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-Beijing stance .
Chan and his wife Joan Lin and son Jaycee Chan have lived in the high-end properties since 2007 .
But a legal dispute between two real estate firms has resulted in the properties being comandeered and put up for sale , despite appeals by the star .
Chan signed an agreement with Yujia Real Estate in 2006 to buy the two units , which cover more than 1,200 square metres ( 13,000 square feet ) , according to a court judgment published in July .
The actor paid 13 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 20.6 million yuan discount over the original purchase price , in exchange for a celebrity endorsement of the compound in a prime area of central Beijing .
But court papers outline problems including a change in Yujia 's company name , as well as tax arrears , which delayed the transfer of the property rights to Chan .
Another developer , Tenhong Real Estate , later filed for arbitration with Yujia to settle debts and the two properties were among those seized in 2017 .
According to an online listing seen by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flats in the Chinese capital will now start from 71.9 million yuan ( $ 10.5 million ) , with bidding to begin later this month .
A virtual tour of the property showed a maze-like space with a pool table , at least two walk-in wardrobes , a wine fridge and a framed photograph of Chan meeting former US president Barack Obama .
The property was also the scene of a 2014 drug scandal involving Chan 's son Jaycee , who served six months in a Chinese prison after he was found to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use drugs and possession of 100 grams ( 3.5 ounces ) of marijuana .
The properties are now valued at more than 100 million yuan , according to the auction listing .

Beijing (AFP) –
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Two luxury Beijing apartments seized from martial arts film star Jackie Chan will be put up for auction for around $10 million due to an ownership dispute, according to court documents seen by AFP.
The action star, 66, best known for hit movies "Rush Hour" and "Police Story", sparked controversy in 2013 when he joined China's top political advisory body despite being born in Hong Kong, where his reputation has taken a beating over his pro-Beijing stance.
Chan and his wife Joan Lin and son Jaycee Chan have lived in the high-end properties since 2007.
But a legal dispute between two real estate firms has resulted in the properties being comandeered and put up for sale, despite appeals by the star.
Chan signed an agreement with Yujia Real Estate in 2006 to buy the two units, which cover more than 1,200 square metres (13,000 square feet), according to a court judgment published in July.
The actor paid 13 million yuan ($1.9 million) -- a 20.6 million yuan discount over the original purchase price, in exchange for a celebrity endorsement of the compound in a prime area of central Beijing.
But court papers outline problems including a change in Yujia's company name, as well as tax arrears, which delayed the transfer of the property rights to Chan.
Another developer, Tenhong Real Estate, later filed for arbitration with Yujia to settle debts and the two properties were among those seized in 2017.
According to an online listing seen by AFP, the price for the two flats in the Chinese capital will now start from 71.9 million yuan ($10.5 million), with bidding to begin later this month.
A virtual tour of the property showed a maze-like space with a pool table, at least two walk-in wardrobes, a wine fridge and a framed photograph of Chan meeting former US president Barack Obama.
The property was also the scene of a 2014 drug scandal involving Chan's son Jaycee, who served six months in a Chinese prison after he was found to be providing a venue for others to use drugs and possession of 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of marijuana.
The properties are now valued at more than 100 million yuan, according to the auction listing.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--China silent on detention of Australian journalist

Chinese authorities have detained an Australian journalist since at least August 14 , but have not disclosed why China refused Tuesday to disclose why an Australian journalist working as an anchor for state TV has been detained for at least two weeks without charge .
Cheng Lei , an anchor for CGTN , China 's English-language state broadcaster , has been held since at least August 14 but Australian diplomats say Beijing has given no reason for her detention .
Her case is the latest to fray relations between the two countries which have withered over trade , security concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a probe into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic .
Cheng has not been seen in public since being held , although Australian envoys in Beijing were able to speak to her on August 27 .
A foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing batted away questions over the fate of the China-born journalist , who enjoyed a high profile as a business news presenter on CGTN .
`` I ca n't give you any specifics , '' Hua Chunying told reporters .
`` But you know China is a country governed by law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law . ''
There are fears Cheng could face a prolonged period of detention after reports in Australian media said she was being held under `` residential surveillance '' .
`` Our concerns for Ms Cheng are genuine and real , '' Simon Birmingham , Australian minister for trade , tourism and investment told ABC News on Tuesday .
Free media advocates also called for full information on her case .
Chinese authorities should `` disclose their reasons for holding '' her or `` release her immediately '' , the Committee to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` world 's leading jailer of journalists '' .
The detention of Cheng , who conducted interviews with international CEOs for CGTN 's Global Business and BizTalk shows , has also sent shockwaves through China 's foreign journalist community .
While the cause of her detention remains a mystery , she has written a number of Facebook posts critical of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government 's approach to the COVID-19 outbreak .
One post poked fun at Xi 's visit in March to Wuhan , the coronavirus ground zero : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader 's visit , triggered titters in the newsroom -- waving to a big TV screen showing the coronavirus hospital in Wuhan apparently equals a visit . ''
`` In China ... 'serve the people ' goes the slogans [ sic ] ... [ the ] reality is the opposite , '' she wrote .
Cheng also praised on Facebook a censored interview with doctor Ai Fen , who sounded an early alarm about the new virus in Wuhan .
She has also spoken openly about domestic violence including at a UN Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China has ramped up its rhetoric against Australia since Canberra called for a probe into the outbreak .
A senior Beijing envoy last week equated the push for a global inquiry to the betrayal of Julius Ceasar by Brutus , registering the `` indignation , anger and frustration '' felt by China at Australia .
China has also bristled at Australia 's invocation of national security as a reason for investigations into foreign interference at its universities .
It has been accused of retaliating with a litany of trade measures including probes into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beef imports , and warnings to its citizens against travelling to Australia .
Such acts fit a pattern of `` coercive diplomacy '' , according to a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute ( ASPI ) .
Cheng is the second high-profile Australian citizen to be detained in Beijing after writer Yang Hengjun was arrested in January 2019 on suspicion of espionage .
Earlier this year , Australia warned its citizens they faced the risk of arbitrary detention if they travelled to China .
AFP attempted to contact Cheng through WeChat and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bio page has been pulled from the website of CGTN .
But she is known to have two young children , both believed to currently be in Melbourne .
`` She 's really warm , very bright ... very generous , '' a friend of Cheng 's told AFP , requesting anonymity .

Beijing (AFP) –
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China refused Tuesday to disclose why an Australian journalist working as an anchor for state TV has been detained for at least two weeks without charge.
Cheng Lei, an anchor for CGTN, China's English-language state broadcaster, has been held since at least August 14 but Australian diplomats say Beijing has given no reason for her detention.
Her case is the latest to fray relations between the two countries which have withered over trade, security concerns about Chinese tech and Canberra's push for a probe into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cheng has not been seen in public since being held, although Australian envoys in Beijing were able to speak to her on August 27.
A foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing batted away questions over the fate of the China-born journalist, who enjoyed a high profile as a business news presenter on CGTN.
"I can't give you any specifics," Hua Chunying told reporters.
"But you know China is a country governed by law... we will handle things according to the law."
There are fears Cheng could face a prolonged period of detention after reports in Australian media said she was being held under "residential surveillance".
"Our concerns for Ms Cheng are genuine and real," Simon Birmingham, Australian minister for trade, tourism and investment told ABC News on Tuesday.
Free media advocates also called for full information on her case.
Chinese authorities should "disclose their reasons for holding" her or "release her immediately", the Committee to Protect Journalists said, calling China the "world's leading jailer of journalists".
- Big beef -
The detention of Cheng, who conducted interviews with international CEOs for CGTN's Global Business and BizTalk shows, has also sent shockwaves through China's foreign journalist community.
While the cause of her detention remains a mystery, she has written a number of Facebook posts critical of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government's approach to the COVID-19 outbreak.
One post poked fun at Xi's visit in March to Wuhan, the coronavirus ground zero: "The big story today, Dear Leader's visit, triggered titters in the newsroom -- waving to a big TV screen showing the coronavirus hospital in Wuhan apparently equals a visit."
"In China... 'serve the people' goes the slogans [sic]... [the] reality is the opposite," she wrote.
Cheng also praised on Facebook a censored interview with doctor Ai Fen, who sounded an early alarm about the new virus in Wuhan.
She has also spoken openly about domestic violence including at a UN Women China event in Beijing last year.
China has ramped up its rhetoric against Australia since Canberra called for a probe into the outbreak.
A senior Beijing envoy last week equated the push for a global inquiry to the betrayal of Julius Ceasar by Brutus, registering the "indignation, anger and frustration" felt by China at Australia.
China has also bristled at Australia's invocation of national security as a reason for investigations into foreign interference at its universities.
It has been accused of retaliating with a litany of trade measures including probes into alleged dumping of Australian wines, suspending beef imports, and warnings to its citizens against travelling to Australia.
Such acts fit a pattern of "coercive diplomacy", according to a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).
Cheng is the second high-profile Australian citizen to be detained in Beijing after writer Yang Hengjun was arrested in January 2019 on suspicion of espionage.
Earlier this year, Australia warned its citizens they faced the risk of arbitrary detention if they travelled to China.
AFP attempted to contact Cheng through WeChat and did not get any response.
Her bio page has been pulled from the website of CGTN.
But she is known to have two young children, both believed to currently be in Melbourne.
"She's really warm, very bright... very generous," a friend of Cheng's told AFP, requesting anonymity.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Nepal lifts virus ban for Bahrain royal climbing expedition

Nepal is home to eight of the world 's highest peaks but coronavirus restrictions have devastated the tourism and mountaineering sectors Nepal is making a royal exception to its coronavirus ban on foreign arrivals , with a mountaineering team including a Bahrain prince set to tackle two major peaks .
The Himalayan country shut its borders in March including grounding international flights just ahead of the busy spring season , devastating the local tourism sector .
The 18-member party were given special permission to enter Nepal to climb the 8,163-metre ( 26,781-feet ) Mount Manaslu and the 6,119-metre ( 20,075-feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team including the prince of Bahrain and three British citizens will be allowed to come to Nepal in a chartered flight ... following the health protocols , '' government spokesman Yuba Raj Khatiwada said late Monday .
The Bahrain team , due to arrive as early as mid-September , is also planning to climb Everest -- the world 's tallest mountain -- next year .
More than 50 Sherpas will join the expedition , with helicopters used to minimise contact , said organiser Seven Summit Treks .
Nepal reopened its mountains -- including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autumn climbing season , in anticipation that international flights would resume in mid-August .
But a jump in virus infections in recent weeks saw the government delay opening up such flights .
Limited international flights resumed Tuesday but only for citizens and foreign diplomats .
Domestic flights have not restarted .
Foreigners have also been banned from entering Nepal by land .
The absence of foreign climbers has exacerbated the financial fallout for tourist operators .
The country of 28 million people recorded 9,000 new coronavirus infections and 91 deaths over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 39,460 cases and 228 deaths .
Nepal is home to eight of the world 's 14 highest peaks and foreign climbers are a major source of revenue .

Kathmandu (AFP) –
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Nepal is making a royal exception to its coronavirus ban on foreign arrivals, with a mountaineering team including a Bahrain prince set to tackle two major peaks.
The Himalayan country shut its borders in March including grounding international flights just ahead of the busy spring season, devastating the local tourism sector.
The 18-member party were given special permission to enter Nepal to climb the 8,163-metre (26,781-feet) Mount Manaslu and the 6,119-metre (20,075-feet) Lobuche.
"A 15-member Bahrain team including the prince of Bahrain and three British citizens will be allowed to come to Nepal in a chartered flight... following the health protocols," government spokesman Yuba Raj Khatiwada said late Monday.
The Bahrain team, due to arrive as early as mid-September, is also planning to climb Everest -- the world's tallest mountain -- next year.
More than 50 Sherpas will join the expedition, with helicopters used to minimise contact, said organiser Seven Summit Treks.
Nepal reopened its mountains -- including Everest -- in late July for the autumn climbing season, in anticipation that international flights would resume in mid-August.
But a jump in virus infections in recent weeks saw the government delay opening up such flights.
Limited international flights resumed Tuesday but only for citizens and foreign diplomats. Domestic flights have not restarted.
Foreigners have also been banned from entering Nepal by land.
The absence of foreign climbers has exacerbated the financial fallout for tourist operators.
The country of 28 million people recorded 9,000 new coronavirus infections and 91 deaths over the last 10 days. It has reported a total of 39,460 cases and 228 deaths.
Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks and foreign climbers are a major source of revenue.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Red Bull heir's hit-and-run case 'dishonest', says Thai PM probe

Thai university students raise a three-finger salute in front of toys representing the powerful military during a protest in Bangkok The case against the Thai heir to the Red Bull billions accused of a fatal hit-and-run was `` compromised '' from beginning to end , the premier 's office said Tuesday , calling the entire procedure `` dishonest '' .
The announcement comes a month after charges against Vorayuth `` Boss '' Yoovidhya were dropped by the police and attorney general 's office , prompting outrage from ordinary Thais who saw it as another example of the impunity enjoyed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding the case comes during a tense period for the government as a burgeoning pro-democracy movement has gathered pace with near-daily protests across the country .
Vorayuth is accused of killing a police officer in a hit-and-run in 2012 after crashing his Ferrari in Bangkok , and for using cocaine at the time of the accident .
He fled the country on his private jet in 2017 , but his return was widely expected after authorities revealed in July that all charges against him had been dropped .
But a huge public outcry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the hashtag # BoycottRedBull on social media -- prompted three new probes .
One , set up by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha 's office -- concluded Tuesday that the entire investigation had been `` illegal '' .
`` The case 's investigation was compromised , '' committee chairman Vicha Mahakun told reporters .
`` It was done dishonestly and with conspiracy to weaken the case . ''
Prayut , whose administration has long enjoyed close alliances with the kingdom 's billionaire clans , said the Red Bull case cast doubt on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There were policemen , attorney generals and people in politics involved , '' he said , promising `` legal and ethics actions '' would be taken against them .
The report from the premier 's office comes a week after Bangkok 's Criminal Court issued a fresh arrest warrant for Vorayuth .
As the grandson to Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya , the 38-year-old is part of a clan which boasts a net worth of $ 20.2 billion -- making it Thailand 's second richest family , according to Forbes .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cover-up , including the death in a motorcycle accident last month of a man police presented years after the fact as a witness who had cleared Vorayuth of involvement .
On Tuesday a small group of demonstrators rallied in central Bangkok , calling again for the former army chief Prayut 's removal from office .
Other protesters have recently waded into taboo territory by calling for reforms to the country 's unassailable monarchy .
One of them , student leader Jutatip Sirikhan , was arrested Tuesday -- the latest among dozens who @ @ @ @ @ @

Bangkok (AFP) –
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The case against the Thai heir to the Red Bull billions accused of a fatal hit-and-run was "compromised" from beginning to end, the premier's office said Tuesday, calling the entire procedure "dishonest".
The announcement comes a month after charges against Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya were dropped by the police and attorney general's office, prompting outrage from ordinary Thais who saw it as another example of the impunity enjoyed by the kingdom's elite.
The controversy surrounding the case comes during a tense period for the government as a burgeoning pro-democracy movement has gathered pace with near-daily protests across the country.
Vorayuth is accused of killing a police officer in a hit-and-run in 2012 after crashing his Ferrari in Bangkok, and for using cocaine at the time of the accident.
He fled the country on his private jet in 2017, but his return was widely expected after authorities revealed in July that all charges against him had been dropped.
But a huge public outcry -- including hundreds of thousands of people using the hashtag #BoycottRedBull on social media -- prompted three new probes.
One, set up by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha's office -- concluded Tuesday that the entire investigation had been "illegal".
"The case's investigation was compromised," committee chairman Vicha Mahakun told reporters. "It was done dishonestly and with conspiracy to weaken the case."
Prayut, whose administration has long enjoyed close alliances with the kingdom's billionaire clans, said the Red Bull case cast doubt on the country's legal and criminal systems.
"There were policemen, attorney generals and people in politics involved," he said, promising "legal and ethics actions" would be taken against them.
The report from the premier's office comes a week after Bangkok's Criminal Court issued a fresh arrest warrant for Vorayuth.
As the grandson to Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, the 38-year-old is part of a clan which boasts a net worth of $20.2 billion -- making it Thailand's second richest family, according to Forbes.
Several other incidents added to public suspicions of a cover-up, including the death in a motorcycle accident last month of a man police presented years after the fact as a witness who had cleared Vorayuth of involvement.
On Tuesday a small group of demonstrators rallied in central Bangkok, calling again for the former army chief Prayut's removal from office.
Other protesters have recently waded into taboo territory by calling for reforms to the country's unassailable monarchy.
One of them, student leader Jutatip Sirikhan, was arrested Tuesday -- the latest among dozens who face multiple charges including sedition.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--Iran's Khamanei says UAE 'betrayed' Muslim world with Israel deal

Iranian students burn Israeli and UAE flags during a protest against the US-brokered normalisation deal Iran 's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday accused the United Arab Emirates of betraying the Muslim world with its agreement to normalise relations with Tehran 's arch-foe Israel .
`` The # UAE betrayed the world of Islam , the Arab nations , the region 's countries , and # Palestine , '' Khamenei said , according to his official Twitter account .
`` Of course , this betrayal wo n't last long but the stigma will stay with them , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the agreement , only the third such deal it has struck with an Arab country , Israel pledged to suspend annexation of Palestinian lands .
But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that did not mean Israael was abandoning plans to annex the Jordan Valley and Jewish settlements across the occupied West Bank .
`` I hope the Emiratis soon wake up and compensate for what they have done , '' Khamenei said .
`` The UAE rulers opened the door of the region to the Zionists , and they have ignored and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was Khamenei 's first reaction to the agreement between the UAE and Israel that US President Donald Trump announced on August 13 .
His remarks came after a US-Israeli delegation landed in Abu Dhabi on Monday on the first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to mark the normalisation of ties , with Saudi Arabia allowing the flight to cross its airspace .
The Iranian foreign ministry had previously denounced the deal as an act of `` strategic stupidity '' .
The UAE downgraded its relations with Iran in January 2016 amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic republic .
Tehran-Riyadh relations deteriorated further last year following a series of attacks on tankers in sensitive Gulf waters , which Washington blamed on Iran .
Saudi Arabia and Iran , the region 's two leading powers , take opposing sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen .

Tehran (AFP) –
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Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday accused the United Arab Emirates of betraying the Muslim world with its agreement to normalise relations with Tehran's arch-foe Israel.
"The #UAE betrayed the world of Islam, the Arab nations, the region's countries, and #Palestine," Khamenei said, according to his official Twitter account.
"Of course, this betrayal won't last long but the stigma will stay with them," he added in a series of tweets.
In the agreement, only the third such deal it has struck with an Arab country, Israel pledged to suspend annexation of Palestinian lands.
But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that did not mean Israael was abandoning plans to annex the Jordan Valley and Jewish settlements across the occupied West Bank.
"I hope the Emiratis soon wake up and compensate for what they have done," Khamenei said.
"The UAE rulers opened the door of the region to the Zionists, and they have ignored and normalised the question of Palestine."
It was Khamenei's first reaction to the agreement between the UAE and Israel that US President Donald Trump announced on August 13.
His remarks came after a US-Israeli delegation landed in Abu Dhabi on Monday on the first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to mark the normalisation of ties, with Saudi Arabia allowing the flight to cross its airspace.
The Iranian foreign ministry had previously denounced the deal as an act of "strategic stupidity".
The UAE downgraded its relations with Iran in January 2016 amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic republic.
Tehran-Riyadh relations deteriorated further last year following a series of attacks on tankers in sensitive Gulf waters, which Washington blamed on Iran.
Tehran denied the allegation.
Saudi Arabia and Iran, the region's two leading powers, take opposing sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--International football returns at last as Nations League starts

Cristiano Ronaldo with the trophy after Portugal beat the Netherlands in the final of the inaugural UEFA Nations League last year After the postponement of Euro 2020 by a year , international football comes out of a long hibernation this week in Europe with the start of the latest UEFA Nations League , which is being crammed into the autumn despite the ongoing coronavirus concerns and will see Cristiano Ronaldo 's Portugal defend their title .
In normal times , the continent 's leading international teams would have been returning to action less than eight weeks after the final of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be playing for the first time since completing Euro qualifying last November , a hiatus of 10 months .
`` We are delighted to have our team back out on the pitch , and to be able to play international matches again , '' said Germany coach Joachim Loew .
`` The past few months have been difficult for everybody . ''
While such a long break is unheard of in the modern era , this is also confirmation of how crammed the calendar will be in the year ahead , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month just before Europe 's major leagues start the 2020/21 season .
`` I think across the board there 's got to be a look at the football calendar , and that 's everyone 's responsibility , '' warned England manager Gareth Southgate last week .
`` Everybody is trying to put their competitions in and the calendar is growing and the spaces are getting smaller . ''
The demands on the players will be enormous .
Six rounds of Nations League matches will take place in total between September and November , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the finals .
Initially planned for June 2021 , these are now set to go ahead later in the year , once the European Championship has finally been completed .
In the meantime , this Nations League will start with all games behind closed doors , a sad new reality for football in a pandemic and which already applied to the latter stages of the Champions League and Europa League last month .
Another reality of the health crisis is that coaches must be prepared for the possibility of losing players to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost midfield duo Paul Pogba and Houssem Aouar for their matches against Sweden and Croatia .
Similarly , Spain have seen Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal withdraw from their squad to face Germany and Ukraine .
With no fans allowed in , that latter fixture will be played at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium in Real Madrid 's training complex .
Aside from the complications caused by the pandemic , there is another major difference to the last , inaugural Nations League .
Whereas it offered four qualifying berths for Euro 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to go ahead in October and November -- there is no such incentive this time .
Nevertheless , ahead of 2022 World Cup qualifying starting early next year , the two best Nations League group winners who do not qualify for the finals in Qatar via that route will be parachuted into the 12-team play-offs for a second chance at securing a place .
It all sounds complicated , but in simpler times the tournament was a breath of fresh air , replacing as it did the monotony of truly meaningless international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the inaugural final in Porto , with England and Switzerland also having reached the finals .
And there are plenty of enticing fixtures to look forward to among the first batch of games this time , including Germany hosting a new-look Spain , featuring 17-year-old Ansu Fati , in Stuttgart on Thursday .
That will be Luis Enrique 's first game of his second spell as Spain coach , despite him being re-appointed more than nine months ago .
Gareth Southgate 's England play away in Iceland and Denmark , while there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Cup final when France host Croatia at an empty Stade de France .
It will be strange , but at least it is further confirmation that football is very much back in Europe , while FIFA cancelled all internationals on other continents that were previously planned for this month .

Paris (AFP) –
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After the postponement of Euro 2020 by a year, international football comes out of a long hibernation this week in Europe with the start of the latest UEFA Nations League, which is being crammed into the autumn despite the ongoing coronavirus concerns and will see Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal defend their title.
In normal times, the continent's leading international teams would have been returning to action less than eight weeks after the final of the European Championship, but instead they will be playing for the first time since completing Euro qualifying last November, a hiatus of 10 months.
"We are delighted to have our team back out on the pitch, and to be able to play international matches again," said Germany coach Joachim Loew. "The past few months have been difficult for everybody."
While such a long break is unheard of in the modern era, this is also confirmation of how crammed the calendar will be in the year ahead, with almost all nations playing back-to-back fixtures this month just before Europe's major leagues start the 2020/21 season.
"I think across the board there's got to be a look at the football calendar, and that's everyone's responsibility," warned England manager Gareth Southgate last week.
"Everybody is trying to put their competitions in and the calendar is growing and the spaces are getting smaller."
The demands on the players will be enormous. Six rounds of Nations League matches will take place in total between September and November, with the top four nations coming together for the finals.
Initially planned for June 2021, these are now set to go ahead later in the year, once the European Championship has finally been completed.
In the meantime, this Nations League will start with all games behind closed doors, a sad new reality for football in a pandemic and which already applied to the latter stages of the Champions League and Europa League last month.
Another reality of the health crisis is that coaches must be prepared for the possibility of losing players to positive Covid-19 tests, and so France have lost midfield duo Paul Pogba and Houssem Aouar for their matches against Sweden and Croatia.
Similarly, Spain have seen Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal withdraw from their squad to face Germany and Ukraine.
With no fans allowed in, that latter fixture will be played at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium in Real Madrid's training complex.
- World Cup incentive -
Aside from the complications caused by the pandemic, there is another major difference to the last, inaugural Nations League.
Whereas it offered four qualifying berths for Euro 2020 -- in delayed play-offs which are now due to go ahead in October and November -- there is no such incentive this time.
Nevertheless, ahead of 2022 World Cup qualifying starting early next year, the two best Nations League group winners who do not qualify for the finals in Qatar via that route will be parachuted into the 12-team play-offs for a second chance at securing a place.
It all sounds complicated, but in simpler times the tournament was a breath of fresh air, replacing as it did the monotony of truly meaningless international friendlies.
Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the inaugural final in Porto, with England and Switzerland also having reached the finals.
And there are plenty of enticing fixtures to look forward to among the first batch of games this time, including Germany hosting a new-look Spain, featuring 17-year-old Ansu Fati, in Stuttgart on Thursday.
That will be Luis Enrique's first game of his second spell as Spain coach, despite him being re-appointed more than nine months ago.
Gareth Southgate's England play away in Iceland and Denmark, while there will be a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final when France host Croatia at an empty Stade de France.
It will be strange, but at least it is further confirmation that football is very much back in Europe, while FIFA cancelled all internationals on other continents that were previously planned for this month.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Serena shrugs off record-chase after US Open first round win

Serena Williams insisted she is n't focusing on records as she took a step towards a 24th Grand Slam title with a straight-sets win in the US Open first round Tuesday .
The 38-year-old overcame the loss of her first service game in the opening set to power past Kristie Ahn 7-5 , 6-3 in a virtually empty Arthur Ashe Stadium .
Williams is pursuing a seventh US Open title at the US National Tennis Center that would take her level with Margaret Court 's record of 24 Grand Slam titles .
But she insisted afterwards that neither record is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a weird way I feel like every time I come here I 'm being told I broke another record .
I felt like I had something last year .
Maybe it was a tie for Chris Evert , '' she said nonchalantly .
`` But it 's cool .
I do n't think I appreciate it enough , which is unfortunate .
But I 'm in the middle of a Grand Slam , so it 's not the time to be focused for me on records when I 'm thinking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has been more than three years since Williams won her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open -- when she was already pregnant with daughter Olympia .
She has come close since , reaching four major finals only to come away empty-handed .
Her chances have improved this year by the absence of several top players , including world number Ashleigh Barty and the second-ranked Simona Halep , due to coronavirus fears or injury .
Williams took a few games to get into the swing of things , giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double fault .
But once she was in her groove there was no stopping her , smashing 13 aces as she dispatched Ahn in one hour 21 minutes .
`` It was just getting the rhythm in the early part of the match .
First round is always tough for me .
`` I was down a break at one point , so I was really fighting for everything , '' she told reporters .
Williams said the easiest aspect about the absence of fans inside the 23,000-seater Arthur Ashe Stadium was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
And she added that she had no problem getting fired up , despite the lack of atmosphere .
`` I think the hardest is making sure you stay pumped .
For me it was clearly easy because I 'm always overly passionate .
I love being passionate .
It 's what I 'm best at , '' she added .
Williams said she hoped the US Open would give tennis fans a much-needed lift after the pandemic shutdown wiped out most of the season , including Wimbledon .
`` The morale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with everything that 's going on .
Sometimes you just want to take your mind off .
People have been doing that for generations through sport , '' she explained .
`` That 's one of the reasons I was so supportive of the US Open .
I felt like it was such a good time to get back out there for athletes and for fans to kind of just disconnect and be a fan , and for athletes to do what they do best . ''

New York (AFP) –
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Serena Williams insisted she isn't focusing on records as she took a step towards a 24th Grand Slam title with a straight-sets win in the US Open first round Tuesday.
The 38-year-old overcame the loss of her first service game in the opening set to power past Kristie Ahn 7-5, 6-3 in a virtually empty Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Williams is pursuing a seventh US Open title at the US National Tennis Center that would take her level with Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles.
But she insisted afterwards that neither record is really on her mind.
"Yeah, in a weird way I feel like every time I come here I'm being told I broke another record. I felt like I had something last year. Maybe it was a tie for Chris Evert," she said nonchalantly.
"But it's cool. I don't think I appreciate it enough, which is unfortunate. But I'm in the middle of a Grand Slam, so it's not the time to be focused for me on records when I'm thinking about winning a tournament," Williams added.
It has been more than three years since Williams won her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open -- when she was already pregnant with daughter Olympia.
She has come close since, reaching four major finals only to come away empty-handed.
Her chances have improved this year by the absence of several top players, including world number Ashleigh Barty and the second-ranked Simona Halep, due to coronavirus fears or injury.
Williams took a few games to get into the swing of things, giving up her serve early on with a double fault.
But once she was in her groove there was no stopping her, smashing 13 aces as she dispatched Ahn in one hour 21 minutes.
"It was just getting the rhythm in the early part of the match. First round is always tough for me.
"I was down a break at one point, so I was really fighting for everything," she told reporters.
- 'Passionate' -
Williams said the easiest aspect about the absence of fans inside the 23,000-seater Arthur Ashe Stadium was that there is "a little less pressure."
And she added that she had no problem getting fired up, despite the lack of atmosphere.
"I think the hardest is making sure you stay pumped. For me it was clearly easy because I'm always overly passionate. I love being passionate. It's what I'm best at," she added.
Williams said she hoped the US Open would give tennis fans a much-needed lift after the pandemic shutdown wiped out most of the season, including Wimbledon.
"The morale can be really low in the world with everything that's going on. Sometimes you just want to take your mind off. People have been doing that for generations through sport," she explained.
"That's one of the reasons I was so supportive of the US Open. I felt like it was such a good time to get back out there for athletes and for fans to kind of just disconnect and be a fan, and for athletes to do what they do best."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-02--Moeen thanks Morgan as he ends England run drought

Back in the groove - Moeen Ali hits a six during his 61 in England 's five-run defeat by Pakistan in the third T20 at Old Trafford Moeen Ali credited England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan for helping him end a run of low scores after he returned to form during the third Twenty20 international against Pakistan at Old Trafford on Tuesday .
Moeen had made a mere 10 runs in four previous international innings this season , but his dashing 61 off just 33 balls , including four fours and as many sixes , helped England recover from 69-4 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Pakistan , who saw veteran Mohammad Hafeez ( 86 not out ) and teenage debutant Haider Ali ( 54 ) share a partnership of exactly 100 , won a last-ball thriller by five runs to square a three-match series at 1-1 , with one no result , in the final fixture of their tour of England .
One consolation for Moeen , however , was that Tuesday 's innings represented his highest score in any form of international cricket since September 2017 , when he made a century against the West Indies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southwest England .
Moeen told reporters after Tuesday 's close he felt he `` let the team down '' during his run drought and thanked Morgan , England 's World Cup-winning skipper , for his support .
`` A lot of credit should go to Eoin Morgan , '' Moeen said .
`` He 's given me the responsibility in terms of being the vice-captain and doing team talks here and there .
To get that backing from the captain ... it 's one of the reasons he 's the best captain I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who bowled Fakhar Zaman with his first-ball of off-spin on Tuesday , added of Morgan : `` He gives me a lot of confidence .
I have n't played well for a good period of time now and for my captain to think highly of me , for me that means a lot .
`` He came up to me and said 'Would you like to give the team-talk ? '
It makes me feel responsible and a big part of the team .
I have to back what I say as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boys inspiration if I ca n't do it myself .
It makes me feel me quite special among the boys and a big part of this team . ''
Moeen , asked what lay behind his run drought , said he had paid too much attention to `` outside noise '' , although he accepted he had to take criticism `` on the chin '' .
`` I know it 's only one game and I 'm not going to get too far ahead , but I wo n't read what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what everyone else writes in general . ''
Moeen , who made his international debut in 2014 , said he had needed to be like the `` enthusiastic kid I was '' when he first played for England .
`` I 've got to enjoy playing for England , it 's a special team to be part of . ''
Meanwhile Moeen said he was ready to add his tally of 60 Test caps after ending his exile from red-ball international cricket earlier this year , although he accepted the likes of Dom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rashid were ahead of him in the queue for a spinner 's spot in Joe Root 's side .
`` It 's a big winter so if I 'm picked ( for the Test team ) , I would play , that 's for sure .
If I get picked then brilliant , but if not then there 's still a lot of cricket to be played . ''

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Moeen Ali credited England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan for helping him end a run of low scores after he returned to form during the third Twenty20 international against Pakistan at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Moeen had made a mere 10 runs in four previous international innings this season, but his dashing 61 off just 33 balls, including four fours and as many sixes, helped England recover from 69-4 as they chased a target of 191.
But Pakistan, who saw veteran Mohammad Hafeez (86 not out) and teenage debutant Haider Ali (54) share a partnership of exactly 100, won a last-ball thriller by five runs to square a three-match series at 1-1, with one no result, in the final fixture of their tour of England.
One consolation for Moeen, however, was that Tuesday's innings represented his highest score in any form of international cricket since September 2017, when he made a century against the West Indies in a 50-over match at Bristol, southwest England.
Moeen told reporters after Tuesday's close he felt he "let the team down" during his run drought and thanked Morgan, England's World Cup-winning skipper, for his support.
"A lot of credit should go to Eoin Morgan," Moeen said. "He's given me the responsibility in terms of being the vice-captain and doing team talks here and there. To get that backing from the captain... it's one of the reasons he's the best captain I've had."
- 'Feel quite special' -
Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen, who bowled Fakhar Zaman with his first-ball of off-spin on Tuesday, added of Morgan: "He gives me a lot of confidence. I haven't played well for a good period of time now and for my captain to think highly of me, for me that means a lot.
"He came up to me and said 'Would you like to give the team-talk?' It makes me feel responsible and a big part of the team. I have to back what I say as well, so I can't give the boys inspiration if I can't do it myself. It makes me feel me quite special among the boys and a big part of this team."
Moeen, asked what lay behind his run drought, said he had paid too much attention to "outside noise", although he accepted he had to take criticism "on the chin".
"I know it's only one game and I'm not going to get too far ahead, but I won't read what you guys (the press) write or what everyone else writes in general."
Moeen, who made his international debut in 2014, said he had needed to be like the "enthusiastic kid I was" when he first played for England.
"I've got to enjoy playing for England, it's a special team to be part of."
Meanwhile Moeen said he was ready to add his tally of 60 Test caps after ending his exile from red-ball international cricket earlier this year, although he accepted the likes of Dom Bess, Jack Leach and even Adil Rashid were ahead of him in the queue for a spinner's spot in Joe Root's side.
"It's a big winter so if I'm picked (for the Test team), I would play, that's for sure. If I get picked then brilliant, but if not then there's still a lot of cricket to be played."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-01--French anti-jihadist forces kill civilian in Mali

France has deployed more than 5,000 troops in its Barkhane anti-jihadist force in West Africa French anti-jihadist troops in Mali killed a civilian Tuesday and wounded two others after a bus refused to slow down in a volatile area despite their orders , the French army command said .
The incident occurred about 50 kilometres ( 30 miles ) from the city of Gao in Mali 's troubled north .
The French soldiers fired warning shots in the ground but two bullets ricocheted and hit the windscreen , wounding three people , including one fatally , the French army command @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was evacuated by helicopter to the hospital of the ( French ) Barkhane force in Gao , but died of his injuries , '' it said .
`` All steps have been taken to ascertain the exact sequence of events , '' it said , expressing its `` sincere condolences to the family of the deceased . ''
But bus company director Abdoulaye Haidara disputed the army command 's version of events , telling AFP that his driver had denied refusing to stop and did not hear any warning shots .
Mali is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that seized power in a putsch two weeks ago .
Swathes of its territory are outside of the control of central authorities and years of fighting have failed to halt an Islamist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives since emerging in 2012 .
France has deployed more than 5,000 troops in its Barkhane anti-jihadist force in West Africa .
A key part of French strategy to combat terrorism in the turbulent region lies with the so-called G5 Sahel force -- a scheme to create a 5,000-strong joint force gathering Burkina Faso , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the force lacks equipment , training and funds .

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French anti-jihadist troops in Mali killed a civilian Tuesday and wounded two others after a bus refused to slow down in a volatile area despite their orders, the French army command said.
The incident occurred about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the city of Gao in Mali's troubled north.
The French soldiers fired warning shots in the ground but two bullets ricocheted and hit the windscreen, wounding three people, including one fatally, the French army command said.
"The seriously wounded person was evacuated by helicopter to the hospital of the (French) Barkhane force in Gao, but died of his injuries," it said.
"All steps have been taken to ascertain the exact sequence of events," it said, expressing its "sincere condolences to the family of the deceased."
But bus company director Abdoulaye Haidara disputed the army command's version of events, telling AFP that his driver had denied refusing to stop and did not hear any warning shots.
Mali is now under the control of a junta that seized power in a putsch two weeks ago.
Swathes of its territory are outside of the control of central authorities and years of fighting have failed to halt an Islamist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives since emerging in 2012.
France has deployed more than 5,000 troops in its Barkhane anti-jihadist force in West Africa.
A key part of French strategy to combat terrorism in the turbulent region lies with the so-called G5 Sahel force -- a scheme to create a 5,000-strong joint force gathering Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, Mali and Niger.
But the force lacks equipment, training and funds.
© 2020 AFP