france24--2020-02-09--Judo champion Riner stumbles after nine years undefeated

`` It 's a relief in a way , '' said the two-time Olympic champion after his first defeat since 2010 .
One of sport 's longest winning runs came to an end on Sunday when two-time Olympic and serial judo world champion Teddy Riner was beaten for the first time in over nine years .
After 154 successive wins , the 30-year-old Frenchman , who competes in the 100-kilogramme heavyweight category , was beaten by ippon by the Japanese Kokoro Kageura in the third round of the Paris Grand Slam .
Riner 's last defeat was back in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another Japanese Daiki Kamikaw in the openweight final at the world championships in Tokyo .
The defeat comes five months before the Tokyo Olympics when Riner will hope to emulate the lightweight judoka Tadahiro Nomura in winning gold at three successive Olympics .
`` If this happens at the Games I 'll be annoyed .
Better this happens now than then , '' a light-hearted Riner said afterwards .
`` But I 'll tell you another thing too .
It 's a relief in a way .
Counting wins as I closed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 203 wins ) was really heavy . ''
Yamashita , whose run began in 1977 , won four world titles and gold at the Los Angeles Games in 1984 before retiring in 1985 with his record intact .
He did not take part in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow because of a Japanese boycott over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan .
Ten-time world champion Riner 's record still ranks alongside some of the greats of the sporting world .
American hurdler Ed Moses won 122 consecutive races over a 10-year period from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legend Jahangir Khan won 555 successive matches from 1981 to 1986 .
Boxing has also thrown up at least two remarkable winning streaks .
Heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano never lost a fight in his professional career , winning 49 in a row between 1947 and 1955 while the Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez , a world champion at three different weights , won 87 consecutive fights before drawing with Pernell Whitaker in 1993 .

One of sport's longest winning runs came to an end on Sunday when two-time Olympic and serial judo world champion Teddy Riner was beaten for the first time in over nine years.
"It's a relief in a way," said the two-time Olympic champion after his first defeat since 2010.
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After 154 successive wins, the 30-year-old Frenchman, who competes in the 100-kilogramme heavyweight category, was beaten by the Japanese Kokoro Kageura in the third round of the Paris Grand Slam.
Riner's last defeat was back in September 2010 when he was controversially beaten by another Japanese Daiki Kamikaw in the openweight final at the world championships in Tokyo.
The defeat comes five months before the Tokyo Olympics when Riner will hope to emulate the lightweight judoka Tadahiro Nomura in winning gold at three successive Olympics.
"If this happens at the Games I'll be annoyed. Better this happens now than then," a light-hearted Riner said afterwards.
"But I'll tell you another thing too. It's a relief in a way. Counting wins as I closed in on (Yasuhiro) Yamashita's record (203 wins) was really heavy."
History is made!! After 154 consecutive victories over the course of 10 years Kageura Kokoro is the man to end the reign of Teddy Riner! The whole of France looks on in shock#JudoParis #Judo #Sport #Olympics #Paris #France pic.twitter.com/mqj3Jn9man — #JudoParis 🥋 (@Judo) February 9, 2020
Yamashita, whose run began in 1977, won four world titles and gold at the Los Angeles Games in 1984 before retiring in 1985 with his record intact. He did not take part in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow because of a Japanese boycott over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Ten-time world champion Riner's record still ranks alongside some of the greats of the sporting world.
American hurdler Ed Moses won 122 consecutive races over a 10-year period from 1977 to 1987, and Pakistani squash legend Jahangir Khan won 555 successive matches from 1981 to 1986.
Boxing has also thrown up at least two remarkable winning streaks.
Heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano never lost a fight in his professional career, winning 49 in a row between 1947 and 1955 while the Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez, a world champion at three different weights, won 87 consecutive fights before drawing with Pernell Whitaker in 1993.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-09--Trains, flights and ferries cancelled as Storm Ciara batters northwest Europe

Waves crash against a lighthouse during Storm Ciara at Boulogne-sur-Mer , France , on February 9 , 2020 .
Trains , flights and ferries have been cancelled and weather warnings issued across much of northwestern Europe on Sunday as a storm with hurricane-level winds battered the region .
Storm Ciara was expected to pack winds of up to 145 kilometers per hour ( 90 miles per hour ) as well as heavy rains , according to the Met agency in Britain , the country worst hit so far .
The agency has issued 123 emergency flood warnings and 159 flood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were already recorded at Capel Curig in Wales .
At least 10 rail companies in Britain sent out “ do not travel ” warnings , and nearly 20 others told passengers to expect delays .
The strong winds damaged electrical wires and littered train tracks with broken tree limbs and other debris , including a family trampoline .
London 's Heathrow Airport and several airlines consolidated flights Sunday to reduce the number cancelled by heavy winds .
British Airways offered to rebook customers for domestic and European flights out of Heathrow , Gatwick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled some flights .
High waves in the Irish Sea and the English Channel forced ferry companies to cancel trips , and the key English port of Dover suspended services .
In Ireland , power was knocked to an estimated 10,000 homes , farms and businesses .
National weather agency Met Eireann warned that a combination of spring high tides , high seas and stormy conditions had created a significant risk of coastal flooding , particularly along the west and northwest .
Across the Channel , most of northern France was placed under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay away from woodlands and the coastline .
Parks in cities like Lille were closed to the public , as were seaside promenades in Calais , Boulogne-sur-Mer and other coastal resorts .
Winds were expected to strengthen to 120 km/h overnight Sunday , with Brittany , Normandy , the Ardennes and Lorraine bearing the brunt of the storm .
The high winds could make tough going for the rugby match in northern Paris between hosts France and visitors Italy at 4pm local time at the Stade de France , part of the Six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still mulling whether to cancel a football match between heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon , scheduled for later in the evening .
In Belgium , the Royal Meteorological Institute issued an alert for Sunday of winds reaching 130 km/h , or more , with the risk of property damage nationwide .
Some sixty flights departing or arriving at Brussels Airport have been cancelled as a precaution , according to an airport spokesman , who said further delays were possible .
In Brussels , woods and parks will be closed Sunday and Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for championship matches that had been scheduled for Sunday , while four top-flight matches have also been postponed in the neighbouring Netherlands .
Ciara has led to flight cancellations and delays at Amsterdam 's Schiphol airport and in Frankfurt , two of Europe 's largest hubs .
In Germany , where the storm is known as “ Sabine ” , the national railway operator , Deutsche Bahn , said it was cancelling long-distance trains to destinations most at risk from the storm , including Emden and Norddeich in the country 's northwestern corner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the North Sea island of Sylt .

Trains, flights and ferries have been cancelled and weather warnings issued across much of northwestern Europe on Sunday as a storm with hurricane-level winds battered the region.
Waves crash against a lighthouse during Storm Ciara at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, on February 9, 2020.
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Storm Ciara was expected to pack winds of up to 145 kilometers per hour (90 miles per hour) as well as heavy rains, according to the Met agency in Britain, the country worst hit so far.
The agency has issued 123 emergency flood warnings and 159 flood watch alerts. Gusts of 138 km/h were already recorded at Capel Curig in Wales.
At least 10 rail companies in Britain sent out “do not travel” warnings, and nearly 20 others told passengers to expect delays. The strong winds damaged electrical wires and littered train tracks with broken tree limbs and other debris, including a family trampoline.
London's Heathrow Airport and several airlines consolidated flights Sunday to reduce the number cancelled by heavy winds. British Airways offered to rebook customers for domestic and European flights out of Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports. Virgin Airlines canceled some flights.
High waves in the Irish Sea and the English Channel forced ferry companies to cancel trips, and the key English port of Dover suspended services.
In Ireland, power was knocked to an estimated 10,000 homes, farms and businesses. National weather agency Met Eireann warned that a combination of spring high tides, high seas and stormy conditions had created a significant risk of coastal flooding, particularly along the west and northwest.
Winds pummel northern France
Across the Channel, most of northern France was placed under high alert, with residents urged to stay away from woodlands and the coastline.
Parks in cities like Lille were closed to the public, as were seaside promenades in Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer and other coastal resorts.
VIDEO: Waves, rain and wind batter Wimereux, in the Pas-de-Calais as Storm Ciara hits northern France. Thirty-five departments in France are placed on alert because of Ciara which will also affect Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany pic.twitter.com/FvfMii3M75 — AFP news agency (@AFP) February 9, 2020
Winds were expected to strengthen to 120 km/h overnight Sunday, with Brittany, Normandy, the Ardennes and Lorraine bearing the brunt of the storm.
The high winds could make tough going for the rugby match in northern Paris between hosts France and visitors Italy at 4pm local time at the Stade de France, part of the Six Nations annual tournament.
Football authorities were still mulling whether to cancel a football match between heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, scheduled for later in the evening.
Flights cancelled
In Belgium, the Royal Meteorological Institute issued an alert for Sunday of winds reaching 130 km/h, or more, with the risk of property damage nationwide.
Some sixty flights departing or arriving at Brussels Airport have been cancelled as a precaution, according to an airport spokesman, who said further delays were possible.
In Brussels, woods and parks will be closed Sunday and Monday.
The Belgium football league has announced postponements for championship matches that had been scheduled for Sunday, while four top-flight matches have also been postponed in the neighbouring Netherlands.
Ciara has led to flight cancellations and delays at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport and in Frankfurt, two of Europe's largest hubs.
In Germany, where the storm is known as “Sabine”, the national railway operator, Deutsche Bahn, said it was cancelling long-distance trains to destinations most at risk from the storm, including Emden and Norddeich in the country's northwestern corner, the northern city of Kiel and the North Sea island of Sylt.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP)
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france24--2020-02-09--Coronavirus death toll in China exceeds 800, overtaking global SARS fatalities

Medical workers in protective suits attend to novel coronavirus patients at the intensive care unit ( ICU ) of a designated hospital in Wuhan , Hubei province , China February 6 , 2020 .
The death toll from the novel coronavirus surged past 800 in mainland China on Sunday , overtaking global fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic , even as the World Health Organization said the outbreak appeared to be `` stabilising '' .
With 89 more people dying—most in Hubei , the province at the centre of the outbreak—the toll is now higher than the 774 killed worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , according to figures from national health authorities .
The latest data came after the WHO said the last four days had seen “ some stabilising ” in Hubei but warned the figures can still “ shoot up ” .
Almost 37,200 people in China have now been infected by the new coronavirus , believed to have emerged late last year in Hubei ’ s capital Wuhan , where residents are struggling to get daily supplies because of sweeping transport restrictions and instructions to stay inside .
The epidemic has prompted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anger mounts over its handling of the crisis , especially after a whistleblowing doctor fell victim to the virus .
With much of the country still not back at work after an extended Lunar New Year holiday , cities including financial hub Shanghai have ordered residents to wear masks in public .
Many regions far from Hubei are allowing only one person per household to go out every two days to buy supplies .
Michael Ryan , head of the WHO ’ s Health Emergencies Programme , said the “ stable period ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact of the control measures that have been put in place ” .
While the death toll has climbed steadily , new cases per day have declined since Wednesday ’ s single-day peak of nearly 3,900 new cases nationwide .
On Sunday , the number of new cases was just over 2,600 people .
Millions of people remain under lockdown in Hubei , in a bid to stop the virus spreading .
“ The local government asked people to stay at home as much as possible , but there ’ s not enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , so we have to go out frequently , ” said a woman surnamed Wei , who told AFP her husband was infected .
Melissa Santos , a student from the Dominican Republic living in Wuhan , said she planned to go out Sunday for the first time in a week to buy food .
“ I am a bit worried , ” she told AFP .
“ I have read that the virus can be transmitted very fast , in a few seconds.
” China drew international condemnation for covering up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the measures it has taken this time have been praised by the WHO .
But anger over Beijing ’ s approach erupted on social media this week after the death of a Wuhan doctor who police silenced when he raised the alarm about the threat of an emerging virus in December .
The doctor , 34 , died early Friday , after contracting the virus while treating a patient .
Chinese academics were among those angered by his death , with at least two open letters posted on social media demanding more freedoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on freedom of speech , ” one letter demanded .
The central government responded by sending its anti-graft body to launch an investigation , as Beijing attempts to ease the anger .
But Ian Lipkin—a professor at Columbia University who worked with China on the SARS outbreak—said earlier intervention could have made a key difference .
“ This virus was percolating along without anyone realising it was there , ” he said .
If the quarantine measures have been effective , the epidemic should peak within the next fortnight , Lipkin added—although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases could increase when people return to work .
“ If in fact the methods for containment have been adequate or effective at all ...
I think we will start to see some dramatic reduction in China around the third week of February , ” he said .
Lipkin also said warmer weather would help to slow the number of cases .
The first foreign victim in China was confirmed this week when a 60-year-old American diagnosed with the virus died on Thursday in Wuhan .
The only fatalities outside the mainland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong .
Governments have hardened their defences , with several countries banning arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights .
Sixty-four people on board the Diamond Princess off Japan ’ s coast have tested positive and the ship ’ s passengers have been asked to stay inside their cabins to prevent new infections .

The death toll from the novel coronavirus surged past 800 in mainland China on Sunday, overtaking global fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic, even as the World Health Organization said the outbreak appeared to be "stabilising".
Medical workers in protective suits attend to novel coronavirus patients at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a designated hospital in Wuhan, Hubei province, China February 6, 2020.
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With 89 more people dying—most in Hubei, the province at the centre of the outbreak—the toll is now higher than the 774 killed worldwide by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), according to figures from national health authorities.
The latest data came after the WHO said the last four days had seen “some stabilising” in Hubei but warned the figures can still “shoot up”.
Almost 37,200 people in China have now been infected by the new coronavirus, believed to have emerged late last year in Hubei’s capital Wuhan, where residents are struggling to get daily supplies because of sweeping transport restrictions and instructions to stay inside.
The epidemic has prompted the government to lock down whole cities as anger mounts over its handling of the crisis, especially after a whistleblowing doctor fell victim to the virus.
02:41
With much of the country still not back at work after an extended Lunar New Year holiday, cities including financial hub Shanghai have ordered residents to wear masks in public.
Many regions far from Hubei are allowing only one person per household to go out every two days to buy supplies.
Michael Ryan, head of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said the “stable period” of the outbreak “may reflect the impact of the control measures that have been put in place”.
While the death toll has climbed steadily, new cases per day have declined since Wednesday’s single-day peak of nearly 3,900 new cases nationwide.
On Sunday, the number of new cases was just over 2,600 people.
Public anger
Millions of people remain under lockdown in Hubei, in a bid to stop the virus spreading.
“The local government asked people to stay at home as much as possible, but there’s not enough goods in shops each time we get there, so we have to go out frequently,” said a woman surnamed Wei, who told AFP her husband was infected.
Melissa Santos, a student from the Dominican Republic living in Wuhan, said she planned to go out Sunday for the first time in a week to buy food.
“I am a bit worried,” she told AFP. “I have read that the virus can be transmitted very fast, in a few seconds.”
China drew international condemnation for covering up cases during the SARS outbreak, whereas the measures it has taken this time have been praised by the WHO.
But anger over Beijing’s approach erupted on social media this week after the death of a Wuhan doctor who police silenced when he raised the alarm about the threat of an emerging virus in December.
The doctor, 34, died early Friday, after contracting the virus while treating a patient.
Chinese academics were among those angered by his death, with at least two open letters posted on social media demanding more freedoms.
“Put an end to the restrictions on freedom of speech,” one letter demanded.
‘Percolating along’
The central government responded by sending its anti-graft body to launch an investigation, as Beijing attempts to ease the anger.
But Ian Lipkin—a professor at Columbia University who worked with China on the SARS outbreak—said earlier intervention could have made a key difference.
“This virus was percolating along without anyone realising it was there,” he said.
If the quarantine measures have been effective, the epidemic should peak within the next fortnight, Lipkin added—although there is still a risk the number of cases could increase when people return to work.
“If in fact the methods for containment have been adequate or effective at all... I think we will start to see some dramatic reduction in China around the third week of February,” he said.
Lipkin also said warmer weather would help to slow the number of cases.
Global fears
The first foreign victim in China was confirmed this week when a 60-year-old American diagnosed with the virus died on Thursday in Wuhan.
The only fatalities outside the mainland have been a Chinese man in the Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong.
Governments have hardened their defences, with several countries banning arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights.
Sixty-four people on board the Diamond Princess off Japan’s coast have tested positive and the ship’s passengers have been asked to stay inside their cabins to prevent new infections.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-09--Cameroon elections dominated by boycott and separatist violence

Cameroon president Paul Biya arrives on the second day of the conference of Global funf to fight HIV , tuberculosis and Malaria on October 10 , 2019 , in Lyon .
Cameroon votes Sunday in polls overshadowed both by separatist violence , which has displaced hundreds of thousands of people , and a partial opposition boycott .
Elections for the central African country ’ s legislature and local councils are taking place for the first time in seven years , after two postponements .
Despite the delays , campaigning has been low key .
In the capital Yaounde , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cameroon People ’ s Democratic Movement ( RDPC in its French initials ) are barely more numerous than posters calling on people to pick up their litter .
The RDPC supports President Paul Biya , one of the world ’ s oldest and longest-serving leaders , who has ruled with a steely fist for 37 of his 86 years .
The main opposition party , the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon ( MRC ) is refusing to field a single candidate .
Its leader , Maurice Kamto , spent nine months in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections and is now abroad .
“ We could have had a few seats in parliament and some town councillors , but how would that enable us to influence events in Cameroon ?
” Kamto said in an interview with AFP in Paris last month .
“ I would have voted for the MRC but on Sunday I ’ m going to stay at home , ” a young Yaounde voter , who gave his name as Xavier , told AFP .
The boycott will all but guarantee a crushing victory for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 148 out of 180 seats .
“ Where ’ s the opposition ?
” was the whimsical question aired by a local RDPC chief , Augustin Tsafack , on the sidelines of a party rally in Yaounde .
The other large opposition party , the Social Democratic Front ( SDF ) , which currently has 18 seats , will take part in Sunday ’ s vote , going back on a threat to snub it .
Cameroon is struggling with two conflicts .
In two English-speaking regions in the west , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secede from the majority French-speaking country .
The 28-month conflict has claimed more than 3,000 lives and caused more than 700,000 people to flee , according to tolls compiled by NGOs .
“ How can the state guarantee security for elections in the anglophone regions , given that some towns are now inaccessible by road ?
” an independent observer from one of these regions asked at a meeting of the electoral commission in Yaounde on Wednesday .
The SDF traditionally draws much of its support from the anglophone regions but now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the radicals—and says its candidates there have come under attack .
Similar worries are being voiced for the safety of polling stations in Cameroon ’ s Far North region , which has been battered by Boko Haram jihadists crossing from Nigeria .
The government on Friday announced that all of Cameroon ’ s borders would be closed until Monday , and shops and drink outlets had to close on polling day .
Municipal elections will also take place , something that has excited most media interest given the seemingly inevitable outcome of legislative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the country ’ s economic hub , could swing to the opposition , according to some forecasts .
City chiefs are to gain powers under measures taken in December to decentralise some authority out of Yaounde .
The reforms have been triggered by the anglophone crisis although they fall far short of meeting the separatists ’ demands .
“ The stakes ( on Sunday ) are local , ” said Stephane Akoa , a researcher at the Paul Ango Ela think tank in Yaounde .
“ Things are going to change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t ready will pay the price .
”

Cameroon votes Sunday in polls overshadowed both by separatist violence, which has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and a partial opposition boycott.
Cameroon president Paul Biya arrives on the second day of the conference of Global funf to fight HIV, tuberculosis and Malaria on October 10, 2019, in Lyon.
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Elections for the central African country’s legislature and local councils are taking place for the first time in seven years, after two postponements.
Despite the delays, campaigning has been low key.
In the capital Yaounde, the few banners put up by the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC in its French initials) are barely more numerous than posters calling on people to pick up their litter.
The RDPC supports President Paul Biya, one of the world’s oldest and longest-serving leaders, who has ruled with a steely fist for 37 of his 86 years.
The main opposition party, the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) is refusing to field a single candidate.
Its leader, Maurice Kamto, spent nine months in jail after his defeat in 2018 presidential elections and is now abroad.
“We could have had a few seats in parliament and some town councillors, but how would that enable us to influence events in Cameroon?” Kamto said in an interview with AFP in Paris last month.
“I would have voted for the MRC but on Sunday I’m going to stay at home,” a young Yaounde voter, who gave his name as Xavier, told AFP.
The boycott will all but guarantee a crushing victory for the RDPC, which in the outgoing legislature had 148 out of 180 seats.
“Where’s the opposition?” was the whimsical question aired by a local RDPC chief, Augustin Tsafack, on the sidelines of a party rally in Yaounde.
The other large opposition party, the Social Democratic Front (SDF), which currently has 18 seats, will take part in Sunday’s vote, going back on a threat to snub it.
Violence
Cameroon is struggling with two conflicts.
In two English-speaking regions in the west, the armed forces are battling separatists who want to secede from the majority French-speaking country.
The 28-month conflict has claimed more than 3,000 lives and caused more than 700,000 people to flee, according to tolls compiled by NGOs.
“How can the state guarantee security for elections in the anglophone regions, given that some towns are now inaccessible by road?” an independent observer from one of these regions asked at a meeting of the electoral commission in Yaounde on Wednesday.
The SDF traditionally draws much of its support from the anglophone regions but now fears that it has been outflanked by the radicals—and says its candidates there have come under attack.
Similar worries are being voiced for the safety of polling stations in Cameroon’s Far North region, which has been battered by Boko Haram jihadists crossing from Nigeria.
The government on Friday announced that all of Cameroon’s borders would be closed until Monday, and shops and drink outlets had to close on polling day.
City power
Municipal elections will also take place, something that has excited most media interest given the seemingly inevitable outcome of legislative vote.
Some cities, including Douala, the country’s economic hub, could swing to the opposition, according to some forecasts.
City chiefs are to gain powers under measures taken in December to decentralise some authority out of Yaounde.
The reforms have been triggered by the anglophone crisis although they fall far short of meeting the separatists’ demands.
“The stakes (on Sunday) are local,” said Stephane Akoa, a researcher at the Paul Ango Ela think tank in Yaounde.
“Things are going to change,” he said. “Mayors who aren’t ready will pay the price.”
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-09--Two US soldiers killed, six wounded in Afghanistan attack

In this file photo taken on June 6 , 2019 US soldiers look out over hillsides during a visit of the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General at the Afghan National Army ( ANA ) checkpoint in Nerkh district of Wardak province .
Two American troops were killed and six others wounded by an Afghan soldier armed with a machine gun , the US military confirmed on Sunday .
The deaths come at a sensitive time in the 18-year-old war , with President Donald Trump eager to bring troops home and end the longest conflict in US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a base in Sherzad district , in Nangarhar province , eastern Afghanistan .
“ Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun , ” US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Sonny Leggett said in a statement on Sunday .
Provincial governor Shah Mahmood Meyakhil said in an audio message to reporters that three Afghan commandos were wounded .
He said it was not immediately clear if the incident was a deliberate act by an “ infiltrator ” or an accident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the forces .
We are investigating , ” Meyakhil said .
Leggett also stressed the cause or motive behind the attack were not immediately known .
In a tweet , the US Army ’ s 7th Special Forces Group ( Airborne ) said “ several ” of its soldiers had been killed or injured during combat operations in Afghanistan .
According to Sherzad resident Najeebullah—who goes by one name—gunfire could be heard coming from an Afghan security forces base nearby late Saturday followed by immediate air evacuations .
“ We heard the sounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the base and evacuated the casualties , ” added Najeebullah .
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the incident .
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid later declined to comment on the incident , saying in a message sent to AFP only that the insurgents were “ investigating ” the attack .
Last year was the deadliest for US forces in Afghanistan since combat operations officially finished at the end of 2014 , highlighting the challenging security situation that persists .
Depending on how one qualifies combat deaths , about 20 American troops were killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October 2001 , about 2,400 US troops have been killed in combat in Afghanistan .
In December , Taliban infiltrators in the Afghan military killed nine Afghan soldiers in central Afghanistan .
In July , an Afghan soldier killed two US troops as they were visiting an Afghan army base in Kandahar .
Such insider attacks are sometimes called “ green-on-blue ” incidents .
That came two weeks after another Afghan soldier shot and killed an influential Afghan army colonel while he was conducting a security assessment in Ghazni province .
US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Taliban for about 18 months for a deal that would see the Pentagon pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan .
In return , the Taliban would guarantee the country is not used as a jihadist safe haven .
Many are sceptical of the proposed deal and Trump himself declared talks “ dead ” in September amid continued Taliban violence .
Negotiations have since resumed in Qatar .

Two American troops were killed and six others wounded by an Afghan soldier armed with a machine gun, the US military confirmed on Sunday.
In this file photo taken on June 6, 2019 US soldiers look out over hillsides during a visit of the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan General at the Afghan National Army (ANA) checkpoint in Nerkh district of Wardak province.
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The deaths come at a sensitive time in the 18-year-old war, with President Donald Trump eager to bring troops home and end the longest conflict in US history.
The incident occurred late Saturday at a base in Sherzad district, in Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan.
“Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun,” US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Sonny Leggett said in a statement on Sunday.
Provincial governor Shah Mahmood Meyakhil said in an audio message to reporters that three Afghan commandos were wounded.
He said it was not immediately clear if the incident was a deliberate act by an “infiltrator” or an accident.
“It was not a clash between the forces. We are investigating,” Meyakhil said.
Leggett also stressed the cause or motive behind the attack were not immediately known.
In a tweet, the US Army’s 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) said “several” of its soldiers had been killed or injured during combat operations in Afghanistan.
“Several 7th SFG(A) Soldiers were injured or killed during combat operations in Afghanistan on February 8, 2020. The families of the deceased and wounded are being notified. In accordance with DoD policy, the names of the causalities are being withheld until 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/R22ilulOcx — 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (@7thForces) February 9, 2020
According to Sherzad resident Najeebullah—who goes by one name—gunfire could be heard coming from an Afghan security forces base nearby late Saturday followed by immediate air evacuations.
“We heard the sounds of gunfire and immediately helicopters landed inside the base and evacuated the casualties,” added Najeebullah.
'Investigating' attack
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the incident.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid later declined to comment on the incident, saying in a message sent to AFP only that the insurgents were “investigating” the attack.
Last year was the deadliest for US forces in Afghanistan since combat operations officially finished at the end of 2014, highlighting the challenging security situation that persists.
Depending on how one qualifies combat deaths, about 20 American troops were killed in 2019. Since the US-led invasion in October 2001, about 2,400 US troops have been killed in combat in Afghanistan.
In December, Taliban infiltrators in the Afghan military killed nine Afghan soldiers in central Afghanistan.
In July, an Afghan soldier killed two US troops as they were visiting an Afghan army base in Kandahar. Such insider attacks are sometimes called “green-on-blue” incidents.
That came two weeks after another Afghan soldier shot and killed an influential Afghan army colonel while he was conducting a security assessment in Ghazni province.
US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been negotiating with the Taliban for about 18 months for a deal that would see the Pentagon pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan.
In return, the Taliban would guarantee the country is not used as a jihadist safe haven.
Many are sceptical of the proposed deal and Trump himself declared talks “dead” in September amid continued Taliban violence.
Negotiations have since resumed in Qatar.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-09--Swiss voters back new law against homophobia, projection shows

A campaign poster showing gagged Swiss MP Celine Amaudruz of right wing populist Swiss People 's Party and asking Swiss voters in a referendum to reject a proposed ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation , charging it will lead to censorship , is seen on a billboard in Geneve , on January 30 , 2020 .
Switzerland on Sunday voted strongly in favour of a new law against homophobia in a referendum despite opposition from the populist rightwing Swiss People ’ s Party ( SVP ) , according to a projection .
The projection published by GFS Bern polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had voted in favour of the reform , with a margin of error of three percent .
The new law will widen existing legislation against discrimination or incitement to hatred on ethnic or religious grounds to include sexual orientation .
“ This is a historic day , ” Mathias Reynard , a lawmaker from the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland who initiated the reform , told Swiss channel RTS 1 .
“ It gives a signal which is magnificent for everyone and for anyone who has been a victim of discrimination , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Swiss parliament in 2018 but critics , who believe it will end up censoring free speech , had forced a referendum on the issue .
Eric Bertinat , an SVP local lawmaker in Geneva , told AFP before the vote that he believed the law was “ part of an LGBT plan to slowly move towards same-sex marriage and medically assisted reproduction ” for gay couples .
Marc Frueh , head of the Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland ( EDU ) , a small party based on Christian values , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat ” .
“ We will keep a close eye on how the law is implemented by the courts , ” he told RTS 1 .
All of Switzerland ’ s major parties except the SVP , the biggest political force in parliament , support the law .
Rights campaigner Jean-Pierre Sigrist , founder of an association of gay teachers , had said before the referendum that the new law might have stopped him getting beaten up outside a bar in Geneva four decades ago .
“ And maybe I would not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police , ” the 71-year-old told AFP , adding that he hoped the reform would help to counter a resurgence of intolerance against gay people .
Sigrist said he supported freedom of expression , “ but not the freedom to say anything at all ” .
Under the new law , homophobic comments made in a family setting or among friends would not be criminalised .
But publicly denigrating or discriminating against someone for being gay or inciting hatred against that person in text , speech , images or gestures , would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will still be possible to have opinionated debates on issues such as same-sex marriage , and the new law does not ban jokes—however off-colour .
“ Incitement to hatred needs to reach a certain level of intensity in order to be considered criminal in Switzerland , ” Alexandre Curchod , a media lawyer , told AFP .
But he admitted that there could be exceptions “ if it can be shown that , under the cover of artistic production or joking , someone is in fact engaging in incitement ” .
Gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A group called ‘ No to Special Rights !
’ is opposed , arguing that the gay community does not need special protection .

Switzerland on Sunday voted strongly in favour of a new law against homophobia in a referendum despite opposition from the populist rightwing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), according to a projection.
A campaign poster showing gagged Swiss MP Celine Amaudruz of right wing populist Swiss People's Party and asking Swiss voters in a referendum to reject a proposed ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation, charging it will lead to censorship, is seen on a billboard in Geneve, on January 30, 2020.
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The projection published by GFS Bern polling and research group found that 62 percent had voted in favour of the reform, with a margin of error of three percent.
The new law will widen existing legislation against discrimination or incitement to hatred on ethnic or religious grounds to include sexual orientation.
“This is a historic day,” Mathias Reynard, a lawmaker from the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland who initiated the reform, told Swiss channel RTS 1.
“It gives a signal which is magnificent for everyone and for anyone who has been a victim of discrimination,” he said.
The change was passed by the Swiss parliament in 2018 but critics, who believe it will end up censoring free speech, had forced a referendum on the issue.
Eric Bertinat, an SVP local lawmaker in Geneva, told AFP before the vote that he believed the law was “part of an LGBT plan to slowly move towards same-sex marriage and medically assisted reproduction” for gay couples.
Marc Frueh, head of the Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland (EDU), a small party based on Christian values, said after the projection: “I accept defeat”.
“We will keep a close eye on how the law is implemented by the courts,” he told RTS 1.
All of Switzerland’s major parties except the SVP, the biggest political force in parliament, support the law.
Rights campaigner Jean-Pierre Sigrist, founder of an association of gay teachers, had said before the referendum that the new law might have stopped him getting beaten up outside a bar in Geneva four decades ago.
“And maybe I would not have been laughed at when I went to the police,” the 71-year-old told AFP, adding that he hoped the reform would help to counter a resurgence of intolerance against gay people.
Sigrist said he supported freedom of expression, “but not the freedom to say anything at all”.
‘No to Special Rights!’
Under the new law, homophobic comments made in a family setting or among friends would not be criminalised.
But publicly denigrating or discriminating against someone for being gay or inciting hatred against that person in text, speech, images or gestures, would be banned.
The government has said it will still be possible to have opinionated debates on issues such as same-sex marriage, and the new law does not ban jokes—however off-colour.
“Incitement to hatred needs to reach a certain level of intensity in order to be considered criminal in Switzerland,” Alexandre Curchod, a media lawyer, told AFP.
But he admitted that there could be exceptions “if it can be shown that, under the cover of artistic production or joking, someone is in fact engaging in incitement”.
Gay rights campaigners were divided over the legislation.
A group called ‘No to Special Rights!’ is opposed, arguing that the gay community does not need special protection.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-08--France's ice-sports chief resigns amid sexual abuse scandal in figure skating

French ice sports federation president Didier Gailhaguet delivers a speech during the press conference at the headquarters of the French Federation of Ice Sports , in Paris , on February 5 , 2020 , a day after French prosecutors opened an investigation into the scandal of sex abuse brought to light by former world championship bronze medallist Sarah Abitbol .
The under-fire president of France ’ s ice skating federation Didier Gailhaguet resigned on Saturday over a damaging sex abuse scandal .
French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu on Monday asked Gailhaguet to resign after several figure skaters claimed they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minors by former coaches .
“ In the spirit of conciliation I took the sensible decision to resign with philosophy , dignity but no bitterness , ” the 66-year-old announced after a meeting of the federation ’ s federal council in Paris .
On Wednesday , Gailhaguet refused to step down , saying he had made `` mistakes '' but that he was never `` at fault '' .
French prosecutors on Tuesday launched a preliminary investigation into former figure skating coach Gilles Beyer for the alleged rape of a minor and sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a bronze medallist with partner Stephane Bernadis at the 2000 world championships , recently published a book in which she said Beyer had raped her multiple times from 1990 to 1992 .
Beyer last week said that he had had `` intimate '' and `` inappropriate '' relations with Abibtol , who is now 44 , in comments to Agence France Presse .
His lawyers on Friday said in a statement he `` reserved his comments for the prosecutors '' .
Three other skaters also claimed they were raped by former coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FFSG since 1998 with a gap between 2004-07 after he was suspended by the International Skating Union for his role in a judging scandal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City .
Beyer was the team manager of a French juniors team at the 2011 world championships despite a Sports ministry-led inquiry from 2000 showing that the former coach had inappropriate behaviour with an underage skater .
The inquiry showed that in 1999 Beyer went to an underage skater 's bedroom during a training camp and 'put his hand behind the young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him and asked , 'Do you want me to kiss you or do you want me to go ' . ''
`` He asked her how old she was , adding , after she had told him she was 17 , '17 or 18 , it does n't change anything ' , '' stated the report , which Reuters has seen .
`` Everybody makes mistakes .
I made mistakes but I was never at fault , '' Gailhaguet , who said he initiated the 2000 inquiry , told a news conference on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee named him ( Beyer ) team manager of the juniors team in 2011 .
It 's easy to judge now that we know the facts . ''

The under-fire president of France’s ice skating federation Didier Gailhaguet resigned on Saturday over a damaging sex abuse scandal.
French ice sports federation president Didier Gailhaguet delivers a speech during the press conference at the headquarters of the French Federation of Ice Sports, in Paris, on February 5, 2020, a day after French prosecutors opened an investigation into the scandal of sex abuse brought to light by former world championship bronze medallist Sarah Abitbol.
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French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu on Monday asked Gailhaguet to resign after several figure skaters claimed they were raped or sexually assaulted when they were minors by former coaches.
“In the spirit of conciliation I took the sensible decision to resign with philosophy, dignity but no bitterness,” the 66-year-old announced after a meeting of the federation’s federal council in Paris.
On Wednesday, Gailhaguet refused to step down, saying he had made "mistakes" but that he was never "at fault".
French prosecutors on Tuesday launched a preliminary investigation into former figure skating coach Gilles Beyer for the alleged rape of a minor and sexual aggression.
Former figure skater Sarah Abitbol, a bronze medallist with partner Stephane Bernadis at the 2000 world championships, recently published a book in which she said Beyer had raped her multiple times from 1990 to 1992.
Beyer last week said that he had had "intimate" and "inappropriate" relations with Abibtol, who is now 44, in comments to Agence France Presse. His lawyers on Friday said in a statement he "reserved his comments for the prosecutors".
Three other skaters also claimed they were raped by former coaches.
Gailhaguet had been president of the FFSG since 1998 with a gap between 2004-07 after he was suspended by the International Skating Union for his role in a judging scandal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Beyer was the team manager of a French juniors team at the 2011 world championships despite a Sports ministry-led inquiry from 2000 showing that the former coach had inappropriate behaviour with an underage skater.
The inquiry showed that in 1999 Beyer went to an underage skater's bedroom during a training camp and 'put his hand behind the young girl's neck, pulled her toward him and asked, 'Do you want me to kiss you or do you want me to go'."
"He asked her how old she was, adding, after she had told him she was 17, '17 or 18, it doesn't change anything'," stated the report, which Reuters has seen.
"Everybody makes mistakes. I made mistakes but I was never at fault," Gailhaguet, who said he initiated the 2000 inquiry, told a news conference on Wednesday.
"Yes, the executive committee named him (Beyer) team manager of the juniors team in 2011. It's easy to judge now that we know the facts."
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)
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france24--2020-02-08--French govt study reveals minorities face discrimination for jobs at major firms

`` You 're starting your job on Monday '' on the left , `` you do n't fit the profile '' on the right : in April 2016 , the French government had already started a campaign against discrimination in hiring .
A new study by the French government unveiled on Thursday has found `` presumed discrimination '' against minorities in the hiring practices of seven of the country 's major companies , including Renault .
Among the study 's most egregious findings , that a candidate with an Arabic-sounding name would have a less than 25 percent chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other candidates .
The companies concerned pointed to a `` weak '' methodology , but sociologist Jean-François Amadieu told FRANCE 24 that such cases of discrimination are real .
The seven companies were `` named and shamed '' by the French government after its study reported the `` presumed discrimination in hiring '' of candidates recognised as ethnic or cultural minorities .
The results reveal that the seven companies - Renault , Air France , Accor , Altran , Arkéma , Rexel and Sopra-Steria - tend to favour candidates for jobs who bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of North-African descent .
`` Of all the companies tested , candidates with North-African names have had an estimated success rate of 9.3 % , whereas candidates bearing European-sounding names have had a success rate of 12.5 % '' , the study states .
The findings also highlighted that candidates with North-African names have `` a less than 25 % chance '' of even having their application acknowledged .
Six of the seven companies – Air France , Accor , Altran , Arkéma , Rexel and Sopra-Steria – have contested the study 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday their `` profound disagreement '' and `` indignation concerning the weak methodology used '' as well as `` the study 's lack of discipline '' .
The French government conducted the study across 40 major companies , with 10,349 fictional or real candidates sending their curriculum vitae ( CV ) under different names – either with French-sounding or Arab-sounding names –and addresses .
Some of the companies have accused the government of bias .
They told AFP that some of the applicants ' CVs were sent to staff working at these companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruitment of employees , and for jobs that had already been filled .
The government said it regretted that the `` study 's methodology might have overshadowed its final conclusions : discriminations , be they intentional or not , might exist in our country '' , and announced that a second wave of studies , `` correcting the first one 's bias '' will be conducted .
In an interview with FRANCE 24 , Jean-François Amadieu , sociologist and head of the Discrimination Observatory , said companies should set up better hiring systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more level playing field .
FRANCE 24 : Has job discrimination based on ethnic and cultural origin worsened in France ?
Jean-François Amadieu : The results of this test do not surprise me .
In the corporate world , discrimination based on cultural and ethnic origin is still the same .
A candidate belonging to a minority group has on average a 20 to 25 percent less chance of being chosen by employers .
For the past few years , this figure has not changed and it is the same as in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we do not know what that figure is for small companies as these tests were conducted on major ones .
It would be interesting to measure the discrimination in smaller structures , because it is probably much higher .
Discrimination is also linked to the company 's activity .
For instance , it is particularly strong in the hospitality business , as it is in sectors that have direct contact with clients .
The Accor group ( who owns Sofitel , Novotel , Mercure , Ibis and others ) has been caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprising given it had already been exposed in 2008 .
In 2017 , the group was also named once again by the then Minister of Labour Myriam El Khomry for discrimination .
One must bear in mind that there are multiple types of discrimination .
We have 25 types , according to the French law .
The two most common categories of discrimination are age and physical appearance , and unfortunately these different types have not been tested by the government .
How could we tackle this kind of discrimination ?
An efficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be anonymous .
This option had been ruled out by lawmakers in 2015 , but I think it is the best possible measure by making résumés anonymous by removing information such as age , gender and address .
This alternative has been successful in other European countries such as Germany , Sweden and the Netherlands .
And there are other major companies , like the BBC , that already impose it .
We either need to have a lot of information , as we have in French résumés nowadays , or we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that much information .
In the USA or Canada , we do n't have photos in résumés .
Does the employer really need to know if one is overweight or if one lives in a poor neighbourhood or one 's sexual orientation ?
This information has nothing to do with the candidate 's abilities .
Moreover , large-sized companies already have software designed to analyse online applications , so they could very easily impose anonymity .
Some of these companies have contested the `` weak methodology used '' by the study , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The methodology used for this test was not the most ideal , especially if the end result was to `` name and shame '' .
If it was known beforehand that the companies were going to be publicly named afterwards , then the government needed to strongly involve them in the study , that way the results would have been more sound .
These companies contested the study and the government did recognise its `` limits '' .
But it does not diminish the results that show that discrimination is still significant in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the original in French by Henrique VALADARES .

A new study by the French government unveiled on Thursday has found "presumed discrimination" against minorities in the hiring practices of seven of the country's major companies, including Renault. Among the study's most egregious findings, that a candidate with an Arabic-sounding name would have a less than 25 percent chance of being vetted for a job compared to other candidates. The companies concerned pointed to a "weak" methodology, but sociologist Jean-François Amadieu told FRANCE 24 that such cases of discrimination are real.
"You're starting your job on Monday" on the left, "you don't fit the profile" on the right: in April 2016, the French government had already started a campaign against discrimination in hiring.
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The seven companies were "named and shamed" by the French government after its study reported the "presumed discrimination in hiring" of candidates recognised as ethnic or cultural minorities. The results reveal that the seven companies - Renault, Air France, Accor, Altran, Arkéma, Rexel and Sopra-Steria - tend to favour candidates for jobs who bear names of French origin rather than those of North-African descent.
"Of all the companies tested, candidates with North-African names have had an estimated success rate of 9.3%, whereas candidates bearing European-sounding names have had a success rate of 12.5%", the study states. The findings also highlighted that candidates with North-African names have "a less than 25% chance" of even having their application acknowledged.
Six of the seven companies – Air France, Accor, Altran, Arkéma, Rexel and Sopra-Steria – have contested the study's findings announcing in a joint statement on Thursday their "profound disagreement" and "indignation concerning the weak methodology used" as well as "the study's lack of discipline".
The French government conducted the study across 40 major companies, with 10,349 fictional or real candidates sending their curriculum vitae (CV) under different names – either with French-sounding or Arab-sounding names –and addresses.
Some of the companies have accused the government of bias. They told AFP that some of the applicants' CVs were sent to staff working at these companies who had nothing to do with the recruitment of employees, and for jobs that had already been filled.
The government said it regretted that the "study's methodology might have overshadowed its final conclusions: discriminations, be they intentional or not, might exist in our country", and announced that a second wave of studies, "correcting the first one's bias" will be conducted.
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Jean-François Amadieu, sociologist and head of the Discrimination Observatory, said companies should set up better hiring systems that include anonymous applications to ensure a more level playing field.
FRANCE 24: Has job discrimination based on ethnic and cultural origin worsened in France?
Jean-François Amadieu: The results of this test do not surprise me. In the corporate world, discrimination based on cultural and ethnic origin is still the same. A candidate belonging to a minority group has on average a 20 to 25 percent less chance of being chosen by employers. For the past few years, this figure has not changed and it is the same as in the United States.
On the other hand, we do not know what that figure is for small companies as these tests were conducted on major ones. It would be interesting to measure the discrimination in smaller structures, because it is probably much higher.
Discrimination is also linked to the company's activity. For instance, it is particularly strong in the hospitality business, as it is in sectors that have direct contact with clients. The Accor group (who owns Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis and others) has been caught out once again, which is not surprising given it had already been exposed in 2008. In 2017, the group was also named once again by the then Minister of Labour Myriam El Khomry for discrimination.
One must bear in mind that there are multiple types of discrimination. We have 25 types, according to the French law. The two most common categories of discrimination are age and physical appearance, and unfortunately these different types have not been tested by the government.
How could we tackle this kind of discrimination?
An efficient measure could be a law mandating applications to be anonymous. This option had been ruled out by lawmakers in 2015, but I think it is the best possible measure by making résumés anonymous by removing information such as age, gender and address. This alternative has been successful in other European countries such as Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. And there are other major companies, like the BBC, that already impose it.
We either need to have a lot of information, as we have in French résumés nowadays, or we decide that the employer does not need that much information. In the USA or Canada, we don't have photos in résumés. Does the employer really need to know if one is overweight or if one lives in a poor neighbourhood or one's sexual orientation? This information has nothing to do with the candidate's abilities. Moreover, large-sized companies already have software designed to analyse online applications, so they could very easily impose anonymity.
Some of these companies have contested the "weak methodology used" by the study, "which led to wrong conclusions"…
The methodology used for this test was not the most ideal, especially if the end result was to "name and shame". If it was known beforehand that the companies were going to be publicly named afterwards, then the government needed to strongly involve them in the study, that way the results would have been more sound.
These companies contested the study and the government did recognise its "limits". But it does not diminish the results that show that discrimination is still significant in our country.
This article was adapted from the original in French by Henrique VALADARES.
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france24--2020-02-08--Controversial east German vote shakes Merkel's coalition, claims two political scalps

Thomas Kemmerich , Thuringia 's newly elected State Premier Minister of the Free Democratic Party ( FDP ) reads his statement in front of the media at the federal state parliament of Thuringia in Erfurt , Germany February 7 , 2020 .
A controversial vote in eastern Germany claimed two political scalps Saturday and underscored the fragile foundation of Chancellor Angela Merkel 's ruling coalition .
The recently elected head of Thuringia , a small eastern German state , resigned owing to a political row sparked by support he had received from the far-right AfD party .
`` I announce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Thomas Kemmerich of the liberal Free Democrats , one of Germany 's smaller parties .
Kemmerich was elected to the post on Wednesday , with the backing not just of regional deputies from Merkel 's conservative CDU party but also of the far-right Alternative for Germany ( AfD ) party .
It was the first time a state premier had been elected with the help of the far right , crossing a red line in Germany where mainstream parties have steadfastly ruled out working with the AfD .
Merkel described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` unforgiveable '' , and on Saturday she effectively dismissed Christian Hirte , the government 's commissioner for eastern Germany and a junior minister , after he congratulated Kemmerich on his success .
A third official has said he would step down in May as Merkel struggles to sustain her tenuous coalition with centre-left Social Democrats ( SPD ) .
German media said the SPD had demanded Kemerich 's resignation as a condition for remaining in the coalition , which met Saturday in Berlin after the Social Democrats demanded a `` clarification '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint statement issued after the meeting said : `` We exclude the creation of governments or political majorities with AfD votes ( and ) that remains the position of the parties that comprise the coalition at all levels , '' meaning federal as well as regional .
The coalition 's third partner , which also backed the statement , is the CDU 's Bavarian partner , the CSU .
The three parties echoed Merkel in calling the regional vote in Thuringia `` unforgiveable '' .
Kemmerich won election over incumbent premier Bodo Ramelow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one vote .
On Friday , regional CDU leader Mike Mohring said he would be stepping down in May after ignoring pleas by party leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer not to vote alongside the AfD .
The Thuringia fiasco was a humiliating blow for Kramp-Karrenbauer , often known by her initials AKK , who is seen as Merkel 's chosen heir but has struggled to assert herself since replacing Merkel as CDU leader in 2018 .
`` AKK appears helpless '' as her authority is increasingly undermined , the mass-circulation daily Bild wrote in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replacing Merkel as chancellor once she bows out in 2021 `` are hanging by a thread '' , it added .
The regional CDU move was also surprising given that Merkel is the AfD 's main target of criticism for having allowed more than a million asylum seekers to settle in Germany in 2015-16 .
Thuringia is moreover the German state where Adolf Hitler 's party , the NSDAP , began its march to power , in particular owing to alliances with conservatives .

A controversial vote in eastern Germany claimed two political scalps Saturday and underscored the fragile foundation of Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition.
Thomas Kemmerich, Thuringia's newly elected State Premier Minister of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) reads his statement in front of the media at the federal state parliament of Thuringia in Erfurt, Germany February 7, 2020.
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The recently elected head of Thuringia, a small eastern German state, resigned owing to a political row sparked by support he had received from the far-right AfD party.
"I announce my resignation as Thuringia minister-president effective immediately," said Thomas Kemmerich of the liberal Free Democrats, one of Germany's smaller parties.
Kemmerich was elected to the post on Wednesday, with the backing not just of regional deputies from Merkel's conservative CDU party but also of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
It was the first time a state premier had been elected with the help of the far right, crossing a red line in Germany where mainstream parties have steadfastly ruled out working with the AfD.
Merkel described the manner of Kemmerich's election as "unforgiveable", and on Saturday she effectively dismissed Christian Hirte, the government's commissioner for eastern Germany and a junior minister, after he congratulated Kemmerich on his success.
A third official has said he would step down in May as Merkel struggles to sustain her tenuous coalition with centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).
German media said the SPD had demanded Kemerich's resignation as a condition for remaining in the coalition, which met Saturday in Berlin after the Social Democrats demanded a "clarification" of the CDU's position.
A joint statement issued after the meeting said: "We exclude the creation of governments or political majorities with AfD votes (and) that remains the position of the parties that comprise the coalition at all levels," meaning federal as well as regional.
The coalition's third partner, which also backed the statement, is the CDU's Bavarian partner, the CSU.
The three parties echoed Merkel in calling the regional vote in Thuringia "unforgiveable".
Kemmerich won election over incumbent premier Bodo Ramelow from the far-left Die Linke party by one vote.
On Friday, regional CDU leader Mike Mohring said he would be stepping down in May after ignoring pleas by party leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer not to vote alongside the AfD.
The Thuringia fiasco was a humiliating blow for Kramp-Karrenbauer, often known by her initials AKK, who is seen as Merkel's chosen heir but has struggled to assert herself since replacing Merkel as CDU leader in 2018.
"AKK appears helpless" as her authority is increasingly undermined, the mass-circulation daily Bild wrote in a scathing assessment.
Kramp-Karrenbauer's prospects of replacing Merkel as chancellor once she bows out in 2021 "are hanging by a thread", it added.
The regional CDU move was also surprising given that Merkel is the AfD's main target of criticism for having allowed more than a million asylum seekers to settle in Germany in 2015-16.
Thuringia is moreover the German state where Adolf Hitler's party, the NSDAP, began its march to power, in particular owing to alliances with conservatives.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-07--Let's talk about sex, or not: Promoting reproductive rights in Senegal

Let 's talk about sex , or not : Promoting reproductive rights in Senegal In a special edition , Annette @ @ @ @ @ the difficulties in promoting reproductive rights in Senegal where sex outside of marriage is still @ @ @ @ @ good news is that across Africa in the last decade , tens of millions of @ @ @ @ @ modern contraception .
Yet conservative attitudes mean it is normally done within the confines of @ @ @ @ @ the millions of young unmarried people who badly need access to contraception .
We meet @ @ @ @ @ to get the message across ; be it the producers of a TV soap , @ @ @ @ @ debates on sex or the health workers who are on the frontline , dealing with @ @ @ @ @ and the women who are suffering from illegal abortions .

Let's talk about sex, or not: Promoting reproductive rights in Senegal
11:29 THE 51 PERCENT © FRANCE 24
In a special edition, Annette Young reports from Dakar on the difficulties in promoting reproductive rights in Senegal where sex outside of marriage is still very much taboo. The good news is that across Africa in the last decade, tens of millions of young women have taken up modern contraception. Yet conservative attitudes mean it is normally done within the confines of married couples, thereby ignoring the millions of young unmarried people who badly need access to contraception.


france24--2020-02-08--Iowa winners Sanders, Buttigieg come under attack in Democratic debate

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Senator Elizabeth Warren , former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders participate in the eighth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester , New Hampshire , U.S. , February 7 , 2020 .
Democratic presidential contenders Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg , the top finishers in Iowa 's first nominating contest , faced a barrage of criticism on Friday from rivals who said they did not have what it takes to lead the party to victory against Republican Donald Trump .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days before the state 's pivotal primary , the two came under heavy fire as their Democratic rivals questioned whether Sanders ' democratic socialist views and Buttigieg 's relative lack of experience made them too much of a risk for the Nov. 3 election .
Sanders , 78 , a U.S. senator and leader of the party 's progressive wing , and Buttigieg , the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , finished in a virtual dead heat in Iowa earlier this week .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iowa , came out swinging in his most aggressive performance yet , a sign of growing desperation as he looks to rebound .
He said Trump would have an easy time ripping into Sanders in a general election campaign .
`` Bernie has labelled himself , not me , a democratic socialist .
I think that ’ s the label that the president is going to lay on everyone running with Bernie if he is the nominee , '' Biden said .
U.S .
Senator Amy Klobuchar , who finished a distant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not attract the kind of centrist voters needed to win .
`` Donald Trump ’ s worst nightmare is a candidate who will bring people in from the middle , '' Klobuchar said at the eighth Democratic debate .
`` I think we need someone to head up this ticket that actually brings people with her instead of shutting them out . ''
Biden and Klobuchar also questioned whether Buttigieg had enough experience to face off with Trump .
Buttigieg served two terms as mayor of South Bend , a city with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy to go after Washington , because that ’ s a popular thing to do , '' Klobuchar said , telling Buttigieg that `` it ’ s popular to say and makes you look like a cool newcomer . ''
Buttigieg said the Washington insider experience of some of his rivals was no longer what was needed , and it was time to `` turn the page '' on the old Washington politics .
Billionaire activist Tom Steyer said Buttigieg has not been able to show much appeal to the black and Latino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic campaign .
`` Unless you can appeal to the diverse parts of the Democratic Party , including specifically the black community , including specifically Latinos , if you can ’ t do that , then we can ’ t beat Donald Trump in November , '' Steyer said .
Buttigieg also came under fire for his record on race in South Bend .
Asked about an increase in arrests of blacks on marijuana-related charges , he said as mayor he targeted cases `` when there was gun violence and gang violence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficient , U.S .
Senator Elizabeth Warren said : `` No .
You have to own up to the facts . ''
Historically , candidates who win the Iowa caucuses see a boost in New Hampshire , and two opinion polls released this week showed Buttigieg within striking distance of Sanders , who has consistently been atop the field in the state .
But with controversy surrounding the Iowa results , New Hampshire 's primary on Tuesday takes on added importance in the race for the Democratic nomination .
Biden did not seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is a long race .
I took a hit in Iowa , and I ’ ll probably take a hit here , '' he said .
After the performance in Iowa , Biden 's campaign on Friday said that Anita Dunn , a longtime Democratic strategist and former White House aide to President Barack Obama , would assume a larger leadership role within the campaign .
Aides to Biden downplayed the move , noting that Dunn has been advising the campaign all along .
`` This is not a reshuffling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is giving her a slightly broader portfolio . ''
Sanders , who has called for a political revolution that will attract new voters , said `` the way to beat Trump is by having the largest voter turnout in the history of this country . ''
He said he could appeal to working class voters who have given up on the political process `` because they don ’ t believe anybody is hearing their pain , perceiving their pain , feeling their pain .
And we ’ ve got to bring young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absent from the debate was Michael Bloomberg , a billionaire former New York mayor , who is not competing in New Hampshire but has been assembling a formidable campaign operation in later voting states .
Although Bloomberg has been ascending in national polls , he has been funding his own campaign and not taking donations , so he failed to meet the donations criteria for the debate .

Democratic presidential contenders Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg, the top finishers in Iowa's first nominating contest, faced a barrage of criticism on Friday from rivals who said they did not have what it takes to lead the party to victory against Republican Donald Trump.
Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders participate in the eighth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., February 7, 2020.
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In a heated debate in New Hampshire just four days before the state's pivotal primary, the two came under heavy fire as their Democratic rivals questioned whether Sanders' democratic socialist views and Buttigieg's relative lack of experience made them too much of a risk for the Nov. 3 election.
Sanders, 78, a U.S. senator and leader of the party's progressive wing, and Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, finished in a virtual dead heat in Iowa earlier this week.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the one-time front-runner who finished a disappointing fourth in Iowa, came out swinging in his most aggressive performance yet, a sign of growing desperation as he looks to rebound.
He said Trump would have an easy time ripping into Sanders in a general election campaign.
"Bernie has labelled himself, not me, a democratic socialist. I think that’s the label that the president is going to lay on everyone running with Bernie if he is the nominee," Biden said.
03:21
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, who finished a distant fifth in Iowa, said Sanders would not attract the kind of centrist voters needed to win.
"Donald Trump’s worst nightmare is a candidate who will bring people in from the middle," Klobuchar said at the eighth Democratic debate. "I think we need someone to head up this ticket that actually brings people with her instead of shutting them out."
Biden and Klobuchar also questioned whether Buttigieg had enough experience to face off with Trump. Buttigieg served two terms as mayor of South Bend, a city with a population of 100,000.
"It is easy to go after Washington, because that’s a popular thing to do," Klobuchar said, telling Buttigieg that "it’s popular to say and makes you look like a cool newcomer."
'Turn the page'
Buttigieg said the Washington insider experience of some of his rivals was no longer what was needed, and it was time to "turn the page" on the old Washington politics.
Billionaire activist Tom Steyer said Buttigieg has not been able to show much appeal to the black and Latino voters who are crucial to a winning Democratic campaign.
"Unless you can appeal to the diverse parts of the Democratic Party, including specifically the black community, including specifically Latinos, if you can’t do that, then we can’t beat Donald Trump in November," Steyer said.
Buttigieg also came under fire for his record on race in South Bend. Asked about an increase in arrests of blacks on marijuana-related charges, he said as mayor he targeted cases "when there was gun violence and gang violence."
Asked if Buttigieg's answer was sufficient, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren said: "No. You have to own up to the facts."
Historically, candidates who win the Iowa caucuses see a boost in New Hampshire, and two opinion polls released this week showed Buttigieg within striking distance of Sanders, who has consistently been atop the field in the state.
But with controversy surrounding the Iowa results, New Hampshire's primary on Tuesday takes on added importance in the race for the Democratic nomination.
Biden did not seem confident about how he would do.
"This is a long race. I took a hit in Iowa, and I’ll probably take a hit here," he said.
After the performance in Iowa, Biden's campaign on Friday said that Anita Dunn, a longtime Democratic strategist and former White House aide to President Barack Obama, would assume a larger leadership role within the campaign.
Aides to Biden downplayed the move, noting that Dunn has been advising the campaign all along.
"This is not a reshuffling," one aide said. "This is giving her a slightly broader portfolio."
Sanders, who has called for a political revolution that will attract new voters, said "the way to beat Trump is by having the largest voter turnout in the history of this country."
He said he could appeal to working class voters who have given up on the political process "because they don’t believe anybody is hearing their pain, perceiving their pain, feeling their pain. And we’ve got to bring young people into the political process."
Notably absent from the debate was Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire former New York mayor, who is not competing in New Hampshire but has been assembling a formidable campaign operation in later voting states. Although Bloomberg has been ascending in national polls, he has been funding his own campaign and not taking donations, so he failed to meet the donations criteria for the debate.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-08--Trump sacks two key impeachment witnesses who testified against him

US President Donald Trump on Friday fired two of the highest profile witnesses in his impeachment probe , sparking accusations that he is on a campaign of revenge .
Trump recalled his ambassador to the European Union , Gordon Sondland , just hours after Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman , a decorated soldier who worked at the National Security Council , was ordered out of the White House .
The firings came two days after the Republican-majority Senate acquitted Trump of charges that he abused his office and one day after he gave a victory speech branding his opponents as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who got his post after donating $ 1 million to Trump ’ s inauguration , said in a brief statement , “ I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately.
” The ouster of Vindman , a respected officer who was wounded in Iraq , was even more abrupt , when he was ordered out of his NSC offices at the White House .
He was “ escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his president , ” his lawyer David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth , ” Pressman said .
Vindman ’ s twin brother Yevgeny , also a lieutenant colonel who worked as an attorney in the NSC , was fired simultaneously , US media reported .
Trump has described the impeachment process as a hoax , denying there was anything wrong in his push for Ukraine to open a politically embarrassing investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden ’ s family .
On Friday , Trump told reporters that he wants Republicans to retake control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election and to “ expunge ” his impeachment .
When asked earlier Friday whether he wanted Vindman gone , Trump responded with a veiled threat .
“ I ’ m not happy with him , ” he said .
“ You think I ’ m supposed to be happy with him ?
” Pressman said there was “ no question in the mind of any American ” why Vindman had been ousted .
“ The truth has cost LTC Alexander Vindman his job , his career , and his privacy , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served his country , even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril.
” Pressman said this was why “ the most powerful man in the world ... decided to exact revenge.
” Democratic Senator Ron Wyden echoed this , tweeting that the two firings were “ petty retaliation ” carried out “ for telling the truth ” .
There was also outrage from Biden , who interrupted a debate with other presidential hopefuls in New Hampshire to encourage the audience onto its feet in honor of Vindman .
Vindman served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Security Council , with responsibility for Ukraine .
Crucially , he was present during a July 25 phone call during which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to open an investigation into Biden .
House Democrats argued that the call was part of a plot to coerce a foreign ally into helping him ruin Biden ’ s chances in November ’ s presidential election .
Subpoenaed by Congress to testify at the House impeachment hearings , the Ukrainian-born Vindman gave damning evidence .
“ It is improper for the president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate a US citizen and a political opponent , ” Vindman said in testimony that riveted television viewers .
Sondland told lawmakers he followed the president ’ s orders in seeking a ” quid pro quo ” deal for Ukraine to investigate Biden in exchange for getting Zelensky a coveted White House visit .
Sondland said Trump ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani led the effort at Trump ’ s direction to pressure Zelensky for the investigation and that top officials in the White House and State Department knew about it .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump becoming only the third president ever impeached by Congress , before his acquittal this week .

US President Donald Trump on Friday fired two of the highest profile witnesses in his impeachment probe, sparking accusations that he is on a campaign of revenge.
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Trump recalled his ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, just hours after Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, a decorated soldier who worked at the National Security Council, was ordered out of the White House.
The firings came two days after the Republican-majority Senate acquitted Trump of charges that he abused his office and one day after he gave a victory speech branding his opponents as “evil.”
Sondland, a political appointee who got his post after donating $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, said in a brief statement, “I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately.”
The ouster of Vindman, a respected officer who was wounded in Iraq, was even more abrupt, when he was ordered out of his NSC offices at the White House.
He was “escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his president,” his lawyer David Pressman said in a statement.
“Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth,” Pressman said.
Vindman’s twin brother Yevgeny, also a lieutenant colonel who worked as an attorney in the NSC, was fired simultaneously, US media reported.
Taking revenge
Trump has described the impeachment process as a hoax, denying there was anything wrong in his push for Ukraine to open a politically embarrassing investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s family.
On Friday, Trump told reporters that he wants Republicans to retake control of the lower house of Congress in the next election and to “expunge” his impeachment.
When asked earlier Friday whether he wanted Vindman gone, Trump responded with a veiled threat.
“I’m not happy with him,” he said. “You think I’m supposed to be happy with him?”
Pressman said there was “no question in the mind of any American” why Vindman had been ousted.
“The truth has cost LTC Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy,” he said in a statement. “He served his country, even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril.”
Pressman said this was why “the most powerful man in the world... decided to exact revenge.”
Firing Ambassador Sondland and a hero like LTC Vindman for telling the truth is yet more abuse of power by the president. These self-serving acts won’t stop until Donald Trump is out of office, or Republicans finally decide to stand up against this petty retaliation. — Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) February 8, 2020
Democratic Senator Ron Wyden echoed this, tweeting that the two firings were “petty retaliation” carried out “for telling the truth”.
There was also outrage from Biden, who interrupted a debate with other presidential hopefuls in New Hampshire to encourage the audience onto its feet in honor of Vindman.
Key testimony
Vindman served as director of European affairs on the National Security Council, with responsibility for Ukraine.
Crucially, he was present during a July 25 phone call during which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to open an investigation into Biden.
House Democrats argued that the call was part of a plot to coerce a foreign ally into helping him ruin Biden’s chances in November’s presidential election.
Subpoenaed by Congress to testify at the House impeachment hearings, the Ukrainian-born Vindman gave damning evidence.
“It is improper for the president of the United States to demand a foreign government investigate a US citizen and a political opponent,” Vindman said in testimony that riveted television viewers.
Sondland told lawmakers he followed the president’s orders in seeking a ”quid pro quo” deal for Ukraine to investigate Biden in exchange for getting Zelensky a coveted White House visit.
Sondland said Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani led the effort at Trump’s direction to pressure Zelensky for the investigation and that top officials in the White House and State Department knew about it.
That testimony helped build the case leading to Trump becoming only the third president ever impeached by Congress, before his acquittal this week.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-10--South Korean thriller 'Parasite' wins four Oscars, including best picture

Director Bong Joon-ho accepts the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for `` Parasite '' of South Korea at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood , Los Angeles , California , U.S. , February 9 , 2020 .
Movie history was made at the Oscars Sunday as South Korea ’ s black comedy “ Parasite ” became the first non-English-language film to win the best picture award , Hollywood ’ s biggest prize of all .
“ Parasite , ” about a poor South Korean family infiltrating a wealthy household , won a total of four awards , defying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a subtitled Asian movie .
“ I thought I was done for the day and ready to relax , ” filmmaker Bong Joon-ho said upon winning best director honors , before promising to “ drink until next morning.
” But a bigger shock was in store as the movie beat frontrunner “ 1917 ” to win best picture .
“ It feels like a very opportune moment in history is happening right now , ” producer Kwak Sin-ae told an audience of Tinseltown A-listers , who cheered the film ’ s wins throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Parasite ” also won the Oscar for best international feature , and became the first Asian film to scoop best original screenplay .
“ We never write to represent our countries , ” Bong said earlier in the night when he took the screenplay award .
“ But this is ( the ) very first Oscar to South Korea .
Thank you.
” Bong also paid tribute to his childhood hero and fellow nominee Martin Scorsese , drawing a standing ovation for the veteran director of “ The Irishman.
” The pre-Oscars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s innovative and personal World War I movie about two soldiers crossing no-man ’ s-land , had to settle for best cinematography , visual effects and sound mixing prizes .
Joaquin Phoenix won his first Oscar for his turn in supervillain origin story “ Joker , ” the film that started the night with the most nominations .
In an emotionally charged speech , the actor railed against injustice and “ an egocentric worldview ” that leads to environmental destruction , before paying tribute to his actor brother River , who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I have been a scoundrel in my life , ” admitted Phoenix , thanking Hollywood for not “ canceling ” him out and urging others to show similar forgiveness .
Renee Zellweger sealed a remarkable comeback after six years away from the screen by winning best actress for “ Judy , ” dedicating the award to Hollywood screen legend Judy Garland .
“ Judy Garland did not receive this honor in her time .
I am certain that this moment is an extension of the celebration of her legacy , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pitt , who claimed his first acting Academy Award for his supporting turn in Quentin Tarantino ’ s “ Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood , ” was one of several winners to strike a political note .
“ They told me I only have 45 seconds up here , which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week , ” he said , referring to President Donald Trump ’ s recent impeachment trial .
“ American Factory ” —the first film from Barack and Michelle Obama ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belt factory reopened by a Chinese billionaire—won best documentary .
Barack Obama tweeted his praise for “ a complex , moving story about the very human consequences of wrenching economic change ” .
Best adapted screenplay went to Nazi satire “ Jojo Rabbit , ” about a young boy corrupted by fascism .
Taika Waititi , who is of Maori origin , said he hoped the win would inspire “ all the indigenous kids in the world who want to do art and dance and write stories ” .
The event ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enveloping Los Angeles over the recent deaths of Golden Age film legend Kirk Douglas and Oscar-winning basketball star Kobe Bryant .
Record Grammy-winning singer Billie Eilish sang a moving version of “ Yesterday ” to accompany the “ in memoriam ” montage for those Hollywood lost this year , which opened with Bryant and closed with Douglas .
Music was a prominent theme throughout the night , which began with a medley addressing a swirling row over the lack of minorities and female directors on the star-studded nominee list .
“ We celebrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I ’ m so proud to stand here as a black , queer artist , ” singer Janelle Monae said .
Elton John , who won for best original song from “ Rocketman , ” a film about his life , thanked best original song co-winner Bernie Taupin for being there “ when I was screwed up , when I was normal ” .
Icelandic composer Hildur Gudnadottir won best original score for her haunting music for “ Joker.
” “ To the girls , to the women , to the mothers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the music bubbling within , please speak up , ” she said .
“ We need to hear your voices.
” No female directors were nominated this year—a theme referred to by several celebrities .
Natalie Portman , a best actress Oscar winner in 2011 for “ Black Swan , ” literally wore her feelings—she had their names stitched into the Dior cape she wore to the gala .
# MeToo movie “ Bombshell , ” the true story of sexual harassment at Fox News , won best make-up and hairstyling .
Auto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bagged two technical prizes , for film editing and sound editing .
The ceremony had no host for a second consecutive time , after last year ’ s batch of bright guest presenters caused a trend-bucking uplift in TV ratings .

Movie history was made at the Oscars Sunday as South Korea’s black comedy “Parasite” became the first non-English-language film to win the best picture award, Hollywood’s biggest prize of all.
Director Bong Joon-ho accepts the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for "Parasite" of South Korea at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 9, 2020.
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“Parasite,” about a poor South Korean family infiltrating a wealthy household, won a total of four awards, defying the received wisdom that the Academy would overlook a subtitled Asian movie.
“I thought I was done for the day and ready to relax,” filmmaker Bong Joon-ho said upon winning best director honors, before promising to “drink until next morning.”
But a bigger shock was in store as the movie beat frontrunner “1917” to win best picture.
“It feels like a very opportune moment in history is happening right now,” producer Kwak Sin-ae told an audience of Tinseltown A-listers, who cheered the film’s wins throughout the night at the Dolby Theatre.
“Parasite” also won the Oscar for best international feature, and became the first Asian film to scoop best original screenplay.
“We never write to represent our countries,” Bong said earlier in the night when he took the screenplay award. “But this is (the) very first Oscar to South Korea. Thank you.”
Bong also paid tribute to his childhood hero and fellow nominee Martin Scorsese, drawing a standing ovation for the veteran director of “The Irishman.”
Phoenix and Zellweger win
The pre-Oscars favorite “1917,” Sam Mendes’s innovative and personal World War I movie about two soldiers crossing no-man’s-land, had to settle for best cinematography, visual effects and sound mixing prizes.
Joaquin Phoenix won his first Oscar for his turn in supervillain origin story “Joker,” the film that started the night with the most nominations.
In an emotionally charged speech, the actor railed against injustice and “an egocentric worldview” that leads to environmental destruction, before paying tribute to his actor brother River, who died of a drug overdose in 1993.
“I have been a scoundrel in my life,” admitted Phoenix, thanking Hollywood for not “canceling” him out and urging others to show similar forgiveness.
#Oscars Moment: Joaquin Phoenix wins Best Actor for his work in @jokermovie. pic.twitter.com/M8ryZGKGHV — The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 10, 2020
Renee Zellweger sealed a remarkable comeback after six years away from the screen by winning best actress for “Judy,” dedicating the award to Hollywood screen legend Judy Garland.
“Judy Garland did not receive this honor in her time. I am certain that this moment is an extension of the celebration of her legacy,” she said in accepting her second Oscar.
Politics reigns
Pitt, who claimed his first acting Academy Award for his supporting turn in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood,” was one of several winners to strike a political note.
“They told me I only have 45 seconds up here, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week,” he said, referring to President Donald Trump’s recent impeachment trial.
“American Factory”—the first film from Barack and Michelle Obama’s production house, about a Rust Belt factory reopened by a Chinese billionaire—won best documentary.
Congrats to Julia, Steven, and the whole crew on winning Best Documentary for #AmericanFactory, Higher Ground's first release! So glad to see their heart and honesty recognized—because the best stories are rarely tidy or perfect. But that’s where the truth so often lies. https://t.co/qtdNEw9H3f — Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) February 10, 2020
Barack Obama tweeted his praise for “a complex, moving story about the very human consequences of wrenching economic change”.
Best adapted screenplay went to Nazi satire “Jojo Rabbit,” about a young boy corrupted by fascism.
Taika Waititi, who is of Maori origin, said he hoped the win would inspire “all the indigenous kids in the world who want to do art and dance and write stories”.
Musical tributes
The event’s luxury and glamour contrast with the grief enveloping Los Angeles over the recent deaths of Golden Age film legend Kirk Douglas and Oscar-winning basketball star Kobe Bryant.
Record Grammy-winning singer Billie Eilish sang a moving version of “Yesterday” to accompany the “in memoriam” montage for those Hollywood lost this year, which opened with Bryant and closed with Douglas.
Music was a prominent theme throughout the night, which began with a medley addressing a swirling row over the lack of minorities and female directors on the star-studded nominee list.
“We celebrate all the women who directed phenomenal films and I’m so proud to stand here as a black, queer artist,” singer Janelle Monae said.
Elton John, who won for best original song from “Rocketman,” a film about his life, thanked best original song co-winner Bernie Taupin for being there “when I was screwed up, when I was normal”.
>> Flashback: 'Parasite' by South Korea’s Bong Joon-ho wins Palme d’Or at Cannes 2019
Icelandic composer Hildur Gudnadottir won best original score for her haunting music for “Joker.”
“To the girls, to the women, to the mothers, to the daughters, who hear the music bubbling within, please speak up,” she said. “We need to hear your voices.”
No female directors were nominated this year—a theme referred to by several celebrities.
Natalie Portman, a best actress Oscar winner in 2011 for “Black Swan,” literally wore her feelings—she had their names stitched into the Dior cape she wore to the gala.
#MeToo movie “Bombshell,” the true story of sexual harassment at Fox News, won best make-up and hairstyling.
Auto racing film “Ford v Ferrari” bagged two technical prizes, for film editing and sound editing.
The ceremony had no host for a second consecutive time, after last year’s batch of bright guest presenters caused a trend-bucking uplift in TV ratings.
(AFP)
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