france24--2020-10-27--UN Security Council ratifies Libya ceasefire deal

Cars drive near shell-pocked buildings in Libya 's eastern coastal city of Benghazi on October 23 , 2020 , after a ceasefire agreement was signed between the country 's warring factions The UN Security Council on Tuesday ratified the ceasefire hammered out between Libya 's warring parties on October 23 , calling on both sides to `` implement the agreement in full , '' diplomats said .
The declaration is to be followed up soon by a UN resolution , diplomatic sources said .
`` The members of the Security Council welcomed the permanent ceasefire agreement '' signed in Geneva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and called on `` the Libyan parties to abide by their commitments . ''
The Security Council also called on the two sides `` to show the same determination in reaching a political solution '' when they meet to discuss the issue further on November 9 in Tunisia , the declaration added .
It also cited the need for countries and parties to respect the arms embargo slapped on Libya in 2011 and to end any outside intervention in the country 's internal affairs .
The warring factions in Libya signed a ceasefire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after five days of talks in Geneva facilitated by the United Nations , which called the agreement a `` turning point '' for the war-ravaged North African country .
Libya descended into revolution and a complex civil war after the overthrow of the longtime strongman Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 , eventually being split between two main factions -- the National Unity Government in Tripoli , backed by Turkey and Qatar , and the forces of military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east of the country , backed by the United Arab Emirates , @ @ @ @

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The UN Security Council on Tuesday ratified the ceasefire hammered out between Libya's warring parties on October 23, calling on both sides to "implement the agreement in full," diplomats said.
The declaration is to be followed up soon by a UN resolution, diplomatic sources said.
"The members of the Security Council welcomed the permanent ceasefire agreement" signed in Geneva under the aegis of the UN, and called on "the Libyan parties to abide by their commitments."
The Security Council also called on the two sides "to show the same determination in reaching a political solution" when they meet to discuss the issue further on November 9 in Tunisia, the declaration added.
It also cited the need for countries and parties to respect the arms embargo slapped on Libya in 2011 and to end any outside intervention in the country's internal affairs.
The warring factions in Libya signed a ceasefire accord last Friday, effective immediately, after five days of talks in Geneva facilitated by the United Nations, which called the agreement a "turning point" for the war-ravaged North African country.
Libya descended into revolution and a complex civil war after the overthrow of the longtime strongman Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, eventually being split between two main factions -- the National Unity Government in Tripoli, backed by Turkey and Qatar, and the forces of military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east of the country, backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Melania Trump finally hits the stump for her husband

First Lady Melania Trump hit the campaign trail in Pennsylvania for her husband , a week before Election Day First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday hit the campaign trail for her president husband for the first time on her own this year , praising him as a `` fighter '' and offering support to pandemic victims .
Trump , 50 , has been only a rare presence at her husband 's campaign events , but won praise for her speech at the Republican Party 's nominating convention in August .
`` Donald is a fighter .
He loves this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , '' she told supporters of the president in Pennsylvania , a key battleground in his duel with Joe Biden .
Her plans to hit the trail with her husband last week were thwarted due to a `` lingering cough '' from her battle with the coronavirus , which struck the first couple and son Barron .
`` Thank you for all the love and support you gave us when our family was diagnosed with Covid-19 , '' she said Tuesday .
`` We are feeling so much better now . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 225,000 Americans who have succumbed to Covid so far this year .
`` I know there are many people who have lost loved ones or know people who have been forever impacted by this silent enemy , '' she said .
`` My family 's thoughts and prayers are with all of you through this difficult time , '' Trump added .
`` We will triumph over this virus . ''
In her speech , she offered a few comments about her husband 's rabid Twitter use .
Her `` Be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uplifting , positive and respectful online interactions , '' according to the White House website -- has often faced criticism given the president 's own strident online persona .
`` For the first time in history , the citizens of this country get to hear directly and instantly from their president every single day through social media , '' she said .
`` I do not always agree with the way he says things , '' she added , to some laughter from the crowd .
`` But it is important to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he serves . ''

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First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday hit the campaign trail for her president husband for the first time on her own this year, praising him as a "fighter" and offering support to pandemic victims.
Trump, 50, has been only a rare presence at her husband's campaign events, but won praise for her speech at the Republican Party's nominating convention in August.
"Donald is a fighter. He loves this country and he fights for you every single day," she told supporters of the president in Pennsylvania, a key battleground in his duel with Joe Biden.
Her plans to hit the trail with her husband last week were thwarted due to a "lingering cough" from her battle with the coronavirus, which struck the first couple and son Barron.
"Thank you for all the love and support you gave us when our family was diagnosed with Covid-19," she said Tuesday. "We are feeling so much better now."
She offered compassion to families of the more than 225,000 Americans who have succumbed to Covid so far this year.
"I know there are many people who have lost loved ones or know people who have been forever impacted by this silent enemy," she said.
"My family's thoughts and prayers are with all of you through this difficult time," Trump added. "We will triumph over this virus."
In her speech, she offered a few comments about her husband's rabid Twitter use.
Her "Be Best" campaign -- which champions "uplifting, positive and respectful online interactions," according to the White House website -- has often faced criticism given the president's own strident online persona.
"For the first time in history, the citizens of this country get to hear directly and instantly from their president every single day through social media," she said.
"I do not always agree with the way he says things," she added, to some laughter from the crowd.
"But it is important to him that he speaks directly to the people he serves."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Bayern, English clubs win in Champions League as Real Madrid scramble draw

Casemiro ( L ) scores an injuury-time equaliser for Real Madrid away to Borussia Moenchengladbach Holders Bayern Munich continued their perfect start to their Champions League title defence on Tuesday as Real Madrid had Casemiro 's late goal to thank for scrambling a 2-2 draw away to Borussia Moenchengladbach .
Liverpool and Manchester City also made it six points out of a possible six in Europe this season , after Bayern needed a late Joshua Kimmich strike to claim a 2-1 win at Lokomotiv Moscow in Group A. Leon Goretzka put the Germans ahead early on in front of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Anton Miranchuk tucked in an equaliser for Lokomotiv in the second half -- Miranchuk 's twin brother Aleksei scored for Atalanta in the Champions League last week .
But Bayern were not to be denied a record 13th straight win in the competition as Kimmich controlled a Javi Martinez pass and volleyed home low from outside the box 11 minutes from time .
`` We had to work hard for the victory , '' Kimmich admitted to broadcaster DAZN .
In the same group Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Salzburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late winner .
The Portuguese starlet had hit the bar with a stunning overhead kick before Marcos Llorente put Atletico ahead in the Spanish capital .
Dominik Szoboszlai levelled before the break and then a Felipe own goal put Salzburg ahead just after half-time .
However , Joao Felix equalised on 52 minutes and then won it five minutes from the end .
In Germany , Real were heading for another defeat in Group B , six days after losing 3-2 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk , as Marcus Thuram netted twice for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Casemiro set up Karim Benzema to reduce the deficit in the 87th minute and the Brazilian midfielder then scored himself deep in injury time to salvage a point for Zinedine Zidane 's team .
`` If we continue to play like that , we 'll do great things and we 'll win matches , that 's for sure , '' said Zidane .
It is Shakhtar who lead the section , though , by two points from Inter Milan and Gladbach , after a 0-0 draw with the Italians in Kiev .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ second straight win in Group C with Kevin De Bruyne setting up Ferran Torres for the early opener against Marseille after the hosts had carelessly ceded possession .
Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling added late goals to make it 3-0 , leaving Marseille without a point .
Guardiola was confident City could build on their victory after an indifferent start to the Premier League season which has seen them come in for criticism .
`` Part of the criticism was right , but you 've got to accept it .
It 's part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BT Sport .
`` It 's about where we 've come from in the last month , with lack of preparation , injuries and Covid-19 , but the Champions League is in a good place now . ''
In the same group Porto beat Olympiakos 2-0 in Portugal with Fabio Vieira and Sergio Oliveira on target .
Meanwhile , Liverpool built on their 1-0 victory at Ajax last week by defeating Danish champions Midtjylland 2-0 in a low-key game behind closed doors at Anfield in Group D. Diogo Jota finished off a fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead early in the second half , before Mohamed Salah made sure of the points with a late penalty .
Klopp rested Salah , Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino from his starting line-up but his defensive worries deepened as Fabinho went off with an apparent hamstring injury .
`` It 's a bit like in a marriage , there are good and bad times .
It 's not a bad time but it 's a tricky time . ''
He added : `` It was a hard game to play .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's it -- let 's carry on . ''
Liverpool now have a double-header against Atalanta , who came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Ajax .
A Dusan Tadic penalty put the visitors ahead on the half-hour and Lassina Traore made it two , only for Duvan Zapata to save Atalanta with two goals in the space of seven second-half minutes .

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Holders Bayern Munich continued their perfect start to their Champions League title defence on Tuesday as Real Madrid had Casemiro's late goal to thank for scrambling a 2-2 draw away to Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Liverpool and Manchester City also made it six points out of a possible six in Europe this season, after Bayern needed a late Joshua Kimmich strike to claim a 2-1 win at Lokomotiv Moscow in Group A.
Leon Goretzka put the Germans ahead early on in front of a limited crowd in the Russian capital, but Anton Miranchuk tucked in an equaliser for Lokomotiv in the second half -- Miranchuk's twin brother Aleksei scored for Atalanta in the Champions League last week.
But Bayern were not to be denied a record 13th straight win in the competition as Kimmich controlled a Javi Martinez pass and volleyed home low from outside the box 11 minutes from time.
"We had to work hard for the victory," Kimmich admitted to broadcaster DAZN.
In the same group Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Salzburg 3-2, with Joao Felix grabbing their late winner.
The Portuguese starlet had hit the bar with a stunning overhead kick before Marcos Llorente put Atletico ahead in the Spanish capital.
Dominik Szoboszlai levelled before the break and then a Felipe own goal put Salzburg ahead just after half-time.
However, Joao Felix equalised on 52 minutes and then won it five minutes from the end.
- City cruise -
In Germany, Real were heading for another defeat in Group B, six days after losing 3-2 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, as Marcus Thuram netted twice for Gladbach, either side of half-time.
But Casemiro set up Karim Benzema to reduce the deficit in the 87th minute and the Brazilian midfielder then scored himself deep in injury time to salvage a point for Zinedine Zidane's team.
"If we continue to play like that, we'll do great things and we'll win matches, that's for sure," said Zidane.
It is Shakhtar who lead the section, though, by two points from Inter Milan and Gladbach, after a 0-0 draw with the Italians in Kiev.
Pep Guardiola's City eased to a second straight win in Group C with Kevin De Bruyne setting up Ferran Torres for the early opener against Marseille after the hosts had carelessly ceded possession.
Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling added late goals to make it 3-0, leaving Marseille without a point.
Guardiola was confident City could build on their victory after an indifferent start to the Premier League season which has seen them come in for criticism.
"Part of the criticism was right, but you've got to accept it. It's part of our job," Guardiola told BT Sport.
"It's about where we've come from in the last month, with lack of preparation, injuries and Covid-19, but the Champions League is in a good place now."
In the same group Porto beat Olympiakos 2-0 in Portugal with Fabio Vieira and Sergio Oliveira on target.
- 'Tough night' for Liverpool -
Meanwhile, Liverpool built on their 1-0 victory at Ajax last week by defeating Danish champions Midtjylland 2-0 in a low-key game behind closed doors at Anfield in Group D.
Diogo Jota finished off a fine move to give Jurgen Klopp's team the lead early in the second half, before Mohamed Salah made sure of the points with a late penalty.
Klopp rested Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino from his starting line-up but his defensive worries deepened as Fabinho went off with an apparent hamstring injury.
"It was a tough night," Klopp told BT Sport.
"It's a bit like in a marriage, there are good and bad times. It's not a bad time but it's a tricky time."
He added: "It was a hard game to play. But winning 2-0 is completely fine so that's it -- let's carry on."
Liverpool now have a double-header against Atalanta, who came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Ajax.
A Dusan Tadic penalty put the visitors ahead on the half-hour and Lassina Traore made it two, only for Duvan Zapata to save Atalanta with two goals in the space of seven second-half minutes.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--PSG coach Tuchel saddened by France-Turkey tensions

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel will hope his team can collect their first points of the Champions League group stage in Turkey Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel said Tuesday he was `` sad but not worried '' by tensions between France and Turkey ahead of their Champions League match against Istanbul Basaksehir .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has led the charge against his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during an escalating war of words in a row over the freedom to mock religion .
Macron has robustly defended the right to free expression , including to mock religion , amid revulsion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schoolteacher who had shown his class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed .
`` We 've heard things but we 're not worried , '' said Tuchel , whose side play the Turkish champions in Group H on Wednesday .
`` Personally I 'm sad that it 's not possible for everyone to live together in harmony , because I really think each of us wants to live in harmony .
`` That 's why I 'm a bit sad , but not worried .
I hope there wo n't be overlapping between sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pick up their first points of the group stage following a 2-1 loss to Manchester United last week .
Tuchel insisted the main focus for his side was kickstarting their European campaign despite the diplomatic friction surrounding the tie .
`` I have n't spoken about it with my players .
Maybe we 're going to do it because we 're not just athletes , not just footballers , '' he said .
`` But the concern is primarily a sporting one and it 's a privilege for us to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Defender Presnel Kimpembe said the issue of strained relations between the two countries was beyond their remit .
`` We 're a football team .
As long as UEFA gives us the permission to come play here , we 're coming to play our match and go home , '' he said .
`` What 's happening politically is not our responsibility . ''

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Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel said Tuesday he was "sad but not worried" by tensions between France and Turkey ahead of their Champions League match against Istanbul Basaksehir.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has led the charge against his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during an escalating war of words in a row over the freedom to mock religion.
Macron has robustly defended the right to free expression, including to mock religion, amid revulsion in France over the beheading of a schoolteacher who had shown his class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
"We've heard things but we're not worried," said Tuchel, whose side play the Turkish champions in Group H on Wednesday.
"Personally I'm sad that it's not possible for everyone to live together in harmony, because I really think each of us wants to live in harmony.
"That's why I'm a bit sad, but not worried. I hope there won't be overlapping between sport and politics."
PSG are hoping to pick up their first points of the group stage following a 2-1 loss to Manchester United last week.
Tuchel insisted the main focus for his side was kickstarting their European campaign despite the diplomatic friction surrounding the tie.
"I haven't spoken about it with my players. Maybe we're going to do it because we're not just athletes, not just footballers," he said.
"But the concern is primarily a sporting one and it's a privilege for us to be able to play in the Champions League."
Defender Presnel Kimpembe said the issue of strained relations between the two countries was beyond their remit.
"We're a football team. As long as UEFA gives us the permission to come play here, we're coming to play our match and go home," he said.
"What's happening politically is not our responsibility."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Real fight back for dramatic draw at Gladbach

Real were minutes from suffering a second straight Champions League defeat Casemiro scored a last-gasp equaliser as Real Madrid fought back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Tuesday and avoid a second straight loss in the Champions League .
Marcus Thuram 's double put Gladbach on course for a famous victory , but Real roared back with late efforts from Karim Benzema and Casemiro -- three minutes into added time -- to salvage a point .
But Real remain at the bottom of Group B after their shock 3-2 home defeat by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's opener .
Shakhtar sit three points clear at the top of the early table after a goalless draw with Inter Milan in Tuesday 's earlier Group B encounter .
Despite having more than 60 percent possession , Real rarely troubled Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer until the frantic final scenes .
Benzema had two early half-chances at Borussia Park , before Gladbach struck in style just after the half-hour mark .
A bad pass by Germany star Toni Kroos put the Spanish giants under pressure in their own half .
Gladbach midfielder Jonas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fed Alassane Plea , whose pin-point low pass to Thuram was buried into the back of the net .
Real have now kept clean sheets in just two of their last 13 Champions League games .
Thuram , the son of French 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram , pounced to score his second in the 58th minute .
When Plea 's fierce shot was saved by Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois , Thuram was on hand to tap home the rebound from close range and leave the 13-time European champions reeling .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later when Plea was denied when through on goal by Courtois .
Zidane threw on Luka Modric and Eden Hazard for the final 20 minutes in an attempt to avoid a damaging defeat .
Hazard released Benzema , who hit the side netting as Real desperately hunted for a goal .
With time almost up , Casemiro headed the ball back into play from a deep cross and Benzema diverted the ball in from point-blank range .
With Real attacking in waves , Modric clipped a cross to the far post , Sergio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball into the roof of the net .

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Casemiro scored a last-gasp equaliser as Real Madrid fought back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Tuesday and avoid a second straight loss in the Champions League.
Marcus Thuram's double put Gladbach on course for a famous victory, but Real roared back with late efforts from Karim Benzema and Casemiro -- three minutes into added time -- to salvage a point.
But Real remain at the bottom of Group B after their shock 3-2 home defeat by a depleted Shakhtar Donetsk side in last week's opener.
Shakhtar sit three points clear at the top of the early table after a goalless draw with Inter Milan in Tuesday's earlier Group B encounter.
Despite having more than 60 percent possession, Real rarely troubled Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer until the frantic final scenes.
Benzema had two early half-chances at Borussia Park, before Gladbach struck in style just after the half-hour mark.
A bad pass by Germany star Toni Kroos put the Spanish giants under pressure in their own half.
Gladbach midfielder Jonas Hofmann snapped up the loose ball and fed Alassane Plea, whose pin-point low pass to Thuram was buried into the back of the net.
Real have now kept clean sheets in just two of their last 13 Champions League games.
Thuram, the son of French 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, pounced to score his second in the 58th minute.
When Plea's fierce shot was saved by Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Thuram was on hand to tap home the rebound from close range and leave the 13-time European champions reeling.
It could have been 3-0 a few moments later when Plea was denied when through on goal by Courtois.
Zidane threw on Luka Modric and Eden Hazard for the final 20 minutes in an attempt to avoid a damaging defeat.
Hazard released Benzema, who hit the side netting as Real desperately hunted for a goal.
With time almost up, Casemiro headed the ball back into play from a deep cross and Benzema diverted the ball in from point-blank range.
With Real attacking in waves, Modric clipped a cross to the far post, Sergio Ramos leapt highest and Casemiro drove the ball into the roof of the net.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Zapata double rescues Atalanta against Ajax in Bergamo

Duvan Zapata bagged a second-half brace as Atalanta came from two goals down to hold Ajax 2-2 in their first Champions League game played in their home stadium in Bergamo on Tuesday .
Atalanta 's European matches last season were all played at Milan 's San Siro while their home ground was being upgraded to meet UEFA regulations .
The hosts , however , got off to a sluggish start on their return to the Gewiss Stadium in a game played behind closed doors in northern Italy because of the coronavirus crisis .
Ajax were two goals up at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dusan Tadic slotting in a penalty and Lassina Traore making the most of a goalkeeping error .
Gian Piero Gasperini 's side had won their opener 4-0 at Danish club Midtjylland with Ajax losing 1-0 at home against Liverpool .
Atalanta are second in Group D , two points behind Livepool who beat Midtjylland 2-0 , with the top two teams playing in Bergamo on November 3 .
Ajax are third with one point .
Josip Ilicic missed chances to break through early as he returned to European competition for Atalanta , having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of personal problems .
The Slovenian set up Zapata , but the Colombian wastefully sent wide before Robin Gosens caught Traore with a high boot , prompting the referee to point to the spot .
Tadic made no mistake against Marco Sportiello in the Bergamo goal .
And it was a Sportiello error which allowed the Dutch outfit to add a second eight minutes later as he fumbled a David Neres cross , with forward Traore on hand to finish off .
After the break Gasperini 's side pushed forward , with Zapata @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he rose brilliantly to nod in a Papu Gomez cross .
The Colombian added a second on the hour , picking up a Mario Pasalic cross to burst into the area and finish off for his third European goal this season .

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Duvan Zapata bagged a second-half brace as Atalanta came from two goals down to hold Ajax 2-2 in their first Champions League game played in their home stadium in Bergamo on Tuesday.
Atalanta's European matches last season were all played at Milan's San Siro while their home ground was being upgraded to meet UEFA regulations.
The hosts, however, got off to a sluggish start on their return to the Gewiss Stadium in a game played behind closed doors in northern Italy because of the coronavirus crisis.
Ajax were two goals up at the break thanks to Atalanta's blunders with Dusan Tadic slotting in a penalty and Lassina Traore making the most of a goalkeeping error.
Gian Piero Gasperini's side had won their opener 4-0 at Danish club Midtjylland with Ajax losing 1-0 at home against Liverpool.
Atalanta are second in Group D, two points behind Livepool who beat Midtjylland 2-0, with the top two teams playing in Bergamo on November 3.
Ajax are third with one point.
Josip Ilicic missed chances to break through early as he returned to European competition for Atalanta, having missed over three months of action because of personal problems.
The Slovenian set up Zapata, but the Colombian wastefully sent wide before Robin Gosens caught Traore with a high boot, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
Tadic made no mistake against Marco Sportiello in the Bergamo goal.
And it was a Sportiello error which allowed the Dutch outfit to add a second eight minutes later as he fumbled a David Neres cross, with forward Traore on hand to finish off.
After the break Gasperini's side pushed forward, with Zapata reducing the deficit nine minutes later when he rose brilliantly to nod in a Papu Gomez cross.
The Colombian added a second on the hour, picking up a Mario Pasalic cross to burst into the area and finish off for his third European goal this season.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-27--Rio F1 track hit by environmental report blow

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france24--2020-10-27--Felix double inspires Atletico comeback against Salzburg

Joao Felix scored twice , including a late winner , as Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Salzburg 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday .
After being thrashed by Bayern Munich last week , another slip would have put Atletico 's prospects of qualification from Group A in serious doubt .
But Felix 's double salvaged a dramatic victory at the Wanda Metropolitano where Salzburg led 2-1 thanks to goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Mergim Berisha shortly after half-time .
Marcos Llorente had earlier put Atletico in front .
Diego Simeone 's side will travel to Lokomotiv Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Lokomotiv were beaten 2-1 at home by Bayern .
Felix now has four goals in seven games this term for Atletico , continuing his encouraging start to the season alongside new signing Luis Suarez and in the absence of the injured Diego Costa .
`` When I play in the Champions League , it 's what I like to play in most and you can see the happiness with which I play , '' said Felix afterwards .
The 20-year-old had already struck the crossbar with a spectacular bicycle kick when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before driving in sweetly from inside the penalty area with five minutes left .

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Joao Felix scored twice, including a late winner, as Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Salzburg 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
After being thrashed by Bayern Munich last week, another slip would have put Atletico's prospects of qualification from Group A in serious doubt.
But Felix's double salvaged a dramatic victory at the Wanda Metropolitano where Salzburg led 2-1 thanks to goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Mergim Berisha shortly after half-time. Marcos Llorente had earlier put Atletico in front.
Diego Simeone's side will travel to Lokomotiv Moscow next week placed second in the group after Lokomotiv were beaten 2-1 at home by Bayern.
Felix now has four goals in seven games this term for Atletico, continuing his encouraging start to the season alongside new signing Luis Suarez and in the absence of the injured Diego Costa.
"When I play in the Champions League, it's what I like to play in most and you can see the happiness with which I play," said Felix afterwards.
The 20-year-old had already struck the crossbar with a spectacular bicycle kick when he pulled Atletico level in the 52nd minute before driving in sweetly from inside the penalty area with five minutes left.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Iran hits daily record 415 virus deaths

Iran hits daily record 415 virus deaths

Graves dug ready for burials in the Behesht Zahra main cemetery of Iran 's capital Tehran Iran on Wednesday reported 415 new deaths from the novel coronavirus , the second daily record toll in a row in the Middle East 's worst-hit country .
Health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said the new fatalities , 69 above Tuesday 's record toll , brought Iran 's total virus deaths to 33,714 .
This is among Iran 's highest single-day jumps in virus fatalities since it reported its first cases in February .
Lari added that 6,824 people had tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared cases to 558,648 .
Iran has recorded several new highs in both deaths and infections in recent weeks , as figures have kept rising since September .
Parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday became the latest official in the Islamic republic to be infected by Covid-19 .
`` One of my colleagues tested positive for the coronavirus ; my test that came at midnight also turned out positive , '' he announced on Twitter .
`` I am currently in quarantine and , God willing , will be following up ... on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least two MPs of Iran 's new parliament formed earlier this year have died of coronavirus and several others been infected .

Tehran (AFP) –
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Iran on Wednesday reported 415 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, the second daily record toll in a row in the Middle East's worst-hit country.
Health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said the new fatalities, 69 above Tuesday's record toll, brought Iran's total virus deaths to 33,714.
This is among Iran's highest single-day jumps in virus fatalities since it reported its first cases in February.
Lari added that 6,824 people had tested positive for the virus, bringing Iran's officially declared cases to 558,648.
Iran has recorded several new highs in both deaths and infections in recent weeks, as figures have kept rising since September.
Parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday became the latest official in the Islamic republic to be infected by Covid-19.
"One of my colleagues tested positive for the coronavirus; my test that came at midnight also turned out positive," he announced on Twitter.
"I am currently in quarantine and, God willing, will be following up... on my responsibilities," he said.
At least two MPs of Iran's new parliament formed earlier this year have died of coronavirus and several others been infected.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Mass exit to Italy threat in Tunisia soccer row put on hold

Tunisian youths prepare to burn tires and block the road leading to the city of Chebba on October 19 in protest at the Tunisian Football Federation 's decision to ban their local club CS Chebba A project by residents of a Tunisian town to make a mass exit by sea to Italy in protest at sanctions on their football club has been put on hold , organisers said Wednesday .
They said the departure of over 2,000 Tunisians from the small Mediterranean town of Chebba , planned for Thursday morning , has been delayed because of `` bad weather '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 slapped a one-year ban on CS Chebba , officially over an incomplete and late membership application .
The club 's president has for months been at odds with the federation 's chief , Wadie Jary , especially after Facebook posts criticising the TFF 's financial dealings .
Hundreds of angry fans have taken to the streets of Chebba blocking roads and setting tyres on fire in protest at the suspension .
On Tuesday , the sports and youth ministry vowed to work for a solution acceptable to CS Chebba and taking into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tents have been erected at Chebba port for people to register for the crossings on an armada of more than 200 boats , with whole families signed up as well as youths from disadvantaged regions in the country 's interior such as Kasserine .
Illegal sea crossings to Europe from Tunisia have been on the rise , largely driven by economic woes after a 2011 popular revolution that many hoped would bring change .
With unemployment now topping 18 percent , almost 12,000 migrants reached Italy in illegal crossings between January 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Nations refugee agency UNHCR .

Chebba (Tunisia) (AFP) –
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A project by residents of a Tunisian town to make a mass exit by sea to Italy in protest at sanctions on their football club has been put on hold, organisers said Wednesday.
They said the departure of over 2,000 Tunisians from the small Mediterranean town of Chebba, planned for Thursday morning, has been delayed because of "bad weather".
The Tunisian Football Federation on October 17 slapped a one-year ban on CS Chebba, officially over an incomplete and late membership application.
The club's president has for months been at odds with the federation's chief, Wadie Jary, especially after Facebook posts criticising the TFF's financial dealings.
Hundreds of angry fans have taken to the streets of Chebba blocking roads and setting tyres on fire in protest at the suspension.
On Tuesday, the sports and youth ministry vowed to work for a solution acceptable to CS Chebba and taking into account economic and social hardships in Tunisia.
Tents have been erected at Chebba port for people to register for the crossings on an armada of more than 200 boats, with whole families signed up as well as youths from disadvantaged regions in the country's interior such as Kasserine.
Illegal sea crossings to Europe from Tunisia have been on the rise, largely driven by economic woes after a 2011 popular revolution that many hoped would bring change.
With unemployment now topping 18 percent, almost 12,000 migrants reached Italy in illegal crossings between January 1 and July 26, according to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--UEFA reiterates 'strong opposition' to European Super League

Ceferin pledges there will be no European Super League while he remains UEFA president UEFA has repeated its `` strong opposition '' to a European Super League after the controversial project received a surprise shot in the arm from Josep Maria Bartomeu as he stood down as Barcelona president .
In a resignation bombshell on Tursday night Bartomeu declared that one of his last acts as the Catalan team 's chief had been to accept a proposal for Barcelona to play in `` a future European Super League '' which `` would guarantee the financial stability of the club '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the continent 's high rollers first surfaced through a series of leaked emails and documents in November 2018 claiming that a host of Europe 's biggest clubs were working on plans for a 16-team Super League to kick off as early as 2021 .
The idea was knocked on the head by European football boss Aleksander Ceferin the following February .
He vowed that while he and Andrea Agnelli , president of the European Club Association ( ECA ) , were in office `` there will be no Super League .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fact '' .
Responding to Bartomeu 's Tuesday night admission for the first time of the project 's existence UEFA told AFP that Ceferin `` has clearly indicated on several occasions UEFA is strongly opposed to a Super League '' .
Any Super League involving only Europe 's wealthiest clubs would be in direct conflict with the UEFA-run Champions League and Europa League , competitions open to any team based on their domestic league performances .
`` The principles of solidarity , promotion , relegation and of open leagues are non-negotiable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is behind European football and makes the Champions League the best sporting competition in the world . ''
European football 's ruling body said it refused to `` destroy '' its crown jewel , pointing out that `` a superleague of 10 , 12 or even 24 clubs '' with the risk of outsiders crashing the party would become `` inevitably boring '' .
Last week FIFA president Gianni Infantino denied his purported support of a Super League , telling a Swiss newspaper that `` I 'm interested in the Club World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` What attracts me is not Bayern against Liverpool , but Bayern against Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires , '' he said , adding that he wanted to give clubs outside Europe `` a global dimension '' .

Lausanne (AFP) –
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UEFA has repeated its "strong opposition" to a European Super League after the controversial project received a surprise shot in the arm from Josep Maria Bartomeu as he stood down as Barcelona president.
In a resignation bombshell on Tursday night Bartomeu declared that one of his last acts as the Catalan team's chief had been to accept a proposal for Barcelona to play in "a future European Super League" which "would guarantee the financial stability of the club".
The notion of a splinter league for the continent's high rollers first surfaced through a series of leaked emails and documents in November 2018 claiming that a host of Europe's biggest clubs were working on plans for a 16-team Super League to kick off as early as 2021.
The idea was knocked on the head by European football boss Aleksander Ceferin the following February.
He vowed that while he and Andrea Agnelli, president of the European Club Association (ECA), were in office "there will be no Super League. This is not a promise. It is a fact".
Responding to Bartomeu's Tuesday night admission for the first time of the project's existence UEFA told AFP that Ceferin "has clearly indicated on several occasions UEFA is strongly opposed to a Super League".
Any Super League involving only Europe's wealthiest clubs would be in direct conflict with the UEFA-run Champions League and Europa League, competitions open to any team based on their domestic league performances.
"The principles of solidarity, promotion, relegation and of open leagues are non-negotiable," UEFA said.
"This is what is behind European football and makes the Champions League the best sporting competition in the world."
European football's ruling body said it refused to "destroy" its crown jewel, pointing out that "a superleague of 10, 12 or even 24 clubs" with the risk of outsiders crashing the party would become "inevitably boring".
Last week FIFA president Gianni Infantino denied his purported support of a Super League, telling a Swiss newspaper that "I'm interested in the Club World Cup, not the Superleague".
"What attracts me is not Bayern against Liverpool, but Bayern against Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires," he said, adding that he wanted to give clubs outside Europe "a global dimension".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--France fears new lockdown to contain virus flare-up

As coronavirus cases spiral , some hospitals have been left no choice but to start transferring patients to less-crowded facilities France was preparing Wednesday for tough new restrictions to halt a flare-up in Covid-19 cases that has alarmed doctors , with a second lockdown widely mooted as hospitals battle an influx of patients .
President Emmanuel Macron is to announce more measures in a televised address to the nation Wednesday evening , a day after officials announced coronavirus 523 deaths in 24 hours -- the highest daily toll since April .
Macron will hold another crisis meeting with top ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official said were likely to be `` unpopular . ''
France 's main newspapers and several radio stations cited various unnamed sources saying Macron had become convinced of the need for a nationwide four-week lockdown , which would be voted on in parliament on Thursday .
The head of Macron 's LREM party , Stanislas Guerini , appeared to be preparing the ground for a shutdown when he told France 2 television that the nation needed `` strong measures , powerful measures that are understandable for all French people , and probably at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent French stocks sharply lower , with the bellwether CAC-40 index slumping 2.4 percent at midday .
By Tuesday , there were 2,918 coronavirus patients in intensive care in France , more than half the capacity of 5,800 beds .
Nearly 19,000 were in hospital overall and France recorded over 33,400 new positive tests in 24 hours , with some hospitals left with no choice but to start transferring patients to less-crowded facilities .
At the height of the epidemic in March and April , France erected field hospitals and had to evacuate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zones to less burdened areas , including some to Germany , Switzerland , Luxembourg and Austria .
The government has been loath to impose a new lockdown that would pummel the economy afresh , and business chiefs have warned a total shutdown would force another wave of layoffs and bankruptcies .
Instead , the authorities imposed a curfew for Paris and other cities two weeks ago that requires about 46 million people -- two-thirds of the population -- to be home from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am .
Health Minister Olivier Veran had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks to see if the curfews were working , but a surge in new cases since then has forced the government to scramble for new measures .
Other options said to be considered by Macron included extending the curfew hours , possibly with a full lockdown on weekends , or targeted stay-at-home orders for hardest-hit regions .
Another option could be to postpone the return of students from the autumn holiday that ends this weekend , in particular to high schools and universities .
`` We have to prepare for difficult decisions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Frederic Valletoux , head of the Hospital Federation of France , said Wednesday a full lockdown was needed to stop the second epidemic wave `` devastating '' the hospital system .
`` The lockdown has not yielded all the results we had hoped for , we must draw conclusions very quickly and take radical measures , '' he told France inter .
Philippe Juvin , the head of emergency services at the Georges-Pompidou hospital in Paris , agreed that a lockdown was inevitable .
He pointed to a `` high rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk , without strong measures , of the health system being submerged . ''
France 's public accounts minister Olivier Dussopt , meanwhile , said every month of generalised lockdown would cost the economy between two and 2.5 points of GDP .
`` This represents more than 10 billion euros ( $ 11.7 billion ) in intervention spending and at least 10 billion euros in lost tax revenue , '' he told Sud Radio .

Paris (AFP) –
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France was preparing Wednesday for tough new restrictions to halt a flare-up in Covid-19 cases that has alarmed doctors, with a second lockdown widely mooted as hospitals battle an influx of patients.
President Emmanuel Macron is to announce more measures in a televised address to the nation Wednesday evening, a day after officials announced coronavirus 523 deaths in 24 hours -- the highest daily toll since April.
Macron will hold another crisis meeting with top ministers before his announcements, which a government official said were likely to be "unpopular."
France's main newspapers and several radio stations cited various unnamed sources saying Macron had become convinced of the need for a nationwide four-week lockdown, which would be voted on in parliament on Thursday.
The head of Macron's LREM party, Stanislas Guerini, appeared to be preparing the ground for a shutdown when he told France 2 television that the nation needed "strong measures, powerful measures that are understandable for all French people, and probably at a national level".
The prospect sent French stocks sharply lower, with the bellwether CAC-40 index slumping 2.4 percent at midday.
By Tuesday, there were 2,918 coronavirus patients in intensive care in France, more than half the capacity of 5,800 beds.
Nearly 19,000 were in hospital overall and France recorded over 33,400 new positive tests in 24 hours, with some hospitals left with no choice but to start transferring patients to less-crowded facilities.
France's death toll now stands at 35,541.
At the height of the epidemic in March and April, France erected field hospitals and had to evacuate hundreds of patients from hospitals in hard-hit zones to less burdened areas, including some to Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Austria.
- 'Difficult decisions' -
The government has been loath to impose a new lockdown that would pummel the economy afresh, and business chiefs have warned a total shutdown would force another wave of layoffs and bankruptcies.
Instead, the authorities imposed a curfew for Paris and other cities two weeks ago that requires about 46 million people -- two-thirds of the population -- to be home from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am.
Health Minister Olivier Veran had said it would take two to three weeks to see if the curfews were working, but a surge in new cases since then has forced the government to scramble for new measures.
Other options said to be considered by Macron included extending the curfew hours, possibly with a full lockdown on weekends, or targeted stay-at-home orders for hardest-hit regions.
Another option could be to postpone the return of students from the autumn holiday that ends this weekend, in particular to high schools and universities.
"We have to prepare for difficult decisions," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Tuesday.
Frederic Valletoux, head of the Hospital Federation of France, said Wednesday a full lockdown was needed to stop the second epidemic wave "devastating" the hospital system.
"The lockdown has not yielded all the results we had hoped for, we must draw conclusions very quickly and take radical measures," he told France inter.
Philippe Juvin, the head of emergency services at the Georges-Pompidou hospital in Paris, agreed that a lockdown was inevitable.
He pointed to a "high rate of uptake of intensive care beds and a risk, without strong measures, of the health system being submerged."
France's public accounts minister Olivier Dussopt, meanwhile, said every month of generalised lockdown would cost the economy between two and 2.5 points of GDP.
"This represents more than 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion) in intervention spending and at least 10 billion euros in lost tax revenue," he told Sud Radio.
burs-mlr/js/txw
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Filipinos flock to cemeteries ahead of Day of the Dead closure

Filipinos pray at their dead relatives ' resting places ahead of a week-long closure of cemeteries in Manila Thousands of people wearing masks and face shields poured into cemeteries in Manila Wednesday for their last chance to visit dead loved ones ahead of a government-ordered closure of graveyards for All Saints ' Day .
The religious observance on November 1 is usually marked by festivities and impromptu family gatherings that authorities fear could fuel the spread of the coronavirus in the Catholic-majority Philippines .
In a bid to prevent that happening , cemeteries across the country will be closed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 .
Charito Caones usually spends days scrubbing and repainting the tombs of his relatives in preparation for the annual rite .
This year he had a few hours .
`` I hope this wo n't happen again and we 'll be able to spend the night with them , '' Caones told AFP as he sat in front of the graves of his brother and nephew .
Wearing mandatory masks and face shields , people clutched bags of food and bunches of flowers as they passed through temperature checks and disinfection tents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cemetery -- one of several in the sprawling capital of 12 million people .
The All Saints ' Day ritual stretches back to ancient Rome and honours saints .
For the Philippines , it is a time to pray for and remember the deceased by visiting their tombs and lighting candles .
Many poor people also live in the city 's graveyards .
One dweller told AFP that his family had stocked up on supplies before the gates closed .
Mary Jane Mendoza , 47 , said she had not been able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a months-long lockdown for the virus began .
`` I 'm sorry we 're not able to visit you often because of our situation .
We 're in the middle of a pandemic , '' said Mendoza , addressing her husband 's tomb .
Princess Malay , 45 , said All Saints ' Day was a chance to catch up with relatives -- and celebrate her deceased father 's birthday .
`` We do n't want him to feel lonely here , he 's on his own , '' she said .

Manila (AFP) –
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Thousands of people wearing masks and face shields poured into cemeteries in Manila Wednesday for their last chance to visit dead loved ones ahead of a government-ordered closure of graveyards for All Saints' Day.
The religious observance on November 1 is usually marked by festivities and impromptu family gatherings that authorities fear could fuel the spread of the coronavirus in the Catholic-majority Philippines.
In a bid to prevent that happening, cemeteries across the country will be closed for the first time from Thursday until November 4.
Charito Caones usually spends days scrubbing and repainting the tombs of his relatives in preparation for the annual rite.
This year he had a few hours.
"I hope this won't happen again and we'll be able to spend the night with them," Caones told AFP as he sat in front of the graves of his brother and nephew.
Wearing mandatory masks and face shields, people clutched bags of food and bunches of flowers as they passed through temperature checks and disinfection tents at the entrance to the Manila North Cemetery -- one of several in the sprawling capital of 12 million people.
The All Saints' Day ritual stretches back to ancient Rome and honours saints. For the Philippines, it is a time to pray for and remember the deceased by visiting their tombs and lighting candles.
Many poor people also live in the city's graveyards. One dweller told AFP that his family had stocked up on supplies before the gates closed.
Mary Jane Mendoza, 47, said she had not been able to visit her dead husband since March when a months-long lockdown for the virus began.
"I'm sorry we're not able to visit you often because of our situation. We're in the middle of a pandemic," said Mendoza, addressing her husband's tomb.
Princess Malay, 45, said All Saints' Day was a chance to catch up with relatives -- and celebrate her deceased father's birthday.
"We don't want him to feel lonely here, he's on his own," she said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Europe faces tougher virus curbs but Melbourne lifts lockdown

France is expected to extend the hours of an existing curfew , with possibly a full lockdown on weekends , or order targeted lockdowns in the hardest-hit regions People in France and Germany were bracing Wednesday for tough new curbs on their daily lives as Europe struggled to contain an alarming surge in coronavirus cases with winter looming .
The deepening gloom across the continent contrasted with the jubilation in Australia 's second city of Melbourne where champagne corks popped to celebrate the end of a months-long lockdown .
The pandemic has unleashed devastation across the global economy since emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
And in the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment , countries are being forced to impose widely unpopular Covid-19 restrictions that have sparked violent clashes in Italy .
Much of the United States -- the worst-hit nation in the world -- is also bracing for a tough winter , and the pandemic is dominating the campaign for next week 's election .
In Europe , the main stock markets tumbled as investors fretted over the tighter measures expected to be imposed in the EU 's leading economies .
Daily cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Germany is regularly reporting 10,000 new infections .
- 'It 's out of control ' - French President Emmanuel Macron is to address the nation on Wednesday evening to present new measures , with doctors warning that many hospitals are just days away from being overrun with patients .
`` At some point we have to make hard choices , '' Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told French radio .
Reports say Macron might extend the hours of an overnight curfew already imposed on 46 million people , possibly with a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted lockdowns for the hardest-hit regions .
`` The outbreak is out of control , '' French infectious disease specialist Gilles Pialoux said on television .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also expected to push for tighter restrictions in crisis talks with regional leaders Wednesday .
The proposed measures include closing restaurants and bars and putting strict limits on private and public gatherings while keeping schools , daycares and shops open , according to the Bild daily .
And in Russia , an order making masks mandatory at public gatherings , on public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come into force Wednesday .
The new restrictions are likely to test the resolve and patience of many .
Anger has already boiled over in Italy , where thousands have protested in recent days against anti-coronavirus curbs .
Some of the rallies have turned violent , particularly in Milan and Turin on Monday night when angry youths threw petrol bombs and stones at police cars and smashed up shop fronts .
But there was exhilaration and relief Down Under on Wednesday as Melbourne 's five million people were able to return to shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 've really been awaiting this day for very long , '' department store manager Magda Combrinck told AFP .
`` It 's a big day for us . ''
It was , however , far from a return to business as usual .
Shopper Lesley Kind , 71 , said many smaller outlets in Melbourne 's city centre had yet to reopen or appeared permanently closed .
Across the world , the coronavirus has infected close to 44 million people , with well over 1.1 million deaths , In the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenger Joe Biden are trading barbs over the handling of the pandemic as campaigning enters the final week ahead of the November 3 vote .
The US is reporting tens of thousands of new cases every day , with the overall caseload fast approaching nine million and a death toll over 225,000 .
After the US , India is the most infected nation on the planet , with nearly eight million cases and tens of thousands of new infections daily .
After a imposing a strict lockdown in March , it has loosened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Wednesday , millions of Indians turned out to vote in state polls in Bihar -- the world 's biggest election since the coronavirus emerged , with 70 million eligible voters .
Booths were packed and many ignored government advice on wearing masks and social distancing .
`` I am a little afraid because corona is not a small disease , '' said Nidhi Kumari , a 21-year-old student .
As the race to find a treatment or cure gathers pace , Pharma giant Pfizer voiced measured optimism Tuesday about the prospect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying it could supply some 40 million doses in the United States if clinical testing proceeds as expected and regulatory approval is granted .

Paris (AFP) –
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People in France and Germany were bracing Wednesday for tough new curbs on their daily lives as Europe struggled to contain an alarming surge in coronavirus cases with winter looming.
The deepening gloom across the continent contrasted with the jubilation in Australia's second city of Melbourne where champagne corks popped to celebrate the end of a months-long lockdown.
The pandemic has unleashed devastation across the global economy since emerging in China at the end of last year.
And in the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment, countries are being forced to impose widely unpopular Covid-19 restrictions that have sparked violent clashes in Italy.
Much of the United States -- the worst-hit nation in the world -- is also bracing for a tough winter, and the pandemic is dominating the campaign for next week's election.
In Europe, the main stock markets tumbled as investors fretted over the tighter measures expected to be imposed in the EU's leading economies.
Daily cases of Covid-19 in France have topped 50,000, while Germany is regularly reporting 10,000 new infections.
- 'It's out of control' -
French President Emmanuel Macron is to address the nation on Wednesday evening to present new measures, with doctors warning that many hospitals are just days away from being overrun with patients.
"At some point we have to make hard choices ," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told French radio.
Reports say Macron might extend the hours of an overnight curfew already imposed on 46 million people, possibly with a full lockdown on weekends, or else order targeted lockdowns for the hardest-hit regions.
"The outbreak is out of control," French infectious disease specialist Gilles Pialoux said on television.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also expected to push for tighter restrictions in crisis talks with regional leaders Wednesday.
The proposed measures include closing restaurants and bars and putting strict limits on private and public gatherings while keeping schools, daycares and shops open, according to the Bild daily.
And in Russia, an order making masks mandatory at public gatherings, on public transport and in elevators is set to come into force Wednesday.
The new restrictions are likely to test the resolve and patience of many.
Anger has already boiled over in Italy, where thousands have protested in recent days against anti-coronavirus curbs.
Some of the rallies have turned violent, particularly in Milan and Turin on Monday night when angry youths threw petrol bombs and stones at police cars and smashed up shop fronts.
- 'A big day for us' -
But there was exhilaration and relief Down Under on Wednesday as Melbourne's five million people were able to return to shops and restaurants after months at home.
"We've really been awaiting this day for very long," department store manager Magda Combrinck told AFP. "It's a big day for us."
It was, however, far from a return to business as usual. Shopper Lesley Kind, 71, said many smaller outlets in Melbourne's city centre had yet to reopen or appeared permanently closed.
Across the world, the coronavirus has infected close to 44 million people, with well over 1.1 million deaths,
In the United States, President Donald Trump and his challenger Joe Biden are trading barbs over the handling of the pandemic as campaigning enters the final week ahead of the November 3 vote.
The US is reporting tens of thousands of new cases every day, with the overall caseload fast approaching nine million and a death toll over 225,000.
- 'I'm a little afraid' -
After the US, India is the most infected nation on the planet, with nearly eight million cases and tens of thousands of new infections daily.
After a imposing a strict lockdown in March, it has loosened restrictions to revive its battered economy.
On Wednesday, millions of Indians turned out to vote in state polls in Bihar -- the world's biggest election since the coronavirus emerged, with 70 million eligible voters.
Booths were packed and many ignored government advice on wearing masks and social distancing.
"I am a little afraid because corona is not a small disease," said Nidhi Kumari, a 21-year-old student.
As the race to find a treatment or cure gathers pace, Pharma giant Pfizer voiced measured optimism Tuesday about the prospect of a vaccine becoming available this year, saying it could supply some 40 million doses in the United States if clinical testing proceeds as expected and regulatory approval is granted.
burs-txw/bp
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--France braces for possible new lockdown measures as Covid-19 hospitalisations mount

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to address the nation on October 28 , 2020 amid an increase in Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths .
France is bracing for a potential new lockdown as President Emmanuel Macron prepares a televised address Wednesday aimed at stopping a fast-rising tide of coronavirus patients in French hospitals and a growing daily death toll .
Macron is to address the nation on Wednesday evening to present new measures that will be decided at back-to-back meetings of the defence council and cabinet , the presidency said .
`` We have to prepare for difficult decisions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inter radio .
`` At some point we have to make hard choices ... as our neighbours have , '' he said , referring to strict new measures announced for Italy , Spain and elsewhere in Europe .
Many French doctors are urging a new nationwide lockdown , noting that 58 percent of the country 's intensive care units are now occupied by Covid-19 patients and medical staff are under increasing strain .
“ The government didn ’ t take into account what the first wave was and didn ’ t learn all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the French Hospital Federation , said Wednesday on France Inter radio .
He called for a full , month-long lockdown , saying “ this wave will be much more devastating for the hospital system .
Hospitals won ’ t manage if we don ’ t take drastic measures.
” The French government has been loath to impose a new lockdown that would pummel the economy even harder , and business chiefs have warned a total shutdown would force another wave of layoffs and bankruptcies .
Instead , the authorities imposed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 46 million people – two-thirds of the population – to be home from 9pm to 6am , as the number of daily virus cases has flared .
Business owners and some politicians are pushing for a compromise , such as local lockdowns in the hardest-hit areas , or a lockdown that would allow schools to stay open .
Economists warn that a full lockdown could impact Europe more broadly if other European countries hit hard by rising infections then follow France ’ s lead .
France reported 523 virus-related deaths in 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April , bringing its overall death toll to 35,541 , the third-highest toll in Europe after Britain and Italy .
Over the past few weeks , France has been reporting tens of thousands of new infections per day and is now recording more than 380 new cases each week per 100,000 people .
Media reports say Macron , who met to discuss the surge with senior ministers Tuesday , might extend the curfew hours and possibly impose a full lockdown on weekends , or else order targeted lockdowns for the hardest-hit regions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ return of students from the autumn holiday that ends this weekend , in particular to high schools and universities .

France is bracing for a potential new lockdown as President Emmanuel Macron prepares a televised address Wednesday aimed at stopping a fast-rising tide of coronavirus patients in French hospitals and a growing daily death toll.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to address the nation on October 28, 2020 amid an increase in Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths.
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Macron is to address the nation on Wednesday evening to present new measures that will be decided at back-to-back meetings of the defence council and cabinet, the presidency said.
"We have to prepare for difficult decisions," Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told France Inter radio.
"At some point we have to make hard choices ... as our neighbours have," he said, referring to strict new measures announced for Italy, Spain and elsewhere in Europe.
Many French doctors are urging a new nationwide lockdown, noting that 58 percent of the country's intensive care units are now occupied by Covid-19 patients and medical staff are under increasing strain.
“The government didn’t take into account what the first wave was and didn’t learn all its lessons,” Frederic Valletoux, president of the French Hospital Federation, said Wednesday on France Inter radio.
He called for a full, month-long lockdown, saying “this wave will be much more devastating for the hospital system. Hospitals won’t manage if we don’t take drastic measures.”
01:45
Business owners push for compromise
The French government has been loath to impose a new lockdown that would pummel the economy even harder, and business chiefs have warned a total shutdown would force another wave of layoffs and bankruptcies.
Instead, the authorities imposed a curfew this month that now requires about 46 million people – two-thirds of the population – to be home from 9pm to 6am, as the number of daily virus cases has flared.
Business owners and some politicians are pushing for a compromise, such as local lockdowns in the hardest-hit areas, or a lockdown that would allow schools to stay open.
Economists warn that a full lockdown could impact Europe more broadly if other European countries hit hard by rising infections then follow France’s lead.
France reported 523 virus-related deaths in 24 hours Tuesday, the highest daily tally since April, bringing its overall death toll to 35,541, the third-highest toll in Europe after Britain and Italy.
Over the past few weeks, France has been reporting tens of thousands of new infections per day and is now recording more than 380 new cases each week per 100,000 people.
Media reports say Macron, who met to discuss the surge with senior ministers Tuesday, might extend the curfew hours and possibly impose a full lockdown on weekends, or else order targeted lockdowns for the hardest-hit regions.
Another option could be to postpone the return of students from the autumn holiday that ends this weekend, in particular to high schools and universities.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-28--SA Rugby probe death of player in illegal tournament

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander angered by death of amateur at an illegal tournament .
South African Rugby said Wednesday they are probing the death of eastern Cape amateur player Vizicelo Zondani during an illegal tournament .
Amateurs can train under strict health protocols because of the coronavirus pandemic , but are barred from playing .
Zondani died after sustaining an unspecified serious injury last Saturday during a tournament near King William 's Town , 248 kilometres ( 154 miles ) northeast of the regional hub , Port Elizabeth .
`` This is a tragic incident that should never have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the family , friends and team-mates of Vizicelo , '' said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander .
`` Unfortunately , this goes directly against our Covid-19 guidelines ... all amateur rugby matches have been suspended for the year due to the pandemic and all our unions , clubs and other bodies know this .
`` This tournament should never have taken place and we will launch a full investigation into the incident , as well as the tournament . ''
Competitive top-flight and under-21 rugby resumed in South Africa this month after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Amateurs , university students and schoolchildren are allowed to train , but not to play .

Johannesburg (AFP) –
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South African Rugby said Wednesday they are probing the death of eastern Cape amateur player Vizicelo Zondani during an illegal tournament.
Amateurs can train under strict health protocols because of the coronavirus pandemic, but are barred from playing.
Zondani died after sustaining an unspecified serious injury last Saturday during a tournament near King William's Town, 248 kilometres (154 miles) northeast of the regional hub, Port Elizabeth.
"This is a tragic incident that should never have happened, and our hearts go out to the family, friends and team-mates of Vizicelo," said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.
"Unfortunately, this goes directly against our Covid-19 guidelines... all amateur rugby matches have been suspended for the year due to the pandemic and all our unions, clubs and other bodies know this.
"This tournament should never have taken place and we will launch a full investigation into the incident, as well as the tournament."
Competitive top-flight and under-21 rugby resumed in South Africa this month after being suspended in March due to the pandemic.
Amateurs, university students and schoolchildren are allowed to train, but not to play.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Prominent UK royal palaces to review slavery links

The Tower of London is one of six UK royal palaces facing a review of its historical ties to slavery The British charity that manages six royal palaces , including the Tower of London , has launched a review into their historical links to slavery , The Times said Wednesday .
The chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces ( HRP ) , which runs the regal sites across Britain , is leading the probe into their past relationship with the slave trade .
Lucy Worsley , who is also a television historian , told the newspaper her review was overdue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make public any slavery connections .
`` We 've been thinking really hard and planning all sorts of changes , '' she said .
`` The time has come .
We 're behind .
We have n't done well enough . ''
The legacy of Britain 's colonial past and links to slavery have come under scrutiny during anti-racism protests sparked by the death of George Floyd during an arrest by US police .
UK protests saw a statue of a 17th century slave trader toppled in Bristol , and calls for streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be renamed .
Heritage and conservation charity the National Trust published a report in September into links to slavery and colonialism in the 93 historic properties it manages .
The review , which included scrutiny of World War II prime minister Winston Churchill 's longtime home , Chartwell , in Kent , southeast England , provoked a backlash in some quarters .
The Charity Commission watchdog questioned whether by conducting the investigation the Trust was departing from its primary role of preserving historic sites .
Worsley insisted it was vital that HRP 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ histories , however uncomfortable that might prove .
`` It is always great to push people a bit into an uncomfortable and darker direction , because then you can see the historical causes of things like social injustice , '' she told The Times .
The six HRP sites -- which also include Banqueting House , Kensington Palace and Kew Palace in London , as well as Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland -- are formally owned by the monarchy but placed in trust and run by the charity .
Worsley noted one particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used by the Stuart dynasty , which spanned 1603 to 1714 , and were likely to have links to `` an element of money derived from slavery '' .
In 1663 , Charles II granted a charter to the Company of Royal Adventurers of England -- which later became the Royal African Company -- giving it a monopoly on the enslavement and trading of Africans for 35 years .
It led to the huge expansion of British involvement , with the country estimated to have enslaved and transported over 332,000 Africans by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the British Library .

London (AFP) –
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The British charity that manages six royal palaces, including the Tower of London, has launched a review into their historical links to slavery, The Times said Wednesday.
The chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), which runs the regal sites across Britain, is leading the probe into their past relationship with the slave trade.
Lucy Worsley, who is also a television historian, told the newspaper her review was overdue and the charity had a duty to make public any slavery connections.
"We've been thinking really hard and planning all sorts of changes," she said. "The time has come. We're behind. We haven't done well enough."
The legacy of Britain's colonial past and links to slavery have come under scrutiny during anti-racism protests sparked by the death of George Floyd during an arrest by US police.
UK protests saw a statue of a 17th century slave trader toppled in Bristol, and calls for streets honouring figures who profited from slavery to be renamed.
Heritage and conservation charity the National Trust published a report in September into links to slavery and colonialism in the 93 historic properties it manages.
The review, which included scrutiny of World War II prime minister Winston Churchill's longtime home, Chartwell, in Kent, southeast England, provoked a backlash in some quarters.
The Charity Commission watchdog questioned whether by conducting the investigation the Trust was departing from its primary role of preserving historic sites.
Worsley insisted it was vital that HRP's sites presented an accurate picture of their histories, however uncomfortable that might prove.
"It is always great to push people a bit into an uncomfortable and darker direction, because then you can see the historical causes of things like social injustice," she told The Times.
The six HRP sites -- which also include Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace in London, as well as Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland -- are formally owned by the monarchy but placed in trust and run by the charity.
Worsley noted one particular focus of the review would be properties used by the Stuart dynasty, which spanned 1603 to 1714, and were likely to have links to "an element of money derived from slavery".
In 1663, Charles II granted a charter to the Company of Royal Adventurers of England -- which later became the Royal African Company -- giving it a monopoly on the enslavement and trading of Africans for 35 years.
It led to the huge expansion of British involvement, with the country estimated to have enslaved and transported over 332,000 Africans by the end of the 17th century, according to the British Library.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Thai pineapple exporter drops case against British activist

Andy Hall has been hit with a series of lawsuits over allegations he made about poor working conditions in Thailand A Thai pineapple company on Wednesday dropped a $ 9.6 million civil defamation case against a British human rights activist who had alleged abuse of migrant workers in the kingdom 's fruit industry .
Andy Hall has been hit with a series of lawsuits over the past eight years after contributing to a 2012 report about alleged poor working conditions , low wages and child labour at Natural Fruit 's factory .
In 2016 he was found guilty of criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison sentence before the conviction was overturned in June this year .
In response the company launched a 300-million-baht ( $ 9.6 million ) civil defamation case in July .
But with the trial due to start , lawyers for the firm told the Bangkok court Wednesday it would drop the charges .
`` The plaintiff intends to withdraw the case and wants the court to dismiss this case from the court system , '' court documents said .
Hall , who left Thailand in 2016 after living there for 12 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said it was `` not a victory '' .
`` My activism ... was intended only to promote and uphold the fundamental rights of millions of migrant workers in the country , '' he said , adding that workers continued to be subject to `` systemic human and labour rights violations '' .
Natural Fruit , a major supplier to the European drinks market , has not commented but previously denied the allegations raised in the 2012 report .
The two parties will be back in court in December over separate civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview Hall gave to Al Jazeera .
A ruling is expected on whether Hall will be liable to pay 10 million baht ( $ 321,000 ) in damages to Natural Fruit .
Human rights groups say powerful businesses routinely bring defamation cases against activists in Thailand to silence investigations into working conditions .
Earlier this week , a court overturned a defamation conviction of a Thai journalist sentenced to two years in prison for tweeting about alleged abuse of workers at a poultry farm .

Bangkok (AFP) –
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A Thai pineapple company on Wednesday dropped a $9.6 million civil defamation case against a British human rights activist who had alleged abuse of migrant workers in the kingdom's fruit industry.
Andy Hall has been hit with a series of lawsuits over the past eight years after contributing to a 2012 report about alleged poor working conditions, low wages and child labour at Natural Fruit's factory.
In 2016 he was found guilty of criminal defamation and given a suspended three year prison sentence before the conviction was overturned in June this year.
In response the company launched a 300-million-baht ($9.6 million) civil defamation case in July.
But with the trial due to start, lawyers for the firm told the Bangkok court Wednesday it would drop the charges.
"The plaintiff intends to withdraw the case and wants the court to dismiss this case from the court system," court documents said.
Hall, who left Thailand in 2016 after living there for 12 years, welcomed Wednesday's decision in a statement but said it was "not a victory".
"My activism... was intended only to promote and uphold the fundamental rights of millions of migrant workers in the country," he said, adding that workers continued to be subject to "systemic human and labour rights violations".
Natural Fruit, a major supplier to the European drinks market, has not commented but previously denied the allegations raised in the 2012 report.
The two parties will be back in court in December over separate civil defamation charges that relate to a 2013 interview Hall gave to Al Jazeera.
A ruling is expected on whether Hall will be liable to pay 10 million baht ($321,000) in damages to Natural Fruit.
Human rights groups say powerful businesses routinely bring defamation cases against activists in Thailand to silence investigations into working conditions.
Earlier this week, a court overturned a defamation conviction of a Thai journalist sentenced to two years in prison for tweeting about alleged abuse of workers at a poultry farm.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--World 100m champion Coleman to appeal two-year ban

World champion sprinter Christian Coleman is to appeal his two-year ban from athletics for anti-doping violations , his manager said World champion sprinter Christian Coleman will appeal his two-year ban from athletics for anti-doping violations , his manager said Wednesday .
`` The decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal established under World Athletics Rules is unfortunate and will be immediately appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport , '' Emanuel Hudson tweeted from the account of his HSI company .
`` Mr. Coleman has nothing further to say until such time as the matter can be heard in the Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the men 's 100 metres at last year 's World Championships in Doha in a world-leading time for the season of 9.76 seconds , was provisionally suspended for three 'whereabouts failures ' in June .
World Athletics ' Disciplinary Tribunal upheld the charge and banned the 24-year-old American for two years , backdated to May 14 , 2020 .
Should the ban remain in place , Coleman would miss next year 's Olympic Games in Japan , where he would have been among the favourites to win 100m gold .
Coleman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holder , only ran in the 4x100m relay heats in his first Olympic appearance in Rio de Janeiro four years ago .
The Athletics Integrity Unit ( AIU ) charged Coleman for missed tests in January and December 2019 , as well as for a `` filing failure '' last April .
To prove an anti-doping violation , an athlete has to have committed three whereabouts failures within 12 months .
Coleman previously escaped suspension on a technicality ahead of last September 's World Championships .
Those three whereabouts failures were recorded on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 and April 26 , 2019 .
However , Coleman had successfully argued that the first missed case should have been backdated to the first day of the quarter -- April 1 , 2018 -- meaning the three failures fell just outside the required 12-month period .
But now the missed test on December 9 , 2019 , added to the two failures in January and April , has seen Coleman suspended .

Paris (AFP) –
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World champion sprinter Christian Coleman will appeal his two-year ban from athletics for anti-doping violations, his manager said Wednesday.
"The decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal established under World Athletics Rules is unfortunate and will be immediately appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport," Emanuel Hudson tweeted from the account of his HSI company.
"Mr. Coleman has nothing further to say until such time as the matter can be heard in the Court of jurisdiction."
Coleman, who won the men's 100 metres at last year's World Championships in Doha in a world-leading time for the season of 9.76 seconds, was provisionally suspended for three 'whereabouts failures' in June.
World Athletics' Disciplinary Tribunal upheld the charge and banned the 24-year-old American for two years, backdated to May 14, 2020.
Should the ban remain in place, Coleman would miss next year's Olympic Games in Japan, where he would have been among the favourites to win 100m gold.
Coleman, who is also the 60m world record holder, only ran in the 4x100m relay heats in his first Olympic appearance in Rio de Janeiro four years ago. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) charged Coleman for missed tests in January and December 2019, as well as for a "filing failure" last April.
To prove an anti-doping violation, an athlete has to have committed three whereabouts failures within 12 months.
Coleman previously escaped suspension on a technicality ahead of last September's World Championships.
Those three whereabouts failures were recorded on June 6, 2018, January 16, 2019 and April 26, 2019.
However, Coleman had successfully argued that the first missed case should have been backdated to the first day of the quarter -- April 1, 2018 -- meaning the three failures fell just outside the required 12-month period.
But now the missed test on December 9, 2019, added to the two failures in January and April, has seen Coleman suspended.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Iran's Rouhani warns insulting Prophet may encourage 'violence'

President Hassan Rouhani warned that insulting the Prophet Mohammed may encourage `` violence and bloodshed '' , following Paris ' defence of the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Iran 's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday warned that insulting the Prophet Mohammed may encourage `` violence and bloodshed '' following Paris ' defence of the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet .
`` Insulting the prophet is no achievement .
It 's immoral .
It 's encouraging violence , '' Rouhani said in a televised speech during the weekly cabinet meeting .
`` It 's a surprise that this would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that they would somehow , even if unintentionally , encourage violence and bloodshed , '' he added .
French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly defended secular values and the right to mock religion following the murder of a French schoolteacher who had shown his class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed .
Macron 's comments triggered protests and a call to boycott French goods in some Muslim-majority countries .
Rouhani said that `` the West should understand that ... insulting the Prophet is insulting all Muslims , all prophets , all human values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that `` every single European is in debt to the Prophet , as he was the teacher of humanity '' .
Rouhani also called on the West to `` stop interfering in Muslims ' internal affairs '' if it `` truly seeks to achieve peace , equality , calm and security in today 's societies '' .
Iran on Tuesday summoned a senior French envoy , the charge d'affaires , to protest the `` unacceptable behaviour of the French authorities '' , after a chorus of criticism aimed at Macron by top @ @ @ @ @ @

Tehran (AFP) –
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Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday warned that insulting the Prophet Mohammed may encourage "violence and bloodshed" following Paris' defence of the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet.
"Insulting the prophet is no achievement. It's immoral. It's encouraging violence," Rouhani said in a televised speech during the weekly cabinet meeting.
"It's a surprise that this would come from those claiming culture and democracy, that they would somehow, even if unintentionally, encourage violence and bloodshed," he added.
French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly defended secular values and the right to mock religion following the murder of a French schoolteacher who had shown his class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
Macron's comments triggered protests and a call to boycott French goods in some Muslim-majority countries.
Rouhani said that "the West should understand that ... insulting the Prophet is insulting all Muslims, all prophets, all human values, and trampling ethics".
He added that "every single European is in debt to the Prophet, as he was the teacher of humanity".
Rouhani also called on the West to "stop interfering in Muslims' internal affairs" if it "truly seeks to achieve peace, equality, calm and security in today's societies".
Iran on Tuesday summoned a senior French envoy, the charge d'affaires, to protest the "unacceptable behaviour of the French authorities", after a chorus of criticism aimed at Macron by top Iranian officials in recent days.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--Lebanon, Israel in second round of maritime border talks

Lebanon , mired in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war , is looking to settle the maritime border dispute so it can press on with its offshore quest for oil and gas Lebanon and Israel , still technically at war and with no diplomatic ties , launched a second round of maritime border talks Wednesday under UN and US auspices to allow for offshore energy exploration .
The talks , expected to last for two days , were held at the headquarters of UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL in the Lebanese border town of Naqura , guarded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above .
After years of quiet US shuttle diplomacy , Lebanon and Israel this month said they had agreed to begin the negotiations in what Washington hailed as a `` historic '' agreement .
The announcement came weeks after Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates became the first Arab nations to establish relations with Israel since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994 .
Lebanon -- which last saw military clashes with Israel in 2006 -- insists that the negotiations are purely technical and do n't involve any soft political normalisation with Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first technical session , '' said Laury Haytayan , a Lebanese energy expert .
`` Detailed discussions on demarcation should begin . ''
Lebanon , mired in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war , is looking to settle the maritime border dispute so it can press on with its offshore quest for oil and gas .
The search for hydrocarbons has already heightened tensions in the eastern Mediterranean following repeated Turkish exploration and drilling operations in waters claimed by both Cyprus and Greece .
In February 2018 , Lebanon signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocks in the Mediterranean with a consortium comprising energy giants Total , ENI and Novatek .
Exploration of one of the blocks is more controversial as part of it is located in an 860-square-kilometre ( 330-square-mile ) area claimed by both Israel and Lebanon .
Lebanon is expected to adopt a `` maximalist approach '' to maritime border negotiations , said Haytayan .
The energy expert explained that Lebanese negotiators will likely try to claim areas that fall beyond the disputed 860 square kilometres zone , including the Karish gas field currently operated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have to wait to see the reaction of the Israelis , '' she said .
While the US-brokered talks look at the maritime border , a UNIFIL-sponsored track is also due to address outstanding land border disputes .
`` We have a unique opportunity to make substantial progress on contentious issues along '' the border , UNIFIL head Major General Stefano Del Col said in a statement on Tuesday .
The meetings have raised faint hopes for a thaw between the neighbours who have repeatedly clashed on the battlefield .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Benny Gantz , said on Tuesday he was `` hearing positive voices coming out of Lebanon , who are even talking about peace with Israel '' .
Gantz , speaking during a tour of northern Israel , did not specify which Lebanese comments he was referring to .
But they came a day after Claudine Aoun , daughter of Lebanese President Michel Aoun , told Al Jadeed TV that peace with Israel would be conceivable if outstanding issues were resolved .
`` We have the maritime border dispute , the issue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more important , which is the issue of natural resources : water , oil and natural gas which Lebanon is depending on to advance its economy , '' she said .
When asked directly if she would object to a peace treaty with Israel , she responded : `` Why would I object ? ''
`` Are we supposed to stay in a state of war ?
...
I do n't have doctrinal differences with anyone ...
I have political differences . ''
The Shiite Muslim armed movement Hezbollah , a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the maritime talks .
Israel and Hezbollah last fought a war in 2006 , and both sides still exchange sporadic cross-border fire .

Naqura (Lebanon) (AFP) –
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Lebanon and Israel, still technically at war and with no diplomatic ties, launched a second round of maritime border talks Wednesday under UN and US auspices to allow for offshore energy exploration.
The talks, expected to last for two days, were held at the headquarters of UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL in the Lebanese border town of Naqura, guarded by army roadblocks and with UN helicopters circling above.
After years of quiet US shuttle diplomacy, Lebanon and Israel this month said they had agreed to begin the negotiations in what Washington hailed as a "historic" agreement.
The announcement came weeks after Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates became the first Arab nations to establish relations with Israel since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.
Lebanon -- which last saw military clashes with Israel in 2006 -- insists that the negotiations are purely technical and don't involve any soft political normalisation with Israel.
"Today's session is the first technical session," said Laury Haytayan, a Lebanese energy expert. "Detailed discussions on demarcation should begin."
Lebanon, mired in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, is looking to settle the maritime border dispute so it can press on with its offshore quest for oil and gas.
The search for hydrocarbons has already heightened tensions in the eastern Mediterranean following repeated Turkish exploration and drilling operations in waters claimed by both Cyprus and Greece.
- 'Maximalist approach' -
In February 2018, Lebanon signed its first contract for drilling in two blocks in the Mediterranean with a consortium comprising energy giants Total, ENI and Novatek.
Exploration of one of the blocks is more controversial as part of it is located in an 860-square-kilometre (330-square-mile) area claimed by both Israel and Lebanon.
Lebanon is expected to adopt a "maximalist approach" to maritime border negotiations, said Haytayan.
The energy expert explained that Lebanese negotiators will likely try to claim areas that fall beyond the disputed 860 square kilometres zone, including the Karish gas field currently operated by Israel, she told AFP.
"We have to wait to see the reaction of the Israelis," she said.
While the US-brokered talks look at the maritime border, a UNIFIL-sponsored track is also due to address outstanding land border disputes.
"We have a unique opportunity to make substantial progress on contentious issues along" the border, UNIFIL head Major General Stefano Del Col said in a statement on Tuesday.
-'Positive voices' -
The meetings have raised faint hopes for a thaw between the neighbours who have repeatedly clashed on the battlefield.
The Israeli defence minister and alternate prime minister, Benny Gantz, said on Tuesday he was "hearing positive voices coming out of Lebanon, who are even talking about peace with Israel".
Gantz, speaking during a tour of northern Israel, did not specify which Lebanese comments he was referring to.
But they came a day after Claudine Aoun, daughter of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, told Al Jadeed TV that peace with Israel would be conceivable if outstanding issues were resolved.
"We have the maritime border dispute, the issue of Palestinian refugees, and another topic which is more important, which is the issue of natural resources: water, oil and natural gas which Lebanon is depending on to advance its economy," she said.
When asked directly if she would object to a peace treaty with Israel, she responded: "Why would I object?"
"Are we supposed to stay in a state of war? ... I don't have doctrinal differences with anyone ... I have political differences."
The Shiite Muslim armed movement Hezbollah, a major force in Lebanese politics, has criticised the maritime talks.
Israel and Hezbollah last fought a war in 2006, and both sides still exchange sporadic cross-border fire.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-28--South Korea to seek carbon neutrality by 2050: Moon

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday pledged his country will try to become carbon neutral by 2050 , although he stopped short of promising to achieve the ambitious goal , seen as crucial to the fight against climate change .
The nation has few energy resources of its own and relies on imported coal -- a cheap but dirty fuel -- for around 40 percent of the electricity powering the world 's 12th-largest economy , according to figures from the International Energy Agency .
But in a parliamentary address , the centre-left Moon said : `` As part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , we will strive to become carbon-neutral by 2050 . ''
The declaration comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed last month that the world 's largest greenhouse gas polluter will peak emissions in 2030 and go carbon neutral by 2060 , in what environmentalists hailed as a major step forward .
Japan 's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga this week also set a 2050 deadline for his island nation to become carbon neutral .
Moon said Seoul will invest 2.4 trillion won ( $ 2.1 billion ) next year to `` replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and another 4.3 trillion won to increase charging stations for electric vehicles .
The Moon government earlier this year announced that the South 's 60 coal-fired power stations would be halved by 2034 , with new LNG ( liquefied natural gas ) plants to make up the deficit .
But his administration 's anti-nuclear power stance will make a 2050 carbon-neutral goal much harder to achieve .
Seoul plans to cut the current 24 nuclear power plants -- the highest density in the world -- to 17 by the same 2034 date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by nearly half .
It hopes to rely instead on increased renewable energy , mostly generated from wind , water and solar power .
`` 'Net-zero 2050 ' can not be accomplished without fundamental changes in South Korea 's energy policy , '' said Joojin Kim , of environmental group Solutions for Our Climate .
`` South Korea must immediately stop the construction of new coal power plants , and begin replacing the existing coal fleet with renewables supply . ''

Seoul (AFP) –
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South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday pledged his country will try to become carbon neutral by 2050, although he stopped short of promising to achieve the ambitious goal, seen as crucial to the fight against climate change.
The nation has few energy resources of its own and relies on imported coal -- a cheap but dirty fuel -- for around 40 percent of the electricity powering the world's 12th-largest economy, according to figures from the International Energy Agency.
But in a parliamentary address, the centre-left Moon said: "As part of the efforts to actively respond to climate change, we will strive to become carbon-neutral by 2050."
The declaration comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed last month that the world's largest greenhouse gas polluter will peak emissions in 2030 and go carbon neutral by 2060, in what environmentalists hailed as a major step forward.
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga this week also set a 2050 deadline for his island nation to become carbon neutral.
Moon said Seoul will invest 2.4 trillion won ($2.1 billion) next year to "replace coal-based energy production with renewable energy", and another 4.3 trillion won to increase charging stations for electric vehicles.
The Moon government earlier this year announced that the South's 60 coal-fired power stations would be halved by 2034, with new LNG (liquefied natural gas) plants to make up the deficit.
But his administration's anti-nuclear power stance will make a 2050 carbon-neutral goal much harder to achieve.
Seoul plans to cut the current 24 nuclear power plants -- the highest density in the world -- to 17 by the same 2034 date, reducing the sector's energy output by nearly half.
It hopes to rely instead on increased renewable energy, mostly generated from wind, water and solar power.
"'Net-zero 2050' cannot be accomplished without fundamental changes in South Korea's energy policy," said Joojin Kim, of environmental group Solutions for Our Climate.
"South Korea must immediately stop the construction of new coal power plants, and begin replacing the existing coal fleet with renewables supply."
© 2020 AFP