france24--2020-08-17--Lukashenko: Soviet-style strongman on Europe's doorstep

In power since 1994 , Lukashenko has kept his landlocked homeland wedged between Russia and EU member Poland largely stuck in a Soviet time warp Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko is a former collective farm boss who has used Russian backing and Soviet-style political oppression to run a personal fiefdom on Europe 's doorstep for 26 years .
The plain-talking 65-year-old is now fighting for survival after winning a sixth term in an August 9 election that looked so rigged that hundreds of thousands braved the notorious security services and came out on the streets .
The unprecedented week of protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and waving his clenched fists for emphasis -- to call on supporters `` for the first time in a quarter century , to defend our country and its independence '' .
But more and more Belarusians , who openly referred to their mustachioed leader as `` the cockroach '' ahead of the vote , are demanding that he resign .
Lukashenko is now looking hopefully for support from Russian President Vladimir Putin as he casts protestors as pawns in a Western plot to destabilise the country .
It is a tactic he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generations of opponents and using the all-powerful KGB security services to oversee most facets of the agrarian nation 's political and social life .
Yet even workers at the biggest and most important factories are laying down their tools and publically saying that Lukashenko lost to the 37-year-old political novice Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in the presidential race .
Even some law enforcement are showing solidarity with the people thronging the streets across the nation of nine million .
`` Lukashenko must answer for the torture and dead , '' one protest placard read .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of brute force to try and crush protests that sprung up even before the polls officially closed .
He used mass arrests in which hundreds -- including almost all the main rivals and some of their family members -- were jailed to stamp out another wave of election protests in December 2010 .
Those demonstrations quickly subsided and few have dared rise up since -- until this month .
Lukashenko 's unrepentant use of force in 2010 only further reinforced his reputation as the overseer of `` the last dictatorship in Europe '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time around was equally unapologetic .
`` Why weep and cry now ? ''
he said after the first wave of post-election protests saw dozens injured and at least one person killed in disputed circumstance .
Lukashenko 's authoritarian streak stretches to his views on women and even some aspects of his personal life .
He has been appearing with his youngest son Nikolai at state functions and even some official foreign trips since the 15-year-old was a toddler .
Lukashenko 's latest election declaration said that he is still legally married but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wed in 1975 .
He has said that Belarus could not possibly have a woman leader because she `` would collapse , poor thing . ''
Amnesty International has accused Lukashenko 's government of `` misogyny '' and targeting female activists with discriminatory tactics .
He concluded an argument over rights in 2012 with Germany 's openly gay former foreign minister Guido Westerwelle by saying : `` Better to be a dictator than gay . ''
This machismo is accompanied by a rural folksiness that appealed to voters who were still used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political life around the time of the superpower 's collapse in 1991 .
Lukashenko likes being filmed driving tractors or picking watermelons and potatoes .
He once gave US action actor Steven Segal a carrot that he cleaned himself with a peeler and joined Putin at amateur ice hockey matches .
He has also brushed off the dangers of the coronavirus as a hoax and refused to introduce a lockdown or postpone the election .
Lukashenko 's health tips for the virus included drinking vodka and taking steam baths .
Yet these peculiarities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin and have turned the once-heralded `` union state '' between Russia and Belarus into little more than a political declaration .
Lukashenko watched with worry as Russian troops seized Crimea and intervened in eastern Ukraine in the wake of the 2014 pro-European Maidan protests .
He has occasionally switched from Russian to Belarusian to distance himself from Moscow and has dangled the promise of political and social changes long demanded by the West .
Lukashenko welcomed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in February -- the first visit to Minsk by Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month 's election was preceded by the mysterious arrest of what Belarus claimed were Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group .
The arrests sparked a crisis in relations with Moscow .
But Putin quickly congratulated Lukashenko on his re-election and spoke to him twice by phone over the weekend as the rallies spread .

Minsk (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko is a former collective farm boss who has used Russian backing and Soviet-style political oppression to run a personal fiefdom on Europe's doorstep for 26 years.
The plain-talking 65-year-old is now fighting for survival after winning a sixth term in an August 9 election that looked so rigged that hundreds of thousands braved the notorious security services and came out on the streets.
The unprecedented week of protests prompted Lukashenko -- sweating in the sun and waving his clenched fists for emphasis -- to call on supporters "for the first time in a quarter century, to defend our country and its independence".
But more and more Belarusians, who openly referred to their mustachioed leader as "the cockroach" ahead of the vote, are demanding that he resign.
Lukashenko is now looking hopefully for support from Russian President Vladimir Putin as he casts protestors as pawns in a Western plot to destabilise the country.
It is a tactic he has used with ruthless effectiveness to justify jailing generations of opponents and using the all-powerful KGB security services to oversee most facets of the agrarian nation's political and social life.
Yet even workers at the biggest and most important factories are laying down their tools and publically saying that Lukashenko lost to the 37-year-old political novice Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in the presidential race.
Even some law enforcement are showing solidarity with the people thronging the streets across the nation of nine million.
"Lukashenko must answer for the torture and dead," one protest placard read.
- 'Why cry now?' -
Lukashenko almost instinctively reverted to the use of brute force to try and crush protests that sprung up even before the polls officially closed.
He used mass arrests in which hundreds -- including almost all the main rivals and some of their family members -- were jailed to stamp out another wave of election protests in December 2010.
Those demonstrations quickly subsided and few have dared rise up since -- until this month.
Lukashenko's unrepentant use of force in 2010 only further reinforced his reputation as the overseer of "the last dictatorship in Europe".
His violent dispersal of demonstrators this time around was equally unapologetic.
"Why weep and cry now?" he said after the first wave of post-election protests saw dozens injured and at least one person killed in disputed circumstance.
- Folksy machismo -
Lukashenko's authoritarian streak stretches to his views on women and even some aspects of his personal life.
He has been appearing with his youngest son Nikolai at state functions and even some official foreign trips since the 15-year-old was a toddler.
Lukashenko's latest election declaration said that he is still legally married but few can recall ever seeing the wife he wed in 1975.
He has said that Belarus could not possibly have a woman leader because she "would collapse, poor thing."
Amnesty International has accused Lukashenko's government of "misogyny" and targeting female activists with discriminatory tactics.
He concluded an argument over rights in 2012 with Germany's openly gay former foreign minister Guido Westerwelle by saying: "Better to be a dictator than gay."
This machismo is accompanied by a rural folksiness that appealed to voters who were still used to the stiff octogenarians that dominated Soviet political life around the time of the superpower's collapse in 1991.
Lukashenko likes being filmed driving tractors or picking watermelons and potatoes. He once gave US action actor Steven Segal a carrot that he cleaned himself with a peeler and joined Putin at amateur ice hockey matches.
He has also brushed off the dangers of the coronavirus as a hoax and refused to introduce a lockdown or postpone the election.
Lukashenko's health tips for the virus included drinking vodka and taking steam baths.
- Difficult ally -
Yet these peculiarities make Lukashenko into an unpredictable ally for Putin and have turned the once-heralded "union state" between Russia and Belarus into little more than a political declaration.
Lukashenko watched with worry as Russian troops seized Crimea and intervened in eastern Ukraine in the wake of the 2014 pro-European Maidan protests.
He has occasionally switched from Russian to Belarusian to distance himself from Moscow and has dangled the promise of political and social changes long demanded by the West.
Lukashenko welcomed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in February -- the first visit to Minsk by Washington's top diplomat since 1994.
This month's election was preceded by the mysterious arrest of what Belarus claimed were Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group.
The arrests sparked a crisis in relations with Moscow.
But Putin quickly congratulated Lukashenko on his re-election and spoke to him twice by phone over the weekend as the rallies spread.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Thai protestors demand constitutional change

More than 10,000 Thai protestors have rallied in Bangkok , calling for the departure of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha , @ @ @ @ @ an end to the harassment of opposition activists .
There are also calls to curb @ @ @ @ @ , a highly taboo subject .

Thai protestors demand constitutional change
01:38
More than 10,000 Thai protestors have rallied in Bangkok, calling for the departure of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a new constitution, and an end to the harassment of opposition activists. There are also calls to curb the monarchy’s powers, a highly taboo subject.


france24--2020-08-17--Start of Afghan talks uncertain as prisoner release stalls

Negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan authorities were expected within days of a mega gathering of prominent Afghans approving the release of 400 Taliban prisoners Afghan authorities and the Taliban have hit an impasse over the planned release of hundreds of insurgents after opposition from some foreign governments , officials said Monday , apparently stalling peace talks .
The negotiations were expected to begin within days after prominent Afghans met in Kabul on August 9 and approved the release of 400 Taliban prisoners -- including many involved in deadly attacks -- removing a crucial precondition to talks .
While Afghan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there have been no further releases since then .
`` There is no plan to release any prisoner today also , '' an official with the country 's National Security Council told AFP on Monday .
The delay has `` something to do with some countries ' concerns about some people in the list , '' Ghulam Farooq Majroh , a member of the Afghan negotiating team , told AFP .
Another NSC official said some `` international partners have reservations '' about releasing the prisoners .
The NSC officials and Majroh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris and Canberra have objected to the release of several insurgents accused of killing French and Australian nationals and soldiers .
Bettina Goislard , a French employee of the UN 's refugee agency , was murdered by two Taliban militants in 2003 , and a former Afghan soldier killed five French troops and injured 13 others in 2012 in Kapisa province .
France is `` firmly opposed to the liberation of individuals sentenced for crimes against French nationals , especially soldiers and humanitarian workers , '' the foreign ministry said Saturday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to proceed with the liberation of these terrorists . ''
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week said he had lobbied against the release of a former Afghan army soldier who went rogue and killed three Australian partners .
President Ashraf Ghani himself has warned that the 400 militants were a `` danger to the world '' .
The Taliban have said they are willing to begin peace talks `` within a week '' after all 400 prisoners are freed , and blamed Kabul for delaying the negotiations .
`` The matter is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ releasing the remaining prisoners despite promises , '' Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen told AFP .
The release of the 400 militants is part of an overall prisoner swap agreed in February between the Taliban and Washington as a precondition for peace talks .
Washington has pushed for the release of these militants .

Kabul (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Afghan authorities and the Taliban have hit an impasse over the planned release of hundreds of insurgents after opposition from some foreign governments, officials said Monday, apparently stalling peace talks.
The negotiations were expected to begin within days after prominent Afghans met in Kabul on August 9 and approved the release of 400 Taliban prisoners -- including many involved in deadly attacks -- removing a crucial precondition to talks.
While Afghan authorities freed 80 Taliban prisoners on Thursday, there have been no further releases since then.
"There is no plan to release any prisoner today also," an official with the country's National Security Council told AFP on Monday.
The delay has "something to do with some countries' concerns about some people in the list," Ghulam Farooq Majroh, a member of the Afghan negotiating team, told AFP.
Another NSC official said some "international partners have reservations" about releasing the prisoners.
The NSC officials and Majroh did not identify the countries, but Paris and Canberra have objected to the release of several insurgents accused of killing French and Australian nationals and soldiers.
Bettina Goislard, a French employee of the UN's refugee agency, was murdered by two Taliban militants in 2003, and a former Afghan soldier killed five French troops and injured 13 others in 2012 in Kapisa province.
France is "firmly opposed to the liberation of individuals sentenced for crimes against French nationals, especially soldiers and humanitarian workers," the foreign ministry said Saturday.
"We have consequently asked Afghan authorities not to proceed with the liberation of these terrorists."
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week said he had lobbied against the release of a former Afghan army soldier who went rogue and killed three Australian partners.
President Ashraf Ghani himself has warned that the 400 militants were a "danger to the world".
The Taliban have said they are willing to begin peace talks "within a week" after all 400 prisoners are freed, and blamed Kabul for delaying the negotiations.
"The matter is stalled because the other side is not releasing the remaining prisoners despite promises," Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen told AFP.
The release of the 400 militants is part of an overall prisoner swap agreed in February between the Taliban and Washington as a precondition for peace talks.
Washington has pushed for the release of these militants.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--French coronavirus cases hit post-lockdown highs

France recorded over 3000 new infections for the second day in a row Sunday , and officially has 263 clusters @ @ @ @ @ are stepping up measures in Paris and Marseille , classified as highly active zones .

French coronavirus cases hit post-lockdown highs
01:50
France recorded over 3000 new infections for the second day in a row Sunday, and officially has 263 clusters across the country. Authorities are stepping up measures in Paris and Marseille, classified as highly active zones.


france24--2020-08-17--The British are going: French tourism sector feels pain of British quarantine

The British are going : French tourism sector feels pain of British quarantine The UK government ’ s decision to @ @ @ @ @ has hit the French tourism sector hard .
Hotels have seen upwards of 70 percent @ @ @ @ @ as holidaymakers raced to return before the restrictions took force over the weekend .

The British are going: French tourism sector feels pain of British quarantine
01:22
The UK government’s decision to quarantine Brits returning from France has hit the French tourism sector hard. Hotels have seen upwards of 70 percent of their reservations cancelled, as holidaymakers raced to return before the restrictions took force over the weekend.


france24--2020-08-17--Post-blast Lebanon says hospitals nearly at COVID-19 capacity

Diggers remove earth at the blast site next to the silos at the port of Beirut in the aftermath of the massive explosion Lebanon 's health minister warned Monday that hospitals are reaching maximum capacity to treat coronavirus patients after the deadly Beirut blast overwhelmed clinics and as COVID-19 cases have mounted .
`` Public and private hospitals in the capital in particular have a very limited capacity , whether in terms of beds in intensive care units or respirators , '' the minister , Hamad Hassan , told a press conference .
`` We are on the brink , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take our time , '' he warned , calling for authorities to take the `` hard decision '' to impose a new two-week lockdown to stem the spread of the virus .
Lebanon has seen a spike in coronavirus-related cases and deaths in recent weeks , and they have hit a new record in the aftermath of the massive explosion that ripped through large parts of Beirut on August 4 .
The disaster -- which killed 177 people and wounded more than 6,500 , many by falling debris and flying glass as windows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's already pandemic-stretched hospitals .
Lebanon reported a record 439 new infections on Sunday , bringing the total number of infections to 8,881 , including 103 deaths since the start of the outbreak in February .
A previously planned lockdown was scrapped in the wake of the explosion .
`` In the capital , the intensive care units and the departments set up for the coronavirus in public hospitals are full , '' the minister told Voice of Lebanon radio earlier .
`` In most private hospitals that receive coronavirus patients , intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by COVID-19 patients , he added .
The minister said the situation was exacerbated after several Beirut hospitals were hit by the colossal port explosion and left `` out of service '' .
The World Health Organization on August 12 said more than half of 55 healthcare facilities evaluated by the agency were `` non-functional , '' three major hospitals were out of operation and another three were running at well below normal capacity .
The minister said chaos in Beirut after the blast , Lebanon 's worst peacetime disaster , made it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and preventive measures .
`` Our ability to control behaviour in the face of the virus is more limited , '' the minister said .
He cited in particular `` families going to hospitals to look for the wounded or missing , '' but also the mobilisation of healthcare workers and citizens to seek or provide aid after the blast .
The explosion was caused by a fire in a warehouse where , according to the authorities , a huge amount of ammonium nitrate had been stored for years .
Since the explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up rubble-strewn streets and distribute aid , while protesters have taken to the streets against the government , which is widely blamed for the negligence that led to the explosion .
Health officials have warned that the chaos caused by the blast risked leading to a further spike in infections .
The head of a major public hospital , Firass Abiad , has cautioned that , as attention has shifted away from the pandemic after the explosion disaster , `` we can not afford to allow the virus to go unchecked '' .

Beirut (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Lebanon's health minister warned Monday that hospitals are reaching maximum capacity to treat coronavirus patients after the deadly Beirut blast overwhelmed clinics and as COVID-19 cases have mounted.
"Public and private hospitals in the capital in particular have a very limited capacity, whether in terms of beds in intensive care units or respirators," the minister, Hamad Hassan, told a press conference.
"We are on the brink, we don't have the luxury to take our time," he warned, calling for authorities to take the "hard decision" to impose a new two-week lockdown to stem the spread of the virus.
Lebanon has seen a spike in coronavirus-related cases and deaths in recent weeks, and they have hit a new record in the aftermath of the massive explosion that ripped through large parts of Beirut on August 4.
The disaster -- which killed 177 people and wounded more than 6,500, many by falling debris and flying glass as windows shattered -- caused pandemonium in the capital's already pandemic-stretched hospitals.
Lebanon reported a record 439 new infections on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections to 8,881, including 103 deaths since the start of the outbreak in February.
A previously planned lockdown was scrapped in the wake of the explosion.
"In the capital, the intensive care units and the departments set up for the coronavirus in public hospitals are full," the minister told Voice of Lebanon radio earlier.
"In most private hospitals that receive coronavirus patients, intensive care unit beds are occupied" already by COVID-19 patients, he added.
- 'Out of service' -
The minister said the situation was exacerbated after several Beirut hospitals were hit by the colossal port explosion and left "out of service".
The World Health Organization on August 12 said more than half of 55 healthcare facilities evaluated by the agency were "non-functional," three major hospitals were out of operation and another three were running at well below normal capacity.
The minister said chaos in Beirut after the blast, Lebanon's worst peacetime disaster, made it difficult to enforce compliance with pandemic precautionary and preventive measures.
"Our ability to control behaviour in the face of the virus is more limited," the minister said.
He cited in particular "families going to hospitals to look for the wounded or missing," but also the mobilisation of healthcare workers and citizens to seek or provide aid after the blast.
The explosion was caused by a fire in a warehouse where, according to the authorities, a huge amount of ammonium nitrate had been stored for years.
Since the explosion, thousands of volunteers have helped clean up rubble-strewn streets and distribute aid, while protesters have taken to the streets against the government, which is widely blamed for the negligence that led to the explosion.
Health officials have warned that the chaos caused by the blast risked leading to a further spike in infections.
The head of a major public hospital, Firass Abiad, has cautioned that, as attention has shifted away from the pandemic after the explosion disaster, "we cannot afford to allow the virus to go unchecked".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Analysis: Putin fears prospect of losing Lukashenko

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has sought help from Russia to quell rising protests following the country ’ s disputed election @ @ @ @ @ international affairs editor Armen Georgian explains that Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin have had a tense @ @ @ @ @ the Russian president does not want Belarus to ‘ defect to the other side ’ @ @ @ @ @ a NATO member .

Analysis: Putin fears prospect of losing Lukashenko
04:31
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has sought help from Russia to quell rising protests following the country’s disputed election. FRANCE 24’s international affairs editor Armen Georgian explains that Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin have had a tense relationship in the past, the Russian president does not want Belarus to ‘defect to the other side’ and potentially one day become a NATO member.


france24--2020-08-17--Paris official who resigned over paedophile links also accused

A man has accused Paris ex-deputy mayor Christophe Girard of sexually abusing him as a minor A deputy mayor of Paris who resigned last month in the face of protests over his links to an author who made no secret of his paedophilia , has himself been accused of sexually abusing a minor in a New York Times report he has vehemently denied .
Christophe Girard resigned as deputy to Mayor Anne Hidalgo in July afer opposition politicians and women 's groups demanded his suspension over ties to Gabriel Matzneff , an award-winning writer who has never hid his preference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Sunday , the New York Times reported the allegations of Aniss Hmaid , now 46 , that Girard had sexually abused him over nearly a decade after they met in Tunisia when he was 15 .
Hmaid claimed that Girard sexually abused him when he was 16 , and then coerced him into sex on about 20 further occasions over several years .
The article carried a photograph of the two together in France in the late 1990s .
Girard , in a statement issued by his lawyer Delphine Meillet Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firmness '' .
`` It is the word of the accuser against the word of the accused in a court of public opinion , where too often presumption of guilt in matters of sexual offences wins out over presumption of innocence , '' she added .
Girard , who was in charge of cultural affairs for the Paris government until his resignation , was questioned in March in connection with an ongoing investigation into Matzneff following claims by Vanessa Springora of an under-age relationship with the author .
Matzneff is to stand trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paedophilia , and prosecutors launched a rape investigation the day after Springora 's bestselling book , `` Consent '' , was published .
A second woman has also claimed she was groomed and controlled by the writer .
Girard was an senior executive at Yves-Saint Laurent in 1986 and 1987 , when the design house provided financial support to Matzneff .
Matzneff had told the New York Times that thanks to Girard , he was able to stay for free at a hotel for two years with Springora .
In her book , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matzneff to evade police .
Upon tendering his resignation last month , Girard told AFP he had no desire to have questions over his relationship with Matzneff `` ruin '' his life nor did he feel he had to `` justify myself permanently for something that does not exist . ''
Hmaid claims that in exchange for sex , Girard employed him occasionally as a domestic servant at his summer home in southern France and gave him temporary jobs at Yves Saint Laurent .
`` He took advantage of my youth , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual pleasures , '' Hmaid told the New York Times from his home near Paris .
`` It ruined my life , in fact .
Today , I consider myself scorched earth . ''

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
A deputy mayor of Paris who resigned last month in the face of protests over his links to an author who made no secret of his paedophilia, has himself been accused of sexually abusing a minor in a New York Times report he has vehemently denied.
Christophe Girard resigned as deputy to Mayor Anne Hidalgo in July afer opposition politicians and women's groups demanded his suspension over ties to Gabriel Matzneff, an award-winning writer who has never hid his preference for sex with adolescent girls and boys.
On Sunday, the New York Times reported the allegations of Aniss Hmaid, now 46, that Girard had sexually abused him over nearly a decade after they met in Tunisia when he was 15.
Hmaid claimed that Girard sexually abused him when he was 16, and then coerced him into sex on about 20 further occasions over several years.
The article carried a photograph of the two together in France in the late 1990s.
Girard, in a statement issued by his lawyer Delphine Meillet Sunday rejected the accusations "with the utmost firmness".
"It is the word of the accuser against the word of the accused in a court of public opinion, where too often presumption of guilt in matters of sexual offences wins out over presumption of innocence," she added.
- 'Scorched earth' -
Girard, who was in charge of cultural affairs for the Paris government until his resignation, was questioned in March in connection with an ongoing investigation into Matzneff following claims by Vanessa Springora of an under-age relationship with the author.
Matzneff is to stand trial next year on a charge of justifying paedophilia, and prosecutors launched a rape investigation the day after Springora's bestselling book, "Consent", was published.
A second woman has also claimed she was groomed and controlled by the writer.
Girard was an senior executive at Yves-Saint Laurent in 1986 and 1987, when the design house provided financial support to Matzneff.
Matzneff had told the New York Times that thanks to Girard, he was able to stay for free at a hotel for two years with Springora.
In her book, Springora said staying at the hotel allowed Matzneff to evade police.
Upon tendering his resignation last month, Girard told AFP he had no desire to have questions over his relationship with Matzneff "ruin" his life nor did he feel he had to "justify myself permanently for something that does not exist."
Hmaid claims that in exchange for sex, Girard employed him occasionally as a domestic servant at his summer home in southern France and gave him temporary jobs at Yves Saint Laurent.
"He took advantage of my youth, of my young age and everything for his sexual pleasures," Hmaid told the New York Times from his home near Paris.
"It ruined my life, in fact. Today, I consider myself scorched earth."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Inspirational Hamilton getting better as driver, says Wolff

Walking on air : Lewis Hamilton leaves his car after winning the Spanish Grand Prix . '
I was ecstatic . '
he said Lewis Hamilton 's crusade for racial equality has helped him reach a new level as racing driver , sportsman and inspiration , according to his Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff .
After the six-time champion registered his record 156th podium finish at Sunday 's Spanish Grand Prix with his 88th career victory to move within three wins of Michael Schumacher 's record of 91 , Wolff said he felt he was watching a man competing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around him .
He also saw in Hamilton , who leads this year 's title race by 37 points after winning four of this year 's six races , a racer motivated by history as he aims to draw level with Schumacher on seven championships .
`` Lewis has always been at his best when fighting adversity and the Black Lives Matter movement is close to his heart , '' said Wolff on Sunday evening .
`` So , it certainly helps him in terms of motivation .
`` I am always impressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He gets better , in terms of his personality and his driving -- and that is really inspiring .
`` As a man in his mid-thirties , he is able to show how you can develop as a personality , how you can improve your game and how you can have interests outside of motor racing that make you stronger . ''
Hamilton , 35 , is the only black driver in F1 and has made it clear that the fight against racism is more important than anything else adding that would make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his greatest achievement .
On Sunday , he again led the drivers in their pre-race anti-racism demonstration and , after winning by 24 seconds , pointed at the 'Black Lives Matter ' message on his helmet .
`` It is important to continue to push , '' he said .
`` There are many , many companies here that have not held themselves accountable and there are a lot of people out there in the world who have n't .
`` In America , for example , there are still policemen living a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innocent individual , '' he said .
`` There have been so many of them where nobody has been brought to justice .
We have to continue to fight for that . ''
As a racer , he demonstrated on Sunday that he is better than ever with a flawless master-class from pole to flag in searing heat , perfect tyre management and speed , just a week after Mercedes departed Silverstone blistered and beaten .
He admitted that beating Schumacher 's podium record was beyond his childhood dreams .
`` All of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what is happening right now is far beyond what I dreamed as a kid .
I 'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity that I 'm given every day . ''
After winning , he said he did not realise he had completed the final lap , such was his level of concentration .
`` We all try for perfection and it 's not always easy to deliver like that , but today , for me in the car , I was ecstatic when I came across the line .
I did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was still going .
In my mind , I was like a horse with those blinkers on .
I did n't realise .
I was going to keep going . ''
He described his win as one of his best .
`` I need to make sure is I really appreciate this moment because you never know when you 're going to have another like this .
`` It 's easy , sometimes , just to forget just how amazing it is , where we are , what we 're doing -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a glass of wine tonight to celebrate . ''
He will head to the seventh race in Belgium , where he has experienced mixed fortunes over the years , later this month knowing that another triumph and a win at Monza would set him up to equal Schumacher 's win tally at Mugello in Ferrari 's celebratory 1,000th F1 race .

Barcelona (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Lewis Hamilton's crusade for racial equality has helped him reach a new level as racing driver, sportsman and inspiration, according to his Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff.
After the six-time champion registered his record 156th podium finish at Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix with his 88th career victory to move within three wins of Michael Schumacher's record of 91, Wolff said he felt he was watching a man competing at another, higher level than all those around him.
He also saw in Hamilton, who leads this year's title race by 37 points after winning four of this year's six races, a racer motivated by history as he aims to draw level with Schumacher on seven championships.
"Lewis has always been at his best when fighting adversity and the Black Lives Matter movement is close to his heart," said Wolff on Sunday evening. "So, it certainly helps him in terms of motivation.
"I am always impressed with how Lewis develops every season. He gets better, in terms of his personality and his driving -- and that is really inspiring.
"As a man in his mid-thirties, he is able to show how you can develop as a personality, how you can improve your game and how you can have interests outside of motor racing that make you stronger."
Hamilton, 35, is the only black driver in F1 and has made it clear that the fight against racism is more important than anything else adding that would make winning a seventh title for that reason his greatest achievement.
On Sunday, he again led the drivers in their pre-race anti-racism demonstration and, after winning by 24 seconds, pointed at the 'Black Lives Matter' message on his helmet.
"It is important to continue to push," he said. "There are many, many companies here that have not held themselves accountable and there are a lot of people out there in the world who haven't.
"In America, for example, there are still policemen living a normal life even though they killed an innocent individual," he said. "There have been so many of them where nobody has been brought to justice. We have to continue to fight for that."
As a racer, he demonstrated on Sunday that he is better than ever with a flawless master-class from pole to flag in searing heat, perfect tyre management and speed, just a week after Mercedes departed Silverstone blistered and beaten.
He admitted that beating Schumacher's podium record was beyond his childhood dreams.
- 'I was ecstatic' -
"All of us drivers here grew up watching Michael and what is happening right now is far beyond what I dreamed as a kid. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity that I'm given every day."
After winning, he said he did not realise he had completed the final lap, such was his level of concentration.
"We all try for perfection and it's not always easy to deliver like that, but today, for me in the car, I was ecstatic when I came across the line. I didn't realise it was the last lap. I was still going. In my mind, I was like a horse with those blinkers on. I didn't realise. I was going to keep going."
He described his win as one of his best.
"I need to make sure is I really appreciate this moment because you never know when you're going to have another like this.
"It's easy, sometimes, just to forget just how amazing it is, where we are, what we're doing -- and so I'm definitely going to have a glass of wine tonight to celebrate."
He will head to the seventh race in Belgium, where he has experienced mixed fortunes over the years, later this month knowing that another triumph and a win at Monza would set him up to equal Schumacher's win tally at Mugello in Ferrari's celebratory 1,000th F1 race.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--China partygoers cram into Wuhan water park

Thousands of partygoers packed out a water park over the weekend in the central Chinese city of Wuhan , where the coronavirus first emerged late last year , keen to party as the city edges back to normal life .
The popular Wuhan Maya Beach Water Park was filled with people frolicking in swimsuits and goggles for an electronic music festival , many perched on rubber dinghies or wading up to their chest in water .
The water park reopened in June after Wuhan gradually opened up after a 76-day lockdown and strict restrictions to try and control the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which local media says has capped attendance at 50 percent of normal capacity -- is offering half price discounts for female visitors .
A performer in a stage show at the front of the water waved at the crowd , packed close and waving their arms back , some snapping photos on phones protected in plastic pouches round their necks .
Another performer on a water jet board entertained his audience by hovering above them with sparks shooting from his back .
Some of the crowd had donned life jackets , but none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be wearing face masks as a DJ in bright yellow headphones played on stage .
The first known cases of COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan late last year , a city of 11 million people , before the virus spread across the world , killing hundreds of thousands and crippling economies .
The lockdown was lifted in April , and there have been no new domestically transmitted cases officially reported in Hubei province , where Wuhan is the capital , since mid-May .
To try and boost the local economy , the Hubei government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourist sites across the province .
China has largely brought its domestic epidemic under control , but sporadic outbreaks and a summer of severe flooding have exacerbated the economic fallout .

Beijing (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Thousands of partygoers packed out a water park over the weekend in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus first emerged late last year, keen to party as the city edges back to normal life.
The popular Wuhan Maya Beach Water Park was filled with people frolicking in swimsuits and goggles for an electronic music festival, many perched on rubber dinghies or wading up to their chest in water.
The water park reopened in June after Wuhan gradually opened up after a 76-day lockdown and strict restrictions to try and control the spread of the virus.
The park -- which local media says has capped attendance at 50 percent of normal capacity -- is offering half price discounts for female visitors.
A performer in a stage show at the front of the water waved at the crowd, packed close and waving their arms back, some snapping photos on phones protected in plastic pouches round their necks.
Another performer on a water jet board entertained his audience by hovering above them with sparks shooting from his back.
Some of the crowd had donned life jackets, but none of the tightly-packed partygoers were seen to be wearing face masks as a DJ in bright yellow headphones played on stage.
The first known cases of COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan late last year, a city of 11 million people, before the virus spread across the world, killing hundreds of thousands and crippling economies.
The lockdown was lifted in April, and there have been no new domestically transmitted cases officially reported in Hubei province, where Wuhan is the capital, since mid-May.
To try and boost the local economy, the Hubei government has been offering free entry to 400 tourist sites across the province.
China has largely brought its domestic epidemic under control, but sporadic outbreaks and a summer of severe flooding have exacerbated the economic fallout.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Smart and swifit signings needed as Man Utd run out of gas

Down and out : Manchester United lost a third semi-final this season in a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla Manchester United have little time to dwell on a third semi-final defeat of a 13-month season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted they let Sevilla `` off the hook '' to miss out on Friday 's Europa League final .
Solskjaer was desperate for a trophy , United 's first since 2017 , as tangible reward for the improvement the Red Devils have made in 2020 and to cement his status as the man to lead the club forward .
A 2-1 defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night was just United 's second in 25 games , a run which has at least ensured a return to the Champions League next season .
The much-needed income that will bring , even for a commercial behemoth like United , is especially welcome given the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and will help as Solskjaer aims to build a squad capable of taking the Premier League title fight to Liverpool and Manchester City next season .
United ’ s progress and problems were on show in equal measure in their 59th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued his perfect record from the penalty spot since his January signing turned United 's season around to give the English side an early lead .
Even after Suso levelled for Europa League specialists Sevilla , United should have been out of sight early in the second half as Bono denied Anthony Martial three times in one-on-ones , while Fernandes and Marcus Rashford also saw chances come and go .
When Sevilla knocked United out of the Champions League two years ago in a tie that signalled the beginning of the end for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was David de Gea who was the busier goalkeeper .
That Bono was Sevilla 's hero with eight saves shows that on another night United would have won comfortably .
But after the Spaniards struggled to get out their own half in the first 10 minutes of the second half , Julen Lopetegui turned to his bench to change the game .
Luuk de Jong and Munir El Haddadi offered more physicality and pace as an out ball to release the pressure and De Jong ghosted in behind Victor Lindelof to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , provoking Fernandes to point the finger at the Swedish defender on the pitch .
Despite the energy-sapping conditions , a long season and the need for a goal , Solskjaer did not make his first change until three minutes from time .
The Norwegian admitted afterwards United `` need to strengthen the squad depth '' ahead of what will be an unprecedented season with four competitions plus internationals crammed into an eight-month schedule .
United will be back in pre-season training in two weeks and could begin their Premier League campaign in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not say when or if transfers are going to be done , but we are looking at it .
It is a quick turnaround .
We just have to be 100 percent sure when we do those deals , '' added Solskjaer .
Initial talks over the signing of Jadon Sancho have stalled with Borussia Dortmund insisting the England international will remain in Germany next season after United failed to match their reported asking price of 120 million euros .
Lindelof 's error highlighted the need for a more reliable centre-back partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have little faith in Dan James , Juan Mata or Odion Ighalo to deputise for Rashford , Martial or wonder kid Mason Greenwood .
`` We know what it means to play for this club : losing is n't acceptable .
Getting to semi-finals is n't acceptable .
We 've got to now really concentrate on taking it further , taking another step , '' said Maguire , who cost a world record £80 million for a defender a year ago .
United have not been shy in spending money in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so wisely .
Smart and speedy recruitment is now needed to ensure a promising few months does not fizzle out into another false dawn in the club 's decline since Alex Ferguson retired as manager in 2013 .

Cologne (Germany) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Manchester United have little time to dwell on a third semi-final defeat of a 13-month season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted they let Sevilla "off the hook" to miss out on Friday's Europa League final.
Solskjaer was desperate for a trophy, United's first since 2017, as tangible reward for the improvement the Red Devils have made in 2020 and to cement his status as the man to lead the club forward.
A 2-1 defeat in the heat of Cologne on Sunday night was just United's second in 25 games, a run which has at least ensured a return to the Champions League next season.
The much-needed income that will bring, even for a commercial behemoth like United, is especially welcome given the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and will help as Solskjaer aims to build a squad capable of taking the Premier League title fight to Liverpool and Manchester City next season.
United’s progress and problems were on show in equal measure in their 59th game of the season.
Bruno Fernandes continued his perfect record from the penalty spot since his January signing turned United's season around to give the English side an early lead.
Even after Suso levelled for Europa League specialists Sevilla, United should have been out of sight early in the second half as Bono denied Anthony Martial three times in one-on-ones, while Fernandes and Marcus Rashford also saw chances come and go.
When Sevilla knocked United out of the Champions League two years ago in a tie that signalled the beginning of the end for Jose Mourinho's reign at Old Trafford, it was David de Gea who was the busier goalkeeper.
That Bono was Sevilla's hero with eight saves shows that on another night United would have won comfortably.
But after the Spaniards struggled to get out their own half in the first 10 minutes of the second half, Julen Lopetegui turned to his bench to change the game.
Luuk de Jong and Munir El Haddadi offered more physicality and pace as an out ball to release the pressure and De Jong ghosted in behind Victor Lindelof to net the winner 12 minutes from time, provoking Fernandes to point the finger at the Swedish defender on the pitch.
Despite the energy-sapping conditions, a long season and the need for a goal, Solskjaer did not make his first change until three minutes from time.
The Norwegian admitted afterwards United "need to strengthen the squad depth" ahead of what will be an unprecedented season with four competitions plus internationals crammed into an eight-month schedule.
United will be back in pre-season training in two weeks and could begin their Premier League campaign in less than a month.
"I cannot say when or if transfers are going to be done, but we are looking at it. It is a quick turnaround. We just have to be 100 percent sure when we do those deals," added Solskjaer.
Initial talks over the signing of Jadon Sancho have stalled with Borussia Dortmund insisting the England international will remain in Germany next season after United failed to match their reported asking price of 120 million euros.
Lindelof's error highlighted the need for a more reliable centre-back partner for Harry Maguire, while Solskjaer seems to have little faith in Dan James, Juan Mata or Odion Ighalo to deputise for Rashford, Martial or wonder kid Mason Greenwood.
"We know what it means to play for this club: losing isn't acceptable. Getting to semi-finals isn't acceptable. We've got to now really concentrate on taking it further, taking another step," said Maguire, who cost a world record £80 million for a defender a year ago.
United have not been shy in spending money in recent years, but have not always done so wisely.
Smart and speedy recruitment is now needed to ensure a promising few months does not fizzle out into another false dawn in the club's decline since Alex Ferguson retired as manager in 2013.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Rain causes fresh delay to England-Pakistan second Test

Rain pain - Groundstaff work on the outfield as rain delays the start of the fifth day 's play in the second Test between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl , Southampton , on Monday Rain prevented the scheduled 11:00 am ( 1000 GMT ) local time start of the fifth day 's play in the second Test between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl on Monday -- the latest interruption to a fixtures plagued by bad weather .
Only 96.2 overs have been bowled so far in a match that has long appeared destined for a draw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pakistan 's first innings 236 .
While the umpires have faced widespread criticism for their strict interpretation of the rules regarding bad light even on a ground where the floodlights have been in use , there was little they could do about an early morning downpour Monday that saturated the outfield at Hampshire 's headquarters .
Pakistan struck with just the fourth ball of England 's reply on Sunday when left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi had Rory Burns caught by Asad Shafiq at second slip for a duck with a fine delivery that swung @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not out ) and Zak Crawley ( five not out ) , recalled in place of Ben Stokes after the all-rounder withdrew to be with his ill father in New Zealand , both struggled against Afridi and the accurate Mohammad Abbas in overcast , bowler-friendly conditions , before the umpires called a halt at 12:00 pm ( 1100 GMT ) .
Play was finally abandoned for the day at 3:51 pm .
Predictably , the Ageas Bowl was bathed in sunshine minutes after that decision was announced .
Pakistan were indebted to Mohammad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expertly shepherded the tail when it looked like they might be dismissed for under 200 .
He was eventually last man out after an innings that spanned four days .
Rizwan batted for three and three-quarter hours , facing 139 balls with seven boundaries during his second fifty in eight career Tests following the 95 he made against Australia in Brisbane in November .
Abid Ali ( 60 ) and Babar Azam ( 47 ) also battled hard in difficult conditions for batting .
Stuart Broad led England 's attack with 4-56 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the in-form paceman 's tally in four Tests this season to 26 wickets at a miserly average of 12.38 .
England lead a three-match series 1-0 after a three-wicket win in the first Test at Old Trafford earlier this month .
The series ends with the third Test , also at Southampton , starting Friday .

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Rain prevented the scheduled 11:00 am (1000 GMT) local time start of the fifth day's play in the second Test between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl on Monday -- the latest interruption to a fixtures plagued by bad weather.
Only 96.2 overs have been bowled so far in a match that has long appeared destined for a draw, with England 7-1 in reply to Pakistan's first innings 236.
While the umpires have faced widespread criticism for their strict interpretation of the rules regarding bad light even on a ground where the floodlights have been in use, there was little they could do about an early morning downpour Monday that saturated the outfield at Hampshire's headquarters.
Pakistan struck with just the fourth ball of England's reply on Sunday when left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi had Rory Burns caught by Asad Shafiq at second slip for a duck with a fine delivery that swung and seamed.
Dom Sibley (two not out) and Zak Crawley (five not out), recalled in place of Ben Stokes after the all-rounder withdrew to be with his ill father in New Zealand, both struggled against Afridi and the accurate Mohammad Abbas in overcast, bowler-friendly conditions, before the umpires called a halt at 12:00 pm (1100 GMT).
Play was finally abandoned for the day at 3:51 pm.
Predictably, the Ageas Bowl was bathed in sunshine minutes after that decision was announced.
Pakistan were indebted to Mohammad Rizwan, who top-scored with 72 and expertly shepherded the tail when it looked like they might be dismissed for under 200.
He was eventually last man out after an innings that spanned four days.
Rizwan batted for three and three-quarter hours, facing 139 balls with seven boundaries during his second fifty in eight career Tests following the 95 he made against Australia in Brisbane in November.
Abid Ali (60) and Babar Azam (47) also battled hard in difficult conditions for batting.
Stuart Broad led England's attack with 4-56 in 27.2 overs, a return that took the in-form paceman's tally in four Tests this season to 26 wickets at a miserly average of 12.38.
England lead a three-match series 1-0 after a three-wicket win in the first Test at Old Trafford earlier this month.
The series ends with the third Test, also at Southampton, starting Friday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Rossi says riders need to 'improve behaviour' after dramatic near-miss

Italian motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi said riders needed to `` improve their behaviour '' and show more respect after he and Yamaha teammate Maverick Vinales narrowly escaped serious injury in the Austrian Grand Prix Italian motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi said riders needed to `` improve their behaviour '' and show more respect after he and Yamaha teammate Maverick Vinales narrowly escaped serious injury in the Austrian Grand Prix .
Rossi , a nine-time world champion , was left shaken after Franco Morbidelli 's cartwheeling Yamaha , travelling at around 300 km/h ( 187mph ) , flew across the track just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Ducati of Johann Zarco had collided just seconds before the riders slipped through an early turn at Spielberg on lap eight of the race .
Both men were unseated .
Zarco 's Ducati also bounced across the track and came desperately close to hitting Rossi as well as Vinales , who was just ahead of him .
`` It was very scary .
All four riders , but especially me and also Maverick , were very lucky , '' Rossi said .
The veteran argued that being aggressive was good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum '' .
`` But for me we do n't have to exaggerate , because we need to remember that this sport is very dangerous . ''
Rossi added : `` You need to have respect for your rivals , especially at a track where you 're always going at 300km/h . ''
Rossi questioned the manoeuvring of Zarco , who , he said , went wide in braking , slamming the door on Morbidelli , a protege of Rossi 's rider academy , VR46 , who had no chance to brake .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we hope this type of incident is a lesson for riders to improve their behaviour in the future , '' Rossi said , hinting that Zarco would be facing even more scrutiny had there been a casualty .
`` I spoke with Franco , he is okay , he is trying not to think , but when he thinks , he too feels scared .
`` What makes the difference on this occasion is that nobody got hurt , all riders are okay , so this changes the situation .
`` If something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been completely different . ''
Zarco , dubbed `` almost a murderer '' by Morbidelli , was quick to claim he was innocent , insisting his manoeuvre was `` not done on purpose '' .
The MotoGP drama followed a sickening crash in Sunday 's earlier Moto2 race when Malaysia 's Hafizh Syahrin ploughed head-on into the bike of Italian Enea Bastianini , another VR46 graduate , which was lying in the middle of the track after a fall .
Rossi 's Factory Yamaha team director Massimo Meregalli said both incidents were `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially for the riders '' .
`` We are so thankful that all riders involved are relatively okay . ''
Meregalli went on to praise both Rossi and Vinales for having the nerve to restart after such a horrifying near-miss .
`` Valentino did n't let any of it faze him , and he got down to business as usual during Race 2 , '' he said , Andrea Dovizioso on a factory Ducati going on to take the honours for the second year running .
`` Normally , fifth is a decent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's an incredible achievement that only top riders can manage . ''
Racing had made for `` a very eventful day '' , Meregalli continued .
`` But we 'll take a deep breath and keep pushing .
We need to have a good look at all the data , because next week we 'll have a rematch here in Spielberg . ''

Spielberg bei Knittelfeld (Austria) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Italian motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi said riders needed to "improve their behaviour" and show more respect after he and Yamaha teammate Maverick Vinales narrowly escaped serious injury in the Austrian Grand Prix.
Rossi, a nine-time world champion, was left shaken after Franco Morbidelli's cartwheeling Yamaha, travelling at around 300 km/h (187mph), flew across the track just centimetres in front of him.
Morbidelli and the Ducati of Johann Zarco had collided just seconds before the riders slipped through an early turn at Spielberg on lap eight of the race. Both men were unseated.
Zarco's Ducati also bounced across the track and came desperately close to hitting Rossi as well as Vinales, who was just ahead of him.
"It was very scary. All four riders, but especially me and also Maverick, were very lucky," Rossi said.
The veteran argued that being aggressive was good, "because everybody tries to do the maximum".
"But for me we don't have to exaggerate, because we need to remember that this sport is very dangerous."
Rossi added: "You need to have respect for your rivals, especially at a track where you're always going at 300km/h."
- A lesson for riders -
Rossi questioned the manoeuvring of Zarco, who, he said, went wide in braking, slamming the door on Morbidelli, a protege of Rossi's rider academy, VR46, who had no chance to brake.
"We were very lucky, but we hope this type of incident is a lesson for riders to improve their behaviour in the future," Rossi said, hinting that Zarco would be facing even more scrutiny had there been a casualty.
"I spoke with Franco, he is okay, he is trying not to think, but when he thinks, he too feels scared.
"What makes the difference on this occasion is that nobody got hurt, all riders are okay, so this changes the situation.
"If something bad had happened, it would have been completely different."
Zarco, dubbed "almost a murderer" by Morbidelli, was quick to claim he was innocent, insisting his manoeuvre was "not done on purpose".
The MotoGP drama followed a sickening crash in Sunday's earlier Moto2 race when Malaysia's Hafizh Syahrin ploughed head-on into the bike of Italian Enea Bastianini, another VR46 graduate, which was lying in the middle of the track after a fall.
Rossi's Factory Yamaha team director Massimo Meregalli said both incidents were "heart-in-the-mouth moments for all spectators, but especially for the riders".
"We are so thankful that all riders involved are relatively okay."
Meregalli went on to praise both Rossi and Vinales for having the nerve to restart after such a horrifying near-miss.
"Valentino didn't let any of it faze him, and he got down to business as usual during Race 2," he said, Andrea Dovizioso on a factory Ducati going on to take the honours for the second year running.
"Normally, fifth is a decent result, but under these circumstances it's an incredible achievement that only top riders can manage."
Racing had made for "a very eventful day", Meregalli continued.
"But we'll take a deep breath and keep pushing. We need to have a good look at all the data, because next week we'll have a rematch here in Spielberg."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-18--Murray scores 36 as Nuggets beat Jazz in series opener

Jamal Murray scored 36 points , including 10 in overtime , as the Denver Nuggets overcame a 57-point performance from Donovan Mitchell to defeat the Utah Jazz 135-125 in a playoff game on Monday .
Nikola Jokic finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds for Denver , who were taken to overtime by the Jazz for the second-straight contest .
Jokic had a chance to ice the victory in regulation , but his hook shot at the buzzer over Utah 's Rudy Gobert failed to drop .
Murray seized command in overtime , clinching the outcome with a three-point dagger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give the Nuggets a 1-0 lead in their first round NBA playoff series .
Mitchell has a habit of saving his best for the Nuggets , but it was n't enough as he was 13-of-13 from the free throw line in scoring a franchise playoff record 57 points .
The teams met four times in the regular season and the last time was August 8 , when Mitchell had another huge game but the Jazz lost that one as well in double overtime .
The Nuggets have now won all five games against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fifth time the teams have met in the playoffs and the Jazz have won three of those previous playoff series , most recently a 4-2 win in the first round of the 2010 playoffs .
Utah , which tied for second in the Northwest Division behind Denver , is making its fourth straight playoff appearance .
The Jazz were eliminated in the first round by Houston in 2019 , but reached the Western Conference semi-finals the previous two playoffs .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Jamal Murray scored 36 points, including 10 in overtime, as the Denver Nuggets overcame a 57-point performance from Donovan Mitchell to defeat the Utah Jazz 135-125 in a playoff game on Monday.
Nikola Jokic finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds for Denver, who were taken to overtime by the Jazz for the second-straight contest.
Jokic had a chance to ice the victory in regulation, but his hook shot at the buzzer over Utah's Rudy Gobert failed to drop.
Murray seized command in overtime, clinching the outcome with a three-point dagger with 46 seconds on the clock to give the Nuggets a 1-0 lead in their first round NBA playoff series.
Mitchell has a habit of saving his best for the Nuggets, but it wasn't enough as he was 13-of-13 from the free throw line in scoring a franchise playoff record 57 points.
The teams met four times in the regular season and the last time was August 8, when Mitchell had another huge game but the Jazz lost that one as well in double overtime. The Nuggets have now won all five games against the Jazz this season.
This is the fifth time the teams have met in the playoffs and the Jazz have won three of those previous playoff series, most recently a 4-2 win in the first round of the 2010 playoffs.
Utah, which tied for second in the Northwest Division behind Denver, is making its fourth straight playoff appearance.
The Jazz were eliminated in the first round by Houston in 2019, but reached the Western Conference semi-finals the previous two playoffs.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Scientists discover 30 new species in Galapagos depths

Aerial view of Tortuga Bay area , in Santa Cruz Island , Galapagos , located in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 kilometers ( 620 miles ) west of Ecuador An international team of marine scientists have discovered 30 new species of invertebrates in deep water surrounding the Galapagos , the Ecuadoran archipelago 's national park authorities announced Monday .
The deep-sea experts discovered fragile coral and sponge communities including 10 bamboo corals , four octocorals , one brittle star and 11 sponges -- as well as four new species of crustacean known as squat-lobsters -- the Galapagos National Park ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` These discoveries include the first giant solitary soft coral known for the Tropical Eastern Pacific , a new genus of glass sponge that can grow in colonies of over one meter in width and , colorful sea fans that host a myriad of associated species , '' the archipelago 's Charles Darwin Foundation ( CDF ) said in a separate statement .
Scientists from the CDF , in collaboration with the National Park Directorate and the Ocean Exploration Trust , probed deep-sea ecosystems at depths of up to 3,400 meters using state-of-the-art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The two ROVs , Argus and Hercules , were operated from the 64-meter exploration vessel Nautilus , which carried out the deep-sea probe in 2015 .
`` The deep sea remains as earth 's last frontier and this study provides a sneak-peek into the least known communities of the Galapagos Islands , '' said CDF marine scientist Pelayo Salinas de Leon , who led the study and announced its findings Monday .
The expedition explored for the first time three steep-sided underwater mountains , or seamounts , located near the islands of Darwin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The area is home to the world 's largest shark population .
`` These pristine seamounts are within the Galapagos Marine Reserve and are protected from destructive human practices such as fishing with bottom trawls or deep-sea mining that are known to have catastrophic impacts upon fragile communities .
Now it is our responsibility to make sure they remain pristine for the generations to come , '' Salinas de Leon said .
`` The many discoveries made on this expedition showcase the importance of deep-sea exploration to developing an understanding of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chief Scientist of the Ocean Exploration Trust .
`` Since we never know what we 're going to find , we utilize land-based scientists who watch the ROV dives from home and communicate directly with the shipboard team in real time , to help determine what is truly new and worthy of further investigation or sampling .
`` Scientists studying the resulting video , data , and specimens make an astonishing number of discoveries , reminding us how little we know about the deep sea , '' said Raineault .
The Galapagos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles ) west of Ecuador , is a fragile ecosystem that harbors the largest number of different animal species on the planet .

Quito (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
An international team of marine scientists have discovered 30 new species of invertebrates in deep water surrounding the Galapagos, the Ecuadoran archipelago's national park authorities announced Monday.
The deep-sea experts discovered fragile coral and sponge communities including 10 bamboo corals, four octocorals, one brittle star and 11 sponges -- as well as four new species of crustacean known as squat-lobsters -- the Galapagos National Park (GNP) said in a statement.
"These discoveries include the first giant solitary soft coral known for the Tropical Eastern Pacific, a new genus of glass sponge that can grow in colonies of over one meter in width and, colorful sea fans that host a myriad of associated species," the archipelago's Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) said in a separate statement.
Scientists from the CDF, in collaboration with the National Park Directorate and the Ocean Exploration Trust, probed deep-sea ecosystems at depths of up to 3,400 meters using state-of-the-art Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
The two ROVs, Argus and Hercules, were operated from the 64-meter exploration vessel Nautilus, which carried out the deep-sea probe in 2015.
"The deep sea remains as earth's last frontier and this study provides a sneak-peek into the least known communities of the Galapagos Islands," said CDF marine scientist Pelayo Salinas de Leon, who led the study and announced its findings Monday.
The expedition explored for the first time three steep-sided underwater mountains, or seamounts, located near the islands of Darwin and Wolf in the archipelago's north. The area is home to the world's largest shark population.
"These pristine seamounts are within the Galapagos Marine Reserve and are protected from destructive human practices such as fishing with bottom trawls or deep-sea mining that are known to have catastrophic impacts upon fragile communities. Now it is our responsibility to make sure they remain pristine for the generations to come," Salinas de Leon said.
"The many discoveries made on this expedition showcase the importance of deep-sea exploration to developing an understanding of our oceans," said Dr Nicole Raineault, Chief Scientist of the Ocean Exploration Trust.
"Since we never know what we're going to find, we utilize land-based scientists who watch the ROV dives from home and communicate directly with the shipboard team in real time, to help determine what is truly new and worthy of further investigation or sampling.
"Scientists studying the resulting video, data, and specimens make an astonishing number of discoveries, reminding us how little we know about the deep sea," said Raineault.
The Galapagos archipelago, located 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) west of Ecuador, is a fragile ecosystem that harbors the largest number of different animal species on the planet.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--BHP signals shift away from coal as profits dip

Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP has signalled that it intends to transition away from the intensely polluting thermal coal market Mining giant BHP said profits fell four percent in the year ending in June , as the Anglo-Australian firm signalled a transition away from the intensely polluting thermal coal market on Tuesday .
The company reported annual net profit of just under US $ 8 billion , versus US $ 8.3 billion in the year before .
Recently installed chief executive Mike Henry noted a `` year marked by the challenges '' linked to civil unrest in Chile -- the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We expect most major economies will contract heavily in 2020 , China being the exception , '' he said .
The company also confirmed a long-hinted shift away from the coal-for-electricity market .
`` To further enhance our portfolio for value , risk and returns , we intend to concentrate our coal portfolio on higher quality coking coals , '' the company said in a statement .
BHP added that it was `` looking at options to exit '' two thermal coal projects in Australia and one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make iron and steel and has not been the primary focus of the effort to reduce the impacts of climate change .
Rivals Rio Tinto and Anglo-American have announced similar shifts away from thermal coal .
Henry , a long-time employee , was tapped to take over the top job from January 1 , 2020 .
A Canadian , he joined the global resources company in 2003 and led its Australia minerals operations since 2016 .

Sydney (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Mining giant BHP said profits fell four percent in the year ending in June, as the Anglo-Australian firm signalled a transition away from the intensely polluting thermal coal market on Tuesday.
The company reported annual net profit of just under US$8 billion, versus US$8.3 billion in the year before.
Recently installed chief executive Mike Henry noted a "year marked by the challenges" linked to civil unrest in Chile -- the world's largest producer of copper -- and the coronavirus pandemic.
Henry also predicted a rocky path ahead.
"We expect most major economies will contract heavily in 2020, China being the exception," he said.
The company also confirmed a long-hinted shift away from the coal-for-electricity market.
"To further enhance our portfolio for value, risk and returns, we intend to concentrate our coal portfolio on higher quality coking coals," the company said in a statement.
BHP added that it was "looking at options to exit" two thermal coal projects in Australia and one in Colombia.
Coking coal is primarily used to make iron and steel and has not been the primary focus of the effort to reduce the impacts of climate change.
BHP's own operational greenhouse gas emissions again rose.
Rivals Rio Tinto and Anglo-American have announced similar shifts away from thermal coal.
Henry, a long-time employee, was tapped to take over the top job from January 1, 2020.
A Canadian, he joined the global resources company in 2003 and led its Australia minerals operations since 2016.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--PetroCaribe scandal: Haiti court accuses officials of mismanaging $2 bln in aid

A man pushes an empty wheelbarrow as he walks along a street in Port-au-Prince , Haiti July 30 , 2020 .
Haiti 's High Court of Auditors released a report Monday slamming the fraudulent and often illegal management by various ministers and administrations of nearly $ 2 billion in aid from Venezuela between 2008 and 2016 .
The more than 1,000-page-long report details projects undertaken without a needs assessment or even a cost estimate .
`` The investment projects and contracts related to the PetroCaribe fund were not managed in accordance with the principles of efficiency and economy , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Set up at the initiative of former president Hugo Chavez , the PetroCaribe program allows multiple Latin American and Caribbean countries to benefit from Venezuelan loans under a system of preferential oil delivery .
With no accountability to Venezuela , the six successive Haitian administrations since 2008 have spent $ 2 billion on projects , for the most part without concern for basic public funds management , the report said .
The High Court of Auditors also condemned a lack of cooperation from institutions , which it said hindered its investigative work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and May 2019 .
For instance , the judges were unable to trace a single contract to build an industrial park and 1,500 houses outside Port-au-Prince -- the most ambitious public urban development project since the 2010 earthquake .
The project ended in 2014 .
But the court said Monday that more than $ 46 million were paid to a single company , Constructora ROFI SA , for the unfinished project .
The company belongs to Dominican senator Felix Bautista , who was sanctioned for corruption by the United States Treasury Department in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consult the various contracts , the Court said it was unable to rule on the relevance of millions of dollars spent between 2012 and 2014 to strengthen the island nation 's police force .
In their previous report on the PetroCaribe fund , the judges had condemned current Haitian president Jovenel Moise , who was accused of being at the heart of an embezzlement scheme before he took office .
Despite recommendations from the High Court of Auditors and popular protests organized since 2018 , no prosecution has been brought against the dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the PetroCaribe scandal .

Haiti's High Court of Auditors released a report Monday slamming the fraudulent and often illegal management by various ministers and administrations of nearly $2 billion in aid from Venezuela between 2008 and 2016.
A man pushes an empty wheelbarrow as he walks along a street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti July 30, 2020.
Advertising Read more
The more than 1,000-page-long report details projects undertaken without a needs assessment or even a cost estimate.
"The investment projects and contracts related to the PetroCaribe fund were not managed in accordance with the principles of efficiency and economy," the court concluded in the report.
Set up at the initiative of former president Hugo Chavez, the PetroCaribe program allows multiple Latin American and Caribbean countries to benefit from Venezuelan loans under a system of preferential oil delivery.
With no accountability to Venezuela, the six successive Haitian administrations since 2008 have spent $2 billion on projects, for the most part without concern for basic public funds management, the report said.
The High Court of Auditors also condemned a lack of cooperation from institutions, which it said hindered its investigative work in two initial reports, published in January and May 2019.
For instance, the judges were unable to trace a single contract to build an industrial park and 1,500 houses outside Port-au-Prince -- the most ambitious public urban development project since the 2010 earthquake. The project ended in 2014.
But the court said Monday that more than $46 million were paid to a single company, Constructora ROFI SA, for the unfinished project. The company belongs to Dominican senator Felix Bautista, who was sanctioned for corruption by the United States Treasury Department in June 2018.
Having been unable to consult the various contracts, the Court said it was unable to rule on the relevance of millions of dollars spent between 2012 and 2014 to strengthen the island nation's police force.
In their previous report on the PetroCaribe fund, the judges had condemned current Haitian president Jovenel Moise, who was accused of being at the heart of an embezzlement scheme before he took office.
Despite recommendations from the High Court of Auditors and popular protests organized since 2018, no prosecution has been brought against the dozens of former ministers and high-ranking officials involved in the PetroCaribe scandal.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-08-17--New York's Museum of Modern Art to reopen August 27

The Museum of Modern Art ( MoMa ) in New York , shown here on March 17 , 2020 will reopen on August 27 after a five-month shutdown for coronavirus New York 's Museum of Modern Art will reopen its doors on August 27 , the institution announced Monday , following a five-month shutdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
Entry will be free for the first month , MoMA said in a statement .
State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday that New York 's museums , art galleries and other cultural institutions will be allowed to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be mandatory face masks , timed ticketing with staggered entry and just 25 percent occupancy , he said .
New York 's famed Metropolitan Museum of Art , which normally welcomes seven million visitors a year , says it will reopen on August 29 .
The Whitney Museum of American Art will reopen on September 3 .
Performing arts venues will remain shut until the end of the year , however .
The Metropolitan Opera is scheduled to resume on December 31 , while Broadway theaters will remain closed until at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard hit by COVID-19 and has recorded almost 33,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The virus has largely been brought under control there even as it has risen in other US states .
Only 0.71 percent of almost 57,000 coronavirus tests in New York on Sunday were positive , according to state figures .

New York (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
New York's Museum of Modern Art will reopen its doors on August 27, the institution announced Monday, following a five-month shutdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Entry will be free for the first month, MoMA said in a statement.
State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday that New York's museums, art galleries and other cultural institutions will be allowed to reopen starting August 24.
However, there will be mandatory face masks, timed ticketing with staggered entry and just 25 percent occupancy, he said.
New York's famed Metropolitan Museum of Art, which normally welcomes seven million visitors a year, says it will reopen on August 29.
The Whitney Museum of American Art will reopen on September 3.
Performing arts venues will remain shut until the end of the year, however.
The Metropolitan Opera is scheduled to resume on December 31, while Broadway theaters will remain closed until at least January.
New York state was initially hard hit by COVID-19 and has recorded almost 33,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The virus has largely been brought under control there even as it has risen in other US states.
Only 0.71 percent of almost 57,000 coronavirus tests in New York on Sunday were positive, according to state figures.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--David Silva joins Real Sociedad on two-year deal

David Silva made his final Manchester City as a substitute in the Champions League loss to Lyon on Saturday Spanish midfielder David Silva has agreed a two-year contract with Real Sociedad following his departure from Manchester City , the La Liga club announced on Monday .
Silva , 34 , spent a decade with City and made his final appearance as a substitute in Saturday 's 3-1 defeat by Lyon in the Champions League quarter-finals .
He is expected to join his new Sociedad team-mates in the coming days for pre-season training .
The 2020/21 La Liga campaign is scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished sixth last season to qualify for the Europa League .
Silva won 11 domestic trophies in his time in Manchester and is widely regarded as one of the Premier League 's finest imports .
City said a statue will be erected next year in his honour , while a pitch at the club 's training ground will also be named after him .
Silva is the fourth-highest goalscorer in Spain 's history and sixth for all-time appearances , and was part of the squads which won the 2010 World Cup and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

San Sebastian (Spain) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Spanish midfielder David Silva has agreed a two-year contract with Real Sociedad following his departure from Manchester City, the La Liga club announced on Monday.
Silva, 34, spent a decade with City and made his final appearance as a substitute in Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Lyon in the Champions League quarter-finals. He is expected to join his new Sociedad team-mates in the coming days for pre-season training.
The 2020/21 La Liga campaign is scheduled to begin on September 12. Sociedad finished sixth last season to qualify for the Europa League.
Silva won 11 domestic trophies in his time in Manchester and is widely regarded as one of the Premier League's finest imports.
City said a statue will be erected next year in his honour, while a pitch at the club's training ground will also be named after him.
Silva is the fourth-highest goalscorer in Spain's history and sixth for all-time appearances, and was part of the squads which won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships, in 2008 and 2012.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--CFL cancels 2020 season due to COVID-19

CFL cancels 2020 season due to COVID-19

The Canadian Football League has decided to scrap its 2020 season due to COVID-19 , marking the first time the championship Grey Cup trophy will not be presented since 1919 .
`` Our league governors decided today it is in the best long-term interests of the CFL to concentrate on the future , '' commissioner Randy Ambrosie said .
The cancellation ends any chance that the nine-team gridiron league could stage an abbreviated season in a Canadian hub city .
The league had tried unsuccessfully to obtain federal government funding to salvage play by conducting a shortened season .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C $ 30-million ( US $ 22m ) , interest-free loan to hold a shortened campaign .
The decision also puts the new-look Edmonton Eskimos franchise on hold .
The team announced earlier it was losing the name Eskimos following similar moves by North American sports franchises to do away with outdated stereotypical nicknames .
Ambrosie said the CFL lost C $ 20 million last season .
`` Even with government funding and a new CBA , our owners and community-held teams would have had to endure significant financial losses to play in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US-based sports leagues , the CFL does not have a multi-million television contract and relies mainly on its intensely loyal Canadian fan base for revenue .
The league lost that money source when Canadian health officials banned large gatherings because of the new coronavirus outbreak .
With the cancellation , the CFL becomes one of the few major North American professional sports leagues to cancel its season .
The National Hockey League and National Basketball Association are now in the midst of playoffs in hub cities , and the National Football League plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CFL also relies heavily on import players , especially from the United States , time was running out to get about half the league 's athletes and other employees into Canada , which has implemented much heavier quarantine restrictions than the US .
The first Grey Cup was held in 1909 and was last not awarded in 1919 , another pandemic year .
While franchises have come and gone over the years , the CFL has operated under the same format since 1958 .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
The Canadian Football League has decided to scrap its 2020 season due to COVID-19, marking the first time the championship Grey Cup trophy will not be presented since 1919.
"Our league governors decided today it is in the best long-term interests of the CFL to concentrate on the future," commissioner Randy Ambrosie said.
The cancellation ends any chance that the nine-team gridiron league could stage an abbreviated season in a Canadian hub city.
The league had tried unsuccessfully to obtain federal government funding to salvage play by conducting a shortened season.
That plan involved asking the government for a C$30-million (US$22m), interest-free loan to hold a shortened campaign.
The decision also puts the new-look Edmonton Eskimos franchise on hold. The team announced earlier it was losing the name Eskimos following similar moves by North American sports franchises to do away with outdated stereotypical nicknames.
Ambrosie said the CFL lost C$20 million last season.
"Even with government funding and a new CBA, our owners and community-held teams would have had to endure significant financial losses to play in 2020," Ambrosie said.
Unlike US-based sports leagues, the CFL does not have a multi-million television contract and relies mainly on its intensely loyal Canadian fan base for revenue. The league lost that money source when Canadian health officials banned large gatherings because of the new coronavirus outbreak.
With the cancellation, the CFL becomes one of the few major North American professional sports leagues to cancel its season.
The National Hockey League and National Basketball Association are now in the midst of playoffs in hub cities, and the National Football League plans to start up next month.
Since the CFL also relies heavily on import players, especially from the United States, time was running out to get about half the league's athletes and other employees into Canada, which has implemented much heavier quarantine restrictions than the US.
The first Grey Cup was held in 1909 and was last not awarded in 1919, another pandemic year.
While franchises have come and gone over the years, the CFL has operated under the same format since 1958.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-08-17--Inter Milan to face Seville in Europa League final after demolishing Shakhtar Donetsk

Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez both scored twice as Inter Milan stormed into a first European final in 10 years with a 5-0 thrashing of Shakhtar Donetsk in Dusseldorf .
Danilo D'Ambrosio was also on target for Antonio Conte 's men , who will face Sevilla in Friday 's final in Cologne .
The Italian giants have endured a lean decade since winning the Champions League in 2010 , but closed the gap on Juventus at the top of Serie A to just one point in Conte 's first season in charge and are now one win away from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lukaku 's prolific partnership has been the source of much of Inter 's success and they took their tally to a combined 54 for the season .
After a slow start , Martinez rose highest to power home Nicolo Barella 's cross to open the scoring on 19 minutes .
Shakhtar are one of European football 's great survivors as the Ukrainian champions continue to thrive despite not playing a match in their home city of Donetsk for six years due to a war in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian-backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scored 14 goals in five Europa League games since dropping into the competition form the Champions League , but their talented array of Brazilian forwards barely laid a glove on a characteristically well-organised Conte defence .
At the other end Martinez was always lively and only a brilliant save from 36-year-old Andriy Pyatov denied him a classy second as he won the ball 30 yards from goal and immediately lobbed the ball goalwards early in the second half .
Shakhtar had one golden chance to level when Mykola Matviyenko 's cross picked out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international 's header was too close to Samir Handanovic .
Two minutes later , Inter landed the killer blow when D'Ambrosio met Marcelo Brozovic 's corner with a powerful header .
Lukaku extended his run of scoring in now 10 straight Europa League games , but the Belgian was made to wait as Pyatov got down well to save his first big sight of goal .
Martinez showed the way with by finding the bottom corner with a brilliant quick hit that gave Pyatov no time to set himself after Shakhtar were caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 21st goal of the season .
Lukaku then got in on the act 12 minutes from time as this time Martinez played provider before his strike partner slotted low into the far corner .
Five minutes later the former Manchester United striker had his 33rd goal of the campaign by accelerating away from a slow Shakhtar backline before firing through Pyatov 's legs .

Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez both scored twice as Inter Milan stormed into a first European final in 10 years with a 5-0 thrashing of Shakhtar Donetsk in Dusseldorf.
Advertising Read more
Danilo D'Ambrosio was also on target for Antonio Conte's men, who will face Sevilla in Friday's final in Cologne.
The Italian giants have endured a lean decade since winning the Champions League in 2010, but closed the gap on Juventus at the top of Serie A to just one point in Conte's first season in charge and are now one win away from a first trophy in nine years.
Martinez and Lukaku's prolific partnership has been the source of much of Inter's success and they took their tally to a combined 54 for the season.
After a slow start, Martinez rose highest to power home Nicolo Barella's cross to open the scoring on 19 minutes.
Shakhtar are one of European football's great survivors as the Ukrainian champions continue to thrive despite not playing a match in their home city of Donetsk for six years due to a war in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian-backed separatists.
Luis Castro's men had scored 14 goals in five Europa League games since dropping into the competition form the Champions League, but their talented array of Brazilian forwards barely laid a glove on a characteristically well-organised Conte defence.
At the other end Martinez was always lively and only a brilliant save from 36-year-old Andriy Pyatov denied him a classy second as he won the ball 30 yards from goal and immediately lobbed the ball goalwards early in the second half.
Shakhtar had one golden chance to level when Mykola Matviyenko's cross picked out Junior Moraes, but the Brazilian-born Ukrainian international's header was too close to Samir Handanovic.
Two minutes later, Inter landed the killer blow when D'Ambrosio met Marcelo Brozovic's corner with a powerful header.
Lukaku extended his run of scoring in now 10 straight Europa League games, but the Belgian was made to wait as Pyatov got down well to save his first big sight of goal.
Martinez showed the way with by finding the bottom corner with a brilliant quick hit that gave Pyatov no time to set himself after Shakhtar were caught in possession inside their own half for his 21st goal of the season.
Lukaku then got in on the act 12 minutes from time as this time Martinez played provider before his strike partner slotted low into the far corner.
Five minutes later the former Manchester United striker had his 33rd goal of the campaign by accelerating away from a slow Shakhtar backline before firing through Pyatov's legs.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-08-17--'Records there to be broken' as Lukaku extends run

Romelu Lukaku extended his record Europa League goalscoring run as he struck for the 10th successive outing in Inter Milan 's 5-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in Monday 's semi-final .
Belgium forward Lukaku scored twice late in the second half as Inter qualified for a first European final since winning the 2010 Champions League under Jose Mourinho .
They will face Sevilla for the title on Friday in Cologne .
`` At the minute everything is going well but we keep fighting .
Records are there to be broken but we want to win , '' Lukaku told BT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves really well , recover and play again .
`` The team is doing well and everybody is doing their best .
We worked really hard in the camp .
It 's tough but you see the results of the hard work .
We want to keep going . ''
Lukaku increased his tally in his debut season with Inter to 33 goals , one shy of Ronaldo 's mark in his first season at the club when the Brazilian led the Nerazzurri to the 1997/98 UEFA Cup title .
Lautaro Martinez also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukaku are the first Inter pair to score 20 or more goals in a single season since Adriano and Obafemi Martins in the 2004-05 campaign .
`` I 'm a forward and I 'm here to score , it 's something inside me , '' said Lukaku .

Düsseldorf (Germany) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Romelu Lukaku extended his record Europa League goalscoring run as he struck for the 10th successive outing in Inter Milan's 5-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in Monday's semi-final.
Belgium forward Lukaku scored twice late in the second half as Inter qualified for a first European final since winning the 2010 Champions League under Jose Mourinho. They will face Sevilla for the title on Friday in Cologne.
"At the minute everything is going well but we keep fighting. Records are there to be broken but we want to win," Lukaku told BT Sport. "We need to prepare ourselves really well, recover and play again.
"The team is doing well and everybody is doing their best. We worked really hard in the camp. It's tough but you see the results of the hard work. We want to keep going."
Lukaku increased his tally in his debut season with Inter to 33 goals, one shy of Ronaldo's mark in his first season at the club when the Brazilian led the Nerazzurri to the 1997/98 UEFA Cup title.
Lautaro Martinez also netted twice against Shakhtar. He and Lukaku are the first Inter pair to score 20 or more goals in a single season since Adriano and Obafemi Martins in the 2004-05 campaign.
"I'm a forward and I'm here to score, it's something inside me," said Lukaku.
© 2020 AFP