france24--2020-09-28--UK stands by 'illegal' bill as Brexit talks enter crucial phase

Britain 's chief negotiator David Frost ( L ) and EU 's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier met last week to prepare the round of talks Britain stood by its provocative bid to change the terms of its EU divorce deal on Monday , as a make-or-break week of post-Brexit trade talks began under a storm cloud .
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen insisted though that a deal was still possible following a meeting in Lisbon with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa .
The British government unveiled an `` Internal Markets Bill '' last month which is winding its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year .
The proposed law has infuriated the Europeans -- who have demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week .
But after meeting with EU Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic in Brussels earlier , senior British minister Michael Gove insisted it would not be changed .
`` Those clauses are there .
They 're in legislation supported by the House of Commons as a safety net if need be and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Gove told reporters after the talks .
`` We want an agreement and I 'm still convinced that an agreement is possible , '' she said .
Both Britain and the 27-member bloc have seen their economies `` severely hit by the pandemic , and we should do everything possible to find an agreement that is manageable , so that we do not increase the negative impact on our economies , '' she added .
Johnson argues the `` Internal Markets Bill '' will provide a `` safety net '' against what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland -- although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law .
For the EU , Sefkovic said that Brussels would not be the first to walk away from trade talks , but he stood by the EU threat that it would use the legal mechanisms within the exit treaty against Britain .
`` We maintain that the bill if adopted in its current form would constitute an extremely serious violation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law , '' Sefcovic said after the talks with Gove .
`` We are considering all legal options available to us , '' he said .
But Sefcovic accepted that the parallel legal battle would not torpedo the ongoing trade talks .
`` It would never be the EU which would cause the end of the negotiation on the future partnership , '' he said .
The last scheduled round of trade talks begins on Tuesday as scores of officials meet in Brussels in talks presided by Europe 's Michel Barnier and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final formal round of negotiations but we expect discussion to continue in the run up to the European council , which is taking place on 15 to 16 October , '' a Downing Street spokesman said .
`` Significant gaps remain as the EU still needs to adopt more realistic policy positions , but we are ready to work as hard as necessary to move things forward this week . ''
Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force from January 1 next year .
Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules , with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe .
Barnier and Frost met last week to prepare the round of talks , in meetings that London characterised as `` constructive '' .
But European diplomats remained cautious that a breakthrough was possible , seeing this round as a preliminary step before a final push later in October .
This week `` a path to a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source said .
`` If we have zero movement , the process will be in big trouble . ''
The two sides are still divided on rules for a `` level-playing field '' of fair competition between companies , on state aid or subsidies for EU and UK firms and on access for EU boats to British fishing waters .
Diplomats are hoping for significant progress in time for a summit of EU leaders in mid-October , though expectations are that the wrangling could slip into November .

Brussels (AFP) –
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Britain stood by its provocative bid to change the terms of its EU divorce deal on Monday, as a make-or-break week of post-Brexit trade talks began under a storm cloud.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen insisted though that a deal was still possible following a meeting in Lisbon with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa.
The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year.
The proposed law has infuriated the Europeans -- who have demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week.
But after meeting with EU Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic in Brussels earlier, senior British minister Michael Gove insisted it would not be changed.
"Those clauses are there. They're in legislation supported by the House of Commons as a safety net if need be and those clauses will remain in that bill," Gove told reporters after the talks.
- Deal still 'possible' -
Von der Leyen called for "responsibility."
"We want an agreement and I'm still convinced that an agreement is possible," she said.
Both Britain and the 27-member bloc have seen their economies "severely hit by the pandemic, and we should do everything possible to find an agreement that is manageable, so that we do not increase the negative impact on our economies," she added.
Johnson argues the "Internal Markets Bill" will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland -- although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law.
For the EU, Sefkovic said that Brussels would not be the first to walk away from trade talks, but he stood by the EU threat that it would use the legal mechanisms within the exit treaty against Britain.
"We maintain that the bill if adopted in its current form would constitute an extremely serious violation of the (withdrawal bill) and of international law," Sefcovic said after the talks with Gove.
"We are considering all legal options available to us," he said.
But Sefcovic accepted that the parallel legal battle would not torpedo the ongoing trade talks. "It would never be the EU which would cause the end of the negotiation on the future partnership," he said.
- 'Big trouble' -
The last scheduled round of trade talks begins on Tuesday as scores of officials meet in Brussels in talks presided by Europe's Michel Barnier and his counterpart David Frost.
"This is the final formal round of negotiations but we expect discussion to continue in the run up to the European council, which is taking place on 15 to 16 October," a Downing Street spokesman said.
"Significant gaps remain as the EU still needs to adopt more realistic policy positions, but we are ready to work as hard as necessary to move things forward this week."
Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year.
Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.
Barnier and Frost met last week to prepare the round of talks, in meetings that London characterised as "constructive".
But European diplomats remained cautious that a breakthrough was possible, seeing this round as a preliminary step before a final push later in October.
This week "a path to a deal should be identified," an EU source said. "If we have zero movement, the process will be in big trouble."
The two sides are still divided on rules for a "level-playing field" of fair competition between companies, on state aid or subsidies for EU and UK firms and on access for EU boats to British fishing waters.
Diplomats are hoping for significant progress in time for a summit of EU leaders in mid-October, though expectations are that the wrangling could slip into November.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-28--Last call: Paris bars forced to close early amid new rules to stem Covid-19 second wave

People have drinks on a bar 's terrasse in Paris on September 26 , 2020 , two days before new measures come into effect to curb the spread of Covid-19 .
With the coronavirus 's second wave crashing down on France , nightlife in the capital is set to ebb : Starting Monday night , bars in Paris will be forced to close at 10pm .
Some have vowed to fight the measure while others are resigned , saying the government compensation on offer is not enough to ensure businesses can hold on long enough to reopen for good once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shut down late-night revelry in establishments in Paris and 10 other French cities comes a day after bars and restaurants in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence were forced to shutter completely for at least two weeks .
The latter cities are classified as a Covid-19 `` maximum alert zone '' .
But Paris , currently considered a `` reinforced alert zone '' has seen its Covid-19 figures continue to climb since the measure was announced .
On average over the past week , Paris has seen an incidence rate of 243.8 confirmed coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times the alert threshold set when the country came out of lockdown in May , according to the Santé Publique France health authority .
That figure more than doubles for Parisians ages 20 to 29 , at 494.5 per 100,000 .
( One of the factors that qualified Marseille as a maximum alert zone was its incidence rate above 250 per 100,000 . )
When Health Minister Olivier Véran announced the new restrictions last week , the industry did n't mince its words .
Major industry union UMIH released a statement demanding `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding : “ The professional bodies will defend the sector 's interests in the courts if necessary '' .
If new measures to support the businesses affected are n't up to the job , `` we will cease all work with the government until further notice '' , the organisation threatened .
Didier Chenet , who heads the GNI hospitality union , called the closures `` unjustified , discriminatory and counter-productive '' .
Other industry representatives have insisted the measures are unfair , given the effort the hospitality sector had put into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union , representing small and medium-sized business in the greater Paris area , and the Regional Association of Food Industries , noted Sunday that the sector 's professionals `` were often the first to adopt , respect and enforce coronavirus prevention measures [ e.g.
, face masks and social distancing ] and healthcare precautions , no matter the cost for their businesses '' .
In Paris , the police prefecture made clear that the 10pm closures would not apply to establishments that by law can only serve alcohol with food .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drinking on public property and blasting music outdoors between 10pm and 6am to prevent parties from moving out of the bars and into the streets after closing time , with public gatherings of more than 10 people also banned .
The measures that come into effect Monday in Paris run through October 11 – for now .
But many in the hospitality industry believe the early bar closures are only the beginning , particularly as Covid-19 figures inch up in the capital .
> > ‘ Paris thinks we ’ re small fry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut bars and restaurants On Sunday , the `` Restons Ouverts '' ( Let 's Stay Open ) collective rallied several dozen bar , restaurant and discothèque owners in face masks on the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris to vent their frustration over their plight .
Stéphane Manigold is a spokesman for `` Restons Ouverts and also runs four fine-dining restaurants in Paris , including the Maison Rostang .
The name Let 's Stay Open `` is n't a call to insurrection '' , Manigold told FRANCE 24 on Monday .
`` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down , obviously we will close , '' he explained .
`` Stay open , that 's what we want to do .
But not for a month or a week .
If we have to close for a month , two months , three months , we will .
We 've already done it .
We 're not irresponsible people . ''
For Restons Ouverts , the issue is the longer game for businesses in real financial trouble after an initial three-month lockdown starting in March and a bleak summer season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need to survive the current crisis and be in shape to reopen when they can .
`` We 're in a situation that 's no longer bearable economically because the government has n't taken strong measures [ to support us ] , '' the businessman says .
During the spring lockdown , the state allowed the hospitality sector to delay payment of certain expenses , but they still had to absorb fixed costs .
They provided guaranteed loans , but those loans will be debt on the books for years to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flow at its lowest , turnover across the industry at minus 40 to minus 60 percent , is not acceptable , '' Manigold said .
`` It means we are already down on one knee and we will be down on both ... if the government does n't take strong measures to at least absorb our fixed costs , '' he said .
Manigold 's own restaurants in Paris 's 8th , 16th and 17th arrondissements ( districts ) are not directly affected by Monday 's new restrictions , but he suggests they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regardless .
`` There are clients who wrote us to say , 'Listen , we reserved for 9 pm but we want to push it back to 7:30 since you have to close at 10 pm and we wo n't have time to enjoy our meal ' , '' he says .
`` There is real confusion . ''
In any case , Manigold is convinced that another full lockdown is only a matter of time .
`` Let 's be clear , in Paris the decision has already been made in Île-de-France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close all the establishments .
It 's only a matter of days or weeks , '' he said , calling it `` utopian '' to imagine otherwise .
But the restaurateur questions the wisdom of targeting an industry that has invested so heavily in preventative measures to stem the spread of the virus .
Manigold said anyone could understand a general lockdown , but he questions how a crowded Paris metro is safer than the establishments he represents .
`` The French are being told that the virus only circulates in restaurants and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latter have stocked up on hand gel and face masks for which French social security only reimbursed them until the end of July .
The businessman suggests the authorities would do better to isolate populations particularly vulnerable to the virus or to punish bars that repeatedly do n't follow the rules – not the whole sector in one fell swoop .
`` People will continue to get together in private locations anyway .
But there wo n't be rules , there wo n't be people like us reminding them to socially distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they walk around .
When you 're with your family , you do n't wear a mask to make your way to the toilet , '' Manigold said .
`` We 'll give ourselves a clear conscience , but we 'll be ineffective . ''
Meanwhile , other segments of the nightlife business still have n't enjoyed the chance to reopen since shuttering in March .
Discothèques have remained closed throughout France 's coronavirus crisis .
But the head of the country 's top discothèque union says he spent the summer alerting authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other establishments , particularly in Paris , that broke anti-virus protocols to fill the gap discos left in the nightlife market .
`` To be a discothèque in France over the past four months , it was simple , there was only one condition to fill : Do n't be a discothèque , '' Patrick Malvaës , president of the National Union of Discothèques and Leisure Places ( SNDLL ) , wryly told FRANCE 24 .
That laissez faire attitude , he believes , contributed to the second wave , putting public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discothèques by further delaying their reopening .
The union chief said he had no illusions over the summer that discos would reopen anytime soon .
`` Social distancing , masks , etcetera , are incompatible with our profession .
A discothèque ca n't be a masked ball , it 's not possible – and neither is distancing because it 's dance , it 's encounters .
Coronavirus takes aim at the very heart of our profession , '' he said , adding that it would be hard to police those sorts of rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The public authorities let [ the misconduct over the summer ] happen , they did n't take responsibility – and now they want to be pure as the driven snow , so they 're whacking at everyone blindly , '' Malvaës said .
`` It is n't the bars that misbehaved [ that now have to close ] , it is n't the ones that raked it in all summer , filling the gap left by the discothèques .
[ The authorities ] let them occupy the discothèques ' terrain and now they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That 's what shocks me , '' he said .
At this point , Malvaës said , `` reopening is n't the solution '' as far as discothèques are concerned .
“ There is a real public health issue .
It ca n't be denied .
We recognise it . ''
In fact , the union leader does n't see discothèques reopening before next April , after a full-year hiatus , and only hopes the state aid they have received so far will be extended until then .
`` If [ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy – closed the discos , given them aid but stymied misconduct elsewhere – if it had been coherent and consistent , the message would have come across better , '' he lamented .

With the coronavirus's second wave crashing down on France, nightlife in the capital is set to ebb: Starting Monday night, bars in Paris will be forced to close at 10pm. Some have vowed to fight the measure while others are resigned, saying the government compensation on offer is not enough to ensure businesses can hold on long enough to reopen for good once the coast is clear.
People have drinks on a bar's terrasse in Paris on September 26, 2020, two days before new measures come into effect to curb the spread of Covid-19.
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The move to shut down late-night revelry in establishments in Paris and 10 other French cities comes a day after bars and restaurants in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence were forced to shutter completely for at least two weeks. The latter cities are classified as a Covid-19 "maximum alert zone". But Paris, currently considered a "reinforced alert zone" has seen its Covid-19 figures continue to climb since the measure was announced.
On average over the past week, Paris has seen an incidence rate of 243.8 confirmed coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants – or nearly five times the alert threshold set when the country came out of lockdown in May, according to the Santé Publique France health authority. That figure more than doubles for Parisians ages 20 to 29, at 494.5 per 100,000. (One of the factors that qualified Marseille as a maximum alert zone was its incidence rate above 250 per 100,000.)
When Health Minister Olivier Véran announced the new restrictions last week, the industry didn't mince its words. Major industry union UMIH released a statement demanding "the immediate withdrawal of these decisions”, adding: “The professional bodies will defend the sector's interests in the courts if necessary". If new measures to support the businesses affected aren't up to the job, "we will cease all work with the government until further notice", the organisation threatened.
Didier Chenet, who heads the GNI hospitality union, called the closures "unjustified, discriminatory and counter-productive".
Other industry representatives have insisted the measures are unfair, given the effort the hospitality sector had put into keeping customers safe. The CPME Île-de-France union, representing small and medium-sized business in the greater Paris area, and the Regional Association of Food Industries, noted Sunday that the sector's professionals "were often the first to adopt, respect and enforce coronavirus prevention measures [e.g., face masks and social distancing] and healthcare precautions, no matter the cost for their businesses".
In Paris, the police prefecture made clear that the 10pm closures would not apply to establishments that by law can only serve alcohol with food. It also said it would forbid alcohol sales, drinking on public property and blasting music outdoors between 10pm and 6am to prevent parties from moving out of the bars and into the streets after closing time, with public gatherings of more than 10 people also banned. The measures that come into effect Monday in Paris run through October 11 – for now. But many in the hospitality industry believe the early bar closures are only the beginning, particularly as Covid-19 figures inch up in the capital.
>> ‘Paris thinks we’re small fry’: Marseille seething over order to shut bars and restaurants
'We're not irresponsible people'
On Sunday, the "Restons Ouverts" (Let's Stay Open) collective rallied several dozen bar, restaurant and discothèque owners in face masks on the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris to vent their frustration over their plight.
Stéphane Manigold is a spokesman for "Restons Ouverts and also runs four fine-dining restaurants in Paris, including the Maison Rostang. The name Let's Stay Open "isn't a call to insurrection", Manigold told FRANCE 24 on Monday. "If the prefect tomorrow decides to close us down, obviously we will close," he explained. "Stay open, that's what we want to do. But not for a month or a week. If we have to close for a month, two months, three months, we will. We've already done it. We're not irresponsible people."
For Restons Ouverts, the issue is the longer game for businesses in real financial trouble after an initial three-month lockdown starting in March and a bleak summer season. It's about getting establishments the aid they need to survive the current crisis and be in shape to reopen when they can.
"We're in a situation that's no longer bearable economically because the government hasn't taken strong measures [to support us]," the businessman says. During the spring lockdown, the state allowed the hospitality sector to delay payment of certain expenses, but they still had to absorb fixed costs. They provided guaranteed loans, but those loans will be debt on the books for years to come. "A second closure with cash flow at its lowest, turnover across the industry at minus 40 to minus 60 percent, is not acceptable," Manigold said.
"It means we are already down on one knee and we will be down on both ... if the government doesn't take strong measures to at least absorb our fixed costs," he said.
Manigold's own restaurants in Paris's 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements (districts) are not directly affected by Monday's new restrictions, but he suggests they could have knock-on effects on full-service restaurants regardless. "There are clients who wrote us to say, 'Listen, we reserved for 9 pm but we want to push it back to 7:30 since you have to close at 10 pm and we won't have time to enjoy our meal'," he says. "There is real confusion."
In any case, Manigold is convinced that another full lockdown is only a matter of time. "Let's be clear, in Paris the decision has already been made in Île-de-France (the greater Paris area) to close all the establishments. It's only a matter of days or weeks," he said, calling it "utopian" to imagine otherwise.
But the restaurateur questions the wisdom of targeting an industry that has invested so heavily in preventative measures to stem the spread of the virus. Manigold said anyone could understand a general lockdown, but he questions how a crowded Paris metro is safer than the establishments he represents.
"The French are being told that the virus only circulates in restaurants and bars," he quips, noting the latter have stocked up on hand gel and face masks for which French social security only reimbursed them until the end of July.
The businessman suggests the authorities would do better to isolate populations particularly vulnerable to the virus or to punish bars that repeatedly don't follow the rules – not the whole sector in one fell swoop.
"People will continue to get together in private locations anyway. But there won't be rules, there won't be people like us reminding them to socially distance, to wear a mask systematically when they walk around. When you're with your family, you don't wear a mask to make your way to the toilet," Manigold said. "We'll give ourselves a clear conscience, but we'll be ineffective."
Worry on the dance floor
Meanwhile, other segments of the nightlife business still haven't enjoyed the chance to reopen since shuttering in March.
Discothèques have remained closed throughout France's coronavirus crisis. But the head of the country's top discothèque union says he spent the summer alerting authorities to no effect over bars, restaurants and other establishments, particularly in Paris, that broke anti-virus protocols to fill the gap discos left in the nightlife market.
"To be a discothèque in France over the past four months, it was simple, there was only one condition to fill: Don't be a discothèque," Patrick Malvaës, president of the National Union of Discothèques and Leisure Places (SNDLL), wryly told FRANCE 24. That laissez faire attitude, he believes, contributed to the second wave, putting public health at risk and penalising the real discothèques by further delaying their reopening.
The union chief said he had no illusions over the summer that discos would reopen anytime soon. "Social distancing, masks, etcetera, are incompatible with our profession. A discothèque can't be a masked ball, it's not possible – and neither is distancing because it's dance, it's encounters. Coronavirus takes aim at the very heart of our profession," he said, adding that it would be hard to police those sorts of rules on the dance floor anyway.
"The public authorities let [the misconduct over the summer] happen, they didn't take responsibility – and now they want to be pure as the driven snow, so they're whacking at everyone blindly," Malvaës said.
"It isn't the bars that misbehaved [that now have to close], it isn't the ones that raked it in all summer, filling the gap left by the discothèques. [The authorities] let them occupy the discothèques' terrain and now they make the whole profession pay the price. That's what shocks me," he said.
At this point, Malvaës said, "reopening isn't the solution" as far as discothèques are concerned. “There is a real public health issue. It can't be denied. We recognise it." In fact, the union leader doesn't see discothèques reopening before next April, after a full-year hiatus, and only hopes the state aid they have received so far will be extended until then.
"If [the government] had been coherent in its policy – closed the discos, given them aid but stymied misconduct elsewhere – if it had been coherent and consistent, the message would have come across better," he lamented.
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france24--2020-09-28--Six hours and five minutes: Giustino triumphs in second longest French Open match

Lorenzo Giustino earned more money in his French Open first round win than he did in all of 2019 Italian qualifier Lorenzo Giustino outlasted France 's Corentin Moutet 0-6 , 7-6 ( 9/7 ) , 7-6 ( 7/3 ) , 2-6 , 18-16 on Monday in the second longest match in French Open history at six hours and five minutes .
World number 157 Giustino secured his first Grand Slam main draw and tour-level win after a final set lasting 180 minutes in a match held over from Sunday .
Moutet won more points than Giustino -- 242 to 217 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victor in a contest that fell 28 minutes short of the tournament 's record marathon tie between Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement in 2004 .
Giustino will advance to play 12th seed Diego Schwartzman for a place in the third round .
He is guaranteed at least 84,000 euros ( $ 97,965 ) in prize money -- more than he made all of last year and doubling his earnings in 2020 .
`` In the end , well , the most aggressive , the guy who tried to win won the match , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` perfect '' despite the gruelling workout .
`` Both I think we do n't want to lose the match .
Nobody made a mistake in the important points , both we were like super solid and we played our best tennis in the best and most important points .
`` So , of course like this you go 18-16 in the fifth .
But in the end it was just like super aggressive .
I mean , try to hit winners because I knew that him was not giving me the match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his previous tour-level matches and reached a career high of 127 in August last year .
`` I hope that this match can give me a boost in confidence to try to reach the top 100 , '' he said .
As for Moutet , it was a bitter pill to swallow for a player who made the third round at the US Open as well as last year 's French Open .
`` My feelings , I do n't know .
We played a really long match , so I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything in my body right now .
I feel empty , '' said the 71st-ranked Moutet .

Paris (AFP) –
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Italian qualifier Lorenzo Giustino outlasted France's Corentin Moutet 0-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 18-16 on Monday in the second longest match in French Open history at six hours and five minutes.
World number 157 Giustino secured his first Grand Slam main draw and tour-level win after a final set lasting 180 minutes in a match held over from Sunday.
Moutet won more points than Giustino -- 242 to 217 -- but the 29-year-old journeyman emerged the victor in a contest that fell 28 minutes short of the tournament's record marathon tie between Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement in 2004.
Giustino will advance to play 12th seed Diego Schwartzman for a place in the third round. He is guaranteed at least 84,000 euros ($97,965) in prize money -- more than he made all of last year and doubling his earnings in 2020.
"In the end, well, the most aggressive, the guy who tried to win won the match," said Giustino, adding he felt "perfect" despite the gruelling workout.
"Both I think we don't want to lose the match. Nobody made a mistake in the important points, both we were like super solid and we played our best tennis in the best and most important points.
"So, of course like this you go 18-16 in the fifth. But in the end it was just like super aggressive. I mean, try to hit winners because I knew that him was not giving me the match."
Giustino had lost all four of his previous tour-level matches and reached a career high of 127 in August last year.
"I hope that this match can give me a boost in confidence to try to reach the top 100," he said.
As for Moutet, it was a bitter pill to swallow for a player who made the third round at the US Open as well as last year's French Open.
"My feelings, I don't know. We played a really long match, so I don't know. I don't feel anything in my body right now. I feel empty," said the 71st-ranked Moutet.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-28--Premier League returns 10 positive coronavirus cases

10 positive coronavirus cases have been recorded by Premier League clubs in the past week Ten Premier League players or staff tested positive for coronavirus over the past week , the highest number of infections since the English top-flight returned from a three-month layoff in June .
`` The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday 21 September and Sunday 27 September , 1,595 players and Club staff were tested for COVID-19 .
Of these , there were 10 new positive tests , '' the league said in a statement on Monday .
`` Players or Club staff who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period of 10 days . ''
West Ham were hit with three positive tests for manager David Moyes and players Issa Diop and Josh Cullen ahead of their League Cup game against Hull last midweek .
Manchester City also announced last week that German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan had contracted the virus .
Until now the highest number of positive cases recorded in a week by the Premier League was six , when clubs returned to training in May .
A rise in infections across the United Kingdom has seen the reintroduction of stringent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the delay of a return for fans to watch sports events live in stadiums .

London (AFP) –
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Ten Premier League players or staff tested positive for coronavirus over the past week, the highest number of infections since the English top-flight returned from a three-month layoff in June.
"The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday 21 September and Sunday 27 September, 1,595 players and Club staff were tested for COVID-19. Of these, there were 10 new positive tests," the league said in a statement on Monday.
"Players or Club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of 10 days."
West Ham were hit with three positive tests for manager David Moyes and players Issa Diop and Josh Cullen ahead of their League Cup game against Hull last midweek.
Manchester City also announced last week that German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan had contracted the virus.
Until now the highest number of positive cases recorded in a week by the Premier League was six, when clubs returned to training in May.
A rise in infections across the United Kingdom has seen the reintroduction of stringent measures to curb the spread of Covid-19, including the delay of a return for fans to watch sports events live in stadiums.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-28--Wildfires rip through California wine country, thousands flee

Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes in California 's Napa Valley on Monday as wildfires fanned by fierce winds ripped through the region 's world-famous wine country .
Under an opaque orange sky and a sweltering new heatwave , vineyards were consumed and houses devastated by the blaze that erupted at a `` dangerous rate of spread '' through 11,000 acres ( 4,500 hectares ) by Monday , Cal Fire said .
Celebrated Napa wineries have already gone up in smoke , such as Chateau Boswell and part of Castello di Amorosa , while other vineyards like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imminent threat from the fast-moving flames , according to local reports .
`` We saved the winery last night , but everything else was lost , '' Tuck Beckstoffer , president of a 20-acre vineyard near St Helena , told Wine Spectator magazine on Monday .
Calistoga , a picturesque community at the top of the Napa Valley known for hot springs and as a launchpad for wine tours , has largely been evacuated .
CeeBee Thompson spent sleepless hours watching flames in the distance and packing her car , as the nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice during the night .
`` We could see flames shooting up all night long , '' Thompson told AFP .
`` The only thing we have left to do is put the cats in the car , and that will be an interesting challenge . ''
The inferno is threatening communities in Napa and neighboring Sonoma still reeling from devastating wildfires in 2017 , when 44 people died and thousands of buildings were razed .
`` It 's like a double whammy , '' Thompson said of the repeat destruction .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 55 mph were blowing embers and spreading blazes including the Glass Fire and Shady Fire , which have merged as more than 1,000 firefighters battle to bring the flames under control .
Houses on the edges of Sonoma County 's most populous town , Santa Rosa -- home to 177,000 residents -- had begun to burn , while Pacific Gas and Electric ( PG & E ) cut electricity to 65,000 homes in northern California as a precaution .
Firefighters were deploying 133 engines , 22 water tenders , five helicopters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Susie Fielder fled her St Helena home at 3:30am , grabbing a photo of her grandparents off the wall and a small , pre-stocked bag of essentials after a warning alarm sounded in her neighborhood .
`` This morning I was thinking what do you do if you lose everything ? ''
Fielder told AFP .
Returning from a refuge in the city of Napa shortly before noon , her home was ash-coated and without electricity but unscathed .
Nearby flame-ravaged Spring Mountain was barely visible through the smoke as Fielder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food into a freezer powered by a generator .
She does n't plan to unpack her `` go bag '' of essentials until at least November , provided rain arrives .
`` I 'm going to stay until somebody comes and knocks on my door and tells me I have to leave , '' Fielder said .
California has been battling massive wildfires for months , stoked by dry conditions , strong seasonal winds and high temperatures that the state 's leadership has blamed on climate change .
Parts of the state have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while evacuations have been complicated by the coronavirus which has hit California hard .
Five of California 's six most destructive wildfires in history have begun since last month and are still burning , according to state fire agency Cal Fire .
High winds and temperatures that picked up over the weekend have intensified those , including the huge North Complex Fire in northeastern California where new evacuations were ordered Sunday near the small town of Paradise .
Paradise was ravaged by the deadliest fire in the state 's modern history -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 killed 86 people and destroyed some 18,000 buildings .
Kale Casey , a spokesman for firefighter efforts at the historic 880,000-acre August Complex fire , said light winds had already been `` pulling '' flames away from contained areas before the dramatic events of the past 24 hours .
`` And then you have a day like yesterday where all hell breaks loose , '' he told a virtual press conference .

Santa Rosa (United States) (AFP) –
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Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes in California's Napa Valley on Monday as wildfires fanned by fierce winds ripped through the region's world-famous wine country.
Under an opaque orange sky and a sweltering new heatwave, vineyards were consumed and houses devastated by the blaze that erupted at a "dangerous rate of spread" through 11,000 acres (4,500 hectares) by Monday, Cal Fire said.
Celebrated Napa wineries have already gone up in smoke, such as Chateau Boswell and part of Castello di Amorosa, while other vineyards like Merus Wines and Davis Estates were under imminent threat from the fast-moving flames, according to local reports.
"We saved the winery last night, but everything else was lost," Tuck Beckstoffer, president of a 20-acre vineyard near St Helena, told Wine Spectator magazine on Monday.
Calistoga, a picturesque community at the top of the Napa Valley known for hot springs and as a launchpad for wine tours, has largely been evacuated.
CeeBee Thompson spent sleepless hours watching flames in the distance and packing her car, as the nearby town's recently installed warning sirens sounded twice during the night.
"We could see flames shooting up all night long," Thompson told AFP.
"The only thing we have left to do is put the cats in the car, and that will be an interesting challenge."
The inferno is threatening communities in Napa and neighboring Sonoma still reeling from devastating wildfires in 2017, when 44 people died and thousands of buildings were razed.
"It's like a double whammy," Thompson said of the repeat destruction.
By early Monday, strong winds gusting up to 55 mph were blowing embers and spreading blazes including the Glass Fire and Shady Fire, which have merged as more than 1,000 firefighters battle to bring the flames under control.
Houses on the edges of Sonoma County's most populous town, Santa Rosa -- home to 177,000 residents -- had begun to burn, while Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) cut electricity to 65,000 homes in northern California as a precaution.
- 'You lose everything' -
Firefighters were deploying 133 engines, 22 water tenders, five helicopters and 35 bulldozers, the Napa Valley Register said.
Susie Fielder fled her St Helena home at 3:30am, grabbing a photo of her grandparents off the wall and a small, pre-stocked bag of essentials after a warning alarm sounded in her neighborhood.
"This morning I was thinking what do you do if you lose everything?" Fielder told AFP.
Returning from a refuge in the city of Napa shortly before noon, her home was ash-coated and without electricity but unscathed.
Nearby flame-ravaged Spring Mountain was barely visible through the smoke as Fielder got to work cleaning and moving perishable food into a freezer powered by a generator.
She doesn't plan to unpack her "go bag" of essentials until at least November, provided rain arrives.
"I'm going to stay until somebody comes and knocks on my door and tells me I have to leave," Fielder said.
- 'All hell breaks loose' -
California has been battling massive wildfires for months, stoked by dry conditions, strong seasonal winds and high temperatures that the state's leadership has blamed on climate change.
Parts of the state have been engulfed at times in thick smoke, while evacuations have been complicated by the coronavirus which has hit California hard.
Five of California's six most destructive wildfires in history have begun since last month and are still burning, according to state fire agency Cal Fire.
High winds and temperatures that picked up over the weekend have intensified those, including the huge North Complex Fire in northeastern California where new evacuations were ordered Sunday near the small town of Paradise.
Paradise was ravaged by the deadliest fire in the state's modern history -- the Camp Fire, which in November 2018 killed 86 people and destroyed some 18,000 buildings.
Kale Casey, a spokesman for firefighter efforts at the historic 880,000-acre August Complex fire, said light winds had already been "pulling" flames away from contained areas before the dramatic events of the past 24 hours.
"And then you have a day like yesterday where all hell breaks loose," he told a virtual press conference.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-28--Thiem admits tough fight ahead to replace 'Big Three'

Face of the future : Dominic Thiem on his way to victory over Marin Cilic US Open champion Dominic Thiem admitted Monday that he faces a stiff challenge to keep tennis high up in the public consciousness once Roger Federer , Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic call it quits .
Thiem , 27 , captured his maiden Slam title in New York with a breathtaking five-set win over Alexander Zverev earlier this month , the first major final in six years not to feature at least one of the 'Big Three ' .
However , US broadcaster ESPN said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48 % .
Both Federer and Nadal opted not to play the US Open while Djokovic was disqualified in the last 16 .
`` I think it 's normal , because Federer , Djokovic , Nadal , they are like global superstars , and we are not yet , '' said Thiem after reaching the second round of Roland Garros with a 6-4 , 6-3 , 6-3 win over Croatia 's Marin Cilic , who was celebrating his 32nd birthday on Monday .
`` I guess we have to build it up like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to do it , but it comes automatically with a lot of success .
That 's our challenge to do .
`` But I think that we are not going to have a problem , because for me , like the new generation , or also my generation , they are super-good characters , interesting characters , a lot of star potential there .
The only thing we are missing is the huge success .
`` I guess that there are less viewers or less interest if Roger , Rafa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's normal , because as I said , they are global superstars , and I hope we are on the way there . ''
Federer , 39 , who is sitting out the rest of 2020 to rehab knee surgery , is the record Slam title holder with 20 triumphs , followed by Nadal with 19 and Djokovic , currently the world number one , with 17 .
Thiem has finished runner-up to 12-time French Open winner Nadal , 34 , at the last two Roland Garros finals .
Djokovic , meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33-year-old and is bidding to become the first man in the modern era to win all four Slams twice .
Thiem is 27 so has time on his side when it comes to further Grand Slam potential .
However , he is seeded to meet Nadal in the semi-finals this year with the Spaniard only having lost twice in 96 appearances at the tournament since his title-winning debut in 2005 .
`` For me , Rafa is the huge favourite here , '' said Thiem .
`` Obviously there 's a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way less crowd , with the tournament going on three or four months later .
It 's cold conditions .
`` But with his name and with his past here at the tournament , he 's still the huge favourite . ''
Nadal believes Thiem has nothing to worry about .
`` It needs time .
That 's all .
You do n't create very popular stars in a day .
You need to achieve things , '' said Nadal after also making the second round with a 6-4 , 6-4 , 6-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have been on tour for many years .
Maybe Roger and I , we created something special about our rivalry , and that goes all over the tennis world .
I think they have to do their way , and tennis will be healthy .
We have a good future . ''
Next up for Thiem is American qualifier Jack Sock , a former top 10 player who is now ranked 310 .
Sock reached the fourth round in Paris in 2015 where he even took a set off Nadal before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard he 's pretty good on clay .
I heard he played all right a few weeks ago in New York .
I think he 's being called the new king of clay after Nadal .
He loves it here , '' said Sock , making light of the challenge ahead .

Paris (AFP) –
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US Open champion Dominic Thiem admitted Monday that he faces a stiff challenge to keep tennis high up in the public consciousness once Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic call it quits.
Thiem, 27, captured his maiden Slam title in New York with a breathtaking five-set win over Alexander Zverev earlier this month, the first major final in six years not to feature at least one of the 'Big Three'.
However, US broadcaster ESPN said that ratings for that championship match were down 48%.
Both Federer and Nadal opted not to play the US Open while Djokovic was disqualified in the last 16.
"I think it's normal, because Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, they are like global superstars, and we are not yet," said Thiem after reaching the second round of Roland Garros with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over Croatia's Marin Cilic, who was celebrating his 32nd birthday on Monday.
"I guess we have to build it up like they did. I think there is a chance to do it, but it comes automatically with a lot of success. That's our challenge to do.
"But I think that we are not going to have a problem, because for me, like the new generation, or also my generation, they are super-good characters, interesting characters, a lot of star potential there. The only thing we are missing is the huge success.
"I guess that there are less viewers or less interest if Roger, Rafa, and Novak are not there much. It's normal, because as I said, they are global superstars, and I hope we are on the way there."
Federer, 39, who is sitting out the rest of 2020 to rehab knee surgery, is the record Slam title holder with 20 triumphs, followed by Nadal with 19 and Djokovic, currently the world number one, with 17.
Thiem has finished runner-up to 12-time French Open winner Nadal, 34, at the last two Roland Garros finals.
Djokovic, meanwhile, is the 2016 champion. The 33-year-old and is bidding to become the first man in the modern era to win all four Slams twice.
Thiem is 27 so has time on his side when it comes to further Grand Slam potential.
However, he is seeded to meet Nadal in the semi-finals this year with the Spaniard only having lost twice in 96 appearances at the tournament since his title-winning debut in 2005.
'Tennis will be healthy' -
"For me, Rafa is the huge favourite here," said Thiem. "Obviously there's a lot of different things going on this year with way less crowd, with the tournament going on three or four months later. It's cold conditions.
"But with his name and with his past here at the tournament, he's still the huge favourite."
Nadal believes Thiem has nothing to worry about.
"It needs time. That's all. You don't create very popular stars in a day. You need to achieve things," said Nadal after also making the second round with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win over Egor Gerasimov of Belarus.
"We have been on tour for many years. Maybe Roger and I, we created something special about our rivalry, and that goes all over the tennis world. I think they have to do their way, and tennis will be healthy. We have a good future."
Next up for Thiem is American qualifier Jack Sock, a former top 10 player who is now ranked 310.
Sock reached the fourth round in Paris in 2015 where he even took a set off Nadal before losing in four sets.
"I heard he's pretty good on clay. I heard he played all right a few weeks ago in New York. I think he's being called the new king of clay after Nadal. He loves it here," said Sock, making light of the challenge ahead.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-28--French Open at a glance - Day 2

French Open at a glance - Day 2

Serena makes it 75 out of 76 -- Serena Williams ' 7-6 ( 7/2 ) , 6-0 win over Kristie Ahn was her 75th victory in 76 first round matches at the majors .
Her only opening loss was to Virginie Razzano in Paris in 2012 .
-- Ukraine 's Katarina Zavatska managed to break three strings in the space of 10 minutes in her 2-6 , 6-2 , 6-0 loss to Dutch fifth seed Kiki Bertens on Court Suzanne Lenglen .
The world number 112 was left in tears and with no racquets left in her bag so had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sitting , shivering in the stands .
-- France 's Pierre-Hugues Herbert , who made the second round with a 6-3 , 6-2 , 6-3 win over American qualifier Michael Mmoh , was making his Grand Slam return following his decision to skip the US Open to be with his pregnant wife .
The couple 's son was born on September 19 .
-- Eugenie Bouchard , steadily rebuilding her career six years after making the semi-finals of Roland Garros , has no problems with players being confined to their hotels when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you 're asking me if I brought any stuffed animals , no , I did not , '' said the Canadian when asked how she fills her downtime in Paris .
`` I brought some books and I have subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu , so that 's mostly what 's getting me through .
`` I 'm currently watching Billions , I 've started watching Selling Sunset on Netflix .
Everyone was talking about it , and I do n't like watching reality too much , but I kind of felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conversation , so I started watching it . ''
`` I do n't feel anything in my body right now .
I feel empty . ''
-- Corentin Moutet after losing 0-6 , 7-6 ( 9/7 ) , 7-6 ( 7/3 ) , 2-6 , 18-16 to Italian qualifier Lorenzo Giustino in the second longest match in French Open history at six hours and five minutes .
`` I was lucky enough to get a private jet here to Paris , so that was much safer . ''
-- Petra Kvitova on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Austria so I love it when it 's 10-15 degrees . ''
-- Dominic Thiem has no problems with the cold and wet conditions of Paris where it was 15 degrees ( 59 F ) on Monday .
`` I think we saw it also with Sir Andy Murray yesterday that this weather for players who had a bunch of surgery is not the greatest . ''
-- Germany 's Andrea Petkovic , beaten 6-3 , 6-3 by Tsvetana Pironkova , in her first match since October last year .
The 33-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee problems .
`` They 're all G.O.A.T.s in their own way in different areas of the sport . ''
-- Jack Sock on his assessment of Roger Federer , Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic '' When I make history it is a plus , it makes me happy , I love Mexico , it 's where I grew up .
I know that the country has always been about a lot of football , but now it 's a bit of tennis . ''
-- Mexico 's Renata Zarazua beat France 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her country 's first representative in the main draw of a Slam in 20 years .

Paris (AFP) –
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French Open at a glance - day 2:
Headlines
+ Nadal reaches Roland Garros second round for 16th time
+ Serena, Thiem win through
+ Italy's Lorenzo Giustino wins 6hr 05min epic, second longest ever French Open match
Top results
Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) bt Egor Gerasimov (BLR) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
Serena Williams (USA x6) bt Kristie Ahn (USA) 7-6 (7/2), 6-0
Dominic Thiem (AUT x3) bt Marin Cilic (CRO) 6-4, 6-3, 6-3
Sidelines
Serena makes it 75 out of 76
-- Serena Williams' 7-6 (7/2), 6-0 win over Kristie Ahn was her 75th victory in 76 first round matches at the majors. Her only opening loss was to Virginie Razzano in Paris in 2012.
No strings attached
-- Ukraine's Katarina Zavatska managed to break three strings in the space of 10 minutes in her 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 loss to Dutch fifth seed Kiki Bertens on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The world number 112 was left in tears and with no racquets left in her bag so had to borrow one from her coach who was sitting, shivering in the stands.
Father's day
-- France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who made the second round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over American qualifier Michael Mmoh, was making his Grand Slam return following his decision to skip the US Open to be with his pregnant wife. The couple's son was born on September 19.
TV not toys for Bouchard
-- Eugenie Bouchard, steadily rebuilding her career six years after making the semi-finals of Roland Garros, has no problems with players being confined to their hotels when they are not on site.
"If you're asking me if I brought any stuffed animals, no, I did not," said the Canadian when asked how she fills her downtime in Paris.
"I brought some books and I have subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu, so that's mostly what's getting me through.
"I'm currently watching Billions, I've started watching Selling Sunset on Netflix. Everyone was talking about it, and I don't like watching reality too much, but I kind of felt out of the loop and out of the conversation, so I started watching it."
Who's saying what
"I don't feel anything in my body right now. I feel empty."
-- Corentin Moutet after losing 0-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 18-16 to Italian qualifier Lorenzo Giustino in the second longest match in French Open history at six hours and five minutes.
"I was lucky enough to get a private jet here to Paris, so that was much safer."
-- Petra Kvitova on travelling during the coronavirus
"I'm from Austria so I love it when it's 10-15 degrees."
-- Dominic Thiem has no problems with the cold and wet conditions of Paris where it was 15 degrees (59 F) on Monday.
"I think we saw it also with Sir Andy Murray yesterday that this weather for players who had a bunch of surgery is not the greatest."
-- Germany's Andrea Petkovic, beaten 6-3, 6-3 by Tsvetana Pironkova, in her first match since October last year. The 33-year-old world number 95 had been sidelined by knee problems.
"They're all G.O.A.T.s in their own way in different areas of the sport."
-- Jack Sock on his assessment of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
"When I make history it is a plus, it makes me happy, I love Mexico, it's where I grew up. I know that the country has always been about a lot of football, but now it's a bit of tennis."
-- Mexico's Renata Zarazua beat France's Elsa Jacquemot 6-1, 6-2 and is her country's first representative in the main draw of a Slam in 20 years.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-29--Police break up Calais migrant camp, biggest since 'the Jungle'

Tuesday 's operation started before sunrise and had removed some 200 people in the first two hours French police on Tuesday dismantled a camp of 700 to 800 migrants in the port city of Calais , the biggest such operation since the sprawling `` Jungle '' shantytown was broken up four years ago .
Calais continues to attract migrants from the Middle East and Africa who set up makeshift camps along the coast from where they hope to make the passage across the English Channel to Britain .
Since January 1 , at least 1,317 migrants have been intercepted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK , some by swimming across the busy waterway .
Tuesday 's operation started before sunrise and had removed some 200 people in the first two hours , according to local authorities .
Twenty-one among them were arrested .
`` We want to avoid a concentration and a new gathering point in Calais , '' Louis Le Franc , the government 's top official for the northern Pas-de-Calais department , said at the scene .
According to Le Franc , it was the biggest dismantling of a Calais camp since the Jungle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 and 2016 .
About 150 of the evacuated migrants will be brought to reception centres in Pas-de-Calais , another 150 to other departments in northern France , and the remaining 500-odd to other regions of the country .
By far the majority of the migrants are men , mainly from Somalia , Sudan , Iran , Iraq and Eritrea .
`` In my view , this is above all an operation to give people a safe haven .
The migrants are living in this forested area in extremely difficult conditions , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important to get the migrants out before ... the winter period , '' he added .
Northern France has long been a magnet for people seeking to smuggle themselves to Britain in small boats or in one of the tens of thousands of trucks and cars that travel daily between the countries on ferries and trains .
The month of August saw this year 's first drowning of a migrant trying to exit France , when the body of a Sudanese teenager trying to reach Britain with a friend in an inflatable boat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities have vowed to avoid a repeat of the Jungle -- which at one point held as many as 10,000 people -- but camps have continued to spring up as migrants flee war and poverty at home to seek a better life in Europe .
Rights groups have criticised police tactics , which include seizing migrants ' tents and other belongings .
In December 2018 , France 's human rights ombudsman said migrants in northern France have been subjected to `` unprecedented '' violations of their basic rights .
As Tuesday 's evacuation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buses grouped by ethnicity or nationality , as tents , duvets , blankets , shoes and clothes were left behind in the undergrowth .
`` Our goal is also to fight actively against smugglers '' and `` the exploitation of human misery , '' Le Franc said .
Rights associations said the operation was pointless .
Maya Konforti of the Auberge des Migrants ( Migrants ' Hostel ) group said the evacuated foreigners would be back `` within days . ''
`` We spend a lot of money to move dozens of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no purpose .
It 's messaging , nothing else , '' she said .
The migrants know that few of them qualify for asylum in France , and believing that `` England is their last chance '' will continue trying to get there at all costs , Konforti said .
The government estimates about 1,000 migrants currently live around Calais , while support groups say the number is closer to 1,500 .

Calais (France) (AFP) –
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French police on Tuesday dismantled a camp of 700 to 800 migrants in the port city of Calais, the biggest such operation since the sprawling "Jungle" shantytown was broken up four years ago.
Calais continues to attract migrants from the Middle East and Africa who set up makeshift camps along the coast from where they hope to make the passage across the English Channel to Britain.
Since January 1, at least 1,317 migrants have been intercepted by French authorities as they tried to reach the UK, some by swimming across the busy waterway.
Tuesday's operation started before sunrise and had removed some 200 people in the first two hours, according to local authorities. Twenty-one among them were arrested.
"We want to avoid a concentration and a new gathering point in Calais," Louis Le Franc, the government's top official for the northern Pas-de-Calais department, said at the scene.
According to Le Franc, it was the biggest dismantling of a Calais camp since the Jungle was cleared of some 9,000 migrants between 2015 and 2016.
About 150 of the evacuated migrants will be brought to reception centres in Pas-de-Calais, another 150 to other departments in northern France, and the remaining 500-odd to other regions of the country.
- 'Safe haven' -
By far the majority of the migrants are men, mainly from Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Iraq and Eritrea.
"In my view, this is above all an operation to give people a safe haven. The migrants are living in this forested area in extremely difficult conditions," Le Franc said.
"It was important to get the migrants out before... the winter period," he added.
Northern France has long been a magnet for people seeking to smuggle themselves to Britain in small boats or in one of the tens of thousands of trucks and cars that travel daily between the countries on ferries and trains.
The month of August saw this year's first drowning of a migrant trying to exit France, when the body of a Sudanese teenager trying to reach Britain with a friend in an inflatable boat was discovered on a beach.
French authorities have vowed to avoid a repeat of the Jungle -- which at one point held as many as 10,000 people -- but camps have continued to spring up as migrants flee war and poverty at home to seek a better life in Europe.
Rights groups have criticised police tactics, which include seizing migrants' tents and other belongings.
In December 2018, France's human rights ombudsman said migrants in northern France have been subjected to "unprecedented" violations of their basic rights.
As Tuesday's evacuation was under way, migrants queued for buses grouped by ethnicity or nationality, as tents, duvets, blankets, shoes and clothes were left behind in the undergrowth.
"Our goal is also to fight actively against smugglers" and "the exploitation of human misery," Le Franc said.
- 'Serves no purpose' -
Rights associations said the operation was pointless.
Maya Konforti of the Auberge des Migrants (Migrants' Hostel) group said the evacuated foreigners would be back "within days."
"We spend a lot of money to move dozens of people in buses... but it serves absolutely no purpose. It's messaging, nothing else," she said.
The migrants know that few of them qualify for asylum in France, and believing that "England is their last chance" will continue trying to get there at all costs, Konforti said.
The government estimates about 1,000 migrants currently live around Calais, while support groups say the number is closer to 1,500.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-29--Outrage in India as low-caste teen dies after gang rape

Indian women protest for action against sexual violence in the country , in 2019 A Dalit teenager allegedly raped by four upper-caste men died of her injuries on Tuesday , sparking outrage from Indian activists , politicians and Bollywood stars .
India 's 200 million low-caste `` untouchable '' Dalits have long faced discrimination and abuse and campaigners say attacks have increased during the coronavirus pandemic .
The 19-year-old woman was brutally assaulted in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on September 14 , according to a complaint filed by the family with police .
The four accused have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Found lying in a pool of blood and paralysed from injuries to her neck and spine , the woman rushed to a local hospital before being brought to New Delhi on Monday as her condition worsened .
`` She died during the course of treatment on Tuesday morning .
We will ensure swift investigation and trial in the case , '' Hathras district police chief Vikrant Vir told AFP .
The news comes months after four men were hanged for the brutal gang rape and murder of a student on a bus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to symbolise the nation 's problem with sexual violence , gaining worldwide notoriety and being turned into a Netflix TV show .
Bollywood personalities and women 's rights activists took to social media to condemn this month 's attack .
`` Sad , sad day .
How much longer can this be allowed to go on , '' wrote director-producer Farhan Akhtar .
Activist Kavita Krishnan said the attack reflected the `` larger picture of structural violence '' against Dalit women .
Priyanka Gandhi , a member of the opposition Congress party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh , which is ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's Bharatiya Janata Party .
Women in India are subjected to alarming levels of sexual assaults , irrespective of their caste or class .
Nearly 34,000 rapes were reported in the country in 2018 , but the figures are considered the tip of the iceberg , with many victims too scared to come forward .

New Delhi (AFP) –
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A Dalit teenager allegedly raped by four upper-caste men died of her injuries on Tuesday, sparking outrage from Indian activists, politicians and Bollywood stars.
India's 200 million low-caste "untouchable" Dalits have long faced discrimination and abuse and campaigners say attacks have increased during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 19-year-old woman was brutally assaulted in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on September 14, according to a complaint filed by the family with police.
The four accused have been arrested, according to the authorities.
Found lying in a pool of blood and paralysed from injuries to her neck and spine, the woman rushed to a local hospital before being brought to New Delhi on Monday as her condition worsened.
"She died during the course of treatment on Tuesday morning. We will ensure swift investigation and trial in the case," Hathras district police chief Vikrant Vir told AFP.
The news comes months after four men were hanged for the brutal gang rape and murder of a student on a bus in Delhi in 2012 -- a case which came to symbolise the nation's problem with sexual violence, gaining worldwide notoriety and being turned into a Netflix TV show.
Bollywood personalities and women's rights activists took to social media to condemn this month's attack.
"Sad, sad day. How much longer can this be allowed to go on," wrote director-producer Farhan Akhtar.
Activist Kavita Krishnan said the attack reflected the "larger picture of structural violence" against Dalit women.
Priyanka Gandhi, a member of the opposition Congress party, blamed the assault on the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh, which is ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party.
Women in India are subjected to alarming levels of sexual assaults, irrespective of their caste or class.
Nearly 34,000 rapes were reported in the country in 2018, but the figures are considered the tip of the iceberg, with many victims too scared to come forward.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-29--Ghosn in first public appearance in Lebanon in months

Fugitive auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn refused to answer any questions about the charges against him in Japan as he launched a business programme at a Lebanese university in his first public appearance in months Fugitive auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn made his first public appearance in months Tuesday to launch a business programme at a Lebanese university .
The ex-Nissan chief was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on financial misconduct charges and spent 130 days in detention , before he dramatically jumped bail and smuggled himself out of the country late last year .
The 66-year-old businessman for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January , claiming he was a victim of a plot by Nissan and Japanese officials .
On Tuesday , he held a press conference to launch new business courses at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik ( USEK ) , north of Beirut .
But he refused to answer any questions about allegations against him , or his former business partner Greg Kelly who pleaded not guilty on September 15 as his trial opened in Japan .
`` I am not going to deviate this conference from its centre and the centre is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businessman , who also holds French and Lebanese nationalities .
Instead he spoke of a new executive management programme , as well as two other entrepreneurship and information technology courses , which he said aimed at `` serving the country '' .
An organiser said students would receive one consultancy session with Ghosn , and a certificate at the end of their studies signed by him .
Lebanon is mired in its worst economic crisis in decades , and still reeling from a monster blast at the capital 's port that killed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Beirut .

Kaslik (Lebanon) (AFP) –
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Fugitive auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn made his first public appearance in months Tuesday to launch a business programme at a Lebanese university.
The ex-Nissan chief was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on financial misconduct charges and spent 130 days in detention, before he dramatically jumped bail and smuggled himself out of the country late last year.
The 66-year-old businessman for the first time appeared in public in Lebanon in January, claiming he was a victim of a plot by Nissan and Japanese officials.
On Tuesday, he held a press conference to launch new business courses at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), north of Beirut.
But he refused to answer any questions about allegations against him, or his former business partner Greg Kelly who pleaded not guilty on September 15 as his trial opened in Japan.
"I am not going to deviate this conference from its centre and the centre is USEK," said the tanned Brazilian-born businessman, who also holds French and Lebanese nationalities.
Instead he spoke of a new executive management programme, as well as two other entrepreneurship and information technology courses, which he said aimed at "serving the country".
An organiser said students would receive one consultancy session with Ghosn, and a certificate at the end of their studies signed by him.
Lebanon is mired in its worst economic crisis in decades, and still reeling from a monster blast at the capital's port that killed more than 190 people and ravaged large parts of Beirut.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-29--Pliskova struggles past Egyptian trailblazer as Djokovic promises best behaviour

Second seed Karolina Pliskova ended Mayar Sherif 's fairytale Grand Slam breakthrough to set up a Roland Garros second round clash against former champion Jelena Ostapenko on Tuesday as world number one Novak Djokovic pledged to be on his best behaviour on his return to the majors after his US Open brain fade .
Pliskova , a semi-finalist in 2017 , squandered eight set points in the opening set as world number 172 Sherif , the first Egyptian woman to play in the main draw at a Slam , took a shock lead .
However , the Czech 's greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress 6-7 ( 9/11 ) , 6-2 , 6-4 .
Latvia 's Ostapenko , the world 43 , won her first match at the French Open since sweeping to her shock 2017 title when she fired 46 winners past Madison Brengle of the United States to win 6-2 , 6-1 .
Later Tuesday , Djokovic begins his bid for a second French Open title and 18th Grand Slam title .
The world number one tackles Sweden 's Mikael Ymer , ranked 80 , seeking a 32nd win in 33 matches in 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his now infamous default in New York for an angry swipe of the ball which hit a line judge in the throat .
`` Of course , I will make sure I do n't make the same mistake twice , '' said the Serb who remains only one of two men to have defeated 12-time champion Rafael Nadal in 15 years in Paris .
Djokovic suffered no hangover from his US Open controversy , quickly wrapping up a record 36th Masters title in Rome in a perfect claycourt tune-up for Paris .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the opportunity to become the first man in the Open era -– and only the third man in history -– to win each of the four Grand Slam titles twice .
Ymer , 22 , who is of Ethiopian descent , has n't won a main draw match on tour since the sport resumed after its lengthy suspension due to the coronavirus .
However , he made the second round of Roland Garros on his Grand Slam debut last year having come through qualifying before losing to Germany 's Alexander Zverev .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany over Stefanos Tsitsipas was his third title of 2020 , after hardcourt trophies on Doha and Adelaide .
Rublev has yet to win a match at Roland Garros in two visits following a loss in qualifying in 2016 and a first round exit in 2017 .
World 48 Querrey made the third round in Paris in 2013 .
The left-hander leapt into the top 10 for the first time earlier this month and made the quarter-finals of the US Open and last eight in Rome .
However , Shapovalov , 21 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garros .

Paris (AFP) –
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Second seed Karolina Pliskova ended Mayar Sherif's fairytale Grand Slam breakthrough to set up a Roland Garros second round clash against former champion Jelena Ostapenko on Tuesday as world number one Novak Djokovic pledged to be on his best behaviour on his return to the majors after his US Open brain fade.
Pliskova, a semi-finalist in 2017, squandered eight set points in the opening set as world number 172 Sherif, the first Egyptian woman to play in the main draw at a Slam, took a shock lead.
However, the Czech's greater experience eventually told as she recovered to progress 6-7 (9/11), 6-2, 6-4.
Latvia's Ostapenko, the world 43, won her first match at the French Open since sweeping to her shock 2017 title when she fired 46 winners past Madison Brengle of the United States to win 6-2, 6-1.
Later Tuesday, Djokovic begins his bid for a second French Open title and 18th Grand Slam title.
The world number one tackles Sweden's Mikael Ymer, ranked 80, seeking a 32nd win in 33 matches in 2020.
His only loss was against himself following his now infamous default in New York for an angry swipe of the ball which hit a line judge in the throat.
"Of course, I will make sure I don't make the same mistake twice," said the Serb who remains only one of two men to have defeated 12-time champion Rafael Nadal in 15 years in Paris.
Djokovic suffered no hangover from his US Open controversy, quickly wrapping up a record 36th Masters title in Rome in a perfect claycourt tune-up for Paris.
An extra incentive in Paris for the Serb is the opportunity to become the first man in the Open era -– and only the third man in history -– to win each of the four Grand Slam titles twice.
Ymer, 22, who is of Ethiopian descent, hasn't won a main draw match on tour since the sport resumed after its lengthy suspension due to the coronavirus.
However, he made the second round of Roland Garros on his Grand Slam debut last year having come through qualifying before losing to Germany's Alexander Zverev.
Also on Tuesday, newly-crowned Hamburg champion Andrey Rublev, seeded 13, tackles giant American Sam Querrey.
The 22-year-old Rublev's final win in Germany over Stefanos Tsitsipas was his third title of 2020, after hardcourt trophies on Doha and Adelaide.
Rublev has yet to win a match at Roland Garros in two visits following a loss in qualifying in 2016 and a first round exit in 2017.
World 48 Querrey made the third round in Paris in 2013.
Canada's Denis Shapovalov, seeded nine, faces French veteran Gilles Simon.
The left-hander leapt into the top 10 for the first time earlier this month and made the quarter-finals of the US Open and last eight in Rome.
However, Shapovalov, 21, has just one career win at Roland Garros.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-29--'Ruining our lives': Covid terraces pit Paris bars against neighbours

Collectives have spread up across Paris to complain about the noise from `` Covid terraces '' that stay open well behind the 10 pm limit .
Paris bars and restaurants got a rare reason to cheer this summer when the city allowed them to expand outdoor seating into the street to recapture clientele lost to coronavirus restrictions .
Soon tables and chairs were spilling out onto pavements and parking spots with customers flocking to the makeshift terraces and loving the long balmy evenings after months of lockdown .
But nobody thought to ask the neighbours .
`` It 's ruining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a psychologist who lives on a pedestrian strip of Rue Montmartre , in the heart of the capital .
In theory , bar owners have to shut down the `` Covid terraces '' at 10 pm to spare neighbours from noisy street parties .
In practice , around 8,000 pop-up patios have sprouted on sidewalks and parking spots across the city , often accompanied by music for boisterous patrons who stay well past midnight .
City officials say it 's just a question of a few bad apples , but in August they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tripled the fine for noise violations to 500 euros ( $ 590 ) .
`` For two months we 've called the police , city hall , but nothing changes .
It 's become a no man 's land , '' said Elodie , who like other residents asked to have her last name withheld amid escalating tensions .
She and others fed up with fighting recalcitrant bar owners formed a collective on Twitter , urging people to denounce abuses and plotting them on an interactive map .
The account has been flooded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some wielding decibel readers , others saying they have to push through crowds just to reach their front door .
In some cases dozens of tables are spread half a block down the street -- far exceeding the original number of tables inside .
`` Here for example , they went from eight tables to more than 30 , so instead of 20 or 25 people outside you have 150 or 200 , '' Elodie said during a nocturnal tour of her neighbourhood .
`` The lady who lives above me , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to her country house in Normandy because of the noise , '' said Yves , a cheesemonger on the picturesque Rue des Martyrs .
And few residents expect a return to calm anytime soon , despite the cooler autumn weather and the new closure of all Paris bars from 10 pm to fight to the coronavirus outbreak .
After weeks of campaigning , around 40 neighbourhood associations and other anti-noise groups secured a meeting with city hall officials Monday .
Franck Trouet , a spokesman for the national GNI association of cafes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' caused by the Covid terraces -- which Mayor Anne Hidalgo has said will be allowed to remain until next June .
`` But they 're also a ray of sunshine for people , and lifts up morale in these difficult times , '' he told AFP .
Yet judging from recent tours of several Paris neighbourhoods , few bars are keen to start turning out patrons at the stroke of 10 .
More seem to share the attitude of the Alma , a restaurant and bar that posted on Instagram a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's official `` respect the neighbours '' sign in half .
`` If you live on a busy street , you kind of have to accept that there will be noise , '' said Louis Supau , a sales representative with his friends on the Rue Montmartre , under a banner reading `` Need to Sleep ! ''
hung up by a fed-up resident .
`` I understand perfectly that closing times should be respected ... but during the Covid crisis I think they should be a little more tolerant about the noise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graphic designer , a few blocks away on the Rue Poissoniere .
Most bar owners say they are trying their best .
`` We respect the rule , because we want to get along with the neighbours , '' said Thibault Wagner , manager at the Bistrot Argentin , which can now seat around 80 people on the street outside .
But he acknowledged `` some problems with three or four people , '' while gradually stacking up chairs on a recent weeknight , while other patrons lingered as 10 pm rolled around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants .
We 're young , we like going out too and enjoying life , '' said Elodie .
`` But everyone needs to play by the rules -- we accept them , but the bars have to respect them . ''

Paris (AFP) –
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Paris bars and restaurants got a rare reason to cheer this summer when the city allowed them to expand outdoor seating into the street to recapture clientele lost to coronavirus restrictions.
Soon tables and chairs were spilling out onto pavements and parking spots with customers flocking to the makeshift terraces and loving the long balmy evenings after months of lockdown.
But nobody thought to ask the neighbours.
"It's ruining our lives," says Elodie, a psychologist who lives on a pedestrian strip of Rue Montmartre, in the heart of the capital.
In theory, bar owners have to shut down the "Covid terraces" at 10 pm to spare neighbours from noisy street parties.
In practice, around 8,000 pop-up patios have sprouted on sidewalks and parking spots across the city, often accompanied by music for boisterous patrons who stay well past midnight.
- 'No man's land' -
City officials say it's just a question of a few bad apples, but in August they nonetheless promised to step up controls and tripled the fine for noise violations to 500 euros ($590).
"For two months we've called the police, city hall, but nothing changes. It's become a no man's land," said Elodie, who like other residents asked to have her last name withheld amid escalating tensions.
She and others fed up with fighting recalcitrant bar owners formed a collective on Twitter, urging people to denounce abuses and plotting them on an interactive map.
The account has been flooded with photos and videos by residents, some wielding decibel readers, others saying they have to push through crowds just to reach their front door.
In some cases dozens of tables are spread half a block down the street -- far exceeding the original number of tables inside.
"Here for example, they went from eight tables to more than 30, so instead of 20 or 25 people outside you have 150 or 200," Elodie said during a nocturnal tour of her neighbourhood.
"The lady who lives above me, on the first floor, just left and went to her country house in Normandy because of the noise," said Yves, a cheesemonger on the picturesque Rue des Martyrs.
And few residents expect a return to calm anytime soon, despite the cooler autumn weather and the new closure of all Paris bars from 10 pm to fight to the coronavirus outbreak.
After weeks of campaigning, around 40 neighbourhood associations and other anti-noise groups secured a meeting with city hall officials Monday.
- 'Need to sleep!' -
Franck Trouet, a spokesman for the national GNI association of cafes and restaurants, acknowledged "some tensions" caused by the Covid terraces -- which Mayor Anne Hidalgo has said will be allowed to remain until next June.
"But they're also a ray of sunshine for people, and lifts up morale in these difficult times," he told AFP.
Yet judging from recent tours of several Paris neighbourhoods, few bars are keen to start turning out patrons at the stroke of 10.
More seem to share the attitude of the Alma, a restaurant and bar that posted on Instagram a video of a man gleefully smashing the city's official "respect the neighbours" sign in half.
"If you live on a busy street, you kind of have to accept that there will be noise," said Louis Supau, a sales representative with his friends on the Rue Montmartre, under a banner reading "Need to Sleep!" hung up by a fed-up resident.
"I understand perfectly that closing times should be respected... but during the Covid crisis I think they should be a little more tolerant about the noise," said Natasha Fina, a graphic designer, a few blocks away on the Rue Poissoniere.
- 'We respect the rule' -
Most bar owners say they are trying their best.
"We respect the rule, because we want to get along with the neighbours," said Thibault Wagner, manager at the Bistrot Argentin, which can now seat around 80 people on the street outside.
But he acknowledged "some problems with three or four people," while gradually stacking up chairs on a recent weeknight, while other patrons lingered as 10 pm rolled around.
"We also want bars and restaurants. We're young, we like going out too and enjoying life," said Elodie.
"But everyone needs to play by the rules -- we accept them, but the bars have to respect them."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-29--US designer brands Donald Trump a 'Ku Klux Klan tyrant'

Rising French designer Marine Serre , some of whose designs feature here at a recent show outside Paris , raised eyebrows with her unsettling sci-fi themed and Nietzsche-inspired film `` Amor Fati '' A Paris fashion week show has called for the end to the `` tyranny '' of US President Donald Trump .
American artist Sterling Ruby compared Trump to the racist Ku Klux Klan in his women 's Paris show called `` Veil Flag '' , in which a black model was draped in a distressed denim version of the Stars and Stripes .
Ruby 's streetwear brand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CA.
, made its fashion week debut in the French capital late Monday with a film featuring the flag and a spoken word poem .
`` Where are we , and what has happened ? ''
the poem began .
`` No sovereignty , no empathy .
A flag worn down , covered in hardship marching against leaderless leadership .
`` Tread on me ... Light me on fire ... End the tyranny of the President Grand Dragon , '' it added .
The Grand Dragon is one of the most senior members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long history of racist violence is still legal and thought to be active in 41 US states .
Trump has been accused of encouraging the rise of white supremacists in recent years .
With coronavirus infections rocketing in France , Paris women 's fashion week has followed Milan and London in going mostly digital , with labels presenting their new looks in short films .
Rising French designer Marine Serre also raised eyebrows Tuesday with an unsettling sci-fi themed film called `` Amor Fati '' , inspired by Nietzsche , who made embracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- central to his philosophy .
Serre , whose made face masks a fashion item long before the pandemic to summon up her post-apocalyptic universe , said her new collection was `` a mirror of the last five months .
`` The world around us has changed radically '' since the world was hit by the virus , she told AFP .
`` I started putting anti-pollution masks in my collections a year and a half ago , '' the 28-year-old added .
`` I was going to work on my bike and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Serre , who will show her film in the French capital 's biggest cinema later Tuesday , warned that some viewers may find it disturbing .
Her dystopian hooded outfits and body hugging designs have touched a nerve with many younger fashionistas , fearful of what is happening to the environment .
Serre 's shows have also featured upcycled dresses made from old bedspreads and curtains .
Her clothes have since been championed by US singers Beyonce and Ariana Grande , with her crescent moon motif popping up regularly on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Chloe Sevigny .
She has also become a leading voice for more sustainable fashion .
With the Belgian master Dries Van Noten , she has called for a major rethink of how the industry works .
Their manifesto for responsible fashion has since been signed by hundreds of other designers .

Paris (AFP) –
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A Paris fashion week show has called for the end to the "tyranny" of US President Donald Trump.
American artist Sterling Ruby compared Trump to the racist Ku Klux Klan in his women's Paris show called "Veil Flag", in which a black model was draped in a distressed denim version of the Stars and Stripes.
Ruby's streetwear brand, S.R. Studio. LA. CA., made its fashion week debut in the French capital late Monday with a film featuring the flag and a spoken word poem.
"Where are we, and what has happened?" the poem began.
"No sovereignty, no empathy. A flag worn down, covered in hardship marching against leaderless leadership.
"Tread on me... Light me on fire... End the tyranny of the President Grand Dragon," it added.
The Grand Dragon is one of the most senior members of the KKK, which despite its long history of racist violence is still legal and thought to be active in 41 US states.
Trump has been accused of encouraging the rise of white supremacists in recent years.
With coronavirus infections rocketing in France, Paris women's fashion week has followed Milan and London in going mostly digital, with labels presenting their new looks in short films.
- 'The world has changed' -
Rising French designer Marine Serre also raised eyebrows Tuesday with an unsettling sci-fi themed film called "Amor Fati", inspired by Nietzsche, who made embracing fate -- bad as it might be -- central to his philosophy.
Serre, whose made face masks a fashion item long before the pandemic to summon up her post-apocalyptic universe, said her new collection was "a mirror of the last five months.
"The world around us has changed radically" since the world was hit by the virus, she told AFP.
"I started putting anti-pollution masks in my collections a year and a half ago," the 28-year-old added.
"I was going to work on my bike and the air was not great in Paris."
Serre, who will show her film in the French capital's biggest cinema later Tuesday, warned that some viewers may find it disturbing.
Her dystopian hooded outfits and body hugging designs have touched a nerve with many younger fashionistas, fearful of what is happening to the environment.
Serre's shows have also featured upcycled dresses made from old bedspreads and curtains.
Her clothes have since been championed by US singers Beyonce and Ariana Grande, with her crescent moon motif popping up regularly on the red carpet in outfits worn by actresses such as Chloe Sevigny.
She has also become a leading voice for more sustainable fashion.
With the Belgian master Dries Van Noten, she has called for a major rethink of how the industry works.
Their manifesto for responsible fashion has since been signed by hundreds of other designers.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-29--UAE sets sights on the moon

UAE sets sights on the moon

Newcomer the United Arab Emirates has already made its mark on space exploration with the launch of its Hope orbiter which is due to reach the Red Planet in February next year The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday it will launch an unmanned rover to the moon by 2024 as it seeks to expand its space sector .
The UAE -- a collection of seven emirates better known for its skyscrapers , palm-shaped islands and opulent mega attractions -- is a newcomer to the world of space exploration but quickly making its mark .
In September 2019 , the oil-rich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of a three-member crew that blasted off on a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan for an eight-day mission .
Then in July , it launched an unmanned spacecraft from Japan 's Tanegashima Space Center bearing the `` Hope '' probe destined for Mars , in the Arab world 's first interplanetary mission .
The Emiratis now have their sights on the moon , according to the UAE 's vice president , Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum .
`` We have launched a new Emirati project to explore the moon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It will be an Emirati-made lunar rover that will land on the surface of the moon by 2024 . ''
Sheikh Mohammed also said that the rover -- named `` Rashid '' after his father who is credited with modernising Dubai -- will cover `` areas not yet reached in previous exploration missions '' .
The project marks another first for the UAE , making it the first trip to the moon by an Arab country .
Sheikh Mohammed said the lunar mission was part of the country 's space strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Dubai Media Office said that the 10-kilogramme ( 22 pound ) rover will be an integral part of efforts to build the first settlement on Mars in 2117 -- one of the UAE 's most ambitious plans .

Dubai (AFP) –
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The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday it will launch an unmanned rover to the moon by 2024 as it seeks to expand its space sector.
The UAE -- a collection of seven emirates better known for its skyscrapers, palm-shaped islands and opulent mega attractions -- is a newcomer to the world of space exploration but quickly making its mark.
In September 2019, the oil-rich country sent the first Emirati into space as part of a three-member crew that blasted off on a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan for an eight-day mission.
Then in July, it launched an unmanned spacecraft from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center bearing the "Hope" probe destined for Mars, in the Arab world's first interplanetary mission.
The Emiratis now have their sights on the moon, according to the UAE's vice president, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.
"We have launched a new Emirati project to explore the moon," he said on Twitter on Tuesday. "It will be an Emirati-made lunar rover that will land on the surface of the moon by 2024."
Sheikh Mohammed also said that the rover -- named "Rashid" after his father who is credited with modernising Dubai -- will cover "areas not yet reached in previous exploration missions".
The project marks another first for the UAE, making it the first trip to the moon by an Arab country.
Sheikh Mohammed said the lunar mission was part of the country's space strategy to build new knowledge-based and scientific capabilities.
The Dubai Media Office said that the 10-kilogramme (22 pound) rover will be an integral part of efforts to build the first settlement on Mars in 2117 -- one of the UAE's most ambitious plans.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-29--Chinese company targets global sales with quick Covid-19 tests

The Flash 20 is about the size of a desktop printer A Chinese company is entering the global race to help defeat the coronavirus , promising its testing machine will return results faster than a lab and more reliably than at-home screening kits .
The Flash 20 `` is currently the fastest machine in the world for PCR tests for the new coronavirus '' , says Sabrina Li , founder of the company Coyote .
PCR tests are the industry standard and a major weapon against a pandemic that has now killed more than a million people and eviscerated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop adequate response systems , Li is targeting global sales .
Already used at hospitals and airports in China , the contraption can process four samples in one go and deliver results in just half an hour .
It has been certified by the European Union and Australia , and Coyote is seeking similar status from the United States and World Health Organization .
Testing has been hailed as one of the best weapons to contain the pandemic and other researchers are also on the quest to find the fastest method .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribution of 150 million rapid coronavirus tests that can deliver a result in 15-30 minutes .
Different to PCR tests , these rapid diagnostic kits offer a quick turnaround , but are less sensitive and more likely to return false negatives .
The makers of the Flash 20 say their machine , about the size of a printer , is not only fast but extremely reliable .
Past experience with major disease outbreaks helped Coyote respond quickly this time around , the company said .
The SARS epidemic of 2003-2004 jolted China 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` reorganisation '' in the way the industry works , Zang Yuepeng , Coyote 's technical manager responsible for the Flash 20 , told AFP .
So when Covid-19 emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year , Coyote was able to design the machine and `` very quickly put this product on the market '' .
Between February and July , 500,000 tests were carried out in China by the authorities using the Flash 20 , and the results were 97 percent the same as those returned by conventional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company can currently produce only 500 a month but is hoping to double that number by the end of the year .
The main challenge , Coyote said , will be making enough machines to meet what it hopes will be huge demand .

Beijing (AFP) –
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A Chinese company is entering the global race to help defeat the coronavirus, promising its testing machine will return results faster than a lab and more reliably than at-home screening kits.
The Flash 20 "is currently the fastest machine in the world for PCR tests for the new coronavirus", says Sabrina Li, founder of the company Coyote.
PCR tests are the industry standard and a major weapon against a pandemic that has now killed more than a million people and eviscerated the global economy.
As governments scramble to develop adequate response systems, Li is targeting global sales.
Already used at hospitals and airports in China, the contraption can process four samples in one go and deliver results in just half an hour.
It has been certified by the European Union and Australia, and Coyote is seeking similar status from the United States and World Health Organization.
Testing has been hailed as one of the best weapons to contain the pandemic and other researchers are also on the quest to find the fastest method.
On Monday US President Donald Trump announced the distribution of 150 million rapid coronavirus tests that can deliver a result in 15-30 minutes.
Different to PCR tests, these rapid diagnostic kits offer a quick turnaround, but are less sensitive and more likely to return false negatives.
The makers of the Flash 20 say their machine, about the size of a printer, is not only fast but extremely reliable.
Past experience with major disease outbreaks helped Coyote respond quickly this time around, the company said.
The SARS epidemic of 2003-2004 jolted China's biotechnology sector and led to a great "reorganisation" in the way the industry works, Zang Yuepeng, Coyote's technical manager responsible for the Flash 20, told AFP.
So when Covid-19 emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, Coyote was able to design the machine and "very quickly put this product on the market".
Between February and July, 500,000 tests were carried out in China by the authorities using the Flash 20, and the results were 97 percent the same as those returned by conventional PCR testing in a lab.
The company can currently produce only 500 a month but is hoping to double that number by the end of the year.
The main challenge, Coyote said, will be making enough machines to meet what it hopes will be huge demand.
© 2020 AFP