france24--2020-09-11--Higuain can take us to next level: Miami boss

Gonzalo Higuain has arrived in Florida to complete his move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami Inter Miami coach Diego Alonso believes the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain will help David Beckham ’ s new Major League Soccer franchise move to the next level .
Alonso said Friday that the former Juventus and Real Madrid striker is undergoing physical tests and needs to finalize terms before completing his move to the United States .
Higuain is set to follow French World Cup winner and former Juve teammate Blaise Matuidi to South Florida , with Alonso confident their presence will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality of a squad which has struggled to make an impact in their debut season .
`` The arrival of experience has a positive impact on the team , first because of the quality because it helps improve the level and also it impacts the young players and helps them to develop , '' Alonso told AFP .
`` It is a double benefit .
We have seen it with Matuidi and if we are able to finish the signing of Gonzalo , they will both be able to benefit us in these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take Inter Miami ’ s third Designated Player spot following Mexican international Rodolfo Pizarro and young Argentina forward Matias Pellegrini , was greeted upon arrival in the United States by Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas , who took to Twitter to announce his delight at the signing of the 32-year-old former Argentina international .
`` A warm welcome to Gonzalo Higuain , a world class striker and champion , '' Mas wrote above a photo of the pair at the airport .
With Higuain also required to quarantine for at least 10 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debut will be on September 23 when the New York Red Bulls travel to South Florida .
`` Gonzalo is in South Florida , '' Alonso said .
`` He is having his medical exams and is in the final stages of negotiations .
We hope we can close the agreement and he can be with us soon . ''
Higuain has spent the past four years at Juventus , but was loaned to AC Milan in 2018-2019 .
He also spent part of the 2019 season at Chelsea before returning to Juve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Argentina and scored 31 goals in 75 international appearances .
Inter Miami , who are part-owned by former England and Manchester United star Beckham , have won just two out of 10 since making their debut earlier this year , scoring only eight times in the process .
Losing their first five games ensured Alonso 's team made the worst-ever start to a season by a new franchise , although four points from their last two matches , including a vital win over Atlanta earlier this week , has boosted morale .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquisition of France World Cup winner Matuidi , who has noticeably bolstered midfield in his two appearances so far .
The Argentine 's arrival also means he will be playing in MLS alongside his elder brother Federico , who plays for D.C. United .

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Inter Miami coach Diego Alonso believes the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain will help David Beckham’s new Major League Soccer franchise move to the next level.
Alonso said Friday that the former Juventus and Real Madrid striker is undergoing physical tests and needs to finalize terms before completing his move to the United States.
Higuain is set to follow French World Cup winner and former Juve teammate Blaise Matuidi to South Florida, with Alonso confident their presence will help the younger players develop while boosting the quality of a squad which has struggled to make an impact in their debut season.
"The arrival of experience has a positive impact on the team, first because of the quality because it helps improve the level and also it impacts the young players and helps them to develop," Alonso told AFP.
"It is a double benefit. We have seen it with Matuidi and if we are able to finish the signing of Gonzalo, they will both be able to benefit us in these ways."
Higuain, who will take Inter Miami’s third Designated Player spot following Mexican international Rodolfo Pizarro and young Argentina forward Matias Pellegrini, was greeted upon arrival in the United States by Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas, who took to Twitter to announce his delight at the signing of the 32-year-old former Argentina international.
"A warm welcome to Gonzalo Higuain, a world class striker and champion," Mas wrote above a photo of the pair at the airport.
With Higuain also required to quarantine for at least 10 days, the most likely date for his debut will be on September 23 when the New York Red Bulls travel to South Florida.
"Gonzalo is in South Florida," Alonso said.
"He is having his medical exams and is in the final stages of negotiations. We hope we can close the agreement and he can be with us soon."
Higuain has spent the past four years at Juventus, but was loaned to AC Milan in 2018-2019. He also spent part of the 2019 season at Chelsea before returning to Juve.
Higuain played in three World Cups for Argentina and scored 31 goals in 75 international appearances.
Inter Miami, who are part-owned by former England and Manchester United star Beckham, have won just two out of 10 since making their debut earlier this year, scoring only eight times in the process.
Losing their first five games ensured Alonso's team made the worst-ever start to a season by a new franchise, although four points from their last two matches, including a vital win over Atlanta earlier this week, has boosted morale.
Higuain's expected move comes after the acquisition of France World Cup winner Matuidi, who has noticeably bolstered midfield in his two appearances so far.
The Argentine's arrival also means he will be playing in MLS alongside his elder brother Federico, who plays for D.C. United.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-11--Pollard stretchered off, Beale sent off, in Racing's win over Montpellier

Rugby World Cup winner Handre Pollard was stretchered off in Montpellier 's 41-14 Top 14 loss at Racing 92 on Friday , on a night that saw the host 's Kurtley Beale sent off on his home debut at Paris La Defense Arena .
South African Pollard , 26 , who joined Montpellier on a reported annual salary of 1.06 million euros ( $ 1.2 million ) after lifting the Webb Ellis trophy last November , was hurt while attempting to tackle Racing 's Baptiste Chouzenoux in the second-half .
Wallaby Beale was shown a red card with a quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous tackle on France centre Arthur Vincent and could be a doubt for next Saturday 's Champions Cup quarter-final at Clermont .
France prop Mohamed Haouas was brought back into the fold by the visitors after being disciplined for a reported altercation with a club sponsor and turning up late to training .
The Parisians ' head coach Laurent Travers brought in eight new faces after last Saturday 's win at Lyon but Wallaby Beale retained his place at full-back to make his home bow .
They led 11-0 after 20 minutes thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Teddy Baubigny 's try .
Pollard claimed his team 's first points with a shot at goal five minutes later before Juan Imhoff claimed Racing 's second try of the evening just before the break .
The home side 's dominance continued into the second half as Virimi Vakatawa and Antonie Claassen benefited to touch down after delicate Finn Russell kicks .
With 18 minutes to play Beale , with special gold stitching on his shirt to denote his La Defense Arena bow , was given his marching orders for as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a tackle .
Montpellier lock Janse van Rensburg made the most of the one-man advantage as he crashed over and France full-back Anthony Bouthier , who took over the kicking duties from Pollard , converted to make it 31-10 with a quarter of an hour to play .
Substitute scrum-half Maxime Machenaud extended Racing 's lead to 34-10 with a 67th minute penalty but the red card had a further impact as Travers ' conceded again .
Pollard 's club and country half-back partner Cobus Reinach raced through after a line-out move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made 34-17 .
Despite the worries Racing regained a bonus point with the last play of the game as substitute prop Hassane Kolingar scored from a driving maul .

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Rugby World Cup winner Handre Pollard was stretchered off in Montpellier's 41-14 Top 14 loss at Racing 92 on Friday, on a night that saw the host's Kurtley Beale sent off on his home debut at Paris La Defense Arena.
South African Pollard, 26, who joined Montpellier on a reported annual salary of 1.06 million euros ($1.2 million) after lifting the Webb Ellis trophy last November, was hurt while attempting to tackle Racing's Baptiste Chouzenoux in the second-half.
Wallaby Beale was shown a red card with a quarter of the game to play after a dangerous tackle on France centre Arthur Vincent and could be a doubt for next Saturday's Champions Cup quarter-final at Clermont.
France prop Mohamed Haouas was brought back into the fold by the visitors after being disciplined for a reported altercation with a club sponsor and turning up late to training.
The Parisians' head coach Laurent Travers brought in eight new faces after last Saturday's win at Lyon but Wallaby Beale retained his place at full-back to make his home bow.
They led 11-0 after 20 minutes thanks to Teddy Iribaren's two penalty kicks and Teddy Baubigny's try.
Pollard claimed his team's first points with a shot at goal five minutes later before Juan Imhoff claimed Racing's second try of the evening just before the break.
The home side's dominance continued into the second half as Virimi Vakatawa and Antonie Claassen benefited to touch down after delicate Finn Russell kicks.
With 18 minutes to play Beale, with special gold stitching on his shirt to denote his La Defense Arena bow, was given his marching orders for as his arm made contact with Vincent's head in a tackle.
Montpellier lock Janse van Rensburg made the most of the one-man advantage as he crashed over and France full-back Anthony Bouthier, who took over the kicking duties from Pollard, converted to make it 31-10 with a quarter of an hour to play.
Substitute scrum-half Maxime Machenaud extended Racing's lead to 34-10 with a 67th minute penalty but the red card had a further impact as Travers' conceded again.
Pollard's club and country half-back partner Cobus Reinach raced through after a line-out move to dive over and Bouthier's extras made 34-17.
Despite the worries Racing regained a bonus point with the last play of the game as substitute prop Hassane Kolingar scored from a driving maul.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-11--UN chief 'deeply concerned' over Belarus

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ( pictured February 2020 ) expressed worry over `` the detention of people exercising their legitimate democratic rights '' in Belarus UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday he was `` deeply concerned '' over the use of force in Belarus against peaceful protesters , stressing that the country 's crisis can only be resolved `` by the Belarusian people . ''
He also expressed worry over `` the detention of people exercising their legitimate democratic rights , '' in a statement that additionally touched on his concern over `` reports of intimidation tactics against civil society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Belarus since August 9 elections which opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says she won , despite strongman Alexander Lukashenko 's insistence he carried off a landslide victory .
Lukashenko has cracked down on the protest movement with thousands detained and those held in custody giving accounts of police violence and torture .
Several people have died in the crackdown .
`` The current crisis can only be resolved by the Belarusian people through a broad-based , inclusive dialogue , which should start immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guterres said .
He additionally called on authorities `` to refrain from the use of force '' against peaceful protesters .
Guterres called on authorities to ensure that `` allegations of torture and other mistreatment of people in detention are fully investigated and addressed . ''
On Monday , Lukashenko will meet in the Black Sea resort of Sochi with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss plans to further integrate their countries .

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday he was "deeply concerned" over the use of force in Belarus against peaceful protesters, stressing that the country's crisis can only be resolved "by the Belarusian people."
He also expressed worry over "the detention of people exercising their legitimate democratic rights," in a statement that additionally touched on his concern over "reports of intimidation tactics against civil society, media and opposition figures."
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Belarus since August 9 elections which opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says she won, despite strongman Alexander Lukashenko's insistence he carried off a landslide victory.
Lukashenko has cracked down on the protest movement with thousands detained and those held in custody giving accounts of police violence and torture. Several people have died in the crackdown.
"The current crisis can only be resolved by the Belarusian people through a broad-based, inclusive dialogue, which should start immediately in the interest of stability," Guterres said.
He additionally called on authorities "to refrain from the use of force" against peaceful protesters.
Guterres called on authorities to ensure that "allegations of torture and other mistreatment of people in detention are fully investigated and addressed."
On Monday, Lukashenko will meet in the Black Sea resort of Sochi with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss plans to further integrate their countries.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-11--Watford make winning start in Championship opener

Watford 's bid for an immediate return to the Premier League got off to a promising start as they opened the Championship season with a 1-0 win against Middlesbrough on Friday .
The Hornets were relegated on the final day of last season after five years in England 's top flight .
But they are among the favourites for promotion this term and Craig Cathcart 's early goal at Vicarage Road ensured they made a winning start under new Serbian boss Vladimir Ivic .
After a close-season break lasting just 38 days , the English Football League has returned for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in equal measures .
The coronavirus-delayed finish to last season saw Leeds , West Bromwich Albion and Fulham reach the Premier League after a thrilling promotion race and play-off battle .
With promotion worth an estimated £160 million ( $ 204 million ) , clubs will be more desperate than ever to go up as football faces up to an uncertain future off the pitch .
Fans are still locked out of stadiums due to the pandemic and some teams are teetering on the edge of financial ruin as a result .
Against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keen for a convincing start .
They were without several injured players including Troy Deeney , Ismaila Sarr and Gerard Deulofeu , but Cathcart opened the scoring as he headed home from Ken Sema 's cross from a short corner in the 11th minute .
Neil Warnock remains in charge of Middlesbrough after saving club from relegation when he took over on a caretaker basis towards the end of last season .
Warnock 's men nearly grabbed an instant equaliser when Ashley Fletcher 's deflected shot flashed just past the far post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben Foster after the break and the Middlesbrough striker was frustrated again when his free-kick was tipped over as Watford held on .
The rest of the Championship 's opening round of matches take place on Saturday , with Norwich in the spotlight as they head to Huddersfield looking to bounce straight back to the Premier League after last season 's relegation .
Daniel Farke 's team could only manage a one-season stay in the top tier and finished a woeful 13 points adrift at the bottom .
Of their key players , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far and Farke is confident they can repeat their promotion success of two seasons ago .
`` My blood is already yellow and for that I am keen to bounce back with this club , '' he said .
Huddersfield are beginning a new era under Carlos Corberan , who served as Marcelo Bielsa 's assistant at Leeds .
Bournemouth , who were relegated after five seasons in the Premier League , are also starting life under a new manager .
The Cherries host Blackburn in Jason Tindall 's first match since succeeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson , Aaron Ramsdale and Nathan Ake have left but promotion is a clear target for Tindall .
`` That is our aim , it has to be .
We are ambitious .
That is what I want to achieve , it is what the players want to achieve , it is what the club wants , '' he said .
Sheffield Wednesday begin what could be a difficult season after their 12-point deduction with a trip to Cardiff .
Having won two Premier League titles and a Champions League crown , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is John Obi Mikel , the former Chelsea midfielder who has joined Stoke .
Wycombe will play their first ever match in the second tier when they host fellow promoted side Rotherham .

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Watford's bid for an immediate return to the Premier League got off to a promising start as they opened the Championship season with a 1-0 win against Middlesbrough on Friday.
The Hornets were relegated on the final day of last season after five years in England's top flight.
But they are among the favourites for promotion this term and Craig Cathcart's early goal at Vicarage Road ensured they made a winning start under new Serbian boss Vladimir Ivic.
After a close-season break lasting just 38 days, the English Football League has returned for a campaign that promises drama and despair in equal measures.
The coronavirus-delayed finish to last season saw Leeds, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham reach the Premier League after a thrilling promotion race and play-off battle.
With promotion worth an estimated £160 million ($204 million), clubs will be more desperate than ever to go up as football faces up to an uncertain future off the pitch.
Fans are still locked out of stadiums due to the pandemic and some teams are teetering on the edge of financial ruin as a result.
Against that troubled backdrop, Watford were especially keen for a convincing start.
They were without several injured players including Troy Deeney, Ismaila Sarr and Gerard Deulofeu, but Cathcart opened the scoring as he headed home from Ken Sema's cross from a short corner in the 11th minute.
Neil Warnock remains in charge of Middlesbrough after saving club from relegation when he took over on a caretaker basis towards the end of last season.
Warnock's men nearly grabbed an instant equaliser when Ashley Fletcher's deflected shot flashed just past the far post.
Britt Assombalonga forced a fine save from Ben Foster after the break and the Middlesbrough striker was frustrated again when his free-kick was tipped over as Watford held on.
- 'My blood is yellow' -
The rest of the Championship's opening round of matches take place on Saturday, with Norwich in the spotlight as they head to Huddersfield looking to bounce straight back to the Premier League after last season's relegation.
Daniel Farke's team could only manage a one-season stay in the top tier and finished a woeful 13 points adrift at the bottom.
Of their key players, Norwich have only sold Jamal Lewis so far and Farke is confident they can repeat their promotion success of two seasons ago.
"My blood is already yellow and for that I am keen to bounce back with this club," he said.
Huddersfield are beginning a new era under Carlos Corberan, who served as Marcelo Bielsa's assistant at Leeds.
Bournemouth, who were relegated after five seasons in the Premier League, are also starting life under a new manager.
The Cherries host Blackburn in Jason Tindall's first match since succeeding Eddie Howe.
Ryan Fraser, Callum Wilson, Aaron Ramsdale and Nathan Ake have left but promotion is a clear target for Tindall.
"That is our aim, it has to be. We are ambitious. That is what I want to achieve, it is what the players want to achieve, it is what the club wants," he said.
Sheffield Wednesday begin what could be a difficult season after their 12-point deduction with a trip to Cardiff.
Having won two Premier League titles and a Champions League crown, the most decorated new addition to the Championship is John Obi Mikel, the former Chelsea midfielder who has joined Stoke.
Wycombe will play their first ever match in the second tier when they host fellow promoted side Rotherham.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-11--Al-Qaeda threatens Charlie Hebdo for republishing Mohammed cartoons: SITE

French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo ( cover pictured September 1 , 2020 , reading `` All of this , just for that '' republished controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed , drawing threats from Al-Qaeda Al-Qaeda has threatened French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo with a repeat of a 2015 massacre of its staff , after it republished controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed , the SITE observatory said on Friday .
Al-Qaeda in its publication One Ummah had warned that Charlie Hebdo would be mistaken if it believed the 2015 attack was a `` one off '' , after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a defiant issue that marked the start of the trial in Paris of suspected accomplices in the attack .
The comments came in an English edition of the Al-Qaeda publication that purported to mark the anniversary of the September 11 , 2001 attacks on the United States carried out by the terror network .
It said it had the `` same message '' for the France of President Emmanuel Macron as it did for his predecessor Francois Hollande who was president at the time of the 2015 attacks .
It said France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to the republication of the cartoons .
Twelve people , including some of France 's most celebrated cartoonists , were killed on January 7 , 2015 , when brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi went on a gun rampage at the offices of Charlie Hebdo , whose no-taboo style , including publishing cartoons of the prophet , had divided the country .
The trial , which began on September 2 and is expected to continue until November , sees 14 suspected accomplices face justice even though all the perpetrators were killed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopened one of the post painful chapters in France 's modern history which heralded a spate of jihadist attacks on its territory that have claimed more than 250 lives .
Charlie Hebdo 's director Laurent Sourisseau , known as `` Riss '' and who was himself badly wounded in the shoulder in the attack , told the court this week that there was nothing to regret in publishing the cartoons .
`` What I regret is to see how little people fight to defend freedom .
If we do n't fight for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we promote a deadly ideology , '' he said .
Charlie Hebdo 's republication of the cartoons drew new condemnation from states including Iran , Pakistan and Turkey .
But Sourisseau , who now lives under round the clock protection , said it had to republish them .
`` If we had given up the right to publish these cartoons , that would mean that we were wrong to do so '' in the first place , he said .

Paris (AFP) –
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Al-Qaeda has threatened French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo with a repeat of a 2015 massacre of its staff, after it republished controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, the SITE observatory said on Friday.
Al-Qaeda in its publication One Ummah had warned that Charlie Hebdo would be mistaken if it believed the 2015 attack was a "one off", after the magazine printed the "contemptible caricatures" in a defiant issue that marked the start of the trial in Paris of suspected accomplices in the attack.
The comments came in an English edition of the Al-Qaeda publication that purported to mark the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States carried out by the terror network.
It said it had the "same message" for the France of President Emmanuel Macron as it did for his predecessor Francois Hollande who was president at the time of the 2015 attacks.
It said France under Macron "gave a green light" to the republication of the cartoons.
Twelve people, including some of France's most celebrated cartoonists, were killed on January 7, 2015, when brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi went on a gun rampage at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, whose no-taboo style, including publishing cartoons of the prophet, had divided the country.
The trial, which began on September 2 and is expected to continue until November, sees 14 suspected accomplices face justice even though all the perpetrators were killed in the wake of the attacks.
It had reopened one of the post painful chapters in France's modern history which heralded a spate of jihadist attacks on its territory that have claimed more than 250 lives.
Charlie Hebdo's director Laurent Sourisseau, known as "Riss" and who was himself badly wounded in the shoulder in the attack, told the court this week that there was nothing to regret in publishing the cartoons.
"What I regret is to see how little people fight to defend freedom. If we don't fight for our freedom, we live like a slave and we promote a deadly ideology," he said.
Charlie Hebdo's republication of the cartoons drew new condemnation from states including Iran, Pakistan and Turkey.
But Sourisseau, who now lives under round the clock protection, said it had to republish them.
"If we had given up the right to publish these cartoons, that would mean that we were wrong to do so" in the first place, he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--Egypt brokers negotiations for Israel-Hamas prisoner swap

Palestinian prisoners cross into the Gaza Strip following their release from Israeli jails in the last exchange between the two sides in October 2011 Egypt is brokering negotiations on a proposed prisoner swap between Israel and the Hamas rulers of Gaza , taking advantage of a renewed truce between them , a Hamas source said Saturday .
A delegation led by General Ahmed Abdel Khalek , Palestinian affairs chief in the Egyptian intelligence service , has shuttled between the two sides in a bid to broker what would be the first such exchange since 2011 , the source said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegation held a round of talks in Israel sandwiched between two rounds of talks in Gaza on Thursday and Friday .
`` The Egyptian intelligence delegation talked with Hamas and with the occupier and delivered messages , '' the source said .
Hamas demanded that Israel restore the freedom of all prisoners who had been arrested since their release under the last swap deal in 2011 .
They also requested the release of `` children , women and sick people '' held by Israel in return for information about Israelis held by Hamas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli civilians who slipped across the border illegally in 2014 and 2015 .
It also holds the remains of two Israeli soldiers who were killed in 2014 in the most recent of the three wars that have pitted Hamas against Israel since the Islamists seized Gaza in 2007 .
`` The delegation is currently seeking to finalise a swap deal and we hope that it will be completed as soon as possible , '' the Hamas source said .
The last prisoner exchange between the two sides in 2011 centred on Israeli soldier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2006 , in return for whom Israel released 1,000 Palestinian prisoners .
The latest talks come after Israel and Hamas renewed an Egyptian-brokered truce late last month after more than three weeks of tit-for-tat fire across the border .
Under the deal , Israel has allowed the gas-rich Gulf state of Qatar to funnel tens of millions of dollars of aid into Gaza in return for a halt to rocket and other fire into Israel .

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Egypt is brokering negotiations on a proposed prisoner swap between Israel and the Hamas rulers of Gaza, taking advantage of a renewed truce between them, a Hamas source said Saturday.
A delegation led by General Ahmed Abdel Khalek, Palestinian affairs chief in the Egyptian intelligence service, has shuttled between the two sides in a bid to broker what would be the first such exchange since 2011, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The delegation held a round of talks in Israel sandwiched between two rounds of talks in Gaza on Thursday and Friday.
"The Egyptian intelligence delegation talked with Hamas and with the occupier and delivered messages," the source said.
Hamas demanded that Israel restore the freedom of all prisoners who had been arrested since their release under the last swap deal in 2011.
They also requested the release of "children, women and sick people" held by Israel in return for information about Israelis held by Hamas.
Hamas is holding at least two Israeli civilians who slipped across the border illegally in 2014 and 2015.
It also holds the remains of two Israeli soldiers who were killed in 2014 in the most recent of the three wars that have pitted Hamas against Israel since the Islamists seized Gaza in 2007.
"The delegation is currently seeking to finalise a swap deal and we hope that it will be completed as soon as possible," the Hamas source said.
The last prisoner exchange between the two sides in 2011 centred on Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, captured by Hamas in 2006, in return for whom Israel released 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The latest talks come after Israel and Hamas renewed an Egyptian-brokered truce late last month after more than three weeks of tit-for-tat fire across the border.
Under the deal, Israel has allowed the gas-rich Gulf state of Qatar to funnel tens of millions of dollars of aid into Gaza in return for a halt to rocket and other fire into Israel.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--Reds battle past Rebels to make Super Rugby AU final

Filipo Daugunu got the Queensland Reds ' third try as they made the Super Rugby AU final Playmaker James O'Connor booted 10 points as a gutsy Queensland Reds swept past the Melbourne Rebels 25-13 and into the Super Rugby AU final on Saturday , where they will meet the ACT Brumbies .
Jordan Petaia , Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Filipo Daugunu all scored tries in a bruising encounter to ensure the Reds made their first decider since winning the southern hemisphere Super 14 competition in 2011 .
Brad Thorn 's young team have made big strides this year and head into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by upsetting the table-topping Brumbies 26-7 last weekend .
`` It 's awesome , we 've given ourselves a chance which was all wanted from tonight , to keep fighting , '' said Reds skipper Liam Wright , whose side pulled away in the second-half after going to the turn tied at 10-10 .
`` The job ai n't done yet , but it 's a good start .
It was a whole squad effort . ''
It was the Reds ' first back-to-back wins against the Rebels since 2013 , with Thorn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Brisbane 's Suncorp Stadium , where they have won six in a row .
Rebels coach Dave Wessels said before the game they were clear underdogs , but they put up a good fight , hampered by injuries to big-match players Dane Haylett-Petty and Matt Toomua early in the second-half .
`` Credit to the Reds .
That first-half was fast , we had our opportunities but did n't quite take them , '' said captain Haylett-Petty .
`` Then the momentum swung and they were able to close it out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Played in front of 15,000 fans , the Rebels were unlucky to have a try ruled out on seven minutes when Andrew Kellaway 's boot grazed the sideline chalk , and it was the Reds who opened the scoring .
Their opening try came from young prospect Petaia , who intercepted a Toomua pass and sprinted 60 metres to the line .
O'Connor converted before Toomua nailed a penalty to pull back three points in a game played at a blistering pace .
The Reds began to open up and run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crunching tackles , eventually winning a penalty with O'Connor stretching their lead further .
But they lost Petaia and fellow back Chris Feauai-Sautia to injuries and ever-dangerous Wallaby winger Marika Koroibete pounced with a pick-and-go try from a ruck on the half-time buzzer .
Toomua slotted the conversion to send them to the break at level-pegging .
Haylett-Petty and Toomua were more injury casualties after the restart and the Reds struck again with lock Salakaia-Loto dotting down after good work from Hunter Paisami .
With a finals berth on the line , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reds .
Reece Hodge and O'Connor exchanged penalties as the Reds clung on , with Daugunu sealing the win with their third try five minutes before the end .

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Playmaker James O'Connor booted 10 points as a gutsy Queensland Reds swept past the Melbourne Rebels 25-13 and into the Super Rugby AU final on Saturday, where they will meet the ACT Brumbies.
Jordan Petaia, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Filipo Daugunu all scored tries in a bruising encounter to ensure the Reds made their first decider since winning the southern hemisphere Super 14 competition in 2011.
Brad Thorn's young team have made big strides this year and head into next week's showdown in Canberra buoyed by upsetting the table-topping Brumbies 26-7 last weekend.
"It's awesome, we've given ourselves a chance which was all wanted from tonight, to keep fighting," said Reds skipper Liam Wright, whose side pulled away in the second-half after going to the turn tied at 10-10.
"The job ain't done yet, but it's a good start. It was a whole squad effort."
It was the Reds' first back-to-back wins against the Rebels since 2013, with Thorn's side a tough nut to crack at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, where they have won six in a row.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels said before the game they were clear underdogs, but they put up a good fight, hampered by injuries to big-match players Dane Haylett-Petty and Matt Toomua early in the second-half.
"Credit to the Reds. That first-half was fast, we had our opportunities but didn't quite take them," said captain Haylett-Petty. "Then the momentum swung and they were able to close it out. They played really well in the second-half."
Played in front of 15,000 fans, the Rebels were unlucky to have a try ruled out on seven minutes when Andrew Kellaway's boot grazed the sideline chalk, and it was the Reds who opened the scoring.
Their opening try came from young prospect Petaia, who intercepted a Toomua pass and sprinted 60 metres to the line.
O'Connor converted before Toomua nailed a penalty to pull back three points in a game played at a blistering pace.
The Reds began to open up and run with the ball but were met with crunching tackles, eventually winning a penalty with O'Connor stretching their lead further.
But they lost Petaia and fellow back Chris Feauai-Sautia to injuries and ever-dangerous Wallaby winger Marika Koroibete pounced with a pick-and-go try from a ruck on the half-time buzzer.
Toomua slotted the conversion to send them to the break at level-pegging.
Haylett-Petty and Toomua were more injury casualties after the restart and the Reds struck again with lock Salakaia-Loto dotting down after good work from Hunter Paisami.
With a finals berth on the line, the Rebels threw everything they had at the Reds.
Reece Hodge and O'Connor exchanged penalties as the Reds clung on, with Daugunu sealing the win with their third try five minutes before the end.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--Families fear for Hong Kong 'speedboat fugitives' in China custody

Some of those on board the speedboat were facing prosecution in Hong Kong for activities linked to last year 's huge and often violent pro-democracy protests Relatives of Hong Kongers captured by China 's coastguard as they tried to flee the city by speedboat said Saturday they feared their loved ones had disappeared into the authoritarian mainland 's Communist-controlled judicial system .
Chinese authorities said they intercepted 12 Hong Kongers some 70 kilometres ( 43 miles ) southeast of the city last month , with the group handed over to police in neighbouring Shenzhen on the Chinese mainland .
Local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Taiwan , a self-ruled island that regularly offers sanctuary to people escaping the authoritarian mainland .
Some of those on board were facing prosecution in Hong Kong for activities linked to last year 's huge and often violent pro-democracy protests .
Relatives of six of those detained held an emotional press conference on Saturday describing how family appointed lawyers had been repeatedly denied access in recent days , as they called on on Hong Kong 's government to come to their aid .
`` I 'm very worried .
I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if he 's still alive , '' the mother of detainee Li Tsz-yin , who did not give her name , told the media .
The mother of another detainee , Tang Kai-yin , sobbed as she spoke .
`` I hope Hong Kong ( government ) can bring them back .
Then we would n't need to be on tenterhooks , we could see him .
But right now , we do n't even know whether he is dead or alive , '' she said .
The incident is the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of authoritarian China 's growing reach into their lives .
Semi-autonomous Hong Kong has its own internationally respected common law legal system where arrestees are promptly produced after their arrest and tried in open court .
On the mainland , the judicial system is a notoriously opaque entity controlled by the Communist Party and where conviction is all but guaranteed .
In June Beijing imposed a new security law on Hong Kong , announcing it would have jurisdiction for some crimes and that mainland security agents could now openly operate in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Friday he was `` deeply concerned '' by the treatment of the 12 Hong Kongers since their arrest .
In recent days lawyers appointed by the families of those detained have detailed how they were prevented from accessing their clients .
They said authorities told them the group already have `` government appointed lawyers '' .
Rights groups and legal analysts have previously documented how Chinese authorities use `` government appointed lawyers '' to stop families hiring their own legal representatives in high profile cases .
`` If we have a lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer , '' Li 's mother said .
`` I have no trust in government-appointed lawyer . ''
Among those arrested are a 16-year-old minor and Andy Li , a Hong Konger who was recently arrested under the new security law .
Two of those detained have British National Overseas passports .
Another is a dual national with Hong Kong and Portuguese citizenship .
The prospect of Hong Kongers getting entangled in China 's judicial system was the spark that lit the seven months of protests last year .
The movement began in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the mainland and soon morphed into wider calls for democracy and greater police accountability .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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Relatives of Hong Kongers captured by China's coastguard as they tried to flee the city by speedboat said Saturday they feared their loved ones had disappeared into the authoritarian mainland's Communist-controlled judicial system.
Chinese authorities said they intercepted 12 Hong Kongers some 70 kilometres (43 miles) southeast of the city last month, with the group handed over to police in neighbouring Shenzhen on the Chinese mainland.
Local media said the group were en route to Taiwan, a self-ruled island that regularly offers sanctuary to people escaping the authoritarian mainland.
Some of those on board were facing prosecution in Hong Kong for activities linked to last year's huge and often violent pro-democracy protests.
Relatives of six of those detained held an emotional press conference on Saturday describing how family appointed lawyers had been repeatedly denied access in recent days, as they called on on Hong Kong's government to come to their aid.
"I'm very worried. I don't know if he's safe and sound, if he's still alive," the mother of detainee Li Tsz-yin, who did not give her name, told the media.
The mother of another detainee, Tang Kai-yin, sobbed as she spoke.
"I hope Hong Kong (government) can bring them back. Then we wouldn't need to be on tenterhooks, we could see him. But right now, we don't even know whether he is dead or alive," she said.
The incident is the latest to compound fears among many Hong Kongers of authoritarian China's growing reach into their lives.
Semi-autonomous Hong Kong has its own internationally respected common law legal system where arrestees are promptly produced after their arrest and tried in open court.
On the mainland, the judicial system is a notoriously opaque entity controlled by the Communist Party and where conviction is all but guaranteed.
In June Beijing imposed a new security law on Hong Kong, announcing it would have jurisdiction for some crimes and that mainland security agents could now openly operate in the city.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday he was "deeply concerned" by the treatment of the 12 Hong Kongers since their arrest.
In recent days lawyers appointed by the families of those detained have detailed how they were prevented from accessing their clients.
They said authorities told them the group already have "government appointed lawyers".
Rights groups and legal analysts have previously documented how Chinese authorities use "government appointed lawyers" to stop families hiring their own legal representatives in high profile cases.
"If we have a lawyer, why would we use a government-appointed lawyer," Li's mother said. "I have no trust in government-appointed lawyer."
Among those arrested are a 16-year-old minor and Andy Li, a Hong Konger who was recently arrested under the new security law.
Two of those detained have British National Overseas passports.
Another is a dual national with Hong Kong and Portuguese citizenship.
The prospect of Hong Kongers getting entangled in China's judicial system was the spark that lit the seven months of protests last year.
The movement began in response to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland and soon morphed into wider calls for democracy and greater police accountability.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--Bottas completes practice clean sweep for Mercedes

Valtteri Bottas completed a clean sweep of Tuscan Grand Prix practice domination when he topped the times for Mercedes in the final session ahead of qualifying on Saturday .
The Finn , who was fastest in both practice sessions on Friday , was quickest ahead of Red Bull 's Max Verstappen by 0.017 seconds with his Mercedes team-mate and series leader Lewis Hamilton third , just 0.083 off the pace .
Bottas 's best lap was one minute and 16.530 seconds , setting a record for the spectacular Ferrari-owned Mugello circuit being used for Formula One for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 1000th race celebrations .
Lance Stroll was fourth for Racing Point ahead of last weekend 's Monza winner Pierre Gasly of Alpha Tauri and his Racing Point team-mate Sergio Perez , who is due to be replaced next year , when the team is renamed as Aston Martin , by four-time champion Sebastian Vettel .
Charles Leclerc was seventh in the leading retro 'burgundy ' red Ferrari ahead of Alex Albon in the second Red Bull , Daniil Kvyat in the second Alpha Tauri and Romain Grosjean of Haas .
Vettel in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team sought to deliver a strong recovery after two pointless weekends at Spa-Francorchamps and Monza .
On a beautiful morning in the Tuscan hills , the air temperature was 27 degrees Celsius and the track was 40 as final practice began , the Haas , McLaren and Alpha Tauri teams leading the way with prompt installation laps .
Bottas was soon out on softs and clocked the first serious timed lap in 1:17.437 as he strove to carry his 'fastest on Friday ’ form into a meaningful Saturday and a bid to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , Hamilton trimmed the best time by just 0.022 seconds to top Bottas before Verstappen , on mediums , clocked 1:17.116 to take control for Red Bull , the Dutchman exploiting his car ’ s handling on the high-speed corners of the picturesque circuit .
In response , on fresh softs , Bottas returned to the top in 1:16.530 with a lap that Hamilton could not match as he took second , 0.083 off the Finn ’ s speed .
It was clear a tight scrap between the two ‘ black arrows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later on Saturday with Verstappen also in the mix .
Ferrari ’ s form continued to improve after their encouraging runs on Friday – Leclerc claiming a top five slot within a second of the leading pace to offer some hope on the weekend when the team celebrate their 1000th F1 race entry .
Vettel , who leaves Ferrari for Aston Martin at the end of the year , briefly rose to seventh before falling back to 15th with six minutes remaining , 1.6 seconds off the pace .
In the final flurry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Verstappen improved to divide the two Mercedes men .

Mugello (Italy) (AFP) –
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Valtteri Bottas completed a clean sweep of Tuscan Grand Prix practice domination when he topped the times for Mercedes in the final session ahead of qualifying on Saturday.
The Finn, who was fastest in both practice sessions on Friday, was quickest ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen by 0.017 seconds with his Mercedes team-mate and series leader Lewis Hamilton third, just 0.083 off the pace.
Bottas's best lap was one minute and 16.530 seconds, setting a record for the spectacular Ferrari-owned Mugello circuit being used for Formula One for the first time as it hosts the Italian team’s 1000th race celebrations.
Lance Stroll was fourth for Racing Point ahead of last weekend's Monza winner Pierre Gasly of Alpha Tauri and his Racing Point team-mate Sergio Perez, who is due to be replaced next year, when the team is renamed as Aston Martin, by four-time champion Sebastian Vettel.
Charles Leclerc was seventh in the leading retro 'burgundy' red Ferrari ahead of Alex Albon in the second Red Bull, Daniil Kvyat in the second Alpha Tauri and Romain Grosjean of Haas.
Vettel in the second Ferrari was 18th as the team sought to deliver a strong recovery after two pointless weekends at Spa-Francorchamps and Monza.
On a beautiful morning in the Tuscan hills, the air temperature was 27 degrees Celsius and the track was 40 as final practice began, the Haas, McLaren and Alpha Tauri teams leading the way with prompt installation laps.
Bottas was soon out on softs and clocked the first serious timed lap in 1:17.437 as he strove to carry his 'fastest on Friday’ form into a meaningful Saturday and a bid to take pole position.
After 24 minutes, however, Hamilton trimmed the best time by just 0.022 seconds to top Bottas before Verstappen, on mediums, clocked 1:17.116 to take control for Red Bull, the Dutchman exploiting his car’s handling on the high-speed corners of the picturesque circuit.
In response, on fresh softs, Bottas returned to the top in 1:16.530 with a lap that Hamilton could not match as he took second, 0.083 off the Finn’s speed.
It was clear a tight scrap between the two ‘black arrows’ drivers was in prospect for qualifying later on Saturday with Verstappen also in the mix.
Ferrari’s form continued to improve after their encouraging runs on Friday – Leclerc claiming a top five slot within a second of the leading pace to offer some hope on the weekend when the team celebrate their 1000th F1 race entry.
Vettel, who leaves Ferrari for Aston Martin at the end of the year, briefly rose to seventh before falling back to 15th with six minutes remaining, 1.6 seconds off the pace.
In the final flurry of low-fuel runs, to simulate qualifying, Verstappen improved to divide the two Mercedes men.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--Teargas fired during migrant protests on Greek island of Lesbos

Clashes occurred near a new temporary camp built by Greek authorities where hundreds of migrants gathered to protest , some throwing stones at riot police who responded with tear gas .
Greek riot police fired tear gas at protesting asylum seekers on Lesbos island on Saturday as tensions simmered following the catastrophic fire that ripped through Europe 's largest migrant camp this week .
Thousands of asylum seekers have been sleeping rough on Lesbos since Wednesday when the Moria camp was destroyed in apparent arson attacks , with families huddling under blankets and sleeping in doorways or by roads .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary camp built by Greek authorities where hundreds of young men gathered to protest , some throwing stones at riot police who responded with tear gas .
A fire set there earlier in the day near a police blockade had to be extinguished by the fire brigade .
`` Freedom ! ''
said one handwritten sign held up by a protester .
`` We want to leave Moria , '' said another .
`` We were protesting peacefully against the new camp and the police threw tear gas against us .
My baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` , Zola , a Congolese woman carrying her 5-month-old baby , told AFP .
`` In Moria we could come and go but this ( new camp ) will be like a prison '' .
Some people suffering from respiratory problems because of the tear gas were taken away in ambulances , according to the migrants .
`` Three people have fainted and were taken to the hospital '' , Papouch , a Congolese man , told AFP .
Round-the-clock efforts to find temporary shelter for over 11,000 people made homeless by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still inadequate , rights groups said .
`` As thousands are now left sleeping rough in the hills around Moria or on the streets , tensions between local residents , asylum seekers , and police are increasing , '' Human Rights Watch warned in a statement on Saturday .
The Moria camp , which had been regularly criticised by the UN and rights groups for overcrowding and its dismal sanitary conditions , burned down in successive fires on Tuesday night and Wednesday .
Officials have blamed migrants for the blazes , the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for coronavirus and were facing isolation measures .
Many of the mostly Afghan asylum seekers have spent months in desperate conditions on the island , hoping in vain to be allowed to cross tightly shut European borders .
Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi on Saturday said the new camp , a few kilometres ( miles ) from Moria at a location near the sea , would open later on Saturday with capacity for 3,000 people .
`` Rapid tests for coronavirus will be conducted at the entrance , '' Mitarachi told Skai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the migration ministry , said vulnerable asylum seekers would be the first to be housed .
`` We will give priority to families .
It will be tents of six and the camp will be separated by ethnicities .
The process of moving people will start today , '' he told AFP .
Local volunteer groups have faced difficulty in supplying asylum seekers with food and water .
`` We are sleeping in the dirt or on the road under the open sky , '' a group of migrants from the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some people had even found shelter under the trees of the local Greek cemetery .
Sleeping on the roadside and in parking lots , men , women and children have made use of whatever they can find in nearby fields , pinning tarpaulins on tree branches and reeds in a bid for privacy and protection from the beating sun .
The local mayor has rejected efforts to build new temporary camps as `` unrealistic '' and residents have tried to stop the construction of new camps by setting up roadblocks .
Army and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bypass the barriers .
`` Any thought to rebuild this sort of thing should be forgotten , '' Mytilene Mayor Stratis Kytelis told Antenna TV on Friday .
`` The island 's society can not take any more ... for reasons of health , social cohesion , national security , '' Kytelis said .
The plight of the stranded families has prompted other European countries to offer to take in hundreds of asylum seekers , particularly unaccompanied youngsters .
But Greece has long complained that , aside from providing funds , its EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The fires highlight the failure of the European Union 's 'hotspot approach ' on ( Greek ) islands , which has led to the containment of thousands of people ... with the aim of returning them to Turkey , from which they transited , '' HRW said .

Lesbos Island (Greece) (AFP) –
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Greek riot police fired tear gas at protesting asylum seekers on Lesbos island on Saturday as tensions simmered following the catastrophic fire that ripped through Europe's largest migrant camp this week.
Thousands of asylum seekers have been sleeping rough on Lesbos since Wednesday when the Moria camp was destroyed in apparent arson attacks, with families huddling under blankets and sleeping in doorways or by roads.
Clashes occurred on Saturday near a new temporary camp built by Greek authorities where hundreds of young men gathered to protest, some throwing stones at riot police who responded with tear gas.
A fire set there earlier in the day near a police blockade had to be extinguished by the fire brigade.
"Freedom!" said one handwritten sign held up by a protester. "We want to leave Moria," said another.
"We were protesting peacefully against the new camp and the police threw tear gas against us. My baby had the gas in her eyes!", Zola, a Congolese woman carrying her 5-month-old baby, told AFP.
"In Moria we could come and go but this (new camp) will be like a prison".
Some people suffering from respiratory problems because of the tear gas were taken away in ambulances, according to the migrants.
"Three people have fainted and were taken to the hospital", Papouch, a Congolese man, told AFP.
- Tensions -
Round-the-clock efforts to find temporary shelter for over 11,000 people made homeless by the destruction of the Moria camp were still inadequate, rights groups said.
"As thousands are now left sleeping rough in the hills around Moria or on the streets, tensions between local residents, asylum seekers, and police are increasing," Human Rights Watch warned in a statement on Saturday.
The Moria camp, which had been regularly criticised by the UN and rights groups for overcrowding and its dismal sanitary conditions, burned down in successive fires on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Officials have blamed migrants for the blazes, the first breaking out shortly after 35 people tested positive for coronavirus and were facing isolation measures.
Many of the mostly Afghan asylum seekers have spent months in desperate conditions on the island, hoping in vain to be allowed to cross tightly shut European borders.
Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi on Saturday said the new camp, a few kilometres (miles) from Moria at a location near the sea, would open later on Saturday with capacity for 3,000 people.
"Rapid tests for coronavirus will be conducted at the entrance," Mitarachi told Skai TV.
Alexandros Ragavas, a spokesman for the migration ministry, said vulnerable asylum seekers would be the first to be housed.
"We will give priority to families. It will be tents of six and the camp will be separated by ethnicities. The process of moving people will start today," he told AFP.
- Local objections -
Local volunteer groups have faced difficulty in supplying asylum seekers with food and water.
"We are sleeping in the dirt or on the road under the open sky," a group of migrants from the former camp said on Facebook, noting that some people had even found shelter under the trees of the local Greek cemetery.
Sleeping on the roadside and in parking lots, men, women and children have made use of whatever they can find in nearby fields, pinning tarpaulins on tree branches and reeds in a bid for privacy and protection from the beating sun.
The local mayor has rejected efforts to build new temporary camps as "unrealistic" and residents have tried to stop the construction of new camps by setting up roadblocks.
Army and fire service helicopters have been used to bypass the barriers.
"Any thought to rebuild this sort of thing should be forgotten," Mytilene Mayor Stratis Kytelis told Antenna TV on Friday.
"The island's society cannot take any more... for reasons of health, social cohesion, national security," Kytelis said.
The plight of the stranded families has prompted other European countries to offer to take in hundreds of asylum seekers, particularly unaccompanied youngsters.
But Greece has long complained that, aside from providing funds, its EU partners have done too little to help.
"The fires highlight the failure of the European Union's 'hotspot approach' on (Greek) islands, which has led to the containment of thousands of people... with the aim of returning them to Turkey, from which they transited," HRW said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--England's rugby union players accept 25% pay cut

England 's players have accepted a 25 percent pay cut for the 2020-21 season as the Rugby Football Union tries to limit the financial fall-out from the coronavirus .
The one-year arrangement with England 's men follows talks between the RFU and the Rugby Players ' Association .
With the government reviewing plans to allow fans back into stadiums in October following a spike in coronavirus cases in the UK , rugby could face a further loss of revenue .
English Premiership matches are currently being played behind closed doors after lay resumed following the lockdown .
England boss Eddie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent pay cut in March .
`` I would like to thank the players and the RPA for their strong co-operation and collaboration which has enabled us to reach this new agreement , '' RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said on Saturday .
`` This is a special squad of players and their appreciation and understanding of the difficulties being faced across the English game has led to this outcome . ''
Under the terms of the new agreement , the RFU has made firm commitments around a range of player welfare initiatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process and clearly defined rest periods .
These include a one-week break for England players after their delayed Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on October 31 .
A New Year training camp has been cancelled and following the completion of the four-week Autumn Nations Cup , the players will have two weeks of rest with their clubs .
`` We are committed to ensuring the RFU runs a sustainable operation to safeguard the future of the game in England and are grateful to the England international playing group for their willingness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next 12 months to support this , '' Sweeney said .
England 's Saracens hooker Jamie George added : `` The playing group wanted to address some concerns around welfare and rest for the EPS ( elite player squad ) and we are encouraged by the progress made by all stakeholders .
`` We fully understand the pressures around the next 12 months both on and off the pitch , so it was vital for us to agree these provisions going forward . ''

London (AFP) –
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England's players have accepted a 25 percent pay cut for the 2020-21 season as the Rugby Football Union tries to limit the financial fall-out from the coronavirus.
The one-year arrangement with England's men follows talks between the RFU and the Rugby Players' Association.
With the government reviewing plans to allow fans back into stadiums in October following a spike in coronavirus cases in the UK, rugby could face a further loss of revenue.
English Premiership matches are currently being played behind closed doors after lay resumed following the lockdown.
England boss Eddie Jones had already agreed to a 25 percent pay cut in March.
"I would like to thank the players and the RPA for their strong co-operation and collaboration which has enabled us to reach this new agreement," RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said on Saturday.
"This is a special squad of players and their appreciation and understanding of the difficulties being faced across the English game has led to this outcome."
Under the terms of the new agreement, the RFU has made firm commitments around a range of player welfare initiatives with ongoing management of the player welfare process and clearly defined rest periods.
These include a one-week break for England players after their delayed Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on October 31.
A New Year training camp has been cancelled and following the completion of the four-week Autumn Nations Cup, the players will have two weeks of rest with their clubs.
"We are committed to ensuring the RFU runs a sustainable operation to safeguard the future of the game in England and are grateful to the England international playing group for their willingness to accept a reduction in fees over the next 12 months to support this," Sweeney said.
England's Saracens hooker Jamie George added: "The playing group wanted to address some concerns around welfare and rest for the EPS (elite player squad) and we are encouraged by the progress made by all stakeholders.
"We fully understand the pressures around the next 12 months both on and off the pitch, so it was vital for us to agree these provisions going forward."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--Rossi rolls back the years in San Marino practice

Valentino Rossi leaves the pits on his Yamaha during Saturday 's third free practice session ahead of the San Marino MotoGP Grand Prix Italian veteran Valentino Rossi struck a blow for the over-40s with a sizzling performance to top Saturday 's third practice session ahead of Sunday 's San Marino MotoGP .
The 41-year-old seven-time champion produced a fastest lap of 1min 31.861sec , outside the track record of 1min 31.629 sec but quick enough to head the overall practice times and qualify him directly for Q2 later on Saturday .
It marked a welcome return to form for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay with the pace , prompting him on Thursday to quash rumours that he would be retiring at the end of the season .
Rossi , who lives just a few kilometres from the Misano circuit , found plenty of local support from the sparse crowd who are allowed to attend a MotoGP event for the first time this coronavirus-disrupted eason .
Second quickest was his factory Yamaha teammate Maverick Vinales with Frenchman Fabio Quartararo , also on a Yamaha from the SRT satellite team , in third .
Quartararo goes into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the championship standings ahead of Ducati 's Andrea Dovizioso .
The riders with the 10 best times from the three free practice sessions go straight into the second qualifying session ( Q2 ) , which determines the first 12 places on the starting grid .
The others must participate in a preliminary qualifying session ( Q1 ) of which the two fastest go into Q2 .
1 .
Valentino Rossi ( ITA/Yamaha ) 1:31.861 , 2 .
Maverick Vinales ( ESP/Yamaha ) at 0.075 , 3 .
Fabio Quartararo ( FRA/Yamaha-SRT ) at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AUS/Ducati-Pramac ) at 0.268 , 5 .
Alex Rins ( ESP/Suzuki ) at 0.345 , 6 .
Joan Mir ( ESP/Suzuki ) at 0.377 , 7 .
Francesco Bagnaia ( ITA/Ducati-Pramac ) at 0.387 , 8 .
Johann Zarco ( FRA/Ducati-Avintia ) at 0.407 , 9 .
Franco Morbidelli ( ITA/Yamaha-SRT ) at 0.420 , 10 .
Andrea Dovizioso ( ITA/Ducati ) at 0.557

Misano Adriatico (Italy) (AFP) –
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Italian veteran Valentino Rossi struck a blow for the over-40s with a sizzling performance to top Saturday's third practice session ahead of Sunday's San Marino MotoGP.
The 41-year-old seven-time champion produced a fastest lap of 1min 31.861sec, outside the track record of 1min 31.629 sec but quick enough to head the overall practice times and qualify him directly for Q2 later on Saturday.
It marked a welcome return to form for the Yamaha rider as he has struggled recently to stay with the pace, prompting him on Thursday to quash rumours that he would be retiring at the end of the season.
Rossi, who lives just a few kilometres from the Misano circuit, found plenty of local support from the sparse crowd who are allowed to attend a MotoGP event for the first time this coronavirus-disrupted eason.
Second quickest was his factory Yamaha teammate Maverick Vinales with Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, also on a Yamaha from the SRT satellite team, in third.
Quartararo goes into the race with a three-point lead in the championship standings ahead of Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso.
The riders with the 10 best times from the three free practice sessions go straight into the second qualifying session (Q2), which determines the first 12 places on the starting grid.
The others must participate in a preliminary qualifying session (Q1) of which the two fastest go into Q2.
San Marino MotoGP combined free practice times
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 1:31.861, 2. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) at 0.075, 3. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) at 0.100, 4. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati-Pramac) at 0.268, 5. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) at 0.345, 6. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) at 0.377, 7. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati-Pramac) at 0.387, 8. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati-Avintia) at 0.407, 9. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) at 0.420, 10. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) at 0.557
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--Mercedes and Hamilton contract talks 'a work in progress' says Wolff

Mercedes hope to complete their contract talks and agree a new deal with Lewis Hamilton during the upcoming mini-breaks in the congested Formula One calendar , team chief Toto Wolff has revealed .
But , he told a news conference at Mugello , he does not have a date in mind when he hopes to announce a happy conclusion and confirmation that the six-time world champion has a new deal with the team .
The series leader said in July that he expected it to be a relatively straightforward process and `` not a big effort '' and he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wolff supported this on Friday when he pointed out that the three 'triple-headers ' this season – making for nine races in 11 weeks since the coronavirus-hit calendar began – had offered few opportunities for talks .
`` This is a work in progress and I would n't want to commit to a specific date , '' said Wolff .
`` We get on very well , but then when it comes down to the detail , you just need enough time to do that .
`` With one race after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be distracted by contract talks .
In between , with the larger gaps , like next week , we 're moving towards a satisfactory outcome , but I do n't know when it will be announced . ''
After this weekend ’ s race , marking Ferrari ’ s 1000th Grand Prix , two Grands Prix in four weeks are programmed as separate events , a schedule that allows for some breathing space .
Wolff said the new deal with Hamilton would be signed before the end of 2020 because Mercedes `` want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year . ''
Hamilton has won five of his six drivers ’ titles with Mercedes since 2013 .
Wolff warned that nothing should be taken for granted , however , when he said : “ We did n't look at the contract for the last three years and never took it out of the drawer .
`` Sometimes situations change and the environment changes and , therefore , this is a time where it 's another stint -- another part of the journey that we want to go together .
We 're just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he felt it was “ important for Formula One ” that four-time champion Sebastian Vettel would remain in the sport when he leaves Ferrari for Aston Martin at the end of this year .
The Mercedes team boss is a shareholder at Aston Martin , whose brand replaces that of Racing Point next season for the Silverstone-based outfit .
`` I have three shares of Aston Martin so from that perspective it ’ s great , '' he said .
“ The German market is the second most important market .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stays .
He is the second-most successful driver on the grid – and it ’ s important for F1 to keep somebody like Sebastian in his prime years.
” As to his own future , he said he was still reflecting on his next decision .
`` I want to stay with Mercedes , '' he said .
`` I get on with Ola Källenius ( Daimler board chairman ) really brilliantly and I love the guys here and at Brixworth .
`` They are just a close-knit group , but on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go from very good to good so this is something I am thinking about . ''

Mugello (Italy) (AFP) –
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Mercedes hope to complete their contract talks and agree a new deal with Lewis Hamilton during the upcoming mini-breaks in the congested Formula One calendar, team chief Toto Wolff has revealed.
But, he told a news conference at Mugello, he does not have a date in mind when he hopes to announce a happy conclusion and confirmation that the six-time world champion has a new deal with the team.
The series leader said in July that he expected it to be a relatively straightforward process and "not a big effort" and he had no desire to move to another team.
Wolff supported this on Friday when he pointed out that the three 'triple-headers' this season – making for nine races in 11 weeks since the coronavirus-hit calendar began – had offered few opportunities for talks.
"This is a work in progress and I wouldn't want to commit to a specific date," said Wolff.
"We get on very well, but then when it comes down to the detail, you just need enough time to do that.
"With one race after the other, we don't want to be distracted by contract talks. In between, with the larger gaps, like next week, we're moving towards a satisfactory outcome, but I don't know when it will be announced."
After this weekend’s race, marking Ferrari’s 1000th Grand Prix, two Grands Prix in four weeks are programmed as separate events, a schedule that allows for some breathing space.
Wolff said the new deal with Hamilton would be signed before the end of 2020 because Mercedes "want to have certainty how we race next year."
Hamilton has won five of his six drivers’ titles with Mercedes since 2013.
Wolff warned that nothing should be taken for granted, however, when he said: “We didn't look at the contract for the last three years and never took it out of the drawer.
"Sometimes situations change and the environment changes and, therefore, this is a time where it's another stint -- another part of the journey that we want to go together. We're just debating."
Wolff said also that he felt it was “important for Formula One” that four-time champion Sebastian Vettel would remain in the sport when he leaves Ferrari for Aston Martin at the end of this year.
The Mercedes team boss is a shareholder at Aston Martin, whose brand replaces that of Racing Point next season for the Silverstone-based outfit.
"I have three shares of Aston Martin so from that perspective it’s great," he said. “The German market is the second most important market.
"I think it’s great that Seb stays. He is the second-most successful driver on the grid – and it’s important for F1 to keep somebody like Sebastian in his prime years.”
As to his own future, he said he was still reflecting on his next decision.
"I want to stay with Mercedes," he said. "I get on with Ola Källenius (Daimler board chairman) really brilliantly and I love the guys here and at Brixworth.
"They are just a close-knit group, but on the other side, I would never want to go from very good to good so this is something I am thinking about."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--Neymar seals Puma sponsorship deal

Neymar seals Puma sponsorship deal

Neymar has sealed an endorsement deal with Puma , the German company announced on Saturday , two weeks after the Brazilian superstar left his long-time sponsor Nike .
`` Welcome to the fam @ neymarjr # KingIsBack '' Puma tweeted alongside a photo of the Paris Saint-Germain striker , kitted out in the sportswear giant 's clothes .
The world 's most expensive player confirmed his new role as Puma 's poster boy in an open letter posted on social media .
`` I grew up watching videos of great football legends such as Pele , Cruyff , Eusebio and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` For these reasons , from today onward , I have the honour to unite with the brand that helped the biggest legends of football become what they are , '' he wrote .
Neither Neymar nor Puma gave details of the length of the contract or how much it was worth .
Speculation has been flying that the 28-year-old would sign with Puma since his endorsement deal ended with Nike , the company that had sponsored him since he was a 13-year-old prodigy .
News that a deal had been struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esporte Interativo , which is known for breaking the story of Neymar 's transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 .
Citing `` exclusive information , '' it said details on the agreement and Neymar 's first promotional appearances for Puma were expected `` in the coming days . ''
Neymar had appeared to drop hints that a deal was close , said Esporte Interativo .
He recently followed Puma , PumaFootball and eight other accounts associated with the brand on Instagram , and posted a picture of himself Thursday with what appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the background .
Neymar 's last arrangement with Nike was reportedly an 11-year contract worth a total $ 105 million .
Forbes magazine , which ranks him the world 's seventh highest-paid celebrity , estimates his earnings for this year at $ 95.5 million , including endorsement deals .
PSG paid a record 222 million euros for his transfer from Barcelona in 2017 .
With his skinny good looks , tattoos , ever-changing hairstyles and huge following on social media , Neymar is one of the biggest names in sports and beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at times .
On the pitch , critics accuse him of diving in matches .
Off the pitch , he has faced accusations of tax fraud and a 2019 rape allegation .
Brazilian police later dismissed the latter case , citing a lack of evidence .
He was forced to miss PSG 's Ligue 1 season-opener on Thursday after testing positive for Covid-19 following a holiday in Ibiza after PSG 's Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich .

Paris (AFP) –
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Neymar has sealed an endorsement deal with Puma, the German company announced on Saturday, two weeks after the Brazilian superstar left his long-time sponsor Nike.
"Welcome to the fam @neymarjr #KingIsBack" Puma tweeted alongside a photo of the Paris Saint-Germain striker, kitted out in the sportswear giant's clothes.
The world's most expensive player confirmed his new role as Puma's poster boy in an open letter posted on social media.
"I grew up watching videos of great football legends such as Pele, Cruyff, Eusebio and Maradona....who each played in Puma.
"For these reasons, from today onward, I have the honour to unite with the brand that helped the biggest legends of football become what they are," he wrote.
Neither Neymar nor Puma gave details of the length of the contract or how much it was worth.
Speculation has been flying that the 28-year-old would sign with Puma since his endorsement deal ended with Nike, the company that had sponsored him since he was a 13-year-old prodigy.
- Puma statue -
News that a deal had been struck was first published by Brazilian sports site Esporte Interativo, which is known for breaking the story of Neymar's transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017.
Citing "exclusive information," it said details on the agreement and Neymar's first promotional appearances for Puma were expected "in the coming days."
Neymar had appeared to drop hints that a deal was close, said Esporte Interativo.
He recently followed Puma, PumaFootball and eight other accounts associated with the brand on Instagram, and posted a picture of himself Thursday with what appeared to be a statue of a puma in the background.
Neymar's last arrangement with Nike was reportedly an 11-year contract worth a total $105 million.
Forbes magazine, which ranks him the world's seventh highest-paid celebrity, estimates his earnings for this year at $95.5 million, including endorsement deals.
PSG paid a record 222 million euros for his transfer from Barcelona in 2017.
With his skinny good looks, tattoos, ever-changing hairstyles and huge following on social media, Neymar is one of the biggest names in sports and beyond -- though his brand has been tarnished at times.
On the pitch, critics accuse him of diving in matches. Off the pitch, he has faced accusations of tax fraud and a 2019 rape allegation.
Brazilian police later dismissed the latter case, citing a lack of evidence.
He was forced to miss PSG's Ligue 1 season-opener on Thursday after testing positive for Covid-19 following a holiday in Ibiza after PSG's Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--Bahrain dissidents slam Israel deal as 'betrayal'

Opposition to normalisation with Israel runs deeper in Bahrain than in other Gulf states , even though its Sunni rulers dissolved the two main opposition groups after security forces crushed Shiite-led protests in 2011 Bahrainis opposed to their government 's agreement to establish diplomatic relations with Israel vented their frustration on social media Saturday , underlining the complexities of the Gulf 's rapprochement with the Jewish state .
The hashtags `` Bahrainis against normalisation '' and `` normalisation is betrayal '' were trending on Twitter after US President Donald Trump announced the deal late Friday .
Bahrain , a Sunni-ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shares with Israel a deep enmity towards Iran , and relies on the United States , which stations its Fifth Fleet on the tiny but srategic archipelago .
It has become the second Arab country in a month to normalise ties with Israel after the United Arab Emirates struck an accord that promises major gains on the security , trade and tourism fronts .
Bahrain 's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani said the deal represented a historic step towards achieving peace in the Middle East , but the Palestinian Authority and Islamist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another stab in the back '' by an Arab government .
Unlike the UAE , opposition to normalisation runs deep in Bahrain , which has a history of open politics even if it has been suppressed over the past decade .
Former MP Ali Alaswad wrote that it was `` a black day in the history of Bahrain . ''
The kingdom -- a small archipelago located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran -- has been hit by waves of unrest since 2011 , when security forces crushed Shiite-led protests demanding reforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jailed and some stripped of their citizenship over what the government says is `` terrorism '' linked to Shiite Iran .
Protests are extremely rare and are met with harsh action by security forces .
Authorities dissolved the two main opposition groups , Shiite group Al-Wefaq which was the largest in parliament until 2011 , and the secular National Democratic Action Society , or Al-Waad , over allegations of links to `` terrorists . ''
Both are denied representation in parliament , and Al-Wefaq leader Sheikh Ali Salman has been behind bars since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despotic regime in Bahrain and the Zionist occupation government is a total betrayal of Islam and Arabism and a departure from the Islamic , Arab and national consensus '' , it said on Twitter .
Hussain Aldaihi , deputy secretary general of Al-Wefaq , wrote that `` normalisation confirms what is certain , that these regimes pose a threat to their countries , peoples and the nation , by implementing disruptive agendas against the interests of our Arab and Islamic countries & peoples . ''
Other anti-normalisation groups , based both inside Bahrain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements sent to media , calling the deal `` shameful . ''

Dubai (AFP) –
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Bahrainis opposed to their government's agreement to establish diplomatic relations with Israel vented their frustration on social media Saturday, underlining the complexities of the Gulf's rapprochement with the Jewish state.
The hashtags "Bahrainis against normalisation" and "normalisation is betrayal" were trending on Twitter after US President Donald Trump announced the deal late Friday.
Bahrain, a Sunni-ruled kingdom with a large Shiite population, shares with Israel a deep enmity towards Iran, and relies on the United States, which stations its Fifth Fleet on the tiny but srategic archipelago.
It has become the second Arab country in a month to normalise ties with Israel after the United Arab Emirates struck an accord that promises major gains on the security, trade and tourism fronts.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani said the deal represented a historic step towards achieving peace in the Middle East, but the Palestinian Authority and Islamist movement Hamas both condemned it as "another stab in the back" by an Arab government.
Unlike the UAE, opposition to normalisation runs deep in Bahrain, which has a history of open politics even if it has been suppressed over the past decade.
Former MP Ali Alaswad wrote that it was "a black day in the history of Bahrain."
The kingdom -- a small archipelago located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran -- has been hit by waves of unrest since 2011, when security forces crushed Shiite-led protests demanding reforms.
Hundreds of citizens have since been jailed and some stripped of their citizenship over what the government says is "terrorism" linked to Shiite Iran. Protests are extremely rare and are met with harsh action by security forces.
Authorities dissolved the two main opposition groups, Shiite group Al-Wefaq which was the largest in parliament until 2011, and the secular National Democratic Action Society, or Al-Waad, over allegations of links to "terrorists."
Both are denied representation in parliament, and Al-Wefaq leader Sheikh Ali Salman has been behind bars since 2014.
Al-Wefaq bitterly criticised the normalisation deal.
"The agreement between the despotic regime in Bahrain and the Zionist occupation government is a total betrayal of Islam and Arabism and a departure from the Islamic, Arab and national consensus", it said on Twitter.
Hussain Aldaihi, deputy secretary general of Al-Wefaq, wrote that "normalisation confirms what is certain, that these regimes pose a threat to their countries, peoples and the nation, by implementing disruptive agendas against the interests of our Arab and Islamic countries & peoples."
Other anti-normalisation groups, based both inside Bahrain and abroad, expressed their anger in statements sent to media, calling the deal "shameful."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-12--The return of the Yellow Vests provide a challenge to France’s new government

A man holds a placard reading `` Tomorrow the sky will be yellow '' as protesters wearing face masks gather to take part in a Yellow Vests demonstration on September 12 , 2020 in Paris .
After pausing for the coronavirus lockdown and summer holidays , the Yellow Vests are bringing their anger back to the streets for a series of protests in Paris and a number of other French cities on Saturday .
In France , the schools are back and so too are the Yellow Vest protests .
The first Yellow Vest protests since March in Paris and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test for the government under its new prime minister , Jean Castex .
There is the fear of another outbreak of violence on the Champs-Elysées where all gatherings have been banned .
Shopfronts have been boarded over and barricades erected even though no protests are officially allowed .
2,300 people indicated that they still intended to take part in the rally on the Champs-Elysées , and 7,000 showed interest , according to the event 's Facebook page .
According to police sources , 4,000 to 5,000 demonstrators are expected in Paris , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two demonstrations have been authorised to take place in Paris at a distance from the Champs-Elysees by the Paris Police Prefecture ( PPP ) : one from the Place de la Bourse , in the centre of the capital ; the other from the Place Wagram , in the west .
`` There can be no destruction and chaos on the Champs-Elysées , '' police prefect Didier Lallemant said on BFMTV , calling for `` calm '' as the activity of the shops on the avenue has been severely disrupted during previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marred by violence and destruction .
According to the PPP , there had been 128 arrests in Paris by 12pm on Saturday .
While other rallies are also planned in the provinces , the Minister of the Interior , Gérald Darmanin , presented on Friday an outline of the government 's new doctrine for maintaining order , which should make it possible to guarantee both security and the right to demonstrate .
From this Saturday , the forces of law and order will use a new defensive grenade known as GMD .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous one used and its use will be supervised .
This weapon ’ s primary purpose is to break up groups of people .
The Yellow Vests , named after the high-visibility jackets they wear , protested every Saturday for 70 weeks until the lockdown .
The movement emerged late in 2018 , triggered by fuel tax rises , and swelled into a revolt against Macron ’ s government .
Their last major protest was on March 14 , 2020 , on the eve of local elections .
This was just three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Covid-19 .
They were in defiance of a ban from President Macron over mass gatherings .
It is almost two years since the first Yellow Vest protest on November 17 , 2018 .
Their numbers at first soared and then ebbed .
The question now is whether they will rise again like a Phoenix from the ashes as social dissension grows over Covid restrictions .

After pausing for the coronavirus lockdown and summer holidays, the Yellow Vests are bringing their anger back to the streets for a series of protests in Paris and a number of other French cities on Saturday.
A man holds a placard reading "Tomorrow the sky will be yellow" as protesters wearing face masks gather to take part in a Yellow Vests demonstration on September 12, 2020 in Paris.
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In France, the schools are back and so too are the Yellow Vest protests. The first Yellow Vest protests since March in Paris and in several large provincial cities is a test for the government under its new prime minister, Jean Castex.
There is the fear of another outbreak of violence on the Champs-Elysées where all gatherings have been banned. Shopfronts have been boarded over and barricades erected even though no protests are officially allowed.
Second Covid wave or not, the Gilets Jaunes (yellow vests) plan a mass return to French streets and roundabouts today. By 11am there had been 68 pre-demo arrests in Paris, mostly for carrying weapons or missiles. Marches are also planned in provincial cities. 1/7 — John Lichfield (@john_lichfield) September 12, 2020
2,300 people indicated that they still intended to take part in the rally on the Champs-Elysées, and 7,000 showed interest, according to the event's Facebook page.
According to police sources, 4,000 to 5,000 demonstrators are expected in Paris, including potentially violent ‘black bloc’ protesters.
The French capital of #Paris awaits today one of the biggest turnouts of the #GiletsJaunes movement.
Some preparations already underway for fear of the Black block which recently spreads destruction during nationwide protests. pic.twitter.com/rENLxac5H2 — ISCResearch (@ISCResearch) September 12, 2020
Two demonstrations have been authorised to take place in Paris at a distance from the Champs-Elysees by the Paris Police Prefecture (PPP): one from the Place de la Bourse, in the centre of the capital; the other from the Place Wagram, in the west.
"There can be no destruction and chaos on the Champs-Elysées," police prefect Didier Lallemant said on BFMTV, calling for "calm" as the activity of the shops on the avenue has been severely disrupted during previous editions of these demonstrations, which were marred by violence and destruction.
According to the PPP, there had been 200 arrests in Paris by 3pm on Saturday.
#12septembre | A 15h00, ce sont 2⃣0⃣0⃣ interpellations et 3⃣5⃣ verbalisations qui ont été effectuées par les forces de l'ordre en marge des manifestations du jour. pic.twitter.com/bGKJQ5obVp — Préfecture de Police (@prefpolice) September 12, 2020
While other rallies are also planned in the provinces, the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, presented on Friday an outline of the government's new doctrine for maintaining order, which should make it possible to guarantee both security and the right to demonstrate. From this Saturday, the forces of law and order will use a new defensive grenade known as GMD. It is said to be less dangerous than the previous one used and its use will be supervised. This weapon’s primary purpose is to break up groups of people.
The French government's stick is outlined here. Government forces may use a sub-lethal projectile firing gun (LBD) subject to the consent of a supervisor. They may also use a new hand grenade (GMD) to disperse people. So that's good! NOT! https://t.co/2FhfoAgc3p — S.C. (@sallycopper) September 11, 2020
The Yellow Vests, named after the high-visibility jackets they wear, protested every Saturday for 70 weeks until the lockdown. The movement emerged late in 2018, triggered by fuel tax rises, and swelled into a revolt against Macron’s government.
Their last major protest was on March 14, 2020, on the eve of local elections. This was just three days before the country went into lockdown for Covid-19. They were in defiance of a ban from President Macron over mass gatherings.
It is almost two years since the first Yellow Vest protest on November 17, 2018. Their numbers at first soared and then ebbed. The question now is whether they will rise again like a Phoenix from the ashes as social dissension grows over Covid restrictions.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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