france24--2020-10-04--Radradra helps Bristol secure play-off spot

Fijian star Semi Radradra scored a try as Bristol Bears secured a place in the English Premiership play-offs with a 36-7 win over London Irish Fiji 's Semi Radradra scored a try as Bristol Bears secured their place in the English Premiership play-offs with a bonus point 36-7 win over London Irish on Sunday .
The Bears benefited from Bath being held to a 17-17 draw by Saracens in what was the disgraced champions last match in the Premiership for at least a season after being punished for breaching the salary cap .
Bath had only themselves to blame for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bath must now wait nervously and pray Sale Sharks do not beat Worcester on Wednesday -- the game having been postponed from Sunday due to 16 Sharks players testing positive for coronavirus .
Whilst Saracens will not largely be missed by their rivals popular former England captain Chris Robshaw will be .
The 34-year-old bowed out after 300 games for Harlequins on a winning note with a 32-26 victory over Leicester Tigers -- the same opposition they beat in 2012 to win the one and only Premiership title during Robshaw 's time there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exeter Chiefs are also in the play-offs and the former ensured a home match in thrashing a vastly under-strength Exeter side 46-5 .
Bristol 's director of rugby Pat Lam was proud as punch of his side who have also a date in the European Challenge Cup final to look forward to .
`` I 'm extremely proud that we 've earned the right to be in the top four throughout the whole season , '' he told the BBC .
`` It 's not easy to come here and get five points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough side , with a physical , great group of guys , but we had a game plan and stuck to it . ''
Bath 's director of rugby Stuart Hooper said his players needed to pick themselves .
Saracens showing their ceaseless will to compete despite it being a meaningless match for them levelled the game through a late converted try from Tim Swinson .
`` It 's a very strange situation , but one we 've got to get on with very quickly , '' said Hooper referring to the Sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepare as if we 're playing in the semi and going down to ( Exeter 's ) Sandy Park .
`` Before the game we talked about it being in our hands .
We had that opportunity , but it 's out of our hands now . ''
For his Sarries counterpart Mark McCall despite the anger caused amongst their rivals over the salary cap breaches and the relegation there are positives to be taken .
`` We look back on the last 10 months knowing it could have torn other teams apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have ever been , '' said McCall .
`` We 've seen a number of young players emerging .
The next seven or eight months is another great opportunity for them to get experience . ''
Robshaw departs for the United States after a few months rest and a two year contract with San Diego Legion .
He leaves with warm words of praise from Harlequins head of rugby Paul Gustard ringing in his ears .
`` Chris deserves all the accolades he gets , '' said Gustard .
`` To win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations title he has ever won , and to play 300 games for Harlequins , it is just an incredible achievement .
`` The week itself , emotionally he felt it and today , when he first jogged onto the field , he could feel a heavy kind of burden as it was his last game .
`` Chris is an unbelievable professional , takes things seriously when he plays and he enjoys the game with a smile on his face . ''

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Fiji's Semi Radradra scored a try as Bristol Bears secured their place in the English Premiership play-offs with a bonus point 36-7 win over London Irish on Sunday.
The Bears benefited from Bath being held to a 17-17 draw by Saracens in what was the disgraced champions last match in the Premiership for at least a season after being punished for breaching the salary cap.
Bath had only themselves to blame for letting slip a 14 point lead.
Bath must now wait nervously and pray Sale Sharks do not beat Worcester on Wednesday -- the game having been postponed from Sunday due to 16 Sharks players testing positive for coronavirus.
Whilst Saracens will not largely be missed by their rivals popular former England captain Chris Robshaw will be.
The 34-year-old bowed out after 300 games for Harlequins on a winning note with a 32-26 victory over Leicester Tigers -- the same opposition they beat in 2012 to win the one and only Premiership title during Robshaw's time there.
Wasps and European Champions Cup finalists Exeter Chiefs are also in the play-offs and the former ensured a home match in thrashing a vastly under-strength Exeter side 46-5.
Bristol's director of rugby Pat Lam was proud as punch of his side who have also a date in the European Challenge Cup final to look forward to.
"I'm extremely proud that we've earned the right to be in the top four throughout the whole season," he told the BBC.
"It's not easy to come here and get five points, in these conditions, against a tough side, with a physical, great group of guys, but we had a game plan and stuck to it."
Bath's director of rugby Stuart Hooper said his players needed to pick themselves.
Saracens showing their ceaseless will to compete despite it being a meaningless match for them levelled the game through a late converted try from Tim Swinson.
"It's a very strange situation, but one we've got to get on with very quickly," said Hooper referring to the Sale postponement.
"We just need to prepare as if we're playing in the semi and going down to (Exeter's) Sandy Park.
"Before the game we talked about it being in our hands. We had that opportunity, but it's out of our hands now."
- 'Deserves all the accolades' -
For his Sarries counterpart Mark McCall despite the anger caused amongst their rivals over the salary cap breaches and the relegation there are positives to be taken.
"We look back on the last 10 months knowing it could have torn other teams apart, but we're as connected as we have ever been," said McCall.
"We've seen a number of young players emerging. The next seven or eight months is another great opportunity for them to get experience."
Robshaw departs for the United States after a few months rest and a two year contract with San Diego Legion.
He leaves with warm words of praise from Harlequins head of rugby Paul Gustard ringing in his ears.
"Chris deserves all the accolades he gets," said Gustard.
"To win a Grand Slam, the first Six Nations title he has ever won, and to play 300 games for Harlequins, it is just an incredible achievement.
"The week itself, emotionally he felt it and today, when he first jogged onto the field, he could feel a heavy kind of burden as it was his last game.
"Chris is an unbelievable professional, takes things seriously when he plays and he enjoys the game with a smile on his face."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Napoli's no-show, Kramaric on fire, Real on top: European football talking points

Serie A was thrown into chaos by coronavirus , Croatia 's Andrei Kramaric surprisingly tops the Bundesliga 's goal scoring charts and Real Madrid took top spot in La Liga in the last weekend of European top-flight football before a two-week international window .
AFP Sport looks at some of the main talking points from the action across the continent : Gennaro Gattuso 's Napoli are in danger of a 3-0 forfeit after refusing to turn up in Turin for Sunday 's Serie A match with reigning champions Juventus after a row over coronavirus protocol .
Napoli players Eljif Elmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Gattuso 's men were put into isolation but the Italian top-flight authorities insisted all the health protocols were in place for the match to safely go ahead .
The southerners ' fate depends on a meeting of Italian league officials on Tuesday .
Bayern Munich 's Robert Lewandowski hit home four times in the 4-3 win over Hertha Berlin , Erling Braut Haaland claimed a double in the 4-0 victory over Freiburg but it 's Hoffenheim 's Andrei Kramaric who leads the Bundesliga 's goal-scoring charts .
Crotia forward Kramaric added a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign in Saturday 's loss 2-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt and joins up with his national side under pressure to continue his club performances with AC Milan attacker Ante Rebic unavailable through injury for three matches , which include a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final with France .
Champions Real Madrid moved to the top of La Liga this weekend with their third win in as many games as Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema scored in the 2-0 victory at Levante .
Despite missing the creativity of Eden Hazard and experience of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side kept their unbeaten start to the season and claimed their third clean sheet of the campaign to remain as league leaders having played a game fewer than their current top-four rivals , Real Betis , Real Sociedad and Villarreal .
Champions League quarter-finalists Atalanta have continued their form into the new campaign topping Serie A by scoring 13 goals on the way .
Gian Piero Gasperini 's free-flowing side are unbeaten after hammering Cagliari 5-2 on Sunday with club captain Papu Gomez leading Serie A 's goal-scoring charts -- and they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their future Champions League group-stage opponents Liverpool thrashed 7-2 by Aston Villa .
Neymar opened his account for the new season with a double in Paris Saint-Germain 's 6-1 win over Angers on Friday after missing half of his side 's first six games of the season after contracting Covid-19 and a suspension .
After the fixture PSG 's sporting director Leonardo said neither he nor the club `` appreciated '' coach Thomas Tuchel 's belief the squad had been weakened since August 's Champions League final .
Tuchel complained last week the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what promises to be an unusually demanding and compressed season .
The likes of captain Thiago Silva and striker Eric Choupo-Moting have left the French capital during the transfer window .
The club have signed 20-year-old Italian forward Moise Kean on loan from Premier League side Everton , where he has failed to make a significant breakthrough , while experienced midfielder Danilo Pereira has come in from Porto , also on loan .

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Serie A was thrown into chaos by coronavirus, Croatia's Andrei Kramaric surprisingly tops the Bundesliga's goal scoring charts and Real Madrid took top spot in La Liga in the last weekend of European top-flight football before a two-week international window.
AFP Sport looks at some of the main talking points from the action across the continent:
Napoli no-show
Gennaro Gattuso's Napoli are in danger of a 3-0 forfeit after refusing to turn up in Turin for Sunday's Serie A match with reigning champions Juventus after a row over coronavirus protocol.
Napoli players Eljif Elmas and Piotr Zielinski tested positive for Covid-19 and Gattuso's men were put into isolation but the Italian top-flight authorities insisted all the health protocols were in place for the match to safely go ahead.
The southerners' fate depends on a meeting of Italian league officials on Tuesday.
Clinical Kramaric
Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski hit home four times in the 4-3 win over Hertha Berlin, Erling Braut Haaland claimed a double in the 4-0 victory over Freiburg but it's Hoffenheim's Andrei Kramaric who leads the Bundesliga's goal-scoring charts.
Crotia forward Kramaric added a sixth to his account for the new campaign in Saturday's loss 2-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt and joins up with his national side under pressure to continue his club performances with AC Milan attacker Ante Rebic unavailable through injury for three matches, which include a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final with France.
Mastering Madrid
Champions Real Madrid moved to the top of La Liga this weekend with their third win in as many games as Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema scored in the 2-0 victory at Levante.
Despite missing the creativity of Eden Hazard and experience of Toni Kroos through injury Zinedine Zidane's side kept their unbeaten start to the season and claimed their third clean sheet of the campaign to remain as league leaders having played a game fewer than their current top-four rivals, Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Villarreal.
On-form Atalanta
Champions League quarter-finalists Atalanta have continued their form into the new campaign topping Serie A by scoring 13 goals on the way.
Gian Piero Gasperini's free-flowing side are unbeaten after hammering Cagliari 5-2 on Sunday with club captain Papu Gomez leading Serie A's goal-scoring charts -- and they will have been licking their lips after seeing their future Champions League group-stage opponents Liverpool thrashed 7-2 by Aston Villa.
Neymar back to it
Neymar opened his account for the new season with a double in Paris Saint-Germain's 6-1 win over Angers on Friday after missing half of his side's first six games of the season after contracting Covid-19 and a suspension.
After the fixture PSG's sporting director Leonardo said neither he nor the club "appreciated" coach Thomas Tuchel's belief the squad had been weakened since August's Champions League final.
Tuchel complained last week the club had not done enough ahead of what promises to be an unusually demanding and compressed season.
The likes of captain Thiago Silva and striker Eric Choupo-Moting have left the French capital during the transfer window.
The club have signed 20-year-old Italian forward Moise Kean on loan from Premier League side Everton, where he has failed to make a significant breakthrough, while experienced midfielder Danilo Pereira has come in from Porto, also on loan.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Dubai Safari Park re-opens after two-year refurbishment

A tiger swims inside an enclosure at the Dubai Safari Park , which has reopened after a two-year expansion Dubai 's Safari Park reopened its doors Monday after a two-year expansion , as the emirate seeks to boost its hard-hit tourism sector amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The 119-hectare ( 294-acre ) attraction , which is built on the site of a former waste dump , first opened its gates to the public in December 2017 , but abruptly closed five months later for `` park improvements '' .
After the addition of a variety of animals and plants and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is open for business again .
Operations director Muna Alhajeri said the site -- located in the eastern desert region of Dubai , one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE -- is home to nearly 3,000 animals .
`` This includes rare animals that are present for the first time in the United Arab Emirates , '' she told AFP , with species including the African Elephant , the Asian black bear -- or `` moon bear '' -- and the African bongo antelope .
`` The site was converted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourist , entertainment and cultural destination , '' Alhajeri said .
From the late 1970s until the early 1990s , the area served as a solid waste facility .
Piles of rubbish once rose some 30 metres ( 100 feet ) high , according to official reports .
Alhajeri said that since the construction of the park with pools of water , wild birds have also been attracted to the site .
`` The place was built in a way to properly accomodate such natural wildlife , '' she said .
Dubai , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil-rich Gulf region , has been badly hit by the coronavirus slowdown .
Its GDP has contracted 3.5 percent in the first quarter , following two years of modest growth .
Tourism has long been a mainstay of the emirate , which welcomed more than 16 million visitors last year .
Before the pandemic crippled global travel , the aim was to reach 20 million this year .
Dubai is now largely open for business and tourism , but infection rates have been rising in recent weeks .
Alhajeri said that visitors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperature checks and follow socially distancing rules , in line with precautions in place across the UAE .

Dubai (AFP) –
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Dubai's Safari Park reopened its doors Monday after a two-year expansion, as the emirate seeks to boost its hard-hit tourism sector amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The 119-hectare (294-acre) attraction, which is built on the site of a former waste dump, first opened its gates to the public in December 2017, but abruptly closed five months later for "park improvements".
After the addition of a variety of animals and plants and a shift in management, the park is open for business again.
Operations director Muna Alhajeri said the site -- located in the eastern desert region of Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE -- is home to nearly 3,000 animals.
"This includes rare animals that are present for the first time in the United Arab Emirates," she told AFP, with species including the African Elephant, the Asian black bear -- or "moon bear" -- and the African bongo antelope.
"The site was converted from a solid waste dump to a tourist, entertainment and cultural destination," Alhajeri said.
From the late 1970s until the early 1990s, the area served as a solid waste facility. Piles of rubbish once rose some 30 metres (100 feet) high, according to official reports.
Alhajeri said that since the construction of the park with pools of water, wild birds have also been attracted to the site.
"The place was built in a way to properly accomodate such natural wildlife," she said.
Dubai, which has the most diversified economy in oil-rich Gulf region, has been badly hit by the coronavirus slowdown.
Its GDP has contracted 3.5 percent in the first quarter, following two years of modest growth.
Tourism has long been a mainstay of the emirate, which welcomed more than 16 million visitors last year.
Before the pandemic crippled global travel, the aim was to reach 20 million this year.
Dubai is now largely open for business and tourism, but infection rates have been rising in recent weeks.
Alhajeri said that visitors to the park must wear masks, undergo temperature checks and follow socially distancing rules, in line with precautions in place across the UAE.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Paris shuts bars to brake Covid-19 spread

Bars and cafes in Paris , placed on maximum coronavirus alert Monday , will be shuttered for two weeks under new measures to brake rapid epidemic spread , officials said .
With the rate of new infections , hospitalisations and deaths accelerating months after the lifting of a nationwide lockdown , new rules to enforce social distancing will enter into force starting Tuesday .
`` These are braking measures because the epidemic is moving too fast , '' Paris police chief Didier Lallement told journalists .
`` From tomorrow , all bars will be closed . ''
Health Minister Olivier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 infection rates could prevent closure of the capital city 's trademark bars and cafes .
But France reported nearly 17,000 new coronavirus cases on Saturday alone , the highest daily number since the country began widespread testing .
For Paris , the number was about 3,500 new cases every day -- with a high of nearly 6,000 recorded last Monday , said Aurelien Rousseau , director of the ARS regional health agency .
Bars in Paris have continued to draw large crowds of people often flouting physical distancing and mask-wearing guidelines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congested public transport as contamination hotspots .
Rousseau said about 40 percent of cluster cases originated in schools and universities , 26 percent in the workplace , and ten percent from private gatherings -- a number that has doubled since last month .
To this end , he urged inhabitants of Paris and its suburbs , which jointly form the Ile-de-France region , to go back to working from home as much as possible .
Restaurants , however , can continue to operate provided they meet stricter new conditions , said Lallement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ available at all dining tables , limiting patrons to six a table with at least a metre ( 3.3 feet ) between seats , and allowing patrons to remove their masks only for eating .
`` We are constantly adapting to the reality of this epidemic , the reality of the virus , and we must continually find a balance between the health of our fellow citizens and the reality and necessity of economic and social life , '' said Lallement .
Rousseau said Paris has surpassed three worrying thresholds requiring its reclassification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These were the general rate of virus prevalence , its spread among older people at higher risk of serious illness , and the number of intensive care beds taken up by coronavirus patients -- now at 36 percent .
He said there were 203 active coronavirus `` clusters '' in Ile-de-France .
`` The pressure is strong , and we know what will happen in the 15 coming days , '' said Rousseau .
`` We know that we will arrive at about 50 percent of intensive care beds occupied by Covid patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progression . ''
Rousseau underlined that physical and social distancing remained the key tool for preventing virus spread .
Labour Minister Elisabeth Borne in a tweet also urged employers and workers in Paris and other zones on maximum alert `` to work from home as much as possible to slow the spread of the virus '' .
Lallement said pools and gyms in Paris will remain off-limits except for school activities , public gatherings would be limited to ten people , and there would be a ceiling of 1,000 people on open air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Visits to people in old-age homes may continue but only by appointment and limited to two visitors at a time .
Alcohol sales after 10:00 pm will remain prohibited , as will wedding and other parties in reception halls , and all expos or conferences held under large tents .
Clients will be limited to one per four square metres in shopping malls .
The measures will be reviewed at the end of the 15-day period on October 19 .

Paris (AFP) –
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Bars and cafes in Paris, placed on maximum coronavirus alert Monday, will be shuttered for two weeks under new measures to brake rapid epidemic spread, officials said.
With the rate of new infections, hospitalisations and deaths accelerating months after the lifting of a nationwide lockdown, new rules to enforce social distancing will enter into force starting Tuesday.
"These are braking measures because the epidemic is moving too fast," Paris police chief Didier Lallement told journalists.
"From tomorrow, all bars will be closed."
Health Minister Olivier Veran announced last week that only improved Covid-19 infection rates could prevent closure of the capital city's trademark bars and cafes.
But France reported nearly 17,000 new coronavirus cases on Saturday alone, the highest daily number since the country began widespread testing.
For Paris, the number was about 3,500 new cases every day -- with a high of nearly 6,000 recorded last Monday, said Aurelien Rousseau, director of the ARS regional health agency.
Bars in Paris have continued to draw large crowds of people often flouting physical distancing and mask-wearing guidelines, and are a major concern along with congested public transport as contamination hotspots.
Rousseau said about 40 percent of cluster cases originated in schools and universities, 26 percent in the workplace, and ten percent from private gatherings -- a number that has doubled since last month.
To this end, he urged inhabitants of Paris and its suburbs, which jointly form the Ile-de-France region, to go back to working from home as much as possible.
- Balancing act -
Restaurants, however, can continue to operate provided they meet stricter new conditions, said Lallement.
These will include making sanitising hand gel available at all dining tables, limiting patrons to six a table with at least a metre (3.3 feet) between seats, and allowing patrons to remove their masks only for eating.
"We are constantly adapting to the reality of this epidemic, the reality of the virus, and we must continually find a balance between the health of our fellow citizens and the reality and necessity of economic and social life," said Lallement.
Rousseau said Paris has surpassed three worrying thresholds requiring its reclassification as a region on maximum alert.
These were the general rate of virus prevalence, its spread among older people at higher risk of serious illness, and the number of intensive care beds taken up by coronavirus patients -- now at 36 percent.
He said there were 203 active coronavirus "clusters" in Ile-de-France.
"The pressure is strong, and we know what will happen in the 15 coming days," said Rousseau.
"We know that we will arrive at about 50 percent of intensive care beds occupied by Covid patients. The point is to brake this progression."
Rousseau underlined that physical and social distancing remained the key tool for preventing virus spread.
Labour Minister Elisabeth Borne in a tweet also urged employers and workers in Paris and other zones on maximum alert "to work from home as much as possible to slow the spread of the virus".
Lallement said pools and gyms in Paris will remain off-limits except for school activities, public gatherings would be limited to ten people, and there would be a ceiling of 1,000 people on open air stadiums for sporting or cultural events.
Visits to people in old-age homes may continue but only by appointment and limited to two visitors at a time.
Alcohol sales after 10:00 pm will remain prohibited, as will wedding and other parties in reception halls, and all expos or conferences held under large tents.
Clients will be limited to one per four square metres in shopping malls.
The measures will be reviewed at the end of the 15-day period on October 19.
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© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Liverpool, Man Utd lick wounds after humbling Premier League defeats

Humbled : Liverpool conceded seven goals for the first time since 1963 Liverpool became the first reigning English champions to concede seven goals in a league match since 1953 and Manchester United were thrashed 6-1 as inquests started after a humiliating day for England 's two most successful clubs .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side thought they had grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons against Tottenham on Sunday but within Jurgen Klopp 's team upstaged them in a scarcely credible 7-2 defeat against Aston Villa .
Klopp can argue Liverpool 's defeat is a bizarre one-off after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear to be in deep trouble as the international transfer deadline looms on Monday .
Liverpool , who romped to the title by 18 points in the 2019/20 campaign , went into their match at an empty Villa Park with a 100 percent record in the league this season .
They were missing first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker through injury and were also without Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara , who have both tested positive for coronavirus , but were still expected to have too much for their opponents .
But Villa forward Ollie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grealish had a hand in five goals as Liverpool 's high line was torn apart by the home side 's counter-attacking .
`` It was unexpected but it happened tonight , '' said Klopp , whose side lost just four league matches over the previous two seasons .
`` We put all our rubbish things and mistakes in one game and hopefully we can start again . ''
The Liverpool boss said he was desperate to get his players back on the training pitch but they are now heading off for an international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge at table-topping Everton .
`` I would love to have a training session tomorrow and Tuesday and to talk about it , but the boys go back off to international duty , '' Klopp said .
`` Hopefully they come back healthy and we use the two days to prepare for Everton . ''
While Liverpool will hope their result is an anomaly , there is plenty of evidence that United have lost their way .
The Old Trafford club have not competed for the Premier League title since Alex Ferguson retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they finished third last season .
That optimism has been misplaced , with United soundly beaten 3-1 at home by Crystal Palace and incredibly fortunate to escape with a 3-2 victory at Brighton last weekend .
But they sank to a new low at an echoing Old Trafford on Sunday as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min ran riot , scoring two goals apiece against the home side , who were reduced to 10 men after the first-half sending-off of Anthony Martial .
Former United defender Gary Neville , now a TV pundit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shambles '' as they matched their 6-1 loss to Manchester City in 2011 .
United 's players were fortunate there were no supporters in the ground to witness the rout .
Club captain Harry Maguire apologised to fans in an Instagram post , saying the performance was `` unacceptable '' and Marcus Rashford said there were no excuses .
Solskjaer took the blame for the humiliation , which once again raises major questions about whether he is the man to restore the club to their former glories .
`` It 's a horrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had as a Manchester United manager and player , '' said the Norwegian manager .
`` It 's nowhere near good enough .
I hold my hands up .
It 's my decision to pick the team I did .
Also as a squad , that 's not good enough for Manchester United . ''
The chastening defeat comes at the end of another difficult transfer window for United , who look to have failed in their pursuit of their number one target , Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho .
Uruguayan striker Edinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Devils after leaving Paris Saint-Germain , but it is at the other end of the pitch that United are most in need of reinforcements .
Brazil left-back Alex Telles appears likely to arrive from Porto but it does not look enough to shore up a leaky defence that has shipped 11 goals in three Premier League matches .
While Liverpool remain favourites to win a second successive Premier League table despite their humbling , United already look out of the running as they scramble for answers .

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Liverpool became the first reigning English champions to concede seven goals in a league match since 1953 and Manchester United were thrashed 6-1 as inquests started after a humiliating day for England's two most successful clubs.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side thought they had grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons against Tottenham on Sunday but within Jurgen Klopp's team upstaged them in a scarcely credible 7-2 defeat against Aston Villa.
Klopp can argue Liverpool's defeat is a bizarre one-off after an impressive start to the season but United appear to be in deep trouble as the international transfer deadline looms on Monday.
Liverpool, who romped to the title by 18 points in the 2019/20 campaign, went into their match at an empty Villa Park with a 100 percent record in the league this season.
They were missing first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker through injury and were also without Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara, who have both tested positive for coronavirus, but were still expected to have too much for their opponents.
But Villa forward Ollie Watkins scored a first-half hat-trick and Jack Grealish had a hand in five goals as Liverpool's high line was torn apart by the home side's counter-attacking.
"It was unexpected but it happened tonight," said Klopp, whose side lost just four league matches over the previous two seasons.
"We put all our rubbish things and mistakes in one game and hopefully we can start again."
The Liverpool boss said he was desperate to get his players back on the training pitch but they are now heading off for an international break before gathering again for a tough-looking challenge at table-topping Everton.
"I would love to have a training session tomorrow and Tuesday and to talk about it, but the boys go back off to international duty," Klopp said. "Hopefully they come back healthy and we use the two days to prepare for Everton."
- United woes -
While Liverpool will hope their result is an anomaly, there is plenty of evidence that United have lost their way.
The Old Trafford club have not competed for the Premier League title since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 but hopes were high after they finished third last season.
That optimism has been misplaced, with United soundly beaten 3-1 at home by Crystal Palace and incredibly fortunate to escape with a 3-2 victory at Brighton last weekend.
But they sank to a new low at an echoing Old Trafford on Sunday as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min ran riot, scoring two goals apiece against the home side, who were reduced to 10 men after the first-half sending-off of Anthony Martial.
Former United defender Gary Neville, now a TV pundit, described their performance as "an absolute shambles" as they matched their 6-1 loss to Manchester City in 2011.
United's players were fortunate there were no supporters in the ground to witness the rout.
Club captain Harry Maguire apologised to fans in an Instagram post, saying the performance was "unacceptable" and Marcus Rashford said there were no excuses.
Solskjaer took the blame for the humiliation, which once again raises major questions about whether he is the man to restore the club to their former glories.
"It's a horrible feeling, the worst day I've had as a Manchester United manager and player," said the Norwegian manager.
"It's nowhere near good enough. I hold my hands up. It's my decision to pick the team I did. Also as a squad, that's not good enough for Manchester United."
The chastening defeat comes at the end of another difficult transfer window for United, who look to have failed in their pursuit of their number one target, Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho.
Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani is reportedly set to join the Red Devils after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, but it is at the other end of the pitch that United are most in need of reinforcements.
Brazil left-back Alex Telles appears likely to arrive from Porto but it does not look enough to shore up a leaky defence that has shipped 11 goals in three Premier League matches.
While Liverpool remain favourites to win a second successive Premier League table despite their humbling, United already look out of the running as they scramble for answers.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Tottenham winger Sessegnon joins Hoffenheim on loan

England Under-21 winger Ryan Sessegnon has joined Hoffenheim on loan for the rest of the season from Hoffenheim Hoffenheim announced @ @ @ @ @ Under-21 winger Ryan Sessegnon on loan from Tottenham for the rest of the season .
@ @ @ @ @ just 16 when he made his professional debut for Fulham four years ago and joined @ @ @ @ @ million euros ( $ 31 million ) .
`` I hope to gain experience in @ @ @ @ @ leagues in the world and I 'm also looking forward to playing in European competition @ @ @ @ @ Hoffenheim having qualified for the Europa League .
He is under contract at White Hart @ @ @ @ @ for game time last season , making just 12 appearances for Tottenham , including six @ @ @ @ @ He had not played so far in 2020/21 under Spurs boss Jose Mourinho .
Sessegnon @ @ @ @ @ high-quality addition '' , according to sports director Alexander Rosen to a Hoffenheim squad depleted @ @ @ @ @ Bicakcic and left-back Konstantinos Stafylidis .

Berlin (AFP) –
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Hoffenheim announced on Monday the signing England Under-21 winger Ryan Sessegnon on loan from Tottenham for the rest of the season.
Sessegnon, 20, was just 16 when he made his professional debut for Fulham four years ago and joined Spurs last year for 27 million euros ($31 million).
"I hope to gain experience in one of the best professional leagues in the world and I'm also looking forward to playing in European competition", said Sessegnon with Hoffenheim having qualified for the Europa League.
He is under contract at White Hart Lane until 2025 but struggled for game time last season, making just 12 appearances for Tottenham, including six in the Premier League.
He had not played so far in 2020/21 under Spurs boss Jose Mourinho.
Sessegnon is seen as a "high-quality addition", according to sports director Alexander Rosen to a Hoffenheim squad depleted by injuries to centre-back Ermin Bicakcic and left-back Konstantinos Stafylidis.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--African players in Europe: Senegalese forward Niane fires first hat-trick

Senegalese Ibrahima Niane ( C ) celebrates one of his goals for Metz in a Ligue 1 hat-trick against Lorient .
Senegalese forward Ibrahima Niane from French club Metz scored the first hat-trick of his professional career to be the stand out African in Europe at the weekend .
The 21-year-old boosted his chances of a maiden national team call-up by lifting his Ligue 1 goal haul to six from three matches as Metz defeated Lorient 3-1 in a clash of bottom-half clubs .
Egypt 's Mohamed Salah , often the star African performer , bagged a brace for Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drubbing by Aston Villa .
Here , AFP Sport rounds up the performances of Africans in the major European leagues at the weekend .
His goals were no consolation as champions Liverpool suffered an astonishing defeat at Aston Villa .
Although Salah 's double took him to five goals early in the season , he wo n't look back on the trip to Villa Park with any fondness .
Netting when Liverpool already trailed 2-0 and then 5-1 , the 28-year-old could not spare his team 's blushes all by himself .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can bring to the team with a dynamic display in Tottenham 's incredible 6-1 win at Manchester United .
Aurier 's place has been under threat this term following the close-season swoop for Wolves defender Matt Doherty .
Aurier was handed his first Premier League start of the campaign and scored in the 51st minute with a fierce drive into the far corner from the right side of the United area that put Tottenham 5-1 up .
The Ivory Coast winger scored his first goal of the season to clinch Arsenal 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started on the bench as Gunners boss Mikel Arteta went with Willian on the right flank , but the 25-year-old delivered a well-timed reminder of his qualities in the 64th minute .
Just minutes after his introduction , Pepe played a one-two with Hector Bellerin and accelerated toward the United area .
With the visitors backing off , Pepe had time and space to guide a fine low finish past Blades keeper Aaron Ramsdale into the far corner .
Nigeria striker Simy pulled a goal back for promoted Crotone in a 4-1 Serie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scored from the spot five minutes after the break after a foul by Sassuolo 's Moroccan midfielder Bourabia .
It was the 10th top-flight goal , and 41st in total for Simy in five seasons with Crotone .
Ivory Coast midfielder Kessie played a role in Milan 's third goal as they made it three wins from as many games in the 3-0 victory over promoted Spezia .
The 23-year-old 's headed flick-on of an Alexis Saelemaekers cross found Portuguese forward Rafael Leao , who completed a brace .
The Senegal centre-back made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leg injury as Schalke crashed 4-0 at RB Leipzig to stay rooted to the bottom of the Bundesliga .
Having been sidelined by a knee injury until February and then torn a muscle in June , Sane had a scare when he suffered a knock to the same leg against Leipzig .
`` It was just a twinge , I stretched a bit and it was okay , but I was worried because I had injured this knee and I 've only just returned , '' Sane told Sky .
Metz fell behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge with a three-goal burst that started just before half-time when he converted a penalty .
He put his club ahead on 59 minutes and completed his hat-trick five minutes later .
Senegal midfielder Gueye scored the fifth goal for defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in a 6-1 rout of Angers , whose only goal came from Ivorian defender Traore .
Gueye and Traore have been called up by their countries for the October 5-13 internationals window .

Paris (AFP) –
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Senegalese forward Ibrahima Niane from French club Metz scored the first hat-trick of his professional career to be the stand out African in Europe at the weekend.
The 21-year-old boosted his chances of a maiden national team call-up by lifting his Ligue 1 goal haul to six from three matches as Metz defeated Lorient 3-1 in a clash of bottom-half clubs.
Egypt's Mohamed Salah, often the star African performer, bagged a brace for Liverpool in a humiliating 7-2 English Premier League drubbing by Aston Villa.
Here, AFP Sport rounds up the performances of Africans in the major European leagues at the weekend.
ENGLAND
MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)
His goals were no consolation as champions Liverpool suffered an astonishing defeat at Aston Villa. Although Salah's double took him to five goals early in the season, he won't look back on the trip to Villa Park with any fondness. Netting when Liverpool already trailed 2-0 and then 5-1, the 28-year-old could not spare his team's blushes all by himself.
SERGE AURIER (Tottenham)
The Ivory Coast right-back showed Jose Mourinho what he can bring to the team with a dynamic display in Tottenham's incredible 6-1 win at Manchester United. Aurier's place has been under threat this term following the close-season swoop for Wolves defender Matt Doherty. Aurier was handed his first Premier League start of the campaign and scored in the 51st minute with a fierce drive into the far corner from the right side of the United area that put Tottenham 5-1 up.
NICOLAS PEPE (Arsenal)
The Ivory Coast winger scored his first goal of the season to clinch Arsenal's 2-1 win against Sheffield United. Pepe started on the bench as Gunners boss Mikel Arteta went with Willian on the right flank, but the 25-year-old delivered a well-timed reminder of his qualities in the 64th minute. Just minutes after his introduction, Pepe played a one-two with Hector Bellerin and accelerated toward the United area. With the visitors backing off, Pepe had time and space to guide a fine low finish past Blades keeper Aaron Ramsdale into the far corner.
ITALY
SIMEON NWANKWO (Crotone)/MEDHI BOURABIA (Sassuolo)
Nigeria striker Simy pulled a goal back for promoted Crotone in a 4-1 Serie A defeat to Sassuolo. The 28-year-old scored from the spot five minutes after the break after a foul by Sassuolo's Moroccan midfielder Bourabia. It was the 10th top-flight goal, and 41st in total for Simy in five seasons with Crotone.
FRANCK KESSIE (AC Milan)
Ivory Coast midfielder Kessie played a role in Milan's third goal as they made it three wins from as many games in the 3-0 victory over promoted Spezia. The 23-year-old's headed flick-on of an Alexis Saelemaekers cross found Portuguese forward Rafael Leao, who completed a brace.
GERMANY
SALIF SANE (Schalke 04)
The Senegal centre-back made his first start this season after a leg injury as Schalke crashed 4-0 at RB Leipzig to stay rooted to the bottom of the Bundesliga. Having been sidelined by a knee injury until February and then torn a muscle in June, Sane had a scare when he suffered a knock to the same leg against Leipzig. "It was just a twinge, I stretched a bit and it was okay, but I was worried because I had injured this knee and I've only just returned," Sane told Sky.
FRANCE
IBRAHIMA NIANE (Metz)
Metz fell behind at home to Lorient before Niane took charge with a three-goal burst that started just before half-time when he converted a penalty. He put his club ahead on 59 minutes and completed his hat-trick five minutes later.
IDRISSA GUEYE (Paris Saint-Germain)/ISMAEL TRAORE (Angers)
Senegal midfielder Gueye scored the fifth goal for defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in a 6-1 rout of Angers, whose only goal came from Ivorian defender Traore. Gueye and Traore have been called up by their countries for the October 5-13 internationals window.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Monitors decry vote-buying in Kyrgyz parliamentary vote

Widespread claims of violations could stir unrest in the sometimes volatile ex-Soviet republic International monitors expressed concern Monday over `` credible allegations '' of vote-buying in a parliamentary election in Kyrgyzstan , as supporters of losing parties took to the streets in protest .
Parties close to Kyrgyzstan 's pro-Russian President Sooronbai Jeenbekov dominated the Sunday vote , although widespread claims of violations in their favour could stir unrest in the sometimes volatile ex-Soviet republic .
`` Kyrgyzstan ’ s parliamentary elections were generally well run and candidates could campaign freely , but credible allegations of vote buying remain a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , head of the election observation mission organised by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe .
Boserup also flagged that `` health protocols were not always implemented consistently '' in the vote that was held on schedule despite Kyrgyzstan being overwhelmed by coronavirus cases during the summer .
Birimdik and Mekenim Kyrgyzstan , two factions that favour deeper integration with Moscow 's Eurasian Union trade bloc , scooped a quarter of the vote each according to a preliminary count based on 98 percent of ballots cast .
The pro-presidential Kyrgyzstan party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 percent , while two parties led by nationalists and a party founded by a former prime minister faced a nail-biting wait with a parallel manual vote count underway .
Several parties that missed out on a place in parliament held protests Monday although the fact that that the rallies were held at different times indicates they may be unable to form a cohesive bloc to oppose the government .
At one of the rallies , led by the fringe Chon-Kazat and Reforma parties that campaigned against corruption , a losing candidate pledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the government .
The comment was met with whoops and cheers by a crowd of several hundred .
Ata-Meken , Bir Bol and Respublika -- parties that were represented in the outgoing parliament , but who failed to meet the threshold this time round -- were holding a rally that gathered a crowd of several thousand on Monday afternoon .
Birimdik includes Jeenbekov 's younger brother Asylbek Jeenbekov , while Mekenim Kyrgyzstan is seen as a vehicle for the interests of the powerful Matraimov family .
Family figurehead Rayimbek Matraimov is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target of anti-corruption protests last year and is believed to have helped finance Jeenbekov 's successful presidential campaign in 2017 .
Surrounded by authoritarian states with rubber-stamp legislatures , elections in mountainous Kyrgyzstan offer a colourful and sometimes unpredictable contrast .
Yet with the pandemic battering paltry incomes , many warned that the stage was set for massive ballot fraud by well-resourced parties .
Moscow 's dominant strategic position in Kyrgyzstan -- a landlocked country bordering China -- was not seen as being under threat regardless of the outcome of the vote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country and is a destination for hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz migrants .

Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) (AFP) –
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International monitors expressed concern Monday over "credible allegations" of vote-buying in a parliamentary election in Kyrgyzstan, as supporters of losing parties took to the streets in protest.
Parties close to Kyrgyzstan's pro-Russian President Sooronbai Jeenbekov dominated the Sunday vote, although widespread claims of violations in their favour could stir unrest in the sometimes volatile ex-Soviet republic.
"Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary elections were generally well run and candidates could campaign freely, but credible allegations of vote buying remain a serious concern," said Thomas Boserup, head of the election observation mission organised by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Boserup also flagged that "health protocols were not always implemented consistently" in the vote that was held on schedule despite Kyrgyzstan being overwhelmed by coronavirus cases during the summer.
Birimdik and Mekenim Kyrgyzstan, two factions that favour deeper integration with Moscow's Eurasian Union trade bloc, scooped a quarter of the vote each according to a preliminary count based on 98 percent of ballots cast.
The pro-presidential Kyrgyzstan party looks certain to join them with over 8 percent, while two parties led by nationalists and a party founded by a former prime minister faced a nail-biting wait with a parallel manual vote count underway.
Several parties that missed out on a place in parliament held protests Monday although the fact that that the rallies were held at different times indicates they may be unable to form a cohesive bloc to oppose the government.
- Whoops and cheers -
At one of the rallies, led by the fringe Chon-Kazat and Reforma parties that campaigned against corruption, a losing candidate pledged to "gather 20-30,000 and peacefully overthrow" the government.
The comment was met with whoops and cheers by a crowd of several hundred.
Ata-Meken, Bir Bol and Respublika -- parties that were represented in the outgoing parliament, but who failed to meet the threshold this time round -- were holding a rally that gathered a crowd of several thousand on Monday afternoon.
Birimdik includes Jeenbekov's younger brother Asylbek Jeenbekov, while Mekenim Kyrgyzstan is seen as a vehicle for the interests of the powerful Matraimov family.
Family figurehead Rayimbek Matraimov is a former customs service official who was the target of anti-corruption protests last year and is believed to have helped finance Jeenbekov's successful presidential campaign in 2017.
Surrounded by authoritarian states with rubber-stamp legislatures, elections in mountainous Kyrgyzstan offer a colourful and sometimes unpredictable contrast.
Yet with the pandemic battering paltry incomes, many warned that the stage was set for massive ballot fraud by well-resourced parties.
Moscow's dominant strategic position in Kyrgyzstan -- a landlocked country bordering China -- was not seen as being under threat regardless of the outcome of the vote.
Russia has a military base in the country and is a destination for hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz migrants.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Paris Nuit Blanche 2020: All night art festival takes place amid Covid-19 crisis

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france24--2020-10-05--Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Stepanakert under fire as Armenia-Azerbaijan fighting intensifies

Armenian and Azerbaijani forces exchanged heavy rocket and artillery fire as fighting intensified over Nagorno- # Karabakh on Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ capital and Azerbaijan 's second-largest city hit .
Armenia said that Nagorno-Karabakh 's main city @ @ @ @ @ under shelling since Friday , was hit again on Sunday .

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Stepanakert under fire as Armenia-Azerbaijan fighting intensifies
01:55
Armenian and Azerbaijani forces exchanged heavy rocket and artillery fire as fighting intensified over Nagorno-#Karabakh on Sunday, with the breakaway region's capital and Azerbaijan's second-largest city hit. Armenia said that Nagorno-Karabakh's main city Stepanakert, which has been under shelling since Friday, was hit again on Sunday.


france24--2020-10-05--What we know, and what we don't, about Trump's diagnosis

What we know , and what we do n't , about Trump 's diagnosis A White House physician 's comments @ @ @ @ @ of President Donald # Trump amid his coronavirus diagnosis added a new layer of confusion @ @ @ @ @ to clarify contradictory statements from the day before .
And a brief motorcade ride outside @ @ @ @ @ of supporters appeared at odds with a patient receiving # Covid-19 treatments .

What we know, and what we don't, about Trump's diagnosis
04:39
A White House physician's comments on Sunday about the health of President Donald #Trump amid his coronavirus diagnosis added a new layer of confusion even as the doctor sought to clarify contradictory statements from the day before. And a brief motorcade ride outside the hospital to the cheers of supporters appeared at odds with a patient receiving #Covid-19 treatments.


france24--2020-10-05--US-British trio win Nobel Medicine Prize for Hepatitis C discovery

The three were honoured for their `` decisive contribution to the fight against blood-borne hepatitis '' Americans Harvey Alter and Charles Rice together with Briton Michael Houghton won the Nobel Medicine Prize on Monday for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus , the Nobel jury said .
The three were honoured for their `` decisive contribution to the fight against blood-borne hepatitis , a major global health problem that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer in people around the world , '' the jury said .
The World Health Organization estimates there to be around 70 million Hepatitis C infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Thanks to their discovery , highly sensitive blood tests for the virus are now available and these have `` essentially eliminated post-transfusion hepatitis in many parts of the world , greatly improving global health '' , the Nobel committee said .
Their discovery also allowed the rapid development of antiviral drugs directed at Hepatitis C. '' For the first time in history , the disease can now be cured , raising hopes of eradicating Hepatitis C virus from the world population , '' the jury said .
Prior to the trio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hepatitis A and B viruses had seen critical steps forward , but the majority of blood-borne hepatitis cases remained unexplained .
`` The discovery of Hepatitis C virus revealed the cause of the remaining cases of chronic hepatitis and made possible blood tests and new medicines that have saved millions of lives , '' the jury said .
Alter was credited for his pioneering work studying the occurrence of hepatitis in patients who had received blood transfusions , determining that their illness was neither Hepatitis A or B. Houghton built on Alter 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new virus .
Rice subsequently completed the puzzle by using genetic engineering to prove that it was the new strain alone -- Hepatitis C -- that was causing patients to get sick .
The trio will share the Nobel prize sum of 10 million Swedish kronor ( about $ 1.1 million , 950,000 euros ) .
They would normally receive their prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10 , the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel who created the prizes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the in-person ceremony has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic , replaced with a televised ceremony showing the laureates receiving their awards in their home countries .
The award for work on a virus comes as the world battles the new coronavirus pandemic , which has put the global spotlight on science and research .
`` The pandemic is a big crisis for mankind , but it illustrates how important science is , '' Nobel Foundation head Lars Heikensten said .
However , no prizes were expected to be awarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus , as Nobel prize-winning research usually takes many years to be verified .
The prize-awarding committees are `` not in any way influenced by what is happening in the world at the time , '' Erling Norrby , the former permanent secretary of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences which awards the science prizes , told AFP .
`` It takes time before a prize can mature , I would say at least 10 years before you can fully understand the impact '' of a discovery , Norrby , himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the various prize committees is shrouded in secrecy and the names of the nominees are not disclosed for 50 years , leading to rampant speculation .
The winners of this year 's physics prize will be revealed on Tuesday , with astrophysicists Shep Doeleman of the US and Germany 's Heino Falcke seen as possible winners for work that led to the first directly observed image of a black hole in April 2019 .
American mathematician Peter Shor who paved the way for today 's research on quantum computers , or France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quantum entanglement , have also been mentioned in Swedish media .
Speculation ahead of Friday 's peace prize has meanwhile focused on press freedom groups , Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and other climate activists , or several UN organisations .
The economics prize will wrap up the Nobel prize season on Monday , October 12 .

Stockholm (AFP) –
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Americans Harvey Alter and Charles Rice together with Briton Michael Houghton won the Nobel Medicine Prize on Monday for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, the Nobel jury said.
The three were honoured for their "decisive contribution to the fight against blood-borne hepatitis, a major global health problem that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer in people around the world," the jury said.
The World Health Organization estimates there to be around 70 million Hepatitis C infections globally, causing around 400,000 deaths each year.
Thanks to their discovery, highly sensitive blood tests for the virus are now available and these have "essentially eliminated post-transfusion hepatitis in many parts of the world, greatly improving global health", the Nobel committee said.
Their discovery also allowed the rapid development of antiviral drugs directed at Hepatitis C.
"For the first time in history, the disease can now be cured, raising hopes of eradicating Hepatitis C virus from the world population," the jury said.
Prior to the trio's work, the discovery of the Hepatitis A and B viruses had seen critical steps forward, but the majority of blood-borne hepatitis cases remained unexplained.
"The discovery of Hepatitis C virus revealed the cause of the remaining cases of chronic hepatitis and made possible blood tests and new medicines that have saved millions of lives," the jury said.
Alter was credited for his pioneering work studying the occurrence of hepatitis in patients who had received blood transfusions, determining that their illness was neither Hepatitis A or B.
Houghton built on Alter's work to isolate the genetic sequence of the new virus.
Rice subsequently completed the puzzle by using genetic engineering to prove that it was the new strain alone -- Hepatitis C -- that was causing patients to get sick.
The trio will share the Nobel prize sum of 10 million Swedish kronor (about $1.1 million, 950,000 euros).
They would normally receive their prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel who created the prizes in his last will and testament.
But the in-person ceremony has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, replaced with a televised ceremony showing the laureates receiving their awards in their home countries.
- Pandemic effect on prizes? -
The award for work on a virus comes as the world battles the new coronavirus pandemic, which has put the global spotlight on science and research.
"The pandemic is a big crisis for mankind, but it illustrates how important science is," Nobel Foundation head Lars Heikensten said.
However, no prizes were expected to be awarded this year for work directly linked to the new coronavirus, as Nobel prize-winning research usually takes many years to be verified.
The prize-awarding committees are "not in any way influenced by what is happening in the world at the time," Erling Norrby, the former permanent secretary of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences which awards the science prizes, told AFP.
"It takes time before a prize can mature, I would say at least 10 years before you can fully understand the impact" of a discovery, Norrby, himself a virologist, said.
The work of the various prize committees is shrouded in secrecy and the names of the nominees are not disclosed for 50 years, leading to rampant speculation.
The winners of this year's physics prize will be revealed on Tuesday, with astrophysicists Shep Doeleman of the US and Germany's Heino Falcke seen as possible winners for work that led to the first directly observed image of a black hole in April 2019.
American mathematician Peter Shor who paved the way for today's research on quantum computers, or France's Alain Aspect for his work on quantum entanglement, have also been mentioned in Swedish media.
Speculation ahead of Friday's peace prize has meanwhile focused on press freedom groups, Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg and other climate activists, or several UN organisations.
The economics prize will wrap up the Nobel prize season on Monday, October 12.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Mali frees over 100 jailed jihadists in effort to win release of two hostages

Soldiers of the France 's Barkhane mission patrol in a military vehicle next to a Malian national flag on November 2 , 2017 , in central Mali .
Mali has freed more than 100 suspected or convicted jihadists as part of negotiations for the release of a prominent Malian politician and a kidnapped French charity worker , sources close to the talks told AFP on Monday .
`` As part of the negotiations to obtain the release of Soumaila Cissé and Sophie Pétronin , more than one hundred jihadist prisoners were released this weekend , '' one of those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to be named , told AFP .
An official at the security services confirmed the information , according to the AFP .
The prisoners were released in the central region of Niono and in Tessalit in the north after arriving by plane , the official said .
A lawmaker in Tessalit , who also requested anonymity , confirmed to AFP that `` large numbers of jihadist prisoners '' arrived there on Sunday .
Sophie Pétronin , a French charity worker , was abducted by gunmen on December 24 , 2016 , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last video in which she appeared was received in June 2018 .
She appeared tired and emaciated , and appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron .
In another video , in November 2018 , in which she did not appear , her kidnappers said her health had deteriorated .
Soumaila Cissé is a former opposition leader and three-time presidential candidate .
He was seized on March 25 while campaigning in his home region of Niafounké ahead of legislative elections .
Mali , supported by France and UN peacekeepers , is struggling with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lives .
A military junta overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August , before taking over leadership of the West African nation .

Mali has freed more than 100 suspected or convicted jihadists as part of negotiations for the release of a prominent Malian politician and a kidnapped French charity worker, sources close to the talks told AFP on Monday.
Soldiers of the France's Barkhane mission patrol in a military vehicle next to a Malian national flag on November 2, 2017, in central Mali.
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"As part of the negotiations to obtain the release of Soumaila Cissé and Sophie Pétronin, more than one hundred jihadist prisoners were released this weekend," one of those in charge of the negotiations, who asked not to be named, told AFP.
An official at the security services confirmed the information, according to the AFP. The prisoners were released in the central region of Niono and in Tessalit in the north after arriving by plane, the official said.
A lawmaker in Tessalit, who also requested anonymity, confirmed to AFP that "large numbers of jihadist prisoners" arrived there on Sunday.
Sophie Pétronin, a French charity worker, was abducted by gunmen on December 24, 2016, in the northern city of Gao.
The last video in which she appeared was received in June 2018. She appeared tired and emaciated, and appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron. In another video, in November 2018, in which she did not appear, her kidnappers said her health had deteriorated.
Soumaila Cissé is a former opposition leader and three-time presidential candidate. He was seized on March 25 while campaigning in his home region of Niafounké ahead of legislative elections.
Mali, supported by France and UN peacekeepers, is struggling with an eight-year-old Islamist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives.
A military junta overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August, before taking over leadership of the West African nation.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-10-05--2015 bombing Villejuif attack trial 'is having a special jury', FRANCE 24's Claire Paccalin reports


france24--2020-10-05--2020 Nobel medicine prize awarded to US-British trio for Hepatitis C discovery

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2020 was awarded jointly to Harvey J .
Alter , Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice `` for the discovery of Hepatitis C virus . ''
Americans Harvey J .
Alter and Charles M. Rice and Briton Michael Houghton won the 2020 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus , the Nobel Committee announced Monday .
The three were honoured for their `` decisive contribution to the fight against blood-borne hepatitis , a major global health problem that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer in people around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The discovery of Hepatitis C virus revealed the cause of the remaining cases of chronic hepatitis and made possible blood tests and new medicines that have saved millions of lives '' , it added .
Thanks to their discovery , highly sensitive blood tests for the virus are now available and these have `` essentially eliminated post-transfusion hepatitis in many parts of the world , greatly improving global health '' , the Nobel Committee said .
Their discovery also allowed the rapid development of antiviral drugs directed at Hepatitis C. '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease can now be cured , raising hopes of eradicating Hepatitis C virus from the world population , '' the jury said .
`` Prior to their work , the discovery of the Hepatitis A and B viruses had been critical steps forward , '' the Nobel Assembly at Sweden 's Karolinska Institute said in a statement .
The award for work on a virus comes as the world battles the new coronavirus pandemic .
The trio will share the Nobel Prize sum of 10 million Swedish kronor ( about $ 1.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nobel awards will go ahead as planned this year , celebrations have been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic .
The Nobel Foundation has cancelled the traditional banquet , which forms the centrepiece of the celebrations in December , and has replaced it with a televised ceremony showing the laureates receiving their awards in their home countries .
They would normally receive their prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10 , the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel who created the prizes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 's winners will be invited to celebrate alongside the 2021 laureates , assuming the pandemic has eased by then .
Last year , the honour went to US researchers William Kaelin and Gregg Semenza and Britain 's Peter Ratcliffe on for discoveries on how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability .
The winners of this year 's physics prize will be revealed on Tuesday , followed by the chemistry prize on Wednesday .
The literature prize will be announced on Thursday and the peace prize on Friday .
The economics prize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , October 12 .

Americans Harvey J. Alter and Charles M. Rice and Briton Michael Houghton won the 2020 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, the Nobel Committee announced Monday.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2020 was awarded jointly to Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice "for the discovery of Hepatitis C virus."
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The three were honoured for their "decisive contribution to the fight against blood-borne hepatitis, a major global health problem that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer in people around the world," the jury said.
"The discovery of Hepatitis C virus revealed the cause of the remaining cases of chronic hepatitis and made possible blood tests and new medicines that have saved millions of lives", it added.
Thanks to their discovery, highly sensitive blood tests for the virus are now available and these have "essentially eliminated post-transfusion hepatitis in many parts of the world, greatly improving global health", the Nobel Committee said.
Their discovery also allowed the rapid development of antiviral drugs directed at Hepatitis C.
"For the first time in history, the disease can now be cured, raising hopes of eradicating Hepatitis C virus from the world population," the jury said.
"Prior to their work, the discovery of the Hepatitis A and B viruses had been critical steps forward," the Nobel Assembly at Sweden's Karolinska Institute said in a statement.
The award for work on a virus comes as the world battles the new coronavirus pandemic.
The trio will share the Nobel Prize sum of 10 million Swedish kronor (about $1.1 million or €950,000).
Celebrations overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic
While the Nobel awards will go ahead as planned this year, celebrations have been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Nobel Foundation has cancelled the traditional banquet, which forms the centrepiece of the celebrations in December, and has replaced it with a televised ceremony showing the laureates receiving their awards in their home countries.
They would normally receive their prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel who created the prizes in his last will and testament.
This year's winners will be invited to celebrate alongside the 2021 laureates, assuming the pandemic has eased by then.
Last year, the honour went to US researchers William Kaelin and Gregg Semenza and Britain's Peter Ratcliffe on for discoveries on how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability.
The winners of this year's physics prize will be revealed on Tuesday, followed by the chemistry prize on Wednesday. The literature prize will be announced on Thursday and the peace prize on Friday. The economics prize will wrap up the Nobel Prize season on Monday, October 12.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP & Reuters)
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france24--2020-10-06--Brazil GDP decline set for less than feared at 5.8 percent: IMF

Brazil 's economy is set to shrink by 5.8 percent in 2020 , the International Monetary Fund said Monday , revising up an earlier forecast but warning the country faced `` excpetionally high '' risks .
`` The economy is projected to shrink by 5.8 percent in 2020 , followed by a partial recovery to 2.8 percent in 2021 , '' the IMF said in its annual report on Latin America 's largest economy .
The report released Monday revised upwards the more pessimistic forecast of a 9.1 percent contraction in June .
It praised the right-wing government of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial '' response to the economic crisis prompted by the coronavirus pandemic .
The government increased health spending , boosted financial support for state governments , extended state-backed credit lines and introduced employment retention schemes , which helped protect formal jobs during lockdown .
`` The strong policy response averted a deeper economic downturn , stabilized financial markets , and cushioned the effects of the pandemic on the poor and vulnerable . ''
However , it warned that given a sharp rise in primary fiscal deficit , gross public debt is projected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 , remaining high over the medium term .
`` Risks are exceptionally high and multifaceted , '' the Fund warned , `` including a second wave of the pandemic , long-term scarring from a protracted recession , and vulnerability to confidence shocks given Brazil 's high level of public debt . ''
The South American giant of 212 million people has been hit hard by the new coronavirus , with more than 145,000 people killed , the second-highest death toll worldwide after the United States .
The Washington-based Fund recommended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal support '' if health , economic and social conditions were to worsen .
Almost 12 million jobs were lost due to the crisis between February and July , of which over seven million were in the informal sector .
The unemployment rate is still rising and reached 13.8 percent in the quarter between May and July , though other indicators such as industrial production showed imporvements in August from the previous month , it said .
Consumer spending is also on the rebound -- though that is largely thanks to emergency stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) a month the government has been paying to around 60 million Brazilians , about a third of the population .
The payments were halved this month , and are set to expire at the end of the year .
`` While some recent indicators are encouraging and the authorities expect a strong rebound next year , it may take time for employment , incomes and poverty to return to pre-Covid levels , '' the IMF report said .
It urged the government to move ahead with structural reforms , `` to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poverty line , to make the Brazilian economy more competitive , open to business and trade , and attractive to investment . ''
Despite the risks , the Fund stressed that the country has `` considerable '' international reserves , `` a resilient banking system '' and a low proportion of public debt in foreign currency .

Washington (AFP) –
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Brazil's economy is set to shrink by 5.8 percent in 2020, the International Monetary Fund said Monday, revising up an earlier forecast but warning the country faced "excpetionally high" risks.
"The economy is projected to shrink by 5.8 percent in 2020, followed by a partial recovery to 2.8 percent in 2021," the IMF said in its annual report on Latin America's largest economy.
The report released Monday revised upwards the more pessimistic forecast of a 9.1 percent contraction in June.
It praised the right-wing government of President Jair Bolsonaro for its "swift and substantial" response to the economic crisis prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The government increased health spending, boosted financial support for state governments, extended state-backed credit lines and introduced employment retention schemes, which helped protect formal jobs during lockdown.
"The strong policy response averted a deeper economic downturn, stabilized financial markets, and cushioned the effects of the pandemic on the poor and vulnerable."
However, it warned that given a sharp rise in primary fiscal deficit, gross public debt is projected to jump to around 100 percent of GDP in 2020, remaining high over the medium term.
- 'Exceptionally high' risks -
"Risks are exceptionally high and multifaceted," the Fund warned, "including a second wave of the pandemic, long-term scarring from a protracted recession, and vulnerability to confidence shocks given Brazil's high level of public debt."
The South American giant of 212 million people has been hit hard by the new coronavirus, with more than 145,000 people killed, the second-highest death toll worldwide after the United States.
The Washington-based Fund recommended the government "be prepared to provide additional fiscal support" if health, economic and social conditions were to worsen.
Almost 12 million jobs were lost due to the crisis between February and July, of which over seven million were in the informal sector.
The unemployment rate is still rising and reached 13.8 percent in the quarter between May and July, though other indicators such as industrial production showed imporvements in August from the previous month, it said.
Consumer spending is also on the rebound -- though that is largely thanks to emergency stimulus checks of 600 reais ($110) a month the government has been paying to around 60 million Brazilians, about a third of the population.
The payments were halved this month, and are set to expire at the end of the year.
"While some recent indicators are encouraging and the authorities expect a strong rebound next year, it may take time for employment, incomes and poverty to return to pre-Covid levels," the IMF report said.
It urged the government to move ahead with structural reforms, "to create jobs and lift the poor above the poverty line, to make the Brazilian economy more competitive, open to business and trade, and attractive to investment."
Despite the risks, the Fund stressed that the country has "considerable" international reserves, "a resilient banking system" and a low proportion of public debt in foreign currency.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Texans fire O'Brien after winless start

Texans fire O'Brien after winless start

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien was sacked by the team 's ownership on Monday , a day after the side slumped to their fourth straight defeat of the season .
A statement from Houston Texans chairman and chief executive Cal McNair said O'Brien was being replaced as the team sought to head `` in a different direction . ''
`` On behalf of my family and our entire organization , I want to sincerely thank Bill O'Brien and his family for their impact on our franchise , '' McNair said .
`` Bill proved himself as a coach and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with him earlier today and told him we are moving in a different direction . ''
O'Brien , 50 , led the Texans to four AFC South divisional titles after taking over in 2014 , finishing with a winning record in five out of six seasons at the helm .
However the Texans have suffered a shaky start to the 2020 campaign , with four consecutive losses .
Although two of those defeats came against strong opposition in the shape of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens , Houston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears to have been the final straw for the team 's ownership .
McNair said assistant coach Romeo Crennel will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 season .
`` We have a talented team and I have no doubt our players and staff will rally to make Texans fans proud as we aim to win championships and do great things for the city of Houston , '' McNair said .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien was sacked by the team's ownership on Monday, a day after the side slumped to their fourth straight defeat of the season.
A statement from Houston Texans chairman and chief executive Cal McNair said O'Brien was being replaced as the team sought to head "in a different direction."
"On behalf of my family and our entire organization, I want to sincerely thank Bill O'Brien and his family for their impact on our franchise," McNair said.
"Bill proved himself as a coach and leader in this league. I spoke with him earlier today and told him we are moving in a different direction."
O'Brien, 50, led the Texans to four AFC South divisional titles after taking over in 2014, finishing with a winning record in five out of six seasons at the helm.
However the Texans have suffered a shaky start to the 2020 campaign, with four consecutive losses.
Although two of those defeats came against strong opposition in the shape of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, Houston's defeat to winless Minnesota on Sunday appears to have been the final straw for the team's ownership.
McNair said assistant coach Romeo Crennel will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 season.
"We have a talented team and I have no doubt our players and staff will rally to make Texans fans proud as we aim to win championships and do great things for the city of Houston," McNair said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Conditions at Roland Garros favour Djokovic, says Toni Nadal

Family feeling : Rafael Nadal with his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal after winning the 2017 Roland Garros title Toni Nadal , the uncle and former coach of Rafael Nadal , believes the rain and cold of Roland Garros in the autumn plays right into the hands of world number one Novak Djokovic .
In a telephone interview from Mallorca , Toni told AFP that the heavier balls are also tipping the balance of power closer to the Serb who is chasing a second French Open and 18th Grand Slam .
Nadal , the 12-time champion , can equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majors with victory in the final in Paris on Sunday .
`` Djokovic is very solid .
I think he 's the one who is most favoured by the new balls .
It 's more difficult for Rafael , '' said Toni .
Both Djokovic and Nadal have eased into the last eight in Paris for the 14th time and have yet to drop a set .
Djokovic has slipped just 25 games , Nadal two fewer as they remain on course for another championship clash .
As well as the new heavier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radically different to when the tournament is traditionally held in May and June .
It has been raining most days with the temperature hovering between 10 and 15 degrees ( 50 and 59F ) .
`` I think Rafael has been quite good .
He arrived with some uncertainties because this is the year he played the least before the tournament , '' added Toni of a truncated season due to the coronavirus .
Nadal skipped the US Open and his run to the quarter-finals in Rome last month was his first action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round against Stefano Travaglia he played well .
But Sunday against Sebastian Korda , it was too windy to really judge his game , '' explained Toni .
`` As the conditions change , you have to impose your style of play .
To win a point , you have to be prepared to play it longer .
`` In previous editions , Rafael was very effective on points under rallies of nine shots .
`` This year , the rallies are a bit longer .
The topspin is not as effective .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian 19-year-old Jannick Sinner who is the first player to reach the quarter-finals on debut since Nadal in 2005 .
`` He has everything to become one of the best players of the next generation .
He is for sure a candidate for world No.1 , '' said Toni Nadal .
`` It will be difficult for Rafael , but he has the qualities to win .
`` On Sunday , against Alexander Zverev , Sinner was on top the whole match .
Zverev did n't play at a very high level , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Paris (AFP) –
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Toni Nadal, the uncle and former coach of Rafael Nadal, believes the rain and cold of Roland Garros in the autumn plays right into the hands of world number one Novak Djokovic.
In a telephone interview from Mallorca, Toni told AFP that the heavier balls are also tipping the balance of power closer to the Serb who is chasing a second French Open and 18th Grand Slam.
Nadal, the 12-time champion, can equal Roger Federer's all-time mark of 20 majors with victory in the final in Paris on Sunday.
"Djokovic is very solid. I think he's the one who is most favoured by the new balls. It's more difficult for Rafael," said Toni.
Both Djokovic and Nadal have eased into the last eight in Paris for the 14th time and have yet to drop a set.
Djokovic has slipped just 25 games, Nadal two fewer as they remain on course for another championship clash.
As well as the new heavier balls, the overall playing conditions are radically different to when the tournament is traditionally held in May and June.
It has been raining most days with the temperature hovering between 10 and 15 degrees (50 and 59F).
"I think Rafael has been quite good. He arrived with some uncertainties because this is the year he played the least before the tournament," added Toni of a truncated season due to the coronavirus.
Nadal skipped the US Open and his run to the quarter-finals in Rome last month was his first action since February.
"In the third round against Stefano Travaglia he played well. But Sunday against Sebastian Korda, it was too windy to really judge his game," explained Toni.
"As the conditions change, you have to impose your style of play. To win a point, you have to be prepared to play it longer.
"In previous editions, Rafael was very effective on points under rallies of nine shots.
"This year, the rallies are a bit longer. The topspin is not as effective."
On Tuesday, Nadal will face Italian 19-year-old Jannick Sinner who is the first player to reach the quarter-finals on debut since Nadal in 2005.
"He has everything to become one of the best players of the next generation. He is for sure a candidate for world No.1," said Toni Nadal.
"It will be difficult for Rafael, but he has the qualities to win.
"On Sunday, against Alexander Zverev, Sinner was on top the whole match. Zverev didn't play at a very high level, but Sinner is a very good player."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Arsenal pay buyout clause to sign Partey from Atletico

Arsenal triggered the buyout clause of Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey after meeting the Ghanian 's 50 million euro ( £45 million , $ 59 million ) buyout clause , Atletico confirmed on Monday .
Partey has been a long-term target for the Gunners , who were looking to bolster their options in central midfield .
`` La Liga informed Atletico de Madrid at 11.28pm on Monday that Arsenal representatives have paid Thomas Partey 's release clause at the sports association 's headquarters , '' Atletico said in a statement .
`` The player has therefore unilaterally terminated his contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 30 , 2023 . ''
Arsenal have made an impressive start to the season , winning three of their opening four Premier League games , as they aim to return to the Champions League next season for the first time in five years .
However , the Londoners have been short in midfield with Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi , who has joined Hertha Berlin on a season-long loan , frozen out by Mikel Arteta .
Uruguayan international Lucas Torreira has gone the other way from Arsenal to Atletico on a season-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Atletico sides that reached the 2016 Champions League final and beat Arsenal on the way to winning the Europa League in 2018 .
A tough-tackling midfielder with an eye for goal , the 27-year-old scored 16 times in 188 appearances for Atletico since breaking into the first team in 2015 .

London (AFP) –
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Arsenal triggered the buyout clause of Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey after meeting the Ghanian's 50 million euro (£45 million, $59 million) buyout clause, Atletico confirmed on Monday.
Partey has been a long-term target for the Gunners, who were looking to bolster their options in central midfield.
"La Liga informed Atletico de Madrid at 11.28pm on Monday that Arsenal representatives have paid Thomas Partey's release clause at the sports association's headquarters," Atletico said in a statement.
"The player has therefore unilaterally terminated his contract with our club, which ran until June 30, 2023."
Arsenal have made an impressive start to the season, winning three of their opening four Premier League games, as they aim to return to the Champions League next season for the first time in five years.
However, the Londoners have been short in midfield with Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi, who has joined Hertha Berlin on a season-long loan, frozen out by Mikel Arteta.
Uruguayan international Lucas Torreira has gone the other way from Arsenal to Atletico on a season-long loan deal.
Partey was part of the Atletico sides that reached the 2016 Champions League final and beat Arsenal on the way to winning the Europa League in 2018.
A tough-tackling midfielder with an eye for goal, the 27-year-old scored 16 times in 188 appearances for Atletico since breaking into the first team in 2015.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Last orders for Paris bars — for now at least

New restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus mean bars in and around Paris must close After bursting back into life over the summer months after the coronavirus lockdown in March and April , the shutters came down again for bars in Paris on Monday evening .
Half-empty bottles of wine were lined up on counters at the end of the evening , ready to be poured away , while fridges were emptied and cleaned .
Anything open wo n't be fit for consumption when the capital 's nightspots eventually reopen .
Omar Allik , the 41-year manager of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ninth arrondissement in the north of the city , surveyed the handful of bottles lined up for emptying .
`` We 've learned about this , '' he says .
`` With everything we had to throw away in March ( when the lockdown started ) , this time we were ready . ''
`` It 's disheartening , and we do n't know how long it 's going to last , '' he added .
`` No salary , 15,000 euros in rent and charges -- and nothing will be coming in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't get access to the compensation funds , '' he said .
He will spend the coming weeks looking after his daughter -- and taking stock of the situation .
- 'No more drinks after work ' - The summer months in Paris 's bars were different from previous years , as city officials authorised expanded street terraces to help them increase their business and make up for the lost weeks during the lockdown in March and April .
It also encouraged clients to stay outside in the open air , safer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of infection .
Now however , as a second wave of rising infections crashes over the capital , those terraces , for the bars at least , will be empty for at least two weeks .
Restaurants will be allowed to stay open .
`` We 're here for Omar , '' said Romain Carillon , one of the locals , standing at the bar a beer in his hand .
`` To support him on this last evening after a terrible year , '' the 34-year-old architect added .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down .
Drinks after work , that 's finished : now it 's commute , work and home to bed . ''
On this street , usually buzzing with night-life , several of the bars are already dismantling the terraces built up just months earlier , wooden pallets piling up under the heavy rain .
Inside , in the last hours before an indefinite closing time , the bars are filling up .
There are a lot more people in than for a normal Monday night , says David Gamrasni , the 44-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiny bar sports has an eccentric decor and blasts loud rock music .
With the enforced closure , he laments , people are losing proper social contact , `` the possibility to be who you are -- everything that makes our world , and there will only be restrictions , no fun moments '' .
None of these bars has any way of satisfying the health protocols now in force to slow the spread of the virus : too small , too crowded , too hard to control with everyone busy having fun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can to respect the guidelines , in a place where -- when all 's said and done and unlike the metros -- people are n't forced to come . ''
The bars of eastern Paris have joined forces in recent days .
They are planning meetings , symbolic protests to keep their plight in the public eye .
`` People are going to end up going crazy , '' says Gamrasni .
`` And we small business-owners , we 're not exactly revolutionaries -- but that 's what we are going to have @ @ @ @

Paris (AFP) –
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After bursting back into life over the summer months after the coronavirus lockdown in March and April, the shutters came down again for bars in Paris on Monday evening.
Half-empty bottles of wine were lined up on counters at the end of the evening, ready to be poured away, while fridges were emptied and cleaned. Anything open won't be fit for consumption when the capital's nightspots eventually reopen.
Omar Allik, the 41-year manager of the Touller bar in the city's ninth arrondissement in the north of the city, surveyed the handful of bottles lined up for emptying.
"We've learned about this," he says. "With everything we had to throw away in March (when the lockdown started), this time we were ready."
"It's disheartening, and we don't know how long it's going to last," he added. "No salary, 15,000 euros in rent and charges -- and nothing will be coming in.
"Small businesses like mine don't get access to the compensation funds," he said.
He will spend the coming weeks looking after his daughter -- and taking stock of the situation.
- 'No more drinks after work' -
The summer months in Paris's bars were different from previous years, as city officials authorised expanded street terraces to help them increase their business and make up for the lost weeks during the lockdown in March and April.
It also encouraged clients to stay outside in the open air, safer than enclosed spaces in terms of minimising the risk of infection.
Now however, as a second wave of rising infections crashes over the capital, those terraces, for the bars at least, will be empty for at least two weeks. Restaurants will be allowed to stay open.
"We're here for Omar," said Romain Carillon, one of the locals, standing at the bar a beer in his hand. "To support him on this last evening after a terrible year," the 34-year-old architect added.
"It's sad, we're a bit down. Drinks after work, that's finished: now it's commute, work and home to bed."
- 'We're the scapegoats' -
On this street, usually buzzing with night-life, several of the bars are already dismantling the terraces built up just months earlier, wooden pallets piling up under the heavy rain.
Inside, in the last hours before an indefinite closing time, the bars are filling up.
There are a lot more people in than for a normal Monday night, says David Gamrasni, the 44-year-old owner of the Pili Pili. The tiny bar sports has an eccentric decor and blasts loud rock music.
With the enforced closure, he laments, people are losing proper social contact, "the possibility to be who you are -- everything that makes our world, and there will only be restrictions, no fun moments".
None of these bars has any way of satisfying the health protocols now in force to slow the spread of the virus: too small, too crowded, too hard to control with everyone busy having fun.
"When you do what you can to respect the guidelines, in a place where -- when all's said and done and unlike the metros -- people aren't forced to come."
The bars of eastern Paris have joined forces in recent days. They are planning meetings, symbolic protests to keep their plight in the public eye.
"People are going to end up going crazy," says Gamrasni. "And we small business-owners, we're not exactly revolutionaries -- but that's what we are going to have to become."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--'It's in my heart' says Walcott after rejoining Southampton

Theo Walcott has rejoined Southampton after the Everton winger sealed a season-long loan move back to the club where he started his career .
Walcott opted to return to Southampton after making just two appearances for Everton this season .
The 31-year-old England international , who made his senior debut for Southampton as a 16-year-old , is back on the south coast 14 years after leaving to join Arsenal .
`` Southampton Football Club is proud to announce that Theo Walcott , one of the most celebrated academy graduates in its history , has returned to St Mary 's , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walcott , who spent 12 years at Arsenal before heading to Everton in January 2018 , has found himself a peripheral figure at Goodison Park since Carlo Ancelotti took charge last season .
`` I had a few opportunities from other clubs , but as soon as Southampton came in for me , it 's part of me and has made me into the player I am .
It 's in my heart , '' Walcott said .
`` I will probably cry , I bet , when I first play , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that made it happen , I ca n't thank them enough .
Honestly , I 'm so pleased .
`` I was seriously lost for words when Southampton came on the table , and for me it was such an easy decision . ''

London (AFP) –
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Theo Walcott has rejoined Southampton after the Everton winger sealed a season-long loan move back to the club where he started his career.
Walcott opted to return to Southampton after making just two appearances for Everton this season.
The 31-year-old England international, who made his senior debut for Southampton as a 16-year-old, is back on the south coast 14 years after leaving to join Arsenal.
"Southampton Football Club is proud to announce that Theo Walcott, one of the most celebrated academy graduates in its history, has returned to St Mary's," Southampton said in a statement.
Walcott, who spent 12 years at Arsenal before heading to Everton in January 2018, has found himself a peripheral figure at Goodison Park since Carlo Ancelotti took charge last season.
"I had a few opportunities from other clubs, but as soon as Southampton came in for me, it's part of me and has made me into the player I am. It's in my heart," Walcott said.
"I will probably cry, I bet, when I first play, and it means so much. All the people that made it happen, I can't thank them enough. Honestly, I'm so pleased.
"I was seriously lost for words when Southampton came on the table, and for me it was such an easy decision."
© 2020 AFP