france24--2020-09-05--Two French soldiers killed in Mali

Two French soldiers killed in Mali

French soldiers walk on March 18 , 2013 in the Tessalit camp in northern Mali .
Two French soldiers were killed on Saturday in a military operation in Mali ’ s northeastern Kidal region , the Élysée Palace announced .
The two soldiers died after their armoured vehicle hit an improvised explosive device on September 5 .
A third soldier was wounded in the explosion .
French President Emmanuel Macron expresses his “ deep respect ” for the soldiers ’ “ sacrifice ” and sends his “ sincere condolences to their families and loved ones ” , the presidential office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country in 2013 , after Mali asked it to help regain territory seized by Islamist extremists who had hijacked a Touareg rebellion in the country ’ s northern desert regions the previous year .
The French military succeeded in this initial task – but the jihadist insurgency has since spread throughout Mali and across the border to Niger and Burkina Faso .
Earlier on Saturday , Mali 's military junta began talks with opposition groups on Saturday on its promise to hand power back to civilians , after mounting pressure from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The West African country has long been plagued by instability , a simmering jihadist revolt , ethnic violence and endemic corruption , prompting a clique of rebel soldiers to detain president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last month .
In its statement announcing the death of the two French soldiers , the president ’ s office reiterated France ’ s calls for a swift transition of power to civilian rule in Mali .

Two French soldiers were killed on Saturday in a military operation in Mali’s northeastern Kidal region, the Élysée Palace announced.
French soldiers on March 18, 2013 in the Tessalit camp in northern Mali.
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The two soldiers died after their armoured vehicle hit an improvised explosive device on September 5. A third soldier was wounded in the explosion.
French President Emmanuel Macron expresses his “deep respect” for the soldiers’ “sacrifice” and sends his “sincere condolences to their families and loved ones”, the presidential office said.
France started its military operations in the country in 2013, after Mali asked it to help regain territory seized by Islamist extremists who had hijacked a Touareg rebellion in the country’s northern desert regions the previous year.
The French military succeeded in this initial task – but the jihadist insurgency has since spread throughout Mali and across the border to Niger and Burkina Faso.
Earlier on Saturday, Mali's military junta began talks with opposition groups on Saturday on its promise to hand power back to civilians, after mounting pressure from neighbouring countries since the coup in August.
The West African country has long been plagued by instability, a simmering jihadist revolt, ethnic violence and endemic corruption, prompting a clique of rebel soldiers to detain president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last month.
In its statement announcing the death of the two French soldiers, the president’s office reiterated France’s calls for a swift transition of power to civilian rule in Mali.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-09-05--US Open plunged into controversy after doubles seeds withdrawn

The US Open was plunged into controversy Saturday after New York health officials ordered the women 's top doubles pairing be withdrawn from the tournament due to possible exposure to coronavirus .
Number one seeds Kristina Mladenovic and Timea Babos were yanked from the competition after Mladenovic was instructed to quarantine for coming in contact with Benoit Paire , who tested positive for COVID-19 last weekend .
`` All persons who were identified as having prolonged close contact with the infected player will quarantine in their rooms for the remainder of their quarantine period , '' the United States Tennis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kristina Mladenovic is one of these individuals , and as the women 's doubles competition has begun , the women 's doubles team of Kristina Mladenovic and Timea Babos has been withdrawn from the US Open , '' it added .
The USTA said that local public health issues had issued the quarantine notices , which prevented the players commuting from their hotel to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center .
`` The USTA is obligated to adhere to government guidance at the State , City and County level , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came a day after health officials tried to prevent Adrian Mannarino , who had also been in contact with Paire , from playing his last-32 match .
Officials from New York state 's department had contacted the USTA to say that Mannarino should have been quarantining in his hotel room .
The match went ahead three hours after its scheduled start time , after authorities ruled it could go ahead following discussions with tennis officials that also included lobbying by world number one Novak Djokovic .
Mannarino and Mladenovic were two of 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enhanced safety protocols on Monday after Paire was withdrawn from the US Open on Sunday following his positive test coronavirus .
The players signed an agreement with New York City authorities that allowed them to remain in the tournament under the enhanced restrictions , which involved daily testing and barred them from communal areas in their hotel .
Mannarino told reporters Friday that organizers told him that New York state authorities had taken over case from the city and ruled that he was now not allowed to play .
Following her first-round singles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been `` living in a nightmare '' following Paire 's positive test result .
`` I was n't even sure if I would able to play , '' she said .
We 've been in a bubble inside a bubble . ''
The US Open is taking place behind closed doors because of the deadly pandemic .
Players movements are tightly controlled and everyone onsite is being tested regularly to minimize the risk of infection .

New York (AFP) –
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The US Open was plunged into controversy Saturday after New York health officials ordered the women's top doubles pairing be withdrawn from the tournament due to possible exposure to coronavirus.
Number one seeds Kristina Mladenovic and Timea Babos were yanked from the competition after Mladenovic was instructed to quarantine for coming in contact with Benoit Paire, who tested positive for COVID-19 last weekend.
"All persons who were identified as having prolonged close contact with the infected player will quarantine in their rooms for the remainder of their quarantine period," the United States Tennis Association said in a statement.
"Kristina Mladenovic is one of these individuals, and as the women's doubles competition has begun, the women's doubles team of Kristina Mladenovic and Timea Babos has been withdrawn from the US Open," it added.
The USTA said that local public health issues had issued the quarantine notices, which prevented the players commuting from their hotel to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
"The USTA is obligated to adhere to government guidance at the State, City and County level," the body said.
The shock intervention came a day after health officials tried to prevent Adrian Mannarino, who had also been in contact with Paire, from playing his last-32 match.
Officials from New York state's department had contacted the USTA to say that Mannarino should have been quarantining in his hotel room.
The match went ahead three hours after its scheduled start time, after authorities ruled it could go ahead following discussions with tennis officials that also included lobbying by world number one Novak Djokovic.
Mannarino and Mladenovic were two of 11, mostly French players, put under enhanced safety protocols on Monday after Paire was withdrawn from the US Open on Sunday following his positive test coronavirus.
The players signed an agreement with New York City authorities that allowed them to remain in the tournament under the enhanced restrictions, which involved daily testing and barred them from communal areas in their hotel.
Mannarino told reporters Friday that organizers told him that New York state authorities had taken over case from the city and ruled that he was now not allowed to play.
Following her first-round singles win on Monday, Mladenovic said she had been "living in a nightmare" following Paire's positive test result.
"I wasn't even sure if I would able to play," she said. We've been in a bubble inside a bubble."
The US Open is taking place behind closed doors because of the deadly pandemic.
Players movements are tightly controlled and everyone onsite is being tested regularly to minimize the risk of infection.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Thousands rally in Croatia against coronavirus measures

The protesters were objecting to the restrictions imposed by the authorities to try to prevent the spread of the virus Several thousand people rallied on Saturday in the Croatian capital to protest measures imposed by the authorities due to the coronavirus pandemic , which they say endanger human rights and freedoms .
`` Covid is a lie , we are not all covidiots '' and `` Take off the mask , turn off the TV , live a full life '' , read some of the banners carried by the protestors who gathered at Zagreb 's main square .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was aimed at warning against the coronavirus-related restrictive measures which , the organisers say , `` limited citizens ' basic rights and freedoms '' without a `` valid medical or legal basis '' .
`` We insist on safeguarding human rights , freedoms , knowledge , solidarity and mutual respect , '' the group that organised the event said in a statement .
It warned notably against limiting of `` socialisation , imposing of psychical distance and deprivation of physical contact '' .
During the event , whose participants arrived from across Croatia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a coronavirus anti-vaxxer was playing music while several people addressed the crowd .
On Facebook , Health Minister Vili Beros said of the rally that he could not support a `` non-scientific approach to COVID-19 '' .
`` All temporary restrictions had only one goal -- to protect the health and lives of Croatian citizens .
We succeeded in that . ''
The nation of 4.2 million braved the first few months of the pandemic recording less than 100 cases daily for several months and then almost no new infections by mid-May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country opened its borders to tourists for the summer season , hitting more than 200 daily in late August and a record 369 on Thursday .
Since mid-July , wearing of face masks is mandatory on public transport , and in shops and all services involving close contact with clients .
Restrictions on the number of people attending public gatherings vary depending on the region .
Croatia has so far reported nearly 12,000 infections and 197 deaths from the respiratory disease .

Zagreb (AFP) –
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Several thousand people rallied on Saturday in the Croatian capital to protest measures imposed by the authorities due to the coronavirus pandemic, which they say endanger human rights and freedoms.
"Covid is a lie, we are not all covidiots" and "Take off the mask, turn off the TV, live a full life", read some of the banners carried by the protestors who gathered at Zagreb's main square.
The rally, dubbed Festival of Freedom, was aimed at warning against the coronavirus-related restrictive measures which, the organisers say, "limited citizens' basic rights and freedoms" without a "valid medical or legal basis".
"We insist on safeguarding human rights, freedoms, knowledge, solidarity and mutual respect," the group that organised the event said in a statement.
It warned notably against limiting of "socialisation, imposing of psychical distance and deprivation of physical contact".
During the event, whose participants arrived from across Croatia, a popular local pop singer known as a coronavirus anti-vaxxer was playing music while several people addressed the crowd.
On Facebook, Health Minister Vili Beros said of the rally that he could not support a "non-scientific approach to COVID-19".
"All temporary restrictions had only one goal -- to protect the health and lives of Croatian citizens. We succeeded in that."
The nation of 4.2 million braved the first few months of the pandemic recording less than 100 cases daily for several months and then almost no new infections by mid-May.
But new cases have spiked since the country opened its borders to tourists for the summer season, hitting more than 200 daily in late August and a record 369 on Thursday.
Since mid-July, wearing of face masks is mandatory on public transport, and in shops and all services involving close contact with clients. Restrictions on the number of people attending public gatherings vary depending on the region.
Croatia has so far reported nearly 12,000 infections and 197 deaths from the respiratory disease.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Virus-hit Berlusconi 'responding well' to treatment

Silvio Berlusconi had insisted on Wednesday that he would continue his political activities despite the positive test Italy 's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is responding well to treatment after he was taken to hospital with coronavirus , his doctor said on Sunday , but warned his condition was `` delicate '' .
The 83-year-old media tycoon is being treated for a lung infection at San Raffaele hospital in Milan where he was admitted on Thursday night .
`` The patient is calm and is responding optimally to treatments , '' his doctor Alberto Zangrillo said .
`` I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we must not claim victory since ( Berlusconi ) belongs in the category defined as the most fragile . ''
Berlusconi tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week after returning from a holiday at his luxury villa in Sardinia .
Two of his children -- daughter Barbara , 36 , and son Luigi , 31 -- have also contracted the virus , as has his companion Marta Fascina .
Following a check-up on Thursday evening at his home , Zangrillo insisted that Berlusconi go to the hospital the same night .
On Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` a patient at risk because of his age and previous illnesses '' , including open-heart surgery .
Zangrillo said Berlusconi had a lung infection that had been diagnosed early but was not on a ventilator .
Berlusconi had insisted on Wednesday that he would continue his political activities despite the positive test .
Regional elections are due to take place in Italy in two weeks as well as a referendum on reducing the number of Italian parliamentarians .

Milan (AFP) –
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Italy's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is responding well to treatment after he was taken to hospital with coronavirus, his doctor said on Sunday, but warned his condition was "delicate".
The 83-year-old media tycoon is being treated for a lung infection at San Raffaele hospital in Milan where he was admitted on Thursday night.
"The patient is calm and is responding optimally to treatments," his doctor Alberto Zangrillo said.
"I am cautiously optimistic, which I reiterate, we must not claim victory since (Berlusconi) belongs in the category defined as the most fragile."
Berlusconi tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week after returning from a holiday at his luxury villa in Sardinia.
Two of his children -- daughter Barbara, 36, and son Luigi, 31 -- have also contracted the virus, as has his companion Marta Fascina.
Following a check-up on Thursday evening at his home, Zangrillo insisted that Berlusconi go to the hospital the same night.
On Friday, the doctor said that the billionaire was "a patient at risk because of his age and previous illnesses", including open-heart surgery.
Zangrillo said Berlusconi had a lung infection that had been diagnosed early but was not on a ventilator.
Berlusconi had insisted on Wednesday that he would continue his political activities despite the positive test.
Regional elections are due to take place in Italy in two weeks as well as a referendum on reducing the number of Italian parliamentarians.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--England call up Sussex's Salt as a reserve for Australia ODIs

England have called up Sussex batsman Phil Salt as a reserve for their one-day international series against Australia , team management announced on Sunday .
The 24-year-old had been due to play for his club against Surrey in the Bob Willis Trophy but was withdrawn from that match .
England originally named just a 13-man squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia at Old Trafford starting Friday , with opening batsman Jason Roy not included while he recovers from a side strain .
World Cup winner Roy has remained within England 's bio-secure bubble in the hope he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will now join fellow batsman Joe Denly and fast bowler Saqib Mahmood as reserves for the series .
Born in Wales , Salt is yet to make his England debut , although he did score 100 not out for the second-string England Lions against Ireland at Southampton in July , having previously impressed in white-ball cricket for Sussex .
England are currently 1-0 up in a three-match Twenty20 series against Australia heading into Sunday 's second fixture at Southampton following a dramatic two-run win on Friday .
The one-day series marks the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with all 18 scheduled fixtures across three formats -- Tests , one-dayers and T20s -- set to be completed , behind closed doors , despite the Covid-19 pandemic .

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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England have called up Sussex batsman Phil Salt as a reserve for their one-day international series against Australia, team management announced on Sunday.
The 24-year-old had been due to play for his club against Surrey in the Bob Willis Trophy but was withdrawn from that match.
England originally named just a 13-man squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia at Old Trafford starting Friday, with opening batsman Jason Roy not included while he recovers from a side strain.
World Cup winner Roy has remained within England's bio-secure bubble in the hope he could yet recover in time, but Salt will now join fellow batsman Joe Denly and fast bowler Saqib Mahmood as reserves for the series.
Born in Wales, Salt is yet to make his England debut, although he did score 100 not out for the second-string England Lions against Ireland at Southampton in July, having previously impressed in white-ball cricket for Sussex.
England are currently 1-0 up in a three-match Twenty20 series against Australia heading into Sunday's second fixture at Southampton following a dramatic two-run win on Friday.
The one-day series marks the end of England men's home international season, with all 18 scheduled fixtures across three formats -- Tests, one-dayers and T20s -- set to be completed, behind closed doors, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Trump calls on Fox News to fire reporter who confirmed war dead 'losers' remarks

US President Donald Trump has demanded that Fox News fire its national security correspondent after she confirmed parts of a bombshell story about the president referring to fallen US soldiers as `` suckers '' and `` losers '' .
Trump came under fire after The Atlantic magazine reported that he decided to skip a visit to a US military cemetery in France in November 2018 because it was `` filled with losers '' .
The official explanation for that missed visit was bad weather .
Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin said two former administration officials had confirmed to her that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive to honour American war dead '' at the Aisne-Marne cemetery outside Paris , implying weather was not a factor .
One official also told her that Trump had used the word `` suckers '' to denigrate the military , but in a different context related to the Vietnam War .
`` When the President spoke about the Vietnam War , he said , 'It was a stupid war .
Anyone who went was a sucker , ' '' she quoted the unnamed official as saying .
`` It was a character flaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand why someone would die for their country , not worth it , '' the source said .
A furious Trump tweeted late Friday : `` Jennifer Griffin should be fired for this kind of reporting .
Never even called us for comment .
@ FoxNews is gone ! ''
Trump has angrily defended himself in the wake of the story in The Atlantic , tweeting and retweeting stories condemning it as `` fake news '' .
He called the magazine 's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg , who wrote the piece , a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources had confirmed that Trump rejected the idea of visiting the US cemetery in 2018 because the rain would dishevel his hair and he did not believe it important to honour America 's war dead .
The habitually Trump-friendly Fox News has been criticised for seemingly sidelining Griffin 's reporting in its coverage of the story .
A story on its front page Saturday was headlined : `` Sources dispute claim Trump nixed visit to military cemetery over disdain for slain veterans . ''
Several of Griffin 's colleagues at Fox have publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger , who called her `` fair and unafraid '' .
Griffin doubled down on her reporting on air saying : “ I can tell you that my sources are unimpeachable .
I feel very confident with what we have reported at Fox.
” She added : “ It is always better when people come on camera , but you can see how people get destroyed when they get crosswise with the president when they come out , and so people are reluctant , ” Griffin said Saturday .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a poll by the Military Times and the Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families found that just 37.4 percent of active duty personnel support Trump 's re-election bid , while 43.1 percent back Joe Biden .

US President Donald Trump has demanded that Fox News fire its national security correspondent after she confirmed parts of a bombshell story about the president referring to fallen US soldiers as "suckers" and "losers".
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Trump came under fire after The Atlantic magazine reported that he decided to skip a visit to a US military cemetery in France in November 2018 because it was "filled with losers".
The official explanation for that missed visit was bad weather.
Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin said two former administration officials had confirmed to her that the president "did not want to drive to honour American war dead" at the Aisne-Marne cemetery outside Paris, implying weather was not a factor.
Two former sr Trump admin officials confirm .@JeffreyGoldberg reporting that President Trump disparaged veterans and did not want to drive to honor American war dead at Aisne-Marne Cemetery outside Paris. — Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) September 4, 2020
One official also told her that Trump had used the word "suckers" to denigrate the military, but in a different context related to the Vietnam War.
"When the President spoke about the Vietnam War, he said, 'It was a stupid war. Anyone who went was a sucker,'" she quoted the unnamed official as saying.
"It was a character flaw of the President. He could not understand why someone would die for their country, not worth it," the source said.
A furious Trump tweeted late Friday: "Jennifer Griffin should be fired for this kind of reporting. Never even called us for comment. @FoxNews is gone!"
Trump has angrily defended himself in the wake of the story in The Atlantic, tweeting and retweeting stories condemning it as "fake news". He called the magazine's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who wrote the piece, a "slimeball".
The magazine said four sources had confirmed that Trump rejected the idea of visiting the US cemetery in 2018 because the rain would dishevel his hair and he did not believe it important to honour America's war dead.
'My sources are unimpeachable'
The habitually Trump-friendly Fox News has been criticised for seemingly sidelining Griffin's reporting in its coverage of the story.
A story on its front page Saturday was headlined: "Sources dispute claim Trump nixed visit to military cemetery over disdain for slain veterans."
Several of Griffin's colleagues at Fox have publicly defended her on Twitter, along with Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, who called her "fair and unafraid".
She’s one of my favorite reporters. Fair and unafraid. https://t.co/dfieE7HqL4 — Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) September 5, 2020
Griffin doubled down on her reporting on air saying: “I can tell you that my sources are unimpeachable. I feel very confident with what we have reported at Fox.”
She added: “It is always better when people come on camera, but you can see how people get destroyed when they get crosswise with the president when they come out, and so people are reluctant,” Griffin said Saturday.
Just before The Atlantic published its story, a poll by the Military Times and the Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families found that just 37.4 percent of active duty personnel support Trump's re-election bid, while 43.1 percent back Joe Biden.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-09-06--Hong Kong police swoop on postponed poll protests

Police flooded Hong Kong 's Kowloon district to stamp out protests on Sunday More than 30 people were arrested by Hong Kong police on Sunday as riot officers swooped on democracy protesters opposed to the postponement of local elections .
Sunday was meant to be voting day for the city 's partially elected legislature , one of the few instances where Hong Kongers get to cast ballots .
But the city 's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam suspended the polls for a year citing the coronavirus , angering the pro-democracy opposition who had been hoping to capitalise on seething anti-government sentiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district of Kowloon in a bid to thwart online calls for flash mob protests to mark the suspended vote .
Throughout the afternoon police were heckled by people shouting slogans such as `` Give me back my vote ! ''
and `` Corrupt cops ! ''
as officers conducted multiple stop and searches and ordered crowds to disperse .
In a Facebook statement , police said at least 30 people were arrested , mostly for unlawful assembly .
One woman was detained under a new security law Beijing imposed on the city for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Live images showed three prominent pro-democracy politicians -- Leung Kwok-hung , Figo Chan and Raphael Wong -- were among those held .
The protests came hours after the police 's newly formed national security unit arrested Tam Tak-chi , another democracy activist and radio DJ , for `` uttering seditious words '' .
Tam is the latest in a long line of government critics to find themselves facing prosecution in recent months for their involvement in protests .
When they announced the arrest on Sunday morning , police did not explain what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seditious .
Beijing has initiated a widespread crackdown against its critics in Hong Kong after the financial hub was rocked by seven straight months of huge and often violent pro-democracy protests last year .
Rallies have been all but outlawed this year with authorities citing both security concerns and wielding emergency anti-coronavirus laws to ban public gatherings .
In late June , Beijing also imposed its new security law , which bans anything authorities perceive to be secession , subversion , terrorism and collusion with foreign forces .
At least 22 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it came into effect , sending a chill through the city .
On Friday , UN rights experts warned the broadly worded provisions in the legislation posed a serious threat to political freedoms and the right to protest .
Under a deal agreed with Britain ahead of the 1997 handover , authoritarian China agreed to let Hong Kong keep certain liberties and autonomy for 50 years .
Critics say that deal has been demolished by the security law and the increasingly intense crackdown on the city 's democracy supporters .
Beijing denies freedoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests as a western backed plot to destabalise the mainland .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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More than 30 people were arrested by Hong Kong police on Sunday as riot officers swooped on democracy protesters opposed to the postponement of local elections.
Sunday was meant to be voting day for the city's partially elected legislature, one of the few instances where Hong Kongers get to cast ballots.
But the city's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam suspended the polls for a year citing the coronavirus, angering the pro-democracy opposition who had been hoping to capitalise on seething anti-government sentiment.
Hundreds of riot police flooded the district of Kowloon in a bid to thwart online calls for flash mob protests to mark the suspended vote.
Throughout the afternoon police were heckled by people shouting slogans such as "Give me back my vote!" and "Corrupt cops!" as officers conducted multiple stop and searches and ordered crowds to disperse.
In a Facebook statement, police said at least 30 people were arrested, mostly for unlawful assembly.
One woman was detained under a new security law Beijing imposed on the city for chanting independence slogans, the force added.
Live images showed three prominent pro-democracy politicians -- Leung Kwok-hung, Figo Chan and Raphael Wong -- were among those held.
The protests came hours after the police's newly formed national security unit arrested Tam Tak-chi, another democracy activist and radio DJ, for "uttering seditious words".
Tam is the latest in a long line of government critics to find themselves facing prosecution in recent months for their involvement in protests.
When they announced the arrest on Sunday morning, police did not explain what Tam may have said that was considered seditious.
Beijing has initiated a widespread crackdown against its critics in Hong Kong after the financial hub was rocked by seven straight months of huge and often violent pro-democracy protests last year.
Rallies have been all but outlawed this year with authorities citing both security concerns and wielding emergency anti-coronavirus laws to ban public gatherings.
In late June, Beijing also imposed its new security law, which bans anything authorities perceive to be secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
At least 22 people have been arrested under the new law since it came into effect, sending a chill through the city.
On Friday, UN rights experts warned the broadly worded provisions in the legislation posed a serious threat to political freedoms and the right to protest.
Under a deal agreed with Britain ahead of the 1997 handover, authoritarian China agreed to let Hong Kong keep certain liberties and autonomy for 50 years.
Critics say that deal has been demolished by the security law and the increasingly intense crackdown on the city's democracy supporters.
Beijing denies freedoms are being eroded and portrays the anti-government protests as a western backed plot to destabalise the mainland.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Renault's F1 team to race as Alpine from next season

Renault 's French driver Esteban Ocon in qualifying at Monza on Saturday Renault will change the name of their Formula @ @ @ @ @ next season , the French constructor announced on Sunday .
`` We will race under @ @ @ @ @ Renault chief executive Luca de Meo told a press conference at Monza , ahead of @ @ @ @ @ Cyril Abiteboul will remain as team principal , he confirmed , adding the team 's @ @ @ @ @ makeover in the red , white and blue of the French flag .
Renault 's @ @ @ @ @ competing with distinction in rallying and on the endurance circuit .

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Renault will change the name of their Formula One team to Alpine from next season, the French constructor announced on Sunday.
"We will race under the name Alpine," Renault chief executive Luca de Meo told a press conference at Monza, ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
Cyril Abiteboul will remain as team principal, he confirmed, adding the team's cars will be given a makeover in the red, white and blue of the French flag.
Renault's Alpine brand enters F1 after competing with distinction in rallying and on the endurance circuit.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Belarus protesters keep pressure on Lukashenko with new march

Opposition supporters in the capital Minsk keep the pressure on Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko , with a fresh demonstration planned for Sunday Belarusian protesters on Sunday prepared a new mass demonstration against strongman Alexander Lukashenko who has refused to quit after a disputed re-election and turned to Russia for help .
Unprecedented protests broke out in the ex-Soviet country after Lukashenko , who has ruled the ex-Soviet state for 26 years , claimed re-election with 80 percent of the vote on August 9 .
Opposition rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says she has won the vote but Lukashenko 's security forces have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom accused police of beatings and torture .
Several people have died in the crackdown but Belarusians have been demonstrating across the country for nearly a month , with more than 100,000 people flooding the streets of the capital Minsk for three straight weekends .
Dozens of people including student protesters and journalists covering rallies were detained this week .
On Saturday , around 4,000 people took to the streets and more than 90 people were detained , the interior ministry said .
Tikhanovskaya , a 37-year-old political novice , urged supporters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Unity '' set to begin at 1100 GMT .
`` Remember we are strong as long as we are united , '' she said in a short video address .
Tikhanovskaya contested the election after her blogger husband was jailed and barred from running along with several other prominent Lukashenko critics .
She left Belarus under pressure from authorities and took shelter in EU member Lithuania .
On Friday , Tikhanovskaya addressed a meeting of the UN Security Council by video link , calling for sanctions against those responsible for the alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltic nations of Lithuania , Latvia and Estonia have blacklisted Lukashenko and 29 high-ranking officials in his administration but other members of the EU bloc appear reluctant to target the Belarus strongman personally .
Russia has said it will respond to any Western attempts to `` sway the situation '' and President Vladimir Putin has raised the possibility of sending military support .
Putin has been keen to unify Russia and Belarus , and Moscow has accompanied its recent offers of economic and military aid with calls for tighter integration .
Lukashenko has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sought to play Moscow against the West but his options now are limited .
On Thursday , Lukashenko hosted Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and replaced the chief of the KGB security service in what some analysts said might have been done under pressure from Moscow .
The moustachioed leader said Russia and Belarus had agreed on issues they `` could not agree earlier '' and he planned to `` dot all the i 's '' with Putin in Moscow in the next few weeks .
Lukashenko made headlines when he claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security forces had intercepted German calls showing that Putin foe Alexei Navalny 's poisoning with a Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent had been faked .
Belarusian state television broadcast the `` intercept '' in which a Mike in Warsaw and Nick in Berlin discuss Navalny 's materials and call Lukashenko a `` tough nut to crack . ''
Social media in Russia went berserk in mocking the Belarus leader and even some staunchly pro-Kremlin propagandists expressed embarassment .
Lukashenko also raised eyebrows last month when he brandished an assault rifle and had his 15-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bulletproof vest while also weilding a weapon .
Some observers say Lukashenko wanted to curry favour with Moscow but was becoming a liability .
`` No one knows what intercept Alexander Grigoryevich ( Lukashenko ) will record and publish tomorrow and where he will run with an assault rifle , '' wrote Kirill Martynov , politics editor at independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta .

Minsk (AFP) –
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Belarusian protesters on Sunday prepared a new mass demonstration against strongman Alexander Lukashenko who has refused to quit after a disputed re-election and turned to Russia for help.
Unprecedented protests broke out in the ex-Soviet country after Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet state for 26 years, claimed re-election with 80 percent of the vote on August 9.
Opposition rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says she has won the vote but Lukashenko's security forces have detained thousands of protesters, many of whom accused police of beatings and torture.
Several people have died in the crackdown but Belarusians have been demonstrating across the country for nearly a month, with more than 100,000 people flooding the streets of the capital Minsk for three straight weekends.
Dozens of people including student protesters and journalists covering rallies were detained this week.
On Saturday, around 4,000 people took to the streets and more than 90 people were detained, the interior ministry said.
- 'Strong when united' -
Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old political novice, urged supporters to turn up for Sunday's "March of Unity" set to begin at 1100 GMT.
"Remember we are strong as long as we are united," she said in a short video address.
Tikhanovskaya contested the election after her blogger husband was jailed and barred from running along with several other prominent Lukashenko critics.
She left Belarus under pressure from authorities and took shelter in EU member Lithuania.
On Friday, Tikhanovskaya addressed a meeting of the UN Security Council by video link, calling for sanctions against those responsible for the alleged electoral fraud and rights violations.
The Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have blacklisted Lukashenko and 29 high-ranking officials in his administration but other members of the EU bloc appear reluctant to target the Belarus strongman personally.
Russia has said it will respond to any Western attempts to "sway the situation" and President Vladimir Putin has raised the possibility of sending military support.
Putin has been keen to unify Russia and Belarus, and Moscow has accompanied its recent offers of economic and military aid with calls for tighter integration.
Lukashenko has in the past ruled out outright unification and sought to play Moscow against the West but his options now are limited.
On Thursday, Lukashenko hosted Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and replaced the chief of the KGB security service in what some analysts said might have been done under pressure from Moscow.
The moustachioed leader said Russia and Belarus had agreed on issues they "could not agree earlier" and he planned to "dot all the i's" with Putin in Moscow in the next few weeks.
Lukashenko made headlines when he claimed during a meeting with Mishustin that his security forces had intercepted German calls showing that Putin foe Alexei Navalny's poisoning with a Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent had been faked.
Belarusian state television broadcast the "intercept" in which a Mike in Warsaw and Nick in Berlin discuss Navalny's materials and call Lukashenko a "tough nut to crack."
Social media in Russia went berserk in mocking the Belarus leader and even some staunchly pro-Kremlin propagandists expressed embarassment.
Lukashenko also raised eyebrows last month when he brandished an assault rifle and had his 15-year-old son Nikolai appear next to him in a bulletproof vest while also weilding a weapon.
Some observers say Lukashenko wanted to curry favour with Moscow but was becoming a liability.
"No one knows what intercept Alexander Grigoryevich (Lukashenko) will record and publish tomorrow and where he will run with an assault rifle," wrote Kirill Martynov, politics editor at independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Tunisia says three militants killed after fatal stabbing of officer in Sousse

Attackers with knives killed a Tunisian National Guard officer and wounded another Sunday before three assailants were shot dead , @ @ @ @ @ labelling it a `` terrorist attack '' .
The attack took place in the Tunisian @ @ @ @ @ the site of the worst of several jihadist attacks in recent years , where 38 @ @ @ @ @ Britons , were killed in a 2015 beachside shooting .
`` A patrol of two @ @ @ @ @ with a knife in the centre of Sousse , '' 140 kilometres ( 80 miles @ @ @ @ @ Tunis , said National Guard spokesman Houcem Eddine Jebali .
`` One died as a @ @ @ @ @ wounded and is hospitalised , '' he said , adding that `` this was a @ @ @ @ @ forces pursued the assailants , who had taken the officers ' guns and vehicle , @ @ @ @ @ area of El-Kantaoui , said Jebali , adding that `` in a firefight three terrorists @ @ @ @

Attackers with knives killed a Tunisian National Guard officer and wounded another Sunday before three assailants were shot dead in a firefight, the security force said, labelling it a "terrorist" act.
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The attack took place in the Tunisian tourist city of Sousse, the site of the worst of several jihadist attacks in recent years, where 38 people, most of them Britons, were killed in a 2015 beachside shooting.
"A patrol of two National Guard officers was attacked with a knife in the centre of Sousse," 140 kilometres (80 miles) south of the capital Tunis, said National Guard spokesman Houcem Eddine Jebabli.
"One died as a martyr and the other was wounded and is hospitalised," he said, adding that "this was a terrorist attack".
The attackers had first rammed the officers of the national gendarmerie with a vehicle, said the interior ministry in a statement.
After the knife attack, security forces pursued the assailants, who had taken the officers' guns and vehicle, through the Akouda district of the city's tourist area of El-Kantaoui, said Jebabli.
"In a firefight three terrorists were killed," he said, adding that security forces "managed to recover" the car and two pistols the assailants had stolen.
British ambassador to Tunisia Louise de Sousa tweeted she was "appalled to hear of the attack on a National Guard patrol in #Sousse this morning.
"My sincere condolences to the family of the murdered officer & I wish a swift recovery to the injured. #UKsupportTunisia"
Series of attacks
Tunisia, since its 2011 popular revolution, has been hit by a string of jihadist attacks that have killed dozens of security personnel, civilians and foreign tourists.
A suicide attack against security forces protecting the US Embassy in Tunis killed a Tunisian police officer and left several others wounded in March.
2015 was a particularly bloody year, with three major deadly attacks claimed by the Islamic State group.
An attack at the capital's Bardo museum in March killed 21 foreign tourists and a security guard.
Just three months later, the 38 tourists were killed in the shooting rampage at Sousse.
And that November, a bomb blast on a bus in central Tunis killed 12 presidential guards.
While the situation has significantly improved since then, Tunisia has maintained a state of emergency. Assaults on security forces have persisted, mainly in remote areas along the border with Algeria.
Tunisia has been praised as a rare success story among the 2011 Arab Spring popular uprisings that swept the region and brought down many autocrats, among them Tunisia's long-time president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
But the small Mediterranean country of about 11 million people is mired in an economic crisis, with the official unemployment rate at 18 percent, and in need of new assistance from the International Monetary Fund.
Last week Tunisia's parliament approved a new technocratic government led by Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi which faces the task of tackling deep social and economic woes in the North African country.
The 46-year-old premier pledged to revitalise the economy, including the crucial tourism sector, which had rebounded after the jihadist attacks but has been hit hard this year by the coronavirus pandemic.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-09-06--Tear gas, fire bombs as police declare Portland protest a 'riot'

Activists have remained on the streets practically every night in Portland Police arrested dozens of people and used tear gas against hundreds of demonstrators in Portland late Saturday as the western US city marked 100 days since Black Lives Matter protests erupted against racism and police brutality .
Police quickly declared the rally a `` riot '' after protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at them , and they responded with a barrage of tear gas to disperse the crowd .
At least one person was injured by the fire bombs , police said .
Officers arrested dozens of protesters in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district of east Portland .
`` It was Day 100 for Black Lives Matter protests in Portland since George Floyd 's murder and they wanted to prevent us from marching , '' said 20-year-old protestor Jay , her eyes red from the tear gas .
`` It 's our constitutional right to be here and to express ourselves . ''
Police said people were `` engaging in tumultuous and violent conduct thereby intentionally or recklessly creating a grave risk of causing public alarm . ''
`` This is a riot .
Police are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throwing Molotov cocktails , '' Portland Police said on Twitter .
The nightly protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis in May .
Floyd 's death triggered similar protests nationwide , but it is in Portland -- a city of 650,000 that is more than 70 percent white -- that activists have remained on the streets practically every night , demanding racial justice and police accountability .
President Donald Trump has cast the city as being under siege by `` thugs '' engaged in `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been peaceful for the most part .
Tensions escalated again last weekend after a man identified as a supporter of a right-wing group was shot and killed .
Earlier Saturday , hundreds of people gathered in a park near Portland in a memorial for Aaron `` Jay '' Danielson , a supporter of the far-right group Patriot Prayer .
The 39-year-old was fatally shot after he joined pro-Trump supporters who descended on Portland , sparking confrontations with Black Lives Matter counter-protesters .
The suspect in the shooting , Michael Reinoehl , 48 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as police tried to arrest him .
The circumstances of Danielson 's death are still under investigation but Reinoehl appeared to acknowledge shooting him in an interview with Vice News .
`` We are in the midst of a civil war between good and evil , the good , the good is all the folks you see here , '' said Dann , 50 , who knew Danielson through Patriot Prayer , pointing to the families lined up near an imposing barbecue among camping chairs and numerous American flags displayed for the occasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are letting these cities be destroyed by Antifa , BLM , whoever you want to call them , '' he said .
Apart from the homage to the victim and the groups of men with assault rifles or pistols , the atmosphere at the park in Vancouver , just north of Portland , was almost partylike .
But Dann was gloomy about the run-up to the presidential election .
`` The next two months are going to be terrible .
There 's going to be more violence .
There 's going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be more name calling , '' he predicted .
Carrying a skateboard and with a pistol on his belt , Daparu De Crusha , 51 , said BLM protestors were trying to destroy the American family .
The former publicist was convinced that Danielson was not killed by chance .
`` I believe it was orchestrated , it was a hunting , '' he said .
`` There was going to be a human sacrifice that night and Jay Danielson was their victim , '' he said .
After citing conspiracy theories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crusha said Trump 's victory or defeat on November 3 would not change the country 's problems .
`` It 's not going to end with the election , '' Dann agreed .
`` The only thing that 's going to stop it is if we the people stand up for our rights and are not intimidated , '' he said , wearing a `` Make America Great Again '' cap and sporting a `` We the people '' tattoo on his arm .
In his tribute to Danielson , Patriot Prayer founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacy , insisted they rejected hatred and violence .
`` I do n't want to see anybody encourage any acts of violence in the name of Jay , '' he said .

Portland (AFP) –
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Police arrested dozens of people and used tear gas against hundreds of demonstrators in Portland late Saturday as the western US city marked 100 days since Black Lives Matter protests erupted against racism and police brutality.
Police quickly declared the rally a "riot" after protesters hurled Molotov cocktails at them, and they responded with a barrage of tear gas to disperse the crowd.
At least one person was injured by the fire bombs, police said.
Officers arrested dozens of protesters in an ensuing game of cat-and-mouse through a residential district of east Portland.
"It was Day 100 for Black Lives Matter protests in Portland since George Floyd's murder and they wanted to prevent us from marching," said 20-year-old protestor Jay, her eyes red from the tear gas.
"It's our constitutional right to be here and to express ourselves."
Police said people were "engaging in tumultuous and violent conduct thereby intentionally or recklessly creating a grave risk of causing public alarm."
"This is a riot. Police are giving announcements to disperse. People are throwing Molotov cocktails," Portland Police said on Twitter.
The nightly protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis in May.
Floyd's death triggered similar protests nationwide, but it is in Portland -- a city of 650,000 that is more than 70 percent white -- that activists have remained on the streets practically every night, demanding racial justice and police accountability.
President Donald Trump has cast the city as being under siege by "thugs" engaged in "domestic terrorism," though the demonstrations have been peaceful for the most part.
Tensions escalated again last weekend after a man identified as a supporter of a right-wing group was shot and killed.
- Memorial for shooting victim -
Earlier Saturday, hundreds of people gathered in a park near Portland in a memorial for Aaron "Jay" Danielson, a supporter of the far-right group Patriot Prayer.
The 39-year-old was fatally shot after he joined pro-Trump supporters who descended on Portland, sparking confrontations with Black Lives Matter counter-protesters.
The suspect in the shooting, Michael Reinoehl, 48, was killed in neighboring Washington state as police tried to arrest him.
The circumstances of Danielson's death are still under investigation but Reinoehl appeared to acknowledge shooting him in an interview with Vice News.
"We are in the midst of a civil war between good and evil, the good, the good is all the folks you see here," said Dann, 50, who knew Danielson through Patriot Prayer, pointing to the families lined up near an imposing barbecue among camping chairs and numerous American flags displayed for the occasion.
"The evil is the liberals who are letting these cities be destroyed by Antifa, BLM, whoever you want to call them," he said.
Apart from the homage to the victim and the groups of men with assault rifles or pistols, the atmosphere at the park in Vancouver, just north of Portland, was almost partylike.
But Dann was gloomy about the run-up to the presidential election.
"The next two months are going to be terrible. There's going to be more violence. There's going to be more atrocities. There's going to be more name calling," he predicted.
Carrying a skateboard and with a pistol on his belt, Daparu De Crusha, 51, said BLM protestors were trying to destroy the American family.
The former publicist was convinced that Danielson was not killed by chance.
"I believe it was orchestrated, it was a hunting," he said. "There was going to be a human sacrifice that night and Jay Danielson was their victim," he said.
After citing conspiracy theories about China and Bill Gates, De Crusha said Trump's victory or defeat on November 3 would not change the country's problems.
"It's not going to end with the election," Dann agreed.
"The only thing that's going to stop it is if we the people stand up for our rights and are not intimidated," he said, wearing a "Make America Great Again" cap and sporting a "We the people" tattoo on his arm.
In his tribute to Danielson, Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson, who denies advocating white supremacy, insisted they rejected hatred and violence.
"I don't want to see anybody encourage any acts of violence in the name of Jay," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Tunisia knife attack kills officer, 3 'terrorists' shot dead

Attackers with knives killed a Tunisian National Guard officer and wounded another Sunday before three assailants were shot dead , @ @ @ @ @ labelling it a `` terrorist attack '' .
The attack took place in the tourist @ @ @ @ @ site of the worst of several jihadist attacks in recent years , where 38 people @ @ @ @ @ , were killed in a 2015 beachside shooting .
`` A patrol of two National @ @ @ @ @ a knife in the centre of Sousse , '' 140 kilometres ( 80 miles ) @ @ @ @ @ , said National Guard spokesman Houcem Eddine Jebali .
`` One died as a martyr @ @ @ @ @ and is hospitalised , '' he said , adding that `` this was a terrorist @ @ @ @ @ pursued the assailants , who had taken the officers ' guns and vehicle , through @ @ @ @ @ of El-Kantaoui , said Jebali , adding that `` in a firefight three terrorists were @ @ @

Tunis (AFP) –
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Attackers with knives killed a Tunisian National Guard officer and wounded another Sunday before three assailants were shot dead, the National Guard said, labelling it a "terrorist attack".
The attack took place in the tourist city of Sousse, the site of the worst of several jihadist attacks in recent years, where 38 people, most of them Britons, were killed in a 2015 beachside shooting.
"A patrol of two National Guard officers was attacked with a knife in the centre of Sousse," 140 kilometres (80 miles) south of the capital Tunis, said National Guard spokesman Houcem Eddine Jebali.
"One died as a martyr and the other was wounded and is hospitalised," he said, adding that "this was a terrorist attack".
Security forces pursued the assailants, who had taken the officers' guns and vehicle, through the city's tourist area of El-Kantaoui, said Jebali, adding that "in a firefight three terrorists were killed".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--China's compulsive gamblers climb out of 'bottomless pit'

Si Guoqi , a former hair salon owner and self-proclaimed gambling expert , now operates a Shanghai rehabilitation centre Holding a fist up next to his head like a soldier , Huang Chunhao makes a solemn vow .
`` I hereby swear an oath : from today onwards , I will correct bad habits , be kind to others and try my best to get rid of gambling addiction . ''
Gambling was outlawed in mainland China along with other activities deemed vices by the Communist Party when it took over in 1949 , but is making a comeback via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and based offshore .
One of these , based in the Philippines , dragged Huang into what his wife Zhao Jing called a `` bottomless pit '' of compulsive wagering that left them more than two million yuan ( $ 290,000 ) poorer .
`` It always will be a losing game and has ripped my family apart , '' said Huang , a 32-year-old vegetable wholesaler .
Helping him climb out this hole is Si Guoqi , a former hair salon owner and self-proclaimed gambling expert who now operates a Shanghai rehabilitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been billed as the country 's first rehab solely dedicated to gambling addiction .
During the centre 's standard week-long programme , participants are given an old mobile phone without internet access to prevent them from logging on and placing bets .
Treatment is a mix of behind-the-scenes education on how gambling is arranged to ensure that `` the house always wins '' , psychological treatment and advice on lifestyle changes to promote healthy routines and keep one 's mind off gambling .
- 'You ca n't get away ' - Si @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by his wife 's compulsive gambling at the Chinese game mahjong , and he used to sell mahjong-playing equipment .
`` If it activates your greed , you ca n't get away , '' he said .
With the growth of internet access and mobile communications in China , increasing numbers of operators are seeking to take advantage with Chinese-language gambling platforms , according to official data .
Online gambling options abound , offering everything from baccarat to blackjack and sports betting .
Si estimates that 70 percent of such operators set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first half of 2020 , Chinese police busted more than 250 cross-border gambling cases , arresting more than 11,500 suspects , according to state media .
Gambling was a huge business in China in pre-Communist times , and there are signs of growing official unease that it could return .
The central government is even planning to impose restrictions on Chinese citizens travelling to overseas tourist destinations where gambling is rife , state news agency Xinhua reported on August 26 .
Online platforms sometimes entice unwitting victims with ruses -- Huang clicked a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but was quickly diverted into gambling .
He lost 80,000 yuan in one bet as his debts spiralled .
This year 's lengthy pandemic lockdowns made it worse as Huang attempted to use the time to recoup past losses .
His debts forced him to sell his family 's home in rural eastern China , and his wife –- from whom Huang once surreptitiously syphoned away 30,000 yuan -– divorced him .
Up to 50 people enrol in the centre 's programme per month and Si says he has helped more than 10,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many are tech-savvy teens .
Though they are now divorced , Huang 's wife Zhao Jing is supporting him as he battles his demons .
They now plan to work toward clearing his debts within a year , get remarried and make a new start .
`` Seeing how much he has changed , I 'm more than 90 percent reassured , Zhao said .
`` But I ca n't be slack . ''

Shanghai (AFP) –
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Holding a fist up next to his head like a soldier, Huang Chunhao makes a solemn vow.
"I hereby swear an oath: from today onwards, I will correct bad habits, be kind to others and try my best to get rid of gambling addiction."
Gambling was outlawed in mainland China along with other activities deemed vices by the Communist Party when it took over in 1949, but is making a comeback via websites and apps aimed at Chinese customers and based offshore.
One of these, based in the Philippines, dragged Huang into what his wife Zhao Jing called a "bottomless pit" of compulsive wagering that left them more than two million yuan ($290,000) poorer.
"It always will be a losing game and has ripped my family apart," said Huang, a 32-year-old vegetable wholesaler.
Helping him climb out this hole is Si Guoqi, a former hair salon owner and self-proclaimed gambling expert who now operates a Shanghai rehabilitation centre.
Established in 2017, it has been billed as the country's first rehab solely dedicated to gambling addiction.
During the centre's standard week-long programme, participants are given an old mobile phone without internet access to prevent them from logging on and placing bets.
Treatment is a mix of behind-the-scenes education on how gambling is arranged to ensure that "the house always wins", psychological treatment and advice on lifestyle changes to promote healthy routines and keep one's mind off gambling.
- 'You can't get away' -
Si's own family was nearly torn apart by his wife's compulsive gambling at the Chinese game mahjong, and he used to sell mahjong-playing equipment.
He calls online gambling a "virus".
"If it activates your greed, you can't get away," he said.
With the growth of internet access and mobile communications in China, increasing numbers of operators are seeking to take advantage with Chinese-language gambling platforms, according to official data.
Online gambling options abound, offering everything from baccarat to blackjack and sports betting.
Si estimates that 70 percent of such operators set up servers in the Philippines.
In the first half of 2020, Chinese police busted more than 250 cross-border gambling cases, arresting more than 11,500 suspects, according to state media.
Gambling was a huge business in China in pre-Communist times, and there are signs of growing official unease that it could return.
The central government is even planning to impose restrictions on Chinese citizens travelling to overseas tourist destinations where gambling is rife, state news agency Xinhua reported on August 26.
- 'I can't be slack' -
Online platforms sometimes entice unwitting victims with ruses -- Huang clicked a pop-up ad for a part-time jobs site but was quickly diverted into gambling.
He lost 80,000 yuan in one bet as his debts spiralled.
This year's lengthy pandemic lockdowns made it worse as Huang attempted to use the time to recoup past losses.
His debts forced him to sell his family's home in rural eastern China, and his wife –- from whom Huang once surreptitiously syphoned away 30,000 yuan -– divorced him.
Up to 50 people enrol in the centre's programme per month and Si says he has helped more than 10,000 people over the past dozen years. Many are tech-savvy teens.
Though they are now divorced, Huang's wife Zhao Jing is supporting him as he battles his demons.
They now plan to work toward clearing his debts within a year, get remarried and make a new start.
"Seeing how much he has changed, I'm more than 90 percent reassured, Zhao said.
"But I can't be slack."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Race to assess damage to stricken oil tanker off Sri Lanka

Fireboats battling to extinguish a fire on the Panamanian-registered crude oil tanker New Diamond off Sri Lanka 's eastern coast An international team of salvage experts arrived in Sri Lanka Sunday to assess damage to a fire-stricken oil tanker off the east coast , officials said , as fear mounted for an environmental disaster if there is a leak .
The Panamanian-registered New Diamond , carrying over 270,000 tonnes of crude and diesel , was en route from Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip when it issued a distress call Thursday after an engine room explosion that killed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ navy and Indian coastguard got the blaze under control on Friday , preventing it from spreading to the flammable cargo .
`` Ten British and Netherlands professionals with expertise in rescue operations , disaster evaluation and legal consultation will be arriving in the island this morning , '' the navy said in a statement .
Dutch firm Smit Salvage had commissioned the experts and was also sending two tug boats from Singapore and Mauritius , the navy added .
The Indian coastguard , which has deployed numerous ships , an aircraft and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollution control vessel had arrived at the site in the Indian Ocean .
The rescue vessels continued to douse the blaze with water Sunday as a large plume of smoke rose from the ship .
The 330-metre ( 1,000-foot ) vessel was Saturday towed to deeper waters some 75 kilometres ( 46 miles ) away from the island 's coast .
The tanker had suffered a crack of its hull some 10 metres ( 33 feet ) above the waterline as a result of intense heat from the fire , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ slick and the crack was not considered a catastrophic structural failure .
Sri Lanka 's Marine Environment Protection Agency has said that legal action could be taken against the owners , Liberian-registered Porto Emporios Shipping Inc , `` should the worst happen and the ship breaks up '' .
The vessel is larger than the Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio , which crashed into a reef in Mauritius in July leaking more than 1,000 tonnes of oil into the island nation 's pristine waters .

Colombo (AFP) –
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An international team of salvage experts arrived in Sri Lanka Sunday to assess damage to a fire-stricken oil tanker off the east coast, officials said, as fear mounted for an environmental disaster if there is a leak.
The Panamanian-registered New Diamond, carrying over 270,000 tonnes of crude and diesel, was en route from Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip when it issued a distress call Thursday after an engine room explosion that killed a Filipino crew member.
The Sri Lankan navy and Indian coastguard got the blaze under control on Friday, preventing it from spreading to the flammable cargo.
"Ten British and Netherlands professionals with expertise in rescue operations, disaster evaluation and legal consultation will be arriving in the island this morning," the navy said in a statement.
Dutch firm Smit Salvage had commissioned the experts and was also sending two tug boats from Singapore and Mauritius, the navy added.
The Indian coastguard, which has deployed numerous ships, an aircraft and a helicopter, added on Sunday that its pollution control vessel had arrived at the site in the Indian Ocean.
The rescue vessels continued to douse the blaze with water Sunday as a large plume of smoke rose from the ship.
The 330-metre (1,000-foot) vessel was Saturday towed to deeper waters some 75 kilometres (46 miles) away from the island's coast.
The tanker had suffered a crack of its hull some 10 metres (33 feet) above the waterline as a result of intense heat from the fire, officials said.
Authorities said there has been no oil slick and the crack was not considered a catastrophic structural failure.
Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Agency has said that legal action could be taken against the owners, Liberian-registered Porto Emporios Shipping Inc, "should the worst happen and the ship breaks up".
The vessel is larger than the Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio, which crashed into a reef in Mauritius in July leaking more than 1,000 tonnes of oil into the island nation's pristine waters.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Hezbollah, Hamas chiefs meet to discuss Israel-Arab ties

The head of Lebanon 's militant Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah , Hassan Nasrallah ( R ) , is shown meeting Hamas ' political bureau chief Ismail Haniya at an undisclosed location , in a picture from the Hezbollah press office Leaders of Lebanon 's Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas movement , both enemies of Israel , have met to discuss diplomatic normalisation between the Jewish state and Arab countries , a report said Sunday .
They stressed the `` stability '' of the `` axis of resistance '' against Israel , the Hezbollah-run Al-Manar TV channel reported , without saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hassan Nasrallah , head of the Iran-backed Shiite Hezbollah movement , was pictured meeting Ismail Haniyeh , who heads the political bureau of Hamas , the Islamist movement that control the Gaza Strip .
They discussed `` political and military developments in Palestine , Lebanon and the region '' and `` the dangers to the Palestinian cause '' including `` Arab plans for normalisation '' with Israel , Al-Manar said .
The meeting comes after an August 13 announcement that the Jewish state and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to normalise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aims to boost a regional alliance against Iran , Palestinians have condemned it as a `` stab in the back '' as they remain under occupation and do n't have their own state .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is in talks with other Arab and Muslim leaders now about normalising relations , following the deals with UAE and , decades ago , Egypt and Jordan .
Haniyeh has been in Lebanon since Wednesday , on his first visit to the country in nearly 30 years , for direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that oppose Israel 's diplomatic initiative .
Israel 's military has in recent weeks targeted Hamas in the Gaza Strip and what it says have been Hezbollah gunmen along its northern border with Lebanon .
It also regularly launches air strikes in war-torn Syria against what it says are Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militants fighting on the side of President Bashar al-Assad 's regime .
Nasrallah has been living in a secret location for years and makes very few public appearances .
He said in 2014 that he often changes his place of @ @

Beirut (AFP) –
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Leaders of Lebanon's Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas movement, both enemies of Israel, have met to discuss diplomatic normalisation between the Jewish state and Arab countries, a report said Sunday.
They stressed the "stability" of the "axis of resistance" against Israel, the Hezbollah-run Al-Manar TV channel reported, without saying where or when the meeting took place.
Hassan Nasrallah, head of the Iran-backed Shiite Hezbollah movement, was pictured meeting Ismail Haniyeh, who heads the political bureau of Hamas, the Islamist movement that control the Gaza Strip.
They discussed "political and military developments in Palestine, Lebanon and the region" and "the dangers to the Palestinian cause" including "Arab plans for normalisation" with Israel, Al-Manar said.
The meeting comes after an August 13 announcement that the Jewish state and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to normalise ties.
While the US-backed diplomatic drive aims to boost a regional alliance against Iran, Palestinians have condemned it as a "stab in the back" as they remain under occupation and don't have their own state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is in talks with other Arab and Muslim leaders now about normalising relations, following the deals with UAE and, decades ago, Egypt and Jordan.
Haniyeh has been in Lebanon since Wednesday, on his first visit to the country in nearly 30 years, for direct and video-conference talks with other Palestinian groups that oppose Israel's diplomatic initiative.
Israel's military has in recent weeks targeted Hamas in the Gaza Strip and what it says have been Hezbollah gunmen along its northern border with Lebanon.
It also regularly launches air strikes in war-torn Syria against what it says are Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militants fighting on the side of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Nasrallah has been living in a secret location for years and makes very few public appearances. He said in 2014 that he often changes his place of residence.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--One dead, several injured in Birmingham stabbings, UK police say

A police forensics officer gathers evidence at the site of the stabbings in central Birmingham on September 6 , 2020 .
One man was killed and seven people were injured , two of them seriously , in a series of stabbings in the city of Birmingham , central England , early on Sunday , police said .
`` We can now confirm that we have launched a murder investigation following last night 's events , '' West Midlands Police said .
`` A man has died and another man and a woman have suffered serious injuries .
Five others have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he had no information to indicate the incidents were terrorism related but the public should stay `` very vigilant '' .
West Midlands Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Birmingham city centre at approximately 12:30 a.m. '' A number of other stabbings were reported in the area shortly after , '' they said in a statement .
Police cordons were in place on Sunday morning in three separate locations in the city centre : Hurst Street , Irving Street and Edmund Street .
A knife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drain in Edmund Street .
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said the series of incidents in the Hurst Street area of the city centre appeared to be related but the motivation for them was not yet understood .
`` At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident , '' the police said .
A witness told the BBC she saw `` multiple people having fist fights '' .
The BBC said the cordon in Hurst Street was near the area known as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where many people had been seated at outdoor tables eating and drinking .

A man was killed and seven people injured in late-night stabbings in a busy nightlife area of the central England city of Birmingham, police said Sunday.
A police forensics officer gathers evidence at the site of the stabbings in central Birmingham on September 6, 2020.
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Police said they were searching for a lone male suspect in what appeared to be random attacks.
Chief Superintendent Steve Graham of West Midlands Police said detectives were still investigating the motive but “there is absolutely no suggestion at all that this is terror-related.”
West Midlands Police said officers were called to reports of a stabbing shortly after midnight on Sunday. That was soon followed by reports of other stabbings across the city center over two hours.
Police said they believed the stabbings were linked and have launched a murder investigation.
Graham said two of the seven injured people, a man and a woman, were in critical condition in hospitals. Five others received “relatively minor” injuries.
Birmingham is England’s second-largest city, 120 miles (193 kilometers) northwest of London.
One of the stabbing sites is in the city's Gay Village, but Graham said there was no suggestion the crime was “motivated by hate.” He also said it did not appear to be gang-related.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that it was a “terrible incident” and thanked the emergency services.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street urged people “to not speculate about the incident” and to “remain calm but vigilant.” Police set up cordons at several sites around the city center, an area full of bars and nightclubs.
Nightlife has been gradually resuming in the city as the U.K. emerges from its coronavirus lockdown.
Cara Curran, a club promoter, said she saw multiple people fighting in the street, though it was unclear whether that was connected to the stabbings.
“It was one group of boys against another group of boys,” she told the BBC, adding that “racial slurs” were being thrown.
Official statistics show knife crime is on the rise in the U.K., where most guns are outlawed, though the number of homicides with blades fell in 2019 from the year before.
Britain has seen several recent extremist knife attacks, including a stabbing rampage in a city park in Reading, near London, in June that killed three people. A Libyan man has been charged.
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france24--2020-09-06--Turkey raises rhetoric in Greece standoff ahead of military drill

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey had the political and military might to 'tear up immoral maps ' .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday issued a threat to Greece over simmering tensions in the eastern Mediterranean , the day before his forces launch military drills in the region .
Turkey and Greece , both NATO members , have been embroiled in an increasingly heated dispute over gas and oil in the region since Turkey deployed an exploration vessel last month .
`` They will understand that Turkey has the political , economic and military strength to tear up immoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a televised speech .
He was referring to contested areas claimed by Greece and Cyprus as their exclusive economic zones .
`` They will either understand the language of politics and diplomacy , or on the field through bitter experiences , '' the Turkish leader warned .
`` As Turkey and the Turkish people we are ready for every possibility and every consequence . ''
NATO said this week Greek and Turkish leaders had agreed to take part in technical talks to avoid accidents between their navies .
But Greece later said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading to accusations from Turkey that the EU country was shunning dialogue .
Greece and Cyprus have accused Turkey of breaching their sovereignty by drilling in their waters .
But Erdogan made it clear that he would not compromise , saying : `` Turkey is ready for any kind of sharing ( of energy resources ) as long as it is fair . ''
Turkey on August 10 deployed the Oruc Reis research vessel and an escorting flotilla of warships to the waters between Cyprus and the Greek islands of Kastellorizo and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contested waters has been extended three times .
Greece responded by staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates , not far from smaller ones Turkey conducted between Cyprus and Crete last week .
Turkish defence officials said they would start five days of military exercises on Sunday in the breakaway republic of northern Cyprus — an entity recognised only by Ankara .

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday issued a threat to Greece over simmering tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, the day before his forces launch military drills in the region.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey had the political and military might to "tear up immoral maps".
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Turkey and Greece, both NATO members, have been embroiled in an increasingly heated dispute over gas and oil in the region since Turkey deployed an exploration vessel last month.
"They will understand that Turkey has the political, economic and military strength to tear up immoral maps and documents," Erdogan said in a televised speech.
He was referring to contested areas claimed by Greece and Cyprus as their exclusive economic zones.
>> Troubled waters: Greek-Turkish escalations in the Mediterranean
"They will either understand the language of politics and diplomacy, or on the field through bitter experiences," the Turkish leader warned.
"As Turkey and the Turkish people we are ready for every possibility and every consequence."
Turkish and European naval forces in the Mediterranean © France 24
NATO said this week Greek and Turkish leaders had agreed to take part in technical talks to avoid accidents between their navies.
But Greece later said it had not agreed to the talks, leading to accusations from Turkey that the EU country was shunning dialogue.
Greece and Cyprus have accused Turkey of breaching their sovereignty by drilling in their waters.
But Erdogan made it clear that he would not compromise, saying: "Turkey is ready for any kind of sharing (of energy resources) as long as it is fair."
Hydrocarbons in the Mediterranean © France 24
Turkey on August 10 deployed the Oruc Reis research vessel and an escorting flotilla of warships to the waters between Cyprus and the Greek islands of Kastellorizo and Crete.
The vessel's stay in the contested waters has been extended three times.
Greece responded by staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates, not far from smaller ones Turkey conducted between Cyprus and Crete last week.
Turkish defence officials said they would start five days of military exercises on Sunday in the breakaway republic of northern Cyprus — an entity recognised only by Ankara.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-09-06--Blake says 'hurts to breathe' in video from hospital bed

The shooting of Jacob Blake touched off a new round of demonstrations Jacob Blake , the young black man shot in the back multiple times by a white police officer in Wisconsin , said `` it hurts to breathe '' and that he was in constant pain in a video message from his hospital bed .
Despite his injuries , which will likely leave him paralyzed from the waist down , Blake told his supporters `` there 's a lot more life to live . ''
`` Your life , and not only just your life , your legs -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and forward in life -- can be taken from you like this , man , '' Blake said , snapping his fingers , in the video released Saturday by his lawyer Ben Crump .
Wearing a hospital gown , Blake said he had staples in his back and stomach .
`` Twenty-four hours , every 24 hours it 's pain , it 's nothing but pain , '' he said .
`` It hurts to breathe , it hurts to sleep , it hurts to move from side-to-side , it hurts to eat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has more than 400,000 views on Twitter .
`` Please , I 'm telling you , change your lives out there .
We can stick together , make some money , make everything easier for our people out there , man , because there 's so much time that 's been wasted . ''
The 29-year-old was gravely wounded when a policeman fired seven or eight shots at him as he tried to get into his car on August 23 in Kenosha , in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin .
Three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time .
The scene was filmed by bystanders and the two police officers who were trying to stop or arrest Blake have been suspended .
Coming three months after the death of George Floyd , Blake 's shooting has touched off a new round of demonstrations in several cities .
Protests in Kenosha began peacefully the night Blake was shot , but descended into violence for several nights running .
It culminated August 25 when two people were shot dead .
A 17-year-old white Trump supporter has been arrested and charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden spoke with Blake by phone on Thursday and met with his family .

Washington (AFP) –
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Jacob Blake, the young black man shot in the back multiple times by a white police officer in Wisconsin, said "it hurts to breathe" and that he was in constant pain in a video message from his hospital bed.
Despite his injuries, which will likely leave him paralyzed from the waist down, Blake told his supporters "there's a lot more life to live."
"Your life, and not only just your life, your legs -- something that you need to move around and forward in life -- can be taken from you like this, man," Blake said, snapping his fingers, in the video released Saturday by his lawyer Ben Crump.
Wearing a hospital gown, Blake said he had staples in his back and stomach.
"Twenty-four hours, every 24 hours it's pain, it's nothing but pain," he said.
"It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side-to-side, it hurts to eat," he said in the video, which has more than 400,000 views on Twitter.
"Please, I'm telling you, change your lives out there. We can stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out there, man, because there's so much time that's been wasted."
The 29-year-old was gravely wounded when a policeman fired seven or eight shots at him as he tried to get into his car on August 23 in Kenosha, in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin. Three of his children were in the car at the time.
The scene was filmed by bystanders and the two police officers who were trying to stop or arrest Blake have been suspended.
Coming three months after the death of George Floyd, Blake's shooting has touched off a new round of demonstrations in several cities.
Protests in Kenosha began peacefully the night Blake was shot, but descended into violence for several nights running.
It culminated August 25 when two people were shot dead. A 17-year-old white Trump supporter has been arrested and charged with murder.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden spoke with Blake by phone on Thursday and met with his family.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-07--Underpowered France face Croatia in World Cup final rematch

Kylian Mbappe is likely to miss France 's match against Croatia in Paris on Tuesday A little over two years after the World Cup final in Moscow , France and Croatia meet again , this time under very different circumstances , in the second round of Nations League matches in Paris on Tuesday .
What should have been a festive full house at the Stade de France , a chance to relive the excitement of Les Bleus ' 4-2 win that July afternoon in Moscow , will be more downbeat , thanks to coronavirus .
European football body UEFA has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind closed doors .
The atmosphere in a stadium with no spectators will inevitably be flat and the teams on show will be markedly different as the coaches try to manage players who , because of the upheaval in the calendar over the last six months , are not fully fit .
`` I 'm going to make a lot of changes because it 's very difficult to keep going , '' France coach Didier Deschamps said after Saturday 's scratchy 1-0 win over Sweden in his side 's Nations League Group 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing 90 minutes with this deficit at the start is taking risks with the players .
`` It may go against cohesion and my instinct but I think I have no choice . ''
The Croats will be glad to welcome back their veteran midfield pair of Luka Modric and Ivan Ratikic who were rested for the 4-1 thrashing in Portugal on Saturday to be fresh for Paris .
That means Kylian Mbappe , who scored with France 's only shot on goal to beat the Swedes , is likely to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is his fitness -- the 21-year-old took a nasty blow to his right ankle which had barely recovered from a major sprain -- and part of it is club/country politics .
Mbappe is expected to be in Lens on Thursday as Paris Saint-Germain , who have lost six players including Neymar to positive Covid-19 tests , make a belated start to their Ligue 1 season .
The promise and need for rotation may open some doors in Deschamps ' starting line-up .
Manchester United 's Anthony Martial , who returned in attack in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the reckoning , may have a further opportunity to press his claims .
The same goes for Real Madrid midfielder Ferland Mendy if Lucas Digne is given a rest , and Lucas Hernandez who has been used sparingly at Bayern Munich .
But the name that is garnering much of the attention is that of Rennes teenager Eduardo Camavinga .
At 17 years and nine months , Camavinga missed out on a first cap on Saturday which would have made him France 's youngest player since World War II but there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
To make the starting line-up Camavinga will need to dislodge either Adrien Rabiot , who played in Sweden for the first time since his refusal to be a reserve for the 2018 World Cup , or N'Golo Kante who put in a big performance in Scandinavia .
But Deschamps has all but promised Camavinga some game time , allowing the French to take a look at a young player who is likely to figure largely , alongside Mbappe , in the future .

Saint-Denis (France) (AFP) –
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A little over two years after the World Cup final in Moscow, France and Croatia meet again, this time under very different circumstances, in the second round of Nations League matches in Paris on Tuesday.
What should have been a festive full house at the Stade de France, a chance to relive the excitement of Les Bleus' 4-2 win that July afternoon in Moscow, will be more downbeat, thanks to coronavirus. European football body UEFA has directed that all the games be played behind closed doors.
The atmosphere in a stadium with no spectators will inevitably be flat and the teams on show will be markedly different as the coaches try to manage players who, because of the upheaval in the calendar over the last six months, are not fully fit.
Squad rotation is a necessity, not a choice.
"I'm going to make a lot of changes because it's very difficult to keep going," France coach Didier Deschamps said after Saturday's scratchy 1-0 win over Sweden in his side's Nations League Group 3 opener in Solna.
"Already, playing 90 minutes with this deficit at the start is taking risks with the players.
"It may go against cohesion and my instinct but I think I have no choice."
The Croats will be glad to welcome back their veteran midfield pair of Luka Modric and Ivan Ratikic who were rested for the 4-1 thrashing in Portugal on Saturday to be fresh for Paris.
That means Kylian Mbappe, who scored with France's only shot on goal to beat the Swedes, is likely to be the highest profile absentee.
Part of that is his fitness -- the 21-year-old took a nasty blow to his right ankle which had barely recovered from a major sprain -- and part of it is club/country politics.
Mbappe is expected to be in Lens on Thursday as Paris Saint-Germain, who have lost six players including Neymar to positive Covid-19 tests, make a belated start to their Ligue 1 season.
- Rotation opportunities -
The promise and need for rotation may open some doors in Deschamps' starting line-up.
Manchester United's Anthony Martial, who returned in attack in Solna after more than two years out of the reckoning, may have a further opportunity to press his claims.
The same goes for Real Madrid midfielder Ferland Mendy if Lucas Digne is given a rest, and Lucas Hernandez who has been used sparingly at Bayern Munich.
But the name that is garnering much of the attention is that of Rennes teenager Eduardo Camavinga.
At 17 years and nine months, Camavinga missed out on a first cap on Saturday which would have made him France's youngest player since World War II but there is every chance that will come in Paris on Tuesday.
To make the starting line-up Camavinga will need to dislodge either Adrien Rabiot, who played in Sweden for the first time since his refusal to be a reserve for the 2018 World Cup, or N'Golo Kante who put in a big performance in Scandinavia.
But Deschamps has all but promised Camavinga some game time, allowing the French to take a look at a young player who is likely to figure largely, alongside Mbappe, in the future.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-07--Masked men reportedly seize senior Belarusian opposition figure Kolesnikova

Maria Kolesnikova is one of the campaign partners of opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who claimed victory against President Alexander Lukashenko in a disputed election on August 9 .
Unidentified men in black on Monday morning grabbed Maria Kolesnikova , a leading Belarusian opposition figure , and pushed her into a minibus , her campaign team reported , citing witnesses .
Kolesnikova was one of the campaign partners of opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who claimed victory against long-ruling President Alexander Lukashenko in disputed polls on August 9 .
She sits on the Coordination Council that is calling for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-election demonstrations .
Unidentified men seized Kolesnikova in central Minsk and drove her away in a minibus marked `` Communications , '' witnesses told the headquarters of the campaign team she heads , which also reported that her phone was switched off .
There was no immediate comment from Minsk police .
A witness named as Anastasia told the Tut.by news website that she saw men in masks push Kolesnikova into a minibus and take her cell phone at around 10:00 am ( 0700 GMT ) on Monday .
Belarusian authorities have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and questioned others including Kolesnikova in a probe into an alleged attempt to seize power .
Kolesnikova , 38 , is the only one of the trio of women who fronted Tikhanovskaya 's campaign to remain in Belarus , as the growing opposition movement holds huge demonstrations despite an intimidating show of force from Lukashenko , who insists on his legitimacy and has called on Russia for help .
Tikhanovskaya has taken shelter in neighbouring Lithuania and her other campaign partner , Veronika Tsepkalo , is now in Ukraine .
Kolesnikova , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into politics through running the campaign of another opposition politician , ex-banker Viktor Babaryko , who attempted to stand for president against Lukashenko but was jailed and barred from running .
When Tikhanovskaya , an English teacher and translator with no political experience was unexpectedly allowed to run for president , Kolesnikova and Tsepkalo backed her and spoke with her at rallies .
The women came up with signature gestures : for Tikhanovskaya a raised fist , for Kolesnikova a heart formed with her fingers and for Tsepkalo a victory sign .
Kolesnikova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team last month announced the creation of a new opposition party called Together .

Unidentified men in black on Monday morning grabbed Maria Kolesnikova, a leading Belarusian opposition figure, and pushed her into a minibus, her campaign team reported, citing witnesses.
Maria Kolesnikova is one of the campaign partners of opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory against President Alexander Lukashenko in a disputed election on August 9.
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Kolesnikova was one of the campaign partners of opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory against long-ruling President Alexander Lukashenko in disputed polls on August 9.
She sits on the Coordination Council that is calling for a peaceful transfer of power amid weeks of post-election demonstrations.
Unidentified men seized Kolesnikova in central Minsk and drove her away in a minibus marked "Communications," witnesses told the headquarters of the campaign team she heads, which also reported that her phone was switched off.
There was no immediate comment from Minsk police.
A witness named as Anastasia told the Tut.by news website that she saw men in masks push Kolesnikova into a minibus and take her cell phone at around 10:00 am (0700 GMT) on Monday.
Belarusian authorities have already detained several members of the Coordination Council and questioned others including Kolesnikova in a probe into an alleged attempt to seize power.
Kolesnikova, 38, is the only one of the trio of women who fronted Tikhanovskaya's campaign to remain in Belarus, as the growing opposition movement holds huge demonstrations despite an intimidating show of force from Lukashenko, who insists on his legitimacy and has called on Russia for help.
Tikhanovskaya has taken shelter in neighbouring Lithuania and her other campaign partner, Veronika Tsepkalo, is now in Ukraine.
Kolesnikova, a trained flautist and music teacher, got into politics through running the campaign of another opposition politician, ex-banker Viktor Babaryko, who attempted to stand for president against Lukashenko but was jailed and barred from running.
01:32
When Tikhanovskaya, an English teacher and translator with no political experience was unexpectedly allowed to run for president, Kolesnikova and Tsepkalo backed her and spoke with her at rallies.
The women came up with signature gestures: for Tikhanovskaya a raised fist, for Kolesnikova a heart formed with her fingers and for Tsepkalo a victory sign.
Kolesnikova and other members of Babaryko's campaign team last month announced the creation of a new opposition party called Together.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-09-07--Switzerland holds 'fruitful' Iran talks on peace, rights

Switzerland 's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said he had `` fruitful '' talks on Monday with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif regarding `` peace , economic development and human rights . ''
The Swiss embassy in Tehran handles US interests in Iran , since ties were cut in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic revolution .
Cassis is expected to meet President Hassan Rouhani as part of a three-day visit to Tehran , celebrating a century of relations between Switzerland and Iran .
Tensions between Iran and the US have escalated since 2018 , after President Donald Trump withdrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reimposed tough sanctions on Iran .
`` Peace , economic development and human rights - fruitful discussion with my counterpart , '' Cassis wrote on Twitter following the talks .
Switzerland has also played a major role in prisoner swaps between Tehran and Washington .
According to the US Department of State , Secretary Mike Pompeo had a phone call with Cassis before his Tehran visit , raising speculation the visit involved talks on Tehran-Washington relations .
Iran 's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh denied the `` speculations '' on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the novel coronavirus outbreak and `` not related to Iran and the US '' .
`` I 'm glad we could establish together the Swiss Humanitarian Channel for the transfer of food and medical supplies to the people of Iran , '' Cassis said on Twitter .
Known by its acronym SHTA , the Swiss channel is a payment mechanism aimed to enable food , medicine and other humanitarian aid to be sent to Iran without breaking US sanctions .
Humanitarian goods are theoretically exempt from sanctions , but international purchases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are wary of falling foul of the US over doing business with Iran .
The channel was established and conducted its first transaction earlier this year .

Tehran (AFP) –
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Switzerland's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said he had "fruitful" talks on Monday with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif regarding "peace, economic development and human rights."
The Swiss embassy in Tehran handles US interests in Iran, since ties were cut in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Cassis is expected to meet President Hassan Rouhani as part of a three-day visit to Tehran, celebrating a century of relations between Switzerland and Iran.
Tensions between Iran and the US have escalated since 2018, after President Donald Trump withdrew the US from an international nuclear agreement and reimposed tough sanctions on Iran.
"Peace, economic development and human rights - fruitful discussion with my counterpart," Cassis wrote on Twitter following the talks.
Switzerland has also played a major role in prisoner swaps between Tehran and Washington.
According to the US Department of State, Secretary Mike Pompeo had a phone call with Cassis before his Tehran visit, raising speculation the visit involved talks on Tehran-Washington relations.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh denied the "speculations" on Monday, saying it was a planned visit delayed over the novel coronavirus outbreak and "not related to Iran and the US".
"I'm glad we could establish together the Swiss Humanitarian Channel for the transfer of food and medical supplies to the people of Iran," Cassis said on Twitter.
Known by its acronym SHTA, the Swiss channel is a payment mechanism aimed to enable food, medicine and other humanitarian aid to be sent to Iran without breaking US sanctions.
Humanitarian goods are theoretically exempt from sanctions, but international purchases of such supplies are almost impossible since banks are wary of falling foul of the US over doing business with Iran.
The channel was established and conducted its first transaction earlier this year.
© 2020 AFP