france24--2020-09-05--Climate activists disrupt UK newspaper deliveries

Extinction Rebellion activists disrupt newspaper distribution , claiming the big groups do not report fairly on climate changese the failure of these corporations to accurately report on climate change and what should be done to halt it Climate change protesters in Britain blockaded two printing presses Saturday , disrupting the distribution of numerous national newspapers as they step up 10 days of protests demanding action on climate change and other environmental issues .
Activist group Extinction Rebellion ( XR ) targeted both the plants , just north of London and near Liverpool in northwest England , causing delays to deliveries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Telegraph and The Sun .
Dozens of activists blocked roads outside the sites using vehicles and by attaching themselves to other obstacles , `` to expose the failure of these corporations to accurately report on the climate and ecological emergency '' .
XR said it was aiming to disrupt newspapers that are part of News Corp. , controlled by Rupert Murdoch 's family , as well as right-wing titles The Daily Mail and The London Evening Standard .
`` The groups are using disruption and their consistent manipulation of the truth to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' it added in a statement .
Police said they had so far made 63 arrests at the two locations .
Newsprinters , which runs the plants , said printing had been transferred to other sites and apologised to customers `` due to late deliveries '' .
The Times also apologised to readers unable to buy the newspaper and said on Twitter it was `` working to get newspapers delivered to retailers as soon as possible '' .
The blockade prompted an immediate backlash from across the British political establishment .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be prevented from reading their newspaper because of the actions of Extinction Rebellion , '' Interior Minister Priti Patel said on Twitter .
`` This attack on our free press , society and democracy is completely unacceptable . ''
The main opposition Labour Party 's international trade spokesperson Emily Thornberry called the disruption `` wrong '' , noting elderly people could miss out on newspaper deliveries .
Even Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's fiance Carrie Symonds , a former head of communications for the ruling Conservative party before becoming an environmental campaigner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care about climate change and biodiversity a massive amount but preventing a free press to spread this message further is just wrong , '' she tweeted .
`` Not to mention all those small businesses that rely on being able to sell newspapers . ''
A spokeswoman for Newsprinters said the action had impacted many workers within the industry .
`` Overnight print workers , delivery drivers , wholesale workers and retail newsagents have faced delays and financial penalty , '' she added , noting it was `` a matter for the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter it was sorry for disruption caused to small stores selling newspapers but was unrepentant about its targeting of the media conglomerates .
`` Dear Mr. Murdoch , we are absolutely not sorry for continuing to disrupt your agenda this morning , '' it added .
The group , which formed in Britain in 2018 before becoming a global protest movement , kicked off 10 days of renewed demonstrations across the country on Tuesday .
In its third major wave of UK protests in a year , it has targeted Westminster and several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is vowing to continue with further demonstrations in the coming days .
Police have been taking a tougher approach towards the group during this round of protests , imposing restrictions at sites and making hundreds of arrests .
Last year , more than 1,700 people were arrested during its 10-day `` Autumn Uprising '' , which saw major disruption across the UK and large parts of central London blocked off .

London (AFP) –
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Climate change protesters in Britain blockaded two printing presses Saturday, disrupting the distribution of numerous national newspapers as they step up 10 days of protests demanding action on climate change and other environmental issues.
Activist group Extinction Rebellion (XR) targeted both the plants, just north of London and near Liverpool in northwest England, causing delays to deliveries of papers including The Times, the Daily Telegraph and The Sun.
Dozens of activists blocked roads outside the sites using vehicles and by attaching themselves to other obstacles, "to expose the failure of these corporations to accurately report on the climate and ecological emergency".
XR said it was aiming to disrupt newspapers that are part of News Corp., controlled by Rupert Murdoch's family, as well as right-wing titles The Daily Mail and The London Evening Standard.
"The groups are using disruption and their consistent manipulation of the truth to suit their own personal and political agendas," it added in a statement.
Police said they had so far made 63 arrests at the two locations.
Newsprinters, which runs the plants, said printing had been transferred to other sites and apologised to customers "due to late deliveries".
The Times also apologised to readers unable to buy the newspaper and said on Twitter it was "working to get newspapers delivered to retailers as soon as possible".
- 'Completely unacceptable' -
The blockade prompted an immediate backlash from across the British political establishment.
"This morning people across the country will be prevented from reading their newspaper because of the actions of Extinction Rebellion," Interior Minister Priti Patel said on Twitter.
"This attack on our free press, society and democracy is completely unacceptable."
The main opposition Labour Party's international trade spokesperson Emily Thornberry called the disruption "wrong", noting elderly people could miss out on newspaper deliveries.
Even Prime Minister Boris Johnson's fiance Carrie Symonds, a former head of communications for the ruling Conservative party before becoming an environmental campaigner, waded into the controversy.
"I care about climate change and biodiversity a massive amount but preventing a free press to spread this message further is just wrong," she tweeted.
"Not to mention all those small businesses that rely on being able to sell newspapers."
A spokeswoman for Newsprinters said the action had impacted many workers within the industry.
"Overnight print workers, delivery drivers, wholesale workers and retail newsagents have faced delays and financial penalty," she added, noting it was "a matter for the police" and government.
- 'Dear Mr. Murdoch' -
XR said on Twitter it was sorry for disruption caused to small stores selling newspapers but was unrepentant about its targeting of the media conglomerates.
"Dear Mr. Murdoch, we are absolutely not sorry for continuing to disrupt your agenda this morning," it added.
The group, which formed in Britain in 2018 before becoming a global protest movement, kicked off 10 days of renewed demonstrations across the country on Tuesday.
In its third major wave of UK protests in a year, it has targeted Westminster and several other sites so far this week, and is vowing to continue with further demonstrations in the coming days.
Police have been taking a tougher approach towards the group during this round of protests, imposing restrictions at sites and making hundreds of arrests.
Last year, more than 1,700 people were arrested during its 10-day "Autumn Uprising", which saw major disruption across the UK and large parts of central London blocked off.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Violent typhoon heads for Japan packing 'record' winds and rain

The storm is expected to affect Japan from late Saturday An extremely powerful typhoon was barrelling towards southwestern Japan on Saturday as authorities issued evacuation advisories to thousands of residents , warning of unprecedented violent winds , heavy rain and high waves .
Haishen churned near Okinawa in southern Japan on Saturday afternoon and was expected to approach Kyushu late Sunday or early Monday , the meteorological agency said .
The storm is expected to affect Japan from late Saturday , with winds of up to 290 kilometres per hour ( 180 miles per hour ) , making it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level on the country 's classification scale .
`` There is a danger of record winds , heavy rain , high waves and storm surge , '' Yoshihisa Nakamoto , an agency officer , told a news conference , calling for an early evacuation and `` maximum caution . ''
Yuhei Takamura , a government official , told the conference : `` A disaster will occur .
There is almost no doubt about it . ''
About 4,600 people in Tarumizu , Kagoshima , were urged to evacuate swiftly , while authorities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents to prepare .
Satoshi Sugimoto , another agency official , said the latest typhoon could generate high waves as powerful as a tsunami .
`` It 's going to be the last chance to flee '' when the agency formally issues the nation 's highest storm warning , Sugimoto told reporters .
Authorities on Minamidaitojima instructed about 1,300 residents to evacuate as the storm was expected to hit the remote island , east of Okinawa .
`` We urge all of our islanders to be on full alert as winds are getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Hidehito Iha , a local government official , told AFP .
Footage showed troops escorting dozens of people at a heliport in Kagoshima , southern Kyushu , after they evacuated from another remote island by a military helicopter .
Toyota said it would suspend operations at three plants in Kyushu until Monday evening , while other companies , including Canon and Mitsubishi Electric , reportedly planned to take similar measures .
The storm grounded nearly 100 flights , public broadcaster NHK said , while some services of Shinkansen bullet trains were set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
Meanwhile , Haishen forced the Japan coast guard to suspend its search for dozens of missing sailors from a cargo ship that sank in a separate storm , after two crew members were rescued .
`` We resumed our search operation this morning by dispatching an airplane , but it returned without any clues , '' a local coastguard official said .
`` Now we plan to suspend our entire operation '' until Haishen passes over the country , the official told AFP .
The Japan coastguard found a second survivor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was carrying 6,000 cows and had 43 crew on board , issued a distress call Wednesday near Amami Oshima island as Typhoon Maysak passed through the area .
A first survivor was found on Wednesday evening , with a second crew member recovered at sea Friday .
The Philippine foreign ministry said the two survivors -- both Filipino -- had been in contact with their respective families .
The crew was made up of 39 Filipinos , two New Zealanders and two Australians .
The boat , which had experienced engine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Napier in New Zealand to the Chinese port of Tangshan .

Kagoshima (Japan) (AFP) –
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An extremely powerful typhoon was barrelling towards southwestern Japan on Saturday as authorities issued evacuation advisories to thousands of residents, warning of unprecedented violent winds, heavy rain and high waves.
Haishen churned near Okinawa in southern Japan on Saturday afternoon and was expected to approach Kyushu late Sunday or early Monday, the meteorological agency said.
The storm is expected to affect Japan from late Saturday, with winds of up to 290 kilometres per hour (180 miles per hour), making it a "violent" storm -- the top level on the country's classification scale.
"There is a danger of record winds, heavy rain, high waves and storm surge," Yoshihisa Nakamoto, an agency officer, told a news conference, calling for an early evacuation and "maximum caution."
Yuhei Takamura, a government official, told the conference: "A disaster will occur. There is almost no doubt about it."
About 4,600 people in Tarumizu, Kagoshima, were urged to evacuate swiftly, while authorities in other areas of Kyushu were warning their residents to prepare.
Satoshi Sugimoto, another agency official, said the latest typhoon could generate high waves as powerful as a tsunami.
"It's going to be the last chance to flee" when the agency formally issues the nation's highest storm warning, Sugimoto told reporters.
Authorities on Minamidaitojima instructed about 1,300 residents to evacuate as the storm was expected to hit the remote island, east of Okinawa.
"We urge all of our islanders to be on full alert as winds are getting stronger and expected to be violent," Hidehito Iha, a local government official, told AFP.
- Transport suspended -
Footage showed troops escorting dozens of people at a heliport in Kagoshima, southern Kyushu, after they evacuated from another remote island by a military helicopter.
Toyota said it would suspend operations at three plants in Kyushu until Monday evening, while other companies, including Canon and Mitsubishi Electric, reportedly planned to take similar measures.
The storm grounded nearly 100 flights, public broadcaster NHK said, while some services of Shinkansen bullet trains were set to be suspended in western Japan on Monday.
Meanwhile, Haishen forced the Japan coast guard to suspend its search for dozens of missing sailors from a cargo ship that sank in a separate storm, after two crew members were rescued.
"We resumed our search operation this morning by dispatching an airplane, but it returned without any clues," a local coastguard official said.
"Now we plan to suspend our entire operation" until Haishen passes over the country, the official told AFP.
The Japan coastguard found a second survivor on Friday after the Gulf Livestock 1, which was carrying 6,000 cows and had 43 crew on board, issued a distress call Wednesday near Amami Oshima island as Typhoon Maysak passed through the area.
A first survivor was found on Wednesday evening, with a second crew member recovered at sea Friday.
The Philippine foreign ministry said the two survivors -- both Filipino -- had been in contact with their respective families.
The crew was made up of 39 Filipinos, two New Zealanders and two Australians.
The boat, which had experienced engine problems before, had been travelling from Napier in New Zealand to the Chinese port of Tangshan.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Disfigured by blast, Beirut victims to undergo facial reconstruction

Plastic surgeon Nabil Hakayem with his patient Mabelle , who was badly injured by the Beirut port explosion on August @ @ @ @ @ month on from the deadly August 4 explosion that devastated swathes of the Lebanese capital @ @ @ @ @ have been left with severe head wounds and deformations .
Some will have to undergo @ @ @ @ @ or even years before their faces return to normal .
FRANCE 24 reporters Thameen Al-Kheetan @ @ @ @ @ a Beirut plastic surgeon who uses digital 3D printing to treat patients mutilated by the @ @ @ @ @ many facial injuries , because people were in their homes , and some were close @ @ @ @ @ ” says Nabil Hokayem , plastic surgeon at the Hôtel Dieu in Beirut , Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ were thrown away by the blast , or heavy material fell directly on them .
@ @ @ @ @ above to watch the report .
Warning : Some viewers may find the images distressing @

On The Ground
One month on from the deadly August 4 explosion that devastated swathes of the Lebanese capital, several of those injured have been left with severe head wounds and deformations. Some will have to undergo multiple surgeries and wait months or even years before their faces return to normal.
Plastic surgeon Nabil Hakayem with his patient Mabelle, who was badly injured by the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020.
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FRANCE 24 reporters Thameen Al-Kheetan and Zohra Ben Miloud met a Beirut plastic surgeon who uses digital 3D printing to treat patients mutilated by the blast.
"We have many facial injuries, because people were in their homes, and some were close to doors or windows,” says Nabil Hokayem, plastic surgeon at the Hôtel Dieu in Beirut, Lebanon. “So either they were thrown away by the blast, or heavy material fell directly on them."
Click on the player above to watch the report. Warning: Some viewers may find the images distressing.
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france24--2020-09-05--Jepchirchir sets new  women-only half marathon world record

Kenya 's Peres Jepchirchir set a new women-only half marathon world record time of one hour , five minutes and 34 seconds in Prague on Saturday .
Jepchirchir broke away from the pack after seven kilometres and ran solo to the finishing line , beating the previous record of 1:06:11 by Ethiopia 's Netsanet Gudeta in 2018 .
`` I was thinking to run maybe 1:04:50 , but I 'm so happy , '' said Jepchirchir , who claimed the world half marathon title in 2016 .
`` It 's difficult to run alone .
If I had a pacemaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
Jepchirchir 's time was more than a minute off the women 's world half marathon record of 1:04:31 , set by Ethiopia 's Ababel Yeshaneh in February in a mixed men and women race .
Her compatriot Kibiwott Kandie then set a world-leading half marathon time of 58:37 in the men 's race .
Kandie also spent most of the race on his own on the 1.3-kilometre ( 0.8 miles ) circuit in a park in Prague 's broader centre .
Saturday 's event was for elite athletes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marathon weekends in the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic .

Prague (AFP) –
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Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir set a new women-only half marathon world record time of one hour, five minutes and 34 seconds in Prague on Saturday.
Jepchirchir broke away from the pack after seven kilometres and ran solo to the finishing line, beating the previous record of 1:06:11 by Ethiopia's Netsanet Gudeta in 2018.
"I was thinking to run maybe 1:04:50, but I'm so happy," said Jepchirchir, who claimed the world half marathon title in 2016.
"It's difficult to run alone. If I had a pacemaker I would run 64 (minutes)," she said.
Jepchirchir's time was more than a minute off the women's world half marathon record of 1:04:31, set by Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh in February in a mixed men and women race.
Her compatriot Kibiwott Kandie then set a world-leading half marathon time of 58:37 in the men's race.
Kandie also spent most of the race on his own on the 1.3-kilometre (0.8 miles) circuit in a park in Prague's broader centre.
Saturday's event was for elite athletes only. Prague scrapped its half-marathon and marathon weekends in the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Jordan seals the deal in North-South All Blacks trial

South Island 's Will Jordan dives in to score the winning try after the full-time siren during New Zealand 's North Island v South rugby match Will Jordan put his hand up for Test selection with two tries , including the match winner , in a pseudo All Blacks trial played under the guise of a North Island versus South match in Wellington Saturday .
With Covid-19 restrictions forcing the match to be played in an empty stadium , the South prevailed 38-35 .
In a rugby-obsessed country starved of international competition due to the coronavirus pandemic , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 35-man All Blacks squad to be named Sunday .
The clash was played at a frantic pace and produced 10 tries with the lead changing seven times .
The duel between rival fly-halves Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett was expected to headline the match but it was the uncapped Crusaders utility Jordan who made the biggest statement .
Jordan , the leading try-scorer in New Zealand 's Super Rugby competition this year , had a quiet first half but made his mark in the second with a 70-metre try at the three-quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the North ahead 35-31 , he latched on to a Josh Ioane crosskick to seal the game for the South .
Rieko Ioane , once hailed as a wonder wing with a phenomenal try-scoring record until dropping out of the limelight last year , has reinvented himself as an outside centre and also scored two well-taken tries for the North .
The tone of the game was set from the kick off when North wing Caleb Clarke charged 40 metres though the South side to pave the way for Ioane 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beauden Barrett grubber kick .
Barrett has made no secret of his preference to wear the 10 jersey after being stationed at fullback during last year 's World Cup , but by fulltime there was little to separate him from Mo'unga in the battle of the flyhalves .
Mo'unga did combine well with South fullback Jordie Barrett while Damian McKenzie , wearing 15 for the North , also showed he is still in the frame .
Apart from Jordan , Clarke , and rival backrowers Hoskins Sotutu for the North Island and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the play was dominated by established internationals and few surprises are expected when new All Blacks coach Ian Foster names his squad .
A more difficult task would be naming a starting XV , but at this stage the All Blacks have no one to play .
Tests involving a composite Pacific side , Australia and the Rugby Championship are on the drawing board but with Covid-19 travel restrictions nothing is confirmed .
The North-South match revived what was once an important annual fixture on the New Zealand calendar .
But after 1986 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Cup , its significance dropped away and it has only been played twice since .
South captain Sam Whitelock said he would like to see it as a regular fixture again .
`` It 's awesome , '' he said .
`` I know it would have been great for the spectators at home watching .
It 's a pity we could n't have anyone here but that 's just the way the world is . ''

Wellington (AFP) –
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Will Jordan put his hand up for Test selection with two tries, including the match winner, in a pseudo All Blacks trial played under the guise of a North Island versus South match in Wellington Saturday.
With Covid-19 restrictions forcing the match to be played in an empty stadium, the South prevailed 38-35.
In a rugby-obsessed country starved of international competition due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was performance not points that mattered most with a 35-man All Blacks squad to be named Sunday.
The clash was played at a frantic pace and produced 10 tries with the lead changing seven times.
The duel between rival fly-halves Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett was expected to headline the match but it was the uncapped Crusaders utility Jordan who made the biggest statement.
Jordan, the leading try-scorer in New Zealand's Super Rugby competition this year, had a quiet first half but made his mark in the second with a 70-metre try at the three-quarter mark and with time on the clock, and the North ahead 35-31, he latched on to a Josh Ioane crosskick to seal the game for the South.
Rieko Ioane, once hailed as a wonder wing with a phenomenal try-scoring record until dropping out of the limelight last year, has reinvented himself as an outside centre and also scored two well-taken tries for the North.
The tone of the game was set from the kick off when North wing Caleb Clarke charged 40 metres though the South side to pave the way for Ioane's first try when he followed up a Beauden Barrett grubber kick.
Barrett has made no secret of his preference to wear the 10 jersey after being stationed at fullback during last year's World Cup, but by fulltime there was little to separate him from Mo'unga in the battle of the flyhalves.
Mo'unga did combine well with South fullback Jordie Barrett while Damian McKenzie, wearing 15 for the North, also showed he is still in the frame.
Apart from Jordan, Clarke, and rival backrowers Hoskins Sotutu for the North Island and the South's Tom Sanders, much of the play was dominated by established internationals and few surprises are expected when new All Blacks coach Ian Foster names his squad.
A more difficult task would be naming a starting XV, but at this stage the All Blacks have no one to play.
Tests involving a composite Pacific side, Australia and the Rugby Championship are on the drawing board but with Covid-19 travel restrictions nothing is confirmed.
The North-South match revived what was once an important annual fixture on the New Zealand calendar.
But after 1986, a year before the first Rugby World Cup, its significance dropped away and it has only been played twice since.
South captain Sam Whitelock said he would like to see it as a regular fixture again.
"It's awesome," he said. "I know it would have been great for the spectators at home watching. It's a pity we couldn't have anyone here but that's just the way the world is."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Hopes of miracle fade in search for Beirut blast survivor

The resumed search for survivors beneath the rubble of last month 's explosion in Beirut port has attracted crowds of onlookers eager for a miracle Rescue teams kept up their search for survivors in Beirut Saturday even as hopes raised by sensor readings of a pulse beneath the rubble of last month 's blast began to fade .
The cataclysmic August 4 explosion in the port of Beirut killed at least 191 people , making it Lebanon 's deadliest peacetime disaster .
One month on , seven people are still listed as missing .
On Wednesday night , a sniffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scent beneath a collapsed building in the heavily damaged Gemmayzeh neighbourhood adjacent to the port .
High-tech sensors confirmed an apparent heartbeat and , a full month after the August 4 blast , rescue teams took up the search .
But despite removing piles of masonry , they have yet to find the source of the sensor reading .
`` Search operations have been going on since the day before yesterday but the chances are very low , '' the civil defence agency 's operations director , George Abou Moussa , told AFP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found nothing . ''
Saturday was the search teams ' third straight day of digging , much of it by hand .
`` We are not leaving the site until we 've finished going through the rubble , even if a new building collapse threatens , '' said civil defence officer Qassem Khater .
Chilean specialist Walter Munoz put the chances of finding a survivor at `` two percent '' .
Lebanese officials had played down the chances of anyone surviving so long beneath the rubble .
But even the faint hope of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and the country 's worst economic crisis in decades .
`` I was not aware I needed a miracle that much .
Please God , give Beirut this miracle it deserves , '' said Selim Mourad , a 32-year-old filmmaker .
Lebanon lacks the tools and expertise to handle advanced search and rescue operations , so they have been supported by experts from Chile , France and the Unites States .
The Chileans , in particular , have been praised as heroes by many Lebanese on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expertise with the lacklustre performance of what they see as an absent state .
The country observed a minute 's silence for the dead on Friday .

Beirut (AFP) –
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Rescue teams kept up their search for survivors in Beirut Saturday even as hopes raised by sensor readings of a pulse beneath the rubble of last month's blast began to fade.
The cataclysmic August 4 explosion in the port of Beirut killed at least 191 people, making it Lebanon's deadliest peacetime disaster. One month on, seven people are still listed as missing.
On Wednesday night, a sniffer dog deployed by Chilean rescuers detected a scent beneath a collapsed building in the heavily damaged Gemmayzeh neighbourhood adjacent to the port.
High-tech sensors confirmed an apparent heartbeat and, a full month after the August 4 blast, rescue teams took up the search.
But despite removing piles of masonry, they have yet to find the source of the sensor reading.
"Search operations have been going on since the day before yesterday but the chances are very low," the civil defence agency's operations director, George Abou Moussa, told AFP.
"So far, we have found nothing."
Saturday was the search teams' third straight day of digging, much of it by hand.
"We are not leaving the site until we've finished going through the rubble, even if a new building collapse threatens," said civil defence officer Qassem Khater.
Chilean specialist Walter Munoz put the chances of finding a survivor at "two percent".
Lebanese officials had played down the chances of anyone surviving so long beneath the rubble.
But even the faint hope of a miracle caught the imagination of a country already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and the country's worst economic crisis in decades.
"I was not aware I needed a miracle that much. Please God, give Beirut this miracle it deserves," said Selim Mourad, a 32-year-old filmmaker.
Lebanon lacks the tools and expertise to handle advanced search and rescue operations, so they have been supported by experts from Chile, France and the Unites States.
The Chileans, in particular, have been praised as heroes by many Lebanese on social media, who have compared their expertise with the lacklustre performance of what they see as an absent state.
The country observed a minute's silence for the dead on Friday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--India, China trade blame over border tensions after ministers meet

Indian soldiers walk in the foothills of a mountain range near Leh in Ladakh on June 23 , 2020 .
Chinese and Indian troops have had a number of showdowns since a deadly clash on June 15 India and China traded blame for rising tensions over their disputed Himalayan border on Saturday following their highest level meeting since a deadly clash in June .
India 's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe released rival statements accusing each other of inflaming the showdown after talks late Friday on the sidelines of an international meeting in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' discussions on the dispute and the strained relations between the world 's two most populous countries .
Their troops have had a number of showdowns since a clash in the Ladakh region on June 15 in which 20 Indian troops died .
China has also acknowledged suffering casualties but not given figures .
Both sides have since sent tens of thousands of troops to the remote , inhospitable region which sits at an altitude of more than 4,000 metres ( 13,500 feet ) .
Singh `` emphasised that the actions of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of troops , their aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation '' of agreements between the neighbours , said an Indian statement .
India wanted to settle the dispute through talks `` but at the same time there should also be no doubt about our determination to protect India 's sovereignty and territorial integrity . ''
`` The cause and truth of the current tension on the border between China and India are very clear , and the responsibility lies entirely with India , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not be lost , '' he added , calling on India to `` strengthen control of frontline forces '' and `` refrain from any actions that may cause the situation to heat up '' .
Both ministers were at a meeting of the eight nation Shanghai Cooperation Council .
India has withdrawn from military manoeuvres organised by the group where its troops would have been alongside Chinese forces .
It has also stepped up economic pressure by banning Chinese apps and blocking Chinese products at ports and stopping its companies from bidding @ @ @

New Delhi (AFP) –
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India and China traded blame for rising tensions over their disputed Himalayan border on Saturday following their highest level meeting since a deadly clash in June.
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe released rival statements accusing each other of inflaming the showdown after talks late Friday on the sidelines of an international meeting in Moscow.
Singh said they had "frank" discussions on the dispute and the strained relations between the world's two most populous countries.
Their troops have had a number of showdowns since a clash in the Ladakh region on June 15 in which 20 Indian troops died. China has also acknowledged suffering casualties but not given figures.
Both sides have since sent tens of thousands of troops to the remote, inhospitable region which sits at an altitude of more than 4,000 metres (13,500 feet).
Singh "emphasised that the actions of the Chinese troops, including amassing of large number of troops, their aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation" of agreements between the neighbours, said an Indian statement.
India wanted to settle the dispute through talks "but at the same time there should also be no doubt about our determination to protect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
The Chinese minister took a similarly tough line.
"The cause and truth of the current tension on the border between China and India are very clear, and the responsibility lies entirely with India," said General Wei.
"China's territory cannot be lost," he added, calling on India to "strengthen control of frontline forces" and "refrain from any actions that may cause the situation to heat up".
Both ministers were at a meeting of the eight nation Shanghai Cooperation Council.
India has withdrawn from military manoeuvres organised by the group where its troops would have been alongside Chinese forces.
It has also stepped up economic pressure by banning Chinese apps and blocking Chinese products at ports and stopping its companies from bidding for contracts.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Recovery with resentful Messi brings new complications for Barca

Lionel Messi has come to define Barcelona but even some fans had supported his decision to leave Lionel Messi is staying at Barcelona but for how long ?
Messi can negotiate with other teams from January 1 and leave next summer , when his contract expires and this time he really will be able to go for free .
Until then , Barca have to find a way to re-integrate the club 's greatest ever player , who no longer wants to play for them .
His announcement laced with bitterness on Friday was not greeted with celebration , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had supported his decision to go , finding some relief in the idea of him rediscovering success elsewhere .
There was silence too from the players , none of whom gave the kind of public show of support that Luis Suarez and Carlos Puyol offered when Messi told Barca he was leaving .
Even the club seemed unsure how to react .
It took almost three hours before a picture of Messi dropped on their social media accounts , featuring the only positive words he had spoken during his earlier interview , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but with Goal .
`` I 'm going to give my best .
My love for Barca will never change '' , it read .
But even if Messi 's intentions are honest , how can he not be changed by this ?
His bitterness was obvious and his feelings clear .
If Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu had not stood in his way , Messi would be gone , perhaps now holding up a Manchester City shirt and doing kick-ups on the Etihad turf .
Instead , he has been forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a project he no longer believes in .
`` I ’ m staying because the president said the only way to go was to pay the 700 million euro clause , which is impossible , or the other way was to go to court , '' Messi said .
Ronald Koeman is trying to look to the future but Messi is still seething about the past .
His first words about his new coach were hardly a ringing endorsement either .
`` Now I do n't know what will happen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new coach and a new idea .
That 's good but then we have to see how the team responds and if it will get us to compete or not . ''
Koeman said he wanted Messi to be the cornerstone of his project at Camp Nou but he also said : `` I only want players who want to be here . ''
A happy and motivated Messi could have led the reform but , full of resentment and disappointment , his presence might become an obstacle .
What now for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to field in his best position , coming in off the right where Messi plays ?
And for Philippe Coutinho , who has struggled in Messi 's shadow , his own preference for cutting inside seen as a hindrance to his captain ?
When Messi rejoins pre-season training next week , some of his closest allies may not be there .
Luis Suarez , his best friend and striker partner , as well as Arturo Vidal are nearing the exit door .
Those that do remain will be tasked with managing Messi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about the 33-year-old 's commitment , intensity and mood .
Bartomeu had said he would only sit down with Messi to renew his contract not cancel it , but there was no extension announced on Friday .
As the clock ticks down to July 1 next year , the speculation will continue .
Time could yet prove a healer , particularly if Bartomeu 's board lose the elections in March and a new president brings fresh optimism , a different plan and perhaps Xavi Hernandez as coach .
But by then Messi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other clubs , even agree his move regardless of the change of direction .
In that sense , Barcelona will be under pressure from the start of this season , not just to keep pace with Real Madrid but to convince Messi they can .
At some point there may be fans back in Camp Nou , enough to hold up banners and sing songs in support of their captain continuing .
But the relationship will never be quite the same , the damage done as soon as Messi 's burofax landed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ever since , Barcelona had wondered how they would recover after Messi .
Now they have to recover with him .

Madrid (AFP) –
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Lionel Messi is staying at Barcelona but for how long?
Messi can negotiate with other teams from January 1 and leave next summer, when his contract expires and this time he really will be able to go for free.
Until then, Barca have to find a way to re-integrate the club's greatest ever player, who no longer wants to play for them.
His announcement laced with bitterness on Friday was not greeted with celebration, even among the fans, many of whom had supported his decision to go, finding some relief in the idea of him rediscovering success elsewhere.
There was silence too from the players, none of whom gave the kind of public show of support that Luis Suarez and Carlos Puyol offered when Messi told Barca he was leaving.
Even the club seemed unsure how to react. It took almost three hours before a picture of Messi dropped on their social media accounts, featuring the only positive words he had spoken during his earlier interview, not through the club's official channels, but with Goal.
"I'm going to give my best. My love for Barca will never change", it read.
But even if Messi's intentions are honest, how can he not be changed by this? His bitterness was obvious and his feelings clear.
If Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu had not stood in his way, Messi would be gone, perhaps now holding up a Manchester City shirt and doing kick-ups on the Etihad turf.
Instead, he has been forced to stay against his will and to remain part of a project he no longer believes in.
"I’m staying because the president said the only way to go was to pay the 700 million euro clause, which is impossible, or the other way was to go to court," Messi said.
Ronald Koeman is trying to look to the future but Messi is still seething about the past. His first words about his new coach were hardly a ringing endorsement either.
"Now I don't know what will happen," he said. "There is a new coach and a new idea. That's good but then we have to see how the team responds and if it will get us to compete or not."
Koeman said he wanted Messi to be the cornerstone of his project at Camp Nou but he also said: "I only want players who want to be here."
A happy and motivated Messi could have led the reform but, full of resentment and disappointment, his presence might become an obstacle.
What now for Antoine Griezmann, who Koeman said he wanted to field in his best position, coming in off the right where Messi plays?
And for Philippe Coutinho, who has struggled in Messi's shadow, his own preference for cutting inside seen as a hindrance to his captain?
When Messi rejoins pre-season training next week, some of his closest allies may not be there. Luis Suarez, his best friend and striker partner, as well as Arturo Vidal are nearing the exit door.
Those that do remain will be tasked with managing Messi's future, every game followed by questions about the 33-year-old's commitment, intensity and mood.
- Will time heal? -
Bartomeu had said he would only sit down with Messi to renew his contract not cancel it, but there was no extension announced on Friday.
As the clock ticks down to July 1 next year, the speculation will continue.
Time could yet prove a healer, particularly if Bartomeu's board lose the elections in March and a new president brings fresh optimism, a different plan and perhaps Xavi Hernandez as coach.
But by then Messi will have been able to talk to other clubs, even agree his move regardless of the change of direction.
In that sense, Barcelona will be under pressure from the start of this season, not just to keep pace with Real Madrid but to convince Messi they can.
At some point there may be fans back in Camp Nou, enough to hold up banners and sing songs in support of their captain continuing.
But the relationship will never be quite the same, the damage done as soon as Messi's burofax landed in the stadium's offices 11 days ago.
Ever since, Barcelona had wondered how they would recover after Messi. Now they have to recover with him.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Macron meets Ivory Coast President Ouattara after election U-turn

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara met French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday just days after announcing he would run for @ @ @ @ @ opponents who say the constitution bars him from contesting the October vote .
Douglas Yates @ @ @ @ @ at the American University in Paris , looks at the implications of Ouattara 's U-turn @ @ @ @ @ publicly welcomed the Ivorian leader 's earlier decision not to seek a third term .

Macron meets Ivory Coast President Ouattara after election U-turn
02:58
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara met French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday just days after announcing he would run for a third-term despite protests by opponents who say the constitution bars him from contesting the October vote. Douglas Yates, professor of political science at the American University in Paris, looks at the implications of Ouattara's U-turn for Macron, who had publicly welcomed the Ivorian leader's earlier decision not to seek a third term.


france24--2020-09-05--'At last, cinema is back': Face masks and Vanessa Paradis as Deauville Film Festival opens

The 46th Deauville American Film Festival opened on Friday , September 4 , with jury president Vanessa Paradis among the stars on the red carpet .
But amid the Covid-19 pandemic , and with many American filmmakers and actors unable to attend the event in the north of France , this year 's is perhaps the most unique edition of the festival in its history .
Despite the lack of the usual host of American stars , the public turned out in force for the festival 's grand opening , with many arriving hours in advance to claim a prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carpet .
The Covid-19 pandemic and the strict safety measures put in place by festival organisers was not enough to put them off .
`` I know they disinfect the seats inside the cinemas , '' one festivalgoer told FRANCE 24 as he waited for the stars to arrive .
`` And with wearing masks mandatory , there should n't be a problem . ''
Most had come to see Vanessa Paradis , the actress and singer who heads this year 's jury for the main prize .
As she arrived , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the return of the film industry following anti-Covid measures that saw many cinemas shuttered around the world .
`` It 's such a joy to go to the cinema .
At last , cinema is back , '' she said .
Deauville is one of the first major film festivals , along with the Venice Film Festival , to take place this year .
This edition will also see it screen a number of films that would have been shown at Cannes , which was cancelled because of the pandemic .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope , '' festival director Bruno Barde told FRANCE 24.
`` We are not going to defeat the virus but we can create desire , lessen the fear .
That 's the point of a festival .
And since the start we 've fought for the festival to happen . ''

The 46th Deauville American Film Festival opened on Friday, September 4, with jury president Vanessa Paradis among the stars on the red carpet. But amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and with many American filmmakers and actors unable to attend the event in the north of France, this year's is perhaps the most unique edition of the festival in its history.
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Despite the lack of the usual host of American stars, the public turned out in force for the festival's grand opening, with many arriving hours in advance to claim a prime spot from which to watch the red carpet.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the strict safety measures put in place by festival organisers was not enough to put them off.
"I know they disinfect the seats inside the cinemas," one festivalgoer told FRANCE 24 as he waited for the stars to arrive. "And with wearing masks mandatory, there shouldn't be a problem."
Most had come to see Vanessa Paradis, the actress and singer who heads this year's jury for the main prize.
As she arrived, she hailed the festival as a key moment in the return of the film industry following anti-Covid measures that saw many cinemas shuttered around the world.
"It's such a joy to go to the cinema. At last, cinema is back," she said.
Deauville is one of the first major film festivals, along with the Venice Film Festival, to take place this year. This edition will also see it screen a number of films that would have been shown at Cannes, which was cancelled because of the pandemic.
"Art is life and cinema brings that hope," festival director Bruno Barde told FRANCE 24. " We are not going to defeat the virus but we can create desire, lessen the fear. That's the point of a festival. And since the start we've fought for the festival to happen."
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france24--2020-09-06--Djokovic eyes US Open quarter-finals

Djokovic eyes US Open quarter-finals

World number one Novak Djokovic and women 's fourth seed Naomi Osaka will be chasing quarter-finals berths on day seven of the US Open on Sunday .
Serbian star Djokovic takes on Spain 's 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta in the last 16 at Flushing Meadows as he aims to edge closer to an 18th Grand Slam title .
Carreno Busta , ranked 27th in the world , has failed to beat Djokovic in their three previous encounters .
Djokovic is chasing an 18th Grand Slam title at the Billie Jean King US National Tennis Center .
He is looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Rafael Nadal , both absent from the tournament , in the race for the all-time men 's Slam singles title record .
Djokovic is on 17 , with Nadal on 19 and Federer on 20 .
Also in the men 's draw Sunday , seventh-seeded David Goffin from Belgium goes up against Canadian 12th seed Denis Shapovalov .
And in the women 's competition , two-time Grand Slam winner Osaka looks to move into the last eight at the expense of Estonian 14th seed Anett Kontaveit .
Sixth seed Petra Kvitova is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rogers .

New York (AFP) –
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World number one Novak Djokovic and women's fourth seed Naomi Osaka will be chasing quarter-finals berths on day seven of the US Open on Sunday.
Serbian star Djokovic takes on Spain's 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta in the last 16 at Flushing Meadows as he aims to edge closer to an 18th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic and Carreno Busta headline the day session inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Carreno Busta, ranked 27th in the world, has failed to beat Djokovic in their three previous encounters.
Djokovic is chasing an 18th Grand Slam title at the Billie Jean King US National Tennis Center.
He is looking to close the gap on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent from the tournament, in the race for the all-time men's Slam singles title record.
Djokovic is on 17, with Nadal on 19 and Federer on 20.
Also in the men's draw Sunday, seventh-seeded David Goffin from Belgium goes up against Canadian 12th seed Denis Shapovalov.
And in the women's competition, two-time Grand Slam winner Osaka looks to move into the last eight at the expense of Estonian 14th seed Anett Kontaveit.
Sixth seed Petra Kvitova is also in action against unseeded American Shelby Rogers.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--England target Sotutu among seven new faces in All Blacks squad

Powerful backrower Hoskins Sotutu has opted for New Zealand over England and was one of seven new faces included in an All Blacks squad named Sunday as new coach Ian Foster began rebuilding ahead of the next World Cup .
The Auckland-born 22-year-old , of English and Fijian heritage , had attracted the interest of England coach Eddie Jones as well as Fiji mentor Vern Cotter .
Instead , he joins prop Alex Hodgman , locks Tupou Vaa ' i and Quinten Strange , loose forward Cullen Grace and outside backs Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan in the All Blacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play remains unknown .
With the Covid-19 pandemic hampering international travel , the All Blacks have pencilled in fixtures against a composite Pacific side and Australia plus the delayed Rugby Championship .
But they are awaiting confirmation , expected in the next few days , of which , if any , can go ahead .
The Rugby Championship is already in doubt with Argentina confirming six players have tested positive for coronavirus in recent days .
`` Like everyone else , we 're impatient to know what is happening , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we remain confident that there 'll be something for fans to look forward to in the not-too-distant future , '' Foster said .
New Zealand have key gaps to fill following last year 's World Cup with former captain and 127-Test number eight Kieran Read , backs Sonny Bill Williams , Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty no longer available and lock Brodie Retallick contracted to play in Japan until next year .
But Foster added he was `` hugely excited '' at the calibre of players at his disposal from a successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought the 15-team , five-nation competition to a sudden halt .
`` The result is that we can now announce a team that is rich in experience and a little battle-hardened after the Rugby World Cup , but forward looking with the inclusion of a number of new players , '' he said .
As well as the new caps , the squad also features the return of 2017 All Blacks Asafo Aumua and Akira Ioane as well as 2018 prop Karl Tu'inukuafe .
Prop Atu Moli , lock Scott Barrett and midfielder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury .
The All Blacks are swamped with talent among the outside backs where Clarke , a son of former All Blacks Eroni Clarke , and Jordan were the two standout performers in Super Rugby .
They join the ranks of established Test players Damian McKenzie , Jordie Barrett , George Bridge and Sevu Reece .
Beauden Barrett , who played at fullback during the last World Cup , has been named at flyhalf along with incumbent Richie Mo'unga .
But Foster said he also remained in the frame to play fullback .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that space and we love that because it gives us options and means we can have a bench that 's potentially got a little bit more power and strength than it would have been if we just had guys good at one position . ''

Wellington (AFP) –
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Powerful backrower Hoskins Sotutu has opted for New Zealand over England and was one of seven new faces included in an All Blacks squad named Sunday as new coach Ian Foster began rebuilding ahead of the next World Cup.
The Auckland-born 22-year-old, of English and Fijian heritage, had attracted the interest of England coach Eddie Jones as well as Fiji mentor Vern Cotter.
Instead, he joins prop Alex Hodgman, locks Tupou Vaa'i and Quinten Strange, loose forward Cullen Grace and outside backs Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan in the All Blacks squad.
But when they will get to play remains unknown.
With the Covid-19 pandemic hampering international travel, the All Blacks have pencilled in fixtures against a composite Pacific side and Australia plus the delayed Rugby Championship.
But they are awaiting confirmation, expected in the next few days, of which, if any, can go ahead.
The Rugby Championship is already in doubt with Argentina confirming six players have tested positive for coronavirus in recent days.
"Like everyone else, we're impatient to know what is happening, but we fully understand all the variables at play and we remain confident that there'll be something for fans to look forward to in the not-too-distant future," Foster said.
New Zealand have key gaps to fill following last year's World Cup with former captain and 127-Test number eight Kieran Read, backs Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty no longer available and lock Brodie Retallick contracted to play in Japan until next year.
But Foster added he was "hugely excited" at the calibre of players at his disposal from a successful five-team domestic Super Rugby season after Covid-19 brought the 15-team, five-nation competition to a sudden halt.
"The result is that we can now announce a team that is rich in experience and a little battle-hardened after the Rugby World Cup, but forward looking with the inclusion of a number of new players," he said.
As well as the new caps, the squad also features the return of 2017 All Blacks Asafo Aumua and Akira Ioane as well as 2018 prop Karl Tu'inukuafe.
Prop Atu Moli, lock Scott Barrett and midfielder Ngani Laumape were not considered because of injury.
The All Blacks are swamped with talent among the outside backs where Clarke, a son of former All Blacks Eroni Clarke, and Jordan were the two standout performers in Super Rugby.
They join the ranks of established Test players Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge and Sevu Reece.
Beauden Barrett, who played at fullback during the last World Cup, has been named at flyhalf along with incumbent Richie Mo'unga.
But Foster said he also remained in the frame to play fullback.
"There's a lot of versatility in that space and we love that because it gives us options and means we can have a bench that's potentially got a little bit more power and strength than it would have been if we just had guys good at one position."
All Blacks squad:
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Quinten Strange, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane (capt), Shannon Frizell, Cullen Grace, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu.
Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Trump calls on Fox News to fire reporter over veterans flap

US President Donald Trump has found himself under criticism for his alleged disparaging comments on American war fatalities US President Donald Trump has demanded that Fox News fire its national security correspondent after she confirmed claims that the Republican leader had disparaged the military -- a bombshell that has dogged him for two days .
Trump came under fire after The Atlantic magazine reported that he had called Marines killed in action in World War I `` losers '' and `` suckers '' in connection with a November 2018 visit to France when he skipped a visit to a US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 honor 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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 furiously defended himself in the wake of the story in The Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` fake news . ''
He called the magazine 's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg , who wrote the piece , a `` slimeball . ''
The habitually Trump-friendly Fox News has been criticized 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unafraid . ''
`` I can tell you that my sources are unimpeachable , '' Griffin said on-air Saturday on her network .
`` My sources are not anonymous to me and I doubt they are anonymous to the president . ''
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 .

Washington (AFP) –
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US President Donald Trump has demanded that Fox News fire its national security correspondent after she confirmed claims that the Republican leader had disparaged the military -- a bombshell that has dogged him for two days.
Trump came under fire after The Atlantic magazine reported that he had called Marines killed in action in World War I "losers" and "suckers" in connection with a November 2018 visit to France when he skipped a visit to a US military cemetery.
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 honor 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 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 furiously 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 habitually Trump-friendly Fox News has been criticized 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."
"I can tell you that my sources are unimpeachable," Griffin said on-air Saturday on her network. "My sources are not anonymous to me and I doubt they are anonymous to the president."
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.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Harris wouldn't trust Trump on pre-election virus vaccine

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris said that if a coronavirus vaccine is available before November 's election she would not take President Donald Trump 's word on its safety and efficacy Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris said in comments released Saturday that if a coronavirus vaccine is available before November 's election , she would not take President Donald Trump 's word on its safety and efficacy .
Trump faces intense pressure to curb the contagion that has clouded his re-election prospects , sparking worries his administration could rush vaccine research to fit a political timetable .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of ( a vaccine ) , '' Harris told CNN .
`` I will not take his word for it . ''
A shot against the virus that has killed over 188,000 in the US and hobbled the world 's largest economy has become another flashpoint ahead of the November 3 vote .
This week news broke that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked states to sweep away red tape that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being `` fully operational by Nov 1 , 2020 . ''
The US Food and Drug Administration has also raised the possibility that a vaccine might be given emergency authorization before the end of trials .
Trump dangled the possibility in front of supporters last week at the Republican National Convention saying the US `` will produce a vaccine before the end of the year , or maybe even sooner . ''
However , Anthony Fauci , the country 's leading infectious disease expert , said Thursday that the initial results of vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December . ''
Fauci told CNN that being ready in October , before the election , is `` unlikely , not impossible . ''
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany denied any pressure to get the vaccine out before voters head to the polls .
`` No one is pressuring the FDA to do anything , '' she said Thursday .
`` The priority here is saving lives . ''

Washington (AFP) –
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Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris said in comments released Saturday that if a coronavirus vaccine is available before November's election, she would not take President Donald Trump's word on its safety and efficacy.
Trump faces intense pressure to curb the contagion that has clouded his re-election prospects, sparking worries his administration could rush vaccine research to fit a political timetable.
"I would not trust Donald Trump and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of (a vaccine)," Harris told CNN.
"I will not take his word for it."
A shot against the virus that has killed over 188,000 in the US and hobbled the world's largest economy has become another flashpoint ahead of the November 3 vote.
This week news broke that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked states to sweep away red tape that could prevent a network of vaccine distribution centers being "fully operational by Nov 1, 2020."
The US Food and Drug Administration has also raised the possibility that a vaccine might be given emergency authorization before the end of trials.
Trump dangled the possibility in front of supporters last week at the Republican National Convention saying the US "will produce a vaccine before the end of the year, or maybe even sooner."
However, Anthony Fauci, the country's leading infectious disease expert, said Thursday that the initial results of vaccine trials could come in "November or December."
Fauci told CNN that being ready in October, before the election, is "unlikely, not impossible."
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany denied any pressure to get the vaccine out before voters head to the polls.
"No one is pressuring the FDA to do anything," she said Thursday. "The priority here is saving lives."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-06--Vessels in distress, sink at pro-Trump boat parade in Texas

Hundreds of boaters parade on Lake Winnipesaukee to show their support for President Donald Trump , in Laconia , New Hampshire , on August 22 , 2020 A Texas boat parade in support of President Donald Trump 's reelection campaign ran into trouble on Saturday , as multiple vessels took on water or sank , authorities said .
The Travis County Sheriff 's Office `` responded to multiple calls involving boats in distress during the Trump parade on Lake Travis , '' it said on Twitter .
`` Several boats did sink . ''
There was no evidence of foul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dark said .
No injuries or medical emergencies were reported at the parade on Lake Travis , located northwest of Austin .
`` Some were taking on water , some were stalled , some were capsizing , it was all types of different things , '' Dark said .
Photos on Twitter showed boats flying Trump 2020 flags in choppy water , likely caused by the large number of vessels moving closely together .
`` There were an exceptional number of boats on the lake today , '' Dark said , adding authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boats sank and how many people were rescued .
More than 2,500 people marked themselves on Facebook as having attended the Lake Travis Trump Boat Parade , which Dark said was two to three miles ( three to five kilometers ) long .
The parade , taking place over the US Labor Day holiday weekend , was to feature four parachutists jumping out of a helicopter with smoke and flags , according to the event 's Facebook page .
Boats were asked to travel at 10 miles per hour .

Houston (AFP) –
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A Texas boat parade in support of President Donald Trump's reelection campaign ran into trouble on Saturday, as multiple vessels took on water or sank, authorities said.
The Travis County Sheriff's Office "responded to multiple calls involving boats in distress during the Trump parade on Lake Travis," it said on Twitter. "Several boats did sink."
There was no evidence of foul play, sheriff's office spokeswoman Kristen Dark said. No injuries or medical emergencies were reported at the parade on Lake Travis, located northwest of Austin.
"Some were taking on water, some were stalled, some were capsizing, it was all types of different things," Dark said.
Photos on Twitter showed boats flying Trump 2020 flags in choppy water, likely caused by the large number of vessels moving closely together.
"There were an exceptional number of boats on the lake today," Dark said, adding authorities were still gathering data on how many boats sank and how many people were rescued.
More than 2,500 people marked themselves on Facebook as having attended the Lake Travis Trump Boat Parade, which Dark said was two to three miles (three to five kilometers) long.
The parade, taking place over the US Labor Day holiday weekend, was to feature four parachutists jumping out of a helicopter with smoke and flags, according to the event's Facebook page. Boats were asked to travel at 10 miles per hour.
Trump faces Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the November 3 election.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Authentic holds off Tiz the Law to win 146th Kentucky Derby

Authentic held off heavily favored Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law to capture the 146th Kentucky Derby on Saturday , giving trainer Bob Baffert a record-equalling sixth win in the Run for the Roses .
Johnny Velazquez piloted Authentic to the victory at Churchill Downs , ensuring that a topsy-turvy Triple Crown year will not produce a 14th winner of US flat racing 's coveted treble when it concludes with the Preakness Stakes on October 3 .
Because of the coronavirus pandemic , US racing 's most prestigious event was held not on the first Saturday in May but on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than 100,000 spectators jammed into the grandstands and infield , no more than 1,000 essential personnel , owners and trainers were on hand .
Despite the lack of fans , there was a heavy police presence outside the racetrack as Black Lives Matter protesters and counter-protesters took to the streets of Louisville , where 26-year-old paramedic Breonna Taylor was killed in a police shooting in her own apartment in March .
Authentic , as expected , set the early pace under Velazquez , going early to the front from the 18th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the belated Triple Crown opener at Belmont on June 20 and went off as the prohibitive 3-5 favorite , settled into a comfortable fourth position under jockey Manny Franco and challenged for the lead as they swept through the final turn .
But Authentic , who went off at 8-1 , held on to win ahead of the Barclay Tagg-trained Tiz the Law with 46-1 longshot Mr. Big News third .
Baffert tied Ben Jones for most Kentucky Derby wins for a trainer .
Just moments before the race , Baffert 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scratched after he reared in the paddock and fell .
Baffert said after the race that assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes had suffered a broken arm in the incident .
`` He 's in an ambulance , ” an emotional Baffert said .

Louisville (United States) (AFP) –
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Authentic held off heavily favored Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law to capture the 146th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, giving trainer Bob Baffert a record-equalling sixth win in the Run for the Roses.
Johnny Velazquez piloted Authentic to the victory at Churchill Downs, ensuring that a topsy-turvy Triple Crown year will not produce a 14th winner of US flat racing's coveted treble when it concludes with the Preakness Stakes on October 3.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, US racing's most prestigious event was held not on the first Saturday in May but on the first Saturday of September.
Instead of more than 100,000 spectators jammed into the grandstands and infield, no more than 1,000 essential personnel, owners and trainers were on hand.
Despite the lack of fans, there was a heavy police presence outside the racetrack as Black Lives Matter protesters and counter-protesters took to the streets of Louisville, where 26-year-old paramedic Breonna Taylor was killed in a police shooting in her own apartment in March.
Authentic, as expected, set the early pace under Velazquez, going early to the front from the 18th post.
Tiz the Law, who won the belated Triple Crown opener at Belmont on June 20 and went off as the prohibitive 3-5 favorite, settled into a comfortable fourth position under jockey Manny Franco and challenged for the lead as they swept through the final turn.
But Authentic, who went off at 8-1, held on to win ahead of the Barclay Tagg-trained Tiz the Law with 46-1 longshot Mr. Big News third.
Baffert tied Ben Jones for most Kentucky Derby wins for a trainer.
Just moments before the race, Baffert's other entry, Thousand Words, was scratched after he reared in the paddock and fell.
Baffert said after the race that assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes had suffered a broken arm in the incident.
"He's in an ambulance,” an emotional Baffert said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Im makes charge but Johnson leads PGA Tour Championship

South Korea 's Im Sung-jae birdied three of the last four holes but top-ranked Dustin Johnson clung to a one-stroke lead after Saturday 's second round of the US PGA Tour Championship .
Im fired a six-under par 64 to finish on 12-under but struggling Johnson , last in the field in driving accuracy after finding only 2-of-14 fairways , closed with a four-foot birdie putt to lead on 13-under after 36 holes at East Lake in Atlanta .
`` Tough one .
It was up and down .
Just did n't drive it straight enough , '' said Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I managed my game pretty well .
`` I could n't really attack the golf course being in the rough and in the bunkers .
I think I was everywhere today . ''
Im , 22 , would be the second-youngest FedEx Cup winner , two months older than Jordan Spieth when the American captured the 2015 crown .
Johnson scrambled to a 70 to hold off charging Im with American Xander Schauffele third on 11-under after a 65 and third-ranked American Justin Thomas fourth on 10-under .
`` The rough is thick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , '' Schauffele said .
Spain 's Jon Rahm , PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa and England 's Tyrrell Hatton shared fifth on 9-under in the season-ending showdown for a $ 15 million playoff prize .
Johnson matched his fewest fairways hit in a PGA round , managing only two also at the 2009 and 2011 Phoenix Open .
`` I need to drive it better over the weekend .
Frustrated with my tee balls , '' Johnson said .
`` If I want to win this golf tournament , I 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor execution .
trying to guide it down the fairways instead of swinging it . ''
Johnson began the week on 10-under by virtue of his season points lead with Rahm next on 8-under , third-ranked American Justin Thomas on 7-under and other rivals up to 10 strokes adrift in the staggered start system .
World number 27 Im , last season 's US PGA Rookie of the Year , began the event six strokes behind Johnson but charged with his third round of 65 of lower since the June PGA restart after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began day two level for the lead at 13-under and the American was solid early .
Johnson rolled in a 37-foot birdie putt at the third hole to seize the lead at 14-under , then sent his tee shot at four deep into the left rough only to blast out , wedge onto the green and sink a 31-foot par-saving putt .
Rahm dropped his approach inside 4 1/2 feet at the fifth and made the birdie putt to briefly share the lead , but Johnson sank a six-foot birdie putt at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Johnson 's roller-coaster finish to the front nine saw him miss the seventh fairway on the way to bogey , then blast out of a fairway bunker to 43 feet and hole the birdie effort only to find a bunker at the par-3 ninth and take another bogey .
Johnson sprayed a tee shot deep in the left rough at 12 , blasted from pine straw to deep greenside rough and made bogey .
Johnson had an 11-foot birdie putt at 14 roll around the edge and horseshoe out of the hole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front .
Rahm found water off the tee at the par-3 15th and made double bogey then took another bogey at 16 to fall back .
Johnson found a bunker at 15 and missed a 12-footer for par and , after Im had matched him for the lead , birdied the last to grab the lead .
After a run of three birdies and a bogey in four holes on the front side , Im opened the back nine with a five-foot birdie putt at the 10th .
Im dropped his approach inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the birdie putt , then put his approach at 16 inside three feet to set up another birdie to reach 11-under .
By the time he reached the par-5 18th green in two , Im was looking at a 30-foot eagle putt to seize the lead alone .
He rolled the putt three feet past the cup but made the birdie putt to briefly share the lead with Johnson .
Defending playoff champion McIlroy , who became a father Monday with the birth of daughter Poppy , fired a 71 in quest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in five seasons .
McIlroy , who shared eighth on eight-under with American Brendon Todd , has not managed a top-10 finish since the US PGA Tour returned from a three-month COVID-19 shutdown in June .

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South Korea's Im Sung-jae birdied three of the last four holes but top-ranked Dustin Johnson clung to a one-stroke lead after Saturday's second round of the US PGA Tour Championship.
Im fired a six-under par 64 to finish on 12-under but struggling Johnson, last in the field in driving accuracy after finding only 2-of-14 fairways, closed with a four-foot birdie putt to lead on 13-under after 36 holes at East Lake in Atlanta.
"Tough one. It was up and down. Just didn't drive it straight enough," said Johnson. "Everything else feels good. I managed my game pretty well.
"I couldn't really attack the golf course being in the rough and in the bunkers. I think I was everywhere today."
Im, 22, would be the second-youngest FedEx Cup winner, two months older than Jordan Spieth when the American captured the 2015 crown.
Johnson scrambled to a 70 to hold off charging Im with American Xander Schauffele third on 11-under after a 65 and third-ranked American Justin Thomas fourth on 10-under.
"The rough is thick and nastier than I've ever seen it," Schauffele said.
Spain's Jon Rahm, PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa and England's Tyrrell Hatton shared fifth on 9-under in the season-ending showdown for a $15 million playoff prize.
Johnson matched his fewest fairways hit in a PGA round, managing only two also at the 2009 and 2011 Phoenix Open.
"I need to drive it better over the weekend. Frustrated with my tee balls," Johnson said. "If I want to win this golf tournament, I've got to hit more fairways. Just poor execution. trying to guide it down the fairways instead of swinging it."
Johnson began the week on 10-under by virtue of his season points lead with Rahm next on 8-under, third-ranked American Justin Thomas on 7-under and other rivals up to 10 strokes adrift in the staggered start system.
World number 27 Im, last season's US PGA Rookie of the Year, began the event six strokes behind Johnson but charged with his third round of 65 of lower since the June PGA restart after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rahm and Johnson began day two level for the lead at 13-under and the American was solid early.
Johnson rolled in a 37-foot birdie putt at the third hole to seize the lead at 14-under, then sent his tee shot at four deep into the left rough only to blast out, wedge onto the green and sink a 31-foot par-saving putt.
Rahm dropped his approach inside 4 1/2 feet at the fifth and made the birdie putt to briefly share the lead, but Johnson sank a six-foot birdie putt at the par-5 sixth to reclaim the lead alone.
Johnson's roller-coaster finish to the front nine saw him miss the seventh fairway on the way to bogey, then blast out of a fairway bunker to 43 feet and hole the birdie effort only to find a bunker at the par-3 ninth and take another bogey.
Johnson sprayed a tee shot deep in the left rough at 12, blasted from pine straw to deep greenside rough and made bogey. Johnson had an 11-foot birdie putt at 14 roll around the edge and horseshoe out of the hole, settling for par to stay in front.
Rahm found water off the tee at the par-3 15th and made double bogey then took another bogey at 16 to fall back.
Johnson found a bunker at 15 and missed a 12-footer for par and, after Im had matched him for the lead, birdied the last to grab the lead.
- Im-pressive showing -
After a run of three birdies and a bogey in four holes on the front side, Im opened the back nine with a five-foot birdie putt at the 10th.
Im dropped his approach inside eight feet at the par-3 15th and made the birdie putt, then put his approach at 16 inside three feet to set up another birdie to reach 11-under.
By the time he reached the par-5 18th green in two, Im was looking at a 30-foot eagle putt to seize the lead alone. He rolled the putt three feet past the cup but made the birdie putt to briefly share the lead with Johnson.
Defending playoff champion McIlroy, who became a father Monday with the birth of daughter Poppy, fired a 71 in quest of his third US PGA playoff crown in five seasons.
McIlroy, who shared eighth on eight-under with American Brendon Todd, has not managed a top-10 finish since the US PGA Tour returned from a three-month COVID-19 shutdown in June.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Pironkova into US Open last 16 after Vekic upset

Unranked Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova extended her US Open giant-killing run on Saturday , scoring a second consecutive upset with a straight-sets defeat of 18th seed Donna Vekic .
Pironkova , who is playing her first tournament in three years , polished off Croatia 's Vekic 6-4 , 6-1 in just over an hour .
The 32-year-old , who had eliminated 10th seed Garbine Muguruza in the second round , will face either seventh seed Madison Keys or France 's Alize Cornet in the last 16 .
Pironkova 's run to the fourth round equals her best performance at the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 in 2012 , where she lost to Ana Ivanovic .
Pironkova only returned to tennis this season after taking a three-year break from the WTA Tour , during which she gave birth to her son .
Because of her long absence from the sport , and the disruption caused this season by the coronavirus pandemic , Pironkova does not have a world ranking .
Her last tournament appearance before this week 's event at Flushing Meadows came at Wimbledon in 2017 , when she exited in the second round .
Pironkova 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2010 , when she reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon .

New York (AFP) –
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Unranked Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova extended her US Open giant-killing run on Saturday, scoring a second consecutive upset with a straight-sets defeat of 18th seed Donna Vekic.
Pironkova, who is playing her first tournament in three years, polished off Croatia's Vekic 6-4, 6-1 in just over an hour.
The 32-year-old, who had eliminated 10th seed Garbine Muguruza in the second round, will face either seventh seed Madison Keys or France's Alize Cornet in the last 16.
Pironkova's run to the fourth round equals her best performance at the US Open, when she reached the last 16 in 2012, where she lost to Ana Ivanovic.
Pironkova only returned to tennis this season after taking a three-year break from the WTA Tour, during which she gave birth to her son.
Because of her long absence from the sport, and the disruption caused this season by the coronavirus pandemic, Pironkova does not have a world ranking.
Her last tournament appearance before this week's event at Flushing Meadows came at Wimbledon in 2017, when she exited in the second round.
Pironkova's best performance in a Grand Slam came in 2010, when she reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--European heavyweights enjoy winning starts in Nations League

European heavyweights England , world champions France , holders Portugal and Belgium all enjoyed winning starts to their UEFA Nations League campaigns on Saturday even if there were signs of international rust following the coronavirus shutdown .
England needed a stoppage-time penalty to beat Iceland 1-0 while France saw off Sweden by the same scoreline .
Portugal shrugged off the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo to thrash Croatia 4-1 with top-ranked Belgium coming away from Denmark with a 2-0 win .
In Reykjavik , Raheem Sterling 's last minute penalty salvaged England from another embarrassing result against Iceland .
Gareth Southgate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 men and seeing Birkir Bjarnason miss a late spot-kick for the hosts .
Four years on from one of English football 's most embarrassing nights in losing 2-1 to Iceland at Euro 2016 , England were far from the free-scoring force that romped through Euro 2020 qualifying in their first match for 10 months .
Harry Kane had an early goal wrongly ruled out for offside before Kyle Walker was sent-off for two bookable offences 20 minutes from time .
All of Iceland 's good defensive work was undone in the 89th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissed for a second booking when he blocked Sterling 's shot with his arm .
With Kane having been replaced by Mason Greenwood , Sterling took responsibility from spot , but the drama did not end there .
Straight from kick-off , Joe Gomez was adjudged to have bundled over Holmbert Fridjonsson inside the area , but Bjarnason blazed the resulting penalty over .
`` The sending off is a key moment because it is very difficult to win games of football when you go down to 10 men .
It was an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Walker 's dismissal .
- 'Got away with it ' - '' We leave here with the win but a bit flat because in the end it feels like we got away with it . ''
Kylian Mbappe scored with France 's only shot on goal in Solna to give the world champions a 1-0 victory over Sweden .
Mbappe picked up the ball wide of the goal in the 41st minute , squeezed past two defenders , waited for goalkeeper Robin Olsen to go down and then clipped the ball just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angles .
`` It was a committed match , not a great match , '' said France manager Didier Deschamps .
`` It was a good back-to-school game , considering the fitness levels . ''
In Porto , Cristiano Ronaldo was missing with an infected toe -- caused by a bee sting according to Italian media -- but Portugal were still too good for a disappointing Croatia .
Joao Cancelo , Diogo Jota , with his first international goal , Joao Felix and Andre Silva were all on target for Portugal who also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has been a long time since we all got together and some players came straight from their vacation , but the team responded well , '' said Felix .
Croatia were without Luca Modric and Ivan Rakitic who boast a total of 233 caps between them .
`` This was n't the Croatia I know .
We let them do whatever they wanted .
There was no aggression in our game -- it should have been 4-0 in the first half , '' said Croatia defender Dejan Lovren .
Belgium defeated Denmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a first home loss in four years and an opening defeat for new coach Kasper Hjulmand .
Belgium , without the retired Vincent Kompany and Kevin de Bruyne , who was attending the birth of his third child , were in front after just nine minutes .
Lyon defender Jason Denayer tucked away his first international goal from Dries Mertens ' free-kick .
Mertens added the second in the 77th minute when the Napoli striker pounced on a loose ball after Kasper Schmeichel had blocked a Youri Tielmans effort with his legs .

Paris (AFP) –
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European heavyweights England, world champions France, holders Portugal and Belgium all enjoyed winning starts to their UEFA Nations League campaigns on Saturday even if there were signs of international rust following the coronavirus shutdown.
England needed a stoppage-time penalty to beat Iceland 1-0 while France saw off Sweden by the same scoreline.
Portugal shrugged off the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo to thrash Croatia 4-1 with top-ranked Belgium coming away from Denmark with a 2-0 win.
In Reykjavik, Raheem Sterling's last minute penalty salvaged England from another embarrassing result against Iceland.
Gareth Southgate's men also survived going down to 10 men and seeing Birkir Bjarnason miss a late spot-kick for the hosts.
Four years on from one of English football's most embarrassing nights in losing 2-1 to Iceland at Euro 2016, England were far from the free-scoring force that romped through Euro 2020 qualifying in their first match for 10 months.
Harry Kane had an early goal wrongly ruled out for offside before Kyle Walker was sent-off for two bookable offences 20 minutes from time.
All of Iceland's good defensive work was undone in the 89th minute when Sverrir Ingason was also harshly dismissed for a second booking when he blocked Sterling's shot with his arm.
With Kane having been replaced by Mason Greenwood, Sterling took responsibility from spot, but the drama did not end there.
Straight from kick-off, Joe Gomez was adjudged to have bundled over Holmbert Fridjonsson inside the area, but Bjarnason blazed the resulting penalty over.
"The sending off is a key moment because it is very difficult to win games of football when you go down to 10 men. It was an unnecessary red card," said Southgate of Walker's dismissal.
- 'Got away with it' -
"We leave here with the win but a bit flat because in the end it feels like we got away with it."
Kylian Mbappe scored with France's only shot on goal in Solna to give the world champions a 1-0 victory over Sweden.
Mbappe picked up the ball wide of the goal in the 41st minute, squeezed past two defenders, waited for goalkeeper Robin Olsen to go down and then clipped the ball just inside the post from the narrowest of angles.
"It was a committed match, not a great match," said France manager Didier Deschamps. "It was a good back-to-school game, considering the fitness levels."
In Porto, Cristiano Ronaldo was missing with an infected toe -- caused by a bee sting according to Italian media -- but Portugal were still too good for a disappointing Croatia.
Joao Cancelo, Diogo Jota, with his first international goal, Joao Felix and Andre Silva were all on target for Portugal who also hit the woodwork three times.
"It has been a long time since we all got together and some players came straight from their vacation, but the team responded well," said Felix.
Croatia were without Luca Modric and Ivan Rakitic who boast a total of 233 caps between them.
- 'Not Croatia I know' -
Bruno Petkovic grabbed a stoppage-time consolation for the visitors.
"This wasn't the Croatia I know. We let them do whatever they wanted. There was no aggression in our game -- it should have been 4-0 in the first half," said Croatia defender Dejan Lovren.
Belgium defeated Denmark 2-0 in Copenhagen, handing the Danes a first home loss in four years and an opening defeat for new coach Kasper Hjulmand.
Belgium, without the retired Vincent Kompany and Kevin de Bruyne, who was attending the birth of his third child, were in front after just nine minutes.
Lyon defender Jason Denayer tucked away his first international goal from Dries Mertens' free-kick.
Mertens added the second in the 77th minute when the Napoli striker pounced on a loose ball after Kasper Schmeichel had blocked a Youri Tielmans effort with his legs.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Moment of Mbappe brilliance gives France victory in Sweden

Kylian Mbappe scored with France 's only shot on goal on Saturday in Solna to give the world champions a 1-0 victory over Sweden in the opening round of matches in the Nations League .
Mbappe picked up the ball wide of the goal in the 41st minute , squeezed past two defenders , waited for goalkeeper Robin Olsen to go down and then clipped the ball just inside the post from the narrowest of angles .
The strike was enough to give France victory in a cagey opener in Group 3 of the elite League A in the competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target in the 90 minutes , though one of those was a deflection off French defender Dayot Upemecano that Hugo Lloris had to save .
Antoine Griezmann had a chance to double the French lead with the last kick of the game after Anthony Martial was fouled in the box , but the Barcelona attacker blasted the penalty high .
For France 's first match since they beat Albania last November , manager Didier Deschamps recalled Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot for his first appearance since he refused to serve as a standby for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Croatia in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris on Tuesday while Sweden take on the fourth team in the group , Portugal , winners of the inaugural Nations League , in Solna .

Solna (Sweden) (AFP) –
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Kylian Mbappe scored with France's only shot on goal on Saturday in Solna to give the world champions a 1-0 victory over Sweden in the opening round of matches in the Nations League.
Mbappe picked up the ball wide of the goal in the 41st minute, squeezed past two defenders, waited for goalkeeper Robin Olsen to go down and then clipped the ball just inside the post from the narrowest of angles.
The strike was enough to give France victory in a cagey opener in Group 3 of the elite League A in the competition.
Sweden managed just three strikes on target in the 90 minutes, though one of those was a deflection off French defender Dayot Upemecano that Hugo Lloris had to save.
Antoine Griezmann had a chance to double the French lead with the last kick of the game after Anthony Martial was fouled in the box, but the Barcelona attacker blasted the penalty high.
For France's first match since they beat Albania last November, manager Didier Deschamps recalled Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot for his first appearance since he refused to serve as a standby for the 2018 World Cup.
France face Croatia in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris on Tuesday while Sweden take on the fourth team in the group, Portugal, winners of the inaugural Nations League, in Solna.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-05--Williams rallies to move into last 16 of US Open

Serena Williams overcame an early scare to defeat fellow American Sloane Stephens and move into the last 16 of the US Open on Saturday .
Williams , the third seed , lost the first set convincingly before rallying to dominate the next two , triumphing 2-6 , 6-2 , 6-2 inside a near empty Arthur Ashe Stadium .
`` It was intense , I have to say .
We always have some really incredible matches and it brings out the best of my fitness when I play Sloane , '' said Williams .
Stephens , the 26th seed and 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2013 Australian Open during her sensational run to the semi-finals as a 19-year-old .
And after dropping the opening set , Williams feared that she was about to fall victim to a major upset again .
`` In that first set I do n't think she made any errors , honestly .
She was just playing so clean and I just said , ' I do n't want to lose in straight sets . '
`` Next thing I know , I won the second set and I was like , 'Okay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 38-year-old , gunning for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title , will play Greece 's 15th seed Maria Sakkari for a place in the quarter-finals .
Sakkari stunned Williams in three sets at the Western & Southern Open , a US Open tuneup , in New York last week .
With spectators barred from this year 's Flushing Meadows event due to the coronavirus pandemic , several top players took advantage of suites they have been assigned to watch two of their rivals in action .
Sofia Kenin and Naomi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectively -- took in the three-setter , as did fifth seed in the men 's draw , German Alexander Zverev , who could be seen munching on sushi .
The opportunity to watch some tennis is a rare perk this Grand Slam for competitors who would normally be swamped by fans if they appeared in the stands .
`` Usually it 's impossible to watch a match in a kind of peace , '' explained Williams .
So it 's cool us players can watch each other .
It 's interesting , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few onlookers was Williams ' three-year-old daughter who was filmed clapping approvingly at one point .
`` I hope she say her mama fighting , '' said Williams , before adding , `` I do n't think she was paying attention .
She may have been playing with some princesses upstairs . ''
It has been more than three years since Williams won her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open -- when she was already pregnant with Olympia .
Williams has come close since , reaching four major finals only @ @ @ @ @ @

New York (AFP) –
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Serena Williams overcame an early scare to defeat fellow American Sloane Stephens and move into the last 16 of the US Open on Saturday.
Williams, the third seed, lost the first set convincingly before rallying to dominate the next two, triumphing 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 inside a near empty Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"It was intense, I have to say. We always have some really incredible matches and it brings out the best of my fitness when I play Sloane," said Williams.
Stephens, the 26th seed and 2017 US Open champion dumped Williams out of the 2013 Australian Open during her sensational run to the semi-finals as a 19-year-old.
And after dropping the opening set, Williams feared that she was about to fall victim to a major upset again.
"In that first set I don't think she made any errors, honestly. She was just playing so clean and I just said, 'I don't want to lose in straight sets.'
"Next thing I know, I won the second set and I was like, 'Okay, great,'" Williams added.
The 38-year-old, gunning for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title, will play Greece's 15th seed Maria Sakkari for a place in the quarter-finals.
Sakkari stunned Williams in three sets at the Western & Southern Open, a US Open tuneup, in New York last week.
With spectators barred from this year's Flushing Meadows event due to the coronavirus pandemic, several top players took advantage of suites they have been assigned to watch two of their rivals in action.
Sofia Kenin and Naomi Osaka -- the second and fourth seeds respectively -- took in the three-setter, as did fifth seed in the men's draw, German Alexander Zverev, who could be seen munching on sushi.
The opportunity to watch some tennis is a rare perk this Grand Slam for competitors who would normally be swamped by fans if they appeared in the stands.
"Usually it's impossible to watch a match in a kind of peace," explained Williams. So it's cool us players can watch each other. It's interesting, I like it."
Also among the few onlookers was Williams' three-year-old daughter who was filmed clapping approvingly at one point.
"I hope she say her mama fighting," said Williams, before adding, "I don't think she was paying attention. She may have been playing with some princesses upstairs."
It has been more than three years since Williams won her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open -- when she was already pregnant with Olympia.
Williams has come close since, reaching four major finals only to come away empty handed.
© 2020 AFP