france24--2020-10-20--'Better than last time' - Solskjaer delight as Man Utd repeat PSG feat

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for his `` excellent '' Manchester United side on Tuesday after Marcus Rashford 's late strike saw them win at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League for the second time in three seasons .
`` The performance was good and we deserved to win it .
It was a better performance than last time and it shows how we have developed , '' Solskjaer said following the 2-1 victory at the Parc des Princes in the Group H opener .
Rashford 's 87th-minute effort decided the encounter in United 's favour after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bruno Fernandes 's opening goal from the penalty spot in the first half .
It was a stunning three points for the Premier League side away to last season 's runners-up , and Solskjaer was delighted with the way his defence largely kept quiet PSG 's attacking trio of Neymar , Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria .
`` We played against a fantastic team , and we have to defend well .
The players have the keys .
I do n't think there is any secret , we need to play well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
The Norwegian had elected to hand a debut at left-back to recent recruit Alex Telles and play with Luke Shaw and Axel Tuanzebe in a three-man central defence .
It was the latter 's first start of 2020 .
`` We know Axel 's qualities , he 's a top defender .
His first game in 10 months which is testament to the defender he is , '' Solskjaer told BT Sport .
The United boss also praised Rashford , whose dramatic last-gasp penalty at the same end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 16 in March 2019 .
Solskjaer joked the striker `` likes that side of the stadium . ''
In a difficult group , they next face RB Leipzig at home next week , with the Germans fresh from beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 on Tuesday .
After that they have a double-header against the Turkish champions with PSG still to come to Old Trafford in December .
`` We know that to get through you probably need 10 points , '' Solskjaer said .
`` We only have three so Leipzig is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then Arsenal after ( Leipzig ) so there are so many games .
I am happy to have so many good players to pick from . ''

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for his "excellent" Manchester United side on Tuesday after Marcus Rashford's late strike saw them win at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
"The performance was good and we deserved to win it. It was a better performance than last time and it shows how we have developed," Solskjaer said following the 2-1 victory at the Parc des Princes in the Group H opener.
Rashford's 87th-minute effort decided the encounter in United's favour after an Anthony Martial own goal had cancelled out Bruno Fernandes's opening goal from the penalty spot in the first half.
It was a stunning three points for the Premier League side away to last season's runners-up, and Solskjaer was delighted with the way his defence largely kept quiet PSG's attacking trio of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria.
"We played against a fantastic team, and we have to defend well. The players have the keys. I don't think there is any secret, we need to play well and defend well to win against PSG," he said.
The Norwegian had elected to hand a debut at left-back to recent recruit Alex Telles and play with Luke Shaw and Axel Tuanzebe in a three-man central defence. It was the latter's first start of 2020.
"We know Axel's qualities, he's a top defender. His first game in 10 months which is testament to the defender he is," Solskjaer told BT Sport.
The United boss also praised Rashford, whose dramatic last-gasp penalty at the same end had given them victory here in the last 16 in March 2019. Solskjaer joked the striker "likes that side of the stadium."
In a difficult group, they next face RB Leipzig at home next week, with the Germans fresh from beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 on Tuesday.
After that they have a double-header against the Turkish champions with PSG still to come to Old Trafford in December.
"We know that to get through you probably need 10 points," Solskjaer said.
"We only have three so Leipzig is a big game but we have Chelsea next then Arsenal after (Leipzig) so there are so many games. I am happy to have so many good players to pick from."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-20--Rashford strikes late again as Man Utd beat PSG in Champions League opener

Marcus Rashford 's late goal gave Manchester United a 2-1 win away at Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League Group H opener on Tuesday Marcus Rashford produced another late strike to sink Paris Saint-Germain as Manchester United beat last season 's runners-up 2-1 at the Parc des Princes in their Champions League group-stage opener on Tuesday .
The England striker , whose last-gasp penalty gave United a stunning victory over PSG here in the last 16 in 2019 , smashed home in the 87th minute as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side claimed a well-deserved three points in Group H. '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
As a striker when it 's late on , that 's your mindset , you might only get one chance and you have to do your best to make it happen , '' Rashford told BT Sport after repeating his heroics of two seasons ago .
United had taken a first-half lead behind closed doors in Paris courtesy of a retaken Bruno Fernandes penalty after their captain for the match had initially missed .
But it looked as though PSG would escape with a draw despite a poor performance when Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own net 10 minutes after the restart in this Group H encounter .
It is another fine result for Solskjaer , who was handed the United manager 's job on a permanent basis on the back of that victory here in March 2019 and has now seen his side bounce back in style from an embarrassing 6-1 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur just before the recent international break .
`` It 's a different feeling , it 's the start of the group stages , but we still win against a fantastic team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last time it was a knockout tie and the euphoria was different .
Now there is no fans , it 's sterile , there is no one here to celebrate with , but the players were excellent . ''
Solskjaer had again left Paul Pogba on the bench at kick-off , just like in Saturday 's 4-1 Premier League win at Newcastle United , and the Norwegian 's decision to start with three centre-backs also paid off .
Axel Tuanzebe came into the defence for his first start in 10 months with Harry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debut as a left wing-back for Alex Telles following the Brazilian 's arrival from Porto .
PSG looked out of sorts , perhaps struggling more than their visitors to adapt to the bizarre experience of playing such a game without fans .
In different times the Parc des Princes would have been buzzing with anticipation ahead of the first game of another Champions League campaign , under the lights .
Instead it was empty , the 9:00 pm local time kick-off coinciding with the start of the nighttime curfew recently introduced in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow the spread of the coronavirus .
PSG had been hoping to get off to a winning start to their latest bid to win this competition , two months after Thomas Tuchel 's side lost to Bayern Munich in the final .
`` It was a performance without intensity , without aggression .
It was honestly a bit bizarre , '' said Tuchel , whose side have games against RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir to come next .
`` We knew we were in a difficult group and it is going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead in the 23rd minute from a spot-kick awarded after Martial was fouled by Abdou Diallo .
Having missed a penalty at Newcastle , Fernandes this time saw his kick stopped by Keylor Navas .
However , the Costa Rican was off his line when he made the save so referee Mateu Lahoz ordered a retake .
Fernandes kept his nerve to score second time around .
PSG had come close to taking an early lead through Angel Di Maria but they looked off colour and missed Marquinhos and Marco Verratti .
Tuchel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Moise Kean and changing formation .
And after a fantastic David De Gea save from Kylian Mbappe and a Layvin Kurzawa cross that landed on the crossbar , they equalised as Martial diverted Neymar 's corner into the net .
Pogba then came on , and Rashford was twice denied by Navas before eventually finding the net .
The result sets United up nicely for next week 's home clash with RB Leipzig , who beat Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 on Tuesday .

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Marcus Rashford produced another late strike to sink Paris Saint-Germain as Manchester United beat last season's runners-up 2-1 at the Parc des Princes in their Champions League group-stage opener on Tuesday.
The England striker, whose last-gasp penalty gave United a stunning victory over PSG here in the last 16 in 2019, smashed home in the 87th minute as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side claimed a well-deserved three points in Group H.
"They were both opportunities to win the game. As a striker when it's late on, that's your mindset, you might only get one chance and you have to do your best to make it happen," Rashford told BT Sport after repeating his heroics of two seasons ago.
United had taken a first-half lead behind closed doors in Paris courtesy of a retaken Bruno Fernandes penalty after their captain for the match had initially missed.
But it looked as though PSG would escape with a draw despite a poor performance when Anthony Martial headed a Neymar corner into his own net 10 minutes after the restart in this Group H encounter.
It is another fine result for Solskjaer, who was handed the United manager's job on a permanent basis on the back of that victory here in March 2019 and has now seen his side bounce back in style from an embarrassing 6-1 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur just before the recent international break.
"It's a different feeling, it's the start of the group stages, but we still win against a fantastic team," Solskjaer said.
"The last time it was a knockout tie and the euphoria was different. Now there is no fans, it's sterile, there is no one here to celebrate with, but the players were excellent."
Solskjaer had again left Paul Pogba on the bench at kick-off, just like in Saturday's 4-1 Premier League win at Newcastle United, and the Norwegian's decision to start with three centre-backs also paid off.
Axel Tuanzebe came into the defence for his first start in 10 months with Harry Maguire missing, while there was a debut as a left wing-back for Alex Telles following the Brazilian's arrival from Porto.
- PSG off colour -
PSG looked out of sorts, perhaps struggling more than their visitors to adapt to the bizarre experience of playing such a game without fans.
In different times the Parc des Princes would have been buzzing with anticipation ahead of the first game of another Champions League campaign, under the lights.
Instead it was empty, the 9:00 pm local time kick-off coinciding with the start of the nighttime curfew recently introduced in the French capital as part of attempts to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
PSG had been hoping to get off to a winning start to their latest bid to win this competition, two months after Thomas Tuchel's side lost to Bayern Munich in the final.
"It was a performance without intensity, without aggression. It was honestly a bit bizarre," said Tuchel, whose side have games against RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir to come next.
"We knew we were in a difficult group and it is going to be even harder now."
United went ahead in the 23rd minute from a spot-kick awarded after Martial was fouled by Abdou Diallo.
Having missed a penalty at Newcastle, Fernandes this time saw his kick stopped by Keylor Navas.
However, the Costa Rican was off his line when he made the save so referee Mateu Lahoz ordered a retake. Fernandes kept his nerve to score second time around.
PSG had come close to taking an early lead through Angel Di Maria but they looked off colour and missed Marquinhos and Marco Verratti.
Tuchel therefore changed things at half-time, sending on Moise Kean and changing formation.
And after a fantastic David De Gea save from Kylian Mbappe and a Layvin Kurzawa cross that landed on the crossbar, they equalised as Martial diverted Neymar's corner into the net.
Pogba then came on, and Rashford was twice denied by Navas before eventually finding the net.
The result sets United up nicely for next week's home clash with RB Leipzig, who beat Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 on Tuesday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-20--Rashford sinks PSG again as Koeman's Barca send message

Marcus Rashford again scored the crucial goal as Manchester United beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Marcus Rashford once again sank Paris Saint-Germain after netting the decisive goal in a 2-1 Champions League win in the French capital , while Barcelona sent a message with a thumping 5-1 victory over Ferencvaros .
Rashford , who scored the winning spot-kick when United knocked PSG out in 2019 , drilled home a low shot three minutes from the end which won a thrilling Group H contest at a near-empty Parc des Princes .
United had taken the lead in the 23rd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spot at the second attempt , but Anthony Martial inexplicably headed Neymar 's corner into his own net 10 minutes after the break .
The rest of the match was an end-to-end affair with both sides opting to go for the win rather than hold on for the draw , and Rashford took the points after twice being denied by Keylor Navas earlier in the match .
`` Of course it 's a nice feeling .
More importantly we win the game and we 're in a strong position now in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's the first game , the concentration and intensity we showed today we have to take forward in the next games in the Premier League . ''
The win sets United up nicely for next week 's home clash with RB Leipzig , who are top of the group after beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 in Germany .
Ronald Koeman got his first Champions League campaign as Barcelona coach off to a winning start with a confident win over Ferencvaros .
The Hungarians , the first team from their country to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , started brightly and even had the ball in the net via Tokmac Nguen only for the powerful 12th-minute strike to be ruled out for offside .
Messi won and converted the penalty to give the Catalans a 27th-minute lead and the match was as good as done when Ansu Fati clipped home Frenkie de Jong 's sumptuous pass just before the break .
Philippe Coutinho lashed home the third before Ihor Kharatin pulled one back from the penalty spot after Gerard Pique was sent off for pulling back Nguen as he charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means he will miss next week 's game away at Juventus , a greater test of Barca 's capabilities .
Pedri and Ousmane Dembele finished the scoring for the 10-man hosts as they took control of Group G , finishing the opening round top but level on points with Juve .
Andrea Pirlo 's side looked comfortable in their 2-0 win at Dynamo Kiev in what was the Juve coach 's first ever Champions League match in the dugout , with Alvaro Morata scoring twice to take the points for the Italians .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Ciro Immobile got revenge on his old club Borussia Dortmund by scoring in Lazio 's 3-1 win over the Bundesliga club in Rome , their first Champions League match in 13 years .
Immobile managed just three goals in 24 Bundesliga games for Dortmund in 2014/15 , but last season 's European Golden Shoe winner outshone Dortmund 's star forward Erling Braut Haaland by netting the opening goal for the hosts after just six minutes .
Lazio went two ahead midway through the first half thanks to Marwin Hitz deflected Luis Alberto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Haaland pulled one back with a thumping finish but Immobile laid on an easy finish for Akpa Akpro to hand Lazio a big win .
Simone Inzaghi 's are level on three points with Club Brugge in Group F following their dramatic 2-1 win at Zenit Saint Petersburg earned thanks to Charles De Ketelaere 93rd minute winner .
Chelsea are still waiting for a £220 million ( $ 284 million ) spending spree to pay off they began their campaign with an uninspiring 0-0 Group E draw with Sevilla at Stamford Bridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of their opening six games of the season and the only consolation of a cagey encounter for Lampard was a rare clean sheet .
All four sides in the group are on a single point after Rennes drew 1-1 with Krasnodar in their first ever Champions League match in front of 5,000 passionate fans in Brittany .
Sehrou Guirassy gave those supporters hopes of a dream start when he opened the scoring from the penalty spot 10 minutes after the break .
However Cristian Ramirez levelled almost instantly with a powerful drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian side .

Paris (AFP) –
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Marcus Rashford once again sank Paris Saint-Germain after netting the decisive goal in a 2-1 Champions League win in the French capital, while Barcelona sent a message with a thumping 5-1 victory over Ferencvaros.
Rashford, who scored the winning spot-kick when United knocked PSG out in 2019, drilled home a low shot three minutes from the end which won a thrilling Group H contest at a near-empty Parc des Princes.
United had taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Bruno Fernandes slotted home from the spot at the second attempt, but Anthony Martial inexplicably headed Neymar's corner into his own net 10 minutes after the break.
The rest of the match was an end-to-end affair with both sides opting to go for the win rather than hold on for the draw, and Rashford took the points after twice being denied by Keylor Navas earlier in the match.
"Of course it's a nice feeling. More importantly we win the game and we're in a strong position now in the group," Rashford told BT Sport.
"It's the first game, the concentration and intensity we showed today we have to take forward in the next games in the Premier League."
The win sets United up nicely for next week's home clash with RB Leipzig, who are top of the group after beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 in Germany.
Ronald Koeman got his first Champions League campaign as Barcelona coach off to a winning start with a confident win over Ferencvaros.
The Hungarians, the first team from their country to make the group stage in 11 years, started brightly and even had the ball in the net via Tokmac Nguen only for the powerful 12th-minute strike to be ruled out for offside.
Messi won and converted the penalty to give the Catalans a 27th-minute lead and the match was as good as done when Ansu Fati clipped home Frenkie de Jong's sumptuous pass just before the break.
Philippe Coutinho lashed home the third before Ihor Kharatin pulled one back from the penalty spot after Gerard Pique was sent off for pulling back Nguen as he charged towards goal.
Pique's red card means he will miss next week's game away at Juventus, a greater test of Barca's capabilities.
Pedri and Ousmane Dembele finished the scoring for the 10-man hosts as they took control of Group G, finishing the opening round top but level on points with Juve.
- Immobile downs Dortmund -
Andrea Pirlo's side looked comfortable in their 2-0 win at Dynamo Kiev in what was the Juve coach's first ever Champions League match in the dugout, with Alvaro Morata scoring twice to take the points for the Italians.
It was a good night for Italy as Ciro Immobile got revenge on his old club Borussia Dortmund by scoring in Lazio's 3-1 win over the Bundesliga club in Rome, their first Champions League match in 13 years.
Immobile managed just three goals in 24 Bundesliga games for Dortmund in 2014/15, but last season's European Golden Shoe winner outshone Dortmund's star forward Erling Braut Haaland by netting the opening goal for the hosts after just six minutes.
Lazio went two ahead midway through the first half thanks to Marwin Hitz deflected Luis Alberto's whipped corner into his own goal.
Haaland pulled one back with a thumping finish but Immobile laid on an easy finish for Akpa Akpro to hand Lazio a big win.
Simone Inzaghi's are level on three points with Club Brugge in Group F following their dramatic 2-1 win at Zenit Saint Petersburg earned thanks to Charles De Ketelaere 93rd minute winner.
Chelsea are still waiting for a £220 million ($284 million) spending spree to pay off they began their campaign with an uninspiring 0-0 Group E draw with Sevilla at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have now won just two of their opening six games of the season and the only consolation of a cagey encounter for Lampard was a rare clean sheet.
All four sides in the group are on a single point after Rennes drew 1-1 with Krasnodar in their first ever Champions League match in front of 5,000 passionate fans in Brittany.
Sehrou Guirassy gave those supporters hopes of a dream start when he opened the scoring from the penalty spot 10 minutes after the break.
However Cristian Ramirez levelled almost instantly with a powerful drive to secure a good draw for the Russian side.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-20--Hungary's Orban under fire as virus second wave bites

Hungary had relatively low numbers of infections and deaths in the first wave As the second coronavirus wave bites , Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban -- who shut the borders in September -- is holding back on tougher measures such as a lockdown , despite growing criticism of his response .
During the first wave , the Central European EU member had relatively low numbers of infections and deaths from the virus compared with most European countries .
But in October more Hungarians have died than in the previous four months put together .
And seven-day rolling average data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ECDC ) show that on October 19 Hungary had the third-highest Covid-19 death rate per million in the bloc -- behind the Czech Republic and Romania .
A shift in government policy as well as a complacent population are to blame , according to experts .
`` After the initial fright , a second wave did not provoke fear in the population , so we were much less disciplined , '' a Budapest medical university chief , Bela Merkely , told local media last week .
Orban 's critics say the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough on issues such as mask wearing , avoiding large gatherings and travel abroad .
One minister was spotted on a yacht in Croatia while the ruling Fidesz party 's spokesman caught the virus at a large summer party he hosted .
Justice Minister Judit Varga announced on Facebook late Tuesday that she had joined the growing ranks of Hungarians who have tested positive for Covid-19 .
Orban has blamed the start of the second wave on foreigners -- repeating a narrative from March when Iranian students accounted for the first reported infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few exemptions , non-residents were banned from entry into Hungary to `` cut the transmission line '' , said the nationalist premier .
But just weeks later thousands of German and Spanish fans travelled to Budapest for UEFA 's Super Cup , the organisers calling it a `` pilot '' to test protocols for letting fans back into stadia .
Despite accusations of chaotic handling of the pandemic , Orban has held out against tougher restrictions , in contrast to March and April when he imposed a swift lockdown and a state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an authoritarian power grab , but the legislation was revoked by June and restrictions eased .
`` People want Hungary to continue to function , the economy as well as lives must be protected , '' Orban said last month after a `` national consultation '' survey .
Such consultations , a tool favoured by the Hungarian government , have been criticised for being opaque in their methodology .
Hungarian GDP in the second quarter fell by 13.6 percent , the worst result among the Visegrad countries ( Czech Republic , Hungary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orban realises that if the economy collapses , that could cost him the next elections '' in 2022 , opposition politician Akos Hadhazy told AFP .
Thanks to the consultation , which revealed a reluctance to wear masks or accept lockdowns , Orban can attempt to `` wash his hands '' of any health fallout , Hadhazy added .
Orban insists the hospitals , which were ordered to discharge many non-Covid patients in the spring , are prepared for a surge in admissions .
Some 16,000 ventilators have been bought in and doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salary , their biggest pay-hike since 1990 .
But that rise was attached to mandatory relocation to other hospitals and fresh conditions on private work -- leading the Hungarian Chamber of Doctors to worry it could actually worsen the long-standing brain drain of medical professionals to other parts of Europe .
Teachers have also expressed rising concern since schools reopened last month .
More than six out of 10 teachers fear catching the virus , according to a survey by the PDSZ teachers ' union last week .
The union cited dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work despite infected children with light symptoms in classes .
`` Neither contacts nor teachers are separated , nor are parents or teachers informed , '' it said .
Over the summer , the authorities failed to build up either rapid and widely available testing capacity or efficient contact tracing systems , said former Chief Medical Officer Ferenc Falus .
In the EU , only Bulgaria is carrying out fewer tests per 1,000 people than Hungary , according to ECDC data .
`` The infection case statistics bear little relation to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AFP on condition of anonymity .
This month the number in compulsory home quarantine has been less than the number of active infection cases .
`` Keeping Hungary 's borders closed will soon be about protecting foreigners from Hungarians , not the other way around , '' said Falus .

Budapest (AFP) –
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As the second coronavirus wave bites, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban -- who shut the borders in September -- is holding back on tougher measures such as a lockdown, despite growing criticism of his response.
During the first wave, the Central European EU member had relatively low numbers of infections and deaths from the virus compared with most European countries.
But in October more Hungarians have died than in the previous four months put together.
And seven-day rolling average data from the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) show that on October 19 Hungary had the third-highest Covid-19 death rate per million in the bloc -- behind the Czech Republic and Romania.
A shift in government policy as well as a complacent population are to blame, according to experts.
"After the initial fright, a second wave did not provoke fear in the population, so we were much less disciplined," a Budapest medical university chief, Bela Merkely, told local media last week.
Orban's critics say the government's messaging over the summer was not strict enough on issues such as mask wearing, avoiding large gatherings and travel abroad.
One minister was spotted on a yacht in Croatia while the ruling Fidesz party's spokesman caught the virus at a large summer party he hosted.
Justice Minister Judit Varga announced on Facebook late Tuesday that she had joined the growing ranks of Hungarians who have tested positive for Covid-19.
Orban has blamed the start of the second wave on foreigners -- repeating a narrative from March when Iranian students accounted for the first reported infections.
From September 1, with a few exemptions, non-residents were banned from entry into Hungary to "cut the transmission line", said the nationalist premier.
But just weeks later thousands of German and Spanish fans travelled to Budapest for UEFA's Super Cup, the organisers calling it a "pilot" to test protocols for letting fans back into stadia.
- Different approach -
Despite accusations of chaotic handling of the pandemic, Orban has held out against tougher restrictions, in contrast to March and April when he imposed a swift lockdown and a state of emergency.
That move sparked fears of an authoritarian power grab, but the legislation was revoked by June and restrictions eased.
"People want Hungary to continue to function, the economy as well as lives must be protected," Orban said last month after a "national consultation" survey.
Such consultations, a tool favoured by the Hungarian government, have been criticised for being opaque in their methodology.
Hungarian GDP in the second quarter fell by 13.6 percent, the worst result among the Visegrad countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia).
"Orban realises that if the economy collapses, that could cost him the next elections" in 2022, opposition politician Akos Hadhazy told AFP.
Thanks to the consultation, which revealed a reluctance to wear masks or accept lockdowns, Orban can attempt to "wash his hands" of any health fallout, Hadhazy added.
Orban insists the hospitals, which were ordered to discharge many non-Covid patients in the spring, are prepared for a surge in admissions.
Some 16,000 ventilators have been bought in and doctors have been offered a doubling of their salary, their biggest pay-hike since 1990.
But that rise was attached to mandatory relocation to other hospitals and fresh conditions on private work -- leading the Hungarian Chamber of Doctors to worry it could actually worsen the long-standing brain drain of medical professionals to other parts of Europe.
- 'Little relation to reality' -
Teachers have also expressed rising concern since schools reopened last month.
More than six out of 10 teachers fear catching the virus, according to a survey by the PDSZ teachers' union last week.
The union cited dozens of examples of teachers who reported being obliged to work despite infected children with light symptoms in classes.
"Neither contacts nor teachers are separated, nor are parents or teachers informed," it said.
Over the summer, the authorities failed to build up either rapid and widely available testing capacity or efficient contact tracing systems, said former Chief Medical Officer Ferenc Falus.
In the EU, only Bulgaria is carrying out fewer tests per 1,000 people than Hungary, according to ECDC data.
"The infection case statistics bear little relation to the reality," one Budapest-based doctor told AFP on condition of anonymity.
This month the number in compulsory home quarantine has been less than the number of active infection cases.
"Keeping Hungary's borders closed will soon be about protecting foreigners from Hungarians, not the other way around," said Falus.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-20--Immobile's Lazio shock Dortmund on Champions League return

Ciro Immobile scored early against his former club as Lazio marked their return to the Champions League after a 13-year absence with a 3-1 Group F win over Borussia Dortmund .
Italy 's Immobile beat Marwin Hitz in the Dortmund goal after six minutes in Rome , with a deflection off the Germans ' keeper responsible for the hosts ' second goal .
Norway star Erling Braut Haaland pulled a goal back after 71 minutes but Immobile set up Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro for the third five minutes later in front of a crowd of 1,000 at the Stadio Olimpico .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's side who are now top in a group which also includes Zenit and Club Brugge .
`` It was an incredible emotion to bring this club and this shirt back to the Champions League , '' said Immobile , last season 's Serie A top scorer with 36 goals .
The capital city club have experienced a stuttering start to their league season with just one win in four games , and a 3-0 defeat to Sampdoria last weekend .
`` There was an extra flavour and we are satisfied because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued Immobile .
`` We met a strong team , it was a difficult match but we needed a game like this to give us a psychological boost , after the game against Sampdoria , to be able to have our say among the great in Europe and also in the league . ''
Immobile and Joaquin Correa started up front with Hitz replacing Roman Buerki in the Dortmund goal and Haaland leading Bundesliga outfit 's attack .
Luiz Felipe returned for Lazio after a month out with an ankle problem , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lazio pounced on their first chance with Thomas Meunier losing the ball to Lucas Leiva who crossed for Correa to serve up Immobile for his fifth Champions League goal and first since playing for Dortmund in December 2014 .
Thomas Strakosha stuck out his leg to block Raphael Guerreiro in Dortmund 's first chance after 21 minutes .
But Inzaghi 's men doubled their lead after 23 minutes when a Luiz Felipe effort was deflected in off Hitz 's head .
Haaland revived hopes of a German fightback , only for Luis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lay it on for Akpa Akpro for the third goal .

Rome (AFP) –
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Ciro Immobile scored early against his former club as Lazio marked their return to the Champions League after a 13-year absence with a 3-1 Group F win over Borussia Dortmund.
Italy's Immobile beat Marwin Hitz in the Dortmund goal after six minutes in Rome, with a deflection off the Germans' keeper responsible for the hosts' second goal.
Norway star Erling Braut Haaland pulled a goal back after 71 minutes but Immobile set up Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro for the third five minutes later in front of a crowd of 1,000 at the Stadio Olimpico.
It was a welcome boost for Simon Inzaghi's side who are now top in a group which also includes Zenit and Club Brugge.
"It was an incredible emotion to bring this club and this shirt back to the Champions League," said Immobile, last season's Serie A top scorer with 36 goals.
The capital city club have experienced a stuttering start to their league season with just one win in four games, and a 3-0 defeat to Sampdoria last weekend.
"There was an extra flavour and we are satisfied because the match was played to perfection," continued Immobile.
"We met a strong team, it was a difficult match but we needed a game like this to give us a psychological boost, after the game against Sampdoria, to be able to have our say among the great in Europe and also in the league."
Immobile and Joaquin Correa started up front with Hitz replacing Roman Buerki in the Dortmund goal and Haaland leading Bundesliga outfit's attack.
Luiz Felipe returned for Lazio after a month out with an ankle problem, with Emre Can suspended for the away side.
Lazio pounced on their first chance with Thomas Meunier losing the ball to Lucas Leiva who crossed for Correa to serve up Immobile for his fifth Champions League goal and first since playing for Dortmund in December 2014.
Thomas Strakosha stuck out his leg to block Raphael Guerreiro in Dortmund's first chance after 21 minutes.
But Inzaghi's men doubled their lead after 23 minutes when a Luiz Felipe effort was deflected in off Hitz's head.
Haaland revived hopes of a German fightback, only for Luis Alberto to send through for Immobile to lay it on for Akpa Akpro for the third goal.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-20--Barcelona start afresh with five-goal rout of Ferencvaros

Lionel Messi scored Barcelona 's first goal against Ferencvaros on Tuesday in the Champions League .
Barcelona exorcised some of their Champions League demons by thrashing Hungarian minnows Ferencvaros 5-1 on Tuesday , in their first European game since last season 's humiliation by Bayern Munich .
Lionel Messi won and then scored a penalty before the 17-year-old Ansu Fati contributed to two brilliant goals , volleying in one for himself and then setting up another for Philippe Coutinho .
Barca 's defensive frailties were never far away at Camp Nou and Gerard Pique was sent off before the hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the penalty area .
Ihor Kharatin converted the spot-kick but late goals from Pedri and Ousamane Dembele ended any hopes of a comeback and gave Barcelona some much-needed momentum ahead of Saturday 's Clasico in La Liga against Real Madrid .
A big win also puts Barcelona top of Group G but Pique 's red card means he will miss next week 's game away at Juventus , who had earlier beaten Dinamo Kiev .
That game in Turin will be a greater test of Barca 's capabilities under new coach Ronald Koeman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , 67 days on from their 8-2 embarrassment in Lisbon .
Fati was the star , his goal making him the first player under the age of 18 to have scored twice in the Champions League .
But it was a good night for Barcelona 's youngsters overall , as Francisco Trincao , preferred to Antoine Griezmann down the right , impressed , before another 17-year-old Pedri came on to score his first goal for the club .
Ferencvaros , under coach Sergiy Rebrov , came through four qualifying rounds to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group stage in 11 years .
They created several good openings , starting early as Nguen found the top corner only to be ruled offside and Isael rattled the crossbar from eight yards .
But Barca were threatening as well and when a weaving Messi was finally brought down at the third attempt , he was able finish from the spot and make it 16 seasons in a row scoring in the Champions League .
Fati , set up by the busy Trincao down the right , was denied by an excellent save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-on-one , although the flag was up .
Eldar Civic could have equalised for Ferencvaros and they were punished as Fati set back to Frenkie de Jong before scampering in behind and volleying in the Dutchman 's looped pass over the top .
Fati helped make it three shortly after half-time as Messi found him on the edge of the box .
Fati back-peddled to make space and flicked the ball behind his standing leg out to Coutinho , who shot inside the post .
Pique protested but could have few complaints when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surely have scored after racing clear .
Kharatin converted the penalty and there might have been a nervy finish if Nguen 's shot was not well-blocked by the sliding Clement Lenglet .
Instead , Pedri , on as a substitute , tucked in his first and Barca 's fourth , with Dembele making it five with one minute left .

Barcelona (AFP) –
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Barcelona exorcised some of their Champions League demons by thrashing Hungarian minnows Ferencvaros 5-1 on Tuesday, in their first European game since last season's humiliation by Bayern Munich.
Lionel Messi won and then scored a penalty before the 17-year-old Ansu Fati contributed to two brilliant goals, volleying in one for himself and then setting up another for Philippe Coutinho.
Barca's defensive frailties were never far away at Camp Nou and Gerard Pique was sent off before the hour for preventing Tokmac Nguen from finishing in the penalty area.
Ihor Kharatin converted the spot-kick but late goals from Pedri and Ousamane Dembele ended any hopes of a comeback and gave Barcelona some much-needed momentum ahead of Saturday's Clasico in La Liga against Real Madrid.
A big win also puts Barcelona top of Group G but Pique's red card means he will miss next week's game away at Juventus, who had earlier beaten Dinamo Kiev.
That game in Turin will be a greater test of Barca's capabilities under new coach Ronald Koeman but at least his players were smiling again, 67 days on from their 8-2 embarrassment in Lisbon.
Fati was the star, his goal making him the first player under the age of 18 to have scored twice in the Champions League.
But it was a good night for Barcelona's youngsters overall, as Francisco Trincao, preferred to Antoine Griezmann down the right, impressed, before another 17-year-old Pedri came on to score his first goal for the club.
- Fati impresses -
Ferencvaros, under coach Sergiy Rebrov, came through four qualifying rounds to become the first Hungarian side to make the group stage in 11 years.
They created several good openings, starting early as Nguen found the top corner only to be ruled offside and Isael rattled the crossbar from eight yards.
But Barca were threatening as well and when a weaving Messi was finally brought down at the third attempt, he was able finish from the spot and make it 16 seasons in a row scoring in the Champions League.
Fati, set up by the busy Trincao down the right, was denied by an excellent save and Messi hit the crossbar from a one-on-one, although the flag was up.
Eldar Civic could have equalised for Ferencvaros and they were punished as Fati set back to Frenkie de Jong before scampering in behind and volleying in the Dutchman's looped pass over the top.
Fati helped make it three shortly after half-time as Messi found him on the edge of the box. Fati back-peddled to make space and flicked the ball behind his standing leg out to Coutinho, who shot inside the post.
Pique protested but could have few complaints when he dragged down Nguen, who would surely have scored after racing clear.
Kharatin converted the penalty and there might have been a nervy finish if Nguen's shot was not well-blocked by the sliding Clement Lenglet.
Instead, Pedri, on as a substitute, tucked in his first and Barca's fourth, with Dembele making it five with one minute left.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--UN judge orders extradition of Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga to The Hague

UN judge orders extradition of Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga to The Hague A UN judge on Wednesday ruled that Rwandan @ @ @ @ @ who has been in a French jail since May , should be sent to a @ @ @ @ @ ahead of his trial .
`` I hereby amend the arrest warrant and order of @ @ @ @ @ Bonomy said .
UN prosecutors accuse the former tea and coffee tycoon of bankrolling and @ @ @ @ @ for ethnic Hutu militias who killed hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in @ @ @ @ @ in 1994 .
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A UN judge on Wednesday ruled that Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga, who has been in a French jail since May, should be sent to a detention unit in The Hague ahead of his trial.
A wanted poster with a photograph of Félicien Kabuga is displayed at the French Gendarmerie's Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity, Genocides and War Crimes (OCLCH) in Paris on May 19, 2020.
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“I hereby amend the arrest warrant and order of transfer,” Judge Iain Bonomy said from Arusha, Tanzania. “I consider that there are exceptional circumstances and that it would be in the interests of justice [to send Kabuga to The Hague].”
The decision means that Kabuga, 84, is likely spend at least several months in The Hague and be brought before an international judge there for an initial appearance in his war crimes case, rather than in Tanzania as originally planned.
UN prosecutors accuse the former tea and coffee tycoon of bankrolling and importing huge numbers of machetes for ethnic Hutu militias who killed hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda during a 100-day period in 1994.
Kabuga was arrested by French police outside of Paris in mid-May, after about 25 years on the run.
Once one of the world’s most-wanted fugitives, his wealth and connections helped him to avoid capture as he moved from Rwanda to Switzerland. He was then deported to the Democratic Republic of Congo, known then as Zaire, and later moved on to Kenya.
Kabuga, who has yet to appear before the UN court, dismissed accusations against him as “lies” during French extradition hearings.
It had been uncertain where exactly Kabuga would be sent after France’s top civil court ruled on September 30 that he could be turned over to UN custody in Arusha.
Former UN tribunals for war crimes in Rwanda and Yugoslavia have been rolled over into a successor court that has dual offices in The Hague, and Arusha.
Bonomy’s order said the court has yet to receive Kabuga’s medical files, and that the relatively short distance between Paris and The Hague meant Kabuga’s transfer there would pose “far less risk”.
He said the date of Kabuga’s initial appearance was not certain due in part for a need for him to be quarantined for 10 days after arrival.
(FRANCE 24, with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-21--Russell on Scotland bench for Georgia

Russell on Scotland bench for Georgia

Finn Russell is set to make his first Scotland appearance since last year 's World Cup after being named on @ @ @ @ @ match against Georgia at Murrayfield .
The Racing 92 fly-half did not feature during this @ @ @ @ @ it was halted by the coronavirus outbreak afer he was sanctioned for breaching team discipline @ @ @ @ @ night drink ahead of Scotland 's tournament opener with Ireland .
Russell subsequently gave a @ @ @ @ @ detailed the breakdown of his relationship with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend .
But the @ @ @ @ @ resolved their differences and Russell will be among the replacements against Georgia , with Adam @ @ @ @ @ fly-half by Townsend on Wednesday .

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Finn Russell is set to make his first Scotland appearance since last year's World Cup after being named on the bench for Friday's match against Georgia at Murrayfield.
The Racing 92 fly-half did not feature during this year's Six Nations before it was halted by the coronavirus outbreak afer he was sanctioned for breaching team discipline by going for a late night drink ahead of Scotland's tournament opener with Ireland.
Russell subsequently gave a newspaper interview in which he detailed the breakdown of his relationship with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.
But the pair now appear to have resolved their differences and Russell will be among the replacements against Georgia, with Adam Hastings named as the starting fly-half by Townsend on Wednesday.
Scotland team to play Georgia (15-1):
Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe; Adam Hastings, Ali Price; Matt Fagerson, Hamish Watson, Jamie Ritchie; Scott Cummings, Ben Toolis; Zander Fagerson, Fraser Brown, Rory Sutherland
Replacements: Stuart McInally, Oli Kebble, Simon Berghan, Rob Harley, Nick Haining, Cornell du Preez, George Horne, Finn Russell
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--Iran rights lawyer Sotoudeh moved to jail out of Tehran

Sotoudeh has won several international awards for her human rights works Jailed Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been moved to a women 's detention centre outside the capital Tehran instead of receiving the hospital treatment she needs , her husband said Wednesday .
The UN has called on Iran to free Sotoudeh , a winner of the European Parliament 's Sakharov prize , and other political prisoners excluded from a push to empty jails amid the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Nasrin called me yesterday ( Tuesday ) to tell me she 's been transferred straight ( from Tehran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Qarchak , '' more than 30 kilometres ( 20 miles ) away , her husband Reza Khandan told AFP .
`` We had been expecting her to be sent to hospital for an angiogram '' as decided by `` the medical commission at Evin prison '' , he said .
Khandan has said that health issues prompted Sotoudeh , 57 , to end a hunger strike lasting more than 45 days to push for the release of political prisoners during the pandemic .
The lawyer was sentenced in 2019 to serve 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for protesting compulsory headscarf laws in the Islamic republic .
UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on October 6 expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation of rights activists , lawyers and political prisoners held in Iran as a result of the coronavirus crisis .
`` People detained solely for their political views or other forms of activism in support of human rights should not be imprisoned at all , and such prisoners , should certainly not be treated more harshly or placed at greater risk , '' she said .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s life is at risk , '' Bachelet said .
A system of temporary releases to reduce the populations in severely overcrowded prisons , introduced by Iran in February to rein in transmission of Covid-19 , has benefited some 120,000 inmates , although a number have since been required to return , her office said .
But it said that prisoners sentenced to more than five years for `` national security '' offences were excluded .
The pandemic has cost more 31,000 lives in Iran out of 545,000 declared cases , according to @ @ @ @ @

Tehran (AFP) –
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Jailed Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been moved to a women's detention centre outside the capital Tehran instead of receiving the hospital treatment she needs, her husband said Wednesday.
The UN has called on Iran to free Sotoudeh, a winner of the European Parliament's Sakharov prize, and other political prisoners excluded from a push to empty jails amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Nasrin called me yesterday (Tuesday) to tell me she's been transferred straight (from Tehran's Evin jail) to the one in Qarchak," more than 30 kilometres (20 miles) away, her husband Reza Khandan told AFP.
"We had been expecting her to be sent to hospital for an angiogram" as decided by "the medical commission at Evin prison", he said.
Khandan has said that health issues prompted Sotoudeh, 57, to end a hunger strike lasting more than 45 days to push for the release of political prisoners during the pandemic.
The lawyer was sentenced in 2019 to serve 12 years in jail for defending women arrested for protesting compulsory headscarf laws in the Islamic republic.
UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on October 6 expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation of rights activists, lawyers and political prisoners held in Iran as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
"People detained solely for their political views or other forms of activism in support of human rights should not be imprisoned at all, and such prisoners, should certainly not be treated more harshly or placed at greater risk," she said.
"I am very concerned that Nasrin Sotoudeh’s life is at risk," Bachelet said.
A system of temporary releases to reduce the populations in severely overcrowded prisons, introduced by Iran in February to rein in transmission of Covid-19, has benefited some 120,000 inmates, although a number have since been required to return, her office said.
But it said that prisoners sentenced to more than five years for "national security" offences were excluded.
The pandemic has cost more 31,000 lives in Iran out of 545,000 declared cases, according to official figures released Wednesday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--EU's Barnier moves to break Brexit stalemate

If no agreement is reached , UK-EU trade could suffer huge disruptions EU negotiator Michel Barnier said Wednesday that Europe is ready to move to break the Brexit stalemate , in comments welcomed by London that raised hopes negotiations could be saved .
`` I think an agreement is within our grasp , if we are , on both sides , ready to work constructively and in a spirit of compromise , '' Barnier told a session of the European Parliament in Brussels .
A deal was possible `` if we move forward in the coming days , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do .
`` Our door will always remain open , '' he promised .
Barnier 's comments came ahead of a third phone call in three days with his UK counterpart David Frost , who last week had announced that talks were effectively over .
Britain abruptly froze the negotiations after EU leaders at a summit said it was up to Britain , not the EU , to make concessions , which London took as an affront .
The contacts between the men have yet to provide a much needed breakthrough in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , could see a huge disruption to EU-UK business and cause a political uproar .
The EU had hoped to send negotiators to London this week , but was blocked by the British side that asked for a `` fundamental change '' in its negotiation stance .
- 'Ca n't have cake and eat it ' - Barnier 's acknowledgement that it was up to both sides to make concessions was a key demand of Britain , as was the commitment to work from legal documents on all topics , something the Europeans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We note with interest that the EU 's negotiator .. has commented in a significant way on the issues behind the current difficulties in our talks , '' a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said .
London was `` studying carefully what was said , '' he added .
Britain , which left the EU in January but remains bound by most of the bloc 's rules until a transition period ends on December 31 , has accused Brussels of stalling negotiations .
If no deal is found and implemented before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trading with the EU on bare bones WTO regulations , a situation that would have profound effects on cross-channel trade .
Speaking ahead of Barnier , EU chief Charles Michel held a much tougher line and asked London to decide if it actually wanted a deal , once and for all .
`` You ca n't have the butter , the money from the butter and the milkmaid 's smile , '' the president of the European Council said , a French maxim that means : `` You ca n't have your cake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK wants access to our single market , while at the same time , being able to diverge from our standards and regulations , when it suits them , '' he complained .

Brussels (AFP) –
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EU negotiator Michel Barnier said Wednesday that Europe is ready to move to break the Brexit stalemate, in comments welcomed by London that raised hopes negotiations could be saved.
"I think an agreement is within our grasp, if we are, on both sides, ready to work constructively and in a spirit of compromise," Barnier told a session of the European Parliament in Brussels.
A deal was possible "if we move forward in the coming days, on the basis of legal texts as we hope to do.
"Our door will always remain open," he promised.
Barnier's comments came ahead of a third phone call in three days with his UK counterpart David Frost, who last week had announced that talks were effectively over.
Britain abruptly froze the negotiations after EU leaders at a summit said it was up to Britain, not the EU, to make concessions, which London took as an affront.
The contacts between the men have yet to provide a much needed breakthrough in trade talks that, with no resolution, could see a huge disruption to EU-UK business and cause a political uproar.
The EU had hoped to send negotiators to London this week, but was blocked by the British side that asked for a "fundamental change" in its negotiation stance.
- 'Can't have cake and eat it' -
Barnier's acknowledgement that it was up to both sides to make concessions was a key demand of Britain, as was the commitment to work from legal documents on all topics, something the Europeans had so far not done.
"We note with interest that the EU's negotiator .. has commented in a significant way on the issues behind the current difficulties in our talks," a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.
London was "studying carefully what was said," he added.
Britain, which left the EU in January but remains bound by most of the bloc's rules until a transition period ends on December 31, has accused Brussels of stalling negotiations.
If no deal is found and implemented before December 31, Britain will end up trading with the EU on bare bones WTO regulations, a situation that would have profound effects on cross-channel trade.
Speaking ahead of Barnier, EU chief Charles Michel held a much tougher line and asked London to decide if it actually wanted a deal, once and for all.
"You can't have the butter, the money from the butter and the milkmaid's smile," the president of the European Council said, a French maxim that means: "You can't have your cake and eat it."
"The UK wants access to our single market, while at the same time, being able to diverge from our standards and regulations, when it suits them," he complained.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--Nigeria in shock after 'deadly' shooting of protesters

A building on fire near the Lekki-Ikoyi Toll Gate in Lagos , the biggest city in Nigeria where protests have been going on for two weeks Nigeria 's main city Lagos reeled Wednesday after the shooting of peaceful protesters , with Amnesty International saying security forces had killed several people .
Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on Tuesday evening to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiralling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances .
Amnesty said it was seeking to determine the number of dead .
The Lagos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of one person due to `` blunt force trauma to head '' and that 25 others were wounded .
The Nigerian army did not respond to AFP 's requests for comment but labelled reports of soldiers shooting on protesters as `` fake news '' on Twitter .
The centre of the city , home to 20 million people , was deserted and shops were closed Wednesday .
An AFP journalist said several buildings were in flames around the area of the shooting and army patrols could be seen in the street .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ between bottle-throwing youths and police , who occasionally shot into the air .
Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said in a televised broadcast that no deaths were `` recorded '' while two of the 25 people wounded were receiving intensive care .
He ordered all `` state activities '' to be halted across the sprawling city for three days and said he had asked for a probe into `` the rules of engagement employed by the men of the Nigerian army that were deployed to Lekki tollgate ( the epicentre of the demonstration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history , '' Sanwo-Olu wrote earlier on Twitter .
Sanwo-Olu had announced an indefinite curfew from Tuesday afternoon in Africa 's largest city after claiming that criminals had hijacked the wave of demonstrations that erupted two weeks ago across the country .
The police chief also ordered anti-riot units to be deployed around the country .
Anger over abuses by the police 's loathed Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ) erupted into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the streets .
President Muhammadu Buhari was yet to directly address the incident and was expected to hold his regular cabinet meeting at 1000 GMT .
In statement on the overall protests the presidency said Buhari had appealed for `` understanding and calm across the nation '' .
`` President Buhari ’ s commitment to extensive police reforms should never be in doubt , '' it added .
Up until Tuesday some 18 people had died in the demonstrations as clashes were reported between protesters and assailants wearing civilian clothes .
Pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting in Lagos were widely shared on social media .
`` 5am .
We 're still getting calls from people from Lekki .
All through the night .
Some hiding near there , some hurt , some just completely panicked , '' Nigerian podcaster Feyikemi Abudu , who has been actively involved in the protests , said on Twitter .
US presidential candidate Joe Biden urged the president and military `` to cease the violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria , which has already resulted in several deaths . ''
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy , '' Biden said in a statement .
`` I encourage the government to engage in a good-faith dialogue with civil society to address these long-standing grievances and work together for a more just and inclusive Nigeria . ''
Nigeria , where the median age is 18 , is a tinderbox of profound economic and social grievances , and the demonstrations have snowballed from anger over police violence to broader demands .

Lagos (AFP) –
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Nigeria's main city Lagos reeled Wednesday after the shooting of peaceful protesters, with Amnesty International saying security forces had killed several people.
Witnesses said gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people on Tuesday evening to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiralling protests over police brutality and deep-rooted social grievances.
Amnesty said it was seeking to determine the number of dead.
The Lagos governor said the authorities were investigating the death of one person due to "blunt force trauma to head" and that 25 others were wounded.
The Nigerian army did not respond to AFP's requests for comment but labelled reports of soldiers shooting on protesters as "fake news" on Twitter.
The centre of the city, home to 20 million people, was deserted and shops were closed Wednesday.
An AFP journalist said several buildings were in flames around the area of the shooting and army patrols could be seen in the street.
In another district there were sporadic clashes between bottle-throwing youths and police, who occasionally shot into the air.
Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said in a televised broadcast that no deaths were "recorded" while two of the 25 people wounded were receiving intensive care.
He ordered all "state activities" to be halted across the sprawling city for three days and said he had asked for a probe into "the rules of engagement employed by the men of the Nigerian army that were deployed to Lekki tollgate (the epicentre of the demonstration) last night".
"This is the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history," Sanwo-Olu wrote earlier on Twitter.
- 'Completely panicked' -
Sanwo-Olu had announced an indefinite curfew from Tuesday afternoon in Africa's largest city after claiming that criminals had hijacked the wave of demonstrations that erupted two weeks ago across the country.
The police chief also ordered anti-riot units to be deployed around the country.
Anger over abuses by the police's loathed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) erupted into widespread protests, drawing thousands of people into the streets.
President Muhammadu Buhari was yet to directly address the incident and was expected to hold his regular cabinet meeting at 1000 GMT.
In statement on the overall protests the presidency said Buhari had appealed for "understanding and calm across the nation".
"President Buhari’s commitment to extensive police reforms should never be in doubt," it added.
Up until Tuesday some 18 people had died in the demonstrations as clashes were reported between protesters and assailants wearing civilian clothes.
Pictures and videos showing scenes of chaos from the shooting in Lagos were widely shared on social media.
"5am. We're still getting calls from people from Lekki. All through the night. Some hiding near there, some hurt, some just completely panicked," Nigerian podcaster Feyikemi Abudu, who has been actively involved in the protests, said on Twitter.
US presidential candidate Joe Biden urged the president and military "to cease the violent crackdown on protesters in Nigeria, which has already resulted in several deaths."
"The United States must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy," Biden said in a statement.
"I encourage the government to engage in a good-faith dialogue with civil society to address these long-standing grievances and work together for a more just and inclusive Nigeria."
Nigeria, where the median age is 18, is a tinderbox of profound economic and social grievances, and the demonstrations have snowballed from anger over police violence to broader demands.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--UK museums fight for survival as virus ravages sector

The Charles Dickens Museum had hoped for a very different 2020 , marking the 150th anniversary of the author 's death .
Faced with reduced opening hours , far fewer visitors and plummeting income , London 's picturesque Charles Dickens Museum is typical of how British cultural institutions are being financially strangled by the pandemic .
The Victorian house in the heart of the British capital where the famous storyteller wrote `` Oliver Twist '' , `` The Pickwick Papers '' and `` Nicholas Nickleby '' in the 19th century was eerily empty earlier this week , days after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
That is perhaps not surprising .
The residence , which houses many of Dickens ' personal effects , has only been open three days a week since late July following Britain 's months-long nationwide lockdown .
Elsewhere , other museums , theatres and concert halls -- from the most intimate to flagship names -- are struggling to survive and forced to lay off hundreds of employees .
Cindy Sughrue , director of the Charles Dickens Museum , said the shutdown was `` a real shock to us '' as the overwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from admission fees , souvenirs and special events , disappeared overnight .
`` We 're an entirely independently funded museum ... so without much warning we had to suddenly figure out how we were going to survive , '' she told AFP .
Today only around a fifth of the typical 60,000 annual visitors are still coming through the doors , in large part because half the normal footfall is from overseas -- and they are staying away .
With Britain imposing two-week quarantine requirements on many foreign visitors , there is little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country has suffered Europe 's worst death toll from the virus , with nearly 44,000 deaths .
As different households are again banned from mixing indoors , domestic visitors are unlikely to make up the shortfall .
`` One of the most frustrating aspects for everyone is that we have no idea of when it 's going to end , '' said Sughrue .
`` Each time there 's a new government announcement , or a new restriction comes in ... we see a drop in our numbers and it gradually increases again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roller-coaster . ''
The Charles Dickens Museum had hoped for a very different 2020 , marking the 150th anniversary of the author 's death .
But it is not alone in having best laid plans wrecked by the coronavirus .
Some cultural institutions have not reopened since the nationwide lockdown was eased over the summer , daunted by needing to comply with new sanitary rules and restrictions on visitor numbers .
Under pressure , the government released an aid package of £1.57 billion ( $ 2.03 billion , 1.72 billion euros ) but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it insufficient .
The Charles Dickens Museum , which usually has an annual turnover of £850,000 , has received around £500,000 from a range of sources which will keep it going until the spring .
`` I 'm absolutely confident that when the pandemic is over and international tourism returns to London we will absolutely bounce back , '' said Sughrue .
`` But no one knows exactly when that point is going to be reached , and that 's my concern now . ''
Dire times are also forcing some cultural institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it calls `` the biggest crisis '' in its history , the London Royal Opera House is auctioning off a portrait of its former director by legendary British painter David Hockney this week .
Thursday 's sale , which follows similar moves by several museums in the United States , is expected to generate up to £18 million , according to The Observer newspaper .
Long seen as a taboo thing to do , some are now urging other institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts to follow suit and sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have called for a sculpture by Renaissance great Michelangelo to be sold to save 150 jobs , or about half of the workforce .
`` Selling an artwork or a piece from the museum collection is the last thing that any institution wants to do , '' said Sughrue .
`` We certainly would n't consider doing that here ... unless every other possible source of income and support has been truly exhausted . ''
In a July parliamentary report , museum associations warned that selling collectors ' items could result in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the nation 's heritage .
In the search for silver linings though , Sughrue said the pandemic had challenged the museum to `` think differently '' .
`` We 've had an ambitious long-term plan to put more of our collection material online and freely accessible all over the world , and we 've accelerated that work , '' she noted .

London (AFP) –
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Faced with reduced opening hours, far fewer visitors and plummeting income, London's picturesque Charles Dickens Museum is typical of how British cultural institutions are being financially strangled by the pandemic.
The Victorian house in the heart of the British capital where the famous storyteller wrote "Oliver Twist", "The Pickwick Papers" and "Nicholas Nickleby" in the 19th century was eerily empty earlier this week, days after the government ramped up virus restrictions in the city.
That is perhaps not surprising. The residence, which houses many of Dickens' personal effects, has only been open three days a week since late July following Britain's months-long nationwide lockdown.
Elsewhere, other museums, theatres and concert halls -- from the most intimate to flagship names -- are struggling to survive and forced to lay off hundreds of employees.
Cindy Sughrue, director of the Charles Dickens Museum, said the shutdown was "a real shock to us" as the overwhelming majority of its income, which comes from admission fees, souvenirs and special events, disappeared overnight.
"We're an entirely independently funded museum... so without much warning we had to suddenly figure out how we were going to survive," she told AFP.
Today only around a fifth of the typical 60,000 annual visitors are still coming through the doors, in large part because half the normal footfall is from overseas -- and they are staying away.
With Britain imposing two-week quarantine requirements on many foreign visitors, there is little prospect of an imminent resurgence.
The country has suffered Europe's worst death toll from the virus, with nearly 44,000 deaths.
As different households are again banned from mixing indoors, domestic visitors are unlikely to make up the shortfall.
"One of the most frustrating aspects for everyone is that we have no idea of when it's going to end," said Sughrue.
"Each time there's a new government announcement, or a new restriction comes in... we see a drop in our numbers and it gradually increases again. It's a bit of a roller-coaster."
- 'Bounce back' -
The Charles Dickens Museum had hoped for a very different 2020, marking the 150th anniversary of the author's death.
But it is not alone in having best laid plans wrecked by the coronavirus.
Some cultural institutions have not reopened since the nationwide lockdown was eased over the summer, daunted by needing to comply with new sanitary rules and restrictions on visitor numbers.
Under pressure, the government released an aid package of £1.57 billion ($2.03 billion, 1.72 billion euros) but many in the cultural sector have branded it insufficient.
The Charles Dickens Museum, which usually has an annual turnover of £850,000, has received around £500,000 from a range of sources which will keep it going until the spring.
"I'm absolutely confident that when the pandemic is over and international tourism returns to London we will absolutely bounce back," said Sughrue.
"But no one knows exactly when that point is going to be reached, and that's my concern now."
- Artwork auction? -
Dire times are also forcing some cultural institutions into seemingly desperate moves.
Faced with what it calls "the biggest crisis" in its history, the London Royal Opera House is auctioning off a portrait of its former director by legendary British painter David Hockney this week.
Thursday's sale, which follows similar moves by several museums in the United States, is expected to generate up to £18 million, according to The Observer newspaper.
Long seen as a taboo thing to do, some are now urging other institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts to follow suit and sell artworks to avoid layoffs.
Some staff there have called for a sculpture by Renaissance great Michelangelo to be sold to save 150 jobs, or about half of the workforce.
"Selling an artwork or a piece from the museum collection is the last thing that any institution wants to do," said Sughrue.
"We certainly wouldn't consider doing that here... unless every other possible source of income and support has been truly exhausted."
In a July parliamentary report, museum associations warned that selling collectors' items could result in the potentially irretrievable loss of public access to the nation's heritage.
In the search for silver linings though, Sughrue said the pandemic had challenged the museum to "think differently".
"We've had an ambitious long-term plan to put more of our collection material online and freely accessible all over the world, and we've accelerated that work," she noted.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--Stroll says Eifel withdrawal was due to Covid-19 but he's ready to race

Lance Stroll gave a pre-race press conference at the Nurburgring but fell ill the next morning and withdrew Lance Stroll confirmed on Wednesday that he missed the Eifel Grand Prix earlier this month with Covid-19 but said he would be fit to race in Portugal on Sunday .
The Canadian , who drives for Racing Point , posted a long tweet explaining what happened when he suddenly pulled out on the Saturday morning before the race in Germany .
`` I arrived at the Nurburgring after testing negative in the normal pre-race tests , '' he wrote .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwell and woke up with an upset stomach . ''
He said he self-isolated in his motorhome , avoided the paddock , flew home on Sunday morning and took a test that evening which came back positive the next day .
Meanwhile , Nico Hulkenberg , called while sitting in a cafe in Cologne on Saturday morning , took over the car , was slowest in qualifying but climbed through the field in the race to finish eighth .
It was the second time the German had acted as a late coronavirus replacement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Silverstone races in early August after Mexican driver Sergio Perez tested positive for Covid-19 test .
Stroll said in his tweet that he had self-isolated at home for 10 days .
`` Luckily , my symptoms were pretty mild . ''
he wrote .
`` I tested again on Monday , '' he wrote .
`` My results were negative .
`` I feel in great shape and ca n't wait to be back with the team and to race in Portugal . ''

Paris (AFP) –
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Lance Stroll confirmed on Wednesday that he missed the Eifel Grand Prix earlier this month with Covid-19 but said he would be fit to race in Portugal on Sunday.
The Canadian, who drives for Racing Point, posted a long tweet explaining what happened when he suddenly pulled out on the Saturday morning before the race in Germany.
"I arrived at the Nurburgring after testing negative in the normal pre-race tests," he wrote. "But on Saturday morning I started to feel unwell and woke up with an upset stomach."
He said he self-isolated in his motorhome, avoided the paddock, flew home on Sunday morning and took a test that evening which came back positive the next day.
Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg, called while sitting in a cafe in Cologne on Saturday morning, took over the car, was slowest in qualifying but climbed through the field in the race to finish eighth.
It was the second time the German had acted as a late coronavirus replacement at Racing Point. He drove the two Silverstone races in early August after Mexican driver Sergio Perez tested positive for Covid-19 test.
Stroll said in his tweet that he had self-isolated at home for 10 days.
"Luckily, my symptoms were pretty mild." he wrote.
"I tested again on Monday," he wrote. "My results were negative.
"I feel in great shape and can't wait to be back with the team and to race in Portugal."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--Bolivia election: Morales says will return to Bolivia sooner or later

Bolivia election : Morales says will return to Bolivia sooner or later 2020-10-19 18:19 Bolivia election : Morales says will @ @ @ @ @ later

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france24--2020-10-21--Mysterious vandal attacks at Berlin museums

Visitors head Wednesday to the Pergamon Museum , one of several in Berlin where sculptures , paintings and Egyptian sarcophagi were damaged by vandals .
Vandals have damaged more than 70 artworks and artifacts at some of Berlin 's most renowned museums , police said Wednesday , in a targeted attack kept quiet by authorities for more than two weeks .
Valuable paintings , stone sculptures and sarcophagi at three institutions on the German capital 's UNESCO-listed Museum Island were sprayed with an `` oily liquid '' , leaving visible stains , Berlin police told AFP .
German media called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on art and antiquities in German post-war history '' .
`` The state criminal investigation office of the Berlin police has opened a probe over property damage to artworks and artifacts on display , '' spokesman Martin Dams said in an emailed statement .
Dams said police believe the vandalism occurred on October 3 , Germany Unity Day , during opening hours at the Pergamon Museum , Neues Museum and Alte Nationalgalerie .
He did not say why neither the museums nor the police had communicated earlier about the attack , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dams did not provide any information about a possible motive .
However a report by Die Zeit weekly and public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk noted that Attila Hildmann , an activist who has railed against government measures to contain the coronavirus , had in August and September spread outlandish conspiracy theories about the Museum Island .
Using his Telegram channel , Hildmann claimed the Pergamon Museum , closed for part of the summer due to the pandemic , held the `` throne of Satan '' .
He said the institution was the centre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene '' where `` they sacrifice humans at night and abuse children '' , in an echo of the international QAnon conspiracy movement .
A UNESCO World Heritage site , Berlin 's Museum Island is home to precious artifacts including a legendary bust of the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti and Babylon 's Ishtar Gate .
It attracts around three million visitors each year and is undergoing a major renovation and expansion .

Berlin (AFP) –
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Vandals have damaged more than 70 artworks and artifacts at some of Berlin's most renowned museums, police said Wednesday, in a targeted attack kept quiet by authorities for more than two weeks.
Valuable paintings, stone sculptures and sarcophagi at three institutions on the German capital's UNESCO-listed Museum Island were sprayed with an "oily liquid", leaving visible stains, Berlin police told AFP.
German media called it "one of the biggest attacks on art and antiquities in German post-war history".
"The state criminal investigation office of the Berlin police has opened a probe over property damage to artworks and artifacts on display," spokesman Martin Dams said in an emailed statement.
Dams said police believe the vandalism occurred on October 3, Germany Unity Day, during opening hours at the Pergamon Museum, Neues Museum and Alte Nationalgalerie.
He did not say why neither the museums nor the police had communicated earlier about the attack, which was first reported late Tuesday in German media.
Dams did not provide any information about a possible motive.
However a report by Die Zeit weekly and public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk noted that Attila Hildmann, an activist who has railed against government measures to contain the coronavirus, had in August and September spread outlandish conspiracy theories about the Museum Island.
Using his Telegram channel, Hildmann claimed the Pergamon Museum, closed for part of the summer due to the pandemic, held the "throne of Satan".
He said the institution was the centre of a "global satanist and corona criminal scene" where "they sacrifice humans at night and abuse children", in an echo of the international QAnon conspiracy movement.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Berlin's Museum Island is home to precious artifacts including a legendary bust of the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti and Babylon's Ishtar Gate.
It attracts around three million visitors each year and is undergoing a major renovation and expansion.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--Breast Cancer Awareness for Pink October

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france24--2020-10-21--Wales' Liam Williams to play for Scarlets ahead of Scotland clash

Liam Williams is set to play for the Scarlets on Friday as the Wales full-back bids to be fit for @ @ @ @ @ Nations international at home to Scotland .
Wales have released the British and Irish Lions @ @ @ @ @ Pro14 match away to Benetton , with the 29-year-old still trying to regain full fitness @ @ @ @ @ Williams missed Wales ' World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa in October 2019 after @ @ @ @ @ training and has only played once since .
But he will now have the chance @ @ @ @ @ the rearranged Six Nations clash against Scotland in Llanelli on October 31 after the fixture @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus .
Dragons wing Jonah Holmes has also been released for regional action @ @ @ @ @ Williams ( Scarlets ) and Jonah Holmes ( Dragons ) have been released from the @ @ @ @ @ respective regions for action this weekend , '' said a Wales statement .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ on Monday . ''

London (AFP) –
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Liam Williams is set to play for the Scarlets on Friday as the Wales full-back bids to be fit for next week's delayed Six Nations international at home to Scotland.
Wales have released the British and Irish Lions star for the Scarlets' Pro14 match away to Benetton, with the 29-year-old still trying to regain full fitness following an ankle injury.
Williams missed Wales' World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa in October 2019 after suffering the ankle problem in training and has only played once since.
But he will now have the chance to prove himself ahead of the rearranged Six Nations clash against Scotland in Llanelli on October 31 after the fixture was postponed as a result of the coronavirus.
Dragons wing Jonah Holmes has also been released for regional action this weekend.
"Liam Williams (Scarlets) and Jonah Holmes (Dragons) have been released from the national squad back to their respective regions for action this weekend," said a Wales statement.
"They will re-join the national squad on Monday."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--Damascus raises fuel prices blaming US sanctions

Heating fuel , petrol and cooking gas have been in short supply in government-held areas of Syria for years , and motorists have grown used to long queues to fill up Damascus has sharply increased petrol prices in government-held areas of Syria , saying that US sanctions on the war-torn country had left it with no alternative .
The cost per litre of the 100-litre ration of sudisided petrol motorists are allowed each month has risen from 250 to 450 Syrian pounds ( 36 US cents at the official exchange rate , 20 US cents at the black market one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also went up , rising from 296 to 650 pounds a litre , the trade ministry said late Tuesday .
The ministry blamed the price hikes on `` the great cost to the government in securing oil derivatives and the increase in transport costs in light of the unjust blockade imposed by the US administration '' .
Consumers were quick to criticise the price hikes , which came a day after the price of industrial fuel oil shot up from 296 to 650 pounds a litre .
`` Everything will start costing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' complained one Facebook user .
President Bashar al-Assad announced several measures on Wednesday to mitigate the impact on the most needy , raising the income tax threshold and ordering the payment of a one-off grant of 50,000 Syrian pounds to all public sector employees , military or civilian .
Heating fuel , petrol and cooking gas have been in short supply in government-held areas for years , and motorists have grown used to long queues to fill up .
Syria used to produce almost 400,000 barrels of crude per day before civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine years of conflict have ravaged production and seen US-backed Kurdish-led forces seize control of the country 's largest oil fields .
Syria 's economic crunch has seen food prices double over the past year , and the value of the pound plummet to 1,250 to the dollar at the official rate and 2,200 on the black market .
The United States has imposed several rounds of economic sanctions on the Syrian government , the most recent in mid-June .

Damascus (AFP) –
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Damascus has sharply increased petrol prices in government-held areas of Syria, saying that US sanctions on the war-torn country had left it with no alternative.
The cost per litre of the 100-litre ration of sudisided petrol motorists are allowed each month has risen from 250 to 450 Syrian pounds (36 US cents at the official exchange rate, 20 US cents at the black market one).
The cost of unsubsidised petrol also went up, rising from 296 to 650 pounds a litre, the trade ministry said late Tuesday.
The ministry blamed the price hikes on "the great cost to the government in securing oil derivatives and the increase in transport costs in light of the unjust blockade imposed by the US administration".
Consumers were quick to criticise the price hikes, which came a day after the price of industrial fuel oil shot up from 296 to 650 pounds a litre.
"Everything will start costing more with the fuel prices going up," complained one Facebook user.
President Bashar al-Assad announced several measures on Wednesday to mitigate the impact on the most needy, raising the income tax threshold and ordering the payment of a one-off grant of 50,000 Syrian pounds to all public sector employees, military or civilian.
Heating fuel, petrol and cooking gas have been in short supply in government-held areas for years, and motorists have grown used to long queues to fill up.
Syria used to produce almost 400,000 barrels of crude per day before civil war broke out in 2011.
But nine years of conflict have ravaged production and seen US-backed Kurdish-led forces seize control of the country's largest oil fields.
Syria's economic crunch has seen food prices double over the past year, and the value of the pound plummet to 1,250 to the dollar at the official rate and 2,200 on the black market.
The United States has imposed several rounds of economic sanctions on the Syrian government, the most recent in mid-June.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--French government has stepped up action against extremism

French government has stepped up action against extremism 2020-10-20 21:03 French government has stepped up action against extremism


france24--2020-10-21--At least 11 Afghan women killed in stampede near Pakistan consulate

Large crowds gathered in a bid to secure permission to travel to Pakistan At least 11 women were killed Wednesday in a stampede at an Afghan football stadium where thousands of people had gathered to apply for Pakistani visas , authorities said .
The incident unfolded at the stadium in Jalalabad city , the capital of eastern Nangarhar province , after large crowds assembled in a bid to secure travel permission after the nearby Pakistani consulate resumed services following a seven-month hiatus due to the pandemic .
To avoid overwhelming the visa centre , applicants had been directed to Jalalabad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passports and paperwork , provincial governor 's spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told reporters .
`` Unfortunately this morning tens of thousands of people had come to the football stadium which led to the tragic incident , '' Khogyani said .
Khogyani and provincial hospital spokesman Zaher Adel put the death toll at 11 women , while Nangarhar provincial council member Naser Kamawal said 15 people had died and 15 more were injured .
Eyewitness Abdul Ahad said women had been given priority to stand at the front of the crowd .
In ultra-conservative Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separately from men .
`` When the officials announced that the gates were opening in the morning , everybody rushed to enter the stadium to be the first to deliver their passports , '' Ahad told AFP .
`` The women , most of them elderly , who were in the front fell and could not get up .
It was chaotic . ''
A woman who survived the stampede recalled hearing screaming and seeing expectant mothers among those who were in the crush .
`` Some had miscarriages , '' the traumatised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named .
`` One who had been trampled gave birth there .
We helped her but her baby was dead .
( The mother ) was injured , but alive . ''
Pakistan 's embassy in Kabul expressed `` deep grief and sadness '' over the incident .
`` The embassy remains committed to ensure smooth and effective management of visa applicants at our end , '' a statement read .
`` We seek the understanding and cooperation of Afghan people and authorities for better and secure management of the Afghan visa applicants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other nearby provinces had arrived since the early morning to apply for medical visas or to visit relatives , and hundreds of policemen had been deployed at the stadium to control the crowds .
Hours after the incident , relatives were seen carrying the dead in coffins from a mortuary in Jalalabad .
Afghanistan 's health and educational systems have been ravaged by four decades of conflict and violence continues on a daily basis .
In the northeastern province of Takhar on Wednesday , at least 25 Afghan security force personnel were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taliban , officials said .

Jalalabad (Afghanistan) (AFP) –
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At least 11 women were killed Wednesday in a stampede at an Afghan football stadium where thousands of people had gathered to apply for Pakistani visas, authorities said.
The incident unfolded at the stadium in Jalalabad city, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, after large crowds assembled in a bid to secure travel permission after the nearby Pakistani consulate resumed services following a seven-month hiatus due to the pandemic.
To avoid overwhelming the visa centre, applicants had been directed to Jalalabad's nearby football stadium to hand over passports and paperwork, provincial governor's spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told reporters.
"Unfortunately this morning tens of thousands of people had come to the football stadium which led to the tragic incident," Khogyani said.
Khogyani and provincial hospital spokesman Zaher Adel put the death toll at 11 women, while Nangarhar provincial council member Naser Kamawal said 15 people had died and 15 more were injured.
Eyewitness Abdul Ahad said women had been given priority to stand at the front of the crowd. In ultra-conservative Afghanistan it is customary for women to queue separately from men.
"When the officials announced that the gates were opening in the morning, everybody rushed to enter the stadium to be the first to deliver their passports," Ahad told AFP.
"The women, most of them elderly, who were in the front fell and could not get up. It was chaotic."
A woman who survived the stampede recalled hearing screaming and seeing expectant mothers among those who were in the crush.
"Some had miscarriages," the traumatised woman told AFP, declining to be named.
"One who had been trampled gave birth there. We helped her but her baby was dead. (The mother) was injured, but alive."
- Seeking medical visas -
Pakistan's embassy in Kabul expressed "deep grief and sadness" over the incident.
"The embassy remains committed to ensure smooth and effective management of visa applicants at our end," a statement read.
"We seek the understanding and cooperation of Afghan people and authorities for better and secure management of the Afghan visa applicants."
Thousands of Afghans from Nangarhar and other nearby provinces had arrived since the early morning to apply for medical visas or to visit relatives, and hundreds of policemen had been deployed at the stadium to control the crowds.
Hours after the incident, relatives were seen carrying the dead in coffins from a mortuary in Jalalabad.
Afghanistan's health and educational systems have been ravaged by four decades of conflict and violence continues on a daily basis.
In the northeastern province of Takhar on Wednesday, at least 25 Afghan security force personnel were killed in an ambush blamed on the Taliban, officials said.
str-us-jds-wat/je
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-21--Khashoggi’s fiancee, rights group sue Saudi crown prince over his murder

The fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and a human rights group that he founded filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court on Tuesday with allegations that Saudi Arabia ’ s crown prince ordered him killed .
The civil lawsuit , which seeks unspecified damages against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , also named more than 20 other Saudis as defendants .
It coincides with complications in the U.S.-Saudi relationship over the 2018 slaying of Khashoggi , Riyadh ’ s human rights record , its role in Yemen ’ s civil war and other issues .
The Saudi embassy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment on the lawsuit .
The crown prince - known by his initials MbS - has denied ordering Khashoggi 's murder .
Khashoggi , who criticized the policies of the crown prince , Saudi Arabia 's de facto ruler , in Washington Post columns , was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul .
He went there to obtain papers he needed to marry Hatice Cengiz , a Turkish citizen .
Cengiz and Democracy for the Arab World Now ( DAWN ) , a U.S.-based human rights group founded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia .
It names several of the crown prince 's aides and officials who were convicted in Saudi Arabia of the murder .
The prosecution declared the Saudi case closed .
The lawsuit charged that MbS , his co-defendants and others carried out a plot to `` permanently silence Mr. Khashoggi '' no later than the summer of 2018 after discovering his `` plans to utilize DAWN as a platform to espouse democratic reform and promote human rights . ''
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. court by a former top Saudi intelligence official who accused the crown prince of sending a hit team to kill him in Canada , where he lives in exile .
Both lawsuits were brought under a law allowing U.S. court actions against foreign officials over allegations of involvement in torture or extrajudicial killings .

The fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and a human rights group that he founded filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court on Tuesday with allegations that Saudi Arabia’s crown prince ordered him killed.
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The civil lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also named more than 20 other Saudis as defendants. It coincides with complications in the U.S.-Saudi relationship over the 2018 slaying of Khashoggi, Riyadh’s human rights record, its role in Yemen’s civil war and other issues.
The Saudi embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. The crown prince - known by his initials MbS - has denied ordering Khashoggi's murder.
Khashoggi, who criticized the policies of the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, in Washington Post columns, was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He went there to obtain papers he needed to marry Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish citizen.
Cengiz and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), a U.S.-based human rights group founded by Khashoggi, a legal resident of Virginia, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It names several of the crown prince's aides and officials who were convicted in Saudi Arabia of the murder. The prosecution declared the Saudi case closed.
The lawsuit charged that MbS, his co-defendants and others carried out a plot to "permanently silence Mr. Khashoggi" no later than the summer of 2018 after discovering his "plans to utilize DAWN as a platform to espouse democratic reform and promote human rights."
A lawsuit was filed in August in a U.S. court by a former top Saudi intelligence official who accused the crown prince of sending a hit team to kill him in Canada, where he lives in exile.
Both lawsuits were brought under a law allowing U.S. court actions against foreign officials over allegations of involvement in torture or extrajudicial killings.
(REUTERS)
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