france24--2020-09-15--Navalny says 'able to breathe' unaided after suspected poisoning

fell ill on a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow after a trip to support opposition candidates in local elections Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Tuesday he was able to breathe unaided , in his first public comments after his alleged poisoning in Siberia last month .
`` Hello , this is Navalny , '' he said in a post on Instagram , appearing with his wife Yulia and two children in the Berlin hospital where he was flown for treatment after falling ill .
Wearing a hospital gown , he looked gaunt and barely smiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Yesterday I was able to breathe on my own all day , '' he said in his first social media post since he was poisoned with what Germany says was a Novichok nerve agent .
`` I really liked it .
It 's an amazing process and underestimated by many .
I recommend it , '' he joked , telling followers , `` I miss you '' .
The 44-year-old lawyer and outspoken Kremlin critic fell ill on a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow after a trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Germany said Monday that French and Swedish labs had independently confirmed findings by doctors in Berlin that Navalny was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent .
Navalny 's allies say the use of the banned chemical weapon means that only the Russian state could be responsible .
Russia has angrily dismissed the findings , saying its doctors found no trace of poison .
Despite international calls for Russia to carry out a transparent investigation or risk sanctions , it has not opened a criminal probe .

Moscow (AFP) –
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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Tuesday he was able to breathe unaided, in his first public comments after his alleged poisoning in Siberia last month.
"Hello, this is Navalny," he said in a post on Instagram, appearing with his wife Yulia and two children in the Berlin hospital where he was flown for treatment after falling ill.
Wearing a hospital gown, he looked gaunt and barely smiled while his wife next to him beamed.
"Yesterday I was able to breathe on my own all day," he said in his first social media post since he was poisoned with what Germany says was a Novichok nerve agent.
"I really liked it. It's an amazing process and underestimated by many. I recommend it," he joked, telling followers, "I miss you".
The 44-year-old lawyer and outspoken Kremlin critic fell ill on a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow after a trip to support opposition candidates in local elections.
Germany said Monday that French and Swedish labs had independently confirmed findings by doctors in Berlin that Navalny was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.
Navalny's allies say the use of the banned chemical weapon means that only the Russian state could be responsible.
Russia has angrily dismissed the findings, saying its doctors found no trace of poison.
Despite international calls for Russia to carry out a transparent investigation or risk sanctions, it has not opened a criminal probe.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--China says Covid-19 vaccine could be ready for public by November

Chinese manufacturers have been bullish about development , with companies Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm even putting their vaccine candidates on display at a trade fair in Beijing this month A China-developed coronavirus vaccine could be ready for the public as early as November , a Chinese official has told state television , as the global race to clear the final round of trials heats up .
Chinese manufacturers have been bullish about development , with companies Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm even putting their vaccine candidates on display at a trade fair in Beijing this month .
Representatives of the firms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be approved after phase 3 trials as early as year-end .
And on late Monday , the chief biosafety expert at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control told state broadcaster CCTV that a vaccine would be available to the general public `` around November or December . ''
Wu Guizhen did not specify which vaccine she was referring to , but said `` based on the phase 3 clinical results , the current progress is very smooth . ''
Wu added that she had taken a vaccine in April and has felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although she did not specify which candidate she had taken .
There are currently nine vaccine candidates in late-stage human trials , although some have hit recent obstacles -- pharma giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University momentarily paused clinical trials last week after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness .
Some of China 's vaccine candidates have already been offered to essential workers under an emergency use programme .
A Sinovac spokesman told AFP this month that `` tens of thousands '' of people had voluntarily taken its vaccine , including 90 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 and 3,000 people .
In June , China 's military approved a vaccine for use within its ranks developed by its research unit and a biotech firm .

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A China-developed coronavirus vaccine could be ready for the public as early as November, a Chinese official has told state television, as the global race to clear the final round of trials heats up.
Chinese manufacturers have been bullish about development, with companies Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm even putting their vaccine candidates on display at a trade fair in Beijing this month.
Representatives of the firms told AFP that they hope their vaccines will be approved after phase 3 trials as early as year-end.
And on late Monday, the chief biosafety expert at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control told state broadcaster CCTV that a vaccine would be available to the general public "around November or December."
Wu Guizhen did not specify which vaccine she was referring to, but said "based on the phase 3 clinical results, the current progress is very smooth."
Wu added that she had taken a vaccine in April and has felt good over the past few months, although she did not specify which candidate she had taken.
There are currently nine vaccine candidates in late-stage human trials, although some have hit recent obstacles -- pharma giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University momentarily paused clinical trials last week after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness.
Some of China's vaccine candidates have already been offered to essential workers under an emergency use programme.
A Sinovac spokesman told AFP this month that "tens of thousands" of people had voluntarily taken its vaccine, including 90 percent of its employees and their families -- between 2,000 and 3,000 people.
In June, China's military approved a vaccine for use within its ranks developed by its research unit and a biotech firm.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Tour de France peloton gets Covid-19 all-clear

Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme last Saturday with French Prime Minister Jean Castex , both went back to work Tuesday Tour de France organisers were in exultant mood Tuesday when announcing that all of their cyclists were negative for Covid-19 in the final round of tests .
With six days left to race no rider has tested positive for coronavirus so far , with the world 's greatest cycling race on schedule to parade up the Champs Elysees in Paris on Sunday .
The news marks a success with organiser ASO who will claim the race has provided a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports event in the middle of a pandemic .
`` We can only rejoice as this means our measures were a success , '' race director Christian Prudhomme said at the stage 16 start town of La Tour du Pin .
`` We are faced with a virus that killed 30,000 people ( in France ) in the spring .
We took the measures we had to ... Everyone says the pandemic is going to stick around , it 's imperative we continue to live our lives .
When people respect the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Prudhomme was back at the race after a week 's quarantine following his positive test last week .
Race leader Primoz Rogic is now clear to lead the 156 remaining competitors on a run through the Alps on Tuesday embarking from the Isere region with its 23 ski resorts .
The announcement was a huge relief for the teams who risked being thrown off the Tour in case of two positives within their entourage .
Around 700 tests were taken Sunday and Monday by a moble testing unit .
Staging this race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sport due to the worldwide broadcasting of the event meaning cycling garnered most of its income for advertising during the three week extravaganza .

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Tour de France organisers were in exultant mood Tuesday when announcing that all of their cyclists were negative for Covid-19 in the final round of tests.
With six days left to race no rider has tested positive for coronavirus so far, with the world's greatest cycling race on schedule to parade up the Champs Elysees in Paris on Sunday.
The news marks a success with organiser ASO who will claim the race has provided a blueprint in how to stage a major sports event in the middle of a pandemic.
"We can only rejoice as this means our measures were a success," race director Christian Prudhomme said at the stage 16 start town of La Tour du Pin.
"We are faced with a virus that killed 30,000 people (in France) in the spring. We took the measures we had to...Everyone says the pandemic is going to stick around, it's imperative we continue to live our lives. When people respect the rules and pay attention, it works."
Prudhomme was back at the race after a week's quarantine following his positive test last week.
Race leader Primoz Rogic is now clear to lead the 156 remaining competitors on a run through the Alps on Tuesday embarking from the Isere region with its 23 ski resorts.
The announcement was a huge relief for the teams who risked being thrown off the Tour in case of two positives within their entourage.
Around 700 tests were taken Sunday and Monday by a moble testing unit.
Staging this race was crucial for the immediate future of the sport due to the worldwide broadcasting of the event meaning cycling garnered most of its income for advertising during the three week extravaganza.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Georgia to use autumn tournament for Six Nations 'experience'

Beka Gorgadze has scored seven tries in 27 Tests since making his Georgia debut in 2015 Newly-appointed Georgia coach Levan Maisashvili said on Monday his side 's inclusion in the upcoming Autumn Nations Cup is a chance to prove their ability to be included in the Six Nations .
The Lelos along with Fiji have been invited to the tournament held in Europe between November 13-December 6 in fixtures which will replace the Autumn Test cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Georgians were included in the competition as replacements for Japan who withdrew because of fears over Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join the top table by featuring in the Six Nations but have never beaten a side in the competition and sit in 12th place in the world rankings .
`` We only play Tier One teams twice a year , that 's our main problem .
If we had more chances , we would get to a point where we would be ready for the Six Nations , '' Maisashvili told AFP .
`` We 're going to play against stronger teams than us and the tournament will be a great occasion to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If we win a game , it would be magnificent , of course , but our goal is to show our best qualities , and to gain the maximum experience . ''
Test veterans in loose forward Mamuka Gorgodze , centre Davit Kacharava and flanker Vito Kolelishvili have retired since last year 's World Cup and the opening games of this season 's Rugby Europe Championship .
Bordeaux-Begles ' 24-year-old Beka Gorgodze captained his country from No .
8 in their last match , a victory over Portugal in March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tedo Abzhandadze , all under 23 and playing for clubs outside of Georgia , came off the bench .
`` We miss Mamuka enormously .
It 's a big loss , without any doubt , but not surprising , '' he said .
`` We 're currently in the process of changing generations .
Quite a lot of experienced players have left , but a new complement is arriving with very promising youngsters , '' he added .
Preparations for the Autumn Series are hardly ideal for the Georgians .
While many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is back underway , the home-based players are suffering from lack of action .
The Georgian Big 10 league is yet to begin since being halted due to the Covid-19 outbreak .
`` It 's a negative factor which worries us , '' said Maisashvili .
`` Our season starts on October 7 , we 'll play one round but we also have two to three full contact training sessions a week . ''
The problems have extended to the boardroom as well with the national rugby union ( GRU ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president Giorgi Gorgaslidze .
Last month , domestic clubs wrote a letter to the GRU saying they were in a financial crisis but Maisashvili said his outfit would be ready by the start of November .
Maisashvili was defence coach at last year 's World Cup and replaced the long-serving Milton Haig in the top job after the tournament .
The Kiwi , who came on board after the 2011 World Cup , guided the Lelos to a third-placed pool finish at the 2015 edition in England , a win over Uruguay at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ruugy Europe Championships .
`` It 's a big responsibility and a big honour to succeed Milton Haig and all my predecessors , to follow Georgia 's rich rugby tradition , '' said Maisashvili .
Georgia face Scotland in a warm-up Test on October 23 before opening their Autumn Series campaign against England at Twickenham on November 13 .

Tbilisi (AFP) –
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Newly-appointed Georgia coach Levan Maisashvili said on Monday his side's inclusion in the upcoming Autumn Nations Cup is a chance to prove their ability to be included in the Six Nations.
The Lelos along with Fiji have been invited to the tournament held in Europe between November 13-December 6 in fixtures which will replace the Autumn Test cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Georgians were included in the competition as replacements for Japan who withdrew because of fears over Covid-19.
Maisashvili's side have longed to join the top table by featuring in the Six Nations but have never beaten a side in the competition and sit in 12th place in the world rankings.
"We only play Tier One teams twice a year, that's our main problem. If we had more chances, we would get to a point where we would be ready for the Six Nations," Maisashvili told AFP.
"We're going to play against stronger teams than us and the tournament will be a great occasion to absorb their experience," he added.
"If we win a game, it would be magnificent, of course, but our goal is to show our best qualities, and to gain the maximum experience."
Test veterans in loose forward Mamuka Gorgodze, centre Davit Kacharava and flanker Vito Kolelishvili have retired since last year's World Cup and the opening games of this season's Rugby Europe Championship.
Bordeaux-Begles' 24-year-old Beka Gorgodze captained his country from No. 8 in their last match, a victory over Portugal in March, and backs Gela Aprasidze, Lasha Lomidze and Tedo Abzhandadze, all under 23 and playing for clubs outside of Georgia, came off the bench.
"We miss Mamuka enormously. It's a big loss, without any doubt, but not surprising," he said.
"We're currently in the process of changing generations. Quite a lot of experienced players have left, but a new complement is arriving with very promising youngsters," he added.
- 'Responsiblity' -
Preparations for the Autumn Series are hardly ideal for the Georgians. While many play in the French Top 14, which is back underway, the home-based players are suffering from lack of action.
The Georgian Big 10 league is yet to begin since being halted due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
"It's a negative factor which worries us," said Maisashvili. "Our season starts on October 7, we'll play one round but we also have two to three full contact training sessions a week."
The problems have extended to the boardroom as well with the national rugby union (GRU) in turmoil after the resignation in August of president Giorgi Gorgaslidze.
Last month, domestic clubs wrote a letter to the GRU saying they were in a financial crisis but Maisashvili said his outfit would be ready by the start of November.
Maisashvili was defence coach at last year's World Cup and replaced the long-serving Milton Haig in the top job after the tournament.
The Kiwi, who came on board after the 2011 World Cup, guided the Lelos to a third-placed pool finish at the 2015 edition in England, a win over Uruguay at the 2019 tournament, and seven successive Ruugy Europe Championships.
"It's a big responsibility and a big honour to succeed Milton Haig and all my predecessors, to follow Georgia's rich rugby tradition," said Maisashvili.
Georgia face Scotland in a warm-up Test on October 23 before opening their Autumn Series campaign against England at Twickenham on November 13.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-15--Firefighters put out new blaze in Lebanon capital

Footage of the fire in Beirut showed black clouds of smoke billowing off of bright red flames that climbed up the side of the building Firefighters in Lebanon 's capital said Tuesday they put out a fire at a building under construction , in what was the third blaze to hit the city since a massive explosion at the port .
The building , located about 1.5 kilometres ( 0.9 miles ) away from the city 's port in central Beirut , was designed by the renowned late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid .
Footage shared on social media showed black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red flames that climbed up the side of the curvaceous building with latticed covering .
AFP reporters at the scene saw firefighters use a crane to aim water hoses at its smouldering facade .
`` What was on fire was the insulation that separates the outside from the inside '' of the building , a civil defence officer told AFP .
`` We were able in the fastest time possible to control '' the blaze , he said .
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire .
The August 4 explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world 's largest non-nuclear blasts ever , killed 190 people , wounded thousands and ravaged building windows and doors in large parts of the city .
It was followed by a small fire on Tuesday last week at the port and another huge fire on Thursday at a port warehouse where food aid was stored .
Both the explosion and port fires have revived popular outrage against a political class accused of being inept , corrupt and unable to ensure public safety .
Preliminary government findings said sparks from a power saw could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a theory that welding was also behind the August 4 explosion .
On Tuesday , local social media users speculated the cause of the new fire could also be welding .
Theatre director Yahya Jaber on Facebook expressed alarm at what he described as `` Beirut 's pre-imagined , pre-designed and pre-welded assassination '' .
Hadid , who died in 2016 at age 65 , was famed for her architectural works of sweeping curves in countries around the world .
She was the first woman to win the prestigious Pritzker Prize for architecture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Guangzhou Opera House in China and the aquatics centre used in the 2012 London Olympics .

Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) –
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Firefighters in Lebanon's capital said Tuesday they put out a fire at a building under construction, in what was the third blaze to hit the city since a massive explosion at the port.
The building, located about 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) away from the city's port in central Beirut, was designed by the renowned late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.
Footage shared on social media showed black clouds of smoke billowing off of bright red flames that climbed up the side of the curvaceous building with latticed covering.
AFP reporters at the scene saw firefighters use a crane to aim water hoses at its smouldering facade.
"What was on fire was the insulation that separates the outside from the inside" of the building, a civil defence officer told AFP.
"We were able in the fastest time possible to control" the blaze, he said.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.
The August 4 explosion at the port, one of the world's largest non-nuclear blasts ever, killed 190 people, wounded thousands and ravaged building windows and doors in large parts of the city.
It was followed by a small fire on Tuesday last week at the port and another huge fire on Thursday at a port warehouse where food aid was stored.
Both the explosion and port fires have revived popular outrage against a political class accused of being inept, corrupt and unable to ensure public safety.
Preliminary government findings said sparks from a power saw could have caused Thursday's blaze, echoing a theory that welding was also behind the August 4 explosion.
On Tuesday, local social media users speculated the cause of the new fire could also be welding.
Theatre director Yahya Jaber on Facebook expressed alarm at what he described as "Beirut's pre-imagined, pre-designed and pre-welded assassination".
Hadid, who died in 2016 at age 65, was famed for her architectural works of sweeping curves in countries around the world.
She was the first woman to win the prestigious Pritzker Prize for architecture, and best known for her designs for the Guangzhou Opera House in China and the aquatics centre used in the 2012 London Olympics.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-18--US Open champion Osaka withdraws from French Open with injury

Naomi Osaka , who captured her third Grand Slam title at the US Open on September 12 , pulled out of the upcoming French Open with a hamstring injury on Thursday .
`` Unfortunately I wo n't be able to play the French Open this year , '' Osaka said in posts on Instagram and Twitter .
`` My hamstring is still sore so I wo n't have enough time to prepare for the clay - these two tournaments came too close to each other for me this year . ''
The French Open is due to start on September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the year because of the coronavirus pandemic .
On Sunday , Osaka rallied from a set down to beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6 , 6-3 , 6-3 in the US Open women 's final , adding a third major trophy after her victories at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open triumphs .
The 22-year-old was the first woman to win the US Open singles final from a set down since 1994 , and the victory moved her to third in the WTA rankings .
She also became the first Asian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overtaking China 's Li Na on two .
Osaka had gone into the US Open at Flushing Meadows with fitness concerns .
She pulled out of the WTA final of the Western & Southern Open -- also held this year at Flushing Meadows -- with a left hamstring injury just two days before the start of the Grand Slam in New York .
She said she pulled the muscle in her semi-final victory .
Osaka played her US Open matches with her left thigh heavily strapped , but showed no sign the injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normally the final Grand Slam in a season , was just the second major to be played in 2020 after the Australian Open in January .
The COVID-19 pandemic brought tennis to a halt along with the rest of global sport , with Wimbledon cancelled completely and Roland Garros moved from its usual May start to September 27-October 11 .
Unlike the US Open , organizers at Roland Garros will admit fans , although it was announced Thursday that the number of spectators will be limited to 5,000 per day .
Organizers had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Defending women 's champion Ashleigh Barty of Australia announced earlier this month that she would not defend her title because she feared participation still carried health risks and because she had not been able to train properly with her coach because of the state border closures in Australia .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Naomi Osaka, who captured her third Grand Slam title at the US Open on September 12, pulled out of the upcoming French Open with a hamstring injury on Thursday.
"Unfortunately I won't be able to play the French Open this year," Osaka said in posts on Instagram and Twitter. "My hamstring is still sore so I won't have enough time to prepare for the clay - these two tournaments came too close to each other for me this year."
The French Open is due to start on September 27 at Roland Garros, rescheduled from earlier in the year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Sunday, Osaka rallied from a set down to beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the US Open women's final, adding a third major trophy after her victories at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open triumphs.
The 22-year-old was the first woman to win the US Open singles final from a set down since 1994, and the victory moved her to third in the WTA rankings.
She also became the first Asian player to win three Grand Slams, overtaking China's Li Na on two.
Osaka had gone into the US Open at Flushing Meadows with fitness concerns.
She pulled out of the WTA final of the Western & Southern Open -- also held this year at Flushing Meadows -- with a left hamstring injury just two days before the start of the Grand Slam in New York.
She said she pulled the muscle in her semi-final victory.
Osaka played her US Open matches with her left thigh heavily strapped, but showed no sign the injury hindered her.
The US Open, normally the final Grand Slam in a season, was just the second major to be played in 2020 after the Australian Open in January.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought tennis to a halt along with the rest of global sport, with Wimbledon cancelled completely and Roland Garros moved from its usual May start to September 27-October 11.
Unlike the US Open, organizers at Roland Garros will admit fans, although it was announced Thursday that the number of spectators will be limited to 5,000 per day.
Organizers had originally hoped to accommodate 20,000 spectators per day.
Defending women's champion Ashleigh Barty of Australia announced earlier this month that she would not defend her title because she feared participation still carried health risks and because she had not been able to train properly with her coach because of the state border closures in Australia.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-18--Bolivia interim president withdraws from presidential race

Handout photo released by the Bolivian Presidency of Bolivian interim President Jeanine Anez ( R ) taking part in a celebration for the 195th anniversary of the creation of the Bolivian Armed Forces in La Paz on August 7 , 2020 The interim president of Bolivia , Jeanine Anez , announced on Thursday her withdrawal from the presidential race a month before the elections , fearing she would split the vote against leftist Luis Arce , protege of former leader Evo Morales .
`` Today I set aside my candidacy for the presidency of Bolivia , '' said the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She explained that she made the decision `` in view of the risk that the democratic vote be divided among various candidates and that as a result of that division the MAS ( Movement Towards Socialism , led by Morales ) end up winning the election '' of October 18 .
Flanked by her candidate for the vice presidency , businessman Samuel Doria Medina , and other political allies , Anez called for unity against the MAS , whose standard-bearer is in first place in polls .
`` If we do not unite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not unite , democracy loses ; if we do not unite , the dictatorship wins , '' said the 53-year-old leader .
Anez abandoned the electoral race one day after a national poll put her in fourth place in the race , and Arce in the lead .
Anez took office in November 2019 , after Morales resigned amid social upheaval .
She promised to lead a transitional government with the aim of calling new elections in 2020 , but in January she announced her candidacy , a decision that was highly criticized @ @ @ @ @ @

La Paz (AFP) –
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The interim president of Bolivia, Jeanine Anez, announced on Thursday her withdrawal from the presidential race a month before the elections, fearing she would split the vote against leftist Luis Arce, protege of former leader Evo Morales.
"Today I set aside my candidacy for the presidency of Bolivia," said the right wing leader in a televised message.
She explained that she made the decision "in view of the risk that the democratic vote be divided among various candidates and that as a result of that division the MAS (Movement Towards Socialism, led by Morales) end up winning the election" of October 18.
Flanked by her candidate for the vice presidency, businessman Samuel Doria Medina, and other political allies, Anez called for unity against the MAS, whose standard-bearer is in first place in polls.
"If we do not unite, Morales returns; if we do not unite, democracy loses; if we do not unite, the dictatorship wins," said the 53-year-old leader.
Anez abandoned the electoral race one day after a national poll put her in fourth place in the race, and Arce in the lead.
Anez took office in November 2019, after Morales resigned amid social upheaval.
She promised to lead a transitional government with the aim of calling new elections in 2020, but in January she announced her candidacy, a decision that was highly criticized by adversaries and some allies.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-18--Biden on Brexit: pro-EU and pro-Irish

Biden on Brexit: pro-EU and pro-Irish

Joe Biden , with his defense of the Northern Ireland peace accord , has issued a warning to Britain over Brexit and support for an EU bruised by Donald Trump while making it clear he would preside over the Atlantic alliance .
`` We ca n't allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit , '' the Democratic presidential nominee tweeted .
`` Any trade deal between the US and UK must be contingent upon respect for the Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border .
Period , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson has angered the European Union with a proposed law that would breach provisions of the agreement made with the EU in January for Britain 's exit from the 27-nation bloc .
The Britain-EU agreement pledges to maintain an open border between Ireland and Northern Ireland and there are fears any reversal could endanger the 1998 peace accord known as the Good Friday Agreement .
Besides Biden , the proposed British law has sparked concern among Democratic lawmakers in Washington and put congressional approval of a US-UK trade deal in doubt .
Nancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House of Representatives , did not mince words .
`` If the UK violates its international agreements and Brexit undermines the Good Friday accord , there will be absolutely no chance of a US-UK trade agreement passing the Congress , '' Pelosi said in a statement .
Eliot Engel , chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and two other committee chairmen with large Irish constituencies , wrote a letter to Johnson .
`` An Ireland divided by a hard border risks inflaming old tensions that very much still fester today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States Congress will not support any free trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom if the United Kingdom fails to preserve the gains of the Good Friday Agreement and broader peace process , '' they added .
The tweet by Biden , who is of Irish origin and would be just the second Catholic president of the United States if he is elected in November , came as British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was in Washington seeking to reassure Britain 's US ally .
`` Our commitment to the Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure at the border between the north and the south is absolute , '' Raab said on Wednesday alongside US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
In London , Johnson 's spokesman said the bill being debated in the British parliament was intended `` precisely to make sure that the Belfast ( Good Friday ) Agreement is upheld in all circumstances . ''
Pompeo for his part said he `` had great confidence that they will get this right in a way that treats everyone fairly . ''
Trump , a fervent supporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critic of the EU , has said that he wants to get a US-UK trade deal done quickly .
Nile Gardiner , a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington , accused Biden of `` recycling the anti-British talking points of the European Commission .
`` Brexit will not undermine the Good Friday Agreement , '' said Gardiner , a former aide to Britain 's ex-prime minister Margaret Thatcher .
`` The threats against a US/UK free trade deal from liberals in Washington should be a wakeup call for London , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hugely anti-Brexit , massively pro-EU and even hostile towards Britain . ''
Trump has accused Biden of being weak and standing up to Britain provides the Democrat with a chance to show he too can bang on the table -- even if it is with a nation with which the US enjoys a `` special relationship . ''
It also does n't hurt that the target in this case is the pro-Trump Johnson .
`` Some of us have been arguing that a Biden admin should invest in the UK and EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their future relationship beyond trade , '' said Thomas Wright , a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution .
Johnson , by pursuing his current course on Brexit , will `` dramatically weaken the case for this approach , '' Wright said .
`` It is more likely that the US will invest in the EU relationship and the UK will be on the margins until it abides by its commitments on the Irish border , '' he said .

Washington (AFP) –
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Joe Biden, with his defense of the Northern Ireland peace accord, has issued a warning to Britain over Brexit and support for an EU bruised by Donald Trump while making it clear he would preside over the Atlantic alliance.
"We can't allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit," the Democratic presidential nominee tweeted.
"Any trade deal between the US and UK must be contingent upon respect for the Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border. Period," Biden said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has angered the European Union with a proposed law that would breach provisions of the agreement made with the EU in January for Britain's exit from the 27-nation bloc.
The Britain-EU agreement pledges to maintain an open border between Ireland and Northern Ireland and there are fears any reversal could endanger the 1998 peace accord known as the Good Friday Agreement.
Besides Biden, the proposed British law has sparked concern among Democratic lawmakers in Washington and put congressional approval of a US-UK trade deal in doubt.
Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, did not mince words.
"If the UK violates its international agreements and Brexit undermines the Good Friday accord, there will be absolutely no chance of a US-UK trade agreement passing the Congress," Pelosi said in a statement.
Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and two other committee chairmen with large Irish constituencies, wrote a letter to Johnson.
"An Ireland divided by a hard border risks inflaming old tensions that very much still fester today," they said.
"The United States Congress will not support any free trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom if the United Kingdom fails to preserve the gains of the Good Friday Agreement and broader peace process," they added.
- 'Absolute' -
The tweet by Biden, who is of Irish origin and would be just the second Catholic president of the United States if he is elected in November, came as British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was in Washington seeking to reassure Britain's US ally.
"Our commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and to avoid any extra infrastructure at the border between the north and the south is absolute," Raab said on Wednesday alongside US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
In London, Johnson's spokesman said the bill being debated in the British parliament was intended "precisely to make sure that the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement is upheld in all circumstances."
Pompeo for his part said he "had great confidence that they will get this right in a way that treats everyone fairly."
Trump, a fervent supporter of Brexit and Johnson and a frequent critic of the EU, has said that he wants to get a US-UK trade deal done quickly.
Nile Gardiner, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington, accused Biden of "recycling the anti-British talking points of the European Commission.
"Brexit will not undermine the Good Friday Agreement," said Gardiner, a former aide to Britain's ex-prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
"The threats against a US/UK free trade deal from liberals in Washington should be a wakeup call for London," he said. "The American Left is hugely anti-Brexit, massively pro-EU and even hostile towards Britain."
Trump has accused Biden of being weak and standing up to Britain provides the Democrat with a chance to show he too can bang on the table -- even if it is with a nation with which the US enjoys a "special relationship."
It also doesn't hurt that the target in this case is the pro-Trump Johnson.
"Some of us have been arguing that a Biden admin should invest in the UK and EU relationships simultaneously and help both figure out their future relationship beyond trade," said Thomas Wright, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Johnson, by pursuing his current course on Brexit, will "dramatically weaken the case for this approach," Wright said.
"It is more likely that the US will invest in the EU relationship and the UK will be on the margins until it abides by its commitments on the Irish border," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-18--Wallabies turn to England's Parling as forwards coach

Former England lock Geoff Parling has been appointed the Wallabies forwards coach Former England lock Geoff Parling was Friday appointed forwards coach for the Wallabies ahead of Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks and the Rugby Championship on home soil .
Head coach Dave Rennie turned to the 36-year-old after the ACT Brumbies ' highly regarded Dan McKellar withdrew from consideration .
`` We 're very lucky to get the services of someone of Geoff 's ability at such short notice , especially considering he already has an intimate knowledge of the players , '' said Rennie .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's technically very strong around lineout and maul and he has impressed me with his work ethic to get up to speed over the last two weeks . ''
Parling , who notched up 29 Tests for England between 2012 and 2015 and played for the British and Irish Lions in 2013 , will only be in the role for the 2020 season .
He has spent the past three years at the Melbourne Rebels , turning their lineout into a force to be reckoned with and will return there for the 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some great talent here , but we wo n't get anywhere without hard work , '' said Parling of the Wallabies .
`` I have high expectations of the group and am looking forward to seeing them rip in . ''
Last week , Rennie named a new-look 44-man squad for the upcoming Tests , including 16 uncapped players and a further 13 with fewer than 10 appearances in a Wallabies jersey .
They face the All Blacks in Wellington on October 11 and again in Auckland a week later before the four-nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Sydney (AFP) –
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Former England lock Geoff Parling was Friday appointed forwards coach for the Wallabies ahead of Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks and the Rugby Championship on home soil.
Head coach Dave Rennie turned to the 36-year-old after the ACT Brumbies' highly regarded Dan McKellar withdrew from consideration.
"We're very lucky to get the services of someone of Geoff's ability at such short notice, especially considering he already has an intimate knowledge of the players," said Rennie.
"He is a good man. He's technically very strong around lineout and maul and he has impressed me with his work ethic to get up to speed over the last two weeks."
Parling, who notched up 29 Tests for England between 2012 and 2015 and played for the British and Irish Lions in 2013, will only be in the role for the 2020 season.
He has spent the past three years at the Melbourne Rebels, turning their lineout into a force to be reckoned with and will return there for the 2021 Super Rugby season.
"There is some great talent here, but we won't get anywhere without hard work," said Parling of the Wallabies.
"I have high expectations of the group and am looking forward to seeing them rip in."
Last week, Rennie named a new-look 44-man squad for the upcoming Tests, including 16 uncapped players and a further 13 with fewer than 10 appearances in a Wallabies jersey.
They face the All Blacks in Wellington on October 11 and again in Auckland a week later before the four-nation Rugby Championship in Australia from November 7.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-18--Bolivian interim president Anez withdraws candidacy for October election

Anez made the announcement in a video shared on Facebook .
She had initially ruled herself out of the race @ @ @ @ @ ’ s conservative interim president , Jeanine Anez , on Thursday withdrew her candidacy for @ @ @ @ @ after opinion polls showed her lagging against the socialist party of ex-leader Evo Morales .
@ @ @ @ @ a video message .
She took office during a power vacuum late last year following @ @ @ @ @ protests and eventually led to the resignation of long-term leader Morales .
Anez ’ s @ @ @ @ @ after she initially ruled herself out and pledged to guide the country to transparent new @ @ @ @ @ Arce leads in the polls , followed by centrist Carlos Mesa .

Bolivia’s conservative interim president, Jeanine Anez, pulled out of next month’s general election on Thursday, a move that should strengthen other candidates running against the front-running socialist party of ex-leader Evo Morales.
Anez made the announcement in a video shared on social media. She had initially ruled herself out of the race before changing course.
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Anez said in a video message she sought to unify those opposing the candidate for the party of Morales, who resigned last year after an election sparked widespread protests. Anez, a former senator, took office in the power vacuum that followed Morales’ departure.
The Oct. 18 vote is the delayed rerun of the 2019 ballot. Anez’s candidacy had sparked controversy after she initially ruled herself out and pledged to guide the country to transparent new elections. Socialist candidate Luis Arce of the MAS party leads in opinion polls, followed by centrist former President Carlos Mesa. Anez had been in fourth place.
01:33
“Today I put aside my candidacy for the presidency of Bolivia, for the sake of democracy,” Anez said, citing “the risk that the vote is divided among several candidates and that as a result of that division, the MAS would end up winning”.
“If we don’t unite, Morales will return. If we don’t unite, democracy loses,” she said, calling for unity among voters opposed to MAS. She declined to say which candidate she planned to vote for.
00:20
By pulling out of the race, Anez could increase chances that the election will be pushed to a second round by consolidating the anti-Arce vote.
To avoid a second round, the election winner requires at least 40% of valid votes in the first round and a 10-point advantage over the closest competitor.
Arce has more than 40.3% support from likely voters, according to a recent poll, while Mesa was at 26.2%, conservative anti-Morales activist Luis Fernando Camacho at 14.4% and Anez at 10.6%.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-09-18--FBI worried about clashes between violent groups before US vote

The FBI is increasingly worried about potential violent clashes between extremist groups on the right and the left ahead of the November election , Director Chris Wray said The FBI is increasingly worried about possible violent clashes between ideologically-motivated extremist groups before the November election , director Chris Wray said Thursday .
Wray said the Federal Bureau of Investigation is keeping a close eye on groups who have faced off in protests in various cities such as Portland , Oregon , and Kenosha , Wisconsin .
In those places , anti-racism and anti-police groups have squared off with right-wing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wray told a Congressional hearing that the FBI was deeply concerned about the growing tension on US streets , and groups that are `` hijacking '' protests to incite violence .
`` Now you 've got an additional level of combustible violence , '' he said , citing `` violent extremist groups or individuals committing violence . ''
`` Now you have both groups from the opposite sides adding to the combustibility and danger of the situation , '' Wray told the House Homeland Security Committee .
`` We have certainly seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's a force multiplier , in a bad way , that I 'm concerned about . ''
Several people have been killed in those situations .
In August , a 17-year-old with ties to arch-conservative groups was charged with shooting dead two people protesting against police mistreatment of blacks in Kenosha .
And at the end of August in Portland , an activist aligned with the leftist Antifa movement shot dead a supporter of a far-right Patriot Prayer group during a protest .
The Antifa shooter , Michael Reinoehl , was killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers that , aside from `` lone wolf '' attackers inspired by foreign jihadist groups like Islamic State , white supremacists remain the biggest domestic terror threat .
`` Within the domestic terrorism bucket as a whole , racially motivated violent extremism is , I think , the biggest bucket within that larger group , '' he told the committee .
`` Within the racially motivated violent extremist bucket , people subscribing to some kind of white supremacist ideology is certainly the biggest chunk . ''
Wray did point out that while white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lethal terror attacks inside the United States in recent years , there has been a noteworthy shift this year , with attacks by `` anti-government , anti-authority '' actors .
That includes the May murder of two policemen in California by a follower of the extreme right , often heavily armed `` Boogaloo Bois '' movement .
In the same hearing , National Counterterrorism Center Director Christopher Miller confirmed that white nationalists were a particular focus of their concerns .
He said that some of the US extremists have loose ties with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the Russian Imperial Movement that Washington formally designated a terror group in April .
But the links between US white supremacist and the foreign groups are so far relatively loose and informal , Miller said .
Although some Americans have traveled to Russia to train with the Imperial Movement , the cross-border ties between groups are `` nothing monolith ... we are not picking up anything of a routine , systemic connection , '' he said .
It is `` More ad hoc , because they are all sitting on line together @ @ @ @

Washington (AFP) –
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The FBI is increasingly worried about possible violent clashes between ideologically-motivated extremist groups before the November election, director Chris Wray said Thursday.
Wray said the Federal Bureau of Investigation is keeping a close eye on groups who have faced off in protests in various cities such as Portland, Oregon, and Kenosha, Wisconsin.
In those places, anti-racism and anti-police groups have squared off with right-wing and white nationalist activists who are often armed.
Wray told a Congressional hearing that the FBI was deeply concerned about the growing tension on US streets, and groups that are "hijacking" protests to incite violence.
"Now you've got an additional level of combustible violence," he said, citing "violent extremist groups or individuals committing violence."
"Now you have both groups from the opposite sides adding to the combustibility and danger of the situation," Wray told the House Homeland Security Committee.
"We have certainly seen that in a number of cities. That's a force multiplier, in a bad way, that I'm concerned about."
Several people have been killed in those situations.
In August, a 17-year-old with ties to arch-conservative groups was charged with shooting dead two people protesting against police mistreatment of blacks in Kenosha.
And at the end of August in Portland, an activist aligned with the leftist Antifa movement shot dead a supporter of a far-right Patriot Prayer group during a protest.
The Antifa shooter, Michael Reinoehl, was killed by police days later.
Wray told lawmakers that, aside from "lone wolf" attackers inspired by foreign jihadist groups like Islamic State, white supremacists remain the biggest domestic terror threat.
"Within the domestic terrorism bucket as a whole, racially motivated violent extremism is, I think, the biggest bucket within that larger group," he told the committee.
"Within the racially motivated violent extremist bucket, people subscribing to some kind of white supremacist ideology is certainly the biggest chunk."
Wray did point out that while white supremacists have been responsible for most of the lethal terror attacks inside the United States in recent years, there has been a noteworthy shift this year, with attacks by "anti-government, anti-authority" actors.
That includes the May murder of two policemen in California by a follower of the extreme right, often heavily armed "Boogaloo Bois" movement.
In the same hearing, National Counterterrorism Center Director Christopher Miller confirmed that white nationalists were a particular focus of their concerns.
He said that some of the US extremists have loose ties with similar groups in Germany and Russia, including the Russian Imperial Movement that Washington formally designated a terror group in April.
But the links between US white supremacist and the foreign groups are so far relatively loose and informal, Miller said.
Although some Americans have traveled to Russia to train with the Imperial Movement, the cross-border ties between groups are "nothing monolith... we are not picking up anything of a routine, systemic connection," he said.
It is "More ad hoc, because they are all sitting on line together, chatting."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-18--Twitter tightens security for politicians and journalists

( FILES ) In this file photo illustration , a Twitter logo is displayed on a mobile phone on August 10 , 2020 , in Arlington , Virginia .
Twitter on Thursday said it is tightening security of high-profile politicians , campaigns and journalists as a `` critical preventative step '' ahead of the US presidential election .
Twitter will be implementing more sophisticated systems to detect suspicious activity and ramp up defenses intended to thwart hackers from taking over accounts , according to the social media platform popular with US President Donald Trump .
`` Implementing these security measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tech firm 's safety team said in a blog post .
Twitter maintained that it is `` focused on keeping high-profile accounts on Twitter safe and secure during the 2020 US election . ''
Accounts targeted for heightened security include federal and state politicians ; political parties ; candidates ; presidential campaigns , and journalists who cover them .
Such accounts will be required to use strong passwords , and Twitter will enable a setting that requires confirmation by email or phone number to reset passwords .
Twitter also encouraged people managing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires a back-up validation , for example a confirmation code sent by text message , when logging in .
The safety team said it was applying lessons learned from prior incidents .
Hackers in July took over dozens of high-profile Twitter accounts with an attack that tricked a handful of employees into giving up their credentials , according to the company .
The incident by bitcoin scammers stemmed from a `` spear phishing '' attack which deceived employees about the origin of the messages , Twitter said .
While that massive hack duped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns that legitimate accounts could be commandeered by malicious characters out to sway elections or cause conflict .
Twitter and other social media platforms are under pressure to stop being used to spread misinformation or exacerbate social division , ahead of the US presidential election in November .

San Francisco (AFP) –
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Twitter on Thursday said it is tightening security of high-profile politicians, campaigns and journalists as a "critical preventative step" ahead of the US presidential election.
Twitter will be implementing more sophisticated systems to detect suspicious activity and ramp up defenses intended to thwart hackers from taking over accounts, according to the social media platform popular with US President Donald Trump.
"Implementing these security measures is a critical preventative step," the tech firm's safety team said in a blog post.
Twitter maintained that it is "focused on keeping high-profile accounts on Twitter safe and secure during the 2020 US election."
Accounts targeted for heightened security include federal and state politicians; political parties; candidates; presidential campaigns, and journalists who cover them.
Such accounts will be required to use strong passwords, and Twitter will enable a setting that requires confirmation by email or phone number to reset passwords.
Twitter also encouraged people managing those accounts to use two-factor authentication that requires a back-up validation, for example a confirmation code sent by text message, when logging in.
The safety team said it was applying lessons learned from prior incidents.
Hackers in July took over dozens of high-profile Twitter accounts with an attack that tricked a handful of employees into giving up their credentials, according to the company.
The incident by bitcoin scammers stemmed from a "spear phishing" attack which deceived employees about the origin of the messages, Twitter said.
While that massive hack duped people out of money, it sparked concerns that legitimate accounts could be commandeered by malicious characters out to sway elections or cause conflict.
Twitter and other social media platforms are under pressure to stop being used to spread misinformation or exacerbate social division, ahead of the US presidential election in November.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-18--Paw-ly in the pandemic: pets can  catch virus from owners

There is little evidence that pets play a significant role in spreading the virus Cat and dog owners suffering from Covid-19 can pass their illness onto their feline and canine companions , according to a small study released Friday .
The new coronavirus is a `` zoonotic '' infection -- meaning it has jumped into humans from animals -- and while there is little sign that pets play a major role in spreading the virus , there is growing evidence that cats , dogs and even tigers may catch it .
In the latest preliminary research , which has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Canada tested the pets of a group of people with a confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis .
In a first group , they took swabs from 17 cats , 18 dogs and one ferret whose owners had a diagnosis within two weeks .
These were all negative for a current illness , except one unclear result .
Then they gave blood antibody tests to eight cats and 10 dogs , whose owners were outside the two-week window , comparing these to control samples taken from the same animals before the pandemic .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or IgM antibodies in four ( 50 percent ) and three ( 38 percent ) respectively , while two dogs also tested positive ( 20 percent ) .
All cats and one of the dogs with antibodies were reported to have shown signs of respiratory or other illness at the same time as their owners .
`` While eligible participant number was limited by relatively low human transmission rates in the study area , these preliminary results suggest that a substantial proportion of pets in households of persons with COVID-19 end up developing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bienzle , Professor of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Guelph in Ontario .
Independent experts commenting on the research , which will be presented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Conference on Coronavirus Disease later this month , said the sample size was too small to draw broad conclusions and that pet owners should not be alarmed .
Sally Cutler , Professor of Medical Microbiology , University of East London said there was not enough evidence to warrant people attempting to isolate from their animals .
`` Pets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humans especially when unwell , '' she said , adding that it had not yet been demonstrated whether pets could be a source of human infection .
Domestic cats and dogs from Europe to the US have tested positive for the virus during the pandemic , while in April New York 's Bronx Zoo said a tiger had caught the virus , probably from an asymptomatic caretaker .
The World Health Organization has said it was unclear whether infected animals pose a risk to humans .
Outbreaks in farms of ferret-like mink , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to humans .
At least two farm workers in the Netherlands were found to be infected with Covid-19 in May , most likely by the mink , with the WHO saying they could be the `` first known cases of animal-to-human transmission '' .

London (AFP) –
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Cat and dog owners suffering from Covid-19 can pass their illness onto their feline and canine companions, according to a small study released Friday.
The new coronavirus is a "zoonotic" infection -- meaning it has jumped into humans from animals -- and while there is little sign that pets play a major role in spreading the virus, there is growing evidence that cats, dogs and even tigers may catch it.
In the latest preliminary research, which has not been peer reviewed, veterinary science experts in Canada tested the pets of a group of people with a confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis.
In a first group, they took swabs from 17 cats, 18 dogs and one ferret whose owners had a diagnosis within two weeks. These were all negative for a current illness, except one unclear result.
Then they gave blood antibody tests to eight cats and 10 dogs, whose owners were outside the two-week window, comparing these to control samples taken from the same animals before the pandemic.
Among the cats the results indicated presence of IgG or IgM antibodies in four (50 percent) and three (38 percent) respectively, while two dogs also tested positive (20 percent).
All cats and one of the dogs with antibodies were reported to have shown signs of respiratory or other illness at the same time as their owners.
"While eligible participant number was limited by relatively low human transmission rates in the study area, these preliminary results suggest that a substantial proportion of pets in households of persons with COVID-19 end up developing antibodies," said study co-author Dorothee Bienzle, Professor of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Guelph in Ontario.
Independent experts commenting on the research, which will be presented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Conference on Coronavirus Disease later this month, said the sample size was too small to draw broad conclusions and that pet owners should not be alarmed.
Sally Cutler, Professor of Medical Microbiology, University of East London said there was not enough evidence to warrant people attempting to isolate from their animals.
"Pets can be a source of comfort for humans especially when unwell," she said, adding that it had not yet been demonstrated whether pets could be a source of human infection.
Domestic cats and dogs from Europe to the US have tested positive for the virus during the pandemic, while in April New York's Bronx Zoo said a tiger had caught the virus, probably from an asymptomatic caretaker.
The World Health Organization has said it was unclear whether infected animals pose a risk to humans.
Outbreaks in farms of ferret-like mink, however, have raised concerns of transmission to humans.
At least two farm workers in the Netherlands were found to be infected with Covid-19 in May, most likely by the mink, with the WHO saying they could be the "first known cases of animal-to-human transmission".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-17--Half of Covid patients in Irish study suffer ongoing fatigue

Even those who have milder symptoms of the virus may suffer longer-term effects , the research suggests More than half of patients and staff with Covid-19 monitored by an Irish hospital suffered persistent fatigue in the aftermath of the initial disease , according to a new study Friday highlighting the `` significant burden '' of lingering symptoms .
It comes as patient groups and doctors call for more research into the medium- and long-term effects of the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 , which has sickened more than 30 million people across the world and killed at least 943,000 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been well-characterised , the medium- and long-term consequences of infection remain unexplored , '' said Liam Townsend , of St James 's Hospital and Trinity Translational Medicine Institute at Trinity College Dublin .
The study , which tracked 128 participants at St James 's Hospital , found that 52 percent reported persistent fatigue when they were assessed an average of 10 weeks after `` clinical recovery '' from infection , regardless of how serious their initial infection was .
The preliminary study , which has not yet been peer reviewed , included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital and 57 employees of the hospital who had mild illness .
The average age was 50 and all participants had tested positive for Covid-19 .
Researchers looked at a variety of potential factors , including the severity of the initial illness and pre-existing conditions , including depression .
They found that it made no difference whether a patient had been hospitalised or not .
However , they did find that women , despite making up just over half of the participants ( 54 percent ) , accounted for two-thirds of those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those with a previous history of anxiety or depression were also found to be more likely to have fatigue .
The authors said the findings showed that more work was needed to assess the impact of Covid-19 on patients in the longer term .
`` Our findings demonstrate a significant burden of post-viral fatigue in individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection after the acute phase of Covid-19 illness , '' they concluded .
The study , which is being presented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Conference on Coronavirus Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested those affected are `` worthy of further study and early intervention '' .
As the pandemic has scorched its way across the planet , most attention has been focused on the immediate impact , measured by hospital admissions and deaths .
But it has become increasingly clear that the virus can reverberate long after a patient has `` recovered '' .
Online support groups across the world have attracted thousands of members looking for help and advice about ongoing illness .
In July , a study of recovered hospital patients in Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least one symptom 60 days after falling ill .
Fatigue and breathing difficulties were the most common .
Researchers from King 's College London , which is behind a large-scale symptom-tracking project , estimate that one in 10 people using the app still have symptoms after 30 days and some remain unwell for months .
`` We are increasingly seeing evidence of 'long Covid ' , and fatigue is one of the commonly reported side effects .
This study highlights that fatigue was experienced in both hospitalised patients and in those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Head , of the University of Southampton , commenting on the latest research .
`` The emerging extent of long Covid is why it is important to reduce community transmission , even among younger groups of people who are not immediately seriously ill . ''

London (AFP) –
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More than half of patients and staff with Covid-19 monitored by an Irish hospital suffered persistent fatigue in the aftermath of the initial disease, according to a new study Friday highlighting the "significant burden" of lingering symptoms.
It comes as patient groups and doctors call for more research into the medium- and long-term effects of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which has sickened more than 30 million people across the world and killed at least 943,000.
"Whilst the presenting features of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been well-characterised, the medium- and long-term consequences of infection remain unexplored," said Liam Townsend, of St James's Hospital and Trinity Translational Medicine Institute at Trinity College Dublin.
The study, which tracked 128 participants at St James's Hospital, found that 52 percent reported persistent fatigue when they were assessed an average of 10 weeks after "clinical recovery" from infection, regardless of how serious their initial infection was.
The preliminary study, which has not yet been peer reviewed, included 71 people who had been admitted to hospital and 57 employees of the hospital who had mild illness. The average age was 50 and all participants had tested positive for Covid-19.
Researchers looked at a variety of potential factors, including the severity of the initial illness and pre-existing conditions, including depression.
They found that it made no difference whether a patient had been hospitalised or not.
However, they did find that women, despite making up just over half of the participants (54 percent), accounted for two-thirds of those with persistent fatigue (67 percent).
Those with a previous history of anxiety or depression were also found to be more likely to have fatigue.
The authors said the findings showed that more work was needed to assess the impact of Covid-19 on patients in the longer term.
"Our findings demonstrate a significant burden of post-viral fatigue in individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection after the acute phase of Covid-19 illness," they concluded.
- 'Long Covid' -
The study, which is being presented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Conference on Coronavirus Disease (ECCVID) later this month, suggested those affected are "worthy of further study and early intervention".
As the pandemic has scorched its way across the planet, most attention has been focused on the immediate impact, measured by hospital admissions and deaths.
But it has become increasingly clear that the virus can reverberate long after a patient has "recovered".
Online support groups across the world have attracted thousands of members looking for help and advice about ongoing illness.
In July, a study of recovered hospital patients in Italy found that 87 percent were still suffering at least one symptom 60 days after falling ill. Fatigue and breathing difficulties were the most common.
Researchers from King's College London, which is behind a large-scale symptom-tracking project, estimate that one in 10 people using the app still have symptoms after 30 days and some remain unwell for months.
"We are increasingly seeing evidence of 'long Covid', and fatigue is one of the commonly reported side effects. This study highlights that fatigue was experienced in both hospitalised patients and in those with milder initial presentations," said Michael Head, of the University of Southampton, commenting on the latest research.
"The emerging extent of long Covid is why it is important to reduce community transmission, even among younger groups of people who are not immediately seriously ill."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-17--Westwood confident after staying away over virus concerns

Britain 's Lee Westwood , who skipped last month 's PGA Championship over coronavirus concerns , is confidently chasing his long-sought first major title after an opening 67 Thursday at the US Open .
The 47-year-old Englishman , who could become the second-oldest major winner in golf history , was two strokes off the pace being set by Justin Thomas after 18 holes at Winged Foot .
Westwood has 12 top-five finishes at major championships without a victory , three of his near-misses coming at US Opens , but he still squandered a chance to play in a major last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reluctant to risk catching the deadly virus despite two months of safeguarded US PGA Tour events .
`` It 's just a strange world that we 're living in right now , and people have different opinions on things , do n't they ? ''
Westwood said Thursday .
`` They evaluate things and see things in different ways .
You 've got to respect the individual 's view on it .
`` I do n't really criticize anybody that takes an opinion opposite to mine .
It 's just that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you do n't feel like it 's right .
`` I 'm not saying it is n't right for certain people , but just for me it was n't right ...
It felt too early coming out -- not even out of it .
We 're going into second waves here and there .
Felt too early to start traveling 10 hours on an airplane .
So that was the view and the route I took . ''
Westwood changed his mind , however , after talking to other players and hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just feedback from other people that have been at tournaments and telling me what 's going on at tournaments and stuff like that , '' Westwood said .
`` I felt comfortable coming here . ''
He played that way as well , sinking a 12-foot birdie putt at the ninth hole , his last of the round , to join Rory McIlroy and Louis Oosthuizen in a share of fifth .
The only major winner older than Westwood will be on Sunday is Julius Boros , who was 48 when he won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10th at the European Tour Andalucia Masters two weeks ago after a 67 in the last round at Valderrama , a round that has given him confidence this week .
`` I 've built on that and fed off confidence again from that , '' said Westwood .
`` In the practice rounds , I hit it well .
I hit a lot of fairways .
I 'm driving the ball well .
I felt like , if I did that , then there 's a low score out there for me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bogeys on Thursday with a focus on fairways and putting .
`` I do n't consider myself long by any means out here , '' Westwood said .
`` You get it in the fairway regularly around here , you can score well .
`` As the golf course firms out and a little bit of wind picks up , which is likely , and pin positions obviously get tougher , it wo n't yield as many low scores .
Today was the day to get off to a decent start and get @ @ @ @

New York (AFP) –
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Britain's Lee Westwood, who skipped last month's PGA Championship over coronavirus concerns, is confidently chasing his long-sought first major title after an opening 67 Thursday at the US Open.
The 47-year-old Englishman, who could become the second-oldest major winner in golf history, was two strokes off the pace being set by Justin Thomas after 18 holes at Winged Foot.
Westwood has 12 top-five finishes at major championships without a victory, three of his near-misses coming at US Opens, but he still squandered a chance to play in a major last month at the PGA in san Francisco, reluctant to risk catching the deadly virus despite two months of safeguarded US PGA Tour events.
"It's just a strange world that we're living in right now, and people have different opinions on things, don't they?" Westwood said Thursday. "They evaluate things and see things in different ways. You've got to respect the individual's view on it.
"I don't really criticize anybody that takes an opinion opposite to mine. It's just that you shouldn't be at a golf tournament if you don't feel like it's right.
"I'm not saying it isn't right for certain people, but just for me it wasn't right... It felt too early coming out -- not even out of it. We're going into second waves here and there. Felt too early to start traveling 10 hours on an airplane. So that was the view and the route I took."
Westwood changed his mind, however, after talking to other players and hearing about the precautions in place.
"Just feedback from other people that have been at tournaments and telling me what's going on at tournaments and stuff like that," Westwood said. "I felt comfortable coming here."
He played that way as well, sinking a 12-foot birdie putt at the ninth hole, his last of the round, to join Rory McIlroy and Louis Oosthuizen in a share of fifth.
The only major winner older than Westwood will be on Sunday is Julius Boros, who was 48 when he won the 1968 PGA Championship.
Westwood shared 10th at the European Tour Andalucia Masters two weeks ago after a 67 in the last round at Valderrama, a round that has given him confidence this week.
"I've built on that and fed off confidence again from that," said Westwood. "In the practice rounds, I hit it well. I hit a lot of fairways. I'm driving the ball well. I felt like, if I did that, then there's a low score out there for me."
Westwood made five birdies and two bogeys on Thursday with a focus on fairways and putting.
"I don't consider myself long by any means out here," Westwood said. "You get it in the fairway regularly around here, you can score well.
"As the golf course firms out and a little bit of wind picks up, which is likely, and pin positions obviously get tougher, it won't yield as many low scores. Today was the day to get off to a decent start and get some credit."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-17--Peru top court rejects bid to block impeachment vote

Peru 's top court on Thursday rejected a government bid to block the impeachment of President Martin Vizcarra .
The @ @ @ @ @ votes to two that the vote can go ahead in congress on Friday , its @ @ @ @ @ Congress voted last week to open impeachment proceedings against Vizcarra for `` moral incapacity '' @ @ @ @ @ to lie to anti-graft investigators .
Viscarra 's government had sought the court injunction on @ @ @ @ @ not competent to rule on the president 's moral capacity .
However Ledesma said the @ @ @ @ @ to admit the competency claim to proceedings '' but pointed out that ruling would take @ @ @ @ @ that meanwhile , `` in light of the declarations of political leaders , the risk @ @ @ @ @ office of president ) has been weakened and there is no manifest urgency . ''

Lima (AFP) –
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Peru's top court on Thursday rejected a government bid to block the impeachment of President Martin Vizcarra.
The Constitutional Court ruled by five votes to two that the vote can go ahead in congress on Friday, its president Marianella Ledesma announced.
Congress voted last week to open impeachment proceedings against Vizcarra for "moral incapacity" over accusations he incited aides to lie to anti-graft investigators.
Viscarra's government had sought the court injunction on the grounds that congress was not competent to rule on the president's moral capacity.
However Ledesma said the seven-member court "has decided to admit the competency claim to proceedings" but pointed out that ruling would take several weeks.
Ledesma said that meanwhile, "in light of the declarations of political leaders, the risk of vacancy (of the office of president) has been weakened and there is no manifest urgency."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-17--Belarus to close borders with Poland and Lithuania, put troops on alert

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks at the forum of Union of Women in Minsk , Belarus September 17 , 2020 .
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko , dogged by weeks of protests over a disputed election , said on Thursday that Belarus needs to close its borders with Poland and Lithuania , and strengthen border controls with Ukraine .
Belarus is in a political crisis following an Aug. 9 presidential election marred by vote-rigging allegations that led to mass demonstrations against Lukashenko , who has been in power since 1994 .
Lukashenko says he won re-election fairly and is the victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are compelled to withdraw our troops from the streets , have half our army on guard and close our state border with the West , first of all with Lithuania and Poland , ” Lukashenko said in a speech at a women ’ s forum in Minsk .
“ To our greatest regret , we are compelled to strengthen our border with brotherly Ukraine.
” Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller said in a text message that Poland did not have any confirmation that the border had really been closed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuters by text message : “ We take this as another element of the propaganda campaign , a psychological game which aims to create a sense of an external threat.
” The Polish foreign ministry told state run news agency PAP that the border was operating as normal .
Lithuanian border guard chief Rustamas Liubajevas said the border there was also operating as usual .
“ We don ’ t know what this ( announcement ) means .
Will they close border to cargo , or people , or something else ?
... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the announcement means and how it is implemented , ” Lithuanian foreign affairs minister Linas Linkevicius said .
Lukashenko ’ s announcement comes as the United States and a slew of European countries have stepped up scrutiny of Belarus over alleged irregularities in the country ’ s August election and repression of protests since .
Denmark said on Thursday that seventeen members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) have appointed an independent team of experts to investigate alleged rights violations in the August presidential election .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Belarussian authorities accountable for their gross violations of the right of the people of Belarus to have free and fair elections , fundamental freedoms and a well-functioning rule of law , ” Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said in a statement .
The mission is expected to publish a report within six to eight weeks , his ministry said .
It will investigate reports of persecution of candidates , journalists and activists as well as excessive use of force against peaceful protesters , illegal detention and torture .
President Alexander Lukashenko says he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a Western smear campaign .
Speaking on a visit to Washington , British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he believed the game plan of Lukashenko and his main backer , Russian President Vladimir Putin , was to “ try to sit this out ” .
“ When we ’ ve got answers ... under that independent auspices , I think it would be very hard for Lukashenko just to carry on as normal , ” Raab told the Atlantic Council think tank , referring to the mission .
“ They ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial thing at that point is the action the international community takes , ” Raab said , adding there should be room for dialogue — under OSCE auspices or otherwise — “ coupled with really clear costs if the regimes in Moscow and in Belarus just do not move ” .
The OSCE mission is unlikely to gain access to Belarus .
Minsk prevented the deployment of OSCE election observers by not inviting them , and has ignored repeated offers by the OSCE chairman , Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama , to visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are Denmark , Belgium , Canada , Estonia , Finland , France , Iceland , Latvia , Lithuania , the Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Romania , Slovakia , Britain , the Czech Republic and the United States .
The OSCE , a rights and security body , is made up of 57 nations , including Russia .
Separately , a group of 29 countries , including the United States , Germany and Britain , issued a joint statement condemning reported internet shutdowns by the Belarus government following the “ fraudulent ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filtering of services unjustifiably limit the rights of peaceful assembly and freedoms of association and expression , especially when they lack procedural fairness and transparency , ” the statement said .
The other signatories were Australia , Austria , Belgium , Bulgaria , Canada , Cyprus , the Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Greece , Iceland , Ireland , Japan , Latvia , Liechtenstein , Lithuania , Luxembourg , the Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Slovenia , Sweden , Switzerland and Ukraine .

Belarus’ president, beleaguered by six weeks of mass protests demanding his resignation, on Thursday announced he was putting troops on high alert and closing the country’s borders with Poland and Lithuania.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks at the forum of Union of Women in Minsk, Belarus September 17, 2020.
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President Alexander Lukashenko’s decision underlines his repeated claim that the wave of protests is driven by the West. He faces increasing criticism from the United States and the European Union.
Protests began after the Aug. 9 presidential election that official results say gave the authoritarian leader a sixth term in office; opponents say the results were manipulated.
“We are forced to withdraw troops from the streets, put the army on high alert and close the state border on the west, primarily with Lithuania and Poland,” Lukashenko said at a women’s forum.
Lukashenko also said Belarus’ border with Ukraine would be strengthened.
“I don’t want my country to be at war. Moreover, I don’t want Belarus and Poland, Lithuania to turn into a theater of military operations where our issues will not be resolved,” he said. “Therefore, today in front of this hall of the most beautiful, advanced, patriotic people I want to appeal to the peoples of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine — stop your crazy politicians, don’t let war break out!”
He did not mention neighboring Latvia, which like Poland and Lithuania is a NATO member.
Earlier Thursday, the main opposition candidate in the disputed presidential election said that activists are compiling a list of law enforcement officers who were allegedly involved in violence against protesters denouncing the results of the vote.
Nearly 7,000 people were detained and hundreds were brutally beaten by police during the first several days of post-election protests.
Lukashenko’s main challenger in the election, former English teacher and political novice Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said “we have been given the names of those who were beating and torturing people. We are preparing a list of officials and law enforcement officers who have taken part in lawless repressions”.
Human rights groups are working with opposition activists to identify the officers and officials, Tsikhanouskaya said, adding that the list will be shared with the United States, the European Union and Russia.
>> The Interview: Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya: ‘We want another country’
Tsikhanouskaya, who left for Lithuania in the wake of the election under pressure from Belarusian authorities, said the opposition will name the list in honor of Alexander Taraikovsky, a protester who died in Minsk the day after the election as police dispersed peaceful demonstrators.
Authorities initially said an explosive device Taraikovsky intended to throw at police blew up in his hands and killed him. However, Associated Press video showed he was not holding any explosives when he fell to the ground, his shirt bloodied.
Belarusian authorities later acknowledged that Taraikovsky might have been killed by a rubber bullet. The street in the capital of Minsk where Taraikovsky died turned into a pilgrimage site, with thousands of people, including European ambassadors, laying flowers there.
After the initial broad crackdown on protests, Belarusian authorities changed tactics and tried to end displays of dissent with the selective detentions of demonstrators and the jailing of opposition leaders.
The US and the EU have criticized the presidential election as neither free nor fair, and urged Lukashenko to start talks with the opposition — a call he has rejected. Washington and Brussels have been pondering sanctions against Belarusian officials for alleged vote-rigging and the violent response to protests.
On Thursday, the European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a resolution rejecting the official election results and saying it would not recognize Lukashenko as the legitimate president once his current term expires Nov. 5.
Belarus’ foreign ministry responded strongly, saying: “We are disappointed that the European Parliament, positioning itself as a serious, objective and democratic structure, could not find the political will to look beyond its nose, overcome one-sidedness and not become a hostage to conventional cliches.”
Russia, Lukashenko’s main ally and sponsor, has maintained staunch support for the Belarusian leader. Moscow announced this week it would offer a new $1.5 billion loan to his government.
>> Ukraine and Poland, safe havens for Belarusian dissidents
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Friday during a trip to Lithuania that the two countries — both Belarus’ neighbors — will continue to offer medical and material assistance to Belarusians who were hurt and persecuted during the protests. He argued that the EU and international lenders should offer at least 1 billion euros in economic support for Belarus and its businesses.
“It is crucial for Europe to be aware of how important a free and sovereign Belarus is for the security and the welfare of our entire continent,” Morawiecki said.
(AP)
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france24--2020-09-17--Azarenka shocks third seed Kenin in Rome

Belarus ' Victoria Azarenka did not drop a game against third seeded American Sofia Kenin Victoria Azarenka switched with ease from her impressive form on the hard court in the United States last week to clay in Rome sweeping past third Sofia Kenin 6-0 , 6-0 to advance to the third round of the Italian Open on Thursday .
The US Open runner-up followed on from her straight sets win over Venus Williams in the first round at Foro Italico , dispatching Australian Open champion Kenin in just over an hour .
The 31-year-old former world number one , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cincinatti , did not drop a game and faced no break points , hitting 57 winners against to the American 's 29 .
`` I think my consistency was the key to the scoreline , I think I used my serve smart today , '' said Azarenka who next plays Russian Daria Kasatkina for a place in the quarter-finals .
Azarenka , a two-time Australian Open winner in 2012 and 2013 , has jumped to 14th in the world after her New York success .
The Belarussian spent two years off the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embroiled in a custody battle .
Dutch fifth seed Kiki Bertens also exited in the second round to Slovenian Polona Hercog 6-4 , 6-4 .
Former French Open champion Muguruza next plays Johanna Konta , the seventh seed , and a runner-up last season .
The British player eased past Irina Begu of Romania 6-0 , 6-4 , with Czech 12th seed Marketa Vondrousova and Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova also advancing .
In the men 's tournament , France 's Gael Monfils , the fifth seed , lost his first match since the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 97th-ranked German Dominik Koepfer in a match which was interrupted for 45 minutes by an electricity cut .
Japan 's Kei Nishikori lost his second round match to Italian Lorenzo Musetti , ranked just 249th in the world .
The 18-year-old won through 6-3 , 6-4 against the 35th-ranked Nishikori , having already eliminated Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the first round .
`` This evening I won with my head .
I played the important points well , '' said the former junior Australian Open winner who next plays Koepfer .

Rome (AFP) –
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Victoria Azarenka switched with ease from her impressive form on the hard court in the United States last week to clay in Rome sweeping past third Sofia Kenin 6-0, 6-0 to advance to the third round of the Italian Open on Thursday.
The US Open runner-up followed on from her straight sets win over Venus Williams in the first round at Foro Italico, dispatching Australian Open champion Kenin in just over an hour.
The 31-year-old former world number one, who won her first tournament since 2016 in Cincinatti, did not drop a game and faced no break points, hitting 57 winners against to the American's 29.
"I think my consistency was the key to the scoreline, I think I used my serve smart today," said Azarenka who next plays Russian Daria Kasatkina for a place in the quarter-finals.
Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open winner in 2012 and 2013, has jumped to 14th in the world after her New York success.
The Belarussian spent two years off the court after giving birth in 2016 and became embroiled in a custody battle.
Dutch fifth seed Kiki Bertens also exited in the second round to Slovenian Polona Hercog 6-4, 6-4.
But ninth seed Garbine Muguruza dropped a set before rallying past 16-year-old American Cori Gauff 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-3.
Former French Open champion Muguruza next plays Johanna Konta, the seventh seed, and a runner-up last season.
The British player eased past Irina Begu of Romania 6-0, 6-4, with Czech 12th seed Marketa Vondrousova and Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova also advancing.
In the men's tournament, France's Gael Monfils, the fifth seed, lost his first match since the coronavirus lockdown, falling 6-2, 6-4 to 97th-ranked German Dominik Koepfer in a match which was interrupted for 45 minutes by an electricity cut.
Japan's Kei Nishikori lost his second round match to Italian Lorenzo Musetti, ranked just 249th in the world.
The 18-year-old won through 6-3, 6-4 against the 35th-ranked Nishikori, having already eliminated Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the first round.
"This evening I won with my head. I played the important points well," said the former junior Australian Open winner who next plays Koepfer.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-17--Saint-Etienne end 41-year wait with away win at depleted Marseille

Florian Thauvin has his head in his hands after Morgan Sanson 's second half chance Saint-Etienne claimed their first win at Marseille since 1979 with a 2-0 Ligue 1 victory on Thursday as Romain Hamouma and Denis Bouanga scored against the depleted hosts .
It was a blow for Andre Villas-Boas ' side whose victory against bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain at the weekend took its toll , as forward Dario Benedetto and left-back Jordan Amavi were suspended after being sent off in a brawl at the end of the bad-tempered match in the capital .
Defender Alvaro Gonzalez , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abused PSG 's Neymar on Sunday , did start .
Only around 1,000 spectators were present at the Stade Velodrome due to coronavirus restrictions .
Les Verts move to the top of the table with the three points as Claude Puel 's men remain unbeaten this season .
Veteran winger Hamouma broke the deadlock after six minutes , sidefooting home from Yvann Macon 's low cross .
The home side 's best chances to score fell 10 minutes into the second half as 19-year-old Nathan Ake hit the crossbar and midfielder Morgan Sanson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 60 seconds later .
Gabon international left-winger Bouanga doubled his side 's lead to end the 41-year wait by firing past Steve Mandanda with 11 minutes to play .

Marseille (AFP) –
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Saint-Etienne claimed their first win at Marseille since 1979 with a 2-0 Ligue 1 victory on Thursday as Romain Hamouma and Denis Bouanga scored against the depleted hosts.
It was a blow for Andre Villas-Boas' side whose victory against bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain at the weekend took its toll, as forward Dario Benedetto and left-back Jordan Amavi were suspended after being sent off in a brawl at the end of the bad-tempered match in the capital.
Defender Alvaro Gonzalez, at the centre of allegations that he racially abused PSG's Neymar on Sunday, did start.
Only around 1,000 spectators were present at the Stade Velodrome due to coronavirus restrictions.
Les Verts move to the top of the table with the three points as Claude Puel's men remain unbeaten this season.
Veteran winger Hamouma broke the deadlock after six minutes, sidefooting home from Yvann Macon's low cross.
The home side's best chances to score fell 10 minutes into the second half as 19-year-old Nathan Ake hit the crossbar and midfielder Morgan Sanson dribbled his effort past the post less than 60 seconds later.
Gabon international left-winger Bouanga doubled his side's lead to end the 41-year wait by firing past Steve Mandanda with 11 minutes to play.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-09-17--Argentine senate votes to remove Kirchner-case judges

Argentine vice-president Cristina Kirchner , pictured at the Casa Rosada presidency building in Buenos Aires in August 2020 Argentina 's senate has voted to remove three judges from corruption cases against Vice President Cristina Kirchner in a session boycotted by the opposition , the Congress said Thursday .
The judges needed the ratification of the government-controlled senate to remain in their current positions , but the vote means they will now be transferred to other courts and thus removed from the Kirchner cases .
The three judges said they intended to appeal to the Supreme Court .
Opposition senator Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session late Wednesday , held by teleconference because of coronavirus restrictions in Buenos Aires .
`` Today 's agenda is to remove three judges who are hearing cases involving the vice president , '' said Lousteau .
Leftist President Alberto Fernandez introduced a judicial reform package in July that will expand the number of federal courts in an effort to reduce the power and influence of federal judges who are widely accused of making politically motivated decisions .
The reforms have been rejected by the opposition , who argue they are designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control corruption cases against her .
Kirchner , facing trial in nine separate corruption cases stemming from her 2007-2015 terms as Argentina 's president , is currently vice president to Fernandez .
She has asserted that the cases against her amount to political persecution .

Buenos Aires (AFP) –
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Argentina's senate has voted to remove three judges from corruption cases against Vice President Cristina Kirchner in a session boycotted by the opposition, the Congress said Thursday.
The judges needed the ratification of the government-controlled senate to remain in their current positions, but the vote means they will now be transferred to other courts and thus removed from the Kirchner cases.
The three judges said they intended to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Opposition senator Martin Lousteau criticized the vote before leaving the session late Wednesday, held by teleconference because of coronavirus restrictions in Buenos Aires.
"Today's agenda is to remove three judges who are hearing cases involving the vice president," said Lousteau.
Leftist President Alberto Fernandez introduced a judicial reform package in July that will expand the number of federal courts in an effort to reduce the power and influence of federal judges who are widely accused of making politically motivated decisions.
The reforms have been rejected by the opposition, who argue they are designed to weaken the judiciary and allow Kirchner to control corruption cases against her.
Fernandez's Frente de Todos coalition enjoys a comfortable majority in the senate.
Kirchner, facing trial in nine separate corruption cases stemming from her 2007-2015 terms as Argentina's president, is currently vice president to Fernandez.
She has asserted that the cases against her amount to political persecution.
© 2020 AFP