Inter’s title hopes stall in share of six-goal Sassuolo thriller

Milan (AFP) Romelu Lukaku struck his 25th goal of the season but Inter Milan's title hopes stalled on Wednesday with a 3-3 draw against Sassuolo. Inter, in third, are eight points behind leaders Juventus and four adrift of second-placed Lazio who travel to Atalanta later Wednesday. Romelu Lukaku has scored 25 times in all competitions …

Virus heats up migrant rescues in Mediterranean

On Ocean Viking ship (AFP) The blazing heat of the sun hitting the Mediterranean Sea makes it an exhausting task to pull stranded migrants on to rescue ships. But the new heavy equipment the rescue activists have to wear in the 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) heat to limit the risk of contagion from …

US says considering new taxes on $3.1 bn in European products

Washington (AFP) The United States is considering levying taxes on an additional $3.1 billion in European imports amid a dispute over subsidies to planemaker Airbus. A document released Tuesday from the US Trade Representative (USTR) listed products from France, Germany, Spain or Britain, ranging from olives to decaffeinated coffee, as possibly subject to the new …

France wants discussion ‘without taboos’ on EU-Turkey ties

Paris (AFP) France on Wednesday demanded a discussion "without taboos" within the EU on its relationship with Turkey, which officially remains a candidate to join the bloc despite a stalled membership process. Already strained ties between NATO allies France and Turkey have worsened in recent days as the two sides exchanged accusations over the Libya …

Mongolia’s ruling party wins parliamentary election in landslide

Ulaanbaatar (AFP) Mongolia's ruling party won a landslide election victory to retain an overwhelming majority in parliament -- a reward from voters who approved of its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, according to near-complete results on Thursday. The Mongolian People's Party of Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa now faces the task of keeping the economy afloat …

Man Utd make top four move, Liverpool lie in wait

London (AFP) Manchester United closed to within two points of the top four thanks to Anthony Martial's hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday before Liverpool hope to move to the brink of a first title in 30 years. Victory for Jurgen Klopp's men over Crystal Palace at Anfield will mean Manchester …

Martial treble boosts Man Utd’s Euro bid

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) Anthony Martial's hat-trick fired Manchester United to a 3-0 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday that boosted their bid to qualify for the Champions League. Martial struck twice in the first half and completed his first senior treble after the interval at Old Trafford. Manchester United striker Anthony Martial Michael Steele …

Venezuela calls US warship presence ‘a provocation’

Caracas (AFP) Venezuela accused the United States on Wednesday of "an act of provocation" after a US warship steamed close to the South American country's territorial waters the day before. "A United States Navy destroyer approached within 30 miles of the coast, in a clear act of provocation. It cannot be termed otherwise....it is a …

Plastic ‘has entered’ Antarctic terrestrial food chain

Paris (AFP) Scientists have found bits of polystyrene in the guts of tiny, soil-dwelling organisms in the Antarctic, raising concern that microplastics pollution has already "deeply" entered the world's most remote land-based food systems. While the infiltration of microplastics throughout the oceans is well-known, researchers said their findings provided the first evidence of contamination in …

Virus yet to peak in Americas: WHO

Geneva (AFP) The coronavirus pandemic has yet to peak in the Americas, the World Health Organization warned on Wednesday, as it said global infections were likely to hit 10 million within a week. The WHO said the length and height of peaks would be determined by government actions, without which a lurch back towards lockdowns …

Israel warned at UN against annexation but US gives green light

United Nations (United States) (AFP) The United Nations and European and Arab powers on Wednesday warned Israel that its plans to annex Palestinian land would deal a major blow to peace but the United States offered its green light. One week before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to start the annexation process, a …

South Africa to restart richest African league amid pandemic

Johannesburg (AFP) South African football was given government approval Wednesday to resume the Absa Premiership -- the richest league in the continent -- although the coronavirus pandemic has not peaked. The most industrialised African country recorded 106,108 COVID-19 infections and 2,102 fatalities by Wednesday, with health minister Zweli Mkhize warning the worst is yet to …

Italy, Interpol launch new drive against ‘Ndrangheta

Rome (AFP) Italy and Interpol on Wednesday launched a drive to stop the 'Ndrangheta, the southern Italian mafia, from cashing in on the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Eleven countries will coordinate to track down and arrest suspects trying to tap into public money being released to rescue economies hit by effects of the …

Kosovo’s Hashim Thaci, rebel-turned-politician accused of war crimes

Pristina (AFP) Hashim Thaci, the former rebel leader who fought for Kosovo's independence and has dominated the young democracy ever since, was hit Wednesday with charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. For nearly two decades President Thaci has played a central role in Kosovo's political scene, making his name during the 1998-1999 war …

Key health services in Africa disrupted by pandemic: WHO chief

Addis Ababa (AFP) The coronavirus pandemic has affected key health services including malaria and HIV treatment programmes across Africa and could undo "decades of progress", the head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday. "Many essential services have been either partially or completely disrupted," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual conference hosted by the Africa …