THE NEWS: Secret papers show Trump aide suspected of 'conspiring' with Russia

Secret papers show Trump aide suspected of 'conspiring' with Russia
source: AFP

GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / Drew Angerer Carter Page has not been charged with a crime but the FBI said he had ties with Russian intelligence officials

The FBI believed that a former campaign advisor to Donald Trump was "collaborating" with Russia as it worked to influence the 2016 presidential election, top secret documents released to US news organizations have revealed.

The US president hit back Sunday, portraying the wiretapping of his ex-aide as part of a partisan and "illegal" conspiracy because the FBI partly relied on information provided by Democrat-funded research in seeking its warrant.

The October 2016 application to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court named Carter Page, a former foreign policy advisor to the Trump campaign, according to the documents published late Saturday by The New York Times.

The newspaper, along with USA Today and others, filed Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain the material, which the Justice Department released but with many details redacted.

"The FBI believes Page has been the subject of targeted recruitment by the Russian government," the initial FBI application says, continuing after a blacked-out section, "...undermine and influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election in violation of US criminal law."

"The FBI believes that Page has been collaborating and conspiring with the Russian government," the document adds lower down.

Release of the documents came just over a week after special counsel Robert Mueller, probing possible collusion between Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia, indicted 12 Russian intelligence officers, accusing them of hacking Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton's campaign to steal documents, which were then publicly released.

It also caps a week dominated by Trump's extraordinary inaugural summit with Vladimir Putin, at which he seemed to take at face value the Russian leader's denial of election interference, dismissing the findings of his own intelligence chiefs.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, Trump said the release confirmed the surveillance of his campaign was a "Witch Hunt" because some of the information that led to the wiretapping was provided by former British intelligence agent Christopher Steele, who was hired on behalf of the Clinton campaign in 2016.

But Trump's tweets did not address the fact that the FISA application revealed its sourcing at length and was approved by a judge, before being renewed three times by three other judges, all appointed by Republican presidents.

- 'Candidate #1' -

The surveillance of Page sparked intense rivalry in February between lawmakers from Trump's Republican Party and their Democratic counterparts.

The former released a memo claiming Democratic-funded research prompted the FBI to spy on Page and that the agency was not sufficiently candid with the court about its sourcing.

Trump defied his own FBI director and the Justice Department to declassify the four-page Republican document, which was based on the much larger secret court application record which has now been released.

A counter-memo from Democrats argued that the surveillance request "was based on compelling evidence and probable cause."

Writing on the Lawfare blog, David Kris, who served as a prosecutor under the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations, argued the Republican memo now stood exposed as dishonest.

"The footnote disclosing Steele's possible bias takes up more than a full page in the applications, so there is literally no way the FISA Court could have missed it," he said. "The FBI gave the court enough information to evaluate Steele's credibility."

In the documents released Saturday, the FBI cited a source which, it said, had a history of providing reliable information.

Trump is not named in the document but identified only as "Candidate #1."

- Advisor to Kremlin -

The FBI, in its initial application in October 2016, said it "believes that the Russian Government's efforts are being coordinated with Page and perhaps other individuals associated with Candidate #1's campaign."

It added that "Page has established relationships with Russian Government officials, including Russian intelligence officers."

Page has not been charged. Appearing Sunday on CNN, he denied the allegations. "I've never been an agent of the foreign power in any -- by any stretch of the imagination."

He added: "To call me an advisor, I think is way over the top," before host Jake Tapper interjected to cite a 2013 letter in which Page called himself "an informal advisor to the staff of the Kremlin."

- More Helsinki fallout -

The release of the FISA application came as the Trump administration was still battling to push past harsh criticism of the US president's Helsinki summit with Putin.

"I had a GREAT meeting with Putin and the Fake News used every bit of their energy to try and disparage it. So bad for our country!" Trump tweeted Sunday.

But former secretary of State John Kerry, a Democrat, told CBS that Trump's performance there was "one of the most disgraceful, remarkable moments of kowtowing to a foreign leader" ever by an American president.

Amid the blowback, Trump surprised Americans -- including director of national intelligence Dan Coats -- by announcing he had invited Putin to visit Washington later this year.

Informed of that plan during a live television interview, a clearly startled Coats grinned and said, "That's going to be special."

After reports said Trump was incensed by Coats' reaction, the intelligence chief issued a formal statement carried by US media saying that his "admittedly awkward response was in no way meant to be disrespectful."

THE NEWS: 18 killed in Boko Haram attack in Chad: military source

18 killed in Boko Haram attack in Chad: military source
source: AFP

AFP/File / CAROLINE CHAUVET Boko Haram's Islamist insurgency has devastated the region since it took up arms in 2009, leaving at least 20,000 people dead, displacing more than two million

Eighteen people have been killed in an attack by suspected Boko Haram jihadists in the Lake Chad region, a Chadian military source said Sunday.

"Boko Haram elements attacked a village south of Daboua," not far from Chad's border with Niger, at around 9:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Thursday, the military source said.

The assailants "cut the throats of 18 people, wounded two others and kidnapped 10 women".

Boko Haram's Islamist insurgency has devastated the region since it took up arms in 2009 in Nigeria, leaving at least 20,000 people dead, displacing more than two million others and triggering a humanitarian crisis.

Chad, Cameroon and Niger have all joined the military effort by Nigeria to crush Boko Haram. Chad has seen a recent increase in attacks by the group.

In May, six people were killed, including four government officials and a soldier, in a Boko Haram attack on a Chadian army checkpoint on an island in Lake Chad.

Niger's army said Saturday it killed "10 terrorists" after one of its military positions in the southwest of the country was attacked by Boko Haram.


 AFP / Thomas SAINT-CRICQ Map locating Kaiga-Kindjiria village in western Chad near where 18 people were killed Thursday night by suspected Boko Haram jihadists


Meanwhile in northeast Nigeria, the military said troops killed "scores" of Boko Haram fighters in Yobe state on Saturday afternoon.

Army spokesman Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu said the jihadists had been intending to attack and loot the market in the town of Babangida when they ambushed troops.

"Sadly, while fighting through the ambush, the troops recorded some casualties," he added, without specifying numbers.

Babangida is near the Geidam area where on July 14 fighters thought to belong to the Boko Haram faction led by Abu Mus'ab al-Barnawi overran a military base housing hundreds of troops.

Al-Barnawi is backed by the Islamic State group.

Scores of troops were feared dead in the attack in the village of Jilli but the military has said no soldier lost his life.

Twenty-four hours earlier, Nigerian troops were ambushed in the Bama area of Borno state. Both attacks have raised questions about claims that the Islamist militants are virtually defeated.

Taken with the attacks in Chad and Niger, there will be fears about a renewed campaign in the Lake Chad region and the strength of the IS-backed Boko Haram faction.

The self-styled Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has previously attacked "hard" military and government targets.

It has distanced itself from long-time leader Abubakar Shekau, whose supporters have been behind indiscriminate violence towards civilians, particularly using suicide bombers.

Urgent Recruitment For Sales Executives 2018

Conceptual Integrated Consult is a leading business, management and Human resources consulting firm that provides high quality services to businesses across Africa.
We are recruiting for our client in a reputable organization to fill the position below:

Job Title: Sales Executives
Location: Lagos
Job Description

Builds business by identifying and selling prospects; maintaining
relationships with clients

Responsibilities
Creating and filling this position is critical at this point for specific reasons such as to:

v  Identifies business opportunities by identifying prospects and
evaluating their position in the industry; researching and analyzing
sales options.

v  Sells products by establishing contact and developing relationships
with prospects; recommending solutions.

v  Maintains relationships with clients by providing support,
information, and guidance; researching and recommending new opportunities; recommending profit and service improvements.

v   Identifies product improvements or new products by remaining
current on industry trends, market activities, and competitors.

v   Prepares reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing
information.

v  Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing
organization standards.

v   Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications;
establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art
practices; participating in professional societies.

v  Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Skills: Presentation Skills, Client Relationships, Emphasizing Excellence,
Energy Level, Negotiation, Prospecting Skills, Meeting Sales Goals,
Creativity, Sales Planning, Independence, Motivation for Sales, Self
Driven and Goal Oriented

Qualification:

OND, HND/Bsc

Application Closing Date
25/07/2018.
Salary: Very attractive with other packages
Location: Lagos
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's  to   ciconsultcareer@gmail.com with the "Job Title" as subject of the mail.

Job Vacancy For Metering/OR&A Engineer at Petrok Oil and Gas Services Limited

Petrok Oil And Gas Services Limited is a project support company registered in Nigeria and dedicated to reducing clients’ risks by providing Manpower Supply and Development, Equipment/Material Supply Services, Marine Vessel Supply and Offshore Operations, Heavy Duty Equipment Supply & Maintenance and Technical Consultancy Services. Petrok Oil and Gas Service Limited provides services to clients in the Oil & Gas industry, Energy, Engineering and other industries.

At POGS, we ensure that our clients focus on their comparative advantage, save money and time by outsourcing needs to a highly efficient and skilled team. We understand the essence of redefining standards in the industry hence; we have entered into strategic alliances with renowned names in the industry to continuously boost the level of support we provide to our client and their operations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Metering/OR&A Engineer

Location: Lagos

Job Description

• A Metering Engineer is required to provide technical assurance for adequacy and effectiveness of metering/measurement of production streams, especially those with regulatory compliance and commercial implications.

Responsibilities
Creating and filling this position is critical at this point for specific reasons such as to:

• An Operations Readiness & Assurance (OR&A) Engineer is critical for representing field operations in engineering projects.
• With increase in facilities engineering activities and projects, a competent operations representative is required to ensure that
• Front-line metering operations team within Maintenance organization
• Key Elements of Work Scope
• Provide 2nd/3rd level metering & measurement support to operations.
• Operations representative in facility upgrade projects and new developments

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or HND in Eng. or similar, with 5+ years demonstrable O&G production metering/measurement experience.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's to: recruitment@petrokoilandgas.com with the "Job Title" as subect of the mail.

THE NEWS: French IT services group Atos to buy Syntel of US

French IT services group Atos to buy Syntel of US
source: AFP

 AFP / ERIC PIERMONT French IT services giant Atos has agreed to buy US group Syntel for $3.4 billion

French IT services group Atos said Sunday it has agreed to buy US information technology group Syntel in a move to significantly expand its presence in North America.

Atos said in a statement that it will acquire Syntel for $41 per share which amounts to around $3.4 billion.

"This transaction is a major step in the strategy of Atos to reach a global scale," the French company said.

"In particular, the highly complementary portfolio, customer base, and geographic footprint of the combination between Atos and Syntel will significantly enhance our presence in North America," said chief executive Thierry Breton.

Syntel generated revenues of $924 million in 2017, of which 89 percent was in North America.

Its operating margin -- underlying profits measured as a proportion of sales -- stood at 25 percent.

It employs 23,000 engineers in 30 countries, with over 18,000 staff based in India.

Atos said the total cost benefits were estimated at $120 million per year.

"Strong portfolio and complementary customer base between the two companies will generate multiple cross-selling opportunities," it said.

Syntel's co-founder and co-chairman Bharat Desai said the tie-up "is a very exciting development for Syntel. The Syntel board is committed to maximizing shareholder value and believes that the agreement with Atos achieves that objective and delivers a win-win proposition to our customers and employees."

THE NEWS:THE NEWS: Israel evacuates hundreds of White Helmets to Jordan in face of Syria advance

Israel evacuates hundreds of White Helmets to Jordan in face of Syria advance
source:AFP

AFP/File / Sameer Al-Doumy In this file photo taken on February 25, 2017, a member of the White Helmets carries a wounded girl amid the rubble following reported government airstrike on the rebel-held town of Douma

Israel evacuated hundreds of White Helmets rescuers and their family members threatened by advancing Syrian regime forces to Jordan on Sunday for resettlement in Western countries.

Jordan's foreign ministry announced in a statement that the kingdom received 422 Syrian citizens, after earlier saying it had given permission for 800 to arrive.

Foreign ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Kayed said Britain, Germany and Canada had initially agreed to accept around 827 rescuers and their relatives, but eventually settled on a figure of 422.

He said they would be allowed to stay in Jordan for a period of time not exceeding three months.

A Canadian government source told AFP that a second group of White Helmets and their relatives was also supposed to be evacuated but "could not reach the border because of the situation on the ground."

The group is still in Syria and it is not certain that a new effort to bring them out can be mounted due to the "precarious" situation there, according to the source.

Founded in 2013, the Syria Civil Defence, or White Helmets, is a network of first responders which rescues the wounded in the aftermath of air strikes, shelling or explosions in rebel-held territory

The Israeli military said it had transferred the rescue workers and their families to a neighbouring country, adding that the operation was "exceptional".

"A few days ago President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and others approached me with the request to help extract from Syria hundreds of White Helmets," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

"These are people who save lives and now find themselves in deadly danger, therefore I approved bringing them through Israel to another country as an important humanitarian step."

White Helmets head Raed Saleh said the evacuees had arrived in Jordan after being "surrounded in a dangerous region".

They had been encircled in the Syrian provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, which respectively border Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, he told AFP.

Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan from Syria in 1967, in a move never recognised internationally.

The United States praised Israel and Jordan for facilitating the evacuations and Britain, Canada and Germany for agreeing to give the evacuees new homes.

"We are glad that these ‎brave volunteers, who have saved thousands of lives, are now out of harm's way," the US State Department said of the White Helmets.

Britain's Foreign Office said it had helped facilitate the overnight evacuations.

"White Helmets have been the target of attacks and, due to their high profile, we judged that, in these particular circumstances, the volunteers required immediate protection," it said.

- 'Save all of humanity' -

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told Bild newspaper that Germany would take in eight White Helmets members and their families.

The move was "an expression of my stance of ensuring humanity and order in migration policy," he said.

Canada will take in up to 50 White Helmets volunteers and their families, totalling up to 250 people, officials said.

"A group of core countries have committed to resettle a number of White Helmets. Canada is resettling up to 50 members and their families, and is working with the international community to assess remaining needs," said Canada's foreign affairs spokeswoman Elizabeth Reid.

Ottawa confirmed that Trudeau spoke to Netanyahu Saturday about "the regional security situation and the evacuation of White Helmets from Syria".


 AFP/File / Msallam ABDALBASET In this file photo taken on March 25, 2017, White Helmets volunteers rescue a survivor following reported air-strikes on the rebel-held town of Hammuriyeh


Israel's Haaretz daily said the evacuees also included orphans who had been injured in the Syrian fighting.

It was unclear how many White Helmet volunteers remained in both the Daraa and Quneitra provinces after the evacuations.

But a volunteer in Daraa city, who asked to remain anonymous, said he had decided to stay despite being given the choice to leave.

"It's our country and we have a right to live in it in safety," he told AFP, however adding he was among a minority who wished to remain.

"We are first and foremost a humanitarian organisation, not a military one, or a terrorist one as the regime alleges."

The White Helmets have rescued thousands of civilians trapped under the rubble or caught up in fighting in opposition-held zones along various fronts of Syria's seven-year conflict.

Since its formation, when Syria's conflict was nearing its third year, more than 250 of its volunteers have been killed.

The group's motto -- "To save one life is to save all of humanity" -- is drawn from a verse in the Koran, although the White Helmets insist they treat all victims, regardless of religion.

- Thousands flee -

Some members have received training abroad, including in Turkey, returning to instruct colleagues on search-and-rescue techniques.

The group receives funding from a number of governments, including Britain, Germany and the United States, but also solicits individual donations to purchase equipment such as its signature hard hats.


AFP / JALAA MAREY A picture taken on July 22, 2018 from the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights shows smoke rising across the border area in Syria's southwestern Quneitra province as rebels destroy their arms stocks before their evacuation

On June 19, Syrian government forces launched a Russia-backed offensive to retake Daraa and Quneitra provinces.

Just a month later, regime forces have regained control of most of these two provinces through a combination of deadly bombardment and Moscow-brokered surrender deals.

Jihadists are not party to these deals, and Russian planes bombarded a holdout of the Islamic State group in Daraa province overnight, a Britain-based war monitor said.

More than 20,000 civilians have escaped bombardment on the IS-held corner in the past 24 hours, fleeing into regime-held areas, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

THE NEWS: G20 urges dialogue to resolve trade tensions that threaten growth

G20 urges dialogue to resolve trade tensions that threaten growth
source: afp

 AFP / AGUSTIN MARCARIAN Argentina's Economy Minister Nicolas Dujovne (L), with Central Bank President Luis Caputo, said the group must focus on harmony even amid rising trade tensions

Group of 20 members pleaded on Sunday for increased dialogue to defuse escalating trade tensions that could hit global economic growth hard.

Finance ministers and central bankers from 20 leading economies closed a two-day meeting in Buenos Aires warning that "heightened trade and geopolitical tensions" threaten the economic expansion.

It comes at a time when US President Donald Trump's protectionist policies have provoked ire from traditional allies such as the European Union, Canada and Mexico, and sparked a series of retaliatory measures.

The G20's final communique stressed "the need to step up dialogue and actions to mitigate risks and enhance confidence" amidst fears of an escalating global trade war.

While the statement did not mention the United States, which is at the center of trade disputes with G20 members China, the EU and others, it demonstrated more concern than in March, when the group avoided the issue altogether.

Argentina's Economy Minister Nicolas Dujovne hinted that the G20 could not afford a rupture over trade disputes which he said should be resolved directly between governments or through the World Trade Organization.

"It's not about denying differences," Dujovne told reporters at the conclusion of the meeting. But "we have to try to emphasize consensus because we recognize the importance of keeping this group alive and in harmony."

During the 2008 global financial crisis the G20 was critical in preventing an even worse outcome and saved millions of jobs, he said, noting that "it's in the bad times when you see how essential it is."

But Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin reiterated his claim that the US merely wants "more balanced trade" with other countries.

Mnuchin also dismissed the economic impact of the raft of tariff hikes and retaliatory duties, saying so far they have only affected the US on a "micro" scale. But from a "macro standpoint we do not yet see any significant pattern on the economy."

US businesses have been hit with a series of punitive measures by China, the EU, Canada and Mexico, including tariffs on soybean, motorcycles, bourbon and other goods, while manufacturers are complaining about rising prices of key supplies subject to new US duties.

- 'Allies not foes' -

EU finance chief Pierre Moscovici hit out at Trump's protectionist policies, but said cool heads are needed to resolve the dispute.


 AFP / Eitan ABRAMOVICH European Union finance chief Pierre Moscovici says the United States must start acting as "allies" not "foes"


The US and EU have been at loggerheads since Trump angered European allies by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum. He also has threatened to hit auto imports with duties which would be especially hard for Germany.

While the EU is "willing to build bridges," Moscovici told reporters "we believe that targeting us is certainly inappropriate... and that we must act with the US as allies -- not foes but allies."

Mnuchin insisted the US wants to "resolve the trade issues with the EU" and the complaint often is more about "non-tariff barriers" than tariffs.

"We have a trade imbalance with many countries as a result of not exactly free and fair trade," he said. Earlier in the meeting he said the dispute with the EU could be resolved by agreeing to trade with no tariffs, no barriers and no subsidies.

Muscovici warned that "further trade escalation conflicts would negatively affect" all the countries involved, the US included. Protectionism benefits no one, and creates "no winners, only casualties."

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde agreed, and again spoke out against the tit-for-tat tariffs and urged that "trade conflicts be resolved via international cooperation without resort to exceptional measures."

The IMF warned recently that in a worst-case scenario, $430 billion of global GDP -- or a half percentage point -- could be lost in 2020 if all tariff threats and retaliations are carried out.

As well as imposing tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, Trump hit China with a 25 percent punitive levy on $34 billion of goods, with tariffs on the way on an additional $16 billion, and $200 billion more under consideration.

And in a television interview aired last week, Trump threatened to impose duties on the entire $500 billion of goods the US imports from China.


AFP / EITAN ABRAMOVICH US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin responded to complaints from G20 ministers saying the US simply wants trade with no barriers and equal access

"We want our companies to have the same access to their markets that they have to us," Mnuchin said about the Asian giant. "We don't force joint ventures on them, we don't want our companies to have joint ventures there."

The US has long complained that China steals US technology through forced transfers or outright theft, and the issue is at the heart of Trump's trade offensive.

Mnuchin said, "we want to have the right to protect our IP and our technology, anywhere in the world, that's not just China specific."

THE NEWS: Italian media, politicians hail Marchionne as Fiat era ends

Italian media, politicians hail Marchionne as Fiat era ends
source: AFP

 AFP/File / Piero CRUCIATTI Sergio Marchionne reportedly suffered serious complications following shoulder surgery, believed to be life-threatening

Italian media and politicians Sunday saluted Sergio Marchionne, who has stepped down after 14 years heading auto giant Fiat as he is suffering with serious health problems believed to be life-threatening.

"Marchionne, the end of an era," was Corriere della Serra's headline after an emergency board meeting of Fiat Chrysler (FCA), Ferrari and CNH Industrial, the three groups controlled by the Agnelli family, who met Saturday to announce the end of his tenure and tapped Briton Mike Manley, previously head of the group's Jeep brand, to replace him.

Marchionne, 66, suffered serious complications following surgery on his right shoulder last month and La Repubblica said his condition was cause for major concern.

The newspaper said there had been a further "deterioration" in his condition Friday and that "this time there is no return -- the patient is no longer responding" to treatment.

The hospital treating him would not comment when contacted by AFP, citing patient confidentiality.

"This is terrible news," said Marco Bentivoglio, general secretary of the CISL metalworkers union.

"We have not seen eye-to-eye on certain things... but together we challenged little lazy Italy which prefers to close plants rather than roll up its sleeves."

In his 14 years at the helm, Marchionne revamped Fiat, Italy's premier private enterprise, from top to bottom, turning it into a sector mastodon.

In 2009, he merged Fiat with US automaker Chrysler, then hived off its industrial vehicles to create CNH Industrial in 2011 and successfully spun off the luxury brand Ferrari in January 2016.

Some politicians joined the media in eulogising Marchionne, including former prime ministers Matteo Renzi and Silvio Berlusconi.

"Marchionne has been a great protagonist of economic life for the past 15 years... he has succeeded in giving Fiat a future when that seemed impossible. He created jobs, not unemployment. I take my hat off to him," said former centre-left premier Renzi.

- 'Italy's number one manager' -

Marchionne was close to Renzi for some years, but the two later became more distant.

Marchionne did not go as far, however, as to take up a suggestion by another former PM, Berlusconi, to head up a conservative coalition in legislative elections in March.

The media magnate said in a statement on Sunday that Marchionne "is certainly Italy's number one manager. He's shown intuition, courage, foresight and competence... He came to symbolise the Italian genius for the rest of the world."

Italy's new coalition government was discreet in its reaction to Marchionne's departure.

Far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini offered Marchionne his "recognition and respect along with best wishes" for a recovery.

In Geneva, the Swiss testing and inspection services group SGS said it had named Peter Kalantzis as acting chairman of its board of directors, adding that it was "deeply saddened" over Marchionne's state of health.

John Elkann, who takes over as chairman of racing car brand Ferrari, said that Marchionne "has been the best CEO that anyone could ask for and, to me personally, a true mentor, partner and close friend.

"He taught us to have the courage to challenge the status quo, to break with convention and go beyond the tried and tested. He has always pushed everybody to learn, to grow and to excel -– often beyond their own limits –- starting always with himself," Elkann said.

- Manley 'is no Marchionne' -


AFP/File / Jewel SAMAD British-born Mike Manley, the head of Jeep, will replace Sergio Marchionne as head of the Fiat Chrysler group


Media speculated on the future for Fiat.

Dario Di Vico, editorialist at Corriere, said Marchionne had "incarnated in the history of our country the very idea of modern industry."

But he expressed concern "for the life of one of the world's most highly regarded managers" as well as posing "legitimate questions on the future of the world's seventh-largest automaker."

There were more sceptical voices, however.

German auto expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer described Fiat Chrysler as "a weak company and now with Marchionne's departure, it has become even weaker."

His successor at the helm of the sprawling FCA, Mike Manley, "is no Marchionne," Dudenhoeffer said.

Manley "is a car guy, and to manage Fiat Chrysler you need more than just a car guy," the expert said.

THE NEWS: Second time lucky for Denzel, whose new film tops box office

Second time lucky for Denzel, whose new film tops box office
source: AFP

 GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / Alberto E. Rodriguez Denzel Washington at the recent Hollywood premiere of 'The Equalizer 2,' which opened at the top of weekend box offices in North America

Superstar Denzel Washington had never made a sequel in a career reaching back nearly four decades, but when he did, with the Sony/Columbia production of "The Equalizer 2," it managed to open at the top of the North American box office.

With estimated ticket sales of $35.8 million for the three-day weekend, "Equalizer" edged out another new sequel, star-studded "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.

In his new film, Washington again plays a former black-ops agent -- and now soft-spoken Lyft driver -- who is drawn back into action to avenge a friend's death. Director Antoine Fuqua also made "Training Day," which earned Washington a best actor Oscar nod.

Industry watchers had expected Universal's "Mamma Mia!" to open atop the box office, but its ticket sales of $34.4 million were "by no means a disappointment" at 22 percent above the original film's opening, according to Hollywood Reporter.

With a star-studded cast -- including Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan -- the film is set after the events of the original "Mamma Mia!" but uses flashbacks to fill in the story of Streep's carefree character on the sun-splashed Greek island where an ABBA soundtrack is never far away.

In third spot was "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation" from Sony, which took in $23.2 million. The animated comedy, whose voice cast includes Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez, follows Count Dracula and his family as they get away from their hotel for their own vacation.

Slipping from second last week to fourth was "Ant-Man and the Wasp," the 20th release in Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe, at $16.1 million. It has ex-con Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) struggling to balance home life and Ant-Man duties as he and old flame Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly, alias the Wasp), take up an urgent new mission.

And in fifth, also from Disney, was "Incredibles 2," at $11.5 million, which earlier in the month pushed past Pixar stablemate "Finding Dory" as the top-grossing animated film of all time.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

"Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" ($11 million)

"Skyscraper" ($11 million)

"The First Purge" ($5 million)

"Unfriended: Dark Web" ($3.5 million)

"Sorry to Bother You" ($2.8 million)

THE NEWS: Guns and roses: Afghan farmers enjoy sweet smell of success

Guns and roses: Afghan farmers enjoy sweet smell of success
source: AFP

AFP / NOORULLAH SHIRZADA The rose petals grown in Nangarhar province are turned into rose water and oils for sale around the world

Standing in a field of roses in eastern Afghanistan, former poppy grower Mohammad Din Sapai quickly but carefully plucks the delicate petals that will be turned into rose water and oils for sale around the world.

The sweet smelling crop is providing farmers in Nangarhar province with a viable alternative to growing opium poppies, the sale of which has fuelled the conflict raging across the country.

"I am very happy with this harvest of flowers," Sapai tells AFP as he stands among hundreds of blooming rose bushes.

Sapai is one of more than 800 farmers in the province bordering Pakistan benefiting from the "Roses for Nangarhar" project, a joint Afghan-German initiative set up in 2007 to encourage poppy growers to switch to a legal, money-making flower.

"They provided us with the plants, the tools and even paid us for the first year when we had no harvest," Sapai, 50, explains.


AFP / NOORULLAH SHIRZADA Roses are providing farmers in Nangarhar province with a viable alternative to growing opium poppies, the sale of which has fuelled the conflict raging across the country


"Now I have 600 plants and I collect up to 1,200 kilos (2,650 pounds) of petals."

Opium is big business in Afghanistan, where Nangarhar is the sixth biggest poppy-producing province.

Poppy cultivation hit a new record last year, with opium production soaring 87 percent to an estimated 9,000 tonnes, official figures show.

But Sapai says he is perfectly happy to grow roses.

He makes enough money to support his family, and insists roses have fewer costs and take less effort. After the rose season, which ends in May, he switches to growing vegetables.

- 'Better than poppies' -

Starting at dawn and working until late morning when the heat sets in, Sapai and his workers appear resigned to the constant dangers lurking around them as they quickly pick off petals and drop them into large bags.


AFP / NOORULLAH SHIRZADA Starting at dawn and working until late morning when the heat sets in, the Afghan workers appear resigned to the constant dangers lurking around them as they quickly pick off petals and drop them into large bags

Nangarhar is rife with fighters belonging to the Islamic State group (IS), which emerged in Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and quickly turned the province into a stronghold.

The Taliban also roam the area, and bombs planted along the roads leading to rose fields are a constant threat.

In nearby Omar Qala village, teacher and rose-grower Shah Zaman is also convinced about the benefits of harvesting petals instead of poppies.

"The people here used to cultivate poppies but this is haram (forbidden under Islamic law)," Zaman tells AFP.

He expects to harvest one tonne of petals this year.

"The roses are much better... I make good money from roses. They are resistant and don't require as much expense or work."

Khan Agha, a representative for Afghan Rose Ltd in Dara-e-Noor district, which emerged out of the Afghan-German initiative, agrees.

Roses "do not require watering, fertiliser or care" -- unlike poppies, he says.

Rose trees are also more durable, lasting 30 to 50 years, compared with poppies, which must be planted every season.

"We have solid contracts with the farmers who grow roses asking them to stop cultivating poppy and other types of narcotics, and the places where we grow roses are clean from poppy 100 percent," he adds.

The farmers grow a variety known as Damask roses, which were brought from Bulgaria by the Germans but are endemic to Afghanistan, says Mohammad Akbar Mohmand, the owner of Afghan Rose Ltd.


 AFP / NOORULLAH SHIRZADA The farmers grow a variety known as Damask roses, which were brought from Bulgaria by the Germans but are endemic to Afghanistan


The petals are distilled in the provincial capital Jalalabad. It takes about six tonnes of petals on average to extract one litre of essential oil.

At peak harvest time, Mohmand's distillery employs more than 120 people. From dawn until late morning, trucks flow from districts across the province delivering their precious cargo.

Once picked, rose petals begin to wilt within hours and lose their scent.

"The roses picked in the morning have to be distilled the very same day, even if we have to work until 2 am or 3 am," explains Mohmand, as bags of petals are poured into seven huge stainless steel vats.

- 'Make perfume, not war' -

Shortly before the "Roses for Nangarhar" project started, Afghan entrepreneur Abdullah Orzala began growing roses and distributing the plants.


AFP / NOORULLAH SHIRZADA Once picked, rose petals begin to wilt within hours and lose their scent. Roses picked in the morning have to be distilled the very same day

The US-trained engineer recently opened a boutique in Kabul selling rose water and perfumes to middle-class Afghans and foreigners.

He has 100 hectares (250 acres) of roses, but hopes to triple the number of plants next year "if the security (situation) allows".

Like Mohmand, Orzala never stops worrying about the constant threat of violence.

In 2016, 50 farmers working for him packed up and abandoned their crops in Achin district after it became an IS stronghold.

"You can deal with the Taliban, but you can't mess with Daesh," he says, using the Arabic name for IS.

Two years later, his farmers remain displaced further north. Afghan Rose Ltd also closed the Achin distillery and retreated to Jalalabad.


 AFP / NOORULLAH SHIRZADA Afghan rose oil is used by several European companies, including German organic cosmetics brand Dr. Hauschka -- whose products are priced well out of reach of ordinary Afghans


Its rose oil now supplies several European companies, including German organic cosmetics brand Dr. Hauschka -- whose products are priced well out of reach of ordinary Afghans.

"They make very expensive creams with our roses," says Mohmand.

Orzala exports its rose oil to Canadian company The 7 Virtues, which also sources essential oils from Haiti, the Middle East and Rwanda under the slogan "Make perfume, not war".

It is a message that has more than a whiff of support among Nangarhar farmers.

THE NEWS: All Black magic as New Zealand retain World Cup Sevens crown

All Black magic as New Zealand retain World Cup Sevens crown
source: AFP

AFP / Mark RALSTON Members of New Zealand's team celebrate with their medals and trophy after defeating England, 33-12, in the Rugby Sevens World Cup Final, at the AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, on July 22, 2018

New Zealand became the first team in history to win back-to-back World Cup Sevens crowns Sunday, completing a clean sweep of titles with a 33-12 defeat of England in the final at AT&T Park.

The New Zealanders -- who beat England to win the last tournament in 2013 in Moscow -- once again proved too strong for the English, outscoring their opponents by five tries to two.

The victory completed a golden weekend in San Francisco for New Zealand after their women successfully defended their own sevens title on Saturday.

New Zealand's men and women's teams now hold world titles in both seven-a-side and 15-a-side versions of the game.

New Zealand co-captain Scott Curry, who missed the 2013 victory breaking his hand shortly before the tournament, was ecstatic following the win.


AFP / Mark RALSTON New Zealand play England in the Final of the Rugby Sevens World Cup, at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, on July 22, 2018


"It was real disappointing for me last time, so to come to San Francisco and play the way we did, I'm just really proud," Curry said.

Curry said the New Zealand men had taken inspiration from the women's victory 24 hours earlier.

"We were really proud of the girls. It's awesome to emulate what they did and go back-to-back for the first time ever," he said. "It's good to go home with two World Cups."

The New Zealanders, who had stunned Olympic champions Fiji to reach the final, took the lead in the opening minute, when Sione Molia burst through weak English tackling to score under the posts.

Molia then grabbed a second try moments later, burrowing over from close range to cap a dominant start.

England hit back on the stroke of half-time when Mike Ellery found space inside the 22 from Dan Norton's pass for a converted score which made it 14-7 at the break.

New Zealand were soon threatening again after the restart and Joe Ravouvou took them into a 19-7 lead when he easily beat Norton on the outside for a try in the corner.

Ruaridh McConnochie gave England hope of a fightback after dotting down in the corner following Harry Glover's break.

But New Zealand upped the tempo and finished off with two more tries from Akuila Rokolisoa and Traell Joass to secure New Zealand's third outright victory in the tournament.

- 'Pretty gutted' -

The New Zealanders had earlier reached the final after a clinical 22-17 defeat of Olympic champions Fiji in the semi-finals.


 AFP / Mark RALSTON Trael Mikkelson of New Zealand runs to score a try before against England in the Final of the Rugby Sevens World Cup, at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, on July 22, 2018

England meanwhile had reached the final after a surprisingly one-sided 29-7 win over South Africa in the last four.

England coach Simon Amor admitted however his side had been unable to reproduce their best form in the final.

"Of course to be in a World Cup final you want to lift it, you want to be winning it," Amor said.

"Unfortunately we didn’t play our best in the final game, we got some errors just dropped in at critical moments, but overall I loved the way we still stuck in and played some great rugby."

England captain Tom Mitchell said defeat in the final was bittersweet.

"Right now I am pretty sore, and pretty gutted,’ he said.

"We came here expecting to be amongst it and really wanting to be World Champions – that is the stuff you dream about. We were there in the final after a lot of ups and downs this season.

"I am super proud to get to that point, but it means it hurts more as we worked so hard to get there."

New Zealand's win brought the curtain down on a successful first ever Rugby World Cup event on US soil, with more than 102,000 spectators attending the three days of the event.

Elsewhere Sunday, Samoa's campaign ended in disgrace with player Gordon Langkilde thrown out of the tournament for his part in a tunnel bust-up following Saturday's defeat to Wales.

Wales player Tom Williams suffered a tournament-ending injury in the attack which Welsh players described as "unprovoked."

World Rugby said in a statement they were investigating the incident.

THE NEWS: Dying groundskeeper to testify in Roundup cancer trial

Dying groundskeeper to testify in Roundup cancer trial
source: AFP

AFP/File / JOSH EDELSON Californian groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson -- seen in this file photo -- is to testify July 23, 2018 before the jury on whether a Monsanto weed killer is to blame for his terminal cancer

A California groundskeeper dying of cancer is slated to testify Monday before jurors hearing evidence in his lawsuit blaming Monsanto weed killer Roundup for his terminal illness.

The first-of-its-kind trial pitting 46-year-old Dewayne Johnson against the agrichemical colossus is expected to last into August.

"For the past 40 years, Monsanto has known the primary ingredient in Roundup can produce tumors in lab animals," Johnson's attorney Brent Wisner said during opening remarks to jurors.

California law calls for products containing chemicals known to cause cancer to have warning labels.

Johnson's lawyer told jurors the father-of-two would not have used the weed-killer if it came with a warning label regarding cancer risk.

Monsanto countered in court that no such warning was needed, saying no link to cancer has been confirmed.

The legal clash involves dueling studies, along with allegations Monsanto connived behind the scenes to thwart potentially damning research,

Diagnosed in 2014 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer that affects white blood cells, Johnson used a Monsanto generic version of Roundup called "Ranger Pro" repeatedly in his job at a school in Benicia, California, after being promoted to groundskeeper in 2012.

In his opening statement, Wisner said Monsanto opted against warning consumers of the risks and that instead "they have fought science" by playing down the suspected link between the herbicide and cancer.

"Monsanto has gone out of its way to bully scientists and fight researchers," he told the jury.

The case in California Superior Court is the first trial in which Roundup is said to have caused cancer, a claim repeatedly denied by the chemical company.

If Monsanto loses, the case could open the door to hundreds of additional lawsuits against the company recently acquired by German-based pharmaceutical and chemical group Bayer.

- 'Told you could drink it' -

Johnson had little warning about the risks of Roundup, his lawyer said.

"He was told you could drink it, it was completely non toxic," Wisner said with his client sitting in the San Francisco courtroom.

"You will hear testimony from him that he got drenched in it, repeatedly."

The lawyer said Johnson, who is between rounds of chemotherapy, "is actually on borrowed time, he is not supposed to be alive today."

A key to Johnson's case will be convincing jurors that Monsanto's pesticide -- whose main ingredient is glyphosate -- is responsible for the illness. Wisner contended glyphosate combined with an ingredient intended to help it spread over leaves in a cancer-causing "synergy."

Whether glyphosate causes cancer has been the source of long debate among government regulators, health experts and lawyers.

Monsanto has denied any link with the disease and says studies have concluded the product is safe.

"Mr Johnson's cancer is a terrible disease. We all do and we all should have great sympathy for what he is going through," Monsanto defense attorney George Lombardi said during opening remarks in court.

"The scientific evidence is overwhelming that glyphosate-based products do not cause cancer, and did not cause Mr Johnson's cancer."

Monsanto's flagship herbicide Roundup was launched in 1976.

Roundup has been approved the US Environmental Protection Agency, according to Lombardi.

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer -- a World Health Organization body -- classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic," and as a result the state of California listed it as carcinogenic.

Founded in 1901 in St Louis, Missouri, Monsanto began producing agrochemicals in the 1940s. It was acquired by Bayer for more than $62 billion in June.

THE NEWS: Trump to Iran: 'never, ever threaten' US again

Trump to Iran: 'never, ever threaten' US again
source: AFP

AFP / Nicholas Kamm Trump's tweet to Iran's Rouhani was written entirely in capital letters

President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran of consequences "the likes of which few throughout history have ever suffered," if it threatens the United States.

"NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE," he said on Twitter in a direct message to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

"WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!" Trump said, writing the entire message in capital letters.

The response came after Rouhani earlier Sunday issued his own warning to the US leader not to "play with the lion's tail," saying that conflict with Iran would be the "mother of all wars".

The high-stakes verbal sparring is reminiscent of the exchanges Trump had last year with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, before tensions eased and the two leaders met this year in an historic summit.

Trump has made Iran a favorite target since his unexpected rapprochement with nuclear-armed North Korea.

THE NEWS: 'Dangerous complacency' feared as AIDS conference opens

'Dangerous complacency' feared as AIDS conference opens
source: AFP

AFP/File / CLAUDIO REYES Experts have warned that new HIV infections, while down overall, have surged in some parts of the world

A world AIDS assembly opens in Amsterdam on Monday hoping to harness the star power of activists Elton John and Prince Harry to bolster the battle against an epidemic experts warn may yet spiral out of control.

Thousands of delegates -- researchers, campaigners, activists and people living with the killer virus -- will attend the 22nd International AIDS Conference amid warnings that "dangerous complacency" may cause an unstoppable resurgence.

In recent days, experts have alerted that new HIV infections, while down overall, have surged in some parts of the world as global attention has waned and funding has levelled off.

And they lamented that too sharp a focus on virus-suppressing treatment may have diverted attention from basic prevention programmes such as condom distribution, with the result that the AIDS-causing virus is still spreading easily among vulnerable groups.

"The encouraging reductions in new HIV infections that occurred for about a decade has emboldened some to declare that we are within reach of ending AIDS," Peter Piot, virus researcher and founder of the UNAIDS agency, said last week.

However, "there is absolutely no evidence to support this conclusion," he insisted, and warned: "The language on ending AIDS has bred a dangerous complacency."


AFP / Cecilia SANCHEZ AIDS: unequal access to treatment


A UNAIDS report warned of a long and difficult road ahead even as it reported a drop in new infections and AIDS deaths, and a record number of people on life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

These hard-fought gains could be reversed, experts said Sunday as the finishing touches were put on the venue that will host some 15,000 delegates -- also including celebrities Charlize Theron and Conchita -- for five days.

An alarming rate of new infections coupled with an exploding young population in hard-hit countries could spell "a crisis of epic proportions," said Mark Dybul, a veteran American AIDS researcher and diplomat.

"Bad things will happen if we don't have more money," he told a pre-conference, saying the world was "probably at the highest risk ever of losing control of this epidemic."

- 'No' to war on drugs -

Dybul and colleagues said donor and domestic funding has dropped significantly and would likely continue to decline, from about 20.6 billion euros ($24.1 billion) last year -- most of it financed from the domestic budgets of nations with the heaviest AIDS burden.

According to UNAIDS, the funding gap is almost $7 billion per year.

Under Donald Trump, the US administration has proposed massive spending cuts, though these have so far failed to pass through Congress.

The United States is by far the biggest funder of the global AIDS response.


AFP / Cecilia SANCHEZ AIDS epidemic around the world

The immune system-attacking HIV virus has infected nearly 80 million people since the early 1980s. More than 35 million have died.

Today, data show the infection rate is rising in about 50 countries, and has more than doubled in eastern Europe and central Asia.

Experts regret that the focus on prevention has faded.

Last year's 1.8 million new infections showed that "unless we did something completely drastic, we will not get anywhere near" the target of no more than 500,000 in 2020, said Nduku Kilonzo of Kenya's National AIDS Control Council.

"We have a crisis and it is a prevention crisis," she said.

At high risk are sex workers, gay men and people who inject drugs -- many of whom are forced onto society's fringes by repressive laws in their countries.

At the conference, NGOs will launch a liberalisation campaign titled: "Just say no to the war on drugs," a direct challenge to the 1980s Reagan administration's "Just say no" message at the height of America's "war on drugs".

The programme's criminalisation of drug use has compounded the stigma and discrimination experienced by users.

THE NEWS: Nine shot in downtown Toronto, gunman dead: police

Nine shot in downtown Toronto, gunman dead: police
source: AFP

AFP / AFP Toronto shooting

A gunman opened fire in central Toronto on Sunday night, injuring nine people including a child before being shot dead, police reported.

Toronto Police said they had responded to a call at around 10:00 pm (0200 GMT Monday) in the city's Greektown district.

"Conditions of victims not known yet. A young girl is one of the 9 victims," the police department tweeted.

The police said the nine victims did "not include the shooter who is dead."

Global News quoted a Toronto police source as saying the suspect is believed to have opened fire at police before killing himself.

Witnesses described to local media hearing about 20 shots and the sound of a weapon being reloaded several times.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford tweeted out a message of solidary with the victims, saying: "My heart goes out to the victims and loved ones of the horrific act of gun violence in Toronto.

"Thank you to all the first responders for acting quickly to help everyone affected."

The incident comes with Canada's largest metropolis concerned over a spate of shootings, more than 200, this year. About two dozen have been fatal.

Canada traditionally has relatively low levels of gun violence, particularly compared with its neighbor the United States.

THE NEWS: France interior minister to face griling over Macron security aide assault

France interior minister to face griling over Macron security aide assault
source: AFP

AFP/File / Naguib-Michel SIDHOM A screen shot from a video showing Alexandre Benalla, wearing a police helmet, manhandling a protester in Paris in May

France's interior minister Gerard Collomb was due to appear before parliament on Monday, as opposition MPs accused the government of a cover-up over a former top presidential security aide who was charged with gang violence.

In the most damaging scandal to hit President Emmanuel Macron since he took office last year, Alexandre Benalla was charged Sunday after he was caught on video assaulting May Day protesters.

An employee of the ruling party, Vincent Crase, was also charged over the incident, with the footage going viral on social media.

The president has yet to comment publicly on the scandal. But after a meeting of top government ministers at the Elysee late Sunday, a close aide said Macron considers the facts in Benalla's case as "unacceptable".

The source added that Macron will speak out about the matter "when he thinks it necessary" and that he promised it "had not been and will not be treated with impunity".

Benalla was initially punished in May with a two-week suspension from active duty, the president's office said, yet he continued to appear in Macron's security details.

Benalla, 26, was fired Friday after video footage emerged showing him hitting a man at least twice as riot police looked on while breaking up a May Day protest in Paris.

The opposition accuses Macron, who came to power on pledges to restore transparency and integrity to the nation's highest office in order to ensure a "republic of responsibility", of covering up for Benalla.

The Law Commission of the lower house of parliament will publicly grill Interior Minister Collomb from 10:00 am (0800 GMT) on Monday, after media reports suggested he knew about Benalla's assault but kept quiet.

If true, opposition MPs warned they would demand his resignation.

Three high-ranking police officers, already suspended on suspicion they illegally gave Benalla video surveillance footage of the incidents to help him try to clear his name, have been charged with misappropriation of the images and violating professional secrecy.

Benalla, who was shown in video footage wearing a police helmet with visor as well as a police armband, was additionally charged with impersonating a police officer, as well as complicity in the unauthorised use of surveillance footage.

- Parliament revolt -

After publishing the first video of the incident last Wednesday, French daily Le Monde posted a second video showing Benalla violently wrestling a young woman to the ground during the scuffles on a square near the Rue Mouffetard, a picturesque Left Bank street.


 AFP / Graphic giving biographical details about Alexandre Benalla

Just days after the May 1 demonstrations, which were marred this year by anarchists who clashed with police, Macron had tweeted that "everything will be done so that those responsible will be identified and held accountable for their actions".

In a third video, published by the Mediapart investigative news site, police officers are seen kicking and punching a young man even after he has been immobilised on the sidewalk.

The man and woman seen in the videos have come forward and plan to testify, a source close to the inquiry said.

The government has been forced to suspend debate on a constitutional reform bill after a revolt by lawmakers, who have announced investigations by both the National Assembly and Senate.

"If Macron doesn't explain himself the Benalla affair will become the Macron affair," far-right leader Marine Le Pen posted on Twitter.

"Why the devil did he insist on protecting a second-rank employee who should have been kicked out of the Elysee months ago?" rightwing daily Le Figaro asked in an editorial Sunday.

But ruling Republic on the Move (LREM) party spokesman Gabriel Attal defended the president's silence.

If Macron speaks now, "we'd have indignant commentators everywhere saying his comments could influence the inquiry," Attal said.

- 'Macron defenceless' -

Adding to the controversy, Le Monde reported Friday that despite his suspension Benalla was allowed this month to move into a palatial mansion along the Seine reserved for Elysee workers.

He was also being provided with a car and chauffeur, the paper said.

Investigators have searched Benalla's home in the Paris suburb of Issy-Les-Moulineaux, where a city hall official said Benalla was supposed to have married on Saturday.

The scandal could hardly have come at a worse time for Macron, whose approval ratings fell to a record low of 39 percent last week, defying analysts' expectations of a post-World Cup bump.

"Macron defenceless", the Journal du Dimanche said in a front-page headline on Sunday over a picture of the president and Benalla.

THE NEWS: Toronto shooting leaves 2 dead including gunman, 13 hurt

Toronto shooting leaves 2 dead including gunman, 13 hurt
source: AFP

AFP / Cole BURSTON Toronto Police officers, some armed with rifles, sealed off the shooting scene in Greektown

Two people including the gunman are dead and 13 wounded in Toronto after a shooting Sunday in the busy Greektown neighborhood, adding to concern about gun violence in Canada's largest city.

"One female adult has died. One young girl in critical condition," Toronto police said on Twitter, adding that all 14 victims were shot with a handgun.

Police said the suspect was also dead, and The Toronto Star quoted Police Chief Mark Saunders as saying there had been "an exchange of gunfire."

The suspect is believed to have opened fire at police before killing himself, Global News quoted a Toronto police source as saying.

Officers, some armed with rifles, sealed off Greektown's main street, known as the Danforth, after getting the call around 10:00 pm (0200 GMT Monday).

Witnesses described to local media hearing about 20 shots and the sound of a weapon being reloaded several times.

Jody Steinhauer told CBC News she was at a neighborhood restaurant with her family when she heard what sounded like 10 to 15 blasts of firecrackers.

She said she was told to run to the back of the restaurant.

"We started to hear people scream out front," Steinhauer told the broadcaster.


AFP / AFP Toronto shooting


Ontario's new Premier Doug Ford tweeted a message of solidarity, saying: "My heart goes out to the victims and loved ones of the horrific act of gun violence in Toronto."

The incident comes with Canada's largest metropolis concerned over a surge of shootings, more than 200, this year. About two dozen have been fatal.

Canada traditionally has relatively low levels of gun violence, particularly compared with its neighbor the United States.

Mayor John Tory said Sunday night's firearms violence is "evidence of a gun problem" in Toronto.

"Guns are too readily available to too many people," Tory told a news conference two hours after the shooting took place.

He added that details of the latest incident remained sketchy.

"We have to figure out what happened here. We don't know," he said.

Last week, Toronto police started implementing the enforcement component of their "gun violence reduction plan." That includes around 200 additional officers on shift in particular neighborhoods between the hours of 7:00 pm and 3:00 am — when most shootings occur.

The Greektown shooting comes about three months after the city was shaken by the deaths of 10 people, most of them women, killed by a man with an apparent grudge against women who drove into them on a busy street in Toronto's north end.

THE NEWS: Turkey hails 'goal against fascist virus' after Ozil quits Germany side

Turkey hails 'goal against fascist virus' after Ozil quits Germany side
source: AFP

 TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/AFP/File / KAYHAN OZER Gundogan (L) and Ozil (2nd L) met with Erdogan in London

Turkish ministers on Monday warmly applauded the decision of Turkish-origin German footballer Mesut Ozil to quit the national team on the grounds of racism, with one senior minister hailing "a goal against the virus of fascism."

Ozil, who was born in Germany to a Turkish-origin family, had been under fire since posing for a controversial photograph with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May which sparked questions about his loyalty to Germany's squad ahead of the World Cup in Russia.

Breaking weeks of silence, Ozil said on Sunday he would no longer play for Germany internationally "whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect."

The Arsenal midfielder had been heavily criticised by the leadership of the German Football Federation (DFB) for the picture and was also blamed by some in Germany for the team's failure in Russia.

"I congratulate Mesut Ozil who by leaving the national team has scored the most beautiful goal against the virus of fascism," Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul wrote on Twitter.

Turkey's Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu, like Gul posting the picture of a smiling Ozil with Erdogan, added: "We sincerely support the honourable stance that our brother Mesut Ozil has taken".

In a tweet posted before Ozil's decision to leave the national side was made public, Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said the footballer's defence of the meeting was "a pity for those who claim to be tolerant and multiculturalist!"

Ozil, 29, said he had been unfairly blamed in Germany for the side's shock group stage exit at the World Cup.

He insisted he was true to both his Turkish and German origins and did not intend to make a political statement by appearing with Erdogan a month ahead of elections in Turkey.

"I have two hearts, one German and one Turkish," said Ozil.

Fellow German international Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City was also present at the London meeting with Erdogan in May on the president's visit to Britain, as well as striker Cenk Tosun of Everton who was born in Germany but represents Turkey.