Putin's, Xi's Ruler-For-Life Moves Pose Challenges to West
MOSCOW — Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping have established themselves as the world’s most powerful authoritarian leaders in decades. Now it looks like they want to hang on to those roles indefinitely. Putin's sudden announcement this week of constitutional changes that could allow him to extend control way beyond the end of his term in 2024 echoes Xi’s move in 2018 to eliminate constitutional term limits on the head of state. Both moves reflect their forceful personalities and determination to restore their countries to their former glory after years of perceived humiliation by the West. They also mesh with a trend of strong-man rulers taking power from Hungary and Brazil to the Philippines.
Source:International New York Times
January 17, 2020 12:00 UTC
Rybakina, Zhang Advance to Hobart International Final
HOBART, Australia — Elena Rybakina twice received on-court treatment late in the third set Friday and still beat British qualifier Heather Watson 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the semifinals of the Hobart International. "It happened to me for the first time and I was a bit scared because it's not a nice feeling," Rybakina said. Rybakina, who was born in Russia but represents Kazakhstan, also reached the final at the Shenzhen Open in China before coming to Australia. Rybakina will play fourth-seeded Zhang Shuai in Saturday's final. The 30-year-old Zhang beat Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-4.
Source:International New York Times
January 17, 2020 10:52 UTC
U.S. Ambassador Becomes Moustachioed Face of South Korean Discontent
SEOUL — The U.S. ambassador to South Korea drew criticism from the highest levels of government in Seoul on Friday for suggesting that Seoul consult with Washington about the possibility of reopening tourism with North Korea. U.S. ambassador Harry Harris has even been criticised by some local media and anti-U.S. activists over his moustache, which they have compared with those of officials in the Japanese colonial government that ruled Korea from 1910 to 1945. Seoul and Washington have been at odds over a number of issues in recent years, including South Korean President Moon Jae-in's desire to engage economically with the North, and a U.S. demand that Seoul pay billions of dollars more to maintain its troops stationed in South Korea. Harris told international media in Seoul on Thursday that it would be better for South Korea to run any plans to engage with North Korea through a joint working group established with the United States to avoid any "misunderstandings" that could trigger sanctions.
Source:International New York Times
January 17, 2020 10:18 UTC
Rabada Handed Test Ban After Screaming Send-Off for England's Root
PORT ELIZABETH — South Africa's top bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the last test of the four-match series against England after being given another demerit point for a robust wicket celebration on the first day of the third test at St George's Park on Thursday. Rabada was also fined 15% of his match fee after being found guilty of a level one breach of the International Cricket Council code of conduct, the ICC said on Friday. He has now accumulated four demerit points in a 24-month period, meaning he is suspended for South Africa’s next test, at the Wanderers in Johannesburg from Jan. 24-28. Rabada celebrated bowling out England captain Joe Root on Thursday by running down the pitch, going down on his haunches, clenching his fists and roaring into the ground, under the nose of Root himself.
Source:International New York Times
January 17, 2020 10:14 UTC
Trump Fans or Not, Business Owners Are Wary of Warren and Sanders
Democratic moderates warn that a leftward tilt in the party’s presidential nomination could alienate potential swing voters like Mr. Brady. But none has matched the degree of enthusiasm and devotion that Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders have generated among supporters inspired by prospects of visionary change. The belief that voters are yearning for another moderate alternative recently helped motivate former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York and former Gov. The billionaire Mr. Bloomberg, who announced his candidacy in November, has emphasized his background as a self-made business executive. In an early advertisement, he described himself as “a middle-class kid who made good.” Mr. Patrick, a friend of Mr. Obama’s, has positioned himself as someone who wants to bring people together and looks for middle ground.
Source:International New York Times
January 17, 2020 09:56 UTC
Opinion | China Has a Big Economic Problem, and It Isn’t the Trade War
Today, it is progress on the trade war with the United States, or the recoupling of China’s economy with those of other countries, that is seen as the way for it to regain momentum. But to think in these terms is to miss the main point: The trade war has merely compounded an economic slowdown in China that is substantially of the country’s own making. And part of the slowdown is a predictable result of deliberate government decisions, in particular policies that favor the state sector at the expense of the private sector — even though the state sector is woefully inefficient, whereas the private sector long has long been the country’s growth engine. The most striking evidence, documented by the Peterson Institute of International Economics in October, is the drop in credit to the private sector and the rise in credit to the state sector in recent years. The largest banks in China are state-owned and hew closely to government command.
Source:International New York Times
January 17, 2020 09:56 UTC
'We Can't Wait': Maldives Desperate for Funds as Islands Risk Going Under
NEW DELHI — The tropical Maldives may lose entire islands unless it can quickly access cheap financing to fight the impact of climate change, its foreign minister said. The archipelago's former president Mohamed Nasheed famously held a cabinet meeting underwater to draw attention to submerging land and global warming a decade ago. Yet the Maldives, best known for its white sands and palm-fringed atolls that draw luxury holiday-makers, has struggled to find money to build critical infrastructure like sea-walls. "For small states, it is not easy," Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid told Reuters in New Delhi. "By the time the financing is obtained, we may be underwater."
Source:International New York Times
January 17, 2020 09:11 UTC
Libya's Rival Military Commander Seeks Support in Greece
ATHENS, Greece — The commander of forces fighting the U.N.-supported government in war-torn Libya has begun meetings in Athens in a bid to counter Turkey's support for his opponents. Libyan Gen. Khalifa Hifter met with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias after arriving for a previously unannounced visit late Thursday. He will continue meetings with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Friday as well as with other senior Greek officials. The surprise visit by Hifter takes place ahead of a weekend summit in Berlin aimed at halting the conflict in oil-rich Libya which is being fueled by competing international support for the warring sides. Turkey, which has promised to send troops to back Libya's government against Hifter's offensive, is at odds with Greece over oil-and-gas drilling rights in the East Mediterranean.
Source:International New York Times
January 17, 2020 08:37 UTC
Sport pendant la grossesse, à bannir ou à adopter ?
En général, une fois la mise en condition effectuée, les séances sont faites pour alterner entre les positions toniques et les positions dites de détente, avant d'enchaîner par un moment de relaxation pure. Pratiquer cette activité pourra en outre vous amener à apprendre à respirer, ce qui, lors de l'accouchement, vous sera d'une aide précieuse, au-delà de la sempiternelle technique du petit chien avec laquelle on nous rabat comiquement les oreilles dans les séries ou les fictions qui illustrent ce moment. C'est en ce sens que les sages-femmes et les médecins conseillent fortement pratiquer cette activité, en vue de préparer l'accouchement de la meilleure façon, en contribuant notamment à faire baisser l'anxiété voire l'angoisse qui y sont trop souvent associées.
Source:L'Equipe
January 17, 2020 08:26 UTC
National : le Red Star aurait prévu trop peu d'argent pour mettre son stade aux normes en cas de montée en L2
Le club audonien, actuel 2e du National, s'est engagé à changer de pelouse, renforcer l'éclairage et installer un système de vidéo-surveillance, mais il aurait sous-estimé de moitié le coût de ces travaux indispensables pour jouer à l'échelon supérieur. Comme d'autres clubs de National bien placés pour monter (Dunkerque, Villefranche, Pau et Lyon-Duchère), le Red Star était reçu à la FFF pour se voir rappeler le cahier des charges à respecter en Ligue 2.
Source:L'Equipe
January 17, 2020 08:15 UTC
Renault a limité la chute de ses ventes en 2019 grâce au «low-cost»
Au salon automobile de Bruxelles, le 9 janvier 2020 / AFP/ArchivesLe groupe automobile français Renault a vu ses ventes mondiales baisser de 3,4% en 2019, un peu moins fortement que le marché, à 3,75 millions de véhicules, limitant les dégâts grâce au succès de sa gamme «low-cost». Sur son principal marché, l'Europe, Renault a globalement progressé de 1,3%, soit 0,1 point de plus que la moyenne. Mais la marque au losange, à elle seule, a confirmé ses difficultés en perdant 0,4 point de part de marché. Au Brésil (+11,3%), Renault a atteint une part de marché record à 9%. Mais la Chine, premier marché automobile mondial, reste un point noir important.
Source:La Croix
January 17, 2020 08:15 UTC
Mr. Kipling Demand Pushes Premier Foods Sales in Key Christmas Period
(Reuters) - Bisto gravy and OXO cube maker Premier Foods said on Friday higher demand for its mini Mr. Kipling mince pies coupled with a TV advertising push, helped sales grow 2.6% during the key Christmas period. Premier Foods, which will be launching a fresh range of mince pies, cherry bakewells and fruit pies packaged as Mr Kipling mini cakes, said it doubled its UK marketing investment with more to come in the fourth quarter. "Mr. Kipling, has again been instrumental to this continuing momentum, with increased sales of 10% supported by TV advertising and new product ranges," said Chief Executive Alex Whitehouse, who has been credited with turning around Premier Food's UK business. The UK-listed company also has operations in Ireland and Australia. Sales of its sweet treats, which includes Mr. Kipling and Cadbury cake, increased 8%, while grocery sales were up merely 0.3% as good performance at home was offset by poor international sales.
Source:International New York Times
January 17, 2020 07:52 UTC
NBA : Jeff Teague de retour à Atlanta
C'est un échange destiné à faire de la place du côté de Minnesota, et à renforcer le poste de meneur pour Atlanta : Jeff Teague, drafté par les Hawks (2009) et meneur des Timberwolves depuis 2017, va faire son retour là où tout avait commencé. Les deux franchises se sont entendues pour un échange qui voit le meneur filer à Atlanta en compagnie de l'arrière Treveon Graham, en échange de l'ailier Allen Crabbe, peu en vue cette saison (5,1 points en 18,6 minutes).
Source:L'Equipe
January 17, 2020 07:41 UTC
NBA : les Los Angeles Clippers déroulent, les Denver Nuggets au forceps
Denver s'en sort bienLes Nuggets, justement, ont vécu une soirée très compliquée dans le Chase Center des Golden State Warriors, à qui il n'a manqué qu'un soupçon de défense pour aller chercher une dixième victoire cette saison (défaite 131-134, a.p.). À l'énergie, les hommes de Steve Kerr ont longtemps tenu tête à leur adversaire, portés par leur adresse à trois points (20/45, 44,4 %) et malgré la domination au rebond de Denver (56 prises contre 41). Un panier à trois points d'Eric Paschall, inscrit à 16 secondes du buzzer a permis à Golden State de prendre deux points d'avance (113-111) mais Nikola Jokic, omniprésent (23 points, 12 rebonds, 8 passes mais 8 balles perdues) a égalisé dans la foulée.
Source:L'Equipe
January 17, 2020 07:30 UTC
Vers un cadre européen pour des salaires minimums
Alors que nos industries doivent se verdir et se numériser, la vie au travail va évoluer pour des millions d’Européens. Il faut agir à la fois aux niveaux européen et national pour permettre à cette future main-d’œuvre de s'épanouir. Ce débat contribuera à l’élaboration du plan d’action visant à mettre en œuvre le socle européen des droits sociaux. David Sassoli : « Il faut donner aux eurodéputés un droit d’initiative législative »Nous commençons par une réflexion sur un éventuel cadre européen pour des salaires minimums. Toute proposition tiendra compte du fait que les salaires minimums doivent être fixés, en fonction des traditions nationales, via des conventions collectives ou des dispositions légales.
Source:La Croix
January 17, 2020 07:30 UTC