Новости за 24.02.2022

Competing in his first tournament of the season, and first since getting deported from Australia, Djokovic needed to at least reach the semi-finals in the Emirates to try and stop Daniil Medvedev from replacing him at the top of the rankings. But Vesely had other ideas as the left-handed qualifier improved his career record against Djokovic to 2-0, a result that will see Medvedev become the first man since 2004 outside the "Big Four" – Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray – to occupy the number one ranking on Monday. Читать дальше...

In the early morning hours of Thursday, February 24, Russian troops launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine, after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any countries who dared to interfere would face “consequences you have never seen”. Videos shared on social networks showed heavy missile attacks as well as Russian deployments on land. The FRANCE 24 Observers team spoke with residents of Kharkiv, Kyiv and Bila Tserkva, who told us how the invasion unfolded in their cities.

France has violated the rights of French children by leaving them for years in inhuman and life-threatening conditions in Syrian camps for family members of suspected jihadists, a UN watchdog said Thursday.

The Scots started this edition with a 20-17 Calcutta Cup win at home to England only to lose 20-17 away to reigning Six Nations champions Wales in the second round. France, the hosts of next year's World Cup, have lived up to their billing as pre-Championship favourites with wins over Italy (37-10) and Ireland (30-24). Both of those victories, however, were at the Stade de France and Les Bleus, beaten 27-23 by Scotland in Paris last season, have not won at Murrayfield since 2014 -- French coach... Читать дальше...

Russia is attempting to undermine the entire European security framework and there is no indication Vladimir Putin will stop at the invasion of Ukraine, says Natia Seskuria, associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, in an interview with France 24.

The Central African Republic on Thursday released four French soldiers in the United Nations' peacekeeping force in the CAR, whose arrest sparked condemnation from the UN, the mission said.

"In light of the events, developments and escalation of the past days, FC Schalke 04 has decided to remove the logo of the main sponsor, Gazprom, from the shirts," the second division club said in a statement. In place of the sponsor, players would carry the team name across their shirt, the club said, adding that the decision had been taken "after talks" with Gazprom's Germania subsidiary. The Gelsenkirchen-based club, historically one of Germany's best supported teams, has been sponsored by Gazprom since 2007. Читать дальше...

A deal for a "comprehensive master plan for the 407 kilometre-long (252 miles) railway" is expected next month, Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamie told AFP during an interview on Wednesday. "We should sign a deal with the Spanish government within three weeks," Hamie said, adding that the plan should be completed six months after an agreement is clinched. Lebanon had a railway network since the end of the 19th century which connected Beirut to the Syrian capital Damascus. It was... Читать дальше...

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Rublev posted a photo on Instagram of two characters featuring the colours of the two nations' respective flags hugging each other. He later told reporters in Dubai how tough it was to step on court in light of everything that was happening. "In these moments you realise that my match is not important. It's not about my match, how it affects me. What's happening is much more terrible," the Olympic gold medallist said. "You realise how important it is... Читать дальше...

Gunfire and explosions were heard this morning in the city Mariupol, France 24 correspondent Catherine Norris Trent reports from Ukraine. The port city on the Sea of Azov is seen as a strategically key location in Russia's attack on the country.

While many Ukrainians are staying put even as Russia launches a full-scale invasion of the country, others have decided to flee, with heavy traffic seen on the roads heading out of Kyiv and other cities. Though some are wandering where they can flee too to escape the fighting.

"This hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure," UK prime minister Boris Johnson said Thursday as he vowed a massive package of economic sanctions against Moscow following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc will impose sanctions on Russia that will have far-reaching consequences for the country's economy and "gradually erode its industrial basis" following a meeting with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.

Student-led demonstrations in 2020, calling for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha's resignation and making unprecedented calls for reform to Thailand's untouchable monarchy, drew tens of thousands at their peak. But the movement petered out as Covid-19 case numbers surged and the authorities detained most of the leaders. Nearly 160 activists, including 13 juveniles, have been hit with criminal charges under Thailand's tough royal defamation laws, which carry a jail sentence of up to 15 years per charge. Читать дальше...

The Belgian, who rides for Alpecin-Fenix and took the opening stage in a sprint on Sunday, was again fastest to the line as the 182-kilometre stage ended in a chaotic bunch finish at Al Marjan Island, in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah. Philipsen edged 20-year-old Dutch rookie Olav Kooij of Jumbo-Visma and Irishman Sam Bennett, who rides for Bora. "It was a really fast finish," said Philipsen after crossing the line. "My lead-out man's chain came off in the last kilometre, so it was chaos trying to find a good wheel. Читать дальше...

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed France and Europe will stand in solidarity with Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the country Thursday, while warning Moscow would suffer political and economic consequences in the form of sanctions.

Demonstrations have continued in the northeast African country since army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan led a military takeover on October 25, sparking international condemnation and suspension of aid. The putsch derailed a fragile power-sharing agreement between the army and civilians negotiated after the 2019 ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir. "Firing live ammunition on the people is a huge violation against human rights," said the United Nations expert, Adama Dieng. "I'm concerned about... Читать дальше...

Oil prices broke above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014, stock markets slumped globally and the rouble hit a record low on Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine.

In a presidential campaign dominated by talk of far-right pundit Eric Zemmour, some of France's leading news networks stand accused of fostering his Elysée Palace run and plugging his hardline agenda on crime, immigration and Islam.

NSO was already mired in debt before an investigation revealed last year that its Pegasus phone-hacking software had been used to spy on hundreds of journalists, dissidents and activists worldwide. Now the surveillance tech giant is teetering, especially after being banned by the United States. AFP has reviewed hundreds of pages of court documents from a dispute involving NSO, its creditors and the Berkeley Research Group (BRG), majority shareholders of NSO's parent company. The documents suggest creditors have sought to push NSO... Читать дальше...

In a statement issued shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of military operations in Ukraine, Biden said he would address the US public Thursday to outline the "consequences" for Russia, calling the attack "unprovoked and unjustified." The US president was due to join a virtual, closed-door meeting of G7 leaders -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- at 9:00 am (1400 GMT) Thursday. The White House said his remarks to the nation would come in the early afternoon in Washington. Читать дальше...

Macario scored her fourth and fifth goals for the Americans to break open a tight struggle and launch the hosts' triumph in the trophy-deciding match at Frisco, Texas. Iceland defeated the Czech Republic and New Zealand in prior matches while the Americans beat the Football Ferns and drew the Czechs, meaning the US women needed a victory to defend their title in the round-robin event. Macario opened the scoring in the 37th minute when her left-footed blast from the corner of the penalty area banked... Читать дальше...

The 35-year-old Spanish left-hander eliminated the US lucky loser 6-0, 6-3, advancing to a Thursday matchup against 39th-ranked American Tommy Paul, whom he has never played before. The victory kept Nadal unbeaten over a dozen matches in 2022, his best career start to any year, surpassing the 11-0 run in 2014 that ended with a loss to Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the Australian Open final. Nadal won his men's record 21st Grand Slam title at last month's Australian Open, breaking the career mark of 20... Читать дальше...

The 33-year-old revealed Thursday that he has started work as British Cycling's men's podium sprint coach and is in charge of several riders who were his teammates until recently. Kenny's seventh Olympic gold medal came in the keirin at the Tokyo Games last August, 13 years after his first in Beijing. He had intended to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics but Kenny said the chance to coach the British squad was too good an opportunity to turn down. "It wasn't an easy decision," said Kenny, who... Читать дальше...

It was the fourth reported time this month Israel has launched strikes inside Syria, keeping up a campaign against pro-Iranian forces supporting the Damascus government in the more than decade-old civil war. "The Israeli enemy carried out an air assault with several missiles," state news agency SANA reported, adding three soldiers were killed. It said Syrian air defences intercepted most of the missiles in the attack, which occurred at around 1:10 am (2310 GMT Wednesday). The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)... Читать дальше...