europe

How Premier League Stars Keep Busy During Shutdown

How Premier League Stars Keep Busy During Shutdown

The Premier League has postponed all matches until at least April 3 as the coronavirus wreaks havoc with the sporting schedule across Europe.

That has left the league’s players and clubs at a loose end, so AFP Sport looked at what some of them have been getting up to:

Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has been keeping himself in good shape — and virus-free — in case the season can resume any time soon.

The German, whose manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for the virus on Thursday, posted a video

Trump Defends Ban On Travel From Europe As Virus Worsens

Trump Defends Ban On Travel From Europe As Virus Worsens

US President Donald Trump defended Thursday his decision to impose a 30-day ban on travel from mainland Europe over the coronavirus pandemic that sent markets into a tailspin and sparked panic among stranded travellers.

The US leader doubled down on his shock move as the number of cases and fatalities surged in Europe, prompting governments to roll out even tighter restrictions on travel and public gatherings.

The virus, which first emerged in China in December, has quickly spread across the continent even as cases in Asia have levelled out in recent days.

China even claimed “the peak” of the epidemic …

Klopp Unsure Games Behind Closed Doors Is The Best Option

Klopp Unsure Games Behind Closed Doors Is The Best Option

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp accepted “some things are more important than football” but is unsure whether the closure of stadiums across Europe will help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Klopp’s side will host Atletico Madrid in a crucial Champions League last 16, second leg on Wednesday in front of a capacity crowd of over 50,000.

No restrictions have been placed on matches played in the United Kingdom, but nearly 3,000 Atletico fans are expected to travel for the game.

La Liga announced on Tuesday that all matches in Spain will be played behind closed doors for the next two weeks.…

Ancelotti Wants Everton To Aim For Europe

Carlo Ancelotti has set his sights on taking Everton back into European competition after the Italian was appointed manager of “one of the greatest clubs in England”.

Saturday saw the Merseyside team announce that Ancelotti had become their new permanent manager on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The 60-year-old then watched from the stands at Goodison Park as Everton played out a goalless draw with Arsenal, who have appointed former Toffees favourite Mikel Arteta as their new manager.

“I’m excited to be here at one of the greatest clubs in England,” Ancelotti told the club’s in-house TV channel in his first …

US Congress Approves Russia-Europe Gas Pipeline Sanctions

The US Senate voted Tuesday to slap sanctions on companies working on Russia’s Nord Stream pipeline, sending a bill to President Donald Trump that is sure to antagonize European nations counting on the project’s natural gas.

The measure, inserted into a huge annual defense spending bill, passed 86 to eight after easily clearing the House of Representatives last week.

It aims to halt further construction of the $10.6 billion pipeline being built under the Baltic Sea and is set to double shipments of Russian natural gas to Germany.

The German-Russian Chamber of Commerce said last week the pipeline was important …

Europe’s ‘Big Five’ Take Over Champions League

Atalanta’s achievement in reaching the Champions League last 16 despite a dreadful start is remarkable, especially for a club of their stature, but it has also had another, ominous knock-on effect.

The modest Italians, appearing in the competition for the first time, defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 on Wednesday to progress at the expense of the Ukrainians, despite taking just one point from their opening four games.

Their joy contrasted with the agony for Ajax 24 hours earlier, as last season’s semi-finalists were eliminated following a 1-0 defeat by Valencia.

The Dutch champions will have to console themselves with a crack …

African Players In Europe: City No Match For Mane And Salah

Defending champions Manchester City have become the latest English Premier League club that could not contain irresistible Liverpool attackers Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
Mane scored his seventh league goal this season and Salah his sixth as the Reds overcame the champions 3-1 at Anfield to take an eight-point lead 12 rounds into the season.

The dynamic duo now adjust their sights to 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with Senegalese Mane confronting Congo Brazzaville and Egyptian Salah taking on Kenya this week.

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

Headed home Liverpool’s second

Nigeria To Import Doctors From Europe, United States

Nigeria To Import Doctors From Europe, United States

• Plan will curb medical tourism, says minister
• Stop brain drain first, stakeholders advise

Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said yesterday that Nigeria would employ the services of medical experts from Europe and America.

The disclosure came at a time that some stakeholders are expressing concern about the migration of health workers from the country.

Ehanire said officials of the ministry were in touch with foreign embassies for specialists who would work in hospitals across the country for specified periods.

The minister, who stated this during the 2020 budget defence session, said the move would strengthen the nation’s health sector.…

Nigeria To Import Doctors From Europe, US - Osagie Ehanire

Nigeria To Import Doctors From Europe, US – Osagie Ehanire

• Plan will curb medical tourism, says minister
• Stop brain drain first, stakeholders advise

Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said yesterday that Nigeria would employ the services of medical experts from Europe and America.

The disclosure came at a time that some stakeholders are expressing concern about the migration of health workers from the country.

Ehanire said officials of the ministry were in touch with foreign embassies for specialists who would work in hospitals across the country for specified periods.

The minister, who stated this during the 2020 budget defense session, said the move would strengthen the nation’s health sector.…

Oil prices fall on weak economic data from Europe , China

Oil prices fall on weak economic data from Europe , China

Oil prices fell on Wednesday on weak economic data from China and Europe and a rise in U.S. crude inventories, almost erasing the previous session’s sharp gains after the U.S. said it would delay tariffs on some Chinese products.

Brent crude LCOc1 was down $2.08, or 3.4 per cent, at $59.22 a barrel at 1214 GMT, after rising 4.7 per cent on Tuesday, the biggest percentage gain in a day since December.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were down $2.13, or 3.7 per cent, at $54.97 a barrel, having risen four per cent the previous session, the …