Mercedes-Benz has extended its contract with British Formula One outfit Williams until the end of 2025, the two firms announced on Friday.
Williams, who finished bottom of the championship last season after some of Force-India's points were voided, announced poor financial results for the first quarter of 2019 on Tuesday with a drop of almost 24 percent in turnover compared to the same period last year.
"The financial results of Formula One reflect principally our last position in the constructors' championship last year and the reduction of bonuses linked to it," Williams chief executive Mike O'Driscoll said.
"There was also a global reduction in revenues linked to partnerships in relation to the first quarter of 2018."
The original deal was set to finish at the end of the current campaign.
Williams are bottom of the constructors' standings this term with their only point coming thanks to Robert Kubica's 10th-placed finish at the British Grand Prix.
The next race of the season takes .

Mercedes signs extension with F1's Williams

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Greenpeace activists who blocked a coal delivery in Poland this week risk up to 10 years behind bars after prosecutors pressed charges, the global environmental group and officials said Friday.
"Prosecutors charged 28 people for participating in a peaceful operation," Greenpeace Polska spokeswoman Katarzyna Guzek told AFP.
The activists on Wednesday climbed cranes at the Polish port of Gdansk to block the unloading of coal from Mozambique, calling on the Polish government to move to renewable energy.
They were charged with "trespassing" and "impeding the operation" of important port equipment, Gdansk prosecutors said in a statement.
The charges carry jail terms of up to 10 years, they added.  Guzek called the charges "absurd" and confirmed that all the activists had been released from custody.
The group also attempted on Monday to prevent the Indian Goodwill cargo vessel carrying the coal from Mozambique from docking by blocking it with its iconic Rainbow Warrior ship.
Armed border ...

Greenpeace activists charged over Polish coal protest

Niger launched a campaign on Friday to vaccinate more than four million children against measles, one of the biggest causes of child mortality in the country, the health ministry said.
The one-week nationwide vaccination programme aims to "eliminate measles by the end of 2020", Health Minister Illiassou Mainassara said, adding, it "will reach 4.254 million children" aged from 9 months up to the age of five.
"Despite all the efforts made in the fight against communicable diseases, we still note the persistence of localised measles epidemics (in Niger)," Mainassara said on his way to the capital Niamey to launch the campaign.
But some experts say the vaccination programme should have kicked in sooner "The delay of this campaign which should have happened in 2018 has resulted in ...the emergence of epidemics in several health districts," said Niger's UNICEF representative, Felicite Tchibindat.
Since January this year, 9,741 suspected cases have been documented in Niger resulting in 53 ...

Niger unveils measles vaccination plan for 4 million children

European powers on Friday called on Iran to cooperate with the UN's nuclear watchdog the IAEA, after Tehran warned that undue pressure from the US and Israel could jeopardise the agency's activities in Iran.
In a joint statement, Britain, France, Germany and the EU's foreign policy chief said they "strongly urge Iran to reverse all activities that are inconsistent with its commitments" under the 2015 deal on its nuclear programme and "to cooperate with the IAEA on all relevant matters, including safeguards issues.

European powers call on Iran to cooperate with UN nuclear watchdog

President Donald Trump used his official Twitter feed to tout an accolade for one of his hotels, despite claims that he has violated ethics laws by using his hotel chain for government business.
"Proud to announce that @TrumpNewYork has just been named the #1 'Best Hotel in the World!'" said a Trump Organization tweet, retweeted by the president.
"Congratulations to our remarkable team," it said.
The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Manhattan was given top billing in a readers' survey by "Luxury Lifestyle Magazine." The chain's Washington branch was listed at number nine in the survey.
As president, Trump says he has handed off control of his business empire.
However, he faces mounting accusations from his opponents that he is potentially breaking the law by using the presidency to boost his hotel and golf course brands.
The US Air Force announced a review this week following an uproar over the revelation that crews have been billeted at the luxury Trump Turnberry in Scotland ...

Trump sings praises of one of his hotels on Twitter

An attacker wielding a utility knife has badly damaged a work by the celebrated French conceptual artist Daniel Buren at the Pompidou Centre in central Paris, the museum said on Friday.
The work, "Peinture [Manifestation 3]", suffered "serious deliberate damage" in Thursday afternoon's attack by the man, the museum said in a statement.
It said that a museum attendant alerted security, and video cameras allowed the rapid finding of the suspect. "He made no claim (over the attack) and was handed over to the police," it said.
An investigation has been opened by the judicial authorities after the museum filed a complaint to police.
The artist, 81, has been informed of the incident and the work itself transferred to the stores of the Pompidou Centre to estimate the damage and restoration needed.
It will be replaced on public display by another work from the artist.
The Pompidou Centre said it understood the suspect was no longer in detention and had been transferred to a psychiatric ...

Knife attack badly damages work by top French modern artist

Steve Smith again proved England's nemesis on Friday, passing 700 runs in the Ashes series as the tourists reached 147-4 at tea on the second day of the fifth Test.
The former captain has been in imperious form during the tour, with a lowest score of 82 in five completed innings so far.
He was 59 not out at the break, with Mitchell Marsh on 12, as Australia look to wrap up their first Test series victory in England since 2001.
Smith came to the crease with Australia in trouble at 14-2 in reply to England's first-innings total of 294 after paceman Jofra Archer had removed openers David Warner and Marcus Harris.
Smith, who only returned to Test cricket last month following a year-long ban for his role in a ball-tampering scandal, was watchful at the beginning of his innings.
But he soon found his touch at the sun-baked ground in London, bringing up his 10th consecutive Ashes fifty with a six over midwicket off left-arm spinner Jack Leach.
Earlier, Warner, who was also banned over the ...

Smith serene as Australia recover against England in 5th Test

Around 500 leading writers, artists and activists, including US whistleblower Edward Snowden and novelist Salman Rushdie, on Friday signed an open letter supporting reporters at French daily Le Monde in their battle for guarantees of editorial independence.
France's centre-left paper of record has been plunged into turmoil by the failure of Czech energy billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, who bought a stake in the broadsheet last year, to sign an agreement on the paper's editorial freedom.
The journalists have given him until September 17 to sign the accord.
"At this time when even facts are being challenged, the liberty and independence of the press are more precious public assets than ever," the open letter published on the website of Le Monde read, warning that the paper's editorial freedom was "under threat." Kretinsky last year bought a 49-percent stake in a holding company owned by Matthieu Pigasse, one of Le Monde's biggest shareholders.
The deal gave him a stake in the daily created 

Snowden, Rushdie back calls to uphold independence of French daily

Bankrupt US utility company Pacific Gas and Electric announced Friday it has reached an USD 11 billion settlement with insurance companies over the deadly wildfires in California last year blamed on faulty power lines.
The San Francisco-based company said the settlement covers 85 per cent of the insurance claims in the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California -- the deadliest in the state's modern history -- that left 86 people dead.
"Today's settlement is another step in doing what's right for the communities, businesses, and individuals affected by the devastating wildfires," PG&E chief Bill Johnson said in a statement.
The blaze ravaged more than 60,000 hectares (153,000 acres) of land and destroyed nearly 19,000 houses and other structures, consuming the small town of Paradise.
PG&E acknowledged that its equipment was to blame for the disaster, and filed for bankruptcy protection in January. Johnson took over the reins in April.
The insurance settlement is part of the ...

PG&E announces USD 11 bn settlement in deadly California fires

The US Treasury on Friday placed sanctions on three North Korea government-sponsored hacking operations which it said were behind the theft of possibly hundreds of millions of dollars and destructive cyber-attacks on infrastructure.
The Treasury said the three groups -- dubbed Lazarus Group, Bluenoroff and Andariel -- were behind major thefts from financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as the 2018 WannaCry hack that crippled Britain's National Health Service.

US sanctions three N.Korea hacking groups behind major thefts

British police said Friday they had arrested a 19-year-old man for stealing unreleased songs from musicians' websites and cloud-based accounts, as part of a US-led investigation.
The teenager, who was arrested in Ipswich in eastern England, is also suspected of selling the stolen music in exchange for cryptocurrency, according to a statement from the City of London Police intellectual property crime unit.
A raid was also carried out on a property in London.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office launched the investigation following referrals from the management companies of recording artists who had been targeted.
Police also said they had used information received from IFPI, the body representing the global recording industry, without giving further details on the artists.
"This sort of crime causes significant financial loss to those who work so incredibly hard to produce, write and make music for their fans to enjoy," Detective Inspector Nick Court from the City of London Police .

UK teen arrested in US-led music hacking probe

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday he was "cautiously optimistic" about striking a Brexit deal ahead of his first face-to-face talks with EU chiefs next week.
Johnson is due to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Luxembourg on Monday.
Johnson's upbeat tone on striking a divorce deal with the European Union in time for Britain's scheduled October 31 departure date is in marked contrast with the mood music from Brussels.
The British pound gained one percent against the dollar in Friday trading on speculation that the two sides were edging closer to a compromise over the contentious Irish border issue.
But Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the gap between London and Brussels remained "very wide".
Johnson said the public deserved to know the latest in the Brexit talks, as he restated his insistence that Britain must leave the EU on October 31, with or without a withdrawal agreement.
"We're working ...

British PM 'cautiously optimistic' on Brexit deal

Europe sneaked into a 2.5-1.5 lead after the first series of Solheim Cup foursomes under blue skies at Gleneagles on Friday.
The only American win came in a thumping six and four victory for the Korda sisters, Jessica and Nelly, in the third match over Caroline Masson and Jodi Ewart Shadoff.
US captain Juli Inkster admitted she had been a little reluctant to pair the Korda sisters together, but they put in the request and it proved to be perfect pairing.
With four birdies and an eagle they were four up at the turn and another birdie at the 14th secured the victory.
"It was great playing with my sister," said Jessica, five years older at 26. "It doesn't matter if one of us hits a bad shot -- we just feel very comfortable together."
The top match was halved and European victories came from the pairings of Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier and Charley Hull and Azahara Munoz.
The opening tie was a real rollercoaster as Europe's Carlota Ciganda and rookie Bronte Law made a fast start by ...

Europe take Solheim Cup lead despite Korda sisters' success

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that influential defender Aymeric Laporte faces up to six months out after undergoing knee surgery.
Laporte damaged cartilage and the lateral meniscus in his right knee after a clash with Brighton's Adam Webster in City's 4-0 win on August 31.
City reported that Laporte had undergone successful surgery in Barcelona, but did not specify how long they expected the Frenchman to be sidelined.
Guardiola confirmed the Frenchman will not return before next year and could even miss the start to the knockout stages of the Champions League in February, should the English champions advance to the last 16.
"Long (time). Five months, six months," said Guardiola when asked how long he expected to be without his defensive lynchpin.
"Next year (for) sure. January or February."
Laporte will be missed with centre-back one of the few positions where City are not blessed with great strength in depth.
The Premier League champions did not buy a ...

Guardiola fears Laporte out for up to six months

Neymar could return to action for Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday after four months of injury-enforced absence after the Brazilian was selected in the matchday squad for the Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg.
PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said: "We have 'Ney' in our squad, for sure", adding "he needs to make his comeback".
Neymar, the world's most expensive player, has had to come to terms with the prospect of a third season in Ligue 1 after PSG and his former club Barcelona failed to agree terms on a move before the transfer window shut on September 2.
Neymar has since been away on international duty for Brazil in two friendly matches in the United States, scoring one goal and making another in a 2-2 draw with Colombia and then coming on as a substitute in a 1-0 loss to Peru.
Those were his first appearances this season after the 27-year-old was left out of PSG's opening four league games amid the uncertainty over his future.

Neymar could make PSG return Saturday: Tuchel

Kenya's Olympic and world 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon said she was fit and ready to defend her title in Doha after edging Winnie Chebet in the Kenyan trials on Friday.
Kipyegon made a winning return to the track after a two-year maternity break at the Prefontaine Diamond League in June, but a hamstring injury in training interrupted her racing season.
"I thank God I have managed to come back stronger after the long maternity leave, and today I am able to win my race and book a ticket to the world championship," said Kipyegon, who timed her sprint perfectly  to edge the African champion Chebet in the photo-finish.
"I am completely healed from the injury and ready to defend my title in Doha, where I expect to meet strong opposition from Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands."
Selah Jepleting finished third in 4:05.26  and will join Kipyegon and Chebet at the world championships.
Fresh from winning the Diamond League 1,500m title, Timothy Cheruiyot controlled ..

World champ Kipyegon readies to defend title in Doha

Greece on Friday sought permission from the eurozone to repay loans to the IMF before their maturity date, a move Athens hopes will rebuild international trust in its economy.
Greece's new centre-right finance minister Christos Staikouras made his request at his first meeting with his eurozone counterparts since taking office in July.
"I welcome such an early repayment for a very simple reason: because it increases the debt sustainability of Greece," said Klaus Regling, the head of the European Stability Mechanism, the eurozone's bailout fund.
Regling said once officially launched, the approval process would take about two months.
Regling's ESM, which is governed by the eurozone 19 finance ministers, holds most of the public debt owed by Greece after a decade of EU and IMF bailouts.
Greece's overspending triggered a major eurozone crisis a decade ago, and nearly led to the demise of the single currency bloc.
Since then, Athens has carried out painful reforms in exchange for three ...

Greece seeks early IMF debt repayment to build trust

Thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists used torches, lanterns and laser pens to light up two of the city's best-known hillsides on Friday night in an eye-catching protest alongside an annual festival.
Friday evening marks the start of the mid-autumn festival, one of the most important dates in the Chinese calendar, and is traditionally a time for thanksgiving, spending time with family and praying for good fortune.
But as Hong Kong convulses from more than three months of political unrest, activists used the night as a way to keep their movement buoyant with no signs of protests abating.
Throughout the evening thousands of activists with torches on their heads hiked their way up hill trails leading to the top of Lion Rock which overlooks the sprawling skyscrapers of the city's Kowloon district, one of the most densely populated places on earth.
They also gathered to form a long human chain on the Peak -- a popular tourist spot which offers picture-postcard views of the finance 

Hong Kong hills shine with protest lights in festival-themed rally

The UAE, a key member of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Huthi rebels in Yemen, said Friday six of its soldiers were killed in a "collision of military vehicles" while on duty.
It did not specify if the men died in Yemen, where tens of thousands of people -- most of them civilians -- have been killed in the country's years-old conflict between pro-government forces and the Iran-aligned rebels.
The armed forces announced "the martyrdom of six of its valiant soldiers as a result of a collision of military vehicles while carrying out their national duty in an operations field", state news agency WAM reported.
The Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 on the side of Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.
In July, Abu Dhabi announced a troop drawdown in Yemen, a move that many saw as an attempt to limit its losses amid escalating regional tensions with Tehran.
The war in Yemen, which the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, has driven millions to the brink .

UAE says 6 troops killed in 'military collision'

Bulgarian authorities broke up an organised criminal group that allegedly recruited poor people to sell their kidneys for transplants, prosecutors announced Friday.
Three men and a woman were charged on Friday with recruiting kidney donors and connecting them to transplant recipients, specialised prosecution chief Dimitar Petrov told journalists.
The transplants were done in a hospital in neighbouring Turkey with forged papers indicating that the kidney donor and recipient were relatives, he added.
Prosecutors said at least five people had received transplants under the criminal scheme since February 2019, with two more patients and three potential donors still waiting to undergo surgery.
The patients paid between 50,000 and 100,000 euros ($55,400-110,900) for the transplant, prosecutor Siyka Mileva added.
The donors -- mostly unemployed people from poor communities who had large debts -- received between 5,000 and 7,000 euros after the surgery.
Only 22 kidney transplants have been ...

Bulgaria breaks up kidney trafficking ring

Jihadists killed six soldiers and a civilian militia leader as they hit three towns in Nigeria's conflict-torn northeastern state of Borno, security sources and residents told AFP on Friday.
Several troops and militiamen are also missing, they said.  Suspected fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), affiliated to the so-called Islamic State group, attacked the town of Gubio around 1630 GMT on Thursday, unleashing a battle with security forces.
"The bodies of six soldiers and the (local) head of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were recovered outside the town with bullet wounds," a security source said.
The jihadists stormed into Gubio aboard a dozen pickup trucks mounted with machine guns, according to local resident Idrissa Kaka, who confirmed the death toll.
They also made off with three military vehicles and a van belonging to the CJTF.
"The whereabouts of the remaining soldiers is unknown. Our fear is that they were captured along with the vehicles," he ...

AFP

AFP

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