Live Tv
Rtv Plus
Olympics: France says rail lines repaired after sabotage
Deutsche Welle
28 Jul 2024, 21:41
Photo: Collected
Arson attacks paralyzed the French rail network, hours before the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. Rail operator SNCF says most trains are now running again without delay.
French national train operator SNCF said Sunday that repairs have been completed on the country's rail network, caused by several arson attacks on the first day of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
'Thanks to the exceptional efforts of SNCF Network staff, who worked non-stop since Friday morning, repairs are now fully completed on all the high-speed rail services affected by the sabotage attacks,' SNCF said.
'Tests have been conclusive and the train lines can now function as normal,' the operator said, adding that there would be no more disruption from Monday morning.
On the route between Paris and the southwest, practically all the scheduled trains were said to be running again, according to the rail operator.
From Paris heading north, three out of four scheduled trains were running with no delays, SNCF said.
The eastbound line from Paris has been back in regular service since Saturday.
What do we know about the vandalism?
Three arson attacks overnight into Friday severely disrupted rail traffic as dignitaries, athletes and fans were due to arrive for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
The saboteurs targeted the high-speed TGV lines Atlantique, Est and Nord, which run from Paris to Bordeaux, Strasbourg and Lille respectively. Maintenance workers thwarted a fourth attack.
The Nord line also carries Eurostar trains between the French capital and London and Brussels.
Around 800,000 passengers were affected by delayed and canceled train services on Friday and Saturday, according to SNCF, including commuters and holidaymakers.
July and August are the peak vacation months in France.
Who was behind the act of sabotage?
Investigators still do not know who was behind the attacks or if they were timed to disrupt the Olympics.
According to Le Parisien newspaper, the arson attacks could have been carried out by radical left-wingers.
Several French and international media outlets received a letter with references to the far-left, claiming responsibility for the sabotage incidents and saying their motive was to disrupt the Games, the newspaper said.
Investigators are now looking into whether it was a genuine confession or a false claim.
Others have questioned whether Russia sought to cause embarrassment and disruption to the Games.
Police in Paris arrested a Russian national this week, saying he was suspected of 'organizing events likely to lead to destabilization during the Olympic Games.'
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told broadcaster France 2 on Saturday that a 'number of findings' had raised confidence that authorities would 'know fairly quickly who is responsible.'
Comments
Shakib Announces Retirement from Test and T20 Cricket
Shakib Al Hasan has announced his retirement from Test and T20 cricket. He made this announcement during a press conference ahead of the Kanpur Test against India.
However, instead of the Kanpur Test, Shakib will play his final Test match in October at home against South Africa, after which he will hang up his white jersey. He already played his last T20 match during the T20 World Cup.
Shakib's Statement on Retirement
Announcing his retirement, Shakib said during the press conference, "I think I have played my last T20 match, and if I can play in the Mirpur Test (against South Africa), that will be my last Test."
This means Shakib Al Hasan's final match in the shortest format of cricket was the Super Eight game of the T20 World Cup against Afghanistan. One of the greatest stars of Bangladesh cricket bid farewell at the Arnos Vale Stadium in the Caribbean. However, Shakib would probably want to forget his performance in that final match — he was out on the first ball while batting and went wicketless, conceding 19 runs while bowling.
Shakib made his T20 debut in 2006 against Zimbabwe at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna. He scored 26 runs and took one wicket, contributing to Bangladesh's victory. He was part of Bangladesh's first-ever T20 match and later represented the country in nine consecutive World Cups.
Shakib's Test debut came in 2007 during the Chittagong Test against India in the India series. That match ended in a draw, and Shakib got the opportunity to bat and bowl in just one innings. He scored 27 runs with the bat and remained wicketless with the ball. Seventeen years later, Shakib will play his final Test abroad, again against India.
In his long career of nearly two decades, Shakib has played 129 T20 matches, scoring 2,551 runs. With a strike rate of over 121 and an average of 23.18, he is among Bangladesh's top performers. With the ball, Shakib was the leading wicket-taker in this format for a long time on the global stage, eventually taking 149 wickets, averaging a wicket every 21 runs. He remains Bangladesh's highest run-scorer (2,551) and wicket-taker (149) in T20s.
In Test cricket, Shakib has played 70 matches so far, scoring 4,600 runs at an average of 38.33, with five centuries and 31 fifties, making him the third-highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in Tests. With the ball, he has taken 242 wickets, holding the record for the most wickets by any Bangladeshi bowler in all three formats.
Bangladesh vs India / Kanpur Test Suspended Due to Rain
It was already known that rain would hamper the Kanpur Test. As a result, the toss was not held. Due to rain at the beginning of the day, the game started but the rain hit again before the lunch break. After a few overs, Kanpur's sky was covered in clouds. Due to this, the umpires were forced to stop the game.
As of writing this report, Bangladesh has lost 3 wickets in 35 overs and collected 107 runs. Mominul Haque is batting for 40 runs and Mushfiqur is batting for 6 runs.
On Friday (September 27), after losing the toss and batting, the two Tiger openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan started playing carefully from the start. But even though Shadman scored 20 runs, Zakir could not score runs in 24 balls. The left-handed batsman was caught out by Akash Deep in the ninth over.
On this day, Mominul Haque came to bat to accompany Shadman. But Shadman could not increase the innings. Akash trapped this opener leg before in the 13th over. He scored 24 runs. Bangladesh lost 2 wickets for the team's 33 runs.
Shanto took the reins of the Tigers along with the experienced Mominul. Bangladesh turned around with the controlled batting of the two. But after the lunch break, Shanto returned to the dressing room. He was trapped leg before by Ashwin after scoring 31 runs.
Another experienced batsman Mushfiqur Rahim accompanied Mominul for the fifth wicket. Bangladesh crossed the quota of 100 runs with the bat of both.
Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Rohit named an unchanged team while Bangladesh made two alterations.
E. Martinez Banned by FIFA for Indecent Behavior
Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is always in discussion by creating controversy. From penalty save to trophy, he has created controversy several times. But this time he has been punished by football's governing body (FIFA) for indecent behavior and breaking the rules of fair play.
Martinez was banned for two matches by FIFA. As a result, he is not playing for Argentina against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 15 in the World Cup qualifiers.
Martinez was punished by FIFA's disciplinary committee for two incidents. One of which happened on September 5 in a World Cup qualifier against Chile. The Argentinian star then celebrated indecently by receiving the Copa America replica trophy. He celebrated similarly after winning the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. But he broke the code of conduct against Chile.
Another was the incident of punching the camera on the day of the World Cup qualifier against Colombia. After the incident, camera operator John Jackson told Colombian media that he had been assaulted by Martinez.
Before FIFA announced the punishment, however, Martinez and the Argentine Football Federation argued in defense. They couldn't take it easy when the punishment was finally announced.
Therefore, the Argentine Football Federation (AFF) said in a statement, it is necessary to mention here that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) does not agree with the decision taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
SAFF U-17: / Bangladesh Defeats Pakistan in Penalty Shootout to Reach Final
Bangladesh secured a place in the final by defeating Pakistan 8-7 in a dramatic penalty shootout. The SAFF U-17 semifinal between Bangladesh and Pakistan ended 2-2 in regular time. According to the tournament bylaws, the match went directly to a penalty shootout since the scores were tied at the end of regulation time.
The penalty shootout, known for its intense pressure, saw a fierce battle between both teams. In the first five shots, both Bangladesh and Pakistan scored five goals each, leveling the score at 5-5, leading to sudden death. After two equal attempts in sudden death, Bangladesh's goalkeeper saved Pakistan’s eighth shot. Bangladesh then scored on their next attempt, securing a spot in the final.
Bangladesh made an incredible comeback in the match. They conceded a goal in each half and were trailing. However, they scored two goals in the last 20 minutes to level the match. Ultimately, Bangladesh triumphed in the penalty shootout. In the final, they will face India, who defeated Nepal 4-2 in the first semifinal.
In the first half, Bangladesh fell behind 0-1 after Shabab Ahmed scored for Pakistan in the 32nd minute from a corner. Despite conceding, Bangladesh displayed controlled football, with impressive passing and confidence, but failed to capitalize on goal-scoring opportunities in the first half.
At the start of the second half, Bangladesh pushed for an equalizer but instead conceded a penalty in the 61st minute after a handball by a Bangladeshi defender inside the box. Abdul Rehman easily converted the penalty for Pakistan, extending their lead. Moments later, Pakistan almost scored again, but their shot hit the post.
Despite trailing by two goals, Bangladesh didn't lose hope and continued to push forward. In the 75th minute, Mithu Chowdhury scored from a corner to bring Bangladesh back into the game. After 90 minutes, the referee added seven minutes of injury time. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, substitute Manik netted the equalizer, taking the game to the next stage.
Indian Police Deports 'Tiger Rabi' Back to Bangladesh
Rabiul Islam, known as "Tiger Rabi," is being deported to Bangladesh by Indian authorities for allegedly violating regulations. Before leaving Kanpur, Rabi stated that he would spend a day under police custody in Delhi and return to Bangladesh on Sunday. He plans to speak to the media after his return, sharing details about what happened to him over the past two days.
Though discharged from the hospital on Friday night, Rabi remained under the surveillance of Kanpur police in Uttar Pradesh. He was kept under security at a hotel and was instructed to pack his bags early in the morning.
Rabi had traveled to India on a medical visa to support the Bangladesh cricket team. He was helped by mobile banking company Nagad, which sponsored his trip. After the first Test, he traveled from Chennai to Kanpur on September 24. During the second Test, Rabi was seen cheering the players from a gallery near the press box, waving the national flag. Rabi claims that he had come down from the open gallery to take shelter from the rain when he was physically assaulted from behind by unknown individuals.
However, Kanpur police stated that their investigation did not confirm Rabi's allegation of being assaulted by spectators. They also mentioned that a medical examination found no signs of physical injury. On Friday, Abhishek Pandey, ACP of Kanpur's Kalyanpur area, told reporters, "He (Rabi) collapsed due to dehydration and was taken to the hospital with the help of police and healthcare workers. The allegation of assault is entirely false; no spectator attacked him."
When asked why Rabi was being deported, police officials declined to comment officially. However, an officer speaking on the condition of anonymity suggested that it might be for security reasons.
Kanpur police also made serious allegations against Rabi, claiming that he is suffering from contagious tuberculosis and was supposed to receive treatment in Kolkata. Furthermore, the BCCI accused him of entering the gallery illegally with a sponsor's logo. These reasons have led the Indian government to deport the Bangladeshi supporter promptly.
Bangladesh-Afghanistan ODI Series Schedule
Bangladesh is set to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in November, with the first match scheduled for November 6. The series will take place in the United Arab Emirates. All the matches will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the schedule today, Sunday (September 29), confirming that the remaining two ODIs will be held on November 9 and November 11. The UAE has been designated as Afghanistan's home venue for this series.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) released the schedule of the ODI series against Bangladesh through a statement on Sunday (September 29).
Before their tour of the West Indies, where they are expected to play two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20 matches in November and December, Bangladesh will look to solidify their preparations with this series against Afghanistan.
This ODI series will serve as a crucial part of Bangladesh's preparation for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Bangladesh-Afghanistan ODI Series Schedule:
November 6: First ODI, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates
November 9: Second ODI, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates
November 11: Third ODI, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates
Asif Mahmud Addresses Shakib's Security Concerns
Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Youth and Sports Adviser of the Interim Government spoke about Shakib's security issue. He said, "Security for cricketer Shakib assured, but not for MP Shakib."
"We need to remember that Shakib Al Hasan carries two identities. He is a cricketer, and we will provide him with the necessary security as a player. On the other hand, he is also a politician, having served with the Awami League. Public sentiment varies depending on these two identities. As a cricketer, we will provide him with the security he needs," he added.
During a cheque handover ceremony today, 29 September, for Grameenphone dividends to the Workers Welfare Fund, Asif Mahmud said this to reporters.
Shakib Al Hasan suddenly announced his retirement from T20 and Test cricket before taking the field against India in Kanpur. The all-rounder wants to say goodbye to red-ball cricket after playing the first Test against South Africa in Mirpur next month. But there are fears about Shakib's return to the country.
So Shakib has sought security from BCB and the government. Shakib said that if there is a chance, he wants to play the last Test of his career on the soil of the country. He also gave some conditions to BCB for that.
Shakib asked for the assurance of his safety in the country and not to face any complications while leaving the country. But the matter of his safety is not only in the hands of BCB, Board President Faruque Ahmed said.
After the board meeting on Thursday (September 26) night, Faruque Ahmed told reporters, "I am not an agency, police or RAB. It (security) is not actually in my hands or BCB's hands. It has to come from the government level."
It should be noted that after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, Shakib Al Hasan lost his position as an MP. A case of murder has been filed against him. Shakib was fined Tk50,00000 after being accused of stock market manipulation. Meanwhile, he decided to retire from T20 and Test cricket.
