france24--2020-12-13--Bahraini child urges Hamilton to save his father on death row

A Bahraini child whose father is facing the death penalty sent a letter to Lewis Hamilton urging the seven-time Formula 1 champion to shed light on the case amid allegations of torture .
Ahmed Ramadhan , 11 , drew a picture of Hamilton 's racecar pleading for help : `` Lewis , please save my father . ''
`` When I was drawing the car , I felt hope that it might save my father 's life , '' the London-based advocacy group Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy ( BIRD ) quoted the child as saying .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so my dad can come back home . ''
Hamilton , who won the Bahrain Grand Prix last month , confirmed in a press conference in the United Arab Emirates capital Saturday that he received the letter .
`` I think the saddest thing for me was that there 's a young man on death row and it 's not clear ... and when his son writes me a letter it really hits home , '' he said ahead of the final race in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the background and I definitely wo n't let it go unnoticed . ''
In July , Bahrain 's top court upheld a death sentence against Mohamed Ramadhan and Hussain Moosa convicted of murdering a police officer in a bomb attack , following allegations that the conviction was based on confessions extracted by torture .
The incident allegedly came amid a wave of attacks against police and other violent incidents that erupted after mass street protests in 2011 demanded an elected prime minister and a constitutional monarchy in Bahrain .
The two accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shiite community and were first sentenced in late 2014 .
Amnesty International has condemned the ruling and described the trial as `` grossly unfair '' .
Hamilton said during the conference he would have hoped to address the issue with Bahrain 's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa but his infection with coronavirus would not allow him .
`` I 'd hoped ... to sit and address it with the crown prince , but I was bed-ridden for most of the week , '' he said .
Bahrain has claimed Iran trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topple the Manama government -- an accusation Tehran denies .
The kingdom rejects allegations of human rights violations and denies imposing discriminatory measures against its Shiite citizens .
`` When world champions like Lewis Hamilton choose to speak out , lives can change forever , '' said Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei , director of BIRD .

Abu Dhabi (AFP) –
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A Bahraini child whose father is facing the death penalty sent a letter to Lewis Hamilton urging the seven-time Formula 1 champion to shed light on the case amid allegations of torture.
Ahmed Ramadhan, 11, drew a picture of Hamilton's racecar pleading for help: "Lewis, please save my father."
"When I was drawing the car, I felt hope that it might save my father's life," the London-based advocacy group Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) quoted the child as saying.
"I really hope Lewis Hamilton delivers my message so my dad can come back home."
Hamilton, who won the Bahrain Grand Prix last month, confirmed in a press conference in the United Arab Emirates capital Saturday that he received the letter.
"I think the saddest thing for me was that there's a young man on death row and it's not clear ... and when his son writes me a letter it really hits home," he said ahead of the final race in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
"I think there's definitely work to be done in the background and I definitely won't let it go unnoticed."
In July, Bahrain's top court upheld a death sentence against Mohamed Ramadhan and Hussain Moosa convicted of murdering a police officer in a bomb attack, following allegations that the conviction was based on confessions extracted by torture.
The incident allegedly came amid a wave of attacks against police and other violent incidents that erupted after mass street protests in 2011 demanded an elected prime minister and a constitutional monarchy in Bahrain.
The two accused are members of Muslim Sunni-ruled Bahrain's Shiite community and were first sentenced in late 2014.
Amnesty International has condemned the ruling and described the trial as "grossly unfair".
Hamilton said during the conference he would have hoped to address the issue with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa but his infection with coronavirus would not allow him.
"I'd hoped... to sit and address it with the crown prince, but I was bed-ridden for most of the week," he said.
Bahrain has claimed Iran trained and backed the demonstrators in order to topple the Manama government -- an accusation Tehran denies.
The kingdom rejects allegations of human rights violations and denies imposing discriminatory measures against its Shiite citizens.
"When world champions like Lewis Hamilton choose to speak out, lives can change forever," said Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, director of BIRD.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-13--Iran summons German envoy over EU condemning dissident's execution

Ruhollah Zam , shown here in June , was sentenced to death that month , and was executed on Saturday Iran 's foreign ministry Sunday summoned Germany 's envoy to protest the EU 's condemnation of the execution of an opposition figure , describing it as an `` unacceptable interference '' in Tehran 's affairs , state media reported .
Ruhollah Zam was hanged on Saturday after Iran 's supreme court upheld his death sentence passed in June over his role in protests during the winter of 2017-18 , among other charges .
The EU in a statement on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms '' and emphasised its `` irrevocable opposition to the use of capital punishment '' .
The Iranian foreign ministry 's Europe director in turn told Germany 's ambassador , Hans-Udo Muzel , that Tehran `` condemned '' the statement , which it deemed `` an unacceptable interference in Iran 's domestic affairs , '' state news agency IRNA said .
IRNA also reported Sunday that the foreign ministry will summon the head of France 's embassy in Tehran .
Iran also protested the `` indulgence towards elements spreading violence and committing terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some European countries , '' it added .
Zam was granted political asylum in France and reportedly lived in Paris before his arrest last year by Iran 's Revolutionary Guards , who claimed he had been `` directed by France 's intelligence service . ''
The EU 's External Action Service had also said Saturday `` it is ... imperative for the Iranian authorities to uphold the due process rights of accused individuals and to cease the practice of using televised confessions to establish and promote their guilt '' .
France 's foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling it `` an unacceptable and barbaric act '' and a `` serious attack on freedom of expression and freedom of the press . ''
Zam was charged with `` corruption on earth '' , one of the most serious offences under Iranian law .
IRNA also said he was convicted of espionage for France and an unnamed country in the region , cooperating with the `` hostile government of America '' , acting against `` the country 's security '' , insulting the `` sanctity of Islam '' and instigating violence during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were killed during the unrest in December 2017 and January 2018 that was sparked by economic hardship .

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Iran's foreign ministry Sunday summoned Germany's envoy to protest the EU's condemnation of the execution of an opposition figure, describing it as an "unacceptable interference" in Tehran's affairs, state media reported.
Ruhollah Zam was hanged on Saturday after Iran's supreme court upheld his death sentence passed in June over his role in protests during the winter of 2017-18, among other charges.
The EU in a statement on Saturday condemned the execution in the "strongest terms" and emphasised its "irrevocable opposition to the use of capital punishment".
The Iranian foreign ministry's Europe director in turn told Germany's ambassador, Hans-Udo Muzel, that Tehran "condemned" the statement, which it deemed "an unacceptable interference in Iran's domestic affairs," state news agency IRNA said.
Germany currently holds the European Union's rotating presidency.
IRNA also reported Sunday that the foreign ministry will summon the head of France's embassy in Tehran.
Iran also protested the "indulgence towards elements spreading violence and committing terrorist acts" against Iran shown by "some European countries," it added.
Zam was granted political asylum in France and reportedly lived in Paris before his arrest last year by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who claimed he had been "directed by France's intelligence service."
The EU's External Action Service had also said Saturday "it is... imperative for the Iranian authorities to uphold the due process rights of accused individuals and to cease the practice of using televised confessions to establish and promote their guilt".
France's foreign ministry had likewise decried the hanging, calling it "an unacceptable and barbaric act" and a "serious attack on freedom of expression and freedom of the press."
Zam was charged with "corruption on earth", one of the most serious offences under Iranian law.
IRNA also said he was convicted of espionage for France and an unnamed country in the region, cooperating with the "hostile government of America", acting against "the country's security", insulting the "sanctity of Islam" and instigating violence during protests in 2017.
At least 25 people were killed during the unrest in December 2017 and January 2018 that was sparked by economic hardship.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-13--Workers riot at India iPhone factory over 'exploitation' claims

A security guard at the entrance of the Taiwan-run iPhone factory at Narsapura , near Bangalore Authorities vowed to crack down on workers who went on a violent rampage at a Taiwanese-run iPhone factory in southern India over allegations of unpaid wages and exploitation , with 100 people arrested so far .
The workers rioted Saturday at Wistron Infocomm Manufacturing 's facility on the outskirts of Bangalore , India 's IT hub , with videos of the violence showing glass panels smashed with rods and cars flipped on their side .
CCTV cameras , fans and lights were torn down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire , footage shared on social media showed .
Local media reported workers saying they had not been paid for up to four months and were being forced to do extra shifts .
`` The situation is under control now .
We have formed special teams to investigate the incident , '' local police told AFP on Sunday , adding no-one was injured .
The deputy chief minister of Karnataka state , C.N .
Ashwathnarayan , called the violence `` wanton '' and said his government would ensure that the situation is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that all workers ' rights are duly protected and all their dues are cleared , '' he tweeted Saturday .
Wistron in Taiwan told AFP that `` the incident was caused by people of unknown identities from outside who intruded into and damaged its facility with unclear intentions '' .
The company added in the statement in Chinese that it `` pledged to follow local labour ( laws ) and other related regulations '' to resume operations as soon as possible .
A local trade union leader alleged that there was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweatshop conditions at the iPhone manufacturing plant .
`` The state government has allowed the company to flout the basic rights , '' Satyanand , who uses one name , told The Hindu newspaper .
The factory employs some 15,000 workers , although a majority of them are contracted via staffing firms , according to local media .
Labour unrest is not uncommon in India , with workers paid poorly and given few or no social security benefits .
A sizeable number of manufacturing plants are part of the informal sector , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's workforce .
Parliament in September passed updated labour laws that the national government said would strengthen their rights , but labour activists say the new legislation makes it harder for workers to strike .

Bangalore (India) (AFP) –
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Authorities vowed to crack down on workers who went on a violent rampage at a Taiwanese-run iPhone factory in southern India over allegations of unpaid wages and exploitation, with 100 people arrested so far.
The workers rioted Saturday at Wistron Infocomm Manufacturing's facility on the outskirts of Bangalore, India's IT hub, with videos of the violence showing glass panels smashed with rods and cars flipped on their side.
CCTV cameras, fans and lights were torn down, while a car was set on fire, footage shared on social media showed.
Local media reported workers saying they had not been paid for up to four months and were being forced to do extra shifts.
"The situation is under control now. We have formed special teams to investigate the incident," local police told AFP on Sunday, adding no-one was injured.
The deputy chief minister of Karnataka state, C.N. Ashwathnarayan, called the violence "wanton" and said his government would ensure that the situation is "resolved expeditiously".
"We will ensure that all workers' rights are duly protected and all their dues are cleared," he tweeted Saturday.
Wistron in Taiwan told AFP that "the incident was caused by people of unknown identities from outside who intruded into and damaged its facility with unclear intentions".
The company added in the statement in Chinese that it "pledged to follow local labour (laws) and other related regulations" to resume operations as soon as possible.
A local trade union leader alleged that there was "brutal exploitation" of factory workers in sweatshop conditions at the iPhone manufacturing plant.
"The state government has allowed the company to flout the basic rights," Satyanand, who uses one name, told The Hindu newspaper.
The factory employs some 15,000 workers, although a majority of them are contracted via staffing firms, according to local media.
Labour unrest is not uncommon in India, with workers paid poorly and given few or no social security benefits.
A sizeable number of manufacturing plants are part of the informal sector, which employs 90 percent of the vast nation's workforce.
Parliament in September passed updated labour laws that the national government said would strengthen their rights, but labour activists say the new legislation makes it harder for workers to strike.
burs-abh/grk/
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-13--Germany orders partial lockdown to curb 'out of control' virus

Germany has imposed far less stringent shutdown rules than other major European nations after coming through the first wave of the pandemic relatively unscathed Germany will go into a partial lockdown from Wednesday with non-essential shops and schools to close in a bid to halt an `` exponential growth '' in coronavirus infections .
The partial lockdown will apply until January 10 , with companies also urged to allow employees to work from home or offer extended company holidays , under the new measures agreed by Chancellor Angela Merkel with regional leaders of Germany 's 16 states on Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle 'we 're staying at home ' , '' according to the policy paper agreed by Merkel and state premiers .
Germans are urged to limit their social contacts to another household , with a maximum of five people excluding children under 14 meeting at each time .
From Christmas Eve to Boxing Day , the contacts would be eased to allow gatherings with another four people excluding children , but who should be limited to close relatives or partners .
Germany in November closed leisure and cultural facilities and banned indoor dining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to halt rapid growth of infections after the autumn school holidays , but numbers had plateaued at a high rate .
Merkel had repeatedly pushed for tougher curbs to break the chain of contagion , but implementation of the rules is in the hands of individual states and some had been reluctant to impose more curbs .
The mood however tipped over in the last week after Germany recorded new daily death tolls reaching close to 600 and as the country 's disease control agency RKI reported that the infections trend has taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the day to look back or to see what could have been , rather , today is the day to do what is necessary , '' said Merkel , pointing to `` very high numbers of deaths '' and stressing the urgent need for action .
`` The corona situation is out of control , '' said Bavarian state premier Markus Soeder , welcoming the tougher restrictions which he pledged to implement in his state .
Germany has imposed far less stringent shutdown rules than other major European nations after coming through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unscathed .
But Europe 's biggest economy has been severely hit by a second wave with daily new infections more than three times that of the peak in the spring .
Germany recorded another 20,200 new Covid cases over the past 24 hours , reaching a total of 1,320,716 cases , according to RKI data published Sunday .
Another 321 patients died from the disease from a day earlier , bringing the total death toll to 21,787 .
`` With increasing mobility and the therefore linked additional contacts in the pre-Christmas period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections numbers , '' said the policy paper agreed by regional leaders and Merkel .
While hospitals in some regions are warning that their intensive care units are reaching capacity , huge queues of shoppers were building downtown ahead of the festive period .
The chancellor had also voiced consternation at growing groups of people gathering for drinks at mulled wine stands set up by restaurants as a substitute of the popular Christmas market fare .
From Wednesday too , alcohol sales would be banned in public places , essentially outlawing such mulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the Bundestag on Wednesday , Merkel had issued a stark warning to Germans ahead of the Christmas holiday season when families are expected to gather .
`` If we have too many contacts before Christmas and it ends up being the last Christmas with the grandparents , then we 'd really have failed , '' she said .
Merkel 's government has repeatedly said that numbers need to be brought down to 50 per 100,000 people but the rate is currently 169.1 per 100,000 .
Ahead of the talks , Germany 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures .
Saxony state , where in some areas incidence rates have hit 500 per 100,000 , will shutter shops and schools already from Monday .
A curfew will also kick in from 10pm to 6am .

Berlin (AFP) –
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Germany will go into a partial lockdown from Wednesday with non-essential shops and schools to close in a bid to halt an "exponential growth" in coronavirus infections.
The partial lockdown will apply until January 10, with companies also urged to allow employees to work from home or offer extended company holidays, under the new measures agreed by Chancellor Angela Merkel with regional leaders of Germany's 16 states on Sunday.
"That would help to implement the principle 'we're staying at home'," according to the policy paper agreed by Merkel and state premiers.
Germans are urged to limit their social contacts to another household, with a maximum of five people excluding children under 14 meeting at each time.
From Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, the contacts would be eased to allow gatherings with another four people excluding children, but who should be limited to close relatives or partners.
Germany in November closed leisure and cultural facilities and banned indoor dining in restaurants.
The measures had helped to halt rapid growth of infections after the autumn school holidays, but numbers had plateaued at a high rate.
Merkel had repeatedly pushed for tougher curbs to break the chain of contagion, but implementation of the rules is in the hands of individual states and some had been reluctant to impose more curbs.
The mood however tipped over in the last week after Germany recorded new daily death tolls reaching close to 600 and as the country's disease control agency RKI reported that the infections trend has taken a worrying turn.
"Today is not the day to look back or to see what could have been, rather, today is the day to do what is necessary," said Merkel, pointing to "very high numbers of deaths" and stressing the urgent need for action.
"The corona situation is out of control," said Bavarian state premier Markus Soeder, welcoming the tougher restrictions which he pledged to implement in his state.
- 'Last Christmas?' -
Germany has imposed far less stringent shutdown rules than other major European nations after coming through the first wave of the pandemic relatively unscathed.
But Europe's biggest economy has been severely hit by a second wave with daily new infections more than three times that of the peak in the spring.
Germany recorded another 20,200 new Covid cases over the past 24 hours, reaching a total of 1,320,716 cases, according to RKI data published Sunday.
Another 321 patients died from the disease from a day earlier, bringing the total death toll to 21,787.
"With increasing mobility and the therefore linked additional contacts in the pre-Christmas period, Germany is now in exponential growth of infections numbers," said the policy paper agreed by regional leaders and Merkel.
While hospitals in some regions are warning that their intensive care units are reaching capacity, huge queues of shoppers were building downtown ahead of the festive period.
The chancellor had also voiced consternation at growing groups of people gathering for drinks at mulled wine stands set up by restaurants as a substitute of the popular Christmas market fare.
From Wednesday too, alcohol sales would be banned in public places, essentially outlawing such mulled wine stands.
In a hard-hitting speech before the Bundestag on Wednesday, Merkel had issued a stark warning to Germans ahead of the Christmas holiday season when families are expected to gather.
"If we have too many contacts before Christmas and it ends up being the last Christmas with the grandparents, then we'd really have failed," she said.
Merkel's government has repeatedly said that numbers need to be brought down to 50 per 100,000 people but the rate is currently 169.1 per 100,000.
Ahead of the talks, Germany's hardest hit states have already ordered new measures.
Saxony state, where in some areas incidence rates have hit 500 per 100,000, will shutter shops and schools already from Monday.
A curfew will also kick in from 10pm to 6am.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-13--Ajax player Promes arrested for family stabbing: report

Quincy Promes ( in orange ) playing for the Nethelerlands Dutch international footballer Quincy Promes has been arrested in connection with a stabbing at a family gathering earlier this year , a Dutch news report said Sunday .
The 28-year-old Ajax forward Promes `` is suspected of assault resulting in serious physical injury , '' popular daily tabloid De Telegraaf said .
The incident happened at a family party at a shed in the scenic town of Abcoude , just outside Amsterdam in late July , the newspaper said .
`` A relative was seriously injured and suffered , among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' in the incident , the newspaper said .
Promes allegedly got into a scuffle after an argument with the relative and other family members immediately intervened , the paper said .
Amsterdam police spokesman Jelmer Geerds told AFP a `` 28-year-old man has been arrested '' but declined to give further details .
He said the suspect was in custody and a decision whether he would be released on bail would be taken later on Sunday .
Ajax could not immediately be reached for comment , but the NOS public broadcaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not at training on Sunday .
The Amsterdam-born Promes , known for his speed and technical style of playing , joined Ajax last year from Sevilla FC in a 15 million-euro transfer .
Before that he played for Spartak in Moscow , where he was named Footballer of the Year in Russia in 2017 .
He played his first match in Dutch national colours in March 2014 against France .

The Hague (AFP) –
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Dutch international footballer Quincy Promes has been arrested in connection with a stabbing at a family gathering earlier this year, a Dutch news report said Sunday.
The 28-year-old Ajax forward Promes "is suspected of assault resulting in serious physical injury," popular daily tabloid De Telegraaf said.
The incident happened at a family party at a shed in the scenic town of Abcoude, just outside Amsterdam in late July, the newspaper said.
"A relative was seriously injured and suffered, among other things, very serious knee injuries," in the incident, the newspaper said.
Promes allegedly got into a scuffle after an argument with the relative and other family members immediately intervened, the paper said.
The relative laid charges a month ago, it added.
Amsterdam police spokesman Jelmer Geerds told AFP a "28-year-old man has been arrested" but declined to give further details.
He said the suspect was in custody and a decision whether he would be released on bail would be taken later on Sunday.
Ajax could not immediately be reached for comment, but the NOS public broadcaster said the club confirmed that Promes was not at training on Sunday.
The Amsterdam-born Promes, known for his speed and technical style of playing, joined Ajax last year from Sevilla FC in a 15 million-euro transfer.
Before that he played for Spartak in Moscow, where he was named Footballer of the Year in Russia in 2017.
He played his first match in Dutch national colours in March 2014 against France.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-13--Armenia says six fighters hurt in Karabakh truce violation

Six weeks of fighting between separatists backed by Armenia and Azerbaijan left more than 5,000 dead Armenia said Sunday that six separatist combatants in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabkh region were injured in clashes with Azerbaijan troops , testing a Russian-brokered peace deal that ended weeks of fighting .
The defence ministry in Yerevan reported several hours of clashes on Saturday , including with heavy artillery , in the Hardut region of the disputed province , after Azerbaijan bolstered its military presence in the area .
`` The Armenian side has six wounded , '' the ministry said , describing the incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It added that the new fighting was discussed during a meeting in Moscow between Russian and Armenian defence ministers , while the foreign ministry said clashes continued into Sunday .
Azerbaijan on Saturday insisted that `` adequate countermeasures '' had been taken against `` provocations '' from the Armenian side .
Six weeks of fighting that erupted in September between separatists backed by Armenia and Azerbaijan over the mountainous region ended in early November with a Moscow brokered peace deal that saw the Armenians cede swathes of territory .
Russia has deployed nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the deal and the Russian defence ministry Saturday reported the truce had been violated .
It was Russia 's first report of a violation since the peace deal was introduced on November 10 .
The French and American heads of the Minsk Group , which led talks on the conflict for decades but failed to achieve a lasting agreement , met with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Saturday .
The envoys , Stephane Visconti and Andrew Schofer , were expected in Yerevan on Sunday .
On a visit to Baku @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Erdogan hailed what he called his close ally 's `` glorious victory '' in the conflict .
The Turkish leader , who attended celebrations marking Azerbaijan 's success , has overtly supported Baku , helping to train and arm its military .

Yerevan (AFP) –
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Armenia said Sunday that six separatist combatants in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabkh region were injured in clashes with Azerbaijan troops, testing a Russian-brokered peace deal that ended weeks of fighting.
The defence ministry in Yerevan reported several hours of clashes on Saturday, including with heavy artillery, in the Hardut region of the disputed province, after Azerbaijan bolstered its military presence in the area.
"The Armenian side has six wounded," the ministry said, describing the incident as an Azerbaijani "provocation".
It added that the new fighting was discussed during a meeting in Moscow between Russian and Armenian defence ministers, while the foreign ministry said clashes continued into Sunday.
Azerbaijan on Saturday insisted that "adequate countermeasures" had been taken against "provocations" from the Armenian side.
Six weeks of fighting that erupted in September between separatists backed by Armenia and Azerbaijan over the mountainous region ended in early November with a Moscow brokered peace deal that saw the Armenians cede swathes of territory.
Russia has deployed nearly 2,000 peacekeeping troops to Nagorno-Karabakh as part of the deal and the Russian defence ministry Saturday reported the truce had been violated.
It was Russia's first report of a violation since the peace deal was introduced on November 10.
The French and American heads of the Minsk Group, which led talks on the conflict for decades but failed to achieve a lasting agreement, met with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Saturday.
The envoys, Stephane Visconti and Andrew Schofer, were expected in Yerevan on Sunday.
On a visit to Baku this week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed what he called his close ally's "glorious victory" in the conflict.
The Turkish leader, who attended celebrations marking Azerbaijan's success, has overtly supported Baku, helping to train and arm its military.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-13--Purton and Moore star at Hong Kong International Races

Ryan Moore ( front ) rides Japanese mount Danon Smash to victory in the Hong Kong Sprint at the Hong Kong International Races British jockey Ryan Moore was the star of the show at the Hong Kong International Races on Sunday , winning two of the four Group One contests .
It was a day of international dominance at the Shatin race course , with only the victory of Hong Kong 's best horse Golden Sixty preventing the raiders from landing a clean sweep on the city 's biggest day of racing .
After opening proceedings with a commanding victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong Vase ( 2,400m ) , Moore snared the Hong Kong Sprint ( 1,200m ) aboard Japanese outsider Danon Smash .
Moore 's win in the Sprint saw him join star trio Gerald Mosse , Zac Purton and Joao Moreira as the only jockeys to win all four HKIR Group One races and the 37-year-old was just grateful to get a chance to achieve the feat in a year when global racing has been hit hard by Covid-19 .
`` I 'm very thankful to everyone at the Hong Kong Jockey Club for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to ride , '' he said , adding that he believes three-year-old colt Mogul can go on to become a very special horse .
`` He 's a horse that we always expected a lot from , he just took a while to really put himself together .
He seems a beautiful horse and all being well I think he 'll be a really nice four-year-old . ''
Purton also left his mark on the day , taking Hong Kong 's richest race -- the HK $ 28 million ( US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 2,000m ) -- with another Japanese galloper in Normcore to become the most successful jockey in the history of HKIR .
Purton , who entered the meeting equal with Mosse on eight HKIR Group One wins , capped a big week that also saw him win Wednesday 's International Jockeys ' Championship .
`` Obviously now I 've won more international races than anyone else , that just tops it off , '' he said .
This year 's Hong Kong Derby winner Golden Sixty snared his first Group One win under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong Mile to cement his place among the world 's best .
`` Before the race I was still worried about the overseas horses but after the race the horse has told me he is a champion , '' said trainer Francis Lui .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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British jockey Ryan Moore was the star of the show at the Hong Kong International Races on Sunday, winning two of the four Group One contests.
It was a day of international dominance at the Shatin race course, with only the victory of Hong Kong's best horse Golden Sixty preventing the raiders from landing a clean sweep on the city's biggest day of racing.
After opening proceedings with a commanding victory riding Aidan O'Brien-trained Mogul in the Hong Kong Vase (2,400m), Moore snared the Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) aboard Japanese outsider Danon Smash.
Moore's win in the Sprint saw him join star trio Gerald Mosse, Zac Purton and Joao Moreira as the only jockeys to win all four HKIR Group One races and the 37-year-old was just grateful to get a chance to achieve the feat in a year when global racing has been hit hard by Covid-19.
"I'm very thankful to everyone at the Hong Kong Jockey Club for getting us over here and giving us a chance to ride," he said, adding that he believes three-year-old colt Mogul can go on to become a very special horse.
"He's a horse that we always expected a lot from, he just took a while to really put himself together. He seems a beautiful horse and all being well I think he'll be a really nice four-year-old."
Purton also left his mark on the day, taking Hong Kong's richest race -- the HK$28 million (US$3.6 million) Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) -- with another Japanese galloper in Normcore to become the most successful jockey in the history of HKIR.
Purton, who entered the meeting equal with Mosse on eight HKIR Group One wins, capped a big week that also saw him win Wednesday's International Jockeys' Championship.
"Obviously now I've won more international races than anyone else, that just tops it off," he said.
This year's Hong Kong Derby winner Golden Sixty snared his first Group One win under star local jockey Vincent Ho in the Hong Kong Mile to cement his place among the world's best.
"Before the race I was still worried about the overseas horses but after the race the horse has told me he is a champion," said trainer Francis Lui.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-13--South African star Madisha dies in 'horrific' car accident

Motjeka Madisha ( R ) playing for Mamelodi Sundowns against Kaizer Chiefs in Pretoria last year .
Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa defender Motjeka Madisha died early Sunday after crawling out of a burning car wreckage following an accident , a club official told AFP .
The 25-year-old star was one of two occupants of a car that went out of control , hit an advertising board and burst into flames in eastern Johannesburg , according to the official , who requested anonymity .
`` I spoke to someone who arrived at the crash scene soon after the accident and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body burnt beyond recognition , '' he said .
`` Motjeka apparently managed to crawl out of the burning vehicle , but was declared dead by medical personnel at the scene of the accident . ''
Madisha is the second Sundowns defender to die in a car accident within two months after Anele Ngcongca , near the eastern city of Durban .
Ngcongca spent nine years with Belgian club Genk and was loaned to French outfit Troyes before returning to South Africa four years ago .
Madisha was capped 13 times by South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established first choice centre-back in a Sundowns team that has been among the strongest in Africa during the past five years .
Known as 'The Brazilians ' , they won the 2016 CAF Champions League and have been semi-finalists once and quarter-finalists twice since .
Sundowns won the Premiership-FA Cup-League Cup treble in South Africa last season and are top of the table after six rounds of the new league campaign .

Johannesburg (AFP) –
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Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa defender Motjeka Madisha died early Sunday after crawling out of a burning car wreckage following an accident, a club official told AFP.
The 25-year-old star was one of two occupants of a car that went out of control, hit an advertising board and burst into flames in eastern Johannesburg, according to the official, who requested anonymity.
"I spoke to someone who arrived at the crash scene soon after the accident and he described a horrific scene with one body burnt beyond recognition," he said.
"Motjeka apparently managed to crawl out of the burning vehicle, but was declared dead by medical personnel at the scene of the accident."
Madisha is the second Sundowns defender to die in a car accident within two months after Anele Ngcongca, near the eastern city of Durban.
Ngcongca spent nine years with Belgian club Genk and was loaned to French outfit Troyes before returning to South Africa four years ago.
Madisha was capped 13 times by South Africa on the back of becoming an established first choice centre-back in a Sundowns team that has been among the strongest in Africa during the past five years.
Known as 'The Brazilians', they won the 2016 CAF Champions League and have been semi-finalists once and quarter-finalists twice since.
Sundowns won the Premiership-FA Cup-League Cup treble in South Africa last season and are top of the table after six rounds of the new league campaign.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-13--Scores killed after Taliban attacks on military checkpoints in Kandahar

Security forces take part in an ongoing operation against Taliban militants in Sarkari Bagh in Arghandad district of Kandahar province on November 2 , 2020 .
Dozens of Taliban fighters were killed in fierce overnight fighting between Afghan forces and militants who attacked multiple checkpoints in the insurgent bastion of Kandahar , officials said Sunday .
Taliban militants attacked checkpoints in five districts surrounding the city of Kandahar , which Afghan forces countered with heavy air and ground assaults , the ministry of defence said in a statement .
`` The security forces repulsed the attack , killing 51 terrorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , without offering details of any casualties among government forces .
Seven members of a family were also killed in an Afghan air strike in one of the districts , a local official told AFP on condition of anonymity .
`` The Afghan air force wanted to target a car filled with explosives ... when they hit the car it detonated and caused civilian fatalities , '' he said .
The ministry of defence said it was investigating the incident .
The fighting lasted for several hours through the night , marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an AFP correspondent reported from Kandahar .
When contacted the Taliban did not offer an immediate comment .
The southern province of Kandahar is the birthplace of the hardline Islamist movement , and over the past few weeks militants have launched attacks in districts on the outskirts of the city of Kandahar , the provincial capital .
The Taliban launched a similar offensive in the neighbouring province of Helmand in September that sent tens of thousands of residents fleeing .
That attack , which also targeted the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air strikes to defend Afghan forces .
Since a US-Taliban deal in February , the insurgents have not carried out major attacks on key cities but have launched near-daily assaults against Afghan forces in rural areas .
The surge in violence in recent months comes as the Taliban and Afghan government engage in peace talks .
The negotiations started on September 12 in the Qatari capital of Doha , but on Saturday the two sides announced a pause until January 5 .
The insurgents and the government side both tweeted they had exchanged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inter-Afghan talks and held introductory discussions on the topics '' to be covered when the meetings restart .
In recent months , Kabul has seen several deadly attacks claimed by the jihadist Islamic State group , including a rocket attack Saturday that killed one civilian .
On Sunday , a bomb planted on a vehicle killed two civilians in the capital , police said .

Dozens of Taliban fighters were killed in fierce overnight fighting between Afghan forces and militants who attacked multiple checkpoints in the insurgent bastion of Kandahar, officials said Sunday.
Security forces take part in an ongoing operation against Taliban militants in Sarkari Bagh in Arghandad district of Kandahar province on November 2, 2020.
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Taliban militants attacked checkpoints in five districts surrounding the city of Kandahar, which Afghan forces countered with heavy air and ground assaults, the ministry of defence said in a statement.
"The security forces repulsed the attack, killing 51 terrorists and wounding nine," the ministry said, without offering details of any casualties among government forces.
Seven members of a family were also killed in an Afghan air strike in one of the districts, a local official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
"The Afghan air force wanted to target a car filled with explosives... when they hit the car it detonated and caused civilian fatalities," he said.
The ministry of defence said it was investigating the incident.
The fighting lasted for several hours through the night, marked with continuous gun battles and heavy bombardments, an AFP correspondent reported from Kandahar.
When contacted the Taliban did not offer an immediate comment.
The southern province of Kandahar is the birthplace of the hardline Islamist movement, and over the past few weeks militants have launched attacks in districts on the outskirts of the city of Kandahar, the provincial capital.
Tens of thousands of civilians fled
The Taliban launched a similar offensive in the neighbouring province of Helmand in September that sent tens of thousands of residents fleeing.
That attack, which also targeted the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, prompted the US to call in air strikes to defend Afghan forces.
Since a US-Taliban deal in February, the insurgents have not carried out major attacks on key cities but have launched near-daily assaults against Afghan forces in rural areas.
The surge in violence in recent months comes as the Taliban and Afghan government engage in peace talks.
The negotiations started on September 12 in the Qatari capital of Doha, but on Saturday the two sides announced a pause until January 5.
The insurgents and the government side both tweeted they had exchanged "preliminary lists of agenda items for the inter-Afghan talks and held introductory discussions on the topics" to be covered when the meetings restart.
In recent months, Kabul has seen several deadly attacks claimed by the jihadist Islamic State group, including a rocket attack Saturday that killed one civilian.
On Sunday, a bomb planted on a vehicle killed two civilians in the capital, police said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-12-13--French schooner Tara sets sail on scientific mission to study climate change

Schooner Tara sets off on her latest scientific expedition , leaving her home in Lorient , France , on Saturday December 12 2020 .
French sailing ship Tara has set off on a nearly two-year-long research expedition .
The team on board will study the role played by micro-organisms in the context of climate change .
On December 12 , 2020 , five years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement , the schooner Tara set sail from Lorient , its homeport in northwestern France , to begin a new scientific expedition .
Over a two-year voyage , the sailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Atlantic , along the South American and African coasts , as far as Antarctica .
Conceived by the Tara Ocean Foundation , this is the boat 's 12th mission and it involves 42 research institutions around the world .
This time it will study the most fundamental fabric of the Ocean , its micro-organisms , and the future of this ecosystem under the new stresses of climate change .
`` It 's a bit like the 19th Century - when we went on long missions of three or four years to discover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , territories , '' Romain Troublé , executive director of the Tara Ocean Foundation , told FRANCE 24 .

French sailing ship Tara has set off on a nearly two-year-long research expedition. The team on board will study the role played by micro-organisms in the context of climate change.
Schooner Tara sets off on her latest scientific expedition, leaving her home in Lorient, France, on Saturday December 12 2020.
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On December 12, 2020, five years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the schooner Tara set sail from Lorient, its homeport in northwestern France, to begin a new scientific expedition.
Over a two-year voyage, the sailing laboratory will travel 70,000 kilometres in the South Atlantic, along the South American and African coasts, as far as Antarctica.
Conceived by the Tara Ocean Foundation, this is the boat's 12th mission and it involves 42 research institutions around the world.
This time it will study the most fundamental fabric of the Ocean, its micro-organisms, and the future of this ecosystem under the new stresses of climate change.
"It's a bit like the 19th Century - when we went on long missions of three or four years to discover new species, trade routes, spices, territories," Romain Troublé, executive director of the Tara Ocean Foundation, told FRANCE 24.
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france24--2020-12-13--Covid-19: Germany to close most shops, schools as infection rate surges

A sign for the mandatory use of protective mask is pictured as the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) continues in Dresden , Germany , December 12 , 2020 .
Germany will close most shops from Wednesday until Jan. 10 as it tightens coronavirus restrictions and tries to rein in the spread of the disease , Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday .
`` There is an urgent need to take action , '' Merkel said following a meeting with leaders of the country 's 16 federal states .
Under the agreement , only essential shops such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banks , are to remain open .
Schools will also be closed in principle during the period , and employers will be asked to close operations or have employees work from home .
The sale of fireworks will be banned ahead of New Year 's Eve .
Germany has been in partial lockdown for six weeks , with bars and restaurants closed , while stores and schools have remained open .
Some regions have already imposed tougher measures as infections grew .
New daily infections and deaths have reached records in recent days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alarm .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 20,200 to 1,320,716 , data from the Robert Koch Institute ( RKI ) for infectious diseases showed on Sunday .
The reported death toll rose by 321 to 21,787 , the tally showed .

Germany will close most shops from Wednesday until Jan. 10 as it tightens coronavirus restrictions and tries to rein in the spread of the disease, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday.
A sign for the mandatory use of protective mask is pictured as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Dresden, Germany, December 12, 2020.
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"There is an urgent need to take action," Merkel said following a meeting with leaders of the country's 16 federal states.
Under the agreement, only essential shops such as supermarkets and pharmacies, as well as banks, are to remain open.
Schools will also be closed in principle during the period, and employers will be asked to close operations or have employees work from home. The sale of fireworks will be banned ahead of New Year's Eve.
Germany has been in partial lockdown for six weeks, with bars and restaurants closed, while stores and schools have remained open. Some regions have already imposed tougher measures as infections grew.
New daily infections and deaths have reached records in recent days, and more politicians have been sounding the alarm.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 20,200 to 1,320,716, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Sunday. The reported death toll rose by 321 to 21,787, the tally showed.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-13--Snowfall scuppers World Cup giant slalom at Courchevel

The women 's World Cup giant slalom race at French resort Courchevel was postponed at the last minute Sunday due @ @ @ @ @ The race will now take place on Monday , the International Ski Federation ( FIS @ @ @ @ @ would be putting the athletes at risk in these conditions , '' the FIS said @ @ @ @ @ Italian Marta Bassino victory on Saturday as American Mikaela Shiffrin bemoaned a costly error after @ @ @ @ @ 24 , added to her season-opening victory at Soelden in mid-October despite snowfall and testing @ @ @ @ @ .
She increased her lead in the discipline standings and moving up to second in @ @ @

Courchevel (France) (AFP) –
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The women's World Cup giant slalom race at French resort Courchevel was postponed at the last minute Sunday due to heavy overnight snowfall.
The race will now take place on Monday, the International Ski Federation (FIS) said.
"We would be putting the athletes at risk in these conditions," the FIS said.
Monday's race follows Italian Marta Bassino victory on Saturday as American Mikaela Shiffrin bemoaned a costly error after finishing fourth.
Bassino, 24, added to her season-opening victory at Soelden in mid-October despite snowfall and testing fog in the French Alps.
She increased her lead in the discipline standings and moving up to second in the overall.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-13--Trailblazing country music singer Charley Pride dead at 86

US country music star Charley Pride , a pioneering Black singer who racked up 29 number one hits , died Saturday of Covid-19 complications .
He was 86 .
Pride 's family confirmed his death in a statement , saying he had passed away in Dallas , Texas .
Born in racially segregated Mississippi in 1934 , Pride was known for 1970s hits including `` Kiss an Angel Good Mornin ' '' and was the first African American to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame .
Signed to RCA Records , he became the label 's biggest-selling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in from country music luminaries in the wake of the news , with Dolly Parton saying she was `` heartbroken '' .
`` Charley , we will always love you , '' she wrote in a tweet .
`` He took down walls and barriers meant to divide , '' he said .
`` He became a bridge of music for music lovers who found they had way more in common than they had different . ''
Former US president George W. Bush also paid tribute , in a statement praising Pride as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice . ''
Pride 's death from Covid-19 came a month after he accepted an award at the 54th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville .
Organizers in the wake of the news defended their decision to go ahead with the event despite the pandemic , saying Pride had tested negative prior to attending .
In a statement on his official Facebook page , Pride 's family said he `` felt blessed to have such wonderful fans all over the world . ''
`` And he would want his fans to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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US country music star Charley Pride, a pioneering Black singer who racked up 29 number one hits, died Saturday of Covid-19 complications. He was 86.
Pride's family confirmed his death in a statement, saying he had passed away in Dallas, Texas.
Born in racially segregated Mississippi in 1934, Pride was known for 1970s hits including "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" and was the first African American to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Signed to RCA Records, he became the label's biggest-selling performer since Elvis Presley.
Tributes poured in from country music luminaries in the wake of the news, with Dolly Parton saying she was "heartbroken".
"Charley, we will always love you," she wrote in a tweet.
Singer Billy Ray Cyrus hailed Pride's role as a "true trailblazer."
"He took down walls and barriers meant to divide," he said. "He became a bridge of music for music lovers who found they had way more in common than they had different."
Former US president George W. Bush also paid tribute, in a statement praising Pride as a "fine gentleman with a great voice."
Pride's death from Covid-19 came a month after he accepted an award at the 54th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville.
Organizers in the wake of the news defended their decision to go ahead with the event despite the pandemic, saying Pride had tested negative prior to attending.
In a statement on his official Facebook page, Pride's family said he "felt blessed to have such wonderful fans all over the world."
"And he would want his fans to take this virus very seriously," they said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-13--Scores of Taliban fighters killed as fighting rocks insurgent bastion

A municipal worker clears debris from the site of a rocket attack in the Afghan capital Dozens of Taliban fighters were killed in fierce overnight fighting between Afghan forces and militants who attacked multiple checkpoints in the insurgent bastion of Kandahar , officials said Sunday .
Taliban militants attacked checkpoints in five districts surrounding the city of Kandahar , which Afghan forces countered with heavy air and ground assaults , the ministry of defence said in a statement .
`` The security forces repulsed the attack , killing 51 terrorists and wounding nine , '' the ministry said , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces .
The fighting lasted for several hours through the night , marked with continuous gun battles and heavy bombardments , an AFP correspondent reported from Kandahar .
When contacted the Taliban did not offer an immediate comment .
The southern province of Kandahar is the birthplace of the hardline Islamist movement , and over the past few days militants have launched attacks in districts on the outskirts of the city of Kandahar , the provincial capital .
The Taliban launched a similar offensive in the neighbouring province of Helmand in September that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That attack , which also targeted the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah , prompted the US to call in air strikes to defend Afghan forces .
Since a US-Taliban deal in February , the insurgents have not carried out major attacks on key cities but have launched near-daily assaults against Afghan forces in rural areas .
The surge in violence in recent months comes as the Taliban and Afghan government engage in peace talks .
The negotiations started on September 12 in the Qatari capital of Doha , but on Saturday the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 .
The insurgents and the government side both tweeted they had exchanged `` preliminary lists of agenda items for the inter-Afghan talks and held introductory discussions on the topics '' to be covered when the meetings restart .
In recent months , Kabul has seen several deadly attacks claimed by the jihadist Islamic State group , including a rocket attack Saturday that killed one civilian .
On Sunday , a bomb planted on a vehicle killed two civilians in the capital , police said .

Kandahar (Afghanistan) (AFP) –
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Dozens of Taliban fighters were killed in fierce overnight fighting between Afghan forces and militants who attacked multiple checkpoints in the insurgent bastion of Kandahar, officials said Sunday.
Taliban militants attacked checkpoints in five districts surrounding the city of Kandahar, which Afghan forces countered with heavy air and ground assaults, the ministry of defence said in a statement.
"The security forces repulsed the attack, killing 51 terrorists and wounding nine," the ministry said, without offering details of any casualties among government forces.
The fighting lasted for several hours through the night, marked with continuous gun battles and heavy bombardments, an AFP correspondent reported from Kandahar.
When contacted the Taliban did not offer an immediate comment.
The southern province of Kandahar is the birthplace of the hardline Islamist movement, and over the past few days militants have launched attacks in districts on the outskirts of the city of Kandahar, the provincial capital.
The Taliban launched a similar offensive in the neighbouring province of Helmand in September that sent tens of thousands of residents fleeing.
That attack, which also targeted the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, prompted the US to call in air strikes to defend Afghan forces.
Since a US-Taliban deal in February, the insurgents have not carried out major attacks on key cities but have launched near-daily assaults against Afghan forces in rural areas.
The surge in violence in recent months comes as the Taliban and Afghan government engage in peace talks.
The negotiations started on September 12 in the Qatari capital of Doha, but on Saturday the two sides announced a pause until January 5.
The insurgents and the government side both tweeted they had exchanged "preliminary lists of agenda items for the inter-Afghan talks and held introductory discussions on the topics" to be covered when the meetings restart.
In recent months, Kabul has seen several deadly attacks claimed by the jihadist Islamic State group, including a rocket attack Saturday that killed one civilian.
On Sunday, a bomb planted on a vehicle killed two civilians in the capital, police said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--US Electoral College set to confirm Biden win as Trump fights on

US President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden ; the Electoral College is set to confirm Biden 's election victory , though Trump has yet to concede Long a mere formality , a vote on Monday by members of the Electoral College to formally recognize Joe Biden as the next US president has taken on unusual import this year with Donald Trump stubbornly refusing to admit defeat .
The results of the November 3 vote have been certified by each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia ; the Democrat won with a record 81.3 million votes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 74.2 million , and 46.8 percent , for the Republican president .
But in the United States , the occupant of the White House is chosen by indirect universal suffrage , with each state allocating its electors -- whose numbers are essentially based on population -- to the candidate who carried the state .
The results confirm an easy victory for Biden , with 306 of the 538 electoral votes , to 232 for Trump , with 270 required for election .
Electoral College members meet Monday to formalize the process , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each state .
Biden will then deliver a speech in the evening to celebrate the latest confirmation of his win and `` the strength and resilience '' of US democracy -- a clear jab at Trump 's unprecedented stance .
Electors are local political officials or activists , civil society figures or friends of candidates .
Most are unknown to the wider public , though national personalities occasionally take part -- like Hillary Clinton , who lost to Trump in the 2016 election but who will vote Monday in New York to confirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Although there have been a few `` faithless electors '' in past years -- who cast votes for someone other than the candidate who won their state -- there have never been enough to change an election outcome .
So Biden 's victory will become all the more official on Monday .
But Trump , still the legal occupant of the White House until January 20 , has continued to make baseless assertions that the November vote was the `` MOST CORRUPT ELECTION IN U.S. HISTORY , '' as he tweeted yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` How do states and politicians confirm an election where corruption and irregularities are documented throughout ? ''
In fact , his campaign has not been able to document any widespread fraud , and its legal challenges to the vote -- in dozens of suits , heard by scores of judges -- have virtually all been dismissed , often in scathing language .
In an ultimate humiliation , the US Supreme Court -- despite having a conservative majority assured by three Trump appointees -- on Friday bluntly refused to even consider two Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Republican lawmakers are on record as backing Trump 's false claims of fraud .
Some may finally be willing to recognize Biden 's victory once the Electoral College ratifies it .
But with polls showing that as few as one in four Republican voters accept the election results as valid , Trump is not expected to give in anytime soon .
`` WE HAVE JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT !
!
! ''
he tweeted .
This weekend , when asked on Fox News whether he would attend Biden 's inauguration on January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centuries of tradition -- the former real estate magnate snapped , `` I do n't want to talk about that . ''
The president might yet seek to use America 's drawn-out transition process in one last attempt to reverse the outcome : some elected officials allied with Trump have speculated about contesting the result on January 6 when Congress is to formally validate the Electoral Congress tally .
Such a maneuver is given virtually no chance of succeeding .
Regardless , Trump 's struggle against a repeatedly confirmed result seems sure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country more divided than ever .

Washington (AFP) –
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Long a mere formality, a vote on Monday by members of the Electoral College to formally recognize Joe Biden as the next US president has taken on unusual import this year with Donald Trump stubbornly refusing to admit defeat.
The results of the November 3 vote have been certified by each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia; the Democrat won with a record 81.3 million votes, or 51.3 percent of those cast, to 74.2 million, and 46.8 percent, for the Republican president.
But in the United States, the occupant of the White House is chosen by indirect universal suffrage, with each state allocating its electors -- whose numbers are essentially based on population -- to the candidate who carried the state.
The results confirm an easy victory for Biden, with 306 of the 538 electoral votes, to 232 for Trump, with 270 required for election.
Electoral College members meet Monday to formalize the process, though the electors actually meet separately in each state.
Biden will then deliver a speech in the evening to celebrate the latest confirmation of his win and "the strength and resilience" of US democracy -- a clear jab at Trump's unprecedented stance.
Electors are local political officials or activists, civil society figures or friends of candidates.
Most are unknown to the wider public, though national personalities occasionally take part -- like Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the 2016 election but who will vote Monday in New York to confirm President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
- No Trump concession -
Although there have been a few "faithless electors" in past years -- who cast votes for someone other than the candidate who won their state -- there have never been enough to change an election outcome.
So Biden's victory will become all the more official on Monday.
But Trump, still the legal occupant of the White House until January 20, has continued to make baseless assertions that the November vote was the "MOST CORRUPT ELECTION IN U.S. HISTORY," as he tweeted yet again on Sunday.
He added: "How do states and politicians confirm an election where corruption and irregularities are documented throughout?"
In fact, his campaign has not been able to document any widespread fraud, and its legal challenges to the vote -- in dozens of suits, heard by scores of judges -- have virtually all been dismissed, often in scathing language.
- An ultimate humiliation -
In an ultimate humiliation, the US Supreme Court -- despite having a conservative majority assured by three Trump appointees -- on Friday bluntly refused to even consider two Republican challenges to the vote.
Large numbers of Republican lawmakers are on record as backing Trump's false claims of fraud.
Some may finally be willing to recognize Biden's victory once the Electoral College ratifies it.
But with polls showing that as few as one in four Republican voters accept the election results as valid, Trump is not expected to give in anytime soon.
"WE HAVE JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT!!!" he tweeted.
This weekend, when asked on Fox News whether he would attend Biden's inauguration on January 20 -- as demanded by protocol and centuries of tradition -- the former real estate magnate snapped, "I don't want to talk about that."
The president might yet seek to use America's drawn-out transition process in one last attempt to reverse the outcome: some elected officials allied with Trump have speculated about contesting the result on January 6 when Congress is to formally validate the Electoral Congress tally.
Such a maneuver is given virtually no chance of succeeding.
Regardless, Trump's struggle against a repeatedly confirmed result seems sure to leave Biden facing a steep challenge with the country more divided than ever.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--US government confirms cyberattack

US government confirms cyberattack

US government confirms that its computer networks have been hit by a cyberattack The US government on Sunday confirmed that its computer networks had been hit by a cyberattack , as The Washington Post reported at least two departments including the Treasury had been targeted by Russian state hackers .
`` We have been working closely with our agency partners regarding recently discovered activity on government networks , '' a spokesperson for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told AFP .
`` CISA is providing technical assistance to affected entities as they work to identify and mitigate any potential compromises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were linked to an attack last week on cybersecurity firm FireEye , which said its own defenses were breached by sophisticated attackers who stole tools used to test customers ' computer systems .
FireEye said it suspected the attack was state-sponsored .
US media reports said the FBI was investigating a group working for the Russian foreign intelligence service , SVR , and that breaches had been taking place for months .
The same group also reportedly hacked US government agencies during the Obama administration .
`` The United States government is aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all necessary steps to identify and remedy any possible issues related to this situation , '' National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said .

Washington (AFP) –
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The US government on Sunday confirmed that its computer networks had been hit by a cyberattack, as The Washington Post reported at least two departments including the Treasury had been targeted by Russian state hackers.
"We have been working closely with our agency partners regarding recently discovered activity on government networks," a spokesperson for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told AFP.
"CISA is providing technical assistance to affected entities as they work to identify and mitigate any potential compromises."
The Post said the hacks were linked to an attack last week on cybersecurity firm FireEye, which said its own defenses were breached by sophisticated attackers who stole tools used to test customers' computer systems.
FireEye said it suspected the attack was state-sponsored.
US media reports said the FBI was investigating a group working for the Russian foreign intelligence service, SVR, and that breaches had been taking place for months.
The same group also reportedly hacked US government agencies during the Obama administration.
"The United States government is aware of these reports and we are taking all necessary steps to identify and remedy any possible issues related to this situation," National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--Saudi 'mini Ritz' corruption crackdown evokes awe, fear

The recent anti-corruption drive , targeting everyone from powerful defence chiefs to low-key municipal , health and environment officials , reinforces the iron reign of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hoards of cash , some of it squirrelled away in false ceilings and water tanks , have been seized in a widening anti-corruption crackdown in Saudi Arabia that has evoked both awe and fear .
The clampdown , which has ensnared top-ranking military officials as well as low-level bureaucrats , is widely dubbed as a `` mini Ritz '' operation , a reference to a 2017 swoop that saw princes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ritz-Carlton hotel on graft charges .
In dramatic gumshoe-style investigations published on state media , the official anti-corruption agency Nazaha says it has caught bribe-seekers `` red-handed '' in live raids and sniffed out illicit cash hidden in attics , an underground safe and even a mosque .
The crackdown has led to dozens of arrests in recent months and sent confiscated cash to state coffers -- and has won praise from the public .
Saudis have been offered a toll-free number to report any suspected cases of corruption .
`` The message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the corrupt is that 'you wo n't be going to the Ritz , you will be going to a real prison ' , '' a local official told AFP , declining to be named .
`` Anyone taking bribes and kickbacks now fears , 'are we next ? '
'' Underscoring the seriousness of the campaign , Nazaha reported in October the arrest of one of its own employees for corruption .
Saudi Arabia , which ranks 51 out of 180 countries on Transparency International 's corruption index , has for decades faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice of `` wasta '' , or using influence and personal connections to get ahead .
But the issue has gained a new spotlight since November 2017 , when the opulent Ritz-Carlton became a gilded prison for dozens of elites swept up in a purge that critics labelled a shakedown and a power grab by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman .
Following weeks of detention , wealthy princes and businessmen were released after agreeing significant financial settlements , with authorities saying they recovered more than $ 107 billion .
The recent drive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-key municipal , health and environment officials , reinforces the iron reign of Prince Mohammed , the 35-year-old heir to the throne who already controls all major levers of power .
As one observer in the kingdom put it , the drive emphasises that `` there is only one sheriff in town '' .
Prince Mohammed told the advisory Shura Council last month that the anti-corruption campaign had yielded 247 billion riyals ( $ 66 billion ) over the last three years in addition to assets , real estate and stocks worth billions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns , with Human Rights Watch warning earlier this year of `` unfair legal proceedings '' in an opaque judicial system .
There has also been hushed speculation over whether the clean-up was a cover to replenish state coffers amid a sharp economic downturn .
One Saudi academic said he suspects the `` real targets are not the corrupt , but fines and new sources of revenue '' .
There is no transparency , the academic told AFP , over how the government will utilise the seized cash and assets .
Others have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out security officials not deemed loyal enough to the rulers .
`` While I imagine there are a few political opponents caught in the corruption net , the primary reasons for the crackdown are ending corruption , spurring development and raising badly needed funds , '' David Rundell , former chief of mission at the US embassy in Riyadh , told AFP .
`` And it seems to be working .
Many Saudi businessmen tell me that corruption has declined -- not gone away , but declined and become less socially acceptable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drive as necessary shock therapy to steer the petro-state away from a decades-old culture of excess and poor accountability that it can ill-afford in an age of soft oil prices .
The widespread `` cancer '' of corruption was `` endangering development and prosperity '' , depleting `` five to 15 percent '' of the annual state budget , Prince Mohammed told the Shura Council .
But raising speculation that it was also a tool against political rivals , Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote in July that the kingdom was preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deposed former crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef , who has been detained since March .
Saudi authorities have not publicly commented on the reasons for his detention .
Further triggering shockwaves , joint forces commander Prince Fahad bin Turki -- a senior royal -- and his son Abdulaziz bin Fahad , the deputy emir of northern Al-Jouf region , were fired in late August and placed under investigation for corruption .
Such moves illustrate an attempt by the Saudi establishment to `` undermine possible opponents '' , Capital Economics said in September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ purge is that this could undermine renewed efforts to increase foreign investment in the kingdom , '' it said .

Riyadh (AFP) –
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Hoards of cash, some of it squirrelled away in false ceilings and water tanks, have been seized in a widening anti-corruption crackdown in Saudi Arabia that has evoked both awe and fear.
The clampdown, which has ensnared top-ranking military officials as well as low-level bureaucrats, is widely dubbed as a "mini Ritz" operation, a reference to a 2017 swoop that saw princes and tycoons locked up in Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel on graft charges.
In dramatic gumshoe-style investigations published on state media, the official anti-corruption agency Nazaha says it has caught bribe-seekers "red-handed" in live raids and sniffed out illicit cash hidden in attics, an underground safe and even a mosque.
The crackdown has led to dozens of arrests in recent months and sent confiscated cash to state coffers -- and has won praise from the public.
Saudis have been offered a toll-free number to report any suspected cases of corruption.
"The message (Saudi) rulers are sending to the corrupt is that 'you won't be going to the Ritz, you will be going to a real prison'," a local official told AFP, declining to be named.
"Anyone taking bribes and kickbacks now fears, 'are we next?'"
Underscoring the seriousness of the campaign, Nazaha reported in October the arrest of one of its own employees for corruption.
Saudi Arabia, which ranks 51 out of 180 countries on Transparency International's corruption index, has for decades faced endemic graft and the deeply ingrained social practice of "wasta", or using influence and personal connections to get ahead.
But the issue has gained a new spotlight since November 2017, when the opulent Ritz-Carlton became a gilded prison for dozens of elites swept up in a purge that critics labelled a shakedown and a power grab by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Following weeks of detention, wealthy princes and businessmen were released after agreeing significant financial settlements, with authorities saying they recovered more than $107 billion.
- 'One sheriff in town' -
The recent drive, targeting everyone from powerful defence chiefs to low-key municipal, health and environment officials, reinforces the iron reign of Prince Mohammed, the 35-year-old heir to the throne who already controls all major levers of power.
As one observer in the kingdom put it, the drive emphasises that "there is only one sheriff in town".
Prince Mohammed told the advisory Shura Council last month that the anti-corruption campaign had yielded 247 billion riyals ($66 billion) over the last three years in addition to assets, real estate and stocks worth billions more.
But the crackdown has raised concerns, with Human Rights Watch warning earlier this year of "unfair legal proceedings" in an opaque judicial system.
There has also been hushed speculation over whether the clean-up was a cover to replenish state coffers amid a sharp economic downturn.
One Saudi academic said he suspects the "real targets are not the corrupt, but fines and new sources of revenue".
There is no transparency, the academic told AFP, over how the government will utilise the seized cash and assets.
Others have suggested that the campaign aims to weed out security officials not deemed loyal enough to the rulers.
"While I imagine there are a few political opponents caught in the corruption net, the primary reasons for the crackdown are ending corruption, spurring development and raising badly needed funds," David Rundell, former chief of mission at the US embassy in Riyadh, told AFP.
"And it seems to be working. Many Saudi businessmen tell me that corruption has declined -- not gone away, but declined and become less socially acceptable," he added.
- 'Undermine opponents' -
Local observers describe the drive as necessary shock therapy to steer the petro-state away from a decades-old culture of excess and poor accountability that it can ill-afford in an age of soft oil prices.
The widespread "cancer" of corruption was "endangering development and prosperity", depleting "five to 15 percent" of the annual state budget, Prince Mohammed told the Shura Council.
But raising speculation that it was also a tool against political rivals, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote in July that the kingdom was preparing "corruption and disloyalty charges" against deposed former crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who has been detained since March.
Saudi authorities have not publicly commented on the reasons for his detention.
Further triggering shockwaves, joint forces commander Prince Fahad bin Turki -- a senior royal -- and his son Abdulaziz bin Fahad, the deputy emir of northern Al-Jouf region, were fired in late August and placed under investigation for corruption.
Such moves illustrate an attempt by the Saudi establishment to "undermine possible opponents", Capital Economics said in September.
"The experience of the 2017 anti-corruption purge is that this could undermine renewed efforts to increase foreign investment in the kingdom," it said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--Chiefs, Packers clinch division crowns

Chiefs, Packers clinch division crowns

The Kansas City Chiefs celebrate a safety against Miami in their 33-27 NFL victory over the Dolphins The Kansas Chiefs coughed up an uncharacteristic four turnovers but still beat the Miami Dolphins 33-27 on Sunday to clinch their fifth straight AFC West division title .
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes received a rude welcome in his first appearance at Miami 's Hard Rock Stadium since he earned MVP honors in a Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers in February .
He was intercepted twice and sacked for an NFL-record 30-yard loss in the first quarter as Miami seized an early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 straight points to seize control and fended off the Dolphins ' fourth-quarter rally bid to improve to 12-1 .
Miami 's defeat gave the Chiefs ' main competition for the AFC 's top overall seed , Pittsburgh , a boost , securing the Steelers ' first post-season berth since 2017 .
The Steelers , chasing AFC North division title , took on the Buffalo Bills later Sunday .
Mahomes 's three interceptions marked his first multi-interception game in more than two years .
But he threw for 393 yards and two touchdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here and just clinched the AFC West -- it seems every time we leave this stadium we have a hat about something we accomplished , '' Mahomes said .
`` The ( bad ) part , it seems , is like I have half my interceptions at this stadium . ''
Tyreek Hill scored on a 32-yard run and a 44-yard reception and Travis Kelce had eight catches for 136 yards and a TD .
Mecole Hardman returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown and Chiefs defender Chris Jones sacked Dolphins rookie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tagovailoa passed for 316 yards and two touchdowns to Mike Gesicki , cutting the deficit to six points with less than five minutes to play before Harrison Butker kicked a 46-yard field goal for the Chiefs with just over a minute remaining .
Mahomes kept that drive going with a fourth-and-one pass to Hill .
`` This is an explosive team , and they went on a run there , '' Dolphins coach Brian Flores said .
`` It was a quick spurt .
That 's how they 're built -- they go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I thought our guys did a good job of that .
We played with poise and got ourselves back in the game . ''
The Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North division title with a 31-24 victory over the Detroit Lions .
Aaron Rodgers connected on three touchdown passes to three different receivers and moved into fourth place in NFL history for most games with three or more TD passes with 73 -- passing former Packers great Brett Favre on the list .
Rodgers also scored a rushing touchdown and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stafford out of the contest midway through the fourth quarter with a rib injury .
Davante Adams had seven catches for 115 yards and a TD for Green Bay -- his eighth straight game with a touchdown catch .
The Packers ' win , coupled with the Detroit Lions ' 26-14 loss to the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- saw Green Bay capture the division with three games remaining .
And they 're level with New Orleans for best record in the NFC after the Saints ' 24-21 loss to the Philadelphia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start at quarterback for the Eagles and provided the spark coach Doug Pederson was looking for .
Hurts threw for a touchdown and ran for 109 yards in a victory that kept Philadelphia in the hunt in a lackluster NFC East division led by Washington -- who beat San Francisco 23-15 .
The Saints , with star quarterback Drew Brees still sidelined by rib injuries , saw a nine-game winning streak snapped and missed a chance to clinch the NFC South .
In the AFC South , the Tennessee Titans tightened their hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Jaguars in Jacksonville .
Tennessee running back Derrick Henry ran for 215 yards and two touchdowns .
Henry 's fourth game with at least 200 yards and two TDs broke the NFL record he previously shared with Hall of Famers Jim Brown , Barry Sanders and LaDainian Tomlinson .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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The Kansas Chiefs coughed up an uncharacteristic four turnovers but still beat the Miami Dolphins 33-27 on Sunday to clinch their fifth straight AFC West division title.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes received a rude welcome in his first appearance at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium since he earned MVP honors in a Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers in February.
He was intercepted twice and sacked for an NFL-record 30-yard loss in the first quarter as Miami seized an early 10-0 lead.
But the Chiefs scored 30 straight points to seize control and fended off the Dolphins' fourth-quarter rally bid to improve to 12-1.
Miami's defeat gave the Chiefs' main competition for the AFC's top overall seed, Pittsburgh, a boost, securing the Steelers' first post-season berth since 2017.
The Steelers, chasing AFC North division title, took on the Buffalo Bills later Sunday.
Mahomes's three interceptions marked his first multi-interception game in more than two years. But he threw for 393 yards and two touchdowns.
"We won the Super Bowl here and just clinched the AFC West -- it seems every time we leave this stadium we have a hat about something we accomplished," Mahomes said. "The (bad) part, it seems, is like I have half my interceptions at this stadium."
Tyreek Hill scored on a 32-yard run and a 44-yard reception and Travis Kelce had eight catches for 136 yards and a TD.
Mecole Hardman returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown and Chiefs defender Chris Jones sacked Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for a safety.
Tagovailoa passed for 316 yards and two touchdowns to Mike Gesicki, cutting the deficit to six points with less than five minutes to play before Harrison Butker kicked a 46-yard field goal for the Chiefs with just over a minute remaining.
Mahomes kept that drive going with a fourth-and-one pass to Hill.
"This is an explosive team, and they went on a run there," Dolphins coach Brian Flores said. "It was a quick spurt. That's how they're built -- they go on runs.
"We collected ourselves, and I thought our guys did a good job of that. We played with poise and got ourselves back in the game."
The Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North division title with a 31-24 victory over the Detroit Lions.
Aaron Rodgers connected on three touchdown passes to three different receivers and moved into fourth place in NFL history for most games with three or more TD passes with 73 -- passing former Packers great Brett Favre on the list.
Rodgers also scored a rushing touchdown and the Packers defense knocked Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford out of the contest midway through the fourth quarter with a rib injury.
Davante Adams had seven catches for 115 yards and a TD for Green Bay -- his eighth straight game with a touchdown catch.
The Packers' win, coupled with the Detroit Lions' 26-14 loss to the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- saw Green Bay capture the division with three games remaining.
- Eagles shock Saints -
And they're level with New Orleans for best record in the NFC after the Saints' 24-21 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jalen Hurts made his first start at quarterback for the Eagles and provided the spark coach Doug Pederson was looking for.
Hurts threw for a touchdown and ran for 109 yards in a victory that kept Philadelphia in the hunt in a lackluster NFC East division led by Washington -- who beat San Francisco 23-15.
The Saints, with star quarterback Drew Brees still sidelined by rib injuries, saw a nine-game winning streak snapped and missed a chance to clinch the NFC South.
In the AFC South, the Tennessee Titans tightened their hold on first place with a 31-10 victory over the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
Tennessee running back Derrick Henry ran for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Henry's fourth game with at least 200 yards and two TDs broke the NFL record he previously shared with Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Barry Sanders and LaDainian Tomlinson.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-14--Mozambique jihadists push masses to Pemba

In October , the violent rebellion entered its fourth year and has reportedly killed more than 2,400 people and displaced more than one million , according to the government The population has soared in Pemba , a northern Mozambique port known for its wide bay , but rather than tourists coming for a swim , the newcomers have fled Islamic extremists .
In the past few months , boatloads of people with little but the clothes they wear have landed under the palm trees after their homes fell prey to Al-Shabab gunmen swearing allegiance to the Islamic State group ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent rebellion entered its fourth year and has reportedly killed more than 2,400 people and displaced half a million , according to the government .
Their villages were torched , many men killed and many young women kidnapped .
After seizing coastal zones that host natural gas installations , Islamist fighters have begun to push to the inland districts of Cabo Delgado province .
The last official census put Pemba 's population at more than 205,000 , while more than 130,000 displaced people are estimated to have arrived .
Local authorities are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Florete Simba told AFP .
He deplored `` pressure on water , health centres , sanitation and mobility and territorial planning '' .
Many refugees try to earn money by buying essential goods in bulk and selling them for a small profit , and a study is underway to determine how many displaced people have remained in Pemba .
The major described being faced with `` a huge challenge '' that required `` diverting existing resources to support the displaced .
`` For example , we had to allocate vehicles to transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respective camps '' and mobile toilets had to be installed in an old part of town that lies near the shore .
On top of the infrastructure challenges , newcomers must be vetted given the risk that jihadists could be among them .
`` We have had situations of criminality ... especially small-scale theft , '' the mayor said .
`` We have created a security committee , where we have our municipal police who , in coordination with the police of the Republic of Mozambique and local authorities track everyone who arrives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident told AFP : `` On the beach , when the boats arrive , the police receive money '' and let people through .
Physically at least , terrorists `` are people like us , so they should search everyone who enters , '' the resident insisted .
Others say they have no choice but to take in entire families who really need support .
Sani Bernardo , 36 , has lived in Pemba for 30 years and feels a moral duty to help those who land on the shore .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am not sure how many there are , but there are many , '' she told AFP .
`` We received them despite the difficulties '' such as insufficient food supplies .
`` As human beings we receive them without discrimination . ''
Fulcane Saide , 25 , works for a Pemba fishing company but was born and raised in Paquitequete , the neighbourhood where the beach is , now home to thousands of displaced people .
`` Our parents are from these affected areas , so they are like family to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear because we are sure they need a place to stay .
If they did n't , they would n't be here . ''
Suleimane Saide , 49 , arrived three months ago and now works as a carpenter to feed his family , sculpting long fishing boats that line local beaches .
`` They attacked my village and took my daughter .
I came to Pemba and was welcomed by a family here , '' he told AFP .
`` I still have n't forgotten what happened .
I do not sleep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they should stop this war . ''

Pemba (Mozambique) (AFP) –
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The population has soared in Pemba, a northern Mozambique port known for its wide bay, but rather than tourists coming for a swim, the newcomers have fled Islamic extremists.
In the past few months, boatloads of people with little but the clothes they wear have landed under the palm trees after their homes fell prey to Al-Shabab gunmen swearing allegiance to the Islamic State group (IS).
In October, the violent rebellion entered its fourth year and has reportedly killed more than 2,400 people and displaced half a million, according to the government.
Their villages were torched, many men killed and many young women kidnapped.
After seizing coastal zones that host natural gas installations, Islamist fighters have begun to push to the inland districts of Cabo Delgado province.
The last official census put Pemba's population at more than 205,000, while more than 130,000 displaced people are estimated to have arrived.
Local authorities are now struggling to provide basic social services, Mayor Florete Simba told AFP.
He deplored "pressure on water, health centres, sanitation and mobility and territorial planning".
Many refugees try to earn money by buying essential goods in bulk and selling them for a small profit, and a study is underway to determine how many displaced people have remained in Pemba.
The major described being faced with "a huge challenge" that required "diverting existing resources to support the displaced.
"For example, we had to allocate vehicles to transport the displaced people from Pemba to their respective camps" and mobile toilets had to be installed in an old part of town that lies near the shore.
- Vetting potential terrorists -
On top of the infrastructure challenges, newcomers must be vetted given the risk that jihadists could be among them.
"We have had situations of criminality... especially small-scale theft," the mayor said.
"We have created a security committee, where we have our municipal police who, in coordination with the police of the Republic of Mozambique and local authorities track everyone who arrives."
In fact, a local resident told AFP: "On the beach, when the boats arrive, the police receive money" and let people through.
Physically at least, terrorists "are people like us, so they should search everyone who enters," the resident insisted.
Others say they have no choice but to take in entire families who really need support.
Sani Bernardo, 36, has lived in Pemba for 30 years and feels a moral duty to help those who land on the shore.
"I have a displaced family at home. I am not sure how many there are, but there are many," she told AFP.
"We received them despite the difficulties" such as insufficient food supplies.
"As human beings we receive them without discrimination."
Fulcane Saide, 25, works for a Pemba fishing company but was born and raised in Paquitequete, the neighbourhood where the beach is, now home to thousands of displaced people.
"Our parents are from these affected areas, so they are like family to us.
"We give shelter without fear because we are sure they need a place to stay. If they didn't, they wouldn't be here."
Suleimane Saide, 49, arrived three months ago and now works as a carpenter to feed his family, sculpting long fishing boats that line local beaches.
"They attacked my village and took my daughter. I came to Pemba and was welcomed by a family here," he told AFP.
"I still haven't forgotten what happened. I do not sleep. My head hurts. I think they should stop this war."
© 2020 AFP