france24--2020-11-06--Morata, Koke return as Llorente earns first Spain call-up

Alvaro Morata scored twice against Ferencvaros in the Champions League in midweek Juventus forward Alvaro Morata and Atletico Madrid midfielder @ @ @ @ @ Spain squad Friday for a friendly against the Netherlands and Nations League games with Germany @ @ @ @ @ uncapped Atletico team-mate Marcos Llorente was also selected by coach Luis Enrique as was goalkeeper @ @ @ @ @ place in the Chelsea team .
Morata , 28 , has scored six times in @ @ @ @ @ on loan from Atletico .
His last appearance for Spain came in November 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ just once for Spain since their surprise last 16 exit to hosts Russia at the @ @ @ @ @ will travel to Amsterdam to face the Netherlands in a friendly on November 11 .
@ @ @ @ @ in Basel on November 14 before concluding their Nations League group campaign at home to @ @ @ @ @ Spain are top of their group with seven points from four matches despite a 1-0 @ @ @ @ @ .

Madrid (AFP) –
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Juventus forward Alvaro Morata and Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke earned recalls to the Spain squad Friday for a friendly against the Netherlands and Nations League games with Germany and Switzerland.
Koke's uncapped Atletico team-mate Marcos Llorente was also selected by coach Luis Enrique as was goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga despite losing his place in the Chelsea team.
Morata, 28, has scored six times in seven matches since rejoining Juventus on loan from Atletico. His last appearance for Spain came in November 2019.
Atletico captain Koke has played just once for Spain since their surprise last 16 exit to hosts Russia at the 2018 World Cup.
Spain will travel to Amsterdam to face the Netherlands in a friendly on November 11. They then take on Switzerland in Basel on November 14 before concluding their Nations League group campaign at home to Germany three days later.
Spain are top of their group with seven points from four matches despite a 1-0 loss to Ukraine last month.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United/ENG), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea/ENG), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Inigo Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Jose Gaya (Valencia), Sergio Reguilon (Tottenham/ENG), Eric Garcia (Manchester City/ENG)
Midfielders: Fabian Ruiz (Napoli/ITA), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City/ENG), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Koke, Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Canales (Betis)
Forwards: Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig/GER), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ansu Fati (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Manchester City/ENG), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Adama Traore (Wolves/ENG), Alvaro Morata (Juventus/ITA)
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--Japanese giants Rakuten extend Barcelona sponsorship

Barcelona have extended their deal with shirt sponsor Rakuten for another year Japanese group Rakuten has agreed to continue as Barcelona 's lead sponsor for one more season , the club announced on Friday .
The e-commerce giants have chosen to activate the extension clause in their current contract , signed in 2017 , which will take the deal to June 2022 .
Rakuten and Barcelona agreed to `` execute the option provided in the 2017 agreement to extend their partnership for an additional season , once the contract 's initial four years had been completed . ''
A Barcelona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the club 's main global partner and global innovation and entertainment partner and that their logo will remain on the front of the first team shirt for the 2021/2022 season . ''
The sponsorship extension comes at a testing financial time for Barcelona , with even the world 's richest club feeling the impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
The club gave no financial details of the deal but said it provided for `` an optimization of planned assets to be able to adapt to the new post-pandemic reality '' .
Barcelona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 55 million euros ( $ 65 million ) a year .
`` The economic situation of the club is not dramatic , but is highly worrying , '' Carles Tusquets , president of the managing committee , told reporters on Monday .
`` We estimate that to balance the budget we have to make efforts of about 300 million euros , '' he added .
Tusquets ' statement came in the wake of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu 's resignation .
Bartomeu had been engaged in a stand-off with Lionel Messi which ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making his displeasure clear .

Barcelona (AFP) –
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Japanese group Rakuten has agreed to continue as Barcelona's lead sponsor for one more season, the club announced on Friday.
The e-commerce giants have chosen to activate the extension clause in their current contract, signed in 2017, which will take the deal to June 2022.
Rakuten and Barcelona agreed to "execute the option provided in the 2017 agreement to extend their partnership for an additional season, once the contract's initial four years had been completed."
A Barcelona spokesperson said Rakuten "will continue to be the club's main global partner and global innovation and entertainment partner and that their logo will remain on the front of the first team shirt for the 2021/2022 season."
The sponsorship extension comes at a testing financial time for Barcelona, with even the world's richest club feeling the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The club gave no financial details of the deal but said it provided for "an optimization of planned assets to be able to adapt to the new post-pandemic reality".
Barcelona's initial agreement with Rakuten was for 55 million euros ($65 million) a year.
"The economic situation of the club is not dramatic, but is highly worrying," Carles Tusquets, president of the managing committee, told reporters on Monday.
"We estimate that to balance the budget we have to make efforts of about 300 million euros," he added.
Tusquets' statement came in the wake of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu's resignation.
Bartomeu had been engaged in a stand-off with Lionel Messi which ended with Messi remaining at the club but making his displeasure clear.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--US sees new virus records as Italian regions enter lockdown

More than 9.6 million people have been infected and 234,000 have died in the United States so far during the pandemic Coronavirus cases hit new records in the United States as swathes of Italy returned to lockdown Friday with the resurgent pandemic continuing its march through Europe .
The US recorded a third day in a row with deaths above 1,000 , while more than 120,000 infections were reported -- smashing a daily record set the day before , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
More than 9.6 million people have been infected and 234,000 have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , by far the highest tolls globally .
The figures comes as US President Donald Trump , who survived a bout with Covid-19 in October and insists the virus will `` disappear , '' was fighting for his political life with vote-counting from Tuesday 's presidential election still ongoing .
In Europe , the World Health Organization 's regional director Hans Kluge said Covid-19 was surging on the continent as its 11.6 infections put it above Latin America and the Caribbean 's 11.4 million .
`` We do see an explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of days to have over the European region an increase of one million cases , '' he told AFP .
Countries across the continent are imposing new lockdowns , with Greeks facing stay-at-home orders from Saturday .
Experts say Italy is already in the grip of a second wave , and regions are again warning that intensive care units are filling rapidly .
Another 445 new coronavirus deaths were recorded nationwide Thursday , along with 34,505 new cases .
Five `` red zones '' in the north -- plus Calabria in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut non-essential businesses from midnight Thursday , affecting 16 million people .
In the northern city of Bergamo -- the epicenter of Italy 's coronavirus crisis earlier this year -- several hundred people , including restaurant and shop owners as well as members of the far-right , protested the new curbs .
The protesters gathered outside the mayor 's home after a nighttime demonstration Thursday , waving flags , shouting `` Liberty , '' and hurling smoke bombs .
Bergamo mayor Giorgio Gori said that compared to Italy 's more than two-month lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trucks transporting coffins from the city 's inundated morgue went around the world -- `` there is more tiredness and more distrust around '' .
`` At a time like this , with so many people distressed about their future , throwing gasoline on the fire ... is in my opinion serious and rather dangerous , '' Gori wrote on Facebook .
Italy 's regions follow 56 million people in England who went into a second lockdown on Thursday .
Tourist destinations such as London 's Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square were deserted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Liverpool fell quiet .
Liverpool on Friday began England 's first city-wide trial of coronavirus testing in an attempt to prevent hospitals becoming overwhelmed .
In Denmark , 280,000 people were restricted in the northwest after a mutated version of the new coronavirus linked to mink farms was found in humans .
Denmark -- the world 's largest exporter of mink fur -- had earlier said it would cull all of its 15-17 million minks .
While not more severe than the normal virus , the mutated version `` could pose a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said .
France locked down last week , and the Paris mayor anounced Thursday that stores selling alcohol and food will now be forced to close at 10 pm .
France recorded 58,046 new cases Thursday as some prominent doctors warned the lockdown , which allows schools to stay open , will not be enough .
Greece is also going into a second nationwide shutdown Saturday to try to halt an aggressive spike in cases .
Traffic in Athens was dense with people rushing to run errands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salons were allowed to work for two more days however , with people rushing for a last-minute haircut .
Athens hairdresser Apostolos Gelbas said he was struggling to find the time to serve all his clients .
`` It seems that this was one of the main things that the people missed during the first lockdown .
They were texting me all the time to find out when we will be back . ''
The coronavirus has also been mercilessly lashing Switzerland , and in particular its French-speaking region , where hospitals are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital , patients with severe Covid-19 infections filled all 10 enclosed beds -- and more keep coming .

Washington (AFP) –
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Coronavirus cases hit new records in the United States as swathes of Italy returned to lockdown Friday with the resurgent pandemic continuing its march through Europe.
The US recorded a third day in a row with deaths above 1,000, while more than 120,000 infections were reported -- smashing a daily record set the day before, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
More than 9.6 million people have been infected and 234,000 have died in the United States so far during the pandemic, by far the highest tolls globally.
The figures comes as US President Donald Trump, who survived a bout with Covid-19 in October and insists the virus will "disappear," was fighting for his political life with vote-counting from Tuesday's presidential election still ongoing.
In Europe, the World Health Organization's regional director Hans Kluge said Covid-19 was surging on the continent as its 11.6 infections put it above Latin America and the Caribbean's 11.4 million.
"We do see an explosion... in the sense it only takes a couple of days to have over the European region an increase of one million cases," he told AFP.
Countries across the continent are imposing new lockdowns, with Greeks facing stay-at-home orders from Saturday.
Experts say Italy is already in the grip of a second wave, and regions are again warning that intensive care units are filling rapidly.
Another 445 new coronavirus deaths were recorded nationwide Thursday, along with 34,505 new cases.
Five "red zones" in the north -- plus Calabria in the country's "toe" -- shut non-essential businesses from midnight Thursday, affecting 16 million people.
In the northern city of Bergamo -- the epicenter of Italy's coronavirus crisis earlier this year -- several hundred people, including restaurant and shop owners as well as members of the far-right, protested the new curbs.
- 'More distrust' -
The protesters gathered outside the mayor's home after a nighttime demonstration Thursday, waving flags, shouting "Liberty," and hurling smoke bombs.
Bergamo mayor Giorgio Gori said that compared to Italy's more than two-month lockdown from March -- when images of army trucks transporting coffins from the city's inundated morgue went around the world -- "there is more tiredness and more distrust around".
"At a time like this, with so many people distressed about their future, throwing gasoline on the fire... is in my opinion serious and rather dangerous," Gori wrote on Facebook.
Italy's regions follow 56 million people in England who went into a second lockdown on Thursday.
Tourist destinations such as London's Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square were deserted, and normally bustling cities including Manchester and Liverpool fell quiet.
Liverpool on Friday began England's first city-wide trial of coronavirus testing in an attempt to prevent hospitals becoming overwhelmed.
In Denmark, 280,000 people were restricted in the northwest after a mutated version of the new coronavirus linked to mink farms was found in humans.
Denmark -- the world's largest exporter of mink fur -- had earlier said it would cull all of its 15-17 million minks.
While not more severe than the normal virus, the mutated version "could pose a risk that future vaccines won't work", Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.
- Last-minute haircuts -
France locked down last week, and the Paris mayor anounced Thursday that stores selling alcohol and food will now be forced to close at 10 pm.
France recorded 58,046 new cases Thursday as some prominent doctors warned the lockdown, which allows schools to stay open, will not be enough.
Greece is also going into a second nationwide shutdown Saturday to try to halt an aggressive spike in cases.
Traffic in Athens was dense with people rushing to run errands before the weekend.
Hairdressers and nail salons were allowed to work for two more days however, with people rushing for a last-minute haircut.
Athens hairdresser Apostolos Gelbas said he was struggling to find the time to serve all his clients.
"It seems that this was one of the main things that the people missed during the first lockdown. They were texting me all the time to find out when we will be back."
The coronavirus has also been mercilessly lashing Switzerland, and in particular its French-speaking region, where hospitals are rapidly becoming overwhelmed.
In one small hospital, patients with severe Covid-19 infections filled all 10 enclosed beds -- and more keep coming.
burs-wdb/txw
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--UN chief 'deeply alarmed' by armed clashes in northern Ethiopia

The UN has expressed deep concern over fighting in Ethiopia ’ s Tigray region .
Long-running tensions erupted into armed @ @ @ @ @ Ababa and the Tigray People ’ s Liberation Front , whose leaders effectively ruled the @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power .
FRANCE 24 correspondent Maria Gerth-Niculescu explains .

UN chief 'deeply alarmed' by armed clashes in northern Ethiopia
03:06
The UN has expressed deep concern over fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Long-running tensions erupted into armed conflict this week between Addis Ababa and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, whose leaders effectively ruled the country for three decades until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power. FRANCE 24 correspondent Maria Gerth-Niculescu explains.


france24--2020-11-06--UK faces 'significant disruption' from Brexit: govt watchdog

Britain formally left the EU in January but remains bound by its rules under a transition period until the end of this year Government failures to prepare for Brexit mean the UK faces `` significant disruption '' when it is fully free of the European Union on January 1 , an official watchdog said Friday .
The coronavirus pandemic will add to the strain on freight , farming and other economic sectors , especially in Northern Ireland , with or without an EU trade deal , the National Audit Office ( NAO ) said .
Britain formally left the EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules under a transition period until the end of this year .
The two sides are currently battling to thrash out a new economic partnership , but Britain 's full exit will mean changes either way , in particular customs checks for trucks heading to the EU from British ports .
In a report , the NAO backed up complaints by business leaders who have been warning for months that the government is putting all the pressure on companies to prepare , but failing to do enough itself .
`` Even if government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is still likely to be significant disruption at the border from 1 January 2021 as traders will be unprepared for new EU border controls which will require additional administration and checks , '' the NAO said .
NAO chief Gareth Davies said : `` The January 1 deadline is unlike any previous EU exit deadline -- significant changes at the border will take place and government must be ready . ''
He added that the situation was all the more challenging because of the Covid-19 pandemic .
The watchdog 's report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for outbound freight , and transit areas for lorries were not ready .
It said the government had also yet to appoint enough customs agents , despite their `` vital '' role in ensuring trade flows smoothly from next year .
Under its `` reasonable worst-case scenario '' , the UK government concedes that queues of up to 7,000 heavy-goods vehicles could develop in southeast England from January 1 as the post-transition period kicks in .
It insists it has ploughed more than £700 million ( $ 920 million ) into border infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hampered especially by the slow rollout of critical IT systems identified in the NAO report .
The auditors also highlighted concerns about checks that will be required for goods moving from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland , which shares a border with EU member Ireland .
Northern Ireland 's agriculture department has been `` severely hampered '' by the ongoing trade talks with Brussels and a `` lack of clarity '' over the measures required .
As a result , the devolved administration in Northern Ireland is having to explore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the NAO said .

London (AFP) –
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Government failures to prepare for Brexit mean the UK faces "significant disruption" when it is fully free of the European Union on January 1, an official watchdog said Friday.
The coronavirus pandemic will add to the strain on freight, farming and other economic sectors, especially in Northern Ireland, with or without an EU trade deal, the National Audit Office (NAO) said.
Britain formally left the EU in January but remains bound by its rules under a transition period until the end of this year.
The two sides are currently battling to thrash out a new economic partnership, but Britain's full exit will mean changes either way, in particular customs checks for trucks heading to the EU from British ports.
In a report, the NAO backed up complaints by business leaders who have been warning for months that the government is putting all the pressure on companies to prepare, but failing to do enough itself.
"Even if government makes further progress with its preparations, there is still likely to be significant disruption at the border from 1 January 2021 as traders will be unprepared for new EU border controls which will require additional administration and checks," the NAO said.
NAO chief Gareth Davies said: "The January 1 deadline is unlike any previous EU exit deadline -- significant changes at the border will take place and government must be ready."
He added that the situation was all the more challenging because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The watchdog's report said computing systems have yet to be tested for outbound freight, and transit areas for lorries were not ready.
It said the government had also yet to appoint enough customs agents, despite their "vital" role in ensuring trade flows smoothly from next year.
Under its "reasonable worst-case scenario", the UK government concedes that queues of up to 7,000 heavy-goods vehicles could develop in southeast England from January 1 as the post-transition period kicks in.
It insists it has ploughed more than £700 million ($920 million) into border infrastructure, but business groups say they are hampered especially by the slow rollout of critical IT systems identified in the NAO report.
The auditors also highlighted concerns about checks that will be required for goods moving from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland, which shares a border with EU member Ireland.
Northern Ireland's agriculture department has been "severely hampered" by the ongoing trade talks with Brussels and a "lack of clarity" over the measures required.
As a result, the devolved administration in Northern Ireland is having to explore "contingency options" after January 1, the NAO said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--Call for shell donations as Thailand's hermit crabs face housing crisis

The population of hermit crabs has exploded on some islands in the Mu Koh Lanta National Park Hermit crab numbers in southern Thailand have boomed as foreign tourists have stayed away -- so much so that the national park authority appealed on Friday for the public to donate extra shells for them to live in .
The population of the crustaceans -- which protect themselves by wearing and living inside the discarded shells of other animals -- has exploded on some islands in the Mu Koh Lanta National Park , and marine biologists believe the lack of tourists could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is highly dependent on foreign visitors but it is expecting a tiny fraction of the nearly 40 million international arrivals it recorded last year , after the pandemic brought global air travel to a near-standstill .
`` The reason ( we need shells ) is because of surging numbers of hermit crabs , I think tens of thousands , '' Mu Koh Lanta National Park director Veerasak Srisatjung told AFP .
Some crabs , having outgrown their previous homes , have moved into pieces of rubbish such as cans , glass bottles or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detected a shell shortage about a week ago .
The national park authority urged people to post or courier donations of cone-shaped shells to its office in Krabi province .
So far about 200 kilograms of shells have been pledged , and volunteers can help distribute the shells at a special Thai father 's day event on December 5 .
Marine biologist Thamasak Yeemin from Ramkhamhaeng University agreed that the population boom could be linked to the tourism shutdown .
`` If there 's a low number of tourists and fewer activities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible factor explaining the high survival rates , '' he told AFP , adding that weather , sea currents , plankton supply and predators were other influences .

Bangkok (AFP) –
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Hermit crab numbers in southern Thailand have boomed as foreign tourists have stayed away -- so much so that the national park authority appealed on Friday for the public to donate extra shells for them to live in.
The population of the crustaceans -- which protect themselves by wearing and living inside the discarded shells of other animals -- has exploded on some islands in the Mu Koh Lanta National Park, and marine biologists believe the lack of tourists could be a factor.
The kingdom's economy is highly dependent on foreign visitors but it is expecting a tiny fraction of the nearly 40 million international arrivals it recorded last year, after the pandemic brought global air travel to a near-standstill.
"The reason (we need shells) is because of surging numbers of hermit crabs, I think tens of thousands," Mu Koh Lanta National Park director Veerasak Srisatjung told AFP.
Some crabs, having outgrown their previous homes, have moved into pieces of rubbish such as cans, glass bottles or caps, and Veerasak said authorities had detected a shell shortage about a week ago.
The national park authority urged people to post or courier donations of cone-shaped shells to its office in Krabi province.
So far about 200 kilograms of shells have been pledged, and volunteers can help distribute the shells at a special Thai father's day event on December 5.
Marine biologist Thamasak Yeemin from Ramkhamhaeng University agreed that the population boom could be linked to the tourism shutdown.
"If there's a low number of tourists and fewer activities in the coastal areas that might be a possible factor explaining the high survival rates," he told AFP, adding that weather, sea currents, plankton supply and predators were other influences.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--Kosovo's president detained in The Hague over war crimes charges

Kosovo 's president detained in The Hague over war crimes charges Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was detained at the Kosovo @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , hours after he abruptly resigned to face an indictment from the war crimes @ @ @ @ @ he would step down to `` protect the integrity '' of the presidency after the @ @ @ @ @ him dating back to the 1990s conflict with Serbia , when Thaci was political chief @ @ @ @ @ .

Kosovo's president detained in The Hague over war crimes charges
01:52
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was detained at the Kosovo Tribunal in The Hague on Thursday, hours after he abruptly resigned to face an indictment from the war crimes court. The 52-year-old said he would step down to "protect the integrity" of the presidency after the court confirmed an indictment against him dating back to the 1990s conflict with Serbia, when Thaci was political chief of Kosovo's rebel army.


france24--2020-11-06--Christmas at home? Doctors warn France's lockdown might endure

While France has been back in lockdown for one week , streets in major cities remain busy and schools are @ @ @ @ @ warns tougher measures might be on the way if the virus continues to spread .
@ @ @ @ @ more than 58,000 cases , with some doctors warning the lockdown might need to extend @ @ @ @ @

Christmas at home? Doctors warn France's lockdown might endure
01:39
While France has been back in lockdown for one week, streets in major cities remain busy and schools are open. The government now warns tougher measures might be on the way if the virus continues to spread. On Thursday, France recorded more than 58,000 cases, with some doctors warning the lockdown might need to extend through the Christmas period.


france24--2020-11-07--US presidential election : "A lot of this country still has racial resentment"

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france24--2020-11-07--Autumn Masters offers new tests for Rory, Tiger, DeChambeau

Next week 's 2020 Masters will serve as an autumn closing act to one of golf 's most challenging years instead of Augusta National 's traditional spring launch of major thrills .
The Covid-19 pandemic that shuffled the season has also muffled the Masters , now moved to November from its traditional slot in April .
Instead of the usual packed galleries roaring their appreciation , next week 's fan-free tournament will take place against a backdrop of relative silence .
Reds and yellows of autumn leaves will replace the vibrant colors of spring flowers , blooming camelias offering a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubhouse down Magnolia Lane .
`` It 's a once-in-a-lifetime unique week that we 'll probably not see again .
I do n't know what to expect , '' three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson said .
`` It 's going to be different but we get to compete in the Masters and it just does n't matter where , when , how , who 's watching , it does n't matter . ''
The changes ca n't hide the excitement for a Masters unlike any other , with Tiger Woods defending his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chasing a green jacket for a career Grand Slam and US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau bringing his length-at-all-costs technique to the tricky Augusta National layout .
`` I 'm always thinking about how I can get better and I think what 's so cool about this game is it 's never perfect -- you always can find something to be a little bit better , '' said DeChambeau , who talks of debuting a 48-inch driver at the Masters .
DeChambeau , who bulked up in size and strength during the layoff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without regard to deep rough to win the US Open in September at Winged Foot .
He expects to play every hole at Augusta differently than before bar the 10th and the par-3s , with special plans for the seventh .
`` It 's downwind .
I may go launch mode on that hole .
It will be fun , '' said DeChambeau , who is yet to register a top-20 finish at Augusta in three previous outings .
`` My whole goal is to play the best golf I possibly can .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go down a path that 's allowed me to have an advantage over everyone . ''
Dustin Johnson , just back after a Covid-19 layoff , and McIlroy are among those working on their swings with an eye to DeChambeau 's moves .
`` They 're seeing that distinct advantage , '' DeChambeau said .
`` The guys like what Bryson is doing , McIlroy , Dustin , the guys that can get it up there , will have a big advantage with that kind of distance , '' Mickelson said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you get a lot of cold ... the weather 's a little bit more unpredictable . ''
McIlroy , who says he enjoys the lack of months of hype that precede a typical Masters , says he is ready for whatever a November Masters has in store for him .
`` I feel like I 've played Augusta in most conditions , '' he said .
`` I 've played it when it 's been in the 40s and I 've played it when it 's been in the 80s and 90s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think I 've played it enough to know what to expect no matter what the temperature and what the conditions are . ''
McIlroy would join the career Grand Slam list with a triumph , matching legends Jack Nicklaus , Gary Player , Gene Sarazen , Ben Hogan and Woods , who will try to match Nicklaus by winning a record sixth Masters green jacket .
Woods , whose 15 career major titles are three shy of the all-time record 18 won by Nicklaus , has shown little recent sign of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 months ago , completing his comeback from back surgery .
But the 44-year-old former world number one is returning to a course he knows intimately and even in November he can rely upon that knowledge to try and turn back the clock one more time .
`` I know the golf course , so it 's not a new golf course , and maybe a little bit longer and a little bit more softer than we 've probably experienced , '' he said .
`` But you just never know .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 70s , it could be in the 30s .
Who knows ? ''
In a year that has seen global protests over the death of unarmed Black man George Floyd while in police custody and Black Lives Matter become a major social movement , Woods says Augusta National has changed and evolved from more racist times , noting the admission of Black and women members well before the latest issues erupted .
`` I think Augusta is just like any other part of the world .
It has changed .
It has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , it has had some roots that I do n't think that everyone 's very proud of , but it has evolved .
We have minority members now .
It 's more diverse .
`` And just like anything , it evolves .
Augusta certainly has and I 'm sure it will continue . ''

Augusta (United States) (AFP) –
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Next week's 2020 Masters will serve as an autumn closing act to one of golf's most challenging years instead of Augusta National's traditional spring launch of major thrills.
The Covid-19 pandemic that shuffled the season has also muffled the Masters, now moved to November from its traditional slot in April.
Instead of the usual packed galleries roaring their appreciation, next week's fan-free tournament will take place against a backdrop of relative silence.
Reds and yellows of autumn leaves will replace the vibrant colors of spring flowers, blooming camelias offering a different feel for those traveling to the clubhouse down Magnolia Lane.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime unique week that we'll probably not see again. I don't know what to expect," three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson said.
"It's going to be different but we get to compete in the Masters and it just doesn't matter where, when, how, who's watching, it doesn't matter."
The changes can't hide the excitement for a Masters unlike any other, with Tiger Woods defending his first major title since 2008, Rory McIlroy chasing a green jacket for a career Grand Slam and US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau bringing his length-at-all-costs technique to the tricky Augusta National layout.
"I'm always thinking about how I can get better and I think what's so cool about this game is it's never perfect -- you always can find something to be a little bit better," said DeChambeau, who talks of debuting a 48-inch driver at the Masters.
DeChambeau, who bulked up in size and strength during the layoff, blasted away for extreme length and position without regard to deep rough to win the US Open in September at Winged Foot.
He expects to play every hole at Augusta differently than before bar the 10th and the par-3s, with special plans for the seventh.
"It's downwind. I may go launch mode on that hole. It will be fun," said DeChambeau, who is yet to register a top-20 finish at Augusta in three previous outings.
"My whole goal is to play the best golf I possibly can. I feel like I've started to go down a path that's allowed me to have an advantage over everyone."
Dustin Johnson, just back after a Covid-19 layoff, and McIlroy are among those working on their swings with an eye to DeChambeau's moves.
"They're seeing that distinct advantage," DeChambeau said.
- Big edge to big hitters -
"The guys like what Bryson is doing, McIlroy, Dustin, the guys that can get it up there, will have a big advantage with that kind of distance," Mickelson said.
"But you (could) get wind and you get a lot of cold... the weather's a little bit more unpredictable."
McIlroy, who says he enjoys the lack of months of hype that precede a typical Masters, says he is ready for whatever a November Masters has in store for him.
"I feel like I've played Augusta in most conditions," he said. "I've played it when it's been in the 40s and I've played it when it's been in the 80s and 90s and sort of everything in between. I think I've played it enough to know what to expect no matter what the temperature and what the conditions are."
McIlroy would join the career Grand Slam list with a triumph, matching legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Woods, who will try to match Nicklaus by winning a record sixth Masters green jacket.
Woods, whose 15 career major titles are three shy of the all-time record 18 won by Nicklaus, has shown little recent sign of the form that brought him an epic title 19 months ago, completing his comeback from back surgery.
But the 44-year-old former world number one is returning to a course he knows intimately and even in November he can rely upon that knowledge to try and turn back the clock one more time.
"I know the golf course, so it's not a new golf course, and maybe a little bit longer and a little bit more softer than we've probably experienced," he said. "But you just never know. This time of year it could be in the 70s, it could be in the 30s. Who knows?"
- Augusta has evolved -
In a year that has seen global protests over the death of unarmed Black man George Floyd while in police custody and Black Lives Matter become a major social movement, Woods says Augusta National has changed and evolved from more racist times, noting the admission of Black and women members well before the latest issues erupted.
"I think Augusta is just like any other part of the world. It has changed. It has evolved," Woods said.
"Yes, it has had some roots that I don't think that everyone's very proud of, but it has evolved. We have minority members now. It's more diverse.
"And just like anything, it evolves. Augusta certainly has and I'm sure it will continue."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--McIlroy hopes extra distance might bring Masters title

Rory McIlroy hopes a tweak to his swing could hold the key to his chances of clinching a career Grand Slam at next week 's Masters .
The 31-year-old from Northern Ireland has captured four major crowns , most recently the 2014 PGA Championship , but has n't won any title since the WGC Shanghai event a year ago .
A victory at Augusta National would put him alongside Jack Nicklaus , Tiger Woods , Gary Player , Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen as the only players to sweep the four major titles in their career .
After watching Bryson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emphasis on maximum distance , McIlroy made swing changes and club experiments to try adding length off the tee .
`` From what I 've done and what I 've been trying , sort of experimenting with , it 's the fastest I 've ever moved the club , the fastest my body has ever moved , '' McIlroy said .
`` I 'm just trying to keep up with the way it 's going . ''
McIlroy has been working on how his right arm moves in the backswing .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress , '' he said .
`` I 've been tinkering or messing around with trying to get a little more speed .
`` Looking ahead to Augusta , it 's somewhere where you can maybe hit the driver a little bit more and maybe take advantage of that . ''
McIlroy also worked with a lighter shaft to help better position his driver and increase swing speed .
`` I 've always been pretty long , but I felt like there was room to ( improve ) , '' McIlroy said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least know that I have it if I need it . ''
McIlroy , who became a father two months ago when wife Erica gave birth to daughter Poppy , has endured a year of Covid-19 disruptions that pushed the Masters from April to November .
`` Everything is just different this year .
We have to adapt to what we 're given and the circumstances , '' he said .
`` I think this is the way it 's going to be for a while . ''
McIlroy missed a golden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a woeful final round , then won his next major start at the US Open for his first major title .
He has also managed five top-10 Masters finishes since but the green jacket and career Slam have eluded him .
`` I do n't feel like I put a lot of pressure on myself , '' McIlroy said .
`` Having a really good chance to win back in 2011 and not being able to win the tournament since then and a lot of people say that the course is suited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think that 's just perceived expectation from the outside . ''
McIlroy endured poor final rounds to share eighth at the US Open and 21st at last month 's CJ Cup and a poor start at the Zozo in his last Masters tuneup before final pre-Augusta work .
`` Preparation is key there going into the week , '' McIlroy said .
`` You try to get your short game really sharp and get everything else sort of following that . ''
Entering his 12th Masters start , McIlroy knows secrets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how tricky putts on the famed Augusta greens will break .
`` It 's just experience .
I do n't think there 's anything like more knowledge , '' he said .
`` It 's just being comfortable and having certainty of knowing what this shot or this putt is going to do . ''
McIlroy said he will work on limiting mistakes after tuneup struggles and that he relishes a unique Masters with only weeks since the last major .
`` I like this more , '' McIlroy said .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much noise .
We 're right in the thick of the season .
Everyone 's just trying to end their year on a high note . ''

Augusta (United States) (AFP) –
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Rory McIlroy hopes a tweak to his swing could hold the key to his chances of clinching a career Grand Slam at next week's Masters.
The 31-year-old from Northern Ireland has captured four major crowns, most recently the 2014 PGA Championship, but hasn't won any title since the WGC Shanghai event a year ago.
A victory at Augusta National would put him alongside Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen as the only players to sweep the four major titles in their career.
After watching Bryson DeChambeau win September's US Open with an emphasis on maximum distance, McIlroy made swing changes and club experiments to try adding length off the tee.
"From what I've done and what I've been trying, sort of experimenting with, it's the fastest I've ever moved the club, the fastest my body has ever moved," McIlroy said. "I'm just trying to keep up with the way it's going."
McIlroy has been working on how his right arm moves in the backswing.
"I felt like I made some decent progress," he said. "I've been tinkering or messing around with trying to get a little more speed.
"Looking ahead to Augusta, it's somewhere where you can maybe hit the driver a little bit more and maybe take advantage of that."
McIlroy also worked with a lighter shaft to help better position his driver and increase swing speed.
"I've always been pretty long, but I felt like there was room to (improve)," McIlroy said. "What I want to do is at least know that I have it if I need it."
McIlroy, who became a father two months ago when wife Erica gave birth to daughter Poppy, has endured a year of Covid-19 disruptions that pushed the Masters from April to November.
"Everything is just different this year. We have to adapt to what we're given and the circumstances," he said. "I think this is the way it's going to be for a while."
McIlroy missed a golden chance at a Masters triumph in 2011 with a woeful final round, then won his next major start at the US Open for his first major title. He has also managed five top-10 Masters finishes since but the green jacket and career Slam have eluded him.
"I don't feel like I put a lot of pressure on myself," McIlroy said.
"Having a really good chance to win back in 2011 and not being able to win the tournament since then and a lot of people say that the course is suited to my game and all that stuff, I think that's just perceived expectation from the outside."
- 'Preparation is key' -
McIlroy endured poor final rounds to share eighth at the US Open and 21st at last month's CJ Cup and a poor start at the Zozo in his last Masters tuneup before final pre-Augusta work.
"Preparation is key there going into the week," McIlroy said. "You try to get your short game really sharp and get everything else sort of following that."
Entering his 12th Masters start, McIlroy knows secrets of where to hit the ball and how tricky putts on the famed Augusta greens will break.
"It's just experience. I don't think there's anything like more knowledge," he said. "It's just being comfortable and having certainty of knowing what this shot or this putt is going to do."
McIlroy said he will work on limiting mistakes after tuneup struggles and that he relishes a unique Masters with only weeks since the last major.
"I like this more," McIlroy said. "There's not as much hype, not as much noise. We're right in the thick of the season. Everyone's just trying to end their year on a high note."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--Joe Biden on Verge of Clinching US Presidency

Joe Biden on Verge of Clinching US Presidency As states tally final votes , Joe Biden widens his lead over @ @ @


france24--2020-11-06--Storm Eta leaves 150 dead or missing in Guatemala

About 150 people have either died or remain unaccounted for in Guatemala due to mudslides caused by powerful storm Eta , which buried an entire village , President Alejandro Giammattei said Friday .
The toll is in addition to the approximately 20 people who died elsewhere in Central America since Eta made landfall in Nicaragua on Tuesday as a hurricane .
Giammattei said an army unit had arrived in the northern village of Queja to begin rescue efforts .
A preliminary report from the troops indicated that `` 150 homes have been buried with 100 people dead , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the northeastern department of Huehuetenango , on the border with Mexico , had left 10 dead .
`` We 've calculated that between the deaths and those missing , the unofficial figures show around 150 dead , '' said Giammattei .
He said the situation in Queja was `` critical , '' with heavy rain continuing to fall and setting off new mudslides , while roads are still blocked .
Some 2,500 people in the impoverished Mayan indigenous area had lost their belongings in the deluge of mud .
Eta tore through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its wake since it first rocked Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane .
Two days later it exited Honduras as a tropical depression , although weather forecasters warned it could again strengthen into a tropical storm as it heads towards Cuba .
Cuba began taking measures on Friday to soften Eta 's impact .
It is due to hit on Sunday .
Despite Eta having lost power , the US National Hurricane Center continued to warn of `` life-threatening flash flooding '' over portions of Central America .
The storm brought heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Honduras , Guatemala , Costa Rica , El Salvador and Panama .
Two people died in Nicaragua , where Eta tore through impoverished coastal areas and swept away whole villages .
Landslides in Panama buried two homes in Chiriqui province on the Costa Rican border , killing five people , the National Protection System said .
Among the victims were three children .
The storm also destroyed homes , roads , bridges and plantations in Chiriqui .
Landslides claimed the lives of two children in Honduras , emergency services reported .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Costa Rican wife died when a landslide buried their home in the southern canton of Coto Brus , on the border with Panama .
Around 1,400 people in the south and Pacific coastal regions were taken to shelters after heavy rainfall saw rivers break their banks and flood vast areas .
A fisherman was killed on Thursday in El Salvador , where authorities evacuated 1,700 people whose homes were at risk from flooding , the civil protection agency said .
Guatemala previously reported 50 dead on Thursday , including two children aged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dwelling was swept away , according to the local civil protection body .
As the surface layer of oceans warms due to climate change , hurricanes are becoming more powerful and carrying more water , posing an increasing threat to the world 's coastal communities , scientists say .
Storm surges amplified by rising seas can be especially devastating .

Guatemala City (AFP) –
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About 150 people have either died or remain unaccounted for in Guatemala due to mudslides caused by powerful storm Eta, which buried an entire village, President Alejandro Giammattei said Friday.
The toll is in addition to the approximately 20 people who died elsewhere in Central America since Eta made landfall in Nicaragua on Tuesday as a hurricane.
Giammattei said an army unit had arrived in the northern village of Queja to begin rescue efforts.
A preliminary report from the troops indicated that "150 homes have been buried with 100 people dead," he said.
Giammattei added that another mudslide in the northeastern department of Huehuetenango, on the border with Mexico, had left 10 dead.
"We've calculated that between the deaths and those missing, the unofficial figures show around 150 dead," said Giammattei.
He said the situation in Queja was "critical," with heavy rain continuing to fall and setting off new mudslides, while roads are still blocked.
Some 2,500 people in the impoverished Mayan indigenous area had lost their belongings in the deluge of mud.
- 'Flash-flooding' risk -
Eta tore through Central America, leaving death and destruction in its wake since it first rocked Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane.
Two days later it exited Honduras as a tropical depression, although weather forecasters warned it could again strengthen into a tropical storm as it heads towards Cuba.
Cuba began taking measures on Friday to soften Eta's impact. It is due to hit on Sunday.
Despite Eta having lost power, the US National Hurricane Center continued to warn of "life-threatening flash flooding" over portions of Central America.
The storm brought heavy rain that caused deadly flooding in Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama.
Two people died in Nicaragua, where Eta tore through impoverished coastal areas and swept away whole villages.
Landslides in Panama buried two homes in Chiriqui province on the Costa Rican border, killing five people, the National Protection System said. Among the victims were three children.
The storm also destroyed homes, roads, bridges and plantations in Chiriqui.
Landslides claimed the lives of two children in Honduras, emergency services reported.
In Costa Rica, a 71-year-old American and his Costa Rican wife died when a landslide buried their home in the southern canton of Coto Brus, on the border with Panama.
Around 1,400 people in the south and Pacific coastal regions were taken to shelters after heavy rainfall saw rivers break their banks and flood vast areas.
A fisherman was killed on Thursday in El Salvador, where authorities evacuated 1,700 people whose homes were at risk from flooding, the civil protection agency said.
Guatemala previously reported 50 dead on Thursday, including two children aged 11 and two, whose fragile family dwelling was swept away, according to the local civil protection body.
As the surface layer of oceans warms due to climate change, hurricanes are becoming more powerful and carrying more water, posing an increasing threat to the world's coastal communities, scientists say.
Storm surges amplified by rising seas can be especially devastating.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--Sanson strike edges Marseille past struggling Strasbourg

A rejigged Marseille line-up was forced to dig deep for a narrow 1-0 win over Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Friday as a thunderous strike from Morgan Sanson sealed three precious points against the run of play .
The result gives Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas a little breathing space after his team lost 3-0 at Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday .
Marseille climbed to within three points of Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain , with all the top outfits on nine games ahead of PSG 's clash with third-placed Rennes on Saturday .
PSG lead Ligue 1 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rennes and Marseille both have 18 .
The acrobatic 72nd minute shot from the edge of the area from midfielder Sanson was set up by Dimitri Payet , who had come on as a substitute with 20 minutes remaining at a cold , windy and empty Stade de la Meinau .
Payet replaced former Newcastle player and France international Florian Thauvin , who was playing his 200th game for Marseille .
After a miserable first half without a single shot on target from either side Strasbourg defender Anthony Caci hit the crossbar with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour .
The visitors also appealed for a penalty when the ball appeared to hit Stefan Mitrovic 's hand but the referee waved play on .
Strasbourg coach Thierry Laurey is currently sidelined with Covid-19 and his side are second bottom on six points from 10 games .

Paris (AFP) –
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A rejigged Marseille line-up was forced to dig deep for a narrow 1-0 win over Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Friday as a thunderous strike from Morgan Sanson sealed three precious points against the run of play.
The result gives Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas a little breathing space after his team lost 3-0 at Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Marseille climbed to within three points of Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain, with all the top outfits on nine games ahead of PSG's clash with third-placed Rennes on Saturday.
PSG lead Ligue 1 with 21 points, Lille have 19 and Rennes and Marseille both have 18.
The acrobatic 72nd minute shot from the edge of the area from midfielder Sanson was set up by Dimitri Payet, who had come on as a substitute with 20 minutes remaining at a cold, windy and empty Stade de la Meinau.
Payet replaced former Newcastle player and France international Florian Thauvin, who was playing his 200th game for Marseille.
After a miserable first half without a single shot on target from either side Strasbourg defender Anthony Caci hit the crossbar with a deflected shot just ahead of the hour.
The visitors also appealed for a penalty when the ball appeared to hit Stefan Mitrovic's hand but the referee waved play on.
Strasbourg coach Thierry Laurey is currently sidelined with Covid-19 and his side are second bottom on six points from 10 games.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--Zverev beats Wawrinka to set up Nadal semi-final

Zverev reached the semis for the first time Alexander Zverev battled past Stan Wawrinka in straight sets in the Paris Masters quarter-finals on Friday and will face Rafael Nadal in the last four .
The 23-year-old German , who is seeking a third straight title after back-to-back victories on home soil in Cologne , edged out Wawrinka 6-3 , 7-6 ( 7/1 ) .
`` From my side I thought it was a pretty good match , '' said Zverev .
`` Definitely happy to be in the semis and it 'll be an interesting one tomorrow ( Saturday against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are looking forward to that and I am too . ''
Fourth seed Zverev has won 11 consecutive matches since losing in the French Open last 16 to Italian youngster Jannik Sinner .
He has a 5-1 losing record against Nadal , but won their last meeting at last year 's ATP Tour Finals , which was also played on an indoor hard court .
Wawrinka looked to be building momentum in the second set , but his level dropped when he served to force a decider in the 10th game and Zverev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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Alexander Zverev battled past Stan Wawrinka in straight sets in the Paris Masters quarter-finals on Friday and will face Rafael Nadal in the last four.
The 23-year-old German, who is seeking a third straight title after back-to-back victories on home soil in Cologne, edged out Wawrinka 6-3, 7-6 (7/1).
"From my side I thought it was a pretty good match," said Zverev.
"Definitely happy to be in the semis and it'll be an interesting one tomorrow (Saturday against Nadal)... A lot of people are looking forward to that and I am too."
Fourth seed Zverev has won 11 consecutive matches since losing in the French Open last 16 to Italian youngster Jannik Sinner.
He has a 5-1 losing record against Nadal, but won their last meeting at last year's ATP Tour Finals, which was also played on an indoor hard court.
Wawrinka looked to be building momentum in the second set, but his level dropped when he served to force a decider in the 10th game and Zverev broke before easing through a one-sided tie-break.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--Colombia's Duque holds talks with ex-FARC leaders

Former guerrilla leaders and current members of the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force ( FARC ) political party pose outside the presidential palace in Bogota , Colombia , before meeting with President Ivan Duque , in November 2020 Colombia 's President Ivan Duque held talks with former FARC guerrilla leaders Friday , pledging to speed up the integration of ex-combatants following the 2016 peace agreement , a top advisor said .
Duque 's commitment came during an unprecedented meeting between the hardline president and leaders of the former leftist guerrilla movement in Bogota .
Duque , famously critical of aspects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lenient on FARC , pledged to work `` to move the reintegration process forward , '' said Emilio Archila , a top government advisor on post-conflict who attended the meeting .
The meeting at the presidential palace followed a 10-day march on Bogota by ex-combatants to demand the government keeps its commitments under the 2016 peace deal that led to the disarmament of 13,000 fighters and turned FARC into a political party .
The ex-guerrillas say they need greater protection as their lives are increasingly at risk from other guerrilla groups and drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ march was to draw attention to the murders of 237 of their former comrades since 2016 .
Pastor Alape , leader of the political party that emerged from FARC after it disarmed , said Duque 's gesture would help fight the `` stigmatization '' he said encourages violence against the 13,000 who disarmed .
`` There 's an agreement to strengthen and accelerate the reintegration process '' during Duque 's remaining 22 months in office , said Alape after the meeting .
Both sides agreed to study additional measures to protect the ex-rebels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other illegal groups who authorities say are responsible for the spate of murders .

Bogota (AFP) –
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Colombia's President Ivan Duque held talks with former FARC guerrilla leaders Friday, pledging to speed up the integration of ex-combatants following the 2016 peace agreement, a top advisor said.
Duque's commitment came during an unprecedented meeting between the hardline president and leaders of the former leftist guerrilla movement in Bogota.
Duque, famously critical of aspects of the peace deal he says is too lenient on FARC, pledged to work "to move the reintegration process forward," said Emilio Archila, a top government advisor on post-conflict who attended the meeting.
The meeting at the presidential palace followed a 10-day march on Bogota by ex-combatants to demand the government keeps its commitments under the 2016 peace deal that led to the disarmament of 13,000 fighters and turned FARC into a political party.
The ex-guerrillas say they need greater protection as their lives are increasingly at risk from other guerrilla groups and drug trafficking organizations.
The reason for the march was to draw attention to the murders of 237 of their former comrades since 2016.
Pastor Alape, leader of the political party that emerged from FARC after it disarmed, said Duque's gesture would help fight the "stigmatization" he said encourages violence against the 13,000 who disarmed.
"There's an agreement to strengthen and accelerate the reintegration process" during Duque's remaining 22 months in office, said Alape after the meeting.
The right-wing leader's term ends in August 2022.
Both sides agreed to study additional measures to protect the ex-rebels from dissidents who rejected the peace agreement and other illegal groups who authorities say are responsible for the spate of murders.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--Longshot Fire At Will springs upset in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Fire At Will shot down European hopes with an upset triumph in the $ 1 million Juvenile Turf on Saturday as the opening day of the Breeders ' Cup at Keeneland showcased a wealth of two-year-old talent .
With Ricardo Santana in the irons , the 30-1 longshot gave trainer Michael Maker the victory , tucking in behind early leaders Outadore and Gretzky the Great and gliding through a gap on the final bend to power to a three-length victory over Irish raider Battleground , trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore .
`` I got a beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had plenty of horse in the tank .
`` He put me where he wanted to be and that 's why we won . ''
Outadore , ridden by Jose Ortiz , settled for third ahead of Irish trainer Jessica Harrington 's Cadillac , who had to have a shoe tightened in the paddock and then balked at the starting gate before producing a steady effort under Shane Foley .
Battleground , winner of the Chesham Stakes and Vintage Stakes in England this year , went off the favorite to give O'Brien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
In the middle of the pack rounding the turn for home , Battleground closed well to grab second from Outadore .
`` My horse ran super , '' Moore said .
`` Very happy with him . ''
Foley said Cadillac was running well at the finish , but could n't recover from getting shuffled back early .
`` He had a bad trip after the first bend , '' Foley said .
`` He got a nice run later on and he hit the line really well . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' featured five races for two-year-olds , the curtain-raiser to Saturday 's nine-race slate highlighted by the $ 6 million Classic and the $ 4 million Turf .
No fans were in attendance at the Lexington , Kentucky , track , where the shadow of Covid-19 fell with the announcement that France-based Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon had tested positive for coronavirus and would miss out on scheduled rides in the Turf and the Mile on Saturday after going into isolation .
Golden Pal kicked off the action with a convincing victory in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breaking from the 14th post under jockey Irad Ortiz , Golden Pal surged to the lead , lost a little ground as he battled Ortiz 's efforts to slow the pace , then kicked it into high gear when given the go-ahead to win the 5 1/2-furlong race by 3/4 of a length over fast-closing Cowan -- trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Ricardo Santana .
Ubettabelieveit , trained in England by Breeders ' Cup newcomer Nigel Tinkler , was third with jockey Rowan Scott aboard .
`` I got a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted Golden Pal trainer Welsey Ward , who notched his second straight win in the event after Four Wheel Drive 's victory at Santa Anita in California last year .
`` He lost momentum there when ( Ortiz ) took a pretty good hold of him , then he just accelerated down the lane .
When he accelerated past the quarter-pole , I knew we were OK. '' Ward said Golden Pal would be pointed at next year 's Breeders ' Cup via Royal Ascot , where the colt was runner-up behind The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
`` Here we come , '' Ward said .
`` He 's going to get them this year . ''
Vequist , trained by Robert `` Butch '' Reid and ridden by Joel Rosario , won the $ 2 million Juvenile Fillies , following in footsteps of her sire Nyquist -- winner of the 2015 Breeders ' Cup Juvenile and the 2016 Kentucky Derby .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Fire At Will shot down European hopes with an upset triumph in the $1 million Juvenile Turf on Saturday as the opening day of the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland showcased a wealth of two-year-old talent.
With Ricardo Santana in the irons, the 30-1 longshot gave trainer Michael Maker the victory, tucking in behind early leaders Outadore and Gretzky the Great and gliding through a gap on the final bend to power to a three-length victory over Irish raider Battleground, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore.
"I got a beautiful trip," Santana said. "I had plenty of horse in the tank. "He put me where he wanted to be and that's why we won."
Outadore, ridden by Jose Ortiz, settled for third ahead of Irish trainer Jessica Harrington's Cadillac, who had to have a shoe tightened in the paddock and then balked at the starting gate before producing a steady effort under Shane Foley.
Battleground, winner of the Chesham Stakes and Vintage Stakes in England this year, went off the favorite to give O'Brien a fifth victory in the Grade One race.
In the middle of the pack rounding the turn for home, Battleground closed well to grab second from Outadore.
"My horse ran super," Moore said. "Very happy with him."
Foley said Cadillac was running well at the finish, but couldn't recover from getting shuffled back early.
"He had a bad trip after the first bend," Foley said. "He got a nice run later on and he hit the line really well."
The opening day dubbed "Future Stars Friday" featured five races for two-year-olds, the curtain-raiser to Saturday's nine-race slate highlighted by the $6 million Classic and the $4 million Turf.
No fans were in attendance at the Lexington, Kentucky, track, where the shadow of Covid-19 fell with the announcement that France-based Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon had tested positive for coronavirus and would miss out on scheduled rides in the Turf and the Mile on Saturday after going into isolation.
Golden Pal kicked off the action with a convincing victory in the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Breaking from the 14th post under jockey Irad Ortiz, Golden Pal surged to the lead, lost a little ground as he battled Ortiz's efforts to slow the pace, then kicked it into high gear when given the go-ahead to win the 5 1/2-furlong race by 3/4 of a length over fast-closing Cowan -- trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Ricardo Santana.
Ubettabelieveit, trained in England by Breeders' Cup newcomer Nigel Tinkler, was third with jockey Rowan Scott aboard.
"I got a little worried on the back side," admitted Golden Pal trainer Welsey Ward, who notched his second straight win in the event after Four Wheel Drive's victory at Santa Anita in California last year.
"He lost momentum there when (Ortiz) took a pretty good hold of him, then he just accelerated down the lane. When he accelerated past the quarter-pole, I knew we were OK."
Ward said Golden Pal would be pointed at next year's Breeders' Cup via Royal Ascot, where the colt was runner-up behind The Lir Jet in the Norfolk Stakes this year.
"Here we come," Ward said. "He's going to get them this year."
Vequist, trained by Robert "Butch" Reid and ridden by Joel Rosario, won the $2 million Juvenile Fillies, following in footsteps of her sire Nyquist -- winner of the 2015 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the 2016 Kentucky Derby.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--Brazil off to bad start on Paris climate deal: watchdog

Smoke rises from an illegally lit fire in Amazon rainforest reserve , south of Novo Progresso in Para state , Brazil in August 2020 Brazil 's carbon emissions surged last year because of rising deforestation in the Amazon , jeopardizing the country 's commitments under the Paris climate accord , an environmental group warned Friday .
The South American country spewed a total of 2.17 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere in 2019 , an increase of 9.6 percent from 2018 , said the Brazilian Climate Observatory , a coalition of environmental organizations .
That coincided with the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a far-right climate-change skeptic who has presided over a sharp increase in deforestation and wild fires in the Amazon .
The world 's biggest rainforest is a vital resource in the fight against climate change , as its trees suck carbon from the air .
But when they are felled and burned , they release it back .
`` The growth in ( Brazil 's ) emissions last year was driven by deforestation in the Amazon , which surged , '' the Climate Observatory said in a report .
It said 72 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by agriculture and land use , including deforestation , which rose 85 percent last year .
Under the 2015 Paris accord , Brazil agreed to cut its emissions by 37 percent from 2005 levels by 2025 .
But last year 's emissions came in 17 percent over target , the Climate Observatory said .
It said the country was also on track to miss a 2010 commitment to cut emissions by at least 36.8 percent by the end of 2020 .
The actual figure will come in nine percent higher , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy to reach .
We were only going to miss it if there was a tragedy .
And that 's exactly what 's happening , '' said Climate Observatory executive secretary Marcio Astrini .
The report came as Vice President Hamilton Mourao , the head of Bolsonaro 's task force on the Amazon , led foreign ambassadors on a three-day visit to the region in a bid to improve the government 's international image on the environment .
`` We want them to see it with their own eyes ... and draw their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But environmental groups condemned the trip as a whitewash .
`` They are flying on a route that 's strategically planned to hide the evidence of the destruction of the forest , even as deforestation and wild fires are at a 10-year high , '' Greenpeace said in a statement .

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) –
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Brazil's carbon emissions surged last year because of rising deforestation in the Amazon, jeopardizing the country's commitments under the Paris climate accord, an environmental group warned Friday.
The South American country spewed a total of 2.17 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere in 2019, an increase of 9.6 percent from 2018, said the Brazilian Climate Observatory, a coalition of environmental organizations.
That coincided with the first year in office for President Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right climate-change skeptic who has presided over a sharp increase in deforestation and wild fires in the Amazon.
The world's biggest rainforest is a vital resource in the fight against climate change, as its trees suck carbon from the air. But when they are felled and burned, they release it back.
"The growth in (Brazil's) emissions last year was driven by deforestation in the Amazon, which surged," the Climate Observatory said in a report.
It said 72 percent of the country's emissions were caused by agriculture and land use, including deforestation, which rose 85 percent last year.
Under the 2015 Paris accord, Brazil agreed to cut its emissions by 37 percent from 2005 levels by 2025.
But last year's emissions came in 17 percent over target, the Climate Observatory said.
It said the country was also on track to miss a 2010 commitment to cut emissions by at least 36.8 percent by the end of 2020.
The actual figure will come in nine percent higher, it said.
"Our 2020 goal was easy to reach. We were only going to miss it if there was a tragedy. And that's exactly what's happening," said Climate Observatory executive secretary Marcio Astrini.
The report came as Vice President Hamilton Mourao, the head of Bolsonaro's task force on the Amazon, led foreign ambassadors on a three-day visit to the region in a bid to improve the government's international image on the environment.
"We want them to see it with their own eyes... and draw their own conclusions," said Mourao.
But environmental groups condemned the trip as a whitewash.
"They are flying on a route that's strategically planned to hide the evidence of the destruction of the forest, even as deforestation and wild fires are at a 10-year high," Greenpeace said in a statement.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-06--MLB: No action against Dodgers' Turner for Covid breach

Major League Baseball said Friday that Los Angeles Dodgers star Justin Turner will face no punishment for joining World Series victory celebrations with his teammates despite testing positive for Covid-19 .
The veteran third baseman triggered an outcry following the Dodgers ' series-clinching win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Arlington last week after posing with teammates soon after being put in isolation .
Turner was dramatically removed from game six after the seventh inning after MLB confirmed he had tested positive for Covid-19 .
However , after being ushered into an isolation room , Turner later appeared on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a facemask , to pose with teammates for photographs .
In a statement last week , MLB accused Turner of `` emphatically '' ignoring safety protocols and said he had put everyone he came into contact with on the field at risk .
MLB commisioner Rob Manfred said in a statement on Friday , however , that the league would take no further action against Turner after investigating the circumstances of the safety breach .
Manfred said Turner had only returned to the field after teammates `` actively encouraged '' him to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field for a photo .
`` Many teamates felt they had already been exposed to Mr. Turner and were prepared to tolerate the additional risk , '' Manfred said .
Turner also believed he had been given permission to return to the field by an unidentified Dodgers employee , although Manfred said that `` may have been the product of a miscommunication . ''
Manfred , who described the post-game scene as `` chaotic '' , added that the league could have handled the situation more effectively .
`` For example , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been assigned to monitor Mr. Turner when he was asked to isolate , and Mr. Turner should have been transported from the stadium to the hotel more promptly . ''
Manfred said Turner had been `` extraordinarily upset '' by the incident , noting that he had been instrumental in ensuring that the Dodgers followed safety protocols throughout the season .
Turner , who described the situation as `` surreal '' , said he believed most people had left the field when he sought permission to leave isolation .
`` I will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will describe my state of mind , '' Turner said .
`` In hindsight , I should have waited until the field was clear of others to take that photo with my wife .
`` I sincerely apologize to everyone on the field for failing to appreciate the risks of returning to the field .
I have spoken with almost every teammate , coach , and staff member , and my intentions were never to make anyone uncomfortable or put anyone at further risk . ''

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Major League Baseball said Friday that Los Angeles Dodgers star Justin Turner will face no punishment for joining World Series victory celebrations with his teammates despite testing positive for Covid-19.
The veteran third baseman triggered an outcry following the Dodgers' series-clinching win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Arlington last week after posing with teammates soon after being put in isolation.
Turner was dramatically removed from game six after the seventh inning after MLB confirmed he had tested positive for Covid-19.
However, after being ushered into an isolation room, Turner later appeared on the field, at certain points without using a facemask, to pose with teammates for photographs.
In a statement last week, MLB accused Turner of "emphatically" ignoring safety protocols and said he had put everyone he came into contact with on the field at risk.
MLB commisioner Rob Manfred said in a statement on Friday, however, that the league would take no further action against Turner after investigating the circumstances of the safety breach.
Manfred said Turner had only returned to the field after teammates "actively encouraged" him to leave the isolation room to return to the field for a photo.
"Many teamates felt they had already been exposed to Mr. Turner and were prepared to tolerate the additional risk," Manfred said.
Turner also believed he had been given permission to return to the field by an unidentified Dodgers employee, although Manfred said that "may have been the product of a miscommunication."
Manfred, who described the post-game scene as "chaotic", added that the league could have handled the situation more effectively.
"For example, in retrospect, a security person should have been assigned to monitor Mr. Turner when he was asked to isolate, and Mr. Turner should have been transported from the stadium to the hotel more promptly."
Manfred said Turner had been "extraordinarily upset" by the incident, noting that he had been instrumental in ensuring that the Dodgers followed safety protocols throughout the season.
Turner, who described the situation as "surreal", said he believed most people had left the field when he sought permission to leave isolation.
"I will not make excuses for my conduct but I will describe my state of mind," Turner said. "In hindsight, I should have waited until the field was clear of others to take that photo with my wife.
"I sincerely apologize to everyone on the field for failing to appreciate the risks of returning to the field. I have spoken with almost every teammate, coach, and staff member, and my intentions were never to make anyone uncomfortable or put anyone at further risk."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--Ethiopia takes steps to remove leadership of defiant Tigray region

This screengrab from the Ethiopian Public Broadcaster ( EBC ) on November 4 , 2020 , shows Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed saying that he is ordering a military response to a deadly attack by the ruling party of Tigray , a region locked in a long-running dispute with Addis Ababa , on a camp housing federal troops .
Ethiopia moved Saturday to replace the leadership in the country ’ s northern Tigray region , where clashes between regional forces and those of the federal government have led to fears that a major African power could slide into civil war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dialogue that experts say is needed to avert disaster .
The vote by the upper house of parliament , the House of Federation , to set up an interim administration needs no further approval , and it gives Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the power to carry out the measures against a Tigray leadership his government regards as illegal .
Ethiopia ’ s federal government said the interim administration will “ appoint officials , ensure the respect for rule of law , approve the region ’ s budget and facilitate the process of conducting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister asserted that “ criminal elements can not escape the rule of law under the guise of seeking reconciliation and a call for dialogue.
” Experts and diplomats are watching in dismay as two heavily armed forces clash in one of the world 's most strategic yet vulnerable regions , the Horn of Africa .
Observers warn that a civil war in Ethiopia , Africa 's second most populous country with 110 million people , could suck in or destabilize neighbors such as Sudan , Eritrea and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Facebook page of the Tigray government , the Tigray People ’ s Liberation Front , said it will win the “ justified ” war , and added that “ a fighter will not negotiate with its enemies.
” “ Tigray ’ s people are now armed with modern weaponry that could reach the seat of the infidels , ” it added , an apparent reference to Ethiopia 's capital , Addis Ababa .
There was no reference to Saturday 's move by the federal government .
The conflict in Tigray is playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling coalition who now see each other as illegal .
The TPLF long dominated the country 's military and government before Abiy took office in 2018 and introduced sweeping political reforms that won him the Nobel .
Those change left the TPLF feeling marginalized , and it broke away last year when Abiy sought to turn the coalition into a single Prosperity Party .
Tensions rose in recent weeks as the Tigray region , objecting to the delay of the national election until next year and Abiy 's extended stay in office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government called illegal .
The fighting began early Wednesday when Abiy accused the TPLF forces of attacking a military base in Tigray .
In a major escalation on Friday , Abiy announced that airstrikes in multiple locations around the Tigray capital “ completely destroyed rockets and other heavy weapons ” and made a retaliatory attack impossible .
The military operations will continue , the prime minister said , and he warned the Tigray population : ” In order to avoid unexpected peril , I advise that you limit group movements in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Tigray region , making it difficult to verify either side 's assertions and leading to pleas from aid groups and human rights groups to restore internet and phone links .
They also warn of a brewing humanitarian disaster if the conflict continues , which experts warn is likely if the two sides reject talks .
Tigray is increasingly boxed in by Ethiopian federal forces and a six-month state of emergency imposed by the federal government that sharply curbs public gatherings and movement .
“ If they come under pressure from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal forces , then ( the TPLF ) may decide to make a strategic retreat or even punch into Eritrea , which would then internationalize this conflict , ” Dino Mahtani with the International Crisis Group said in comments posted Friday .
The TPLF and Eritrea have a bitter history of a long border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea before the countries made peace in 2018 .
The TPLF 's only other real avenue out of Ethiopia is into Sudan , which finds itself “ in a very delicate position , ” Mahtani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has spoken by phone with a worried United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres , the U.N. said Friday .
Sudan 's eastern al-Qadarif province has closed its border with Ethiopia ’ s Tigray and Amhara regions , the Sudan News Agency reported Saturday .
The Tigray drama dominates conversation in Ethiopia , and many people commenting on social media appear to support the government ’ s move to get rid of the region 's leadership .
Some cite abuses by the TPLF while it was in power for well over two decades , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it incited recent violence across the country .
Those sympathetic to the TPLF are mostly silenced due to the communications blackout in Tigray , but those able to comment describe the federal government 's actions as an aggression that will lead to further escalation of the conflict .

Ethiopia moved Saturday to replace the leadership in the country’s northern Tigray region, where clashes between regional forces and those of the federal government have led to fears that a major African power could slide into civil war. Neither side appeared to welcome the dialogue that experts say is needed to avert disaster.
This screengrab from the Ethiopian Public Broadcaster (EBC) on November 4, 2020, shows Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed saying that he is ordering a military response to a deadly attack by the ruling party of Tigray, a region locked in a long-running dispute with Addis Ababa, on a camp housing federal troops.
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The vote by the upper house of parliament, the House of Federation, to set up an interim administration needs no further approval, and it gives Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the power to carry out the measures against a Tigray leadership his government regards as illegal.
Ethiopia’s federal government said the interim administration will “appoint officials, ensure the respect for rule of law, approve the region’s budget and facilitate the process of conducting elections.”
In a new statement Saturday, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister asserted that “criminal elements cannot escape the rule of law under the guise of seeking reconciliation and a call for dialogue.”
Experts and diplomats are watching in dismay as two heavily armed forces clash in one of the world's most strategic yet vulnerable regions, the Horn of Africa. Observers warn that a civil war in Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous country with 110 million people, could suck in or destabilize neighbors such as Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia.
A statement posted Saturday on the Facebook page of the Tigray government, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, said it will win the “justified” war, and added that “a fighter will not negotiate with its enemies.”
“Tigray’s people are now armed with modern weaponry that could reach the seat of the infidels,” it added, an apparent reference to Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. There was no reference to Saturday's move by the federal government.
The conflict in Tigray is playing out between former allies in Ethiopia's ruling coalition who now see each other as illegal.
The TPLF long dominated the country's military and government before Abiy took office in 2018 and introduced sweeping political reforms that won him the Nobel. Those change left the TPLF feeling marginalized, and it broke away last year when Abiy sought to turn the coalition into a single Prosperity Party.
Tensions rose in recent weeks as the Tigray region, objecting to the delay of the national election until next year and Abiy's extended stay in office, held a local election in September that the federal government called illegal.
The fighting began early Wednesday when Abiy accused the TPLF forces of attacking a military base in Tigray. In a major escalation on Friday, Abiy announced that airstrikes in multiple locations around the Tigray capital “completely destroyed rockets and other heavy weapons” and made a retaliatory attack impossible.
The military operations will continue, the prime minister said, and he warned the Tigray population: ”In order to avoid unexpected peril, I advise that you limit group movements in cities.”
Communications remain almost completely severed with the Tigray region, making it difficult to verify either side's assertions and leading to pleas from aid groups and human rights groups to restore internet and phone links.
They also warn of a brewing humanitarian disaster if the conflict continues, which experts warn is likely if the two sides reject talks.
Tigray is increasingly boxed in by Ethiopian federal forces and a six-month state of emergency imposed by the federal government that sharply curbs public gatherings and movement.
“If they come under pressure from the south, from Abiy Ahmed’s federal forces, then (the TPLF) may decide to make a strategic retreat or even punch into Eritrea, which would then internationalize this conflict,” Dino Mahtani with the International Crisis Group said in comments posted Friday. The TPLF and Eritrea have a bitter history of a long border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea before the countries made peace in 2018.
The TPLF's only other real avenue out of Ethiopia is into Sudan, which finds itself “in a very delicate position,” Mahtani said. Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has spoken by phone with a worried United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the U.N. said Friday.
Sudan's eastern al-Qadarif province has closed its border with Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara regions, the Sudan News Agency reported Saturday.
The Tigray drama dominates conversation in Ethiopia, and many people commenting on social media appear to support the government’s move to get rid of the region's leadership. Some cite abuses by the TPLF while it was in power for well over two decades, or echo the federal government's accusation that it incited recent violence across the country.
Those sympathetic to the TPLF are mostly silenced due to the communications blackout in Tigray, but those able to comment describe the federal government's actions as an aggression that will lead to further escalation of the conflict.
(AP)
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france24--2020-11-07--Lebanon president demands proof against US-sanctioned minister

Lebanon 's ex-foreign minister Gibran Bassil who has been sanctioned by the US for alleged corruption Lebanon 's president on Saturday asked for proof against his son-in-law and ex-cabinet minister Gebran Bassil to justify US sanctions for alleged corruption , the presidency said .
The sanctions announced Friday are the first against a senior Christian ally of Hezbollah , a powerful Shiite movement long targeted by US sanctions and blacklisted as a `` terrorist '' organisation .
President Michel `` Aoun has asked his foreign minister to obtain the proof and documents that pushed the US Treasury to direct accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office said on Twitter .
Aoun also stressed `` the necessity of handing over the documents to the Lebanese judiciary to take the necessary measures '' , it said .
A source at the presidency said the request was made as `` Bassil is a Lebanese lawmaker and ( former ) minister accused of graft '' .
`` If there were evidence against him , the Lebanese judiciary should follow up on the issue , '' the source said .
Bassil , 50 , has been dubbed by many as the `` shadow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president 's daughter and heads the Free Patriotic Movement founded by Aoun , which together with its allies holds a parliamentary majority .
He was minister in every single cabinet from 2008 to late last year , when the cabinet stepped down under pressure from massive street protests against the entrenched political elite .
His portfolios included communications , energy and most recently foreign affairs .
Critics say he was behind many shady state dealings , especially during his time at the head of the energy ministry between 2009 and 2014 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In September , Washington also slapped US sanctions on former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil and ex-transport minister Youssef Fenianos over alleged support to Hezbollah and corruption .
Lebanon is mired in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war , with recovery hampered by endless political deadlocks .
Prime minister-designate Saad Hariri is struggling to form a cabinet to replace a government that resigned after a devastating August 4 blast at Beirut port .

Beirut (AFP) –
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Lebanon's president on Saturday asked for proof against his son-in-law and ex-cabinet minister Gebran Bassil to justify US sanctions for alleged corruption, the presidency said.
The sanctions announced Friday are the first against a senior Christian ally of Hezbollah, a powerful Shiite movement long targeted by US sanctions and blacklisted as a "terrorist" organisation.
President Michel "Aoun has asked his foreign minister to obtain the proof and documents that pushed the US Treasury to direct accusations against lawmaker Gebran Bassil", his office said on Twitter.
Aoun also stressed "the necessity of handing over the documents to the Lebanese judiciary to take the necessary measures", it said.
A source at the presidency said the request was made as "Bassil is a Lebanese lawmaker and (former) minister accused of graft".
"If there were evidence against him, the Lebanese judiciary should follow up on the issue," the source said.
Bassil, 50, has been dubbed by many as the "shadow president".
He is married to the president's daughter and heads the Free Patriotic Movement founded by Aoun, which together with its allies holds a parliamentary majority.
He was minister in every single cabinet from 2008 to late last year, when the cabinet stepped down under pressure from massive street protests against the entrenched political elite.
His portfolios included communications, energy and most recently foreign affairs.
Critics say he was behind many shady state dealings, especially during his time at the head of the energy ministry between 2009 and 2014.
But Bassil has repeatedly denied the accusations.
In September, Washington also slapped US sanctions on former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil and ex-transport minister Youssef Fenianos over alleged support to Hezbollah and corruption.
Lebanon is mired in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, with recovery hampered by endless political deadlocks.
Prime minister-designate Saad Hariri is struggling to form a cabinet to replace a government that resigned after a devastating August 4 blast at Beirut port.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--Rossi returns as Valencia rain puts brake on third practice times

Australian Jack Miller heads into European MotoGP qualifying topping the combined practice timesheets after a wet track on Saturday made life difficult for riders in the third session which marked Valentino Rossi 's return .
The seven-time world MotoGP champion made his comeback for Yamaha having missed back-to-back races at MotorLand Aragon last month after testing positive for Covid-19 .
The 41-year-old was cleared on Friday to compete following two negative tests .
He got the green light to return to the MotoGP 'bubble ' too late for Friday 's opening two sessions in which Ducati rider Miller set the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions on Saturday proved impossible for anyone to dislodge Miller .
Johann Zarco did best of all on the slippery circuit ahead of Rossi 's teammate Maverick Vinales , who must start Sunday 's race from the pitlane as punishment for exceeding the number of engine changes .
With three races of the season remaining , Joan Mir heads the battle to succeed Marc Marquez as world champion .
Suzuki 's Mir , winless in MotoGP , leads the standings by 14 points from Fabio Quartararo , with both riders sneaking into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Q2 .
The two fastest riders from Q1 go on to Q2 which determines the make-up of the front four rows of the grid for Sunday 's latest instalment in this coronavirus-truncated campaign .

Valencia (Spain) (AFP) –
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Australian Jack Miller heads into European MotoGP qualifying topping the combined practice timesheets after a wet track on Saturday made life difficult for riders in the third session which marked Valentino Rossi's return.
The seven-time world MotoGP champion made his comeback for Yamaha having missed back-to-back races at MotorLand Aragon last month after testing positive for Covid-19.
The 41-year-old was cleared on Friday to compete following two negative tests.
He got the green light to return to the MotoGP 'bubble' too late for Friday's opening two sessions in which Ducati rider Miller set the fastest lap.
After rain overnight, conditions on Saturday proved impossible for anyone to dislodge Miller.
Johann Zarco did best of all on the slippery circuit ahead of Rossi's teammate Maverick Vinales, who must start Sunday's race from the pitlane as punishment for exceeding the number of engine changes.
With three races of the season remaining, Joan Mir heads the battle to succeed Marc Marquez as world champion.
Suzuki's Mir, winless in MotoGP, leads the standings by 14 points from Fabio Quartararo, with both riders sneaking into the practice top 10 and a direct ticket to Q2.
The two fastest riders from Q1 go on to Q2 which determines the make-up of the front four rows of the grid for Sunday's latest instalment in this coronavirus-truncated campaign.
Leading combined practice times after Saturday's third session:
1. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati-Pramac) 1:32.528, 2. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) at 0.092s, 3. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) 0.276, 4. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Honda-LCR) 0.338, 5. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 0.424, 6. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 0.629, 7. Brad Binder (AFS/KTM) 0.731, 8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 0.764, 9. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) 0.809, 10. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 0.877
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--Foster wants another look at red cards after All Blacks loss

New Zealand 's head coach Ian Foster looks on before the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup rugby match between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane on November 7 , 2020 All Blacks coach Ian Foster said it was too soon to comment on the red card given to his front row forward Ofa Tuungafasi but would like to see the incident again after losing a Tri Nations clash to a resurgent Wallabies on Saturday .
Tuungafasi was sent off in the 23rd minute of the All Blacks ' 24-22 defeat when he was adjudged to have hit Australian winger Tom Wright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high tackle .
The decision seemed harsh , with first contact appearing to be at shoulder height , with referee Nic Berry sending Tuungafasi off after seeing a replay on the big screen .
Australia were also reduced to 14 men later in the half when debutant Lachlan Swinton saw red for a similar dangerous tackle to the head of Sam Whitelock .
Foster said it was too early to comment on the card .
`` It is what it is right now , '' Foster said .
`` We 'll obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't think now is the right time to comment . ''
All Blacks captain Sam Cane said he thought neither Tuungafasi nor Swinton had been looking to harm their opponents .
`` It 's a fast moving game and there 's big collisions , and every now and then players get it slightly wrong , '' Cane said .
`` I do n't think either was malicious -- they were just slightly off . ''
Swinton 's high tackle offence looked more clear cut than Tuungafasi 's and Australian coach Dave Rennie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red cards being shown .
`` In the end we 've got to deal with the law -- the law says contact with the head starts with a red card , '' he said .
`` What we do n't want is reckless tackles .
All we want is consistency .
`` It was hard to argue that once they got a red card ours was n't as well , so we have to take it on the chin . ''

Brisbane (Australia) (AFP) –
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All Blacks coach Ian Foster said it was too soon to comment on the red card given to his front row forward Ofa Tuungafasi but would like to see the incident again after losing a Tri Nations clash to a resurgent Wallabies on Saturday.
Tuungafasi was sent off in the 23rd minute of the All Blacks' 24-22 defeat when he was adjudged to have hit Australian winger Tom Wright with a shoulder to the head in a high tackle.
The decision seemed harsh, with first contact appearing to be at shoulder height, with referee Nic Berry sending Tuungafasi off after seeing a replay on the big screen.
Australia were also reduced to 14 men later in the half when debutant Lachlan Swinton saw red for a similar dangerous tackle to the head of Sam Whitelock.
Foster said it was too early to comment on the card. "It is what it is right now," Foster said.
"We'll obviously have a look at it. I don't think now is the right time to comment."
All Blacks captain Sam Cane said he thought neither Tuungafasi nor Swinton had been looking to harm their opponents.
"It's a fast moving game and there's big collisions, and every now and then players get it slightly wrong," Cane said.
"I don't think either was malicious -- they were just slightly off."
Swinton's high tackle offence looked more clear cut than Tuungafasi's and Australian coach Dave Rennie had no problems with either of the red cards being shown.
"In the end we've got to deal with the law -- the law says contact with the head starts with a red card," he said.
"I'm happy with both decisions made.
"What we don't want is reckless tackles. All we want is consistency.
"It was hard to argue that once they got a red card ours wasn't as well, so we have to take it on the chin."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-07--Madhevere's half ton guides Zimbabwe to 156-6 in first Twenty20

Zimbabwe 's Wesley Madhevere plays a shot on his way to 70 not out off 48 balls against Pakistan the @ @ @ @ @ Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Wesley Madhevere struck a maiden half-century to lead Zimbabwe to 156-6 in @ @ @ @ @ Rawalpindi on Saturday .
The 20-year-old right-hander struck 48-ball 70 not out with nine boundaries @ @ @ @ @ won the toss and opted to bat at Rawalpindi stadium .
Madhevere , who had @ @ @ @ @ previous two Twenty20 appearances , added 34 runs for the sixth wicket with Elton Chigumbura @ @ @ @ @ with a six and two boundaries .
For Pakistan , pacemen Haris Rauf and Wahab @ @ @ @ @ .
Pakistan gave a Twenty20 international debut to 27-year-old spinner Usman Qadir , son of @ @ @ @ @ who died last year .
The teams will meet again at the same venue on @ @ @ @

Rawalpindi (Pakistan) (AFP) –
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Wesley Madhevere struck a maiden half-century to lead Zimbabwe to 156-6 in the first Twenty20 international in Rawalpindi on Saturday.
The 20-year-old right-hander struck 48-ball 70 not out with nine boundaries and a six after Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat at Rawalpindi stadium.
Madhevere, who had only four runs in his previous two Twenty20 appearances, added 34 runs for the sixth wicket with Elton Chigumbura who made a 13-ball 21 with a six and two boundaries.
For Pakistan, pacemen Haris Rauf and Wahab Riaz took two wickets apiece.
Pakistan gave a Twenty20 international debut to 27-year-old spinner Usman Qadir, son of the great Abdul Qadir, who died last year.
The teams will meet again at the same venue on Sunday and Tuesday.
© 2020 AFP