france24--2020-12-24--'Wonder Woman 1984': moment of truth for pandemic-torn Hollywood

Shareholders , rival studios and movie lovers will be eagerly watching to see how `` Wonder Woman 1984 '' fares Each time she wields her lasso , the stakes are high .
But with the release of `` Wonder Woman 1984 '' on Christmas Day , the world 's biggest female superhero could alter the future of blockbuster movies .
After multiple delays , and with two-thirds of North American theaters closed due to the pandemic , `` Wonder Woman 1984 '' will become the first marquee studio film to hit big screens since `` Tenet '' in September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will premiere simultaneously in homes on the HBO Max streaming service -- part of a broader new strategy that has infuriated A-list stars and filmmakers across Hollywood .
`` It 's a crazy new world ... all hell is breaking loose , '' said director Patty Jenkins , who reunites with star Gal Gadot for the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2017 hit .
`` Everybody does n't know what to do , and everybody 's trying to figure it out , '' she told an online talk hosted by Hollywood trade publication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original 's stunning $ 800 million box office haul have surely been dashed by Covid .
But shareholders , rival studios and movie lovers will be eagerly watching to see how the superhero fares , both on the few big screens still open , and in driving new subscribers to HBO Max , which is currently dwarfed by Netflix and Disney+ .
Intensifying the pressure , parent company AT & T has doubled down since announcing the strategy for `` Wonder Woman 1984 '' by confirming it will follow the same approach for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The Matrix 4 '' and `` Dune . ''
The move drew howls of outrage from big-screen aficionado directors , and stars who are used to taking home a portion of box office profits .
`` Wonder Woman is a very , very high profile title , '' said Paul Dergarabedian , senior analyst at Comscore .
`` All eyes are on this film ... it 's really , really important . ''
The sequel itself leaps forward in time from the World War I trenches of the original to the rampant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woman has spent the interim decades living a solitary life , before events force her to swing from lightning bolts once again to avert an apocalypse .
While the first film built up the Amazonian princess ' origin story , the sequel sees Gadot 's character exploring her struggle to `` help mankind to be better , '' Jenkins told journalists at a virtual press conference .
Like the previous comic book movie , `` 1984 '' also packs in plenty of humor , and adds Cirque du Soleil-inspired fight choreography that relies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than computer tricks .
`` It 's the hardest movie I ever got to shoot , by far , '' said Gadot .
Her superhero is confronted with dual villains : Maxwell Lord , a nefarious tycoon portrayed by Pedro Pascal ( `` The Mandalorian '' ) ; and long-standing comic-book rival Cheetah , played by Kristen Wiig ( `` Bridesmaids . ''
) Since her last outing , Wonder Woman 's blockbuster success for DC Comics has been mirrored by Captain Marvel , played by Brie Larson in the rival Marvel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says she `` did n't have the opportunity to see all of these strong female characters '' growing up , views this trend with pride .
`` We 're females , our bodies are different , the way we move is different , '' she said .
`` And this is how we do it . ''
Whether `` Wonder Woman 1984 '' matches the success of the first film will be tough to judge , at least initially , with streaming statistics notoriously opaque .
Box office opening figures below $ 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debuted last week , including China , were disappointing , though meaningful comparison with pre-pandemic statistics is difficult .
Still , `` Wonder Woman 1984 '' cost some $ 200 million to make .
While admitting her movie was `` made for the large screen , '' Jenkins said the film has already been postponed `` enough times , '' and it felt `` strangely good '' to get it out for audiences by any means .
`` It 's wild , wild times .
I feel like there 's not one thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , '' she said .
`` Every single structure that you tried to rely on is just in crisis and falling apart . ''

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Each time she wields her lasso, the stakes are high. But with the release of "Wonder Woman 1984" on Christmas Day, the world's biggest female superhero could alter the future of blockbuster movies.
After multiple delays, and with two-thirds of North American theaters closed due to the pandemic, "Wonder Woman 1984" will become the first marquee studio film to hit big screens since "Tenet" in September.
In a groundbreaking twist, the sequel will premiere simultaneously in homes on the HBO Max streaming service -- part of a broader new strategy that has infuriated A-list stars and filmmakers across Hollywood.
"It's a crazy new world... all hell is breaking loose," said director Patty Jenkins, who reunites with star Gal Gadot for the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2017 hit.
"Everybody doesn't know what to do, and everybody's trying to figure it out," she told an online talk hosted by Hollywood trade publication Variety.
Any hopes of topping the original's stunning $800 million box office haul have surely been dashed by Covid.
But shareholders, rival studios and movie lovers will be eagerly watching to see how the superhero fares, both on the few big screens still open, and in driving new subscribers to HBO Max, which is currently dwarfed by Netflix and Disney+.
Intensifying the pressure, parent company AT&T has doubled down since announcing the strategy for "Wonder Woman 1984" by confirming it will follow the same approach for all 2021 Warner Bros movies, including "The Matrix 4" and "Dune."
The move drew howls of outrage from big-screen aficionado directors, and stars who are used to taking home a portion of box office profits.
"Wonder Woman is a very, very high profile title," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior analyst at Comscore. "All eyes are on this film... it's really, really important."
- 'We're females' -
The sequel itself leaps forward in time from the World War I trenches of the original to the rampant American capitalism of the 1980s.
Wonder Woman has spent the interim decades living a solitary life, before events force her to swing from lightning bolts once again to avert an apocalypse.
While the first film built up the Amazonian princess' origin story, the sequel sees Gadot's character exploring her struggle to "help mankind to be better," Jenkins told journalists at a virtual press conference.
Like the previous comic book movie, "1984" also packs in plenty of humor, and adds Cirque du Soleil-inspired fight choreography that relies on old-fashioned wire rigs and stunt performers rather than computer tricks.
"It's the hardest movie I ever got to shoot, by far," said Gadot.
Her superhero is confronted with dual villains: Maxwell Lord, a nefarious tycoon portrayed by Pedro Pascal ("The Mandalorian"); and long-standing comic-book rival Cheetah, played by Kristen Wiig ("Bridesmaids.")
Since her last outing, Wonder Woman's blockbuster success for DC Comics has been mirrored by Captain Marvel, played by Brie Larson in the rival Marvel films.
Gadot, 35, who says she "didn't have the opportunity to see all of these strong female characters" growing up, views this trend with pride.
"We're females, our bodies are different, the way we move is different," she said. "And this is how we do it."
- 'Wild, wild times' -
Whether "Wonder Woman 1984" matches the success of the first film will be tough to judge, at least initially, with streaming statistics notoriously opaque.
Box office opening figures below $40 million in overseas territories where the film debuted last week, including China, were disappointing, though meaningful comparison with pre-pandemic statistics is difficult.
Still, "Wonder Woman 1984" cost some $200 million to make.
While admitting her movie was "made for the large screen," Jenkins said the film has already been postponed "enough times," and it felt "strangely good" to get it out for audiences by any means.
"It's wild, wild times. I feel like there's not one thing that will just stay put in this pandemic," she said.
"Every single structure that you tried to rely on is just in crisis and falling apart."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-24--Trump pardons key 2016 campaign allies in fresh round of clemencies

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland , U.S. , December 23 , 2020 .
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday granted full pardons to former campaign manager Paul Manafort and former adviser Roger Stone , sweeping away the most important convictions made under the long-running Russia election probe .
Trump also issued a full pardon for Charles Kushner , a real estate developer and the father of Trump ’ s son-in-law , Jared Kushner .
It was the second wave of pardons Trump has issued in two days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Palm Beach , Florida , for the holiday season , with Jared Kushner on the Air Force One flight with him .
In total , Trump issued on Wednesday full pardons to 26 individuals and commuted part or all of the sentences of an additional three people .
Facing the end of his term on Jan. 20 , Trump has now granted full pardons to four major figures from U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign .
Besides Manafort and Stone , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn and former adviser George Papadopoulos .
The Manhattan district attorney ’ s office , which has been trying to prosecute Manafort in New York for mortgage fraud and other alleged crimes , said it would continue to pursue an appeal for its case , which was dismissed on double jeopardy grounds .
“ This action underscores the urgent need to hold Mr. Manafort accountable for his crimes against the People of New York as alleged in our indictment , and we will continue to pursue our appellate remedies , ” said Danny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Manafort pardon spared the long-time Republican operative from serving the bulk of his 7-1/2-year prison term .
Manafort , 70 , was among the first in Trump ’ s inner circle to face charges brought by Mueller as part of his probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election .
In a statement relayed by his lawyer , Manafort expressed his appreciation to Trump .
“ Mr .
President , my family & I humbly thank you for the Presidential Pardon you bestowed on me .
Words can not fully convey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Stone was convicted in November 2019 by a Washington jury of lying under oath to lawmakers also investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Trump commuted his sentence in July , a day before Stone was due to begin serving a term of three years and four months .
Stone , in a statement , thanked Trump for “ completely erasing the criminal conviction to which I was subjected in a Soviet-style show trial on politically-motivated charges.
” Charles Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evasion , witness tampering and making unlawful campaign donations .
In an unusual twist , the man who prosecuted Charles Kushner was Chris Christie , now the former governor of New Jersey , who also has served as an adviser to Trump .
Christie was quoted by CNN as saying Charles Kushner ’ s case was “ one of the most loathsome , disgusting crimes ” he prosecuted .
During the case , Charles Kushner admitted to smearing his brother-in-law , who had cooperated with prosecutors , by hiring a prostitute to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then sending a secretly recorded video of the encounter to the man ’ s wife , Charles Kushner ’ s own sister .

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday granted full pardons to former campaign manager Paul Manafort and former adviser Roger Stone, sweeping away the most important convictions made under the long-running Russia election probe.
US President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, December 23, 2020.
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Trump also issued a full pardon for Charles Kushner, a real estate developer and the father of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
It was the second wave of pardons Trump has issued in two days. The announcement came just after Trump arrived in Palm Beach, Florida, for the holiday season, with Jared Kushner on the Air Force One flight with him.
In total, Trump issued on Wednesday full pardons to 26 individuals and commuted part or all of the sentences of an additional three people.
Facing the end of his term on Jan. 20, Trump has now granted full pardons to four major figures from U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign.
Besides Manafort and Stone, Trump has pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former adviser George Papadopoulos.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office, which has been trying to prosecute Manafort in New York for mortgage fraud and other alleged crimes, said it would continue to pursue an appeal for its case, which was dismissed on double jeopardy grounds.
“This action underscores the urgent need to hold Mr. Manafort accountable for his crimes against the People of New York as alleged in our indictment, and we will continue to pursue our appellate remedies,” said Danny Frost, spokesman for the office.
The Manafort pardon spared the long-time Republican operative from serving the bulk of his 7-1/2-year prison term.
Manafort, 70, was among the first in Trump’s inner circle to face charges brought by Mueller as part of his probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
In a statement relayed by his lawyer, Manafort expressed his appreciation to Trump.
“Mr. President, my family & I humbly thank you for the Presidential Pardon you bestowed on me. Words cannot fully convey how grateful we are,” he said.
Mr. President, my family & I humbly thank you for the Presidential Pardon you bestowed on me. Words cannot fully convey how grateful we are. — Paul Manafort (@PaulManafort) December 24, 2020
Stone was convicted in November 2019 by a Washington jury of lying under oath to lawmakers also investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Trump commuted his sentence in July, a day before Stone was due to begin serving a term of three years and four months. Stone, in a statement, thanked Trump for “completely erasing the criminal conviction to which I was subjected in a Soviet-style show trial on politically-motivated charges.”
Charles Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making unlawful campaign donations.
In an unusual twist, the man who prosecuted Charles Kushner was Chris Christie, now the former governor of New Jersey, who also has served as an adviser to Trump.
Christie was quoted by CNN as saying Charles Kushner’s case was “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he prosecuted. During the case, Charles Kushner admitted to smearing his brother-in-law, who had cooperated with prosecutors, by hiring a prostitute to have sex with him in a motel room, then sending a secretly recorded video of the encounter to the man’s wife, Charles Kushner’s own sister.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-23--Trump warns Iran over rocket strike on embassy in Iraq

The US embassy in Iraq on January 3 , 2020 , the day Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad .
A volley of rockets exploded near the embassy on December 20 , 2020 , as tensions mount ahead of the anniversary of the killing US President Donald Trump warned Wednesday he would hold `` Iran responsible '' in the event of a fatal attack on Americans in Iraq , as the first anniversary of the killing of a top Iranian general in a US air strike approaches .
`` Our embassy in Baghdad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said on Twitter , referring to an attack that caused damage but no deaths .
`` Guess where they came from : IRAN , '' he added .
`` Now we hear chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq , '' he added , before offering `` some friendly health advice to Iran : if one American is killed , I will hold Iran responsible .
Think it over , '' he said .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had already pointed the finger at Tehran , while the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the rocket attack `` was almost certainly conducted by an Iranian-backed rogue militia group . ''
It said in a statement that while it `` caused no US injuries or casualties , the attack did damage buildings in the US embassy compound , and was clearly NOT intended to avoid casualties . ''
`` The United States will hold Iran accountable for the deaths of any Americans that result from the work of these Iranian-backed rogue militia groups , '' it added .
Iran responded by calling on US authorities on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ordered the drone attack on January 3 , 2020 to kill the powerful Iranian general while he was in Baghdad .
The air strike came after Iranian-backed militias had fired rockets at US targets in Iraq , in a scenario echoed by the latest strikes against the US embassy .
After Soleimani 's killing , the entire region held its breath in anticipation of an uncontrolled escalation which ultimately did not materialize .
But tensions are rising again as the first anniversary of the strike nears and the US leader -- in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sticking to his `` maximum pressure '' approach toward the Iranian regime .
Washington has recently reduced its diplomatic staff in the Iraqi capital amid speculations that it could close the mission altogether .

Washington (AFP) –
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US President Donald Trump warned Wednesday he would hold "Iran responsible" in the event of a fatal attack on Americans in Iraq, as the first anniversary of the killing of a top Iranian general in a US air strike approaches.
"Our embassy in Baghdad got hit Sunday by several rockets," Trump said on Twitter, referring to an attack that caused damage but no deaths.
"Guess where they came from: IRAN," he added.
"Now we hear chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq," he added, before offering "some friendly health advice to Iran: if one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over," he said.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had already pointed the finger at Tehran, while the US military command that covers the region said that the rocket attack "was almost certainly conducted by an Iranian-backed rogue militia group."
It said in a statement that while it "caused no US injuries or casualties, the attack did damage buildings in the US embassy compound, and was clearly NOT intended to avoid casualties."
"The United States will hold Iran accountable for the deaths of any Americans that result from the work of these Iranian-backed rogue militia groups," it added.
Iran responded by calling on US authorities on Monday not to provoke "tensions".
Trump ordered the drone attack on January 3, 2020 to kill the powerful Iranian general while he was in Baghdad. The air strike came after Iranian-backed militias had fired rockets at US targets in Iraq, in a scenario echoed by the latest strikes against the US embassy.
After Soleimani's killing, the entire region held its breath in anticipation of an uncontrolled escalation which ultimately did not materialize.
But tensions are rising again as the first anniversary of the strike nears and the US leader -- in his final weeks in office -- is sticking to his "maximum pressure" approach toward the Iranian regime.
Washington has recently reduced its diplomatic staff in the Iraqi capital amid speculations that it could close the mission altogether.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Trump vetoes US military spending bill, setting up likely showdown with Congress

US President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One prior to departure from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland , December 23 , 2020 , as they travel to Mar-a-lago for Christmas and New Year 's .
President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed the annual defense policy bill , following through on threats to veto a measure that has broad bipartisan support in Congress and potentially setting up the first override vote of his presidency .
The bill affirms 3 % pay raises for U.S. troops and authorizes more than $ 740 billion in military programs and construction .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the White House , stewing about his election loss and escalating his standoff with Republicans as he pushed fraudulent conspiracy theories and tried to pressure them to back his efforts to overturn the results .
The House was poised to return Monday , and the Senate on Tuesday , to consider votes to override the president ’ s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act , or NDAA .
Trump ’ s move provoked swift condemnation , with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling it “ an act of staggering recklessness that harms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermines the will of the bipartisan Congress.
” Sen. Jim Inhofe , R-Okla. , chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee , avoided any criticism of Trump , but called the NDAA “ absolutely vital to our national security and our troops .
... Our men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform shouldn ’ t be denied what they need — ever.
” Long before issuing the veto , Trump offered a series of rationales for rejecting it .
He has called for lawmakers to include limits on social media companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to strip out language that allows for the renaming of military bases such as Fort Benning and Fort Hood that honor Confederate leaders .
Without going into detail , he has claimed the biggest winner from the defense bill would be China .
In his veto message to the House , Trump cited those objections and stated that the measure “ fails to include critical national security measures , includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military ’ s history , and contradicts efforts by my Administration to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign policy actions .
It is a ‘ gift ’ to China and Russia.
” He also wrote : “ Numerous provisions of the Act directly contradict my Administration ’ s foreign policy , particularly my efforts to bring our troops home .
Both the House and Senate passed the measure by margins large enough to override a veto from the president .
Trump had vetoed eight bills previously , but those vetoes were sustained because supporters did not gain the two-thirds vote needed in each chamber for the bill to become law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Warner , D-Va. , called Trump ’ s veto “ unconscionable ” and said he would “ look forward to overriding ” it .
In advance of the veto , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has said the bill would help deter Chinese aggression .
Other GOP backers of the measure , including Sen. John Thune of South Dakota , the second-ranking Senate leader , and Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin , a member of the House Armed Services Committee , have tweeted that the bill would counter threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jack Reed of Rhode Island , the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee , said Trump ’ s declaration that China was the biggest winner in the defense bill was false .
Reed also noted the shifting explanations Trump had given for the veto .
“ President Trump clearly hasn ’ t read the bill , nor does he understand what ’ s in it , ” Reed said .
“ There are several bipartisan provisions in here that get tougher on China than the Trump Administration has ever been.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about troop levels , new weapons systems and military readiness , military personnel policy and other military goals .
Many programs can only go into effect if the bill is approved , including military construction .
McConnell , in a rare break with Trump , had urged passage despite Trump ’ s threat to veto it .
McConnell said it was important for Congress to continue its nearly six-decade-long streak of passing the defense policy bill .

President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed the annual defense policy bill, following through on threats to veto a measure that has broad bipartisan support in Congress and potentially setting up the first override vote of his presidency.
US President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One prior to departure from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, December 23, 2020, as they travel to Mar-a-lago for Christmas and New Year's.
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The bill affirms 3% pay raises for U.S. troops and authorizes more than $740 billion in military programs and construction.
The action came while Trump was holed up at the White House, stewing about his election loss and escalating his standoff with Republicans as he pushed fraudulent conspiracy theories and tried to pressure them to back his efforts to overturn the results.
The House was poised to return Monday, and the Senate on Tuesday, to consider votes to override the president’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA.
Trump’s move provoked swift condemnation, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling it “an act of staggering recklessness that harms our troops, endangers our security and undermines the will of the bipartisan Congress.”
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, avoided any criticism of Trump, but called the NDAA “absolutely vital to our national security and our troops. ... Our men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform shouldn’t be denied what they need — ever.”
Long before issuing the veto, Trump offered a series of rationales for rejecting it. He has called for lawmakers to include limits on social media companies he claimed are biased against him — and to strip out language that allows for the renaming of military bases such as Fort Benning and Fort Hood that honor Confederate leaders. Without going into detail, he has claimed the biggest winner from the defense bill would be China.
In his veto message to the House, Trump cited those objections and stated that the measure “fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military’s history, and contradicts efforts by my Administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions. It is a ‘gift’ to China and Russia.”
He also wrote: “Numerous provisions of the Act directly contradict my Administration’s foreign policy, particularly my efforts to bring our troops home.
Both the House and Senate passed the measure by margins large enough to override a veto from the president. Trump had vetoed eight bills previously, but those vetoes were sustained because supporters did not gain the two-thirds vote needed in each chamber for the bill to become law without Trump’s signature.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., called Trump’s veto “unconscionable” and said he would “look forward to overriding” it.
In advance of the veto, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said the bill would help deter Chinese aggression. Other GOP backers of the measure, including Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranking Senate leader, and Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, have tweeted that the bill would counter threats from countries such as China.
Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said Trump’s declaration that China was the biggest winner in the defense bill was false. Reed also noted the shifting explanations Trump had given for the veto.
“President Trump clearly hasn’t read the bill, nor does he understand what’s in it,” Reed said. “There are several bipartisan provisions in here that get tougher on China than the Trump Administration has ever been.”
The measure guides Pentagon policy and cements decisions about troop levels, new weapons systems and military readiness, military personnel policy and other military goals. Many programs can only go into effect if the bill is approved, including military construction.
McConnell, in a rare break with Trump, had urged passage despite Trump’s threat to veto it. McConnell said it was important for Congress to continue its nearly six-decade-long streak of passing the defense policy bill.
(AP)
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france24--2020-12-23--SANZAAR boss Marinos named new Rugby Australia chief

SANZAAR boss Andy Marinos has been appointed chief executive of Rugby Australia and said he plans to hit the ground running with a busy domestic calendar looming .
The Zimbabwe-born 48-year-old takes over from Rob Clarke , who stepped in on an interim basis in May after the acrimonious departure of Raelene Castle , who left amid internal divisions and a financial crisis .
Former ACT Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels chief Clarke steadied the ship and steered rugby through the coronavirus crisis , but was adamant he was only in the job temporarily .
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong global network , commercial and broadcast experience and proven connections within the Australian game .
`` Andy has an exciting vision for rugby in Australia , and he knows what needs to be done to continue the code 's success into 2021 and beyond , '' said McLennan in a statement .
`` Rob stepped into the role on short notice and has done an incredible job in re-structuring rugby to be set up for future success . ''
Marinos will take over in February after five years running the southern hemisphere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he represented Wales eight times and previously worked with both the Wales and South Africa rugby boards .
`` We need to hit the ground running and build momentum from the start so we can continue to move forward with deliberate intent , as we look to reignite the game from the bottom up , '' said Marinos .
He will barely have his feet under the table before the domestic Super Rugby AU season starts on February 19 ahead of a trans-Tasman competition in May .

Sydney (AFP) –
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SANZAAR boss Andy Marinos has been appointed chief executive of Rugby Australia and said he plans to hit the ground running with a busy domestic calendar looming.
The Zimbabwe-born 48-year-old takes over from Rob Clarke, who stepped in on an interim basis in May after the acrimonious departure of Raelene Castle, who left amid internal divisions and a financial crisis.
Former ACT Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels chief Clarke steadied the ship and steered rugby through the coronavirus crisis, but was adamant he was only in the job temporarily.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said Marinos was the standout candidate with a strong global network, commercial and broadcast experience and proven connections within the Australian game.
"Andy has an exciting vision for rugby in Australia, and he knows what needs to be done to continue the code's success into 2021 and beyond," said McLennan in a statement.
"Rob stepped into the role on short notice and has done an incredible job in re-structuring rugby to be set up for future success."
Marinos will take over in February after five years running the southern hemisphere governing body SANZAAR.
A former player, he represented Wales eight times and previously worked with both the Wales and South Africa rugby boards.
"We need to hit the ground running and build momentum from the start so we can continue to move forward with deliberate intent, as we look to reignite the game from the bottom up," said Marinos.
He will barely have his feet under the table before the domestic Super Rugby AU season starts on February 19 ahead of a trans-Tasman competition in May.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Rockets game postponed as Covid bites NBA on second day of season

The Houston Rockets ' NBA season-opener against Oklahoma City was postponed because coronavirus precautions left them short of the eight available players Covid-19 precautions forced the first postponement of the NBA season on just the second day of action Wednesday as the Houston Rockets ' home game against Oklahoma City was called off .
The league said three Rockets players had returned coronavirus tests that were either positive or inconclusive .
Four other Rockets players had also been quarantined due to contact tracing measures and star James Harden was ruled out after a protocol violation .
With one injured player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the required eight players available for the game .
`` The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center has been postponed in accordance with the league ’ s Health and Safety Protocols , '' the NBA said in a statement .
The postponement was the last thing the league was hoping for on the second day of the season when a full slate of 13 games were scheduled .
ESPN reported Wednesday that the league were investigating Harden for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media that apparently showed him at a club without wearing a mask .
Harden -- who was a late arrival at training camp and has been at the center of reports that he has demanded a trade -- issued a statement on Instagram , denying the video shows him at a strip club but acknowledging he was at an event .
`` One thing after another , '' Harden wrote .
`` I went to show love to my homegirl at her event ( not a strip club ) because she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in position of success and now it 's a problem .
`` Everyday it 's something different .
No matter how many times people try to drag my name under you ca n't . ''
Apparently , however , the league 's investigation found he had violated rules prohibiting players from attending gatherings of more than 15 people .
The Rockets had noted in their official injury report that rookie Kenyon Martin Jr. was in `` self-isolation '' after a coronavirus test .
ESPN and The Athletic website had reported that Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday night at a player 's apartment to receive haircuts and that point guard John Wall and center DeMarcus Cousins could be ruled out because of contract tracing protocols .
The Rockets had already recorded another positive coronavirus test , that of backup guard Ben McLemore .
`` Three Houston Rockets players have returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive for coronavirus under the NBA 's testing program , '' the league said in a statement .
`` Following the contact tracing protocol , four other players are quarantined at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unavailable due to a violation of the Health and Safety Protocols .
`` Houston has one additional player who is unavailable due to injury .
As such , the Rockets do not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with tonight 's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder . ''
The league said all other Rockets players were tested again on Wednesday and returned negative results .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Covid-19 precautions forced the first postponement of the NBA season on just the second day of action Wednesday as the Houston Rockets' home game against Oklahoma City was called off.
The league said three Rockets players had returned coronavirus tests that were either positive or inconclusive.
Four other Rockets players had also been quarantined due to contact tracing measures and star James Harden was ruled out after a protocol violation. With one injured player as well, the Rockets did not have the required eight players available for the game.
"The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols," the NBA said in a statement.
The postponement was the last thing the league was hoping for on the second day of the season when a full slate of 13 games were scheduled.
ESPN reported Wednesday that the league were investigating Harden for a possible violation of protocols after video surfaced on social media that apparently showed him at a club without wearing a mask.
Harden -- who was a late arrival at training camp and has been at the center of reports that he has demanded a trade -- issued a statement on Instagram, denying the video shows him at a strip club but acknowledging he was at an event.
"One thing after another," Harden wrote. "I went to show love to my homegirl at her event (not a strip club) because she is becoming a boss and putting her people in position of success and now it's a problem.
"Everyday it's something different. No matter how many times people try to drag my name under you can't."
Apparently, however, the league's investigation found he had violated rules prohibiting players from attending gatherings of more than 15 people.
The Rockets had noted in their official injury report that rookie Kenyon Martin Jr. was in "self-isolation" after a coronavirus test.
ESPN and The Athletic website had reported that Martin was among a group of players gathered on Tuesday night at a player's apartment to receive haircuts and that point guard John Wall and center DeMarcus Cousins could be ruled out because of contract tracing protocols.
The Rockets had already recorded another positive coronavirus test, that of backup guard Ben McLemore.
"Three Houston Rockets players have returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive for coronavirus under the NBA's testing program," the league said in a statement.
"Following the contact tracing protocol, four other players are quarantined at this time. Additionally, James Harden is unavailable due to a violation of the Health and Safety Protocols.
"Houston has one additional player who is unavailable due to injury. As such, the Rockets do not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with tonight's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder."
The league said all other Rockets players were tested again on Wednesday and returned negative results.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Hernandez strikes late to keep AC Milan ahead of Inter in Serie A

AC Milan 's Italian coach Pioli ( 2ndL ) celebrates with his players after holding onto top spot in Serie A Theo Hernandez nodded in a late winner to keep AC Milan top of Serie A heading into the winter break with a 3-2 victory over Lazio on Wednesday .
Milan are one point ahead of city rivals Inter who earlier extended their winning run to seven games with a 2-1 success over Hellas Verona .
Lazio had come from two goals down thanks to Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile but French defender Hernandez headed in his third goal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seal all three points .
Milan shook off the continued absence of injured star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to continue their unbeaten run which goes back to last March as they target a first Serie A title since 2011 .
The two Milan clubs have surged ahead of their rivals , with Roma moving up to third , six points behind Inter , after a 3-2 win over Cagliari .
`` The key thing now is stay around the top of the table , '' said Inter coach Antonio Conte .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're focusing on ourselves and doing the best we can .
`` It 's a seventh consecutive league win , that has to build morale and confidence . ''
Napoli dropped from third to fifth , two points behind Roma , despite Lorenzo Insigne scoring late to rescue a 1-1 draw at home with rock-bottom Torino .
Reigning champions Juventus are sixth -- 10 points adrift of top spot -- after crashing to their first Serie A defeat of the season , 3-0 at home against Fiorentina on Tuesday .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because many teams have strengthened and want to have their say , '' added Conte , as the Milan clubs try to deny Juventus a 10th consecutive Scudetto .
Sassuolo moved up fourth with a 3-2 win over Sampdoria as seventh-placed Atalanta were held 2-2 at Bologna .
At the San Siro , Ante Rebic headed in the opener for Milan from a Hakan Calhanoglu corner on 10 minutes , with the Turkish midfielder adding a second from the penalty spot seven minutes later .
Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved an Immobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebound .
But Lazio 's top scorer grabbed the equaliser before the hour mark , finishing off a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic cross for his ninth league goal of the campaign , only for Hernandez to have the final say .
In Verona , Inter extended their winning run as they target a first Scudetto since 2010 with their European hopes now over .
Lautaro Martinez broke through in the 52nd minute , connecting with an Achraf Hakimi cross to volley in his sixth goal this season and first since November 8 .
On-loan Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level on 63 minutes after Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic let a Davide Faraoni cross slip , with Milan Skriniar failing to stop the Serb tapping in his first Verona goal .
But Slovak Skriniar made up for his error six minutes later , getting his head to a Marcelo Brozovic cross to beat Verona 'keeper Marco Silvestri .
`` We showed great ruthlessness and determination , '' said Conte .
`` Now , they all need to make the most of this break to rest a bit because nobody has had any time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unplug for a few days and then be even readier to go again . ''
Inter equalled their best goalscoring start to a season since 1960/1961 , when they also scored 34 goals after 14 games .
In Rome , Jordan Veretout scored the opener on 11 minutes , with Edin Dzeko also on target in the second half before Gianluca Mancini 's header proved decisive with 13 minutes remaining .
Joao Pedro scored both Cagliari goals , the second from the penalty spot in injury time .
New Genoa coach Davide Ballardini @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2-1 at promoted Spezia , for just their second victory of the season and first since September 20 .

Milan (AFP) –
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Theo Hernandez nodded in a late winner to keep AC Milan top of Serie A heading into the winter break with a 3-2 victory over Lazio on Wednesday.
Milan are one point ahead of city rivals Inter who earlier extended their winning run to seven games with a 2-1 success over Hellas Verona.
Lazio had come from two goals down thanks to Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile but French defender Hernandez headed in his third goal in as many games in injury time to seal all three points.
Milan shook off the continued absence of injured star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to continue their unbeaten run which goes back to last March as they target a first Serie A title since 2011.
The two Milan clubs have surged ahead of their rivals, with Roma moving up to third, six points behind Inter, after a 3-2 win over Cagliari.
"The key thing now is stay around the top of the table," said Inter coach Antonio Conte.
"We have to keep going down this road. We're focusing on ourselves and doing the best we can.
"It's a seventh consecutive league win, that has to build morale and confidence."
Napoli dropped from third to fifth, two points behind Roma, despite Lorenzo Insigne scoring late to rescue a 1-1 draw at home with rock-bottom Torino.
Reigning champions Juventus are sixth -- 10 points adrift of top spot -- after crashing to their first Serie A defeat of the season, 3-0 at home against Fiorentina on Tuesday.
"It'll certainly be a more even league, because many teams have strengthened and want to have their say," added Conte, as the Milan clubs try to deny Juventus a 10th consecutive Scudetto.
Sassuolo moved up fourth with a 3-2 win over Sampdoria as seventh-placed Atalanta were held 2-2 at Bologna.
At the San Siro, Ante Rebic headed in the opener for Milan from a Hakan Calhanoglu corner on 10 minutes, with the Turkish midfielder adding a second from the penalty spot seven minutes later.
Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved an Immobile penalty but Luis Alberto headed in the rebound.
But Lazio's top scorer grabbed the equaliser before the hour mark, finishing off a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic cross for his ninth league goal of the campaign, only for Hernandez to have the final say.
- Martinez strikes for Inter -
In Verona, Inter extended their winning run as they target a first Scudetto since 2010 with their European hopes now over.
Lautaro Martinez broke through in the 52nd minute, connecting with an Achraf Hakimi cross to volley in his sixth goal this season and first since November 8.
On-loan Manchester City midfielder Ivan Ilic pulled the hosts level on 63 minutes after Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic let a Davide Faraoni cross slip, with Milan Skriniar failing to stop the Serb tapping in his first Verona goal.
But Slovak Skriniar made up for his error six minutes later, getting his head to a Marcelo Brozovic cross to beat Verona 'keeper Marco Silvestri.
"We showed great ruthlessness and determination," said Conte.
"Now, they all need to make the most of this break to rest a bit because nobody has had any time off this year. They need to unplug for a few days and then be even readier to go again."
Inter equalled their best goalscoring start to a season since 1960/1961, when they also scored 34 goals after 14 games.
In Rome, Jordan Veretout scored the opener on 11 minutes, with Edin Dzeko also on target in the second half before Gianluca Mancini's header proved decisive with 13 minutes remaining.
Joao Pedro scored both Cagliari goals, the second from the penalty spot in injury time.
New Genoa coach Davide Ballardini got off to a winning start, 2-1 at promoted Spezia, for just their second victory of the season and first since September 20.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Lyon end year top of Ligue 1 as Lille, PSG stay within a point

Ekambi ( C ) put Lyon in front in the fourth minute Lyon cruised past Nantes 3-0 on Wednesday to take top spot in Ligue 1 heading into the winter break from Lille , despite Burak Yilmaz 's late strike earning the previous leaders victory at Montpellier .
Rudi Garcia 's Lyon lead Lille on goal difference , by just one goal , with reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain one point further adrift after thrashing Strasbourg 4-0 at the Parc des Princes .
OL usurped Lille at the summit after a ruthless first-half display against managerless Nantes .
Karl Toko Ekambi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth minute at Groupama Stadium and in-form Zimbabwe striker Tino Kadewere netted his seventh goal of the season seven minutes before the interval .
There was still time for former AC Milan midfielder Lucas Paqueta to put the result beyond any doubt on the stroke of half-time with the goal that put Lyon above Lille .
In the capital , PSG coach Thomas Tuchel made five changes from the side which drew 0-0 with Lille at the weekend , with Kylian Mbappe fit to start after recovering from a muscle injury .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mbappe having a penalty appeal waved away , before teenage defender Timothee Pembele pounced in the 18th minute to score his first Ligue 1 goal after Angel Di Maria 's shot was saved .
The home side failed to turn their possession into a two-goal lead before half-time , though , as Rafinha had an effort well saved by Strasbourg goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima .
Mbappe wasted a golden chance to double the advantage just after the hour mark , but blazed over the crossbar .
The World Cup winner did get his 14th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute , though , scoring from Di Maria 's assist to finally secure the three points .
Paris added two more late on , with Idrissa Gueye scoring in the 89th minute and Moise Kean , on as a substitute for Mbappe , netting in injury time .
- Yilmaz keeps Lille in top two - Lille had looked set to drop to third before Yilmaz rescued two points .
Timothy Weah , the son of former Ballon d'Or winner George Weah , gave Lille a first-half lead with his third goal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gaetan Laborde in the 57th minute .
Jonathan Ikone 's penalty put the visitors back in front , but Montpellier hit back again as Andy Delort struck 20 minutes from time .
Lille refused to be beaten , though , and Turkish international Yilmaz came off the bench to grab an 86th-minute winner .
The 35-year-old striker has now scored seven league goals since signing from Besiktas in the close season and is proving crucial to Lille 's challenge .
Fifth-placed Marseille fell eight points off the pace , albeit with two games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended to three matches with a 2-1 defeat at Angers .
Earlier , Rennes moved into fourth place by extending their winning streak to four matches , as Clement Grenier scored the only goal in a 1-0 success over Metz .

Paris (AFP) –
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Lyon cruised past Nantes 3-0 on Wednesday to take top spot in Ligue 1 heading into the winter break from Lille, despite Burak Yilmaz's late strike earning the previous leaders victory at Montpellier.
Rudi Garcia's Lyon lead Lille on goal difference, by just one goal, with reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain one point further adrift after thrashing Strasbourg 4-0 at the Parc des Princes.
OL usurped Lille at the summit after a ruthless first-half display against managerless Nantes.
Karl Toko Ekambi put the hosts on their way in the fourth minute at Groupama Stadium and in-form Zimbabwe striker Tino Kadewere netted his seventh goal of the season seven minutes before the interval.
There was still time for former AC Milan midfielder Lucas Paqueta to put the result beyond any doubt on the stroke of half-time with the goal that put Lyon above Lille.
In the capital, PSG coach Thomas Tuchel made five changes from the side which drew 0-0 with Lille at the weekend, with Kylian Mbappe fit to start after recovering from a muscle injury.
PSG dominated the early stages, with Mbappe having a penalty appeal waved away, before teenage defender Timothee Pembele pounced in the 18th minute to score his first Ligue 1 goal after Angel Di Maria's shot was saved.
The home side failed to turn their possession into a two-goal lead before half-time, though, as Rafinha had an effort well saved by Strasbourg goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
Mbappe wasted a golden chance to double the advantage just after the hour mark, but blazed over the crossbar.
The World Cup winner did get his 14th goal of the campaign in the 80th minute, though, scoring from Di Maria's assist to finally secure the three points.
Paris added two more late on, with Idrissa Gueye scoring in the 89th minute and Moise Kean, on as a substitute for Mbappe, netting in injury time.
- Yilmaz keeps Lille in top two -
Lille had looked set to drop to third before Yilmaz rescued two points.
Timothy Weah, the son of former Ballon d'Or winner George Weah, gave Lille a first-half lead with his third goal in five games, but Montpellier levelled through Gaetan Laborde in the 57th minute.
Jonathan Ikone's penalty put the visitors back in front, but Montpellier hit back again as Andy Delort struck 20 minutes from time.
Lille refused to be beaten, though, and Turkish international Yilmaz came off the bench to grab an 86th-minute winner.
The 35-year-old striker has now scored seven league goals since signing from Besiktas in the close season and is proving crucial to Lille's challenge.
Fifth-placed Marseille fell eight points off the pace, albeit with two games in hand, as their winless streak extended to three matches with a 2-1 defeat at Angers.
Earlier, Rennes moved into fourth place by extending their winning streak to four matches, as Clement Grenier scored the only goal in a 1-0 success over Metz.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Lightning lose Stanley Cup hero Kucherov for NHL season

After helping Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup , Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov will miss the 2020-21 NHL regular season with a hip injury Nikita Kucherov , who led the 2020 NHL playoffs in scoring in helping the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup crown , will miss the regular season with a hip injury , the team said Wednesday .
The Lightning said Kucherov will have surgery next week , and he could be able to return for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs after the shortened regular season concludes on May 8 .
`` Our hope , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the expected timeline of recovery for this type of surgery , is that he would be ready for the playoffs , '' Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said .
Kucherov played through a groin injury as he led the NHL with 34 points ( seven goals , 27 assists ) in 25 post-season games to help Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup in the pandemic-disrupted season .
`` No one loves playing hockey more than Nikita Kucherov .
I know how much it pains him that he will be missing the regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's going to work to get back as soon as possible . ''
The news came on the same day that the NHL released the upcoming regular season schedule -- which will open on January 13 with five games .
That includes the Lightning raising their second Stanley Cup banner before hosting the Chicago Blackhawks .
The other four games on the first night include the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Philadelphia Flyers , the Montreal Canadiens at the Toronto Maple Leafs , the Vancouver Canucks at the Edmonton Oilers and the St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each team will play 56 games -- down from the usual 80 games -- as the NHL like other sports aims to get back on track after the coronavirus-disrupted 2019-20 season even as the virus remains rampant in the United States .
The shortened regular season is to be followed by a traditional format post-season with four rounds of seven-game series .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Nikita Kucherov, who led the 2020 NHL playoffs in scoring in helping the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup crown, will miss the regular season with a hip injury, the team said Wednesday.
The Lightning said Kucherov will have surgery next week, and he could be able to return for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs after the shortened regular season concludes on May 8.
"Our hope, and it's a realistic hope, based on the expected timeline of recovery for this type of surgery, is that he would be ready for the playoffs," Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said.
Kucherov played through a groin injury as he led the NHL with 34 points (seven goals, 27 assists) in 25 post-season games to help Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup in the pandemic-disrupted season.
"No one loves playing hockey more than Nikita Kucherov. I know how much it pains him that he will be missing the regular season. I also know how hard he's going to work to get back as soon as possible."
The news came on the same day that the NHL released the upcoming regular season schedule -- which will open on January 13 with five games.
That includes the Lightning raising their second Stanley Cup banner before hosting the Chicago Blackhawks.
The other four games on the first night include the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Philadelphia Flyers, the Montreal Canadiens at the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Vancouver Canucks at the Edmonton Oilers and the St. Louis Blues at the Colorado Avalanche.
Each team will play 56 games -- down from the usual 80 games -- as the NHL like other sports aims to get back on track after the coronavirus-disrupted 2019-20 season even as the virus remains rampant in the United States.
The shortened regular season is to be followed by a traditional format post-season with four rounds of seven-game series.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Man Utd and Spurs move into League Cup semis

Manchester United left it late to book their place in the League Cup semi-finals with a dramatic 2-0 win at Everton , while Tottenham joined them in the last four after beating Stoke 3-1 on Wednesday .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side dominated for long periods of their quarter-final at Goodison Park , but it took until the 88th minute before Edinson Cavani broke the deadlock .
The former Paris Saint-Germain striker 's fourth goal for United since joining on a free transfer in October came at the same venue where he opened his account for the club last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about Solskjaer 's future following their exit from the Champions League , United have recovered their equilibrium .
They are third in the Premier League and have won their last three matches in all competitions .
United last lifted silverware when they won the Europa League in 2017 and Solskjaer says they are `` desperate '' to end that barren run .
The Norwegian , who won nine major trophies as a player with United , took charge at Old Trafford in 2018 and saw his side lose in three semi-finals last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go one better this season after United joined holders Manchester City , Tottenham and second-tier Brentford in the League Cup semi-finals .
Everton made only three changes from the 2-1 win over Arsenal , with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison both starting in attack .
In contrast , Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes were the only United players to retain their places after the 6-2 rout of Leeds at the weekend , with Paul Pogba returning to the starting line-up .
But it was United who dominated and Robin Olsen kept out Cavani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ header clipped the far post .
Solskjaer sent on Marcus Rashford and Martial in the second half and it proved an inspired move .
With just two minutes left before a penalty shoot-out , Martial slipped a pass to Cavani , who drove a superb strike past Olsen from the edge of the area .
Martial then slotted home with virtually the last kick after Everton were caught throwing too many players forward .
Jose Mourinho accused Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli of creating `` problems '' for his own team during their win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most of a rare start to put Mourinho 's team ahead at the Bet365 Stadium .
But Alli was at fault when his flamboyant flick was intercepted in the build-up to Jordan Thompson 's equaliser for Stoke .
Alli 's latest mistake drew an angry response on the touchline from Mourinho , who rebuked the star before substituting him minutes later .
Ben Davies put Tottenham back in front with his first goal since 2017 before England captain Harry Kane sealed Spurs ' place in the semi-finals .
But it was Alli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the England international 's wretched season hitting a new low in his first start since November 26 .
Already exiled for long periods this term by Mourinho and linked with a January move to Paris Saint-Germain , Alli is a shadow of the player who shone during England 's run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals .
Mourinho made it clear the 24-year-old had to take the blame for his latest blunder .
`` Yes , for me a player that plays in that position is a player that has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems for his own team , '' said Mourinho .
`` In that situation , an objective counter-attack would probably end with a goal , and it ended with a counter-attack behind our defenders .
`` We were unbalanced because when you are in possession you have full-backs out wide and another midfielder in a different line and they caught us in a counter-attack and they transformed the result of the game that was totally in our hands .
So yes I am upset . ''

London (AFP) –
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Manchester United left it late to book their place in the League Cup semi-finals with a dramatic 2-0 win at Everton, while Tottenham joined them in the last four after beating Stoke 3-1 on Wednesday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side dominated for long periods of their quarter-final at Goodison Park, but it took until the 88th minute before Edinson Cavani broke the deadlock.
The former Paris Saint-Germain striker's fourth goal for United since joining on a free transfer in October came at the same venue where he opened his account for the club last month.
Anthony Martial bagged United's second goal in stoppage time.
After a rocky period that raised questions about Solskjaer's future following their exit from the Champions League, United have recovered their equilibrium.
They are third in the Premier League and have won their last three matches in all competitions.
United last lifted silverware when they won the Europa League in 2017 and Solskjaer says they are "desperate" to end that barren run.
The Norwegian, who won nine major trophies as a player with United, took charge at Old Trafford in 2018 and saw his side lose in three semi-finals last term.
He now has a chance to go one better this season after United joined holders Manchester City, Tottenham and second-tier Brentford in the League Cup semi-finals.
Everton made only three changes from the 2-1 win over Arsenal, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison both starting in attack.
In contrast, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes were the only United players to retain their places after the 6-2 rout of Leeds at the weekend, with Paul Pogba returning to the starting line-up.
But it was United who dominated and Robin Olsen kept out Cavani's close-range effort before Mason Greenwood's header clipped the far post.
Solskjaer sent on Marcus Rashford and Martial in the second half and it proved an inspired move.
With just two minutes left before a penalty shoot-out, Martial slipped a pass to Cavani, who drove a superb strike past Olsen from the edge of the area.
Martial then slotted home with virtually the last kick after Everton were caught throwing too many players forward.
- Alli blasted -
Jose Mourinho accused Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli of creating "problems" for his own team during their win against Stoke
Wales forward Gareth Bale made the most of a rare start to put Mourinho's team ahead at the Bet365 Stadium.
But Alli was at fault when his flamboyant flick was intercepted in the build-up to Jordan Thompson's equaliser for Stoke.
Alli's latest mistake drew an angry response on the touchline from Mourinho, who rebuked the star before substituting him minutes later.
Ben Davies put Tottenham back in front with his first goal since 2017 before England captain Harry Kane sealed Spurs' place in the semi-finals.
But it was Alli's public dressing-down that took the spotlight, with the England international's wretched season hitting a new low in his first start since November 26.
Already exiled for long periods this term by Mourinho and linked with a January move to Paris Saint-Germain, Alli is a shadow of the player who shone during England's run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
Mourinho made it clear the 24-year-old had to take the blame for his latest blunder.
"Yes, for me a player that plays in that position is a player that has to link and create and not to create problems for his own team," said Mourinho.
"In that situation, an objective counter-attack would probably end with a goal, and it ended with a counter-attack behind our defenders.
"We were unbalanced because when you are in possession you have full-backs out wide and another midfielder in a different line and they caught us in a counter-attack and they transformed the result of the game that was totally in our hands. So yes I am upset."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Covid-hit Wolfsburg crush minnows in German Cup

Wout Weghorst , pictured on December 11 , scored two goals as Wolfsburg moved into the third round of the German Cup Dutch striker Wout Weghorst scored twice as Wolfsburg thrashed second-tier minnows Sandhausen 4-0 in the second round of the German Cup Wednesday , despite losing numerous players to COVID-19 in recent days .
With four players having tested positive for coronavirus in the last week and another three self-isolating , Wolfsburg were forced to list two reserve goalkeepers , Lino Kasten and Niklas Klinger , as outfield substitutes .
Yet the top-flight side cruised to victory thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Weghorst , who has now scored 11 goals in his last 11 games .
“ My players showed from the first minute that they weren ’ t going to worry about the difficult conditions and the absentees , ” said Wolfsburg coach Oliver Glasner .
Bundesliga side Werder Bremen also waltzed to a victory over second-tier opposition , with USA international Joshua Sargent helping them to a 3-0 win over Hanover .
Sargent scored his second cup goal of the season after Theodor Gebre Selassie gave Bremen the lead , before Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manuel Mbom to seal the win in the second half .
Elsewhere , a first-half goal from Sasa Kalajdzic saw Stuttgart to a 1-0 win over south-western neighbours Freiburg , while second-division side Bochum scored a late equaliser to take top-flight crisis club Mainz into extra time .
In-form Rot-Weiss Essen are now the last fourth-tier side left in the draw after they stunned second-division local rivals Fortuna Duesseldorf 3-2 .

Berlin (AFP) –
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Dutch striker Wout Weghorst scored twice as Wolfsburg thrashed second-tier minnows Sandhausen 4-0 in the second round of the German Cup Wednesday, despite losing numerous players to COVID-19 in recent days.
With four players having tested positive for coronavirus in the last week and another three self-isolating, Wolfsburg were forced to list two reserve goalkeepers, Lino Kasten and Niklas Klinger, as outfield substitutes.
Yet the top-flight side cruised to victory thanks to goals from Yannick Gerhardt, Joao Victor and Weghorst, who has now scored 11 goals in his last 11 games.
“My players showed from the first minute that they weren’t going to worry about the difficult conditions and the absentees,” said Wolfsburg coach Oliver Glasner.
Bundesliga side Werder Bremen also waltzed to a victory over second-tier opposition, with USA international Joshua Sargent helping them to a 3-0 win over Hanover.
Sargent scored his second cup goal of the season after Theodor Gebre Selassie gave Bremen the lead, before Manchester United loanee Tahith Chong set up Jean Manuel Mbom to seal the win in the second half.
Elsewhere, a first-half goal from Sasa Kalajdzic saw Stuttgart to a 1-0 win over south-western neighbours Freiburg, while second-division side Bochum scored a late equaliser to take top-flight crisis club Mainz into extra time.
In-form Rot-Weiss Essen are now the last fourth-tier side left in the draw after they stunned second-division local rivals Fortuna Duesseldorf 3-2.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--One million Americans vaccinated against Covid-19: official

Nurse and Army Veteran Renee Langone speaks to to US Air Force ( active duty reservist ) Doctor Pei-Chun McGregor before she administers the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at the West Roxbury VA Medical Center in Boston More than a million people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in the United States , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) director Robert Redfield said Wednesday .
`` The United States achieved an early but important milestone today -- jurisdictions have now reported that more than one million people have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Redfield .
In a call with reporters , Moncef Slaoui , chief advisor of the government 's Operation Warp Speed , said that the objective of immunizing 20 million people this month was `` unlikely to be met . ''
But he said the US was still aiming for 100 million people immunized by the end of the first quarter of 2021 , and another 100 million by the second quarter .
Three million doses were delivered last week across the United States , with the first authorized vaccine , developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 14 .
This week , the target was to distribute six million vaccine doses by Moderna this week and another two million of Pfizer 's .
The US is the world 's hardest-hit country and is in the middle of an extreme winter surge .
More than 320,000 people have succumbed to the virus , and it will likely be the leading cause of death in 2020 behind heart disease and cancer .
Residents of long-term care facilities and health care workers were at the front of the line , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged over-75 and critical workers .

Washington (AFP) –
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More than a million people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in the United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Robert Redfield said Wednesday.
"The United States achieved an early but important milestone today -- jurisdictions have now reported that more than one million people have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine since administration began 10 days ago," said Redfield.
In a call with reporters, Moncef Slaoui, chief advisor of the government's Operation Warp Speed, said that the objective of immunizing 20 million people this month was "unlikely to be met."
But he said the US was still aiming for 100 million people immunized by the end of the first quarter of 2021, and another 100 million by the second quarter.
Three million doses were delivered last week across the United States, with the first authorized vaccine, developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, administered on December 14.
This week, the target was to distribute six million vaccine doses by Moderna this week and another two million of Pfizer's.
The US is the world's hardest-hit country and is in the middle of an extreme winter surge.
More than 320,000 people have succumbed to the virus, and it will likely be the leading cause of death in 2020 behind heart disease and cancer.
Residents of long-term care facilities and health care workers were at the front of the line, while the next phase is set to target people aged over-75 and critical workers.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-23--Trump throws pandemic relief into doubt

Trump throws pandemic relief into doubt

In his final days in office , President Donald Trump has demanded changes to a hard-won bill to provide relief to Americans struggling amid the pandemic President Donald Trump has thrown a long-awaited pandemic relief package into doubt days before millions of Americans will lose their benefits and face eviction from their homes .
In a video late Tuesday , Trump called the measure `` a disgrace '' and demanded Congress more than triple the $ 600 direct payments to US taxpayers .
The bombshell came less than a month before Trump leaves office , to be replaced by President-elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hard-won agreement brokered after months of partisan squabbling .
Republicans and the Democrats late Monday finally approved a $ 900 billion bill meant to throw a lifeline to businesses and people struggling to keep their heads above water .
But in a pre-recorded statement made in the White House and sent out on Twitter , Trump said he would refuse to accept the bill without changes .
`` I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $ 600 to $ 2,000 , or $ 4,000 for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who had been pushing for a much bigger relief package , cheered the statement , but it puts Trump at odds with Senate Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell and House minority leader Kevin McCarthy , who have steadfastly blocked any larger stimulus measures .
Democrats plan to introduce a stand-alone measure Thursday to increase the payments that would go to all taxpayers earning up to $ 75,000 a year , with smaller amounts for those making up to $ 99,000 .
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on Twitter for Trump to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $ 2,000 direct payments !
This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve ! ''
However , the measure is unlikely since if even one Republican disagrees it will fail .
The relief package is wrapped into a $ 2.3 trillion , almost 5,600-page `` coronabus '' bill that includes a $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund the government for the coming fiscal year .
Without the president 's signature , the special pandemic jobless benefits reaching about 14 million workers will expire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lapse .
The government will additionally shut down if Trump does not sign the bill by December 28 .
Trump has not yet received the bill and he did not explicitly say he would not sign .
It is almost unprecedented for a president to veto a bill that received such overwhelming bipartisan support .
But his veto Wednesday of a defense funding bill , the NDAA , ensures lawmakers will return to Washington after Christmas to override the action .
And while Congress also would almost certainly override a presidential veto of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off a `` pocket veto , '' by simply refusing to sign the bill until the current Congressional term ends and the new session is installed January 3 .
The new Congress could resubmit the bill , but not before more damage is done to the faltering economy .
The legislation includes $ 13 billion in funding for food stamps and $ 284 billion for another round of small business aid under the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) , as well as aid for US airlines that have been badly damaged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases have spiked , sending the US death toll over 320,000 , the American economic rebound has stuttered -- even as the rollout of vaccinations offers hope for a recovery in 2021 .
Recent data show consumer confidence slumping , along with declines in income and spending , and economists warn of a wave of small business bankruptcies without more help .
Job market gains have stalled and new applications for unemployment benefits have increased in four of the past six weeks , with more than 20 million workers receiving some form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to government data .
Diane Swonk of Grant Thornton warned of the risk of a further slowdown .
`` The aid bill passed by Congress should help to blunt losses as we move into January .
The challenge now is to get the bill signed and cash into people 's pockets , '' she said .
While the housing market has remained a bright spot in the US economy given record low interest rates , new and existing home sales fell in November , according to government and private data .

Washington (AFP) –
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President Donald Trump has thrown a long-awaited pandemic relief package into doubt days before millions of Americans will lose their benefits and face eviction from their homes.
In a video late Tuesday, Trump called the measure "a disgrace" and demanded Congress more than triple the $600 direct payments to US taxpayers.
The bombshell came less than a month before Trump leaves office, to be replaced by President-elect Joe Biden, and puts in jeopardy a hard-won agreement brokered after months of partisan squabbling.
Republicans and the Democrats late Monday finally approved a $900 billion bill meant to throw a lifeline to businesses and people struggling to keep their heads above water.
But in a pre-recorded statement made in the White House and sent out on Twitter, Trump said he would refuse to accept the bill without changes.
"I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple," he said.
Democrats, who had been pushing for a much bigger relief package, cheered the statement, but it puts Trump at odds with Senate Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell and House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, who have steadfastly blocked any larger stimulus measures.
Democrats plan to introduce a stand-alone measure Thursday to increase the payments that would go to all taxpayers earning up to $75,000 a year, with smaller amounts for those making up to $99,000.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on Twitter for Trump to "urge McConnell and McCarthy to agree with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $2,000 direct payments! This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve!"
However, the measure is unlikely since if even one Republican disagrees it will fail.
- Pocket veto or actual veto -
The relief package is wrapped into a $2.3 trillion, almost 5,600-page "coronabus" bill that includes a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund the government for the coming fiscal year.
Without the president's signature, the special pandemic jobless benefits reaching about 14 million workers will expire, and a moratorium on evictions will lapse.
The government will additionally shut down if Trump does not sign the bill by December 28.
Trump has not yet received the bill and he did not explicitly say he would not sign. It is almost unprecedented for a president to veto a bill that received such overwhelming bipartisan support.
But his veto Wednesday of a defense funding bill, the NDAA, ensures lawmakers will return to Washington after Christmas to override the action.
And while Congress also would almost certainly override a presidential veto of the funding package, Trump could pull off a "pocket veto," by simply refusing to sign the bill until the current Congressional term ends and the new session is installed January 3.
The new Congress could resubmit the bill, but not before more damage is done to the faltering economy.
The legislation includes $13 billion in funding for food stamps and $284 billion for another round of small business aid under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as well as aid for US airlines that have been badly damaged by the collapse in travel.
- Faltering recovery -
As Covid-19 cases have spiked, sending the US death toll over 320,000, the American economic rebound has stuttered -- even as the rollout of vaccinations offers hope for a recovery in 2021.
Recent data show consumer confidence slumping, along with declines in income and spending, and economists warn of a wave of small business bankruptcies without more help.
Job market gains have stalled and new applications for unemployment benefits have increased in four of the past six weeks, with more than 20 million workers receiving some form of aid as of December 5, according to government data.
Diane Swonk of Grant Thornton warned of the risk of a further slowdown.
"The aid bill passed by Congress should help to blunt losses as we move into January. The challenge now is to get the bill signed and cash into people's pockets," she said.
While the housing market has remained a bright spot in the US economy given record low interest rates, new and existing home sales fell in November, according to government and private data.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-24--Israel arrests Palestinian over West Bank settler murder

Relatives and friends of Franco-Israeli Esther Horgan , 52 , a mother of six who was killed when she went out for a run near her home in the occupied West Bank settlement of Tal Menashe attend her funeral Israel on Thursday announced the arrest of a Palestinian in connection with the murder of a Jewish settler in the occupied West Bank , in a case that raised tensions in the area .
Esther Horgan , a 52-year-old mother of six and a French-Israeli dual national , was found dead this week in a forest near the Tal Menashe settlement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Relatives said she had gone out jogging on Sunday and never returned .
Following investigations by multiple branches of Israel 's security services , including the army , `` a suspect in the murder of the late Esther Horgan ... has been detained , '' an Israeli government statement said .
`` The Palestinian suspect from the Jenin area is being investigated by the Israeli Security Agency , '' it added .
Earlier this week , Israel 's army had reinforced its presence in the West Bank in response to surging tensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Monday that Israel will `` settle accounts '' with Horgan 's killer and President Reuven Rivlin visited her family earlier Thursday .
All Jewish settlements in the West Bank are regarded as illegal by much of the international community .
But the settler population has grown in recent years .
There are currently some 450,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank , living amid an estimated 2.8 million Palestinians .
Tensions between Palestinians and Jewish settlers in the West Bank have repeatedly led to violence .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
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Israel on Thursday announced the arrest of a Palestinian in connection with the murder of a Jewish settler in the occupied West Bank, in a case that raised tensions in the area.
Esther Horgan, a 52-year-old mother of six and a French-Israeli dual national, was found dead this week in a forest near the Tal Menashe settlement in the north of the Palestinian territory.
Relatives said she had gone out jogging on Sunday and never returned.
Following investigations by multiple branches of Israel's security services, including the army, "a suspect in the murder of the late Esther Horgan... has been detained," an Israeli government statement said.
"The Palestinian suspect from the Jenin area is being investigated by the Israeli Security Agency," it added.
Earlier this week, Israel's army had reinforced its presence in the West Bank in response to surging tensions partly linked to Horgan's murder.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Monday that Israel will "settle accounts" with Horgan's killer and President Reuven Rivlin visited her family earlier Thursday.
All Jewish settlements in the West Bank are regarded as illegal by much of the international community.
But the settler population has grown in recent years.
There are currently some 450,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank, living amid an estimated 2.8 million Palestinians.
Tensions between Palestinians and Jewish settlers in the West Bank have repeatedly led to violence.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-24--Israel's violin genius Gitlis dies at 98

Ivry Gitlis began playing violin aged six and went on to perform with the world 's top orchestras Israeli virtuoso violinist Ivry Gitlis has died in Paris aged 98 , his family told AFP Thursday .
As one of the modern greats of classical music , he not only performed with the best orchestras in the world but never stopped experimenting , seeking new fans far beyond the elite .
Gitlis was as comfortable playing with the Rolling Stones or jazzman Stephane Grapelli , with African storytellers or gypsies , as he was with classical repertoire .
Hugely charismatic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , to seduce them , to learn to like them , '' Le Parisien newspaper wrote of the musician , who lived in the French capital .
With dishevelled white hair and piercing blue eyes , the maestro had a reputation for being whimsical , wild and narcissistic , playing eyes closed , often improvising rather than using sheet music .
The first Israeli artist to perform in the former Soviet Union in 1955 , Gitlis was also a staunch advocate of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and a goodwill ambassador for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was born on August 25 , 1922 in Haifa to Jewish parents who had left what is now Ukraine for Palestine , then under British rule .
When he was five his parents bought him a violin .
`` How did I start playing ?
I simply wanted a violin , even though I was so small that I could n't even play it .
But I decided .
I chose violin , and at age six I began , '' he said .
`` Even if he waited until the age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he gives the impression of being born with it , '' the music critic of France 's Nouvel Observateur magazine wrote in 2013 .
When he was nine Gitlis met Bronislaw Huberman , the founder of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra , who recognised the boy as a prodigy and collected money for him to travel to France .
At 11 Gitlis entered the Paris Conservatory and two years later won the prestigious institution 's top prize .
When World War II broke out he fled to London , hoping to join Britain 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put to work performing in military camps , hospitals and munitions factories .
His career took off in 1951 after a scandal during a music competition when the jury went against the public and only gave him fifth place .
Gitlis debuted in the US in 1955 and went on to tour the world , playing under top conductors and with the very best orchestras , including the philharmonics in New York , Berlin , Vienna and Israel .
Everywhere he went he enchanted audiences and received long standing ovations .
`` His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hypersensitivity , the startling contrast of his harsh and sensitive playing have made of him a huge artist but also a man of the street , close to people and life , '' another French critic wrote .
He distinguished himself playing Bartok , Paganini , Sibelius and Tchaikovsky , but was also sought out contemporary composers to perform like Bruno Maderna and Iannis Xenakis .
Gitlis also dabbled in acting , including cinema appearances in Francois Truffaut 's `` The Story of Adele H '' ( 1975 ) and as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A father of four , three of whom were with the German actress Sabine Glaser , he continued giving concerts until very late in life .
`` The day that I no longer play my violin I will be dead , '' he told the French newspaper La Croix in 2010 .

Paris (AFP) –
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Israeli virtuoso violinist Ivry Gitlis has died in Paris aged 98, his family told AFP Thursday.
As one of the modern greats of classical music, he not only performed with the best orchestras in the world but never stopped experimenting, seeking new fans far beyond the elite.
Gitlis was as comfortable playing with the Rolling Stones or jazzman Stephane Grapelli, with African storytellers or gypsies, as he was with classical repertoire.
Hugely charismatic, he took "the time to meet people, to seduce them, to learn to like them," Le Parisien newspaper wrote of the musician, who lived in the French capital.
With dishevelled white hair and piercing blue eyes, the maestro had a reputation for being whimsical, wild and narcissistic, playing eyes closed, often improvising rather than using sheet music.
The first Israeli artist to perform in the former Soviet Union in 1955, Gitlis was also a staunch advocate of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and a goodwill ambassador for the UN's cultural organisation UNESCO.
- 'Born' playing -
Gitlis was born on August 25, 1922 in Haifa to Jewish parents who had left what is now Ukraine for Palestine, then under British rule.
When he was five his parents bought him a violin.
"How did I start playing? I simply wanted a violin, even though I was so small that I couldn't even play it. But I decided. I chose violin, and at age six I began," he said.
"Even if he waited until the age of five to hold his first instrument, he gives the impression of being born with it," the music critic of France's Nouvel Observateur magazine wrote in 2013.
When he was nine Gitlis met Bronislaw Huberman, the founder of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, who recognised the boy as a prodigy and collected money for him to travel to France.
At 11 Gitlis entered the Paris Conservatory and two years later won the prestigious institution's top prize.
When World War II broke out he fled to London, hoping to join Britain's Royal Air Force, but was instead put to work performing in military camps, hospitals and munitions factories.
- Man of the people -
His career took off in 1951 after a scandal during a music competition when the jury went against the public and only gave him fifth place.
Gitlis debuted in the US in 1955 and went on to tour the world, playing under top conductors and with the very best orchestras, including the philharmonics in New York, Berlin, Vienna and Israel.
Everywhere he went he enchanted audiences and received long standing ovations.
"His ravaging intelligence, his legendary skill, his hypersensitivity, the startling contrast of his harsh and sensitive playing have made of him a huge artist but also a man of the street, close to people and life," another French critic wrote.
He distinguished himself playing Bartok, Paganini, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky, but was also sought out contemporary composers to perform like Bruno Maderna and Iannis Xenakis.
Gitlis also dabbled in acting, including cinema appearances in Francois Truffaut's "The Story of Adele H" (1975) and as a violin-playing vagrant in an Inspector Maigret film.
A father of four, three of whom were with the German actress Sabine Glaser, he continued giving concerts until very late in life.
"The day that I no longer play my violin I will be dead," he told the French newspaper La Croix in 2010.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-24--At least 20 people killed as migrant boat sinks off Tunisia coast

File photo of a boat off the southern Tunisian island of Kerkenna , the starting point of numerous attempted crossings @ @ @ @ @ 20 African migrants died when their boat sank off Tunisia on Thursday as they tried @ @ @ @ @ the Italian island of Lampedusa , a Tunisian security official said .
The coastguard rescued @ @ @ @ @ for about 20 others who were still unaccounted for , the official told Reuters .
@ @ @ @ @ port city of Sfax has become a major departure point for people fleeing conflict and @ @ @ @ @ Middle East and searching for a better life in Europe .
`` The boat sank @ @ @ @ @ coast of Sfax .
Twenty bodies were recovered , five others were rescued , and @ @ @ @ @ , '' the security official , Ali Ayari , said .
Around 45 people were @ @ @ @ @ sank , he added .

Four pregnant women were among 20 migrants whose bodies were found off Tunisia's coast after their smuggling boat sank, Tunisian authorities said Friday, as search efforts continued for 13 others believed missing.
File photo of a boat off the southern Tunisian island of Kerkenna, the starting point of numerous attempted crossings by migrants.
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Nineteen of the 20 migrants who died in Thursday’s sinking were women, according to Mourad Torki, the court spokesman for the Sfax region in central Tunisia.
Four migrants were rescued, Torki said: One remained under medical supervision Friday and another fled the hospital.
The boat, overloaded and in poor condition, was carrying 37 people — three Tunisians and others from sub-Saharan Africa, Torki said. Coast guard boats and navy divers were searching for the 13 missing, but found no new bodies or survivors Friday, amid strong winds and high waves in the area.
Tunisian authorities say they have intercepted several migrant smuggling boats recently, but that the number of attempts has been growing, notably between the Sfax region and the Italian island of Lampedusa.
The coastline near the Tunisian port city of Sfax has become a major departure point for people fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East and searching for a better life in Europe.
(FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-12-24--Post-Brexit deal: What will happen to British in Spain?

Post-Brexit deal : What will happen to British in Spain ?
Negotiators from the European Union and Britain worked through @ @ @ @ @ Eve to put the finishing touches on a trade deal that should avert a chaotic @ @ @ @ @ sides next week .
But what will happen to British living in the EU ?
@ @ @ @ @ in Spain , with FRANCE 24 's Sarrah Morris .

Post-Brexit deal: What will happen to British in Spain?
03:46
Negotiators from the European Union and Britain worked through the night and into Christmas Eve to put the finishing touches on a trade deal that should avert a chaotic economic break between the two sides next week. But what will happen to British living in the EU? A look at the situation in Spain, with FRANCE 24's Sarrah Morris.


france24--2020-12-24--Kuwait starts Covid-19 jabs as Gulf rolls out mass vaccinations

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah on Saturday was the first person in the Gulf nation to receive a Covid-19 vaccine Kuwait began coronavirus vaccinations on Thursday , following several other Gulf states in rolling out a mass inoculation campaign .
`` This vaccine is safe and has been approved by many countries , '' said Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah , who was the first to receive the jab , state media reported .
Kuwait , which has officially confirmed more than 148,000 coronavirus cases including 924 deaths , received the first 150,000 doses of the the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its German partner BioNTech on Wednesday .
Qatar , which has confirmed more than 142,000 cases including 243 deaths , launched a vaccination campaign on Wednesday .
In Bahrain , which has recorded more than 90,000 cases including 350 deaths , vaccinations continued on Thursday .
It has approved both the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and another developed by Chinese firm Sinopharm .
Officials in the capital Manama said that nearly 40,000 people have already received the vaccine .
In the United Arab Emirates , Abu Dhabi began vaccinations on December 14 after approving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its campaign using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday .
The UAE has confirmed nearly 200,000 cases , including 645 deaths .
Saudi Arabia , the worst-affected country on the Arabian Peninsula , with more than 360,000 recorded cases including 6,148 deaths , began its campaign with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on December 17 .
Meanwhile , Oman , with more than 128,000 recorded cases , 1,491 of them fatal , is to launch its vaccination campaign on Sunday .

Kuwait City (AFP) –
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Kuwait began coronavirus vaccinations on Thursday, following several other Gulf states in rolling out a mass inoculation campaign.
"This vaccine is safe and has been approved by many countries," said Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, who was the first to receive the jab, state media reported.
Kuwait, which has officially confirmed more than 148,000 coronavirus cases including 924 deaths, received the first 150,000 doses of the the vaccine developed by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech on Wednesday.
Qatar, which has confirmed more than 142,000 cases including 243 deaths, launched a vaccination campaign on Wednesday.
In Bahrain, which has recorded more than 90,000 cases including 350 deaths, vaccinations continued on Thursday. It has approved both the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and another developed by Chinese firm Sinopharm.
Officials in the capital Manama said that nearly 40,000 people have already received the vaccine.
In the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi began vaccinations on December 14 after approving the Sinopharm vaccine, while Dubai began its campaign using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday.
The UAE has confirmed nearly 200,000 cases, including 645 deaths.
Saudi Arabia, the worst-affected country on the Arabian Peninsula, with more than 360,000 recorded cases including 6,148 deaths, began its campaign with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on December 17.
Meanwhile, Oman, with more than 128,000 recorded cases, 1,491 of them fatal, is to launch its vaccination campaign on Sunday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-24--Abraham brings a lot to Chelsea, says Lampard

Tammy Abraham brings a lot to Chelsea said manager Frank Lampard and the striker can only get better with a bit more work Tammy Abraham brings a lot to Chelsea but he still needs to carry on working to make further progress said the Premier League club 's manager Frank Lampard .
The 23-year-old became Chelsea 's second-youngest player to hit 20 Premier League goals , behind Belgian star Eden Hazard , with a double in Monday 's 3-0 victory over West Ham .
It was his first double since September 2019 .
His goals -- taking him to five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first start for a month -- took his tally to 20 goals in 47 Premier League appearances .
Lampard would not be drawn on whether he would select Abraham or French World Cup winner Olivier Giroud for Saturday 's game against struggling Arsenal .
He looks set to keep faith with German Timo Werner , although he is on a run of nine games without a goal .
`` I 'm very pleased with his ( Abraham ) form , and Tammy offers a lot , '' said Lampard .
`` We saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we 've seen that this season whenever he 's played .
`` Tammy and Olivier Giroud have offered us a lot in their own way at different times .
`` Now he just has to keep working and keep progressing .
`` Last season was a real breakthrough season for him in terms of Premier League and being Chelsea 's number nine , and there 's more work he can do .
`` I 'm very happy with him . ''
Lampard 's side are fifth just six points off leaders Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They go on to play Aston Villa on Monday .
Arsenal , though , are only four points off the relegation places putting huge pressure on their young manager Mikel Arteta .
Lampard would not go down the same route as West Brom 's manager Sam Allardyce and say they were relegation candidates .
`` I do n't want to talk about what their battle is , they 're just a good team with a good manager , '' said Lampard .
`` They 've had some tough results recently but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season for every team it 's been more inconsistent than it 's been in probably previous seasons for most teams .
`` It 's not my concern exactly where they are at , my concern is the team at face value , in terms of quality , and they are a high-quality team . ''

London (AFP) –
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Tammy Abraham brings a lot to Chelsea but he still needs to carry on working to make further progress said the Premier League club's manager Frank Lampard.
The 23-year-old became Chelsea's second-youngest player to hit 20 Premier League goals, behind Belgian star Eden Hazard, with a double in Monday's 3-0 victory over West Ham.
It was his first double since September 2019.
His goals -- taking him to five for the campaign in what was his first start for a month -- took his tally to 20 goals in 47 Premier League appearances.
Lampard would not be drawn on whether he would select Abraham or French World Cup winner Olivier Giroud for Saturday's game against struggling Arsenal.
He looks set to keep faith with German Timo Werner, although he is on a run of nine games without a goal.
"I'm very pleased with his (Abraham) form, and Tammy offers a lot," said Lampard.
"We saw that the other night against West Ham and we've seen that this season whenever he's played.
"Tammy and Olivier Giroud have offered us a lot in their own way at different times.
"Now he just has to keep working and keep progressing.
"Last season was a real breakthrough season for him in terms of Premier League and being Chelsea's number nine, and there's more work he can do.
"I'm very happy with him."
Lampard's side are fifth just six points off leaders Liverpool ahead of the hectic festive period schedule.
They go on to play Aston Villa on Monday.
Arsenal, though, are only four points off the relegation places putting huge pressure on their young manager Mikel Arteta.
Lampard would not go down the same route as West Brom's manager Sam Allardyce and say they were relegation candidates.
"I don't want to talk about what their battle is, they're just a good team with a good manager," said Lampard.
"They've had some tough results recently but the general way of the Premier League this season for every team it's been more inconsistent than it's been in probably previous seasons for most teams.
"It's not my concern exactly where they are at, my concern is the team at face value, in terms of quality, and they are a high-quality team."
pi/nr
© 2020 AFP