france24--2020-10-18--Lille go top of French league after routing 9-man Lens in northern derby

Turkish forward Burak Yilmaz scores a goal at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Lille on October 18 2020 .
Lille grabbed top spot in Ligue 1 on Sunday by thrashing newly-promoted Lens 4-0 in France 's northern derby as the ill-disciplined visitors had two players sent off .
Lens had a chance to go top in France for the first time in 16 years but their defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Lille who move two points ahead of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain .
Burak Yilmaz 's low shot put the home side ahead in the echoing , empty Stade Metropole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ till the second half when Jonathan Bamba scored Lille 's second before first Jonathan Gradit and then substitute Clement Michelin were shown red cards as Lens fell apart .
Jonathan Ikone and Yusuf Yazici completed the job for Lille .
PSG had also won 4-0 on Friday with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice at Nimes .
Lyon coach Rudi Garcia said his team had `` turned the page '' after captain Memphis Depay set up three goals in Sunday 's 3-2 win at Strasbourg to claim their first victory since August .
The Dutch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move to Barcelona during the transfer window , was the provider for Zimbabwe international forward Tino Kadewere and repeated the feat twice for Karl Toko Ekambi in the first half .
Habib Diallo and Jean-Eudes Aholou scored for the hosts but Lyon hung on and move up to ninth with their first three points since August .
`` The win was more than deserved .
This team had the capacity to admit they had to turn the page , '' Garcia said .
`` The answer was on the pitch , three Depay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Kadewere opened the scoring after 15 minutes , firing home first time from Depay 's long ball .
Depay then combined twice with Toko Ekambi before the 42-minute mark to make it 3-0 .
The hosts fought back as Senegal 's Diallo cut the deficit just over a minute later .
Ivory Coast midfielder Aholou , on loan from Monaco , scored with a left-footed volley 10 minutes into the second half .
Patrick Vieira 's Nice side eased to a 3-1 win at Saint-Etienne to move up to fourth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lees-Malou opened the scoring for Nice before 20-year-old Amine Gouiri added a second before half-time .
Adil Aouchiche pulled a goal back for Saint-Etienne on 57 minutes but Myziane Maolida sealed the points for the southerners .
On Saturday , Marseille warmed up for their return to the Champions League next week with a 3-1 victory over Bordeaux .

Lille grabbed top spot in Ligue 1 on Sunday by thrashing newly-promoted Lens 4-0 in France's northern derby as the ill-disciplined visitors had two players sent off.
Turkish forward Burak Yilmaz scores a goal at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Lille on October 18 2020.
Advertising Read more
Lens had a chance to go top in France for the first time in 16 years but their defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Lille who move two points ahead of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Burak Yilmaz's low shot put the home side ahead in the echoing, empty Stade Metropole after 11 minutes.
Lens hung on till the second half when Jonathan Bamba scored Lille's second before first Jonathan Gradit and then substitute Clement Michelin were shown red cards as Lens fell apart.
Jonathan Ikone and Yusuf Yazici completed the job for Lille.
: Lille 4-0 Lens
LOSC with a thumping win vs 9 men to go top of Ligue 1.
￼Celik superb at right-back, Burak got the opener and Yazici on target off the bench.
brilliant Jonathan Bamba scores in 48' to give Lille a 2-0 lead over Lens in the Derby Du Nord pic.twitter.com/O4tW44QQcG — Lilian Chan (@bestgug) October 18, 2020
PSG had also won 4-0 on Friday with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice at Nimes.
Lyon coach Rudi Garcia said his team had "turned the page" after captain Memphis Depay set up three goals in Sunday's 3-2 win at Strasbourg to claim their first victory since August.
The Dutch attacker, who was linked with a move to Barcelona during the transfer window, was the provider for Zimbabwe international forward Tino Kadewere and repeated the feat twice for Karl Toko Ekambi in the first half.
Habib Diallo and Jean-Eudes Aholou scored for the hosts but Lyon hung on and move up to ninth with their first three points since August.
"The win was more than deserved. This team had the capacity to admit they had to turn the page," Garcia said.
"The answer was on the pitch, three Depay assists and three goals in open play."
Kadewere opened the scoring after 15 minutes, firing home first time from Depay's long ball.
Depay then combined twice with Toko Ekambi before the 42-minute mark to make it 3-0.
The hosts fought back as Senegal's Diallo cut the deficit just over a minute later.
Ivory Coast midfielder Aholou, on loan from Monaco, scored with a left-footed volley 10 minutes into the second half.
Patrick Vieira's Nice side eased to a 3-1 win at Saint-Etienne to move up to fourth, joining Lens on 13 points.
Pierre Lees-Malou opened the scoring for Nice before 20-year-old Amine Gouiri added a second before half-time.
Adil Aouchiche pulled a goal back for Saint-Etienne on 57 minutes but Myziane Maolida sealed the points for the southerners.
On Saturday, Marseille warmed up for their return to the Champions League next week with a 3-1 victory over Bordeaux.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-10-18--Sassuolo move second in Serie A, Dzeko lifts five-goal Roma

AS Roma forward Edin Dzeko ( R ) scored twice against Benevento .
Sassuolo moved second in Serie A on Sunday behind leaders AC Milan after a thrilling 4-3 win at Bologna as Roma also staged a 5-2 comeback against promoted Benevento .
Roberto de Zerbi 's Sassuolo had been trailing 3-1 after an hour , but three substitutions , including a first start for French midfielder Maxime Lopez , rescued three points for the visitors .
Francesco Caputo set up Filip Djuricic to make it 3-2 after 64 minutes and six minutes later Caputo nodded in the equaliser following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palacio .
Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu handed Sassuolo their third win this season after accidently turning into his own net with 20 minutes to go .
`` It was a wonderful fightback from two goals down , and we scored some good goals too , '' said De Zerbi .
`` But we have n't done anything yet .
There are difficult matches ahead . ''
Sassuolo have ten points from four games and move two points behind AC Milan , who beat city rivals Inter Milan 2-1 on Saturday thanks to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third after losing 4-1 to Napoli who are fourth equal on points with champions Juventus .
Playing without quarantined Cristiano Ronaldo , Juve settled for a 1-1 draw at Crotone .
Inter Milan are sixth just ahead of Roma , with both teams on seven points .
In Rome , Bosnian forward Dzeko scored twice as the capital side earned back-to-back wins despite an early scare after Gianluca Caprari put Benevento ahead after five minutes .
Former Chelsea forward Pedro got his first goal in the Stadio Olimpico off a Lorenzo Pellegrini cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another , four minutes later .
A Jordan Veretout penalty , a second Dzeko goal after 76 minutes , and an impressive solo run from Carles Perez before the whistle sealed victory .
`` We always had control of the game , with little danger , '' insisted Roma coach Paulo Fonseca .
`` Even if we need to manage games better . ''
In Udine , Uruguayan forward Ignacio Pusetto 's late winner earned a first win this season for Udinese , 3-2 over coronavirus-hit Parma , missing seven players .
Fiorentina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two goals up after four minutes through Germán Pezzella and Cristiano Biraghi before settling for a 2-2 draw at promoted Spezia .
Daniele Verde struck six minutes before the break with Diego Farias earning the point for Spezia with 15 minutes to go .
In Turin , an Andrea Belotti brace was not enough to secure a first win this season for Torino , who slumped 3-2 to Cagliari .
Giovanni Simeone replied with a double for the Sardinians including the winner with 20 minutes to go .
Torino coach Marco Giampaolo 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third defeat leaves the northerners bottom of the table without a point .

Milan (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Sassuolo moved second in Serie A on Sunday behind leaders AC Milan after a thrilling 4-3 win at Bologna as Roma also staged a 5-2 comeback against promoted Benevento.
Roberto de Zerbi's Sassuolo had been trailing 3-1 after an hour, but three substitutions, including a first start for French midfielder Maxime Lopez, rescued three points for the visitors.
Francesco Caputo set up Filip Djuricic to make it 3-2 after 64 minutes and six minutes later Caputo nodded in the equaliser following a poor clearance from Bologna forward Rodrigo Palacio.
Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu handed Sassuolo their third win this season after accidently turning into his own net with 20 minutes to go.
"It was a wonderful fightback from two goals down, and we scored some good goals too," said De Zerbi.
"But we haven't done anything yet. There are difficult matches ahead."
Sassuolo have ten points from four games and move two points behind AC Milan, who beat city rivals Inter Milan 2-1 on Saturday thanks to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic double.
Atalanta drop to third after losing 4-1 to Napoli who are fourth equal on points with champions Juventus.
Playing without quarantined Cristiano Ronaldo, Juve settled for a 1-1 draw at Crotone.
Inter Milan are sixth just ahead of Roma, with both teams on seven points.
In Rome, Bosnian forward Dzeko scored twice as the capital side earned back-to-back wins despite an early scare after Gianluca Caprari put Benevento ahead after five minutes.
Former Chelsea forward Pedro got his first goal in the Stadio Olimpico off a Lorenzo Pellegrini cross after half an hour with Dzeko adding another, four minutes later.
A Jordan Veretout penalty, a second Dzeko goal after 76 minutes, and an impressive solo run from Carles Perez before the whistle sealed victory.
"We always had control of the game, with little danger," insisted Roma coach Paulo Fonseca.
"Even if we need to manage games better."
In Udine, Uruguayan forward Ignacio Pusetto's late winner earned a first win this season for Udinese, 3-2 over coronavirus-hit Parma, missing seven players.
Fiorentina threw away a two-goal lead, going two goals up after four minutes through Germán Pezzella and Cristiano Biraghi before settling for a 2-2 draw at promoted Spezia.
Daniele Verde struck six minutes before the break with Diego Farias earning the point for Spezia with 15 minutes to go.
In Turin, an Andrea Belotti brace was not enough to secure a first win this season for Torino, who slumped 3-2 to Cagliari.
Giovanni Simeone replied with a double for the Sardinians including the winner with 20 minutes to go.
Torino coach Marco Giampaolo's job now looks at risk after a third defeat leaves the northerners bottom of the table without a point.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Real Sociedad go top to extend surprise start in La Liga

Real Sociedad continued La Liga 's unpredictable start to the season by going top of the table on Sunday , after a 3-0 win away at Real Betis .
Villarreal had temporarily claimed first place earlier in the day by beating Valencia 2-1 at la Ceramica but Real Sociedad 's impressive victory put them ahead on goal difference .
They are the sixth different team to lead La Liga after six rounds of fixtures so far , as Real Madrid gave up their place at the top of the pile after a surprise loss at home to Cadiz on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Getafe .
Real Sociedad took advantage as Portu and Adnan Januzaj scored goals either side of Mikel Oyarzabal converting a penalty to consign Betis to a third defeat in four games under their new coach Manuel Pellegrini .
They drop to sixth .
Earlier , Dani Parejo came back to haunt Valencia by scoring the winner for Villarreal , against his former club .
After making 363 appearances for Valencia , many of them as captain , Parejo was one of a handful of key players allowed to leave in the summer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a reminder of what they were missing as Villarreal held on to go one point above Real Madrid .
Despite a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona last month , it has been an encouraging start for Unai Emery , who was appointed Villarreal coach in July .
They have 11 points from their first six games .
Valencia sit 12th , having won just once in their last five matches , with the future of coach Javi Gracia still uncertain .
Gracia was critical of the club after Valencia sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Villarreal , as well as Rodrigo and Ferran Torres to Leeds and Manchester City , but failed to make a single addition in the summer transfer window .
Emery was also once at Valencia and so was Villarreal 's Paco Alcacer , who opened the scoring with a penalty before Goncalo Guedes levelled shortly before half-time .
Yet Parejo had the last word , receiving a pass from Takefusa Kubo and curling in after his shot deflected off Mouctar Diakhaby .
Kubo was then sent off in the 90th minute after coming @ @ @ @ @

Madrid (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Real Sociedad continued La Liga's unpredictable start to the season by going top of the table on Sunday, after a 3-0 win away at Real Betis.
Villarreal had temporarily claimed first place earlier in the day by beating Valencia 2-1 at la Ceramica but Real Sociedad's impressive victory put them ahead on goal difference.
They are the sixth different team to lead La Liga after six rounds of fixtures so far, as Real Madrid gave up their place at the top of the pile after a surprise loss at home to Cadiz on Saturday.
Barcelona were also beaten away at Getafe.
Real Sociedad took advantage as Portu and Adnan Januzaj scored goals either side of Mikel Oyarzabal converting a penalty to consign Betis to a third defeat in four games under their new coach Manuel Pellegrini. They drop to sixth.
Earlier, Dani Parejo came back to haunt Valencia by scoring the winner for Villarreal, against his former club.
After making 363 appearances for Valencia, many of them as captain, Parejo was one of a handful of key players allowed to leave in the summer.
His deflected shot in the 69th minute was a reminder of what they were missing as Villarreal held on to go one point above Real Madrid.
Despite a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona last month, it has been an encouraging start for Unai Emery, who was appointed Villarreal coach in July.
They have 11 points from their first six games.
Valencia sit 12th, having won just once in their last five matches, with the future of coach Javi Gracia still uncertain.
Gracia was critical of the club after Valencia sold the likes of Parejo and Francis Coquelin to Villarreal, as well as Rodrigo and Ferran Torres to Leeds and Manchester City, but failed to make a single addition in the summer transfer window.
Emery was also once at Valencia and so was Villarreal's Paco Alcacer, who opened the scoring with a penalty before Goncalo Guedes levelled shortly before half-time.
Yet Parejo had the last word, receiving a pass from Takefusa Kubo and curling in after his shot deflected off Mouctar Diakhaby. Kubo was then sent off in the 90th minute after coming on in the 64th.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--AB a 'freak', Wenger misses 'drug' of coaching: Who said what in sport this weekend

Do n't stop me now : New Zealand 's Caleb Clarke makes a break during the Bledisloe Cup match Who said what in sport this weekend : '' Michael Hooper grabbed my nuts just then .
I was really sore .
I was trying to push his hand off . ''
-- New All Blacks rugby sensation Caleb Clarke on a novel defensive tactic employed by the Wallabies in an effort to stop the rampaging winger in his tracks in the Bledisloe Cup .
`` On Friday , I lost my grandmother so it was really tough . ''
-- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fourth title of the season in Saint Petersburg on Sunday .
`` Zlatan is a champion , an exemplary professional , who always wants to win . ''
-- Milan coach Stefano Pioli after 39-yar-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck twice in his first match back after a positive coronavirus test as AC Milan beat city rivals Inter Milan 2-1 .
`` He is a freak .
That is why he is the greatest of all time . ''
-- Bangalore Royal Challengers coach Simon Katich after AB de Villiers hit an unbeaten 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Rajasthan Royals .
`` I was drugged for 36 years and you ca n't rid yourself of it overnight . ''
-- Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger tells AFP of his desire to return to club management .
`` It was a tough morning , following my tough morning yesterday . ''
-- MotoGP rider Fabio Quartararo on injuring his right hip on Saturday in a fall at the Aragon Grand Prix after hurting his left hip in another crash on Friday .
He was 18th in the race on Sunday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should remember this feeling forever so it never happens again . ''
-- Tottenham 's Son Heung-min after his team conceded three goals in the last eight minutes to draw 3-3 with West Ham .
`` Pickford kicks him completely out of the game . ''
-- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp after Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford fouled Virgil van Dijk in the Merseyside derby .
The Dutch defender needs surgery to repair knee ligament damage and could miss the rest of the season .
`` Every night we have a different hero .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hero every night . ''
-- Tampa Bay Rays ' Austin Meadows hailing rookie Randy Arozarena who clubbed a two-run homer in a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros which took the team to the World Series .
`` I am proud to have been born with this skin colour and I will always be proud . ''
-- Borussia Dortmund 's 15-year-old star Youssoufa Moukoko who was subjected to threats of violence and racist abuse during a local derby with Schalke 's Under-19 team .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Who said what in sport this weekend:
"Michael Hooper grabbed my nuts just then. I was really sore. I was trying to push his hand off."
-- New All Blacks rugby sensation Caleb Clarke on a novel defensive tactic employed by the Wallabies in an effort to stop the rampaging winger in his tracks in the Bledisloe Cup.
"On Friday, I lost my grandmother so it was really tough."
-- Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev after winning his fourth title of the season in Saint Petersburg on Sunday.
"Zlatan is a champion, an exemplary professional, who always wants to win."
-- Milan coach Stefano Pioli after 39-yar-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck twice in his first match back after a positive coronavirus test as AC Milan beat city rivals Inter Milan 2-1.
"He is a freak. That is why he is the greatest of all time."
-- Bangalore Royal Challengers coach Simon Katich after AB de Villiers hit an unbeaten 55 off 22 balls in the IPL win over Rajasthan Royals.
"I was drugged for 36 years and you can't rid yourself of it overnight."
-- Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger tells AFP of his desire to return to club management.
"It was a tough morning, following my tough morning yesterday."
-- MotoGP rider Fabio Quartararo on injuring his right hip on Saturday in a fall at the Aragon Grand Prix after hurting his left hip in another crash on Friday. He was 18th in the race on Sunday and lost the championship lead.
"We should remember this feeling forever so it never happens again."
-- Tottenham's Son Heung-min after his team conceded three goals in the last eight minutes to draw 3-3 with West Ham.
"Pickford kicks him completely out of the game."
-- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp after Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford fouled Virgil van Dijk in the Merseyside derby. The Dutch defender needs surgery to repair knee ligament damage and could miss the rest of the season.
"Every night we have a different hero. Except for Randy Arozarena. He's the hero every night."
-- Tampa Bay Rays' Austin Meadows hailing rookie Randy Arozarena who clubbed a two-run homer in a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros which took the team to the World Series.
"I am proud to have been born with this skin colour and I will always be proud."
-- Borussia Dortmund's 15-year-old star Youssoufa Moukoko who was subjected to threats of violence and racist abuse during a local derby with Schalke's Under-19 team.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--NFL Titans win in OT and Steelers romp to stay unbeaten

Derrick Henry 's 5-yard overtime touchdown run kept the Tennessee Titans unbeaten Sunday while the Pittsburgh Steelers routed Cleveland to join them at 5-0 to open the NFL season .
Ryan Tannehill threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns while Henry ran 22 times for 212 yards and two touchdowns to lead Tennessee over Houston 42-36 while the Steelers ripped Cleveland 38-7 .
The Titans improved to 5-0 , matching their 2008 start for the best in club history , while the Texans sunk to 1-5 .
Houston 's Deshaun Watson completed 28-of-37 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gave the Texans a 36-29 edge with 1:50 to play .
Tannehill marched the Titans 76 yards and hit A.J .
Brown with a 7-yard touchdown pass with four seconds remaining in regulation to lift Tennessee level .
`` It was wild , '' Tannehill said .
`` Started out strong , had a lull in the third and fourth quarters .
We just kept believing , kept fighting , and had the confidence to get it done . ''
Tannehill drove the Titans 82 yards in six plays in overtime to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He 's unbelievable , '' Tannehill said of Henry .
`` Every week he does the same thing .
He 's out here grinding for us .
He was great . ''
Ben Roethlisberger completed 14-of-22 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown and James Conner ran 20 times for 101 yards and a touchdown to lead the Steelers , who are 5-0 for the first time since 1978 .
Pittsburgh jumped ahead 24-0 thanks to a 33-yard Minkah Fitzpatrick interception return touchdown , Roethlisberger 's 28-yard touchdown pass to James Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 35-yard Chris Boswell field goal .
Cleveland 's Baker Mayfield threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Rashard Higgins in the second quarter , but Chase Claypool scored on a 3-yard run in the third and Benny Snell added a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth for the Steelers to seal the victory .
Among the NFL 's two other undefeated teams , Seattle ( 5-0 ) has a bye week while Green Bay ( 4-0 ) plays later at Tampa Bay .
No new positive Covid-19 tests were reported Sunday , allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a week that saw disrupted practices for multiple teams with at least one positive test .
Denver 's Brandon McManus kicked five field goals to lift the Broncos over host New England 18-12 , the Patriots falling to 2-3 , their worst five-game start since 2002 .
Baltimore 's Lamar Jackson threw for 186 yards and a touchdown and ran for 108 yards and another score as the Ravens won 30-28 at Philadelphia .
Eagles star Carson Wentz threw for two touchdowns and ran one yard for another with 1:55 remaining but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Ravens ( 5-1 ) ran out the clock .
Matt Ryan threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Atlanta Falcons to their first victory , 40-23 at Minnesota , while Philip Rivers threw for 371 yards and three touchdowns to power Indianapolis over visiting Cincinnati 31-27 .
Nick Foles threw for one touchdown and ran for another to lead Chicago over host Carolina 23-16 while Detroit 's D'Andre Swift ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns to power the Lions over Jacksonville 34-16 .
The host New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 20-19 over Washington after the visitors went for a 2-point conversion instead of a tying kick and misfired on a throw .
Giants receiver C.J .
Board was immobilized and carted off the field with a neck injury after being hit by Washington 's Dshazor Everett in the third quarter .
Other late games had the winless New York Jets at Miami and the Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco .
Monday 's games find Arizona at Dallas and Kansas City at Buffalo .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Derrick Henry's 5-yard overtime touchdown run kept the Tennessee Titans unbeaten Sunday while the Pittsburgh Steelers routed Cleveland to join them at 5-0 to open the NFL season.
Ryan Tannehill threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns while Henry ran 22 times for 212 yards and two touchdowns to lead Tennessee over Houston 42-36 while the Steelers ripped Cleveland 38-7.
The Titans improved to 5-0, matching their 2008 start for the best in club history, while the Texans sunk to 1-5.
Houston's Deshaun Watson completed 28-of-37 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns, including a 1-yarder to Brandin Cooks that gave the Texans a 36-29 edge with 1:50 to play.
Tannehill marched the Titans 76 yards and hit A.J. Brown with a 7-yard touchdown pass with four seconds remaining in regulation to lift Tennessee level.
"It was wild," Tannehill said. "Started out strong, had a lull in the third and fourth quarters. We just kept believing, kept fighting, and had the confidence to get it done."
Tannehill drove the Titans 82 yards in six plays in overtime to set up Henry's winning run.
"He's unbelievable," Tannehill said of Henry. "Every week he does the same thing. He's out here grinding for us. He was great."
Ben Roethlisberger completed 14-of-22 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown and James Conner ran 20 times for 101 yards and a touchdown to lead the Steelers, who are 5-0 for the first time since 1978.
Pittsburgh jumped ahead 24-0 thanks to a 33-yard Minkah Fitzpatrick interception return touchdown, Roethlisberger's 28-yard touchdown pass to James Washington, Conner's 3-yard touchdown run and a 35-yard Chris Boswell field goal.
Cleveland's Baker Mayfield threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Rashard Higgins in the second quarter, but Chase Claypool scored on a 3-yard run in the third and Benny Snell added a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth for the Steelers to seal the victory.
Among the NFL's two other undefeated teams, Seattle (5-0) has a bye week while Green Bay (4-0) plays later at Tampa Bay.
No new positive Covid-19 tests were reported Sunday, allowing all games to be played as scheduled after a week that saw disrupted practices for multiple teams with at least one positive test.
Denver's Brandon McManus kicked five field goals to lift the Broncos over host New England 18-12, the Patriots falling to 2-3, their worst five-game start since 2002.
Baltimore's Lamar Jackson threw for 186 yards and a touchdown and ran for 108 yards and another score as the Ravens won 30-28 at Philadelphia.
Eagles star Carson Wentz threw for two touchdowns and ran one yard for another with 1:55 remaining but was stopped on a 2-point conversion attempt and the Ravens (5-1) ran out the clock.
- Ryan powers Falcons win -
Matt Ryan threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Atlanta Falcons to their first victory, 40-23 at Minnesota, while Philip Rivers threw for 371 yards and three touchdowns to power Indianapolis over visiting Cincinnati 31-27.
Nick Foles threw for one touchdown and ran for another to lead Chicago over host Carolina 23-16 while Detroit's D'Andre Swift ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns to power the Lions over Jacksonville 34-16.
The host New York Giants won their first game of the year 20-19 over Washington after the visitors went for a 2-point conversion instead of a tying kick and misfired on a throw.
Giants receiver C.J. Board was immobilized and carted off the field with a neck injury after being hit by Washington's Dshazor Everett in the third quarter.
Other late games had the winless New York Jets at Miami and the Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco. Monday's games find Arizona at Dallas and Kansas City at Buffalo.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Thousands take to Chile streets to mark protest movement anniversary

Demonstrators set a police vehicle on fire during clashes between security forces and protesters marking the first anniversdary of Chile 's social unrest over inequality Thousands of demonstrators gathered Sunday in a central Santiago square to mark the anniversary of a protest movement that broke out last year demanding greater equality in Chile .
The demonstration comes just a week before Chileans vote in a referendum on whether to replace the dictatorship-era constitution -- one of the key demands when the protest movement began on October 18 , 2019 .
There was a festive atmosphere on the Plaza Italia as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the coronavirus pandemic , held up banners , sang and danced .
There were isolated clashes with police , who gradually pulled back from the central square .
`` It 's great , very good and positive .
They 're pure good things for Chile in everything from here , '' demonstrator Viviana Donoso , 43 , told AFP as she and a group of people danced to drums .
`` The people of Chile need to unite , and we have to believe that we can do things . ''
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist and manager at the Chilean edition of Le Monde Diplomatique , happiness reigned amongst protesters `` due to the possibility of progressing and achieving a fairer and more democratic Chile . ''
Demonstrators also called for their countrymen to vote to `` approve '' the proposed constitutional change .
`` This is the opportunity to say enough !
We 're here and we 're going to vote for 'Approve , ' '' Paulina Villarroel , a 29-year-old psychologist , told AFP .
The government of President Sebastian Pinera -- one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrators to be peaceful and to respect coronavirus restrictions .
The deadly outbreak has left 13,600 Chileans dead with more than 490,000 infected .

Santiago (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Thousands of demonstrators gathered Sunday in a central Santiago square to mark the anniversary of a protest movement that broke out last year demanding greater equality in Chile.
The demonstration comes just a week before Chileans vote in a referendum on whether to replace the dictatorship-era constitution -- one of the key demands when the protest movement began on October 18, 2019.
There was a festive atmosphere on the Plaza Italia as demonstrators, many wearing masks to protect against the coronavirus pandemic, held up banners, sang and danced.
There were isolated clashes with police, who gradually pulled back from the central square.
"It's great, very good and positive. They're pure good things for Chile in everything from here," demonstrator Viviana Donoso, 43, told AFP as she and a group of people danced to drums.
"The people of Chile need to unite, and we have to believe that we can do things."
For Victor Hugo de la Fuente, a journalist and manager at the Chilean edition of Le Monde Diplomatique, happiness reigned amongst protesters "due to the possibility of progressing and achieving a fairer and more democratic Chile."
Demonstrators also called for their countrymen to vote to "approve" the proposed constitutional change.
"This is the opportunity to say enough! We're here and we're going to vote for 'Approve,'" Paulina Villarroel, a 29-year-old psychologist, told AFP.
The government of President Sebastian Pinera -- one of the protesters' main targets -- called on demonstrators to be peaceful and to respect coronavirus restrictions.
The deadly outbreak has left 13,600 Chileans dead with more than 490,000 infected.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Turkish Cypriots elect Erdogan's candidate amid east Med tensions

Supporters of right-wing Turkish nationalist Ersin Tatar celebrate his win in the presidential election in the northern part of Nicosia on Sunday night Turkish Cypriots in breakaway northern Cyprus on Sunday narrowly elected right-wing nationalist Ersin Tatar , backed by Ankara , in a run-off poll , at a time of heightened tensions in the eastern Mediterranean .
Tatar , 60 , clinched his surprise victory in a second round of presidential elections , winning 51.7 percent of the vote , official results showed .
He edged out incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci , 72 , a supporter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the divided island , leaving attempts to relaunch long- stalled UN-brokered talks hanging in the balance .
Tatar is an advocate of a two-state solution and held the post of premier in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ( TRNC ) , recognised only by Ankara .
He controversially received the open backing of Turkey 's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the election campaign .
In a victory speech to hundreds of cheering and Turkish flag-waving supporters , Tatar thanked Turkey 's head of state and said : `` We deserve our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish Cypriots .
`` We are fighting to exist within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , therefore our neighbours in the south and the world community should respect our fight for freedom . ''
There was no immediate official reaction from the Greek Cypriot government or ruling party in the south of the island , which is an European Union member state , although opposition parties were quick to lament the outcome .
Erdogan was swift to celebrate the victory , which followed a high 67-percent turnout at the polls .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected president ... Turkey will continue to provide all types of efforts to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people , '' he wrote on Twitter .
In a telephone call the same night , Erdogan said he was confident the two leaders would maintain close cooperation in all areas , `` starting with the hydrocarbon linked activities in the eastern Mediterranean , '' his office said .
Under Erdogan , Turkey has become an increasingly assertive regional power that is now engaged in a bitter dispute with Greece and Cyprus over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waters .
The European Union has deplored Turkey 's drilling for hydrocarbons in disputed waters and warned Ankara against further `` provocations '' , while multiple countries have staged military drills in the region in recent months .
The second-round ballot was triggered after Tatar won 32 percent of the vote on October 11 ahead of Akinci , who garnered just under 30 percent .
Akinci was tipped to secure a second term , having won the backing of Tufan Erhurman , a fellow social democrat who came third last time around .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had accused Ankara of meddling in the polls , thanked his supporters and said : `` You know what happened ...
I am not going to do politics on this . ''
The TRNC , with a population of about 300,000 , was established after the north was occupied by Turkey in 1974 in reaction to a coup that aimed to annex Cyprus to Greece .
Earlier in October , Turkish troops angered the Republic of Cyprus by reopening public access to the fenced-off seaside ghost town of Varosha for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The reopening was announced jointly by Erdogan and Tatar at a meeting in Ankara just days before the first round of polling .
It drew EU and UN criticism and sparked demonstrations in the Republic of Cyprus , which exercises its authority over the island 's south , separated from the TRNC by a UN-patrolled buffer zone .
On the eve of Sunday 's vote , Greek Cypriot demonstrators massed at a checkpoint along the so-called `` Green Line '' , holding signs that read `` Cyprus is Greek '' , in protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Turkish Cypriots .
Turkey has repeatedly said it seeks to defend Turkish and Turkish Cypriots ' rights in the eastern Mediterranean .
Akinci 's relationship with Ankara had come under strain , especially after he described the prospect of the north 's annexation by Turkey as `` horrible '' in February .
When Akinci took office in 2015 , he was hailed as the leader best placed to revive peace talks .
But hopes were dashed in July 2017 after UN-mediated negotiations collapsed in Switzerland , notably over Greek Cypriot demands for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Turkish soldiers still stationed in the TRNC .

Nicosia (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Turkish Cypriots in breakaway northern Cyprus on Sunday narrowly elected right-wing nationalist Ersin Tatar, backed by Ankara, in a run-off poll, at a time of heightened tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.
Tatar, 60, clinched his surprise victory in a second round of presidential elections, winning 51.7 percent of the vote, official results showed.
He edged out incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, 72, a supporter of reunification with the Greek Cypriot south of the divided island, leaving attempts to relaunch long- stalled UN-brokered talks hanging in the balance.
Tatar is an advocate of a two-state solution and held the post of premier in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), recognised only by Ankara.
He controversially received the open backing of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the election campaign.
In a victory speech to hundreds of cheering and Turkish flag-waving supporters, Tatar thanked Turkey's head of state and said: "We deserve our sovereignty -- we are the voice of Turkish Cypriots.
"We are fighting to exist within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, therefore our neighbours in the south and the world community should respect our fight for freedom."
There was no immediate official reaction from the Greek Cypriot government or ruling party in the south of the island, which is an European Union member state, although opposition parties were quick to lament the outcome.
Erdogan was swift to celebrate the victory, which followed a high 67-percent turnout at the polls.
"I congratulate Ersin Tatar who has been elected president... Turkey will continue to provide all types of efforts to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people," he wrote on Twitter.
In a telephone call the same night, Erdogan said he was confident the two leaders would maintain close cooperation in all areas, "starting with the hydrocarbon linked activities in the eastern Mediterranean," his office said.
Under Erdogan, Turkey has become an increasingly assertive regional power that is now engaged in a bitter dispute with Greece and Cyprus over oil and gas reserves in eastern Mediterranean waters.
The European Union has deplored Turkey's drilling for hydrocarbons in disputed waters and warned Ankara against further "provocations", while multiple countries have staged military drills in the region in recent months.
The second-round ballot was triggered after Tatar won 32 percent of the vote on October 11 ahead of Akinci, who garnered just under 30 percent.
Akinci was tipped to secure a second term, having won the backing of Tufan Erhurman, a fellow social democrat who came third last time around.
After his defeat, Akinci, who had accused Ankara of meddling in the polls, thanked his supporters and said: "You know what happened ... I am not going to do politics on this."
- Opening up ghost town -
The TRNC, with a population of about 300,000, was established after the north was occupied by Turkey in 1974 in reaction to a coup that aimed to annex Cyprus to Greece.
Earlier in October, Turkish troops angered the Republic of Cyprus by reopening public access to the fenced-off seaside ghost town of Varosha for the first time since Turkish forces invaded the north.
The reopening was announced jointly by Erdogan and Tatar at a meeting in Ankara just days before the first round of polling.
It drew EU and UN criticism and sparked demonstrations in the Republic of Cyprus, which exercises its authority over the island's south, separated from the TRNC by a UN-patrolled buffer zone.
On the eve of Sunday's vote, Greek Cypriot demonstrators massed at a checkpoint along the so-called "Green Line", holding signs that read "Cyprus is Greek", in protest at the reopening of nearby Varosha to the Turkish Cypriots.
Turkey has repeatedly said it seeks to defend Turkish and Turkish Cypriots' rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
Akinci's relationship with Ankara had come under strain, especially after he described the prospect of the north's annexation by Turkey as "horrible" in February.
When Akinci took office in 2015, he was hailed as the leader best placed to revive peace talks.
But hopes were dashed in July 2017 after UN-mediated negotiations collapsed in Switzerland, notably over Greek Cypriot demands for the withdrawal of the tens of thousands of Turkish soldiers still stationed in the TRNC.
bur-bg-raz-fz/dwo/hc
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Three talking points from the Premier League

Liverpool 's Premier League title defence could depend on the extent of Virgil Van Dijk 's injury Another high-scoring Premier League weekend left the title race wide open as Liverpool suffered the devastating blow of losing Virgil Van Dijk to a knee ligament injury .
The champions also dropped two points in a contentious 2-2 Merseyside derby draw as Everton remain in top spot .
Aston Villa are the only side with a 100 percent record after Ross Barkley 's late winner beat Leicester 1-0 .
But Chelsea and Tottenham 's title credentials were again called into question after they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-3 at home to Southampton and West Ham respectively .
AFP Sports looks at three talking points from the Premier League weekend .
Liverpool had the look of champions as they bounced back from a 7-2 humiliation at Villa before the international break with a much-improved performance at Everton .
But Jurgen Klopp 's men lost more than just two points as decisions went against them at Goodison Park .
Van Dijk 's season is likely over as he faces surgery on the ligament damage caused by a horrible lunge from Jordan Pickford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Dutch giant 's presence was missed as Everton twice scored headed goals to come back and snatch a point with the help of a VAR review to rule out a stoppage time winner for Liverpool .
But the loss of Van Dijk for a prolonged period threatens to be an even bigger blow to the Reds ' title defence .
Chelsea could have moved level on points with Liverpool to bolster hopes that their huge summer transfer spend will be rewarded with a title challenge .
However , Frank Lampard 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defensive problems continue to blight the Blues .
Kepa Arrizabalaga had another afternoon to forget in goal as his howler allowed Che Adams to score Southampton 's second .
The Spaniard has already lost his place to Willy Caballero and Edouard Mendy this season , but returned due to an injury suffered by Mendy on international duty .
Mendy is clearly Lampard 's long-term solution , but he has to also find a way to make Chelsea a better defensive unit in general .
Kepa was not in goal when they conceded three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chelsea have now lost 63 goals in 43 league games under the former England midfielder .
Chelsea are far from alone when it comes to having a poor defensive record .
Barkley 's late strike ensured there have still been no goalless draws and a quarter of the 48 Premier League games so far have featured six or more goals .
Tottenham have contributed to three of those as the combination of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min again shone in a 3-3 draw with West Ham .
Kane and Son have combined for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spurs could not even see out a three-goal lead with just eight minutes remaining .
Manuel Lanzini 's sensational 94th-minute strike snatched a point for David Moyes 's men but the former Manchester United manager is keen to see a return to some decent defending to go along with the drama .
`` I ca n't work out if it is the quality of the forwards .
I look it and see a lack of good defending , '' said Moyes .
`` Games are played very one end and the other end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think if you are a purist you like to see good defending too . ''

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Another high-scoring Premier League weekend left the title race wide open as Liverpool suffered the devastating blow of losing Virgil Van Dijk to a knee ligament injury.
The champions also dropped two points in a contentious 2-2 Merseyside derby draw as Everton remain in top spot.
Aston Villa are the only side with a 100 percent record after Ross Barkley's late winner beat Leicester 1-0.
But Chelsea and Tottenham's title credentials were again called into question after they managed to spurn multiple-goal leads to draw 3-3 at home to Southampton and West Ham respectively.
AFP Sports looks at three talking points from the Premier League weekend.
Derby costs Liverpool dear
Liverpool had the look of champions as they bounced back from a 7-2 humiliation at Villa before the international break with a much-improved performance at Everton.
But Jurgen Klopp's men lost more than just two points as decisions went against them at Goodison Park.
Van Dijk's season is likely over as he faces surgery on the ligament damage caused by a horrible lunge from Jordan Pickford that went unpunished when Liverpool led 1-0.
The Dutch giant's presence was missed as Everton twice scored headed goals to come back and snatch a point with the help of a VAR review to rule out a stoppage time winner for Liverpool.
But the loss of Van Dijk for a prolonged period threatens to be an even bigger blow to the Reds' title defence.
Another Kepa calamity
Chelsea could have moved level on points with Liverpool to bolster hopes that their huge summer transfer spend will be rewarded with a title challenge.
However, Frank Lampard's men twice let the lead slip as defensive problems continue to blight the Blues.
Kepa Arrizabalaga had another afternoon to forget in goal as his howler allowed Che Adams to score Southampton's second.
The Spaniard has already lost his place to Willy Caballero and Edouard Mendy this season, but returned due to an injury suffered by Mendy on international duty.
Mendy is clearly Lampard's long-term solution, but he has to also find a way to make Chelsea a better defensive unit in general.
Kepa was not in goal when they conceded three times to West Brom last month and Chelsea have now lost 63 goals in 43 league games under the former England midfielder.
Bad defending breeds better entertainment
Chelsea are far from alone when it comes to having a poor defensive record.
Barkley's late strike ensured there have still been no goalless draws and a quarter of the 48 Premier League games so far have featured six or more goals.
Tottenham have contributed to three of those as the combination of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min again shone in a 3-3 draw with West Ham.
Kane and Son have combined for 18 goals already this season, but Spurs could not even see out a three-goal lead with just eight minutes remaining.
Manuel Lanzini's sensational 94th-minute strike snatched a point for David Moyes's men but the former Manchester United manager is keen to see a return to some decent defending to go along with the drama.
"I can't work out if it is the quality of the forwards. I look it and see a lack of good defending," said Moyes.
"Games are played very one end and the other end. It is exciting, but I think if you are a purist you like to see good defending too."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Polls close in peaceful Guinea election after tense campaign

Voters wait in line at a polling station in Conakry on October 18 , 2020 .
Guineans cast ballots for a president on Sunday , with the 82-year-old incumbent Alpha Condé facing his longtime rival Cellou Dalein Diallo for a third time .
Guinea 's election — the first in a string across West Africa — followed a tense campaign marked by insults traded between President Alpha Condé and his leading rival .
.
Some 5.4 million people were registered to vote , and initial results are expected to be announced in several days .
Ten other candidates besides Condé @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A second round run-off vote is scheduled for November 24 , if needed .
Polls closed at 6pm local time after a mostly calm day of voting , but there are already fears of post-election discord .
`` Alpha Condé can not abandon his desire to grant himself a presidency for life , '' Diallo told reporters on Sunday , warning his rival not take power using `` cunning and violence '' .
Security Minister Albert Damantang Camara told AFP there had been `` no major incidents '' on Sunday , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not accept the result .
He urged him to `` return to his senses '' .
'We want peace , not a fight' Mohamed Fode Camara , a social affairs ministry employee , said he `` feared the day when results are announced '' .
`` God will save us , inshallah , '' he said , adding that Guineans `` want peace , not a fight '' .
Much of the tension in Guinea relates to a new constitution Condé pushed through in March , in defiance of mass protests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The move controversially allowed him to bypass a two-term limit for presidential terms .
After decades as an opposition activist , Condé became Guinea 's first democratically-elected president in 2010 and won again in 2015 but rights groups now accuse him of veering towards authoritarianism .
Wearing an off-white suit , the president cast his ballot in a school for the deaf and said he wanted a `` free , democratic and transparent '' election , with no violence .
Diallo , 68 , was formerly a prime minister under authoritarian leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dressed in a white robe , in the Conakry suburb of Dixinn , an opposition stronghold .
Earlier , he had urged his supporters to `` show restraint '' .
Condé and Diallo have faced off twice before in tense polls in 2010 and 2015 , but this year 's were especially fraught .
The old rivals traded bitter insults on the campaign trail .
Diallo frequently raised the issue of Condé 's age and encouraged him to `` retire with dignity '' .
But the octogenarian president brushed off the jibes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diallo 's tenure under the autocrat Conté .
Condé argues that he has modernised the nation of 13 million people , and this year adopted tactics from previous campaigns , telling voters he would make Guinea `` Africa 's second ( economic ) power after Nigeria '' .
But despite rich deposits of bauxite , gold and diamonds , and abundant fresh-water supplies , Guinea remains a poor country .
Sunday 's vote marks the start of a busy electoral cycle across West Africa , with votes also due in Ivory Coast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of the major issues in these elections bear a striking semblance to the political debate in Guinea .
In Ivory Coast , for example , President Alassane Ouattara is running for a third term on October 31 after revising the constitution despite fierce opposition .

Guineans cast ballots for a president on Sunday, with the 82-year-old incumbent Alpha Condé facing his longtime rival Cellou Dalein Diallo for a third time.
Voters wait in line at a polling station in Conakry on October 18, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Guinea's election — the first in a string across West Africa — followed a tense campaign marked by insults traded between President Alpha Condé and his leading rival. .
Some 5.4 million people were registered to vote, and initial results are expected to be announced in several days.
Ten other candidates besides Condé and Diallo were contesting the poll. A second round run-off vote is scheduled for November 24, if needed.
Polls closed at 6pm local time after a mostly calm day of voting, but there are already fears of post-election discord.
"Alpha Condé cannot abandon his desire to grant himself a presidency for life," Diallo told reporters on Sunday, warning his rival not take power using "cunning and violence".
Security Minister Albert Damantang Camara told AFP there had been "no major incidents" on Sunday, but that he was concerned about suggestions that Diallo would not accept the result.
He urged him to "return to his senses".
'We want peace, not a fight'
Mohamed Fode Camara, a social affairs ministry employee, said he "feared the day when results are announced".
"God will save us, inshallah," he said, adding that Guineans "want peace, not a fight".
Much of the tension in Guinea relates to a new constitution Condé pushed through in March, in defiance of mass protests, arguing that it would modernise the country.
Guinea's President Alpha Condé wraps up his re-election campaign at a rally in the capital, Conakry, on October 16, 2020. © REUTERS stringer
The move controversially allowed him to bypass a two-term limit for presidential terms.
After decades as an opposition activist, Condé became Guinea's first democratically-elected president in 2010 and won again in 2015 but rights groups now accuse him of veering towards authoritarianism.
Wearing an off-white suit, the president cast his ballot in a school for the deaf and said he wanted a "free, democratic and transparent" election, with no violence.
Diallo, 68, was formerly a prime minister under authoritarian leader Lansana Conté.
He cast his vote, dressed in a white robe, in the Conakry suburb of Dixinn, an opposition stronghold. Earlier, he had urged his supporters to "show restraint".
String of West Africa votes
Condé and Diallo have faced off twice before in tense polls in 2010 and 2015, but this year's were especially fraught.
The old rivals traded bitter insults on the campaign trail. Diallo frequently raised the issue of Condé's age and encouraged him to "retire with dignity".
Main opposition candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo gestures to supporters in Conakry on October 15, 2020. © Cellou Binani, AFP
But the octogenarian president brushed off the jibes, and often reminded feverish crowds of Diallo's tenure under the autocrat Conté.
Condé argues that he has modernised the nation of 13 million people, and this year adopted tactics from previous campaigns, telling voters he would make Guinea "Africa's second (economic) power after Nigeria".
But despite rich deposits of bauxite, gold and diamonds, and abundant fresh-water supplies, Guinea remains a poor country.
Sunday's vote marks the start of a busy electoral cycle across West Africa, with votes also due in Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Niger.
Some of the major issues in these elections bear a striking semblance to the political debate in Guinea.
In Ivory Coast, for example, President Alassane Ouattara is running for a third term on October 31 after revising the constitution despite fierce opposition.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-10-18--Liverpool face up to long season without Van Dijk

Liverpool 's Virgil van Dijk looks set to miss the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury Liverpool 's Premier League title defence was rocked on Sunday when the club confirmed key defender Virgil van Dijk has suffered knee ligament damage amid reports the Dutchman could miss the rest of the season .
Van Dijk , who will require surgery , hobbled off after a shocking challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in a 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby on Saturday .
`` The centre-back damaged knee ligaments following an incident involving Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Liverpool said in a statement .
`` Van Dijk was required to be substituted and further assessment on the injury has revealed an operation will be needed .
`` No specific timescale is being placed upon his return to action at this stage . ''
It will at the very least be months before Liverpool 's talismanic presence at the back returns from injury , leaving Jurgen Klopp with a major problem to solve to keep the Reds ' season on track .
The Netherlands captain is also at risk of missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Van Dijk has been pivotal to Liverpool 's resurgence since making a then world record £75 million ( $ 97 million ) move for a defender from Southampton in January 2018 .
The 29-year-old has started the last 94 league games to bring a defensive solidity that was lacking during Klopp 's first two years at Anfield .
Since then Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019 and ended a 30-year wait to win the Premier League earlier this year .
`` You look at it now and think can Liverpool win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports .
`` Every team that has aspirations of winning the league has three or four players that if one of those players is missing , no matter how good your manager is , how big your squad is , you ca n't cover for them .
They are that outstanding . ''
With the summer transfer window only just closed , Klopp will have to wait until January to bolster his now threadbare options at centre-back .
Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have consistently struggled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is another option having deputised at the heart of the defence already this season .
`` I think they certainly have to go into the market in January .
Not just because of Van Dijk 's injury , Liverpool were weak in that area anyway , '' added Carragher .
`` For Jurgen Klopp and the club , right away it 's who can we get in ?
They have to be ready on January 1 to bring someone in . ''
There are parallels with the serious knee injury that Manchester City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of last season .
Without the Frenchman , City 's title defence imploded paving the way for Liverpool to cruise to the league title by 18 points .
The sidelining of Van Dijk is compounded by the absence of goalkeeper Alisson Becker with a shoulder injury .
Without the Brazilian in goal , Klopp 's men have conceded nine times in their last two matches , including a historic 7-2 humiliation at Aston Villa two weeks ago .
The loss of Van Dijk 's dominant aerial presence was obvious as Everton scored twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contentious derby at Goodison Park .
That left the Reds three points behind their city rivals at the top of the table .
But they remain ahead of the rest of the expected title challengers with none of the Premier League 's 'big six ' enjoying a perfect start to the season .
Van Dijk 's absence is also a bodyblow to Liverpool 's Champions League aspirations .
Their campaign begins away to Ajax on Wednesday and recent arrival Thiago Alcantara is also a major injury doubt for the trip to Amsterdam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reckless Everton challenge that earned Richarlison a straight red card for taking out the Spanish international .
Thiago was able to complete the game , but has also been sent for scans to discover the extent of a knee injury .
`` When I left the pitch , Thiago told me in the red card situation with Richarlison he thinks he got injured , '' said Klopp .
`` We will see if it 's true or not , but if he felt like this then we need to have a look .
@

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Liverpool's Premier League title defence was rocked on Sunday when the club confirmed key defender Virgil van Dijk has suffered knee ligament damage amid reports the Dutchman could miss the rest of the season.
Van Dijk, who will require surgery, hobbled off after a shocking challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in a 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.
"The centre-back damaged knee ligaments following an incident involving Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after six minutes at Goodison Park," Liverpool said in a statement.
"Van Dijk was required to be substituted and further assessment on the injury has revealed an operation will be needed.
"No specific timescale is being placed upon his return to action at this stage."
It will at the very least be months before Liverpool's talismanic presence at the back returns from injury, leaving Jurgen Klopp with a major problem to solve to keep the Reds' season on track.
The Netherlands captain is also at risk of missing the delayed Euro 2020 next June.
"I wish you a speedy recovery big man," tweeted Liverpool's top scorer Mohamed Salah.
Van Dijk has been pivotal to Liverpool's resurgence since making a then world record £75 million ($97 million) move for a defender from Southampton in January 2018.
The 29-year-old has started the last 94 league games to bring a defensive solidity that was lacking during Klopp's first two years at Anfield.
Since then Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019 and ended a 30-year wait to win the Premier League earlier this year.
"You look at it now and think can Liverpool win the league without Van Dijk there?" former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports.
"Every team that has aspirations of winning the league has three or four players that if one of those players is missing, no matter how good your manager is, how big your squad is, you can't cover for them. They are that outstanding."
With the summer transfer window only just closed, Klopp will have to wait until January to bolster his now threadbare options at centre-back.
- Laporte parallels -
Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have consistently struggled with injuries themselves, while midfielder Fabinho is another option having deputised at the heart of the defence already this season.
"I think they certainly have to go into the market in January. Not just because of Van Dijk's injury, Liverpool were weak in that area anyway," added Carragher.
"For Jurgen Klopp and the club, right away it's who can we get in? They have to be ready on January 1 to bring someone in."
There are parallels with the serious knee injury that Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte suffered at the start of last season.
Without the Frenchman, City's title defence imploded paving the way for Liverpool to cruise to the league title by 18 points.
The sidelining of Van Dijk is compounded by the absence of goalkeeper Alisson Becker with a shoulder injury.
Without the Brazilian in goal, Klopp's men have conceded nine times in their last two matches, including a historic 7-2 humiliation at Aston Villa two weeks ago.
The loss of Van Dijk's dominant aerial presence was obvious as Everton scored twice from headers to come from behind in a contentious derby at Goodison Park.
That left the Reds three points behind their city rivals at the top of the table.
But they remain ahead of the rest of the expected title challengers with none of the Premier League's 'big six' enjoying a perfect start to the season.
Van Dijk's absence is also a bodyblow to Liverpool's Champions League aspirations.
Their campaign begins away to Ajax on Wednesday and recent arrival Thiago Alcantara is also a major injury doubt for the trip to Amsterdam.
Klopp was not happy with another reckless Everton challenge that earned Richarlison a straight red card for taking out the Spanish international.
Thiago was able to complete the game, but has also been sent for scans to discover the extent of a knee injury.
"When I left the pitch, Thiago told me in the red card situation with Richarlison he thinks he got injured," said Klopp.
"We will see if it's true or not, but if he felt like this then we need to have a look."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-18--Paciencia header earns Schalke's 'deserved' first point of the season

Bundesliga crisis club Schalke picked up their first point of the season on Sunday as Goncalo Paciencia 's second-half equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw at home to Union Berlin .
Paciencia 's 69th minute header ended a nightmare start to the season for Schalke , who began the day with no points and one goal from their first three games .
`` It was a tough game , but we deserved this point .
We are not in a good moment , but everyone saw better things from us today , '' Paciencia told broadcaster Sky .
After a cagey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Christopher Trimmel cross to put Union ahead shortly after the break .
Schalke coach Manuel Baum , who replaced David Wagner last month , responded by bringing on Paciencia , who levelled the scores with 20 minutes to play .
After former Union player Steven Skrzybski had forced a corner on the counter-attack , the Portuguese striker found the net with a glancing header at the near post .
`` It was n't the easiest start to the season for us with the change of coach , but ( Baum ) has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to believe in him and he has to believe in us , '' said Paciencia .
The draw lifts Schalke off bottom spot and gives Baum 's side a timely boost ahead of next week 's derby at Borussia Dortmund .
Yet the seven-time German champions are still without a win in 20 league games , in a miserable run which stretches back to January .
Elsewhere , Eintracht Frankfurt and Portugal striker Andre Silva continued his electric early season form with a third goal in four Bundesliga games as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frankfurt missed the chance to draw level on points with league leaders RB Leipzig after Silva 's first-half penalty was cancelled out by Ondrej Duda 's equaliser .
The visitors dominated a scrappy first half , and were rewarded just before the break when Sebastiaan Bornauw brought down Japan international Daichi Kamada in the box .
Silva stepped up , and slotted the ball past Timo Horn to give his side a deserved lead .
The Portuguese , who completed a permanent move from AC Milan last month , now has four goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duda levelled the scores shortly after half-time , blasting in a sharp cross from Kingsley Ehizibue to secure Cologne their first point of the season .
Frankfurt now sit in fourth after four games , with only Leipzig , Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund having enjoyed a better start to the season .

Berlin (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Bundesliga crisis club Schalke picked up their first point of the season on Sunday as Goncalo Paciencia's second-half equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw at home to Union Berlin.
Paciencia's 69th minute header ended a nightmare start to the season for Schalke, who began the day with no points and one goal from their first three games.
"It was a tough game, but we deserved this point. We are not in a good moment, but everyone saw better things from us today," Paciencia told broadcaster Sky.
After a cagey first half, Marvin Friedrich nodded in a Christopher Trimmel cross to put Union ahead shortly after the break.
Schalke coach Manuel Baum, who replaced David Wagner last month, responded by bringing on Paciencia, who levelled the scores with 20 minutes to play.
After former Union player Steven Skrzybski had forced a corner on the counter-attack, the Portuguese striker found the net with a glancing header at the near post.
"It wasn't the easiest start to the season for us with the change of coach, but (Baum) has pushed us a lot in training. We have to believe in him and he has to believe in us," said Paciencia.
The draw lifts Schalke off bottom spot and gives Baum's side a timely boost ahead of next week's derby at Borussia Dortmund.
Yet the seven-time German champions are still without a win in 20 league games, in a miserable run which stretches back to January.
- Silva still on song -
Elsewhere, Eintracht Frankfurt and Portugal striker Andre Silva continued his electric early season form with a third goal in four Bundesliga games as his side drew 1-1 away to Cologne.
Frankfurt missed the chance to draw level on points with league leaders RB Leipzig after Silva's first-half penalty was cancelled out by Ondrej Duda's equaliser.
The visitors dominated a scrappy first half, and were rewarded just before the break when Sebastiaan Bornauw brought down Japan international Daichi Kamada in the box.
Silva stepped up, and slotted the ball past Timo Horn to give his side a deserved lead. The Portuguese, who completed a permanent move from AC Milan last month, now has four goals from five games in all competitions.
Duda levelled the scores shortly after half-time, blasting in a sharp cross from Kingsley Ehizibue to secure Cologne their first point of the season.
Frankfurt now sit in fourth after four games, with only Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund having enjoyed a better start to the season.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-19--African players in Europe: Red-letter day for 100-goal Salah

Egypt superstar Mohamed Salah became the third fastest Liverpool player to reach 100 goals by putting the Reds ahead a second time in a drawn Merseyside thriller against Everton at the weekend .
The 28-year-old , who moved to Anfield from Roma three years ago , is the third quickest goals centurion after Roger Hunt and Jack Parkinson .
Senegal 's Sadio Mane also scored for the defending champions , but Premier League leaders Everton clawed back twice to force a 2-2 draw .
He scored his fourth goal in three games as he returned from coronavirus quarantine , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draw against Merseyside rivals Everton .
Mane had missed two matches following his positive virus test and he made up for lost time with a cool finish from Andrew Robertson 's cross in the third minute at Goodison Park .
However , Liverpool twice blew the lead and Jordan Henderson 's last-gasp winner was ruled out for a harsh VAR offside call against Mane .
The Egypt forward reached his 100 goals milestone as the champions drew .
Salah fired Liverpool into a 2-1 lead when he met Yerry Mina 's poor clearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corner .
The Ivory Coast forward scored for the first time in three games , but it was n't enough to secure victory as Brighton earned a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park .
Zaha struck with a 19th-minute penalty controversially awarded for Tariq Lamptey 's slight push on Michy Batshuayi .
Palace were condemned to a third successive game without a win when Alexis Mac Allister drilled home in the 90th minute .
Nigeria striker Osimhen called for an end to police violence in his home country after scoring his first goal for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nigeria , '' was hand written on a white t-shirt held up by the attacker after he netted the fourth goal in a 4-1 Serie A win over Atalanta in Naples .
Ivorian striker Karamoh scored with 20 minutes to go but Parma , missing seven players due to coronavirus , fell 3-2 at Udinese for their third defeat in four games .
It was the first league goal this season for 22-year-old Karamoh and just his second since joining the club from Inter Milan in July 2019 .
Nigeria striker Simy converted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , as promoted Crotone held champions Juventus 1-1 to move off the bottom of the Serie A table .
Simy scored past Italy goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon , who was making his 650th Serie A appearance .
It was the 12th top-flight goal , and 43rd in total , for 28-year-old Simy in five seasons with Crotone .
The Burkina Faso international had a lucky escape in his side 's 1-0 win over Mainz after his red card was annulled by the video assistant referee .
Sent off for bringing down Karim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on goal , Tapsoba was reprieved when it transpired that Onisiwo had been offside seconds earlier .
Tapsoba remained on the pitch , and his side held on for a first league win this season .
The Nigeria full-back set up Ondrej Duda 's second-half equaliser as Cologne came from behind in a 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt .
Ehizibue 's swerving cross from the byline found Duda unmarked in the penalty area , and the Slovak smashed the ball home to give Cologne a first point of the season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Leipzig squad for the first time this season after testing positive for the coronavirus .
Haidara , who had started all three previous Leipzig games , stayed home as his side defended top spot with a 2-0 win at Augsburg .
The club said he had not been forced into self-isolation , despite the positive test .
`` The player is not infectious and so , after a discussion with the health authorities , has not gone into quarantine , '' said a Leipzig statement .
The 24-year-old Zimbabwean striker was on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Strasbourg , the club 's first in Ligue 1 since August .
Kadewere was the beneficiary of a chance created by captain Memphis Depay in the 12th minute .

Paris (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Egypt superstar Mohamed Salah became the third fastest Liverpool player to reach 100 goals by putting the Reds ahead a second time in a drawn Merseyside thriller against Everton at the weekend.
The 28-year-old, who moved to Anfield from Roma three years ago, is the third quickest goals centurion after Roger Hunt and Jack Parkinson.
Senegal's Sadio Mane also scored for the defending champions, but Premier League leaders Everton clawed back twice to force a 2-2 draw.
ENGLAND
SADIO MANE (Liverpool)
He scored his fourth goal in three games as he returned from coronavirus quarantine, but Liverpool had to settle for a controversial draw against Merseyside rivals Everton. Mane had missed two matches following his positive virus test and he made up for lost time with a cool finish from Andrew Robertson's cross in the third minute at Goodison Park. However, Liverpool twice blew the lead and Jordan Henderson's last-gasp winner was ruled out for a harsh VAR offside call against Mane.
MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)
The Egypt forward reached his 100 goals milestone as the champions drew. Salah fired Liverpool into a 2-1 lead when he met Yerry Mina's poor clearance with a superb strike into the far corner.
WILFRIED ZAHA (Crystal Palace)
The Ivory Coast forward scored for the first time in three games, but it wasn't enough to secure victory as Brighton earned a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. Zaha struck with a 19th-minute penalty controversially awarded for Tariq Lamptey's slight push on Michy Batshuayi. Palace were condemned to a third successive game without a win when Alexis Mac Allister drilled home in the 90th minute.
ITALY
VICTOR OSIMHEN (Napoli)
Nigeria striker Osimhen called for an end to police violence in his home country after scoring his first goal for Napoli. "End Police Brutality in Nigeria," was hand written on a white t-shirt held up by the attacker after he netted the fourth goal in a 4-1 Serie A win over Atalanta in Naples.
YANN KARAMOH (Parma)
Ivorian striker Karamoh scored with 20 minutes to go but Parma, missing seven players due to coronavirus, fell 3-2 at Udinese for their third defeat in four games. It was the first league goal this season for 22-year-old Karamoh and just his second since joining the club from Inter Milan in July 2019.
SIMEON NWANKWO (Crotone)
Nigeria striker Simy converted a 12th-minute penalty, his second this season, as promoted Crotone held champions Juventus 1-1 to move off the bottom of the Serie A table. Simy scored past Italy goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon, who was making his 650th Serie A appearance. It was the 12th top-flight goal, and 43rd in total, for 28-year-old Simy in five seasons with Crotone.
GERMANY
EDMOND TAPSOBA (Bayer Leverkusen)
The Burkina Faso international had a lucky escape in his side's 1-0 win over Mainz after his red card was annulled by the video assistant referee. Sent off for bringing down Karim Onisiwo when the Mainz striker was through on goal, Tapsoba was reprieved when it transpired that Onisiwo had been offside seconds earlier. Tapsoba remained on the pitch, and his side held on for a first league win this season.
KINGSLEY EHIZIBUE (Cologne)
The Nigeria full-back set up Ondrej Duda's second-half equaliser as Cologne came from behind in a 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. Ehizibue's swerving cross from the byline found Duda unmarked in the penalty area, and the Slovak smashed the ball home to give Cologne a first point of the season.
AMADOU HAIDARA (RB Leipzig)
The Mali international was left out of the Leipzig squad for the first time this season after testing positive for the coronavirus. Haidara, who had started all three previous Leipzig games, stayed home as his side defended top spot with a 2-0 win at Augsburg. The club said he had not been forced into self-isolation, despite the positive test. "The player is not infectious and so, after a discussion with the health authorities, has not gone into quarantine," said a Leipzig statement.
FRANCE
TINO KADEWERE (Lyon)
The 24-year-old Zimbabwean striker was on target for Lyon in their 3-2 win at Strasbourg, the club's first in Ligue 1 since August. Kadewere was the beneficiary of a chance created by captain Memphis Depay in the 12th minute.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-19--Newcastle fans switch off to boost charity

Newcastle supporters have raised £19,000 ( $ 24,700 ) by choosing to give to charity rather than watching their team play Manchester United on pay-per-view TV , according to a fans ' group .
Premier League matches in October that have not been earmarked for regular televised coverage can only be watched live via Sky Sports or BT Sport for a fee of £14.95 .
Fans already pay regular subscriptions to broadcasters and for season tickets to watch their team in person , something the coronavirus pandemic prevents them from doing .
The @ nufcfoodbank Twitter account said Newcastle fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the city 's West End food bank rather than paying to watch the match on Saturday , which Newcastle lost 4-1 .
Other supporters ' groups are encouraging fans to boycott pay-per-view and give to charity instead , while a petition has been started calling for the pay-per-view scheme to be scrapped .
The Leeds supporters ' trust said on Monday 100 fans had donated the price of this Friday 's game with Aston Villa in the 12 hours since it stated its intention to send the money to a foodbank .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week that the pricing of the matches was `` defensible '' and that the broadcasters were ultimately responsible for setting the price .
The chief executive of BT 's consumer division , Marc Allera , said the suggested price came from the Premier League , and that BT was `` pretty much just covering our costs to put these games on '' .
Allera said the intention of the move was to `` get some money moving into the clubs and the leagues that are struggling '' .
It is understood Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision on how to split revenue generated from the pay-per-view matches .

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Newcastle supporters have raised £19,000 ($24,700) by choosing to give to charity rather than watching their team play Manchester United on pay-per-view TV, according to a fans' group.
Premier League matches in October that have not been earmarked for regular televised coverage can only be watched live via Sky Sports or BT Sport for a fee of £14.95.
Fans already pay regular subscriptions to broadcasters and for season tickets to watch their team in person, something the coronavirus pandemic prevents them from doing.
The @nufcfoodbank Twitter account said Newcastle fans had raised an estimated £19,000 by donating to the city's West End food bank rather than paying to watch the match on Saturday, which Newcastle lost 4-1.
Other supporters' groups are encouraging fans to boycott pay-per-view and give to charity instead, while a petition has been started calling for the pay-per-view scheme to be scrapped.
The Leeds supporters' trust said on Monday 100 fans had donated the price of this Friday's game with Aston Villa in the 12 hours since it stated its intention to send the money to a foodbank.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said last week that the pricing of the matches was "defensible" and that the broadcasters were ultimately responsible for setting the price.
The chief executive of BT's consumer division, Marc Allera, said the suggested price came from the Premier League, and that BT was "pretty much just covering our costs to put these games on".
Allera said the intention of the move was to "get some money moving into the clubs and the leagues that are struggling".
It is understood Premier League clubs are yet to reach a decision on how to split revenue generated from the pay-per-view matches.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-19--UK and EU mull how to break Brexit deadlock following threats

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic was holding talks with a UK government which has warned it is ready to go its own way Britain and the European Union held fresh meetings on Monday to try to unlock their Brexit impasse after London threatened to walk out and go its own way next year despite warnings of further damage to the Covid-hit economy .
The UK government launched an information campaign advising businesses that `` time is running out '' to be ready for a complex new trading chapter with a post-Brexit transition period expiring at the end of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But industry groups continue to warn of potential chaos for road hauliers and the possibility of drugs shortages , as vital preparations remain in the early stages ahead of Britain unwinding nearly five decades of European integration .
Confederation of British Industry ( CBI ) deputy chief Josh Hardie said a `` hat-trick of unprecedented challenges '' loomed amid the first wave of coronavirus earlier this year , its resurgence now and `` uncertainty over the UK 's trading relationship with the EU '' .
Senior minister Michael Gove said Sunday the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade deal to remove much of the uncertainty if the EU shifts position , despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson declaring last week he was ready to abandon talks .
Gove met European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic in London on Monday morning to discuss the two sides ' existing divorce treaty , which Britain has threatened to redraw through a new internal market bill to regulate post-Brexit trade within the UK .
The contentious law has passed Britain 's House of Commons and was due later Monday to come up for debate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lords , which includes Anglican bishops .
In a rare joint letter published in the Financial Times , the five most senior bishops including Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the bill set a `` disastrous precedent '' for violating the rule of law .
On Monday afternoon , UK chief negotiator David Frost and EU counterpart Michel Barnier were to discuss the structure of their troubled negotiations by videoconference in light of Johnson 's threat , which scuppered a planned visit to London this week by Barnier .
The two sides disagree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair competition will be policed and how much access EU fishing fleets will get to UK waters .
Failure to strike a deal would see Britain and Europe revert to World Trade Organization terms , with tariffs and quotas for businesses , potentially devastating for economies already weakened by the pandemic .
`` Make no mistake , there are changes coming in just 75 days and time is running out for businesses to act , '' Gove said in launching the new campaign .
British business groups say they are doing all they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lack of government clarity , including about a new IT system for EU-bound truck drivers that is still in the testing stage .
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry urged the government to agree a sector-specific agreement with the EU to ensure an uninterrupted flow of lifesaving drugs , if a comprehensive trade deal can not be reached in time .
`` Our members are preparing for the end of the transition period at the same time as coronavirus cases rise across Europe , '' ABPI chief executive Richard Torbett said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus minds . ''

London (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
Britain and the European Union held fresh meetings on Monday to try to unlock their Brexit impasse after London threatened to walk out and go its own way next year despite warnings of further damage to the Covid-hit economy.
The UK government launched an information campaign advising businesses that "time is running out" to be ready for a complex new trading chapter with a post-Brexit transition period expiring at the end of this year, deal or no deal.
But industry groups continue to warn of potential chaos for road hauliers and the possibility of drugs shortages, as vital preparations remain in the early stages ahead of Britain unwinding nearly five decades of European integration.
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) deputy chief Josh Hardie said a "hat-trick of unprecedented challenges" loomed amid the first wave of coronavirus earlier this year, its resurgence now and "uncertainty over the UK's trading relationship with the EU".
Senior minister Michael Gove said Sunday the door remained "ajar" for an overarching trade deal to remove much of the uncertainty if the EU shifts position, despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson declaring last week he was ready to abandon talks.
Gove met European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic in London on Monday morning to discuss the two sides' existing divorce treaty, which Britain has threatened to redraw through a new internal market bill to regulate post-Brexit trade within the UK.
The contentious law has passed Britain's House of Commons and was due later Monday to come up for debate in the upper chamber, the House of Lords, which includes Anglican bishops.
In a rare joint letter published in the Financial Times, the five most senior bishops including Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the bill set a "disastrous precedent" for violating the rule of law.
- 'Focus minds' -
On Monday afternoon, UK chief negotiator David Frost and EU counterpart Michel Barnier were to discuss the structure of their troubled negotiations by videoconference in light of Johnson's threat, which scuppered a planned visit to London this week by Barnier.
The two sides disagree on state subsidies, how rules on fair competition will be policed and how much access EU fishing fleets will get to UK waters.
Failure to strike a deal would see Britain and Europe revert to World Trade Organization terms, with tariffs and quotas for businesses, potentially devastating for economies already weakened by the pandemic.
"Make no mistake, there are changes coming in just 75 days and time is running out for businesses to act," Gove said in launching the new campaign.
British business groups say they are doing all they can to prepare but are hampered by a lack of government clarity, including about a new IT system for EU-bound truck drivers that is still in the testing stage.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry urged the government to agree a sector-specific agreement with the EU to ensure an uninterrupted flow of lifesaving drugs, if a comprehensive trade deal cannot be reached in time.
"Our members are preparing for the end of the transition period at the same time as coronavirus cases rise across Europe," ABPI chief executive Richard Torbett said.
"This should be enough to focus minds."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-19--French police operations underway after beheading of teacher

France 's Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said Monday that police operations are underway into dozens of people who allegedly issued @ @ @ @ @ attacker after the beheading of a history teacher near Paris .
Samuel Paty was beheaded @ @ @ @ @ Paris , by a 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee , who was later shot dead by @ @ @ @ @ Paty had discussed caricatures of Islam ’ s Prophet Muhammad with his class , leading @ @ @

French police operations underway after beheading of teacher
00:35
France's Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said Monday that police operations are underway into dozens of people who allegedly issued messages of support for the attacker after the beheading of a history teacher near Paris. Samuel Paty was beheaded in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, northwest of Paris, by a 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee, who was later shot dead by police. Police officials said Paty had discussed caricatures of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad with his class, leading to threats.


france24--2020-10-19--France demonstrations pay tribute to beheaded teacher

Demonstrators in France on Sunday took part in gatherings in support of freedom of speech and in tribute to a @ @ @ @ @ near Paris after discussing caricatures of Islam ’ s Prophet Muhammad with his class .
@ @ @ @ @ Friday by a 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee who was shot dead by police .

France demonstrations pay tribute to beheaded teacher
00:51
Demonstrators in France on Sunday took part in gatherings in support of freedom of speech and in tribute to a history teacher who was beheaded near Paris after discussing caricatures of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad with his class. Samuel Paty was beheaded on Friday by a 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee who was shot dead by police.


france24--2020-10-19--Ankara-backed nationalist ousts president in Turkish Cypriot poll

Right-wing nationalist Ersin Tatar , backed by Ankara , scored a surprise victory in a run-off presidential election Sunday in @ @ @ @ @ results showed .
Tatar , who advocates a two-state solution on the divided island , @ @ @ @ @ of incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci , who had been tipped to win a @ @ @

Ankara-backed nationalist ousts president in Turkish Cypriot poll
01:47
Video by: Alexander AUCOTT
Right-wing nationalist Ersin Tatar, backed by Ankara, scored a surprise victory in a run-off presidential election Sunday in breakaway northern Cyprus, official results showed. Tatar, who advocates a two-state solution on the divided island, won 51.73 percent, ahead of incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who had been tipped to win a second term.


france24--2020-10-19--New Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire jeopardised by shelling reports

A new ceasefire in the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh appeared to be in jeopardy on Monday , with ethnic Armenian @ @ @ @ @ other of renewed shelling .
More than 1,000 people have been killed since fighting began @ @ @ @

New Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire jeopardised by shelling reports
01:47
Video by: Andrew HILLIAR
A new ceasefire in the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh appeared to be in jeopardy on Monday, with ethnic Armenian forces and Azerbaijan accusing each other of renewed shelling. More than 1,000 people have been killed since fighting began on Sept. 27.


france24--2020-10-19--India detains Chinese soldier in disputed border region

An Indian fighter jet flies over a mountain range in Ladakh .
Indian and Chinese troops have clashed along their disputed border in the remote region India said Monday that it had detained a Chinese soldier who strayed across the disputed frontier where the two countries are engaged in a months-long standoff after a series of clashes .
The People 's Liberation Army corporal was `` apprehended '' in the high altitude freezing desert area of Ladakh after crossing into Indian-controlled territory along their poorly demarcated border , an Indian army statement said .
Both sides have poured tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since fighting a pitched battle in June in which 20 Indian troops and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers were killed .
India named the Chinese soldier who `` strayed '' as Corporal Wang Ya Long and said he had been given medical treatment against the extreme climate .
India said the PLA had already made an approach and the corporal would be returned `` as per established protocols '' .
Several rounds of talks have failed to significantly ease tensions and the neighbours -- who blame each other for the standoff -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter at 4,200 metres ( 14,000 feet ) in a region where temperatures regularly fall below minus 30 degrees Celsius ( minus 22 Fahrenheit ) .

Srinagar (India) (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
India said Monday that it had detained a Chinese soldier who strayed across the disputed frontier where the two countries are engaged in a months-long standoff after a series of clashes.
The People's Liberation Army corporal was "apprehended" in the high altitude freezing desert area of Ladakh after crossing into Indian-controlled territory along their poorly demarcated border, an Indian army statement said.
Both sides have poured tens of thousands of troops into the border zone since fighting a pitched battle in June in which 20 Indian troops and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers were killed.
India named the Chinese soldier who "strayed" as Corporal Wang Ya Long and said he had been given medical treatment against the extreme climate.
India said the PLA had already made an approach and the corporal would be returned "as per established protocols".
Several rounds of talks have failed to significantly ease tensions and the neighbours -- who blame each other for the standoff -- are now digging in for a harsh winter at 4,200 metres (14,000 feet) in a region where temperatures regularly fall below minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 22 Fahrenheit).
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-19--Chileans clang pots, rally in Santiago to mark anniversary of 2019 protests

Chileans clang pots , rally in Santiago to mark anniversary of 2019 protests Tens of thousands of Chileans gathered in @ @ @ @ @ capital , Santiago , on Sunday , clanging pots , cheering and chanting to mark @ @ @ @ @ protests over inequality that left more than 30 dead and thousands injured .

Chileans clang pots, rally in Santiago to mark anniversary of 2019 protests
01:28
Video by: Camille NEDELEC
Tens of thousands of Chileans gathered in the central square of the capital, Santiago, on Sunday, clanging pots, cheering and chanting to mark the one-year anniversary of mass protests over inequality that left more than 30 dead and thousands injured.


france24--2020-10-19--US envoy slams Afghan bloodshed as car bomb toll rises

Smoke rises from the site of a car bomb attack that targeted an Afghan police headquarters in Feroz Koh A top US envoy slammed Afghanistan 's `` distressingly high '' levels of bloodshed Monday after a car bombing at a police headquarters killed at least 16 people and wounded scores more .
The latest remarks by veteran diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad , who negotiated a withdrawal deal with the Taliban in February , come as spiralling violence across Afghanistan imperils ongoing peace talks between the Kabul government and the Taliban .
`` Continued high levels of violence can threaten the peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding that there is no military solution , '' Khalilzad said on Twitter .
`` Violence today remains distressingly high in spite of the recent reaffirmation of the need for substantial reduction . ''
On Sunday , a car bomb near the police headquarters in the western province of Ghor left 16 people dead and 154 wounded , local hospital head Mohammad Omar Lalzad told AFP on Monday .
Five children , nine women and 26 members of the security forces were among the wounded , he said .
Aref Aber , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the toll .
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack , but Afghan officials blamed the Taliban .
In the country 's southern province of Helmand , thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes in recent days as fierce fighting erupted between the Taliban and government forces .
The violence continues even though Khalilzad last week claimed the Taliban had assured US forces they would reduce attacks and casualties .
US influence over Afghanistan 's battlegrounds is on the wane , with the Pentagon looking to withdraw all its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump has said US forces should return even sooner , raising questions about Washington 's insistence that its withdrawal from Afghanistan after 19 years of war is really `` conditions-based '' .
The Taliban have been quick to exploit the apparent lack of resolve , and began to push for fresh military gains as soon as they signed the withdrawal deal with the US .
`` The belief that says violence must escalate to win concessions at the negotiating table is very risky .
Such an approach can undermine the peace process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Khalilzad said .

Kabul (AFP) –
Advertising Read more
A top US envoy slammed Afghanistan's "distressingly high" levels of bloodshed Monday after a car bombing at a police headquarters killed at least 16 people and wounded scores more.
The latest remarks by veteran diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad, who negotiated a withdrawal deal with the Taliban in February, come as spiralling violence across Afghanistan imperils ongoing peace talks between the Kabul government and the Taliban.
"Continued high levels of violence can threaten the peace process and the agreement and the core understanding that there is no military solution," Khalilzad said on Twitter.
"Violence today remains distressingly high in spite of the recent reaffirmation of the need for substantial reduction."
On Sunday, a car bomb near the police headquarters in the western province of Ghor left 16 people dead and 154 wounded, local hospital head Mohammad Omar Lalzad told AFP on Monday.
Five children, nine women and 26 members of the security forces were among the wounded, he said.
Aref Aber, the spokesman for Ghor's governor, confirmed the toll.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Afghan officials blamed the Taliban.
In the country's southern province of Helmand, thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes in recent days as fierce fighting erupted between the Taliban and government forces.
The violence continues even though Khalilzad last week claimed the Taliban had assured US forces they would reduce attacks and casualties.
US influence over Afghanistan's battlegrounds is on the wane, with the Pentagon looking to withdraw all its remaining troops by next May.
President Donald Trump has said US forces should return even sooner, raising questions about Washington's insistence that its withdrawal from Afghanistan after 19 years of war is really "conditions-based".
The Taliban have been quick to exploit the apparent lack of resolve, and began to push for fresh military gains as soon as they signed the withdrawal deal with the US.
"The belief that says violence must escalate to win concessions at the negotiating table is very risky. Such an approach can undermine the peace process and repeats past miscalculations by Afghan leaders," Khalilzad said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-19--Polls start closing in 'calm' Bolivian general election

Voters headed to the polls Sunday amidst high tension in Bolivia , with some expecting social upheaval for the second @ @ @ @ @ matter who wins the general election .

Polls start closing in 'calm' Bolivian general election
01:36
Video by: Alexander AUCOTT
Voters headed to the polls Sunday amidst high tension in Bolivia, with some expecting social upheaval for the second time in a year no matter who wins the general election.