france24--2020-12-06--Three generations, one roof: US trend amplified in pandemic

Eric Marcoux ( C ) poses with his wife Katie ( 2nd row C ) , her mother Judy Christensen ( L ) , her father Dano Christensen ( R ) and daughter Eva Kolb in front of their house in Potomac , Maryland , on December 3 , 2020 After separating from her husband in 2007 , Katie Marcoux and her two young daughters moved in with her parents for financial reasons .
She expected to stay a year at most .
Thirteen years later , Marcoux -- now remarried -- still lives in the house , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Such arrangements are increasingly common in the US , where one in five people now live in a `` multigenerational '' household , according to Pew Research Center .
The phenomenon has been on the rise since the 1980s , when immigrant families arriving from Asia and Latin America tended to reside in households that ran the gamut in the age of residents .
There was another rise starting around 2009 when the Great Recession brought the number of adults living in their childhood homes back to levels last seen in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 , many are turning to the playbook again .
When she moved in , Marcoux , now 49 , was working part-time for the school system and `` not in a very good financial position , '' she recalled .
But living with her parents allowed Marcoux to maintain a part-time work schedule while raising her daughters , who were adjusting to new schools and their parents ' divorce .
She was assisted by mother Judy Kristensen .
`` When the girls were little , we were able to help Katie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so she could work , '' Kristensen , 78 , said .
Meanwhile , Marcoux was able to progress professionally and now works full time .
`` One of the things that it has afforded me big time is a financial freedom that I was able to recover , '' said Marcoux .
Eric Marcoux , husband to Katie , felt `` very at home '' with his in-laws , `` so I sold my house and moved in , '' recalled the 47-year-old former cartographer , who brought his dog , Jazzman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two stepdaughters , then teenagers , were forced to share one bathroom , an arrangement that `` was n't ideal , '' he said .
The situation improved immeasurably after a home improvement project added a second master bedroom and another bathroom .
Dana Scanlon , a real estate agent in the Washington region , said more young parents are taking a similar approach during the pandemic .
`` We have seen many couples with young children move in with their parents , into the large homes they grew up in -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Scanlon said .
`` This allows them the opportunity to have in-house babysitters or 'Zoom school supervisors ' while they work from their laptops . ''
Another factor behind the shift has been the aging of the overall population , with many baby boomers still vigorous but looking ahead to a future when mobility will probably be more difficult .
Marcoux 's parents appreciate the buzz of company when many of their contemporaries rue their solitude and they do n't expect to have an empty nest again .
Staying with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Marcoux said .
`` When we did the modifications to the house , we also redid their bathrooms so that it was more accessible for elderly . ''
Marcoux has two older brothers in the area , `` but it is just kind of an understanding that I will take care of them , '' she said .
Marcoux 's youngest daughter , Jenna , 19 , moved to New York for college , but Eva , 20 , is living in the home as she studies graphic design .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the day I have a really strong support system , '' Eva said .
The arrangement has also worked well for grandfather Dano , 80 .
`` We have a very close relationship with all of our grandchildren , '' he said .
`` But it 's special when they live with you . ''
Richard Fry , a senior researcher at Pew Research Center , said there has been a `` sharp rise '' over the last decade in young adults living in multigenerational households .
In 2016 , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose to 33 percent from 23 percent nine years earlier .
A common challenge for millennials and other young Americans has been the burden of student loans .
`` Clearly what this reflects is that there 's a segment of young adults who are simply having trouble earning enough to be able to live independently , '' Fry said .

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After separating from her husband in 2007, Katie Marcoux and her two young daughters moved in with her parents for financial reasons. She expected to stay a year at most.
Thirteen years later, Marcoux -- now remarried -- still lives in the house, along with her parents and one of her daughters.
Such arrangements are increasingly common in the US, where one in five people now live in a "multigenerational" household, according to Pew Research Center.
The phenomenon has been on the rise since the 1980s, when immigrant families arriving from Asia and Latin America tended to reside in households that ran the gamut in the age of residents.
There was another rise starting around 2009 when the Great Recession brought the number of adults living in their childhood homes back to levels last seen in the 1950s.
Now, with the upheaval of Covid-19, many are turning to the playbook again.
- New directions -
When she moved in, Marcoux, now 49, was working part-time for the school system and "not in a very good financial position," she recalled.
But living with her parents allowed Marcoux to maintain a part-time work schedule while raising her daughters, who were adjusting to new schools and their parents' divorce.
She was assisted by mother Judy Kristensen.
"When the girls were little, we were able to help Katie out by driving them places and stuff so she could work," Kristensen, 78, said.
Meanwhile, Marcoux was able to progress professionally and now works full time.
"One of the things that it has afforded me big time is a financial freedom that I was able to recover," said Marcoux.
Eric Marcoux, husband to Katie, felt "very at home" with his in-laws, "so I sold my house and moved in," recalled the 47-year-old former cartographer, who brought his dog, Jazzman.
Still, Marcoux, his wife and two stepdaughters, then teenagers, were forced to share one bathroom, an arrangement that "wasn't ideal," he said.
The situation improved immeasurably after a home improvement project added a second master bedroom and another bathroom.
Dana Scanlon, a real estate agent in the Washington region, said more young parents are taking a similar approach during the pandemic.
"We have seen many couples with young children move in with their parents, into the large homes they grew up in -- something they never imagined they would do," Scanlon said.
"This allows them the opportunity to have in-house babysitters or 'Zoom school supervisors' while they work from their laptops."
- Golden years -
Another factor behind the shift has been the aging of the overall population, with many baby boomers still vigorous but looking ahead to a future when mobility will probably be more difficult.
Marcoux's parents appreciate the buzz of company when many of their contemporaries rue their solitude and they don't expect to have an empty nest again.
Staying with the parents is "definitely our plan," Marcoux said.
"When we did the modifications to the house, we also redid their bathrooms so that it was more accessible for elderly."
Marcoux has two older brothers in the area, "but it is just kind of an understanding that I will take care of them," she said.
Marcoux's youngest daughter, Jenna, 19, moved to New York for college, but Eva, 20, is living in the home as she studies graphic design.
"It really benefits me because at the end of the day I have a really strong support system," Eva said.
The arrangement has also worked well for grandfather Dano, 80.
"We have a very close relationship with all of our grandchildren," he said. "But it's special when they live with you."
Richard Fry, a senior researcher at Pew Research Center, said there has been a "sharp rise" over the last decade in young adults living in multigenerational households.
In 2016, the number of 25-29 year-olds living in such homes rose to 33 percent from 23 percent nine years earlier.
A common challenge for millennials and other young Americans has been the burden of student loans.
"Clearly what this reflects is that there's a segment of young adults who are simply having trouble earning enough to be able to live independently," Fry said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--'Dumb errors' cap poor year for ill-disciplined Wallabies

Frustrated Wallabies coach Dave Rennie blasted his team 's `` dumb errors '' after another erratic and ill-disciplined performance against Argentina left Australia with just one win from six this year and the Tri Nations wooden spoon .
They rallied from 13-6 down at the break in pouring rain at Sydney on Saturday to salvage a 16-16 draw , but sloppy ball handling and poor execution again blighted their game .
It followed a 15-15 stalemate against the Pumas a fortnight ago , when they threw away a 15-6 advantage .
`` We 're a work in progress .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and come together well , but , as I 've said , we need to see that reflected in performance , '' said Rennie .
`` There 's no lack of heart and no lack of effort , but we 've got to be way more clinical .
Discipline was disappointing and we made some dumb errors . ''
Ill-discipline has been a recurring problem with too many silly penalties handed to the opposition .
On Saturday , skipper Michael Hooper was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their points while he was off the field .
Then Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was red-carded with 20 minutes left for dangerous play .
Despite being down to 14 men , the Wallabies managed to claw their way back into the game and could have won had Reece Hodge converted a late penalty .
It was the third time this year he has missed long-range kicks to clinch games , and the stalemate did n't go down well with the Australian media .
Broadsheet The Australian said it sent the team `` almost back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sydney Morning Herald bemoaned a `` depressing and sour '' end to the year .
Sydney 's Daily Telegraph was even more brutal .
`` The Wallabies have been in camp together for months now but were so out of sorts they looked like they were meeting on a Tinder date for the first time , '' it blasted .
New Zealander Rennie was recruited after Michael Cheika -- now working with Argentina -- was axed after a poor showing at the World Cup last year and his reign began on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the All Blacks in Wellington in October .
The Wallabies then got hammered twice by their trans-Tasman rivals before upsetting Ian Foster 's men 24-22 in Brisbane .
But two successive draws against Argentina have again piled on the pressure .
`` We won one out of six , if you look at it from that perspective , '' Rennie said .
`` It 's disappointing , but I guess we 've got an understanding of where we 're at . ''
In contrast , Argentina have done better than expected despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , lockdowns and quarantine restrictions , criticism over a perceived lack of respect for the late Diego Maradona and a racist tweet scandal last week .
Throughout they showed remarkable resilience , earning their first win against New Zealand in 35 years on the back of a fierce defence .
They lost the return match against the All Blacks but drew twice with Australia to finish second in the Tri Nations on points difference .
`` These guys just do n't stop surprising us , '' Ledesma said of his squad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road for four months .
`` They never put their head down , they 're never complaining , they 're not whingeing , they are always really positive .
They love each other .
`` It 's been an incredible journey , the whole year , '' he added .
`` I 'm super proud and happy for the boys . ''

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Frustrated Wallabies coach Dave Rennie blasted his team's "dumb errors" after another erratic and ill-disciplined performance against Argentina left Australia with just one win from six this year and the Tri Nations wooden spoon.
They rallied from 13-6 down at the break in pouring rain at Sydney on Saturday to salvage a 16-16 draw, but sloppy ball handling and poor execution again blighted their game.
It followed a 15-15 stalemate against the Pumas a fortnight ago, when they threw away a 15-6 advantage.
"We're a work in progress. We're good men who have worked hard and come together well, but, as I've said, we need to see that reflected in performance," said Rennie.
"There's no lack of heart and no lack of effort, but we've got to be way more clinical. Discipline was disappointing and we made some dumb errors."
Ill-discipline has been a recurring problem with too many silly penalties handed to the opposition.
On Saturday, skipper Michael Hooper was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle in the first half, with the Pumas scoring 10 of their points while he was off the field.
Then Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was red-carded with 20 minutes left for dangerous play.
Despite being down to 14 men, the Wallabies managed to claw their way back into the game and could have won had Reece Hodge converted a late penalty.
It was the third time this year he has missed long-range kicks to clinch games, and the stalemate didn't go down well with the Australian media.
Broadsheet The Australian said it sent the team "almost back to where it started from" while the Sydney Morning Herald bemoaned a "depressing and sour" end to the year.
Sydney's Daily Telegraph was even more brutal.
"The Wallabies have been in camp together for months now but were so out of sorts they looked like they were meeting on a Tinder date for the first time," it blasted.
- Incredible journey -
New Zealander Rennie was recruited after Michael Cheika -- now working with Argentina -- was axed after a poor showing at the World Cup last year and his reign began on a promising note with an unexpected 16-16 draw against the All Blacks in Wellington in October.
The Wallabies then got hammered twice by their trans-Tasman rivals before upsetting Ian Foster's men 24-22 in Brisbane.
But two successive draws against Argentina have again piled on the pressure.
"We won one out of six, if you look at it from that perspective," Rennie said.
"It's disappointing, but I guess we've got an understanding of where we're at."
In contrast, Argentina have done better than expected despite a tumultuous tour.
They endured Covid-19 cases, lockdowns and quarantine restrictions, criticism over a perceived lack of respect for the late Diego Maradona and a racist tweet scandal last week.
Throughout they showed remarkable resilience, earning their first win against New Zealand in 35 years on the back of a fierce defence.
They lost the return match against the All Blacks but drew twice with Australia to finish second in the Tri Nations on points difference.
"These guys just don't stop surprising us," Ledesma said of his squad, many of whom have been on the road for four months.
"They never put their head down, they're never complaining, they're not whingeing, they are always really positive. They love each other.
"It's been an incredible journey, the whole year," he added. "I'm super proud and happy for the boys."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--South Koreans Ryu and Park, US teen Noh share LPGA lead

US teen Yealimi Noh looks down into a sand trap after her shot landed back in the bunker on the way to a double bogey on the 18th hole that dropped her into a share of the lead after three rounds of the LPGA Volunteers of America Championship South Korea 's Ryu So-yeon fired a six-under par 65 to grab a share of the lead with compatriot Park In-bee and US teen Yealimi Noh after Saturday 's third round of the LPGA Volunteers of America Championship .
World number 15 Ryu 's bogey-free round featured five birdies in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13th to leave her level with Noh and Park on four-under 209 after 54 holes at The Colony in suburban Dallas .
Ryu , a two-time major champion who captured this year 's Korean Women 's Open , seeks her seventh career LPGA victory and her first since the 2018 Meijer Classic .
Noh , a 19-year-old rookie , birdied all four par-5 holes -- the second , sixth , 13th and 17th , but then closed with a double bogey to shoot 71 and fall back into a share of the lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best LPGA finish was a runner-up effort at last year 's Portland Classic .
World number five Park fired a 69 , making a birdie at the sixth as well as back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth before her lone bogey at the par-3 11th .
Park , a seven-time major winner , seeks her second title of 2020 after taking her 20th career LPGA victory at the Women 's Australian Open in February just before the season was halted for the Covid-19 pandemic .
A pack sharing fourth on 210 included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nasa Hataoka , Americans Angela Stanford , Jessica Korda and Kristen Gillman , world number one Ko Jin-young of South Korea and Thailand 's Pornanong Phatlum .

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South Korea's Ryu So-yeon fired a six-under par 65 to grab a share of the lead with compatriot Park In-bee and US teen Yealimi Noh after Saturday's third round of the LPGA Volunteers of America Championship.
World number 15 Ryu's bogey-free round featured five birdies in the first eight holes and another at the par-5 13th to leave her level with Noh and Park on four-under 209 after 54 holes at The Colony in suburban Dallas.
Ryu, a two-time major champion who captured this year's Korean Women's Open, seeks her seventh career LPGA victory and her first since the 2018 Meijer Classic.
Noh, a 19-year-old rookie, birdied all four par-5 holes -- the second, sixth, 13th and 17th, but then closed with a double bogey to shoot 71 and fall back into a share of the lead with Ryu and Park.
Noh's best LPGA finish was a runner-up effort at last year's Portland Classic.
World number five Park fired a 69, making a birdie at the sixth as well as back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth before her lone bogey at the par-3 11th.
Park, a seven-time major winner, seeks her second title of 2020 after taking her 20th career LPGA victory at the Women's Australian Open in February just before the season was halted for the Covid-19 pandemic.
A pack sharing fourth on 210 included England's Charley Hull, Japan's Nasa Hataoka, Americans Angela Stanford, Jessica Korda and Kristen Gillman, world number one Ko Jin-young of South Korea and Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--New Zealand score innings victory over West Indies in first Test

New Zealand 's players celebrate their victory against West Indies in the first Test cricket match at Seddon Park in Hamilton on December 6 , 2020 .
New Zealand claimed the first Test against the West Indies by a comprehensive innings and 134 runs after ending a battling rearguard century by Jermaine Blackwood in Hamilton on Sunday .
The West Indies were all out in the first session on day four for 247 after only making 138 in their first innings in reply to New Zealand 's 519 for seven .
Blackwood was the second to last wicket to fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alzarri Joseph who made 86 .
The victory was set up over the first two days when New Zealand captain Kane Williamson , the man of the match , crafted a majestic 251 and the West Indies were always on the back foot from there .
The tourists went into the fourth day at 196 for for six with Blackwood and Joseph advancing the total to 244 before Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner combined to take the final three wickets in the space of 10 deliveries .
Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich , who injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not bat in either innings .
New Zealand had a chance for a key breakthrough early in the day when Blackwood , on 89 , edged a ball straight to Ross Taylor .
But the usually reliable first slip spilled the catch , allowing Blackwood to continue on to reach his second Test century .
Joseph posted his highest Test score , but hopes of a maiden century vanished when he was caught at deep point off Kyle Jamieson .
Neil Wagner followed with the wickets with Blackwood and Shannon Gabriel in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 66 .

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New Zealand claimed the first Test against the West Indies by a comprehensive innings and 134 runs after ending a battling rearguard century by Jermaine Blackwood in Hamilton on Sunday.
The West Indies were all out in the first session on day four for 247 after only making 138 in their first innings in reply to New Zealand's 519 for seven.
Blackwood was the second to last wicket to fall for 104 after a 155-run stand with Alzarri Joseph who made 86.
The victory was set up over the first two days when New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, the man of the match, crafted a majestic 251 and the West Indies were always on the back foot from there.
The tourists went into the fourth day at 196 for for six with Blackwood and Joseph advancing the total to 244 before Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner combined to take the final three wickets in the space of 10 deliveries.
Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, who injured a hand on the first day, did not bat in either innings.
New Zealand had a chance for a key breakthrough early in the day when Blackwood, on 89, edged a ball straight to Ross Taylor.
But the usually reliable first slip spilled the catch, allowing Blackwood to continue on to reach his second Test century.
Joseph posted his highest Test score, but hopes of a maiden century vanished when he was caught at deep point off Kyle Jamieson.
Neil Wagner followed with the wickets with Blackwood and Shannon Gabriel in the next over to finish with four for 66.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--Britain's Queen Elizabeth to get Covid-19 vaccine 'in weeks': reports

Britain 's Queen Elizabeth II , 94 , and Prince Philip , 99 , are in line to get the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine early due to their age Britain 's Queen Elizabeth II will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine within weeks , after UK regulators granted emergency approval and the world 's first roll-out begins next week , reports late Saturday said .
The monarch , 94 , and her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip are in line to get the jab early due to their age and will not receive preferential treatment , the Mail on Sunday reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would reveal they have been given the inoculation `` to encourage more people to take up the vital jab '' , amid fears so-called anti-vaxxers could dent enthusiasm for it .
Britain on Wednesday gave emergency approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine , with health officials set to use criteria based on age and vulnerability to decide the order of people to receive it .
Elderly care home residents and their carers will be the very first to get inoculated , followed by those aged 80 and over and frontline health and care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinically extremely vulnerable will be next , with the rest of the population then prioritised by age .
Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The Daily Mirror also reported a string of high-profile figures in Britain had committed publicly to getting the vaccine in a bid to boost take-up .
They include Monty Python star Michael Palin and Bob Geldof , the tabloid said .
Britain has pre-ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine in total , and is set to receive an initial batch of 800,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regulators were forced to defend their world-first approval on Wednesday of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine , insisting it met all safety standards after US and European officials queried the rapid process .
Meanwhile , plans are reportedly being stepped up to ensure any complications arising from the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31 do not impact its roll-out .
The vaccine will be manufactured at Pfizer 's plant in Puurs , Belgium , and needs to be transported in temperature-controlled thermal shippers that use dry ice .
The Observer reported late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to fly millions of doses into Britain on military aircraft in the event of Brexit-related disruption at UK ports .
`` We will do this if necessary , '' a health department spokesperson told the newspaper .
Talks to finalise a UK-EU free trade deal and avoid potential chaos in January are currently gridlocked , with just days left to seal an agreement .

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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine within weeks, after UK regulators granted emergency approval and the world's first roll-out begins next week, reports late Saturday said.
The monarch, 94, and her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip are in line to get the jab early due to their age and will not receive preferential treatment, the Mail on Sunday reported.
The newspaper said Britain's most senior royals would reveal they have been given the inoculation "to encourage more people to take up the vital jab", amid fears so-called anti-vaxxers could dent enthusiasm for it.
Britain on Wednesday gave emergency approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, with health officials set to use criteria based on age and vulnerability to decide the order of people to receive it.
Elderly care home residents and their carers will be the very first to get inoculated, followed by those aged 80 and over and frontline health and care staff.
Other elderly people and the clinically extremely vulnerable will be next, with the rest of the population then prioritised by age.
Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Daily Mirror also reported a string of high-profile figures in Britain had committed publicly to getting the vaccine in a bid to boost take-up.
They include Monty Python star Michael Palin and Bob Geldof, the tabloid said.
Britain has pre-ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine in total, and is set to receive an initial batch of 800,000 to begin next week's rollout.
Regulators were forced to defend their world-first approval on Wednesday of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, insisting it met all safety standards after US and European officials queried the rapid process.
Meanwhile, plans are reportedly being stepped up to ensure any complications arising from the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31 do not impact its roll-out.
The vaccine will be manufactured at Pfizer's plant in Puurs, Belgium, and needs to be transported in temperature-controlled thermal shippers that use dry ice.
The Observer reported late Saturday that ministers have drawn up contingency plans to fly millions of doses into Britain on military aircraft in the event of Brexit-related disruption at UK ports.
"We will do this if necessary," a health department spokesperson told the newspaper.
Talks to finalise a UK-EU free trade deal and avoid potential chaos in January are currently gridlocked, with just days left to seal an agreement.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-05--Jones wants large England contingent in Lions squad for South Africa

Eddie Jones took over as England head coach after the 2015 Rugby World Cup Eddie Jones will be delighted if England supply the bulk of the squad for next year 's British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa .
Jones ' men will have a fresh chance to underline their credentials to be involved in the combined side 's Test series against the world champion Springboks when they face France in the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup final at Twickenham on Sunday .
The England coach believes a strong Red Rose contingent in South Africa will allow him to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France when he takes England on a two-Test tour of Canada and the United States in July .
`` We see this Lions tour as an opportunity for us to grow another layer of depth , '' said Jones , whose side were overwhelmed 32-12 by the Springboks in last year 's World Cup final in Japan .
`` When I say I would like us to have 20 players on the Lions tour , in some ways it is almost selfish because we would like the opportunity to bring younger guys in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England ) squad , '' added the veteran Australian coach .
`` But we have got this game on Sunday and then the Six Nations , so there are still plenty of balls to face before you get to that selection headache . ''
France are the only team to have beaten Six Nations champions England so far this year , winning 24-17 in Paris in February .
But the French team that takes the field on Sunday will bear little relation to that side , with the starting XV boasting a mere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are fielding such an inexperienced team is due to a player release agreement with the Top 14 clubs that limits individual player involvement in a rearranged end-of-year schedule created in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
France , however , have won the last two Under-20 World Championships and team manager Raphael Ibanez bristled at suggestions that the side selected by Fabien Galthie meant this latest Anglo-French clash had been devalued .
`` We read headlines saying 'England showdown thrown into a farce ' .
I can tell you that our players are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Ibanez , a former France captain .
Points difference was all that separated the teams in this year 's Six Nations , with former France scrum-half Galthie insisting : `` We will be ready on Sunday , I can assure you that we will be ready . ''

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Eddie Jones will be delighted if England supply the bulk of the squad for next year's British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
Jones' men will have a fresh chance to underline their credentials to be involved in the combined side's Test series against the world champion Springboks when they face France in the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup final at Twickenham on Sunday.
The England coach believes a strong Red Rose contingent in South Africa will allow him to keep building for the 2023 World Cup in France when he takes England on a two-Test tour of Canada and the United States in July.
"We see this Lions tour as an opportunity for us to grow another layer of depth," said Jones, whose side were overwhelmed 32-12 by the Springboks in last year's World Cup final in Japan.
"When I say I would like us to have 20 players on the Lions tour, in some ways it is almost selfish because we would like the opportunity to bring younger guys in to create greater depth in the (England) squad," added the veteran Australian coach.
"But we have got this game on Sunday and then the Six Nations, so there are still plenty of balls to face before you get to that selection headache."
France are the only team to have beaten Six Nations champions England so far this year, winning 24-17 in Paris in February.
But the French team that takes the field on Sunday will bear little relation to that side, with the starting XV boasting a mere 68 caps between them.
That France are fielding such an inexperienced team is due to a player release agreement with the Top 14 clubs that limits individual player involvement in a rearranged end-of-year schedule created in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
France, however, have won the last two Under-20 World Championships and team manager Raphael Ibanez bristled at suggestions that the side selected by Fabien Galthie meant this latest Anglo-French clash had been devalued.
"We read headlines saying 'England showdown thrown into a farce'. I can tell you that our players are worthy of the cap they're earning," said Ibanez, a former France captain.
Points difference was all that separated the teams in this year's Six Nations, with former France scrum-half Galthie insisting: "We will be ready on Sunday, I can assure you that we will be ready."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-05--Grillo clings to PGA Mayakoba lead as rivals close gap

Argentina 's Emiliano Grillo fired a three-under par 68 to keep a one-stroke lead after Saturday 's third round of the US PGA Mayakoba Classic in Mexico Argentina 's Emiliano Grillo clung to a one-stroke lead after Saturday 's third round of the PGA Mayakoba Classic with Americans Justin Thomas , Adam Long and Tom Hoge and Norway 's Viktor Hovland charging into contention .
Grillo , who began the day with a four-stroke lead , fired a three-under par 68 to stand on 16-under 197 after 54 holes at Playa del Carmen , Mexico .
`` It 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , finish on the lead .
That 's the idea , '' Grillo said .
`` One more of those .
That 's the plan tomorrow , finish with the lead . ''
Hoge , chasing his first PGA victory , birdied five of the last six holes to grab second on 198 while Hovland matched his career-low PGA round with a 63 for third on 199 .
`` I really tried to be determined to make good , confident swings and putting strokes the whole way in , '' Hoge said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Long was fourth on 200 after a 63 and Thomas , the 2017 PGA Championship winner , fired a bogey-free 62 to share fifth on 201 with Patrick Rodgers .
World number 171 Grillo , who matched a PGA career-low with a 63 on Friday , opened with a birdie and added more at the par-5 fifth and seventh holes .
But after bogeys at the par-3 10th and par-4 12th , his lead was trimmed to a single shot .
Grillo , whose only PGA title came at the 2015 Frys.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ par-5 13th and par-3 15th , rolling in an eight-foot putt to stretch to lead to two over Hovland , taking his first 54-lead on the tour .
`` You just try to do the same over and over , '' Grillo said .
`` I 'll try to shoot under par tomorrow and see if it 's enough .
You just have to go play your best and beat everybody else . ''
Hovland opened bogey-birdie , birdied four of the last five holes on the front nine and four of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grab second .
`` I was able to hit a lot of good iron shots and had a lot of good looks at birdies , and missed my fair share of them to be honest , '' Hovland said .
`` I feel like I 've given myself a better chance to have rounds like these more often .
I 'm chipping a little bit better and putting a little bit better .
I do n't have to have as many things go well to shoot a 63 . ''
Thomas , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round on the back nine and birdied three of his first five holes then added another at 17 and closed with birdies on five of six holes before reaching 18 , where he missed the green but saved par with an eight-foot putt .
After starting the day 10 adrift and upset with his second round , Thomas attacked the course and it paid off .
`` I really just tried to go out there , did n't have a game plan or mentality , just wanted to out there and make birdies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I try not to get wrapped up in what I 'm doing .
I 'm trying to birdie every single hole .
If you can hit your numbers and get the ball in the fairway , you can really bomb it . ''
Long birdied seven of the first nine holes , leaping into second place by starting with back-to-back birdies and reeling off five in a row from the fifth hole .
Long , whose only PGA title came at the 2019 Desert Classic , took his first bogey at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the par-4 14th and 17th .
`` I had a feeling I had to go low to even stay close , '' Long said .
`` I had a good run there and it was nice to see those putts go in .
Tony Finau aced the par-3 fourth with a gap wedge and shot 69 to finish in a seventh-place pack on 202 .

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Argentina's Emiliano Grillo clung to a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the PGA Mayakoba Classic with Americans Justin Thomas, Adam Long and Tom Hoge and Norway's Viktor Hovland charging into contention.
Grillo, who began the day with a four-stroke lead, fired a three-under par 68 to stand on 16-under 197 after 54 holes at Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
"It's a positive thing -- start on the lead, finish on the lead. That's the idea," Grillo said. "One more of those. That's the plan tomorrow, finish with the lead."
Hoge, chasing his first PGA victory, birdied five of the last six holes to grab second on 198 while Hovland matched his career-low PGA round with a 63 for third on 199.
"I really tried to be determined to make good, confident swings and putting strokes the whole way in," Hoge said. "Got a few going finally."
Long was fourth on 200 after a 63 and Thomas, the 2017 PGA Championship winner, fired a bogey-free 62 to share fifth on 201 with Patrick Rodgers.
World number 171 Grillo, who matched a PGA career-low with a 63 on Friday, opened with a birdie and added more at the par-5 fifth and seventh holes.
But after bogeys at the par-3 10th and par-4 12th, his lead was trimmed to a single shot.
Grillo, whose only PGA title came at the 2015 Frys.com Open, responded with birdies at the par-5 13th and par-3 15th, rolling in an eight-foot putt to stretch to lead to two over Hovland, taking his first 54-lead on the tour.
"You just try to do the same over and over," Grillo said. "I'll try to shoot under par tomorrow and see if it's enough. You just have to go play your best and beat everybody else."
Hovland opened bogey-birdie, birdied four of the last five holes on the front nine and four of the final six on the back nine to grab second.
"I was able to hit a lot of good iron shots and had a lot of good looks at birdies, and missed my fair share of them to be honest," Hovland said.
"I feel like I've given myself a better chance to have rounds like these more often. I'm chipping a little bit better and putting a little bit better. I don't have to have as many things go well to shoot a 63."
Thomas, the 2017 PGA Championship winner, began his round on the back nine and birdied three of his first five holes then added another at 17 and closed with birdies on five of six holes before reaching 18, where he missed the green but saved par with an eight-foot putt.
After starting the day 10 adrift and upset with his second round, Thomas attacked the course and it paid off.
"I really just tried to go out there, didn't have a game plan or mentality, just wanted to out there and make birdies and attack," Thomas said.
"I try not to get wrapped up in what I'm doing. I'm trying to birdie every single hole. If you can hit your numbers and get the ball in the fairway, you can really bomb it."
- Finau aces fourth hole -
Long birdied seven of the first nine holes, leaping into second place by starting with back-to-back birdies and reeling off five in a row from the fifth hole.
Long, whose only PGA title came at the 2019 Desert Classic, took his first bogey at the par-4 11th but answered with birdies at the par-4 14th and 17th.
"I had a feeling I had to go low to even stay close," Long said. "I had a good run there and it was nice to see those putts go in.
Tony Finau aced the par-3 fourth with a gap wedge and shot 69 to finish in a seventh-place pack on 202.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-05--Mbappe brings up century in PSG's Montpellier win

Kylian Mbappe ( R ) scored his 100th goal for PSG on his 137th appearace for the club Kylian Mbappe scored his 100th goal for Paris Saint-Germain after making a late appearance as a substitute for the Ligue 1 leaders in Saturday 's 3-1 victory at in-form Montpellier .
With Neymar preserved ahead of next week 's crucial Champions League clash against Istanbul Basaksehir and Mbappe rested from the start , Colin Dagba 's first career goal gave PSG the lead on 33 minutes .
English forward Stephy Mavididi levelled before half-time at the Stade de la Mosson , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 77 minutes -- his fifth in seventh league games .
The Italy international was then replaced by Mbappe , who wrapped up the victory in stoppage time as he brought up his century of goals in his 137th game for PSG .
`` I 've been wanting to score for a few matches , it 's a bit of a release , '' Mbappe told Canal Plus .
`` When I signed here I would n't even had thought of scoring three goals , '' he beamed .
`` ( A hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Defending champions PSG pulled four points clear of Marseille at the top as they avoided going three league games without victory for the first time since April 2019 .
Montpellier , without top scorer Andy Delort after he tested positive for coronavirus for the second time in three months , saw their hopes of dislodging the leaders dashed as their four-match winning run came to an end .
Earlier , Rennes crashed to a sixth defeat in seven matches as they lost 2-0 at home to Lens , three days being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arnaud Kalimuendo , on loan from PSG , hit the opener on 27 minutes and Ignatius Ganago sealed the victory late in the second half .

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Kylian Mbappe scored his 100th goal for Paris Saint-Germain after making a late appearance as a substitute for the Ligue 1 leaders in Saturday's 3-1 victory at in-form Montpellier.
With Neymar preserved ahead of next week's crucial Champions League clash against Istanbul Basaksehir and Mbappe rested from the start, Colin Dagba's first career goal gave PSG the lead on 33 minutes.
English forward Stephy Mavididi levelled before half-time at the Stade de la Mosson, but Moise Kean struck a magnificent solo goal on 77 minutes -- his fifth in seventh league games.
The Italy international was then replaced by Mbappe, who wrapped up the victory in stoppage time as he brought up his century of goals in his 137th game for PSG.
"I've been wanting to score for a few matches, it's a bit of a release," Mbappe told Canal Plus.
"When I signed here I wouldn't even had thought of scoring three goals," he beamed. "(A hundred) was part of a distant goal."
Defending champions PSG pulled four points clear of Marseille at the top as they avoided going three league games without victory for the first time since April 2019.
Montpellier, without top scorer Andy Delort after he tested positive for coronavirus for the second time in three months, saw their hopes of dislodging the leaders dashed as their four-match winning run came to an end.
Earlier, Rennes crashed to a sixth defeat in seven matches as they lost 2-0 at home to Lens, three days being dumped out of Europe.
Teenage striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, on loan from PSG, hit the opener on 27 minutes and Ignatius Ganago sealed the victory late in the second half.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-05--'Not the time' to discuss possible Messi move, says PSG's Leonardo

Lionel Messi and Neymar played four seasons together at Barcelona Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo on Saturday played down the possibility of Lionel Messi joining the French champions .
Following Wednesday 's Champions League win at Manchester United , Neymar -- a former team-mate of Messi 's at Barcelona -- said he would like to play alongside the Argentina forward again .
`` We have to respect Messi and Barcelona .
Messi is a Barcelona player .
When someone talks abut our player , we 're unhappy , so we do n't talk about other clubs ' players , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the time to talk about that , to talk about the transfer window , we 're thinking about our season , our goals , staying focused .
`` We have the squad to do that , a competitive team even if we rotate players , '' he added .
On Friday , Barca coach Ronald Koeman criticised interim club president Carles Tusquets who said earlier in the week they should have sold the record six-time Ballon d'Or winner during the summer .
The 33-year-old made an attempt to leave the Camp Nou @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is free to leave next year .
Additionally , Brazilian Leonardo said talks are ongoing with France World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe about a new deal , with his contract up in June 2022 .
`` It 's moving along well .
We 've taken steps forward compared to 10 or 15 years ago , we 'll keep on going , '' he said .

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Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo on Saturday played down the possibility of Lionel Messi joining the French champions.
Following Wednesday's Champions League win at Manchester United, Neymar -- a former team-mate of Messi's at Barcelona -- said he would like to play alongside the Argentina forward again.
"We have to respect Messi and Barcelona. Messi is a Barcelona player. When someone talks abut our player, we're unhappy, so we don't talk about other clubs' players," he told Canal+.
"It's not the time to talk about that, to talk about the transfer window, we're thinking about our season, our goals, staying focused.
"We have the squad to do that, a competitive team even if we rotate players," he added.
On Friday, Barca coach Ronald Koeman criticised interim club president Carles Tusquets who said earlier in the week they should have sold the record six-time Ballon d'Or winner during the summer.
The 33-year-old made an attempt to leave the Camp Nou before backing down in September, although he is free to leave next year.
Additionally, Brazilian Leonardo said talks are ongoing with France World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe about a new deal, with his contract up in June 2022.
"It's moving along well. We've taken steps forward compared to 10 or 15 years ago, we'll keep on going," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-05--Wales 'will have a good crack' at Six Nations says Pivac

'Not too far off ' - Wales coach Wayne Pivac Wayne Pivac insisted Wales would be in contention for the 2021 Six Nations title after the coach 's first year in charge ended with an unconvincing 38-18 win over Italy on Saturday .
Wales secured fifth place in the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup with the win in Llanelli , just their third victory under New Zealander Pivac .
Italy , twice , and Georgia are the only teams Wales have got the better of this year .
But Pivac , who has repeatedly stressed the Nations Cup 's role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Cup in France , insisted Wales could compete with Europe 's elite .
`` If we go pre-lockdown you would say we 're not too far off , the French game at home and the game with England , '' Pivac said .
`` Obviously we selected a different type of squad for this Autumn series , which has been discussed quite a bit .
`` But combining the two squads and our learnings , I 'd like to think we 'll have a good crack at it ( the 2021 Six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` No doubt others will be thinking England , France and Ireland . ''
Wales surged into a 14-0 lead against following maiden Test tries by Kieran Hardy and Sam Parry before perennial Six Nations strugglers Italy fought back to be 18-17 ahead early in the second half .
Wales , however , regained their composure in the final quarter , with Gareth Davies , George North and Justin Tipuric running in the last of their five tries after Josh Adams had been yellow carded shortly before half-time .
`` We 've had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Six Nations , that 's a huge number , '' said Pivac .
`` We 've learnt a lot about those players and they 've learnt a lot .
You ca n't buy that , you 've got to go out in those games and learn from them , '' added the Wales boss , whose side suffered Nations Cup pool defeats by England and Ireland .
Italy captain Luca Bigi was left regretting the Azzurri 's failure to press on in the closing 20 minutes after tries by Marco Zanon and Johan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boot of fly-half Paolo Garbisi , gave them a narrow lead .
`` We did n't get a proper reaction when we had momentum , '' Bigi said after a match played behind closed doors at Parc Y Scarlets because of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We need to be more effective in the second half of games , '' the hooker added .
`` But we 've seen some new faces in the Six Nations and this competition .
We are evolving and improving and we are committed to this long-term @ @ @

Llanelli (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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Wayne Pivac insisted Wales would be in contention for the 2021 Six Nations title after the coach's first year in charge ended with an unconvincing 38-18 win over Italy on Saturday.
Wales secured fifth place in the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup with the win in Llanelli, just their third victory under New Zealander Pivac.
Italy, twice, and Georgia are the only teams Wales have got the better of this year. But Pivac, who has repeatedly stressed the Nations Cup's role in developing squad depth ahead of the 2023 World Cup in France, insisted Wales could compete with Europe's elite.
"If we go pre-lockdown you would say we're not too far off, the French game at home and the game with England," Pivac said.
"Obviously we selected a different type of squad for this Autumn series, which has been discussed quite a bit.
"But combining the two squads and our learnings, I'd like to think we'll have a good crack at it (the 2021 Six Nations)," he added.
"No doubt others will be thinking England, France and Ireland."
Wales surged into a 14-0 lead against following maiden Test tries by Kieran Hardy and Sam Parry before perennial Six Nations strugglers Italy fought back to be 18-17 ahead early in the second half.
Wales, however, regained their composure in the final quarter, with Gareth Davies, George North and Justin Tipuric running in the last of their five tries after Josh Adams had been yellow carded shortly before half-time.
"We've had 11 debutants since the start of the Six Nations, that's a huge number," said Pivac.
"We've learnt a lot about those players and they've learnt a lot. You can't buy that, you've got to go out in those games and learn from them," added the Wales boss, whose side suffered Nations Cup pool defeats by England and Ireland.
Italy captain Luca Bigi was left regretting the Azzurri's failure to press on in the closing 20 minutes after tries by Marco Zanon and Johan Meyer, allied to eight points from the boot of fly-half Paolo Garbisi, gave them a narrow lead.
"We didn't get a proper reaction when we had momentum," Bigi said after a match played behind closed doors at Parc Y Scarlets because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"We need to be more effective in the second half of games," the hooker added.
"But we've seen some new faces in the Six Nations and this competition. We are evolving and improving and we are committed to this long-term project."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-05--Lampard beats Bielsa again as Chelsea move top of Premier League

Flying high : Kurt Zouma ( left ) scored the winner as Chelsea went top of the Premier League Chelsea moved top of the Premier League after coming from behind to beat Leeds 3-1 on the night 2,000 fans returned to Stamford Bridge .
The Blues had to bounce back after Patrick Bamford 's early opener against his former club .
But the home fans in attendance after the coronavirus-enforced absence got a glimpse of why Frank Lampard 's remodelled side are now title contenders as goals from Olivier Giroud , Kurt Zouma and Christian Pulisic extended Chelsea 's unbeaten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lampard 's men -- reinforced by a £220 million ( $ 296 million ) spending spree in the transfer market -- a point clear of Tottenham and Liverpool , who are in action on Sunday at home to Arsenal and Wolves respectively .
Edouard Mendy had conceded just once in six previous Premier League appearances to solve Chelsea 's goalkeeping woes , but the Ivorian was partly at fault as Bamford kept up his fine start to the season after just four minutes .
The Leeds striker never made a first-team appearance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his doubters wrong back in the top-flight .
He scored his eighth goal in 11 games with a calm finish to round a hesitant Mendy after Kalvin Phillips 's pass opened up the Blues defence .
Giroud earned his first Premier League start of the season after scoring four times against Sevilla in the Champions League in midweek .
The French international would have had an equaliser earlier had Timo Werner not somehow turned his goalbound header onto the bar from point-blank range .
Illan Meslier had another inspired game in the Leeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compatriot a goal with a poor clearance into Giroud 's path , which he pulled wide .
Giroud did finally level on 27 minutes when he slotted home Reece James 's dangerous low cross .
However , Chelsea were dealt a blow in the build-up to that goal as Hakim Ziyech pulled up with a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Pulisic .
After the break , Chelsea 's superior class showed to allow Lampard to get another one over old foe Marcelo Bielsa .
Lampard was furious when during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spy to the Rams ' training ground before a Championship match in 2019 .
Leeds beat Lampard 's men three times that season but lost the one that mattered as Derby progressed to the playoff final with a 4-2 win at Elland Road .
Bielsa 's men bounced back to romp to the Championship title last season and are showing they belong in the Premier League as they more than competed with one of the favourites for the title .
Raphinha blazed over a glorious chance to restore the visitors ' lead early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocked his first attempt .
The chances for Chelsea soon began to flow , though , as Meslier had to make a brilliant double save from Werner before Mason Mount 's goalbound shot was deflected over by Ezgjan Alioski .
From the resulting corner , Mount 's delivery was powered home by Zouma for the centre-back 's fourth goal of the season .
Werner passed up another glorious chance as he again shot too close to Meslier with just the 'keeper to beat .
However , the German finally made a positive contribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the right and squared for Pulisic to get his injury-hit season up and running .

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Chelsea moved top of the Premier League after coming from behind to beat Leeds 3-1 on the night 2,000 fans returned to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues had to bounce back after Patrick Bamford's early opener against his former club.
But the home fans in attendance after the coronavirus-enforced absence got a glimpse of why Frank Lampard's remodelled side are now title contenders as goals from Olivier Giroud, Kurt Zouma and Christian Pulisic extended Chelsea's unbeaten run to 16 games.
Victory takes Lampard's men -- reinforced by a £220 million ($296 million) spending spree in the transfer market -- a point clear of Tottenham and Liverpool, who are in action on Sunday at home to Arsenal and Wolves respectively.
Edouard Mendy had conceded just once in six previous Premier League appearances to solve Chelsea's goalkeeping woes, but the Ivorian was partly at fault as Bamford kept up his fine start to the season after just four minutes.
The Leeds striker never made a first-team appearance in five years at Chelsea but is proving his doubters wrong back in the top-flight. He scored his eighth goal in 11 games with a calm finish to round a hesitant Mendy after Kalvin Phillips's pass opened up the Blues defence.
Giroud earned his first Premier League start of the season after scoring four times against Sevilla in the Champions League in midweek.
The French international would have had an equaliser earlier had Timo Werner not somehow turned his goalbound header onto the bar from point-blank range.
- Lampard trumps old foe -
Illan Meslier had another inspired game in the Leeds goal, but he nearly gifted his compatriot a goal with a poor clearance into Giroud's path, which he pulled wide.
Giroud did finally level on 27 minutes when he slotted home Reece James's dangerous low cross.
However, Chelsea were dealt a blow in the build-up to that goal as Hakim Ziyech pulled up with a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Pulisic.
After the break, Chelsea's superior class showed to allow Lampard to get another one over old foe Marcelo Bielsa.
Lampard was furious when during his time at Derby, Bielsa sent a spy to the Rams' training ground before a Championship match in 2019.
Leeds beat Lampard's men three times that season but lost the one that mattered as Derby progressed to the playoff final with a 4-2 win at Elland Road.
Bielsa's men bounced back to romp to the Championship title last season and are showing they belong in the Premier League as they more than competed with one of the favourites for the title.
Raphinha blazed over a glorious chance to restore the visitors' lead early in the second period after Thiago Silva blocked his first attempt.
The chances for Chelsea soon began to flow, though, as Meslier had to make a brilliant double save from Werner before Mason Mount's goalbound shot was deflected over by Ezgjan Alioski.
From the resulting corner, Mount's delivery was powered home by Zouma for the centre-back's fourth goal of the season.
Werner passed up another glorious chance as he again shot too close to Meslier with just the 'keeper to beat.
However, the German finally made a positive contribution in stoppage time as he accelerated away down the right and squared for Pulisic to get his injury-hit season up and running.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-05--Having cheated death, Grosjean gets behind wheel of car again

Romain Grosjean in his Haas car before the horrific crash in the Bahrain Grand Prix Romain Grosjean sat in a Haas Formula One car again on Saturday for the first time since escaping from a fiery crash with just burns to his hands during the Bahrain Grand Prix .
Just six days after the 34-year-old Frenchman extricated himself from the blaze that engulfed him on the opening lap of last Sunday 's race , he was back in the paddock again .
He later posted a photo of himself in his car on social media , adding the message : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but sitting back in @ haasfeteam felt really good .
I was so happy . ''
Grosjean 's car split in half in a 245 kph impact with the barriers in one of the most dramatic incidents in the recent history of Formula One .
The guardrail ruptured in the crash and left him trapped in the front half of his wrecked car while the rear half broke away and stopped close by .
He has said he `` saw death too closely '' in the crash , telling AFP in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 'It ca n't end like this , not now ' .
I tried to get out again , but I could n't , so I sat down and I saw death , not close up , but from too close ...
It 's a feeling that I wish on no-one . ''
The drivers are competing in Bahrain for the second week in a row with the Sakhir Grand Prix to take place in the kingdom on Sunday .
Valtteri Bottas pipped stand-in Mercedes team-mate George Russell to take pole position with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race after testing positive for Covid-19 .

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Romain Grosjean sat in a Haas Formula One car again on Saturday for the first time since escaping from a fiery crash with just burns to his hands during the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Just six days after the 34-year-old Frenchman extricated himself from the blaze that engulfed him on the opening lap of last Sunday's race, he was back in the paddock again.
He later posted a photo of himself in his car on social media, adding the message: "Not my usual racing gloves on, but sitting back in @haasfeteam felt really good. I was so happy."
Grosjean's car split in half in a 245 kph impact with the barriers in one of the most dramatic incidents in the recent history of Formula One.
The guardrail ruptured in the crash and left him trapped in the front half of his wrecked car while the rear half broke away and stopped close by.
He has said he "saw death too closely" in the crash, telling AFP in an interview on Wednesday: "I thought: 'It can't end like this, not now'. I tried to get out again, but I couldn't, so I sat down and I saw death, not close up, but from too close ... It's a feeling that I wish on no-one."
The drivers are competing in Bahrain for the second week in a row with the Sakhir Grand Prix to take place in the kingdom on Sunday.
Valtteri Bottas pipped stand-in Mercedes team-mate George Russell to take pole position with already-crowned world champion Lewis Hamilton sitting out the race after testing positive for Covid-19.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-05--Ravens had four Covid-19 strains in facility in outbreak

Baltimore Ravens third-string quarterback Trace McSorley was pressed into duty in an NFL loss to Pittsburgh on Wednesday due to injuries and the loss of star Lamar Jackson to a positive Covid-19 test Baltimore Ravens had at least four different strains of Covid-19 virus in their facility during a major outbreak involving 23 players , team president Dick Cass said Saturday .
The Ravens suffered one of the biggest outbreaks of the deadly virus among sports teams , one that delayed their game at Pittsburgh Steelers for a week until and has pushed back last week 's game against Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous virus like this , everyone must comply with the protocol to avoid infecting many .
We now know that not everyone at the Ravens followed the protocol thoroughly , '' Cass said in a statement .
`` Based on information provided by the NFL , we have learned that we had at least four unique strains of Covid-19 in our facility .
`` Three of the four were stopped and not spread within our organization .
Unfortunately , the fourth was a highly contagious strain and spread throughout our organization . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Covid-19 for 10 days in a row .
ESPN , citing unnamed sources , said a strength and conditioning coach was suspended for not always wearing a facemask or contact tracing device while in the team facility .
`` We can not undo what has occurred , '' Cass said .
`` But , we can do our best to learn from what has happened and be vigilant moving forward to ensure that it does not happen again .
`` As the recent experience has shown us , this virus does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an organization and 99 % compliance is not a passing grade when dealing with this virus . ''
At 6-5 , the Ravens sit one game behind Miami and Indianapolis for the last playoff spots in the American Conference with five games to play .
The Ravens have 10 players remaining on their Covid-19 reserve list , including star quarterback Lamar Jackson .
Third-string signal caller Trace McSorley was pressed into duty in the loss at Pittsburgh .
`` To our community , our neighbors , our fans and families , we say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Cass said .
`` This virus is serious .
Very serious .
Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones .
Let 's beat this virus together . ''

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Baltimore Ravens had at least four different strains of Covid-19 virus in their facility during a major outbreak involving 23 players, team president Dick Cass said Saturday.
The Ravens suffered one of the biggest outbreaks of the deadly virus among sports teams, one that delayed their game at Pittsburgh Steelers for a week until and has pushed back last week's game against Dallas Cowboys to Tuesday.
"With a dangerous virus like this, everyone must comply with the protocol to avoid infecting many. We now know that not everyone at the Ravens followed the protocol thoroughly," Cass said in a statement.
"Based on information provided by the NFL, we have learned that we had at least four unique strains of Covid-19 in our facility.
"Three of the four were stopped and not spread within our organization. Unfortunately, the fourth was a highly contagious strain and spread throughout our organization."
At least one Ravens player tested positive for Covid-19 for 10 days in a row.
ESPN, citing unnamed sources, said a strength and conditioning coach was suspended for not always wearing a facemask or contact tracing device while in the team facility.
"We cannot undo what has occurred," Cass said. "But, we can do our best to learn from what has happened and be vigilant moving forward to ensure that it does not happen again.
"As the recent experience has shown us, this virus does not need a large opening to spread within an organization and 99% compliance is not a passing grade when dealing with this virus."
At 6-5, the Ravens sit one game behind Miami and Indianapolis for the last playoff spots in the American Conference with five games to play.
The Ravens have 10 players remaining on their Covid-19 reserve list, including star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Third-string signal caller Trace McSorley was pressed into duty in the loss at Pittsburgh.
"To our community, our neighbors, our fans and families, we say: Please learn from what happened here," Cass said. "This virus is serious. Very serious. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Let's beat this virus together."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-05--Asteroid dust collected by Japan probe arrives on Earth

A capsule carrying asteroid samples that was dropped off by the Hayabusa-2 probe created a shooting star-like fireball as it entered Earth 's atmosphere In a streak of light across the night sky , samples collected from a distant asteroid arrived on Earth on Sunday after being dropped off by Japanese space probe Hayabusa-2 .
Scientists hope the precious samples , which are expected to amount to no more than 0.1 grams of material , could help shed light on the origin of life and the formation of the universe .
The capsule carrying samples entered the atmosphere just before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday ) , creating a shooting-star-like fireball as it entered Earth 's atmosphere .
`` Six years and it has finally come back to Earth , '' an official narrating a live broadcast of the arrival said , as images showed officials from Japan 's space agency JAXA cheering and pumping their fists in excitement .
The capsule separated from Hayabusa-2 on Saturday , when the refrigerator-sized space probe that launched into space in 2014 was 220,000 kilometres ( 137,000 miles ) away from Earth .
It landed in the southern Australian desert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an area spanning some 100 square kilometres , with search crews guided by beacons emitted as the capsule descended .
Scientists at the Royal Australian Air Force 's ( RAAF ) Woomera Range Complex in South Australia closely monitored the capsule 's descent .
Samples in the capsule were collected from the asteroid Ryugu , some 300 million kilometres from Earth during two crucial phases of Hayabusa-2 's mission last year .
The probe collected both surface dust and pristine material from below the surface that was stirred up by firing an `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material collected from the asteroid is believed to be unchanged since the time the universe was formed .
Larger celestial bodies like Earth went through radical changes including heating and solidifying , changing the composition of the materials on their surface and below .
But `` when it comes to smaller planets or smaller asteroids , these substances were not melted , and therefore it is believed that substances from 4.6 billion years ago are still there , '' Hayabusa-2 mission manager Makoto Yoshikawa told reporters before the capsule arrived .
Scientists are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contain organic matter , which could have helped seed life on Earth .
`` We still do n't know the origin of life on Earth and through this Hayabusa-2 mission , if we are able to study and understand these organic materials from Ryugu , it could be that these organic materials were the source of life on Earth , '' Yoshikawa said .
Once the samples are recovered , they will be processed in Australia and then flown back to Japan .
Half the material will be shared between JAXA , US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the rest kept for future study as advances are made in analytic technology .
The work is n't over for Hayabusa-2 , which was launched in December 2014 .
The probe will now begin an extended mission targeting two new asteroids .
Hayabusa-2 will complete a series of orbits around the sun for around six years before approaching the first of its target asteroids -- named 2001 CC21 -- in July 2026 .
The probe wo n't get that close , but scientists hope it will be able to photograph it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowledge about how to protect Earth against asteroid impact .
Hayabusa-2 will then head towards its main target , 1998 KY26 , a ball-shaped asteroid with a diameter of just 30 metres .
When the probe arrives at the asteroid in July 2031 , it will be approximately 300 million kilometres from Earth .
But Hayabusa-2 is unlikely to land and collect samples , as it probably wo n't have enough fuel to return them to Earth .

Tokyo (AFP) –
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In a streak of light across the night sky, samples collected from a distant asteroid arrived on Earth on Sunday after being dropped off by Japanese space probe Hayabusa-2.
Scientists hope the precious samples, which are expected to amount to no more than 0.1 grams of material, could help shed light on the origin of life and the formation of the universe.
The capsule carrying samples entered the atmosphere just before 2:30 am Japan time (1730 GMT Saturday), creating a shooting-star-like fireball as it entered Earth's atmosphere.
"Six years and it has finally come back to Earth," an official narrating a live broadcast of the arrival said, as images showed officials from Japan's space agency JAXA cheering and pumping their fists in excitement.
The capsule separated from Hayabusa-2 on Saturday, when the refrigerator-sized space probe that launched into space in 2014 was 220,000 kilometres (137,000 miles) away from Earth.
It landed in the southern Australian desert, where it will be recovered from an area spanning some 100 square kilometres, with search crews guided by beacons emitted as the capsule descended.
Scientists at the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) Woomera Range Complex in South Australia closely monitored the capsule's descent.
Samples in the capsule were collected from the asteroid Ryugu, some 300 million kilometres from Earth during two crucial phases of Hayabusa-2's mission last year.
The probe collected both surface dust and pristine material from below the surface that was stirred up by firing an "impactor" into the asteroid.
The material collected from the asteroid is believed to be unchanged since the time the universe was formed.
Larger celestial bodies like Earth went through radical changes including heating and solidifying, changing the composition of the materials on their surface and below.
But "when it comes to smaller planets or smaller asteroids, these substances were not melted, and therefore it is believed that substances from 4.6 billion years ago are still there," Hayabusa-2 mission manager Makoto Yoshikawa told reporters before the capsule arrived.
- Samples with organic material? -
Scientists are especially keen to discover whether the samples contain organic matter, which could have helped seed life on Earth.
"We still don't know the origin of life on Earth and through this Hayabusa-2 mission, if we are able to study and understand these organic materials from Ryugu, it could be that these organic materials were the source of life on Earth," Yoshikawa said.
Once the samples are recovered, they will be processed in Australia and then flown back to Japan.
Half the material will be shared between JAXA, US space agency NASA and other international organisations, and the rest kept for future study as advances are made in analytic technology.
- More tasks for Hayabusa-2 -
The work isn't over for Hayabusa-2, which was launched in December 2014.
The probe will now begin an extended mission targeting two new asteroids.
Hayabusa-2 will complete a series of orbits around the sun for around six years before approaching the first of its target asteroids -- named 2001 CC21 -- in July 2026.
The probe won't get that close, but scientists hope it will be able to photograph it and that the fly-by will help develop knowledge about how to protect Earth against asteroid impact.
Hayabusa-2 will then head towards its main target, 1998 KY26, a ball-shaped asteroid with a diameter of just 30 metres. When the probe arrives at the asteroid in July 2031, it will be approximately 300 million kilometres from Earth.
But Hayabusa-2 is unlikely to land and collect samples, as it probably won't have enough fuel to return them to Earth.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--Veteran golf commentator Peter Alliss dies at 89

Veteran British golf commentator Peter Alliss has died at the age of 89 , the BBC announced on Sunday .
Known as 'the voice of golf ' Alliss had covered the sport for the BBC for over half a century .
His television career began in 1961 , and he became lead commentator in 1978 when he retired as a player .
`` It is with great sadness we announce the passing of golfing and broadcast legend Peter Alliss , '' said his family in a statement .
November 's Masters was the last tournament he covered .
`` Peter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbara Slater , director of BBC Sport .
`` He was an absolute master of his craft with a unique ability to capture a moment with a magical turn of phrase that no one else could match , '' she added .
Alliss won 31 tournaments -- 21 as a professional -- and competed eight times in the Ryder Cup when it was a contest between the United States against Great Britain and Ireland .
He played alongside his father Percy with the Allisses becoming the first father and son pair to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five top-10 finishes at the British Open , finishing just four strokes adrift in 1954 .
Alliss ' first experience as a commentator came at the 1961 Open Championship while he was still playing .
Always relaxed behind the microphone he became one of the few broadcasters to become synonymous with his sport .
Alliss became a household voice and in 2012 was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category .
He was still working last month , describing Dustin Johnson 's victory at the Masters .

London (AFP) –
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Veteran British golf commentator Peter Alliss has died at the age of 89, the BBC announced on Sunday.
Known as 'the voice of golf' Alliss had covered the sport for the BBC for over half a century.
His television career began in 1961, and he became lead commentator in 1978 when he retired as a player.
"It is with great sadness we announce the passing of golfing and broadcast legend Peter Alliss," said his family in a statement.
November's Masters was the last tournament he covered.
"Peter was the voice of golf, said Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport.
"He was an absolute master of his craft with a unique ability to capture a moment with a magical turn of phrase that no one else could match," she added.
Alliss won 31 tournaments -- 21 as a professional -- and competed eight times in the Ryder Cup when it was a contest between the United States against Great Britain and Ireland.
He played alongside his father Percy with the Allisses becoming the first father and son pair to play in the Ryder Cup.
He had five top-10 finishes at the British Open, finishing just four strokes adrift in 1954.
Alliss' first experience as a commentator came at the 1961 Open Championship while he was still playing.
Always relaxed behind the microphone he became one of the few broadcasters to become synonymous with his sport.
Alliss became a household voice and in 2012 was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category.
He was still working last month, describing Dustin Johnson's victory at the Masters.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--Oxygen shortage leaves six Covid patients dead in Pakistan

Pakistan , which managed to avoid the worst of the pandemic 's first wave , has struggled to cope with soaring cases in recent days At least six Covid-19 patients died after `` criminal negligence '' resulted in a delayed supply of oxygen to a hospital in northwest Pakistan , officials said Sunday , as the country battles a second wave of the epidemic .
More than 200 patients -- including nearly 100 with coronavirus -- were left for hours with limited supplies of oxygen at a government-run hospital in Peshawar .
`` The sad incident happened due to lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' provincial health minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra told a press conference , confirming the deaths .
`` We will hold an inquiry and get to the bottom of the incident , '' he added , promising action against those responsible `` for this criminal negligence '' .
He blamed a private supplier , saying the Rawalpindi-based company had `` failed to meet the growing demand '' .
Pakistan has reported more than 400,000 cases of coronavirus -- including over 8,000 deaths -- since the virus arrived in late February .
Intensive care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now almost full , with provincial governments struggling to deal with the soaring caseload .

Peshawar (Pakistan) (AFP) –
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At least six Covid-19 patients died after "criminal negligence" resulted in a delayed supply of oxygen to a hospital in northwest Pakistan, officials said Sunday, as the country battles a second wave of the epidemic.
More than 200 patients -- including nearly 100 with coronavirus -- were left for hours with limited supplies of oxygen at a government-run hospital in Peshawar.
"The sad incident happened due to lack of central oxygen supply in the hospital," provincial health minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra told a press conference, confirming the deaths.
"We will hold an inquiry and get to the bottom of the incident," he added, promising action against those responsible "for this criminal negligence".
Hospital spokesman Farhad Khan told AFP a disruption in oxygen supplies affected some 200 people, "including 96 Covid-19 patients".
He blamed a private supplier, saying the Rawalpindi-based company had "failed to meet the growing demand".
Pakistan has reported more than 400,000 cases of coronavirus -- including over 8,000 deaths -- since the virus arrived in late February.
Intensive care units in hospitals across the country are now almost full, with provincial governments struggling to deal with the soaring caseload.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--Abraham Accords are 'opportunity' for Palestinians: Israel

Israel says its deal normalising ties with the Gulf nations of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates is an 'opportunity ' for the Palestinians that should not be missed The landmark Abraham Accords that Israel has struck with two Gulf states are an opportunity for the Palestinians and do not come at their `` expense '' , Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said Sunday .
The UAE and Bahrain broke decades of Arab consensus with their move , condemned as a `` stab in the back '' by Palestinian leaders for abandoning the position that there would be no relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace with the Palestinians .
But at a regional security conference in Manama , Ashkenazi said that the diplomatic shift could help resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict , after talks between the two sides were frozen in 2014 .
`` The Abraham accords do not come at the expense of the Palestinians .
Quite the opposite , they are an opportunity that should not be missed , '' he said in a virtual address .
`` I call on the Palestinians to change their minds and enter direct negotiation with us without preconditions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this conflict , '' he said .
`` We believe as Israel moves from annexation to normalisation , there is a window to solve this conflict , '' he said , referring to its agreement to put annexation plans on hold in return for the normalisation deal .
The United States , which brokered the Abraham Accords , has been intensively negotiating for more Arab nations to come in board , notably Saudi Arabia , the biggest Gulf power .
Mutual concern over Iran has gradually brought Israel and Gulf nations closer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had held secret talks in Saudi Arabia , fuelling speculation a normalisation accord could be in the making .
Riyadh , however , denied that the meeting , reportedly between Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , had occurred .
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told AFP in Manama Saturday that the kingdom 's position remained resolute .
`` We 've been quite clear that in order for us to proceed with normalisation we will need to see a settlement of the Palestinian dispute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Palestine along the lines envisioned in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative , '' he said .
`` Without a settlement between the Palestinians and the Israelis we are not going to see true peace and stability in the region . ''
Asked whether that effectively ruled out the establishment of ties with Israel any time soon , he said he was `` optimistic that there is a path towards a resolution between the Palestinians and Israelis '' .
However , Prince Turki al-Faisal , the Saudi former intelligence chief who is said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gave voice to the strong support that the Palestinian cause still has in the region , with a fiery presentation to the Manama meeting .
He accused Israel of depicting itself as a `` small , existentially threatened country , surrounded by bloodthirsty killers who want to eradicate her from existence '' .
`` And yet they profess that they want to be friends with Saudi Arabia , '' he said , outlining a history of forcible eviction of Palestinians and destroyed villages .
`` You can not treat an open wound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Accords are not divine writ . ''

Manama (AFP) –
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The landmark Abraham Accords that Israel has struck with two Gulf states are an opportunity for the Palestinians and do not come at their "expense", Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said Sunday.
The UAE and Bahrain broke decades of Arab consensus with their move, condemned as a "stab in the back" by Palestinian leaders for abandoning the position that there would be no relations with the Jewish state until it made peace with the Palestinians.
But at a regional security conference in Manama, Ashkenazi said that the diplomatic shift could help resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, after talks between the two sides were frozen in 2014.
"The Abraham accords do not come at the expense of the Palestinians. Quite the opposite, they are an opportunity that should not be missed," he said in a virtual address.
"I call on the Palestinians to change their minds and enter direct negotiation with us without preconditions. This is the only way to solve this conflict," he said.
"We believe as Israel moves from annexation to normalisation, there is a window to solve this conflict," he said, referring to its agreement to put annexation plans on hold in return for the normalisation deal.
The United States, which brokered the Abraham Accords, has been intensively negotiating for more Arab nations to come in board, notably Saudi Arabia, the biggest Gulf power.
- Saudi to sign up? -
Mutual concern over Iran has gradually brought Israel and Gulf nations closer, and there were reports last month that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had held secret talks in Saudi Arabia, fuelling speculation a normalisation accord could be in the making.
Riyadh, however, denied that the meeting, reportedly between Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had occurred.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told AFP in Manama Saturday that the kingdom's position remained resolute.
"We've been quite clear that in order for us to proceed with normalisation we will need to see a settlement of the Palestinian dispute and the formation of a viable state of Palestine along the lines envisioned in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative," he said.
"Without a settlement between the Palestinians and the Israelis we are not going to see true peace and stability in the region."
Asked whether that effectively ruled out the establishment of ties with Israel any time soon, he said he was "optimistic that there is a path towards a resolution between the Palestinians and Israelis".
However, Prince Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi former intelligence chief who is said to be close to the top leadership, gave voice to the strong support that the Palestinian cause still has in the region, with a fiery presentation to the Manama meeting.
He accused Israel of depicting itself as a "small, existentially threatened country, surrounded by bloodthirsty killers who want to eradicate her from existence".
"And yet they profess that they want to be friends with Saudi Arabia," he said, outlining a history of forcible eviction of Palestinians and destroyed villages.
"You cannot treat an open wound with palliatives and painkillers. The Abraham Accords are not divine writ."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--Former Uruguay president Tabare Vazquez dies aged 80

Former Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez died Sunday at the age of 80 from lung cancer , his family announced .
`` With deep pain we communicate the death of our beloved father , '' his sons Alvaro , Javier and Ignacio Vazquez said in a statement .
The statement added that Vazquez died at 3 am local time `` due to natural causes of his oncological disease . ''
On Twitter , Alvaro Vazquez , who like his father is an oncologist by profession , said that `` while he was resting at home , accompanied by some family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness . ''
`` On behalf of the family , we want to thank all Uruguayans for the affection received by him over so many years , '' he added .
In 1989 , Tabare Vazquez became the first person from the left-wing Broad Front coalition to win the mayoralty of Montevideo , having previously become well known as president of football club Progreso , which is based in the capital .
In 2005 , following two failed attempts , he secured the presidency , breaking the traditional hegemony of the Colorado and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation .
He held the office until 2010 and again from 2015 until March this year , when he handed the presidential sash to Luis Lacalle Pou of the National Party , who had beaten Broad Front candidate Daniel Martinez in an election run-off .
On Twitter , Broad Front reported `` with deep pain '' the death of its `` honorary president , Tabare Vazquez . ''
`` His example of political integrity and unwavering commitment to our country and the people will drive us to continue his legacy , '' it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's relatives indicated that , due to coronavirus-related restrictions , they had decided to `` not hold a wake . ''
`` His children and grandchildren will see him off in a private and intimate ceremony , '' they said .

Montevideo (AFP) –
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Former Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez died Sunday at the age of 80 from lung cancer, his family announced.
"With deep pain we communicate the death of our beloved father," his sons Alvaro, Javier and Ignacio Vazquez said in a statement.
The statement added that Vazquez died at 3 am local time "due to natural causes of his oncological disease."
On Twitter, Alvaro Vazquez, who like his father is an oncologist by profession, said that "while he was resting at home, accompanied by some family and friends, Tabare died because of his illness."
"On behalf of the family, we want to thank all Uruguayans for the affection received by him over so many years," he added.
In 1989, Tabare Vazquez became the first person from the left-wing Broad Front coalition to win the mayoralty of Montevideo, having previously become well known as president of football club Progreso, which is based in the capital.
In 2005, following two failed attempts, he secured the presidency, breaking the traditional hegemony of the Colorado and National parties in the small South American nation.
He held the office until 2010 and again from 2015 until March this year, when he handed the presidential sash to Luis Lacalle Pou of the National Party, who had beaten Broad Front candidate Daniel Martinez in an election run-off.
On Twitter, Broad Front reported "with deep pain" the death of its "honorary president, Tabare Vazquez."
"His example of political integrity and unwavering commitment to our country and the people will drive us to continue his legacy," it said.
In a statement, Vazquez's relatives indicated that, due to coronavirus-related restrictions, they had decided to "not hold a wake."
"His children and grandchildren will see him off in a private and intimate ceremony," they said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--Crash victim Grosjean to miss Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - team

Grosjean to return home to continue treatment for burns from his horrific crash Romain Grosjean is returning home to Switzerland for treatment on the burns he suffered from his fireball crash in Bahrain and will miss the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix , his Haas team announced on Sunday .
Next week 's race at Yas Marina was to have been the Frenchman 's last for the team .
`` I 'm naturally very sorry that Romain will miss what was going to be his final race with Haas F1 Team , ” said team principal Guenther Steiner .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spirit over the last few days –- we know how badly he wanted to be able to return to the cockpit in Abu Dhabi . ''
Grosjean said the decision not to race in Abu Dhabi was one of the hardest `` of my life '' .
`` We ’ ve tried as much as we could with the doctor to recover and to repair my hand , but the risk of racing is too big for my recovery and my health .
`` I will miss the team , but I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday Grosjean sat in a Haas car for the first time since extricating himself from the blaze that engulfed him on the opening lap of last Sunday 's race .
Grosjean 's car split in half in a 245 kph impact with the barriers in one of the most dramatic incidents in the recent history of Formula One .
He has said he `` saw death too closely '' in the crash , telling AFP in an interview on Wednesday : `` I thought : 'It ca n't end like this , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out again , but I could n't , so I sat down and I saw death , not close up , but from too close ...
It 's a feeling that I wish on no one . ''
The drivers are competing in Bahrain for the second week in a row with the Sakhir Grand Prix to take place in the kingdom later Sunday .
Reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi , the grandson of double Formula One champion Emerson Fittipaldi , is replacing the 34-year-old Frenchman this weekend .

Sakhir (Bahrain) (AFP) –
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Romain Grosjean is returning home to Switzerland for treatment on the burns he suffered from his fireball crash in Bahrain and will miss the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his Haas team announced on Sunday.
Next week's race at Yas Marina was to have been the Frenchman's last for the team.
"I'm naturally very sorry that Romain will miss what was going to be his final race with Haas F1 Team,” said team principal Guenther Steiner.
"Romain has shown exceptional bravery and amazing spirit over the last few days –- we know how badly he wanted to be able to return to the cockpit in Abu Dhabi."
Grosjean said the decision not to race in Abu Dhabi was one of the hardest "of my life".
"We’ve tried as much as we could with the doctor to recover and to repair my hand, but the risk of racing is too big for my recovery and my health.
"I will miss the team, but I will be supporting them as ever.”
On Saturday Grosjean sat in a Haas car for the first time since extricating himself from the blaze that engulfed him on the opening lap of last Sunday's race.
Grosjean's car split in half in a 245 kph impact with the barriers in one of the most dramatic incidents in the recent history of Formula One.
He has said he "saw death too closely" in the crash, telling AFP in an interview on Wednesday: "I thought: 'It can't end like this, not now'. I tried to get out again, but I couldn't, so I sat down and I saw death, not close up, but from too close... It's a feeling that I wish on no one."
The drivers are competing in Bahrain for the second week in a row with the Sakhir Grand Prix to take place in the kingdom later Sunday.
Reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi, the grandson of double Formula One champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is replacing the 34-year-old Frenchman this weekend.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--Kenya's Kandie licks half-marathon world record

Kenya 's Kibiwott Kandie smashed the men 's half-marathon world record in Valencia on Sunday in a time of 57 @ @ @ @ @ blistering performance was almost half a minute quicker than the previous record of 58min 01sec @ @ @ @ @ Kamworor in September , 2019 .
In perfect running conditions the 24-year-old Kandie was chased @ @ @ @ @ seconds adrift by Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo in a reverse of the world championship result in @ @ @ @ @ home all came in under the former best mark .
Genzebe Dibaba on her debut @ @ @ @ @ women 's race in 1hr 05:18 .
On a memorable day for Kenyan athletics Evans @ @ @ @ @ on to claim both marathons with season best times .
Chebet won the men 's @ @ @ @ @ with Epchirchir victorious in the women 's event in 2hr 17.16 .
For the first @ @ @ @ @ in the men 's marathon came in under 2hr 10mins .

Valencia (Spain) (AFP) –
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Kenya's Kibiwott Kandie smashed the men's half-marathon world record in Valencia on Sunday in a time of 57 minutes 32 seconds.
His blistering performance was almost half a minute quicker than the previous record of 58min 01sec set by his compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor in September, 2019.
In perfect running conditions the 24-year-old Kandie was chased across the line just five seconds adrift by Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo in a reverse of the world championship result in October.
The first four home all came in under the former best mark.
Genzebe Dibaba on her debut at the distance won the women's race in 1hr 05:18.
On a memorable day for Kenyan athletics Evans Chebet and Peres Epchirchir went on to claim both marathons with season best times.
Chebet won the men's race in 2hrs 03mins 00sec with Epchirchir victorious in the women's event in 2hr 17.16.
For the first time, the top 30 in the men's marathon came in under 2hr 10mins.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-12-06--Kuwait opposition makes strong gains in parliamentary elections

Kuwaiti parliamentary candidate and Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanem celebrates after winning a majority of votes in his electoral district Kuwait 's opposition took nearly half of parliament 's seats in weekend polls amid calls for reforms over corruption and high debt , but the sole female lawmaker lost her seat .
Twenty-four of the National Assembly 's 50 seats were won by candidates belonging to or leaning towards the opposition , up from 16 in the last parliament , according to results announced on Sunday by the electoral commission on state TV .
But while 29 women ran for office in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- a blow to the status of women who have fought hard over recent years for more representation in the oil-rich emirate , after winning the right to vote 15 years ago .
Nevertheless , the election of 30 candidates under the age of 45 sent out a promising signal to youth hoping for change and reform .
The election , which takes place every four years , was overshadowed by Covid-19 and a consequent paring back of campaigns that in normal times draw thousands for lavish banquets and over-the-top events .
Five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district -- were designated for those infected with coronavirus .
The polls were the first since the new emir , Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah , took office in September following the death of his half-brother , Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah , at the age of 91 .
The country has the Gulf 's oldest elected parliament , but under the constitution the emir has extensive powers and can dissolve the legislature at the recommendation of the government .
Thirty-one new faces will enter the new parliament , results showed .
The Muslim Brotherhood-linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three seats , while candidates from the Shiite minority population won six .
`` There is a big change in the composition of the new National Assembly , '' Kuwait analyst Ayed al-Manaa told AFP .
`` This an indication of the voters ' anger over the performance of the previous parliament and of their desire for change in economic , health , education '' and services , he said .
Like most Gulf countries , Kuwait 's economy has been hit hard by the double whammy of the pandemic and the depressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned in Kuwait , which has been ruled by the Al-Sabah family for two and a half centuries .
The country adopted a parliamentary system in 1962 .
Many groups operate freely as de facto parties .
The opposition coalition is made up of individuals , rather than well-defined parties with a distinct ideology .
While parliament has the power to vote the prime minister and cabinet members out of office , the Kuwaiti political set-up means change is not easy .
Power is concentrated in the royal family , with the emir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 16 cabinet posts .
As per protocol , the cabinet resigned on Sunday .

Kuwait City (AFP) –
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Kuwait's opposition took nearly half of parliament's seats in weekend polls amid calls for reforms over corruption and high debt, but the sole female lawmaker lost her seat.
Twenty-four of the National Assembly's 50 seats were won by candidates belonging to or leaning towards the opposition, up from 16 in the last parliament, according to results announced on Sunday by the electoral commission on state TV.
But while 29 women ran for office in Saturday's race, none were elected -- a blow to the status of women who have fought hard over recent years for more representation in the oil-rich emirate, after winning the right to vote 15 years ago.
Nevertheless, the election of 30 candidates under the age of 45 sent out a promising signal to youth hoping for change and reform.
The election, which takes place every four years, was overshadowed by Covid-19 and a consequent paring back of campaigns that in normal times draw thousands for lavish banquets and over-the-top events.
Five polling stations -- one in each electoral district -- were designated for those infected with coronavirus.
The polls were the first since the new emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, took office in September following the death of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, at the age of 91.
The country has the Gulf's oldest elected parliament, but under the constitution the emir has extensive powers and can dissolve the legislature at the recommendation of the government.
Thirty-one new faces will enter the new parliament, results showed.
The Muslim Brotherhood-linked Islamic Constitutional Movement(ICM) won three seats, while candidates from the Shiite minority population won six.
- 'Big change' -
"There is a big change in the composition of the new National Assembly," Kuwait analyst Ayed al-Manaa told AFP.
"This an indication of the voters' anger over the performance of the previous parliament and of their desire for change in economic, health, education" and services, he said.
Like most Gulf countries, Kuwait's economy has been hit hard by the double whammy of the pandemic and the depressed price of oil.
Political parties are banned in Kuwait, which has been ruled by the Al-Sabah family for two and a half centuries. The country adopted a parliamentary system in 1962.
Many groups operate freely as de facto parties. The opposition coalition is made up of individuals, rather than well-defined parties with a distinct ideology.
While parliament has the power to vote the prime minister and cabinet members out of office, the Kuwaiti political set-up means change is not easy.
Power is concentrated in the royal family, with the emir choosing the prime minister and 15 of the 16 cabinet posts.
As per protocol, the cabinet resigned on Sunday.
© 2020 AFP