france24--2020-02-02--US Democrats make final pitches in Iowa ahead of first primary showdown

Attendees sign in as they arrive at a Democratic Party caucus in Keokuk , Iowa , on February 1 , 2020 .
Democratic candidates bolt Sunday across Iowa , where no handshake or pit stop is too insignificant one day ahead of the state ’ s presidential nominating process , which is the first in the nation .
However , Monday ’ s crunch vote has created an air of suspense , with no clear frontrunner .
Leftist senator Bernie Sanders holds only a narrow lead over former vice president Joe Biden , among the field of several candidates feverishly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leading candidates seized on a brief break from their duties as jurors in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in Washington to rush to Iowa for a flurry of last-minute events .
The senators—the self-styled democratic socialist Sanders , progressive Elizabeth Warren and moderate Amy Klobuchar—each held a handful of events Saturday .
The impeachment trial—only the third in US history—created an unprecedented situation by limiting the senators ’ ability to campaign in Iowa in the closing days before the state ’ s presidential caucuses .
Sanders , Warren and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , along with Senator Michael Bennet who trails badly in the polls , for the trial ’ s resumption .
Senate leaders have scheduled a vote for Wednesday that appears virtually certain to end in Trump ’ s acquittal on the impeachment charges of abuse of power and contempt of Congress .
Eight of the 11 Democrats still in the race were in Iowa on Saturday .
A good result can propel a candidate to new victories in the states that follow , starting with tiny New Hampshire eight days later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sanders , at 78 the oldest Democratic candidate , has seen his candidacy buoyed by enthusiastic support among young voters .
His staff organized concerts at his weekend rallies with indie groups Bon Iver and Vampire Weekend , who also performed at his events four years ago .
“ We must defeat the most dangerous president in the modern history of America ” the Vermont senator told a crowd of several thousand in Cedar Rapids .
“ Monday night in Iowa it all begins ” he said .
Monday evening , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the state ’ s more than 600,000 registered Democrats are invited to take part in caucuses at about 1,700 venues—schools , theaters , churches—to publicly express their choice by standing under one candidate ’ s banner .
The best against Trump Just as in every presidential year , thousands of volunteers fanned out across the Midwestern farm state of just over three million inhabitants to try to convince neighbors or passers-by to vote for their favorite .
At this late date , nearly one Iowa voter in two claimed to still be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City that Warren supporters were using as a base , people streamed in and out , looking for more posters to put up on lamp posts or in yards , or for lists of doors that still needed to be knocked on .
“ We are trying to get around the state as much as we can , ” Warren told a rally of nearly 1,000 at a high school in Iowa City , adding that the Democratic Party ’ s job is “ to come together to beat Donald Trump.
” If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s that desire to defeat Trump , state Democratic chairman Troy Price told AFP .
That is the number one argument being made by Biden , former vice president to Barack Obama .
“ We need a president who is ready on Day One , ” the 77-year-old political veteran has been saying throughout his campaign .
Biden leads in nationwide surveys but trails Sanders in the latest Iowa polling .
Iowans take their politics seriously .
They take their role as first-in-the-nation voters to heart , and often , even in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet candidates in person .
Their pick has a recent historical track record of going on to become the Democratic Party nominee .
Like Biden , 38-year-old Pete Buttigieg took advantage of the absence of rivals stuck in the Senate to lay on a heavy schedule of campaigning .
A former consultant , army reservist and onetime mayor of a small Indiana city , “ Mayor Pete ” portrays his youth as a reason voters should prefer him over the graying Biden .
As for Sanders , his politics are too divisive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only new face to emerge during the campaign .
Klobuchar , 59 , a previously little-known senator , has climbed slowly but steadily in voter polls .
She is hoping for a surprise on Monday , boosted in part by the fact that her home state , Minnesota , borders Iowa .
Maria Watt , 42 , was leaning toward “ Pete ” until she decided to switch to “ Amy.
” “ Either way , we ’ d be happy to have it be a young person or a female , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Anyone but an old white guy .
”

Democratic candidates bolt Sunday across Iowa, where no handshake or pit stop is too insignificant one day ahead of the state’s presidential nominating process, which is the first in the nation.
Attendees sign in as they arrive at a Democratic Party caucus in Keokuk, Iowa, on February 1, 2020.
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Iowa has traditionally served as a vital launching point—or burial ground—for presidential campaigns.
However, Monday’s crunch vote has created an air of suspense, with no clear frontrunner.
Leftist senator Bernie Sanders holds only a narrow lead over former vice president Joe Biden, among the field of several candidates feverishly criss-crossing the rural state.
03:25
Three of the leading candidates seized on a brief break from their duties as jurors in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in Washington to rush to Iowa for a flurry of last-minute events.
The senators—the self-styled democratic socialist Sanders, progressive Elizabeth Warren and moderate Amy Klobuchar—each held a handful of events Saturday.
There are just two days left before the Iowa caucuses! I helped kick off a canvass in Urbandale, Iowa—because it's going to take all of us fighting together to make big, structural change. No matter where you live, you can volunteer and help right now: https://t.co/ncfc68sKpq pic.twitter.com/lCXaRoCIwY — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 2, 2020
The impeachment trial—only the third in US history—created an unprecedented situation by limiting the senators’ ability to campaign in Iowa in the closing days before the state’s presidential caucuses.
Sanders, Warren and Klobuchar have to return to Washington on Monday, along with Senator Michael Bennet who trails badly in the polls, for the trial’s resumption.
Senate leaders have scheduled a vote for Wednesday that appears virtually certain to end in Trump’s acquittal on the impeachment charges of abuse of power and contempt of Congress.
‘It all begins’
Eight of the 11 Democrats still in the race were in Iowa on Saturday.
A good result can propel a candidate to new victories in the states that follow, starting with tiny New Hampshire eight days later. A poor showing can signal the end.
Sanders, at 78 the oldest Democratic candidate, has seen his candidacy buoyed by enthusiastic support among young voters.
I found the Bernie Bus in Iowa! pic.twitter.com/tsGkvwVZhC — Michael Sayman (@michaelsayman) February 2, 2020
His staff organized concerts at his weekend rallies with indie groups Bon Iver and Vampire Weekend, who also performed at his events four years ago.
“We must defeat the most dangerous president in the modern history of America” the Vermont senator told a crowd of several thousand in Cedar Rapids.
“Monday night in Iowa it all begins” he said.
Monday evening, at 7:00 pm (01H00 GMT Tuesday), the state’s more than 600,000 registered Democrats are invited to take part in caucuses at about 1,700 venues—schools, theaters, churches—to publicly express their choice by standing under one candidate’s banner.
The best against Trump
Just as in every presidential year, thousands of volunteers fanned out across the Midwestern farm state of just over three million inhabitants to try to convince neighbors or passers-by to vote for their favorite.
At this late date, nearly one Iowa voter in two claimed to still be undecided.
In a home in Iowa City that Warren supporters were using as a base, people streamed in and out, looking for more posters to put up on lamp posts or in yards, or for lists of doors that still needed to be knocked on.
“We are trying to get around the state as much as we can,” Warren told a rally of nearly 1,000 at a high school in Iowa City, adding that the Democratic Party’s job is “to come together to beat Donald Trump.”
If one thing unifies the Democrats, it’s that desire to defeat Trump, state Democratic chairman Troy Price told AFP.
With just three days until Iowa, we need all hands on deck to talk with folks about what’s at stake in this election. Every conversation during this final stretch will make a big difference on Monday night. Sign up to volunteer today: https://t.co/WaszTPqVUh pic.twitter.com/CU5D8Mr1W9 — Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) February 1, 2020
That is the number one argument being made by Biden, former vice president to Barack Obama.
“We need a president who is ready on Day One,” the 77-year-old political veteran has been saying throughout his campaign.
Biden leads in nationwide surveys but trails Sanders in the latest Iowa polling.
New faces
Iowans take their politics seriously. They take their role as first-in-the-nation voters to heart, and often, even in the smallest cities, have the chance to meet candidates in person.
Their pick has a recent historical track record of going on to become the Democratic Party nominee.
Like Biden, 38-year-old Pete Buttigieg took advantage of the absence of rivals stuck in the Senate to lay on a heavy schedule of campaigning.
A former consultant, army reservist and onetime mayor of a small Indiana city, “Mayor Pete” portrays his youth as a reason voters should prefer him over the graying Biden. As for Sanders, his politics are too divisive, Buttigieg implies.
His is not the only new face to emerge during the campaign.
Klobuchar, 59, a previously little-known senator, has climbed slowly but steadily in voter polls. She is hoping for a surprise on Monday, boosted in part by the fact that her home state, Minnesota, borders Iowa.
Huge crowd in Beaverdale tonight—Iowans are feeling the momentum!
All of us in this packed gym know one thing: the heart of America is so much bigger than the heart of the guy in the White House.
We’re ready to unite our country and win big.
Let’s do this! pic.twitter.com/dgCetKDibZ — Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) February 2, 2020
Maria Watt, 42, was leaning toward “Pete” until she decided to switch to “Amy.”
“Either way, we’d be happy to have it be a young person or a female,” the Iowa City voter said Saturday.
“Anyone but an old white guy.”
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-02--Venezuela's Guaido tries to rebuild the momentum to oust Maduro

Juan Guaido , acting President of Venezuela , speaks at an event on February 1 , 2020 , in Miami , Florida , USA .
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has called for `` a great mobilisation in Caracas '' upon his return to the country after a two-week international tour aimed at shoring up global support and building enough momentum to oust President Nicolas Maduro .
But he may have missed his chance .
“ We have a plan .
We have a strategy , ” Guaido told expatriates at a rally in Miami , USA .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restore democracy.
” As his voice blasted through the speakers of a Miami convention centre on Saturday , he tried to rally the crowd with how he would end the political and economic `` tragedy '' in his country .
Guaido ’ s No .
1 objective remains the same : unseat socialist President Nicolas Maduro , who he says is a `` dictator '' .
`` There is only one option : to achieve free elections , '' he added in his usual fast-paced and determined speech in Florida 's biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
But he presented very few details of how he would realise his plan upon returning to the country .
`` Guaido 's will to end with Maduro was a failure and his strategy will remain completely blocked , ” Gaspard Estrada , executive director of the Latin America and Caribbean unit at Sciences-Po University in Paris , told FRANCE 24 .
Although Guaido has been recognised as Venezuela 's interim president by nearly 60 nations – including the United States , France and Britain – Estrada said he has already `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out' First rising to prominence in January 2019 , the 36-year-old became the living promise of a Maduro-free Venezuela , leading huge demonstrations .
But in the end , `` 2019 has been a total disappointment for Guaido 's supporters '' , Estrada said .
After instigating an unsuccessful army uprising on April 30 , his popularity plummeted : from 63 percent in January , it fell to 39.9 percent in December , according to the Venezuelan polling institute Datanalisis .
`` Now , he has no way out of this crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Miami rounded out his two-week international tour , during which he tried to rebuild the momentum he appeared to have early 2019 .
He started in Colombia and then headed to Canada and Europe – where he met world leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron , the Netherland 's Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Angela Merkel , and made a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos .
Trump and Guaido both in Florida… but no meeting But a key meeting missing from his trip was one with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US President Donald Trump .
Although both were in Florida on the same weekend , Guaido met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Republican figures such as Senator Marco Rubio but not Trump .
The US president was clearly busy with other things as he tweeted a photo of himself at his Florida Mar-a-Lago golf club early Saturday .
`` This missed opportunity illustrates the disappointment that 2019 represented to everyone who believed in Guaido and shows how the world 's diplomacy is now in a very delicate position … they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Estrada .
`` With the unsuccessful army uprising '' , Guaido thought he would profit from the military 's internal divisions , continued Estrada .
`` But the military integrated even more into Maduro 's regime and now he has lost any influence he once had on the army.
” '' We want him to tell us what ’ s going to happen , ” Gloria Bejaramo told AP .
The 65-year-old travelled from Venezuela to South Florida to visit a daughter .
`` I ’ ve always supported him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of this situation to achieve democracy . ''
To the Miami crowd , Guaido promised `` a great mobilisation '' .
But upon his return he faces multiple challenges .
`` He met with key world leaders , but his biggest problems remain within Venezuela : A part of the country 's opposition pledged alliance to Maduro and there have been serious accusations of corruption among his closest allies , '' said Estrada .
Although he won a new term as the National Assembly 's leader on January 7 , Guaido 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Venezuelan authorities imposed a travel ban on him , which he defied with this latest international tour , and he expects to `` create a major event merely by coming home like he did last year , when he was greeted by many countries ' ambassadors .
`` But this time , Maduro 's officials have already announced he can come back with no problem : They made his return a non-event and diminished its importance.
” And Venezuela appears doomed to remain in its crippling economic crisis despite having the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guaido 's great power was the support of international leaders , but even this has now shifted , ” said Estrada .
“ They have seen he did not manage to deliver on his promises to oust Maduro and , even worse than that , Argentina and Mexico – who were both regional allies – have also changed their stance and elected left-wing presidents ” over the past year .
“ Maduro has the upper hand now , and the world is accepting that they need to include him , '' concluded Estrada @

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has called for "a great mobilisation in Caracas" upon his return to the country after a two-week international tour aimed at shoring up global support and building enough momentum to oust President Nicolas Maduro. But he may have missed his chance.
Juan Guaido, acting President of Venezuela, speaks at an event on February 1, 2020, in Miami, Florida, USA.
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“We have a plan. We have a strategy,” Guaido told expatriates at a rally in Miami, USA. “We're not alone and we're going to restore democracy.”
As his voice blasted through the speakers of a Miami convention centre on Saturday, he tried to rally the crowd with how he would end the political and economic "tragedy" in his country.
Guaido’s No. 1 objective remains the same: unseat socialist President Nicolas Maduro, who he says is a "dictator".
Aquí el selfie que nos tomamos.
Gracias por habernos acompañado. Nos vemos pronto en Venezuela. #AgendaInternacionalMiami pic.twitter.com/IZqXdLw64H — Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) February 1, 2020
"There is only one option: to achieve free elections," he added in his usual fast-paced and determined speech in Florida's biggest city, which has a large Venezuelan community. But he presented very few details of how he would realise his plan upon returning to the country.
"Guaido's will to end with Maduro was a failure and his strategy will remain completely blocked,” Gaspard Estrada, executive director of the Latin America and Caribbean unit at Sciences-Po University in Paris, told FRANCE 24.
Although Guaido has been recognised as Venezuela's interim president by nearly 60 nations – including the United States, France and Britain – Estrada said he has already "missed his chance”.
'No way out'
First rising to prominence in January 2019, the 36-year-old became the living promise of a Maduro-free Venezuela, leading huge demonstrations. But in the end, "2019 has been a total disappointment for Guaido's supporters", Estrada said. After instigating an unsuccessful army uprising on April 30, his popularity plummeted: from 63 percent in January, it fell to 39.9 percent in December, according to the Venezuelan polling institute Datanalisis.
"Now, he has no way out of this crisis," said Estrada.
Guaido's visit to Miami rounded out his two-week international tour, during which he tried to rebuild the momentum he appeared to have early 2019. He started in Colombia and then headed to Canada and Europe – where he met world leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, the Netherland's Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and made a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
'We will continue to call for dignity, to call for rights of all Venezuelans today' https://t.co/F4eJDzJbl2 #futureofworkandsociety #wef20 pic.twitter.com/fUeAJUVYMJ — World Economic Forum (@wef) January 23, 2020
Trump and Guaido both in Florida… but no meeting
But a key meeting missing from his trip was one with his most important and strongest ally: US President Donald Trump. Although both were in Florida on the same weekend, Guaido met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Republican figures such as Senator Marco Rubio but not Trump. The US president was clearly busy with other things as he tweeted a photo of himself at his Florida Mar-a-Lago golf club early Saturday.
Just finished meeting with President @jguaido.
I look forward to seeing him again in a free #Venezuela pic.twitter.com/4LleZg6Fyo — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 2, 2020
"This missed opportunity illustrates the disappointment that 2019 represented to everyone who believed in Guaido and shows how the world's diplomacy is now in a very delicate position … they don't know who they should address," said Estrada.
"With the unsuccessful army uprising", Guaido thought he would profit from the military's internal divisions, continued Estrada. "But the military integrated even more into Maduro's regime and now he has lost any influence he once had on the army.”
"We want him to tell us what’s going to happen,” Gloria Bejaramo told AP. The 65-year-old travelled from Venezuela to South Florida to visit a daughter. "I’ve always supported him, and everyone is looking for a way out of this situation to achieve democracy."
To the Miami crowd, Guaido promised "a great mobilisation". But upon his return he faces multiple challenges.
"He met with key world leaders, but his biggest problems remain within Venezuela: A part of the country's opposition pledged alliance to Maduro and there have been serious accusations of corruption among his closest allies," said Estrada.
Atentos a próximas convocatorias porque estamos preparando nuestro regreso a Venezuela en los próximos días. Sueño con el regreso de nuestra gente y por eso vamos a seguir luchando.
Agradezco esta oportunidad que tuvimos de estar en familia. Gracias, #Miami. pic.twitter.com/ZGJq6TbQXG — Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) February 1, 2020
Maduro renders Guaido's return a 'non-event'
Although he won a new term as the National Assembly's leader on January 7, Guaido's leadership is “fragile", Estrada said. Venezuelan authorities imposed a travel ban on him, which he defied with this latest international tour, and he expects to "create a major event merely by coming home like he did last year, when he was greeted by many countries' ambassadors.
"But this time, Maduro's officials have already announced he can come back with no problem: They made his return a non-event and diminished its importance.”
And Venezuela appears doomed to remain in its crippling economic crisis despite having the world's largest oil reserves.
"Guaido's great power was the support of international leaders, but even this has now shifted,” said Estrada. “They have seen he did not manage to deliver on his promises to oust Maduro and, even worse than that, Argentina and Mexico – who were both regional allies – have also changed their stance and elected left-wing presidents” over the past year.
“Maduro has the upper hand now, and the world is accepting that they need to include him," concluded Estrada.
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france24--2020-02-02--French fishermen temporarily lose access to Guernsey waters in Brexit aftermath

French workers fillet mackerels in a fish processing plant in the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer , France , January 29 , 2020 .
Picture taken January 29 , 2020 .
There was anger in France as authorities condemned what they claim is a ban on French fishing boats in Guernsey 's territorial waters following the Brexit deadline on Friday at 11pm GMT .
French fishermen are temporarily banned from entering the waters of Guernsey due to post-Brexit administrative changes that the authorities expect to resolve in the coming days , the French Agriculture Ministry said on Saturday .
The agreement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Channel Islands situated near the French coast of Normandy , was based on a European fisheries treaty that expired automatically on Friday night with Britain ’ s exit from the European Union .
Britain and the EU now need to negotiate a post-Brexit trade agreement but for now , the relationship is a business-as-usual transition period until the end of this year , meaning that French fishermen would retain access to Guernsey waters .
However the authorities in Guernsey , a British crown dependency , decided to install a new system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorizations to enter the waters 6 to 12 miles off its coasts .
“ The procedure for requesting these authorizations must be put in place next week .
During this period , access by French vessels to Guernsey waters is temporarily suspended , ” the Agricultural Ministry said in a statement .
The governments of Guernsey , Alderney and Sark said in a statement on Friday that they had put in place a package of measures to ensure continuity of access for the remainder of 2020 for French vessels that previously fished in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fishing in Guernsey waters accounted for a small part of fisheries activities in the area .
It gave figures for 2018 , saying around 140 boats went fishing in Guernsey waters rich with lobsters , king scallops and crabs , with only 30 of them active in late January and early February .

There was anger in France as authorities condemned what they claim is a ban on French fishing boats in Guernsey's territorial waters following the Brexit deadline on Friday at 11pm GMT.
French workers fillet mackerels in a fish processing plant in the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, January 29, 2020. Picture taken January 29, 2020.
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French fishermen are temporarily banned from entering the waters of Guernsey due to post-Brexit administrative changes that the authorities expect to resolve in the coming days, the French Agriculture Ministry said on Saturday.
The agreement on water access to Guernsey coasts, one of the Channel Islands situated near the French coast of Normandy, was based on a European fisheries treaty that expired automatically on Friday night with Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Britain and the EU now need to negotiate a post-Brexit trade agreement but for now, the relationship is a business-as-usual transition period until the end of this year, meaning that French fishermen would retain access to Guernsey waters.
However the authorities in Guernsey, a British crown dependency, decided to install a new system where boats would need to get individual authorizations to enter the waters 6 to 12 miles off its coasts.
“The procedure for requesting these authorizations must be put in place next week. During this period, access by French vessels to Guernsey waters is temporarily suspended,” the Agricultural Ministry said in a statement.
The governments of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark said in a statement on Friday that they had put in place a package of measures to ensure continuity of access for the remainder of 2020 for French vessels that previously fished in their waters.
The French ministry said fishing in Guernsey waters accounted for a small part of fisheries activities in the area.
It gave figures for 2018, saying around 140 boats went fishing in Guernsey waters rich with lobsters, king scallops and crabs, with only 30 of them active in late January and early February.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-02--Kansas City Chiefs chase Super Bowl title in final against San Francisco 49ers

Patrick Mahomes , quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs , looks on in the second half against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City , Missouri , January 18 , 2020 , The Kansas City Chiefs chase their first Super Bowl title in 50 years on Sunday when they face the San Francisco 49ers in a championship clash poised to usher in a new era for the NFL .
Around 100 million Americans are expected to tune in for the biggest event on the US sporting calendar , which kicks off at Miami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 2330 GMT ) .
The eagerly anticipated showdown could mark a changing of the guard for the NFL ’ s quarterback hierarchy as the curtain comes down on the league ’ s 100th season .
With Tom Brady and the New England Patriots failing to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2016 , the stage is set for the Chiefs ’ Patrick Mahomes to crown his emergence as the best quarterback in the league .
The gifted 24-year-old Texan could become the second-youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in only his second full season as a starter .
Mahomes , who became only the second quarterback in history to amass 5,000 passing yards and 50 touchdowns in a season in 2018 , has cut a relaxed figure during this week ’ s build-up .
“ I ’ m going to go out there and try and have fun and play the way I ’ ve played all season long , ” Mahomes said earlier this week .
True to form , Mahomes and his teammates laughed and joked their way through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the watchful eye of veteran head coach Andy Reid .
“ They ’ re loose , to a point , ” Reid said of his team .
“ They know the job at hand against a real good football team , but at the same time , we try to let our personalities show .
That has been an emphasis , and I don ’ t expect them to stop doing that now.
” Attempting to frustrate Mahomes and the Chiefs are a 49ers unit chasing a record-equaling sixth Super Bowl .
Led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Super Bowl rings during his stint as a back-up to Brady in New England—the 49ers boast a fearsome defense which will attempt to knock Mahomes out of his stride .
Garoppolo has an array of weapons at his disposal .
Against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game , the 49ers blew away their opponents with a fearsome ground game that saw running back Raheem Mostert rush for four touchdowns and more than 200 yards .
On the defensive side , the 49ers boast a fearsome pass rush led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-Super Bowl fillip on Saturday after being named rookie of the year at the NFL ’ s annual awards .
The 49ers are also bound to have a few offensive tricks up their sleeve as they prepare under the guidance of head coach Kyle Shanahan , one of the most innovative minds in the NFL .
“ We ’ re as ready as we can be , ” Shanahan said on Saturday .
“ We just need the game to get here .
It has been two weeks of ( practice ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shanahan took his players on a walkthrough at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday to prepare them for the extended half-time break in Sunday ’ s game , where Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will perform for the sell-out 65,000 crowd .
At around 30 minutes , the Super Bowl ’ s half-time interval is more than double the usual interval .
“ It ’ s going to feel like forever , ” Shanahan said .
“ We ’ re not used to that.
” A win on Sunday would see the 49ers coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos in 1998 and 1999 .
But Shanahan ’ s coaching wizardry may prove moot if the 49ers defense is unable to contain Mahomes and a Chiefs offense bristling with pace in the form of receiver Tyreek Hill and power in the shape of tight end Travis Kelce .
The Chiefs have averaged 43 points per game in two playoff contests , and during the regular season averaged just over 28 points per game .
Kansas City ’ s ability to produce devastating bursts of scoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houston last month , when they came back from a 24-0 deficit to win 51-31 .
But the Chiefs are all too aware that conceding an early lead against the 49ers and their stingy defense could well be fatal .
“ We obviously want our guys to go out there and have a faster start , ” said Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy .
“ You certainly never ever want to spot a team 24 points .
”

The Kansas City Chiefs chase their first Super Bowl title in 50 years on Sunday when they face the San Francisco 49ers in a championship clash poised to usher in a new era for the NFL.
Patrick Mahomes, quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, looks on in the second half against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, January 18, 2020,
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Around 100 million Americans are expected to tune in for the biggest event on the US sporting calendar, which kicks off at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium at 6.30pm (2330 GMT).
The eagerly anticipated showdown could mark a changing of the guard for the NFL’s quarterback hierarchy as the curtain comes down on the league’s 100th season.
With Tom Brady and the New England Patriots failing to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2016, the stage is set for the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes to crown his emergence as the best quarterback in the league.
The gifted 24-year-old Texan could become the second-youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl if he leads the Chiefs to victory in only his second full season as a starter.
Mahomes, who became only the second quarterback in history to amass 5,000 passing yards and 50 touchdowns in a season in 2018, has cut a relaxed figure during this week’s build-up.
Having fun
“I’m going to go out there and try and have fun and play the way I’ve played all season long,” Mahomes said earlier this week.
True to form, Mahomes and his teammates laughed and joked their way through a final practice session on Saturday under the watchful eye of veteran head coach Andy Reid.
“They’re loose, to a point,” Reid said of his team. “They know the job at hand against a real good football team, but at the same time, we try to let our personalities show. That has been an emphasis, and I don’t expect them to stop doing that now.”
Attempting to frustrate Mahomes and the Chiefs are a 49ers unit chasing a record-equaling sixth Super Bowl.
Led by the 28-year-old quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo—who won two Super Bowl rings during his stint as a back-up to Brady in New England—the 49ers boast a fearsome defense which will attempt to knock Mahomes out of his stride.
Garoppolo has an array of weapons at his disposal.
Against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game, the 49ers blew away their opponents with a fearsome ground game that saw running back Raheem Mostert rush for four touchdowns and more than 200 yards.
On the defensive side, the 49ers boast a fearsome pass rush led by Nick Bosa, who was given a pre-Super Bowl fillip on Saturday after being named rookie of the year at the NFL’s annual awards.
The 49ers are also bound to have a few offensive tricks up their sleeve as they prepare under the guidance of head coach Kyle Shanahan, one of the most innovative minds in the NFL.
“We’re as ready as we can be,” Shanahan said on Saturday. “We just need the game to get here. It has been two weeks of (practice), and we are itching to go.”
Shanahan took his players on a walkthrough at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday to prepare them for the extended half-time break in Sunday’s game, where Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will perform for the sell-out 65,000 crowd.
At around 30 minutes, the Super Bowl’s half-time interval is more than double the usual interval.
“It’s going to feel like forever,” Shanahan said. “We’re not used to that.”
Father-son double
A win on Sunday would see the 49ers coach emulate his father Mike Shanahan, who won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos in 1998 and 1999.
But Shanahan’s coaching wizardry may prove moot if the 49ers defense is unable to contain Mahomes and a Chiefs offense bristling with pace in the form of receiver Tyreek Hill and power in the shape of tight end Travis Kelce.
The Chiefs have averaged 43 points per game in two playoff contests, and during the regular season averaged just over 28 points per game.
Kansas City’s ability to produce devastating bursts of scoring was showcased in their playoff game against Houston last month, when they came back from a 24-0 deficit to win 51-31.
But the Chiefs are all too aware that conceding an early lead against the 49ers and their stingy defense could well be fatal.
“We obviously want our guys to go out there and have a faster start,” said Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. “You certainly never ever want to spot a team 24 points.”
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-02--'Jihadist attack' in Burkina Faso village kills nearly 20 civilians

Suspected jihadists killed nearly 20 civilians in an attack overnight on the northern Burkina Faso village of Bani , Seno province , security sources said Sunday .
“ The attackers , heavily armed and on motorbikes , literally executed the local inhabitants , ” the security source told AFP .
The attackers left nearly 20 dead , the source added .
A local health official , speaking from the town of Dori in the north , said the chief nurse at the nearby village of Lamdamol was among the victims .
“ There is panic in the village and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying local people were fleeing the area towards the centre-north of the country .
Another security source said that the attack had come as a reprisal after jihadists had told local people to leave the area a few days earlier .
The security forces worked day and night to make the zone safe , “ but it is difficult to be everywhere at once ” , said the source .
This latest attack comes a week after several similar attacks in the north of the country .
On January 25 , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Silgadji , in the neighbouring province of Soum , northwest of Seno .
Burkina Faso borders Mali to the northwest and Niger to the east , both countries that are struggling to contain a wave of lethal jihadist attacks .
Burkina ’ s security forces , under-equipped and poorly trained , have not been able to counter the deadly raids in their territory , despite the help of foreign soldiers , notably French troops .
According to UN figures , the jihadist attacks in Mali , Niger and Burkina Faso killed 4,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanitarian crisis , having forced 600,000 to flee their homes .

Suspected jihadists killed nearly 20 civilians in an attack overnight on the northern Burkina Faso village of Bani, Seno province, security sources said Sunday.
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“The attackers, heavily armed and on motorbikes, literally executed the local inhabitants,” the security source told AFP. The attackers left nearly 20 dead, the source added.
A local health official, speaking from the town of Dori in the north, said the chief nurse at the nearby village of Lamdamol was among the victims.
“There is panic in the village and the surrounding area,” the official added, saying local people were fleeing the area towards the centre-north of the country.
Another security source said that the attack had come as a reprisal after jihadists had told local people to leave the area a few days earlier.
The security forces worked day and night to make the zone safe, “but it is difficult to be everywhere at once”, said the source.
Similar attacks
This latest attack comes a week after several similar attacks in the north of the country.
On January 25, an attack killed 39 civilians in the village of Silgadji, in the neighbouring province of Soum, northwest of Seno.
Burkina Faso borders Mali to the northwest and Niger to the east, both countries that are struggling to contain a wave of lethal jihadist attacks.
Burkina’s security forces, under-equipped and poorly trained, have not been able to counter the deadly raids in their territory, despite the help of foreign soldiers, notably French troops.
According to UN figures, the jihadist attacks in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso killed 4,000 people in 2019 and caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, having forced 600,000 to flee their homes.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-03--First World War drama '1917' wins big at BAFTA awards

The director and cast of '1917 ' at the British Academy of Film and Television Awards ( BAFTA ) at the Royal Albert Hall in London , Britain on February 2 , 2020 .
First World War drama `` 1917 '' was the big winner at the BAFTAs on Sunday , picking up seven awards including best picture and director for Sam Mendes , at a glittering ceremony that made headlines for a glaring lack of diversity among nominees .
The thrilling drama , shot in what appears to be a single take , was also honoured in the outstanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cinematography and special visual effects categories .
Britain 's top movie awards have been criticised for having all-white shortlists in their acting categories and an all-male one for director , triggering the use of the hashtag # BaftasSoWhite on social media .
BAFTA boss Amanda Berry had said she was `` very disappointed '' by the lack of diversity .
Joaquin Phoenix , voted best actor for his critically acclaimed transformation from vulnerable loner into confident villain in `` Joker '' , addressed the issue head on in his acceptance speech .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear message to people of colour that you 're not welcome here '' , he said , adding it `` was on us '' to dismantle a system of oppression .
Award presenter Rebel Wilson drew the biggest laughs and cheers of the evening when , after reading out the all-male best director list , said : `` I do n't think I could do what they do , honestly I just do n't have the balls '' .
Actress Scarlett Johansson , who missed out in the leading and supporting actress categories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed women were being held back and the industry had to be mindful of the issue .
`` It 's pretty disappointing , especially because there were so many great films this year that happened to be directed by women , '' she said .
Renee Zellweger beat Johansson to the best actress gong for her portrayal of Judy Garland in `` Judy '' .
The two will go head-to-head again at the Oscars on Feb. 9 .
It was a frustrating evening for Netflix 's `` The Irishman '' , Martin Scorsese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominated in 10 categories but left empty-handed .
The streaming giant , however , fared better with divorce drama `` Marriage Story '' , which saw Laura Dern win best supporting actress .
Brad Pitt picked up best supporting actor for Quentin Tarantino 's `` Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood '' , the only success for a movie nominated for 10 awards .
Bong Joon Ho 's darkly comic film `` Parasite '' triumphed in the original screenplay and film not in the English language categories at the ceremony at London @ @ @ @ @

First World War drama "1917" was the big winner at the BAFTAs on Sunday, picking up seven awards including best picture and director for Sam Mendes, at a glittering ceremony that made headlines for a glaring lack of diversity among nominees.
The director and cast of '1917' at the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain on February 2, 2020.
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The thrilling drama, shot in what appears to be a single take, was also honoured in the outstanding British film, sound, production design, cinematography and special visual effects categories.
Britain's top movie awards have been criticised for having all-white shortlists in their acting categories and an all-male one for director, triggering the use of the hashtag #BaftasSoWhite on social media.
BAFTA boss Amanda Berry had said she was "very disappointed" by the lack of diversity.
00:17
Joaquin Phoenix, voted best actor for his critically acclaimed transformation from vulnerable loner into confident villain in "Joker", addressed the issue head on in his acceptance speech.
The industry was sending "a very clear message to people of colour that you're not welcome here", he said, adding it "was on us" to dismantle a system of oppression.
Award presenter Rebel Wilson drew the biggest laughs and cheers of the evening when, after reading out the all-male best director list, said: "I don't think I could do what they do, honestly I just don't have the balls".
Zellweger wins best actress
Actress Scarlett Johansson, who missed out in the leading and supporting actress categories, told Reuters the all-male directing shortlist showed women were being held back and the industry had to be mindful of the issue.
"It's pretty disappointing, especially because there were so many great films this year that happened to be directed by women," she said.
Renee Zellweger beat Johansson to the best actress gong for her portrayal of Judy Garland in "Judy". The two will go head-to-head again at the Oscars on Feb. 9.
It was a frustrating evening for Netflix's "The Irishman", Martin Scorsese's star-studded gangster drama, which was nominated in 10 categories but left empty-handed.
The streaming giant, however, fared better with divorce drama "Marriage Story", which saw Laura Dern win best supporting actress.
Brad Pitt picked up best supporting actor for Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood", the only success for a movie nominated for 10 awards. Bong Joon Ho's darkly comic film "Parasite" triumphed in the original screenplay and film not in the English language categories at the ceremony at London's Royal Albert Hall.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-02-02--'Le Crunch': Rejuvenated France beat England 24-17 in Six Nations

France 's Antoine Dupont in in Six Nations rugby action against England at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis , north of Paris , on February 2 , 2020 .
Captain Charles Ollivon scored two tries as France kicked off a new era under recently appointed coach Fabien Galthié with a thrilling 24-17 victory over England in their opening 2020 Six Nations match on Sunday .
Galthié took over full-time in the wake of France ’ s quarterfinal exit at last season ’ s World Cup in Japan and looks to have thoroughly revived the France XV , featuring just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two first-half tries by Vincent Rattez and Ollivon , along with two conversions and a penalty from Romain Ntamack handed the home side , powered magnificently around the pitch by scrum-half Antoine Dupont , a 17-0 half-time lead .
A second converted Ollivon try extended France ’ s lead but World Cup runners-up England hit back with a Jonny May brace of tries both converted by Owen Farrell .
There was a buzz around Stade de France not felt for some time and the expectant crowd were soon rewarded after a ferocious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other .
Livewire winger Teddy Thomas darted in-field , only to be brought down by George Furbank .
The ball was quickly recycled and an inside Ntamack pass found Rattez , the late replacement for the injured Damien Penaud easily riding Ben Youngs ’ tackle to score a fine team try .
Ntamack converted , hit a 16th minute penalty and then another conversion as new skipper Ollivon showed a clean pair of heels to make the line for France ’ s second try after Courtney Lawes failed to gather a Dupont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tapdown .
England were guilty of a raft of basic handling errors , losing possession four times alone when threatening in the French 22m area .
Farrell spilled the ball in midfield and George Ford ’ s kicking was consistently too long , allowing an easy bedding-in for France ’ s debutant full-back Anthony Bouthier , who produced one stunning 90-metre kick out of hand .
France ’ s hard-hitting South African-born lock pairing of Paul Willemse and Bernard Le Roux , and centre Gaël Fickou were at the heart of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shaun Edwards , the rugby league legend who was right-hand man to Warren Gatland during his successful 12-year tenure of Wales .
Almost a year to the day that France squandered a 16-0 half-time lead over Wales in their 2019 Six Nations opener ( eventually losing 24-19 ) , there were nerves about how Les Bleus would weather a loaded English riposte in the second period .
England won two penalties deep in French territory , twice opting for a scrum .
That backfired as Maro Itoje knocked on , the crowd breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the French rumbled out of their own half .
Ollivon crossed for his second try , and France ’ s third , in the 55th minute , showing an openside ’ s fine reading of the game to track Dupont ’ s sharp break and taking an inside pass to glide over .
Ntamack made no mistake with the extras , but England hit back straight away , winger May chasing down his own chip for a try , Farrell converting .
Drama was guaranteed to the end as May scored a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual effort that saw him skip past Rattez , cut back in past Ntamack and around Thomas to the line .
Farrell converted and with the English set-piece suddenly in the ascendancy , there was all to play for at 24-14 .
But the French held firm for a fine win , Farrell hitting an injury-time penalty for a defensive bonus point , and can now look forward to next week hosting Italy , beaten 42-0 by defending champions Wales on Saturday .
England , however , will have little time to lick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnaround before going to Edinburgh to take on Scotland , defeated 19-12 by Ireland in their opener .

Captain Charles Ollivon scored two tries as France kicked off a new era under recently appointed coach Fabien Galthié with a thrilling 24-17 victory over England in their opening 2020 Six Nations match on Sunday.
France's Antoine Dupont in in Six Nations rugby action against England at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on February 2, 2020.
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Galthié took over full-time in the wake of France’s quarterfinal exit at last season’s World Cup in Japan and looks to have thoroughly revived the France XV, featuring just one player over the age of 30.
Two first-half tries by Vincent Rattez and Ollivon, along with two conversions and a penalty from Romain Ntamack handed the home side, powered magnificently around the pitch by scrum-half Antoine Dupont, a 17-0 half-time lead.
A second converted Ollivon try extended France’s lead but World Cup runners-up England hit back with a Jonny May brace of tries both converted by Owen Farrell.
There was a buzz around Stade de France not felt for some time and the expectant crowd were soon rewarded after a ferocious start as the two sides piled into each other.
Livewire winger Teddy Thomas darted in-field, only to be brought down by George Furbank.
The ball was quickly recycled and an inside Ntamack pass found Rattez, the late replacement for the injured Damien Penaud easily riding Ben Youngs’ tackle to score a fine team try.
Ntamack converted, hit a 16th minute penalty and then another conversion as new skipper Ollivon showed a clean pair of heels to make the line for France’s second try after Courtney Lawes failed to gather a Dupont box kick, Rattez playing provider on the tapdown.
England were guilty of a raft of basic handling errors, losing possession four times alone when threatening in the French 22m area.
France score. Stade de France goes wild. @FranceRugby are on a roll in Paris#FRAvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/7jVcBqB3wD — Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 2, 2020
Farrell spilled the ball in midfield and George Ford’s kicking was consistently too long, allowing an easy bedding-in for France’s debutant full-back Anthony Bouthier, who produced one stunning 90-metre kick out of hand.
France’s hard-hitting South African-born lock pairing of Paul Willemse and Bernard Le Roux, and centre Gaël Fickou were at the heart of a smothering French defence, now masterminded by Shaun Edwards, the rugby league legend who was right-hand man to Warren Gatland during his successful 12-year tenure of Wales.
Almost a year to the day that France squandered a 16-0 half-time lead over Wales in their 2019 Six Nations opener (eventually losing 24-19), there were nerves about how Les Bleus would weather a loaded English riposte in the second period.
Drama to the end
England won two penalties deep in French territory, twice opting for a scrum. That backfired as Maro Itoje knocked on, the crowd breaking into a booming rendition of La Marseillaise as the French rumbled out of their own half.
Ollivon crossed for his second try, and France’s third, in the 55th minute, showing an openside’s fine reading of the game to track Dupont’s sharp break and taking an inside pass to glide over.
Ntamack made no mistake with the extras, but England hit back straight away, winger May chasing down his own chip for a try, Farrell converting.
Congrats to @FranceRugby who were the better team today. Much better in the 2nd half from @EnglandRugby but unfortunately not enough. #onwards&upwards — Jason Robinson OBE (@Jason15Robinson) February 2, 2020
Drama was guaranteed to the end as May scored a second try, this time a brilliant individual effort that saw him skip past Rattez, cut back in past Ntamack and around Thomas to the line.
Farrell converted and with the English set-piece suddenly in the ascendancy, there was all to play for at 24-14.
But the French held firm for a fine win, Farrell hitting an injury-time penalty for a defensive bonus point, and can now look forward to next week hosting Italy, beaten 42-0 by defending champions Wales on Saturday.
England, however, will have little time to lick their wounds, with a tight six-day turnaround before going to Edinburgh to take on Scotland, defeated 19-12 by Ireland in their opener.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-01--‘It’s over, we’re done, we’re out’: Fear and fatigue after Brexit Day

There was a deflated mood in London the day after Brexit .
A sense that the divorce from the EU is now a done deal co-existed on Saturday with trepidation about what happens next as Britain enters the transition period in search of a new trade deal with the European bloc .
Over the past two days , the stark divide between the Leave and Remain camps was on display in Parliament Square .
On Friday , a huge , uproarious pro-Brexit rally greeted the UK ’ s departure from the EU , only hours after a small anti-Brexit crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
The outpourings of emotion broke the sense of tiredness about Brexit that had pervaded the national mood in recent weeks – epitomised by the near indifference the passing of Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s Brexit deal met with after the New Year .
On Saturday , in the streets of South Kensington – where Brits converge from across the country on the august , late Victorian national museums – it seemed that Brexit fatigue had returned .
For some it was tempered nevertheless with concern about what happens next , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
Johnson promises not to prolong this stage of the process beyond that point , vowing to strike a free trade deal with the EU by 2020 's end .
Experts , meanwhile , warn that objective is overly ambitious and risks a de facto no-deal outcome .
‘ What ’ s really the point ?
’ “ It ’ s taken such a long time since it started , and now we ’ re just waiting till the end of year before the entire thing goes through ” , said Brunel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington .
“ At this point it ’ s just another day ; we ’ re not too worried about it , ” he said .
While nothing had tangibly changed after the moment Brexit took effect at 11pm on January 31 , he noted , the end of the transition period was a worrying point on the horizon .
“ At the end of this period , it wouldn ’ t be surprising to find that it ’ s a hard Brexit , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Sri Lanka as a child .
“ If it is a hard Brexit , in five years ’ time I think I might leave the country.
” Vanujan was too young to have voted in the 2016 referendum but opposed the UK ’ s departure from the EU .
Nevertheless , after more than three years of Brexit dominating the national debate to the exclusion of other political priorities , he said , “ in terms of rejoining , I think there ’ s going to be other stuff that the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday in London , Vanujan wasn ’ t alone in at once ruing the advent of Brexit and wearying of the long , all-consuming process that led to it .
“ It ’ s been going on for ages – what ’ s really the point ?
” said a young man from Gloucestershire in the rural west of England , walking towards South Kensington ’ s Natural History Museum on a day trip to the capital .
“ I think being in the EU benefitted us ; I don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” continued this visitor to London , who was too young to cast a ballot in the 2016 vote but would have opted for Remain .
‘ Two different bubbles ’ Another day tripper outside the Natural History Museum expressed bewilderment over what had happened during the more than three years that followed the shock referendum result in 2016 : “ We voted to leave and then we didn ’ t leave – and now … it ’ s confusing.
” A doorman at the same museum voiced similar Brexit fatigue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re done , we ’ re out , let ’ s get on with it , ” he said with a weary shrug .
Up the road , outside Imperial College London , a pharmaceutical importer visiting the capital for the day suggested the post-Brexit mood of lassitude might eventually be broken .
“ Even though nothing ’ s really changed in the short term , people are starting to move on and think about what ’ s coming next , '' the visitor said .
`` A lot of people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to immediately improve , but I work in an industry that is closely tied to the single market – and one thing that I can see is that up until the end of the transition period it ’ s business as usual , but beyond that it feels like you ’ ve got two different bubbles : you ’ ve got people who are looking at the details , and you ’ ve got people who think it ’ s over , and that anybody who is still bringing it up is just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palace of Westminster onto Parliament Square – where the ecstatic Brexiteer celebrations on Friday night had turned the grass into a field of caked mud – a French tourist voiced a similar sense that the real moment of change in the UK ’ s relationship with the continent might lie in the near future .
“ It ’ s a shame ” , she said of Brexit , with quintessentially Gallic sangfroid .
“ For the moment , it feels like this is still Europe , but in the years to come … @ @ @ @ @ @

ON THE GROUND
There was a deflated mood in London the day after Brexit. A sense that the divorce from the EU is now a done deal co-existed on Saturday with trepidation about what happens next as Britain enters the transition period in search of a new trade deal with the European bloc.
Advertising Read more
Over the past two days, the stark divide between the Leave and Remain camps was on display in Parliament Square. On Friday, a huge, uproarious pro-Brexit rally greeted the UK’s departure from the EU, only hours after a small anti-Brexit crowd protested in the same place the night before. The outpourings of emotion broke the sense of tiredness about Brexit that had pervaded the national mood in recent weeks – epitomised by the near indifference the passing of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal met with after the New Year.
On Saturday, in the streets of South Kensington – where Brits converge from across the country on the august, late Victorian national museums – it seemed that Brexit fatigue had returned. For some it was tempered nevertheless with concern about what happens next, as the UK enters an 11-month transition period. Johnson promises not to prolong this stage of the process beyond that point, vowing to strike a free trade deal with the EU by 2020's end. Experts, meanwhile, warn that objective is overly ambitious and risks a de facto no-deal outcome.
‘What’s really the point?’
“It’s taken such a long time since it started, and now we’re just waiting till the end of year before the entire thing goes through”, said Brunel University student Vanujan, hanging out opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington. “At this point it’s just another day; we’re not too worried about it,” he said.
While nothing had tangibly changed after the moment Brexit took effect at 11pm on January 31, he noted, the end of the transition period was a worrying point on the horizon. “At the end of this period, it wouldn’t be surprising to find that it’s a hard Brexit,” said Vanujan, who moved to the UK from Sri Lanka as a child. “If it is a hard Brexit, in five years’ time I think I might leave the country.”
Vanujan was too young to have voted in the 2016 referendum but opposed the UK’s departure from the EU. Nevertheless, after more than three years of Brexit dominating the national debate to the exclusion of other political priorities, he said, “in terms of rejoining, I think there’s going to be other stuff that the UK has to worry about”.
On Saturday in London, Vanujan wasn’t alone in at once ruing the advent of Brexit and wearying of the long, all-consuming process that led to it.
“It’s been going on for ages – what’s really the point?” said a young man from Gloucestershire in the rural west of England, walking towards South Kensington’s Natural History Museum on a day trip to the capital. “I think being in the EU benefitted us; I don’t know what’s going to happen now,” continued this visitor to London, who was too young to cast a ballot in the 2016 vote but would have opted for Remain.
‘Two different bubbles’
Another day tripper outside the Natural History Museum expressed bewilderment over what had happened during the more than three years that followed the shock referendum result in 2016: “We voted to leave and then we didn’t leave – and now … it’s confusing.”
A doorman at the same museum voiced similar Brexit fatigue. “It’s over, we’re done, we’re out, let’s get on with it,” he said with a weary shrug.
Up the road, outside Imperial College London, a pharmaceutical importer visiting the capital for the day suggested the post-Brexit mood of lassitude might eventually be broken. “Even though nothing’s really changed in the short term, people are starting to move on and think about what’s coming next," the visitor said. "A lot of people who voted for Brexit think everything is going to immediately improve, but I work in an industry that is closely tied to the single market – and one thing that I can see is that up until the end of the transition period it’s business as usual, but beyond that it feels like you’ve got two different bubbles: you’ve got people who are looking at the details, and you’ve got people who think it’s over, and that anybody who is still bringing it up is just whining.”
Crossing the road outside the Palace of Westminster onto Parliament Square – where the ecstatic Brexiteer celebrations on Friday night had turned the grass into a field of caked mud – a French tourist voiced a similar sense that the real moment of change in the UK’s relationship with the continent might lie in the near future. “It’s a shame”, she said of Brexit, with quintessentially Gallic sangfroid. “For the moment, it feels like this is still Europe, but in the years to come … we’ll see.”
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france24--2020-02-02--Bollywood stars join protests against India's controversial new citizenship law

In India , protests against a new citizenship law have brought tens of thousands of people from different faiths and backgrounds together across the country .
The law is seen by critics as part of a larger threat to the secular fabric of Indian society .
Protests of the law in Delhi began at the mainly Muslim Jamia Millia Islamia University , where after a bus was set on fire police pursued protesters , shooting teargas canisters into the campus library and beating students with batons .
The law approved by Parliament on December 11 allows Hindus , Christians and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pakistan and Afghanistan who are in India illegally to become citizens .
Leaders of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party say Muslims were excluded because persecution on religious grounds isn ’ t possible in Muslim-majority countries .
Critics have slammed the legislation as a violation of India ’ s secular constitution , which guarantees equal protection for all , and have called it the latest effort by the Modi government to marginalise the country ’ s 200 million Muslims .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended the law as a humanitarian gesture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are pending with the Supreme Court .
“ Why don ’ t Indian actors speak up like Robert de Niro and Jane Fonda ? ''
said Chadha .
`` The fact is that I don ’ t think we have a fully functioning free judiciary .
Unlike in the West , we don ’ t have a strong actors union , who can protect someone if they are being harassed for standing up.
” Click on the player above to watch this special FRANCE 24 report by Anis Benabdallah , Nicolas Blatchley , @ @ @ @ @ @

ON THE GROUND
In India, protests against a new citizenship law have brought tens of thousands of people from different faiths and backgrounds together across the country. The law is seen by critics as part of a larger threat to the secular fabric of Indian society.
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Protests of the law in Delhi began at the mainly Muslim Jamia Millia Islamia University, where after a bus was set on fire police pursued protesters, shooting teargas canisters into the campus library and beating students with batons.
The law approved by Parliament on December 11 allows Hindus, Christians and other religious minorities from Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who are in India illegally to become citizens.
Leaders of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party say Muslims were excluded because persecution on religious grounds isn’t possible in Muslim-majority countries.
Critics have slammed the legislation as a violation of India’s secular constitution, which guarantees equal protection for all, and have called it the latest effort by the Modi government to marginalise the country’s 200 million Muslims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended the law as a humanitarian gesture. Dozens of petitions challenging the law are pending with the Supreme Court.
Bollywood stars have joined the protest, including Richa Chadha.
“Why don’t Indian actors speak up like Robert de Niro and Jane Fonda?" said Chadha. "The fact is that I don’t think we have a fully functioning free judiciary. Unlike in the West, we don’t have a strong actors union, who can protect someone if they are being harassed for standing up.”
Click on the player above to watch this special FRANCE 24 report by Anis Benabdallah, Nicolas Blatchley, Thomas Denis and Philomene Remy.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-02-02--Djokovic beats Thiem to win record eighth Australian Open final

Novak Djokovic battled through intense pressure from Dominic Thiem to reassert his dominance at the Australian Open Sunday , claiming a record eighth title and returning to world number one in the process .
The indomitable Serb stretched his unbeaten streak this season to 13 by rallying from two sets to one down and beating the courageous fifth-seeded Austrian 6-4 , 4-6 , 2-6 , 6-3 , 6-4 in a near four-hour ordeal .
It was his 17th Grand Slam title , moving him within two of Rafael Nadal and three of Roger Federer on the all-time list .
Victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only the third man in history to win eight or more titles at the same Slam after Nadal ( 12 at the French Open ) and Federer ( eight at Wimbledon ) .
It also ensured he will once again be world number one when the new rankings are released on Monday , usurping Nadal .
Federer remains third with Thiem moving up a place to a career-high fourth .
But it wasn ’ t easy with the Serb looking lethargic and out for the count in sets two and three before regaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grind down the talented Thiem .
Djokovic had never before won a Slam final in seven previous attempts when finding himself two sets to one down .
The Serb , 32 , was the overwhelming favourite , but the supremely fit and fast Thiem , 26 , always had the weapons to trouble him , which he deployed successfully for much of the match , taming his serve and unleashing some explosive groundstrokes .
It was a nerveless start from Djokovic , who comfortably held then put big pressure on the Thiem serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving him an immediate break and a psychological edge after some monster rallies .
Thiem , though , is as strong mentally as he is physically and he finally got on the scoreboard after another tough service game .
And against the run of play , with Djokovic seemingly in control , he broke back , unleashing pinpoint groundstrokes to make the most of some loose Djokovic shots .
But the world number two was unrelenting , breaking again as Thiem served to stay in the set , with the Austrian sending down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the crucial moment .
Remarkably , a rare Djokovic double fault handed Thiem a break to go 2-1 up in set two with the courageous Austrian refusing to go away .
The Serb was getting frustrated , looking at his coaching box and pointing at his head .
He refocused and once again began attacking the Thiem serve , breaking back for 4-4 , pumping his fists when the fifth seed sent a backhand wide .
But two time warnings on his serve in the next game rattled Djokovic and he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his cool by patting the umpire ’ s foot at the changeover .
He had words with the official before Thiem served out the set—the first the Serb had dropped in an Australian Open final since 2015 .
Djokovic looked dejected and was immediately broken twice in set three as Thiem raced to a 4-0 lead , having won six games in a row with Djokovic imploding .
The Serb was heard telling a trainer he was tired and after losing the set , he went for a medical timeout .
He came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve until a Thiem double fault handed the Serb two break points and he converted to regain control , serving out the set with an ace .
Djokovic drew on all his experience to force another break in the deciding fifth set to take a 2-1 lead and kept his foot on the gas to claim an eighth crown from the last 13 Australian Opens .

Novak Djokovic battled through intense pressure from Dominic Thiem to reassert his dominance at the Australian Open Sunday, claiming a record eighth title and returning to world number one in the process.
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The indomitable Serb stretched his unbeaten streak this season to 13 by rallying from two sets to one down and beating the courageous fifth-seeded Austrian 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a near four-hour ordeal.
It was his 17th Grand Slam title, moving him within two of Rafael Nadal and three of Roger Federer on the all-time list.
Victory put him alongside his fellow legends as only the third man in history to win eight or more titles at the same Slam after Nadal (12 at the French Open) and Federer (eight at Wimbledon).
The king has returned 👑
After almost four hours, @DjokerNole def. Dominic Thiem 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 to claim his eighth Australian Open crown.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/EJOKBy040s — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 2, 2020
It also ensured he will once again be world number one when the new rankings are released on Monday, usurping Nadal. Federer remains third with Thiem moving up a place to a career-high fourth.
But it wasn’t easy with the Serb looking lethargic and out for the count in sets two and three before regaining his mojo after a medical timeout to grind down the talented Thiem.
Djokovic had never before won a Slam final in seven previous attempts when finding himself two sets to one down.
The Serb, 32, was the overwhelming favourite, but the supremely fit and fast Thiem, 26, always had the weapons to trouble him, which he deployed successfully for much of the match, taming his serve and unleashing some explosive groundstrokes.
It was a nerveless start from Djokovic, who comfortably held then put big pressure on the Thiem serve, with a forehand into the net giving him an immediate break and a psychological edge after some monster rallies.
Thiem, though, is as strong mentally as he is physically and he finally got on the scoreboard after another tough service game.
And against the run of play, with Djokovic seemingly in control, he broke back, unleashing pinpoint groundstrokes to make the most of some loose Djokovic shots.
But the world number two was unrelenting, breaking again as Thiem served to stay in the set, with the Austrian sending down his first double fault of the match at the crucial moment.
Remarkably, a rare Djokovic double fault handed Thiem a break to go 2-1 up in set two with the courageous Austrian refusing to go away.
The Serb was getting frustrated, looking at his coaching box and pointing at his head.
He refocused and once again began attacking the Thiem serve, breaking back for 4-4, pumping his fists when the fifth seed sent a backhand wide.
But two time warnings on his serve in the next game rattled Djokovic and he was broken again, with the Serb losing his cool by patting the umpire’s foot at the changeover.
He had words with the official before Thiem served out the set—the first the Serb had dropped in an Australian Open final since 2015.
Djokovic looked dejected and was immediately broken twice in set three as Thiem raced to a 4-0 lead, having won six games in a row with Djokovic imploding.
The Serb was heard telling a trainer he was tired and after losing the set, he went for a medical timeout.
He came back and the fourth set went with serve until a Thiem double fault handed the Serb two break points and he converted to regain control, serving out the set with an ace.
Djokovic drew on all his experience to force another break in the deciding fifth set to take a 2-1 lead and kept his foot on the gas to claim an eighth crown from the last 13 Australian Opens.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-01--Iraq's president names Mohammad Allawi as new prime minister, protesters divided

Iraq ’ s president named former communications minister Mohammad Allawi as the country ’ s new prime minister on Saturday after an 11th-hour consensus among political blocs , but the streets seemed divided on his nomination .
Baghdad and the mainly Shiite south have been gripped by four months of anti-government rallies demanding snap elections , a politically independent prime minister and accountability for corruption and protest-related violence .
Faced with pressure from the street and the Shiite religious leadership , Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi resigned in December and political life came to a standstill .
In a bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saleh gave political blocs until Saturday to name a replacement to Abdel Mahdi or else he would appoint his own candidate .
On Saturday evening , Allawi posted a video to Twitter saying Saleh had nominated him as the new premier .
“ After the president appointed me to form a new government a short while ago , I wanted to talk to you first , ” he said , addressing the camera in colloquial Iraqi dialect .
“ I will ask you to keep up the protests , because if you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be able to do anything , ” Allawi said .
There was no announcement from Saleh but Abdel Mahdi congratulated his successor and powerful cleric Moqtada Sadr swiftly endorsed Allawi .
“ This is a good step , ” tweeted Sadr , who controls the largest bloc in parliament and key ministerial posts .
“ I hope the president ’ s appointment of Mohammad Allawi is acceptable to the people and that they have patience , ” he wrote .
But many protesters across Iraq were unconvinced .
Within minutes of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main protest camp of Tahrir Square began chanting “ Allawi is rejected , Allawi is rejected !
” Demonstrators hit the streets in the holy city of Najaf , pledging to escalate their movement further as Allawi was not the independent they had long demanded .
“ Mohammad Allawi ’ s nomination came with the approval of the same corrupt political blocs we ’ ve been protesting against for over four months , ” said lawyer Hassan Mayahi , marching in the southern hotspot of Diwaniyah .
Meanwhile , the United States issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped Allawi ’ s nomination would lead to “ an independent and honest government committed to addressing the needs of the Iraqi people.
” Despite the prime minister-designate ’ s call for them to keep rallying , protesters were skeptical he would be able to implement their demands .
According to the constitution , he now has one month to form a cabinet which would need a vote of confidence from parliament .
In Iraq , the cabinet is typically formed by consensus among political rivals after intense horsetrading over influential posts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to impose their candidates on me , I ’ ll come out and talk to you and leave this nomination , ” Allawi said .
Allawi , a Shiite Muslim , was a member of the secular Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc which was headed by his cousin and former prime minister Iyad Allawi .
He served as communications minister twice under former PM Nuri al-Maliki but resigned both times , alleging corruption and interference in personnel appointments .
Maliki , who still holds sway in Iraq ’ s parliament , is said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other political blocs came to a consensus amid pressure by the president .
Sadr , too , had renewed his push for an end to the political crisis after suspending his support for the rallies for one week .
He endorsed the protests in October then appeared to change his mind last month , saying he would no longer “ interfere ” in the movement .
His hard-core backers—the most well-organised of the demonstrators—promptly dismantled their tents in protest camps across the country .
But on Friday he seemed to flip again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the peaceful , reformist revolution.
” They flooded in the streets on Saturday afternoon , setting up tents in Tahrir with portraits of Sadr and blaring music praising him just hours before Allawi ’ s nomination .
The move came after both the United Nations and Iraq ’ s top Shiite religious authority both called for an end to the political paralysis gripping Iraq .
The UN ’ s top official in Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert had tweeted Friday that solutions were “ urgently needed ” to “ break the political deadlock ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani urged Iraq ’ s political parties to “ accelerate the formation of a new government ” .
“ It is imperative to speed up holding early elections so that the people will have their say , ” he said in his sermon , which also demanded an end to bloodshed .
More than 480 people have died in protest-related violence since October , the great majority of them demonstrators killed by live rounds or military-grade tear gas canisters .

Iraq’s president named former communications minister Mohammad Allawi as the country’s new prime minister on Saturday after an 11th-hour consensus among political blocs, but the streets seemed divided on his nomination.
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Baghdad and the mainly Shiite south have been gripped by four months of anti-government rallies demanding snap elections, a politically independent prime minister and accountability for corruption and protest-related violence.
Faced with pressure from the street and the Shiite religious leadership, Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi resigned in December and political life came to a standstill.
In a bid to end the paralysis, President Barham Saleh gave political blocs until Saturday to name a replacement to Abdel Mahdi or else he would appoint his own candidate.
On Saturday evening, Allawi posted a video to Twitter saying Saleh had nominated him as the new premier.
“After the president appointed me to form a new government a short while ago, I wanted to talk to you first,” he said, addressing the camera in colloquial Iraqi dialect.
“I will ask you to keep up the protests, because if you are not with me, I won’t be able to do anything,” Allawi said.
Breaking: Iraqi President Barham Salih appoints Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi to form new #Iraqi govt, Allawi announces his appoints in this video.
He was Minister of Communications in the former govt led by Nuri al-Maliki pic.twitter.com/59VcWjRNJj — Mustafa Habib (@Mustafa_Habib33) February 1, 2020
There was no announcement from Saleh but Abdel Mahdi congratulated his successor and powerful cleric Moqtada Sadr swiftly endorsed Allawi.
“This is a good step,” tweeted Sadr, who controls the largest bloc in parliament and key ministerial posts.
“I hope the president’s appointment of Mohammad Allawi is acceptable to the people and that they have patience,” he wrote.
Protesters split
But many protesters across Iraq were unconvinced.
Within minutes of the announcement, many in Baghdad’s main protest camp of Tahrir Square began chanting “Allawi is rejected, Allawi is rejected!”
Demonstrators hit the streets in the holy city of Najaf, pledging to escalate their movement further as Allawi was not the independent they had long demanded.
“Mohammad Allawi’s nomination came with the approval of the same corrupt political blocs we’ve been protesting against for over four months,” said lawyer Hassan Mayahi, marching in the southern hotspot of Diwaniyah.
Meanwhile, the United States issued a carefully worded statement, saying it hoped Allawi’s nomination would lead to “an independent and honest government committed to addressing the needs of the Iraqi people.”
Despite the prime minister-designate’s call for them to keep rallying, protesters were skeptical he would be able to implement their demands.
According to the constitution, he now has one month to form a cabinet which would need a vote of confidence from parliament.
In Iraq, the cabinet is typically formed by consensus among political rivals after intense horsetrading over influential posts.
“If the (political) blocs try to impose their candidates on me, I’ll come out and talk to you and leave this nomination,” Allawi said.
Sadrists in the streets
Allawi, a Shiite Muslim, was a member of the secular Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc which was headed by his cousin and former prime minister Iyad Allawi.
He served as communications minister twice under former PM Nuri al-Maliki but resigned both times, alleging corruption and interference in personnel appointments.
Maliki, who still holds sway in Iraq’s parliament, is said to have rejected Allawi’s candidacy but other political blocs came to a consensus amid pressure by the president.
Sadr, too, had renewed his push for an end to the political crisis after suspending his support for the rallies for one week.
He endorsed the protests in October then appeared to change his mind last month, saying he would no longer “interfere” in the movement.
His hard-core backers—the most well-organised of the demonstrators—promptly dismantled their tents in protest camps across the country.
But on Friday he seemed to flip again, calling for his supporters “to renew the peaceful, reformist revolution.”
They flooded in the streets on Saturday afternoon, setting up tents in Tahrir with portraits of Sadr and blaring music praising him just hours before Allawi’s nomination.
The move came after both the United Nations and Iraq’s top Shiite religious authority both called for an end to the political paralysis gripping Iraq.
The UN’s top official in Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert had tweeted Friday that solutions were “urgently needed” to “break the political deadlock”.
And the country’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani urged Iraq’s political parties to “accelerate the formation of a new government”.
“It is imperative to speed up holding early elections so that the people will have their say,” he said in his sermon, which also demanded an end to bloodshed.
More than 480 people have died in protest-related violence since October, the great majority of them demonstrators killed by live rounds or military-grade tear gas canisters.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-02-03--Live: Follow caucus night in Iowa as race to pick Democratic nominee begins

Voters raise their hand as they gather to choose their Democratic candidate for the 2020 election during Iowa Democratic party 2020 satellite caucus in Paris , France , February 3 , 2020 .
The Iowa caucuses , the first nominating contest to decide the eventual Democratic nominee for the 2020 US presidential elections , start at 7pm CT ( 2am Paris-time ) .
The latest polls show a very tight race in the Democratic primary .
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former vice president Joe Biden lead the pack , with former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Klobuchar in third , fourth and fifth place respectively .
Top candidates in the running in Iowa : Former Vice President Biden ’ s campaign staff have been trying to lower expectations regarding Iowa for months now , saying that he does not need to win in order to ultimately get the Democratic nomination .
Biden ’ s campaign argues that his real strength will show through in later voting states with large African-American and Latino populations such as Nevada and South Carolina .
Biden has tried to project an air of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate but if Sanders wins Iowa moderate Democrats will really start to fret .
If Biden comes in lower than second place in Iowa then his camp will have real cause for concern .
A win for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders would really give him a boost .
In the autumn it looked as though Elizabeth Warren would take the progressive vote as she surged in the polls .
But Warren ’ s push for “ electability ” raised concerned among some of the left about whether she was fully committed to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then .
A win in the caucuses would serve as a warning to rivals and pundits alike to not underestimate him .
He would also most likely go on to win the next primary race in New Hampshire February 11th .
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren could really do with a win in Iowa .
After peaking in national polls during the autumn she faded from the top of polls in Iowa .
Without a solid performance in Iowa , Warren will find herself at a disadvantage heading into New Hampshire .
If she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will be tougher for her to contend she has a viable path to the Democratic nomination .
For Warren , Iowa is also a test of he claim that she is the only candidate who can unite the progressive and moderate factions of the party .
She needs to finish in one of the top three spots .
The former mayor of South Bend , Indiana Pete Buttigieg appears to have a strong following in Iowa .
Judging by the huge queues of people waiting to attend his rallies he could get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His Midwestern sensibility and charisma have helped him charm the local electorate .
But like Warren , his path ahead grows trickier if he does not come out in the top tier in the caucuses .
Victory in Iowa would boost Buttigieg because it will mean that skeptical voters might give him another look .
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has presented herself as a pragmatic liberal .
She has banked her prospects on Iowa , visiting every county and positioning herself as the hometown candidate .
Many caucus-goers have Klobuchar as second choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support from candidates such as Biden and Warren to reach the 15 % level of viability in the caucuses .
If Klobuchar finishes out of the running , however , it could be fatal for her candidacy .
Andrew Yang , a 44-year-old tech entrepreneur , has centred his campaign on a proposal to provide every American over the age of 18 with $ 1,000 every month with no strings attached .
Yang says that automation and artificial intelligence could take away nearly half of American jobs in the next three decades .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's good at math '' argues that a universal basic income could help America tackle its problems .
Yang ’ s campaign has had an on-the-ground approach in Iowa emphasising that he is a serious contender .
But polls show him at just 5 % which is way below the 15 % necessary to reach viability at Iowa precinct caucus sites .

LIVEBLOG
As it happened: Iowa caucus results delayed in confusing start to 2020 Democratic primaries
Results of Monday’s Iowa caucuses were delayed over questions of technological “quality control", triggering hours-long waits and growing confusion on the ground. Read our live blog below to see how all the night's events unfolded.
Voters raise their hand as they gather to choose their Democratic candidate for the 2020 election during Iowa Democratic party 2020 satellite caucus in Paris, France, February 3, 2020. © Benoit Tessier, Reuters
Advertising Read more First results in the caucuses have been delayed due to technical “quality control” problems, likely with a mobile app. The party however stressed the delay was not due to a “hack or an intrusion”.
Ahead of the vote, polls showed Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former US vice president Joe Biden running neck and neck.
The candidates have nevertheless made public speeches with all of them declaring they had put up a good showing in the Iowa caucuses.
Trump's campaign immediately seized on the issue to sow doubt about the validity of the results.
“Quality control = rigged?” Trump's campaign manager tweeted. Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app


france24--2020-02-03--In Iowa caucuses, second-choice candidates still have a chance to win

The Iowa caucus is the first test for US Democratic presidential candidates .
The results are hard to predict for two reasons : voters ’ indecision , and a caucus system that means they may have to go with their second choice .
The Midwestern state of Iowa is home to some 3 million people , yet it has outsized importance because its caucus comes first in the presidential primary cycle .
An individual caucus is essentially a small local meeting in a school gym or community centre - known as a precinct - where neighbours and strangers show their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in groups and trying to persuade others to join them .
There are two rounds of voting in a caucus .
In the first , the people attending gather in spaces that are designated for their preferred candidates .
Any candidate who attracts 15 percent of the people present in the room is considered viable , and goes on to the next round .
People supporting candidates who do not meet the 15 percent threshold have four options : They can support a viable candidate , join with supporters of another non-viable candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or try to woo supporters of other non-viable candidates over to their camp .
Or they can simply go home .
Carol George is a precinct team member for former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
“ I was pro-Warren at the start but now I am for Buttigieg , ” George said .
She explains that if he does not get the 15 percent he needs in her precinct , she will go to Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren as her second choice .
Warren ’ s programme is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ’ s , but that does not mean her supporters would pick Sanders as their second choice .
Many of them told FRANCE 24 that they would prefer to support Buttigieg or Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar in a round two scenario .
That is the case for Mike Kaldenberg , who works in IT in Des Moines , Iowa ’ s capital .
He is supporting Warren because he is “ ready for a lady president ” but would opt for Pete Buttigieg if Warren does not get a big enough group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ [ Buttigieg ’ s ] a former military person as well .
I served 20 years in the Air Force .
I trust his knowledge too.
” ‘ Special responsibility ’ The early date of the Iowa caucuses gives voters in the Hawkeye state a special responsibility .
`` You are the most important people to America 's future .
For the next 24 hours plus , the world is watching what we do in the great state of Iowa , '' said the state ’ s former Governor Tom Vilsack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s final campaign rally in Des Moines ahead of the vote .
Iowa has 41 state delegates up for grabs in the contest .
The winner gets a lot of media attention , but candidates do not have to come in first to gain momentum for the rest of the primaries .
And the caucuses don ’ t always pick the eventual nominee – then Arkansas governor Bill Clinton finished fourth in 1992 , the year he won the presidency – but they did in 2008 , when voters gave Barack Obama victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the race to be their party ’ s nominee to face President Donald Trump in November .
Sanders and Biden are leading the pack , but Buttigieg , Warren and Klobuchar could get a boost even if they don ’ t win .
Sanders spent the weekend before the caucus encouraging people to attend .
“ If the voter turnout is low , we are going to lose , ” he said at a rally in on Saturday .
“ If people across this state are prepared to come out , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country ; if working people and young people and all people who believe in justice – if they come out in large numbers , we ’ re going to win this caucus.
” Sanders is counting on a victory on Monday night , but if he can not win over Warren supporters later on in the electoral cycle , he may struggle to stay ahead in the race .

The Iowa caucus is the first test for US Democratic presidential candidates. The results are hard to predict for two reasons: voters’ indecision, and a caucus system that means they may have to go with their second choice.
Advertising Read more
The Midwestern state of Iowa is home to some 3 million people, yet it has outsized importance because its caucus comes first in the presidential primary cycle.
An individual caucus is essentially a small local meeting in a school gym or community centre - known as a precinct - where neighbours and strangers show their support for a particular candidate by standing in groups and trying to persuade others to join them.
There are two rounds of voting in a caucus. In the first, the people attending gather in spaces that are designated for their preferred candidates. Any candidate who attracts 15 percent of the people present in the room is considered viable, and goes on to the next round.
01:53
People supporting candidates who do not meet the 15 percent threshold have four options: They can support a viable candidate, join with supporters of another non-viable candidate to boost them up to 15 percent, or try to woo supporters of other non-viable candidates over to their camp. Or they can simply go home.
Carol George is a precinct team member for former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg. “I was pro-Warren at the start but now I am for Buttigieg,” George said. She explains that if he does not get the 15 percent he needs in her precinct, she will go to Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren as her second choice.
Warren’s programme is in many ways similar to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’s, but that does not mean her supporters would pick Sanders as their second choice. Many of them told FRANCE 24 that they would prefer to support Buttigieg or Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar in a round two scenario.
That is the case for Mike Kaldenberg, who works in IT in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital. He is supporting Warren because he is “ready for a lady president” but would opt for Pete Buttigieg if Warren does not get a big enough group in round one in his precinct because, “[Buttigieg’s] a former military person as well. I served 20 years in the Air Force. I trust his knowledge too.”
‘Special responsibility’
The early date of the Iowa caucuses gives voters in the Hawkeye state a special responsibility.
"You are the most important people to America's future. For the next 24 hours plus, the world is watching what we do in the great state of Iowa," said the state’s former Governor Tom Vilsack at former vice president Joe Biden’s final campaign rally in Des Moines ahead of the vote.
Iowa has 41 state delegates up for grabs in the contest. The winner gets a lot of media attention, but candidates do not have to come in first to gain momentum for the rest of the primaries. And the caucuses don’t always pick the eventual nominee – then Arkansas governor Bill Clinton finished fourth in 1992, the year he won the presidency – but they did in 2008, when voters gave Barack Obama victory.
There are 11 Democratic candidates still in the race to be their party’s nominee to face President Donald Trump in November. Sanders and Biden are leading the pack, but Buttigieg, Warren and Klobuchar could get a boost even if they don’t win.
Sanders spent the weekend before the caucus encouraging people to attend.
“If the voter turnout is low, we are going to lose,” he said at a rally in on Saturday. “If people across this state are prepared to come out, not just to defeat Trump but to transform this country; if working people and young people and all people who believe in justice – if they come out in large numbers, we’re going to win this caucus.”
Sanders is counting on a victory on Monday night, but if he cannot win over Warren supporters later on in the electoral cycle, he may struggle to stay ahead in the race.
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