france24--2020-11-01--Super sub Bale sends Spurs into second

Super sub Bale sends Spurs into second

Match winner : Gareth Bale ( centre ) scored the first goal of his second spell at Tottenham to beat Brighton 2-1 Gareth Bale came off the bench to score his first goal in his second spell at Tottenham as Jose Mourinho 's men moved up to second in the Premier League thanks to a 2-1 win over Brighton .
Injury and a lack of match fitness had kept Bale largely on the sidelines since rejoining Spurs on loan from Real Madrid in September .
But the man who left Tottenham to head to the Spanish capital for a world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an eye for goal with a powerful header from Sergio Reguilon 's cross 18 minutes from time .
The Welshman 's intervention also served to lessen the furore over Brighton 's equaliser , scored by Tariq Lamptey , in a match dogged by controversial refereeing decisions .
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg looked to have been clearly fouled by Solly March before the ball was worked to Lamptey , who produced a clinical finish into the far corner for his first goal for the club .
However , referee Graham Scott stood by his original decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor .
That balanced up the dubious calls as Spurs led at half-time thanks to Harry Kane 's first-half penalty , while Brighton were denied a spot-kick .
Kane was bundled over by former England teammate Adam Lallana , but after Scott initially awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box , he was instructed by VAR that the foul took place inside the box .
There was less doubt over the result of the spot-kick as the in-form Kane coolly dispatched his 199th Tottenham goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brighton as their winless run stretched to six games despite going on to enjoy the better of the game for long spells .
Graham Potter could not believe his luck when a pull on Leandro Trossard by Matt Doherty was not punished with a penalty at the other end .
A further two Tottenham penalty appeals were waved away early in the second-half as Kane and Son Heung-min went to ground easily .
Mourinho was then left cursing the officiating as for the first time in the Premier League this season a referee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replays of an incident for the Brighton equaliser .
Erik Lamela fired a long-range effort off the post as Spurs were suddenly jolted into looking for a winner .
The Argentine was replaced by Bale 20 minutes from time and the substitute took just three minutes to make his impact when he met his former Madrid teammate Reguilon 's inch-perfect cross .
Spurs could have been top of the table had they not thrown away four points in the dying seconds of their last two home league games against Newcastle and West Ham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to move within two points of Liverpool at the summit .

London (AFP) –
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Gareth Bale came off the bench to score his first goal in his second spell at Tottenham as Jose Mourinho's men moved up to second in the Premier League thanks to a 2-1 win over Brighton.
Injury and a lack of match fitness had kept Bale largely on the sidelines since rejoining Spurs on loan from Real Madrid in September.
But the man who left Tottenham to head to the Spanish capital for a world record fee in 2013 showed he retains an eye for goal with a powerful header from Sergio Reguilon's cross 18 minutes from time.
The Welshman's intervention also served to lessen the furore over Brighton's equaliser, scored by Tariq Lamptey, in a match dogged by controversial refereeing decisions.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg looked to have been clearly fouled by Solly March before the ball was worked to Lamptey, who produced a clinical finish into the far corner for his first goal for the club.
However, referee Graham Scott stood by his original decision not to award a Tottenham free-kick after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.
That balanced up the dubious calls as Spurs led at half-time thanks to Harry Kane's first-half penalty, while Brighton were denied a spot-kick.
Kane was bundled over by former England teammate Adam Lallana, but after Scott initially awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box, he was instructed by VAR that the foul took place inside the box.
There was less doubt over the result of the spot-kick as the in-form Kane coolly dispatched his 199th Tottenham goal.
It was a familiar story for Brighton as their winless run stretched to six games despite going on to enjoy the better of the game for long spells.
Graham Potter could not believe his luck when a pull on Leandro Trossard by Matt Doherty was not punished with a penalty at the other end.
A further two Tottenham penalty appeals were waved away early in the second-half as Kane and Son Heung-min went to ground easily.
Mourinho was then left cursing the officiating as for the first time in the Premier League this season a referee stood by his inital call after seeing replays of an incident for the Brighton equaliser.
Erik Lamela fired a long-range effort off the post as Spurs were suddenly jolted into looking for a winner.
The Argentine was replaced by Bale 20 minutes from time and the substitute took just three minutes to make his impact when he met his former Madrid teammate Reguilon's inch-perfect cross.
Spurs could have been top of the table had they not thrown away four points in the dying seconds of their last two home league games against Newcastle and West Ham.
However, this time they held out to move within two points of Liverpool at the summit.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-01--Unbeaten Leverkusen beat Freiburg, Hertha held on Guendouzi debut

Arsenal loanee Matteo Guendouzi made his Bundesliga debut on Sunday as Hertha Berlin were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Wolfsburg , while Bayer Leverkusen came from behind to beat Freiburg .
Guendouzi replaced fellow Frenchman Lucas Tousart just before the hour mark and was booked for dissent in stoppage time in his first competitive appearance since June .
The curly-haired midfielder joined Hertha on loan in October having fallen out of favour at Arsenal , but was forced to delay his return to action after testing positive for coronavirus .
He finally made his debut in Berlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping Hertha to end a four-game losing streak and pick up their first point since the opening weekend .
`` It 's not an easy situation , but we have to stay positive .
We have a lot of new players in the side , and we need to get to know each other on the pitch , '' Hertha midfielder Vladimir Darida told Sky .
Matheus Cunha gave Hertha the lead after less than six minutes , squeezing a low shot inside the post from the edge of the area despite slipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball .
Ridle Baku levelled the scores with a sweetly struck shot on 20 minutes , smashing the ball into the roof of the net from 18 yards out to score his first goal for Wolfsburg since joining the club in October .
Earlier Sunday , Argentina striker Lucas Alario continued his fine run of form with two crucial first-half goals as Bayer Leverkusen saw off Freiburg 4-2 .
After a disastrous first half-hour for Leverkusen , Alario struck twice before the break to turn the game on its head and fire his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It was a strange match in which we started badly .
Normally you ca n't turn games like that around , but Lucas 's goals really helped us , '' said Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz .
The Argentine now has seven goals from eight games in all competitions , and has found the net in each of his last three league appearances .
Leverkusen , meanwhile , remain the only Bundesliga team yet to be beaten after the first six games of the season .
Freiburg took the lead on just three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50-yard through ball from Lukas Kuebler and flicking the ball past Leverkusen keeper Lukas Hradecky .
Leverkusen were bracing themselves for a long afternoon when Sven Bender was shown a red card for a trip on Hoeler in front of goal , but the decision was reversed by VAR .
Having ridden their luck in the first half-hour , Leverkusen ruthlessly took their chances from then on , with Alario turning the game on its head with two quick goals before half-time .
The Argentine pounced on a misplaced pass from Nicolas Hoefler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turning in a low cross from Lars Bender to put Leverkusen ahead just minutes before the break .
Bosz 's side looked to be in the clear when Nadiem Amiri smashed in a third on 65 minutes , but a tap-in from substitute Nils Petersen quickly brought Freiburg back into the game .
Yet the home side 's revival was short-lived , as centre-back Jonathan Tah rose high at a corner to head in Leverkusen 's fourth and seal the three points .
While Leverkusen return to the top four , Freiburg now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottom three , having not won since the opening day of the season .

Berlin (AFP) –
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Arsenal loanee Matteo Guendouzi made his Bundesliga debut on Sunday as Hertha Berlin were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Wolfsburg, while Bayer Leverkusen came from behind to beat Freiburg.
Guendouzi replaced fellow Frenchman Lucas Tousart just before the hour mark and was booked for dissent in stoppage time in his first competitive appearance since June.
The curly-haired midfielder joined Hertha on loan in October having fallen out of favour at Arsenal, but was forced to delay his return to action after testing positive for coronavirus.
He finally made his debut in Berlin's empty Olympic stadium on Sunday, helping Hertha to end a four-game losing streak and pick up their first point since the opening weekend.
"It's not an easy situation, but we have to stay positive. We have a lot of new players in the side, and we need to get to know each other on the pitch," Hertha midfielder Vladimir Darida told Sky.
Matheus Cunha gave Hertha the lead after less than six minutes, squeezing a low shot inside the post from the edge of the area despite slipping on the turf as he struck the ball.
Ridle Baku levelled the scores with a sweetly struck shot on 20 minutes, smashing the ball into the roof of the net from 18 yards out to score his first goal for Wolfsburg since joining the club in October.
Earlier Sunday, Argentina striker Lucas Alario continued his fine run of form with two crucial first-half goals as Bayer Leverkusen saw off Freiburg 4-2.
After a disastrous first half-hour for Leverkusen, Alario struck twice before the break to turn the game on its head and fire his team back into the top four.
"It was a strange match in which we started badly. Normally you can't turn games like that around, but Lucas's goals really helped us," said Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz.
The Argentine now has seven goals from eight games in all competitions, and has found the net in each of his last three league appearances.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, remain the only Bundesliga team yet to be beaten after the first six games of the season.
Freiburg took the lead on just three minutes, Lucas Hoeler latching onto a 50-yard through ball from Lukas Kuebler and flicking the ball past Leverkusen keeper Lukas Hradecky.
Leverkusen were bracing themselves for a long afternoon when Sven Bender was shown a red card for a trip on Hoeler in front of goal, but the decision was reversed by VAR.
Having ridden their luck in the first half-hour, Leverkusen ruthlessly took their chances from then on, with Alario turning the game on its head with two quick goals before half-time.
The Argentine pounced on a misplaced pass from Nicolas Hoefler to slot home the equaliser, before turning in a low cross from Lars Bender to put Leverkusen ahead just minutes before the break.
Bosz's side looked to be in the clear when Nadiem Amiri smashed in a third on 65 minutes, but a tap-in from substitute Nils Petersen quickly brought Freiburg back into the game.
Yet the home side's revival was short-lived, as centre-back Jonathan Tah rose high at a corner to head in Leverkusen's fourth and seal the three points.
While Leverkusen return to the top four, Freiburg now sit just three places adrift of the bottom three, having not won since the opening day of the season.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-01--French PM announces ban on sale of 'non-essential' items in supermarkets

France is to introduce a ban on the sale of all 'non-essential ' items in supermarkets from Tuesday , Prime Minister Jean Castex announced in a televised interview Sunday on TF1 , under measures already imposed by a nationwide lockdown to stem the coronavirus .
Non-essential items banned from sale in small local shops will now also be banned in supermarkets from Tuesday , the PM said .
In his interview with TFI , Mr Castex said the decision to impose tough restrictions was “ heartbreaking ” and that he promised to support businesses impacted so `` they are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will not go back over the announced measures .
It 's definitely not the right time .
It 's way too soon .
There will not be reopenings and all business owners and the rest of us have to be extremely vigilant and respect the lockdown .
`` I say to these shopkeepers and to others - to all our citizens - it ’ s better to respect these health and safety rules now so that we can get out of this [ lockdown ] sooner , ” he said .
France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bid to stem the resurgent coronavirus pandemic with residents only allowed to leave their homes for food shopping , medical appointments , pressing family reasons and to commute to work when their jobs can not be done from home .
Covid daily deaths in France are at the highest level since April .
On Sunday , 46,290 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours with over 1.4 million cases overall .
Mr Castex said he understood that the French are `` frustrated ” by further restrictions but that right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all citizens .
`` It is for the survival of the economy , it is for our collective health , '' he insisted .

France is to introduce a ban on the sale of all 'non-essential' items in supermarkets from Tuesday, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced in a televised interview Sunday on TF1, under measures already imposed by a nationwide lockdown to stem the coronavirus.
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Non-essential items banned from sale in small local shops will now also be banned in supermarkets from Tuesday, the PM said.
In his interview with TFI, Castex said the decision to impose tough restrictions was “heartbreaking” and that he promised to support businesses impacted so "they are not forced to close down".
"We will not go back over the announced measures. It's definitely not the right time. It's way too soon. There will not be reopenings and all business owners and the rest of us have to be extremely vigilant and respect the lockdown.
"I say to these shopkeepers and to others – to all our citizens – it’s better to respect these health and safety rules now so that we can get out of this [lockdown] sooner,” he said.
03:32
France entered its second lockdown on Friday in a bid to stem the resurgent coronavirus pandemic with residents only allowed to leave their homes for food shopping, medical appointments, pressing family reasons and to commute to work when their jobs cannot be done from home.
Covid-19 daily deaths in France are at the highest level since April. On Sunday, 46,290 new cases were recorded over the past 24 hours with over 1.4 million cases overall.
Castex said he understood that the French are "frustrated” by further restrictions but that right now the priority was to protect the health of all citizens.
"It is for the survival of the economy, it is for our collective health," he insisted.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-11-01--Iconic Ventoux twice in one day on 2021 Tour de France

Tour de France chiefs on Sunday unveiled the route for the 2021 edition , featuring two ascents of the iconic Mont Ventoux on the same day and a decisive penultimate day time trial through the Bordeaux vineyards .
The June 26 to July 18 three-week race starts with four days in Brittany , eventually culminating with a sprint along Paris 's famed Champs-Elysees .
In between , the race will sweep through the Loire Valley and into the Alps , continue to the south coast and Provence as a precursor to some epic climbing in the Pyrenees .
Then comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the formalities of Paris where Tadej Pogacar celebrated a shock triumph this year .
Traditionally unveiled in front of 4,000 people at a glittering ceremony , with most of the top cyclists and the mayors of the towns along the route , Covid-19 once again caused a rethink .
The unveiling event was a live TV reveal instead with race director Christian Prudhomme the master of ceremonies .
The route is a departure from the last two editions which featured little individual time-trialling .
Next year will have two of them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on the menu after the last two Tours featured many more shorter climbs .
Any rider with ambitions of winning the 2021 Tour will need to excel at time-trialling with a whopping 58km on the agenda .
They will also have to be able to survive the lung-busting long climbs .
Known as 'the Giant of Provence ' , Mont Ventoux , with its lunar landscape upper reaches , will have to be climbed twice on the same day , while the ski resort Tignes is also featured .
`` We had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the return to old style tours .
`` It 's hard to draw conclusions from last season even with the astonishing performances of some younger riders , '' he said in reference to the then 21-year-old Pogacar winning this year and 25-year-old Tao Geoghegan Hart claiming the Giro d'Italia .
One aspect retained from the last two years is that the action is loaded to explode early , on stage two 's finish up the short steep climb called the Mur de Bretagne .
It 's where a rider such as French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to grab the overall leader 's yellow jersey for a third year in a row .
`` So we have tried to vary the thing to the maximum , there 's no dogma , but we went for maximum change , taking into account the switch from Copenhagen and all the coronavirus effects , '' said Prudhomme , who sat out a week of the 2020 edition after testing positive for coronavirus .
The Tour starts a week early to avoid clashing with the Tokyo Olympics and had to hastily reorganise the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Depart was cancelled to accommodate football 's European Championship .
`` We needed a new Grand Depart and to make it a week earlier , '' Prudhomme said of preparations he described as a race against the clock .
Of the June 26 start in Brest , course designer Thierry Gouvenou said getting permission to race had been tense .
In 2020 , opposition to the Tour de France was voiced by Green Party mayors in Lyon and Rennes .
`` There were ( municipal ) elections too and we had you wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plotted a third of the course before the delayed 2020 race and then the rest afterwards . ''

Paris (AFP) –
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Tour de France chiefs on Sunday unveiled the route for the 2021 edition, featuring two ascents of the iconic Mont Ventoux on the same day and a decisive penultimate day time trial through the Bordeaux vineyards.
The June 26 to July 18 three-week race starts with four days in Brittany, eventually culminating with a sprint along Paris's famed Champs-Elysees.
In between, the race will sweep through the Loire Valley and into the Alps, continue to the south coast and Provence as a precursor to some epic climbing in the Pyrenees.
Then comes the showdown in the Bordeaux wine region before the formalities of Paris where Tadej Pogacar celebrated a shock triumph this year.
Traditionally unveiled in front of 4,000 people at a glittering ceremony, with most of the top cyclists and the mayors of the towns along the route, Covid-19 once again caused a rethink.
The unveiling event was a live TV reveal instead with race director Christian Prudhomme the master of ceremonies.
The route is a departure from the last two editions which featured little individual time-trialling.
Next year will have two of them, while old style long mountain ascents are back on the menu after the last two Tours featured many more shorter climbs.
Any rider with ambitions of winning the 2021 Tour will need to excel at time-trialling with a whopping 58km on the agenda.
They will also have to be able to survive the lung-busting long climbs.
Known as 'the Giant of Provence', Mont Ventoux, with its lunar landscape upper reaches, will have to be climbed twice on the same day, while the ski resort Tignes is also featured.
- 'Maximum change' -
"We had to be pragmatic," Prudhomme said of the return to old style tours.
"It's hard to draw conclusions from last season even with the astonishing performances of some younger riders," he said in reference to the then 21-year-old Pogacar winning this year and 25-year-old Tao Geoghegan Hart claiming the Giro d'Italia.
One aspect retained from the last two years is that the action is loaded to explode early, on stage two's finish up the short steep climb called the Mur de Bretagne.
It's where a rider such as French world champion Julian Alaphilippe has a perfect chance to grab the overall leader's yellow jersey for a third year in a row.
"So we have tried to vary the thing to the maximum, there's no dogma, but we went for maximum change, taking into account the switch from Copenhagen and all the coronavirus effects," said Prudhomme, who sat out a week of the 2020 edition after testing positive for coronavirus.
The Tour starts a week early to avoid clashing with the Tokyo Olympics and had to hastily reorganise the start after the originally scheduled Copenhagen Grand Depart was cancelled to accommodate football's European Championship.
"We needed a new Grand Depart and to make it a week earlier," Prudhomme said of preparations he described as a race against the clock.
Of the June 26 start in Brest, course designer Thierry Gouvenou said getting permission to race had been tense.
In 2020, opposition to the Tour de France was voiced by Green Party mayors in Lyon and Rennes.
"There were (municipal) elections too and we had you wait, it was quite tense, we plotted a third of the course before the delayed 2020 race and then the rest afterwards."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-03--California mayors plead for reopening of theme parks

California mayors appealed to the state 's governor Monday to ease COVID-19 restrictions that have shuttered theme parks such as Disneyland , warning that hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in revenue were at stake .
`` The guidelines put forth by your administration were released within the framework of prioritizing public health and safety for guests and employees , '' the mayors of eight major cities including Los Angeles said in their letter to Governor Gavin Newsom .
`` This is the right focus , '' they added .
`` However , economic and public health are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the state 's guidelines would push re-opening of large theme parks up to a year out , which would have significant negative impacts on hundreds of thousands of jobs , thousands of small businesses , and billions in operating revenue for our cities . ''
Apart from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , the letter was also signed by the mayors of Anaheim , where Disneyland is located , as well as San Diego , home to SeaWorld , San Jose , Fresno , Bakersfield , Riverside and Santa Ana .
Parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down mid-March in the wake of the pandemic and are expected to remain closed for several more weeks or even months , depending on the fluctuating Covid-19 infection rates .
Under strict protocols established last month , large parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios will be allowed to reopen once coronavirus transmission in the county in which they operate reaches the least restrictive of the state 's four-tier system .
A smaller park will be allowed to reopen once its home county reaches the second least restrictive tier .
The mayors in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parks to open in tier three with reduced capacity , rather than in tier four .
Orange County , home to Disneyland in Anaheim , currently is in the `` red '' , or second tier , while Universal Studios is in the `` purple , '' the state 's most restrictive tier .
Once allowed to reopen , larger theme parks can only operate at 25 percent capacity and visitors will have to make advance reservations and must wear face coverings except when eating or drinking , according to the current guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to lay off thousands of workers have warned that the prolonged shutdowns will deeply affect their operations and local economies .
Ken Potrock , president of Disneyland Resort , warned last month that the stringent reopening requirements would lead to the closure of small family-owned businesses and keep the world 's second-most visited theme park shuttered for the foreseeable future .
`` We have proven that we can responsibly reopen , with science-based health and safety protocols strictly enforced at our theme park properties around the world , '' he said in @ @ @

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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California mayors appealed to the state's governor Monday to ease COVID-19 restrictions that have shuttered theme parks such as Disneyland, warning that hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in revenue were at stake.
"The guidelines put forth by your administration were released within the framework of prioritizing public health and safety for guests and employees," the mayors of eight major cities including Los Angeles said in their letter to Governor Gavin Newsom.
"This is the right focus," they added.
"However, economic and public health are not mutually exclusive goals. We are concerned that the state's guidelines would push re-opening of large theme parks up to a year out, which would have significant negative impacts on hundreds of thousands of jobs, thousands of small businesses, and billions in operating revenue for our cities."
Apart from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the letter was also signed by the mayors of Anaheim, where Disneyland is located, as well as San Diego, home to SeaWorld, San Jose, Fresno, Bakersfield, Riverside and Santa Ana.
Parks in those cities were forced to shut down mid-March in the wake of the pandemic and are expected to remain closed for several more weeks or even months, depending on the fluctuating Covid-19 infection rates.
Under strict protocols established last month, large parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios will be allowed to reopen once coronavirus transmission in the county in which they operate reaches the least restrictive of the state's four-tier system.
A smaller park will be allowed to reopen once its home county reaches the second least restrictive tier.
The mayors in their letter urged Newsom to allow large theme parks to open in tier three with reduced capacity, rather than in tier four.
Orange County, home to Disneyland in Anaheim, currently is in the "red", or second tier, while Universal Studios is in the "purple," the state's most restrictive tier.
Once allowed to reopen, larger theme parks can only operate at 25 percent capacity and visitors will have to make advance reservations and must wear face coverings except when eating or drinking, according to the current guidelines.
Theme park operators that have been forced to lay off thousands of workers have warned that the prolonged shutdowns will deeply affect their operations and local economies.
Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland Resort, warned last month that the stringent reopening requirements would lead to the closure of small family-owned businesses and keep the world's second-most visited theme park shuttered for the foreseeable future.
"We have proven that we can responsibly reopen, with science-based health and safety protocols strictly enforced at our theme park properties around the world," he said in a statement.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-03--Roma mansions in Moldova abandoned in economic exodus

The Gypsy Hill neighbourhood in Soroca , 155 km north of Chisinau , is home to a collection of huge homes once owned by wealthy Roma Extravagant mansions once owned by wealthy Roma stand in stark contrast to the modest traditional homes of Soroca in northern Moldova .
In a district known as `` Gypsy Hill '' , members of the Roma community built houses resembling Moscow 's Bolshoi Theatre or the US Capitol in Washington to flaunt their wealth in one of Europe 's poorest countries .
But many of these palatial homes are now abandoned after their owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in search of a more prosperous future .
`` The owners have died or gone overseas , '' says Sandu , an elderly man sitting on a bench outside one of the striking buildings .
Their diverse architectural styles mirror destinations the community has historically lived in search of work .
Artur Cerari , who describes himself as the son of a `` Roma baron '' , says his people have settled in countries across the post-Soviet space .
`` From 1999 they starting going to Russia , then from there further on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan , '' Cerari , 41 , tells AFP standing in front of a building with a golden dome and a minaret that resembles an Azeri mosque .
An austere grey building fashioned after a Greek temple stands across the street , and an exact copy can be found in the same area , Sandu says .
He explains that the owner built two identical houses for his daughters who have both emigrated .
`` If you go to the right you will see a replica of the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolshoi Theatre , '' intervenes a young man , Alin .
Of the thirty or so grand homes that make up the neighbourhood only have handful are now being lived in , he says .
Construction on some began in the 1980s when Moldova was still part of the Soviet Union .
Other more recent mansions were never completed after owners ran out of money or left , residents said .
The homes are seen as an expression of `` prestige and the success '' and are dotted throughout eastern Europe , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes compete by building additional towers or columns to outshine neighbours .
But in Soroca , the curtains are drawn in most of the huge homes and there are no signs of life .
Cerari hopes the quiet is temporary , and that `` God willing , our Roma will return to Moldova '' .

Soroca (Moldova) (AFP) –
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Extravagant mansions once owned by wealthy Roma stand in stark contrast to the modest traditional homes of Soroca in northern Moldova.
In a district known as "Gypsy Hill", members of the Roma community built houses resembling Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre or the US Capitol in Washington to flaunt their wealth in one of Europe's poorest countries.
But many of these palatial homes are now abandoned after their owners left the town of some 22,000 people in search of a more prosperous future.
"The owners have died or gone overseas," says Sandu, an elderly man sitting on a bench outside one of the striking buildings.
Their diverse architectural styles mirror destinations the community has historically lived in search of work.
Artur Cerari, who describes himself as the son of a "Roma baron", says his people have settled in countries across the post-Soviet space.
"From 1999 they starting going to Russia, then from there further on to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan," Cerari, 41, tells AFP standing in front of a building with a golden dome and a minaret that resembles an Azeri mosque.
An austere grey building fashioned after a Greek temple stands across the street, and an exact copy can be found in the same area, Sandu says.
He explains that the owner built two identical houses for his daughters who have both emigrated.
"If you go to the right you will see a replica of the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. On the other side you have the Bolshoi Theatre," intervenes a young man, Alin.
Of the thirty or so grand homes that make up the neighbourhood only have handful are now being lived in, he says.
Construction on some began in the 1980s when Moldova was still part of the Soviet Union. Other more recent mansions were never completed after owners ran out of money or left, residents said.
The homes are seen as an expression of "prestige and the success" and are dotted throughout eastern Europe, according to Romanian architect Rudolf Graf.
Owners sometimes compete by building additional towers or columns to outshine neighbours.
But in Soroca, the curtains are drawn in most of the huge homes and there are no signs of life.
Cerari hopes the quiet is temporary, and that "God willing, our Roma will return to Moldova".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-03--Tunisian startup 3D prints solar-powered bionic hands

Tunisian startup Cure Bionics are developing a prototype of an artificial hand , which they hope will be more affordable to help amputees and other disabled people A Tunisian startup is developing a 3D-printed bionic hand , hoping the affordable and solar-powered prosthetic will help amputees and other disabled people across Africa .
Unlike traditional devices , the artificial hand can be customised for children and youths , who otherwise require an expensive series of resized models as they grow up .
The company Cure Bionics also has plans to develop a video game-like virtual reality system that helps youngsters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through physical therapy .
Mohamed Dhaouafi , the 28-year-old founder and CEO of Cure Bionics , designed his first prototype while still an engineering student in his home city Sousse .
`` One team member had a cousin who was born without a hand and whose parents could n't afford a prosthesis , especially as she was still growing up , '' he said .
`` So we decided to design a hand . ''
Dhaouafi launched his start-up in 2017 from his parents ' home , at a time when many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher salaries and international experience .
`` It was like positive revenge , '' he told AFP .
`` I wanted to prove I could do it .
I also want to leave a legacy , to change people 's lives . ''
Dhaouafi pointed to hurdles in Tunisia , where it can be hard or impossible to order parts via large online sales sites .
There is a lack of funding and , he said , `` we lack visionaries within the state '' .
But by pooling money raised through sponsored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , he was able to recruit four young engineers .
They are now fine-tuning designs , writing code and testing the artificial hand .
The device works with sensors attached to the arm that detect muscle movement , and AI-assisted software that interprets them to transmit instructions to the digits .
The hand itself has a wrist that can turn sideways , a mechanical thumb and fingers that bend at the joints in response to the electronic impulses .
To teach youngsters how to use them , Cure has been working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the physical therapy process .
`` Currently , for rehabilitation , children are asked to pretend to open a jar , for example , with the hand they no longer have , '' said Dhaouafi .
`` It takes time to succeed in activating the muscles this way .
It 's not intuitive , and it 's very boring . ''
In Cure 's version , the engineer said : `` We get them to climb up buildings like Spiderman , with a game score to motivate them , and the doctor can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
3D printing meanwhile makes it possible to personalise the prosthesis like a fashion accessory or `` a superhero 's outfit '' , said Dhaouafi .
Cure hopes to market its first bionic hands within a few months , first in Tunisia and then elsewhere in Africa , where more than three-quarters of people in need have no access to them , according to the World Health Organization .
`` The aim is to be accessible financially but also geographically , '' said Dhaouafi .
The envisaged price of around $ 2,000 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraction of the cost of bionic prostheses currently imported from Europe .
Cure also aims to manufacture as close as possible to the end users , with local technicians measuring the patients and then printing individually fitted devices .
`` An imported prosthesis today means weeks or even months of waiting when you buy it , and again with each repair , '' the inventor said .
The bionic hand is made of Lego-like parts that can be replaced if damaged or to match a child 's physical growth .
It can also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use in regions without a reliable electricity supply .
The 3D printing of rudimentary prostheses started about a decade ago and is becoming standard .
It is not a magic solution because specialised medical know-how is still crucial , said Jerry Evans , who heads Nia Technologies , a Canadian non-commercial organisation that helps African hospitals manufacture 3D-printed lower limbs .
`` 3D printing is still in its early stages , '' he said , `` but it is a major game changer in the field of prosthetics and orthotics . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technologies because the cost is much lower . ''

Sousse (Tunisia) (AFP) –
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A Tunisian startup is developing a 3D-printed bionic hand, hoping the affordable and solar-powered prosthetic will help amputees and other disabled people across Africa.
Unlike traditional devices, the artificial hand can be customised for children and youths, who otherwise require an expensive series of resized models as they grow up.
The company Cure Bionics also has plans to develop a video game-like virtual reality system that helps youngsters learn how to use the artificial hand through physical therapy.
Mohamed Dhaouafi, the 28-year-old founder and CEO of Cure Bionics, designed his first prototype while still an engineering student in his home city Sousse.
"One team member had a cousin who was born without a hand and whose parents couldn't afford a prosthesis, especially as she was still growing up," he said.
"So we decided to design a hand."
Dhaouafi launched his start-up in 2017 from his parents' home, at a time when many of his classmates chose to move abroad seeking higher salaries and international experience.
"It was like positive revenge," he told AFP. "I wanted to prove I could do it. I also want to leave a legacy, to change people's lives."
Dhaouafi pointed to hurdles in Tunisia, where it can be hard or impossible to order parts via large online sales sites. There is a lack of funding and, he said, "we lack visionaries within the state".
But by pooling money raised through sponsored competitions and seed investment from a US company, he was able to recruit four young engineers.
They are now fine-tuning designs, writing code and testing the artificial hand.
- 'Climb like Spiderman' -
The device works with sensors attached to the arm that detect muscle movement, and AI-assisted software that interprets them to transmit instructions to the digits.
The hand itself has a wrist that can turn sideways, a mechanical thumb and fingers that bend at the joints in response to the electronic impulses.
To teach youngsters how to use them, Cure has been working on a virtual-reality headset that "gamifies" the physical therapy process.
"Currently, for rehabilitation, children are asked to pretend to open a jar, for example, with the hand they no longer have," said Dhaouafi.
"It takes time to succeed in activating the muscles this way. It's not intuitive, and it's very boring."
In Cure's version, the engineer said: "We get them to climb up buildings like Spiderman, with a game score to motivate them, and the doctor can follow up online from a distance".
3D printing meanwhile makes it possible to personalise the prosthesis like a fashion accessory or "a superhero's outfit", said Dhaouafi.
Cure hopes to market its first bionic hands within a few months, first in Tunisia and then elsewhere in Africa, where more than three-quarters of people in need have no access to them, according to the World Health Organization.
"The aim is to be accessible financially but also geographically," said Dhaouafi.
The envisaged price of around $2,000 to $3,000 is substantial, but a fraction of the cost of bionic prostheses currently imported from Europe.
- 'Leapfrog technology' -
Cure also aims to manufacture as close as possible to the end users, with local technicians measuring the patients and then printing individually fitted devices.
"An imported prosthesis today means weeks or even months of waiting when you buy it, and again with each repair," the inventor said.
The bionic hand is made of Lego-like parts that can be replaced if damaged or to match a child's physical growth.
It can also be solar-powered via a photovoltaic charger for use in regions without a reliable electricity supply.
The 3D printing of rudimentary prostheses started about a decade ago and is becoming standard.
It is not a magic solution because specialised medical know-how is still crucial, said Jerry Evans, who heads Nia Technologies, a Canadian non-commercial organisation that helps African hospitals manufacture 3D-printed lower limbs.
"3D printing is still in its early stages," he said, "but it is a major game changer in the field of prosthetics and orthotics."
"Developing countries will probably leapfrog to these technologies because the cost is much lower."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-03--Beyond Dubai's shadow, Sharjah shines light on Arab art

It does n't have the malls of Dubai or the mega-projects of Abu Dhabi , but the conservative Gulf emirate of Sharjah has carved out a role for itself as a cultural capital .
The unassuming emirate , often overlooked by visitors in favour of its glitzier neighbours , is ruled by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi , known for his keen interest in art and history .
Its cultural calendar has evolved to feature book fairs , exhibitions at more than a dozen museums and festivals that celebrate photography , theatre , poetry and calligraphy .
At the Museum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything from daily life in the Old City of Yemen 's capital Sanaa to a massacre of Palestinian refugees by Israel-allied Christian militia during Lebanon 's civil war .
`` We are providing an artistic service for the Arab world , '' said Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi , a well-known Emirati academic with half a million followers on Twitter , strolling through the galleries .
The Barjeel Art Foundation which he founded in 2010 aims to preserve and exhibit more than 1,000 modern and contemporary pieces by Arab artists .
`` Sharjah is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it is in terms of being the richest culturally , '' said the 42-year-old who has taught in universities in the United States and France .
Sharjah is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates , an innovative and oil-rich country which has poured huge sums into culture .
In 2017 , the Louvre Abu Dhabi , a branch of the iconic Paris museum , opened its doors -- attracting some two million visitors in its first two years of operation .
The financial and entertainment hub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ art galleries , and is next year to host the multi-billion-dollar world exhibition -- Expo 2020 -- with major arts components .
But it is Sharjah , probably best known for its total ban on alcohol , that has claimed the country 's cultural crown .
Its place on the global art scene has been sealed by the Sharjah Biennial , a large-scale exhibition of contemporary works which it hosts every two years .
`` For a desert , Sharjah is an uncommonly fertile location for a biennial .
There are countless untapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- and just as many suppressed ones , '' ARTnews magazine said .
UNESCO named Sharjah the cultural capital of the Arab world in 1998 and last year it was declared the World Book Capital .
And the emirate this week launched the Sharjah International Literary Agency , a first in the Gulf , with the goal of promoting Emirati and Arab writers .
`` It 's very easy to continue to support artists from Europe , but it 's our artists here that need our support , resources and confidence , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sharjah Museums Authority .
`` There 's been an under-representation of Arab artists globally , '' she told AFP .
Qassemi said the eureka moment that inspired his collection came when he saw crowds flocking to view a Van Gogh at Paris 's renowned Musee d'Orsay .
`` I told myself one day I will see such a queue of people wanting to view the works of the best Arab artists , '' he said .
`` The Arab world is rich in art ...
Unfortunately many young Arabs are not aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western domination and the orientalist vision of the Arab world .
We must know local art and Arab artists before we learn about Picasso and Dali . ''
Moza Almatrooshi , a young Emirati sculptor , has set up shop in Sharjah where her quaint studio overlooks the museum , flanked by bright low-rise buildings .
Originally from the nearby emirate of Ajman , she splits her time between London and Sharjah , which she describes as `` human-size '' and the UAE 's most habitable city .
`` I worked in Dubai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the art there was more focused on being commercial , and my art practice is not very commercial , '' said Almatrooshi , whose creations focus on everyday life and culinary traditions .
With only a few skyscrapers in sight , Sharjah 's alleyways and old buildings are an `` inspiration '' , she said .
But in a region where conservatism is deep-rooted in society and dissent is not tolerated , artists can fear censorship and reprisals -- a dynamic that can have a suffocating effect on expression .
`` Western artists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not because we are against them but because we are a little fearful , '' said Almatrooshi .
The challenge , she says , is to convey the message even when `` we ca n't say everything we want '' .

Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) (AFP) –
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It doesn't have the malls of Dubai or the mega-projects of Abu Dhabi, but the conservative Gulf emirate of Sharjah has carved out a role for itself as a cultural capital.
The unassuming emirate, often overlooked by visitors in favour of its glitzier neighbours, is ruled by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi, known for his keen interest in art and history.
Its cultural calendar has evolved to feature book fairs, exhibitions at more than a dozen museums and festivals that celebrate photography, theatre, poetry and calligraphy.
At the Museum of Sharjah, works on display showcase everything from daily life in the Old City of Yemen's capital Sanaa to a massacre of Palestinian refugees by Israel-allied Christian militia during Lebanon's civil war.
"We are providing an artistic service for the Arab world," said Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi, a well-known Emirati academic with half a million followers on Twitter, strolling through the galleries.
The Barjeel Art Foundation which he founded in 2010 aims to preserve and exhibit more than 1,000 modern and contemporary pieces by Arab artists.
"Sharjah is not the richest emirate in the Gulf, but it is in terms of being the richest culturally," said the 42-year-old who has taught in universities in the United States and France.
- 'Go local' -
Sharjah is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, an innovative and oil-rich country which has poured huge sums into culture.
In 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a branch of the iconic Paris museum, opened its doors -- attracting some two million visitors in its first two years of operation.
The financial and entertainment hub of Dubai hosts a number of contemporary art galleries, and is next year to host the multi-billion-dollar world exhibition -- Expo 2020 -- with major arts components.
But it is Sharjah, probably best known for its total ban on alcohol, that has claimed the country's cultural crown.
Its place on the global art scene has been sealed by the Sharjah Biennial, a large-scale exhibition of contemporary works which it hosts every two years.
"For a desert, Sharjah is an uncommonly fertile location for a biennial. There are countless untapped histories in the land and surrounding waters -- and just as many suppressed ones," ARTnews magazine said.
UNESCO named Sharjah the cultural capital of the Arab world in 1998 and last year it was declared the World Book Capital.
And the emirate this week launched the Sharjah International Literary Agency, a first in the Gulf, with the goal of promoting Emirati and Arab writers.
"It's very easy to continue to support artists from Europe, but it's our artists here that need our support, resources and confidence, said Manal Ataya, director general of the Sharjah Museums Authority.
"There's been an under-representation of Arab artists globally," she told AFP.
Qassemi said the eureka moment that inspired his collection came when he saw crowds flocking to view a Van Gogh at Paris's renowned Musee d'Orsay.
"I told myself one day I will see such a queue of people wanting to view the works of the best Arab artists," he said.
"The Arab world is rich in art... Unfortunately many young Arabs are not aware of it.
"We must fight against Western domination and the orientalist vision of the Arab world. We must know local art and Arab artists before we learn about Picasso and Dali."
- Free expression a challenge -
Moza Almatrooshi, a young Emirati sculptor, has set up shop in Sharjah where her quaint studio overlooks the museum, flanked by bright low-rise buildings.
Originally from the nearby emirate of Ajman, she splits her time between London and Sharjah, which she describes as "human-size" and the UAE's most habitable city.
"I worked in Dubai for a little while and felt that the art there was more focused on being commercial, and my art practice is not very commercial," said Almatrooshi, whose creations focus on everyday life and culinary traditions.
With only a few skyscrapers in sight, Sharjah's alleyways and old buildings are an "inspiration", she said.
But in a region where conservatism is deep-rooted in society and dissent is not tolerated, artists can fear censorship and reprisals -- a dynamic that can have a suffocating effect on expression.
"Western artists can freely show ideas we cannot, not because we are against them but because we are a little fearful," said Almatrooshi.
The challenge, she says, is to convey the message even when "we can't say everything we want".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-03--From feast to famine -- Mbappe out to end European goal drought with PSG in Leipzig

Kylian Mbappe has been in fine form for PSG in Ligue 1 of late but the goals have dried up for the France star in the Champions League Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig meet once again in the Champions League this week with the pressure on Kylian Mbappe to deliver after a run of poor form in front of goal in Europe .
The World Cup-winning France superstar burst onto the scene with Monaco in the early months of 2017 when , as an 18-year-old , he scored six goals in six Champions League knockout games -- including two against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached the semi-finals .
He went on to net on his debut for PSG in the competition and he set the record , with 19 , for most Champions League goals scored before the age of 21 .
But since then , nothing .
Mbappe has appeared in seven Champions League matches in 2020 without finding the net , most recently in last week 's 2-0 win away to Istanbul Basaksehir .
Damningly , Manchester United 's Marcus Rashford has scored as many goals ( two ) in the competition at the Parc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Mbappe .
Not that Mbappe has done nothing recently for PSG in Europe .
His electrifying pace helped turn around the quarter-final against Atalanta in the 'Final Eight ' in Lisbon after an injury had restricted him to the role of substitute .
And he was back in the side for the 3-0 win over Leipzig in the semi-final as the club from the French capital reached the final for the first time in their history , only to lose narrowly to Bayern Munich .
In Istanbul last week he set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kean , even if his touch for the second goal was really a failed attempt to control the ball .
`` He is very , very young .
He still has lots of things he needs to improve , '' pointed out PSG coach Thomas Tuchel at the weekend when asked about the form of a player signed in a 180 million-euro ( $ 212m ) deal in 2017 , the second biggest transfer in history after that of his teammate Neymar from Barcelona .
`` We know he is the key player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Tuchel was speaking after Mbappe converted a penalty which he had won , and also set up another goal , in PSG 's 3-0 win at Nantes in Ligue 1 .
He later came off grimacing and holding his right hamstring , although Tuchel put that down to `` fatigue '' and will be determined to have his superstar forward available in Leipzig .
Mbappe , who turns 22 in December , has scored seven times in the last six domestic outings for his club , while also netting the winner for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently .
He is back on top of the scorers ' charts in France , having been Ligue 1 's leading marksman in each of the last two seasons .
Nevertheless , he was signed to deliver in Europe first and foremost , and PSG need him to get back among the goals in what is a key game in Leipzig .
The Qatar-owned club are playing catch-up in Group H after losing to United in their opening game , and they are already without the injured Neymar for the trip to Germany @

Leipzig (Germany) (AFP) –
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Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig meet once again in the Champions League this week with the pressure on Kylian Mbappe to deliver after a run of poor form in front of goal in Europe.
The World Cup-winning France superstar burst onto the scene with Monaco in the early months of 2017 when, as an 18-year-old, he scored six goals in six Champions League knockout games -- including two against Manchester City -- as the principality club reached the semi-finals.
He went on to net on his debut for PSG in the competition and he set the record, with 19, for most Champions League goals scored before the age of 21.
But since then, nothing.
Mbappe has appeared in seven Champions League matches in 2020 without finding the net, most recently in last week's 2-0 win away to Istanbul Basaksehir.
Damningly, Manchester United's Marcus Rashford has scored as many goals (two) in the competition at the Parc des Princes since the start of 2018/19 as Mbappe.
Not that Mbappe has done nothing recently for PSG in Europe.
His electrifying pace helped turn around the quarter-final against Atalanta in the 'Final Eight' in Lisbon after an injury had restricted him to the role of substitute.
And he was back in the side for the 3-0 win over Leipzig in the semi-final as the club from the French capital reached the final for the first time in their history, only to lose narrowly to Bayern Munich.
In Istanbul last week he set up both goals for recent loan signing Moise Kean, even if his touch for the second goal was really a failed attempt to control the ball.
"He is very, very young. He still has lots of things he needs to improve," pointed out PSG coach Thomas Tuchel at the weekend when asked about the form of a player signed in a 180 million-euro ($212m) deal in 2017, the second biggest transfer in history after that of his teammate Neymar from Barcelona.
"We know he is the key player for us, the decisive player."
Tuchel was speaking after Mbappe converted a penalty which he had won, and also set up another goal, in PSG's 3-0 win at Nantes in Ligue 1.
He later came off grimacing and holding his right hamstring, although Tuchel put that down to "fatigue" and will be determined to have his superstar forward available in Leipzig.
Mbappe, who turns 22 in December, has scored seven times in the last six domestic outings for his club, while also netting the winner for France in Croatia in the Nations League recently.
He is back on top of the scorers' charts in France, having been Ligue 1's leading marksman in each of the last two seasons.
Nevertheless, he was signed to deliver in Europe first and foremost, and PSG need him to get back among the goals in what is a key game in Leipzig.
The Qatar-owned club are playing catch-up in Group H after losing to United in their opening game, and they are already without the injured Neymar for the trip to Germany.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-03--Betts eyes rare double in MLB MVP awards

Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts could become only the second player in history to win Most Valuable Player in both of Major League Baseball 's top leagues after being named among the finalists for the National League award on Monday .
Betts , who played a pivotal role in helping the Dodgers win their first World Series since 1988 with their 4-2 series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays last week , was named alongside the Atlanta Braves ' Freddie Freeman and the San Diego Padres ' Manny Machado .
The 28-year-old Betts was the American League 's MVP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Sox to their World Series crown .
Betts was sensationally traded away by the Red Sox to the Dodgers in February this year , and later signed a $ 365 million contract that will keep him at the Dodgers through to the end of the 2032 season .
If Betts adds the National League MVP award to his 2018 American League honor , he will become only the second player in baseball history to win MVP in both leagues after Frank Robinson , who won the award in 1961 and 1966 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MVP nominees are the Chicago White Sox 's Jose Abreu , the New York Yankees ' D.J .
LeMahieu and Cleveland 's Jose Ramirez .
In the Cy Young pitching award categories , two former Los Angeles Dodgers -- the Minnesota Twins ' Japanese ace Kenta Maeda and the Toronto Blue Jays ' Hyun-Jin Ryu -- were among the three nominees from the American League .
Maeda notched six wins with a 2.70 ERA and 80 strikeouts in just 66 2/3 innings over 11 starts .
Ryu , who was second in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had another solid season with a 2.69 ERA while averaging just under 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched .
In the National League , Cincinnati Reds ' hurler Trever Bauer , who led the league with a 1.73 ERA , was nominated along with the Chicago Cubs ' Yu Darvish and the New York Mets ' Jacob deGrom .
In the manager of the year awards , Tampa Bay 's Kevin Cash -- who guided the Rays to the World Series despite the team having the third-lowest payroll in baseball -- is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago White Sox 's Rick Renteria .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts could become only the second player in history to win Most Valuable Player in both of Major League Baseball's top leagues after being named among the finalists for the National League award on Monday.
Betts, who played a pivotal role in helping the Dodgers win their first World Series since 1988 with their 4-2 series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays last week, was named alongside the Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman and the San Diego Padres' Manny Machado.
The 28-year-old Betts was the American League's MVP in 2018 when he helped the Boston Red Sox to their World Series crown.
Betts was sensationally traded away by the Red Sox to the Dodgers in February this year, and later signed a $365 million contract that will keep him at the Dodgers through to the end of the 2032 season.
If Betts adds the National League MVP award to his 2018 American League honor, he will become only the second player in baseball history to win MVP in both leagues after Frank Robinson, who won the award in 1961 and 1966 with different teams.
The 2020 American League MVP nominees are the Chicago White Sox's Jose Abreu, the New York Yankees' D.J. LeMahieu and Cleveland's Jose Ramirez.
In the Cy Young pitching award categories, two former Los Angeles Dodgers -- the Minnesota Twins' Japanese ace Kenta Maeda and the Toronto Blue Jays' Hyun-Jin Ryu -- were among the three nominees from the American League.
Maeda notched six wins with a 2.70 ERA and 80 strikeouts in just 66 2/3 innings over 11 starts.
Ryu, who was second in the National League Cy Young voting in 2019, had another solid season with a 2.69 ERA while averaging just under 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
The Cleveland Indians' Shane Bieber completed the American League Cy Young nominees.
In the National League, Cincinnati Reds' hurler Trever Bauer, who led the league with a 1.73 ERA, was nominated along with the Chicago Cubs' Yu Darvish and the New York Mets' Jacob deGrom.
In the manager of the year awards, Tampa Bay's Kevin Cash -- who guided the Rays to the World Series despite the team having the third-lowest payroll in baseball -- is nominated alongside Toronto's Charlie Montoyo and the Chicago White Sox's Rick Renteria.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-03--Peru’s President Vizcarra to face fresh impeachment trial over bribery allegations

Handout picture released by the Peruvian Presidency showing President Martin Vizcarra arriving to give a statement in Congress during his previous impeachment trial , in Lima on September 18 , 2020 .
Peru ’ s Congress approved on Monday a motion to initiate a process to remove President Martín Vizcarra from office over corruption allegations , a month and a half after he survived a prior impeachment trial .
Lawmakers approved the measure in a 60-40 vote with 18 abstentions .
Vizcarra is set to present his defense before Congress on Nov. 9 , with another vote to follow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports that the president allegedly accepted bribes of about 2.3 million soles ( $ 637,000 ) from two companies that won public works tenders when he was the governor of the southern region of Moquegua .
Vizcarra has denied the allegations .
Several legislators during the debate said the allegations were serious enough to warrant a trial .
“ It is the least we should do , ” said legislator Diethell Columbus , of the right-wing Popular Force party of former presidential candidate and Vizcarra political adversary Keiko Fujimori .
Peru´s president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutionally barred from seeking a new term , said some lawmakers are seeking only to generate “ chaos and disorder ” by pushing impeachment just months ahead of a presidential election slated for April 11 .
“ There is absolutely no proof of the charges , ” Vizcarra told reporters earlier on Monday .
“ An impeachment trial destabilizes the country.
” Vizcarra , who does not have his own party representation in the legislature and whose term ends in July , survived an ouster attempt on Sept. 18 amid political tensions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Only 32 of Congress ’ 130 members voted to remove him .
The political turbulence in copper giant Peru comes as the country surpassed 900,000 coronavirus cases and more than 34,500 deaths , with one of the highest fatality rates per capita in the world .

Peru’s Congress approved on Monday a motion to initiate a process to remove President Martín Vizcarra from office over corruption allegations, a month and a half after he survived a prior impeachment trial.
Handout picture released by the Peruvian Presidency showing President Martin Vizcarra arriving to give a statement in Congress during his previous impeachment trial, in Lima on September 18, 2020.
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Lawmakers approved the measure in a 60-40 vote with 18 abstentions. Vizcarra is set to present his defense before Congress on Nov. 9, with another vote to follow.
The move to oust Vizcarra follows media reports that the president allegedly accepted bribes of about 2.3 million soles ($637,000) from two companies that won public works tenders when he was the governor of the southern region of Moquegua. Vizcarra has denied the allegations.
Several legislators during the debate said the allegations were serious enough to warrant a trial.
“It is the least we should do,” said legislator Diethell Columbus, of the right-wing Popular Force party of former presidential candidate and Vizcarra political adversary Keiko Fujimori.
Peru´s president, who took office in 2018 and is constitutionally barred from seeking a new term, said some lawmakers are seeking only to generate “chaos and disorder” by pushing impeachment just months ahead of a presidential election slated for April 11.
“There is absolutely no proof of the charges,” Vizcarra told reporters earlier on Monday. “An impeachment trial destabilizes the country.”
Vizcarra, who does not have his own party representation in the legislature and whose term ends in July, survived an ouster attempt on Sept. 18 amid political tensions and an economic recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Only 32 of Congress’ 130 members voted to remove him.
The political turbulence in copper giant Peru comes as the country surpassed 900,000 coronavirus cases and more than 34,500 deaths, with one of the highest fatality rates per capita in the world.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-11-02--Mali airstrikes kill dozens of jihadists linked to Al Qaeda, French government says

File photo : A Mirage 2000 aircraft of the French Air Force takes off from an airbase in N'Djamena , Chad , on December 22 , 2018 , to take part in a Barkhane mission in Africa 's Sahel region .
The French government said Monday its forces had killed more than 50 jihadists aligned to Al-Qaeda in air strikes in central Mali .
The offensive took place on Friday in an area near the borders of Burkina Faso and Niger , where government troops are struggling to rout an Islamic insurgency , French Defence Minister Florence Parly said after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
“ On October 30 in Mali , the Barkhane force conducted an operation that neutralised more than 50 jihadists and confiscated arms and material , ” Parly said , referring to the French-led anti-jihadist Operation Barkhane .
She added that around 30 motorcycles were destroyed .
Parly , who earlier met Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou and her Nigerien counterpart Issoufou Katambe before heading to Bamako , said the operation was launched after a drone detected a “ very large ” motorcycle caravan in the “ three borders ” area .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and escape surveillance , the French force sent in two Mirage jets and a drone to launch missiles , leading to the “ neutralisation ” of the insurgents , Parly said .
Military spokesman Colonel Frederic Barbry said that “ four terrorists have been captured ” .
Explosives and a suicide vest had been found , he told a reporters in a conference call , saying that the group had been “ about to attack ( an army ) position in the region ” .
Barbry also said that another operation , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greater Sahara , was also underway , with a total of 3,000 soldiers .
The results of the operation , launched about a month ago , would be announced in the coming days , he said .
Parly said the action marked a “ significant blow ” to the Ansarul Islam group which she said was linked to Al-Qaeda via the GSIM alliance led by Iyad Ag Ghaly .
Ghaly has emerged as a top jihadist leader in the Sahel since the death of the Qaeda commander Abdelmalek Droukdel , who was killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The United Nations has some 13,000 troops deployed in Mali as part of its peacekeeping mission , known as MINUSMA , while France has 5,100 deployed in the Sahel region .
Mali has been struggling to contain a brutal jihadist insurgency which first emerged in the north of the country in 2012 , overtaking a rebellion by mostly ethnic Tuareg separatists .
Former colonial power France launched a military operation to drive back the Islamists in 2013 , but fighting has spread to central Mali , and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands forced to flee their homes .
Vast swathes of Mali lie outside effective government control .
Frustration over the seemingly endless conflict contributed to mass protests against president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita this year , culminating in his ousting in a military coup on August 18 .
Many analysts argue that engaging in dialogue with jihadists is one of the few escape routes from Mali ’ s cycle of violence , and government leaders in Bamako increasingly view the option favourably .
Mali ’ s new interim government , which was appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections , appears willing to engage in dialogue .
Last month , it secured the release of four hostages held by Islamist groups—including 75-year-old Sophie Petronin , the last remaining French hostage in the world—in exchange for about 200 prisoners , some of whom are thought to have been jihadists .

The French government said Monday its forces had killed more than 50 jihadists aligned to Al-Qaeda in air strikes in central Mali.
File photo: A Mirage 2000 aircraft of the French Air Force takes off from an airbase in N'Djamena, Chad, on December 22, 2018, to take part in a Barkhane mission in Africa's Sahel region.
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The offensive took place on Friday in an area near the borders of Burkina Faso and Niger, where government troops are struggling to rout an Islamic insurgency, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said after meeting members of Mali’s transitional government.
“On October 30 in Mali, the Barkhane force conducted an operation that neutralised more than 50 jihadists and confiscated arms and material,” Parly said, referring to the French-led anti-jihadist Operation Barkhane.
She added that around 30 motorcycles were destroyed.
Parly, who earlier met Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou and her Nigerien counterpart Issoufou Katambe before heading to Bamako, said the operation was launched after a drone detected a “very large” motorcycle caravan in the “three borders” area.
When the jihadists moved under trees to try and escape surveillance, the French force sent in two Mirage jets and a drone to launch missiles, leading to the “neutralisation” of the insurgents, Parly said.
Military spokesman Colonel Frederic Barbry said that “four terrorists have been captured”.
Explosives and a suicide vest had been found, he told a reporters in a conference call, saying that the group had been “about to attack (an army) position in the region”.
Barbry also said that another operation, this time targeting the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, was also underway, with a total of 3,000 soldiers.
The results of the operation, launched about a month ago, would be announced in the coming days, he said.
Significant blow
Parly said the action marked a “significant blow” to the Ansarul Islam group which she said was linked to Al-Qaeda via the GSIM alliance led by Iyad Ag Ghaly.
Ghaly has emerged as a top jihadist leader in the Sahel since the death of the Qaeda commander Abdelmalek Droukdel, who was killed by French forces in Mali in June.
The United Nations has some 13,000 troops deployed in Mali as part of its peacekeeping mission, known as MINUSMA, while France has 5,100 deployed in the Sahel region.
Mali has been struggling to contain a brutal jihadist insurgency which first emerged in the north of the country in 2012, overtaking a rebellion by mostly ethnic Tuareg separatists.
Former colonial power France launched a military operation to drive back the Islamists in 2013, but fighting has spread to central Mali, and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes.
Vast swathes of Mali lie outside effective government control. Frustration over the seemingly endless conflict contributed to mass protests against president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita this year, culminating in his ousting in a military coup on August 18.
Many analysts argue that engaging in dialogue with jihadists is one of the few escape routes from Mali’s cycle of violence, and government leaders in Bamako increasingly view the option favourably.
Mali’s new interim government, which was appointed to rule for 18 months before staging elections, appears willing to engage in dialogue.
Last month, it secured the release of four hostages held by Islamist groups—including 75-year-old Sophie Petronin, the last remaining French hostage in the world—in exchange for about 200 prisoners, some of whom are thought to have been jihadists.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-02--Maradona admitted to hospital in Argentina: reports

Diego Maradona , shown here on September 1 , 2020 , is not believed to be suffering from the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Former Argentine football great Diego Maradona was admitted to hospital Monday for medical checks , @ @ @ @ @ hospitalization was not believed to be related to the coronavirus pandemic which is ravaging the @ @ @ @ @ to several reports .
Maradona , who has a history of drug and alcohol abuse @ @ @ @ @ considered at high risk of coronavirus complications should he be infected .
He has suffered @ @ @ @ @ past and contracted hepatitis .
The 1986 World Cup winner celebrated his 60th birthday last @ @ @ @ @ a period of precautionary self-isolation after a bodyguard showed symptoms of the virus , though @ @ @ @ @ The former Argentine captain and coach is being treated at a clinic in La Plata @ @ @ @ @ , where he is coach of the local team , Gimnasia .

Buenos Aires (AFP) –
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Former Argentine football great Diego Maradona was admitted to hospital Monday for medical checks, Argentine media reported.
His hospitalization was not believed to be related to the coronavirus pandemic which is ravaging the South American country, according to several reports.
Maradona, who has a history of drug and alcohol abuse and poor health, is considered at high risk of coronavirus complications should he be infected.
He has suffered two heart attacks in the past and contracted hepatitis.
The 1986 World Cup winner celebrated his 60th birthday last week, after emerging from a period of precautionary self-isolation after a bodyguard showed symptoms of the virus, though he later tested negative.
The former Argentine captain and coach is being treated at a clinic in La Plata, south of Buenos Aires, where he is coach of the local team, Gimnasia.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-02--Paris Masters starts at Bercy despite France lockdown

Lights on , but nobody home : The Paris Masters got underway despite France 's second virus lockdown The Paris Masters got underway at a near-empty Bercy Arena on Monday amid France 's second coronavirus lockdown , with former champion Karen Khachanov being knocked out in the first round .
Tournament organisers had expected to welcome 1,000 fans a day to the event , but instead had to refund the tickets when French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would reenter lockdown last week .
The prize money on offer has been cut by more than two million euros ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Novak Djokovic won the title .
In front of 15,000 vacant seats , the hum of the air conditioning was often the loudest noise on the main court , with even the players only allowed to have two members of their usually large entourage in attendance .
Khachanov , the only former winner in the draw with Djokovic absent , bowed out tamely to bring a disappointing season to a close , with his match moved to a smaller court to avoid play slipping into the early hours of Tuesday .
Croatian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champion , claimed an impressive win over Canadian youngster Felix Auger-Aliassime , edging through to the second round 6-0 , 3-6 , 6-3 .
`` I was not finding my best form in this season , last season , as well , comparing to ( the ) last few years before that , '' said Cilic , who has dropped to 43rd in the world rankings .
`` I would say this level of tennis is definitely good for my confidence .
I felt that the match has been ( a ) really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lopez set up a second-round clash with top seed Rafael Nadal -- back in Paris just weeks after lifting a record-extending 13th French Open title -- by beating Serbian Filip Krajinovic 7-6 ( 13/11 ) , 6-1 .
The 39-year-old said players need to accept that the tour may not return to normal for months yet , with the second virus wave sweeping across Europe .
`` We have to be aware of the situation that the world is living and how everyone is facing these challenging times around the world , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't see any hope on prize money .
I think it will stay the same for a while . ''
Pablo Carreno Busta was another Spaniard to progress , seeing off home wildcard Hugo Gaston 6-3 , 6-2 .
Carreno Busta is bidding to finish an excellent season personally on a high , having also reached the US Open semi-finals and Roland Garros last eight .
But he said it had been a tough year in general , after the Tour shut down for five months between March and August due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's the most difficult season in my career , '' said the world number 15 .
`` I know that we are lucky that we can continue playing , but also it 's not easy to be 100 percent every week in this situation . ''
Frenchman Ugo Humbert beat in-form Norwegian Casper Ruud in three sets and will face second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on Tuesday , while there were also wins for US Open quarter-finalist Alex de Minaur and Croatian 15th seed Borna Coric .

Paris (AFP) –
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The Paris Masters got underway at a near-empty Bercy Arena on Monday amid France's second coronavirus lockdown, with former champion Karen Khachanov being knocked out in the first round.
Russian Khachanov was beaten 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 by Spanish qualifier Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Tournament organisers had expected to welcome 1,000 fans a day to the event, but instead had to refund the tickets when French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would reenter lockdown last week.
The prize money on offer has been cut by more than two million euros ($2.33 million) from last year, when Novak Djokovic won the title.
In front of 15,000 vacant seats, the hum of the air conditioning was often the loudest noise on the main court, with even the players only allowed to have two members of their usually large entourage in attendance.
Khachanov, the only former winner in the draw with Djokovic absent, bowed out tamely to bring a disappointing season to a close, with his match moved to a smaller court to avoid play slipping into the early hours of Tuesday.
Croatian Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, claimed an impressive win over Canadian youngster Felix Auger-Aliassime, edging through to the second round 6-0, 3-6, 6-3.
"I was not finding my best form in this season, last season, as well, comparing to (the) last few years before that," said Cilic, who has dropped to 43rd in the world rankings.
"I would say this level of tennis is definitely good for my confidence. I felt that the match has been (a) really high level."
Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez set up a second-round clash with top seed Rafael Nadal -- back in Paris just weeks after lifting a record-extending 13th French Open title -- by beating Serbian Filip Krajinovic 7-6 (13/11), 6-1.
The 39-year-old said players need to accept that the tour may not return to normal for months yet, with the second virus wave sweeping across Europe.
"We have to be aware of the situation that the world is living and how everyone is facing these challenging times around the world," Lopez said.
"For now I don't see any hope on prize money. I think it will stay the same for a while."
Pablo Carreno Busta was another Spaniard to progress, seeing off home wildcard Hugo Gaston 6-3, 6-2.
Carreno Busta is bidding to finish an excellent season personally on a high, having also reached the US Open semi-finals and Roland Garros last eight.
But he said it had been a tough year in general, after the Tour shut down for five months between March and August due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Probably, it's the most difficult season in my career," said the world number 15.
"I know that we are lucky that we can continue playing, but also it's not easy to be 100 percent every week in this situation."
Frenchman Ugo Humbert beat in-form Norwegian Casper Ruud in three sets and will face second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on Tuesday, while there were also wins for US Open quarter-finalist Alex de Minaur and Croatian 15th seed Borna Coric.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-02--Leicester power into second place, Fulham earn first win

Leicester swept into second place in the Premier League with an impressive 4-1 victory at Leeds , while Fulham beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 to finally clinch their first win of the season on Monday .
Brendan Rodgers ' side are just one point behind leaders Liverpool after winning five of their first seven games in a top-flight season for the first time in their history .
Harvey Barnes and Youri Tielemans put Leicester two up before half-time at Elland Road .
Stuart Dallas got one back for Leeds but Jamie Vardy 's eighth goal of the season and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth successive away league win .
After the disappointment of missing out on a place in the Champions League last term , Leicester have shown they are capable of mounting another top four challenge .
Even a title push might not be impossible given they have already thrashed Manchester City 5-2 .
`` We were technically brilliant .
We had the quality to play when we had the opportunities .
I thought we were amazing right across the team , '' Rodgers said .
`` This team has got an amazing mentality with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's still very early and most of our games have been away but we 've had brilliant performances . ''
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa said : `` In the first 30 minutes we defended poorly and after we did n't create enough danger .
That is one of the main responsibilities of the manager . ''
Leicester made the perfect start in the third minute .
A poor back-pass from Robin Koch was intercepted by Vardy and he rounded keeper Illan Meslier before squaring for Barnes to tap into the empty net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long to double their lead in the 21st minute .
Marc Albrighton 's cross picked out Vardy at the near post and his diving header was unconvincingly pushed out by Meslier to Tielemans , who slotted home from close range .
Dallas gave Leeds a lifeline in the 47th minute when his cross evaded everyone and looped past the flat-footed Schmeichel .
Leeds had the momentum and Pablo Hernandez almost equalised with a curling strike from the edge of the area .
But Leicester weathered the storm and Vardy struck in the 76th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under flicked James Maddison 's pass over Meslier .
Belgian midfielder Tielemans got the fourth with a stoppage-time spot-kick after Mateusz Klich 's foul on Maddison .
- 'We have to wake up ' - At Craven Cottage , Fulham avoided their worst start to a season since 1951 thanks to first half goals from Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ola Aina .
Scott Parker 's side deservedly ended a run of six games without a win -- a dismal stretch including five defeats -- since their promotion from the Championship last term .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous home games this season , but their first success in west London lifted them out of the relegation zone .
`` We knew how important this game was .
I 'm pleased we got a result .
We played very well , '' Parker said .
`` Defeats are going to happen but they ca n't bury us .
Wins breed confidence . ''
Third bottom West Brom are still chasing a first win since returning to the top-flight last season .
With just three points from their opening seven league games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start to a campaign since 1985-86 , failing to win any of their opening seven games for the first time since 2004-05 .
`` We have to wake up .
We have to be much better than this .
Everything starts with work rate , commitment and dedication , '' Albion manager Slaven Bilic said .
Fulham went ahead in the 26th minute through Decordova-Reid .
Antonee Robinson fired in a cross from the left to an unmarked Aleksandar Mitrovic at the far post , who nodded across goal before the ball was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , Fulham doubled their lead when Nigerian defender Aina blasted his shot past Sam Johnstone from the edge of the area .

London (AFP) –
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Leicester swept into second place in the Premier League with an impressive 4-1 victory at Leeds, while Fulham beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 to finally clinch their first win of the season on Monday.
Brendan Rodgers' side are just one point behind leaders Liverpool after winning five of their first seven games in a top-flight season for the first time in their history.
Harvey Barnes and Youri Tielemans put Leicester two up before half-time at Elland Road.
Stuart Dallas got one back for Leeds but Jamie Vardy's eighth goal of the season and a late Tielemans penalty wrapped up Leicester's fourth successive away league win.
After the disappointment of missing out on a place in the Champions League last term, Leicester have shown they are capable of mounting another top four challenge.
Even a title push might not be impossible given they have already thrashed Manchester City 5-2.
"We were technically brilliant. We had the quality to play when we had the opportunities. I thought we were amazing right across the team," Rodgers said.
"This team has got an amazing mentality with lots of young, hungry players. It's still very early and most of our games have been away but we've had brilliant performances."
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa said: "In the first 30 minutes we defended poorly and after we didn't create enough danger. That is one of the main responsibilities of the manager."
Leicester made the perfect start in the third minute.
A poor back-pass from Robin Koch was intercepted by Vardy and he rounded keeper Illan Meslier before squaring for Barnes to tap into the empty net.
Leicester didn't have to wait long to double their lead in the 21st minute.
Marc Albrighton's cross picked out Vardy at the near post and his diving header was unconvincingly pushed out by Meslier to Tielemans, who slotted home from close range.
Dallas gave Leeds a lifeline in the 47th minute when his cross evaded everyone and looped past the flat-footed Schmeichel.
Leeds had the momentum and Pablo Hernandez almost equalised with a curling strike from the edge of the area.
But Leicester weathered the storm and Vardy struck in the 76th minute with a close-range finish after Cengiz Under flicked James Maddison's pass over Meslier.
Belgian midfielder Tielemans got the fourth with a stoppage-time spot-kick after Mateusz Klich's foul on Maddison.
- 'We have to wake up' -
At Craven Cottage, Fulham avoided their worst start to a season since 1951 thanks to first half goals from Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ola Aina.
Scott Parker's side deservedly ended a run of six games without a win -- a dismal stretch including five defeats -- since their promotion from the Championship last term.
The Cottagers had lost all three of their previous home games this season, but their first success in west London lifted them out of the relegation zone.
"We knew how important this game was. I'm pleased we got a result. We played very well," Parker said.
"Defeats are going to happen but they can't bury us. Wins breed confidence."
Third bottom West Brom are still chasing a first win since returning to the top-flight last season.
With just three points from their opening seven league games, West Brom have made their worst start to a campaign since 1985-86, failing to win any of their opening seven games for the first time since 2004-05.
"We have to wake up. We have to be much better than this. Everything starts with work rate, commitment and dedication," Albion manager Slaven Bilic said.
Fulham went ahead in the 26th minute through Decordova-Reid.
Antonee Robinson fired in a cross from the left to an unmarked Aleksandar Mitrovic at the far post, who nodded across goal before the ball was turned in by Decordova-Reid.
Four minutes later, Fulham doubled their lead when Nigerian defender Aina blasted his shot past Sam Johnstone from the edge of the area.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-02--Central America braces for strengthening Hurricane Eta

Honduran Air Force members load supplies on planes , to be taken to residents of Puerto Lempira municipality , department of Gracias a Dios , in preparation for the arrival of the upcoming Hurricane Eta , in Tegucigalpa , on November 2 , 2020 Eta strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane on Monday as it barreled towards the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua and Honduras , the US National Hurricane Center said .
The hurricane was packing sustained winds of 110 miles ( 175 kilometers ) an hour as it swept over the Caribbean 140 miles northeast of the Nicaraguan coastal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Travelling at nine miles an hour , Eta is expected to make landfall early Tuesday just north of Bilwi , the main town in Nicaragua 's Caribbean region .
`` Life threatening storm surge , catastrophic winds , flash flooding and landslides are expected across portions of Central America , '' the NHC said in a bulletin .
It warned that `` flash flooding and river flooding would be possible across Jamaica , southeast Mexico , El Salvador , southern Haiti , and the Cayman Islands . ''
Dangerous storm surges are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 18 feet ( five meters ) above normal tide levels in areas along the northeastern coast of Nicaragua , and up to five feet above normal along the coast of Honduras , where a tropical storm warning was in force .
Eta dumped heavy rains in Costa Rica on Sunday , where authorities evacuated people from the country 's southern Pacific coast .
`` The eye of the hurricane is coming directly over Bilwi and we have it close by , '' local resident Limbort Bucardo told AFP .
`` There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are many flood areas , people are packing their goods and looking for ways to get out to shelters . ''
Residents stocked up with food , lamps , radios and plastic bags to protect their belongings , Bucardo said .
`` The houses are totally vulnerable , they are old wooden houses lined with plastic , '' unable to withstand strong winds , said emergency services volunteer Kevin Gonzalez .
Gonzalez said 1,600 indigenous people were evacuated from the outlying Miskitos Cays archipelago , in the path of the hurricane , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of food to the region on Sunday , as well as emergency crews to help repair communications and infrastructure once the hurricane has passed .

Managua (AFP) –
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Eta strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane on Monday as it barreled towards the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua and Honduras, the US National Hurricane Center said.
The hurricane was packing sustained winds of 110 miles (175 kilometers) an hour as it swept over the Caribbean 140 miles northeast of the Nicaraguan coastal city of Bilwi, the NHC said.
Travelling at nine miles an hour, Eta is expected to make landfall early Tuesday just north of Bilwi, the main town in Nicaragua's Caribbean region.
"Life threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds, flash flooding and landslides are expected across portions of Central America," the NHC said in a bulletin.
It warned that "flash flooding and river flooding would be possible across Jamaica, southeast Mexico, El Salvador, southern Haiti, and the Cayman Islands."
Dangerous storm surges are expected to raise water levels by up to 18 feet (five meters) above normal tide levels in areas along the northeastern coast of Nicaragua, and up to five feet above normal along the coast of Honduras, where a tropical storm warning was in force.
Eta dumped heavy rains in Costa Rica on Sunday, where authorities evacuated people from the country's southern Pacific coast.
"The eye of the hurricane is coming directly over Bilwi and we have it close by," local resident Limbort Bucardo told AFP.
"There is some concern from the population, there are many flood areas, people are packing their goods and looking for ways to get out to shelters."
Residents stocked up with food, lamps, radios and plastic bags to protect their belongings, Bucardo said.
"The houses are totally vulnerable, they are old wooden houses lined with plastic," unable to withstand strong winds, said emergency services volunteer Kevin Gonzalez.
Gonzalez said 1,600 indigenous people were evacuated from the outlying Miskitos Cays archipelago, in the path of the hurricane, on Sunday.
The government sent 88 tons of food to the region on Sunday, as well as emergency crews to help repair communications and infrastructure once the hurricane has passed.
© 2020 AFP