france24--2020-10-10--Steyn stars as late rally secures Bulls hard-earned win

A file picture of Springbok Morne Steyn ( R ) playing for Stade Francais in the 2018 French Top 14 championship .
A strong finish enabled the Bulls to beat the Griquas 30-23 in Pretoria Saturday on the second day of South African Super Rugby Unlocked after an unexpectedly close match .
The Bulls have been among the 'big four ' of South African rugby with the Lions , Sharks and Stormers for decades while the Griquas ' lone major trophy came 50 years ago .
But it took the hosts 63 minutes to go ahead , through a penalty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steyn , behind closed doors at Loftus Versfeld owing to the coronavirus .
A try from stand-in skipper and loose forward Arno Botha stretched the advantage to nine points before the Griquas responded through a second try from winger James Verity-Amm .
Steyn , who new Bulls coach Jake White calls his `` general '' , had the final say with his penalty ensuring the Bulls of victory but not preventing the Griquas from taking a losing bonus point .
`` I am happy with the win , but not with the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of many new signings made by 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach White when he took charge last March .
`` We lacked discipline at the breakdowns during the first half and all of us need to watch a recording of this match and study where we did not execute the game plan properly .
`` The experience of Morne ( Steyn ) was a key factor for us and I do not think this guy is ever going to grow old . ''
Back in Pretoria after six years with French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed 13 points from two conversions and three penalties after missing his first shot at goal .
Griquas captain and fly-half George Whitehead also pinpointed indiscipline , and was self critical having been sin-binned on 53 minutes .
`` Getting yellow-carded was unacceptable , '' he admitted .
`` One of my tasks as captain is to set a good example to my team-mates and I clearly failed .
`` No one gave us a chance before the game and I am proud that we ran the Bulls close .
Our aim is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just take part . ''
Apart from the shrewdness of Steyn , the Bulls were indebted to their scrum , which made life increasingly uncomfortable for the Griquas .
The side from northern Cape city Kimberley built a 10-point lead only to concede an additional-time try to lock Ruan Nortje and turn over level at 10-10 .
An Anthony Volmink try helped the underdogs lead 18-10 before a penalty try triggered a Bulls comeback that gave them a victory they just deserved .
Meanwhile , Malcolm Jaer scored three tries and fellow winger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a 53-31 victory over the Pumas in Bloemfontein .
In a match of two halves , the home side averaged a point a minute in the first to lead 41-3 at the break against overwhelmed opponents .
But the team from Mbombela ( formerly Nelspruit ) were much more competitive after a half-time tongue lashing from coach Jimmy Stonehouse .
The Pumas outscored the Cheetahs by four tries to two in the second half with the home side temporarily handicapped by the sin-binning of replacement hooker Louis van der Westhuizen .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cheetahs side skippered by former Springbok utility back Ruan Pienaar should emerge next weekend when they host the Bulls .
On Friday , the Sharks edged the Lions 19-16 in Durban in the opening match , and the Springbok-stacked Stormers had a bye .

Pretoria (AFP) –
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A strong finish enabled the Bulls to beat the Griquas 30-23 in Pretoria Saturday on the second day of South African Super Rugby Unlocked after an unexpectedly close match.
The Bulls have been among the 'big four' of South African rugby with the Lions, Sharks and Stormers for decades while the Griquas' lone major trophy came 50 years ago.
But it took the hosts 63 minutes to go ahead, through a penalty from 36-year-old former South Africa fly-half Morne Steyn, behind closed doors at Loftus Versfeld owing to the coronavirus.
A try from stand-in skipper and loose forward Arno Botha stretched the advantage to nine points before the Griquas responded through a second try from winger James Verity-Amm.
Steyn, who new Bulls coach Jake White calls his "general", had the final say with his penalty ensuring the Bulls of victory but not preventing the Griquas from taking a losing bonus point.
"I am happy with the win, but not with the way we achieved it," said Botha, one of many new signings made by 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach White when he took charge last March.
"We lacked discipline at the breakdowns during the first half and all of us need to watch a recording of this match and study where we did not execute the game plan properly.
"The experience of Morne (Steyn) was a key factor for us and I do not think this guy is ever going to grow old."
Back in Pretoria after six years with French Top 14 outfit Stade Francais, Steyn contributed 13 points from two conversions and three penalties after missing his first shot at goal.
- 'Unacceptable' -
Griquas captain and fly-half George Whitehead also pinpointed indiscipline, and was self critical having been sin-binned on 53 minutes.
"Getting yellow-carded was unacceptable," he admitted. "One of my tasks as captain is to set a good example to my team-mates and I clearly failed.
"No one gave us a chance before the game and I am proud that we ran the Bulls close. Our aim is to compete in this competition and not just take part."
Apart from the shrewdness of Steyn, the Bulls were indebted to their scrum, which made life increasingly uncomfortable for the Griquas.
The side from northern Cape city Kimberley built a 10-point lead only to concede an additional-time try to lock Ruan Nortje and turn over level at 10-10.
An Anthony Volmink try helped the underdogs lead 18-10 before a penalty try triggered a Bulls comeback that gave them a victory they just deserved.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Jaer scored three tries and fellow winger Rosco Specman two as the Cheetahs romped to a 53-31 victory over the Pumas in Bloemfontein.
In a match of two halves, the home side averaged a point a minute in the first to lead 41-3 at the break against overwhelmed opponents.
But the team from Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) were much more competitive after a half-time tongue lashing from coach Jimmy Stonehouse.
The Pumas outscored the Cheetahs by four tries to two in the second half with the home side temporarily handicapped by the sin-binning of replacement hooker Louis van der Westhuizen.
A clearer picture of the capabilities of a Cheetahs side skippered by former Springbok utility back Ruan Pienaar should emerge next weekend when they host the Bulls.
On Friday, the Sharks edged the Lions 19-16 in Durban in the opening match, and the Springbok-stacked Stormers had a bye.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Belarus's Lukashenko visits jail, holds talks with detained political rivals

Incumbent Alexander Lukashenko arrives to vote at a polling station during the presidential election in Minsk , Belarus , on August 9 , 2020 .
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday went to a jail run by the country ’ s KGB security service to meet his jailed political opponents , ostensibly to discuss plans for constitutional reforms .
The bizarre yet officially reported meeting saw the strongman sit down with opponents he has jailed for months for a conversation about his political course .
“ I am trying to convince not only your supporters but the whole of society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more broadly , ” he said in a video snippet .
The European Union and United States have refused to recognise Lukashenko ’ s inauguration after he claimed a landslide win in an August vote—results contested by his main rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya .
A photo posted by Lukashenko ’ s press service on the Telegram messenger app showed Lukashenko sitting at an oval table with prisoners including Viktor Babaryko , a banker once seen as the strongman ’ s toughest rival in August elections but prevented from running and jailed .
Others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lawyer who is a member of the opposition ’ s Coordination Council set up to ensure a peaceful transfer of power , and Vitali Shkliarov , a Belarusian-US strategist who worked on US Senator Bernie Sanders ’ presidential campaign and advised the Russian opposition .
All look pale and unsmiling .
“ The aim of the president is to hear everyone ’ s ’ opinion , ” Lukashenko ’ s press service wrote on Telegram , adding that the participants agreed to keep “ secret ” the content of the four-and-a-half-hour conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sign of weakness .
Tikhanovskaya wrote on social media that Lukashenko had “ acknowledged the existence of political prisoners whom he used to call criminals.
” But she added that “ you can ’ t have dialogue in a prison cell.
” Pavel Latushko , a member of the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , wrote on social media that the meeting “ showed we are on the right track .
Lukashenko was forced to sit down for talks with those he himself put behind bars.
” In a brief video excerpt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can ’ t rewrite the constitution on the street , ” referring to street protests .
Saturday saw the latest protest against Lukashenko , a regular event in which women hold peaceful marches , often carrying flowers .
Tikhanovskaya , who has taken refuge in Lithuania , said she had been allowed her first phone call in four months with her jailed husband , video blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky , with whom she has two children .
Tikhanovskaya only stood as president after her husband ’ s detention meant he could not run @

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday went to a jail run by the country’s KGB security service to meet his jailed political opponents, ostensibly to discuss plans for constitutional reforms.
Incumbent Alexander Lukashenko arrives to vote at a polling station during the presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, on August 9, 2020.
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The bizarre yet officially reported meeting saw the strongman sit down with opponents he has jailed for months for a conversation about his political course.
“I am trying to convince not only your supporters but the whole of society that one needs to look at things more broadly,” he said in a video snippet.
The European Union and United States have refused to recognise Lukashenko’s inauguration after he claimed a landslide win in an August vote—results contested by his main rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
A photo posted by Lukashenko’s press service on the Telegram messenger app showed Lukashenko sitting at an oval table with prisoners including Viktor Babaryko, a banker once seen as the strongman’s toughest rival in August elections but prevented from running and jailed.
❗Today Lukashenko met Viktor Babariko and other arrested opposition leaders in KGB prison to discuss the constitutional amendments. pic.twitter.com/6yV0xul7im — Tadeusz Giczan (@TadeuszGiczan) October 10, 2020
Others in the picture include Liliya Vlasova, a lawyer who is a member of the opposition’s Coordination Council set up to ensure a peaceful transfer of power, and Vitali Shkliarov, a Belarusian-US strategist who worked on US Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign and advised the Russian opposition.
All look pale and unsmiling.
“The aim of the president is to hear everyone’s’ opinion,” Lukashenko’s press service wrote on Telegram, adding that the participants agreed to keep “secret” the content of the four-and-a-half-hour conversation.
The opposition described the visit as a sign of weakness.
Tikhanovskaya wrote on social media that Lukashenko had “acknowledged the existence of political prisoners whom he used to call criminals.”
But she added that “you can’t have dialogue in a prison cell.”
Lukashenka spends 4.5 hours with those he considered outlaws in KGB prison. Probably sending a message. pic.twitter.com/JIB2cjDgcc — Franak Viačorka (@franakviacorka) October 10, 2020
Pavel Latushko, a member of the opposition’s Coordination Council, wrote on social media that the meeting “showed we are on the right track. Lukashenko was forced to sit down for talks with those he himself put behind bars.”
In a brief video excerpt, Lukashenko told the prisoners: “You can’t rewrite the constitution on the street,” referring to street protests.
Saturday saw the latest protest against Lukashenko, a regular event in which women hold peaceful marches, often carrying flowers.
Today my husband, political prisoner Siarhei Tsikhanouski called me. This is our first talk in 4 months. The call lasted 12 minutes. Other details later. — Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) October 10, 2020
Tikhanovskaya, who has taken refuge in Lithuania, said she had been allowed her first phone call in four months with her jailed husband, video blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, with whom she has two children.
Tikhanovskaya only stood as president after her husband’s detention meant he could not run.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-10-10--New anti-Netanyahu demos in Israel despite virus rules

An Israeli protester raising a placard faces members of the security forces during a demonstration against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the coastal city of Tel Aviv , on October 10 , 2020 Israelis kept up weekly protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday , defying lockdown restrictions imposed by authorities aimed at stemming a surge in coronavirus cases .
The parliament in Israel , which currently has one of the world 's highest Covid-19 infection rates per capita , last week approved a law restricting demonstrations during an emergency lockdown .
Part of draconian measures , it restricts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( less than a mile ) from their homes .
Anti-Netanyahu protests have been staged each Saturday since July to denounce the prime minister 's handling of the virus pandemic and the economy .
In the latest demonstration , people waved Israeli flags and held up signs addressed to Netanyahu , whom many accuse of corruption , saying `` Go away '' , AFP reporters said .
The demonstrators largely respected social distancing measures unlike in Tel Aviv where thousands took to the streets and clashed with police .
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hub were not social distancing and `` threw objects at police officers who confronted them '' .
`` Police units at the scene are responding to the incidents and illegal protests , '' he added .
With more than 280,000 coronavirus infections confirmed so far and over 1,900 deaths in a population of nine million , Israel currently has the world 's highest weekly infection rate per capita .
Public anger has also deepened in recent days in Israel over a bitterly unpopular lockdown after high-profile figures reportedly violated the restrictions , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hairdresser to the premier 's official residence .
Only essential workers are allowed to leave their residences , adding further stress to an already battered economy , while Jews have been barred from gathering with friends and family over the High Holidays .
The health ministry meanwhile urged ultra-Orthodox Jews to observe hygienic measures and social distancing and hold prayers outdoors on Saturday night when they observe the Simhat Tora holiday .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
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Israelis kept up weekly protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, defying lockdown restrictions imposed by authorities aimed at stemming a surge in coronavirus cases.
The parliament in Israel, which currently has one of the world's highest Covid-19 infection rates per capita, last week approved a law restricting demonstrations during an emergency lockdown.
Part of draconian measures, it restricts people from moving more than one kilometre (less than a mile) from their homes.
Anti-Netanyahu protests have been staged each Saturday since July to denounce the prime minister's handling of the virus pandemic and the economy.
In the latest demonstration, people waved Israeli flags and held up signs addressed to Netanyahu, whom many accuse of corruption, saying "Go away", AFP reporters said.
The demonstrators largely respected social distancing measures unlike in Tel Aviv where thousands took to the streets and clashed with police.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the protesters in Israel's commercial hub were not social distancing and "threw objects at police officers who confronted them".
"Police units at the scene are responding to the incidents and illegal protests," he added.
With more than 280,000 coronavirus infections confirmed so far and over 1,900 deaths in a population of nine million, Israel currently has the world's highest weekly infection rate per capita.
Public anger has also deepened in recent days in Israel over a bitterly unpopular lockdown after high-profile figures reportedly violated the restrictions, including Netanhayu's wife Sara who summoned a hairdresser to the premier's official residence.
Only essential workers are allowed to leave their residences, adding further stress to an already battered economy, while Jews have been barred from gathering with friends and family over the High Holidays.
The health ministry meanwhile urged ultra-Orthodox Jews to observe hygienic measures and social distancing and hold prayers outdoors on Saturday night when they observe the Simhat Tora holiday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--French coronavirus cases set new 24-hour record with nearly 27,000 infections

A woman wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus , walks by a restaurant in Lille , northern France @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
The number of new coronavirus infections in France jumped over 26,000 in one @ @ @ @ @ since the start of the epidemic , health ministry data showed on Saturday .
The @ @ @ @ @ infections , taking the cumulative total to 718,873 since the start of the year .
@ @ @ @ @ the virus increased by 54 to 32,684 .
France ’ s health minister on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s third-biggest city - and three other cities would have to close bars @ @ @ @ @ have done , to help stem the spread as Covid-19 case numbers continue to climb @

The number of new coronavirus infections in France jumped over 26,000 in one day for the first time since the start of the epidemic, health ministry data showed on Saturday.
A woman wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus, walks by a restaurant in Lille, northern France, on October 10, 2020.
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The ministry reported 26,896 new coronavirus infections, taking the cumulative total to 718,873 since the start of the year. The number of deaths from the virus increased by 54 to 32,684.
French public health agency Santé Publique France's daily coronavirus dashboard for October 10, 2020, shows 26,896 new cases in 24 hours, a new record. © Santé Publique France
France’s health minister on Thursday announced that Lyon - the country’s third-biggest city - and three other cities would have to close bars, as Paris and Marseille have done, to help stem the spread as Covid-19 case numbers continue to climb.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-11--Armenia, Azerbaijan continue to levy charges of civilian strikes after Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire

Retired police officer Genadiy Avanesyan , 73 , searches for belongings in the remains of his house in the city of Stepanakert in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh on October 10 , 2020 .
Hopes that a Russian-brokered ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan might hold were further dashed Sunday , with both sides accusing the other of intense shelling on civilian areas and escalating two weeks of fierce clashes .
Azerbaijan 's foreign ministry said that overnight shelling by Armenian forces on the country 's second largest city , Ganja , had left seven people dead and 33 wounded including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the halt to fighting was supposed to take effect .
Rescuers in red helmets dug through piles of debris with their bare hands in search of signs of survivors , an AFP journalist in the city reported .
They retrieved one nearly naked body and gingerly put it in a white bag to be taken away in an ambulance while several horrified residents watched on and wept .
One witness said they were woken by a huge blast that levelled an entire square block of one- and two-floor houses in the early hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed .
`` Everything I 've worked for my entire life has been destroyed , '' said resident Zagit Aliyev , 68 .
The agreement to pause hostilities in order to exchange prisoners and the bodies of people killed after two weeks of fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region was approved by Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in marathon Russia-brokered talks in Moscow .
The truce officially entered into force at noon on Saturday but both sides almost immediately accused each other of violations .
On Sunday , the defence ministry in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the humanitarian ceasefire and in turn accused Azerbaijan of shelling civilian-populated areas .
Claims that Armenian forces were responsible for shelling Ganja were `` an absolute lie , '' it added .
The leader of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region , Arayik Harutyunyan , described the situation as `` calmer '' on Sunday , but warned that the truce was precarious .
An AFP journalist in the administrative capital of Stepanakert , which has been subjected to heavy bombings since the fighting erupted and is pockmarked with deep craters and unexploded ordnance , reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vahram Poghosyan , a spokesman for Karabakh 's leader , said the overnight shelling on Stepanakert was `` a disrespect of the agreements reached in Moscow , '' and called on the international community to recognise the province 's independence as a way to end the fighting .
New fighting broke out late last month , stemming from a long-simmering disagreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh .
The disputed territory is an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan , home to about 150,000 people , which broke from Azerbaijan 's control in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30,000 people .
Its separatist government is strongly backed by Armenia , which like Azerbaijan gained independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union .
The most recent bout of fighting has been the heaviest since the 1990s war , with more than 450 people reported dead , thousands forced to flee their homes and fears the fighting could escalate into a devastating all-out conflict .
The return of fighting has stoked fears of a full-blown war embroiling Turkey , which strongly backs Azerbaijan , and Russia , which has a military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders including Russian leader Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron have denounced the deployment of pro-Turkish fighters from Syria and Libya to bolster Azerbaijan 's army .
France , Russia and the US -- known as the `` Minsk Group '' -- have for decades sought a lasting solution to the Karabakh conflict , but have failed to stop sporadic outbreaks of fighting , and Baku with Turkey 's backing appears set on continuing with its military intervention .
A senior Azerbaijani official said Saturday the truce was only meant to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had `` no intention to backtrack '' on its effort to retake control of Karabakh .

A Russian-brokered ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan failed to hold on Sunday, with both sides accusing the other of intensive shelling of civilian areas and escalating two weeks of fierce clashes.
Retired police officer Genadiy Avanesyan, 73, searches for belongings in the remains of his house in the city of Stepanakert in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh on October 10, 2020.
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The two sides had agreed to pause hostilities to exchange prisoners and the bodies of people killed in two weeks of fighting over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave inside Azerbaijan that is home to 150,000 people.
Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry said that overnight shelling by Armenian forces of the country’s second largest city, Ganja, had left at least seven people dead and 33 wounded including children, less than 24 hours after the halt to fighting was supposed to take effect.
Rescuers in red helmets dug through piles of debris with their bare hands looking for signs of survivors, an AFP journalist in the city reported.
They retrieved one nearly naked body and gingerly put it in a white bag to be taken away in an ambulance while several horrified residents watched on and wept.
01:11 Catherine Norris-Trent reports from Ganja, Azerbaijan © France 24
One witness said they were woken by a huge blast that levelled an entire square block of one- and two-storey houses in the early hours of the morning, leaving nine apartments in ruins.
“Everything I’ve worked for my entire life has been destroyed,” said resident Zagit Aliyev, 68.
‘An absolute lie’
The truce negotiated in marathon Russia-brokered talks in Moscow officially entered into force at noon on Saturday, but both sides almost immediately accused each other of violations.
On Sunday, the Karabakh defence ministry insisted Armenian forces were respecting the humanitarian ceasefire, calling claims that Armenian forces were responsible for shelling Ganja “an absolute lie” and accusing Azerbaijan of shelling civilian-populated areas.
Armenia’s defence ministry said Sunday evening that the breakaway region’s defenders were responding “resolutely” as Azerbaijani forces were “undertaking assaults” with “armoured vehicles and missiles.”
01:00
Nagorno-Karabakh’s leader Arayik Harutyunyan described the situation as “calmer” on Sunday, but warned that the truce was precarious.
EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said there was “extreme concern” in the bloc over “continued military activities, including against civilian targets, as well as civilian casualties.”
Borrell urged the two sides to stick to the ceasefire agreement.
An AFP journalist in the administrative capital of Stepanakert, which has been subjected to heavy bombing since the fighting erupted and is pockmarked with deep craters and unexploded ordnance, reported hearing loud explosions throughout the night.
Vahram Poghosyan, a spokesman for Karabakh’s leader, said the overnight shelling of Stepanakert was “a disrespect of the agreements reached in Moscow,” and called on the international community to recognise Karabakh’s independence as a way to end the hostilities.
New fighting broke out late last month, stemming from a long-simmering disagreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region.
The disputed territory broke from Azerbaijan’s control in a war in the 1990s that killed some 30,000 people.
Its separatist government is strongly backed—but not officially recognised as independent—by Armenia, which like Azerbaijan gained independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.
A ‘temporary’ ceasefire
The most recent bout of fighting has been the heaviest since the 1990s war, with more than 450 people reported dead, thousands forced to flee their homes.
Renewed fighting has stoked fears of a full-blown war embroiling Turkey, which supports Azerbaijan, and Russia, which has a military treaty with Armenia.
Turkey’s defence ministry blamed Armenia for the ceasefire violations in a post on Twitter and accused Yerevan of committing “war crimes and crimes against humanity”.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a call with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Sunday called for a “strict implementation” of the Moscow agreement.
Armenia and world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron have denounced the deployment of pro-Turkish fighters from Syria and Libya to bolster Azerbaijan’s army.
The defence ministry in Yerevan reposted an amateur video showing corpses in military fatigues and with the man behind the camera speaking in Arabic, claiming this was proof Syrian mercenaries were fighting with Baku’s forces.
France, Russia and the US—known as the “Minsk Group”—have for decades sought a lasting solution to the Karabakh conflict, but have failed to stop sporadic outbreaks of fighting, and Baku with Turkey’s backing appears set on continuing with its military intervention.
Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan was to arrive in Moscow on Monday for a visit including meetings with the Minsk Group co-chairs, his spokeswoman told AFP.
A senior Azerbaijani official said Saturday the truce was only meant to be “temporary,” and said Baku had “no intention to backtrack” on its effort to retake control of Karabakh.
The Pope on Sunday said he welcomed the ceasefire but deplored that “the truce proves to be too fragile.”
“I pray and invite you to pray for the victims and for all those whose life is in danger,” he said following the Angelus prayer in Rome.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-10-11--'Universe boss' Gayle recovers from stomach bug in UAE

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france24--2020-10-11--Fall-guy Vietti wins French Moto3, Arenas takes championship lead

Italian teenager Celestino Vietti shrugged off a warm-up crash , his third of the weekend , to win the French Moto3 Grand Prix at Le Mans on Sunday .
The 18-year-old held off his compatriot Tony Arbolino and new championship leader Albert Arenas on the last lap for his second career win from 33 Moto3 starts .
`` It was a strange race , I did n't expect this result , '' said the KTM rider , now third in the championship on 119 points , 16 shy of Arenas with five races left .
`` It was difficult to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we handled the race well , '' added Vietti whose debut win in the category came at Spielberg in the Styrian Grand Prix in August .
Spaniard Arenas was already looking forward to the next two races at his home Aragon circuit .
`` I like Aragon , I 'll continue ( my world title bid ) from there , '' said the 23-year-old who moved to the top of the standings on 135 points .
Splitting Arenas and Vietti in the Moto3 title race is Honda 's Japanese rider Ai Ogura , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leg of the coronavirus-disrupted season , but after his ninth place finish now trails Arenas by six points .

Le Mans (France) (AFP) –
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Italian teenager Celestino Vietti shrugged off a warm-up crash, his third of the weekend, to win the French Moto3 Grand Prix at Le Mans on Sunday.
The 18-year-old held off his compatriot Tony Arbolino and new championship leader Albert Arenas on the last lap for his second career win from 33 Moto3 starts.
"It was a strange race, I didn't expect this result," said the KTM rider, now third in the championship on 119 points, 16 shy of Arenas with five races left.
"It was difficult to overtake - I'm very happy, we handled the race well," added Vietti whose debut win in the category came at Spielberg in the Styrian Grand Prix in August.
Spaniard Arenas was already looking forward to the next two races at his home Aragon circuit.
"I like Aragon, I'll continue (my world title bid) from there," said the 23-year-old who moved to the top of the standings on 135 points.
Splitting Arenas and Vietti in the Moto3 title race is Honda's Japanese rider Ai Ogura, who led the championship before this 10th leg of the coronavirus-disrupted season, but after his ninth place finish now trails Arenas by six points.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--Cambodian farmers deploy scarecrows to ward off virus

Cambodian farmers have set up traditional 'Ting Mong ' scarecrows in hopes of warding off the coronavirus Armed with a stick , a floral-shirted scarecrow with a plastic pot for a head stands guard in front of a rural Cambodian home -- a sentry erected by superstitious farmers to ward off the coronavirus .
Known as `` Ting Mong '' in Khmer , the creatively rendered scarecrows often pop up in villages that have been hard-hit by infectious diseases like dengue or water-borne diarrhoea .
This time , `` I 've set up the Ting Mong to prevent the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmer Sok Chany , 45 .
She has two posted in front of her wooden stilt home in Kampong Cham province , about 110 kilometres ( 70 miles ) northeast of the capital Phnom Penh .
The other is dressed in camo-green and has a stick propped like a rifle across its hay-stuffed chest .
`` It is our ancient superstition to set up Ting Mongs when there are dangerous diseases or to avert evil , '' she tells AFP .
The majority-Buddhist kingdom has a strong strain of animism incorporated into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with many believing that spirits are tied to places , animals and things .
The Ting Mongs are meant to ward off evil spirits wishing to bring harm on an unsuspecting family by spreading disease .
In Sok Chany 's Trapeang Sla village , no chances are taken -- an effigy is tied to the gate of nearly every home , though constructed with varying degrees of effort .
Some are elaborately dressed in military uniform or floral pyjamas , while others simply have stuffed bags with sunglasses perched on them for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clothing up the arm of his Ting Mong , which is dressed in a bright pink shirt and has a helmet for its head .
`` This is my second one -- the first one broke , '' the 55-year-old says , adding that his scarecrow has been standing guard under sun and rain since April when the outbreak started spreading rapidly across Southeast Asia .
`` We 've been fine since the outbreak , '' Ton Pheag tells AFP .
`` I 'll continue to leave it up as long as Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escaped the brunt of the pandemic , registering just 283 infections and no deaths -- though sceptics say the low toll could be due to a lack of testing .

Kampong Cham (Cambodia) (AFP) –
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Armed with a stick, a floral-shirted scarecrow with a plastic pot for a head stands guard in front of a rural Cambodian home -- a sentry erected by superstitious farmers to ward off the coronavirus.
Known as "Ting Mong" in Khmer, the creatively rendered scarecrows often pop up in villages that have been hard-hit by infectious diseases like dengue or water-borne diarrhoea.
This time, "I've set up the Ting Mong to prevent the coronavirus from threatening my family," says farmer Sok Chany, 45.
She has two posted in front of her wooden stilt home in Kampong Cham province, about 110 kilometres (70 miles) northeast of the capital Phnom Penh.
The other is dressed in camo-green and has a stick propped like a rifle across its hay-stuffed chest.
"It is our ancient superstition to set up Ting Mongs when there are dangerous diseases or to avert evil," she tells AFP.
The majority-Buddhist kingdom has a strong strain of animism incorporated into the daily lives and rituals of Cambodians, with many believing that spirits are tied to places, animals and things.
The Ting Mongs are meant to ward off evil spirits wishing to bring harm on an unsuspecting family by spreading disease.
In Sok Chany's Trapeang Sla village, no chances are taken -- an effigy is tied to the gate of nearly every home, though constructed with varying degrees of effort.
Some are elaborately dressed in military uniform or floral pyjamas, while others simply have stuffed bags with sunglasses perched on them for a head.
Farmer Ton Pheang stuffs old clothing up the arm of his Ting Mong, which is dressed in a bright pink shirt and has a helmet for its head.
"This is my second one -- the first one broke," the 55-year-old says, adding that his scarecrow has been standing guard under sun and rain since April when the outbreak started spreading rapidly across Southeast Asia.
"We've been fine since the outbreak," Ton Pheag tells AFP. "I'll continue to leave it up as long as Covid still exists."
Cambodia appears to escaped the brunt of the pandemic, registering just 283 infections and no deaths -- though sceptics say the low toll could be due to a lack of testing.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--French healthcare workers testing for Covid-19 are working overtime to meet demand

France ’ s strategy for curbing the spread of Covid-19 depends on people getting tested when they have virus symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive .
Nurses and scientists are working overtime to collect and analyse the tests as fast as possible .
But there is frustration that it is taking too long – sometimes up to seven days – for results to come back .
Behind the numbers , nurses and scientists are working overtime to collect and analyse the tests as fast as possible .
Yet the staff are working long hours , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're under constant pressure .
`` We know we start at 7:30am but we do n't know what time we can go home , '' says molecular biology scientist Sabria Herhira .
`` We ca n't just leave thinking one of our colleagues can manage .
No . ''
`` We have patients ' lives in our hands .
We have to be 200 percent concentrated , '' says the scientist .
FRANCE 24 's Claire Paccalin and Eléonore Vanel met with personnel at a testing centre and lab in Paris to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy workload and constant pressure .
Click on the player above to watch the full report .

ON THE GROUND
France’s strategy for curbing the spread of Covid-19 depends on people getting tested when they have virus symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive. Nurses and scientists are working overtime to collect and analyse the tests as fast as possible.
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But there is frustration that it is taking too long – sometimes up to seven days – for results to come back.
Behind the numbers, nurses and scientists are working overtime to collect and analyse the tests as fast as possible. Yet the staff are working long hours, their holidays have been cancelled and they're under constant pressure.
"We know we start at 7:30am but we don't know what time we can go home," says molecular biology scientist Sabria Herhira. "We can't just leave thinking one of our colleagues can manage. No."
"We have patients' lives in our hands. We have to be 200 percent concentrated," says the scientist.
FRANCE 24's Claire Paccalin and Eléonore Vanel met with personnel at a testing centre and lab in Paris to find out how they're dealing with this heavy workload and constant pressure.
Click on the player above to watch the full report.
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france24--2020-10-11--Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Moscow hosts Armenia-Azerbaijan truce talks


france24--2020-10-11--Nagorno-Karabakh conflict : Armenia and Azerbaijan shaky ceasefire in force


france24--2020-10-11--Fearless Swiatek continues transfer of power in women's tennis

Iga Swiatek is the latest in a continuing trend of first-time Grand Slam champions in women 's tennis While Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic square off for the 56th time in the men 's French Open final , the women 's game is in the throes of a youthful revolution as Iga Swiatek was crowned its latest first-time Grand Slam champion .
The 19-year-old ensured her place in history as Poland 's first major singles champion on Saturday , becoming the ninth woman in 14 tournaments to secure her maiden Slam title .
Swiatek , who used the coronavirus lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toyed with the idea of continuing her studies , but will surely now go the same route as her vanquished opponent in the Roland Garros final .
Sofia Kenin , 21 , turned down a scholarship to the University of Miami in 2017 after holding her own against Maria Sharapova in the third round of that year 's US Open .
She went on to win the Australian Open in January and narrowly missed out on becoming the first woman to capture two majors in the same season since Angelique Kerber in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's breakout performance at last year 's US Open , the Canadian taking home the title on her main draw debut in New York .
Since Serena Williams collected the last of her 23 Slam crowns at the 2017 Australian Open , the likes of Simona Halep , Sloane Stephens and the now-retired Caroline Wozniacki have all gone on to land a breakthrough major .
However , the 29-year-old Halep is the outlier in a series of recent major winners , seven of eight who were aged 23 or under at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounted for three with Naomi Osaka grabbing three titles of her own , and top-ranked Ashleigh Barty triumphing at the 2019 French Open .
The average age of champions in that time is 21.5 .
By comparison , the average age of the eight previous Slam winners was 27.4 .
`` For sure it 's inspiring .
I know that there are no limits .
Even though you 're really young and you 're an underdog , you can do a lot in a sport like tennis , '' said Swiatek .
- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Multiple Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander compared Swiatek 's game to that of Novak Djokovic , while greats of the past such as Rod Laver and Chris Evert believe the young Pole is just getting started .
`` I think she is there to be a Grand Slam champion , multiple times .
I genuinely believe that Iga can be the one , '' Wilander told Eurosport .
Laver hailed Swiatek 's `` nerveless performance '' in what was only her second tour-level final and tweeted it was `` the first of many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who won seven times in Paris , wrote : `` What a sterling two weeks of brilliant tennis .
Many , many more GS Titles to come . ''
She also paid tribute to a `` great year '' for Kenin , 16-2 at Slams in 2020 .
As Williams , who withdrew in Paris with an Achilles injury , continues her pursuit of Margaret Court 's record 24 majors , the window of opportunity for the 39-year-old is closing with a number of young players rising to prominence .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming up , '' said Kenin .
`` It 's always good to see youngsters taking over and playing great tennis . ''
Former US Open finalist Pam Shriver believes Swiatek and Kenin could become the leading faces of the next generation .
`` We 're always wondering where the next great rivalry is going to be .
Well , let 's just wonder about this one because they are two years apart , '' she told rolandgarros.com .
Swiatek hoisted the trophy after swatting aside all comers in swashbuckling style , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tournament without a dropping a set since Justine Henin in 2007 .
Like surprise 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko , it also represented her first title at tour level -- and she is eager to back it up , unlike the Latvian who has yet to return to the same heights .
`` I know my game is n't developed perfectly .
I think the biggest change for me is going to be to be consistent .
I think this is what women 's tennis is struggling with , '' said Swiatek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That 's why we have so many new Grand Slam winners because we are not , like , as consistent as Rafa , Roger ( Federer ) , and Novak . ''

Paris (AFP) –
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While Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic square off for the 56th time in the men's French Open final, the women's game is in the throes of a youthful revolution as Iga Swiatek was crowned its latest first-time Grand Slam champion.
The 19-year-old ensured her place in history as Poland's first major singles champion on Saturday, becoming the ninth woman in 14 tournaments to secure her maiden Slam title.
Swiatek, who used the coronavirus lockdown to complete her graduation exam, has toyed with the idea of continuing her studies, but will surely now go the same route as her vanquished opponent in the Roland Garros final.
Sofia Kenin, 21, turned down a scholarship to the University of Miami in 2017 after holding her own against Maria Sharapova in the third round of that year's US Open.
She went on to win the Australian Open in January and narrowly missed out on becoming the first woman to capture two majors in the same season since Angelique Kerber in 2016.
Her Melbourne triumph followed Bianca Andreescu's breakout performance at last year's US Open, the Canadian taking home the title on her main draw debut in New York.
Since Serena Williams collected the last of her 23 Slam crowns at the 2017 Australian Open, the likes of Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens and the now-retired Caroline Wozniacki have all gone on to land a breakthrough major.
However, the 29-year-old Halep is the outlier in a series of recent major winners, seven of eight who were aged 23 or under at the time.
Kenin, Andreescu and Swiatek have accounted for three with Naomi Osaka grabbing three titles of her own, and top-ranked Ashleigh Barty triumphing at the 2019 French Open.
The average age of champions in that time is 21.5. By comparison, the average age of the eight previous Slam winners was 27.4.
"For sure it's inspiring. I know that there are no limits. Even though you're really young and you're an underdog, you can do a lot in a sport like tennis," said Swiatek.
- 'First of many' says Laver -
Multiple Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander compared Swiatek's game to that of Novak Djokovic, while greats of the past such as Rod Laver and Chris Evert believe the young Pole is just getting started.
"I think she is there to be a Grand Slam champion, multiple times. I genuinely believe that Iga can be the one," Wilander told Eurosport.
Laver hailed Swiatek's "nerveless performance" in what was only her second tour-level final and tweeted it was "the first of many majors to come".
Evert, who won seven times in Paris, wrote: "What a sterling two weeks of brilliant tennis. Many, many more GS Titles to come." She also paid tribute to a "great year" for Kenin, 16-2 at Slams in 2020.
As Williams, who withdrew in Paris with an Achilles injury, continues her pursuit of Margaret Court's record 24 majors, the window of opportunity for the 39-year-old is closing with a number of young players rising to prominence.
"I think it's great. A new generation coming up," said Kenin. "It's always good to see youngsters taking over and playing great tennis."
Former US Open finalist Pam Shriver believes Swiatek and Kenin could become the leading faces of the next generation.
"We're always wondering where the next great rivalry is going to be. Well, let's just wonder about this one because they are two years apart," she told rolandgarros.com.
Swiatek hoisted the trophy after swatting aside all comers in swashbuckling style, the first women's champion to win the tournament without a dropping a set since Justine Henin in 2007.
Like surprise 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko, it also represented her first title at tour level -- and she is eager to back it up, unlike the Latvian who has yet to return to the same heights.
"I know my game isn't developed perfectly. I think the biggest change for me is going to be to be consistent. I think this is what women's tennis is struggling with," said Swiatek, an avowed fan of Rafael Nadal.
"That's why we have so many new Grand Slam winners because we are not, like, as consistent as Rafa, Roger (Federer), and Novak."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--Brazil forward Robinho rejoins Santos

Brazil forward Robinho rejoins Santos

Veteran Brazilian striker Robinho has rejoined his boyhood club Santos , who he left to join Real Madrid as a @ @ @ @ @ with Manchester City and AC Milan .
The 36-year-old penned a five-month deal paying the @ @ @ @ @ euros ( 250 dollars ) per month with bonuses and an extension if things go @ @ @ @ @ always been my home , it 's so special to come back here where my @ @ @ @ @ said .
He is currently a fugitive from Italian justice , having been condemned to @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 .
Robinho shot to fame with goals galore for the Rio outfit , @ @ @ @ @ Pele , before Real Madrid signed him to great fanfare in 2006 .
A slight @ @ @ @ @ , Robinho won league titles with Real and Milan and also turned out 100 times @ @ @ @ @ Copa America and the Confederations Cup .

Sao Paulo (AFP) –
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Veteran Brazilian striker Robinho has rejoined his boyhood club Santos, who he left to join Real Madrid as a 21-year-old rising star before spells with Manchester City and AC Milan.
The 36-year-old penned a five-month deal paying the nominal amount of about 230 euros (250 dollars) per month with bonuses and an extension if things go well.
"This has always been my home, it's so special to come back here where my career began," he said.
He is currently a fugitive from Italian justice, having been condemned to jail for rape in Italy in 2017.
Robinho shot to fame with goals galore for the Rio outfit, which also produced Neymar and Pele, before Real Madrid signed him to great fanfare in 2006.
A slight and sublimely talented centre forward, Robinho won league titles with Real and Milan and also turned out 100 times for Brazil, winning the Copa America and the Confederations Cup.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--Polish GM ends world chess champion Carlsen's record undefeated run

World chess champion Magnus Carlsen has suffered his first defeat in more than two years and a record 125 games , while playing a tournament in his native Norway .
The world number one resigned after when he was a bishop down in the endgame against Polish grandmaster Jan-Krzysztof Duda , who is ranked a relatively humble number 15 in the world .
But on Saturday evening , 22-year-old Duda managed to do what no one -- including the world 's top 10 players -- had managed to do since July 2018 .
It was Duda 's only win of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as he told Chess 24 afterwards , `` I did n't expect to win this game . ''
But he was , he said `` extremely happy , obviously '' .
Carlsen , who is often tough on himself in post-game analysis , offered no excuses .
`` Extremely disappointing '' , he said : `` Completely unforgivable '' .
Carlsen 's undefeated run stretches all the way back to July 31 , 2018 , when Azerbaijani grandmaster Shakhriyar Mamedyarov defeated him .
During that time , Carlsen scored 44 wins and @ @ @ @ @ @

Oslo (AFP) –
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World chess champion Magnus Carlsen has suffered his first defeat in more than two years and a record 125 games, while playing a tournament in his native Norway.
The world number one resigned after when he was a bishop down in the endgame against Polish grandmaster Jan-Krzysztof Duda, who is ranked a relatively humble number 15 in the world.
But on Saturday evening, 22-year-old Duda managed to do what no one -- including the world's top 10 players -- had managed to do since July 2018.
It was Duda's only win of the tournament in Stavanger so far and, as he told Chess 24 afterwards, "I didn't expect to win this game."
But he was, he said "extremely happy, obviously".
Carlsen, who is often tough on himself in post-game analysis, offered no excuses. "Extremely disappointing", he said: "Completely unforgivable".
Carlsen's undefeated run stretches all the way back to July 31, 2018, when Azerbaijani grandmaster Shakhriyar Mamedyarov defeated him. During that time, Carlsen scored 44 wins and 81 draws against his opponents.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--Turkish Cypriots vote for new leader amid east Med tensions

A Turkish-Cypriot woman casts her ballot at a voting station in the northern part of Nicosia , the capital of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus The self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was voting on Sunday for a new leader amid heightened tensions on the divided island and in the wider eastern Mediterranean .
The presidential election in the breakaway region pits the incumbent Mustafa Akinci , who supports the reunification of Cyprus , against nationalist Ersin Tatar , who is backed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
The vote in the TRNC , which is recognised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Turkish troops angered the Republic of Cyrus , an EU member , by reopening access to the seaside ghost town of Varosha for the first time in decades .
That move sparked protests in the majority Greek-speaking Republic of Cyprus , which exercises its authority over the island 's southern two thirds , separated from the north by a UN-patrolled buffer zone .
Almost 200,0000 of the about 300,000 residents are registered to vote in the TRNC , which was established after the northern third of the island was occupied in 1974 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to annex Cyprus to Greece .
The election comes amid tensions in the eastern Mediterranean over the planned exploitation of hydrocarbons between Turkey on the one hand , and Greece as well as its close ally Cyprus on the other .
Erdogan announced on Tuesday , together with Tatar , the partial reopening of Varosha , a beachside resort that drew Hollywood stars and other celebrities in the 1970s before it was abandoned by its Greek-Cypriot inhabitants during the Turkish invasion .
The move to allow visitors back into the abandoned and fenced-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates , who saw it as Turkish interference in the election .
It was also heavily criticised by the Republic of Cyprus , the European Union and the United Nations , whose peacekeepers monitor the 180-kilometre ( 112-mile ) buffer zone between the two parts of the island .
Kemal Baykalli , founder of the non-government group Unite Cyprus Now , told AFP that `` the main issue of this election is how we will define our relationship with Turkey '' .
Eleven candidates are in the running , and the favourite is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who favours loosening ties with Ankara , which has earned him the hostility of Erdogan .
The negotiations aimed at reunification stalled during Akinci 's term of office , notably on the question of the withdrawal of tens of thousands of Turkish soldiers stationed in the TRNC .
Turkey supports the nationalist Tatar , 60 , currently `` prime minister '' of the breakaway north .
`` We 're actually choosing the president who will be negotiating with the Greek Cypriots about the future of Cyprus , so I think that it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esat Tulek , a 73-year-old retired public servant .
Voting at 738 polling stations was to close at 6:00 pm ( 1500 GMT ) , with result due to be released in the evening .
If no candidate wins at least 50 percent of the vote , the two leading candidates will face off in a second round on October 18 .
The Varosha announcement led to the withdrawal of the party of one candidate , Kudret Ozersay , from the ruling coalition and its de facto collapse even though it continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a researcher at the Berlin-based Forum Transregionale Studien , said many Turkish Cypriots felt `` wounded in their honour and identity '' by what they considered to be interference from Ankara , even if the reopening remains largely symbolic .
Another voter , Aysin Demirag , a 59-year-old yoga teacher , said the reopening `` is really unfair to the owners ( of property in Varosha ) -- they were ignored , this was to be part of a future agreement . ''
She said that the Varosha reopening , `` under pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with days to go before the elections , was really a bad decision '' .
Residents queing at polling booths , masked amid the Covid-19 pandemic , kept their distance from one another , guided by markings on the ground and police officers .
The election is being held amid an economic crisis , amplified by the pandemic , which has largely shuttered the tourism sector and led to the closure of Ercan airport in north Nicosia and the crossing points to the south of the island .

Nicosia (AFP) –
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The self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was voting on Sunday for a new leader amid heightened tensions on the divided island and in the wider eastern Mediterranean.
The presidential election in the breakaway region pits the incumbent Mustafa Akinci, who supports the reunification of Cyprus, against nationalist Ersin Tatar, who is backed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The vote in the TRNC, which is recognised only by Ankara, comes three days after Turkish troops angered the Republic of Cyrus, an EU member, by reopening access to the seaside ghost town of Varosha for the first time in decades.
That move sparked protests in the majority Greek-speaking Republic of Cyprus, which exercises its authority over the island's southern two thirds, separated from the north by a UN-patrolled buffer zone.
Almost 200,0000 of the about 300,000 residents are registered to vote in the TRNC, which was established after the northern third of the island was occupied in 1974 by Turkey in reaction to a coup to annex Cyprus to Greece.
The election comes amid tensions in the eastern Mediterranean over the planned exploitation of hydrocarbons between Turkey on the one hand, and Greece as well as its close ally Cyprus on the other.
Erdogan announced on Tuesday, together with Tatar, the partial reopening of Varosha, a beachside resort that drew Hollywood stars and other celebrities in the 1970s before it was abandoned by its Greek-Cypriot inhabitants during the Turkish invasion.
The move to allow visitors back into the abandoned and fenced-off area was condemned by Akinci and other candidates, who saw it as Turkish interference in the election.
It was also heavily criticised by the Republic of Cyprus, the European Union and the United Nations, whose peacekeepers monitor the 180-kilometre (112-mile) buffer zone between the two parts of the island.
Kemal Baykalli, founder of the non-government group Unite Cyprus Now, told AFP that "the main issue of this election is how we will define our relationship with Turkey".
- 'Pressure from Turkey' -
Eleven candidates are in the running, and the favourite is Akinci, 72, a Social Democrat who favours loosening ties with Ankara, which has earned him the hostility of Erdogan.
The negotiations aimed at reunification stalled during Akinci's term of office, notably on the question of the withdrawal of tens of thousands of Turkish soldiers stationed in the TRNC.
Turkey supports the nationalist Tatar, 60, currently "prime minister" of the breakaway north.
"We're actually choosing the president who will be negotiating with the Greek Cypriots about the future of Cyprus, so I think that it is important," said one voter, Esat Tulek, a 73-year-old retired public servant.
Voting at 738 polling stations was to close at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT), with result due to be released in the evening.
If no candidate wins at least 50 percent of the vote, the two leading candidates will face off in a second round on October 18.
The Varosha announcement led to the withdrawal of the party of one candidate, Kudret Ozersay, from the ruling coalition and its de facto collapse even though it continues to run day-to-day affairs.
Yektan Turkyilmaz, a researcher at the Berlin-based Forum Transregionale Studien, said many Turkish Cypriots felt "wounded in their honour and identity" by what they considered to be interference from Ankara, even if the reopening remains largely symbolic.
Another voter, Aysin Demirag, a 59-year-old yoga teacher, said the reopening "is really unfair to the owners (of property in Varosha) -- they were ignored, this was to be part of a future agreement."
She said that the Varosha reopening, "under pressure from Turkey, organised as a show with days to go before the elections, was really a bad decision".
Residents queing at polling booths, masked amid the Covid-19 pandemic, kept their distance from one another, guided by markings on the ground and police officers.
The election is being held amid an economic crisis, amplified by the pandemic, which has largely shuttered the tourism sector and led to the closure of Ercan airport in north Nicosia and the crossing points to the south of the island.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--Squads named for Women's T20 Challenge, Aussies miss out

India 's Smriti Mandhana will lead the Trailblazers in the women 's T20 challenge in the UAE India 's top cricketer Smriti Mandhana will lead the Trailblazers squad in the Women 's T20 Challenge to be held during the playoff week of the Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates , organisers said Sunday .
Australian stars will miss out on the four-match tournament to be held from November 4 to 9 as the dates clash with the Women 's Big Bash League ( WBBL ) , widely considered the top women 's Twenty20 tournament .
The WBBL is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to November 29 in Sydney where an Olympic-style sports village has been set up .
Australian stars had in August expressed displeasure over the scheduling of the Women 's Challenge , saying it would force players to pick between the two competitions .
India 's Harmanpreet Kaur , and Mithali Raj were named as captains of the Supernovas and Velocity teams in the squads named by the Board of Control for Cricket in India .
The teams were picked by a selection committee , unlike the IPL where players are bought in auctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ICC Emerging Player of the Year in 2018 , would play for the Trailblazers in the tournament which will also have players from Sri Lanka , New Zealand , South Africa and the West Indies .
Thailand 's Natthakan Chantham , who scored her country 's first Women 's T20 World Cup half-century , will become the first Thai cricketer to feature in the tournament , the BCCI statement added .
The IPL and the Women 's Challenge were moved to the UAE as coronavirus cases soared in India , the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States .
The games are being played behind closed doors at three venues including Dubai and Sharjah .
The IPL final will be played on November 10 .

New Delhi (AFP) –
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India's top cricketer Smriti Mandhana will lead the Trailblazers squad in the Women's T20 Challenge to be held during the playoff week of the Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates, organisers said Sunday.
Australian stars will miss out on the four-match tournament to be held from November 4 to 9 as the dates clash with the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), widely considered the top women's Twenty20 tournament.
The WBBL is due to be held from October 25 to November 29 in Sydney where an Olympic-style sports village has been set up.
Australian stars had in August expressed displeasure over the scheduling of the Women's Challenge, saying it would force players to pick between the two competitions.
India's Harmanpreet Kaur, and Mithali Raj were named as captains of the Supernovas and Velocity teams in the squads named by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The teams were picked by a selection committee, unlike the IPL where players are bought in auctions.
England's Sophie Ecclestone, named the ICC Emerging Player of the Year in 2018, would play for the Trailblazers in the tournament which will also have players from Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies.
Thailand's Natthakan Chantham, who scored her country's first Women's T20 World Cup half-century, will become the first Thai cricketer to feature in the tournament, the BCCI statement added.
The IPL and the Women's Challenge were moved to the UAE as coronavirus cases soared in India, the second worst-hit country in the world after the United States.
The games are being played behind closed doors at three venues including Dubai and Sharjah.
The IPL final will be played on November 10.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--Fires brought under control in Syria, Lebanon

Smoke from a forest fire in Syria 's Latakia province , which overlooks the Mediterranean sea , pictured by the official Syrian Arab News Agency on October 10 Fires that ravaged parts of Syria and Lebanon in recent days have been brought under control , authorities in the two countries said on Sunday .
In Syria , blazes fuelled by high temperatures broke out Friday in the provinces of Homs , Tartus and Latakia , where at least three people died , according to the health ministry .
Several families had to flee residential areas near the fires , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams , supported by army units and the population , are now in control of all the fires in the province '' of Latakia , governor Ibrahim Khader al-Salem said , quoted by state news agency SANA .
Firefighters were still on the scene trying `` to cool the burned sites , '' he added .
SANA said all fires in Tartus had also been brought under control , and crews had managed to completely extinguish a fire in the Korb Ali forest in the western suburbs of Homs .
Syrian Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover from the blazes and support those who had been forced to flee their homes .
In neighbouring Lebanon , more than 100 forest fires that raged since Thursday were also completely under control , a civil defence source told AFP .
Authorities have yet to reveal the full extent of the damage from the fires in Syria and Lebanon .
In Israel , fires fuelled by the heatwave were brought under control overnight Friday-Saturday , the firefighting service said .
`` After more than 30 hours of firefighting , we have brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but ) we remain vigilant , '' the fire service there said in a statement on Saturday .

Damascus (AFP) –
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Fires that ravaged parts of Syria and Lebanon in recent days have been brought under control, authorities in the two countries said on Sunday.
In Syria, blazes fuelled by high temperatures broke out Friday in the provinces of Homs, Tartus and Latakia, where at least three people died, according to the health ministry.
Several families had to flee residential areas near the fires, according to media reports.
"Civil defence teams, supported by army units and the population, are now in control of all the fires in the province" of Latakia, governor Ibrahim Khader al-Salem said, quoted by state news agency SANA.
Firefighters were still on the scene trying "to cool the burned sites," he added.
SANA said all fires in Tartus had also been brought under control, and crews had managed to completely extinguish a fire in the Korb Ali forest in the western suburbs of Homs.
Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous said efforts were underway to recover from the blazes and support those who had been forced to flee their homes.
In neighbouring Lebanon, more than 100 forest fires that raged since Thursday were also completely under control, a civil defence source told AFP.
Authorities have yet to reveal the full extent of the damage from the fires in Syria and Lebanon.
In Israel, fires fuelled by the heatwave were brought under control overnight Friday-Saturday, the firefighting service said.
"After more than 30 hours of firefighting, we have brought the main fires under control... (but) we remain vigilant," the fire service there said in a statement on Saturday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--Heavy shelling and civilian casualties dash hopes for Karabakh ceasefire

Azerbaijan reported overnight shelling by Armenian forces on the country 's second largest city , Ganja Hopes that a Russian-brokered ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan might hold were further dashed Sunday , with both sides accusing the other of intense shelling on civilian areas and escalating two weeks of fierce clashes .
Azerbaijan 's foreign ministry said that overnight shelling by Armenian forces on the country 's second largest city , Ganja , had left seven people dead and 33 wounded including children , less than 24 hours after the halt to fighting was supposed to take effect .
Rescuers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debris with their bare hands in search of signs of survivors , an AFP journalist in the city reported .
They retrieved one nearly naked body and gingerly put it in a white bag to be taken away in an ambulance while several horrified residents watched on and wept .
One witness said they were woken by a huge blast that levelled an entire square block of one- and two-floor houses in the early hours of the morning , leaving nine apartments destroyed .
`` Everything I 've worked for my entire life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zagit Aliyev , 68 .
The agreement to pause hostilities in order to exchange prisoners and the bodies of people killed after two weeks of fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region was approved by Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in marathon Russia-brokered talks in Moscow .
The truce officially entered into force at noon on Saturday but both sides almost immediately accused each other of violations .
On Sunday , the defence ministry in the breakaway region insisted Armenian forces were respecting the humanitarian ceasefire and in turn accused Azerbaijan of shelling civilian-populated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for shelling Ganja were `` an absolute lie , '' it added .
The leader of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region , Arayik Harutyunyan , described the situation as `` calmer '' on Sunday , but warned that the truce was precarious .
An AFP journalist in the administrative capital of Stepanakert , which has been subjected to heavy bombings since the fighting erupted and is pockmarked with deep craters and unexploded ordnance , reported hearing loud explosions throughout the night .
Vahram Poghosyan , a spokesman for Karabakh 's leader , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disrespect of the agreements reached in Moscow , '' and called on the international community to recognise the province 's independence as a way to end the fighting .
New fighting broke out late last month , stemming from a long-simmering disagreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh .
The disputed territory is an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan , home to about 150,000 people , which broke from Azerbaijan 's control in a war in the 1990s that killed some 30,000 people .
Its separatist government is strongly backed by Armenia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union .
The most recent bout of fighting has been the heaviest since the 1990s war , with more than 450 people reported dead , thousands forced to flee their homes and fears the fighting could escalate into a devastating all-out conflict .
The return of fighting has stoked fears of a full-blown war embroiling Turkey , which strongly backs Azerbaijan , and Russia , which has a military treaty with Armenia .
France , Russia and the US -- known as the `` Minsk Group '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution to the Karabakh conflict , but have failed to stop sporadic outbreaks of fighting , and Baku with Turkey 's backing appears set on continuing with its military intervention .
A senior Azerbaijani official said Saturday the truce was only meant to be `` temporary , '' and said Baku had `` no intention to backtrack '' on its effort to retake control of Karabakh .

Stepanakert (Azerbaijan) (AFP) –
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Hopes that a Russian-brokered ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan might hold were further dashed Sunday, with both sides accusing the other of intense shelling on civilian areas and escalating two weeks of fierce clashes.
Azerbaijan's foreign ministry said that overnight shelling by Armenian forces on the country's second largest city, Ganja, had left seven people dead and 33 wounded including children, less than 24 hours after the halt to fighting was supposed to take effect.
Rescuers in red helmets dug through piles of debris with their bare hands in search of signs of survivors, an AFP journalist in the city reported.
They retrieved one nearly naked body and gingerly put it in a white bag to be taken away in an ambulance while several horrified residents watched on and wept.
One witness said they were woken by a huge blast that levelled an entire square block of one- and two-floor houses in the early hours of the morning, leaving nine apartments destroyed.
"Everything I've worked for my entire life has been destroyed," said resident Zagit Aliyev, 68.
The agreement to pause hostilities in order to exchange prisoners and the bodies of people killed after two weeks of fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region was approved by Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in marathon Russia-brokered talks in Moscow.
- 'An absolute lie' -
The truce officially entered into force at noon on Saturday but both sides almost immediately accused each other of violations.
On Sunday, the defence ministry in the breakaway region insisted Armenian forces were respecting the humanitarian ceasefire and in turn accused Azerbaijan of shelling civilian-populated areas.
Claims that Armenian forces were responsible for shelling Ganja were "an absolute lie," it added.
The leader of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, Arayik Harutyunyan, described the situation as "calmer" on Sunday, but warned that the truce was precarious.
An AFP journalist in the administrative capital of Stepanakert, which has been subjected to heavy bombings since the fighting erupted and is pockmarked with deep craters and unexploded ordnance, reported hearing loud explosions throughout the night.
Vahram Poghosyan, a spokesman for Karabakh's leader, said the overnight shelling on Stepanakert was "a disrespect of the agreements reached in Moscow," and called on the international community to recognise the province's independence as a way to end the fighting.
New fighting broke out late last month, stemming from a long-simmering disagreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh.
The disputed territory is an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, home to about 150,000 people, which broke from Azerbaijan's control in a war in the 1990s that killed some 30,000 people.
Its separatist government is strongly backed by Armenia, which like Azerbaijan gained independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.
- A 'temporary' ceasefire -
The most recent bout of fighting has been the heaviest since the 1990s war, with more than 450 people reported dead, thousands forced to flee their homes and fears the fighting could escalate into a devastating all-out conflict.
The return of fighting has stoked fears of a full-blown war embroiling Turkey, which strongly backs Azerbaijan, and Russia, which has a military treaty with Armenia.
France, Russia and the US -- known as the "Minsk Group" -- have for decades sought a lasting solution to the Karabakh conflict, but have failed to stop sporadic outbreaks of fighting, and Baku with Turkey's backing appears set on continuing with its military intervention.
A senior Azerbaijani official said Saturday the truce was only meant to be "temporary," and said Baku had "no intention to backtrack" on its effort to retake control of Karabakh.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--All Blacks, Wallabies dejected by 'wild' draw on Test rugby resumption

Honours even : Australia and New Zealand players react with a combination of disappointment and exhaustion after the final whistle of their thrilling 16-16 draw in Wellington on Sunday The All Blacks and Wallabies were both left dejected after they battled for nearly 90 minutes in a 'wild ' thriller to relaunch international rugby after the Covid hiatus only to end up with 16-16 draw .
There were chances for both sides to snatch victory in the wind and rain at Wellington Stadium as play swept up and down the field for nearly 10 minutes after the final hooter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settle for a stalemate .
`` That 's bitterly disappointing for an All Blacks side , '' coach Ian Foster said while Wallabies ' mentor David Rennie said the Australians `` had a chance but did n't take it .
We 're certainly not celebrating in the changing room . ''
Although there were obvious signs of rust in the first Test for New Zealand and Australia in almost a year since the 2019 World Cup , as a showcase for a sport re-emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic the match was a gripping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been dominated by a war of words over the future course of the southern hemisphere 's Super Rugby and Rugby Championship competitions .
And there was little clue in the pulsating battle on the field that the Wallabies had not won in New Zealand since 2001 and had not lifted the trans-Tasman Bledisloe Cup for 18 years .
The All Blacks started as overwhelming favourites but they were a whisker away from seismic upset when , with the score 16-16 and the 80 minutes expired , a booming Reece Hodge penalty from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Wallabies rebounded off the upright .
That ignited a frenzied period in which play swept from one end the field to the other as both teams unsuccessfully attempted to find the winning points as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes .
`` I wo n't forget that game any time soon .
It was wild , '' said Wallabies captain Michael Hooper who was celebrating his 100th Test cap .
Rennie said it his Wallabies needed to improve the quality of their cleanout after infringing on multiple occasions at the breakdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's an area we 'll need to be better at next week .
We gave away 14 penalties and a big chunk of those were post-tackle , '' he said .
The one pleasing aspect for the New Zealand-born Rennie was that the Wallabies were not happy with the draw .
`` I 'm rapt with the character .
What I like is seeing the disappointment with the guys in the changing room , '' he said .
`` There 's three Tests ( in the 2020 Bledisloe Cup series ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two , so from that perspective it 's not a bad result but we 're certainly not satisfied with a draw . ''
The All Blacks were forced to make 100 tackles more than the Wallabies and disappointed skipper Sam Cane said it was difficult to win from that situation .
`` In Test matches you ca n't be defending the whole time .
It would be quite nice to apply more pressure with the ball and that will be a focus for us this week . ''
After the All Blacks last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Perth into a 36-0 rout in Auckland a week later , Foster was not fazed by drawing the series opener .
`` I do n't think it puts us on the back foot , '' he said , adding he liked the `` do n't give up attitude '' from the All Blacks at the end , although they made some sloppy errors .
That included Rieko Ioane botching a certain try just on half-time when he dived for the line and lost control of the ball before he could complete a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who led 8-3 at half-time , tries were scored by Jordie Barrett and Aaron Smith with Barrett landing two penalties .
Wings Marika Koroibete and Filipo Daugunu scored the Wallabies tries with James O'Connor adding two penalties .

Wellington (AFP) –
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The All Blacks and Wallabies were both left dejected after they battled for nearly 90 minutes in a 'wild' thriller to relaunch international rugby after the Covid hiatus only to end up with 16-16 draw.
There were chances for both sides to snatch victory in the wind and rain at Wellington Stadium as play swept up and down the field for nearly 10 minutes after the final hooter, but in the end they had to settle for a stalemate.
"That's bitterly disappointing for an All Blacks side," coach Ian Foster said while Wallabies' mentor David Rennie said the Australians "had a chance but didn't take it. We're certainly not celebrating in the changing room."
Although there were obvious signs of rust in the first Test for New Zealand and Australia in almost a year since the 2019 World Cup, as a showcase for a sport re-emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic the match was a gripping cliffhanger.
The build-up to the match had been dominated by a war of words over the future course of the southern hemisphere's Super Rugby and Rugby Championship competitions.
And there was little clue in the pulsating battle on the field that the Wallabies had not won in New Zealand since 2001 and had not lifted the trans-Tasman Bledisloe Cup for 18 years.
The All Blacks started as overwhelming favourites but they were a whisker away from seismic upset when, with the score 16-16 and the 80 minutes expired, a booming Reece Hodge penalty from 55 metres to win the match for the Wallabies rebounded off the upright.
- 'I won't forget that game' -
That ignited a frenzied period in which play swept from one end the field to the other as both teams unsuccessfully attempted to find the winning points as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes.
"I won't forget that game any time soon. It was wild," said Wallabies captain Michael Hooper who was celebrating his 100th Test cap.
Rennie said it his Wallabies needed to improve the quality of their cleanout after infringing on multiple occasions at the breakdown.
"It just wasn't good enough. It's an area we'll need to be better at next week. We gave away 14 penalties and a big chunk of those were post-tackle," he said.
The one pleasing aspect for the New Zealand-born Rennie was that the Wallabies were not happy with the draw.
"I'm rapt with the character. What I like is seeing the disappointment with the guys in the changing room," he said.
"There's three Tests (in the 2020 Bledisloe Cup series) left and we've got to win two, so from that perspective it's not a bad result but we're certainly not satisfied with a draw."
The All Blacks were forced to make 100 tackles more than the Wallabies and disappointed skipper Sam Cane said it was difficult to win from that situation.
"In Test matches you can't be defending the whole time. It would be quite nice to apply more pressure with the ball and that will be a focus for us this week."
After the All Blacks last year turned a 47-26 loss to Australia in Perth into a 36-0 rout in Auckland a week later, Foster was not fazed by drawing the series opener.
"I don't think it puts us on the back foot," he said, adding he liked the "don't give up attitude" from the All Blacks at the end, although they made some sloppy errors.
That included Rieko Ioane botching a certain try just on half-time when he dived for the line and lost control of the ball before he could complete a one-handed finish.
For the All Blacks, who led 8-3 at half-time, tries were scored by Jordie Barrett and Aaron Smith with Barrett landing two penalties.
Wings Marika Koroibete and Filipo Daugunu scored the Wallabies tries with James O'Connor adding two penalties.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-12--Fauci says Trump campaign ad twists his words on virus

Top government scientist Anthony Fauci said he has `` never publicly endorsed any political candidate '' after Donald Trump released a reelection ad that seemed to show him praising the president 's response to the coronavirus pandemic Top government scientist Anthony Fauci said Sunday that an ad aired by Donald Trump 's reelection campaign was edited to make him seem to endorse the president 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` In my nearly five decades of public service , I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate , '' Fauci , the longtime director of the National Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement sent to AFP .
The 30-second campaign ad cites Trump 's personal experience with the virus -- `` President Trump is recovering from the coronavirus , and so is America , '' it says -- before including a brief clip in which Fauci appears to praise the president 's response to the pandemic .
`` I ca n't imagine that anybody could be doing more , '' Fauci is shown as saying , creating the clear impression he is referring to Trump .
But a complete clip of Fauci 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March with Fox News , shows the doctor saying : `` I have been devoting almost full time on this .
I 'm down at the White House virtually every day with the task force .
It 's every single day .
So , I ca n't imagine that under any circumstances that anybody could be doing more . ''
In his statement Sunday , Fauci said , `` The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health officials . ''
Trump defended the clip , and his handling of pandemic , and rebutted the doctor 's criticism .
`` They are indeed Dr. Fauci 's own words .
We have done a 'phenomenal ' job , according to certain governors , '' the president wrote in a tweet .
As a leading member of the White House task force on the coronavirus , the 79-year-old doctor has frequently had to walk a fine line in attempting to clarify -- or correct -- the Trump 's often incautious assertions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines being developed against Covid-19 .
Fauci has at times aroused Trump 's ire , as when the president in April retweeted a message containing the hashtag # FireFauci -- before publicly insisting the doctor was doing a great job .

Washington (AFP) –
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Top government scientist Anthony Fauci said Sunday that an ad aired by Donald Trump's reelection campaign was edited to make him seem to endorse the president's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
"In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate," Fauci, the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, said in a statement sent to AFP.
The 30-second campaign ad cites Trump's personal experience with the virus -- "President Trump is recovering from the coronavirus, and so is America," it says -- before including a brief clip in which Fauci appears to praise the president's response to the pandemic.
"I can't imagine that anybody could be doing more," Fauci is shown as saying, creating the clear impression he is referring to Trump.
But a complete clip of Fauci's comments, made during an interview in March with Fox News, shows the doctor saying: "I have been devoting almost full time on this. I'm down at the White House virtually every day with the task force. It's every single day. So, I can't imagine that under any circumstances that anybody could be doing more."
In his statement Sunday, Fauci said, "The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials."
Trump defended the clip, and his handling of pandemic, and rebutted the doctor's criticism.
"They are indeed Dr. Fauci's own words. We have done a 'phenomenal' job, according to certain governors," the president wrote in a tweet.
As a leading member of the White House task force on the coronavirus, the 79-year-old doctor has frequently had to walk a fine line in attempting to clarify -- or correct -- the Trump's often incautious assertions about the disease or the treatments and vaccines being developed against Covid-19.
Fauci has at times aroused Trump's ire, as when the president in April retweeted a message containing the hashtag #FireFauci -- before publicly insisting the doctor was doing a great job.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--Lithuania's centre-right opposition party says on track to win election

Lithuania 's main opposition party , the centre-right Homeland Union , appeared likely to win Sunday 's first round of a national election , seen as a vote of confidence on Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis ' handling of the coronavirus crisis .
With about 50 % of votes counted , the party , which has roots in the 1980s anti-Soviet independence movement , was in the lead with 20.5 % .
The Farmers and Greens party ( LVZS ) , an agrarian grouping that leads Skvernelis ' ruling coalition , was at 19.5 % .
More ballots are due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Homeland Union 's main electoral base where LVZS is unpopular .
`` It is very likely that the party will be the number one '' , Homeland Union chairman Gabrielius Landsbergis told Reuters in his party headquarters in central Vilnius .
Ramunas Karbauskis , LVZS ' leader , appeared ready to concede .
`` It seems that , after all the votes are counted , we will be number two '' , he said .
More than a dozen other groups are also in the running , opening the way for complicated coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic policy following the ballot .
Under Lithuania 's hybrid election system , half of the 141-member parliament will be elected on Sunday in a proportional vote .
The remaining lawmakers are elected in constituencies , with a run-off vote for the top two candidates in each of them scheduled on Oct. 25 .
Mindful of contagion , election officials asked voters to mark ballots with their own pens .
Lithuania has reported 8,899 coronavirus infections - including a record 205 new cases on Saturday - and 103 deaths .
Many in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million are aggrieved at income inequality despite brisk economic growth since Lithuania joined the European Union in 2004 .
A fifth of people were at risk of poverty in 2019 , mostly the elderly , which was the same figure as a decade ago , according to the state statistics authority .
However , Lithuania 's relative resistance to the economic impact of coronavirus curbs has helped offset a previous slump in support for the government over corruption allegations .
The economy decreased 4 % year-on-year in the second quarter of 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The central bank attributed that to a prompt and short lockdown , generous state support and relatively unaffected trading partners .

Lithuania's main opposition party, the centre-right Homeland Union, appeared likely to win Sunday's first round of a national election, seen as a vote of confidence on Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis' handling of the coronavirus crisis.
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With about 50% of votes counted, the party, which has roots in the 1980s anti-Soviet independence movement, was in the lead with 20.5%.
The Farmers and Greens party (LVZS), an agrarian grouping that leads Skvernelis' ruling coalition, was at 19.5%.
More ballots are due to come in from larger cities, the Homeland Union's main electoral base where LVZS is unpopular.
"It is very likely that the party will be the number one", Homeland Union chairman Gabrielius Landsbergis told Reuters in his party headquarters in central Vilnius.
Ramunas Karbauskis, LVZS' leader, appeared ready to concede. "It seems that, after all the votes are counted, we will be number two", he said.
More than a dozen other groups are also in the running, opening the way for complicated coalition talks that will affect the shape of economic policy following the ballot.
Under Lithuania's hybrid election system, half of the 141-member parliament will be elected on Sunday in a proportional vote. The remaining lawmakers are elected in constituencies, with a run-off vote for the top two candidates in each of them scheduled on Oct. 25.
Mindful of contagion, election officials asked voters to mark ballots with their own pens. Lithuania has reported 8,899 coronavirus infections - including a record 205 new cases on Saturday - and 103 deaths.
Many in the Baltic Sea state of less than 3 million are aggrieved at income inequality despite brisk economic growth since Lithuania joined the European Union in 2004.
A fifth of people were at risk of poverty in 2019, mostly the elderly, which was the same figure as a decade ago, according to the state statistics authority.
However, Lithuania's relative resistance to the economic impact of coronavirus curbs has helped offset a previous slump in support for the government over corruption allegations.
The economy decreased 4% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2020, the second best result in the EU. The central bank attributed that to a prompt and short lockdown, generous state support and relatively unaffected trading partners.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-11--Cowboys' Prescott taken to hospital with ugly ankle injury

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was taken to hospital after suffering an ugly right ankle injury Sunday in the NFL @ @ @ @ @ New York Giants in Dallas .
Prescott was running the ball with 6:33 left to @ @ @ @ @ when he was pulled down by Giants cornerback Logan Ryan , his leg getting twisted @ @ @ @ @ coaches gathered around him and Prescott was in tears as he was carted off the @ @ @ @ @ foot already encased in a pressure cast .
Andy Dalton took over as the Cowboys @ @ @ @ @ a scoring drive that ended with a touchdown from running back Ezekiel Elliott that gave @ @ @ @ @ Cowboys were 1-3 coming into the fifth week of the season although Prescott has put @ @ @ @ @ three straight games of 450 passing yards .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was taken to hospital after suffering an ugly right ankle injury Sunday in the NFL team's game against the New York Giants in Dallas.
Prescott was running the ball with 6:33 left to play in the third quarter when he was pulled down by Giants cornerback Logan Ryan, his leg getting twisted underneath him.
Players and coaches gathered around him and Prescott was in tears as he was carted off the field, his ankle and foot already encased in a pressure cast.
Andy Dalton took over as the Cowboys' quarterback and finished off a scoring drive that ended with a touchdown from running back Ezekiel Elliott that gave Dallas 31-23 lead.
The Cowboys were 1-3 coming into the fifth week of the season although Prescott has put up some impressive numbers with three straight games of 450 passing yards.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-11--Raiders stun NFL champ Chiefs as Steelers stay unbeaten

Derek Carr threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns passes Sunday to spark the Las Vegas Raiders over previously unbeaten Kansas City 40-32 and snap two epic NFL droughts .
Carr had an 0-6 career record at Arrowhead Stadium -- losing by an average of 17 points -- and the Raiders had lost seven consecutive games in the home venue of the reigning Super Bowl champions , but both those hoodoos were broken in the high-scoring duel .
Carr completed 22-of-31 passes and made scoring tosses of 72 yards to rookie Henry Ruggs , 59 yards to Nelson Agholor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacobs rushed 23 times for 77 yards with touchdown runs of two and seven yards .
The Raiders improved to 3-2 , one game behind the 4-1 Chiefs in the AFC West division , when Carr made a first down on a fourth-down quarterback sneak late in the fourth quarter , allowing Vegas to run out the clock .
The Chiefs and Raiders were level 24-24 at halftime but Vegas defenders forced three straight punts and Jeff Heath intercepted Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes to set up a Raiders touchdown .
Mahomes completed 22-of-43 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ran for another score but the Chiefs suffered their first loss since last November at Tennessee .
The host Pittsburgh Steelers stayed unbeaten by holding off Philadelphia 38-29 , reaching 4-0 for the first time since 1979 to remain atop the AFC North .
The Steelers had not scored 30 points in a game since late 2018 , what had been the NFL 's longest active drought , but Ben Roethlisberger completed 27-of-34 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns , all to rookie Chase Claypool , who made seven catches in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a touchdown .
The Steelers scored on five consecutive possessions starting in the second quarter to seize a 31-14 lead , but the Eagles battled back and missed a chance to grab the lead when Jake Elliott missed a 57-yard field goal attempt with 3:18 remaining .
Pittsburgh took over and 38-year-old `` Big Ben '' connected with Claypool from 35 yards for a touchdown to seal the triumph .
Another elder passer , Washington 's 36-year-old Alex Smith , made a stunning comeback of his own in his team 's 30-10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Smith had not played since suffering spiral and compound fractures to the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg in November 2018 .
But an injury to Kyle Allen forced Smith into the lineup midway into the second quarter and he played the rest of the way .
`` Very surreal at first , '' Smith said .
`` To have it happen as fast as it did was almost a blessing ... Just no thinking and going and playing . ''
Smith went 9-of-17 for 37 yards and was sacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit that did not allow a Washington first down in the second half .
`` I 've been waiting on that for a long time , '' Smith said of his first sack .
`` The first one felt good .
It 's nice to know that you 're fine ... knock the cobwebs off so to speak . ''

New York (AFP) –
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Derek Carr threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns passes Sunday to spark the Las Vegas Raiders over previously unbeaten Kansas City 40-32 and snap two epic NFL droughts.
Carr had an 0-6 career record at Arrowhead Stadium -- losing by an average of 17 points -- and the Raiders had lost seven consecutive games in the home venue of the reigning Super Bowl champions, but both those hoodoos were broken in the high-scoring duel.
Carr completed 22-of-31 passes and made scoring tosses of 72 yards to rookie Henry Ruggs, 59 yards to Nelson Agholor and five yards to Darren Waller and Josh Jacobs rushed 23 times for 77 yards with touchdown runs of two and seven yards.
The Raiders improved to 3-2, one game behind the 4-1 Chiefs in the AFC West division, when Carr made a first down on a fourth-down quarterback sneak late in the fourth quarter, allowing Vegas to run out the clock.
The Chiefs and Raiders were level 24-24 at halftime but Vegas defenders forced three straight punts and Jeff Heath intercepted Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes to set up a Raiders touchdown.
Mahomes completed 22-of-43 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score but the Chiefs suffered their first loss since last November at Tennessee.
The host Pittsburgh Steelers stayed unbeaten by holding off Philadelphia 38-29, reaching 4-0 for the first time since 1979 to remain atop the AFC North.
The Steelers had not scored 30 points in a game since late 2018, what had been the NFL's longest active drought, but Ben Roethlisberger completed 27-of-34 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns, all to rookie Chase Claypool, who made seven catches in all for 110 yards and also ran for a touchdown.
The Steelers scored on five consecutive possessions starting in the second quarter to seize a 31-14 lead, but the Eagles battled back and missed a chance to grab the lead when Jake Elliott missed a 57-yard field goal attempt with 3:18 remaining.
Pittsburgh took over and 38-year-old "Big Ben" connected with Claypool from 35 yards for a touchdown to seal the triumph.
Another elder passer, Washington's 36-year-old Alex Smith, made a stunning comeback of his own in his team's 30-10 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Smith had not played since suffering spiral and compound fractures to the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg in November 2018.
But an injury to Kyle Allen forced Smith into the lineup midway into the second quarter and he played the rest of the way.
"Very surreal at first," Smith said. "To have it happen as fast as it did was almost a blessing... Just no thinking and going and playing."
Smith went 9-of-17 for 37 yards and was sacked six times by a punishing Rams defensive unit that did not allow a Washington first down in the second half.
"I've been waiting on that for a long time," Smith said of his first sack. "The first one felt good. It's nice to know that you're fine... knock the cobwebs off so to speak."
© 2020 AFP