france24--2020-11-10--Maradona progressing well after brain surgery

Messages of support are seen outside the private clinic where Argentine former football star and coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata Diego Maradona underwent a brain surgery for a blood clot , in Olivos , Buenos Aires Province , on November 9 , 2020 Argentine football great Diego Maradona is progressing well after brain surgery on a blood clot and could be discharged this week , his doctor said Monday .
Maradona , 60 , underwent surgery last Tuesday to remove a clot lodged between his brain and skull .
`` Diego is in the mood to leave , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be tomorrow or probably Wednesday , we have to see the clinical parameters , but the progress is very good , '' Leopoldo Luque told reporters .
Maradona , who went into isolation two weeks ago after one of his bodyguards displayed coronavirus symptoms , had looked unwell during a brief appearance on October 30 at his 60th birthday celebration at the stadium of Gimnasia y Esgrima , the Argentine Primera Division team he coaches .
He seemed to have difficulty walking and did not hang around to watch his side 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was taken to hospital in La Plata , where the club is based , suffering from symptoms of anemia and dehydration .
Tests revealed the blood clot , after which Maradona was transferred to a specialist clinic in the capital .
Since his surgery , he has progressed well , although Luque had revealed Thursday that Maradona was receiving intensive treatment and sedatives for withdrawal symptoms .
This treatment began to be scaled back on Monday .
Luque also played down a rumor cited by local press about the presence of a Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is everywhere , there is nothing here that there is not elsewhere , and the care and protocols are followed to perfection , '' he said .
Luque also avoided specifying where Maradona will recuperate once he is discharged .
`` We will discuss these issues when the time comes , we will discuss them together with the family .
We all agree to take Diego forward , '' he said .
Maradona has been admitted to hospital three times in the last 20 years for serious health issues -- two of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug and alcohol addictions .
Now free of drugs , Maradona remains dependent on alcohol .
Last week , his doctor had said the football star would require prolonged treatment in a clinic with different specialties than the current one .
Maradona 's daughters Dalma , Giannina and Jana visit him daily at the clinic .
His oldest son , Diego Jr , who lives in Italy , announced last Thursday on social media that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and therefore would not be able to travel to Buenos Aires .

Olivos (Argentina) (AFP) –
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Argentine football great Diego Maradona is progressing well after brain surgery on a blood clot and could be discharged this week, his doctor said Monday.
Maradona, 60, underwent surgery last Tuesday to remove a clot lodged between his brain and skull.
"Diego is in the mood to leave, and we are evaluating the discharge that could be tomorrow or probably Wednesday, we have to see the clinical parameters, but the progress is very good," Leopoldo Luque told reporters.
Maradona, who went into isolation two weeks ago after one of his bodyguards displayed coronavirus symptoms, had looked unwell during a brief appearance on October 30 at his 60th birthday celebration at the stadium of Gimnasia y Esgrima, the Argentine Primera Division team he coaches.
He seemed to have difficulty walking and did not hang around to watch his side's match.
The following Monday, he was taken to hospital in La Plata, where the club is based, suffering from symptoms of anemia and dehydration.
Tests revealed the blood clot, after which Maradona was transferred to a specialist clinic in the capital.
Since his surgery, he has progressed well, although Luque had revealed Thursday that Maradona was receiving intensive treatment and sedatives for withdrawal symptoms. This treatment began to be scaled back on Monday.
Luque also played down a rumor cited by local press about the presence of a Covid-19 patient in the clinic.
"Covid is everywhere, there is nothing here that there is not elsewhere, and the care and protocols are followed to perfection," he said.
Luque also avoided specifying where Maradona will recuperate once he is discharged.
"We will discuss these issues when the time comes, we will discuss them together with the family. We all agree to take Diego forward," he said.
Maradona has been admitted to hospital three times in the last 20 years for serious health issues -- two of which were potentially fatal -- due to his drug and alcohol addictions.
Now free of drugs, Maradona remains dependent on alcohol.
Last week, his doctor had said the football star would require prolonged treatment in a clinic with different specialties than the current one.
Maradona's daughters Dalma, Giannina and Jana visit him daily at the clinic.
His oldest son, Diego Jr, who lives in Italy, announced last Thursday on social media that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and therefore would not be able to travel to Buenos Aires.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--Drums beat for Pucovski after back-to-back double centuries

Australia were under pressure Tuesday to pick Will Pucovski as an opening batsman for the Test series against India after the young prodigy smacked back-to-back double centuries .
The 22-year-old hit an unbeaten 255 for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield last week , sharing in a record opening stand of 486 runs with Marcus Harris against South Australia .
He followed it with 202 against Western Australia on Monday which saw former Australia captains add their weight to growing calls for him to open alongside David Warner , at the expense of incumbent Joe Burns .
`` It 's against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this kid 's ready ... now is his time , '' former skipper Michael Clarke told reporters .
`` Got to pick him .
The fact this series is in Australia is a great way to get him into that Test team as well .
He is playing in conditions he is accustomed to . ''
Fellow former captains Ian Chappell and Kim Hughes expressed similar sentiments , as did Mark Waugh .
`` I would definitely be picking him for the first Test against India , '' Waugh told Fox Sports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening batsman . ''
`` Joe Burns has got a decent enough record but his start to the season has n't been ideal and he just has n't nailed that spot down . ''
Selectors are finalising their squad for the first of four Tests against India in Adelaide on December 17 , with Australia 's top six largely settled apart from Warner 's opening partner .
Pucovski has long been seen as one of Australia 's brightest prospects , but has battled concussion and mental-health issues .
He was in the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lanka , but after being overlooked for the first and again missing out on the second was released to return home and deal with his issues .
Elsewhere in the Sheffield Shield , former Test opener Matt Renshaw sent his own reminder with an unbeaten 168 while fellow Queenslander Mitchell Swepson took 5-55 .
It was Swepson 's third five-wicket haul in succession , cementing his burgeoning reputation as one of Australia 's most promising spinners .

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Australia were under pressure Tuesday to pick Will Pucovski as an opening batsman for the Test series against India after the young prodigy smacked back-to-back double centuries.
The 22-year-old hit an unbeaten 255 for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield last week, sharing in a record opening stand of 486 runs with Marcus Harris against South Australia.
He followed it with 202 against Western Australia on Monday which saw former Australia captains add their weight to growing calls for him to open alongside David Warner, at the expense of incumbent Joe Burns.
"It's against a good team, India, but this kid's ready ... now is his time," former skipper Michael Clarke told reporters.
"Got to pick him. The fact this series is in Australia is a great way to get him into that Test team as well. He is playing in conditions he is accustomed to."
Fellow former captains Ian Chappell and Kim Hughes expressed similar sentiments, as did Mark Waugh.
"I would definitely be picking him for the first Test against India," Waugh told Fox Sports. "He should be picked as an opening batsman."
"Joe Burns has got a decent enough record but his start to the season hasn't been ideal and he just hasn't nailed that spot down."
Selectors are finalising their squad for the first of four Tests against India in Adelaide on December 17, with Australia's top six largely settled apart from Warner's opening partner.
Pucovski has long been seen as one of Australia's brightest prospects, but has battled concussion and mental-health issues.
He was in the national set-up for Tests last summer against Sri Lanka, but after being overlooked for the first and again missing out on the second was released to return home and deal with his issues.
Elsewhere in the Sheffield Shield, former Test opener Matt Renshaw sent his own reminder with an unbeaten 168 while fellow Queenslander Mitchell Swepson took 5-55.
It was Swepson's third five-wicket haul in succession, cementing his burgeoning reputation as one of Australia's most promising spinners.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--Peru’s Congress votes to impeach President Vizcarra over graft allegations

Peru 's President Martin Vizcarra addresses lawmakers at Congress as he faces a second impeachment trial over corruption allegations , in Lima , Peru November 9 , 2020 .
Peru ’ s Congress voted to oust President Martín Vizcarra on Monday in an impeachment trial over corruption allegations , the second such effort to remove him in a matter of months .
The opposition-dominated Congress , following a debate , achieved the 87-vote threshold out of 130 needed to oust the centrist leader over accusations that he accepted bribes as a governor from companies that won public works contracts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s No .
2 copper producer in political turmoil as it looks to recover from an economic recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
Vizcarra , 57 , lacked a party in a fragmented Congress , creating a degree of uncertainty of how lawmakers may finally vote .
In September , Congress voted against his ouster in a separate impeachment trial over alleged links to a case of irregular government contracts with a little-known singer .
Vizcarra , a centrist who has long campaigned against official graft , denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the latest allegations that he accepted bribes from companies that won public works contracts when he was the governor of the southern region of Moquegua .
He warned of “ unpredictable consequences ” earlier on Monday if lawmakers impeached him just months ahead of the April 11 presidential election , in which he is not eligible to run .
The head of Congress , Manuel Merino , a member of minority party Popular Action , will now assume the presidency until the end of July 2021 , when Vizcarra ’ s term @ @ @ @ @

Peru’s Congress ousted President Martín Vizcarra on Monday in an impeachment vote over corruption allegations, prompting immediate tensions in the Andean nation.
Peru's President Martin Vizcarra addresses lawmakers at Congress as he faces a second impeachment trial over corruption allegations, in Lima, Peru November 9, 2020.
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Vizcarra said he would accept the Congress vote and would not take any legal action to counter it.
“Today I am leaving the presidential palace. Today I am going home,” Vizcarra said during a speech late on Monday, surrounded by his cabinet in the courtyard of the presidential residence in downtown Lima.
Head of Congress, Manuel Merino, an agronomist and businessman from the minority Popular Action, is expected to assume the presidency on Tuesday and will remain in office until the end of July 2021, when Vizcarra’s term was due to expire.
Merino called for calm after the vote and assured Peruvians that the April 11 presidential election would go on as planned.
“It is already called for,” he said about the election in an interview with the local station América Televisión.
In the second effort by lawmakers to remove the centrist Vizcarra in a matter of months, the opposition-dominated Congress put forward 105 votes to oust him over accusations that as a governor he accepted bribes from companies that won public works contracts.
The 105 votes far exceeded the 87-vote threshold out of 130 needed to remove him from office. There were 19 votes against his ouster and four abstentions.
Vizcarra has rejected the corruption allegations as “baseless” and “false.” He warned of “unpredictable consequences” earlier on Monday if lawmakers impeached him ahead of the April 11 election, in which he is not eligible to run.
Vizcarra’s removal from office plunges the world’s No. 2 copper producer into political turmoil as it looks to recover from an economic recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Dozens of people gathered at Plaza San Martín in downtown Lima in support of Vizcarra after the news of his ouster as police officers kept a close eye on the crowd.
Video circulated on social media showing Congressman Ricardo Burga, who voted in favor of the impeachment motion, being punched in the face by a bystander as he spoke to television reporters.
Vizcarra, 57, lacked a party in the fragmented Congress, and had a tense relationship with lawmakers, with whom he frequently locked horns over his anti-graft agenda. He dissolved Congress last year after a long-running standoff, a move that prompted criticism by right-wing lawmakers.
Vizcarra survived a first ouster attempt in September in a separate impeachment trial over alleged links to a case of irregular government contracts with a little-known singer. Only 32 in the chamber voted in favor of his ouster in that vote.
In November, however, lawmakers voted to move forward with a new impeachment trial over accusations that Vizcarra accepted bribes from companies that won public works contracts when he was the governor of the southern region of Moquegua.
Vizcarra’s removal could usher in a period of political tensions in the months leading up to elections as Peru is already strained by economic instability and the impact of the pandemic, analysts said.
“Political turmoil related to the latest impeachment process and corruption allegations add to deep distrust of the political class ahead of upcoming elections,” international firm Eurasia said in a report earlier on Monday.
'Coup in disguise'
Vizcarra’s government clashed with Merino in recent months over accusations that he tried to invoke the military in his request for Vizcarra’s removal. Merino denied any wrongdoing.
Analysts said Merino could push some populist measures in the months leading up to Peru’s elections.
“He would probably maintain the existing economic policy framework but advance some populist measures as he tries to win public support,” Eurasia said.
Lawmakers sympathetic to Vizcarra rejected his ouster and warned that the decision would heighten instability in the Andean country.
“This is a coup in disguise. We need calm, but also a lot of citizen surveillance,” George Forsyth, a mayor and one of the early front-runners for the 2021 election, said on Twitter.
Francisco Sagastegui, a lawmaker with the centrist Partido Morado, called the vote an “incorrect decision.”
“We think this is... a decision that adds much more uncertainty, creates problems, and will severely affect our citizens,” Sagastegui said.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-11-10--Trump admin stymies transition, orders probe into election ‘irregularities’ despite little evidence

File photo : U.S President Donald Trump returns to the White House after news media declared Democratic candidate Joe Biden to be the winner of the presidential election , in Washington , D.C. , November 7 , 2020 .
The Trump administration threw the presidential transition into tumult on Monday , Attorney General William Barr authorizing the Justice Department to probe allegations of voter fraud and President Donald Trump firing the Pentagon chief and blocking government officials from cooperating with President-elect Joe Biden ’ s team .
Despite little evidence of fraud , Barr signed off on investigations into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even as Biden began assembling experts to face the surging pandemic , the federal agency that needs to green light the beginnings of the transition of power held off on taking that step .
And the White House moved to crack down on those not deemed sufficiently loyal as Trump continued to refuse to concede the race .
Top Republicans largely refused to put widespread pressure on Trump to accept his election loss .
He remained out of sight at the White House , conversations ongoing about how the defeated president would spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenged the people ’ s verdict .
The ouster of Defense Secretary Mark Esper was expected by some aides to be the first of several firings by Trump , now freed from having to face voters again and angry at those in his administration perceived to be insufficiently loyal .
Others believed to be vulnerable : FBI Director Christopher Wray , CIA head Gina Haspel and infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci .
Out of sight but not unheard , Trump took to Twitter to again dispute the result of the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and illegal ” activity in the vote .
Trump is not expected to formally concede but is likely to grudgingly vacate the White House at the end of his term , according to several people around him .
He was in discussion with top allies about the possibility of more campaign-style rallies as he tries to keep his supporters fired up despite his defeat .
It was possible they would feature his family and top supporters but not the president himself .
The president was given cover to keep fighting by Senate Majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the GOP as the one who may eventually need to nudge Trump to the exit .
“ Our institutions are actually built for this , ” McConnell said as he opened the Senate on Monday .
“ We have the system in place to consider concerns and President Trump is 100 % within his rights to look into allegations of irregularities and weigh his legal options.
” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer countered that the Republicans ’ refusal to accept the election results was “ extremely dangerous , extremely poisonous to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election fair and square , ” Schumer said .
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , said it was time for the transition to proceed unimpeded .
“ At this stage , I think the transition should be underway , even though it ’ s not finalized , ” he said .
“ We want to make sure that the interests of national security and smooth transition ” are carried out .
A few other GOP senators sent tepid nods toward a transition .
Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska offered congratulations to Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrat ’ s “ apparent victory.
” But many Republican lawmakers were reluctant to speak up about the election , seeing little political incentive to take a firm stance on Trump ’ s transition from the White House .
Republicans on Capitol Hill have been hesitant to push Trump to concede to Biden , knowing it would anger their base of Trump ’ s most devoted supporters .
Most were also not overtly encouraging the president ’ s unfounded claims of fraud , while allowing baseless questions about the election process to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertainty , the General Services Administration held off on formally beginning the transition , preventing Biden ’ s teams from gaining access to federal agencies .
An agency spokesperson said late Monday that an “ ascertainment ” on the winner of the election had not yet been made .
Citing what the agency did during the extended 2000 electoral recount , it signaled that it may not do so until Trump concedes or the Electoral College meets next month .
Across government , there were signs of a slowdown .
In weekly Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Environmental Protection Agency , mid-level administrators responded to questions about the transition by telling staffers they had no information yet , said Nicole Cantello , an agency employee and president of the Chicago local of a union representing EPA workers .
Up to Friday , at least , EPA employees told agency retirees that the agency ’ s political appointees were refusing to discuss any transition , saying they were sure Trump would be reelected .
A senior administration official said presidential personnel director John McEntee , the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to departments that they should terminate any political appointees seeking new work for now .
Another official said the warning was not seen as likely to result in any firings but rather meant to reinforce to staff that they should not act counter to Trump while he refuses to concede .
Those officials and others who were not authorized to discuss internal policies or describe private discussions requested anonymity .
At the U.S. Agency for International Development , which already underwent an abrupt post-election change in leadership , staffers were instructed not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GSA approved it , according to officials familiar with the matter .
But some elements of the federal government already were mobilizing to prepare for Biden to assume power .
The U.S. Secret Service and Federal Aviation Administration extended a flight restriction over Biden ’ s Wilmington , Delaware , home through Inauguration Day .
Biden ’ s security detail has been bolstered with agents from the Presidential Protective Division .
And despite Trump ’ s public stance , there was a growing realization in his inner circle that the election result would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already have been dismissed in battleground states like Georgia and Wisconsin .
And Trump ’ s legal challenge was dealt another blow Monday when campaign adviser David Bossie , tasked with leading the effort , tested positive for the coronavirus .
Bossie had been at the indoor White House election night party now being perceived as a possible superspreader event after other attendees — including chief of staff Mark Meadows , Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson and other aides — contracted the virus .
Some senior officials have tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his efforts to cementing his legacy , but they are wary of being labeled disloyal for even thinking it .
At the White House , attendance among aides had dropped off since election night — partly because of the result and partly because a number are in quarantine after contracting or being exposed to people who came down with COVID-19 .
And Vice President Mike Pence was slated to depart Tuesday for a vacation in Florida .
In the closing days of the election , Trump repeatedly described campaigning as “ my job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his official duties .
Trump ’ s public schedule hasn ’ t included an intelligence briefing since Oct. 1 .
The White House hasn ’ t provided a “ readout ” of any call between the president and a foreign leader in weeks .
He hasn ’ t met with members of the White House coronavirus task force in months .
He also offered no public comment on Tropical Storm Eta lashing the Florida Keys .
The drawn-out resolution to the election has only added to the culture of suspicion that has permeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were two camps at the White House : those who have already accepted the outcome and those who are still working through it and pushing Trump to keep fighting .
Staffers don ’ t know in which camp their officemates reside and those who are looking ahead to new work are fearful of being branded as disloyal .
The Trump campaign has claimed there has been a widespread , multi-state conspiracy by Democrats to skew the vote tally in Biden ’ s favor , without hard evidence to back it up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegally cast votes or improperly counted ballots on a massive , organized scale in order to throw out enough ballots to overcome Biden ’ s sizable lead across multiple states .
And that just hasn ’ t emerged .
In fact , election officials from both political parties have publicly stated the election went well .
But in every election , there are problems : voting machines break , long lines force some people away , ballots are miscast and lost .
And 2020 has been no exception .

The Trump administration threw the presidential transition into tumult on Monday, Attorney General William Barr authorizing the Justice Department to probe allegations of voter fraud and President Donald Trump firing the Pentagon chief and blocking government officials from cooperating with President-elect Joe Biden’s team.
File photo: U.S President Donald Trump returns to the White House after news media declared Democratic candidate Joe Biden to be the winner of the presidential election, in Washington, D.C., November 7, 2020.
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Despite little evidence of fraud, Barr signed off on investigations into the unsubstantiated claims made repeatedly by Trump. Even as Biden began assembling experts to face the surging pandemic, the federal agency that needs to green light the beginnings of the transition of power held off on taking that step. And the White House moved to crack down on those not deemed sufficiently loyal as Trump continued to refuse to concede the race.
Top Republicans largely refused to put widespread pressure on Trump to accept his election loss. He remained out of sight at the White House, conversations ongoing about how the defeated president would spend the coming days and weeks as he challenged the people’s verdict.
The ouster of Defense Secretary Mark Esper was expected by some aides to be the first of several firings by Trump, now freed from having to face voters again and angry at those in his administration perceived to be insufficiently loyal. Others believed to be vulnerable: FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA head Gina Haspel and infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Out of sight but not unheard, Trump took to Twitter to again dispute the result of the election, making baseless accusations of widespread “unthinkable and illegal” activity in the vote.
02:55
Trump is not expected to formally concede but is likely to grudgingly vacate the White House at the end of his term, according to several people around him. He was in discussion with top allies about the possibility of more campaign-style rallies as he tries to keep his supporters fired up despite his defeat. It was possible they would feature his family and top supporters but not the president himself.
The president was given cover to keep fighting by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, seen by many in the GOP as the one who may eventually need to nudge Trump to the exit.
“Our institutions are actually built for this,” McConnell said as he opened the Senate on Monday. “We have the system in place to consider concerns and President Trump is 100% within his rights to look into allegations of irregularities and weigh his legal options.”
00:23
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer countered that the Republicans’ refusal to accept the election results was “extremely dangerous, extremely poisonous to our democracy.”
“Joe Biden won the election fair and square,” Schumer said.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said it was time for the transition to proceed unimpeded. “At this stage, I think the transition should be underway, even though it’s not finalized,” he said. “We want to make sure that the interests of national security and smooth transition” are carried out.
A few other GOP senators sent tepid nods toward a transition. Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska offered congratulations to Biden, and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine noted the Democrat’s “apparent victory.” But many Republican lawmakers were reluctant to speak up about the election, seeing little political incentive to take a firm stance on Trump’s transition from the White House.
Republicans on Capitol Hill have been hesitant to push Trump to concede to Biden, knowing it would anger their base of Trump’s most devoted supporters. Most were also not overtly encouraging the president’s unfounded claims of fraud, while allowing baseless questions about the election process to linger.
Adding to the sense of uncertainty, the General Services Administration held off on formally beginning the transition, preventing Biden’s teams from gaining access to federal agencies. An agency spokesperson said late Monday that an “ascertainment” on the winner of the election had not yet been made. Citing what the agency did during the extended 2000 electoral recount, it signaled that it may not do so until Trump concedes or the Electoral College meets next month.
>> What's next? Biden's weeks-long path to Inauguration Day
Across government, there were signs of a slowdown.
In weekly Monday morning all-hands phone calls for Midwest-based employees of the Environmental Protection Agency, mid-level administrators responded to questions about the transition by telling staffers they had no information yet, said Nicole Cantello, an agency employee and president of the Chicago local of a union representing EPA workers.
Up to Friday, at least, EPA employees told agency retirees that the agency’s political appointees were refusing to discuss any transition, saying they were sure Trump would be reelected.
A senior administration official said presidential personnel director John McEntee, the president’s former personal aide, has sent word to departments that they should terminate any political appointees seeking new work for now. Another official said the warning was not seen as likely to result in any firings but rather meant to reinforce to staff that they should not act counter to Trump while he refuses to concede. Those officials and others who were not authorized to discuss internal policies or describe private discussions requested anonymity.
At the U.S. Agency for International Development, which already underwent an abrupt post-election change in leadership, staffers were instructed not to begin acting on transition planning until the GSA approved it, according to officials familiar with the matter.
But some elements of the federal government already were mobilizing to prepare for Biden to assume power. The U.S. Secret Service and Federal Aviation Administration extended a flight restriction over Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware, home through Inauguration Day. Biden’s security detail has been bolstered with agents from the Presidential Protective Division.
And despite Trump’s public stance, there was a growing realization in his inner circle that the election result would be impossible to overturn.
Legal challenges already have been dismissed in battleground states like Georgia and Wisconsin. And Trump’s legal challenge was dealt another blow Monday when campaign adviser David Bossie, tasked with leading the effort, tested positive for the coronavirus.
Bossie had been at the indoor White House election night party now being perceived as a possible superspreader event after other attendees — including chief of staff Mark Meadows, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson and other aides — contracted the virus.
Some senior officials have tried to make the case that Trump should turn his efforts to cementing his legacy, but they are wary of being labeled disloyal for even thinking it.
At the White House, attendance among aides had dropped off since election night — partly because of the result and partly because a number are in quarantine after contracting or being exposed to people who came down with COVID-19. And Vice President Mike Pence was slated to depart Tuesday for a vacation in Florida.
In the closing days of the election, Trump repeatedly described campaigning as “my job,” and it steadily crowded out his official duties.
Trump’s public schedule hasn’t included an intelligence briefing since Oct. 1. The White House hasn’t provided a “readout” of any call between the president and a foreign leader in weeks. He hasn’t met with members of the White House coronavirus task force in months. He also offered no public comment on Tropical Storm Eta lashing the Florida Keys.
The drawn-out resolution to the election has only added to the culture of suspicion that has permeated the hollowed-out West Wing.
Aides said there were two camps at the White House: those who have already accepted the outcome and those who are still working through it and pushing Trump to keep fighting. Staffers don’t know in which camp their officemates reside and those who are looking ahead to new work are fearful of being branded as disloyal.
The Trump campaign has claimed there has been a widespread, multi-state conspiracy by Democrats to skew the vote tally in Biden’s favor, without hard evidence to back it up. There would need to be proof of illegally cast votes or improperly counted ballots on a massive, organized scale in order to throw out enough ballots to overcome Biden’s sizable lead across multiple states. And that just hasn’t emerged. In fact, election officials from both political parties have publicly stated the election went well.
But in every election, there are problems: voting machines break, long lines force some people away, ballots are miscast and lost. And 2020 has been no exception.
(AP)
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france24--2020-11-10--Thai PM urges calm 'from all sides' in protests

Thai Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha urged calm from all sides Tuesday as tensions rise between royalist groups and pro-democracy protesters calling for reforms to the monarchy .
The kingdom has for months seen massive demonstrations led by student leaders calling for democratic reforms , with some bolder figures issuing challenges to Thailand 's unassailable monarchy .
The movement 's demands have sent shockwaves through its royalist establishment , spurring monarchist groups to stage counter-protests which have led to some minor scuffles with protesters .
Prayut -- whose removal from office is one of the movement 's key demands -- said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their opinions '' -- as long as it is within the law .
`` A confrontation is not the way to solve a problem , '' he said after a cabinet meeting .
`` I urge all sides to refrain from clashing and from breaking the law so excessively whereby the authorities would have to use every measure to enforce the law . ''
Prayut 's call comes two days after police deployed water cannon as a `` warning '' against protesters attempting to deliver letters to King Maha Vajiralongkorn .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used .
Prayut , a former military chief who came to power via a 2014 coup , said the government was not `` taking sides '' .
So far , however , scores of pro-democracy activists and student leaders have been arrested and charged for participating in the protests .
Some face especially serious charges of sedition and causing violence to the queen -- a rarely used law carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison .
Police are not known to have made any arrests during royalist rallies .

Bangkok (AFP) –
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Thai Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha urged calm from all sides Tuesday as tensions rise between royalist groups and pro-democracy protesters calling for reforms to the monarchy.
The kingdom has for months seen massive demonstrations led by student leaders calling for democratic reforms, with some bolder figures issuing challenges to Thailand's unassailable monarchy.
The movement's demands have sent shockwaves through its royalist establishment, spurring monarchist groups to stage counter-protests which have led to some minor scuffles with protesters.
Prayut -- whose removal from office is one of the movement's key demands -- said Tuesday both sides are entitled to "express their opinions" -- as long as it is within the law.
"A confrontation is not the way to solve a problem," he said after a cabinet meeting.
"I urge all sides to refrain from clashing and from breaking the law so excessively whereby the authorities would have to use every measure to enforce the law."
Prayut's call comes two days after police deployed water cannon as a "warning" against protesters attempting to deliver letters to King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
It was only the second time such tactics were used.
Prayut, a former military chief who came to power via a 2014 coup, said the government was not "taking sides".
So far, however, scores of pro-democracy activists and student leaders have been arrested and charged for participating in the protests.
Some face especially serious charges of sedition and causing violence to the queen -- a rarely used law carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Police are not known to have made any arrests during royalist rallies.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--Neymar, Mbappe PSG contract talks 'have started' - Leonardo

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe started in last season 's Champions League final loss to Bayern Munich Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo said on Tuesday contract negotiations with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are underway .
The deals of the attacking pair , who cost the French champions 402 million euros ( $ 474 million ) in two separate transfers , are up in 2022 .
Leonardo alo said talks with Angel Di Maria and Juan Bernat are also ongoing .
`` All the extensions we 're considering , we 've started to talk about .
I think they 'll escalate over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil midfielder told the club 's video channel .
He said his relationship with coach Thomas Tuchel has improved since they made their differing opinions about the summer transfer market public during media interviews .
The Champions League runners-up have lost two of their opening three group stage matches this term , but Leonardo denied PSG had looked at replacing the German .
`` That sort of thing happens , we spoke , the situation is now clear for everyone , '' he said .
`` The truth and the facts are that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuchel .
We 've never called anyone , '' he added .

Paris (AFP) –
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Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo said on Tuesday contract negotiations with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are underway.
The deals of the attacking pair, who cost the French champions 402 million euros ($474 million) in two separate transfers, are up in 2022.
Leonardo alo said talks with Angel Di Maria and Juan Bernat are also ongoing.
"All the extensions we're considering, we've started to talk about. I think they'll escalate over the coming weeks," the former Brazil midfielder told the club's video channel.
He said his relationship with coach Thomas Tuchel has improved since they made their differing opinions about the summer transfer market public during media interviews.
The Champions League runners-up have lost two of their opening three group stage matches this term, but Leonardo denied PSG had looked at replacing the German.
"That sort of thing happens, we spoke, the situation is now clear for everyone," he said.
"The truth and the facts are that internally we've never thought about changing Tuchel. We've never called anyone," he added.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--MotoGP rider Iannone banned four years for doping

Andrea Iannone 's ban has been extended to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport Italian MotoGP rider Andrea Iannone was suspended four years for an anti-doping violation on Tuesday , after the Court of Arbitration for Sport extended his initial 18-month suspension following an appeal .
Iannone , 31 , was suspended in March after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in a urine sample collected at an in-competition test at the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang last November .
The Aprilia rider was also disqualified from the final two races of the 2019 season -- in Malaysia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not finished .
In its ruling , CAS said the Italian 's suspension would be backdated to December 17 , 2019 .
Iannone had contested that the presence of drostanolone in his system was the result of eating contaminated meat in Malaysia .
However , CAS rejected his argument and upheld a WADA appeal seeking a four-year ban .
`` The panel found that Andrea Iannone had failed to establish neither the precise type of meat he had consumed nor the origin of said meat , '' read a CAS statement .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken by the International Motorcycling Federation ( FIM ) , the violation was to be `` treated as intentional for purposes of the applicable anti-doping rules , and therefore upheld WADA 's Appeal . ''
`` The CAS award sets aside the decision rendered by the FIM International Disciplinary Court dated 31 March 2020 and imposes a four-year period of ineligibility on Andrea Iannone , '' it added .

Lausanne (AFP) –
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Italian MotoGP rider Andrea Iannone was suspended four years for an anti-doping violation on Tuesday, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport extended his initial 18-month suspension following an appeal.
Iannone, 31, was suspended in March after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in a urine sample collected at an in-competition test at the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang last November.
The Aprilia rider was also disqualified from the final two races of the 2019 season -- in Malaysia and then Valencia -- which he had not finished.
In its ruling, CAS said the Italian's suspension would be backdated to December 17, 2019.
Iannone had contested that the presence of drostanolone in his system was the result of eating contaminated meat in Malaysia.
However, CAS rejected his argument and upheld a WADA appeal seeking a four-year ban.
"The panel found that Andrea Iannone had failed to establish neither the precise type of meat he had consumed nor the origin of said meat," read a CAS statement.
It said that contrary to the original decision taken by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), the violation was to be "treated as intentional for purposes of the applicable anti-doping rules, and therefore upheld WADA's Appeal."
"The CAS award sets aside the decision rendered by the FIM International Disciplinary Court dated 31 March 2020 and imposes a four-year period of ineligibility on Andrea Iannone," it added.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--Zimbabwe out for 129-9 in third Twenty20 international

Zimbabwe captain Chamu Chibhabha plays a shot as Pakistan 's wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan stands by during their third Twenty20 cricket @ @ @ @ @ Qadir grabbed four wickets as Pakistan held Zimbabwe to 129-9 in the third and final @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
The 27-year-old Usman -- son of the late legendary spinner Abdul Qadir -- @ @ @ @ @ mesmerising overs after Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat .
Usman started the @ @ @ @ @ Zimbabwe skipper Chamu Chibhabha ( 31 ) , before dismissing Wesley Madhevere ( nine ) @ @ @ @ @ ) and Elton Chigumbura ( two ) to give Pakistan a good chance of a @ @ @ @ @ team won the first match by six wickets and the second by eight .
Chibhabha @ @ @ @ @ six in his 28-ball knock , the highest of the innings .
Number eight Donald @ @ @ @ @ to help Zimbabwe cross the 100-run mark .

Rawalpindi (Pakistan) (AFP) –
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Leg-spinner Usman Qadir grabbed four wickets as Pakistan held Zimbabwe to 129-9 in the third and final Twenty20 international in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old Usman -- son of the late legendary spinner Abdul Qadir -- finished with 4-13 from four mesmerising overs after Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat.
Usman started the slide with the wicket of Zimbabwe skipper Chamu Chibhabha (31), before dismissing Wesley Madhevere (nine), Milton Shumba (11) and Elton Chigumbura (two) to give Pakistan a good chance of a 3-0 sweep.
The home team won the first match by six wickets and the second by eight.
Chibhabha hit three boundaries and a six in his 28-ball knock, the highest of the innings.
Number eight Donald Tiripano scored a 22-ball 28 to help Zimbabwe cross the 100-run mark.
Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim finished with 2-27.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--MotoGP star Marquez will not return before 2021

Marc Marquez has not raced since fracturing his arm in the opening race of the season Six-time MotoGP world champion @ @ @ @ @ not raced since fracturing his arm in the season-opener , will sit out the final @ @ @ @ @ calendar , his Honda team announced Tuesday .
Marquez , 27 , had won the @ @ @ @ @ row but has been sidelined since crashing out of the Spanish grand prix in Jerez @ @ @ @ @ Spaniard will now focus on a return to the track in 2021 .
MotoGP organisers @ @ @ @ @ calendar featuring 20 races .
`` As his recovery continues , Marc Marquez and the @ @ @ @ @ will not participate in the remainder of the 2020 MotoGP season and aims to return @ @ @ @ @ '' Honda said in a statement .
`` Working through his recovery programme and tracking @ @ @ @ @ , Marc Marquez in conjunction with Honda , his team and multiple expert doctors , @ @ @ @ @ his return to action until 2021 . ''

Paris (AFP) –
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Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez, who has not raced since fracturing his arm in the season-opener, will sit out the final two events on the 2020 calendar, his Honda team announced Tuesday.
Marquez, 27, had won the title four years in a row but has been sidelined since crashing out of the Spanish grand prix in Jerez on July 19.
The Spaniard will now focus on a return to the track in 2021. MotoGP organisers last weekend released a provisional calendar featuring 20 races.
"As his recovery continues, Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team confirm he will not participate in the remainder of the 2020 MotoGP season and aims to return to racing in 2021," Honda said in a statement.
"Working through his recovery programme and tracking the progress of his arm, Marc Marquez in conjunction with Honda, his team and multiple expert doctors, has elected to officially delay his return to action until 2021."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--Buoyed by Covid-19 vaccine results, officials see 'light at the end of the tunnel'

An effective vaccine is seen as the best hope to break the current cycle of virus surges and lockdowns .
Hugely promising results from a coronavirus vaccine trial fuelled optimism around the world on Tuesday that humanity may be a step closer to defeating the crippling pandemic , though experts cautioned that major logisitical challenges lay ahead .
A vaccine is seen as the best hope to break the cycle of deadly virus surges and severe restrictions across much of the world since Covid-19 first emerged in China late last year , unleashing devastation on the global economy .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German partner BioNTech announced that their vaccine candidate was 90 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 .
The news triggered an immediate market rebound for some of the industries hit hardest by travel curbs , social distancing and lockdowns .
`` Bombed-out sectors such as aviation , travel , leisure , big oil ... time-warped back to 2019 with giant rallies , '' said Jeffrey Halley , senior market analyst from OANDA .
Wall Street and European markets soared after the announcement , and Asian markets continued the rally on Tuesday , with worst-hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment and energy getting a boost .
`` We are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis , '' Pfizer chairman Albert Bourla said .
Pfizer and BioNTech 's candidate is one of more than 40 , but no other has yet made similar claims about effectiveness .
The companies said they could pass the final hurdles for a US rollout later this month , and could supply up to 50 million doses globally this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The scientific community reacted positively , with top US expert Anthony Fauci describing the results as `` extraordinary '' and World Health Organization boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailing the news as `` encouraging '' .
But others pointed out that data from the ongoing trial was still needed for review , including the ages of the participants .
The Pfizer candidate uses the `` messenger RNA '' method to fight the virus , but a major disadvantage of such vaccines is that they need to be stored in specialist deep freezers as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other types of prophylactics .
Experts have raised concerns about the capacity of poorer nations , especially in warm climates , to set up safe supply chains for such a vaccine .
There was some bad news too .
Brazil 's health regulator announced Monday it had suspended clinical trials of a Chinese-developed vaccine — one of the most advanced candidates — after an `` adverse incident '' involving a volunteer recipient .
Its maker Sinovac said it was confident in the safety of the vaccine .
The coronavirus has infected close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1.2 million deaths .
The United States remains the hardest-hit nation at more than 10 million cases and nearly 240,000 deaths , and the pandemic was one of the top issues for voters in the presidential election this month .
Joe Biden , who had slammed President Donald Trump 's handling of the crisis , spared no time in announcing a Covid-19 taskforce after he was declared the winner of the election .
`` We 're still facing a very dark winter , '' he said .
`` The bottom line : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this pandemic around once we 're sworn in . ''
Trump had clashed repeatedly with his own government experts , often refusing to back restrictions or even wear a mask in public .
After the Pfizer announcement , he claimed — without evidence — that the news was delayed until after the election to damage him .
There was a separate breakthrough when the US Food and Drug Administration on Monday granted emergency approval to a synthetic antibody treatment for Covid-19 developed by the pharma company Eli Lilly .
Bamlanivimab , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and emergency room visits , is the first major drug to be approved that was designed specifically for the coronavirus .
The vaccine news will be of particular relief to people in Europe — the current focal point of the pandemic and the region subject to the most widespread restrictions .
Portugal , Romania and Hungary began implementing night-time curfews this week while Italy was edging closer to a full lockdown , with experts warning of pressure on hospitals .
`` There is no doubt that the situation is largely out of control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the infectious diseases department at Milan 's Sacco hospital .
On Tuesday , German Health Minister Jens Spahn said he expected EU officials to sign a purchase agreement with BioNTech and Pfizer for their vaccine `` in the coming days '' .
The European Commission is in final stage talks with BioNTech-Pfizer over the supply of 200 million doses of their potential Covid shot , with an option to buy another 100 million .
Spahn said he did not expect the vaccine to be available before the first quarter of 2021 but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved quickly .
News about the vaccine `` was a light at the end of the tunnel '' , the minister added , raising the hope that next winter will not be as bad as this one .

Hugely promising results from a coronavirus vaccine trial fuelled optimism around the world on Tuesday that humanity may be a step closer to defeating the crippling pandemic, though experts cautioned that major logisitical challenges lay ahead.
An effective vaccine is seen as the best hope to break the current cycle of virus surges and lockdowns.
Advertising Read more
A vaccine is seen as the best hope to break the cycle of deadly virus surges and severe restrictions across much of the world since Covid-19 first emerged in China late last year, unleashing devastation on the global economy.
On Monday, pharma giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced that their vaccine candidate was 90 percent effective in preventing Covid-19.
The news triggered an immediate market rebound for some of the industries hit hardest by travel curbs, social distancing and lockdowns.
"Bombed-out sectors such as aviation, travel, leisure, big oil... time-warped back to 2019 with giant rallies," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst from OANDA.
Wall Street and European markets soared after the announcement, and Asian markets continued the rally on Tuesday, with worst-hit sectors such as airlines, travel, entertainment and energy getting a boost.
"We are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis," Pfizer chairman Albert Bourla said.
Pfizer and BioNTech's candidate is one of more than 40, but no other has yet made similar claims about effectiveness.
The companies said they could pass the final hurdles for a US rollout later this month, and could supply up to 50 million doses globally this year and up to 1.3 billion next year.
The scientific community reacted positively, with top US expert Anthony Fauci describing the results as "extraordinary" and World Health Organization boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailing the news as "encouraging".
But others pointed out that data from the ongoing trial was still needed for review, including the ages of the participants.
The Pfizer candidate uses the "messenger RNA" method to fight the virus, but a major disadvantage of such vaccines is that they need to be stored in specialist deep freezers as opposed to refrigerator-level temperatures required for some other types of prophylactics.
Experts have raised concerns about the capacity of poorer nations, especially in warm climates, to set up safe supply chains for such a vaccine.
There was some bad news too. Brazil's health regulator announced Monday it had suspended clinical trials of a Chinese-developed vaccine — one of the most advanced candidates — after an "adverse incident" involving a volunteer recipient.
Its maker Sinovac said it was confident in the safety of the vaccine.
'A very dark winter'
The coronavirus has infected close to 51 million people worldwide, with more than 1.2 million deaths.
The United States remains the hardest-hit nation at more than 10 million cases and nearly 240,000 deaths, and the pandemic was one of the top issues for voters in the presidential election this month.
Joe Biden, who had slammed President Donald Trump's handling of the crisis, spared no time in announcing a Covid-19 taskforce after he was declared the winner of the election.
"We're still facing a very dark winter," he said. "The bottom line: I will spare no effort to turn this pandemic around once we're sworn in."
Trump had clashed repeatedly with his own government experts, often refusing to back restrictions or even wear a mask in public. After the Pfizer announcement, he claimed — without evidence — that the news was delayed until after the election to damage him.
There was a separate breakthrough when the US Food and Drug Administration on Monday granted emergency approval to a synthetic antibody treatment for Covid-19 developed by the pharma company Eli Lilly.
Bamlanivimab, which was shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization and emergency room visits, is the first major drug to be approved that was designed specifically for the coronavirus.
The vaccine news will be of particular relief to people in Europe — the current focal point of the pandemic and the region subject to the most widespread restrictions.
Portugal, Romania and Hungary began implementing night-time curfews this week while Italy was edging closer to a full lockdown, with experts warning of pressure on hospitals.
"There is no doubt that the situation is largely out of control," said Massimo Galli, head of the infectious diseases department at Milan's Sacco hospital.
On Tuesday, German Health Minister Jens Spahn said he expected EU officials to sign a purchase agreement with BioNTech and Pfizer for their vaccine "in the coming days".
The European Commission is in final stage talks with BioNTech-Pfizer over the supply of 200 million doses of their potential Covid shot, with an option to buy another 100 million.
Spahn said he did not expect the vaccine to be available before the first quarter of 2021 but added that he expected it to get approved quickly.
News about the vaccine "was a light at the end of the tunnel", the minister added, raising the hope that next winter will not be as bad as this one.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-11-10--Peru protests after popular president ousted over corruption claims

Peru ’ s Congress on Monday voted to impeach the popular president Martin Vizcarra , sparking protests across the Andrean @ @ @ @ @ of taking bribes from construction companies when he was a governor , which Vizcarra has @ @ @ @ @ and “ false.
” Observers say the opposition lacks evidence , and describe the president @ @ @ @ @ dangerous move .

Peru protests after popular president ousted over corruption claims
01:43
Peru’s Congress on Monday voted to impeach the popular president Martin Vizcarra, sparking protests across the Andrean nation. Lawmakers accuse Vizcarra of taking bribes from construction companies when he was a governor, which Vizcarra has rejected as “baseless” and “false.” Observers say the opposition lacks evidence, and describe the president’s removal as a dangerous move.


france24--2020-11-10--Formula One unveils biggest-ever 23-race calendar for 2021

The Vietnam Grand Prix was postponed and then cancelled this year because of the coronavirus Formula One unveiled a 23-race calendar for 2021 on Tuesday , its biggest ever , but the Vietnamese Grand Prix has been dropped .
The season will start in Australia on March 21 and will include the first ever race in Saudi Arabia on November 28 before the season ends a week later in Abu Dhabi .
Vietnam was to hold a street race on April 25 but doubts about the event arose after Nguyen Duc Chung , who was Hanoi 's mayor and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested on corruption charges in August .
In the calendar unveiled on Tuesday , the race slot was left vacant .
F1 's 2020 season was heavily disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic but is eventually being run over 17 races , with reigning champion Lewis Hamilton on course to win the title for the seventh time .
Spectators have been barred from most races this year but organisers said they expect fans to return next year .
`` The plans for 2021 have involved extensive dialogue with all promoters and their local and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fluidity related to the global pandemic , '' F1 said in a statement .
`` As we have said before , we expect fans to return for the 2021 season and for the calendar to look similar to the originally planned 2020 season . ''
Saudi Arabia said last week it was holding a race for the first time , an announcement that is likely to spark fresh accusations from human rights groups that the kingdom is using high-profile sports events to `` wash '' its human rights record .
The Netherlands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Max Verstappen , gets a race a year earlier than originally planned with a September 5 slot in the coastal town of Zandvoort .
It will be the first Dutch grand prix since 1985 .
Vietnam signed up for Formula One hoping the glamour of the sport could reflect the country 's economic lift-off and reshape Hanoi 's staid image , much as it has done for Singapore which will again host a race next year .
The communist nation inked a 10-year deal with Formula One in 2018 with state media saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 60 million per year .
The fee has been picked up in full by the country 's largest private conglomerate , VinGroup , which had been hoping to dazzle with a night race .
But its 2020 race was cancelled due to concerns that teams and fans coming from overseas could spark a new outbreak of Covid-19 and the corruption scandal surrounding Nguyen Duc Chung now threatens the future of the event .
`` Without Chung , the future of the race is gloomy .
It might not happen , '' a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on condition of anonymity .

Paris (AFP) –
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Formula One unveiled a 23-race calendar for 2021 on Tuesday, its biggest ever, but the Vietnamese Grand Prix has been dropped.
The season will start in Australia on March 21 and will include the first ever race in Saudi Arabia on November 28 before the season ends a week later in Abu Dhabi.
Vietnam was to hold a street race on April 25 but doubts about the event arose after Nguyen Duc Chung, who was Hanoi's mayor and a major supporter of the event, was arrested on corruption charges in August. In the calendar unveiled on Tuesday, the race slot was left vacant.
F1's 2020 season was heavily disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic but is eventually being run over 17 races, with reigning champion Lewis Hamilton on course to win the title for the seventh time.
Spectators have been barred from most races this year but organisers said they expect fans to return next year.
"The plans for 2021 have involved extensive dialogue with all promoters and their local and national authorities at a time of ongoing fluidity related to the global pandemic," F1 said in a statement.
"As we have said before, we expect fans to return for the 2021 season and for the calendar to look similar to the originally planned 2020 season."
Saudi Arabia said last week it was holding a race for the first time, an announcement that is likely to spark fresh accusations from human rights groups that the kingdom is using high-profile sports events to "wash" its human rights record.
The Netherlands, home to the popular Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, gets a race a year earlier than originally planned with a September 5 slot in the coastal town of Zandvoort. It will be the first Dutch grand prix since 1985.
Vietnam signed up for Formula One hoping the glamour of the sport could reflect the country's economic lift-off and reshape Hanoi's staid image, much as it has done for Singapore which will again host a race next year.
The communist nation inked a 10-year deal with Formula One in 2018 with state media saying hosting the race would cost the country $60 million per year.
The fee has been picked up in full by the country's largest private conglomerate, VinGroup, which had been hoping to dazzle with a night race.
But its 2020 race was cancelled due to concerns that teams and fans coming from overseas could spark a new outbreak of Covid-19 and the corruption scandal surrounding Nguyen Duc Chung now threatens the future of the event.
"Without Chung, the future of the race is gloomy. It might not happen," a source close to the race told AFP on condition of anonymity.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--Remaining women's Six Nations games called off

The remaining three women 's Six Nations matches have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic Six Nations chiefs announced on Tuesday the remaining three matches of the women 's 2020 tournament had been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
It means Scotland 's games against Wales and Italy will no longer take place and the match between France and Ireland has also been scrapped .
England are already Grand Slam winners after winning all of their five matches .
`` This was an extremely tough decision that was only taken after we had explored every possible option to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Six Nations Rugby CEO Ben Morel .
Scottish Rugby said Covid-19 protocols had made it impossible to play the matches .
`` Recent government and health authority restrictions affecting squad preparations , travel , and the ability to stage matches in competing nations in line with the sport 's amateur status have made the successful completion of the 2020 Championship impossible , '' it said in a statement .
World Rugby and Rugby Europe also announced the Rugby World Cup 2021 European qualification tournament had been postponed .
The competition , scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to feature Ireland , Italy and Scotland and the winner of the postponed Women 's Rugby Europe Championship .

London (AFP) –
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Six Nations chiefs announced on Tuesday the remaining three matches of the women's 2020 tournament had been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It means Scotland's games against Wales and Italy will no longer take place and the match between France and Ireland has also been scrapped.
England are already Grand Slam winners after winning all of their five matches.
"This was an extremely tough decision that was only taken after we had explored every possible option to get these matches played," said Six Nations Rugby CEO Ben Morel.
Scottish Rugby said Covid-19 protocols had made it impossible to play the matches.
"Recent government and health authority restrictions affecting squad preparations, travel, and the ability to stage matches in competing nations in line with the sport's amateur status have made the successful completion of the 2020 Championship impossible," it said in a statement.
World Rugby and Rugby Europe also announced the Rugby World Cup 2021 European qualification tournament had been postponed.
The competition, scheduled to take place in December, is due to feature Ireland, Italy and Scotland and the winner of the postponed Women's Rugby Europe Championship.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--NBA, union agree upon 2020-21 season start, virus tweaks

The NBA and its players union said on Monday they have agreed upon terms for a 2020-21 season that will @ @ @ @ @ as Covid-19-related contract changes .
The National Basketball Players Association and the league agreed on @ @ @ @ @ schedule and a new deal for deciding basketball-related income .
The agreement , which NBA @ @ @ @ @ , would spread possible player salary reductions due to the pandemic to no more than @ @ @ @ @ spread over up to three seasons .
The league would be looking at billions of @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed to attend NBA games due to the coronavirus .
In the 2020-21 @ @ @ @ @ level for clubs would be $ 109.140 million with a salary tax on clubs going @ @ @ @ @ In future seasons , the salary cap and tax level would increase by 3-10 % @ @ @ @ @ with tax payments trimmed in proportion to income decreases .
Free agency negotiations would start @ @ @ @ @ allowed starting on November 22 .

New York (AFP) –
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The NBA and its players union said on Monday they have agreed upon terms for a 2020-21 season that will start December 22 as well as Covid-19-related contract changes.
The National Basketball Players Association and the league agreed on each team playing a 72-game schedule and a new deal for deciding basketball-related income.
The agreement, which NBA team owners must vote upon, would spread possible player salary reductions due to the pandemic to no more than 20% and that level spread over up to three seasons.
The league would be looking at billions of dollars in losses if spectators are not allowed to attend NBA games due to the coronavirus.
In the 2020-21 campaign, the salary cap level for clubs would be $109.140 million with a salary tax on clubs going above $132.627 million.
In future seasons, the salary cap and tax level would increase by 3-10% over the prior season, with tax payments trimmed in proportion to income decreases.
Free agency negotiations would start on November 20 with signings allowed starting on November 22.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--Lebanon back in lockdown over virus uptick

Lebanon 's caretaker prime minister Tuesday announced a fresh two-week lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus despite a grinding economic crisis that has already battered businesses .
`` We 've reached a stage of critical danger as private and public hospitals do n't have the capacity to receive severe cases , '' Hassan Diab said in a televised address .
He said the lockdown , with limited exemptions , would go into force from Saturday until November 30 .
The outgoing premier , who stepped down in the wake of a devastating August 4 explosion at Beirut 's port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from restrictions .
The health sector and other vital industries would also be allowed to operate , he said , without providing details .
The airport too will remain open , Lebanese media cited the Higher Defence Council as saying .
Lebanon , a country of six million people has recorded more than 95,000 Covid-19 cases , including 732 deaths since February .
The number of new cases soared last week with the daily virus tally hitting unprecedented highs several days in a row .
A first country-wide lockdown imposed in March was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , and restrictions were gradually lifted as summer beckoned people outdoors .
But Diab on Tuesday said the blast at Beirut 's port had led Lebanon to `` lose control '' over its Covid-19 outbreak .
The explosion killed more than 200 people , wounded at least 6,500 others and overwhelmed hospitals in Beirut .
The World Health Organization said at the end of October that 88 percent of Lebanon 's 306 intensive care beds were occupied .
But with poverty having risen to more than half the population amid Lebanon 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war , many are fearful of the country grinding to a halt for a second time this year .
Human Rights Watch has warned that any stay-at-home order should be accompanied by food and cash aid .
`` If Lebanon wants to avert a humanitarian disaster , it should ensure people can comply with public health measures without worrying about their next meal , '' the New York-based rights group said .

Beirut (AFP) –
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Lebanon's caretaker prime minister Tuesday announced a fresh two-week lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus despite a grinding economic crisis that has already battered businesses.
"We've reached a stage of critical danger as private and public hospitals don't have the capacity to receive severe cases," Hassan Diab said in a televised address.
He said the lockdown, with limited exemptions, would go into force from Saturday until November 30.
The outgoing premier, who stepped down in the wake of a devastating August 4 explosion at Beirut's port, said some industries will be excluded from restrictions.
The health sector and other vital industries would also be allowed to operate, he said, without providing details.
The airport too will remain open, Lebanese media cited the Higher Defence Council as saying.
Lebanon, a country of six million people has recorded more than 95,000 Covid-19 cases, including 732 deaths since February.
The number of new cases soared last week with the daily virus tally hitting unprecedented highs several days in a row.
A first country-wide lockdown imposed in March was effective in stemming the spread of the virus, and restrictions were gradually lifted as summer beckoned people outdoors.
But Diab on Tuesday said the blast at Beirut's port had led Lebanon to "lose control" over its Covid-19 outbreak.
The explosion killed more than 200 people, wounded at least 6,500 others and overwhelmed hospitals in Beirut.
The World Health Organization said at the end of October that 88 percent of Lebanon's 306 intensive care beds were occupied.
But with poverty having risen to more than half the population amid Lebanon's worst economic downturn since the 1975-1990 civil war, many are fearful of the country grinding to a halt for a second time this year.
Human Rights Watch has warned that any stay-at-home order should be accompanied by food and cash aid.
"If Lebanon wants to avert a humanitarian disaster, it should ensure people can comply with public health measures without worrying about their next meal," the New York-based rights group said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--End of Ethiopia conflict coming within reach, says PM

Tigray has been under a communications blackout ever since , making it difficult to weigh competing claims about casualties and who holds what territory The end of military operations in Ethiopia 's northern region of Tigray is `` coming within reach '' , Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Tuesday , as the African Union called for an immediate halt to the fighting .
The prime minister sent troops and air force jets into Tigray last week in a campaign against the regional ruling party , which has been at odds with Abiy 's government for months .
Abiy , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tigray People 's Liberation Front ( TPLF ) had attacked two federal military bases , something the regional party has denied .
Tigray has been under a communications blackout ever since , making it difficult to weigh competing claims about casualties and who holds what territory .
Abiy said operations against the TPLF were `` proceeding as planned '' .
`` Operations will cease as soon as the criminal junta is disarmed , legitimate administration in the region restored , and fugitives apprehended & brought to justice -- all of them rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
But Moussa Faki Mahamat , chairman of the African Union Commission , said the fighting must stop and urgent dialogue was needed `` to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the country '' .
`` The Chairperson appeals for the immediate cessation of hostilities and calls on parties to respect human rights and ensure the protection of civilians , '' he said in a statement , offering the full support of the 55-member bloc for an Ethiopian-led resolution .
State media reported earlier on Tuesday that the Ethiopian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airport about 60 kilometres ( 35 miles ) from the northwest town of Humera , close to the border with Sudan and Eritrea .
But the TPLF-controlled Tigray Mass Media Agency said Humera 's population was `` undertaking its normal peaceful activity '' and that `` information being disseminated by fascist Abiy Ahmed is far from the truth '' .
Two humanitarian sources told AFP on Monday that more than 20 Ethiopians -- civilians and soldiers -- had crossed into eastern Sudan .
Much of the fighting has reportedly been concentrated in western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Eritrea .
The western town of Dansha was under federal control when AFP journalists travelled there on Monday , but it has been impossible to verify the military 's claim that it controls other towns in the area .
The Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority on Tuesday informed journalists accredited in Ethiopia that they would need to obtain a `` supporting letter '' before travelling to Tigray as well as `` bordering conflict zones and different parts of the country '' .
It said the measure was intended `` for the safety of journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and military officials on the ground . ''

Addis Ababa (AFP) –
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The end of military operations in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray is "coming within reach", Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Tuesday, as the African Union called for an immediate halt to the fighting.
The prime minister sent troops and air force jets into Tigray last week in a campaign against the regional ruling party, which has been at odds with Abiy's government for months.
Abiy, last year's Nobel Peace laureate, said the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) had attacked two federal military bases, something the regional party has denied.
Tigray has been under a communications blackout ever since, making it difficult to weigh competing claims about casualties and who holds what territory.
Abiy said operations against the TPLF were "proceeding as planned".
"Operations will cease as soon as the criminal junta is disarmed, legitimate administration in the region restored, and fugitives apprehended & brought to justice -- all of them rapidly coming within reach," he posted on Twitter.
But Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, said the fighting must stop and urgent dialogue was needed "to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the country".
"The Chairperson appeals for the immediate cessation of hostilities and calls on parties to respect human rights and ensure the protection of civilians," he said in a statement, offering the full support of the 55-member bloc for an Ethiopian-led resolution.
State media reported earlier on Tuesday that the Ethiopian military had "completely captured" an airport about 60 kilometres (35 miles) from the northwest town of Humera, close to the border with Sudan and Eritrea.
But the TPLF-controlled Tigray Mass Media Agency said Humera's population was "undertaking its normal peaceful activity" and that "information being disseminated by fascist Abiy Ahmed is far from the truth".
Two humanitarian sources told AFP on Monday that more than 20 Ethiopians -- civilians and soldiers -- had crossed into eastern Sudan.
Much of the fighting has reportedly been concentrated in western Tigray, near the border of Sudan and Eritrea.
The western town of Dansha was under federal control when AFP journalists travelled there on Monday, but it has been impossible to verify the military's claim that it controls other towns in the area.
The Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority on Tuesday informed journalists accredited in Ethiopia that they would need to obtain a "supporting letter" before travelling to Tigray as well as "bordering conflict zones and different parts of the country".
It said the measure was intended "for the safety of journalists and to get cooperation from local administrations and military officials on the ground."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--Top Palestinian official Saeb Erekat dies of Covid-19

Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary general Saeb Erekat , who has died of complications from Covid-19 , was the public face of successive rounds of peace talks with Israel since the early 1990s Saeb Erekat , one of the most prominent veterans of the Palestinian cause , died Tuesday of coronavirus complications at the age of 65 , in a death mourned far beyond the occupied territory .
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas called the passing of `` a brother and friend .. a huge loss for Palestine and our people '' .
Egypt praised Erekat , the Palestine Liberation Organisation 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighter ... who spent his life diligently pursuing the rights of the Palestinian people '' .
Erekat was a long-time architect of negotiations aspiring to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , a goal he would not live to see .
A lung transplant recipient who suffered from pulmonary fibrosis , Erekat was admitted to Israel 's Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital in West Jerusalem on October 18 .
Given his prior respiratory conditions , his prognosis for recovery had been dim .
`` He received intensive care '' upon being admitted , Hadassah said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't improve and remained critical , and he passed away amidst multiple system failure . ''
Born in Jerusalem in 1955 , Erekat lived in the biblical town of Jericho in the Israeli-occupied West Bank .
An academic and author with a perfect command of English , Erekat grew up in the shadow of Israel 's crushing victory over its Arab neighbours in the Six-Day War of 1967 , and dedicated much of his life to seeking a resolution to the conflict .
Erekat was part of every team to negotiate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exception of the delegation that secretly hammered out the Oslo accords of 1993 .
But he watched despairingly as the two-state solution that he long worked for was increasingly undermined by Israeli settlement expansion , sporadic violence , stalled peace efforts and Palestinian divisions .
When Israel and the United Arab Emirates recently agreed to normalise ties , he charged this would kill the two-state solution , strengthen `` extremists '' and undermine the `` possibility of peace '' .
Former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni , who represented the Jewish state in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a personal relationship with Erekat , said the Palestinian negotiator `` dedicated his life to his people '' .
`` Reaching Peace is my destiny , ( Erekat ) used to say , '' Livni wrote on Twitter .
Arab-Israeli lawmaker Ayman Odeh , who heads the mainly Arab Joint List coalition , said : `` Saeb wo n't get to see his people freed from the occupation .
`` But generations of Palestinians will remember him as one of the giants who dedicated his life for their independence . ''
Israeli anti-occupation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` will remember ( Erekat 's ) dedication to peace and the two-state solution '' .
`` As long as people like Erekat reach out their hand to peace , it 's our duty to negotiate , '' it said in a statement .
Erekat took part in the failed Camp David summit in July 2000 , and the September 2010 talks in Washington , which stopped in a row over Israel 's settlement building .
He was also chief negotiator in 2014 when then US president Barack Obama tried to restart peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent daily Al-Quds in east Jerusalem , Erekat held a BA and an MA in political science from the University of San Francisco .
He also held a doctorate in peace studies from the University of Bradford in England , and taught at An-Najah University in the West Bank town of Nablus from 1979 to 1991 .

Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) –
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Saeb Erekat, one of the most prominent veterans of the Palestinian cause, died Tuesday of coronavirus complications at the age of 65, in a death mourned far beyond the occupied territory.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas called the passing of "a brother and friend .. a huge loss for Palestine and our people".
Egypt praised Erekat, the Palestine Liberation Organisation's secretary general, as "a steadfast fighter ... who spent his life diligently pursuing the rights of the Palestinian people".
Erekat was a long-time architect of negotiations aspiring to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a goal he would not live to see.
A lung transplant recipient who suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, Erekat was admitted to Israel's Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital in West Jerusalem on October 18.
Given his prior respiratory conditions, his prognosis for recovery had been dim.
"He received intensive care" upon being admitted, Hadassah said in statement.
"Unfortunately, his condition didn't improve and remained critical, and he passed away amidst multiple system failure."
Born in Jerusalem in 1955, Erekat lived in the biblical town of Jericho in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
An academic and author with a perfect command of English, Erekat grew up in the shadow of Israel's crushing victory over its Arab neighbours in the Six-Day War of 1967, and dedicated much of his life to seeking a resolution to the conflict.
Erekat was part of every team to negotiate with Israel since 1991, with the notable exception of the delegation that secretly hammered out the Oslo accords of 1993.
But he watched despairingly as the two-state solution that he long worked for was increasingly undermined by Israeli settlement expansion, sporadic violence, stalled peace efforts and Palestinian divisions.
When Israel and the United Arab Emirates recently agreed to normalise ties, he charged this would kill the two-state solution, strengthen "extremists" and undermine the "possibility of peace".
- Reaching peace 'his destiny' -
Former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni, who represented the Jewish state in peace talks with the Palestinians and had a personal relationship with Erekat, said the Palestinian negotiator "dedicated his life to his people".
"Reaching Peace is my destiny, (Erekat) used to say," Livni wrote on Twitter.
Arab-Israeli lawmaker Ayman Odeh, who heads the mainly Arab Joint List coalition, said: "Saeb won't get to see his people freed from the occupation.
"But generations of Palestinians will remember him as one of the giants who dedicated his life for their independence."
Israeli anti-occupation civil society organisation Peace Now said it "will remember (Erekat's) dedication to peace and the two-state solution".
"As long as people like Erekat reach out their hand to peace, it's our duty to negotiate," it said in a statement.
Erekat took part in the failed Camp David summit in July 2000, and the September 2010 talks in Washington, which stopped in a row over Israel's settlement building.
He was also chief negotiator in 2014 when then US president Barack Obama tried to restart peace efforts.
A former journalist with the independent daily Al-Quds in east Jerusalem, Erekat held a BA and an MA in political science from the University of San Francisco.
He also held a doctorate in peace studies from the University of Bradford in England, and taught at An-Najah University in the West Bank town of Nablus from 1979 to 1991.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-10--New Xbox hits stores, launching holiday season console war

Microsoft 's black Xbox Series X and white series S gaming consoles have launched just two days before Sony releases the PlayStation 5 Microsoft 's new Xbox console hit stores worldwide Tuesday , kicking off a holiday season battle with Sony 's latest PlayStation model , as the coronavirus pandemic creates unprecedented gaming demand around the world .
The Xbox Series X launches just two days before Sony 's next generation PlayStation 5 , in a head-to-head likely to dominate the gaming sector this shopping season .
The launches are well-placed to capitalise on a massive spike in demand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world are seeking distraction during a pandemic that has killed 1.25 million people and left at least three billion more in some form of lockdown since the virus first surfaced in late December .
But while lockdowns and restrictions may have boosted sales , they have also forced companies to move their launch events online .
Xbox , famous for games such as Halo , Gears of War and Forza Horizon , held an online countdown to midnight for Australia and New Zealand .
Phil Spencer , executive vice-president of gaming at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live event that they were taking `` the first step into the next generation of gaming . ''
`` And you will be the first in the world to experience it . ''
The pandemic also means no long lines of customers camped outside stores , with the pre-orders snapped up online instead more likely to be delivered to gamers ' homes .
But demand has been brisk , and is expected to stay that way , Morris Garrard , analyst at specialist financial consultancy FutureSource , told AFP ahead of the launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is available , it is going to be bought out , within a few minutes even , '' he said .
He said some of that activity would be people attempting to buy up stock for resale , but that he expects `` a high level of excess demand for these consoles , at least in the short term . ''
`` So talking sort of three to six months , I think we 'll see that a lot of people who want to get a console are unable to get a console @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering will help close the gap with Sony , whose PlayStation 4 sold twice as well as the Xbox One since they both were released in 2013 .
Market research Ampere Analysis expects Microsoft will indeed narrow the gap with Sony , selling 13.5 million of the lastest Xbox against 17.9 million for the latest PlayStation in 2020 and 2021 .
Unlike the PlayStation 5 , whose release will be staggered in different countries from Thursday , the Xbox Series X hit the shelves worldwide on Tuesday .
Both Sony and Microsoft have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games -- headlined by the latest edition of Ubisoft 's Assassin 's Creed , an open-world Viking epic -- to launch with the consoles , which will offer much more powerful central and graphics processors than their predecessors .
In a competitive industry where focus is shifting to online play , this could be a swan song for physical consoles , with both firms betting on cloud servers to do the heavy processing lifting in the future .
But for now , the Xbox design team boasts that their product , which looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fastest most powerful ever '' console .
The kit , which has potential 8K video capabilities , has a faster graphics processor than the PS5 , and superior data-crunching power .
The `` premium '' Xbox Series X costs $ 499 -- the same price as the PlayStation 5 -- but both companies are also offering cheaper , digital-only `` mini '' versions of the new machines .
On these smaller consoles , gamers will be able to play titles as downloads only , not on disk .
Microsoft 's slimmed-down console @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 299 , $ 100 less than the digital-only PlayStation , a move analysts say Sony can afford as the market leader .

Tokyo (AFP) –
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Microsoft's new Xbox console hit stores worldwide Tuesday, kicking off a holiday season battle with Sony's latest PlayStation model, as the coronavirus pandemic creates unprecedented gaming demand around the world.
The Xbox Series X launches just two days before Sony's next generation PlayStation 5, in a head-to-head likely to dominate the gaming sector this shopping season.
The launches are well-placed to capitalise on a massive spike in demand for gaming. Rising numbers of people around the world are seeking distraction during a pandemic that has killed 1.25 million people and left at least three billion more in some form of lockdown since the virus first surfaced in late December.
But while lockdowns and restrictions may have boosted sales, they have also forced companies to move their launch events online.
Xbox, famous for games such as Halo, Gears of War and Forza Horizon, held an online countdown to midnight for Australia and New Zealand.
Phil Spencer, executive vice-president of gaming at Microsoft, told gamers during a Facebook live event that they were taking "the first step into the next generation of gaming."
"And you will be the first in the world to experience it."
The pandemic also means no long lines of customers camped outside stores, with the pre-orders snapped up online instead more likely to be delivered to gamers' homes.
But demand has been brisk, and is expected to stay that way, Morris Garrard, analyst at specialist financial consultancy FutureSource, told AFP ahead of the launch.
"As soon as any stock is available, it is going to be bought out, within a few minutes even," he said.
He said some of that activity would be people attempting to buy up stock for resale, but that he expects "a high level of excess demand for these consoles, at least in the short term."
"So talking sort of three to six months, I think we'll see that a lot of people who want to get a console are unable to get a console."
- Swan song for physical consoles? -
Microsoft is hoping its next-generation offering will help close the gap with Sony, whose PlayStation 4 sold twice as well as the Xbox One since they both were released in 2013.
Market research Ampere Analysis expects Microsoft will indeed narrow the gap with Sony, selling 13.5 million of the lastest Xbox against 17.9 million for the latest PlayStation in 2020 and 2021.
Unlike the PlayStation 5, whose release will be staggered in different countries from Thursday, the Xbox Series X hit the shelves worldwide on Tuesday.
Both Sony and Microsoft have lined up a roster of eagerly awaited games -- headlined by the latest edition of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed, an open-world Viking epic -- to launch with the consoles, which will offer much more powerful central and graphics processors than their predecessors.
In a competitive industry where focus is shifting to online play, this could be a swan song for physical consoles, with both firms betting on cloud servers to do the heavy processing lifting in the future.
But for now, the Xbox design team boasts that their product, which looks much like a PC, is "the fastest most powerful ever" console.
The kit, which has potential 8K video capabilities, has a faster graphics processor than the PS5, and superior data-crunching power.
The "premium" Xbox Series X costs $499 -- the same price as the PlayStation 5 -- but both companies are also offering cheaper, digital-only "mini" versions of the new machines. On these smaller consoles, gamers will be able to play titles as downloads only, not on disk.
Microsoft's slimmed-down console, the Xbox Series S, costs $299, $100 less than the digital-only PlayStation, a move analysts say Sony can afford as the market leader.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-11--Rugby shake-up goes on with new Autumn Nations Cup

Johnny Sexton ( right ) leads an Ireland team eager to learn from the mistakes they made against France in the Six Nations The inaugural Autumn Nations Cup starts with Ireland facing Wales in Dublin on Friday as rugby union continues to deal with the fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic .
An eight-team event will feature Europe 's leading six nations as well as Fiji and Georgia , who came in after Japan withdrew because of travel restrictions .
Teams will be split into two groups of four , with England , Wales , Ireland and Georgia forming one pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fiji the other .
They will each play three group matches before the tournament ends on the weekend of December 5-6 with a final between the pool winners , while the other nations face a team in the same position in the other group to determine the minor placings .
The Autumn Nations Cup is a product of Covid-19 .
It replaces the end of year schedule that usually sees southern hemisphere giants New Zealand , South Africa and Australia , none of whom are venturing across the Equator this time on health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations Cup matches are set to be played behind closed doors because of the virus , they will generate much-needed broadcast income .
England 's Rugby Football Union , one of the game 's wealthiest governing bodies , recently announced an annual loss of £10.8 million ( $ 13.9 million ) , with officials braced for more financial bad news in the next 12 months as a result of the pandemic .
Recently-crowned Six Nations champions England and a revived France will be favourites to reach the final .
French chances , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal struck in response to an expanded fixture list between the country 's leading clubs and the French Rugby Federation which means Les Bleus ' players can only feature in one Nations Cup match if they played against Wales and Ireland last month .
In the build-up to the 2023 World Cup in France , teams may try to develop their squad depth in the next few weeks .
England coach Eddie Jones has even spoken about playing nine forwards in his side 's tournament opener against Georgia at Twickenham on Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bid to counter the physical Lelos ' pack .
`` Tradition says you have eight forwards and seven backs , '' said Jones .
`` When Barcelona beat Man United in the Champions League in 2009 , they played the false nine .
`` There 's no reason why you ca n't do that in rugby and play a false 10 or a false winger . ''
But such experimentation is a luxury that Wales , on a run of five successive defeats under coach Wayne Pivac , may not be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw Wales dispense with the services of defence coach Byron Hayward , who like Pivac joined after former boss Warren Gatland stood down following last year 's World Cup .
`` It was my decision , '' insisted Pivac of the move to ditch Hayward .
A perennial complaint of teams such as Fiji and Georgia is that , because they are not involved in a major annual tournament , they are deprived of matches against leading nations in between World Cups .
At 11th and 12th respectively in the world rankings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Six Nations strugglers Italy ( 14th ) which makes the Azzurri 's match against Fiji on November 21 a much-anticipated clash .
Performance , rather than results , may be the best way to gauge Fiji and Georgia 's efforts , with the Georgians hammered 48-7 by Scotland last month .
`` When we finish this tournament , if we know we are a better team than before the start then we have had a successful Autumn Nations Cup , '' said Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze .
`` I am pretty sure we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

London (AFP) –
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The inaugural Autumn Nations Cup starts with Ireland facing Wales in Dublin on Friday as rugby union continues to deal with the fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic.
An eight-team event will feature Europe's leading six nations as well as Fiji and Georgia, who came in after Japan withdrew because of travel restrictions.
Teams will be split into two groups of four, with England, Wales, Ireland and Georgia forming one pool and Scotland, France, Italy and Fiji the other.
They will each play three group matches before the tournament ends on the weekend of December 5-6 with a final between the pool winners, while the other nations face a team in the same position in the other group to determine the minor placings.
- The 'Covid' Cup -
The Autumn Nations Cup is a product of Covid-19.
It replaces the end of year schedule that usually sees southern hemisphere giants New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, none of whom are venturing across the Equator this time on health grounds, tour Europe.
Although Autumn Nations Cup matches are set to be played behind closed doors because of the virus, they will generate much-needed broadcast income.
England's Rugby Football Union, one of the game's wealthiest governing bodies, recently announced an annual loss of £10.8 million ($13.9 million), with officials braced for more financial bad news in the next 12 months as a result of the pandemic.
Recently-crowned Six Nations champions England and a revived France will be favourites to reach the final.
French chances, however, may be hampered by a compromise deal struck in response to an expanded fixture list between the country's leading clubs and the French Rugby Federation which means Les Bleus' players can only feature in one Nations Cup match if they played against Wales and Ireland last month.
- Innovate v Consolidate -
In the build-up to the 2023 World Cup in France, teams may try to develop their squad depth in the next few weeks.
England coach Eddie Jones has even spoken about playing nine forwards in his side's tournament opener against Georgia at Twickenham on Saturday, rather than the usual eight, in a bid to counter the physical Lelos' pack.
"Tradition says you have eight forwards and seven backs," said Jones. "When Barcelona beat Man United in the Champions League in 2009, they played the false nine.
"There's no reason why you can't do that in rugby and play a false 10 or a false winger."
But such experimentation is a luxury that Wales, on a run of five successive defeats under coach Wayne Pivac, may not be able to afford away to Ireland.
Monday saw Wales dispense with the services of defence coach Byron Hayward, who like Pivac joined after former boss Warren Gatland stood down following last year's World Cup.
"It was my decision," insisted Pivac of the move to ditch Hayward.
- Opportunity for Fiji, Georgia -
A perennial complaint of teams such as Fiji and Georgia is that, because they are not involved in a major annual tournament, they are deprived of matches against leading nations in between World Cups.
At 11th and 12th respectively in the world rankings, they are both better placed than perennial Six Nations strugglers Italy (14th) which makes the Azzurri's match against Fiji on November 21 a much-anticipated clash.
Performance, rather than results, may be the best way to gauge Fiji and Georgia's efforts, with the Georgians hammered 48-7 by Scotland last month.
"When we finish this tournament, if we know we are a better team than before the start then we have had a successful Autumn Nations Cup," said Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze.
"I am pretty sure we will. We are very motivated."
© 2020 AFP