france24--2020-11-09--Allen shines as Bills outduel Seahawks, Chiefs survive scare

Quarterback Josh Allen guided the offense by throwing for three touchdowns and Buffalo 's sturdy defense forced four turnovers as the Bills handed the Seattle Seahawks their second loss in three games with a 44-34 win on Sunday .
Allen finished with a whopping 415 passing yards and added a rushing touchdown to outduel Seattle 's star quarterback Russell Wilson in the clash between NFL division leaders .
Wilson completed 28 of 41 passes for 390 yards but he had two interceptions for the Seahawks , who fell to 6-2 in the NFC West .
He also gave up two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seahawks attempted to rally from a 24-10 deficit at the half .
The Bills got superb receiving performances from Stefon Diggs and John Brown to improve to 7-2 in the AFC East .
`` We are capable of doing whatever we want to do .
We have all of the pieces here , and we just have to continue to do things right on and off the field , '' said Bills team captain Dion Dawkins .
DK Metcalf had a team-high seven catches for 108 yards for the Seahawks , who pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Rookie Zack Moss had a one-yard touchdown run and Allen scored on a three-yard romp to give the Bills 41-20 lead .
Elsewhere , quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for four touchdowns and 372 yards as the Super Bowl champion Chiefs won their fourth consecutive game by edging the Carolina Panthers 33-31 in Kansas City .
Tight end Travis Kelce , who is one of Mahomes 's favorite targets , grabbed 10 passes for 159 yards for the AFC West-leading Chiefs ( 8-1 ) .
The Chiefs got off to a slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until 4:42 of the third quarter when Clyde Edwards-Helaire snagged a four yard touchdown pass from Mahomes .
Mahomes completed 30 of 45 passing attempts and teamed up with receiver Tyreek Hill for two fourth-quarter touchdowns .
Hill finished with nine grabs for 113 yards .
Running back Christian McCaffrey , who missed the previous six games with an ankle injury , helped Carolina score touchdowns on its first two possessions .
The Panthers led 14-3 early in the second quarter .
In Indianapolis , reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson rebounded from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards of total offense as the Baltimore Ravens handed Indianapolis their first loss at home this season with a 24-10 win .
Quarterback Jackson had a rushing touchdown and Gus Edwards ran for another score as the Ravens improved to 6-2 on the season .
Jackson grabbed a slice of history as he equalled the best 30-start mark of the NFL 's Super Bowl era .
He is 25-5 since becoming the Ravens ' starter , tying retired Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins for the best start by a quarterback since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I 'm up there with a Hall of Famer , '' Jackson said .
`` But you still got to win each and every game .
So , it 's all right . ''
Baltimore outscored Indianapolis 17-0 in the opening half en route to becoming the first team to defeat the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium this season .
Justin Tucker who capped the scoring with a 48-yard field goal with just over two minutes remaining .
Jackson bounced back from a four-turnover game against Pittsburgh last week .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Quarterback Josh Allen guided the offense by throwing for three touchdowns and Buffalo's sturdy defense forced four turnovers as the Bills handed the Seattle Seahawks their second loss in three games with a 44-34 win on Sunday.
Allen finished with a whopping 415 passing yards and added a rushing touchdown to outduel Seattle's star quarterback Russell Wilson in the clash between NFL division leaders.
Wilson completed 28 of 41 passes for 390 yards but he had two interceptions for the Seahawks, who fell to 6-2 in the NFC West. He also gave up two second-half fumbles while being sacked as the Seahawks attempted to rally from a 24-10 deficit at the half.
The Bills got superb receiving performances from Stefon Diggs and John Brown to improve to 7-2 in the AFC East.
"We are capable of doing whatever we want to do. We have all of the pieces here, and we just have to continue to do things right on and off the field," said Bills team captain Dion Dawkins.
DK Metcalf had a team-high seven catches for 108 yards for the Seahawks, who pulled within 27-20 late in the third quarter.
But Rookie Zack Moss had a one-yard touchdown run and Allen scored on a three-yard romp to give the Bills 41-20 lead.
Elsewhere, quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for four touchdowns and 372 yards as the Super Bowl champion Chiefs won their fourth consecutive game by edging the Carolina Panthers 33-31 in Kansas City.
Tight end Travis Kelce, who is one of Mahomes's favorite targets, grabbed 10 passes for 159 yards for the AFC West-leading Chiefs (8-1).
The Chiefs got off to a slow start and didn't take the lead until 4:42 of the third quarter when Clyde Edwards-Helaire snagged a four yard touchdown pass from Mahomes.
Mahomes completed 30 of 45 passing attempts and teamed up with receiver Tyreek Hill for two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Hill finished with nine grabs for 113 yards.
Running back Christian McCaffrey, who missed the previous six games with an ankle injury, helped Carolina score touchdowns on its first two possessions. The Panthers led 14-3 early in the second quarter.
In Indianapolis, reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson rebounded from a sub-par game last week to gain 228 yards of total offense as the Baltimore Ravens handed Indianapolis their first loss at home this season with a 24-10 win.
Quarterback Jackson had a rushing touchdown and Gus Edwards ran for another score as the Ravens improved to 6-2 on the season.
- Jackson makes history -
Jackson grabbed a slice of history as he equalled the best 30-start mark of the NFL's Super Bowl era.
He is 25-5 since becoming the Ravens' starter, tying retired Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins for the best start by a quarterback since the mid-1960s.
"It's pretty cool, I'm up there with a Hall of Famer," Jackson said. "But you still got to win each and every game. So, it's all right."
Baltimore outscored Indianapolis 17-0 in the opening half en route to becoming the first team to defeat the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium this season.
Justin Tucker who capped the scoring with a 48-yard field goal with just over two minutes remaining.
Jackson bounced back from a four-turnover game against Pittsburgh last week.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--Beckham's Miami reach MLS playoffs in first season

David Beckham 's Inter Miami refused to be blown off course in their pursuit of reaching the Major League Soccer playoffs on Sunday , securing a famous victory while battling tropical storm Eta .
Wild winds and rain made conditions in South Florida extremely difficult , but a combination of Diego Alonso 's side beating Cincinnati 2-1 and rivals Atlanta and Chicago dropping points ensured a difficult inaugural campaign has now been boosted with a trip to the post-season , where fellow newcomers Nashville will welcome Miami on November 20th .
Goals from Mikey Ambrose - the first of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the opening 45 minutes had put Beckham ’ s franchise in control at the interval yet more drama was to follow after a brilliant strike for the visiting team from Joe Gyau on 66 minutes .
Some crazed celebrations at the final whistle began , however , once confirmation of defeats for Atlanta and Chicago arrived on MLS 's `` Decision Day '' finale to the regular season .
This was just the seventh win from 23 in the regular season for Alonso 's side , who grabbed the last available play-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conference .
Cincinnati , who are coached by Beckham 's former Manchester United teammate Jaap Stam , end up bottom for the second year in a row as Inter Miami moved on .
`` We are very excited , it has been a difficult year but we have worked hard and today we got the reward , '' said a delighted Alonso , who dedicated the triumph to the 2,703 fans who cheered on their team while combating the elements .
`` It 's a big step for us , if they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more but we are just happy to get there .
`` We knew the results were falling into place but needed to wait and it 's great we could celebrate with the fans who came to support us in such circumstances .
`` They still showed up and that '' s incredible .
They are some of the worst conditions I have ever seen as a player or coach and it was difficult to know how to play .
`` We wanted to attack , but it was n't a day for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball went into the air it was difficult . ''
The MLS play-offs are all one leg knock-out games and Alonso added : `` A new tournament starts now and we can forget what has happened in the season up until this point .
`` This group loves to play life or death matches .
I am delighted . ''
The chances of Inter Miami extending their season appeared slim before kick-off with Atlanta , Chicago and Montreal also vying for two available slots .
- 'We did it ' - But although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United and will play New England in the next round , Atlanta and Chicago Atlanta lost against Columbus and Chicago fell to New York City FC to ensure Miami also sneaked through despite Cincinnati pushing hard at the death for a draw which would n't have been enough for the home team .
`` The conditions were crazy , when we saw the storm would hit close to the game , we knew it would be like this , '' said Gonzalez Pirez .
`` We had the wind in our favor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to get it done and then try to manage the game in the second .
Rain is no problem but playing with the wind is so tough .
`` But we did it and now we can prepare for what 's ahead . ''
With every MLS team in action Sunday , the Philadelphia Union locked up the Supporters ' Shield for the team with the best regular-season record with a 2-0 victory over New England .
Toronto FC , also in the running for the Supporters ' Shield , closed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Red Bulls .

Miami (AFP) –
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David Beckham's Inter Miami refused to be blown off course in their pursuit of reaching the Major League Soccer playoffs on Sunday, securing a famous victory while battling tropical storm Eta.
Wild winds and rain made conditions in South Florida extremely difficult, but a combination of Diego Alonso's side beating Cincinnati 2-1 and rivals Atlanta and Chicago dropping points ensured a difficult inaugural campaign has now been boosted with a trip to the post-season, where fellow newcomers Nashville will welcome Miami on November 20th.
Goals from Mikey Ambrose - the first of his career - and defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez in the opening 45 minutes had put Beckham’s franchise in control at the interval yet more drama was to follow after a brilliant strike for the visiting team from Joe Gyau on 66 minutes.
A late red card for Inter defender Andres Reyes ensured a nervy finale.
Some crazed celebrations at the final whistle began, however, once confirmation of defeats for Atlanta and Chicago arrived on MLS's "Decision Day" finale to the regular season.
This was just the seventh win from 23 in the regular season for Alonso's side, who grabbed the last available play-off ticket by finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference.
Cincinnati, who are coached by Beckham's former Manchester United teammate Jaap Stam, end up bottom for the second year in a row as Inter Miami moved on.
"We are very excited, it has been a difficult year but we have worked hard and today we got the reward," said a delighted Alonso, who dedicated the triumph to the 2,703 fans who cheered on their team while combating the elements.
"It's a big step for us, if they were normal conditions we would have won by more but we are just happy to get there.
"We knew the results were falling into place but needed to wait and it's great we could celebrate with the fans who came to support us in such circumstances.
"They still showed up and that"s incredible. They are some of the worst conditions I have ever seen as a player or coach and it was difficult to know how to play.
"We wanted to attack, but it wasn't a day for a lot of touches. Every time the ball went into the air it was difficult."
The MLS play-offs are all one leg knock-out games and Alonso added: "A new tournament starts now and we can forget what has happened in the season up until this point.
"This group loves to play life or death matches. I am delighted."
The chances of Inter Miami extending their season appeared slim before kick-off with Atlanta, Chicago and Montreal also vying for two available slots.
- 'We did it' -
But although Thierry Henry's Montreal triumphed over DC United and will play New England in the next round, Atlanta and Chicago Atlanta lost against Columbus and Chicago fell to New York City FC to ensure Miami also sneaked through despite Cincinnati pushing hard at the death for a draw which wouldn't have been enough for the home team.
"The conditions were crazy, when we saw the storm would hit close to the game, we knew it would be like this," said Gonzalez Pirez.
"We had the wind in our favor in the first half so we knew we had to get it done and then try to manage the game in the second. Rain is no problem but playing with the wind is so tough.
"But we did it and now we can prepare for what's ahead."
With every MLS team in action Sunday, the Philadelphia Union locked up the Supporters' Shield for the team with the best regular-season record with a 2-0 victory over New England.
Toronto FC, also in the running for the Supporters' Shield, closed out the regular-season with a 2-1 defeat to New York Red Bulls.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--Maduro hopes to resume 'decent' dialogue with Biden administration

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said Sunday that he will work to resume `` decent , sincere '' political dialogue with the United States , a country with which his government maintains tense relations , once Joe Biden assumes the presidency .
`` In time , ... we will work , hopefully , to resume decent , sincere , direct channels of dialogue between the future government of Joe Biden '' and Venezuela , the leftist leader said in a televised speech .
Maduro had said Saturday he was open to `` dialogue '' after congratulating Biden on his victory .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared himself the Latin American country 's interim leader , also congratulated the US president-elect .
The target of US sanctions aiming to force him from power , Maduro broke off diplomatic relations with Washington in January 2019 , after President Donald Trump 's administration -- along with around 60 other countries -- recognized Guaido as Venezuela 's president .
`` Donald Trump left a minefield between the government of the United States and Venezuela ... he left a swamp .
I know , we know , '' Maduro said , adding he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` interventionism '' in Latin America .
Washington has led international pressure to force the socialist leader from power and was one of the first countries to back Guaido 's January 2019 claim to be Venezuela 's acting president , after Maduro 's May 2018 reelection was deemed fraudulent .
The United States imposed financial sanctions on Venezuela , including an oil embargo in force since April 2019 .
It has also accused Maduro of drug trafficking and offered a $ 15 million reward for information that would lead to his arrest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ power , backed by the Venezuelan military as well as key allies Cuba , Russia , China , Turkey and Iran .
Biden will replace Trump and officially become the 46th US president on January 20 , 2021 .

Caracas (AFP) –
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Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said Sunday that he will work to resume "decent, sincere" political dialogue with the United States, a country with which his government maintains tense relations, once Joe Biden assumes the presidency.
"In time,... we will work, hopefully, to resume decent, sincere, direct channels of dialogue between the future government of Joe Biden" and Venezuela, the leftist leader said in a televised speech.
Maduro had said Saturday he was open to "dialogue" after congratulating Biden on his victory. Opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself the Latin American country's interim leader, also congratulated the US president-elect.
The target of US sanctions aiming to force him from power, Maduro broke off diplomatic relations with Washington in January 2019, after President Donald Trump's administration -- along with around 60 other countries -- recognized Guaido as Venezuela's president.
"Donald Trump left a minefield between the government of the United States and Venezuela... he left a swamp. I know, we know," Maduro said, adding he hoped Biden's administration would end US "interventionism" in Latin America.
Washington has led international pressure to force the socialist leader from power and was one of the first countries to back Guaido's January 2019 claim to be Venezuela's acting president, after Maduro's May 2018 reelection was deemed fraudulent.
The United States imposed financial sanctions on Venezuela, including an oil embargo in force since April 2019.
It has also accused Maduro of drug trafficking and offered a $15 million reward for information that would lead to his arrest.
Despite the pressure, Maduro remains in power, backed by the Venezuelan military as well as key allies Cuba, Russia, China, Turkey and Iran.
Biden will replace Trump and officially become the 46th US president on January 20, 2021.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Lille suffer first defeat of season, Lyon grab derby bragging rights

Yilmaz Burak got two goals for Lille in a losing effort Ligue 1 's last unbeaten run was ended on Sunday when Lille followed up their midweek triumph over AC Milan with a 3-2 defeat at Brest , while Lyon downed local rivals Saint Etienne 2-1 .
Lille remain second in the French top-flight five points behind Paris Saint-Germain and one above Rennes after suffering their first loss since February .
The team that thumped Milan 3-0 at the San Siro on Thursday failed to leave enough in the tank to see off Brittany outfit Brest , who had lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got his first professional goal with a header for the opener on 15 minutes and Brest raced to a 3-0 lead before half-time with goals from Romain Perraud and Irvin Cardona .
Christophe Galtier 's side never gave up however and earned a penalty in first-half injury time with Turkish striker Yilmaz Burak slotting home .
He grabbed another goal on 57 minutes to set up the eventually doomed chase as the home side were cheered on by noisy neighbours in an adjacent building .
`` We thought kick-off was going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an hour , '' said Galtier .
`` When there 's such a difference between the first and second half , there 's only one person responsible and that 's me .
The starting XI was my choice and it did n't work at all . ''
Lyon moved into fifth place by beating strugging rivals Saint-Etienne 2-1 with Tino Kadewere fulfilling a his pre-match prediction that he 'd score twice .
The 24-year-old Zimbabwean international scored in the 65th and 74th minutes after Lyon had fallen behind in the first half .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed to put through his own goal five minutes before the interval .
Lopes had saved well from a header by Denis Bouanga but then seconds later fumbled a cross from the same player across his own line .
Bouanga then missed a penalty in the 87th minute which would have given Saint-Etienne a point .
For Rudi Garcia 's Lyon , it was a third win in four games while their local rivals slumped to a sixth successive loss .
`` I 'm happy for Tino who is appreciated by everyone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Garcia .
Monaco are sixth following a 2-1 victory at Nice .
Axel Disasi headed in a corner to put Monaco ahead on 23 minutes and Sofiane Diop punished a mistake by Stanley Nsoki to double the lead early in the second half .
Pierre Lees-Melou scored a consolation for Nice as Patrick Vieira 's side were beaten for the first time in six matches .
Florian Sotoca scored two late goals as Lens salvaged a 4-4 draw at home to Reims , while Angers thrashed Nimes 5-1 .
Nantes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only club without a victory despite a 1-1 draw at Metz .
On Saturday , Angel Di Maria scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain made short work of Rennes despite a raft of absences in a 3-0 win with the Argentine striking in each half and Moise Kean scoring the other .
PSG 's win was their eighth in a row in Ligue 1 and came as under-fire coach Thomas Tuchel battles with an injury crisis that has left him without the likes of Neymar , Kylian Mbappe and Marco Verratti .

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Ligue 1's last unbeaten run was ended on Sunday when Lille followed up their midweek triumph over AC Milan with a 3-2 defeat at Brest, while Lyon downed local rivals Saint Etienne 2-1.
Lille remain second in the French top-flight five points behind Paris Saint-Germain and one above Rennes after suffering their first loss since February.
The team that thumped Milan 3-0 at the San Siro on Thursday failed to leave enough in the tank to see off Brittany outfit Brest, who had lost three in a row.
Ronael Pierre-Gabriel got his first professional goal with a header for the opener on 15 minutes and Brest raced to a 3-0 lead before half-time with goals from Romain Perraud and Irvin Cardona.
Christophe Galtier's side never gave up however and earned a penalty in first-half injury time with Turkish striker Yilmaz Burak slotting home.
He grabbed another goal on 57 minutes to set up the eventually doomed chase as the home side were cheered on by noisy neighbours in an adjacent building.
"We thought kick-off was going to be at 2p.m., we were wrong by an hour," said Galtier.
"When there's such a difference between the first and second half, there's only one person responsible and that's me. The starting XI was my choice and it didn't work at all."
Lyon moved into fifth place by beating strugging rivals Saint-Etienne 2-1 with Tino Kadewere fulfilling a his pre-match prediction that he'd score twice.
The 24-year-old Zimbabwean international scored in the 65th and 74th minutes after Lyon had fallen behind in the first half.
Saint-Etienne benefitted when Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes managed to put through his own goal five minutes before the interval.
Lopes had saved well from a header by Denis Bouanga but then seconds later fumbled a cross from the same player across his own line.
Bouanga then missed a penalty in the 87th minute which would have given Saint-Etienne a point.
For Rudi Garcia's Lyon, it was a third win in four games while their local rivals slumped to a sixth successive loss.
"I'm happy for Tino who is appreciated by everyone. He has the qualities of a finisher," said Garcia.
Monaco are sixth following a 2-1 victory at Nice.
Axel Disasi headed in a corner to put Monaco ahead on 23 minutes and Sofiane Diop punished a mistake by Stanley Nsoki to double the lead early in the second half.
Pierre Lees-Melou scored a consolation for Nice as Patrick Vieira's side were beaten for the first time in six matches.
Florian Sotoca scored two late goals as Lens salvaged a 4-4 draw at home to Reims, while Angers thrashed Nimes 5-1.
Nantes won 2-0 at Lorient but Dijon remain the only club without a victory despite a 1-1 draw at Metz.
On Saturday, Angel Di Maria scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain made short work of Rennes despite a raft of absences in a 3-0 win with the Argentine striking in each half and Moise Kean scoring the other.
PSG's win was their eighth in a row in Ligue 1 and came as under-fire coach Thomas Tuchel battles with an injury crisis that has left him without the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Marco Verratti.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Real Madrid recovery halted by three Valencia penalties and own-goal

Valencia 's Carlos Soler scored three penalties in a 4-1 win over Real Madrid on Sunday .
Real Madrid were thrashed 4-1 at struggling Valencia on Sunday as Carlos Soler scored a hat-trick of penalties to raise further doubts over La Liga 's reigning champions .
Madrid took the lead through Karim Benzema but presented Valencia with four gifts at Mestalla , including three spot-kicks and an own-goal scored by Raphael Varane , to fall to another surprise defeat .
This is the first time Madrid have conceded four goals since letting in five against Barcelona in October 2018 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had followed a rocky start to the season .
After back-to-back losses to Cadiz and Shakhtar Donestsk last month , Zinedine Zidane 's side appeared to have turned a corner with wins over Barca , Huesca and Inter Milan .
Yet this result puts the pressure back on ahead of the international break , with Madrid now fourth in the table , four points behind early leaders Real Sociedad .
A disappointing night also got worse when Benzema was forced off late on with what looked like a groin injury .
Valencia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after enduring a nightmare start to the campaign , on the back of a transfer window which saw them sell five key players and fail to replace any of them .
A stirring victory though pushes Javi Gracia 's team up to ninth and may prove a turning point in their season .
There was certainly an element of fortune in Valencia 's goals , all of them unusual and some of them bizarre .
But Soler did brilliantly to beat Thibaut Courtois three times , particularly having missed his first attempt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off his line .
Madrid were also without Casemiro after the Brazilian tested positive for coronavirus but a heavy loss continues a worrying trend of defensive vulnerability .
Solidity was the key to them winning the title last season but they are now seven matches without a single clean sheet .
The first half turned on two decisions that went Valencia 's way but Madrid could have few complaints .
They took the lead when Benzema unleashed from the edge of the area but conceded a penalty when Jose Luis Gaya 's cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chaos followed as Soler 's penalty was saved by Courtois and then his rebound came back off the post to Yunus Musah , who finished on the half-volley .
Replays showed Musah had entered the box too early but Courtois was also off his line , making his save illegal and handing Soler a retake .
He made no mistake at the second attempt and then Valencia pulled in front when Varane skewed a cross towards his own-goal and got tangled with Courtois while attempting to clear .
The ball was shown to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lucky to escape punishment for a tackle on Marcos Asensio by Denis Cheryshev in the build-up .
Madrid had work to do but Valencia started the second half stronger , Lee Kang-In hitting the post before two more penalties were awarded .
Marcelo wrapped his foot around Maxi Gomez in the area before Sergio Ramos tackled Musah and as the ball popped up , Madrid 's captain knocked it away with his left hand .
Soler stepped up for this third and fourth spot-kicks of the match and scored both to complete the @ @ @ @ @

Madrid (AFP) –
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Real Madrid were thrashed 4-1 at struggling Valencia on Sunday as Carlos Soler scored a hat-trick of penalties to raise further doubts over La Liga's reigning champions.
Madrid took the lead through Karim Benzema but presented Valencia with four gifts at Mestalla, including three spot-kicks and an own-goal scored by Raphael Varane, to fall to another surprise defeat.
This is the first time Madrid have conceded four goals since letting in five against Barcelona in October 2018 and puts the brakes on their recovery that had followed a rocky start to the season.
After back-to-back losses to Cadiz and Shakhtar Donestsk last month, Zinedine Zidane's side appeared to have turned a corner with wins over Barca, Huesca and Inter Milan.
Yet this result puts the pressure back on ahead of the international break, with Madrid now fourth in the table, four points behind early leaders Real Sociedad.
A disappointing night also got worse when Benzema was forced off late on with what looked like a groin injury.
Valencia, meanwhile, started the day in 17th after enduring a nightmare start to the campaign, on the back of a transfer window which saw them sell five key players and fail to replace any of them.
A stirring victory though pushes Javi Gracia's team up to ninth and may prove a turning point in their season.
There was certainly an element of fortune in Valencia's goals, all of them unusual and some of them bizarre.
But Soler did brilliantly to beat Thibaut Courtois three times, particularly having missed his first attempt, which was retaken after the Belgian came off his line.
Madrid were also without Casemiro after the Brazilian tested positive for coronavirus but a heavy loss continues a worrying trend of defensive vulnerability.
Solidity was the key to them winning the title last season but they are now seven matches without a single clean sheet.
The first half turned on two decisions that went Valencia's way but Madrid could have few complaints.
They took the lead when Benzema unleashed from the edge of the area but conceded a penalty when Jose Luis Gaya's cross struck the arm of Lucas Vazquez.
Chaos followed as Soler's penalty was saved by Courtois and then his rebound came back off the post to Yunus Musah, who finished on the half-volley.
Replays showed Musah had entered the box too early but Courtois was also off his line, making his save illegal and handing Soler a retake.
He made no mistake at the second attempt and then Valencia pulled in front when Varane skewed a cross towards his own-goal and got tangled with Courtois while attempting to clear.
The ball was shown to have crossed the line while Valencia were lucky to escape punishment for a tackle on Marcos Asensio by Denis Cheryshev in the build-up.
Madrid had work to do but Valencia started the second half stronger, Lee Kang-In hitting the post before two more penalties were awarded.
Marcelo wrapped his foot around Maxi Gomez in the area before Sergio Ramos tackled Musah and as the ball popped up, Madrid's captain knocked it away with his left hand.
Soler stepped up for this third and fourth spot-kicks of the match and scored both to complete the defending champions' misery.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Coachless 'injured beast' Agen lose again as president picks team

Former England under-20s Gabriel Ibitoye left the field with an ankle injury for Agen Bottom of the table Agen lost 19-16 at home to Lyon on Sunday in the French Top 14 in their first game since sacking their coach as president Jean-Francois Fonteneau picked the team .
Fonteneau fired Christophe Laussucq and team manager Remi Vaquin in midweek following last Saturday 's 71-5 humiliation , a seventh straight loss of the season , at Bordeaux-Begles .
`` When there 's an electroshock there 's a reaction .
We did n't lack much against a Lyon team who were eyeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' businessman Fonteneau said .
`` We doubled our points total , we have to stay positive , '' he added .
The 57-year-old made nine changes from the hammering at Stade Chaban-Delmas as centres Jordan Puletua , Sam Vaka and Samoa winger JJ Taulagi were among those to be dropped .
The hosts , who according to reports were coached by the academy manager and a physiotherapist during the week , opened the scoring as scrum-half Paul Abadie kicked a ninth-minute penalty goal .
Abadie traded efforts with the visitors ' Jonathan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an hour .
The away side assured the lead at the break as Australian winger Toby Arnold crossed before Wisniewski added a third penalty for a 16-6 edge at the interval .
Abadie and Wisniewski converted further shots at goal before prop Tapu Falatea went over from a driving maul and Hugo Verdu 's conversion made it 19-16 .
Fonteneau 's men reclaimed possession after the restart but failed to break down Lyon 's defence and were forced to settle for just a second bonus point of the campaign .
La Rochelle moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first since December 2017 with a 19-10 victory over Clermont at Stade Marcel-Deflandre .
France full-back Brice Dulin scored the touchdown and Jules Plisson kicked the points from the tee for the hosts who conceded a try at home for the first time since January as Samoa 's Tim Nanai-Williams crossed for the away side .
`` It was difficult , we succeeded in coming together without giving them a bonus point , '' fly-half Plisson told Canal+ .
`` We 're first now , which is a very good operation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders , '' he added .
On Saturday , two-time Rugby World Cup winner Jerome Kaino suffered an ankle injury in Toulouse 's 16-16 draw with local rivals Castres .
Stade Francai 's trip to Montpellier was postponed due to coronavirus cases at the hosts in the second week of Top 14 games played behind closed doors because of lockdown measuers introduced in France .

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Bottom of the table Agen lost 19-16 at home to Lyon on Sunday in the French Top 14 in their first game since sacking their coach as president Jean-Francois Fonteneau picked the team.
Fonteneau fired Christophe Laussucq and team manager Remi Vaquin in midweek following last Saturday's 71-5 humiliation, a seventh straight loss of the season, at Bordeaux-Begles.
"When there's an electroshock there's a reaction. We didn't lack much against a Lyon team who were eyeing this game against an injured beast," businessman Fonteneau said.
"We doubled our points total, we have to stay positive," he added.
The 57-year-old made nine changes from the hammering at Stade Chaban-Delmas as centres Jordan Puletua, Sam Vaka and Samoa winger JJ Taulagi were among those to be dropped.
The hosts, who according to reports were coached by the academy manager and a physiotherapist during the week, opened the scoring as scrum-half Paul Abadie kicked a ninth-minute penalty goal.
Abadie traded efforts with the visitors' Jonathan Wisniewski for a 6-6 score after half an hour.
The away side assured the lead at the break as Australian winger Toby Arnold crossed before Wisniewski added a third penalty for a 16-6 edge at the interval.
Abadie and Wisniewski converted further shots at goal before prop Tapu Falatea went over from a driving maul and Hugo Verdu's conversion made it 19-16.
Fonteneau's men reclaimed possession after the restart but failed to break down Lyon's defence and were forced to settle for just a second bonus point of the campaign.
- La Rochelle go top -
La Rochelle moved to the top of the table for the first since December 2017 with a 19-10 victory over Clermont at Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
France full-back Brice Dulin scored the touchdown and Jules Plisson kicked the points from the tee for the hosts who conceded a try at home for the first time since January as Samoa's Tim Nanai-Williams crossed for the away side.
"It was difficult, we succeeded in coming together without giving them a bonus point," fly-half Plisson told Canal+.
"We're first now, which is a very good operation and we go to Paris next weekend as leaders," he added.
On Saturday, two-time Rugby World Cup winner Jerome Kaino suffered an ankle injury in Toulouse's 16-16 draw with local rivals Castres.
Stade Francai's trip to Montpellier was postponed due to coronavirus cases at the hosts in the second week of Top 14 games played behind closed doors because of lockdown measuers introduced in France.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Bayern star Kimmich out until January after knee surgery

Injury to Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich ( C ) cast a shadow over Bayern Munich 's 3-2 win at Borussia @ @ @ @ @ midfielder Joshua Kimmich underwent surgery on his right knee on Sunday and will be out @ @ @ @ @ the German champions announced .
The German international , 25 , suffered the injury in @ @ @ @ @ 's 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund which sent them top of the Bundesliga .
`` @ @ @ @ @ on his right lateral meniscus on Sunday evening , '' said Bayern in a statement @ @ @ @ @ medical department expect the midfielder to be available again in January . ''
Bayern board @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're glad that Joshua will probably be available again in a matter of @ @ @ @ @ him in his rehabilitation as best we can . ''
The lay-off will sideline him @ @ @ @ @ of the Champions League group stage as well as six Bundesliga fixtures .

Dortmund (Germany) (AFP) –
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Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich underwent surgery on his right knee on Sunday and will be out of action until January, the German champions announced.
The German international, 25, suffered the injury in the first half of Saturday's 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund which sent them top of the Bundesliga.
"Joshua Kimmich underwent successful surgery on his right lateral meniscus on Sunday evening," said Bayern in a statement.
"The FC Bayern medical department expect the midfielder to be available again in January."
Bayern board member Hasan Salihamidzic added: "We're glad that Joshua will probably be available again in a matter of weeks. We'll support him in his rehabilitation as best we can."
The lay-off will sideline him for the final three games of the Champions League group stage as well as six Bundesliga fixtures.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--Three talking points from the Premier League

The Premier League leadership chopped and changed over the weekend but when the dust settled Leicester were top of the pile , one point clear of Tottenham and Liverpool .
Southampton started Sunday in pole position but were leapfrogged first by Spurs , then the Foxes before Liverpool and Manchester City played out a 1-1 draw .
It means just six points separate the 2016 champions from Manchester City all the way down in 10th .
AFP Sport looks at three talking points from the weekend 's Premier League action .
Even as City finished a distant second to Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still comfortably outscored the Reds by 17 goals .
City have racked up 303 league goals in the past three seasons , but an early season lack of fluency in the final third showed again against Liverpool .
They have now found the net just once in each of their past five league games .
An improvement at the other end of the pitch since Ruben Dias was paired with Aymeric Laporte in central defence means they remain within striking distance of the top of the table , six points adrift with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have dropped points in four of their opening seven league games shows they are not the force that stormed to back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019 , winning 198 points over two seasons .
Guardiola has had to cope without a natural striker for much of the season and Gabriel Jesus showed the difference that can make , with an instinctive finish for his side 's equaliser .
Sergio Aguero is also expected back after the international break and the club 's all-time top-scorer 's prowess in front of goal is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing .
Paul Pogba remains a square peg in a round hole at Manchester United despite occasional flashes of brilliance .
In Saturday 's must-win game against Everton , Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chose to start with Scott McTominay and Fred at the base of his midfield , with Bruno Fernandes higher up the pitch .
It worked a treat as man-of-the-match Fernandes scored twice in a 3-1 victory , with Pogba , 27 , again reduced to a bit-part role as a late substitute .
Solskjaer came to the defence of the Frenchman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arsenal last week , saying he was working his way back to full fitness after an ankle injury last season and a coronavirus infection earlier this campaign .
But it is telling that he did not pick him in the starting line-up against Istanbul Basaksehir in midweek or at Goodison Park on Saturday .
The richly gifted World Cup winner recently ramped up speculation over his future again by admitting it would be a dream to play for Real Madrid but he is tied to United until 2022 .
It is difficult to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship the way things currently stand .
Alan Shearer has long enjoyed the view from the top of the mountain as the Premier League 's all-time record goalscorer but he will now be looking over his shoulder .
Former Blackburn and Newcastle striker Shearer scored 260 Premier League goals in his career , 52 more than former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney .
But Harry Kane scored the winner in Tottenham 's 1-0 victory against West Brom on Sunday to reach the 150-mark in fewer games ( 218 ) than anybody except Shearer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` To win and score my 150th Premier League goal ... perfect afternoon , '' tweeted the England captain .
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho was full of praise for his leading man , who is now joint ninth on the all-time list alongside Michael Owen .
The England captain is still just 27 and has time on his side .
It would take a brave man to bet against him .

London (AFP) –
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The Premier League leadership chopped and changed over the weekend but when the dust settled Leicester were top of the pile, one point clear of Tottenham and Liverpool.
Southampton started Sunday in pole position but were leapfrogged first by Spurs, then the Foxes before Liverpool and Manchester City played out a 1-1 draw.
It means just six points separate the 2016 champions from Manchester City all the way down in 10th.
AFP Sport looks at three talking points from the weekend's Premier League action.
Man City's goal rush dries up
Even as City finished a distant second to Liverpool last season, Pep Guardiola's men still comfortably outscored the Reds by 17 goals.
City have racked up 303 league goals in the past three seasons, but an early season lack of fluency in the final third showed again against Liverpool.
They have now found the net just once in each of their past five league games.
An improvement at the other end of the pitch since Ruben Dias was paired with Aymeric Laporte in central defence means they remain within striking distance of the top of the table, six points adrift with a game in hand.
But the fact they have dropped points in four of their opening seven league games shows they are not the force that stormed to back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019, winning 198 points over two seasons.
Guardiola has had to cope without a natural striker for much of the season and Gabriel Jesus showed the difference that can make, with an instinctive finish for his side's equaliser.
Sergio Aguero is also expected back after the international break and the club's all-time top-scorer's prowess in front of goal is what City's title challenge has been badly missing.
Can Pogba find a role at Man Utd?
Paul Pogba remains a square peg in a round hole at Manchester United despite occasional flashes of brilliance.
In Saturday's must-win game against Everton, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chose to start with Scott McTominay and Fred at the base of his midfield, with Bruno Fernandes higher up the pitch.
It worked a treat as man-of-the-match Fernandes scored twice in a 3-1 victory, with Pogba, 27, again reduced to a bit-part role as a late substitute.
Solskjaer came to the defence of the Frenchman after he conceded a costly penalty against Arsenal last week, saying he was working his way back to full fitness after an ankle injury last season and a coronavirus infection earlier this campaign.
But it is telling that he did not pick him in the starting line-up against Istanbul Basaksehir in midweek or at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The richly gifted World Cup winner recently ramped up speculation over his future again by admitting it would be a dream to play for Real Madrid but he is tied to United until 2022.
It is difficult to know whether either party sees a long-term relationship the way things currently stand.
Can Kane catch Shearer?
Alan Shearer has long enjoyed the view from the top of the mountain as the Premier League's all-time record goalscorer but he will now be looking over his shoulder.
Former Blackburn and Newcastle striker Shearer scored 260 Premier League goals in his career, 52 more than former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney.
But Harry Kane scored the winner in Tottenham's 1-0 victory against West Brom on Sunday to reach the 150-mark in fewer games (218) than anybody except Shearer and Manchester City's Sergio Aguero.
"To win and score my 150th Premier League goal... perfect afternoon," tweeted the England captain.
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho was full of praise for his leading man, who is now joint ninth on the all-time list alongside Michael Owen.
The England captain is still just 27 and has time on his side. It would take a brave man to bet against him.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-08--French far-left leader Mélenchon announces 2022 presidential run

French leftist party La France Insoumise 's ( LFI ) leader Jean-Luc Melenchon poses at the studios of the French television channel TF1 , prior to announces his candidacy for the Presidential election of 2022 , on November 8 , 2020 , in Paris .
French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said on Sunday he would run for president in 2022 if he received enough public support for what would be his third bid for the Elysee Palace .
Melenchon , a spearhead of the opposition against French President Emmanuel Macron 's economic policies and a supporter of the `` yellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented 19.5 % in the first round of the 2017 presidential election .
`` We have to turn on a light at the end of the tunnel for people , we can do things differently , '' Melenchon said on television channel TF1 's evening news .
`` I am ready and I offer my candidacy , '' he said , adding he would do so only if 150,000 people signed up in favour in an online petition .
The left-wing firebrand , who also ran for president in 2012 , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling of the coronavirus outbreak in France , where deaths topped 40,000 on Saturday .
A Paris suburb court handed him a suspended three-month prison term and a 8,000 euros ( $ 9,509 ) fine in December 2019 for intimidating officials who were investigating him over possible funding irregularities .

French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said on Sunday he would run for president in 2022 if he received enough public support for what would be his third bid for the Elysee Palace.
French leftist party La France Insoumise's (LFI) leader Jean-Luc Melenchon poses at the studios of the French television channel TF1 , prior to announces his candidacy for the Presidential election of 2022, on November 8, 2020, in Paris.
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Melenchon, a spearhead of the opposition against French President Emmanuel Macron's economic policies and a supporter of the "yellow vest" anti-government protests, won an unprecedented 19.5% in the first round of the 2017 presidential election.
"We have to turn on a light at the end of the tunnel for people, we can do things differently," Melenchon said on television channel TF1's evening news.
"I am ready and I offer my candidacy," he said, adding he would do so only if 150,000 people signed up in favour in an online petition.
The left-wing firebrand, who also ran for president in 2012, has been a frequent critic of the government's handling of the coronavirus outbreak in France, where deaths topped 40,000 on Saturday.
A Paris suburb court handed him a suspended three-month prison term and a 8,000 euros ($9,509) fine in December 2019 for intimidating officials who were investigating him over possible funding irregularities.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-11-09--Man charged over jealous 'revenge' priest shooting in France

As it turns out , the motive was jealousy , not religion A man who shot a Greek Orthodox priest last month in the French city of Lyon has been charged with attempted murder after admitting he acted out of jealousy because his wife was having an affair with the cleric , prosecutors said .
The 40-year-old Georgian national was arrested on Friday together with his wife , a Russian about 10 years his junior , and charged late Sunday .
His wife was released without charges at the weekend , according to the Lyon prosecutor , Nicolas Jacquet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new act of terror in France against a Christian target after coming on the heels of a spate of deadly attacks in the last weeks blamed on radical Islamists .
But the investigation has shown that the motives of the attacker in Lyon were quite different .
Prosecutors said the suspect `` turns out to be the husband of a woman who was having an affair with the victim '' .
The man admitted shooting the priest and told police that he had wanted revenge .
However he claimed that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not kill him , the prosecutor said .
The 52-year-old priest , Nikolaos Kakavelakis , a married Greek national , had been holding services in the Lyon Orthodox church for the past decade .
He was shot on October 31 as he was locking the doors of the church , with two blasts from a sawn-off shotgun seriously wounding him in the abdomen .
Parts of the weapon have been recovered with the help of the suspect , the prosecutor said .
The victim himself led police to the jealousy motive when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coma .
The attack on the priest , which came two days after a deadly stabbing rampage in a church in the southern city of Nice , was at first feared to have possibly been another terror attack .
But investigators quickly determined that they were not dealing with any ideological motive , but a straightforward criminal case .

Lyon (AFP) –
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A man who shot a Greek Orthodox priest last month in the French city of Lyon has been charged with attempted murder after admitting he acted out of jealousy because his wife was having an affair with the cleric, prosecutors said.
The 40-year-old Georgian national was arrested on Friday together with his wife, a Russian about 10 years his junior, and charged late Sunday.
His wife was released without charges at the weekend, according to the Lyon prosecutor, Nicolas Jacquet.
The shooting had initially raised fears of a new act of terror in France against a Christian target after coming on the heels of a spate of deadly attacks in the last weeks blamed on radical Islamists.
But the investigation has shown that the motives of the attacker in Lyon were quite different.
Prosecutors said the suspect "turns out to be the husband of a woman who was having an affair with the victim".
The man admitted shooting the priest and told police that he had wanted revenge.
However he claimed that he had only wanted to injure his rival, not kill him, the prosecutor said.
The 52-year-old priest, Nikolaos Kakavelakis, a married Greek national, had been holding services in the Lyon Orthodox church for the past decade.
He was shot on October 31 as he was locking the doors of the church, with two blasts from a sawn-off shotgun seriously wounding him in the abdomen.
Parts of the weapon have been recovered with the help of the suspect, the prosecutor said.
The victim himself led police to the jealousy motive when he identified his attacker after emerging from a coma.
The attack on the priest, which came two days after a deadly stabbing rampage in a church in the southern city of Nice, was at first feared to have possibly been another terror attack.
But investigators quickly determined that they were not dealing with any ideological motive, but a straightforward criminal case.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--Spurs collapse against West Ham changed mindset, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho says the pain of Tottenham 's late collapse against West Ham has changed the way his side play as they eye a Premier League title challenge .
Tottenham briefly sat top of the Premier League after a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday before being dislodged by Leicester later in the afternoon .
The hard-fought manner of the victory , secured when Harry Kane scored his 150th Premier League goal in the final moments , contrasted sharply with the way Tottenham were playing earlier in the season .
Mourinho 's team were cutting teams open and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Manchester United , before squandering a 3-0 lead at home to West Ham , who scored three late goals to grab a point .
Tottenham have not taken as many risks since that wake-up call , grinding out a 1-0 win at Burnley and a 2-1 victory against Brighton , which was followed by the late victory at West Brom .
Asked about the impact of the West Ham game , Mourinho said : `` We felt the pain against West Ham and since then strategically the team is behaving in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheets at Burnley and at West Brom showed the lesson -- a team in the last five minutes that was very solid , it looked like the pain made a positive effort and the team improved after that .
`` The reality is that the players understand the need of being a team in every moment of every game . ''
Mourinho said his side , who are now second , one point behind Leicester , were `` compensating away for the points we lost at home earlier in the season '' .

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Jose Mourinho says the pain of Tottenham's late collapse against West Ham has changed the way his side play as they eye a Premier League title challenge.
Tottenham briefly sat top of the Premier League after a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday before being dislodged by Leicester later in the afternoon.
The hard-fought manner of the victory, secured when Harry Kane scored his 150th Premier League goal in the final moments, contrasted sharply with the way Tottenham were playing earlier in the season.
Mourinho's team were cutting teams open and scoring freely, including a 6-1 demolition of Manchester United, before squandering a 3-0 lead at home to West Ham, who scored three late goals to grab a point.
Tottenham have not taken as many risks since that wake-up call, grinding out a 1-0 win at Burnley and a 2-1 victory against Brighton, which was followed by the late victory at West Brom.
Asked about the impact of the West Ham game, Mourinho said: "We felt the pain against West Ham and since then strategically the team is behaving in a different way.
"The two clean sheets at Burnley and at West Brom showed the lesson -- a team in the last five minutes that was very solid, it looked like the pain made a positive effort and the team improved after that.
"The reality is that the players understand the need of being a team in every moment of every game."
Mourinho said his side, who are now second, one point behind Leicester, were "compensating away for the points we lost at home earlier in the season".
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers threaten mass resignation

Pro-democracy lawmakers attend a press conference at the government headquarters in Hong Kong on November 9 , 2020 Pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong 's legislature will resign `` en masse '' if Beijing 's top law-making committee moves to disqualify four of their colleagues for violating the semi-autonomous city 's Basic Law , the convener of the bloc said Monday .
The threat came ahead of a meeting of one of China 's top law-making bodies , with Hong Kong media reporting that it was considering disqualifying four of the semi-autonomous city 's legislators .
Hong Kong 's democracy camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed a sweeping national security law in response to huge and often violent protests last year , including political disqualifications , arrests for social media posts and activists fleeing overseas .
The National People 's Congress Standing Committee will consider purging the four for violating their oaths by making quorum calls and filibustering in the chamber , local pro-Beijing media reported Monday .
`` The pro-democratic camp has decided that if NPCSC decides to disqualify lawmakers , all pro-democratic lawmakers will resign en masse , '' Wu Chi-wai , head of the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have to tell the central government and we have to inform the people of Hong Kong that ( what ) the central government is trying to do with the people 's representatives in Hong Kong is totally ridiculous , '' Wu said .
The chamber passes Hong Kong 's laws , but only half of its seats are directly elected -- and a complex appointment system ensures the city 's pro-Beijing establishment is all but guaranteed a handsome majority .
Scuffles and protests routinely break out , with the pro-democracy minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obstruction to try to halt bills they oppose .
A mass resignation would leave the legislature composed almost entirely of those toeing Beijing 's line .
Democratic lawmaker Dennis Kwok slammed the reports members would be thrown out for filibustering , saying the tactic `` followed the rule of procedures '' in the chamber .
`` It seems those in power can not tolerate opposition any more , '' he added .
More than 10,000 people were arrested during the Hong Kong protests , and the courts are now filled with trials -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent activists .
In a direct response to the protests , Beijing bypassed the legislature and imposed a sweeping new national security law on Hong Kong in late June .
Critics say its broadly worded provisions are a hammer blow to the flickering freedoms that China promised Hong Kong could keep after the end of British colonial rule in 1997 .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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Pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong's legislature will resign "en masse" if Beijing's top law-making committee moves to disqualify four of their colleagues for violating the semi-autonomous city's Basic Law, the convener of the bloc said Monday.
The threat came ahead of a meeting of one of China's top law-making bodies, with Hong Kong media reporting that it was considering disqualifying four of the semi-autonomous city's legislators.
Hong Kong's democracy camp has been under sustained attack since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in response to huge and often violent protests last year, including political disqualifications, arrests for social media posts and activists fleeing overseas.
The National People's Congress Standing Committee will consider purging the four for violating their oaths by making quorum calls and filibustering in the chamber, local pro-Beijing media reported Monday.
"The pro-democratic camp has decided that if NPCSC decides to disqualify lawmakers, all pro-democratic lawmakers will resign en masse," Wu Chi-wai, head of the Democratic Party told a press conference Monday.
"We have to tell the central government and we have to inform the people of Hong Kong that (what) the central government is trying to do with the people's representatives in Hong Kong is totally ridiculous," Wu said.
The chamber passes Hong Kong's laws, but only half of its seats are directly elected -- and a complex appointment system ensures the city's pro-Beijing establishment is all but guaranteed a handsome majority.
Scuffles and protests routinely break out, with the pro-democracy minority often resorting to filibustering, chanting and obstruction to try to halt bills they oppose.
A mass resignation would leave the legislature composed almost entirely of those toeing Beijing's line.
Democratic lawmaker Dennis Kwok slammed the reports members would be thrown out for filibustering, saying the tactic "followed the rule of procedures" in the chamber.
"It seems those in power cannot tolerate opposition any more," he added.
More than 10,000 people were arrested during the Hong Kong protests, and the courts are now filled with trials -- many of them involving opposition lawmakers and prominent activists.
In a direct response to the protests, Beijing bypassed the legislature and imposed a sweeping new national security law on Hong Kong in late June.
Critics say its broadly worded provisions are a hammer blow to the flickering freedoms that China promised Hong Kong could keep after the end of British colonial rule in 1997.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--As Georgia vote count drags on, tense standoff highlights America's deep divide

Supporters of President Donald Trump rally in Atlanta , Georgia , as the vote count continues in the Peech State @ @ @ @ @ US president-elect , has called for unity between Americans following four uniquely turbulent years under @ @ @ @ @ deeply divisive election campaign .
The Republican incumbent has refused to concede and has accused @ @ @ @ @ evidence , of `` stealing '' the vote in key battleground states , like Georgia @ @ @ @ @ underway .
FRANCE 24 reports from downtown Atlanta , Georgia 's largest city , where @ @ @ @ @ supporters — some of them armed — highlights the depth of the divide between Democrats @ @ @ @ @ to accept his defeat .
Click on the player above to watch the report .

Joe Biden, the US president-elect, has called for unity between Americans following four uniquely turbulent years under President Donald Trump and a deeply divisive election campaign.
Supporters of President Donald Trump rally in Atlanta, Georgia, as the vote count continues in the Peech State.
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The Republican incumbent has refused to concede and has accused his Democratic challenger, without evidence, of "stealing" the vote in key battleground states, like Georgia, where a recount is underway.
FRANCE 24 reports from downtown Atlanta, Georgia's largest city, where an angry face-off between rival supporters — some of them armed — highlights the depth of the divide between Democrats and Trump loyalists who refuse to accept his defeat.
Click on the player above to watch the report.
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france24--2020-11-09--South African billionaire Motsepe to contest CAF presidency

South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe will contest the Confederation of African Football presidency election next March , the South African Football Association ( SAFA ) announced Monday .
He owns Pretoria-based Mamelodi Sundowns , who have been among the top 10 clubs in Africa for some years and completed a South African treble last season .
His decision raises to three the number of candidates for the top job in African football with incumbent Ahmad Ahmad from Madagascar and Jacques Anouma from the Ivory Coast also in the race .
Ahmad said last month that he would seek a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cameroonian Issa Hayatou with a stunning 34 votes to 20 triumph three years ago .
Anouma , who was prevented from bidding for the CAF presidency in 2013 when a Hayatou-inspired move lead to a rule change that barred the Ivorian , announced his candidacy at the weekend .
Motsepe did not attend a media conference in Johannesburg where the announcement was made as he is in quarantine having contracted the coronavirus .
SAFA president Danny Jordaan made the announcement with South African sports minister Nathi Mthethwa also attending .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer for the leadership of CAF .
We do not want any compromise on governance or ethics in football , '' said CAF third vice-president Jordaan .
The presidents of the Nigerian and Sierra Leone football associations , Amaju Pinnick and Isha Johansen , were in Johannesburg for the announcement .
Pinnick , who hinted last month that he might contest the presidency , confirmed he is not a contender and will back Motsepe instead .
A former CAF vice-president , Pinnick was fired by Ahmad after disagreements over the direction the Cairo-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former lawyer who is married to a sister of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa , became wealthy through various mining deals .

Johannesburg (AFP) –
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South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe will contest the Confederation of African Football presidency election next March, the South African Football Association (SAFA) announced Monday.
He owns Pretoria-based Mamelodi Sundowns, who have been among the top 10 clubs in Africa for some years and completed a South African treble last season.
His decision raises to three the number of candidates for the top job in African football with incumbent Ahmad Ahmad from Madagascar and Jacques Anouma from the Ivory Coast also in the race.
Ahmad said last month that he would seek a second four-year term after ending the 29-year reign of Cameroonian Issa Hayatou with a stunning 34 votes to 20 triumph three years ago.
Anouma, who was prevented from bidding for the CAF presidency in 2013 when a Hayatou-inspired move lead to a rule change that barred the Ivorian, announced his candidacy at the weekend.
Motsepe did not attend a media conference in Johannesburg where the announcement was made as he is in quarantine having contracted the coronavirus.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan made the announcement with South African sports minister Nathi Mthethwa also attending.
"He is the most appropriate person we could offer for the leadership of CAF. We do not want any compromise on governance or ethics in football," said CAF third vice-president Jordaan.
The presidents of the Nigerian and Sierra Leone football associations, Amaju Pinnick and Isha Johansen, were in Johannesburg for the announcement.
Pinnick, who hinted last month that he might contest the presidency, confirmed he is not a contender and will back Motsepe instead.
A former CAF vice-president, Pinnick was fired by Ahmad after disagreements over the direction the Cairo-based CAF was taking.
Motsepe, a former lawyer who is married to a sister of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, became wealthy through various mining deals.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--Pfizer says Covid-19 vaccine 90% effective in Phase 3 trial

Pfizer said the vaccine was a 'much needed breakthrough ' in the fight against Covid-19 A vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was 90 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 infections in ongoing Phase 3 trials , the companies announced Monday .
Protection in patients was achieved seven days after the second of two doses , and 28 days after the first , according to preliminary findings .
`` The first set of results from our Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine 's ability to prevent Covid-19 , '' Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
`` We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most , '' Bourla added .
Across much of the globe , Covid-19 infections rates are soaring to record highs , with hospital intensive care units filling up and death tolls mounting as well .
Based on supply projections , the companies said they expect to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globally in 2020 , and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021 .

Paris (AFP) –
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A vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was 90 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 infections in ongoing Phase 3 trials, the companies announced Monday.
Protection in patients was achieved seven days after the second of two doses, and 28 days after the first, according to preliminary findings.
"The first set of results from our Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine's ability to prevent Covid-19," Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement.
"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.
"We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most," Bourla added.
Across much of the globe, Covid-19 infections rates are soaring to record highs, with hospital intensive care units filling up and death tolls mounting as well.
Based on supply projections, the companies said they expect to supply up to 50 million vaccine doses globally in 2020, and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--Canary Islands raises alarm over refugee arrivals

More than 1600 undocumented migrants arrived in the Canary Islands over the weekend , prompting fears of a new European @ @ @ @ @ are calling on Spain ’ s central government and the European Union for help .
@ @ @ @ @ 100 kilometres off the North African coast , has become a favoured route for migrants @ @ @ @ @ down on border crossings around the Mediterranean .

Canary Islands raises alarm over refugee arrivals
01:36
More than 1600 undocumented migrants arrived in the Canary Islands over the weekend, prompting fears of a new European refugee crisis. Local authorities are calling on Spain’s central government and the European Union for help. The Spanish territory, just 100 kilometres off the North African coast, has become a favoured route for migrants since Europe started to crack down on border crossings around the Mediterranean.


france24--2020-11-09--UN agency says lacks funds to pay full Palestinian salaries

Palestinian pupils attend a class at a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency ( UNRWA ) in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza The UN agency for Palestinian refugees , hammered by US cuts , said Monday it lacks the funds to pay full November salaries but is confident President-elect Joe Biden 's administration will restore support .
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East ( UNRWA ) `` never recovered '' from the total funding cut imposed by President Donald Trump in 2018 , agency spokeswoman Tamara Alrifai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US had been providing UNRWA $ 300 a year , roughly a third of its core annual budget .
Alrifai said 2019 shortfalls were filled by additional support from several Arab states , including Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait .
Both the European Union and individual European states , notably Germany , also helped close the gap , she said .
This year , `` financial support waned , '' Alrifai added , noting that the coronavirus pandemic `` did n't help '' , as key donors faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency needs to raise US $ 70 million by the end of the month if it is to pay full salaries for the months of November and December , '' an UNRWA statement said .
The funding shortfall affects 28,000 staffers , spread across Jordan , Lebanon , the occupied West Bank , east Jerusalem and Gaza .
Only those whose work is covered by special emergency budgets could be spared , Alrifai said .
Israel had been critical of UNRWA before Trump 's election , arguing its presence was no longer necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creation in 1948 that created some 750,000 Palestinian refugees .
The Jewish state has also criticised rules under which Palestinians can hand down refugee status to their children .
After taking office in 2017 , the staunchly pro-Israel Trump administration began echoing Israeli criticism of the agency before cutting funds the following year .
On the possible impact of Biden 's election win , Alrifai said UNRWA was `` very optimistic the US will resume its support '' .
Asked if the agency had received specific commitments from the incoming administration , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close with the Biden campaign team and they do understand the uniqueness of UNRWA for the stability of the region . ''
Biden 's 2020 campaign website said he would restore `` humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people '' but did not directly mention UNRWA .
The agency 's core annual budget for 2020 stood at $ 806 million , with an additional $ 300 million for emergency programmes , including the coronavirus response and Palestinians caught up in Syria 's conflict .
Founded in 1949 , UNRWA runs schools and provides health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an estimated 5.7 million Palestinians with refugee status .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
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The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, hammered by US cuts, said Monday it lacks the funds to pay full November salaries but is confident President-elect Joe Biden's administration will restore support.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) "never recovered" from the total funding cut imposed by President Donald Trump in 2018, agency spokeswoman Tamara Alrifai told AFP.
Before Trump's cuts the US had been providing UNRWA $300 million a year, roughly a third of its core annual budget.
Alrifai said 2019 shortfalls were filled by additional support from several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Both the European Union and individual European states, notably Germany, also helped close the gap, she said.
This year, "financial support waned," Alrifai added, noting that the coronavirus pandemic "didn't help", as key donors faced increased domestic financial pressures.
"The agency needs to raise US$70 million by the end of the month if it is to pay full salaries for the months of November and December," an UNRWA statement said.
The funding shortfall affects 28,000 staffers, spread across Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza.
Only those whose work is covered by special emergency budgets could be spared, Alrifai said.
Israel had been critical of UNRWA before Trump's election, arguing its presence was no longer necessary decades after the conflict following Israel's creation in 1948 that created some 750,000 Palestinian refugees.
The Jewish state has also criticised rules under which Palestinians can hand down refugee status to their children.
After taking office in 2017, the staunchly pro-Israel Trump administration began echoing Israeli criticism of the agency before cutting funds the following year.
On the possible impact of Biden's election win, Alrifai said UNRWA was "very optimistic the US will resume its support".
Asked if the agency had received specific commitments from the incoming administration, she said: "We have engaged very close with the Biden campaign team and they do understand the uniqueness of UNRWA for the stability of the region."
Biden's 2020 campaign website said he would restore "humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people" but did not directly mention UNRWA.
The agency's core annual budget for 2020 stood at $806 million, with an additional $300 million for emergency programmes, including the coronavirus response and Palestinians caught up in Syria's conflict.
Founded in 1949, UNRWA runs schools and provides health services as well as other humanitarian aid to an estimated 5.7 million Palestinians with refugee status.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--UN launches new Libya talks amid cautious optimism

UN acting envoy to Libya Stephanie Williams speaks at the opening of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum hosted in Gammarth on the outskirts of the Tunisian capital Rival Libyan factions met Monday for UN-led talks aimed at bringing a lasting peace to their war-torn North African country and preparing for elections .
The meeting in neighbouring Tunisia follows months of relative calm and a key ceasefire deal in October between the two major camps in the long-running conflict .
`` You have the opportunity to end a tragic conflict , '' UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told delegates in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Now it 's your turn to shape the future of your country . ''
Libya has seen a decade of violence since the 2011 toppling of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising , with a complex web of regional conflicts exacerbated by foreign intervention .
But October 's ceasefire agreement has allowed for vital oil production to resume and for progress on efforts to end years of political deadlock .
This week 's talks in Gammarth , near the Tunisian capital Tunis , aim to unify the country under a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections .
The 75 Libyan delegates , selected by the UN , have given up the right to play a role in the resulting political body .
As well as preparing for national polls , the interim executive will face the daunting challenges of providing basic services in a country wracked by economic woes and the coronavirus pandemic .
Libya is dominated by two rival administrations , each backed by foreign powers and a multitude of armed groups .
The Government of National Accord ( GNA ) in Tripoli , which resulted from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed by Turkey .
In the east , military strongman Khalifa Haftar supports a rival administration with backing from Russia and the United Arab Emirates .
Haftar launched an offensive in April 2019 to seize the capital , trashing UN efforts to hold a previous round of talks .
But after a bloody year-long stalemate , pro-GNA forces with renewed backing from Turkey forced him into a rapid retreat eastwards in June .
Peter Millett , a former British ambassador to Libya , warned on the first day of talks that `` if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't see themselves benefitting , hostilities could break out again '' .
`` The most important thing is a timeline for elections , '' he said .
`` It needs to be short , maximum nine months , with key milestones for implementing and a clear message from the international community that they will impose sanctions on anyone who obstructs it . ''
Guterres urged world powers to support peace efforts and to respect a long-standing UN arms embargo , words echoed by the host of the talks , Tunisian President Kais @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment , '' Saied told delegates at the opening ceremony .
`` We are able to overcome all difficulties and obstacles ... when there is no interference from outside powers . ''
Media in both eastern and western Libya voiced cautious optimism about the talks .
Some described the dialogue as the last chance to avoid the partition of Libya and bring an end to a decade of violence .
Others said that by trying to redraw the transitional period without direct elections first , it would lay the ground for further armed @ @

Gammarth (Tunisia) (AFP) –
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Rival Libyan factions met Monday for UN-led talks aimed at bringing a lasting peace to their war-torn North African country and preparing for elections.
The meeting in neighbouring Tunisia follows months of relative calm and a key ceasefire deal in October between the two major camps in the long-running conflict.
"You have the opportunity to end a tragic conflict," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told delegates in a video message at the opening ceremony.
"Now it's your turn to shape the future of your country."
Libya has seen a decade of violence since the 2011 toppling of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising, with a complex web of regional conflicts exacerbated by foreign intervention.
But October's ceasefire agreement has allowed for vital oil production to resume and for progress on efforts to end years of political deadlock.
This week's talks in Gammarth, near the Tunisian capital Tunis, aim to unify the country under a single executive and pave the way for national elections.
The 75 Libyan delegates, selected by the UN, have given up the right to play a role in the resulting political body.
As well as preparing for national polls, the interim executive will face the daunting challenges of providing basic services in a country wracked by economic woes and the coronavirus pandemic.
- Foreign interference -
Libya is dominated by two rival administrations, each backed by foreign powers and a multitude of armed groups.
The Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, which resulted from previous UN-backed talks in 2015, is backed by Turkey.
In the east, military strongman Khalifa Haftar supports a rival administration with backing from Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
Haftar launched an offensive in April 2019 to seize the capital, trashing UN efforts to hold a previous round of talks.
But after a bloody year-long stalemate, pro-GNA forces with renewed backing from Turkey forced him into a rapid retreat eastwards in June.
Peter Millett, a former British ambassador to Libya, warned on the first day of talks that "if potential spoilers like Haftar and the militias don't see themselves benefitting, hostilities could break out again".
"The most important thing is a timeline for elections," he said.
"It needs to be short, maximum nine months, with key milestones for implementing and a clear message from the international community that they will impose sanctions on anyone who obstructs it."
Guterres urged world powers to support peace efforts and to respect a long-standing UN arms embargo, words echoed by the host of the talks, Tunisian President Kais Saied.
"This is a historic moment," Saied told delegates at the opening ceremony.
"We are able to overcome all difficulties and obstacles ... when there is no interference from outside powers."
Media in both eastern and western Libya voiced cautious optimism about the talks.
Some described the dialogue as the last chance to avoid the partition of Libya and bring an end to a decade of violence.
Others said that by trying to redraw the transitional period without direct elections first, it would lay the ground for further armed clashes.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--Mo Farah takes a break from running as he bids for TV crown

Mo Farah is temporarily hanging up his running shoes to take part in British TV reality show `` I 'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here !
`` , raising questions over his preparations for next year 's Olympics .
The four-time Olympic champion will reportedly be paid an appearance fee of 300,000 pounds ( $ 395,000 ) to compete against nine other well-known figures in a contest for the title of King or Queen of the Castle .
The ITV show , which starts on November 15 , will be staged at Gwrych Castle in Wales rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jungle due to coronavirus restrictions .
Farah , 37 , who is aiming to run the 10,000 metres in next year 's delayed Tokyo Games , said he hopes to show the British viewing public a different side of himself .
`` I 've watched it on telly and thought to myself I would like to challenge myself and see what I can do -- and so that is the whole reason behind it , '' said the Somalia-born athlete .
`` I know a lot of people will be surprised as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They associate me with running and winning but nothing other than that .
`` And my kids have been on at me too , saying ' I ca n't see you doing that dad ' , but I want to give it a go , I want to have fun in the camp . ''
One of Farah 's competitors will be 2016 Paralympic javelin gold medallist Hollie Arnold .
As on the regular series , the celebrities will undertake gruelling trials and challenges to win food and treats as they battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at ITV Studios Richard Cowles said of the change of country : `` Our celebrities will probably have to swap shorts for thermals but they can still look forward to a basic diet of rice and beans and plenty of thrills and surprises along the way . ''

London (AFP) –
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Mo Farah is temporarily hanging up his running shoes to take part in British TV reality show "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!", raising questions over his preparations for next year's Olympics.
The four-time Olympic champion will reportedly be paid an appearance fee of 300,000 pounds ($395,000) to compete against nine other well-known figures in a contest for the title of King or Queen of the Castle.
The ITV show, which starts on November 15, will be staged at Gwrych Castle in Wales rather than its usual location in the Australian jungle due to coronavirus restrictions.
Farah, 37, who is aiming to run the 10,000 metres in next year's delayed Tokyo Games, said he hopes to show the British viewing public a different side of himself.
"I've watched it on telly and thought to myself I would like to challenge myself and see what I can do -- and so that is the whole reason behind it," said the Somalia-born athlete.
"I know a lot of people will be surprised as they don't see me in that way. They associate me with running and winning but nothing other than that.
"And my kids have been on at me too, saying 'I can't see you doing that dad', but I want to give it a go, I want to have fun in the camp."
One of Farah's competitors will be 2016 Paralympic javelin gold medallist Hollie Arnold.
As on the regular series, the celebrities will undertake gruelling trials and challenges to win food and treats as they battle for the title.
Director of entertainment at ITV Studios Richard Cowles said of the change of country: "Our celebrities will probably have to swap shorts for thermals but they can still look forward to a basic diet of rice and beans and plenty of thrills and surprises along the way."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers threaten to resign 'en masse'

Pro-democracy lawmakers attend a press conference at the government headquarters in Hong Kong on November 9 , 2020 Pro-democracy members of Hong Kong 's legislature will resign `` en masse '' if Beijing moves to disqualify four of them for violating the city 's Basic Law , the bloc said Monday .
The threat came ahead of a meeting of one of China 's top law-making bodies , with Hong Kong media reporting that it was considering disqualifying four of the city 's legislators for violating their oaths by disrupting the chamber .
`` ( What ) the central government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's representatives in Hong Kong is totally ridiculous , '' Wu Chi-wai , head of the Democratic Party , said at a press conference announcing the decision .
Hong Kong 's leader is chosen by pro-Beijing committees , but half of its legislature 's 70 seats are directly elected , offering the city 's 7.5 million residents a rare chance to have their voices heard at the ballot box .
The inability of Hong Kongers to elect their leaders and all of their lawmakers has been at the heart of swelling opposition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and often violent democracy protests that broke out last year .
Hong Kong 's democracy camp has come under sustained attack since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in response to the protests , including political disqualifications , arrests for social media posts and activists fleeing overseas .
China 's leaders have described the law as a `` sword '' hanging over the head of their critics .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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Pro-democracy members of Hong Kong's legislature will resign "en masse" if Beijing moves to disqualify four of them for violating the city's Basic Law, the bloc said Monday.
The threat came ahead of a meeting of one of China's top law-making bodies, with Hong Kong media reporting that it was considering disqualifying four of the city's legislators for violating their oaths by disrupting the chamber.
"(What) the central government is trying to do with the people's representatives in Hong Kong is totally ridiculous," Wu Chi-wai, head of the Democratic Party, said at a press conference announcing the decision.
Hong Kong's leader is chosen by pro-Beijing committees, but half of its legislature's 70 seats are directly elected, offering the city's 7.5 million residents a rare chance to have their voices heard at the ballot box.
The inability of Hong Kongers to elect their leaders and all of their lawmakers has been at the heart of swelling opposition to Beijing's rule, including the huge and often violent democracy protests that broke out last year.
Hong Kong's democracy camp has come under sustained attack since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in response to the protests, including political disqualifications, arrests for social media posts and activists fleeing overseas.
China's leaders have described the law as a "sword" hanging over the head of their critics.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-09--Armenia says fighting continues for key Karabakh town

The capture of Shusha would be a major victory for Azerbaijan Armenia said on Monday that fighting was continuing for the key town of Shusha in Nagorno-Karabakh , a day after Azerbaijan claimed to have captured it from Armenian separatist forces .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced on Sunday his forces had taken Shusha , known to Armenians as Shushi , a strategically vital town that is the second-largest in the disputed region .
Armenian officials denied the claim and said clashes in the area were ongoing .
`` Intensive combat has been waged in the Shushi-Karintak sector , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , referring to a village at the base of cliffs on which the town sits .
`` The enemy has retreated , while friendly forces have occupied more favourable lines , '' she said .
The capture of Shusha would be a major victory for Azerbaijan six weeks after new fighting erupted over Nagorno-Karabakh , an ethnic Armenian enclave that broke away from Azerbaijan 's control in the 1990s .
The fortress town lies around 15 kilometres ( nine miles ) from the enclave 's largest city Stepanakert and on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the separatists .
Fresh fighting broke out in late September between Azerbaijan and the separatists over Karabakh , which declared independence nearly 30 years ago .
That declaration has not been recognised internationally , even by Armenia , and it remains a part of Azerbaijan under international law .
The recent fighting has been the worst in decades , with more than 1,000 people reported killed including dozens of civilians and the real death toll believed to be much higher .
Armenia on Monday announced the deaths of 44 separatist fighters while Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military fatalities .
The Caucasus adversaries have each accused the other of targeting civilian areas and the United Nations recently decried indiscriminate attacks that could amount to `` war crimes '' .
The clashes have forced thousands to flee their homes leaving the main city in the disputed region , Stepanakert , a ghost town devastated after weeks of shelling .
Aliyev claimed in a tweet on Monday that his forces had captured 23 populated settlements in the disputed territory , declaring `` Karabakh is Azerbaijan ! ''
The longstanding ex-Soviet rivals have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , Russia and France in tatters .
The three countries co-chair the `` Minsk Group '' that helped broker a truce between the ex-Soviet rivals in 1994 but has failed to mediate a lasting resolution to the long-simmering territorial dispute .
Diplomats appeared to ramp up efforts over the weekend as fighting intensified near Shusha , with Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking Saturday to Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Emmanuel Macron of France .
Turkey is a key ally of Azerbaijan and Erdogan congratulated Baku after its claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sign that the liberation of the rest of the occupied territories is near '' .
Turkish involvement would be key to any agreement to halt the fighting and there were reports Sunday of a plan to agree a ceasefire and deploy Russian and Turkish peacekeepers to Nagorno-Karabakh .
Russia has said it would only intervene if fighting reached Armenian soil , after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan formally asked Putin to begin `` urgent '' consultations on security assistance .

Yerevan (AFP) –
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Armenia said on Monday that fighting was continuing for the key town of Shusha in Nagorno-Karabakh, a day after Azerbaijan claimed to have captured it from Armenian separatist forces.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced on Sunday his forces had taken Shusha, known to Armenians as Shushi, a strategically vital town that is the second-largest in the disputed region.
Armenian officials denied the claim and said clashes in the area were ongoing.
"Intensive combat has been waged in the Shushi-Karintak sector," Armenian defence ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan said on Twitter, referring to a village at the base of cliffs on which the town sits.
"The enemy has retreated, while friendly forces have occupied more favourable lines," she said.
The capture of Shusha would be a major victory for Azerbaijan six weeks after new fighting erupted over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave that broke away from Azerbaijan's control in the 1990s.
The fortress town lies around 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the enclave's largest city Stepanakert and on the main road to Armenia, which backs the separatists.
Fresh fighting broke out in late September between Azerbaijan and the separatists over Karabakh, which declared independence nearly 30 years ago.
That declaration has not been recognised internationally, even by Armenia, and it remains a part of Azerbaijan under international law.
The recent fighting has been the worst in decades, with more than 1,000 people reported killed including dozens of civilians and the real death toll believed to be much higher.
- Civilian exodus -
Armenia on Monday announced the deaths of 44 separatist fighters while Azerbaijan has yet to release details on its military fatalities.
The Caucasus adversaries have each accused the other of targeting civilian areas and the United Nations recently decried indiscriminate attacks that could amount to "war crimes".
The clashes have forced thousands to flee their homes leaving the main city in the disputed region, Stepanakert, a ghost town devastated after weeks of shelling.
Aliyev claimed in a tweet on Monday that his forces had captured 23 populated settlements in the disputed territory, declaring "Karabakh is Azerbaijan!"
The longstanding ex-Soviet rivals have left three recent ceasefire agreements brokered by the United States, Russia and France in tatters.
The three countries co-chair the "Minsk Group" that helped broker a truce between the ex-Soviet rivals in 1994 but has failed to mediate a lasting resolution to the long-simmering territorial dispute.
Diplomats appeared to ramp up efforts over the weekend as fighting intensified near Shusha, with Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking Saturday to Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Emmanuel Macron of France.
Turkey is a key ally of Azerbaijan and Erdogan congratulated Baku after its claim of retaking Shusha, calling it "a sign that the liberation of the rest of the occupied territories is near".
Turkish involvement would be key to any agreement to halt the fighting and there were reports Sunday of a plan to agree a ceasefire and deploy Russian and Turkish peacekeepers to Nagorno-Karabakh.
Russia has said it would only intervene if fighting reached Armenian soil, after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan formally asked Putin to begin "urgent" consultations on security assistance.
© 2020 AFP