france24--2020-10-05--Manchester United sign free agent Cavani

Manchester United signed Uruguayan international striker Edinson Cavani on a busy transfer deadline day for the Red Devils on Monday .
Cavani has been without a club since leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of June .
The 33-year-old is PSG 's all-time top scorer , scoring 200 goals in seven seasons at the Parc des Princes .
Cavani could even make his debut against his former club as United open their Champions League campaign away to PSG on October 20 .
`` Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs in the world , so it is a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cavani .
`` I 've worked really hard during the time off and I feel eager to compete and represent this incredible club . ''
United also signed Brazilian international left-back Alex Telles from Porto for £13.5 million ( $ 19 million , 15 million euros ) and agreed a deal with Atalanta for the future transfer of teenage winger Amad Diallo .
The English giants were under the spotlight after a humiliating 6-1 home defeat to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday after making just one signing all window before Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beek .
Cavani will bring experience to a talented young frontline formed by Marcus Rashford , Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood .
However , it is at the other end of the field that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's men are badly in need of fresh blood after conceding 13 goals in their opening three Premier League games .
`` The opportunity for our young players to learn from one of Europe 's top goalscorers over the last 10 years is fantastic and it will really benefit them going forward , '' said Solskjaer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power , leadership and a great mentality to the squad but , most importantly , he 'll bring goals .
`` He has had a brilliant career so far , winning trophies at almost every club he has played for , and he still has so much more to give at the highest level . ''
Cavani won six Ligue 1 titles during his time with PSG and lifted the Copa America in 2011 with Uruguay .
`` I have played in front of some of the most passionate supporters in football during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be the same in Manchester , '' added Cavani .
`` I can not wait to experience the Old Trafford atmosphere , when it is safe for the fans to return . ''
There was also a departure from Old Trafford on Monday as Chris Smalling secured a permanent move to Roma for 15 million euros after impressing for the Italians during a loan spell last season .

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Manchester United signed Uruguayan international striker Edinson Cavani on a busy transfer deadline day for the Red Devils on Monday.
Cavani has been without a club since leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of June.
The 33-year-old is PSG's all-time top scorer, scoring 200 goals in seven seasons at the Parc des Princes.
Cavani could even make his debut against his former club as United open their Champions League campaign away to PSG on October 20.
"Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs in the world, so it is a real honour to be here," said Cavani. "I've worked really hard during the time off and I feel eager to compete and represent this incredible club."
United also signed Brazilian international left-back Alex Telles from Porto for £13.5 million ($19 million, 15 million euros) and agreed a deal with Atalanta for the future transfer of teenage winger Amad Diallo.
The English giants were under the spotlight after a humiliating 6-1 home defeat to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday after making just one signing all window before Monday in Dutch international midfielder Donny van de Beek.
Cavani will bring experience to a talented young frontline formed by Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.
However, it is at the other end of the field that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men are badly in need of fresh blood after conceding 13 goals in their opening three Premier League games.
"The opportunity for our young players to learn from one of Europe's top goalscorers over the last 10 years is fantastic and it will really benefit them going forward," said Solskjaer.
"He'll bring energy, power, leadership and a great mentality to the squad but, most importantly, he'll bring goals.
"He has had a brilliant career so far, winning trophies at almost every club he has played for, and he still has so much more to give at the highest level."
Cavani won six Ligue 1 titles during his time with PSG and lifted the Copa America in 2011 with Uruguay.
"I have played in front of some of the most passionate supporters in football during my career and I know that it will be the same in Manchester," added Cavani. "I cannot wait to experience the Old Trafford atmosphere, when it is safe for the fans to return."
There was also a departure from Old Trafford on Monday as Chris Smalling secured a permanent move to Roma for 15 million euros after impressing for the Italians during a loan spell last season.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--NFL chief warns of forfeits, docked picks in Covid clampdown

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warned teams on Monday they could be forced to forfeit games or be docked draft picks if found guilty of Covid-19 safety protocol breaches that result in fixtures being postponed .
In a memo sent to all 32 teams , Goodell said the league would maintain a hardline against violations which led to further disruption of the regular season schedule .
The warning comes after a Covid-19 outbreak involving the Tennessee Titans forced the postponement of the team 's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers .
The NFL was also forced to reschedule Sunday 's game between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patriots after quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for the coronavirus .
So far this season , the NFL has already handed out fines totalling more than $ 1 million ( 848,909 euros ) after several coaches were see not wearing face coverings on the sidelines .
`` There have been breaches to the protocols and individual players , staff , and clubs have been disciplined as a result , '' Goodell wrote in his memo on Monday .
`` If it is determined that club personnel or players failed to have followed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will escalate where noncompliance continues .
`` Protocol violations that result in virus spread requiring adjustments to the schedule or otherwise impacting other teams will result in additional financial and competitive discipline , including the adjustment or loss of draft choices or even the forfeit of a game , '' Goodell added .
`` Simply put , compliance is mandatory .
Now is the time to recommit ourselves to our protocols and best practices for the duration of the season . ''
Goodell said the league was implementing tweaks to existing safety protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 spreading within a club .
These included banning gatherings outside of the club facility and the implementation of a league-wide video monitoring system to ensure staff and players were complying with rules regarding wearing protective gear .
Goodell said the league had also discussed further steps to minimise risk , which included reducing time spent in dining areas and locker rooms and holding all meetings virtually .

New York (AFP) –
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warned teams on Monday they could be forced to forfeit games or be docked draft picks if found guilty of Covid-19 safety protocol breaches that result in fixtures being postponed.
In a memo sent to all 32 teams, Goodell said the league would maintain a hardline against violations which led to further disruption of the regular season schedule.
The warning comes after a Covid-19 outbreak involving the Tennessee Titans forced the postponement of the team's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The NFL was also forced to reschedule Sunday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots after quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for the coronavirus.
So far this season, the NFL has already handed out fines totalling more than $1 million (848,909 euros) after several coaches were see not wearing face coverings on the sidelines.
"There have been breaches to the protocols and individual players, staff, and clubs have been disciplined as a result," Goodell wrote in his memo on Monday.
"If it is determined that club personnel or players failed to have followed the protocols, discipline will be issued and will escalate where noncompliance continues.
"Protocol violations that result in virus spread requiring adjustments to the schedule or otherwise impacting other teams will result in additional financial and competitive discipline, including the adjustment or loss of draft choices or even the forfeit of a game," Goodell added.
"Simply put, compliance is mandatory. Now is the time to recommit ourselves to our protocols and best practices for the duration of the season."
Goodell said the league was implementing tweaks to existing safety protocols in an attempt to limit the chances of Covid-19 spreading within a club.
These included banning gatherings outside of the club facility and the implementation of a league-wide video monitoring system to ensure staff and players were complying with rules regarding wearing protective gear.
Goodell said the league had also discussed further steps to minimise risk, which included reducing time spent in dining areas and locker rooms and holding all meetings virtually.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Spike Lee favorite Thomas Jefferson Byrd found shot dead

The Tony-nominated African-American actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd , who appeared in numerous Spike Lee movies , was found shot dead in the southern US city of Atlanta at the weekend , sparking an outpouring of grief and praise for his work .
Police found the 70-year-old dead in the southwest of the Georgia state capital on Saturday , with several gunshot wounds to the back , a spokesman told AFP .
An emergency medical team rushed to the scene and confirmed he was dead upon their arrival .
An investigation has been launched , but police have made no arrests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage actor , Byrd made his silver screen breakthrough late in life , at the age of 45 , when he appeared in Lee 's movie `` Clockers . ''
Whether he was playing the boss in `` Clockers , '' or the father in `` Get on the Bus , '' his talent and physical presence made him stand out in Lee 's films and caught the attention of other directors .
But he returned to work with Lee on several other projects , including a 2017-2019 series based on Lee 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Have It . ''
and the 2015 film `` Chi-Raq . ''
`` Tom is my guy , '' Lee said on his Instagram account .
`` I 'm so sad . ''
`` Byrd was brave , funny , creative , country , smooth , expressive and a joy to be around , '' said actor Wendell Pierce , who appeared with him in `` Get on the Bus . ''
`` What a fine actor , '' said Oscar-winner Viola Davis on Twitter .
`` Loved working with you Byrd ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

New York (AFP) –
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The Tony-nominated African-American actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd, who appeared in numerous Spike Lee movies, was found shot dead in the southern US city of Atlanta at the weekend, sparking an outpouring of grief and praise for his work.
Police found the 70-year-old dead in the southwest of the Georgia state capital on Saturday, with several gunshot wounds to the back, a spokesman told AFP. An emergency medical team rushed to the scene and confirmed he was dead upon their arrival.
An investigation has been launched, but police have made no arrests so far.
An intense and experienced stage actor, Byrd made his silver screen breakthrough late in life, at the age of 45, when he appeared in Lee's movie "Clockers."
Whether he was playing the boss in "Clockers," or the father in "Get on the Bus," his talent and physical presence made him stand out in Lee's films and caught the attention of other directors.
But he returned to work with Lee on several other projects, including a 2017-2019 series based on Lee's own movie "She's Gotta Have It." and the 2015 film "Chi-Raq."
"Tom is my guy," Lee said on his Instagram account. "I'm so sad."
"Byrd was brave, funny, creative, country, smooth, expressive and a joy to be around," said actor Wendell Pierce, who appeared with him in "Get on the Bus."
"What a fine actor," said Oscar-winner Viola Davis on Twitter. "Loved working with you Byrd...So sad your life ended this way."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--‘Sorry I had to win’: Kenin overcomes tough crowd to best France’s Ferro at French Open

Sofia Kenin of the US returns the ball to France 's Fiona Ferro during their women 's singles fourth-round tennis match on day nine of the French Open in Paris on October 5 , 2020 .
American fourth seed Sofia Kenin appeared to be unnerved by the cheers of the sparse partisan crowd as she recovered from a wobbly start to reach the French Open quarter-finals with a 2-6 6-2 6-1 victory over France ’ s Fiona Ferro on Monday .
The Australian Open champion , who next faces compatriot Danielle Collins or Tunisian Ons Jabeur , broke into tears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return winner .
She complained that the crowd had been unfair to her .
`` The crowd was n't the best , which is understandable , but still I wish it would have been a little bit different , '' she told a news conference .
`` I tried to use that as motivation .
Obviously I was not really too happy with how it was going .
I knew it 's expected .
I understand why .
I 'm playing a French player , and she 's had a great run here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are allowed per day at Roland Garros amid COVID-19 restrictions , and some 500 attended the match on court Philippe Chatrier , voicing their support for Ferro .
It took Kenin a while to find her range but once she did , she went through the gears and demolished the world number 49 , the last French player in the women 's singles draw .
`` She played really well , she 's such a tough player to play .
Sorry I had to win but I 'm just super proud of myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her opponent with several well-executed drop shots .
Kenin broke Ferro 's first service game and moved 2-0 up , only for the Frenchwoman to win six games in a row to bag the opening set , greatly helped by her opponent 's 16 unforced errors .
Kenin , however , took the ball earlier in the second set , which changed the face of the match as Ferro could not keep up with the American 's pace .
`` I was making too many errors in the first ( set ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressive and go for my shots , '' Kenin said .
Her aggressiveness was just too much to handle for Ferro , who then never looked able to turn the tide .
`` ( After the first set ) she started to take the ball earlier and play a little longer and for me it was tougher to react , tougher to adjust .
I had a good first set but then she raised her level , '' said Ferro .

American fourth seed Sofia Kenin appeared to be unnerved by the cheers of the sparse partisan crowd as she recovered from a wobbly start to reach the French Open quarter-finals with a 2-6 6-2 6-1 victory over France’s Fiona Ferro on Monday.
Sofia Kenin of the US returns the ball to France's Fiona Ferro during their women's singles fourth-round tennis match on day nine of the French Open in Paris on October 5, 2020.
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The Australian Open champion, who next faces compatriot Danielle Collins or Tunisian Ons Jabeur, broke into tears after ending the contest with a service return winner.
She complained that the crowd had been unfair to her.
"The crowd wasn't the best, which is understandable, but still I wish it would have been a little bit different," she told a news conference.
"I tried to use that as motivation. Obviously I was not really too happy with how it was going. I knew it's expected. I understand why. I'm playing a French player, and she's had a great run here."
A maximum of 1,000 spectators are allowed per day at Roland Garros amid COVID-19 restrictions, and some 500 attended the match on court Philippe Chatrier, voicing their support for Ferro.
It took Kenin a while to find her range but once she did, she went through the gears and demolished the world number 49, the last French player in the women's singles draw.
"She played really well, she's such a tough player to play. Sorry I had to win but I'm just super proud of myself," said Kenin, who surprised her opponent with several well-executed drop shots.
Kenin broke Ferro's first service game and moved 2-0 up, only for the Frenchwoman to win six games in a row to bag the opening set, greatly helped by her opponent's 16 unforced errors.
Kenin, however, took the ball earlier in the second set, which changed the face of the match as Ferro could not keep up with the American's pace.
"I was making too many errors in the first (set) and I knew I needed to be more aggressive and go for my shots," Kenin said.
Her aggressiveness was just too much to handle for Ferro, who then never looked able to turn the tide.
"(After the first set) she started to take the ball earlier and play a little longer and for me it was tougher to react, tougher to adjust. I had a good first set but then she raised her level," said Ferro.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-05--Miami duo struggling for fitness ahead of game four

Miami Heat star Goran Dragic said he is unlikely to be fit to play in Tuesday 's NBA Finals game four but is hopeful he may recover in time to feature later in the series .
Dragic , who has been sidelined since suffering a torn plantar fascia in his left foot in game one last Wednesday , said he was pessimistic of being fit enough to play on Tuesday .
`` How I feel right now , it 's probably low , '' Dragic said when asked to give a percentage chance of his playing on Tuesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day-to-day .
It 's just a matter of comfort , and if I can push off my leg .
I do have to admit , it 's better than it was .
We 'll just see how it 's going to react in the near future . ''
Dragic admitted however that despite the improvement , he remained in pain and did not want to risk harming Miami 's chances if he was less than fully fit .
`` I 'm dealing with a lot of pain , so that 's the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do n't want to be a liability there on the floor for my team .
I want to be the best that I can be .
`` The only thing what I can do right now is to be on top of my treatments .
Basically I 'm doing that 24/7 , and try to be back on the floor with my team . ''
Dragic meanwhile said he had struggled to watch from the sidelines since suffering the injury .
The Lakers romped to victory in games one and two , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday in the best-of-seven series .
`` It 's not the easiest thing right now for me to sit down on the sideline and watch my team , how they are battling , how they are playing well , and of course I want to be out there , '' Dragic said .
`` Most of the times I ask myself , I ask the guy above us why it has to happen right now .
It 's tough . ''
Miami are also sweating on the fitness of Bam Adebayo , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in game one which also ruled him out of games two and three .
`` I 'm trying to get back as quickly as possible , '' Adebayo said .
`` They 're just trying to make sure I 'm safe and I 'm ready to play .
It 's really day-to-day .
When they say I 'm ready to play , I 'll be out there .
`` Tomorrow I could play ; tomorrow they might tell me no .
I do n't know yet .
I 'm just trying to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared for when I do get to play . ''

Orlando (AFP) –
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Miami Heat star Goran Dragic said he is unlikely to be fit to play in Tuesday's NBA Finals game four but is hopeful he may recover in time to feature later in the series.
Dragic, who has been sidelined since suffering a torn plantar fascia in his left foot in game one last Wednesday, said he was pessimistic of being fit enough to play on Tuesday.
"How I feel right now, it's probably low," Dragic said when asked to give a percentage chance of his playing on Tuesday.
"They told me that it can change day-to-day. It's just a matter of comfort, and if I can push off my leg. I do have to admit, it's better than it was. We'll just see how it's going to react in the near future."
Dragic admitted however that despite the improvement, he remained in pain and did not want to risk harming Miami's chances if he was less than fully fit.
"I'm dealing with a lot of pain, so that's the main concern," he said. "I don't want to be a liability there on the floor for my team. I want to be the best that I can be.
"The only thing what I can do right now is to be on top of my treatments. Basically I'm doing that 24/7, and try to be back on the floor with my team."
Dragic meanwhile said he had struggled to watch from the sidelines since suffering the injury.
The Lakers romped to victory in games one and two, before the Heat won game three on Sunday in the best-of-seven series.
"It's not the easiest thing right now for me to sit down on the sideline and watch my team, how they are battling, how they are playing well, and of course I want to be out there," Dragic said.
"Most of the times I ask myself, I ask the guy above us why it has to happen right now. It's tough."
Miami are also sweating on the fitness of Bam Adebayo, who remains sidelined after suffering a neck injury in game one which also ruled him out of games two and three.
Adebayo said Monday the injury remained "day-to-day".
"I'm trying to get back as quickly as possible," Adebayo said.
"They're just trying to make sure I'm safe and I'm ready to play. It's really day-to-day. When they say I'm ready to play, I'll be out there.
"Tomorrow I could play; tomorrow they might tell me no. I don't know yet. I'm just trying to do everything I can necessary to just be prepared for when I do get to play."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Trump returns to White House as doctor warns president is ‘not entirely out of the woods’

US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up upon return to the White House from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 05 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
Trump spent three days hospitalized for coronavirus .
President Donald Trump staged a dramatic return to the White House Monday night after leaving the military hospital where he has been receiving an unprecedented level of care for Covid-19 .
He immediately ignited a new controversy by declaring that despite his illness the nation should not fear the virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans — and then he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask .
Trump 's message alarmed infectious disease experts and suggested the president ’ s own illness had not caused him to rethink his often-cavalier attitude toward the disease , which has also infected the first lady and several White House aides , including new cases revealed on Monday .
Landing at the White House on Marine One , Trump gingerly climbed the South Portico steps , removed his mask and declared , “ I feel good.
” He gave a double thumbs-up to the departing helicopter from the portico terrace , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sunset occasion .
He entered the White House , where aides were visible milling about the Blue Room , without wearing a face covering .
The president left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where his doctor , Navy Cdr .
Sean Conley , said earlier Monday that the president remains contagious and would not be fully “ out of the woods ” for another week but that Trump had met or exceeded standards for discharge from the hospital .
Trump is expected to continue his recovery at the White House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has infected the highest levels of the U.S. government is still being uncovered .
Still Trump indicated he won ’ t be kept from campaigning for long , tweeting before leaving the hospital , “ Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon !
!
!
” Trump made a point of sounding confident earlier .
He tweeted , `` I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M .
Feeling really good !
Don ’ t be afraid of Covid .
Do n't let it dominate your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did 20 years ago !
” Trump ’ s nonchalant message about not fearing the virus comes as his own administration has encouraged Americans to be very careful and take precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the disease as cases continue to spike across the country .
For more than eight months , Trump ’ s efforts to play down the threat of the virus in hopes of propping up the economy ahead of the election have drawn bipartisan criticism .
“ We have to be realistic in this : COVID is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Dr. David Nace of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center , said of Trump 's no-fear comment .
“ Most of the people aren ’ t so lucky as the president , ” with an in-house medical unit and access to experimental treatments , added Nace , an expert on infections in older adults .
“ It ’ s an unconscionable message , ” agreed Dr. Sadiya Khan of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine .
“ I would go so far as to say that it may precipitate or worsen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's attitude toward the virus , as well .
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas told the Houston Chronicle editorial board that Trump had “ let his guard down ” in his effort to show that the country was moving beyond the virus and had created “ confusion ” about how to stay safe .
Conley said that because of Trump 's unusual level of treatment so early after discovery of his illness he was in “ uncharted territory.
” But the doctor also was upbeat at an afternoon briefing and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once “ there is no evidence of live virus still present.
” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , those with mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19 can be contagious for as many — and should isolate for at least — 10 days .
Trump 's expected discharge raised new questions about how the administration was going to protect other officials from a disease that remains rampant in the president 's body .
Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced she had tested positive for the virus Monday morning and was entering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear Trump won ’ t properly stay isolated at the White House -- and that he hasn ’ t learned his lesson about wearing a mask .
“ We know he hates the mask , we know he hates to be restricted , we know he ’ s unpredictable , ” Nace said .
“ The rest of the American people are held accountable to a 10-day isolation period.
” There were also lingering questions about potential long term effects to the president — and even when he first came down with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of medical scans of Trump ’ s lungs , saying he was not at liberty to discuss the information because Trump did not waive doctor-patient confidentiality on the subject .
Covid-19 has been known to cause significant damage to the lungs of some patients .
Conley also declined to share the date of Trump 's most recent negative test for the virus — a critical point for contact tracing and understanding where Trump was in the course of the disease .
> > For some survivors , coronavirus complications can last a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump suggested he had finally grasped the true nature of the virus , saying in a video , “ I get it.
” But then on Sunday afternoon , Trump briefly ventured out of the hospital while contagious to salute cheering supporters by motorcade — an outing that disregarded precautions meant to contain the virus .
White House officials said Trump was anxious to be released after three nights at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where doctors revealed that his blood oxygen level had dropped suddenly twice in recent days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically only recommended for the very sick .
Trump ’ s experience with the disease has been dramatically different from most Americans , who do not have access to the same kind of monitoring and care .
While most must cope with their symptoms — and fear of whether they ’ ll take a turn for the worse — at home and alone , Trump has been staying in the presidential suite of one of the nation 's best hospitals and has been given experimental drugs not readily available to the public .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a team of doctors on call with 24-hour monitoring .
Trump was leaving the hospital after receiving a fourth dose of the antiviral drug remdesivir Monday evening , Conley said .
He will receive the fifth and final dose Tuesday at the White House .
Less than one month before Election Day , Trump was eager to project strength despite his illness and to press his campaign effort across the country .
Vice President Mike Pence returned to the campaign trail moments after Trump announced he would soon leave the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two to fly to Salt Lake City , where he is to face off against Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris on Wednesday .
Joe Biden ’ s campaign , meanwhile , said the Democratic presidential nominee again tested negative for coronavirus Sunday .
The results came five days after Biden spent more than 90 minutes on the debate stage with Trump .
McEnany , who announced Monday that she had contracted the virus , spoke briefly with reporters on Sunday evening without wearing a mask , but said that no members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough time around her to be considered close contacts .
Even before Trump 's motorcade outing on Sunday , some Secret Service agents had expressed concern about the lackadaisical attitude toward masks and social distancing inside the White House , but there isn ’ t much they can do , according to agents and officials who spoke to The Associated Press .
This close to the election , thousands of agents are engaged on protective duty so they can be subbed out quickly should someone test positive .
Trump ’ s aggressive course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the single dose he was given Friday of an experimental drug from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. that supplies antibodies to help the immune system fight the virus .
Trump on Friday also began a five-day course of remdesivir , a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients .
The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus , and remdesivir curbs the virus ’ ability to multiply .

President Donald Trump staged a dramatic return to the White House Monday night after leaving the military hospital where he was receiving an unprecedented level of care for Covid-19. He immediately ignited a new controversy by declaring that despite his illness the nation should not fear the virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans –and then he entered the White House without a protective mask.
US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up upon return to the White House from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 05, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump spent three days hospitalised for coronavirus.
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Trump’s message alarmed infectious disease experts and suggested the president’s own illness had not caused him to rethink his often-cavalier attitude towards the disease, which has also infected the first lady and several White House aides, including new cases revealed Monday.
Landing at the White House on Marine One, Trump gingerly climbed the South Portico steps, removed his mask and declared, “I feel good.” He gave a double thumbs-up to the departing helicopter from the portico terrace, where aides had arranged American flags for the sunset occasion. He entered the White House, where aides were visible milling about the Blue Room, without wearing a face covering.
The president left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where his doctor, Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley, said earlier Monday that the president remains contagious and would not be fully “out of the woods” for another week but that Trump had met or exceeded standards for discharge from the hospital. Trump is expected to continue his recovery at the White House, where the reach of the outbreak that has infected the highest levels of the US government is still being uncovered.
Still, just a month before the election and anxious to project strength, Trump tweeted before leaving the hospital, “Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon!!!” And in case anyone missed his don’t-worry message earlier, he rushed out a new video from the White House.
“Don’t be afraid of it,” Trump said of the virus. “You’re going to beat it. We have the best medical equipment, we have the best medicines.” His remarks were strong, but he was taking deeper breaths than usual as he delivered them.
Trump’s nonchalant message about not fearing the virus comes as his own administration has encouraged Americans to be very careful and take precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the disease as cases continue to spike across the country. For more than eight months, Trump’s efforts to play down the threat of the virus in hopes of propping up the economy ahead of the election have drawn bipartisan criticism.
“We have to be realistic in this: Covid is a complete threat to the American population,” Dr. David Nace of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said of Trump’s comment.
01:49
“Most of the people aren’t so lucky as the president,” with an in-house medical unit and access to experimental treatments, added Nace, an expert on infections in older adults.
“It’s an unconscionable message,” agreed Dr. Sadiya Khan of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “I would go so far as to say that it may precipitate or worsen spread.”
04:33
Likewise, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who spent more than 90 minutes on the debate stage with Trump last week, said during an NBC town hall Monday night that he was glad Trump seemed to be recovering well, “but there’s a lot to be concerned about — 210,000 people have died. I hope no one walks away with the message that it’s not a problem.” Biden tested negative for the virus on Sunday.
There was pushback from a prominent Trump political supporter as well.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas told the Houston Chronicle editorial board that Trump had “let his guard down” in his effort to show that the country was moving beyond the virus and had created “confusion” about how to stay safe.
Conley said that because of Trump’s unusual level of treatment so early after discovery of his illness he was in “uncharted territory.” But the doctor also was upbeat at an afternoon briefing and said the president could resume his normal schedule once “there is no evidence of live virus still present.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those with mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19 can be contagious for as many as – and should isolate for at least – 10 days.
Trump’s arrival back at the White House raised new questions about how the administration was going to protect other officials from a disease that remains rampant in the president’s body. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced she had tested positive for the virus Monday morning and was entering quarantine.
05:10
There were also lingering questions about potential long-term effects to the president – and even when he first came down with the virus.
Conley repeatedly declined to share results of medical scans of Trump’s lungs, saying he was not at liberty to discuss the information because Trump did not waive doctor-patient confidentiality on the subject. Covid-19 has been known to cause significant damage to the lungs of some patients. Conley also declined to share the date of Trump’s most recent negative test for the virus – a critical point for contact tracing and understanding where Trump was in the course of the disease.
>> For some survivors, coronavirus complications can last a ‘lifetime’
Only a day earlier, Trump suggested he had finally grasped the true nature of the virus, saying in a video, “I get it.” But on Sunday afternoon, he ventured out of the hospital while contagious to salute cheering supporters by motorcade – an outing that disregarded precautions meant to contain the virus.
At the hospital, doctors revealed that his blood oxygen level had dropped suddenly twice in recent days and that they gave him a steroid typically only recommended for the very sick.
Trump’s experience with the disease has been dramatically different from most Americans, who do not have access to the same kind of monitoring and care. While most must cope with their symptoms – and fear of whether they’ll take a turn for the worse – at home and alone, Trump has been staying in the presidential suite of one of the nation’s best hospitals and has been given experimental drugs not readily available to the public. He returns to the White House, where there is a team of doctors on call with 24-hour monitoring.
Trump was leaving the hospital after receiving a fourth dose of the antiviral drug remdesivir Monday evening, Conley said. He will receive the fifth and final dose Tuesday at the White House.
Vice President Mike Pence returned to the campaign trail moments after Trump announced he would soon leave the hospital. The vice president boarded Air Force Two to fly to Salt Lake City, where he is to face off against Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris on Wednesday.
Trump, in his new video, defended his decision to repeatedly flout his own administration’s guidelines to slow the spread of the virus, including by holding rallies with thousands of mostly maskless supporters.
Apparently referring to any potential danger to himself rather than others, he said: “I stood out front. I led. Nobody that’s a leader would not do what I did.” He added: “And I know there’s a risk, there’s a danger. But that’s OK. And now I’m better. And maybe I’m immune, I don’t know.”
Even before Trump’s motorcade outing Sunday, some Secret Service agents had expressed concern about the lackadaisical attitude toward masks and social distancing inside the White House, but there isn’t much they can do, according to agents and officials who spoke to The Associated Press.
Trump’s aggressive course of treatment included the steroid dexamethasone and the single dose he was given Friday of an experimental drug from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. that supplies antibodies to help the immune system fight the virus. Trump on Friday also began a five-day course of remdesivir, a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients. The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus, and remdesivir curbs the virus’s ability to multiply.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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france24--2020-10-05--Man Utd land Porto defender Telles

Man Utd land Porto defender Telles

Manchester United responded to their defensive woes by signing Brazil left-back Alex Telles from Porto for a reported initial fee of £13.5 million ( $ 14.8 million ) on Monday .
Telles agreed a four-year contract , with the option to extend by a further year , just 24 hours after United were thrashed 6-1 by Tottenham .
The 27-year-old is set to replace Luke Shaw at left-back as United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tries to plug the holes in his leaky defence .
`` To join a club with the prestige of Manchester United is a huge honour .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this moment in your career and now I am coming to this club , I can promise that I will give everything in my heart to be a success here , '' Telles told United 's website .
`` I won many trophies at FC Porto and I want to continue that at United .
The manager has a clear plan and direction for this team and I ca n't wait to pull on the famous shirt . ''
Solskjaer added : `` First and foremost , I welcome Alex to United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been tracking for some time and his performances over the past few years are exactly what we are looking for .
`` He is a fighter and a winner and will add real determination and competition to the squad .
`` Alex has the qualities , both as a player and as a person , that we want here at Manchester United . ''
Telles , who won league titles among a number of honours at both Porto and Turkish side Galatasaray , is United 's second major signing since the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midfielder Donny van de Beek .
United followed the Telles swoop by announcing they had reached an agreement to sign teenage winger Amad Diallo from Serie A side Atalanta .
The 18-year-old Ivorian has been on the radar of United scouts since 2016 , when he was spotted playing at Under-15 level .
Diallo scored on his Serie A debut in the first of three first-team appearances last season , after rising through the youth ranks at Atalanta .
He will join United in January , subject to medical , personal terms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fee reported to be £20 million .
With just hours left before the transfer window closed on Monday , United were also close to signing former Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani on a free transfer .

London (AFP) –
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Manchester United responded to their defensive woes by signing Brazil left-back Alex Telles from Porto for a reported initial fee of £13.5 million ($14.8 million) on Monday.
Telles agreed a four-year contract, with the option to extend by a further year, just 24 hours after United were thrashed 6-1 by Tottenham.
The 27-year-old is set to replace Luke Shaw at left-back as United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tries to plug the holes in his leaky defence.
"To join a club with the prestige of Manchester United is a huge honour. You have to work hard to get to this moment in your career and now I am coming to this club, I can promise that I will give everything in my heart to be a success here," Telles told United's website.
"I won many trophies at FC Porto and I want to continue that at United. The manager has a clear plan and direction for this team and I can't wait to pull on the famous shirt."
Solskjaer added: "First and foremost, I welcome Alex to United. He is a player we have been tracking for some time and his performances over the past few years are exactly what we are looking for.
"He is a fighter and a winner and will add real determination and competition to the squad.
"Alex has the qualities, both as a player and as a person, that we want here at Manchester United."
Telles, who won league titles among a number of honours at both Porto and Turkish side Galatasaray, is United's second major signing since the end of last season after the arrival of Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek.
United followed the Telles swoop by announcing they had reached an agreement to sign teenage winger Amad Diallo from Serie A side Atalanta.
The 18-year-old Ivorian has been on the radar of United scouts since 2016, when he was spotted playing at Under-15 level.
Diallo scored on his Serie A debut in the first of three first-team appearances last season, after rising through the youth ranks at Atalanta.
He will join United in January, subject to medical, personal terms and a work permit, with the initial fee reported to be £20 million.
With just hours left before the transfer window closed on Monday, United were also close to signing former Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani on a free transfer.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Roma sign Smalling from Man Utd

Roma sign Smalling from Man Utd

Chris Smalling ( left ) has rejoined Roma on a permanent deal after a successful season-long loan from Manchester United @ @ @ @ @ Smalling on a permanent deal after a successful spell on loan from Manchester United , @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
The 30-year-old scored three goals in 37 appearances in all competitions last @ @ @ @ @ in Serie A .
`` Manchester United have reached an agreement with AS Roma for @ @ @ @ @ Smalling , '' United said in a statement .
`` The centre-back was signed by @ @ @ @ @ from Fulham , and went on to make 323 appearances for the club , scoring @ @ @ @ @ have reportedly paid 15 million euros ( £13.5 million , $ 17.5 million ) plus @ @ @ @ @ for Smalling .
Earlier on Monday , United made their second signing of the window @ @ @ @ @ Telles joined from Porto .

London (AFP) –
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Roma signed English defender Chris Smalling on a permanent deal after a successful spell on loan from Manchester United, the Premier League club confirmed on Monday.
The 30-year-old scored three goals in 37 appearances in all competitions last season as Roma finished fifth in Serie A.
"Manchester United have reached an agreement with AS Roma for the transfer of defender Chris Smalling," United said in a statement.
"The centre-back was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2010 from Fulham, and went on to make 323 appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals."
Roma have reportedly paid 15 million euros (£13.5 million, $17.5 million) plus a further five in add-ons for Smalling.
Earlier on Monday, United made their second signing of the window as Brazilian international left-back Alex Telles joined from Porto.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-05--Twitter bans Trump death wishes, sparks debate

Twitter 's move to ban comments wishing for the death of President Donald Trump sparked calls for the platform to enforce that policy for everyone Twitter is removing tweets hoping for the demise of US President Donald Trump -- a move which opened up the social platform to criticism that it should enforce the same policy for everyone .
San Francisco-based Twitter drew a line on caustic commentary after Trump 's Covid-19 hospitalization Friday , telling users that expressing hope for the death of anyone violates policies against abusive behavior at the one-to-many messaging service .
`` Tweets that wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm or fatal disease against anyone are not allowed and will need to be removed , '' Twitter said in a post .
Attached was a link to a Twitter policy page that said it does not tolerate content that wishes , hopes , or expresses desire for someone to die or contract a fatal disease .
The post sparked a firestorm of responses from people contending that Twitter has not been consistent about enforcing those rules .
`` So ... you mean to tell us you could 've done this the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York said in a retweet of Twitter 's message .
Conservative Republicans have relentless used social media to spew venom at Ocasio-Cortez , often referred to by her initials AOC .
Fellow Democratic lawmaker Rashida Tlaib chimed in with a similar comment , tweeting , `` this is messed up .
The death threats towards us should have been taking more seriously . ''
Twitter responded with a pledge to be more even-handed .
`` We hear the voices who feel that we 're enforcing some policies inconsistently , '' Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We agree we must do better , and we are working together inside to do so . ''
Trump 's hospitalization for treatment of Covid-19 has been a hot topic on Twitter , with users keen to point out his history of downplaying pandemic risks and safety precautions such as wearing masks .

San Francisco (AFP) –
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Twitter is removing tweets hoping for the demise of US President Donald Trump -- a move which opened up the social platform to criticism that it should enforce the same policy for everyone.
San Francisco-based Twitter drew a line on caustic commentary after Trump's Covid-19 hospitalization Friday, telling users that expressing hope for the death of anyone violates policies against abusive behavior at the one-to-many messaging service.
"Tweets that wish or hope for death, serious bodily harm or fatal disease against anyone are not allowed and will need to be removed," Twitter said in a post.
Attached was a link to a Twitter policy page that said it does not tolerate content that wishes, hopes, or expresses desire for someone to die or contract a fatal disease.
The post sparked a firestorm of responses from people contending that Twitter has not been consistent about enforcing those rules.
"So... you mean to tell us you could've done this the whole time?" Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said in a retweet of Twitter's message.
Conservative Republicans have relentless used social media to spew venom at Ocasio-Cortez, often referred to by her initials AOC.
Fellow Democratic lawmaker Rashida Tlaib chimed in with a similar comment, tweeting, "this is messed up. The death threats towards us should have been taking more seriously."
Twitter responded with a pledge to be more even-handed.
"We hear the voices who feel that we're enforcing some policies inconsistently," Twitter said in response to fierce backlash.
"We agree we must do better, and we are working together inside to do so."
Trump's hospitalization for treatment of Covid-19 has been a hot topic on Twitter, with users keen to point out his history of downplaying pandemic risks and safety precautions such as wearing masks.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--Nadal clinches late-night win against Italy’s Sinner to head into French Open semi-finals

Spain 's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning against Italy 's Jannik Sinner at the end of their men 's singles quarter-final tennis match on Day 10 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on October 6 , 2020 .
Claycourt master Rafael Nadal passed his first real test of this year ’ s French Open with a 7-6 ( 4 ) 6-4 6-1 victory against Italian rising star Jannik Sinner as his quest for a record-breaking 13th title gathered momentum on Tuesday .
The Spaniard , also looking to match Roger Federer ’ s record of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titles , was stretched by the 19-year-old Sinner as he set up a clash with Argentine Diego Schwartzman , who beat him in the Italian Open quarter-finals last month .
The 34-year-old Nadal ’ s 97 previous victories at Roland Garros made the difference in key moments with the Spaniard rallying from a break down in the first two sets .
Sinner , the first French Open debutant to reach the last eight since Nadal in 2005 , confirmed his immense potential but lacked just a bit of composure when it mattered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ young talent with a lot of power , great shots .
For two sets it was tough , especially in the second set I was lucky to be back , ” said Nadal after a match played in cold conditions that ended at 01:26 local time , the latest finish at a French Open .
“ The conditions were a little bit difficult , he was hitting every ball very hard and with this cold , my speed is not there .
It was hard for me to put him out of position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well almost one and a half days off to rest and practice.
” South Tyrolian Sinner hit powerful groundstrokes , putting Nadal on the backfoot in many rallies on court Philippe Chatrier , only for the Mallorcan to unlock his own massive forehand to turn the tide .
The big-hitting Sinner had the first break point , in the fifth game , but the Italian made an unforced error .
Nadal went into the contest having won 48 of his 50 service games but he was in trouble again at 5-5 when Sinner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staved off the first with a forehand winner , and the second when Sinner ’ s return of an ill-timed drop shot by the Spaniard flew long .
From deuce , Sinner created another break chance , which was converted when Nadal ’ s forehand went wide .
Nadal had his first break points in the following game and he converted the third with a stunning forehand winner down the line .
The Spaniard was more consistent in the tiebreak as he moved one set up .
Sinner , who was three when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , took time out to have his right abductor muscle massaged .
He then came back on court with all guns blazing , breaking for 3-1 .
Nadal broke back immediately as Sinner showed his first signs of frustration and the Spaniard broke again in the ninth game before wrapping the set on serve , having significantly raised his game .
Sinner , winner of last year ’ s ATP NextGen Finals , then hit a wall and despite the Italian ’ s best efforts and energy , Nadal moved 4-0 up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it with an overhead smash .
“ From now on it ’ s just head down and trying to improve , trying to play hours after hours on court , which I need to do , ” said Sinner in a blunt self-assessment .
“ He took his chances , I didn ’ t take mine .
I need to improve mentally , obviously .
”

Claycourt master Rafael Nadal passed his first real test of this year’s French Open with a 7-6(4) 6-4 6-1 victory against Italian rising star Jannik Sinner as his quest for a record-breaking 13th title gathered momentum on Tuesday.
Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the end of their men's singles quarter-final tennis match on Day 10 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on October 6, 2020.
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The Spaniard, also looking to match Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, was stretched by the 19-year-old Sinner as he set up a clash with Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who beat him in the Italian Open quarter-finals last month.
The 34-year-old Nadal’s 97 previous victories at Roland Garros made the difference in key moments with the Spaniard rallying from a break down in the first two sets.
Sinner, the first French Open debutant to reach the last eight since Nadal in 2005, confirmed his immense potential but lacked just a bit of composure when it mattered.
“Sinner is a very, very young talent with a lot of power, great shots. For two sets it was tough, especially in the second set I was lucky to be back,” said Nadal after a match played in cold conditions that ended at 01:26 local time, the latest finish at a French Open.
“The conditions were a little bit difficult, he was hitting every ball very hard and with this cold, my speed is not there. It was hard for me to put him out of position.
“Now I have two, well almost one and a half days off to rest and practice.”
South Tyrolian Sinner hit powerful groundstrokes, putting Nadal on the backfoot in many rallies on court Philippe Chatrier, only for the Mallorcan to unlock his own massive forehand to turn the tide.
Big hits
The big-hitting Sinner had the first break point, in the fifth game, but the Italian made an unforced error.
Nadal went into the contest having won 48 of his 50 service games but he was in trouble again at 5-5 when Sinner set up two break points.
He staved off the first with a forehand winner, and the second when Sinner’s return of an ill-timed drop shot by the Spaniard flew long. From deuce, Sinner created another break chance, which was converted when Nadal’s forehand went wide.
Nadal had his first break points in the following game and he converted the third with a stunning forehand winner down the line.
The Spaniard was more consistent in the tiebreak as he moved one set up.
Sinner, who was three when Nadal first lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires, took time out to have his right abductor muscle massaged. He then came back on court with all guns blazing, breaking for 3-1.
Nadal broke back immediately as Sinner showed his first signs of frustration and the Spaniard broke again in the ninth game before wrapping the set on serve, having significantly raised his game.
Sinner, winner of last year’s ATP NextGen Finals, then hit a wall and despite the Italian’s best efforts and energy, Nadal moved 4-0 up and did not release his grip, ending it with an overhead smash.
“From now on it’s just head down and trying to improve, trying to play hours after hours on court, which I need to do,” said Sinner in a blunt self-assessment.
“He took his chances, I didn’t take mine. I need to improve mentally, obviously.”
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-07--Nadal into 13th Roland Garros semi-final, hits out at 'dangerous' night life

Let there be light : Rafael Nadal serves to Jannik Sinner Rafael Nadal reached his 13th Roland Garros semi-final early Wednesday with a straight sets win over Italian teenager Jannik Sinner but claimed it was `` dangerous '' to finish at 01:30 in the morning when the temperature had plummeted to 12 degrees ( 53F ) .
Nadal , the 12-time champion , defeated 19-year-old Sinner 7-6 ( 7/4 ) , 6-4 , 6-1 to clinch a 98th victory in his 100th match at the French Open .
He will next face Diego Schwartzman , the diminutive Argentine over whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he moves closer to equalling Roger Federer 's all-time record of 20 majors .
However , Nadal , more accustomed to the bright sunshine of Mallorca than the autumn chill of a French Open pushed back four months due to the coronavirus pandemic , was unhappy with organisers who scheduled five matches on the main Court Philippe Chatrier .
`` I know footballers play under these conditions , but they are all the time moving , '' said Nadal after the latest ever finishing match at the tournament .
`` We stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the changeovers .
I think this is a little bit dangerous for the body with these very heavy conditions . ''
Nadal and Sinner only got on court at 10:30pm after Schwartzman and Thiem had taken five hours to decide their quarter-final .
They also had to wait for another women 's last-eight tie to be completed after two others had kicked off the programme .
The sparse crowd that greeted them wore thick coats , scarves and hats .
`` I do n't know why they put five matches on Chatrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added 34-year-old Nadal who finished his news conference at 02:30 .
Nadal will be playing in a 34th semi-final at the majors .
He takes a 9-1 lead over Schwartzman into that match although the Argentine won their most recent clash in Rome on the eve of Roland Garros .
World number 75 Sinner , bidding to become the first man to make the semi-finals on debut since Nadal in 2005 , was left to rue his missed chances .
He led with breaks in both of the first two sets , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking the opener .
Nadal admitted he had been in a contest unlike his first four matches where he dropped just 23 games .
`` It was very tough during the first two sets and especially at the end of the first .
`` He was hitting the ball very hard and with the cold , the balls had less lift . ''
Argentine 12th seed Schwartzman defeated US Open champion and third seed Thiem in a five-hour epic to reach his first ever Grand Slam semi-final .
It was one marathon too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris for the last two years , who had needed five sets and three and a half hours to down world number 239 Hugo Gaston in the fourth round .
The 5ft 7in ( 1.70m ) Schwartzman 's success came on the same day that compatriot Nadia Podoroska , the world 131 , reached the last-four of the women 's singles .
`` Dominic is one of the great players .
He is my best friend and I have a lot of respect for him , '' said Schwartzman .
`` So this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the second and third sets , I was going a little crazy and I was screaming at myself because I had so many chances .
`` But , come on , I deserved to win tonight , '' added Schwartzman .
Thiem had been attempting to reach a fifth successive semi-final in Paris .
However , despite crunching 65 winners to his opponent 's 47 , he committed 81 unforced errors in a match which featured 19 breaks of serve and at five hours and eight minutes was the second longest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the limit today , '' said Thiem .
`` At the net I just told him that he deserves it .
I think he 's for the first time top 10 with that win .

Paris (AFP) –
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Rafael Nadal reached his 13th Roland Garros semi-final early Wednesday with a straight sets win over Italian teenager Jannik Sinner but claimed it was "dangerous" to finish at 01:30 in the morning when the temperature had plummeted to 12 degrees (53F).
Nadal, the 12-time champion, defeated 19-year-old Sinner 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-1 to clinch a 98th victory in his 100th match at the French Open.
He will next face Diego Schwartzman, the diminutive Argentine over whom he holds a 9-1 career advantage, as he moves closer to equalling Roger Federer's all-time record of 20 majors.
However, Nadal, more accustomed to the bright sunshine of Mallorca than the autumn chill of a French Open pushed back four months due to the coronavirus pandemic, was unhappy with organisers who scheduled five matches on the main Court Philippe Chatrier.
"I know footballers play under these conditions, but they are all the time moving," said Nadal after the latest ever finishing match at the tournament.
"We stop, we come back, we stop on the changeovers. I think this is a little bit dangerous for the body with these very heavy conditions."
Nadal and Sinner only got on court at 10:30pm after Schwartzman and Thiem had taken five hours to decide their quarter-final.
They also had to wait for another women's last-eight tie to be completed after two others had kicked off the programme.
The sparse crowd that greeted them wore thick coats, scarves and hats.
"I don't know why they put five matches on Chatrier. It's a risk," added 34-year-old Nadal who finished his news conference at 02:30.
Nadal will be playing in a 34th semi-final at the majors.
- 'I was over limit' -
He takes a 9-1 lead over Schwartzman into that match although the Argentine won their most recent clash in Rome on the eve of Roland Garros.
World number 75 Sinner, bidding to become the first man to make the semi-finals on debut since Nadal in 2005, was left to rue his missed chances.
He led with breaks in both of the first two sets, even finding himself just two points away from taking the opener.
Nadal admitted he had been in a contest unlike his first four matches where he dropped just 23 games.
"It was very tough during the first two sets and especially at the end of the first.
"He was hitting the ball very hard and with the cold, the balls had less lift."
Argentine 12th seed Schwartzman defeated US Open champion and third seed Thiem in a five-hour epic to reach his first ever Grand Slam semi-final.
The 28-year-old Schwartzman triumphed 7-6 (7/1), 5-7, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.
It was one marathon too many for Thiem, the runner-up in Paris for the last two years, who had needed five sets and three and a half hours to down world number 239 Hugo Gaston in the fourth round.
The 5ft 7in (1.70m) Schwartzman's success came on the same day that compatriot Nadia Podoroska, the world 131, reached the last-four of the women's singles.
"Dominic is one of the great players. He is my best friend and I have a lot of respect for him," said Schwartzman.
"So this win is very important for me. In the second and third sets, I was going a little crazy and I was screaming at myself because I had so many chances.
"But, come on, I deserved to win tonight," added Schwartzman.
Thiem had been attempting to reach a fifth successive semi-final in Paris.
However, despite crunching 65 winners to his opponent's 47, he committed 81 unforced errors in a match which featured 19 breaks of serve and at five hours and eight minutes was the second longest of the tournament.
"I was over the limit today," said Thiem.
"At the net I just told him that he deserves it. I think he's for the first time top 10 with that win.
"That's also great achievement."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-07--French Parliament votes to return stolen artefacts to Benin and Senegal

The artefacts to be returned include highlights among the 70,000-odd African objects held at the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac museum in Paris .
French lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously voted to return prized artefacts to Benin and Senegal more than a century after they were looted by colonial forces and hauled back to Paris to be displayed in museums .
The pieces include a royal throne and statues taken by the French army during a war in Benin—then the wealthy African kingdom of Dahomey—as well a sabre once wielded by a 19th-century Muslim sheik in what is today Senegal .
After 49 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower house of parliament , voted Tuesday night in favour of the bill—with none voting against—it will now head to the Senate .
If approved , France will officially restore to Benin 26 items from the Treasure of Behanzin , looted during the 1892 pillaging of the palace of Abomey .
They include the throne of King Glele—a centrepiece of the 70,000-odd African objects held at the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac museum in Paris .
Senegal will get back a sword and scabbard said to have belonged to Omar Saidou Tall , an important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Africa .
The pieces are officially held by the Army Museum in Paris , but are on long-term loan to Dakar , where they have been exhibited since last November .
Former culture minister Franck Riester said the return of the artefacts was part of a “ strengthened desire for cooperation ” with the two francophone West African countries .
He spoke to the assembly because current Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot was isolating after coming into contact with a positive coronavirus case .
Ahead of the vote , Bachelot insisted the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or reparation , nor a condemnation of the French cultural model ” .
President Emmanuel Macron pledged shortly after his election in 2017 to look into the restitution of African cultural treasures .
Benin ’ s President Patrice Talon has previously said he was “ not satisfied ” even while welcoming “ small steps ” being taken by France .
“ To approve a specific law to hand back 26 artefacts is strictly the minimum , ” he told the magazine Young Africa , arguing for a law that gave “ global restitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last month five activists went on trial in Paris for trying to seize an African funeral staff from the Quai Branly , France ’ s pre-eminent indigenous art museum , in a bid to put new pressure on Macron to return more items .
An expert report commissioned by Macron in 2018 counted some 90,000 African works in French museums , most of them at the Quai Branly .
Britain has also faced calls to return artefacts , notably the Elgin Marbles to Greece and the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria , while museums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of African pieces .

French lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously voted to return prized artefacts to Benin and Senegal more than a century after they were looted by colonial forces and hauled back to Paris to be displayed in museums.
The artefacts to be returned include highlights among the 70,000-odd African objects held at the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac museum in Paris.
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The pieces include a royal throne and statues taken by the French army during a war in Benin—then the wealthy African kingdom of Dahomey—as well a sabre once wielded by a 19th-century Muslim sheik in what is today Senegal.
After 49 MPs in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, voted Tuesday night in favour of the bill—with none voting against—it will now head to the Senate.
If approved, France will officially restore to Benin 26 items from the Treasure of Behanzin, looted during the 1892 pillaging of the palace of Abomey.
They include the throne of King Glele—a centrepiece of the 70,000-odd African objects held at the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac museum in Paris.
Senegal will get back a sword and scabbard said to have belonged to Omar Saidou Tall, an important 19th century military and religious figure in West Africa.
The pieces are officially held by the Army Museum in Paris, but are on long-term loan to Dakar, where they have been exhibited since last November.
Former culture minister Franck Riester said the return of the artefacts was part of a “strengthened desire for cooperation” with the two francophone West African countries.
He spoke to the assembly because current Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot was isolating after coming into contact with a positive coronavirus case.
Ahead of the vote, Bachelot insisted the bill was “not an act of repentance or reparation, nor a condemnation of the French cultural model”.
‘Strictly the minimum’
President Emmanuel Macron pledged shortly after his election in 2017 to look into the restitution of African cultural treasures.
Benin’s President Patrice Talon has previously said he was “not satisfied” even while welcoming “small steps” being taken by France.
“To approve a specific law to hand back 26 artefacts is strictly the minimum,” he told the magazine Young Africa, arguing for a law that gave “global restitution based on a precise inventory”.
Last month five activists went on trial in Paris for trying to seize an African funeral staff from the Quai Branly, France’s pre-eminent indigenous art museum, in a bid to put new pressure on Macron to return more items.
An expert report commissioned by Macron in 2018 counted some 90,000 African works in French museums, most of them at the Quai Branly.
Britain has also faced calls to return artefacts, notably the Elgin Marbles to Greece and the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, while museums in Belgium and Austria house tens of thousands of African pieces.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-10-07--Lawmakers slam Big Tech 'monopolies' in new report

A congressional report called for sweeping changes to antitrust laws and enforcement in response to the growing power of Big Tech firms , but Republican lawmakers declined to endorse the findings A House of Representatives panel said in a report Tuesday that four Big Tech firms are `` monopolies '' which abuse their market dominance and called for sweeping changes to antitrust laws and enforcement , which could potentially lead to breakups of the giant firms .
But the report by the staff of the House Judiciary Committee failed to win the endorsement of Republican members , highlighting a partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giants .
The 449-page document concluded that Amazon , Apple , Facebook and Google `` engage in a form of their own private quasi regulation that is unaccountable to anyone but themselves . ''
`` To put it simply , companies that once were scrappy , underdog startups that challenged the status quo have become the kinds of monopolies we last saw in the era of oil barons and railroad tycoons , '' the report said .
The report comes after an investigation of more than 15 months and hearings this year with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in parallel to antitrust probes being led by federal and state enforcers .
Judiciary chairman Jerrold Nadler and antitrust subcommittee chairman David Cicilline said in a joint statement that the tech firms `` each possess significant market power over large swaths of our economy '' and that all have `` exploited their power of the marketplace in anticompetitive ways . ''
The report suggests moves which could lead to breakups without offering details on doing so .
It calls for `` structural separations '' to prohibit companies from competing on platforms they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that platforms allow `` interoperability '' with competitors and the establishment of a standard to halt acquisitions that hurt competition .
The findings echo a growing backlash against the firms which have seen their fortunes rise in recent years as they extend market dominance , even during the coronavirus pandemic .
But while Democrats have assailed the growing market power of tech platforms , Republicans have decried what they consider bias by the Silicon Valley firms against conservatives .
Republican panel members declined to endorse the report , highlighting the partisan divide on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to get conservatives , '' Representative Jim Jordan said as the report was issued .
`` Unfortunately the Democrats ' partisan report ignores this fundamental problem and instead advances radical proposals that would refashion antitrust law in the vision of the far left . ''
Matt Schruers of the Computer & Communications Industry Association , a trade group including some of the large tech firms , said the lawmakers failed to understand the digital economy .
“ If the goal is simply to knock down successful US businesses , then perhaps this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` But if the goal is to benefit consumers , which has until now been the standard for antitrust policy , it is hard to see how this would do anything but invite regulators to micromanage business models . ''

Washington (AFP) –
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A House of Representatives panel said in a report Tuesday that four Big Tech firms are "monopolies" which abuse their market dominance and called for sweeping changes to antitrust laws and enforcement, which could potentially lead to breakups of the giant firms.
But the report by the staff of the House Judiciary Committee failed to win the endorsement of Republican members, highlighting a partisan divide despite widespread criticism of the tech giants.
The 449-page document concluded that Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google "engage in a form of their own private quasi regulation that is unaccountable to anyone but themselves."
"To put it simply, companies that once were scrappy, underdog startups that challenged the status quo have become the kinds of monopolies we last saw in the era of oil barons and railroad tycoons," the report said.
The report comes after an investigation of more than 15 months and hearings this year with the top executives of the four firms, in parallel to antitrust probes being led by federal and state enforcers.
Judiciary chairman Jerrold Nadler and antitrust subcommittee chairman David Cicilline said in a joint statement that the tech firms "each possess significant market power over large swaths of our economy" and that all have "exploited their power of the marketplace in anticompetitive ways."
The report suggests moves which could lead to breakups without offering details on doing so.
It calls for "structural separations" to prohibit companies from competing on platforms they operate.
Also recommended was a requirement that platforms allow "interoperability" with competitors and the establishment of a standard to halt acquisitions that hurt competition.
The findings echo a growing backlash against the firms which have seen their fortunes rise in recent years as they extend market dominance, even during the coronavirus pandemic.
But while Democrats have assailed the growing market power of tech platforms, Republicans have decried what they consider bias by the Silicon Valley firms against conservatives.
Republican panel members declined to endorse the report, highlighting the partisan divide on tech regulation.
"Big Tech is out to get conservatives," Representative Jim Jordan said as the report was issued.
"Unfortunately the Democrats' partisan report ignores this fundamental problem and instead advances radical proposals that would refashion antitrust law in the vision of the far left."
Matt Schruers of the Computer & Communications Industry Association, a trade group including some of the large tech firms, said the lawmakers failed to understand the digital economy.
“If the goal is simply to knock down successful US businesses, then perhaps this plan would score a hit," he said.
"But if the goal is to benefit consumers, which has until now been the standard for antitrust policy, it is hard to see how this would do anything but invite regulators to micromanage business models."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-06--Facebook, Instagram ban QAnon conspiracy-linked accounts

The conspiracy theorist group QAnon ( supporters pictured August 2020 ) claims without evidence that the pandemic is a conspiracy by a cabal of satanist paedophiles who control the world Facebook on Tuesday announced a ban on all accounts linked to the QAnon conspiracy group , as the social network tries to clamp down on misinformation ahead of the heated US presidential election .
The move against QAnon at Facebook and its image-sharing platform Instagram comes as the online giant tries to avoid being used to deceive or confuse voters , as was the case during the 2016 election that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
`` We will remove any Facebook Pages , Groups and Instagram accounts representing QAnon , even if they contain no violent content , '' the internet titan said in a blog post .
From an anonymous 2017 posting claiming bizarre child exploitation and political plots , the headless and bodiless movement has earned a place in Trump 's Twitter stream .
The FBI last year said in a report that QAnon was one of several movements that could drive `` both groups and individual extremists to carry out criminal or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ QAnon accounts steps up Facebook 's efforts to clamp down on misinformation campaigns sometimes endorsed by Trump , weeks ahead of the November 3 presidential election .
`` Facebook 's decision to ban QAnon from all its platforms is a much needed , if belated , step to purge dangerous conspiracy theories from the platform , '' said Anti-Defamation league chief executive Jonathan Greenblatt .
`` We hope that this is a sincere effort to purge hate and antisemitism from their platform , and not another knee-jerk response to pressure from members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves made across Facebook and Instagram were against accounts tied to `` offline anarchist groups that support violent acts amidst protests , US-based militia organizations and QAnon , '' according to the blog post .
The leading social network recently prohibited ads that praise , support or represent militarized social movements and QAnon .
Facebook in August removed hundreds of groups tied to QAnon and imposed restrictions on nearly 2,000 more as part of a crackdown on stoking violence .
Critics have charged that inflammatory content from QAnon was spreading on Facebook despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Facebook said it tightened its prohibition on QAnon after noticing that , despite taking down posts directly promoting violence , QAnon supporter messages adapted to avoid restrictions .
For example , QAnon used the platform to claim deadly wildfires raging on the West Coast were started by certain groups , which diverted attention of police and firefighters .
`` QAnon messaging changes very quickly and we see networks of supporters build an audience with one message and then quickly pivot to another , '' Facebook said .
The social network already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that proclaim violent missions .
The increasingly visible and vocal followers of QAnon promote a bewildering blend of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories .
Once on the fringes of the internet and focused on US politics , the movement has seen sharp growth on mainstream social media platforms this year .
The movement centered on the unsubstantiated belief that the world is run by a cabal of Satan-worshippers has extended that this year to allege , without proof , that the coronavirus is a conspiracy by that group to control people using vaccines and 5G @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter , TikTok and YouTube have ramped up surveillance for QAnon content , as adherents attempt to bypass the new filters .

San Francisco (AFP) –
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Facebook on Tuesday announced a ban on all accounts linked to the QAnon conspiracy group, as the social network tries to clamp down on misinformation ahead of the heated US presidential election.
The move against QAnon at Facebook and its image-sharing platform Instagram comes as the online giant tries to avoid being used to deceive or confuse voters, as was the case during the 2016 election that put US President Donald Trump in the White House.
"We will remove any Facebook Pages, Groups and Instagram accounts representing QAnon, even if they contain no violent content," the internet titan said in a blog post.
From an anonymous 2017 posting claiming bizarre child exploitation and political plots, the headless and bodiless movement has earned a place in Trump's Twitter stream.
The FBI last year said in a report that QAnon was one of several movements that could drive "both groups and individual extremists to carry out criminal or violent acts."
The ban on QAnon accounts steps up Facebook's efforts to clamp down on misinformation campaigns sometimes endorsed by Trump, weeks ahead of the November 3 presidential election.
"Facebook's decision to ban QAnon from all its platforms is a much needed, if belated, step to purge dangerous conspiracy theories from the platform," said Anti-Defamation league chief executive Jonathan Greenblatt.
"We hope that this is a sincere effort to purge hate and antisemitism from their platform, and not another knee-jerk response to pressure from members of Congress and the public."
The moves made across Facebook and Instagram were against accounts tied to "offline anarchist groups that support violent acts amidst protests, US-based militia organizations and QAnon," according to the blog post.
The leading social network recently prohibited ads that praise, support or represent militarized social movements and QAnon.
Facebook in August removed hundreds of groups tied to QAnon and imposed restrictions on nearly 2,000 more as part of a crackdown on stoking violence.
Critics have charged that inflammatory content from QAnon was spreading on Facebook despite the platform's proclaimed effort to contain it.
- Stoking flames -
Facebook said it tightened its prohibition on QAnon after noticing that, despite taking down posts directly promoting violence, QAnon supporter messages adapted to avoid restrictions.
For example, QAnon used the platform to claim deadly wildfires raging on the West Coast were started by certain groups, which diverted attention of police and firefighters.
"QAnon messaging changes very quickly and we see networks of supporters build an audience with one message and then quickly pivot to another," Facebook said.
The social network already bans content calling for violence and organizations that proclaim violent missions.
The increasingly visible and vocal followers of QAnon promote a bewildering blend of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
Once on the fringes of the internet and focused on US politics, the movement has seen sharp growth on mainstream social media platforms this year.
The movement centered on the unsubstantiated belief that the world is run by a cabal of Satan-worshippers has extended that this year to allege, without proof, that the coronavirus is a conspiracy by that group to control people using vaccines and 5G.
Social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube have ramped up surveillance for QAnon content, as adherents attempt to bypass the new filters.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-06--Nadal to face Schwartzman in 13th Roland Garros semi-final

Let there be light : Rafael Nadal serves to Jannik Sinner Rafael Nadal reached his 13th Roland Garros semi-final early Wednesday , defeating Italian teenager Jannik Sinner in a high-quality clash which ended just before 01:30 in the morning , the latest ever finish at the tournament .
Nadal , the 12-time champion , won 7-6 ( 7/4 ) , 6-4 , 6-1 to clinch his 98th victory in his 100th match at the French Open .
The 34-year-old will now face Argentina 's Diego Schwartzman , who knocked out third seeded US Open winner Dominic Thiem , the runner-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years , for a place in Sunday 's championship match .
It will be Nadal 's 34th semi-final at the majors .
Nadal takes a 9-1 lead over Schwartzman into that match although the Argentine won their most recent clash in Rome on the eve of Roland Garros .
World number 75 Sinner , bidding to become the first man to make the semi-finals on debut since Nadal in 2005 , was left to rue his missed chances .
The 19-year-old led with breaks in both of the first two sets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from taking the opener .
`` It 's very late so thank-you for staying despite the difficult conditions , '' said Nadal to the sparse crowd , all of whom were wrapped up in jackets , hats and scarves as the temperature dropped to 12 degrees ( 53F ) .
Nadal , who is just one Slam victory away from equalling Roger Federer 's all-time mark of 20 , admitted he had been in a contest unlike his first four matches where he dropped just 23 games .
`` It was very tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the first .
`` He was hitting the ball very hard and with the cold , the balls had less lift . ''
Sinner had knocked out 11th seed David Goffin and sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev to make the quarter-final .
He was not overawed by his maiden appearance on Court Philippe Chatrier , breaking for a 6-5 lead and was two points from taking the first set off the Spaniard at the tournament this year .
But Nadal unleashed trademark down the line forehands to break back even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 12th game by coming out on top off a 34-shot rally .
Nadal swept through the tiebreak to end a 72-minute opener with Sinner then having to seek the help of the trainer for a thigh problem as the clock ticked past midnight in the French capital .
Sinner , a champion skier in his youth , kept up the charge , however , breaking first and then holding for a 3-1 lead in the second .
Back came Nadal , retrieving the break in the fifth game , backed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sinner saved a set point but not the second as Nadal made him pay for a couple of loose games .
Suddenly , the spirit drained away from the teenager who was quickly 4-0 down in the third before Nadal completed the formalities .
The world number two finished with 37 winners , six breaks while saving five of the seven break points he faced .

Paris (AFP) –
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Rafael Nadal reached his 13th Roland Garros semi-final early Wednesday, defeating Italian teenager Jannik Sinner in a high-quality clash which ended just before 01:30 in the morning, the latest ever finish at the tournament.
Nadal, the 12-time champion, won 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-1 to clinch his 98th victory in his 100th match at the French Open.
The 34-year-old will now face Argentina's Diego Schwartzman, who knocked out third seeded US Open winner Dominic Thiem, the runner-up in Paris to Nadal in the last two years, for a place in Sunday's championship match.
It will be Nadal's 34th semi-final at the majors.
Nadal takes a 9-1 lead over Schwartzman into that match although the Argentine won their most recent clash in Rome on the eve of Roland Garros.
World number 75 Sinner, bidding to become the first man to make the semi-finals on debut since Nadal in 2005, was left to rue his missed chances.
The 19-year-old led with breaks in both of the first two sets, even finding himself just two points away from taking the opener.
"It's very late so thank-you for staying despite the difficult conditions," said Nadal to the sparse crowd, all of whom were wrapped up in jackets, hats and scarves as the temperature dropped to 12 degrees (53F).
Nadal, who is just one Slam victory away from equalling Roger Federer's all-time mark of 20, admitted he had been in a contest unlike his first four matches where he dropped just 23 games.
"It was very tough during the first two sets and especially at the end of the first.
"He was hitting the ball very hard and with the cold, the balls had less lift."
Sinner had knocked out 11th seed David Goffin and sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev to make the quarter-final.
He was not overawed by his maiden appearance on Court Philippe Chatrier, breaking for a 6-5 lead and was two points from taking the first set off the Spaniard at the tournament this year.
But Nadal unleashed trademark down the line forehands to break back even if the Italian scored a moral victory earlier in the 12th game by coming out on top off a 34-shot rally.
Nadal swept through the tiebreak to end a 72-minute opener with Sinner then having to seek the help of the trainer for a thigh problem as the clock ticked past midnight in the French capital.
Sinner, a champion skier in his youth, kept up the charge, however, breaking first and then holding for a 3-1 lead in the second.
Back came Nadal, retrieving the break in the fifth game, backed up by another for a 5-4 advantage.
Sinner saved a set point but not the second as Nadal made him pay for a couple of loose games.
Suddenly, the spirit drained away from the teenager who was quickly 4-0 down in the third before Nadal completed the formalities.
The world number two finished with 37 winners, six breaks while saving five of the seven break points he faced.
© 2020 AFP