france24--2020-11-24--Police use tear gas to disperse migrant camp in central Paris

Volunteers had helped set up around 500 blue tents at the Place de la Republique in the heart of the French capital late Monday Police used tear gas as they dismantled a new migrant camp in the centre of Paris set up to house hundreds of refugees evacuated from makeshift suburban shelters without being relocated .
Volunteers had helped set up around 500 blue tents at the Place de la Republique in the heart of the French capital late Monday , which were quickly filled by migrants , the majority from Afghanistan .
Around an hour later police arrived to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sometimes with people still inside , to the protests of migrants and jeers from volunteers .
`` They are too violent , '' sobbed Shahbuddin , a 34-year-old Afghan as he put a grey beanie back on his head after being forced out of his tent .
`` We just want a roof . ''
Police later used tear gas to disperse the rest of the camp , driving the migrants out into the streets of central Paris .
The dismantling of the new camp comes one week after migrants were evacuated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Saint-Denis without being relocated .
Ian Brossart , a deputy of the city 's mayor in charge of housing , emergency accommodation and refugee protection , slammed the `` law and order response to a social situation '' .
French home minister Gerald Darmanin later said images of the dismantling were `` shocking '' and that he had ordered the city 's police to present a report on the clearance .
Paris is a key stop-off point on the European migrant route , with tented camps repeatedly sprouting up around the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police a few months later .
Thousands have travelled from Paris to the port of Calais and attempted to stow away on trucks heading across the Channel to England .
A small number attempt the crossing by boat .
The clearance comes after the French government approved an amended security law that would restrict the publication of photos or videos taken of police officers ' faces while carrying out their duties in public spaces .
Media unions say this could give police a green light to prevent journalists from doing their work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're here to show that we have nowhere else to go , '' said Murtaza , 20 , from Afghanistan before the camp was dispersed .
`` We ca n't live like animals , we just want to claim asylum . ''

Paris (AFP) –
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Police used tear gas as they dismantled a new migrant camp in the centre of Paris set up to house hundreds of refugees evacuated from makeshift suburban shelters without being relocated.
Volunteers had helped set up around 500 blue tents at the Place de la Republique in the heart of the French capital late Monday, which were quickly filled by migrants, the majority from Afghanistan.
Around an hour later police arrived to dismantle the camp, picking up tents, sometimes with people still inside, to the protests of migrants and jeers from volunteers.
"They are too violent," sobbed Shahbuddin, a 34-year-old Afghan as he put a grey beanie back on his head after being forced out of his tent.
"We just want a roof."
Police later used tear gas to disperse the rest of the camp, driving the migrants out into the streets of central Paris.
The dismantling of the new camp comes one week after migrants were evacuated from makeshift shelters in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis without being relocated.
Ian Brossart, a deputy of the city's mayor in charge of housing, emergency accommodation and refugee protection, slammed the "law and order response to a social situation".
French home minister Gerald Darmanin later said images of the dismantling were "shocking" and that he had ordered the city's police to present a report on the clearance.
Paris is a key stop-off point on the European migrant route, with tented camps repeatedly sprouting up around the city only to be torn down by the police a few months later.
Thousands have travelled from Paris to the port of Calais and attempted to stow away on trucks heading across the Channel to England. A small number attempt the crossing by boat.
The clearance comes after the French government approved an amended security law that would restrict the publication of photos or videos taken of police officers' faces while carrying out their duties in public spaces.
Media unions say this could give police a green light to prevent journalists from doing their work and potentially documenting abuses by security forces.
"We're here to show that we have nowhere else to go," said Murtaza, 20, from Afghanistan before the camp was dispersed.
"We can't live like animals, we just want to claim asylum."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--Uphill battle but Tehran aims to become bike-friendly

Farshad Rezayi , a 32-year-old chef , rides over 30 kilometres a day to get to and from work in Iran 's capital Tehran One sunny day , Tehran 's mayor and foreign diplomats rode bicycles through the Iranian capital to promote cycling -- no mean feat in a city of steep roads , heavy traffic and toxic fumes .
The metropolis of over eight million at the foot of the Alborz mountains is choked with vehicles running on subsidised fuel and has limited infrastructure for alternative modes of transport .
But its mayor Pirouz Hanachi believes trying to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pollution problem by promoting a bike-sharing initiative is worth the effort .
Hanachi has tried to promote cycling by launching `` Tuesdays without cars '' when he and other team members use pedal power to get to and from the office .
`` We are not saying this is the solution , but it 's a short-term , accessible , cheap and productive '' one to help `` ease traffic and pollution a bit , '' he said .
`` It wo n't be like Amsterdam , but it can be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notorious for its traffic jams and regularly covered in vehicle exhaust smog worsened by pollution from factories around the city limits .
That is why the municipality is supporting a bike-sharing start-up called Bdood ( `` fumeless '' in Farsi ) , the mayor said .
The company 's signature orange bikes can now be seen in 147 stations across Tehran , according to the company 's website .
For the mayor , Tehran residents would ideally commute to work by cycling to the nearest metro station then riding the train .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to make bicycles more accessible , '' he added .
Yet cyclists say a lack of dedicated infrastructure makes it difficult for the city to be bike-friendly .
`` Not at all , '' laughed Farshad Rezayi when asked if Tehran was accommodating to cyclists .
`` Like , no way ! ''
The 32-year-old chef , who said he is `` addicted '' to cycling , said he rides over 30 kilometres a day to get to and from work .
He crosses highways and streets with few dedicated bike lanes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , they have mostly been taken over by motorbikes .
It is commonplace in Tehran to see motorcycles speeding down sidewalks or taking up empty space not occupied by cars .
`` A lot more infrastructure is needed for regular cycling to be a thing , '' Rezayi said , adding that motorists and pedestrians mostly regard cyclists as `` intruders '' .
`` Sometimes drivers harass you , pedestrians get nasty -- from snide remarks to physical stuff , dangerous moves that could get you killed . ''
Tragedy struck in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital after she was hit by a car .
In her memory , a group of Tehran residents have launched a campaign called `` White Pedal '' to raise awareness about cycling and promote it by sharing articles online .
Part of the initiative involves the campaign purchasing bikes for impoverished children , said its co-manager Mahboubeh Kohanzad .
Bdood co-founder Gholamhossein Qasemi said he dreams big , imagining an Iran with electric vehicles and `` clean transportation '' .
In the meantime , the bike-sharing service costs about 10 US cents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a short shared-taxi ride -- and can be accessed via an app .
Sarfaraz , unlocking a Bdood bike at Tehran 's bustling Valiasr Square , said he 'd been using the service for over a year and a half and was `` very satisfied '' .
Cleaning the handles with a sanitising swipe , the 30-year-old marketer said he preferred the orange , gearless bikes to taxis , particularly during the novel coronavirus pandemic -- but not for long distances or uphill .
Animator Nastaran Jabarnia , 29 , said Bdood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own old one , although she said being a woman cyclist in Tehran posed certain additional challenges .
`` Being cat-called , whistled at , or even cars tailing you and passing at high speed '' were some of the problems she faced , she told AFP in a phone interview .
`` And then there 's the hijab , '' she added , referring to the mandatory head covering for women .
Aside from the physical and environmental hurdles , there is another challenge for Iranian women cyclists : ultra-conservatives consider it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out fully covered but still get stressed , '' she said .

Tehran (AFP) –
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One sunny day, Tehran's mayor and foreign diplomats rode bicycles through the Iranian capital to promote cycling -- no mean feat in a city of steep roads, heavy traffic and toxic fumes.
The metropolis of over eight million at the foot of the Alborz mountains is choked with vehicles running on subsidised fuel and has limited infrastructure for alternative modes of transport.
But its mayor Pirouz Hanachi believes trying to make a dent in the city's traffic and pollution problem by promoting a bike-sharing initiative is worth the effort.
Hanachi has tried to promote cycling by launching "Tuesdays without cars" when he and other team members use pedal power to get to and from the office.
"We are not saying this is the solution, but it's a short-term, accessible, cheap and productive" one to help "ease traffic and pollution a bit," he said.
"It won't be like Amsterdam, but it can be a new experience."
Downtown Tehran is notorious for its traffic jams and regularly covered in vehicle exhaust smog worsened by pollution from factories around the city limits.
That is why the municipality is supporting a bike-sharing start-up called Bdood ("fumeless" in Farsi), the mayor said.
The company's signature orange bikes can now be seen in 147 stations across Tehran, according to the company's website.
- 'Intruders' -
For the mayor, Tehran residents would ideally commute to work by cycling to the nearest metro station then riding the train.
The municipality is "increasing cycling paths and trying to make bicycles more accessible," he added.
Yet cyclists say a lack of dedicated infrastructure makes it difficult for the city to be bike-friendly.
"Not at all," laughed Farshad Rezayi when asked if Tehran was accommodating to cyclists. "Like, no way!"
The 32-year-old chef, who said he is "addicted" to cycling, said he rides over 30 kilometres a day to get to and from work.
He crosses highways and streets with few dedicated bike lanes. Where they do exist, he said, they have mostly been taken over by motorbikes.
It is commonplace in Tehran to see motorcycles speeding down sidewalks or taking up empty space not occupied by cars.
"A lot more infrastructure is needed for regular cycling to be a thing," Rezayi said, adding that motorists and pedestrians mostly regard cyclists as "intruders".
"Sometimes drivers harass you, pedestrians get nasty -- from snide remarks to physical stuff, dangerous moves that could get you killed."
- 'White Pedal' -
Tragedy struck in June when a professional cyclist died in the capital after she was hit by a car.
In her memory, a group of Tehran residents have launched a campaign called "White Pedal" to raise awareness about cycling and promote it by sharing articles online.
Part of the initiative involves the campaign purchasing bikes for impoverished children, said its co-manager Mahboubeh Kohanzad.
Bdood co-founder Gholamhossein Qasemi said he dreams big, imagining an Iran with electric vehicles and "clean transportation".
In the meantime, the bike-sharing service costs about 10 US cents for 30 minutes -- roughly the same as a short shared-taxi ride -- and can be accessed via an app.
Sarfaraz, unlocking a Bdood bike at Tehran's bustling Valiasr Square, said he'd been using the service for over a year and a half and was "very satisfied".
Cleaning the handles with a sanitising swipe, the 30-year-old marketer said he preferred the orange, gearless bikes to taxis, particularly during the novel coronavirus pandemic -- but not for long distances or uphill.
Animator Nastaran Jabarnia, 29, said Bdood's bikes inspired her to repair her own old one, although she said being a woman cyclist in Tehran posed certain additional challenges.
"Being cat-called, whistled at, or even cars tailing you and passing at high speed" were some of the problems she faced, she told AFP in a phone interview.
"And then there's the hijab," she added, referring to the mandatory head covering for women.
Aside from the physical and environmental hurdles, there is another challenge for Iranian women cyclists: ultra-conservatives consider it to be immoral.
"I go out fully covered but still get stressed," she said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--Lockerbie bomber appeal set to start in Scotland

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi , the only person convicted of the Lockerbie bombing , died three years after his 2009 release following a terminal cancer diagnosis A posthumous legal challenge to overturn the conviction of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Mohmet Al-Megrahi is due to begin in Scotland on Tuesday .
Scotland 's most senior judge , Lord Justice General Colin Sutherland , and four other judges at the country 's highest criminal court will hear the case via video link .
The legal team for Megrahi 's family will take part remotely from Glasgow .
The case is due to last for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a later date .
The family 's lawyer , Aamer Anwar , said Megrahi 's conviction has been described as `` the worst miscarriage of justice in British legal history '' .
He added : `` There can never be a time limit on justice .
The families who support this appeal have never given up their search for the truth . ''
Megrahi was the only person convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 , which was blown up as it travelled from London to New York over the Scottish town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A total of 270 people from 21 countries were killed -- 243 passengers , 16 crew , and 11 people on the ground -- in what remains Britain 's biggest terrorist attack .
Three Scottish judges sitting at a special court sitting in the Netherlands jailed the former Libyan intelligence officer for life in 2001 , recommending he serve at least 27 years .
His first appeal was dismissed in 2002 but he was released in 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer .
He returned to Libya , where he died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family 's appeal was referred to the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission ( SCCRC ) in March .
The SCCRC ruled a possible miscarriage of justice may have occurred on the grounds of an `` unreasonable verdict '' in that it could not be proved Megrahi bought the suitcase that contained the bomb .
It also highlighted `` non-disclosure '' of evidence to Megrahi 's defence team .
It has been widely claimed that the bombing was ordered by Iran and carried out by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a US Navy strike on an Iranian Airbus six months earlier in which 290 people died .
Late last Friday , the High Court upheld a secrecy order signed by UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab to withhold intelligence documents related to the case .
Disclosure would cause `` real harm '' to UK international relations and national security with regard to counter-terrorism liaison and intelligence-gathering .
The documents are thought to allege a Jordanian intelligence agent within the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command ( PFLP-GC ) built the bomb .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorist group by several countries , including Britain and the United States .
Lawyers acting for the Megrahi family believe the documents are central to their appeal .
In August , Raab signed a public interest immunity certificate to keep the documents secret .
In 2008 , then-foreign secretary David Miliband also refused to release the papers before Megrahi 's second appeal , which was started in 2007 but abandoned after Megrahi 's diagnosis .

Edinburgh (AFP) –
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A posthumous legal challenge to overturn the conviction of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Mohmet Al-Megrahi is due to begin in Scotland on Tuesday.
Scotland's most senior judge, Lord Justice General Colin Sutherland, and four other judges at the country's highest criminal court will hear the case via video link.
The legal team for Megrahi's family will take part remotely from Glasgow. The case is due to last for three to four days with a ruling at a later date.
The family's lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said Megrahi's conviction has been described as "the worst miscarriage of justice in British legal history".
He added: "There can never be a time limit on justice. The families who support this appeal have never given up their search for the truth."
Megrahi was the only person convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103, which was blown up as it travelled from London to New York over the Scottish town of Lockerbie on December 21, 1988.
A total of 270 people from 21 countries were killed -- 243 passengers, 16 crew, and 11 people on the ground -- in what remains Britain's biggest terrorist attack.
Three Scottish judges sitting at a special court sitting in the Netherlands jailed the former Libyan intelligence officer for life in 2001, recommending he serve at least 27 years.
His first appeal was dismissed in 2002 but he was released in 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. He returned to Libya, where he died in Tripoli three years later.
- Secrecy order -
His family's appeal was referred to the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) in March.
The SCCRC ruled a possible miscarriage of justice may have occurred on the grounds of an "unreasonable verdict" in that it could not be proved Megrahi bought the suitcase that contained the bomb.
It also highlighted "non-disclosure" of evidence to Megrahi's defence team.
It has been widely claimed that the bombing was ordered by Iran and carried out by a Syrian-based Palestinian group, in retaliation for a US Navy strike on an Iranian Airbus six months earlier in which 290 people died.
Late last Friday, the High Court upheld a secrecy order signed by UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab to withhold intelligence documents related to the case.
Disclosure would cause "real harm" to UK international relations and national security with regard to counter-terrorism liaison and intelligence-gathering.
The documents are thought to allege a Jordanian intelligence agent within the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) built the bomb.
The PFLP-GC has been designated a proscribed terrorist group by several countries, including Britain and the United States.
Lawyers acting for the Megrahi family believe the documents are central to their appeal.
In August, Raab signed a public interest immunity certificate to keep the documents secret.
In 2008, then-foreign secretary David Miliband also refused to release the papers before Megrahi's second appeal, which was started in 2007 but abandoned after Megrahi's diagnosis.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--China launches Moon probe to bring back lunar rocks

The mission 's goal is to shovel up lunar rocks and soil to help scientists learn about the Moon China on Tuesday launched an unmanned spacecraft to bring back lunar rocks -- the first attempt by any nation to retrieve samples from the Moon in four decades .
A Long March 5 rocket carrying the Chang ' e-5 probe , named after the mythical Chinese moon goddess , blasted off from the Wenchang Space Center on the southern island province of Hainan at 4:30 am ( 2030 GMT Monday ) , the official Xinhua news agency reported .
Beijing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022 and of eventually sending humans to the Moon .
The mission 's goal is to shovel up lunar rocks and soil to help scientists learn about the Moon 's origins , formation and volcanic activity on its surface .
State TV footage of the launch showed the rocket blasting off into a dark night , with huge clouds of smoke billowing out underneath .
Crowds watched the launch from the beach on the tropical Chinese island , holding mobile phones aloft to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sky .
The original mission , planned for 2017 , was delayed due to an engine failure in the Long March 5 rocket .
If successful , China will be only the third country to have retrieved samples from the Moon , following the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s .
The Chinese probe will collect two kilograms ( 4.5 pounds ) of surface material in a previously unexplored area known as Oceanus Procellarum -- or `` Ocean of Storms '' -- which consist of a vast lava @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nature .
The probe is expected to land in late November and collect material during one lunar day -– equivalent to around 14 Earth days .
The samples will then be returned to Earth in a capsule programmed to land in northern China 's Inner Mongolia region in early December , according to US space agency NASA .
The mission is technically challenging and involves several innovations not seen during previous attempts at collecting moon rocks , said Jonathan McDowell , an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics .
`` The US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Soviet one was very limited and could only land at certain restricted spots , '' McDowell told AFP .
`` China 's system will be the most flexible and capable robotic sample return system yet . ''
A Chinese lunar rover landed on the far side of the Moon in January 2019 , in a global first that boosted Beijing 's ambitions to become a space superpower .
It was the second Chinese probe to land on the Moon , following the Yutu ( `` Jade Rabbit '' ) rover mission in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyst at GoTaikonauts , which specialises in China 's space programme , said the latest launch was a chance for China to develop technology that would be used in a future manned space landing and described it as `` one of the most risky missions launched by China '' .
`` The Chang ' e 5 sample return mission is of course more complicated and difficult than all previous Chinese lunar missions , as it not only needs to take off from the lunar surface and to re-enter the Earth atmosphere in higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orbit rendezvous and docking operations in lunar orbit , '' Chen told AFP .
The latest Chang ' e-5 probe is among a slew of ambitious targets set by Beijing , which include creating a super-powerful rocket capable of delivering payloads heavier than those NASA and private rocket firm SpaceX can handle , a lunar base , a permanently crewed space station , and a Mars rover .

Beijing (AFP) –
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China on Tuesday launched an unmanned spacecraft to bring back lunar rocks -- the first attempt by any nation to retrieve samples from the Moon in four decades.
A Long March 5 rocket carrying the Chang'e-5 probe, named after the mythical Chinese moon goddess, blasted off from the Wenchang Space Center on the southern island province of Hainan at 4:30 am (2030 GMT Monday), the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Beijing is pouring billions into its military-run space programme, with hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022 and of eventually sending humans to the Moon.
The mission's goal is to shovel up lunar rocks and soil to help scientists learn about the Moon's origins, formation and volcanic activity on its surface.
State TV footage of the launch showed the rocket blasting off into a dark night, with huge clouds of smoke billowing out underneath.
Crowds watched the launch from the beach on the tropical Chinese island, holding mobile phones aloft to film as the rocket blasted into the sky.
The original mission, planned for 2017, was delayed due to an engine failure in the Long March 5 rocket.
If successful, China will be only the third country to have retrieved samples from the Moon, following the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Chinese probe will collect two kilograms (4.5 pounds) of surface material in a previously unexplored area known as Oceanus Procellarum -- or "Ocean of Storms" -- which consist of a vast lava plain, according to the science journal Nature.
The probe is expected to land in late November and collect material during one lunar day -– equivalent to around 14 Earth days.
The samples will then be returned to Earth in a capsule programmed to land in northern China's Inner Mongolia region in early December, according to US space agency NASA.
- Moon moves -
The mission is technically challenging and involves several innovations not seen during previous attempts at collecting moon rocks, said Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
"The US never did a robotic sample return. The Soviet one was very limited and could only land at certain restricted spots," McDowell told AFP.
"China's system will be the most flexible and capable robotic sample return system yet."
A Chinese lunar rover landed on the far side of the Moon in January 2019, in a global first that boosted Beijing's ambitions to become a space superpower.
It was the second Chinese probe to land on the Moon, following the Yutu ("Jade Rabbit") rover mission in 2013.
Chen Lan, an independent analyst at GoTaikonauts, which specialises in China's space programme, said the latest launch was a chance for China to develop technology that would be used in a future manned space landing and described it as "one of the most risky missions launched by China".
"The Chang'e 5 sample return mission is of course more complicated and difficult than all previous Chinese lunar missions, as it not only needs to take off from the lunar surface and to re-enter the Earth atmosphere in higher speed, but also to perform lunar orbit rendezvous and docking operations in lunar orbit," Chen told AFP.
The latest Chang'e-5 probe is among a slew of ambitious targets set by Beijing, which include creating a super-powerful rocket capable of delivering payloads heavier than those NASA and private rocket firm SpaceX can handle, a lunar base, a permanently crewed space station, and a Mars rover.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--'Something clicked': run-machine Smith warns India he's back in top gear

Australia 's Steve Smith warned India on Tuesday that his game had finally `` clicked '' and he was ready to justify his ranking as the world 's top Test batsman .
Smith admitted he was unhappy with his recent displays for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League , saying `` I never really got into a good rhythm '' .
But he believed something changed this week as he prepared for the upcoming series against India , which starts with a one-day international in Sydney on Friday .
`` Over the last few days I 've sort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely excited about , '' he told reporters on a conference call .
`` It 's taken me about three or four months to do it but I 've found them now which is pleasing . ''
The 31-year-old said it was difficult to define what was different , but it left him `` with a big smile on my face '' and eager to hit the practice nets .
`` It 's getting that feel , the look of the bat , getting the toe the right way , the way my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` It 's hard to explain but it has n't been right up until about two days ago , then something sort of clicked in . ''
While there is a perception Smith is vulnerable to short-pitched deliveries , he was unfazed at the prospect of India 's bowling attack peppering him with bouncers .
`` It 's a kind of flattery in a way , if that 's the only way people believe they can get me out because they 've exhausted so many options , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of confidence . ''
He said his problems in the IPL stemmed from a failure to play his natural game .
`` I got caught up a little bit with trying to be too powerful , that 's not quite my game , '' he said .
`` There are players around the world who can hit sixes at will -- and I am not one of those -- for me it 's about playing proper cricket shots , hitting the gaps , manipulating the field . ''
Smith , who lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his part in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal , played down his prospects of resuming leadership duties .
He said he was focused on supporting Test captain Tim Paine and limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch , but did not completely rule out his future chances .
`` I have n't given a great deal of thought to it , it 's just about doing my job at the moment and we 'll see what the future holds , '' he said .
Australia and India will play three one-dayers , three Twenty20 matches and @ @ @ @ @ @

Sydney (AFP) –
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Australia's Steve Smith warned India on Tuesday that his game had finally "clicked" and he was ready to justify his ranking as the world's top Test batsman.
Smith admitted he was unhappy with his recent displays for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, saying "I never really got into a good rhythm".
But he believed something changed this week as he prepared for the upcoming series against India, which starts with a one-day international in Sydney on Friday.
"Over the last few days I've sort of found my hands, which I'm extremely excited about," he told reporters on a conference call.
"It's taken me about three or four months to do it but I've found them now which is pleasing."
The 31-year-old said it was difficult to define what was different, but it left him "with a big smile on my face" and eager to hit the practice nets.
"It's getting that feel, the look of the bat, getting the toe the right way, the way my hands come up on the bat," he said.
"It's hard to explain but it hasn't been right up until about two days ago, then something sort of clicked in."
While there is a perception Smith is vulnerable to short-pitched deliveries, he was unfazed at the prospect of India's bowling attack peppering him with bouncers.
"It's a kind of flattery in a way, if that's the only way people believe they can get me out because they've exhausted so many options," he said.
"It gives me a lot of confidence."
He said his problems in the IPL stemmed from a failure to play his natural game.
"I got caught up a little bit with trying to be too powerful, that's not quite my game," he said.
"There are players around the world who can hit sixes at will -- and I am not one of those -- for me it's about playing proper cricket shots, hitting the gaps, manipulating the field."
Smith, who lost the Australian captaincy when he was banned for his part in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, played down his prospects of resuming leadership duties.
He said he was focused on supporting Test captain Tim Paine and limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch, but did not completely rule out his future chances.
"I haven't given a great deal of thought to it, it's just about doing my job at the moment and we'll see what the future holds," he said.
Australia and India will play three one-dayers, three Twenty20 matches and four Tests during the tour.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--Can Guardiola arrest Man City decline?

Can Guardiola arrest Man City decline?

Head-scratcher : Pep Guardiola 's Manchester City are off to their worst Premier League start in 12 years Pep Guardiola has committed to Manchester City for the long term but for the first time in his managerial career , results may determine the Catalan 's future rather than his desire for a new challenge or break .
City 's board showed how fully they remain committed to the Guardiola project by extending his contract to 2023 last week .
There is good reason for the club 's faith .
Guardiola is responsible for two of the three highest point tallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trophies in his first four seasons in charge .
But a 2-0 defeat by Tottenham on Saturday that left City already eight points off the top of the table continued the malaise that has set in since the beginning of last season .
Albeit with a game in hand , Guardiola 's men are languishing in 13th in the Premier League table .
A return of 12 points from their opening eight games of the campaign is the lowest since 2008/2009 , just months after an Abu Dhabi takeover starting pouring millions into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative goal difference after scoring just 10 times in the league , their lowest at this stage of the season since 2006/07 when they finished 14th under Stuart Pearce and failed to score a single goal at home after New Year 's Day .
`` The reality is we are struggling to score goals this season , '' admitted Guardiola .
`` 10 goals in eight games is not good enough . ''
The Champions League has normally been the nadir of Guardiola 's time in Manchester .
In four seasons he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's best run in the competition to the semi-finals under Manuel Pellegrini in 2015/16 .
So far this season , Europe has been a blessed relief as the English side have swept aside Porto , Marseille and Olympiakos , scoring three goals in each game to take a firm grip on Group B .
Another victory away to Olympiakos on Wednesday will guarantee qualification for the last 16 for the eighth successive season .
But City have shown little this term to suggest they have learned from the mistakes that have repeatedly cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champions League once the level of opposition improves .
The manner of defeat against Spurs was almost an exact replica of the 2-0 victory for Jose Mourinho 's men when the sides last met in February .
Over the two matches at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium , the visitors had 41 attempts on goal without scoring , while Spurs netted with four of their five shots on target .
Lyon , Mauricio Pochettino 's Tottenham , Liverpool and Monaco have also cracked the City code in the Champions League by defending deep and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City will soon start scoring goals with the frequency they have become accustomed to .
`` We have scored in two seasons more than 100 goals .
Eighty or 90 percent of the players are the same , especially up front , '' he added .
But it is without the ball the biggest questions remain .
The intense press to get the ball back of the City sides that accumulated 198 Premier League points in two seasons between 2017 and 2019 has gone .
Without it , even an incredibly expensive array @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play through .
City 's back four of Joao Cancelo , Aymeric Laporte , Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker plus goalkeeper Ederson cost a combined £265 million ( $ 352 million ) and were still shredded by the guile of Harry Kane and pace of Son Heung-min and Steven Bergwijn .
Guardiola deliberately kept his spells previously at Barcelona and Bayern Munich short as he felt his intense demands burned out even the best squads .
Should he see out his latest contract , he will spend as many seasons in Manchester as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of world football 's greatest ever coaches , Guardiola finds himself in the uncharted territory of having to rebuild a second great side at the same club .
The early signs have not been promising .

London (AFP) –
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Pep Guardiola has committed to Manchester City for the long term but for the first time in his managerial career, results may determine the Catalan's future rather than his desire for a new challenge or break.
City's board showed how fully they remain committed to the Guardiola project by extending his contract to 2023 last week.
There is good reason for the club's faith. Guardiola is responsible for two of the three highest point tallies in Premier League history among six major trophies in his first four seasons in charge.
But a 2-0 defeat by Tottenham on Saturday that left City already eight points off the top of the table continued the malaise that has set in since the beginning of last season.
Albeit with a game in hand, Guardiola's men are languishing in 13th in the Premier League table. A return of 12 points from their opening eight games of the campaign is the lowest since 2008/2009, just months after an Abu Dhabi takeover starting pouring millions into the club.
City even have a negative goal difference after scoring just 10 times in the league, their lowest at this stage of the season since 2006/07 when they finished 14th under Stuart Pearce and failed to score a single goal at home after New Year's Day.
"The reality is we are struggling to score goals this season," admitted Guardiola. "10 goals in eight games is not good enough."
The Champions League has normally been the nadir of Guardiola's time in Manchester. In four seasons he has not even been able to match City's best run in the competition to the semi-finals under Manuel Pellegrini in 2015/16.
So far this season, Europe has been a blessed relief as the English side have swept aside Porto, Marseille and Olympiakos, scoring three goals in each game to take a firm grip on Group B.
- Same mistakes -
Another victory away to Olympiakos on Wednesday will guarantee qualification for the last 16 for the eighth successive season.
But City have shown little this term to suggest they have learned from the mistakes that have repeatedly cost them in the knockout stages of the Champions League once the level of opposition improves.
The manner of defeat against Spurs was almost an exact replica of the 2-0 victory for Jose Mourinho's men when the sides last met in February.
Over the two matches at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, the visitors had 41 attempts on goal without scoring, while Spurs netted with four of their five shots on target.
Lyon, Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham, Liverpool and Monaco have also cracked the City code in the Champions League by defending deep and counter-attacking at speed.
Guardiola remains confident City will soon start scoring goals with the frequency they have become accustomed to.
"We have scored in two seasons more than 100 goals. Eighty or 90 percent of the players are the same, especially up front," he added.
But it is without the ball the biggest questions remain. The intense press to get the ball back of the City sides that accumulated 198 Premier League points in two seasons between 2017 and 2019 has gone.
Without it, even an incredibly expensive array of talented internationals are too easy to play through.
City's back four of Joao Cancelo, Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker plus goalkeeper Ederson cost a combined £265 million ($352 million) and were still shredded by the guile of Harry Kane and pace of Son Heung-min and Steven Bergwijn.
Guardiola deliberately kept his spells previously at Barcelona and Bayern Munich short as he felt his intense demands burned out even the best squads.
Should he see out his latest contract, he will spend as many seasons in Manchester as Barcelona and Munich combined.
Unusually for one of world football's greatest ever coaches, Guardiola finds himself in the uncharted territory of having to rebuild a second great side at the same club.
The early signs have not been promising.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-24--Qantas to require Covid vaccine on international flights

Australia 's international borders have effectively been closed since March to curb the spread of the virus International air travellers will need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to fly with Australia 's Qantas , the airline 's CEO has said , adding the rule was likely to become `` common '' across the industry .
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said late Monday the Australian flag carrier would implement the measure once a coronavirus vaccine was made available to the public .
`` We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travellers that we will ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can get on the aircraft , '' he told Channel Nine .
`` Whether you need that domestically , we will have to see what happens with Covid-19 in the market but certainly , for international visitors coming out ( to Australia ) and people leaving the country , we think that is a necessity . ''
Joyce predicted the rule would likely become standard practice among airlines around the world , with governments and airlines currently considering the introduction of electronic vaccination passports .
Australia 's international borders have effectively been closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , which has already claimed more than one million lives worldwide .
The country has even limited the numbers of its own citizens allowed to return each week , leaving tens of thousands of Australians stranded overseas .
Qantas has grounded more than 200 planes and fired 8,500 staff as it attempts to offset a US $ 1.9 billion loss caused by the collapse in demand for air travel .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said Australia is seeking to create `` travel bubbles '' with other countries that have curbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the country is unlikely to fully reopen to international travellers until a vaccine is widely available .
Australia has been relatively successful in containing the coronavirus , recording just over 27,800 cases and 907 deaths since the pandemic began .

Sydney (AFP) –
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International air travellers will need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to fly with Australia's Qantas, the airline's CEO has said, adding the rule was likely to become "common" across the industry.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said late Monday the Australian flag carrier would implement the measure once a coronavirus vaccine was made available to the public.
"We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travellers that we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft," he told Channel Nine.
"Whether you need that domestically, we will have to see what happens with Covid-19 in the market but certainly, for international visitors coming out (to Australia) and people leaving the country, we think that is a necessity."
Joyce predicted the rule would likely become standard practice among airlines around the world, with governments and airlines currently considering the introduction of electronic vaccination passports.
Australia's international borders have effectively been closed since March to curb the spread of the virus, which has already claimed more than one million lives worldwide.
The country has even limited the numbers of its own citizens allowed to return each week, leaving tens of thousands of Australians stranded overseas.
Qantas has grounded more than 200 planes and fired 8,500 staff as it attempts to offset a US$1.9 billion loss caused by the collapse in demand for air travel.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said Australia is seeking to create "travel bubbles" with other countries that have curbed the spread of the virus.
However, the country is unlikely to fully reopen to international travellers until a vaccine is widely available.
Australia has been relatively successful in containing the coronavirus, recording just over 27,800 cases and 907 deaths since the pandemic began.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-23--Trump authorises his government to begin transition to US President-elect Joe Biden

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as his motorcade leaves the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling , Virginia , U.S. , November 22 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump said Monday he no longer opposes government aid for Joe Biden 's transition team in his closest statement yet to finally conceding he lost the US election .
Trump 's tweet that the General Services Administration should `` do what needs to be done '' came after the agency 's head , Emily Murphy , said she was releasing the long-delayed assistance .
Trump has spent the last three weeks since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that Biden 's convincing victory was the result of fraud .
Murphy , who denies acting under political pressure , has refused until now to release the standard package of aid that her agency manages to Biden 's incoming team .
Biden 's team welcomed the decision , saying in a statement it will provide the incoming administration `` with the resources and support necessary to carry out a smooth and peaceful transfer of power . ''
`` Today 's decision is a needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control and our economy back on track .
This final decision is a definitive administrative action to formally begin the transition process with federal agencies . ''
The decision frees up millions of dollars in financing to support the transition , as well as formally allows Biden to coordinate with current government officials .
Murphy , who had faced harsh criticism over her previous refusal to act , said in her letter to Biden obtained by various US news outlets that `` contrary to media reports and insinuations , my decision was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The step by her GSA is usually a routine one following a US presidential election , but Trump 's continuing efforts to overturn the results of the vote and refusal to concede have complicated the process .

President Donald Trump came his closest yet to admitting election defeat Monday after the government agency meant to ease Joe Biden's transition into the White House said it was finally lifting its unprecedented block on assistance.
U.S. President Donald Trump waves as his motorcade leaves the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, U.S., November 22, 2020.
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Trump acknowledged it was time for the General Services Administration to "do what needs to be done."
In the same tweet he insisted that he was still refusing to concede, saying: "Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good fight, and I believe we will prevail!"
But for the Republican to sign off on the GSA's decision to work with the Biden transition team signaled that even he sees the writing on the wall after three weeks of evidence-free claims that the November 3 election was stolen from him.
This means that Biden's team will now have access to funds, office space and the ability to meet with federal officials.
Biden's office, which hours earlier announced a highly experienced group to be nominated for top US foreign policy and security posts, said the GSA would now allow "support necessary to carry out a smooth and peaceful transfer of power."
01:50
"In the days ahead, transition officials will begin meeting with federal officials to discuss the pandemic response, have a full accounting of our national security interests, and gain complete understanding of the Trump administration's efforts to hollow out government agencies," Biden's transition director Yohannes Abraham said in a statement.
The sudden break in Trump's dogged attempt to deny Biden's win came after Michigan became the latest state to certify its results and more powerful Trump supporters came out demanding that the impasse end.
Biden to shift diplomacy
Earlier, Biden announced a foreign policy and national security team crammed with veterans from the Barack Obama years, teeing up an end to the upheaval under Trump and a return to traditional US diplomacy.
Top of the list was former State Department number two Antony Blinken, tapped for secretary of state.
Biden also named the first female head of intelligence, the first Latino chief of Homeland Security, the first woman as treasury secretary, and a heavyweight pointman on climate issues -- Obama-era top diplomat John Kerry.
The list put out by Biden's team ahead of a formal announcement Tuesday demonstrated a push to bring back the US role of leader in multilateral alliances, in contrast to Trump's "America first" regime.
"They will rally the world to take on our challenges like no other -- challenges that no one nation can face alone," Biden tweeted. "It's time to restore American leadership."
Blinken, a longtime advisor to Biden, will spearhead a fast-paced dismantling of Trump's go-it-alone policies, including rejoining the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization and resurrecting the Obama-crafted Iran nuclear deal.
Biden named the first woman, Avril Haines, as director of national intelligence, and Cuban-born Alejandro Mayorkas to head the Department of Homeland Security, the agency whose policing of tough immigration restrictions under Trump was a frequent source of controversy.
Signaling the Democratic president-elect's campaign promise to raise the profile of global warming threats, he named Kerry as a new special envoy on climate issues.
And in a further message of US reengagement with the international community, Biden named career diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield for UN ambassador.
Jake Sullivan, who also advised Biden when he was vice president under Obama, was named national security advisor.
Picked to manage the world's biggest economy as Treasury secretary was Janet Yellen, who will make history as the first woman in the job if confirmed. The 74-year-old was confirmed as Federal Reserve chairwoman under Obama in 2014 and replaced by Trump four years later.
The picks underline an emphasis on professionals whom Biden already knows well, in contrast to the Trump White House where officials were often picked without having traditional background for the job or proved incompatible and departed in acrimony.
Dwindling options
The president, meanwhile, has largely halted at least his public work duties, while heading out to a golf course he owns in Virginia half a dozen times since the election.
He has also not taken questions from reporters since the election -- a previously unimaginable silence from a president who for most of his time in office sparred near daily with the press.
His options for overturning the election, however, are dwindling rapidly in the face of repeated court defeats.
With Biden having won a comfortable victory, Trump's last card is to disrupt the normally routine process of state-by-state certification of results, followed by the formal December 14 vote by the Electoral College. However, that too is bearing little fruit.
More cracks appeared in the facade of Republican unity on Monday when Senator Rob Portman said it was "time to expeditiously resolve any outstanding questions and move forward."
Senator Lamar Alexander, a senior Republican and close ally of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, said "it seems apparent that Joe Biden will be the president-elect."
"My hope is that President Trump will take pride in his considerable accomplishments, put the country first and have a prompt and orderly transition to help the new administration succeed," he said after having issued a similar if less forthright statement a few days earlier.
There was also a push from Trump's highest profile Wall Street backer, Stephen Schwarzman, head of the Blackstone private equity group, who told Axios "the country should move on."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-23--President Trump authorises his government to begin transition to President-elect Joe Biden

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as his motorcade leaves the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling , Virginia , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ .
President Donald Trump said Monday he no longer opposes government aid for Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ closest statement yet to finally conceding he lost the US election .
Trump 's tweet @ @ @ @ @ should `` do what needs to be done '' came after the agency 's head @ @ @ @ @ releasing the long-delayed assistance .
Biden hailed the step as allowing for a 'smooth and @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump has spent the last three weeks since the November 3 election claiming without @ @ @ @ @ convincing victory was the result of fraud .
Murphy , who denies acting under political @ @ @ @ @ now to release the standard package of aid that her agency manages to Biden 's @ @ @

President Donald Trump said Monday he no longer opposes government aid for Joe Biden's transition team in his closest statement yet to finally conceding he lost the US election.
U.S. President Donald Trump waves as his motorcade leaves the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, U.S., November 22, 2020.
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Trump's tweet that the General Services Administration should "do what needs to be done" came after the agency's head Emily Murphy said she was releasing the long-delayed assistance.
Biden hailed the step as allowing for a 'smooth and peaceful transfer of power'.
Trump has spent the last three weeks since the November 3 election claiming without any evidence that Biden's convincing victory was the result of fraud. Murphy, who denies acting under political pressure, has refused until now to release the standard package of aid that her agency manages to Biden's incoming team.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-11-23--Biden signals US diplomatic shift with new team

President-elect Joe Biden is rolling out his foreign policy team this week in a bid to project an atmosphere of back to normal President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced a foreign policy and national security team crammed with veterans from the Barack Obama years , signaling an end to the upheaval under President Donald Trump and a return to traditional US diplomacy .
Top of the list was former State Department number two Antony Blinken , tapped for secretary of state .
Biden also named the first female head of intelligence , the first Latino chief of Homeland Security , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a heavyweight pointman on climate issues -- Obama-era top diplomat John Kerry .
Even as Trump continued to make flailing attempts at overturning the results of the election three weeks ago , Biden 's rollout of cabinet names was his biggest step yet signaling he is ready to change America 's direction on January 20 .
The list put out by Biden 's team ahead of a formal announcement Tuesday demonstrated a push to bring back the US role of leader in multilateral alliances , in contrast to Trump 's `` America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally the world to take on our challenges like no other -- challenges that no one nation can face alone , '' Biden tweeted .
`` It 's time to restore American leadership . ''
Blinken , a longtime advisor to Biden , will spearhead a fast-paced dismantling of Trump 's go-it-alone policies , including rejoining the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization and resurrecting the Obama-crafted Iran nuclear deal .
Biden named the first woman , Avril Haines , as director of national intelligence , and Cuban-born Alejandro Mayorkas to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency whose policing of tough immigration restrictions under Trump was a frequent source of controversy .
Signaling the Democratic president-elect 's campaign promise to raise the profile of global warming threats , he named Kerry as a new special envoy on climate issues .
And in a further message of US reengagement with the international community , Biden named career diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield for UN ambassador .
Jake Sullivan , who also advised Biden when he was vice president under Obama , was named national security advisor .
Picked to manage the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Janet Yellen , who will make history as the first woman in the job if confirmed .
The 74-year-old was confirmed as Federal Reserve chairwoman under Obama in 2014 and replaced by Trump four years later .
The picks underline an emphasis on professionals whom Biden already knows well , in contrast to the Trump White House where officials were often picked without having traditional background for the job or proved incompatible and departed in acrimony .
The announcements come against an unprecedented backdrop of Trump refusing to concede defeat and blocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for preparing an incoming government .
So far only a slowly growing minority of Republican leaders has denounced Trump 's conspiracy theory that mass fraud robbed him of victory , despite there being no evidence for this .
Many of Biden 's cabinet picks will require confirmation in the Senate , where Republicans hold a narrow majority , although this would change if Democrats score an upset victory in two Georgia Senate runoff elections .
The president , meanwhile , has largely halted at least his public work duties , while heading out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia half a dozen times since the election .
He has also not taken questions from reporters since the election -- a previously unimaginable silence from a president who for most of his time in office sparred near daily with the press .
His options for overturning the election , however , are dwindling rapidly in the face of repeated court defeats .
With Biden having won a comfortable victory , Trump 's last card is to disrupt the normally routine process of state-by-state certification of results , followed by the formal December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , that too is bearing little fruit .
There , Trump suffered another setback Monday when Michigan election officials became the latest to certify Biden 's win .
More cracks appeared in the facade of Republican unity over the weekend with Trump confidant and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie calling the president 's legal team a `` national embarrassment . ''
Senator Patrick Toomey , from Pennsylvania , said after the court ruling there that Trump had `` exhausted all plausible legal options . ''
And on Monday , Senator Rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` time to expeditiously resolve any outstanding questions and move forward . ''
`` There is no more sacred constitutional process in our great democracy than the orderly transfer of power after a presidential election , '' he wrote in The Enquirer newspaper .
There was also a push from Trump 's highest profile Wall Street backer , Stephen Schwarzman , head of the Blackstone private equity group , who told Axios `` the country should move on . ''

Washington (AFP) –
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President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced a foreign policy and national security team crammed with veterans from the Barack Obama years, signaling an end to the upheaval under President Donald Trump and a return to traditional US diplomacy.
Top of the list was former State Department number two Antony Blinken, tapped for secretary of state.
Biden also named the first female head of intelligence, the first Latino chief of Homeland Security, the first woman as treasury secretary, and a heavyweight pointman on climate issues -- Obama-era top diplomat John Kerry.
Even as Trump continued to make flailing attempts at overturning the results of the election three weeks ago, Biden's rollout of cabinet names was his biggest step yet signaling he is ready to change America's direction on January 20.
The list put out by Biden's team ahead of a formal announcement Tuesday demonstrated a push to bring back the US role of leader in multilateral alliances, in contrast to Trump's "America first" regime.
"They will rally the world to take on our challenges like no other -- challenges that no one nation can face alone," Biden tweeted. "It's time to restore American leadership."
Blinken, a longtime advisor to Biden, will spearhead a fast-paced dismantling of Trump's go-it-alone policies, including rejoining the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization and resurrecting the Obama-crafted Iran nuclear deal.
Biden named the first woman, Avril Haines, as director of national intelligence, and Cuban-born Alejandro Mayorkas to head the Department of Homeland Security, the agency whose policing of tough immigration restrictions under Trump was a frequent source of controversy.
Signaling the Democratic president-elect's campaign promise to raise the profile of global warming threats, he named Kerry as a new special envoy on climate issues.
And in a further message of US reengagement with the international community, Biden named career diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield for UN ambassador.
Jake Sullivan, who also advised Biden when he was vice president under Obama, was named national security advisor.
Picked to manage the world's biggest economy as Treasury secretary was Janet Yellen, who will make history as the first woman in the job if confirmed. The 74-year-old was confirmed as Federal Reserve chairwoman under Obama in 2014 and replaced by Trump four years later.
The picks underline an emphasis on professionals whom Biden already knows well, in contrast to the Trump White House where officials were often picked without having traditional background for the job or proved incompatible and departed in acrimony.
The announcements come against an unprecedented backdrop of Trump refusing to concede defeat and blocking Biden's access to the normal process for preparing an incoming government.
So far only a slowly growing minority of Republican leaders has denounced Trump's conspiracy theory that mass fraud robbed him of victory, despite there being no evidence for this.
Many of Biden's cabinet picks will require confirmation in the Senate, where Republicans hold a narrow majority, although this would change if Democrats score an upset victory in two Georgia Senate runoff elections.
- Dwindling options -
The president, meanwhile, has largely halted at least his public work duties, while heading out to a golf course he owns in Virginia half a dozen times since the election.
He has also not taken questions from reporters since the election -- a previously unimaginable silence from a president who for most of his time in office sparred near daily with the press.
His options for overturning the election, however, are dwindling rapidly in the face of repeated court defeats.
With Biden having won a comfortable victory, Trump's last card is to disrupt the normally routine process of state-by-state certification of results, followed by the formal December 14 vote by the Electoral College. However, that too is bearing little fruit.
There, Trump suffered another setback Monday when Michigan election officials became the latest to certify Biden's win.
More cracks appeared in the facade of Republican unity over the weekend with Trump confidant and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie calling the president's legal team a "national embarrassment."
Senator Patrick Toomey, from Pennsylvania, said after the court ruling there that Trump had "exhausted all plausible legal options."
And on Monday, Senator Rob Portman, another Republican, said it was "time to expeditiously resolve any outstanding questions and move forward."
"There is no more sacred constitutional process in our great democracy than the orderly transfer of power after a presidential election," he wrote in The Enquirer newspaper.
There was also a push from Trump's highest profile Wall Street backer, Stephen Schwarzman, head of the Blackstone private equity group, who told Axios "the country should move on."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-23--Pope derides anti-mask movements, backs racial justice campaign

Pope Francis met with five NBA players engaged in the fight for racial justice at the Vatican on Monday and signalled his support for their efforts .
Pope Francis took aim Monday at protests against coronavirus restrictions , contrasting them with the `` healthy indignation '' seen in the global demonstrations against racism after the killing of George Floyd in the United States .
`` Some groups protested , refusing to keep their distance , marching against travel restrictions -- as if measures that governments must impose for the good of their people constitute some kind of political assault on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in a new book .
In `` Let Us Dream '' , derived from conversations with his British biographer Austen Ivereigh , he railed against those who claim `` that being forced to wear a mask is an unwarranted imposition by the state '' .
`` You 'll never find such people protesting the death of George Floyd , or joining a demonstration because there are shantytowns where children lack water or education , or because there are whole families who have lost their income , '' he said .
He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never protest ; they are incapable of moving outside of their own little world of interests . ''
The book , sub-titled `` A Path to a Better Future '' , is largely centred on his response to the coronavirus crisis .
`` With some exceptions , governments have made great efforts to put the well-being of their people first , acting decisively to protect health and to save lives , '' the pope said .
The killing of Floyd , a 44-year-old black man living in Minneapolis whose neck was kneeled on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , triggered a wave of anti-racism protests in the United States and around the world .
The pope again condemned his `` horrendous '' death and hailed how `` many people who otherwise did not know each other took to the streets to protest , united by a healthy indignation '' .
He also met several players from the NBA basketball league who are involved in campaigns against racism , including Anthony Tolliver from the Memphis Grizzlies , Jonathan Isaac and Marco Belinelli from the San Antonio Spurs , as well as Sterling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bucks .
They held talks with the pontiff in the official library inside the Vatican and presented Francis with a ball and shirts .
`` We are extremely honoured to have had this opportunity to come to the Vatican and share our experiences with Pope Francis , '' said Korver in a statement sent by the players ' NBPA association .
`` His openness and eagerness to discuss these issues was inspiring and a reminder that our work has had a global impact and must continue moving forward , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance between himself and some Black Lives Matter protesters who have pulled down historical statues of people tainted by slavery .
`` A free people is a people that remembers , is able to own its history rather than deny it , and learns its best lessons , '' he said .

Vatican City (AFP) –
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Pope Francis took aim Monday at protests against coronavirus restrictions, contrasting them with the "healthy indignation" seen in the global demonstrations against racism after the killing of George Floyd in the United States.
"Some groups protested, refusing to keep their distance, marching against travel restrictions -- as if measures that governments must impose for the good of their people constitute some kind of political assault on autonomy or personal freedom!" he wrote in a new book.
In "Let Us Dream", derived from conversations with his British biographer Austen Ivereigh, he railed against those who claim "that being forced to wear a mask is an unwarranted imposition by the state".
"You'll never find such people protesting the death of George Floyd, or joining a demonstration because there are shantytowns where children lack water or education, or because there are whole families who have lost their income," he said.
He added: "On such matters they would never protest; they are incapable of moving outside of their own little world of interests."
The book, sub-titled "A Path to a Better Future", is largely centred on his response to the coronavirus crisis.
"With some exceptions, governments have made great efforts to put the well-being of their people first, acting decisively to protect health and to save lives," the pope said.
-- NBA stars visit --
The killing of Floyd, a 44-year-old black man living in Minneapolis whose neck was kneeled on for several minutes by a police officer, triggered a wave of anti-racism protests in the United States and around the world.
The pope again condemned his "horrendous" death and hailed how "many people who otherwise did not know each other took to the streets to protest, united by a healthy indignation".
He also met several players from the NBA basketball league who are involved in campaigns against racism, including Anthony Tolliver from the Memphis Grizzlies, Jonathan Isaac and Marco Belinelli from the San Antonio Spurs, as well as Sterling Brown and Kyle Korver from the Milwaukee Bucks.
They held talks with the pontiff in the official library inside the Vatican and presented Francis with a ball and shirts.
"We are extremely honoured to have had this opportunity to come to the Vatican and share our experiences with Pope Francis," said Korver in a statement sent by the players' NBPA association.
"His openness and eagerness to discuss these issues was inspiring and a reminder that our work has had a global impact and must continue moving forward," he added.
In his book, the pope put distance between himself and some Black Lives Matter protesters who have pulled down historical statues of people tainted by slavery.
The pope called this "amputating history".
"A free people is a people that remembers, is able to own its history rather than deny it, and learns its best lessons," he said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-23--Wood ends Burnley's wait for first win, Saints held by Wolves

Burnley won for the first time in the Premier League this season as Chris Wood sealed a 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace , while Southampton missed a chance to go third in their 1-1 draw at Wolves on Monday .
Burnley had failed to win any of their first seven games in the joint worst start to a season in the club 's history .
Sean Dyche 's side were the only Premier League team yet to score a home goal this term until New Zealand striker Wood put them ahead in the first half against Palace .
That was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Burnley , who climbed out of the relegation zone at the expense of Fulham .
`` We created two or three golden chances , we take one and it gets a bit nervy because we had n't found that first win .
To get that one done will do us the world of good , '' Dyche said .
`` We have got a group that can challenge .
We have had a tough start but that has been coming . ''
Palace were missing Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's side lacked a cutting edge without him as they slumped to a second defeat in three games .
Burnley had managed just three league goals this season and had n't scored since October 3 when Ashley Westwood netted in a loss at Newcastle .
But Wood ended that four-game goalless run in the eighth minute when he fired home from Jay Rodriguez 's flick after a poor headed clearance from Cheikhou Kouyate .
Palace went close to equalising when Andros Townsend 's curling effort forced a fine save from Nick Pope .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead through Johann Gudmundsson , whose rising strike from the edge of the area cannoned off the bar .
Michy Batshuayi should have equalised when he latched onto Dwight McNeil 's wayward back-pass , but Pope was quickly off his line to block the Belgian 's scuffed shot .
Pope was in superb form and he came to Burnley 's rescue again in stoppage time when he somehow clawed away Christian Benteke 's close-range shot .
At Molineux , Southampton were on course for a fourth successive win when Theo Walcott put them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pedro Neto came off the bench to equalise as fifth-placed Southampton had to settle for extending their unbeaten run to seven matches .
`` I am happy .
For everyone it was a tough game , tactically so demanding , it was like chess .
They played 4-3-3 , we did n't expect that but we found the answers , '' Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said .
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo added : `` I think it was a foul for their goal .
After that it was about reacting to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We finished the game well , creating chances . ''
Walcott has thrived in a central striker 's role for Southampton since Danny Ings was injured and the converted winger tested Wolves keeper Rui Patricio in the first half with a snap shot .
Southampton took the lead in the 58th minute , with a touch of controversy about the goal .
Wolves were frustrated that Stuart Armstrong 's barge into Rayan Ait-Nouri went unpunished in the build-up before Che Adams sent a low cross to the unmarked Walcott , who slotted home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's first goal for Southampton since rejoining them on loan from Everton in October .
His last league goal for Southampton came in his first spell there almost 15 years ago .
Walcott should have netted again after Adams ' pass put him clean through , but this time he side-footed wide from 12 yards .
It was a crucial miss as Wolves equalised in the 75th minute as Raul Jimenez 's fierce drive bounced back off the post to Neto and the substitute drove his first-time strike past Alex McCarthy .
Neto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute when his low drive was well saved by McCarthy .

London (AFP) –
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Burnley won for the first time in the Premier League this season as Chris Wood sealed a 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace, while Southampton missed a chance to go third in their 1-1 draw at Wolves on Monday.
Burnley had failed to win any of their first seven games in the joint worst start to a season in the club's history.
Sean Dyche's side were the only Premier League team yet to score a home goal this term until New Zealand striker Wood put them ahead in the first half against Palace.
That was enough to clinch a much-needed three points for Burnley, who climbed out of the relegation zone at the expense of Fulham.
"We created two or three golden chances, we take one and it gets a bit nervy because we hadn't found that first win. To get that one done will do us the world of good," Dyche said.
"We have got a group that can challenge. We have had a tough start but that has been coming."
Palace were missing Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha after he tested positive for coronavirus and Roy Hodgson's side lacked a cutting edge without him as they slumped to a second defeat in three games.
Burnley had managed just three league goals this season and hadn't scored since October 3 when Ashley Westwood netted in a loss at Newcastle.
But Wood ended that four-game goalless run in the eighth minute when he fired home from Jay Rodriguez's flick after a poor headed clearance from Cheikhou Kouyate.
Palace went close to equalising when Andros Townsend's curling effort forced a fine save from Nick Pope.
Burnley were inches away from doubling their lead through Johann Gudmundsson, whose rising strike from the edge of the area cannoned off the bar.
Michy Batshuayi should have equalised when he latched onto Dwight McNeil's wayward back-pass, but Pope was quickly off his line to block the Belgian's scuffed shot.
Pope was in superb form and he came to Burnley's rescue again in stoppage time when he somehow clawed away Christian Benteke's close-range shot.
- Revitalised Walcott -
At Molineux, Southampton were on course for a fourth successive win when Theo Walcott put them ahead in the second half.
But Pedro Neto came off the bench to equalise as fifth-placed Southampton had to settle for extending their unbeaten run to seven matches.
"I am happy. For everyone it was a tough game, tactically so demanding, it was like chess. They played 4-3-3, we didn't expect that but we found the answers," Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo added: "I think it was a foul for their goal. After that it was about reacting to that incident. The boys did that. We finished the game well, creating chances."
Walcott has thrived in a central striker's role for Southampton since Danny Ings was injured and the converted winger tested Wolves keeper Rui Patricio in the first half with a snap shot.
Southampton took the lead in the 58th minute, with a touch of controversy about the goal.
Wolves were frustrated that Stuart Armstrong's barge into Rayan Ait-Nouri went unpunished in the build-up before Che Adams sent a low cross to the unmarked Walcott, who slotted home from close-range.
It was the 31-year-old's first goal for Southampton since rejoining them on loan from Everton in October.
His last league goal for Southampton came in his first spell there almost 15 years ago.
Walcott should have netted again after Adams' pass put him clean through, but this time he side-footed wide from 12 yards.
It was a crucial miss as Wolves equalised in the 75th minute as Raul Jimenez's fierce drive bounced back off the post to Neto and the substitute drove his first-time strike past Alex McCarthy.
Neto nearly snatched a winner in the closing minute when his low drive was well saved by McCarthy.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-23--Biden pushes new approach to EU in calls to leaders

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france24--2020-11-23--Burkina Faso opposition criticises presidential vote as early results favour incumbent Kaboré

Burkina Faso presidential candidate Zéphirin Diabré displays a photo on a cellphone to denounce electoral fraud before the following day 's vote in Ouagadougou on November 21 , 2020 .
Incumbent Burkina Faso President Roch Kaboré was leading with just 12 of around 360 voting districts declared on Monday , the electoral commission said , while opposition parties cast doubt on the credibility of the results thus far .
Hundreds of thousands of citizens were unable to cast their ballots during the presidential vote on Sunday because their polling stations remained closed for fear of Islamist violence .
Groups linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group operate across swathes of Burkina Faso , part of a widening jihadist threat in West Africa 's Sahel , a semi-arid region south of the Sahara Desert .
An association of the opposition parties cast doubt on the credibility of the results on Monday , repeating allegations of irregularities and fraud during a joint news conference .
Ahead of the vote , international observers said they had seen no evidence of fraud .
Analysts expect a tight race that could go to a second round if no candidate wins more than 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected in 2015 , led in most of the dozen voting districts whose results were announced on Monday afternoon , totalling over 53,000 votes , more than double as many as his nearest rival , Zéphirin Diabré .
The electoral commission said further results would be announced on Tuesday .
Diabré is a former finance minister and 2015 runner-up .
Kaboré 's other main competitor in the field of 13 candidates is Eddie Komboigo , the head of the party of Blaise Compaoré , who was president for 27 years until a 2014 @ @

Incumbent Burkina Faso President Roch Kaboré was leading with just 12 of around 360 voting districts declared on Monday, the electoral commission said, while opposition parties cast doubt on the credibility of the results thus far.
Burkina Faso presidential candidate Zéphirin Diabré displays a photo on a cellphone to denounce electoral fraud before the following day's vote in Ouagadougou on November 21, 2020.
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Hundreds of thousands of citizens were unable to cast their ballots during the presidential vote on Sunday because their polling stations remained closed for fear of Islamist violence.
Groups linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State group operate across swathes of Burkina Faso, part of a widening jihadist threat in West Africa's Sahel, a semi-arid region south of the Sahara Desert.
An association of the opposition parties cast doubt on the credibility of the results on Monday, repeating allegations of irregularities and fraud during a joint news conference. Ahead of the vote, international observers said they had seen no evidence of fraud.
Analysts expect a tight race that could go to a second round if no candidate wins more than 50 percent.
Kaboré, who was first elected in 2015, led in most of the dozen voting districts whose results were announced on Monday afternoon, totalling over 53,000 votes, more than double as many as his nearest rival, Zéphirin Diabré.
The electoral commission said further results would be announced on Tuesday.
Diabré is a former finance minister and 2015 runner-up. Kaboré's other main competitor in the field of 13 candidates is Eddie Komboigo, the head of the party of Blaise Compaoré, who was president for 27 years until a 2014 revolution.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-11-23--Guatemala’s Congress suspends budget approval after weekend protests in capital

Food delivery couriers take part in a protest demanding the resignation of Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei in Guatemala City on November 22 , 2020 .
Guatemala 's legislature on Monday backed away from approving a business-friendly 2021 budget after demonstrators in the Central American nation torched the Congress building and demanded the resignation of President Alejandro Giammattei in weekend protests .
A lack of resources for battling the coronavirus pandemic as well as anger over the new spending plan has fueled widespread indignation against Giammattei 's administration and Congress .
`` In order to maintain the governability of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to suspend the processing of the budget , '' said Congress president Allan Rodriguez .
The suspension would create `` space for discussion of the country 's governance , '' he said .
Guatemala 's only state-run university , the University of San Carlos , had earlier called for a national strike on Monday .
Meanwhile , powerful farmers ' union Codeca appeared to back away from an earlier call for its members to block roads around the country .
Congress , dominated by conservative pro-government parties , last week approved an almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country 's history .
With the suspension , lawmakers now have until November 30 to approve a new budget , otherwise the government will continue to operate under the existing budget of $ 10.4 billion .
Thousands of Guatemalans took part in a peaceful demonstration in the capital on Saturday , but hundreds broke away and partly burned the Congress building , setting fire to several offices after smashing windows to get inside .
Hundreds of people returned to the streets on Sunday to demand Giammattei 's resignation .
Rodriguez accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pretext to commit `` terrorist acts '' aimed at `` breaking the constitutional order and gaining access to power . ''
The Congress speaker said he would ask Attorney General Consuelo Porras to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the attack on the Congress building , pledging that those responsible would face justice .
Giammattei , 64 , issued a statement Sunday afternoon reproaching Saturday 's violent demonstrations , saying he considered the protesters to be `` minority groups that seek to force a true coup d ’ etat . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget has been allocated to infrastructure tied to big business , while more than half of Guatemala 's 17 million residents live in poverty and half of all children under the age of five are malnourished .
`` The government started work in an arbitrary way and the demonstrations on Saturday show the feelings of the people , who are already tired of how the country is being run , '' Edie Cux , country director of Transparency International , told AFP .
He described the budget as `` the last straw .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : From health to hunger crisis ?
Meanwhile , the group of 13 donor countries and organizations -- including the United States , the United Nations , France , Germany and Britain -- expressed concern over the crisis and called for dialogue to seek a solution .
Giammattei 's vice president Guillermo Castillo , with whom he has repeatedly clashed , said Friday night he had asked the president to resign with him `` for the good of the country . ''
Castillo asked the public prosecutor 's office on Sunday to investigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as police repression of the protests , in which dozens of people were injured in clashes .
A former prisons chief , Giammattei took office in January but his management of the health crisis has been criticized by Castillo , the opposition and social sectors .
All have denounced deficiencies in the hospital system as well as in taking care of groups affected by lockdowns aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Congress approved $ 3.8 billion to fight the pandemic , but less than 15 percent of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded nearly 120,000 cases of the virus and more than 4,000 deaths .

Guatemala's legislature on Monday backed away from approving a business-friendly 2021 budget after demonstrators in the Central American nation torched the Congress building and demanded the resignation of President Alejandro Giammattei in weekend protests.
Food delivery couriers take part in a protest demanding the resignation of Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei in Guatemala City on November 22, 2020.
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A lack of resources for battling the coronavirus pandemic as well as anger over the new spending plan has fueled widespread indignation against Giammattei's administration and Congress.
"In order to maintain the governability of the country and social peace, we have agreed to suspend the processing of the budget," said Congress president Allan Rodriguez.
The suspension would create "space for discussion of the country's governance," he said.
Guatemala's only state-run university, the University of San Carlos, had earlier called for a national strike on Monday.
Meanwhile, powerful farmers' union Codeca appeared to back away from an earlier call for its members to block roads around the country.
Congress, dominated by conservative pro-government parties, last week approved an almost $13 billion budget, the largest in the country's history.
With the suspension, lawmakers now have until November 30 to approve a new budget, otherwise the government will continue to operate under the existing budget of $10.4 billion.
Torching Congress
Thousands of Guatemalans took part in a peaceful demonstration in the capital on Saturday, but hundreds broke away and partly burned the Congress building, setting fire to several offices after smashing windows to get inside.
Hundreds of people returned to the streets on Sunday to demand Giammattei's resignation.
Rodriguez accused the protesters of using the budget as a pretext to commit "terrorist acts" aimed at "breaking the constitutional order and gaining access to power."
The Congress speaker said he would ask Attorney General Consuelo Porras to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the attack on the Congress building, pledging that those responsible would face justice.
Giammattei, 64, issued a statement Sunday afternoon reproaching Saturday's violent demonstrations, saying he considered the protesters to be "minority groups that seek to force a true coup d’etat."
‘The last straw’
The protesters are angry that most of the budget has been allocated to infrastructure tied to big business, while more than half of Guatemala's 17 million residents live in poverty and half of all children under the age of five are malnourished.
"The government started work in an arbitrary way and the demonstrations on Saturday show the feelings of the people, who are already tired of how the country is being run," Edie Cux, country director of Transparency International, told AFP.
He described the budget as "the last straw."
>> Covid-19 in Latin America: From health to hunger crisis?
Meanwhile, the group of 13 donor countries and organizations -- including the United States, the United Nations, France, Germany and Britain -- expressed concern over the crisis and called for dialogue to seek a solution.
Giammattei's vice president Guillermo Castillo, with whom he has repeatedly clashed, said Friday night he had asked the president to resign with him "for the good of the country."
Castillo asked the public prosecutor's office on Sunday to investigate the burning of the Congress building as well as police repression of the protests, in which dozens of people were injured in clashes.
A former prisons chief, Giammattei took office in January but his management of the health crisis has been criticized by Castillo, the opposition and social sectors.
All have denounced deficiencies in the hospital system as well as in taking care of groups affected by lockdowns aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Congress approved $3.8 billion to fight the pandemic, but less than 15 percent of those funds have been invested.
Guatemala has recorded nearly 120,000 cases of the virus and more than 4,000 deaths.
(AFP)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe


france24--2020-11-24--Island tensions simmer as China, Japan vow to boost trade ties

China 's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi ( left ) and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi held talks in Tokyo Tokyo and Beijing pledged cooperation on trade and defence Tuesday , but locked horns on disputed islands as China 's foreign minister visited Japan for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began .
The two countries had been working to improve historically tense relations before the pandemic erupted , and China 's President Xi Jinping had been expected for a state visit in the spring .
But with Beijing embroiled in increasingly bitter diplomatic and trade spats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Australia , Tokyo 's diplomatic outreach appeared to take a backseat .
Wang Yi 's visit had been repeatedly postponed , as Tokyo angrily protested against what it says has been an unprecedented number of Chinese incursions into the area around the disputed Senkaku islands .
China calls the islands the Diaoyus and claims they are part of its territory .
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said he `` strongly urged '' China to prevent intrusions by Chinese vessels into waters near the islands .
In response , Wang claimed that Japanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waters '' .
`` Our Chinese stance is clear .
Of course , we will continue to protect our country 's sovereignty , '' he said .
Wang also said the two countries would try to set up a hotline of their defence authorities by the end of this year , but did not give further details .
The rhetoric from the ministers was otherwise largely warm , with pledges to cooperate on trade -- particularly after this month 's signing of the RCEP , a massive agreement that groups 15 Asia-Pacific countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said also they would work together on tackling the coronavirus , with plans to allow business travel to resume between the two countries .
There was no mention of whether Xi 's visit was back on the agenda .

Tokyo (AFP) –
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Tokyo and Beijing pledged cooperation on trade and defence Tuesday, but locked horns on disputed islands as China's foreign minister visited Japan for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The two countries had been working to improve historically tense relations before the pandemic erupted, and China's President Xi Jinping had been expected for a state visit in the spring.
But with Beijing embroiled in increasingly bitter diplomatic and trade spats with Japanese allies from the United States to Australia, Tokyo's diplomatic outreach appeared to take a backseat.
Wang Yi's visit had been repeatedly postponed, as Tokyo angrily protested against what it says has been an unprecedented number of Chinese incursions into the area around the disputed Senkaku islands.
China calls the islands the Diaoyus and claims they are part of its territory.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said he "strongly urged" China to prevent intrusions by Chinese vessels into waters near the islands.
In response, Wang claimed that Japanese fishing boats were repeatedly entering "sensitive waters".
"Our Chinese stance is clear. Of course, we will continue to protect our country's sovereignty," he said.
Wang also said the two countries would try to set up a hotline of their defence authorities by the end of this year, but did not give further details.
The rhetoric from the ministers was otherwise largely warm, with pledges to cooperate on trade -- particularly after this month's signing of the RCEP, a massive agreement that groups 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including Japan and China.
They said also they would work together on tackling the coronavirus, with plans to allow business travel to resume between the two countries.
There was no mention of whether Xi's visit was back on the agenda.
© 2020 AFP