france24--2020-11-27--New Zealand down West Indies in 'topsy-turvy' opening T20

Paceman Lockie Ferguson unleashed a devastating five-wicket barrage as New Zealand downed the West Indies in a roller coaster Twenty20 series opener in Auckland on Friday .
The match -- the first international cricket played in New Zealand for almost nine months -- produced a nail-biting finale as the Black Caps reached 179-5 in the final over after being set a target of 176 .
Persistent showers meant the innings were reduced to 16 and many players , particularly the tourists , were rusty after only emerging from Covid-19 quarantine on Thursday .
But there were outstanding individual performances on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match Ferguson and West Indies captain Kieron Pollard 's unbeaten 75 from 37 balls .
Ferguson claimed a career-best haul of 5-21 to put the brakes on a flying start from the West Indies , saying the short boundaries at Eden Park helped his cause .
`` It 's one of the craziest grounds you could ever play at , the ball flies everywhere and fortunately for me today it went to hand , which is nice , '' he said .
Pollard almost swung momentum back to the West Indies single-handedly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure his team set a competitive target .
`` It was fantastic cricket , in terms of the ball flaying all over the boundaries , '' he said .
`` It was a topsy-turvy sort of game , a bit of indiscipline showed with us on the bowling side . ''
Before play commenced , both sides took a knee in a gesture against racism , with the West Indies players each raising a black-gloved fist .
West Indies opener Andre Fletcher smashed back-to-back sixes off debutant Kyle Jamieson , who conceded 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tourists were even more brutal against Hamish Bennett , plundering 29 runs from a nightmare over for the fast bowler .
They were 58 without loss before Ferguson broke through and clean-bowled Fletcher on 34 .
The West Indies then lost five wickets for a single run over the course of 11 balls , with Ferguson claiming three scalps during the spell and captain Tim Southee two .
Pollard 's contribution looked like it would prove decisive when New Zealand made a shaky start and veteran opener Martin Guptill departed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four when Ross Taylor was run out .
The Black Caps ' South African-born debutant Devon Conway and Jimmy Neesham were looking dangerous when Pollard broke their 77-run partnership when Conway was caught on 41 .
But Neesham , who scored 48 from 24 balls , steered the New Zealanders home with Mitchell Santner , who hit a six to claim victory with four balls to spare .
`` It was a very strange game but nice to come out the right side , '' said Southee , who is standing in as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cricket .
`` It 's been a long time coming , we 're fortunate to be back out here playing in front of the crowds and hope the fans enjoyed it . ''
The next fixture in the three-match series is in Mount Maunganui on Sunday .

Auckland (AFP) –
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Paceman Lockie Ferguson unleashed a devastating five-wicket barrage as New Zealand downed the West Indies in a roller coaster Twenty20 series opener in Auckland on Friday.
The match -- the first international cricket played in New Zealand for almost nine months -- produced a nail-biting finale as the Black Caps reached 179-5 in the final over after being set a target of 176.
Persistent showers meant the innings were reduced to 16 and many players, particularly the tourists, were rusty after only emerging from Covid-19 quarantine on Thursday.
But there were outstanding individual performances on both sides, particularly man of the match Ferguson and West Indies captain Kieron Pollard's unbeaten 75 from 37 balls.
Ferguson claimed a career-best haul of 5-21 to put the brakes on a flying start from the West Indies, saying the short boundaries at Eden Park helped his cause.
"It's one of the craziest grounds you could ever play at, the ball flies everywhere and fortunately for me today it went to hand, which is nice," he said.
Pollard almost swung momentum back to the West Indies single-handedly, clubbing eight sixes and four fours to ensure his team set a competitive target.
"It was fantastic cricket, in terms of the ball flaying all over the boundaries," he said.
"It was a topsy-turvy sort of game, a bit of indiscipline showed with us on the bowling side."
Before play commenced, both sides took a knee in a gesture against racism, with the West Indies players each raising a black-gloved fist.
- 'Long time coming' -
West Indies opener Andre Fletcher smashed back-to-back sixes off debutant Kyle Jamieson, who conceded 18 from his first over in international T20.
The tourists were even more brutal against Hamish Bennett, plundering 29 runs from a nightmare over for the fast bowler.
They were 58 without loss before Ferguson broke through and clean-bowled Fletcher on 34.
The West Indies then lost five wickets for a single run over the course of 11 balls, with Ferguson claiming three scalps during the spell and captain Tim Southee two.
Pollard's contribution looked like it would prove decisive when New Zealand made a shaky start and veteran opener Martin Guptill departed for five.
They were soon 63 for four when Ross Taylor was run out.
The Black Caps' South African-born debutant Devon Conway and Jimmy Neesham were looking dangerous when Pollard broke their 77-run partnership when Conway was caught on 41.
But Neesham, who scored 48 from 24 balls, steered the New Zealanders home with Mitchell Santner, who hit a six to claim victory with four balls to spare.
"It was a very strange game but nice to come out the right side," said Southee, who is standing in as regular skipper Kane Williamson focuses on Test cricket.
"It's been a long time coming, we're fortunate to be back out here playing in front of the crowds and hope the fans enjoyed it."
The next fixture in the three-match series is in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Traders at Rungis mega-market 'optimistic' for festive French Christmas

French dinner tables will not be bereft of foie gras and oysters this Christmas even if coronavirus fears lead to @ @ @ @ @ wholesalers at a vast produce market near Paris predicted on Thursday ( November 26 ) @ @ @ @ @ Rungis normally serves many of the capital 's restaurants and hotels but with France 's @ @ @ @ @ takeaways their suppliers have taken a hit .

Traders at Rungis mega-market 'optimistic' for festive French Christmas
01:27
French dinner tables will not be bereft of foie gras and oysters this Christmas even if coronavirus fears lead to slimmed-down festive guest lists, wholesalers at a vast produce market near Paris predicted on Thursday (November 26). The 234-hectare complex in Rungis normally serves many of the capital's restaurants and hotels but with France's lockdown limiting their activity to takeaways their suppliers have taken a hit.


france24--2020-11-27--Armenians at a crossroads on last route out of Karabakh

Dressed in impeccable camouflage fatigues with Kalashnikovs slung over their shoulders , Russian peacekeepers stand guard along the last road linking Armenia with the restive region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
After meticulously writing down a car 's registration number in a large notebook , a soldier stands aside to let the driver pass and wishes him a good journey .
`` When the peacekeepers arrived , the situation became calmer than during the war .
It 's reassuring , '' says Erik Tovmasyan , who is driving from Karabakh 's main city Stepanakert to the Armenian capital Yerevan for eye surgery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent fighting with Azerbaijan , the peacekeepers who deployed under a Moscow-brokered peace deal are a welcome presence .
But with the region surrounding the road set to be handed back to Azerbaijan next week , many here are facing an uncertain future .
Russia has sent 2,000 peacekeepers to the region under the deal that ended six weeks of heavy fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh , an ethnic Armenian enclave that broke away from Azerbaijan 's control in a war in the 1990s .
Fresh clashes over Karabakh erupted in late September and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas from Armenian control .
The peacekeepers have deployed between the two sides including along a 60-kilometre ( 35-mile ) stretch connecting Stepanakert with the Armenian border in the south .
The strategic road runs through the Lachin district , the third and last territory near Nagorno-Karabakh that Armenia will cede to Azerbaijan on December 1 under the peace deal .
Two other districts -- neighbouring Kalbajar and Aghdam to the northeast -- were returned to Azerbaijan earlier this month .
In its northern part , the Lachin corridor diverges towards Shusha , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was captured by Azerbaijan in a pivotal moment of the war .
The small road leading to Shusha is blocked by soldiers from Baku , who are positioned close to the Russians .
AFP journalists passing nearby could hear Azerbaijani songs and music broadcast over loudspeakers from their position .
`` They do it from time to time , '' says one of Moscow 's soldiers .
At another checkpoint on a road leading into the town , an Azerbaijani special forces captain tells AFP that the situation inside is calm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' says the officer , who will not give his name .
`` Civilians ( Azerbaijanis ) come from time to time only to repair infrastructure '' damaged in the fighting .
When Armenian separatists gained control of these districts three decades ago , local Azerbaijanis fled the territories and Armenians moved in .
Now , it is the Armenians who are deciding whether to abandon their homes , fearing what will happen when Azerbaijanis return .
- 'Nowhere to go ' - In the town of Lachin , at the heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the manager of a grocery store is wondering what to do .
`` We have no information about whether we should leave , '' says the man who does not wish to give his name , adding that he hopes to keep his store .
In front of his shop , 81-year-old Margarita Khanagyan leans on her cane as she stands next to an armoured vehicle belonging to the Russian peacekeepers .
`` I left during the war , then we were told to come back and I came back .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to where ? ''
Uncertainty also looms over the village of Aghavno , the last residential area before the border with Armenia where several dozen houses were built 10 years ago , just below the road .
Men here are always carrying rifles , prepared to defend themselves at any moment .
`` They ca n't scare us , '' says village head Andranik Chavushyan , 39 .
`` We will still be living here . ''
Standing next to him , Narine Rasoyan begins to cry .
Pregnant with her sixth child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent fighting .
`` I have nowhere to go with my five children , where would I stay ? ''
she says through her tears .
`` Let them give me a house and I will leave . ''

Lachin (Azerbaïdjan) (AFP) –
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Dressed in impeccable camouflage fatigues with Kalashnikovs slung over their shoulders, Russian peacekeepers stand guard along the last road linking Armenia with the restive region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
After meticulously writing down a car's registration number in a large notebook, a soldier stands aside to let the driver pass and wishes him a good journey.
"When the peacekeepers arrived, the situation became calmer than during the war. It's reassuring," says Erik Tovmasyan, who is driving from Karabakh's main city Stepanakert to the Armenian capital Yerevan for eye surgery.
For Armenians still reeling from defeat in recent fighting with Azerbaijan, the peacekeepers who deployed under a Moscow-brokered peace deal are a welcome presence.
But with the region surrounding the road set to be handed back to Azerbaijan next week, many here are facing an uncertain future.
Russia has sent 2,000 peacekeepers to the region under the deal that ended six weeks of heavy fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave that broke away from Azerbaijan's control in a war in the 1990s.
Fresh clashes over Karabakh erupted in late September and ended after Azerbaijani forces had reclaimed large areas from Armenian control.
The peacekeepers have deployed between the two sides including along a 60-kilometre (35-mile) stretch connecting Stepanakert with the Armenian border in the south.
- Strategic road -
The strategic road runs through the Lachin district, the third and last territory near Nagorno-Karabakh that Armenia will cede to Azerbaijan on December 1 under the peace deal.
Two other districts -- neighbouring Kalbajar and Aghdam to the northeast -- were returned to Azerbaijan earlier this month.
In its northern part, the Lachin corridor diverges towards Shusha, a strategic and historic town overlooking Stepanakert that was captured by Azerbaijan in a pivotal moment of the war.
The small road leading to Shusha is blocked by soldiers from Baku, who are positioned close to the Russians.
AFP journalists passing nearby could hear Azerbaijani songs and music broadcast over loudspeakers from their position.
"They do it from time to time," says one of Moscow's soldiers.
At another checkpoint on a road leading into the town, an Azerbaijani special forces captain tells AFP that the situation inside is calm.
"There are only soldiers in Shusha," says the officer, who will not give his name. "Civilians (Azerbaijanis) come from time to time only to repair infrastructure" damaged in the fighting.
When Armenian separatists gained control of these districts three decades ago, local Azerbaijanis fled the territories and Armenians moved in.
Now, it is the Armenians who are deciding whether to abandon their homes, fearing what will happen when Azerbaijanis return.
- 'Nowhere to go' -
In the town of Lachin, at the heart of the five-kilometre-wide (three-mile-wide) corridor, the manager of a grocery store is wondering what to do.
"We have no information about whether we should leave," says the man who does not wish to give his name, adding that he hopes to keep his store.
In front of his shop, 81-year-old Margarita Khanagyan leans on her cane as she stands next to an armoured vehicle belonging to the Russian peacekeepers.
"I left during the war, then we were told to come back and I came back. Now we have to leave again, but to where?"
Uncertainty also looms over the village of Aghavno, the last residential area before the border with Armenia where several dozen houses were built 10 years ago, just below the road.
Men here are always carrying rifles, prepared to defend themselves at any moment.
"They can't scare us," says village head Andranik Chavushyan, 39. "We will still be living here."
Standing next to him, Narine Rasoyan begins to cry.
Pregnant with her sixth child, Rasoyan lost her husband in the recent fighting.
"I have nowhere to go with my five children, where would I stay?" she says through her tears. "Let them give me a house and I will leave."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Refugees from Ethiopia conflict scratch a living in Sudan

Ethiopian children selling mini cakes in `` Village Eight '' -- an east Sudan transit settlement that has grown into the size of a small town with the refugee influx Ten-year-old Samarwat Tkhal fled fighting in Ethiopia 's Tigray region this month -- now she sells food to survive , among tens of thousands of fellow refugees building a new life in neighbouring Sudan .
Tkhal , wearing a red T-shirt and yellow trousers , wanders the dusty streets of `` Village Eight '' , a transit point just across the border into Sudan that has rapidly swelled into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the first stop for many of the Ethiopians fleeing their homeland .
Tkhal holds up a box of chocolate cakes , as she shyly approaches potential customers .
`` My father gives me a box of 50 cakes every morning that I sell , '' she said .
`` I work from morning to night . ''
Over 43,000 refugees have crossed into Sudan since fighting broke out in Tigray on November 4 , the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said Friday , as he visited Sudanese camps crammed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While praising Sudan for upholding its `` traditional hospitality to people in need '' , Grandi warned that the host country also `` urgently requires international assistance to support its efforts . ''
Hundreds have been killed in fighting between the federal government of Ethiopia 's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and dissident forces of the regional ruling party , the Tigray People 's Liberation Front ( TPLF ) .
On Friday , Abiy is due to meet African Union envoys to discuss the worsening conflict , after he ordered the army to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But while conflict rages at home , many of the refugees in Sudan are already eking out a living in their new surrounds .
Taray Burhano , 32 , walks the streets selling cigarettes -- one-by-one , not by the pack .
`` I 'm not making a fortune , '' said Burhano , who , like many , escaped with only what he could carry for the hard trek across the baking hot bush .
`` But at least I do n't sit around and think about what happened to us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Village Eight is now a busy centre .
Chekhi Barra , 27 , sits on the ground waiting for clients .
`` Until a solution to the fighting is found , something has to be done , '' he said , adding that while aid is trickling in , people need more than what is provided .
Barra fled with his wife and son from their home in the town of Mai-Kadara , where Ethiopia 's rights watchdog this week said at least 600 civilians were massacred .
Using the little cash he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a box of 100 bars of soap , a basic necessity that he knows will generate a profit when sold individually .
`` I sell them for twice as much as I bought them , '' he said .
Despite losing their homes and businesses , the new Ethiopian arrivals to Sudan are not wasting their time .
`` As soon as I arrived , I went to buy coffee , cups , sugar and a coffee-maker '' , the 23-year-old said , as customers crowded around her traditional Ethiopian flask brewing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 , has built a stall where he sells tomatoes and onions .
`` I get my supplies three times a day , because the goods sell quickly , '' he said .
Even small restaurants and bars are opening up -- built from any materials people can find .
Taklay Manott , 49 , said he ran the biggest restaurant in the Ethiopian town of Humera before he fled .
In Sudan , he has hammered together a small cafe , with wooden planks for walls and a thatch grass roof for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I lost everything , '' said Mannot , who borrowed money from a Sudanese businessman to set up his new cafe .
The restaurant is a basic shack , with six chairs and two tables , and he no longer has a complex menu .
The only dishes on offer are fuul -- the staple Sudanese dish of fava beans -- and eggs .
But amid the gloom , Mannot is looking to the future -- and he has no plans to go home .
`` I will not return to Humera , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing more to do there . ''

Village Eight (Sudan) (AFP) –
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Ten-year-old Samarwat Tkhal fled fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region this month -- now she sells food to survive, among tens of thousands of fellow refugees building a new life in neighbouring Sudan.
Tkhal, wearing a red T-shirt and yellow trousers, wanders the dusty streets of "Village Eight", a transit point just across the border into Sudan that has rapidly swelled into the size of a small town.
It is the first stop for many of the Ethiopians fleeing their homeland.
Tkhal holds up a box of chocolate cakes, as she shyly approaches potential customers.
"My father gives me a box of 50 cakes every morning that I sell," she said. "I work from morning to night."
Over 43,000 refugees have crossed into Sudan since fighting broke out in Tigray on November 4, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said Friday, as he visited Sudanese camps crammed with those fleeing the conflict in northern Ethiopia.
While praising Sudan for upholding its "traditional hospitality to people in need", Grandi warned that the host country also "urgently requires international assistance to support its efforts."
- Heavy fighting -
Hundreds have been killed in fighting between the federal government of Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and dissident forces of the regional ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
On Friday, Abiy is due to meet African Union envoys to discuss the worsening conflict, after he ordered the army to launch a final offensive against Tigrayan forces.
But while conflict rages at home, many of the refugees in Sudan are already eking out a living in their new surrounds.
Taray Burhano, 32, walks the streets selling cigarettes -- one-by-one, not by the pack.
"I'm not making a fortune," said Burhano, who, like many, escaped with only what he could carry for the hard trek across the baking hot bush.
"But at least I don't sit around and think about what happened to us."
Once a sleepy settlement, Village Eight is now a busy centre.
- Entrepreneurs -
Chekhi Barra, 27, sits on the ground waiting for clients.
"Until a solution to the fighting is found, something has to be done," he said, adding that while aid is trickling in, people need more than what is provided.
Barra fled with his wife and son from their home in the town of Mai-Kadara, where Ethiopia's rights watchdog this week said at least 600 civilians were massacred.
Using the little cash he took with him, Barra invested in a box of 100 bars of soap, a basic necessity that he knows will generate a profit when sold individually.
"I sell them for twice as much as I bought them," he said.
Despite losing their homes and businesses, the new Ethiopian arrivals to Sudan are not wasting their time.
Sylvia Tahai immediately resumed her work -- selling coffee.
"As soon as I arrived, I went to buy coffee, cups, sugar and a coffee-maker", the 23-year-old said, as customers crowded around her traditional Ethiopian flask brewing on a charcoal brazier.
Buhano Amha, 28, has built a stall where he sells tomatoes and onions.
"I get my supplies three times a day, because the goods sell quickly," he said.
Even small restaurants and bars are opening up -- built from any materials people can find.
Taklay Manott, 49, said he ran the biggest restaurant in the Ethiopian town of Humera before he fled.
In Sudan, he has hammered together a small cafe, with wooden planks for walls and a thatch grass roof for shade from the blazing sun.
"I lost everything," said Mannot, who borrowed money from a Sudanese businessman to set up his new cafe.
The restaurant is a basic shack, with six chairs and two tables, and he no longer has a complex menu.
The only dishes on offer are fuul -- the staple Sudanese dish of fava beans -- and eggs.
But amid the gloom, Mannot is looking to the future -- and he has no plans to go home.
"I will not return to Humera," he said. "I have nothing more to do there."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Indian police clash with farmers for second day

Indian police fired tear gas and water cannon on Friday in a second day of clashes with farmers marching on New Delhi angry at agricultural reforms they fear will leave them at the mercy of big corporations .
Authorities eventually allowed the farmers , some of whom threw stones and broke barricades , to enter the capital under police escort to stage a demonstration this weekend .
Police had deployed hundreds of officers at different entry points to the capital , parking trucks full of sand and laying barbed wire to block the farmers ' path .
The plight of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot potato .
Issues such as erratic weather patterns blamed on climate change and mounting debt have been blamed for the suicides of thousands of farmers in recent years .
Laws passed earlier this year mean farmers are now free to sell their produce to anyone at any price , instead of to state-controlled markets at assured rates .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed this as a `` complete transformation of the agriculture sector '' that would empower `` tens of millions of farmers '' and encourage much-needed investment and modernisation .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in power in the northern state of Punjab where many of the protesters came from , has argued the change will give private corporations free rein to exploit farmers .
`` I welcome the ( central government 's ) decision to allow farmers to enter Delhi to exercise their democratic right to protest , '' Punjab 's Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Friday .
`` They should also now initiate immediate talks to address farmers ' concerns on the # FarmLaws and resolve the simmering issue , '' he tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement of trains in Punjab for the last two months , before yielding to public and government pressure and lifting the blockade .
Thursday 's stand-off resulted in a long traffic hold-up on one of India 's busiest national highways , linking New Delhi to several northern states .

New Delhi (AFP) –
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Indian police fired tear gas and water cannon on Friday in a second day of clashes with farmers marching on New Delhi angry at agricultural reforms they fear will leave them at the mercy of big corporations.
Authorities eventually allowed the farmers, some of whom threw stones and broke barricades, to enter the capital under police escort to stage a demonstration this weekend.
Police had deployed hundreds of officers at different entry points to the capital, parking trucks full of sand and laying barbed wire to block the farmers' path.
The plight of Indian farmers has long been a political hot potato.
Issues such as erratic weather patterns blamed on climate change and mounting debt have been blamed for the suicides of thousands of farmers in recent years.
Laws passed earlier this year mean farmers are now free to sell their produce to anyone at any price, instead of to state-controlled markets at assured rates.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed this as a "complete transformation of the agriculture sector" that would empower "tens of millions of farmers" and encourage much-needed investment and modernisation.
But the main opposition Congress party, which is in power in the northern state of Punjab where many of the protesters came from, has argued the change will give private corporations free rein to exploit farmers.
"I welcome the (central government's) decision to allow farmers to enter Delhi to exercise their democratic right to protest," Punjab's Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Friday.
"They should also now initiate immediate talks to address farmers' concerns on the #FarmLaws and resolve the simmering issue," he tweeted.
The protesting farmers had also blocked the movement of trains in Punjab for the last two months, before yielding to public and government pressure and lifting the blockade.
Thursday's stand-off resulted in a long traffic hold-up on one of India's busiest national highways, linking New Delhi to several northern states.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Coronavirus pandemic takes a toll on the Christmas spirit of children

Coronavirus pandemic takes a toll on the Christmas spirit of children A peek into letters sent to Santa 's post @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on the Christmas spirit of children .
This year @ @ @ @ @ , well-wishes and even instructions for Santa to deliver presents in respect of health recommendations @

Coronavirus pandemic takes a toll on the Christmas spirit of children
01:36
A peek into letters sent to Santa's post office in France show the coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on the Christmas spirit of children. This year they also sent face masks, well-wishes and even instructions for Santa to deliver presents in respect of health recommendations.


france24--2020-11-28--Burkina's Kabore says opposition leader congratulated him on victory

Roch Marc Christian Kabore won an outright majority in the first round of the presidential election , removing the need for a runoff Burkina Faso 's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said Friday he had received the congratulations of the leader of the opposition , a day after official results showed he was re-elected by a landslide .
Ahead of the election , international diplomatic efforts had stepped up to prevent any possible flare-up in the country -- among the poorest in the world -- and which is struggling with a long-running jihadist campaign .
Kabore won a large outright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election on Sunday , removing the need for a runoff ballot , the Independent National Electoral Commission ( CENI ) said .
`` I have received on Friday evening the congratulations of the presidential candidate , Zephirin Diabre , '' Kabore , 63 , wrote on Twitter .
`` I salute his approach which is in line with the republican spirit of our political class , '' he added , accompanying his tweet with a photo of the two .
When the CENI announced Kabore 's landslide victory on Thursday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right '' to challenge the results .
Diabre 's Union for Progress and Change ( UPC ) said on its website before Kabore 's tweet it wished to `` point out the major shortcomings '' which had `` marred '' the ballot .
However , `` considering the difficult situation our country is going through '' it reaffirmed its `` renewed desire to always preserve peace , stability and security in Burkina Faso by placing the interest of the nation above all other considerations '' .
One of the poorest countries in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a jihadist campaign that has claimed at least 1,200 lives since 2015 and forced around a million people to flee their homes .
Because of the unrest , the election was not held across at least one-fifth of the territory .
The closure of some 1,300 polling stations reduced the potential pool of voters from 6.49 million to 5.89 million in a population of 20 million , according to CENI .
Around 800 other polling stations that should have opened remained closed .
Pro-Kabore parties had argued that all candidates were equally affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not on a scale to have any major impact on the result .
Eddie Komboigo , the champion of ousted president Blaise Campaore 's party , came second in Sunday 's vote with 15.48 percent of the ballot .
He was followed in the 13-candidate field by Diabre , who had been considered by pundits to be the best-placed opposition hopeful , with 12.46 percent of votes cast .
Kabore was the favourite in the election despite being under fire for what critics say has been a lacklustre response to the five-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mali .
By winning an overall majority in the first round he avoids a runoff vote in which he would have had to stand against a single candidate backed by a united opposition .
But opposition parties said the vote was marked by fraud and flawed procedures , and had been threatening to reject `` results stained by irregularities '' .
Tahirou Barry , a former minister who came fifth , had said earlier that the CENI `` reserves the right to use legal recourse to address irregularities identified '' .
The elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as its presidency , where executive power in the former French colony is concentrated .

Ouagadougou (AFP) –
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Burkina Faso's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said Friday he had received the congratulations of the leader of the opposition, a day after official results showed he was re-elected by a landslide.
Ahead of the election, international diplomatic efforts had stepped up to prevent any possible flare-up in the country -- among the poorest in the world -- and which is struggling with a long-running jihadist campaign.
Kabore won a large outright majority in the first round of the presidential election on Sunday, removing the need for a runoff ballot, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said.
"I have received on Friday evening the congratulations of the presidential candidate, Zephirin Diabre," Kabore, 63, wrote on Twitter.
"I salute his approach which is in line with the republican spirit of our political class," he added, accompanying his tweet with a photo of the two.
When the CENI announced Kabore's landslide victory on Thursday, the opposition had said it "reserved the right" to challenge the results.
Diabre's Union for Progress and Change (UPC) said on its website before Kabore's tweet it wished to "point out the major shortcomings" which had "marred" the ballot.
However, "considering the difficult situation our country is going through" it reaffirmed its "renewed desire to always preserve peace, stability and security in Burkina Faso by placing the interest of the nation above all other considerations".
- 'Stained by irregularities' -
One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina Faso is struggling with a jihadist campaign that has claimed at least 1,200 lives since 2015 and forced around a million people to flee their homes.
Because of the unrest, the election was not held across at least one-fifth of the territory.
The closure of some 1,300 polling stations reduced the potential pool of voters from 6.49 million to 5.89 million in a population of 20 million, according to CENI.
Around 800 other polling stations that should have opened remained closed.
Pro-Kabore parties had argued that all candidates were equally affected and that in any case the closures were not on a scale to have any major impact on the result.
Eddie Komboigo, the champion of ousted president Blaise Campaore's party, came second in Sunday's vote with 15.48 percent of the ballot.
He was followed in the 13-candidate field by Diabre, who had been considered by pundits to be the best-placed opposition hopeful, with 12.46 percent of votes cast.
Kabore was the favourite in the election despite being under fire for what critics say has been a lacklustre response to the five-year-old jihadist insurgency that has rolled in from Mali.
By winning an overall majority in the first round he avoids a runoff vote in which he would have had to stand against a single candidate backed by a united opposition.
But opposition parties said the vote was marked by fraud and flawed procedures, and had been threatening to reject "results stained by irregularities".
Tahirou Barry, a former minister who came fifth, had said earlier that the CENI "reserves the right to use legal recourse to address irregularities identified".
The elections on Sunday were for Burkina's legislature as well as its presidency, where executive power in the former French colony is concentrated.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-28--Court tells Trump: 'Calling vote unfair doesn't make it so'

A US federal appeals court said President Donald Trump has not offered any evidence to support his claims of an `` unfair '' election A federal appeals court on Friday flatly dismissed President Donald Trump 's claim that the election was unfair and refused to freeze Joe Biden 's win in the key state of Pennsylvania .
In a scathing review of the Trump campaign 's arguments that the president was cheated in his November 3 reelection bid , three appeals court judges unanimously said that allegations of unfairness were not supported by evidence .
`` Charges of unfairness are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not make it so , '' the court said .
In appealing a lower court ruling , the Trump campaign claimed discrimination , the judges noted .
`` But its alchemy can not transmute lead into gold , '' the court said .
It was the latest in more than two dozen court defeats around the country for the Trump campaign and Republicans who have alleged fraud and other misconduct contributed to the president 's loss .
Trump persists in arguing that Biden 's clear victory is invalid .
`` Just so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud , '' he told reporters on Thursday .
Last week a Pennsylvania state court rejected arguments by Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani that the millions of votes in the state should be thrown out due to fraud .
The judge in that case , however , embarrassed Giuliani by forcing him to admit that none of his precise claims before the court involved fraud or anything more than technical issues in overseeing the vote count .
On Tuesday the Pennsylvania government officially certified Biden 's victory in the state , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have that certification frozen .
But the appeals court said Trump 's campaign had nothing substantial to argue .
`` Its allegations are vague and conclusory , '' the judges said .
`` It never alleges that anyone treated the Trump campaign or Trump votes worse than it treated the Biden campaign or Biden votes . ''
With Biden 's national lead in the popular vote and the electoral college now virtually unassailable , the court indicated that another appeal , to the US Supreme Court , would go nowhere .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of these issues , '' the court said .
`` The campaign can not win this lawsuit .
It conceded that it is not alleging election fraud . ''
Nevertheless , Jenna Ellis , a Trump campaign lawyer who worked with Giuliani on the case , tweeted their intent to appeal .
`` The activist judicial machinery in Pennsylvania continues to cover up the allegations of massive fraud ... On to SCOTUS ! ''
she said , referring to the Supreme Court .

Washington (AFP) –
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A federal appeals court on Friday flatly dismissed President Donald Trump's claim that the election was unfair and refused to freeze Joe Biden's win in the key state of Pennsylvania.
In a scathing review of the Trump campaign's arguments that the president was cheated in his November 3 reelection bid, three appeals court judges unanimously said that allegations of unfairness were not supported by evidence.
"Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so," the court said.
In appealing a lower court ruling, the Trump campaign claimed discrimination, the judges noted.
"But its alchemy cannot transmute lead into gold," the court said.
It was the latest in more than two dozen court defeats around the country for the Trump campaign and Republicans who have alleged fraud and other misconduct contributed to the president's loss.
Trump persists in arguing that Biden's clear victory is invalid.
"Just so you understand, this election was a fraud," he told reporters on Thursday.
Last week a Pennsylvania state court rejected arguments by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani that the millions of votes in the state should be thrown out due to fraud.
The judge in that case, however, embarrassed Giuliani by forcing him to admit that none of his precise claims before the court involved fraud or anything more than technical issues in overseeing the vote count.
On Tuesday the Pennsylvania government officially certified Biden's victory in the state, and the Trump campaign appealed to federal court to have that certification frozen.
But the appeals court said Trump's campaign had nothing substantial to argue.
"Its allegations are vague and conclusory," the judges said.
"It never alleges that anyone treated the Trump campaign or Trump votes worse than it treated the Biden campaign or Biden votes."
With Biden's national lead in the popular vote and the electoral college now virtually unassailable, the court indicated that another appeal, to the US Supreme Court, would go nowhere.
"The campaign has already litigated and lost most of these issues," the court said.
"The campaign cannot win this lawsuit. It conceded that it is not alleging election fraud."
Nevertheless, Jenna Ellis, a Trump campaign lawyer who worked with Giuliani on the case, tweeted their intent to appeal.
"The activist judicial machinery in Pennsylvania continues to cover up the allegations of massive fraud ... On to SCOTUS!" she said, referring to the Supreme Court.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Burkina's Kabore says opposition leader congratulated him on victory

Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore addresses supporters during a celebration at his party ’ s headquarters in Ouagadougou on November 26 , 2020 Burkina Faso 's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said Friday he had received the congratulations of the leader of the opposition , a day after official results showed he was re-elected by a landslide .
`` I have received on Friday evening the congratulations of the presidential candidate , Zephirin Diabre , '' Kabore wrote on Twitter .
`` I salute his approach which is in line with the republican spirit of our political class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet with a photo of the two .
When the Independent National Electoral Commission ( CENI ) announced Kabore 's landslide victory on Thursday , the opposition had said it `` reserved the right '' to challenge the results .
Diabre 's Union for Progress and Change ( UPC ) said on its website before Kabore 's tweet it wished to `` point out the major shortcomings '' which had `` marred '' the ballot .
`` Considering the difficult situation our country is going through '' it reaffirmed its `` renewed desire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security in Burkina Faso by placing the interest of the nation above all other considerations '' .
Eddie Komboigo , the champion of ousted president Blaise Campaore 's party , came second in Sunday 's vote with 15.48 percent of the ballot .
He was followed in the 13-candidate field by Diabre , who had been considered by pundits to be the best-placed opposition hopeful , with 12.46 percent of votes cast .

Ouagadougou (AFP) –
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Burkina Faso's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said Friday he had received the congratulations of the leader of the opposition, a day after official results showed he was re-elected by a landslide.
"I have received on Friday evening the congratulations of the presidential candidate, Zephirin Diabre," Kabore wrote on Twitter. "I salute his approach which is in line with the republican spirit of our political class," he said, accompanying his tweet with a photo of the two.
When the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced Kabore's landslide victory on Thursday, the opposition had said it "reserved the right" to challenge the results.
Diabre's Union for Progress and Change (UPC) said on its website before Kabore's tweet it wished to "point out the major shortcomings" which had "marred" the ballot.
"Considering the difficult situation our country is going through" it reaffirmed its "renewed desire to always preserve peace, stability and security in Burkina Faso by placing the interest of the nation above all other considerations".
Eddie Komboigo, the champion of ousted president Blaise Campaore's party, came second in Sunday's vote with 15.48 percent of the ballot.
He was followed in the 13-candidate field by Diabre, who had been considered by pundits to be the best-placed opposition hopeful, with 12.46 percent of votes cast.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Tyson plans fast start in ring return at 54 against Jones

Mike Tyson returns to boxing at age 54 on saturday with an eight-round fight against 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. at Los Angeles Mike Tyson says he never imagined as a heavyweight boxing champion that he would climb into the ring with Roy Jones Jr. at age 54 as he does on Saturday .
Fifteen years after retiring with a 2005 loss to journeyman Kevin McBride , Tyson makes a comeback after dropping 100 pounds and returning to training .
`` I did n't think I 'd live that long .
It was so intense , '' Tyson said Friday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight in Los Angeles .
`` Me just existing is a success . ''
Tyson said his hunger has returned 15 years after finishing his career .
`` I do n't know who I was then .
I 'm just very comfortable with who I am now , '' Tyson said .
`` My last fight , I did n't have no interest in it .
I 'm interested now . ''
Tyson , 50-6 with 44 knockouts , plans to take the fight to 51-year-old Jones , 66-9 with 47 knockouts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just going to go right at him at the bell and see what happens , '' Tyson said .
`` It 's going to be entertaining .
He 's a fighter .
I 'm a fighter .
We 're in there throwing punches .
Anything can happen . ''
Jones , whose last fight was a 2018 cruiserweight victory , plans to take some time to sort out how much of `` Iron Mike '' remains in Tyson .
`` I want to come out early , figure out my ways to attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's at his distance , '' Jones said .
`` He knows my combinations , but not the speed or velocity .
He wo n't be knowing how I 'm throwing them .
`` We both want to beat each other up . ''
Asked how hard he can punch , Tyson replied , `` We 're going to see '' and said he 's ready to adapt if Jones attacks quickly -- `` I 'm going to Plan B - punch him back . ''
Tyson ruled the heavyweight division in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990s after a stunning upset loss to Buster Douglas , a rape conviction and two losses to Evander Holyfield that included biting a chunk out of his rival 's ear .
`` I 'm struggling like everyone else , '' Tyson said .
`` I 'm learning from life 's mistakes . ''
Tyson lost his last world title fight to Lennox Lewis in 2002 and faded from the scene before a desire to get back into shape evolved into more .
`` If I did n't have the same dedication I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyson said .
`` You do n't bring age to the table .
You bring your energy .
`` It 's incredible I can still do this . ''
His `` 100-pound process '' began with 15 minutes a day on a treadmill that grew into two hours and led to hitting gloves and sparring sessions .
`` The first day was disastrous . ''
Tyson said , but found while he was `` getting shellacked '' he realized , `` I belong here . ''
`` To some degree , it tells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyson said .
`` The other side tells me I can do it .
`` I 'll never call another fighter a bum again .
The process to get in shape to fight somebody is psychologically overwhelming if you 're not a boxer .
`` This is fun .
Right now .
Everything else I 've gone through is hell . ''
Tyson finds himself a family man who has a place in life for boxing , not a fighter whose life revolves around battles as it once did .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away .
It does n't have the appeal it once had , '' Tyson said .
`` Time humbles you .
You want to see your children grow .
I want to involve myself in my friends and family . ''
That 's why he hopes staging over-age athlete events has a feature with his Legends Only League .
`` God willing , the sky is the limit , '' he said .
Jones has more modest goals , including a fight with 45-year-old Brazilian mixed martial arts star Anderson Silva .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost positive that will be next , '' Jones said .
`` A success would be to look good , not to get caught with nothing stupid .
A success would be me being me . ''
Jones surprised himself at how ready he is to fight .
`` I ca n't believe I 'm able to maintain my speed at 51 .
It shocks me .
It 's the craziest thing , '' Jones said .
`` The aches and pains are there .
You have to have the mental strength to @ @ @ @ @

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Mike Tyson says he never imagined as a heavyweight boxing champion that he would climb into the ring with Roy Jones Jr. at age 54 as he does on Saturday.
Fifteen years after retiring with a 2005 loss to journeyman Kevin McBride, Tyson makes a comeback after dropping 100 pounds and returning to training.
"I didn't think I'd live that long. It was so intense," Tyson said Friday in a news conference ahead of the eight-round fight in Los Angeles.
"Me just existing is a success."
Tyson said his hunger has returned 15 years after finishing his career.
"I don't know who I was then. I'm just very comfortable with who I am now," Tyson said. "My last fight, I didn't have no interest in it. I'm interested now."
Tyson, 50-6 with 44 knockouts, plans to take the fight to 51-year-old Jones, 66-9 with 47 knockouts, from the start.
"I'm just going to go right at him at the bell and see what happens," Tyson said. "It's going to be entertaining. He's a fighter. I'm a fighter. We're in there throwing punches. Anything can happen."
Jones, whose last fight was a 2018 cruiserweight victory, plans to take some time to sort out how much of "Iron Mike" remains in Tyson.
"I want to come out early, figure out my ways to attack him. He's very dangerous when he's at his distance," Jones said.
"He knows my combinations, but not the speed or velocity. He won't be knowing how I'm throwing them.
"We both want to beat each other up."
Asked how hard he can punch, Tyson replied, "We're going to see" and said he's ready to adapt if Jones attacks quickly -- "I'm going to Plan B - punch him back."
Tyson ruled the heavyweight division in the late 1980s and struggled through the 1990s after a stunning upset loss to Buster Douglas, a rape conviction and two losses to Evander Holyfield that included biting a chunk out of his rival's ear.
"I'm struggling like everyone else," Tyson said. "I'm learning from life's mistakes."
Tyson lost his last world title fight to Lennox Lewis in 2002 and faded from the scene before a desire to get back into shape evolved into more.
"If I didn't have the same dedication I wouldn't have lost the weight," Tyson said. "You don't bring age to the table. You bring your energy.
"It's incredible I can still do this."
His "100-pound process" began with 15 minutes a day on a treadmill that grew into two hours and led to hitting gloves and sparring sessions.
"The first day was disastrous." Tyson said, but found while he was "getting shellacked" he realized, "I belong here."
"To some degree, it tells me I'm a fool," Tyson said. "The other side tells me I can do it.
"I'll never call another fighter a bum again. The process to get in shape to fight somebody is psychologically overwhelming if you're not a boxer.
"This is fun. Right now. Everything else I've gone through is hell."
- 'Time humbles you' -
Tyson finds himself a family man who has a place in life for boxing, not a fighter whose life revolves around battles as it once did.
"This is a part of my life I threw away. It doesn't have the appeal it once had," Tyson said.
"Time humbles you. You want to see your children grow. I want to involve myself in my friends and family."
That's why he hopes staging over-age athlete events has a feature with his Legends Only League.
"God willing, the sky is the limit," he said.
Jones has more modest goals, including a fight with 45-year-old Brazilian mixed martial arts star Anderson Silva.
"If this goes well, I'm almost positive that will be next," Jones said. "A success would be to look good, not to get caught with nothing stupid. A success would be me being me."
Jones surprised himself at how ready he is to fight.
"I can't believe I'm able to maintain my speed at 51. It shocks me. It's the craziest thing," Jones said. "The aches and pains are there. You have to have the mental strength to overcome the adversity."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Restless Lampard targets return to top for Abramovich's Chelsea

Frank Lampard says he is proud to have been associated with Chelsea during the Roman Abramovich era but will not rest until they are back at the pinnacle of the English game .
The 42-year-old won three Premier League titles and the Champions League as a player at Stamford Bridge and is now in his second season in the managerial hotseat .
Lampard , Chelsea 's all-time record goalscorer , joined the club in 2001 and was a key part of their rise as they were bankrolled by the Russian billionaire .
Sunday 's game against his former Chelsea boss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the club 's 1,000th since Abramovich became the owner in 2003 .
Abramovich 's cash injection turned the club from also-rans to serial title winners -- they have claimed five Premier League titles since 2005 .
`` As much as you can invest in football you only win things through pure hard work and personnel on the ground whether you spend money or not in the modern Premier League , '' said Lampard .
`` I 've been proud to be associated with the club through thick and thin . ''
Lampard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Chelsea , who qualified for the Champions League despite a transfer ban as punishment for breaking rules on registering young players .
Abramovich spent big again for Lampard 's second season , investing £220 million ( $ 292 million ) on Timo Werner , Kai Havertz , Hakim Ziyech , Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy , plus sizeable wages for Thiago Silva , who joined on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain .
`` Now we 've invested , we want to improve and I want to be a big help to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head coach , to try and take that forward , '' added Lampard .
`` I am genuinely thankful for what Roman Abramovich has brought to the club and then my part of the deal is to do my absolute best .
`` Nothing can ever be decided in football , nothing is gospel but I will do my absolute best to get us back to fighting hopefully for titles , which we have done pretty much in a lot of those eras . ''
Chelsea are in third place in the Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixtures , two points behind leaders Spurs .
Lampard said his relationship with Mourinho , forged in the Portuguese boss ' first spell at Stamford Bridge , had changed now they were both managing top clubs .
`` I think just naturally now when we are doing the cutthroat end of being managers of these big clubs that are rivals , I think it does change the relationship , not in a bad way , '' he said .
`` I 've got no problem with it .
I certainly have n't .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ both want to do well .
When I speak about Jose I always show how much respect I have for him in all senses .
I 've always felt that back from him and that 's where it is . ''

London (AFP) –
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Frank Lampard says he is proud to have been associated with Chelsea during the Roman Abramovich era but will not rest until they are back at the pinnacle of the English game.
The 42-year-old won three Premier League titles and the Champions League as a player at Stamford Bridge and is now in his second season in the managerial hotseat.
Lampard, Chelsea's all-time record goalscorer, joined the club in 2001 and was a key part of their rise as they were bankrolled by the Russian billionaire.
Sunday's game against his former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, now Tottenham coach, is the club's 1,000th since Abramovich became the owner in 2003.
Abramovich's cash injection turned the club from also-rans to serial title winners -- they have claimed five Premier League titles since 2005.
"As much as you can invest in football you only win things through pure hard work and personnel on the ground whether you spend money or not in the modern Premier League," said Lampard.
"I've been proud to be associated with the club through thick and thin."
Lampard said last season was "transitional" for Chelsea, who qualified for the Champions League despite a transfer ban as punishment for breaking rules on registering young players.
Abramovich spent big again for Lampard's second season, investing £220 million ($292 million) on Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy, plus sizeable wages for Thiago Silva, who joined on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
"Now we've invested, we want to improve and I want to be a big help to that, that's my job as head coach, to try and take that forward," added Lampard.
"I am genuinely thankful for what Roman Abramovich has brought to the club and then my part of the deal is to do my absolute best.
"Nothing can ever be decided in football, nothing is gospel but I will do my absolute best to get us back to fighting hopefully for titles, which we have done pretty much in a lot of those eras."
Chelsea are in third place in the Premier League ahead of the weekend Premier League fixtures, two points behind leaders Spurs.
Lampard said his relationship with Mourinho, forged in the Portuguese boss' first spell at Stamford Bridge, had changed now they were both managing top clubs.
"I think just naturally now when we are doing the cutthroat end of being managers of these big clubs that are rivals, I think it does change the relationship, not in a bad way," he said.
"I've got no problem with it. I certainly haven't. We are very competitive people. We both want to do well. When I speak about Jose I always show how much respect I have for him in all senses. I've always felt that back from him and that's where it is."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Newcastle strike late to down Crystal Palace

Newcastle struck twice in the final two minutes through Callum Wilson and Joelinton to beat Crystal Palace 2-0 and move @ @ @ @ @ the Premier League on Friday .
Both sides seemed set to settle for a point @ @ @ @ @ end until the Magpies ' late show , which took them up above Manchester City @ @ @ @ @ into 10th .
The visitors ' front two combined for the opener as Joelinton put @ @ @ @ @ home for his seventh goal since a £20 million ( $ 26.6 million ) move @ @ @ @ @ still time for Newcastle to grab a second when Sean Longstaff passed into Joelinton 's @ @ @ @ @ Scott Dann and saw his effort deflect in off Gary Cahill for his first league @ @ @ @ @ badly missed the presence of Wilfried Zaha due to a positive coronavirus test as a @ @ @ @ @ Hodgson 's men sees them fall behind Newcastle down to 13th .

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Newcastle struck twice in the final two minutes through Callum Wilson and Joelinton to beat Crystal Palace 2-0 and move into the top half of the Premier League on Friday.
Both sides seemed set to settle for a point with few chances at either end until the Magpies' late show, which took them up above Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal into 10th.
The visitors' front two combined for the opener as Joelinton put Wilson through and he slotted home for his seventh goal since a £20 million ($26.6 million) move from Bournemouth.
There was still time for Newcastle to grab a second when Sean Longstaff passed into Joelinton's path and he cut inside Scott Dann and saw his effort deflect in off Gary Cahill for his first league goal since June.
Palace badly missed the presence of Wilfried Zaha due to a positive coronavirus test as a second consecutive defeat for Roy Hodgson's men sees them fall behind Newcastle down to 13th.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--NBA books 49-game pre-season schedule from Dec. 11-19

The NBA unveiled a 49-game pre-season schedule on Friday that will run from December 11-19 with each team playing two to four exhibitions tuneups before the regular season begins December 22 The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers will open the NBA pre-season schedule against the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a 49-game exhibition slate announced Friday .
The league booked tuneup games from December 11-19 ahead of the planned December 22 start of the 2020-21 campaign to be played at team arenas .
Each club will have at least two pre-season contests , one at home and one on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four .
The Lakers will play the maximum , with home games against the Clippers on December 11 and 13 and road games at Phoenix on December 16 and 18 .
The Toronto Raptors , set to play home games in Tampa , Florida , due to Covid-19 restrictions involving US-Canada travel , will entertain Miami at Tampa in a December 18 pre-season contest .
The upcoming season schedule , featuring 72 games for each club , has not yet been released .
It will be revealed in two segments , the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next from March 11-May 16 to be released late in the first-half portion of the season .

New York (AFP) –
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The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers will open the NBA pre-season schedule against the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a 49-game exhibition slate announced Friday.
The league booked tuneup games from December 11-19 ahead of the planned December 22 start of the 2020-21 campaign to be played at team arenas.
Each club will have at least two pre-season contests, one at home and one on the road, and no more than four.
The Lakers will play the maximum, with home games against the Clippers on December 11 and 13 and road games at Phoenix on December 16 and 18.
The Toronto Raptors, set to play home games in Tampa, Florida, due to Covid-19 restrictions involving US-Canada travel, will entertain Miami at Tampa in a December 18 pre-season contest.
The upcoming season schedule, featuring 72 games for each club, has not yet been released. It will be revealed in two segments, the first including games from December 22-March 4 and the next from March 11-May 16 to be released late in the first-half portion of the season.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Factfile for CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly

Al Ahly pose before defeating Zamalek to win the 2020 CAF Champions League final

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france24--2020-11-27--Maradona's death may trigger family inheritance battle

Diego Maradona 's daughters Dalma ( L ) and Giannina , at his wake in Buenos Aires on November 26 Diego Maradona 's tormented private life , with its tangled relationships and paternity suits , suggests distributing his inheritance will be a complex task for lawyers bracing for claims from a slew of children -- those he recognized and those he did n't .
`` There 's going to be a big fight .
He did n't leave a will , '' according to a source close to the family who declined to be named .
Maradona made and wasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his fame with Barcelona , Napoli and Argentina , and he also made some shrewd investments .
Some reports circulating since his death estimate his estate at around $ 90 million .
Angered over a dispute with his daughter Giannina last year , he threatened to donate all his wealth , including properties , luxury cars and sponsorship contracts , to charity .
`` I know that now , as you get older , people are more concerned about what you leave behind than what you are doing , '' he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And I tell them all that I 'm not going to leave them anything , that I 'm going to give it all away .
Everything I 've got in my life I 'm going to give away , '' he said .
Under Argentine law , however , a person can only give away a fifth of their assets .
At least two-thirds must be left to the spouse or offspring of the deceased .
Giannina , 31 , had sparked the row by accusing the former star 's entourage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which seems to have been a recurring theme of their relationship .
Father and daughter had reconciled by his 60th birthday in October , Giannina lauding him in a series of affectionate messages posted on social media with her sister Dalma .
`` He is my great example of all the things to do and all the things not to do .
I have admired him , yesterday , today and always .
He taught me to forgive , to forgive myself , '' Gianinna wrote .
Claudia Villafane was Maradona 's childhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His only wife , they divorced in 2003 .
Their two daughters , Dalma , 33 and Giannina -- were the only children he recognized for many years .
But there were others , spawning the joke that Maradona had fathered his own soccer team .
It threatens to make the task of distributing his inheritance a complicated one for his lawyer Matias Morla .
The football icon has been forced to acknowledge three children over the years , including Diego Junior , born a few months before Dalma .
Conceived with Italian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1986 , months after he captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Mexico , it took Maradona 29 years to acknowledge his paternity .
Ill with Covid-19 , Diego Junior was unable to travel from Italy to his father 's funeral .
In 2008 , the football legend recognized Jana , born in 1996 to her mother Valeria Sabalain , the former girlfriend he was closest to during the last months of his life .
Another son Diego Ojeda was born in 2013 from his relationship with ex-girlfriend Veronica Ojeda .
But others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including according to his lawyer , at least three in Cuba where Maradona spent years in a drug rehabilitation program .
Spats between the ex-partners and Maradona 's children have been a recurring theme of his life and have been given a full airing on social media and Argentine television channels .
His eldest daughters and their mother appeared to be the ones in control of the funeral arrangements on Thursday .
However , the World Cup winner was in a legal dispute with his ex-wife over ownership of hundreds of items of @ @ @ @ @

Buenos Aires (AFP) –
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Diego Maradona's tormented private life, with its tangled relationships and paternity suits, suggests distributing his inheritance will be a complex task for lawyers bracing for claims from a slew of children -- those he recognized and those he didn't.
"There's going to be a big fight. He didn't leave a will," according to a source close to the family who declined to be named.
Maradona made and wasted millions over his years at the pinnacle of his fame with Barcelona, Napoli and Argentina, and he also made some shrewd investments. Some reports circulating since his death estimate his estate at around $90 million.
Angered over a dispute with his daughter Giannina last year, he threatened to donate all his wealth, including properties, luxury cars and sponsorship contracts, to charity.
"I know that now, as you get older, people are more concerned about what you leave behind than what you are doing," he was quoted as saying at the time.
"And I tell them all that I'm not going to leave them anything, that I'm going to give it all away. Everything I've got in my life I'm going to give away," he said.
Under Argentine law, however, a person can only give away a fifth of their assets. At least two-thirds must be left to the spouse or offspring of the deceased.
Giannina, 31, had sparked the row by accusing the former star's entourage of not taking proper care of him, which seems to have been a recurring theme of their relationship.
Father and daughter had reconciled by his 60th birthday in October, Giannina lauding him in a series of affectionate messages posted on social media with her sister Dalma.
"He is my great example of all the things to do and all the things not to do. I have admired him, yesterday, today and always. He taught me to forgive, to forgive myself," Gianinna wrote.
- Complex ties -
Claudia Villafane was Maradona's childhood sweetheart since the age of 15. His only wife, they divorced in 2003.
Their two daughters, Dalma, 33 and Giannina -- were the only children he recognized for many years.
But there were others, spawning the joke that Maradona had fathered his own soccer team. It threatens to make the task of distributing his inheritance a complicated one for his lawyer Matias Morla.
The football icon has been forced to acknowledge three children over the years, including Diego Junior, born a few months before Dalma.
Conceived with Italian singer Cristiana Sinagra, and born in 1986, months after he captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Mexico, it took Maradona 29 years to acknowledge his paternity. Ill with Covid-19, Diego Junior was unable to travel from Italy to his father's funeral.
In 2008, the football legend recognized Jana, born in 1996 to her mother Valeria Sabalain, the former girlfriend he was closest to during the last months of his life.
Another son Diego Ojeda was born in 2013 from his relationship with ex-girlfriend Veronica Ojeda.
But others have staked paternity claims against Maradona, including according to his lawyer, at least three in Cuba where Maradona spent years in a drug rehabilitation program.
Spats between the ex-partners and Maradona's children have been a recurring theme of his life and have been given a full airing on social media and Argentine television channels.
His eldest daughters and their mother appeared to be the ones in control of the funeral arrangements on Thursday.
However, the World Cup winner was in a legal dispute with his ex-wife over ownership of hundreds of items of memorabilia from his career.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Ahly win CAF Champions League thanks to late Magdy goal

A late goal from Mohamed 'Afsha ' Magdy gave Al Ahly a dramatic 2-1 victory over Zamalek on Friday in an all-Egyptian CAF Champions League final in Cairo .
Magdy struck as stoppage time loomed behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic after Amr el Soleya had given Ahly an early lead and 'Shikabala ' scored a magnificent equaliser before half-time .
With 85 minutes gone , Magdy controlled the ball with his knee outside the area and hammered it into the net to earn Ahly a record-extending ninth Champions League title and first since 2013 .
The climax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that completed a competition which began in August last year and was constantly delayed by Covid-19 .
Success for Ahly meant South African Pitso Mosimane became only the third coach after Argentine Oscar Fullone and Egyptian Mahmoud el Gohary to win the Champions League title with two clubs .
Mosimane guided Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa to a 3-1 aggregate victory over Zamalek in the 2016 title decider .
Before the kick off in a stadium that would normally be packed to its 74,000 capacity for a Cairo derby , both teams observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Argentine icon Diego Maradona , who died on Wednesday .
Ahly took a fifth-minute lead when Amr el Soleya rose to powerfully head a corner kick into the net after goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal had conceded the set piece under pressure from Hussein el Shahat .
Boosted by the dream start , the Cairo Red Devils use both wings to keep the White Knights under pressure in the first Champions League final featuring clubs from the same country .
When Zamalek did push forward they were no match for an Ahly defence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ en route to the final .
But any disappointment Zamalek supporters experienced as they watched the match live on national television disappeared after 31 minutes thanks to 'Shikabala ' .
One of many Egyptian footballers who favour a nickname over their official name , in his case Mahmoud Abdelrazek Hassan Fadlala , 'Shikabala ' levelled with a memorable solo goal .
Receiving possession on the touchline , he burst between two Ahly defenders , took the ball across another , then smashed a left-foot shot into the roof of the net .
Ahly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the power and speed of a shot that produced one of the greatest goals in the 55-year history of CAF Champions League finals .
Under the cosh for much of the opening half , Zamalek would have been the happier team trooping off the pitch at half-time in a contest living up to its billing of the 'derby of the century ' .
Ahly should have regained the lead eight minutes into the second half but El Shahat hits a post with an unguarded goal in front of him and Mahmoud Ibrahim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again midway through the half , this time preventing Zamalek taking the lead as Ahmed 'Zizo ' Sayed watched his shot cannon off a post .
As the frantic pace inevitably slackened , El Soleya was yellow carded for fouling Sayed and Zamalek had a penalty appeal rejected by the Algerian referee .
Then , after 54 minutes with the sides equal , Magdy scored his third goal of the African campaign to give Ahly a record-extending 20th CAF title .

Cairo (AFP) –
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A late goal from Mohamed 'Afsha' Magdy gave Al Ahly a dramatic 2-1 victory over Zamalek on Friday in an all-Egyptian CAF Champions League final in Cairo.
Magdy struck as stoppage time loomed behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic after Amr el Soleya had given Ahly an early lead and 'Shikabala' scored a magnificent equaliser before half-time.
With 85 minutes gone, Magdy controlled the ball with his knee outside the area and hammered it into the net to earn Ahly a record-extending ninth Champions League title and first since 2013.
The climax was in keeping with a thrilling final that completed a competition which began in August last year and was constantly delayed by Covid-19.
Success for Ahly meant South African Pitso Mosimane became only the third coach after Argentine Oscar Fullone and Egyptian Mahmoud el Gohary to win the Champions League title with two clubs.
Mosimane guided Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa to a 3-1 aggregate victory over Zamalek in the 2016 title decider.
Before the kick off in a stadium that would normally be packed to its 74,000 capacity for a Cairo derby, both teams observed a moment of silence in honour of Argentine icon Diego Maradona, who died on Wednesday.
Ahly took a fifth-minute lead when Amr el Soleya rose to powerfully head a corner kick into the net after goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal had conceded the set piece under pressure from Hussein el Shahat.
Boosted by the dream start, the Cairo Red Devils use both wings to keep the White Knights under pressure in the first Champions League final featuring clubs from the same country.
When Zamalek did push forward they were no match for an Ahly defence that conceded just six goals in 14 matches en route to the final.
- Memorable solo goal -
But any disappointment Zamalek supporters experienced as they watched the match live on national television disappeared after 31 minutes thanks to 'Shikabala'.
One of many Egyptian footballers who favour a nickname over their official name, in his case Mahmoud Abdelrazek Hassan Fadlala, 'Shikabala' levelled with a memorable solo goal.
Receiving possession on the touchline, he burst between two Ahly defenders, took the ball across another, then smashed a left-foot shot into the roof of the net.
Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed el Shennawy barely moved such was the power and speed of a shot that produced one of the greatest goals in the 55-year history of CAF Champions League finals.
Under the cosh for much of the opening half, Zamalek would have been the happier team trooping off the pitch at half-time in a contest living up to its billing of the 'derby of the century'.
Ahly should have regained the lead eight minutes into the second half but El Shahat hits a post with an unguarded goal in front of him and Mahmoud Ibrahim cleared.
The woodwork came into play again midway through the half, this time preventing Zamalek taking the lead as Ahmed 'Zizo' Sayed watched his shot cannon off a post.
As the frantic pace inevitably slackened, El Soleya was yellow carded for fouling Sayed and Zamalek had a penalty appeal rejected by the Algerian referee.
Then, after 54 minutes with the sides equal, Magdy scored his third goal of the African campaign to give Ahly a record-extending 20th CAF title.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Ethiopia’s Abiy meets African Union envoys, rejects talks with Tigray leaders

Ehtiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at an event to honour the national defence forces in Addis Ababa , on November 17 , 2020 .
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed again ruled out dialogue with the leaders of the defiant Tigray region Friday , but said he was willing to speak to representatives `` operating legally ” there during a meeting with African Union special envoys trying to end the deadly conflict between federal troops and the region 's forces .
The meeting came as the Ethiopian News Agency reported the military 's capture of several key towns around the Tigray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fled the city ahead of a promised “ final phase ” of the offensive .
The conflict has threatened to spill over to Ethiopia ’ s neighbouring countries , with an exodus of civilians crossing the border into Sudan to flee the fighting .
On Friday night , at least one rocket fired from Tigray region targeted neighbouring Eritrea in the second such attack since the conflict broke out , according to regional diplomats .
`` There was one rocket coming from Tigray that seems to have landed south of [ the Eritrean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told AFP , noting there was no immediate information available on casualties or damages .
A second diplomat said there were reports of another rocket striking a neighbourhood in Asmara , but this remained unconfirmed .
The Ethiopian military on Friday said it had seized control of the town of Wikro , 50km ( 30 miles ) north of Mekelle a day after the government said it was beginning the `` final phase '' of an offensive in the northern region .
Federal forces have captured Wikro `` and will control Mekelle in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ibrahim said in a statement .
Government troops had also taken control of several other towns , he added .
Claims by all sides in the three-week-old conflict between government and Tigray People 's Liberation Front ( TPLF ) forces however have been impossible to verify because phone and internet connections to the region are down and access to the area is tightly controlled .
On Sunday , the government gave the TPLF until Wednesday to lay down arms or face an assault on Mekelle , a city of 500,000 people , raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casualties .
Abiy accuses Tigrayan leaders of starting the war by attacking federal troops at a base in Tigray on November 4 .
The TPLF says the attack was a pre-emptive strike .
The Ethiopian prime minister received at his office in Addis Ababa on Friday three African ex-leaders – Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique , Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa – dispatched this week by the AU as mediators .
In a statement issued after their meeting , Abiy said he appreciated `` this gesture and ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle of African solutions to African problems '' .
Even so , the government has a `` constitutionally mandated responsibility to enforce rule of law in the region and across the country '' , he said .
Many attempts , he added , had been made to negotiate with the TPLF before military action was ordered on November 4 .

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed again ruled out dialogue with the leaders of the defiant Tigray region Friday, but said he was willing to speak to representatives "operating legally” there during a meeting with African Union special envoys trying to end the deadly conflict between federal troops and the region's forces.
Ehtiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at an event to honour the national defence forces in Addis Ababa, on November 17, 2020.
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The meeting came as the Ethiopian News Agency reported the military's capture of several key towns around the Tigray capital, Mekelle, as more people fled the city ahead of a promised “final phase” of the offensive.
The conflict has threatened to spill over to Ethiopia’s neighbouring countries, with an exodus of civilians crossing the border into Sudan to flee the fighting.
On Friday night, at least one rocket fired from Tigray region targeted neighbouring Eritrea in the second such attack since the conflict broke out, according to regional diplomats.
"There was one rocket coming from Tigray that seems to have landed south of [the Eritrean capital] Asmara," a diplomat told AFP, noting there was no immediate information available on casualties or damages.
A second diplomat said there were reports of another rocket striking a neighbourhood in Asmara, but this remained unconfirmed.
Ethiopian forces capture Tigrayan town
The Ethiopian military on Friday said it had seized control of the town of Wikro, 50km (30 miles) north of Mekelle a day after the government said it was beginning the "final phase" of an offensive in the northern region.
Federal forces have captured Wikro "and will control Mekelle in a few days", Lieutenant-General Hassan Ibrahim said in a statement. Government troops had also taken control of several other towns, he added.
Claims by all sides in the three-week-old conflict between government and Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces however have been impossible to verify because phone and internet connections to the region are down and access to the area is tightly controlled.
On Sunday, the government gave the TPLF until Wednesday to lay down arms or face an assault on Mekelle, a city of 500,000 people, raising fears among aid groups of extensive civilian casualties.
Abiy accuses Tigrayan leaders of starting the war by attacking federal troops at a base in Tigray on November 4. The TPLF says the attack was a pre-emptive strike.
Abiy meets AU envoys
The Ethiopian prime minister received at his office in Addis Ababa on Friday three African ex-leaders – Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa – dispatched this week by the AU as mediators.
In a statement issued after their meeting, Abiy said he appreciated "this gesture and... the steadfast commitment this demonstrates to the principle of African solutions to African problems".
Even so, the government has a "constitutionally mandated responsibility to enforce rule of law in the region and across the country", he said.
Many attempts, he added, had been made to negotiate with the TPLF before military action was ordered on November 4.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-11-27--NFL delays Ravens-Steelers clash to Tuesday due to virus

The NFL announced Friday it has postponed the Baltimore Ravens game at unbeaten Pittsbugh to Tuesday due to a Covid-19 outbreak on the Ravens after having first delayed it from Thursday to Sunday The NFL postponed a pivotal matchup between the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens to Tuesday because of a Covid-19 outbreak among Ravens players , the league announced Friday .
The contest had originally been scheduled for Thursday in a feature spot on the US Thanksgiving holiday , but had been rescheduled for Sunday after the outbreak began .
The NFL pushed the game back again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure the health and safety of players , coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts , '' according to a league statement .
Should the Ravens-Steelers game be played as now planned , the originally scheduled game next Thursday between Baltimore and Dallas would be moved to December 7 .
In October , the NFL delayed a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans to a Tuesday because of a separate Covid-19 situation involving the host Titans .
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was among four Ravens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and despite the change in date is not expected to be able to play for Baltimore at Pittsburgh .
The move could allow him back in time to face Dallas .
`` We just want to contain this outbreak ! ''
Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell tweeted Friday .
`` Speaking from experience ... you do n't want to catch covid !
This virus is brutal !
I pray no one else has to go thru this .
This is bigger than football . ''
The Steelers , 10-0 , led the AFC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one game behind Cleveland .

New York (AFP) –
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The NFL postponed a pivotal matchup between the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens to Tuesday because of a Covid-19 outbreak among Ravens players, the league announced Friday.
The contest had originally been scheduled for Thursday in a feature spot on the US Thanksgiving holiday, but had been rescheduled for Sunday after the outbreak began.
The NFL pushed the game back again "out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts," according to a league statement.
Should the Ravens-Steelers game be played as now planned, the originally scheduled game next Thursday between Baltimore and Dallas would be moved to December 7.
In October, the NFL delayed a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans to a Tuesday because of a separate Covid-19 situation involving the host Titans.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was among four Ravens found positive in Thursday's Covid-19 testing and despite the change in date is not expected to be able to play for Baltimore at Pittsburgh. The move could allow him back in time to face Dallas.
"We just want to contain this outbreak!" Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell tweeted Friday. "Speaking from experience... you don't want to catch covid! This virus is brutal! I pray no one else has to go thru this. This is bigger than football."
The Steelers, 10-0, led the AFC North division with Baltimore third at 6-4, one game behind Cleveland.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Hundreds of Syrians exit Lebanese town over tensions: UN

Syrian refugees complain that they were forcibly evicted from the northern Lebanese town of Bsharre in the wake of a murder allegedly committed by a Syrian national At least 270 Syrian families have left a north Lebanon town , as hostility towards them mounted over a murder allegedly committed by a Syrian national , the UN refugee agency said Friday .
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees condemned `` collective reprisals against Syrians in the town , '' of Bsharre , saying many of the families fled in fear without taking their belongings .
`` Collective punishment ... for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one individual is unacceptable , '' a UNHCR spokesperson said in a statement .
Many of those who fled the Christian-majority town said they were chased out by Bsharre residents after a Syrian on Monday was accused of shooting dead a Lebanese resident , sparking widespread tension and hostility .
Lebanon 's official National News Agency reported forced evictions of Syrians in the wake of the murder , but Bsharre 's mayor denied that the Syrians had left out of fear .
An AFP correspondent in Tripoli saw dozens of Syrian families gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
A group of young men in Bsharre `` assaulted us , threatened us and started a fire '' in the house , Umm Khaled , a 31-year-old Syrian mother of five told AFP .
`` We picked up our children and ran away to Tripoli , '' located more than 40 kilometres ( 25 miles ) east , she said .
Yassin Hassan , a 30-year-old Syrian who had lived in Bsharre for years , said he was beaten by a group of men .
`` We ran away ... without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told AFP .
Tripoli is among the most welcoming destinations in Lebanon for refugees .
Lebanon , which is grappling with an economic crisis , says it hosts some 1.5 million Syrians , including around one million registered as refugees with the United Nations .
They were encouraged to find alternative housing but those with nowhere to stay were moved to shelters , a spokesperson told AFP .
The reasons behind the murder that fuelled anti-Syrian sentiments in Bsharre remains shrouded in mystery .
The Syrian suspect in question has handed himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A judicial source said investigations were still underway .
The mayor of Bsharre says the town is home to nearly a thousand Syrians .
Authorities have called on refugees to return to Syria even though rights groups warn that the war-torn country is not yet safe .

Tripoli (Lebanon) (AFP) –
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At least 270 Syrian families have left a north Lebanon town, as hostility towards them mounted over a murder allegedly committed by a Syrian national, the UN refugee agency said Friday.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees condemned "collective reprisals against Syrians in the town," of Bsharre, saying many of the families fled in fear without taking their belongings.
"Collective punishment... for a whole community for an incident involving one individual is unacceptable," a UNHCR spokesperson said in a statement.
Many of those who fled the Christian-majority town said they were chased out by Bsharre residents after a Syrian on Monday was accused of shooting dead a Lebanese resident, sparking widespread tension and hostility.
Lebanon's official National News Agency reported forced evictions of Syrians in the wake of the murder, but Bsharre's mayor denied that the Syrians had left out of fear.
An AFP correspondent in Tripoli saw dozens of Syrian families gathering outside a UNHCR building in the northern city.
A group of young men in Bsharre "assaulted us, threatened us and started a fire" in the house, Umm Khaled, a 31-year-old Syrian mother of five told AFP.
"We picked up our children and ran away to Tripoli," located more than 40 kilometres (25 miles) east, she said.
Yassin Hassan, a 30-year-old Syrian who had lived in Bsharre for years, said he was beaten by a group of men.
"We ran away... without taking anything from our homes," he told AFP.
Tripoli is among the most welcoming destinations in Lebanon for refugees.
Lebanon, which is grappling with an economic crisis, says it hosts some 1.5 million Syrians, including around one million registered as refugees with the United Nations.
They were encouraged to find alternative housing but those with nowhere to stay were moved to shelters, a spokesperson told AFP.
The reasons behind the murder that fuelled anti-Syrian sentiments in Bsharre remains shrouded in mystery.
The Syrian suspect in question has handed himself over to authorities, the army said.
A judicial source said investigations were still underway.
The mayor of Bsharre says the town is home to nearly a thousand Syrians.
Authorities have called on refugees to return to Syria even though rights groups warn that the war-torn country is not yet safe.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Bairstow powers England to T20 victory in Cape Town

Jonny Bairstow powered England to a five-wicket win over South Africa in the first Twenty20 international at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday .
Bairstow thrashed 86 not out off 48 balls as England chased down a victory target of 180 with four balls to spare .
England were struggling at 34 for three before Bairstow and Ben Stokes ( 37 ) changed the momentum of the match with a fourth wicket stand of 85 .
Even so , South Africa still had a realistic chance of winning as England went into the last four overs needing 51 runs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 runs in the 17th over , including three wides which cost eight runs , as Bairstow and England captain Eoin Morgan went on the attack .
Morgan said the win was “ extremely pleasing , given that we were pretty average apart from two or three players.
” Morgan said England ’ s bowlers “ missed areas ” , although left-armer Sam Curran claimed a career-best three for 28 in South Africa ’ s innings of 179 for six .
And he was disappointed with the batting start , although he praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben rebuilding the way they did set up the win nicely , ” he told SuperSport television .
Bairstow batted at number four instead of opening as he often does in white-ball cricket .
“ It ’ s something you ’ ve got to enjoy , ” he said .
“ You learn to craft your innings in different ways.
” Bairstow hit nine fours and four sixes , finishing the match in style with his fourth six which sailed into a building sight on the northern end of the ground .
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa with 58 off 40 balls after his side were sent in on a cool evening .
South Africa ’ s first international match since March was staged without spectators because of Covid restrictions .
South African captain Quinton de Kock refused to blame the Hendricks over .
`` I don ’ t think it was just the one over .
It was the way Jonny and Ben played .
We didn ’ t play badly .
They played really well.
” The teams meet again in a day game in Paarl on @ @

Cape Town (AFP) –
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Jonny Bairstow powered England to a five-wicket win over South Africa in the first Twenty20 international at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday.
Bairstow thrashed 86 not out off 48 balls as England chased down a victory target of 180 with four balls to spare.
England were struggling at 34 for three before Bairstow and Ben Stokes (37) changed the momentum of the match with a fourth wicket stand of 85.
Even so, South Africa still had a realistic chance of winning as England went into the last four overs needing 51 runs.
But left-arm fast bowler Beuran Hendricks conceded 28 runs in the 17th over, including three wides which cost eight runs, as Bairstow and England captain Eoin Morgan went on the attack.
Morgan said the win was “extremely pleasing, given that we were pretty average apart from two or three players.”
Morgan said England’s bowlers “missed areas”, although left-armer Sam Curran claimed a career-best three for 28 in South Africa’s innings of 179 for six.
And he was disappointed with the batting start, although he praised Bairstow and Stokes.
“Jonny and Ben rebuilding the way they did set up the win nicely,” he told SuperSport television.
Bairstow batted at number four instead of opening as he often does in white-ball cricket.
“It’s something you’ve got to enjoy,” he said. “You learn to craft your innings in different ways.”
Bairstow hit nine fours and four sixes, finishing the match in style with his fourth six which sailed into a building sight on the northern end of the ground.
Former captain Faf du Plessis top-scored for South Africa with 58 off 40 balls after his side were sent in on a cool evening.
South Africa’s first international match since March was staged without spectators because of Covid restrictions.
South African captain Quinton de Kock refused to blame the Hendricks over.
"I don’t think it was just the one over. It was the way Jonny and Ben played. We didn’t play badly. They played really well.”
The teams meet again in a day game in Paarl on Sunday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-27--Albon accepts blame for big crash in practice

Alex Albon accepted the blame on Friday after his heavy and expensive crash during practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix threatened to derail his future with Red Bull .
The London-born Thai driver , who has struggled this year to match the pace of Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen , said he knew he should have backed off when he ran wide at the final corner before careering off into the barriers .
`` It was just one of those things , ” he said as he tried to make light of his crash , which wrecked most of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of it really .
`` I was a bit surprised by the lack of grip .
And it was quite a difficult , awkward angle – It wasn ’ t fun.
” His crash came midway through the floodlit second session at the Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir .
The right side of his Red Bull car was severely damaged and both wheels were left hanging only by their tethers .
Albon , who is fighting to keep his seat in the team next year after being warned to ‘ raise his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury .
He said he had been trying “ a couple of things , that didn ’ t quite work out , but actually I felt I was just getting up to speed.
” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said the crash was “ frustrating ” and that he expected the repair bill for the car to be “ significant.
” “ Thankfully , Alex is OK , that ’ s the main thing , '' he added .
“ Obviously there ’ s a lot of superficial damage .
The ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks OK and it ’ s not a race gearbox , but it ’ s certainly going to keep the guys busy tonight . ''
Albon wound up 10th after the opening day ’ s practice which was led by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes ahead of Verstappen .

Manama (AFP) –
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Alex Albon accepted the blame on Friday after his heavy and expensive crash during practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix threatened to derail his future with Red Bull.
The London-born Thai driver, who has struggled this year to match the pace of Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen, said he knew he should have backed off when he ran wide at the final corner before careering off into the barriers.
"It was just one of those things,” he said as he tried to make light of his crash, which wrecked most of his car.
"I should have pulled out of it really.
"I was a bit surprised by the lack of grip. And it was quite a difficult, awkward angle – It wasn’t fun.”
His crash came midway through the floodlit second session at the Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir. The right side of his Red Bull car was severely damaged and both wheels were left hanging only by their tethers.
Albon, who is fighting to keep his seat in the team next year after being warned to ‘raise his game’, was lucky to escape injury.
He said he had been trying “a couple of things, that didn’t quite work out, but actually I felt I was just getting up to speed.”
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said the crash was “frustrating” and that he expected the repair bill for the car to be “significant.”
“Thankfully, Alex is OK, that’s the main thing," he added. “Obviously there’s a lot of superficial damage. The ‘monocoque’ looked ok, the engine looks OK and it’s not a race gearbox, but it’s certainly going to keep the guys busy tonight."
Albon wound up 10th after the opening day’s practice which was led by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes ahead of Verstappen.
© 2020 AFP