france24--2020-11-21--Pompeo to meet Taliban negotiators in Qatar

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his wife Susan arrive in Abu Dhabi on a trip that will take him to see Taliban representatives in Qatar US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Doha Saturday to meet negotiators from the Afghan government and Taliban , amid signs of progress in their talks as Washington speeds up its withdrawal .
Pompeo 's visit comes in the wake of a rocket attack which struck densely populated areas of Kabul , killing at least eight people in the latest outbreak of violence in the Afghan capital .
The Taliban have denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike .
The State Department said that Pompeo will meet separately with the Afghan government and Taliban negotiation teams in the Qatari capital .
He will also see Qatar 's ruler , Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani , and the foreign minister on his stop in Doha , the Taliban 's base for diplomacy .
The outgoing top US diplomat is on a seven-nation tour of Europe and the Middle East , as President Donald Trump shores up late-term priorities .
Earlier this week , the Pentagon said it would soon pull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speeding up the timeline established in a February agreement between Washington and the Taliban that envisions a full US withdrawal in mid-2021 .
Trump has repeatedly vowed to end `` forever wars '' , including in Afghanistan , America 's longest-ever conflict that began with an invasion to dislodge the Taliban following the September 11 , 2001 attacks .
President-elect Joe Biden , in a rare point of agreement with Trump , also advocates winding down the Afghanistan war , although analysts believe he will not be as wedded to a rapid withdrawal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's government for the first time .
The talks started on September 12 in Doha but almost immediately faltered over disagreements about the agenda , the basic framework of discussions and religious interpretations .
Several sources told AFP on Friday that the two sides appear to have resolved some of the issues , however .
Among the sticking points so far , the Taliban and the Afghan government have struggled to agree on common language on two main issues .
The Taliban , who are Sunni hardliners , are insisting on adherence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but government negotiators say this could be used to discriminate against Hazaras , who are predominantly Shiite , and other minorities .
Another contentious topic is how the US-Taliban deal will shape a future Afghan peace deal and how it will be referred to .
The Doha peace talks opened after the Taliban and Washington signed a deal in February , with the US agreeing to withdraw all foreign forces in exchange for security guarantees and a Taliban promise to start talks .
Despite the talks , violence has surged across Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks against Afghan security forces .
Trump 's plan to slash troops by January 15 -- less than a week before his successor Joe Biden is to be sworn in to office -- has been criticised by Kabul residents who fear it will embolden the Taliban to unleash a new wave of fighting .
Afghan civilians have long borne the brunt of the country 's bloodshed .
Officials in Kabul also worry it will harden the Taliban position at the negotiating table , where the future of hard-won gains including women 's rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike on the Afghan capital saw a barrage of rockets slam into various parts of central and north Kabul -- including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone that houses embassies and international firms .
The Iranian embassy said on Twitter that its main building had been hit by rocket fragments after a missile landed on the premises .
No one on the compound , located just outside the Green Zone , was wounded .
Interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian blamed the Taliban , saying `` terrorists '' had fired a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taliban denied responsibility , saying they `` do not blindly fire on public places '' .
Recent big attacks in Kabul , including two horrific assaults on educational institutions that killed nearly 50 people in recent weeks , follow a familiar pattern in the aftermath , with the Taliban denying any involvement while the Afghan government pins the blame on them or their proxies .

Doha (AFP) –
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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Doha Saturday to meet negotiators from the Afghan government and Taliban, amid signs of progress in their talks as Washington speeds up its withdrawal.
Pompeo's visit comes in the wake of a rocket attack which struck densely populated areas of Kabul, killing at least eight people in the latest outbreak of violence in the Afghan capital.
The Taliban have denied responsibility and no group has claimed the strike.
The State Department said that Pompeo will meet separately with the Afghan government and Taliban negotiation teams in the Qatari capital.
He will also see Qatar's ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the foreign minister on his stop in Doha, the Taliban's base for diplomacy.
The outgoing top US diplomat is on a seven-nation tour of Europe and the Middle East, as President Donald Trump shores up late-term priorities.
Earlier this week, the Pentagon said it would soon pull some 2,000 troops out of Afghanistan, speeding up the timeline established in a February agreement between Washington and the Taliban that envisions a full US withdrawal in mid-2021.
Trump has repeatedly vowed to end "forever wars", including in Afghanistan, America's longest-ever conflict that began with an invasion to dislodge the Taliban following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
President-elect Joe Biden, in a rare point of agreement with Trump, also advocates winding down the Afghanistan war, although analysts believe he will not be as wedded to a rapid withdrawal.
- Breakthrough? -
The Taliban are speaking to Afghanistan's government for the first time.
The talks started on September 12 in Doha but almost immediately faltered over disagreements about the agenda, the basic framework of discussions and religious interpretations.
Several sources told AFP on Friday that the two sides appear to have resolved some of the issues, however.
Among the sticking points so far, the Taliban and the Afghan government have struggled to agree on common language on two main issues.
The Taliban, who are Sunni hardliners, are insisting on adherence to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence, but government negotiators say this could be used to discriminate against Hazaras, who are predominantly Shiite, and other minorities.
Another contentious topic is how the US-Taliban deal will shape a future Afghan peace deal and how it will be referred to.
The Doha peace talks opened after the Taliban and Washington signed a deal in February, with the US agreeing to withdraw all foreign forces in exchange for security guarantees and a Taliban promise to start talks.
- Violence surging -
Despite the talks, violence has surged across Afghanistan, with the Taliban stepping up daily attacks against Afghan security forces.
Trump's plan to slash troops by January 15 -- less than a week before his successor Joe Biden is to be sworn in to office -- has been criticised by Kabul residents who fear it will embolden the Taliban to unleash a new wave of fighting.
Afghan civilians have long borne the brunt of the country's bloodshed.
Officials in Kabul also worry it will harden the Taliban position at the negotiating table, where the future of hard-won gains including women's rights are on the line.
Saturday's strike on the Afghan capital saw a barrage of rockets slam into various parts of central and north Kabul -- including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone that houses embassies and international firms.
The Iranian embassy said on Twitter that its main building had been hit by rocket fragments after a missile landed on the premises. No one on the compound, located just outside the Green Zone, was wounded.
Interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian blamed the Taliban, saying "terrorists" had fired a total of 23 rockets. However, the Taliban denied responsibility, saying they "do not blindly fire on public places".
Recent big attacks in Kabul, including two horrific assaults on educational institutions that killed nearly 50 people in recent weeks, follow a familiar pattern in the aftermath, with the Taliban denying any involvement while the Afghan government pins the blame on them or their proxies.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Protests erupt in Brazil after supermarket security guards beat Black man to death

Brazilian police clash with demonstrators outside a Carrefour supermarket , where a black man was beaten to death by security guards , in Porto Alegre , Brazil , on November 20 , 2020 .
The death of a black man beaten by white security guards at a supermarket sparked protests across Brazil Friday as the country celebrated Black Consciousness Day .
A video of Thursday night 's incident in the southern city of Porto Alegre captured on a witness 's mobile phone was broadcast on social networks and Brazilian media .
As the clip went viral , around 1,000 protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the French-owned Carrefour supermarket chain and stoned the glass storefront before storming the premises , trashing and burning goods , according to an AFP photographer on the scene .
`` Carrefour 's hands are dirty with black blood , '' read one banner held up by demonstrators .
Police in Porto Alegre used tear gas and flash bang grenades to disperse a protest that had formed in front of the supermarket where the death occurred , according to local television .
Protests also broke out in the capital Brasilia , Belo Horizonte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd picketed a Carrefour supermarket to prevent customers from reaching the checkouts .
`` Carrefour can close , it has killed our brother , it will not work ! ''
chanted dozens of young people carrying banners and masks with the slogan `` Black Lives Matter '' .
The video on social media shows 40-year-old welder Joao Alberto Silveira Freitas repeatedly being punched in the face and head by a security guard while he is being restrained by another at the supermarket .
A woman stands beside them , filming with her mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grande do Sul state said the man had threatened a female worker at the supermarket , who called security .
Silveira Freitas lost consciousness during the assault and died on the spot as medics tried to revive him .
A friend of the victim who witnessed the beating told G1 news that as the security guards were hitting him , Silveira Freitas `` screamed that he could not breathe , '' a scene reminiscent of the death of George Floyd , a black man who suffocated beneath the knee of a white US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing sparked massive protests across the United States .
Both the supermarket security guards were arrested .
One of them was identified as a member of the military police who worked part-time at the supermarket .
In a statement , Carrefour 's Brazilian subsidiary deplored the `` brutal death '' of Silveira Freitas and promised to take `` appropriate measures to hold accountable those involved in this criminal case . ''
Carrefour said it would cut ties with the security company that employed the guards .
In a series of tweets in Portuguese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexandre Bompard , expressed his condolences and said the images posted on social media were `` unacceptable . ''
`` Internal measures have immediately been implemented by the Carrefour Group Brazil , principally on the question of security company contracts .
These measures are insufficient .
My values , and the values of Carrefour , do not allow for racism and violence , '' he wrote , calling for a complete review of employee training , diversity and intolerance .
The killing sparked outrage on social networks and overshadowed Brazil 's Black Consciousness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` From one November 20 to another , and every day , the racist structure of this country brings us brutality as a rule , '' social activist Raull Santiago said on Twitter .
`` It seems that we have no way out ... not even on Black Consciousness Day , '' Brazil international footballer Richarlison said .
`` In fact , what conscience ?
They killed a black man , beaten in front of the cameras .
They beat him and filmed .
Decency and shame have been lost to violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on Twitter .
In Brazil , the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery -- in 1888 -- around 55 percent of the population of 212 million identifies as black or mixed-race .
Brazil 's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro had not commented directly on the death late Friday , but tweeted that the country 's problems `` go beyond racial issues '' and that the `` great evil '' of Brazil continues to be `` moral , social and political corruption . ''
`` As president , I am colorblind : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no one color [ of skin ] better than the others .
There are good men and bad men , '' added Bolsonaro .
Mourao said it was the work of `` a security agent unprepared for the work '' and denied that it was a racist act .
`` For me , in Brazil , there is no racism .
That is something that they want to import here to Brazil .
That does not exist here , '' said Mourao .
Philosopher Djamila Ribeiro , one of the most influential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil , told AFP that `` the naturalization and justification of the death of black people as a result of violence is present in political , legal , business and media discourses . ''

The death of a black man beaten by white security guards at a supermarket sparked protests across Brazil Friday as the country celebrated Black Consciousness Day.
Brazilian police clash with demonstrators outside a Carrefour supermarket, where a black man was beaten to death by security guards, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on November 20, 2020.
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A video of Thursday night's incident in the southern city of Porto Alegre captured on a witness's mobile phone was broadcast on social networks and Brazilian media.
As the clip went viral, around 1,000 protesters in Sao Paulo marched to a branch of the French-owned Carrefour supermarket chain and stoned the glass storefront before storming the premises, trashing and burning goods, according to an AFP photographer on the scene.
"Carrefour's hands are dirty with black blood," read one banner held up by demonstrators.
Carrefour de Sao Paulo
pic.twitter.com/jYpp23b67l — Rene Silva (@eurenesilva) November 20, 2020
Police in Porto Alegre used tear gas and flash bang grenades to disperse a protest that had formed in front of the supermarket where the death occurred, according to local television.
Protests also broke out in the capital Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro, where a crowd picketed a Carrefour supermarket to prevent customers from reaching the checkouts.
"Carrefour can close, it has killed our brother, it will not work!" chanted dozens of young people carrying banners and masks with the slogan "Black Lives Matter".
The video on social media shows 40-year-old welder Joao Alberto Silveira Freitas repeatedly being punched in the face and head by a security guard while he is being restrained by another at the supermarket.
A woman stands beside them, filming with her mobile phone.
The military police in Rio Grande do Sul state said the man had threatened a female worker at the supermarket, who called security.
Silveira Freitas lost consciousness during the assault and died on the spot as medics tried to revive him.
'Could not breathe'
A friend of the victim who witnessed the beating told G1 news that as the security guards were hitting him, Silveira Freitas "screamed that he could not breathe," a scene reminiscent of the death of George Floyd, a black man who suffocated beneath the knee of a white US police in Minneapolis last May.
That killing sparked massive protests across the United States.
#USCitizens: Demonstrations against the Carrefour store chain have been reported throughout Brazil after a man was killed by security guards at a Carrefour in Porto Alegre. For your safety, avoid Carrefour locations while protests are ongoing. Monitor local media for updates. pic.twitter.com/qi1VhbgN8z — Embaixada EUA Brasil (@EmbaixadaEUA) November 21, 2020
Both the supermarket security guards were arrested. One of them was identified as a member of the military police who worked part-time at the supermarket.
In a statement, Carrefour's Brazilian subsidiary deplored the "brutal death" of Silveira Freitas and promised to take "appropriate measures to hold accountable those involved in this criminal case."
Carrefour said it would cut ties with the security company that employed the guards.
In a series of tweets in Portuguese, the French head of Carrefour, Alexandre Bompard, expressed his condolences and said the images posted on social media were "unacceptable."
Em primeiro lugar, gostaria de expressar meus profundos sentimentos, após a morte do senhor João Alberto Silveira Freitas. As imagens postadas nas redes sociais são insuportáveis. — Alexandre Bompard (@bompard) November 20, 2020
"Internal measures have immediately been implemented by the Carrefour Group Brazil, principally on the question of security company contracts. These measures are insufficient. My values, and the values of Carrefour, do not allow for racism and violence," he wrote, calling for a complete review of employee training, diversity and intolerance.
Structural racism
The killing sparked outrage on social networks and overshadowed Brazil's Black Consciousness Day, a holiday in several states.
"From one November 20 to another, and every day, the racist structure of this country brings us brutality as a rule," social activist Raull Santiago said on Twitter.
"It seems that we have no way out... not even on Black Consciousness Day," Brazil international footballer Richarlison said.
"In fact, what conscience? They killed a black man, beaten in front of the cameras. They beat him and filmed. Decency and shame have been lost to violence and hatred," the Everton player said on Twitter.
In Brazil, the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery -- in 1888 -- around 55 percent of the population of 212 million identifies as black or mixed-race.
Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro had not commented directly on the death late Friday, but tweeted that the country's problems "go beyond racial issues" and that the "great evil" of Brazil continues to be "moral, social and political corruption."
- O Brasil tem uma cultura diversa, única entre as nações. Somos um povo miscigenado. Brancos, negros, pardos e índios compõem o corpo e o espírito de um povo rico e maravilhoso. Em uma única família brasileira podemos contemplar uma diversidade maior do que países inteiros. — Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) November 21, 2020
"As president, I am colorblind: everyone is the same color. There is no one color [of skin] better than the others. There are good men and bad men," added Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro's vice president Hamilton Mourao called the killing "regrettable."
Mourao said it was the work of "a security agent unprepared for the work" and denied that it was a racist act.
"For me, in Brazil, there is no racism. That is something that they want to import here to Brazil. That does not exist here," said Mourao.
Philosopher Djamila Ribeiro, one of the most influential voices in the fight against racism in Brazil, told AFP that "the naturalization and justification of the death of black people as a result of violence is present in political, legal, business and media discourses."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-21--Hong Kong, Singapore travel bubble popped by virus spike

Hong Kong 's tourist industry has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic , with travel restrictions severely limiting arrivals A planned travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore was scrapped a day before its launch on Saturday after the southern Chinese city announced a sudden spike in coronavirus cases .
The decision is both a blow to the two cities ' battered tourist industries but also for other countries who had been hoping the scheme might be a model to replicate during the pandemic .
The two financial hubs have both suffered comparatively mild outbreaks with strict social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic first emerged .
But with small populations and a heavy dependence on links to the outside world they have been hard hit as the global economy collapsed .
Desperate to help their key tourism and aviation sectors , they came up with the plan allowing limited , quarantine-free travel between the cities as long as visitors test negative for Covid-19 .
The travel corridor was set to kick off on Sunday morning .
But on Saturday , Hong Kong announced the scheme would have to be delayed for two weeks following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the light of recent surge of local cases we have decided , together with the Singapore government , to defer the air travel bubble 's launch by two weeks , '' commerce secretary Edward Yau told reporters .
After weeks of single-digit infections , Hong Kong health authorities have begun reporting a sudden uptick in cases in recent days .
On Saturday they recorded 36 local coronavirus cases .
Crucially , 13 were from unknown transmission sources , prompting fears the city has a new wave of out-of-control infections .
Both Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of five or more unknown transmission cases would be enough to halt the travel bubble .
But Saturday 's double-digit spike was enough for authorities in both cities to postpone the travel bubble .
`` This is a sober reminder that the Covid-19 virus is still with us , and even as we fight to regain our normal lives , the journey will be full of ups and downs , '' Singapore transport minister Ong Ye Kung wrote on his Facebook page .
Shukor Yusof , an analyst with aviation consultancy Endau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraught with challenges .
`` Although widely supported by aviation bodies , bilaterally agreed air corridors is not the answer to the crisis , '' Shukor told AFP .
`` There is no solution until the vaccine is available to all .
The more airlines swim against the COVID tide , and try to beat the odds , the worse it will become .
Best to endure , stay put , refine the business model and conserve cash , '' he added .
Neither Hong Kong nor Singapore have domestic air routes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific have been hit especially hard .
Singapore is a major market for Hong Kong 's tourism industry with more than 450,000 arrivals from the city-state recorded in 2019 , according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board .
Hong Kong was among the top 15 visitor sources for Singapore last year , with nearly half a million arrivals , official data showed .
The planned travel bubble , which could still go ahead if infections drop , is strict .
A maximum of 200 residents from each city will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight to the other , with only those who have been in Singapore and Hong Kong for two weeks and tested negative allowed to board .
Arriving passengers will have to test negative again , and all the health checks could add substantial extra cost to a trip .
Coronavirus tests in Hong Kong cost around HK $ 1,500 ( $ 190 ) at a government-approved laboratory or hospital , and in Singapore the price is around Sg $ 200 ( $ 150 ) .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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A planned travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore was scrapped a day before its launch on Saturday after the southern Chinese city announced a sudden spike in coronavirus cases.
The decision is both a blow to the two cities' battered tourist industries but also for other countries who had been hoping the scheme might be a model to replicate during the pandemic.
The two financial hubs have both suffered comparatively mild outbreaks with strict social distancing and border measures imposed soon after the pandemic first emerged.
But with small populations and a heavy dependence on links to the outside world they have been hard hit as the global economy collapsed.
Desperate to help their key tourism and aviation sectors, they came up with the plan allowing limited, quarantine-free travel between the cities as long as visitors test negative for Covid-19.
The travel corridor was set to kick off on Sunday morning.
But on Saturday, Hong Kong announced the scheme would have to be delayed for two weeks following a sudden rise in coronavirus infections.
"In the light of recent surge of local cases we have decided, together with the Singapore government, to defer the air travel bubble's launch by two weeks," commerce secretary Edward Yau told reporters.
After weeks of single-digit infections, Hong Kong health authorities have begun reporting a sudden uptick in cases in recent days.
On Saturday they recorded 36 local coronavirus cases. Crucially, 13 were from unknown transmission sources, prompting fears the city has a new wave of out-of-control infections.
- Vaccine crucial -
Both Hong Kong and Singapore agreed that seven straight days of five or more unknown transmission cases would be enough to halt the travel bubble.
But Saturday's double-digit spike was enough for authorities in both cities to postpone the travel bubble.
"This is a sober reminder that the Covid-19 virus is still with us, and even as we fight to regain our normal lives, the journey will be full of ups and downs," Singapore transport minister Ong Ye Kung wrote on his Facebook page.
Shukor Yusof, an analyst with aviation consultancy Endau Analytics, said that travel bubbles are fraught with challenges.
"Although widely supported by aviation bodies, bilaterally agreed air corridors is not the answer to the crisis," Shukor told AFP.
"There is no solution until the vaccine is available to all. The more airlines swim against the COVID tide, and try to beat the odds, the worse it will become. Best to endure, stay put, refine the business model and conserve cash," he added.
Neither Hong Kong nor Singapore have domestic air routes to fall back on. So flagship carriers Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific have been hit especially hard.
Singapore is a major market for Hong Kong's tourism industry with more than 450,000 arrivals from the city-state recorded in 2019, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
Hong Kong was among the top 15 visitor sources for Singapore last year, with nearly half a million arrivals, official data showed.
The planned travel bubble, which could still go ahead if infections drop, is strict.
A maximum of 200 residents from each city will be able to travel on one daily flight to the other, with only those who have been in Singapore and Hong Kong for two weeks and tested negative allowed to board.
Arriving passengers will have to test negative again, and all the health checks could add substantial extra cost to a trip.
Coronavirus tests in Hong Kong cost around HK$1,500 ($190) at a government-approved laboratory or hospital, and in Singapore the price is around Sg$200 ($150).
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Hong Kong to Singapore travel bubble popped by virus spike

Hong Kong 's tourist industry has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic , with travel restrictions severely limiting arrivals A planned travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore was scrapped a day before its launch on Saturday after the southern Chinese city announced a sudden spike in coronavirus cases .
The decision is both a blow to the two cities ' battered tourist industries and also for other countries who had been hoping the scheme might be a model to replicate during the pandemic .
The two financial hubs have both suffered mild outbreaks .
But with small populations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outside world they have been hard hit as the global economy collapsed .
Desperate to help their key tourism and aviation sectors , they came up with the plan allowing limited , quarantine-free travel between the cities as long as visitors test negative for Covid-19 .
The travel corridor was set to kick off on Sunday morning .
But on Saturday , Hong Kong announced the scheme would have to be delayed for two weeks following a sudden rise in coronavirus infections .
`` In the light of recent surge of local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Singapore government , to defer the air travel bubble 's launch by two weeks , '' commerce secretary Edward Yau told reporters .
After weeks of single-digit infections , Hong Kong health authorities reported 36 local coronavirus on Saturday .
Crucially , 13 were from unknown transmission sources , prompting fears the city has a new wave of out-of-control infections .
The sudden spike was enough for authorities in both cities to postpone the travel bubble .
`` This is a sober reminder that the Covid-19 virus is still with us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our normal lives , the journey will be full of ups and downs , '' Singapore transport minister Ong Ye Kung wrote on his Facebook page .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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A planned travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore was scrapped a day before its launch on Saturday after the southern Chinese city announced a sudden spike in coronavirus cases.
The decision is both a blow to the two cities' battered tourist industries and also for other countries who had been hoping the scheme might be a model to replicate during the pandemic.
The two financial hubs have both suffered mild outbreaks. But with small populations and a heavy dependence on links to the outside world they have been hard hit as the global economy collapsed.
Desperate to help their key tourism and aviation sectors, they came up with the plan allowing limited, quarantine-free travel between the cities as long as visitors test negative for Covid-19.
The travel corridor was set to kick off on Sunday morning.
But on Saturday, Hong Kong announced the scheme would have to be delayed for two weeks following a sudden rise in coronavirus infections.
"In the light of recent surge of local cases we have decided, together with the Singapore government, to defer the air travel bubble's launch by two weeks," commerce secretary Edward Yau told reporters.
After weeks of single-digit infections, Hong Kong health authorities reported 36 local coronavirus on Saturday.
Crucially, 13 were from unknown transmission sources, prompting fears the city has a new wave of out-of-control infections.
The sudden spike was enough for authorities in both cities to postpone the travel bubble.
"This is a sober reminder that the Covid-19 virus is still with us, and even as we fight to regain our normal lives, the journey will be full of ups and downs," Singapore transport minister Ong Ye Kung wrote on his Facebook page.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Balloon messages for Hong Kongers held in mainland China

Relatives and some supporters released balloons carrying messages to their loved ones Relatives of 12 Hong Kong democracy activists detained in mainland China released balloons carrying messages to their loved ones across the border on Saturday , as they called for their return .
It has been 90 days since the 12 were arrested by the Chinese coast guard in late August when fleeing their city for Taiwan by boat .
Most of those aboard the vessel were being prosecuted in Hong Kong for crimes linked to last year 's huge and often violent pro-democracy protests .
They have since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , party-controlled legal system on immigration charges .
Family members climbed a small hill on the outlying island of Kat O , in northeastern Hong Kong just across the harbour from Yantian in Shenzhen , where the 12 Hong Kongers are being held .
`` After I come up here , I feel I 'm closer to him , '' Wong Wai-yin ’ s mother told AFP , overlooking Yantian from the hilltop .
`` It 's almost within reach , but it 's still out of reach . ''
The relatives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` SAVE 12 '' , and released balloons with the names of and messages to their loved ones .
`` Miss you so much .
Come home soon , '' one balloon read .
Some of the relatives recently received handwritten letters from their loved ones for the first time since their arrest .
The letters were passed by lawyers appointed by the Chinese government after family-appointed counsel were denied access to the detainees , a common move by authorities in sensitive or political cases .
`` There was no news about them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received his letter , my wife and I cried bitterly , '' said the father of Cheng Tsz-ho , who was also at the hilltop , adding that they finally knew their son was still alive .
“ No matter what they have been accused of , deep down in their hearts , they really love Hong Kong .
I hope mainland China can return them to Hong Kong as soon as possible . ''
In a statement , family members said the letters warning relatives against speaking to the media and seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably written under duress .
They continued to call for their lawyers ' access to the clients , and the immediate safe return of the 12 .
Forced confessions , torture and lengthy incommunicado detention have been well documented inside mainland China 's legal system .

Hong Kong (AFP) –
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Relatives of 12 Hong Kong democracy activists detained in mainland China released balloons carrying messages to their loved ones across the border on Saturday, as they called for their return.
It has been 90 days since the 12 were arrested by the Chinese coast guard in late August when fleeing their city for Taiwan by boat.
Most of those aboard the vessel were being prosecuted in Hong Kong for crimes linked to last year's huge and often violent pro-democracy protests.
They have since disappeared into the mainland's notoriously opaque, party-controlled legal system on immigration charges.
Family members climbed a small hill on the outlying island of Kat O, in northeastern Hong Kong just across the harbour from Yantian in Shenzhen, where the 12 Hong Kongers are being held.
"After I come up here, I feel I'm closer to him," Wong Wai-yin’s mother told AFP, overlooking Yantian from the hilltop.
"It's almost within reach, but it's still out of reach."
The relatives and some supporters held up a banner reading "SAVE 12", and released balloons with the names of and messages to their loved ones.
"Miss you so much. Come home soon," one balloon read.
Some of the relatives recently received handwritten letters from their loved ones for the first time since their arrest.
The letters were passed by lawyers appointed by the Chinese government after family-appointed counsel were denied access to the detainees, a common move by authorities in sensitive or political cases.
"There was no news about them at all before. So when I received his letter, my wife and I cried bitterly," said the father of Cheng Tsz-ho, who was also at the hilltop, adding that they finally knew their son was still alive.
“No matter what they have been accused of, deep down in their hearts, they really love Hong Kong. I hope mainland China can return them to Hong Kong as soon as possible."
In a statement, family members said the letters warning relatives against speaking to the media and seemed to adhere to a template and were probably written under duress.
They continued to call for their lawyers' access to the clients, and the immediate safe return of the 12.
Forced confessions, torture and lengthy incommunicado detention have been well documented inside mainland China's legal system.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--Frustrated Rennie slams Wallabies' failure to beat Argentina

A `` disappointed and frustrated '' Australia coach Dave Rennie says his team must do better after blowing a chance to beat a stoic Argentina , complaining his Wallabies players appeared to get bored .
Australia were 15-6 ahead with barely 20 minutes left of their Tri Nations clash in Newcastle , north of Sydney , on Saturday evening , but poor decision-making and ill-discipline allowed the Pumas back into the game .
It ended in a bruising and try-less 15-15 draw , with Rennie not happy .
`` Really frustrated .
Really disappointed , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
We had chances to pin them in the corners .
We had a fair bit of success from kicking but it 's like we got bored of it .
`` We should have closed that out , '' he added .
`` We 've really got ourselves to blame .
It 's got to be better right across the board .
`` We 've got to be more clinical and turn pressure into points .
Really Argentina never looked like scoring a try all night . ''
Australia had all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game in the first half , but two disallowed tries hindered their progress .
They went to the break 9-6 in front and stretched the lead to nine points before they let Argentina back into the game with silly infringements and poor execution .
`` If we could have scored straight after half-time , it probably would have blown the game open .
They 'd made a lot of tackles and we felt they were fatiguing and they were just hanging in there , '' said Rennie .
`` But we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hurt us in the end . ''
Playmaker Nicolas Sanchez , via his lethal boot , again scored all the Pumas points to take his tally to 40 from two matches .
His opposite number Reece Hodge also nailed five penalties .
But Hodge crucially missed the one that mattered , sending what should have been a match-winning kick wide with two minutes remaining .
After their upset of New Zealand last week and the draw on Saturday , Argentina find themselves in prime position to lift the Tri Nations trophy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the South Americans have a game in hand .
They face a crunch return clash against the All Blacks next weekend before meeting Australia again .
Mario Ledesma 's side came into the match on a high after their first win against New Zealand in 35 years , and while they created few try-scoring opportunities their defence was solid and they grabbed chances when presented .
Ledesma felt a draw was a fair result and praised his men after their draining exploits against the All Blacks .
`` We were n't clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shape , so they 're pretty disappointed in their performance , '' he said .
`` But they just do n't realise how hard it is to play against the All Blacks , being drained emotionally and physically ... and play against a fresh Australian team who had the week off and a great game plan and all the opportunities .
`` But the first emotion I have is being proud of the boys . ''

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A "disappointed and frustrated" Australia coach Dave Rennie says his team must do better after blowing a chance to beat a stoic Argentina, complaining his Wallabies players appeared to get bored.
Australia were 15-6 ahead with barely 20 minutes left of their Tri Nations clash in Newcastle, north of Sydney, on Saturday evening, but poor decision-making and ill-discipline allowed the Pumas back into the game.
It ended in a bruising and try-less 15-15 draw, with Rennie not happy.
"Really frustrated. Really disappointed," he said.
"At 15-6 we had control of the game. We had chances to pin them in the corners. We had a fair bit of success from kicking but it's like we got bored of it.
"We should have closed that out," he added.
"We've really got ourselves to blame. It's got to be better right across the board.
"We've got to be more clinical and turn pressure into points. Really Argentina never looked like scoring a try all night."
Australia had all the early possession and should have wrapped up the game in the first half, but two disallowed tries hindered their progress.
They went to the break 9-6 in front and stretched the lead to nine points before they let Argentina back into the game with silly infringements and poor execution.
"If we could have scored straight after half-time, it probably would have blown the game open. They'd made a lot of tackles and we felt they were fatiguing and they were just hanging in there," said Rennie.
"But we didn't put them out of it and it hurt us in the end."
Playmaker Nicolas Sanchez, via his lethal boot, again scored all the Pumas points to take his tally to 40 from two matches. His opposite number Reece Hodge also nailed five penalties.
But Hodge crucially missed the one that mattered, sending what should have been a match-winning kick wide with two minutes remaining.
After their upset of New Zealand last week and the draw on Saturday, Argentina find themselves in prime position to lift the Tri Nations trophy.
All three teams have six points, but the South Americans have a game in hand.
They face a crunch return clash against the All Blacks next weekend before meeting Australia again.
Mario Ledesma's side came into the match on a high after their first win against New Zealand in 35 years, and while they created few try-scoring opportunities their defence was solid and they grabbed chances when presented.
Ledesma felt a draw was a fair result and praised his men after their draining exploits against the All Blacks.
"We weren't clinical and we didn't have a lot of shape, so they're pretty disappointed in their performance," he said.
"But they just don't realise how hard it is to play against the All Blacks, being drained emotionally and physically... and play against a fresh Australian team who had the week off and a great game plan and all the opportunities.
"But the first emotion I have is being proud of the boys."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-22--Nadal urges patience ahead of Australian Open decision

Rafael Nadal urged patience over the arrangements for the Australian Open after losing his last-four match at the ATP Finals in London on Saturday .
The Spaniard , who has never won the elite eight-man event , was beaten 3-6 , 7-6 ( 7/4 ) , 6-3 by in-form Russian Daniil Medvedev , who will play Dominic Thiem in Sunday 's final .
Australian tennis chiefs this week flagged `` new challenges '' around the arrival of players for the first Grand Slam of the year during the coronavirus pandemic .
In correspondence with players , the ATP -- the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originally planned for December were now uncertain , potentially disrupting the packed January schedule .
With players facing a 14-day quarantine , any delay could make it difficult to hold the high-profile ATP Cup and other tournaments before the scheduled start of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 18 .
It is also unclear whether players will be allowed to train during their quarantine .
Nadal , who did not travel to New York for the US Open this year , was asked after his defeat by Medvedev whether there were any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Melbourne .
`` I do n't know what 's the situation going to be yet , '' he said .
`` We need to wait about what the ( state ) government there in Victoria says .
`` We ca n't do much from ATP position or just wait .
We have nobody to say what they feel is better for his country .
`` We just need to be patient and accept the situation that we are facing .
That is difficult for everyone .
We need to be flexible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to play as many tournaments as possible next year . ''
The 20-time Grand Slam champion said players and tournaments were in an unusual situation after so much disruption as a result of the Covid-19 crisis .
`` Hopefully with the vaccine , that ends soon and we can come back at least to close to normal in a couple of months , but now is a difficult situation , '' he said .
This year 's Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since the Second World War as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Nadal won , was pushed back four months to September/October .

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Rafael Nadal urged patience over the arrangements for the Australian Open after losing his last-four match at the ATP Finals in London on Saturday.
The Spaniard, who has never won the elite eight-man event, was beaten 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 by in-form Russian Daniil Medvedev, who will play Dominic Thiem in Sunday's final.
Australian tennis chiefs this week flagged "new challenges" around the arrival of players for the first Grand Slam of the year during the coronavirus pandemic.
In correspondence with players, the ATP -- the men's tennis tour -- said arrivals originally planned for December were now uncertain, potentially disrupting the packed January schedule.
With players facing a 14-day quarantine, any delay could make it difficult to hold the high-profile ATP Cup and other tournaments before the scheduled start of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 18.
It is also unclear whether players will be allowed to train during their quarantine.
Nadal, who did not travel to New York for the US Open this year, was asked after his defeat by Medvedev whether there were any circumstances under which he would not travel to Melbourne.
"I don't know what's the situation going to be yet," he said. "We need to wait about what the (state) government there in Victoria says.
"We can't do much from ATP position or just wait. We have nobody to say what they feel is better for his country.
"We just need to be patient and accept the situation that we are facing. That is difficult for everyone. We need to be flexible to understand the situation and to find a way to play as many tournaments as possible next year."
The 20-time Grand Slam champion said players and tournaments were in an unusual situation after so much disruption as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
"Hopefully with the vaccine, that ends soon and we can come back at least to close to normal in a couple of months, but now is a difficult situation," he said.
This year's Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since the Second World War as a result of Covid-19 while the French Open, which Nadal won, was pushed back four months to September/October.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Kim uses late birdie run to open up five shot lead LPGA lead

Kim Sei-young used a late birdie run to shoot a sizzling 64 and open up a five-stroke lead over Ally McDonald at the LPGA Tour 's Pelican Women 's Championship on Saturday .
South Korea 's Kim caught fire on the back nine , making birdie on four straight holes from the 14th through the 17th to reach 14-under 196 at the Pelican Golf Club in Florida .
American McDonald had a roller-coaster round of 68 that included a hole-in-one on the par three 12th and a double bogey on No .
8 to get to nine-under for the tournament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got a little bit pressure , but I just tried to focus on my game , '' said Kim , who responded with her birdie binge .
Second ranked Kim and McDonald are both breakthrough winners in their last starts .
Kim is making her first start since winning the Women 's PGA Championship a month and half ago for her first major crown .
McDonald captured her first tour title late last month at the Drive On Championship in Georgia in the Tour 's most recent tournament .
Kim came into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over McDonald then used the birdie run to leave the American behind in the first year tournament which was originally scheduled for May .
`` I just trying to keep pushing myself until the last hole , '' Kim said .
`` That is way to make more birdies . ''
McDonald started a run of her own on the back nine , but then dropped a shot with a bogey on 16 .
She took advantage of a favorable wind to get the ace on 12 .
`` It was playing like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a little bit of downwind , '' McDonald said .
`` So , I thought a 115 shot , just playing the front edge , would be enough to pitch it a few yards on and let it release .
`` Honestly , this is kind of how my strategy works , was everything told me to look a couple paces right of it , so I did .
That 's kind of my strategy , because I was n't looking at the hole , but then it went in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ third at eight-under after a 68 .
Kiwi Lydia Ko ( 66 ) was seven under .
Canadian Brooke Henderson ( 66 ) , Aussie Minjee Lee ( 67 ) and American Austin Ernst ( 65 ) were six-under .

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Kim Sei-young used a late birdie run to shoot a sizzling 64 and open up a five-stroke lead over Ally McDonald at the LPGA Tour's Pelican Women's Championship on Saturday.
South Korea's Kim caught fire on the back nine, making birdie on four straight holes from the 14th through the 17th to reach 14-under 196 at the Pelican Golf Club in Florida.
American McDonald had a roller-coaster round of 68 that included a hole-in-one on the par three 12th and a double bogey on No. 8 to get to nine-under for the tournament.
"She made a hole-in-one. I got a little bit pressure, but I just tried to focus on my game," said Kim, who responded with her birdie binge.
Second ranked Kim and McDonald are both breakthrough winners in their last starts.
Kim is making her first start since winning the Women's PGA Championship a month and half ago for her first major crown.
McDonald captured her first tour title late last month at the Drive On Championship in Georgia in the Tour's most recent tournament.
Kim came into the third round with a one-shot lead over McDonald then used the birdie run to leave the American behind in the first year tournament which was originally scheduled for May.
"I just trying to keep pushing myself until the last hole," Kim said. "That is way to make more birdies."
McDonald started a run of her own on the back nine, but then dropped a shot with a bogey on 16.
She took advantage of a favorable wind to get the ace on 12.
"It was playing like 115 front, 127 hole, and there was a little bit of downwind," McDonald said. "So, I thought a 115 shot, just playing the front edge, would be enough to pitch it a few yards on and let it release.
"Honestly, this is kind of how my strategy works, was everything told me to look a couple paces right of it, so I did. That's kind of my strategy, because I wasn't looking at the hole, but then it went in."
Northern Ireland's Stephanie Meadow was third at eight-under after a 68. Kiwi Lydia Ko (66) was seven under. Canadian Brooke Henderson (66), Aussie Minjee Lee (67) and American Austin Ernst (65) were six-under.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Spurs sink Man City to take top spot, Chelsea up to second

Tottenham powered to the top of the Premier League with an impressive 2-0 win against Manchester City , while Chelsea are up to second place after their victory at Newcastle on Saturday .
Manchester United remain well off the pace in ninth , but did manage a first home win in the Premier League for seven games as Bruno Fernandes 's twice-taken penalty saw off lowly West Brom 1-0 .
Spurs end the day on top of the table for the first time in six years as goals from Son Heung-min and Giovani Lo Celso saw off a toothless City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the lead after five minutes as Son ran onto Tanguy Ndombele 's lofted pass , beat the City offside trap and slotted a cool finish under Ederson for already his 11th goal of the season .
City dominated possession but struggled to create chances and were cut open again for Spurs ' second with just their second shot on target .
Lo Celso came off the bench to score just 35 seconds after his introduction as he raced onto Harry Kane 's sublime pass to slot past Ederson .
On the one-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tottenham are unbeaten in their last eight league games since losing to Everton on the opening weekend , sparking hopes of a genuine title challenge .
`` The players gave everything and followed a strategy .
They were amazing , '' Mourinho said .
`` We found a way to play and it was magnificent to see them play how they did . ''
Tottenham , who last won the top-flight title in 1961 , lead Chelsea by two points with the two set to face each other next weekend .
City are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the leaders , albeit with a game in hand .
Pep Guardiola extended his contract at the Etihad to 2023 this week , but his side look a shadow of the swaggering outfit that won successive league titles in 2018 and 2019 .
Twelve points from eight games is City 's lowest total at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2008-09 .
`` We had more chances than them but we lost .
Mourinho 's teams are like this , you make a mistake and they punish you on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chelsea maintained their fine form as Federico Fernandez 's first-half own goal and Tammy Abraham 's strike sealed a 2-0 win at St James ' Park .
Frank Lampard 's side are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions and have not lost in their last six league matches .
With five clean sheets in their last six outings in all competitions , Chelsea 's third successive league victory was the perfect way to start a hectic period leading up to Christmas .
The visitors ' pressure was rewarded in the 10th minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross and Fernandez turned it into his own net under pressure from Ben Chilwell .
Chelsea put the result beyond doubt in the 65th minute when Timo Werner accelerated away from the Newcastle defence and slipped a pass to Abraham , who guided his shot in off the post .
`` I wo n't get excited about being top of the table for five minutes , '' said Lampard .
`` It 's important to be humble and know it 's a long race . ''
United still have a long way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contention as they again flattered to deceive at Old Trafford despite picking up a long-awaited win .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's men got two slices of penalty fortune as West Brom were awarded a spot-kick first early in the second-half when Fernandes challenged Connor Gallagher .
However , on review , referee David Coote overturned his original decision .
Moments later , the Red Devils got a penalty for Darnell Furlong 's handball .
Fernandes 's first effort was saved , but he got a second chance as Sam Johnstone had jumped off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's kick .
Fernandes slammed home the reprieve , but was still not happy at missing from the spot for the third time this season .
`` Ok , I scored the second one but I need to score the first one , '' he said .
`` Three points is the most important thing but we know we can do much better and we will do for sure . ''
Earlier , Aston Villa missed the chance to go top for a few hours as Brighton ended a run of seven games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Villa Park .
Solly March scored the winner after Ezri Konsa cancelled out Danny Welbeck 's opener .

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Tottenham powered to the top of the Premier League with an impressive 2-0 win against Manchester City, while Chelsea are up to second place after their victory at Newcastle on Saturday.
Manchester United remain well off the pace in ninth, but did manage a first home win in the Premier League for seven games as Bruno Fernandes's twice-taken penalty saw off lowly West Brom 1-0.
Spurs end the day on top of the table for the first time in six years as goals from Son Heung-min and Giovani Lo Celso saw off a toothless City at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Tottenham took the lead after five minutes as Son ran onto Tanguy Ndombele's lofted pass, beat the City offside trap and slotted a cool finish under Ederson for already his 11th goal of the season.
City dominated possession but struggled to create chances and were cut open again for Spurs' second with just their second shot on target.
Lo Celso came off the bench to score just 35 seconds after his introduction as he raced onto Harry Kane's sublime pass to slot past Ederson.
On the one-year anniversary of Jose Mourinho's appointment, Tottenham are unbeaten in their last eight league games since losing to Everton on the opening weekend, sparking hopes of a genuine title challenge.
"The players gave everything and followed a strategy. They were amazing," Mourinho said.
"We found a way to play and it was magnificent to see them play how they did."
Tottenham, who last won the top-flight title in 1961, lead Chelsea by two points with the two set to face each other next weekend.
City are languishing in 11th place, eight points behind the leaders, albeit with a game in hand.
Pep Guardiola extended his contract at the Etihad to 2023 this week, but his side look a shadow of the swaggering outfit that won successive league titles in 2018 and 2019.
Twelve points from eight games is City's lowest total at this stage of a Premier League campaign since 2008-09.
"We had more chances than them but we lost. Mourinho's teams are like this, you make a mistake and they punish you on the counter attack," Guardiola said.
- 'Stay humble' -
Chelsea maintained their fine form as Federico Fernandez's first-half own goal and Tammy Abraham's strike sealed a 2-0 win at St James' Park.
Frank Lampard's side are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions and have not lost in their last six league matches.
With five clean sheets in their last six outings in all competitions, Chelsea's third successive league victory was the perfect way to start a hectic period leading up to Christmas.
The visitors' pressure was rewarded in the 10th minute when Mason Mount whipped in a low cross and Fernandez turned it into his own net under pressure from Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea put the result beyond doubt in the 65th minute when Timo Werner accelerated away from the Newcastle defence and slipped a pass to Abraham, who guided his shot in off the post.
"I won't get excited about being top of the table for five minutes," said Lampard. "It's important to be humble and know it's a long race."
United still have a long way to go to claw themselves back into title contention as they again flattered to deceive at Old Trafford despite picking up a long-awaited win.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men got two slices of penalty fortune as West Brom were awarded a spot-kick first early in the second-half when Fernandes challenged Connor Gallagher.
However, on review, referee David Coote overturned his original decision.
Moments later, the Red Devils got a penalty for Darnell Furlong's handball.
Fernandes's first effort was saved, but he got a second chance as Sam Johnstone had jumped off his line prior to the Portuguese international's kick.
Fernandes slammed home the reprieve, but was still not happy at missing from the spot for the third time this season.
"Ok, I scored the second one but I need to score the first one," he said. "Three points is the most important thing but we know we can do much better and we will do for sure."
Earlier, Aston Villa missed the chance to go top for a few hours as Brighton ended a run of seven games without a win with a 2-1 victory at Villa Park.
Solly March scored the winner after Ezri Konsa cancelled out Danny Welbeck's opener.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Moukoko, 16, makes history as Bundesliga's youngest player

Youssoufa Moukoko warms up before making his Borussia Dortmund debut on Saturday At 16 years and one day , Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko became the youngest player in Bundesliga history Saturday when he made his German league debut in the 5-2 romp at Hertha Berlin .
Moukoko 's late cameo off the bench at Berlin 's Olympic Stadium broke the previous record set by Nuri Sahin , who was 16 years , 335 days when he made his league debut for Dortmund in 2005 .
Moukoko came on after 85 minutes to replace Erling Braut Haaland , who scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He 's only just turned 16 , that is amazing , '' Haaland said of Moukoko .
`` He has a big career ahead of him . ''
Moukoko made his Bundesliga debut after dazzling in German youth football with a mind-blowing 47 goals in 25 matches for Dortmund U19s .
He could also become the youngest player in Champions League history if he features in the home game against Brugge on Tuesday .
He could beat the record held by Nigeria 's Celestine Babayaro , who was 16 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1994/95 .

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At 16 years and one day, Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko became the youngest player in Bundesliga history Saturday when he made his German league debut in the 5-2 romp at Hertha Berlin.
Moukoko's late cameo off the bench at Berlin's Olympic Stadium broke the previous record set by Nuri Sahin, who was 16 years, 335 days when he made his league debut for Dortmund in 2005.
Moukoko came on after 85 minutes to replace Erling Braut Haaland, who scored four second-half goals in a stunning display.
"He's only just turned 16, that is amazing," Haaland said of Moukoko. "He has a big career ahead of him."
Moukoko made his Bundesliga debut after dazzling in German youth football with a mind-blowing 47 goals in 25 matches for Dortmund U19s.
He could also become the youngest player in Champions League history if he features in the home game against Brugge on Tuesday.
He could beat the record held by Nigeria's Celestine Babayaro, who was 16 years, 87 days when he played for Anderlecht in 1994/95.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Man Utd need penalty pot luck to end Old Trafford drought

Manchester United ended a long wait for a home win in the Premier League but needed plenty of fortune to see off lowly West Brom 1-0 on Saturday thanks to Bruno Fernandes 's twice-taken penalty .
The Portuguese midfielder got a second chance after Sam Johnstone had saved his first spot-kick but came off his line in doing so .
United also got a break at the other end moments earlier when a penalty given for a foul by Fernandes on Conor Gallagher was overturned after a VAR review .
A first win at Old Trafford in seven league games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ninth and within seven points of early pace-setters Tottenham with a game in hand .
However , there was little to appease the unease over where the Red Devils are going under Solskjaer as West Brom threatened to collect their first league win since returning to the top flight .
Johnstone twice kept Anthony Martial at bay in the first half as the West Brom 'keeper rose to the occasion of facing his former club .
West Brom have now scored just once in their last six games , but Slaven Bilic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start the second half .
Fernandes looked to have caught Gallagher inside the area when referee David Coote pointed to the spot .
But he infuriated Bilic by overturning the call after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor .
Moments later Gallagher was denied again , this time by the legs of David de Gea with the biggest chance of the game to that point .
Yet , it was United who were gifted the chance to win the game from the spot when Juan Mata 's cross struck the arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's decision to award a penalty was not overturned .
Fernandes missed from the spot for the third time this season when Johnstone sprung low to his left to save .
But just as in United 's Champions League win at Paris Saint-Germain when Fernandes was given a reprieve by Keylor Navas jumping off his line , Johnstone went too soon .
Second time round Fernandes smashed home the penalty , but United still had to ride their luck to hold out for the three points .
Callum Robinson was inches away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the area came back off the crossbar .
Defeat leaves the Baggies still rooted in the relegation zone with just three points from their opening eight games .

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Manchester United ended a long wait for a home win in the Premier League but needed plenty of fortune to see off lowly West Brom 1-0 on Saturday thanks to Bruno Fernandes's twice-taken penalty.
The Portuguese midfielder got a second chance after Sam Johnstone had saved his first spot-kick but came off his line in doing so.
United also got a break at the other end moments earlier when a penalty given for a foul by Fernandes on Conor Gallagher was overturned after a VAR review.
A first win at Old Trafford in seven league games moves Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men up to ninth and within seven points of early pace-setters Tottenham with a game in hand.
However, there was little to appease the unease over where the Red Devils are going under Solskjaer as West Brom threatened to collect their first league win since returning to the top flight.
Johnstone twice kept Anthony Martial at bay in the first half as the West Brom 'keeper rose to the occasion of facing his former club.
West Brom have now scored just once in their last six games, but Slaven Bilic's side posed the bigger threat at the start the second half.
Fernandes looked to have caught Gallagher inside the area when referee David Coote pointed to the spot.
But he infuriated Bilic by overturning the call after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Moments later Gallagher was denied again, this time by the legs of David de Gea with the biggest chance of the game to that point.
Yet, it was United who were gifted the chance to win the game from the spot when Juan Mata's cross struck the arm of Darnell Furlong and this time Coote's decision to award a penalty was not overturned.
Fernandes missed from the spot for the third time this season when Johnstone sprung low to his left to save.
But just as in United's Champions League win at Paris Saint-Germain when Fernandes was given a reprieve by Keylor Navas jumping off his line, Johnstone went too soon.
Second time round Fernandes smashed home the penalty, but United still had to ride their luck to hold out for the three points.
Callum Robinson was inches away from an equaliser as his dipping shot from outside the area came back off the crossbar.
Defeat leaves the Baggies still rooted in the relegation zone with just three points from their opening eight games.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Haaland scores four as Dortmund cut Bayern's lead

Erling Braut Haaland netted four goals and Youssoufa Moukoko became the youngest player in Bundesliga history on Saturday as Borussia Dortmund routed Hertha Berlin 5-2 to trim Bayern Munich 's lead at the top of the table to just a point .
It was the first time the 20-year-old Haaland had scored four goals in a game for Dortmund since his January debut .
The Norwegian now has 10 goals in seven Bundesliga matches this season to give him a total of 31 goals in 30 games in all competitions for Dortmund .
Haaland equalised when he tapped home an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He grabbed his second two minutes later with perfect timing to slip his marker and fire in a Julian Brandt pass .
Haaland wrapped up his hat-trick on 62 minutes , just before Raphael Guerreiro stabbed the ball home from close range to make it 4-1 .
Cunha converted a late penalty , but the night belonged to Haaland who finished a move he started with 10 minutes to play .
There was still time for history to be made as Moukoko made a late cameo off the Dortmund bench to replace Haaland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Moukoko is the youngest player in Bundesliga history .
Dortmund 's romp in Berlin moved them second in the standings , behind defending champions Bayern who stayed top despite a 1-1 home draw with Werder Bremen .
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer produced great stops to twice deny US forward Josh Sargent as Bremen earned their first point at Bayern for a decade .
`` We had to invest a lot , '' Neuer told Sky .
The 34-year-old bounced back after conceding six goals in Germany 's crushing defeat by Spain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick succession .
He used a boot to block a Sargent shot , then lunged across goal to save from Ludwig Augustinsson .
In the dying stages , Neuer then stood tall to block a shot by Sargent , who had broken clear .
Bayern coach Hansi Flick was far from pleased that Bremen took the lead in his 50th game in charge , saying his team `` have to defend better '' .
Bremen deservedly went ahead just before half-time when midfielder Maximilian Eggestein finished off a superb attack .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's how Bremen 's plan worked and they defended very well , '' said Bayern forward Thomas Mueller .
Kingsley Coman equalised in the 62nd minute at the Allianz Arena by meeting a Leon Goretzka cross at the far post .
Bayern forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting fired over with the goal at his mercy five minutes from time .
However Neuer 's heroics at the other end preserved the draw .
Leverkusen are third after their 2-1 win at strugglers Arminia Bielefeld thanks to Aleksandar Dragovic 's late winner .
The victory was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who scored a embarrassing own goal early in the second half .
Leverkusen were 1-0 up thanks to a Leon Bailey goal when Hradecky sliced a clearance , which rolled into the empty net behind him .
Dragovic stabbed home from close range two minutes from time to spare Hradecky 's blushes .
RB Leipzig sit fourth after Yussuf Poulsen came off the bench and produced a deft second-half volley in their 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt after winger Aymen Barkok gave the hosts an early lead .
Despite having seven players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hoffenheim drew 3-3 at home with Stuttgart .
Schalke 's winless run stretched to 24 league games , dating back to January , after losing 2-0 at home to Wolfsburg .
A Daniel Caligiuri equaliser two minutes from time gave 10-man Augsburg a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach .

Berlin (AFP) –
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Erling Braut Haaland netted four goals and Youssoufa Moukoko became the youngest player in Bundesliga history on Saturday as Borussia Dortmund routed Hertha Berlin 5-2 to trim Bayern Munich's lead at the top of the table to just a point.
It was the first time the 20-year-old Haaland had scored four goals in a game for Dortmund since his January debut.
The Norwegian now has 10 goals in seven Bundesliga matches this season to give him a total of 31 goals in 30 games in all competitions for Dortmund.
After Matheus Cunha gave Hertha a first-half lead at Berlin's Olympic Stadium, Dortmund roared back.
Haaland equalised when he tapped home an Emre Can pass on 47 minutes.
He grabbed his second two minutes later with perfect timing to slip his marker and fire in a Julian Brandt pass.
Haaland wrapped up his hat-trick on 62 minutes, just before Raphael Guerreiro stabbed the ball home from close range to make it 4-1.
Cunha converted a late penalty, but the night belonged to Haaland who finished a move he started with 10 minutes to play.
There was still time for history to be made as Moukoko made a late cameo off the Dortmund bench to replace Haaland.
One day after his 16th birthday, Moukoko is the youngest player in Bundesliga history.
Dortmund's romp in Berlin moved them second in the standings, behind defending champions Bayern who stayed top despite a 1-1 home draw with Werder Bremen.
- Bayern held -
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer produced great stops to twice deny US forward Josh Sargent as Bremen earned their first point at Bayern for a decade.
"We had to invest a lot," Neuer told Sky.
The 34-year-old bounced back after conceding six goals in Germany's crushing defeat by Spain in midweek with two brilliant first-half saves in quick succession.
He used a boot to block a Sargent shot, then lunged across goal to save from Ludwig Augustinsson.
In the dying stages, Neuer then stood tall to block a shot by Sargent, who had broken clear.
Bayern coach Hansi Flick was far from pleased that Bremen took the lead in his 50th game in charge, saying his team "have to defend better".
Bremen deservedly went ahead just before half-time when midfielder Maximilian Eggestein finished off a superb attack.
"We conceded a very cheap goal, that's how Bremen's plan worked and they defended very well," said Bayern forward Thomas Mueller.
Kingsley Coman equalised in the 62nd minute at the Allianz Arena by meeting a Leon Goretzka cross at the far post.
Bayern forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting fired over with the goal at his mercy five minutes from time.
However Neuer's heroics at the other end preserved the draw.
- Hradecky's howler -
Leverkusen are third after their 2-1 win at strugglers Arminia Bielefeld thanks to Aleksandar Dragovic's late winner.
The victory was a relief for Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who scored a embarrassing own goal early in the second half.
Leverkusen were 1-0 up thanks to a Leon Bailey goal when Hradecky sliced a clearance, which rolled into the empty net behind him.
Dragovic stabbed home from close range two minutes from time to spare Hradecky's blushes.
RB Leipzig sit fourth after Yussuf Poulsen came off the bench and produced a deft second-half volley in their 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt after winger Aymen Barkok gave the hosts an early lead.
Despite having seven players quarantined with the coronavirus, a depleted Hoffenheim drew 3-3 at home with Stuttgart.
Schalke's winless run stretched to 24 league games, dating back to January, after losing 2-0 at home to Wolfsburg.
A Daniel Caligiuri equaliser two minutes from time gave 10-man Augsburg a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Frenchman sentenced to 25 years for killing wife, burning her body

This court sketch created on November 21 , 2020 , shows Jonathann Daval during sentencing on the sixth and last day of his trial , in which he was handed a 25-year prison term for killing his wife Alexia and then burning her body in 2017 , at the courthouse of Vesoul , eastern France .
A French court Saturday sentenced Jonathann Daval to 25 years in prison for killing his wife and then burning her body , in a case that shocked the country .
The 36-year-old Frenchman was impassive as the verdict was read out .
He turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family who were present .
Earlier , he had said `` Sorry , Sorry '' in the dock , looking towards his wife 's parents .
Daval finally confessed to beating his wife to death and burning her body in the woods after initially reporting her missing .
The charred remains of Alexia Daval were found hidden under branches near their town of Gray-la-Ville in eastern France in October 2017 .
Daval initially said Alexia , a 29-year-old bank employee , had gone jogging and never came back .
Jean-Pierre Fouillot , Alexia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shoulders of his wife Isabelle as the court 's decision was delivered .
A few minutes later the mother , Isabelle Fouillot , went out to talk to reporters , as she had done throughout the trial .
`` It is a very good decision , exactly what I hoped , at the height of our suffering .
That will allow us to turn a page , '' she said .
Defence lawyer Ornella Spatafora swiftly indicated that there would be no appeal against the sentence .
Outside the courthouse dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to it .
Prosecutors had asked for a life sentence calling the 2017 murder `` an almost perfect conjugal crime . ''
After his wife 's death , Duval had cut a distraught figure , appearing in tears at a press conference with his in-laws and leading one of several events organised countrywide in her memory .
Three months later , prosecutors said the IT worker confessed to the murder -- admitting he had beaten his wife in a heated argument , knocking her face against a concrete wall , and strangling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her body , but finally admitted to that too , in June last year .
Daval changed his story several times , at one point withdrawing his confession , blaming his brother-in-law , and finally admitting to everything all over again .
On Monday , when asked by the judge whether he admitted to `` being the only person implicated in the death '' of his wife , Daval replied `` yes '' , appearing close to tears .
The crime deeply shocked France , and nearly 10,000 people turned out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silent march in her memory .
The murder highlighted the scourge of violence against women at the height of the global # MeToo campaign against sexual abuse and harassment of women .
On Monday , French authorities said 125,840 women were victims of domestic violence in 2019 .
Another 146 were murdered by their partner or ex-partner -- 25 more than the previous year .

A French court Saturday sentenced Jonathann Daval to 25 years in prison for killing his wife and then burning her body, in a case that shocked the country.
This court sketch created on November 21, 2020, shows Jonathann Daval during sentencing on the sixth and last day of his trial, in which he was handed a 25-year prison term for killing his wife Alexia and then burning her body in 2017, at the courthouse of Vesoul, eastern France.
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The 36-year-old Frenchman was impassive as the verdict was read out. He turned to look at members of his own family who were present.
Earlier, he had said "Sorry, Sorry" in the dock, looking towards his wife's parents.
Daval finally confessed to beating his wife to death and burning her body in the woods after initially reporting her missing.
The charred remains of Alexia Daval were found hidden under branches near their town of Gray-la-Ville in eastern France in October 2017.
Daval initially said Alexia, a 29-year-old bank employee, had gone jogging and never came back.
Jean-Pierre Fouillot, Alexia's father, passed an arm around the shoulders of his wife Isabelle as the court's decision was delivered.
A few minutes later the mother, Isabelle Fouillot, went out to talk to reporters, as she had done throughout the trial.
"It is a very good decision, exactly what I hoped, at the height of our suffering. That will allow us to turn a page," she said.
'Almost perfect conjugal crime'
Defence lawyer Ornella Spatafora swiftly indicated that there would be no appeal against the sentence.
Outside the courthouse dozens of people were pressed against the barriers blocking access to it.
Prosecutors had asked for a life sentence calling the 2017 murder "an almost perfect conjugal crime."
After his wife's death, Duval had cut a distraught figure, appearing in tears at a press conference with his in-laws and leading one of several events organised countrywide in her memory.
Three months later, prosecutors said the IT worker confessed to the murder -- admitting he had beaten his wife in a heated argument, knocking her face against a concrete wall, and strangling her.
He initially denied setting fire to her body, but finally admitted to that too, in June last year.
Daval changed his story several times, at one point withdrawing his confession, blaming his brother-in-law, and finally admitting to everything all over again.
On Monday, when asked by the judge whether he admitted to "being the only person implicated in the death" of his wife, Daval replied "yes", appearing close to tears.
The crime deeply shocked France, and nearly 10,000 people turned out in the couple's quiet town for a silent march in her memory.
The murder highlighted the scourge of violence against women at the height of the global #MeToo campaign against sexual abuse and harassment of women.
On Monday, French authorities said 125,840 women were victims of domestic violence in 2019. Another 146 were murdered by their partner or ex-partner -- 25 more than the previous year.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-21--Satisfied Pivac prepares for "formidable" England test

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said the team had taken a step in the right direction with their 18-0 win over Georgia ending a six Test losing streak but a formidable opponent in England to come Wayne Pivac said several of the players who helped Wales end their six-match losing streak with an 18-0 win over Georgia had put their hands up for the game against England .
The New Zealander admitted it would be a far tougher test back at Llanelli next weekend as England are a `` formidable side '' .
England will arrive for their final pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the back of convincing victories over Georgia and Ireland .
Pivac professed himself happy with the performance of a side that had three players making their Test debuts in the starting XV .
The Welsh scored two tries -- one through the impressive teenager Louis Rees-Zammit -- but it was a performance that will have satisfied neither the critics nor the fans .
Pivac 's Test victories since he replaced Warren Gatland after they reached the World Cup semi-finals last year , having earlier achieved the Six Nations Grand Slam , have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , believed it was a `` step in the right direction '' and conditions were unfavourable for throwing the ball around .
`` England are a formidable side with a lot of talent , '' he said at his post-match press conference .
`` They are a big side and are going to be a handful .
`` We need to take the positives out of this tonight and build on that .
`` I think that across the board we took a step in the right direction .
`` On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their defence we would have been more dangerous . ''
Pivac highlighted two players he thought had done their chances of playing against England no harm .
`` Despite the very wet underfoot conditions and slippery ball , I thought Callum ( Sheedy , the fly-half who scored eight points ) contributed well on his first start , '' said Pivac .
`` Talking to a couple of the others in the dressing room they were pretty pleased .
`` Johnny Williams ( centre making his debut ) was very excited .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There is plenty to work on , it was far from perfect but a step in the right direction . ''
Pivac side-stepped responding to how he was feeling after the win and having had serious question marks posed about his future .
`` Look , it is about the players for me , '' he said .
`` It is a matter of believing in what we are doing and continuing on that path .
`` We made 13 changes ( to the starting line-up that lost 32-9 in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am very pleased for them . ''
Pivac , speaking at the ground where he enjoyed success as head coach of Welsh region Scarlets , was not so pleased about the incident that saw a dazed captain Justin Tipuric wheeled off the pitch .
Tipuric had been caught by a swinging arm from Georgian flanker Beka Saginadze which saw the offender sin-binned by referee Luke Pearce .
`` I thought it warranted a little bit more than a yellow card , '' said Pivac .
`` It certainly looked a nasty forearm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid to Justin for the rest of the game .
`` I am not sure about the England game but I saw him in the corridor just now and he was chatting away . ''

Llanelli (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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Wayne Pivac said several of the players who helped Wales end their six-match losing streak with an 18-0 win over Georgia had put their hands up for the game against England.
The New Zealander admitted it would be a far tougher test back at Llanelli next weekend as England are a "formidable side".
England will arrive for their final pool game in the Autumn Nations Cup on the back of convincing victories over Georgia and Ireland.
Pivac professed himself happy with the performance of a side that had three players making their Test debuts in the starting XV.
The Welsh scored two tries -- one through the impressive teenager Louis Rees-Zammit -- but it was a performance that will have satisfied neither the critics nor the fans.
Pivac's Test victories since he replaced Warren Gatland after they reached the World Cup semi-finals last year, having earlier achieved the Six Nations Grand Slam, have been against the Georgians and Italy.
Pivac, though, believed it was a "step in the right direction" and conditions were unfavourable for throwing the ball around.
"England are a formidable side with a lot of talent," he said at his post-match press conference.
"They are a big side and are going to be a handful.
"We need to take the positives out of this tonight and build on that.
"I think that across the board we took a step in the right direction.
"On a drier day the dents we made in their defence we would have been more dangerous."
- 'Far from perfect' -
Pivac highlighted two players he thought had done their chances of playing against England no harm.
"Despite the very wet underfoot conditions and slippery ball, I thought Callum (Sheedy, the fly-half who scored eight points) contributed well on his first start," said Pivac.
"Talking to a couple of the others in the dressing room they were pretty pleased.
"Johnny Williams (centre making his debut) was very excited.
"He did well in the conditions.
"There is plenty to work on, it was far from perfect but a step in the right direction."
Pivac side-stepped responding to how he was feeling after the win and having had serious question marks posed about his future.
"Look, it is about the players for me," he said.
"It is a matter of believing in what we are doing and continuing on that path.
"We made 13 changes (to the starting line-up that lost 32-9 in their opening game to Ireland).
"I am very pleased for them."
Pivac, speaking at the ground where he enjoyed success as head coach of Welsh region Scarlets, was not so pleased about the incident that saw a dazed captain Justin Tipuric wheeled off the pitch.
Tipuric had been caught by a swinging arm from Georgian flanker Beka Saginadze which saw the offender sin-binned by referee Luke Pearce.
"I thought it warranted a little bit more than a yellow card," said Pivac.
"It certainly looked a nasty forearm to the face and unfortunately it put paid to Justin for the rest of the game.
"I am not sure about the England game but I saw him in the corridor just now and he was chatting away."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--G20 summit : Saudi Arabia hosts two-day virtual meeting

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france24--2020-11-21--Demonstrators decry French bill to curb police images

Police in Paris spray water cannon at protesters opposed to a French draft law seeking to limit the filming of police officers on duty .
Thousands of people marched in French cities Saturday to protest a draft law that would place limits on the filming of on-duty police officers , a move condemned as a curb on press freedom .
The biggest gathering of around 7,000 was near the Eiffel Tower in Paris and was closely watched by police who engaged in minor skimishes with a small group of protesters after the rally was over .
Overall , police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that roughly 22,000 people had taken part in demonstrations nationwide .
In addition to representatives of the media , others included members of the `` Yellow Vest '' and `` Extinction Rebellion '' movements , along with individuals waving flags of the communist and green parties , and the FO trade union .
A banner deployed by the news agency Mediapart in Paris declared that `` Democracy dies in obscurity '' .
Late Friday , parliament approved an amended `` comprehensive security '' law which would criminalise the publication of images of on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harming their `` physical or psychological integrity '' .
In practice , the law would restrict the publication of photos or videos taken of police officers ' faces while in action .
In many cases an officer 's face would have to be blurred .
Journalist unions say it could give police a green light to prevent them from doing their work and potentially documenting abuses by security forces .
An amendment clarifies that press freedom should in no way be hindered by the proposed measures .
French media are also concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drones to watch demonstrations and facial recognition programmes linked to surveillance cameras .
French police have been taken to task in recent years for alleged brutality meted out to protesters and criminal suspects , especially those from black , Arab or other minorities .
In the northern city of Lille , a demonstrator carried an English-language sign that said `` Orwell was right '' in a reference to the dystopian novel `` 1984 '' .
Rallies were also held in the Brittany city of Rennes , and in Marseille and Montpellier on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Put down your arms and we 'll put down our telephones . ''
Article 24 of the draft law foresees a one-year prison term and a 45,000-euro ( $ 54,000 ) fine for spreading images that show officers faces or allow them to be identified when such images harm their `` physical or psychological integrity '' .
Social media campaigns that expose individual officers are targets of the proposed legislation .
Police say they risk great personal threat in the line of duty , and dozens have been injured in clashes with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a police station outside Paris last month by dozens of people armed with fireworks and steel bars spurred the government into taking measures .

Paris (AFP) –
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Thousands of people marched in French cities Saturday to protest a draft law that would place limits on the filming of on-duty police officers, a move condemned as a curb on press freedom.
The biggest gathering of around 7,000 was near the Eiffel Tower in Paris and was closely watched by police who engaged in minor skimishes with a small group of protesters after the rally was over.
Overall, police and local government data compiled by AFP indicated that roughly 22,000 people had taken part in demonstrations nationwide.
In addition to representatives of the media, others included members of the "Yellow Vest" and "Extinction Rebellion" movements, along with individuals waving flags of the communist and green parties, and the FO trade union.
A banner deployed by the news agency Mediapart in Paris declared that "Democracy dies in obscurity".
Late Friday, parliament approved an amended "comprehensive security" law which would criminalise the publication of images of on duty police officers with the intent of harming their "physical or psychological integrity".
In practice, the law would restrict the publication of photos or videos taken of police officers' faces while in action.
In many cases an officer's face would have to be blurred.
Journalist unions say it could give police a green light to prevent them from doing their work and potentially documenting abuses by security forces.
- 'Orwell was right' -
An amendment clarifies that press freedom should in no way be hindered by the proposed measures.
French media are also concerned about potential rights abuse via the use of drones to watch demonstrations and facial recognition programmes linked to surveillance cameras.
French police have been taken to task in recent years for alleged brutality meted out to protesters and criminal suspects, especially those from black, Arab or other minorities.
In the northern city of Lille, a demonstrator carried an English-language sign that said "Orwell was right" in a reference to the dystopian novel "1984".
Rallies were also held in the Brittany city of Rennes, and in Marseille and Montpellier on the Mediterranean coast, where some chanted: "Put down your arms and we'll put down our telephones."
Article 24 of the draft law foresees a one-year prison term and a 45,000-euro ($54,000) fine for spreading images that show officers faces or allow them to be identified when such images harm their "physical or psychological integrity".
Social media campaigns that expose individual officers are targets of the proposed legislation.
Police say they risk great personal threat in the line of duty, and dozens have been injured in clashes with protesters in recent years.
An attack on a police station outside Paris last month by dozens of people armed with fireworks and steel bars spurred the government into taking measures.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Brazil municipal elections : Brazilian vote to elect mayors, city councilors


france24--2020-11-21--Atalanta held by Spezia before Liverpool trip, Immobile helps Lazio win

Robin Gosens had a goal ruled offside as Atalanta failed to score for the first time this season in Serie A. Atalanta were held to a goalless draw against promoted Spezia on Saturday days before their Champions League trip to Liverpool as Serie A rivals Lazio got back winning 2-0 under torrential rain at Crotone .
Gian Piero Gasperini 's side were wasteful in front of goal , settling for a second consecutive draw as they failed to find the net for the first time this season .
Atalanta are fifth , equal on 14 points with sixth-placed Lazio after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind Serie A leaders AC Milan who travel to third-placed Napoli on Sunday .
`` Technically it was not a good performance but there are no easy matches and the team did what they had to do , '' said Gasperini , who left some players at home a day after they returned from international duty .
`` I always thought that the national team was good for players , that it was a stimulus .
But it has never happened that they arrive on Friday and play on Saturday .
`` Eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them at home . ''
Germany 's Robin Gosens missed several chances to break the deadlock , having a goal ruled offside after an hour in Cesena .
Diego Farias hit the woodwork for Spezia with Duvan Zapata denied by the post before the break .
The visitors pushed to score after the break with Gosens finishing off a Zapata headed cross after 56 minutes , but the Colombian was ruled to have been offside .
Spezia , in 12th , could thank goalkeeper Ivan Provedel for the point with a double save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Croatian denied again late .
In Calabria , Ciro Immobile scored on his return from coronavirus isolation with his diving header putting Lazio ahead after 21 minutes on a waterlogged pitch in southern Italy .
It was the fourth Serie A goal in six games this term for the top scorer in Europe last season , who had missed Lazio 's previous two league games .
The Italy international was also involved in the second goal , sending Joaquin Correa through just before the hour mark as the rain briefly subsided .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal this season from a tight angle through the legs of Crotone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz .
`` Ciro 's a leader , scoring a very important goal in a difficult match , '' said coach Simone Inzaghi , whose side host Zenit Saint Petersburg in the Champions League next week .
`` We had problems with Covid and injuries .
Today we had important players out like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic ... those who replaced them gave their best .
`` I 'm happy for Correa , he scored in the Champions League and today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not forget that he arrived on Friday after two days of travel and with jetlag .
I asked him for this huge sacrifice and he repaid me today . ''
Crotone fell to their sixth defeat in eight games as they remain winless in their return to the top flight after two seasons in Serie B .
Champions Juventus , in seventh position , host Cagliari later Saturday looking to close the gap on AC Milan .

Milan (AFP) –
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Atalanta were held to a goalless draw against promoted Spezia on Saturday days before their Champions League trip to Liverpool as Serie A rivals Lazio got back winning 2-0 under torrential rain at Crotone.
Gian Piero Gasperini's side were wasteful in front of goal, settling for a second consecutive draw as they failed to find the net for the first time this season.
Atalanta are fifth, equal on 14 points with sixth-placed Lazio after eight games.
Both are three points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan who travel to third-placed Napoli on Sunday.
"Technically it was not a good performance but there are no easy matches and the team did what they had to do," said Gasperini, who left some players at home a day after they returned from international duty.
"I always thought that the national team was good for players, that it was a stimulus. But it has never happened that they arrive on Friday and play on Saturday.
"Eight players returned, I left four of them at home."
Germany's Robin Gosens missed several chances to break the deadlock, having a goal ruled offside after an hour in Cesena.
Diego Farias hit the woodwork for Spezia with Duvan Zapata denied by the post before the break.
The visitors pushed to score after the break with Gosens finishing off a Zapata headed cross after 56 minutes, but the Colombian was ruled to have been offside.
Spezia, in 12th, could thank goalkeeper Ivan Provedel for the point with a double save from Mario Pasalic and Gosens, with the Croatian denied again late.
- Immobile makes a splash -
In Calabria, Ciro Immobile scored on his return from coronavirus isolation with his diving header putting Lazio ahead after 21 minutes on a waterlogged pitch in southern Italy.
It was the fourth Serie A goal in six games this term for the top scorer in Europe last season, who had missed Lazio's previous two league games.
The Italy international was also involved in the second goal, sending Joaquin Correa through just before the hour mark as the rain briefly subsided.
Argentine Correa fired in his first league goal this season from a tight angle through the legs of Crotone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz.
"Ciro's a leader, scoring a very important goal in a difficult match," said coach Simone Inzaghi, whose side host Zenit Saint Petersburg in the Champions League next week.
"We had problems with Covid and injuries. Today we had important players out like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic... those who replaced them gave their best.
"I'm happy for Correa, he scored in the Champions League and today in the league.
"Let's not forget that he arrived on Friday after two days of travel and with jetlag. I asked him for this huge sacrifice and he repaid me today."
Crotone fell to their sixth defeat in eight games as they remain winless in their return to the top flight after two seasons in Serie B.
Champions Juventus, in seventh position, host Cagliari later Saturday looking to close the gap on AC Milan.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-21--Brazil protests : outrage growing over black man killing