france24--2020-10-02--Mexico deploys military to block migrant caravan

Thousands of mostly Honduran migrants are traveling through Guatemala heading for the United States via Mexico , weeks before a US presidential election in which immigration is a key issue Mexico on Friday ordered the military to deploy along its southern border to block a migrant caravan that President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador suggested was linked to the US election .
Thousands of mostly Honduran migrants were traveling through Guatemala , heading for the United States via Mexico , just weeks before a tense US presidential vote in which immigration is a key issue .
`` It seems very strange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this caravan leaves on the eve of the election in the United States , '' Lopez Obrador told reporters .
`` It has to do with the election in the United States .
I do n't have all the elements but I think there are indications that it was put together for this purpose , '' he added .
The migrants , mostly young men , surged across the border from Honduras into Guatemala on Thursday despite restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic .
Many were not wearing masks to protect against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their country after the Guatemalan government ordered them to be detained and deported .
Mexico will deploy hundreds of military and immigration personnel to its border to prevent the caravan entering the country , a senior government official said .
`` They 're not going to cross , '' Francisco Garduno , the head of the Mexican migration authority , told reporters .
Garduno said the migrants must `` respect the immigration law . ''
Lopez Obrador , however , said that Mexico wanted to avoid a confrontation with the caravan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ American migrants traveling in large groups have crossed into Mexico , with the aim of reaching the US border .
US President Donald Trump , who is seeking a second term in the November 3 election , has threatened Mexico with steep tariffs if it does not do more to stop a surge of undocumented migrants .
Lopez Obrador has deployed some 26,000 troops to the country 's borders in response .
The left-wing populist has sought to maintain good relations with Trump despite the US leader 's anti-Mexico rhetoric , and chose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit after taking office .
He said Mexico had `` made every effort '' not to become embroiled in the campaign for the White House .
`` However , they do n't stop trying to inject the issue into the debate , '' he said .
Trump 's administration on Thursday announced the US will admit a record low of 15,000 refugees in the coming year .
His Democratic rival in the November 3 election , Joe Biden , has pledged to raise the refugee cap to 125,000 , saying that welcoming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Tuxtla Gutierrez (Mexico) (AFP) –
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Mexico on Friday ordered the military to deploy along its southern border to block a migrant caravan that President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador suggested was linked to the US election.
Thousands of mostly Honduran migrants were traveling through Guatemala, heading for the United States via Mexico, just weeks before a tense US presidential vote in which immigration is a key issue.
"It seems very strange to us. It's very strange that this caravan leaves on the eve of the election in the United States," Lopez Obrador told reporters.
"It has to do with the election in the United States. I don't have all the elements but I think there are indications that it was put together for this purpose," he added.
The migrants, mostly young men, surged across the border from Honduras into Guatemala on Thursday despite restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
Many were not wearing masks to protect against the spread of infection.
Some returned to their country after the Guatemalan government ordered them to be detained and deported.
Mexico will deploy hundreds of military and immigration personnel to its border to prevent the caravan entering the country, a senior government official said.
"They're not going to cross," Francisco Garduno, the head of the Mexican migration authority, told reporters.
Garduno said the migrants must "respect the immigration law."
Lopez Obrador, however, said that Mexico wanted to avoid a confrontation with the caravan.
In recent years, thousands of Central American migrants traveling in large groups have crossed into Mexico, with the aim of reaching the US border.
US President Donald Trump, who is seeking a second term in the November 3 election, has threatened Mexico with steep tariffs if it does not do more to stop a surge of undocumented migrants.
Lopez Obrador has deployed some 26,000 troops to the country's borders in response.
The left-wing populist has sought to maintain good relations with Trump despite the US leader's anti-Mexico rhetoric, and chose the United States for his first foreign visit after taking office.
He said Mexico had "made every effort" not to become embroiled in the campaign for the White House.
"However, they don't stop trying to inject the issue into the debate," he said.
Trump's administration on Thursday announced the US will admit a record low of 15,000 refugees in the coming year.
His Democratic rival in the November 3 election, Joe Biden, has pledged to raise the refugee cap to 125,000, saying that welcoming the persecuted is in line with US values.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Trump transferred to Walter Reed hospital after Covid-19 diagnosis

Marine One , the presidential helicopter , arrives at the White House to take US President Donald Trump to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 2 , 2020 .
US President Donald Trump was transferred to Walter Reed medical center on Friday after he and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for Covid-19 .
Trump ’ s positive coronavirus test has undermined his repeated claims that the US is `` rounding the turn '' in its handling of the pandemic , with just one month to go before the November 3 election .
Trump announced earlier on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lady had tested positive for Covid-19 and were going to quarantine at the White House .
“ Tonight , @ FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19 .
We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately .
We will get through this TOGETHER , ” he wrote on Twitter .
But the situation changed later on Friday when he was air-lifted in the presidential helicopter , Marine One , to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in nearby Bethesda , Maryland .
Trump also tweeted a short video announcing his plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters .
Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese , putting him at higher risk of complications from the virus .
His physician earlier said the president is `` well '' and will continue to perform his duties `` without disruption '' .
But his options for staying on schedule remain in question as his campaign enters its final stretch .
“ It is unclear exactly what that means for a president of the United States —especially for this one , who has spent months not wanting to wear a face mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously , ” David Smith , chief of the Guardian newspaper ’ s Washington bureau , told FRANCE 24 .
Whatever form Trump ’ s campaign takes in the coming days and weeks , his diagnosis has seriously undermined his attempts to downplay the pandemic and refocus the race on other issues .
In the past , Trump has wrongfully predicted that the coronavirus “ is going to disappear ” and even questioned scientists who contradicted his assertions in public .
'This could be a really significant blow' Trump has also largely ignored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , refusing to wear a mask or observe social distancing .
At the first presidential debate in Cleveland , Ohio , earlier this week , Trump even mocked his Democratic challenger , Joe Biden , for his mask .
“ Every time you see him , he ’ s got a mask , ” Trump said of his opponent .
“ He could be speaking 200 feet away … And he shows up with the biggest mask I ’ ve ever seen.
” With a number of polls showing that a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic — which has claimed more than 207,000 lives in the United States — his diagnosis will likely only fuel his critics .
“ This was a day many people feared , many people saw coming , many people thought may well happen — because he was continuing to hold campaign rallies , a couple of them indoors .
He was defying often his own public health guidelines on the coronavirus , ” Smith said .
Trump ’ s positive test result certainly complicates his ability to effectively campaign against Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls .
“ We ’ ve seen Trump really thrives off the energy of crowds , of holding big events .
It gives him a sense of momentum , ” Smith said .
“ This could be a really significant blow to a presidential campaign that is already struggling with Joe Biden well ahead in the polls.
” It is also unclear how Trump 's positive test will affect arrangements for the second presidential debate , which is scheduled for October 15 in Miami , Florida .

US President Donald Trump was transferred to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on Friday after he and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for Covid-19.
Marine One, the presidential helicopter, arrives at the White House to take US President Donald Trump to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 2, 2020.
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Trump’s positive coronavirus test has undermined his repeated claims that the US is "rounding the turn" in its handling of the pandemic, with just one month to go before the November 3 election.
Trump announced earlier on Friday that both he and the first lady had tested positive for Covid-19 and were going to quarantine at the White House.
“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER,” he wrote on Twitter.
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
But the situation changed later on Friday when he was air-lifted in the presidential helicopter, Marine One, to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in nearby Bethesda, Maryland.
Trump also tweeted a short video announcing his plans to go to Walter Reed and thanking his supporters.
Hours later, Trump posted a brief message on Twitter that gave no details on his condition. "Going well, I think! Thank you all. LOVE!” he said.
Trump treated with remdesivir
White House physician, Sean Conley, said his medical team has “elected to initiate remdesivir therapy” for the president, who was “doing very well” and did not require “any supplemental oxygen.”
Conley also said he recommended Trump be moved to Walter Reed “for further monitoring.”
Remdesivir drug maker, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., said the company agreed to supply a single dose, given through an IV, for Trump at the request of his physician under “compassionate use” provisions, when an experimental medicine is provided on a case-by-case emergency basis, while studies of it continue.
Trump will work in a special suite at the hospital for the next few days as a precautionary measure, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said. Online video showed a small group of Trump supporters outside Walter Reed late on Friday waving Trump 2020 flags, most not wearing masks.
Several administration officials pointed to the Saturday Rose Garden announcement of Trump's nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court as the possible connection between the recent cases that spanned Washington. Former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, the president of the University of Notre Dame, and at least two Republican lawmakers – Senator Mike Lee and Senator Thom Tillis who were also present at the event announced Friday they had tested positive and were isolating.
01:57
Diagnosis rocks final stage of campaign
Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese, putting him at a higher risk of complications from the virus.
His diagnosis raised questions as his campaign enters its final stretch.
“It is unclear exactly what that means for a president of the United States —especially for this one, who has spent months not wanting to wear a face mask, not wanting to take physical distancing seriously,” David Smith, chief of the Guardian newspaper’s Washington bureau, told FRANCE 24.
Whatever form Trump’s campaign takes in the coming days and weeks, his diagnosis has seriously undermined his attempts to downplay the pandemic and refocus the race on other issues.
In the past, Trump has wrongfully predicted that the coronavirus “is going to disappear” and even questioned scientists who contradicted his assertions in public.
'This could be a really significant blow'
Trump has also largely ignored his own government’s public health guidelines, refusing to wear a mask or observe social distancing.
At the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, earlier this week, Trump even mocked his Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, for his mask.
“Every time you see him, he’s got a mask,” Trump said of his opponent. “He could be speaking 200 feet away … And he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.”
With a number of polls showing that a majority of Americans disapprove Trump’s handling of the pandemic — which has claimed more than 207,000 lives in the United States — his diagnosis will likely only fuel his critics.
“This was a day many people feared, many people saw coming, many people thought may well happen — because he was continuing to hold campaign rallies, a couple of them indoors. He was defying often his own public health guidelines on the coronavirus,” Smith said.
Trump’s positive test result certainly complicates his ability to effectively campaign against Biden, who is currently leading in most polls.
“We’ve seen Trump really thrives off the energy of crowds, of holding big events. It gives him a sense of momentum,” Smith said. “This could be a really significant blow to a presidential campaign that is already struggling with Joe Biden well ahead in the polls.”
It is also unclear how Trump's positive test will affect arrangements for the second presidential debate, which is scheduled for October 15 in Miami, Florida.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-02--Japan's Hataoka grabs one-stroke LPGA ShopRite lead

Japan 's Nasa Hataoka fired a four-under par 67 to seize a one-stroke lead over South Korea 's Lee Mi-hyang and England 's Mel Reid after Friday 's second round of the LPGA ShopRite Classic .
Hataoka made five birdies against a lone bogey at the Seaview resort in Galloway , New Jersey , to stand on 11-under 131 for 36 holes .
`` I was n't striking the ball as well as yesterday , but I was able to convert my birdie chances where I wanted to and that was good , '' the 21-year-old Asian star said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so just did n't really change from the first hole . ''
Reid fired a bogey-free 64 to share second on 132 with Lee , who stumbled late with bogeys on two of her final four holes , while France 's Celine Boutier and American Amy Olson shared fourth on 133 .
After a birdie-bogey start , Hataoka made back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth holes and closed strong with birdie putts from four feet at the 16th and three feet at the par-5 18th .
`` Today was n't about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It was more like converting the small chances I had . ''
Eighth-ranked Hataoka seeks her fourth career LPGA victory after the 2018 Northwest Arkansas Championship , 2018 Toto Japan Classic and 2019 Kia Classic .
Hataoka had a near miss in January 's LPGA Tournament of Champions , losing a playoff to Mexico 's Gaby Lopez on the seventh extra hole , and also finished second the next week at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio .
Her best finish since the LPGA returned from a coronavirus shutdown was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ANA Inspiration .
Back-nine starter Lee birdied the par-3 17th and par-5 18th , then surged ahead with birdies at the par-5 third and par-4 fifth only to stumble with birdies at the par-4 sixth and par-3 seventh ahead of two closing pars .
`` It was great to make two birdies in a row on the first nine holes , '' Lee said .
`` So it was a great condition .
But I made my first bogey and then three-putted .
`` Still made 2-under par .
Really look forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began at the 10th hole and birdied 14 and 18 , then birdied the third and fifth as well before closing with three consecutive birdies .
The event is the final tuneup for next week 's LPGA major , the Women 's PGA Championship at Aronimink in nearby Newton Square , Pennsylvania .

New York (AFP) –
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Japan's Nasa Hataoka fired a four-under par 67 to seize a one-stroke lead over South Korea's Lee Mi-hyang and England's Mel Reid after Friday's second round of the LPGA ShopRite Classic.
Hataoka made five birdies against a lone bogey at the Seaview resort in Galloway, New Jersey, to stand on 11-under 131 for 36 holes.
"I wasn't striking the ball as well as yesterday, but I was able to convert my birdie chances where I wanted to and that was good," the 21-year-old Asian star said.
"The pin placements were pretty difficult, so just didn't really change from the first hole."
Reid fired a bogey-free 64 to share second on 132 with Lee, who stumbled late with bogeys on two of her final four holes, while France's Celine Boutier and American Amy Olson shared fourth on 133.
After a birdie-bogey start, Hataoka made back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth holes and closed strong with birdie putts from four feet at the 16th and three feet at the par-5 18th.
"Today wasn't about making long putts," Hataoka said. "It was more like converting the small chances I had."
Eighth-ranked Hataoka seeks her fourth career LPGA victory after the 2018 Northwest Arkansas Championship, 2018 Toto Japan Classic and 2019 Kia Classic.
Hataoka had a near miss in January's LPGA Tournament of Champions, losing a playoff to Mexico's Gaby Lopez on the seventh extra hole, and also finished second the next week at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.
Her best finish since the LPGA returned from a coronavirus shutdown was a share of seventh at last month's ANA Inspiration.
Back-nine starter Lee birdied the par-3 17th and par-5 18th, then surged ahead with birdies at the par-5 third and par-4 fifth only to stumble with birdies at the par-4 sixth and par-3 seventh ahead of two closing pars.
"It was great to make two birdies in a row on the first nine holes," Lee said. "So it was a great condition. But I made my first bogey and then three-putted.
"Still made 2-under par. Really look forward to playing this weekend."
Reid also began at the 10th hole and birdied 14 and 18, then birdied the third and fifth as well before closing with three consecutive birdies.
The event is the final tuneup for next week's LPGA major, the Women's PGA Championship at Aronimink in nearby Newton Square, Pennsylvania.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Newgarden wins IndyCar Harvest Grand Prix to trim point gap

Defending champion Josef Newgarden won Friday 's IndyCar Harvest Grand Prix , closing the gap on season points leader Scott Dixon with two races remaining in the campaign .
Newgarden refueled with 23 laps remaining in the 85-lap race and surged to the finish over the 14-turn , 2.439-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course .
`` We had a rocket ship , '' Newgarden said .
`` I had the quickest car .
I 'm pumped .
I 'm so excited . ''
Fellow American Alexander Rossi was second with Dutch 20-year-old rookie pole-sitter Rinus VeeKay third and American Colton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third victory of the year after oval triumphs at Iowa and Gateway and his 17th career IndyCar win as he chases a third series crown in four seasons .
New Zealand 's Dixon , who started 12th and finished ninth , still leads the season points battle with 478 to 438 for Newgarden .
No other drivers are within reach of the crown with a maximum of 54 points available in each of the last two races .
`` It is still a bit of a hill .
We 've made it smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said we had to have three perfect races to win it .
This is one down .
Two to go . ''
Dixon seeks his sixth career IndyCar season title , one shy of A.J .
Foyt 's all-time record .
`` Not satisfied , '' he said .
`` But could n't be more happy with it . ''
Rossi was unhappy at track officials ordering him to surrender a place to Dixon after a pass for going too far below the white lines marking the inside of the asphalt .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It has been a huge effort to find some sort of pace here . ''
VeeKay and Herta exchanged the lead from the start with Newgarden third , Herta seizing the lead on an quick outside-to-inside pass on lap 21 .
Newgarden refueled on lap 22 and returned to the track just ahead of Herta , who overtook with a first-turn braking move on lap 24 to reclaim the lead .
Herta kept it to the last stop but Newgarden returned to the track after his final pit stop well ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and VeeKay passed Herta with three laps remaining to reach the podium .
A reduced crowd of 10,000 spectators attended due to safety measures for the coronavirus pandemic that disrupted the season and led to the creation of a Harvest double-header Friday and Saturday .
The season-ending event is an October 25 street race at St. Petersburg , Florida .

Washington (AFP) –
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Defending champion Josef Newgarden won Friday's IndyCar Harvest Grand Prix, closing the gap on season points leader Scott Dixon with two races remaining in the campaign.
Newgarden refueled with 23 laps remaining in the 85-lap race and surged to the finish over the 14-turn, 2.439-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
"We had a rocket ship," Newgarden said. "I had the quickest car. I'm pumped. I'm so excited."
Fellow American Alexander Rossi was second with Dutch 20-year-old rookie pole-sitter Rinus VeeKay third and American Colton Herta fourth.
It was Newgarden's third victory of the year after oval triumphs at Iowa and Gateway and his 17th career IndyCar win as he chases a third series crown in four seasons.
New Zealand's Dixon, who started 12th and finished ninth, still leads the season points battle with 478 to 438 for Newgarden.
No other drivers are within reach of the crown with a maximum of 54 points available in each of the last two races.
"It is still a bit of a hill. We've made it smaller," Newgarden said. "I said we had to have three perfect races to win it. This is one down. Two to go."
Dixon seeks his sixth career IndyCar season title, one shy of A.J. Foyt's all-time record.
VeeKay enjoyed his first IndyCar podium finish.
"Not satisfied," he said. "But couldn't be more happy with it."
Rossi was unhappy at track officials ordering him to surrender a place to Dixon after a pass for going too far below the white lines marking the inside of the asphalt.
"Weird penalties," he said. "It has been a huge effort to find some sort of pace here."
VeeKay and Herta exchanged the lead from the start with Newgarden third, Herta seizing the lead on an quick outside-to-inside pass on lap 21.
Newgarden refueled on lap 22 and returned to the track just ahead of Herta, who overtook with a first-turn braking move on lap 24 to reclaim the lead.
Herta kept it to the last stop but Newgarden returned to the track after his final pit stop well ahead of Herta. Rossi made a late charge and VeeKay passed Herta with three laps remaining to reach the podium.
A reduced crowd of 10,000 spectators attended due to safety measures for the coronavirus pandemic that disrupted the season and led to the creation of a Harvest double-header Friday and Saturday.
The season-ending event is an October 25 street race at St. Petersburg, Florida.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Man Utd to start Champions League campaign at PSG, Liverpool travel to Ajax

Manchester United will go to last season 's runners-up PSG in their first Champions League group game on October 20 Paris Saint-Germain will host Manchester United in the opening round of Champions League group games on October 20 , it was confirmed on Friday as UEFA revealed all fixtures for the competition .
The return clash at Old Trafford will be on December 2 , with the sides also facing RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir in Group H. Meanwhile Premier League champions and 2019 Champions League winners Liverpool will start their Group D campaign away to Ajax in Amsterdam on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening round of matches include Chelsea playing host to Europa League winners Sevilla on October 20 and Manchester City beginning their latest bid to win the competition for the first time at home to Porto the following night .
Reigning champions Bayern Munich have a tough start to their defence of the trophy as they play Atletico Madrid in Bavaria .
UEFA said on Thursday it will allow spectators back into matches in the Champions League and its other competitions `` at a maximum of 30 percent '' of capacity .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national authorities giving the green light and UEFA acknowledged that certain games may still go ahead behind closed doors or with even more limited numbers of fans .
Away supporters will not be allowed in `` until further notice '' .

Paris (AFP) –
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Paris Saint-Germain will host Manchester United in the opening round of Champions League group games on October 20, it was confirmed on Friday as UEFA revealed all fixtures for the competition.
The return clash at Old Trafford will be on December 2, with the sides also facing RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir in Group H.
Meanwhile Premier League champions and 2019 Champions League winners Liverpool will start their Group D campaign away to Ajax in Amsterdam on October 21.
Other highlights of the opening round of matches include Chelsea playing host to Europa League winners Sevilla on October 20 and Manchester City beginning their latest bid to win the competition for the first time at home to Porto the following night.
Reigning champions Bayern Munich have a tough start to their defence of the trophy as they play Atletico Madrid in Bavaria.
UEFA said on Thursday it will allow spectators back into matches in the Champions League and its other competitions "at a maximum of 30 percent" of capacity.
However, the loosening of restrictions is subject to national authorities giving the green light and UEFA acknowledged that certain games may still go ahead behind closed doors or with even more limited numbers of fans.
Away supporters will not be allowed in "until further notice".
Champions League opening fixtures (1900 GMT unless stated)
Tuesday, October 20
Group E
Chelsea v Sevilla, Rennes v Krasnodar
Group F
Zenit Saint-Petersburg v Club Brugge (1655), Lazio v Borussia Dortmund
Group G
Dynamo Kiev v Juventus (1655), Barcelona v Ferencvaros
Group H
Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester United, RB Leipzig v Istanbul Basaksehir
Wednesday, October 21
Group A
Salzburg v Lokomotiv Moscow (1655), Bayern Munich v Atletico Madrid
Group B
Real Madrid v Shakhtar Donetsk (1655), Inter Milan v Borussia Moenchengladbach
Group C
Manchester City v Porto, Olympiakos v Marseille
Group D
Ajax v Liverpool, Midtjylland v Atalanta
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Biden, once mocked by Trump, now the only man on campaign trail

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden hit the campaign trail in Michigan , while Donald Trump remained in isolation after testing positive for the novel coronavirus For months , Donald Trump mocked Joe Biden for his cautious approach to the coronavirus .
But with the president in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19 , his challenger has the campaign stage to himself a month before Election Day .
It is of course too soon to predict how Trump 's diagnosis could impact the race for the White House , a tumultuous campaign already upended several times by history-making events .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the showdown between the two septuagenarians was lost on no one Friday .
After all , just Tuesday night , Trump had doubled down on his ribbing of the 77-year-old Biden for taking too many virus precautions .
`` He could be speaking 200 feet away from you , and he shows up with the biggest mask I 've seen , '' the 74-year-old Republican incumbent sneered .
In the early months of the virus crisis , as Biden remained isolated in his Delaware home , Trump called him `` Sleepy Joe '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his basement -- a charge that his supporters lapped up and repeated ad infinitum .
But on Friday , Trump was the one forced to remain in his home , quarantining after his positive diagnosis .
His doctor said he was `` fatigued '' but in `` good spirits . ''
Biden meanwhile announced that he had tested negative and boarded a plane for Michigan , a key battleground state in America 's Rust Belt that Trump claimed in 2016 .
The former vice president to Barack Obama arrived in Grand Rapids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but his speech -- which Biden delivered wearing a face mask -- of course touched on the headline of the day .
`` This is not a matter of politics .
It 's a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously .
It 's not going away automatically , '' he said -- perhaps a jab at Trump 's repeated insistence that the virus will simply `` disappear . ''
- 'Not about being a tough guy ' - Biden then urged people to wear masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing , adding : `` Be patriotic .
It 's not about being a tough guy .
It 's about doing your part . ''
Everyone who attended Tuesday 's debate in Cleveland , Ohio had tested negative .
But the virus can take several days before being detected in someone who has been infected .
Trump 's family arrived in face masks , as did Biden 's .
But the president 's entourage then removed their masks .
His wife Melania has also tested positive for the coronavirus .
Biden wished the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeting : `` We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family . ''
The Democrat only ramped up his travel schedule in late August , after months of virtual events from his home studio or in-person events not far from Wilmington .
During that time , Trump criss-crossed the nation , holding rallies with hundreds of attendees .
These were held mainly outside , but most of those present did not wear masks .
With only 32 days to go before Election Day , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events would either be virtual or postponed until further notice .
Meanwhile , Team Biden announced new events : his wife Jill will head to Minnesota on Saturday , while former rival Senator Bernie Sanders will campaign in New Hampshire .
And Biden 's running mate , Senator Kamala Harris , was to appear in Nevada on Friday .
The 50-year-old , who did not attend Tuesday 's debate , has so far tested negative .
`` This virus is still very much active across our country , please continue to wear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she tweeted .
She is set to debate Vice President Mike Pence on October 7 .
The next presidential debate between Trump and Biden is scheduled for October 15 , but it was not clear if that would take place .

Grand Rapids (United States) (AFP) –
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For months, Donald Trump mocked Joe Biden for his cautious approach to the coronavirus.
But with the president in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19, his challenger has the campaign stage to himself a month before Election Day.
It is of course too soon to predict how Trump's diagnosis could impact the race for the White House, a tumultuous campaign already upended several times by history-making events.
But the irony of the latest twist in the showdown between the two septuagenarians was lost on no one Friday.
After all, just Tuesday night, Trump had doubled down on his ribbing of the 77-year-old Biden for taking too many virus precautions.
"He could be speaking 200 feet away from you, and he shows up with the biggest mask I've seen," the 74-year-old Republican incumbent sneered.
In the early months of the virus crisis, as Biden remained isolated in his Delaware home, Trump called him "Sleepy Joe" and said he was "hiding" in his basement -- a charge that his supporters lapped up and repeated ad infinitum.
But on Friday, Trump was the one forced to remain in his home, quarantining after his positive diagnosis. His doctor said he was "fatigued" but in "good spirits."
Biden meanwhile announced that he had tested negative and boarded a plane for Michigan, a key battleground state in America's Rust Belt that Trump claimed in 2016.
The former vice president to Barack Obama arrived in Grand Rapids for an event on the economy, but his speech -- which Biden delivered wearing a face mask -- of course touched on the headline of the day.
"This is not a matter of politics. It's a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously. It's not going away automatically," he said -- perhaps a jab at Trump's repeated insistence that the virus will simply "disappear."
- 'Not about being a tough guy' -
Biden then urged people to wear masks, wash their hands and practice social distancing, adding: "Be patriotic. It's not about being a tough guy. It's about doing your part."
Everyone who attended Tuesday's debate in Cleveland, Ohio had tested negative. But the virus can take several days before being detected in someone who has been infected.
Trump's family arrived in face masks, as did Biden's. But the president's entourage then removed their masks. His wife Melania has also tested positive for the coronavirus.
Biden wished the Trumps a "swift recovery," tweeting: "We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family."
The Democrat only ramped up his travel schedule in late August, after months of virtual events from his home studio or in-person events not far from Wilmington.
During that time, Trump criss-crossed the nation, holding rallies with hundreds of attendees. These were held mainly outside, but most of those present did not wear masks.
With only 32 days to go before Election Day, Trump's campaign team announced Friday that his events would either be virtual or postponed until further notice.
Meanwhile, Team Biden announced new events: his wife Jill will head to Minnesota on Saturday, while former rival Senator Bernie Sanders will campaign in New Hampshire.
And Biden's running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, was to appear in Nevada on Friday. The 50-year-old, who did not attend Tuesday's debate, has so far tested negative.
"This virus is still very much active across our country, please continue to wear a mask and maintain social distancing," she tweeted.
She is set to debate Vice President Mike Pence on October 7.
The next presidential debate between Trump and Biden is scheduled for October 15, but it was not clear if that would take place.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--New Bond film release falls victim to virus

The makers of the new James Bond film say its release is being put back to November from April due to the coronavirus outbreak The makers of the new James Bond movie -- which has already had its release date pushed back once due to the pandemic -- on Friday said it would not now be released until April 2021 .
`` No Time to Die '' , the 25th instalment of the fictional British spy saga , sees Bond drawn out of retirement in Jamaica by his old friend and CIA agent Felix Leiter .
It is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 007 , after starring in four previous films .
The movie had been initially set for a London premiere on March 31 , 2020 before a rollout worldwide in April .
As the coronavirus pandemic took hold in March , MGM , Universal and Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announced they were delaying the release until November 12 , with a US launch on November 25 .
Then on Friday , they said the film would be delayed further until April 2 `` in order to be seen by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We understand the delay will be disappointing to our fans but we now look forward to sharing NO TIME TO DIE next year , '' they said .

London (AFP) –
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The makers of the new James Bond movie -- which has already had its release date pushed back once due to the pandemic -- on Friday said it would not now be released until April 2021.
"No Time to Die", the 25th instalment of the fictional British spy saga, sees Bond drawn out of retirement in Jamaica by his old friend and CIA agent Felix Leiter.
It is expected to be actor Daniel Craig's last outing as 007, after starring in four previous films.
The movie had been initially set for a London premiere on March 31, 2020 before a rollout worldwide in April.
As the coronavirus pandemic took hold in March, MGM, Universal and Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announced they were delaying the release until November 12, with a US launch on November 25.
Then on Friday, they said the film would be delayed further until April 2 "in order to be seen by a worldwide theatrical audience".
"We understand the delay will be disappointing to our fans but we now look forward to sharing NO TIME TO DIE next year," they said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Marlins blank Cubs to advance in MLB playoffs

Garrett Cooper smacked a two-out home run off Chicago 's Yu Darvish and the Miami Marlins defeated the Cubs 2-0 on Friday to advance in the Major League Baseball playoffs .
The Marlins , who had n't reached the playoffs since winning the 2003 World Series , captured their best-of-three first round series with the host Cubs in two games .
Next for Miami will be National League East division rival Atlanta in a best-of-five second-round matchup to decide a berth in the National League Championship Series .
Darvish hurled 6 2/3 scoreless innings but was sent to the showers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set up a run-scoring single by Magneuris Sierra for a 2-0 Marlins edge .
The 34-year-old Japanese right-hander surrendered two runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts , throwing 69 of his 94 pitches for strikes .
Miami 's Corey Dickerson and Jon Berti were walked by Cubs reliever Craig Kimbrel to begin the eighth but Jesus Aguilar grounded into a double play and Kimbrel struck out Brian Anderson to end the Marlins ' threat .
The Cubs had their last chance in the ninth and Jason Heyward opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Miami reliever Brandon Kintzler struck out Javier Baez , David Bote and pinch-hitter Jason Kipnis to end the Cubs ' season and advance .

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Garrett Cooper smacked a two-out home run off Chicago's Yu Darvish and the Miami Marlins defeated the Cubs 2-0 on Friday to advance in the Major League Baseball playoffs.
The Marlins, who hadn't reached the playoffs since winning the 2003 World Series, captured their best-of-three first round series with the host Cubs in two games.
Next for Miami will be National League East division rival Atlanta in a best-of-five second-round matchup to decide a berth in the National League Championship Series.
Darvish hurled 6 2/3 scoreless innings but was sent to the showers after Cooper homered and Matt Joyce doubled to set up a run-scoring single by Magneuris Sierra for a 2-0 Marlins edge.
The 34-year-old Japanese right-hander surrendered two runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts, throwing 69 of his 94 pitches for strikes.
Miami's Corey Dickerson and Jon Berti were walked by Cubs reliever Craig Kimbrel to begin the eighth but Jesus Aguilar grounded into a double play and Kimbrel struck out Brian Anderson to end the Marlins' threat.
The Cubs had their last chance in the ninth and Jason Heyward opened with a double to left field. But Miami reliever Brandon Kintzler struck out Javier Baez, David Bote and pinch-hitter Jason Kipnis to end the Cubs' season and advance.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--'Exceptional' Mount sets standards at Chelsea: Lampard

Frank Lampard has hailed the `` exceptional '' example set by Mason Mount as the Chelsea manager tries to keep his star-studded squad happy .
Mount has emerged as one of Lampard 's most trusted players only a year after making his Chelsea debut .
A product of the Chelsea academy , the 21-year-old midfielder was a revelation last season and has maintained his progress this term by playing in all five of Chelsea 's games despite the arrivals of Kai Havertz , Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech .
Mount missed the decisive penalty in Chelsea 's shoot-out League Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lampard will not lose faith in a player that his caught his eye since he had him on loan at Derby in his first season as a manager .
Asked how much he admired Mount 's rise , Lampard said : `` I think it is exceptional and there is a lot more to come from Mason .
`` That is part of the great thing about working with someone who has that attitude and mindset .
`` He should be very happy and proud with what he has done in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he always wants to be better .
He is a pleasure to work with .
`` Mason has a lot more levels to go up in the game .
He is a humble lad who has had a real dream to play for Chelsea .
`` He has gone and attacked that dream with the talent he has .
He 's made it with pure hard work . ''
Lampard 's £200 million ( $ 255 million ) injection of new blood into the Chelsea squad has given him a more talented line-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he searches for the best way to gel his new signings .
Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta has lost his regular place in the side , while Antonio Rudiger and Marcos Alonso could reportedly join Ross Barkley , who has gone on loan to Aston Villa , in leaving the club before Monday 's transfer deadline .
But he has no qualms about dealing with difficult conversations with his players about team selections .
`` It is part of my job .
That is one of the most interesting parts and can be one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are dropping people who want to play , '' Lampard said .
`` Even though there can be difficult conversations , players will respect that .
In years gone by managers might have just dropped players in that old-school type of way , 'deal with it ' .
`` Now I try be as honest and open as I can .
When you have those conversations it helps you build a relationship for good and for bad .
It 's important you have that open dialogue . ''

London (AFP) –
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Frank Lampard has hailed the "exceptional" example set by Mason Mount as the Chelsea manager tries to keep his star-studded squad happy.
Mount has emerged as one of Lampard's most trusted players only a year after making his Chelsea debut.
A product of the Chelsea academy, the 21-year-old midfielder was a revelation last season and has maintained his progress this term by playing in all five of Chelsea's games despite the arrivals of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Mount missed the decisive penalty in Chelsea's shoot-out League Cup defeat at Tottenham on Tuesday, but Lampard will not lose faith in a player that his caught his eye since he had him on loan at Derby in his first season as a manager.
Asked how much he admired Mount's rise, Lampard said: "I think it is exceptional and there is a lot more to come from Mason.
"That is part of the great thing about working with someone who has that attitude and mindset.
"He should be very happy and proud with what he has done in the last year and the thing about Mason is he always wants to be better. He is a pleasure to work with.
"Mason has a lot more levels to go up in the game. He is a humble lad who has had a real dream to play for Chelsea.
"He has gone and attacked that dream with the talent he has. He's made it with pure hard work."
- 'Front it up' -
Lampard's £200 million ($255 million) injection of new blood into the Chelsea squad has given him a more talented line-up, but also a selection headache as he searches for the best way to gel his new signings.
Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta has lost his regular place in the side, while Antonio Rudiger and Marcos Alonso could reportedly join Ross Barkley, who has gone on loan to Aston Villa, in leaving the club before Monday's transfer deadline.
But he has no qualms about dealing with difficult conversations with his players about team selections.
"It is part of my job. That is one of the most interesting parts and can be one of the most difficult parts, if you are dropping people who want to play," Lampard said.
"Even though there can be difficult conversations, players will respect that. In years gone by managers might have just dropped players in that old-school type of way, 'deal with it'.
"Now I try be as honest and open as I can. When you have those conversations it helps you build a relationship for good and for bad. It's important you have that open dialogue."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Neymar bags brace as PSG hit six

Neymar bags brace as PSG hit six

Neymar scored twice in PSG 's 6-1 demolition of Angers in Ligue 1 on Friday Neymar scored twice for Paris Saint-Germain in a crushing 6-1 win over Angers on Friday as the French champions continue to build up momentum following a poor start to the Ligue 1 season .
Alessandro Florenzi , Julian Draxler , Idrissa Gana Gueye and Kylian Mbappe were also on target at the Parc des Princes for PSG , who claimed their fourth consecutive victory after starting the campaign with two straight defeats .
Thomas Tuchel 's side move up to second in the early table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play Reims on Sunday .
There were only 1,000 spectators allowed into the Parc des Princes as authorities clamp down on gatherings amid a new rise in coronavirus cases in the French capital , but the few who were there saw Florenzi open the scoring with a lovely goal in the seventh minute .
The Italian right-back , who remains PSG 's only new face for this season so far after joining on loan from Roma , controlled the ball in the box before netting with a delightful volley into the far corner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Neymar to score in off the underside of the bar as PSG doubled their lead before half-time .
Neymar was starting after avoiding punishment following allegations of racist and homophobic abuse in an ill-tempered defeat by Marseille last month .
The French league 's disciplinary committee ruled on Wednesday that it did not have sufficient proof to take action against the Brazilian or Marseille defender Alvaro Gonzalez , who Neymar had accused of calling him a `` monkey '' .
The world 's most expensive player scored his second and PSG 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half-time , finishing first-time as the ball broke to him in the box .
The goals were his first two of the new season after a start to the campaign disrupted by a positive Covid-19 test and suspension .
Ismael Traore soon pulled one back for Angers with a back-post header , but Mitchel Bakker crossed for Draxler to make it 4-1 and Gueye added another with a deflected strike .
Mbappe completed the scoring by converting from a Pablo Sarabia assist six minutes from the end , and PSG look to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Champions League final in August behind them .
Coach Tuchel will now hope to see more new faces arrive before Monday 's transfer deadline , with a busy schedule lying in store once the Champions League group stage begins later in October .
Paris will start their continental campaign at home to Manchester United on October 20 .

Paris (AFP) –
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Neymar scored twice for Paris Saint-Germain in a crushing 6-1 win over Angers on Friday as the French champions continue to build up momentum following a poor start to the Ligue 1 season.
Alessandro Florenzi, Julian Draxler, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Kylian Mbappe were also on target at the Parc des Princes for PSG, who claimed their fourth consecutive victory after starting the campaign with two straight defeats.
Thomas Tuchel's side move up to second in the early table, a point behind leaders Rennes who play Reims on Sunday.
There were only 1,000 spectators allowed into the Parc des Princes as authorities clamp down on gatherings amid a new rise in coronavirus cases in the French capital, but the few who were there saw Florenzi open the scoring with a lovely goal in the seventh minute.
The Italian right-back, who remains PSG's only new face for this season so far after joining on loan from Roma, controlled the ball in the box before netting with a delightful volley into the far corner.
Mbappe then cut the ball back for Neymar to score in off the underside of the bar as PSG doubled their lead before half-time.
Neymar was starting after avoiding punishment following allegations of racist and homophobic abuse in an ill-tempered defeat by Marseille last month.
The French league's disciplinary committee ruled on Wednesday that it did not have sufficient proof to take action against the Brazilian or Marseille defender Alvaro Gonzalez, who Neymar had accused of calling him a "monkey".
The world's most expensive player scored his second and PSG's third goal on the night just after half-time, finishing first-time as the ball broke to him in the box.
The goals were his first two of the new season after a start to the campaign disrupted by a positive Covid-19 test and suspension.
Ismael Traore soon pulled one back for Angers with a back-post header, but Mitchel Bakker crossed for Draxler to make it 4-1 and Gueye added another with a deflected strike.
Mbappe completed the scoring by converting from a Pablo Sarabia assist six minutes from the end, and PSG look to have definitively put their defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in August behind them.
Coach Tuchel will now hope to see more new faces arrive before Monday's transfer deadline, with a busy schedule lying in store once the Champions League group stage begins later in October.
Paris will start their continental campaign at home to Manchester United on October 20.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--Liverpool's Sadio Mane tests positive for Covid-19

Liverpool 's in-form Senegalese forward Sadio Mane has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating , the club said Friday Liverpool 's in-form Senegalese forward Sadio Mane has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating , the club said Friday .
`` Sadio Mane has tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently self-isolating according to the necessary guidelines , '' Liverpool said in a statement .
`` The forward , who started and scored in Monday 's 3-1 victory over Arsenal , has displayed minor symptoms of the virus but feels in good health overall .
`` However , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are - and will continue to - follow all protocols relating to Covid-19 and Mane will self-isolate for the required period of time . ''
Thiago missed the Arsenal game after his own positive test and he and Mane will both be absent for Sunday 's Premier League trip to Aston Villa .
Manager Jurgen Klopp will hope to have both players available when the Reds return to action after the international break in October 17 's Merseyside derby at Everton .
Mane , 28 , has been in fine form this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win over Chelsea before also netting against the Gunners .
His enforced isolation will also affect his international commitments after Mane was named in Senegal 's squad for their upcoming friendlies against Morocco and Mauritania .

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Liverpool's in-form Senegalese forward Sadio Mane has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating, the club said Friday.
"Sadio Mane has tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently self-isolating according to the necessary guidelines," Liverpool said in a statement.
"The forward, who started and scored in Monday's 3-1 victory over Arsenal, has displayed minor symptoms of the virus but feels in good health overall.
"However, like with Thiago Alcantara, Liverpool Football Club are - and will continue to - follow all protocols relating to Covid-19 and Mane will self-isolate for the required period of time."
Thiago missed the Arsenal game after his own positive test and he and Mane will both be absent for Sunday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa.
Manager Jurgen Klopp will hope to have both players available when the Reds return to action after the international break in October 17's Merseyside derby at Everton.
Mane, 28, has been in fine form this season, scoring both goals in Liverpool's win over Chelsea before also netting against the Gunners.
His enforced isolation will also affect his international commitments after Mane was named in Senegal's squad for their upcoming friendlies against Morocco and Mauritania.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-02--'Turkey has a clear objective of reinstating the Turkish empire', Armenian PM says

Heavy fighting escalated this week between Armenian and Azerbaijan forces over the disputed separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
On Friday , global leaders renewed calls for a ceasefire with French President Emmanuel Macron pressing for a fresh round of peace talks .
In an interview with FRANCE 24 ’ s Gulliver Cragg in Yerevan , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sat down to discuss the crisis embroiling his country .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told FRANCE 24 that Turkey would continue its expansionist footprint and its goal of “ the genocide of Armenians ” .
“ Armenia is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their expansion towards the north , and the east , ” Mr Pashinyan said .
He pointed to recent evidence of Turkish aggression in the Mediterranean Sea towards Greece and involvement in Syria and Iraq .
“ Turkey has a clear objective of reinstating the Turkish Empire .
Don ’ t be surprised if that policy succeeds here , don ’ t be surprised if they attempt to incorporate into their empire not only the Greek islands but expand further into continental Europe .
If Turkey succeeds in this , wait for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and around Nagorno-Karabakh is the biggest escalation in years in the decades-long dispute over the region , which lies within Azerbaijan but is controlled by local ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia .

Heavy fighting escalated this week between Armenian and Azerbaijan forces over the disputed separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On Friday, global leaders renewed calls for a ceasefire with French President Emmanuel Macron pressing for a fresh round of peace talks. In an interview with FRANCE 24’s Gulliver Cragg in Yerevan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sat down to discuss the crisis embroiling his country.
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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told FRANCE 24 that Turkey would continue its expansionist footprint and its goal of “the genocide of Armenians”.
“Armenia is the last obstacle in the way of Turkey and their expansion towards the north, and the east,” Mr Pashinyan said.
He pointed to recent evidence of Turkish aggression in the Mediterranean Sea towards Greece and involvement in Syria and Iraq.
“Turkey has a clear objective of reinstating the Turkish Empire. Don’t be surprised if that policy succeeds here, don’t be surprised if they attempt to incorporate into their empire not only the Greek islands but expand further into continental Europe. If Turkey succeeds in this, wait for them in Vienna.”
>> Is Turkey a brother in arms or just extending its footprint into Nagorno-Karabakh?
The fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh is the biggest escalation in years in the decades-long dispute over the region, which lies within Azerbaijan but is controlled by local ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia.
Click on the video player above to watch the full interview.
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france24--2020-10-03--Laporte narrowly re-elected French rugby president

Bernard Laporte kisses his wife Manon after being re-elected as French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte was narrowly re-elected president of the French Rugby Federation ( FFR ) on Saturday , edging challenger Florian Grill .
Laporte and his list of candidates received 51.47 percent of the votes , while Gill , the president of the Ile-de-France rugby region , collected 48.53 percent .
`` To be elected on promises is one thing , to be re-elected on a track record is another , '' said Laporte , a former France coach and French minister of Sport as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The clubs were not fooled .
Democracy has spoken .
I will be the president of all the clubs , '' he said at Marcoussis , the training base for the France team where the result was announced .
His slate won a majority of the 40 seats on the new board following an electronic vote held over Friday and Saturday .
Grill did not immediately comment on his narrow loss .
During an election marked by ferocious exchanges , Laporte 's campaign was briefly interrupted when he was taken into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an investigation into suspicions that as president he favoured Top 14 club Montpellier .
The two sides had exchanged insults sometimes resorting to rugby metaphors .
Laporte called his opponents `` cowardly '' and accused them of `` kicking a player on the ground '' .
Grill complained that Laporte preferred to `` attack from behind . ''
One of Grill 's supporters , Abdelatif Benazzi , a former France captain complained of `` clannish leadership . ''
Laporte 's mandate of four years means he will be the president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2023 World Cup in France .

Marcoussis (France) (AFP) –
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Bernard Laporte was narrowly re-elected president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) on Saturday, edging challenger Florian Grill.
Laporte and his list of candidates received 51.47 percent of the votes, while Gill, the president of the Ile-de-France rugby region, collected 48.53 percent.
"To be elected on promises is one thing, to be re-elected on a track record is another," said Laporte, a former France coach and French minister of Sport as well as the recently-elected vice president of World Rugby.
"The clubs were not fooled. Democracy has spoken. I will be the president of all the clubs," he said at Marcoussis, the training base for the France team where the result was announced.
His slate won a majority of the 40 seats on the new board following an electronic vote held over Friday and Saturday.
Grill did not immediately comment on his narrow loss.
During an election marked by ferocious exchanges, Laporte's campaign was briefly interrupted when he was taken into police custody in late September as part of an investigation into suspicions that as president he favoured Top 14 club Montpellier.
The two sides had exchanged insults sometimes resorting to rugby metaphors.
Laporte called his opponents "cowardly" and accused them of "kicking a player on the ground".
Grill complained that Laporte preferred to "attack from behind."
One of Grill's supporters, Abdelatif Benazzi, a former France captain complained of "clannish leadership."
Laporte's mandate of four years means he will be the president of the FFR as France prepares to host the 2023 World Cup in France.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-03--Djokovic takes trip into Roland Garros unknown against Nadal fan

No problems : Novak Djokovic has dropped just 10 games in his first two rounds Novak Djokovic admits he knows absolutely nothing about Daniel Galan , the world number 153 from Colombia who stands in his way of a place in the last 16 at Roland Garros on Saturday .
That may be just as well as Galan , a 24-year-old lucky loser from qualifying , says he 's not a `` diehard follower '' of the world number one .
`` I do n't know much about him , to be honest , '' said Djokovic , the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18th Grand Slam title .
`` I have never seen him play , so I 'll have to obviously look at his matches , the videos , and try to prepare myself with my team . ''
Djokovic , whose 2020 record now stands at 33 wins against just one loss , is bidding to become the first man in half a century to win all four Slams twice .
His second round win over Ricardas Berankis was his 70th at the tournament .
The 33-year-old has now won at least 70 matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Galan 's only two wins at the Slams have come in Paris this week .
`` As a child I grew up with the rivalry between ( Roger ) Federer and ( Marat ) Safin , '' said Galan .
`` When I was older I admired ( Rafael ) Nadal for what he has achieved . ''
Galan was one of nine players outside the top 100 to have reached the third round , the most in Paris since 1985 .
`` Djokovic has no weaknesses , although I am not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would never have lost a match , '' added Galan , the first Colombian to reach the third round of a major since Santiago Giraldo in Paris in 2012 .
On the day after world number 239 Hugo Gaston and Sebastian Korda , ranked at 213 , made the last 16 , German qualifier Daniel Altmaier struck another blow for the underdog .
The world number 186 stunned seventh seed Matteo Berrettini of Italy 6-2 , 7-6 ( 7/5 ) , 6-4 , becoming just the fourth man to reach the round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 2000 .
Victory also means an unexpected financial windfall for the German who is guaranteed to make at least $ 221,400 by reaching the last 16 having earned $ 173,600 in his entire six-year career .
`` I did n't know if I was going to be able to play in Paris as I was injured the week before at a tournament in Aix , '' said Altmaier who had previously only won one ATP Tour match in his career .
`` But the doctor gave me the go-ahead so I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues for me and I am happy to keep going . ''
Russian 13th seed Andrey Rublev , the champion on clay in Hamburg on the eve of Roland Garros , eased past veteran South African Kevin Anderson in just 94 minutes .
Rublev did n't face a break point in his 6-3 , 6-2 , 6-3 win as he moved into the last 16 for the first time .
Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas bids to make the fourth round for a second successive year .
He faces Slovenia 's Aljaz Bedene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to come back from two sets down to defeat Jaume Munar in the first round but then swept past Uruguayan clay court specialist Pablo Cuevas for the loss of just seven games .
In the women 's draw , 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko , who knocked out second seed Karolina Pliskova on Thursday , takes on Spain 's Paula Badosa .
The New York-born Badosa , ranked 87 , is making her Roland Garros debut and marked the occasion by stunning former US Open champion and 2018 Roland Garros finalist Sloane Stephens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champion and fourth seed Sofia Kenin is up against Romanian qualifier Irina Bara , ranked at 142 .
Kenin stunned Serena Williams at the same stage of last year 's tournament .
Spain 's Garbine Muguruza , the 2016 champion in Paris and seeded 11 this year , plays Danielle Collins of the United States who is enjoying her best run at the tournament .
French wildcard Clara Burel , just 19 and ranked a lowly 357 , faces experienced Chinese player Zhang Shuai who is attempting to become the first Chinese woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Li Na in 2012 .
The 100th-ranked Fernandez , just 18 , won the girls ' title in Paris last year and is now making waves on her main draw debut after taking down 31st seed Magda Linette and 47th-ranked Polona Hercog .

Paris (AFP) –
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Novak Djokovic admits he knows absolutely nothing about Daniel Galan, the world number 153 from Colombia who stands in his way of a place in the last 16 at Roland Garros on Saturday.
That may be just as well as Galan, a 24-year-old lucky loser from qualifying, says he's not a "diehard follower" of the world number one.
"I don't know much about him, to be honest," said Djokovic, the 2016 French Open champion who is chasing an 18th Grand Slam title.
"I have never seen him play, so I'll have to obviously look at his matches, the videos, and try to prepare myself with my team."
Djokovic, whose 2020 record now stands at 33 wins against just one loss, is bidding to become the first man in half a century to win all four Slams twice.
His second round win over Ricardas Berankis was his 70th at the tournament. The 33-year-old has now won at least 70 matches at all the majors.
By contrast, Galan's only two wins at the Slams have come in Paris this week.
"As a child I grew up with the rivalry between (Roger) Federer and (Marat) Safin," said Galan. "When I was older I admired (Rafael) Nadal for what he has achieved."
Galan was one of nine players outside the top 100 to have reached the third round, the most in Paris since 1985.
"Djokovic has no weaknesses, although I am not saying that he is invincible, otherwise he would never have lost a match," added Galan, the first Colombian to reach the third round of a major since Santiago Giraldo in Paris in 2012.
On the day after world number 239 Hugo Gaston and Sebastian Korda, ranked at 213, made the last 16, German qualifier Daniel Altmaier struck another blow for the underdog.
The world number 186 stunned seventh seed Matteo Berrettini of Italy 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, becoming just the fourth man to reach the round of 16 on his Grand Slam debut since 2000.
Victory also means an unexpected financial windfall for the German who is guaranteed to make at least $221,400 by reaching the last 16 having earned $173,600 in his entire six-year career.
- Injured before Paris' -
"I didn't know if I was going to be able to play in Paris as I was injured the week before at a tournament in Aix," said Altmaier who had previously only won one ATP Tour match in his career.
"But the doctor gave me the go-ahead so I am super-pleased to be here. The tournament continues for me and I am happy to keep going."
Russian 13th seed Andrey Rublev, the champion on clay in Hamburg on the eve of Roland Garros, eased past veteran South African Kevin Anderson in just 94 minutes.
Rublev didn't face a break point in his 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win as he moved into the last 16 for the first time.
Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas bids to make the fourth round for a second successive year. He faces Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene, the world number 56.
Tsitsipas had to come back from two sets down to defeat Jaume Munar in the first round but then swept past Uruguayan clay court specialist Pablo Cuevas for the loss of just seven games.
In the women's draw, 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko, who knocked out second seed Karolina Pliskova on Thursday, takes on Spain's Paula Badosa.
The New York-born Badosa, ranked 87, is making her Roland Garros debut and marked the occasion by stunning former US Open champion and 2018 Roland Garros finalist Sloane Stephens in the second round.
Australian Open champion and fourth seed Sofia Kenin is up against Romanian qualifier Irina Bara, ranked at 142. Kenin stunned Serena Williams at the same stage of last year's tournament.
Spain's Garbine Muguruza, the 2016 champion in Paris and seeded 11 this year, plays Danielle Collins of the United States who is enjoying her best run at the tournament.
French wildcard Clara Burel, just 19 and ranked a lowly 357, faces experienced Chinese player Zhang Shuai who is attempting to become the first Chinese woman in the second week since former champion Li Na in 2012.
Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova, seeded seven, meets Leylah Fernandez for a last-16 spot.
The 100th-ranked Fernandez, just 18, won the girls' title in Paris last year and is now making waves on her main draw debut after taking down 31st seed Magda Linette and 47th-ranked Polona Hercog.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-03--Heavy fighting over Karabakh after main city shelled

Servicemen of Karabakh 's Emergencies Ministry stand outside the ministry 's building which it said was damaged by Azeri shelling Armenian and Azerbaijani forces were engaged in fierce clashes Saturday as fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region intensified after its main city came under heavy shelling .
The leader of the breakaway province said he was heading to the front and that the `` final battle '' for the region had begun , seven days after new fighting erupted in the decades-old dispute .
Armenia 's defence ministry said Karabakh 's separatist forces had repelled a `` massive attack '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontline and had launched a counter-offensive .
`` Heavy fighting is ongoing on other flanks , '' defence ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan said .
Azerbaijan 's defence ministry said its forces had `` captured new footholds '' and that the Armenians had `` suffered serious losses in manpower and military hardware '' .
The clashes came after the regional capital Stepanakert came under artillery and rocket fire on Friday .
AFP journalists in the city heard more explosions on Saturday morning .
Residents hid in shelters and on Saturday were clearing up wreckage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their homes and shops .
`` This is a great sorrow for our community , for our people , '' Nelson Adamyan , a 65-year-old electrician , told AFP outside his damaged residential building .
`` But we will stand for our freedom , we will always be free . ''
At least one person was reported killed in the shelling .
Both sides have been accused of hitting civilian areas , with Azerbaijan saying Saturday that Armenian artillery had shelled 19 of its settlements overnight .
The new fighting erupted last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halt to the hostilities and a return to negotiations over the dispute have gone unanswered .
The leader of the breakaway province , Arayik Harutyunyan , said he was headed to join the `` intensive fighting '' on the frontline .
The `` nation and motherland are under threat , '' he told reporters in Stepanakert .
`` The time has come for the entire nation to become a powerful army .
This is our final battle , which we will certainly win . ''
Both sides have repeatedly claimed to be inflicting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported 158 military deaths and said 14 civilians have been killed .
Azerbaijan has reported 19 civilian deaths but has not confirmed any fatalities among its troops .
Russia , the United States and France -- whose leaders co-chair a mediation group that has failed to bring about a political resolution to the conflict -- called on the warring sides this week to immediately agree a ceasefire .
Armenia said Friday it was `` ready to engage '' with mediators but Azerbaijan -- which considers Karabakh under Armenian occupation -- has said Armenian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be brokered .
Karabakh 's declaration of independence from Azerbaijan amid the collapse of the Soviet Union sparked a war in the early 1990s that claimed 30,000 lives .
Talks to resolve the conflict have made little progress since a 1994 ceasefire agreement .
The breakaway province is not recognised as independent by any country -- including Armenia -- and Karabakh 's foreign ministry said Saturday that only receiving official status from world leaders could resolve the military flare-up .
International recognition , it said , would `` ensure the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents and `` is the only way towards peace and security in the region . ''
The fighting has threatened to balloon into a regional conflict drawing in powerful players Russia and Turkey .
Armenia is in a military alliance of former Soviet countries that is led by Moscow , which maintains a military base there , while NATO member Turkey has signalled its full support for Azerbaijan 's military operations .
A British-based monitor , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , reported at least 28 Syrian rebel fighters had been killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 850 such combatants .

Stepanakert (Azerbaijan) (AFP) –
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Armenian and Azerbaijani forces were engaged in fierce clashes Saturday as fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region intensified after its main city came under heavy shelling.
The leader of the breakaway province said he was heading to the front and that the "final battle" for the region had begun, seven days after new fighting erupted in the decades-old dispute.
Armenia's defence ministry said Karabakh's separatist forces had repelled a "massive attack" by Azerbaijan in one area of the frontline and had launched a counter-offensive.
"Heavy fighting is ongoing on other flanks," defence ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan said.
Azerbaijan's defence ministry said its forces had "captured new footholds" and that the Armenians had "suffered serious losses in manpower and military hardware".
The clashes came after the regional capital Stepanakert came under artillery and rocket fire on Friday. AFP journalists in the city heard more explosions on Saturday morning.
Residents hid in shelters and on Saturday were clearing up wreckage and sweeping up the shattered glass windows of their homes and shops.
"This is a great sorrow for our community, for our people," Nelson Adamyan, a 65-year-old electrician, told AFP outside his damaged residential building.
"But we will stand for our freedom, we will always be free."
At least one person was reported killed in the shelling.
Both sides have been accused of hitting civilian areas, with Azerbaijan saying Saturday that Armenian artillery had shelled 19 of its settlements overnight.
The new fighting erupted last Sunday and mounting international calls for a halt to the hostilities and a return to negotiations over the dispute have gone unanswered.
The leader of the breakaway province, Arayik Harutyunyan, said he was headed to join the "intensive fighting" on the frontline.
The "nation and motherland are under threat," he told reporters in Stepanakert.
"The time has come for the entire nation to become a powerful army. This is our final battle, which we will certainly win."
- Call for recognition -
Both sides have repeatedly claimed to be inflicting heavy losses.
The Armenian side has reported 158 military deaths and said 14 civilians have been killed. Azerbaijan has reported 19 civilian deaths but has not confirmed any fatalities among its troops.
Russia, the United States and France -- whose leaders co-chair a mediation group that has failed to bring about a political resolution to the conflict -- called on the warring sides this week to immediately agree a ceasefire.
Armenia said Friday it was "ready to engage" with mediators but Azerbaijan -- which considers Karabakh under Armenian occupation -- has said Armenian forces must fully withdraw before a ceasefire can be brokered.
Karabakh's declaration of independence from Azerbaijan amid the collapse of the Soviet Union sparked a war in the early 1990s that claimed 30,000 lives.
Talks to resolve the conflict have made little progress since a 1994 ceasefire agreement.
The breakaway province is not recognised as independent by any country -- including Armenia -- and Karabakh's foreign ministry said Saturday that only receiving official status from world leaders could resolve the military flare-up.
International recognition, it said, would "ensure the right to life and peaceful development" of its residents and "is the only way towards peace and security in the region."
The fighting has threatened to balloon into a regional conflict drawing in powerful players Russia and Turkey.
Armenia is in a military alliance of former Soviet countries that is led by Moscow, which maintains a military base there, while NATO member Turkey has signalled its full support for Azerbaijan's military operations.
A British-based monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported at least 28 Syrian rebel fighters had been killed in clashes, claiming there were more than 850 such combatants.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-03--World 186 Altmaier into last 16 at Roland Garros

Stepping out of the shadows : Daniel Altmaier returns the ball to Matteo Berrettini German qualifier Daniel Altmaier , ranked @ @ @ @ @ , stunned seventh seed Matteo Berrettini of Italy to reach the Roland Garros last 16 @ @ @ @ @ Altmaier triumphed 6-2 , 7-6 ( 7/5 ) , 6-4 , becoming just the fourth @ @ @ @ @ of 16 on his Grand Slam debut since 2000 .
Victory also means an unexpected @ @ @ @ @ who is guaranteed to make at least $ 221,400 by reaching the last 16 having @ @ @ @ @ entire six-year career .
`` I did n't know if I was going to be @ @ @ @ @ as I was injured the week before at a tournament in Aix , '' said @ @ @ @ @ gave me the go-ahead so I am super-pleased to be here .
The tournament continues @ @ @ @ @ happy to keep going . ''
Altmaier goes on to face either 10th seed Roberto @ @ @ @ @ Busta , seeded 17 , for a place in the quarter-finals .

Paris (AFP) –
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German qualifier Daniel Altmaier, ranked at 186 in the world, stunned seventh seed Matteo Berrettini of Italy to reach the Roland Garros last 16 on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Altmaier triumphed 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, becoming just the fourth man to reach the round of 16 on his Grand Slam debut since 2000.
Victory also means an unexpected financial windfall for the German who is guaranteed to make at least $221,400 by reaching the last 16 having earned $173,600 in his entire six-year career.
"I didn't know if I was going to be able to play in Paris as I was injured the week before at a tournament in Aix," said Altmaier
"But the doctor gave me the go-ahead so I am super-pleased to be here. The tournament continues for me and I am happy to keep going."
Altmaier goes on to face either 10th seed Roberto Bautista Agut or Pablo Carreno Busta, seeded 17, for a place in the quarter-finals.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-03--Alaphilippe and Hirschi head thinned Liege-Bastogne-Liege field

A week after winning the world title , Julian Alaphilippe will attempt to add to his collection of classic titles in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege In a normal year Liege-Bastogne-Liege would attract a stellar field , but with the spring classics shifting to autumn along with the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana , Sunday 's race will have a different feel .
After having been raced in the unpredictable April weather of the Ardennes since 1892 , the oldest of cycling 's five 'monuments ' has proved movable and will be run on Sunday , on the same day as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This year 's race has attracted a only a few one-day heavyweights , but they include the two men in the best one-day form .
Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe won the world championship last Sunday , while young Swiss star Marc Hirschi was third in the worlds and took the Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday .
Two monuments have been run since cycling resumed after the coronavirus shutdown but the winners are absent .
Belgian Wout van Aert , who won the Milan-San Remo as well as the Strade Bianche classic in early August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cobblestone monuments , the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix , later this month .
Dane Jakob Fuglsang , who in August won the Tour of Lombardy , known as 'the race of the falling leaves ' because it is traditionally the last monument of the year , is competing in the Giro .
Belgian Jasper Stuyven , winner of Het Nieuwsblad at the end of February , the only classic to have been contested before the season shut down , is also focused on Flanders and is planning his return in Ghent-Wevelgem on @ @ @

Liege (Belgium) (AFP) –
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In a normal year Liege-Bastogne-Liege would attract a stellar field, but with the spring classics shifting to autumn along with the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana, Sunday's race will have a different feel.
After having been raced in the unpredictable April weather of the Ardennes since 1892, the oldest of cycling's five 'monuments' has proved movable and will be run on Sunday, on the same day as the Giro's second stage in Sicily.
This year's race has attracted a only a few one-day heavyweights, but they include the two men in the best one-day form.
Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe won the world championship last Sunday, while young Swiss star Marc Hirschi was third in the worlds and took the Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday.
Two monuments have been run since cycling resumed after the coronavirus shutdown but the winners are absent.
Belgian Wout van Aert, who won the Milan-San Remo as well as the Strade Bianche classic in early August, is going to concentrate on the two cobblestone monuments, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, later this month.
Dane Jakob Fuglsang, who in August won the Tour of Lombardy, known as 'the race of the falling leaves' because it is traditionally the last monument of the year, is competing in the Giro.
Belgian Jasper Stuyven, winner of Het Nieuwsblad at the end of February, the only classic to have been contested before the season shut down, is also focused on Flanders and is planning his return in Ghent-Wevelgem on October 11.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-03--Ethiopia's largest ethnic group holds scaled-back thanksgiving festival

People in traditional clothing march during the celebration of the Oromo people 's annual thanksgiving holiday , in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia .
Members of Ethiopia 's largest ethnic group gathered Saturday under heavy security in Addis Ababa for a scaled-back version of their annual thanksgiving festival against a backdrop of unrest and political division .
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed 's government said it was restricting attendance for the Oromo group 's Irreecha festival to around 5,000 people to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , just as it did for an Orthodox Christian holiday last week .
But some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent anti-government protests at a time when Oromo opposition politicians are behind bars and security forces stand accused of using heavy-handed tactics against civilians in the Oromo region surrounding the capital .
`` When people get together they may reflect on what is going wrong in the country .
For fear of that they have restricted us , '' said Jatani Bonaya , a 26-year-old student .
`` What the government is doing is not right , '' he added .
Irreecha marks the end of the rainy season and the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditionally held in the city of Bishoftu , located in Oromia some 50 kilometres ( 30 miles ) southeast of Addis Ababa .
In 2016 the use of tear gas and firearms by security forces sparked a stampede in Bishoftu that killed dozens , some of whom drowned in a nearby lake .
The government put the death toll at 55 , though Human Rights Watch later said it could have been in the hundreds .
The following year Irreecha turned into an anti-government protest , part of a broader movement that brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to power in 2018 .
Last year Abiy allowed a separate Irreecha celebration to take place for the first time in Addis Ababa and hundreds of thousands turned out .
On Saturday a much smaller crowd led by chanting Oromo traditional leaders gathered at pools of water in central Addis Ababa , where they dipped flowers and sprayed themselves in a gesture symbolising gratitude and renewal .
Tensions between Abiy and Oromo nationalists have been on the rise in recent months following the June killing of Hachalu Hundessa , a pop star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marginalisation .
More than 160 people were killed in ensuing violence , and more than 9,000 people were caught up in subsequent mass arrests including journalists and prominent Oromo opposition politicians .
Chaltu Lemma , a 22-year-old cousin of Hachalu 's , attended Saturday 's ceremony and said she hoped it would not be tainted with politics .
`` This is our culture , and our culture is independent of religion and politics , '' she said .
`` We are sad as a family and as a nation that Hachalu was killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But human beings are born and die ...
This government will also pass , but Irreecha will outlive all of us . ''
Abiy 's government was clearly worried about security this year .
On Wednesday police staged a military-style parade at which Abiy , winner of last year 's Nobel Peace Prize , declared Ethiopia `` will not kneel to any enemy in its quest for prosperity '' .
And on Thursday police announced the arrest of 503 people `` intending to cause harm to Irreecha festival-goers '' , saying they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kalashnikov rifles .

Addis Ababa (AFP) –
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Members of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group gathered Saturday under heavy security in Addis Ababa for a scaled-back version of their annual thanksgiving festival against a backdrop of unrest and political division.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government said it was restricting attendance for the Oromo group's Irreecha festival to around 5,000 people to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, just as it did for an Orthodox Christian holiday last week.
But some Irreecha attendees said the regulations were designed to prevent anti-government protests at a time when Oromo opposition politicians are behind bars and security forces stand accused of using heavy-handed tactics against civilians in the Oromo region surrounding the capital.
"When people get together they may reflect on what is going wrong in the country. For fear of that they have restricted us," said Jatani Bonaya, a 26-year-old student.
"What the government is doing is not right," he added.
Irreecha marks the end of the rainy season and the start of the harvest season.
It is traditionally held in the city of Bishoftu, located in Oromia some 50 kilometres (30 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa.
In 2016 the use of tear gas and firearms by security forces sparked a stampede in Bishoftu that killed dozens, some of whom drowned in a nearby lake.
The government put the death toll at 55, though Human Rights Watch later said it could have been in the hundreds.
The following year Irreecha turned into an anti-government protest, part of a broader movement that brought Abiy, Ethiopia's first Oromo ruler, to power in 2018.
Last year Abiy allowed a separate Irreecha celebration to take place for the first time in Addis Ababa and hundreds of thousands turned out.
On Saturday a much smaller crowd led by chanting Oromo traditional leaders gathered at pools of water in central Addis Ababa, where they dipped flowers and sprayed themselves in a gesture symbolising gratitude and renewal.
-Pop star's killing-
Tensions between Abiy and Oromo nationalists have been on the rise in recent months following the June killing of Hachalu Hundessa, a pop star who gave voice to Oromo feelings of marginalisation.
More than 160 people were killed in ensuing violence, and more than 9,000 people were caught up in subsequent mass arrests including journalists and prominent Oromo opposition politicians.
Chaltu Lemma, a 22-year-old cousin of Hachalu's, attended Saturday's ceremony and said she hoped it would not be tainted with politics.
"This is our culture, and our culture is independent of religion and politics," she said.
"We are sad as a family and as a nation that Hachalu was killed. He shouldn't have died. But human beings are born and die... This government will also pass, but Irreecha will outlive all of us."
Abiy's government was clearly worried about security this year.
On Wednesday police staged a military-style parade at which Abiy, winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize, declared Ethiopia "will not kneel to any enemy in its quest for prosperity".
And on Thursday police announced the arrest of 503 people "intending to cause harm to Irreecha festival-goers", saying they had confiscated more than 100 weapons including grenades and Kalashnikov rifles.
Saturday's ceremony appeared to unfold peacefully.
A larger Irreecha ceremony is expected Sunday in Bishoftu.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-03--Police officers suspended over handling of India gang-rape case

Police outside the family house of a 19-year-old woman , who was allegedly gang-raped at Bool Garhi village in Hathras in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on September 30 , 2020 .
Under fire for its handling of an investigation into the gang-rape , murder and cremation of a teenager from the disadvantaged Dalit caste , authorities in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Friday announced the suspension of five senior police officers .
The case has sparked protests across India with critics accusing the police of harassing the victim ’ s family .
Uttar Pradesh chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspension of the police chief of Hathras district , where the crime occurred , and four other officers .
Adityanath , a controversial far-right Hindu politician , monk and close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced that the victim 's family , the accused and the suspended policemen would all undergo lie-detector and drug tests .
Protests erupted across India this week demanding justice for the 19-year-old woman who was allegedly gang-raped last month and later died in a hospital in the latest brutal sexual violence against women to rile India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over police discrimination when video clips , shot by local journalists , showed Uttar Pradesh police officers cremating the woman 's body in the middle of the night — reportedly with the help of some petrol — against the wishes of her family and religious custom .
Under Hinduism , cremations are never done at night .
A senior policeman on Thursday sparked further outrage after claiming that a foresic report and an autopsy had shown that the woman had not been raped .
This contradicts statements from the victim and her mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the forensic test was carried out too long after the attack .
The woman ’ s family told local media that they found her naked , bleeding and paralysed with a split tongue and a broken spine in a field outside their home , and that she had identified her assailants .
She died two weeks later , on Tuesday , after battling serious injuries in a hospital in the capital , New Delhi .
Dalits — formerly known as “ untouchables ” and at the bottom of India ’ s unforgiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of attacks each year .
According to human rights organisations , Dalit women are particularly vulnerable to caste-based discrimination and sexual violence .
Hundreds of police have also barricaded the village , preventing the woman 's family from leaving and journalists and opposition politicians from talking to them .
The family 's mobile phones have also reportedly been seized .
The victim 's brother told one Indian news channel that the family were scared for their lives .
The local high court has ordered authorities to provide the family protection .
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition Congress party , Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi , after preventing them from visiting the victim 's village .
Police officer Manoj Dixit said the two party leaders were detained for violating an order banning the assembly of four or more people in the area to prevent any violence by protesters .
Police stopped their convoy on a highway on the way to the village , where the party leaders planned to meet with the woman 's family .
They got out of their car and started walking to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police .
The Congress leaders were driven back to New Delhi and later released .
The young woman 's death comes months after four men were hanged for the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a student on a bus in New Delhi , in a case that came to symbolise India 's epidemic of sexual violence .
An average of 87 rapes were reported in India every day last year , according to data by the National Crime Records Bureau , but large numbers are thought to go unreported .

Under fire for its handling of an investigation into the gang-rape, murder and cremation of a teenager from the disadvantaged Dalit caste, authorities in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Friday announced the suspension of five senior police officers. The case has sparked protests across India with critics accusing the police of harassing the victim’s family.
Police outside the family house of a 19-year-old woman, who was allegedly gang-raped at Bool Garhi village in Hathras in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on September 30, 2020.
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Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath late Friday announced the suspension of the police chief of Hathras district, where the crime occurred, and four other officers.
Adityanath, a controversial far-right Hindu politician, monk and close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced that the victim's family, the accused and the suspended policemen would all undergo lie-detector and drug tests.
The thing about CM Adityanath, is he lifted a slew of criminal cases against himself after he came to power. He may sacrifice officials acting on direction, responsibility for his own acts will only come from an authority with more power. https://t.co/A1g49FW1ty — Karuna Nundy (@karunanundy) October 3, 2020
Protests erupted across India this week demanding justice for the 19-year-old woman who was allegedly gang-raped last month and later died in a hospital in the latest brutal sexual violence against women to rile India.
The case has also sparked anger over police discrimination when video clips, shot by local journalists, showed Uttar Pradesh police officers cremating the woman's body in the middle of the night — reportedly with the help of some petrol — against the wishes of her family and religious custom. Under Hinduism, cremations are never done at night.
A senior policeman on Thursday sparked further outrage after claiming that a foresic report and an autopsy had shown that the woman had not been raped.
This contradicts statements from the victim and her mother and reported hospital findings, while experts said the forensic test was carried out too long after the attack.
The woman’s family told local media that they found her naked, bleeding and paralysed with a split tongue and a broken spine in a field outside their home, and that she had identified her assailants. She died two weeks later, on Tuesday, after battling serious injuries in a hospital in the capital, New Delhi.
Dalits — formerly known as “untouchables” and at the bottom of India’s unforgiving Hindu caste hierarchy — are victims of thousands of attacks each year. According to human rights organisations, Dalit women are particularly vulnerable to caste-based discrimination and sexual violence.
Police barricade victim's village, block opposition leaders
Hundreds of police have also barricaded the village, preventing the woman's family from leaving and journalists and opposition politicians from talking to them.
The family's mobile phones have also reportedly been seized.
The victim's brother told one Indian news channel that the family were scared for their lives. The local high court has ordered authorities to provide the family protection.
Narco test of the Hathras victim’s family will be done. The family which has been subjected to humiliation, trauma, anguish and intimidation will now have to face another horror. #HathrasHorror #JusticeForManisha pic.twitter.com/xuHZcrZtuv — Marya Shakil (@maryashakil) October 2, 2020
Police on Thursday detained key leaders of the opposition Congress party, Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi, after preventing them from visiting the victim's village.
Police officer Manoj Dixit said the two party leaders were detained for violating an order banning the assembly of four or more people in the area to prevent any violence by protesters.
Police stopped their convoy on a highway on the way to the village, where the party leaders planned to meet with the woman's family. They got out of their car and started walking to the village, but were blocked again by the police.
The Congress leaders were driven back to New Delhi and later released.
The young woman's death comes months after four men were hanged for the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a student on a bus in New Delhi, in a case that came to symbolise India's epidemic of sexual violence.
An average of 87 rapes were reported in India every day last year, according to data by the National Crime Records Bureau, but large numbers are thought to go unreported.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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