france24--2020-11-29--Underground Maradona museum in Naples pays tribute to football legend

An underground museum in the backstreets of Naples is filled with Diego Maradona memorabilia .
An underground museum in the backstreets of Naples is filled with Diego Maradona memorabilia .
FRANCE 24 's Mark Owen reports on a tribute to the football legend .
For fans of Diego Maradona , a musem in the backstreets of Naples is a must-see .
Photos of the football legend sit alongside clippings , cuttings , certificates and `` absolute dynamite '' like Maradona 's training jacket from 1989 .
`` These are all souvenirs he gave to my family , '' said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose father was head of ground staff and the changing rooms at Napoli 's San Paolo stadium .
`` Losing Maradona for me is like losing a father , a mother and a son , '' he said .
`` Diego was an even bigger champion off the field than on it , '' said Vignati .
`` He was a generous person with a big heart , humble , with humility .
That 's why Diego will never die .
His body is dead but his spirit lives on . ''
Visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go towards helping local children .
Click on the player above to watch the report in full .

ON THE GROUND
An underground museum in the backstreets of Naples is filled with Diego Maradona memorabilia. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen reports on a tribute to the football legend.
An underground museum in the backstreets of Naples is filled with Diego Maradona memorabilia.
Advertising Read more
For fans of Diego Maradona, a musem in the backstreets of Naples is a must-see.
Photos of the football legend sit alongside clippings, cuttings, certificates and "absolute dynamite" like Maradona's training jacket from 1989.
"These are all souvenirs he gave to my family," said the museum's founder, Massimo Vignati, whose father was head of ground staff and the changing rooms at Napoli's San Paolo stadium. "Losing Maradona for me is like losing a father, a mother and a son," he said.
"Diego was an even bigger champion off the field than on it," said Vignati. "He was a generous person with a big heart, humble, with humility. That's why Diego will never die. His body is dead but his spirit lives on."
Visits to the museum are free but donations go towards helping local children.
Click on the player above to watch the report in full.
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france24--2020-11-29--Sydney records hottest November night as heatwave sweeps city

A fiery sunset over the Members ' Stand during the one-day cricket match between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the sweltering city Sydney recorded its hottest November night as Australia 's largest city suffered through a weekend heatwave that saw daytime temperatures peak above 40 degrees Celsius ( 104 degrees Fahrenheit ) .
The overnight temperature did not drop below 25.3 degrees Celsius Saturday into Sunday in central Sydney , according to the meteorology bureau , making it the hottest November night since records began .
The temperature had already hit a scorching 30 degrees Celsius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above 40 degrees for the second consecutive day .
`` New South Wales is in the midst of a severe heatwave with very warm conditions already being experienced yesterday , and today being a repeat of some of those conditions , '' said the Bureau of Meteorology 's Agata Imielska .
Daytime records for November fell elsewhere in Australia 's southeast , with the outback towns of Griffith and Mildura reaching 43.2 and 45.7 degrees Celsius respectively on Saturday .
The heatwave saw bans on lighting fires imposed across large swathes of New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was badly hit by catastrophic bushfires during the last southern hemisphere summer .
A number of blazes broke out Sunday , including one on Sydney 's western outskirts that the NSW Fire and Rescue Service said damaged a property .
More than 60 bushfires were still burning across the state , but most had been brought under control by firefighters as a southerly wind change led to a rapid drop in temperatures .
It was the first burst of significant bushfire activity since the devastating 2019-2020 fires , which burned an area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and left 33 people dead as tens of thousands fled their homes .
The fire season also killed or displaced nearly three billion animals and cost the economy an estimated US $ 7 billion .
The latest heatwave comes just two weeks after government scientists warned the fossil-fuel reliant country should brace for worse to come , predicting climate change will continue to exacerbate bushfires , droughts and cyclones in Australia .
Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly played down the link between climate change and the bushfires , and has committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world 's leading fossil fuel exporters .
But Australians are increasingly concerned about climate change , with a recent poll by Sydney 's Lowy Institute showing almost 90 percent believing it is a critical or important threat .

Sydney (AFP) –
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Sydney recorded its hottest November night as Australia's largest city suffered through a weekend heatwave that saw daytime temperatures peak above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
The overnight temperature did not drop below 25.3 degrees Celsius Saturday into Sunday in central Sydney, according to the meteorology bureau, making it the hottest November night since records began.
The temperature had already hit a scorching 30 degrees Celsius by 4:30 am Sunday, before reaching above 40 degrees for the second consecutive day.
"New South Wales is in the midst of a severe heatwave with very warm conditions already being experienced yesterday, and today being a repeat of some of those conditions," said the Bureau of Meteorology's Agata Imielska.
Daytime records for November fell elsewhere in Australia's southeast, with the outback towns of Griffith and Mildura reaching 43.2 and 45.7 degrees Celsius respectively on Saturday.
The heatwave saw bans on lighting fires imposed across large swathes of New South Wales (NSW) state, which was badly hit by catastrophic bushfires during the last southern hemisphere summer.
A number of blazes broke out Sunday, including one on Sydney's western outskirts that the NSW Fire and Rescue Service said damaged a property.
More than 60 bushfires were still burning across the state, but most had been brought under control by firefighters as a southerly wind change led to a rapid drop in temperatures.
It was the first burst of significant bushfire activity since the devastating 2019-2020 fires, which burned an area roughly the size of the United Kingdom and left 33 people dead as tens of thousands fled their homes.
The fire season also killed or displaced nearly three billion animals and cost the economy an estimated US$7 billion.
The latest heatwave comes just two weeks after government scientists warned the fossil-fuel reliant country should brace for worse to come, predicting climate change will continue to exacerbate bushfires, droughts and cyclones in Australia.
Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly played down the link between climate change and the bushfires, and has committed to keeping Australia as one of the world's leading fossil fuel exporters.
But Australians are increasingly concerned about climate change, with a recent poll by Sydney's Lowy Institute showing almost 90 percent believing it is a critical or important threat.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Mammoth move: loneliest elephant heads to Cambodia after Cher campaign

Kavaan ( in enclosure at right ) is set to be flown to Cambodia following a campaign by pop star Cher to free the elephant Following years of public outcry and campaigning by American pop star Cher , the `` world 's loneliest elephant '' embarked Sunday on a mammoth move from Pakistan to retirement in a Cambodian sanctuary .
The famed singer and Oscar-winning actress has spent recent days at the Islamabad zoo to provide moral support to Kaavan -- an overweight , 36-year-old bull elephant -- whose pitiful treatment at the dilapidated facility sparked an uproar from animal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign by Cher .
`` My wishes have finally come true '' , Cher said in a statement thanking her charity Free The Wild .
`` We have been counting down to this moment and dreaming of it for so long and to finally see Kaavan transported out of ( the Islamabad ) zoo will remain with us forever . ''
Kaavan 's case and the woeful conditions at the zoo resulted in a judge this year ordering all the animals to be moved .
`` Thanks to Cher and also to local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headlines around the globe and this contributed to the facilitation of his transfer , '' said Martin Bauer , a spokesman for Four Paws International -- an animal welfare group that has spearheaded the relocation effort .
Experts spent hours coaxing a slightly sedated Kaavan into a specially constructed metal crate -- at one point using ropes to help pull him in -- that was to be hoisted onto a lorry and taken to Islamabad airport .
From there , Kaavan will be sent via a Russian transport jumbo jet for the lengthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plane will stop for refuelling in New Delhi .
Cher spent several days in the Pakistani capital to visit Kaavan before the trip to a 10,000-hectare ( 25,000-acre ) Cambodian wildlife sanctuary , with Prime Minister Imran Khan personally thanking the 74-year-old star .
Cher was due to fly to Cambodia on Sunday to be in the Southeast Asian nation when the elephant arrives .
Officials said Kaavan will initially be kept in a small designated section of the park where he can see other elephants .
`` Sending him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other elephants of his kind ... is really the right choice , '' climate change minister Malik Amin Aslam told AFP .
`` We will be happy to see him happy in Cambodia and we hope he finds a partner very soon . ''
Dubbed by the press as the world 's loneliest elephant , Kaavan is the only Asian elephant in Pakistan -- the tiny number of other pachyderms at other zoos are African .
A team of vets and experts from Four Paws have spent months working with Kaavan to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has included training the elephant to enter the massive metal transport crate that will be placed in a cargo plane for the seven-hour flight .
Zoo officials have in the past denied Kaavan was kept in substandard conditions or chained , claiming instead the creature was pining for a new mate after his partner died in 2012 .
But Kaavan 's behaviour -- including signs of distress such as continual head-bobbing -- raised concerns of mental illness .
Activists also said Kaavan was not properly sheltered from Islamabad 's searing summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who also arrived from Sri Lanka , died in 2012 .
`` There 's a lot of improvement to be made , '' said Rab Nawaz with the World Wildlife Federation in Pakistan .
`` Kaavan is just one animal .
There 's lots of animals in Pakistan ... which are in miserable conditions . ''

Islamabad (AFP) –
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Following years of public outcry and campaigning by American pop star Cher, the "world's loneliest elephant" embarked Sunday on a mammoth move from Pakistan to retirement in a Cambodian sanctuary.
The famed singer and Oscar-winning actress has spent recent days at the Islamabad zoo to provide moral support to Kaavan -- an overweight, 36-year-old bull elephant -- whose pitiful treatment at the dilapidated facility sparked an uproar from animal rights groups and a spirited social media campaign by Cher.
"My wishes have finally come true", Cher said in a statement thanking her charity Free The Wild.
"We have been counting down to this moment and dreaming of it for so long and to finally see Kaavan transported out of (the Islamabad) zoo will remain with us forever."
Kaavan's case and the woeful conditions at the zoo resulted in a judge this year ordering all the animals to be moved.
"Thanks to Cher and also to local Pakistani activists, Kaavan's fate made headlines around the globe and this contributed to the facilitation of his transfer," said Martin Bauer, a spokesman for Four Paws International -- an animal welfare group that has spearheaded the relocation effort.
Experts spent hours coaxing a slightly sedated Kaavan into a specially constructed metal crate -- at one point using ropes to help pull him in -- that was to be hoisted onto a lorry and taken to Islamabad airport.
From there, Kaavan will be sent via a Russian transport jumbo jet for the lengthy flight to Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia. The plane will stop for refuelling in New Delhi.
Cher spent several days in the Pakistani capital to visit Kaavan before the trip to a 10,000-hectare (25,000-acre) Cambodian wildlife sanctuary, with Prime Minister Imran Khan personally thanking the 74-year-old star.
Cher was due to fly to Cambodia on Sunday to be in the Southeast Asian nation when the elephant arrives.
Officials said Kaavan will initially be kept in a small designated section of the park where he can see other elephants.
"Sending him to a place where he can be with other elephants of his kind ... is really the right choice," climate change minister Malik Amin Aslam told AFP.
"We will be happy to see him happy in Cambodia and we hope he finds a partner very soon."
- 'Loneliest' elephant -
Dubbed by the press as the world's loneliest elephant, Kaavan is the only Asian elephant in Pakistan -- the tiny number of other pachyderms at other zoos are African.
A team of vets and experts from Four Paws have spent months working with Kaavan to get him ready for the trip to Cambodia, which has included training the elephant to enter the massive metal transport crate that will be placed in a cargo plane for the seven-hour flight.
Zoo officials have in the past denied Kaavan was kept in substandard conditions or chained, claiming instead the creature was pining for a new mate after his partner died in 2012.
But Kaavan's behaviour -- including signs of distress such as continual head-bobbing -- raised concerns of mental illness.
Activists also said Kaavan was not properly sheltered from Islamabad's searing summer temperatures.
Kaavan's mate Saheli, who also arrived from Sri Lanka, died in 2012.
"There's a lot of improvement to be made," said Rab Nawaz with the World Wildlife Federation in Pakistan.
"Kaavan is just one animal. There's lots of animals in Pakistan... which are in miserable conditions."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Tears and memories as Argentina's Primera Division returns without Maradona

Walter Montoya of Racing Club ( 2nd R ) cries as he wears a special jersey with the colors of Argentina and a logo of Maradona The first games in Argentina 's Primera Division since the death of Diego Maradona kicked off Saturday amid tears and memories , with the club he last coached notching up a victory in tribute to the footballing genius .
Players from Racing and Union de Santa Fe entered the pitch at Avellaneda wearing national jerseys with Maradona 's number 10 on the back .
They warmed up to the sound of `` Life is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular by an accompanying video of the Argentine great performing feats of magic with the ball .
Standing around the centre circle , they marked the legend 's passing with a minute 's applause .
A kite in the Argentine colours was released , in reference to the `` Cosmic Kite '' moniker given to the diminutive playmaker by commentator Victor Morales after his `` Hand of God '' goal against England in the 1986 World Cup .
`` He is a great one , it goes without saying , '' said Racing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back tears during the tribute .
`` There is no need to say anything else , all words are futile . ''
Maradona 's last public appearance came four weeks ago for his 60th birthday celebration at the stadium of Gimnasia y Esgrima , the club he was coaching before he underwent an operation to remove a clot on his brain .
He died in his sleep on Wednesday aged just 60 , plunging his South American homeland and football globally into mourning .
Gimnasia paid their own tribute to the star with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aires in a later Saturday fixture .
Several Gimnasia players coached by the legend were also on the verge of tears before kickoff .
`` It was crazy to play , because we are still reeling from this blow , '' midfielder Victor Ayala said after the match .
`` But we did what Diego taught us ... For us , he was like a father , calling us whenever we needed something ... From up there , he must be proud of this team . ''

Buenos Aires (AFP) –
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The first games in Argentina's Primera Division since the death of Diego Maradona kicked off Saturday amid tears and memories, with the club he last coached notching up a victory in tribute to the footballing genius.
Players from Racing and Union de Santa Fe entered the pitch at Avellaneda wearing national jerseys with Maradona's number 10 on the back.
They warmed up to the sound of "Life is Life" -- a song made wildly popular by an accompanying video of the Argentine great performing feats of magic with the ball.
Standing around the centre circle, they marked the legend's passing with a minute's applause.
A kite in the Argentine colours was released, in reference to the "Cosmic Kite" moniker given to the diminutive playmaker by commentator Victor Morales after his "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.
"He is a great one, it goes without saying," said Racing midfielder Walter Montoya, unable to hold back tears during the tribute.
"There is no need to say anything else, all words are futile."
Maradona's last public appearance came four weeks ago for his 60th birthday celebration at the stadium of Gimnasia y Esgrima, the club he was coaching before he underwent an operation to remove a clot on his brain.
He died in his sleep on Wednesday aged just 60, plunging his South American homeland and football globally into mourning.
Gimnasia paid their own tribute to the star with a 1-0 victory over Velez in Buenos Aires in a later Saturday fixture.
Several Gimnasia players coached by the legend were also on the verge of tears before kickoff.
"It was crazy to play, because we are still reeling from this blow," midfielder Victor Ayala said after the match.
"But we did what Diego taught us... For us, he was like a father, calling us whenever we needed something... From up there, he must be proud of this team."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse dead at 85: agent

David Prowse ( L ) , played Darth Vader but did not lend the character his voice Dave Prowse , the British actor behind the menacing black mask of Star Wars villain Darth Vader , has died , his agent Thomas Bowington said Sunday .
`` It 's with great sadness that we have to announce that our client Dave Prowse ... passed away yesterday morning at the age of 85 , '' Bowington wrote on Facebook .
`` May the force be with him , always ! ''
the agent told the BBC .
Bowington added that Prowse 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world '' .
A former body-builder turned actor , Prowse 's towering stature at almost two metres ( 6.5 feet ) clinched him the role of the instantly-recognisable antagonist in the original Star Wars trilogy .
But while he donned the glossy black armour and cape , the Bristol native 's strong western English accent meant the filmmakers turned to James Earl Jones for the chilling voice that would emerge from behind the mask .
Prowse nevertheless remained attached to the character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` the greatest big-screen villain of all time '' .
Since the original Star Wars trilogy was released in the late 1970s and early 80s , Prowse had travelled the world meeting hardcore fans .

London (AFP) –
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Dave Prowse, the British actor behind the menacing black mask of Star Wars villain Darth Vader, has died, his agent Thomas Bowington said Sunday.
"It's with great sadness that we have to announce that our client Dave Prowse... passed away yesterday morning at the age of 85," Bowington wrote on Facebook.
"May the force be with him, always!" the agent told the BBC.
Bowington added that Prowse's death was "a truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world".
A former body-builder turned actor, Prowse's towering stature at almost two metres (6.5 feet) clinched him the role of the instantly-recognisable antagonist in the original Star Wars trilogy.
But while he donned the glossy black armour and cape, the Bristol native's strong western English accent meant the filmmakers turned to James Earl Jones for the chilling voice that would emerge from behind the mask.
Prowse nevertheless remained attached to the character, telling AFP in 2013 that he was "the greatest big-screen villain of all time".
Since the original Star Wars trilogy was released in the late 1970s and early 80s, Prowse had travelled the world meeting hardcore fans.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--French ship pulls 45 migrants from Channel

Migrants attempting to cross the Channel in a small boat in August Forty-five migrants `` including a pregnant woman and children '' were rescued Saturday in the English Channel after their improvised boat found itself `` in trouble '' off Dunkirk , French authorities said .
Several of the people `` appeared to be in a state of hypothermia '' after being brought aboard a patrol ship , the French prefecture in charge of the Channel and North Sea said in a statement .
First responders and border police took charge of the migrants , who were `` all safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ashore in Calais in the early evening , it added .
Calm weather this weekend prompted fears among French sea rescuers that larger numbers than usual would attempt the crossing to Britain , a source close to emergency services told AFP .
With busy traffic and powerful winds and currents , the Channel crossing can prove extremely dangerous for small boats despite the apparent short distance between Calais and British port Dover .
In late October , four people died and three were reported missing , devastating an Iranian-Kurdish family in the deadliest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Channel .
Increasing numbers of people have attempted the sea crossing from France to Britain since 2018 .
On Saturday , the two countries signed a deal aimed at shutting down the route , which calls for French patrols to be doubled and for radar and drones to be used to spot migrant boats earlier .

Lille (France) (AFP) –
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Forty-five migrants "including a pregnant woman and children" were rescued Saturday in the English Channel after their improvised boat found itself "in trouble" off Dunkirk, French authorities said.
Several of the people "appeared to be in a state of hypothermia" after being brought aboard a patrol ship, the French prefecture in charge of the Channel and North Sea said in a statement.
First responders and border police took charge of the migrants, who were "all safe and sound" when they were put ashore in Calais in the early evening, it added.
Calm weather this weekend prompted fears among French sea rescuers that larger numbers than usual would attempt the crossing to Britain, a source close to emergency services told AFP.
With busy traffic and powerful winds and currents, the Channel crossing can prove extremely dangerous for small boats despite the apparent short distance between Calais and British port Dover.
In late October, four people died and three were reported missing, devastating an Iranian-Kurdish family in the deadliest single incident for migrants attempting to cross the Channel.
Increasing numbers of people have attempted the sea crossing from France to Britain since 2018.
On Saturday, the two countries signed a deal aimed at shutting down the route, which calls for French patrols to be doubled and for radar and drones to be used to spot migrant boats earlier.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Tyson wants more over-50 fights and he's tough, says Jones

Tyson said he hoped to stage more bouts , as many as one every other month to stay in fighting shape Mike Tyson plans on fighting more exhibitions after a draw with Roy Jones Jr. on Saturday in his comeback at age 54 and Jones says he 'll be tough to beat .
`` I 'm happy I 'm not knocked out or anything .
I 'll be better the next one , '' Tyson said after the eight-round exhibition at Staples Center in Los Angeles .
`` I could have done everything better .
God willing I 'll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showdown of former heavyweight champions saw Jones , 51 , thinking he won the fight but impressed at the stamina and strength showed by Tyson .
`` It surprised me he could go eight rounds , '' Jones said .
`` He could go with anybody .
If he connects , you 'll have a problem .
He can do anything he wants to do . ''
A three-judge panel scored the bout a draw , with no details announced , but Jones did n't mind that result so much .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better and controled the fight , but I 'm cool with a draw , '' Jones said .
`` We both made it out cool and everybody got entertained . ''
Tyson hopes to stage more bouts , as many as one every other month to stay in fighting shape , mentioning such possible venues as Monaco or France .
`` Anything is possible .
The sky is the limit , '' Tyson said .
`` I 'm capable of helping a lot of people all over the world . ''
Tyson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a bout in 15 years , said he does n't see his return as an ego effort , having dropped 100 pounds to get himself into fighting shape .
`` I do n't think it 's a mid-life crisis with me , '' Tyson said .
`` I think it 's my ego and my ego tells me to do things I 'm afraid of doing .
I 'm very happy I did this .
I will do it again . ''
Far from the `` Iron Mike '' of his dominating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tyson revels more in going the distance rather than aiming for knockouts .
`` I was just happy to go the distance with him .
That 's real fighting , having the endurance , '' Tyson said .
`` You 're not going to knock everybody out .
I used to go for the quick kill .
I 'm training for distance now . ''
`` I do n't expect to win .
I expect to go eight rounds and entertain the crowd . ''
Even with rounds cut to two minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves ordered by state boxing officials , Tyson was able to produce more than enough punching power for Jones , who grabbed Tyson for much of the fight .
`` I 'm happy to scratch this off my bucket list , '' Jones said .
`` Everything hurt when he made contact and it makes you so fatigued .
I think I felt the uppercut the most .
My jaw still feels it . ''
Tyson says he has modest goals and simple needs these days , having long ago set aside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , drugs and a wild lifestyle and now favoring his ability to raise funds for charities such as supporting needy youth .
`` The old Mike Tyson no longer exists , '' he said .
`` This is a better cause for me .
I 'm here for a purpose .
`` I never liked who I was .
I like who I am now . ''

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Mike Tyson plans on fighting more exhibitions after a draw with Roy Jones Jr. on Saturday in his comeback at age 54 and Jones says he'll be tough to beat.
"I'm happy I'm not knocked out or anything. I'll be better the next one," Tyson said after the eight-round exhibition at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
"I could have done everything better. God willing I'll be better the next exhibition."
The showdown of former heavyweight champions saw Jones, 51, thinking he won the fight but impressed at the stamina and strength showed by Tyson.
"It surprised me he could go eight rounds," Jones said. "He could go with anybody. If he connects, you'll have a problem. He can do anything he wants to do."
A three-judge panel scored the bout a draw, with no details announced, but Jones didn't mind that result so much.
"I thought I won the fight, jabbed better and controled the fight, but I'm cool with a draw," Jones said. "We both made it out cool and everybody got entertained."
Tyson hopes to stage more bouts, as many as one every other month to stay in fighting shape, mentioning such possible venues as Monaco or France.
"Anything is possible. The sky is the limit," Tyson said. "I'm capable of helping a lot of people all over the world."
Tyson, who hadn't climbed into the ring for a bout in 15 years, said he doesn't see his return as an ego effort, having dropped 100 pounds to get himself into fighting shape.
"I don't think it's a mid-life crisis with me," Tyson said. "I think it's my ego and my ego tells me to do things I'm afraid of doing. I'm very happy I did this. I will do it again."
Far from the "Iron Mike" of his dominating heavyweight champion days of the late 1980s, Tyson revels more in going the distance rather than aiming for knockouts.
"I was just happy to go the distance with him. That's real fighting, having the endurance," Tyson said. "You're not going to knock everybody out. I used to go for the quick kill. I'm training for distance now."
"I don't expect to win. I expect to go eight rounds and entertain the crowd."
Even with rounds cut to two minutes and bigger than usual gloves in safety moves ordered by state boxing officials, Tyson was able to produce more than enough punching power for Jones, who grabbed Tyson for much of the fight.
"I'm happy to scratch this off my bucket list," Jones said. "Everything hurt when he made contact and it makes you so fatigued. I think I felt the uppercut the most. My jaw still feels it."
Tyson says he has modest goals and simple needs these days, having long ago set aside the need for mansions, boats, cars, drugs and a wild lifestyle and now favoring his ability to raise funds for charities such as supporting needy youth.
"The old Mike Tyson no longer exists," he said. "This is a better cause for me. I'm here for a purpose.
"I never liked who I was. I like who I am now."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-30--Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells: anger over England virus curbs

Unlike many other `` Tier 3 '' areas -- primarily in northern and central England -- Covid-19 rates in the affluent corner of Kent are well below the national average In quintessentially conservative Tunbridge Wells in southeast England , residents are living up to the town 's caricatured reputation for perpetual indignation .
This time , the source of their disgust is the government 's coronavirus approach when a national lockdown ends next week .
Ministers announced on Thursday that the roughly 118,000 people who call the leafy town and its surroundings home will , from next Wednesday , join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the very strictest virus restrictions .
But unlike many other `` Tier 3 '' areas -- primarily in northern and central England -- Covid-19 rates in the affluent corner of Kent , some 30 miles ( 48 kilometres ) southeast of London , are well below the national average .
The government included it and other parts of west Kent in the `` very high '' alert level because infection rates in the east of the county , some 40 miles away , are among the worst in the country .
Similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempts a regional rather than hyper-localised `` whack-a-mole '' approach to stopping the spread .
But it has irked the upmarket town , which has become synonymous with the phrase `` Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells '' , supposedly a sign-off of a prolific newspaper letter writer which has come to be a catch-all for conservative moral indignation .
`` It 's like a ridiculous puzzle , '' local retiree Pat Parrock said of the government 's evolving tiered approach to the pandemic as she enjoyed a hot drink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elegant town centre .
She vowed to keep using her gym down the road in nearby East Sussex , a county with similar infection rates but placed in the more moderate Tier 2 where more businesses will be able to stay open .
The government , though , advises against travel outside Tier 3 areas unless essential .
`` They 're not going to put roadblocks in , are they ? ''
Parrock wondered out loud .
Her 73-year-old friend Caroline Stedman offered quick reassurance .
`` We 're very law abiding in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
- 'In it together ' - Britain has been Europe 's worst-hit country during the pandemic , recording more than 57,000 deaths from some 1.6 million cases .
During the first months-long UK-wide lockdown from late March , a spirit of solidarity enveloped the nation , best demonstrated by the weekly `` clap for carers '' people took part in from their doorsteps .
Since then , and as the second wave of the virus hit poorer northern and central England worse than the more affluent south , that perceived unity has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland , which are responsible for their own healthcare policies , have also increasingly adopted their own approaches .
`` At least when you had national lockdowns everyone is in it together , '' said Brandon Moore .
The 23-year-old librarian felt placing the area in the toughest tier was `` unfair '' but also understandable .
Up to a point .
The government has vowed to review the tiers in mid-December and again every two weeks , with Johnson declaring on Thursday : `` Your tier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the means of escape . ''
But with Tunbridge Wells reliant on infections falling elsewhere in Kent , that rings hollow to Moore .
`` We 're already not high ( in cases ) .
It looks like there 's nothing we can do , '' he added .
Inside The Cake Shop , owner Joe Glenister , 29 , confessed he was `` disappointed '' by the tier decision , after only just reopening his cafe for takeaways following a self-imposed break during lockdown .
`` There must be a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Further along The Pantiles , the main shopping and leisure street , Gemma Buckland , 43 , director of a consultancy firm , was doing her best to defy the stereotypes of Tunbridge Wells disgust .
Noting the move to Tier 3 had been anticipated and that the county 's hospitals are filling up with Covid-19 patients , she was looking on the bright side .
`` It 's going to be freer than it was , '' she said .

Tunbridge Wells (United Kingdom) (AFP) –
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In quintessentially conservative Tunbridge Wells in southeast England, residents are living up to the town's caricatured reputation for perpetual indignation.
This time, the source of their disgust is the government's coronavirus approach when a national lockdown ends next week.
Ministers announced on Thursday that the roughly 118,000 people who call the leafy town and its surroundings home will, from next Wednesday, join more than 23 million people across England under the very strictest virus restrictions.
But unlike many other "Tier 3" areas -- primarily in northern and central England -- Covid-19 rates in the affluent corner of Kent, some 30 miles (48 kilometres) southeast of London, are well below the national average.
The government included it and other parts of west Kent in the "very high" alert level because infection rates in the east of the county, some 40 miles away, are among the worst in the country.
Similar discrepancies have been seen elsewhere in England as Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempts a regional rather than hyper-localised "whack-a-mole" approach to stopping the spread.
But it has irked the upmarket town, which has become synonymous with the phrase "Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells", supposedly a sign-off of a prolific newspaper letter writer which has come to be a catch-all for conservative moral indignation.
"It's like a ridiculous puzzle," local retiree Pat Parrock said of the government's evolving tiered approach to the pandemic as she enjoyed a hot drink with a friend sitting outside in the elegant town centre.
She vowed to keep using her gym down the road in nearby East Sussex, a county with similar infection rates but placed in the more moderate Tier 2 where more businesses will be able to stay open.
The government, though, advises against travel outside Tier 3 areas unless essential.
"They're not going to put roadblocks in, are they?" Parrock wondered out loud.
Her 73-year-old friend Caroline Stedman offered quick reassurance. "We're very law abiding in Tunbridge Wells," she told AFP.
- 'In it together' -
Britain has been Europe's worst-hit country during the pandemic, recording more than 57,000 deaths from some 1.6 million cases.
During the first months-long UK-wide lockdown from late March, a spirit of solidarity enveloped the nation, best demonstrated by the weekly "clap for carers" people took part in from their doorsteps.
Since then, and as the second wave of the virus hit poorer northern and central England worse than the more affluent south, that perceived unity has begun to fray.
The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which are responsible for their own healthcare policies, have also increasingly adopted their own approaches.
"At least when you had national lockdowns everyone is in it together," said Brandon Moore.
The 23-year-old librarian felt placing the area in the toughest tier was "unfair" but also understandable. Up to a point.
The government has vowed to review the tiers in mid-December and again every two weeks, with Johnson declaring on Thursday: "Your tier is not your destiny -- every area has the means of escape."
But with Tunbridge Wells reliant on infections falling elsewhere in Kent, that rings hollow to Moore.
"We're already not high (in cases). It looks like there's nothing we can do," he added.
Inside The Cake Shop, owner Joe Glenister, 29, confessed he was "disappointed" by the tier decision, after only just reopening his cafe for takeaways following a self-imposed break during lockdown.
"There must be a way of making it more regionalised," he said.
Further along The Pantiles, the main shopping and leisure street, Gemma Buckland, 43, director of a consultancy firm, was doing her best to defy the stereotypes of Tunbridge Wells disgust.
Noting the move to Tier 3 had been anticipated and that the county's hospitals are filling up with Covid-19 patients, she was looking on the bright side.
"It's going to be freer than it was," she said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-30--Covas, Paes: the winners of Brazil's 'big two' mayoral races

The current mayor of Sao Paulo Bruno Covas ( pictured November 15 , 2020 ) was slammed with a nasty list of personal and professional crises soon after taking office One is staying put at city hall , the other will make his return there , where he was the self-described `` happiest man in the world . ''
Brazil 's two biggest cities , Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro , both elected center-right mayors Sunday who know the job well : Bruno Covas and Eduardo Paes .
Bruno Covas , the 40-year-old incumbent mayor of Brazil 's biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into office in 2018 when then-mayor Joao Doria stepped down to run for governor of Sao Paulo state .
Covas , his previously low-profile deputy , soon got slammed with a nasty list of personal and professional crises : a cancer diagnosis , one of the world 's worst coronavirus outbreaks in his city , and his own case of Covid-19 to boot .
Chemotherapy for the cancer in his upper stomach -- which spread to his liver and lymphatic system -- has made him lose his hair and grow thin .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He even moved into city hall , installing a bed in his office when the pandemic led him to impose citywide stay-at-home measures .
The grandson of political heavyweight Mario Covas , a founder of the centrist Brazilian Social Democracy Party ( PSDB ) -- to which he belongs -- Covas has a powerful backer in his former boss , now-Governor Doria , a top contender to take on far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 presidential race .
Covas fended off a fierce challenge from leftist activist turned politician Guilherme Boulos , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the new face of the Brazilian left .
Eduardo Paes , 51 , was Rio mayor from 2009 to 2016 , presiding over the city when it hosted both the 2014 World Cup final and 2016 Olympics .
`` I 'm the happiest man in the world because I 'm the mayor of Rio , '' he was fond of saying .
A fan of Rio 's decadent carnival who embraces the city 's laid-back style , he is the polar opposite of his opponent , current mayor Marcelo Crivella .
Crivella @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one of Brazil 's biggest mega-churches , the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God ( IURD ) , proved to be an awkward fit for a city known for its beaches , nightlife and carnival .
No sooner had Crivella taken office than he committed the sin of snubbing `` King Momo , '' the portly and jovial `` ruler '' of carnival , by failing to hand over the key to the city to him as tradition would have it .
Critics accused him of trying to kill the legendary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and of threatening the city 's traditions of diversity and tolerance .
His popularity also suffered over his management of floods and landslides that regularly hit the city , and for allegations his church was used to launder embezzled money .
By contrast , Paes 's administration was seen as a golden period for Rio -- though there was criticism in retrospect of unkept promises and white elephants left over from the World Cup and Olympics .
Still , Paes , who ran for the right-wing Democrats ( DEM ) , won in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said `` does n't understand this city . ''
`` Today , everyone in Rio can once again say that this is a city of diversity .
It 's a city that accepts and embraces everyone , '' he said in his victory speech .

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One is staying put at city hall, the other will make his return there, where he was the self-described "happiest man in the world."
Brazil's two biggest cities, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, both elected center-right mayors Sunday who know the job well: Bruno Covas and Eduardo Paes.
- Covas, Sao Paulo survivor -
Bruno Covas, the 40-year-old incumbent mayor of Brazil's biggest city and economic capital, was thrust into office in 2018 when then-mayor Joao Doria stepped down to run for governor of Sao Paulo state.
Covas, his previously low-profile deputy, soon got slammed with a nasty list of personal and professional crises: a cancer diagnosis, one of the world's worst coronavirus outbreaks in his city, and his own case of Covid-19 to boot.
Chemotherapy for the cancer in his upper stomach -- which spread to his liver and lymphatic system -- has made him lose his hair and grow thin.
But he has kept at his job. He even moved into city hall, installing a bed in his office when the pandemic led him to impose citywide stay-at-home measures.
The grandson of political heavyweight Mario Covas, a founder of the centrist Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) -- to which he belongs -- Covas has a powerful backer in his former boss, now-Governor Doria, a top contender to take on far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 presidential race.
Covas fended off a fierce challenge from leftist activist turned politician Guilherme Boulos, a charismatic 38-year-old whom progressives had hailed as the new face of the Brazilian left.
- Paes, Rio's happy mayor-elect -
Eduardo Paes, 51, was Rio mayor from 2009 to 2016, presiding over the city when it hosted both the 2014 World Cup final and 2016 Olympics.
"I'm the happiest man in the world because I'm the mayor of Rio," he was fond of saying.
A fan of Rio's decadent carnival who embraces the city's laid-back style, he is the polar opposite of his opponent, current mayor Marcelo Crivella.
Crivella, a Bolsonaro ally and Evangelical bishop in one of Brazil's biggest mega-churches, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (IURD), proved to be an awkward fit for a city known for its beaches, nightlife and carnival.
No sooner had Crivella taken office than he committed the sin of snubbing "King Momo," the portly and jovial "ruler" of carnival, by failing to hand over the key to the city to him as tradition would have it.
Critics accused him of trying to kill the legendary party by cutting its public funding, and of threatening the city's traditions of diversity and tolerance.
His popularity also suffered over his management of floods and landslides that regularly hit the city, and for allegations his church was used to launder embezzled money.
By contrast, Paes's administration was seen as a golden period for Rio -- though there was criticism in retrospect of unkept promises and white elephants left over from the World Cup and Olympics.
Still, Paes, who ran for the right-wing Democrats (DEM), won in a landslide over Crivella, who he said "doesn't understand this city."
"Today, everyone in Rio can once again say that this is a city of diversity. It's a city that accepts and embraces everyone," he said in his victory speech.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-30--Mahomes powers NFL champion Chiefs over Brady-led Bucs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws during his team 's 27-24 NFL triumph on Sunday at Tampa Bay Patrick Mahomes threw for 462 yards and three touchdowns , all to Tyreek Hill , and reigning NFL champion Kansas City edged Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay 27-24 in a Sunday showdown .
Mahomes completed 37-of-49 passes while Hill caught 13 for 269 yards as the Chiefs improved to 10-1 while Brady , who went 27-of-41 for 345 and three touchdowns with two interceptions , saw the Buccaneers fall to 7-5 .
Mahomes connected on touchdown passes of 75 and 44 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chiefs seized a 17-0 lead .
Brady threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Ronald Jones to answer but Harrison Butker kicked his second field goal , a 29-yarder , to lift Kansas City ahead 20-7 at halftime .
Mahomes was 25-of-33 for 359 yards in the first half , the most in any NFL opening half in 18 years .
After a Ryan Succop field goal for Tampa Bay , Mahomes found Hill again on a 20-yard touchdown connection for a 27-10 lead .
Brady hit Mike Evans on touchdown throws of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one coming with 4:10 remaining to lift the Buccaneers within the final margin , but the Chiefs took the ball and ran out the clock .
Tennessee 's Derrick Henry ran 27 times for 178 yards and scored three first-half touchdowns to power the Titans over host Indianapolis 45-26 .
A.J .
Brown scored on a 69-yard pass play from Ryan Tannehill and a 42-yard kickoff return for the Titans , who seized the AFC South division lead at 8-3 with the Colts second at 7-4 .
Baker Mayfield threw for 258 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 144 yards and a touchdown as the Cleveland Browns , who have n't reached the playoffs since 2002 , improved to 8-3 with a 27-25 victory at Jacksonville .
Shortly after the Jaguars lost their 10th straight game and fell to 1-10 , owner Shad Khan fired general manager Dave Caldwell , saying , `` Our football operation needs new leadership . ''
Caldwell had been in the post since 2013 .
Josh Allen threw for one touchdown and ran for another as Buffalo ( 8-3 ) outlasted the Los Angeles Chargers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) stayed one game back in the AFC East by ripping the winless New York Jets 20-3 , with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns .
Nick Folk kicked a 50-yard field goal on the final play to give New England a 20-17 victory over visiting Arizona .
James White ran for two touchdowns for the Patriots , who improved to 5-6 , while the Cardinals fell to 6-5 .
San Francisco also won on a last-play field goal as Robbie Gould kicked a 42-yard game winner to lift the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
South Korean Koo Young-hoe kicked five field goals and Matt Ryan threw two touchdown passes to lead Atlanta over Las Vegas 43-6 .
Graham Gano kicked field goals from 32 , 39 , 40 and 49 yards to lift the New York Giants over Cincinnati 19-17 and into a share of the NFC East division lead at 4-7 .
Kirk Cousins threw his third touchdown pass , a 10-yarder to Chad Beebe , with 46 seconds remaining to lift the Minnesota Vikings over Carolina 28-27 .
The Denver Broncos , forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after four signal callers were ruled out due to Covid-19 issues , were routed 31-3 by New Orleans .
Three other quarterbacks were ruled out for the game after being declared high risk contacts once Jeff Driskel tested positive , but the game went on despite competitiveness issues for the Broncos .
Chicago visited Green Bay in a late game .
Seattle faces Philadelphia on Monday while the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers will host Baltimore on Tuesday in a game postponed twice due to a Covid-19 outbreak on the Ravens .

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Patrick Mahomes threw for 462 yards and three touchdowns, all to Tyreek Hill, and reigning NFL champion Kansas City edged Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay 27-24 in a Sunday showdown.
Mahomes completed 37-of-49 passes while Hill caught 13 for 269 yards as the Chiefs improved to 10-1 while Brady, who went 27-of-41 for 345 and three touchdowns with two interceptions, saw the Buccaneers fall to 7-5.
Mahomes connected on touchdown passes of 75 and 44 yards to Hill in the first quarter as the Chiefs seized a 17-0 lead.
Brady threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Ronald Jones to answer but Harrison Butker kicked his second field goal, a 29-yarder, to lift Kansas City ahead 20-7 at halftime.
Mahomes was 25-of-33 for 359 yards in the first half, the most in any NFL opening half in 18 years.
After a Ryan Succop field goal for Tampa Bay, Mahomes found Hill again on a 20-yard touchdown connection for a 27-10 lead.
Brady hit Mike Evans on touchdown throws of 31 and 7 yards, the shorter one coming with 4:10 remaining to lift the Buccaneers within the final margin, but the Chiefs took the ball and ran out the clock.
Tennessee's Derrick Henry ran 27 times for 178 yards and scored three first-half touchdowns to power the Titans over host Indianapolis 45-26.
A.J. Brown scored on a 69-yard pass play from Ryan Tannehill and a 42-yard kickoff return for the Titans, who seized the AFC South division lead at 8-3 with the Colts second at 7-4.
Baker Mayfield threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns while Nick Chubb ran for 144 yards and a touchdown as the Cleveland Browns, who haven't reached the playoffs since 2002, improved to 8-3 with a 27-25 victory at Jacksonville.
Shortly after the Jaguars lost their 10th straight game and fell to 1-10, owner Shad Khan fired general manager Dave Caldwell, saying, "Our football operation needs new leadership." Caldwell had been in the post since 2013.
Josh Allen threw for one touchdown and ran for another as Buffalo (8-3) outlasted the Los Angeles Chargers 27-17 but the Miami Dolphins (7-4) stayed one game back in the AFC East by ripping the winless New York Jets 20-3, with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns.
- Folk wins for Patriots -
Nick Folk kicked a 50-yard field goal on the final play to give New England a 20-17 victory over visiting Arizona. James White ran for two touchdowns for the Patriots, who improved to 5-6, while the Cardinals fell to 6-5.
San Francisco also won on a last-play field goal as Robbie Gould kicked a 42-yard game winner to lift the 49ers over the Los Angeles Rams 23-20.
South Korean Koo Young-hoe kicked five field goals and Matt Ryan threw two touchdown passes to lead Atlanta over Las Vegas 43-6.
Graham Gano kicked field goals from 32, 39, 40 and 49 yards to lift the New York Giants over Cincinnati 19-17 and into a share of the NFC East division lead at 4-7.
Kirk Cousins threw his third touchdown pass, a 10-yarder to Chad Beebe, with 46 seconds remaining to lift the Minnesota Vikings over Carolina 28-27.
The Denver Broncos, forced to press a receiver into emergency quarterback duty after four signal callers were ruled out due to Covid-19 issues, were routed 31-3 by New Orleans.
Three other quarterbacks were ruled out for the game after being declared high risk contacts once Jeff Driskel tested positive, but the game went on despite competitiveness issues for the Broncos.
Chicago visited Green Bay in a late game. Seattle faces Philadelphia on Monday while the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers will host Baltimore on Tuesday in a game postponed twice due to a Covid-19 outbreak on the Ravens.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-30--New Zealand watchdog lays charges over volcano deaths

Steam rises from the White Island volcano following the December eruption last year New Zealand 's workplace watchdog has laid charges over the White Island volcanic eruption last year when 22 people died and dozens more suffered horrific burns , local media reported Monday .
There were 47 people , mainly Australian tourists , on the island -- also known as Whakaari -- in December 2019 when a column of burning ash and steam blasted from a volcanic vent .
The regulator WorkSafe has been investigating why tour groups were taken onto an active volcano three weeks after its eruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the investigation has resulted in 13 charges against 10 parties and three individuals , which were expected to go to court on December 15 .
It said all names involved were being withheld and the parties , which are likely to be companies or corporate entities , each faced fines of up to NZ $ 1.5 million ( US $ 1.1 million ) , with individuals facing maximum fines of NZ $ 300,000 .
A separate inquiry by the coroner 's office is ongoing and will examine whether criminal charges such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not confirm the TVNZ report but said an announcement would be made later Monday .

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New Zealand's workplace watchdog has laid charges over the White Island volcanic eruption last year when 22 people died and dozens more suffered horrific burns, local media reported Monday.
There were 47 people, mainly Australian tourists, on the island -- also known as Whakaari -- in December 2019 when a column of burning ash and steam blasted from a volcanic vent.
The regulator WorkSafe has been investigating why tour groups were taken onto an active volcano three weeks after its eruption alert level had been raised.
TVNZ said the investigation has resulted in 13 charges against 10 parties and three individuals, which were expected to go to court on December 15.
It said all names involved were being withheld and the parties, which are likely to be companies or corporate entities, each faced fines of up to NZ$1.5 million (US$1.1 million), with individuals facing maximum fines of NZ$300,000.
A separate inquiry by the coroner's office is ongoing and will examine whether criminal charges such as manslaughter should be laid.
WorkSafe could not confirm the TVNZ report but said an announcement would be made later Monday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--US President-elect Joe Biden chooses all-female White House communications team

Jen Psaki at Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 29 , 2017 in Pasadena , California .
President-elect Joe Biden will have an all-female senior communications team at his White House , led by campaign communications director Kate Bedingfield .
Bedingfield will serve as Biden ’ s White House communications director , and Jen Psaki , a longtime Democratic spokeswoman , will be his press secretary .
Biden also plans to name Neera Tanden , the president and CEO of the Center for American Progress , a liberal think tank , as director of the Office of Management and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the transition process granted anonymity to speak freely about internal deliberations .
All three are veterans of the Obama administration .
Bedingfield served as communications director for Biden while he was vice president ; Psaki was a White House communications director and a spokesperson at the State Department ; and Tanden served as a senior adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius .
“ Communicating directly and truthfully to the American people is one of the most important duties of a President , and this team will be entrusted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to the White House , ” Biden said in a statement .
“ These qualified , experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better , ” he added .
Karine Jean Pierre , who was Vice President-elect Kamala Harris ’ chief of staff , will serve as a principal deputy press secretary for the president-elect .
She 's another Obama administration alum , having served as a regional political director for the White House office of political affairs .
Pili Tobar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s campaign , will be his deputy White House communications director .

President-elect Joe Biden will have an all-female senior communications team at his White House, led by campaign communications director Kate Bedingfield.
Jen Psaki at Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center on July 29, 2017 in Pasadena, California.
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Bedingfield will serve as Biden’s White House communications director, and Jen Psaki, a longtime Democratic spokeswoman, will be his press secretary.
Biden also plans to name Neera Tanden, the president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, as director of the Office of Management and Budget, according to a person familiar with the transition process granted anonymity to speak freely about internal deliberations.
All three are veterans of the Obama administration. Bedingfield served as communications director for Biden while he was vice president; Psaki was a White House communications director and a spokesperson at the State Department; and Tanden served as a senior adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
“Communicating directly and truthfully to the American people is one of the most important duties of a President, and this team will be entrusted with the tremendous responsibility of connecting the American people to the White House,” Biden said in a statement.
“These qualified, experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better,” he added.
Karine Jean Pierre, who was Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ chief of staff, will serve as a principal deputy press secretary for the president-elect. She's another Obama administration alum, having served as a regional political director for the White House office of political affairs.
Pili Tobar, who was communications director for coalitions on Biden’s campaign, will be his deputy White House communications director.
(AP)
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france24--2020-11-29--'Maradona a legend, but wear your masks,' Napoli coach tells mourning fans

Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso has urged fans paying tribute to club legend Diego Maradona to wear their masks to avoid the spread of coronavirus .
Thousands of Neapolitans have thronged the streets of the southern Italian city since news of Maradona 's death aged 60 on Wednesday .
Argentina World Cup winner Maradona led Napoli to their only league titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989 .
`` There is an air of sadness for Diego 's death , but in this moment the city must also have common sense , '' said Gattuso after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday .
`` There are too many people without masks .
Maradona , he 's a legend , there 's no need to explain it , everyone knows , but right now we have to be good otherwise we will pay the consequences .
`` The city is suffering economically , like the whole country , we have to do things well . ''
Italy was the first European country hit by the pandemic which has since killed over 50,000 Italians .
`` You have to be very careful , a tragedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the history of this city , we all have a duty . ''
Napoli hammered Roma in an empty Stadio San Paolo to move fifth in Serie A , six points behind leaders AC Milan .
`` Since Covid arrived , another sport has been played , and you have to be good at finding motivations , '' said Gattuso .
`` You struggle without fans , you have to be good at staying on track even with the right attitude , and quality that the team has . ''

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Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso has urged fans paying tribute to club legend Diego Maradona to wear their masks to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
Thousands of Neapolitans have thronged the streets of the southern Italian city since news of Maradona's death aged 60 on Wednesday.
Argentina World Cup winner Maradona led Napoli to their only league titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989.
"There is an air of sadness for Diego's death, but in this moment the city must also have common sense," said Gattuso after his side beat Roma 4-0 in Serie A on Sunday.
"There are too many people without masks. Maradona, he's a legend, there's no need to explain it, everyone knows, but right now we have to be good otherwise we will pay the consequences.
"The city is suffering economically, like the whole country, we have to do things well."
Italy was the first European country hit by the pandemic which has since killed over 50,000 Italians.
"You have to be very careful, a tragedy has happened. One of the greatest in the history of this city, we all have a duty."
Napoli hammered Roma in an empty Stadio San Paolo to move fifth in Serie A, six points behind leaders AC Milan.
"Since Covid arrived, another sport has been played, and you have to be good at finding motivations," said Gattuso.
"You struggle without fans, you have to be good at staying on track even with the right attitude, and quality that the team has."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Jones remains respectful of depleted France

England coach Eddie Jones is braced for a gruelling encounter when his side go in search of Autumn Nations Cup glory at Twickenham even though they will arguably be up against something less than a France 2nd XV .
Following a threat of legal action by France 's Top 14 clubs , unhappy at the lack of consultation over the revised calendar created in response to the coronavirus pandemic and fearful of the risk of injuries to key men , it was agreed that their France stars could make only three appearances during the six Tests that now constitute Les @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the international window with a warm-up win over Wales , a week before the Covid-interrupted Six Nations resumed .
Of the matchday 23 that day , only fly-half Matthieu Jalibert , an unused replacement , survives among the 31-man squad for the December 6 game at Twickenham .
France are the only team to have defeated England this year , denying the eventual Six Nations champions a Grand Slam with a 24-17 win in Paris in February .
That was England 's first match since losing last year 's World Cup final to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good for us on that day .
Whatever France has in store for us , we will be delighted to play against them , '' recalled Jones after England booked their place in the final with a 24-13 win away to Wales in Llanelli on Saturday .
`` They are a good team .
The French have always got a tough forward pack , so up front we are going to have beat them up , '' the veteran Australian coach added .
`` The challenge is get on top of them up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space out wide so we can play a bit . ''
Meanwhile France coach Fabien Galthie , who saw his already changed side beat Italy 36-5 in Paris on Saturday , was in no doubt about the scale of the challenge facing his players .
`` We 're expecting a match against possibly the best team in the world maybe right now because South Africa are n't playing , '' said Galthie .
Some 2,000 spectators are set to be present for the England-France match as fans return to Twickenham for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether they will see a match that excites them is an open question , with a defence dominant Nations Cup raising fresh concerns that the very nature of professional rugby union undermines attacking play .
`` We have got 15 incredibly athletic players who are all trained to be bigger , faster and stronger and the field has not changed size , '' said Jones .
`` When I played rugby 30 years ago only seven people defended the field because you had eight people at the ruck , '' added Jones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Now we have got 15 players able to defend the field , it is just getting harder and harder to break them down .
`` Defences are coming off the line harder so you have got to attack rush defence , which is a new set of skills that our players are slowly developing . ''

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England coach Eddie Jones is braced for a gruelling encounter when his side go in search of Autumn Nations Cup glory at Twickenham even though they will arguably be up against something less than a France 2nd XV.
Following a threat of legal action by France's Top 14 clubs, unhappy at the lack of consultation over the revised calendar created in response to the coronavirus pandemic and fearful of the risk of injuries to key men, it was agreed that their France stars could make only three appearances during the six Tests that now constitute Les Bleus' end-of-year schedule.
France started the international window with a warm-up win over Wales, a week before the Covid-interrupted Six Nations resumed.
Of the matchday 23 that day, only fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, an unused replacement, survives among the 31-man squad for the December 6 game at Twickenham.
France are the only team to have defeated England this year, denying the eventual Six Nations champions a Grand Slam with a 24-17 win in Paris in February.
That was England's first match since losing last year's World Cup final to South Africa.
"France were too good for us on that day. Whatever France has in store for us, we will be delighted to play against them," recalled Jones after England booked their place in the final with a 24-13 win away to Wales in Llanelli on Saturday.
- 'Beat them up' -
"They are a good team. The French have always got a tough forward pack, so up front we are going to have beat them up," the veteran Australian coach added.
"The challenge is get on top of them up front and then we can create some space out wide so we can play a bit."
Meanwhile France coach Fabien Galthie, who saw his already changed side beat Italy 36-5 in Paris on Saturday, was in no doubt about the scale of the challenge facing his players.
"We're expecting a match against possibly the best team in the world maybe right now because South Africa aren't playing," said Galthie.
Some 2,000 spectators are set to be present for the England-France match as fans return to Twickenham for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.
But whether they will see a match that excites them is an open question, with a defence dominant Nations Cup raising fresh concerns that the very nature of professional rugby union undermines attacking play.
"We have got 15 incredibly athletic players who are all trained to be bigger, faster and stronger and the field has not changed size," said Jones.
"When I played rugby 30 years ago only seven people defended the field because you had eight people at the ruck," added Jones, a former hooker with Sydney club Randwick.
"Now we have got 15 players able to defend the field, it is just getting harder and harder to break them down.
"Defences are coming off the line harder so you have got to attack rush defence, which is a new set of skills that our players are slowly developing."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Revolution oust 10-man Orlando to reach MLS semi-finals

Bou scored two goals to power the Revolution past Orlando City in the MLS playoffs Gustavo Bou 's brace and a penalty save by goalkeeper Matt Turner from former Manchester United star Nani sparked the New England Revolution to a 3-1 win over 10-man Orlando City in Sunday 's Major League Soccer quarter-finals .
Former US national coach Bruce Arena 's side will face either Nashville or Columbus in next Sunday 's semi-finals .
Spanish midfielder Carles Gil opened the scoring with a penalty in the 17th minute for New England , before Bou netted his first goal eight minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow Argentinian Diego Maradona , placing an Argentina flag on the ground , kissing it and pointing to the heavens as he knelt .
The Lions halved the deficit in the 33rd minute as Brazilian midfielder Junior Urso found the net .
But Orlando City were undone in the 60th minute when Uruguayan midfielder Mauricio Pereyra was shown a red card .
The Lions were given a lifeline in the 74th minute , but Nani 's right-footed penalty was batted away by Turner .
`` It came down to a big moment on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I did my homework , spent hours on video and made the play on the kick .
`` We got the win and it feels really good . ''
New England sealed the victory in the 86th minute when Gil set up Bou on the counter-attack and the South American star flicked the ball between the legs of Orlando goalkeeper Brian Rowe and into the back of the net .
The Revolution have reached the MLS Cup final five times but have yet to capture the crown .
The other MLS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seattle on Tuesday and Minnesota at Kansas City on Wednesday .

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Gustavo Bou's brace and a penalty save by goalkeeper Matt Turner from former Manchester United star Nani sparked the New England Revolution to a 3-1 win over 10-man Orlando City in Sunday's Major League Soccer quarter-finals.
Former US national coach Bruce Arena's side will face either Nashville or Columbus in next Sunday's semi-finals.
Spanish midfielder Carles Gil opened the scoring with a penalty in the 17th minute for New England, before Bou netted his first goal eight minutes later.
Bou paid tribute to his fellow Argentinian Diego Maradona, placing an Argentina flag on the ground, kissing it and pointing to the heavens as he knelt.
The Lions halved the deficit in the 33rd minute as Brazilian midfielder Junior Urso found the net.
But Orlando City were undone in the 60th minute when Uruguayan midfielder Mauricio Pereyra was shown a red card.
The Lions were given a lifeline in the 74th minute, but Nani's right-footed penalty was batted away by Turner.
"It came down to a big moment on the penalty kick," Turner said. "I did my homework, spent hours on video and made the play on the kick.
"We got the win and it feels really good."
New England sealed the victory in the 86th minute when Gil set up Bou on the counter-attack and the South American star flicked the ball between the legs of Orlando goalkeeper Brian Rowe and into the back of the net.
The Revolution have reached the MLS Cup final five times but have yet to capture the crown.
The other MLS quarter-final matches see Dallas at defending champion Seattle on Tuesday and Minnesota at Kansas City on Wednesday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--US men to play first home game since lockdown next month

Berhalter 's side will host El Salvador in a friendly on December 9 at Fort Lauderdale The United States will host El Salvador in an international football friendly on December 9 in Florida , their first home match since the coronavirus pandemic hit the nation , US Soccer announced Sunday .
The US last played at home in a 1-0 friendly win over Costa Rica on February 1 in California .
The match will be played at the stadium of Inter Miami , the Major League Soccer outfit owned by retired England star David Beckham , with only 2,500 spectators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions .
The Americans played out a goalless draw in Wales , with six players making debuts , and beat Panama 6-2 in Austria earlier this month .
The El Salvador match heralds a busy 2021 for the US , including Tokyo Olympic qualifying in March , the CONCACAF Nations League playoffs in June , the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July and the start of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying next September .
`` Playing against El Salvador gives us an opportunity to face a CONCACAF opponent that we have n't seen yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' US coach Gregg Berhalter said .
The US team will operate inside a bubble at the team hotel and training area , while all matchday spectators must be masked and observe social-distancing requirements .

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The United States will host El Salvador in an international football friendly on December 9 in Florida, their first home match since the coronavirus pandemic hit the nation, US Soccer announced Sunday.
The US last played at home in a 1-0 friendly win over Costa Rica on February 1 in California.
The match will be played at the stadium of Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer outfit owned by retired England star David Beckham, with only 2,500 spectators allowed to attend due to Covid-19 safety precautions.
The Americans played out a goalless draw in Wales, with six players making debuts, and beat Panama 6-2 in Austria earlier this month.
The El Salvador match heralds a busy 2021 for the US, including Tokyo Olympic qualifying in March, the CONCACAF Nations League playoffs in June, the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July and the start of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying next September.
"Playing against El Salvador gives us an opportunity to face a CONCACAF opponent that we haven't seen yet and will be a valuable experience," US coach Gregg Berhalter said.
The US team will operate inside a bubble at the team hotel and training area, while all matchday spectators must be masked and observe social-distancing requirements.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Lille held as Ligue 1 top five separated by two points

Lille stuttered to a 1-1 draw at struggling Saint-Etienne on Sunday to miss the chance to draw level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1 , but the rest of the chasers took advantage of the defending champions ' latest slip-up .
Lille sit second in the table , two points behind PSG -- who drew 2-2 with Bordeaux on Saturday -- and above Lyon , Monaco and Montpellier on goal difference .
Lyon continued their fine form with a 3-0 win over Reims , while Monaco beat Nimes by the same scoreline to also move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montpellier edged out Lorient .
Lille would have hoped to take all three points from a Saint-Etienne side on a seven-match losing streak in the league before kick-off .
But Christophe Galtier 's team fell behind to a first-half penalty from Tunisian Wahbi Khazri and needed a second-half strike from Jonathan Ikone to rescue a draw .
Karl Toko Ekambi , Bruno Guimaraes and Moussa Dembele scored for Lyon as they made it 16 points from their last six matches .
`` We must continue in this vein and look upwards .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Lyon coach Rudi Garcia .
`` This is the first time that we have won three times in a row .
As in Angers ( last week ) , we had an opportunity to ( move up the ) table .
We seized it . ''
PSG gave the chasing pack a chance to cut the gap with a 2-2 home draw against Bordeaux on Saturday , having blown a two-goal lead to lose to Monaco last week .
Reims , who had Moreto Cassama sent off on 33 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destined for a relegation dog-fight .
Toko Ekambi , returning from suspension , proved the key for Lyon , hitting the post early on before scoring in the 22nd minute with a header at the back post from a cross by Memphis Depay .
Toko Ekambi also created the second -- Guimaraes 's first for Lyon -- four minutes after the break , the Brazilian 's shot taking a deflection off Marshall Munetsi .
Toko Ekambi also teed up Dembele for the third .
Dembele had just come on as a substitute for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first half and had a goal ruled out for offside .
Cassama was sent off for a foul on Depay who looked to be in on goal .
Monaco eased to victory over Nimes to notch their fourth straight league win .
Young midfielder Sofiane Diop gave the hosts an early lead at the Stade Louis II , before Gelson Martins and Kevin Volland struck in the second half to see off Nimes , who had Lucas Deaux dismissed in the 69th minute .
Germany striker Volland has scored five Ligue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move from Bayer Leverkusen .
The principality outfit have finished ninth and 17th in the last two seasons and coach Niko Kovac was eager to play down any thoughts of a repeat of their shock 2017 title triumph .
`` The title ?
Not after 12 games , we 're not there , no , '' said the Croatian .
`` It 's a good period for us , we have to keep working , we are a young team .
We will also lose matches . ''
Fifth-placed Montpellier also extended their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skuletic scored late on to grab a 1-0 win at Lorient , despite midfielder Teji Savanier 's missed penalty in the first half .
Marseille , who have also won four league matches on the spin , are only four points behind PSG in sixth , with two games in hand .

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Lille stuttered to a 1-1 draw at struggling Saint-Etienne on Sunday to miss the chance to draw level on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1, but the rest of the chasers took advantage of the defending champions' latest slip-up.
Lille sit second in the table, two points behind PSG -- who drew 2-2 with Bordeaux on Saturday -- and above Lyon, Monaco and Montpellier on goal difference.
Lyon continued their fine form with a 3-0 win over Reims, while Monaco beat Nimes by the same scoreline to also move within two points of PSG, while Montpellier edged out Lorient.
Lille would have hoped to take all three points from a Saint-Etienne side on a seven-match losing streak in the league before kick-off.
But Christophe Galtier's team fell behind to a first-half penalty from Tunisian Wahbi Khazri and needed a second-half strike from Jonathan Ikone to rescue a draw.
Karl Toko Ekambi, Bruno Guimaraes and Moussa Dembele scored for Lyon as they made it 16 points from their last six matches.
"We must continue in this vein and look upwards. We must put a run of victories together," said Lyon coach Rudi Garcia.
"This is the first time that we have won three times in a row. As in Angers (last week), we had an opportunity to (move up the) table. We seized it."
PSG gave the chasing pack a chance to cut the gap with a 2-2 home draw against Bordeaux on Saturday, having blown a two-goal lead to lose to Monaco last week.
Reims, who had Moreto Cassama sent off on 33 minutes, remain fourth from bottom and look destined for a relegation dog-fight.
Toko Ekambi, returning from suspension, proved the key for Lyon, hitting the post early on before scoring in the 22nd minute with a header at the back post from a cross by Memphis Depay.
Toko Ekambi also created the second -- Guimaraes's first for Lyon -- four minutes after the break, the Brazilian's shot taking a deflection off Marshall Munetsi.
Toko Ekambi also teed up Dembele for the third. Dembele had just come on as a substitute for Tino Kadewere who had hit the post in the first half and had a goal ruled out for offside.
Cassama was sent off for a foul on Depay who looked to be in on goal.
- Monaco march on -
Monaco eased to victory over Nimes to notch their fourth straight league win.
Young midfielder Sofiane Diop gave the hosts an early lead at the Stade Louis II, before Gelson Martins and Kevin Volland struck in the second half to see off Nimes, who had Lucas Deaux dismissed in the 69th minute.
Germany striker Volland has scored five Ligue 1 goals for Monaco since his close-season move from Bayer Leverkusen.
The principality outfit have finished ninth and 17th in the last two seasons and coach Niko Kovac was eager to play down any thoughts of a repeat of their shock 2017 title triumph.
"The title? Not after 12 games, we're not there, no," said the Croatian.
"It's a good period for us, we have to keep working, we are a young team. We will also lose matches."
Fifth-placed Montpellier also extended their winning streak to four matches as Petar Skuletic scored late on to grab a 1-0 win at Lorient, despite midfielder Teji Savanier's missed penalty in the first half.
Marseille, who have also won four league matches on the spin, are only four points behind PSG in sixth, with two games in hand.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Spurs top after Chelsea stalemate, Cavani sparks Man Utd

Tottenham moved to the top of the Premier League with a goalless draw against title rivals Chelsea , while Edinson Cavani inspired Manchester United 's thrilling 3-2 win at Southampton on Sunday .
Jose Mourinho 's side climbed above previous leaders Liverpool on goal difference after a sterile London derby at Stamford Bridge .
In the day 's other match , Wolves won 2-1 at Arsenal despite seeing their Mexican striker Raul Jimenez taken to hospital after a nasty head injury .
Tottenham are unbeaten in nine league games and Mourinho seemed happy to frustrate his former club as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambition .
`` That was a game where we respected them and they respected us .
Nobody gambled today or tried to change the direction of the game , '' Mourinho said .
`` I like the feeling of being top .
We came from a difficult position last season and we are happy with that . ''
Chelsea have not lost in their last 11 games in all competitions and sit in third place , two points behind Tottenham and Liverpool , who drew 1-1 at Brighton on Saturday .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought we 'd have a lot of possession .
We created enough to win the game , '' Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said .
`` The clean sheet against a side set up to counter-attack , that was excellent .
We did n't give ( Harry ) Kane or Son ( Heung-min ) a sniff . ''
Timo Werner thought he had put Chelsea ahead early in the first half with a superb finish , only for an offside flag to thwart the Germany striker .
Chelsea 's Mason Mount forced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second half , while substitute Olivier Giroud should have done better than shoot straight at the Tottenham keeper in stoppage time .
The drab clash in west London was a stark contrast to United 's dramatic fightback from two goals down at St Mary 's .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side were facing a dismal defeat after first-half goals from Jan Bednarek and James Ward-Prowse put Southampton in control .
But Uruguay striker Cavani sparked United 's escape act after coming on at the interval .
Cavani set up Bruno Fernandes to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star grabbed the equaliser from his team-mate 's deflected shot .
The 33-year-old netted again in the final moments as his third goal since signing as a free agent in October extended United 's winning to four games in all competitions .
`` Great impact of course .
He is a number nine who wants to be in between the posts , he is always on the move .
I 'm very pleased with him , '' Solskjaer said .
`` It was top movement and his timing is fantastic .
His hunger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the key for a centre-forward . ''
It was exactly the kind of influential display Solskjaer was hoping for from Cavani when he moved for him after United 's failed pursuit of Borussia Dortmund 's Jadon Sancho .
Cavani is only the second player to be directly involved in three goals in a Premier League game after coming on as a substitute for United since Solskjaer scored four against Nottingham Forest in 1999 .
United climbed to seventh place , two points adrift of the Champions League places , after setting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League wins .
`` It is a trait of Manchester United to never give in .
Every single one of them , there was absolutely no chance they were going to give up , '' Solskjaer said .
At the Emirates Stadium , Jimenez needed 10 minutes ' treatment following a clash of heads with Arsenal 's David Luiz .
Luiz was cleared to resume play , but Jimenez had to go to hospital , with reports claiming he was conscious and responding to treatment .
Pedro Neto put Wolves in front in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arsenal 's equaliser three minutes later .
Daniel Podence 's cool finish clinched it for Wolves in the 42nd minute , leaving Arsenal languishing in 14th place after a three-match winless run .

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Tottenham moved to the top of the Premier League with a goalless draw against title rivals Chelsea, while Edinson Cavani inspired Manchester United's thrilling 3-2 win at Southampton on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho's side climbed above previous leaders Liverpool on goal difference after a sterile London derby at Stamford Bridge.
In the day's other match, Wolves won 2-1 at Arsenal despite seeing their Mexican striker Raul Jimenez taken to hospital after a nasty head injury.
Tottenham are unbeaten in nine league games and Mourinho seemed happy to frustrate his former club as they adopted a cautious approach with little attacking ambition.
"That was a game where we respected them and they respected us. Nobody gambled today or tried to change the direction of the game," Mourinho said.
"I like the feeling of being top. We came from a difficult position last season and we are happy with that."
Chelsea have not lost in their last 11 games in all competitions and sit in third place, two points behind Tottenham and Liverpool, who drew 1-1 at Brighton on Saturday.
"It went as I sort of expected. I thought we'd have a lot of possession. We created enough to win the game," Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said.
"The clean sheet against a side set up to counter-attack, that was excellent. We didn't give (Harry) Kane or Son (Heung-min) a sniff."
Timo Werner thought he had put Chelsea ahead early in the first half with a superb finish, only for an offside flag to thwart the Germany striker.
Chelsea's Mason Mount forced a good save from Hugo Lloris in the second half, while substitute Olivier Giroud should have done better than shoot straight at the Tottenham keeper in stoppage time.
- United fight back -
The drab clash in west London was a stark contrast to United's dramatic fightback from two goals down at St Mary's.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were facing a dismal defeat after first-half goals from Jan Bednarek and James Ward-Prowse put Southampton in control.
But Uruguay striker Cavani sparked United's escape act after coming on at the interval.
Cavani set up Bruno Fernandes to reduce the deficit and the former Paris Saint-Germain star grabbed the equaliser from his team-mate's deflected shot.
The 33-year-old netted again in the final moments as his third goal since signing as a free agent in October extended United's winning to four games in all competitions.
"Great impact of course. He is a number nine who wants to be in between the posts, he is always on the move. I'm very pleased with him," Solskjaer said.
"It was top movement and his timing is fantastic. His hunger to get on the end of things is the key for a centre-forward."
It was exactly the kind of influential display Solskjaer was hoping for from Cavani when he moved for him after United's failed pursuit of Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho.
Cavani is only the second player to be directly involved in three goals in a Premier League game after coming on as a substitute for United since Solskjaer scored four against Nottingham Forest in 1999.
United climbed to seventh place, two points adrift of the Champions League places, after setting a club record of eight successive away Premier League wins.
"It is a trait of Manchester United to never give in. Every single one of them, there was absolutely no chance they were going to give up," Solskjaer said.
At the Emirates Stadium, Jimenez needed 10 minutes' treatment following a clash of heads with Arsenal's David Luiz.
Luiz was cleared to resume play, but Jimenez had to go to hospital, with reports claiming he was conscious and responding to treatment.
Pedro Neto put Wolves in front in the 27th minute and Gabriel Magalhaes headed Arsenal's equaliser three minutes later.
Daniel Podence's cool finish clinched it for Wolves in the 42nd minute, leaving Arsenal languishing in 14th place after a three-match winless run.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Racing 92's Taofifenua marks 'unexpected' first France call-up with hat-trick in Bayonne win

Winger Donovan Taofifenua has played just nine Top 14 matches since making his debut in September 2019 Racing 92 youngster Donovan Taofifenua said it was a surprise to be called up to France 's squad before scoring a hat-trick in Sunday 's 43-17 Top 14 win at home over a second-string Bayonne .
Taofifenua , 21 , who was hours earlier named in Les Bleus ' set-up to prepare for next weekend 's Autumn Nations Cup final against England , dazzled as the Parisians moved up to fourth in the table .
`` I was told just before the match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on me but once I was on the field I felt much better .
I did n't expect it at all , '' he said .
`` I have to make the most of the opportunity I 've been given .
I 've always dreamed of it and it 's always been a goal .
It 's come around very quick , '' he added .
Home coach Laurent Travers welcomed back Test trio Virimi Vakatawa , Bernard Le Roux and Camille Chat after they had featured on the maximum of three international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterpart Yannick Bru made 12 changes from the side which beat Eben Etzebeth 's Toulon last weekend as he prioritised welcoming Toulouse next Saturday .
A minute 's applause was held before kick-off to pay tribute to former France winger Christophe Dominici who died aged 48 earlier this week .
Taofifenua , who won the 2018 World Under 20 Championship , clinched his first try on the quarter-hour mark after centre Henry Chavancy had opened the scoring with a try early on .
Fellow winger Dorian Laborde and Ireland 's Simon Zebo dotted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the visitors as the home side led comfortably by 26-10 at the break .
Taofifenua completed his hat-trick with a quarter of an hour left , having also scored shortly after the interval , to move joint-top of the league 's try-scoring charts alongside Lyon 's Josua Tuisova , Toulouse 's Cheslin Kolbe and La Rochelle 's Arthur Retiere .
Australia playmaker Kurtley Beale added a seventh touchdown for Travers ' men with nine minutes remaining , ahead of next Saturday 's trip to Bordeaux-Begles .
Later , Lyon host Dominici 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game of the weekend .
On Saturday , South Africa 's Rugby World Cup winner Kolbe marked his first game since mid-October with a try in his club 's 63-18 victory over winless Agen .
Bordeaux-Begles ' former All Blacks sevens winger Ben Lam claimed crossed with three minutes to play to claim a 23-22 win at Montpellier .
However , the hosts ' president Mohed Altrad told RMC Sport on Sunday Xavier Garbajosa 's position as head coach was not under threat after four losses from their opening six games of the @ @

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Racing 92 youngster Donovan Taofifenua said it was a surprise to be called up to France's squad before scoring a hat-trick in Sunday's 43-17 Top 14 win at home over a second-string Bayonne.
Taofifenua, 21, who was hours earlier named in Les Bleus' set-up to prepare for next weekend's Autumn Nations Cup final against England, dazzled as the Parisians moved up to fourth in the table.
"I was told just before the match and it put a bit of pressure on me but once I was on the field I felt much better. I didn't expect it at all," he said.
"I have to make the most of the opportunity I've been given. I've always dreamed of it and it's always been a goal. It's come around very quick," he added.
Home coach Laurent Travers welcomed back Test trio Virimi Vakatawa, Bernard Le Roux and Camille Chat after they had featured on the maximum of three international team-sheets this campaign.
Travers' Basque counterpart Yannick Bru made 12 changes from the side which beat Eben Etzebeth's Toulon last weekend as he prioritised welcoming Toulouse next Saturday.
A minute's applause was held before kick-off to pay tribute to former France winger Christophe Dominici who died aged 48 earlier this week.
Taofifenua, who won the 2018 World Under 20 Championship, clinched his first try on the quarter-hour mark after centre Henry Chavancy had opened the scoring with a try early on.
Fellow winger Dorian Laborde and Ireland's Simon Zebo dotted down before Arthur Duhau crossed the whitewash for the visitors as the home side led comfortably by 26-10 at the break.
Taofifenua completed his hat-trick with a quarter of an hour left, having also scored shortly after the interval, to move joint-top of the league's try-scoring charts alongside Lyon's Josua Tuisova, Toulouse's Cheslin Kolbe and La Rochelle's Arthur Retiere.
Australia playmaker Kurtley Beale added a seventh touchdown for Travers' men with nine minutes remaining, ahead of next Saturday's trip to Bordeaux-Begles.
Later, Lyon host Dominici's former side Stade Francais in the final game of the weekend.
On Saturday, South Africa's Rugby World Cup winner Kolbe marked his first game since mid-October with a try in his club's 63-18 victory over winless Agen.
Bordeaux-Begles' former All Blacks sevens winger Ben Lam claimed crossed with three minutes to play to claim a 23-22 win at Montpellier.
However, the hosts' president Mohed Altrad told RMC Sport on Sunday Xavier Garbajosa's position as head coach was not under threat after four losses from their opening six games of the season.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Napoli wear 'Argentina' jersey in honour of Maradona

Napoli beat Rijeka in the Europa League on Thursday , a day after the death of club legend Diego Maradona Napoli players took to the pitch wearing a special Argentina-inspired jersey on Sunday in honour of club legend Diego Maradona , who died aged 60 on Wednesday , for their Serie A game against Roma .
The jersey with white and light blue vertical stripes , was specially designed to pay tribute to Napoli 's legendary number 10 who led the club to their only league titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989 .
Players also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's silence observed before the game , as in all matches in Italy , in memory of Maradona who spent seven years at Napoli .
A photo of the former Argentina star was projected onto giant screens in the 10th minute , as players stopped to applaud .
The launch of this new jersey had already been planned before Maradona 's death , Napoli said .
`` A year ago , together with Kappa , we thought of designing a special jersey that echoes Diego Maradona , his beloved Argentina and the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the club said in a statement .
`` Together we hoped that Diego could see it , maybe wear it and share in the excitement with us .
`` The presentation of the new kit had already been agreed for the ninth matchday of the championship , on the occasion of the SSC Napoli-Roma match .
`` The shirt that will be worn by the players tonight will have an even greater significance than initially assumed . ''
On Thursday , Napoli players took to the pitch wearing Maradona 's iconic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League win over Croatian side Rijeka .
The Stadio San Paolo is expected to soon be renamed after the 1986 World Cup winner following a suggestion made by the Mayor of Napoli .

Naples (Italy) (AFP) –
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Napoli players took to the pitch wearing a special Argentina-inspired jersey on Sunday in honour of club legend Diego Maradona, who died aged 60 on Wednesday, for their Serie A game against Roma.
The jersey with white and light blue vertical stripes, was specially designed to pay tribute to Napoli's legendary number 10 who led the club to their only league titles in 1987 and 1990 and the UEFA Cup in 1989.
Players also wore black armbands, with a minute's silence observed before the game, as in all matches in Italy, in memory of Maradona who spent seven years at Napoli.
A photo of the former Argentina star was projected onto giant screens in the 10th minute, as players stopped to applaud.
The launch of this new jersey had already been planned before Maradona's death, Napoli said.
"A year ago, together with Kappa, we thought of designing a special jersey that echoes Diego Maradona, his beloved Argentina and the very strong bond with the people of Naples," the club said in a statement.
"Together we hoped that Diego could see it, maybe wear it and share in the excitement with us.
"The presentation of the new kit had already been agreed for the ninth matchday of the championship, on the occasion of the SSC Napoli-Roma match.
"The shirt that will be worn by the players tonight will have an even greater significance than initially assumed."
On Thursday, Napoli players took to the pitch wearing Maradona's iconic number 10 jersey before their 2-0 Europa League win over Croatian side Rijeka.
The Stadio San Paolo is expected to soon be renamed after the 1986 World Cup winner following a suggestion made by the Mayor of Napoli.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-29--Wolves' Jimenez taken to hospital after horrible head knock

Arsenal 's David Luiz played on for the first half after a nasty clash of heads with Wolves ' Raul Jimenez Wolves striker Raul Jimenez was taken to hospital after coming off worst in a nasty clash of heads with Arsenal 's David Luiz on Sunday .
The Mexican was tended to on the floor by medics for 10 minutes before being stretchered from the field .
Sky Sports reported Jimenez is conscious in hospital and responding to treatment .
Luiz continued with blood seeping into a white bandage wrapped around his head until half-time when he was replaced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have opened the door for concussion substitutes to be used on a trial basis with the English Football Association hoping to do so in this season 's FA Cup .
Former Chelsea and Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been a campaigner for concussion subs and more investigation into the high percentage of former footballers suffering from neurodegenerative diseases .
`` Sickening head clash between Jimenez and Luiz .
It 's time football wised up and got up to date and immediately ratifies temporary concussion replacements , '' Sutton tweeted .
`` Jimenez clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luiz been checked adequately ? ''
Wolves shrugged off the loss of their top scorer to take a 2-1 lead before half-time as Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence struck either side of Gabriel Magalhaes 's equaliser for Arsenal .

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Wolves striker Raul Jimenez was taken to hospital after coming off worst in a nasty clash of heads with Arsenal's David Luiz on Sunday.
The Mexican was tended to on the floor by medics for 10 minutes before being stretchered from the field.
Sky Sports reported Jimenez is conscious in hospital and responding to treatment.
Luiz continued with blood seeping into a white bandage wrapped around his head until half-time when he was replaced by Rob Holding.
Football's lawmakers IFAB have opened the door for concussion substitutes to be used on a trial basis with the English Football Association hoping to do so in this season's FA Cup.
Former Chelsea and Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been a campaigner for concussion subs and more investigation into the high percentage of former footballers suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.
"Sickening head clash between Jimenez and Luiz. It's time football wised up and got up to date and immediately ratifies temporary concussion replacements," Sutton tweeted.
"Jimenez clearly in a bad way. Has David Luiz been checked adequately?"
Wolves shrugged off the loss of their top scorer to take a 2-1 lead before half-time as Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence struck either side of Gabriel Magalhaes's equaliser for Arsenal.
© 2020 AFP