france24--2020-10-24--'Rough diamond' Lukaku gets Inter back on track, Sampdoria shock Atalanta

Inter Milan 's Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku ( L ) has scored five goals in five Serie A matches .
Antonio Conte hailed Romelu Lukaku 's progress since joining Inter Milan last season as the Belgian scored his seventh goal this campaign in a 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa .
Second half strikes from Belgium striker Lukaku and Danilo D'Ambrosio put Conte 's Inter third , ahead of Atalanta who fell 3-1 to Sampdoria .
`` Romelu is now a different player , compared to a year ago , he 's improved in every respect , '' said Conte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ derby defeat to AC Milan and a 2-2 Champions League stalemate with Borussia Moenchengladbach .
`` In the past , I said that he was a rough diamond , which is why he was always someone I wanted to work with .
`` He 's improving on a daily basis and adding quality to his game .
After being on the back foot in the first half , Conte brought reinforcements off the bench , with Nicolo Barella coming on for Christian Eriksen and Achraf Hakimi replacing Ivan Perisic , just hours after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Barella set up former Manchester United forward Lukaku to open the scoring with his fifth league goal this season in the 64th minutes , with his other two coming against Moenchengladbach .
D'Ambrosio nodded in the second with 10 minutes to go .
`` We controlled the match from the very beginning , '' added Conte .
Inter move up to third , two points behind leaders AC Milan , who host Roma on Monday , and one point ahead of Atalanta , fourth after a second straight defeat .
Atalanta are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sampdoria who followed up wins over Fiorentina and Lazio with an impressive victory in Bergamo .
`` I told the lads I wanted to see courage against Lazio and Atalanta , '' said Ranieri .
`` We gradually gained confidence and were ready when the opportunities came . ''
Fabio Quagliarella opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour with his fourth goal in as many games , but the veteran striker was denied a second from the penalty spot .
Danish midfielder Morten Thorsby added a second before the hour mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in injury time .
Colombian striker Duvan Zapata had halved the deficit for Atalanta with 10 minutes to go from the penalty spot .
Gian Piero Gasperini 's Atalanta scored 13 goals in their first three matches , but have now conceded seven in two games after losing 4-1 at Napoli last weekend .
`` There are games where the coach feels responsible for the result .
Today I did a bit of experimenting , it was a sort of construction site , '' said Gasperini .
`` You want to bring in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high levels you ca n't do too many experiments . ''
After their loss in Naples , Atalanta had opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win at Danish club Midtjylland .
Gasperini made seven changes to his side with Sam Lammers and Josip Ilicic starting , the latter playing at home for the first time in over three months .
Atalanta captain Papu Gomez was denied an early goal , before Mikkel Damsgaard set up Quagliarella to score .
A Johan Mojica handball gave Sampdoria the chance for a second but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the spot .
Thorsby got his head to a Jankto cross for Sampdoria 's second before Zapata revived home hopes , converting his penalty after Keita Balde fouled the Colombian .
Senegalese Keita made up for his error , sending Jankto through on goal to net a third two minutes into injury time .
In Rome , Lazio got their first home win this season , 2-1 against Bologna , thanks to goals from Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile , who is now the second highest goalscorer in Lazio 's history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from midfield put Lazio ahead after 54 minutes and Immobile headed in from close range with a quarter of an hour to go to score his 128th Lazio goal , one more than iconic forward Beppe Signori .
Lorenzo De Silvestri pulled one back in injury time before Bologna fell to their fourth defeat in five games .
Champions Juventus play at home against Verona on Sunday .

Milan (AFP) –
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Antonio Conte hailed Romelu Lukaku's progress since joining Inter Milan last season as the Belgian scored his seventh goal this campaign in a 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa.
Second half strikes from Belgium striker Lukaku and Danilo D'Ambrosio put Conte's Inter third, ahead of Atalanta who fell 3-1 to Sampdoria.
"Romelu is now a different player, compared to a year ago, he's improved in every respect," said Conte after Inter bounced back after a 2-1 derby defeat to AC Milan and a 2-2 Champions League stalemate with Borussia Moenchengladbach.
"In the past, I said that he was a rough diamond, which is why he was always someone I wanted to work with.
"He's improving on a daily basis and adding quality to his game.
"He's also scoring on a consistent basis."
After being on the back foot in the first half, Conte brought reinforcements off the bench, with Nicolo Barella coming on for Christian Eriksen and Achraf Hakimi replacing Ivan Perisic, just hours after the Moroccan defender tested negative for coronavirus.
Barella set up former Manchester United forward Lukaku to open the scoring with his fifth league goal this season in the 64th minutes, with his other two coming against Moenchengladbach.
D'Ambrosio nodded in the second with 10 minutes to go.
"We controlled the match from the very beginning," added Conte.
Inter move up to third, two points behind leaders AC Milan, who host Roma on Monday, and one point ahead of Atalanta, fourth after a second straight defeat.
Atalanta are level on points with Claudio Ranieri's Sampdoria who followed up wins over Fiorentina and Lazio with an impressive victory in Bergamo.
"I told the lads I wanted to see courage against Lazio and Atalanta," said Ranieri.
"We gradually gained confidence and were ready when the opportunities came."
Fabio Quagliarella opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour with his fourth goal in as many games, but the veteran striker was denied a second from the penalty spot.
Danish midfielder Morten Thorsby added a second before the hour mark, with Jakub Jankto sealing the points in injury time.
Colombian striker Duvan Zapata had halved the deficit for Atalanta with 10 minutes to go from the penalty spot.
- 'Construction site' -
Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta scored 13 goals in their first three matches, but have now conceded seven in two games after losing 4-1 at Napoli last weekend.
"There are games where the coach feels responsible for the result. Today I did a bit of experimenting, it was a sort of construction site," said Gasperini.
"You want to bring in new players but when you play at high levels you can't do too many experiments."
After their loss in Naples, Atalanta had opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win at Danish club Midtjylland.
Gasperini made seven changes to his side with Sam Lammers and Josip Ilicic starting, the latter playing at home for the first time in over three months.
Atalanta captain Papu Gomez was denied an early goal, before Mikkel Damsgaard set up Quagliarella to score.
A Johan Mojica handball gave Sampdoria the chance for a second but Marco Sportiello kept out Quagliarella's effort from the spot.
Thorsby got his head to a Jankto cross for Sampdoria's second before Zapata revived home hopes, converting his penalty after Keita Balde fouled the Colombian.
Senegalese Keita made up for his error, sending Jankto through on goal to net a third two minutes into injury time.
In Rome, Lazio got their first home win this season, 2-1 against Bologna, thanks to goals from Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile, who is now the second highest goalscorer in Lazio's history.
Luis Alberto's stunning solo run through from midfield put Lazio ahead after 54 minutes and Immobile headed in from close range with a quarter of an hour to go to score his 128th Lazio goal, one more than iconic forward Beppe Signori.
Lorenzo De Silvestri pulled one back in injury time before Bologna fell to their fourth defeat in five games.
Champions Juventus play at home against Verona on Sunday.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--Zverev brushes off hip pain to set up Cologne title duel with Schwartzman

Alexander Zverev is through to his second ATP final in Cologne in a week Alexander Zverev remains on course to win his second ATP title in Cologne within a week after sealing a straight sets win over Italian teenager Jannik Sinner in Saturday 's semi-final .
Zverev , 23 , avenged his defeat earlier this month in the last 16 of the French Open against 19-year-old Sinner by claiming a 7-6 ( 7/3 ) , 6-3 win over the wildcard entry .
The hip injury which hampered Zverev , ranked seventh in the world , against France 's Adrian Mannarino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue as the German saw off Sinner in one hour and 48 minutes .
`` I had a scan this morning , '' revealed Zverev , who was determined to face Sinner to make amends for his defeat in Paris .
`` I was playing a player I just lost to at Roland Garros .
That was still in the back of my head .
I was not going to lose today . ''
Zverev proved his fitness by converting his first match point with a blistering serve .
However , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he predicts will soon build on his ranking of 46th .
`` He is an up-and-coming superstar .
I think he is going to be Top 10 very shortly .
I think he is going to be competing for the biggest tournaments in the world , '' Zverev added .
In Sunday 's final , Zverev will face Argentine second seed Diego Schwartzman who defeated last weekend 's Cologne runner-up Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 , 5-7 , 6-4 .
Schwartzman is still in the running for the ATP Finals in London next month .

Berlin (AFP) –
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Alexander Zverev remains on course to win his second ATP title in Cologne within a week after sealing a straight sets win over Italian teenager Jannik Sinner in Saturday's semi-final.
Zverev, 23, avenged his defeat earlier this month in the last 16 of the French Open against 19-year-old Sinner by claiming a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over the wildcard entry.
The hip injury which hampered Zverev, ranked seventh in the world, against France's Adrian Mannarino in Friday's quarter-final was not an issue as the German saw off Sinner in one hour and 48 minutes.
"I had a scan this morning," revealed Zverev, who was determined to face Sinner to make amends for his defeat in Paris.
"I was playing a player I just lost to at Roland Garros. That was still in the back of my head. I was not going to lose today."
Zverev proved his fitness by converting his first match point with a blistering serve.
However, he was full of praise for Sinner, who he predicts will soon build on his ranking of 46th.
"He is an up-and-coming superstar. I think he is going to be Top 10 very shortly. I think he is going to be competing for the biggest tournaments in the world," Zverev added.
In Sunday's final, Zverev will face Argentine second seed Diego Schwartzman who defeated last weekend's Cologne runner-up Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
Schwartzman is still in the running for the ATP Finals in London next month.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--MMA champion Nurmagomedov in shock retirement

MMA world lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his shock retirement from the sport on Saturday after revealing he `` promised @ @ @ @ @ clash with Justin Gaethje would be his last fight .
The Russian , who won @ @ @ @ @ , was fighting for the first time since the death of his father and coach @ @ @ @ @ I 'm the UFC undisputed , undefeated champion with a 13-0 record ( in UFC @ @ @ @ @ all of my pro MMA career , '' he said after his win in Abu @ @ @ @ @ my mother this would be my last fight .
There 's no way I 'm @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Long time rival Conor McGregor of Ireland was amongst the first to congratulate @ @ @ @ @ career .
`` I will carry on .
Respect and condolences on your father again @ @ @ @ @ family .
Yours sincerely , The McGregors , '' he tweeted .

Paris (AFP) –
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MMA world lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his shock retirement from the sport on Saturday after revealing he "promised his mother" that his clash with Justin Gaethje would be his last fight.
The Russian, who won by a second-round technical knockout, was fighting for the first time since the death of his father and coach Abdulmanap in July.
"I'm the UFC undisputed, undefeated champion with a 13-0 record (in UFC), and 29-0 in all of my pro MMA career," he said after his win in Abu Dhabi.
"I promised my mother this would be my last fight. There's no way I'm coming here without my father."
Long time rival Conor McGregor of Ireland was amongst the first to congratulate the 32-year-old Russian on his career.
"I will carry on. Respect and condolences on your father again also. To you and family. Yours sincerely, The McGregors," he tweeted.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--'The Undoing': More murder and secrets starring Kidman, this time in NY

Nicole Kidman , who stars in the new mini-series 'The Undoing , ' is seen in January in Los Angeles After the huge success of `` Big Little Lies , '' actress Nicole Kidman is back with a new mini-series revolving around a murder among privileged white Americans -- this time living in New York .
There is more than one similarity between this new project , to be streamed by HBO in the United States , and `` Big Little Lies , '' which in its first season alone garnered four Golden Globes and eight Emmy awards .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a microcosm built on wealth and carefully established social norms -- a predictable world deeply shaken by the arrival of an outsider .
One by one , secrets are revealed and masks fall , sweeping aside comfortable certainties .
The series marks the return or writer/producer David E. Kelley , and once again stars Nicole Kidman , who won a slew of awards for her portrayal of a woman living with domestic abuse in `` Big Little Lies . ''
Whereas `` Big Little Lies '' was built around an ensemble cast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , centers on the character of Grace Fraser , a well-off therapist played by Kidman .
Like `` Big Little Lies , '' `` The Undoing '' unspools gradually over six episodes .
`` So much of the series is on the psychological journey of this woman , '' Kidman , who co-produced both series , told Australian broadcaster Foxtel .
For British star Hugh Grant , who plays Kidman 's husband , the mini-series is `` a Scandi-noir thriller with a massive , and I hope successful , whodunit element , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch comes from Danish director Susanne Bier ( `` Brothers '' and `` The Night Manager '' ) .
She gives the series a stark and disturbing esthetic .
Grant , a veteran of highly successful rom-coms , shines here in a darker register , bristling with sharp edges -- the sort of career-changing role he has embraced in recent years ( see `` A Very English Scandal '' ) .
But while American critics have praised the acting in `` The Undoing , '' they have been less kind about the plotline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than compelling .
Kelley , creator of a slew of hit series , from `` Ally McBeal '' to `` Goliath , '' is already at work on a new project .
Again in collaboration with Kidman , he is adapting `` Nine Perfect Strangers , '' based like `` Big Little Lies '' on a novel by Australian author Liane Moriarty .
The new mini-series will be aired on Hulu .

New York (AFP) –
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After the huge success of "Big Little Lies," actress Nicole Kidman is back with a new mini-series revolving around a murder among privileged white Americans -- this time living in New York.
There is more than one similarity between this new project, to be streamed by HBO in the United States, and "Big Little Lies," which in its first season alone garnered four Golden Globes and eight Emmy awards.
To start with, it takes place in a microcosm built on wealth and carefully established social norms -- a predictable world deeply shaken by the arrival of an outsider.
One by one, secrets are revealed and masks fall, sweeping aside comfortable certainties.
The series marks the return or writer/producer David E. Kelley, and once again stars Nicole Kidman, who won a slew of awards for her portrayal of a woman living with domestic abuse in "Big Little Lies."
Whereas "Big Little Lies" was built around an ensemble cast, the new mini-series, which debuts Sunday, centers on the character of Grace Fraser, a well-off therapist played by Kidman.
- 'A Scandi-noir thriller' -
Like "Big Little Lies," "The Undoing" unspools gradually over six episodes.
"So much of the series is on the psychological journey of this woman," Kidman, who co-produced both series, told Australian broadcaster Foxtel.
For British star Hugh Grant, who plays Kidman's husband, the mini-series is "a Scandi-noir thriller with a massive, and I hope successful, whodunit element," as he told HBO.
The Scandinavian touch comes from Danish director Susanne Bier ("Brothers" and "The Night Manager"). She gives the series a stark and disturbing esthetic.
Grant, a veteran of highly successful rom-coms, shines here in a darker register, bristling with sharp edges -- the sort of career-changing role he has embraced in recent years (see "A Very English Scandal").
But while American critics have praised the acting in "The Undoing," they have been less kind about the plotline, saying it is thin and less than compelling.
Kelley, creator of a slew of hit series, from "Ally McBeal" to "Goliath," is already at work on a new project.
Again in collaboration with Kidman, he is adapting "Nine Perfect Strangers," based like "Big Little Lies" on a novel by Australian author Liane Moriarty. The new mini-series will be aired on Hulu.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--Kean, Mbappe send PSG top after Lens game called off due to Covid outbreak

Moise Kean ( R ) celebrates with Neymar after scoring in PSG 's 4-0 win over Dijon Moise Kean and Kylian Mbappe both scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain beat Dijon 4-0 on Saturday to go top of Ligue 1 , while the match between Lens and Nantes was postponed after 11 members of the home squad tested positive for coronavirus .
Kean started at the Parc des Princes and scored a first-half brace , his first goals since moving to PSG on loan from Everton .
Mbappe then replaced the Italy international in the latter stages and added a late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's team -- for whom Neymar was outstanding -- bounced back from their midweek Champions League loss to Manchester United and made it six consecutive Ligue 1 victories .
The result allowed PSG to go top of the table , a point clear of Lille , although the northerners can reclaim first place by beating Nice on Sunday .
`` The most important thing was to get back to winning ways at home , '' captain Marquinhos told Canal+ .
`` We know this season is not going to be easy .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we rotated the team here but we were still competitive on the field . ''
The reigning champions were missing nine players due to injury or suspension , including Angel di Maria and Marco Verratti , while Mbappe was rested at kick-off ahead of a trip to Turkey to play Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday .
In a game played behind closed doors in the French capital because of the health crisis , Kean came in and converted a Mitchel Bakker cross to open the scoring in the third minute .
Neymar then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kean 's second goal midway through the first half .
Released on the counter-attack by Julian Draxler , Neymar ran half the length of the field with the ball before leaving Kean with an easy finish .
PSG lost Draxler to injury in the second half before Mbappe replaced Kean and ran onto a Neymar pass to make it 3-0 eight minutes from time .
In the 88th minute Neymar produced a lovely pass to pick out Pablo Sarabia , who teed up Mbappe to seal the win .
Marseille won 1-0 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi moving them up to fourth just behind Rennes , who lost 2-1 to Angers on Friday .
Andre Villas-Boas 's side host Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday .
Lens ' home clash with Nantes scheduled for Sunday was called off after they lost the equivalent of a whole team to positive coronavirus tests .
In a statement , the French league ( LFP ) said that `` noting the certain absence of 11 Lens players from a list of 30 because of positive RT-PCR tests ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Lens and Nantes scheduled for Sunday to a later date '' .
Lens did not confirm the identity of the players concerned , but local newspaper La Voix du Nord reported that two staff members , including coach Franck Haise , were also positive .
`` The health situation takes priority but this changes a lot of things for the league itself , '' said the Nantes coach , Christian Gourcuff , whose squad had already travelled to Lens .
`` I think that what we have experienced is going to happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time this season a Ligue 1 game has been postponed due to Covid-19 .
Marseille 's meeting with Bordeaux on the opening night of the campaign in August was rescheduled for the same reason .
After that , and fearing an avalanche of postponements , the LFP relaxed its health protocol to ensure games could go ahead as long as at least 20 players from a list of 30 on each team tested negative .
The Ligue 2 game between Grenoble and Nancy scheduled for Saturday was also postponed after 13 Grenoble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members .
Lens and its surrounding region , in far northern France , are currently under a nighttime curfew along with much of the country as part of efforts to reduce the spread of the virus .
France has recorded more than one million cases and close to 35,000 deaths from Covid-19 .

Paris (AFP) –
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Moise Kean and Kylian Mbappe both scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain beat Dijon 4-0 on Saturday to go top of Ligue 1, while the match between Lens and Nantes was postponed after 11 members of the home squad tested positive for coronavirus.
Kean started at the Parc des Princes and scored a first-half brace, his first goals since moving to PSG on loan from Everton.
Mbappe then replaced the Italy international in the latter stages and added a late double of his own as Thomas Tuchel's team -- for whom Neymar was outstanding -- bounced back from their midweek Champions League loss to Manchester United and made it six consecutive Ligue 1 victories.
The result allowed PSG to go top of the table, a point clear of Lille, although the northerners can reclaim first place by beating Nice on Sunday.
"The most important thing was to get back to winning ways at home," captain Marquinhos told Canal+.
"We know this season is not going to be easy. We are going to have lots of matches, we rotated the team here but we were still competitive on the field."
The reigning champions were missing nine players due to injury or suspension, including Angel di Maria and Marco Verratti, while Mbappe was rested at kick-off ahead of a trip to Turkey to play Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday.
In a game played behind closed doors in the French capital because of the health crisis, Kean came in and converted a Mitchel Bakker cross to open the scoring in the third minute.
Neymar then headed against the post before setting up Kean's second goal midway through the first half.
Released on the counter-attack by Julian Draxler, Neymar ran half the length of the field with the ball before leaving Kean with an easy finish.
PSG lost Draxler to injury in the second half before Mbappe replaced Kean and ran onto a Neymar pass to make it 3-0 eight minutes from time.
In the 88th minute Neymar produced a lovely pass to pick out Pablo Sarabia, who teed up Mbappe to seal the win.
Marseille won 1-0 at Lorient earlier with a second-half goal from Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi moving them up to fourth just behind Rennes, who lost 2-1 to Angers on Friday.
Andre Villas-Boas's side host Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.
- 'Health situation takes priority' -
Lens' home clash with Nantes scheduled for Sunday was called off after they lost the equivalent of a whole team to positive coronavirus tests.
In a statement, the French league (LFP) said that "noting the certain absence of 11 Lens players from a list of 30 because of positive RT-PCR tests...it has decided to postpone the game between Lens and Nantes scheduled for Sunday to a later date".
Lens did not confirm the identity of the players concerned, but local newspaper La Voix du Nord reported that two staff members, including coach Franck Haise, were also positive.
"The health situation takes priority but this changes a lot of things for the league itself," said the Nantes coach, Christian Gourcuff, whose squad had already travelled to Lens.
"I think that what we have experienced is going to happen again."
It is not the first time this season a Ligue 1 game has been postponed due to Covid-19. Marseille's meeting with Bordeaux on the opening night of the campaign in August was rescheduled for the same reason.
After that, and fearing an avalanche of postponements, the LFP relaxed its health protocol to ensure games could go ahead as long as at least 20 players from a list of 30 on each team tested negative.
The Ligue 2 game between Grenoble and Nancy scheduled for Saturday was also postponed after 13 Grenoble players tested positive along with five staff members.
Lens and its surrounding region, in far northern France, are currently under a nighttime curfew along with much of the country as part of efforts to reduce the spread of the virus.
France has recorded more than one million cases and close to 35,000 deaths from Covid-19.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--Looters raid Nigeria food warehouse as unrest spreads

Crowds raided a huge warehouse in Jos that was storing supplies destined for distribution during lockdowns Several thousand people ransacked and looted a government food warehouse in central Nigeria on Saturday in the latest in two weeks of unrest sweeping over Africa 's most populous country .
After pillaging hit Lagos and Ede in the country 's southwest , crowds of people raided a huge warehouse in Jos that was storing supplies destined for distribution during lockdowns imposed to control the virus pandemic .
Videos on social media showed thousands of people in Jos carrying away sacks of cereals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stripped away parts of the roof of the building .
`` So during the lockdown they were just hiding the food .
I wonder about the kind of government we have , '' said Mafeg Pam , who lives in Jos .
`` Many people have died from hunger . ''
Another Jos resident , Mohammed Ibrahim , said : `` They hid this food since the lockdown .
By now they should have shared it . ''
Relative calm prevailed Saturday in Lagos however , where a strict curfew imposed on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a week of violence also subsided .
Peaceful demonstrations against police brutality erupted in Nigeria on October 8 and quickly spiralled into one of the biggest challenges to the ruling elite in decades .
Police stations had been burnt , supermarkets looted and vehicles destroyed as violence spread across the economic hub of 20 million , with officials accusing `` hoodlums '' of taking advantage of the mayhem .
Amnesty International has said at least 12 protesters were gunned down by the army and police in Lagos on Tuesday , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demonstrations began .
Nigeria 's President Muhammadu Buhari has called for an end to the protests and warned demonstrators not to `` undermine national security '' .
He has not directly addressed the shooting of protesters in Lagos and sought to shrug off international outrage over the use of excessive force by his security agencies .
`` Enough is enough , '' the chief of police said in a statement on Saturday , saying security forces would use legitimate means to stop any slide into lawlessness .
The protests against police brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Beyonce , Rihanna , Cardi B and heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua .

Jos (Nigeria) (AFP) –
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Several thousand people ransacked and looted a government food warehouse in central Nigeria on Saturday in the latest in two weeks of unrest sweeping over Africa's most populous country.
After pillaging hit Lagos and Ede in the country's southwest, crowds of people raided a huge warehouse in Jos that was storing supplies destined for distribution during lockdowns imposed to control the virus pandemic.
Videos on social media showed thousands of people in Jos carrying away sacks of cereals and rice and bags of pasta. Looters stripped away parts of the roof of the building.
"So during the lockdown they were just hiding the food. I wonder about the kind of government we have," said Mafeg Pam, who lives in Jos. "Many people have died from hunger."
Another Jos resident, Mohammed Ibrahim, said: "They hid this food since the lockdown. By now they should have shared it."
Relative calm prevailed Saturday in Lagos however, where a strict curfew imposed on Tuesday in Africa's biggest city was eased as a week of violence also subsided.
Peaceful demonstrations against police brutality erupted in Nigeria on October 8 and quickly spiralled into one of the biggest challenges to the ruling elite in decades.
Police stations had been burnt, supermarkets looted and vehicles destroyed as violence spread across the economic hub of 20 million, with officials accusing "hoodlums" of taking advantage of the mayhem.
Amnesty International has said at least 12 protesters were gunned down by the army and police in Lagos on Tuesday, and a total of 56 people have died since the demonstrations began.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has called for an end to the protests and warned demonstrators not to "undermine national security".
He has not directly addressed the shooting of protesters in Lagos and sought to shrug off international outrage over the use of excessive force by his security agencies.
"Enough is enough," the chief of police said in a statement on Saturday, saying security forces would use legitimate means to stop any slide into lawlessness.
The protests against police brutality have received backing from major celebrities, including Beyonce, Rihanna, Cardi B and heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--Referendum choice not black and white, Chileans say

One hopes for a `` legitimate '' constitution , the other believes Chile 's problems can be resolved without a new one -- two voters on opposite sides lay out their arguments ahead of Sunday 's referendum , and say the choice facing the country is a tricky one .
Ernesto Quintana says he 'll be ticking `` Apruebo '' ( I agree ) for `` reasons of ethics and legitimacy '' when he gets to his Santiago polling center on Sunday .
The current constitution , he says , prevents social progress .
`` The current constitution ... .was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of restriction of freedoms , without participation of the citizens , of course , and in the context of terror , '' Quintana , a Santiago-based psychologist , told AFP .
`` It is a constitution that favors the neo-liberal system at an extreme level , it has perpetuated a totally unequal system , '' said the 38-year-old , who has taken part in several mass demonstrations in the capital since the beginning of the social crisis in October 2019 .
Not a member of any political grouping , he says he wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the private sector in the copper-rich South American country -- to become fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution .
`` Today people who have money have better education , better health , better housing , ... .and all these things could be reformed by changing the constitution . ''
The son of communist militants hunted down under Augusto Pinochet , Chile 's military ruler between 1973-1990 , Quintana will also vote for a new charter to be drafted by a `` Constituent Convention '' composed solely of elected citizens , and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would combine citizens with lawmakers .
`` I do n't want the political parties to be involved , '' said Quintana , who simply does n't trust the country 's politicians to do the job .
He sees the Constituent Convention `` as an opportunity for the voice of all citizens to be taken into account in a more direct , more participatory way . ''
Santiago restauranteur Francisco Pereira is keen to point out that being against a re-write of the constitution and voting `` Rechazo '' ( I reject ) does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Chile needs `` change '' and in particular more egalitarian health , education and transport systems .
He says he even `` applauded '' when Chileans first took to the streets in October last year to demand more social justice .
For him , however , the demonstrators were gathering `` to change laws , to improve pensions , to denounce inequalities in general , '' but not specifically to change the constitution .
The 48-year-old stresses that he has `` always been against Pinochet , against the dictatorship '' .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of social crisis , violent demonstrations and the coronavirus pandemic which has hit Chile so hard , the timing is simply not right to change such a fundamental pillar of the law .
`` The problem is that we are deciding to change the constitution in a moment of crisis , and it 's not a good basis on which to base changing the constitution , ' he said .
`` Chile does not need constitutional change at the moment , like every other country in the world , it 's in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Social reforms require money , and the instability '' -- due to the referendum and social tensions -- `` is not very attractive for investment , for growth . ''
Lawmakers should take advantage of the kind of political consensus displayed in Congress last November when left and right-wing blocs signed an agreement to hold the referendum .
`` Before wanting to change the constitution , we must first solve problems through the law , '' by voting reforms through Congress , Pereira said .

Santiago (AFP) –
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One hopes for a "legitimate" constitution, the other believes Chile's problems can be resolved without a new one -- two voters on opposite sides lay out their arguments ahead of Sunday's referendum, and say the choice facing the country is a tricky one.
- 'Ethics and legitimacy' -
Ernesto Quintana says he'll be ticking "Apruebo" (I agree) for "reasons of ethics and legitimacy" when he gets to his Santiago polling center on Sunday.
The current constitution, he says, prevents social progress.
"The current constitution....was written during the dictatorship, a period of restriction of freedoms, without participation of the citizens, of course, and in the context of terror," Quintana, a Santiago-based psychologist, told AFP.
"It is a constitution that favors the neo-liberal system at an extreme level, it has perpetuated a totally unequal system," said the 38-year-old, who has taken part in several mass demonstrations in the capital since the beginning of the social crisis in October 2019.
Not a member of any political grouping, he says he wants health and education -- essentially the responsibility of the private sector in the copper-rich South American country -- to become fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution.
"Today people who have money have better education, better health, better housing, ....and all these things could be reformed by changing the constitution."
The son of communist militants hunted down under Augusto Pinochet, Chile's military ruler between 1973-1990, Quintana will also vote for a new charter to be drafted by a "Constituent Convention" composed solely of elected citizens, and not by a "mixed convention" that would combine citizens with lawmakers.
"I don't want the political parties to be involved," said Quintana, who simply doesn't trust the country's politicians to do the job.
He sees the Constituent Convention "as an opportunity for the voice of all citizens to be taken into account in a more direct, more participatory way."
- Not pro-Pinochet' -
Santiago restauranteur Francisco Pereira is keen to point out that being against a re-write of the constitution and voting "Rechazo" (I reject) doesn't makes one pro-Pinochet.
He agrees that Chile needs "change" and in particular more egalitarian health, education and transport systems.
He says he even "applauded" when Chileans first took to the streets in October last year to demand more social justice.
For him, however, the demonstrators were gathering "to change laws, to improve pensions, to denounce inequalities in general," but not specifically to change the constitution.
The 48-year-old stresses that he has "always been against Pinochet, against the dictatorship". But he says that in a perfect storm of social crisis, violent demonstrations and the coronavirus pandemic which has hit Chile so hard, the timing is simply not right to change such a fundamental pillar of the law.
"The problem is that we are deciding to change the constitution in a moment of crisis, and it's not a good basis on which to base changing the constitution,' he said.
"Chile does not need constitutional change at the moment, like every other country in the world, it's in the middle of a serious economic crisis."
"Social reforms require money, and the instability" -- due to the referendum and social tensions -- "is not very attractive for investment, for growth."
Lawmakers should take advantage of the kind of political consensus displayed in Congress last November when left and right-wing blocs signed an agreement to hold the referendum.
"Before wanting to change the constitution, we must first solve problems through the law," by voting reforms through Congress, Pereira said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--Cameroon school attack kills 8 students: UN

Anglophone separatists have repeatedly targeted shools in Cameroon since they ramped up their movement in 2017 Attackers armed with guns and machetes killed at least eight children Saturday in a raid on a school in southwestern Cameroon , the United Nations said .
No group claimed responsibility for the attack on the bilingual school in Kumba , but the area has been caught up in violence between Anglophone separatists and government forces for three years .
`` At least eight children were killed as a result of gunshots and attack with machetes , '' at the Mother Francisca International Bilingual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA ) said .
`` Another twelve were wounded and taken to local hospitals , '' it added , which would make it one of the worst such attacks in the region to date .
Two English-speaking regions of Cameroon , Southwest and Northwest provinces , have long chaffed against perceived discrimination from the country 's French-speaking majority .
The two regions have become the centre of a conflict involving separatist militants who have targeted the army and demanded local government offices and schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,000 lives and forced over 700,000 people to flee their homes since 2017 .
Authorities did not blame any group for Saturday ’ s attack .
Chamberlin Ntou'ou Ndong , prefect of the Meme department where the Kumba school is located , vowed however that `` these people will be caught whatever it takes .
I repeat , whatever it takes . ''
In early September , the army launched its latest operation against militants in the Northwest region .
Since it began , the movement became more radicalised , and separatists renamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has never been recognised internationally .
Their strategy included a school boycott said Arrey Elvis Ntui , a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group in Cameroon .
`` Around 700,000 young people were excluded from the school system owing to the conflict , '' he told AFP .
`` The government and anglophone civil society have put a lot of pressure on separatist groups to allow their children to go back to school , and some that had closed in recent years have begun to resume classes again , '' Ntui @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were killed by separatists in Buea , the capital of Southwest Region in what an official described as `` reprisal '' for opposing the forced school closures .
In 2018 , insurgents killed a principal , mutilated a teacher and attacked several high schools .
Separatists have also increasingly resorted kidnappings and extortion , along with attacks on troops and police , and arson assaults on public buildings and schools .
The government has responded with a crackdown , deploying thousands of soldiers .

Kumba (Cameroon) (AFP) –
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Attackers armed with guns and machetes killed at least eight children Saturday in a raid on a school in southwestern Cameroon, the United Nations said.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack on the bilingual school in Kumba, but the area has been caught up in violence between Anglophone separatists and government forces for three years.
"At least eight children were killed as a result of gunshots and attack with machetes," at the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy, a statement by the local UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.
"Another twelve were wounded and taken to local hospitals," it added, which would make it one of the worst such attacks in the region to date.
Two English-speaking regions of Cameroon, Southwest and Northwest provinces, have long chaffed against perceived discrimination from the country's French-speaking majority.
The two regions have become the centre of a conflict involving separatist militants who have targeted the army and demanded local government offices and schools close.
Fighting has claimed more than 3,000 lives and forced over 700,000 people to flee their homes since 2017.
Authorities did not blame any group for Saturday’s attack.
Chamberlin Ntou'ou Ndong, prefect of the Meme department where the Kumba school is located, vowed however that "these people will be caught whatever it takes. I repeat, whatever it takes."
In early September, the army launched its latest operation against militants in the Northwest region.
Since it began, the movement became more radicalised, and separatists renamed the regions the Republic of Ambazonia, which has never been recognised internationally.
Their strategy included a school boycott said Arrey Elvis Ntui, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group in Cameroon.
"Around 700,000 young people were excluded from the school system owing to the conflict," he told AFP.
"The government and anglophone civil society have put a lot of pressure on separatist groups to allow their children to go back to school, and some that had closed in recent years have begun to resume classes again," Ntui said.
Last year, two students were killed by separatists in Buea, the capital of Southwest Region in what an official described as "reprisal" for opposing the forced school closures.
In 2018, insurgents killed a principal, mutilated a teacher and attacked several high schools.
Separatists have also increasingly resorted kidnappings and extortion, along with attacks on troops and police, and arson assaults on public buildings and schools.
The government has responded with a crackdown, deploying thousands of soldiers.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--Dupont double as France beat Wales before Six Nations showdown

France scrum-half Antoine Dupont scored twice in his side 's 38-21 victory over Wales on Saturday in Paris ahead of next weekend 's final round of the Six Nations .
Dupont crossed before the interval thanks to superb play from Virimi Vakatawa on both occasions as les Bleus prepared for Saturday 's potential title decider with Ireland .
Wayne Pivac 's visitors lost a fourth straight international for the first time since the summer of 2016 .
They will host Scotland in the Six Nations in seven days ' time .
France coach Fabien Galthie made three changes from loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vincent Rattez and Cyril Baille replaced the injured Damian Penaud , centre Arthur Vincent and the retired Jefferson Poirot .
Pivac 's captain Alun Wyn Jones equalled former New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw 's record of 148 Test appearances as hooker Sam Parry and winger Louis Rees-Zammit were handed international debuts from the bench .
Pivac 's men opened the scoring in quick fashion as Leigh Halfpenny crossed for his 15th Test try on 60 seconds after Gregory Alldritt dropping Dan Biggar 's kick-off .
Biggar kicked his first penalty goal five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened his international account just before the quarter of an hour mark .
As the home side made ground into Wales ' half after 20 minutes , back-rower Francois Cros carried well and Bernard Le Roux cleared Jones out at a ruck .
As the pair fell to ground the Racing 92 lock 's right elbow made contact with the second row 's face but referee Karl Dickson missed the incident and it was not picked up by the television match official .
Biggar kicked another penalty before the hosts took the lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after half an hour .
The New Zealand-born centre found space near the touchline before off-loading with one hand to find winger Teddy Thomas .
Dupont 's support line was impeccable and picked off Thomas ' pass to cross for his opening try and Romain Ntamack 's conversion made it 14-13 .
The lead was extended five minutes before the break as Vakatawa again found space behind the defensive line before drawing Halfpenny to send Dupont over for his maiden international double .
Ntamack and Biggar traded shots at goal and Galthie 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter of the match to play before Biggar failed with an effort .
Winger Louis Rees-Zammit made his Test bow with 17 minutes to go before Biggar missed the chance to cut the gap to five points once again as his long-range penalty drifted to the left of the posts .
The victory was sealed with a quarter of an hour left as the hosts captain Charles Ollivon charged over and a Ntamack conversion made it 31-16 .
Wales ' consolation came with 11 minutes to play as Nicky Smith crossed from short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight points in total on the tee .
The home side had the last say as Thomas dived over for a 12th try in 20 Tests after a delicate chip-and-chase as Wales lost a fourth straight international for the first time since 2016 .

Paris (AFP) –
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France scrum-half Antoine Dupont scored twice in his side's 38-21 victory over Wales on Saturday in Paris ahead of next weekend's final round of the Six Nations.
Dupont crossed before the interval thanks to superb play from Virimi Vakatawa on both occasions as les Bleus prepared for Saturday's potential title decider with Ireland.
Wayne Pivac's visitors lost a fourth straight international for the first time since the summer of 2016. They will host Scotland in the Six Nations in seven days' time.
France coach Fabien Galthie made three changes from loss to Scotland in March as Teddy Thomas, Vincent Rattez and Cyril Baille replaced the injured Damian Penaud, centre Arthur Vincent and the retired Jefferson Poirot.
Pivac's captain Alun Wyn Jones equalled former New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw's record of 148 Test appearances as hooker Sam Parry and winger Louis Rees-Zammit were handed international debuts from the bench.
Pivac's men opened the scoring in quick fashion as Leigh Halfpenny crossed for his 15th Test try on 60 seconds after Gregory Alldritt dropping Dan Biggar's kick-off.
Biggar kicked his first penalty goal five minutes later before les Bleus prop Baille opened his international account just before the quarter of an hour mark.
As the home side made ground into Wales' half after 20 minutes, back-rower Francois Cros carried well and Bernard Le Roux cleared Jones out at a ruck.
As the pair fell to ground the Racing 92 lock's right elbow made contact with the second row's face but referee Karl Dickson missed the incident and it was not picked up by the television match official.
Biggar kicked another penalty before the hosts took the lead after Vakatawa's first display of class after half an hour.
The New Zealand-born centre found space near the touchline before off-loading with one hand to find winger Teddy Thomas.
Dupont's support line was impeccable and picked off Thomas' pass to cross for his opening try and Romain Ntamack's conversion made it 14-13.
- Wasteful Biggar -
The lead was extended five minutes before the break as Vakatawa again found space behind the defensive line before drawing Halfpenny to send Dupont over for his maiden international double.
Ntamack and Biggar traded shots at goal and Galthie's men had a 24-16 advantage with a quarter of the match to play before Biggar failed with an effort.
Winger Louis Rees-Zammit made his Test bow with 17 minutes to go before Biggar missed the chance to cut the gap to five points once again as his long-range penalty drifted to the left of the posts.
The victory was sealed with a quarter of an hour left as the hosts captain Charles Ollivon charged over and a Ntamack conversion made it 31-16.
Wales' consolation came with 11 minutes to play as Nicky Smith crossed from short range but Biggar missed the extras leaving eight points in total on the tee.
The home side had the last say as Thomas dived over for a 12th try in 20 Tests after a delicate chip-and-chase as Wales lost a fourth straight international for the first time since 2016.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--Jota caps Liverpool fightback to sink Blades

Liverpool survived a scare to beat Sheffield United 2-1 as Diogo Jota 's winner capped a spirited fightback that lifted the Premier League champions into second place on Saturday .
Jurgen Klopp 's side trailed to Sander Berge 's controversial first half penalty at Anfield .
But Roberto Firmino equalised before the break and Portugal forward Jota completed the escape act with his second goal since signing from Wolves in September .
After losing Virgil van Dijk to a serious knee injury in last weekend 's Merseyside derby draw at Everton , the Reds have proved they can survive without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1-0 Champions League win against Ajax in midweek set the tone and Liverpool again dug deep to earn their first win in three Premier League games .
Van Dijk , who is unlikely to feature again this season , had started 94 consecutive league matches before this weekend .
And while his stand-in Fabinho was responsible for conceding the penalty converted by Berge , Klopp must be largely satisfied with the way his team have coped with such a major injury blow .
Liverpool are level on points with leaders Everton , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their game in hand at Southampton on Sunday .
Liverpool came out firing and almost went ahead inside the first minute when Sadio Mane flicked the ball past United keeper Aaron Ramsdale before John Egan hacked clear .
Trent Alexander-Arnold tried his luck with an audacious free-kick from the halfway line that Ramsdale had to tip over .
But despite that lively opening it was United who took a shock lead in the 13th minute .
When Fabinho tripped Oli McBurnie right on the edge of the Liverpool area , Mike Dean gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenge and ruled it had taken place just inside the box .
It was the first Premier League penalty Liverpool had faced at Anfield in over two years and Norway midfielder Berge showed no nerves as he sent Alisson Becker the wrong way for his first goal of the season .
Alisson was back after missing the last four matches with a shoulder injury and Liverpool 's keeper marked his return with an excellent save from Ben Osborn 's volley as United pressed for a second goal .
Klopp had sent out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Brazilian forward Firmino deployed in midfield behind a front three of Mane , Jota and Mohamed Salah .
It was Firmino who dragged Liverpool level in the 41st minute with his first goal of the season .
Mane met Jordan Henderson 's cross with a powerful header that was parried out by Ramsdale and , with the keeper prone on the turf , Firmino slotted in the rebound from close-range .
Salah should have completed Liverpool 's comeback moments later , but Ramsdale denied the Egypt forward when he surged through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from regaining the lead soon after the interval when Berge headed down to George Baldock , whose deflected effort flashed just wide .
Salah thought he had scored Liverpool 's second with a cool finish from Alexander-Arnold 's pass , but the goal was correctly disallowed for offside by VAR .
Mane 's cross was misjudged by United defender Enda Stevens and Jota took advantage to head home from close-range .
Liverpool never look completely comfortable when the error-prone Adrian is deputising for Alisson and the Brazilian underlined why he was so badly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
United substitutes David McGoldrick and Oliver Burke fired over in a tense finale , while Salah 's chip hit the post as Liverpool stood firm .

Liverpool (AFP) –
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Liverpool survived a scare to beat Sheffield United 2-1 as Diogo Jota's winner capped a spirited fightback that lifted the Premier League champions into second place on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp's side trailed to Sander Berge's controversial first half penalty at Anfield.
But Roberto Firmino equalised before the break and Portugal forward Jota completed the escape act with his second goal since signing from Wolves in September.
After losing Virgil van Dijk to a serious knee injury in last weekend's Merseyside derby draw at Everton, the Reds have proved they can survive without their influential Dutch centre-back.
A gritty 1-0 Champions League win against Ajax in midweek set the tone and Liverpool again dug deep to earn their first win in three Premier League games.
Van Dijk, who is unlikely to feature again this season, had started 94 consecutive league matches before this weekend.
And while his stand-in Fabinho was responsible for conceding the penalty converted by Berge, Klopp must be largely satisfied with the way his team have coped with such a major injury blow.
Liverpool are level on points with leaders Everton, who have a superior goal difference and play their game in hand at Southampton on Sunday.
- -Anxiety eased -
Liverpool came out firing and almost went ahead inside the first minute when Sadio Mane flicked the ball past United keeper Aaron Ramsdale before John Egan hacked clear.
Trent Alexander-Arnold tried his luck with an audacious free-kick from the halfway line that Ramsdale had to tip over.
But despite that lively opening it was United who took a shock lead in the 13th minute.
When Fabinho tripped Oli McBurnie right on the edge of the Liverpool area, Mike Dean gave a free-kick but VAR intervened to review the challenge and ruled it had taken place just inside the box.
It was the first Premier League penalty Liverpool had faced at Anfield in over two years and Norway midfielder Berge showed no nerves as he sent Alisson Becker the wrong way for his first goal of the season.
Alisson was back after missing the last four matches with a shoulder injury and Liverpool's keeper marked his return with an excellent save from Ben Osborn's volley as United pressed for a second goal.
Klopp had sent out an even more attacking line-up than usual, with Brazilian forward Firmino deployed in midfield behind a front three of Mane, Jota and Mohamed Salah.
It was Firmino who dragged Liverpool level in the 41st minute with his first goal of the season.
Mane met Jordan Henderson's cross with a powerful header that was parried out by Ramsdale and, with the keeper prone on the turf, Firmino slotted in the rebound from close-range.
Salah should have completed Liverpool's comeback moments later, but Ramsdale denied the Egypt forward when he surged through on goal.
United were inches away from regaining the lead soon after the interval when Berge headed down to George Baldock, whose deflected effort flashed just wide.
Salah thought he had scored Liverpool's second with a cool finish from Alexander-Arnold's pass, but the goal was correctly disallowed for offside by VAR.
Jota eased Liverpool's angst in the 64th minute.
Mane's cross was misjudged by United defender Enda Stevens and Jota took advantage to head home from close-range.
Liverpool never look completely comfortable when the error-prone Adrian is deputising for Alisson and the Brazilian underlined why he was so badly missed with a superb save from Berge.
United substitutes David McGoldrick and Oliver Burke fired over in a tense finale, while Salah's chip hit the post as Liverpool stood firm.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--Portuguese GP race steward Petrov heads home after father killed

Former F1 driver Vitaly Petrov , who was due to act as race steward for the Portuguese Grand Prix , @ @ @ @ @ his father was reportedly gunned down at his home in Russia .
Petrov , 36 @ @ @ @ @ Sunday 's race by Portugal 's Bruno Correia .
The FIA said only that Petrov @ @ @ @ @ to `` a personal bereavement . ''
Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that Alexander @ @ @ @ @ his home in Vyborg , 80 miles north-west of St Petersburg .
Petrov was appointed @ @ @ @ @ this weekend 's race despite his expression of controversial views on racism and gay rights @ @ @ @ @ raced in Formula One in 2011 and 2012 , made a number of provocative comments @ @ @ @ @ publication Championat in September including criticism of Lewis Hamilton for encouraging drivers to take a @ @ @ @ @ sport 's anti-racism campaign .
Petrov also speculated that the drivers would all `` urge @ @ @ @ @ and race under a rainbow flag if one driver came out .

Portimao (Portugal) (AFP) –
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Former F1 driver Vitaly Petrov, who was due to act as race steward for the Portuguese Grand Prix, was withdrawn on Saturday after his father was reportedly gunned down at his home in Russia.
Petrov, 36, will be replaced for Sunday's race by Portugal's Bruno Correia.
The FIA said only that Petrov had left for Russia due to "a personal bereavement."
Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that Alexander Petrov was shot dead at his home in Vyborg, 80 miles north-west of St Petersburg.
Petrov was appointed as a race steward at this weekend's race despite his expression of controversial views on racism and gay rights.
The Russian, who raced in Formula One in 2011 and 2012, made a number of provocative comments during an interview with Russian publication Championat in September including criticism of Lewis Hamilton for encouraging drivers to take a knee in support of the sport's anti-racism campaign.
Petrov also speculated that the drivers would all "urge everyone to become gay" and race under a rainbow flag if one driver came out.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--Humbert saves four match points to reach Antwerp final

France 's world number 38 Ugo Humbert saved four match points to beat Britain 's Dan Evans 4-6 , 7-6 @ @ @ @ @ and reach the final of the European Open on Saturday .
Humbert had been 3/6 @ @ @ @ @ second set tie-break before going on to secure victory in three hours and 14 minutes @ @ @ @ @ captured his first ATP Tour title in Auckland in January , will face eighth seed @ @ @ @ @ for the title on Sunday .
De Minaur knocked out fourth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 @ @ @ @ @ ( 3/7 ) , 6-4 in his semi-final .
`` The start of the match @ @ @ @ @ did n't give me much pace and suddenly he accelerated , '' Humbert told atptour.com @ @ @ @ @ match points down , but I was mentally strong and I took my opportunities .
@ @ @ @ @ I won the second set , I knew I 'd regained the momentum . ''

Antwerp (Belgium) (AFP) –
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France's world number 38 Ugo Humbert saved four match points to beat Britain's Dan Evans 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 and reach the final of the European Open on Saturday.
Humbert had been 3/6 and 6/7 down in the second set tie-break before going on to secure victory in three hours and 14 minutes.
Left-handed Humbert, who captured his first ATP Tour title in Auckland in January, will face eighth seed Alex de Minaur of Australia for the title on Sunday.
De Minaur knocked out fourth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 in his semi-final.
"The start of the match wasn't easy as he didn't give me much pace and suddenly he accelerated," Humbert told atptour.com.
"I was four match points down, but I was mentally strong and I took my opportunities. I remained aggressive and when I won the second set, I knew I'd regained the momentum."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--Aguero faces fresh lay-off after injuring hamstring in Man City draw

Sergio Aguero faces another spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in Manchester City 's 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday .
The Argentine striker only returned to action last week after four months out following knee surgery .
City boss Pep Guardiola revealed he was waiting to discover the full extent of the injury to the club 's all-time record scorer .
`` It 's a muscular ( injury ) , hamstring , I think , '' he said .
`` Tomorrow we will know . ''
Aguero 's setback is the latest in a series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit City , who were without Fernandinho , Aymeric Laporte , Nathan Ake and Gabriel Jesus at the London Stadium .
The City boss , whose side are 12th in the Premier League after substitute Phil Foden cancelled out Michail Antonio 's spectacular opener , said it was a testing period .
`` The reality is we had four or five guys with Covid , '' he added .
`` We did n't have time for regeneration .
`` Our striker ( Gabriel Jesus ) was injured in the first game .
Sergio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( De Bruyne ) was injured .
( Ilkay ) Gundogan came back from Covid .
`` To play every three days you need the whole squad .
To not have the whole squad is more difficult . ''

London (AFP) –
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Sergio Aguero faces another spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in Manchester City's 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday.
The Argentine striker only returned to action last week after four months out following knee surgery.
City boss Pep Guardiola revealed he was waiting to discover the full extent of the injury to the club's all-time record scorer.
"It's a muscular (injury), hamstring, I think," he said. "Tomorrow we will know."
Aguero's setback is the latest in a series of injury and illness issues that have hit City, who were without Fernandinho, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake and Gabriel Jesus at the London Stadium.
The City boss, whose side are 12th in the Premier League after substitute Phil Foden cancelled out Michail Antonio's spectacular opener, said it was a testing period.
"The reality is we had four or five guys with Covid," he added. "We didn't have time for regeneration.
"Our striker (Gabriel Jesus) was injured in the first game. Sergio was out for four months. Kevin (De Bruyne) was injured. (Ilkay) Gundogan came back from Covid.
"To play every three days you need the whole squad. To not have the whole squad is more difficult."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-24--McDonald clings to one-shot LPGA lead over Pagdanganan

Ally McDonald , hoping to win her first LPGA title , fired a three-under par 69 for a one-stroke lead after Saturday 's third round of the Drive On Championship .
The American stood on 13-under 203 after 54 holes at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro , Georgia .
Filipino Bianca Pagdanganan shot 69 , the 22-year-old closing with back-to-back birdies to stand second on 204 with American Danielle Kang third on 205 , Spain 's Carlota Ciganda fourth on 206 and Australian Katherine Kirk fifth on 207 .
World number 62 McDonald 's best LPGA finishes have been two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 's ShopRite Classic .
She hopes for a breakthrough on her 28th birthday Sunday at an event that was created to fill in a gap between US events after the LPGA 's usual Asian swing was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic .
No spectators are allowed on the course but boaters on the lakeside layout honked horns for good shotmaking throughout the round .
World number 233 Pagdanganan , who turns 23 next week , hopes for her first LPGA triumph in only her sixth professional start .
Fifth-ranked Kang , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LPGA 's first two Covid-19 return events in August .
She was to have been seeking a third consecutive LPGA crown in Shanghai this week befire Covid-19 wiped out the event .
McDonald , who began the day with a one-stroke lead on Pagdanganan and Kang , opened with a bogey but bounced back with a birdie at the fifth .
She reeled off three birdies in a row starting at the par-3 eighth , strong iron shots setting up short birdie putts followed by a long effort from off the green at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made bogey at the par-5 second but reeled off a three-birdie run of her own starting at the par-3 fourth , but a three-putt bogey at the 10th left her three adrift of the lead .
McDonald lipped out from the fringe on a birdie putt at 11 but birdied the par-5 12th to reach 14-under .
Kang birdied the par-4 13th and 15th to pull within two shots while McDonald salvaged par at 15 on a six-foot putt after finding a greenside bunker .
But Kang 's tee shot at 16 soared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed a 10-foot putt just to rescue double bogey .
When McDonald chipped to three feet and sank a par putt , she reclaimed a four-stroke lead .
McDonald missed the green at the par-3 17th , barely reached the fringe with a pitch and sank a four-foot bogey putt while Pagdanganan birdied 17 and 18 to seize second alone .

Washington (AFP) –
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Ally McDonald, hoping to win her first LPGA title, fired a three-under par 69 for a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the Drive On Championship.
The American stood on 13-under 203 after 54 holes at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia.
Filipino Bianca Pagdanganan shot 69, the 22-year-old closing with back-to-back birdies to stand second on 204 with American Danielle Kang third on 205, Spain's Carlota Ciganda fourth on 206 and Australian Katherine Kirk fifth on 207.
World number 62 McDonald's best LPGA finishes have been two third-place showings, most recently at last year's ShopRite Classic.
She hopes for a breakthrough on her 28th birthday Sunday at an event that was created to fill in a gap between US events after the LPGA's usual Asian swing was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic.
No spectators are allowed on the course but boaters on the lakeside layout honked horns for good shotmaking throughout the round.
World number 233 Pagdanganan, who turns 23 next week, hopes for her first LPGA triumph in only her sixth professional start.
Fifth-ranked Kang, who turned 28 on Tuesday won the LPGA's first two Covid-19 return events in August. She was to have been seeking a third consecutive LPGA crown in Shanghai this week befire Covid-19 wiped out the event.
McDonald, who began the day with a one-stroke lead on Pagdanganan and Kang, opened with a bogey but bounced back with a birdie at the fifth.
She reeled off three birdies in a row starting at the par-3 eighth, strong iron shots setting up short birdie putts followed by a long effort from off the green at 10, to reach 13-under.
Kang made bogey at the par-5 second but reeled off a three-birdie run of her own starting at the par-3 fourth, but a three-putt bogey at the 10th left her three adrift of the lead.
McDonald lipped out from the fringe on a birdie putt at 11 but birdied the par-5 12th to reach 14-under.
Kang birdied the par-4 13th and 15th to pull within two shots while McDonald salvaged par at 15 on a six-foot putt after finding a greenside bunker.
But Kang's tee shot at 16 soared right and out of bounds and she needed a 10-foot putt just to rescue double bogey. When McDonald chipped to three feet and sank a par putt, she reclaimed a four-stroke lead.
McDonald missed the green at the par-3 17th, barely reached the fringe with a pitch and sank a four-foot bogey putt while Pagdanganan birdied 17 and 18 to seize second alone.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-25--Local elections in Ukraine test Zelensky's popularity

Sunday 's vote is first held in Ukraine since the start of the coronavirus pandemic Ukrainians were voting on Sunday in local elections seen as a test for President Volodymyr Zelensky , whose popularity has suffered in the year and a half since he came unexpectedly to power .
Zelensky , a former comedian with no political experience , won a landslide victory in a 2019 presidential election promising to root out corruption and end a war with Russian-backed separatists in the east .
His newly created Servant of the People party won an outright majority in a parliament election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former Soviet republic of around 40 million people .
But in the absence of tangible results , Zelensky 's popularity and that of his party has been on the decline .
The vote to elect mayors , local and regional councils is not being held on the Crimea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 or in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People 's Republics in eastern Ukraine .
A poll published this month showed that just 17 percent of voters planned to cast ballots for the Servant of the People party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Opposition Platform - For Life , with 14 percent , followed by the pro-Western European Solidarity aligned with former leader Petro Poroshenko with 13 percent .
In areas of the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions that are still controlled by Kiev , only 10 percent of voters planned to vote for Zelensky 's party .
In a separate opinion poll , some 60 percent of voters said they planned to cast their ballots for one of several Russia-friendly parties .
`` We will see the figures , '' Zelensky said Sunday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's popularity .
`` It 's important that we elect people who we trust , '' he said after casting his vote .
`` These are local elections , it 's important what these people are able to do in their localites . ''
Sunday 's vote is first held in Ukraine since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and in polling stations equipped with disinfectant dispensers , election officials wore masks and gloves .
Voters were asked to maintain social distance , wear a mask and have their temperature taken before casting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , acting mayor and former boxing champion Vitali Klitschko , is expected to win easily .
But he was not able to vote because he was self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus .
At a polling station in the Pechersk district in Kiev , more than 30 people had lined up to vote .
`` I want to return to the time before 2014 , before these reformers who are dragging us towards Europe came to power , '' Inna , a retiree , who said she voted for pro-Russian party , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since then ?
War , devastation , poverty , '' she said on the condition that she withhold her last name .
Seventy-four-year-old Viktor , who also declined to give his last name , said he voted for a candidate from Zelensky 's party to become mayor .
`` We must support the president , '' he said .
Polling stations opened at 0600 GMT and close at 1800 GMT .
Final results are expected in several days .

Kiev (AFP) –
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Ukrainians were voting on Sunday in local elections seen as a test for President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose popularity has suffered in the year and a half since he came unexpectedly to power.
Zelensky, a former comedian with no political experience, won a landslide victory in a 2019 presidential election promising to root out corruption and end a war with Russian-backed separatists in the east.
His newly created Servant of the People party won an outright majority in a parliament election last year, a record win in the former Soviet republic of around 40 million people.
But in the absence of tangible results, Zelensky's popularity and that of his party has been on the decline.
The vote to elect mayors, local and regional councils is not being held on the Crimea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 or in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine.
A poll published this month showed that just 17 percent of voters planned to cast ballots for the Servant of the People party.
In close second was a pro-Russian party, Opposition Platform - For Life, with 14 percent, followed by the pro-Western European Solidarity aligned with former leader Petro Poroshenko with 13 percent.
In areas of the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions that are still controlled by Kiev, only 10 percent of voters planned to vote for Zelensky's party.
- 'People we trust' -
In a separate opinion poll, some 60 percent of voters said they planned to cast their ballots for one of several Russia-friendly parties.
"We will see the figures," Zelensky said Sunday in response to a question about his party's popularity.
"It's important that we elect people who we trust," he said after casting his vote.
"These are local elections, it's important what these people are able to do in their localites."
Sunday's vote is first held in Ukraine since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and in polling stations equipped with disinfectant dispensers, election officials wore masks and gloves.
Voters were asked to maintain social distance, wear a mask and have their temperature taken before casting their vote.
In the capital Kiev, acting mayor and former boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, is expected to win easily.
But he was not able to vote because he was self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.
At a polling station in the Pechersk district in Kiev, more than 30 people had lined up to vote.
"I want to return to the time before 2014, before these reformers who are dragging us towards Europe came to power," Inna, a retiree, who said she voted for pro-Russian party, told AFP.
"What have we got since then? War, devastation, poverty," she said on the condition that she withhold her last name.
Seventy-four-year-old Viktor, who also declined to give his last name, said he voted for a candidate from Zelensky's party to become mayor.
"We must support the president," he said.
Polling stations opened at 0600 GMT and close at 1800 GMT. Final results are expected in several days.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-25--Looting sweeps Nigeria as authorities struggle with unrest

Peaceful demonstrations against police brutality erupted in Nigeria on October 8 and quickly snowballed into one of the biggest challenges to the ruling elite in decades Nigerian authorities struggled to halt looting across the country on Sunday as crowds defied curfew orders to ransack government warehouses in the latest in a wave of unrest sweeping Africa 's most populous nation .
The country 's police chief on Saturday ordered the immediate mobilisation of all `` operational assets '' as he sought to curb turmoil sparked by widespread protests .
Governors have slapped round-the-clock curfews on a string of states as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for distribution during coronavirus lockdowns .
Locals raided agricultural supplied in the central city of Jos on Sunday a day after thousands had emptied a vast government warehouse .
Fresh looting of food supplies was also reported in Taraba and Adamawa states .
Peaceful demonstrations against police brutality erupted in Nigeria on October 8 and quickly snowballed into one of the biggest challenges to the ruling elite in decades .
Chaos spiralled after security forces on Tuesday opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in the centre of Lagos , unleashing days of rioting across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were torched , supermarkets looted and vehicles destroyed as officials accused `` hoodlums '' of taking advantage of the mayhem .
The situation has calmed in the economic hub and a stringent stay-at-home order was eased on Saturday .
Amnesty International has said at least 12 protesters were shot dead by the army and police in Lagos on Tuesday , and a total of 56 people have died since the demonstrations began .
President Muhammadu Buhari has called for an end to the protests and warned demonstrators not to `` undermine national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting of protesters in Lagos and sought to shrug off international outrage over the use of excessive force by his security agencies .
Nigeria is a tinderbox of deep social and economic grievances with around half of the estimated 200 million population living in extreme poverty .
Frustration runs deep among younger generations furious with the country 's graft-riddled leadership over a lack of opportunities .

Lagos (AFP) –
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Nigerian authorities struggled to halt looting across the country on Sunday as crowds defied curfew orders to ransack government warehouses in the latest in a wave of unrest sweeping Africa's most populous nation.
The country's police chief on Saturday ordered the immediate mobilisation of all "operational assets" as he sought to curb turmoil sparked by widespread protests.
Governors have slapped round-the-clock curfews on a string of states as residents have pillaged stocks that were meant for distribution during coronavirus lockdowns.
Locals raided agricultural supplied in the central city of Jos on Sunday a day after thousands had emptied a vast government warehouse.
Fresh looting of food supplies was also reported in Taraba and Adamawa states.
Peaceful demonstrations against police brutality erupted in Nigeria on October 8 and quickly snowballed into one of the biggest challenges to the ruling elite in decades.
Chaos spiralled after security forces on Tuesday opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in the centre of Lagos, unleashing days of rioting across Africa's biggest city.
Official buildings were torched, supermarkets looted and vehicles destroyed as officials accused "hoodlums" of taking advantage of the mayhem.
The situation has calmed in the economic hub and a stringent stay-at-home order was eased on Saturday.
Amnesty International has said at least 12 protesters were shot dead by the army and police in Lagos on Tuesday, and a total of 56 people have died since the demonstrations began.
President Muhammadu Buhari has called for an end to the protests and warned demonstrators not to "undermine national security".
He has not directly addressed the shooting of protesters in Lagos and sought to shrug off international outrage over the use of excessive force by his security agencies.
Nigeria is a tinderbox of deep social and economic grievances with around half of the estimated 200 million population living in extreme poverty.
Frustration runs deep among younger generations furious with the country's graft-riddled leadership over a lack of opportunities.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-25--Sudanese split over normalising relations with Israel

Sudan and Israel have moved to normalise ties but many in the North African nation are divided on the issue , which comes amid demonstrations demanding Khartoum 's government solve a worsening economic crisis , including these protesters this week Sudan 's move to normalise relations with Israel has laid bare deep splits within society , with some bashing the deal as betrayal and others as a way to rescue the devastated economy .
The move -- announced Friday -- came shortly after US President Donald Trump declared that Washington was formally moving to delist Sudan as a state sponsor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khartoum 's economy for decades .
But the announcement revealed divisions between political forces in Sudan , currently undergoing a rocky transition since the April 2019 ouster of strongman Omar al-Bashir following mass protests against his three-decade rule .
To some in Sudan , the move seemed to be a matter of economic pragmatism to end international isolation .
Others however saw it as a step too far , a `` betrayal '' of the Palestinian cause , and beyond the mandate of the transitional government which took power after Bashir 's ouster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority for the government was saving the economy , which has seen inflation soar to over 200 percent .
`` The government had expected that Sudan 's removal from the US terror list would be linked to normalisation with Israel , '' said Mirghani , who is also the editor-in-chief of Al Tayyar daily .
`` It insisted on the removal from the list , even if it is through Tel Aviv , because a deal would open a door for Sudan 's economy with the international community . ''
A deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country since August , after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain , to forge peace with the Jewish nation .
Supporters , like Sudanese trader Mostafa Solieman , believe it would allow the `` economy to flourish . ''
But others have invoked Sudan 's long-standing anti-Israel stance .
Sudan has been part of a decades-old Arab boycott of Israel .
Following the 1967 Six Day War , Arab leaders gathered in Khartoum to announce what became known as the `` three nos '' : no peace , no recognition , and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sudanese national law , and the Arab national commitment , '' said former prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi , referring to the boycott of Israel which remains in force under Sudanese law .
Mahdi , who leads the National Umma Party , refused on Saturday to take part in the transitional government 's conference on fighting Islamist fundamentalism in protest .
In a poll earlier this month by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies , only 13 percent of those questioned in Sudan supported relations with Israel -- compared with 79 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it had issued a fatwa prohibiting the normalisation with Israel .
Eid Abdelmoneim , who manages a financial transactions company , said the removal from the US blacklist and normalisation with Israel should not have been linked .
`` No authority has the right to strike such a deal with Israel without consulting with the people , '' Abdelmoneim said .
`` We do n't need Israel , our country is rich with its resources . ''
Mohamed Haidar , of Sudan 's Socialist Baath Party , said the government -- set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and military leaders -- does not have the power to strike a deal with Israel .
In August this year , Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was quoted as saying his government `` does not have a mandate ... to decide on normalisation with Israel . ''
But Hamdok 's government has gone to great length to be removed from Washington 's blacklist , which dates to 1993 when Bashir 's government hosted wanted militants , including former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the 1990s .
It has agreed to pay hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families of victims of past attacks when Al-Qaeda had a base in Sudan .
Foreign minister-designate Omar Qamareddin said the deal would only come into force after the approval of a yet-to-be-formed legislature .
It was not immediately clear when a parliament would be created .
Analysts believe the normalisation would fuel anger against Sudan 's government .
`` Normalisation will add new fuel to existing opposition to the transitional government from backers of the former government , who also see major overlap in interests with the country 's Islamist groups , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crisis Group ( ICG ) think tank .
`` Sudan 's prime minister will be at pains to seek consensus , and to avoid creating deeper divisions during this tenuous transitional period . ''
At the same time , the government is facing increasing calls -- including protests this week -- for action to solve the economic crisis .
`` The primary risk to stability in Sudan remains the economy , '' Horner added .
`` The success of the country 's fragile transition is intimately wrapped up in escaping the deepening economic @ @ @

Khartoum (AFP) –
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Sudan's move to normalise relations with Israel has laid bare deep splits within society, with some bashing the deal as betrayal and others as a way to rescue the devastated economy.
The move -- announced Friday -- came shortly after US President Donald Trump declared that Washington was formally moving to delist Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, a designation that strangled Khartoum's economy for decades.
But the announcement revealed divisions between political forces in Sudan, currently undergoing a rocky transition since the April 2019 ouster of strongman Omar al-Bashir following mass protests against his three-decade rule.
To some in Sudan, the move seemed to be a matter of economic pragmatism to end international isolation.
Others however saw it as a step too far, a "betrayal" of the Palestinian cause, and beyond the mandate of the transitional government which took power after Bashir's ouster.
Sudanese analyst Othman Mirghani said the priority for the government was saving the economy, which has seen inflation soar to over 200 percent.
"The government had expected that Sudan's removal from the US terror list would be linked to normalisation with Israel," said Mirghani, who is also the editor-in-chief of Al Tayyar daily.
"It insisted on the removal from the list, even if it is through Tel Aviv, because a deal would open a door for Sudan's economy with the international community."
- Backlash -
A deal with Israel would make Sudan the third Arab country since August, after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, to forge peace with the Jewish nation.
Supporters, like Sudanese trader Mostafa Solieman, believe it would allow the "economy to flourish."
But others have invoked Sudan's long-standing anti-Israel stance.
Sudan has been part of a decades-old Arab boycott of Israel.
Following the 1967 Six Day War, Arab leaders gathered in Khartoum to announce what became known as the "three nos": no peace, no recognition, and no negotiations with Israel.
"Normalisation contradicts Sudanese national law, and the Arab national commitment," said former prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi, referring to the boycott of Israel which remains in force under Sudanese law.
Mahdi, who leads the National Umma Party, refused on Saturday to take part in the transitional government's conference on fighting Islamist fundamentalism in protest.
In a poll earlier this month by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, only 13 percent of those questioned in Sudan supported relations with Israel -- compared with 79 percent against.
Sudan's top Islamic institution said it had issued a fatwa prohibiting the normalisation with Israel.
Eid Abdelmoneim, who manages a financial transactions company, said the removal from the US blacklist and normalisation with Israel should not have been linked.
"No authority has the right to strike such a deal with Israel without consulting with the people," Abdelmoneim said.
"We don't need Israel, our country is rich with its resources."
- 'Fuel to existing opposition' -
Mohamed Haidar, of Sudan's Socialist Baath Party, said the government -- set up in a power-sharing deal between civilian and military leaders -- does not have the power to strike a deal with Israel.
In August this year, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was quoted as saying his government "does not have a mandate ... to decide on normalisation with Israel."
But Hamdok's government has gone to great length to be removed from Washington's blacklist, which dates to 1993 when Bashir's government hosted wanted militants, including former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the 1990s.
It has agreed to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation to American families of victims of past attacks when Al-Qaeda had a base in Sudan.
Foreign minister-designate Omar Qamareddin said the deal would only come into force after the approval of a yet-to-be-formed legislature.
It was not immediately clear when a parliament would be created.
Analysts believe the normalisation would fuel anger against Sudan's government.
"Normalisation will add new fuel to existing opposition to the transitional government from backers of the former government, who also see major overlap in interests with the country's Islamist groups," said Jonas Horner, from the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank.
"Sudan's prime minister will be at pains to seek consensus, and to avoid creating deeper divisions during this tenuous transitional period."
At the same time, the government is facing increasing calls -- including protests this week -- for action to solve the economic crisis.
"The primary risk to stability in Sudan remains the economy," Horner added.
"The success of the country's fragile transition is intimately wrapped up in escaping the deepening economic abyss."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-25--Israeli cabinet ratifies deal on ties with UAE

The UAE became in August the third Arab state to normalise ties after Egypt and Jordan , and Bahrain and Sudan have followed suit also as part of US-brokered deals Israel 's government on Sunday gave final approval to the normalisation of ties with the United Arab Emirates , an official statement said , after lawmakers ratified the pact earlier this month .
The government 's weekly cabinet meeting also endorsed sending an agreement on establishing diplomatic relations with Bahrain to parliament for its go ahead , the statement further said .
The UAE in August became the third Arab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994 .
It was quickly followed by Bahrain .
The US-brokered deals were formalised at the White House on September 15 .
On Friday the White House announced that Sudan was to be the latest Arab nation to recognise Israel , and both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said that more countries will follow .
The three new accords were condemned by the Palestinians and broke with years of Arab League policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict .
The consensus had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Jewish state until it makes peace with the Palestinians .
With their economies hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic , the UAE and Israel are hoping for rapid dividends from the normalisation deal .
They have already signed treaties on direct flights and visa-free travel , along with accords on investment protection , science and technology .

Jerusalem (AFP) –
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Israel's government on Sunday gave final approval to the normalisation of ties with the United Arab Emirates, an official statement said, after lawmakers ratified the pact earlier this month.
The government's weekly cabinet meeting also endorsed sending an agreement on establishing diplomatic relations with Bahrain to parliament for its go ahead, the statement further said.
The UAE in August became the third Arab state to establish relations with Israel following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. It was quickly followed by Bahrain.
The US-brokered deals were formalised at the White House on September 15.
On Friday the White House announced that Sudan was to be the latest Arab nation to recognise Israel, and both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said that more countries will follow.
The three new accords were condemned by the Palestinians and broke with years of Arab League policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The consensus had been that there should be no relations with the Jewish state until it makes peace with the Palestinians.
With their economies hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the UAE and Israel are hoping for rapid dividends from the normalisation deal.
They have already signed treaties on direct flights and visa-free travel, along with accords on investment protection, science and technology.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-25--Thai democracy movement gathers for protest after PM snub

Hundreds gathered Sunday at a major Bangkok intersection to renew calls for Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha to resign , after he ignored a deadline to step down set by protesters who have issued unprecedented challenges to the regime .
The former military chief who staged the 2014 coup is facing pressure from a student-led pro-democracy movement that has organised massive demonstrations for months calling for his resignation .
They regard his hold on power -- renewed after last year 's widely disputed elections -- as illegitimate and on Wednesday gave him three days to step down .
But the deadline came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds to gather Sunday at downtown Bangkok 's Ratchaprasong intersection , surrounded by gleaming shopping malls and watched on by traffic police .
`` Today is open for everyone who wants to talk about their dissatisfaction about Prayut 's government , '' said organiser Jatupat `` Pai '' Boonpattararaksa , who had called for the protest the night before .
He reaffirmed the movement 's core three demands -- for Prayut to step down , a rewrite to the 2017 military-scripted constitution , and for authorities to `` stop harassing '' political opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quit , we will keep insisting on coming out to oust him , '' Pai said .
The gathering saw a diverse crowd -- drag queens in full regalia , young people in hard hats ready for a police crackdown and older protesters worried about Thailand 's freefalling economy .
`` I want Prayut to think as a citizen rather than as a prime minister , '' said 43-year-old Nuch .
`` The economy is really bad -- since he can not solve the problem , he should resign and let someone else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday while attending a prayer ceremony for the country at a historic Bangkok temple , saying `` all problems can be solved '' through compromise .
He also told reporters he `` wo n't quit '' .
The movement is largely leaderless though the different groups are united when it comes to their demands for an overhaul to Prayut 's government .
Some are also issuing controversial calls for reform to the kingdom 's unassailable monarchy , questioning the role of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Thailand -- once a taboo act due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the People 's Movement announced a march to the German Embassy on Monday afternoon -- in apparent defiance of the king , who spends long periods of time in Germany .
The monarch has been back in Thailand for the past week and a half to commemorate a Buddhist holiday and the death of his late father Bhumibol Adulyadej .
He has not commented on the demonstrations , despite tension in Bangkok as protesters grow bolder in their challenge to the royal institution .
But the king has made rare public visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- a charm offensive for an army of local and international media .
On Friday , he broke with royal protocol to praise a man who had held up a portrait of the king 's parents at a pro-democracy rally .
`` Very brave .
So good .
Thank you , '' the king told the man , according to footage posted on Facebook .
Following the interaction , that quote trended as a hashtag on Twitter in Thailand .
Also top-trending Sunday morning was the hashtag `` 25 October mob '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings of more than four , but lifted them a week later when they failed to stop tens of thousands showing up to guerrilla demonstrations across the capital .
Scores of activists and protesters have been arrested , with several facing serious charges such as sedition .
Over the weekend , prominent leaders Parit `` Penguin '' Chiwarak , Panupong `` Mike '' Jadnok , and Panusaya `` Rung '' Sithijirawattanakul -- three figures who have consistently called for royal reform -- were denied bail .
Thais abroad have also held demonstrations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some gathering in Tokyo Sunday waving the three-finger salute while protesters in Seoul held signs that said `` Restore power to the people '' .

Bangkok (AFP) –
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Hundreds gathered Sunday at a major Bangkok intersection to renew calls for Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha to resign, after he ignored a deadline to step down set by protesters who have issued unprecedented challenges to the regime.
The former military chief who staged the 2014 coup is facing pressure from a student-led pro-democracy movement that has organised massive demonstrations for months calling for his resignation.
They regard his hold on power -- renewed after last year's widely disputed elections -- as illegitimate and on Wednesday gave him three days to step down.
But the deadline came and went on Saturday night, spurring hundreds to gather Sunday at downtown Bangkok's Ratchaprasong intersection, surrounded by gleaming shopping malls and watched on by traffic police.
"Today is open for everyone who wants to talk about their dissatisfaction about Prayut's government," said organiser Jatupat "Pai" Boonpattararaksa, who had called for the protest the night before.
He reaffirmed the movement's core three demands -- for Prayut to step down, a rewrite to the 2017 military-scripted constitution, and for authorities to "stop harassing" political opponents.
"If Prayut insists not to quit, we will keep insisting on coming out to oust him," Pai said.
The gathering saw a diverse crowd -- drag queens in full regalia, young people in hard hats ready for a police crackdown and older protesters worried about Thailand's freefalling economy.
"I want Prayut to think as a citizen rather than as a prime minister," said 43-year-old Nuch. "The economy is really bad -- since he cannot solve the problem, he should resign and let someone else do it."
Prayut remained resolute Saturday while attending a prayer ceremony for the country at a historic Bangkok temple, saying "all problems can be solved" through compromise.
He also told reporters he "won't quit".
The movement is largely leaderless though the different groups are united when it comes to their demands for an overhaul to Prayut's government.
Some are also issuing controversial calls for reform to the kingdom's unassailable monarchy, questioning the role of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Thailand -- once a taboo act due to draconian royal defamation laws.
Another group called the People's Movement announced a march to the German Embassy on Monday afternoon -- in apparent defiance of the king, who spends long periods of time in Germany.
- Charm offensive -
The monarch has been back in Thailand for the past week and a half to commemorate a Buddhist holiday and the death of his late father Bhumibol Adulyadej.
He has not commented on the demonstrations, despite tension in Bangkok as protesters grow bolder in their challenge to the royal institution.
But the king has made rare public visits with his supporters waiting outside the palace -- a charm offensive for an army of local and international media.
On Friday, he broke with royal protocol to praise a man who had held up a portrait of the king's parents at a pro-democracy rally.
"Very brave. So good. Thank you," the king told the man, according to footage posted on Facebook.
Following the interaction, that quote trended as a hashtag on Twitter in Thailand.
Also top-trending Sunday morning was the hashtag "25 October mob".
Prayut had initially imposed emergency measures banning gatherings of more than four, but lifted them a week later when they failed to stop tens of thousands showing up to guerrilla demonstrations across the capital.
Scores of activists and protesters have been arrested, with several facing serious charges such as sedition.
Over the weekend, prominent leaders Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak, Panupong "Mike" Jadnok, and Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul -- three figures who have consistently called for royal reform -- were denied bail.
Thais abroad have also held demonstrations in solidarity with the student movement, with some gathering in Tokyo Sunday waving the three-finger salute while protesters in Seoul held signs that said "Restore power to the people".
© 2020 AFP