france24--2020-11-14--'Don't give up': German hospital in for virus long haul

No matter if a viable vaccine is coming on the market soon or not , Germany 's Aachen hospital already knows there will still be a marathon to run when it comes to treating patients worst hit by the coronavirus .
`` We 've learnt that it 's an illness with very long legs , and we must not give up after 10 or 15 days but keep at it , '' Gernot Marx , who heads the intensive care unit at the university hospital , told AFP .
`` The patients who have received the longest treatment were with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they really came back from the brink .
That is certainly a very important lesson we have learnt . ''
Marx and his team were on the frontlines when the pandemic first hit Germany in the spring .
During that first wave , half of the Covid-19 patients in Germany who were put on ventilators succumbed to the disease .
This time round , Marx , 54 , hopes more lives can be saved as healthcare practitioners have a better understanding of how best to treat the most severe cases .
Recalling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in intensive care even though he had no pre-conditions , the doctor said : `` We fought for weeks .
`` He was put on all sorts of machines that we had available and today , he 's back home and in pretty good shape .
`` That shows that every effort is worth it . ''
- 'Fear gives way to routine ' - Behind the glass door of one of the hospital 's critical care units , four patients are kept alive thanks to respiratory machines and infusions .
Wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two pairs of gloves each , Marx and his team are on their ward rounds .
Today , it 's the patient in bed 9 who needs the most attention .
An ultrasound examination is followed by a discussion .
Her treatment is adjusted , as doctors hope to save one more life .
More than 12,000 people in Germany have died after catching the virus , the grim toll dwarfed by devastating numbers recorded in other European countries , including Britain where over 50,000 have succumbed .
At the next bed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a respirator with its multiple tubes as well as drips inserted into his upper body , feeding him drugs that help with blood circulation , send him to sleep among others .
`` If he does n't receive this medication , he will die in a few minutes , '' said Marx .
Just across the aisle at bed 12 , there 's encouraging news .
Preparations are underway to move the patient whose condition has stabilised .
The next step for him would be to learn to breathe on his own again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run for a further few weeks .
`` The first time round , everything was new .
There was a lot of fear and uncertainties , '' recalled Marx of the emergency in March and April as the world was just waking up to the pandemic .
`` With experience , all that has given way to routine . ''
Germany has so far coped with growing hospitalisations , with 6,000 intensive care beds still available .
But health officials have repeatedly warned that infection numbers must urgently come down if hospitals are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in coming weeks .
Official data show those admitted to intensive care stay on average nine days while those requiring ventilation stay 18 .
On Monday , the number of coronavirus patients in intensive care exceeded the record reached in the first wave .
With thousands of new daily infections , `` the number can only rise in the next weeks , '' said Marx .
Around two percent of those afflicted with Covid-19 end up taking a bad turn , usually after 10 or 12 days of illness .
Aachen hospital is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than half of them in intensive care .
Marx says the hospital can cope , but warned that a chronic deficit of healthcare personnel countrywide is worsening because some staff are put on quarantine over infection fears while others are downed by the winter seasonal flu .
Some non-urgent operations are already being postponed .
Unlike in spring , however , there has not been a total halt to such surgeries yet .
`` We are adapting , '' said Marx .
`` We can take in new patients at any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-urgent ) operations . ''
In Berlin , a makeshift medical centre with 90 beds that was set up in the capital 's huge exhibition halls is likely to remain in place until May 2021 .
Over in Aachen , bed number 12 will likely be ready for a new patient .

Aachen (Germany) (AFP) –
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No matter if a viable vaccine is coming on the market soon or not, Germany's Aachen hospital already knows there will still be a marathon to run when it comes to treating patients worst hit by the coronavirus.
"We've learnt that it's an illness with very long legs, and we must not give up after 10 or 15 days but keep at it," Gernot Marx, who heads the intensive care unit at the university hospital, told AFP.
"The patients who have received the longest treatment were with us in intensive care for 60 days and they really came back from the brink. That is certainly a very important lesson we have learnt."
Marx and his team were on the frontlines when the pandemic first hit Germany in the spring.
During that first wave, half of the Covid-19 patients in Germany who were put on ventilators succumbed to the disease.
This time round, Marx, 54, hopes more lives can be saved as healthcare practitioners have a better understanding of how best to treat the most severe cases.
Recalling a patient in his fifties who ended up in intensive care even though he had no pre-conditions, the doctor said: "We fought for weeks.
"He was put on all sorts of machines that we had available and today, he's back home and in pretty good shape.
"That shows that every effort is worth it."
- 'Fear gives way to routine' -
Behind the glass door of one of the hospital's critical care units, four patients are kept alive thanks to respiratory machines and infusions.
Wearing masks, surgical gowns, glasses and two pairs of gloves each, Marx and his team are on their ward rounds.
Today, it's the patient in bed 9 who needs the most attention.
An ultrasound examination is followed by a discussion. Her treatment is adjusted, as doctors hope to save one more life.
More than 12,000 people in Germany have died after catching the virus, the grim toll dwarfed by devastating numbers recorded in other European countries, including Britain where over 50,000 have succumbed.
At the next bed, Marx checks on a patient who has a respirator with its multiple tubes as well as drips inserted into his upper body, feeding him drugs that help with blood circulation, send him to sleep among others.
"If he doesn't receive this medication, he will die in a few minutes," said Marx.
Just across the aisle at bed 12, there's encouraging news. Preparations are underway to move the patient whose condition has stabilised.
The next step for him would be to learn to breathe on his own again, before a physical rehabilitation that would run for a further few weeks.
"The first time round, everything was new. There was a lot of fear and uncertainties," recalled Marx of the emergency in March and April as the world was just waking up to the pandemic.
"With experience, all that has given way to routine."
- 'Adapting' -
Germany has so far coped with growing hospitalisations, with 6,000 intensive care beds still available.
But health officials have repeatedly warned that infection numbers must urgently come down if hospitals are to be able to handle new admissions in coming weeks.
Official data show those admitted to intensive care stay on average nine days while those requiring ventilation stay 18.
On Monday, the number of coronavirus patients in intensive care exceeded the record reached in the first wave.
With thousands of new daily infections, "the number can only rise in the next weeks," said Marx.
Around two percent of those afflicted with Covid-19 end up taking a bad turn, usually after 10 or 12 days of illness.
Aachen hospital is now treating around 40 patients with coronavirus, more than half of them in intensive care.
Marx says the hospital can cope, but warned that a chronic deficit of healthcare personnel countrywide is worsening because some staff are put on quarantine over infection fears while others are downed by the winter seasonal flu.
Some non-urgent operations are already being postponed. Unlike in spring, however, there has not been a total halt to such surgeries yet.
"We are adapting," said Marx. "We can take in new patients at any time but are taking on fewer (non-urgent) operations."
In Berlin, a makeshift medical centre with 90 beds that was set up in the capital's huge exhibition halls is likely to remain in place until May 2021.
Over in Aachen, bed number 12 will likely be ready for a new patient.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-14--Nagorno-Karabach villagers burn down their houses before Azerbaijan handover

Smoke rises from a burning house in an area once occupied by Armenian forces but soon to be turned over to Azerbaijan , in Karvachar , the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh , on Friday , November 13 , 2020 .
Villagers in Nagorno-Karabakh set their houses on fire Saturday before fleeing to Armenia ahead of a weekend deadline that will see parts of the territory handed over to Azerbaijan as part of a peace agreement .
Residents of the Kalbajar district in Azerbaijan that was controlled by Armenian separatists for decades began a mass exodus this week after it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fighting between the separatists backed by Armenian troops and the Azerbaijan army erupted in late September and raged for six weeks , leaving more than 1,400 dead and forcing thousands to flee their homes .
In the village of Charektar , on the border with the neighbouring district of Martakert which is to remain under Armenian control , at least six houses were on fire Saturday morning with thick plumes of gray smoke rising over the valley , an AFP journalist saw .
`` This is my house , I ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Azerbaijanis are often called by Armenians , said one resident as he threw burning wooden planks and rags soaked in gasoline into a completely empty house .
`` Everybody is going to burn down their house today ... We were given until midnight to leave , '' he said .
On Friday at least 10 houses were burned in and around Charektar .
The ex-Soviet rivals agreed to end hostilities earlier this week after previous efforts by Russia , France and the United States to get a ceasefire fell through .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenia 's return of Kalbajar , as well as the Aghdam district by November 20 and the Lachin district by December 1 , which have been held by Armenians since a devastating war in the 1990s .
Russian peacekeepers began deploying to Nagorno-Karabakh on Wednesday as part of the terms of the accord and took control of a key transport artery connecting Armenia to the disputed province .
Russian military officials said the mission consisting of nearly 2,000 troops would put in place 16 observation posts in mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin @ @

Villagers in Nagorno-Karabakh set their houses on fire Saturday before fleeing to Armenia ahead of a weekend deadline that will see parts of the territory handed over to Azerbaijan as part of a peace agreement.
Smoke rises from a burning house in an area once occupied by Armenian forces but soon to be turned over to Azerbaijan, in Karvachar, the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, on Friday, November 13, 2020.
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Residents of the Kalbajar district in Azerbaijan that was controlled by Armenian separatists for decades began a mass exodus this week after it was announced Azerbaijan would regain control on Sunday.
Fighting between the separatists backed by Armenian troops and the Azerbaijan army erupted in late September and raged for six weeks, leaving more than 1,400 dead and forcing thousands to flee their homes.
In the village of Charektar, on the border with the neighbouring district of Martakert which is to remain under Armenian control, at least six houses were on fire Saturday morning with thick plumes of gray smoke rising over the valley, an AFP journalist saw.
"This is my house, I can't leave it to the Turks," as Azerbaijanis are often called by Armenians, said one resident as he threw burning wooden planks and rags soaked in gasoline into a completely empty house.
"Everybody is going to burn down their house today... We were given until midnight to leave," he said.
Fresh ceasefire agreement
On Friday at least 10 houses were burned in and around Charektar.
The ex-Soviet rivals agreed to end hostilities earlier this week after previous efforts by Russia, France and the United States to get a ceasefire fell through.
A key part of the peace deal includes Armenia's return of Kalbajar, as well as the Aghdam district by November 20 and the Lachin district by December 1, which have been held by Armenians since a devastating war in the 1990s.
Russian peacekeepers began deploying to Nagorno-Karabakh on Wednesday as part of the terms of the accord and took control of a key transport artery connecting Armenia to the disputed province.
Russian military officials said the mission consisting of nearly 2,000 troops would put in place 16 observation posts in mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-14--India fears annual Diwali festivities will cause coronavirus surge

Indian women wearing face masks as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus walk past a narrow lane in a market during Diwali , the Hindu festival of lights , on a street in Kolkata , India , on November 14 , 2020 .
The crowds filling shopping areas ahead of the Diwali festival of lights on Saturday are raising hopes of India 's distressed business community after months of lockdown losses but also spawning fears of a massive coronavirus upsurge .
People who 've restricted their purchases to essentials for months appear to be in a celebratory mood and traders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khandelwal , general secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders .
`` The past three days have seen a tremendous increase in customer footfall in shopping markets for festival purchases , ” he said .
But among the millions of shoppers , a large number of people are seen ignoring masks and social distancing norms in major Indian cities and towns .
India has confirmed more than 8.7 million cases of coronavirus infection , second-most in the world , and more than 128,600 fatalities .
In neighboring Nepal , another predominant Hindu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better to a government appeal to celebrate the festival indoors and only with immediate family and avoid large gatherings or public celebrations .
Many areas in the Himalayan state have prohibited the tradition of `` Deusi-Bhailo ” where groups of girls and boys go to their neighbor ’ s houses to sing and dance and in return get money and sweets .
The festival is spread over five days in Nepal with different days for worshipping the crows , gods , cows and brothers .
India 's festival season this year started on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , but traders say now people have come out of homes and are flocking to shopping areas in key Indian cities , including New Delhi , Mumbai , Ahmedabad , Lucknow and Patna , this week .
Most people are shopping for flowers , sweets , dry fruits , candles and lamps for Diwali .
The Hindu celebrations of Dussehra , Diwali and Durga Puja in October and November each year are also an occasion to splurge on big-ticket items like gold , homes and cars as well as clothing , smartphones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Diwali festival sales touching $ 8 million , Khandelwal said .
But several say they are trying not to let their hopes get too high since the crowds could be seeking bargains and people are cautious in spending their money during the pandemic .
“ If we compare our business to last year ’ s , then its only 40 percent right now .
Sixty percent of customers are not there .
Because everyone is afraid of Covid-19 , '' said Jitender Sachdeva , a shop owner in New Delhi 's upscale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the market and there is a lot of crowd because of Diwali .
So I think it ( coronavirus ) may spread more , '' Payal Jha , a 20-year-old student , said .
India 's Hindu festivals draw tens of thousands of people , packed in temples , shopping districts and family gatherings exchanging gifts .
On Diwali night , people lit up the sky with firecrackers — their smoke causing air pollution that takes days to clear .
New Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has banned firecrackers this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital and its suburbs on Friday , fed by smoke from raging agricultural fires .
Health experts warn of crowded festival celebrations causing a virus resurgence that batters India ’ s health care system .
New Delhi already has seen rising cases with more than 7,000 daily in recent days and a rising death toll as well .
In upscale areas , authorities and traders authorities have put up coronavirus protocols in place , but the crush of people waiting to get in was a major cause of concern for traders .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear masks and maintain safe distance .
A bright spot is domestic brands are getting a boost from a trend to boycott inexpensive Chinese-made statues of Hindu deities , festive LED lights and electronics in favor of locally made products following India ’ s border standoff with China .
With this boycott , China is set to lose business worth about $ 5.3 million in the Indian market this festive season , said B. C. Bhartia , president of the Confederation of All India Traders .
For India ’ s nearly 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people , an upturn could not come fast enough .

The crowds filling shopping areas ahead of the Diwali festival of lights on Saturday are raising hopes of India's distressed business community after months of lockdown losses but also spawning fears of a massive coronavirus upsurge.
Indian women wearing face masks as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus walk past a narrow lane in a market during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, on a street in Kolkata, India, on November 14, 2020.
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People who've restricted their purchases to essentials for months appear to be in a celebratory mood and traders are lapping it up, said Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders.
"The past three days have seen a tremendous increase in customer footfall in shopping markets for festival purchases,” he said.
But among the millions of shoppers, a large number of people are seen ignoring masks and social distancing norms in major Indian cities and towns. India has confirmed more than 8.7 million cases of coronavirus infection, second-most in the world, and more than 128,600 fatalities.
In neighboring Nepal, another predominant Hindu nation, people appear to have responded better to a government appeal to celebrate the festival indoors and only with immediate family and avoid large gatherings or public celebrations.
Many areas in the Himalayan state have prohibited the tradition of "Deusi-Bhailo” where groups of girls and boys go to their neighbor’s houses to sing and dance and in return get money and sweets. The festival is spread over five days in Nepal with different days for worshipping the crows, gods, cows and brothers.
Subdued start
India's festival season this year started on a subdued note with Dussehra celebrations last month, but traders say now people have come out of homes and are flocking to shopping areas in key Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Patna, this week.
Most people are shopping for flowers, sweets, dry fruits, candles and lamps for Diwali. The Hindu celebrations of Dussehra, Diwali and Durga Puja in October and November each year are also an occasion to splurge on big-ticket items like gold, homes and cars as well as clothing, smartphones and electronics.
Traders are hoping for the Diwali festival sales touching $8 million, Khandelwal said.
But several say they are trying not to let their hopes get too high since the crowds could be seeking bargains and people are cautious in spending their money during the pandemic.
“If we compare our business to last year’s, then its only 40 percent right now. Sixty percent of customers are not there. Because everyone is afraid of Covid-19," said Jitender Sachdeva, a shop owner in New Delhi's upscale Sarojini market.
“I had gone to the market and there is a lot of crowd because of Diwali. So I think it (coronavirus) may spread more," Payal Jha, a 20-year-old student, said.
India's Hindu festivals draw tens of thousands of people, packed in temples, shopping districts and family gatherings exchanging gifts.
Warnings of virus resurgence
On Diwali night, people lit up the sky with firecrackers — their smoke causing air pollution that takes days to clear. New Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has banned firecrackers this year. A thick smog lingered over the Indian capital and its suburbs on Friday, fed by smoke from raging agricultural fires.
Health experts warn of crowded festival celebrations causing a virus resurgence that batters India’s health care system. New Delhi already has seen rising cases with more than 7,000 daily in recent days and a rising death toll as well.
In upscale areas, authorities and traders authorities have put up coronavirus protocols in place, but the crush of people waiting to get in was a major cause of concern for traders. There are announcements over the public address systems to wear masks and maintain safe distance.
A bright spot is domestic brands are getting a boost from a trend to boycott inexpensive Chinese-made statues of Hindu deities, festive LED lights and electronics in favor of locally made products following India’s border standoff with China.
With this boycott, China is set to lose business worth about $5.3 million in the Indian market this festive season, said B. C. Bhartia, president of the Confederation of All India Traders.
For India’s nearly 70 million traders, who employ about 400 million people, an upturn could not come fast enough.
(AP)
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france24--2020-11-15--Tanzania challenger vows return from Belgian exile

Credible death threats forced Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu to flee to Belgium after last month 's presidential election Last month , Tundu Lissu was campaigning for the presidency of Tanzania .
Today , he is back in a simple ground floor flat in the small Belgian town where he recovered from multiple gunshot wounds the last time he was forced to flee his homeland .
It is dangerous to be the opposition flag-bearer in Tanzania , where President John Magufuli was returned to office on October 28 with an improbable 84 percent of the vote .
But 52-year-old Lissu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's brutal politics , knew the risks -- and bears the physical and mental scars to prove it .
In September 2017 gunmen opened fire on him outside his home in a protected government compound , after apparently tailing the then opposition MP from parliament .
Lissu was left with 16 bullet wounds but survived and was flown out , first to Nairobi and then on to Belgium , where his life was saved with several rounds of surgery .
He returned to Tanzania in July after being chosen to lead the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The campaign went well despite the oppressive government tactics , he said , but the president 's crushing victory came as no surprise .
Lissu , who met AFP at his apartment in exile in the nondescript town of Tienen in the Flemish Brabant , had been warned the election would be rigged .
Before the vote , he said , a person who identified himself as senior military official contacted him .
`` This army general told me : 'Magufuli is going to get 12 million votes , you will get three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided ' , '' Lissu said .
`` And you know what ?
That 's exactly what Magufuli got -- 12.5 something million .
I did n't get three million .
I got 1.9 , '' he said .
The US State Department has expressed concern over reports of `` significant and widespread voting irregularities , internet interruption , arrests and violence by security forces . ''
The UK Foreign Office also complained of allegations of `` pre-filled ballot boxes and party agents being denied entry to polling stations . ''
What happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was nonetheless terrifying , especially for the survivor of a previous assassination bid .
`` Immediately after the election was called , or what passes for an election , the security detail that was given to me during the campaign was removed , '' he said .
`` And the very next day , I started receiving death threats , '' said Lissu , who still walks with a limp .
The caller did not identify himself by name , but it seemed clear that he represented the security or intelligence services .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ frightened .
Being shot is the most terrible thing you can imagine .
I remember the sheer noise of the explosions when I was under attack , '' he said .
`` And the pain and basically the destruction of your body is horrible , '' he said .
`` To be reminded of those hours was a very bad thing .
I was shaking .
I ran . ''
At first he stayed with friends but fearing he was putting them in danger , he decided to set off for the German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arrested as he attempted to seek sanctuary but German diplomats followed him to the detention centre and were eventually able to free him .
On Tuesday he was able to return Belgium , rejoin his wife Alicia -- and plan his next move .
Magufuli has brushed aside international criticism of the vote , and has crushed opposition attempts to mount post-election protests .
`` The purpose of freedom and democracy is to bring about development , not chaos , '' the returning president told a parliament now stuffed with ruling party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights and democracy go with responsibility -- and each has limits .
I hope I 'm well understood , '' Magufuli warned .
Lissu , however , has not given up his hopes for democracy , buoyed by what he said was the widespread support he met on the campaign trail .
`` I 'll go back .
I do n't know when , but I can not remain in Europe forever .
The most important thing , right now , is to continue the struggle , '' he told AFP .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tanzania , it needs to know that an autocratic regime has taken over , '' he said .
`` I have a message for my people , the people of Tanzania , '' he continued .
`` What the campaign this past three months has shown is that our people have not been broken , that our people 's will to resist to fight for democracy has not been broken . ''

Tienen (Belgium) (AFP) –
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Last month, Tundu Lissu was campaigning for the presidency of Tanzania.
Today, he is back in a simple ground floor flat in the small Belgian town where he recovered from multiple gunshot wounds the last time he was forced to flee his homeland.
It is dangerous to be the opposition flag-bearer in Tanzania, where President John Magufuli was returned to office on October 28 with an improbable 84 percent of the vote.
But 52-year-old Lissu, a veteran of the East African state's brutal politics, knew the risks -- and bears the physical and mental scars to prove it.
In September 2017 gunmen opened fire on him outside his home in a protected government compound, after apparently tailing the then opposition MP from parliament.
Lissu was left with 16 bullet wounds but survived and was flown out, first to Nairobi and then on to Belgium, where his life was saved with several rounds of surgery.
He returned to Tanzania in July after being chosen to lead the opposition challenge to Magufuli's re-election.
The campaign went well despite the oppressive government tactics, he said, but the president's crushing victory came as no surprise.
Lissu, who met AFP at his apartment in exile in the nondescript town of Tienen in the Flemish Brabant, had been warned the election would be rigged.
Before the vote, he said, a person who identified himself as senior military official contacted him.
"This army general told me: 'Magufuli is going to get 12 million votes, you will get three million. This is what they have decided'," Lissu said.
"And you know what? That's exactly what Magufuli got -- 12.5 something million. I didn't get three million. I got 1.9," he said.
- Rigged ballot -
The US State Department has expressed concern over reports of "significant and widespread voting irregularities, internet interruption, arrests and violence by security forces."
The UK Foreign Office also complained of allegations of "pre-filled ballot boxes and party agents being denied entry to polling stations."
What happened next was also not unexpected, but was nonetheless terrifying, especially for the survivor of a previous assassination bid.
"Immediately after the election was called, or what passes for an election, the security detail that was given to me during the campaign was removed," he said.
"And the very next day, I started receiving death threats," said Lissu, who still walks with a limp.
The caller did not identify himself by name, but it seemed clear that he represented the security or intelligence services.
Lissu fled his home.
"I was shocked. I was frightened. Being shot is the most terrible thing you can imagine. I remember the sheer noise of the explosions when I was under attack," he said.
"And the pain and basically the destruction of your body is horrible," he said. "To be reminded of those hours was a very bad thing. I was shaking. I ran."
- Will to resist -
At first he stayed with friends but fearing he was putting them in danger, he decided to set off for the German embassy in Dar es Salaam.
He was arrested as he attempted to seek sanctuary but German diplomats followed him to the detention centre and were eventually able to free him.
On Tuesday he was able to return Belgium, rejoin his wife Alicia -- and plan his next move.
Magufuli has brushed aside international criticism of the vote, and has crushed opposition attempts to mount post-election protests.
"The purpose of freedom and democracy is to bring about development, not chaos," the returning president told a parliament now stuffed with ruling party members on Friday.
"Freedom, rights and democracy go with responsibility -- and each has limits. I hope I'm well understood," Magufuli warned.
Lissu, however, has not given up his hopes for democracy, buoyed by what he said was the widespread support he met on the campaign trail.
"I'll go back. I don't know when, but I cannot remain in Europe forever. The most important thing, right now, is to continue the struggle," he told AFP.
"The international community needs to know about Tanzania, it needs to know that an autocratic regime has taken over," he said.
"I have a message for my people, the people of Tanzania," he continued.
"What the campaign this past three months has shown is that our people have not been broken, that our people's will to resist to fight for democracy has not been broken."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-15--Moldova torn between Russia and West in presidential runoff

Moldova heads to the polls on Sunday for the second round of a tightly-contested presidential election pitting a pro-European challenger against the country 's Moscow-backed incumbent .
The tiny ex-Soviet nation votes under the watchful eye of Russia , which wants polarised Moldova to remain in its sphere of influence as several Kremlin-aligned governments are rocked by political unrest .
In the first round vote earlier this month , pro-European Maia Sandu -- a 48-year-old centre-right politician -- won a surprise victory .
Sandu , who worked for the World Bank and briefly served as prime minister , won over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent Igor Dodon 's 33 percent .
Caught off guard by the electoral setback , Dodon urged his supporters at a rally on Friday to turn out for the vote and take to the streets after Sunday 's ballot to `` protect our victory '' .
The Kremlin-backed candidate , reportedly aided by Russian advisors , has stepped up rhetoric against Sandu saying his opponents have crossed red lines .
`` If we show weakness , we will lose our country , '' Dodon said at Friday 's rally .
Sandu , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has promised to wage a fight against endemic corruption in the country of some 3.5 million wedged between Ukraine and EU member Romania .
Moldova has been rocked by multiple political crises and a $ 1-billion bank fraud scheme equivalent to nearly 15 percent of the country 's annual output .
`` Moldova can be a good country , a state without corruption .
A state where thieves are punished .
And decent people have good jobs , wages and pensions .
A country where children grow up with their parents , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instagram .
The appeal has resonance in one of Europe 's poorest countries where as many as 40 percent of Moldova 's citizens are estimated to have travelled abroad to work .
Polls published in the run-up to Sunday 's vote showed the two candidates in a tight race that could be decided by the diaspora .
`` We are a big family scattered all over the world , '' Sandu said .
`` It 's time to live better wherever we are . ''
Moldova has close historical ties with neighbouring Romania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language .
The EU member state 's President Klaus Iohannis said he was `` happy '' with Sandu 's first round victory .
Faced this year with multiple protest movements targeting its allies in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan , Russia will be watching Sunday 's vote closely .
Russian President Vladimir Putin last month called on Moldovans to cast their votes for Dodon pointing to close economic ties between the countries .
The head of Russia 's Foreign Intelligence Service ( SVR ) Sergei Naryshkin recently alleged that Washington was inciting the Moldovan opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote to denounce its validity and demand a re-run .
Analysts said a victory for Dodon could trigger protests from Sandu 's supporters , especially in the event of a tight end result .
`` Whether Sandu or Dodon wins , there will be protests , '' shrugs Sandra , a 56-year-old saleswoman in Chisinau , who said she will cast her vote for the incumbent president .

Chisinau (AFP) –
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Moldova heads to the polls on Sunday for the second round of a tightly-contested presidential election pitting a pro-European challenger against the country's Moscow-backed incumbent.
The tiny ex-Soviet nation votes under the watchful eye of Russia, which wants polarised Moldova to remain in its sphere of influence as several Kremlin-aligned governments are rocked by political unrest.
In the first round vote earlier this month, pro-European Maia Sandu -- a 48-year-old centre-right politician -- won a surprise victory.
Sandu, who worked for the World Bank and briefly served as prime minister, won over 36 percent of the vote against pro-Russian incumbent Igor Dodon's 33 percent.
Caught off guard by the electoral setback, Dodon urged his supporters at a rally on Friday to turn out for the vote and take to the streets after Sunday's ballot to "protect our victory".
The Kremlin-backed candidate, reportedly aided by Russian advisors, has stepped up rhetoric against Sandu saying his opponents have crossed red lines.
"If we show weakness, we will lose our country," Dodon said at Friday's rally.
Sandu, who heads the Party of Action and Solidarity has promised to wage a fight against endemic corruption in the country of some 3.5 million wedged between Ukraine and EU member Romania.
Moldova has been rocked by multiple political crises and a $1-billion bank fraud scheme equivalent to nearly 15 percent of the country's annual output.
- Risk of revolt -
"Moldova can be a good country, a state without corruption. A state where thieves are punished. And decent people have good jobs, wages and pensions. A country where children grow up with their parents," Sandu said in a recent post on Instagram.
The appeal has resonance in one of Europe's poorest countries where as many as 40 percent of Moldova's citizens are estimated to have travelled abroad to work.
Polls published in the run-up to Sunday's vote showed the two candidates in a tight race that could be decided by the diaspora.
"We are a big family scattered all over the world," Sandu said. "It's time to live better wherever we are."
Moldova has close historical ties with neighbouring Romania and the two countries share a common language. The EU member state's President Klaus Iohannis said he was "happy" with Sandu's first round victory.
Faced this year with multiple protest movements targeting its allies in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, Russia will be watching Sunday's vote closely.
Russian President Vladimir Putin last month called on Moldovans to cast their votes for Dodon pointing to close economic ties between the countries.
The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin recently alleged that Washington was inciting the Moldovan opposition to take to the streets after the vote to denounce its validity and demand a re-run.
Analysts said a victory for Dodon could trigger protests from Sandu's supporters, especially in the event of a tight end result.
"Whether Sandu or Dodon wins, there will be protests," shrugs Sandra, a 56-year-old saleswoman in Chisinau, who said she will cast her vote for the incumbent president.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-15--Argentina revel in All Blacks shock after emotional virus-hit journey

Argentina 's players celebrate with fans after beating the All Blacks Coach Mario Ledesma says stunning the All Blacks after a 35-year wait is his finest achievement , hailing his Argentinian team after a long and emotional journey to breaking their hoodoo .
The Pumas went into Saturday 's Tri Nations clash in Sydney having not played a Test in 13 months , while enduring coronavirus lockdowns in Argentina and Uruguay before quarantining for two weeks in Australia .
Some of the players and staff have n't seen their families in four months , and along the way they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing positive for Covid-19 .
But rather than becoming disillusioned or going stir-crazy , the adversity brought them closer together .
Ledesma said their spirit and resilience played a large part in the shock 25-15 upset of three-time world champions New Zealand , their first win against the rugby powerhouse in 30 Tests .
`` There 's no magic formula , it 's always the players , '' he said .
`` They 've been great throughout the whole pandemic situation .
Going from quarantine to quarantine .
Some of the boys have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they have n't complained once , they 've always been positive .
Their victory was more remarkable given their Europe-based players only arrived in Sydney in late October , remaining in lockdown until just days before Saturday 's game .
It clearly did n't affect France-based fly-half Nicolas Sanchez , their standout player who scored all the Pumas ' 25 points -- a try , a conversion , and six penalties .
His Stade Francais colleague Pablo Matera was also exceptional , with the Argentina captain dominant at blindside flanker .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you work hard with a lot of determination you can get things done , '' said Matera .
`` So , we are really proud of this team and for our country . ''
Ledesma , a former Wallabies assistant coach , was emotional after the game , shedding tears as he celebrated with a small , but loud , contingent of Argentinian fans at Bankwest Stadium .
`` We 'll remember this for a long time .
Not only because of the game but the special situation that got us here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was his finest achievement , Ledesma replied : `` It has to be up there .
`` As a coach , the best one , because of everything we lived and experienced and the whole emotional journey that we 've been through . ''
They face Australia next week in their second Tri Nations clash , with Ledesma urging his team to `` just stay humble and keep working '' .
While Argentina basked in one of their greatest victories , the All Blacks were left reeling from one of their worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand media as `` simply awful '' after their first back-to-back defeats since 2011 , following a loss to the Wallabies last weekend .
They lacked the passion and composure of Argentina , with questions being asked about their leadership under captain Sam Cane and coach Ian Foster , who has only managed two wins from the five games he has been in charge .
Foster , who was promoted to the top job ahead of Scott Robertson to replace Steve Hansen , said they were `` bitterly disappointed '' , admitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` massive energy and massive desire '' .
But he denied feeling any added pressure with a bye next week giving him time to figure out what went wrong before a return clash with Argentina on November 28 .
`` We 've clearly got to go away and ask ourselves some serious questions , '' he said .
`` That loss is going to hurt and we have to go back and use the next days well , recharge the team and make sure we finish off the year on a high .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ team play more intensely than us and we have to go and figure out how to respond . ''

Sydney (AFP) –
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Coach Mario Ledesma says stunning the All Blacks after a 35-year wait is his finest achievement, hailing his Argentinian team after a long and emotional journey to breaking their hoodoo.
The Pumas went into Saturday's Tri Nations clash in Sydney having not played a Test in 13 months, while enduring coronavirus lockdowns in Argentina and Uruguay before quarantining for two weeks in Australia.
Some of the players and staff haven't seen their families in four months, and along the way they had to deal with a dozen team personnel testing positive for Covid-19.
But rather than becoming disillusioned or going stir-crazy, the adversity brought them closer together.
Ledesma said their spirit and resilience played a large part in the shock 25-15 upset of three-time world champions New Zealand, their first win against the rugby powerhouse in 30 Tests.
"There's no magic formula, it's always the players," he said.
"They've been great throughout the whole pandemic situation. Going from quarantine to quarantine. Some of the boys haven't seen their families for four months and they haven't complained once, they've always been positive.
"They've been awesome."
Their victory was more remarkable given their Europe-based players only arrived in Sydney in late October, remaining in lockdown until just days before Saturday's game.
It clearly didn't affect France-based fly-half Nicolas Sanchez, their standout player who scored all the Pumas' 25 points -- a try, a conversion, and six penalties.
His Stade Francais colleague Pablo Matera was also exceptional, with the Argentina captain dominant at blindside flanker.
"We just wanted to show our people if you work hard with a lot of determination you can get things done," said Matera. "So, we are really proud of this team and for our country."
Ledesma, a former Wallabies assistant coach, was emotional after the game, shedding tears as he celebrated with a small, but loud, contingent of Argentinian fans at Bankwest Stadium.
"We'll remember this for a long time. Not only because of the game but the special situation that got us here," he said.
- 'Massive energy' -
Asked if it was his finest achievement, Ledesma replied: "It has to be up there.
"As a coach, the best one, because of everything we lived and experienced and the whole emotional journey that we've been through."
They face Australia next week in their second Tri Nations clash, with Ledesma urging his team to "just stay humble and keep working".
While Argentina basked in one of their greatest victories, the All Blacks were left reeling from one of their worst defeats.
They were savaged Sunday by New Zealand media as "simply awful" after their first back-to-back defeats since 2011, following a loss to the Wallabies last weekend.
They lacked the passion and composure of Argentina, with questions being asked about their leadership under captain Sam Cane and coach Ian Foster, who has only managed two wins from the five games he has been in charge.
Foster, who was promoted to the top job ahead of Scott Robertson to replace Steve Hansen, said they were "bitterly disappointed", admitting his team failed to match Argentina's "massive energy and massive desire".
But he denied feeling any added pressure with a bye next week giving him time to figure out what went wrong before a return clash with Argentina on November 28.
"We've clearly got to go away and ask ourselves some serious questions," he said.
"That loss is going to hurt and we have to go back and use the next days well, recharge the team and make sure we finish off the year on a high.
"We don't like having another team play more intensely than us and we have to go and figure out how to respond."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-15--Biden heralds shift in US strategy toward Venezuela

US President-elect Joe Biden speaking in his hometown of Wilmington , Delaware on November 10 , 2020 President Donald Trump 's election defeat marks the end of a hardline pressure policy designed to oust Venezuela 's leftist president Nicolas Maduro , and the arrival of Joe Biden in the White House in January could pave the way for a political solution to the crisis in that country .
Acute tension marked the Trump administration 's ties with Maduro , whose second term as president is not recognized by some 50 countries , led by the US .
They consider opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader of oil-rich Venezuela .
Trump 's strategy of sanctions to strangle the Venezuelan economy included a veiled threat of military force to topple Maduro -- he warned often that `` all options are on the table . ''
But it failed , and Maduro remains in power in the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas .
The economy , meanwhile , is a basket case , with Venezuelans enduring hyperinflation and shortages of food , medicine and just about everything -- including such basics as soap and toilet paper .
Once relatively comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing weight .
Millions of people have fled the country .
With Biden in power , however , a shift in strategy can be expected .
Juan Gonzalez , who has advised Biden on Latin American issues , wrote in Americas Quarterly in July that a Biden administration would take `` serious measures '' to address Venezuela 's humanitarian mess .
It will also apply `` intelligent sanctions '' as part of a broad international strategy to restore democracy , he wrote .
`` The overriding goal of the United States in both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic change , '' Gonzalez wrote .
Diego Area , associate director of the Washington-based Atlantic Council , said Biden `` now has an historic opportunity to lead an international coalition to promote a political solution for Venezuela . ''
But this will not be easy and Biden will need bipartisan support in Washington , Area said .
`` I think it is achievable .
It takes time .
We wo n't see a regime change or a democratic transition happening in the short term , '' Area predicted .
Christopher Sabatini , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a London-based think tank , said US policy will not change with Biden , the goals still being to ensure a peaceful democratic transition and address the humanitarian crisis .
Rather , Sabatini said , `` the change will be in using the administration ’ s sanction policy as more of a flexible tool rather than a blunt instrument to promote constructive , effective negotiation for Maduro ’ s exit . ''
`` This will also provide an opportunity for international collaboration and collection action , which until now has been lacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyst , Michael Camilleri of the Inter-American Dialogue , said , `` Biden 's policy toward Venezuela will be grounded in reality rather than the wishful thinking that we 've seen under the Trump administration . ''
The reality , he said , is that Maduro presides over a dictatorship that systematically violates people 's human rights , and the country is mired in a worsening humanitarian crisis .
`` But also the reality that the bombast and vague threats of military action that we 've seen from Trump will not solve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Benjamin Gedan , an adviser to the Latin America program at the Wilson Center in Washington , said it is hard to be optimistic about prospects for change in Venezuela .
Maduro 's government is ruthless , and while it has been incompetent in handling the economy it has been skilled at dodging sanctions , he said .
Maduro still has the support of key allies such as China , Russia , Turkey , Iran and Cuba , Gedan said .
And the exodus of millions of fed-up Venezuelans reduces the chances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gedan said .

Washington (AFP) –
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President Donald Trump's election defeat marks the end of a hardline pressure policy designed to oust Venezuela's leftist president Nicolas Maduro, and the arrival of Joe Biden in the White House in January could pave the way for a political solution to the crisis in that country.
Acute tension marked the Trump administration's ties with Maduro, whose second term as president is not recognized by some 50 countries, led by the US. They consider opposition leader Juan Guaido to be the legitimate leader of oil-rich Venezuela.
Trump's strategy of sanctions to strangle the Venezuelan economy included a veiled threat of military force to topple Maduro -- he warned often that "all options are on the table."
But it failed, and Maduro remains in power in the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas.
The economy, meanwhile, is a basket case, with Venezuelans enduring hyperinflation and shortages of food, medicine and just about everything -- including such basics as soap and toilet paper.
Once relatively comfortable middle-class people now report going hungry and losing weight. Millions of people have fled the country.
With Biden in power, however, a shift in strategy can be expected.
Juan Gonzalez, who has advised Biden on Latin American issues, wrote in Americas Quarterly in July that a Biden administration would take "serious measures" to address Venezuela's humanitarian mess.
It will also apply "intelligent sanctions" as part of a broad international strategy to restore democracy, he wrote.
"The overriding goal of the United States in both countries must be to press for a democratic change,"Gonzalez wrote.
Diego Area, associate director of the Washington-based Atlantic Council, said Biden "now has an historic opportunity to lead an international coalition to promote a political solution for Venezuela."
But this will not be easy and Biden will need bipartisan support in Washington, Area said.
"I think it is achievable. It takes time. We won't see a regime change or a democratic transition happening in the short term," Area predicted.
Christopher Sabatini, a Latin America researcher at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, said US policy will not change with Biden, the goals still being to ensure a peaceful democratic transition and address the humanitarian crisis.
Rather, Sabatini said, "the change will be in using the administration’s sanction policy as more of a flexible tool rather than a blunt instrument to promote constructive, effective negotiation for Maduro’s exit."
"This will also provide an opportunity for international collaboration and collection action, which until now has been lacking," he told AFP.
- Trump's 'wishful thinking' -
Another analyst, Michael Camilleri of the Inter-American Dialogue, said, "Biden's policy toward Venezuela will be grounded in reality rather than the wishful thinking that we've seen under the Trump administration."
The reality, he said, is that Maduro presides over a dictatorship that systematically violates people's human rights, and the country is mired in a worsening humanitarian crisis.
"But also the reality that the bombast and vague threats of military action that we've seen from Trump will not solve the crisis in Venezuela," said Camilleri.
Benjamin Gedan, an adviser to the Latin America program at the Wilson Center in Washington, said it is hard to be optimistic about prospects for change in Venezuela.
Maduro's government is ruthless, and while it has been incompetent in handling the economy it has been skilled at dodging sanctions, he said.
Maduro still has the support of key allies such as China, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Cuba, Gedan said.
And the exodus of millions of fed-up Venezuelans reduces the chances of a popular uprising to overthrow Maduro, Gedan said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-15--Huge Asian trade pact to be signed in coup for China

Leaders from member countries meet to negotiate the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in November 2018 Fifteen countries will on Sunday sign a sprawling Asian trade deal they hope will help them bounce back from the pandemic and which is seen as a huge coup for China in extending its influence .
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership ( RCEP ) -- which includes 10 Southeast Asian economies along with China , Japan , South Korea , New Zealand and Australia -- will be the world 's largest trade pact in terms of GDP , analysts say .
The agreement to lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the bloc does not include the United States and is viewed as a Chinese-led alternative to a now-defunct Washington trade initiative .
The RCEP `` solidifies China 's broader regional geopolitical ambitions around the Belt and Road initiative '' , said Alexander Capri , a trade expert at the National University of Singapore Business School , referring to Beijing 's signature investment project that envisions Chinese infrastructure and influence spanning the globe .
Eight years in the making , the deal will finally be signed at the end of a Southeast Asian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Many of the signatories are battling severe coronavirus outbreaks and they hope the RCEP will help mitigate the crippling cost of an illness that has ravaged their economies .
Indonesia recently tumbled into its first recession for two decades while the Philippine economy shrunk by 11.5 percent on-year in the latest quarter .
`` Covid has reminded the region of why trade matters and governments are more eager than ever to have positive economic growth , '' said Deborah Elms , executive director of the Asian Trade Centre , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver it . ''
India pulled out of the agreement last year over concerns about cheap Chinese goods entering the country and will be a notable absentee during Sunday 's virtual signing .
It can join at a later date if it chooses .
Even without India , the deal covers 2.1 billion people , with RCEP 's members accounting for around 30 percent of global GDP .
Crucially it should help shrink costs and make life easier for companies by letting them export products anywhere within the bloc without meeting separate requirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on intellectual property , but environmental protections and labour rights are not part of the pact .
The deal is also seen as a way for China to draft the rules of trade in the region , after years of US retreat under President Donald Trump which have seen Washington pull out of a trade pact of its own , the Trans-Pacific Partnership ( TPP ) .
Though US multinationals will be able to benefit from RCEP through subsidiaries within member countries , analysts said the deal may cause President-elect Joe Biden to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This could see the US eye the potential benefits of joining the TPP 's successor deal , the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership ( CPTPP ) , said Rajiv Biswas , APAC chief economist at IHS Markit .
`` However , this is not expected to be an immediate priority issue ... given the considerable negative response to the TPP negotiations from many segments of the US electorate due to concerns about US job losses to Asian countries , '' he added .

Hanoi (AFP) –
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Fifteen countries will on Sunday sign a sprawling Asian trade deal they hope will help them bounce back from the pandemic and which is seen as a huge coup for China in extending its influence.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) -- which includes 10 Southeast Asian economies along with China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia -- will be the world's largest trade pact in terms of GDP, analysts say.
The agreement to lower tariffs and open up the services trade within the bloc does not include the United States and is viewed as a Chinese-led alternative to a now-defunct Washington trade initiative.
The RCEP "solidifies China's broader regional geopolitical ambitions around the Belt and Road initiative", said Alexander Capri, a trade expert at the National University of Singapore Business School, referring to Beijing's signature investment project that envisions Chinese infrastructure and influence spanning the globe.
"It's sort of a complementary element."
Eight years in the making, the deal will finally be signed at the end of a Southeast Asian summit -- held by video because of the pandemic.
Many of the signatories are battling severe coronavirus outbreaks and they hope the RCEP will help mitigate the crippling cost of an illness that has ravaged their economies.
Indonesia recently tumbled into its first recession for two decades while the Philippine economy shrunk by 11.5 percent on-year in the latest quarter.
"Covid has reminded the region of why trade matters and governments are more eager than ever to have positive economic growth," said Deborah Elms, executive director of the Asian Trade Centre, a Singapore-based consultancy.
"RCEP can help deliver it."
- India absent -
India pulled out of the agreement last year over concerns about cheap Chinese goods entering the country and will be a notable absentee during Sunday's virtual signing.
It can join at a later date if it chooses.
Even without India, the deal covers 2.1 billion people, with RCEP's members accounting for around 30 percent of global GDP.
Crucially it should help shrink costs and make life easier for companies by letting them export products anywhere within the bloc without meeting separate requirements for each country.
The agreement touches on intellectual property, but environmental protections and labour rights are not part of the pact.
The deal is also seen as a way for China to draft the rules of trade in the region, after years of US retreat under President Donald Trump which have seen Washington pull out of a trade pact of its own, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Though US multinationals will be able to benefit from RCEP through subsidiaries within member countries, analysts said the deal may cause President-elect Joe Biden to rethink Washington's engagement in the region.
This could see the US eye the potential benefits of joining the TPP's successor deal, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), said Rajiv Biswas, APAC chief economist at IHS Markit.
"However, this is not expected to be an immediate priority issue... given the considerable negative response to the TPP negotiations from many segments of the US electorate due to concerns about US job losses to Asian countries," he added.
burs-aph/pdw/rma/axn
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-14--Johnson confident Masters will end his 54-hole lead curse

Dustin Johnson has squandered his four prior 54-hole leads at major golf tournaments , but the world number one is confident he will end that streak by winning the Masters .
Johnson fired a bogey-free seven-under par 65 on Saturday to seize a four-stroke lead entering Sunday 's final round at Augusta National in pursuit of his second major title after the 2016 US Open .
The 36-year-old American has led four times after 54 holes in majors and failed to win any of them , stumbling at the 2010 , 2015 and 2018 US Opens and in August at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settled for a runner-up spot .
`` If I can play like I did today , I think it will break that streak , '' Johnson said .
`` It 's just 18 holes of golf .
I need to go out and play solid .
`` I feel like I 'm swinging really well .
If I can just continue to give myself a lot of looks at birdie , I think I 'll have a good day . ''
Having grown up only an hour 's drive north of Augusta , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacy would have extra significance for Johnson .
`` It would mean a lot , '' he said .
`` It 's the Masters , a major .
I grew up right down the road .
So this one would be very special to me . ''
Johnson sees his 19 prior top-10 major finishes with only one triumph as seasoning to prepare him for Sunday 's back-nine battle rather than a sign of futility .
`` I put myself in the situation a lot of times .
I know what it takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know how I respond in this situation .
I 'm very comfortable with having the lead going into tomorrow .
`` I 've been in this situation a lot of times .
I 'm looking forward to the challenge .
It 's still going to be a tough day .
I 'm going to have to play well if I want to get it done . ''
Johnson 's 16-under 200 matched the 54-hole Masters record set by Jordan Spieth in 2015 and he is the first player to shoot 65 or better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives him a four-stroke edge over South Korea 's Im Sung-jae , Australian Cameron Smith and Mexico 's Abraham Ancer -- all seeking their first major title .
`` Anyone with a four-shot lead is expected to win , '' Smith said .
`` You know there are going to be plenty of boys firing tomorrow . ''
Johnson , the PGA Player of the Year , has won or been second in five of his past six starts , including a victory at the Tour Championship .
After finishing sixth at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 last month and missed two events , but was a runner-up last week at Houston .
`` The game is in really good form right now , '' Johnson said .
`` It 's just very consistent .
I feel like I 've got a lot of control what I 'm doing , controlling my distance well with my flight and my shape . ''
Johnson , a runner-up in three of the past six majors including last year 's Masters , has taken advantage of rain-softened conditions to be aggressive when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good game plan .
I 'm not going to change it , '' he said .
Johnson 's best Masters round before this week was a 67 , a tribute to what he has learned over the years at Augusta .
`` My first few Masters , I just did n't play the course very well , '' Johnson said .
`` But I feel like every year , I kind of learned something , figured out a little bit more about the course , how to play it .
The more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get . ''

Augusta (United States) (AFP) –
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Dustin Johnson has squandered his four prior 54-hole leads at major golf tournaments, but the world number one is confident he will end that streak by winning the Masters.
Johnson fired a bogey-free seven-under par 65 on Saturday to seize a four-stroke lead entering Sunday's final round at Augusta National in pursuit of his second major title after the 2016 US Open.
The 36-year-old American has led four times after 54 holes in majors and failed to win any of them, stumbling at the 2010, 2015 and 2018 US Opens and in August at the 2020 PGA Championship, where he settled for a runner-up spot.
"If I can play like I did today, I think it will break that streak," Johnson said. "It's just 18 holes of golf. I need to go out and play solid.
"I feel like I'm swinging really well. If I can just continue to give myself a lot of looks at birdie, I think I'll have a good day."
Having grown up only an hour's drive north of Augusta, donning the green jacket symbolic of Masters supremacy would have extra significance for Johnson.
"It would mean a lot," he said. "It's the Masters, a major. I grew up right down the road. So this one would be very special to me."
Johnson sees his 19 prior top-10 major finishes with only one triumph as seasoning to prepare him for Sunday's back-nine battle rather than a sign of futility.
"I put myself in the situation a lot of times. I know what it takes," he said. "I know how I respond in this situation. I'm very comfortable with having the lead going into tomorrow.
"I've been in this situation a lot of times. I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's still going to be a tough day. I'm going to have to play well if I want to get it done."
- 'Good game plan' -
Johnson's 16-under 200 matched the 54-hole Masters record set by Jordan Spieth in 2015 and he is the first player to shoot 65 or better twice in the same Masters.
That gives him a four-stroke edge over South Korea's Im Sung-jae, Australian Cameron Smith and Mexico's Abraham Ancer -- all seeking their first major title.
"Anyone with a four-shot lead is expected to win," Smith said. "You know there are going to be plenty of boys firing tomorrow."
Johnson, the PGA Player of the Year, has won or been second in five of his past six starts, including a victory at the Tour Championship.
After finishing sixth at the US Open in September, he contracted Covid-19 last month and missed two events, but was a runner-up last week at Houston.
"The game is in really good form right now," Johnson said. "It's just very consistent. I feel like I've got a lot of control what I'm doing, controlling my distance well with my flight and my shape."
Johnson, a runner-up in three of the past six majors including last year's Masters, has taken advantage of rain-softened conditions to be aggressive when opportunities allow.
"I've got a good game plan. I'm not going to change it," he said.
Johnson's best Masters round before this week was a 67, a tribute to what he has learned over the years at Augusta.
"My first few Masters, I just didn't play the course very well," Johnson said.
"But I feel like every year, I kind of learned something, figured out a little bit more about the course, how to play it. The more I play it, the more comfortable I get."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-14--Spain boss Enrique backs 'out of this world' Ramos after two penalty misses

Spain 's Sergio Ramos missed two penalties in the second half of their 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday .
Sergio Ramos missed two penalties as Spain needed a late equaliser from Gerard Moreno to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in the Nations League on Saturday but coach Luis Enrique backed his veteran star , saying : `` If there had been a third penalty , he 'd have taken that as well '' .
Ramos was making his 177th appearance for Spain to become the most capped European player in history , pulling clear of Italy 's Gianluigi Buffon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a celebration in Basel , it was a night to forget for the defender , who saw one spot-kick saved by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer but backed himself to score a second , only to miss again with a dreadful attempted 'Panenka ' .
`` Sergio 's numbers for penalties are out of this world , '' said Enrique .
`` If there had been a third penalty , he would have taken that one as well . ''
Ramos had previously scored 25 penalties in a row and his inaccuracy from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to beat Germany in Sevilla on Tuesday to reach the final four .
`` We wanted to win here and the team tried until the end , '' said Moreno .
`` It was n't to be but it 's still in our hands to get through , even if we have a difficult game . ''
Enrique 's side have only scored three times in their last five matches and they struggled again to break through against a well-organised Switzerland , who led through Remo Freuler and also had Nico Elvedi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain 's press was beaten too easily for the first goal as Switzerland counter-attacked at speed .
With Ramos out of position , Breel Embolo raced in behind before pulling a cross back to Freuler , who opened up his left foot and skewed the ball brilliantly into the far corner .
Ferran Torres could have equalised on the stroke of half-time but fired over at the back post before Ramos began his frantic half an hour .
First , he brilliantly blocked Freuler 's shot on the line after Unai Simon made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Spain captain won the first penalty , his header hitting the arm of Sergio Rodriguez , who had turned his back .
But Ramos was unable to convert , his shot well saved by Sommer , who refused to commit too soon and got down quickly to his right .
Twenty minutes later , Alvaro Morata was fouled by Elvedi and Ramos stepped up to make amends , only to compound his earlier error by missing again , this time with an attempted chip that Sommer easily collected .
Spain finally found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moreno capitalised on a tiring Swiss defence by converting Sergio Reguilon 's cross .
But Switzerland held on for a point .

Basel (Switzerland) (AFP) –
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Sergio Ramos missed two penalties as Spain needed a late equaliser from Gerard Moreno to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in the Nations League on Saturday but coach Luis Enrique backed his veteran star, saying: "If there had been a third penalty, he'd have taken that as well".
Ramos was making his 177th appearance for Spain to become the most capped European player in history, pulling clear of Italy's Gianluigi Buffon, who has 176.
But instead of a celebration in Basel, it was a night to forget for the defender, who saw one spot-kick saved by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer but backed himself to score a second, only to miss again with a dreadful attempted 'Panenka'.
"Sergio's numbers for penalties are out of this world," said Enrique.
"If there had been a third penalty, he would have taken that one as well."
Ramos had previously scored 25 penalties in a row and his inaccuracy from the spot cost Spain, who will now have to beat Germany in Sevilla on Tuesday to reach the final four.
"We wanted to win here and the team tried until the end," said Moreno. "It wasn't to be but it's still in our hands to get through, even if we have a difficult game."
Enrique's side have only scored three times in their last five matches and they struggled again to break through against a well-organised Switzerland, who led through Remo Freuler and also had Nico Elvedi sent off with 11 minutes left.
Spain's press was beaten too easily for the first goal as Switzerland counter-attacked at speed.
With Ramos out of position, Breel Embolo raced in behind before pulling a cross back to Freuler, who opened up his left foot and skewed the ball brilliantly into the far corner.
Ferran Torres could have equalised on the stroke of half-time but fired over at the back post before Ramos began his frantic half an hour.
First, he brilliantly blocked Freuler's shot on the line after Unai Simon made a mess of rushing out and then the Spain captain won the first penalty, his header hitting the arm of Sergio Rodriguez, who had turned his back.
But Ramos was unable to convert, his shot well saved by Sommer, who refused to commit too soon and got down quickly to his right.
Twenty minutes later, Alvaro Morata was fouled by Elvedi and Ramos stepped up to make amends, only to compound his earlier error by missing again, this time with an attempted chip that Sommer easily collected.
Spain finally found an equaliser in the 89th minute as Moreno capitalised on a tiring Swiss defence by converting Sergio Reguilon's cross. But Switzerland held on for a point.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-14--France, Germany shine in Nations League as Ramos endures miserable landmark

World champions France and Germany rode on the influence of their Chelsea stars to rack up Nations League wins on Saturday while Spain 's Sergio Ramos missed two penalties on the night he celebrated a record-setting 177th international appearance .
Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante scored just his second international goal as France defeated European champions Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon to secure a place in next year 's finals .
Kante was quickest to react to a rebound as he netted the winner on 53 minutes that clinched France top spot in their group .
France lead Cristiano Ronaldo 's Portugal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clash with Sweden in Paris but are guaranteed first place by virtue of their superior head-to-head record .
`` It 's very nice to see them snatch the win .
It 's deserved .
We 've fulfilled our objective of finishing first , '' France coach Didier Deschamps said after the win over a Portuguese side which had won the inaugural Nations League title on home soil in 2019 .
Kante 's teammate in the English Premier League Timo Werner scored twice on his return to Leipzig as Germany enjoyed a 3-1 win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Leipzig before moving to London and he flourished in familiar surroundings at the Red Bull Arena despite the absence of fans .
The win leaves Germany undefeated in their last 12 games and top of their group , a point ahead of second-placed Spain with the sides due to meet in Sevilla on Tuesday .
`` I had four good years here and it was fun to come back and win , '' Werner told ZDF .
Ukraine took an early lead when Roman Yaremchuk caught the German defence napping .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Leroy Sane and Werner , who scored either side of half-time , to seal a deserved win .
In Basel , Ramos missed two penalties as Spain needed a late equaliser from Gerard Moreno to draw 1-1 with Switzerland .
Ramos was making his 177th appearance to break the international appearances record for a European player , pulling clear of Italy 's Gianluigi Buffon , who has 176 .
But it was a night to forget for the defender , who saw one spot-kick saved by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer but backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to miss again with a dreadful attempted 'Panenka ' .
Ramos had previously scored 25 penalties in a row and his inaccuracy from the spot cost Spain , who will now have to beat Germany to reach the final stage .
`` Sergio 's numbers for penalties are out of this world , '' said Spain coach Luis Enrique .
`` If there had been a third penalty , he would have taken that one as well . ''
Remo Freuler gave the Swiss a 26th-minute lead but they had Nico Elvedi sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 minutes left .
Spain finally found an equaliser in the 89th minute as Moreno capitalised on a tiring Swiss defence by converting Sergio Reguilon 's cross .
After losing all four of their opening games in the Nations League , Sweden finally found some form in Solna , beating World Cup runners-up Croatia 2-1 .
The Swedes , whose coach Janne Andersson has been sidelined with coronavirus , were 2-0 up at half-time .
Juventus star Dejan Kulusevski opened his international account in the 36th minute when the 20-year-old controlled a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defender Marcus Danielson , who plays his club football in China with Dalian Pro , headed in the second from a corner in first-half stoppage time .
Danielson had the misfortune to put through his own goal with eight minutes left after making contact with an Ivan Perisic header .
Croatia had beaten the Swedes 2-1 in their first meeting but they arrived for the return without midfielder Marcelo Brozovic and defender Domagoj Vida , both of whom had tested positive for Covid-19 .
The coronavirus pandemic also saw UEFA cancel Sunday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities banned the squad from travelling to Bucharest due to a Covid-19 case .
Norway 's health minister had ordered the squad not to travel after full-back Omar Elabdellaoui , who plays for Galatasaray in Turkey , tested positive for coronavirus .

Paris (AFP) –
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World champions France and Germany rode on the influence of their Chelsea stars to rack up Nations League wins on Saturday while Spain's Sergio Ramos missed two penalties on the night he celebrated a record-setting 177th international appearance.
Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante scored just his second international goal as France defeated European champions Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon to secure a place in next year's finals.
Kante was quickest to react to a rebound as he netted the winner on 53 minutes that clinched France top spot in their group.
France lead Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal by three points ahead of Tuesday's clash with Sweden in Paris but are guaranteed first place by virtue of their superior head-to-head record.
"It's very nice to see them snatch the win. It's deserved. We've fulfilled our objective of finishing first," France coach Didier Deschamps said after the win over a Portuguese side which had won the inaugural Nations League title on home soil in 2019.
Kante's teammate in the English Premier League Timo Werner scored twice on his return to Leipzig as Germany enjoyed a 3-1 win over Ukraine.
Werner spent four years at Leipzig before moving to London and he flourished in familiar surroundings at the Red Bull Arena despite the absence of fans.
The win leaves Germany undefeated in their last 12 games and top of their group, a point ahead of second-placed Spain with the sides due to meet in Sevilla on Tuesday.
"I had four good years here and it was fun to come back and win," Werner told ZDF.
Ukraine took an early lead when Roman Yaremchuk caught the German defence napping.
The hosts roared back with three unanswered goals by Leroy Sane and Werner, who scored either side of half-time, to seal a deserved win.
In Basel, Ramos missed two penalties as Spain needed a late equaliser from Gerard Moreno to draw 1-1 with Switzerland.
Ramos was making his 177th appearance to break the international appearances record for a European player, pulling clear of Italy's Gianluigi Buffon, who has 176.
But it was a night to forget for the defender, who saw one spot-kick saved by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer but backed himself to score a second, only to miss again with a dreadful attempted 'Panenka'.
Ramos had previously scored 25 penalties in a row and his inaccuracy from the spot cost Spain, who will now have to beat Germany to reach the final stage.
"Sergio's numbers for penalties are out of this world," said Spain coach Luis Enrique.
"If there had been a third penalty, he would have taken that one as well."
Remo Freuler gave the Swiss a 26th-minute lead but they had Nico Elvedi sent off for conceding the second penalty with 11 minutes left.
Spain finally found an equaliser in the 89th minute as Moreno capitalised on a tiring Swiss defence by converting Sergio Reguilon's cross.
- Shadow of Covid-19 -
After losing all four of their opening games in the Nations League, Sweden finally found some form in Solna, beating World Cup runners-up Croatia 2-1.
The Swedes, whose coach Janne Andersson has been sidelined with coronavirus, were 2-0 up at half-time.
Juventus star Dejan Kulusevski opened his international account in the 36th minute when the 20-year-old controlled a long pass from Mikael Lustig before scoring.
Defender Marcus Danielson, who plays his club football in China with Dalian Pro, headed in the second from a corner in first-half stoppage time.
Danielson had the misfortune to put through his own goal with eight minutes left after making contact with an Ivan Perisic header.
Croatia had beaten the Swedes 2-1 in their first meeting but they arrived for the return without midfielder Marcelo Brozovic and defender Domagoj Vida, both of whom had tested positive for Covid-19.
The coronavirus pandemic also saw UEFA cancel Sunday's match between Romania and Norway after Norwegian authorities banned the squad from travelling to Bucharest due to a Covid-19 case.
Norway's health minister had ordered the squad not to travel after full-back Omar Elabdellaoui, who plays for Galatasaray in Turkey, tested positive for coronavirus.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-14--Woods finds little reward from long day at Masters

Tiger Woods was going the wrong way on a long day at Augusta National on Saturday , where his bid for a sixth Masters title was on the rocks .
Woods was four shots off the lead after playing the last eight holes of his second round on Saturday morning , but an even-par third round saw him walk off the course nine off the pace being set by world number one Dustin Johnson .
Woods , the defending champion , said at the conclusion of his second round that he expected Augusta to yield some low scores in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitely gettable , '' Woods said .
But Woods could n't take advantage , making bogeys at the eighth and 11th before his only birdies of the round , at 12 and 15 on the way to a 54-hole total of five-under par 211 .
`` It got a little bit faster , '' Woods said of the course drying out after Thursday 's rain .
`` But the putts just still are n't quite breaking . ''
Woods said the long days resulting from a three-hour weather delay on Thursday were hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's just part of the deal , '' said Woods , who looked stiff as he bent to retrieve his ball as the round went on .
He still produced some impressive shots , landing his tee shot nine feet from the pin at the 12th and draining that for birdie .
At 15 he had an 18-footer for eagle , and ended up making a two-footer for birdie .
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Woods 's first appearance at the Masters , as a gangly amateur .
He slipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and last year rallied on Sunday to win his 15th major title -- and his first in more than a decade .
Woods said this week he still got chills recalling last year 's victory , but in his pursuit of a repeat he has n't paused to consider what sliding a green jacket onto a new champion 's shoulders might feel like .
`` Tuesday was a long , tough day for me , but I have not thought about tomorrow yet , '' Woods said .
`` I was focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going into tomorrow . ''
With the field again set to go off the first and 10th tees on Sunday , Woods was expecting an early start .
`` I certainly will be part of the early part of the split and get after it tomorrow , '' he said .
`` We 'll see how emotional it 'll be after tomorrow 's round . ''

Augusta (United States) (AFP) –
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Tiger Woods was going the wrong way on a long day at Augusta National on Saturday, where his bid for a sixth Masters title was on the rocks.
Woods was four shots off the lead after playing the last eight holes of his second round on Saturday morning, but an even-par third round saw him walk off the course nine off the pace being set by world number one Dustin Johnson.
Woods, the defending champion, said at the conclusion of his second round that he expected Augusta to yield some low scores in the afternoon.
"The golf course is definitely gettable," Woods said.
But Woods couldn't take advantage, making bogeys at the eighth and 11th before his only birdies of the round, at 12 and 15 on the way to a 54-hole total of five-under par 211.
"It got a little bit faster," Woods said of the course drying out after Thursday's rain. "But the putts just still aren't quite breaking."
Woods said the long days resulting from a three-hour weather delay on Thursday were hard on his surgically fused back.
"It's just part of the deal," said Woods, who looked stiff as he bent to retrieve his ball as the round went on.
He still produced some impressive shots, landing his tee shot nine feet from the pin at the 12th and draining that for birdie.
At 15 he had an 18-footer for eagle, and ended up making a two-footer for birdie.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Woods's first appearance at the Masters, as a gangly amateur.
He slipped on his first green jacket in 1997, and last year rallied on Sunday to win his 15th major title -- and his first in more than a decade.
Woods said this week he still got chills recalling last year's victory, but in his pursuit of a repeat he hasn't paused to consider what sliding a green jacket onto a new champion's shoulders might feel like.
"Tuesday was a long, tough day for me, but I have not thought about tomorrow yet," Woods said.
"I was focused on trying to get myself in contention going into tomorrow."
With the field again set to go off the first and 10th tees on Sunday, Woods was expecting an early start.
"I certainly will be part of the early part of the split and get after it tomorrow," he said. "We'll see how emotional it'll be after tomorrow's round."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-14--France beats Portugal, clinches Nations League finals spot

France 's midfielder N'Golo Kante scores a goal during the UEFA Nations League A group 3 football match between Portugal and France at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on November 14 , 2020 .
N'Golo Kante scored just his second international goal as World Cup holders France defeated European champions Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon on Saturday to secure a place in the Nations League finals .
Chelsea midfielder Kante was quickest to react to a rebound as he netted the winner on 54 minutes that clinched France top spot in Group 3 ahead of the final round of matches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tuesday 's clash with Sweden in Paris but are guaranteed first place by virtue of their superior head-to-head record .
Didier Deschamps ' side became the first team to advance to the finals , which UEFA has pencilled in for October next year .
Portugal won the inaugural edition on home soil in 2019 .
With victory for either country enough to win the group , Deschamps made two changes to the team that drew 0-0 with Portugal at the Stade de France last month .
Kingsley Coman replaced the injured Kylian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preferred to Olivier Giroud , France 's all-time second leading scorer .
Paul Pogba was the only starter to begin the 2-0 friendly loss to Finland in midweek .
Jose Fonte replaced the vastly experienced Pepe , sidelined by a foot problem , in a Portugal defence that had not conceded a goal in five matches .
Coman forced Rui Patricio to tip over a firm strike as France made a bright start at the Estadio da Luz , with Martial denied by the legs of the Portugal goalkeeper after a neat ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only previous goal for France came four years ago , but the Manchester United striker was a constant threat against a Portugal side unbeaten in 21 matches at home .
Adrien Rabiot nodded wide from a corner and then inadvertently set up Martial at a free-kick when a header from the latter smacked against the crossbar .
Martial lunged to reach a dangerous Lucas Hernandez cross but was thwarted by a terrific Patricio block before Cristiano Ronaldo powered a header narrowly over on the stroke of half-time .
An inspired Patricio kept France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly deal with Rabiot 's low angled strike early in the second half , pushing it straight to Kante who forced home from inside the six-yard box .
Pogba fluffed a header from a pinpoint Rabiot delivery as France sought a second and Martial was again frustrated by Patricio as he flicked the ball towards goal from a Hernandez pass .
Portugal nearly levelled when Hugo Lloris could only parry a speculative attempt from Raphael Guerreiro , Fonte heading against the post as the hosts kept the attack alive .
The France captain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a long-range effort from Joao Moutinho as the visitors successfully absorbed late pressure to punch their ticket to next year 's finals .

N'Golo Kante scored just his second international goal as World Cup holders France defeated European champions Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon on Saturday to secure a place in the Nations League finals.
France's midfielder N'Golo Kante scores a goal during the UEFA Nations League A group 3 football match between Portugal and France at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on November 14, 2020.
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Chelsea midfielder Kante was quickest to react to a rebound as he netted the winner on 54 minutes that clinched France top spot in Group 3 ahead of the final round of matches.
France lead Portugal by three points ahead of Tuesday's clash with Sweden in Paris but are guaranteed first place by virtue of their superior head-to-head record.
Didier Deschamps' side became the first team to advance to the finals, which UEFA has pencilled in for October next year. Portugal won the inaugural edition on home soil in 2019.
With victory for either country enough to win the group, Deschamps made two changes to the team that drew 0-0 with Portugal at the Stade de France last month.
Kingsley Coman replaced the injured Kylian Mbappe in attack as Anthony Martial was preferred to Olivier Giroud, France's all-time second leading scorer. Paul Pogba was the only starter to begin the 2-0 friendly loss to Finland in midweek.
Jose Fonte replaced the vastly experienced Pepe, sidelined by a foot problem, in a Portugal defence that had not conceded a goal in five matches.
Coman forced Rui Patricio to tip over a firm strike as France made a bright start at the Estadio da Luz, with Martial denied by the legs of the Portugal goalkeeper after a neat ball through from Antoine Griezmann.
Martial's only previous goal for France came four years ago, but the Manchester United striker was a constant threat against a Portugal side unbeaten in 21 matches at home.
Adrien Rabiot nodded wide from a corner and then inadvertently set up Martial at a free-kick when a header from the latter smacked against the crossbar.
Martial lunged to reach a dangerous Lucas Hernandez cross but was thwarted by a terrific Patricio block before Cristiano Ronaldo powered a header narrowly over on the stroke of half-time.
An inspired Patricio kept France at bay until he was unable to properly deal with Rabiot's low angled strike early in the second half, pushing it straight to Kante who forced home from inside the six-yard box.
Pogba fluffed a header from a pinpoint Rabiot delivery as France sought a second and Martial was again frustrated by Patricio as he flicked the ball towards goal from a Hernandez pass.
Portugal nearly levelled when Hugo Lloris could only parry a speculative attempt from Raphael Guerreiro, Fonte heading against the post as the hosts kept the attack alive.
The France captain then produced an excellent stop to keep out a long-range effort from Joao Moutinho as the visitors successfully absorbed late pressure to punch their ticket to next year's finals.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-11-14--Roethlisberger fit to play after Covid isolation

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was cleared to play in Sunday 's home game with the Cincinnati Bengals after being activated from the reserve/Covid-19 list on Saturday .
Roethlisberger was placed in isolation Tuesday along with offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins , running back Jaylen Samuels and linebacker Vince Williams following a positive case involving team-mate Vance McDonald .
Hawkins , Samuels and Williams have also been cleared for Sunday 's divisional clash at Heinz Field , where the Steelers will be looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season .
The 38-year-old Roethlisberger said Saturday his body had benefited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his three young children had been taxing .
`` I am doing good .
I feel great , '' Roethlisberger told the Steelers website .
`` My body enjoyed the week off .
My mind from teaching pre-K did not enjoy the week off .
It was fun to be home with them , but I definitely missed the guys . ''
Roethlisberger said he had participated in practices virtually , watching play calls via a tablet computer at home .
`` Typically , when I have n't practiced , I am at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterbacks , hearing the calls that were made , hearing the play call coming in from the coach , '' he said .
`` I watched every play of practice , but you watch on your iPad at home , so you do n't get to hear all of those things .
It was definitely different than anything I have experienced before . ''

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was cleared to play in Sunday's home game with the Cincinnati Bengals after being activated from the reserve/Covid-19 list on Saturday.
Roethlisberger was placed in isolation Tuesday along with offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins, running back Jaylen Samuels and linebacker Vince Williams following a positive case involving team-mate Vance McDonald.
Hawkins, Samuels and Williams have also been cleared for Sunday's divisional clash at Heinz Field, where the Steelers will be looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
The 38-year-old Roethlisberger said Saturday his body had benefited from the time off but admitted parenting his three young children had been taxing.
"I am doing good. I feel great," Roethlisberger told the Steelers website. "My body enjoyed the week off. My mind from teaching pre-K did not enjoy the week off. It was fun to be home with them, but I definitely missed the guys."
Roethlisberger said he had participated in practices virtually, watching play calls via a tablet computer at home.
"Typically, when I haven't practiced, I am at least on the field, behind the quarterbacks, hearing the calls that were made, hearing the play call coming in from the coach," he said.
"I watched every play of practice, but you watch on your iPad at home, so you don't get to hear all of those things. It was definitely different than anything I have experienced before."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-11-14--Ramos misses two penalties as Spain held by Switzerland

Spain 's Sergio Ramos missed two penalties in the second half of their 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday .
Sergio Ramos missed two penalties as Spain needed a late equaliser from Gerard Moreno to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in the Nations League on Saturday .
Ramos was making his 177th appearance for Spain to break the international appearances record for a European player , pulling clear of Italy 's Gianluigi Buffon , who has 176 .
But instead of a celebration in Basel , it was a night to forget for the defender , who saw one spot-kick saved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself to score a second , only to miss again with a dreadful attempted 'Panenka ' .
Ramos had previously scored 25 penalties in a row and his inaccuracy from the spot cost Spain , who will now have to beat Germany in Sevilla on Tuesday to reach the final four .
Luis Enrique 's side have only scored three times in their last five matches and finishing was their undoing against a well-organised Switzerland , who had led through Remo Freuler .
They also had Nico Elvedi sent off for conceding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the hosts held on for a deserved point .
Spain 's press was beaten too easily for the first goal as Switzerland broke at speed .
With Ramos out of position , Breel Embolo raced in behind before pulling a cross back to Freuler , who opened up his left foot and skewed the ball brilliantly into the far corner .
Ferran Torres could have equalised on the stroke of half-time but fired over at the back post before Ramos began a frantic half an hour .
First , he brilliantly blocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unai Simon had made a mess of rushing out and then the Spain captain won the first penalty , his header hitting the arm of Sergio Rodriguez , who had turned his back .
But Ramos was unable to convert , his shot well saved by Sommer , who refused to commit too soon and got down quickly to his right .
Twenty minutes later , Alvaro Morata , on as a substitute , was fouled by Elvedi and Ramos stepped up to make amends only to compound his earlier error by missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chip that Sommer easily collected .
Spain finally found an equaliser in the 89th minute as Moreno capitalised on a tiring Swiss defence by converting Sergio Reguilon 's cross .
Switzerland held on for a point .

Basel (Switzerland) (AFP) –
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Sergio Ramos missed two penalties as Spain needed a late equaliser from Gerard Moreno to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in the Nations League on Saturday.
Ramos was making his 177th appearance for Spain to break the international appearances record for a European player, pulling clear of Italy's Gianluigi Buffon, who has 176.
But instead of a celebration in Basel, it was a night to forget for the defender, who saw one spot-kick saved by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer but backed himself to score a second, only to miss again with a dreadful attempted 'Panenka'.
Ramos had previously scored 25 penalties in a row and his inaccuracy from the spot cost Spain, who will now have to beat Germany in Sevilla on Tuesday to reach the final four.
Luis Enrique's side have only scored three times in their last five matches and finishing was their undoing against a well-organised Switzerland, who had led through Remo Freuler.
They also had Nico Elvedi sent off for conceding the second penalty with 11 minutes left, but the hosts held on for a deserved point.
Spain's press was beaten too easily for the first goal as Switzerland broke at speed.
With Ramos out of position, Breel Embolo raced in behind before pulling a cross back to Freuler, who opened up his left foot and skewed the ball brilliantly into the far corner.
Ferran Torres could have equalised on the stroke of half-time but fired over at the back post before Ramos began a frantic half an hour.
First, he brilliantly blocked Freuler's shot on the line after Unai Simon had made a mess of rushing out and then the Spain captain won the first penalty, his header hitting the arm of Sergio Rodriguez, who had turned his back.
But Ramos was unable to convert, his shot well saved by Sommer, who refused to commit too soon and got down quickly to his right.
Twenty minutes later, Alvaro Morata, on as a substitute, was fouled by Elvedi and Ramos stepped up to make amends only to compound his earlier error by missing again, this time with an attempted chip that Sommer easily collected.
Spain finally found an equaliser in the 89th minute as Moreno capitalised on a tiring Swiss defence by converting Sergio Reguilon's cross. Switzerland held on for a point.
© 2020 AFP