france24--2020-10-10--Iranian maestro Shajarian laid to rest beside epic poet

Fans of Iranian musician Mohammad-Reza Shajarian hold up his image on a phone as they mourn his death Legendary Iranian signer Mohammad-Reza Shajarian was buried on Saturday alongside the tomb of the ancient poet Abul Qasem Ferdowsi in the northeast of the country , state news agency IRNA reported .
A national treasure in his homeland , the `` Ostad '' -- master in Persian -- died at the age of 80 on Thursday in Tehran after a long battle with cancer .
His body was taken the day after to the holy city of Mashhad in the northeastern Khorasan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was laid to rest in Tus city , as willed , next to the tomb of the 10th-century poet Ferdowsi , who wrote the epic `` Shahnameh , '' or the Book of Kings .
According to IRNA , a crowd of `` almost 150 people '' consisting of his family , Iranian music icons and some of his fans were present at the burial , due to Covid-19 pandemic and the necessity of social distancing .
But hundreds of others gathered outside the tomb complex and mausoleum , singing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on large television screens , the agency said .
His son , Homayoun , thanked the participants for attending his father 's ceremony `` despite the difficulties . ''
IRNA said the police and municipal security forces were there to `` ensure the safety '' of the burial .
Shajarian maintained difficult relations with the authorities in Tehran throughout his career , first under the reign of the shah and then with the Islamic republic .
Shajarian 's death made the front pages of most Saturday newspapers , both conservative and reformist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some devoting exclusive front page reports to the maestro .

Tehran (AFP) –
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Legendary Iranian signer Mohammad-Reza Shajarian was buried on Saturday alongside the tomb of the ancient poet Abul Qasem Ferdowsi in the northeast of the country, state news agency IRNA reported.
A national treasure in his homeland, the "Ostad" -- master in Persian -- died at the age of 80 on Thursday in Tehran after a long battle with cancer.
His body was taken the day after to the holy city of Mashhad in the northeastern Khorasan Razavi province, where he was born.
He was laid to rest in Tus city, as willed, next to the tomb of the 10th-century poet Ferdowsi, who wrote the epic "Shahnameh," or the Book of Kings.
According to IRNA, a crowd of "almost 150 people" consisting of his family, Iranian music icons and some of his fans were present at the burial, due to Covid-19 pandemic and the necessity of social distancing.
But hundreds of others gathered outside the tomb complex and mausoleum, singing the maestro's songs and watching the burial on large television screens, the agency said.
His son, Homayoun, thanked the participants for attending his father's ceremony "despite the difficulties."
IRNA said the police and municipal security forces were there to "ensure the safety" of the burial.
Shajarian maintained difficult relations with the authorities in Tehran throughout his career, first under the reign of the shah and then with the Islamic republic.
Shajarian's death made the front pages of most Saturday newspapers, both conservative and reformist, and even the sports press, with some devoting exclusive front page reports to the maestro.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Yates out of Giro after testing positive for Covid-19

British rider Simon Yates has withdrawn from the Giro d'Italia after testing positive for Covid-19 , his team Mitchelton-Scott said on Saturday .
Yates , who won the Vuelta in 2018 and was one of the contenders in the Italian race , was 21st in the overall standings ahead of Saturday 's eighth stage .
`` Simon 's health remains our main concern and , thankfully , his symptoms remain very mild and he is otherwise in good health , '' team doctor Matteo Beltemacchi said in a statement .
The 28-year-old tested positive after developing a slight fever on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second test confirmed the positive result .
Yates was isolated in his room during the process and is being transported by ambulance to begin a period of quarantine , Mitchelton-Scott added .
The team said its remaining riders all tested negative and had been cleared to take part in the race .
`` All other riders and staff have returned negative results and have been cleared to continue the race , but as a precautionary measure we will monitor the situation closely and undergo further testing in the coming days , '' Beltemacchi @ @

Giovinazzo (Italy) (AFP) –
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British rider Simon Yates has withdrawn from the Giro d'Italia after testing positive for Covid-19, his team Mitchelton-Scott said on Saturday.
Yates, who won the Vuelta in 2018 and was one of the contenders in the Italian race, was 21st in the overall standings ahead of Saturday's eighth stage.
"Simon's health remains our main concern and, thankfully, his symptoms remain very mild and he is otherwise in good health," team doctor Matteo Beltemacchi said in a statement.
The 28-year-old tested positive after developing a slight fever on Friday, the team said. A second test confirmed the positive result.
Yates was isolated in his room during the process and is being transported by ambulance to begin a period of quarantine, Mitchelton-Scott added.
The team said its remaining riders all tested negative and had been cleared to take part in the race.
"All other riders and staff have returned negative results and have been cleared to continue the race, but as a precautionary measure we will monitor the situation closely and undergo further testing in the coming days," Beltemacchi said.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Weakening to tropical storm, Delta hits hurricane-battered Louisiana, Texas

A resident covered belongings as Hurricane Delta , which later weakened to a tropical storm , approached in New Iberia , Louisiana , USA on October 9 , 2020 .
Ripping tarps from already damaged roofs and scattering debris piled by roadsides , Delta inflicted a new round of destruction on Louisiana as it struck communities still reeling after Hurricane Laura took a similar path just six weeks earlier .
Delta hit as a Category 2 hurricane , with top winds of 100 mph ( 155 kph ) but rapidly grew weaker .
By early Saturday , it dwindled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 95 kph ) winds .
Still , forecasters warned of danger from storm surge and flash floods across much of southwestern Louisiana and parts of neighboring Texas .
Delta made landfall Friday evening near the coastal town of Creole — a distance of only about 15 miles ( 24 kilometers ) from where Laura struck land in August , killing 27 people in Louisiana .
The earlier storm damaged nearly every home and building in Lake Charles , Louisiana .
Piles of moldy mattresses , sawed-up trees and other debris still lined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were flying off homes across the city .
“ I ’ m in a building right now with a tarp on it and just the sound of the tarp flapping on the building sounds like someone pounding with a sledgehammer on top of the building , “ Hunter said as he rode out the storm downtown .
” It ’ s pretty intense.
” In Lake Charles , about 30 miles ( 50 kilometers ) inland from where Delta came ashore , water leaked through the ceiling of Ernest Jack 's bedroom as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jack said the tarp covering the roof damage caused by Laura hadn ’ t blown off .
His windows were covered to protect against flying debris .
“ It ’ s raining real hard ; it ’ s flooding ; the wind is strong , ” Jack said Friday night .
“ I ’ m OK.
I ’ m not worried about nothing , just praying that everything goes well.
” In the town of Lake Arthur , Delta 's winds peeled shingles off the roof of L ’ Banca Albergo Hotel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a bank .
“ I probably don ’ t have a shingle left on the top of this hotel , ” owner Roberta Palermo said as the winds gusted outside .
Palermo said the electricity was out and she could see pieces of metal coming off the roof of a 100-year-old building across the street .
Unsecured trash cans were flying around the streets .
“ There is a lot of power lines down all over the place , there ’ s ... really deep water in certain spots , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been out in the weather with his friends earlier and the friend ’ s car was stranded in the water .
More than 600,000 power outages across three states Delta 's reach stretched as far west as Galveston , Texas , about 100 miles ( 160 kilometers ) from where the storm struck Louisiana .
Two homes under construction were toppled by winds , as were some trees and signs in the area .
Beach dunes flattened by earlier storms allowed storm surge to reach beneath some of Galveston 's raised beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighboring Texas neared 600,000 homes and businesses early Saturday , according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us .
Almost 40,000 outages were reported in Mississippi .
Delta , the 25th named storm of an unprecedented Atlantic hurricane season , made the record books when it struck the Gulf Coast .
It was the first Greek-alphabet-named hurricane to hit the continental U.S. And it became the 10th named storm to hit the mainland U.S. this year , breaking a century-old record set in 1916 , according to Colorado State University researcher Phil Klotzbach .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi on Saturday and then into the Tennessee Valley as a tropical depression .
Delta was the fourth named storm to strike Louisiana in 2020 .
Tropical Storm Marco fizzled as it hit the southeast Louisiana tip just three days before Laura struck .
And Tropical Storm Cristobal caused damage in southeast Louisiana in June .
Some who rode out Laura chose to hunker down again with Delta .
In Lafayette , about 75 miles ( 120 kilometers ) east of Lake Charles , Jeanne-Marie Gove could hear debris hitting the front door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patio gate banging open and shut .
“ The wind is much worse than what Hurricane Laura brought , ” Gove said in a message on Twitter .
The roof from a trailer at the mobile home park behind her apartment was torn off and being tossed down the sidewalk .
“ The wind gusts are making the glass from our windows bow inward , ” Gove added .
“ It ’ s pretty scary .
”

Ripping tarps from already damaged roofs and scattering debris piled by roadsides, Delta inflicted a new round of destruction on Louisiana as it struck communities still reeling after Hurricane Laura took a similar path just six weeks earlier.
A resident covered belongings as Hurricane Delta, which later weakened to a tropical storm, approached in New Iberia, Louisiana, USA on October 9, 2020.
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Delta hit as a Category 2 hurricane, with top winds of 100 mph (155 kph) but rapidly grew weaker. By early Saturday, it dwindled to a tropical storm with 60 mph (95 kph) winds. Still, forecasters warned of danger from storm surge and flash floods across much of southwestern Louisiana and parts of neighboring Texas.
Delta made landfall Friday evening near the coastal town of Creole — a distance of only about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from where Laura struck land in August, killing 27 people in Louisiana. The earlier storm damaged nearly every home and building in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Piles of moldy mattresses, sawed-up trees and other debris still lined the streets.
Mayor Nic Hunter said tarps were flying off homes across the city.
“I’m in a building right now with a tarp on it and just the sound of the tarp flapping on the building sounds like someone pounding with a sledgehammer on top of the building,“ Hunter said as he rode out the storm downtown. ”It’s pretty intense.”
In Lake Charles, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) inland from where Delta came ashore, water leaked through the ceiling of Ernest Jack's bedroom as he tried to sleep Friday night. Jack said the tarp covering the roof damage caused by Laura hadn’t blown off. His windows were covered to protect against flying debris.
“It’s raining real hard; it’s flooding; the wind is strong,” Jack said Friday night. “I’m OK. I’m not worried about nothing, just praying that everything goes well.”
In the town of Lake Arthur, Delta's winds peeled shingles off the roof of L’Banca Albergo Hotel, an eight-room boutique hotel in what used to be a bank.
“I probably don’t have a shingle left on the top of this hotel,” owner Roberta Palermo said as the winds gusted outside.
Palermo said the electricity was out and she could see pieces of metal coming off the roof of a 100-year-old building across the street. Unsecured trash cans were flying around the streets.
“There is a lot of power lines down all over the place, there’s ... really deep water in certain spots,” said hotel guest Johnny Weaver. He had been out in the weather with his friends earlier and the friend’s car was stranded in the water.
More than 600,000 power outages across three states
Delta's reach stretched as far west as Galveston, Texas, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from where the storm struck Louisiana. Two homes under construction were toppled by winds, as were some trees and signs in the area. Beach dunes flattened by earlier storms allowed storm surge to reach beneath some of Galveston's raised beach houses.
Power outages in Louisiana and neighboring Texas neared 600,000 homes and businesses early Saturday, according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us. Almost 40,000 outages were reported in Mississippi.
Delta, the 25th named storm of an unprecedented Atlantic hurricane season, made the record books when it struck the Gulf Coast. It was the first Greek-alphabet-named hurricane to hit the continental U.S. And it became the 10th named storm to hit the mainland U.S. this year, breaking a century-old record set in 1916, according to Colorado State University researcher Phil Klotzbach.
The storm was projected to move into northern Mississippi on Saturday and then into the Tennessee Valley as a tropical depression.
Delta was the fourth named storm to strike Louisiana in 2020. Tropical Storm Marco fizzled as it hit the southeast Louisiana tip just three days before Laura struck. And Tropical Storm Cristobal caused damage in southeast Louisiana in June.
'It's pretty scary'
Some who rode out Laura chose to hunker down again with Delta. In Lafayette, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Lake Charles, Jeanne-Marie Gove could hear debris hitting the front door of her apartment Friday night and her patio gate banging open and shut.
“The wind is much worse than what Hurricane Laura brought,” Gove said in a message on Twitter.
The roof from a trailer at the mobile home park behind her apartment was torn off and being tossed down the sidewalk.
“The wind gusts are making the glass from our windows bow inward,” Gove added. “It’s pretty scary.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-10-10--Spain invokes state of emergency to re-impose partial Covid lockdown in Madrid

A Madrid Emergency Service health worker checks the temperature of a man prior to a rapid antigen test for Covid-19 in the neighbourhood of Vallecas on October 7 , 2020 .
People in Madrid and the surrounding towns reacted with anger on Friday after the Socialist-led government invoked a state of emergency to reimpose with immediate effect a partial lockdown to curb the spread of the new coronavirus .
Some of the 3.8 million people affected in the capital and eight satellite towns said the politicians had bickered while contagion rates soared .
`` They are clowns , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can and more .
They ( politicians ) have no shame , '' said Pilar Lopez , a cleaner .
Shop assistant Linda , who did not give her second name , thought the blanket state of emergency imposed on the capital was going too far .
`` I think certain areas should be restricted , but not the entire Madrid region , '' she said .
`` It 's also got to do with the lack of precaution from citizens .
If we had behaved better we would not be at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Minister Salvador Illa chastised the regional authority for inaction at a press conference .
`` Patience has its limits .
It is important that the level of infection in Madrid does not extend to the rest of Spain , '' Illa said .
Spain said on Friday it had now recorded 861,112 coronavirus cases - the highest number in Western Europe - and 32,929 deaths .

People in Madrid and the surrounding towns reacted with anger on Friday after the Socialist-led government invoked a state of emergency to reimpose with immediate effect a partial lockdown to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
A Madrid Emergency Service health worker checks the temperature of a man prior to a rapid antigen test for Covid-19 in the neighbourhood of Vallecas on October 7, 2020.
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Some of the 3.8 million people affected in the capital and eight satellite towns said the politicians had bickered while contagion rates soared.
"They are clowns, they are making fun of us as much as they can and more. They (politicians) have no shame," said Pilar Lopez, a cleaner.
Shop assistant Linda, who did not give her second name, thought the blanket state of emergency imposed on the capital was going too far.
02:02
"I think certain areas should be restricted, but not the entire Madrid region," she said.
Felix, 49, a Madrid resident, blamed irresponsible behaviour by residents for high infection rates.
"It's also got to do with the lack of precaution from citizens. If we had behaved better we would not be at this point," he said.
Health Minister Salvador Illa chastised the regional authority for inaction at a press conference.
"Patience has its limits. It is important that the level of infection in Madrid does not extend to the rest of Spain," Illa said.
Spain said on Friday it had now recorded 861,112 coronavirus cases - the highest number in Western Europe - and 32,929 deaths.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-10-10--Bereft of jet set, NY luxury hotels welcome last-minute locals

A security officer sits in the lobby of The Pierre hotel , a shadow of its former self amid the coronavirus pandemic John Farrell and his wife booked a $ 1,000 room in the morning and were in New York hours later for their one-night stay .
The couple is part of a new local and last-minute clientele keeping the lights on at the city 's most luxurious hotels now that the coronavirus has chased off the international jet set .
The yellow taxis and limousines that used to pile in front of swanky hotel The Pierre are gone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the lobby .
The Central Park hotel once hosted galas and welcomed celebrities -- everyone from Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor to , more recently , Lady Gaga .
But with the coronavirus pandemic in full swing it is a shadow of its former self : Following six months of closure and the travel industry 's near collapse due to Covid-19 , it reopened in mid-September to smaller crowds and fewer members of the glitterati .
`` The hotel , it 's kind of like the streets ; it 's lacking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , '' said Farrell , a 38-year-old construction entrepreneur who drove two hours from the suburbs to get there .
Usually this time of year the city 's hotels are packed , with an average price of $ 300 per night .
The busy season starts with the US Open and UN General Assembly , said The Pierre 's general manager Francois-Olivier Luiggi .
Then comes `` every convention you can possibly have , fundraising galas , the fall season for the weddings , and then its Thanksgiving all the way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
The Pierre , which was taken over by India 's Taj Hotels in 2005 , is normally `` non-stop , '' Luiggi said .
Apart from its 189 rooms , it also holds 80 apartments owned by wealthy individuals .
In addition to the missing foreign tourists , who represented nearly a quarter of its pre-pandemic visitors , Americans are also gone , deterred by New York state 's strict coronavirus measures .
Since June , any visitor coming from US states where the Covid test positivity rate exceeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- are required to isolate for 14 days .
Instead of tourists from Europe and California , nearby residents are booking luxury `` staycations '' -- arriving by car for short stays of 24 or 48 hours , often while visiting relatives nearby , Luiggi said .
Even with rigorous distancing and disinfection protocols in place , the hotel 's occupancy has been capped at 25 percent , with more than half of its 400 workers unemployed , Luiggi said .
But he sees no reason to throw in the towel any time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around for 90 years and it will be around for another 90 , '' he said .
Not all hotels have been so lucky .
Despite help from the federal government , including small business loans , some 200 out of New York 's 700 hotels are closed .
Approximately 140 are operating as living quarters for first responders , infected Covid patients who can not isolate at home and the homeless , said Vijay Dandapani , president and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City , which represents some 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' visitors are only 10 percent booked on average , he said , and some 25,000 workers in the sector are unemployed .
European hotels are `` enjoying some levels of return of travel , whereas we have nothing , '' he added .
The tourism downturn has been brutal in the Big Apple , where hotels have sprouted like mushrooms in recent years , not only in Manhattan but also in areas such as Brooklyn and Queens .
For years tourism has seemed to have the Midas touch , luring investors into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notched a record-breaking 65 million tourist visits .
One year later , the tourism industry generated $ 3.1 billion in taxes , Dandapani said .
The boom meant the creation of so many hotel rooms over the past 10 years that the `` market was already showing some sign of slowing , '' said Ramya Murali , a hotel industry analyst at Deloitte .
`` New York was the first market to go into very significant travel restriction , '' she said , which has only been compounded by the fact that authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening . ''
That means the market has been and will be closed off to travelers for an exceedingly long period of time , according to Murali .
Farrell said that `` at the end of the day , I feel people like us have got to come spend money and hopefully that 's the start of something . ''
For their brief visit , he and his wife were planning on shopping and dining al fresco -- with more than 10,000 outdoor dining options now available .
Then , considering that Broadway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go smoke a joint in the park , '' Farrell said with a smile .

New York (AFP) –
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John Farrell and his wife booked a $1,000 room in the morning and were in New York hours later for their one-night stay.
The couple is part of a new local and last-minute clientele keeping the lights on at the city's most luxurious hotels now that the coronavirus has chased off the international jet set.
The yellow taxis and limousines that used to pile in front of swanky hotel The Pierre are gone. So are the crowds of foreigners mingling in the lobby.
The Central Park hotel once hosted galas and welcomed celebrities -- everyone from Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor to, more recently, Lady Gaga.
But with the coronavirus pandemic in full swing it is a shadow of its former self: Following six months of closure and the travel industry's near collapse due to Covid-19, it reopened in mid-September to smaller crowds and fewer members of the glitterati.
"The hotel, it's kind of like the streets; it's lacking the hustle and bustle and the presence of people," said Farrell, a 38-year-old construction entrepreneur who drove two hours from the suburbs to get there.
Usually this time of year the city's hotels are packed, with an average price of $300 per night.
The busy season starts with the US Open and UN General Assembly, said The Pierre's general manager Francois-Olivier Luiggi.
Then comes "every convention you can possibly have, fundraising galas, the fall season for the weddings, and then its Thanksgiving all the way to Christmas and New Year's Eve," he said.
The Pierre, which was taken over by India's Taj Hotels in 2005, is normally "non-stop," Luiggi said. Apart from its 189 rooms, it also holds 80 apartments owned by wealthy individuals.
In addition to the missing foreign tourists, who represented nearly a quarter of its pre-pandemic visitors, Americans are also gone, deterred by New York state's strict coronavirus measures.
Since June, any visitor coming from US states where the Covid test positivity rate exceeds 10 percent -- about 30 states currently -- are required to isolate for 14 days.
Instead of tourists from Europe and California, nearby residents are booking luxury "staycations" -- arriving by car for short stays of 24 or 48 hours, often while visiting relatives nearby, Luiggi said.
Even with rigorous distancing and disinfection protocols in place, the hotel's occupancy has been capped at 25 percent, with more than half of its 400 workers unemployed, Luiggi said.
But he sees no reason to throw in the towel any time soon: "The Pierre has been around for 90 years and it will be around for another 90," he said.
- Tourism downturn -
Not all hotels have been so lucky.
Despite help from the federal government, including small business loans, some 200 out of New York's 700 hotels are closed.
Approximately 140 are operating as living quarters for first responders, infected Covid patients who cannot isolate at home and the homeless, said Vijay Dandapani, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, which represents some 300 hotels.
Hotels still welcoming "real" visitors are only 10 percent booked on average, he said, and some 25,000 workers in the sector are unemployed.
European hotels are "enjoying some levels of return of travel, whereas we have nothing," he added.
The tourism downturn has been brutal in the Big Apple, where hotels have sprouted like mushrooms in recent years, not only in Manhattan but also in areas such as Brooklyn and Queens.
For years tourism has seemed to have the Midas touch, luring investors into the sector: In 2018 New York notched a record-breaking 65 million tourist visits. One year later, the tourism industry generated $3.1 billion in taxes, Dandapani said.
The boom meant the creation of so many hotel rooms over the past 10 years that the "market was already showing some sign of slowing," said Ramya Murali, a hotel industry analyst at Deloitte.
"New York was the first market to go into very significant travel restriction," she said, which has only been compounded by the fact that authorities are "on the conservative end of reopening."
That means the market has been and will be closed off to travelers for an exceedingly long period of time, according to Murali.
Farrell said that "at the end of the day, I feel people like us have got to come spend money and hopefully that's the start of something."
For their brief visit, he and his wife were planning on shopping and dining al fresco -- with more than 10,000 outdoor dining options now available.
Then, considering that Broadway is closed for entertainment, "we will go smoke a joint in the park," Farrell said with a smile.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Lakers' Davis says he'll be ready for NBA Finals game six

Anthony Davis insisted he 'll be ready to go on Sunday when the Los Angeles Lakers try again to close out the Miami Heat for the 2020 NBA title , despite an early injury scare in the Lakers ' game-five loss on Friday .
Davis , playing in his first NBA Finals , took an awkward hop as he battled Miami 's Andre Iguodala for a rebound late in the first quarter and limped off the court in pain .
The Lakers said he aggravated a contusion in his right heel , but after pacing gingerly around on the sideline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ score 28 points .
`` Iggy kind of stepped on it , '' he said .
`` Reaggravated it .
But I 'll be fine on Sunday . ''
Davis said he originally hurt his heel in the Lakers ' Western Conference finals win over the Denver Nuggets .
He said the pain Friday `` kind of just wore off , '' although his movement appeared to be affected late in the game .
`` I just kept moving around , just trying not to sit down .
Get that adrenaline going and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep playing , '' said Davis .
The Lakers still lead the best-of-seven series three games to two and Davis said they have no reason to hang their heads after coming up just short -- 111-108 -- in the tense back-and-forth battle .
`` It 's basketball , '' he said .
`` It 's the Finals .
They wanted to win as bad as we wanted to win .
`` So we 've just got to go take it on Sunday .
`` We win one , they have to win two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to keep that in mind , as well . ''

Orlando (AFP) –
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Anthony Davis insisted he'll be ready to go on Sunday when the Los Angeles Lakers try again to close out the Miami Heat for the 2020 NBA title, despite an early injury scare in the Lakers' game-five loss on Friday.
Davis, playing in his first NBA Finals, took an awkward hop as he battled Miami's Andre Iguodala for a rebound late in the first quarter and limped off the court in pain.
The Lakers said he aggravated a contusion in his right heel, but after pacing gingerly around on the sideline, he returned to the contest to score 28 points.
"Iggy kind of stepped on it," he said. "Reaggravated it. But I'll be fine on Sunday."
Davis said he originally hurt his heel in the Lakers' Western Conference finals win over the Denver Nuggets.
He said the pain Friday "kind of just wore off," although his movement appeared to be affected late in the game.
"I just kept moving around, just trying not to sit down. Get that adrenaline going and I was able to keep going and keep playing," said Davis.
The Lakers still lead the best-of-seven series three games to two and Davis said they have no reason to hang their heads after coming up just short -- 111-108 -- in the tense back-and-forth battle.
"It's basketball," he said. "It's the Finals. They wanted to win as bad as we wanted to win.
"So we've just got to go take it on Sunday.
"We win one, they have to win two," he said. "We have to keep that in mind, as well."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--James urges beaten Lakers to stay 'even-keeled'

`` King '' James and the Los Angeles Lakers were ready for their coronation , but Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat had other ideas .
Now , Lakers superstar LeBron James says , the key to closing out the Heat for a first NBA title in a decade on Sunday will be focusing not on lifting the trophy but on winning a single game .
`` Listen , at the end of the day , you do n't predetermine anything and you take the game as it 's going and you play , '' said James , who scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss to Miami that saw the Heat claw back to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series .
`` You play each quarter , you play each possession and you live with the results , '' he said .
`` You do n't think about what could happen at the end of the game and things of that nature .
You do n't get caught up in the aftermath .
`` You have to live in the moment and prepare yourself each and every possession , because if you start to wander and your mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistake .
`` One thing about this team that we are playing , they make you pay for every mistake . ''
The Lakers took the court in the NBA 's quarantine bubble in Orlando , Florida , looking every inch a team poised to finish off their underdog rivals .
They opted for their black `` Mamba '' uniforms in honor of late Lakers great Kobe Bryant -- kit in which they were undefeated in four contests .
Star forward Anthony Davis , playing in his first championship series , sported gold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gold Larry O'Brien Trophy stayed in its case as Butler out-dueled James down the stretch .
Now the Heat have the chance to match a feat only one other team has managed before and rally from a 3-1 deficit to win the championship series .
James himself was the protagonist when the Cleveland Cavaliers battled back from 3-1 down to topple the Golden State Warriors in 2016 .
He said this Heat team , seeded a lowly fifth in the Eastern Conference and missing key contributor Goran Dragic who was injured in game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those Warriors to capitalize on every Lakers miscue .
`` It 's the same as when I was playing against Golden State all those years , you make a mistake , they make you pay , '' James said .
`` So we have to understand that . ''
Two late errors proved costly in the tight back and forth battle .
After Danny Green , fed by James , missed a good look at a three-pointer , Markieff Morris corralled the rebound with just over two seconds remaining , but fired the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass .
`` We 've got to be better , '' said James , who is seeking a fourth NBA title with a third team after winning two with Miami and one with Cleveland .
He said the Lakers must also stay `` even-keeled . ''
`` You stay in the moment , '' he said .
`` How we make the adjustments and how we learn from tonight , tomorrow in our film session and when we get together and prepare ourselves for Sunday , will show the difference . ''

Orlando (AFP) –
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"King" James and the Los Angeles Lakers were ready for their coronation, but Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat had other ideas.
Now, Lakers superstar LeBron James says, the key to closing out the Heat for a first NBA title in a decade on Sunday will be focusing not on lifting the trophy but on winning a single game.
"Listen, at the end of the day, you don't predetermine anything and you take the game as it's going and you play," said James, who scored 40 points in his team's 111-108 loss to Miami that saw the Heat claw back to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
"You play each quarter, you play each possession and you live with the results," he said. "You don't think about what could happen at the end of the game and things of that nature. You don't get caught up in the aftermath.
"You have to live in the moment and prepare yourself each and every possession, because if you start to wander and your mind starts to go, you make a mistake.
"One thing about this team that we are playing, they make you pay for every mistake."
The Lakers took the court in the NBA's quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida, looking every inch a team poised to finish off their underdog rivals.
They opted for their black "Mamba" uniforms in honor of late Lakers great Kobe Bryant -- kit in which they were undefeated in four contests.
Star forward Anthony Davis, playing in his first championship series, sported gold shoes for the occasion, but the gold Larry O'Brien Trophy stayed in its case as Butler out-dueled James down the stretch.
Now the Heat have the chance to match a feat only one other team has managed before and rally from a 3-1 deficit to win the championship series.
James himself was the protagonist when the Cleveland Cavaliers battled back from 3-1 down to topple the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
- 'They make you pay' -
He said this Heat team, seeded a lowly fifth in the Eastern Conference and missing key contributor Goran Dragic who was injured in game one, has the same ability as those Warriors to capitalize on every Lakers miscue.
"It's the same as when I was playing against Golden State all those years, you make a mistake, they make you pay," James said. "So we have to understand that."
Two late errors proved costly in the tight back and forth battle.
After Danny Green, fed by James, missed a good look at a three-pointer, Markieff Morris corralled the rebound with just over two seconds remaining, but fired the ball out of bounds with a bad pass.
"We've got to be better," said James, who is seeking a fourth NBA title with a third team after winning two with Miami and one with Cleveland.
He said the Lakers must also stay "even-keeled."
"You stay in the moment," he said. "How we make the adjustments and how we learn from tonight, tomorrow in our film session and when we get together and prepare ourselves for Sunday, will show the difference."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Double trouble: Louisiana pounded by two hurricanes in six weeks

Robert Berard sits in a Cajun Navy shelter in Lake Charles , Louisiana on October 10 , 2020 , one day after Hurricane Delta passed through the area After being pummelled by two hurricanes in six weeks , residents in this Louisiana city do n't even know which storm to blame for the area 's widespread damage .
`` Honestly , I ca n't tell what was from what hurricane , '' sheriff 's deputy Aymond said of the debris littering the streets of Lake Charles .
`` It 's like when somebody gets beat up , and already has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know if this black eye was from the last time or not , '' he said .
Louisiana has received more than its share of punches recently , especially the oil refinery city of Lake Charles , which was smacked squarely by Hurricane Laura in late August and by Hurricane Delta on Friday .
Delta broke a record by becoming the 10th named storm of the year to make landfall in the United States , with a whopping six of those affecting Louisiana in some way .
Even though Delta was n't catastrophic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some homes -- residents of this area are exhausted from preparing for storms , evacuations and the inevitable power outages .
The hits are particularly painful to the modest coastal communities in Louisiana , one of the poorest US states .
`` I 'm born and raised in Lake Charles , I 've never seen all this disaster .
Two hurricanes in two months , '' 49-year-old Brian Moore said with a sigh , as he searched for gasoline for his generator .
Moore 's house was `` totally destroyed '' by Laura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new home when Delta hit .
A few miles to the east , in the small town of Iowa , John Thibodeaux cooked sausages over a charcoal grill for himself and his neighbors .
`` It 's just the right thing to do .
If you 're going to be eating , and no one else is eating , that 's not right .
You know , feed your neighbors too , '' he said .
But one look at his face and it 's clear Thibodeaux has n't been able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he feels awful .
`` If this is Mother Nature ...
Mother Nature has a bad sense of humor , '' he said .
Thibodeaux waited out Laura in a local hotel , but the business was too damaged by the hurricane and had to close .
For Delta , he decided to hunker down in his wooden house , typical of the region .
But his temporary repairs did n't hold up and rain seeped in overnight .
Still , he keeps a good perspective .
`` After Laura , when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a thermonuclear bomb went off , '' he said .
Rob Gaudet , founder of the Cajun Navy volunteer rescue group , agreed that the damage from Delta was `` not as bad . ''
Its members ventured into the wind and rain barely three hours after Delta 's landfall to search for people who had not been able to evacuate , many of them the poorest and most vulnerable members of society .
Robert Berard , 68 , was one of those who received help from the Cajun Navy .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rouge for Laura , '' he said , referring to the state capital two hours away .
`` She 's been there ever since . ''
But Berard stayed behind to keep an eye on his business , fearing looting in the storm 's aftermath .
Laura destroyed his house and he has been living in a small adjacent building -- until it flooded overnight .
He arrived barefoot at a Cajun Navy shelter in the center of Lake Charles .
`` I do n't want to go through it again , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still visibly shaken but happy to have received new shoes .

Lake Charles (United States) (AFP) –
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After being pummelled by two hurricanes in six weeks, residents in this Louisiana city don't even know which storm to blame for the area's widespread damage.
"Honestly, I can't tell what was from what hurricane," sheriff's deputy Aymond said of the debris littering the streets of Lake Charles.
"It's like when somebody gets beat up, and already has a black eye... you don't know if this black eye was from the last time or not," he said.
Louisiana has received more than its share of punches recently, especially the oil refinery city of Lake Charles, which was smacked squarely by Hurricane Laura in late August and by Hurricane Delta on Friday.
Delta broke a record by becoming the 10th named storm of the year to make landfall in the United States, with a whopping six of those affecting Louisiana in some way.
Even though Delta wasn't catastrophic -- it mostly damaged roofs and flooded some homes -- residents of this area are exhausted from preparing for storms, evacuations and the inevitable power outages.
The hits are particularly painful to the modest coastal communities in Louisiana, one of the poorest US states.
"I'm born and raised in Lake Charles, I've never seen all this disaster. Two hurricanes in two months," 49-year-old Brian Moore said with a sigh, as he searched for gasoline for his generator.
Moore's house was "totally destroyed" by Laura, and he had just moved into a new home when Delta hit.
A few miles to the east, in the small town of Iowa, John Thibodeaux cooked sausages over a charcoal grill for himself and his neighbors.
"It's just the right thing to do. If you're going to be eating, and no one else is eating, that's not right. You know, feed your neighbors too," he said.
- Bad sense of humor -
But one look at his face and it's clear Thibodeaux hasn't been able to get much sleep, and he says he feels awful.
"If this is Mother Nature... Mother Nature has a bad sense of humor," he said.
Thibodeaux waited out Laura in a local hotel, but the business was too damaged by the hurricane and had to close.
For Delta, he decided to hunker down in his wooden house, typical of the region. But his temporary repairs didn't hold up and rain seeped in overnight.
Still, he keeps a good perspective.
"After Laura, when I got out the hotel... it looked like a thermonuclear bomb went off," he said.
Rob Gaudet, founder of the Cajun Navy volunteer rescue group, agreed that the damage from Delta was "not as bad."
Its members ventured into the wind and rain barely three hours after Delta's landfall to search for people who had not been able to evacuate, many of them the poorest and most vulnerable members of society.
Robert Berard, 68, was one of those who received help from the Cajun Navy.
"I sent up my mom to Baton Rouge for Laura," he said, referring to the state capital two hours away. "She's been there ever since."
But Berard stayed behind to keep an eye on his business, fearing looting in the storm's aftermath.
Laura destroyed his house and he has been living in a small adjacent building -- until it flooded overnight. He arrived barefoot at a Cajun Navy shelter in the center of Lake Charles.
"I don't want to go through it again, no one does," he said, still visibly shaken but happy to have received new shoes.
"Next time, I'll evacuate."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Bernal calls time on injury-hit season

Bernal calls time on injury-hit season

Bernal had to retire from the Tour de France The 2019 Tour de France champion Egan Bernal announced on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ a season marred by injury .
`` I want to tell you that I wo @ @ @ @ @ year , '' the 23-year-old Colombian posted on Instagram .
`` After the health problems @ @ @ @ @ de France I am 100 percent focussed on my recovery and return to competition in @ @ @ @ @ .
Bernal 's Tour de France title defence ended prematurely when he was forced to @ @ @ @ @ the 17th stage when trailing by over 19 minutes .
The Ineos rider , who @ @ @ @ @ start of the Grand Boucle in Nice with back problems , had planned to compete @ @ @ @ @ , rescheduled due to the coronavirus to next month .

Bogota (AFP) –
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The 2019 Tour de France champion Egan Bernal announced on Saturday he was calling time on a season marred by injury.
"I want to tell you that I won't be competing anymore this year," the 23-year-old Colombian posted on Instagram.
"After the health problems I had on the Tour de France I am 100 percent focussed on my recovery and return to competition in 2021," he added.
Bernal's Tour de France title defence ended prematurely when he was forced to quit the race ahead of the 17th stage when trailing by over 19 minutes.
The Ineos rider, who had lined up for the start of the Grand Boucle in Nice with back problems, had planned to compete in the Vuelta a Espana, rescheduled due to the coronavirus to next month.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Wolff bags three eagles in five holes to grab early PGA lead

US Open runner-up Matthew Wolff made three eagles in a five-hole span to grab the clubhouse lead in Saturday 's third round of the US PGA Shriners Hospitals for Children Open .
Wolff , a 21-year-old American who won last year 's US college crown , fired a 10-under par 61 to stand on 18-under 195 after 54 holes at TPC of Summerlin in suburban Las Vegas .
`` I put myself in a really good spot for the final day , '' Wolff said .
`` I 'm pretty pleased with my ball striking and how everything has come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifth US PGA player since 1983 to make three eagles on a front or back nine in a PGA event .
`` With those three eagles , it kind of just propelled me to the top , '' Wolff said .
Scotland 's Martin Laird and American Austin Cook were on the back nine level with Wolff atop the leaderboard at 18-under and looking for more .
Wolff , who won his first PGA title at last year 's 3M Open just weeks after turning professional , shared fourth at the PGA Championship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then led entering the last day before losing to Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open After pitching in a birdie from the rough from 70 feet at the third hole and back-to-back birdies at nine and 10 , Wolff began his eagle run at the par-4 11th , holing out from the fairway from 116 yards with a lob wedge .
`` It was just a smooth one and one hop , '' Wolff said .
`` I think skipped past the hole and spun back in , so really nice to jump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never expect to hole out but when it happens it puts you in a really good mindset . ''
Wolff reached the green in two at the par-5 13th , dropping his approach just inside 18 feet and sinking the putt .
`` Another great drive and then a perfect number on the second shot , '' Wolff said .
`` Hit my hybrid way up in to the air and then rolled in a putt for that . ''
Wolff blasted his tee shot at the par-4 15th 298 yards to 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 3-wood on 15 was probably one of the best shots of the day , '' Wolff said .
Wolff had another 15-foot eagle putt at the par-5 16th but rolled it just past the cup and settled for birdie , then parred into the clubhouse , missing birdie putts from just outside 14 and 12 feet .
`` Still could putt a little better , but I was really happy with where the ball striking is at .
I 'm sure the putts will drop tomorrow . ''
He was n't that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shoot 59 or lower .
`` When you shoot only two-under on the front , you never think you have a chance to shoot 59 , '' Wolff said .
`` I gave myself as many looks as I could but I 'm sure I 'll get the opportunity again . ''
DeChambeau , who had been only one stroke adrift after 36 holes , stumbled with two bogeys and two double bogeys in the first six holes but reeled off four birdies in a row starting at the par-3 eighth to @ @ @

Los Angeles (AFP) –
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US Open runner-up Matthew Wolff made three eagles in a five-hole span to grab the clubhouse lead in Saturday's third round of the US PGA Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
Wolff, a 21-year-old American who won last year's US college crown, fired a 10-under par 61 to stand on 18-under 195 after 54 holes at TPC of Summerlin in suburban Las Vegas.
"I put myself in a really good spot for the final day," Wolff said. "I'm pretty pleased with my ball striking and how everything has come together."
Wolff became only the fifth US PGA player since 1983 to make three eagles on a front or back nine in a PGA event.
"With those three eagles, it kind of just propelled me to the top," Wolff said.
Scotland's Martin Laird and American Austin Cook were on the back nine level with Wolff atop the leaderboard at 18-under and looking for more.
Wolff, who won his first PGA title at last year's 3M Open just weeks after turning professional, shared fourth at the PGA Championship in August in his major debut, then led entering the last day before losing to Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open
After pitching in a birdie from the rough from 70 feet at the third hole and back-to-back birdies at nine and 10, Wolff began his eagle run at the par-4 11th, holing out from the fairway from 116 yards with a lob wedge.
"It was just a smooth one and one hop," Wolff said. "I think skipped past the hole and spun back in, so really nice to jump start the back nine.
"You never expect to hole out but when it happens it puts you in a really good mindset."
Wolff reached the green in two at the par-5 13th, dropping his approach just inside 18 feet and sinking the putt.
"Another great drive and then a perfect number on the second shot," Wolff said. "Hit my hybrid way up in to the air and then rolled in a putt for that."
Wolff blasted his tee shot at the par-4 15th 298 yards to 15 feet and sank another eagle putt
"The 3-wood on 15 was probably one of the best shots of the day," Wolff said.
Wolff had another 15-foot eagle putt at the par-5 16th but rolled it just past the cup and settled for birdie, then parred into the clubhouse, missing birdie putts from just outside 14 and 12 feet.
"Still could putt a little better, but I was really happy with where the ball striking is at. I'm sure the putts will drop tomorrow."
He wasn't that unhappy about missing out on the chance to shoot 59 or lower.
"When you shoot only two-under on the front, you never think you have a chance to shoot 59," Wolff said. "I gave myself as many looks as I could but I'm sure I'll get the opportunity again."
DeChambeau, who had been only one stroke adrift after 36 holes, stumbled with two bogeys and two double bogeys in the first six holes but reeled off four birdies in a row starting at the par-3 eighth to battle back.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Lakers, Heat set stage for high-stakes NBA Finals drama

Survive or celebrate -- the stakes are the same for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers heading into game six of the NBA Finals on Sunday less than 48 hours after Miami 's riveting game-five triumph .
Energy , adjustments , and possible injuries -- most notably to Lakers superstar Anthony Davis -- will be crucial as the Lakers try once again to secure the 17th NBA title in franchise history and their first since 2010 .
The champagne was on ice and the confetti machines were courtside ready to spew Lakers purple and gold on Friday , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrations on hold with a gritty 111-108 victory in the NBA 's quarantine bubble in Orlando .
They withstood a 40-point performance from LeBron James to do it , and still trail 3-2 in the best-of seven series .
`` It 's win or win for us , '' Butler said .
`` We like it this way . ''
Despite Butler 's 35-point triple-double -- not to mention 26 points from undrafted second-year forward Duncan Robinson that included seven three-pointers -- the Lakers had a chance to seal a victory late .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ swarmed by Miami defenders under the basket , kicked the ball out to a wide-open Danny Green at the top of the arc .
Green 's three-point attempt clanked off the rim , the rebound falling to Lakers reserve Markieff Morris , who promptly threw the ball away .
`` It 's a tough loss , '' admitted Lakers coach Frank Vogel , who thought two poor calls put Butler on the foul line for crucial late free throws , calling it `` unfortunate in a game of this magnitude . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional let-down in game six .
`` Our group 's fine , '' he said , although physical recovery could be more of a problem .
Davis vowed he 'd be `` fine '' for game six after aggravating a sore right heel late in the first quarter on Friday , his obvious pain sending a shudder down the spines of Lakers faithful .
He remained in the game , putting up 28 points and pulling down 12 rebounds with three blocked shots , but his mobility was clearly affected late .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding that even a limited Davis was a valuable asset .
`` Just him being out there , hobbled , just brings a lot more confidence to myself and our team . ''
James and Davis need more help from their supporting cast , however , and the Lakers know it .
James now has 10 playoff defeats in which he has scored 40 points -- second behind the 12 of Michael Jordan .
`` He steps up in big moments , ” Lakers guard Alex Caruso said of James .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't make one more play for him either defensively or offensively to help him out , because he was giving it his all . ''
The Heat , meanwhile , are only growing in confidence .
Butler is the driving force , but even with high-scoring guard Goran Dragic sidelined with a torn plantar fascia suffered in game one , Butler is n't a one-man band .
All five Heat starters scored at least 11 points on Friday and Kendrick Nunn added 14 off the bench .
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra likened Robinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` sticks of dynamite . ''
`` They can go off at any time , '' he said .
Can they blow the Lakers title aspirations sky high ?
It will be tough .
Only one team has come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals -- the James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 .
`` I think it 's going to be even harder for us next game , '' Butler said .
`` But I like our chances . ''

Orlando (AFP) –
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Survive or celebrate -- the stakes are the same for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers heading into game six of the NBA Finals on Sunday less than 48 hours after Miami's riveting game-five triumph.
Energy, adjustments, and possible injuries -- most notably to Lakers superstar Anthony Davis -- will be crucial as the Lakers try once again to secure the 17th NBA title in franchise history and their first since 2010.
The champagne was on ice and the confetti machines were courtside ready to spew Lakers purple and gold on Friday, but Jimmy Butler and the Heat put the celebrations on hold with a gritty 111-108 victory in the NBA's quarantine bubble in Orlando.
They withstood a 40-point performance from LeBron James to do it, and still trail 3-2 in the best-of seven series.
"It's win or win for us," Butler said. "We like it this way."
Despite Butler's 35-point triple-double -- not to mention 26 points from undrafted second-year forward Duncan Robinson that included seven three-pointers -- the Lakers had a chance to seal a victory late.
With seven seconds remaining, James, swarmed by Miami defenders under the basket, kicked the ball out to a wide-open Danny Green at the top of the arc.
Green's three-point attempt clanked off the rim, the rebound falling to Lakers reserve Markieff Morris, who promptly threw the ball away.
"It's a tough loss," admitted Lakers coach Frank Vogel, who thought two poor calls put Butler on the foul line for crucial late free throws, calling it "unfortunate in a game of this magnitude."
But Vogel was confident there would be no emotional let-down in game six.
"Our group's fine," he said, although physical recovery could be more of a problem.
Davis vowed he'd be "fine" for game six after aggravating a sore right heel late in the first quarter on Friday, his obvious pain sending a shudder down the spines of Lakers faithful.
He remained in the game, putting up 28 points and pulling down 12 rebounds with three blocked shots, but his mobility was clearly affected late.
"He's a warrior," James said, adding that even a limited Davis was a valuable asset.
"Just him being out there, hobbled, just brings a lot more confidence to myself and our team."
James and Davis need more help from their supporting cast, however, and the Lakers know it. James now has 10 playoff defeats in which he has scored 40 points -- second behind the 12 of Michael Jordan.
"He steps up in big moments,” Lakers guard Alex Caruso said of James. "It's unfortunate that we couldn't make one more play for him either defensively or offensively to help him out, because he was giving it his all."
The Heat, meanwhile, are only growing in confidence. Butler is the driving force, but even with high-scoring guard Goran Dragic sidelined with a torn plantar fascia suffered in game one, Butler isn't a one-man band.
All five Heat starters scored at least 11 points on Friday and Kendrick Nunn added 14 off the bench.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra likened Robinson, Nunn and rookie Tyler Herro to "sticks of dynamite."
"They can go off at any time," he said.
Can they blow the Lakers title aspirations sky high? It will be tough.
Only one team has come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals -- the James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
"I think it's going to be even harder for us next game," Butler said. "But I like our chances."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--'New era' as Test rugby resumes with All Blacks, Australia clash

All Blacks fullback Damian McKenzie was a late addition after Beauden Barrett was ruled out injured New Zealand and Australia will play the first rugby Test since the pandemic on Sunday after the coronavirus halted international fixtures and set off a war of words between the two sides .
The Bledisloe Cup clash at 4pm ( 0300 GMT ) in Wellington ends a year on the sidelines for both teams , who last played at the World Cup in Japan .
The last Test rugby worldwide was at the suspended Six Nations in March .
`` We 're lucky that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again and what a way to do it with the Bledisloe . ''
With 30,000 fans expected , and face masks not compulsory in Covid-contained New Zealand , Hooper noted that after limited crowds at Super Rugby in Australia this year , it was `` 25,000 more than we 've been used to , thanks to Covid '' .
Months of bickering have brought relations to their `` lowest ebb '' , according to Australian rugby boss Hamish McLennan , after New Zealand proposed leaving out up to three of Australia 's teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then followed a row over hosting the Rugby Championship , which went Australia 's way , and culminated in New Zealand blaming their closest neighbours for a Rugby Championship draw that would have meant the All Blacks being in quarantine for Christmas .
While the date of the final match was eventually changed to meet the All Blacks ' Christmas wish , it came at a reported financial cost for New Zealand .
In the countdown to Sunday 's kick-off , when it seemed that tensions had calmed , there has been speculation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again by performing their provocative `` Kapa o Pango '' pre-match haka instead of the traditional `` Ka Mate '' .
`` Kapa o Pango '' ends with a movement interpreted by many as a throat-slitting gesture , although New Zealand 's indigenous Maori say it represents drawing the breath of life into the heart and lungs .
When the national anthems and haka are done it will be left to the on-field combatants to resolve their differences .
New All Blacks coach Ian Foster , former assistant to Steve Hansen , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when two-time world player of the year Beauden Barrett was ruled out on Saturday with an Achilles tendon problem .
Barrett was replaced at fullback by Damian McKenzie , who has n't played a Test for two years , as Foster opted against moving Barrett 's younger brother Jordie in from the right wing .
Australia 's incoming coach , New Zealander Dave Rennie , is getting his first taste of Test rugby and named three uncapped players in his starting side , while promising a tactical kicking approach rather than the running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While Rennie 's Test credentials are unknown , his background includes replacing Foster as head coach of a struggling Waikato Chiefs in 2012 and immediately winning back-to-back Super Rugby titles .
He is also credited with unearthing a young Sam Cane , who made his Chiefs and All Blacks debuts in 2012 and is now the All Blacks captain .
They share a relationship which Cane said has given him a good insight into what to expect from the Wallabies who will `` fight for every inch '' .
`` It 's going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match ...
They 're very physical , it 'll be fast , it 'll test us physically and mentally , '' said Cane .
After two weeks living and training in quarantine in Christchurch , the Wallabies flew to Wellington on the eve of the Test , with Hooper , who is playing 100th Test , saying `` we 're ready '' despite the unusual build-up .
`` Who 'd have thought , at one point , any of us would be playing Test rugby this year .
We 're all pumped , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while offering his congratulations to Hooper , added : `` We 'll be doing our best to spoil his party . ''

Wellington (AFP) –
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New Zealand and Australia will play the first rugby Test since the pandemic on Sunday after the coronavirus halted international fixtures and set off a war of words between the two sides.
The Bledisloe Cup clash at 4pm (0300 GMT) in Wellington ends a year on the sidelines for both teams, who last played at the World Cup in Japan. The last Test rugby worldwide was at the suspended Six Nations in March.
"It's a new era," Wallabies captain Michael Hooper declared.
"We're lucky that we get to kick off international Tests again and what a way to do it with the Bledisloe."
With 30,000 fans expected, and face masks not compulsory in Covid-contained New Zealand, Hooper noted that after limited crowds at Super Rugby in Australia this year, it was "25,000 more than we've been used to, thanks to Covid".
Months of bickering have brought relations to their "lowest ebb", according to Australian rugby boss Hamish McLennan, after New Zealand proposed leaving out up to three of Australia's teams from a revamped Super Rugby competition.
Then followed a row over hosting the Rugby Championship, which went Australia's way, and culminated in New Zealand blaming their closest neighbours for a Rugby Championship draw that would have meant the All Blacks being in quarantine for Christmas.
While the date of the final match was eventually changed to meet the All Blacks' Christmas wish, it came at a reported financial cost for New Zealand.
In the countdown to Sunday's kick-off, when it seemed that tensions had calmed, there has been speculation New Zealand would turn up the heat again by performing their provocative "Kapa o Pango" pre-match haka instead of the traditional "Ka Mate".
"Kapa o Pango" ends with a movement interpreted by many as a throat-slitting gesture, although New Zealand's indigenous Maori say it represents drawing the breath of life into the heart and lungs.
When the national anthems and haka are done it will be left to the on-field combatants to resolve their differences.
- 'Fight for every inch' -
New All Blacks coach Ian Foster, former assistant to Steve Hansen, was forced into a late change of plan when two-time world player of the year Beauden Barrett was ruled out on Saturday with an Achilles tendon problem.
Barrett was replaced at fullback by Damian McKenzie, who hasn't played a Test for two years, as Foster opted against moving Barrett's younger brother Jordie in from the right wing.
Australia's incoming coach, New Zealander Dave Rennie, is getting his first taste of Test rugby and named three uncapped players in his starting side, while promising a tactical kicking approach rather than the running game of his predecessor Michael Cheika.
While Rennie's Test credentials are unknown, his background includes replacing Foster as head coach of a struggling Waikato Chiefs in 2012 and immediately winning back-to-back Super Rugby titles.
He is also credited with unearthing a young Sam Cane, who made his Chiefs and All Blacks debuts in 2012 and is now the All Blacks captain.
They share a relationship which Cane said has given him a good insight into what to expect from the Wallabies who will "fight for every inch".
"It's going to be a heck of a Test match... They're very physical, it'll be fast, it'll test us physically and mentally," said Cane.
After two weeks living and training in quarantine in Christchurch, the Wallabies flew to Wellington on the eve of the Test, with Hooper, who is playing 100th Test, saying "we're ready" despite the unusual build-up.
"Who'd have thought, at one point, any of us would be playing Test rugby this year. We're all pumped," he said.
Cane, however, while offering his congratulations to Hooper, added: "We'll be doing our best to spoil his party."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--MLS Inter Miami adds Higuain's brother in DC United deal

Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain has his brother Federico as a teammate on Inter Miami after the Major League Soccer club swung a deal Saturday with DC United for the midfielder .
Miami sent $ 50,000 in general player allocation money in exchange for Gonzalo 's older brother , a 35-year-old playmaker who joined United in March after eight seasons with the Columbus Crew .
`` Federico has been a great player in this league , '' Inter Miami sporting director Paul McDonough said .
`` We were thrilled to add more attacking depth , experience and playmaking ability to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Higuain scored two goals in 10 appearances , all as a reserve , for United .
He has 60 goals in 2017 MLS matches over nine seasons .
`` We want to thank Pipa for his time and commitment , '' DC United general manager Dave Kasper said .
`` Family is important and Federico personally requested to be reunited with his brother Gonzalo in Miami .
We wish him the best of luck in the next chapter of his career . ''
The Higuains become the 18th pair of brothers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 32 , spent time at Real Madrid , Napoli and from 2016 to this year at Juventus , with loans to Milan and Chelsea before parting ways with Juve last month .
On Wednesday , Gonzalo scored his first goal with Inter Miami in a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls .

Washington (AFP) –
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Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain has his brother Federico as a teammate on Inter Miami after the Major League Soccer club swung a deal Saturday with DC United for the midfielder.
Miami sent $50,000 in general player allocation money in exchange for Gonzalo's older brother, a 35-year-old playmaker who joined United in March after eight seasons with the Columbus Crew.
"Federico has been a great player in this league," Inter Miami sporting director Paul McDonough said. "We were thrilled to add more attacking depth, experience and playmaking ability to our roster when this opportunity presented itself."
Higuain scored two goals in 10 appearances, all as a reserve, for United. He has 60 goals in 2017 MLS matches over nine seasons.
"We want to thank Pipa for his time and commitment," DC United general manager Dave Kasper said.
"Family is important and Federico personally requested to be reunited with his brother Gonzalo in Miami. We wish him the best of luck in the next chapter of his career."
The Higuains become the 18th pair of brothers to serve as MLS teammates.
Gonzalo Higuain, 32, spent time at Real Madrid, Napoli and from 2016 to this year at Juventus, with loans to Milan and Chelsea before parting ways with Juve last month.
On Wednesday, Gonzalo scored his first goal with Inter Miami in a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Broken leg expected to sideline Colombia defender Arias for six months

Colombia defender Santiago Arias ( c ) is expected to be sidelined for six months after breaking his leg in @ @ @ @ @ against Venezuela Bayer Leverkusen said Saturday they expect to be without new signing Santiago Arias @ @ @ @ @ horror injury when the right-back broke his leg in Colombia 's 3-0 win over Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ qualifier .
The 28-year-old , who only joined Leverkusen on loan from Atletico Madrid two @ @ @ @ @ left fibula and tore ankle ligaments during Friday 's win in Barranquilla .
Bundesliga side @ @ @ @ @ his surgery will take place in Madrid next week , once Arias can fly .
@ @ @ @ @ for this serious injury and it affects us all .
Santiago came to us with @ @ @ @ @ a heavy blow for him , '' said Leverkusen sports director Simon Rolfes .
`` @ @ @ @ @ will do everything possible to support Santiago in his recovery .
`` After the operation @ @ @ @ @ good hands with us in Leverkusen for his rehabilitation . ''

Berlin (AFP) –
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Bayer Leverkusen said Saturday they expect to be without new signing Santiago Arias for six months after his horror injury when the right-back broke his leg in Colombia's 3-0 win over Venezuela during a 2022 World Cup qualifier.
The 28-year-old, who only joined Leverkusen on loan from Atletico Madrid two weeks ago, fractured his left fibula and tore ankle ligaments during Friday's win in Barranquilla.
Bundesliga side Leverkusen and Atletico have agreed his surgery will take place in Madrid next week, once Arias can fly.
"We are very sorry for this serious injury and it affects us all. Santiago came to us with great ambitions, this is a heavy blow for him," said Leverkusen sports director Simon Rolfes.
"Like Atletico Madrid, we will do everything possible to support Santiago in his recovery.
"After the operation, he will be in good hands with us in Leverkusen for his rehabilitation."
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Kolbe scores again as Toulouse edge second-string Racing

Toulouse 's Cheslin Kolbe has scored eight tries in 14 Springboks Tests South African Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe scored his sixth try in as many games this season as Toulouse won 30-24 at European Champions Cup finalists Racing 92 in the French Top 14 on Saturday .
Kolbe crossed in the first half , with a perfect display from the tee by fly-half Thomas Ramos against a much-changed Racing ahead of next Saturday 's continental final against Exeter Chiefs in Bristol .
The game was played under the cloud of an off-the-field political row in French rugby between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and the federation ( FFR ) regarding extra Tests matches this autumn .
The dispute escalated further Saturday as the LNR said the 31-man France squad named by national coach Fabien Galthie earlier this week to host Wales on October 24 was `` null and void '' .
The FFR responded with their own letter reminding the LNR of its obligation to release players for international windows designated by global body World Rugby .
Back on the pitch , Racing coach Laurent Travers made 12 changes from the European semi-final win two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olivier Klemenczak and Teddy Thomas as well Ireland lock Donnacha Ryan kept their places .
Travers ' Toulouse counterpart Ugo Mola started all but one of his eight les Bleus squad members as hooker Julien Marchand was rested and full-back Ramos moved to outside-half , with Romain Ntamack starting at inside centre .
The visitors led 7-3 after 11 minutes as winger Matthis Lebel scored directly from Ramos ' restart after Maxime Machenaud had opened the scoring with a penalty goal .
France scrum-half Machenaud slotted two further penalties before Kolbe touched down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record after Ntamack orchestrated a break on the outside .
Ramos added a penalty before Klemenczak set up Donovan Taofifenua to slalom his way through for his first senior try and Machenaud 's conversion cut the deficit to 17-16 at the break .
Travers ' men reclaimed the lead three minutes after the interval as former France under-20s No 8 Jordan Joseph crashed over but Australian Zack Holmes restored the lead with half an hour to play and Ramos ' extras made it 24-21 .
Francois Trinh-Duc and Ramos traded penalties to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the visitors held out to remain top of the table as the hosts lost their first game of the campaign .
Earlier , Kolbe 's fellow World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth made his return from a rib injury in Toulon 's 25-21 win over Montpellier .
Clermont 's trip to Bordeaux-Begles scheduled for Sunday was postponed due to the hosts recording coronavirus cases , but Lyon 's visit to Pau goes ahead .

Paris (AFP) –
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South African Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe scored his sixth try in as many games this season as Toulouse won 30-24 at European Champions Cup finalists Racing 92 in the French Top 14 on Saturday.
Kolbe crossed in the first half, with a perfect display from the tee by fly-half Thomas Ramos against a much-changed Racing ahead of next Saturday's continental final against Exeter Chiefs in Bristol.
The game was played under the cloud of an off-the-field political row in French rugby between the league running professional rugby (LNR) and the federation (FFR) regarding extra Tests matches this autumn.
The dispute escalated further Saturday as the LNR said the 31-man France squad named by national coach Fabien Galthie earlier this week to host Wales on October 24 was "null and void".
The FFR responded with their own letter reminding the LNR of its obligation to release players for international windows designated by global body World Rugby.
Back on the pitch, Racing coach Laurent Travers made 12 changes from the European semi-final win two weeks ago, but France squad members Olivier Klemenczak and Teddy Thomas as well Ireland lock Donnacha Ryan kept their places.
Travers' Toulouse counterpart Ugo Mola started all but one of his eight les Bleus squad members as hooker Julien Marchand was rested and full-back Ramos moved to outside-half, with Romain Ntamack starting at inside centre.
The visitors led 7-3 after 11 minutes as winger Matthis Lebel scored directly from Ramos' restart after Maxime Machenaud had opened the scoring with a penalty goal.
France scrum-half Machenaud slotted two further penalties before Kolbe touched down to keep his impressive early season scoring record after Ntamack orchestrated a break on the outside.
Ramos added a penalty before Klemenczak set up Donovan Taofifenua to slalom his way through for his first senior try and Machenaud's conversion cut the deficit to 17-16 at the break.
Travers' men reclaimed the lead three minutes after the interval as former France under-20s No 8 Jordan Joseph crashed over but Australian Zack Holmes restored the lead with half an hour to play and Ramos' extras made it 24-21.
Francois Trinh-Duc and Ramos traded penalties to make it 30-24 with five minutes to go but the visitors held out to remain top of the table as the hosts lost their first game of the campaign.
Earlier, Kolbe's fellow World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth made his return from a rib injury in Toulon's 25-21 win over Montpellier.
Clermont's trip to Bordeaux-Begles scheduled for Sunday was postponed due to the hosts recording coronavirus cases, but Lyon's visit to Pau goes ahead.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Spain edge Swiss, Germany beat Ukraine in Nations League

Mikel Oyarzabal ( L ) pounced on a horror slip by Swiss captain Granit Xhaka to seal a 1-0 victory for Spain in the Nations League Mikel Oyarzabal pounced on a horror slip by Swiss captain Granit Xhaka to seal a 1-0 victory for Spain in the Nations League on Saturday .
The night 's other League A Group 4 match saw Germany beat Ukraine 2-1 in Kiev .
At the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in Madrid , usually home of Real Madrid 's second string side , Real Sociedad striker Oyarzabal struck in the 14th minute .
The Swiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back , but Xhaka slipped as he sought to collect goalkeeper Yann Sommer 's pass .
Mikel Merino pounced and threaded the ball through to clubmate Oyarzabal , who finished superbly past Sommer .
There was a golden opportunity for Oyarzabal to double his tally in the 52nd minute .
Switzerland again struggled to clear their lines , Jesus Navas fizzed a cross-shot into the area which Sommer could only push into the path of Oyarzabal .
The striker 's effort , however , hit the post and went wide .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another prime chance .
On the hour mark , a badly cleared corner fell to his unfavoured right foot and he shot high and wide directly in front of goal .
Sergio Ramos then saw an effort shielded away by Xhaka before a header went just wide moments later with Spain in the driving seat .
Switzerland thought they had an equaliser as Xherdan Shaqiri pivoted and sent the ball spiralling into the Spanish net .
But it was not to be as the referee handed Atalanta 's Remo Freuler a yellow card @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the build-up .
It was then the turn of Gerard Moreno to blast high after a smart twist and turn in front of the Swiss goal after a nice ball from Sergio Canales .
Luis Enrique 's side then contented themselves with seeing out the game , extending to 14 their current unbeaten run .
They have also not lost in Madrid in 20 games dating back to 1987 .
The Spaniards top their group , having kicked off with a creditable 1-1 away draw against Germany before a sparkling 4-0 victory over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
In Kiev , Germany picked up a first win in their Nations League group with a workmanlike 2-1 away victory over the Ukrainians .
Defender Matthias Ginter gave Germany a first-half lead , then Leon Goretzka capitalised on a horrible mistake by the Ukraine goalkeeper before Ruslan Malinovskyi converted a late penalty for the hosts .
After drawing their opening Nations League games against Spain and Switzerland , then being held 3-3 by Turkey in a friendly on Wednesday , the win lifted Germany to second in the group behind Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much tougher task against the Swiss in Cologne on Tuesday and should have scored more having enjoyed around 75 % posession against a weakened Ukraine side .
In the evening 's other games , Luxembourg beat Cyprus 2-0 and Montenegro eased past Azerbaijan by the same scoreline in Group 1 of League C. In League D action , the Faroe Islands were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Latvia and Andorra fought out a goalless draw with Malta in Group 1 while Gibraltar edged Liechtenstein 1-0 in Group 2 .

Paris (AFP) –
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Mikel Oyarzabal pounced on a horror slip by Swiss captain Granit Xhaka to seal a 1-0 victory for Spain in the Nations League on Saturday.
The night's other League A Group 4 match saw Germany beat Ukraine 2-1 in Kiev.
At the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in Madrid, usually home of Real Madrid's second string side, Real Sociedad striker Oyarzabal struck in the 14th minute.
The Swiss boldly tried to play out from the back, but Xhaka slipped as he sought to collect goalkeeper Yann Sommer's pass.
Mikel Merino pounced and threaded the ball through to clubmate Oyarzabal, who finished superbly past Sommer.
There was a golden opportunity for Oyarzabal to double his tally in the 52nd minute.
Switzerland again struggled to clear their lines, Jesus Navas fizzed a cross-shot into the area which Sommer could only push into the path of Oyarzabal.
The striker's effort, however, hit the post and went wide.
It was then the turn of Merino to scuff another prime chance. On the hour mark, a badly cleared corner fell to his unfavoured right foot and he shot high and wide directly in front of goal.
Sergio Ramos then saw an effort shielded away by Xhaka before a header went just wide moments later with Spain in the driving seat.
Switzerland thought they had an equaliser as Xherdan Shaqiri pivoted and sent the ball spiralling into the Spanish net.
But it was not to be as the referee handed Atalanta's Remo Freuler a yellow card for a foul on Sergio Busquets in the build-up.
It was then the turn of Gerard Moreno to blast high after a smart twist and turn in front of the Swiss goal after a nice ball from Sergio Canales.
Luis Enrique's side then contented themselves with seeing out the game, extending to 14 their current unbeaten run. They have also not lost in Madrid in 20 games dating back to 1987.
The Spaniards top their group, having kicked off with a creditable 1-1 away draw against Germany before a sparkling 4-0 victory over Ukraine, whom they now face on Tuesday.
In Kiev, Germany picked up a first win in their Nations League group with a workmanlike 2-1 away victory over the Ukrainians.
Defender Matthias Ginter gave Germany a first-half lead, then Leon Goretzka capitalised on a horrible mistake by the Ukraine goalkeeper before Ruslan Malinovskyi converted a late penalty for the hosts.
After drawing their opening Nations League games against Spain and Switzerland, then being held 3-3 by Turkey in a friendly on Wednesday, the win lifted Germany to second in the group behind Spain.
However, Germany can expect a much tougher task against the Swiss in Cologne on Tuesday and should have scored more having enjoyed around 75% posession against a weakened Ukraine side.
In the evening's other games, Luxembourg beat Cyprus 2-0 and Montenegro eased past Azerbaijan by the same scoreline in Group 1 of League C.
In League D action, the Faroe Islands were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Latvia and Andorra fought out a goalless draw with Malta in Group 1 while Gibraltar edged Liechtenstein 1-0 in Group 2.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Germany squeeze past Ukraine to seal first Nations League win

Germany picked up a first win in their Nations League group on Saturday with a workmanlike 2-1 away victory at Ukraine to break their run of three straight draws in which they surrendered the lead each time .
Defender Matthias Ginter gave Germany a first-half lead in Kiev , then Leon Goretzka capitalised on a horrible mistake by the Ukraine goalkeeper before Ruslan Malinovskyi converted a late penalty for the hosts .
After drawing their opening Nations League games against Spain and Switzerland , then being held 3-3 by Turkey in a friendly on Wednesday , the win lifted Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , Germany can expect a much tougher task against the Swiss in Cologne on Tuesday and should have scored more having enjoyed around 75 possession against a weakened Ukraine side .
`` It was important to get the win , but we did n't take our chances to make it 3-0 .
It was n't the best game from us , '' admitted goal-scorer Ginter .
Germany named a full-strength side with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler and Chelsea defender Antonio Ruediger the only two survivors of the side which started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the lead on 20 minutes when Ruediger put in a good run in the area and squared the ball where Ginter was waiting at the far post .
The Germans kept Ukraine goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan busy all evening .
With half an hour played , the Dynamo Kiev shot stopper tipped a long-range strike from Joshua Kimmich over the bar , then palmed a Serge Gnabry header around the post four minutes later .
However , in the match build-up Germany head coach Joachim Loew had made a point of wanting less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too many occasions his side was guilty of surrendering the ball with sloppy passes .
One particular poor pass to no-one by Gnabry was snapped up by the Ukraine attack .
The chance came to nothing , but a better team would have punished the Germans ' first-half sloppiness .
Germany tightened their passing and doubled their lead four minutes after the break when Bushchan - for once - failed to hold a cross and Goretzka headed the stray ball into the net .
Bushchan quickly regained his composure to deny Draxler 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to make a great parry moments later .
Another great save just before the hour mark saw a volley by wing back Luke Klostermann pushed the ball over the crossbar .
Ukraine pulled a goal back 14 minutes from time when burly German centre-back Niklas Suele mistimed his tackle in the area and brought down Ukraine forward Roman Yaremchuk , then Malinovskyi converted the penalty .

Kiev (AFP) –
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Germany picked up a first win in their Nations League group on Saturday with a workmanlike 2-1 away victory at Ukraine to break their run of three straight draws in which they surrendered the lead each time.
Defender Matthias Ginter gave Germany a first-half lead in Kiev, then Leon Goretzka capitalised on a horrible mistake by the Ukraine goalkeeper before Ruslan Malinovskyi converted a late penalty for the hosts.
After drawing their opening Nations League games against Spain and Switzerland, then being held 3-3 by Turkey in a friendly on Wednesday, the win lifted Germany to second in the group behind Spain.
However, Germany can expect a much tougher task against the Swiss in Cologne on Tuesday and should have scored more having enjoyed around 75 possession against a weakened Ukraine side.
"It was important to get the win, but we didn't take our chances to make it 3-0. It wasn't the best game from us," admitted goal-scorer Ginter.
Germany named a full-strength side with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler and Chelsea defender Antonio Ruediger the only two survivors of the side which started Wednesday's draw against Turkey.
They took the lead on 20 minutes when Ruediger put in a good run in the area and squared the ball where Ginter was waiting at the far post.
The Germans kept Ukraine goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan busy all evening.
With half an hour played, the Dynamo Kiev shot stopper tipped a long-range strike from Joshua Kimmich over the bar, then palmed a Serge Gnabry header around the post four minutes later.
However, in the match build-up Germany head coach Joachim Loew had made a point of wanting less possession given away, but on far too many occasions his side was guilty of surrendering the ball with sloppy passes.
One particular poor pass to no-one by Gnabry was snapped up by the Ukraine attack.
The chance came to nothing, but a better team would have punished the Germans' first-half sloppiness.
Germany tightened their passing and doubled their lead four minutes after the break when Bushchan - for once - failed to hold a cross and Goretzka headed the stray ball into the net.
Bushchan quickly regained his composure to deny Draxler's shot at point-blank range when he got down to make a great parry moments later.
Another great save just before the hour mark saw a volley by wing back Luke Klostermann pushed the ball over the crossbar.
Ukraine pulled a goal back 14 minutes from time when burly German centre-back Niklas Suele mistimed his tackle in the area and brought down Ukraine forward Roman Yaremchuk, then Malinovskyi converted the penalty.
© 2020 AFP


france24--2020-10-10--Prix Bayeux: French war correspondents' awards honour reporting on Idlib, Uighurs, Hong Kong

Bayeux Mayor Patrick Gomont delivers a speech during the closing ceremony of the 2020 Prix Bayeux-Calvados Awards for war correspondents in Bayeux , northwestern France , on October 10 , 2020 .
The prestigious Bayeux War Correspondents ’ Awards on Saturday honoured European television channel Arte , the Washington Post and the BBC for reports from conflict zones ranging from Syria to Afghanistan .
Instituted in 1994 , the Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Awards have honoured exceptional reporting on war and unrest .
The choice of Bayeux is significant as it was the first town to be liberated by the Allied forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prix Bayeux is the epicentre , the centre of gravity of our profession , ” said award-winning British journalist Ed Vulliamy , who presided over the 2020 jury .
“ What is wonderful about the deliberations of the jury is that there is no right or wrong : we have to make a judgement but it is impossible by definition .
We are choosing between best and better.
” The others picking up top awards were Radio France-Internationale and German agency DPA .
The Grand Format Television Trophy went to Arte for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Suzanne Allant , Yamaan Khatib and Fadi Al-Halabi on some four million civilians trapped in a northern rebel bastion and facing attacks from Syrian government troops and their Russian allies .
Vulliamy told AFP it was a report through the eyes of a Syrian who has returned home .
“ He speaks for hundreds of millions of people around who do not know if they are going to see their family ... if the house is there ... ” The Television Trophy was awarded to the BBC for a report by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uighur Muslims in China .
The Chinese region of Xinjiang is home to millions of Uighurs who have lived there for decades .
Rights groups say hundreds of thousands have been detained in camps without trial , but China argues they voluntarily attend centres which combat “ extremism ” .
“ It ’ s the abomination of the separation of children from parents ... ( the ) eradication of indigenous people along with nature abuse.
” For photos , the prize went to the Washington Post for “ The longest war ” —a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lorenzo Tugnoli from the Italian agency Contrasto .
In text , Allan Kaval of French daily Le Monde was honoured for his report on “ The slow deaths of jihadist prisoners in northeastern Syria.
” In radio , Radio France International ’ s Sonia Ghezali and Wahlah Shahzaib won the top prize for a report on a maternity centre run by medical charity MSF that was attacked .
The public choice award went to Anthony Wallace of Agence France-Presse for a photo reportage titled “ Hong Kong : A Popular Revolt.
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anas Alkharboutli from the German agency DPA won the Young Reporter Trophy for his work in Syria .
A total of 50 reports were in competition .

The prestigious Bayeux War Correspondents’ Awards on Saturday honoured European television channel Arte, the Washington Post and the BBC for reports from conflict zones ranging from Syria to Afghanistan.
Bayeux Mayor Patrick Gomont delivers a speech during the closing ceremony of the 2020 Prix Bayeux-Calvados Awards for war correspondents in Bayeux, northwestern France, on October 10, 2020.
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Instituted in 1994, the Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Awards have honoured exceptional reporting on war and unrest.
The choice of Bayeux is significant as it was the first town to be liberated by the Allied forces during World War II.
“The Prix Bayeux is the epicentre, the centre of gravity of our profession,” said award-winning British journalist Ed Vulliamy, who presided over the 2020 jury.
“What is wonderful about the deliberations of the jury is that there is no right or wrong: we have to make a judgement but it is impossible by definition. We are choosing between best and better.”
The others picking up top awards were Radio France-Internationale and German agency DPA.
Ecstatic to confirm that I am a co-recipient of the @PrixBayeux Radio Award 2020, along with @soniaghe for our report entitled "Afghanistan: after the attack on the MSF maternity hospital" for @RFI
I dedicate this award to the civil victims of war in #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/5IvtlMl2F6 — Shahzaib Wahlah (@ShahZaib_Wahlah) October 10, 2020
The Grand Format Television Trophy went to Arte for its report “Syria: Trapped in Idlib” by Suzanne Allant, Yamaan Khatib and Fadi Al-Halabi on some four million civilians trapped in a northern rebel bastion and facing attacks from Syrian government troops and their Russian allies.
Vulliamy told AFP it was a report through the eyes of a Syrian who has returned home.
“He speaks for hundreds of millions of people around who do not know if they are going to see their family ... if the house is there...”
The Television Trophy was awarded to the BBC for a report by John Sudworth and Wang Xiping on ethnic Uighur Muslims in China.
The Chinese region of Xinjiang is home to millions of Uighurs who have lived there for decades.
Rights groups say hundreds of thousands have been detained in camps without trial, but China argues they voluntarily attend centres which combat “extremism”.
‘Abomination’
Vulliamy told AFP: “It’s China. The worst of capitalism.
“It’s the abomination of the separation of children from parents ... (the) eradication of indigenous people along with nature abuse.”
For photos, the prize went to the Washington Post for “The longest war”—a reportage on the Taliban in Afghanistan by Lorenzo Tugnoli from the Italian agency Contrasto.
In text, Allan Kaval of French daily Le Monde was honoured for his report on “The slow deaths of jihadist prisoners in northeastern Syria.”
In radio, Radio France International’s Sonia Ghezali and Wahlah Shahzaib won the top prize for a report on a maternity centre run by medical charity MSF that was attacked.
Amazingly honoured to have received the2nd prize in the Prix Bayeux-Calvados war reporting award for our film ‘Libya: The Infernal Trap’.
With my colleagues @JDungelhoeff and @Abdala7 for @FRANCE24 https://t.co/2mERJoG9my — Catherine Norris-Trent (@cntrentF24) October 10, 2020
The public choice award went to Anthony Wallace of Agence France-Presse for a photo reportage titled “Hong Kong: A Popular Revolt.” It also won the second jury prize.
Anas Alkharboutli from the German agency DPA won the Young Reporter Trophy for his work in Syria.
A total of 50 reports were in competition.
(AFP)
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